SUNDAY 18TH NOVEMBER 2018

Reconstruction of Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki-Ojota to Gulp N73bn Bennett Oghifo The groundbreaking ceremony to begin the reconstruction of the 32-kilometre ApapaOshodi-Oworonshoki-Ojota in Lagos was performed yesterday by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing,

Mr. Babatunde Fashola, on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari. The reconstruction of the road’s Section 1, Sub-section A, will begin from the Olorogun Michael Ibru Boulevard (former Creek Road) end of Port Novo Bridge and

Liverpool road, in Apapa, through Coconut, Beachland Estate interchange bridge, Cele Bus Stop, Anthony Village, to Old Lagos Toll Gate.

The whole length of the road will be paved with reinforced concrete by Dangote Industries Limited at a whopping cost

of N73 billion, using the Road Trust Fund policy. The fund is a form of public, private partnership, conceived to accelerate the provision of federal roads by allowing private sector operators to collectively fund road projects in exchange for tax credit.

“The Road Trust Fund policy gives private sector operators an incentive to fund infrastructure with government. This is an innovative and laudable scheme, we are putting our money upfront,” said the President of Dangote Group,

Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

“We are actually advancing our tax to government upwards of almost four to six years. This is a novel idea that will, no doubt, lead to rapid economic Continued on page 12

NLC: We Won’t Succumb to Governors’ Antics over Minimum Wage… Page 91 Sunday 18 November, 2018 Vol 23. No 8614

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In Show of Strength, APC Floors PDP in Katsina, Kwara Bye-election Leads in Bauchi

Olawale Olaleye In what was no less a message, the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, defeated its main rival, the

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in two bye-elections conducted for Kankiya/ Kusada/Ingawa Federal Constituency area of Katsina state and Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/

Oke-Ero Federal Constituency Area of Kwara State, while maintaining lead in Toro Federal Constituency area of Bauchi State.

In Katsina bye-election, the

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Alhaji Abubakar Kusada, a former speaker of the state, as winner after polling 48,518 votes.

The returning officer, Prof Adedayo Hamza, who announced the result, said Alhaji Abdussamad Yusuf of PDP came second with 20,193 votes, while Nasiru Kankiya

of the Peoples Redemption Party scored 1,810 votes as second runner-up. Abdullahi Umar of the Yes Electorate Continued on page 12

Atiku: We’ll End Hunger, Bad Governance by APC Launches campaign on Facebook Buhari presents scorecard to Nigerians today Daji Sani in Yola As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lifts the ban on campaign for the 2019 presidential and National Assembly elections today, the main political parties are rolling out activities to mark the beginning of electioneering.

While the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has promised that his party will reverse the dire economic fortunes of Nigerians if voted into power next year, President Muhammadu Buhari is set to roll out his achievements in the last three and a half years in office. Atiku stated his desire to end hunger, Continued on page 12

CONCRETE TO THE RESCUE...

L-R: Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala Usman; President, Dangote Industries, Aliko Dangote; Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode; Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Babatunde Fashola; Chairman Senate Committee on Works, Senator Kabiru Gaya and Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction of Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota Expressway in Apapa… yesterday

See THISDAY Weekly Guide to 2019… Pages 18-19

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

PAGE TWELVE

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE CORNER AS ZENITH BANK LIGHTS UP AJOSE ADEOGUN... yesterday

SUNDAY ADIGUN

ATIKU: WE’LL END HUNGER, STARVATION, BAD GOVERNANCE BY APC starvation and bad governance by the APC yesterday at his residence in Yola, the Adamawa State capital. He called on the electorate to vote PDP at all levels of government during the 2019 general election, saying only the party has the capacity to rescue Nigerians from their current suffering orchestrated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Besides, in a manner reminiscent of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2011 presidential election declaration, Atiku will kick-start his campaign through an address to the Nigerian people on Facebook at 12 noon on Monday, where he will launch his policy document.

This was disclosed yesterday by his campaign organisation.

In a related development, Buhari will today in Abuja present his scorecard to the country to try to prop up his second term bid. The presentation is part of activities leading to the formal campaign flag-off for the 2019 presidential election.

It will involve interactions by Buhari with a select group representing major segments of the Nigerian society to showcase his achievements in office in the last three and a half years.

Atiku explained that the PDP

was ready to rescue Nigeria’s economy, restore its glory and project the country as the giant of Africa. He said he would unveil his mission plan in Abuja and Nigerians will see PDP’s strategy for ending hunger and bad governance in the country.

According to the former vice president, his mission plan will give the country hope in security, economic development, education, employment, and stability.

He said, "We are committed to change the narratives of this country from bad to good and give hope to our youths, women and the older age groups of this nation.

"With all sense of belonging, we don't have any country elsewhere.

If we don't put our country in order, who will put it for us? It is time to make a difference.�

Atiku’s campaign organisation said his decision to begin his presidential campaign with the launch of his policy document was to reiterate his commitment to run an issue-based campaign.

A statement by the organisation said Atiku’s address would present his vision for Nigeria and his action plan to achieve it as encapsulated in his policy document. It said the document would be promptly uploaded on the former vice president’s website (www.atiku.org) for all

Nigerians to access at no cost.

The statement said, “The intention is to take our policy directly to Nigerians and to register the belief of Atiku Abubakar that it will take the collective efforts of every Nigerian to rebuild the country. That is why we want Nigerians to access the policy directly and ultimately take ownership of it. “Our campaign offers a simple message: united, the people of Nigeria can begin anew, creating a prosperous and secure future and a better life for every Nigerian. “On the first working day of the campaign, the PDP and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, will put forward his plan to get Nigeria working again. “We have chosen to do this by having the PDP presidential candidate speaking directly to the Nigerian people on Facebook.

This medium came about as part of the telecommunications revolution that he helped start as Vice President in 1999-2007.�

Atiku explained that his policy document focused on creating jobs, ensuring security, growing business, developing power and water infrastructure, agriculture, education, and women empowerment.

He added, “Our policies outline the goals and methods for developing and revitalising

Nigeria as the foundation of our campaign. “This policy document is being launched to encourage a dialogue with the people of Nigeria, inviting everyone to join us in helping to get Nigeria working again.�

The former vice president said he looked forward to conducting vital discussions as he travels across the length and breadth of Nigeria, meeting and talking with stakeholders: famers, small business people, workers, students, mothers, and children.

Atiku, who was received at the Yola International Airport by his supporters, said, regarding his homecoming, that they had gone to Port Harcourt for the PDP presidential primaries and conquered and there was need to come home to brief the stakeholders of the state on their success. He said Adamawa people should be grateful to the Almighty God for selecting their son to run for the country’s presidential seat, saying he will be victorious come 2019 by God's grace.

Buhari to List Achievements Meanwhile, following allegations of non-performance, especially from the main opposition party,

PDP, Buhari and his party will use today’s scorecard presentation to try to be preempt the opposition, which plans to start its national campaign on Monday.

According to the official invitation for the event, signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, it is expected to commence by 4.30 pm.

Both Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osibanjo will host the event.

Christened, "The Next Level the Achievements and Projections of the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration,� the event would be a self-appraisal for the president and his campaign team before going out to face Nigerians.

Spokesman of the President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, told THISDAY yesterday evening that the president will formally present his three and a half years scorecard to Nigerians as a mark of honour before going ahead with campaigns for re-election. “The president believes it is important to first tell Nigerians what he has achieved. We feel it is not proper to kick-start the campaigns without telling people what you have achieved so far,"

Keyamo said.

He explained that the party was mapping out series of activities to usher in the presidential campaign.

Keyamo said, "To kick-start that, we are having an event tomorrow at the banquet hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja ostensibly to tell people what we have achieved in the last three and a half years. That event will also present the next level of our intervention. That was not done in the past but we want to start it by showing what we have done first.�

A statement issued yesterday by the Buhari campaign organisation, signed by Keyamo, said, “As campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections officially kick off tomorrow, President Muhammadu Buhari has decided to first showcase his achievements and projections for the next four years to Nigerians before the official flag-off of the campaigns. The event for this presentation is tagged ‘THE NEXT LEVEL’, which will take place at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa on Sunday, November 18, 2018, from 5pm to 8pm. It would be broadcast live from different TV stations and will be a precursor to the official flag-off of the campaigns.

of Nigeria.

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing recalled that the road being reconstructed was built between 1975 and 1978 and since then it had not been expanded, even with the increase in port activities and vehicular movement. Fashola said there would be a lot of pain and distress during the reconstruction period but explained that truck owners and drivers should stick to a lane to enable other road users go through.

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said PPP was the way to go in infrastructural development and concrete pavement was the best

solution for the Lagos terrain.

Ambode thanked the federal government for refunding the money the state spent on federal roads within the state.

The groundbreaking was attended by Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya; Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Chairman, Apapa Residents Association, Brig-Gen. Sola Ayo-Vaughan (Rtd), and the leadership of the Association of Owners of Trucks and the Drivers’ arm, among others.

The Vice President of NATO, Abdullahi Enuwa, asked for advice on alternative routes to use and also said there should be palliatives.

are sending wrong signals. Our democracy is being undermined with this misuse of our nation’s security apparatus,� he said.

Meanwhile, in Bauchi, details of the bye-election results had not been released when the newspaper went to press, but INEC had earlier hinted that only two political parties fielded candidates for the Toro Federal Constituency Area of the state.

Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Bauchi, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi listed

the two candidates as Mr. Yusuf Nuhu of the APC and Alhaji Shehu Umar of the PDP. He said that INEC had recruited 1,550 ad hoc staff to man 1,553 polling units in the 11 wards within the federal constituency.

Unconfirmed reports had claimed the APC was in comfortable lead in the election.

The Bauchi by-election was called as the aftermath of the death of Senator Ali Wakili, who represented Bauchi South in the senate.

RECONSTRUCTION OF APAPA-OSHODI-OWORONSHOKI-OJOTA TO GULP N73BN growth through significant infrastructure improvement.

We look forward to doing more of this infrastructure with government,� he added.

Dangote lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for establishing the Road Trust Fund, which he said is targeted at constructing major commercial corridors with heavy vehicular traffic, saying, “This will surely open up the economy, boost our ease of doing business and also improve our ranking considerably in the annual global competitiveness report.�

He said last year, his company’s corporate tax, withholding tax and education tax alone got to N97.6 billion

and that he was sure that this year, “Our taxes will be over 160 billion, by next year it should be over N200 billion. So, it is a wise thing for us to work with the government, because those roads that are not delivered on time, can actually be delivered on time and on budget, because if there is money for it, then there will be no excuse to increase cost.�

Dangote said the project, which would be the largest concrete road in West Africa, had a two-year construction period and it would be completed on budget and ahead of schedule, adding that the road would have a minimum lifespan of 45 to 50 years.

“I want to assure your excellences that this road will be the first road we will finish ahead of schedule in the country, and it will also be finished on budget and it would be the largest concrete road in West Africa. I promise you it will be completed ahead of schedule; with this road our own name will be at stake,� Dangote stated.

He said they would make sure that the road was done properly and delivered free of trouble, stressing that on completion, the revenues of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and that of Dangote and other companies doing business in Apapa would quadruple.

Dangote said his company

was not participating in this scheme or advocating the use of rigid concrete because they produce cement, “rather we believe in opening Nigeria.�

He said they would not leave any stone unturned in ensuring the road was done properly.

He thanked the Chairman of Chargoury Group, whose Hitech Construction Company is partnering with them.

Dangote thanked the present and previous governors of Lagos State for making their projects in Ibeju Lekki possible, adding that “people need to realise that the revenue from that project alone is one and a half times the budget of all the states and local governments

IN SHOW OF STRENGTH, APC FLOORS PDP IN KATSINA, KWARA BYE-ELECTION Solidarity (YES) got 221 votes.

According to Hamza, the total number of registered voters in the constituency was 193,904, while the number of accredited voters was 74,242.

The number of valid votes cast was 70,742 and rejected votes, 2,331.The total number of votes cast was 73,073.

However, from Kwara, INEC, late Saturday night, confirmed Raheem Olawuyi, candidate of the APC as winner of the Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero

constituency.

INEC’s Chief Returning Officer for the poll, Prof. Abimbola Adesoji, said Olawuyi polled 21,236 votes, while his main PDP rival, Jimoh Alatise scored 18,095 votes.

The Labour Party had 150 votes, the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) cored 76 votes and UPN had 42 votes.

Professor Adesoji said out of the 40,930 total votes cast, the total number of valid votes was 39,599 while 1,331 votes were rejected.

Reacting to the news, President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, thanked the people of Ekiti/Oke Ero/Isin/Irepodun, who “came out to vote today — defying the heavy intimidation and the siege laid by the security agents and thugs invited into the 4 LGAs by the APC. “The public should note that today’s #KwaraByElection was simply between PDP and security agents plus APC. This was due to the heavy deployment of police, soldiers and other security agents

who gathered to support APC and harass PDP leaders and supporters. “This is the first time that elections in Kwara State will be held under such charged, tensed and militarised conditions. We had INEC officials complaining about their own safety — and PDP supporters were brazenly intimidated, which resulted in low turnout of voters. “It is important to reiterate that ahead of the 2019 elections, such open displays of intimidation

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SUNDAY COMMENT

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

LET’S HAVE ISSUES-BASED CAMPAIGNS Politicians must break the mould of politics by addressing the issues of the day

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f the morning, as they say, shows the day, Nigerians should be worried by what the future of our democracy portends. Although the electioneering campaigns for the February 2019 election begins officially just today,politicians across board have already given indications of what to expect with their actions and utterances in recent weeks. Far from being a contest of ideas and issues, what the managers of the campaigns seem prepared for is how to throw muds at one another. It may therefore be important for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remind the candidates and their parties of their obligation to run decent campaigns as stipulated in the code of conduct for the elections.

Although there are dozens of candidates and political parties in the contest for practically all the offices, including the presidency, the protagonists of these negative campaigns can be located mostly within the ruling All Progressives Congress Nigeria needs a (APC) and the main clear direction on opposition Peoples the way forward, Democratic Party (PDP). For instance, especially in three officials and operatives critical areas that of both parties have have proved difficult only been trading accusations and counterfor succeeding accusations of corruption administrations: without telling the people restoration of how to address the multifarious challenges crying security, prudent for attention. Abuses, management of name-calling, damaging the economy and allegations and releasing video and audio messages tackling corruption in the social media are the new campaign weapons.

Meanwhile, in recent weeks, Nigerians have been treated to a gale of defections by politicians at virtually all levels as they seek tickets to contest elections. While we concede that these politicians have the right to defect to any party of their choice, especially in seeking platforms to realise their ambitions, a situation where those who aspire to lead the people change parties like articles of clothing raises questions about the content and character of our democracy. Interestingly, many of them only see the bad side of their parties whenever they

Letters to the Editor

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pregnant woman is rushed into a hospital where talented surgeons, anaesthesiologists, obstetricians and nurses work tirelessly to save both mother and child. The mother delivers a beautiful baby boy, three months premature. After six weeks in the hospital, most of which is spent in an incubator, the baby is finally able to go home with his overjoyed mother and father. As the family leaves, they make sure to thank the doctors, the nurses, cleaners, receptionist and everyone who they came in contact with during what was one of the most difficult time in their lives, but one that thankfully had a happy ending.

No one ever stops to thank the incubators that kept the baby safe as it developed, or the anaesthesia machines that enable the doctors to operate on the mother or the

stop benefiting from tickets, positions and appointments.

M

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

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI , PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS ERIC OJEH, PATRICK EIMIUHI ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

ore disturbing, however, is that less than three months to the presidential election, the amount of abusive and inciting messages making rounds in both traditional and social media is sickening. Yet as we have stated in a recent editorial, more than at any period in our history, Nigeria needs a clear direction on the way forward, especially in three critical areas that have proved difficult for succeeding administrations: restoration of security, prudent management of the economy and tackling of corruption.

Who will handle these issues better is a question the electorate should be able to answer before exercising their franchise in February next year.

For sure, the coming presidential election has thrown up some respected candidates who ordinarily come with brilliant ideas. But majority of them are disadvantaged by lack of resources and weak political structures. Some of them are also inexperienced and command no name recognition. Therefore, it is safe to conclude that the choice before the electorate is basicallybetween incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC who is campaigning on a platform of sustaining his legacy and the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, a former vice-president who is campaigning to ‘make Nigeria to work again’.

The 2019 general election is very crucial for our country.

Nigeria is today confronted by a myriad of problems: our country is regarded as the poverty capital of the world; there is a serious crisis in social sector like education and health. Despite repeated promises by succeeding governments, corruption is still pervasive. Majority of our young people are jobless and losing hope and the security challenge is monumental. How will the candidates deal with these challenges? How will they get the country out of the woods? These are the issues of the day that must be addressed.

The essence of political campaigns is to help the electorate in making the right choice. That can only happen if there is a contestation of ideas on critical issues (not on religion, ethnicity, certificates or who is more corrupt than the other). Besides, this time around, 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.

Beginning from today, the candidates should speak to the issues that affect the ordinary Nigerians. And they should tell us how they will address those challenges. We have had enough of sabre rattling.

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.

Saving Lives With Medical Equipment MRI machines whose detailed images help doctors identify internal ailments or the many other critical life-saving machines that play a role in saving precious lives.

When everything goes well, no one stops to imagine what would happen if these machines were not working, if there was no incubator to keep the baby safe while he developed his under-formed internal organs. No one stops to imagine the unimaginable, until the imaginable does happen.

The reality is that no matter how skilled and experienced a doctor or nurse is, there is a limit to what they can do with just their skills and passion. In the absence of the vital life-saving equipment required for effective diagnosis, testing and treatment, these talented doctors and nurses simply cannot save lives.

According to the National Demographics and Health Survey

(NDHS, 2013), Nigeria loses as many as 576 women per 100,000 childbirths and 37 newborn deaths per 1,000 live births, placing the country among the worst ratios for both maternal and newborn deaths globally. Worse still, it is estimated that about 90% of these deaths are preventable with essential interventions (availability of professional care/vital devices) reaching women and newborns on time.

Many of these interventions are impossible without properly functioning medical equipment and unfortunately most of the medical equipment in Nigerian hospitals no longer function efficiently and, in most cases, no longer function at all.

This means that many mums and babies who would have otherwise lived are sent to an early avoidable grave.

When we consider the critical importance of machines in saving

lives, and the costs of acquiring these machines in the first place, it becomes clear that the acquisition of equipment through either donations, lease or loans, purchase or any other means cannot be done in isolation but must be complemented with the availability of a skilled technical workforce that has the ability to use these machines properly and to keep them humming for years to come.

If this is not the case, new machines soon graduate to decorative pieces of furniture lining the corridors of hospital instead of performing the life-saving duties they were meant to perform.

This is why Coca-Cola, through its Safe Birth Initiative (SBI) which is donating critical life-saving medical equipment to hospitals across Nigeria, teamed up with Engineering World Health to deliver intensive training programmes to technicians from the beneficiary hospitals to ensure that the machines perform their fundamental raison d'être - saving lives - for many years to come.

SBI is focused on supporting doctors and nurses to achieve successful birth outcomes by strengthening the capacity of target public hospitals in three critical areas. These three areas are: the procurement of vital maternal and neonatal medical equipment and supplies to enable safe deliveries and post-delivery emergency cares; training biomedical engineering technicians to improve equipment maintenance and uptime; and reactivating a large stock of abandoned medical equipment wasting away in public hospitals.

The programme recently celebrated the graduation of the first set of biomedical engineering technicians who had undergone the intensive two-week capacity training, focused on improving equipment maintenance and uptime, at the School of Biomedical Engineering, Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

–Bukola Bolarinwa is a lawyer and health advocate

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ÍŻÍśËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś Ëž THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

OPINION Peace Fiesta For And By Africa Okello Oculi seeks backing from all quarters to celebrate the liberation of the continent

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ovember 11, 2018 was celebrated with much pageantry by leaders from 70 countries assembled in Paris, while the British saved their Queen from un-British dank alien weather by holding a “nationalistic’’ one in London. With the horrendous figure of 10 to 19 million deaths – depending on which estimate seems appropriate – the end of World War 1 deserves dignified mourning.

The organisers allowed for some discrepancies. The German Chancellor, for example, knew that in Russia where her government smuggled Vladimir Lenin as leader of Bolshevik communists back into Russia to grab power from the Czar, American, British and French governments rose to support a counter-revolutionary war to dislodge Lenin’s new government.

Another notable snag was the absence of African, Arab, Indian, Vietnamese and Indonesian troops - countries colonised

by European combatants. Perhaps the paradox of their participation in killing German troops and those of her Ottoman Turkish allies resulting in stirring up demands for independence against colonising empires was too bitter to include in the celebration soup.

Some voices complained that governments counted only deaths and injuries among their soldiers but not among civilians. In Tanganyika, for example, the mobile war by a German general around the colony caused famines due to cereals and livestock seized from local communities as well as deaths from exhaustion in carrying weapons. Casualties from colonies were not buried in graves. Their names were merely written on stone walls.

Among those denied graves were heads of commercial enterprises, industries and manufacturers whose invisible hands stoked the war. They had grinned and picked their teeth knowingly when politicians claimed that World War 1 taught a lesson that would inhibit all future impulses for war. The claim was in the slogan that it “would end all wars’’.

What these industrialists knew was that the struggle for raw materials from the colonies would intensify; and African, Arab and Asian peoples would suffer forever more. Vladimir Lenin

exposed hands of American and European banks and finance capital going on the rampage across foreign lands and sought to arouse opposition against them among exploited peoples.

George Padmore - a Caribbean intellectual and an ally of Lenin - surveyed British colonies and, in 1956, published the book “How Britain Rules Africa’’ as part of the campaign to arouse political rebellion among Africans. His meeting with Kwame Nkrumah in London in 1945 would carry forward demands launched by W.E.B. Dubois that the treaty ending World War1 must reward African soldiers with freedom and independence.

Nkrumah as Prime Minister of newly independent Ghana, convened in 1958 an “All Africa Conference’’ at Accra. It was attended by politicians from both newly independent and non-independent Africans that were on the march to give the second half of the 20th Century the glorified mission of Africa Democratising Human History.

The march became hotter and blood-drenched. The war for liberation of occupied land began in Algeria. Three million French settlers in agriculture, commerce and government organs called on troops from France to join them in a brutal war for slaughtering Algerians into silence. Abdel Aziz Bouteflika, the current president of Algeria, as an 18-year-old militant, was carrying messages from fighters lodged in the mountains of Tunisia to fighters hidden in the labyrinth of the Arab Quarter of Algiers and Oran. He must have massaged his memories as he witnesses the ceremonies in Paris.

The day the last gun went silent as liberation ďŹ ghters waved in victory dances and songs must every year be honoured by Africa’s presidents, military, youths, women and musicians assembled

In 1961 Dr Eduardo Mondlane visited newly independent Tanganyika, a former trustee Territory of the United Nations, to check on its tender walk with Uhuru (independence). He was Professor of Anthropology at Syracuse University who was serving on a Visiting Mission of the United Nations. Prime Minister Julius Nyerere is reported to have called him aside and asked Mondlane if he would carry the cross of winning freedom for Mozambique, his homeland, from Portuguese colonial dictatorship.

If he was willing to try, Tanganyika would support him.

When we met him in Dar es Salaam in 1966, he was leading the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO). The Portuguese Secret Police (PIDE) later assassinated him with a letter-bomb.

Amilcar Cabral used his research tour of provinces of Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde to map the economic needs of farmers, fishermen/women and herders of cattle and other livestock, as well as those of under-employed youths in urban areas. What he saw convinced him that his people were not the village idiots that Karl Marx imagined. They understood the texture of Portuguese exploitation. They could, if given new awareness, fight a war for freedom from oppression and exploitation.

A union between Samora Machel (of Mozambique), Agustinho Neto (of Angola), and Amilcar Cabral, evolved the conviction in the power of trained rural communities and urban militants to fight and defeat colonial armies. Robert Mugabe joined them in Zimbabwe. Likewise, Sam Nujoma of South-West Africa (now Namibia). The African National Congress (ANC) and PAIGC campaigned vigorously abroad to tame support for racist dictatorships by Margaret Thatcher, Dictator Salazaar and President Reagan.

Africa’s warriors for Liberation bled for four decades to crown the last half of the 20th Century with respect for human dignity by declaring Apartheid as “A Crime Against Humanity’’. The day the last gun went silent as liberation fighters waved in victory dances and songs must every year be honoured by Africa’s presidents, military, youths, women and musicians assembled. ––Prof Oculi is of the Africa Vision 525 Initiative

Shi’ites’ Lives Also Matter The Shi’ites should be meaningfully engaged to resolve all areas of dispute, writes Jude Ndukwe

S

o much has been said about the growing fractious relationship between the military and the civil society.

Before now, our military especially the army, had been the bastion of discipline, restraint and civility. Growing up, a lot of us fantasized about how we would join the military, and shine before our civilian mates with our neat and well-ironed uniforms, shiny boots and smart looks. We fantasized and boasted about how we would defend our nation and people against any external aggression from any quarters no matter how powerful. We boasted of how we would dare fires no matter how wild, jump into them to save trapped citizens. We even boasted of how “bloody civilians� would confront us and instead of retaliating, we just laugh them off because “they do not know what they are doing�. Our dream as future military officers was to serve the people and the nation and make ourselves the envy of many through our behaviours.

We never ever thought that a time would come in our lifetime when the military would turn its guns on civilians, fellow citizens, no matter the provocation. We also never thought of a time that the mutual hatred and mistrust between the military and the civilian populace would be so toxic that a civilian band would attack and kill a retired military General the way it happened to General Idris Alkali in Jos, Plateau State. But, alas, such a time, unfortunately, is now with us!

Recently, we witnessed the avoidable clashes between the army and members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN). I can confirm from my personal experience and interaction with the Shiites that IMN is never a violent group as some would want us to believe. And they are hardly discriminatory in their operations. I delivered a paper at the group’s 3rd International Quds Conference which held in Abuja on July 29, 2017. Apart from the fact that I am not only a Christian, I wish to emphasise that I am also a knighted Catholic.

There were also other Christians at the event. I am also aware that there are several other Christians who have become part and parcel of this annual conference. So, the narrative being created by some government officials about the Shiites as violent people full of hate for others is not only wrong but also misleading and mischievous. The truth is that unlike other Islamic denominations, the Shiites have no record of any act of wilful violence against the nation nor can anyone tag them as terrorists, yet, they are an Islamic group some government officials love to hate, malign and calumniate.

In a government report following a public inquiry into the massacre of the Shiites in December 2015, it was said that 347 Shia Muslims were killed by men of the Nigerian Army and their

corpses dumped in a mass grave in the northern city of Kaduna.

The report also demanded that all those involved in the killings be arrested and prosecuted. But up till now, nothing has been heard about it. Those indicted are rather praised and become emboldened to continue the wanton killing of fellow citizens, they are trained to protect, even at little or no provocation.

This vicious cycle has continued unabated. Citizens have become endangered species in the hands of the military. The military has turned itself to a uniformed emperor that must not be questioned, that must not be criticised and not even complimented. Is this our dream military?

The other day, a video of a lady military officer who led a group of other military officers to viciously assault a civilian simply for complimenting her for her beauty, went viral. That was the height of military bestiality and excess show of hate for the civilian populace, and this has increased over time as culprits are either covered up or allowed to go scot free by those who are supposed to punish such erring officers. To make matters worse, the army keeps needlessly engaging civil society organisations (CSOs) in exchanges over matters in which they are clearly in breach of common sense, law and civility.

The other day, a soldier attached to Operation Safe Haven, shot dead an unarmed security personnel and injured two others attached to Diamond Bank in Jos over an innocuous argument about a parking space. That was a citizen, probably someone’s father and husband, with other loved ones, who had life snuffed out of him just like that as if he did not matter or his life was of no importance.

These and many other gruesome examples show that the issue is not just about the Shiites and the label of recalcitrance imposed upon them by those who take joy in mowing them down hiding behind such labels, it is about the loss of discipline and professionalism in the Nigerian army.

Let us even assume without conceding that the Shiites were wrong the first time when they were said to have “blocked� a consignment of ammunition in transit, resulting in their being fatally shot. What about the one that happened in Abuja shortly afterwards? Was there another consignment being blocked?

I read what some military officer said that they would not allow the Shiites to breach the rights of other citizens. The question is this: when has it become the primary duty and responsibility of the military to guarantee the rights of citizens in peace time?

What then is the function of the police and their different specialised arms trained to deal with such issues as it should be?

With the way it is now, the Shiites have become endangered species who must not exercise their rights as citizens, they must

not assemble, they must not associate and they must not express themselves freely despite the fact that their leader, Sheikh El Zakzaky and his wife, have been in illegal detention and unlawful custody of government going to three years now. This surely is a recipe for continued breach of the peace. And it is not only the Shiites that have become endangered species in the hands of the military, we all have.

While military sources have given six as number of casualties at both incidents in Zuba and Abuja, the Shiites have since released names of the victims numbering 34. Viral videos of the two incidents in both Zuba and Abuja show fleeing Shiites being shot at; even after they had been dispersed, they were still pursued by gun wielding officers. Their offence was that they had stones and catapults as “weapons�, and the army would have none of it. Yet, in this same country, former President Goodluck Jonathan had his convoy stoned by some mischievous and misguided youths in Bauchi and he gave a stern instruction to his security personnel not to open fire. He was rather ferried away amidst the hail of stones. That was the Commander-inChief.

So, in such situations, particularly the unwarranted killing of the Shiites in Abuja, the army has other options to neutralise the protesting Shiites, that is, if they must be involved. Or else, deploying anti-riot policemen to such a scene would have made more sense than directly engaging youths exercising their rights of assembly, movement and association over government flagrant disobedience to valid court orders granting their leader bail.

Just few days ago, on TV, the army spokesman, John Agim, was quoted to have said that “Several times, those people were arrested and they were released without any sanction. We have a country where nobody is sanctioned for doing something wrong. Evans, the kingpin kidnapper came out confessing. Over one year now, what has happened?�

When you have a military with this mindset of meting out immediate punishment and inflicting death as punishment to offenders because it does not believe in the judiciary, then the nation is in deep trouble. When an army spokesperson thinks that self-confession is enough to conclude a criminal matter in a jiffy and declare an offender guilty by force and not by law, it becomes a monumental security challenge that requires an aggressive reorientation of our military high command to bring them at par with best civil practices all over the world in military/civilian relationship. It is such beliefs as that of Agim that have reduced our military once envied for its discipline and professionalism to that feared rather than respected by citizens.

17

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 18, 2018

LETTERS

I

Lagos MOJ And Its ADR Mechanism

t was the former US President, Mr Barack Obama who said that for African nations to develop and join the comity of modern societies, she needs strong institutions more than strong men. The implication of that statement is that only strong institutions that uphold noble values such as observance and respect of the rule of law, integrity and awareness that they exist primarily to serve public good are capable of uplifting the profile of any nation in the world.

In any country where institutions pay attention to the whims and caprices of perceived strong individuals, cliques or cronies in order to preserve their interests or “reputation” such a society is doomed unless such dangerous attitude to public matters is checkmated. This is at the root of Nigeria’s underdevelopment. Right from when the first Republic was crushed

by Nigeria’s military men on allegation of the political class’ penchant for collecting 10 per cent kick-backs, this malfeasance still persists.

The advent of democracy in 1999 unfortunately has equally failed to stem nepotistic bigotry and provocative discriminations which some public institutions in some parts of this country blatantly exhibit to some other fellow

Kazeem, Lagos State Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice

Nigerians because of their ethnic background and some other primordial reasons in a nation crying for unity.

Pointedly, one public institution in Nigeria that has come to symbolise all the hypocrisy of Nigeria’s ‘oneness’, and more troubling, the rot and human resource inadequacies in the country’s public institutions is the ubiquitous Lagos State Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and it sprawling judicial complexes here and there. Here in this Ministry, bureaucracy can be agonis-

ing, irritating and if one’s temperament snaps—can lead to physical combat between a visitor and staff of the ministry. It takes a wholesome two weeks for one piece of paper or memo to reach the table of the superior officer.

If you, the enquirer is not physically present every day, forget the matter. Up to six to seven members of staff do the job only one person does. The other five clerks just sit on the paper until you repeat two or three days later, before he shifts it to the next table. The

pass continues until it touches every palm in the office before the paper reaches the table of the director down stairs who also has a retinue of about six or seven attendants who must hold on to the paper while the rests shuttle through and fro the convenience rooms as if consulting an oracle shrine.

There is no other state judiciary in the country that has made so much noise about the efficacy and usefulness of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism as a legal shortcut to resolving disputes more than the Lagos State Ministry of Justice. But when after a rigorous year-long mediation by that ministry’s legal staff, a minor dispute such as employer/employee dispute over mode of disengagement and remuneration still runs into court ligation, then it says something about the quality of the mediation, and the essence of the much-trumpeted ADR in the first place.

Of course, if there had been a quality mediation whereby the mediators ably explain to both complainant and respondent the implications of their actions before the law, both would have come to a better appreciation of their respective positions, and shifted from their original standpoint in order to yield to a compelling agreement. But not when what passes as mediation is a

Beyond Tolerance And Traditional Beliefs

A

s 2019 approaches all our discourse has been taken over by the political mess we have found ourselves since independence. But there may yet be time for the more pertinent issue of why we are so blest. Truth spoken, it’s time we looked back at how we left the path of our forefathers for those of aliens in saviour clothing. A situation that has left the nation with all kinds of public holidays dedicated to these foreign beliefs but none to our indigenous faiths.

Thus, that the recent Beyond Tolerance event held in Abuja beamed its searchlight on the practice of our traditional religion(s) in Nigeria today came as no surprise to me.

Held under the auspices of the Heinrich Boll Foundation, it left none of the participants in doubt of the great need there is for such fora. The more so if we ever hope to recover the years hitherto lost to the locusts of intolerance. In the main, the event featured the premiere of the eponymous documentary film. It starred the likes of Dubi Imevbore, Ayinke Adefemi and Ifagbenusola Popoola who have individually found reason not to stray from our tradition based on personal conviction.

Unlike many that have swallowed the foreign beliefs hook, line, sinker and pedestal, they have been able to discern the wheat from its chaff and stuck to their roots.

The event proper kicked off with a discussion on the mounting cases of the

destruction of the few artefacts of our traditional religion yet standing. Mostly, these are carried out by fanatics of the revealed religions. Ever since they ‘invaded’ our continent from without roughly some 2000 years ago, their aim in view has been the extermination of what they met on ground. A role that has since been usurped by their later-day cohorts in different clothing. As highlighted by Dr Hambolu of the archaeology department of the University of Jos, in ignorance, they willingly destroy these haloed sites.

According to another discussant, Ike Nwakanma, of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Traditional Religion, nowhere is this ‘stupidity’ as advertised as it is in Nollywood films. In his words, it has been the vogue in these video-films to cast our traditional belief systems in the worst of lights, as though evil is our second nature. A trend he wants checked before it rubbishes us as a people.

If anything, though, Beyond Tolerance has shown that although often derided and denied in high places, our past is yet undue for passage into premature desuetude. Quite aptly, it managed to highlight the enigma, stigma and dilemma of practising these pristine belief systems these days. All leaving a hanging question on all lips: But why not? After all, it guided our forebears through life; well, indeed, before the ‘invasions’ notably from the Middle East.

Like is encountered at every turn, these revelations that

are only about 2000 years of existence. Yet they have more or less aimed at eclipsing aboriginal belief systems inherited with the earth peoples have trod since time immemorial.

Take Christianity, for instance. The attempt by Jesus’ apostles to supplant the subsisting order in Jerusalem with the new belief met a brick wall; one so strong that they could not but flee its incipient persecution. A development that was to follow them up till the powers in Rome gave them reprieve.

The situation was to take a different turn when Africa joined the fray. Though the north of the continent was to gain from apostolic missions, whatever it gained was later almost wiped out to Islam, after close to 400 years! So much that but for the Ethiopian and Coptic churches there would easily have been no Christian effort to cite up there.

