SUNDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER 2018

With Emerging Markets Turmoil, Renewed Inflationary Pressure, CBN Likely to Raise MPR

Obinna Chima

There are strong indications that the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) which meets less than 10 days from today, will raise its benchmark monetary policy rate (MPR) in order to wade off spill over

from the turmoil in emerging markets (EMs) as well as to tame inflationary pressure.

Russia’s central bank last week raised its main interest rate for the first time in almost four years, following Turkey in taking steps to defend its currency amid emerging market turmoil.

The Bank raised its benchmark

lending rate by 0.25 percentage points to 7.50 per cent. The rouble, which has also been battered by worries over US sanctions and other political pressure on Russia, rallied on the announcement and traded as much as 0.8 per cent stronger at Rbs67.64.

Precisely, the next MPC holds

between September 24th and 25th 2018.

Nigeria’s Consumer Price Index, (CPI) which measures inflation increased by 0.09 per cent to 11.23 percent (year-onyear) in August, compared to the 11.14 per cent recorded the preceding month, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)

revealed on Friday. That was the first year-on-year rise in headline inflation after 18 consecutive disinflation in the index.

However, stock markets as well as currencies in EMs such as Argentina, Turkey, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Egypt, South Korea, Philippines and China, have plunged heavily

in the past few weeks, even as the naira has remained stable.

EMs across board have been under pressure since the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates in June.

Governments and companies had borrowed in dollars when Continued on page 8

Adeosun Jets out of Nigeria to London… Page 8 Sunday 16 September, 2018 Vol 23. No 8551

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Presidency Hits Back at HSBC: Return Our Stolen Assets inYour Custody Says bank out to discredit Buhari out of fear of sanctions and fines it might incur over stolen national assets Silent on The Economist, Wall Street Journal Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Apparently, angered by the damning report of HSBC, which was followed by another

report by The Economist, predicting defeat for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, and warning that should he win, the country would suffer

further economic deterioration, the Presidency yesterday in Abuja asked HSBC, a global financial institution, to return the loot in its custody instead

of predicting doomsday for Buhari in the presidential poll.

Reacting to HSBC's prediction that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

would defeat Buhari’s All Progressives Congress (APC) at the forthcoming presidential poll, presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement,

said a bank, which harboured stolen loot from Nigeria lacked any moral right to predict the Continued on page 8

Ambode: Tinubu Adamant Over Governor’s Second Term Sanwo-Olu may declare gubernatorial ambition today Pressure on Hamzat to stand down and deputise

Bayo Akinloye Some last minute diplomacy by presidency and concerned stakeholders to save Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s job for another term might have hit yet another brick wall as Tinubu has remained adamant insisting that he does not want to repeat the mistake he made after several prominent people intervened when he moved against former Governor Babatunde Fashola.

The Fashola experience is said to have left a bitter taste in Tinubu's mouth as Fashola went on to build his own relationship with Buhari without his (Tinubu's) endorsement. Fashola, Tinubu's loyalists lament, almost emasculated the godfather.

The hawks around him are said to be furiously backing Tinubu not to cave in to pressure to drop his opposition to the governor's second term for similar reason that Ambode would come after

them except there is an ironclad way of forcing him to honour certain conditions that would guarantee their continued relevance.

Tinubu is however said not to be particularly keen on conditions but fears that having literally pulled a gun on the governor, should he now lower it and back the governor's second term quest, Ambode might come after him when he is re-elected..

Interestingly, while Ambode's fate is hanging precariously in the balance, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the much talked about alternative candidate to Ambode, was said to be putting finishing touches to his declaration rally, meant to hold today at Skypower open ground, beside Archbishop Vinning Memorial Church, Ikeja.

In order to scale up the status Continued on page 8

See THISDAY Weekly Guide to 2019… Pages 16-17

HEALTH FOR ALL...

R-L: GAVI Champion for Africa and Founder, Avon Medical, Dr. Awele Elumelu; CEO, GAVI, The Vaccine Alliance, Dr. Seth Berkley; and Director-General, World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, at a conference to champion increased vaccine converage, targeting underimmunised nations, in Geneva... recently

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

PAGE EIGHT AMBODE: TINUBU ADAMANT OVER GOVERNOR’S SECOND TERM of Sanwo-Olu, the various support and interest groups managing his aspiration are taking positions in anticipation of the new power centre. They were said to have beefed up security around him, with bodyguards and some bulletproof Sports Utility Vehicles for ease of movement.

Meanwhile, there is a new thinking within the Mandate Group, which seeks to put pressure on Mr. Femi Hamzat to stand down his governorship aspiration and become running mate to Sanwo-Olu before the extrapolations get more complicated.

This idea, sources claimed, stemmed from the need to secure the support of the Justice Forum, one of the key groups set up mainly to propagate the political ideals of Lagos State.

It was thought that with the rate Hamzat was going, especially, with the belief that he is being encouraged to run

by Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, he could upset the calculations within the Mandate Group. Hence, the latest move to prevail on him to stand down and be Sanwo-Olu’s running mate.

This combination also seeks to balance the religious factor of the Lagos politics.

The source hinted that Tinubu and other politicians in the state, who were aggrieved that the incumbent governor had not conceded sufficient political patronage to the political class in the state, came up with the difficult conditions that Ambode had to deal with if he must get the party’s ticket for another term. “The conditions the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Tinubu is giving Ambode are very stringent. In fact, they are impossible demands on the governor,� the APC chieftain, who spoke on the condition of

anonymity, said.

According to him, “The conditions given to Ambode are very tough. In fact, the conditions are designed to ensure that the governor does not have the hope of a second term in office.

And should to assert himself in any shape, the already signed letter of resignation will be dated and submitted to the House of Assembly, which will immediately move to accept it.

A different source, which claimed affiliation to Tinubu’s inner caucus, corroborated the advance letter of resignation Ambode was mandated to write if he wanted the APC governorship ticket. “Yes, he has to write the letter,� the source said. “The. “I don’t know how much sacrifice Ambode is willing to make to be back in power in 2019," the source told THISDAY. Although speculations had been rife as to why Tinubu was not keen on having Ambode return as governor in 2019, the APC national leader has not publicly expressed his displeasure with the governor.

It is against this backdrop that there have been moves by other APC governors to save Ambode’s return as governor in 2019, as they reason that whatever happens to Ambode can happen to any of them.

The source, which claimed Tinubu was holding him by the jugular, said “This is the point I’ll like you to have in mind: the register of the APC is in the hands of the party’s leader.

"There are efforts to rig Ambode out of the governorship primary. Remember the APC is claiming to have five million members now in Lagos alone.

In 2015, the party said it had 2.5 million members. “Yet, in the presidential poll in 2015, Buhari had less than 800,000 votes and Ambode just a little above 800,000 votes.

Are they going to say that the 800,000 plus that voted in the 2015 governorship election were all APC members?�

Among those said to be displeased with Ambode are the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, who is reportedly backing Sanwo-Olu as well as other members of the Mandate Group, including Cardinal James Odunbaku alias Baba Eto, and members of the Conference 57, a coalition of council chairmen in Lagos.

These groups have accused Ambode of neglecting APC loyalists since assuming office and they did not hold back when they made public their preference for Sanwo-Olu at the latter’s press conference last Friday.

Some of THISDAY’s checks had also revealed that Tinubu’s wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was one of the brains behind the emergence of Sanwo-Olu as a governorship aspirant in the state.

Curiously, same Remi had sometime in March thrown her weight behind Ambode, along with the other senators in Lagos, Gbenga Ashafa and Solomon Adeola, praising him and praying for his re-emergence as the governor of the state in 2019.

She had said, “Your Excellency, we’re proud of the work you have done for Lagos and we’re proud to identify with you. We can only wish you divine help together with the First Lady of the state. As you continue to steer the ship of our noble state, you’ve done very credibly well. “Even on our way here just seeing the masses having somewhere to go to is a testimony of how you really want to improve the lives of the common man. And, not only that, we see that there’s nowhere you go to that you’ll not find development. Anyone that will say ‘they haven’t come

to me’, all I can say is that they should be patient.�

Continuing, the senator added: “It (development) is going to go round. I want to congratulate you and pray that your next term in office will be better than this, because they said the glory of the latter house will be greater than the former. So, we pray that you’ll continue to take this state from glory to glory. God will strengthen you with good health, joy and peace in your home and bless your family.�

However, as part of his consultations, Sanwo-Olu was said to have met with the Minister of Power, Works and Housing and former governor of the state, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yesterday afternoon at his Lagos residence.

Similarly, he was said to have met the immediate past National Legal adviser of the APC, Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), who is believed to have aligned with Sanwo-Olu, in his quest for the governorship of the state.

But as the battle for the soul of Lagos continues, handlers of Sanwo-Olu have already beefed up his security with bodyguards provided through a private security firm. “He has also been provided a bullet-proof SUV for ease of movement and campaign especially,� the source added.

Given this scenario, sources maintained that the growing number of “allied forces� against Ambode was an indication that Tinubu was adamant in his indisposition to giving the governor the party’s governorship ticket, hence the near-impossible conditions.

Meanwhile, some APC stalwarts are worried that if Ambode fails to clinch the governorship ticket, President Muhammadu Buhari may pay for it, as Lagosians may not

vote for the president in the 2019 presidential run.

Among the professional bodies supporting Ambode’s second term bid, the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria and the Institute of Directors, in separate visits to the governor, recently, commended him for his outstanding performance.

Some months ago, Chairman of Forte Oil, Femi Otedola, issued a statement endorsing Ambode for second term.

Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Oba Otudeko etc, had equally recommended Ambode for re-election during a stakeholders meeting organised by the Lagos State government recently.

Some economic experts, who spoke with THISDAY on the condition of anonymity, had described Ambode as the most focused governor the state has had, especially in terms of deliberate and robust plans for investment and growth in the state.

The economic experts noted that under Ambode, the state had attracted $43 billion-worth of investments proposal due to “deliberate policies put in place to promote investment and enhance ease of doing business."

One of the economists, who is also a financial analyst, told THISDAY, “When he (Ambode) received the Namibia President, Dr. Hage Geingoband, he sold the investment opportunities that abound in the state to him. Ambode has met several groups of local and foreign investors including investors from Dubai, United States of America, as well as envoys from several European and Middle East countries – most recently, the British Prime Minister, Theresa May.�

Another expert added: “Ambode has no doubt demonstrated his willingness

to expand the economy of the state with the acceleration of the Lekki Free Trade Zone. He released N1.6 billion to accelerate infrastructure development within the FTZ. “Take away Ambode from the ballot box and Lagos is toying with poor investors’ confidence in Lagos. This is not about politics. They should look at the long-term interest of the state, which is currently associated with the person of Ambode. Four years’ investment efforts shouldn’t be allowed to go down the drain.�

The expert spoke of the economic implication of APC doing away with Ambode at the primary, arguing, “Another project that is dear to his heart is the Eko Atlantic City project, a multibillion-dollar undertaking sitting on over 10 million square metres and is expected to accommodate over 150,000 people who would reside there and another 250,000 who would work and commute within the city on a daily basis. “You don’t change a winning captain with a winning mentality.

This is the best governor that Lagos – and I dare say Nigeria – has ever had.�

Special Adviser to the Governor on Overseas Affairs and Investment, Prof. Ademola Abass, said: “Within the last three years of Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration, Lagos State has received investment proposals approximately worth $43billion.�

The experts also claimed that between 2015 and 2016, Ambode’s administration had received more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) than was achieved in the last 10 years.

Last week, the ICAN President Razak Jaiyeola and his IoD counterpart, Rufai Mohammed, praised Ambode’s sterling performance since assumption of office in 2015, saying his achievements across all sectors and sections speak volume.

to pay $1.92 billion as penalty for money laundering.

It also accused the bank of earlier incurring a fine to the tune of $1.2 billion in Hong Kong over what it described as “systemic deficiencies in bond sales."

It added that HSBC had also been made to pay another $100 million for currency rigging settlement as reported by The Telegraph of January.

The Presidency was, however, silent on The Economist which also predicted Buhari's defeat, stating, "2019 elections will be a close contest between ruling APC and PDP. We expect PDP presidential candidate to win, but for the next administration to flounder against the same

problems as the incumbent one. “The next government is likely to be led by PDP, the main opposition, potentially in a coalition with smaller parties, but instability will remain an insoluble challenge."

It is a major turnaround for the government of Buhari to now admit that the late maximum leader, General Sani Abacha, actually looted the Nigerian treasury. Buhari had never previously admitted this, instead he had repeatedly praised Abacha's 'sterling qualities.'

Only recently, the Buhari government shared $322 million from Switzerland, being proceeds of Abacha loot, which he allegedly distributed to poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

PRESIDENCY HITS BACK AT HSBC: RETURN OUR STOLEN ASSETS IN YOUR CUSTODY fate of Buhari.

The presidency was further angered by the bank's prediction that if Buhari returned to power next year, the Nigerian economy would be stunted.

In a swift reaction, it alleged that what killed Nigeria’s economy in the past was rather the unbridled looting of state resources by the country's leaders through the connivance of HSBC. The statement said, "A bank that soiled its hand with ‘millions of US dollars yet-to-be-recovered Abacha loot' and continued until a few months ago to shield the stolen funds of one of the leaders of the Nigerian Senate has no moral right whatsoever to project that a 'second term for Mr. Buhari raises the risk

of limited economic progress and further fiscal deterioration.'

"Rather, we ask them to heed President Buhari’s constant refrain: return our stolen assets, then see how well we will do.�

According to Shehu, facts available to Nigeria's investigative agencies had shown that HSBC’s prediction was only an expression of frustration over measures put in place by Buhari's government to check offshore transfer of looted funds. He said such measures abolished prevalent corruption from which the bank benefitted in the past.

Shehu also alleged that the bank was only out to discredit his principal for fear of sanctions and fines it might incur over the

stolen national assets.

According to him, the coming of Buhari to power has resulted in the investigation of corrupt individuals, banks and other corporate entities, which he said aided corruption.

He also said many of the suspected culprits, including their friends in the media, would rather want Buhari to be defeated so that it could be business as usual.

He added: "Our investigation agencies believe that HSBC had laundered more than USD 100,000,000 for the late General Sani Abacha in Jersey, Paris, London and Geneva.

"Among these accounts on the records are: AC: S-104460 HSBC Fund Admin Ltd. Jersey

($12,000,000); AC 37060762 HSBC Life (Europe), U.K ($20,000,000) and AC: 38175076 HSBC Bank Plc. U.K ($1,600,000)."

The statement also accused the bank of suspicious laundering of proceeds of corruption, which it said involved more than 50 other Nigerians, including a serving senator.

It argued that a book, “Secrecy World: Inside the Panama Papers Investigation,� authored in 2017

by Jack Bernstein, revealed the story of global money laundering in which the HSBC featured prominently.

The statement also accused HSBC of shady deals, saying both state and federal authorities in the United States had once forced it

WITH EMERGING MARKETS TURMOIL, RENEWED INFLATIONARY PRESSURE, CBN LIKELY TO RAISE MPR interest rates were low, and the dollar was weak. Now the dollar is strong and interest rates are rising.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index of shares is down more than 13 per cent in 2018.

Similarly, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) market capitalisation has fallen by 13.5 per cent in 2018.

In addition, Nigeria external reserves is down by five per cent this quarter, to its last Thursday’s close of $45.228 billion.

Owing to these developments, there are strong indications that the MPC may hike interest rate.

CBN Deputy Governor, Dr Joseph Nnanna, last month hinted about plans to increase the interest rate in response to higher inflation ahead of the general elections in February 2019.

According to Nnanna, virtually

all members of the MPC had supported the idea, that “the Monetary Policy Rate should increase if inflationary pressures build up.�

Nnanna had said, “These factors would warrant a rate increase to send the right signal to the public, that the central bank will tighten policy to respond to higher inflation. There’s a scope to raise rates before the elections in February. “The central bank is still in the mood for tightening. How fast are we going to tighten is what members haven’t agreed upon.� Nnanna said while policy tightening by the United States Federal Reserve was a concern, investors still saw Nigeria as an attractive market, thanks to the stable naira and the yield curve on fixed-income instruments higher than in the US or Europe. “I am not worried about

reversal of capital flows. If any investor wants to exit the market, we shall meet them at the door and write a cheque and give them their money,� he had added.

Also, speaking in a chat with THISDAY last night, an analyst at Agusto & Co, Jimi Ogbobine, said a hike in interest rate would be majorly driven by movement of foreign portfolio investments (FPIs) “If the MPC feels that FPIs movement is getting volatile, to forestall sell-off of assets, it will increase interest rate,� he explained.

But analyst at Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Kunle Ezun, disagreed, saying “I am not sure the central bank will want to go that route.�

Research Analyst at FXTM, Lukman Otunuga, pointed out that the simmering trade dispute between the world’s two largest economies had also fuelled global

risk aversion while a brutal sell-off in the EM space rattled investor confidence.

He said with fears mounting over a full-blown trade war triggering global instability and negatively impacting growth, emerging markets especially remain under extreme pressure. “Throughout the third quarter

of 2018, Nigeria has kept afloat with GDP expanding 1.5 per cent during second quarter (Q2) and inflation easing 11.14 per cent.

Although the nation’s external reserve dropped to the lowest since March to $45 billion, it still remains at manageable levels. “With oil prices somewhat supported by geopolitics and

the naira displaying a degree of stability against the Dollar, the outlook looks somewhat encouraging.

However, external risks in the form of an appreciating dollar, prospects of higher interest rates and trade tensions could cripple Nigeria’s fragile recovery,� Otunuga explained.

Adeosun Jets out of Nigeria to London Less than twenty four hours after her resignation as finance minister, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, has left the country.

Family source said she left for the United Kingdom with a morning flight.

Adeosun, finance minister since November 2015, stepped down from office on Friday after owning up to parading a forged youth service President Muhammadu Buhari accepted

her resignation on Friday.

The former minister said she did not know the that the National Youth Service Corps’ exception certificate issued to her was not genuine.

Adeosun was born and raised in the United Kingdom. She boarded British Airways out of the country.

While explaining how she came about the fake NYSC certificate she said: "I

was born and raised in the United Kingdom, indeed my parental family home remains in London. My visits to Nigeria up until the age of thirty-four (34) were holidays, with visas obtained in my UK passport. I obtained my first Nigerian passport at the age of thirty-four (34) and when I relocated there was debate as to whether NYSC Law applied to me."

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

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SUNDAY COMMENT

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

BUHARI AND THE RULE OF LAW Democracy is built on the principle of rule of law

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igeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recently cried out on the urgent need to pull the country back from the troubling path of impunity, scant regard for the judiciary and the violations of democratic process ahead of the 2019 general election. According to the party, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), an important agency set up to tackle graft, has turned criminal investigation into a tool for tarnishing the image of key opposition figures “perceived to be averse to the whims and electoral interest of the ruling party.”

We agree on the need to restore the country to the path of law and order if we are to make any progress.

The presumption of innocence and the requirement of proof beyond reasonable doubt in criminal cases are safeguards meant to protect all of us from the mob and from the state. In societies where leaders bend the rule of law in favour of any cause, including those subsumed under national security, the main aim is usually to abridge certain rights and freedoms that the people hold dear in pursuit of private agenda.

It is against this background that the recent statement by President Muhammadu Buhari that he would “jail more looters” created concern about the role of the judiciary before he added fuel to fire with his declaration at the annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) that the rule of law would be subordinated to national security. “Rule of Law must be subject to the supremacy of the nation’s security and national interest,” the president had said in what was considered an outright descent to totalitarianism, although there has been a walk back from that position following public outrage.

However, the president’s remark at the lawyers’ conference was a mere reinforcement of an earlier one by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. Last July, Malami clearly

endorsed the subordination of the law to “national security” in advancing reasons why the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) was still being held despite repeated court orders for his release since 2015. According to Malami, the former NSA could not be released because the allegations against him were related to “issues of public interest,” obviously as defined by this administration.

The “supremacy” of national security and public interest is also evidently at play in the continued disobedience to court orders on the release of the Shiite leader, Sheik Ibrahim El Zakzaky.

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No one, no matter how highly placed, should be allowed to take the laws into their hands or resort to selfhelp on any issue

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

he Gestapo-like invasion of the abode of Chief Edwin Clark, former Federal Commissioner for Information by police officers who were later dismissed for acting without authorisation has further heightened the state of lawlessness in the country. Only last Friday, a 20-man team of EFCC officials invaded the headquarters of Standard Chartered Bank in Lagos, ostensibly in the line of duty. A day later, the commission declared that "the raid by operatives purportedly wearing the jackets of the commission might have been the handiwork of errant officers who acted without authorisation."

It is either that these agencies are becoming increasingly less rule-governed or they have been hijacked by rogue elements within their ranks. But whichever way one looks at it, especially against the recent show of shame by the Directorate of State Services (DSS) at the entrance to the National Assembly, it should worry critical stakeholders that recourse to arbitrariness is fast becoming the norm in our country.

Over the last three and half years, the Buhari administration has consistently fallen short on issues of human rights and the rule of law. It manages security through an ineffective clique that takes delight in harassing and intimidating the opposition. On many occasions, the EFCC had been used and is still being used to fight private battles. Its sister organisation, the DSS is another impunity writ large. Besides, the government disobeys court orders at will. However, even more odd and outrageous was the president’s proclamation in a house full of lawyers that his administration is more or less above the law.

While we subscribe to the notion that national security is of crucial importance, democracy is built on the principle of rule of law. Therefore, no one, no matter how highly placed, should be allowed to take the laws into their hands or resort to self-help on any issue.

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.

International Literacy Day: Beyond The Celebration

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iteracy day is always celebrated across the world on 8th September.

This year's celebration which was themed "Literacy and skills Development" is the 52nd edition.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) defines literacy as the ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate and compute using printed and written materials associated in varying contexts.

According to UNESCO, as at 2015, about 774 million adults lacked the minimum literacy skills.

One in five adults are still

not literate and two-third of them are women; about 75 million children are out of school and many more attend irregularly and drop out.

However, literacy is celebrated in order to encourage formal education among the rank and file because there are nearly four billion literate people in the world.

Literacy day was first celebrated on September 8th, 1966. UNESCO's banners for that event featured the words, "Literacy is the best Remedy". The global literacy rate for all people aged 15 years and above is 86.3 per cent. The literacy rate for all males is 90 per cent, female 82.7

per cent. The rate varies throughout the world with developed nations having a rate of 99.2 per cent as at 2013, Oceania 71.3 per cent, South and West Asia having 70.2 per cent, sub-Saharan Africa, 64 per cent.

According to research carried out by UNESCO, the states where majority of the people cannot read or write are those in the North East, North West, and North Central. Statistics showed that as at 2017, Yobe State only had 7.23 per cent literacy rate, the lowest in Nigeria followed

by Zamfara with 19.16 per cent, Katsina, 10.36 per cent; Sokoto, 15.01 per cent; Bauchi, 19.26

per cent; Kebbi, 20.51 per cent; Niger, 22.88 per cent while Taraba is an exception with 72 per cent.

These statistics showed that states in Northern Nigeria lagged behind in education.

Data showed that as at 2015, youth illiteracy fell from 66.1 in 1991 to 62.1 per cent in 2015 while Nigeria adults literacy rate as at 2015 was 59.6 per cent.

All stakeholders have a role to play in order to address the issues of illiteracy as well as sustain literacy rate in Nigeria by reviewing the educational curriculum most especially the irrelevant ones. Also of importance is the need to correct the exclusion of women from adult education especially in the Northern part of Nigeria.

Girls and women should be

encouraged to go to school and more awareness should be created on the importance of education.

Provision of quality schools, relevant courses or subjects, well equipped laboratories and workshops, materials for practical work such as books, and adequate training equipment and seminar as well as the engagement of qualified teachers with necessary resources should be put in place for conducive learning environment.

Adult education should be made accessible so as to reduce illiteracy rate and the number of drop-outs in order to pave the way for younger generations to be literate.

Martins Kehinde Titilayo, Agbeloba, Abeokuta

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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 16, 2018

NEWS Saraki: We’ll Rescue Nigeria from Rudderless Govt Says restructuring key to economic prosperity Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, yesterday noted that democracy would have been a thing of the past in Nigeria if the National Assembly did not provide critical intervention to save

the country from descent to despotism.

Saraki, a presidential aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said he was determined to rescue Nigeria from what he described as the rudderless government

of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the federal level come 2019.

He expressed the views yesterday during a visit to Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose in Ado Ekiti, noting that the country “requires a president that can

give the people a sense of belonging and also ensure that we have true democracy.”

Saraki was accompanied by his Director-General of Campaign Council and the Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, Hon. Mohammed

EMPOWERING YOUTHS...

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, at Osogbo City Stadium to inaugurate the fourth batch OYES Parade in Osogbo ...yesterday

Wakil, Senate Minority Leader, Chief Biodun Olujimi and Sen. Duro Faseyi among others.

At a session with Ekiti’s PDP delegates, Saraki called for restructuring, noting that there “must be restructuring so that states could maximise their potentials. We are at a cross road. We see great danger with our democracy.

That is why your state has had a terrible experience with the kind of democracy.

“If not for what we have been doing at the National Assembly to sustain and protect our democracy, there will be nothing like democracy in Nigeria by now. So, it is important that we look for a courageous and capable president that we can be proud of. We need a president that will ensure we have true democracy.

“Before now, we have been voting based on sentiment and ethnicity. So, we need a leader that will allow you to reach your goal. It is time we restructure and have a state that would be able to maximise their potentials.

“Let us look for someone who can understand how to rule and partner with investors for economic gain and that aspirant is me, the senate president noted.

Also speaking at the session, Fayose called on all the aspirants gunning for the presidential ticket of the PDP to accept the outcome

of the party primary election slated for October 6, 2018 and work for the success of the party.

The governor said he was not supporting any particular presidential aspirant, noting that he had cautioned his colleagues that they should allow the process to be credible.

Fayose stated Nigerians “are waiting for the PDP to liberate them. We must be united to be able to rescue them.”

Fayose threatened to back out of the primary election if the process is not credible, lamenting that the future of the country had already been mortgaged and saying somebody should tell Buhari to please go home and rest.

He noted that the appointment of Yusuf Bichi by the president as the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) further confirmed that he was insensitive.

He said Buhari “is supposed to be the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We never know we can get here. I am sure you joined the APC because you thought Nigeria would be better. Nigeria no longer has gear one to five.

“Everything is now in reverse gear. So, Mr. Senate President, you are welcome to the PDP, our Jerusalem.

But the APC is the Egypt,” the governor said.

Banks, Fintechs Partnership to Drive Nigeria’s Economic Growth Bamidele Famoofo A robust partnership between banks and the emerging Fintechs industry has been identified as a sure way to drive financial inclusion in Nigeria.

This view was expressed

by Faculty Member, Lagos Business School, Dr. Olayinka David-West, at the 2018 Annual Conference of the Financial Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) held in Lagos at the weekend.

In her presentation titled “Banks, Fintechs and Nigeria’s Financial Inclusion Journey”,

David-West asserted that partnership between the two industries in Nigeria’s financial sector is the best way to drive the much desired growth in the economy of Nigeria.

She pointed out that the largest economy in Africa is almost missing out in the opportunity to drive financial inclusion in line with the current global trends.

“Nigeria does not have all the time to wait as it is already missing out in the opportunity to develop”, she said.

Citing statistics from the World Bank Global Findex,

which she says calls for urgent need to drive financial inclusion in Nigeria through the partnership of banks and Fintechs, David-West, who was ably represented by Professor Olawale Ajayi of the Lagos Business School, disclosed that only 40 percent of adult Nigerians have bank accounts as at 2017.

Further driving home her argument for a need for partnership, she made a reference to another data supplied by Intermedia, which showed that only 9.2 percent of Nigerians patronized the informal financial services in 2017.

“Three percent used mobile money services in 2017.

Moving the bulk of potential customers outside the financial services sector into the sector will catalyse the growth of the economy, and it must be done very urgently”, she added.

Whilst other experts at the event which include representatives from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Commercial Banks and other stakeholders in the financial sector in Nigeria dismissed any threat from Fintechs to the banks, David-West warned that

banks can no longer continue to shun digitalization of their operations if they must continue to remain business in the long run.

Whilst it was acknowledged that in practice, financial technology is not the exclusive domain of Fintechs as more traditional banks, Microfinance Finance Institutions (MFIs) and Development Organisations make use of financial technology, David-West warned that banks which fail to quickly embrace technology to drive financial inclusion will soon be overrun by the highly innovative Fintechs.

According to the don, the financial services sector has witnessed digital entrepreneurship in the form of Fintechs because of innovation, inexpensive startup skillset coupled with their entrepreneurial and passionate drive.

Besides identifying entrepreneurship and innovation as possible threats to the partnership between Fintechs and Banks, globalization is another major obstacle that banks will have to deal with if they must catch up with Fintechs which have already embraced the concept.

Anambra Asks People Living in Osinbajo, Obaseki Extol Idahosa’s Exemplary Life Riverine Areas to Relocate David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka The Anambra State Government yesterday advised people living in flood-prone areas of the state to relocate immediately to approved Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Centres provided across the state.

The state government gave the advice in a statement by the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Paul Odenigbo. The executive secretary said the appeal became necessary in view of raging flood already, threatening lives and property of people living in coastal areas of the state.

He said the decision was

arrived at after a meeting with the ministries, departments and agencies involved in flood and emergency matters under the chairmanship of the Deputy Governor, Dr Nkem Okeke at the State House, Awka.

He assured that government has since made contingency plans for 28 of such centres across the state, though warned residents of the affected areas not to disregard the forecast on flooding by relevant agencies.

According to him, people living in towns and communities within the three local government areas -- Ayamelum, Anambra East and Ogbaru -- should move to IDP centres immediately to avoid impend-

ing devastations.

The executive secretary said: “Let us minimise our losses as homes and farmlands are already submerged under flooding, that has already overrun some communities.’’

While reiterating the state government’s commitment to assist the IDPs, Odenigbo assured of adequate welfare packages for the affected persons in the centres already provided.

“Already, government has made arrangements for them to be evacuated and camped in some designated centres within the various council areas.

Residents of the affected areas are advised to move into them immediately,’’ he said.

The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, and the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, yesterday extolled the exemplary Christian life lived by the founder of the Church of God Mission International, (CGMi), the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa.

Speaking at the church’s 50th anniversary in Benin, Osinbajo described the late Archbishop as a game changer in the country’s path to Christianity, noting that his legacies would live on.

Osinbajo, who spoke on a title, “The Christian, Politics and Nation Building” at the anniversary said the late archbishop was a role model to many Christians and church founders

within and outside the country.

He equally commended the Christian virtues of the church’s current overseer, Mrs. Margaret Idahosa, saying she “is a woman of history, destiny and the future, who has been able to crack the glass ceiling in the gospel world that is dominated by male preachers and whose messages have changed the destinies of many.”

Also speaking at the anniversary, Obaseki said late Idahosa revolutionised the pentecostal movement in Nigeria, and did not relent in his missionary work despite opposition from many people.

“We have every reason to celebrate the legacies of our Papa,

as we fondly called him. He introduced television evangelism, which is now popular among Christian preachers across the country.

“We thought his passing would lead to the collapse of the Church but we are here celebrating the vibrancy of the Church in the past 50 years,” the governor said.

He praised the leadership qualities of the present archbishop, describing her as a steadfast preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He noted that the preaching and prayers of Mrs. Idahosa have continued to mend broken hearts and homes of people of the state and beyond.

T H I S D AY ˾ SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

NEWS Despite Court Order, NAICOM Insists on October Deadline for Insurance Recapitalisation Ebere Nwoji The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) yesterday said there was no going back on its October 1, 2018 deadline for operators in the insurance industry to shore up their capital base.

The commission insisted on the deadline despite a Federal High Court order to the commission to stop the implementation of the policy.

Justice Muslim Hassan of Federal High Court, Lagos, had last week given an order in an action brought by some shareholders in the industry, mandating NAICOM to halt the implementation of the deadline.

However, NAICOM, at a retreat organised for journalists in Abuja yesterday, insisted that there was no going back on the recapitalisation exercise, saying there was nowhere in the world that a court has stopped a regulator from performing its duty.

The Commissioner for Insurance, Alhaji Mohammed Kari made the position known, noting that his office was not moved and could not be deterred by either the operators’ opposition to the policy, their threat for court action or even the various stakeholders’, especially the shareholders that filed a suit in court on account of the recapitalisation exercise.

Kari said an increase in minimum solvency capital of the industry became necessary because whereas the exchange rate was as low as N120 to a dollar at the time the last

recapitalisation exercise was done, and inflation rate was at single digit, currently, the exchange rate was about N360 to the dollar, while inflation rate now was in double digits.

The commissioner also observed that with low capital, operators took too much risk, noting that there “is nowhere in the world where a regulator is stopped from performing its regulatory functions by a court and Nigeria or insurance sector in Nigeria cannot be an exception.”

He said in the history of the insurance industry recapitalisation in Nigeria, court cases had always been there, yet regulators had always performed their duties.

According to him, a review of the minimum capital of insurance firms in Nigeria has become necessary because between 2003, when the Insurance Act currently in use was enacted, and now, insurance industry’s capital ought to have been increased by 100 to 150 per cent to make up for the years the industry failed to increase capital, just like the banks.

Kari said this was why NAICOM opted for the use of detect your operations based on your capital” strategy.

He said the various agitations and resistance going on did not surprise him, noting that it “has always been the character of the industry players to resist change, which he said would not help the industry.

“Their resistance to change is what has kept the industry

We Will Overcome Vote Buying, INEC Assures Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured that it would overcome the menace of vote buying, which it described as cancer and a threat to the electoral process. Chairman of the commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, stated this in Abuja at a voter enlightenment programme, WatchingTheVote Election Series II, put together by the Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth & Advancement (YIAGA), with the theme: “Ending the Scourge of Vote Buying and Selling in Nigerian Elections.”

Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, in a statement issued yesterday, quoted c as saying that the challenge of vote buying was not just worrisome to the commission but also to the entire country.

Yakubu, however, expressed optimism about the commission’s ability to respond appropriately to the problem. He said the hydra-headed problem required the involvement of all stakeholders, including security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations, the media, and the citizens.

Yakubu stated, “We will overcome vote buying, just

as we have risen to previous challenges to our electoral processes.

“We all have to come together to address this challenge. The truth is that buyers and sellers know that they are committing illegality, but nobody comes out to say, I am a vote buyer or I am a vote seller.

“Some of the infractions take place at the polling units. Some of them take place outside the polling unit on election day.

Some even take place before elections through electronic cash transfer.”

The INEC chairman agreed with other speakers at the event, who attributed the emergence of vote buying to the improvement in the electoral process. He outlined some of the steps the commission had already taken to address the challenge.

According to Yakubu, “For the infractions that happen at the polling units, we are looking at the administration of our polling units such that it will be either impossible or difficult for voters to expose their ballot papers to agents of the vote buyers (for settlement thereafter). We are going to use the Osun governorship election in the next eight days to make a statement on vote buying.

where it is today and if it continues, the industry will not catch up with other sectors of the economy. Insurance has remained the only growth area in the economy, whereas others have grown, insurance

sector vis-a vis population is not making the expected impact to the economy, but there is no way but to grow.

“We are not deterred by their threats for court case, court cases have not stopped any

regulator from performing his duties. There is nowhere in the world it has. What we did was making public what we have been doing in the industry.

“Last year, we stopped some companies from doing certain

classes of businesses because they were over-trading.

Anytime we discovered that any company is exceeding its capacity, we stop him. We have been doing it, we only made it public this time.”

CHALLENGING CYCLISTS...

L-R: Manager, Simba Agric & Power Products Industries, Akshay Talwar; Head, Not For Profit Unit, Sterling Bank Plc, Carla Sojinrin; President, African Cycling Foundation, Yemi Osilaja; Assistant Director, Lagos Sports Commission, Ramon Olaoye, and Captain, Cycology Riding Club, Bimpe Olufemi, at the announcement of the third edition of the Schools Cycling Challenge in Lagos…recently

How EFCC Probe Compelled Wamakko to Abandon Tambuwal Gboyega Akinsanmi Former Sokoto State Governor, Sen. Aliyu Wamakko, abandoned his successor and political godson, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, due to a N15 billion fraud allegation against his administration currently being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), THISDAY has learnt.

Despite Wamakko’s decision to remain in the All Progressives Congress (APC), THISDAY checks revealed that Tambuwal decided to defect to the PDP because he had been assured of clinching the PDP presidential ticket by some governors from the South-east and South-south before he eventually dumped APC. Multiple sources explained political intrigues that com-

pelled Wamakko to shelve his defection plan at the weekend, claiming that the presidency learnt about the defection plan after the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki visited Wamakko.

Wamakko, also Chairman of Northern Forum of Senators (NFS), was one of the five governors that defected from the PDP to the APC in 2014 due to irreconcilable differences with the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP leadership.

Wamakko then defected to the APC alongside other serving governors: Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano State), Hon. Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers State), Mr. Rochas Okorocha (Imo State) and Mr. Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), among others, three of whom had returned to the PDP due to

APC’s internal rift.

Tambuwal, who defected to the APC as the Speaker of House of Representatives in 2014, eventually returned to the PDP precisely on July 31 to pursue his long-time aspiration to become the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

However, a source told THISDAY that Tambuwal could not again defect to the PDP along with Wamakko, his political godfather contrary to their initial plan to dump the APC at the same time and with a grand political rally to announce their exit.

The source, therefore, disclosed that Wamakko could not leave the APC again for fear of being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He explained that the presi-

dency learnt about Wamakko’s plan “to defect when Saraki visited him sometimes in 2017.

Saraki was returning from a foreign trip the day he visited Wamakko. He flew directly to Sokoto to discuss Wamakko.

“After Saraki’s visit, the EFCC revisited a N15 billion graft allegation against Wamakko.

He was shown incriminating evidence that compelled to shelve his defection. The EFCC probe actually compelled to stay back in the APC and not because he has any difference with his political godson.

“He never had misunderstanding with Tambuwal.

Even during the congresses, he gave Tambuwal free hand to chose party officials at all levels. He simply wanted to defect to the PDP to help his political son realise his presidential ambition.”

Jonathan: Lamido Has Capacity to Unite Nigerians Tobi Soniyi Former President Goodluck Jonathan has described exJigawa State governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Alhaji Sule Lamido, as a courageous and experienced leader, capable of uniting the country, if given the mandate next year.

A statement by Lamido’s media aide on the Social Media , Mansur Ahmed, said Jonathan made the comment when members of Sule Lamido National Campaign Council visited him at his Yenagoa residence in Bayelsa State, yesterday.

The former president, who expressed the belief that the next president after President

Muhammadu Buhari, will come from the PDP next year, also noted that Nigerians are today more divided than ever and that it required a PDP president to unite it.

“Sule, you are somebody that is highly courageous, zealous, committed and experienced.

You can perform wonderfully well, and I believe the next president that will take over from Buhari God willing will be from PDP, and the task for him is to unify the country because Nigeria is now divided more than ever.

“In 2011, it was too difficult for a northern governor to speak about Buhari, but Sule you made a lot of meaningful political statements that really captured the minds of Nigeri-

ans and PDP supporters and you really sold the party to the people.

“I am always happy to listen to you, because you know the history of Nigeria’s politics.

When I was Vice President and later President, I went round Jigawa State to commission a lot of developmental projects, Jigawa witnessed a lot of wonders under your administration.

“I know you are somebody who believes in the unity and sanctity of one Nigeria and your political history, philosophy and ideology are all about leftist and humanism not capitalist, I wish you well in all your consultations and campaign, “ the former president said.

In his response, Lamido,

thanked the former president for the warm reception accorded him and his team.

He said: “I am here to formally inform you that I am running for the presidency in 2019 on the platform of our great party, the PDP. “I am from the old generation, but I also relate with the new generation. I was a former member of House of Representatives in 1979, but I was also a governor from 2007 to 2015. So I am the bridge between the old and the new generation.

“I have been through a lot of political participation, we must think and see how we can give back to Nigeria even for once, because Nigeria has been there for us. Nigeria has dignified and honored us.

T H I S D AY ˾ SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

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ÍŻÍ´Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś Ëž THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

OPINION Bola Ajibola: Before He Bows Out Tola Adeniyi pays tribute to Bola Ajibola, former Attorney General and Minister of Justice

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his is a special tribute to a very special man. A very unusual man. A most under-celebrated icon of immense and immeasurable proportion. A man who towers well above several men and women who have unfortunately high-jacked national and international applause, much undeserved, to themselves.

I know many people may query my choice of the title for this tribute and may be wondering whether I was wishing Prince Bola Ajibola dead or insinuating that he had already collected his Boarding Pass to the other side of the continuum. Far from it. It has always been my cardinal principle that people who are good should be told while alive and active that they are good, and those bad should be told so. Not elegies at the grave side which would be of no use to the dead.

One time Prime Minister of Canada Mr Jean Chretien was asked if he was bothered by what the press might write after his demise; the usually witty gentleman quipped “I won’t be there to read it!�

If one of the most recognisable faces on the planet, Michael Jackson had been shown the unprecedented love showered on him at his death, he would have died a happier man.

So, I declare that I wish Uncle Bola Ajibola more years of meritorious and active life in the service of Allah and humanity. He has not finished his mission. And he’s not about to by the special grace of Allah.

And those who may still be worried about my choice of title should find solace in the fact that I already drafted the pamphlet of the programme of proceedings for my funeral in addition to choosing the transparent plastic casket my remains would be cased in and the spot to be interred at my Ashi Bodija residence, whenever my body could no longer accommodate my breath of life.

Now back to our main subject. And I have Wikipedia as my reference: Omoba Bolasodun Adesumbo "Bola" Ajibola KBE [The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire] (born March 22, 1934) was an Attorney General and the Minister of Justice of Nigeria from 1985 to 1991 and a Judge of the International Court of Justice from 1991 to 1994. He was president of the Nigerian Bar Association from 198485. He was also one of five commissioners on the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission, organised through the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

Born in Owu near Abeokuta, to the Owu royal family of Oba Abdul-Salam Ajibola Gbadela II, who was the traditional ruler of Owu between 1949 and 1972, Ajibola attended Owu Baptist Day School and Baptist Boys’ High School both in Abeokuta between 1942 and 1955. He obtained his bachelor's degree in Law (LL.B) at the Holborn College of Law, University of London between 1959 and 1962 and was called to the English Bar at the Lincoln’s Inn in 1962. He returned to Nigeria to practise law, specialising in Commercial Law and International Arbitration.

