SUNDAY 11TH NOVEMBER 2018

EFCC Moves to Prosecute Babachir Lawal, Drafts Charges Submits investigation report to AGF

Tobi Soniyi The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has finally submitted the report of its investigation into fraud allegations against a former

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.

Lawal, while he was the SGF, was accused of looting the funds of the Presidential Initiative on the North East

(PINE) through front companies.

However, he has consistently maintained his innocence and denied the allegations.

But the investigation report submitted to the Attorney General of the Federation

and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, by Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, found otherwise.

Multiple sources at the Federal Ministry of Justice confirmed to THISDAY that Magu submitted

the report to Malami last week.

The report also includes draft charges the EFCC considered appropriate for the ex-SGF to face in the event the federal government decides to give him the opportunity to clear

his name in the court of law.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on October 30 last year accepted the recommendations of the report Continued on page 8

NNPC Drops 500 from its Workforce for Failing Promotion Test … Page 8 Sunday 11 November, 2018 Vol 23. No 8607

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Babalakin: FG Alone Can’t Fund University Education Urges ASUU to return to the negotiation table

Olawale Olaleye Following last week’s commencement of a nationwide strike by the Academic Staff

Union of Universities (ASUU) over lingering funding issues, Dr. Olawale Babalakin, SAN, yesterday said the federal government could not afford

to fund university education alone. Babalakin stated this yesterday in Lagos during a press conference at his office.

The senior lawyer is the

chairman of the Implementation Monitoring Committee of the Agreements entered into between the Federal Government of Nigeria and

the various unions of the Nigerian universities, namely ASUU, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), National Association

of Academic Technologists (NAAT), and Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities Continued on page 8

Oshiomhole: My Conversations with Department of State Security Says nobody asked him to resign

Bayo Akinloye Against the background of speculations regarding his whereabouts after an alleged encounter with operatives of the Department of State Security, (DSS), the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday spoke out about what transpired between him and the DSS. Oshiomhole emphatically denied being arrested by the domestic intelligence organisation, as was widely speculated in the media, but explained that he was only invited for a chat and was neither detained nor granted bail or asked to resign.

The APC national chairman, who made the clarifications during an interactive session with senior editors in Lagos, also said he did not flee the country as claimed by his opponents.

Continued on page 8

HAPPY MARRIED LIFE Groom's father, Senator Mike Ajegbo; former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, his wife, Patience; newlyweds, Ifeanyi and Ebitimi; former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; and Bride's father, Timi Alaibe; during the wedding reception for the couple held at Landmark Centre,Oniru, Lagos...yesterday Kun le Ogunfuyi

THISDAY WEEKLY GUIDE TO 2019… Pages 16-17

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͚͚Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î&#x20AC; Ëž T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

PAGE EIGHT

NNPC Drops 500 from its Workforce for Failing Promotion Test Oil production, fuel supply, others threatened as unions kick

Chineme Okafor in Abuja No fewer than 500 employees are about to be dropped from the payroll of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for reportedly failing to scale through a mandatory personnel assessment and promotion examinations the corporation recently conducted, THISDAY has gathered. Very reliable sources within the state oil company said the issue was already causing disquiet in the corporation. They said this could lead to disruption of NNPC operations following threats by workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; unions to resist the alleged sack of the 500 workers.

From reports, NNPC has since October 2017 remained

the sole importer and supplier of refined petroleum products in Nigeria, especially petrol which independent petroleum marketers have stayed away from importing on account of unfavourable pricing. On the other hand, Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oil production has continued to improve from a 2016 production disruption caused by militancy in the Niger Delta.

Sources close to the development told THISDAY that trouble started when the corporation conducted the promotional examinations and about 500 of its staff could not pass it. The 500 are reportedly not part of the workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; unions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural

Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). They were subsequently issued notices of disengagement, but their issue has since been taken up by the two unions, which sources stated have now pledged to resist the sack even though it means shutting down the operations of the NNPC. A source who pleaded not be named said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some staff wrote promotion exams to move places, as it is the case.

They are Chief Officers and Deputy General Managers who are in M5 and M6 cadre. Some didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pass for the first time and about 500 were asked to leave, and papers in this regard

were served them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Right now, there is a lot of tension because that category of people affected are not part of workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; union.

The cadre involved with NUPENG and PENGASSAN are from Chief Officers downwards, yet, the unions are threatening that in solidarity with them, they will embark on actions to support and stop their retrenchments.â&#x20AC;?

The source equally explained that the threat of industrial action by the unions will affect operations in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oil sector. He suggested that oil production and downstream operations, which include petroleum products supplies and distributions, could be

impacted negatively by the industrial action of the unions.

Also, the source noted that some of the affected staff had worked with the corporation for more than 25 years, adding that it is the first time the NNPC would conduct promotional exams and ask staff who failed to meet up to leave its workforce.

According to the source, the current decision of the NNPC to lay off workers who failed its assessment was different from that which the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, attempted when he was the Group Managing Director of the corporation and wanted to downsize the workforce but was resisted by the unions in the corporation.

When THISDAY contacted the Group General Manager, Public Affairs of the NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, to comment on the issue, he said he would get back to the paper on the request. But Ughamadu did not get back as at the time of filing this report.

Industry experts have frequently questioned the vast workforce the NNPC maintains, which according to them has contributed to its poor operational profitability.

Their views have equally been supported by reports from the corporation which also suggested that the deficits it records from its operations are usually from subsidiaries that are rather redundant.

appreciation of the financial reality that the National Council on Education â&#x20AC;&#x153;has directed that student loan schemes be set up by the various state governments.

It has also supported the idea of an education bank, which would provide soft loans for students seeking to obtain university education.â&#x20AC;?

He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We do not know where ASUU got the figures that it has been peddling around the whole country. However, the inconsistency in the figures is glaring. While Professor Lawan Abubakar, the ASUU zonal coordinator for Bauchi, stated in his article published in Pulse News on 3rd October 2018, that our committee has proposed N500,000. 00 (Five hundred thousand naira) per annum as tuition fees to be paid by university undergraduates, the ASUU zonal coordinator for Ibadan, Dr. Ade Adejumo, stated in the Punch newspaper on 3rd

October, 2018, that our committee was planning to impose tuition fees of N350,000.00 (Three hundred and fifty thousand naira). â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aside from the fact that our committee has no power to impose fees on students, we are at a loss regarding the source of the said figures. However, the contradiction demonstrates clearly that the figures are incorrect and should not be countenanced by anyone.â&#x20AC;?

Babalakin urged well-meaning Nigerians to appeal to ASUU to return to the negotiating table and resolve issues based on accurate information and verifiable data.

He stated, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We remain committed to a permanent resolution of the recurrent industrial disputes that have militated against the progress of the Nigerian university system.

We are determined to ensure that Nigerians receive proper

education. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As we had stated in our previous communication on this matter, we believe that negotiations are best done on the table rather than on the pages of the newspapers, hence we have been very reluctant to respond to the campaign of our co-negotiators.â&#x20AC;?

ASUU, last week, commenced a nationwide industrial action following the inability of the federal government to respond to its demands.

The union accused the government of not implementing the Memorandum of Action signed with it and declared that the strike would be total as all federal and state varsities would join the strike.

The union made the announcement after its National Executive Council meeting held at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, last Sunday night.

Oshiomhole also spoke on the unending crisis in his party, saying the party is largely at peace, except for three states that have issues concerning their primary. He regretted that the issue was being blown out of proportion possibly because of the calibre of people involved.

He stated, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some people are unhappy because they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have their way in three states.

We have said that things must change. We cannot continue in the old ways. When we said change, maybe some people interpreted it differently: change from one party to another. But what we meant was change from the old ways of doing things.

We cannot continue in the old ways. We are going to stick to what we are doing so people will know that certain things just can't continue as before.â&#x20AC;?

Oshiomhole had last week come under attack by some prominent members of his party, especially Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State,

and Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, respectively, who rejected the outcome of the recent primaries. The trio accused the APC national chairman of deepening the existing schism in the party, whose primaries were marred by controversy.

Elections in some states had to be repeated. For example, in Zamfara, INEC said the party would not participate in the 2019 polls because it could not successfully conclude its primary election before the deadline.

In Imo, the APC favoured the governorship candidacy of Hope Uzodimma, who is currently senator representing Imo West, over Uche Nwosu, son-in-law of Okorocha. In Ogun State, Amosun fell out with the partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Working Committee (NWC) after it chose Dapo Abiodun as the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s governorship candidate. Abiodun Akinlade was Amosunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preferred candidate.

Oshiomhole was largely blamed for the governorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ordeal.

But during the interactive session yesterday, Oshiomhole rhetorically asked those who accused him of taking bribes to work against the governors if it wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have been easier for him to collect money from the governors, who obviously had huge election war chest to support their nominations.

Similarly, last week, a chieftain of the APC and Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, asked Oshiomhole to resign to save the party from further embarrassment.

Speaking against the background of allegations of corruption arising from the recent party primaries, Okechukwu said Oshiomholeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exit would remove a heavy burden from the party. He also urged the DSS and EFCC to immediately probe the recent call logs of Oshiomhole. Addressing a press conference at the partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national secretariat, Okechukwu said it was important for Oshiomhole to resign to save APC and Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s re-election bid.

administrative structure of the Agency and make appropriate recommendations."

According to the EFCC report, between November 2015 and November 2017, PINE received about N16.9 billion. Of this, at least 11.6 billion was supposedly spent mostly through contracts to fronts.

The anti-corruption agency found that many of the contracts breached due process. It also discovered that many of the

contractors were either fronts of Lawal or required to pay kickbacks to companies owned by him. The main company that was allegedly used for this scam was Rholavision. EFCC matched up the ex-SGF's Bank Verification Number (BVN) to the company account and found that he was the main signatory to the company account.

Over the two years, at least N566 million (about 5% of the total expenditure of PINE) over the period went to the account

of Rholavision alone.

Another company was known as Bards Brothers.

The likely offences raised in the charges are breach of trust, conspiracy and stealing.

It took pressure from the public, through the media, to persuade the president to agree to investigate Lawal.

Under Nigerian laws, an accused remains innocent until his guilt has been proved beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BABALAKIN: FG ALONE CANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T FUND UNIVERSITY EDUCATION (NASU).

Babalakin dismissed as false the often talked about 26 per cent education funding advice by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). He said the solution to effective education funding lied in the establishment of a studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; loan scheme and, by extension, an education bank, which will avail students of loans for their education and other immediate needs.

He also disclosed that when they once confronted ASUU to provide document showing that UNESCO actually pegged budgetary allocation for education by developing countries at 26 per cent, the association was unable to substantiate its claim, a situation which further confirmed that the lie was cooked up to put government in a difficult situation. Besides, he said such

an advice would have been impossible in a developing society with unstable economy, asking what happens in a year that the government is unable to make provision for 26 per cent due largely to the instability of the economy.

While asking the ASUU leadership to return to the negotiating table in the national interest, Babalakin said an annual budget of N2 trillion on education alone was largely unfeasible, considering other competing social needs, like health, infrastructure and security. This makes the need to jointly work out a more plausible solution to the lingering crisis imperative.

According to Babalakin, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our position as a team is that Nigeria deserves and should have quality education. This must not be compromised as a result of inadequate funding, which has been the situation in the last 30

years. We also believe that no Nigerian should be deprived of university education because of his/her financial circumstance.

This position is consistent with that of the government of President Muhamamdu Buhari. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Going by the figures provided by ASUU, Nigeria requires over N2 trillion per annum to fund university education. This figure exceeds, in value, the total amount of money available for all capital projects in Nigeria, including health, infrastructure, security and others. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No doubt, if the money was available for university education, as ASUU has insisted it is, the government will have no difficulty in spending it on university education.

However, as it is, government cannot ignore all other areas of expenditure that require funding.â&#x20AC;?

Babalakin said it was in

OSHIOMHOLE: MY CONVERSATIONS WITH DEPARTMENT OF STATE SECURITY â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was invited and I honoured the invitation by the DSS. I was not arrested. I was invited for a conversation by the DSS concerning the APC primaries in some states. Nobody asked me to resign. I went to the DSS to honour their invitation and left afterwards,â&#x20AC;? Oshiomhole stated.

It had been widely reported in the media that Oshiomhole was detained by the DSS last Sunday and grilled for nine hours after some APC governors alleged that he received bribes from certain individuals in the ruling party during the partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary elections across the country to influence the list of candidates submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

It was further alleged that the agency asked Oshiomhole to resign during interrogation.

But the former Edo State governor said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;On the issue of corruption, if the DSS invitation had to do with corruption, as it was alleged, it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the job of the DSS to investigate such. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

the job of the ICPC or EFCC. The invitation, therefore, had nothing to do with corruption. I was invited in relation to the partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primaries and I honoured the invitation. I had a conversation with them and left. I was never arrested or grated bail.â&#x20AC;?

He added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I merely honoured the invitation and had a conversation with the DSS. This is not the first time; they have come to my office before wanting clarifications on issues and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always provided them with any relevant information in my possession. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In any case, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m the chairman of a political party. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not an appointee of the government.

So, it is not the job of the DSS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; even though Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m always willing to assist when necessary â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to investigate me, assuming the issue I was invited for has to do with corruption, as it is being portrayed to the public. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the job of the EFCC, not the DSS.â&#x20AC;?

On the question of who came to pick him up at the DSS office, Oshiomhole stated that he was

the one who called Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State to come, but he didn't pick me up, I drove out the way I came in. He reiterated that since he became the chairman of APC, the DSS had been to his office before â&#x20AC;&#x153;whenever they have concerns requiring proper clarificationsâ&#x20AC;?.

Regarding the call by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and INTERPOL to track Oshiomhole down, as news spread about his encouter with DSS, and insinuation that he was on the run since his reported interrogation. The former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) retorted that if the DSS had invited the chairman of the opposition party for spending dollars during their convention, â&#x20AC;&#x153;by now they would have been shouting that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;this is the end of democracy!â&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

They would have been writing petitions to the United Nations, the EU and other international bodies.â&#x20AC;?

EFCC MOVES TO PROSECUTE BABACHIR LAWAL, DRAFTS CHARGES of a panel, headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, which investigated allegations of corruption against Lawal and a former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayodele Oke. Before then, the Presidency had suspended Lawal, who, when told that he had been suspended, made the now famous reaction, â&#x20AC;&#x153;who is the Presidency?â&#x20AC;?

The statement issued by the Presidency announcing Lawalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

removal from office had read, "President Muhammadu Buhari has studied the report of the panel headed by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), which investigated allegations against the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, and the Director General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayodele Oke. "The president accepted the recommendation of the panel

to terminate the appointment of Mr. Lawal, and has appointed Boss Mustapha as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

"The appointment takes immediate effect.

"President Buhari also approved the recommendation to terminate the appointment of Mr. Oke, and has further approved the setting up of a three-member panel to, among other things, look into the operational, technical and

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 11, 2018

9

SUNDAY COMMENT

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

AS ELECTION CAMPAIGNS BEGIN...

T

Politicians should dwell on issues and how to harness the huge natural and human resources to boost development

he tenure of office under the current presidential system of government is just four years with the last of those years often consumed by political campaigns and succession drama.

That leaves three years of effective governance to tackle a myriad of problems: poverty, fuel scarcity, unemployment, kidnapping, Boko Haram, systemic and endemic corruption, mutual special interest blackmail, dilapidated infrastructure, etc. While the jury is still out as to whether the expectations of the Nigerian electorate who cast their ballots four years ago have been met, the challenge of the moment is the absence of any meaningful engagement on the problems that ail the nation barely three months to the next election.

Going by the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), The forthcoming the campaigns for general election the 2019 general presents an election should be in full swing this opportunity for week. On Friday, the nation to the commission demonstrate to started releasing the names of the candidates what extent the nominated by the fundamental political parties for principles of different offices. But in mounting the rostrums, democratic it is important for these engagement have candidates and their been internalised in supporters to be well the past two decades aware that, more than at any point in our history, Nigerians deserve more than the usual distribution of consumables and the procurement of musicians, comedians and dancers to entertain crowds in the name of political rallies. As things stand today, what we need are rigorous debates about the future of our country as we seek to harness the huge natural and human resources for meaningful development.

Unfortunately, available evidence suggests that all is not well in the polity going by some of the recent verbal exchanges, especially between the

Letters to the Editor

camps of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and that of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Aside the danger of such rhetoric in a polarised environment, trading insults and demonising opponents do not in any way advance democratic choice. Therefore, we enjoin all the stakeholders to caution their supporters from the use of intemperate language and indiscreet public commentary that could inflame passions and sow the seed for violence before, during and after the elections.

S

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

pecifically, we urge those who manage the media and public relations in the political parties to be more circumspect in their utterances and the statements they push out. We know that they have a job to do to market their candidates, but they must not create the impression that name calling and inappropriate language are acceptable behaviour. In their interventions in the public space, they must deliberately and consciously weigh everything they say. It is also important that the police and other security agencies be neutral in their activities at this period, during the election and in the days after.

What the politicians should understand is that elections will always come and go but the ideals of responsible citizenship will suffer if Nigerians are made to believe that there are no rules of engagement in the matter of competition for public offices. The desperation that leads to violence and the corruption of cash distribution that we witness in the name of campaigns, as well as the unnecessary bitterness and hate that usually arise and linger long after the votes have been counted, do not bode well for our country.

We hope those who seek the votes of the people, at all levels, will be mindful of this and campaign for votes with a measure of decency.

As we have had occasions to admonish on this page several times in the past, what should not be lost on critical stakeholders is that there is a thin line between the use of inappropriate language in the run up to an election and the use of physical violence during the actual election. The forthcoming general election therefore presents an opportunity for the nation to demonstrate to what extent the fundamental principles of democratic engagement have been internalised in the past two decades. Lack of decorum and political intolerance will be proof that not much has been learnt since 1999. And that would be unfortunate indeed.

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.

2019 And APC’s Lost Opportunity Forgiving others is a virtue but forgiving self is a gift.

––Ena E. Orugbo

I

t is a mystery how the All Progressives Congress mismanaged her brand, brand ambassador (President Muhammadu Buhari) and outing as Nigeria’s ruling party. This depicts that victory is an art and losing is better than winning with a loser’s mindset.

Losers have a common trait, line thinking. In 2015, for Peoples Democratic Party and her bandwagon of overfed sycophants, it was Jonathan or nothing. For change-centric Nigerians, it was anyone but Jonathan. In 2019, for APC and her hardliners, it is Buhari

or nothing. For the Wailing Wailers, it is anyone but Buhari. Guess what? In 2019, Nigerians will neither join the hardliners or Wailing Wailers and APC lost an opportunity to put her best foot forward, Yemi Osinbajo.

In 1960, the colonial masters bought into independence for Nigeria. They knew it was a pyrrhic victory. The sitting arrangement of the traditional rulers who met with Prince Charles during his recent trip to Nigeria says a lot. In 1999, after awarding Nigeria’s most prolific oil blocks to their fronts, the old order of the Nigerian military retreated to the barracks. They replicated the colonial master’s model and handed over power to their most trusted ally, Olusegun

Obasanjo. As a military genius, he went on to institutionalise line thinking, as a precursor to perpetuate himself in power. The Northerners thought outside the box and said a big no.

Third Term failed.

It took a defeat for Jonathan and the PDP to abandon line thinking. In 2015, Jonathan seized the opportunity to congratulate Buhari. This was thinking outside the box. It is dazzling to find the APC plagued by PDP’s 2014 disease. Actionable intelligence showed that the PDP presidential candidate had become an unsellable product. The overfed sycophants would have none of that and underrated Nigerians. PDP is now a smart party, iPDP. They rejected all entreaties to

streamline the long list of presidential aspirants. They instead facilitated fair and transparent presidential primaries on live television that put their best foot forward, Atiku Abubakar.

Awolowo’s developmental footprints, investment in people, remain the most potent till this day. Osinbajo is married to Awolowo’s grand daughter. The apple truly doesn’t fall far from the tree. APC’s masterstroke should have been to present Osinbajo as her presidential candidate with Aisha Buhari as his running mate. APC’s current presidential candidate has become unsellable, thanks to APC. On the contrary, Osinbajo’s pedigree and stellar performance as Acting President are crystal clear and sellable. The naira appreciated under Osinbajo. He courageously sacked the former DG of the DSS,

Lawal Daura and stayed loyal to his principal.

In 2015, PDP fielded a dented product and was rewarded with a well-deserved defeat. The APC is set to repeat the same feat.

Atiku is a strong candidate and PDP has learnt the hard way. The window to substitute candidates is gradually closing. APC can decide to follow the dictates of her hardliners or think outside the box. The Wailing Wailers are armed with their PVCs and buying time. Findings from a discreet 2019 analysis shows that Nigerians are going to vote the best candidate and not party.

As Acting President, Osinbajo increased the brand equity of the APC and spurred Nigerians.

Articulate or be prepared to congratulate Atiku.

––Dr. Enameguolo Orugbo, jetageNG@gmail.com

10

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 11, 2018

NEWS

Acting News Editor Gboyega Akinsanmi E-mail: gboyega.akinsanmi@thisdaylive.com, 08081986590

Kaduna Archbishop: Nigeria at War with Fanatics, Kidnappers, Terrorists Says Christians, Muslims not at war John Shiklam in Kaduna The Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna State, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso yesterday condemned the rising activi-

ties of criminal elements in the country, especially in the Northern, noting that Nigeria “is at war with fanatics, kidnappers, and terrorists.”

Ndagoso, also, warned all

Warns political leaders against unguided statements

political leaders in Kaduna State against unguided and disrespectful statements, which according to him, portrayed them as sectional and biased leaders.

He gave the warning at the funeral service of the Agom Adara, Mr. Raphael Maiwada held at St. John’s Catholic Church, Kachia, Kaduna yesterday, lamenting that

SAFE TRIP

L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi; his Anambra counterpart, Willy Obiano; Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahimm Idris and President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport before the President departed to PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI France ahead of the Peace Forum ...yesterday

criminals “are killing and maiming innocent Nigerians and making everywhere unsafe for citizens.”

The traditional ruler, who was abducted on October 19 by gunmen on his way from Kaduna to his palace in Kachia, was later killed by the kidnappers on October 26, after a N10 million ransoms was said to have been paid to them.

At funeral service yesterday, Ndagoso observed that the challenges facing Nigeria, particularly the North, was due to the increasing activities of fanatics, kidnappers and terrorists, who had practically made everywhere insecure and unsafe.

He said, “Let me reiterate once again that the challenge we have at hand in Nigeria, especially in the northern part, is not a war between Christians and Muslims. No. Christians and Muslims are not at war with each other.

“Our country, however, is at war with fanatics, kidnappers, terrorists and opportunists who are criminals in every sense of the word, killing and maiming innocent Nigerians regardless of religion, ethnicity and political leanings.”

He called on the federal government “to tackle the security problems across the country by investing more in security in the security sector.

Without security that will

enable the citizenry to move around freely to conduct their daily businesses, the roads, railways, hospitals, schools etc that are built will become useless.

On this note, the cleric explained that those charged with the constitutional duty of protecting and securing lives and property should go after the criminal elements.

Recalling the bloody violence that erupted in Kaduna, Ndagoso commended security agents in the state for their quick and prompt intervention on October 21 and Friday morning of October 26 when Kaduna became tense following the abduction and the killing of the traditional ruler.

He noted, “If not for that quick intervention, the consequences for all of us would have been better imagined.

We are not oblivious of the enormous challenges facing them in these very difficult and trying moments. We know that very often they put their lives on the line to make us safe. This said, I believe that like everything else in life there is always room for improvement.

The cleric urged security agents “to work harder, especially in the area of intelligence gathering, sharing and surveillance. There is much left to be desired in this regards.”

Belarusian Multinational Seeks Partnership with FG, Lagos on Cable Light Rail Gboyega Akinsanmi A Belarusian multinational, SkyWay Capital at the weekend disclosed that it would be willing to develop robust partnership with the Federal and Lagos Governments to deliver a multi-billion naira hi-tech string transport technology in Nigeria.

The multinational, which specialises in bringing innovative transport system to the

world market, also disclosed that with the hi-tech string transport technology, passengers could commute between Lagos and Abuja within 45 minutes.

The Regional Head of Sky Way Capital, Mr. Samson Arogundade made the disclosure at an investors’ conference in Lagos on Friday, noting that the ultra-modern transport system was carefully designed to assist government

in alleviating the sufferings of the people in moving from one point to another.

Besides its regional head, the conference, which attracted participants from public and private sectors, was attended by members of SkyWay Capital Board, Mr. Vladimir Maslov, Mr. Frantishek Solar and a Nigerian partner, Mr. Ayodele Adewale, among others.

At the conference, Aro-

gundade explained that the project would help unlock traffic gridlock within the Lagos metropolis and ensure easy movement of people and goods between the city and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Confident of its capacity, Arogundade noted that the fast string transport project would cover the distance between Lagos and Abuja in 45 minutes at an average of 150

PCNI Empowers 400 Youths Nigeria Ranks Third in Premature Birth Globally from Conflict Zones Daji Sani in Yola The Presidential Committee on the North-East Initiative (PCNI) yesterday disclosed that it had empowered at least 400 youths from different communities ravaged by Boko Haram, noting that the beneficiaries were trained in entrepreneurship, digital graphics design and repairs of smart phone.

The Vice Chairman of PCNI, Mr. Tijjani Tumsa made the disclosure at the inauguration of the PCNI ICT Resource Centre at the Federal College of Education (FCE) in Yola, the Adamawa capital.

Tumsa, who was represented by the PCNI State Coordinator, Mr. Hamman Bello said the North-East ranked the lowest in ICT across all regions of the country.

He said the resource centres

were established “to bridge this glaring gap adding that the objectives was also to improve access to information technology in the North-East.

“The 400 youths, who benefitted from the seven-month programme were drawn across the six states of the restive region. It is to make the people of the region ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency to be self-productive and economically independent “The programme was designed to inculcate much needed skill in the people of the North-east, especially between 18 and 45 years. During the programme all participants would be trained on a number of different modules.”

He said the participants “will first be trained on entrepreneurship and computer appreciation after which they would be divided into two groups.

The wife of the Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Zainab ShinkafiBagudu at the weekend disclosed that Nigeria was ranked third among 10 top countries with high rate of preterm birth of 773,600.

Bagudu disclosed this in Abuja when the National Association of Nigerian Paediatric Nurses (NANPAN) paid advocacy visit on her, thereby attributing the statistics to the latest data from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), preterm birth also know as premature birth is the birth of baby at fewer than 37 weeks gestational age.

She frowned at the rating, lamenting that a lot of preterm related death often occurred due to lack of sophisticated equipment that would ensure proper care for the babies.

She however noted that it

was important and high time for the nation to rise up to its responsibilities by coming up with innovations and policies that would help in saving the lives of number of neonatal death.

Bagudu said, “Prematurity is the leading cause of newborn death worldwide and if we can save some of these babies we will definitely record more economic impact in our country.

“The resources in terms of human and material that is expended on premature birth and babies dying every year is enormous and we can do something about it,” she said.

Bagudu identified one of the easy ways to restore the lives and ensure better health for premature babies to include Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), adding that it would enable the baby cuddle with mother in the absence of incubators.

kilometres per hour but has capacity for 500km per hour.

According to him, the company is fully committed, possessed the technical know how and financial capability to deliver the project in no time so long it enjoyed support and cooperation of Lagos and Federal Governments.

Also at the conference, Maslov, a member of Board of the company, disclosed that they were ready to sign

an agreement with the Federal and Lagos State Governments to signal the take off of the fast track transportation project.

On some of the benefits inherent in the project, Vladimir Maslov said it would reduce the rate at which commuters were exposed to accident on the road, zero tolerance for pollution and maximum security of lives and property of passengers.

Family of Four Dies in Auto Crash in Anambra David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

posited in a morgue.

A road accident, which occurred at Nkwelle Ezunaka junction in Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State, yesterday claimed five lives comprising an unidentified man, his wife, daughter and mother in-law.

The accident involved a tipper and Toyota Camry car, which the family was travelling with.

A source told THISDAY that the crash happened through a head on collision between the two automobiles.

The victims, who were said to be rushed to a nearby hospital, were confirmed dead on arrival.

Speaking on the accident yesterday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed said the corpses of the victims had been de-

Mohammed said, “There was an accident involving a Tipper and a Toyota Camry along Nkwelle Ezunaka junction in Onitsha. The accident occurred when the two vehicles had a head on collision.

“As a result of the accident, the Driver of the Toyota Camry, one Mr Godwin Akaeme and three other passengers in the car comprising his wife, daughter and female in-law whose names are still unknown sustained various degrees of injuries.

He added that police patrol team attached to 33 Division visited the scene and rushed casualties to Apex hospital for treatment but unfortunately all the four victims were certified dead by the medical doctor on arrival.

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OPINION Lagos and The Campaign Against Drug Abuse Tayo Ogunbiyi urges all stakeholders to assist the state government in taming the drug scourge

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ccording to World Health Organisation (WHO), drug abuse is â&#x20AC;&#x153;the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugsâ&#x20AC;?. It is estimated that about 76.3 million people struggle with alcohol use disorders contributing to 1.8 million deaths per year. The United Nations reported that around 185 million people globally over the age of 15 were consuming drugs by the end of the 20th century.

Drug abuse is a situation when drug is taken more than it is prescribed. It could also be seen as the use of illicit drugs, or the abuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs. It could further be defined as the deliberate use of chemical substances for reasons other than intended medical purposes and which results in physical, mental emotional or social impairment of the user. The abuse of legal drugs can happen when people use the drugs in a manner other than directed by the manufacturer or purpose that are not legitimate.

Drug addiction occurs through excessive, maladaptive, or obsessive use of drugs for non-medicinal purposes. It is characterised by a compulsion to take drugs on a steady basis in order to experience its mental effects. Drug addiction leads to habitual dependence on drugs which gives rise to mental, emotional, biological or physical, social and economic instability.

Drug addiction, no doubt, has distressing and extremely awful consequences on the society. Violence, social deviance, mental disorders, upsurge in crime, corruption; destruction of individuals, erosion of societal values, undermining of national economies and premature death are some of the consequences of drug addiction.

It is in order to stem the increasing trend of drug abuse and addiction in the country as well as the state in particular that the Lagos State government through the Ministry of Youth and Social Development recently flagged off the Lagos State Kicks Against Drug Abuse (LASKADA). The initiative is to complement other such existing governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts towards tackling drug abuse in the state.

The initiative adopts a tripod approach comprising events, engagements with stakeholders and awareness campaign. The campaign started with a 1,000-man walk against drug abuse in which the state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and his

wife, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode and other top government functionaries actively took part. With regard to awareness campaign, there are already series of activities on various platforms to ensure that the message gets to the targeted audience. Faith-based organsations, traditional bodies, road transport workers, the political class, NDLEA, youth organisations; NGOs, the media and other critical stakeholders are to be constantly engaged with a view to drastically reducing the rate of drug abuse in the state.

For obvious reason, the campaignâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main target is the youth who are most vulnerable when it comes to drug abuse and other related matters. Without a doubt, the youth represents the largest population in Nigeria and is, therefore, considered the most susceptible group as far as drug and issues are concerned.

A recent United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Report shows that the age of first use in the country is 10-29 years.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has expressed concern over the increasing level of drug abuse and drug trafficking among Nigerian youths. According to the NDLEA, the situation had been worsened by the affordability of substance of abuse such as cough syrups, lizard wastes, gums and cannabis sativa popularly known as Indian hemp. Considering the delicate and sensitive position of the youth within the society, drug addiction among them remains a major threat to national growth and development.

The ingenuity introduced into substance misuse and abuse with complex mixtures, experimentation and new discoveries among

Violence, social deviance, mental disorders, upsurge in crime, corruption; destruction of individuals, erosion of societal values, undermining of national economies and premature death are some of the consequences of drug addiction

young people should be a source of great concern to any people oriented government. Youth involvement in this maladaptive and anti-social behaviour would, no doubt, aggravate their involvement in crimes such as robbery, stealing, kidnapping, cybercrime, rape, domestic violence, murder, suicide, among others.

Currently, the state government has enlisted the service of female football superstar, Asisat Osoala, who is the current African Female Footballer of the Year as Ambassador in the campaign against drug abuse. This move is quite strategic because of the erroneous notion among the youths that without drug use, success cannot be attained in the fields of sports and entertainment. Thus, it is expected that the involvement of an accomplished superstar of Osoala stature in the campaign would help drive home this point. It is hoped that more superstars in the sports, arts and entertainment industry would come on board this laudable project.

Other initiatives that have earlier been put in place by the state government to deal with the scourge of drug abuse include the establishment of youth-friendly centres in all the local government areas as well as local government development areas (LCDAs) to serve as venue for relaxation and recreation and to further engage the youth in productive venture so that the menace of drug abuse could be drastically eradicated.

Establishment of drug-dependent rehabilitation centre by the state government equally gives support to youths who are addicted to drugs.

In order to ensure that the various commitments of the state government in tackling drug abuse are not in vain, other stakeholders need to join hands with the government to put up a common front against this scourge. Environmental influence, especially during childhood, is a very important factor in drug addiction. Parents or older family members who abuse alcohol or drugs, or who engage in criminal behaviour, can increase childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s risks of developing their own drug problems. Friends and acquaintances can also have an increasingly strong influence during adolescence. â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Ogunbiyi is of the Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Lagos (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

The Imperative of Restructuring The need for restructuring the federation is urgent, writes Abiodun Olusanya

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government is judged by how much wealth and other indices of economic and human development it can create for its people while in office. Here we are not talking about stomach infrastructure or indeed, any of those vague/derogatory terms our politicians deploy to deceive our people. It is about creating wealth that lifts everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fortune and makes all residents proud. Good roads, world class hospitals, high quality public education for children and youths, employment, good security and generally lifting the wellbeing of residents.

The problem now is that thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s insufficient resource to do these lofty projects. To worsen our peculiar situation, we are not creating wealth but rather we are a consuming nation. The Americans, for instance, are proud of their country because they are creating wealth, and this wealth impacts one way or the other on every American. That is what we need in Nigeria. As it stands today, a situation where a tiny percentage of the population are getting wealthier; some having inexplicably humongous wealth while the majority are languishing in abject poverty is not sustainable. We are not creating sufficient wealth that can lift up our economy.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, our unpardonable dependence on the price of crude oil further complicates our situation. Such that when crude price rises, we make more money and suddenly feel better and when it goes downwards, we are thrown into a panic mood. Simply put, we are merely a consuming nation, producing next to nothing Ii is on this basis that I will try to explain in every dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s language why our need for restructuring is not only urgent but imperative and why the clamour deserves more than a cursory attention. A system where only four or five states out of 36 can survive if the Federal allocation of money is delayed or stopped is not sustainable.