Yet, the sub-Saharan effect which has slowly crept past its second centenary came differently. With the downward march of the Islamic Jihadists stopped by the combined forces of dense vegetation, tsetse flies and mosquitoes, the Christians could not come till following the rejuvenation occasioned by the Protestant Revolution. The earlier efforts, bulled by the Pope, having only scratched the surface before petering out with ignominy.

However, thanks but no thanks to the early Christian converts, being a Christian was

made akin to disowning your past and patrimony. These proselytes introduced to the three Rs of reading, ‘riting and ‘ritmetic soon progressed to weep more than their bereaved masters. This saw our god(s) labelled pieces of wood; our symbols, fetish.

No sooner posted to man/ woman the teaching positions in the missionary schools, they started feeding us with such instructions like that the Niger, on which our ancestors played, fished and travelled alive, was ‘discovered’ by a Scot!

And this is what makes the Beyond Tolerance documentary and event most evocative. While these neo-Christian converts revelled in their zeal, they forgot that time, according to the late poet/dramatist Esiaba Irobi, apart from wounding all heals, also has the capacity to heel all wounds. With most of these early converts now long gone, their children armed with more purpose-driven education are better groomed to see beyond the lies. Hence, there is no better time than now for us to think about the circumstances that led us into these various extraneous belief systems holding us by the jugular. For, if indeed the world is one, and there is no human habitation that did not have an aboriginal belief system in place upon their ‘discovery’, then it is up to none of them to enforce theirs on others.

Isidore Emeka Uzoatu, author of the novel Vision Impossible, wrote from Onitsha

private tete-a-tete between the mediator and the respondent in one corner, and a pacifying sermon to the complainant at the other corner. This leaves room for suspicion.

The case of one complainant this author encountered shows that those judicial staff saddled with Lagos State ADR system needs to improve on their methods if that ADR platform is worth the hoopla made about it.

The MOJ should re-appraise the methodology of its ADR .If the existing platforms do not have power to enforce their opinions or resolutions

on disputes brought before them, they should at least be able to make wholesome recommendations that can help other departments resolve justifiably issues brought before them. Otherwise these platforms merely exist as jobs for the girls, without any derivable value in the state’s quest to make justice available to its residents. At least this much Lagos should be able to render to its sundry tax payers if it cannot be able to complete the litany of uncompleted projects littering here and there.

––Sam Nwokoro, Lagos.

Cruelty And The Future of Our Nation

W

hen Niccolo Machiavelli first came up with the idea that cruelty could be rightly or wrongly employed in governing a country, he may have had Nigeria in mind. According to him, ‘cruelty is used well” (if it is permissible to talk in this way of what is evil) “when it is employed once for all, and one’s safety depends on it, and then it is not persisted in but as far as possible turned to the good of one’s subjects.

Again, cruelty badly used is that which, although infrequent to start with, as time goes, rather than disappearing, grows in intensity’’.

Unfortunately, this is where we are today.

Going by the records, Nigerians in case after case have witnessed situations where politicians/leaders come up with policies aimed at starving hapless civil servants/ pensioners to their early graves.

And security agents take laws into their hands without thinking of the long and short-term damage their act of impunity has on Nigerians and the watching world. A reality that testifies that our ‘moral principles have lost its distinctiveness.’

But very seriously, there has never been an act of cruelty in recent times more horrifying in intensity than the attack by the Nigerian army on the protesting Shi’ites Islamic group in Abuja that left dozens of the members dead while the army claims that they resorted to such actions because its men were pelted with stones by the group.

Admittedly, as argued by Nigerians with critical minds, ‘hurling rocks at military men carrying live ammunition and unprepared for anti-riot missions is not respectful of the lives of those men, who were only doing their jobs, or the lives of others going about their innocent activities, who may have been killed or injured during those clashes’.

Very instructive also, as a citizen that is eminently committed to the Nigerian project, I am not unmindful of the sacrifice the Nigerian military is making daily in defending Nigeria from external aggression; maintaining its territorial integrity and

securing its borders from violation on land, sea, or air; suppressing rebellions and acting in aid of civil authorities to restore order.

That notwithstanding, Nigerians with discerning minds and of course the watching world are finding it difficult to believe this account as presented by the military- as it was riddled with incongruence and bears the customary emblem of impunity.

The gully of discrepancy is evident between the action of the protesters and the reaction of the soldiers (hurling rocks at military men versus the military use of live ammunition on the people). In objective opinion, the latter can never be the consequence of the former.

Without minding what others may say, from the analyses of the military action, it is easy to situate by the watching world that genuine/civil actions the military should have taken to avert the unfortunate incident.

For instance, Nigerians with critical interest have argued that as a global practice in any military/civilian disagreement, the military apart from being reminded not to face the ‘enemy’ head-on but instead, shape their ground, narrow their course of action and lead them where they (the military) want, they are daily reminded as part of the training that victories in one hundred battles is not the most skillful. But subduing the ‘enemy’ without battle is the most skillful’.

Obviously, the military’s inability to observe any of these time-honoured safety measures have in my view mirrored the Abuja’s episode as a demonstration of impunity and has further provided an answer as to why peace is increasingly elusive. It is not impossible to deduce that the military as an institution and Nigeria government has learned no lesson from similar past mistakes.

Particularly, it could be recalled that it was the nation’s security agencies’ failure to manage issues such as this that led to the emergence of the now dreaded Boko Haram.

––Jerome-Mario Utomi, Lagos (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

18

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 18, 2018

THISDAY WEEKLY GUIDE TO 2019

The Road to 2019: Flashpoints to Watch (X) Officially, the 2019 campaign starts today and the battle for placements by politicians commences real time. Olawale Olaleye writes

P

erhaps, it is not by sheer happenstance that the tenth edition of the THISDAY Guide to the 2019 elections coincides with the official kick-off of campaigns ahead of next year’s general election. This is of course, in line with the time-table by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the elections, relying however, on the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act. INEC had since January 9, 2018, released the timetable and schedule of activities for the elections, which it had commendably stuck to despite familiar political pressure. The Electoral Act, as amended, states in 99(I) that, “For the purpose of this Act, the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.”

This, therefore, implies that political parties would formally begin campaigns for presidential, national and states assembly elections today, November 18, even though many of the parties especially, the opposition PDP and the ruling APC had contravened this rule through their various groups that had openly endorsed and declared support for their respective candidates.

This aside, the week that just ended witnessed a lot of interesting developments, many of which were directly connected to the APC. For instance, its National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole spent the better part of the week defending allegations that he did not collect bribe to give tickets to some candidates of the party in some states.

Particularly interesting was the angle of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who pointedly accused him of the allegations and said he was no longer worthy of leading the party had this happened in a decent society. It is worthy of note that Saraki had pegged his comment on an unproven report of an investigation by the Department of State Security (DSS) which was said to have indicted Oshiomhole.

That notwithstanding, and regardless of the fact that campaigns would officially start today, the different states, typically, had their fair share of the dynamics marking the path to the next election in the week that just ended, some of which this week’s guide would focus on as well as their relevance to the 2019 battle.

KWARA An Instructive Test Case

The PDP and the APC in Kwara State, yesterday, had a major popularity test as they battled in a by-election for Irepodun/Isin/ Oke-Ero federal constituency. The seat became vacant following the demise of Mrs. Funke Adedoyin, former occupant of the office.

With yesterday’s election, it was clearly not a battle between the candidates of the major parties but a straight fight between the trio of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki as they struggled for soul of Kwara politics.

It is also worthy of mention that President Buhari recently charged the APC members in the state to take back the state from Saraki, who defected from the ruling APC back to the PDP. Curiously, Mohammed, the highest office holder in APC from Kwara, is from Oro, Irepodun Local Government Area, which is within the federal constituency in contest, while Saraki, who is highly influential in the state and her politics, had a chance to prove that he remained in control and could command followership even after dumping the APC. However, with controversy over police’s involvement in an alleged plan to rig the election, coupled with reports of violent attacks on each other in the lead up to the election, it was not surprising to many that the APC reportedly won the election. But clearly, the election was crucial on the eve of a major national election.

KATSINA Another Message Poll

Just as the Kwara bye-election was crucial, the by-election into the Kankiya/Kusada/ Ingawa federal constituency area of Katsina

informed the unfounded and baseless idea of coercing them into submitting details of their PVCs. Unfortunately, for the APC, Enugu seems impregnable for the opposition, more so not with a governor generally acknowledged as doing well. Perhaps, the APC needs to return to the drawing board in the state.

NIGER A Devastating Setback

Mohammed

Masari

Niger State chapter of the APC suffered a devastating setback in the week while the gubernatorial ambition of the PDP received a boost, when the Fulanis, one of the dominant ethnic nationalities in the state, withdrew their support for the ruling APC and its governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello. They threw their weight behind the PDP and its governorship candidate, Umar Mohammed Nasko.

Hundreds of the Fulanis from the three senatorial zones came under the auspices of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Niger State branch and were led by their state chairman, Alhaji Diko Shakolo. They reportedly stormed the state PDP secretariat in Minna, where they pledged their support and loyalty and those of their members to Nasko and the PDP. They also promised to support the PDP presidential candidate and former vicepresident, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

The APC does not need a soothsayer to explain the implications of this. The party might as well begin to count its losses as analysts see it. But this is politics. Never say never until the equations clearly pan out.

OGUN A Gripping Fear of the Unknown

Sanwo-Olu

Ugwuanyi

State was equally a message exercise to prove how much President Buhari still holds down his base too.

The election into Kankiya/Kusada/Ingawa federal constituency followed the election of the former member representing the area, Alhaji Ahmed Babba-Kaita, to represent Katsina north senatorial district.

Reports from the state showed that there was no cause for alarm as everything went according to plan. Indeed, the Katsina Governor, Aminu Masari has always been considered one of the luckiest, coming from the president’s state.

In other words, his election is not likely to be contingent on his performance or popularity but one who would ride, as usual, on the coattail of the president. The election is just a reassuring message from the Buhari camp and indeed, their victory was expected.

on nothing but ‘manner from heaven’.

Otherwise, how does anyone explain the fact that it is the party that has everything to its advantage that is visibly going everywhere and meeting everyone, with sound media leverage and support hunt?

Although scanty posters of the PDP candidate, Jimi Agbaje are beginning to surface in a few places, clearly, he is not fighting this battle like one who wants to win.

But the APC candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu does and no mischief intended. Election is not solely about the grace of God but grace and hard work combined. While Sanwo-Olu appears to have both, Agbaje seems to boast just one: grace. It would be nice to see how far that would take him.

BAUCHI Another Show of Strength

Governorship candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, Senator Ayogu Eze, threw up a funny propaganda, which unfortunately went bad in the week. He claimed that the PDP was coercing workers and traders in the state to submit details of their Permanent Voters’ Cards.

Steve Oruruo, Eze’s spokesperson had while denying allegations of embezzlement of public funds alleged that “the Enugu workers and traders were being compelled to surrender the particulars of their PVC”.

In a swift reaction, however, the two bodies, while denying knowledge of such coercion, described as false, baseless and mischievous, the allegation and warned politicians not to use the names of the state’s workers and traders to play senseless and devious politics.

They were quick to state that they had earlier endorsed the PDP governorship candidate in Enugu State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for a second term in office, wondering therefore what could have

As it was in Kwara and Katsina States, Saturday’s bye-election for Toro Federal Constituency Area of Bauchi State, was just another opportunity for both the APC and PDP to show their strengths, even though the ruling party is always at huge advantage in a scattered election.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Bauchi, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, however disclosed yesterday that only the PDP and APC fielded candidates for the election and not unexpectedly, the APC won, just as it did in two other states of Kwara and Katsina.

LAGOS Taking the Piss Out of PDP

The tide of recent political developments in Lagos State has proven one thing: a smart and intelligent campaign by those, who control the nucleus of the politics of the state. Despite being the party in power, the APC is fast taking the piss out of the opposition PDP, which relies absolutely

ENUGU Propaganda Goes Bad

Nothing has since changed in Ogun State as far as the situation is concerned and interestingly, in both parties. While in the APC, Dapo Abiodun’s name is the one with INEC, in the PDP, the Buruju Kashamu faction of the party is the one to beat.

Efforts by Governor Ibikunle Amosun to have his choice candidate, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade emerge candidate of the APC may have failed to yield as the forces against him, led by the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, are a legion. This has also attracted tradetackling by both parties.

Although Oshiomhole had tried lately to romance Amosun, describing him as a loyal party man, it is not likely Amosun is still in a position to stop his men from taking their fate into their hands, even if he chose to swallow his pride. What many are expecting any moment from now is what is being touted as Plan B by angry loyalists of the governor.

In the PDP, however, despite the court ruling, which compels INEC to accept the list of candidates from Kashamu’s faction, an order the electoral body had also complied with, the party has refused to take heed of this, saying the provision is clear: that INEC must receive list from the national secretariat and not a state chapter of the party, saying whatever list it had submitted remains the authentic.

On both ends, it is an uneasy calm and the jury, as it were, is still out. Not even the presidential committee that visited the state at the weekend achieved much. It’s a hard nut.

IMO Waiting on the Plan B

Like Ogun, Imo State is also not finding its situation funny and Governor Rochas Okorocha might be compelled to activate what is also being called Plan B in the state. With his son-inlaw, Uche Nwosu not likely to make it as the governorship candidate of the party, Okorocha definitely has some things up his sleeves.

It was no wonder that during the week, a recent support march, evidently coordinated by his aides, was organized and the order being dished out was one which recognised Okorocha as the Alpha and Omega of the state and that whatever he said was final.

Unfortunately, the week was a very rough one for the candidate of the party in the state, Senator Hope Uzodinnma, who was reportedly arrested in the week by a presidential team over non-execution of a contract. The matter, as it is,

19

NOVEMBER 18, 2018 ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

THISDAY WEEKLY GUIDE TO 2019

The Road to 2019: Flashpoints to Watch (X) is yet to be resolved – a situation that leaves both camps in serious mess.

ZAMFARA Goes Totally Mute

There has been no news yet from Zamfara for a long time now. The last heard from the state was the threat by the Governor to Oshiomhole, whom he believed bungled things for him. INEC has also refused to accept list of candidates from the governor. It is another unfortunate scenario occasioned by the crisis of the primary. But Zamfara remains critical in the scheme of things and worthy of monitoring.

ANAMBRA A Familiar Survival Battle

A major political development took place in Anambra in the week, when some members of the state House of Assembly impeached their speaker, Rita Maduagwu and elected in her place, Ikem Uzoezie.

Unfortunately for Governor Willie Obiano, he was in faraway France on a trip with the president, when this happened. But this untoward development was believed to have been occasioned by the inability of some of these lawmakers to get their tickets as promised.

The party leadership was said to have collected between 20 and 30 million naira as the conditions for them to return. However, whilst some of them struggled to get the money and paid, they still did not get the tickets, a development which stirred the internal rebellion.

There is yet another theory which fingers external instigation and indeed, the hands of a former governor of the state in an attempt to fight back the structure on the ground in the state. Whichever is the case, Anambra is fast building towards 2019 and it is going to throw up such surprises that would shock even the bookmakers.

KANO Savouring Presidential Reprieve

With a second court order asking the Kano State House of Assembly to shelve its investigation of Governor Abdulahi Ganduje following allegations of bribery and further sealed by Buhari’s pronouncement that regardless of the allegations, ‘Ganduje is a good man’, the governor should by now be over the moon.

Although there were allegations that the governor recently donated huge cash and some vehicles to the Buhari campaign, a speculation that has not been confirmed yet, the presidential intervention was a major relief for a governor who was largely believed to be on his way out given the weight of the allegation against him.

The president though said the security agencies were still vetting the videos, where the governor was seen collection bribe in dollars, his recent clearance of the governor says it all.

ADAMAWA Land of the Living-dead

A weird story came out of Adamawa State recently and it was that INEC reportedly detected the names of 1,224 dead persons in the voter register in the state.

Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Kassim Gaidam, who said this at the commencement of a two-day workshop for Election Monitoring Implementers for the North East Zone, in Yola, the state capital, disclosed that the names were uncovered through the voter clean-up exercise in the state.

That’s quite unbelievable but nothing can be put past politicians especially, in the period of an election, whose stakes are pretty high. Thanks to INEC for gradually overcoming the challenge of the living-dead, but there is a bigger one in the whole of the north: underage voting. It needs more attention.

SOKOTO Taking the Smart Route

The news of the sudden resignation of the Sokoto State Deputy Governor and

Ganduje

Tambuwal

candidate is finally determined. The date is December 4 and the court, Federal High Court, Abuja, is the one that would determine the fate of the APC candidate, Chief Great Ogboru.

The date was fixed to deliver judgment in the suit seeking the nullification of the Delta State APC governorship primary held on September 30, 2018. Justice Nnamdi Dimgba fixed the date, after parties in the suit adopted and argued their written addresses.

The suit, which was filed by Ochei, specifically asked the court to nullify the APC governorship primary election that produced Ogboru as the candidate of the APC for the 2019 general election on the grounds that it contravened the judgment of the court.

But in opposing the suit, counsel to Ogboru, Chief Nelson Imoh, said his client objected to the matter purely on point of law, arguing that the court being a court of coordinate jurisdiction could not sit on appeal on the judgment of Justice Chikere.

After listening to the submissions of the counsel in the matter, Justice Dimgba fixed December 4 for judgment. Delta is another special terrain, which requires skilled monitoring. But the internal malcontent in the APC is obviously working for the good of the PDP, which currently controls the state. Whatever happens on December 4 will however determine the way forward for the PDP.

PLATEAU A Free-for-All Contest

Lalong

Akeredolu

governorship candidate of the APC, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, was received with greater political understanding. Indeed, it was long overdue and might have been taking the piss out of the PDP in the state. He is of a different political party with his principal and is also standing against him in the governorship election, both being of the two major parties. Truly, Governor Aminu Tambuwal had tried to tolerate him long enough.

Although reports had it that he hurriedly threw in the towel following moves to remove him from office. He allegedly got wind of the plot and quickly took the drastic step to save his political career.

However, it is not yet uhuru for Tambuwal too as his name is conspicuously missing from INEC’s list. What is still there is the name of his anointed godson, Manir Dan’Iya. The PDP has thus accused INEC of manipulating the list to embarrass the party.

But the National Commissioner of INEC on Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Festus Okoye, said the two names published by INEC were the names submitted by the PDP, since they are the names that emanated from the party’s primary elections conducted in the state.

prayer but strategy, planning, dedication and hard work. A typical African thinks his problem is solvable only through prayers without properly analysing what the problem is. Akwa Ibom, with an otherwise intelligent governor, might have failed many by traveling this cheap and thoughtless route.

AKWA IBOM Looking Up to God

Akwa Ibom State embraced the lazy man’s option last week, when it announced a-three day fasting and prayer programme from November 15 to 17, yesterday, to usher in the commencement of political campaigns and other political activities for the 2019 general election.

Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Udoh, who stated this in a statement, added that the three days have not been declared public holidays. He said those in public offices and in private business locations, are expected to gather and pray at the close of work to round off the fasting in the first two days of the programme.

That was absolute baloney. Serious nations don’t resign the fate of a serious matter to just

KADUNA Still Battling Indiscretion

Since he chose a fellow Muslim sister, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe as his running mate, Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna has been struggling to explain the sense in his nonsense especially, given the political volatility of his state.

Last Tuesday, he tried to defend his choice of a Muslim as his running mate when he said the Government House was not a place of worship but a place of work. He however didn’t stop there. He went further to affirm the absurd, when he claimed to have consulted President Muhammadu Buhari before making his choice.

Unfortunately, he forgot too soon that President Buhari himself could not run with either Bola Tinubu or Babatunde Fashola in 2015 on account of their faith and given the state of the nation. So, how could same Buhari have sanctioned his choice? It was just a case indiscretion, which thrives on sheer hubris.

Nothing more! However, since he has made his choice, many wait to see how far that choice will take him.

But that is not without acknowledging that el-Rufai scored a big one as Dr. Mohammed Sani-Bello, a former governorship aspirant of the PDP in the state joined the APC. Sani-Bello announced his decision to join the APC at a news conference on yesterday in Kaduna.

DELTA On Tenterhooks

Delta State chapter of the APC has some days to wait before the choice of its governorship

Whatever informed the decision by 21 different political parties to field candidates for the governorship position in Plateau State is worth studying. With a sitting governor constitutionally entitled to another term, the number of those itching to take his job is disturbing and must have been informed by something pertinent.

INEC confirmed clearing 21 candidates, which were contained in a list released on Tuesday in Jos by Mr. Imahiyereobo Osaretin, the commission’s Head of Voter Education and Publicity in Plateau. He said the 21 candidates from various political parties met all the requirements for the governorship election.

Prominent among them are the incumbent Governor Simon Lalong, who is seeking re-election under the APC; Lt.-Gen. Jeremiah Useni (rtd) of the PDP, Mr Godfrey Miri of the SDP, Dr. Haruna Dabin, a former PDP Chairman in the state but now the candidate of PPC, Mr. Timothy Parlong, who is contesting on the platform of APGA, Mr. Bitrus Musa of the ADC and Mr. John Bigwan, contesting on the platform of GPN, among others.

Well, analysts believe it is either the governor is not performing and has lost it with the people or these other challengers feel he is vulnerable and choose to take their chances.

Whatever it is would be resolved on the field of play next year.

ONDO An Insider’s Swing from the Outside

The leadership crisis rocking the Ondo State House of Assembly following the removal of the Speaker, Hon. Bamidele Oloyeloogun and his deputy, Hon. Ogundeji, is not what observers consider sheer institutional shakeup but a development that might have been instigated by some insiders from the outside.

The election of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu was one that elicited different interests within the party, both in the state and outside it.

Indeed, his choice almost balkanised the leadership of the APC, which categorised some as Abuja politicians and others as belonging to the Lagos axis.

But with the turn of the party’s primary election in the state, which might have subtly played out the governor’s loyalists, and now the leadership rumble in the state assembly, there appears to be more to the situation, all of which are not more than the jostle for 2019 and ultimately, the positioning for 2023. Ondo has a lot more to show off in the days to come. Keep a tab.

Situating the Presidential Run

W

ith the floor officially declared open for campaigns, the coming days promise to churn out more intricate intrigues and stupefying high wire politics, preparatory to

2019.

Already, the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar has signed up to begin his campaign tomorrow, Monday, November 19 in Abuja, with the launch of his

policy document, which would contain how he intends to direct the affairs of the country if he gets into the saddle of leadership next year.

Also, Atiku’s ambition received a major boost last week, when the Igbo leaders endorsed him. Although the endorsement didn’t appear to shake the camp of the president much, especially that the president had personally dismissed it, things appear to

be working really good for the former vicepresident.

For Buhari, one of his support groups recently appointed a former InspectorGeneral of Police, Mike Okiro as its chairman. How that is designed to help his cause is yet to be situated. In other news, a former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko has withdrawn from the presidential race. By this, the space is slightly freer.

Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari

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President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa

Nigeria, South Africa Major Contributors to Sub-Saharan Africa 15.5% External Debt Rise Bamidele Famoofo

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igeria and SouthAfrica, which are the two biggest economies in Sub-Saharan Africa are the two major contributors to the unprecedented increase in external borrowing in the region in 2017.

A report on International Debt Statistics (IDS) newly released by the World Bank showed that Nigeria’s external debt stock increased more than that of any other country in the region, recording 29 percent growth in the review period. South Africa on the other hand came on the heels of Nigeria with a 21 percent increase in external debt stock in the same period. “Countries in sub-Saharan Africa accumulated external debt at a faster pace than low and middle income countries in other regions in 2017: the combined external debt stock rose 15.5 percent from the previous year to $535 billion. Much of this increase was driven by a sharp rise in borrowing by two of the region’s largest economies, Nigeria and South Africa, where the external debt stock rose 29 percent and 21 percent respectively�, the World Bank IDS report hinted.

Meanwhile, most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are not able to attract enough Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow to ameliorate the effect increased borrowing on their individual economies; rather FDI inflows nosedived in the review period.

According to the World Bank, “a 27 percent slump in FDI inflows to Sub- Saharan Africa was largely attributable to the lingering effect of weak oil and commodity prices. These led to a sharp contraction in FDI inflows to major recipients in the region including Angola, Nigeria and South Africa. However, inflows to more diversified economies remained resilient.�

A bulk of borrowing in the region could be traced to bond issuance by sovereigns and public- sector entities, which surged to

a record level in 2017.

Bond issuance by sovereign governments and public-sector entities in the region rose to $27 billion in 2017, a more than fourfold increase over 2016, driven to a large extent by a surge in issuance in South Africa to $19 billion from $4 billion in 2016, 70 percent of bond issuance in the region last year. An important factor was non-resident purchase of bonds issued in the South African domestic market.

Bond issuance by other countries in the region totaled $8 billion, a tenfold increase from 2016, reflecting continued investor confidence and search for yield. Issuing countries in 2017 were Nigeria ($4.8 billion), Cote D’Ivoire ($2 billion), Senegal ($1.1 billion), and Gabon ($0.2 billion). Nigeria’s $3 billion Eurobond issuance marked the country’s largest such operation to date, and at end 2017, bond issuance accounted for one third of the country’s outstanding external debt.

The World Bank disclosed that rising concerns about debt sustainability did not slow debt accumulation in many of the poorer countries in the region, noting that the combined external debt stock of the 30 Sub-Saharan African countries that benefitted from debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) and Multilateral Debt Relief (MDRI) initiatives rose 11 percent in 2017, compared to seven percent in 2016. The report says the external debt stock of these countries has doubled since 2010. “The rise in external debt stocks has outpaced economic growth in much of the region. The ratio of external debt-to-GNI averaged 34.2 percent at the end of 2017, up moderately from the prior year average of 32 percent.

However, that was over 50 percent higher than in 2010. The GNI of Sub- Saharan African countries in U.S. dollars rose on average 23 percent between 2010-2017, while the combined external debt stock rose 90 percent over the same period�, the World Bank disclosed. “In some countries, the increase was much larger. Between 2010 and 2017 external debt stocks rose more than 200 percent in Cameroon, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia and by more than 140 percent in Ghana, Kenya and Liberia. At the end of 2017, eight countries

in the region had an external debt-to-GNI ratio over 60 percent, including six that had benefited from HIPC and MDRI: Gambia, Liberia, Mauritania, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe and Zambia�, the report further revealed.

The ratio of external debt-to-export earnings showed a similar pattern. In 2017, the ratio was largely unchanged from the prior year, at an average of 138 percent. However, this ratio was close to double the average of 70 percent in 2010. Moreover, the average ratio masks wide disparity between countries. At the end of 2017 54 percent of countries in the region had an external debt-to-export ratio over 150 percent, as compared to 28 percent of countries in 2010 and the number of countries where the ratio surpassed 200 percent more than doubled, from 6 countries to 14 countries, over the same period. Most of these countries are ones that benefitted from HIPC and MDRI relief, including Burundi, Ethiopia, Niger, Senegal and Tanzania.

The combination of a higher level of outstanding external debt and a hardening of overall lending terms due to the rising share of external debt owed to private creditors has been reflected in increased debt servicing costs. At end 2017, one third of countries in the region had a debt service-to-export ratio above 10 percent, and in several, including Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gambia, Kenya and Zambia that ratio surpassed 15 percent. In the future, higher debt service payments, in part due to bullet repayments falling due on maturing international bond issues, coupled with rising global interest rates, look set to keep debt-to-export ratios on an upward trajectory, exacerbating concerns about debt sustainability.

The total debt service payments on the end 2017 long-term public and public guaranteed debt stock of Sub-Saharan African countries combined is projected to rise to $44 billion in 2018, double the comparable debt service payments in 2017, and to climb to $48 billion by 2021. Many countries across the region will see future debt service payments rise steeply, or remain elevated, over the next two to five years: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal and Zambia are illustrative.

Rising external debt in Sub-Saharan Africa has been accompanied by important changes in external borrowing patterns in recent years.

Notably, there has been a marked increase in financing from non-traditional bilateral creditors and from private creditors, including bond issuance and syndicated commercial bank loans.

To be sure, most countries in the region remain dependent on financing from official bilateral and multilateral creditors, which together accounted for 60 per cent of total long-term external debt stock at the end of 2017. Multilateral creditors remain the most important source of financing from official creditors. However, their share of total long-term external debt has declined to 34 per cent at end 2017, from 44 percent in 2010. In addition, there has been a significant change in the composition of external bilateral creditors, resulting in a marked downturn in the share of long-term external debt owed to bilateral creditors that are members of the Paris Club. At the end of 2017 Paris Club creditors accounted for just 5 per cent of the long-term public and publicly guaranteed external debt stock of countries in sub-Saharan Africa, one quarter of the level at end 2010.

Most bilateral lending in recent years has come from non-traditional sources, primarily other low- and middle-income countries, notably China, which has accounted for over 60 per cent of the region’s long-term debt owed to bilateral creditors in 2017. This debt has accumulated through financing of large-scale infrastructure projects in many countries in the region. Principal beneficiaries include Angola, Ethiopia and Sudan.

Access to international capital markets has added to the external borrowing options of a rising number of sub-Saharan African countries. At end 2017, the amount held by bondholders was $105 billion, 29 per cent of the outstanding long-term external debt of countries in the region, compared to 13 percent in 2010. Private creditors and lending by commercial banks and other private entities, accounted for 40 per cent of the long-term debt stock of sub-Saharan African countries at end 2017.

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Tim Cook

Cosmas Maduka

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Inside Nigeria’s Companies Where Workers Are Employed Based on Skills Not Academic Qualifications There is a likelihood that the growing number of unemployed youths in Nigeria may drastically reduce as some companies now focus more on skills rather than educational qualifications of potential employees, Bayo Akinloye reports “Owo la o ma ka! Owo la o ma ka! Ojo kan nbo ti a o ni kawe mo, owo la o ma ka...owo la o ma ka! Owo la o ma ka! Ojo kan nbo ti a o ni kawe mo, owo la o ma ka!’ a group of us from Ibadan were singing,� Adebayo Amoo recalled from a distant memory. “That song when loosely translated means: ‘a time is coming when we won’t study any more...we’ll be making money!� he explained.

H

e laid still like a log on the pitch. A bright day for Amoo had become clouded by the dust of stampede that resulted in the death of seven people and left countless other job seekers like him injured after a commotion in Abuja National Stadium, where thousands of people had come to apply for work at the Nigerian Immigration Service in March 2014 – at least seven people were killed.

Amoo and other graduates who had travelled to the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, in search of a job with the federal government must have been told by their parents, lecturers and the society that the surest way to success in Nigeria was to graduate with a good degree.

It took Amoo four years from that time to land a job since graduating in 2013. Many graduates like him that survived that stampede are still likely searching for what is increasingly becoming an elusive pursuit of gainful employment.

Ugly picture, bleak future Nigeria’s unemployment statistics are grim – so is the hope of a brighter future - as the country was recently proclaimed as the notorious capital of global poverty. With the country just escaping an economic recession by the teeth of its skin, not a few look to the future with forlorn hope as economic experts point to the dampening numbers of the unemployed. It was a bag of mixed feelings when, early this year, the Spectator Index tweeted that Nigeria’s unemployment rate was 18.8 percent and listed it as third behind Greece (20.9%) and South Africa (27.7%) among the nations with the worst unemployment rates.

The Director-General of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, Prof. Danladi Matawal, had made a sensational claim in 2017 that more than 30 million Nigerian youths – a figure that reflected the dire economic straits the country was in 2016 – were unemployed with no means of livelihood. “Statistically, Nigeria has a youth population of about 67 million, aged between 15 and 35 years. Forty-two percent of these young people don’t have a means of livelihood while only about 20 percent have more than a secondary school certificate. These figures reveal that majority of the youths in our country find it difficult to make ends meet,� Matawal argued.

In January 2018, National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, told Nigerians that out of a total active labour force of 85.08 million people in the country, about 16 million were unemployed in the third quarter of 2017, claiming that the category of unemployed persons comprised 8.5 million people who engaged in an economic activity for at least an hour and 7.5 million people who did absolutely nothing.

Since 2014, the NBS counts people working fewer than 20 hours per week as unemployed and those working 20 to 39 hours as underemployed. The previous threshold for the definition of unemployment was based on a Nigerian definition of full-time employment with an individual was working 40 hours a week,

according to the statistician-general, Dr. Yemi Kale.

Amoo’s experience illustrates the angst many graduates face in the country’s job market that keeps contracting with youth unemployment rate in Nigeria at 33.10 percent in the third quarter of 2017, despite the fact that the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC registered about 1.5 million companies in 2017. As defined by the International Labour Organisation, unemployed workers are those who are currently not working but are willing and able to work for pay, currently available to work and have actively searched for work.

A gamble or game plan?

Inside Sugarcane, a Lagos-based company in the food and beverage industry, are well-dressed workers, respectful and suave. The head of the team, Oluwatobi Shittu, stands out. “Yes, Tobi stands out. He’s leading the team of employees I have regarding service delivery and customer care,� Yanate Banigo, founder of Sugarcane said. “All of them are great staff but Tobi has always stood out. When I set up this place staff recruitment was one of my big challenges.�

Yet, Shittu, a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from the Olabisi Onabanjo University, had not worked in such a capacity before.

But Banigo pointed out that he has fared better than her former workers who presented better academic qualifications and experience. “I’ve since discovered that placing skills and capacity above academic qualifications have proved invaluable in my business.

My employees are very courteous, eager to learn new things, adapt easily and willing to go the extra mile,� the owner of Sugarcane said.

At Minibee, a leading bakery in Lagos, it is a similar story. Ogonna Arumemi, who relocated to Nigeria from the United Kingdom couple of years ago, explained that she was particular about workers with the requisite academic qualifications but those who turned up for the job did not demonstrate a practical capacity for the roles they applied for. “It became a headache for me. Back in Nigeria after some years and starting a business outside of my turf, I felt I needed to hit the ground running. I was fortunate to employ Lekan, Shadrach and Rufina, and some other guys. They’re proactive and need little or no supervision. Shadrach and Rufina aren’t graduates but they are good hands you’ll likely forgo a PhD holder for. They’re trustworthy, respectful and take ownership of the business. They’re always willing to do more,� the Minibee boss said.

Both Banigo and Arumemi believe that to have a thriving economy and a robust workforce more premiums should be placed on skills of potential employees – both at entry and other levels – arguing that Nigeria’s educational system has become dysfunctional. They are not further from the truth if the words of the President and Chief Executive Officer, Postgraduate School of Credit and Financial Management, Prof. Chris Onalo, were to be believed.

Prof. Onalo, in giving a damning verdict regarding Nigerian graduates said, “Ninety-five percent of Nigerian graduates cannot get jobs; those of those working are supported by connections, not with what they come out of the university with. One thing with the labour market is that it keeps changing and you must have a brain that is well-structured – one that recognises the need for change and quickly move ahead to create the change for things to function properly.�

He blamed tertiary institutions in Nigeria for churning out graduates based on “curriculums (that) are obsolete and not in tune with the reality� and felt that the curriculums of the institutions were “50

years away from the reality�.

Firms like BarBar, Adunni Organics and Natural Nigerian are other forward-looking business concerns that are employing Nigerian youths based on what they can do and not on what higher institutions attended and academic qualifications obtained. “This policy of recruitment – focusing on a potential employee’s skills rather than his or her credentials – was adopted by my organisation by accident. It was a nice mistake,� Umeike explained.

She added, “However, it is something I have come to believe in. The experience has been fantastic. My fundamental belief is that there’s dignity in labour. Some of my employees don’t have the academic prerequisites but they’re quick to learn. They don’t need to read and write perfectly well. They take initiative; their critical reasoning is good and they’re trustworthy. I don’t need to micromanage them.�

She noted that if the government at all levels embrace the policy of hiring staff based on their capacity and not skills, it will have “fantastic impact on employment issue in the country.� “We have to remove the pigeon-hole syndrome. We have to create opportunities for those who can work effectively and are willing to work. This kind of policy also creates flexibility in the labour market. We just came off a recession and the unemployment rate of youths is not looking good. We need to think outside of the box. “And I’m not saying we don’t need tertiary education. There are some skills that will only be obtained by attending a higher institution,� she added.