He was the chairman of the panel set up by the Plateau State government to probe the 2008 Jos riots. He established Crescent University in 2005 in Nigeria which is an Islamic and co-educational institution.

I had wanted to write this tribute since 2005 when Judge Bola Ajibola was appointed the Chairman of the 50-member Ogun State Elders Consultative Forum in Abeokuta. I found in that appointment a confirmation of the esteem I have held Prince Ajibola when I met him in his very active and articulate days as the fire-brand President of the Nigerian Bar Association [NBA] [1984-1985].

Ogun State Elders Consultative Forum paraded heavyweights like emeritus Professor Theophilus O. Ogunlesi, Nigeria’s first professor of Medicine; Justice Sogbetun, Professor Akin Mabogunje, Sir Kessington Adebutu, Chief A.A. Degun, Professor Adebayo Adedeji, Apena Adebisi Macgregor, Dr Ona Soleye, Ambassador Koleoso, Professor Anthony Asiwaju, Chief Olu Okuboyejo, Professor Biyi Afonja, Ambassador Segun Olusola, Olori Yetunde Gbadebo, Asiwaju S. A. Onafowokan, Ayora Kuforiji-Olubi, Dr Lateef Adegbite and Dr Sunny Kuku [ the youngest of the group listed] who was chair of a sub-committee. I kept postponing and postponing.

Then came Sunday August 12 and the Punch of that day spurred me to action. In reporting the wonders performed by Islamic Mission for Africa Model College, Abeokuta, the Punch wrote: Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Prince Ajibola SAN has given glory to Almighty Allah on his immense joy at the overwhelming performance of excellence by the students of one of his educational establishments at the just concluded WAEC Examinations. Ajibola thanked God for strengthening him to have made IMA International Model College happen and for the College’s feat which netted for it A1 parallel in Mathematics at the African standard examination. This is proof of Allah’s endorsement of the sacrifices of this global figure who served his fatherland as Minister for over six years without taking salary. The Crescent University Abeokuta [CUAB] the peak of the educational establishments of the Olori Omo Oba of Owu Kingdom is

Because of his commitment to human capital development and enthronement of excellent morals in our youths Prince Ajibola sold virtually all he had to found the Crescent University

today one leading private university in Nigeria with its excellent stride as ‘citadel of moral and academic excellence,’ emphasised the Sunday Punch.

When Crescent University celebrated her 10th Anniversary [2005-2015] the elated Founder and Proprietor, former World Court Judge enthused: “This is a fulfilment of our dream of nurturing people of academic and moral uprightness in the sight of God�, adding: “We do not want you [the students] to become educated beasts�.

The university which is a perfect reflection and image of its founder may be the country’s answer to all the problems facing other Nigerian universities. The university has never recorded a single day of strike or closure in the last 12 years and has not recorded a single case of cultism. From a humble beginning with accreditation in Banking and Finance, the university now boasts over 20 accredited programmes with Colleges of Law, Social and Management Sciences, Natural and Applied Sciences, Information and Communication Sciences and Environmental Sciences topping the chart.

All these Prince Ajibola has accomplished without beating drums about them. Because of his commitment to human capital development and enthronement of excellent morals in our youths Prince Ajibola sold virtually all he had to found the Crescent University.

I must add that Judge Ajibola is very rich in humour and jokes and if you do not want your ribs cracked up, you may be advised not to engage in dialectics with this bundle of wit, witticism, and syllogisms. Brought up in the royal palace; dignity, royalty, elegance, comportment and decorum always ooze out of his usually well ironed agbada.

With contacts and connections all over the globe, and with a wide network of leaders of thought throughout Nigeria Ajibola is at home in Kano as he is in Calabar and very much in good company as he is in Australia and in Austria.

Prince Bola Ajibola is a unique role model and his life is a study in academic brilliance, courage, perseverance, persistence, patience, patriotism, enterprise, focus, humility, selflessness, modesty, human decency and moral rectitude. A book for all ages and all generations!

Bold, outspoken, courageous and kind-hearted, Ajibola is one man whose door you knock with tears in your eyes and depart with smiles on your lips. His leadership and human relations skills are without compare and his patriotism and nationalism are beyond reproach. He takes his religion very seriously the same way he commits to humanity and services to both. A man of unimpeachable integrity Ajibola is one leader who could have pulled Nigeria out of its morass if he had turned his attention and immense talents and brilliance to politics. Unfortunately, Nigeria has no need for such an upright man who would not steal, would not lie, would not kill or get people killed for him and would not tamper with his female ministers’ under pants!

What’s The Fuss About Nomination Forms?

The purchase of the forms is contrived, writes Oludayo Tade

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igeria politicians are boringly copy-cat in their attempt to present their personal ambitions as driven by collective desire of the masses that need them as ‘messiah’ to rescue the nation or their states from present quagmires. But a historical analysis of the approaches adopted by the non-creative political actors shows a combination of one or more of the following: arranged rally to call for a politician to contest; the lie by the politician(s) that it was the people who asked him to contest and ‘serve’ them; the presentation of the sought-out person as sole-messiah; and lately, the purchase of forms for millionaires-ingovernment by groups, who claimed to be independent of politics, for aspirants to continue the ‘good work’ of governing their states and Nigeria.

And so, arranged groups are trumped up to present ‘altruism’ to the ambition of selfish aspirants. They used the name of the vulnerable to purchase the forms: millions of poor Nigerians; the mothers who bear the brunt of bad governance; millions who have lost jobs; those who have been killed due to insecurity among others. Their sponsors also play their own part of the deal: they shed crocodile tears while receiving the form; they organise wonderful reception and use the opportunity to abuse those who defected from their party as weak and selfish since it is ‘Nigerians’ who now purchased forms for them. Hmm...Nigeria, we hail thee!

But among all aspirants, it was the incumbent Muhammadu Buhari who genuinely claimed to have entered politics on rescue mission. At a point when his dream was frustrated, he also cried.

But what is so important in purchase of forms which has been designed to convincingly exclude genuine agents of change from running for offices to govern their states and Nigeria? So, I ask so what if forms are purchased for you? The messiahs in the states and Aso Rock in the last four years have been on the throne but do existing data show that things are getting better as they sing in

churches? I am afraid not. This is why it does not matter to the suffering Nigerians who purchased forms for whom– and who cried and who did not. They do not care if someone is ruling for four years or eight years or ruling on behalf of a zone or not.

What they are interested in is someone who makes their lives better. They are not asking for too much. Are they?

Beautiful Nubia’s song becomes handy here in explaining social reality to those who think the purchase of forms is more important than the failed efforts at improving the indices that make the life of Nigerians better. In his song, ‘Tables Turn’ Beautiful Nubia standing on a dump site, a typical survival terrain of scavengers in Nigeria captured the mood of the poor.

Constructed as ‘garbage men at work’, Beautiful Nubia shows how diligent young men and women are eking out a living, perhaps less concerned with form purchase anywhere. What is important to them is how ‘table will turn’. ‘Young man standing laughing but he knows where the shoes dey pain am so, he no fit do anything today but one day, the tables will turn’ typifies the ongoing insanity in the land and how the theatrics of form buying failed to capture those suffering at the moment.

Although smiling in pains, Nubia presents the hope of a future in which the table will turn. Symbolic here is the usage of table and the table setter. The one who sets the table and share the food ensures that the sitting arrangement is done to favour those who dine with the high and mighty as against those who are consigned to eat the crumbs. On this table, Beautiful Nubia located children hawking on the streets of Nigeria ‘struggling hard to make ends meet’ and becoming child breadwinners but are arrested by urban renewal government that failed to take care of the vulnerable. These kids can’t do anything ‘but cry’ anticipating a changed table arrangement.

Again, on the Nigerian table, are the young ladies with sexy eyes selling their bodies so they can live and get by. To Beautiful

Nubia, they can’t do anything either but worry one day the table will turn. On this unequal table are located unemployed youths, unpaid civil servants, displaced farming populace, emerging population of orphans, and students in higher institution whose parents cannot pay less than N50,000 fees and have to suspend their education. To those whose relatives die at our poorly equipped, death-health facilities, do purchase of forms matter to them? Similarly, do purchase of forms matter to those who spend billions of dollars to educate their children abroad because form buyers failed to fund education and provide world class facilities and faculty?

To echo Beautiful Nubia again, this is ‘insanity’ in need of ‘sanity’. I wonder, as Nubia did, how some people have so much and not thinking of helping those who do not have but continue to feast on them. How the so-called ‘poor’ groups buy forms for millionaires must be disturbing to this lyrical genius. He noted that “the average man does not ask for too much; a safe place to lay his head at night, is that too much to ask? Beautiful Nubia continues “He (average Nigerian) wants his kids to go to school so they can become somebody, he wants them to grow up healthy and strong. Is that too much to ask?� Let those crying or smiling receiving arranged bought nomination forms tell us what they have done to address the worries highlighted by Beautiful Nubia. If they cannot tell us how they have turned the table in these areas of education, health and insecurity, I am afraid; it is a wrong investment in them. Since they do not leave with the downtrodden to appreciate their pathetic conditions, Beautiful Nubia charged those receiving the million-naira forms to open their eyes “when you drive around in your fancy cars remember to think of the little man cause one day the table will turn�. ––Dr Tade, a sociologist, sent this piece via dotad2003@yahoo.com

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

LETTERS OSUN 2018: THE STREETS ARE WATCHING

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nce upon an administration in the State of Osun, a people groaned in the rough of aches and moaned in the tumble of pains. Then, hunger begat hunger, poverty took the place of affluence and it was as if the gods were angry!

Under the criminal grip of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), governance became a satanic blend of “dumb horse-traders” and “perpetual complainants who do nothing about their complaints apart from moaning and moping.”

Eight years ago, Osun reclaimed its destiny from a rapacious, visionless and pretentious clique. Thanks to Rauf Aregbesola for rescuing the state from the PDP’s singularity of purpose and complete insensitivity to the people’s plight. As Osun prepares to elect Aregbesola’s successor, hopes are high that the state’s democratic destiny would never again be left in the hands of misfits and pretenders whose previous outing was an eloquent reflection of how deep we had sunk as a country and a people.

I have long argued that September 22, 2018 would be a battle between the “Oligarchy of Intellect” and the “Oligarchies of the Purse”; between

Aregbesola

the ‘power of performance’ and the ‘forces of politics.’ At a time good governance is being misconstrued for a dead virtue by enemies of progress, this date in the life of Osun will be a fine specimen of political liberty over commercial prosperity; between national integrity and national cake.

Against this backdrop, those who wish Osun well should pick themselves up more so as

the exercise shouldn’t be about dwelling in the past which in my considered opinion has become a bucket of ashes.

Pretensions aside, we must all “come together”, “think together”, “speak together” and “act together” in order to prevent a relapse into the political violence, ethnic competitions and economic barrenness that once defined dear state. Let all men of

goodwill go out there with a view to replacing those lies being peddled by “desperate political parties”, “dullards” and men of scant consolation acting the sycophancy script with the true position of things. At a crucial time like this, lovers of democracy must endeavour to understand and work in agreement with the changing dynamics of the electorate. After all, individual success is a combination of individual efforts.

But what then does Osun want? Where is the state headed and who fits the bill?

Fact remains that Aregbesola’s government has set the pace for a knowledge-driven economy. It has helped a great deal in shaping values through morals. Its 'O' Series and Social Protection initiatives, among other laudable programmes and policies, have positively impacted lives. Without doubt, its interventions in the agriculture sector have not only repositioned the state as the food hub of the Southwest, they have also gone a long way in cushioning the bitter, biting effects of the economic recession that was recently unleashed on Nigeria.

With a loyal and competent successor like Gboyega Oyetola therefore, Osun has no reason to fear! Unlike

An Open Letter To Bianca Ojukwu

T

his letter may come to you as a great surprise as the art of letter-writing is dying fast in Nigeria owing to our poor culture of reading and the advent of cellphone and other modes of fast communication like whatsapp, instagram, twitter, and facebook.

More so, I have chosen to write a letter to you because I hold you dearly in my heart. A letter can adequately convey my feelings and thoughts to you. And, the criticisms by some members of your late husband’s family, which trailed your declaration of interest to contest for the Anambra South Senatorial seat, necessitated my writing this letter.

Dear Bianca Ojukwu (nee Onoh), I have always held you dear in my heart since my childhood day(s) when you came to national limelight and prominence following your emergence as the winner of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) pageant. You went ahead to win the Miss Africa and Miss Intercontinental beauty competitions, too.

I remember pasting your lovely pictures and those of Mary Onyali-Omagbemi on the wall near my bed. And I would look at them lovingly and admiringly, daily. To say that you are a beautiful lady is an understatement. In fact, you are still a model of an unparalleled beauty.

And, when Bianca Onoh, as she was known then, chose the former leader of the Biafra secessionist group and one-time sole administrator

of the defunct Eastern region, the late Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, above other suitors, amidst criticisms, as her husband , it’s a proof of her possession of a strong will and a mind of her own.

In addition to this, her marriage was fruitful and blissful, unlike some marriages of former beauty queens and iconic actresses, which would collapse soon after they’re consummated owing to their peccadilloes, vanities, promiscuity, and hubris. She stood steadfastly by her husband through thick and thin and lent him her total and unalloyed support in his political endeavours and enterprise. And, Chief Bianca Ojukwu is not proud or supercilious, not minding the fact that she’s a remarkably beautiful silver-spoon girl, who received qualitative education both in Nigeria and overseas. And, those sterling and endearing attributes, which she possesses accounted for the longevity and success of her marriage.

When Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu bowed to death, she was disconsolate.

And she mourned his demise sincerely. Soon after, she was drafted into Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s political administration, where she served diligently and conscientiously as the political adviser to the President on Diaspora affairs.

Bianca Ojukwu discharged her ambassadorial duties with suavity, finesse, patriotic fervour, and gracefulness when she was Nigeria’s ambassador to Spain. Now, owing to her sojourn in the corridors of power and

experience as Nigeria’s former ambassador to Spain and Ghana, she has garnered leadership qualities.

More than her possession of comeliness, loveliness, humility, integrity, and leadership qualities, Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu is immensely blessed with grey matters. She has a good head on her shoulders.

The drop-dead gorgeous lady is not all about beauty. Her friends on facebook would attest to the fact that not only is she well-educated but also she is quick on the uptake as well as extremely brilliant.

That’s why her declaration of interest to contest the 2019 Anambra South Senatorial Zone election for the National Assembly has excited my interest and gladdened my heart. And we know that Bianca is a long-standing and devoted member of APGA, the ruling political party in Anambra State. She has contributed her quota towards entrenching the political party in Anambra State.

However, to our utter surprise and dismay, some members of the Ojukwu family in Nnewi, Anambra State have taken Chief Bianca Ojukwu to the obloquy owing to her political candidature and aspiration. They opined that she is likely to re-marry since she is beautiful and relatively young. So, based on that postulation and conjecture, and their weird imaginings, they deemed her unfit to contest for that elective political post.

But has Chief Mrs. Bianca Odinakachukwu Ojukwu betrayed tendencies and sentiments that show that

she is nursing the intention of re-marrying? The answer to that question is a categorical no. Rather, she is keen on keeping the memory of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu alive and green in our collective psyche, forever.

Again, her traducers and political rivals posited that she hails from Ngwo, Enugu State, and not Anambra State, which renders her ineligible to vie to represent Anambra South in the Senate. The purveyors of this despicable and divisive narrative want to whip up clannish sentiments in order to tilt the balance in favour of their preferred candidate during the APGA primary elections for tickets.

Who doesn’t know that Bianca Ojukwu is eligible to contest the election as she’s legally married to Emeka Ojukwu? Now, she is the late Emeka Ojukwu’s widow. Are some ladies who were born in the United States of America

by American parents not Nigerian citizens by their marriages to Nigerian men and registration? It is laughable and pitiable that in the 21st century, some people with seemingly good education are still trapped in the morass of primordial sentiments and clannishness.

I urge Chief Bianca Ojukwu not to relent in her efforts to win the APGA ticket to contest for the Anambra South senatorial post. If she wins the election to represent her people in the senate, they will be assured of quality representation.

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

candidates who either paint the pictures of men of fancy speculations and unstable whims or politic for individualistic innuendos, Oyetola as an advocate of Due Process will deploy his vast experience in finance management, business and public administration as the needed balm to permanently heal the state's economic wounds.

Fiercely loyal to his principles, the All Progressives Congress (APC) standard-bearer is a pious technocrat and an astute politician whose political vivacity has continued to uplift many Nigerians in all facets of their endeavours. His character, his courage, and, above all, his desire to serve a cause greater than himself are a demonstration of his resolute commitment to greater good above personal interests.

The APC standard bearer is the best among the candidates, the best for the job; and the best pill for Osun’s ailments. Following in the footsteps of Aregbesola, the witty, disciplined, teachable, dependable, responsive and skilfully-artful Oyetola will continue in the tradition of changing the face of Osun into a state looking ahead to the future. His unblemished accomplishments, passion for functional education, accessible healthcare and radical approach to urban renewal projects is awesomely thorough. The interesting part of his life is that he is unshaken in courage and undimmed in vision.

Oscar Wilde captured the mood of the moment when he defined democracy as “the bludgeoning of the people, by the people, for the people.” For many years, civilized Romans left politics in the hands of their kings and chiefs. Greeks once destroyed its own democracy.

In Prussia, it was the people who willingly subscribed to autocracy. Ditto for Louis Napoleon’s France! Even, America, world’s acclaimed symbol of democracy never

had it smooth. But since they value popular participation, they have since learnt relevant lessons from their past. Again, how come Rwanda suddenly became the epicentre for everything chaotic, tribalistic and genocidal? How did she gravitate into a metaphor for the sad, the bad, the ugly and a habour for hatred? Expanding the horizon, how did the “substantial” violence which characterized the fall of the House of Hohenzollern come to be and what was responsible for the rise of the Weimar Republic through the German Revolution of 1918–1919?

Coming back to Osun, what could have prompted a major opposition party into relishing in a silly, reckless theatrical charade of insulting our collective intelligence in an election as important as governorship, unless some extra-terrestrial forces have so counselled? If they ever did, what are the presumed intentions and likely implications?

Evil prevails when good people do nothing! Basically, it is the unrepentant rebelliousness and the fanatical gluttony on the part of Nigeria’s leaders that has led us into this petty, pitiable pass. Greed makes a man think only of himself without thinking of what becomes the lot of others.

It is greed which makes Nigeria’s leaders work against the interest of Nigerians that has absurdly malformed Nigeria’s elite into a blend of opportunists looking for ways to further impoverish the populace. Threateningly, greed has even turned our traditional rulers into traditional riggers and our religious leaders into prayer contractors. Isn’t it laughable that a political party which claims to be working in the interest of the people will be working towards turning Bola Ige House into a ‘Dance Hall’?

Surely, the streets are surely watching!

–– Abiodun Komolafe, Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State

Jonathan And BidaMokwa Road

I

got to know about something one evening at a Maishayi spot over here in Minna by an unintended slip as someone was relating to another the amazing fact that there exists no single pothole on that over 116- kilometre stretch of Bida-Mokwa highway.

This amazement at the fact of a situation that a sitting president (Goodluck Jonathan) could build intra-state highways during his tenure in office without blaming the opposition or his predecessors for holding him back sorely contrasts sharply with the present circumstance of President Muhammadu Buhari wanting a second term on the back of zero federal-projects-executed for Niger State.

The Minna-Suleja,

Minna-Bida, Minna-Kontagora, Kontagora-Birnin Gwari roads are so bad that the fellow relating that story about that Bida-Mokwa highway was beyond caring if anyone within earshot heard him saying that it was President Goodluck Jonathan who built that road.

Naturally, I interjected to offer my perspectives on what I think a democratically-elected president of Nigeria should do for the electorate and I did not mince words when I told them that President Buhari had not visited Niger State yet since he was sworn in as president to inquire what ails the citizens of this state.

––Sunday Adole Jonah, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State

16

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

THISDAY WEEKLY GUIDE TO 2019

Amosun

Ambode

Aregbesola

Fayose

The Road to 2019: Flashpoints to Watch Next year’s general election promises to be dynamic from state to state, writes Olawale Olaleye

A

t the breaking of each day are breaking news reports about developing political trends, each indicating some of the dynamics that could ultimately typify next year’s crucial national elections.

By implications, what these developments point to is that politics has come to full play and the business of governance suspended for now.

From the activities that characterised the recent procurement of nomination forms at all levels to the choice of primary elections, which is itself a different contention, the road to 2019 has been carefully paved in virtually all the states of the federation with some of the dynamics covertly assuming their stations.

As it stands today, a few states currently top the chart in the struggle for power and political influence, based on some of the internal extrapolations that are daily sculpting the variants. Although nothing is as it seems since most of these situations are still very fluid, certainly, a peep into some of the flashpoint states confirms it is that time of the year, when everything gives way to real-time politics.

LAGOS The Tinubu-Ambode Showdown

The situation in Lagos State is best described as one of economic battle, beyond the struggle for power. With a minimum of N35 billion as its monthly internally generated revenue, the battle for the soul of Lagos has never been taken with levity even though its nucleus is assumed to be in the hands of one man – Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who was governor between 1999 and 2007.

But 12 years after leaving office, Tinubu still calls the shot. Unfortunately, his decision to not want to allow the incumbent governor, Akinwunmi Ambode to return for another term is currently upsetting the turf. Although no one could say in specific what might have been responsible for the no-love-lost between them, Tinubu is said to have rebuffed every peace overture, the latest being the prodding of an alternative candidate against Ambode, Mr. Jide Sanwo-Olu. Not unexpectedly, Ambode is not going to quiver cheaply but continues to forge ahead, including involving President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene. As it is, nothing is sure.

But whatever it is, Ambode does not seem like one who would go down without a fight, the outcome of which no one can predict. Yet, with this internal cracks which had divided the party and their support base, Lagos is one flashpoint to watch next year.

OGUN Amosun’s Succession Discontent

In the neighbouring Ogun State, the situation is not calm either. Outgoing Governor Ibikunle Amosun has come up with a unity list of all the 40 elective positions up for grab in the state. But this has not gone down well with some part-time members of the APC, who felt left out because that could mean their aspiration has been rested.

Although the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole has hinted the party would not accept consensus arrangement, Amosun too, in a smart move has not ruled out direct primaries. But what he has done, according to him, is to come up with a list of those presumably preferred by the party leadership of which he is the shot-caller, which by implications meant he has simply shown other APC members, who to vote and for which position.

His major challenge is traceable to the people of Ogun East, the Ijebus to be precise.

They were angling for the governorship, while the governor has been of the view that since the over 40 years of the creation of the state and based on the three senatorial standings of the state, Ogun West is deserving of the governorship for fairness and justice hence is choice of Hon. Adekunle Akinlade.

Although the likes of Mr. Dapo Abiodun, the CEO of Heyden Oil and Gas from Ogun East, is determined to go all out, the fact that he is not a regular party member could make his push for a redress inconsequential in the equation. But it does not mean no one would give the governor a fight at all. How this will unsettle the entire situation is yet to be seen.

ONDO Mimiko’s Disturbing Presidential Bid

Ondo State would have gone into the elections of next year unnoticed had one of its former governors, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko not thrown his hat in the presidential contest.

Mimiko, a few days ago shocked many people when he indicated interest in an office that is almost a general consensus that it’s been zoned to any of the northern regions.

But to his awe too, his ambition was met with stiff opposition from the party on whose platform he plans to realise his ambition. The Labour Party in the state rejected him, because it was not aware of his intention except for a private arrangement with some people.

That, of course, is a clear signal to Mimiko.

But it does not mean it would stifle him from running, the same way his ambition may not pull significant weight given the part of

the country he hails from. But it would be interesting to see how and where this ends.

OSUN A Crucial Five-horse Race

First off, Osun State is due for a major governorship election next weekend, September 22. But what is important is that the outcome of that election would tell on the elections of 2019. However, for the Saturday election, there are 48 parties fielding candidates, but five of them are keenly in the race as top contenders.

The parties and their candidates are APC, fielding Gboyega Oyetola; PDP, fielding Ademola Adeleke; ADP, fielding Moshood Adeoti; SDP, fielding Iyiola Omisore and ADC, fielding Fatai Akinbode.

However, more than anyone else, the election is a legacy and survival battle for outgoing Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who though stands astride in both Osun and Lagos, however, has a lot to lose should Osun slips off his grip.

Besides, he never shies away from acknowledging that he holds it down in Lagos as much as he does Osun, but the outcome of the Osun election would point the way for Osun in 2019 particularly Aregbesola’s next political moves.

OYO It’s An All-comers’ Affairs!

Being the old capital of South-west politics, Oyo has never ceased to spring surprises each election year, often with great volatility. It is no wonder, therefore, that the build-up to next year’s election has been electrifying with all the trappings of the intrigues that often typify elections in the state.

In the line-up of the ruling party are former governor Adebayo Alao-Akala; Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu; Dr. Owolabi Babalola; Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, Mr. Joseph Tegbe, Dr. Olusola Ayandele; Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, Chief Adeniyi Akintola and Professor Adeolu Akande. But in the PDP, the main opposition party is Seyi Makinde, who has been consistent over the years in the pursuit of his governorship bid.

There is also another critical block, the ADC led by former governor Rasheed Ladoja, which is pulling intimidating crowd in the countdown to the elections. Although Governor Abiola Ajimobi has indicated interest in returning to the senate, what is on his hands as far as the governorship contest is concerned is more than his ambition. Oyo sure offers an

interesting spectacle in next year’s election.

EKITI Beyond the Ceremonial Handover

Ordinarily, Ekiti should have worried less about the 2019 elections since a major election just held on July 14 and a new governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, is waiting to be sworn in sometime next month. Even more instructive is that the leadership of the party in the state is essentially in the hands of Fayemi and another former governor of the state, Adeniyi Adebayo.

But it does appear Fayose is not willing to leave office without any attention on his trail.

Known to be attention-grabbing, the outgoing governor, on the eve of his exit from office, has sought a fresh loan of N10 billion, which has already been approved by the legislature and this development is causing avoidable ripples in the state.

Of course, other elections into the state and national assembly will come up along other states next year. However, with Fayose’s legacy of winner-takes-all, it may not be far-fetched what to expect in the election with another party in the saddle. That aside, Fayose is not done until he leaves office and that currently qualifies Ekiti as a flashpoint state.

DELTA APC and the Battle Within

In the ruling PDP in Delta State, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is daily consolidating and occupying his territory. In fact, the governor is said to have become so comfortable that he had no feel a former governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan left the party, although exercising his right to free association.

But in the APC, which is the opposition party in Delta State and ruling at the centre, all is not totally well as the governorship contest promises to be intense, as much as the run for the senate, which was the basis for Uduaghan’s defection.

Between the two factions of Great Ogboru and Professor Pat Utomi, the governorship contest in the APC is not going to be an easy run, while Uduaghan might have a tough time unseating Senator James Manager in the National Assembly. But generally, Delta’s election promises to be a delight to watch.

BAYELSA Between Sylva, Lokpobiri and Alaibe Factors

The state of the party in Bayelsa State appears uneasy. It’s a three-way power struggle amongst the trio of former governor Timipre

17

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

THISDAY WEEKLY GUIDE TO 2019

The Road to 2019: Flashpoints to Watch Sylva, Minister of State for Agriculture, Heineken Lokpobiri and former Managing Director of the NDDC, Timi Alaibe.

The governorship fight had hitherto been between Sylva and Lokpobiri, but with Alaibe’s return to the turf, coupled with support he has been getting, engagement in the space has increased.

Therefore, Bayelsa is worthy of attention as the Professor of political economy and management expert descends fully into the arena to engage with the traditional politicians.

RIVERS A Looming Proxy Fight

Naturally, there has never been a dull moment in Rivers State every election year.

While there is no one seriously struggling with Governor Nyesom Wikein the PDP except the individual wants to get crushed, the opposition party in the state, APC, has a lot to deal with ahead of the election of next year.

Although the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has denied having any candidate for the election, he is believed to be the pillar of strength behind a businessman and oil mogul, Tonye Cole, who recently threw his hat in the ring.

But such a support would not stifle Senator Magnus Abe, who is determined to contest the governorship regardless. Interestingly, however, he is believed to have the tacit support of the party’s National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.

Another battle also appears to be looming between Amaechi and Oshiomhole over Buhari’s campaign. As far as Oshiomhole is concerned, the campaign office is basically for President Muhammadu Buhari’s nomination and the moment he emerges, everything will be collapsed under the party, which automatically edges out Amaechi. This too will be seen when it starts playing out.

AKWA IBOM The Godfather and His Godson

Following former governor Godswill Akpabio’s defection to the ruling APC and a whiff of affiliation to the PDP, his weight in the political artery of the state would be put to a serious test when he faces his godson, Udom Emmanuel in next year’s election.

Already, he has renounced Emmanuel and publicly apologised to the people of the state for fielding him, saying the governor was his biggest mistake. Immediately too, he has been handed the responsibility to perform his streak by making sure the likely APC candidate and Managing Director of NDDC, Nsima Ekere emerges the next governor of the state.

He yet has a battle to fight with other leaders of the APC in the state who are not inclined to handing him the sole leadership of the party in the state. Thus, fighting from the two sides, Akpabio is not one to be envied and therefore makes the state a flashpoint.

CROSS RIVER Confronting the Peculiarities

Between the APC and the PDP in Cross River State, the internal peculiarities of both parties are what will either make or unmake them. In the APC, the leaders of the party are slugging it out with the Chairman of the NDCC, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, who is itching to be back in the senate. His ambition is therefore an issue of concern in the party.

On the other side again, there is a disquiet in the ruling PDP in the state as leaders of the party are not only unhappy with Governor Ben Ayade, they are making his re-election an issue he cannot afford to ignore.

Therefore, whichever way Cross River chooses to go, certain peculiarities, which whether or not anyone likes it, would make distinguishing expectations from the state as far as 2019 is concerned.

Imo: Okorocha’s Uncanny Succession Plan In Imo State, Governor Rochas Okorocha’s succession plan is the least smart in all the states of the federation. Until he was recently relieved of his job as Chief of Staff, Okorocha’s son-inlaw, Uche Nwosu, had been ticked to succeed his father-in-law.

Although the sack was to enable the young man prepare for his aspiration, the move has no doubt created serious upset in the party. But Okorocha does not seem to care.

It was on the basis of this that people like Senator Osita Izunazo, Ifeanyi Ararume, former deputy governor, Eze Madumere and other stakeholders teamed up to take over the party from him, which they did successfully before President Buhari took the party back from them and handed over to Okorocha.

The governor is not backing down on his decision to make his son-in-law governor and he is ready to go the whole hog. Indeed, of all the South-east states, Imo is where the action

Wike

Ortom

Tambuwal

would be.

Musa Nashuni, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, Ahmed Aminu Yar’Adua, Senator Lado Danmarke and Usman Bugaje.

Although nothing is cast in stone yet, what is certain is that even if Masari would come back, it might cost so much that he would rather let go.

for nearly 14 years and had become brothers before the recent development, the bitterness of their parting would be revealed in the battle for 2019.

SOKOTO Battle of Two Friends

Although the APC in Adamawa has endorsed Governor Bindow Jibrilla for another term, his biggest threat however comes from the presidential quarters as Mahmood Halilu, First Lady Aisha Buhari’s younger brother, recently picked his expression of interest and nomination form to contest the state’s governorship in 2019.

Whilst this has not deterred the governor in anyway, it is a move he cannot afford to ignore given the threat that such an influence poses to his aspiration. And with the peculiarity of the politics of Adamawa especially as a North Eastern state, the decision of Aisha’s brother to join the race could not have been by sheer happenstance.

To further compound his case, a former speaker of the state House of Assembly and one time acting governor, Ahmadu Fintiri has also joined the race. It is certainly not a walkover for the governor and of course, not impossible.

BENUE Divided by Ambition

Benue State is one of the few states, where succession battle started quite early. For an otherwise non-performing governor, who found solace in the appalling security situation in the state and a platform willing to condone his inadequacies, Governor Samuel Ortom is not done fighting.

Determined to cut short his dream, former governor George Akume is said to be raising other candidates to challenge the governor, a move the two camps are not taking lightly.

However, while the battle for the governorship bid subsists, there is another for the senate run on the side. Between Senator Barnabas Gemade and former governor Gabriel Suswam, the senate contest looks tougher each passing day.

But again, the joker is that Gemade’s SDP structure appears menacing the reason he is believed to be confident about giving the ambition his best shot. The Benue scenarios promise to be engaging.

KWARA Leader is in Charge!

Like Lagos, the dynamics of the Kwara State politics is solely in the hands of one man, Senate President Bukola Saraki, whose refreshing politics of youthful interaction is changing the direction in the state.

Although there have been those who want to challenge the status quo, observers are waiting to see how hard they can push otherwise Kwara is firmly in the hands of leader as Saraki is called.

KADUNA A Movement against El-rufai

Since assuming office in 2015, perhaps, there is no other governor, who has courted more crises and controversies like the Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-rufai. For a man, who once described his three senators as useless, he chose to fight dirty a long time ago.

While he is believed to be sponsoring candidates against the three senators, one of them, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi has also elected to challenge him in the governorship contest, having left their party, APC to seek nomination elsewhere.

But El-rufai appears to be having issues with Senator Sheu Sani, even though he is believed to be sponsoring Uba Sani against him. Unfortunately, his moves come with an unpleasant burden. Senator Sani seems to have the support of the president, who was said to have assured him of his return ticket, when he went back to the party after initially defecting with the first set of senators, who left for the PDP on the floor of the senate.

What this means is that Buhari’s credibility is at stake, even as the current state of Kaduna politics is believed to have strained the relationship between El-rufai and Oshiomhole, who is ready to do the president’s bidding even if it was at a cost he could not afford.

KATSINA A Victim of His Own Record

Generally dismissed as having done poorly, except that he is still hoping to ride on President Buhari’s coat tail, Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State is one governor, who would have strolled back to office, without as much a challenge.

But as at the last count, no fewer than eight people had indicated interest in the governor’s job and they are Abubakar Ismaila, Isa, Umar Abdullahi Tsauri, Abdullahi Garba Faskari,

One of the North West States, where the actors are likely to take no prisoners is Sokoto State. Unfortunately, these actors were once friends. The lead up to the 2015 elections showed former Governor Aliyu Wamakko and his successor, Aminu Tambuwal work closely for the success of the party.

Today, the tide has changed and the once enviable friendship has completely gone awry.

While Tambuwal had quit the APC to contest the presidency in the PDP, because according to him, Buhari has failed; Wamakko stayed back in the APC to prove to Tambuwal that he was nothing in the Sokoto equation.

As such, Sokoto is one flashpoint that would throw up a lot of intrigues especially that Tambuwal might not be coming back as governor and Wamakko is saddled with the responsibility of delivering his party. Already, the two men had tested their strength through crowd-pulling rallies. The last has not been heard or seen of them.

KANO The Real Battleground

Of all the states of the federation, Kano has consistently been a flashpoint state and this was taken a notch up since the elections of 2015.

With Governor Abdulahi Ganduje and his benefactor, former governor and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso parting ways, Kano, beyond throwing up some funny equations could also introduce unprecedented violence.

At some point when Kwankwaso newly defected to the PDP, the thinking was that by combining forces with former governor Ibrahim Shekarau, it would be easy to take out Ganduje and also deplete the president’s votes, but all of that changed the day Shekarau left PDP for the APC. Presently, nothing is sure as far as Kano is concerned. Although Kwankwaso has not been to the state for some time on security advice, his cult followership is ever consistent. But with Shekarau now in the camp of APC, it is impossible to gauge the possibilities that could be thrown up in Kano in 2019.

Ironically, the rivalry between Ganduje and Kwankwaso remains shocking to many observers. For friends who had been together

ADAMAWA The Colour of Presidential Influence

Situating the Presidential Contest

Ultimately, the whole gamut of the extrapolations is expected to berth at the shore of the presidential contest, which of course is the real deal. It could be said that the presidential race in the APC is sealed. President Buhari is the undisputed candidate, even though a few pretenders claim to be in the race in the party.

But the party has not pretended about where it stands: it is Buhari or no one.

However, it is an open race in the PDP with delegate election being the plausible choice of primary. The party has also given the people an array of choices to pick from. In the race here are former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; Senate President Bukola Saraki; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; former Senate President, David Mark and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Moving forward, how the PDP manages its primary would go a long way in the next phase of the general election of 2019. Indeed, there are many questions. Can Tambuwal fly, given his age and the weight of those in the race with him? Will Atiku pull this off this one time?

What is the push behind Saraki’s confidence?

Will Kwankwaso do it again having come a shocking second in APC in 2014?

The posers are endless but the coast is not clear yet. One thing is sure: the battle is for one winner but whether or not the others see themselves as losers or co-winners is what would define the pathway therefrom.

…Now the Unforced Political and Economic Errors

M

ore than the indicators of the state by state analyses in the countdown to 2019, certain developments also stand to be counted as either value-adding or removing from the totality of the 2019 expectations.

For instance, the recent invasion of the National Assembly by operatives of the DSS was interpreted variously because of the timing. Importantly, it was considered not to be unconnected with 2019.

Although the move cost the former DG DSS, Lawal Daura his job, it is not likely the agency has learnt anything.

The invasion of the Abuja residence of Chief Edwin Clark by the police without authorisation was another ignoble operation that has further shot down the police before the people. Whilst it is commendable that the police immediately

took action and dismissed three of the officers; that it happened at all is bizarre.

And of course, this weekend, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly raided the headquarters of Standard Chartered Bank in Lagos, ostensibly to arrest the Managing Director, Bola Adesola, a move that has been largely condemned the move sent panic through the investor community, sending worrying signals around the world about Nigeria.

Typically, the EFCC denied any such thing and that, perhaps, could be the end of the ugly development. But such unforced errors would definitely count against the government of the day and the more they come, the more minuses that would be recorded against the Buhari administration.

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INTERNATIONAL Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria and Democratic Control of Foreign Policy

T

heAssociation of Retired CareerAmbassadors of Nigeria (ARCAN), Lagos Chapter, held its first annual lecture on Thursday, 13th September, 2018 at the Nigerian Institute of InternationalAffairs (NIIA). The theme of the lecture was “Democratic Control of Foreign Policy: the Nigerian Experience.� The lecture was delivered by Professor Nuhu Yaqub, former Vice Chancellor of the University ofAbuja. The audience was essentially comprised of former ambassadors plenipotentiary and extraordinary. In the unavoidable absence ofAmbassador Olu Sanu, a veteran diplomatist per excellence, who was to chair the occasion, the incumbent President of theARCAN,Ambassador Dapo Fafowora, stood in for him, whileAmbassador OlusegunAkinsanya served as the Master of Ceremony.

In his opening remarks,Ambassador Fafowora noted that when the association was formed in 1985, it was meant to be a private interest group. However, the current situational reality on the ground requires interacting more with the general public. He further explained that foreign policy is one subject to which the public hardly contributes. In fact, as he put it, there is a disconnect between the government and the people on the issue of foreign policy, especially in light of the fact that the media professionals are more interested in domestic questions.

More importantly,Ambassador Fafowora not only posited that public opinion is necessary in foreign policy making, particularly if there is to be public awareness, but also admitted that the Government of Nigeria does not even think that the general public has the legitimate right to know. This is why, in his thinking, theARCAN has to plan in order to put in place an annual foreign policy address by the Honourable Minister of ForeignAffairs. This is expected to bridge the long gap between the public and the government in the conduct and management of foreign policy.

It should be noted that this is a most welcome development if it can come to pass. There used to be an NIIAPatron’sAnnual Dinner during which Mr. President as the Patron, delivers a Foreign Policy Speech in which policy decisions and foreign policy orientation are explicated.All the members of the diplomatic corps were always invited. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, discontinued it, probably because of alleged huge costs of organising the dinner.

Even under former President Goodluck Jonathan, attempt was made to resuscitate it after more than a decade of suspension of the programme.Arrangements were made and completed for the Patron’s Dinner to take place. However, it was cancelled at the last minute. Consequently, if theARCAN wants an annual foreign policy address limited to the level of the Foreign Minister, and to the delivery of an address without much of food diplomacy, the agenda can be feasibly and efficiently implemented. This then raises the linkage between the lecture title and the objectives of theARCAN. The linkage between the theme of lecture and theARCAN is quite interesting from many perspectives. First, theARCAN is already functioning as Citizen diplomats and is interested in playing active roles in foreign policy, even though its members are retired. The choice of topic clearly shows that it is much concerned about the extent to which there can be democratic control of foreign policy. Put differently, can there really be any democratic control of foreign policy? This was one question that generated much debate during the question and answer session.

Secondly, the choice of guest speaker is noteworthy: Dr. Yaqub is not only a Professor of Political Science, but has also published extensively in the area of democracy.Additionally, he is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of InternationalAffairs, a Fellow of the Social ScienceAcademy of Nigeria, and the current President of the Society for International RelationsAwareness (SIRA). Thus, he has the necessary intellectual wherewithal to dissect the topic.

Thirdly, theARCAN started as anAssociation of Retired Ambassadors of Nigeria (ARAN) in 1985. The review of the name to include ‘career’ not only raises the question of who is an ambassador but also raises when the name should be answered. In this regard, it is being suggested that only career ambassadors should be members of theARCAN. Political ambassadors, self-named ambassadors and roving ambassadors are not eligible to join the professional group, simply because they are not professional ambassadors.

Fourthly, and perhaps most importantly, theARCAN appears to be following the footsteps of the Committee on External Economic Relations, the PoliticalAffairs Committee and the

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

Prof. Yaqub

Committee on InstitutionalAffairs of the European Union, which have been considering how best to further enhance the European Parliament in shaping Community foreign policy. In other words, the European Parliament is controlling the Community’s foreign policy, but it appears that the control has not been enough or efficient, and therefore it is seeking other avenues in improving on its control measures. In this regard, in which way is the control of foreign policy at the level of the European Union different from the experience of Nigeria? What do we mean by democratic control?