Efforts of successive governments both now and in the past, have had limited impact on the economic wellbeing of the majority. It has only benefitted a very tiny proportion of the population mostly through rent-seeking and opaque favours that some had been privileged to enjoy from those managing our resources.

When you look at the 2018 budgets of some states: Bayelsa, N295bn; Benue, N178bn; Bauchi, N167bn; and with Cross River having the highest of N1.3trillion, while Yobe has the lowest of N92.2bn. The question you want to ask is, what exactly were these monies being used for if the residents hardly feel the impact and how come people are getting poorer and poorer? And what of the damning report that Nigeria may be the poorest nation on earth by 2050 if we continue at this rate! Very scary indeed. Whatever it is we are practising, is not working. Most of these budgets are tied either to very long-term developmental projects or a large percent-

age of it is not tied to projects that have significant impact on the residents. Or perhaps still, the budgets are too small to make any meaningful impact on the wellbeing of citizens. And so, budgets come and go but nothing significant can be seen or felt.

We need a complete change of approach and system of determining resource allocation at both state and federal levels.

An approach that creates significant wealth must be adopted to reverse the growing trend of economic deprivation, and we need to transform Nigeria from being seen and classified as a poor country to a rich one. Now we need to start creating wealth for our nation to turn things around.

There is a need to classify our states or regions by economic activities. For instance, each state or region is suited for one or two major economic activities. And, we all know this simple economics â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the theory of competitive advantage. When resources are targeted at the economic potential of a state, the state will start to grow again. There has to be a balance between investing in long term development projects like building highways and investing in human capital development and other projects that immediately impact on the people. There is a disconnect between the natural endowments of our states and the economic activities taking place there. That is why we are not creating wealth. At this point in our developmental history, we all need to look inwards and use our God-given resources to create wealth for our people. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like every state or region has to be run like an industry, using our competitive advantage to create wealth, otherwise things are going to remain the same or get worse in the years to come.

Let us look at some states in United States for example and see what determine their wealth and level of economic activities.

Here are a few examples; Nebraska and Iowa are agricultural states. This is what defines their sustenance. This is their primary industry. Most other activities centre around or evolve from agriculture, the main stay. As expected, agriculture is their largest source of employment and revenue. Likewise, other states have different and unique economic main stay: Michigan â&#x20AC;&#x201C; automobile manufacturing, Maine â&#x20AC;&#x201C; export of lobsters to the whole world; North Dakota â&#x20AC;&#x201C; domestic oil industry, shale production and refineries; Wyoming; mining; Hawai â&#x20AC;&#x201C; beautiful beaches and tourism; Texas â&#x20AC;&#x201C; oil; Nevada â&#x20AC;&#x201C; gaming and tourism, etc.

Here in Nigeria, we have not even mapped the economic activities that each state should focus on for its development.

Instead we are all looking at the oil in the Niger Delta. The only thing we hear and read about is that certain amount, may be N620bn, was shared among the states in one month or the other.

Once it is ready, every governor quickly dispatches someone to Abuja to run after his stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s share, spend the money and wait for the next call. We have done this since we abandoned the pre-1966 regional system when regions successfully produced and relied on different agricultural produce for their development. It is clear that the current system is not taking us anywhere. The young people, graduates et al all over the country whose fortunes and welfare are supposed to be tied to the fortunes of their states are nowhere in the equation. How many of them can the few banks, hotels, insurance companies or even state and federal governments engage?

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take Edo State for example. Its fortune should be derived from Rubber and Oil Palm as its mainstay. If you know how many manufacturing and service industries will evolve in that area if this is well managed, even the state will not be able to meet the human labour demand of the sector, and will need to attract other states to come and live in Edo. Then more people, more houses, more roads, more cars, etc., will become very visible there. That is real development. Then hospitals will have to be built to cater for the rising population there, and cities will spring up. That is real development. If Bauchiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main stay is livestock, that will be its main source of revenue. Every state will pay federal taxes dependent on their output to the federal government. And guess who will pay the highest taxes? The mineral producing states because of the value of their output.

These federal incomes will be used to manage our defence, immigration and customs, foreign affairs, national security and for further intervention for the weaker states.

Now consider that Nigeria has the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best quality in many natural and agricultural resources like mahogany, bitumen. limestone, iron ore, tin, crude oil, oil palm, shrimps (I once read we have the best shrimps quality in the whole world!) We also have the best quality of iron ore, crude oil, tin and bitumen in the world.Restructuring is just about reorganising ourselves along the line of our productive capacities. We are one of the countries of the world that should be self-sufficient in everything and export all things that the whole world needs!

Every state is blessed, either with natural resource or agriculture produce or both, and that is the starting point. Let every state go and recognise just two of what their greatest resources are (I call it their mainstay) and develop a comprehensive plan on how to develop these potentialities to become the main source of their revenues and economies. â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Olusanya wrote from the United States.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

15

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 11, 2018

LETTERS

I

Nigeria’s Fading Light of Integrity

remember with nostalgia how a friend amid euphoria triggered by the declaration of the 2015 presidential election result cautioned me with these few words: “Men will change their ruler expecting to fare better; but they only deceive themselves, and they learn from experience that they have made matters worse.”

Still, I had reminded him that the result ushered in a season of integrity in the country, he again replied thus: “no single attribute could be identified as a virtue.”

“Remember”, he added, “Politics has its own rules”.

Three years after that conversation, I cannot categorically say that my friend was right or wrong in his prediction. But the present instinct in the country explains two things; first, apart from the fact that the shout of integrity which hitherto rend the nation’s political space has like light faded; jeers have since overtaken the cheers of political performance while fears have displaced reason -resulting in an entirely separate set of consequences irrational hatred and division.

Adding context to this discourse, it is worthy of note that none of the current challenges (political or socioeconomic) bedevilling the nation started with this administration.

For instance, corruption is

S

Buhari

but a human problem that has existed in some forms.

Its fights also dates back to colonial governments as they sufficiently legislated against it in the first criminal code ordinance of 1916 (No.15 of 1916) which elaborately made provisions prohibiting official bribery and corruption by persons in the public service and in the judiciary. Also at independence on October 1, 1960, the criminal code against corruption and abuse of office in Nigeria were in section 98 to 116 and 404 of the code.

But while the situation then may look ugly, what is going on now is even worse and frightening. Nigerians are not particularly happy that the president who rode to power by the favour of his fellow citizen and orchestrated ‘integrity’ cannot effectively tame corruption in the country but instead, had allowed it take both nepotistic and supportive forms.

As we know and have observed lately, while ‘nepotistic corruption involves unjustified and often unquali-

fied appointment of friends or acquaintances to public offices in violations of the established norms (federal character), supportive corruption on its part refers to actions undertaken to protect the existing or already done corrupt practices particularly when the person(s) involved belong to the same ruling party.

Sadly, at a time the country’s economy is showing its inability to sustain any kind of meaningful growth that promotes the social welfare of the people, corruption becomes even more entrenched as scandal upon scandal has completely laid bare the anti-corruption stance of this administration and those who were initially deceived by the present government’s alleged fight against corruption have come to the conclusion that nothing has changed.

This situation is even made worse when one remembers that the list of actions not taken by this administration to confront corruption which has made Nigerians face actual and potential difficulties remains lengthy and worrisome. Chiefly among these is Mr. President’s failure to objectively make corruption fight a personal priority for him or those who report directly to him.

Without any shadow of doubt, this has fittingly presented the president as

Afenifere’s FAUX PAS

outh West is considered the most politically sophisticated region in the country. It is for good reason. Every individual has the right to belong to a political party of his or her choice. This right comes with the privilege of having and expressing political opinion and freedom of political association.

Here ideology plays a vital role in deciding which political group one belongs to – whether one is a progressive or conservative, left or right of the political spectrum.

The above characterised the political evolution of the defunct Western Region.

And that was the reason why the Action Group (AG) and later the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), both led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, gained prominence in the region. All through to the termination of the Second Republic, the region was always controlled by the progressives, except for the brief and aberrational interludes of the Ladoke Akintola, the post 1983 farcical short reign of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and the 2003-2010 disastrous Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stranglehold on the region.

With the advent of democracy in 1999, ideology seemed to have been jettisoned in the country. This dearth of ideology is no doubt fast affecting every group or organisation with a tint of politics: Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo

and Arewà Consultative Forum. Last week, Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-political organisation, took a somewhat bizarre political decision.

In an emergency meeting it called, the pan-Yoruba organisation issued a communiqué to the effect that it took a decision to suspend the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the September 22nd Osun State Governorship Election, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

Omisore's offence, according to Afenifere, was that he formed an alliance with the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the re-run election, which paved the way for the APC to win the Osun Governorship Election.

The punishment for this alignment with the progressive APC in the re-run thus earned Omisore a one-year suspension from the organisation's all activities, political or social!

What a decision! What a punishment! But these two questions should not be the only ones which should agitate the mind of every true Yoruba son and daughter.

The decision by Afenifere ought to be probed deeply to find out why such stand should be taken in the first place and what such decision portends for the Yoruba nation.

This brings to mind a flurry of questions: What did Omisore do in the first place? Next is, what did he do wrong? Is Afenifere saying

that every Yoruba must belong to the organisation's political party or political party it leans towards? Are Afenifere leaders saying we don't have freedom to choose and belong to any political party of our choice? These and more should agitate the minds of Yoruba sons and daughters.

Because this was what earned Senator Omisore the harsh punishment from Afenifere.

Both APC and PDP approached Omisore before the rerun because of his popularity and central position. They negotiated with him because it was his area of influence where two polling units in the rerun election were located.

He thus exercised his political freedom to choose which party to align with. That was Omisore’s crime.

We should make no pretence about this. Omisore was hammered by Afenifere for supporting APC in the rerun election of September 27. This is rather baffling. The electoral contest pitted the well-educated APC’s Gboyega Oyetola with PDP’s Ademola Adeleke.

Oyetola has two degrees from the University of Lagos.

He is a successful financial magnate and solid member and financier of the AD all through its metamorphosis to APC. He also had tucked under his belt an unblemished eight years public service as the Chief of Staff to Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

Adeleke on the other hand

has issues with his secondary school education. It took WAEC’s intervention in the last minute, which claimed that he indeed sat for a single subject in 1981. Even as we speak, he is being prosecuted for examination malpractices in an Abuja court, an offence, the police alleged, he committed just last year.

Evaluating the two candidates amounts to comparing an apple with an orange.

There is really no basis for comparing them. It reflects the extent to which we have sunk as a nation, that a political party would field Adeleke as a candidate, in the first instance.

But that Afenifere would put its weight behind such a candidate sealed the moral degeneracy in Yorubaland.

With this cynical decision, Afenifere just told us that it prefers Adeleke to occupy that exalted governorship position!

The same position occupied

by Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

What a political irony! The same position occupied

by Chief Ajibola Ige, Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Professor Ambrose Alli, Chief Adekunle Ajasin and Chief Adefarati.

One is worried that the position occupied by these eminent personalities could be offered to anybody with no intellectual and educational pedigree.

––Sola Fasure and Kunle Owolabi, Osogbo

one that started off with high moral standards, strong conviction and determination to beat down corruption but has neither lived up to that good intention nor dealt with all transgressors without exception.

No wonder Chinua Achebe in his book the trouble with Nigeria stated that Nigerians are corrupt because the system under which they live today makes corruption easy and profitable; they will cease to be corrupt when corruption is made difficult and inconvenient. The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership and Nigeria can change today if it discovers leaders who have the will, the ability, and the vision.

One other ill that has plagued this administration, faded its integrity and mirrored it as a central threat to the nation’s attainment of social progress is the arrogation to self, the ‘power’ to ignore the legitimate legislative directives and act free of the judiciary coupled with the penchant for following their self-made tracks without keeping entirely to the tracks or the provisions of the nation’s constitution. This particularly has prompted many to conclude that there is something deeply troubling with their disdain for rule of law. Thinking about all these in relation to the prevailing harsh economic situation in the country, a state of depression (or is it a recession), the countdown to the next general elections in Nigeria appears

to be comical, yet laced with trepidation as those who voted last time out will want to activate their dreams in another call for ‘change;’ this time for the better after four years of unfulfilled ‘change’.

The electorate should be excused if they enter 2019 with a new dream on their minds, and head to the polls with a different mentality than they had in 2019. The new orientation would be shaped by recent fiscal, sociological, political and communal happenings in the country; coupled with the pockets of ethno-religious upheavals and misgivings from one region against another or powerful personalities against each other.

Also, it can be safely deduced that many different strata, sectors, and sections of the country will be looking up to 2019 as a year to settle various scores - both idealistically and holistically. Particularly now that the masses have realised that the nation is still being governed by people that do not feel the pinch they made to stoically endure coupled with the reality that the political leaders have fractured our nation’s geography into polarised ‘ethnosyncrasies’ and idiosyncrasies.

And one thing I certainly know is that it will be rewarding moves if Nigerians can come 2019 enthrone upright personalities as leaders.

––Jerome-Mario Utomi is a Lagos based Journalist/ Researcher.

Buhari's Second Term Will Guarantee Development

T

he 2019 general election is around the corner. Nigerians will go to the poll and elect new leaders that will steer the affairs of the country for another period of four years.

President Muhammadu Buhari, having won his party's primary election will fly its ticket. Mr President who will contest for the second time will face other candidates fielded by their respective parties.

Notably among the contenders is Atiku Abubakar of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Interestingly, if the performance of President Buhari will be used as a basis or criteria for re-election, he would win the election with wide margin. In the last three and half years in the saddle, President Buhari has achieved a lot in all aspects of human endeavours. In 2015 after he won the general election, Buhari was faced with multi-faceted challenges. It was on record the crude oil price had crashed in the global market. The price of barrel of crude oil hovered around $ 30 and had seriously affected the revenue inflow of the country.

With the battered economy left behind by the former administration of Jonathan coupled with poor price of crude oil in the international market, many states hardly met their salary

and other financial obligations.

Notwithstanding, the federal government rushed to the aids of those distressed states for bailout. The bailout has assisted greatly in addressing the challenges of salaries payment.

It could be recalled that the administration of President Buhari came to power on three promises namely: securing the country, reviving the economy and fighting corruption. The administration deserves a pat on its back in the area of security. When Buhari assumed office in 2015, some local governments in Borno State were under the control of the dreaded Boko Haram group. The government did not only liberate those local governments from the grip of the murderous group but also degraded them. Now, the menace of Boko Haram has been nipped in the bud. In the area of economic development, the Buhari administration had recorded significant feats in numerous intervention programmes and policies. The school feeding programme has empowered millions of women. Besides the nutritional value of the meals served to the school pupils, millions of Nigerians eke out a living from it.

––Aliyu Alto, Daura, Katsina State.

16

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 11, 2018

THISDAY WEEKLY GUIDE TO 2019

Abubakar

Okorocha

Saraki

Emmanuel

The Road to 2019: Flashpoints to Watch (IX) The state of play and build-up to next year’s general election remains fluid, writes Olawale Olaleye

L

ast week came with its own surprises in the build-ups to next year’s elections, but there was no significant game changer. The post primaries bounce for The PDP - People Democratic Party’s Atiku Abubakar presidential run seem to have ebbed as the campaign organisation go into planning committees expecting to return with a big bang effect once the campaigns get underway; the lingering internal malcontents in the All Progressives Congress (APC) took a rather intriguing twist in the week that just ended. National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole had a rather special, but curious, invitation from an improbable quarter – the Department of State Security (DSS).

His invitation was predicated on some still unproven bribe-for-ticket allegations by some members of the party and from about 3pm on Sunday afternoon, when he arrived at the office of the security agency, he did not leave for some eight hours.

Indeed, there have been different accounts of what transpired with the DSS, and who leaked the information, the summary of his visit is that it is not yet uhuru for the hard hitting chairman and his traducers.

After the ordeal, Oshiomhole traveled abroad immediately to cater for his dear wife who was hospitalised in the USA. He returned Friday night to a chat with journalists in Lagos. Emerging details indicate that Oshiomhole may not have been the only APC National Working Committee member chatting with the spy agency raising concerns about the role of the security agency in the internal affairs of political parties. The concerns increased amongst diplomats covering Nigeria when the opposition PDP praised the action of the DSS and even asked Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the INTERPOL to apprehend the ruling party Chairman. One diplomat told THISDAY in Abuja last week that PDP should rather be careful what they wish for. “should the tables turn and the DSS go after PDP, they should not cry foul!”.

That notwithstanding, there were other positive developments in the week. Apart from the list of some of the successful candidates of different parties that was released by INEC, the electoral

body has also begun to clean up its register ahead of 2019, a move that was responsible for the delisting of about 300,000 noneligible voters.

Besides, INEC also received an endorsement from the US Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Tibor Nagy, who expressed optimism that INEC would conduct a credible election in 2019. The US ambassador also used the opportunity to dismiss speculations that the US had a preferred candidate in next year’s election.

But INEC received some spanking from a prominent rights lawyer, Kayode Ajulo, who advised that the commission should have rejected all the names of candidates submitted to it by the APC, because he could prove that there was nowhere the party held primaries. He described the APC appeal panel as a huge embarrassment and contradiction to political sanity as everyone knows it.

IMO All Cleared But One The list of candidates released in the week by INEC must have left the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha hugely distraught as the name of his candidate and son-in-law, Uche Nwosu was conspicuously missing.

While INEC recognised Hope Uzodinma as the APC candidate in Imo, it recognised Senator Ifeanyi Ararume and Emeka Ihedioha as candidates of APGA and the PDP respectively. But Nwosu was not on INEC’s radar.

What is however certain is that Okorocha is not giving up yet. Aside from going to court, what he does next from here is the thing no one knows. But that he would take it in his stride is likely not characteristic of his huge ego, which therefore makes Imo a constant place to watch.

BAUCHI A Chance Campaign This is one state that has made good use of a rare opportunity to sell his re-election ticket. The deeply unpopular Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauch State, while addressing a delegation of Islamic scholars from the Kingdom of Morocco, Algeria, United States of America, Malaysia and Senegal under the leadership of the Grand Khalifa of Tijjaniya, Sheikh

Muhammadu Kabir, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, reiterated his resolve to be fair to all, irrespective of religion, creed or status.

Needless to say that the governor’s emergence as the candidate of the APC was by the whiskers, let alone not factoring into consideration the recent position of some stakeholders, who insisted the party as at today does not have a governorship candidate because there was no primaries to start with which connotes a mix bag of confusion, however, while there are those who hold the view that if the governor deploys political diplomacy and sustains his current outreach, what stands before him might not be too difficult to surmount. At the end, will Governor Abubakar be punished by the Bauchi electorate and they had done with former Governors like Ahmadu Muazu and Isa Yuguda? Time will tell.

security personnel in the state, who might be injured or die in the course of fighting crimes in the state. The executive bill is being packaged already for legislative backing.

Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Onofiok Luke, who disclosed this development, said the executive and the legislature were interfacing to be able to come up with the Trust Fund. He however stated that for the record, the Executive Bill was the brain-child of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

For a governor whose re-election challenge appears very difficult, given all that had happened in the state in the last few months, such moves could not have come at a better time. But how well such initiatives are received and interpreted by the people is a big deal in thinking good strategy at such a time.

KWARA Holding Down the Dynasty

BORNO Courting a Crucial Constituency in the face of unaccountability

On the surface, it appears the leader of the PDP in Kwara State and the strongman of the state, Dr. Bukola Saraki is not ruffled by whatever is going on around him. That may not be correct. Those close to him say he has only grown to develop such thick skin that even if his house was on fire, he would be smiling while putting out the fire.

This is why, in spite of mounting opposition against him, he has carried on as if all is well. His recent donation of N10 million to flood victims in the state and in his capacity as the political leader of the state could not have come at a more auspicious time. While his opponents would talk their way to nothing, including slinging mud, he activates action plan and remains practical. He is still the man to beat in Kwara.

AKWA IBOM A Smart Investment Plan It could not have been anything but a well-timed campaign move by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which recently disclosed a plan to float a State Security Trust Fund that would assist

Another smart move came from the stable of the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, who last week gave an ultimatum of two weeks for the bottleneck affecting payment of pensions to be resolved. The governor reportedly held an emergency meeting with the State Chairman of the NLC, executives of Nigerian Union of Pensioners and some representatives of pensioners facing problems with payment over bottlenecks arising from ongoing data capturing and standardisation of pensioners’ payments in Borno State.

He was said to have immediately set up a committee made up of representatives of all stakeholders including some journalists and gave the committee two weeks ultimatum to ensure all concerns regarding the biometrics are cleared in order to ensure that pensioners, whose data and other documentation are yet to be captured, begin to receive their pensions like a majority of others already collecting theirs after passing through the biometric.

For a governor, who is determined to put a chosen successor in office despite mounting opposition, courting a very crucial constituency in the state was not

17

NOVEMBER 11, 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

El-Rufai

Amosun

Ambode

Ganduje

The Road to 2019: Flashpoints to Watch (IX) just smart but intelligent. The pensioners can conveniently compete with the youth in terms of population and locking down this demography may be strategic thinking. But the questions facing the Borno Governor remain: what he has done with the billions of federal allocations and funding from international donor agencies in a state stymied by Book Haram - when most citizens have relocated to the state capital? Is there a nexus between this unaccountable funding situation and the continuing Boko Haram insurgency?

ENUGU Some More Big Wins One of the few governors that have savoured good standing from a vantage position is the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who has continued to count both on his record of performance and relationship with his people.

He scored some more big wins in the week when some foreign envoys – the European Union and Netherlands – acknowledged his efforts and development initiatives. It didn’t end there. Nkanu East, a critical population in the state also endorsed him in the week, thus swelling the list of endorsements in the state.

But this would have suffered a bit had the moves by the opposition in the state gone unaddressed. The opposition had accused the governor of abandoning an iconic high-life musician from the state, Chief Mike Ejeagha, a development the camp of the government didn’t find funny.

But Ugwuanyi didn’t just take it in his strides. He immediately put a lie to the speculation by paying an unscheduled visit to the man, who out of excitement endorsed him for a second term in office.

That was another political knockout believed to have sent the opposition to Siberia.

KADUNA Moving on to the Next Phase Kaduna State Governor, Nasir elRufai was under attack for the whole of last week for picking another Muslim, Hadiza Abubakar Balarabe as his running mate since the current deputy governor, Barnabas Bala has secured a ticket to go to the senate.

But the hullabaloo generated by this didn’t move el-Rufai a bit. On the contrary, he has moved on to the next phase of his journey to 2019 by appointing his new running mate as the ‘Senior AdviserCounsellor’ with immediate effect.

A statement signed by Samuel Aruwan, governor’s spokesperson disclosed this. She is currently the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency.

Governor el-Rufai thinks this move would enable her understand the workings of the government as well as prepare her for the task ahead.

Like or revile him, el-Rufai is one governor, who appears to know his way around the corridor of power and is proving this by waltzing his way through all that he desires.

KOGI Misplacing the Priorities Unlike other governors, who were reported to be making some smart choices as efforts that would ease their journey to 2019, reports from Kogi revealed something else, in addition to the fact that the state hardly churns out positive news.

This time, it was said that rather than pay civil servants and pensioners, who are owed many months salaries and pensions, the governor has been paying his political appointees. This move is being described by a majority of observers in the state as clearly misplaced. Indeed, many of them see next election as a major test case for the governor’s election in 2020 since his office would not be up for grab next year.

OGUN Entangled by Conflicting Interests It was not unexpected that the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole expressly pointed to the still implacable Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun and his counterpart from Imo State, Rochas Okorocha as those behind his recent ordeal.

The trio has had a bad engagement in the last few weeks, following the October 2 primary election of the party. But Amosun has since, expectedly, come out to deny any such thing. He would rather the chairman addressed the allegations against him and stopped pointing fingers.

The Ogun situation remains interesting, because in spite of the alleged intervention

by President Muhammadu Buhari, the primaries conducted by the Oshiomhole led APC which produced Billionaire Dapo Abiodun as candidate, remains sacrosanct.

Aside from moving against the National Chairman, the Governor is also moving against Dapo Abiodun’s support base. Last week he got the presidency to change Bode Mustapha as Chairman Designate of NDIC - replacing him with his commissioner and one time Governorship aspirant, Ronke Sofekun and has refused any deal with Dapo Abiodun. The question here is: who will placate Ibikunle Amosun ? Will he throw Ogun to the opposition?

ZAMFARA Still Serving the Silent Treatment It still beats the imagination of many that suddenly, the Zamfara State Governor, Abdula-Aziz Yari has decided to keep quiet in the midst of all that he is going through. Not a name of one person has been admitted from the state by INEC. Zamfara was one state that was badly caught in the shenanigan that typified the APC primary.

Efforts to resolve this had been made

difficult by the position of Oshiomhole, who sacked the panel meant to conduct the primary. And like Imo and Ogun, Zamfara has since been left in the lurch.

Certainly, he has his plans but whatever it is, is what is not known. Pray it does not undo the party.

LAGOS Eyes on the Future It was not surprising to hear some people lately attempting to rationalise why Governor Akinwunmi Ambode failed to clinch his re-election ticket. Truth is that the state has moved on from that stop.

Ambode and the duo of Babajide SanwoOlu and Obafemi Hamzat had bridged the gulf between them and focused on winning the next election.

Ironically, despite being the government in power, they have left nothing to chance in going all out for the 2019 elections. Although there are still some eligible Lagos voters, who did not like the way Ambode was treated, some of them have been impressed with the way the APC had gone on with its campaigns.

Perhaps, the PDP would take a cue now that its candidate, Jimi Agbaje has appointed a worthy running mate in the person of Mrs. Haleemat Busari, a law graduate from the University of Lagos, who was on the board of several companies, including being a director in First Bank, Sierra Leone. But things are yet to pick up as expected in the camp of the PDP, short of hiding behind INEC’s embargo on campaign.

KANO No Retreat, No Surrender The situation in Kano is both troubling and disappointing for many APC members. Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has been accused of bribery through many videos that have now saturated the system. The development has prompted the state assembly to commence investigation, which ultimately

might culminate in his impeachment and subsequent removal.

But the governor has been consistent too in his denial. He claimed the videos were doctored and that he never collected bribe. This encouraged him to approach a court to stop the assembly from probing him, a request that was granted.

Unfortunately, the assembly has refused to take heed of the court injunction and gone ahead with their investigation.

The situation is still not looking good for the governor yet, except something significantly dramatic happens.

RIVERS Stemming the Tide of Uncertainty Rivers State APC is going through what someone described as three major phases: legal, judicial politics and politics proper. The legal is the matter as it were in court and awaiting adjudication based on the facts before it. The judicial politics is also the ability of the actors to understand the swing of the judiciary and able to play their game accordingly. The third, however, which is the politics proper, is the issue of who the party fields as its candidate. It is the most important.

The issue of the primary and how it is affected by the court ruling is not seen by a majority of party men as a big deal. Even if the state executive is not coming back or grossly affected, the fact that the primary is conducted by the national leadership of the party excites party men, more so that the NWC has already submitted the name of their choice candidate, Mr. Tonye Cole.

Thus, with the political coast a bit clear, all efforts and attention are being diverted to the legal and judicial politics, which hopefully APC members reckon would yield positive result.

The PDP is however not as relaxed as expected. With growing suspicion that the ruling party in the state has a hand in the APC crisis, Rivers election promises to be one of the most interesting and also violent to be witnessed.

Situating the Presidential Run

T

he major engagement here last week was when the two camps of President Muhammadu Buhari and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar stepped up to each other over the fuel price regime. PDP had promised that Atiku would reduce the current fuel price, a move that forced Buhari to come out to engage him. That was however considered a worthy development by many voters, who had clamoured for an issue-based debate.

Atiku

18

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

INTERNATIONAL Corporate Governance in an Environment of Institutional Corruption: Quo Vadis Nigeria?

T

he Institute of Directors (IoD), Nigeria, held its 2018Annual Directorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Conference on Thursday, 8th November, 2018 at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel,Abuja. Unlike the 2017 Conference which addressed â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Implementing Best Corporate Governance Practices in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Public and Private Sectors,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; the 2018 Conference shifted attention from what obtains in Nigeria to the global settings, with the theme for 2018: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Global Best Practice in Corporate Governance: Way Forward for Nigeria.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The implication of this theme in terms of analytical challenges cannot be far-fetched. It is multidimensional in scope, very tasking in choice of which best practice, and thought-provoking when considering the way forward. First, the IoD is thinking of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;best global practice.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; This simply means â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the best out of the best practice.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; This is simply because every Member State of the international community has its own self-evolved best practices. The intellectual challenge now is the determination of the best amongst the best.

Second, to what extent does Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best practice compete well with that of that countries? Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best practice be the best in the event of experimentation? Perhaps more important, whose global best practice should we be talking about, especially when considering the implications for Nigeria or drawing lessons for Nigeria.? In the thinking of the IoD, good corporate governance is necessary if the national economy is to be strengthened. This partly explains why in the recommendations of the 2017 Conference as reflected in its communiquĂŠ, all Nigerians were advised to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;demand accountability and good corporate governance practices from public institutions to ensure that the objectives of public interest and public good for which they were created is accomplished and tracked.

Thirdly, in reflecting on the way forward for Nigeria, one cannot but remember what Charles Caleb Colton, an English cleric trained at the Eton and Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College, said in 1820 in his Lacon, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;men will wrangle for religion, write for it, fight for it, die for it, do anything but not live for it.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Explained differently, there is nothing man will not do for religion except putting religious virtues in action. The essence of writing or fighting is meaningless if one is not complying with what is being preached. In fact, when Caleb Colton made his observation long time ago, he apparently did not think of corporate governance by then, and he may not be blamed for that, because there was simply nothing like corporate governance. What really is Corporate Governance? What do we really mean by Sound Corporate Governance? What are the best practices in corporate governance?

In seeking answers to these questions and in the belief that there is also the need for regular training in corporate governance and strategy for all leadership and key staff of public sector institutions, the format of the 2018 Conference was specially organised: participants were drawn from both the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. The conference has particular foci and the resource persons with experience, professional touch, and with integrity, were also carefully chosen.

In the words of the President and Chairman of Council of the IoD,AlhajiAhmeed Rufai Mohammed, the IoD Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;prime professional organisation concerned with the entrenchment of good corporate governance and development of the capacity of Directors and leadersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; both in the private and public sectors.

The objective of the conference, President Rufai Mohammed further submitted, is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;to create an avenue for corporate Directors to discuss Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience and performance in the entrenchment of good business ethics and sound corporate governance in our private and public sectors.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; More important, it is also to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;evaluate the business and public sector environment and, where necessary, propose policy options that would bring about the desired adherence to the principles of good Corporate Governance and by so doing, assist our corporate leaders to win the war against corruption, impunity and bad leadership.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The conference was structured into four sessions in dealing with the analytical challenges: opening session, first plenary session, second plenary session, and dinner/communiquĂŠ session. The opening session was designed to provide a methodological direction in the articulation of the problems and the challenges facing Nigeria in corporate governance, as well as the determination of the best way forward for Nigeria.

One point that generated much interest during the opening session was the point of the keynote speaker, Professor BolaA. Akinterinwa, President/Director General of the Bolytag Centre for International Diplomacy and Strategic Studies, who considered that political governance is largely predicated on much wastefulness,

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

President and Chairman of Council of the IoD, Alhaji Ahmeed Rufai Mohammed the environment of corporate governance in Nigeria is corruptionridden, and that there is no way good corporate governance can thrive with the corrupt environment in the country.

The first plenary session, moderated by Professor Nat Ofo, a Fellow of the IoD, focused attention on â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Corporate Governance Practice and Organisational Performance in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and made efforts to compare and contrast the public and private perspectives.

The paper of Mrs Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita, Honorary Fellow of the IoD and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, provided a good illustration of the public sector perspective. The President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr.Abimbola Ogunbanjo, addressed the experiences of corporate governance in the private sector.

The public sector perspective as explained by the Head of the Civil Service, is quite interesting but raises questions as to the extent to which there is commitment to the underlying principles of corporate governance. For Mrs. Ekanem Oyo-Ita, corporate governance â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;deals with the structures and processes for decision-making, accountability, control and behaviour at the top of organisations, as well as addressing matters of interrelationships between Boards of Directors, senior management and relationships with the owners and other interested parties in the affairs of an organisation.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Additionally, Mrs. Oyo-Ita believes that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;good governance aims to add value to the organisation, reduce all forms of risks, strengthen shareholder confidence, help in fraud prevention and unethical behaviour. In summary, corporate governance is about how an organisation is directed and controlled.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The direction and the control is ensured through the Public Service Rules, Financial Regulations, Guide toAdministrative Procedures in the Public Service, Public ProcurementAct, 2007, and Fiscal ResponsibilityAct, 2007.

What is more interesting about the principles of corporate governance from the perspective of the Government of Nigeria is that they are best in selective non-compliance. They are respected when convenient. In explaining the roles and responsibilities of Boards of Parastatals, Mrs. Oyo-Ita said â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;a board shall not be involved directly in the day-to-day management of a parastatal or an agency.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The Head of Service cannot be more correct as this is the true position

The attention of the Ike Nwachukwu-led Governing Council of the NIIA was drawn to various acts of serious misconduct, ranging from multiple dates of birth by administration staff, thanks to the fact that they are in charge of the ďŹ les, both open, conďŹ dential and secret. The Council was told about falsiďŹ cation of promotion examination results by the Director of Administration and Finance. The Council was also told about the revelation of the identities of assessors of professorial candidates by the Director of Research and Studies, etc. It is not known in contemporary academic history in Nigeria where a Governing Council would not only dictate contents of the letter to be written to assessors, but will also compel the Director General not to send the papers of professorial candidates to international assessors as traditionally done by previous Directors-General.

Is this not a manifestation of corporate governance in Nigeria?

of the rule.

However, this rule is hardly respected. When it is respected, it is selective. The rule is that of self-deceit. When the Major-General Ike Nwachukwu-led Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of InternationalAffairs was directly intervening in the day-to-day administration of the institute, what did the Ministry of Foreign Affairs do in its capacity as the supervising authority? What did the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation do?

For ease of reference, the attention of the Ike Nwachukwu-led Governing Council of the NIIAwas drawn to various acts of serious misconduct, ranging from multiple dates of birth by administration staff, thanks to the fact that they are in charge of the files, both open, confidential and secret. The Council was told about falsification of promotion examination results by the Director ofAdministration and Finance. The Council was also told about the revelation of the identities of assessors of professorial candidates by the Director of Research and Studies, etc. It is not known in contemporary academic history in Nigeria where a Governing Council would not only dictate contents of the letter to be written to assessors, but will also compel the Director General not to send the papers of professorial candidates to international assessors as traditionally done by previous Directors-General. Is this not a manifestation of corporate governance in Nigeria?