Even at that, the Chairman of the University of Lagos chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Dr. Dele Ashiru, thinks the acquisition of higher degrees have not impacted well on national growth and transformation.

Perhaps, thinking of the six PhD and 704 master’s degree holders who applied to be truck drivers at the Dangote Group a couple of years ago, Ashiru said, “Yes, it is desirable for the system to produce holders of higher degrees, especially PhDs. But PhDs for what? I think we should refocus and restructure our education system so that it will be more relevant to our society rather than award higher degrees. “Come to think of it, all the people that have acquired PhDs in Nigeria; let us carry out a forensic audit of what they are giving back to the society. It is time for us to re-engineer, refocus and restructure the system. We must start our quest for accelerated national transformation with our education system because no society can rise beyond the level of its education system.�

It is all too easy to point to many successful people in the world who did not attend higher institutions; Cosmas Maduka, Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs’ names easily come to mind.

There is also Ted Sarandos, a former video-store clerk who made it big in Hollywood. Sarandos is Netflix’s chief content officer and the man who not only helped turn Netflix into an entertainment powerhouse but played a pivotal role in reshaping the entire film industry by transforming a DVD-by-mail rental service into a groundbreaking web distributor and then into the Hollywood studio that produced such hits as “Stranger Things�, “House of Cards�, and “Narcos�. He neither studied engineering at Stanford nor attended film school. t5IJT SFQPSU XBT XSJUUFO XJUI TVQQPSU GSPN 'PSE 'PVOEBUJPO BOE UIF *OUFSOBUJPOBM $FOUSF GPS *OWFTUJHBUJWF 3FQPSUJOH See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com

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Ease of Doing Business: Nigeria’s Outlook Bright with Reforms Though Nigeria dropped one place to 146th position on the Ease of Doing Business ranking for 2019, it retained a positive outlook with reforms in three vital areas which are starting a business, getting electricity and trading across borders. Bamidele Famoofo reports Past

I

n 2018, Nigeria recorded an unprecedented progress in the ranking of the World Bank as one of the 10 nations that made the most daring reforms to attract investors to come and do business in their domains. According to the World Bank, Nigeria moved up 24 places on the Ease of Doing Business ranking to 145th position from 169th position in 2017. Analysts have said it was the best outing the country had had in two decades.

According to the World Bank’s Doing Business in Nigeria 2018 Report, the country implemented five reforms, making it easier to do business in the economy. The reforms resulted in Nigeria moving 24 points to 145th position from the 169th position recorded in 2017.

The improvements were in the areas of starting a business, dealing with construction permits, registering property, getting credit, and paying taxes.

According to the World Bank report in 2018, Nigeria made starting a business faster by allowing electronic stamping of registration documents. This reform applies to both Kano and Lagos.

Dealing with Construction Permits: Nigeria (Kano) increased transparency by publishing all relevant regulations, fee schedules and pre-application requirements online.

Nigeria (Lagos) made it easier to obtain construction permits by streamlining the process to obtain construction permits and increased transparency by publishing all relevant regulations, fee schedules and pre-application requirements online.

Registering Property: Lagos made transferring property easier and more transparent by removing the sworn affidavit for certified copies of the land ownership records, introducing a specific and independent complaint mechanism, and by publishing statistics on land transfers. Kano made transferring property more transparent by publishing the list documents, fee schedule and service standards for property transactions.

Getting Credit: Nigeria improved access to credit information by guaranteeing borrowers the legal right to inspect their credit data from the credit bureau and by starting to provide credit scores to banks, financial institutions and borrowers. Nigeria also strengthened access to credit by adopting a new law on secured transactions and establishing a modern collateral registry. These changes apply to both Kano and Lagos.

Paying Taxes: Nigeria made paying taxes easier by introducing new channels for payment of taxes and mandating taxpayers to file tax returns at the nearest Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) office. This reform applies to both Kano and Lagos.

Similarly, on the Dealing with Construction permit ranking, the country moved from the 174th position in 2017 ranking to 147th in the 2018 ranking. The World Bank also stated that Nigeria made the greatest stride in improving access to getting credit. It moved from 32nd position in 2017 to 6th position in 2018. On Enforcing Contracts ranking, the country moved from the 139th position in 2017 to 96th in 2018 and on starting a business, it moved from 138th to 130th position in 2018.5 Present The World Bank report on Ease of Doing Business in 2019 showed that governments around the world set a new record in bureaucracy busting efforts for the domestic private sector, implementing 314 business reforms over the past year. “The reforms, carried out in 128 economies, benefit small and medium enterprises as well as entrepreneurs, enabling job creation and stimulating private investment.

This year’s reforms surpass the previous all-time high of 290 reforms two years ago,� the report said.

The report noted that reforms were taking place where they are most needed, with low-income and lower middleincome economies carrying out 172 reforms. In sub-Saharan Africa, a record number of 40 economies implemented 107 reforms, a new best in number of reforms for a third consecutive year for the region. The Middle East and North Africa region scaled a new high with 43 reforms.

In this year’s top 10 improvers, based on reforms undertaken, are Afghanistan, Djibouti, China, Azerbaijan,

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah

India, Togo, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, Turkey and Rwanda.

With six reforms each, Djibouti and India are in the top 10 for a second consecutive year. Afghanistan and Turkey, top improvers for the first time, implemented record single-year reforms, with five and seven, respectively. “The diversity among the top improvers shows that economies of all sizes and income levels, and even those in conflict can advance the business climate for domestic small and medium enterprises. Doing Business provides a road map that different governments can use to increase business confidence, innovation, and growth and reduce corruption,� said the World Bank’s Senior Director for Development Economics and Acting Chief Economist, Shanta Devarajan. “This year’s results clearly demonstrate government commitment in many economies, large and small, to nurture entrepreneurship and private enterprise. If the reform agendas are complemented with training programmes for public officials, the impact of reforms will be further enhanced, new data show,� said Rita Ramalho, Senior Manager of the World Bank’s Global Indicators Group, which produces the report.

Since its inception in 2003, more than 3,500 business reforms have been carried out in 186 of the 190 economies Doing Business monitors.

Sub-Saharan Africa set a new milestone for a third consecutive year, implementing 107 reforms in the past year, up from 83 the previous year. In addition, this year also saw the highest number of economies carrying out reforms, with 40 of the region’s 48 economies implementing at least one reform, compared to the previous high of 37 economies two years ago. The region is home to four of this year’s top 10 improvers – Togo, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire and Rwanda. While reforms in the region were wide-ranging, many improvements focused on easing property registration and resolving insolvency.

According to the 2019 report, Nigeria made starting a business easier by reducing the time needed to register a company at the corporate affairs commission and introducing an online platform to pay stamp duty. This reform applies to both Kano and Lagos. Also, Nigeria made getting electricity easier by requiring that the distribution companies obtain the right of way on behalf of the customers and by turning on the electricity once the meter is installed. This reform applies to both Kano and Lagos.

Meanwhile, the World Bank revealed in the report that in Kano, Nigeria made property registration less transparent by no longer publishing online the fee schedule and the list of documents necessary to register a property.

But the report also showed that biggest economy in Africa was able to reduce the time needed to export and import by implementing joint inspections, the NICIS2 electronic system and around-the-clock.

The report showed that Nigeria with a population hovering around 191million and gross national income per capital of US$2,080, besides ranking 146 out of 190 countries, recorded an ease of doing business score of 52.89. It ranked 120 in starting a business and 12th in getting credit and 182 in trading across borders. Also, score for starting a business (0–100) 82.97, score for getting credit (0–100) 85.00 and score for trading across borders (0–100) 23.08. Others include Procedures (number) 8.5 ; Strength of legal rights index (0–12) 9; Time to export (days) 10.9; Depth of credit information index (0–8) 8; Documentary compliance (hours) 119; Cost (% of income per capita) 27.6; Credit bureau coverage (% of adults) 11.0; Border compliance (hours) 135.4;Minimum capital (% of income per capita) 0.0; Credit registry coverage (% of adults) 0.8; Cost to export Documentary compliance (US$) 250; Dealing with construction permits (rank) 149; Protecting minority investors (rank) 38; Border compliance (US$) 785.7; Score for dealing with construction permits (0–100) 57.84 and Score for protecting minority investors (0–100) 66.67 among others.

Whither Nigeria?

Unlike in 2018, Nigeria’s aggressive push to make a difference, which made her to rank among top 10 most improved economies in ease of doing business dropped in 2019, leaving Mali to displace it from the position it occupied in 2018. This is because Nigeria was only able to make impactful reforms in three areas, which made it to drop from 145 to 146 positions in 2019.

The reforms are in the areas of starting a business, getting electricity and trading across the borders. The country did not do well as regards registering properties in the review period.

The Secret “The private sector is key to creating sustainable economic growth and ending poverty around the world,� said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim. “Fair, efficient, and transparent rules, which Doing Business promotes, are the bedrock of a vibrant economy and entrepreneurship environment. It’s critical for governments to accelerate efforts to create the conditions for private enterprise to thrive and communities to prosper.�

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚΀˜ ͺ͸͚΀

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Enelamah

ADEREMI MAKANJUOLA

We Opened the Oil and Gas Service Shuttle to Nigerians

The Chairman of the Board of Caverton Offshore Support Group, Mr. Aderemi Makanjuola, is a visionary entrepreneur who transformed the oil and gas aviation service sub-sector, opening it up for further participation by Nigerians, which hitherto was the exclusive preserve for expatriates.

Not only did he break the jinx, but Makanjuola has also provided the key to make Nigeria an operational hub for helicopter service in West and Central Africa. He has also pioneered the establishment of maintenance, repair and overhaul facility that would serve the sub-regions. In this interview, Makanjuola talks about his company’s exploits and impact on Nigeria’s development with Kunle Aderinokun, Funke Olaode and Chinedu Eze. Excerpts:

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I Want Caverton to Be a Household Name Like Coca-Cola

I

t’s been a long while that you started this business. How has it been?

It has been quite interesting and challenging. Everybody says it is difficult to do business in Nigeria.

But I don’t think so because if you do it right and you believe in doing the right things properly, I am not sure you will get into many problems. For a businessman, why we get it wrong is that we are very optimistic. In business, you don’t have to be optimistic. You should be a pessimist. But you should be extremely confident that ‘this is my goal’. To me, every wall is a door. So whatever difficulties I am going to encounter, I am going to conquer it. I am not going to look back to say ‘it is the fault of this or that’. Everything I want to do, the success is mine, the fault is mine – and you leave the rest to God. But once you believe in that, then you can do so many things. The government has done their best in many ways for the country and for the people. In our own case, we went to collect money at the aviation intervention through the Bank of Industry. We paid back. We went for another one, we paid back. They never stopped giving us. But when you collect money and the first thing you do is buy a Rolls Royce, you have already spent the profit before you even start the business – you don’t get it right that way. That is the problem everybody is getting into and it is creating a problem for business people in Nigeria.

You operate in a business landscape where the risk is high. How have you been able to cope with the challenges?

What I did initially was to look at the problem. What are the things that are making it difficult for a Nigerian to get into aviation because there had been two companies running the aviation industry – Bristow and Aero? If Bristow was bidding with Shell, Aero would not bid there. If Bristow was bidding with Total, Aero would not go there. So it was just the two of them. When we came in, the first thing we did was to say, ‘what are the real problems that are making it difficult for Nigerians to do it?’ The first thing we saw was that everybody tries to know the minister of aviation or the minister of petroleum resources who gives the green light if you get a helicopter you can operate. You get the helicopter, you get the contract but you can’t operate it because the stakes are high. What are the stakes? You must have an infrastructure.

You must have a hangar before you do anything; to put your helicopter in and to make sure you have the engineers – you have everything that needs to be done.

So it takes a lot of investment and we saw that coming. The first thing we did after getting our licence was to say, ‘let’s build the infrastructure’. We built the helipad in Ozumba and we built the hangar in Ikeja.

Having done that, we knew we were set for business. We knew it was difficult to get into the business as fast as one would have wanted. In the oil sector, the bidding is every five years. If you miss this year you can’t bid for the next five years. Somebody would have won it and it is always five plus two. But between that, we started learning the odds and doing the shuttle service. With the shuttle service, they saw that we were very good. We have a good safety record and we keep our books. Soon, everybody was thinking of patronizing us once there was an opportunity to do so. They wanted a fresh blood in any way – luckily, they wanted an indigenous player. The local content also came into play around that time – then, of course, we were lucky – that helped us to get more people. We began training them – before, for every three expatriates you only had one Nigerian pilot. But now, for every single expatriate, we have four Nigerian pilots.

We have trained pilots. We are training upcoming ones. Yes, they are bonded. Once they finish their bond, they begin to earn as much as anybody in the world. Before, Nigerians earned less than the expatriates.

With us, Nigerians earn the same as the expatriates. Even if we are paying in naira, we pay the equivalent of the dollar that they should get. That has helped the business.

It has also helped Nigerians, spurring on

Makanjuola

others to imitate us. I’m convinced Nigeria should be a pool for other countries to dip hands into and make use of our pilots. These pilots can work abroad – just as we had to go to India, the Philippines and other countries to employ pilots. But we have stopped that now. You can’t see many Filipinos in Nigeria anymore. We have trained over 240 Nigerian pilots and engineers – they are working with us. Some have left.

We’ve been able to plough back the profit into the business by training our staff. Also, there are other spill-over opportunities: where do we go to repair the helicopters?

It is done abroad. Can’t we do it ourselves?

Yes, we can. So we decided to build an MRO – Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul.

Where did we get the money from? We got N3 billion from the government and we put N1.5 billion into it. It is being completed now at Ikeja and it will open next year.

There was another thing that is affecting the country: the economy and ourselves – every six months all pilots must go for a refresher course using a simulator. There was no simulator anywhere in Africa. You could only get it in Canada, America or Dubai. We have recently decided that we are bringing in one and we have just signed the agreement with Thales in October. The French government gave us ₏8 million to bring it in so that we can train our pilots in Nigeria and also train people from other countries.

Regarding the MRO that we are building, if you want to paint your helicopter you have to take it out. Now, we can paint helicopters here in the MRO and we can do everything here. Then, there was the need for manpower. There are Nigerians to do that. I believe in interacting with the universities and other institutions to make sure everything works. They use their engineering departments to see that when students graduate there is work for them.

What is the business model for MRO? Is it strictly for your company’s use?

We are commercialising it. Even the Honeywell Group that sells spare parts to across the globe has come to us saying they want to be our partners – they want their spare parts kept with us so that in Africa anybody coming to Europe to say that they want to do this and that will be told to go to Caverton. The Rolls Royce people are also thinking of bringing in their

engines and other things. In Nigeria, the way the minister of aviation is trying to do it is to make Nigeria the hub. These are the things to make Nigeria the hub. We are really doing our best to ensure that we are part of it.

What is your interest in maritime?

We’re still in the maritime enterprise, but you know the helicopter venture is capital intensive – it is more interesting than shipping. When you bring down your helicopter and switch off the engine that is the end. For the ship, the day you put it on water, it goes on and on. You feed the pilot, watch them, and clothe them. You do everything for them. You can’t switch off the engine. The day you switch off the engine, that is the day it sinks. So it is a tough business. We’re still there and working with NLNG and other LPG people. But space and the spheres are not as big as what is in a helicopter. We are even thinking of helping other Nigerians who want to come in to say you can use our facility to start – you can do this here. A lot needs to be done and we need other people to come up.

There seems to be a lull in the oil and gas shuttle service. Is it peculiar to Nigeria?

No, it is not peculiar to the Nigerian situation because everybody is careful as to when and how to bring up their oil. When the price was $100 to a barrel, everybody was bringing it out. But now it went down to $25, it came to $30 and $50. Once you sign a contract with the helicopter services, you have to pay them. But pay them with what? If at the time you signed the contract, oil was $100 per barrel. When they start pumping out for you, it comes to $50. You still must pay them at that $100 per barrel.

Even with the contract, they have to call us in to discuss: ‘Give us discounts and the rest of that because you know we signed when it was this and now it is this.’ That’s the reason there is lull all over the world; they are laying off people. They are trying to say to people, ‘come back when you get this or that’.

What role did you play in the local content policy of the federal government?

What we did was to look at what has

been happening. To help the local content, we believe that more Nigerians need to be trained. Nigerians are not able to train because they will go to Zaria, get the initial training and go for the commercialization.

It becomes difficult because it costs nothing less than ₏100,000. We, therefore, decided we would help. We decided to them and pay what needs to be paid. We also decided to pay their salaries while they are on training. When they return we’ll still be paying them but not as high as they should get until their bond tenure expires. We have been able to do that successfully. We have trained, as I said, over 240 people. That has worked for everyone because if you are trying to satisfy your wants, you are indirectly satisfying other people’s needs as well. The government is very happy about it. The government also had this issue of training people under the PTDF. They train them without giving a consideration to where they will work. We contacted them to know how many pilots they are training. They had trained about 20 and wanted to train another 10. We asked them where those trained were working.

They told us they were not working because nobody would take them. These ones need to be trained, specifically to what the IOCs want. Therefore, we took the 10 and asked the government to pay the cost they would have incurred to train them abroad with the condition that we’d train them and employ the trainees. They are working with us now and they are all pilots.

Could you please assess how the industry was before you came in and the contribution you have made?

Before we came in if you were a Nigerian you couldn’t be an engineer. You couldn’t sign out a helicopter. You could only be a fitter. So all you needed to do was to go for an additional training and you’d become a pilot. The training is very expensive Nigerians weren’t trained. They left them as fitters. When we came into the industry and began employing Nigerians, we saw there were a lot of fitters inherited from Bristow. We called in the manufacturer to train them in Nigeria. We trained 50 people and we got 50 engineers overnight. So, all the expatriates had to go home because Nigerians are now the ones doing the work.

The Nigerian staff’s salaries went up; their families were happy. It is the same thing with the pilots. You couldn’t be a captain;

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To Me, Every Wall Is a Door you could only work for a particular period and you could never earn the same as what an expatriate earned. We decided that both expatriates and Nigerians – once they have the same qualifications and do the same work – should get the same pay. That is how we broke encumbrances. Nigerians are now able to hold their heads high.

You have maintained a good safety record. What is the secret?

There is no secret except that we believe in zero tolerance for error when it comes to safety. Also, we operate to ensure that safety comes first in what we do. Life doesn’t have a duplicate. We have maintained high standards of safety for eight years. We didn’t have any accident or incident – thanks to God. Three-quarters of or 90 per cent of our staff are Nigerians. We should take pride in ourselves that we can do it. We are always able to do it; and with God on our side and with confidence, there is nothing that we cannot achieve.

Do you intend to have a charter or commercial service in future?

No. I don’t have interest in any commercial service because of the way the commercial service is being run presently.

Nigerians can’t make money out of it. I really credit the people doing their best to do the shuttle service between Lagos and Abuja and all that. They don’t make money.

They can’t make money. One, the price is low. Two, it is too short. It is 45 minutes.

But if they are able to route Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Malabo, and come back they will make their money. Therefore, West Africa has to be better than what we’re doing now. We must ensure that the aviation sector is run in such a way that benefits everyone. There is no profit because it is a flight that must leave by 7 am and at 7 am if you have 20 passengers out of 100 seats you leave. Everybody goes to Abuja in the morning at 7 O’clock so all flights go at the same time. Everybody comes back at 4 O’clock. Between that there is nothing. It is a tough call. British Airways and others are doing long hauls. They have the experience. They are properly backed up. They have the staff. Nigerians need to train staff, need to do many other things before it happens. The Nigerian Airways was doing well then.

Are you planning for an international operation in the foreseeable future?

No, we don’t plan to do any international operation in that sense. If we want to do an international operation, we’ve to get invited into the country and operate in that country for them – like we’re presently operating in Cameroon. It is not from Nigeria to Cameroon because even to do that you will have to get many things in place. But you can operate in a particular country. For instance, we have been invited to Equatorial Guinea to operate and train their pilots as we have trained Nigerian pilots. It is the same thing Cameroon is asking for. Equatorial Guinea has been operating helicopter service to produce its oil for the past 30 years. They have only two captains who are locals and they see that in Nigeria, we are doing it ourselves.

They said, ‘Why don’t you come? Come and help us set up our own.’ We will do international operations but located in the countries that require our services.

Tell us about the recognition and laurels your group has received

We’ve received a lot of awards – like in the safety category. Every year, we win the Shell Award for Safety. We have so many of that. There is a particular world helicopter body, which has 15 companies sitting on its board, Caverton is the only black company representing Africa on that board and that is because of our safety records. Our managing director is the only person that represents Nigeria.

With your knack for airline operation and management, what is your background?

I was trained as an economist. I had my first degree in economics at the University of Leicester. Later, I went to the University of Manchester, where I did Manpower Planning and Training. I came to Nigeria to do

Makanjuola

my youth service in Kano with Barclays Bank, which later became Union Bank.

After working there for 10 years, I worked with Devcom for another 10 years. So I have been able to see the perceptions of what is needed. When you are a banker you see it all. It was around that time Nigerians were being given oil blocks and none of them was able to start the operations because of one thing: they didn’t have a helicopter to go to their rigs. Even when they were about to go instead of Shell allowing them to go and do their campaign, they blocked them and took the helicopter away from them.

I saw that that was something that was missing. I was interested in that. You don’t need to be an engineer to own helicopters.

I have been trained in leadership skills to bring the right people together. When something is wrong, say it’s wrong; when it’s right, say it is right. As a leader, all you need to do is to look for the truth. Once you are able to get to the truth, you will be able to operate effectively. If you are not able to get to the truth, you will not operate effectively.

You studied economics.You worked in the bank. Then, you ventured into the aviation sector where you have prospered in the last 17 years. What were your dreams as a child?

My dreams were in two folds: the first is because I was taken care of by my parents I always prayed to be able to take care of them. Also, I always prayed to be someone of importance in life. When I started growing up and thinking of having a company, I hoped and prayed that I run a company that would be a household name like CocaCola. At the age of 70 now, I am not asking for prosperity but posterity. When you are asking for posterity, you must have done a lot to make sure that people will remember you. Because you didn’t bring any money (into the world) you won’t go with any money (when you die). It is either you’re forgotten the day you die or after a week or so – or another 10 years, when there’s a remembrance for you and somebody sees it in the papers and say, ‘You remember that man?’ But if I leave behind Caverton and there is posterity with it people will still remember me.

You’ll be 70 years old on November 24. How will you say life has treated

you?

Thanks to my parents and my grandparents who brought me up. It has been very wonderful. As a young person, you don’t know what it takes to be successful.

They will tell you; they will teach you; they will train you. It is after they have left you that everything starts dawning on you and then you start saying, ‘Oh, this is what my grandmother told me!’ I was talking to my wife last week. I said, ‘Look at my nails.

They are long. My grandmother must not see this!’ She brought out a nail cutter for me to trim them. That is part of the training you have got that you don’t even know you had and it is imbibed in you. When I was working with Dr. Mike Adenuga, I used to believe that he was always a bit hard on people. But when I started my own business, I thought I should be harder. That is part of what you learn in life and what you learnt unknowingly are the things that come to help you as time goes on.

I have had a good life. I have been very successful. I have a good family: my wife has been very supportive. She has been able to help in training the children. I play the good cop. She plays the bad cop. She is stricter than I am. We have been able to bring up our children in the way that is good and they are bringing up their own kids now.

How will you describe your growing up in the Lagos of old?

Lagos of old was fantastic because we were all over the place. In the morning you went to school. In the afternoon you returned home. We went for after-school lessons. Later in the evening, we went out to play with our friends. And it was not that when you committed an offence in one particular place, you’d think you would go scot-free? No. The person you offended would beat the hell out of you. He would take you to your mother and say, ‘I have just finished beating him. This is what he did.’ They would beat you again. The discipline was fantastic; the families knew one another and everything worked – that was Lagos. People came in and Lagos was able to accept everybody. In Lagos, there was no Christianity or Islam – they were the same. There were no Igbo or Yoruba.

Even when the Igbo came in they were encouraged. They asked them to leave their

yams – they went and came back again and it was quite nice. But then things started changing because we couldn’t say that is the kind of life we want to live forever – development must come. It is affecting us now. We need to accept one another. A Yoruba man could go to an Igbo man’s land and say, ‘This is where I want to live my life because I like it here.’ The same thing could happen to a Hausa man anywhere.

We need to learn how to accept one another and say, ‘Hey, we are one!’ But we are still finding it a bit difficult.

At 70, would you say all your aspirations have been fulďŹ lled? Are you beginning to slow down?

If you have lived up to the age of 70 and you know people who died at the age of 40 or 30 – incidentally, my own brother died about two weeks ago at the age of 68 and he wasn’t sick –, you would know that life is not something you can take for granted.

Except you have signed a pact with God that you would live to be a Methuselah.

Every day one lives, one has to thank God for being able to wake up. So if you have lived to be 70, for God’s sake, slow down.

Looking back, if you could turn back the hands of time, are there things you would have loved to do differently?

As a mature man now, you have grown.

You’ve been able to do things the way you want without thinking about the consequences. There are little, little things you have done and you say, ‘Oh, I should have done it that way. But it is a matter of hindsight.’ I was talking to a friend of mine this morning and we were saying, ‘Now that we are growing older, we are being very forgiving and very understanding.

That somebody who has not been able to reply to a text, why do you need to be talking to him?’ My friend said, ‘You know our own educational background and responsibilities are different. He did have a school (-leaving) certificate, but you went to the university. You have a responsibility towards your staff and all the rest.

The first thing you do when you wake up in the morning is to look at your emails to be able to answer questions and be responsible. So for him, it is nothing.’ There is a lot of understanding we should train our children to imbibe in their lives so that they can see the other side.

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THISDAYt SUNDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2018

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˜ ˞ NOVEMBER 18, 2018

MARKET NEWS

May & Baker MD Urges Shareholders to Take Up Their Rights Goddy Egene The Managing Director/CEO of May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okafor has urged shareholders to increase their stake in the company via the ongoing Rights Issue and reap more value going forward.

The company is currently offering 980 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N2.50 per share to existing shareholders.

The right issue will fetch the company N2.45 billion fresh capital.

Speaking on the offer, Nnamdi said May & Baker Nigeria Plc has substantial intrinsic value that will ensure investors in the company reap significant returns in the years ahead.

According to him, the offer price of N2.50 rights issue is attractive considering the investments that the company had made in recent years.

He said the shareholders of the company know the intrinsic value of their company and will surely realise that the right issue price

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

of N2.50 is an incentive to them.

The Executive Director, Finance, May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Mr. Ayodeji Aboderin, recently said the directors and professional parties to the company had reduced the offer price in consideration of the general lull at the stock market and the fact that the rights issue was for the existing shareholders of the company.

He disclosed that the company would pay dividend on the rights’ shares even though the net proceeds for the offer might

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 1511-2018, unless otherwise stated.

be received towards the end of the year. “Based on our fundamentals, the offer price is a good price,�

Aboderin had said.

A stockbroker, Mr. Sam Ndata, who had visited May & Baker Nigeria’s World Health Organisation (WHO)-standard pharmaceutical manufacturing complex in Ota, Ogun State, had also said the company has hidden value that many people don’t know.

According to Ndata, the

company has the pedigree and the experience to create higher value for shareholders going forward.

May & Baker Nigeria Plc recently announced improved results for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Gross profit rose by 10.6 per cent from N2.156 billion in 2017 to N2.385 billion in 2018, while operating profit also increased by 15.83 per cent from N770.71 million to N892.75 million. With finance cost dropping by 37.25 per cent from N479.60 million in third quarter 2017 to

N300.94 million in 2018, profit before tax jumped by 89.19 per cent to N609.94 million as against N322.39 million recorded in comparable period of 2017.

Profit after tax from continuing operations also leapt by 89.82 per cent from N218.505 million to N414.76 million. With the addition of net profit of N329.57 million from discontinued operation, total net comprehensive income grew by 240.65 per cent to N744.33 million in 2018 as against N218.505 million in 2017.

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 160.99 162.18 -9.26% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 11.00% Nigeria International Debt Fund 273.04 274.42 18.10% 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 0.83 0.27% ACAP Income Funds 0.62 0.62 6.50% 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 12.45% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.20 2.21 -4.41% 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 16.56 17.06 -9.38% ARM Discovery Fund 356.27 367.01 -8.43% ARM Ethical Fund 28.20 29.05 3.22% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.23% 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 131.58 132.50 -13.26% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.16% 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 11.34% Paramount Equity Fund 11.55 11.84 4.14% Women's Investment Fund 101.56 104.16 0.92% 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 N/A Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 99.21 99.31 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 97.59 97.92 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.12% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.84 0.85 Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.15 1.15 9.63% 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 100.00 100.00 10.66% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 12.44% 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 1,163.20 1,163.96 10.92% FBN Heritage Fund 141.13 142.33 1.19% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.48% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 112.68 113.28 3.62% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 112.44 113.05 3.51% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 144.59 146.63 -8.90% 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 1.22 1.24 -5.59% Legacy Debt Fund 3.20 3.20 10.75% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.02 1.02 1.82% 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 N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 11.71% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 105.49 105.75 5.28% 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 N/A

Vantage Balanced Fund 2.15 2.17 N/A Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 N/A Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 122.62 122.83 N/A LOTUS CAPITAL LTD ďŹ ncon@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 4.15% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,081.36 1,081.36 12.04% 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 11.14 11.23 -13.94% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.48% 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 1.34 1.36 12.59% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.03 12.09 8.98% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.16% 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 126.71 127.11 -2.32% 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 1.68 1.68 12.89% 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 2,313.78 2,328.83 5.28% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 187.22 187.22 7.52% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.96 0.97 -4.46% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 244.31 244.35 13.20% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 161.63 163.46 -9.75% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.55% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,628.74 8,734.63 -9.28% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.10 1.10 6.51% 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 -1.84% United Capital Bond Fund 1.57 1.57 9.85% United Capital Equity Fund 0.70 0.71 -7.41% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 United Capital Eurobond Fund 106.18 106.18 6.10% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.08 1.09 4.01% 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 11.10 11.26 -7.87% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.00 12.10 -7.20% Zenith Income Fund 20.50 20.50 11.13% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.92%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

139.12 51.55

5.03% 1.42%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.41 115.84 90.29

10.51 118.31 91.99

-12.08% -18.90% -17.35%

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 GrifďŹ n 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

4.11 7.22 15.01 13.61 143.07

4.15 7.30 15.11 13.81 145.07

-13.30% -24.50% -14.05% -30.64% 6.35%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.13

17.03%

FOR HNI & PROFESSIONAL INVESTORS ONLY

Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

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

THISDAYt SUNDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2018

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A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

18.11.2018

Darey Art-Alade His Start, Art, and Heart

ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/funkola2000@gmail.com

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COVER

Darey Art-Alade performing

From Project Fame to Global Acclaim Born for the big stage and breaking new grounds, he held more than 200 million viewers across the globe spellbound as he performed a medley of 50 songs before a captivated guests of world leaders – both present and past. Diminutive, debonair and dramatic, Darey Art-Alade is a showstopper on stage and on screen. Suave, sexy and sensational, Darey has been there and done that. Sometimes, he personifies a larger-than-life character with his mellifluous, titillating voice, avantgarde persona and enchanting gait. Dressed to the nines, with dark glasses that leave a silhouette on his rotund face with a shred of hairs as sideburns, Darey is a poster boy for soul, R&B and more, writes Funke Olaode

H

is foray into music was not a misstep. For those who have followed his career closely, his trajectory was cut out long before he was born: entertainment runs in the family. His father, the legendary Nigerian jazz pioneer, Art Alade, left an indelible mark as one of the best jazz musicians Nigeria ever had. Growing up under the tutelage of the famous Art Alade no doubt was a fillip to him. Nevertheless, Darey’s selfdiscovery of where his passion lies helped him to become of the best entertainers in the country – as he experienced his first taste of showbiz.

Darey honed his skills at several church choirs, performing in night clubs in Lagos and other various south-west cities. Like a man destined for greatness, it did not take long for him to find his feet in the entertainment industry -attributing that to an element of luck and commitment to his dreams. His rise to stardom started while performing in one of his night gigs.

His smooth voice captivated an executive at Cool FM, a major radio station. Apart from Darey’s ability to connect with his audience on stage, he equally possessed a voice that can win over a diverse audience.

The radio executive concluded that beyond performing for a restricted audience in a night club, he could also succeed behind the microphone in a confined room. Hence, his career began in broadcasting. He successfully combined his broadcasting job with degree in Music which he as studying at the University of Lagos that time From being an ordinary singer in night clubs and a radio broadcaster, Darey was gradually carving a niche for himself as the years rolled by. He became a disk jockey entertainment consultant, voice-over artiste and performing, recording artist and a successful businessman.

Darey is one of a legion of artistes who have continued to make waves in the entertainment industry. Year 2004 was particular big year for him when he participated in a reality show. He first hit continental fame in the South Africa edition of a music reality show ‘Project Fame West Africa.’ Four years after, his irresistible and dashing look, smooth voice earned him a place for several months as the host of that musical talents.

Still courting fortunes and fame, subsequent years saw Darey move up the ladder. In 2009, two years after the release of his successful debut album, Darey released a hit album ‘unDAREYted’ which

sold over 150,000 copies across Nigeria in just two months. And before the international stage became a playing ground of the young Nigerian artistes, Darey had already caught the bug. It was of significant note that his album caught the attention of the AfricanAmerican Music business legend, Dick Griffey, who is credited with discovering and influencing the music careers of artists such as Shalamar, The Whispers, Babyface, L.A. Reid and Dr. Dre. Dick Griffey offered to executive-produce Darey’s third album, which was to break Darey further into the U.S and international markets but unfortunately he died before the project could be completed.

The unfortunate incident didn’t deter the darling of R&B as 2010 was a bright years that saw him at high-profile shows in many cities across the World including Nairobi, Johannesburg, Abuja, Lagos and other major African cities, including a special concert with R&B legend R. Kelly in South Africa and the THISDAY Peace Concert Tour in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, which had 50 Cent and Ciara as headliners.

His music sensation also caught the attention of the then President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan when he was invited to perform at the Presidential Villa in an exclusive dinner to commemorate the

country’s 50th independence anniversary.

The event was broadcast live to over 200 million viewers across the world as Darey performed a medley of 50 songs with his 15-piece band, “soul band” to a room filled with several African presidents and past world leaders.

Mixing music with compere, Darey continued to soar as the main host of both the Gulder Ultimate Search and Glo Naija Sings reality shows in 2011 and in February 2013. He also put together alongside his Soul Muzik team one of the biggest shows Nigeria has ever seen, ‘Love Like A Movie’, which had the red carpet hosted

by Kim Kardashian – a feat in Africa’s entertainment industry.

Darey is based in Abuja. But in recent times, he has been a constant face in Lagos and its environs. And a few weeks ago, in what seems like a comeback, he staged an electrifying performance at Terra Kulture in Lagos. For someone who began his music career in Lagos, his music fans saw it as a misstep when he decided to relocate to Abuja. Did he regret that move? He explained: “Moving to Abuja was never a misstep as I was still able to churn out quality music, tour the country and other parts of the world and also made out time to spend with family and on other business

NOVEMBER 18, 2018 ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

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COVER

On Music Diversity, Inanity and Serendipity interests. I have been recording a lot lately and should release new music soon.

Our 360-degree creative and experiential marketing agency, Livespot, has also been growing exponentially so there is a lot for fans and clients alike to look out for.”

Fourteen years have passed since he featured in Project Fame, the artiste stated with surprise: “Really, has it been that long already? Well, this can only be attributed to the special Grace of God. In addition, my family and members of my team at home and abroad have played a pivotal role in creating and sustaining my brand.”