What is foreign policy? Should there be any democratic control of foreign policy at all? These are some of the questions attended to by both the guest lecturer and the participants.

IssuesinDemocraticControl The first issue to address in democratic control of foreign policy is the conception of democratic control: what makes an act of control democratic? Roland Bieber, for instance, believes that democratic control is essentially about supervision through some mechanisms put in place for that purpose. In his article, “Democratic Control of European Foreign Policy,� he says that ‘democratic control mechanisms are those which implement the characteristic principles of democratic systems. These consist first and foremost of the right of supervision and control exercised by elected parliament, supplemented by procedures ensuring separation and limitation of powers, the legality of acts of the institution, and transparency and efficiency.’ Put differently, it is implied in this quotation that there can be democratic control but the control cannot but be by an elected parliament. This also means that parliamentarians are supposed to be the controlling agents, since they represent the people. The control is to be ensured through respect for separation and limitation of powers, as well as for the legality of acts of the institution, and the need for transparency and efficiency. For instance, while the executive arm of government can be quite free to negotiate international treaties, the implementation of such treaties cannot but

Professor Yaqub submitted that there is yet to be democracy in Nigeria and that what currently obtains is civil rule.The interpretative conclusion therefore is that, if there is no democracy in Nigeria, no one can logically talk about any democratic control of foreign policy in Nigeria. At best, we can talk about civil rule control, in which case the role of the National Assembly has to be reassessed. Put differently, can it be rightly argued that the various provisions on foreign policy in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as amended, do not fall within the purview of democratic control? How do we explain the dualist character of ratiďŹ cation of international agreements done by Nigeria, which subjects the enforcement of such international agreement to an initial domestication before entry into force in Nigeria?

be subject to the control measures which include supervision.

Asecond issue is who is best placed to control foreign policy?

In Nigeria, there are many foreign policy centres. The Ministry of Education, for instance, deals with education and therefore relates with the UNESCO. The Federal Ministry of Information and Culture similarly relates with the UNESCO. The Federal Ministry of Health is in contact with the World Health Organisation. In fact, the Ministry of ForeignAffairs is supposed to be the foreign policy coordinating ministry. It is the major and most important foreign policy institution in Nigeria. The Presidency cannot also be neglected. The same is true of the NationalAssembly.

The problem, however, is not only the fact that, more often than not, the foregoing institutions which tangentially engage in foreign policy activities, but also the fact that they do not always carry the Ministry of ForeignAffairs along. The Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of ForeignAffairs behave as if they are not working for the same Government and people of Nigeria. In this type of situation, it is useful to ask the extent to which theARCAN can be able to control the various foreign policy institutions effectively, when the Presidency is on record to have even bypassed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the making of some foreign policy decisions.

Explained differently, a foreign policy lobbyist can only seek to monitor or control what is made known to it. TheARCAN cannot but find it difficult unless it also seeks the support of other foreign policy associations in the country, as rightly pointed out by Professor Nuhu Yaqub. The guest lecturer suggested in this regard the need to collaborate with the Bolytag Centre for International Diplomacy and Strategic Studies (BOCIDASS), of which Professor BolaA. Akinterinwa is the President/Director General; the Society for International RelationsAwareness, of which the guest lecturer is also the incumbent president, etc. But, it is still possible for such a lobby group to seek information it desires on the basis of the Freedom of InformationAct. Whether the type of information sought will be granted remains another question entirely.

This is so because President Muhammadu Buhari strongly believes that the protection of the national interest should take precedence over the rule of law. In this regard again, who determines what constitutes the national interest beyond the protection of territorial integrity, national security, and self-preservation? When should the need for protection of human rights take precedence over the need for national security?

Athird issue is the definitional status of an ambassador.An Ambassador has different appellations. Those accredited by the Catholic pontiff are called Papal nuncios. High Commissioners are those accredited between and among the Member States of the Commonwealth Organisation. Those accredited between and among the Member States of the French Community, that is, the Francophone countries, especially as from the 1960s, are referred to as High Representatives.All the Heads of Mission are classified on the basis of the status of their diplomatic missions.

In other words, to be eligible to answer the name ‘Ambassador,’ it must be clearly stated in theAccreditation Letter of the Sending State that the holder of the letter is an ambassador with full powers to act on behalf. This is why the title of an ‘Ambassador is further qualified with ‘plenipotentiary and extraordinary.’ Plenipotentiary is coined out from a French word, ‘plĂŠnipotentiaire,’ that is, with full powers. The element of ‘extraordinary’ is simply to suggest that, as a representative, he or she should be trusted as he/she is considered to be a confidant of the President accrediting him.

The point to note here is that the title of an ‘Ambassador’ can only be used by a diplomatic careerist, and not by political appointees, after their leaving office. Many non-career ambassadors like to be addressed as ambassadors after the completion of their tenure. This is wrong. The title can be included in bracket as part of their documentary titles but not as an acquired title. Non-career ambassadors have the legitimate right to answer the name of an ambassador by virtue of the presentation of the Letter of Recall of the outgoing ambassador and his or her own Letter ofAccreditation to the host president.

The truth of the matter here is that the word ‘ambassador’ has both a political and a professional meaning. It has a political meaning when we talk about nomination as ambassador-designate and eventually as ambassador when an agrĂŠment is procured.

This is political appointment. As for professional meaning, it is the crescendo of the title attainable in the diplomatic profession. First degree holders begin their career at the level of a Third Secretary, then promoted to the grade of Second Secretary and ultimately to the level of a director. Under normal circumstance, as from grade level 16, they can be appointed as an ambassador. But most unfortunately, many are prevented from reaching the highest level of their career for reasons of selfish and destructive politics. The implication of the foregoing is that the membership of the ARCAN is deliberately restricted to the career ambassadors. This can be further explained by different factors. Government is increasingly giving prominence to political ambassadors to the detriment of the careerists. Without doubt, many political ambassadors, especially the academics among them, do well as ambassadors.

But many others are more of a burden. In an attempt to protect the personality of the careerists, a deliberate policy of discrimination was adopted, especially that ambassadorial appointments are increasingly being made in the spirit of patronage and to the detriment of diplomatic finesse.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ™ĂœË? Kunle Aderinokun Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ë? Ă•Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă–Ă?˛ËÎĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă™Ă•Ă&#x;Ă˜ĚśĂžĂ’Ă“Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ù×

RORO Port, Lagos

The Economist / HSBC Reports: A Timely Warning?

Obinna Chima

Last week, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), the research unit of The Economist Magazine and HSBC, a multinational banking and financial services company, warned in separate reports that the Nigerian economy will continue to be on a stretcher if President Muhammadu Buhari is given the opportunity to govern the country for a second term.

While in its findings, the EIU stated that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would defeat Buhari of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming 2019 presidential election, the HSBC indicated that the president’s approval ratings presently sits near all time lows, a development, it said reflected the impact of Nigeria’s painful recession in 2016-17 and the sustained economic hardship that has accompanied his presidency, including rapidly rising joblessness, and poverty.

While the APC has since urged Nigerians to disregard the analysis and predictions as false, deceptive, unreliable and tendentious, the PDP on the other hand said the report vindicated its standpoint that the APC –led government had failed to deliver on its electioneering promises to Nigerians.

Nonetheless, the warnings which came few months after another report disclosed that Nigeria had overtaken India as the country with the largest number of extreme poor persons as of 2018, have been described as timely.

Buhari, despite promising in 2015 to reset the economy when re-elected, has failed in almost all parameters.

Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, i.e. the average income per person for a country that is the largest economy in Africa, in 2017 was $2,412.41, whereas that for South Africa same year was $7,524.51.

Nigeria’s population growth rate of about 2.7 per cent has completely overtaken economic growth with the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures for the second quarter 2018 showing growth rate of 1.50 per cent (year-on-year), and over 80 per cent of the country’s budget on recurrent expenditure.

Another data that matter for economic growth which has continued to weaken in Nigeria is the rising state of unemployment. Clearly, poverty and unemployment combined, under Buhari, are the greatest challenges facing Nigeria.

About 4.07 million Nigerians were said to be unemployed between January and September last year, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had revealed. It has been projected that the number would rise further to 21 per cent when the NBS releases the present data.

Similarly, the country’s weak electricity generation, that Buhari vowed to improve if elected about three years ago, has continued to hover around 5,000 megawatts, in a country with over 190 million persons, compared with South Africa’s 40,000 megawatts with a population of 50 million and Brazil’s 120,000megawatts with a population of 210 million.

More worrisome is that Nigeria under Buhari has embarked on a borrowing spree with the Debt Management Office’s (DMO) failure to design a Strategic Debt Plan. As at June 30, 2018, Nigeria’s total debt profile, according to the DMO had risen to $73.21 billion or N22.38 trillion.

The country’s 2013 to 2017 Strategic Plan that was designed under the previous administration expired last December and the DMO has not been able to develop another one, even though section

6(c) of the DMO Establishment Act 2003 states that the agency must, prepare and implement a plan for the efficient management of Nigerian’s external and domestic debt obligations at sustainable levels compatible with desired economic activities for growth and development; and participate in negotiations aimed at realising those objectives.

Also, under Buhari, 10 million children of school age are out of school in Nigeria.

Presently, Nigeria ranks 152nd out of 188 countries in the Human Development Index of the United Nations Development Program, and 187 out of 189 countries in the World Health Organisation rankings of national health care systems.

Interestingly, in terms of insecurity, the Buhari-led federal government has performed poorly going by the deaths recorded as a result of the farmers-herders

crisis in some states, ethno-religious crisis as well as the activities of the Boko Haram crisis.

There have also been accusation that the Buhari administration appears be paying lip service in its anti-corruption war, with nepotism also elevated above competence.

Therefore, the verdicts by the EIU and HSBC are timely.

In 2019, what Nigeria needs is a president that will prioritise unemployment for the country’s jobless population, create the enabling environment for innovation to thrive, develop policies that would propel its GDP to grow in double-digits and achieve inclusive growth.

In addition, a leader that will help establish a concrete economic diversification plan with a concrete path to a post-oil future for Nigeria.

Presidency Responds Says HSBC Out to Discredit Buhari Omololu Ogunmade Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË

Apparently, angered by the damning report of HSBC, which was followed by another report by The Economist, predicting defeat for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, and warning that should he win, the country would suffer further economic deterioration, the Presidency yesterday in Abuja asked HSBC, a global financial institution, to return the loot in its custody instead of predicting doomsday for Buhari in the presidential poll. Reacting to HSBC’s prediction that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would defeat Buhari’s All Progressives Congress (APC) at the forthcoming presidential poll, presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement, said a bank, which harboured stolen loot from Nigeria lacked any moral right to predict the fate of Buhari.

The presidency was further angered by the bank’s prediction that if Buhari returned to power next year, the Nigerian economy would be stunted.

In a swift reaction, it alleged that what killed Nigeria’s economy in the past was rather the unbridled looting of state resources by the country’s leaders through the connivance of HSBC. The statement said, “A bank that soiled its hand with ‘millions of US dollars yet-to-be-recovered Abacha loot’ and continued until a few months ago to shield the stolen funds of one of the leaders of the Nigerian Senate has no moral right whatsoever

to project that a ‘second term for Mr. Buhari raises the risk of limited economic progress and further fiscal deterioration.’ “Rather, we ask them to heed President Buhari’s constant refrain: return our stolen assets, then see how well we will do.�

According to Shehu, facts available to Nigeria’s investigative agencies had shown that HSBC’s prediction was only an expression of frustration over measures put in place by Buhari’s government to check offshore transfer of looted funds. He said such measures abolished prevalent corruption from which the bank benefitted in the past.

Shehu also alleged that the bank was only out to discredit his principal for fear of sanctions and fines it might incur over the stolen national assets.

According to him, the coming of Buhari to power has resulted in the investigation of corrupt individuals, banks and other corporate entities, which he said aided corruption.

He also said many of the suspected culprits, including their friends in the media, would rather want Buhari to be defeated so that it could be business as usual.

He added: “Our investigation agencies believe that HSBC had laundered more than USD 100,000,000 for the late General Sani Abacha in Jersey, Paris, London and Geneva. “Among these accounts on the records are: AC: S-104460 HSBC Fund Admin Ltd. Jersey ($12,000,000); AC 37060762 HSBC Life (Europe),

U.K ($20,000,000) and AC: 38175076 HSBC Bank Plc. U.K ($1,600,000).�

The statement also accused the bank of suspicious laundering of proceeds of corruption, which it said involved more than 50 other Nigerians, including a serving senator.

It argued that a book, “Secrecy World: Inside the Panama Papers Investigation,� authored in 2017

by Jack Bernstein, revealed the story of global money laundering in which the HSBC featured prominently.

The statement also accused HSBC of shady deals, saying both state and federal authorities in the United States had once forced it to pay $1.92 billion as penalty for money laundering.

It also accused the bank of earlier incurring a fine to the tune of $1.2 billion in Hong Kong over what it described as “systemic deficiencies in bond sales.�

It added that HSBC had also been made to pay another $100 million for currency rigging settlement as reported by The Telegraph of January 18, 2018.

It is a major turnaround for the government of Buhari to now admit that the late maximum leader, General Sani Abacha, actually looted the Nigerian treasury.

Only recently, the Buhari government shared $322 million from Switzerland, being proceeds of Abacha loot, which he allegedly distributed to poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

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Cautious Optimism Greets Nigeria-China Trade Deals Though Nigeria’s participation at the just-concluded Forum on China and Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in Beijing, was widely celebrated particularly in government circles, analysts have expressed the need to review some of the trade deals, as they appear inimical to the country’s economic aspirations, writes James Emejo

he recent trip to China has been adjudged as highly successful given that several trade deals were signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, who led a high-level delegation consisting ministers and other key cabinet members to the summit.

According to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu Enalemah, who was part of the delegation, a total of 13 memorandum of understanding (MOUs) valued at $10 billion were signed during the bilateral talks with the Chinese government among other ongoing discussions, which are yet to be quantified.

The agreements covered activities in ICT, industry, trade and investment, transportation among other critical infrastructure key for economic diversification.

Already, some analysts have argued contrary to insinuations, that previous government trips to China had actually translated into some concrete and laudable projects in the country including the successes so far recorded in rail transportation and power- which are tied to the fruition of the voyage to the Asian economic powerhouse.

Nevertheless, there’s growing concern over the huge trade imbalance between both economies as well as the model being currently operated with China.

Nigeria’s second quarter trade statistics continuously indicated that its import from China accounted for 25.28 per cent of total trade while the latter imported little or nothing from the country.

Observers continued to query the use of the country as dumping ground for all sorts of Chinese products without real value to the economy.

Efforts over the years to have China set up companies in the country so as to bridge the unemployment gaps had not yielded much results.

Analysts further expressed concerns that the recent trade agreements between Nigeria and China could suffer political risk of being abandoned by successive administrations.

They also further advised the federal government to discourage the $5 billion import financing line offered by China as this will worsen the already lopsided terms of trade between both countries.

But, there had been criticisms over the seemingly limited successes so far recorded with respect to previous MoUs between the Asian and African economic giants.

The highpoint of the argument is that past trade deals with China had not made the desired impact on the economy in terms of job creation, as China continues to use the country as dumping ground for its manufactured products.

There are further concerns that the recent agreements are only a desperate ploy by the current administration to score a political point especially as the 2019 general elections draw close.

However, in an interview with THISDAY, Professor of Finance and Capital Market at the Nasarawa State

Rail tracks under construction ...lots of borrowed funds, mainly from China, go into ďŹ nancing projects like this

University, Keffi, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, though commended the latest agreements signed by Buhari, but feared that they could be politicised going forward.

He said: “That said, the major risk I foresee in all these agreements is political risk, the risk that they will likely be jettisoned by successive administrations. “So, the government should put in place enough safeguards to ensure that regardless of the party in power come next year, the implementation of the agreements is not negatively affected.�

He added:�We should worry about the disproportionate trade imbalance in favour of China. The high likelihood of dumping and the suffocation of local companies in Nigeria should give cause for concern. “In the spirit of ‘Nigeria first’ and consistent with the import substitution Strategy and Economic diversification objective, economic relations with China should focus more on direct investments in critical sectors of the economy such as infrastructure and ICT that enable industrialisation.�

Also speaking with THISDAY, on the country’s trade romance with China, a former Managing Director of Unity Bank, Dr. Mohammed Rislanudeen, paticularly urged the federal government to discourage the $5 billion import financing facility by China as “will only help in worsening the terms of trade that has for years favored the Chinese.

The relationship should be built on symbiosis and mutually beneficial.�

He said though the loans in the trade deals come at concessionary interest rates and longer term tenure with no political conditionalites, there remained the hidden fact that the core contractors

will be Chinese firms while critical inputs must also be imported from China, a situation which he said was not in the country’s overall interest.

He, however, warned of the negative implications of the current imbalance in trade between both countries.

Rislanudeen said: “We have cause to worry because the terms of the relationship is lopsided. We do not need any import financing loan to import from China and in the process make our small and medium scale industries difficult to survive competitively. “Chinese are using their resources to oil their economy by finding market in Africa. Over time, we will start having challenge with repayment capacity, our debt to revenue ratio etc. We would have been better off, if government engage the Chinese to invest directly in Nigeria under special arrangement, public private partnership for example, that protect their investments with even tax holidays. With that we will be assured of job for Nigerians and technology transfer as well.�

Continuing, he said:�We need to be careful with foreign loans unless they are transaction tied and with capacity to repay themselves given our present elevated foreign and local borrowings.� “We should also ensure that projects are productive with potential multiplier effect on the real sector of the economy to support growth and employment generation rather than white elephant, vanity projects that will only satisfy ego and sentiments.

He said going forward, the federal government must insist the Chinese invest directly in Nigeria through special arrangements like public-private partnerships (PPP) and some special

concessions to support our growth and technology transfer.

In the same vein, CEO, Global Analytics Consulting Limited, Mr. Tope Fasua, also expressed grave concerns over the country rising debt portfolio with China as well as need for prudence in the management of generated revenues.

In an interview with THISDAY, he said:�I believe the bigger thing to worry about is ourselves and the growing conflation of loans with revenue or the way we easily justify loans ‘so long as it’s for infrastructure.� “This philosophy cloaks the need for fiscal responsibility- ramping up internal revenue, protecting such and deploying such for our most basic needs. We end up squandering internal revenue and then go cap in hand borrowing from everywhere and seeking for favours. We therefore lose dignity and will fund it tough to lift off from a state of morass. “I’d say that China presents a better option than the West to whom we have become extremely devalued but we are talking about the lesser of two evils.

The evil is our lack of fiscal discipline and loss of dignity in every way. I challenge the philosophy that argues that all countries are borrowing. All countries are not the same.� “They have different strengths and weaknesses. Very few countries also have Nigeria’s record of profligacy around loans. Trade is permanently skewed against Nigeria as compared with countries like china simply because we haven’t developed the presence of mind to achieve economic complexity; a situation where our goods are sophisticated and command good value,� he further asserted.

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Buhari

EmeďŹ ele

CEO-MTN Nigeria, Ferdi-Moolman

Will CBN Sanction on MTN, Four Banks, EFCC’s Attempted Raid on Standard Chartered Bank Affect Investor Confidence?

Following the recent punitive measure by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) against MTN Nigeria and four banks over foreign exchange infraction in repatriation of funds for the telecoms company, experts have weighed its implications on investor confidence in the economy. Kunle Aderinokun, Olaseni Durojaiye and James Emejo report

M

TN was again in the eye of the storm last week following the imposition of financial sanction against it over the illegal repatriation of $8.13 billion from Nigeria in violation of theextantlawsandregulations.

The CBN ordered MTN to immediately make a refund of the amount and, in addition, axed Standard Chartered Bank, Citibank Nigeria Limited, Stanbic IBTC Bank Limited and Diamond Bank Plc for their roles in facilitating the illegal repatriation of the funds by MTN between 2007 and 2015.

The apex bank’s hammer on the South African telecoms company came as it still struggles to complete payment of the N1.04 trillion fine imposed on it in 2015 by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for violation of SIM card registration order, thereby undermining national security.

Although the N1.04 trillion was later reduced to N330 billion after several plea bargain from MTN Nigeria, and the payment plan staggered and spread over a period of four years, MTN is yet to complete the payment, before courting fresh fines from the banking sector regulator.

And to further compound the situation for MTN, the Federal Government had, in a separate development, directed it to pay $2 billion in import duties, VAT and withholding taxes on foreign imports/ payments incurred within the past 10 years.

But the action of CBN over the infraction on capital repatriation guidelines does not really come as a huge surprise, given the efforts it had so far made in restoring calm to the crisis that recently rocked the FX market occasioned by scarcity of foreign exchange especially the United States Dollar in the heat of the recession.

The CBN faced several allegations and persecutions from the public as it became difficult to meet huge dollar demands amid declining foreign reserves, a situation which prompted the apex bank to limit FX access to the now famous 41 items and also restricted FX for overseas school fees among others. Some of these restrictions have, however, been relaxed.

Therefore, it is believed that the repatriation of such funds by MTN, albeit illegality had the potential to evade the CBN monitoring radar and this practice, if allowed unpunished could fuel distortions in FX with its attendant implications on the economy.

However, given that Nigeria is in dire need of foreign direct investments (FDIs), especially after exiting an economic recession, and amid declining growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the second quarter, analysts have expressed mixed

views on the possible impact of the sanction on investor confidence going forward.

Already, the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, had tried to douse the tension, which could be generated among investors following the current travails of MTN as a result of the regulatory decisions taken recently by assuring both foreign and local investment community and all financial institutions that it would continue to honour and maintain the integrity of all valid Certificates of Capital Importation (CCIs) already issued. This is, however, with the exception of those in violation of the 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.

Commenting on the development, Director, Union Capital Market Ltd, Egie Akpata, downplayed the impact of the sanction on investor confidence.

He told THISDAY:�I don’t think we have enough information to make conclusive statements on what made the CBN take those actions on MTN. The CBN response might be justifiable but the optics around how it was communicated leave much to be desired. I really don’t think this action has much impact on investor confidence. “The market is able to realise that these actions are simply against one company, which might have breached certain regulations. If we had actions against entire industry groups, then it would been more worrying. If anything at all, this action shows that regulatory compliance is now very important in Nigeria and complex multinationals need to invest more in personnel and systems that will help ensure regulatory infractions are minimised.�

Also, an economist, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, said investors might welcome the sanction, if done in good faith by the regulator. �My take on the CBN sanction on MTN and four banks: The CBN in line with the statutes has the powers to investigate and sanction as in this case where necessary. To that extent, they are in order. However, the accused organisations have a right to seek redress in the law courts if they feel that they have been treated unfairly,� he posited. “My initial reaction, though, was that the moneystrapped APC were looking for money for the 2019 elections. I don’t think that is the case here.

Genuine investors will not be perturbed as long as the sanctions are in line with law. What, they do not want is where arbitrariness reigns,� he added.

In the same vein, former Managing Director of Unity Bank Plc, Dr. Mohammed Rislanudeen said the action of the CBN would have positive effects on the economy and bring sanity to the business environment.

He said: “To me, the action of the central bank is highly commendable and it should be an eye opener to regulatory agencies in ensuring those that do business in Nigeria comply with our extant laws or face severe sanction. What this has shown is that perhaps what was discovered may be a tip of an iceberg. �Off-site regulatory supervision need to be further strengthened by CBN to deal with this and similar other infractions. Such kind of leakages are reasons why our foreign reserves will not get to reach its optimal potential of having the capacity to deal with shocks of price or output movements in crude petroleum market, our major foreign exchange earner.

That kind of leakages does compel the government to borrow funds to finance critical infrastructure needs. This also has direct effect on capacity of real sector to grow as they face scarcity of foreign exchange to import critical inputs that will support growth and employment generation.�

He added: “The leakage also has negative effect on our GDP growth rate. The action of CBN will have positive effect on the economy as it send the right signal that businesses are welcome to Nigeria, but must operate within our established laws like in any other country. We should not, based on narrow prism of encouraging foreign direct investments, allow foreign businesses to exploit our weaknesses and break our rules with impunity.�

But, a Professor of Finance and Capital Market at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, said the CBN sanctions on MTN could impair investor confidence as banks’ stocks had already been affected as a result.

According to him:�The CBN sanctions will obviously have some dampening effects on investor confidence in Nigeria especially in relation to banking stocks. Already, the share prices of the quoted deposit money banks among them namely FCMB and Diamond Banks have witnessed some declines since the news broke. “There is also the possibility that this development will delay the plan that is afoot to get MTN listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. “However, the impact may not be significant given the few number of banks involved relative to the total number operating in the country. “Also, the fines are not such that could significantly affect the bottom lines of the banks or cause any systemic crisis.�

Also, in an interview with THISDAY, Chief Executive, Global Analytics Consulting Limited, Mr. Tope Fasua, further looked at the situation differently, accusing the CBN of regulatory lapses adding that it could impair the perception of foreign investors given the recurring issue with MTN.

According to him, “For the kind of volumes involved, it may amount to a self-indictment on the part of CBN because only a comprehensive systems failure could lead to months or years of falsification and fraud as claimed. $8billion is a lot of money. “The entire story may not be palatable for foreign investors, given the frequent run-ins with MTN in particular. It wasn’t long ago that the company had to pay huge fines for not keeping proper records of its customers. “However, we needn’t always be cowed by the prospects of losing foreign investments to the extent that our regulators will become afraid of doing their jobs.�

Also, speaking on CNBC Africa, Chief Executive, CFG Advisory, Mr. Tilewa Adebajo, described the development as “a major earthquake� adding that, “allegations are very serious and the consequences are very dire.�

He said: “It’s a major earthquake; the issues here are very serious. For the CBN to come up with all these allegations and these numbers, it has taken its time to review those numbers. “The direct impact: as you know, MTN was supposed to do the listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, that will be stalled. “And from the aftermath of the previous $1 billion dollar fine, MTN is still trying to recover from that and issues now around investor confidence in Nigeria and we need to look at how these would turn out. We need to look at more details. The allegations are very serious and consequences are very dire. “ With the MTN saga still very much on the front burner, 20 operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, stormed the head office of Standard Chartered Bank, another foreign entity, ostensibly to arrest top executives of the bank.

The news of invasion immediately caused turmoil among the investor community as many operators in the nation’s Capital Market feared that the action would further hurt investors’ confidence and would further accelerate foreign portfolio flight from the economy.

It took the swift intervention of the CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele to bring the situation under control.

THISDAY gathered that Emefiele made frantic calls to the EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu who said he was unaware of the raid. Magu then called off EFCC’s operatives from the bank’s premises.

Emefiele insisted to Magu and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami that the issue with Standard Chartered Bank was regulatory and not criminal.

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BUSINESS/MONEY

As Analysts Predict Brighter Future for Access Bank Access Bank Plc, a tier-one lender, is one of Nigeria’s top-rated commercial banks listed on the premium board of Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The bank which commenced operations in Nigeria about three decades ago got its shares listed for investors’ patronage in the financial services sector of the Exchange. It has maintained its status as a public company in the last two decades. It recorded a fair financial performance in the halfyear financial period ended June 30, 2018 (HI-2018), according to analysts, is poised to outperform the expectations of shareholders and market watchers at the end of its financial year ending December 31, 2018. Bamidele Famoofo reports Review n its latest result for half-year 2018, the bank’s earnings per share (EPS), grew by a marginal 0.42 per cent compared to 1.37 per cent recorded in half year ended June 30, 2017.

wherein its implied yield reduced to 13.79 per cent, as against 16.05 per cent in its previous issue in February. However, analysts are of the opinion that the recent rise in yields may limit how much room the bank has to reduce its cost of debt. “As a result, we expect the cost of funds (CoF) will be lower by 23 bps (vs. H1-18) in FY-18 at 5.26per cent, but still higher than our computed CoF of 4.73per cent recorded in FY-17�.

I

Interest income increased by 15.31 per cent, driven by growth in interest earned on customer loans. However, a faster growth in interest expense by 29 per cent, led to a meagre three per cent (3 per) increase in net interest income. Most non-interest income (NIR) lines – net fee and commission, net trading income and other income – grew, but offset by forex income, which dropped by 157 per cent.

As a result, NIR in H1-18 was lower by 22 per cent year on year (y/y), weighing significantly on the bank’s performance.

The bottom line, however, was supported by a decline in impairment charge provision (-29per cent), lower opex (-6.5per cent), and significantly low ETR of 13.6 per cent.

Yield on Assets Access recorded impressive growth in asset yield in H1-18 (+86 bps to 12.97per cent in H1 vs. FY-17), despite the drop in interest rates on fixed income securities, which was largely accountable for the decline in interest income for some of its peers: Zenith Bank (-12.81per cent), Guaranty (-2.41per cent), and FBNH (-3.00per cent).

The growth emanated from improved yields on customer loans, which, by the estimate of stock analysts, surged 297 basis points to 14.54percent as against 11.56 per cent in financial year ended 2017, in the half-year, following forex translation impact from N350/Dollar in H1-18 to N331/Dollar in full-year 2017) on FCY loans, which constitutes 39 percent of total loan book.

Also contributing to the improvement in yield is the traction gained by the bank’s PayDay Loan product, which involves granting short-term (30-days) loans to retail customers (particularly salary earners).

Total turnover on the platform has grown significantly by 2,737 per cent to N10.9 billion in H1 and currently attracts up to N3 billion worth of transactions monthly. “We think this is sustainable and is expected to contribute more significantly to yields going forward. As a result, we estimate yield on customer loans of 15per cent in 2018E�, experts with Cordros Capital said.

Analysts are confident that the bank would be able to explore the opportunities in the Central Bank of Nigeria’s new differentiated CRR guideline, which permits deposit money banks (DMBs) to take out of their excess CRR and give out as loans to the specified sectors. “Lastly, yields on fixed income instruments have resumed upward trajectory as seen in the recent bond, NTB, and OMO auctions, further supporting our projection of improvement in asset yield in the second half. As a result, we estimate 64 bps y/y increases in asset yield to 12.75per cent in 2018E. Together, with expected growth in interest-earning assets by 7.80per cent, we estimate growth in interest income by 20per cent y/y in

Asset Quality Improvements in macroeconomic fundamentals, following the rise in oil prices, has led to improved servicing of loans by debtors, particularly by in the upstream oil & gas sector. Furthermore, the recent resolution of the sale of 9 mobile assets to Teleology has increased optimism around the repayment of the telco’s outstanding loan to the consortium of banks, standing at USD1.2 billion, and of which USD200 million is to be written off by the affected banks. The proceeds from the sale (USD301 million) is to be shared among the banks on a pro-rata basis, and c. N20 billion (according to management’s rough estimate) is expected to be paid to Access Bank in a few weeks and the balance restructured over seven years. With 9mobile constituting a bulk of the bank’s NPL (59.0per cent, as at H1-18), it is expected that the resolution of the Telco’s sale will improve the bank’s asset quality significantly. “It is also worth stating that 37 per cent of the 9 mobile exposure has been provided for. Hence, we project a 86 bps y/y dip in the cost of risk to 0.91per cent in 2018E, but remain conservatively above the 0.73per cent recorded in H1�, analysts disclosed.

GMD, Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wiwge

2018E�, Cordros Capital added.

Cost of Fund An expensive debt mix, as well as high cost of deposits, were major drivers of the elevated cost of funds (5.49per cent) recorded in H1-18. Cost of deposits was higher by 133 bps in H1 (vs. FY-17), amidst growth in total deposits by 7.31 per cent in half year, vs. FY-17. The cost of debt securities issued by the bank was also higher by 21 bps in half year, at 12.11 percent as against full year 2017, as the

bank continued to run its N100 billion commercial paper (CP) programme, of which three tranches matured in H1, and three others are due for maturity in H2 (valued at N56 billion). Also, the bank continues the servicing of its two outstanding Eurobonds, with one of the bonds callable in 2019, and the other due for maturity in 2021. However, there are efforts by management to reduce the cost of funds, by re-pricing some outstanding CPs in the second half, and this reflected in the most recent tranche issued in September,

There are eorts by management to reduce the cost of funds, by re-pricing some outstanding CPs in the second half, and this reected in the most recent tranche issued in September, wherein its implied yield reduced to 13.79 per cent, as against 16.05 per cent in its previous issue in February

Cost EfďŹ ciency According to Cordros Capital research on the bank, the six per cent (6per cent) decline in opex in H1 contributed to the marginal uptick in the bottom line.

However, owing to the drop in operating income --9.58 per cent year on year, while cost-to-income ratio increased to 64.9 per cent in H1 as against 62.15 per cent in FY-17.

The projection for 2018 end of the financial year was based on that the assumption that opex will inch up by two per cent (2per cent) over 2017 financial year figure. “However, with operating income expected to rise by six per cent (6per cent) y/y in 2018E, we estimate the cost-to-income ratio of 59.8per cent for the full year�.

Estimate and Valuation Overall, Cordros Capital forecast EPS of N3.0 and N3.05 per share in 2018E and 2019E respectively. Based on its performance projection on the bank, Cordros Capital indicated: “Our target price (TP) of N13.34/share translates to 66.69per cent upside potential from today’s closing price of N8.75, with the BUY rating. On our estimates, Access trades at forward P/E and P/BV multiples of 4.4x and 0.79x, below Bloomberg’s Middle East Africa peer average multiple of 10.2x and 1.0x, respectively�.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹;˜ ͺ͸͹΀

23

MUDA YUSUF

US-China Trade War Has Numerous Implications on Nigeria’s Economy Mà¸ø‚ôàsຉ‚âh›‚Øs‚ßhe‚ÕØreúß›r‚•enerøÛ‚›º‚ßhe‚üø»›s‚ÔhøÜùer‚›º‚Ô›ÜÜerúe‚øn¸‚ —n¸àsßr¡‚…üÔÔ—†‰‚Øs‚ø‚seøs›ne¸‚eú›n›ÜØsß‚øn¸‚resœeúße¸‚á›Øúe‚øÜ›n»‚ß›œ‚›œerøß›rs‚Øn‚ NØ»erØøus‚eú›n›Ü¡Î‚—n‚ßhØs‚ØnßeráØeâ‚âØßh‚Olaseni Durojaiye‰‚ôàsຂùøres‚hØs‚ÜØn¸‚›n‚ Û›úøÛ‚øn¸‚ØnßernøßØ›nøÛ‚eú›n›ÜØú‚Øssàes‰‚œørßØúàÛørÛ¡‚ßhe‚ßrø¸e‚âør‚ùeßâeen‚ßhe‚UnØße¸‚ |ßøßes‚øn¸‚ÔhØnø‰‚ßhe‚reúenß‚¸ØœÛ›ÜøßØú‚shàßßÛe‚ß›‚ßhe‚ú›ànßr¡‚ºr›Ü‚Öàr›œeøn‚ú›ànßrØes‰‚ eú›n›ÜØú‚¸eáeÛ›œÜenß‚øn¸‚ºàn¸Øn»‚›º‚úrØßØúøÛ‚seúß›rs‚›º‚ßhe‚eú›n›Ü¡Î‚Ö~úerœßs

Yusuf

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THE EXECUTIVE

Other Sectors Outside Manufacturing, Agric, Need No Less Support from Govt other than the real sector have tremendous impact on the economy. They deserve as much support as the real sector. Thus, we propose an economy wide view.

Can you expatiate on this?

Take the services sector for example. The service sector contributes significantly to the Gross Domestic Product of the country which makes it a key sector too, and has the capacity to contribute more if the desired support is provided.

The sector complements productivity and performance in the real sector. For instance, logistics, transportation, ICT construction, distributive trade, education, health, and energy sectors are critical to the value chain development of manufacturing, agriculture, and solid minerals.

There should be a holistic view of the economy.

The service sector currently accounts for 55 per cent of the nation’s GDP, over 60 per cent of revenue and 70 per cent of employment.

There is therefore a need for policy makers to change the perception of sectors outside of the manufacturing and agriculture. They require no less support as has been shown the real sector.

There has been a high level diplomatic shuttle among a couple of countries from western Europe, the last was the visit of the British Prime Minister Theresa May to the country in what ways is the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry exploring investment opportunities inherent in these visits?

Yusuf

H

ow do you see the trade crisis between the United States of America and China impact African and more importantly on Nigeria’s economy?

The trade war between United States of America and the Peoples Republic of China has numerous implications for the Nigerian economy, some negative and others positive. There are three major impact points: Impact on the global economy; tariffs on Chinese exports to the United States and then impact of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) China and United States are the two largest economies in the world; therefore, a trade war between these two economies is a war between two global economic giants, which is why such a war would impact the global economy negatively. There is a relationship between the tempo of global trade and global economic growth; when there is a slowdown in trade, global economic growth will be negatively impacted. When this happens, other major economic variables will be affected. A slowdown in the global economy could result in lower demand for commodities which may impact oil price, foreign exchange earnings and foreign reserves.

The second likely impact is positive. The tariffs on Chinese products imported to the United States will create supply gaps in the US market.

Chinese imports will become more expensive and this will make imports from other parts of the world into the US competitive vis-a-vis import from China. Export from countries not affected by the US Tariff hike will therefore become more competitive in the United States.

Within the context of the African Growth and Opportunities Act, this situation presents new opportunities for Nigerian export in the United States market. It remains for us to as a country develop the capacity to take advantage of this opportunity.

The third impact point is with respect to

Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) from China.

The current scenario would trigger migration of investment from China to countries not affected by the US import tariff hike. Currently, China is a major hub for export to the United States of America. With the trade war, many investors in China, whose main export market is United States may begin to seek new locations for their investments. This offers new opportunities for such countries to offer alternative destinations for such investors.

However, our ability to take this advantage depends on the quality of our investment environment.

What is your take on the recent CBN funding facility for the real sector? How do you think it can be well utilised by the sector?

Times like these calls for prioritisation in favour of stimulation of investment and growth in the real sector and other sectors of the economy. This means prioritising for job creation and poverty reduction, which are cardinal programs of the present administration.

Funding is critical to the realisation of these

objectives. The logic is that low interest rate will stimulate investment, impact positively on growth, create more jobs, increase income, and boost output.

The creation of a single digit interest rate window through the issuance of Commercial Papers by the large corporates, especially in the real sector, is laudable. It is gratifying that this window also offers long term facility of up to seven years tenure. This is salutary, and we commend the CBN for the move. We also welcome the decision to introduce a “differentiated dynamic cash reserves requirements [CRR] regime to direct cheap long-term bank credit at 9 per cent with a minimum tenure of seven years and two years moratorium to employment elastic sectors of the economy.�

The implication of this is that banks that lend to sectors that readily create jobs will get a corresponding CRR concession. This is a welcome development and we applaud it. We laud this move as it is an innovative way of supporting growth in the economy, while minimising risk to stability of the macro economic conditions.

However, there is a need for the apex bank to have a broader view of the economy as sectors

The business climate has witnessed some improvements in the last few years, especially with respect to processes and procedures of some agencies of government. We have observed improvements in immigration processes and processes for business registration. Online processes have been adopted by some of these institutions

The spate of diplomatic shuttle, especially from the western world is an indication of the perception of opportunities in Africa, into which the western world is seeking to tap. It is an opportunity for a renewal of bilateral ties between Nigeria and the visiting European countries. The post Brexit challenges is a major driver for new partnerships by the United Kingdom. Besides, the historical ties between Nigeria and UK naturally present opportunities for a robust trade and economic ties between Nigeria and UK. Similarly, the current global trade war and attendant disruption in the global economy is also a compelling factor for countries to develop new partnerships and to consolidate on the existing ones. The truth is that, opportunities are diminishing in the mature economies, while the potential inAfrica remains largely untapped.

How has the LCCI been able to facilitate the enactment of bills that could bills that could foster the growth of commerce and industry in the country?

The National Assembly has been supportive in passing bills that could enhance the investment environment. The assembly held series of engagements with the Organised Private Sector to identify regulations and laws inhibiting business. The outcome of these consultations was the passing of the CAMAAmendment Bill this year.

However, the frequent summons of the private sector chieftains to public hearings by the National Assembly was a major distraction to the business community. The passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill was another commendable activity by the Assembly. The LCCI, working with other OPS bodies, made this possible.

Has there been any improvement in Nigeria’s the business climate in the last three years?

The business climate has witnessed some improvements in the last few years, especially with respect to processes and procedures of some agencies of government. We have observed improvements in immigration processes and processes for business registration. Online processes have been adopted by some of these institutions.

The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has been driving series of reforms to fix investment climate issues in the economy. We have seen some impact with NAFDAC and SON. However, challenges of infrastructure are still very profound. Energy cost and logistics costs are still very high and affecting the cost of doing business across all sectors. The Apapa gridlock remains a major nightmare for business if you take into cognisance

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THE EXECUTIVE

Very High Energy and Logistics Costs Still Adversely Impacting Business the importance of the ports in Apapa and the huge revenue potential in the maritime industry.

Nigeria has recorded some improvements in the ease of doing business index. How is this positively impacting the nation’s economy?

It was commendable that Nigeria moved up by 24 steps from 169 to 145 on the World Bank ranking of Ease of Doing Business a year ago. These improvements in ranking had a positive impact on the perception of the country and economy by investors, especially foreign investors.

Some aspects of the investments climate, especially in the area of processes and procedures recorded some improvements. There were also improvements in some efforts to improve credit delivery through the credit registry and the use of mobile assets as collateral for loans by the Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

However, the fundamental issues of infrastructure, security situation in some parts of the country and the cost of credit remain major constraints to business. The methodology used by the World Bank for the ranking was also an issue. Some critical elements of the business environment were not captured in the World Bank template, these include infrastructure, security, conditions of reports and corruption.

The World Bank template is generic and not designed to take account of the peculiarities of the Nigerian conditions. On our part, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry has drawn the attention of the World Bank to this shortcoming.

What is your assessment of the Central Bank of Nigeria on the Investors and Exporters (I&E) foreign exchange window?

The I and E window was an excellent initiative by the Central Bank of Nigeria to create a market environment for foreign exchange transactions.

The rates are market driven and the window inspires a great deal of confidence.

It was a major stabilizing factor in the Nigeria foreign exchange market. It complimented the periodic intervention model of the Central Bank of Nigeria in the foreign exchange market. It has also had a remarkable impact of foreign exchange in flows economy.

What policy measures that could help grow the economy would the LCCI suggest to the managers of the nation’s economy given the opportunity?