Indeed, the Ike Nwachukwu-led Council under the pretext that the Director General did not follow due process, the Council never visited the international conference centre the Director General was building. In 365 days, a Governing Council, which Mrs Oyo-Ita has an oversight function of ensuring that the Federal Government of Nigeria long-term interest is served, as well as promote sustainable and cost-efficient activities of the organisation, could not visit the project site. How do we explain the best global practices in this case?And true enough, money was the only thing the Council was interested in. It was never interested in the achievement of the mandate of the Institute.

This empirical case is given in order to draw attention to the non-seriousness of purpose of whatever is regarded as corporate governance in the public sector. The PMB administration preaches the gospel of anti-corruption at the top while consciously wetting the stem, the root of corruption without due regards to the implications for the future.As Director General, I drew attention of Government at the relevant levels to the various infractions but, at various levels, they were covered up to the extent that even my entitlements were not paid.And true enough, the Director ofAdministration and Finance, MissAgatha Ude, removed all the documents.All the members of staff whose names were also listed for payment could not be paid.

This is an illustration of what corporate governance means in the context of the public sector. Thus, corporate governance in the public sector is a problem of its own and should not be put at the same level of corporate governance in the private sector.

Mr.Abimbola Ogunbanjoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paper, as well as the positions of the two discussants, Professor Chris Ogbechie of the Lagos Business School and Mr. Ikem Mbagwu, founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Cumbrian Consult Limited, are consistent with accepted best global practices to which we shall return hereunder.

Regarding second plenary session, which focused on the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Impact of Good Corporate Governance Practice in an Emerging Economy: the Experience of Mauritius.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The session was moderated by Mrs. Amina Oyagbola of the IoD and the guest speaker was Mr. Eddy Jolicoeur, the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Directors, Mauritius. The discussants were Messrs.Adedotun Sulaiman, the Chairman of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and Rob Newsome from SouthAfrica former Partner Emeritus, Pwc. This session is particularly interesting because what is taken as not being a big deal in Nigeria is seriously sanctioned in Mauritius.As explained by Jolicoeur, corporate governance in Mauritius is largely predicated on the Ibrahim Foundation Method, built on four pillars: safety and rule of law, which emphasizes accountability, personal safety and national security; participation and rights of everyone and gender; sustainable economic opportunity with special focus on public management, business environment, infrastructure and rural sector; and human development, especially in terms of welfare, education health.

Corporate governance, which the Mauritius Code of Corporate Governance in 2016 defines as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the framework of company processes and attitudes that add value to the business help build its reputation, and ensure its long-term continuity and success, and which the Financial Reporting Council Website noted in 2017 as the protection of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the right of stakeholders through a series of codes and practices which are efficient and transparent,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; is built on four main pillars: responsibility, accountability, fairness and transparency.

Three points are noteworthy in the submissions of Mr. Jolicoeur.

First is the fact that, in ease of doing business. Mauritius is first out of 34 countries for the twelfth and the 25th out of 190 countries according to the 2018 Mo Ibrahim Foundation Index ofAfrican Governance. Second, Jolicoeur has it that the key requirements for success in political governance are leadership, credibility, trust, integrity, inclusiveness, agility, and solid and independent institutions. In fact, as he put it, the basic principle of political governance is nothing more than â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;whatever you accept without correction, you approve. This is the tradition in Mauritius.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Third, and perhaps most importantly, is the difference in the corporate governance in Mauritius and in Nigeria.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

19

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͚Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î&#x20AC;

BUSINESS

08033204315, 08111813084

Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ë? Kunle Aderinokun Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ë? Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ë&#x203A;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;ĚśĂ&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁĂ&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ë&#x203A;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;

Enhancing Food Security, Financial Inclusion with Anchor Borrower Programme James Emejo writes that the Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has proven to be a rallying point for economic diversification and integration of farmers into the financial system

I

f anything, governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts at integrating the informal sector of the economy into the formal system seemed to have yielded positive outcomes especially with the launch of the ABP by the CBN.

Launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 17, 2015, the ABP is a brainchild of the apex bank, which seeks to create a linkage between anchor companies involved in the processing and small holder farmers (SHFs) of the required key agricultural commodities.

One the objectives was to provide seed and cash to farmers to grow the crops and to boost production of the select commodities as well as ensure there is constant supply of the commodities to the agro processors.

Participating farmers under the scheme ensure that their produce at harvest is supplied to the agro-processor (Anchor), who pays the cash equivalent to farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bank account.

This initiative ensures a readily available market for farmers and helps them to reduce harvest losses through guarantees.

Essentially, the scheme targets farmers, who produce cereals including rice, maize, wheat among others; roots and tubers including cassava, potatoes, yam, ginger; tree crops (oil palm, cocoa, rubber; legumes (soybean, sesame seed, cowpea); livestock (fish, poultry, ruminants as well as cotton, sugarcane and tomato among others.

In supporting the farmers, the ABP ensures participating banks, which work with the CBN lend to anchors at 9 per cent per annum for onward disbursement to the farmers.

The loan is repaid by the farmers after the crops have been harvested with the harvested crops, which must cover the loan principal and interest.

The programme has been adjudged as one of the most successful interventions in agriculture in recent times as government pursues economic diversification to reduce vulnerabilities associated with oil dependence.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, described the ABP as being a rescue mission to drive the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s food sufficiency aspiration.

And there had been several success stories since the programme was launched.

Only recently, CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, in one of the most updated statement on the ABP said over 850,000 small holder farmers had been integrated into the mainstream financial system through the ABP in line with its financial inclusion strategy.

According to Ogbeh, the federal government had disbursed over N150 billion to local farmers under the ABP in two years to assist farmers of key agricultural commodities.

He said the CBN intervention had boosted local production of rice and saved the country about $800 million in foreign exchange.

According to him, Nigeria would cease to import rice by the end of 2019 because it would be able to meet local demand of rice before the end of the next year.

But, the road to the successful implementation of the ABP had not been as rosy and has only been sustained by the conditions set out by the CBN for all stakeholders in the scheme to abide by.

The apex bank had in its earlier guidelines for the implementation of the ABP, listed far-reaching sanctions for any violations by all stakeholders.

The implementation guidelines detailed sanctions for any attempt by stakeholders including Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs); Anchor; Small Holder Farmers (SHF) and Project Monitoring Team (PMT) to undermine the objective of the programme.

Specifically, any PFI involved in the diversion of funds to unauthorised activities would cause

Oil Palm Plantation

the amount diverted to be recovered by the CBN while a penalty charge at the maximum lending rate of the PFI on the amount diverted would apply. Such PFI also faces outright ban from participating under other CBN interventions following another infraction.

In addition, any PFI found to be charging unauthorised fees/interest run the risk of reversal of the charged fees/interest and issuance of warning letter to the PFI including outright ban from participating under other CBN Interventions after two infractions.

Moreover, the minister had further assured that his ministry will join hands to ensure that farmers repay loans granted them through the CBNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Real Sector Support Facility (RSSF), warning that there will be no excuses for default.

He said given that refinancing of existing loans were forbidden under the programme, borrowers, particularly farmers and industrialists were advised to strictly adhere to the terms and conditions of the loans and utilise funds for the purpose for which it was granted.

Ogbeh said borrowers would have â&#x20AC;&#x153;to swear to God and yourself that you will repay. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want the banks losing all their money on grounds of charityâ&#x20AC;?.

He noted that the terms of the loans were healthy at seven-year tenure, two-year moratorium and a maximum of N10 billion per borrower.

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

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are going to work out a system where cooperatives become the borrowers on behalf of their members since they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have relevant collateral to provide the banks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to sit with the CBN and tell the banks that a certain portion of your loans must be reserved for people who are borrowing N300,000 to N2 million, especially young people who want to add value.â&#x20AC;?

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will work out a formula

Ogbeh

where no one is left out because if the big guys take it and banks will rather deal with the big guys to save them the problem of pursuing borrowers all over the villages- the cooperative will do the job. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will also talk with microfinance banks to see if they can charge nine per cent.â&#x20AC;?

Meanwhile, to ensure transparency, probity and accountability of the funding intervention, borrowers are mandated to make the project and records available for inspection and verification by the apex bank.

However, the scheme is not without challenges.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no doubt that the recent flooding in several parts of the country had reversed some of the gains so far recorded in the ABP as farmlands had been ravaged, causing wanton losses.

Also, the security situation in the country,

occasioned by constant confrontation between herdsmen and farmers as well as Boko Haram insurgency particularly in the northern part of the country have cast a spell on agricultural intervention and limited full success.

Following the torrential rains and severe flooding in parts of the Nigeria, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) recently declared a national disaster as flood ravaged many states including Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Anambra, Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta, Taraba, Benue and Adamawa.

About 103 local government areas (LGAs) across 10 states were reportedly affected by the devastating flooding, which also affected about 1.9 million people.

In the process, several farmlands were washed away, raising concerns over the possibility a food crisis in the near future.

Notably, most of the states devastated by floods are central to agricultural production.

The situation tends to reverse the gains so far recorded in agriculture interventions especially in rice production in several states that have keyed into the ABP. But Ogbeh had insisted government will not allow a food crisis next year as it will provide farmers with improved seedlings to plant after the floods might have receded.

Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, had expressed worry that the determination of the present administration to attain food self-sufficiency by 2030 may be hampered by the lingering herdsmen/farmers crises in some northern parts of the country.

Nonetheless, going by the level of commitment and enthusiasm by all stakeholders in the agriculture value chain, as well as the political will, the ABP can become a model for other economic interventions towards diversification.

At least, the revolution in rice production through the use of good agricultural practices and improved seedling has been unprecedented in the history of the country with food import bill crashing drastically.

20

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͚Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î&#x20AC;

BUSINESS/ENERGY

An oil Field

Supreme Court Judgment, Game-Changer for Oil-producing States Recently, a seven-man panel of the Supreme Court which included the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, unanimously ruled and ordered the federal government to, adjust its share of proceeds from the sale of crude oil whenever the price exceeds $20 per barrel. Chineme Okafor weighs the implications of the judgment

T

he Supreme Court, in a landmark judgment, ordered the federal government to adjust its share of proceeds from the sale of crude oil whenever the price exceeds $20 per barrel, thus reflecting the content and provisions of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act on how oil revenue from deep offshore production should be shared.

The contention in the lawsuit filed by the Attorneys-General of Rivers; Bayelsa; and Akwa Ibom States, was that sections of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act had not been followed judiciously by the federal government, which ought to have adjusted the federationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s share of proceeds from the sale of deep offshore crude oil whenever the price of oil exceeded $20 per barrel.

Oil has for a long time traded above $20 per barrel, but that adjustment had not been done hence the legal process which ended in a good judgement for the affected states, mostly the littoral states.

Origin of Lawsuit Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa

States had in 2016, instituted the action with suit number SC.964/2016 against the federal government at the Supreme Court. They, in the suit, asked the apex court to interpret the provisions of Section 16(1) of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act. The section stated that: â&#x20AC;&#x153;(1) The provisions of this Act shall be subject to review to ensure that if the price of crude oil at any time

exceeds $20 per barrel, real terms, the share of the government of the Federation in the additional revenue shall be adjusted under the production sharing contracts to such extent that the production sharing contracts shall be economically beneficial to the government of the Federation.â&#x20AC;?

Based on this, it was required that there should be an upward review of oil revenue takes of the federation anytime the price of crude oil got

The federal government lost an estimated sum of $1,149,750,000,000 due to its failure to activate the upward review of the sharing formula. The existing Production Sharing Contracts between the government and the International Oil Companies (IOCs) were no longer valid because the price of oil had for a long time gone beyond $20, and should be reviewed

over $20 per barrel, but that has not happened since 1999, and the standard that is being used by oil companies to date is still the $20 per barrel.

Experts, who spoke to THISDAY on the development, stated that ordinarily, the federal government should have activated the content of the Act, but they failed to, hence, the decision of the states to challenge it at the apex court.

The three states had alleged that between 2003 and 2015 the federal government lost an estimated sum of $1,149,750,000,000 due to its failure to activate the upward review of the sharing formula. They further contended that the existing Production Sharing Contracts between the government and the International Oil Companies (IOCs) were no longer valid because the price of oil had for a long time gone beyond $20, and should be reviewed.

The suit thus asked the court to determine whether there is a statutory obligation imposed on the federal government under Section 16(1) of the Act to adjust the sharing formula.

They also wanted an order of court declaring the failure of the federal government to increase its share as a breach of the law.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͚Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î&#x20AC;

21

Ëš

Supreme Court Judgment, Game-Changer for Oil-producing States The Judgement In its adjudication of the suit, the seven-man Supreme Court panel which included Onnoghen, unanimously ruled and ordered that the 13 per cent derivation that is due to the oil producing states be paid upon recovery of the supposedly unearned funds from the review of the Act, in accordance with Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

According to reports on the court proceedings, the plaintiffs which comprised the Attorneys-General of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Uwemedimo Nwoko; Bayelsa State, Mr. Wodu Kemasukde; and the Rivers State, Emmanuel Aguma (SAN), now deceased, and who approached the court for interpretation of the section of the Act, to an extent got their prayers answered.

In the ruling of the apex court as read by Justice John Inyang Okoro, it adopted the terms of amicable settlement between the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF); and the Attorneys-General of Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States as its judgment in the matter.

The terms of settlement which was reportedly signed by the three states and the AGF, stated that the cost of recovery shall be netted off and payable from the gross recovered sum from time to time, prior to placement of net recoveries in the Federation Account.

Similarly, the terms included that the solicitors of the three states or their nominee professional advisers shall be members of the recovery body and necessary recovery mechanism.

Accordingly, the lead counsel, Nwosu, witnessed the signing on behalf of the plaintiffs, while the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata, witnessed for the AGF. Before the Supreme Court judgement, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) had separately urged the federal government to review the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Agreement between the country and oil companies, stating that it was obsolete and Nigeria was losing revenues from its continued use.

Reactions Reacting to the judgment, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, reportedly described it as a victory for the littoral states and the Nigerian federation.

Dickson, in a statement from his Adviser on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, said even before the first offshore swamp oil well was discovered under the particular Act by the Nigeria Agip Energy, the price of crude oil had exceeded $20 per barrel being used as a benchmark to share oil revenues in the state.

He stressed that in spite of the express agreement that shares from the oil revenue accruable to the federal government should be adjusted, the benchmark being used by the multinational oil firms had been static at $20 per barrel to date.

Dickson, spoke on behalf of his counterparts from Rivers and Akwa Ibom States, and explained that the judgment demonstrated, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The primacy of the law in the socio-economic emancipation of the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the instrumentality of the governments and people of Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States.â&#x20AC;?

He further stated that the implication of the judgment was increase in revenues accruable to the federating states under the extant revenue

Workers working on an oil reďŹ nery

Oil pipelines

sharing formula.

The governor equally commended the Supreme Court for demonstrating the courage to uphold the rule of law in the decision, which he noted, was required to rekindle the confidence of the deprived people and communities of the Niger Delta and the Nigerian federation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We commend the Supreme Court of Nigeria for upholding the rule of law. The courageous intervention of the court in this case and other cases is what is needed to bring confidence to the long-suffering people and communities of the Niger Delta and the country at large. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This judgment shows clearly that the judiciary is ready and has the

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courage in deciding cases to uphold the rights of oppressed people. We call on other courts in the judicial system to rise to the occasion in order to give the assurance that oil majors and oil block owners operating in our communities will respect the laws of the land,â&#x20AC;? said Dickson, who called on President Muhammadu Buhari, to direct the relevant agencies to ensure expeditious implementation of the judgment in the interest of the government and citizens of Nigeria.

Similarly, legal professionals who spoke to THISDAY, on the implication of the judgement, explained that while the federal government ought to have long reviewed the

sharing formula once the oil price was above $20, the decision of the Supreme Court could in a way redress the anomaly if the terms of the agreement are honestly implemented.

Further, the legal experts confirmed that the agreement and terms of settlement filed by parties on April 6, 2018, included that the AGF would set up the mechanism for the recovery of the shares of the federal government within 90 days, and pay immediately the affected states their share of the recovery.

Also, the recovery would start from August 2003, and the AGF would work with the three states in this regards.

22

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ NOVEMBER 11, 2018

MARKET NEWS

6WDQELF ,%7& +ROGLQJV 5HFRUGV 1 EQ 3URÀW LQ 1LQH 0RQWKV Goddy Egene Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc has announced significantly improved bottom-line for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The results showed a growth of 9.5 per cent in gross earnings, which rose from N154.220 billion in 2017 to N168.801 billion in 2018. Net interest income fell from N62.947 billion to N58.443 billion, net fee and commission income improved to N52.916 billion, up from N43.309 billion.

Trading revenue similarly grew

from N20.195 billion to N25.720, bringing total income to N138.417 billion, compared with N106.893 billion in the corresponding period of 2017.

The financial institution’s performance was further boosted by a major decline in impairment charges that stood at N4.136 billion, indicating a drop of 79 per cent from N20.334 billion in 2017.

As a result, profit before tax jumped by 54 per cent to N70.380 billion, from N45.650 billion, while profit after tax grew faster by 59

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

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

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

per cent from N37.672 to N59.75 billion.

Stanbic IBTC Holding had paid 100 kobo interim dividend in respect of the half year ended June 30, 2018, following an impressive performance.

Hence, the company recommended an interim dividend of 100 kobo per share, which is higher than the 50 kobo paid for the 2017 financial year.

The Chief Exchange Officer of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr. Yinka Sanni ahd explained that the company continued to

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

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

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

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 2510-2018, unless otherwise stated.

deliver stellar performance with PBT growing to N50.73 billion representing a 74 per cent growth from prior year on the back of non-interest revenue growth and recoveries from delinquent assets previously impaired. “ Our credit impairment line has a write back of N5.5 billion as at June 2018 as we continue to intensify recovery efforts on previously classified loans. Interest income increased by six per cent to N59.9 billion predominantly driven by loan growth. This was offset by increase in interest

expense of 26 per cent as a result of interest paid on maturing term deposits and other borrowings.

We are making good progress on our drive to reduce cost of funds which has reduced by more than 100 basis points, manifesting in a 15 per cent reduction in interest cost between Q1 2018 and Q2 2018,” he said.

Sanni said the bank has seen significant growth in transaction volumes across its digital platforms.

“The volume of transactions via our mobile banking, SME

internet banking, USSD platforms and ATMs have increased by over 100 per cent each year-on-year as we continued to drive non-interest income growth. Also, we kicked off the initial stage of implementing a virtual banking proposition. Our Africa-China Banking Center was recently launched and it aims to provide bespoke solutions and address the needs of business communities in both Nigeria and China while leveraging our relationship with Standard Bank and the Industrial & Commercial Bank of China,” he said.

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

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

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 163.08 164.08 -8.14% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 11.00% Nigeria International Debt Fund 272.65 273.81 17.89% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.83 0.84 1.29% ACAP Income Funds 0.62 0.62 6.10% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.00% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.21 2.22 -4.10% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 134.32 135.27 -11.45% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.02% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 10.96% Paramount Equity Fund 11.61 11.91 4.72% Women's Investment Fund 102.32 104.95 1.68% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.88% CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,166.03 1,166.76 11.16% FBN Heritage Fund 141.41 142.60 0.84% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.01% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $113.34 $113.58 4.08% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $113.11 $113.34 3.98% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 149.32 151.43 -6.13% FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Equity Fund 1.23 1.25 -4.90% Legacy Debt Fund 3.18 3.18 10.18% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.02 1.02 1.54% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 2,990.31 3,019.77 0.16% Coral Income Fund 2,733.85 2,733.85 11.67% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.90% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 105.87 106.01 5.36% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.00% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.15 2.17 1.79%

Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 14.20% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 122.70 122.94 6.63% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.19 1.21 3.65% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,073.81 1,073.81 11.33% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 11.54 11.64 -11.08% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.56% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.33 1.36 11.98% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.96 12.01 8.31% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.21% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 128.50 128.94 -0.92% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.66 1.66 12.07% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,270.99 2,285.71 3.37% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 187.11 187.11 7.46% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.95 0.96 -5.45% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 243.89 243.94 13.01% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 161.09 162.92 -10.05% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.41% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,612.04 8,717.46 -9.46% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.10 1.10 6.14% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.16 1.17 -1.77% United Capital Bond Fund 1.56 1.56 9.44% United Capital Equity Fund 0.69 0.71 -8.29% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.80% United Capital Eurobond Fund 105.33 105.33 5.28% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.08 1.08 3.65% ZENITH ASSETS MANAGEMENT LTD info@zenith-funds.com Web: www.zenith-funds.com; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 11.19 11.36 -6.92% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.08 12.19 -5.85% Zenith Income Fund 20.48 20.48 10.96% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.80%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

9.00 138.63 51.55

-20.11% 4.66% 1.42%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.50 121.64 92.68

10.60 124.22 94.42

-11.39% -14.84% -15.16%

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

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

SPECIALIST FUNDS*

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

4.14 7.50 15.23 14.11 143.94

4.18 7.58 15.33 14.31 145.94

-12.61% -21.54% -12.80% -28.12% 6.93%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

105.44

17.63%

FOR HNI & PROFESSIONAL INVESTORS ONLY

Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

Thevalueofinvestmentsandtheincomefromthemmayfallaswellasrise.Pastperformanceisaguideandnotanindicationoffuturereturns.Fundpricespublishedinthiseditionarealsoavailableon each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

THISDAYt SUNDAY NOVEMBER 11, 2018

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THISDAYt SUNDAY NOVEMBER 11, 2018

W E H AV E E N E R G Y

JUNIOR LOKOSA PRESENTED WITH EUNISELL BOOT AND N3,800,000

L-R: Chisom Mbonu-Ezeoke, SuperSport presenter; Junior Lokosa, Kano Pillars striker and Chika Ikenga, GMD, Eunisell.

Mrs Lokosa, proud mother and Junior Lokosa with the trophy.

The Eunisell Boot Annual Floating Trophy - A towering 73cm in height.

Hand made with plated gold and silver foil and weighing in at 3Kg.

L-R: Simon Willar, Chief Marketing Officer, Eunisell, Junior Lokosa, Kano Pillars and Ramesh Hullur, CEO, Eunisell, at the Eunisell Boots award ceremony with the N3,800,000 cheque.

Glittering ceremony held at the Radisson Blu Hotel Ikeja Junior Lokosa has emerged as the inaugural winner of the Eunisell Boot Award. The event which took place at Radisson Blu Ikeja on the 8th November 2018, showcased his goals as he was awarded the prestigious trophy and N3,800,000.00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; N200,000 for each of his 19 goals scored during the 2017/2018 NPFL season.

Initiated by leading global chemical and specialty fluid management company Eunisell, the award celebrates the highest goal scorer in the Nigerian domestic top flight. The event also showcased the unveiling of the Eunisell Boot Award which will be an annual event. The Eunisell Boot seeks not only to honour the top performer, but to make players work on their game, be more competitive and boost the profile and interest in the domestic league.

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Take a leap at this offer to study in one of the top Universities in Canada!

Education Advisory Service We are calling out to parents and secondary school leavers to attend this education seminar and get admitted into the University of Alberta, Canada.

HIGHLIGHTS Meet with John Gregory Director, Intl. Recruitment and Transnational Programs, Univ. of Alberta, Canada.

Stand a chance to get admitted at the venue Friday, November 16, 2018

10 am

John Gregory Director, Intl. Recruitment & Transnational Programs, Univ. of Alberta, Canada.

This event is strictly by invitation.

To pre-register, visit: https://www.fcmb.com/study-abroad or email: Educationadvisoryservices@fcmb.com Registration ends on the 14th of November 2018 Kindly bring the original and photocopies of all of your ward’s credentials and certificate to the venue.

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

11.11.2018

Gideon Okeke The Other Side of Gideon Okeke

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 ˾NOVEMBER 11, 2018

COVER

On His Passion, Prestige and Philosophy His exquisite, sky blue tailor-made suit accentuates his good looks. With square shoulders fit for a male model, his grace, gait and gumption are unmistakable. A smile flickers on his face as his lissom lips move momentary.

His arched eyebrows provide slight shade for his glistening eyeballs – sharp in focus and enthralling in fixation. His oval face – darkened by an isolated rash of beard beneath his chin – glistens as he flashes a smile to the admiration of his fans. As an actor, Gideon Okeke has played dynamic roles both on stage and the screen.

He is believed to have found fame and fortune in his M-Net TV drama series, Tinsel, character. Yet, there is more to Okeke than meets the eye as Vanessa Obioha writes in her encounter with the handsome acto

S

ome actors have memorable characters that cling to them like a second skin, such that whether they are in character or not the widely held opinion of them is retained as top-of-the-mind. Take for instance Pete Edochie’s character, Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart or Sola Sobowale’s Toyin Tomato in the Super Story series ‘Oh Father! Oh Daughter!’

Nollywood actor Gideon Okeke suffers similar fate. Though he was first beamed to the Nigerian audience as a contestant on the first edition of reality show Big Brother Nigeria, it was his character in the awardwinning long running M-Net’s TV drama series Tinsel that registered his name in the minds of many.

Okeke played the role of Philip AdeWilliams, the spoilt, haughty son of media mogul, Fred Ade-Williams, (played by Victor Olaotan) in the series.

Due to his peerless interpretation of that character, the popular view about Okeke is that he is cocky. His features in other productions such as Steve Gukas’ award-winning movie ‘93 Days’ or in ‘Crossroads’ which recently fetched him an Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) have in no way diminished the memory of his Tinsel character.

This in no way undermines his acting skills. As an actor, Okeke has played dynamic roles both on stage and screen.

Whether he is on stage playing the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti in the musical, ‘Fela: Arrest the Music’, or the love interest of a successful events planner in ‘When Love Happens’, he always throws all in the ring to deliver a believable performance.

In real life however, Okeke shows a humble side of him that is rarely captured on screen. He offered this reporter a ride to his home — which is nestled in a serene neighbourhood away from the bubbling noise of the city — where the interview was scheduled. As he drove through the tarred road leading to his abode, he pointed at the trees dotting both sides of the road.

“You see this. Can you breathe the air here, it is dense. This is what I enjoy. It is away from the noise in the city. I don’t want all of that. I like it here. This means a lot to me.”

Perhaps, growing up in a place like Ajegunle where boisterous encounters are a daily occurrence influenced his decision to seek a reserved environment.

“Maybe, that’s the brain working by itself. Perhaps that’s what it understands.

What you grow up seeing everyday becomes what you want to change.

Actually you can live anywhere and control your business. You can have a condo in the city but keep your family away from all that. But it’s all about choices. Take away the traffic, I’m comfortable here.”

And the erratic power supply and corruption too which he described as the two common problems that bound every Nigerian. This he said makes it difficult to have a definite class system in Nigeria.

“The rich cannot really intimidate the poor because we all ply the bad roads, experience unstable power supply and are led by corrupt leaders. The only difference is the physical coins.”

Okeke and his wife paint the picture of a young couple in love. It is evident in the way they call each other ‘babe’,

At home, Okeke looked so out of his Philips Ade-Williams character — a role he played for 10 years. He was dressed in black knee-length shorts and orange t-shirt which accentuates his boyish physique. His demeanour sometimes is very calm and unassuming, and at other times, lively and determined

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NOVEMBER 11, 2018 ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

COVER

Gideon Okeke with the cast and crew of Crossroads

Nigeria’s Eclectic, Extraordinary and Ecclesiastic Actor share a private joke and stare at each other with lovey-dovey eyes. They had met through a friend. Since they tied the knots earlier this year, Dera has become Okeke’s muse. Like her husband, she exudes a charming and humble disposition.

At home, Okeke looked so out of his Philips Ade-Williams character — a role he played for 10 years. He was dressed in black knee-length shorts and orange t-shirt which accentuates his boyish physique. His demeanour sometimes is very calm and unassuming, and at other times, lively and determined.

What is more interesting about Okeke is his unwavering Christian faith. Throughout the interview, he hardly answered a question without making reference to the Supreme One and the Holy Bible. He believes every opportunity is part of a bigger plan such as his long stay in Tinsel.

“I’ve done Tinsel for 10 years – left the show last year. Playing that character for that long is all about facing what’s in front of you because it all adds to the bigger plan. There is no time lost. It’s perfect. Everything is perfect under the sun, under the will of God. When I think about it, when I write it out there, it’s just following its natural course.”

However, there are times when Okeke steps into his Philips AdeWilliams character, particularly when asked if he is as cocky as his on-screen personality.

“People say that about me and in a cocky way, I respond to them. It is out of logic. In all sense of humility still, I am not trying to feign modesty, but have you heard God introduce himself? He is I am that I am... go and find out. He has never introduced himself as ‘please bear with me, it is I.’ He boldly tells you to go and Google it... I am that I am. And I have been made to understand that I am joint heirs with his son, I am his kid, and of whom shall I be afraid of? That he who is inside of me is plentiful more than whomever you bring forth to my face. If I have that information as a child of a king, do you know how I am going to act outside of my gate? If you saw a prince, do you know how they will talk to him? You can’t approach him anyhow because they have many hands that are on the job. We are an extension of his expression. He said: ‘Go in my name.’

Acting is serious business for the graduate of Applied Bio-Chemistry from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra state. His passion was stirred at a young age. He recalled watching a lot of TV as a young boy which was encouraged by his father Why do you need other people’s opinion to be legit? You have already been made.

You are already an extension; you carry the DNA of the Most High.”

He rolled his sleeves to display a tattoo of his name ‘Echezonachukwu’ on his right arm.

“It means don’t forget God. It is a guiding principle. It is beyond this art work, the acrylic, it is in the power of what I see here whenever I say it. It is in the power behind it, that’s what leads one.”

Acting is serious business for the graduate of Applied Bio-Chemistry from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra state. His passion was stirred at a young age. He recalled watching a lot of TV as a young boy which was encouraged by his father.

“My dad made me watch a lot of TV. TV is different information to me, bingeing and watching stuffs is different to me. I detest that label couch potato.

There are some people who are on that couch, that’s their job to just stay there and tell you about films and TV shows. You can’t throw a blanket on everybody.”

That habit is yet to die. Watching films is part of his lifestyle as an actor.

His favourite actors are from Hollywood.

They include Hollywood action movie buffs like Tom Hanks and Denzel

Washington. He however has a soft spot for ‘The Revenant’ actor, Leonardo DiCaprio.

“When they say a guy has ears for music, DiCaprio has ears for music of life; understanding and conveying a story. There is a lot the script doesn’t say, but you watch some actors and you know this is him and not the script. He understands what it means to get there for the script sake; where the script stops, you complete. Understanding all those things, the timing and its art, it’s a gift.”

He again used a biblical reference to buttress his point: “I believe that when people are making film; cinema that is meant to change a life, even if it is comedy or satire, for as long as it is meant to communicate something, you are that place in Genesis when he said, ‘let there be light’. You see what the Bible said about God seeing that it was good? Do you know that he freaked out too at his creation, but he couldn’t tell anybody? He told himself... and for that he said ‘come guys, let’s make man in our own image.’

For these things, whatever you know how to do; if you are a writer, it is not your power that your brain functions the way it does; that your brain can capture vocabulary and conveys meaning and emotion. It is not your power. You didn’t read it in school. You hone your craft according to what you see. Your brain and my brain are like this laptop,” he said pointing to his laptop on the table. ”For it to be more, it has to connect to a Wi-Fi, a bigger UPS for it to show it has more potential. Whenever you think of something, you have connected to the bigger UPS – God. It is his thoughts and plans for you.”

To further hone his craft, he acquired knowledge from the Strasberg Institute in New York, where he got his professional training in acting. He also attributed much of his success to the African International Film Festival which he said has provided a great platform for local talents to collaborate with experts in other film industries.

Lately, he’s been getting offers to act on international productions, though to him that is not a validation of his prowess.

He however believed that Nollywood actors should challenge themselves to align to global best practice in the craft.

But more importantly, he believes that Nigerian filmmakers should make films

for humanity.

“It just feels like we are making films for aliens because you know what films should make you do? It should make you think, inspire you to change something.

Even a comedy should make you flip.”

Like most actors, Okeke plans to work behind the cameras. In fact, it is already happening without his approval. He hinted that one or two productions are on the pipeline and would kick off once the right collaborators come on board.

Apart from acting, the actor once tried his hands on music. He released a single after he left the Big Brother Nigeria house but didn’t faithfully pursue the talents.

However, the big piano that occupies a space in his living room suggested that the dream is very much alive. For now, he only plays for ‘special people’. He is also a model and a TV host.

Being in the spotlight has not robbed Okeke of his private life. He still enjoys going to the market and bargaining with the sellers. He loves the privacy of his home. It is his safe haven.

“You see how I live? Somebody will look from the outside and call it lonely; do you know I’m having a ball? It is not lonely. I go where I chose to go. When the invites come to my email, I select where I want to go. I don’t have to be everywhere. If I didn’t show you this,” he said, revealing another tattoo on his left arm, “You won’t know I have another one there. That’s how you should come out.

The masquerades, they are performers.

You don’t see masquerades every Sunday.

You go to the market square and you sit and wait for hours. The masquerade will come and perform for 15 minutes and leave. You will carry the memory of the dust he raised for another market cycle before he comes back again. That’s how you should present yourself to the world, you are a masquerade. You shouldn’t be everywhere all the time.”

With the way Okeke expresses his Christian faith, one wonders if he would ditch the screen for the pulpit one day.

“Not yet. I know I carry a vision. T.D. Jakes puts it this way: ‘I’m too creative I can’t build a house.’ I’m too bubbly to create one thing and say this is the end.

You see why God said go and procreate.

He is too creative to have made Adam and say this is the end. So, he made an extension through Adam and said, ‘go and continue my work for me,” he said.

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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 NOVERMBER 11, 2018

ENTERTAINMENT

Jennifer Lopez Poses Nearly Naked in a Shimmering Emerald Gown for Sexy In Style Magazine Cover The superstar singer, 49, turned a Valentino haute couture cape into a sideless dress

By Adam Nutburn

J

ENNIFER Lopez poses nearly naked in a sexy new shoot for InStyle magazine.

The Jenny From The Block singer, 49, stands seductively as she shows off her figure in a shimmering emerald gown.

In fact, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a dress - itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Valentino haute couture cape thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been fashioned into a sideless dress.

J-Lo, whose fabulous

physique is displayed in the magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pages, told InStyle that she didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t intend to inspire women with her legendary booty.

She said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was just being myself. In my family, curves were glorified and part of the culture. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was just like, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Jennifer has a big butt, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Jennifer also revealed she isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t prepared to put up with the double standards that persist in show business.

She said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has taken

time, but I think weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in a very powerful moment where women are going, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Wait a minute. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not afraid to say what we deserveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand why you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be an actress and a singer and dancer as well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Like, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how this whole business started. Entertainment!

And why canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you be funny and also be a dramatic actress?