Darey has millions of followers across Nigeria, the continent of Africa and globally. Did he know he would be famous even when he released his first album? “Nobody knows tomorrow. So there was no way of predicting that at the time. I thank God for all mercies.” For him, getting inspired to be creative is not something prohibitive or restrictive. Yet, what really gets him inspired? “I am also inspired by musicians, producers and other talents that I work with on a day to day basis,” he said.

For some, Darey’s genre of music seems to be restricted to a select audience.

How difficult is it for him to break even at the initial stage? “My music and brand is for a niche market even though a lot of my songs have crossed over genre borders and won several awards at home and abroad,” Darey explained. “I have also been very fortunate to be able to make a decent living from music. The difficulty is in the consistency and being able to maintain the quality as it is quite costly and time-consuming to create good music. I have always propagated the importance of diversity in our music and as such I enjoy all forms of expression, loud noise and all.”

What would he have done differently

if he could turn back the hands of time? me?

“Well, I have no regrets whatsoever.. I feel really blessed to be alive and lucky to share my talent with the world,” he said after a momentary pause.

No doubt some of his hit songs would be great for remix by the new generation ation of artistes. Is he contemplating collaborating orating g with some of the young artistes? Hee said: “I have enjoyed working with greatt talents such as Simi and Adekunle Gold recently, cently, y so it could be interesting to remix somee of my classics with any of them. Most likely, ly, we will create new records.”

Inasmuch as he has been successful, sful, Darey feels the government has to do more to make the entertainment industry y a global g player, saying: “Nigeria requires a deliberate tactical roadmap that uses the power er and creativity that entertainment and thee arts possess to shape the Nigerian narrative tive at home and across the world – just as Hollywood and American music did id for the U.S in the early days of their democracy.” cracy.” d Darey’s life is not solely revolved around music. He is also a philanthropist ropist p and humanitarian. He supports several veral causes close to his heart including Cancer charities, Millennium Developmentt Goals (MDGs) and several foundations in Africa.

He also set up the Art Foundation, whose main goal is to keep music education on alive for kids in primary and secondary schools in Africa.”

If not music, what would Darey y have become? Well, he pointed in the direction ection of aviation.

A jolly good fellow, it is hard to imagine g that there are things that keep him away y at night but he jokingly said: ”Definitely, ely, not coffee!”

“When there are pertinent issuess that need resolving, sleep stays far away,” y,” Darey added.

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ENTERTAINMENT

The Tinsel Stars Who Melt and Break Our Hearts Vanessa Obioha

Linda Ejiofor and Ibrahim Suleiman

There is always this overwhelming feeling that accompanies the news of our favourite actors tying the knots in real life. It drives fans agog particularly if both actors were on-screen couple. Recently, actress Lillian Ejiofor’s marriage to her on-screen love interest Ibrahim Suleiman has been the rave of the town. The excitement was heightened by the fact that the couple are the fourth Africa Magic’s Tinsel stars to get hooked. The likes of Osas Ighodaro, Iyke Okechukwu, Damilola Adegbite also found their on the TV drama series.

More interesting is the fact that the couple’s engagement and wedding took place in six weeks. It made fans wonder when exactly did they ignite the spark.

According to online news, the couple had been friends for a while but not until they started starring in the series that their feelings for each other waxed stronger. On Tinsel, Sule played Damini White, the boss and lover of Ejiofor’s character Bimpe Adekoya.

They had their fairytale wedding on November 11.

Iyke Okechukwu and Florence Uwaleke These Tinsel stars were the first to tie the knot on the show and marked their fifth wedding anniversary this year. Their on-screen chemistry was inevitable that fans welcomed the news of their engagement with excitement. Okechukwu played Chuks while Uwaleke played Ene. It wasn’t long before the two started developing feelings for each other. Their onscreen love finally turned to reality when they took the bold step to tie the knots in 2013. The couple are blessed with two children.

Chris Attoh and Damilola Adegbite However, not all on-screen couples have a lasting marriage. Take for instance, Tinsel stars Damilola Adegbite and Chris Attoh. Though they were the second couple to get married, theirs was the first to crash, breaking the hearts of many fans who envied their fairytale wedding.

On screen, Attoh played the intriguing character of Kwame Mensah.

His dark handsome looks endeared many to him and soon, captivated the heart of Adegbite who played Telema Duke. It was not long enough before they decided to make it official. The two got married on Valentine’s Day in 2015.

As much as they were idolised as one of the beat celebrity couples, there marriage hit the rock in 2017. Rumours were rife of their separation before Attoh announced the split. Any chance of the couple’s reunion fans may have fantasized was squashed when Attoh remarried in October. They had a son together.

Osas Ighodaro and Gbenro Ajibade The marital status of this duo is still unclear. There have been rumours of their separation recently but the couple is yet to make any official statement.

Following the footsteps of Tinsel stars, the couple were the third to find love on the set of the TV series. Spending time together on set was bound to result to a relationship. Osas played Danni while Gbenro played Soji Bankole.

By 2015, Gbenro walked Osas down the aisle in a destination wedding held in New York on America’s independence day. They have a daughter together.

NOVEMBER 18, 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

63 with LANRE ALFRED 08076885752

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

Pageantry Of The Rich: Four Powerful Families, VP Osinbajo’s Two Smitten Couples, The Grandest Party Ever! Unquenchable Lagos on lockdown as Henry Imasekha and Timi Alaibe marry off children

Love For Bua Boss, Abdulsamad Rabiu

T

Why Nigeria’s Vice President treasures the magnate

he feast of the rich are never for the fainthearted; glamour and lyre, pageantry and cut stones are simply flashes of the cache unapologetically put on display; there is always more treasure to be showcased, more pleasure to be had. Lagos won’t forget in a hurry, penultimate Saturday, November 10, the day Amena Imasekha, the beautiful daughter of Chief Henry and Bukola Imasekha and Shola Ladoja, the son of the former governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Rashid and Titilola Ladoja got married.

Same day, the dark and lovely daughter of Chief Timi Alaibe and Ebitimi Stephanie Alaibe, got married to Ifeanyi Micheal Ajegbo, the tall and strikingly handsome son of Senator Mike Ajegbo, at the prestigious Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Victoria Island, Lagos.

On that day, the cosmopolitan city convulsed to the true power of wealth and celebrity. Victoria Island submitted to the grace of Nigeria’s most powerful figures, like a vessel tilting to the splendorous splatter of the Pacific. The city paid homage to Nigeria’s most powerful figures as they united to celebrate the union of these latest couples.

No doubt, both wedding ceremonies were undoubtedly exhibition of pageantry and class; the Imasekhas and Alaibes notable by their reputation for being subtle threw subtlety overboard, in honour of their children’s blissful ceremony. Ebitimi and Ifeanyi have entwined their hearts where fortune melds with acclaim.

Add power to the mix and you have a perfect picture of a union forged on earth, approved by mortals and sanctified by the blessed breath of heaven.

For the first dance, the groom stared into the eyes of his bride as if he meant to rediscover a familiar treasure trove. Ebitimi stared into Shola’s eyes wondering how many wonders subsist in the two shiny orbs and windows into her soul. Shola too looked like he would mesh with Ebitimi. She looked even more ready to interlock with him in body, mind, spirit and soul. The couple filled up each other’s glances with muted affectation of undying love.

Their story is the stuff dreams of grandeur are made of. Ifeanyi hails from an enviable pedigree; the son of a top politician, presented as a wonderful hunk worthy of the love, high lust and devotion of several rich, glamorous heiresses. Ebitimi is ravishing and lovable. By the end of her wedding day, she had provoked endless streams of well wishes, accolades and the way her curves flared in her dazzling bridesmaid’s dress.

V

Ebitimi Alaibe and Ifeanyi Ajegbo

The wedding and reception took place at Landmark Event Centre, Oniru, Lagos.

At the ceremony, treasures and wonders were much in evidence. As the dark-haired bride, floated down the aisle in splendid silk, Ifeanyi eagerly awaited her arrival, standing on his pew to get a bird’s-eye view of his ravishing bride. She looked every bit a princess. Even so, she cut a different portrait from the deviously glorified pony show of a princess that is spoon-fed to girls at a very young age. The reception at the much-talked about Landmark in Oniru, was taken to a new level of extravagance with flower and light decorations covering up the entire space including the ceiling, walls, and pillars.

The result was a perfect fairy-tale scene. In the midst of splendor rarely seen in this part of the world, the bells pealed, crowds cheered, the expensive flowers that ornamented the venue bloomed like it was in its habitat at winter, even the sun put in a timely appearance to felicitate with the couple.

We saw Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and his wife, Godswill Akpabio and Dino Melaye Tony Elumelu, Greg Uanseru, Aliko Dangote, Samad Rabiu, Tayo and Tutu Ayeni, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu and Solaye Jeremi, Andy and Chris Uba, Nkiru and Willie Anumudu, Julius Rone, Capt. Idahosa Okunbo, Tunde Ayeni and many other celebs and celebutantes. The reception of the Imasekha and Ladoja too was a high class event that attracted the crème de la crème of Nigeria’s aristocratic class.

Adorned in the most exquisite finery, the carefully invited guests walked into the venue and the waiting arms of very pretty ushers who led them to their appointed seats smilingly. Every guest was given the royalty treatment; as they were treated to the choicest brands of champagne; from the most expensive champagne, Armand de Brignac Brut Gold (Ace of Spades) to Domaine de la Romanee-Conti. Asides the expensive wines, cognacs and champagne, the guests were also treated to sumptuous meal that sufficiently wetted and sated palates.

Tickle Me, Tickle Me…Dangote Excites DJ Cuppy With Loving Message

ice President Yemi Osinbajo bears like a badge, an indecipherable flame of affection for his friend, Abdulsamad Rabiu, the Chairman of BUA Group. Like the Californian wildfire, blistering and unquenchable in its wake, the bright flame of their friendship burns brilliantly across the social space and corridors of power even as you read.

There is no gainsaying that Nigeria’s Vice President is devoted to the BUA Group boss, the way a twin commits to his filial other.

It is an open secret that Osinbajo is fond of Rabiu hence whatever the latter does enjoys the goodwill of Nigeria’s VP; be it the commissioning of a factory or any high-octane occasion, VP Osinbajo always shows up. This can however, be attributed to the latter’s undisguised passion for Nigeria and also Rabiu has a lot of respect for Nigeria’s second most powerful citizen and he equally supports him in every way he can, whatever his (Osinbajo’s) endeavour.

However, becoming an industrialist however, is not mere lip service. It requires consistent effort and focus to grow from just being an entrepreneur with interest in a particular business to becoming a respected and renowned empire builder. Samad is one of such few men who started from the scratch, kept their nose to the grindstone and turned seemingly insignificant ideas into behemoth industries.

Indeed, very few magnates command the respect and attention of Osinbajo as Rabiu does and this has made the latter a great reference point for too many of his peers, who would trade places with him in heartbeat.

In an apparent display of love and comradeship, the duo jointly participated at the 2018 Africa Investment Forum. They were also pictured together during a meet-andgreet at the August event organised by the AFDB in Sandton, South Africa few days ago.

How billionaire industrialist celebrated Otedola heiress at 26

Dangote

A hummingbird thrums in the heart of Florence Otedola aka DJ Cuppy as you read. It hums dulcet notes of joy and gratitude for the love and goodwill bestowed on her by her father’s friend and Africa’s richest mogul, Aliko Dangote.

Like a budding star basking in the moon’s silvery light, DJ Cuppy covets the special birthday message sent to her

by Dangote. The disk jockey and singer, born Florence Otedola, clocked 26 last Sunday and in a recorded message shared on social media the following day, “Uncle Aliko” said he called to wish the heiress to the Otedola dynasty “a very happy birthday.”

The business mogul then prayed for her to have a long life, good health and God’s continuous blessing, before adding that he is very proud of her.

Curiously, however, like most billionaires

of his ilk, Femi Otedola, Chairman of Forte Oil, has got the money habit. But, unlike most billionaires of his ilk, he caught the fatherhood bug sometime between his ascension to fatherhood and entrepreneurial acclaim.

Otedola adorns the cloak of fatherhood with unprecedented pride hence he never shies from performing his fatherly roles to his wards. He cuts a contradictory picture to the random portrait of the billionaire as a bad father because of his obsession with money and acclaim. Otedola effortlessly proves that affluence and child-rearing often go hand in hand, under the watchful and compassionate guardianship of a model father. Little wonder Femi and Nana painted individual portraits for the first of their three daughters to celebrate her birthday. “Proud parents! Painted our angel,” Otedola wrote in one of his Instagram posts on Monday.

Rabiu

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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 ÍŻÍś, Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

HIGHLIFE

Holy Trap! Dirty Portrait of Dolapo Awosika and Prophet Kasali Ă™Ăœ ÙÎ Ă™Ăœ Ă‹Ă—Ă—Ă™Ă˜ËŁ Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“ĂŽ ÞËÖĂ? Ă™Ă? ÙÖËÚÙ˪Ă? ĂœĂ™Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? åÓÞÒ ĂŁĂ™ Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?

Unlike two peas in a pod, Dolapo Awosika and a certain Prophet Muyideen Kasali belong to two different and very distant worlds – in fact, liken them to water and oil which nature and science preclude from mixing, and you would not be mistaken.

A thoroughbred, London-trained lawyer who has dined and wined with some of the finest male species known to humanity, Dolapo’s grin or grimace would effortlessly tug at any man’s heartstrings and purse-strings.

She is as beautiful as they come. By virtue of education, socialisation and marriage, she knows her way through the labyrinth of power and prosperity. And she was once married, and has two kids by Nigerian-born ex-England footballer, the gangling and wealthy John Fashanu. The well-spoken copresenter of television talk show, Amazons, with Aisha Falode and legendary actress, Bimbo Akintola, also resides – until recently though – in Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos. Her path was never supposed to cross with that of her new paramour, a powerful prophet whose church is located in Moniya, a rustic and remote area of Akinyemi LGA, Ibadan.

Prophet Kasali became blind at three as a result of a measles outbreak in his village and was once abandoned in the bush by his kin who never thought he’d make good.

Well, he has not only reportedly made good as a prophet; Kasali has got himself a quintessential trophy wife. He came into limelight about 10 years ago when he reportedly disarmed a robbery gang on the Ife – Ibadan Expressway, and when he got 25 cars as his 40th birthday present some years

Ă“Ă˜Ă™Ă˘ ĂŒĂ™Ă?Ă? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ăž ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’ Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ™ĂšĂ?

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Shola Ladoja

Bukola Imasekha

ago. Thus, Prophet Kasali may be deemed rich by his congregants and cheerleaders; he still doesn’t operate in the same sphere with Dolapo, the Lagos and London high society belle. But that is as far as logical reasoning goes.

In a classic case of the beauty and the beast, the love story of Dolapo and Kasali is rippling through high society and the media with strong allegations of voodoo being the common denominator. As the story goes, Dolapo was alleged to have sought spiritual help from the prophet who commands quite a following especially among miracle seekers, and before she knew it, was reportedly entranced, so badly that she abandoned the luxury and modernity of her highbrow Banana Island home to orbit in the rusticity of Moniya, a blip on the map of even Ibadan. What made her friends and relatives cry out was the rumour that she has sold her Banana Island house - which Highlife cannot independently verify - to concentrate on her new marital adventure. They simply went bananas when Dolapo’s picture without any make-up surfaced online, reinforcing the fears of her friends and relatives that she must be under a

spell.

Meanwhile, she has refuted the story outright, alleging that her detractors have inadvertently made her more popular. In a radio programme monitored by several blogs, Dolapo claimed that she doesn’t have any spiritual problem and that her visiting the prophet was at the behest of a friend. “A friend had issues and she asked me to go there for her. She doesn’t live in Nigeria.

I was coming back from London to Nigeria and that was what I went for... I don’t go to Ori-Oke (prayer mountain),� she said.

However, during one of his prophetic programmes on Facebook recently, the prophet allegedly confirmed that, indeed, he and Dolapo are now living as a couple and that no amount of blackmail can silence him or his ministry. He lampooned those circulating Dolapo’s picture during a prayer session, with the intent to corroborate claims that she is wallowing in poverty.

This has raised further questions than allaying the fears of those who know, and are worried about her. Importantly, will Dolapo ever return to Lagos, to her family and friends?

The Grief Behind The Glitter: How Town Lady, Dabota Lawson, Went from Mawkish To Venomous Bride Ă?Ăœ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă“Ă? ĂĄĂ?ĂŽĂ–Ă™Ă?Ă• ÞÙ ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă‘Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă˜ĂŁ Ă•Ă&#x; Finally, Dabota Lawson understands, that, not all that glitters is gold. Back when she felt otherwise, she kindled her desires into a prurient fire, and insisted on burning ravenously in a world, where stardom emits the spark of the firefly.

Dabota is just one sentence short of alluding to the truism as she recently took to the social media to lament her decision to settle for much older money bag, Prince Sunny Aku, at the expense of young suitors whose overtures she scorned in her heyday.

In what appears to be a catharsis of some sort, the former beauty queen depicted an image of an afflicted soul, haunted by wrong decisions she took in her past. According to her, her biggest regret is marrying billionaire businessman, Aku, who she tied the knot with back in 2014. In an early Monday Instagram post, Dabota did not spare her friends, who assumed the role of advisers and counsellors to her. She gave it to them, pointedly, warning them to desist from counselling her, citing the birth of her daughter as the only silver lining in her cloudy marriage.

It would be recalled that the marriage packed up in 2015, barely a year after their wedding. It was not clear if age was a contributory factor to the foundered matrimony, as Dabota was then fond of

Digital Conqueror: The Incredible Genius of Leo Stan Ekeh

Dabota Lawson

painting an image of a marriage made in heaven. “When you love somebody, you just love him or her with your whole heart.

You do not think about age or anything of that nature. My husband’s age is not a problem because a marriage built on the laws of God must work regardless of age, class or origin and that is what

my husband and I have going for us.

We face what God has to say before anything else,� she once said in an interview.

Barely three months after painting this picture however, her marriage hit the rock. Back when she was chummy with Aku, Dabota made ostentatious display of the life of luxury that he gave her. If she was not showing off vacations on a yacht or private jets, she would be sharing details of bank transactions in millions to taunt “haters.�

Indications that their union was wobbly emerged when Dabota deleted all images of Aku from her Instagram and quit using his name as her surname, an act which revealed that the marriage was experiencing some hiccups. She eventually deleted the account when internet trolls afflicted her social media. She returned weeks later and attempted to rebrand herself as an entrepreneur dealing in cosmetics. All her efforts at redeeming herself and underplaying the sad experience of her ill-fated marriage, were however futile. Not even her presumed street-smarts and exposure, gained from her sterling academic sojourn in England, could mitigate the devastation of her tragic wedlock.

f Leo Stan Ekeh doesn’t strike you, at ďŹ rst sight, it’s probably because he is a masterpiece of a man disguised as a blank canvas. Ekeh aects a urry of beings curled into one: he is science, an art, a foundation of genius with dashes of brilliance brightening the creativity of his mind and soul, thus illumining the world.

A product of pure intellect, Ekeh can become any form he creates; he is a library of masterpieces, an intricate web of sensitivity and hope attuned in full measure to the world’s needs. This is a glimpse of who he truly is.

Despite his genius and acclaimed successes, the group chairman of Zinox Tech Group and founder of Konga.com, a shopping site, is unusually humble. He is a workaholic no doubt, but he is highly spiritual and sophisticated too. It is his philanthropy that wins hearts, among other traits thus his investiture as an ICON of Hope for Nigerian Youths by former President Olusegun Obasanjo as far back as October 1, 2001 Ekeh, better known as Africa’s leading digital entrepreneur, has pioneered and delivered the largest ICT projects in the continent, quietly, with few of his companies.

For the umpteenth time, Ekeh was on song courtesy his genius and unrivalled accomplishments, amid the classy and well laid out conference room in of a ďŹ ve star hotel in Parklane, West London, recently.

The name and remarkable feats of Africa’s most formidable digital magnate sprang to the fore as the discussion segued to humanity’s chances of living and surviving in the future.

The select group of professionals and digital aďŹ cionados was shocked when the presenter mentioned among others, that possibly the best digital home in Europe was built from the foundation by a leading digital entrepreneur (Ekeh), who could not do it in his home country, Nigeria, due to the lack of adequate infrastructure and certiďŹ ed professionals.

The house, though a similar design like his house in Lagos, Nigeria, which he built over 15 years, was designed by one of United Kingdom (UK)’s best modern lifestyle architects, who ďŹ led for bankruptcy on the project. While the automation was designed by dierent specialist companies across the globe, every detailed aspect of the design and deployment was directed and supervised by Ekeh, “a restless gentleman who works almost 24 hours and is impatient with delays. His UK bankers who believed his story and took the risk with him must be commended for extending a loan for him to achieve this real future home. The house has everything in the world that we expect in living well in the next 25 years,â€? enthused the moderator.

Ekeh’s digital home is indeed a marvel.

Fully connected to a digital cloud with zero failures backup, it has multiple and scalable analytics triggered by several high-level sensors, which alerts the owners wherever they are in the world to any happenstance. The analytics rates the weight and possibly health status of every visitor when you go in and out and an unusual entry triggers some adapters which alarm the police in three countries and could unveil any visitor no matter how he or she camouages.

The quality of breathable air inside the house is analysed by the sensitive systems put in place to make sure it is pure for healthy living.

Ekeh’s healthy living lifestyle is discernible by his installations and overall design of the house. The genius, who does not take alcohol or smoke endeavours to perpetuate his preferred lifestyle in the digital residence’s intricate technology. The apartment’s entertainment system is integrated with an A++ indoor swimming pool with digital ďŹ ltration system and analytics that interprets breathing frequency of the swimmer and alerts emergency contacts if the swimmer’s heart beat is going beyond normal limit.

There is no gainsaying Ekeh like the world’s privileged few, is already experiencing the future, a reality that does not necessarily require being the richest but a painstaking focus on maximising the resources of the present to live the lifestyle of the future.

Ekeh’s house is priceless; built in a privileged location in the UK, it will be put up for sale in the A-list property market in Europe, very soon, for the few who can aord it.

NOVEMBER 18, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

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HIGHLIFE

Tony and Awele’s Blooming: Cheers as Power Couple Celebrate 25th Anniversary Bliss activates UBA boss as he covets marital joy with wife For Tony Elumelu, every new dawn unrolls on quixotic wings in October: his supple heart skips to the paring of love’s foliage and his soul stirs to receive gladly, the crackling of fire beneath his wife, Awele’s silver moon.

Octobers brings fresh tidings of bliss and re-invigorated passion to the boss of United Bank of Africa (UBA). And the reason is not far-fetched; it is the month in which he tied the nuptial knot with Awele, 25 years ago.

Hence the aura this ember month brings is priceless. For the banking Czar and his wife, the month dawns with promises of love’s golden harvest and its plentiful reap.

If Tony is autumn and Awele is spring.

And somehow the combination fits just right. Together, they dreamed the future on love’s mountain and knew they were matched for life. From the moment they met, they talked to each other every day, diving

into the words they inspired each other to say.

It was essential that they learned everything; who the other really was and what to bring to a lifetime for two individuals, determined to keep the relationship in the middle. They found nothing to be wary of. They were both imperfectly perfect.

And despite the challenges of love and matrimony, Tony and Awele determined to stay committed thus consigning doubts and doomsday tales to the back seat.

Some days ago, they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. it’s 25 years of love for the couple and they feel it’s like the planets aligned by heaven’s grace to bless them in some kind of personal Age of Aquarius. Since Tony, the miracle-working UBA Chairman married Awele, a medical doctor in 1993, their love has known no break.

Blessed with a lifetime of love and seven children together, they emerge as a super couple. There is no doubting the couple’s affection for each other; they are always together at public events and despite his hectic schedules, Tony still finds time to celebrate his beautiful Awele, who has been there for him through thick and thin. Awele a great manager, has also been taking care of the home-front, whenever Tony is not around. They understand each other. Tony, a sweet father, he doesn’t joke with his children especially the beautiful daughters, scratch that, his love for his new set of twins, boys, is out of here too.

He is truly a family man. More significant, unlike most reality couples, there is no scandal about the duo. Their deportment and grace in private and public space remains an inspiration to generations of Nigeria’s power couple.

PAGEANTRY AND DRUMS AT IDUGARAN…AS OBA AKIOLU CELEBRATES 70-YEAR-OLD QUEEN ˾ Lagos monarch honours wife in full measure

offence at age 45, was charged alongside his accomplice, Lateef Balogun, 20, with reportedly strangling the 62-year-old woman in her bedroom.

The duo, who are standing trial on a two count of conspiracy and murder, allegedly committed the offence on October 17, 2012 around 1am at Number 5, Babatunde Ladega Street, Omole, Lagos.

However, Prince Oyekan had earlier stated in his police statement that he connived with Balogun, who had initially planned the murder, in order to take over her businesses and sell off her properties.

“I met Alhaja (the deceased) at a PDP rally at Ikeja after returning from the United States of America in 2003, following the death of my father. I was born in December 12, 1968 and my father is the late Oba of Lagos, Oba-Adeyinka Oyekan of Lagos. My mother is one Subulade Oyekan but she died in 2001 in USA. Alhaja invited me to her house at Omole and after we talked, she accepted to help me by employing me to work in her restaurant. She wasn’t really paying me any money as salary since I ate and was sheltered in her house. Balogun had also lived and worked for Alhaja but left after they both had a misunderstanding. It was during one of their confrontations that Balogun threatened to deal with Alhaja,” said Oyekan, in his statement.

marriage to Patrick Koshoni.

The rumour was, however, nipped in the bud soon after it broke out although the parties offered no denial of a close relationship, which rumour mongers interpreted wrongly.

That piece of rumour, which highlighted sordid details of the alleged amorous relationship, was tagged wicked and the figment of imagination of suspicious individuals. While rumour mongers went to town with news, that Olu alleged involvement with Karen, led to the crash of his marriage, the claims held no water in the face of vehement rebuttal by the affected parties.

Soon after Olu and Adeola called it quits with their marriage, an uglier rumour rent the air, indicating that issues of infidelity were responsible for their crashed marriage. Like Olu, New Yorkborn Adeola has equally moved on, attending to various businesses where she serves as a founder, a director, board member or an investor.

Gratitude cuddles delight and animates Oba Rilwan Akiolu’s imperial psyche, like the proverbial quiver cradling Cupid’s feathered arrows.

Ecstasy overwhelms the soul of the Lagos monarch, driving him to affect consummate joy in appreciation of his wife, Olori Titilola Akiolu, who clocked 70 last Tuesday.

It was celebration galore at the coastal city palace in Idugaran as the royal family celebrated the queen in full measure. Olori Titi is a very reserved woman and like many of Oba Akiolu’s wives, she is hardly seen in public space, attending social functions. But by Kabiyesi’s side, she flourishes in full glory.

The duo got married many years ago after Olori Titi lost her first husband.

Though they never sired any child together, it is widely believed, that, it would be so hard for anyone to know that, Olori Titi’s son, Olumide Raheem, who works with Gov Ambode, is not Oba Akiolu’s biological son. This is because Oba Akiolu has always assumed the role of a father to all Olori Titi’s children.

They have been married for over 18 years and besides the love she enjoys from the monarch, Olori Titi enjoys the affection and friendship of her husband’s other three wives. The three Oloris love Olori Titi because of her calmness and maturity, it was learnt.

BLACK SHEEP: LATE OBA OF LAGOS, ADEYINKA OYEKAN’S SON CHARGED WITH MURDER ˾ ÙãËÖ ÐË×ÓÖã Ý×ËÜÞÝ ËÝ ÜÓØÍÏ Ó×ÚßÑØÝ ÞÒÏ ×Ï×ÙÜã ÙÐ ÚËÜË×ÙßØÞ monarch Dishonour binds the soul tangled with dark history, Adewale Oyekan, probably understands. The Lagos Prince and son of former Oba of Lagos, the late Adeyinka Oyekan, in all likelihood, regrets the sad spate of events by which he featured as suspect in a disputed murder.

Soon after the sad incident, the long arm of the law snuck up on the Prince in record time; it entangled his feet and crept around his back to shackle his hands in a vice grip.

Thus Prince Oyekan was put in the dock before an Ikeja High Court, Lagos, some days ago, over an alleged murder of a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Alhaja Sikirat Ekun. The 50-yearold Prince, who allegedly committed the

DISAPPEARING ACTS: THE CURIOUS NEW LIFESTYLE 0F OLU ADEWUNMI When Olu Adewunmi fell in love with Adeola of “The Bookworm Fame,” bliss blossomed within the cockles of his heart and his soul pandered to love’s fickle truths. But passion has a slender body that breaks too soon, he would find. Olu eventually fell out of love with Adeola and their laughter became jaded by the debris of frowns and the glee of waking beside each other soon spun into a vortex of pain.

Thus as the proverbial fairytale romance brews and chars within the hearts of dreamy lovers, so did the couple’s fabled love bloom and fade.

Eventually, they called it quits with each other and either party moved on.

Since their separation, Olu has been carrying on as if he is not keen to try his luck again, in marriage. He has been living a life unencumbered by love and commitment.

The dashing dude has since embraced the hustle to make money rather than search for a soul mate that seems elusive.

Despite his seeming aversion to love, not a few people looked forward to another union between him and Karen Koshoni, a lawyer, when reports surfaced that both were an item. Mischief-makers went to town with allegation that Olu was the reason Karen bade farewell to her

THE FURORE AT NPA: INTRA-AGENCY BEEF PITS AMAECHI AGAINST HADIZA USMAN ˾ ÜËØÝÚÙÜÞ ×ÓØÓÝÞÏÜ ÙØ áËÜÚËÞÒ áÓÞÒ ×ËÜÓÞÓ×Ï ÌÙÝÝ Discord runs riot within the ranks and halls of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) as you read. Seeds of strife and commotion blow through the federal agency like an unforgiving monsoon, tearing the bureau apart and pitting its top executives against each other.

There is no gainsaying the fact that at the agency, which operations are carried out under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, has control over the Director-General of the NPA, Hadiza Usman, according to the organisation’s pecking order. But by reality and the current state of the relationship between these two at the moment, Hadiza appears to be having none of Amaechi’s supervisory role, as she now deems such role as overreaching.

Consequently, she seeks to cut Amaechi’s wings. Inside sources have revealed to us that there has been a silent war between Amaechi and Hadiza as a result of the latter’s resolve to purge NPA of some prominent contractors and vendors who, in her judgement, are fleecing the agency dry.

Some of these contractors whose deals have been terminated or significantly reviewed downwards by Hadiza, were the minister people, whom he allegedly helped corner the contracts. Rumour has it, that, when they intimated Amaechi about their plight, Amaechi took the

Tony Elumelu and wife

Heart of a Queen: Applause As Ooni Ogunwusi’s Estranged Wife Blesses His New Marriage Deposed queen Zaynab Otiti-Obanor forgives and forgets Wishes monarch bliss in his new union At last, Zaynab Otiti-Obanor has made peace with her grief. She is done ruing the sluice of the icy wind that extinguished the warmth in her marriage.

Thus the former Queen and heartthrob of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has seen beyond the poetic justice or injustice of her crashed wedlock to the paramount monarch and congratulated the flamboyant monarch on his grand marriage to Yeyeluwa Silekunola Naomi.

The former queen, also known as Olórí Wuraola, who split with the Ooni in August 2017 citing “irreconcilable differences,” surprised her fans when she posted the message on her Instagram page. Her gesture of solicitation shocked not a few people who expected her to still be nursing her wounds from the acrimonious break-up.

Unlike the vast multitude of forsaken women, her highness, Zaynab Otiti Obanor has moved on from her recent disappointment. The former Queen of Ifè understands that a bridge can still be built, while the bitter waters of anger and betrayal are flowing beneath.

Hence her gesture of reaching out to the man with whom she spent a whirlwind year at the top of the world before things fell apart.

Perhaps in memory of the good times, that they spent together, she has forgiven him. She decided to let bygones be bygones and sincerely wish her successor, a better and happier marriage than she had.

Her message was contained in a photo card which reads: “It was once said that there is nobility in compassion, beauty in empathy and grace in forgiveness.

Congratulations to The Ooni and his new bride, Shilekunola Naomi Moronke Oluwaseyi. May God bless your union.”

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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 18, 2018

Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

Olujonwo Obasanjo’s Pains, Temitope Adebutu’s Next Move It is no longer news that the celebrated marriage between Olujonwo, son of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and his wife, Temitope, daughter of billionaire businessman, Kessington Adebutu, has crashed, barely a year after it was consummated.

Amidst the crisis, Olujonwo dragged Temitope before the Ogun State Judicial Service Commission and the Magistrate Court in Lagos Island over allegations of domestic violence.

In the court papers, Olujonwo accused Temitope of subjecting him to repeated acts of domestic violence since their wedding was contracted in May 2017.

Society Watch gathered that the case has, however, been struck out for lack of merit and diligent prosecution by Chief Magistrate of the court, O. O. Oshin on November 8, 2018 .

A source revealed that it is evident

that the application was brought by the estranged husband just to smear and tarnish Temitope’s reputation.

Consequently, the estranged wife is said to have set in motion her divorce petition which is ready for filing.

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

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

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

But barely a year after, the world was shocked to read about a crack in their home. Soon, Olujonwo made startling

revelations about the troubled marriage, accusing Temitope of threatening to kill him.

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

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

Reacting to the development, another source described Olujonwo as an ingrate that bit the hand that fed him, adding that “Jonwo Obasanjo must have forgotten to tell the court that he married Tope Adebutu for material gains.

“Before the wedding in 2017, he got a contract from Tope’s brother, Segun Adebutu, who is the CEO of Petrolex Oil and Gas. He was awarded the contract and was paid N35 million. But he didn’t

execute the contract or refund the money.

“Mr Segun Adebutu did that to help Jonwo who was living in his father’s house before and after the marriage.

He lived in one of the apartments at the OBJ’s hilltop estate in Abeokuta.

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

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

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

Orange Drugs Boss, Tony Ezenna’s Exquisite Taste

I

f, indeed, money-making is an art, then, Orange Drugs’ boss, Sir Tony Ezenna, is a maestro in the game.

The stylish billionaire businessman, who has all the comforts of life at his beck and call, knows how to make and spend money wisely.

In fact, he never blinks an eye whenever he feels like spending money, obviously because he works hard for it.

His lives in a mansion and drives some of the most expensive automobiles.

In addition, the billionaire businessman has a commanding sense of fashion; he is a showstopper any time, any day. Those who have known him for years would attest to this.

Interestingly, he recently took his love for the good things of life a notch higher with his gold-plated mansion located in Ikoyi, Lagos State.

During the house warming, which held last Monday , guests were left in shock at the wonders that is the house.

From wall to roof, it is a tale of wealth extraordinary.

The architectural masterpiece, it was gathered, is fast becoming a tourist attraction and no one has visited the exquisite castle without using it as a prayer point to the Almighty God. The mansion, according to a source, is worth over N2bn.

“This is not his first, he has an exquisite mansion known as ‘Elenma Castle’ in his country home in OwerriAkokwa local government, Imo State,” a source disclosed.

The source also disclosed that the Imo State- born businessman also took delivery of 2019 model Rolls Royce Phantom model worth over N200m in celebration of the newly completed building.

Guests at the event included Labour Minister, Dr. Chris Ngige, Senator Dino Melaye and Chris Uba, among several top personalities.

Ezenna’s

Adebutu

Obasanjo

Victor Omole Celebrates at 50 Victor Adeoye Omole, owner of Archers Group, is a few days to attaining the golden age.

By providence, he has packed so much into his earthly journey to the envy of many.

He started out 27 years ago as a businessman when he established Archers Gas with interest in LPG Cooking gas. He would later go into Archers Gas and Oxygen with industrial plants in Lagos, Ilesa, Akure Road, Osun State.

His clientele cuts across multinational companies, industries, and hospitals.