In order to reverse the declining trend in GDP Growth, the chamber recommends as follows: The need to sustain the momentum of ease of doing business programme of the government in order to bring down the cost of operations of investors in the economy.

The state of infrastructure has continued to take a toll on investment across all sectors.

However, the impact was more pronounced on manufacturing and Agriculture Sector. Governments at all levels should therefore redouble their efforts to improve infrastructure. This will also reduce risk of investment in these key sectors.

There is optimism in some quarters that the new CBN policy of single-digit lending will signiďŹ cantly help the economy; do you share this optimism as well?

Again talking about funding, the chamber notes the recent move of the CBN to improve lending to the real sector through the differentiated CRR window. However, we recommend that the differentiated CRR window should be extended to other sectors of the economy including the service sector. We believe that the approach to solving the problem of the economy should be holistic.

It is imperative to ensure an investment friendly tax policy. In same manner we note that the regulatory environment for business should be aligned to the Ease of Doing Business agenda of the government.

Again, the state of the Apapa gridlock is not business-friendly and we urge that the Apapa gridlock should be addressed as a matter of urgency and lastly, a call for a fast track the reforms in the oil and gas sector in order to unlock the huge and amazing potential in the sector.

Yusuf

A section of the chamber’s members sometime ago were advocating a review of the nation’s auto policy, has their request been met?

The Automotive policy is a legacy policy passed to the present administration by the Jonathan administration. The policy has put the cost of vehicles beyond reach of most citizens and even corporate bodies. It has an economy wide negative impact with far reaching consequences. There is a need to act quickly to reverse the unsavory situation. The automobile sector was hit by the double shock of over 100 percent currency depreciation and a hike in tariff from 22 per cent to 70 per cent, in the case of new cars, whereas there is very little that can be done about the currency depreciation, a great deal can be done about the auto policy, which is a creation of government.

The auto policy was an import substitution strategy to reduce importation of vehicles and boost the capacity of domestic vehicle assembly plants. But the vehicle assemblers were as dependent on imports as the importers of vehicles.

This is not in consonance with the objective of import substitution strategy which thrives better in the context of high domestic value addition.

It is in this setting that the economy could benefit from the inherent values of import substitution which includes backward integration, multiplier effects, conservation of foreign exchange, job creation and reduction of import bills.

But five years into the implementation of the auto policy not much progress has been made, even though over 40 licenses have been issued for vehicle assembly plants. The affordable vehicles promised at the inception of the policy are yet to be seen. If anything, the economy had suffered incalculable consequences and shocks as the cost of vehicles reached levels that were unprecedented in the history of the country. Virtually all aspects of our economic and social lives had been adversely impacted by the situation. This is because over 90% of the country’s freight and human movements are done by road, which implies heavy dependence on cars, commercial buses and trucks.

Manufacturers and other real sector investors suffer from high cost of delivery vehicles, sharp increases in haulage cost because of the high

cost of trucks; school buses have become unaffordable by many institutions; many hospitals cannot afford new ambulances; many corporate organizations have drastically cut down on their fleet etc.

Car ownership is now completely beyond the majority of the middle class. These unintended consequences and collateral effects on the economy and welfare of citizens are immeasurable.

We have witnessed an increase in the price of vehicles by between 100 to 400 per cent. A new car of 1.8-litre engine capacity now costs as high as N18 million; a new car of 2-litre engine capacity now cost as high as N20 million; a 3-litre new Japanese car costs as high as N30 million; a 30-seater bus cost about N45 million, an18-seater bus cost N29 million. Not many investors and the citizens have the capacity to absorb these outrageous prices. Even high end corporate organisations are now buying used vehicles for their organisations. The implication of the scenario for operational costs of organisations is worrisome.

This scenario is most inappropriate for an economy that is heavily dependent on road transportation. Other implications of the Auto Policy for the economy include the following.

You mentioned earlier that the impact of the policy transcends the automobile sector, could you please expatiate?

Impact on the cost of goods and services as cost of vehicle procurement remains high largely because of the high import tariff (duty and levy) and this has caused an increase in smuggling resulting from the high import duty and levy as well as the huge duty differential with our neighboring countries.

It has also affected the maritime industry. Nigeria continues to lose maritime businesses to neighboring countries as more vehicle imports meant for Nigeria are diverted to neighboring countries, this is detrimental to most investors in the automobile sector in Nigeria as high cost of vehicles creates affordability problems, low sales and massive erosion of profit margins, loss of jobs in the nations maritime and allied sector following the sharp drop in vehicle imports and huge loss of customs revenue as vehicle

imports drop and smuggling increases.

The truth is it created opportunities for corruption and extortion by customs operatives because of compliance issues and the enormous incentives to smuggle. The challenge of high cost of transportation which affects all sectors of the economy is inclusive and erosion of political capital of the ruling party and present government.

From your perspective, what is the way forward?

The auto policy should be immediately reviewed in the light of the downsides of the policy, some of which I highlighted earlier. Import levy of 35 per cent on new vehicles should be scrapped, leaving only the import duty of 35 per cent. Import duty on commercial vehicles should be reviewed downwards to 20 per cent.

Import duty on used cars should be reviewed to 20 per cent. CKD and SKD should all attract zero duty.

Government should give further tax concessions and waivers to the assembly plants in the spirit of the auto policy, other incentives for assembly plants in respect of machineries for assembly plants and tyre industries should be retained as contained in the Automotive policy.

However, similar incentives should have been extended to the local production of vehicle spare parts. Of course you’re aware that we have always advocated patronage of locally assembled vehicles by the government and its agencies, government needs to vigorously encourage this and even enforce it.

If these recommendations are adopted, there would be a great relief to the private sector from the logistics perspective; more jobs will be restored in the automobile business sector; maritime sector activities will also receive a boost; car assembly plant will be better off with a zero percent duty on SKD; the welfare effect on citizens will be positive.

Even the government will benefit in terms of political capital as the middle class will have better access to vehicle ownership; the transportation sector will benefit tremendously and smuggling of vehicles will reduce drastically while Customs revenue from vehicle imports will improve considerably.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀

INTERVIEW

Chizea: Nigeria’s Economy Has Been Relegated to the Background for Politics Dr. Boniface Chizea, a seasoned economist and former banker, has contributed significantly to the development of several organisations in the public and private sectors including the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Quality Assurance FSS 2020 project, Federal Ministry of Finance, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).In this interview with Bamidele Famoofo, Chizea takes a holistic look at the performance of the Nigerian economy and going by his assessment, the economy is unimpressively performing, as he alleges that too much attention paid to politics is adversely affecting the fortunes of the economy. Excerpts:

W

hat’s your assessment of impact of CBN’s various intervention funds on the economy?

Anchor Borrowers’ Programme for agriculture to boost self-sufficiency in rice, millet, maize and sundry related products. Also, funds have been made available at preferential rates for lending to aviation, power etc., as the Central Bank attempts to keep fidelity to its developmental role in the economy.

The banks have also been encouraged by the Central Bank to liberalise the sale of foreign exchange for basic and business allowance to those in need not restricting the sale to only customers that have a bank account with them. And also increased the sale of foreign exchange to Bureau de Change from 2 to 3 times a week to make foreign exchange available to marginal borrowers and increased the limit on international spending from 2,000 to 3,000 dollars for online transactions. It is also expected that the currency swap agreement between the Central Bank and The People’s Bank of China signed on April, 2018 for an amount of $2.5 billion, the equivalent of N15 billion over an initial three-year period should give a boost to trade flows between both countries as the problem of sourcing dollars to transact such businesses is now a thing of the past. A twice weekly auction in this respect has been commenced by the Central Bank commencing from July 31, 2018 at the opening exchange rate of 49 Naira to Yuan.

The growth of the Nigerian economy is undermined by unwholesome attention to politics as election 2019 is anticipated. From all indications, it is fair to conclude that the economy has given scant attention as it is now relegated to the background. This explains why 2018 budget is still in limbo without anyone bothering regarding when it would be approved for the capital budget to be implemented, which should accounts for the desired growth of the economy. We recently celebrated the fact that we have done an unprecedented N1.5 trillion of capital expenditure in 2016, but from recent happenings, it would be a mirage expecting to attain that level of spending on capital projects in 2018. Even the Economic Recovery and Growth plan; the three-year development plan for which recently we were regaled with activities regarding the activation of focus labs remains in limbo.

It is early to assess the full impact of the many intervention funds by the Central Bank even as we can confidently claim that in some areas, the result of such interventions are already manifesting. In this regard, we could be thinking of targeted sectors such as agriculture with the Anchor Borrowers’ Program under which substantial strides have been recorded. Under this regime, the CBN had provided funds to sectors that included Power, Aviation and MSMEs all at single-digit interest rates thereby ameliorating the impact of high interest rates in the economy. No doubt, these intervention funds have salutary effects on the economy as they fully align with the development role of the Central Bank.

What will be the effect of a possible rate hike by CBN on ordinary Nigerians?

Yes, the CBN has mooted the idea of hike in interest rate as it fears heightened inflation due to excessive liquidity, which would be pumped into the economy as election spending intensifies. But I suppose this is a strategy to checkmate those who have been shouting that the MPR, which has been at the same level for over two years, should be reduced to help boost activities in the economy. What the CBN is doing is to cautiously draw attention to the fact that we are not yet out of the woods and therefore it does not consider a move to reduce interest rates a viable move in the current circumstances of the economy.

But I should be very surprised, if it should attempt to hike interest in the prevalent circumstances of the economy. We must also recall that interest rate is factor cost, which also impact the level inflation in the economy and therefore to the extent that the Central Bank is able to attain some stability in this regard, to that extent would the Bank be contributing to the management of inflation in the economy.

It’s believed that the declining inflation will reverse with the elections approaching. What’s your view?

The expectation that inflation might increase with the coming elections is real, as more liquidity is injected into the economy particularly from outside the country. This might precipitate demand pull inflation.

Therefore this explains the fear by the Central Bank that we must proceed cautiously if the recent gains are not to be reversed.

Would you say the budget implementation has improved in recent times?

No! The way the budget is being handled leaves much to be desired.

It also speaks loudly about the lack of seriousness or even lack of full appreciation and understanding of the importance of the budget, which is a veritable blueprint for the management of the economy. Since the onset of this administration, we have never had the budget approved ready for implementation within the first half of the year. Part of the problem has been the tardiness with the preparation of the budget on the part of the Executive. The budget estimates are expected to be ready before the end of the third quarter of the year, i.e. August, but it has often been submitted to the National Assembly in December.

And therefore, the expectation of early approval of the budget for implementation becomes unrealistic. Even Budget 2018, which was submitted to the Legislature on an early date of November 7, 2018, with the expectation that the country might have a chance of harmonising the fiscal year with the calendar year, is still a languishing victim of the rancorous relationship between the executive and the legislature. There is the urgent need to work on the approval process of the budget to remove all the rancour that has hallmarked the experience so far. It is possible for the Budget Office of the Federation to interface with the legislature during the preparation process of the budget preparation to ensure that all are carried along. With this approach, may be the rancour, which has characterised budget preparation and approval would be better managed. With the current experience it would be foolhardy expecting that the Nigerian economy would witness a boom.

That would happen when all the problems associated with the budget preparation process are resolved.

How do you think the economy has performed?

Nigerian economy has notionally exited recession but not fully recovered from it. As at last count the GDP stood at 1.5 per cent in the second quarter of 2018 year-on-year representing a reduction compared to the first quarter of the year, which was at 1.9 per cent. What would seem to be good news regarding this development is that the contribution of oil to GDP seems to be falling, while that of non-oil sector appears to be holding, showing marginal improvement. It would therefore appear that the much-talked-about dependence on the oil sector, which had so far defined the country’s vulnerability is now waning.

A worrisome aspect of the performance of the economy is the impact of the insurrection across the states of the federation reputed for their

Chizea

prowess in agricultural production as hardly any farm work is now going on as most farmers are now in IDP camps afraid of their lives talk more of going back to the farms. And as the effect of all of this become manifest the country would witness unprecedented food inflation.

Inflation has maintained a downward trend over a period of almost two years now and currently stands at 11.2 per cent still outside the single-digit inflation rate of 6-9 per cent projection by the monetary authorities. This level of inflation is negatively impacting the country’s attempt at income redistribution, while enhancing the misery index in the land. And the relatively high level of inflation has constrained the monetary authorities and left them with no choice but to maintain monetary policy rate (MPR) at a high 14 per cent for over two years now, despite the clamour that the rates should be allowed to fall, to make credit cheaper to contribute to the much desired outcry for the economy to be reflated to impact the burgeoning unemployment figures which currently stands at a dangerous and unsustainable level of 18.8 per cent.

The monetary authorities are logically much more concerned with the attractiveness of the economy particularly to portfolio investors. As the economy is relatively high risk, the returns must be commensurate to ameliorate this condition. But in spite of the determination to sustain the level of returns, the risk factor has considerably worsened due to the uncertainty arising from the pending elections, which is exacerbated by the worsening relationship between the executive and the legislature.

This development had impacted the stock exchange making all the essential indices; market capitalisation and All Share index move in the southwards direction undermining the performance as well as the attractiveness of the market. The foreign exchange rate has held following the efforts of the monetary authorities as they embark on innovative initiatives such as the Investor & Exporter window, which had accounted for substantial inflow of dollar liquidity into the economy as the rates that are prevalent at this market are as agreed by the parties to the transaction. The complaint of multiple exchange rates have continued, but the authorities are mindful, waiting for the most auspicious timing for the merger of the rates, which in any case would be largely driven by market forces.

The deposit money banks in their credit extension has not been able to meet the requirements of commensurate lending to the private sector, which really is the economic engine that has the potential to catalyse growth in the economy. Mindful of this development, a number of initiatives have been embarked upon that includes the decision by the banks after a Bankers’ Committee meeting in 2015 to take equity position in businesses particularly small and medium scale ones and the recent decision that the prudential reserves with the Central Bank representing 22.5 per cent of bank’s deposit base should be made available to banks to create liquidity for targeted lending to SMEs at single-digit interest rates. The Central Bank had also embarked on preferential lending to targeted sectors of the economy such as the

Some say the current debt structure is unhealthy. What is your take on this?

The increasing debt profile is worrisome more so as it would appear that with the circumstances of the economic development that we have now resorted to borrowing for consumption. Borrowing for consumption is ill advised as it might gradually lead the country back to the debt peonage of recent memory when economic managers spent valuable time hopping from one country to another asking for debt relief and even forgiveness which is not good for the image of the leading Black Country in the world. Available data indicates that under the present government that the debt stock had grown by 90 per cent in the past three years rising from N 12.6 trillion in December, 2015 to N22.71 trillion

by March, 2018. It’s no brainer guessing what the monies have been borrowed for. We have borrowed to pay salaries in spite of the backlog of salary arrears in many states of the federation which occasioned the granting of bailout funds by the federal government as the amount on the federation account dwindled as a result of falling price of oil coupled with the country’s inability to produce up to projected capacity due to challenges either from the falling demand for Nigerian oil in the global market place or due to insurrection arising from the activities of militants at the Niger Delta region. Borrowing for consumption amounts to mortgaging the future of succeeding generations.

It is a definite plus to possess the capacity to borrow. There are many countries of the world that do not have such privilege. But if we must borrow, it is advisable to concentrate borrowing for viable capital projects that could be self-liquidating. In this matter we commend the boost in revenue accruing from taxation based on the aggressive activities of the Federal Inland Revenue Service because for well-managed economy tax revenue accounts for recurrent expenditure as opposed to the experience we are currently witnessing in the country where we borrow to pay salaries and petroleum subsidy. There has been talk that the country has the headroom to borrow based on indicative best practice statistics on debt to GDP ratios, but what is of urgent concern is the sustainability of such borrowings when seen in the context of debt service to revenue. Therefore there is the need for caution regarding the way and manner we have gone ahead with accumulation of humongous debts.

You expressed concern about sustainability of borrowing. Is there any issue with the debt servicing programme?

We are not aware of any particular debt serving plan except in so far as allocation has been made as part of the budget details for an amount voted for debt servicing during the year. After such provisions have been made, we are not aware of the progress in this regard as it is hardly advertised. Fortunately so far there has not been any alarms regarding defaults with debt servicing and to a large extent, the country’s capacity to borrow has not been undermined. We are rather aware that all debt instruments offered by the country have been oversubscribed. But this development must not lure us into false sense of complacency in this connection.

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ALTERNATIVE/PERSPECTIVE How to Clap for Buhari, Kemi, Amaechi and Ngige Reno Omokri

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t last, Kemi Adeosun, Muhammadu Buhari’s cockney accented Minister of Finance has finally resigned.

Kemi claims she did not know her National Youth Service Corp exemption certificate was forged and I believe her. I read her letter and it made sense. I believe she is an unfortunate victim of circumstances. Ordinarily, I would have called for her prosecution, but this was an honest mistake and she should not be punished beyond her resignation.

Having said that, it is surprising that President Buhari accepted her resignation on the ground that she has a forged certificate. The question is what should a man whose certificate is suspected not to have ever even existed do in such a circumstance?

Muhammadu Buhari claims to be a man of integrity, but when challenged to provide his West African School Certificate results for perusal, the famously boastful Buhari responded by hiring thirteen Senior Advocates of Nigeria to hide behind a wall of legalese.

So blasÊ was the President to calls for him to show Nigerians that he has his certificate that the President’s private army, AKA the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission even went to the ridiculous extent of arresting and charging the judge handling President Buhari’s case.

If that is not intimidation, I wonder what would be.

Be that as it may, even after appointing another Northerner to head the Department of State Security, President Buhari accepted Kemi Adeosun’s resignation and replaced her with a Northern Muslim, Mrs Zainab Ahmed. Sometimes, I almost think that if given the opportunity, the notoriously nepotistic and tribalistic Buhari will replace even the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria with a Northern Muslim!

I congratulate President Buhari for appointing yet another Northerner, to join his cabinet. He had previously also appointed Yusuf Magaji Bichi, to head the Department of State Security.

Now, for only the second time in history (the first time was in 1984 when Buhari was s military dictator) all the intelligence agencies, DSS, DIA, NIA, DSS, NPS, NIS and NSA are headed

by Northerners.

Not even one competent Southerner could be found amongst 180 million Nigerians by President Buhari. Whoever doubted Buhari’s 97% versus 7% statement can now see the President is dead set on his Northernisation of government agenda.

The question those who truly love Nigeria should be asking themselves is this: If Buhari can be so tribalistic 5 months to an election, ask yourself what he will be like if he is re-elected for a second term? If a man starts beating his wife publicly in the mosque immediately after their wedding Fatiha, what will happen when they get home?

And then there is the Quisling of the Buhari administration. I refer to none other than Rotimi Amaechi.

On June 14, 2016, Rotimi Amaechi, who is Mr Buhari’s minister of transport, publicly refused to spend N13 billion on the Maritime University in the Niger Delta, where 90% of Nigeria‘s foreign earning comes from.

On that day, Mr Amaechi, who was speaking at a town hall meeting organised by the federal ministry of information in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, defended the decision of the Buhari administration to scrap the project which is critical for his own people in the Niger Delta.

In response to a question, Mr Amaechi said: “If you give me 13 billion, I will buy the half of Lagos�. It took the intervention of the minister of state for petroleum, Mr Ibe Kachikwu, for sanity to prevail on that day.

Visibly offended by Mr Amaechi’s statements, Mr Ibe retorted “let me say on Okerenkoko University, I disagree with the Minister of Transport. Any facility that is located in the SouthSouth we should work close to developing it. I don’t care about the circumstances under which you are placed�.

However, on Tuesday, September 11, 2018, Mr Amaechi, who felt that N13 billion was too much to be spent on the Niger Delta, justified citing an N18 billion, so-called, Transport University, in President Buhari’s village of Daura.

Hide original message Mr Amaechi said there is nothing special about building the university in the president’s hometown since “Daura is also part of Nigeria�.

But what of the Niger Delta? Is the Niger Delta not part of Nigeria? How can N18 billion to build a university in Buhari’s village be justifiable but N13 billion for the goose that lays the golden egg is not?

It should be recalled that the only federal university in President Buhari’s home state of Katsina, was built by former President Jonathan, a man who treated all parts of Nigeria equally.

Rotimi Amaechi is a minister today because of the Niger Delta.

He was nominated as a minister to represent Rivers state in the Executive Council of the Federation. By his actions, it is safe to say that Amaechi is a traitor to his people!

However, kudos must go the way of the minister of state for petroleum, Mr Ibe Kachikwu, who stood up for the truth when it counted.

Unsurprisingly, it was after speaking up for the Niger Delta that Mr Ibe was consequently sidelined in his ministry with President Buhari giving the real power in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to Maikanti Baru, his fellow Northerner, promoting Mr Ibe’s famous leaked memo.

And then, there is the court jester in Buhari’s government. I refer to none other than Chris Ngige, the fetish shrine visiting Minister of Labour in Mr Buhari’s lacklustre federal cabinet.

Mr. Ngige said he is surprised that Nigerians do not clap for President Buhari on a daily basis. I hope Okija shrine did not do permanent damage to Chris Ngige’s psyche! How can he ask us to clap for a Buhari under whom Nigeria lost 11 million jobs and became the world headquarters for extreme poverty and whose govt wants us to give land for cattle ranch or die?

Ngige wants us to clap for Buhari. Do we clap for: * Being the world HQ for extreme poverty? * For our foreign debt doubling in 3 years? * For moving 12 places backwards in Transparency‘s corruption rating? * For ‘giving land for cattle ranch is better than death’?

What Buhari needs is a clapback, not a clap #RenosDarts

Reno’s Darts:

Between 2015 and 2018, the Naira has depreciated by 85%, the earning power of Nigerians has depreciated by almost 100% and cost of living has increased by an average of 125%, yet the Buhari administration has borrowed more money than the PDP borrowed in 16 years! #RenosDarts

Reno’s Nuggets:

It was WHAT Joseph knew that sent him to prison in Egypt. But it was WHO Joseph knew that got him out of prison. If Joseph did not make friends with Pharaoh’s butler, he would have died in prison with all his knowledge. It takes a human being to open the prison doors. If you depend on only knowledge, the door will stay locked, keeping you in prison.

Don’t just read books, make friends too. Connections lead to collections. #RenosNuggets

Reno Omokri

Bestselling author of Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years, and other books. Avid traveller. Tormentor of the APC.

Facts That Prove Oshiomhole’s Delusional Reno Omokri

M

y attention has been drawn to a statement by the Chairman of theAll Progressives Congress, MrAdams Oshiomhole, in which he accused former President Goodluck Jonathan of budgeting N5 billion to rig the Edo State gubernatorial elections which held on July 14, 2012.

I will now proceed to show, with facts and dates that this new statement is further proof that Mr Oshiomhole is a mentally unbalanced man who suffers from multiple personality syndrome.

The Edo gubernatorial election that Mr Oshiomhole referred to held on Saturday, July 14, 2012.

The very next day, the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Mr Oshiomhole as the winner of the election. After his victory was declared, Mr Oshiomhole said as follows: “I am glad that Mr. President (Jonathan) kept to his words of assurance that there will be no thuggery, hooliganism and violence during the Edo Governorship election. He is indeed a statesman, a man of honour, because there was adequate and effective presence of security agents on ground. I am impressed. What the Edo election has confirmed is that when the President and Commander-in-Chief put the country first and he conducts himself as a statesman not just as a party leader, credible elections are possible.“ I urge Nigerians to Google the above statement

by Mr Oshiomhole to ensure I am not misquoting him.

Adams Oshiomhole said the above words to journalists on video.

Now, the same man who uttered those words is saying a completely different thing today. Is this not evidence of multiple personalities?

This double talk and flip-flopping is a pattern with Adams Oshiomhole and evidence abound on this.

For example, on July 20, 2018, Adams Oshiomhole said: “Governor Ortom is not going anywhere, he is a very prominent member of our party, and we appreciate his leadership in Benue.�

He further said of Governor Ortom as follows “He is a man of honour and he knows that once you move one step forward, you will want to take the second step to consoli- date the first step.� Then only a week later, on July 28, 2018, Mr Oshiomhole made a 180 degree about turn and said “I am relieved as national chairman, and I believe that the leadership of the party in Benue is also relieved that Ortom has left the party and returned to the club he belongs.�

Oshiomhole Mr. Oshiomhole also said Governor Ortom’s exit from the APC “is good riddance to bad rubbish�.

How could Ortom be “a man of honour� in Mr Oshiomhole’s eye one week and be “rubbish� the next week?

I urge Nigerians to Google those quotations to ensure that I have not misquoted Mr Oshiomhole and then compare the two statements made within a week and use that as a yardstick to gauge the state of Mr. Oshiomhole’s mental balance.

Moreover, Nigerians will recall that Mr Oshiomhole met with various legislators in the National Assembly to persuade them not to defect from the APC, but after they defected, he said he “I will not miss sleep for one minute� over the defections. Then again, on August 10, 2018, Adams Oshiomhole said “I have confidence in Speaker Yakubu Dogara� only for the APC under Oshiomhole to officially release a statement on Thursday, September 14, 2018, saying Yakubu Dogara “has no electoral value.� Yet, the same Yakubu Dogara delivered his LGA to the Peoples Democratic Party only a month ago.

With the above, should any Nigerian doubt that we have a mentally unbalanced man in charge of the All Progressives Congress?

To buttress this point, it will be recalled that Oshiomhole said in his statement about ex President Jonathan as follows: “To be propelled from the dark anonymity of a mere local government councillor in the creeks of the Niger Delta to the marbled vaults of presidential power in Abuja must appeal to those who believe in luck.�

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has NEVER been a Local Government Councillor Or Chairman or even worked in any capacity in any LGA anywhere in Nigeria. It only shows the very low level of of Mr. Oshiomhole’s mental capacity when he makes such unsubstantiated allegations. Dr Jonathan was an academic in the Ivory Tower, then a public servant at the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Develop- ment Commission (OMPADEC) and then became a Deputy Governor, then a Governor, Vice President, acting President and then President.

If Mr Oshiomhole cannot get his fact right about a man who was President of Nigeria for five years and whose biography is a public document, can anybody be surprised that the APC is collapsing under Mr. Oshiomhole’s watch?

But if I may ask, what is wrong with being a local government councillor? Was Adams Oshiomhole himself not once a local representative of a textile mills union before he became Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress? Shouldn’t such a person learn to be humble instead of looking down at Local Government officials? Yet he expects Local Government officials to vote for his party in 2019. A party that looks down on them!

Finally, Mr Oshiomhole said, “It is worth recalling here that in its 16 years in power, the PDP betrayed considerable hope.�

How can that be true when under the PDP, Nigeria became the largest economy in Africa and the third fastest growing economy in the world according to CNNMoney while under Mr Oshiomhole’s APC, Nigeria suffered her first ever recession in 25 years and had the dubious distinc- tion of being named by the World Poverty Clock as the World Headquarters for Extreme Poverty?

Under the PDP, Nigeria enjoyed 16 years of net job gains, but in December of 2017, the National Bureau of Statistics revealed that 7.9million Nigerians lost their jobs in just 21 months of the APC. If this is not a case of the pot calling kettle black, then I do not know what else will be.

Reno Omokri

Bestselling author of Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years, and other books. Avid traveller. Tormentor of the APC.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹;˜ ͺ͸͹΀

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹;˜ ͺ͸͹΀

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͯʹ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

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WEEKLY PULL-OUT

16.09.2018

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde On Beauty,

&Bliss

Blitz

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 ÍŻÍ´, Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

COVER

On Artistry, Philanthropy and Beauty The silky, delicate gown flows from the couch caressing the carpet. Its queenly wearer in graceful glow is an enthralling beauty. With comely tresses and glistening eyeballs, arguably Nollywood’s biggest superstar and Nigeria’s best movie export, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde dazzles more in person than on the silver screen. With her latest exploits clinching the AMCVA’s Best Actress award and invitation to be part of America’s Oscar Awards panel of judges, Funke Olaode, after an interview with the superstar, writes about her episodic moments and momentums

T

he shimmering gown, the luxuriant tresses, the supple lips, the glassy visage and enchanting figure are an introduction to the enthralling persona that lies beneath. Her polished nails, delicate fingers and glowing skin punctuated by her gently heaving heart remind you she is not a caryatid that took decades to sculpture. The klieg light understates her beauty, her person. The screen goddess, perhaps the best and most beautiful that has ever graced Nollywood, is a fusion of class and camaraderie. With more than 300 movies in 23-year whirling acting career and a trailer-load of awards and recognitions to her name, Omotola – if you wish, say Omosexy – Jalade-Ekeinde is a living legend in Nigeria’s movie industry.

Nobody seems to be in doubt of her pedigree – not even American Hollywood.

In June this year, she became perhaps the first Nigerian actress – if not African – to be so honoured as a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science, otherwise known as the Oscars, the world’s pre-eminent movie organisation. “It feels amazing to be invited to become a member of the academy and becoming a voting member. To get the privilege of screening all movies entered for the Oscars is huge for me as an artist, and will be useful for Nollywood in the long run,� the ecstatic Omotola says about the invitation to join the Oscars voting academy.

Her recognition is not unconnected with the role she reprised in the 2010 romantic drama, A Private Storm, and the 2012 thriller, Last Flight to Abuja. In 2013, Omotola made her debut on American TV in the series, Hit the Floor.

As the accolades gathered momentum and wanting not to be outdone by the international recognitions she has received abroad, the Nigerian government decided to honour its own ‘prophet’ at home. By 2014, the federal government of Nigeria awarded Omotola Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR, for her contributions to the entertainment industry. As if priming for the Oscars, the movie queen shone like a billion stars in the effervescent sky of Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award scooping the best actress in drama/movie award. Omotola has won many local and international awards. The AMVCA feels different. She has been away from Nigeria’s movie scene for three years. When she returned to the

silver screen, Omotola starred in the movie, ‘Alter Ego’. “This is my come-back movie and winning an award was very satisfying and encouraging,� she enthuses.

To Omotola’s glorious and glitzy present and momentous future, there is a past that borders on oblivion and opportunity to excel. She chose the latter.

She recalls a time, as a rough gem, in search of a destiny; a teenager struggling with a thousand and one ‘hustlers’ to board a ‘danfo’ bus to Ijesha – a movie location one Tuesday morning. Omotola recollects with a distant gaze as if walking backwards into her past how she took a leap of faith from that moment on to plunge herself into then-nebulous Nigeria’s film industry. By the time she featured in the movie, Venom of Justice, directed by Reginald Ebere, Omotola was already waiting to excel.

Barely two years after, she beckoned the world to genuflect at her feet winning the best actress award in an English-speaking movie and the best actress overall in 1997 at The Movie Awards, THEMA; the youngest Nigerian actress to achieve that feat.

Nigerians – especially movie lovers – consider ‘home video’ back then as being synonymous with Omotola. No movie star was bigger than her. Her enthralling beauty and mesmerizing interpretation of roles made her appear like an eternal star fixed in the expansive sky. Yet, for some years, the superstar slipped into a seeming oblivion. Her fans had thought they had seen the last of her. A serial winner, it does not appear she is ready to quit. “Well, I just got to a place in my career that I decided to stay back and decided what I wanted to do next. The industry wasn’t growing at the pace I was hoping it would grow then. Even the newly resurrected cinema angle wasn’t growing and not doing well until two years ago. So I decided to chart a new path by contributing my own quota in capacity building in the industry. I decided to plan towards my dream project which is building a film village. I got involved in philanthropy and was happy doing it. Right now, we have bought a few properties though still at developmental stage. Funds are the major setback that hasn’t allowed us to go very far the way we would have thought.

Nevertheless, it is a lot of investment and I am happy toeing this part,� Omotola says.

In the last 23 years, the Nollywood megastar has shown a rare consistency as an actress – her career characterised by devolution and sometimes revolution.

Every role is like a walk in the park for her.

Yet, Omotola never set out to become an actress. “I never set out to be an actress. I thought it would be music but God has his plans and here I am,� she tells THISDAY. Being a celebrity comes at a great cost – usually consuming the family and marriage. Omotola as a wife, mother, wife,

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

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COVER

My Family Is Strong-Minded but Cool-Headed global superstar has excelled where others flounder. Yet she knows that finding fame, fortune and family and keeping them together is more than juggling a dozen balls.

With a knowing smile, she admits: “It is not the easiest thing to do. But I believe as women we are born to be multitasking in doing things. God has deposited the ability in us. We just have to unlock it that we can do so many things at the same time if we apply ourselves properly. I just try to do whatever I am passionate about.

Again, because of my nature I focus on what I want to do and be passionate about it and won’t relent until I achieve it.”

She is perhaps is one of the most documented movie superstars alive – from her personal life, marriage, children to stardom. Not a few celebrities crave for stardom. You may wonder if it is different with Omotola.

“In our home, we maintain decorum.

And because I am an actress a lot of people think I like to be out there. But the truth of the matter is that we are very private at home and have to be out there because of my job. If I have my way you will only see me when I act. These are the kinds of traits that we share as a family. So I am grateful to God for the kind of family that I have. My husband is amazing.

He’s been supportive; irrespective of what people say he doesn’t care and just allow me to do my things. My family is strong-minded and at the same time cool-headed,” she explains with a taint of pride.

Gorgeous, famous and gifted with a doting husband and beautiful children, it is all too easy for people to look at the screen goddess and conclude that her life is one of blitz and bliss. “It has not really affected me much. But as you know that fame has its own good and bad side but more than anything I try to be myself. I come to realize that people don’t like to be real always – want to fake or live in a certain way. When you try to live an opposite life it doesn’t present the image you are expected to project. But I remain true to myself and have never allowed fame to get into my head. I just maintain (high) standards,” the movie superstar states.

For Omotola, glitz, glory and grace are commonplace. In 2012, CNN Travel noted her accent on their list of the world’s 12 sexiest accents, ranking fifth on the list.

The following year, she was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME magazine for their annual TIME 100 list, appearing in the icons category alongside Michelle Obama, Beyoncé and Kate Middleton.

Again, in 2015, she was listed by Yahoo! among the highest-grossing movie stars including Shah Rukh Khan, Frank Welker, Bob Bergen, Jack Angel, Mickie McGowan, Michael Papajohn, Martin Klebba, Clint Howard and Chris Ellis. All that may just mean she has conquered the world while excelling in her little space.

Her philosophy on that is: “I guess what it means is that sometimes when you are in your own little space and forget that the whole world is bigger than where you are and sometimes you don’t have an understanding of what is going on as well. When things like this come along the way, it reminds you that you are actually in a carrier that is global and not only that, that you are making a lot of impact not only in your domain but globally. This makes you to re-adjust your focus and you want to do more. Yahoo! did their research and they rated you. It is important to note that hey, the whole world is watching and it puts you on your toes!”

When she thinks about how much she has achieved in life, the thought of slowing down is a distant, fading echo.

“I am very hungry to do more. There are some things that I want to achieve and I haven’t. I am hungry; every day, I wake up to do more. I feel like there are so many things to achieve that I

haven’t. So these are part of the things that drive me. I want to see Nigeria through me as a representative and do something extraordinary that will put Nigeria on the positive global map. I hope truly we will get there when Nigeria and Nollywood will be number one,” she says with a glint in her eyes.

As a successful actress, Omotola is also a philanthropist of note. She became a United Nations WFP (World Food Programme) Ambassador in 2005, going to missions in Sierra Leone and Liberia. She has been active in the Walk the World project and participated in the Walk the World campaign in Liberia with President Ellen Sir Leaf-Johnson. Omotola lent her voice in 2010 to the Rewrite The Future Campaign of Save The Children UK. “I was involved in the campaign of Save the Children UK a while ago. I approached them and said I would like to help. They said they would check my profile and get back to me. They did and they said they would like to add me into the future campaign they were doing at that time. I did the campaign for them in my early days of getting to activism. Not long after that I was approached by the United Nations to be an Ambassador of World Food Programmed. I am still a UN Ambassador.

I worked with former Liberian President, Johnson, to try and campaign for children to go back to school,” Omotola adds with a smile on her face.

‘Omosexy’ is endowed with breathtaking physical beauty that makes not a few women and men swoon. If she writes a book on ‘How to be beautiful like Omosexy,’ it is likely it will be a bestseller.

The superstar, however, lets the secret of her ecstatic beauty out for free, saying: “I don’t have any beauty routine for looking good. The secret is about maintaining your health. So far, I try to sleep well and also understand that peace of mind helps.”

Apart from that her millions of fans and admirers will like to see her fine figure, face and voice grace a talk show following in the footsteps of the legendary Oprah Winfrey.

Does she have any plans in that direction? “Oh yes! There have been many talks about me doing that. I think I will sometimes in my life (do that) but not now.

I am not sure when.

Everybody has said it and I believe they can’t be wrong. But I can’t say when,” she enthuses.

You may be wrong if you think Omotola lives for herself alone. Beyond her glamorous face on camera, if there is anything that keeps her awake at night it is her concern for Nigeria.

“I want Nigeria to be respected and I do want Nollywood to be recognized globally.

I see the amount of human capital that we have. I see how intelligent and hardworking Nigerians are.

Unfortunately, politics and bad governance have held us down and we have not been able to realise our full potential. But I know that we can rise. We can achieve so much at the end of the day if we get it right,” she hopes.

In our home, we maintain decorum.

And because I am an actress a lot of people think I like to be out there. But the truth of the matter is that we are very private at home and have to be out there because of my job.

If I have my way you will only see me when I act

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T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

GLITZ INTERVIEW

Philomena Desmond Ogugua

I Want to Liberate My People Princess Philomena Desmond Ogugua in this interview with Stanley Nkwazema talks about her ambition to represent her people in the House of Representatives. She also speaks about her time serving as a precinct chair of the United States of America’s Democratic Party and being one of Bill Clinton’s delegates during his official visit to Nigeria

W

hy do you want to run for the seat of Ahiazu/Ezinihite federal constituency at the House of Representatives?

Firstly, I want to let you know that there is time for everything and there is a moment which you will come of age irrespective of time and I think I have come of age now to liberate my people from the bondage they have been under, from the claws of the present member representing them because he has taken us for granted and taken the masses to the cleaners for the past eight years. It is a calling as I have always been a grassroots person, I have always cried when the poor are crying; cried when the youths are crying; cried when the men and women are crying and my people know that. I think it is time to come and solve the problems so that I will give back to my federal constituency.

This where I was born, raised and I don’t know any other place than my federal constituency and Mbaise at large, Imo State in particular. I think it is time for the paradigm change for those who really want to roll up their sleeves, legislate and create the enabled environment for things to happen for the implementation of programmes that would add value to the lives of rural dwellers. When you are a legislator you are not a legislator for the city, for hotels or travelling abroad every time but a lawmaker for your federal constituency. You are supposed to dialogue with them and find out what their needs are and how you can help to bring federal presence, lobby multilateral and bilateral agencies, the international community, and the international donors to come and help.

Do you think when you’re elected into the National Assembly you can get these bodies easily?

I am talking from experience because I want to tap – go back to the people I know that I have worked with for several years; the International community and the multilateral agencies. I have seen them help rural dwellers. They are not here because our people don’t know how to approach them. They don’t know the technique and how to lobby – all this takes lobbying and goodwill. I have worked with them before and they will be kind enough to listen to me, because I am somebody they know.

Your constituency seems to be suffering from infrastructure deficit, poor representation in the state and at National Assembly. Is that correct?

I must be frank with you that for my federal constituency, they have not done anything. The only person who tried to do something before he died was Hon. Tony Anyanwu and he was the person who respected zoning during the period. He knew of the arrangement between Ahiazu and Ezinihitte. After him nobody has done anything. The roads are not motorable; there’s infrastructural decay, no good schools, health system; environmental decay like erosion has taken over farmlands. Some villages are cut off from others and in front of their houses are gullies. If the people representing us know their onions well, they should know

Ogugua

there are ecological funds set out by the Federal Government through the ecological agency and go to lobby the secretary to the government with pictures as evidence and get them to come and undertake on-thespot assessment where they can come to our rescue like Eziudo, Egeberemini and several other places in the area ravaged by erosion. It is killing us in Ezinihitte.

How will you get the support you need in lawmakers and the government?

You should know that legislation is not a one-man show. If you wash my right hand, I wash your left hand. If you see budgetary allocations, projects and bills that are going to be passed you make sure you lobby them to add your own. And since you see this as a matter within the office of the SGF, you go there and present your matter. You go the Speaker, those in charge of environment, show them evidence sand arrange to take them on tour of the place, not that you are just talking and come to a compromise with your colleagues. Again, you make sure that the right company that deals with erosion.

Why are you interested in the House of Representatives?

I have been trying on my own even without being a lawmaker. Since I have been trying without any empowerment or anything behind me, it is better I go in and be the crying legislator – I don’t mind like our late Onuneku Sam Mbakwe was called the ‘crying governor’. He cried and got something for Imo State. I want to be the second Mbakwe to be the crying legislator for Ahiazu/Ezinihite federal constituency.

Are you worried about the gap in female representation in politics?

For my constituency no woman has been in the House of Representatives. The only woman that has gone to the National Assembly is distinguished Senator Chris

You should know that legislation is not a oneman show. If you wash my right hand, I wash your left hand. If you see budgetary allocations, projects and bills that are going to be passed you make sure you lobby them to add your own. And since you see this as a matter within the office of the SGF, you go there and present your matter. You go the Speaker, those in charge of environment, show them evidence sand arrange to take them on tour of the place, not that you are just talking and come to a compromise with your colleagues Anyanwu. She is born in Ahiazu but married to an Aboh Mbaise man. Her late father, the late Hon M.D. Uka, was one of the great parliamentarians we had in Mbaise. As a woman, I think women in the National Assembly should do more.

They are trying but you know in our society, women are not often given the opportunity to show or do their best. In essence, they are not given the opportunity because I would have loved to see more of them taking the lead. The 35 per cent affirmative is just on paper. It is not being implemented. I will advocate for more representation because there a lot of strong women who can do the work. The truth is that at times when they get the women they don’t pick the best amongst us so that they can control. It is negotiation. We are not here to insult the men. They are still the head of the household although there are some homes that women are the head because the men are unable to play their roles. There should be mutual respect between the men and the women because there are so many countries that the women are leading as heads of state or presidents and doing well too like in Croatia. The strongest lady, Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany is leading a strong economy; Indira Ghandi when she was the prime minister of India. I think it is time to give women the opportunity in Nigeria. Firstly, the men should realise that we are mothers; we are sisters. We can do well in our country, senatorial zones and constituencies because God created us with the gift or natural abilities to handle difficult situations.