OK, some people canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do both.

But if they can, let them!â&#x20AC;? r $VMMFE GSPN 5IF 4VO 6 ,

Saving Mr. Incredible for the Last

By Vanessa Obioha

O

ver the years, the Legend Real Deal Experience has become one of the most anticipated music concerts in the country. Spread across the year, the Real Deal train visits selected cities where they offer residents unrivalled musical ecstasy as well as other entertainment offerings.

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition was no exception. The music concert kicked off on a high note in February, with the acclaimed song master, Harrysong thrilling music fans in Enugu.

Rapper Nigga Raw of the Obodo fame created more frenzy in Aba during the Easter celebration in April. Music fans in Onitsha and Port Harcourt had the double dose of entertainment served by the Obiligbo Brothers in May and June. By August, the train stopped in Lagos where street pop sensations Mr. Real and Slimcase took their excited fans to another realm of musical fervour. It was a homecoming experience for rapper M.I who stormed the city of Jos for a thrilling performance.

For the grand finale, the organisers left no stone unturned. The show, which is the Legend Extra Stout flagship consumer engagement activity, was a perfect blend of all-round entertainment.

Nothing, however, prepared the music fans that gathered at Apo Resettlement Park, Abuja that fateful Saturday night in October. Although it was not the first time the concert was held in the capital city, they were however enthused by the entertainment offering advertised in various media.

Basking in the euphoria of hosting the last leg of the concert, music fans trooped to the venue earlier than the scheduled time, waiting to see the main act of the night, M.I. Abaga The moment he came on stage, the atmosphere was electrified as cheers rent the air. The music fans were so frenzied by his appearance. Known for his energetic and

lively performance, the rapper unleashed the lyrical beast in him, performing many of his popular songs from previous albums to his latest album, Yxng Dxnzl.

Each of his performance was met with a wild cheer. The crowd ate gladly from his palms as they belted his lyrics. By the time he finally took a bow, the fans were beaming with the satisfaction of a memorable event.

Backstage, the rapper expressed excitement at the crowdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reaction. He pointed out that every chance to connect with his fans is one he doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take for granted, let alone when it is facilitated by a brand like Legend Extra Stout. While speaking of his fans, he made sure to add with a smile, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no Mister Incredible without themâ&#x20AC;?.

While M.I gave an unforgettable musical experience, the show hosts, comedian De Don and Big Brother Naijaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ifu Ennada provided witty jokes and commentaries.

There were also comedy and musical acts from local talents in Abuja. With all the dancing and laughing, there was not a single dull moment.

During the Taste, Tell and Win game, the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reward game, lots of fans showed their long-lasting loyalty to the Legend Extra Stout brand and were rewarded with all kinds of prizes ranging from electronic gadgets to crates of their favourite unique-tasting beer.

Speaking on the event, Brand Manager Legend Extra Stout, Maria Shadeko said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We plan to up the ante in the coming year, so we urge all our consumers and lovers of the brand to stay with us, expectant and trusting that we would not disappoint, as we never have.â&#x20AC;?

Also included in the lineup was a brand education session, to intimate everyone present about the Legend Extra Stout brand and how the ever-reliable brand offers the Real Deal in the world of Stout.

As the night of thrills came to a close, it was clear to all who had attended that this was one indelible experience.

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T H I S D AY MONDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2017

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NOVEMBER 11, 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

59 with LANRE ALFRED 08076885752

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

Birthday ‘Boys’...How Three Alpha Men Celebrated Their Birthdays Last Sunday

P

ray, who wants to party like a rock star when you can do so like a billionaire? Let Femi Otedola, oil czar; and shipping magnate and boardroom guru, Musa Danjuma, teach you a trick or two about celebrating with billionaires. They know the game and have no apologies about how they play it. Last Sunday, November 4th, Otedola added another year.

Weeks before, the Forbes-certified billionaire, who is gradually becoming a force on social media, informed his fandom about his annual vacation which has so far taken him to several European cities including Monte Carlo, Monaco, where he was joined by among other high profile friends, his billionaire collaborator, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

On his birthday, he posted a picture of himself in Marrakech, a scenic and

psychedelic city that marches to its own beat and wrote, “Thanking God for another year, Happy Birthday to me in Marrakech.” No further details were provided as to how he celebrated but that singular post opened a torrent of birthday wishes from across the globe for him.

For social media mendicants, it was an opportunity to solicit for one assistance or the other.

Interestingly, Otedola shares the same date with two other billionaires; the serial lover, Danjuma, who turned 68 while it was the 67th birthday of Zenith Bank Plc founder and chairman, Jim Ovia.

On his part, Danjuma, as usual, threw a party for his billionaire friends and associates. A man who never shies away from celebrating even at the drop of a hat, the cream of Lagos elite poured into his

stately Banana Island home to felicitate with him that star-spangled night. Though there was no wife in sight having broken up with his last wife – the fourth actually, actress Caroline Danjuma.

Not surprisingly, the Ovias did not throw any party. While he does have every reason to celebrate every year of his life having risen from modest background to become one of Africa’s wealthiest men and successful bankers, inside sources said Ovia’s birthday passed without a bottle of bubbly being popped. He didn’t make the champagnes rain, neither did he set a large table of gourmet meals before friends.

Rather, it was for him another opportunity to be surrounded in the warmth and well wishes and prayers of his family members for adding another year. Only the prayers of his wife and children rained on him.

So Sad, Tony Anenih Leaves His Very Young Wife in the Lurch

30 Years After, Bolu Akin-Olugbade Remembers Late Parents If Aare Dr. Bolu Akin-Olugbade, the Rolls Royce-loving billionaire businessman, would define his parents, he would claim that the walls of their hearts were lined with gold and silver; he would say that they lived by a moral code that dwarfed old England’s claim to chivalry and honour. Then he might say that even in their absence; that old diffident virtuosity they left behind, resonates poignantly like the timeless lyric of a heavenly chant. There are too many ways to describe Bolu’s parents, and even the best couched adjectives couldn’t do justice to the task. Some days ago, the very stylish man had a befitting remembrance party and special prayer for his parents, Chief Akin Olugbade and Chief Gladys Iyabode Akin-Olugbade, the Otun Iyalode of Owu Kingdom. Madam Akin-Olugbade, who died on October 21, 1988, went to the great beyond within a year after she lost her husband, the patriarch of the family, Prince Akin-Olugbade, the first

Aare Onaakakanfo of Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Aare Bolu’s parents died many years ago and their absence has only made his heart grow fonder of them thus his decision to host a special remembrance party and prayer session for their departed parents. His beautiful wife, Ladun, was a perfect hostess that day. She is the major source of joy to Bolu. For a man with the world at his feet, literally, earthly things shouldn’t necessarily excite him.

But, close family sources say Ladun is no mere wife to Dr Olugbade. She is celestial, almost surreal even – the one who can wish away the crippling stress of running a conglomerate with just the soothing poetry of her voice. And he treats her as such. Beyond her ravishing, ageless beauty, Ladun is said to similarly worship the ground her husband treads; gives him peace of him which eludes many a man and shortens his lifespan; and does his bidding like she was born to do it without being obsequious.

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Akin-Olugbade

However, Dr.Olugbade was given the Award of Owu Indegene Hero for 2018 by the Owu Obas, the Owu Chiefs and the good and law-abiding people of Owu in the six Yoruba states during the Odun Omo Olowu Celebrations. It was the first time such an award was given to anybody and Aare Akin-Olugbade was chosen to be the first recipient.

Will Aisha Babangida Ever Remarry?

Aisha Babangida

The jury is still out on the willingness or otherwise of Aisha, first daughter of Nigeria’s former military president, Ibrahim Babangida, to give marriage another shot. A serial victim of love, Aisha’s first love, according to reports, was Kola Abiola, son of the late multibillionaire business tycoon and presumptive winner

of the June 12, 1993, presidential elections, Chief MKO Abiola. But when politics drove a wedge between the two families, the lovebirds had to search for love in other places.

Aisha was a starry-eyed lass when she got married to Basheer Nalabo Garba, a relative of the Abachas, in 2003, but the marriage collapsed within three years over accusations of intolerance and arrogance majorly on the part of Aisha. Few years later, she found love again in the arms of the much older Alhaji Aliyu Shinkafi, then the governor of Zamfara State.

Aisha wilfully went into the marriage as the governor’s third wife. Aisha would however meet with outright enmity in Shinkafi’s home especially from the two older wives.

Not long after, especially with Shinkafi failing in his re-election bid, the flame of the marriage soon petered out. And Aisha was back on the singles’ list. In a relationship at the moment, which she is understandably keeping hush-hush, it is unlikely that the ebony beauty wants another go at marriage after her two previous failed stints. Conversely, her tough luck with

Jim Ovia

marriage seems to apply to her siblings.

Her immediate younger brother and scion of the Babangida dynasty, Mohammed, has been through his fair share of failed marriages. He spent the best part of 2017 being harried by his former wife, Rahama, daughter of Maiduguri-based billionaire, Mohammed Indimi. They got married in 2004 and went on to have four kids, yet, when their problems began, she went on social media conveniently forgetting that the internet does not forget.

Relations between them degenerated so badly that she even petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari, the Sultan of Sokoto, the Chief Justice of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police alleging harassment by Mohammed. Despite returning to his childhood love, Umma Wali, with whom he had a son last year, Mohammed is not just enjoying domestic felicity. On the other hand, Aminu, the last Babangida son seems to have sworn by a life of perpetual bachelorhood. Aminu is the chairman of Unity Bank and despite all the wealth and women at his disposal, marriage doesn’t seem to be on the cards for him.

t last, the smile of earthly gladness fades from his mortal face and his good frame got rid of its fleeting transient breath; no thanks to ill health, Chief Tony Anenih, has departed this mortal world, having fought a silent but gallant battle against an undisclosed ailment.

Now, he is gone, leaving his very young wife, Maryann a loner in the drudgery of life.

However, Justice Maryann was gifted in love. Like the fabled enchanteur from the renaissance era, she got Chief Tony Anenih pacing the Hadrian’s wall of her shoulder and dreaming of her maiden castle. In the same breath, she got him perpetually hooked on her cocktail of love. Since his eyes held with hers and they experienced their first touch, she sent shockwaves of love through his veins like radiant energy. Thus the powerful politician became a string to be played by the nimble fingers of Maryann, his beloved wife, before he passed away some days ago.

Very few women are capable of such feat. Indeed, very few wives are able to keep their husbands fulfilled and perpetually devoted to their wedlock.

Ever since the couple announced their union as husband and wife, they stuck together like Siamese twins. To prove their pliable and unshakeable love for each other, they toured the world together, enjoying every moment of their marriage as if every day was honeymoon.

Though Tony was 85 years old, Maryann, is said to be in her 30s. Though married to three women (one is late and he divorced one) before Maryann, it was obvious the late astute politician, Chief Anenih was smitten with Maryann. Aged 85, Anenih died at an Abuja hospital where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment. It is obvious that Maryann, who is the youngest of the three wives of Chief Anthony Anenih, former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Board of Trustees (BOT), remains inconsolable.

Anenih

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HIGHLIFE

If All Obas Were Like Awujale...

If nature used a one-size-fits-all approach, all traditional rulers would be partisan and obsequious. But nature is diverse and dynamic. That is why the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, is not in the rank of Obas who are politically voluble and visible for personal or parochial reasons.

A pointer to this was his absence in Governor Ibikunle Amosunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s delegation to President Muhammadu Buhari in State House recently. Two prominent traditional rulers, the Olu of Ilaro and the Alake of Egbaland, were among those railroaded to follow Amosun to appeal to the president to intervene in the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disputed primary elections.

The governor had unilaterally drawn up the list of all aspirants on the partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s platform including his preferred governorship candidate, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade. However, during the primaries, party members unanimously voted for Prince Dapo Abiodun, the billionaire founder of Heyden Oil. Amosun was livid.

He tapped all his contacts and connections with a view to upturning the decision but the APC hierarchy did not budge. Then, he took on the party chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, calling him unprintable names

while mounting pressure on the president â&#x20AC;&#x201C; using different proxies â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to get the party to substitute Abiodun for his candidate. He met a brick wall everywhere he turned. In the midst of this, prominent traditional rulers in the state fell over themselves to show their loyalty to the outgoing governor. Only the patriarchal Awujale maintained a respectable silence.

Sources in the Awujaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s palace said as much as he had earlier in the year fervently prayed for the emergence of a competent candidate from Ijebuland, declaring that having an Ijebu man at the helm of affairs would augur well eventually for the state, the octogenarian king refused to make any political pronouncement thereafter.

It will be recalled that the immediatepast Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, was the preferred candidate of the Awujale, a support, privileged sources say he has now put behind the substantive APC candidate, Prince Abiodun. While not afraid to make his convictions public, the Awujale believes that staying above the fray of partisanship is more dignifying. However, he remains unyielding in his resolve to see an Ijebu man govern the state â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a major plus for the candidature of Abiodun.

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Awujale

High Society Flower-Girl, Nkiru Anumudu, Sets to Gift Son A BeďŹ tting Wedding December is still a few weeks away but in the household of the Anumudus, feverish planning and preparations are ongoing.

Enyinna Anumudu, the second son of pancake-loving socialite, Nkiru and Willy Anumudu, is getting married to Joyce Jacob, in a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Traditional wedding and Engagementâ&#x20AC;? ceremony, come December 27 in Imo State.

Nkiru is rousing his friends and associates across the world to ensure the ceremony remains talked about for eons to come. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an established fact that if organising high society parties with the right mix of guests, gourmet food and endless exotic champagnes and cognacs known to connoisseurs were an art, you may jolly well call Willy, the owner of Globe Motors, the Michelangelo. And if that skill were classical music, please, call him Mozart. The car dealer knows how to deploy his vast wealth to serenade and stun those close

to him. He only needs the tiniest of reasons to throw a party that would wow guests and send gate-crashers swooning. And, when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about his family, he goes the whole hog, spares no expense and harnesses all his contacts and connections to flatter and fete them. According to the Maestromedia, Enyinna is the 2nd son of four children. Uzoma Anumudu is 31, born August 1987 and is the first born, followed

by Enyinna who is about to get married, who recently clocked 30, born 1988, he is followed by the twins, Ozinna (Zina) & Ozichukwu (Zikky) born, December 19, 1991 making both 27 come December 2018. While Ozinna one part of the twins is the founder and owner of â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Style Conciergeâ&#x20AC;?, she is in fact a major chip off the old block, just as super stylish like her doting mom (check out our upcoming profile on her). Zikky her twin brother lives in the US.

Enyinna Anumudu

Victory At Lastâ&#x20AC;ŚOil Billionaire, Benedict Peters, No Longer on Wanted List

Peters

The oil business world is like a perilous coast mired in storms. Through its turbulence, several men sail like desperate pirates, plundering across the seas for buried pearls and floating treasures. But the founder of Aiteo Group, Benedict Peters is one of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most industrious business icons, and very few men navigate the coasts like sea-hardened sailors. Armed with mulish resolve and steadfast spirit, they persevere through the oceanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wildest tempests, holding course and clinging

to starboard, till they chanced on the proverbial pliant course.

These are the risk-taking individuals that struck out on new paths, rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success, to prosper themselves and their society.

Benny is one of the few people that would be sent to Mars and still treat it as a stepping stone to Saturn â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the quality of constant invention and self-improvement that has earned him worldwide acclaim and prosperity.

Benny has survived several tempests that would have sunk a whole clan. For an ordinary businessman, that would have been the very end. But Benny is no ordinary man. And he re-laced his boots for the journey ahead. Today, he has good news to tell.

However, Peters is now a free man and can formally return to Nigeria at his convenience following the removal of his name from the list of wanted persons by the Nigerian government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, who had previously declared him wanted on multiple alleged infractions.

Peters and his company, Aiteo Group had recorded victories in court against the EFCC, including getting a judicial order to get his name off the agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wanted list as the African billionaire fought doggedly to

Demon of Her Past... After Donating Kidney to Her Mother, Tuface Baby Mama, Pero Adeniyi, Back in the Social Whirl

purge himself of the alleged infractions, accusing the anti-graft agency of a witchhunt and bias in its bid to present him as a business front for former Petroleum Resources Minister, Allison Madueke.

According to information doing the rounds, Petersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is no longer on the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wanted list and is free to return to Nigeria without fear of being harassed or intimidated. The EFCC has also delisted his name from its most wanted personsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; list on its website, two years after the African billionaire was listed.

Interestingly, Justice Othman Musa, had in his March 22, 2018 ruling in the suit filed by Peters challenging his declaration as a wanted person, voided the action of the agency and subsequently ordered the EFCC to delist his name from its website.

However, like the proverbial fairy Prince, Peters makes magic; he achieves great feats far across the seas and international boundaries - a reality too many of his peers and associates readily attest to. Just recently, he was awarded mining licence in Congo with a company called Bravura. Findings revealed that he relocated to Ghana and now Congo, to experience fresh challenges and make even more exciting conquests. Now, he is reaping immensely from his quest.

ike a closet gladiator, bursting through her self-woven sheathe of tact and obscurity, Pero Adeniyi is back in the social whirl.

Yes, Pero recently saved her motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life by donating one of her kidneys to her. Peroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother, Princess Biola Adeniyi, had been suďŹ&#x20AC;ering from kidney failure for more than a year before her bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s immune system began to attack her kidneys. Faced with the possibility of losing her mom, Pero who had kids for Tuface, went to Maryland to remove one of her kidneys to save her mother.

It was learnt that Peroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s siblings also oďŹ&#x20AC;ered to donate their kidneys for their mother but it was Peroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s organ that matched the requirement.

Predictably, Peroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bold move to save her mother has been eliciting showers of adulation from family, friends and well-wishers. Peroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother was indeed shocked and overwhelmed at the depth of her daughterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love for her.

In her young life, Pero, the socialite daughter of businessman, Jide Adeniyi of Poatson, has weathered many storms. Life and love perhaps plunged her into a hole but she didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t climb out hastily. Instead, she dug deeper, enjoyed the scenery, and has come out from the other side more enlightened and stronger.

From an aďŹ&#x201E;uent family, her father being a former popular and rich businessman with interest in transportation and the creative industry, Pero came to limelight as the wife of a New York-based businessman, Tunde Borokinni. She would attain a diďŹ&#x20AC;erent kind of social acclaim when she reportedly dumped her husband to become the lover of superstar singer, Tuface Idibia. She went to gift the singer his ďŹ rst of many babies outside wedlock.

Together, they have three kids. Their stormy relationship hit the iceberg due to her rumoured domineering nature among other factors; Pero dominated the love life of the singer so much that he was said to live in constant fear of her whether or not she was around. At the height of his fame, Pero once accosted him in public to make certain domestic demands.

When the heat became too much, especially as Tuface went on to father other kids by other women, Pero relocated abroad and bade the singer and his baggage a goodbye. Tuface went on to surprisingly marry actress, Annie Macaulay, further ripping into pieces Peroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tender heart.

Not much was heard from her until a few years back when her mum was down with a kidney ailment and it behoved her to donate one of hers which she did.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been three years since the successful transplant and mother and daughter are alive and hearty to tell and retell the story.

Interestingly, Nigerians thought they had moved on from the Pero/Tuface drama until last Monday morning when a viral video of Pero, in a crowded Lagos club, surfaced, hugging and cuddling Annie, Tufaceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legitimate wife, with the latter, hands clasped, muttering repeatedly, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am sorry.â&#x20AC;? Tuface later joined the tear-ďŹ lled scene and also broke down in tears as he was cuddled by Pero who stonily told him to get a grip of himself.

But that wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t what caught many peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention alone; it was the sheer see-through black top Pero wore. Her whole mammary gland was in the open save for a nipple cover which many mistook for her areola. The mother of four â&#x20AC;&#x201C; two girls, two boys â&#x20AC;&#x201C; was past caring as men ogled endlessly at her. No doubt, more of the dark-hued beauty would be seen now on the social scene as the tempests of her past life seem to have subsided.

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Grand 70th Birthday Party for Caverton Chairman, Aderemi Makanjuola When a man is described as an unobtrusive billionaire, it is a no-brainer that he does big things quietly and makes bold moves without making a song and a dance of it. That is the way of Chief Remi Makanujola. Becoming a successful businessman however, is not mere lip service. It requires consistent efforts and focus to grow from just being an entrepreneur with interest in a particular business to becoming a respected and renowned empire builder. Indeed, Nigeria is replete with a superfluity of dogmatic businessmen like Makanjuola; those bending history, rewriting existential narratives, cracking glass ceilings and breaking barriers while leading others by the hand and taking the road less travelled to the Promised Land.

However, it is hard to remain anonymous when you are sitting on a fortune in the range of millions of dollars. If your lifestyle does not betray you, your loyalists would, even when gagged, in a moment of self-adulation. This explains perhaps why family and friends are more than ready to celebrate, Chief Aderemi Makanjuola, the chairman of Caverton Group at 70. A naturally self-effacing gentleman who would rather his work speaks for him instead of the billions he has, he is however carrying himself with a lot of accustomed dignity in the billionaires and private jet owners’ club.

SLOW YOUR ROLL, MARIOTT HOTEL PROJECT IS A STILLBIRTH Like the fabled Cheshire cat in Lewis Caroll’s literary classic, Alice in Wonderland, Jim Ovia’s Marriott Hotel project is turning into a white elephant.

Few people will forget the unusual buzz news that the hotel’s emergence in the highbrow hospitality sector generated few years ago.

The end might have come sooner than expected for chairman and founder of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia’s ambition to play big in the hospitality industry. For a man who has succeeded in many of his endeavours, Ovia’s Marriott Hotel project might be a stillbirth after all. In 2012, Ovia’s Quantum Luxury Properties Limited entered into a multi-billion naira agreement with the global hotel brand, Marriott, to have one in Nigeria.

Primed to be located beside the Civic Centre, also owned by Ovia, on the Ozumba Mbadiwe waterfront Victoria Island, Lagos, the proposed five-star hotel, he had said, would comprise 150 star rooms with a 2014 launch date already set.

“We identified a gap in the marketplace within the hospitality industry to support the burgeoning sectors. Nigeria is well known for its hospitality and Lagos as a mega-city deserves a world-class facility to complement its status. We are proud to have the opportunity to partner with a world-class brand like Marriott,” Ovia said excitedly, adding that the Nigerian economy continues to be an attractive destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), particularly with the boom in the telecoms industry and the attractiveness of the banking sector.” That was in 2012. What many didn’t know perhaps is that it wasn’t just Ovia that got the Marriott franchise; Taiwo Afolabi, the shipping magnate behind SIFAX Group regarded as one of Africa’s fastestgrowing multinational corporations with diversity in Maritime, Aviation, Haulage & Logistics, Oil & Gas, also got approval to site one in G.R.A, Ikeja, Lagos. Unlike Ovia’s which seems to be dead and buried, Afolabi’s 300-room Marriott Hotel is nearing completion and would soon open for business. Different strokes for different folks.

MARITAL TRAGEDY…REAL REASON BEAUTY QUEEN, ANITA ISEGHOHI DUMPED HER HUSBAND, TRANCORP FORMER MD, TOM Until very recently, the former beauty queen, Anita Uwagbale-Iseghohi’s pains were invisible and her cries were inaudible. She merely festooned the social

Makanjuola

That is why men are talking about him excitedly while women drool excitably and gesticulate animatedly while describing him.

That’s the magical effect Remi has on people these days.

The patently self-effacing businessman will clock 70 in a few days and there is so much joy in and around his home and workplace.

Though not one to throw gaudy parties, Chief Makanjuola is being prevailed upon to shed his conservative toga for once, and let his hairs down as he used to in his younger days and celebrate without inhibitions.

The emissaries are hard at work. And feelers reaching us indicate that he is softening his hitherto hard stance. Of course, he won’t turn 70 twice, reason his associates and relatives, members of staff and kids are conjuring different ingenious ideas to celebrate a man that is perpetually at peace with himself and humanity.

Charming and charismatic, Chief Makanjuola has so much to be thankful for; a good health, a great family-cum-successful kids (one of who is Niyi, the brain behind Visionscape company in charge of cleaning Lagos) and thriving enterprises including Caverton Helicopters, established in September 2002 as a charter, shuttle and maintenance company.

Caverton was initially set up to bridge the gap in the onshore helicopter service sector; it has made strides into the offshore support (oil and gas) industry by providing logistics support to the major players. Caverton

space with her presence, using words the plane in Amsterdam, I met him at the that are only fit for the cultured. Then she airport. wrote a short note on the social media and “I was laughing and making fun of everything changed. people who are blacks but don’t want to Other miseries only speak but be recognised as Nigerians. He was taking heartbreak shrieks out. Yet each couple a nap when I looked at him. Then, I turned extinguishes the flames of their love, as to Guy Bruce and Chinenye Ochuba and it pleases them. Some do it with a bitter told them that the guy sleeping there is look, some with a flattering word. Some definitely a Nigerian. He woke up later do it with a kiss and others by infidelity. and while discussing together, I found out Ask Tom and Anita; the estranged couple that he was from my state—Edo state. would definitely have their pick from the “He was also looking lost. To protect pack. him from missing his way around Nigeria, However, hardly anyone knew when I gave him my phone number and told sour music stole into the wedlock of the him to call me whenever he had problems couple. But everybody knows when with locations. Of course, we started a their marriage crashed. It was the worst relationship, which became very strong thing ever. Friends and family watched and he persuaded me to move over to the in dismay as the harsh notes intruded United States where he was based in order the couple’s joy leaving them a mess of a to continue my education.” peculiar mess.

Many believed that the separation of When they got married years ago, the couple must have been as a result of many people thought that their wedding the travails of Iseghohi, who is a former was made in heaven. Theirs was a group managing director of Transcorp Plc. seemingly blissful nuptial that Anita’s When in 2007 the widely educated peers felt they were in her shoes, with Iseghohi was recruited from America some even wondering why she seemed to to head the controversial Transcorp by be the luckiest among them. the former DG of the Nigerian Stock Curiously, however, when the going Exchange, Ndi Okereke-Onyuike, many was good between them, they planned applauded the decision and quickly to build castles in the air, have a fortress touted him a corporate messiah. of a home with their kids rolling and He married the former beauty queen frolicking on the lawn while they hold in 2008, a year before he was charged hands and give themselves a pat on the along with others with fraud and money back for shaming critics who thought the laundering in connection with the marriage would not last. The plans were botched acquisition of the Nigeria lofty and lovely. Before long, the seed Telecommunications (NITEL) of discord began to germinate

by Transcorp. between them. Eventually, The Court of Appeal they parted ways thus going has discharged and the way of most celebrity acquitted him of the couples whose marriages charges. crashed and burned in Iseghohi is founder record time. Anita vacated of G-57, an association their matrimonial home of 57 top Nigerian immediately.

Executives from Penultimate Thursday, around the world Anita announced the and executive vice couple’s separation on president at Hudson Instagram. “Following our Consulting Group. almost 15 years’ relationship But all that waned Iseghohi as well as a lot of recent thought when Iseghohi, a staunch and consideration, I have made catholic was made to go a difficult decision to separate from through ignoble acts and was my husband. We are still a family and dismissed from Transcorp. will always be loving, dedicated parents This expectedly led to his obscurity to our three lovely children. “I won’t be from the limelight, leaving only his wife, commenting beyond this and I thank you Anita, former MBGN to continue her role all in advance for respecting the privacy of our young children and of our family. Love as a social butterfly.

According to a source, “Anita and respect from us to all of you,” she may have lost the will to carry on in a wrote, signing off as Anita Iseghohi. financially challenged marriage and In an interview, which Anita granted decided throwing in the towel. That she a few years ago, she recalled how she met went on social media to announce it her estranged husband. shows her desperation to leave Iseghohi, She said, “It was during my reign and who seems to want to hold on to the I had travelled to the Netherlands for the union.”

Miss Universe pageant. As I alighted from

Helicopter operates out of a 10,000 square metre flight facility at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos. The company also owns and operates out of several purposebuilt facilities in Victoria Island (The Ozumba Heliport), Port Harcourt (NAF Base), Warri and Cameroon.

On the other hand, the Caverton Group, set up to render logistics and environment support services to the Nigerian Oil and Gas producers, and support energy operations along the West African shelf, has positioned itself as one of the leading indigenous oilfield services companies in Nigeria. Following the passage of the Nigerian government’s ‘Local Content Policy,’ which is aimed at substantially increasing indigenous participation in the local and gas industry, the company is now very well positioned to leverage the opportunities this represents.

Thus, if it would take a river of choice cognacs, champagnes and ciders to show his appreciation for an enviable existence as his, money would never be the problem.

He crossed that Rubicon decades ago.

Educated at the Universities of Leicester for his undergraduate degree, and Manchester, for his master’s, Chief Makanjuola started as a banker before coming into real wealth as a businessman.

Revealed: Real Reason Pastor Idowu Iluyomade will Miss Governor Ambode While it may be impossible to gauge the soul-deep grief and visceral sense of loss being experienced by Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, the flamboyant pastor of Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David parish, Lekki, Lagos, over the failure of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to secure a second term ticket, what is not in doubt is that the influential cleric must have wished that he had a higher level of grace and clairvoyance to have been able to foretell the future.

Neither he nor Ambode foresaw the fate that has befallen the hard-working and dedicated governor’s political trajectory.

Pastor ID, even more than the governor’s aides and associates, and relatives and beneficiaries, is worse hit by the rotund governor’s failure to secure the backing of his godfather, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for a second term in office, leading to a disastrous defeat at the governorship primaries.

Like mere mortals, he was banking on Ambode’s re-election to consolidate on their burgeoning business relationships.

As the presiding pastor of the City of David Church which is home to some of the wealthiest and most influential residents of Lagos, Pastor ID, as he is popularly known, is a hit among his congregation. Long before he became governor, Ambode, then a highflying civil servant was a regular churchgoer who worshipped the grounds the pastor trod.

When he became governor, Pastor ID became the spiritual father and very close to the very hard-working governor. Suave and rich, Pastor Iluyomade who claims to enjoy advocacy and attends court regularly, representing highnet-worth clients and blue chip companies, has business interests in commercial practice and in particular, international trade finance. He is a board member of Aboil Energy Services LTD; managing director, Axiom IT Systems Ltd and Chairman, Visible Assets Ltd, among other boards’ appointments.

In fact, one of the pastor’s firms was supposed to execute the Fourth Mainland Bridge but this may have been aborted given the political interests in the contract.

From 2019, Pastor ID may no longer enjoy the political patronage his closeness to Ambode availed him, but he is still a much-sought-after man of God. And apart from his business and evangelical interests, he has the church’s most important project to keep him busy.

The church is currently building the Trinity Towers, a high-profile facility, located opposite the church auditorium in Oniru Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos. Primed as a 21st Century structure with three towers linked together, it has world class auditorium and conference centres, gymnasium and special features like a helipad, malls, offices and garden terraces which offer serenity and relaxation opportunities in an eco-friendly atmosphere. Pastor ID’s beautiful wife, Siju, also a lawyer, is hands down the most bejewelled pastor’s wife in Nigeria.

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Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

Folorunsho Senator Buruji Kashamu’s Unending Battles Alakija Wows

F

olorunsho Alakija has successfully etched her name in the sands of time.

She is a Nigerian oil baroness and currently Africa’s richest woman. She holds a pride of place in Nigeria’s fashion industry and inspires the womenfolk.

Though she comes from a privileged background, she realised early in life that the surest way to become successful in life is through unbent determination, clear vision and ceaseless prayers. Indeed, all these have been her guiding principles in life.

Interestingly, her fame grew to iconic proportions also because of her other sterling qualities.

Born by a wealthy Nigerian father, beautiful Alakija returned to Nigeria after attending schools in Wales to work as a secretary for the defunct International Merchant Bank. She, however, travelled to London, following the closure of the bank to study fashion design. And upon graduation, she launched her own fashion line, Supreme Stitches, which catered for upscale clientele. As proof of her uncommon gift and creativity, she was named in 1986 as the Best Designer in Nigeria.

The billionaire businesswoman as gathered by Society Watch is currently building an eye-popping 22-floor edifice worth several billions of Naira.

It was gathered that part of the one-of-a-kind tower situated at Alfred Rewane road, Ikoyi will be used for commercial purposes, while the last five floors are said to be for her personal use.

The woman described as Africa’s pride is gradually taking over the real estate sector when she completes the architectural masterpiece located at AJ Marinho, Victoria Island, Lagos. The gigantic building simply described as ‘heaven on earth’ can only be compared to those seen in Dubai, Paris and New York.

The building is facing Kuramo waters and the Atlantic Ocean with three floors dedicated to office space and eight floors dedicated to residential. The residential floors consist of 32 individual apartments, including one, two and three bedroom apartments.

Just like her oil business, she has since invested billions of Naira in the real estate, making her one of the biggest players in the industry.

Alakija is said to have invested a lot of her wealth in the real estate sector in Nigeria and London. She also has investments in the Middle East with her main real estate company, Dayspring Property Development, co-owned with her husband, Modupe Alakija.

For those who didn’t know, Alakija is also the Group Managing Director of The Rose of Sharon Group which consists of The Rose of Sharon Prints & Promotions Limited and Digital Reality Prints Limited.

Alakija

Billionaire businessman and Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Buruji Kashamu, has many battle to fight – past and present.

It is a fact that the chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been in a battle of wits and lawsuits over who controls in Ogun State.

But beyond this, he is said to be fighting another ‘battle’.

Society Watch gathered that the Iperu-Remo, Ogun State-born billionaire, last Monday, filed a suit to forestall the fresh move by the Federal Government of Nigeria to extradite him to the United States of America to face drug-related charges.

Joined as defendants in the suit are the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police Lagos State Command, Director general of Department of State Service, DSS, Director of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA and the Attorney General of the Federal, AGF. When the matter was mentioned, O. O. Odubela -Nasir, counsel representing Kashamu, told the court that the matter was adjourned for hearing that day and that all the respondents had been served with proof of service in court’s records.

Consequently, the Presiding Judge, Chukwujekwu Aneke, directed her to move her application.

Thereafter, she told the court that the application was dated May 31, 2018 and filed on June 14, 2018 .

She further said the application was supported by a 33- paragraph affidavit with three exhibits attached to it.

However, the counsel representing Director of General State Security Services, A.O. Bajela ,informed the court that he had not been served with the further affidavit filed by the counsel to the applicant, but had only been served with a reply on point of law.

Consequently, Justice Aneke adjourned for further hearing for the applicant to regularise her position.

The senator in an affidavit sworn to and filed before the court averred that in a newspaper publication entitled “Kasamu: FG Demands Fresh US Request For Extradition Suit,” wherein the Attorney General of the Federation was reported to have said, “The US Government has been told to make a fresh request for the senator after the former extradition proceedings were dismissed...... as soon as US Government sends a fresh request, the new extradition proceedings will be commenced.”