A visit to his Lagos office will provide anyone with insight into his gas and oxygen industry in Amuwo Odofin in Lagos. He treats the motley crowd that throngs his office with warmth, irrespective of their status.

Aside from the on going new project

in Dome, Accra, his Archers View Court Accra, Ghana is a one-stop holiday inn for tourists across the world.

The Court is a luxury apartment for a long and short stay, offering luxury at affordable rates. Tucked inside Oyarifa, Accra, Ghana, Archers View Court is designed for discerning individuals in search of a high sense of quality and value for money.

For a man of great means, you will expect that he will roll out the drums for this landmark. But Omole is not favourably disposed to loud celebrations.

Instead, it was gathered that the gentleman, whose philosophy is giving back to the society, will be visiting orphanages to celebrate with the less privileged on November 29, among other activities to mark the day.

Omole

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NOVEMBER 18, 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

Sanwo-Olu’s Rise To Fame For the first time in the history of Lagos State, the citizenry witnessed a different scenario when the incumbent governor, Akinwumi Ambode, lost out in the primary conducted by his party, All Progressives Congress.

Many were shocked by the party’s decision not to field Ambode ,despite his tremendous achievements.

Following Sanwo-Olu’s emergence, many began to literally dig into his persona. But those who know him better describe him as very cerebral and one of the few intelligent politicians the state has produced in recent times.

Society Watch gathered that since he won the governorship primary, he has been showcasing his intelligence to the chagrin of those who had earlier doubted his intellectual capacity.

In fact, he ihas become the most popular candidate in Lagos State ahead of 2019 governorship election.

A source disclosed that the upwardly mobile politician, otherwise known as BOS , would be the best prepared and fully loaded as he has been involved in the government since 2003.

His appointment as the Acting Commissioner for Economic Planning & Budget less than a year after he joined the trail-blazing administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Special Adviser on Corporate Matters in 2004 took the political circuit unawares.

Many were said to have wondered what gave him the edge over others in the reckoning of Tinubu.

He chose to prove his mettle on the job by rolling up his sleeves and bringing his expertise in finance and management notched in over two decades in the private sector to play.

Since then, his has shown the world that he is indeed a man to be trusted with leadership quality.

He believes in the word of the legendary philosopher, Archimedes of Syracuse, that ‘Give me a place to stand, and I will move the earth’, In 2006, he was Commissioner for Commerce & Industry and later appointed the Commissioner for Establishment, Training & Pensions.

He was later appointed the Managing Director of the Lagos State Property Development Corporation by Ambode in 2016.

One of the flagship interventions of the LSPDC under Sanwo-Olu’s watch was recommencement of work on the abandoned 122-unit Lekki Apartments, which is currently near-completion.

Born into the illustrious SanwoOlu family of Lagos Island on June 25, 1965, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has grown to become a symbol of integrity, hard work, diligence, selflessness and

Mo Abodu

Again, Mo Abudu Shines Sanwo-olu

empathy that are second nature to his worthy family.

The highly intelligent man has been fully involved in the best of two worlds; he is a private sector tested hand and a public sector reformer. His experiences straddle the two distinct, but connected pillars of every great economy.

Unknown to many, he has a very enviable banking career ,where he rose to the position Deputy General Manager (DGM) at the First Atlantic Bank (now part of First City Monument Bank).

Babajide served as financial advisor and investment Banker to several blue chips and multinational companies and initiated many impactful transactions that created multiple positive effects on the economy.

Beyond the interesting highlights of his banking career, he also supervised notable Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE)-led privatization projects, such as concession of the Aluminum Smelter Company (ALSCON), National Arts Theatre, Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, acquisition of Ikoyi Hotels Limited and the Federal Government Debt Conversion Programme.

Without any doubt, he left the private sector with countless skills that differentiated him in the public service, but liquidity management and investment policy articulation could be considered his most valuable takeaways from the banking sector.

His role as a treasurer at Lead Merchant Bank between 1994 and 1997 and later Head, Foreign Money Market at United Bank for Africa and Treasurer at First Atlantic Bank, made him central

to institutional survival and adroit at resources utilization.

Prior to his banking career, he worked (Post – NYSC) as a Seismic Surveyor with United Geophysical Nigeria Ltd (a seismic data acquisition company) in a role which took him round the whole Niger Delta and Lake Chad region prospecting crude oil for Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC)and NNPC between 1989 and 1991.

He is an alumnus of the prestigious Kennedy School of Government, London Business School and the Lagos Business School. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Surveying & GeoInformatics and a master’s of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Lagos.

He has attended several high-profile training and leadership courses at some of the leading institutions in the world, especially in Europe, USA and Asia. He also boasts membership of the Nigerian Institute of Directors (IOD), Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), and Fellowship of Nigeria Institute of Training and Development (NITAD). ‘’It is unexpected that Babajide’s enterprising career in the private sector, defining roles in public service and selfless contributions to the society would not have attracted international recognitions and accolades at home.

But as a man attired in modesty, these awards and laurels are encouragements that keep him on the path of service to God and humanity,’’ a source added.

Nnena Ukachukwu’s Passion Without a doubt, Nnena Ukachukwu is a successful businessman, politician, industrialist and estate developer.

But not too many know his wife, Nnena, obviously because she sometimes avoids the glitz and publicity.

However, those who have encountered the respected lawyer and executive director with British Nigerian Academy, Abuja at social events attest to the fact that she is not a snub.

Besides, it is said that this amiable woman, who cherishes her privacy greatly, usually makes lasting statements with her dress sense whenever she

steps out with her husband. She catches the attention of celebrity reporters as well paparazzi with her fashion sense.

Well-educated and brainy, her only desire is to see the growth of her husband and their five sons.

Her love for child’s education is second to none.

She believes that if the government can make education more available to the of Nigerian youths, the society will be better for it.

Her disciplined lifestyle, which she inherited from her parents, has prepared her for today.

Ukachukwu

Mo Abudu, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, EbonyLife Media, has continued to wow us with feats that will continuously make her relevant in our everyday discourse.

Recently, the media mogul was awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts by the University of Westminster, United Kingdom.

The honour was bestowed on her in recognition of her outstanding services to broadcasting and enterprise in Nigeria.

Speaking during the University’s annual graduation ceremony held at the prestigious Royal Festival Hall in London, the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Peter Bonfield, said Westminster University awards honorary degrees to those who have made outstanding contributions in their personal and professional lives.”

A multiple award winner, her story caught the attention of Forbes in 2013, when she was honoured with a prestigious award for treading an unbeaten path among African women.

For obvious reasons, when her name is mentioned, you may think she gained fame only for her heroic journey in the media business. But you are wrong, as she now has her hand in other pies.

No wonder, she is celebrated at home and abroad as one of the crème of Nigeria’s league of extraordinary entrepreneurs. Her success, despite all odds, is attributable to hard, valuable lessons she learnt in her youth through adulthood.

The broadcaster and filmmaker attended Westminster in 1993, where she completed her Master’s degree in Manpower Studies.

After successful careers as a corporate executive and human resources entrepreneur, Abudu entered the world of media as the host and producer of Moments with Mo, the first pan-African talk show.

In 2012, she went on to found EbonyLife TV, which has grown into a media group, encompassing movie production and global video-ondemand (VoD).

Despite the challenging business environment, 2018 has been a landmark year for Mo Abudu, beginning in March with the announcement by Sony Pictures Television that it had struck a threeproject production deal with EbonyLife.

The media group celebrated its 5th anniversary in July with the launch of EbonyLife ON, its global VoD service.

In October, she was included in The Powerlist, the top 100 most influential people of African and Caribbean heritage in the UK, alongside Meghan Markle, Anthony Joshua and Lewis Hamilton.

In December, her EbonyLife Film will release its fifth feature film, Chief Daddy, and Abudu will be hoping for a solid performance at the cinema box office to close the year.

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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 18, 2018

LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

The Duke Meets J.K Agbaje As a well-known and very influential public commentator, I felt it was within my jurisdiction as a constituted authority to reach out to major camps vying for Lagos governorship, to feel them and sound them out before I take a position which will in effect decide the winner. Make una siddon there, dey carry small eye dey look me.

You think The Duke of Shomolu is a small position, stay there. Anyways, I sent signals to both camps – the Sanwo-Olu camp and JK Agbaje camp. My people, the SanwoOlu people na silence of the grave dem give me o. I even drive pass them office many times to see if they will wave at me to come - nothing o. I even come they flash them, nothing. The DG of the campaign -Tayo Ayinde no even take my calls one day. I send him whats app number he read, no response. I even go stand for the police station opposite the place to see if they will take pity and call me in, for where. So I respect myself, go eat afang in peace.

Well, not quite long, I got a call from Agbaje people. They wanted a meeting. The guy say I should meet him at Four Points. I say ok, we met and had fruitful discussions on the meeting, I was so happy I even buy the guy tea and meat pie – kai he had left when I saw the bill, N5,670.00. kai I shout o.

My people, within minutes the meeting

was arranged and pronto I was in front of the candidate himself with his beautiful running mate. Before he came however, I saw a huge delegation of Igbo people complete with one Igwe-looking man and then a huge contingent of Nigerian students also came in singing and dancing and reminding me of my school days.

After all of that, we were ushered in to see J.K.Agbaje.

Mbok as I walked in, it was my book in front of him and immediately I entered, he shouted, ‘Edgar Joseph, The DUKE OF SHOMOLU, I have been reading you very regularly o, you have been taking pot shots at me, you are a crazy man o’. I started to blush like a freshly minted virgin from Akwa Ibom. After all the pleasantry and protocols, we went down to discussion. The need to free Lagos was paramount, the need to give the people a say in their destiny was the driving force, the seeming stranglehold of the people by the godfather had to be addressed with urgency. The issue of his not being ’on ground’ was also touched and he explained that he was waiting for the INEC whistle and because the other side was breaching the rules did not mean that he should do same. He saw his chances as very bright and that all they needed to do

was to remain focused and with very strong strategies, Lagos will fall. He introduced me to his very beautiful running mate who also talked about her immediate experience in politics seeing that she came in from the corporate world. You know I have a soft spot for women, I immediately took a liking to her but did not ask for a hug because, I did not know how JK will take it so I respect myself.

The meeting lasted 30 minutes. Enough time for him to cement my perception of him as a gentleman with strong intellectual credentials and with a large dose of Integrity.

So now the question: has the Duke taken a position because I have to report back to the DUKE SUMMIT, a powerful and influential grouping who sent me on this mission - not yet even as I await the call from the other side after which I will take a position which I’m sure will be the decider. look, forget about Bourdillon or any godfather, once I raise anybody’s hand na him be that o. Ask our Estate Chairman, let him tell you how I defeated him in our Estate with just one 2-minute talk. So Sanwo-Olu be warned o. Let’s meet you too so that an objective decision can be taken.

Lagosians are waiting abi you dey fear?

What this statement was meant to achieve I do not know and is it not time we got thoroughbred professionals to man these sensitive positions instead of this one that we are hearing all sorts in this country?

The man is being held against some court judgments and instead of us to go to the courts to fight against the bail, we’re being allegedly told that N3.5m is being spent on feeding him as if that justifies everything.

The same country where NLC is asking for just N30,000 minimum wage, this is said to be happening? You see some of the problems Baba is facing are selfinflicted. Why hasn’t he even changed cabinet sef? In a relay race, you reserve your strongest legs for the last round. You cannot continue a race with the same legs you started with na. Sai Buhari make a change o.

You know they say, be careful what you wish for otherwise one would have said one or two things about this claim.

Well that said, the story has gone viral and Nigerians in their usual manner have said a lot about it. But then again if it is true that oga said it, then it is time we started evaluating our office holders at Yaba just the way we are asked to go for evaluation anytime LASTMA or FRSC catch you.

If you have not seen the video, then you are living under a rock. The actor, Aremu Afoloyan, brother to the other actor Kunle Afolayam after having experienced the usual wahala we all face at the airports shot a video of himself ranting and pouring invectives on our officials and even the President and my Ambode were not spared. He called them all sorts of names that I can’t mention in a family-oriented column like this and ended up pouring so much spit on the camera that I was almost afraid of catching something just by watching.

You see for me, this was a lost opportunity. The message was lost in his rant and abuse of elders. We are now looking at his mental health instead of focusing on the issue. I think the man needs some help, his family should step in because from what I saw na the beginning be that o. That level of frustration, that level of anger and that level of rage cannot be normal. Na other things dey do am, no be Nigeria problems.

We all know that our people at the airports can be funny but what mostly happens is that they graciously and cautiously ask you for ‘something’ which is part of our culture and then you too will either oblige or politely just say, ‘my brother I no get’ and we will all smile. In some cases like his own, the most likely thing would have been them trying to throw some stumbling blocks on his way so that he can negotiate better.

When you are not on a wanted list or a drug pusher you will not really have any major problems. So calling Buhari a b… and Amdode too na sickness not yet diagnosed. The one that pain me the most na Ambode name he go call there.

What concern Ambode for this one? Are the airports under him? Why mention his name?

By the way, I will be off to Accra during the week, mbok make no immigration, customs NDLEA or anybody try me o, my video go win Oscars, I speak better English.

Me I like this chap. actor, musician and husband to the very beautiful Adesuwa.

The guy can sing o and he can dance small and he can really toast but today he wants to go to the House of Reps. I support him but his inexperience will do him in. You see, the push that the youths must join the process as far as I can see is only an emotional play. Power is serious business go ask them Saraki and they will tell you. All these social media games we play can only be a mild distraction for the very serious people. So Banky seeing the number of people following him on Instagram most especially because of his wife suddenly believes that he has enough fire power to go on stage and be taken seriously. Those before him, hem Fela dem haven’t they fizzled out? Even the great Sowore after ranting and cussing out the whole world don tire. We need very serious and articulate candidates to represent the youth who will go through an apprenticeship, pay their dues ad grow within the system, understanding it well before jumping into the fray. Jakande served Awolowo very well, Tinubu served very well, Dino served very well, Saraki served very well, El-Rufai served very well, Atiku served very well that is why they understand power. Not this one who will be rubbing powder on his face and doing beard gang on Instagram and will just stand up one day and say he wants be House of Reps member.

Atiku

Aremu Afolayan

Banky W

Kalu

ATIKU – WAS IT A STRIP SEARCH? The PDP and the Atiku team have made a lot of fuss about the recent treatment meted out to him on his return to the country from his extended Strategy session in Dubai. My people if it was not a strip search then no problem. I do not have too much details but you see, if this really happened and as reported nothing was found, then we have a major plus for our guy. We should then remain focused on the major issue at hand and not all this kind irrelevant and chin chinny matter.

Everybody must be searched at the airport as I hear even the Duke of Shomolu was searched after his recent trip from Uyo so why won’t they search Atiku mbok. This in my estimation is a no issue and all that talk about the government trying to plant something on the plane by one Frank guy like that is palm wine talk. Abeg, let’s not be distracted by all this small talk, the work ahead is tedious. Welcome back, can you now focus?

N3.5M FEEDING ALLOWANCE

AREMU AFOLAYAN – THAT RANT

Agbaje

BANKY W: WELCOME!

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NOVEMBER 18, 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

Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, ASUU President

Mbok go siddon and let’s talk about the next movie script. Meanwhile Adesuwa, how are you jo? I need you on my next production on stage o, Let’s talk. Banky go sleep, it’s your bedtime.

ORJI KALU: AN IGBO MAN IN GERMANY The news is all over that my lord was in Germany seemingly against his bail conditions. They say he went for medical reasons but the court thought otherwise and has revoked the bail. You see what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander, the other one jumped bail to go pray in Israel while this one went to Germany to advise on Brexit while still taking care of his health. This kalu man is a handful.

Did you guys watch his interview on how OBJ came into his bedroom to beg him to support his third term agitation or something like that? I laughed and almost collapsed from it. These politicians are far better than our Nollywood actors; he talked that day o like an insider that he was. Today he has flown to Germany for whatever reasons. He should man up and come back abeg. You see why people like Aremu will be pouring spit and shouting when a whole personality like that whose International passport should have been with the court can now pass through the same system without any problems and then citizen Aremu is now barred. Why won’t he call everybody bastard? There was a country my people.

DJ Cuppy

Prince Charles of Wales

Hajia Titi Atiku Abubakar – ‘My Husband is Not a Thief’ Of course, not. Who called him one?

Nobody to the best of my knowledge.

Please let’s focus on issues. When people come to visit you like this set of women, discuss your hubby’s plans with them as it affects that group. That way we keep our eyes on the narrative.

All this hair salon talk will only serve to distract us from the main objective.

What are oga’s plan on maternal health, education, women empowerment especially leadership, economic space, etc. Leave all this he is a thief or not story, we know what we know. We just want to remain focused. By the way when will you orgnanise the primaries to decide who will be first lady or is it

automatic according to seniority? I think that would not be democratic and exciting. Everybody should come out with their manifesto and let’s have a televised debate so that Nigerians can choose who will be their first lady. You see this is very important especially if you see the role the First lady plays in a government; from services in the other room, to being a social critic. That role has witnessed a great transformation from the time of Maryam’s Better Life for Rural Women. Now na co-pilot and we cannot afford to have that role given out by fiat. Let’s have the debate mbok. This would be exciting.

ASUU STRIKE: SELL THE UNIVERSITIES I will never stop singing this song. This is the only solution. Privatize them and all will be well. People will be saying if they do that, the cost of tertiary education will go up. It’s not true; students are already paying exorbitant fees illegally. They are buying handouts, settling to be registered, paying not to be sexually harassed and all sorts of illegal fees just to get a useless degree. So why not privatize the damn things and free up major resources for infrastructural development. The ASUU like their big cousin NLC are dragons who have been left behind by modern times.

Look in better countries, there is no flat salary for lecturers, your pay is pegged on the amount of grants you attract and number of students who register for your courses. These ones will just be sitting down there with their scraggy beards and be waiting for government subvention and when that does not come they will shout strike. Mbok, let’s call their bluff, they can strike for all they want. The education system is already comatose even when they are not on strike so what is the difference? Do they even know what time is it? Please federal government should list the universities on the stock exchange and sell their shares to raise enough capital to fund them. Thank you.

Diezani

PRINCE CHARLES OF WALES SNUBS THE DUKE OF SHOMOLU It has come to the notice of the Duke of Shomolu that His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales and his elegant wife, the Duchess of Cornwall paid a royal visit to Nigeria and did not deem it fit to pay a courtesy call on his cousin and 115th to the throne. This snub breeched all known protocols and international agreements guiding such relations. In this regard, a strong letter has been dispatched to Her Royal Highness, the Queen, stating in no uncertain terms our displeasure at this occurrence and pointing out that if not carefully redressed, we may withdraw our support for Prince Charles as he begins the lobby to ascend the throne of our forefathers and instead throw in our heavy support for Prince Williams. This snub is all the more painful considering the fact that we had spent months preparing for this visit with the Duke going through a series of sacrifices and processes including abstaining from the other room for three days - something he never does to better prepare for the August visit. Fufu and Afang were carefully prepared but he came to Lagos and went to some funny places to be talking about jollof rice and be speaking pidgin instead of coming to Shomolu to discuss issues of bilateral interest between both countries. We will not retaliate until the Duke is able to renew his UK visa and if by that time we do not see any meaningful show of remorse by the House of Windsor, then we would not have any other choice but to unleash comprehensive sanctions on them. We are waiting. I tire.

FELA’S BEAST OF NO NATION If you really want to understand what is going on in Nigeria of today, go and listen again to Fela’s classic – Beast of No Nation. Mbok, listen and send me text messages on your thoughts. The number is up on the page. The lyrics so apt?

Titi Abubakar

DJ CUPPY – A PROPOSAL I have been watching this beautiful damsel for sometime now and would like to come out openly to ask for her hand in marriage. My dear Mr. Otedola, now that our dear DJ is of age, I would like to bring her in as my sixth wife. Kindly note that as The Duke of Shomolu and by the grace of God the 115th to the throne of Her Royal majesty the Queen of England, I have it on good authority that I can make this audacious bold move. Chief Otedola kindly take this as a thing of pride and joy that I can consider your daughter worthy of my attention. This marriage if you agree to it will further strengthen your stature as you would no longer be required to go into buses to take selfie. You will also be allowed to enter countries like Libya, Togo and Yemen without visa as father-

DIEZANI – WHY THE U-TURN? in-law to the Duke of Shomolu. So kindly send me an application requesting that I consider your beautiful daughter as my bride, send it with six cartons of wine and a basket of kola nut. Let four virgins from your Epeland come with the items and they must be prepared to stay at least five days with me so that I can have a foretaste of the wonders of Epe. Please on the wedding day, come with that your friend Aliko – that one will be doing like he does not know me. I saw him at Four Points the other day and he refused to greet me.

Let him come with you so he can do the prostrating. I look forward to receiving the letter not later than December 31, 2018 so that we can fix a date for the wedding immediately after the elections. Kai, Cuppy, Cuppy omo da da come home to daddy. Happy birthday, my darling!

It has been announced with glee that extradition processes would commence to bring back mummy from cozy sojourn in England. Good move if you ask, but the question is, why the sudden change of heart? This same person had cried out to be allowed to come back to defend herself some time ago and the authorities refused to facilitate this process for whatever reasons. Now there is a speedy u-turn and a mad rush to get the madam back. All of these are very confusing especially to a man who has suddenly not found any meat in the afang he is eating. All these frustrations can lead to another round of rants o. But pray, is this latest move in any way connected to the elections, is it a PR gambit to shore up the administration’s scorecard? What do I know? Wetin even concern me. I don go sleep.

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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 18, 2018

PERSPECTIVE

Why Abians Yearn for Uche Ogah

Chima Adiele

I

n 2003, a gubernatorial campaign poster in Anambra state posed a thought- provoking question to the people of that state in view of the maladministration bedeviling the state at that time. The poster read: “Are we the cause or are we cursed�? Today, a similar question has become a refrain on the lips of a broad spectrum of Abians. They rue that their beloved state, the very God’s own state, has descended into the debilitating maladministration; into the lowest rung of socioeconomic and infrastructural development and wonder what and where they have gone or done wrong.

But Abia is certainly not cursed as a state neither are its people the cause of the current inept administration in the state. The man who currently sits in the Government House, Umuahia as Governor, his godfathers and visionless cronies are the cause of our woes. Abians did not bargain for this monumental failure when they went to the polls in March 2015 to elect a Governor. Though, a product of brazen imposition and mindless electoral manipulations, generality of Abians had hoped that Governor Victor Ikpeazu will warm himself into their hearts and minds with quality, people oriented and result oriented leadership. But alas! Almost four years down lane, it is glaring that God’s own state and its people are trapped in, to use the popular Nigerian parlance for unfortunate situations, ‘one chance bus’ Abia people will not be trapped for ever. Their liberation is at hand. The unprecedented jubilations that greeted the nomination of Uche Sampson Ogah as the Abia state governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC across the length and breadth of the state bears quantum testimony that the people are eagerly waiting for him to come on board and steer Abia to the path of greatness. The people trust Ogah to liberate them from the shackles of bad governance, extreme deprivation and poverty which Ikpeazu and his cohorts have inflicted on them.

It’s a shame that Abia, populated with highly skilled and sons and daughters; a state that parades academics and professionals who are high flyers in different fields has continued to be derisively referred to as “Civil Servants state�, a metaphor for lack of industries and total dependence on monthly federal allocations. Even with civil service as the “biggest industry� in Abia, workers in the state under Ikpeazu groan under the weight of unpaid salaries and wages. Key items on Ogah’s blue print for Abia are industrialization, Job creation prompt payment of worker’s salaries. So, for Abia workers, your salvation is on the way. Weep no more.

An industrialist who sits atop a flourishing conglomerate with diversified business interests, Ogah is a job and wealth creator with close to 50,000 employees on his pay roll. As Governor, he will replicate what he has been doing as a private businessman on Abia. He will decouple Abia from federal allocation by investing in Agro-allied industries and manufacturing. This way, human capital development is achieved and jobs made available for thousands of graduates in various fields Abia produces every year. With increased Internally Generated Revenue, IGR driven by massive industrialization, Ogah will set Abia on the path to becoming an economic giant.

Ogah Uchechukwu Samson Ogah is imbued with the necessary leadership ingredients required of anyone who wants to lead a highly resourceful people like Abians. These are lacking in the current leadership for a leader must be ready at all times to identify and show empathy for the people. It would appear that John Mason saw through the heart of Ogah when he, Mason said that “the true measure of a person is in his height of ideas, the breadth of his sympathy, the depth of his conviction and the length of his patience�. The burden of the people, Ogah sees as his; their cries pricks his heart and their pain, pains him more.

This explains why Ogah’s philanthropic gestures, his humanist bend resonates throughout Abia state. For example, his foundation, the Uche Ogah Foundation, founded in December, 2001, has provided economic and medical succor to many in Abia State and different communities across the nation. In the last couple of years, Ogah has also offered scholarships to many students across the country in addition to sponsoring free medical services in different parts of Nigeria.He has equally built and equipped a number of modern hospitals in his native community, Uturu and other communities in Nigeria.Ogah also partnered with a number of medical centres, including the Hopeville Rehabilitation Centre, to fabricate artificial limbs and calipers for people with a disability.

He has also instituted a chair at the Abia State University and is building a 5,000 capacity auditorium in the same university.

Abians are in unanimity that Ogah is a liberator and shackles breaker who is needed more than ever before to free Abia from misrule and inhumanity. And they eagerly wait to crown him their next governor, via their votes next year.

A recipient of the National Honour of Order of the Niger, OON, Ogah was born to Chief Wilson and Ezinne Pauline Ogah of Onuaku Uturu,Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State on December 22, 1969.He attended Ishiagu High School, after which he worked at West African Examination Council (WAEC) from 1986–89, before he proceeded to the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu State where he obtained Upper Credit at Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in 1992 and Distinction at the Higher National Diploma

(HND) Level in 1995 in Accounting. He also attended University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) where he obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in 2005.The oil mogul equally has a Bachelor of Science degree (Banking and Finance) from Ogun State University and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from University of Lagos. Ogah obtained his ACA in 2007. He is a Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN); Fellow, Institute of Brand Management of Nigeria; Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Shipping; Fellow, Employment & Career and member, Chartered Institute of Bankers.

The APC governorship candidate began his career as a banker with a year of National Youth Service year at NAL Bank Plc. Thereafter, he took up full employment at All States Trust Bank where he worked for around two years before joining Zenith Bank in 1997.

At Zenith Bank, he set a record of growing a new branch from zero balance sheets to over N9 billion and rose to the position of an Assistant General Manager (AGM) in Zenith Bank. He resigned in 2007 to pursue a career in entrepreneurship.

Upon exiting Zenith bank, he founded Master Energy Group.

Ogah is currently the President of Master Energy Group – a conglomerate with workforce of about 42, 000 with interests in oil & gas, banking, insurance, aviation, shipping, dredging, logistics, construction, travel services, and power.

Masters Energy Oil and Gas Limited has grown into a conglomerate with investments worth tens of billions of naira. At a time when investors were exiting the Niger Delta because its security challenges, Masters Energy City invested billions of naira in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Ae single investment, a 158,000 tonne petroleum products storage facility provided direct employment to over 600 citizens of the Niger Delta region, and over 4,000 ancillary positions.

Masters Energy City contains a fabrication yard which fabricates and constructs equipment for use in the oil and gas industry and other sectors. The fabrication yard has constructed two different 1,000 MT capacity barges and is presently constructing additional three barges. Masters Energy sells petroleum products at over 60 retail outlets in Nigeria at government’s approved pump price.

Its depot in Port Harcourt also sells products at government’s approved depot price.

In December 2011, the then Executive Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore A. Orji, laid the foundation stone of Masters Energy Industrial City in Isikwuato. This industrial complex is expected to grow the economy of Abia State by attracting investment from across Africa.

Apart from the OON, Ogah, in recognition of his service to God and humanity,is also a recipient of mĂŠlange of other awards including Honorary Doctorate degree in Business Administration

by Abia State University; Ambassador, Governing Council of the Nigeria-Turkey Chamber of Commerce and Industry 2013 Nigerian – American Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Entrepreneur by Nigerian - American Chamber of Commerce ; Oke Oji Abia by Abia State Government; Pride of Abia by Hallmark Newspaper Ltd; Ambassador of Peace, UN-POLAC Effective Leadership Award

by Global Youths Awareness & Development Initiative (GYADI); Ikenga ;Award for Excellence on Entrepreneurship by Ikenga; Award for Excellence Foundation Entrepreneurship Promoter of the Year by Entrepreneurship Promotions Academy Africa among others. ––Adiele writes from Umuola, Aba.

MTN Vs the Government: Is Poor Communications Hurting Nigeria’s Economy?

Chima Adiele

N

igeria is MTN’s biggest market in Africa, representing almost one-third of the telecommunication company’s total annual revenues. Yet relations between the South African-held company and the Nigerian market have become increasingly fraught in recent years, with talk of the US$15Bn+ group pulling out of operations in Nigeria altogether. The dispute has the potential to create wider ramifications for the Nigerian economy, namely that the poor communications between MTN, the Nigerian government and financial institutions could be sending a damaging message to potential foreign investors.

From labour union protests, to hefty fines by government and communication regulators, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), MTN’s relationship with the Nigerian market has deteriorated steadily in recent years. In 2016, the repatriation probe of MTN first made mainstream news, with accusations of the mobile service provider allegedly illegally repatriating $13.9 billion in dividends over a period of 10 years.

When it rains, it pours. It seems that MTN’s troubles are not quite over, with a new $2 billion-dollar tax demand from the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of

Polity Justice, allegedly relating to the importation of foreign equipment and payments to foreign suppliers over the last 10 years. it is a matter of debate whether Tax collection is within the purview of the AG’s office.

MTN, in its reaction, described the latest demands by the Nigerian authorities as ‘regrettable and disconcerting’. When multiple institutions such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Central Bank and the Attorney General’s office are clamouring over themselves to probe into the finances of a single company, the interest is unlikely to be coincidental.

Administrative conditions, political headaches and the infrastructural dearth make operating in the Nigerian market notoriously difficult, for foreign and local entities alike.

MTN’s massive wealth makes it a particularly large carrot for the Country’s regulators, with officials arguing, as early as the beginning of 2016, that a successfully collected $13.9billion repatriation bill “could pull Nigeria out of recession�. All of this undoubtedly makes MTN a lucrative target for regulators seeking revenues.

But the company has not exactly shown itself to be the patron saint of multinationals in Nigeria over the years, and of course effective communications works both ways. Research

from management consultancy firm McKinsey has shown that global firms are still not doing enough to properly ingratiate themselves with local governments and regulatory bodies: “Governments and regulators are second only to customers in their ability to affect companies’ economic value.� For better or for worse it is a good idea for all businesses, particularly big businesses, to keep this advice in mind.

MTN has incurred multiple accusations of arrogance, poor service delivery, and non-compliance with labour laws. The Central Bank of Nigeria has stepped in, indicating that Standard Chartered Bank, Citibank Nigeria Limited, Stanbic IBTC Bank Limited and Diamond Bank Plc helped MTN to repatriate funds back to South Africa illegally.

At the time of writing, Standard Bank has now withdrawn its MTN Nigeria-related cautionary for shareholders, on the back of correspondence from the CBN. And so the saga continues.

But the real damage from the poor communications between both sides is not to each other, but rather to the wider Nigerian economy as an investment opportunity in the eyes of the international community. While other countries are trying to woo businesses and heads-of-states - sending the right signals to foreign investors, domestic and overseas entrepreneurs, Nigeria seems to be doing the opposite. Public bureaucracy and regulations remain the main obstacles towards a more dynamic economy and even if the CBN is correct in its claims, could it have

communicated them better?

Speaking through its Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, the Association of Licensed Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ALTON) has called an amicable resolution to this latest round of disputes ‘in the best interest of our member and that of the larger industry’.

And it is this plea that should be at the forefront of thinking for all invested parties in the matter. At a time when French President, Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, have recently visited the country, firmly focussed on increased trade relations with Nigeria, the timing of this internal spat could not be worse for public relations. Nigeria is airing its dirty laundry in public, at a time when the eyes of the international investment community are firmly fixed on Africa as the next potential area of significant growth and partnerships.

Conspiracy theories are also beginning to swirl around the MTN saga, with critics in some quarters calling this latest controversy an attempt by forces around the government to destabilise Nigeria ahead of the Country’s next round of elections. –Balonwu is Chair of African Women on Board (AWB), and Managing Partner at RDF, a Strategic Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Firm that provides strategic counsel to Public and Private Sector Institutions and C-suite Executives.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

18.11.2018

Adam Driver and John David Washington in BlacKkKlansman

BLACKKKLANSMAN AND THE BLURRING OF THE BOUNDARIES OF RACIAL HATRED EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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NOVE ÍŻÍśËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś Ëž THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

ARTS & REVIEW\\FILM

BLACKKKLANSMAN AND THE BLURRING OF THE BOUNDARIES OF RACIAL HATRED Well received by a Nigerian audience at its recent première in Lagos, Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman dredges up painful reminders of the racial tensions in the US, writes Okechukwu Uwaezuoke

A

pparently, aficionados at the last Wednesday's Nigerian première of BlacKkKlansman weren’t really discomfited by the outpouring racial slurs.

Otherwise, those N-words shouldn’t have elicited unbridled guffaws. And that was one good reason to affirm that the screening at the Twin Waters Entertainment Centre along the Lekki Phase One coastline in Lagos was well received by the mainly Nigerian members of the audience.

Indeed the event – a collaboration of the US Consulate General’s Public Affairs Section and the just-concluded Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) – turned the classy waterfront venue to a honey pot for an assortment of movie buffs, including business moguls, media executives, Nollywood celebrities and civil society activists, among others.

As for the comedy-drama film itself, it was based on an uncommon true-life story. It was that of an African-American police detective Ron Stallworth, who launched an investigation into the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) in Colorado Springs. But, Spike Lee’s directorial discretion saw to it that the plot was tweaked here and here for dramatic effects.

First, while the actual events that inspired the film took place in 1979, the plot was set in 1972. Also, it was the director’s idea to make Stallworth's partner Jewish, even when his true identity of remains unknown since he never went public with his story. Further, the KKK bomb plot towards the end of the film was another fabrication to ratchet up the tension. In the actual account, the KKK chapter Stallworth and his partner infiltrated was mainly concerned with insinuating its members into high-ranking military positions.

There are good reasons why a Nigerian audience should drool for BlacKkKlansman.

Its première on May 14, at the Cannes Film Festival, saw it contending for the Palme d'Or and eventually winning the Grand Prix. And then, who would wish to ignore a film with a production budget of $15 million that has already hit a total worldwide gross of $87.1 million?

Besides, isn’t there something rather provocative, if not mischievous, about an idealistic African-American detective infiltrating a white supremacist group? Why would he, after becoming the “the Jackie Robinson of the Colorado Springs police force� embark on such a venture? For, surely, a politically-correct KKK wouldn’t be KKK. So, any informed member of the mainly black audience at the last Wednesday’s screening ought to have been primed for the free-flow of outrageous jibes.

Of course, there is also the fact that the film stars John David Washington (son of the legendary Denzel Washington) as Stallworth.

Then, there are Adam Driver as Detective Flip Zimmerman, Laura Harrier Patrice Dumas, Corey Hawkins as Kwame Ture and Topher Grace as David Duke.

Again, since Lee’s Oscar-nominated 1997 documentary 4 Little Girls, aficionados should be enthusiastically looking forward to his next tour de force. As one of the producers of this latest flick, he is in the good company of Raymond Mansfield, Shaun Redick, Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum and Jordan Peele.

So, Stallworth gets employed in a previously all-white police department. Then, he is consigned to drudgery of the records room.

Here, he endures the racist jibes from one of his colleagues even as he fetches files for other officers. The self-restraint he showed even during his job interview comes in handy.