Which political party are you using to realise your ambition?

I am going to run on the platform of APGA and I pray they give me the opportunity to be their flag-bearer. They

will never regret it. Nigeria will never regret it. My federal constituency and Imo state will be proud that they have a daughter at the National Assembly making impact on the society and doing the work of the legislators and know what she is supposed to do there. If our constitution had anything like independent candidate I would have taken that option. I have looked at all the parties but it is the people that make it what it is. I have checked APGA and the people there are level-headed. It is not all about money. I have found out that in Nigerian politics that if you don’t have money you are not going anywhere and that is why we are getting bad representation. The good people who can legislate and bring bottom line legislation don’t have money to pay, INEC, police, pay everybody even the delegates. In APGA it is not like that.

Are you riding on the goodwill of your father?

Before now, I have been serving my people without riding on the goodwill of my father. My father, Eze Desmond Ogugua, is a great Igbo man, son of Mbaise. He has done things for people and I have always been by his side learning. He has been tutoring me. He is my sidekick and I have learnt how he has served his people. There are certain things I do and he doesn’t know unless I tell him. If I ride on his goodwill, there is nothing wrong with that and that means he is a good man. A lot of people in politics, the Kennedys are on the goodwill of their father. The Bush; they performed very well because they learned and bettered the master. My father at his age still listens to people. Not only that, I am qualified to vie for a seat in the House of Representatives.

I went to school in the United States of America. I did my undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. I worked there and also I remembered the advice my father gave us when we were going saying, ‘When you go there also learn how they operate so that when it is good you bring it here.’

Luckily, when I went there, I participated in the political process and learned how politics is played. I was a strong party member of the Democrats. I have been a state delegate. I volunteered in elections.

I raised money. I did election and vote’s protection. I am proud that when former President Bill Clinton came on an official visit to Nigeria my name was on the list of his delegates because of my participation.

Also, the Africa Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA); I was one of the private sectors that lobbied the congress to pass it. When it was signed into law, I was one of those invited to the White House to witness the ceremony. Besides, I am a precinct chair (Ward Chairman) of where I lived in the United States where they play politics without bitterness because you can be in the opposition and do your thing and go out together to represent common interests.

But here it is politics with bitterness and it shouldn’t be like that. Also, I learnt when I worked for one of the South-East governors as a senior special adviser on International Relations/Multilateral and Bilateral Agencies. I did a lot of work for the state on international scene and helped bring United Nations Institute for Training and Research (NUITA) for them to have an office in the South-East and that exposed me also to politics in Nigeria.

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SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

ON THE COUCH

Grace Adejumobi

Overcoming Adversities Adenike Grace Adejumobi is a retired Director of Special Education, Oyo State Ministry of Education. In this interview with Funke Olaode, she demonstrates the aphorism of ability in disability

Y

ou retired last year May as the pioneer director of Special Education Department in the Oyo State Ministry of Education. How do you feel?

Well, I feel fulfilled having moved through the ladder to become a pioneer director of Special Education, which I agitated for three years to the end of my tenure in the ministry. Special Education was a Unit in the Ministry of Education. Even at a time I started to agitate, they wanted to scrap the Unit which means if they had succeeded in phasing it out, there would be no scheme to cater for people with disability.

My proposal went as far as Gov’s office, Civil Service Commission and Ministry of Budget and Planning. It was just going everywhere thinking that I was asking for a huge sum of money for a department to be created.

My husband and I would go everywhere to defend the proposal verbally why the creation of Special Education Department was necessary. After about two years of painstaking struggle, the department was eventually created. I was the first director to head the department for about three years before I retired.

Adejumobi

At what stage did you discover your visual disability?

I was actually born with partial blindness.

And that time, there was no school for people with low vision. After attending some regular primary schools among regular sighted children, I found out that I couldn’t cope.

Occasionally, the teachers would write on the black board and asked me to read it out but I couldn’t. I get caned most of the time because they thought I was being lazy. As I was growing, mobility became difficult as I was always bumping into things. My parents took me to an ophthalmologist but my problem persisted. It now dawn on my parents that I would need special skill to survive.

How did you pull through your ordeal?

At the age of 12 in 1969, I went to Parcelli School for the Blind in Surulere, Lagos where I picked the skills of reading (Braille) and typing. I later moved to Notre dame (meaning Our Lady) Girls’ Secondary School, Oro, Kwara State in 1974 as a boarder. Notre

dame is a regular school where they had a unit for the blind. While I was in that school, I enjoyed the Kwara State government. At a stage, I was fed up and thought I was going to drop out of school. And during one of the breaks in Form Two, I just picked up my type-writer and wrote directly to the office of the then Military Governor of Kwara State, David Jemibewon. This was in 1975. I even perceived the letter may end up in the trash can. Surprisingly, the following week Gov. Jemibewon sent somebody from his office to the principal. They took the list of everything that I needed such as type-writer, Braille, special allowance for travelling and pocket money and pay my school fees from form two in 1975 till I finished from that school in 1979.

How did you manage to study in the United States of America?

One of the reverend sisters who had always shown concern visited Boston in America. While in the US, she spoke to the

dean of Continuing Education Centre (CEC) at Massachusetts. That move changed my destiny. I was in my 20s then and couldn’t start regular degree class. In America 18-22 is the right age for College. I was above 22 and the Rev. Sister obtained the CEC form for me at Emmanuel College, Boston Massachusetts where I did my degree in Rehabilitation Counselling in Psychology from 1982 to 1985.

After I had secured the admission, this sister went to Rome and discussed my matter with the authority that I was financially handicapped and I had disability. The sisters of Notre dame in Rome sent two thousand dollars ($2,000) to Emmanuel College on my behalf ahead of me. I also sought for financial assistance from the government of Oyo State and federal. As providence would have it, I secured a scholarship from the federal government during the InternationalYear of the Disabled in 1981. I remember federal government declared 10 years of financial and scholarship for those who wanted to go for special education then either within or outside Nigeria. I was one of the beneficiaries.

I got the scholarship in 1981 but didn’t travel until January 1982 because I was looking for my basic travelling allowance and Visa. I travelled to America in 1982 where I had my first degree. I came back to Nigeria in 1985 and did my NationalYouth Service Corps at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

When did you kick off your career as a civil servant?

I was at home for 21 months looking for job, sending my curriculum to different organisations. I even wrote letters of appeal to both state and federal governments.

There was no solution. I tried the Oyo State Ministry of Education there was no positive response. In fact, people I knew warned me not to come to their offices again that people with sights had not been employed and me that was being led around was looking for employment. My breakthrough came when the late Gov. Oresanya Sasaeyan took over from Governor Olurin. My husband and I took the letter to the governor’s office that day but the people around said he was busy. Luckily for me, the ADC saw us, took the letter and included it among the mails he was going to take home for the governor.

And that was on Thursday and there was going to be a Sallah break. On Monday we went back to the governor’s office and an officer came out and asked me to go to the Ministry of Education that my letter had been forwarded there. This was November 1988.

And when I got there I was told Mr. Governor had given me a ‘governor’s appointment’ as Education Officer at the Ministry Education.

I have served in the ministry since 1988 rose through the ranks from level Eight (8) as education officer, senior education officer, principal education officer, assistant director, deputy director and director of Special Education Department championed by me.

What lesson has life taught you?

That one shouldn’t give up unnecessarily.

And even as a civil servant, discrimination, persecutions, stereotype was too much. There was virtually no encouragement but at the end, I came out successfully. The old cliché says behind every successful man there is a woman. Reverse is the case in my case behind my own success, there was always my husband, Rev. Jonathan Adegoke Adejumobi to whom I have been married for 32 years.

I thank God and I am eternally grateful to this God sent man who stood by me through thick and thin. He looked after me, our four children and today we are grandparents. My children too are wonderful. There were times I would be down and my children would tell me, ‘Mum, we don’t see any disability in you.

You can do it and that or what can we do for you.’

If you had one wish what would it?

I would have loved to drive myself around in my car, get to places where I desire to visit; particularly, I love to evangelise. I love to do things for people. I would have loved to drive a car to carry out those missions.

How is life after retirement?

It has been cool. I don’t have to rush out to the office. I am relaxed now, although I missed interacting with my colleagues. I am a private consultant to people with that want to start their own school that will cater for persons with disability or special needs. I still make myself available, counsel them and do things within my power for them.

Protocol Practitioners Aim at International Standard Practice

I

t was another milestone to the Association of Certified Protocol Practitioners in Nigeria (ACPPN), recently when all the big wigs in the profession came together in Lagos to discuss the way forward on steps to be taken to ensure that the ethics of the profession are duly followed in the workings within government and corporate circles.

The body played host to professionals in Lagos to a grand business networking forum at the Lily Gate hotel and it was a prelude to the upcoming inaugural ceremony with over 90 protocol practitioners and business analysts on ground at the epoch making programme.

The President of ACPPN, Hon. Patricia Kenneth-Divine, in her key note address, which centred on rebranding vision of protocol in Nigeria, described the body as the power of vision that will influence drastic change in the industry. She also commended all the practitioners who came from all part of the country for the programme.

“The purpose of this meeting is the desire to raise the standard of the profession in Nigeria. This project started in 2012 and we are looking at partnership with both local and foreign organisations. Today, we have made a remarkable achievements in that regard because we have been able to collaborate with the European School of Protocol, which to date is a land mark achievement for us to reposition the profession here in Nigeria and later ensure that we have a civil society when orientation of an average individual will till towards orderliness and not survival of the strongest,” she explained.

L-R: Chairman Board of Trustees Ambassador Akin Oyateru, Presedent of ACPPN ,Patricia Kenneth-Divine and Director, Engineering Services of FAAN,

Hon. Divine also noted that protocol practice in the country has numerous interpretations especially within the government operation.“The job of protocol personnel does not in any way mean he must carry your bag(s) especially while on trips. The job of the protocol man is to

smoothen his or her Principal’s travel plans and not baggage,” she pointed out.

She said that with the collaboration with the European Union, it has helped ACPPN in capacity building and raised the ethics and values of the profession with the training of members.

“It is time for us to be more organised in anything we do in the country. We want to create awareness at major business spots like the airports and starting with Lagos and perhaps sports arenas so that families can enjoy leisure without much stress which is a standard practice,” she pointed out.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

60

GLITZ INTERVIEW

Let Us Debate Governance, Fagbenro Challenges Buhari, Others A presidential aspirant under KOWA Party, Sina Fagbenro, has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari and others itching to take a shot at the Presidency. He spoke with Tobi Soniyi and Aliogo Ugochukwu

C

an you identify the governance challenges we face as a country?

The governance challenges we have in Nigeria can be identified broadly as three and when I talk about governance, I mean it in the street sense. There is the capability issue of those who are in government; the capability of those who get thrown up as leaders and secondly, the accountability aspect of it. Government is predicted on social contract between the people and their leaders and the currency of social contract between the people and their leaders is accountability. The third leg is responsiveness because nobody goes into government having all the answers. But the ability to respond to things get thrown to you is also lacking in the governance sense. Also, fundamental is the fact that there are two major areas, Nigeria has failed and this is peculiar to the Nigeria context. We have failed in managing our diversity.

Nigeria is predicted on diversity and it is also predicted on multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-cultural settings. So we have failed in managing diversity that is why there are cases of marginalization. Why do people fail in managing marginalization of course government and rulership has not run in a manner that is inclusive.

The reasons why nations fail is that the political, social, and economic structures are not inclusive.

Any state or society is made of diversity; the basic one is man, woman, young and old. Assume we are all the same in this country, same tribe, ethnic group, we will still have man, woman, young, and old. That is the basic diversity that a system that wants to govern itself must first manage.

Unfortunately for us in Nigeria, we failed in managing that diversity.

Secondly, we failed in managing mass. Now, this second aspect of managing mass has occurred as a result of certain things including Fagbenro constitutional flaws. For instance, our constitution states that revenue allocation, and sharing shall be on the basis of population, which implies that there is an incentive to have children. But there is no incentive to be responsinle for them. So why is anybody wondering why our population growth rate is rising above our economic growth rate? For instance, during independence, we were slightly the same or above in population size with Great Britain.

Now we are five or six times more and you expect the standard of living in Nigeria and Britain to be the same, it is impossible. Another issue which we should look at when we compare ourselves with Malaysia and other countries is that they have been able to manage the population.

Apart from the broad issues of capability, accountability and responsiveness, we have had failures in managing diversity, and mass and what are wrong between the two are the human elements. The greatest resource a nation has is its human beings, it is not the gold or oil, it is the human capacity. So everything we have done speaks to our failures in managing human beings.

Do you think that Nigeria is governable under the current structure or will you be calling for restructuring?

Absolutely, I am an advocate of restructuring. The first example I gave was a constitutional issue. Where you have imputed an incentive to grow population? Nigeria is supposed to be run as a true federation. One of the mechanisms that you use to manage diversity is by having a federal framework. The founders of Nigeria who signed up on our independence knew that we were diverse and that is why they opted for federalism, (federation) because federation is the direct constitutional response to a diverse system. But several years of military has unified the institutions and eroded the federalism from within us. There is no federation where the sub-components don’t have their own constitutions. So the first thing we should do if we want to have a true federation is that states should have their own constitutions.

Under the constitution of a state that is when you decide things such as how many local government areas you want to have, how many members of your state assembly you want to have, how you want to pay them and what can you afford to pay. Of course, there are protocols between state and federal constitutions.

In the first republic, when we had regions and not states, each region had its own constitutions and there was no conflict

Essentially, what both conferences were doing were rather similar, as a matter of fact, if you look at the 2014 national conference organised by Jonathan, the outcomes there addressed some of the problems we faced between 2015 and present, such as herdsmen/farmers’ issue, marginalization of minorities, inclusion, power of states, and power of local government. These are things that will continue to plague us until we restructure.

As a matter of fact, it is either we restructure or we fracture. It is something that is almost inevitable for us.

Those running the government do not seem to be interested, so what you do is to vote them out. Nigerians need to know what they want. Nigerians need to know what they want. When a person claims to offer something in manifesto, and when he getsninto power and denies that claim, then there is problem. It is in the APC manifesto that they would restructure. But they got there, they didn’t and one of the reasons is that their leadership and there are some people in the APC who don’t believe in restructuring. For example the Secretary of the Committee, that APC setup Senator Olu Adetunbi, is a firm believer in restructuring.

But unfortunately the chairman of the committee, ElRufai doesn’t believe in restructuring. Some of them don’t believe in restructuring because they believe in dependence, patronage system where everything is centralized.

But you see the centrality of Nigeria governance structure is actually responsible for our corruption and many people have not alluded to this because they say power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. When you over-centralise authority in a space that means you are giving more power than necessary to a central authority.

So our centrality and over centralization of governance is part of our problems.

between the regional and federal constitution. But apparently, the second leg to a true federalism if you look at the exclusive list of the constitution and the concurrent list, it is weighed in favour of the exclusive list and unfortunately for us what the federal government is doing to the state, the state is doing the same to the local government.

Now if a state had its own constitution, you will hold the governor more accountable because there is nothing else apart from the federal constitution that holds the governor to account, meanwhile the same federal constitution dictates that state shall have the power to manage their own resources themselves. But yes you can say that states have bundle of bye-laws and state laws but they are not coherent. This is not how a federation is run, so we have to restructure. Look at other countries such as Switzerland and the United States of America.

Do you think restructuring is feasible?

It is not only feasible, but what I have discovered is that as people, we always like to remain in our comfort zone. Ten years ago nobody was talking about restructuring, before the likes of Obasanjos and Babanigida would not talk about restructuring, but because they were feeling the effect. Once you are have central power, it is difficult not to want to control, manage and approving everything. As soon as we have President who does not come from this centrist mindset, and there are many people, I am not saying I am only one. If you look at what has run through the grain of all those who have been in power, is that they come from a military mindset. That is the way they were trained and they don’t know better and they cannot think outside the box.

As a matter of fact, restructuring is what you call in development parlance, political settlement that is, bringing the country to a point where the political elites understand and agree on a method of engagement with one another which gives everyone a sense of belonging and inclusion. That is what restructuring is all about really and there are two parts to restructuring; the administrative and the constitutional part.

The constitutional part is the most tedious and difficult. But you have to start a journey from somewhere, I mean we had 16 years of government. If people didn’t know that there was a need for restructuring Obasanjo woulsnnot have had his political conference. Jonathan would not have had his constitutional conference.

Coming to election, there is a challenge getting voters to do the right thing. How do we educate them?

People who are expected to be leaders need to stand on their principles. A leader is a leader. The electorate looks at the body language, the actions, and speeches of what their body tells them. Obviously, there are leaders who have led Nigeria to where we are. But what they have used to entrap our people is poverty that is why I say that in Nigeria, poverty is deliberate. An example of poverty being deliberate tells you what happens during elections. The person who gives N5000 to win an election will never pray that recipient will have that money during the next round of election so that when he comes and campaign, that his N5000 will remain efficacious. So he will continue to pray poverty on the masses and that is why whatever they do while in government will not speak to the poverty of the people. So they keep them poor. When you keep people illiterate and poor, the last thing they would listen to is true solutions to their problems. This is the way our masses have been held down by the elites. We have an elite that is predicated on patronage, and want to keep that system going on.

Will You be Challenging Co-Presidential Aspirants to a Debate?

I am looking forward to it absolutely. But I know President Muhammadu Buhari does not have the willingness to debate anybody. But I will be willing to debate anybody on these issues.

You have to be radical. Nigeria has gotten to where you have to be radical. There are two things I want to drive; zero tolerance to illiteracy, and zero tolerance to hunger. The zero tolerance to illiteracy is very necessary. It is a matter of national security. You cannot afford in the 21stcentury to have illiterates.

Nigeria problems manifest in insecurity, largest number of out of school children in the world. If you go into the streets, there are still massive numbers. 8 million children out of school are still a major problem. If you declare a zero tolerance to illiteracy that means a direct confrontation to the problem.

The third issue we face is massive corruption and that was one of the reasons that this particular government gave Nigerians.

Everybody knows that corruption has become endemic. As a matter of fact it has moved from the area of corruption to organised crime. If you look at what is happening in pension board, oil sector, it is organised crime than just mere corruption.

President Buhari built his campaign on tackling corruption. What is your accessment on that?

I think really it is a failure. Buhari is going after corrupt individuals. It is typical of individuals who have very small knowledge on institutional causes. To fight corruption, you need to make the system works better. The father of corruption is impunity.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

High Life

61 WITH LANRE ALFRED 08076885752

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

Sad! Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Wife Robbed, Beaten

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hen men of the underworld strike, they hardly take into consideration the status of their victims. In most cases when they do not leave a trail of blood, they leave behind an indelible scar of losses and psychological trauma. In fact, in some cases, the higher their victims’ status, the likelier they are to pounce on them and wreak havoc.

Not even being a former wife of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo could rescue Madam Oluremi Obasanjo a couple of days ago when her Ikeja GRA home was besieged by armed robbers. Besides leaving the septugenarian extremely terrified after a series of beatings, they also carted away her, jewellery and other items of luxury she had laboured for through the years.

Chijoke Dozie and new wife Ifunanya

The lamentations of the woman and of other family members living with her attracted her neighbours to the rude shock of the unfortunate incident.

Not even the high fortress she lives in could prevent the dare-devils from intruding the privacy of Obasanjo’s first wife, bringing to the fore the security challenges bedevilling Lagos State.

To compound her woes, Obasanjo, for whom Oluremi had Iyabo and Gbenga, was reported to have bitterly scolded an individual who placed a call to inform him of the incident. He pointedly upbraided the caller and warned him never to call him for such an issue, a reaction which underscores the deep animosity between the former couple whose marriage and divorce was one of the messiest in Nigeria. Known to be rarely forgiving, Obasanjo’s reaction is understandable

based on the fact that Remi authored a book about their troubled union.

Few books come close to Oluremi’s book, ‘Bitter Sweet – My Life With Obasanjo’. The 141-page book detailed how the former president made Remi a punching bag at the slightest provocation. Besides sketching lucidly the story of their affair that hit the rock eventually, Remi, it was who virtually stopped Obasanjo from being considered for the lofty office of the United Nations’ Secretary General when she wrote an open letter widely publicised in the media both locally and international in which she posited that her former husband, whom she knew better than anyone else in the world, lacked the basic requirements of good character. That letter drew the nail in the coffin of an ambition long nursed by Obasanjo.

PASCAL DOZIE’S SON, CHIJOKE, HOOKED IN PORTUGAL To party across the seas is to assert your affluence and position among the rich upper class. Thus, everybody wants to host the most expensive bash across the high seas, in the hallowed circuits of Nigeria’s high society. Trust billionaire corporate guru, Chief Pascal Dozie, the owner of Diamond Bank, who doesn’t do things in half measures. He threw a never-to-be-forgotten wedding ceremony for his son, Chijoke Dozie in Portugal some days ago.

For the first dance, the groom, Chijoke stared into the eyes of his bride, Ifunanya Sunshine, as if he meant to rediscover a familiar treasure trove.

Sunshine looked even more ready to interlock with him in body, mind, spirit and soul. The couple filled up each other’s glances with muted affectation of undying love. It was a charming, corny, over-the-top moment at an event most noteworthy, perhaps, for how it drew the crème of Nigeria and Portugal’s high societies to celebrate with the new couple.

Chijoke, a co-founder and CEO of OneFi, a digital financial lender, hails from an enviable pedigree; the son of a billionaire businessman, presented

as a wonderful hunk worthy of the love, high lust and devotion of several rich, glamorous heiresses. Ifunanya is ravishing and lovable. By the end of her wedding day, she had provoked endless streams of well wishes, accolades and the way her curves flared in her dazzling bridesmaid’s dress.

The grandeur, majestic state of being rich, unapologetically splendid and royal. The high society wedding provided a chance for the Dozies to flaunt their amazing wealth and international clout. At the ceremony, treasures and wonders were much in evidence. As the dark-haired bride, floated down the aisle in splendid silk, Chijoke eagerly awaited her arrival, standing on his pew to get a bird’s-eye view of his ravishing bride. She looked every bit a princess.

The event maestro handled most of the logistics and floral treatments, creating an immersive atmosphere. It was grand in its scale—but beautiful, not gross or overwhelming. From the start to finish, scores of guests indulged in bedazzled documentation. Not a few dignitaries in the consummately wired crowd were pleasantly enthralled by the very well-heeled couple’s ingenious way

Remi Obasanjo

of declaring their undying love for each other and cementing it in holy union— albeit with enormous helpings of fairy tales, expensive perks and élan.

SISTERS IN TANDEM…TWO OIL BILLIONAIRES, TOKE MAKINWA AND HER SISTER, OPE To most divorcees, marital happiness is like a butterfly that appears and delights for one brief moment, but soon flits away. To others, it’s rediscoverable amid possibilities of having it as a permanent feature of their lives; but whatever the hue or husk in which it represents itself, Toke Makinwa will never shy away from its cathartic bliss.

Toke Makinwa is one lady who has been unequivocal about her resolve to exploit her vulnerability to her full advantage. Her new image of “a good girl gone bad” has since pitched her with several controversies in which she has been deliberately thriving. One can recall the reports linking her to Festus Fadeyi, the billionaire Chairman and Managing Director of Pan Ocean Nigeria Limited. What many did not know was that it was Toke’s sister,

Cont’d on pg. 63

How Samuel Adedoyin’s Grandaughter, Dedun Olobayo’s Marriage to Temi Kolawole Crashed Nobody knew when or how love waned in the marriage of Temi Kolawole, one of the aides to Senator Bukola Saraki and his wife, Dedun Olobayo, the granddaughter of Chief Samuel Adedoyin, but everybody knew when their marriage crashed. It was the saddest news ever. Friends and family watched in consternation as rancour and hate intruded the couple’s bliss, leaving them wretched in love.

Contrary to popular belief that the couple enjoyed a great marriage, the reverse was the case. Conflict and distrust bordering on infidelity frequently marred their union. Eventually the couple fell

out of love and their marriage hit the rock thus affirming fears that they lacked the patience and enduring maturity to surmount the storms of matrimony.

Back when the going was good, the couple was the envy of many who constantly craved and wished for their kind of union. Temi persistently doted over Dedun who runs StylemeAfrica publicly and in private thus eliciting gasps of envy from spinsters and even other men’s wives. But not for too long!

However, in the highest boughs of her marriage, love rustled like branches of a dying oak with roots falling off and like several other couples whose passion

and affection extinguished in the raging inferno of midlife crisis and love gone sour, Dedun and Temi’ marriage died amid trials.

That was too much for Dedun. So disenchanted was she with marriage that she flinched whenever it was mentioned to her; anger curdled with regret leapt out of her distressed soul, like knives from the sleeves of a medieval Samurai.

While Dedun’s friends dismissed allegations of infidelity in her name, her estranged husband couldn’t suffer in silence while his wife’s alleged lover continually ravaged her without a care in the world. So long!

Dedun Olobayo

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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 ͯʹ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

HIGHLIFE

How Jide Sanwoolu Stuck a Dagger in Akinwumi Ambode’s Back

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ome men would spurn their intelligence for a bottle of champagne; many more would cheerily shun the grey matter to engage in a dance of folly - particularly if they are errand boys. If he were bird, Jide Sanwoolu, would probably be a peacock. The man many have touted as the incoming governor of Lagos State in 2019, like the flightless bird, is so stuck up on ego and the support of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, that he may have begun to over-estimate his own worth.

Yes, there is no dignity in the life of a man living on a leash of another man’s cash. He will forever remain a sad excuse for man, a glorified errand boy whose lustre often extinguishes in the glitter of his benefactor’s wealth.

In fact, Jide is a pawn in the grand designs of Tinubu and his cronies to wrest power from Ambode. Jide, to the consternation of Lagosians, chose to challenge the influence of Governor Ambode by rebelling against him to sate his abject lust for power and political independence.

Unlike fictional Brutus, Ambode need not wait for the cock to crow before he experiences the lacerating slash of treachery. Some of his political associates and friends whom he has helped brazenly flaunt and flash their deadly daggers stained with his blood before his very eyes and the full glare of the world.

You couldn’t have forgotten so soon how Sanwoolu, a bot, encountered bliss in trying hours, like the sojourner who discovers a babbling brook in the middle of the Sahara. It was gathered that Jide who also worked for former Deputy Governor of Lagos, Femi Pedro, allegedly left him to sustain his loyalty to Tinubu. Jide worked closely with Tinubu’s wife, Senator Oluremi. But soon after his stint at the corridors of power, he faded off the political scene.

Rumours had it that he got caught in certain intrigues that left him flat broke and without a political base.

Deola Smart

Jide Sanwoolu

Jide was totally forgotten and abandoned in his time of need. Nothing was heard of him again until Ambode came to his aid and restored him to political limelight by appointing him as the MD/CEO of Lagos State Property Development Corporation (LSDPC).

In climes where sanity prevails, Sanwoolu, would have ceased being the Managing Director, Lagos State Property Development Corporation (LSPDC), a position that makes him accountable to the man whom he has surreptitiously engineered to supplant. Sanwoolu has shown himself to be an ingrate and biter of the fingers that fed him. Sanwoolu was already languishing in obscurity before Ambode fished him out, revived him and made him the LSDPC head honcho.

Many might reason he was used as a pawn in the politics of Tinubu-Ambode silent acrimony, Sanwoolu should have been circumspect in the way he delivered on the errand he was sent. He showed his

opportunistic side unapologetically and in a very offensive way. Now that Asiwaju has sheathed his dagger against Ambode, bowed to voices of reason and pledged to support Ambode’s reelection, it is not clear what face-saving moves Sanwoolu intend to make.

However, Ambode too would learn from his recent shaming and humbling by alternate forces within the party and subsequently tone down his lust for power and alleged overbearing attitude towards his associates on the Lagos project. Let’s hope he evolves faster than imagine in politics and character. If he could manage to do so, he just might understand in due time that in the long run failure is the only thing that flowers predictably; like success, it has no fixed abode.

It is a tide in the affairs of man that is alternately shared as the tyrant strokes of fate and circumstances dictate.

Akanimo Udofia Throws Weight Behind Gov. Udom There is no gainsaying billionaire oil businessman, Akanimo Udofia’s influence; be it in politics or the country’s business circuit, the head honcho of Desicon Group, looms large in the nation’s psyche, as the galaxy’s Milky Way above stratus-cumulus clouds.

As the clouds and blue expanse of the skies arouse questions about their vastness in every curious heart, Akanimo popularly known as African King, provokes inquiry and endless streams of speculations about the limits and otherwise of his affluence.

At the backdrop of claims and counterclaims about the vastness and quality of his character and political affluence, fresh rumours emerged to buttress claims of the invincibility and influence of the Akwa Ibom-born oil billionaire. We gathered he is throwing weight behind the governor of his home state, Governor Emmanuel Udom to run for a second term in office.

There is no doubt that Akanimo is a big spender but will his intimidating wealth and financial backing will be enough to guarantee his friend and brother, Governor Emmanuel a smooth ride into the government house of Akwa Ibom State for the second time? Only time will tell! You couldn’t have forgotten so soon that Senator Akpabio and Akan were very close at some point. They were always together; they did a lot of things together.

Today, the story has changed! Akanimo is closer to the incumbent governor of the good and law-abiding people of Akwa Ibom. However, with Desicon Engineering,

Akanimo Udofia and Hon. Bassey a company which conducts engineering, procurement and construction services for Nigeria’s oil and gas industries, Udofia has reinforced the fact that he is a force of nature.

So, he is all shades of solid.

Because of his meteoric rise, Akanimo is versed in the art of putting money to personal good use and to the benefit of humanity.

He has a private jet to traverse the world as his business and pleasure predilection demands. He also has homes in different parts of the world but prefers the opulence of his London, United Kingdom haven. He offered free medical and surgical services to the people of his hometown in Affa Offiong, Akwa-Ibom state.

On Senator Melaye’s Shameful Spat With Smart Adeyemi’s Daughter

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es, Senator Dino Melaye is a man of two truths, the real truth and untrue truth. This makes him lead a double life. Does that make him a liar? Perhaps. Perhaps not. Indeed, even though a lie can be half-way round the world before the truth has got its boots on, the truth always catches up with it and smothers it. Whatever your estimation of him, Melaye is living his life. However, some days ago, Senator Adeyemi Smart’s daughter, Deola Smart, took to her instastory to call out Melaye over his condolence visit. Senator Adeyemi’s wife, Yemisi, died few weeks ago and Dino Melaye decided to stop by at the Adeyemi residence to offer his condolences. Sadly, his gesture was not appreciated as Deola spat into the air and received it in measured cadence, took to social media to call him out and even threatened to deal with him if he ever comes to their house again. “We’ve ignored Dino Melaye for so long. But for him to think it’s cool to stop over at my house so he could post on Instagram and Twitter and score a cheap political point is beyond me while my family is mourning…Thunder fire u Dino Melaye and we meet at the battlefield”. She further expressed that Melaye is a coward who lives a fake life on social media. She claimed that he acts tough online when he is actually a coward. According to Deola, “I’ve had enough. I’m so angry tonight....imagine the audacity of this joke called dino. I dare you to come to my house again dino. You’ll know the difference between the internet and reality.” Recall Melaye recently posted a video of some men allegedly mocking Adeyemi on his instagram page. Melaye unseated Adeyemi as the senator representing Kogi West.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

63

HIGHLIFE

At 50, NSE Head Honcho, Oscar Onyeama’s Perpetual Bachelorhood

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arriage has many pains, but celibacy has no pleasures,” noted Samuel Johnson, the late British lexicographer and writer in a moment of profound introspection.

The late writer admitted the many inconveniences of marriage even as he rued the cheerlessness of staying unmarried. In like manner, Oscar Onyema, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, understands the logic in staying married. Like a broken worm that forgives the plow, he has decided to forget his pain and remain single.

To the consternation of friends and family, Oscar, a copiously blessed dude who celebrated his 50th birthday recently, has refused to get married. This is no doubt amazing given the fact that he is endowed with all the attributes that makes a woman swoon over a man; he is rich,

sophisticated and flaunts ruggedly handsomeness that could make even the most prim and proper lady weak in the knees. Notwithstanding his folkloric status, Oscar is yet to settle with any of his female admirers.

This has been severally attributed to his elitist temperament which continually sends many potential brides scampering from him. To date, the dark dude has too many ladies seeking his attention and he never denies them anything from the abundance of his material and more important, physical endowments, it was reliably gathered. Lively, amiable and full of promise, Oscar has never been linked to a lady in the past.

While some jocularly insinuate that he hasn’t found his missing rib, others aver that the rich dude simply dreads the hassles involved in getting married and staying married.

Let’s hope he has a rethink soon

Sisters in Tandem Cont’d from pg.. 61

Toke has been living it all. She has since graduated from hedonistic display of designers wears, bags and jewelleries to owning a mansion in Ikoyi, on Bank Road to be precise. She has chosen to be daring and she makes no pretence about her game.

With her much-vaunted marriage crashing like a pack of badly arranged card trailed with bitterness, Toke turned it around and made a fortune of the matrimonial misadventure. Her ‘On Becoming’ book became an instant success as she cleaned out nicely from the publishing deal and other lucrative deals precipitated by the revelations in the book. There is no gainsaying the fact that Toke has been living up to her “Small Girl With Big God” aphorism.

Opeyemi, that introduced Toke to Chief.

Opeyemi was then working in a bank where she was the accounts manager to Festus Fadeyi. She it was who made strategic linking between her sister and wealthy customer. Luck smiled on Toke as Fadeyi immediately got smitten with the cupid arrow. He did not only fall in love with her but started building his world and joy around Toke.

Trust Toke, sensing the septuagenarian had lost control of his emotions; she took full control of the relationship and allegedly made a huge fortune from the deeply besotted man.

There was hardly anything money can buy that was not bought for Toke. Toke had to leave him and moved after their friendship was leaked and generated furore in the public and more in Fadeyi family.

Reports say Toke is now very close to another oil mogul, named Aliyu Abubakar, who owns AA Oil. How she linked up with him is still shrouded in secrecy, but it might not be unconnected with Opeyemi who has since moved to FCMB, where she manages top accounts like those Folorunso Alakija and other moguls.

The Kogi State-born Aliyu has been extremely generous to Toke, as he has been spoiling her with luxuries; and

FORMER BANK MD, SEGUN OLOKETUYI, RELOCATES FAMILY TO CANADA Segun Oloketuyi, the former MD of WEMA bank, has become like the languid breeze blowing listlessly across withering meadows. But Segun is no breeze; he is actually a retired banker.

Back when he was a hunk and A-list banker, he attracted the loyalty and love of colleagues and friends as the pollen nectar attracts butterflies to sup from its sweetness.

Then Segun morphed into a haughty hunk of sorts, presenting a perfect portrait of the power-drunk and currency-activated banker who brooked

enough. Yes, Oscar is a good man; among other things, he knows how conceited it is for the sake of life to lose the reasons for living, hence his insistent choice of virtue over life’s innumerable vanities. Such is the essence of Oscar that makes him the quintessential poster boy to generations of family, associates and friends. Nobody comes in contact with him and leaves with a sordid impression of the man.

Hence like a coterie of jazz groupies infinitely awed by their favourite saxophonist’s lyrical depth and style, friends, family and business associates of Onyeama rallied round him to make his 50th birthday an unforgettable one.

Although the celebrant is hardly given to pomp and frivolity, he had no choice but to relax his guards and accept his loved ones’ decision to fete with him when he clocked 50.

Oscar Onyeama

dude who planned his retirement very no opposition to his views and was well. Findings revealed that he is most ruthless towards perceived enemies or likely the richest retired bank chief in opposition. Now that he has retired, the country, considering his extensive no more is he the cocky character who fortune and business interests. Besides strutted the corridors of WEMA Bank being intimidatingly solvent, he lives a in its boom years and no more does he charmed life. No sooner had he retired walk about with gargantuan chips on his shoulders as he has relocated his children from WEMA Bank than he relocated.

He also helped a lot of Nigerian to Canada. magnates to make a lot of money. For Segun pursued and acquired money instance, it was during his tenure as in markedly different tradition from MD that the bank lent out money to the the ways of his peers. While too many highest number of people. It was also of his peers gained from their wealth during his tenure that the bank suffered only the fear of losing it, he gained from the highest number of non-performing his wealth, comfort, contentment and a loans. Thus many businessmen made deep sense of purpose. The former bank their fortune via Oloketuyi’s very MD understood quite early in life, that accommodating loan schemes. Little there are no little ways to imbue wonder the new MD of the bank, his life with grandeur. He Ademola Adebise is in a bind understood that money over the huge debt portfolio. matters in the mix, in The issue of huge debt his pursuit of ease portfolio and cumbersome and luxury. Thus he debt recovery process had pursued money as always bedeviled Wema the only sunbeams like an albatross even that lights his path during the tenure of the to grandeur. bank’s Oloketuyi, but the While he served situation has worsened as MD, he worked over the years and very hard and according to sources within saved very hard. the bank, Adebise never Today, he is understood the extent of the reaping the fruits rot until he assumed office of his labour. Indeed, Segun some months ago. So we heard!

Segun is one very sharp Oloketuyi

Many Years After Marriage, Providus Bank MD, Walter Akpani, Welcomes First Child by Wife

Walter Akpani

Other passions only speak but true love shrieks out pleasurably and often, at a deafening pitch. Little wonder many men dote upon the objects of their affection.

Some do it with an affectionate look, some with a flattering word or poetic verse but the perfect soul mate does it with a timeless gift hence Providus Bank MD, Walter Akpani, does it with inestimable gift of love and celebration to his beautiful wife, Winifred Akpani, the MD of NorthWest Petroleum & Gas Company, when she gave birth to their first child many, many years after marriage.

Yes, even glacial ice thaws where hope claws, thus Winifred’s inestimable joy as the icy fog that froze her joy eventually

defrosts. Hope is what kept her going through her crucible of misery. It is understandable therefore, that the arrival of their baby girl should drive her into spasms of unparalleled ecstasy. Winifred who gave birth in America is in a blissful state as you read.

However, through fortunate seasons and her most trying spell, Walter stood unflinchingly by Winifred, urging her to seek solace in God’s ceaseless mercies.

Lest you begin to think that Winifred must have been fraught with disaster, she wasn’t. The wife of Providus’s most powerful man simply rued her inability to bear him a child.

After many years of marriage, Winifred

finally bore Walter, her idol, a beautiful baby girl in his towering image. It’s a delightful to see her glow with pride and contentment over her latest feat.

Her heartfelt wish has been granted and unlike so many of her peers, she never had to endure heartache or abuse from her husband before she bore him a child.

Walter has been particularly commended for exhibiting enviable maturity and tact. While many men would have taken mistresses and subjected their wives to emotional and physical torture for failing to bear them sons, he lovingly and dutifully stood with his wife. He is indeed a real man, so argued a close relative of the family.

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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 16, 2018

Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

Mo Abudu’s Untold Story

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re you a bibliophile? Or do you have an insatiable appetite for biographies and autobiographies? If yes, it is doubtful if you would not have loved to read a book on Mosunmola Abudu, famously called Mo Abudu, if there was any yet.

But why would her story interest you? Mo Abudu, the first woman on the African continent to own a panAfrican TV channel, EbonyLife TV, is a great inspiration and role model to the womenfolk in Africa.

A multiple-award winner, her story caught the attention of Forbes in 2013, when she was honoured with a prestigious award for treading an unbeaten path among African women.

For obvious reasons, when her name is mentioned, you may think she gained fame only for her heroic journey in the media business. But you are wrong, as she now has her hand in other pies. For those who do not know, she co-owns the Protea Hotel, Oakwood Park, Lekki Expressway, Lagos. The hotel is worth over N2bn.

Mo Abudu who is also the founder of Vic Lawrence & Associates, one of Nigeria’s leading outsourcing firms and media, was born in Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom.

She obtained a master’s degree in Human Resources Development from the University of Westminster in London.

The TV goddess started her professional career as a recruitment consultant with the Atlas Recruitment Consultancy firm in the UK. She was later headhunted by Starform Group, a very successful business information group in the UK, 1990. Between 1990 and 1992, she assumed responsibility for the research, design and production of several conferences and seminars whilst at Starform.

Much later in life, she Joined Exxonmobil. She, however, resigned after a decade to start Buckeyes Lawrence and Associates Limited.

A lover of humanity, she now runs The Inspire Africa Foundation, a human investment arm of Inspire Africa Limited. The non-profit organisation focuses on raising funds to implement society-transforming initiatives.

Little wonder encomiums were showered on her when she clocked 54 last Tuesday.

The Ondo State-born icon, to the chargin of many, is also making her mark in Nigeria’s movie industry,.

Since her foray into the make-believe world with the critically acclaimed Wedding Party ( 1 & 2), Abudu has proven she possesses the proverbial magic wand.

Mo Abudu

Kris Okotie Chasing Shadows?

Christopher Oghenebrorie Okotie, the founder of the Household of God International Ministry, is one of the leading “men of God” in Nigeria.

For some inexplicable reasons, the Delta State-born pop singer-turned pastor is not solely preoccupied with winning souls into the vineyard of God. One of his other attractions is politics. Over the years, dynamic Okotie has nursed the dream of being the president of Nigeria.

It will be recalled that Okotie first ran for president under the banner of the Justice Party (JP) led by Ralph Obiorah, after he was schemed out of the National Democratic Party’s (NDP) primary. Again, he ran for president in 2007 on the platform of a party he founded, Fresh Democratic Party, made no headway. Then, in

2011, he ran and lost still.

Strangely, the man who has been described as a serial presidential aspirant is at it again. Information reaching Society Watch indicates that the terrific pastor is not giving up on his presidential ambition.

Okotie has distinguished himself as the divine leader to be elected in the forthcoming presidential election.

Meanwhile, he has been described by some political analysts as “an attention-seeking impostor who cannot be entrusted with power.”

Some others attribute his new expression of interest in the presidential race as a mere publicity stunt to remain in the spotlight having kept a low profile for some time.