Kashamu also averred further that

Kashamu

whereas in a proceedings instituted in England by the US authorities against him at the Bow Street Magistrate Court between 2002 and 2003 , he was not the one implicated in the alleged narcotics offence committed in the US in 1994.

He said, therefore, that he was not the person sought by the US authorities.

Consequently, he urged the court to restrain the respondents and their agents from arresting or detaining him in any manner whatsoever interfering with his right to personal liberty and freedom of movement.

However, in a counter- affidavit sworn to by NDLEA litigation officer , Kareem Olayinka, the deponent averred that Kashamu had never been exonerated of any complicity of any crime by any court either in Nigeria, United States of America or He also stated that Kashamu’s argument that he had been exonerated of crime/charges of illicit traffic in narcotic drugs was false.

“The decision of British courts did not exonerate him of any drug charges.

“NDLEA is unaware of any Interpol or indeed any law enforcement agency in or outside Nigeria that investigated the applicant.

“NDLEA contended that the claims of the applicant in his affidavit are false and

a rehash of an earlier story narrated in an affidavit in support of a suit filed at the Abuja “The Lagos division of the Court of Appeal deprecated this conduct and declared it as lacking in cause of action in its judgment delivered on 4th of May, 2018.

“The suit number FH /L /CS /508/2014 was for the enforcement of the applicant’s fundamental rights on the fabricated and moot claim of a purported plot to abduct and kidnap him by law enforcement agencies and has nothing to do with the execution of extradition request.

“While the suit was pending, the Federal Government of the United States of America filed a request for extradition of the applicant.

“AGF then requested NDLEA to secure the applicant order in order to present him before a Federal court to face the extradition charge, where the court will inquire if there “The NDLEA then received intelligence that the applicant, who has been anticipating the request and monitoring events was about to flee the country and disappear.

“That it was on this basis that NDLEA moved to secure the application and obtained a provisional warrant of arrest.

“Even when the applicant was aware that the execution of the extradition request and provisional warrant of arrest has no bearing with suit number FHC /L / CS/508/2014, he surreptitiously misled the Federal High Court presided over by O. E. Abang into conducting a contempt proceedings against the NDLEA and AGF and issuing orders restraining the execution of the extradition request of the Government of the United States of America and setting aside quashing the provisional warrant of arrest duly issued by a more senior judge of the same Federal High Court.

“All the decisions that Justice O. E. Abang, in both the substantive and contempt proceedings, have been set aside and the provisional warrant of arrest validated by the The NDLEA contended that the essence of the suit by the applicant was to divert attention, as well as preempt or undermine the perceived extradition request to be made by the Government of the United States.

The agency, therefore, urged the court to dismiss the suit for being incompetent and an abuse of legal process.

The case has been adjourned untill November 15, 2018.

Who is after Tokunbo Abiru?

When Tokunbo Abiru was appointed Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of ailing Skye Bank Plc.( now Polaris Bank), no one was in doubt that he has the managerial skill and expertise to turn it around.

Not long after he assumed office, he proved pundits wrong that age is not a factor when it comes to efficient service delivery and well-focused administration, even in the face of persistent oppositions from both within his bank and other financial services providers.

But as proof of his brilliance, the apex bank retained him alongside other members of the board to continue the leadership of Polaris Bank, after the crash of Skye Bank.

Since then, the astute 55-year-old banker is closing all the gaps that can affect his position as the leader, and there are indications that everything is working perfectly well for him.

But it seems some people are hellbent on seeing the downfall of the man who has showcased his wizardry, as there

has been what our source described as a “campaign of calumny against him.”

Society Watch gathered that in the past one week, negative stories have been in circulation allegedly sponsored by some elements with the aim of pulling him down.

In one of the wicked lies in a section of the media, the shareholders of the bank accused the current management of conniving with the CBN to allegedly defraud them of their investment with the takeover of Skye Bank Plc by Polaris Bank They claimed that they are at the risk of losing an estimated N10.69 billion, being the value of the funds.

They are also calling for the sack of the MD and the entire management of the bank.

But in a chat with Society Watch, a top banker who spoke on the condition of anonymity said: ‘’ The MD and the entire management have done extremely good; otherwise, the CBN wouldn’t have entrusted Polaris bank in their hands.

Abiru

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NOVEMBER 11, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

SOCIETY WATCH

Andy, Chris Uba At War Again Politics and power always have a way of tearing friends and brothers apart.

If you are in doubt, ask Andy and Chris Uba. These two brothers and political gladiators from Anambra State have always been at each other’s jugular over political power and battle for supremacy.

Society Watch gathered that the ‘war’ again has taken a new and dangerous dimension, as the two brothers would be contesting the Senate in Anambra South Senatorial District on different political platforms.

Andy, the elder brother, is currently with the All Progressives Congress, APC, while his brother, Chris is with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Chris, it was gathered, has vowed to dethrone Andy.

A source divulged that Chris tells whoever cares to listen to him that he is tired of being addressed as political ‘godfather ‘ without any other benefit and he would do everything within his capacity to achieve his aim.

Those in the know hinted that this is not the first time the brothers would square up against each other.

It was revealed that when Andy was in a joyous mood and thanking God for his victory at the polls under the PDP in 2015, some of his family members called for a showdown with him.

In 2015, Chris pitched his tent with his opponent at the polls, Ernest Ndukwe of APGA, The APGA candidate, who rejected the result declared by the INEC, vowed to challenge Uba’s victory at the tribunal.

What was, however, confounding was

F

Louie Duke’s Superlative Lifestyle Andy and Chris Uba

that Chris was the financial muscle behind Ndukwe.

It was learnt that before the party primary that threw up Uba as the PDP candidate, Chris had shown interest in contesting for the same Anambra South Senatorial seat.

However, in the build-up to the 2015 general election, the Uba family unanimously agreed that Uba should vacate the Senate seat for his younger brother, Chris while Andy give the governorship seat another trial.

Andy reportedly agreed but after losing out at the Anambra governorship primaries, he made a U-turn and insisted he would go for the Senate.

Even after several pleas by some elders in family, he refused to yield to the earlier

agreement.

The source confirmed further that the crisis, which is tearing the family apart, has become a subject of discussion in the whole community.

It is common knowledge that Chris is the godfather of Anambra PDP. First, he installed his eldest brother, Senator Ugochukwu, as senator for Anambra South between 2003 and 2007.

He later made his brother, Andy, governor of the state in 2007 until he was removed by the court, thereby paving way for Peter Obi of APGA to take over the seat as governor.

Consequently, Andy, in 2011, went to the Senate.

Ebony Hospitals’ DCMD, Dr Linda Ekwen’s International Recognition

Ekwen

Today, her name rings very loud as a medical practitioner.

Her forte is in obstetrics and gynecology.

Interestingly, Dr. Linda Christianah Ekwem, Deputy Chief Medical Director, Ebony Hospitals Limited, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has done a lot in the area of women health; and she has won numerous awards for her efforts at home and abroad.

Quite commendably, her profile recently received a major boost when the prestigious Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, United Kingdom and Ireland, RCOG, honoured her for her works in the area of pregnancy, particularly from pre-conception to post-pregnancy.

It was a moment of great joy for Dr. Ekwem and her darling husband and partner, Dr. Innocent Chi Ekwem, when she was recently honoured with the prestigious Fellowship of the Royal College in London.

At the event held at the Royal College Hall in Regent Park, London, Dr. Ekwem was

presented with the Certificate of Awards by Prof. Lesley Regan, President of the RCOG, who is also the Head of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust London.

The award of the fellowship is a mark of senior status that implies a continued contribution to the specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the maintenance of standards and practice.

Dr. Linda Ekwem and her hubby are two talented doctors whose 50-bed Ebony Hospital remains one of the best referral hospitals near the shores of the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean in Port Harcourt, River State.

Among the people who witnessed the great moment were her husband, Dr. I.C. Ekwem and their children, Dr. Melvin Chibuzo Ekwem, Dr. Yvonne Ezinne Ekwem, Mr. Ugonna Cliff Ekwem, Mr. Trevor Okechukwu Okonya and her brother,Reginald Ihejiahi, former MD/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc

Hajia Habiba Abubakar Changes Gear Those who are familiar with the Abuja high society will attest to the fact that Hajia Habiba Abubakar is one of the high-flying ladies in the capital city. She is superrich and kind-hearted.

Her philanthropy, which has endeared her to the common people in Abuja and some parts of the North, has not gone unnoticed.

However, Society Watch gathered that the Kano State-born woman has soft-pedalled for some inexplicable reasons. She has also been absent in social functions.

This, a source revealed, has been a concern to her admirers, especially those she has touched their lives in the past. ‘’Hajia is such a wonderful woman whose love for the hoi polloi is unequalled, but she seems to have literally gone back stage in her philanthropic activities,” a source said.

Another disclosed that the beautiful woman could have decided to reduce her philanthropic gestures because she had been taken for granted by some of the people she has assisted.

“I hope she has not resolved to slow down because of the unappreciative tendencies of some of her beneficiaries,’’ the source revealed.

Before now, the woman, whose husband was Nigeria’s High Commissioner to India, had received awards, which included one organised by Africans in Diaspora in recognition of the contributions of her Foundation for the elderly and the poor, a non-government organisation (NGO) founded in 2006 in India. The NGO transcends national, ethnic and religious borders.

She also donated five hectares to build a school and an elderly home for the less privileged.

Abubakar

From his days in Surulere, Lagos, Louie Duke has always been known to be a high flyer with class, charisma and panache.

People who know this handsome man and polished gentleman in his 50s say he does his things with a deep sense of style, passion and perfection.

It will be recalled that when he launched his outfit, Lace 111 Couture, on Adeniran Ogunsanya Street in Surulere, Lagos, it was a hit, as he was patronised by the high and mighty in the society.

Before our very eyes, he also set up the highly successful Gentleman’s Bar on Adeniran Ogunsanya Street before he ventured into construction.

Today, he runs Lush Interiors, a highbrow interior decorating firm in Victoria Island that caters strictly for the rich and the famous.

Very ambitious, he recently signed a contract with two of Italy’ s best brands in the furniture business, Mobilpiu and Style Office, a deal that will open another vista for him to make megabucks.

Hard-working Duke is a lover of world most expensive designer clothes, shoes as well as wristwatches.

The Cross River State- born dude is also a car freak with several beautiful and expensive state- of -the- art cars parked in his garage. This we gathered always causes stir whenever he drives.

Feyisola Adeyemi Shines Feyisola Adeyemi, CEO, LuxuryByFeyi, shone brilliantly again penultimate week in London at the just- concluded London Fashion week held at the prestigious Aston Martin London showroom in Mayfair.

It was gathered that the woman, who is best known for her creativity, held the audience spellbound and walked tall at the show considered as one of the biggest fashion platforms with its Spring/Summer 2019 titled, the “Black Swan”.

Her brand had the honour of wrapping up the prestigious London Fashion week with its exciting presentation complimented with an afrobeat sound track finale, chromatic luminance and branded light projection.

To add a bit of spice, ethnic diversity was employed in model selection as each model dazzled the catwalk with authoritarian elegance.

Some of the elegant presentations included gorgeous gowns accented with beading embroidery, while others cast more powerful angelic feminine vibe.

Commenting on her outing, a fashion critic was quoted as saying, “As a surrealist fashion designer, the idea behind the collection was to capture the natural beauty of animals and translate it into an elegant and surreal artistic feminine silhouette.

Most of the garments showcased were animal shape embroidered handmade but still they all maintained a signature paisley pattern throughout.

The gowns express universal themes that resonate with many ethnic groups and I am proud to present them during London.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 11, 2018

LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

WAEC, Well Done I saw the picture and was very happy.

The attestation-something has stopped another civil war. Only in Nigeria would we have come so close to another civil war simply because one man did or did not do WAEC. You see, even with the pictures and the huge smiles on the faces of the APC stalwarts who made up the welcoming delegation to the safe arrival of the attestation-something the controversy still lingers. The question that needs to be answered thoroughly is very simple: did Buhari really sit this exam, attestation or no attestation? Me I know the answer very very well but will not say it. I will give the answer

at a press briefing at the Seme border when I decide to go on exile or I will give it after the elections if Buhari loses or better still after his second term. But rest assured that on this matter we have not been fooled. What has just happened is that we might have allowed peace to reign so that we can face a more serious task of conducting an election. For me, the takeaway is that, I now know that with N20,000 I can get an attestation for my own certificate. I have been looking for the damn thing since flood enter my house for Shomolu. Mbok what are the procedure so that I start the process before they come and say I did not do

the exam o? I did the exam in Shomolu and had a wonderful result – C6 in Maths and P7 in English and that is why I am writing this column today and you are reading but somewhere along the line the combined forces of cockroaches, flood and my political enemies have rendered the certificate obsolete. So my dear Nigerians, I will be applying for an attestation and while I am at it, will also apply to NYSC and by the way mbok who regulates primary six certificate?

Let me know. Abeg, make I rest from this country; person no do exam we dey see attestation. Laugh want kill me for here.

Attestation my ………

GABRIEL OGBECHIE ON A HIGH

pass through and he never even enter see what he is doing. What if he emerges, will he take 5,000 people to the moon to strategize. Let us call a spade a spade, this baba no try. Me as a person apart from the fact that we are trying to weigh our options will never look his way o. But with OBJ’s endorsement and my mentor – Mr. A.K.E’s seemingly strong devotion to him would never have looked his way.

These two things: his refusal to key into the single-term option and this Dubai fiasco are red flags for Nigerians. Are we sure we are not running from fire to frying pan, are we sure that in our desperation for real change we are not running to Beelzebub to save us only to run into the worse kind of fire? You see why we need a radical change in leadership instead of all these funny musical chairs where we recycle the same old people who will come now and be doing things the same way. I swear if Atiku wins I can almost name his whole cabinet…. You think I’m joking, make I name am? Call me if you want hear. This is what Fela calls ‘soldier go, soldier come I tell you. Atiku, I am watching you o….. last warning.

they a foreign force? Are they an army of occupation so wetin come concern Army in this matter na? After now they will say that na unknown soldier do am.

Please, this Army people are doing too much abeg. The people are protesting the continued detention of their leader despite many court orders that I hear have ordered his release and they have announced that they would match on Abuja. This at best is a police action and not Army. Mbok, who is drafting Army into this matter o and they themselves will now jump into the matter with their usual gra gra and be doing what Fela sang about, leaving sorrow, tears and blood in its wake. We are under siege if we do not know in this country and the messiah is still very far from coming, his birth has not even been announced talk less of him being born in a manger in Shomolu. Chief of Army staff if you must carry our civil duties then buy the damn rubber bullets.

Kai.

poster with glee. Me, I pretend that I was involved since they had promised to buy me food at the Westwood Hotel down the road and as I no get that kind principle, I quickly agree. As we looked at the poster, I noticed that Sanwo-Olu trouser na labu labu. The trouser was very big o and he put the belt on his waist maybe to hide a big belly button, kai, and then the thin gray beard now came across like a character from tales by moonlight. Any ways no problem, it is Ok, they have said it is Sanwo Olu we want and it must be him. We await his emergence even as we expect him to move the governor’s office to Bourdillon and rule from the Kitchen or that tiny Office by the right where Tunde Rahman sits otherwise, he no go even reach mid-term talk less of going for primaries at the end of his first tenure.

Sad for Lagos, sad for Nigerians and sad for Sanwo-Olu for his brilliance will never show under this shadow. Mbok, Duchess take your calls o.

JIDE SANWO-OLU IN IKOYI

BUHARI – MBOK, DEFINE HATE SPEECH

This is my lord. I like the man too much even though he cannot dance to save his life. At the opening of The Hamilton, my new Joint nestled somewhere in Lekki, he came with his ever so beautiful wife Godrey and immediately started frowning. I ask my Oga hope no problem, he said he was ok. He ordered for fish and stared eating all the while frowning. I asked Godrey wetin do Oga, she whispered in my ear say, oga no sabi dance that nah him style be that. He will just put up a frown so that nobody will ask him to dance. Kai, you see this kind style well the evening was not for dancing and as soon as Gabriel understood that, he relaxed and became the life of the party. Today is not for his non-existent dancing skill but to congratulate him for emerging Downstream Man of the year at the annual Oil trading and logistics conference of the Industry. Mr. Ogbechie has built his firm Rain Oil with just N30,000 to a multibillion Naira concern employing thousands of Nigerians and contributing significantly to the growth of the economy. You see why we are so close.

This is a shout out to him even as I wish him more success in coming years. But go learn how to dance o because the way you are going dem go soon invite you to Buckingham Palace to be knighted by the Queen and you may have to dance with her. No be frowning go solve the matter.

God bless you sir.

You see why I always don’t understand this baba. Why for heaven’s sake would you take 400 people to Dubai for strategy session? You see what we are all afraid of for this candidate and his presidency if he wins. This baba cannot just change. What kind of profligacy was that? Someone we are just managing because of what we have been made to

You see this our Army can be doing shakara against these kinds of ‘opponents’. So an army that we are paying from our taxes has the guts to issue this kind of statement? You see me I am hoping it is not a true statement and that the spokesperson or whoever was reported to have said it was misquoted.

So an Army whose constitutional right is to protect the territorial integrity of the country can announce with glee that they do not have rubber bullets? You see the contradiction in our lives. You see, if we talk now, they will chase us with koboko.

Is it the role of the Army to quell civil strife, the Shiites have they declared war, have they said they are seceding? Are

Mbok, please pardon me. It looks like this week I am a little cranky and it is showing with the way I am firing. See the way I just took out madam Oby, the thing even push me to go try Nigerian Army. It is because I have not entered the other room for weeks and it is getting to me o. Please help me beg Duchess o before the thing will now push me to go and yab DSS o. Those ones no dey gree o. Anyways, it is the turn of Sanwo Olu. You see I have plenty issues against this candidate from the way he emerged and the way he will rule as a result of the way he was foisted on Lagosians so I no really like the man. But that said, I have been looking closely at all his campaign posters especially the one that adorn the wall of his campaign office on Awolowo Road in Ikoyi. That building by the way belongs to my friend Victor Afolabi and I once met him there when they were putting up the

Ogbechie

Atiku

Buratai

ATIKU, DUBAI?

NIGERIAN ARMY: GO BUY RUBBER BULLETS

Buhari

I have read this remark with trepidation. As a man with loose lips, I have to be concerned. I have just read a speech given on behalf of MY President at the convocation ceremony of the University of Uyo alluding to the fact that henceforth the federal government would no longer condone hate speech people. The report went on to define what could be termed as hate speech – inciting statements, instigating civil disobedience, stir strife and riots amongst others. You see my lord, while I want to state categorically that according to this your definition that I have never been involved in this hate speech and will never be involved in it, kindly note that extreme care must be taken to ensure that your people at the DSS or other such wonderful organizations do not use this as an excuse to trample on people’s

Sanwo-Olu

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NOVEMBER 11, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

LOUD WHISPERS

Tinubu

human rights. You see I am not a lawyer but this your definition is riddled with ambiguity. Words could be interpreted in so many ways depending on the objective the interpreter wants to achieve, so let’s be very very careful in going through this route. You see I had once advised you that as we get closer to the elections you should start throwing up a softer image. All these warnings and powerman showings will not really help your matter o. They would be and indeed are being interpreted as attempts to muscle the opposition.

Right now you should embark on charm offensive, going round the country and hugging little babies, doing nice photo shoot, appearing in Wizskid videos, dancing Shaku shaku and that kind thing. All this wahala with rubber bullets, hate speech and bombing looters is just worsening our case. Mbok, how do I even get immunity from this hate speech force because real fear is catching me o?

TINUBU AND ATIKU: DANCE WITH WOLVES Shebi you people are watching.

Anybody who has not bought popcorn and be watching this soap opera will really miss a lot. So the PDP oga has said that Asiwaju of life will be working for Atiku come 2019 and the APC has immediately denied it. The statement was issued by my friend and oga Tunde Rahman, but if you believe that, then you are a beginner in Nigerian Politics. Me I am saying it here categorically that Tinubu will work for Atiku. What we have just seen is the usual testing of the waters to gauge reaction and then they will go back and strategize.

Look, when I talk, you guys should listen.

Apart from the fact that I am the Duke of Shomolu with a Master’s degree in Political Science from The University of Ibadan, I really understand these things I tell you. Once I eat Afang, my eyes will just open. Tinubu has no choice but to work with Atiku because who wants to risk a Buhari second term? My people, a Buhari second term will see many people cry o.

When the man does not need to come for another election with all this talk of looters, hate speech, will you still be sitting there and be calling yourself Asiwaju of Bourdillon? I really do not envy Tinubu at this point because I will dare say that he is facing a lose-lose situation. If Buhari wins a second term what guarantees would he be given to Tinubu, and if Atiku leading a PDP government emerges, your guess is as good as mine. The baba is not sleeping again. He has weighed the thing and seeing that he too is being faced with a lesser of two evil options and is now using style to dance to that other side. My candid advice: let him plead old age and health considerations and retire from politics

Aisha Buhari

Yabub Mamud, INEC Chairman

Oby Ezekwesili: Aunty, Cool Temper!

Mummy has gone on a major rant offensive since she declared her intention to run for presidency. Everybody and anybody has been her target. Na wa, this level of self-absorption is really strange to me. Like every other Nigerian, she reserves the right to aspire to be anything and that is where it stops for me. This boat ride to seek relevance at the expense of our sanity is really sad. I do not think we need this distraction and pardon me if I say at this point that this ranting is beginning to look like the one that the late Chuba Okadigbo described as the a ranting of an ant. You see, I need at least twelve short commentaries to fill up this column every Sunday and this week apart from the NLC fiasco it has really been a quiet week so nothing to really yab about and that is why you see me writing about mummy with the low cut.

Just to fill quota because I really would not be bothered with all these rants what we have seen since she left government. It has been a wonderful show of a high level of confusion not properly understanding

her true place in the system. Today she is an activist fighting for women rights, tomorrow she is fighting government on economic issues and today she wants to be president and in all of these she is still maintaining the low crew cut that has come to be her signature look. Let me be very blunt after all she does not have any Army with no rubber bullets or cannot even control the DSS. The only thing in this fight is that she will yab me back so I no fear. Let me just say to mummy this morning, it’s ok.

Let us hear word. You are distracting a critical segment of the electorate – the professional intellectual grouping who although do not vote influence pubic policy, perception and contribute funds to the process. Your hurried cry is causing confusion in that demography, not allowing us concentrate on the real issue which is a battle to choose a lesser evil. Haven’t you got another international appointment? If not come let me give you one in Shomolu so that you can let us hear word. Thank you.

Ganduje

our sweet relationship. I have said enough this week and would not like to be accused of hate speech so I will not list reasons why I do not agree with this your position on good governance. By the way, how have you been and I really hope you are doing well? The guy that took those funds, has he confessed? Anyways, let’s leave that one jo. God bless you and stay well, we shall meet February 2019. I will wave at you from the other queue. Teheeeee

DUKE OF SHOMOLU SUPPORTS Some of my friends and I have decided to do something about empowering young candidates who will not need to go to Dubai to do strategy session.

We have decided to build a platform that would raise campaign funds for all aspirants irrespective of party affiliation thereby giving them a fighting chance against the old order. Our platform will take donations from over 20million Nigerian youths and channel them to candidates of their choice who would have emerged from the primaries and have had their names submitted to INEC. The platform takes a minimum of N1,000 and a maximum of N10,000 per donor and has been designed to radically offset the existing campaign funding strategy which is tied to incumbency and godfathers. Will keep you guys posted as we progress. True change has come.

GANDUJE: IT WASN’T ME!

Ezekwesili

and go on exile for a while and relax. He can also go to Israel na and be sending us pictures of him in the dead sea at peace with himself. He go tough for this 2019.

AISHA BUHARI, YOU KNOW I LIKE YOU Mummy, you know I really like you so don’t be looking for trouble na. I am

permanently on your side and would hate to yab you in any form or manner. So just quietly withdraw that statement that Nigerians are enjoying better governance under daddy. You yourself I am sure do not believe in that statement. Maybe you just said it to make him happy or something. So just nicely withdraw the statement so that we can continue with

My Excellency, you need me o. Let me tell you one story. One day, the Duchess seized my phone and saw my picture in some unholy alliance. The video was sent to my family, landlord and other critical stakeholder groups like yours. So just like you, I was summoned to face a panel. My brother, you should have seen me that day. I wore complete suit with bowtie and stood firm and denied untill the end.

I even swore on my grandfather’s grave and said if I was lying the skeleton should come out and kill me. They shouted o. I deny o. Kai, I looked them straight in the eye and raised a finger like Bill Clinton and said, that was not me. It was me o, but if you agree that kind thing, na golgotha o. So your Excellency, whether it is you or no,t just maintain. Last advice: go and look for that Bill Clinton video, the one where he faced the congress committee on Monica Lewinsky. Please study the video very well, that na baba. He maintained o.

Study his body language, eye contact-wise, choice of words. If you don’t have it, send N3,000 let me send it to you. It will save your life. Mbok, don’t agree o. Just keep maintaining your position – ‘it wasn’t me’ that is your mantra till this is over. Wisdom want kill me.

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THISDAYt 46/%": /07&.#&3 ĊĊ ċĉĊđ

THISDAYt SUNDAY NOVEMBER 11, 2018

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ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

11.11.2018

ECHOING THE TIMES, LIMCAF UPS THE ANTE The winning work, Enigma by Ifedilichukwu Chibuike, mixed media

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž EMBER 11, 2018

ʜ ˺˺

L-R: The overall winner, Ifedilichukwu Chibuike, Ken Ike, Omooba Yemisi Shyllon and the Obi of Onitsha

A view of the exhibition hall

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L

ife in My City Art Festival â&#x20AC;&#x201C; more often known by its acronym LIMCAF â&#x20AC;&#x201C; should be high on the list of the most credible visual arts events of recent memory.

As Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s longest-running art festival â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it is now on its 12th edition â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the annual event metaphorically opens the cultural gateway to Enugu. Hence, in the course of its arduous progression to reckoning, it has drawn aficionados from across the country and beyond to the serene south-eastern city.

Indeed, the festival, whose resilience is now legendary, has remained unrivalled as the only surviving youth-focused art festival in the country. This is one good reason why it deserves the generous support of the corporate world. Because the annual festival has elicited and sustained the interest of FBN Holdings and the Enugu State Government, among others, it has this year also courted the interest of the telecommunications company MTN. That then explains the presence of the MTN Foundation Director, Dennis Okoro, who was in the good company of the eventâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s special guest of honour and one of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most renowned collectors, Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon. Of course, there was the Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who has since last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition always personally attended the awards and gala night held at the Institute of Management and Technology, Enuguâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Conference Centre. Also, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe has consistently graced the annual event with his royal presence.

Specifically, this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition also had the singular honour of hosting, among other dignitaries, the Regional Manager of First Bank, Nnamdi Amala, who represented U.K. Eke, and the Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Council, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu.

Last year, its high-profile attendees included the former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former high commissioner to the UK, Christopher Kolade and his wife as well as a representative of the French Embassy, among others.

LIMCAFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s struggles from modest begin-

nings to grace leave many in the local art community in awe. From being bankrolled during its first four years by Chief Robert Orjiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advertising and printing firm Rocana Nigeria Limited â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and its first toddling steps watched by the Alliance Française Network and the French Embassy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the festival has come of age and assumed enough importance to be noticed by such visual arts greats as Bruce Onobrakpeya (who narrowly missed attending the 12th edition), El Anatsui, Obiora Udechukwu, Okwui Enwezor, Olabisi Silva and Kolade Oshinowo. It also elicited the interest of the likes of Jerry Buhari, Kunle Filani, Sani Muâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;azu, Peju Layiwola, Joe Musa, Chijioke Onuora and Tonie Okpe along the line.

Also, with his generous sponsorship of the festivalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top four winners â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and his promise of sponsoring this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top six winners â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to the Dakar Art Biennale, El Anatsui seems intent helping make the event one of the continentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elite art events.

Nothing prepared those who attended its modest official launch at the Enugu Press Centre in 2007 for what LIMCAF has become today. True, the invaluable input of Krydz Ikwuemesi and Ayo Adewunmi, who were members of the Pan

African Circle of Artists â&#x20AC;&#x201C; more popularly know by its acronym PACA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; helped the festival. Ditto the efforts of two Rocana staff members, Esona Onuoha and Onyinye Igbo.

Nonetheless, the endeavour would have fallen on the wayside in this creativity-stifling environment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are here for good! We are here to stay!â&#x20AC;? the LIMCAF chairman Elder K. U. Kalu affirmed at the occasion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And I make those statements both as an act of faith and a passionate appeal. We have unflinching faith in this project and its continued and definitive contribution to the future of contemporary art in Nigeria.â&#x20AC;?

At the festivalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Awards and Gala Night, held on Saturday, October 27, the LIMCAF 2018 overall winner prize worth N500,000 was awarded to Ifedilichukwu Chibuike for his work â&#x20AC;&#x153;Enigmaâ&#x20AC;?. Its eventual selection alongside other works, which were displayed at the Institute of Management and Technology, Enuguâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Conference Centre, followed what the competitionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s head juror, Professor Frank Ugiomoh, called â&#x20AC;&#x153;a

reasonable and objective exerciseâ&#x20AC;?.

At the event, the University of Port Harcourtbased art historian told the audience that the jurors had â&#x20AC;&#x153;adopted the subjective/cooperative mode of selectionâ&#x20AC;? for the winning entries under the guiding theme, Twilight. â&#x20AC;&#x153;By this method,â&#x20AC;? he explained, â&#x20AC;&#x153;each member of the jury selected the best 30 works of the 100 exhibits. It provided a convenient way to approximate to the expected target of the number of artworks seeking approval. In this way, the artworks that emerged popular among us were collated in categories of six, five, four, three, and two. We had ties within this scale of subjective evaluation, and we then engaged in cooperative valuation from the indexes streamlined.

From the index of six, it became easy to select the top winners in the exhibition through cooperation and collective consent.â&#x20AC;?

After the elimination of 12 winners of consolation prizes (worth N20, 000 each), other winners were rewarded with various prizes.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

EXHIBITION

Bob-NosaUwagboePlansObituaryforNovember24 Yinka Olatunbosun

S Walking Away by Bob-Nosa Uwagboe

even years after his debut solo Homme Libre at the African Artists' Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former premises in Ikoyi, Lagos, Bob-Nosa Uwagboe is set to hold another solo exhibition he titles Obituary.

The solo show, which opens on Saturday, November 24 at the Signature Beyond Gallery along Awolowo Road in Ikoyi, Lagos, will feature his recent paintings, which the dreadlocks-sporting artist hopes would induce his viewers to reflect on the condition of the contemporary African.

The committed artist, who is best known for his â&#x20AC;&#x153;Protest Artâ&#x20AC;?, is showing his works in three series. First, there are the Obituary series, which not only remind the viewers about their imminent mortality, but also

of the transience of their earthly pursuits. In a manner of speaking, the artist mourns the death of loss of human dignity and values. Then, there are the Yeye Man Series, which ridicule the bottomless pit of human stupidity. Finally, the Immigration Series beam the spotlight on the current issues of migrants crisis and humantrafficking.

Among the works featuring at the show are 'The Mournersâ&#x20AC;? (his tribute to the victims of Benue killings and other troubled spots in Nigeria), â&#x20AC;&#x153;Walking Awayâ&#x20AC;? (an allusion to the large migration of desperate youths from the country) as well as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Legless Leaderâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dying in Powerâ&#x20AC;? (a swipe at sit-tight leaders), among others.

The Edo State-born artist says his attitude to life changed after the death of his parents and that of his colleague, Ben Osaghae. Hence, the morbid title of his coming solo show, which runs until December 2.

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THISDAYt 46/%": /07&.#&3 ĊĊ ċĉĊđ

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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 ˾ NOVEMBER 11, 2018

CICERO

Editor:Olawale Olaleye Email:wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08116759819

IN THE ARENA

Can States Really Pay N30,000?

There is more to the role of labour in nation-building than the wage fight, writes Shola Oyeyipo

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estructuring should be at the heart of the Nigeria Labour Congress’ wage demands. At the moment, majority of states struggle with paying workers’ salaries even at the present N18,000, with many owing a backlog. While there is no doubt that Nigerian workers deserve the N30,000 minimum wage they’re asking for, if not more, the truth is that the states cannot afford it.

Statutorily, the fundamental responsibilities of the NLC is to protect, defend and promote the rights, well-being and the interests of all workers, pensioners and the trade unions; to promote and defend a Nigerian nation that would be just, democratic, transparent and prosperous and to advance the cause of the working class generally.

This job description also entails promoting, defending and advancing the economic, political and social well-being of Nigerian workers.

Going by this and the fact that the N18,000 minimum wage took effect since 2010, it truly should have been reviewed due to current economic realities.

In fact, the amount had been due for upward review since 2015, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, President Nigeria Labour Congress as provided for in the National Minimum Wage Act (amendment) 2011. acceptable method and approach to national issues rather than However, it is election period and apparently the best time embarking on just strikes. to hold ‘unyielding’ governments by the jugular and make For instance, earlier in the year, human rights activist, Femi them do the needful by agreeing to an increase in workers’ Falana (SAN), advised the NLC not to limit its struggle to the salaries. Why not? Workers are more or less the lifeline of issue of minimum wage. He suggested that the NLC should the nation’s economy and should be well-treated. Not many get involved in active politics, because it was the only union that Nigerians will contest that. could fight for the interest of Nigerian workers.

However, particularly instructive and clearly missing in Falana’s thinking is that since no political party represents the whole of the negotiations that went down is the feasibility the interest of the Nigerian people, labour could form a of payment by the states. Labour went to war with the federal coalition that would take control of power and administer the government over minimum wage, forgetting that the chunk of country. the civil service bill is picked by the states. What this means is “The NLC can no longer limit itself to the defence of wages that the last has not be heard of wage crises as states with less alone, it has to get involved in the issue of politics as it did financial strength will continue to sustain the wage war. in the past and intervene politically. The union has over the According to Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, 95 years fought for the interest of the masses much more than per cent of states in the country cannot pay the proposed N30, the members of the ruling class ... which sold our common 000 minimum wage to workers. patrimonies.

Umahi, who is the Chairman of the South East Governors “The only time you see the ruling class defending the Forum, said the payment of the N30, 000 can only be realised masses is when there was going to be an election and after they if the federation account allocation formula is reviewed to offer won election it is now preservation of the status quo and of more earnings to states. imperialism,” he opined.