But, things begin to happen fast with his sudden transition to intelligence. He finds an advertisement for the Klan in a local paper, which has a phone number. He calls it, leaving a message with his real name. He speedily gets called back by a Klan organiser Walter

Laura Harrier as Patrice Dumas with John David Washington as Ron Stallworth

Breachway (Ryan Eggold), who proposes a meeting. Stallworth agrees, signing off with: “God bless white America.�

Now, being black, there is just no way he’d show up in person at a Klan’s meeting. So, a wired up colleague Flip Zimmerman goes in his stead while he stays on the phone out of sight. Surely, someone is bound to notice the difference in their voices!

Indeed, Police Chief Bridges (Robert John Burke) is doubtful but Stallworth reassures him: “Some people speak the King’s English, others speak jive. I, Ron Stallworth here, happen to be fluent in both.�

Equally intriguing is also Stallworth’s attendance of a black student gathering addressed by the Trinidadian-born former “Honorary Prime Minister� of the Black Panther Party Stokely Carmichael, later known as Kwame Ture (Corey Hawkins).

Understandably, Chief Bridges sees Ture as trouble personified, even when his audience, including the student union president Patrice Dumas (Laura Harrier), gush over his words. Stallworth, sporting an Afro like anyone else, blends with the crowd and even shares their passion for the black cause, even as he remains conscious of his duty as an officer of the law. A clenched-fisted black power salute may chime with his actual sentiments. Yet, he will have none of Patrice’s allusion to policemen as pigs.

Back to Stallworth’s Jewish colleague’s infiltration of the local Klan’s meeting. One thing leads to another and he soon meets the grand wizard David Duke in person. Already, the film has begun

to dredge up painful memories of American racial hatred and tension, making a sensitive viewer wonder why it is even classified as a comedy-drama in the first place.

The film somehow strips the Klansmen of their veneer of terror, presenting them as a bunch of visionless bumpkins rather than a menace to the society. One of them, who becomes suspicious of Zimmerman’s Jewish identity asks, “Is your d**k circumcised?�

Even so, the menace of the floating, dense clusters of thoughts of hatred cannot be that easily wished away by the whims of a film-maker. These continually thrust themselves, wherever they find homogeneity, upon individuals, groups and whole nations. The fact that even these apparently non-menacing bunch of white fools can be dangerous is buttressed by many utterances in the film. Duke, a re-packaged image of the US home-grown white terror group, hopes to lead it into mainstream political relevance away from its cross-burning past. Those who, like Stallworth, ever doubted that this would ever come to pass have since learnt the hard way. For even beyond the obvious triumphs of far-right extremism in both the US and Europe, there is a strict consistency of the repeated cycle of afflictions, inter-ethnic clashes and genocides worldwide for as far back as humanity can trace its presence on

earth.

The film is fittingly laced with footages of the 2017 Charlottesville riots and US President Donald Trump’s clumsy “blame on both sides� in response to neo-Nazi attacks, as he talks on TV about “very fine people on both sides.�

Obviously, the film is Lee’s grim reminder to his compatriots that their past continually haunts the present. Deftly blending fact with fiction, he presents the viewers with contrasting perspectives of similar scenarios. Take Stallworth’s romance with Dumas, for instance. It finds its shadowy echo in the white supremacist couple plotting mayhem even while cuddling. “We’ve talked about killing niggers for so many years, and now it’s really happening!� the Klansman’s wife gleefully tells him while they are in bed. Also, the ominous chants of “white power� are seemingly countered by those of “black power�.

Flipping the US flag, the Stars and Stripes, upside down and fading the colours into black and white metaphorically tells the story of a nation that has turned its values upside down.

But that, in a nutshell, is the story of humanity.

Lee, with his altruistic mission of using cinema to change people for the good, fails to identify the real enemy. Like many before him, he blunts his swords striking at the side-effects while skirting around the real cause. And that is man’s error of ascribing too much importance to his intellect and consequently ignoring his spirit.

BRIEFLY

Guchi Sets to Regale Lagos Audience with Vocal Chain Concert November 25

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s part of his first classical music solo concert tour of Nigeria, the tenor Guchi Egbunine will be hosting Lagos music aficionados to a special evening of pop-opera, Broadway, Jazz, musicals and opera on Sunday, November 25 at theAgip Recital Hall of the MUSON Centre in Onikan, Lagos from 6pm.

The tour will see the man, fondly called Chief Tenor, performing in Port Harcourt on Sunday, December 2, at The Dome, along Peter Odili Road from 6pm, inAbuja on Sunday, December 9 at The British Village, IBB Way from 7:30pm and in Benin on Friday, December 14, at the Government House, GRABenin from 6pm.

The Vocal Chain Ensemble, made up of a group of singers and instrumentalists, features

top classical, Nigerian traditional and jazz musicians from Nigeria and outside Nigeria, as well as poets and promising amateurs who deserve the stage.

It was founded by Egbunine alongside Kester Foundation, a charity organisation, funded through the annual Vocal Chain Concert also known as Tour de Vocals.

Egbunine’s voice uniquely stands out in stunning opera performances, as he intricately balances a creative style of classical and pop fusion.

His remarkable tenor voice has earned him roles in operas composed by famous composers like Mozart, Puccini, Verdi, Gilbert and Sullivan, to mention a few. He has received several awards from multinationals, NGO’s and religious bodies.

His performances range from opera to pop-opera, native arias, Broadway, musicals, classical, art music, Jazz, cross-over and Neapolitan music.

Guchi at recent solo performance

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CICERO

Editor:Olawale Olaleye Email:wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08116759819

IN THE ARENA

That Search of Atiku A recent search conducted on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the PDP and his plane upon his return from Dubai, the UAE was a total misadventure, writes Olawale Olaleye

N

igerians woke up to a rather curious piece of news on Monday morning, which unexpectedly fired up the tenor of presidential debate.

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar had returned from Dubai, the United Arab Emirate (UAE) that morning, where he had gone to hold strategy meetings with some members of his campaign team and also observe some deserving rest.

But as he landed at the airport that Monday morning around 1.30 am, he reportedly did to the waiting arms of some special security forces that had been deployed to search him and his plane. The news was not well received by a majority of the people, who suspected an attempt to embarrass the former vicepresident and heighten tension especially, when there had been a gradual build-up to that moment.

Days before his arrival, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had called for a probe of the trip, insinuating that it could be one of such trips designed to move illicit funds for his campaign.

Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Yekini Nabena, called on security agencies to probe the so-tagged “strategy meeting” held in Dubai and its real motive.

“There is more to the meeting that meets the eye. Nigeria has enough meeting/conference rooms, many of which meet international standards. It is therefore clear that the Dubai meeting was for other sinister political purposes ahead of the 2019 general election.

“Our intelligence, anti-graft and security agencies must be awake to their responsibility of investigating the Dubai meeting. Cash-and-carry politicians must be prevented from moving illicit Atiku cash around to induce voters and sponsor election violence and rigging,” he said.

Describing the meeting reportedly attended by Mr. Peter Obi, Senate President Bukola Saraki and PDP’s National Chairman, Uche Secondus as both “comical and ridiculous”, he claimed that those involved in the meeting had held a series of meetings in a similar fashion in the country and that because the meetings failed to yield the desired results, they resorted to a follow-up in Dubai.

Urging security agencies to check suspicious movements of cash especially, by politically exposed persons, both locally and internationally, Nabena recalled, “We are mindful of how millions of dollars were confiscated in an aircraft belonging in a Nigerian PDP sympathiser in South Africa in the lead-up to the 2015 elections.

“Another round of election is here and it is not unlikely that they are playing a repeat performance, under the guise of holding a meeting in Dubai. Our security agencies should be on the watch for a stitch in time saves nine.”

Not long after this, the APC again went to town with the news that the Atiku campaign team was broke and was desperate to raise money at all cost.

The APC thus became obsessed with Atiku such that an average observer had queried of what concern was theirs if the campaign was broke and working on how to raise money.

Curiously, the dusts raised by the APC had yet to settle when Atiku returned to the country and to the waiting hands of security, who described the move as routine security checks.

It suffices to say that it was not the first time Atiku was flying around with his private jet without being subjected to special security screening. But that this came at a time he had become the candidate of the main opposition party, suggested that the federal government and its agencies should have exercised some circumspection.

It was even the more embarrassing that government would resort to releasing needless pictures of VIPs, including those of the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, while being frisked at the airport.

That, unfortunately, does not address the latent mischief that was believed to have motivated the Atiku airport search. It was also the thinking of a generality of the people that government ought to have been a little more careful in dealing with op-

position without having to bend or break the rules.

It does not have to be Atiku per se.

It is also worthy of mention that moves such as the one that subjected Atiku to an avoidable embarrassment are capable of heightening tension in the land, knowing full well that the nation has already entered a critical phase in the lead up to the 2019 election.

Without having to mealy-mouth, the idea was a very wrong move and poorly timed. It goes without saying that the stakes are high for both parties, the more reason everyone must observe utmost circumspection in dealing with each other.

Whilst the election comes with its own challenges, creating artificial atmosphere of tension is not in the best interest of anyone particularly, the government of the day.

This is why, going forward, government must ensure coordination and exhibit maturity in its dispositions, most especially in dealing with the opposition, yet without having to gloss over extant rules and procedure for the sake of anyone. Mutual respect and understanding is sacrosanct at this stage of campaigns and nothing should supersede the security of life and property of every Nigerian.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

Elections and Police Partisanship

Y

Idris , IG Police

esterday, three bye-elections were held in Katsina, Kwara and Bauchi States, with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) clearly winning the first two while leading in the third, at least, according to reports as at press time. Certainly, such electoral victory on the eve of a major national election is both crucial and instructive.

However, before the APC is carried away, and allows the celebratory mood to envelope the takeaways from some of the obvious misadventures that reigned supreme, it is important to start drawing out the lessons, if they must serve their purposes.

The one anomaly to be identified and pointed out is the habitual

abuse of the police as a wing of the ruling party, a development which is completely unprofessional and gradually destroying the force.

Some days to the election, a police helicopter was sighted in the premises of a primary school within the constituency and the PDP had raised the alarm, linking this to the plan by the APC to use the police to rig. Also, a day to the election, prominent PDP members were reportedly suddenly missing, allegedly picked up by the police. And finally, the force had delivered the ruling party.

A situation like this is not only destroying the force but gradually killing the nation’s electoral culture since the police have shamelessly aligned and brazenly aiding electoral heist.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 18, 2018

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BRIEFINGNOTES

Magu

Alison-Maduekwe

Diezani as EFCC’s New Propaganda Tool EFCC’s recent doublespeak on the purported trial of a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, is short of expectations, reports Bayo Akinloye

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ntil the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the nation’s ruling party and its idol of anticorruption – President Muhammadu Buhari – it is claimed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had been media shy. Today, like a commercial organisation competing for a contracting market share, the anti-graft agency is often seen to be doing everything possible to grab the headlines.

Its media machinery, for example, has been described as one of the most efficient and ruthless propaganda platform that critics often claim had achieved landmarks in media trials, whereas the EFCC operatives had failed to successfully prosecute any high-profile corruption case.

Not a few critics of the commission are laughing derisively today while many of its admirers are said to be scratching their heads regarding the agency’s recent volte-face.

Cue in to November 11, 2018: it was reported that the Ibrahim Magu-led EFCC had begun the process to extradite a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, from the United Kingdom.

Acting spokesman for the commission, Tony Orilade, said EFCC’s operations department made presentation to its legal department to commence the process, and that process had commenced.

“It is ongoing. Within the next few weeks, the extent to which we have gone will be made known to the public. It is not a fresh case. It is not a fresh petition that is just being looked into; the whole process is a total package. This extradition is just an aspect of Diezani’s investigation and commencement of trial,” Orilade said.

But in October, 2017, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, had said Nigeria had no immediate plan to bring Mrs. Allison-Madueke back home to face trial.

Curiously, Alison-Madueke, who is also being investigated in the UK, had urged the federal government to bring her back to the country to face corruption charges against her.

But Malami said bringing her back to the country would jeopardise investigations regarding her alleged crimes being conducted in the UK. “As things stand now, there is no need for that since the UK government is already investigating her,” the justice minister had said.

People are however wondering why the commission is now bent on bringing her back into the country to face trial. Why did EFCC turn down the offer when AlisonMadueke pleaded to return to Nigeria to face charges pressed against her? Political observers and legal experts are wary of the commission’s operations and slew of media trials. They contend that “in their mind and that of their sponsors” the agency had successfully prosecuted many high-profile cases.

The figures, however, run contrary to that of the critics of the agency. There is an indictment of Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo by the House of Representatives. There is an apparent grand corruption going in on in NEMA but the EFCC is said to have turned a blind eye. Similarly, the agency is being accused of not showing interest in the leaked bribe videos involving the Kano State Governor, Abdullah Ganduje.

“It is all high-wired politics. You read in the news that the EFCC has now become a department in the APC – it’s not a proven fact but it rings true. Never in the history of the anti-graft agency has partisanship been this evident.

It’s the election season; it’s the season of politicking. I think that the government also wants to distract the attention of Nigerians,” a public analyst, who spoke on the condition of anonymity told THISDAY. Recently, Samuel Ortom, the Governor of Benue State, said: “Despite intimidation from the EFCC that has become a department in APC we’re not going to be intimidated.

If we do anything wrong, we’re ready to face the law. But we’ll not succumb to intimidation.”

It is the view of not a few Nigerians that the “latest knee-jerk comments” from the EFCC is a signpost to bringing political witch-hunt to another level “in order to justify and ensure their anti-corruption idol succeeds in the 2019 presidential election.”

Last October, the former oil minister had urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to compel the federal government to facilitate her return to Nigeria to face trial asking for an opportunity to defend allegations against her in a charge filed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dele Belgore, and former National Planning Minister, Abubakar Suleiman – as she was accused of sharing $115,010,000 (about N35 billion) to individuals ahead of the 2015 general election.

Belgore and Suleiman had allegedly collected N450 million from her with the EFCC accusing them of conspiring to directly take possession of the money. Yet, AlisonMadueke was not listed as a defendant in the case but was

described as being “at large” in the charge.

Against that backdrop, the ex-petroleum minister sought to be joined to defend her integrity, noting that contrary to EFCC’s claim that she was at large, she has been in the UK and was willing to return to Nigeria to defend the allegations – it would be against her right to fair-hearing for the case to proceed without affording her the opportunity to defend herself.

The former minister, therefore, prayed for an order mandating her to appear in court to plead to the charge.

In addition, she also asked for an order “mandating the Attorney-General of the Federation, being the agent of the complainant (the federal government) to facilitate her prompt appearance in court, to take her plea and to defend the allegations made against her.

The EFCC, however, interpreted her action as a ruse to avoid prosecution in the UK and frustrate the ongoing trial in Nigeria, arguing in an 18-paragraph counter-affidavit, that “the applicant realised she was being investigated, and she absconded abroad and sometime in March this year, operatives were in London, but her lawyers refused to allow the operatives interview her.

This present application is a plot by the applicant to enable her escape prosecution in London, also to enable her come to Nigeria and scuttle the ongoing case, which has already got to an advanced stage.”

In the end, the court declined to grant Alison-Madueke’s application and also struck out the eighth count in which the former minister’s name had appeared.

Now, cue in to November 12, 2018: The chairman of the EFCC said concerning the ex-minister: “There is no prosecution of Diezani going on in the UK. We cannot wait indefinitely for the UK. That is why we want to initiate her extradition and trial in Nigeria.”

On its website, the agency had boasted: “Going by the continued unearthing of hard-to-ignore evidence of unexplained acquisitions, coupled with Justice Chuka Obiozor’s ruling on the final forfeiture of a $37.5m (N11.75bn) (Eleven Billion, Seven Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) to the federal government, ex-minister Alison-Madueke’s evidence-free counter-charge, that she is a victim of EFCC persecution, may be ringing hollower and hollower.”

There is more than meets the eye in the agency’s latest volte-face to bring Alison-Madueke back to Nigeria to face corruption charges. Infamy, some public analysts have said, beckons if the agency will only succeed as usual in media trial. But as it appears today, that might as well be its lot.

NOTES FOR FILE

Lai Mohammed’s ‘Off-record’ Gaffe

Mohammed

The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed was recently in the news and typically, not for a very pleasant reason.The minister, at a recent news conference, hinted that the cost of feeding the detained leader of the Shi’ite Islamic movement, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat was to the tune of N3.5million every month. But he claimed to have given out this information off-record.

Unfortunately for him, that piece of news was reported and followed by outrage to the extent that the minister not only voiced out that it was off-the-record, the me-

dium that also released the information was equally forced to apologise for breaking a vital journalism ethic.

That said; you also want to ask: who is he that gives offthe-record information at a market square? It is true that it is almost not forgivable to break such an understanding in journalism, because it could badly harm your source.

But even in handing out off-the-record information, it is certainly not to every Tom, Dick and Harry.Therefore, whilst the minister misused the right to hand out such sensitive information, the reporter also abused a rare privilege to classified information. Both are to blame here.

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CICERO/REPORT

Dickson

Idris

What’s the Fixation on Bayelsa All About?

The reposting of at least seven commissioners of police within 10 weeks in and out Bayelsa State by the police causing many to raise an eyebrow, writes Emmanuel Addeh

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his is one question that close observers of what appears to be an inexplicable situation in Bayelsa State are trying to answer. Those who have expressed concern say they do not query the police’s power to send any of their officers to any part of Nigeria they deem fit, but that it becomes suspicious when in some instances, various police commissioners are sent to a single state in a period of just 48 hours.

Even more so when the curious postings come in the heat of an election period, many see as a straight fight between the federal government and the people’s will. And so, the drama continues to confound even the most discerning.

The issue is that at least seven Police Commisioners have been sent to the state in the last two and a half months, with some of the police chiefs spending less than a week on duty. There are insinuations that the frequent change of guards regarding top officers in the state may have its roots in the politics of the state to ensure that the police helmsman in the state is amenable to certain forces.

Indeed, those who buy into this school of thought point to the build-up to the 2015 election and the role that the security agencies played in one of the most hotly contested governorship elections ever in the country.

The uncanny decision to frequently change police commissioners in the state, a senior police officer confided in THISDAY, was not just a source of embarrassment to the rank and file of the police but has become also the butt of jokes.

Aside from causing unnecessary tension in the political circle, the situation had also become a source of low morale among officers, who have to perform the ritual of welcoming a new police commissioner almost every week. Even some of the police commissioners, who had stayed the longest in the state since the drama started, were just on the routine familiarisation tours to their sister security agencies when they were recalled.

Since the redeployment of Mr. Don Awunah, former Nigeria Police Spokesman, who was allowed to spend over six months in the state, to the Force Headquarters, Abuja and replaced by Joseph Mukan, who never resumed, it has been a matter of two skilled sportsmen trying to outplay each other in a game of ping-pong.

Barely 48 hours later, Mukan was removed and replaced with Ahmed Bello, who was still preparing to take over when the Force Headquarters asked Ahmad Abdulraman to proceed to Bayelsa as the new police boss. Before Abdulrahman assumed duty, Austin Iwar, former Kaduna CP was deployed in the state and had barely spent a month before he was retired from the Force.

Mr. Ebere Onyeagoro, who took over less than four weeks ago, has now been replaced by a new man, the same Mukan, who was first sent to the state less than two months ago, but didn’t even have the chance to resume duty before his sojourn to Bayelsa was abruptly cut short.

At a point, the Bayelsa State Command of the Nigeria Police Force did not even have a substantive commissioner of police for over 14 days, a development many saw as strange. But there seems to be a consensus, even if speculative on the matter; that the multiple deployment of commissioners of police in the state command is a direct result of intense power play between Governor Seriake Dickson and his arch rival, former Governor Timipre Sylva, who is also the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

It is claimed that Dickson had been suspicious about working with some of the police chiefs involved in the ongoing saga, including Mukan, the current one, who was posted this week and had not hidden his displeasure at their coming, same way the Abuja forces are said to have kept pressing the police high command to deploy an officer, who would be malleable and pliable to their whims.

Incidentally, Mukan is a former Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of administration at the state command, whose nomination to the position was not without the backing of those, who now call the shots and bent on wrestling Creek Haven from the current leadership of the state.

In the 2015 election, the new police boss was said to have been a major actor during the fiercely contested poll, which saw clashes between both the APC and the PDP. While the PDP largely sees Mukan as an agent of the APC, who was sent for the sole purpose of ‘delivering’ the next set of elections to the party, his backers view this as an attempt to malign for his refusal to dance to the tune of the ruling party in the state.

But the new Commissioner of Police said he was taking the accusation of bias with a pinch of salt, insisting that he was not in the state to play partisan politics. He maintained that his job was to provide a level-playing ground by ensuring security for politicians, regardless of which party they choose to play their politics. “We always strike a balance by playing a neutral role. We won’t be distracted by people trying to address us in borrowed robes of supporting politicians. We are not politicians. We are here to maintain law and order and provide security for those, who play politics. We must ensure that there is a level-playing ground by giving them the security needed. “We are not here to take sides with anybody. If the police are to have a political party, our own political party is the Nigerian Police Force Political party. We know the responsibilities of the police. The police work is just like a call to duty and you are expected to be a professional. Our basic responsibility is the protection of lives and properties. That is my main mission in Bayelsa. Bayelsa is not a new terrain to me. I know the terrain very well, because l was opportuned to serve here briefly,� he reasoned.

An attempt to burnish the image of the new man had also been embarked upon by Asinim Butswat, the Bayelsa Police Spokesman, who described Mukan as a ‘disciplinarian’. “CP Joseph G. Mukan takes over from CP Ebere C. Onyeagoro, who has been redeployed to Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID), Abuja, as CP Special Fraud Unit (SFU). He is a disciplinarian and a professional Police officer, who has served in various commands and formations in various capacities,� said Butswat.

However, Governor Seriake Dickson seemed not to be having any of the explanation. He believed that there was a grand plan to rig the elections even before it begins.

He has therefore warned the federal government not to undermine the peace and stability of the state and the Niger Delta as a whole, using state apparatus represented by the recent curious postings.

Aside the police, the governor insisted that the same frequent unexplained deployments and redeployments were also taking place within the leadership of the Department of State Service (DSS) in Bayelsa.

He argued that within a short period of time, Bayelsa State

had witnessed the posting and redeployment of several Commissioners of Police and three DSS Directors, stressing that the development portended a threat to the prevailing peace of the state. “Just yesterday I was told that a new Commissioner of Police that they sent to Bayelsa State has been redeployed and they have brought the one they claimed to be their party member to police the state so that they can use cult boys to kill and destabilise our state. But my message to President Muhammadu Buhari is that he should not allow the authority of any state to be undermined.

He should not also allow the peace and stability of any state to be subverted for flimsy partisan considerations.�

Dickson warned that playing politics with the security of the state wiould not only throw the state into chaos, but capable of eroding the credibility of the security forces, which he said must remain neutral at all times for them to be able to do their job effectively.

Apart from the governor, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa, through its Chairman, Mr. Moses Cleopas, has raised the alarm over the development. He accused some opposition leaders, working in tandem with the federal government of politicising security in the state. “They have influenced the frequent removal and posting of Commissioners of Police culminating in Bayelsa having seven Commissioners in the last two months,� Cleopas said.

He said the aim was to instill fear in the citizenry and create a false impression that the opposition would use security agencies to take over the state in the upcoming elections.

At the time of putting this report together, the APC through its Spokesman in the state, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, had yet to respond to enquiries on whether his party had a hand in what is turning out to be a theatre of the absurd in the state.

But the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, through its Secretary General, Mr. Alfred Kemepado, has also raised eyebrow over the incident, maintaining that Ijaw youths would rise in unison against any attempt to give an unfair advantage to any party involved.

He said the ongoing action of the Force Headquarters was to use the police authority to politicise the security architecture of the state with the sole aim of causing instability. “We in the IYC, the umbrella body of all Ijaw youths across Nigeria are inclined to believe that this frequent deployment of police to Bayelsa might be traceable to political desperation and tendency to cause instability in the state. We wish to make it clear that instability in Bayelsa, the only homogenous Ijaw State in Nigeria, could cause instability across the Niger Delta,� Kemepado said.

For now, the jury is still out on whether the last has been heard of the entire saga or whether Mukan, the new Police Commissioner, will be redeployed like the rest in a matter of days, but what is obvious is that there is already a growing mutual suspicion in the polity concerning the unfolding scenario.

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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 18, 2018

CICERO/TRIBUTE

Standing left to right: J.M. Johnson,, Bukar Dipcharima, Ayo Rosiji, Aja Wachukwu, Kolawole Balogun, Victor Mukete.

Sitting left to right: S.L. Akintola, R. Njoku, M. Ribadu, Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa, K.O. Mbadiwe, F. Okotie-Eboh, I. Wada

The Last Man Standing Stephen Kola-Balogun

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enator (Chief) Victor Esemingsongo Mukete, the Cameroonian elder Statesman and paramount Chief of the Bafaw tribe, is the last surviving member of Nigeria’s first Executive Cabinet (in the form of the Council of Ministers during the Pre-Independence era in the 1950s led by the late Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa who was the Prime Minister). Victor Mukete was born on the 15th day of November 1918 and turned 100 years old last Thursday. Not surprisingly, very few Nigerians know about Victor Mukete or that he sat as a member of the late Prime Minister ’s first Cabinet. This is because before the reunification of Cameroon in 1961, the Country was divided into two zones. (1) The Western Zone (comprising of two separate areas and later known as Northern and Southern Cameroon). This area was administered by the British as a Mandated Territory of the League of Nations and afterwards as a Trust Territory of the United Nations. (2) The other area which formed the rest of the country (comprising four-fifths of its total land mass) was administered by the French under its policy of assimilation.

In the British area, there was local participation in Government in that both Northern and Southern Cameroon were joined as part of Nigeria for administrative purposes. This was how a young Victor Mukete eventually emerged as a Nigerian Federal Minister in the 1950’s. Cameroon proceeded to partial Self Government in 1957 and full independence on the 1st of January 1960. After a UN plebiscite in 1961, Northern Cameroon chose to join Nigeria as part of the Northern Region.

Southern Cameroon on the other hand (where Victor Mukete hailed from) joined the rest of Cameroon administered by the French in October 1961. This in effect brought to an end Victor Mukete’s long standing and influential ties with

Nigeria. This perhaps best explains why very few Nigerians know about our Federal Minister of that period.

At the age of eight (8), Victor Mukete began his Primary School Education at Government School Kumba in 1926 before entering the prestigious Government College Umuahia (then known as the “Eton of Eastern Nigeria”) in 1933 for his Secondary School Education. Government College Umuahia was and remains a leading Nigerian Secondary School known for having produced the largest number of celebrated writers in one generation such as Chinua Achebe, Elechi Amadi, Ken Saro-Wiwa and Christopher Okigbo but to mention a few. He was Senior Prefect there in form 5 and again in form 6. From Government College Umuahia, he passed the entrance examination into the Yaba Higher College Lagos and afterwards attended its Professional School of Agriculture in Ibadan.

In 1943 he secured his Diploma in Agriculture and was posted to Bamenda in the Agricultural Department. He worked there for four years before securing a Colonial Development and Welfare Scholarship to study Botany at Manchester University in England. Upon obtaining his B.Sc. Degree he secured yet another award to study Agriculture at Christ’s College University of Cambridge. On his return home from his educational sojourn in the United Kingdom in 1952, his political career began almost immediately. He first married his late wife and mother of his children Hannah Makia in 1953.

Subsequently, dutiful service began. He became a member of the Kumba Native Authority and was called upon to serve on the Cocoa Marketing Advisory Committee as well as the Southern Cameroon Marketing Board in 1954. Around the same time he became the Secretary General of the Kamerun United National Congress. Victor Mukete was however a staunch believer in the reunification of Cameroon and he along with five others

eventually won election into the Nigerian Federal House of Representatives on the platform of the Kamerun National Congress as re-unificationists in 1955. Perhaps due to his impressive educational background, he was appointed by the British as a Federal Minister almost immediately. He was first of all Federal Minister without Portfolio in 1955 and subsequently became Federal Minister of Research and Information from 1958 -1959. This was the last political appointment he held here in Nigeria before Southern Cameroon joined what became the Republic of Cameroon in October 1961.

His political stature continued to grow in a unified Cameroon. First he became Chairman of the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) from 1960 – 1982; and was sworn into the Cameroon National Assembly as a Judge of the Court of Impeachment. He later became a Member of the Economic and Social Council; Vice President of the Cameroon Chamber of Commerce, Mines, Industry and Crafts and is now its Honorary President. He is presently Chairman of Cameroon Telecommunications (CAMTEL) and Chairman of Mukete Estates Ltd. Senator Mukete is an Honorary Member of the Central Committee of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement Party (CPDM). He is also the holder of several foreign and national decorations, including the Knight Official, Humane Order of African Redemption (Liberia); Officer of the Cross Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany; Officer of the Cameroon Order of Agricultural Merit; Commander of the Cameroon Order of Valour and Grand Officer of the Cameroon Order of Valour; Chief Mukete is the doyen d’age of the Cameroon Senate (oldest member of the Cameroonian Senate) and he remains just as influential in Cameroon at the age of 100 years just as he was in Nigeria in the Pre-Independence Era. ––Stephen Kola-Balogun, is a Legal Practitioner and a former Commissioner for Youth Development in Osun State

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž OVEMBER 18, 2018

CICERO/FORTHERECORD

Should Entrepreneurship Be an Integral Part of Our School Curriculum at All Levels?

Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi

I

am indeed pleased to be here today, in such distinguished company. I am always delighted at every opportunity to return to Anambra, not only because this is my home and my root, but, also because it was in Anambra that my values were shaped and my path in life well defined. So this is more than a home coming for me, as it not only connects me with m I am indeed pleased to be here today, in such distinguished company. I am always delighted at every opportunity to return to Anambra, not only because this is my home and my root, but, also because it was in Anambra that my values were shaped and my path in life welldefined. So this is more than a home coming for me, as it not only connects me with my people, but with what drives my passion – a celebration of excellence in academics generally, and particularly in the field of my entrepreneurship endeavour – Science and Engineering. By the conferment of this honourary doctorate degree on me, you have defied the popular maxim that a prophet is with honour except in his own country, and among his own kin. I am humbled that I have been found worthy of honour among my people; among kit and kin. What’s more – this recognition is from the great citadel of learning – the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University.

Beyond the glitz of the podium and the hallowed stage on which this honour is presented, I see this as an opportunity for introspection rather than an opportunity to roll-out the drums. This recognition presents a challenge and not a pat-on-the-back, because, though unspoken by the giver, it demands a higher standard of responsibility and commitment from me. It speaks more to the future and the need to have a firm focus on impacting humanity even more. As I stand on this podium, a number of questions continue to stir up in my mind begging for answers. Questions about the state of Education in Nigeria, the role of the private sector in Education, Entrepreneurship as a catalyst for growth and even the content of our educational curriculum. I have encapsulated some of these questions into 4 buckets and would briefly share my views: 1. What should Governments and Corporate entities do to address falling Standards Education?

Some years ago, the UNESCO recommended that member countries need to allocate a minimum of26% of their annual budgets to education. This perspective was informed by the need to ensure minimum standards because there is a correlation between the quality of education obtainable in a nation and the level of development of that nation. In Nigeria, given budgetary constraints, we have not met half of that desired quota and its impact on educational standards is very clear. Various indicators show that educational standards in Nigeria is on the decline and stakeholders including government, the organized private sector and even concerned individuals need to come together to reverse the tide. Our natural resource endowments will sadly continue to remain untapped and wasted if we do not develop our human capital through education.

2.Should Entrepreneurship be an integral part of our school curriculum at all levels?

I look at the giant strides of nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Japan, German and a host of others, and all I see are great entrepreneurs like Bill Gates, Richard Branson, Jack Ma, George Schaeffer and Nobutada Sajiwho have transformed their countries through entrepreneurship, job creation and the reduction of poverty. The question therefore persists, should Nigeria not be teaching entrepreneurship rather than just churning out graduates who are caught between the trap of leaving the country or becoming a menace to the society given the shrinking nature of white and blue-collar jobs in today’s Nigeria? I believe we should. Nigeria needs builders, scientists, engineers, doctors, but above all, Nigeria needs more Entrepreneurs.

3. What should be the role of the government and that of the private sector in supporting Education?

In developed countries, the walls between the citadels of learning and the citadels of business are broken. This is because the University serves as the laboratory for research and new innovations which build wealth and create jobs. I believe that Nigeria can do same. But the route to this will not be by wishful thinking.

The private sector is required to play its role in making sure that this happens in Nigeria as well. On the part of government, I believe that, rather than subsidize petroleum products, governments should subsidize education at all levels - so that ingenious son

Obiejesi of a farmer, that ingenious daughter of an artisan or that brilliant orphan can have an opportunity to share this stage with me having been given the real subsidy, one that enables him or her to develop and grow to full potential.

4. What can we do to make Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) a catalyst for national industrial growth?

For nations to grow and come into their own, they need a combination of soft and hard priorities. So subjects in the humanities are important and should be encouraged but we must place priority on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Nigeria and indeed Africa’s quest for technological revolution can only be achieved through STEM. Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, as I said before, this honourary Doctorate degree represents a call to do more - to push the frontiers and to pull others up in the quest at affirming that mankind truly has no limitations if we are all properly inspired. To whom much is given, much is expected. I am further

challenged to continue to contribute my humble quota to our common humanity. To the young graduating students, the challenges you will face in the outside world are definitely not insurmountable. By the special grace of God, my life is a good example. All you need in life, is focus, determination, hard work and an undying spirit of excellence. If I could do it, you too can.

On behalf of my wife, members of my immediate family and the staff of companies that constitute the Obijackson Group, I accept this honour as I look forward to partnering with the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra state for the overall benefit of this institution and the good people of our state.

Thank you all and God bless.

Acceptance Speech By The Chairman of Obijackson Group, Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, On The Conferment, of an Honorary Doctorate Degree on him by the Chukwuemeka Odumegu-Ojukwu University, Anambra State – Nigeria.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž OVEMBER 18, 2018

PERSPECTIVE

Ajaokuta: Rekindling the Glory of an Industry Tiamiyu Olatumbi

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any experts have described the steel industry as the backbone of any nation that aspires to attain industrialization, given that it stimulates industrial growth and economic development of any nation. This informed why Nigeria conceptualised the Ajaokuta Steel complex. Unfortunately, the initiative remained moribund for over three decades even after huge investments had been put into the initiative, due to bureaucratic and legal entanglements.

Virtually all the countries playing big and active economic global roles have enhanced capacities for steel production.

Even those that do not have the key mineral resources needed for steel making had over the years developed the capacity to produce steel. Japan and South Korea, are two examples, even though the two countries do not have raw materials like iron ore and steel, today they rank among the world top 10 countries in steel production.

However, Nigeria, blessed with raw materials including iron ore, coal, natural gas, and lime stones needed for manufacturing steel couldn’t get it right until the coming on board of the current administration. President Muhammadu Buhari has resolved all legal encumbrances that had bogged down the steel plant and the nation has since returned to the path of industrialisation as envisaged by the initiators of the project.

The idea of Nigeria’s steel industry was conceived in 1958.

After an initial preliminary feasibility studies focused on establishing rolling mills, the discovery of iron ore in Abaji, Udi and other parts of the country necessitated a rethink towards an integrated steel plant.

Between 1960 and 1966, the late Tafawa Balewa and the late Nnamdi Azikiwe invited and received proposals from foreign firms from UK, U.S, Germany and Canada, on the feasibility of establishing steel complexes. The efforts of the government did not yield significant positive result.

Then in 1967, following a technical and economic cooperation agreement between the governments of Nigeria and the USSR, a team of Soviet experts arrived in Nigeria to conduct a feasibility study on the establishment of an iron and steel plant. Their report, among others, showed that the known iron ore deposits in the country at the time were of sub-standard quality and recommended that further geological surveys be conducted to see if better ore could be found.

Then in 1968, Soviet geological experts returned and after a general geological investigation, reported that there were high prospects for richer iron ore and coal deposits in the country.