Okotie

Ayade, Ita Giwa’s Reconciliation Last Sunday, Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, a former Special Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on National Assembly Affairs, launched her much-publicised Campaign Against Human Trafficking and Sex Slavery at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, amidst fanfare.

The event, which also featured the unveiling of the 2018 Carnival Calabar theme, was attended by many dignitaries and celebrities, who came to support Ita-Giwa, fondly called Mama Africa.

Interestingly, many of the guests were pleasantly surprised when the master of ceremonies announced the presence of Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Ivara Ejemot Esu, eulogised the woman of substance for her unrelentless love for the people of the state.

What is perhaps more interesting is that Ayade’s presence at the event has further laid to rest the rumour of disagreement between him and Ita-Giwa.

Last year, many received with disbelief the report of a crisis between the duo who were once tagged mother and son.

It was reported that the rift developed after some officials of the state government allegedly diverted some relief materials sourced by Ita-Giwa for Internally Displaced People (IDP) in Bakassi from the National Refugee Commission.

It was also alleged that trouble began after Ita-Giwa defected to the ruling All

Ayade

Ita Giwa

progressives Congress, APC, early this year.

This move by Ita-Giwa was said to have infuriated the governor who is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. At the height of the disagreement, many top personalities and concerned individuals had called them for truce but all were fruitless.

However, while many believed the fight would not end, Society Watch had exclusively reported that the two political heavyweights were back together as they were now in speaking terms. ‘’The ‘war’ is now over. The two Cross River State political gladiators are back like before,’’ our source had revealed.

Rilwan Aleshinloye in Joyous Mood This is definitely a happy moment for top businessman and socialite, Rilwan Aleshinloye, as he has won back his money- spinning hotel that was taken over by the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, over unpaid loans sometime ago.

AMCON had reportedly taken over Aleshinloye’s popular Alesh Hotel, as part of efforts to recoup the debts the socialite allegedly owed a bank.

The hotel located in the Ajah area of Lagos State was sealed off by AMCON after the takeover.

However, a source disclosed to Society Watch that a compromise had been reached and that the fun-loving man had recovered his hotel, which has been home to many top socialites as well as renowned musicians around the country.

It was also disclosed that business activities had resumed at the hotel.

Alesh, as he is popularly called, was one of the socialites who once ruled the social scene. He was the toast of many musicians who benefited from his large-heartedness.

Rilwan Aleshinloye

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Murray Bruce’s Romantic Side If, for instance, you ask a group of people to describe the person of Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, there is the possibility that the pendulum will swing more to the side of those who will describe him as ‘Mr. Controversy’.

However, whether this impression about him is absolutely correct or not is left to prosperity to judge. But what is not in doubt is that his adventure in the Nigerian politics has been dogged by melodrama.

Recently, the social media- loving senator showcased his romantic side when he celebrated his 40th wedding anniversary.

In celebrating the day, he twitted,

‘’Celebrating 40 years of marriage to the love of my life, my one and only wife, Mrs Evelyn Murray-Bruce. I love you to the moon and back. I have never and will never look to my right or to my left. I will always look to you the most beautiful girl in the world. Happy Anniversary.’’

He seemed to have imbibed the saying of the late American journalist and author, Mignom McLaughin, that “a successful marriage requires falling in love many times always with the same person.” ‘’Senator Bruce and his wife are so close that he would never take any decision without inform her. And he trusts her judgement on issues so well. This has helped him a lot,’’ a source said.

Murray Bruce

Ex-Beauty Queen, Chineye Ochuba’s Happy Moment In Ogun State, one of the names on the lips of the indigenes is Kunle Akinlade representing Egbado South and Ipokia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

He is in the news, following his emergence as the consensus candidate for the 2019 governorship candidate in Ogun State.

However, his victory, quite unexpectedly, has suddenly brought back his wife, Chineye Ochuba, a former beauty queen, whom he married in 2008, to reckoning again, several years after she emerged the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria.

The 49-year-old politician, a former senior special assistant on Taxation and Revenue to Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, is believed to be the governor’s preferred candidate for the All Progressives Congress, APC in the election.

Since the Yewa, Ogun State-born lawmaker was “anointed” by the governor, it has been a celebration galore in his hometown.

Yewa and Chineye Ochuba

Uche Ahubelem’s Heart of Gold Uche Ahubelem, General Managing Director, GMD, Brickwall Group, is a proven investment analyst and a core believer in the doctrine of equity, fairness and justice.

Highly industrious, the Isiala Mbano, Imo State-born wizard has soared higher than many of his competitors owing largely to his honesty, commitment, passion and business acumen.

Ahubelem, an active player in the real estate sector, is also the founder of Uche Ahubelem Centre for Human Development (UACHD), a platform with which he has impacted the lives of over two thousand Nigeria youths.

The seasoned motivational speaker organises an annual seminar and gives grants to young Nigerians to realise their business plans. At every forum, he often reiterates how God has lifted him from his humble background.

His abiding philosophy is that a nation can only develop if it supports her young entrepreneurs with ideas, which simply means an input for the next generation.

UACHD, it was gathered, is aimed at spotting, nurturing and equipping the Nigerian youth with the right

Uche Ahubelem

resources needed for them to excel in their chosen fields. It also gives to the needy and the poor.

Since its inception in 2015, UACHD has successfully launched many remarkable projects such as #4change,

Greatness 101, a monthly motivational business digest, and Ican.

Its flagship and nationally recognized project, Uche Ahubelem Empowerment Seminar Series, has made the dreams of many young entrepreneurs come true.

Ahmad Kaita

Ahmad, Kabir Kaita’s War Deepens This may read like the familiar Nollywood movie title.

But the sad development currently playing out between two brothers in Katsina State aptly fits into this description.

Or how better can one describe the smouldering war between Ahmad Kaita , and his brother, Kabir Kaita?

Society Watch gathered that the ugly incident, which may destroy the family ties among the Kaitas, is not unconnected with the senatorial ambition of the feuding siblings in the state.

A source close to the family disclosed that both have allegedly refused to see eye to eye over what they termed as ‘betrayal of trust’ It was disclosed that the enmity between the once jolly good brothers started following the demise of the senator representing Katsina North Senatorial District , Sen. Bukar Mustapha, a situation that necessitated a by-election.

Many were stunned when Hon. Ahmad Kaita of the All Progressives Congress, currently representing Kusada/Ingawa/ Kankia constituency in the House of Representatives challenged his elder brother, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the position.

It was a fierce battle between the two, as disclosed by our source.

The House of Representatives member was persuaded to step down for his brother since he was already a member of the lower chamber, but he bluntly refused.

Being in the ruling party from President Buhari’s home state, it was obvious that he would definitely coast home to victory and this was exactly what played out.

Following his victory, trouble reared its ugly head, as the elder brother has vowed to fight to the finish, saying the election was a mere charade and that his brother engaged in vote-buying.

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ARTS & REVIEW A

OLUSEGUN RUNSEWE: WE MUST CHANGE THE CULTURE NARRATIVE PAGE 69

PUBLICATION

16.09.2018

FOTOFACTORY.LAGOS AND THE ALLURE OF NEW VISIONS Professor Ogbechie

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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ARTS & REVIEW\\PHOTOGRAPHY

Ocherbauer with participants at the workshop

A previous workshop in session

FOTOFACTORY.LAGOS AND THE ALLURE OF NEW VISIONS In its third year, the annual FotoFactory. Lagos remains the catalyst for local community of conceptual photographers, writes Okechukwu Uwaezuoke

"P

hotography is enjoying a major resurgence in Africa, and it is now one of the most recognisable forms of contemporary art practice on the continent and in the larger global African diaspora,� the US-based professor of art history Sylvester Okwunodu Ogbechie recently observed. “Major international recognition of contemporary photography from Africa, and new technologies, such as cell phone cameras, are making photographic practice more relevant to a new crop of young contemporary African artists.�

It was on this premise that he cofounded and developed the annually held FotoFactory.Lagos, whose theme this year was Explore Your Vision, with the Germany-based internationallyrenowned photographer Eva Maria Ocherbauer. It is now history that the annual photography workshop– held this year from July 23 to July 27 – had defied all odds to plod on into its third edition. “It was profoundly rewarding to see that photographers, who attended the very first LagosPhoto Summer School workshop in 2013, are still attending our programme,� enthused an excited Ocherbauer from her base in Berlin.

Indeed, FotoFactory.Lagos, which has so far held every year at the Centre for Contemporary Art in the Lagos mainland neighbourhood of Yaba, had since its inception in 2016 relied on the resilience of the local contemporary photography community. “Some others are coming back faithfully since many years, some came newly since the first FotoFactory.Lagos workshop in 2016 and, in addition, we always have beginners,� Ocherbauer explained.

Last year, 21 participants that had attended the workshop. This year, there were 22 formally registered participants, but there were occasionally former participants who dropped by at the venue without formally registering. “This makes a reasonable number. If we have too many photographers attending we won’t have enough time for individual training. An intimate atmosphere is obligatory for the students to be able to open up, to leave their comfort zone which is essential for any exceptional production related to creative processes.

It is not about quantity, it is about quality.

Regarding accomplishments we always see some outstanding work. In fact, this became habitual over time.�

This was the kind of scenario that helped create a healthy symbiosis between the more accomplished photographers and their less skilled colleagues, who still have a lot to learn. In other words, the workshop through encouraging and supporting a collective way of studying, made it possible for the participants to learn from each other. “As we all know learning never stops no matter how much one has already achieved.�

The workshop focuses on conceptual project-based thinking through sequences of lectures and critiques. In the process, its participants get trained on how to gain both a conscious and intuitive understanding of the visual language of photography.

Still, even after its three years of existence, the workshop has barely scratched the surface in the area of publicity. This is despite the fact that it has gained an increased followership, thanks to its expanded activities. The Austrian-born photographer disclosed plans of featuring the workshop’s photographers at the Fotohof, which holds in November this year in the Austrian town of Salzburg. She also said that the acclaimed journal of African Art History and Visual Culture, Critical Interventions, is featuring the workshop’s programme in the upcoming issue.

This is besides the fact that each edition brings in new perspectives. This has been evident in the continual extension of the curriculum and, in addition, to the improvement in the quality of the participants’ actual accomplishments.

The annual workshop counts among its greatest achievement this year its official registration, which now sees it listed now as FotoFactory Foundation in Lagos and, thus, opens the doors way to new possibilities.

This year, one of Nigeria’s most accomplished photographers and an alumna of FotoFactory.Lagos, was at the workshop not only as a facilitator, but also to talk about her current projects. As one of the most easily recognisable names in the African photography scene, she had received international attention as the winner of the Fourth Wall Books African Photo Book award 2017 and an International Women Media Foundation Fellow.

She had also been featured at the 11th edition of African Biennale of Photography, called Rencontre de Bamako (Mali), the Open Society Foundation Moving Walls exhibition in New York (US), the Lagos Biennial and ArtX Lagos, among others.

The other facilitator, Uche James Iroha, was appointed to teach the participants elements of photography techniques. An internationally acclaimed Nigerian photographer and mentor based in Lagos, he has through his approach to photography and support for young photographers helped broaden the horizon of contemporary Nigerian photography.

Among the subjects featured at the workshop this year was how to build a career as a Nigerian photographer in the international field. Rahima Gambo was for this reason invited to talk about her work since she has been

recognised as a shining example. But, generally the workshop’s focus was on the work presented by the participants, which embraced a wide range of possibilities. “We are dealing with a lot of documentary style up to highly personal practices into more artistic areas and staged imagery,�

Ocherbauer explained. “Everything is accepted, except commissions made for short-dated commercial purposes only.�

FotoFactory.Lagos’s plans for improvement extends beyond its annual workshops. It has been actively involved in the supervision of participants’ projects. This is through promoting their work, organising shows and publications, among others.

Its current focus is the mapping out of its first book-project titled Olorisa, which is a collaboration of four photographers exploring the relation of art and spirituality under female perspectives. “Additionally, we are planting seeds for future exhibitions to present Nigerian photography to a larger audience,� Ocherbauer said. “We are still engaged with wrapping up this years edition therefore it is to early to announce the upcoming workshop at present. We are satisfied with the location the Centre for Contemporary Art Lagos, which has been hosting us since the beginning in 2016. So, we intend to keep that.

What we are aiming to constantly enhance is the quality of the actual images produced to keep up with global standards and accordingly raise the visibility of Nigerian photography, generally speaking African practices at large.�

Obviously, one of the greatest challenges the workshop faces remains the lack of understanding of the complexity of photography. Hence, the need for more positions to communicate the medium.

Uche Okpa Iroha, who runs the Nlele Institute which is an autonomous visual art organisation, has taken the lead to establish a school for photography in Lagos.

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T

he National Council for Arts and Culture has been idle before your appointment.

How do you intend turning it around?

Recently President Muhammadu Buhari commended me on my appointment as the President of World Craft Council.And, I have promised that with this new appointment I am going to move the council’s headquarters toAbuja.

How where you able to get to that stage. I know that you were the Director General of NigerianTourism Development Commission (NTD’C)Now you are in NCAC, what are the targets you have set for yourself‌?

Basically, there is a disconnection about the understanding of this sector. Interestingly, I got a N300 million grant from Bank of Industry (BOI to harness talents in the arts and crafts industry for economic development. I have also concluded plans to start in Lagos an exhibition on Nigerian crafts. There is no way you can open up this industry without a regular exhibition to showcase individuals, because, the creative industry itself is about individuals.

Besides, I have found out that every part of the world has its own strategy of reaching out to people, particularly the creative industry.

I keep saying it that I want to use culture to replace oil because the emphasis on Nigeria’s oil wealth is too much, and our focus on oil is becoming like a disadvantage to the point of people killing themselves over it.

You may not be aware that if you sell 100 barrels of oil today, only four families will benefit. The family of somebody in Maitma, Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki. I am giving you a real fact on the ground. But if you spend N100 million on the arts and crafts industry, you will be shocked that over 10,000 families would have benefited because most of the industry players need just N20,000, N50,000 or otherwise to do engage in craft amongst others.

This is the sector that creates jobs than any others industry in the world. It may interest you to note that this is the sector where even if you pass out secondary school with F9 grades, you are not useless. Most times we undermine the returns from this sector because we do not know.

Maybe for the first time I am going to tell Freshfacts that the only secret remaining in Africa is on the benefits of this sector. It is the fact that the sector will change the GDP and fortune of the continent.

This, is where I want to commend President Muhamadu Buhari in terms of his administrations focus in developing and helping the ordinary Nigerian with a view to realising his/ her potentials We have been showcasing our inadequacies before now and for a very long time we have been talking about our weaknesses.

In BurjArab Hotel Dubai, a seven star outfit, one young man is being rated as the best Bed Spreader in the world but I told them in Dubai that we I have over 10,000 Nigerians who can spread bed better than this man. Meanwhile, he earns more money than PhD holder.

I have to tell them that if they want I can provide Nigerians who can do better that him.

What the rating of the Dubai bed spreader means is that they have succeeded in building a brand for themselves.

In this vein, I have just developed a document titled the 37 wonders of Nigeria. I picked one cultural edifice from each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory ,Abuja to showcase their cultural potentials.

By the grace of God by October we will organize NAFEST (Rivers 2018) in Port Harcourt.

It is an annual festival that is unique, unites the nation as well as showcase the strength of every state andAbuja. For me, a new beginning has started in the sector and when I came in I took a look at the financial base of every sector and that was what informed the N300 million BOI facility.

How were you able to secure such amount from the Bank of Industry?

Once you meet their criteria they support you.And, in our own case we do not keep the

money we only recommend eligible people to access the fund from the bank So, because of that the industry is moving forward and we have never had it so good.

For the first time a monthly exhibition will be introduced in Lagos andAbuja Do you know that people from other West African countries come to buy arts and crafts from our country and make a lot of money by exporting them to Europe andAsia and theAmericas?

This is why I disagree with Duty Free shops at Nigerian airports because which European will buy whisky, perfumes amongst others to take back home? What they want is our crafts and these are things that showcase us to the rest of the world. Â Â Nobody ever thought of my presence at 2018 World Cup in Russia. when I was about going people did not understand what I was up to.

Football is only played for 90 minutes, so, what

happens after that? Some countries like Italy came with their motor show, others came with bikes and other things.

Some previously unknown talking drum artists from my office where taken to Russia where they thrilled people by singing Nigeria’s NationalAnthem with the talking drum. Before then people know little or nothing about them. So, the time has come for us to celebrate our potential in the sector.

I am assuring you that with my leadership at the World Craft Council Nigeria is in for a big business in this sector. I have succeeded in changing the narrative by placing Nigeria where it should be.Also, my target is to build the biggest entertainment centre in the country with some service apartments and the cultural centre remains. We must create a place to sell our arts and crafts. Runsewe

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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ARTS & REVIEW\\LITERARY CAFÉ

A PRICELESS COMPENDIUM FOR BENIN KINGDOM THE BENIN MONARCHY: An Anthology of Benin History, Oriiz U. Onuwaje ed.,WellsCrimson Limited, 2018 Tam Fiofori

T

he first and permanent impression of this truly magnificent and imposing book, THE BENIN MONARCHY: An Anthology of Benin History, is that it is a very creatively-designed and laid-out book. This outstanding artistic quality of the book; right from its red cover and gold letterings, raises the expectations of the reader and, the inside pages do not disappoint in presentation and content.

The exquisite design and lay-out of the inside pages; an extension of the attractive cover, should come as no surprise, as this is the idea and work of Oriiz U. Onuwaje (who also edited the book); a well-trained and vastly experienced graphic artist with an impressive track record of international advertising as well as magazine and book design and production. Prior to this book Onuwaje had shown his hand and style with his upscale lifestyle magazine Masterpiece, that emphasised good taste and classy living.

Appropriately, the artistic design of this book corresponds and does great justice to the Benin monarchy and people, who for centuries have been renowned world-wide for their bronze, ivory and wood artworks.

This book is very unique in many ways. It is published by Royal Warrant of Appointment to His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare 11, Oba of Benin. In the Foreword, Omo N’Oba Ewuare 11, writes that, “As we present this anthology to the world, we are persuaded that the contribution of our people and recognition for our noble civilisation will go far beyond mere reminiscences of the many distinctions which we have become famous for.� Indeed, this book affirms the importance, historical relevance and authenticity of the numerous contributions and achievements of the eight-century-old Benin monarchy.

The preface is by the eminent Professor of History Obaro Ikime who has admirably continued to use the principles and purpose of African historiography (in conjunction with colleagues like Professor E. J. Alagoa) to correct the deliberate fake history as perceived and documented by the colonial officers. As such, he debunks the British claims about their so-called Benin Massacre. “The Benin Massacre was, for me, perpetuated by the so-called Punitive Expedition,

not the killing of a few British officials who were violating the territory of an African ruler, in disobedience to the ruler’s message to the British not to visit Benin at that time. As usual, it was a case of might is right...� Ikime, at the beginning of his Preface, categorically states that, “This is a great book about a great people, a great kingdom and a one-time great empire, easily the largest empire ever established in the rain forest belt of West Africa.�

In his own remarks, the editor and designer of the book, Oriiz U. Onuwaje, informs that, “This compilation is presented to stimulate further research into Benin history, traditions, and culture and to ensure that these are fully documented for posterity.�

This book is really a big book; in fact a tome of 570-odd pages, a special one-of-its-kind book on such a fascinating dynasty in the history of monarchs’ world-wide. Its sub-title One of the World’s Most Ancient Royal Dynasties is definitely deserved.

Structurally, this Anthology features 27 contributing editors, 18 chapters, four subchapters and an epilogue. Its dimensions are 300mm x 360mm and, it weighs approximately seven kilogrammes!

The contributing editors are a parade showcasing mostly eminent Benin academicians and scholars; all of them professors and PhD holders, who display their historical and analytic

examination and understanding of the various topics under review.

Paradoxically, this over-dependence on “straight� academicians and their rather turgid and predictable style of writing; Introduction, Background, the main body of the essay and then copious references, unfortunately makes the text in the book cumbersome, unnecessarily intimidating and not too reader-friendly for the average general-knowledge-seeker reader.

Nonetheless, it remains a great and essential book though, for researchers, libraries and ultra-patient inquisitive readers!

The four parts of the book are Part 1,Benin: The Beginning and Growth of an African Civilisation; with Chapters 1- Benin Kingdom: The Growth of an African Civilisation; 2- The origin of Benin and its Monarchy; 3- The Interregnum and the Establishment of the Oranmiyan-Eweka Dynasty; 4- The Oranmiyan-Eweka Dynasty; 5- From Oba Oranmiyan to Oba Ewuare 11; 6- Great Benin: From Kingdom to Empire-Building, 1440-1897.

Part 2, The Obas and the Civilisation of Great Benin; with Chapters 7- The Administrative and Political Structure of Benin Kingdom, Origin, Significance and Uses of the Benin Chiefs’ Regalia; 8= The Military Organisation of Benin Kingdom; 9- Benin Traditional Religious Practices, The Origin of Worship at Holy Aruosa Cathedral; 10- Economy and Society in Pre-Colonial Benin Kingdom; 11- Benin Royal Art: Artistic and Hand-Crafted Artefacts; 12- The Guilds of Benin: Artefacts, Antiquities and Other Arts; 13- Heroines and Queen Mothers of Benin Kingdom, Okuku Nogboka: Head Dress Fit for Queens and Princesses, Usukporhu: Defending the Oba and his Harem.

Part 3, Invasion, Colonialisation and Resilience of the Benin Monarchy, with Chapters 14- Oba Ovonmramwen N’Ogbaisi The Last King of Independent Benin Kingdom; 15- Oba Eweka 11: The Resilience of the Monarchy; 16- Oba Akenzua 11: The Grandeur of Royalty; 17- Oba Erediauwa: The Philosopher King.

Part 4, The Making of an Oba, with Chapter 18- Oba Ewuare 11: The Philosopher and Diplomat King and, the Epilogue with Omo NĂ“ba Ewuare 11: First 365 Days in View; Human Trafficking: Traditional and Diplomatic Fight Against Modern Slavery.

The major attraction of this book, is the prominent use of carefully chosen and

placed photographs and visuals right from the beginning and, this display especially of “perfect� photographs of the finest Benin bronze, ivory and wood artworks through the centuries, ensures that this book can be read and fully appreciated visually at many levels!

This must be one of the richest pictorial assemblies of the vast and priceless collection of Benin arts and antiquities in and outside Benin, as well as a photographic album of the Benin monarchy from 1897 to 2017, ever published in book form.

The 70-odd full-page photographic images of bronze plaques, bronze, ivory and wood artworks of faces, animals and emblems, include the Benin art treasures looted with impunity by the British in 1897 and are now on “illegal� display in top museums in Britain, Europe and the U.S.A. As Oba Erediauwa informed, these bronze works were used, before the advent of photography, to document the remarkable achievements of Obas, and constituted a traditional historical library.

A look-through of these images is a thrilling awesome experience in art appreciation as well as an educational journey. Their inclusion is also a subtle oblique commentary and indictment on their rouge-looting.

The maps, charts, graphs and hundreds of photographs in particular, help consolidate the vivid visual history of the Benin monarchy and kingdom, this book sets out to portray.

Black and white photographs by Green, Alonge, Fiofori, sourced from museums and palace archives as well as more recent colour photographs by Okiy and other Benin-based photographers; especially the many-page colour spreads of the lavish coronation of Ewuare 11 as the 40th Oba of the Benin Kingdom in October 2016 and his activities 365 days after, round up the book.

This book is fondly dubbed the Benin Red Book because the Benin monarchy is associated with red; which is their predominant colour and brand (ododo); hence the use of many red pages in its design as well. THE BENIN MONARCHY: An Anthology of Benin History, is a highly recommended must-have book for all lovers of culture and history world-wide. ––Tam Fiofori, a foremost Nigerian filmmaker, photojournalist and writer as well as the author of the seminal photographyand-text book A Benin Coronation: Oba Erediauwa and essays, Redeeming the Image of the Benin Monarchy and People [ and J. A. Green: Pioneer and Legend, writes from Lagos.

VISUAL ARTS

Juliet Ezenwa Pearce: Goddess of Masks Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

I

t was like stepping into sacred territory.

When I walked into the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos venue of Juliet Ezenwa Pearce’s Beyond 2018 art exhibition, the personable exhibitor who we fondly call “Painter� insisted I must take a photograph beside “my fellow gods� on her wall!

I had to pay heed because Juliet represents “she who must be obeyed.� She has transcended normal mundane fare and now communes with the spirits. In traditional lore only the superwoman dares to master the cult of the masks which ought to be the preserve of titled men.

She does not bend the knee to orthodoxies.

She breaks bold ground with her work on “Agbogho Mmuo�, to wit, maiden masquerades. The 2017 oil on canvas painting depicts two maiden masquerades daintily soaring along in fellowship.

She explains matter-of-factly that “many of my masks I have adjusted to be able to tell my story about them, for instance, assigning horns, a symbol of strength, to maiden masquerades as opposed to chauvinistic traditional association.�

Juliet is unapologetically feminist, reiterating the words of Chimamanda NgoziAdichie on the tenets of bringing up the girl-child thus: “Teach her to reject likeability. Her job is not to make herself likeable, her job is to be her full self, a self that is honest and aware of the equal humanity of other people.�

Through her Girl-Child Rights series of paintings Juliet transcends the worn narrative of

training females to only aspire towards becoming only good wives. It is incumbent on the women to make marks on their own instead of just being attachments to men in the course of accomplishments. It aids complementary humanity for women to be involved in the decision making process on issues affecting the entire community.

Juliet gained her early inspiration from the walldecorating feats of her grandmother in her native Delta State. The Uli foundation as espoused by the Nsukka School ofArt finds visual expression in the masterwork of Juliet Ezenwa Pearce.

The influences are deep and vast, ranging from Prof Ben Enwonwu to Dr Bruce Onobrakpeya.A graduate of Bendel State University (now Delta State University),Abraka, Juliet gained theArts Business Management Techniques and Methodologies at Terra Kulture, Lagos and undertook MAin EducationalAdmin and Planning at National Open University of Nigeria.

In May 2009 she won the Caterina De Medici International PaintingAward in Florence, Italy. The Society of NigerianArts (SNA), Lagos Chapter, gave her the SheriffAdetoro Prize for Industrial Design (Ceramics) inAugust 2009.

She started exhibiting her works right from her NYSC days in Ilorin, Kwara State in March 1991.

Ever since, she has been busy, participating in well over a hundred group and solo exhibitions and workshops. She compiled and edited the epochal book Issues in Contemporary Nigerian Art – 2000-2010.

According to the curator Luciano Uzuegbu, “alongside a few other artists including Peju Layiwola, Ndidi Dike,Angela Isiuwe, and Odun Orimolade, Juliet’s over 27 years of illustrious

Maxim at the exhibition

practice ranks her amongst the few top females with such enduring dexterity that continually measures the depth of contemporary visual language in Nigeria, and proudly challenges what appears a male dictated milieu.�

The genie behind the mask is the goddess who enjoyed distinguished tutelage from deans and

dons such as Sam Ovraiti. Juliet runs a home of art with her husband, the celebrated writerAdewale Maja-Pearce, author of The House My Father Built.

Juliet’s range is indeed quite vast. Her mixed media work in what she tags “Paintergraph experiment� is at once arresting and very avant-garde. The “Happy Family� offering showcases father, mother, children, relations and ancestors in a wondrous sphere of images. She reveals that the painting “highlights the peace of anAfrican family and how they enjoy the benefits of extended family system; so that marriage is not an isolated case of man, wife and children living alone from other relatives.�

Black and gold are the vistas that shine forth from the brush of Juliet Ezenwa Pearce. The colours of life and living lend to the paintings aesthetic grace. Beholding the almost otherworldly “My Favourite Things� is indeed a showstopper, a mixed media offering of uncommon beauty.

For Juliet Ezenwa Pearce, art is forever as she says: “The great and best reward for creativity is glory, and glory usually comes when you’re dead. It is only very few Picassos in the world who actually get to enjoy it while they are alive. The greatest artists of all time, we call their names today like they existed yesterday, but actually they lived 700 years ago, 500 years ago and you are calling their names as if they lived yesterday; that’s because their art is still alive today. “ The quote attributed to the Greek physician Hippocrates, “Art is long, life is short,� belongs with Juliet Ezenwa Pearce. ––Uzoatu writes from Lagos

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

CICERO

Editor:Olawale Olaleye Email:wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08116759819

IN THE ARENA

Now That Nomination Revelry Is over...

Following the procurement and submission of nomination forms by politicians seeking elective offices, Olaseni Durojaiye x-rays some disturbing trends arising from the exercise

T

he ritual of procuring expression of interests and nomination forms to vie for political offices among politicians in different political parties appears to be over.

Preparations proper and campaigns have begun in earnest. It is therefore not out of place to look forward to what shape and dimension the campaigns would take. Nevertheless, the next couple of weeks promise interesting intrigues.

Thus, as the political gladiators activate their strategies and consolidate their return to the trenches, many in the polity are not unmindful of two disturbing trends that headlined the processes: The exorbitant prices placed on the forms by the parties, especially the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and the infamous practice of procuring forms by shadowy proxy groups.

The two issues stick out like a sore thumb all through the processes.

The high cost of the nomination forms raises a red flag about the nation’s brand of democracy. Before now, the trending anathema in the political space, which bordered on the nation’s monetised electoral process was vote-buying.

Just as it played out during the last presidential election, the main opposition party had more presidential aspirant and the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms cost more compared with that of the ruling party.

While the presidential expression of interest and nomination forms of the PDP cost N22 million in 2015 that of the APC went for N27.5 million. And while the APC had about five presidential aspirants from which President Buhari emerged, the PDP arguably had former President Jonathan as its only real contender; just as it is presently playing out in the APC. Thus, observers wonder whether Nigerian politicians ever learn from history.

More worrisome is that there is no effectively regulated cap or monitoring of how much is spent on electioneering as is the case in developed democracies of the western world.

Then, like a thief in the night, the practice of shadowy groups, purportedly procuring expression of interest and nomination forms for perceived popular candidates or incumbents has crept into the body polity. Indeed, the practice calls for concern lest the country ends up with another Association for Better Nigeria (ABN).

A group, National Consolidation Ambassadors Network (NCAN) kicked off the farcical drama, when it allegedly coughed out a whopping N45 million to procure the form for President Muhammadu Buhari and against deafening criticism of the act and several plea on the president to reject the form, he accepted it last Tuesday.

The next beneficiary was the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-rufai. At the last count, five mushroom groups offered to buy the nomination form for the governor as if in competition to outdo one another.

Questions have been raised over the groups’ motive.

Outraged Nigerians continue to ponder what their intentions were even as they noted that the group was never heard of prior to now.

The explanation by the group’s deputy Chairman, Board of Trustees, Chukwuemeka Nwajuba, who described it as a network of young persons, drawn from different fields of endeavour, said members drawn from the 120, 000 polling units across the country contributed

Yakubu...ls INEC ready money to procure the N45 million form, just didn’t cut it with many.

Rather, many political watchers interpreted the exercise as a charade and a mockery of the president’s much vaunted anti-corruption stance. It is even more worrisome that this is only playing out in the APC.

Event

APC Calendar Date

Ëž Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă?ĂšĂ“ĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ë? Ëž Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ĂĄĂ“ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă–Ă– ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă?Ë? Ëž ÚÚĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë? Ëž Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂšĂ“ĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ? ÞÒËÞ ĂšĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă?Ë? Ëž ÚÚĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă?Ë? Ëž ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ă– ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂŁ ÞÙ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ăž ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ë? Ëž ÚÚĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ă– ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë?

Ă?ĂŽĂ˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ͽÞÒ ĚŽ Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ ͚͸ ͺ͸͚΀ Ă?ĂŽĂ˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ͚ͺ ͺ͸͚΀

In all, it is obvious that the political parties are still given to pork-patching. The APC, consistently displaying its inability to manage its 2015 electoral success, could not agree on a uniform format for the conduct of its primaries. While some state chapters adopted the selection process christened ‘consensus’, other states adopted the indirect primary process otherwise known as delegate election, while other states still went for direct primaries.

The PDP appears to be managing its affairs better; even then, the party is yet to decide what format its presidential primaries would adopt as at the rime of going to press. Its options are however between consensus or actual primaries. While its Board of Trustees favoured the former, its governors’ forum favoured the latter.

The shenanigan and scheming going on within the two leading political parties had shown that the country’s political leaders have failed to evolve developmentally since the advent of the fourth Republic.

The inability of the political parties to adopt and stick to a defined form of primary election is indicative of their half-hearted commitment to democracy and by extension the commitment to the country’s development. Definitely, goings on in the parties is a wakeup call on the voting public.

Analysts hold the view that time presents Nigerians with a window of opportunity to seize the initiative from the parties. They maintained that the time require Nigerians to de-emphasise political party affiliations and place more emphasis on individual candidate’s credibility, capacity and track record of commitment to delivering real dividends of democracy.

After all, a majority of the politicians have not demonstrated a convincing commitment to any definable political ideology.

Event

PDP Calendar Date

Ëž Ă‹Ă?Ăž ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂšĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ëœ Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ ͚Ϳ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ͺ͸͚΀ Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ă– Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă? Ëž Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ—Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ë? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ÎËã͚΀ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ͺ͸͚΀

Ă’Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ͚͝ ͺ͸͚΀ Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ÍšÍ˝Ëœ ͺ͸͚΀

Ëž Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂšĂ“ĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂžË? Ëž Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă?Ë?

Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ ÍşÍşËœ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ͺ͸͚΀

Ă?ĂŽĂ˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ĚŽ Ă’Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ͺ͸ ͺ͸͚΀ Ă’Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ÍşÍ¸Ëœ ͺ͸͚΀

Ëž ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ă–Ë?

Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ ͺ͟ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ͺ͸͚΀

Ëž Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?Ë?

Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ͺ͟

Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ͺͺ ͺ͸͚Î

Ëž Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ě™ ÞËÞĂ? Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?ĚšË?

ĂœĂ“ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ÍşÎ€Ëœ ͺ͸͚΀˛

Ëž Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ăž ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă?Ë?

Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ͺͽ ͺ͸͚΀

Ëž ÚÚĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ë?

Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ͝͸ ͺ͸͚΀

Ëž ÚÚĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš ĂšĂœĂ“Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ë?

Ă?ĂŽĂ˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ͺ͞ ͺ͸͚΀

Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ě™ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ĚšË?

Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ÍťÍ¸Ëœ ͺ͸͚΀

Ëž Ă?Ă‘Ă“Ă?ÖËÞÓà Ă? ĂšĂœĂ“Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă?Ë?

Ă’Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ͺͿ ͺ͸͚΀

Ëž ÚÚĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë?

Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Íş ͺ͸͚΀

Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë?

ĂœĂ“ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ͺ΀ ͺ͸͚΀

Ëž Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ě™ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ĚšË?

Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Íš ͺ͸͚΀

Ëž ÚÚĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă“Ă?ÖËÞÓà Ă? ĂšĂœĂ“Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ë?

Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ͺΠͺ͸͚΀

Ëž ÚÚĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë?

Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă‹ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ÍşËœ ͺ͸͚΀ Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă– ĂšĂœĂ“Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ë? Ëž ÚÚĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÞËÞĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă?ĂŽĂ˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ÍťËœ ͺ͸͚΀ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ–ĂŁ ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ë? Ëž Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă™Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă?ĂŁ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ë? Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀

Ă’Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ͺ͸

Ă?ĂŽĂ˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Íť ͺ͸͚΀

Ëž ÞËÞĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ–ĂŁ ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Íş Ě™ Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ěš Ë? Ëž ÚÚĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞËÞĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă’Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Íź ͺ͸͚΀ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ–ĂŁ ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ë? Ëž ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ă– ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ě™ Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă™Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ěš ĂœĂ“ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Í˝ Ě‹ Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Íž

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

APC and The Economist’s Red Alert

L Adams Oshiomhole, APC National Chairman

ast week, the intelligence unit of The Economist magazine, in its latest forecast on Nigeria, predicted that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 presidential election.

In yet another research, a multinational banking and financial services c o m p a n y, H S B C p r o j e c t e d t h a t P r e s i d e n t M u h a m m a d u B u h a r i ’s s e c o n d term bid would gravely stunt the e c o n o m i c d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e c o u n t r y,

even though Buhari is already neckdeep in the race. They both projected w i t h u n w a v e r i n g a u t h o r i t y.

C u r i o u s l y, t h e r e p o r t i s s a i d t o have heavily unsettled the ranks of the APC as some of its members were alleged to have advised the president that the report was not farther from reality and that except the president wades into some of the i n t e r n a l c r i s i s i n t h e p a r t y, i t w o u l d live to witness The Economist prediction. As it is , the APC is evidently on red alert and how it manages the information is entirely its problem.

72

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

BRIEFINGNOTES Abdulahi’s Governorship Bid Unsettles Kwara Last week’s governorship declaration of a former Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdulahi is currently unsettling the turf, writes Hammed Shittu

T

he ancient town of Ilorin, Kwara State capital, last Wednesday witnessed an incredible crowd that converged at the Arca Center, venue of the declaration of a former Minister of Youths and Sports, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, for the governorship position of the state.

Abdullahi, fondly called “Omoluabi” by his supporters brought class, glamour and an intellectual slant into his declaration with the level of support and solidarity showed to him.

The crowd which consisted mainly members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across the 16 local government councils of the state, trooped out en masse to lend support to the aspiration of the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Before the event, Mallam Abdullahi had held series of consultations with a spectrum of stakeholders across the state especially, the youths, women, artisans, teachers, pensioners and members of his party, PDP across 193 wards in the state, where he intimated them of his aspiration to be governor of the state in 2019.

Some of the responses to his consultations were believed to have opened his eyes to a few of the things the stakeholders want and other challenges of the state in his pursuit to taking the state to another level.

After successfully consultating with critical stakeholders across the state, Abdullahi decided to put in his declaration and by implication, intimate the people of the state about his plan, which is geared towards moving the state forward.

Presenting a blueprint for the governance of the state despite not being the Abdulahi, during hisn declaration in Ilorin, Kwara State candidate yet is believed to show that he is fully prepared to take the state to an all-new level of of his government would be youth-inclusiveness. growth that would go a long way in adding deserving “The greatest investment the government can make is values to the wellbeing of the people of Kwara. to make the youth productive. That’s why my number Besides, the attendance of the crème of PDP stalwarts one, two and three agenda is on youth development, in the state especially, members of Saraki’s political because if we do not solve the problem of the youth, we dynasty showed where the pendulum may ultimately cannot talk about development. The vast majority of our swing in the choice of PDP’s governorship candidate. population is young people, to harness their potential, we In attendance were the Secretary to the State Governmust provide them with quality education,” he said. ment (SSG), Alhaji Isiaka Gold; chairman of the PDP He stated that as a child of poor parents, who hawked Council of Elders in the state, Alhaji Kola Yusuf; former food in the streets of Ilorin, he knew what it was to be Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Dr. Nihinmota poor and suffer lack.

Akanbi; former commissioner for Health, Alhaja Ayinke “When we were young, my sister and I used to hawk Saka; Alhaji Saliu Agaka; former member of House of fufu on the streets of Ilorin. We were poor. I went to Representatives member, Hon. Yunusa Yahaya; seven Barakat Local Primary School at Oke Anifowoshe. The members of the state house of assembly; 10 serving local same school we attended cannot give quality education government council chairmen; former commissioners, today. All I want is for the children of the poor to have PDP leaders, youths, women and artisans alike. the same opportunity as I did and have the chance to A few of the PDP leaders, who spoke at the event, become someone of influence.” eulogised Abdullahi for being a good ambassador of the The governorship hopeful contended that the greatest state wherever he found himself. According to them, freedom the people of the state desire is improvement in he is a person that is forthright, loyal and trustworthy their quality of life and wellbeing. among others.

He contended that there was no doubt that the youths The leaders also added that he showed his loyalty remain a major factor in the socio-economic growth of to leader of the state and Senate President, Dr. Bukola any society hence all hands must be on deck to ensure its Saraki, when there was friction between Saraki and development and growth. former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014, because He explained that he took the issue of youth developaccording to them, he could have chosen to stay in office ment as a great challenge during all his previous political as minister, but he resigned instead and followed Saraki, positions, stressing that if the state must witness great who afterwards defected to APC. development and growth, the issue of youths developApart from this, they also cited his recent resignation ment must be on front burner. as National Publicity Secretary of the APC following “Even during my consultations across all the wards in the defection of Saraki to PDP, noting that, “With this my constituency in Ilorin West Local Government Council singular loyalty of Mallam Abdullahi to the leader and Area of Kwara State, all the people I have seen were other attributes of good virtues, he is deserving to be the young people between age 0 and 19 and without being next governor of Kwara State come 2019”. fully engaged. I have taken it upon myself that youth The programme was also witnessed by various development would be my main priority, because if we entertainers especially the artistes, who came in large start building schools, health institutions, construction numbers to add colour to the event. of roads, among others without tackling the problem In his declaration speech, Abdullahi said he was of youths development, it will be a serious challenge to inspired to join the race of his passion to provide move the state forward. purposeful and impactful leadership that would improve “Our youth demography can yield the expected the lots of the people, explaining that the central agenda dividends only when we are prepared to make the

required investments that would discover, tap and channel their massive potential productively. When our youths are fully developed and engaged, the propensity to develop our state in the areas of social amenities and other infrastructure would have meaning and this will help us to move the state into greater heights among other states of the federation.

“I want to tell you by the grace of God that if given a chance to lead our state come 2019, youths will be educated and their skills will be improved, thereby creating employment opportunities for them, because if we fail to do this, the youths will fight back and this will not help the state,” he said.

Abdullahi, therefore, pledged that his administration would provide qualitative education, health, agriculture, sport, local industries, mining and infrastructure among others to accelerate the economic growth of the state.

He advised those opposing the leadership of the Senate President in the state to have a rethink and support his (Saraki’s) ideas of leadership in order to move the state forward, noting that Saraki’s leadership had empowered the less-privileged in the state.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi Campaign Organisation, Mr. Abiodun Asonloko, described Abdullahi as the most prepared aspirants amongst the PDP gubernatorial hopefuls.

“Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi is the first gubernatorial aspirant that made his manifesto available even before he becomes the candidate of the Party. This is an indication of good things in the offing for Kwara State,” he said.