“The federal government collects 52 per cent of the revenue Falana’s suggestion is not out of sync with realities in other from the federation account and when I tried to put the parts of the world. There is the Labour Party, a centre-left N30,000 figure to Local Government Areas (LGA), it means political party in the United Kingdom. It has been described they will borrow N1billion to add to their allocation, in paying as a broad church, bringing together an alliance of socialsalaries. “I will definitely not be a governor to govern such a democratic, democratic socialist and trade unionist outlooks. state and will never preside over a state that will allocate 100 There is also the U.S. Labor Party (USLP), a political party per cent of its earnings to pay salaries,” he said. formed in 1973 by the National Caucus of Labor Committees To this end, making the states more viable, which can only (NCLC), which served as a vehicle for Lyndon LaRouche to run be achieved through a return to true fiscal federalism, should for President of the United States in 1976, and it also sponsored be the focus of the NLC in particular, and well-meaning many candidates for local offices and congressional and senate Nigerians in general. seats between 1972 and 1979.

With that well situated, it is about time labour began to Since the NLC commands such huge powers to ground the refocus its struggle and start to fashion out a more generally economy and subject every Nigerian, irrespective of whether

it is against their wish, to stay at home, it is therefore not out of place for the NLC to present a formidable political party that would always canvass labour’s position.

A columnist recently wrote that Nigerians are inundated with labour strikes and that they would rather prefer an action that contributes largely to changing the Nigerian narrative, for example, by redirecting their nationwide strike to demand for a crash in the allowances of members of the National Assembly, which is above N13 million and N8 million for the Senate and House of Representatives respectively.

It is rather selfish on the part of labour leaders never to consider industrial action over the plight of thousands of lives that have been callously taken by rampaging herdsmen.

Would that mean that members of NLC and their affiliates have not been victims of these attacks?

Right thinking Nigerians are querying why the NLC never deemed it right to take to the streets over several monumental frauds that have been exposed in the country. The federal government was accused of having released a lot of money without legislative appropriation – a clear constitutional breach – but labour has never taken up the issues to reprimand the government. Examples abound.

Rather than wait till when the very potent union loses the goodwill with which Nigerians support it, now is the most appropriate time for labour to take its pride of place in the national space by stepping in to take proactive positions that will sincerely and ultimately lead to better living conditions for workers and every other Nigerian, rather working from outside the box in the interest of a political party.

To this end, there is no issue more important to the soul of Nigeria than the restructuring of the country, especially regarding fiscal federalism. Each state should be able to decide how much it can afford to pay workers according to its viability.

For this to happen, the states need to be viable.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

What’s with Atiku’s Dubai Trip?

L Atiku

eadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and their supporters had a good time, feasting on the Dubai retreat trip by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate and his team, even though their obsession ironically gave them away as jittery.

In fact, a former governor of Lagos State and one of the national leaders of the party, Bola Tinubu came out disappointingly to say even if Atiku chose to strategise in the jungle, he would be defeated in 2019 by their own candidate and incumbent president, Muhammadu Buhari. Unfortunately, that too sounded defeatist and failed to show an intelligent

commentary on the part of the political leadership.

Ironically, Tinubu and co had forgotten that in 2015, they spent a lot of times in London, not just to strategise, but also to raise funds, a decision nobody condemned at the time. There is absolutely nothing to the Atiku Dubai trip except that it exposes the lack of capacity on the part of the ruling party to constructively engage opposition parties.

The APC is therefore beginning to give itself away as simply waiting to fulfill the ‘defeat prophecy’coming from different quarters. The fixation on Atiku is a cheap distraction that has no substance to it or adds any value to where they current stand.

They should be worried because they have more to lose.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 11, 2018

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BRIEFINGNOTES Hamzat: Portrait of a Worthy Ally The selection of a former three-time commissioner in Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, as the running mate to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the state, makes political sense as Hamzat is a true-blue ally, writes Olaseni Durojaiye

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he choice of Dr. Obafemi Hamzat as the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Lagos State ticked a handful boxes considered valid and strategic in terms political calculations, thus, the conclusion that he is a worthy ally for the party’s governorship candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the election billed for next February.

Besides, his choice will unite the major political groups within the party, making it very formidable going into the election even as it is seen as a partial compensation for the Lagos East Senatorial zone where the incumbent governor, Akinwunmi Ambode comes from.

Indeed, Hamzat comes to the table with many pluses.

Some of these include huge political capital, the understanding of the inner workings of governance in the state and a proven capacity and high level competence. Some of the foregoing explains why many pundits concluded that he aptly complements Sanwoolu, the candidate.

Announcing Hamzat’s pick last Sunday, Chairman of the party in the state, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, said Hamzat was selected after wide consultations by the apex decision-making body of the party with other important stakeholders. Describing him as a competent hand, he said the party had no doubt about the complementary role he would play in helping Sanwoolu move the state forward.

“The highest decision-making body of APC together with all the relevant stakeholders of APC in Lagos State has endorsed Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat as the running mate to the candidate of APC in Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu. After the endorsement, it is important for me to publicly and officially present Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat as the running mate of our candidate, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the 2019 gubernatorial election in Hamzat with Sanwo-Olu Lagos State,” he said. source insisted that Tinubu actually head-hunted him from the United On a personal note, Sanwoolu and Hamzat confessed to a friendship States, where he was based during his (Tinubu’s) first term as governor of over 15 years. Thus, while commending the choice of Hamzat, the of Lagos State.

Sanwo-Olu said “Dr Obafemi Kadiri Hamzat and I have been players As the story went, their paths crossed in the far-away United States in the same political matters for many years. of America, when Tinubu’s administration took a proposal to the US “We have been friends and brothers for close to two decades and he firm, where the younger Hamzat was working at the time. Fate further is a man of deep intellectual knowledge. He is a man with a high level favoured him as he ended up in the team that evaluated the proposal of integrity. He is competent and I know he is going to help greatly to during which he was said to have given a very impressive account of deliver the Lagos of our dream. With a technocrat like Hamzat, we will himself. take Lagos to the next level,” he said.

Impressed by his contributions during the proposal defence, Asiwaju Observers see Hamzat as the best choice the party could have made was said to have engaged him afterwards. The sources stated that it in the prevailing circumstance. Party insiders told THISDAY that he was during the post-proposal defence conversation that his paternity was Tinubu’s initial choice to succeed Fashola in 2014, adding that he became known to the APC national leader, who subsequently poached also had Fashola’s blessing at the time, but was dropped in favour of him and got him employment at Oando Plc. Tinubu later brought him Ambode after a frontline royal father in the state preferred the latter. into the cabinet during his second term as governor.

According to the source, the very influential Oba (names withheld) Before his eventual selection, he had indicated his interest to vie based his opposition to him on the fact that his father had also become for the party’s governorship ticket alongside the incumbent governor, an Oba in Ewekoro area of Ogun State.

Akinwunmi Ambode and the eventual candidate, Sanwoolu. Many The issue generated controversy at the time with the first Military at the time believed he stood a good chance only for him to step Administrator of Osun State, Maj. Gen. Leo Ajiborisha weighing and down then and publicly declared that he was doing so in favour of insisted that the Hamzat family was originally from Epe and had Sanwo-Olu. dropped Ajiborisha for Hamzat on religious grounds.

Many saw the move as a realignment of political forces to checkmate Ajiborisha, in an October 10, 2014 interview published in the PM Ambode and predicted that he was going to emerge as Sanwo-Olu’s News insisted that “He was staying with one of our respectable running mate.

Muslims and politicians, Chief Mufutau Badmus. He was very rich.

Those who hailed his choice argued that it was in line with global He sent Oba Olatunji Hamzat to Koranic School and registered him in best political practice for scions of a political dynasty to be thrust into Native Authority School. Chief Badmus decided to remove Ajiborisha political limelight either through appointive or elective posts. Those who from his name because as a devout Muslim, he could not send contended so cited Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, Chief Olusola child-bearing Ajiborisha to school.

Saraki and Senate President, Bukola Saraki, the Kennedy political “He said Oba Olatunji would only bear Hamzat. That is how he dynasty in the US among others. stopped bearing Ajiborisha officially. Amudat Kehinde Hamzat is the In the case of the younger Hamzat, his father, Olatunji Hamzat is an name of Dr. Obafemi Hamzat’s mother. Her name would have been influential grassroots politician in the state. He had served as a member Amudat Kehinde Ajiborisha if the surname was not dropped. of the Lagos State House of Assembly and also as a Commissioner for “Hamzat is not the first person in our family to change his name.

Transportation in the state between 1979 and 1983.

For instance, the head of my family changed his name to Ajibo-Oluwa At the advent of the current democratic dispensation, he rose to because they do not want to be associated with idolatry in the same become Vice-Chairman South-west of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) way Chief Badmus changed Oba Olatunji Hamzat,” he explained. and later became the Lagos West Senatorial District leader of the Action Though the scion of the Hamzat political dynasty, those in the know Congress, an elder statesman in the Action Congress (AC). He remains said his initial entry into politics had nothing to do with his father. One the de facto leader of the Justice Forum, arguably the second strongest

political group within the APC in Lagos.

Those in the know insisted that beyond the family name, “He comes highly recommended,” adding that, “he is an egghead and a performer; if not he couldn’t have worked in the Babatunde Fashola cabinet for eight years given Fashola’s passion for performance and dedication to duty.”

In August 2005, Hamzat was appointed Commissioner for Science and Technology during the tenure of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He retained the position when Governor Babatunde Fashola assumed office in 2007.

As Commissioner for Science and Technology, he midwifed the adoption and deployment of Oracle, a modern technology-based application in the state’s ministries, thus changing the face of data and record-keeping in Lagos, which eliminated all forms of sharp practices in the state’s civil service, including cases of ghost workers. Governor Fashola later appointed him Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure at the beginning of the second term in office.

According to Wikipedia, the younger Hamzat “graduated from the University of Ibadan in 1986 with a degree in Agricultural Engineering and subsequently furthered his studies at home and abroad, resulting in both MSc in Crop Processing Engineering (1988) and PhD in System Process Engineering (1992).

Sequel to this, he garnered about two decades of work experience in several organisations including the City of New York, RTP Consulting Services, Columbia University, Merrill Lynch Inc, Morgan Stanley and Oando Plc.” Multiple sources contended that his pick signposts a return to the continuity agenda that Fashola marketed to Tinubu towards the twilight of his administration. According to those in the know, Fashola had pleaded with Tinubu to pick his successor from within his cabinet on the account that they were familiar with the state’s developments and certain to ensure continuity.

One of the sources stated that “That explained why Fashola backed him against Ambode at the time and went on to appoint him a ministerial aide when President Buhari appointed Fashola the Minister of Power, Works and Housing.”

Without equivocation, Hamzat is one choice that not only complements the Lagos APC ticket for sheer political balancing but certainly a worthy developmental ally that could reset the governance of the state.

NOTES FOR FILE

Shall This Cup Pass over Buhari?

Buhari receiving his attestation certificate

Had anyone thought that the issuance of an attestation and confirmation certificate to President Muhammadu Buhari by the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) would create more problems for the president and his party than solve the subsisting quagmire, the move would not have been conceived in the first place.

For many years running especially after assuming office, Buhari has had to contend with the sordid allegation that he did not sit for WAEC before joining the Army and therefore not qualified for the office of the president, since that is failing the minimum requirement test. But the president, before the attestation certificate was

handed to him, had maintained that his certificate was with the military, a claim the military could not confirm either.

But since last week, Buhari and the APC had come under stringent attacks and deservedly so especially, from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which not only described the certificate as political but another low in Buhari and APC’s propagation of lies. As it is, even if there was a lull in the condemnation of this ‘unpresidential move’, it is unlikely that this “cup would pass by the president”. Indeed, these are interesting times!

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ NOVEMBER 11, 2018

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CICERO/ISSUE

Oshiomhole: A Different Kind of Battle The one-day detention and grilling of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, over allegations of bribery during the recent primary elections, has opened a new window of challenge for the ruling party, writes Onyebuchi Ezigbo

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he National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole has been on the hot seat since the recent party’s primary elections. The conflict that has trailed the primaries of the APC is like a drama with unfolding episodes. Each week comes with it a new story.

The chairman has hurt many interests rightly or wrongly and they are believed to be going after him now and his job. As it is, there is no letting off the heat for Oshiomhole. The boastful former Edo State governor was last seen at a public function, where he addressed a press conference at his Aso Drive private office, taking on all his critics, especially the governors that have castigated him.

He dismissed insinuations that the ruling party has erupted into crisis over the primary elections, especially with the opposition mounted by some aggrieved governors.

Addressing issues raised by some of the governors against him, Oshiomhole said the major grouse of the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha and his counterpart from Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun was his inability to help them establish political dynasties in their states.

According to him, Okorocha’s desperation to have to himself a Senate ticket and a governorship ticket for his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, was the driving force behind his attack on him. He told journalists that the two governors were desperate to turn their states into their political dynasty.

Regarding allegations that he by-passed due process in approving the list of party candidates sent to INEC, Oshiomhole said: “We followed due process to conduct all the primary elections and the NWC kept to its mandate in all our decisions”.

Perhaps, Oshiomhole thought that his one week absence from the country would be enough to get matters to subside, but his aggressors had become even more determined in their pursuit. Governors Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State and Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State have teamed up from the South-west to seek a pound of flesh from him.

The Ogun State governor was particularly on the offensive, accusing Oshiomhole of double standards. He alluded to the fact that while Oshiomhole-NWC accepted the result of the primary election in Lagos conducted under the supervision of the state executive committee despite its brazen abuse of the process; it refused to allow a similar exercise carried out in Ogun State.

On his party, Akeredolu was said to be angry with Oshiomhole for allegedly granting automatic tickets to some lawmakers in the state without proper consultations.

But some of the stakeholders of the party, who are on the same side with Oshiomhole have also come to his defence.

For instance, a chieftain of APC and former national chairmanship aspirant, Chief Ibrahim Emokpaire has said some leaders of the party who supported tenure elongation for the former National Chairman of the party, John Odigie Oyegun, were responsible for the current crisis rocking the party across the country.

In a statement issued last Monday, Chief Emokpaire said Comrade Oshiomhole is a victim of some kind of conspiracies aimed at frustrating him out of office. “We can see the handiwork of the agent of tenure elongation at play.

The same advocates of tenure elongation are mostly behind the removal of the party national chairman.

“The election primary crises were created by these same tenure elongation agents, where election congresses were duplicated across the 36 states. These same advocates of tenure elongation have metamorphosed into election primary crisis in our great party today,” he said, adding that Oshiomhole had given APC a strong and unwavering leadership and upheld internal democracy since assumption.

However, even as he tried to fight back, his antagonist seemed to be way ahead in their plans. Two days after Oshiomhole addressed a press conference and hinted the issue of primaries and candidates lists might have been concluded, he was allegedly picked up by men of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) on Sunday to come and answer to corruption allegations.

It is instructive to note that among those said to have accused him of corruption were some of the aggrieved aspirants. Regardless of the states the aggrieved aspirants came, political pundits believed that the DSS arrest was part of the grand design by those whom Oshiomhole may have offended to nail him.

This regardless cannot suffice for the allegation. If indeed there were proofs of financial inducement, which the DSS is still investigating, then, Oshiomhole cannot hide behind the finger of persecution to get away with murder.

In fact, the DSS move was alleged to have been motivated by reports from some lawmakers in a North West state, brought to the notice of the president, who in turn left the security agency to do their work.

At the moment, Oshiomhole’s travails in the hands of the country’s secret police was shrouded in secrecy with none of the parties, APC and the DSS willing to confirm

Oshiomhole it. However no one, not even his aides and close allies have the courage to deny that he was indeed arrested and quizzed by the DSS over corruption.

Also the decision by the national chairman to travel out of the country in the wake of the report of his arrest and other mounting allegations against him had lend credence to suspicions that he might be playing some games especially the need to buy time as those in cahoots with him were believed to have ‘smuggled’ him out of the country.

A top member of the APC and the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria, (VON), Osita Okechukwu on Thursday echoed what was already in the public domain that Oshiomhole may be up to some antics and that he hurriedly left the country in order to evade being forced to sign for the substitution of some of the APC candidates.

Okechukwu, who addressed journalists at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja, also called on Oshiomhole to save APC from embarrassment and further loss of popularity, noting that Oshiomhole ran away from duty to evade the substitution window “meant to redress the grievances of some of us, who are casualties of his nepotism.

“I therefore, once again stridently call on Comrade Oshiomhole to instead of pontification, grandstanding and running away from the country to do the needful by honourably resigning the chairmanship of our great party.

It is imperative that he resigns forthwith to save the APC and Mr. President in the eve of 2019 crucial general election.

“One personally would not want the mud Comrade

Oshiohmole had accumulated via gross breach of the Constitution of the APC, the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and extant laws to be splashed on neither our great party nor President Muhammadu Buhari”.

Since the DSS arrest saga, Oshiomhole and the party have maintained a worrisome silence. When contacted for the response of the APC national chairman on the purported arrest of his boss, Oshiomhole’s Chief Press Secretary, Simon Ebegbulem referred this reporter to the party’s National Publicity Secretary of APC, Malam Lanre Isa-Onilu, who initially said he was not going to react but later changed his mind.

“We do not have any information on this rumour.

More so, the Chairman is not around in the country to confirm or deny this. As soon as we have any relevant information, you’ll be updated”.

So far there are still no word from the ruling party officially explaining what may have transpired between its national chairman and the security agency and why he had to rush out of the country in the manner he did.

Certainly, this is a different kind of battle, perhaps, the type Oshiomhole has never fought before. First, his integrity is at stake and second, the fate of the party is on the line, the two sharing a thin border line. Interestingly, both of them are directly at the door step of the national chairman, who, for personal reasons, has left the country.

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Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ë? Olawale Olaleye Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ë? ĂĄĂ&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă?ĂŁĂ?ĚśĂ&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁĂ&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ë&#x203A;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;

The Senate in session

Drama, Intrigues as Eighth National Assembly Enters Home Stretch The National Assembly last Tuesday resumed plenary after a two-week adjournment to consider some Bills and Motions pending before the two Chambers of the federal legislature, Deji Elumoye and Shola Oyeyipo report

T

he two chambers of the National Assembly resumed full legislative duties last Tuesday after their various committees had met for about two weeks to carry out some oversight functions as directed by the leadership of both the Senate and House of Representatives.

At the Senate, the day started with the reported invasion of the Apo , Abuja residence of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, by armed bandits as early as 4am. Ekweremadu, who raised the issue as soon as the Senate resumed plenary at about 11.15 am on Tuesday painted a graphic picture of the assassination attempt on him, his wife and son by armed bandits who beat all security network in his residence to gain entrance into the main building.

Speaking under Point of Order (Order 43), Ekweremadu told his colleagues â&#x20AC;&#x153;it is with gratitude to Almighty God that I will like to tell my colleagues, my constituents and the general public that myself, my wife and my son narrowly escaped assassination in the early hours of this morning. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was about about 4am this morning, that

some people evaded the security in my house and got all the way to my room where I was sleeping with my wife - there was a struggle, there was a fight with heavy commotion and by the grace of God we eventually caught one of them while the rest escapedâ&#x20AC;?.

Ekweremadu expressed concern that several hours after the assassination attempt was reported to top hierarchy of the police, there was no response until sene hours after.

Said he : â&#x20AC;&#x153;The annoying aspect of it or the one that is worrisome is that at that point I called the Inspector-General of police (IGP), his phone was off, I called some of his aides, their phones rang out and nobody replied till now, I called DIG operations, till I left my house nobody showed up. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I now had my people invite the DPO in charge of Apo police station. We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see him till about 5:30,am he sent his 2nd-in-command who came and he saw the dangerous weapons that they left behind, he left and said that the DPO was coming until I left my house by 9am, the DPO had not come.â&#x20AC;?

Ekweremadu emphasized the level of insecurity in the country saying â&#x20AC;&#x153;nobody is safe in this country, I want to appeal to my colleagues and the general public that we all

continue to be prayerful, be conscious of our private security, it appears that the security is not in the hands of government but the Almighty Godâ&#x20AC;?

The Senate thereafter resolved to probe the assassination attempt on the Deputy Senate President and directed its Committee on Police to properly investigate the incident and report back to Senate in two weeks.

The Senate on the same Tuesday received confirmation of appointment requests from President Muhammadu Buhari. The requests include constitution of a six-man governing board headed by Dr Kabiru Nakaura for the National Bureau of Statistics, substitution of Chief Bode Mustapha with Mrs Ronke Sokefun as Chairman of Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, confirmation of the appointment of Chidi Izuwah as Director-General of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and Abike Dabiri-Erewa as Chairman of National Diaspora Commission.

The following day, the upper legislative chamber through a motion moved by Senator Clifford Ordia (Edo Central) extolled the virtues of former Minister of Works and Housing, late Chief Tony Anenih urged the federal government to name the National Institute

of Construction Technology and Management, Uromi after the late politician popularly called Mr Fix It. The Senate also made a u-turn on the funding of the 2019 polls by approving that the Virement should be from 2018 Appropriation of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs. Citing Order 53(6) of the Senate Standing Rules, the Senate rescinded and reconsidered its October 16 approval of the N242.245bn request for the 2019 polls and emphasized that the fund will now be sourced from 2018 Appropriation of MDAs and Service Wide Vote (Special Intervention Programme, SIP).

The Senate did not sit for long on Thursday as it immediately adjourned to Tuesday to enable the Senators attend the African Parliamentary Union conference at ECOWAS secretariat at Asokoro, Abuja. The Senators therefore could not consider the motions and bills already outlined for consideration on the Order Paper.

Among the Bills listed for consideration were A Bill for an Act to repeal the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act No 19 of 1995; A Bill for an Act to repeal the National Commission for Colleges of Education Act (No.3) of 1989 and to establish the National Commission for Teacher Education and other related matters,

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Drama, Intrigues as Eighth National Assembly Enters Home Stretch 2018 (SB.561) and A Bill for an Act to repeal the Advertising Practitionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ( Registration, etc) Act and enact the Advertising Practitionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (Registration, Licensing, etc) 2018 to provide for the establishment of a Council for Advertising Practitioners and for other matters connected therewith, 2018. Four committee reports that were billed for presentation and consideration by the Senate were also deferred on Thursday. They include report of the committee on establishment and Public Service on the Counselling Practitioners Council of Nigeria (Est,etc) Bill, 2018; Report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions in respect of seven petitions; Reports of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on Firearms Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 and Nigerian Law Reform Commission Act ( Amendment) Bill, 2018.

In the House of Representatives, despite the fact that the leadership of both chambers in person of Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara are both in the opposition, there is still calm among the camps.While the true numerical strength of the ruling party is still not ascertained, four of itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s members in the House of Representatives, who did not win renomination to contest in 2019, opted to defect from the party. Speaker Yakubu Dogara announced the defections on the floor of the House in Abuja on Tuesday when the House resumed plenary.

In what was obviously going to further deplete the numerical strength of the ruling party as the eighth assembly gradually winds up, the lawmakers thanked APC for providing them the platform to serve noting that they had to move on to further their political careers in other political parties.The defectors: Hon. Dada Awoleye, representing Ibadan North federal constituency, joined Accord Party; Hon. Segun William representing Abeokuta South federal constituency left for Labour Party (LP): lawmaker representing Anka/Mafara federal constituency of Zamfara State, Hassan Lawali, defected to the Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Democratic Party (PDP) while Hon. Adedapo Lam-Adesina, representing Ibadan North-East/South- East federal constituency defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Interestingly, rather than create serious acrimony among the opposing political camp, the announcement of the defections by the Speaker created celebration among lawmakers in the other parties in the green chamber of the National Assembly.

While the gale of defections from the APC continues, there are sustained feelers that there are still more disgruntled members of the party who are only buying time pending when they would also announce their defection.

Recall that the spokesperson for a group of House of Representatives members under the aegis of Parliamentary Democrats Group, (PDG) , Hon Timothy Golu, did not only boast that the APC should not expend energy on attempt to remove Dogara when they return from their recent long holiday, he also advised the APC to be ready to see more defections.

He has consistently reaffirmed that they will defend the authority, right and mandate of the Speaker against any threat from any quarters because the position of the Speaker does not belong to any political party as he was elected by members from all the political parties as provided for in the 1999 constitution.

While it is not clear whether or not any opposition party member may be contemplating defecting to the APC, watchers of the trend can only wait to evaluate what impact it will have on the outcome of the 2019 election that is months away Away from the defection episode, the purported assassination attempt on the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, got the attention of the lower chamber as well. Considered as an alleged plan to silence some of its key leaders by a desperate ruling party, a lot of the lawmakers were distressed about the news.

Ekweremadu, at the Senate plenary last Tuesday, narrated how armed men broke into his house in what he alleged to be a

Saraki and Dogara...where do they come in

Ekweremadu...reading riot act to INEC

failed assassination attempt. Following the incident, Dogara charged security agencies in Nigeria to secure citizens against politically motivated intimidation, coercion assassinations as the 2019 elections draw closer. To him, what took place at Ekweremaduâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja resident, is an indication that nowhere and nobody is safe in the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no room for excuses anymore.

The security agencies must be alive to their responsibility of securing the lives and properties of Nigerians. This is unacceptable. The Police must ensure that the gunman and all those involved are not only apprehended but brought to justice. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As the 2019 elections draws closer, it is of utmost importance that the Police and other security agencies deploy its intelligence to forestall wanton killings and other violent acts that are programmed to cause fear and panic

among Nigerians. These kinds of incidents must be nipped in the bud before it gets out of hand,â&#x20AC;? the Speaker stated.

The House thereafter set up an ad hoc committee to look into the alleged attempt assassination of Ekweremadu and members of his family. The committee, charged with the responsibility of investigating the circumstances regarding the late response of the Nigeria police, came about as a result of a motion by Hon.Toby Okechukwu (PDPEnugu). Okechukwu, who represents Aninri/ Agwu/Oji-River federal constituency of Enugu State, was worried that if such attack could take place at Ekweremaduâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s residence with the calibre of security setup it had, then it calls for concern.

Other important issues before the House included motion moved by Hon. Oghuma Johnson on the earth tremor witnessed in Abuja and which was adopted. He called on

relevant agencies to carry out a holistic study of the terrain to forestall further occurrences.

Also, not a few Nigerian are interested in what becomes of a Bill for an Act to provide for the periodic revision of the laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004, which passed second reading last week.

Leading the debate, Hon. IdrisAhmed stated that the laws are meant to be reviewed every decade so that they continue to meet the practical needs of society. While the seconder, Hon. Edward Pwajok stated that the Nigeria Law Reform Act already takes into consideration the matter and that the Senate should have Amended that law and not bring a stand alone law for concurrence.

But concerned that the law may repeal the existing law, or may bring about duplication, the Bill was stepped down by leave of the House. So, debate on it was adjourned to enable the committee on Rules and Business examine it vis-Ă -vis the provision of the Nigeria Law Reform Commission.

Applicants in Nigeria will also follow up on a Bill seeking for an Act to eradicate the age discrimination against job seekers in federal government agencies, which also passed second reading.

Hon. Sergius Ose Ogun, urged his colleagues to ensure that the bill becomes an act so that no Nigerian job seeker is disqualified on grounds of age.

According to him, this would be a key responsibility of Parliamentarians as representatives of the people, canvassing that by so doing, the human rights of the job seekers will not be trampled upon and that it would significantly reduce the amount of unemployed individuals in the society.

If eventually passed into law, Bill is mainly targeted at federal government Ministries, Departments and Agencies with the hope that the private sector, which is another major employer of labor would follow suit afterwards.

From all indications however, decisions and actions of a significant number of APC lawmakers in the lower chamber will continue to be influenced by their disapproval over the conduct of the recent party primary.

Quite a number of the APC members who lost their tickets under various circumstances registered their grievances during Thursday plenary after a motion of urgent national importance by Hon. Abubakar Chika Adamu, berated the lack on internal democracy that characterised the conduct of party primaries ahead of the 2019 elections.

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Oba Akiolu

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OVEMBER 11, 2018

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Akiolu: 75Years of Fond Memories On October 29, Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Osuolale Akiolu I, celebrated 75 years of existence on earth with fond memories of a life replete with challenges and outstanding records of achievements, writes Gboyega Akinsanmi

L

ast week, Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu I, marked his 75th birthday. This came up five months after the monarch celebrated his 15th anniversary on the throne. Across the federation, eminent Nigerians have been sending messages of goodwill to the Chairman of Lagos Council of Obas and Chiefs, felicitating and wishing him prosperous years.

Notable among them were President Muhammadu Buhari, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu. For Buhari, Akioluâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unwavering commitment to the peace and unity of Nigeria is matchless and unparalleled. Aside, his courage to speak the truth to people in power, he has distinguished from other royal fathers in the federation.

Beyond goodwill messages across the federation, a look into Akioluâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life reveals a lot of lessons. First, just about nine years when he was born into Akinsemoyin Royal Family, Akioluâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother passed on. Even shortly before her demise, Akiolu claimed he had been living with his motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s friend in Ibadan for reasons he did not disclose. After a short while, he moved to the residence of his brother, whom he fondly called Baba Ibadan.

That perhaps marked the beginning of a thorny journey for the monarch despite the insignia of royalty upon him.

Even though he never shared what he might have suffered on account of his motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passage in 1957, the pain of living most of his life without experiencing the care of a mother was harrowing enough to get a young man with a promising future off balance.

But it all turned to be a testimony of lifetime achievements after decades of hard work. For him, life could have been unbearable if not for Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s factor in every phase of his lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s journey. Originally, Akioluâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan was to become a legal practitioner, which he believed, would place him at a vantage position to assist the downtrodden and the oppressed in the society.

However, the monarch could not immediately realise the dream of becoming a lawyer. It was not because he could not meet the requirements for law programme. But Akioluâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contact with some police officers redefined his career focus.

So, rather than pursuing a legal career, Akiolu joined the Nigeria Police Force, which he attributed to the influence of a police officer he called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Fine Countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Beside Fine Country, Akiolu equally explained how some

Oba Akiolu

police officers influenced his decision to pursue a career in the security sector, for which according to him, he would ever remain grateful to God. By providence, Akiolu rose to the position of Assistant Inspector-General before he retired from active service.

Until his retirement in 2002, Akiolu served in the Nigeria Police Force for 32 years. But the monarch never allowed the thrill of police job to nudge off his careerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s radar. Midway into his police job, Akiolu successfully undertook a law programme at the University of Lagos, Akoka and was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar. For him, this is a dream fulfilled.

He never disputed the image issue that had become associated with the Nigeria Police for decades. Despite this challenge, Akiolu observed that being a policeman â&#x20AC;&#x153;is one of the best jobs one can do in this life. It is an honourable profession. But it requires truthfulness and faithfulness.â&#x20AC;?

Unlike thousands of police officers, who used their uniforms as weapon of exploitation and harassment, Akiolu shared an entirely different philosophy, which he claimed, had paid off. According to him, all through his service years, he used his position to help people without expecting a reward for whatever help he rendered to the people in need, adding, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It hurts me sometimes that none of my children joined the Force.â&#x20AC;?

That was the orientation, which helped him rise to the cadre of an Assistant Inspector-General. Even some of his superior officers, according to him, knew him for being forthright and truthful at all times. That paid up especially after he pulled out of the Force. For instance, within two weeks that he ascended the throne, he claimed people contributed N165 million for me.

Specifically, Akiolu retired in 2002, three years to the actual time he was supposed to pull out of the Force. His sudden retirement truncated his vision to become the InspectorGeneral during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. That, perhaps, might be one of the reasons for his public criticism of the former president. Even with this disappointment, God compensated him in another way, when in 2003, he ascended the throne of his ancestors.

Akioluâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ascendance to the throne was another interesting part of his life, which threw up diverse challenges for the monarch. After the passage of Oba Adeyinka Oyekan, on March 1, 2003, the Kingmakers of the Lagos Traditional Kingdom narrowed down their selection process to Akiolu.

On May 23, 2003, the kingmakers announced him the 21st

Oba Akiolu

Oba of Lagos after meeting all requirements for the royal stool.

Long before he ascended the throne of his ancestors, Akiolu never at any time hid his interest in the stool. At different public fora, Akiolu had recounted how he pleaded with God to grant his request to become Oba of Lagos. In the circle of colleagues and friends, Akiolu was fondly called Prince.

When the opportunity came up after the demise of Oyekan, Akiolu was lucky to have won the hearts of the owners of Lagos, who eventually put traditional and institutional seal on his selection. Now, he has spent 15 good years on the throne and 75 years on the earth, which Ambode said, was a rare privilege that only God could give.

Akioluâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ascendance to the throne did not come easy.

Among others, Akiolu was fiercely challenged by Prince Tajudeen Olusi and Prince Adekunle Ojora. Even 15 years after coronation, Prince Sammy Adebiyi and Prince Rasheed Modile are still before an Ikeja High Court, seeking an order to declare Akioluâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appointment and installation null and void. The matter is still before the court, 15 years after coronation. Under the Oba of Lagos State Customary Law, the claimants argued, only two ruling houses can produce traditional rulers: Akinsemoyin and Ologunkutere. Oba Oyekan, who reigned before Akiolu, was from the Ologunkutere Ruling House.

Since Ologunkutere produced Oyekan, Akinsemoyin should ordinarily produce his successor. For the claimants, Akiolu is of the Ologunkutere Royal Family. But contrary to this claim, Akiolu himself had said he was of the Akinsemoyin Royal Family, which the claimants agreed, should produce Oba of Lagos after the passage of Oyekan. Amid these claims and counter-claims, the onus now rest on the court to decide Akioluâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fate.

On May 23, when the monarch marked his 15th anniversary on the throne, the Lagos State House of Assembly beamed light on the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s records of growth and development under Akioluâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reign. The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Wasiu Sanni-Eshinlokun described Akiolu â&#x20AC;&#x153;as a great leader whose kingship had brought fortune to the state. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Before he was enthroned, the population of Lagos was nine million. Now, it has increased to 22 million. This is part of the blessings enjoyed in Lagos through the fortune of the king. This is commendable. Kabiyesi is a great leader, who will never be forgotten in the history of the state in the context of the economy and other development.â&#x20AC;?

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 11, 2018

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Odogwu: The Iroko Falls at 91 Demola Ojo

M

onday last week witnessed the passing of the Ide Ahaba of Asaba, Chief Sunny Odogwu, one of the most illustrious sons of Delta State and one of Nigeria’s greatest entrepreneurs.

Chief Odogwu was into different kinds of lucrative businesses with investments in insurance, property development, shipping, publishing, hospitality and many more. Despite wielding so much power and influence, he never ventured into politics.

Born in Calabar, Cross River State, Odogwu who hails from Delta State, had his early education in the South-western part of Nigeria. He attended St. Peters School, Broad Street, Lagos, CMS Grammar School, Bariga, also in Lagos and Ilesha Grammar School, in what is now Osun State.