In line with that, the federal government signed a contract with TYAZHPROMEXPORT (TPE), a Russian company, under which TPE agreed to provide a specialised equipment to carry out further geological survey to determine the quantity of the deposits of iron ore and coal resources in the country that could be used for the proposed iron and steel industry.

A suitable iron ore deposit was thus discovered in Itakpe, Ajaokuta and Oshokoshoko all in the Kaba-Okene-Lokoja-Koton Karfe axis of Kogi State. TPE was then contracted to prepare a preliminary report for the proposed iron and steel industry in Nigeria.

Two years later, in 1975, the report submitted by TPE was reviewed, discussed and accepted. TPE was subsequently commissioned to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) on Ajaokuta. It was completed and submitted in 1977.

Between 1980 when President Shehu Shagari laid the foundation of the steel plant to 1983, the nation achieved 84 per cent completion of Ajaokuta plant. The light Section Mill of the plant was commissioned earlier ahead of the scheduled date, while the Wire Rod Mill was also commissioned in April 1984, also earlier than the scheduled completion date of December. By 1994, equipment erection work at the Ajaokuta Steel Plant had reached 98 per cent completion.

Unfortunately, even at that stage of completion, with between $8 and $10 billion invested, the complex has not produced a piece of steel till date nor contributed to the nation’s economy.

The integrated steel plant was envisaged to have a multiplier effect on all sectors of the nation’s economy including industrial, agriculture, transport and construction sectors among others.

The steel plant was designed to produce 1.3 million tonnes of liquid steel per annum in its phase one even as it has a built-in capacity to expand its production to 2.6 million tonnes of flat iron and steel products in the second phase. The third phase was planned to produce 5-2 million tonnes of various types of products, including heavy plates. The plant complex also has highly sophisticated assemblage of 43 different plants made up of a web of complex iron, cable and machinery of different sizes and function. Out of the 43 plants, 40 were completed and can produce independently.

Experts insisted Ajaokuta steel has the capacity to become a major producer of industrial machineries, auto-electrical spare parts, ship building, railways and carriages. Besides, findings showed that the plant’s first phase has the capacity to provide employment for 10,000 technical staff and 50,000 unskilled upstream and downstream employment if it is in operation.

Instructively, South Korea, which started its steel construction around the same time with Ajaokuta steel, now has revenue of over $60 billion per annum and employs over 65,000 staff.

Analysts insisted Ajaokuta steel would have done better if it had started operation.

According to the World Steel Association (WSA) report, South

Buhari Africa and Egypt produced 6.1 and 5.0 million tonnes of steel in 2016. While South Africa is the 22nd on the list of countries on steel production, Egypt is the 27th.

However, Nigeria, blessed with raw materials including iron ore, coal, natural gas and lime stones needed for the manufacture of steel still cannot get it right with the plant.

The steel plant has been bogged down by bureaucracy and legal issues. In June 2003, President Olusegun Obasanjo conceded Ajaokuta steel to Messrs SOLGAS ENERGY of USA on 10 year tenure. In August, 2004, the federal government terminated the SOLGAS Agreement due to non-performance.

The Obasanjo administration again granted another concession to Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (GINL), an Indian company for operation of Ajaokuta Steel and Nigerian Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) at Itakpe, Kogi State.

But the company failed to really get the two companies up and running.

This caused the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua administration to revoke the contract in April 2008, unfortunately, without meeting the requirements of the clauses built into the agreement. The company thereafter took Nigerian government to arbitration in London.

And now, it is the Buhari administration to the rescue.

Whether unreported or underreported, the Buhari administration has come good with the way it has navigated the company and the nation out of the web of many challenges that have continued to bedevil steel plant over the years.

Unlike subsequent administrations since the return of democratic rule in 1999, the PMB administration has, with its intervention in Ajaokuta set the country back on the path to industrialisation with its financial and employment generation gains in sight.

In 2016, in line with its policy of economic diversification and in fulfillment of his campaign promise on Ajaokuta, President Buhari’s administration, through then Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, settled the legal bottlenecks holding down the company out of court even as part of the out-of-court settlement was that GINL would retain NIOMCO, Itakpe, while the federal government took over Ajaokuta due to its strategic importance to the administration’s plans to diversify its foreign exchange receipts.

Although the steel plant still requires two per cent work to be fully completed, the cost of which is estimated to be between $1.5 and $2 billion dollars, there is no doubt that that the current administration has shown more than a passing

determination to make the plant operational, given the efforts and energy it has expended on the plant thus far.

For the first time in over two decades, stakeholder in the sector are proud of what an administration has achieved in that space even as they urged government to provide clear and articulated plan for the development and growth of metal production sector, whilst the drive for functional steel company in the country continues.

There is huge glimmer of hope for the country in its match towards industrialisation, which many appear to be oblivious of, even if to a large extent tied to the re-election of President Buhari in February. Besides resolving the legal bottlenecks, the administration has shopped for a thoroughbred professional to drive the process of kicking life into the plant in the person of Abdul-Akaba Sumaila, a mechanical engineer who took a three year leave of absence from the Royal Dutch Shell Plc to revive Ajaokuta.

Sumaila has since set to work and determined to make a success of his time at the complex. In a recent interview with Bloomberg, he was quoted to have said, “What excites me is the enormous potential of this place. Whatever we need to do, we have to do it.�

Demonstrating his optimism about the plant getting up and running, he stressed in the Bloomberg interview that, “This is an alternative to oil. The complex can be up and running in two years after the govwernment makes the strategic decision on the direction it wants to take.�

The main driver of the Ajaokuta revival project, immediate past Minister of Mines and Steel Development and now Governor of Ekiti State, Fayemi had equally told Bloomberg in May last year that the first 30-plus years of Ajaokuta “didn’t quite work out as planned, which is the Nigerian story sometimes, adding that, “Ajaokuta is central to our diversification strategy, the least we could do for ourselves as a country and for our manufacturing sector.�

With the work he had put in, Fayemi has indeed come good on his words. Interestingly, not many Nigerians appreciated the giant stride that the Buhari administration has recorded in that area.

But the administration is set to return the nation to its path to industrialisation with what it has achieved by resolving all the issues that had hobbled the Ajaokuta Steel plant as it is doing in the area of road construction, reviving rail lines, strategic intervention in long abandoned power facilities like the Mambilla dam power project, among many others. ––Olatumbi wrote from Abuja

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NOVEMBER 18, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

with RenoOmokri THE ALTERNATIVE Jonathan at 61: When a Leader Leaves Positive Strides in the Sands of Time

O

n Tuesday, November 20, 2018, the Face of Democracy in Africa, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, will be 61 years old. On that same day, he will be presenting his brilliant book, My Transition Hours, to the public.

Finally, through that book, the world will get to see the man behind closed doors and will, I hope, find out that no Nigerian leader has shown the level of self sacrifice, self control and restraint that former President Jonathan showed during and after his five year tenure as President.

However, because of a long succession of brutal military dictators beginning from 1966 and continuing even into the advent of the Fourth Republic, many Nigerians have been conditioned to see brutality as strength and restraint as weakness.

But after three years of a brutal and brutally ineffective President, many citizens are only coming to know now what I knew in 2010-that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is a leader of men who sees the people as the big picture rather than himself.

He tried to show Nigerians the true meaning of leadership.

Unfortunately, the psyche of our people has for long been conditioned to respecting leaders who rule, who boss and who throw their weight around. It was a culture shock to have a leader who rather than throw his considerable weight around, three his intellect around, which is why no leader in Nigeria’s history has built as many schools as Dr. Jonathan did.

And the thing is that he did not have to. Primary education is the constitutional preserve of the states. Yet President Jonathan built 165 almajiri schools because he could not sit by and watch as 11 million Nigerian children, mostly in the North, were out of the school system.

Not stopping there, he built fourteen new universities comprising of twelve new federal universities and two specialised universities. Before Jonathan, 12 Nigerian states had no federal universities. After Jonathan, no Nigerian state was without at least one university.

I had the privilege of asking him why he did what he did and he told me in California, while playing with my children, as follows ‘Reno, no investment yields as much profit as education’.

Indeed, Jonathan is a philosopher king!

From him, I learnt that the best way to be a leader is not to boss people around, but to help solve their problems. Think of it this way. There are many ships in the sea and the sea is dark. If you want all the ships to come to you, then be a lighthouse and they will come to you of their own accord.

I remember when I joined him on a trip to London and at the airport, the Nigerian High Commission to the U.K. had provided a Mercedes sedan to pick him up from the airport. I was to join him at his hotel, so I escorted him to the car with another of his associates. He got in and then looked at me and asked what I was

Jonathan waiting for. I told him I would get a taxi and he goes, ‘don’t be silly’, then does the most amazing thing. He shifted to the middle of the back seat and beckoned on my friend and I to join him on what is known as the owners’ corner in Nigeria. I know of no other leader with the humility to do that.

A quintessential leader is Dr. Jonathan. A man who treated everyone with respect even though he was the President of the largest Black nation on earth who led her to become Africa’s biggest economy. One thing you can be sure of is that if President Jonathan is looking down at you, he is doing so only because he is admiring your shoes.

I learnt true humility from him, but it was in the area of communication that President Jonathan schooled me the best.

From him I discovered that learning the art of communication will make you a leader. Dr. Jonathan never spoke just to express himself. He considers that a waste of time. Rather, he always speaks to persuade others. When others are talking, he listens to them as if they are the most important persons on earth. Honestly,

it is an almost ecstatic event to have a one on one communication with Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. As he turns 61 today, I want to remind Nigerians of a statement he made four years ago.

On the 7th of March 2014, then President Jonathan said “I am loyal to Nigeria’s economy. I don’t have accounts or property abroad. All my children school in Nigeria”.

Till date, nobody has been able to contradict that statement because it is true. But even more impressive is the fact that not one of those who have made it their career to blame Jonathan for everything that is wrong with their lives, can say the same thing.

Dr. Jonathan was able to achieve this because he was a patriot who really believes in Nigeria. Look at his initiatives to turn around the lives of Nigerian youths. You have the Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria (YouWin), the Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS), the Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovations and Development scholarships (PRESSID) to First Class graduates of Nigerian universities to mention a few.

With these schemes, it is no wonder that Nigeria under Jonathan became the third fastest growing economy in the world according to CNNMoney and the International Monetary Fund.

Nowadays, those who rode to power on the back of the freedoms that Dr. Jonathan ensured in Nigeria now threaten to lock up their critics citing ‘hate speech’. Have these individuals ever sat down to consider that under Jonathan’s leadership, not one single person was sent to prison because of anything he or she wrote or said about the President or the government he headed. Nigeria had no political prisoners under Jonathan’s administration and the nation certainly did not have any prisoners of conscience because Jonathan himself ensured that he acted according to his conscience in all he did.

On social media, I read many Nigerian youths saying things like, how did we go from ‘my ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian’ to being called lazy Nigerian youths? That is one question I cannot answer. But one thing I know, the Nigerian youth under President Jonathan were some of the most talented and productive.

That is why Nigeria was rated by Gallup as the happiest nation in the world under Jonathan. Think about that for a minute and then join me in wishing Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan a very well deserved happy birthday as well as a long and fulfilled life to continue serving humanity through the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation.

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

Tormentor of Muhammadu Buhari and the APC. You have the power to summon a stronger positive thought into your mind whenever a negative thought attempts to break into your mind

Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi...A Thoughtful Choice or a Prayer Answered?

Charles Afam Agwu

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ellow Nigerians, come and let’s reason together, because it appears God is doing something new!

Can you not see it?

Frankly, I did not start out to become an “Atiku man”.

If I recall, it was my cousin Emeka who’s a diehard Atiku supporter. To be honest, I was for Dankwambo because of age, high education, high financial positions held, and what he’s done for Gombe State. But, things can change, and sometimes for the better. The intriguing thing for me is that, every time I ask my cousin Emeka: why do you like Atiku? His answer is as always...”I don’t know! I just like the guy. There’s something about him I like, but I don’t know what it is”. And then of course, I will dismiss him, and tell him he really doesn’t know what he wants!

Well, looking back, I found I don’t know Atiku either, except for the way he’s portrayed in the media. But the events of the most recent past, especially after his nomination by PDP, has thrown more light on him, causing me, like most Nigerians to try to know more about him. I have read and watched him on videos in an attempt to discover more, and here’s where I am - a CONVERT! My people say...”the first leg a dancer throws forward, can tell you how that dancer will perform”. I am pulling from that wisdom, and let me share with you some of them:

1). He confidentiality tweeted and shared with the whole world very interesting exchange with his granddaughter after his nomination, where his granddaughter said...”sai Buhari”, and he jokingly corrected her by saying...”no, it’s now sai Atiku”. That’s a man with confidence and is not afraid to share his human nature, his vulnerability as a person. That tells a lot about him.

2). There’s another video where a lady journalist asked him...(and I paraphrase) “men are known for three things - you either smoke, drink or womanize. Which of these three do you do?”. And Atiku replied...”I do smoke; I don’t drink; I have stopped womanizing” - with a subdued smile on his face. I found this interaction very funny and interesting, but more importantly, it opened a window into the heart of this man; that he’s human and can enjoy jokes like every open and kind-hearted person! That’s what we have been missing badly from our current President. On the flip side, consider what would have happened to this poor journalist if it was MB? Your answer is as good as mine. But let’s continue with Atiku!

3). Atiku mended fence immediately with OBJ. Whether he did it on his volition or with the advice of friends is completely immaterial.

What’s important here is that, he has the humility, and understands the power and wisdom of peace and reconciliation above all things. No one could have imagined that OBJ himself will ever turn around and give his support to Atiku after his avowed declarations in the past. Atiku personally went to Otta to seal this rekindle partnership.

He recognized that in other to effectively move on, he must reconcile with friends and former boss with whom he has been at “daggers drawn” for sometime. That...tells a lot about the man Atiku, and of course, OBJ. Again, we have learned from these two men that “to err is human; to forgive is divine”.

That’s a principle that has vanished since the present administration. We need humanity back in the polity.

4). He immediately appointed his rivals during the PDP presidential nomination to head his campaign structure. It shows a man with confidence and self-assured. It was a quick reminder of what President Obama did when he appointed Hillary Clinton to one of the highest office as Secretary of State, and we all witnessed the benefit of that altruistic decision. Atiku’s move reminds us of that. Besides, it took him just a few days to announce these appointments, as opposed to about nine months it took MB to announce the appointment of his ministers. This is a clear evidence of a man that’s prepared to be President from “Day One”. And don’t take my words for it - go and visit his website: atiku.org 5). Appointment of Femi Fani-Kayode to head his Media & Publicity is a clear testimony that Atiku is a man determined to go beyond the usual politics to change the paradigm. Anybody who’s been following the politics in Nigeria can attest that Femi Fani-Kayode is a virulent critic of the present administration and the status quo, most of which are headed by his tribesmen. It speaks to the fact that, Atiku is a man not persuaded

by unnecessary tribal sentiments; that he truly sees Nigeria as one, and is determined to return Nigeria back to that status. That’s the kind of person we desperately need in Nigeria today.

6). It is known that Atiku’s PDP nomination was pushed and strongly supported by well-known rtd. generals. These are men that have seen war; heard the sounds of heavy guns; experienced and seen the devastating consequence of war and anarchy. They could foresee the worst in human carnage, perhaps as never seen before, and they moved to stop it before it happens. Who knows? It could be worse than what happened in Rwanda between the Hutus and the Tutsis, if left unchecked.

The handwriting is everywhere in Nigeria today. It also shows the difference, when only one person is credited to have made MB the President - Asiwaju! The kingmaker himself never saw war, and was said to be in London as a rich student enjoying his mother’s wealth, when that was going on. Today, MB and his clansmen coharts have overrun him, and he can no longer control the monst’... he created. Hopefully, that will never be our “portion” again! And so, we owe gratitude to the generals, and to PDP for stepping up to the plate at this dangerous time in the history of Nigeria. We have been given a new lease of life, just from “hope” - that things are about to change for the better. What is happening today is like waking up from a terrible nightmare!

––Chief Agwu lives in the United States of America

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 18, 2018

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SUNDAYINTERVIEW Adams Oshiomhole

Oshiomhole

We’ll Speak to the Record of Buhari’s Challengers National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was recently on Arise TV news, sister company of THISDAY newspapers, where he addressed trending topical issues, including President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election, the over-three years of the APC administration, the post-APC primary crisis and the recent passing of Chief Tony Anenih, former chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, amongst other issues. Excerpts:

S

ome foreign commentators are predicting doom for your party and President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, how optimistic are you of victory?

In all honesty, it is strange that it is foreigners, who are crying more than the bereaved. I also heard Nigerians saying pension benefits that have not been paid for twenty years under the PDP are being paid now by this government. I have heard the Head of Service say for the 16 years of PDP, there were promotions that were delayed but that through the intervention of this government, we began to settle these huge arrears and promotions. People talk about the huge amount of money PDP spent on power.

The taller they spent the more darkness Nigeria found itself in.

For me, there are people who find joy in quoting foreign sources.

I like to talk about Nigerian people and they are our primary constituency. They are the ones that hired Mr. President. I am not accountable to financial intelligence and everybody is aware that some of these papers don’t have the reputation they claim to have, after all, these are the same institutions that wrote lavishly about Nigeria banking system but few weeks later, some of these banks were empty.

I think we have done a couple of things that will form the basis of our campaign. This is the only government that gives bail-out money to state governments to enable them meet their most

basic responsibility without bothering whether they are APC, PDP or APGA. I don’t know any government before now that was fair and just, regardless of political affiliation. These are things we should be talking about.

We had governments that spent billions doing groundbreaking ceremony for the second River Niger Bridge, but this government as we speak is not doing groundbreaking; it is actually constructing the second Niger Bridge. These are things we want to talk about. Second, there are a couple of things the federal government is doing in Lagos, Ibadan and other parts of the country. These are things I think we should talk about.

It is not the views of sometimes hired foreign commentator.

These people are not superior to the Nigerian journalist. These are things we must discuss, if the opposition does not want to do that, we will do that. In any case, we have moved the government from one that services the elites to one that looks at the forgotten majority of Nigerians, the voiceless. I think very soon, we will begin to talk what this government has done and who has benefited and how the previous government converted private debts to public liabilities and privatised public funds to private pockets.

And of course, we are going to get people who are knowledgeable about micro economy issues to assist Nigerians to understand that there is always a time lag between when certain policies are put in place, when certain mismanagement occur and when the impact of those mismanagement begins to occur in the lives of

the people. For me, these are the issues that I want to talk about.

We must consciously begin to discuss issues, policy issues, security issues and all of that.

The Apapa gridlock has persisted. It seems the APC is yet to find solution to it three years after?

I think you should just play back your own stories about the Apapa crisis, the whole issues around the ports, you will find that for sixteen years of PDP they grappled with that problem, and what they could not fix in sixteen years they are not going to disappear overnight. But the good thing is that right now, there are conversations and beyond conversations, there are policy issues with regards to what the private sector can do.

I am aware there are agreements that have been signed to encourage the private sector come into the matter. So, every analysis we must go and play back. These are not problems that developed three years ago; they have been there and they won’t disappear overnight. I think that right now something is being done, but it cannot not be like changing from NEPA to generator; it is a bit complex than that.

What will APC do different after 2019?

Like I said, we are already doing a lot of things differently.

For the first time, a government is focusing on the poorest of the poor. The government is putting in place social policies that seem to locate the poorest of the poor and not joining in lamenting

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SUNDAY INTERVIEW t ‘AMOSUN, OKOROCHA WILL OVERCOME THEIR ANGER ’ t Continued from Pg. 80 but taking concrete steps to put in place policies targeted at the poorest. And these things are happening across the country. I just mentioned over the years how much the PDP government spent on power. We have not spent a fraction of that and the challenge we are dealing with today is to revisit, if you ask me, this is my personal opinion.

The crass abuse of the privatization process, the DISCOS that were handed over to incompetent hands based on patronage.

And because of the long term agreement that government entered into with these operators, we have had to face huge challenges whereby even where you are able to generate more power, the DISCOS seem not to have the capacity to carry out distribution so that Nigerians can feel the impact of any improvement that have been recorded. And I will expect that going forward we have to revisit some of the things done and manage them not to be seen to revoke what has been done before.

Increasingly, it is clear that they lack the capacity to deliver.

Those things we have to review and maybe going back to the fundamentals. I have just told you that we are not lamenting any crisis in transportation. A lot is being done with regards to the railway system. You will remember that before now, the KadunaAbuja railway was on the drawing board but today, it is a reality.

In different parts of the country, huge progress is being made in the area of infrastructure. What you can really accuse the government of is that we don’t seem to be communicating effectively all of the things that are going on around the country. And there are quite a bit that are going on. But the people that live in those areas know what is happening in their respective areas.

And to answer your question, I believe that President Buhari will certainly be re-elected on the basis of his personal integrity and the fact that those who are contesting against him, there are couple of things they can’t say about themselves that this President will not only say but other people will say for him. Nigerians are wiser now. It is cheap for people to make promises but again it is also easy for people who have been in power before to pretend that they don’t know what is going on. Some have been ministers and we know the controversies generated when they managed their ministries.

We are going to ask them what they will now do differently in those sectors and their records are very clear in those sectors. You have been in the center as number two man. Nigeria was turned into a completely unitary state. I heard somebody now talking about autonomy of local governments. When I was in the NLC, I joined the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees to campaign for autonomy, to ask the federal government to stop controlling the local government and even withholding money meant for local governments.

So, this government respects the autonomy of local governments. Some of those issues are no longer there. But those coming now that want to be president were part of the administration that almost imposed a very suffocating unitary government on Nigeria. We are moving consciously from those and see how we can re-order the federal system.

But I can tell, of all the presidential candidates on parade, Buhari is number one and I believe he will win, because Nigerians know the difference; they know what brought us to where we are, they know what explains the paradox between a rich nation, whose people are getting poorer and poorer. And they know that one disease that explains it is the character of those, who had been in government. And incidentally those coming are not political virgins, they are people who have their records and we will speak to those records.

Your party is yet to fix the problem in the power sector, what do you think is the problem?

The truth of the matter is that I was in government when the DISCOS were being privatised and I remember my colleague and brother, Dr. Uduaghan of Delta State, we addressed a press conference and we accused the then federal government of unfairness in handing over the Edo, Delta and Ondo Disco to a company that has no knowledge whatsoever in electricity business – a banker who is now the MD of the place and a Pharmacist, who is now the chairman. It is a family business. They have neither the competence nor the financial wherewithal in terms of resources.

It is scandalous that they have had to take money from public treasury – from the CBN through what they called special window to form what obviously ought to be a private enterprise.

I used to be a member of the National Council on Privatisation when I was President of the NLC, and I know what the conditions are, what the law provides for: that you must show evidence that you have the technical knowhow, you must also show evidence that you have the financial wherewithal. The whole idea was to inject fresh capital into the sector.

What the previous PDP government did was to hand over these Discos to people who did not have the resources. They went into their banks, do insider trading and take depositors funds when they did not have fresh capital to inject. Rather than attract foreign direct investment into our electricity sector to complement the limited resources we have, we found the system seeking to take depositors funds to buy the Discos and then falling back on CBN to create special window.

And if you look at the amount of money they have collected – tax payers’ money – given to them at concessionary rate, even with all those additional support that they have forgotten, which for me is wrong, because we cannot run private investment with public funds, that is not the promise on privatisation but that is what the government did. But what we can probably discuss which I am going to do when I probably see the minister, is that when a fabric is too weak, there is no amount of patching that will save it. I think we have to go back to the basis.

These Discos don’t have the know-how, they don’t have the wherewithal to do what they need to do; what they need for

Nigerians to be bailed out of darkness and it is a major question that we have to address. Of course, if you asked them they are going to cry from morning till night about enabling environment.

Nigerians are tired of excuses. Why did you go buy into a project without having the competence? I will challenge you to take the profiles of each of the owners of these Discos and tell me which of them has had the history of being involved in electricity distribution and therefore what qualified them to bid and win those biddings, which led us to where we are today. The truth must be told.

What’s your take on the growing insecurity?

The truth is that new forms of insecurity are manifesting around the world. That will be a more holistic appraisal of the security situation around the world. But I need to remind you that I was a member of the National Council of State as governor of Edo State and then President called us for a meeting and paraded the service chiefs, who admitted that 28 or more local governments were being controlled by Boko Haram. And on account of the level of insecurity, the military chiefs submitted that they were not in a position to guarantee the conduct of a general election.

Based on that, elections were postponed. But today Boko Haram has been severely weakened. The much talked about mystery at the Sambisa Forest has been demystified and the Nigeria Armed Forces have made a bold statement. You will recall that under the previous government, a lot of our young men were sentenced to death for running away from battle and of course, the money voted for them were stolen by the Generals that were supposed to provide leadership. But today, those are history. As we speak, there is no local government in Nigeria that is under the control of militants as it was before. Of course, you still have pockets of strikes here and there but for all of us who are familiar with insurgency, you know that it is not something you wipe out overnight.

Even in Europe and America with all their powers, couple of times they suffer some embarrassment, when terrorists attack. So, there can be no question that under President Buhari’s leadership commendable progress has been made. Certainly, this is not to suggest that we go home and sleep and say all is over. No, we all need to build on the progress that has been made.

Now, the forms of crime that you are talking about, unfortunately you did not list them, but I guess you are talking about the level of kidnapping. Now, kidnapping resurfaced under the PDP, and I was governor of Edo State. I found myself helpless at a point, some Generals were kidnapped in Edo State and the kidnappers were even threatening that they might kidnap me if I make noise. Yes, we still have a share of kidnapping but nothing of the scale that we witnessed under the previous government.

Yes, we have religious extremism and so on, again, short memory, talking about Generals being Heads of State, under General Babangida, there was this Maitatsine riot in Kano and we had this huge crime in Kaduna State, which the former head of state called a civilian coup. So, we had these problems. The problem is that maybe we have poor documentation in terms of history. This is never to justify insecurity anywhere but just to say that it will be incorrect to suggest that no new initiative had been involved or that not much progress had been made.

A lot of progress has been made but every Nigerian is entitled to a secure home; every Nigerian is entitled to go to a secure market; government must continue to be on its toes to deal with

all forms of criminality. Around the world, we witness every day, we hear that with all the sophistication, we still find that terrorists managing to attack in America, Europe, Turkey, everywhere around the world, and Nigeria has its own fair share. And because we represent about a quarter of the blacks in Africa in the South of the Sahara, it is not surprising that we also seem to have perhaps our own share of insecurity.

But what you cannot say is to suggest that no progress has been made. I think progress has been made. We are discussing election now. Nobody is going to say we are postponing election on account of insecurity. I think we must encourage government to sustain what it has started. It must provide modern facilities to our Armed Forces, they must be motivated and take advantage of those countries that are willing to collaborate having recognised that terrorism is a global problem; to encourage our men and women in uniform to do what they have to do; to make the country safer and much more secured.

What about the herdsmen crisis?

If you play back again, when governor Suswan was governor of Benue state, there were several incidences of herdsmen attacks.

It should not be portrayed as if it is a new trend, it has been there.

But that is not to suggest that we should live with it. I believe that there are initiatives being put in place, I believe there is renewed engagements to convince Nigerians that the choice we had is not how to restrain Nigerians free movement. The choice we had was to convince every Nigerian that this was our country. We were not going to issue Resident Permit for people to choose where to live.

But it is possible to convince everyone and put in place a government at all levels to play their part and sensitize Nigerians on the need to live together. And I think there is a good example.

Plateau State, before the current Governor, Lalong came into office, every other day there was virtually war in Plateau State, and for three years, there was no single incident until recently when a former governor was put on trial over corrupt practices, and as soon as he got bail, we began to witness an attempt to renew hostilities between the herdsmen and the local farmers.

The governor has done a very sensible thing, convincing both the herdsmen and the local farmers on the need to live together.

Now, the point to make is that every Nigerian, including the media have a duty to contribute to the maintenance of peace and security and it is unhelpful when sometimes the media bias is so open that you wonder if Nigeria was in trouble, when they even seek to complicate the issues by importing religious motives into what was obviously a mere criminality. I think everyone has a duty to ensure that we all rise in unison to fight crime and in reporting suspected criminals to the police.

What are your takes on the new Minimum wage?

My views are clear that payment of wages is not an act of kindness for an employer to pay the employee’s wage at the end of the month. There are provisions in our labour act that says that you cannot delay the payment of salaries in excess of 30 days interval, which means salaries ought not to accumulate beyond 30 days. And government decides the size of its employment but when it made the decision to employ it has the obligation to pay.

Even the Holy Bible says that the laborer is entitled to its wages.

(See the concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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SMS: 08116759819

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The Senate in session

Senate Performs Oversight Duties As House of Reps Battles Osinbajo Last week, though the National Assembly failed to hold any plenary sessions following the inability of its members to form a quorum, the Senate committees continued with oversight duties. While the House of Representatives investigated alleged corruption in the presidency, report Deji Elumoye and Shola Oyeyipo

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or the first time in the history of the Eighth Senate, it failed to form a quorum last Tuesday for legislative business to take place. At the last count, less than 20 out of 109 Senators were in attendance and this forced the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to adjourn plenary until November 20. Order 10(3) of the Senate’s Standing Rule stipulates that for Senate to form a quorum, one-third of the total 109 members must be present during a legislative session.

Senate Minority Whip, Senator Philip Aduda (FCT), was quick to cite the Order to draw the attention of his colleagues to the lack of quorum and the need for the adjournment as soon as Saraki said the opening prayer and approved the votes and proceedings for the plenary.

According to him, since the Order states that ‘a session of the Senate can only be held when the required quorum of 37 members out of 109 is formed, the Senate should adjourn the sitting until next legislative day’.

He said, “We are less than 10. Mr. President, I want to move that since we have not formed a quorum, we may therefore adjourn but in doing so, I want to say that the Senate is empty, because various committees are carrying out oversight duties. They are all over the country, ensuring that the budget is performing. On that note, the Senate may wish to extend the period of oversight functions if the Senate so wishes by another week to Tuesday, November 20�.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, seconded the motion saying, “I rise to second the motion ably moved by Senator Aduda, but let me add that we are more than 10 but certainly not up to 38. We are somewhere between 15 and 20. Just for the record, we are not less than 10 but less than 20�

At this point, Saraki put the issue to a voice vote and got overwhelming adoption from the senators present in the chambers.

But after the motion was adopted, Saraki said: “It is important that our members, who are not here, we should communicate to them, those on oversight to finish what

they have during the week in the area of oversight. Some of the findings from the oversight are important and it is crucial that the exercise is done diligently and we should ensure that it is completed by the end of this week. That is in line with order 10 (3)�.

Many senators were actually out of Abuja for oversight functions for the whole of last week. Cases in point include the Senate Committee on Health headed by Senator Lanre Tejuosho and the Senator Remi Tinubu-led Committee on Environment, who were in Lagos for oversight duties.

While the Health Committee members were at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) to see things for themselves at the hospital, the Environment Committee members were also on working visit to environment sites within the Lagos metropolis.

On its part, the Senate Committee on Federal Road Management Agency (FERMA), led by its Chairman, Senator Magnus Abe, paid an oversight visit to FERMA’s headquarters in Wuse 2 in Abuja and with two other members of the committee, senators Barnabas Gemade and Philip Adudah, met with

the agency’s Managing Director, Nurudeen Rafindadi and directors during which Abe expressed concern over the underfunding of FERMA by federal government.

He said: “The reason FERMA was created was to take away the bureaucracy that visited the maintenance of roads from the Federal Ministry of Works and create an agency that will be quick and able to respond quickly to challenges of maintenance of federal roads. It is sad to note that the exact same challenges that plagued the Federal Ministry of Works are still plaguing the agency today.�

The senator, therefore, called on the Federal Ministry of Finance and CBN to quickly look into ways of ensuring that the provisions of the nation’s extant laws on the funding of FERMA are implemented without delay.

He added: “Except this is done, the number of Nigerians, who continue to die on our roads, the poor state of Nigerian roads will remain with us in the nearest future. I also call on the Attorney General of the Federation, who is the chief law enforcement officer of the government to ensure that the PPRA act is implemented and appropriately and

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Senate Performs Oversight Duties As House of Reps Battles Osinbajo funds due this agency are released without delay.�

FERMA MD had earlier told the committee that less than 10 per cent of 2018 Appropriation had so far been released to the agency. He expressed confidence that 2019 would be a better year for FERMA in terms of funding, saying, “Right now, the 2019 budget is being prepared and in our discussion with the Ministry of Budget and Planning, we have an indication that we can look at up to 50 per cent of capital projects among other things we intend to embark upon.�

At the House of Representatives, it was a week of allegations and counter-allegations between the House and the office of VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo It was an intriguing week in the green chamber because there was what could be called ‘renewed hostility’ between the executive and the legislature with allegations and counter-allegations of financial recklessness.

Osinbajo had a bitter pill to swallow when his name was dragged through the mud over alleged illegal approval of a mismanaged N5.8 billion North-east Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) intervention fund.

The House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness chaired by Ali Isa, in its report last Tuesday, maintained that in contravention of constitutional provisions, Osinbajo approved the release of the sum of N5, 865, 671, 939.26 in June 2017, from the Consolidated Revenue Fund Account and that the money was openly mismanaged.

Though the Vice President made frantic efforts to exonerate himself of any wrongdoing that has not been an easy task. The House committee insisted that as the Chairman, Governing Board of National Emergency ManagementAgency (NEMA) and the acting president that approved the N5, 865, 671, 389. 26bn Emergency Intervention Fund for the North-east in June 2017, Osinbajo has questions to answer.

The lawmakers frowned at the fact that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) paid money into the accounts of private companies namely; Dangote Rice Ltd (N936, 196, 800); Golden Agric Input Ltd (N1, 384, 554, 236); BUA Rice Ltd (N1, 322, 273, 520); WACOT Ltd (N453, 674, 296); WACOT Ltd (N939, 946, 089) and NEMA (N829, 026, 456) for supply of food items that was never carried out.

Their grouse was that the authorisation granted for the withdrawal of the money from the Consolidated Revenue Fund Account was “highly flawed and infractions on Section 80(2) of the Constitution and Section (2) of the Procurement Act, as well as provisions of the Appropriation Act. The lawmakers were miffed that the approval did not follow due process as taxes and interest accruable to the government were not deducted or remitted to FIRS and no meeting held by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to approve the contracts. “The funds were credited directly to the individual banks of the companies and NEMA bank account, a violation of the approval limit allowed by law. Out of the N5.8bn, NEMA got N829, 026, 456 for logistics and claimed it spent N369.5 million on general logistics, N189 million on branding and packaging, N248.6 million on branding and packaging and N21.9 million on contingency,� Isa noted.

The recommendations of the investigative hearing on the violation of public trust in NEMA were adopted by the House of Representatives after it was considered in the committee of the whole.

According to the House, the release of the fund for food security in the Northeast contravened Section 80(4) of the 1999 constitution as amended, which states that, “No money shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the federation, except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly.�

Saraki and Dogara at a joint session of the National Assembly

The committee, therefore, called for the dismissal and prosecution of the DirectorGeneral of NEMA, Mr. Mustapha Maihaja, over allegations of fraud, corruption and embezzlement of N33 billion Emergency Intervention Fund as well as all the government officials’ involvement in the approval, processing, release and diversion of the fund.

The presidency was obviously jolted!

This was evident in the damage control that trailed the allegation, but the National Assembly too did not get away without a scar after the allegations against the VP. A 2016 annual audit report released by the Auditor General of the Federation became public and it revealed that about N3.5 billion was misappropriated in 2016 by the management of the National Assembly.

It was alleged that in the National Assembly, money was siphoned through various schemes such as failure to retire advances, financial documentation irregularities, excess payment for goods, controversial purchases and diversion of funds.