With the declaration of Abdulahi, otherwise referred to as Omoluabi, for the governorship of the state, the stage is now set for the contest within the PDP, which political pundits believe might swing in the way of Abdullahi in view of his contributions to the development of the state at all levels and at all times.

But clearly, one thing Abdulahi’s declaration has done is that it has successfully unsettled Kwara’s political firmament and made his opponents jittery. That is not to say, however, that the last has been heard as far as the jostle for the soul of Kwara is concerned.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

CICERO/ONTHEWATCH

The Senate in session

Senate as Ex-Governors’ Haven The Upper Chamber of the National Assembly is fast turning into a political retirement haven for former governors. At the last count, 16 former governors are senators, while many more are already angling to retire into the Senate in next year’s election, writes Deji Elumoye

T

he Red Chamber of the National Assembly is made up of 109 senators drawn from all the 36 states of the federation. Each state produces three senators, while the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has one.

Of this number, however, 16 are former governors representing their various senatorial districts. They include Adamu Aliero (Kebbi); Aliyu Wamako (Sokoto); Ahmed Yerima (Zamfara); Kabiru Gaya (Kano); Bukar Ibrahim (Yobe); Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa); George Akume (Benue) and Joshua Dariye (Plateau), who is currently serving a 14-year jail term in Jos prisons and has indicated interest in a reelection.

Others are the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki (Kwara); Danjuma Goje (Gombe); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Shaaba Lafiagi (Kwara); Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano); Theodore Orji (Abia); Sam Egwu (Ebonyi) and Jonah Jang.

Most of these ex-governors, because of the enormous powers they wielded as the chief executives of their states, manipulated their ways to the Senate after serving out the constitutional eight years.

Saraki was a two-time governor of Kwara State from 2003 to 2011 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and contested the Kwara Central Senatorial seat and won in 2011. He, along with some PDP heavyweights, defected in 2014 to the All Progressives Congress (APC), under which he sought re-election in 2015 and won.

He emerged as Senate President on June 9, 2015 against the wish of his party leadership and the Presidency and since then, there has been no love lost between the leadership of the National Assembly as represented by Saraki and the Presidency. Now, Saraki has thrown his hat in the ring for the nation’s number one position after returning to the PDP last month.

He is now busy traversing the whole country canvassing for support of party leaders and delegates ahead of the October 6 presidential primaries of the PDP in Port Har-

court, Rivers State capital. There are, however, indications that he may return to the Senate in 2019 if he fails to clinch the presidential ticket of the party as it was reported that a proxy had collected his PDP Senate nomination form.

Jang, the immediate-past governor of Plateau State and first-time senator, also has ambition like Saraki to become Nigeria’s President in 2019. He is one of the 12 presidential aspirants of the PDP that will slug it out during the October 6 primaries. It is unlikely that he will return to the Red Chambers in 2019.

Kwankwaso, a first-time senator and former two-time governor of Kano State, who along with 12 other APC senators defected to the PDP during Senate plenary on July 24, is also in the PDP Presidential race and may spring some surprises if his performance during the 2015 APC presidential primaries in Lagos, where he came second after Buhari is anything to go by.

At that convention, Kwankwaso beat Atiku Abubakar, a former vice-president to the third position. And because of his political strength in Kano, there are indications that if he fails to win the presidential primaries, the party might compensate Kwankwaso with a return ticket to the Senate.

Lafiagi, a former Governor of Kwara State during the ill-fated third republic from January, 1992 to November, 1993, may not seek re-election to the Senate in 2019 as his political godfather, Saraki, is said to have chosen the incumbent governor of the state, Abdulfatai Ahmed, as his replacement.

Egwu, who served as the governor of Ebonyi State from 1999 to 2007 and a first-time senator, has not hidden his readiness to return to the Senate in 2019 on the platform of the PDP. Same can be said of Goje, a ranking PDP senator, who was Gombe State Governor from 2003 to 2011; Theodore Orji, first-time PDP senator and former Governor of Abia State from 2007 to 2015; Bukar Ibrahim, APC ranking senator and three-time governor of Yobe State from 1992 to 1993 and 1999 to 2007 and Gaya, a ranking APC senator

and former governor of Kano State from 1992 to 1993.

Others are Aliero, APC ranking senator and ex-governor of Kebbi State from 1999 to 2017; Wamakko, APC senator and immediate-past governor of Sokoto State; Yerima, APC ranking senator and former Governor of Zamfara State; Adamu, ranking senator and former Governor of Nasarawa State from 1999 to 2017; Akume, ranking senator and former Governor of Benue State from 1999 to 2017; Dariye, jailed ranking APC senator and former Governor of Plateau State from 1999 to 2007, who was reported to have collected Senate nomination form for 2019 elections by proxy and Akpabio, first-time senator and immediate-past governor of Akwa Ibom State, who few weeks back left the PDP and pitched tent with APC and is itching to return to the Red Chambers in 2019.

Apart from these ex-governors turned senators, who are planning to return in 2019, there are some serving governors, who have made public their intention to move to the Senate after their tenure in May, 2019.

They include Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, who was a senator before becoming governor; his Oyo State counterpart, Abiola Ajumobi; Abdulfatai Ahmed of Kwara State; Rochas Okorocha of Imo state; Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State; Ibrahim Shettima of Borno State; Abdul-Aziz Yari of Zamfara State and Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State.

All the aforementioned senators and governors have another hurdle to scale as they are to slug it out with other aspirants in their parties’ primaries to be conducted later this month to determine those that will fly the Senatorial flags during the February, 2019 general election.

One thing though, is the influx of former governors into the Senate affecting or improving the quality of debate as well as the overall performance of this all-important upper chamber of the National Assembly? This is one question that the voters must have, ultimately, at the back of their minds as they would file out to elect their choice candidates in next year’s election.

NOTES FOR FILE

Clark and Police’s Worthy Example

Police IG, Ibrahim Idris

In a move that could help to redeem the image of the Nigeria police, the inspectorgeneral of the force, Ibrahim Idris, recently approved the dismissal of three of the four police officers, who invaded the Abuja residence of Chief Edwin Clark, an Ijaw national leader, and yet found nothing incriminating.

The officers were identified as David Dominic, an assistant superintendent of police, Godwin Musa, Sada Abubakar and Yabo Paul, all inspectors of police. Although the police had further apologised to the Ijaw leader

while revealing the identities of the officers behind what Idris described as embarrassing, indeed, it was a commendable step by the police with clear message.

With this being the latest, it is trite to note that the police might have set some noteworthy examples in recent time, in moves that showed commitment to mending its old and unpleasant ways. This too is commendable and would serve as deterrence to other officers with such obnoxious tendencies.

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CICERO/FOCUS

EFCC, Alpha Beta and the Snake in the Monkey’s Shadow In the aftermath of Alpha Beta Consulting Ltd’s erstwhile Managing Director, Dapo Apara’s blowing the whistle on the firm, many think the stage is now set and not a few Nigerians are watching if – not when – the Magu-led EFCC will take the bull by the horns and unravel the N100 billion fraud allegedly committed by Alpha Beta in connivance with the Lagos State government, reports Bayo Akinloye

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he slight figure lounged in the couch positioned at a corner of the expansive living room. Intermittently, he used his left fingers to scratch his bald head. Then, he beckoned other individuals in the room – about ten – to his side. He pointed at something on the screen of his IPad, as they huddled looking at it they all burst into a rapture of laughter. The excitement was momentary. A tall, slightly built figure briskly walked in – dressed in suit with a pair of glasses perfectly placed on the bridge of his nose. He was bald-headed too with a sombre looks to match.

“His Excellency, sir!” they all chorused – everyone in the room except the man who lounged in the couch. He looked up momentarily to acknowledge his presence, gesturing with his hand, he urged him to sit down. With a slightly hunched back, the man leaned forward pushed a piece of paper towards the newcomer.

Without further information or any hesitation, he appended his signature after a cursory look at its content. Immediately, there was a round of applause. The man in the couch flashed a smile.

Outside, the sirens blared like some implacable bleating goats.

“He thinks and acts as if he owns Lagos!” as if cursing under his breath, the one addressed as ‘His Excellency’ said in subdued anguish.

The man lounging in the couch described as a political juggernaut the ruling All progressives Congress has (always) been linked with the tax-collecting firm, Alpha Beta Consulting that is currently enmeshed in multibillion-money laundering and tax evasion scandal as exposed by its estranged Managing Director and Chief Executive Office, Dapo Apara – now a whistle-blower.

Apara had some months ago petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N100 billion fraud, tax evasion and money laundering by Alpha Beta – a management, information systems and technology consultancy said to be collecting revenues for some state governments, particularly Lagos State. But if that petition tickled the fancy of the anti-graft agency, many believe it has turned a blind eye towards alleged monumental fraud being perpetrated by an agency working in cahoots with Lagos State government and the alpha Magu, EFCC Chairman figure described at the outset.

Not a few are miffed at the sluggishness with which the EFCC If it wants to, some political observers have noted, the EFCC can is reacting to the petition. The agency’s reactions, public analysts and be “a lean, mean fighting machine” with ruthless efficiency and commentators have said bordered on the sublime to the ridiculous. spirited speed to swoop on anybody. They illustrated this with the First, when Apara’s petition went viral, it said it had not received it. speed with which the agency froze the accounts of Rivers, Benue and After some public opprobrium, the commission announced that it Akwa Ibom states on mere allegations of financial frauds as regards was evaluating the petition – not a few found that curious in view state funds. George is wondering why the EFCC has not frozen the of what many said was a grave, earth-shaking allegations against account of Alpha Beta.

Alpha Beta and Lagos State government.

It is the same angst expressed by a former spokesman for the Not a few Nigerians have wondered what the EFCC has been ruling APC, Timi Frank. doing in unravelling the well-documented scandals brought to their “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission does attention by the former helmsman of Alpha beta – not that they have not deem it fit to commence investigation into the activities of the implicit trust in the agency. At least, they feel they have the inaliencompany (Alpha Beta) simply because an APC chieftain would be able right to hope that the EFCC boss and his lieutenants will swoop put in the eye of the storm,” Frank said with disdain. into action and resolve the Alpha Beta riddle that the public have The estranged APC spokesman further echoed the frustration solved in their hearts. However, it can only take the agency to give an of many with the EFCC: “The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom official stamp to solving the scandalous N100 billion-riddle.

Wike, has severally petitioned the EFCC with a call on the anti-graft A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bode George is one body to investigate corruption allegations against the immediate of those hoping. past Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of “Those who called others thieves were the biggest criminals of Transportation under the Buhari’s administration, yet apart from all time. The chickens have come home to roost. How can someone acknowledging that it indeed received the said petitions, the EFCC be raping a state so mercilessly since 1999 and he is still doing it?” has since turned a blind eye to the allegations.”

George asked. “His time is coming to an end. I hope the EFCC will EFCC is generally considered as an anti-graft watchdog that have the nerve to unravel it. It will be the biggest scandal that Nigeria neither barks nor bites its backers – the President and his allies. If it has ever seen. It is mind-boggling and heart-breaking. How can barks at all, critics claim it does so reluctantly in a monosyllabic moan anyone come from Osun (State) and be raping Lagos like this? The as depicted in its response to Apara, former Alpha Beta’s petition. authorities must get to the end of this.”

On the other hand, they say EFCC can be a ferocious beast when Does the EFCC, an anti-corruption agency sometimes accused unleashed on a premeditated mission against the government of the of corruption and witch-hunting, need a moment of redempday’s enemies – whether political, social or economic foes. tion? George believed now is the time for it to prove beyond any A month ago, no sooner had the hitherto embattled Governor reasonable doubts that it is not the lapdog of its paymaster – the of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, defected from the APC to the PDP government at the centre. than the EFCC swooped on his government’s coffers freezing the “All of them who had shared of the rot must be exposed. It will state’s bank accounts with claims that the commission had linked the redeem the credibility of the EFCC. But first, they must shut the place governor to an alleged N22 billion fraud. According to the corruption down and a law enacted that no one must collect revenue on behalf watchdog, between June 30, 2015 and March 2018, Ortom ordered of the state again and everyone involved must be exposed,” George the withdrawal of N21.3 billion from four government’s accounts in suggested.

Guaranty Trust Bank, First Bank of Nigeria and the United Bank for Apara’s petition read in part: “Over the years the company has Africa. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Terver Akase, did been protected and shielded by some powerful politicians and not mince words when he described the EFCC’s action as a noseypeople in the society which made them to always boast of being parker approach, saying: “It is part of the political witch-hunt against untouchable, but our client, feeling the need not to keep quiet again Governor Ortom. The question we are asking is: why did EFCC not and strengthened by his belief in the fact that the government of investigate the governor’s security votes when he was still a member President Muhammadu Buhari is keen on fighting corruption, of APC? Why start the investigation now?” which has been the bane of our country, is of the firm belief that The EFCC was similarly swift in freezing the bank account of it’s time to expose and open the can of worms called Alpha Beta Akwa Ibom State.

Consulting.”

Standing up for his colleagues, the Chairman of the Nigerian Thus, in a series of tweets, Apara had called on the EFCC to Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Zamfara State, Abcarry out an investigation, saying: “The EFCC investigation should dulaziz Yari, slammed the EFCC for its gangster, unconstitutional be simple and straight forward. Not rocket science. Alpha Beta has approach. “The freezing of any account of the state government been IGR consultants to the Lagos State Government since 2002, whether Benue or anywhere is unconstitutional and is not right,” earning about 10 per cent and has generated IGR of about N1.5tn Yari had stated. (yes trillion), excluding FAAC and loans.”

In the past, the EFCC was seen as a vicious tool in the hands

of the PDP. Today, many groups and individuals see it as a vengeful weapon in the iron-clad hands of the APC. Meanwhile, a pressure group, Benue Liberation Front (BLF) has called on the EFCC to stop its alleged persecution of the Governor Ortom following his defection from the ruling APC to the PDP. The Coordinator of Benue Liberation Front (BLF), Yunum Tyosor, last August had harsh words for the Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu: “The EFCC has lately conducted itself in a very low esteem that makes mockery of its anti-corruption fight and indeed cannot absolve itself from the several corruption allegations that have dogged it under Mr. Ibrahim Magu, whom a DSS report has indicted as not fit for the coveted office he occupies, which is why the Senate has declined to confirm his nomination as the EFCC chairman.”

Tyosor, thus, added: “We join other well-meaning Nigerians to condemn in strong terms this attack dog role of the EFCC as it offends our democracy and global best practice. Magu has also clearly taken sides, compromised his office in the discharge of his duty, which is against the oath he took, except of course, he is taking orders from the Presidency to torment Ortom for daring to defect from APC.” To admirers of the anti-corruption agency, it is hard to imagine that the EFCC will be chasing some shadows in the case of Alpha Beta. Yet, a review of the history of the revenue-collecting company and EFCC’s involvement may signpost what may become of Apara’s petition and the continued stranglehold Alpha Beta and its grandmaster have over Lagos State.

In 2012, peeved by the opacity involved in the contract signed between Lagos State government and Alpha Beta, one Dr. Adegbola Dominic (of Santa Maria Hospital, Igando, Lagos), wrote to Lagos State Ministry of Finance; the Board of Lagos State Internal Revenue Service; the Office of the State Auditor-General; the Special Adviser, Taxation and Revenue Office of the Governor); and the Attorney General of Lagos State requesting to “know how the taxes, revenue, finances of the state accrue, are managed, disbursed” etc., in Lagos State.

In a response dated November 5, 2012, Olanrewaju Akinsola, then-Special Senior Assistant to the Governor (Justice Sector Reforms) in the Office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, declined to release the information arguing that the FOI invoked by Dominic was a federal legislation not binding on the states. Yet, in December 2017, a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja ruled in an unrelated case that the FOI Act is applicable to the Lagos State and does not require domestication to have an effect. The state government had in 1999 entered into a contractual agreement with Alpha Beta mandating it to collect on behalf of the government all the taxes and Internally Generated Revenue which have accrued and been paid to the state. In that contract, the company is entitled to be paid 15 per cent commission.

Ahead of the 2015 elections, then-governorship candidate of the PDP, Jimi Agbaje, had criticised the role played by Alpha Beta in revenue collection in Lagos.

“We can’t have consultants forever. A model is needed that even when we use consultants, they transfer skills and leave,” Agbaje had reportedly pointed out.

Befuddled by Alpha Beta’s contentious link to state’s fortunes, a public commentator said: “What is the role of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service if its statutory function has been ceded to Alpha Beta? One might have justified the need for a tax consultant in 1999 when civilians took over the government from the military, to put in place an efficient tax administration system. A three-year contract would suffice. As it is today, Alpha Beta is merely a rent collector. It is amazing that such a blatant rape of the state’s resources is being done with the support of the legislature.

“How can anyone rationalise the bare-faced corruption manifest in paying out tax revenues to an agent connected to a former governor of the state? I am in no doubt that, some day, relevant officials of the Lagos State government would be called to account for the monies now being gleefully received by Alpha Beta. It’s only a matter of time.

Currently, on the website of Alpha Beta are the names of these characters: Doherty Akin, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer; Bode Oluyemi, Deputy Managing Director; Folashade Moronkeji, Head, Administration and Corporate Services; Akinsola Folarin, Deputy Head, Administration and Corporate Services; Mufutau Kayode, Ottun, Head, Revenue Monitoring and Enumeration; Afolabi Aremu, Head of Account; Esonu Kingsley, Head of Operation, E-Revenue Gateway; Lanre, Bamikole, Head, Transaction Monitoring and Research; Opeyemi Ogunbo, Head, Offshore Business (OB); and Lazarus Attagai, Head, Billings and New Projects (BNP), among others.

In September 2006, then-Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State, Doherty, was quizzed by the EFCC in connection with an investigation into financial dealings involving Alpha Beta – today, that man sits atop the billion-naira firm. According to political watchers, the stage is set and not a few Nigerians are watching if – not when – the Magu-led EFCC will take the bull by the horns and unravel the alleged decades-old billion-naira fraud going on in Lagos State in connivance with Alpha Beta.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

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SUNDAYINTERVIEW Ireti Kingibe

With Four More Years, Buhari Will Meet People’s Expectations Born of a Muslim father, who is half Yoruba and half Fulani, and a Christian mother, with links to Delta and Bonny in Rivers State, Hajia Ireti Kingibe, sees herself as a quintessential Nigerian. This is because she has carved niche in the political arena. Determined to represent her people of the Federal Capital Territory in the senate in next year’s election, Kingibe is confident of getting the people’s votes. In this interview with Olawale Olaleye and Olaseni Durojaiye, she gives reasons the All Progressives Congress ticket is hers to lose and also that the general election is going to be an easy run for her. Excerpts:

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ometime in July, you signified your intention to represent the Federal Capital Territory in the senate on the platform of APC. But between then and now, so much has happened. Do you still feel you stand a chance of winning your party’s ticket and the general election?

I still think I stand a very good chance for the simple reason that I have been in FCT politics actively since 2003. At no point did I leave the politics. Secondly, because I believe that politics is about service to the people and it’s a journey not a destination, so, despite that I didn’t get to go to the Senate at the time, I still showed interest in the welfare of the FCT and its people.

Whatever I see isn’t right, I book appointment for a meeting with whoever the Minister is at the time or the head of the relevant agencies in charge; and if it is about quota of things that I feel should come to the FCT, I also do my bit to ensure that they get it.

Besides, I have always interacted with our Chiefs and also been interacting with our people. I have been accessible to everybody since 2003 till now. I feel I have a strong chance, because in spite that I have not been to the Senate, I still demonstrate commitment

and passion to the cause of the people more than some people have even done. I also feel the people are more discerning now than in the past.

Thirdly, all the people that are in the race with me have been to the National Assembly at one time or the other; some to the House of Representatives, while others have been to the Senate, and throughout my campaign, one of the things that the people kept saying was that they’re tired of constantly recycling the same old people. The feedback was those ones that have been there before now have all tried their bits and that its time to try out fresh people in those positions.

Also, thirdly, FCT will be conducting indirect primaries, through delegates. These delegates are people that we’ve been together right from inception, they know me and I know them. I have been accessible to them all through the years, so, it is very unlikely that they would follow people that they feel are opportunistic, people that they feel have abandoned them over the years and then a month to the party primaries joined the party and say here I am elect me.

The other point, which I came across during the campaigns is that people come with this attitude that, ‘I’ve come with money; I

have so and so billions of naira to spend on the election.’ Again, the people were like, ‘okay, bring the money, but when I needed N19, 999, where were you? I couldn’t reach you; your doors were all locked.’

Those were some of the feedbacks that we got because I am always in and out of everywhere. People now realise that the responsibility of realising good governance starts with electing good leaders, which is their responsibility as well. They collect the money from everybody that brings money, even if it is me, but at the end of the day, they would vote for one person – one person that they feel will represent their interest for the next four years.

Some of your opponents in the race include the incumbent and one time senator, Khairat Gwadabe, are you in any way concerned that these persons might be standing prominently in your way to the Senate?

I do not consider Senator Khairat Gwadabe as standing in my way. She joined APC last month, August, and we are going into the

Continued on Pg. 76

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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 16, 2018

SUNDAY INTERVIEW t ‘Candidates Are Critical to Parties’ Victories’ t Continued from Pg. 75 primaries in a couple of weeks’ time. Yes, she was in the Senate 16 years ago and in my opinion, she was an excellent senator but that was 16 years ago and after that, she closed her doors to the people.

Some people even felt she had retired from politics.

Maybe if she had joined the party six months ago, but one month to the elections? It is unlikely she will be standing in my way. So, my focus for getting the ticket is not Senator Khairat Gwadabe. I am running against Senator Isa Maina, Mr. Aboki Jawa, Honourable Tanko Abari; people who have been in the APC for some time.

One of them just came into the party, he wanted to run initially but, I don’t know if he was afraid to run again, because he doesn’t have the APC structure in place. So, if he feels that having joined the party one year ago, one year is not enough to put in place the structures he needed to run, it is very unlikely that someone, who joined us one month to the primaries will stand a chance of picking the party ticket.

So, those four or five men that we have all been running around and campaigning for the people of FCT in the past three years are the people that I am running against not Senator Khairat Gwadabe.

What about the general election – Senator Philip Aduda?

Talking about the general election, I am sorry but Senator Aduda has been in the Senate for eight inconsequential years and everybody in Abuja wants a change. It is that simple. He has done his bit, he’s given everything that he could give to the people, and it is now time for fresh ideas and fresh people.

What are the factors that you reckon could stand in your way?

Well, I worry that some of the candidates have been boasting that they have N1 billion to spend and things like that, but at the end of the day, the choice rests with the people. If they decided that Hajia Ireti was the one they wanted to represent them, then, it’s fine by me but if they decided that it was one of the recycled people, that is okay by me. It is their choice.

Another factor that gives me the optimism is that in the past, whenever I ran, even when I ran against Senator Maina, we did that election for close to a year. Many people in the FCT will tell you that in spite of the availability of government resources to him and the usual way of winning elections, the margin between us was really small even with my shoe string budget. Still, the Court of Appeal ruled that the PDP did not win and we were at it till I was exhausted.

Subsequently, even when I was in the PDP, I was always the person next to the government candidate, when the government of the time spent resources, money, time, coercion and everything to ensure that they get the government candidate to win the primaries.

Now there is no government candidate, the people are allowed to go and pick the candidate of their choice and that gives me the optimism that, if all this had happened while I’d been able to battle the government candidate let alone now, and the government candidate did come with a lot of money, the government also gave them all the necessary support, but now the individuals cannot have such money or have more money than the government.

Four years ago, you pulled out of the senate race and even left the PDP on account of certain happenings that you found resentful. Don’t you see any of those things playing out in APC? Definitely not! One of the reasons I pulled out of the race was that when we went to the House of Representatives primaries, in spite of the orders and coercion to vote for the government candidate, the people didn’t vote for the government candidate, at least in Abuja South, which has four local governments. Then the Returning officers that were sent didn’t want to announce the authentic results as they were. But Maina led thugs to the place. It was only out of fear that they had to announce the results.

Afterwards there was a meeting where the minister of FCT at the time threatened the people he had the meeting with, which of course didn’t include me, that if the delegates didn’t refuse to do as instructed to vote certain candidates and went ahead to do the way they did in Abuja South, that they should beat me up and injure me, and that if that was done, he wanted to see how I would be able to go for the general election.

Some of the people that attended the meeting came and told me that ‘Madam this is what transpired at the meeting that was called and you don’t have any thugs.’ The point is if within the party they were willing to go to such length just to have their government candidate, so, I gave it some thought and I was annoyed, because at no point did the PDP demonstrate any form of fairness or internal democracy within the party.

I then had a meeting with my supporters, we discussed it and truly, I don’t have any thugs, I never had any and I never felt I needed to have one. I believe in the politics of the people and that if you must deploy so much fire power, what’s the point?

So, I withdrew from the race and decided to leave the party to join the APC even though they sent one or two people to me, that I should not be annoyed and that the APC would not win. But I told them it doesn’t matter whether they win or not, even when the PDP won it never had any impact on me.

I have never held any position. I never got a grain of rice, so it doesn’t make any difference to me. I told them I would rather belong to a platform, where I can speak my mind, where there is some measure of fairness and to a large extent, there is that in the APC. At least, in the FCT, we sit and discuss everything and agree on everything even if we don’t vote on it. So, there is a measure of fairness that I require in the APC. That question was asked against the backdrop of the way one of your co-contestants has been sounding and that is Senator Gwadabe. She sounded very confident as if it’s a

sealed deal.

The only way Senator Gwadabe can clinch the ticket is if we don’t have primaries but if we did, I don’t see how she could win the primaries. I called her when I learnt that she was calling people in my name. People were calling me to ask if I did call a meeting for Senator Khairat’s house and I said to them no but if it was Senator Khairat, she is a friend of mine and she has always been my supporter, so go ahead and attend the meeting.

When they returned they told me she supported me and I asked them what did she say and they said she said they should support a capable woman. Now, she is coming from 16 years ago, when imposition of candidates was what obtained, she does not understand that the dynamics of politics has changed and that the people are no longer amenable to be imposed on. FCT is a mini Nigeria; it is a composition of many different tribes. I will say 75 per cent of the voters are educated.

Did you really mean 75?

Well, a lot of them. May be 75 is a bit on the high side, but 75 per cent of the voters are in Abuja Municipal Council and Bwari is where the 75 per cent of the voters are. That is, the metropolis.

People who live there are those that work in the private sector – the parastatals – so a majority of them are somewhat educated. Abuja also has different tribes; there is the Bwari, Gwanda, Ganagana, Bassa, Igbira, Tiv, Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa. That is what Abuja is.

One of the things that made me popular in Abuja is that I am part Asaba, part Rivers, part Hausa and part Yoruba. I speak Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba languages fluently and I campaign in those languages. My father is Muslim, my mother is Christian. So, I sort of represent everybody. When I am speaking with Igbo people, they say you are ours, when I go to the Hausa people, I am theirs and when I go to the Yoruba people too I am theirs!

Senator Khairat is coming from the days, when candidates were picked, maybe in a room. You just announce the candidates and to hell with what the people think. When she told me she wanted to run, I told her please do, you have the right to do so, but I will not withdraw from the race for you. The FCT has decided on indirect primaries, the delegates are slightly over 2000, voting will be done right in front of us, local government by local government.

If she is one of the persons amongst us, who have been dropping names, that’s good for her, but the party is also resentful of people, who just come in from outside and think they can just inherit it. So, I don’t see that happening. She is free to have her optimism just like I have mine.

In one of the crucial meetings that the National Chairman of your party held with the National Assembly caucus of your party, he harped on experience and lamented the high turnover of National Assembly member. He even referenced the recently deceased and revered American Senator John McCain. Given that you are running against an experienced Senator in Maina, more so that you don’t consider Senator Gwadabe a formidable force in the race, do you still share this optimism of clinching the APC ticket?

He did say that, but you also have to understand that in picking the party’s candidate the people in the constituency also have a say. When you have ruled, led or represented us in the past, we the people can judge what kind of a leader you are. I know, from being in the FCT, that if Senator Maina had been such an excellent

representative of the people he wouldn’t have come fifth in the primaries that held while he was an incumbent. At the end of the day, the people do have a say.

The party is also being extremely fair. I have worked very hard for the party, so has Senator Isa Maina. Generally, the leadership of the party in FCT has the attitude that let the people decide. In truth, the people that I am worried about are the people that I have been running neck-and-neck with for some years not Senator Khairat Gwadabe.

Nobody knows her in the party. She came for my declaration and gave the vote of thanks and urged the people to support me.

A lot of them asked me: who is she? Remember, if you gave birth to a child 16 years ago, it is like we had great Senators in the first republic. They were fantastic. We are not allowed to call them now even if we did, people would ask us who is he.

Then you will explain that he was a Senator in the first republic and he was great. Senator Khairat has done her bit and people are tired of recycling. At the end of the day, what really counts is the commitment to the people, credibility and capacity – all of which I have exhibited over a long time. I am experienced as a person, I am an engineer, and so let the people of FCT decide.

Why do you want to run?

Many things are not right with the FCT. The constitution says we should be treated like a state, but we are not treated like one. Part of the problems is that FCT is unique, we don’t have a governor, and the Senator representing the FCT is the highest person that is elected.

We don’t have a quota. Many of the Senators that had represented us have not really paid attention to some of the things that are supposed to give us an advantage or benefit us in terms of health, education and employment. Quotas in education are not in place.

Like I tell our people, we complain that we don’t have this, we don’t have that, but nobody will do it for us. We have to put those things in place. The Senate Committee on FCT runs the FCT along with the Minister of the FCT, now there are a lot of things that the Senate can work with the Minister to do for the people of the FCT. Like in youth empowerment, FCT has a huge potential for agriculture; we have wide expanse of fertile lands, which are not being maximally harnessed.

Again, a lot of things in the FCT, like the commissionership, let’s say a commissioner’s seat is zoned to the South East, I think it is not fair on the people of South East origin living and working in Abuja to actually go to the South East, when you have a resident who is a politician or whatever, who is from that zone. That way the person knows the terrain, knows the people and that way, the person is more efficient. Most of the things that are happening to the FCT are because our representatives, especially the Senator has not really sat back to ponder the narratives and come up with the right solutions to how things should be done so that the residents of the FCT can reap the benefits. If I bring you into FCT as a commissioner, you don’t know one Area Council from the rest, you don’t know our weaknesses, our strengths or our needs; so I am saying all these things must change.

Two, in the last 20 years, we have recycled the same people, we have no successors. Give us another 10 years, in all the parties, be it APC, PDP or what have you, it is the same us, everybody knows everybody – you cannot say this is the person who will run for the Senate or House of Representatives, because we have not empowered anybody to take over from us. That is another reason I want to

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SUNDAY INTERVIEW t ‘Candidates Are Critical to Parties’ Victories’ t Continued from Pg. 76

run. I believe we should groom successors and empower them.

In a family, if the father is a great man and all the children are useless, then I think the father is a foolish father for not preparing anybody to take over from him. FCT needs to start empowering the younger generations, and when I say empowering, I mean in so many ways – politically and economically – to take over from us.

Third is that I also think women make more committed and more compassionate leaders. With all due apologies to men, when a man is very great he doesn’t want a greater man to come after him, so he blocks it; but no matter how great you are, the mother still doesn’t care, you are still her son. I would like to see a lot of young men who are empowered, who have capacity. I want to do all of that when I go to the Senate.

I will also work on the Mayoral Bill. FCT needs a mayor; FCT needs a lot of thing that somebody like me who has been there in the FCT through all its evolutions can see and know. FCT doesn’t have university admission quota. We have a Federal Polytechnic in Abaji that has been built, what is left for it to start functioning is just a little, so, I know the problems and the issues of the FCT. In the past, people of the FCT think the city should just be about the indigenes. From going around, I also know that that narrative has changed; the people just want good representation; they don’t care what tribe the person is.

The Legislature is one very important institution in a democracy and the growth of the institution lies with experience. For example, it is believed that the longer a senator is in the Senate, the more experience he or she becomes. Here you are preaching succession, how do you think your argument supports the growth of that institution?

I also believe that the youngest among all of us that is running now should be in his late 50s or early 60, yes, there is a lot to be said for wisdom and I also believe that there is something to be said of a population that 60 per cent of the people are below 30 years of age.

We need to really grow that population. After all, in the past, we had Heads of states who were in their 30s and they were not bad leaders.

I am not saying everything should be about young people, yes experience thus count. It’s just about getting them into the Legislature. If you go round the villages, you will realise that there are a lot of empowerment programmes that can be done working with the Minister of the FCT, because a lot of this programmes can only be unlocked by the state.

A lot of these young people can also be empowered to go into local government administration. We have local government elections as well. We’ve had Council Chairmen in the past who could barely speak English, chairmen of a council like the Abuja Municipal Area Council, so there is a lot to be done. I am not necessarily advocating that we should be changing Senators in the National Assembly every now and then.

But if you took any of us who is running, even if you took me, by the time we’ve done two terms we would have turned to one of those who are constantly sleeping in the chambers. But if you begin to groom a credible, committed young man, who is like 45 or 48 to take over from me, he can probably do three terms. It not just about getting there, you must have the desire to promote your people if not, he will not be successful; the people will not feel his impact. It will be a case of he’s just there because he’s been there before.

I am saying that if you took a young man who is 45, he could probably do three terms and still have the energy to go at it, not the way a 75 year old man will do. If you continue, so, what then do you expect to do with the youth population that you are not empowering? There are 62 of them and this time around, we are going to local government elections. They need to be empowered; there are people in the villages that have capacity but lack the resource.

Again, a lot of the people can be empowered through some of the Agricultural programmes. If people are gainfully empowered, they wouldn’t want to be thugs; they don’t have the time. It has been established that the weed that grows in Abaji is exactly the kind that we import. Why don’t we have hectares and hectares of weed farms in Abaji? We don’t have it because it’s not been anybody’s focus.

I am not saying that is going to be my job when I get to the Senate but if the Senator representing the FCT takes that up with the minister, because everything comes through the minister, if the

Senator sits with the minister and discusses this with him in a well thought-through manner, I doubt that the minister would say no to the initiative. He will support the initiative especially, when the Senator is ready to do some of the leg work through the CBN and other relevant agencies.

So, really, it is about what you expect to do for your people, not just sitting there 3 days a week, six months a year, collect your allowances and then say nay and Aye and leave. There are constituency projects. How many have we seen in the FCT? Hardly any meaningful constituency projects! I saw a plastic water tanks with Senator Aduda’s name on it, probably that is his own idea of constituency project.

How would you assess the APC government in the last three and a half years?

In truth, the government has achieved a lot in Agriculture. I am sure everybody will agree with that. The government has reduced our importation bill. We have done a lot, though some people will say not as much as we could have done. I am not saying that there is no room for improvements; there is.

Then again, there is a limit to what we could have done in four years. Given four more years, we will certainly meet the expectations of the people. I’m not saying we couldn’t have done better but we didn’t because we met a country in disarray. We could do better in terms of Rule of Law and obeying court orders. We could have done better but we also have a lot. We may not have been advertising our achievements as much as we could have.

Do you share the views of some persons that this government doesn’t have sufficient capacity?

That is their opinion.

Those who gauge public opinion and feel the pulse of Nigerians hold the views that Nigerians, especially the youths are disappointed with the performance of the administration.

Do you see that disenchantment playing out against your party in the next elections?

My opinion is that come 2019 general election, yes the parties are important but the candidates also matter even more. It is like saying anybody could have led APC to victory in 2015, because it is APC, no.

One of the reasons why we won was because a lot of people came out to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari, same way when I get the APC senatorial ticket for FCT, which I expect to get. The people have to decide between Hajia Ireti Kingibe and Senator Aduda. That is the choice they have and I can assure you that the people, especially the youths of the FCT will not vote for Senator Aduda again given the choice. So, that’s why I think now, yes, parties are popular in certain places, yet, the candidates that the parties field in the election are critical to the party winning.

You are of a Muslim father, who is both Yoruba and Fulani and a Christian mother, who is Delta Igbo and from Bonny in Rivers State, how is this an advantage to you?

When I was a lot younger, I felt a little bit irritated. Whenever I was taken to my father’s mother, whilst my parents always spoke English language to each other, she didn’t understand. So, I had to speak Hausa language to her as a six-year-old little girl and I had to spend months with her but as I got older, I then realised that it was an advantage in Nigeria. Maybe I got to checkpoint and I look at officer and when I realised the officer is a Yoruba, I start speaking Yoruba language to the person and he sees me as his tribe and allows us off.

When I get to another place and I realised that the officer in charge is Igbo and I speak the Igbo language to him and he also sees me the same way the Yoruba officer sees me and allows us go on our journey. So, as I got older, I didn’t resent it because it puts me at an advantage everywhere. I remember when we first moved to Abuja, there were no telephones, people were very difficult to get.

Then I went to the territorial controller and he was like, ‘Madam, you can fill the forms, there are no telephone lines now’. I sat down and as I was filling the forms, one man came to me and said, ‘oh Madam, you’re Ireti Kingibe’ and I said yes, then he said ‘I read about you’, then, another man said to me, ‘I have read about you,’ then the Territorial Controller now said to me, ‘Did you say your name was Ireti,’ and I said to him I didn’t say that but it is. He then said, ‘Why didn’t you tell me that you’re my sister?’ Instantly, two

telephone lines came out, because he immediately identified with me as his sister.

Unfortunately, those are some of the problems that Nigeria has, which we need to work on. In truth, we need to have left the stage of State of Origin, what should matter is where you live. As Nigerians, one should be able to go and live in Bayelsa State if he feels like. As Nigerians, what should matter is the place here you live in, the place where you contribute to its development, where you pay taxes to, the place that affects you. One man said to me the other day that he would rather the transformer does not work in his father’s village than for it not to work where he lives in Abuja.

There is so much that needs to be done in uniting us and somebody like me understands it. There was an election that was filled with hate speeches on the Social Media, some were saying kill Muslims, others were saying kill Christians and one of my younger sisters said to me, ‘So what about us? I said to her, sorry they don’t know about people like us. People like us are not in the equation. I have first cousins, who are pastors. I understand that religion should not divide us. I understand that there are good people and there are bad people in all religions.

Another thing that has worked for me is that a lot of people in the FCT can relate to me, even the indigenous ones. Some of them call me honorary indigene, because of how long I have lived in Abuja and how I have been affecting their lives and championing their cause. At the end of the day, leaders that are not accessible to the people are of no use.We should be able to identify with the people.

The other time that we had tremor and houses were vibrating, we should be able to go somewhere and complain about it, then reach out to our people to reassure them about what is happening.

If you cannot do that, how can you reassure me that you care about me; and that is what most people in Abuja are saying about me? They tell others that Hajia Ireti cares about the FCT; she cares about people living in the FCT. By the time I am done with this interview, there would have been a whole lot of dead calls, missed calls and I will return them all regardless of who is calling, whether I have the numbers stored or not. That is me for you.

I know it’s not easy but if you are not ready to do that then go into your sitting rooms and close the door, because leadership requires that you have to be accessible to the people you lead.

Sometimes, I give the phone to my aides and tell them write down the numbers of everybody that has called me and in my leisure time I call them.

As the nation approaches the 2019 general election, what are your concerns about your co-contestants?

In spite of my confidence, sometimes I get nervous. We all do as the primaries get closer, even for the general election, where I do with certainty that the FCT wants a change. My concerns are that people are generally disillusioned with all of us; they are disillusioned with the PDP, they are disillusioned with the APC, and we need to work harder as a party to meet the expectations of the people.

I am hoping that the people will give us a second chance to build on what we have built already. I also hope that they are discerning enough, as I tell them when I campaign, that you complain and complain, but you must also take responsibility for the leaders that you have produced. They didn’t just happen, you elected them.

If you are not happy with them, then some of the faults are yours.

So, I am hoping that through the primary process, not just in my party but across all the parties, because when you elect whether a House of Representatives member, senator or governor, the person belongs to all of us irrespective of your party affiliation; that they go out and elect the best candidates. I tell them to show interest in who runs the affairs of even the local government down to the councillors.

I let them know that they have to be actively involved, just going to vote on the day of the election day but to know who and who is running, and who is a better candidate; to show interest in who will better represent their interest, and sometimes too, if it is just by campaigning for that person on your street, then, you have done your bit. So, Nigerians must collectively show interest in how they are governed.

What do you consider your biggest political capital going into the contest? Is it your marital name?

My marital name has not featured much in my campaigns and that is why if you saw my posters, it is not very bold. Hajia Ireti is what is bold and significant and that is because that is what everybody calls and know me as in the FCT. My biggest political asset going into the contest is my consistency, my passion for good governance and for the people and also, my work for the people in the last 16 years.

Another is the attitude of the people of the FCT to me. I have recordings of some of the places that we have been to and the things they say about me. Many of them would say Hajia Ireti is capable.

When we have a problem, we go to her and she resolves it; when there is a problem she helps us to fight it out. If she has been doing all of that for us when she is not even our representative, can you imagine what and how much more she would do for us when she becomes our representative at the Senate? Those, I think, are the greatest assets going into the election.

Hearing all of that is part of what has been giving me the confidence that okay the other people have been there before but in between they are not available to the people while I have always been there for them. And that is because if I heard of any programme going on that the FCT can benefit from, I intervene.

Like some of the programmes going on in the Agriculture sector, when I heard of it, I found out who the consultant was and engaged with the consultants so that in the first pilot, the FCT is included.

Their attitude to me is that, we know you are not the richest person around, but any time we have a problem, we know that the moment we are able to get to you, you will find a way to solve it for us. But the other people we don’t see; it is you that we always see.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

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CICERO/INTERVIEW

SDP Will Restore Osun’s Lost Glory, free the People from Economic Bondage, Says Omisore Senator Iyiola Omisore, a former deputy governor in Osun State, former Chairman Senate Committee on appropriation is the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the September 22 governorship election in Osun State. He speaks with select journalists on his ‘Restoration Agenda’ for his state, why he is advocating freedom for the people and a shift of power from the incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC) government to SDP; the good chances of his party in the election. Excerpts:

Y

our party, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) earlier before now, released your manifestos called the ‘SDP Agenda for Restoration in Osun State,’ with a focus on five thematic pillars, first of which is economic management and accountability.

What do you think is wrong with Osun State’s economy?