He later took an insurance course at the London Insurance Institute in 1954 before switching to the City College, London, for further studies in management.

In a career that saw him start off as a trainee pilot, he changed direction when he joined Norwich Union in Lagos as a trainee insurance inspector and manager.

That switch in career would later lead him to serve in various capacities in several insurance companies.

In 1953, Odogwu put his specialist managerial skills to work in establishing an insurance broking firm, Robert Dyson & Diet Limited, while also establishing a trading store as a side business in Lagos Island. His expertise came in handy in London, where he was an Insurance Inspector with Pearl Assurance Company Ltd in 1954.

From 1954 to 1958, he was manager at Swiss General Insurance Co., in Zurich, Switzerland before returning to Nigeria as the first indigenous African Director of C.T. Bowring and Company Limited.

He later resigned to form African Underwriters Limited, which later became African Insurance Brokers, the first indigenous Insurance Brokerage Company in Nigeria.

In 1966, he was managing director of The African Prudential Insurance Co. Ltd. A decade after, he became chairman of the firm.

Odogwu grew his insurance business and started diversifying into other sectors in 1972. By 1984, he had branched out into other industries under Sunny Iwedike Odogwu (SIO) group.

He was the publisher of the defunct Post Express Newspapers that was published both in Port Harcourt and Lagos. The newspaper was one of the earliest to embrace web publishing.

Odogwu was director of the Robert Bradford group of companies and chairman of Odogwu Group of Companies and of SID Properties from 1976.

From 1984 to 1985, he was Director of Sanyo (Nigeria) and National Fertiliser Company of Nigeria Ltd. He founded the Agro-Allied Sack Factory, Asaba, in 1988.

He was the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Odogwu Group of Companies Limited, consisting of African Insurance Brokers, The United African Insurance Brokers (Brokers at Lloyd’s), SIO Property Ltd, Afric-Oil and Marketing Company, SIO Motors Nigeria Ltd, and Post Publishing Company Ltd. Odogwu also found a new love for hotel investment and on the list of his assets is his Grand Hotel in Asaba, Delta State, and St. Regis Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The Asaba chief was a member of various professional bodies, including the Association of the Chartered Insurance Institute, London; Association of the Corporation of Insurance Brokers, London; Fellow of the Corporate Insurance Brokers (F.C.I.B); Underwriting member at Lloyd’s London and Fellow of the Corporation of Insurance Practitioners (F.C.I.P).

Odogwu was presented with the Zik Leadership Award in Business in 1997 and was recognised as Africa’s best businessman when in 1998, he was awarded The World Bank Group-IMF African Club Prize in Business Leadership.

He is the founder of the Nigerian-Southern African Economic Development Consortium, a group whose goal is the improvement of economic conditions in Africa. He is also a renowned philanthropist.

Apart from being the Ide Ahaba of Asaba, other chieftaincy titles include, Eze Udo I of Ogwashi-Uku; Ononaeyi of Amandugba; Igbologboobi of Ubulu; Nkume I of Ezi-Ama, Aba; Ekwedike I of Aba zone; Sobaloju of Ogbere, Ijebuland; and Tobalase of Ojoland, Lagos.

In 2004, the Nigerian government under President Olusegun Obasanjo honoured him with the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).

Obasanjo is one of many personalities to eulogise Odogwu after his passing by describing him as an

Odogwu “inspiring and frontline indigenous industrialist, an accomplished administrator, a foremost businessman and a tireless philanthropist.”

He continued: “I was sad because we will miss his contribution to the building of a new Nigeria of his dream but I am grateful to God for such a life well spent in the service of our fatherland.

“It is gratifying that he built a sprawling business empire, which is a modern day employer of thousands of people.

“He was, indeed, a patriot who had made sterling contribution towards the socio-economic development of our dear country,” the former president said.

Meanwhile in a statement issued on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, he paid tribute to “the memory of the versatile businessman, who remarkably contributed to the socio-economic development of his immediate community, state and the nation, drawing from his extensive experience as an accomplished industrialist, entrepreneur, publisher and philanthropist.” The statement continued: “The President affirms that through his vast business networks, range of skills and perspectives, the late Chief Odogwu demonstrated deep understanding and commitment in empowering indigenous businesses, encouraging entrepreneurship and creating thousands of employment opportunities for Nigerians.”

Reacting to his passing, Delta State Governor, Sena-

tor Ifeanyi Okowa, and former governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, described it as a monumental loss to the Anioma people, the state and Nigeria.

Okowa in a statement condoling with the family said; “Chief Odogwu will also be long remembered and honoured as a very generous philanthropist whose US based Non-Governmental Organization, Africa NGO, supports more than 260 programmers in 27 African countries.

“In addition about 35 nations on the African continent have benefited from direct assistance solely sponsored by Chief Odogwu.”

Okowa continued: “Chief Odogwu equally demonstrated his large heart in Nigeria by creating and supporting an educational endowment fund for the education of the under privileged students in secondary schools where more than 3500 have benefitted from this scheme.”

According to Uduaghan, “Odogwu, like many other great businessmen who hail from Delta State, brought pride to the people of the state. ”In spite of his global connections, he returned home and was made a prominent traditional chief in Asaba (Ide Ahaba of Asaba).

“Odogwu’s death is a great loss to our dear state, Delta, Nigeria and personally to me, who had the opportunity of tapping from his global experience in business.”

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 11, 2018

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Ayida: The Rise and Demise of Nigeria’s Super Permanent Secretary Few illustrious government officials gave Nigeria’s civil service their all, the late Allison Ayida was regarded as one of the few good men that ever walked corridors of power, writes Bayo Akinloye

Y

ou would be forgiven if you claimed you did not know Allison Ayida. Yet, it would be a great disservice to integrity, honesty and commitment if you did not take time to find who Ayida was.

He was born in 1930 and reportedly died on October 11, 2018 at the age of 88 years at St. Nicholas Hospital in

Lagos.

For those who knew him, Ayida was a former super permanent secretary and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation during the military regime of Olusegun Obasanjo – not much of him is known by Nigerians about “this exemplary retired civil servant because of his quiet disposition”.

Chief Sunday Awoniyi, Chief P. C. Asiodu and Ayida were known to be technocrats of calm temperament but effective in their work as public servants – and appropriately referred to as “super permanent secretaries”. The trio were reputed to have crafted most of the policies and programmes of the military administrations of that time. They were also regarded as the “silent voices behind the military programmes and policies of the time” running a system of civil service almost devoid of corruption.

It is little wonder President Muhammadu Buhari Friday could urge younger Nigerians and public servants to imitate the uncommon patriotism of former secretary to the Government of the Federation, who was buried on Friday.

“Nigeria will surely miss his wide experience in public and private services. We need people like him and his colleagues, the celebrated super permanent secretaries, who exhibited remarkable commitment to the progress and unity of the country,” Buhari said.

Another prominent Nigerian, who also paid tributes to Ayida, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, described his death, as a big national loss and special breed Nigerian and civil servant extraordinaire.

“Ayida was a celebrated, outstanding and revered son of Warri Kingdom, a nationalist, an enigma, and a profile of what Nigeria was and should have been. He was a disciplined, transparent and detribalised public servant who was highly respected by his peers and his subordinates for his sound knowledge of the Public Service and establishment matters.

“Ayida was a man with a well nurtured, perceptive and resolute mind. He was always clear in his mind on what to do at any given time, and the choices he made set him apart from the pack. They (Ayida and the other ‘super permanent secretaries’) were determined to pursue the national project and eventual glory of the Nigerian state by restoring a nation that had fought a civil war and required rehabilitation,” Atiku said. The politics of boundary dispute and ceding of some oil wells between Delta and Ondo states were some of the issues that thoroughly tested his acumen and problem solving ability.

Atiku added: “His calmness, humility and forthrightness played out in waving through the tumultuous water of ethnic and communal politics involved as he operated with the sensibility of a patriot.”

According to a policy expert and public commentator, Tunji Olaopa, the administrative history of Nigeria’s public service will not be complete without the mention of Ayida. He further asserted that just a mention of Ayida’s name will be a serious disservice to the historic role that he played in the attempt to reconfigure the public service system, as well as put the Nigerian project right back on track administratively.

“Like the legendary Simeon Adebo and Jerome Udoji, Ayida belonged in what we affectionately, and with a bit of nostalgia, refer to as the golden years of public administration in Nigeria. And even more so, he was one of the “notorious” super permanent secretaries whose roles in the prosecution of the Nigerian Civil War have been the subject of positive and negative analyses. Together with Ahmed Joda, Ime Ebong, Ahmed Joda, S. O. Wey, Phillip Asiodu, and so on, Allison Ayida played a significant and crucial administrative part that had a lot to do with their vision of the Nigerian project, as well as the professional credentials they had acquired as public administrators,” Olaopa stated.

Ayida, like Adebo, Udoji and other exemplary civil

Ayida servants of the first-generation pioneers, was invested the best that the British administrative training could muster – they were professionals who imbibed the ethos and values of what it means to be public servants.

In the early 1950s after a stint at the King’s College, Lagos, Ayida attended Queen’s College, Oxford, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economic.

By the time he returned to Nigeria, the country was already well into the post-colonial trajectory that would allow him to show his class. He made the tight list of permanent secretaries that Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi collected as part of the Federal Executive Council – and was put in charge of the Economic Development Ministry.

It was a ministry regarded as where the military received the best education about how to take Nigeria forward. As if the sudden desperation enabled by the 1966 coup was not enough, Ayida and the rest of the bureaucrats watched with horror as the country was thrown into the tension of an approaching war, Olaopa recalled.

Yet, you might have wondered what made Ayida and his ilk super permanent secretaries?

“They became ‘super’ because they lived in an interesting but unpalatable time which tasked their patriotic sensibilities and their professional capabilities to the limit. Nigeria was about to go to war and these public servants were confronted with the unenviable task of fashioning a policy framework for war time and post-war Nigeria,” Olaopa pointed out.

“For instance, there was a pending issue of drafting the second national development plan which was ongoing with the crucial assistance of the renowned economist, Prof. Ojetunji Aboyade. The impending civil war therefore provided a severe cloud of limitation around which these professionals needed to work.

“But like the gold that becomes refined when taken through the furnace, Ayida and the other super permanent secretaries turned their well-honed professional capacity and patriotic fervour came to the rescue. And there was no dithering. Several political commentaries have been written about the supposedly notorious roles played by Ayida and his colleagues in advising Gowon about the war.” Olaopa asserted.

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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 ˾ NOVEMBER 11, 2018

SOCIALMEDIABITS Last week on social media, Lai Mohammed made a gaffe, Prince Charles charmed his hosts and Adams Oshiomole was urged to resign...

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ast week was supposed to have been one where the NLC went on strike over better pay for workers.

Luckily, the strike was called off as the government convinced labour leaders that it planned to implement N30,000 as minimum wage.

But by sifting through social media, you can’t get past the feeling that Nigerians not only want an increase in minimum wage, but also a decrease in the remuneration of top government officials, especially senators. In the not-too-far future, this might be the reason for Nigerian workers to down tools.

Meanwhile, the buzz was all about Prince Charles’ visit to Nigeria that took him to Abuja and Lagos. There were so many activities lined up for him as he met with the president, traditional rulers from

across the country, Nigerian entertainers and even British supermodel, Naomi Campbell.

The heir to the throne of the British Empire did a lot to endear himself to Nigerians; from laying wreaths in honour of fallen soldiers who fought in World War I and II, to speaking in Pidgin English when he had the opportunity.

His visit was also as notable for what he didn’t do as much as what he did; he purportedly cancelled a trip to Jos and failed to visit the Niger Delta, to Rivers Governor Nyesom WIke’s chagrin. He also - on one occasion – failed to button his suit jacket properly, which didn’t go unnoticed on social media. There must be something Cont’d on pg 81

with DEMOLA OJO demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

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SOCIALMEDIABITS in the Nigerian air, it was suggested in numerous tweets.

The Prince’s visit was a welcome diversion from the normal fare on social media, which of recent, has been the throwing of barbs by foot soldiers and Generals alike across the political divide.

Sometimes though, the ‘war’ is in-house.

Take for example, the travails of the party chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, who was reportedly grilled – and urged to resign - by the DSS at the behest of some governors within his party. Immediately after, he took a breather by travelling abroad. He survives, for now. But this isn’t the last we’ll hear of him fighting to keep his seat.

If Oshiomole’s travails weren’t enough ammunition for the ruling party’s opponents to score political points, Minister of Information Lai Mohammed’s gaffe certainly was. He was caught on camera saying that the Federal Government spends N3.5 million monthly to feed Shiite leader El-Zakzaky in detention. The fact that he clearly stated it was ‘off-record’ didn’t save him from ridicule on social media.

Minister of Communication Adebayo Shittu needs all the saving he can get as he

stumbles from one scandal to another. He may be wondering who’s after him after it was revealed he paid a paltry sum of five thousand naira as tax compared to some of his peers who paid tens of millions. This so soon after it was revealed he failed to undergo the NYSC scheme.

A lawyer by profession, Shittu has taken the NYSC to court on some funny premise, and he may be able to wriggle out of this present issue by claiming he took advantage of loopholes. But the heat is on, surely.

In a development later in the week, Kaduna Governor Nasir El-rufai accused former Anambra governor and the Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP, Peter Obi, of ethnic bigotry. This left more than a few surprised considering El-Rufai’s antecedents. According to Senator Shehu Sani, “an ethnic bigot is a lesser evil than a divisively religious one.”

Talking about division, Doyin Okupe’s son was the latest to publicly go against his father and openly canvass support for President Buhari. This not too long after former President Obasanjo’s son did the same. Okupe took to social media to try and explain but the damage has been done.

The question: Whose son is next?

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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 OVEMBER 11, 2018

PERSPECTIVE

Prince Charles and wife, Duchess Camilla in Abuja and President Buhari

Prince Charles Visit and Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eclectic Foreign Policy Tony Iyare

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ike other fellow country men and women, struggling to make some meaning of this weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit by the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla to some African countries, including Nigeria, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been nudged into some deep reflection on the real import of that visit.

It is tragic that the same week when India was celebrating its giant strides with Japan, on the building of a ÂŁ14.4 billion bullet train, we are being goaded into a formless visit of Prince Charles which holds little for our people. While we are enamoured with dancing our own music to the abyss, Ethiopia which runs one of the best airlines in the world is celebrating the addition of 100th plane to its fleet. South Africa which rules our communications, entertainment and retail outlets is also further deepening their rail networks which began as plans for the hosting of the 2010 World Cup. From the summary of Prince Charles itinerary both in Abuja and Lagos, I see the whimsical cobbling of some brain wave events just to fill the void. I wish to save my perception of the near demeaning treatment meted to our esteemed traditional rulers for another day. I get the impression that we seem to be really bent on making mincemeat of all our institutions.

Just wondering why our royal fathers had to seat like some school boys getting sop from a janitor. We really have not learnt enough lessons on how to comport ourselves when visitors come calling. What was wrong in making Prince Charles visit some of the traditional rulers in their palaces like he did to the Asantihene in Kumasi, Ghana?

No doubt, many may have been revolted by what has become our rather eclectic foreign policy under the Buhari Administration, which reeks neither of vision, character, form and content. Hardly do you remember the name of our foreign minister, nor any of his epic quotes, pronouncements or actions.

In the converse, many scholars still relish the â&#x20AC;&#x153;activistâ&#x20AC;? foreign policy of the Joe Garba era of the late 70s which saw the country spearheading the anti-apartheid campaign or the three concentric circles espoused by both Professors Ibrahim Gambari and Bolaji Akinyemi, that defined the vision of Nigeria in the international arena in the 80s. This gave birth to ECOWAS and the idea to reach out more to our African neighbours and Africans in Diaspora.

The challenge of the 90s also made many scholars to posit that we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t promote a foreign policy devoid of an economic vision particularly after spending massively on peace keeping efforts without pursuing an

economic goal in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

But all now seems to have gone with the wind. We may not fault those who argue that our foreign policy is in recess.

At best one confuses who is the foreign minister between Geoffery Onyeama and Abike Dabiri Erewa, senior special assistant to the President on Diaspora Matters whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a bit more active when it comes to attacks on Nigerians in South Africa and other places.

For a country enmeshed in a crisis of leadership and development and particularly weaved around its acute infrastructural deficit and challenge, what really was the essence of the hullabaloo about a visit that was more of razzmatazz? With our paucity of resources, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m wondering why we should engage in such fiddlesticks, hosting Prince Charles, a non head of government who came here on what appears more like a fun trip? At a time when virtually every country in the world is repositioning its foreign policy engagement for maximum benefit of its citizenry, is it not laughable that we are romanticising some colonial relic that has been of little benefit to our people?

Whether the focus of our discourse is on going back to the template of the Lagos Plan of Action (LPA) as designed by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) under Prof Adebayo Adedeji, which conceives of an expressway from Mobassa to Lagos or we strive to reactivate our rolling plans, which long had a provision for a coastal highway from Lagos to Calabar, Britain which is presently confronted with its crisis of primacy with the European Union, may not be where to turn. Our direction should be more to China which is building massive roads and bridges across some of the most difficult terrains at little costs. Britain is also a dying power whose economy is seriously on the wane.

Perhaps I may not have bothered if Prince Charles was on some tourist adventure to the continent. After all, Rwanda is said to be a destination for gorilla visits, garnering $400 million on that alone annually. There are also immense tourist locations in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa worthy of visits. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intriguing however that Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political elite have made fiddlesticks of the huge tourism potential of the country, preferring to biker over the sharing of oil resources rather than cultivate other goldmine.

Even before the invitation to discuss the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Relevance of the Commonwealthâ&#x20AC;? against the background of Prince Charles visit, with Anthony Kila, professor of Strategy and Development on TVC last Wednesday, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had to persuade myself on the worth of this visit.

Scholars of International Relations are agreed that foreign policy is a continuation of domestic policy. Some also posit that both domestic and foreign policies are

intertwined in a dialection.

Olajide Aluko, foremost Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s professor of International Relations for instance argues that foreign policy is conducted in an amoral sense. I doubt whether weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever had such a sleepy foreign policy devoid of vision, character, form and content since independence like we have now. Even the Balewa era that was regarded as a bit spineless on foreign policy was forceful against the expulsion of then racist South Africa over the Sharpeville Massacre.

Although scholars like Cyril Obi, Akin Osuntokun and Ayo Akinbobola are discordant on the actual date of the establishment of the Commonwealth which comprise Britain and its former colonial territories, the organisation can be said to have been in some flux between the Balfour Declaration of 1896 and the Statute of West Minster of 1931.

There has also been some transformation of the Commonwealth with the admission of non former British colonial territories like Mozambique, Cameroun and territories affiliated to Australia and New Zealand.

I do concur with Bolaji Akinyemi who argues that the significance of the 2 billion population Commonwealth group should not be conceived strictly in a monetary sense but in terms of collaboration. For instance, we have a big English bloc which is a third of the world for which we can do business. But we need to take our cudgels and cultivate countries like India, China, Japan, Russia and others who are ready to create a leap for our people in the 21st century rather than seek to make a fetish of our colonial identity.

Apart from ensuring some close association with India on IT development, our focus should be to constantly engage with those who can assist us out of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s power crises to re-engineer our productive sector, build massive roads and bullet trains to ease the transverse of our vast territories.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m particularly excited by developments in India where her creaking, colonial-era railway system is preparing to take a giant leap forward as the Indian prime minister breaks ground on the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first bullet train project.

Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the high-speed line on Thursday during a visit by his Japanese counterpart, Shinzo Abe, to the western state of Gujarat. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is the new India and the flight of its dreams is endless,â&#x20AC;? Modi said at the ceremony. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The bullet train project will bring speed and employment. It is human-friendly and eco-friendly.â&#x20AC;?

The project also has a concrete timeline.

The high-speed line, which the government aims to launch by the 75th anniversary of Indian independence on August 15th, 2022, will run from Ahmedabad, the Gujarat capital, to the financial hub of Mumbai.

Indian officials say the train will have a maximum speed of 217mph (350km/h), more

than twice the speed of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current fastest train, which runs from the capital, Delhi, to Agra at a comparably sluggish maximum of 100mph.

The Shinkansen model train will cut the 316-mile journey from Ahmedabad to Mumbai from eight hours to around three.

More than four-fifths of the projectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s $19bn (ÂŁ14.4bn) cost will be funded by a 0.1% interest-rate loan from Japan as part of a deepening economic relationship that both countries hope will act as a bulwark against Chinese influence in Asia. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Japan has shown that its a true friend of India,â&#x20AC;? Modi said on Thursday.

The fast rail is also significant for the Modi government, which made the bullet train a key part of the modernisation agenda on which it campaigned at the 2014 elections.

It also claims the project will create about 36,000 jobs.

India is reportedly considering another six potential high-speed rail corridors, including one connecting Mumbai and Delhi. But the former chairman of Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s railway board Vivek Sahai said that the financial investment required to build such fast rail meant it was unlikely to phase out traditional trains any time soon. â&#x20AC;&#x153;India runs more than 10,000 trains each day, which carry the equivalent of the population of Australia â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just discontinue them,â&#x20AC;? Sahai said.

Unfortunately, Nigeria is not investing in bullet trains because we are being mindful of the movement of cows, according to Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi. The proposed Lagos- Calabar rail line appears to have become forlorn as the government now hardly says anything about it anymore. The rail lines linking its major ports in Apapa are in decrepit state and there are no immediate plans to rehabilitate them.

Unlike Kenya which built a rail line from Nairobi to Mombassa to ease the movement of goods, we are virtually content with running our economy with trucks which have not only rendered our roads in near shreds but have created gridlock and blocked access to the ports. Is it not equally tragic that while others are building bullet trains to further ease movements across far flung cities, we are being told that in the 21st Century, that the speed of our trains should be a function of the movement of cows?

While Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cottage industry is fired largely by Diaspora inflows, what really is our concrete plan to engender a segment of our economy with Diaspora inflows to Africa which was $72 billion in 2017, according to the World Bank with Nigeria leading the pack.

The country is also part of the leading five countries globally on Diaspora inflows. â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Iyare, an International Relations Analyst is also a Communications & Development Consultant. He can be reached on ehiame2009@gmail.com.

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DIASPORA ‘My American Dream and Rebuilding the Nigerian Infrastructure’ Nigerian born Namdi Iwuoha and his organisations JLN Construction Services, an African American Minority Construction firm, LLC and Avalon Consulting Services, are household names associated with best global standards and practices in Maryland and its city, Baltimore. The philanthropist who is a role model for the next generation says his American dream will only be complete when he replicates his celebrated infrastructure construction and remodeling accomplishments in his country of birth. Nduka Nwosu reports

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ou can call him Namdi or Nnamdi Iwuoha but whichever way it goes, this is one Nigerian whose craft in engineering construction in faraway America has brought pride to the Nigerian community in Maryland and its famed largest city of the US, Baltimore.

Next time your flight descends into BaltimoreWashington International Airport observe that the whole idea on the expansion of the multi-faceted concourses is to give you a unique experience that is not only pleasurable but stress free. BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport as it is commonly known is an architecture of tourist appeal. It even becomes more of a massaging delight when you are departing from or arriving to BWI in Gate D8 and D7.

This reconstruction was executed by JLN Construction Services and LLC with Engineer Iwuoha supervising.

The BWI Airport website is glad to announce its arrival into a fresh new world of customer service care of low fares, convenient parking, modern terminal and an “easy come, easy go” reputation all of which make BWI Marshall Airport your best travel choice. Iwuoha’s organisation indeed shares in the glory of this transformation, the new look BWI Airport. Since the idea is to sustain the curious impression of the visitor for as long as he is willing to the largely re-modelled and reconstruction of the World Trade Center sustains the tempo.

Welcome to the state of Maryland the home of Morgan State University. Take a drive through the Jenkins Building, the New Student Center and cruise through the State Highway Administration 211 Building and get a feel of newness all over you.

Welcome to the world of Namdi Iwuoha who sits on the driver’s seat of JLN Construction Services, LLC (JLN), an African American Minority Construction firm and Avalon Consulting Services, LLC (Avalon) specialists in engineering services. The firms are located in Baltimore and with a branch office Laurel, Maryland.

How did it all begin?

After working with some of the Fortune 500 companies, he ventured out on his own and floated a going concern, the JLN Construction Services, LLC and Avalon Consulting Services, in January 1997. His vision? “To provide quality services by employing the right tools, talents and resources to execute and ensure completion of jobs for our clients, to help them realize their goals, while exceeding their expectations.”

Iwuoha set for his group of companies the goal of seeking to constantly improve and stay current on developing technologies, regulations, legislation, and industry best practices by providing the highest level of quality in all services with total success of each project executed in view. For Iwuoha the focus was to constantly exceed the expectations of clients and partners, to uphold high moral principles, values and business practices, to provide for his employees a safe and productive work environment in which they can achieve their personal career goals.

Has the group met the expectations its founder set before it? The laurels it has garnered for best practices and the quality of jobs it has delivered in 21 years of its establishment in 1997 resonate all through the length and breathe of Maryland and Baltimore where many of its completed projects stand out as medals of honour. Iwuoha has been garlanded with medals beyond his expectations because according to him, “JLN has performed services as a General Contractor, Joint Venture Partner, Teaming Partner, Mentor Protégé as well as a Minority Sub-Contractor on a multitude of projects for various agencies, placing key emphasis on the quality and diligence of our services and works to satisfy our clients.” In 2016 the prestigious Baltimore Smart CEOs organization admitted him into its Hall of Fame for leading edge CEOs. His promise: “We will continue to rise to the forefront in the building and construction industry due to our commitment and dedication to providing quality services and ensuring our clients’ satisfaction. In addition, JLN will remain dedicated to developing the proficiency and skillfulness of our employees, as well as maintaining their longevity in our company.”

With over eight business certifications such as the MBE by the Prince George’s County, Maryland, the Washington Suburban

I want to help re-build and create lasting infrastructure back home, the type that have made us household names in the US. With my relationship with some of the firms in the US, we will be able to add value to the redevelopment of Nigeria

Iwuoha with Lieutenant Governor of Maryland Boyd Kevin Rutherford Sanitary Commission (WSSC), Charles County, Maryland, the Cory of Baltimore, Maryland and the LDBE by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) plus recognition by the Mayor of Baltimore, Iwuoha has every reason to say his American dream indeed has been one met with great expectations. His high-profile clients in the Maryland administration network extend to the Ports, Aviation, Transit, State Highway, Departments of General Services, Housing and Community Development, Housing Authority of Baltimore City, City of Baltimore Department of Public Works, Prince George Department of Public Works and Education, et al.

That young man who left the shores of his country with a suite luggage he calls a portmanteau way back in the early 1980s has grown to be so big in corporate America that he has become a critical voice for the African American experience, so much so he serves in many capacities of influence outside his core business in civil engineering.

Expectedly this life changing experience did not come with a bed of roses. It had thorns and hills that needed to be dismantled. Like the alchemist seeking to transmute a base metal into a noble one such as gold, he was cooked in the furnace of human experience, with an admixture of ingots as the fire roasted and transformed him to a distinguished citizen. In everyday language, he met people along the way, angels sent to take him to the next level. These experiences and challenges shape the persona in him.

Iwuoha’s career in the engineering and construction sector kick started with what in his professional language he calls horizontal design and construction of roads, bridges, culverts, sediment and erosion controls, mass site grading, drainage and pavements services. According to him: “during this period of my career, I was involved in infrastructure assessment, design build, scheduling, constructability review, project management and project inspection.” More importantly Iwuoha’s early apprenticeship working with Fortune 500 companies actually prepared him to tread the road less travelled throwing him up to greater heights of accomplishment.

Vice President of the Nigeria Children Foundation and co-founder of Buffalo Area Engineering Awareness for the Minorities (BEAM), Iwuoha remembers his parents Geoffrey Uwalaka and Jessie Iwuoha of Umueze Ogwa in Mbaitoli LGA, Imo State with passion and nostalgia. Being the first son in a family of seven children imposed on him early in the day a sense of responsibility and duty. His father was a civil servant who believed in education and hard work, admonishing his children always to be hard working since it is the passport to success among other things.

He also ensured he gave them good education within his reach ensuring each of them became a university graduate as the minimum passport to playing active roles in society. An old boy of Aboh Mbaise Secondary School in Imo State Nigeria, Iwuoha left his country in 1981 for the US to fulfill his American dream, earning a degree in Civil Engineering at the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1986.

That journey that began 37 years ago has borne positive results of a protean dimension, what Iwuoha says is possible with a guiding principle which is that it is not what you have achieved in life but what you do with the achievement and the impact on the rest of humanity that matters. This guiding principle has led

him to invest heavily in human resources, talent and team work.

A recipient of the “Best Minority-Owned Construction Contractor of the Year 2015” in the Maryland Washington corridor and best clipped video of the Year 2015, Iwuoha’s very active involvement in the affairs of the state of Maryland where he has been privileged to sit on leadership positions of many organisations, has led him to believe he could do same back home in Nigeria using his skill in engineering, construction and organisation of men and materials.

Iwuoha, looking forward to replicate his skills and achievements back home waxes patriotic with the familiar refrain of making America great again reminding his countrymen and women that “we can make our country great again. In Nigeria, God blessed us with all the known natural resources without natural disasters. Let us work together to rebuild our nation.”

The JLN boss who serves on the board of Maryland Minority Contractors Association (MMCA) as well as being a corporate member of Maryland Washington Minority Companies Association (MWMCA) says his next destination is his country of birth where he believes his 32 years of exposure as a leading player in corporate America is needed at this critical moment. He argues there is a need for Nigeria to reverse the trend from the poorest to among the fast growing economies of the global village. He hopes that someday he would be given the opportunity to bring back home his knowledge in Engineering, Construction, Management and Decision Making to make positive changes and create value in his country of birth.

A Morgan State University Civil Engineering advisory board committee member the JLN leader starts his day with a personal aphorism and a company policy which states that you should plan your day and work your plan, guided by best global practices and standards aimed at producing nothing but the best. For him his American dream remains a job half done until he is able to transfer to his country of birth the knowledge, experience, hard work and perseverance that have brought him critical recognition in Maryland and Baltimore and indeed America. “My ultimate dream is to create opportunities for our young graduates by empowering them with the right skills and exposure.

Secondly, I want to help re-build and create lasting infrastructure back home, the type that have made us household names in the US. With my relationship with some of the firms in the US, we will be able to add value to the redevelopment of Nigeria.”

Mr. Iwuoha whose firm JLN was recently honored as “Best Minority-Owned Construction Contractor of the Year 2015” in the Maryland Washington corridor and best clipped video of the Year 2015 was also voted the first minority firm to be awarded a General Contract of $5.9M with Maryland Department of General Services. In 2014 he received an Achievement Award from the Greater Baltimore Committee for participating in the greater Baltimore area.

Mr. Iwuoha focuses on helping small businesses as well as build and maintain relationships with his clients. He was recognised by the City Council of Baltimore and the Mayor for Professional Commitment in Baltimore. In 2011, his firm along with Hensel Phelps donated over 200 backpacks to less fortunate and minority students in East Baltimore Area. His company provided the Howard Community Association with free office space for community events.

Adapted to a typical Biblical expression, the subject in question wonders aloud to himself of what shall it profit Iwuoha if he wins all the laurels in the world and back home he has nothing to show for the great civilization that has brought him thus far to a professional success story and material conquest. For him until he exports back home what America has done for him then his popular maxim of turning what you have to the benefit of man’s estate as Francis Bacon also averred, would have come to naught.

According to Iwuoha, “my country Nigeria is overdue for the next level of development. As the giant of Africa, it is my hope that the next government will create a master plan that will be based on goal-oriented projects and physical accountability. It will be an honor to serve our country through infrastructure and implementation of good governance with God as our anchor point.”

The National Republican Congressional Committee National Leadership Award recipient says he is proud to be born a Nigerian, studied in Buffalo New York and resides in the state of Maryland where he has largely impacted his exemplary life on Nigerians and the larger Maryland community with its huge Nigerian population who are very proud to have Iwuoha as their own. He has been rated as a man who is communityoriented, philanthropist and team builder who creates opportunities for his community. Mr. Iwuoha has been known to give donations to local and international organisations to both schools in Nigeria and Maryland and keeps giving and doing good.

He is active in his village where his welfare programmes have added value to the entire community.

Iwuoha keeps creating opportunities for the next generation through scholarships for higher education both within and back home in his country, employment, internship, as a mentor protégé, the creation of new businesses and challenging opportunities for college graduates with active participation in community events and activities.

Continued online www.thisdaylive.com

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ NOVEMBER 11, 2018

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CICERO/TRIBUTE

A Minute Silence for the Fixer Known to always shoot from behind the scene, he bestrode Nigeria’s political terrain with panache and unrivalled capacity. Is a minute’s silence for Chief Anthony Anenih, the late former chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, asking for much? Shola Oyeyipo writes

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hen one of the most prominent political figures in Nigeria, Edo State-born Chief Anthony Anenih – ‘Mr. Fix It’ – was pronounced dead at age 85 on Sunday, October 28, 2018, it was obvious that his family, friends, state, country and politicians across the political divides would have so much to say about his life and time.

Anenih was a man of many parts. He was Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), the Iyasele (Prime Minister) of Esanland, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and in 2014, the Board and Management of The Sun Publishing Limited conferred him with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

A patriot and nationalist, Anenih smartly sustained his goodwill and political relevance among friends and political associates with his political wittiness, which he portrayed through his calm mien and as such, cultivated relationships across the nation.

Unlike many archetypal politicians, he stayed put in the PDP and contributed his quota to the development of the party even in the thick of a bad storm. Born on August 4, 1933 in Uzenema-Arue in Uromi, Anenih joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1951 in Benin City, Edo State and attended the Police College in Ikeja, Lagos, where he was selected for further training at the Bramshill Police College, Basingstoke, England in 1966 and the International Police Academy, Washington DC in 1970. He served as a police orderly to the first Governor General of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

He an instructor in various Police Colleges and in 1975, he was assigned to the Administrative Staff College, Lagos. He retired from the Police as a Commissioner, after which he ventured into politics. He was state chairman of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) between 1981 and 1983 and was elected civilian governor of old Bendel State (now Edo and Delta States). His governorship was however cut short by the military takeover of December 1983. He was subsequently the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) between 1992 and 1993, and was also a member of the Constitutional Conference in 1994. He was a member of the then unregistered Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) founded by the late former Chief of General Staff, the late General Musa Yar’Adua. He later joined the Peoples Democratic Party, and was a Minister of Works under the regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

While the Edo State chapter of the PDP called him ‘National Leader,’ he suddenly got the appellation of ‘Mr. Fix it. But not many people knew he didn’t really like the name. Whereas he got the name, because of his closeness to the corridors of power and his political dexterity at resolving knotty political problems, which won him the chairmanship of the PDP Board of Trustees, the opposition amplified the name to mean that he was an expert in manipulating elections.

Some of the low points in his life were when he was involved in the controversial N300billion fraud in the transportation sector during the Obasanjo administration. He had been thrown into jail for 18 months between March 1984 and August 1985 by the military regime of Muhammadu Buhari for allegedly being rich.

In 2016, the late Anenih survived an eight-hour heart surgery which was carried out in the UK. But on Sunday, April 16, 2017 his wife, Patricia Anenih died, and about a month later, on May 14, his son Eugene Anenih, died.

Consequently, he opted out of active politics in 2016 in the aftermath of the party’s loss to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 presidential election and prayed that God granted President Buhari the wisdom to lead Nigeria. Nothing would better depict the values he added to the Nigerian political development than the comments of eminent leaders and opinion molders, who echoed his many names at death.

In a condolence message to the Anenih family and the people of Edo State, President Buhari affirmed that he was a frontline figure in the country’s political history and attested to it that Anenih lived a life of service, held strong views on issues pertaining to the unity and stability of the nation.

Obasanjo, on his part described Anenih’s death as the end of one of the most inspiring chapters of Nigeria’s

Anenih history.

“Chief Tony Anenih’s life was an archetypal lesson in public service and leadership at its best,” the former president said in the one-page letter made available by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi.

“He had to himself a life full of accomplishments and meritorious services to the local and national communities. He served the nation with devotion and diligence in his chosen profession. His service in the Nigeria Police Force was distinguished by high professional standard.

“He was an epitome of humility and quiet dignity both in service and retirement, even though he rose to the rank of Commissioner of Police before retirement,” Obasanjo stated.

Former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan also commented on his quality of life when he said the late “Chief Anenih was a great asset to our dear nation.

For a long time, he remained a leading light in our party and in Nigeria’s political firmament, charting the course for peace, unity and the entrenchment of true democracy in our nation.

“Even in old age and in retirement, Anenih continued to inspire and mentor younger politicians as a demonstration of his deep commitment to Nigeria’s growth and progress. He was indeed a leader with an exceptional knack for initiating well-considered strategies for political stability in the nation.”

In describing Anenih, former Minister of External Affairs and member, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP, Chief Tom Ikimi, said the name: “Mr. fix it” given to him was a befitting one, because among other things, he consistently presided over intricate and delicate matters with firmness, utmost dexterity and finesse.

“It will indeed be a long time to come before many of us will come to terms with the reality of the passing of Onwalen Chief Anthony Akahon Anenih (CFR), the Iyasere of Esan land, one-time Federal Minister of

Works and, until recently, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party – PDP,” Ikimi said.

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State Tuesday declared a three-day mourning period in honour of the late elder statesman, after his visit to the family home of the late political icon in Abuja.

Like many others who eulogised the good virtues of the late leader, Obaseki, who expressed deep sadness over the late politician, said the mourning period was a mark of honour for Anenih.

He noted that the elder statesman devoted a better part of his life to the development of the state and country as he contributed to national development in the various capacities he served in his lifetime.

His Delta State counterpart, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa also commiserated with the Anenih family, saying the late PDP stalwart was a committed patriot, who served the nation at the highest levels with an uncommon sense of patriotism and unwavering dedication.

National Chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus, said Anenih was “A nationalist, who wanted the best for the country,” adding that the “PDP would immortalise him.”

Frontline lawyer and educationist-turned politician, who has aspired to Edo State governorship on three occasions and who recently returned to the PDP, Mr. Kenneth Immansuangbon, said Anenih’s death was “A big loss to the country, because he was a bridge builder.” The accolades and sympathies are still pouring in as family, friends, political associates and well-wishers have turned the Abuja home of the deceased to a Mecca of sorts, where they go to commiserate with his wife, Hon. Justice Maryann Anenih and his children.

Although the elder statesman might be dead, his contributions to Nigeria’s political landscape would remain indelible in the sand of time. Shall we therefore observe a minute silence for the dead now?

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 11, 2018

NEWSXTRA Shun Reckless Speeches, Obi Tells el-Rufai CharlesAjunwainLagosand AdedayoAkinwaleinAbuja Former Anambra State Governor and Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Peter Obi, has asked Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai to refrain from making reckless speeches.

Likewise, the main opposition party has also cautioned Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over his unguarded comment, wherein he referred to its Vice Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as a tribal bigot Obi, who stated this while answering questions from journalists during a youth programme at Nnewi, expressed surprise at the statement credited to elRufai, who, in his twitter account referred to Obi as “a tribal bigot” Likewise, the Kaduna governor had alleged that Obi stopped him from moving around Anambra State during the gubernatorial election in the state in 2010.

He noted that he was shocked “to read such an outburst of hate from el-Rufai, especially when.

The statement came unprovoked, suggesting that it was what he sat down to think of rather than thinking about how to solve the many problems plaguing the country.

“What His Excellency, Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai said

about me has been brought to my attention. I believe that as we grow older and are saddled with more responsibilities, we are expected to become circumspect in our thinking and avoid recklessness in our speeches and utterances.

“How does the circumstance he referred to relate to “bigotry” to warrant such a label? All I do for people like el-Rufai is to pray for them and encourage them to concentrate on doing those things that will better the lots of Nigerians rather than engage in hate speeches that will divide and destroy the country.”

He insisted that Nigeria did not need violence of speech “to solve her numerous problems at this difficult time in the country, when thousands of our brothers and sisters across ethnic divide are killed all over the country, including innocent citizens in Kaduna State; millions of our children from all the parts of the country are out of school and millions of Nigerian youths from all the parts of the country are without jobs.”

According to him, our pre-occupation, especially among those that are in government should not be making reckless speeches.

What our leaders should be doing today is seeking solution to numerous problems of our dear country.

Concerning the claim that he was arrested on the election day in Anambra, Obi said, “I am

aware that during the said election he referred to, security agents merely restricted his movement because he has no business being in Anambra as I would not have any being in Kaduna on an election day.”

Obi cautioned Nigerians, especially those in positions of authority, to avoid the dominance of the vice of hate over the virtue of love in whatever they do.

In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan yesterday, the PDP has advised el-Rufai to face the myriad of problems he has caused in Kaduna state for which the people have resolved to vote him out and stop his attempt to further foul the nation’s political space by making comments capable of stoking religious and ethnic division in our country.

The party said el-Rufai should not attempt to export the kind of inciting and inflammatory statements that have led to conflagration and bloodletting in his Kaduna state to our national political firmament.

The PDP said, “Instead of fixating on our party and the soaring popularity of our Presidential candidate, we expect el-Rufai to show remorse that he was part of those who brought in the Buhari administration, which has inflicted so much pain on Nigerians in the last three and half years.

Nigerian Entertainer, Banky W, Enters House of Representatives Race Nseobong Okon-Ekong A Nigerian musician, Mr. Olubankole ‘Banky W’ Wellington yesterday announced his intention to contest federal legislative election on the platform of Modern Democratic Party (MDP).

Olubankole, actor, writer and director known for his advocacy and passion for voters’ education, disclosed that he would contest the race to represent Eti-Osa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives in 2019.

He made the declaration at the convention of theMDP, a political party founded in 2017 by a consortium of youth associations.

The MDP is one political parties whose total number of candidates for the 2019 presidential and national assembly elections

are in the single digit bracket.

The Modern Democratic Party (MDP) and the Youth Party (YP) have two nominees each for the House of Representatives.

The MDP is led by Prince Bukunyi Olateru-Olagbegi, a 27 year-old youth activist and entrepreneur. The party along with 21 other parties received their certificate of registration from the INEC last January.

Applauded by friends and associates in Nigeria’s creative industry, Wellington, 37, will run for a seat in the House of Representatives in Eti-Osa where he said there was need for renewed hope and results, just like the rest of Nigeria.

He said, “We want to fix Nigeria, but we must begin by rebuilding our communities.

Everybody seems so obsessed with the presidential race – it’s

one of the most frequent suggestions I get, ‘Banky W, run for President.’

“I do believe in dreaming big, but I believe in starting small, and working your way up.

And so, we are dreaming and building towards 2023 and beyond, but we are starting now.

Hope is what we needed in ’93.

Twenty-five years later, hope is what we need in 2019.”

Expressing resolute optimism, Wellington said, ‘‘Our generation needs a realistic rallying point. We need to begin in community, earn our way into the system and up the ladder.

“We need someone to stick their neck out and pave the way.

The problem is that we have always looked to our leaders for change. Instead, look in the mirror and look around you.

We are the ones we’ve been waiting for all along.

Polaris Bank Hosts Breast Cancer Survivors, Pledges Support Polaris Bank has demonstrated its support for breast cancer survivors in Nigeria by hosting 50 of them to an endof-year get together.

Speaking at the function held at Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Ikeja recently, the Group Managing Director/CEO of the bank, Tokunbo Abiru said the love and care demonstrated to breast cancer patients and survivors have enormous positive influence on their physical and mental wellbeing.

Abiru, who was represented by the Directorate Head, Lagos Business, Polaris Bank, Mr. Segun Opeke stated that safety and healthcare is one of the pillars of Polaris Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

He affirmed that the bank in partnership with its CSR part-

ner, Care Organisation Public Enlightenment (COPE), would continue to ensure reduction of breast cancer scourge in the country through increased awareness, advocacy and support for both patients and survivors.

“For us at Polaris Bank, our commitment to the fight against breast cancer is unwavering. We have consistently demonstrated this by drawing public awareness to the menace in addition to sponsoring free screening for women in conjunction with COPE Foundation.”

He revealed that over the last 10 years, the bank in partnership with COPE has covered four key milestones namely prevention, detection, treatment and advocacy.

According to Segun him,

these include provision of free screening opportunities for over 15,000 women including female staff members of the bank, and the donation of two ultra-modern breast cancer screening machines (LogiQ C2 and Mind Ray Ultra-Sound System) to enhance quality diagnosis and clinical practices.

Also speaking, President/ CEO of COPE, Ebunola Anozie, said the get-together was a platform to thank God for the life of the survivors and to appreciate Polaris Bank for its support to breast cancer patients in Nigeria.

Anozie said, “This year we decided to bring it here to say thank God and to exchange gifts as well. I also appreciate our sponsors, Polaris Bank; they have been with us for nearly 20 years now.

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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 ˾ NOVEMBER 11, 2018

NEWSXTRA Lawyer Asks INEC to Sanction APC Flawed Primaries Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

UNITED AGAINST CANCER

L-R: CEO, Morgan Omoitan & Abe Engineering Company/Trustee of COPE, Mr. Dapo Abe; CEO, Care Organisation Public Enlightenment, Ebunola Anozie; Directorate Head, Lagos Business, Polaris Bank, Segun Opeke and CEO, Development Initiative Network & COPE Trustee, Bola Fajemirokun, during the 2018 celebration of breast cancer survivors at Sheraton, Ikeja, Lagos

Residents Flee as Boko Haram Attacks Borno Village Tobi Soniyi Hundreds of residents, mostly women and children, yesterday reportedly fled into Maiduguri, Borno state capital, following attacks on their village, Judumri by suspected Boko Haram gunmen.

Judumri is a village on the outskirt of the city.

Eyewitnesses said residents of the city heard sporadic gunshots on Saturday evening as Muslims were concluding their prayers.

However, hours later, men, women and children began to flock into the Maiduguri city centre on foot, fleeing the attack by Boko Haram.

When asked why they were fleeing, they said that their villages were being attacked

by Boko Haram.

One of the panic-stricken villagers said: “It started at about 6.30 p.m. when we began to hear heavy sounds of shooting coming from the bush area behind our community which is not far away from the Federal High Court.

“Initially we thought of running into our houses but soldiers guarding the parapets asked everyone to leave at once. That was why we had to leave en masse.”

Most of the fleeing residents said they would have to pass the night on the streets, despite the chilling harmattan.

The attacked location which is popularly known as Polo Area, has suffered repeated Boko Haram attacks in recent months.

However, several military and police trucks filled with armed personnel were seen

APC Opposes Ayade’s Plan to Impose Caretaker Bassey Inyang in Calabar The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday said it would deploy every legal means at its disposal to stop the Cross River State governor, Professor Ben Ayade, from imposing caretaker committees on the eighteen Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state.

Presently, the councils are run by heads of administration of local government areas.

About a year ago, the plans to conduct local government elections by the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC), were put on hold up without any official explanation.

The APC in the state raised the alarm at the weekend, alleging that Ayade was planning to set up caretaker committees for the councils with the intent of using them to rig the 2019 general elections in the state.

Addressing journalists in Calabar, the state chairman of the APC, Dr. Mathew Achigbe said that they would resist any attempt by the Ayade-led

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in the state.

“We will resist it because it is unconstitutional. Elections should be conducted. APC had since been prepared for local government elections in the state, but the Ayande government has kept frustrating the elections and now thinks it can hurriedly do the unconstitutional by appointing persons they think they could use to influence the 2019 elections in their favour across the local government areas. We will resist such unconstitutionality.

“We frown at the intention, whether real or otherwise, of the state government to set up caretaker committees for local government councils.

We object to that attempt. In fact, we will react by all means at our own disposal to make sure that we truncate that evil machination.

“This time is completly not auspicious. If they wanted smooth administration of Cross River State, it would have been at other time than now.

driving at top speed towards the attacked location later Saturday evening.

In another development yesterday, the Nigerian Army has announced Benson Akinroluyo, a major general, as the new theatre commander for operation Lafiya Dole.

Lafiya Dole is the military operation set up to fight Boko Haram insurgents in the north-east. Akinroluyo is replacing Abba Dikko who had spent only three months as the theatre commander.

In a statement signed on Saturday by Texas Chukwu, the army spokesman, the redeployment, affecting 103 officers across army formations, is aimed at injecting new hands to further actualize the vision of Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff.

“Those affected in the redeployment include; The Commander Headquarters Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE Major General Abba Dikko who moves to the Department of Civil Military Affairs as the Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Major General Jamil Sarham to remain in Headquarters 6 Division as the General Officer Commanding/Land Component Commander, Major General Nuhu Angbazo now moves to Headquarters 3 Division as the General Officer Commanding while Major General Benson Akinroluyo redeployed from Headquarters 3 Division to Headquarters Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE as Commander,” the statement read.

Harvard Scholar Bags Religion Awards A Harvard scholar, Prof. Jacob Olupona has been announced the recipient of the 2018 Martin E. Marty Award for the Public Understanding of Religion.

In a statement at the weekend, Olupona, Professor of African Religious Traditions, Harvard Divinity School and Professor of African and African American Studies, Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, emerged the winner of the prestigious award after due consideration of his work in peace and understanding.

According to the statement, the author and editor of several books, his research ranges across African spirituality and ritual practices.

It added that it ranged from religious pluralism in Africa and African diasporic communities in the Americas, including the under-studied “reverse missionaries” from Africa who have come to the United States to establish churches.

“In addition to Olupona’s seminal scholarly work in expanding understanding of the diversity and complexity of African religions, he is also known for his work for peace

and understanding in Nigerian civic, academic, religious and political spheres.

“He was named an awardee of the prestigious National Order of Merit, Nigeria’s highest honor for intellectual accomplishment in science, medicine, engineering/technology, or the humanities in 2007.”

In this year’s Marty Award Forum in Denver, John Campbell, former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria and current Ralph Bunche Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, will serve as interlocutor for an extended public dialogue about Olupona’s life and work.

Olupona

A legal practitioner and civil right campaigner, Mr. Kayode Ajulo has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to apply the full weight of the law on ruling All Progressives Party (APC) for allegedly flouting the laws in the conduct of its party primaries.

He said that based on the alleged violations of the Electoral Act during the conduct of APC presidential primary election, INEC should discountenance it. He said that what APC had as primaries failed the ordinary tests of a civilized democracy.

In a statement issued on Saturday on the crisis trailing APC primary elections, Ajulo said it is worrisome that a ruling party that should ordinarily set the pace for the ideals and be a model for standards “chose to descend into such abysmally dirty dealings in the name of party”. primaries.

He said: “To put it mildly, it ruptures the little, subsisting faith that ordinary citizens retain in a fledgling but gangling democracy. It is uncivil, unlawful and unacceptable, and it should so be regarded without mincing words”.

On the presidential primary election, Ajulo said: “Premising on the judgment of the Apex court, and the provisions of extant law on party primaries, the voidable APC Presidential Primaries and the irregular nomination of APC Presidential Candidate and his vice, Professor Oluyemi Osinbajo, (SAN) ought to be discountenanced and totally rejected by INEC in pursuant to the extant laws referred to herein.” Ajulo accused the INEC, of deliberately ignoring all the malfeasance committed

by APC during its recent party party primaries across the country.

According to the Lawyer, both the constitution and the electoral law were violated in a brazen manner that should not have escaped the attention of the INEC. “INEC’s independence and neutrality is patently in doubt if the Commission should go ahead with the general election with the embattled APC candidates when they ought to have been rejected due to noncompliance and violation of the extents laws relating to election in Nigeria.

Ejeagha Endorses Ugwuanyi for Re-Election The iconic high-life musician, Chief Mike Ejeagha has endorsed Enugu State Governor, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for a second term in office, for providing good governance and adequate security in the state.

Ejeagha, an indigene of Ezeagu, Enugu State, gave the endorsement when Ugwuanyi paid him a visit at his residence in Abakpa Nike, Enugu East Local Government Area.

Ejeagha expressed delight at the govenor’s unscheduled visit to ascertain how he was faring, saying he was highly impressed that the governor has transformed Enugu State for the better and also entrenched peace and security in the state, assuring him of his support for his re-election

in 2019.

“I m very happy the day I went to hospital at Ogwuagor, Ugwuoye by first bustop, I saw that the roads have been tarred. Thank you very much for the security in Enugu State.

“We can now go out at night and come back anytime without any fear of attack by men of the under world. You have our support and God will continue to lead you”, the lengendary high-life musician said.

In his remark, Ugwuanyi told the elder statesman that he had planned the visit earlier, stressing that he came to know how he was faring and see how the state government can assist him in his health and other needs as a revered indigene of the state.

Firm Launches National Quiz Show To further deepen the interest of students in Mathematics, an international educational services firm, Testmaster Education Ltd, has introduced a national mathematics TV quiz show, tagged ‘Master of Math’.

The firm’s Chief Operations Officer and co-founder, Ofir Zukovsky, said the show is an annual national Mathematics quiz that provides Nigerian Senior Secondary 2 students opportunity to compete on live TV against and alongside their peers.

Zukovsky, who spoke recently at the firm’s office in Lagos, said there are three stages of the competition: state, regional and national. He explained that the winner of the quiz shall get N200,000 and a trophy, while the first and second runners up shall receive N150,000 and N100,000 respectively.

The top three students from each state at stage one and maths teachers of all the winning students at state and national level, will also receive

cash prizes. In addition, expenses like transportation, accommodation and feeding will be paid for by the organisers.

Additionally, on February 19, 2019, all registered school maths teachers will participate in a free national mathematics teacher one day workshop designed around issues in mathematics teaching, strategies and innovation. The online registration scratch card can be obtained from any state representative and Nigerian Post Office. Students can also log on to the organisation’s website.

Zukovsky said: “It is our commitment to help students and teachers be the best they can”, says Mr. Zukovsky, “hence we created Testmaster to corroborate teachers’ efforts in preparing students for academic success, enhance students’ performance in SSCE and UTME exams and ensure that every student in Nigeria maximizes his or her true potential.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͚Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î&#x20AC;

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

Comeback Kings United Dare City at Etihad

D

espite snatching victory from the jaws of defeat in the corresponding match last season and in their two most recent matches, Jose Mourinho admits Manchester United cannot keep coming from behind ahead of a test against rivals Manchester City today.

Mourinhoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side were 2-1 winners in Juventus in the Champions League last week, ending their Italian hostsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; unbeaten start in all competitions, but have conceded the first goal in recent games several times - including against Chelsea, Huddersfield and Newcastle in the Premier League.

United have picked up seven points from losing positions so far in the league, but their manager admits their luck will run out at some point - and hopes it does not happen in the Manchester derby.

Mourinho says his Manchester United team are â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;growing upâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; but admits they need to start scoring first in more games.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we keep conceding goals before the opponent, it will arrive the day where we cannot come back. So, we have to make sure we grow up not just in our approach - because I think that is clear that the team is growing up. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But also we have to grow up in our compactness and to start matches well. Which, I have to say against Juventus, happened.â&#x20AC;?

Pep Guardiola will be wary of Unitedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resilience already, having witnessed his City team throw away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to their neighbours at the Etihad in this fixture last season.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Last season we lost, but every game is a new history and a new chapter. We realise how strong United are. When they dominate and create chances they win easily, but you can have the feeling you are in control and they can

Paul Pogba (left) inspired United to a comeback victory over City in April

still punish you. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Manchester United - with Liverpool, they are one of the strongest teams in Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history.

I hope it can be a good derby and we can enjoy watching it.â&#x20AC;?

Romelu Lukaku could return to action for United today.

The 25-year-old missed the trips to Bournemouth and Juventus with a hamstring complaint but

Milan Welcome Wounded Juve to San Siro Juventus visit Stadio Giuseppe Meazza to lock horns with AC Milan for their Italian Serie A encounter this evening. Massimiliano Allegriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s men will be looking to bounce back from their Champions League defeat to Manchester United when they clash with the Rossoneri.

The loss against the Red Devils last Wednesday ended their unbeaten run this season and halted their three-game winning streak.

They sit on the summit of the Serie A table with 31 points from 11 games and have won 10 of their previous 11 league meetings with their hosts.

Gennaro Gattusoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s men have been impressive lately, winning their last three league games before forcing Real Betis to a 1-1 stalemate in last Thursdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Europa League game in Seville.

This is Juveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best start to a season obtaining 31 points in the first 11 games of the championship.

La Vecchia Signora have the longest overall

unbeaten streak (15 games), as well as away from home (18 matches). Juventus is also the only team still unbeaten on the road in the five major European leagues in the calendar year of 2018 (12 wins and three draws).

The match is characterised by players facing their former team. Mattia De Sciglio grew up in the youth sector of Milan, going on to play 110 Serie A games between 2012 and 2017, before moving on to Juventus.

Leonardo Bonucci, played a total 51 matches in the Milan shirt last year, scoring two goals, one of which was against Juve.

Gonzalo HiguaĂ­n (40 goals in 73 league games for Juventus), made the move to the San Siro in the summer, as well as Mattia Caldara.

Juve manager Max Allegri coached Milan from 2010 to January 2014, managing 133 games in Serie A, averaging 1.92 points per game and winning one Scudetto.

St Saviours Ikoyi Holds Successful Kids Mini-Marathon Sunday Okobi

Participants and organisers of the second edition of St Saviourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School Ikoyi Endowment Fund Kids Mini-Marathon held last Saturday in Lagos have described the event as a huge success.

The organisers noted that after a successful first edition last year, the 2018 Lagos Kids MiniMarathon was well attended with over 2,500 children representing up to 50 schools in Lagos.

With the theme â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Active Kids Rockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, they stated that the mini-marathon is recognised as Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only kids-focused marathon, which saw children participating in the 1.2 kilometres, 3km and 5km distance races for kids aged 5 to 15 respectively.

The marathon gave parents the opportunity to run with their children and wards turning it to a family fun day of fitness and wellness.

Accordingly, the winning kids received prizes from AXA Mansard, Access Bank, Aiteo, MTN

among others.

The Treasurer of the St Saviourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School Ikoyi Endowment Fund and member of the mini-marathon planning committee, Mr. Ayere Ezekiel, noted that the mini-marathon was aimed at encouraging healthy living among kids and parents, as well as â&#x20AC;&#x153;to have an event that is built into the yearly calendar for Lagos families.â&#x20AC;?

Ezekiel stated further that part of the proceeds from the ticket sales is used to support Slum 2 School Africa, a volunteer-driven social organisation working to empower disadvantaged children in disadvantaged communities â&#x20AC;&#x153;to realize their full potential through the provision of educational scholarships, health and other psycho-social support.â&#x20AC;?

Among the winners on 4 to 6 years category were Olivia Ofonagoro and Zak Sodeinde; White category (7 to 8 years) boys: Eli Nwachukwu and Chimdi Chiakwela, (girls) Dorcas Nwapa, Ann Osugbesan and Sonekan Ariola.

will be assessed as the striker steps up training.

City have won just two of their last eight matches against United in all competitions (D2 L4) since winning four in a row between 2013 and 2014.

United, who won 3-2 at the Etihad last season despite being 0-2 down, are looking to win back to back Premier League games at the stadium for just the second time, also doing so with wins in November 2008 and April 2010.

Premier League meetings between City and United have been won by the away side on 17 occasions - only Aston Villa vs Liverpool (19) and Everton vs Man Utd (18) have been won by the visiting team more.

United have conceded 18 goals in their 11 Premier League games this season. It took them 25 games until January 31 to concede as many in the competition last season.

City havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t lost any of their last 53 Premier League games against sides starting the day outside the top four (W44 D9 L0), since a 0-4 loss at Everton in January 2017.

Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Raheem Sterling is still yet to score against Manchester United in the Premier League, attempting 19 shots in 12 games without success; among players with at least 50 Premier League goals, only Robbie Keane (22) has played more times against the Red Devils without scoring than Sterling.

Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sergio Aguero scored seven goals in his first seven Premier League games against Man Utd, but has failed to score in his last three against them since.

Anthony Martial has scored in each of his last four Premier League games for Man Utd - he could become the seventh different player to score in five or more in a row for the club in the competition (Ruud van Nistelrooy x4, Wayne Rooney x2, Eric Cantona, Dwight Yorke, Cristiano Ronaldo and Robin van Persie).

This will be the 22nd meeting between Guardiola and Mourinho in all competitions - the Spaniard has won nine and lost five (D7) of the previous 21. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only lost more matches against Jurgen Klopp (7) than Mourinho (5) during his managerial career.

Guardiola has never lost consecutive home league games against a single opponent in his whole managerial career

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Okechukwu to Oshiomhole “It is imperative that he resigns forthwith to save the APC and Mr President on the eve of 2019 crucial general election. One personally would not want the mud Comrade Oshiohmole had accumulated via gross breach of the constitution of the APC, the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and extant laws to be splashed on our great party and President Muhammadu Buhari.”

-The Director General of the Voice of Nigeria, Mr Ostia Okechukwu while calling on the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole to resign.

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

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What Can be Done in Four Years

O

ne thing I pride myself in, if I have to say so myself, is the ability to be realistic.

I always have big dreams, some of them Utopian, but I also always proceed with realistic expectations. For instance — and I have said this so often that I myself am getting bored — no president can transform or change Nigeria dramatically in four years. I have said this a million times. I dream of a Nigeria where clean water flows in every nook and cranny, where electricity shines bright round the clock, where healthcare is top-class and adequate, where the roads are smooth, where most people have jobs, and where crime rate is negligible — but I am realistic enough to know that these things take time.

I would not expect any president to wean Nigeria off petrodollars in four years. We rely on oil revenue for over 90% of our forex earnings and as much as 70% of national expenditure. It would be nothing short of magic to reduce dependency on petrodollars to 49% within four years. I am realistic enough to know that it would take consistency in planning and implementing sound policies over a period of time for us to be able to grow the alternatives to oil and diversify our sources of revenue. Let us not argue about that. But some things can be achieved within four years — the minimum length of tenure of Nigerian presidents and governors.

Indeed, some things are so straightforward — they can be tackled significantly by any leader in the short run. It is all in the mind.

It is about commitment and determination, driven by vision and passion. My intention today is to list four of such things, with specific focus on how they can impact on the lives of the ordinary Nigerians — not the obese elite. With a population of nearly 200 million, Nigeria offers a tragic example of a country where the elite enjoy all the goodies and the massive majority of the people are left to wallow in stinking poverty. It is one country where citizens are presented with budgets of billions of dollars every year yet their lives are not less wretched.

What can be done in four years? One, we can remarkably revive, revamp and expand our medical facilities within that period. What are the major problems? I would say insufficient bed space, lack of basic drugs, inadequate equipment, poor emergency response and overworked and under-motivated personnel, particularly doctors. How long will it take to create additional bed space? How long will it take to provide drugs? How long will it take to buy equipment? You may find this hard to believe, but it won’t take up to one thousand years. Any president or governor can significantly expand and equip general hospitals within one year. It’s the passion that is often missing.

We can’t produce all the doctors and specialists we need in four years, I know that very much. It takes an average of six years to train a doctor. So it takes time. But what are we doing to train enough doctors to meet our needs? Have we come up with any policies to fill the personnel gap? Are we offering enough incentives, in form of scholarships and enhanced working conditions, to attract more hands to the medical field?

Yari, Zamfara state governor

Even if we are short-staffed, we can bring in doctors from India, Pakistan and Cuba while we work hard at filling the gaps and producing our own doctors and specialists for the future. I can’t see any serious policy in that direction. I may be wrong.

Two, will it take a thousand years to reform and modernise the police force and make it more efficient to tackle common crimes and secure our communities? As things stand, only the rich are fairly safe. I use those words deliberately because, in truth, even the rich are not that safe in Nigeria, just that they are safer than the poor because they have the means to purchase security. They have siren and bullet-proof vehicles and fortresses and police escorts for personal safety, but they live in an unsafe society and are constantly looking over their shoulders. They feel safer in their mansions in Europe where there is neither fence nor police escort. That’s true security.

I again concede that common crimes are best tackled with economic prosperity. When the human being can meet basic needs and is gainfully engaged in earning an income, the pull of criminal activities is not as appealing as when the individual is idle. And to banish poverty is not a four-year job. It takes much longer. I wouldn’t argue otherwise. However, what would it take to reform the police for better performance within the circumstances that we have found ourselves? What would it take to equip major cities with CCTV cameras, provide the police with modern logistical backbone, and incentivise them to be proud of wearing the uniform?

Will it cost an eye and a leg to set up a world-class forensic lab for the police so that they can solve crimes in modern ways? In Nigeria today, the fingerprints and passport-size photographs of most criminals have been captured several times — through driver’s licence, BVN, international passport, national ID, SIM registration, population census, permanent voter cards and so on and so forth. Yet these data are meaningless as far as fighting and resolving crimes is concerned.

I do not think it will take a million years to put these basic tools in place to help the police combat crimes in a country where population is exploding by the minute. We are too archaic in our policing.

Three, the average Nigerian citizen feels voiceless and powerless — and it would not

take a million years to put basic processes and procedures in place to make them have a sense of belonging. Democracy is nothing if it does not serve the majority of the people who troop out to vote every four years. A police officer will slap a bus conductor and that is the end of the matter. People do not have a realistic way of seeking redress. A soldier will whiplash a defenceless citizen and that is it. Most Nigerians do not even believe they have a right to complain or seek redress. I have not spoken about unlawful arrests and detentions and extrajudicial killings.

That one is a long thing.

What would it take to energise the necessary government bodies to tackle human rights infractions? How can Nigerians easily lodge complaints with independent bodies and get justice? Why should citizens feel so helpless in their own country? If anarchy was more fanciful, why then should we have a government?

I am utterly saddened whenever I see the torture security agencies visit upon lowly Nigerians daily. Any president that is going to touch the lives of Nigerians and make them feel like human beings must pay attention to promoting and protecting their rights. It can happen within four years. The government must protect the people’s right to dignity.

Four, and this pertains to governors in particular, we can address the water and sanitation problems with short-term measures.

Every year, we experience cholera outbreaks in rural communities simply because there is no clean water. The unsanitary conditions also make poor people vulnerable to infections and diseases, although Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara would rather blame it on fornication. Will it take more than four years for a governor to sink boreholes and save poor citizens from drinking from polluted streams? When I was a kid, there were sanitary inspectors that made sure even our pots were hygienic. Will it take a thousand years to bring this back? My answer is no.

Someone is reading this and saying “it is easier said than done” — and this is how we mystify things in Nigeria. We make simple things look intricate, as if painting classrooms is as tasking as performing brain surgery.

What is the big deal? Is it rocket science to erect extra buildings for general hospitals and buy equipment from Germany and the US? What is so special about sinking boreholes in rural communities to tackle yearly cholera outbreaks? What is extraordinary about setting up a forensic lab for the police and installing CCTV cameras at strategic locations? We mystify no-brainers. That is why governors get chieftaincy titles for building a culvert.

I can list at least 50 things that can be achieved by any determined president or governor within four years. I am not saying Nigeria would not become South Korea in four years, or eight years, or even 16 years.

I am not preaching magic here. But if we cannot do the “complicated” things — such as assembling cars and mobile phones and getting the refineries to work (we’ve been burning forex on fuel importation since 1996, I reckon) — what is so sophisticated about buying drugs for the hospitals? I repeat: there are a million and one things a governor or president can do to make life less miserable for the ordinary Nigerians with four years. It is about vision, passion and priority.

And Four Other Things…

INDICTING OSINBAJO An ad-hoc committee of the house of representatives has indicted VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo for “illegally” approving N5.8 billion north-east intervention fund for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

It also recommended the dismissal and prosecution of Mr. Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, the NEMA DG, over allegations of “corruption and embezzlement of N33 billion emergency intervention fund”.

Osinbajo had in June 2017, while acting as president, approved the N5.8 billion under emergency, but there are processes to invoke such powers before spending public funds. Were the processes followed in line with the relevant laws? Worrisome.

OUR PRIORITIES And so, fellow Nigerians, we need N242 billion to fund the 2019 general election — according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies — and the best way to do this is to cut budgets for power, education and health, among others. The senate says that was the agreement that was reached with the executive, and so we should not complain. I am not saying we should not fund elections — the other option is not to hold the polls at all, which is not an option — but we had four years to prepare for the 2019 elections and now education and health have to suffer the consequences of our last-minute way of doing things.

Disheartening.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Sheikh Ebraheem El Zakzaky, leader of the naughty Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) who has been in detention since 2015, has been consuming food worth N3.5 million a month, according to Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the information minister.

Although the information was not for public consumption (no pun intended), I find it interesting that the feeding programme of the federal government could cost an average of N100,000 a day for someone who could be feeding himself at home after being granted bails several times by the courts. Something tells me the feeding cost covers his wives and children. There is the price we pay for disobeying the courts.

Costly.

AND FINALLY… Is your father a famous opposition politician but nobody knows you? Do you want to embarrass your father in exchange for two minutes of fame? Do you need to be fast-tracked to Aso Rock for a presidential handshake? Your worries are over. Simply send an email to the President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign spokesman, Mr. Festus Keyamo, and you will find yourself on national TV in a jiffy. Olajuwon Obasanjo and Ditan Okupe have been successfully signed on for this embarrass-your-father initiative. Tafawa Balewa, son of Nigeria’s late prime minister, also joined President Jonathan’s campaign in 2015 although for a different game. Bloodline.

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