The Osun State economy is, no doubt, the worst in this country acclaimed by everybody and I believe that transparency, accountability and people-oriented policies will drive safely the economy to yield results. At present, there are lots of wastages, a lot of leakages, a lot of money has been wasted through consultancies, a lot of high and inflated contracts, a lot of undone jobs already paid for. These are enough areas I’m going to block. I will block all leakages and ensure that the money in Osun is spent for Osun people. The idea is to further establish linkages with national processes in a way to achieve the global Sustainable Development Goals. Then, for the implementation of our programmes, we are going to maximally harness the Osun State’s human and capital resources to lay a solid foundation for an enduring turn-around of the state as an economically prosperous, socially harmonious and a model in democratic governance in Nigeria. Our goal is to ensure that everyone, everywhere has access to inputs to thrive, and assets to protect human dignity.

will ensure we bring back sanity to Osun State.

As an engineer and a builder, it is already said that there are lots of ground to cover in infrastructural development. Talking of local contenting and innovation, as part of your campaign programmes, how do you want to go about this, especially in boosting Osun State IGR? The issue is we are going to encourage local contending to ensure that jobs, contracts, sub-jobs, that can be done by Osun indigenes are not given to outsiders. Of course, there can be major jobs given to major contractors, but we will ensure that our people here, the carpenters, the plumbers, the goldsmiths, the iron benders of this world, are all engaged to ensure that the money goes back to the state. All we need to boost the GDP is half of the money being wasted on contracts. Before the advent of oil, we all depended on agriculture in the whole of the old Western Region, and when we talk of this, the major focus was on the cash crops, and the majority of these cash crops were from Osun State. So, we go back to our cocoa farming, we go back to our oil palm and cassava farming, and ensure we encourage the farmers. We do all the roads network, we give access to rural and community projects; we will encourage them and offer them high yielding seedlings that won’t take time to grow. We will do that to shore up our IGR and also encourage people to go back to farm.

Omisore

You talked about the issue of inflated contracts, meaning that money had been taken out unjustifiably. Do you have any plan to retrieve the money back, or would there be any form of probe into government activities?

Well, contract jobs have been done, but there are a lot of avenues for wastes which we need to block. The leakages are there already, but its blockade will be done carefully so as not to slow down the government, and talking of probe, that is not an issue.

We are going to look at all these positions professionally without minding whose ox is gored, and without being biased or without any sentiment, fear or favour. We will review all activities critically and ensure things are done correctly.

You also highlighted the issue of professionalism and performance, and if we look at the civil service generally already heavily criticized for slowing down the processes of governance, but with a peculiarity to Osun now, and the issue of salary payment, are these also bothering you?

To whom much is given, much is expected, and to whom less is given, less is expected. You can’t expect optimal performance, and what we call optimisation and leverables from workers who are not paid for over 36 months or are paid half salaries. So, basically, their morale will be low; their drive to work will be low; efficiency will be low, there is no doubt about that. So, you don’t expect much from them. This is why I think the driving force for any economy, any business, any office and any development is human capital development. Hence, we are going to reinforce human capital development to ensure that we increase performance and ensure we drive them and encourage them, motivate them, professionalise them and train them, so that they can deliver our goods, our manifestos and visions.

As you said, workers are being owed for 36 months, one of the reasons being Osun government saying there was no sufficient funds to run the state; how are you going to resolve this to ensure salaries and pensions are paid?

As rightly said, ‘Osun says there is no money,’ they are trying to let the public know there is no money.Where as they just collected about N17 billion Paris Club funds, and the wage bill is about N2 billion per month, and they said they are paying half salary, which means that over N16 billion can pay for 16 months. But, there is no courage; there is no will. There is no sincerity to defray the costs, rather, the government prefers to use it for bogus contracts, bogus expenses and mainly for election campaigns. Now, it is evident to everyone in the state that Osun state situation is comatose, and it is not in doubt that its current APC leadership has admitted its

inability to cope, which is why the second term of Governor Rauf Aregbesola is being completed with a serious increase in hunger and poverty among people in the state and the private sector is nearing collapse, likewise the citizens are collapsing. Similarly, the confidence and motivation in the public sector is eroded and now at its all time lowest since Osun State was founded. Everyone is frustrated and the increasingly restive people of Osun State, including the aged, pensioners and our youths are calling for urgent action. Surely, the September 22 election has provided a democratic opportunity for action, an opportunity for people to vote Omisore of the SDP as the new governor of Osun State.

Similarly, the government had also added to the employ of the state, the O’YES cadets, said to be earning N10,000 per month, which at a time you spoke against. What will be the lot of this people under your administration?

The O’YES people recruited from Osun and who are Osun indigenes will be given gainful and pensionable jobs. We are not going to sack anybody, but we are going to make employment across board. Teachers will be recruited, likewise other categories of staff. There are so much vacancies but the government is not interested in empowering the people, employing our youths or getting them engaged is a major one for us.

The concern of your party is also in the area of equity in access to services, such as education, health, gender equity, agriculture and others, in what form will this take?

This is in the area of distribution of wealth across board. The distribution of infrastructure will be across board, health will be across board, and on the overall, it will ginger equality. There is no single clinic in Osun State that has drugs, but we are going to ensure that our hospitals are reawakened and well stocked. Our schools are brutalised and teachers are being thrown out of schools.

This will be corrected; we are going to distribute the amenities across board. There is no water in Osun State. These are issues we want to address, because the public infrastructure has collapsed.

Presently, there are challenges already identified which are long standing obstacle to economic growth and investment in the state, especially in agricultural area, a very critical sector which engages more than 75 per cent of the population of the state, and its neglect is impacting negatively on the economic yield of major cash crops and produce. But we will engage in partnership drive implementation to build sustainable investment linkages with the private sector and strengthen the engagement of other providers, including the civil society and community based organisations, because, at present, Osun State is under an intensive care unit (ICU). But given my courage, my experience and my pedigree, by God’s grace, we

You have also raised concerns on the issue of security, in what form will this take?

Security may not necessarily be physical, but the physical security is good. However, we also have job security, food security, health security, and so on. But, it is security in all paraphernalia we are talking about. In this regard, we are also focusing on neighbourhood to neighbourhood watch.

We have people with goodwill with us, but a good government also should focus on security, and with this, there won’t be hunger.

There won’t be greed; there won’t be lack. People will be happy, and the people are safe generally. So, security is very important; it is a matter of concept and things of the mind. A good government will create rooms for innovations aiding success and sustainability.

This is a very important area, since the encouragement of local content earlier mentioned is fuelled by innovations in specific areas, which will in turn make an impact on every other pillar of the agenda for restoration. Basically, our challenges in Osun State require quick thinking and innovations in implementation, which has already been taken care of in our robust manifestos.

The outgoing government has put some policies in place which had been criticised, for instance, the merging of schools and same uniform for all schools in Osun State, what will you do with this?

The issue of uniforms is not too good because it is unprofessional. The school ethics start from uniform, and I believe every pupil has a pride, so as to know how to behave. When you give everybody the same uniform, you allow for hooliganism, ‘commonerlism’. It encourages lack of belonging, which can also lead to lack of knowledge. If different uniforms are given to schools, they will have their own pride; they will check whoever is misbehaving among the students and this will give us a better society.

But the incumbent APC government is clamouring for continuity, because it said its enormous ongoing projects already started in the state must continue, if you assume power, what will you do about these said projects?

All projects in Osun State in eight years are still in progress.

There is no single project that has been completed in the eight years of APC government. Look at the Gbogan junction, look at the Ring Road, still under construction. Their campaign for continuity is to cover their fraud and ensure they perpetuate themselves in government; there is nothing continuous in this thing and it is nothing more than a cover-up. They have auctioned the state and they have milked it dry. That is why they are desperate.

So, as earlier said, all projects will be reviewed on merit. I won’t stop any project, but we will continue with all projects under good terms and conditions which will not negatively affect the people of Osun State.

(See full interview on www.thisdaylive.com)

T H I S D AY ˾ SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

79

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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 16, 2018

SOCIALMEDIABITS Last week on social media, a new DSS chief was appointed, President Buhari was derided and Genevieve Nnaji was applauded...

I

t was mostly politics on social media last week so it came as a welcome diversion when one of the more notable stories was that of Netflix acquiring Lion Heart, a film produced and funded by Nollywood actress, Genevieve Nnaji.

The TV and movie giant boasts 117 million subscribers, and making Lion Heart a ‘Netflix Original’ is another pointer to the growing influence and reach of Nigerian movies and a significant milestone for Nollywood, which was recently named the world’s most prolific film industry by the International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations.

Still on the matter of diversion, Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun who has been bedevilled by an NYSC certificate forgery scandal resigned, at least according reputable news outlets on Twitter.

When the news broke, social media commentators were adamant that it was a diversionary tactic by the presidency, who a day before, named Yusuf Magaji Bichi as the new DG of the DSS in place of Matthew Seiyefa, who has spent a little over a month in the saddle following the sack of his predecessor, Lawal Daura, by VP Yemi Osinbajo.

Cont’d on pg 81

with DEMOLA OJO demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

81

SOCIALMEDIABITS Bichi’s appointment was condemned in many quarters, with many saying it was another proof of clannishness and nepotism by the president.

Meanwhile, governors who will soon complete their second term are already plotting their way to the National Assembly. For some like Governor Yari of Zamfara, it is going back home. You can add ‘sweet home’ to that, considering governors are paid hefty pensions along with earning some of the highest salaries for lawmakers in the world.

Lagos Governor Akinwunmi Ambode won’t go that route as he is just about finishing his first term. He knows he’s in a fierce battle to retain his seat though, both within and outside his party.

According to Dele Momodu, billionaire businessman Femi Otedola is one of those waiting in the wings to pounce and take advantage of the conflict brewing within Lagos APC. Reno Omokri

thinks this is reminiscent of 1991 when Otedola’s father profited from a similar scenario.

Following Femi Otedola on instagram however shows he’s not bothered in the least by rumours and counter-rumours.

He’s still in Paris as part of his threemonth vacation, “away from the storm in Lagos.”

One wonders if he’s referring to the battle for Lagos, or the heavy downpour witnessed in the city, with the attendant stress and traffic. Time will tell, and it’ll surely be revealed on social media.

Social media’s importance is now so amplified that spokesperson for President Buhari’s 2019 campaign, Festus Keyamo, has accused the opposition PDP of existing only on Twitter and Whatsapp. In the not-so-far future, this might just be enough; enough for the ruling party to cry, without the help of pepper or onions.

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SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

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83

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

THE COVER

Adeleke

Oyetola

Omisore

Many Shades of Osun Election

NIGERIA

Next weekend, Osun State would take a major decision when her people would file out to elect the next governor of the state. More than the tension and the anxiety that gripped the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State, the whole of the nation appears to be on tenterhooks as Osun either maintains the status quo or moves on to a different ideological leaning. From Lagos to Abuja and other parts of the country, everyone has an interest in the choice of governor Osun seeks to throw up. This is also largely because whatever it is, being the closest crucial election to next year’s general election, the exercise would be used nearly accurately to gauge the subsisting mood and be able to extrapolate into 2019. In all, 48 out of the 91 political parties are fielding candidates for this election. Yet, in the 48, only five parties are somewhat reckoned with, without necessarily dismissing the possibility that any of the 42 others or some combined could spring up surprises. This is why in projecting the likely outcome of the exercise, it is important to note that there are many shades that would give life as much as some dynamic meanings to the election, write Shola Oyeyipo and Yinka Kolawole

2019

Osun Election and Its Peculiarity

N

o one in the political camp of former Lagos State governor and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would feign ignorance that the Osun State governorship election coming up on September 22, would be another test case of his political sagacity and relevance in the South-west geo-political mathematics.

Since venturing into the Nigerian political space, at no time had the authority of the APC leader been so challenged as when his former party, the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) went into the merger that gave birth to the ruling APC. Apparently wary of the reality that Tinubu wields a lot of power with his relevance in South-west politics, not only were there deliberate efforts to curtail him in the region, he has been prevented from expanding his coasts as he had done before. At the same time, some forces within the party have been making frantic efforts to burrow into his base and as it is, they appear to have been gradually depleting his base.

The cases of Kogi and Ondo States and partly Ekiti are clear indications of that and they are the best references of a well-orchestrated gang-up to ‘cut Tinubu to size.’

In Kogi State, for instance, Tinubu’s protégé, House of Representatives member from the Ikeja federal constituency, Lagos State, Hon. James Faleke, who was the running mate to the late Alhaji Abubakar Audu in the governorship election, was denied the opportunity or right of benefitting from the victory of his principal, who died at the tail end of the election when they were clearly on the cusp of victory.

Though the incumbent Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello came second in the APC governorship primaries, he eventually emerged the APC candidate and became governor after a Supreme Court judgment validated his candidature, Faleki, however, alleged that some highly placed government

Adeoti officials had “exerted pressure on judges.”

The force working against Tinubu is the cabal in the presidency, believed to have been aided by some of Tinubu’s former protégés. Thus, the Buhari boys or Abuja boys as some call them challenged and defeated Tinubu again in Ondo State after allies of the president allegedly came

Akinbode together to outdo Segun Abraham, who was Tinubu’s alleged choice.

It was from that point that Tinubu’s disapproval for the immediate past National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Oyegun escalated. In fact, that was when he started a strong

Cont’d on Pg. 84

84

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

SUNDAYCOVER

Osun Governorship Poll As Battle of Contenders, Pretenders and Usurpers Continued from Page 83

Osun Oyeto laRally campaign that Oyegun must resign, before his eventual ouster during the last national convention, which produced a former Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole as the APC national chairman.

The Road to the Primaries

After all these, the Osun State governorship election presents these two contending forces (Abuja and Lagos camps of the APC) with another battleground and with the rate events are unfolding, it is already showing that there would be more intrigues in the days ahead.

Already, the ruling APC in Osun State has suffered a mass exodus of its members to the Action Democratic Party (ADP). Surprisingly, the defectors included the state deputy chairman and eight members of the State Executive Committee (SEC) of the APC. Apart from the purported over 6,000 members, comprising 580 local government executive members from 25 council areas of the state and 5, 620 ward executives that Alhaji Moshood Adeoti boasted defected with him, the Special Adviser to outgoing Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Cooperatives, Mr. Gbenga Awosode, also resigned his position and membership of the APC. His agenda is to pursue his political aspiration in the ADP. Thus, the gale of defections is nothing but a reflection

of the covert power-play among the forces fighting for the control of state within the APC. But with Tinubu and Aregbesola having full control of the APC structure in Osun, it was easy for the Chief of Staff to Aregbesola, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola to emerge the APC candidate.

Oyetola is Tinubu’s cousin. He polled 127,017 in APC’s first-ever direct primary. Deputy Speaker, House of representatives, Yusuff Lasun recorded 21,975 votes to come a distant second and the Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam came third with 17, 958 votes.

But believed to be enjoying the support of the ‘Abuja Boys,’ even before the primary, former Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG), Adeoti, had accused the party of manipulating the process. He alleged that the process had been skewed to favour Oyetola and that the so-called direct primary was a mere endorsement charade for him.

Certain that he has what it takes to defeat Oyetola, Adeoti defected to the Action Democratic Party (ADP), which he prescribed as “home to all progressives.” His joining the ADP opened the floodgate of defections from APC. Interestingly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not necessarily do better. The party has been engrossed in deep-seated crisis over the choice of its gubernatorial

candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

Though the lawmaker purportedly won the party primary election with just seven votes, the rift that has trailed the election has unsettled the party and might have grossly limited the chances of the party at the election. Like Adeoti of the APC, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi too maintained that the electoral processes were manipulated to favour Adeleke.

For some time, the crisis did not abate. In fact, a committee headed by former Senate President, Senator David Mark, which among other things advised Adeleke to cede the deputy governorship seat and the Osun West senatorial ticket to Ogunbiyi yielded no fruitful result.

Adeleke did not agree to the terms until the current President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki intervened and resolved the crisis. Presently, the PDP is fine.

In the Social Democratic Party ((SDP), its candidate, a former deputy governor, Iyiola Omisore, emerged amidst crisis. although Omisore is making waves as an alternative candidate to candidates on the platforms of the two major parties, fact is that during a primary election conducted by the party at its secretariat in Osogbo on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, Munirudeen Atanda emerged winner, but Omisore despite being on the ballot, Omisore boycotted the process.

But when another election was conducted, he won.

The confusion, however, is that as in case of the election at the party’s secretariat, the election that resulted in Omisore’s victory was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

However, while the returning officer and chairman of the party’s electoral panel from Abuja, Prof. Rufai Alkali, announced Omisore as the winner, the Osun State SDP chairman, Ademola Ishola, declared Munirudeen Atanda as the winner on Wednesday, saying the claims of factions in the party should be disregarded.

In all, Omisore, the senator who represented Osun East senatorial district between 2003 and 2009 suffers a no-love-lost relationship with the Osun State chapter of the SDP since his entrance into the party in April 2018.

His sins are in two folds. First, he is seen as working to hijack the party structure and second, he is considered as relating more cordially with the SDP headquarters in Abuja.

Relative to most of the other major political parties, the Alliance for Democracy (AD) primaries held for its gubernatorial aspirants were not acrimonious. In the end, it threw up Mr Olugbenga Akintola as the party’s standard-bearer.

There were only two aspirants: Olufemi Kehinde and Akintola and both men had agreed to accept the outcome of the elections. INEC officials monitored the peacefully conducted exercise and the party has worked silently, hoping to pull a surprise by leveraging the wrangling in the other parties to win the election.

NIGERIA

2019

Adeoti shows strength with incredible crowd during campaign kick-off

86

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

NEWSXTRA SMBLF: Restructuring Minimum Condition for Supporting Presidential Candidate Demands a publicly declared timeline for restructuring Gboyega Akinsanmi Contrary to the position of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has said restructuring Nigeria is a minimum irreducible condition for supporting any presidential candidate in the next presidential election.

The forum, comprising Afenifere, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and Middle Belt Forum (MBF), has also said such a presidential candidate should be committed to a specific timeline within which the country would be restructured.

The National Treasurer of Afenifere, Chief Olasupo Shonibare expressed the view in a recent interview with THISDAY, saying the 1999 Constitution “is too defective too to address all challenges undermining the peaceful co-existence of all ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.”

The president had at a meeting with a delegation of Urhobo Traditional Rulers on June 2 faulted calls for restructuring by ethnic nationalities and socio-cultural organisations across the federation, saying its proponents all had their personal agenda.

Like the president, the Vice

President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo had at a townhall meeting with Nigerians in Minnesota, the United States canvassed anti-restructuring position, noting simple geographical restructuring was not the problem with Nigeria.

Rather than restructuring the federation in the interest

of nation development, peace and unity, the vice president proposed prudent management of national resources and providing for the people properly, which according to him, were better ideas for Nigeria’s development challenges.

Consequently, Osinbajo’s position stoked public disap-

proval with former Vice President and a presidential aspirant of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar faulting Osinbajo for failing to appreciate the connection between Nigeria’s defective structure and its underperformance.

At these instances, Shoni-

bare said the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum “has been very clear and most unambiguous about our position. Restructuring is a must. We have maintained a position that we will support a presidential candidate, who has demonstrated commitment to restructuring.

Osun Guber: PDP Charges Buhari to Unfreeze Adeleke’s Account Iyobosa Uwugiaren and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to unfreeze the private account of its Osun governorship candidate, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, and those of his family members, including music star, David Adeleke (a.k.a Davido).

The opposition party also directed its members including state governors, officials at zonal and state chapters, national and states assembly members, all presidential and governorship aspirants as well as other stakeholders in the southwest zone, to commence movement into Osun state with their political machinery to campaign and support the PDP candidate.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan yesterday, the PDP described the freezing of the accounts as oppressive, tyrannical, provocative and a direct recipe for crisis in the state, given that the people of Osun are behind Adeleke ahead of the election.

The party, however, said the freezing of the Adelekes’ accounts by an agency of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government, a week to the governorship election, underscores the fact that APC is mortally afraid of our candidate and has been seeking ways to undermine his electoral fortunes.

The statement said:”Such savage attack on innocent citizens confirms the viciousness of the Buhari administration to use any means whatsoever to subjugate Nigerians and appropriate power to itself at all cost.

“Does it not smack of political brutality that Buhari approved the secret release of N16.6 billion to Osun APC to pay thugs to manhandle voters and rig the election, while his EFCC is unleashed to freeze the legitimate account of our candidate and his family not minding the collateral damage such would have on millions that benefit from the goodwill of the family?

“What Buhari and his APC do not understand is that theirs is a den of thieves and that the leaders of the APC are frittering the N16 billion away.”

EYEING BORNO HOUSE...

Senator Babakaka Garbai arriving Maiduguri airport two days after submitting his nomination form for the Borno State APC governorship primaries

Finance Ministry Staff Lament Adeosun’s Resignation Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja Staff of the Federal Ministry of Finance lamented on Friday night as former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, bade them farewell and stepped out of the finance ministry.

The minister encouraged and joined the staff in prayers and praise worship to God for the over three years she handled the affairs of the ministry.

Adeosun finally bowed out of office at exactly 11 p.m on September 14.

Adeosun, who arrived the Office at 10 a.m. on Friday, spent the day completing outstanding tasks till 11 p.m. when she finally stepped out of office to a guard of honour mounted by the staff.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on Friday accepted Adeosun’s resignation, ending rumours that she actually resigned for allegedly presenting a fake certificate of exemption from the mandatory National Youth Service.

Buhari’s Special Adviser on the Media, Mr. Femi Adesina confirmed this development

in a statement released. Her resignation was earlier denied by the presidency and officials of her ministry.

Adesina said Buhari accepted Adeosun’s letter of resignation and wished her well in her future pursuits, adding that the president appointed the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed to preside at the finance ministry.

However, Buhari’s choice of Ahmed is causing disquiet in the South-west where most people believe the next minister of finance should be picked

from to replace Adeosun, who is from that geopolitical zone.

Explaining her resignation, Adeosun said: “I have, today, become privy to the findings of the investigation into the allegation made in an online medium that the Certificate of Exemption from National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) that I had presented was not genuine.

“This has come as a shock to me and I believe that in line with this administration’s focus on integrity, I must do the honourable thing and resign.”

Nnamani to Contest Enugu East Senatorial Election River Niger Floods Submerge Houses, Churches in Delta Former Enugu State Governor, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, is set to return to active politics with a plan to contest the senatorial election in Enugu East senatorial district.

Nnamani had served the state governor between 1999 and 2011 as well as the senator between 2011 and 2015.

He, however, lost reelection in 2015.

One of his political associates at the weekend disclosed Nnamani’s plan to contest senatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu East.

The associate said Nna-

mani would be joining forces with the PDP to remove President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) from power in 2019.

According to him, the former governor has vowed to do everything within his political acumen to assist the PDP to return to power at the federal level in 2019.

He confirmed that the former governor had already purchased his nomination form, claiming that Nnamani was favoured to pick the ticket for the senatorial district.

However, the associate disclosed that the APC was

counting on alleged series of corruption charges against him at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to counter his aspiration.

He said: “We hear he is seriously considering a repeat run for the Senate. But the embattled former governor has series of corruption cases with the EFCC and as such there are issues.

“In any case, he is not in a position to be a major threat in the next election. The former governor is expected back from the United States this weekend to pursue his senatorial ambition in spite of cloud of alleged corruption.”

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba Thousands of residents living on the banks of River Niger in Asaba, Delta State, have fled their homes and evacuated their belongings due to rising tide from the Niger that has inundated many houses, churches, business premises and streets.

The river last week overflowed its bank due to persistent rainfall in Asaba in the last few days, which residents said, worsened the situation for the residents of Asaba including Infant Jesus area of the state, thereby displacing scores of residents from their homes.

Abuta quarters, which lies on the bank of River Niger is one of the areas badly hit by the rising water of the river

as residents have mobilised tricycles and wooden canoes in their apparent desperation to escape from the looming disaster.

The pastor of Pasture of Life Christian Assembly, one of the buildings heavily flooded in the Abuta quarters by Thursday, when THISDAY visited the area, was busy evacuating whatever he could savage with the help of some members.

The minister, however, declined to talk with our correspondent, saying simply, ‘’I am very busy as you can see.’’

Deeper Life Bible Church (DLBC) and Celica Church of Christ buildings in the area were also deserted alongside other residential houses in the area as they had been submerged by Thursday evening.

Some residents said they had already moved their valuable things to safer areas in higher parts of the city and neighboring communities.

PUBLIC NOTICE

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SUNDAYSPORTS

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

Hat-trick Hero Hazard Puts Chelsea Top of Premier League

C

helsea and Liverpool continued to throw down the gauntlet to Premier League champions Manchester City as all three were victorious on their return to action yesterday.

Chelsea made it five wins from as many games under Maurizio Sarri thanks to the brilliance of Eden Hazard, who scored a hat-trick in a convincing 4-1 win over Cardiff to edge ahead of Liverpool on goal difference.

Sarri is still to taste anything but victory in English football, but had a scare early on at home to Cardiff when Sol Bamba put the visitors in front at Stamford Bridge.

However, Cardiff’s failure to significantly strengthen over the summer means they are liable to being outclassed at this level and were undone by the brilliance of Hazard. “I thought that Hazard was one of the best players in Europe. But now I change my mind because maybe he is the best,� said Sarri.

The Belgian scored twice in seven minutes to send Chelsea in ahead at halftime and completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot before Willian added a fourth.

Liverpool showed their credentials in targeting a first title since 1990, and such was the Reds’ dominance in their 2-1 win at Tottenham, the scoreline did not do Jurgen Klopp’s men justice.

The Red’s first win away at Tottenham in four attempts for Klopp was another sign of the progress made under the German, particularly as they suffered a 4-1 thrashing at Wembley last season. “Nobody will play the perfect season. It’s still early, five games, fantastic we won all five and improved.

I like that development,� said Klopp. “Now we have to prove that and do it again and again.�

Spurs paid a heavy price for the absence of captain Hugo Lloris through injury as stand-in goalkeeper Michel Vorm flapped at a corner six minutes before the break and Georginio Wijnaldum looped a header over the line before Vorm could scramble clear.

Roberto Firmino tapped home a second nine minutes into the second half and Liverpool should

Hazard celebrates after one of his three goals that sent Chelsea top have added to their lead as Sadio Mane and Naby Keita were denied by Vorm.

However, the visitors had to see out a nervy final few seconds when Erik Lamela skilfully volleyed home from a narrow angle and Son Heung-min had a penalty appeal waved away with the final attack of the game.

City remain just two points back, though, and looked back to their best in tearing apart Fulham 3-0 thanks to goals from Leroy Sane, David Silva and Raheem Sterling.

Pep Guardiola started Leroy Sane for the first time this campaign and last season’s Premier League Young Player of the Year looked more like his old self as Fulham were put to the sword.

Sane tapped home Fernandinho’s inviting cross inside two minutes before Silva smashed his 50th Premier League goal and Sterling completed the rout. “In the period he didn’t play, we never doubted Leroy’s quality,� said Guardiola. “He is 22 and this little bit of up and down can sometimes happen at this age. But I’m delighted with his performance, a

big compliment to him.�

Manchester United and Arsenal stay six points off the top after 2-1 wins at Watford and Newcastle respective. United further eased the pressure on Jose Mourinho by ending Watford’s 100 percent record at Vicarage Road.

Two goals in three first-half minutes from Romelu Lukaku and Chris Smalling put the visitors in command. But they had to withstand some late pressure after Andre Gray halved their advantage and Nemanja Matic saw a late red card.

Eaglets Edge Ghana on Penalties, Ekundayo to Establish Boxing Qualify for 2019 AFCON Academies in Nigeria Nigeria rode majestically back to the Africa U17 Cup of Nations after the Golden Eaglets defeated Ghana’s Black Starlets 3-1 on penalties (following 1-1 in regulation time) in the final of the CAF U17 WAFU B Qualifying Tournament in Niamey yesterday.

A pulsating encounter at the Stade General Seyni Kountche saw the Starlets shoot into the lead in the 54th minute, but the Eaglets equalized minutes later when Akinkunmi Amoo finished brilliantly, sending the Nigerians in the stands into ecstasy.

Both teams tried hard but failed to get the winner in the regulation time, and the game had to go into penalties. Samson Tijani, Muhammad Ibrahim and David Ishaya scored for Nigeria, and even though goalscorer Amoo missed, the Eaglets were winners as the Ghanaians fluffed a kick and Nigeria’s goalkeeper John Amah saved another of their kicks. There was no need for the final kicks

as the Eaglets were by then, unassailable.

Victory was confirmation of Nigeria’s edge over Ghana in cadet football, with Nigeria posting five world titles to Ghana’s two, and was also somewhat sweet revenge for Ghana’s victory in the final of the maiden edition of the Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Mali 23 years ago.

Before the final, President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick had promised the Eaglets training tours of Qatar and Jordan before their participation in the Africa U17 Cup of Nations taking place in Tanzania early next year should they emerge champions and qualify.

At the end, the organizers chose Nigeria’s Samson Tijani as Most Valuable Player of the Tournament, while the nimble –footed Olakunle Olusegun was top scorer with four goals. The Golden Eaglets’ delegation will return to Nigeria today.

Olawale Ajimotokan European International Boxing Federation champion, Larry Ekundayo has vowed to continue putting Nigeria in good light in the boxing world by winning more laurels.

The boxer, who defeating John Thain in London in a fight that lasted 12 rounds to win the European International Boxing Federation title on 13 July this year, is presently on a six-day tour of Nigeria. “I don’t just believe; I know I will still go very far, if there is someone like Bernard Hopkins, who at almost 50 was beating young prospects, then I can do better,� he said while speaking in Lagos on arrival.

Ekundayo shot into the limelight when he won the African Boxing Union Welterweight, ABU title in 2015 but he recounted that it was a

tough period in his life and needed to dig deep to become a Champion. “I remember trying to go to the Olympics back then for Nigeria but it didn’t work out. As a pro, I am making up for all the disappointments as an amateur,� he said.

The 36-year-old boxer stressed that: “I think I was out of action for like two years but I came back strong to do what I have to do.

That is my message for the youth that they should not be deterred by any situation they find themselves but make the champion in them come out.�

The Lagos-born boxer said he already has his plans at helping the glory days of boxing return to Nigeria. Ekundayo disclosed that he will set up boxing academies in Nigeria and London where he can groom fighters to fight across the world.

Nigerian Team Debuts at African Hamilton Takes Stunning Pole at Singapore GP Floorball Tourney Femi Solaja

Nigeria is among the five countries taking part at the maiden edition of the African Floorball Nations Cup tournament which commenced yesterday and will end this evening at the Le Palais desi Sports de Treichville Centre, Abidjan, Cote d’ Ivoire.

Team Nigeria is being represented by seven players and three officials namely; Hello Muiz, Hello Musa, Ogunruku Sunday, Sikiru Salawu, Offa Condition, Asuma Samson and Sulaiman Games while the officials are the President of Nigeria Floorball Association (NFA), Ms. Maduka Edith Chinenye, a board member, Mr. Agbai Akanu James and team coach, Freeman Ekundayo.

Other countries participating at the two-day

Continental Cup hostilities which is happening in Africa for the first time are Burkina Faso, Mali, Togo and host nation Cote D’ Ivoire.

RESULTS & FIXTURE

Tottenham

1-2

Liverpool

Bournemouth

4-2

Leicester

Chelsea

4-1

Cardiff

HuddersďŹ eld

0-1

Crystal Palace

Man City

3-0

Fulham

Newcastle

1-2

Arsenal

Watford

1-2

Wolves

vs

Burnley

1:30pm

Everton

vs

West Ham

4pm

Man United

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton produced one of the best laps of his career to take a surprise pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix. Hamilton’s first lap in final qualifying, described by his race engineer as “epic�, was enough despite failing to improve on his second run. “That lap felt like magic,� the world champion said. “I don’t know where it came from. I am overwhelmed.� His title rival Sebastian Vettel was third behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Hamilton’s lap came out of the blue - he was 1.3secs faster than his own previous best lap of the weekend, and the scale of his achievement became clear as his rivals crossed the line.

Team-mate Valtteri Bottas was 0.7secs behind, Vettel 0.6secs off and Verstappen, surprisingly pipping the Ferrari, 0.3secs.

Vettel, who is 30 points behind Hamilton in the championship and came into the weekend as favourite, was downcast. “We wanted to get pole and we didn’t,� the German said. “It was a bit of a messy qualifying session, there was too much time missing.�

Hamilton could not improve on his second run - and aborted his final lap before it was even halfway through.

But although Vettel set a faster first sector than anyone on his final attempt, neither he nor Verstappen could improve and the positions were set.

Bottas took fourth, slightly improving on his final lap to end the session 0.687secs slower than Hamilton, with the second Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen fifth and Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo sixth.

Sunday September 16, 2018

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UT H

& RE A S O

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Price: N400

MISSILE

PDP to the Federal Government “The freezing of the Adelekes’ accounts by an agency of the All Progressives Congress (APC)led Federal Government, a week to the governorship election, underscores the fact that APC is mortally afraid of our candidate and has been seeking ways to undermine his electoral fortunes.”

– The Peoples Democratic Party while calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to order the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to unfreeze accounts of the Adeleke family.

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

Solving the Buhari Puzzle

O

n Thursday evening, I was fiddling with my phone when an alert popped up, announcing the appointment of Mr. Yusuf Bichi as the new director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS). That means President Muhammadu Buhari did not confirm Mr. Matthew Seiyefa — who had acted as DG since the removal of Mr. Lawal Daura last month — as the substantive head of Nigeria’s secret police. For those interested in context, Bichi, a retired DSS official, is from Bichi town in Kano state — not much of a distance from Katsina state, where the president happens to come from. Seiyefa is from Bayelsa state, the home of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

I had mixed feelings. A part of me was delighted. Another part was dumbfounded.

I was delighted because, in my opinion, this president has got balls. There has been an orchestrated campaign to blackmail him to confirm Seiyefa as DG of DSS. Different political groups and commentators were busy raising the alarm and issuing threats over a “plot” to remove the acting DSS DG because he is a southerner — and all the usual stuff. God save Nigeria the day a president starts making or unmaking appointments on the basis of threats, blackmail and intimidation in the media. For ignoring the intimidation, Buhari delighted a part of me.

But then I was also dumbfounded. How can the president be so unconcerned about our realities and complexities as a nation? When Buhari holds his security meeting, in the room will be Major Gen. Babagana Munguno (rtd), the national security adviser; Brig-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali, minister of defence; Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, chief of defence staff; Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff; Rear Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas, chief of naval staff; Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, chief of air staff; Mr. Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police; Mr. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, DG of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA); and AVM Mohammed Saliu Usman, chief of defence intelligence.

Now add Bichi as the DG of DSS to the list and it would be stupid for anyone to argue that the leadership of Nigeria’s security agencies is not overwhelmingly and embarrassingly northern.

Apart from Olonisakin and Ibas, every other person in the room is from the north, even if they are not all of the Fulani ethnic stock (contrary to what they tell you on WhatsApp).

In the event that Buhari decides to hold an expanded security meeting and brings in the minister of interior and the heads of Customs, Immigration, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Federal Road Safety Corps, you will have to conclude that the president can use some federal sensitivity in that sector.

And there you have my puzzle about President Buhari. This makes it difficult for me to understand him. Since he assumed office in 2015, I have always been torn apart by many of his decisions and actions. He would do or say something and I would scream: “Sai Baba!” I would take a second look and moan: “Chai, Baba!” The DSS appointment is a perfect example. It is good for the president to have balls and not be easily swayed by public opinion, but it is also good for the president to care about public opinion.

He must care about diversity and inclusion in a fractious, heterogeneous and complex country like Nigeria. Why does he not seem to care?

I am puzzled.

Buhari

It has always been mixed feelings for me whenever I analyse Buhari. For instance, many high-profile Nigerians have complained to me, privately, that Buhari is inaccessible, compared to previous presidents. If you look at it one way, that is good. When a president is too accessible, he becomes too available to be compromised.

It becomes difficult for him to take some tough decisions that might hurt his legion of friends — even if Nigeria would be better off in the end. We may also end up having a laissez faire society where every Tom, Dick and Harry (make that every Tomiwa, Dike and Haliru) would be peddling influence, claiming to have dined with the president last night.

On the other hand, a president has to be accessible! If a president is a recluse, he will be denying himself the opportunity of mingling with a diverse number of people and enjoying the benefit of plural opinion. He will not be able to feel the pulse of the nation first-hand.

The most dangerous part of it is that he will be cornered by a few people. Given that an average human being is self-interested, the people with access to him will only tell him what he wants to hear so that they don’t offend him or lose the gate pass to the inner sanctuary of power. But when a president is accessible, he is able to see beyond his cocoon. It could be an advantage.

Another issue over which I have been critical of the president is the Treasury Single Account (TSA). The cold implementation has had a negative impact on the financial system.

Already-starved businesses became more starved as the all-important public funds were swept into TSA, giving banks more excuses not to lend. The paucity of funds also harmed interest rates. The bankers, ever clever, survived by any means necessary. They still found buccaneering opportunities in the crisis while ordinary Nigerians were losing their jobs and scraping pot bottoms to survive. I felt the TSA policy needed to be reviewed and modified in view of the situation.

When President Olusegun Obasanjo tried to implement a similar policy in 2004, he retreated on seeing the immediate negative impact on the economy. I thought Buhari should also have taken a cue from that. Yet, a part of me was happy. If Nigeria is ever going to develop, there will always be growth pains. You don’t make an omelette with your eggs unbroken. We cannot eat our cake and have it. Something has to give during the transition. Government agencies had, for ages, been colluding with bankers to rip off

the treasury. Let the bankers do real banking and stop playing casino with public funds. So while I was horrified on the one hand, I was happy on the other.

It was this same predicament that hit me on Thursday with the DSS appointment. I was happy that Buhari refused to be blackmailed into confirming Seiyefa — but I was also horrified that he had to look for a Yusuf from Bichi. In a way, though, I feel justified by the outcry over the “northernisation” of security appointments

by Buhari. I have been arguing all my life — and I have been thoroughly abused for this — that a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation like Nigeria must accommodate diversity in its body politic. Federal character is critical to building a balanced system and giving people a sense of belonging. You must consciously address fears of domination with equity.

In a complex developing country like Nigeria, no leader should create an impression that only people from a particular part are qualified to be appointed into certain positions. But according to a school of thought, “federal character” is a dirty concept. The antagonists argue that it promotes mediocrity above merit — based on the logic that federal character and merit are mutually exclusive. The Federal Character Commission actually defines “federal character” as “merit plus equity”. The purveyors tend to reason that when a southerner is appointed into a position, it is based on “merit”, but if it is a northerner, it is “federal character”.

Unfortunately, this prejudice has been passed down from generation to generation. True, at some point in the nation’s history, northerners were far behind southerners in Western education.

As at Independence in 1960, you could count the number of university graduates from the north. Today, the north has its own fair share of unemployed graduates. They have experts and intellectuals, trained home and abroad, in virtually every field. But because of some prejudice dating back to half a century, it is difficult for southerners to accept this fact. So they continue to nurture a very negative mindset that sees merit as a southern property.

The DSS appointment raises a fundamental question that we must ask and be consistently sincere about: do we want federal character or not? It is hypocritical to argue for merit when it favours us and federal character when it doesn’t favour us. If we want to go all out for “merit”, we should never complain that a part of the country dominates appointments. We should just look at their CVs and decide if they are qualified. Did the appointee go to school?

Check. Does the appointee have the experience?

Check. Is the appointee competent? Check. Then let us fly with it. That means when you visit a ministry and everybody there is from Iwo, you must never complain. It is merit.

But I will never support this “merit minus federal character” idea in a diverse and fragile country such as ours, where mutual suspicion and fears of domination reign supreme. A country with three major ethnic groups and hundreds of minorities cannot be integrated without an affirmative action. We must deliberately marry merit with federal character — and I maintain that merit is present in every state, every region and every religion in Nigeria, even though some are more blessed than the others.

Balance is critical. It is not too hard to solve the Buhari Puzzle. Mr President, just apply the principles of equity and we will be fine. Be sensitive. Be flexible. That’s all.

And Four Other Things…

THE KEMI CASE I know that Nigerians like to shoot the wounded but now that Mrs Kemi Adeosun has resigned as minister of finance over her NYSC certificate issue, I think we need to address the pertinent issues rather than gloat. One, how did DSS screen and clear a forged certificate? Are we really safe in the hands of these security guys? Will anybody be punished in DSS for this terrible lapse?

Two, how can we develop a mechanism to authenticate government documents so as to avoid a reoccurrence? Three, is it time to review the NYSC rule that makes national service compulsory for Nigerians who were born abroad and who might never have set their feet on our shores? Questions.

FAYOSE WONDER Could this end up in the Guinness World Records? Mr. Ayodele Fayose, the outgoing governor of Ekiti state, recently presented a N10 billion supplementary budget to the house of assembly — 30 days to the end of his tenure. It took roughly 15 minutes for the lawmakers to do the first reading, send it to the committees, do second reading and pass it. The lawmakers were even on recess, so only 12 out of 26 of them could make it.

Forget quorums. According to Hon. Ekundayo Akineye, the member representing Ijero constituency, there was no illegality. Akineye said Fayose did the same thing at the end of his first term, so it is just his way of signing off from office. Goodness!

RULE OF RAW POWER Have you heard the news? The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has asked the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) to shut up.

According to the “directive”, the umbrella organisation of electricity distribution companies (DisCos) should never make any comment on any pronouncement made by Mr Babatunde Fashola, the minister of power, Prof. James Momoh, the NERC chairman, and the commissioners. Yet, freedom of speech and freedom of association are guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution. Nigeria is a democracy. Fashola is a SAN. Momoh was imported from the US, the land of free speech. Ridiculous.

AND FINALLY… Do you remember the time you had to travel to a branch of your bank or call an account officer before you could know your balance? Well, I got a mail from Access Bank during the week saying I can now do that

by WhatsApp! On the Access WhatsApp platform, according to the information, I can retrieve my BVN, know my balance, request for payday loan, open an account and transfer funds between accounts. I know, of course, that technology has made life easier for all of us — and I can count how many times I have been to the banking hall in the last one year — but this WhatsApp business takes the cake. Now, I believe I have seen it all. Magic!

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