Released almost at the same time, allegations contained in the controversial committee report made newspaper headlines, the audit report which indicated how the National Assembly failed to provide receipts, vouchers or contract documents for many transactions made in 2016, also rattled the National Assembly.

As the overall head of the National Assembly, Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Clerk of the National Assembly, Mohammed Omolori, Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, Adamu Fika and Director-General of the National Institute of Legislative Studies, Ladi Hamalai and other key officials in the National Assembly with oversight management responsibilities were indicted in the report. “During the audit of the accounting records maintained at the National Assembly and its agencies, at the management section, under the General Services, it was revealed that capital account payment vouchers for amounts totalling N417 million (N417,312,538.79), raised for settlement of some contractors, were without vital supporting documents, “a financial decision that depicts violation of financial regulation, which provides that all vouchers shall contain full particulars of each service as to enable them to be checked without reference to any other document and will invariably

be supported by relevant documents. “The Clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani Omolori, should produce the supporting documents to the payment vouchers or recover the amount in question from the contractors,� the auditor noted.

Part of other issues raised was that during the audit of staff salary accounts, 37 payment vouchers which amount to N67 million (N66, 713, 355) were observed to have been paid between January and June 2016 for items not related to personnel cost.

That payee in the cashbook did not correspond with those in the bank statement, which violates the financial regulation, which states that expenditure shall strictly be classified in accordance with the estimates and votes must be applied only to the purpose for which the money is provided and that expenditure incorrectly charged to a vote shall be disallowed.

The auditor, therefore, instructed that “The sum of N66, 713, 355.08 being irregular expenditure should be recovered from the officer, who approved the payments from the personnel vote.�

During the review of documents of capital expenditure vote by the auditor, it was noted that payments totalling N116 million (N116, 162, 522.60) were made between April and June 2016, to some contractors for various jobs carried out, without raising payment vouchers. So, the Clerk to the National Assembly was asked to produce the payment vouchers for examination.

Also, a total sum of N57 million deducted from various contract payments in respect of Withholding Tax and Value Added Tax was without evidence of remittance to the tax authorities. Hence, the Clerk was asked to produce the acknowledgement receipts from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for verification. The Clerk of the National Assembly was alleged to have previously ignored the auditor on these issues raised.

Reacting, Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, said the allegation of misappropriation of about N3.5bn in the National Assembly in 2016, was not against lawmakers but the management of the National Assembly.

According to him, the management of the National Assembly is distinct from the lawmakers and as such was in the best position to react to issues raised in the audit report. “Let me tell you, these issues can only be

tackled by the management. It is not the House of Representatives. You people should differentiate spokesman for the House of Representatives. I speak for members of the House of Representatives. “Management matters are done by the Information Officer of the Management Department because it is an entire management thing, they are talking about Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA), Clerk of the House, Dogara, talking about Senate President giving approval. So, it is not a House issue. You have to look for the Information Officer in charge of managerial issues. But if it is said that the member of the House of Representatives has done such a thing, then I will speak for them,� he said.

There was no official statement on the matter yet, but a source in the National Assembly management, who spoke strictly on the condition anonymity, said the manner the audit report became a subject of media publication showed that it was a hatchet job. “What I will tell you is that the report is a 2016 report and it was a hatchet job. The person that did that did not even bother to do a thorough job – a professional job of a journalist. They didn’t even give us chance to act on whether that report is true or not. Tax dedication that they were talking about for instance is collected at source by the Central Bank on every capital project. When you have audit query, it only shows that there is something that is not properly done; give us additional information but they went to press with it without even getting our own side of the story. “And even the management that was in place in 2016 is not the same management now. That was during the time of Makasua and I don’t have details of that and I don’t even know the report he is referring to. It is not news that will add up anything. They are coming up with that because the National Assembly is trying to investigate some of the actions of the executive, so they too are trying to bring things up,� the source stated.

From all indications, there is no end in sight to the altercations, allegations and counter-allegations between the Isa-led committee, which seems resolute to prove beyond reasonable doubts that things were not properly done with the N5.8bn IDP food intervention contract award and the office of the auditor-general, who is certainly waiting for an official reaction to issues raised in the report.

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INTERNATIONAL Espying the Challenge of Elite Dishonesty: Beyond the NIIA’s Own Quest for a Better Nigeria

T

he Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) responded in an advertorial to my Vie Internationale of September 9, 2018, entitled ‘Ike Nwachukwu’s Quest for a Better Nigeria and the Challenge of Elite Dishonesty: Quo Vadis’. It is a most welcome advertorial but mainly predicated on half-truths. As virtually the main issues raised are already in courts of competent jurisdiction, attempt will only be given here on the focus of the

advertorial.

The NIIAAdvertorial not only provided its own version of the truth on the ‘NIIAand the Ike-Nwachukwu-led NIIAGoverning Council,’ but also has it that ‘the only aim here is to respond to the points raised concerning the NIIAand the Council. There are four (4) points under reference’. We will limit our reactions to the four points as raised in the advertorial.

The first point is the position of this Column, which is that the Nwachukwu-led Governing Council covered up an alteration of promotion examination results but the advertorial claims that ‘it did not’. In justifying this claim, it submitted that the Council ‘only directed that query be issued with a view to taking action in the next meeting. Furthermore, nobody was promoted in that case.’ Let us first espy this version of the truth to determine the extent of truth by asking some questions.

If the Ike Nwachukwu-led Governing Council directed that a query be issued to the Director of Administration and Finance, Miss Agatha Elochi Ude, who was accused of several falsifications, is the NIIAManagement now claiming ignorance of the fact that Miss Ude not only admitted to the falsification before the meeting of the Council but also gave apology at the meeting?

This action alone speaks volumes and raises more questions: who did the Council direct to issue the query? During the tenure of the Ike Nwachukwu-led Governing Council, I was the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute. To my knowledge nobody was directed and I was never given any directive to issue any query, more so that I was the complainant. In the next meeting during which a decision was to be taken, what really was the action recommended? Which concrete action was taken? Let us seek the truth.

The NIIAadvertorial says that “nobody was promoted in that case. This submission is far from being the issue. The main issue is that an infraction was committed and Vie Internationale is claiming a conscious and reckless cover up of the infraction.

If the explanation of the NIIAManagement is that nobody was promoted, this does not remove of the fact that there was an infraction which should have been sanctioned by a Governing Council preaching the sermon of sanity, rule of law and due process. What everyone should be interested in is more information on the issue of query. There was no query and all efforts were made to prevent the issuance of any query. In fact, Miss Agatha Elochi Ude was issued a first query before the matter was referred to Council for further directives.

What is noteworthy from the foregoing is that if a query was directed to be issued to Miss Agatha Ude, it means that she had truly committed an infraction and if there had not been any query, the Public should simply take further interest in knowing why?

This Column stands by its assertion that the Ike-Nwachukwu-led Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, not only consciously but also cautiously covered up the infraction with the ultimate objective of undermining good governance required for the achievement of the mandate of the NIIA. Point 2 is on the candidates for professorial appointments. In reaction to Vie Internationale’s claim that the Ike-Nwachukwu-led Governing Council interfered in the assessment of professorial candidates, the NIIAadvertorial has an explanation to the claim: ‘what appeared as interference was a response to series of petitions by the candidates to the Council. The Council had to find a solution to the issues raised and that meant deeper involvement in the process than would otherwise be. And the process was still incomplete when the tenure of the Council ended.’ This submission is only good to the extent that the Council provided a rationale for the interference. The Council has simply admitted interference in the day-to-day management of the Institute contrary to governmental instruction. The instruction, to borrow the words of the incumbent Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Ekanem Oyo-Ita, at the Institute of Directors’ Conference held on November 8, 2018 in Abuja, when explaining the roles and responsibilities of Boards of Parastatals, is that ‘a Board shall not be involved directly in the day-to-day manage-

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

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Nwachukwu ment of a parastatal or an agency.’ If for whatever reason, there has to be direct involvement, the purpose must not be partisan. It must be justice- and fairness-seeking.

More disturbingly, let us hypothetically admit the rule of force majeure in the interference: must the interference take another form of infraction? In an attempt to deal with or respond to the alleged series of petitions, were there or no replies to the petitions? If there were official responses to the petitions, what were the official reactions of the Ike-Nwachukwu-led Governing Council to the official replies to the petitions? In fact, what is the final decision of the Council on the matter? The truth is that the Council kept quiet about the replies that I provided but continued to preach the gospel according to the petitioners.

Put differently, the point being made here is that if there were petitions against the Director General and the Director General provided his own explanations, one of the two parties, that is, the DG or the petitioners, must be right or wrong. Let the NIIA Management tell the Nigerian public, what was the ruling of the Council. The Council was only much delighted in issuing me with queries but unable to act when faced with the truth: were the petitions validly sustained?

The Council directed that the papers of the professorial candidates should not be sent abroad for assessment. Why? This is global best practice in the academic world worldwide. It is important to remind the NIIAmanagement that the then Director of Research and Studies, Professor Ogaba Danjuma Oche, informed the professorial candidates that the Director General was about to send their papers to international assessors abroad and that doing so was contrary to the practice.

Armed with this information, the professorial candidates sent petitions to the Council and the Council granted their prayers. I gave the Council documentary evidences showing that assessors were always appointed on the basis of their expertise and not on the basis of their location. That the Director of Research and Studies, Professor Ogaba Oche, illegally informed the professorial candidates, which is an act of serious misconduct in itself, and that the professorial candidates had the audacity to request the Council

The problem created by the Ike Nwachukwu-led Governing Council for today and which tomorrow may not be able to cope with successfully, is the establishment of a new category of Professors in the NIIA.The existing category of NIIA Professors is that of those who either had three on three points or two on three points, and therefore, are qualiďŹ ed.The other new category of Professors is the Governing Council-Assisted Professors (GCAP).They are, at best, GCAP and not Professors of the NIIA. Appointments on the basis of political lobbying, and for that matter, on the basis of obtaining one and a half points on three, are not compatible with the tradition of the Institute. If the Management is to be worth its position, let it publish all the contents of the petitions and the replies to them and let the court of public opinion decide since the Federal Government has opted to condone the situation until now

to prevent the sending of their papers abroad, and the Council so accepted, are some of the ordeals I was fighting tooth and nail. This is part of the reasons I have always considered that the Nigerian system discourages honesty of purpose, dint of hard work, and patriotism, and protection of values of integrity and nationalism.

Why seek to bastardise academic professorship?

Professorship, like Military General-ship, is not a commodity normally put on shelf in the market for sale. You either earn the status of professorship or not. You do not lobby or bring nepotism into its acquisition. It is not a chieftaincy title that can be given to highest bidders on the whims and caprices of a monarch but the Ike Nwachukwu-led Council already turned it so. This is my own opinion.

Secondly, even if we have to forcefully admit sending the papers to local assessors, there is still the need to query the disagreement between the Council and the Director General on the matter. The Council wanted an Associate Professor of only two years to be assessed for promotion to the full professorial cadre. The Council did not believe that the NIIAhad its own tradition borrowed largely from the University of Lagos. Even when the Council was prevailed upon to accept the minimum of three years required before consideration of eligibility for professorial assessment, it dictated to me the contents of the letter to be sent to the assessors.

The dictated letter asked that the DG’s initial letter should be disregarded. The Council compelled the Director General to sign the dictated letter and the Council dispatched the letters to the assessors by itself.

One thing is noteworthy about the eligibility for NIIA professorship. The tradition is that, 2 points on 3 points must be obtained to qualify for eligibility. When letters are sent to assessors, it is clearly stated that they are all required to indicate whether the candidate has passed fully or marginally. Full pass attracts one full point while marginal pass only attracts half point. The maximum point obtainable from three assessors is therefore three, while the minimum point obtainable is either zero or half point. To qualify for professorial appointment, two points on three must not only be scored but must also have other favourable reports.

The truth is that only one of the two candidates assessed scored two points and was in the circumstance, eligible, while the other candidate scored one and a half points and was therefore not eligible. The relevant observational question is this: will the candidate have ever scored one and a half points if there had not been any interventional influence on the assessors? When the Council wanted to know from the Director General about the results, the Director General told them that a member of Council was already linking up with the assessors, but the member said he was not getting in touch in respect of assessments. Who wants to believe this type of story? The Director General respectfully suggested to the Council to continue to link up with the assessors as it so desired.

The management of the NIIAis also submitting that the process was still incomplete when the tenure of the Council ended. This observation is most unfortunate because it consciously seeks to cover up again the foundations already laid by the Council before the end of its tenure. It consciously closes its eyes to the fact that before the end of the tenure of the Council, one of the Council members, an ambassador, was mandated to discuss with the petitioners, particularly Dr. Efem Ubi, who was advised to apologise to the Director General, when he could not substantiate his allegations against the Director General and who, during a Council meeting, accepted to apologise, but also later reneged because of the need to avoid jeopardising the interests of other petitioners at stake.

Let me also recall that I clearly stated in my handover note and report to the Government how the Ike-Nwachukwu-led Governing Council had destroyed the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs beyond repairs. I have been drawing attention to this matter since 2015, but to no avail. This is why I strongly believe that the NIIAManagement did well by responding to it for the first time. What is more interesting about the advertorial is that the NIIAManagement suddenly woke up to discover that Ike-Nwachukwu’s quest for a better Nigeria is worth dealing with.

It is also interesting too that the NIIAManagement is attracted by the challenge of elite dishonesty.

I am therefore more than convinced beyond any jot of doubt that the elite, and particularly the public servants put in position to advise Mr. President, are largely responsible for all the various challenges with which the Mohammadu Buhari’s administration is facing today, the elite is so unnecessarily dishonest by way of misguidance and untruth.

The third point raised by the NIIAadvertorial is accommodation rent. Vie Internationale, as claimed by the advertorial, said ‘the Ike Nwachukwu-led Governing Council imposed an unfair rental system which made some to pay N90,000, while others pay as little as N14,000 for the same apartments.’ And true, who says that it is not unfair? The NIIAManagement says ‘the said block of flats is NIIAcontrolled Federal Government’s property.

What the Ike Nwachukwu-led Council did was to resolve the issues pertaining to accommodation brought before it by adopting a formula provided for in the NIIAconditions of service which stipulated that rent for staff should be 8.5% of individual gross salary income for every occupant. Hence the difference in payments for the rent is a reflection of the variations in the rank and salary levels of the staff living there.�

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

THISDAYt SUNDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2018

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EVENTS

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n Sunday, November 4, 2018, the families of Mr. Muyideen & Mrs. Shareefah Abiola Audu and Alhaji Abdul-Fatai Alani & Alhaja Kudirat Abimbola Kafidipe were joined together as their daughter & son, Adedoyin Aisha and Taiwo Taofiq exchanged the marital vow. At a well attended reception held in honour of the couple, at The Podium Event Centre, Oniru, Lekki, Lagos, top government functionaries; members of National and states Assemblies, captains of industry as well as leadership of various market women associations were on hand to honour the family. Here are some of the personalities that attended the occasion.

Photographs By Kolawole Alli

L-R: Hamid Suleiman-Garba; Munirah-Imam Yusuf and Adedeji Andu

L-R: Hajia Zainab Abimbola; Hajia Ramat Olatinwo and Hajia Raliat Oyetunde

Mr. Lanre Osinaike and his wife, Titi

L-R: Mrs. Toyin Kudis; Modeenat Olusola and Waliyat Aboyeji

L-R: Modele Sarafa-Yusuf and her sister\mother of the bride, Shereefah Andu

L-R: Grandma of the Bride, Alhaja Sifawu Osinaike Andu and Alhaja Arowosadini

L-R: Mrs. Bola Shagaya and Mrs. Abba Folawiyo

L-R: Mrs. Lanre Dixon and Mrs. Joko Oni

L-R: Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope Adefulire and Hajia Laraba Ibraheem

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L-R: Deputy Govenor, Osun State, Otunba Grace Titi-Laoye Tomori and Hon. Mosunlola Olulade

R-L: Mrs. Foluke Abdulrazaq; Senator Soji Akanbi and his wife, Folake.

R-L: APC Lawyer, Dr. Muiz Banire; Mr. Musbau Oyefeso and his wife, Alhaja Yewande Oyefeso

L-R: Managing Director, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Fatai Lawal, Father of the Groom, Alhaji Alani Kafidipe and mother of the Groom, Mrs. Kudirat Kafidipe.

L-R: Mrs. Funke Akinyera; guests and Ambassador Nimota.

L-R: Managing Director, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Fatai Lawal; Mr. Musbau Oyefeso and his wife, Alhaja Yewande Oyefeso.

L-R: Yemi Adejuwon and Kunke Akinyera.

L-R: : Funmi Odunsi and Adetoun Adebowale.

L-R: Faosat Bamgbose and Tokunbo Eko.

Otunba Femi Okenla and his wife, Dupe

Sunny Hughes and his wife, Biodun.

L-R: Mr. Kunle Owuye and his wife, Bola

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SOCIALMEDIABITS Last week on social media, Ganduje was commended by the President, Oshiomole was accused by the DSS and Banky W tossed his hat in the ring...

I

f you think videos allegedly showing Kano State Governor Umar Ganduje receiving kickbacks from a contractor would lead to him losing his job and perhaps, be prosecuted, then brace yourself.

Ganduje has always maintained his innocence but at this rate, he won’t get a chance to prove it. The Kano House of Assembly has suspended investigation into the matter citing a court order, despite the contractor offering to testify.

In a reversal for the hitherto embattled governor, he was commended on a job well done by President Muhammadu Buhari in Paris. Following the vote of confidence by Nigeria’s number one citizen was an award for “Effective Leadership”

by Africa Value Award.

The governor has found his voice as

he basks in the spotlight and revels in the adulation, as his tweets suggest. Wow! Meanwhile, taking his place in the hot seat of public scrutiny over corruption charges is his party chairman, Adams Oshiomole, who has been accused by the DSS of making the most of the APC’s primaries to line his pockets to the tune of millions of dollars.

Oshiomole need look no further than Ganduje to know he’ll probably get off the hook, with a presidential commendation to boot. There’s a snag though. Those intent on bringing him down are within his party.

Expectedly, entertainment usually offers less depressing news than politics on social media. Nowadays though, both sectors Cont’d on pg 81

with DEMOLA OJO demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

NOVEMBER 18, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

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SOCIALMEDIABITS overlap, for good and ill.

Last Sunday, social media was abuzz with the news that Olubankole Wellington – the musician and actor popularly known as Banky W – intends to contest for a House of Representatives seat representing Eti-Osa in Lagos State.

Despite contesting under a relatively unknown platform, the Modern Democratic Party, he fancies his chances, as he attempts to convert the numbers garnered over a decade in the spotlight into votes.

The influence of those in entertainment has not been lost on politicians, which explains why vice presidential candidate of the PDP, Peter Obi (and later on presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar), jumped on Kemi Adetiba’s twitter thread on her encounter with shady Customs officials at the international airport in Lagos.

It was an opportunity to tap into a fan base and enunciate what they would do differently if in charge of affairs.

Atiku, a former Customs boss, had problems at the Abuja airport earlier in the week. According to him, he was “excessively searched” by security operatives on his arrival from Dubai in a bid to intimidate him. But his opponents

(and the authorities) believe he is just seeking attention. Nobody is above the law, they contend.

Security was the reason cited by Eko Atlantic City for not approving Davido’s plan to stage a concert there next month.

The multiple-award winning artiste claims his political preferences, which includes vehemently supporting his uncle, Ademola Adeleke of the PDP, against the ruling APC in the recent Osun State gubernatorial election, did him in.

But maybe he’s just being haunted by his past deeds: he openly admitted to overselling tickets to his concert held at Eko Hotel last year, then kept the hotel management in the dark.

Meanwhile, the owner of Instablog9ja, one of Nigeria’s leading sources of news on Instagram has been brought to light, if Linda Ikeji’s blog is to be believed. It is not the first time the perceived owner of Instablog – especially known for savage captions – will be revealed.

However, Linda being the source of this particular ‘expose’ has led many to believe the accuracy of the report. Some of the personalities on the receiving end of Instablog9ja’s sometimes caustic comments have sent in their insults via (you guessed right) social media.

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NEWS

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

NLC: We Won’t Succumb to Governors’ Antics over Minimum Wage

tInsists on implementation of N30,000 minimum wage Victor OgunjeinAdoEkiti Amid opposition by some governors, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday said it would not succumb to the antics of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) to frustrate the implementation of N30, 000 minimum wages.

Rather than taking issues with the governors, the NLC

said it would focus on achieving the task, thus urging his members to be resolute to vote out any governor who breaches the law after President Muhammadu Buhari signs.

The National President of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba made the remarks in Ado-Ekiti yesterday at the 75th birthday of the former Chairman of the Medical and Health Union of

Nigeria (MHUN), Ekiti chapter, Com. Johnson Ogunseeyin.

Besides the NLC president, Ogunseeyin’s 75th anniversary was attended by all labour leaders in the state, led by the NLC Chairman, Comrade Ade Adesanmi and Comrade Blessing Oladele, all of whom testified to a life of struggle the celebrant lived during his days in service.

At Ogunseeyin’s 75th an-

niversary, Wabba described the governor’s position as an afterthought, declaring that the position canvassed by governors that the states could not abide by N30, 000 minimum wages was a distraction that would not distract the entire workforce across the country.

Wabba insisted that the labour unions would focus on achieving the task, thereby

CORPORATE ENDORSEMENT

All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu (left), in a warm handshake with Chairman, Forte Oil Plc, Mr. Femi Otedola, at a dinner hosted in honour of Sanwo-Olu by Otedola in Lagos..Friday

urging his members to be resolute to vote out any governor who defies the law after signing into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The governors after the report proposing N30, 000 minimum wage was submitted to President Buhari, had made their position known that many of the states lack the financial wherewithal to pay such amount.

He said six governors were represented on the tripartite committee composed by the federal government to argue the issue of minimum wage and that it took the labour over a year to arrive at a midway wage of N30, 000.

On this ground, Wabba said it was inhuman for governors “to turn around and say they have no capacities to pay. I consider this governors’ position as a trick that was not new to us.

There was no agitation about labour that never experienced such, but we consider it an afterthought.

“In case, they did not know, labour started with a proposal of N66, 000. So, N30, 000 was a midway approach to resolve the crisis. We did not just request for it, but we considered the high inflation rate, the poor purchasing power of naira among other variables.

“While we commend about six governors for saying they will pay N30, 000 minimum wages, we challenge those saying they cannot pay to go

to their states and tell workers and pensioners that they will not pay.

“This agitation started last year November, even when the review was supposed to take place in 2016. The governors were asked to send memoranda and 21 states complied. They all had inputs.

They even had six representatives on the negotiating committee, so I did not know what they were talking about after the report had been submitted.

“In case the governors did not know, the police, DSS and Nigeria Army that were providing security for them and the Nigerian populace are involved in this minimum wage issue. So, we consider their refusal to comply as a way to divert of our attentions.

“The governors may not care about workers because they are getting humongous security votes.

Councilors, who have no certificates, receives more than a PhD holder. I want to believe this is a class contestation and we are up to the task.

“We want to tell the governors that we will not succumb to their antics. We will receive nothing less than N30, 000 minimum wages for our people. We have directed workers to vote out any state governor or his successor who says he is not ready to pay,” the NLC president explained.

FG Laments NB’s Failure to Remit N326m Lottery Taxes Gboyega Akinsanmi The federal government at the weekend lamented that Nigeria Breweries Plc denied it N326 million revenues and continue to rebuff attempts by its lottery regulatory agency to enforce the National Lottery Act, 2005.

The apex government disclosed that Nigerian Breweries Plc had conducted promotional lotteries valued at about N1.3 billion and failed to regularise such promo lotteries as required by the National Lottery Act, 2005.

This was contained in a state-

ment by the Director-General of National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila in which he explained reasons the commission decided to shut Nigerian Breweries Plc in line with the law.

Disturbed by flagrant violation of the National Lottery Act, 2005 by leading multinationals, Gbajabiamila said Nigerian Breweries denied the federal government N326 million revenues and continue to rebuff attempts to get it complied with the law.

He noted that the commission

had statutory responsibilities “to enforce provisions of the National Lottery Act, 2005 and ensure the federal government is not short-changed in the transactions. The commission acted within its mandate.”

He explained that the commission would continue the clamp down on all illegal lottery operators anywhere they be found within the shores of Nigeria within the ambit of the National Lottery Act, 2005 and the National Lottery Regulation, 2007.

He described as unwarranted attack the statement of

the Director General of Nigeria Employees Consultative Association (NECA), Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo in respect of the recent enforcement exercise against Nigerian Breweries Plc. He noted that the commission “will not be distracted in its bid to rid the country of all illegal lottery and promotional activities whether in the manufacturing, financial, telecommunication or any other sector.

“The action of the commission in closing down illegal lottery operations should not be misconstrued, because lottery activities

are governed by law. Anybody or organisation that violates that law will be made to face the consequences of such violations.”

Gbajabiamila noted that the commission “will not join issues with Oshinowo who prefers to hide under the guise of NECA to unleash economic sabotage on the federal government, instead of encouraging its members to comply with the law.

“The interest of the lottery commission is to ensure that organisations who wish to carry out lottery operations comply with the provisions of the National Lottery Act and not carry

out such lotteries without due regards to the law.”

On the claim by NECA, the director-general said there “is no pending action against the commission. In 2012, the case with Suit No: FHC/ABJ/ CS/306/2012 was dismissed by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.”

He, therefore, noted that the claim that the commission showed disregard to the rule of law in the discharge of its lawful duty was not only mischievous, but an attempt to deliberately distort the facts in order to deceive the general public.

PDP Asks Osinbajo to Return N5.8bn CIA: Saudi Crown Prince Ordered Khashoggi’s Assassination North-east Intervention Fund Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday asked the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to make restitution for entangling himself in corruption and sharp practices, instead of his lame effort at concealment in the N5.8 billion Northeast Intervention Fund scandal.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP said it was heart-rending that Osinbajo was being fingered in the frittering of the N5.8 billion meant for the purchase of food and general welfare of suffering Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Northeast.

According to the statement, is it not revealing of the ar-

rogance of this administration that Osinbajo, even in the face of indictment by the House of Representatives, still conjures the temerity to confront Nigerians and try to wave off this corrupt act?

He stated, “Osinbajo should know that he has come to the end of the road and that Nigerians have completely lost faith in him, since the House of Representatives exposed his complicity in this unpardonable debauchery against weak and vulnerable citizens.

“Instead of asking for forgiveness and making restitutions, Osinbajo is busy trying to divert attention from the reeking corruption of the Buhari administration, while bandying figures in an attempt to distance

himself from the failures of this administration.

“We ask; how can Osinbajo find inner peace when all the six states of the Northeast reported that they never received the emergency intervention for food security?

“From the probe, which exposed how the vice president, then as Acting President, in 2017, drew N5.8 billion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation, without the appropriation of the National Assembly, only to superintend over the purported spending as the Chairman of Board of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), it is clear that it was never in the interest of the suffering and displaced masses.”

Tobi Soniyi in Lagos The United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul last month.

According to a report in the Washington Post, the finding by the CIA contradicting the Saudi Arabia government’s claims that the Crown Prince was not involved in the killing.

The CIA’s assessment is the most definitive to date linking Mohammed to the operation.

The finding will also complicate the President Trump administration’s efforts to

preserve its relationship with a close ally.

A team of 15 Saudi agents flew to Istanbul, Turkey on government aircraft in October and killed Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate, where he had come to pick up documents that he needed for his planned marriage to a Turkish woman.

The Chicago Tribune also reported that, in reaching its conclusions, the CIA examined multiple sources of intelligence, including a phone call that the prince’s brother Khalid bin Salman, the Saudi ambassador to the United States, had with Khashoggi, according to the people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condi-

tion of anonymity to discuss the intelligence. Khalid told Khashoggi, a contributing columnist to The Washington Post, that he should go to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to retrieve the documents and gave him assurances that it would be safe to do so.

However, Fatimah Baeshen, a spokeswoman for the Saudi embassy in Washington, D.C., said the ambassador and Khashoggi never discussed “anything related to going to Turkey.”

According to her, the claims in the CIA’s “purported assessment are false. We have and continue to hear various theories without seeing the primary basis for these speculations.”

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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 18, 2018

NEWSXTRA Ogun APC: Abiodun Sues for Peace after Bitter Primaries Femi Ogbonnikan in Abeokuta The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has extended an olive branch to the incumbent governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, and aggrieved parties following the disputed last primaries in the state. Abiodun also asked for their support to ensure that the party wins the governorship seat and other elective offices in the 2019 general election.

Speaking at the inauguration of his campaign organisation held at the Abeokuta residence of the former governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, on Friday evening, Abiodun, an oil magnate, noted that it had become imperative for all feuding parties within the leadership of the APC in the state to close ranks and form a common front for the task at hand and for the good of the people.

“There is a good reason the quote, ‘Unity makes strength’, which is the national motto of several entities and countries, including Belgium, Bolivia and Bulgaria.”

He appealed to all the aggrieved parties to see the general interest of the state as uppermost and put their personal interest behind them.

The APC governorship candidate disclosed that his government would build upon the laudable works and achievements of Amosun if elected in 2019.

He also promised to deliver good governance to the people of Ogun State, focus on improv-

ing the lives of civil servants, and implement programmes that will encourage development and growth. Another core sector, he said, is agriculture which he promised to revamp as an avenue for job creation for the teeming unemployed youths, especially since Ogun is noted for, as an agrarian state.

Besides, he disclosed he would work to improve the ranking of Ogun on the local and global ease of doing business index, while education will be free for students up to junior secondary level.

Abiodun also pledged to build on the social welfare programmes of the Buhari administration for women, the aged and the disabled.

At the event, former Ogun State Deputy Governor, Prince Segun Adesegun, was appointed Director-General (DG) of the Dapo Abiodun Campaign Organisation (DACO), while an Ogun West governorship aspirant, Hon Abiodun Akinlade, was appointed the Deputy Director-General Other appointments, include former Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry and an Ogun East APC governorship aspirant, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, and an Ogun West governorship aspirant, Prince Aderibigbe Tella, were also appointed as director of finance and assistant director of mobilization, respectively.

Other positions announced were those of senatorial directors for the campaign or-

Alleged N2bn Debt: Oil Firm Asks Court to Stop AMCON from Selling Assets Akinwale Akintunde A Lagos based oil firm, Aquitane Oil and Gas Limited has asked a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to grant an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), or its agents from taking any step to defeat the equity of redemption in respect of No. 5/7, Kingsway Road, Ikoyi, with Lagos State Certificate Title No. 3352.

In its statement of defence and counter-claim to a suit AMCON instituted against it over alleged N2.64 billion indebtedness, the oil firm asked the court to grant an order restraining AMCON from selling or offering for sale, its tank farm located at Ibru Complex, Westminster Jetty, along Apapa-Oshodi, Ibafon, Apapa.

It equally asked the court “to award N5 billion damages in its favour.

AMCON had dragged Aquitane Oil and Gas Limited and its Managing Director, Ikechukwu Okolo, to court over a N2 billion indebtedness.

In the suit filed before a Federal High Court in Lagos, AMCON is asking the court to order the defendants to pay the sum of N2.64 billion as at June 30, 2016, which represent principal and accrued interest of 14 per cent per annum until

judgment is delivered and until final liquidation to the debt.

The plaintiff in the alternative wants the court to grant it the power to sell or dispose the property at No 5, Kingsway Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, which was pledged as security for the restructured debt of N2.64 billion.

AMCON added that if the said property covered by the title No. L03352 “is not sufficient to satisfy the debt, the defendants shall jointly or severally liquidate the outstanding until the debt is satisfied.”

AMCON had released a list of its 105 debtors that have failed to reach a settlement or repayment resolution and Aquitane’s name was 58th on the list.

Okolo, however, responded to the published debtors list through a letter, denying being indebted to AMCON, adding that its name was erroneously included in the list of 105 delinquent debtors published by AMCON. In the suit with No. FHC/L/ CS/1122/2012, AMCON, a government intervention institution created for the purpose of efficiently resolving the non-performing loan assets of banks in Nigeria, stated in its statement of claim that by its mandate under AMCON Act2010, it acquired from various banks the debt owed by the defendants and has thus acquired the right to recover the debts.

ganisation and they include, Hon Ganiu Hamzat (for Ogun Central), Hon Akande Jamiu Omoniyi (for Ogun West) and

Arc. Owodunni Opayemi (for Ogun East).

Other sub-committees in the campaign structure include

Administration, Special Duties, Planning and Strategy, Media and Publicity; Welfare Services; Women Affairs;

Protocol; Mobilization and Contact; Reconciliation and Conflict Resolution; Programmes and Event.

BUILDING FRIENDSHIP

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (2nd left) with representative of Amaju Pinnick, President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Mohammad Nasiru (left); former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo (2nd right) and Captain of Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, Okey Odita, during the grand reception in honour of the 2018 AITEO FEDERATION Cup Champions, held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, Enugu...yesterday

CSOs Urge NJC to Probe Judge over Ganduje Bribery Video Ruling Gboyega Akinsanmi The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Niger, Youssouff Aya, has decried the poor level of trade among countries comprising the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), lamenting that the situation is a major impediment in the achievement of the sub-region’s full economic integration.

Aya, who called for the dismantling of all obstacles to free movement of goods and people, particularly at Member States borders, charged leaders in the region to fast track the implementation of the single currency policy in the region.

He gave the charge at the opening of the second ordinary session of the ECOWAS parlia-

ment in Abuja on Thursday.

He said, “We should be able to banish long queues at check points of member states. We need to move at a very high speed and we need to develop intra trade in the community.

Aya insisted that the current level of trade among member states put at 15 percent is very low and hampers the realisation of the vision of the founding fathers of the ECOWAS. He said it was important for leaders to have a voluntary attitude to remove all obstacles to single currency, adding that adoption of single currency would reduce cost and strengthen trade in goods and services.

He also called on member countries that are yet to ratify the African continental Free

NPA MD Denies Offering $2m Bribe to Stop Shehu Sani The Managing Director, Nigeria Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala Usman, yesterday denied offering $2 million bribe to circumvent the result of the primary election for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District of the All Progressives Congress.

Usman, ally of Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, asked Publishers of Sahara Reporters to retract the publication or present proof of the allegation within seven days to avoid litigation.

She made the demand in a statement she issued at the weekend, describing the publication as totally false and untrue.

Sahara Reporters had on Friday reported that Usman gave $2 million to one Farouk Adamu, who collected the cash in Abuja on behalf of APC National

Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.

In her statement, however, Usman said denied involvement in any bribery allegation; neither circumvented the result of the primary election for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District.

She said, “My attention has been drawn to a recent report published by Sahara Reporters that I, Hadiza Bala Usman, was involved in bribery to circumvent the results of the primary election for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District.

“The report alleged that I handed over $2m to Farouk Adamu with the purported aim of buying the said senatorial ticket for Mr. Uba Sani. This is absolutely false, reprehensible and a total travesty, which negates every known principle of the noble profession of journalism.

Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to do so without further delay so as to bring about the much needed economic revolution in the continent.

According to him, Africa with its over one billion population and a GDP of over $2 trillion makes the continent the largest trade region in the world.

Speaking after the session, Speaker of the ECOWAS parliament, Mustapha Cisse-Lou said the implementation of the single currency policy rest with the Heads of States and Government of member states, restating the parliament’s willingness to harmonise economic policies in the region.

He said it would be difficult for the region “to develop without the harmonization of economic policies. It is a

process that has to be sped up, as we cannot think of development without harmonising our economic policies in our region.”

He noted that the session “is mainly to look at the community’, budget for 2019. With the enhanced powers of the parliament to carry out over sight of projects and programmes, the Parliament will ensure they reflect the developmental needs of the people.”

Responding to the call by the Nigerian Speaker on the Parliament to support efforts at providing lasting peace in the Sahel, Cisse ‘Lo, noted that since most of the countries in the region are members of the ECOWAS, the Parliament would give the issue the needed attention.

11 Die in Ogun as Boat Capsizes Femi OgbonnikanInAbeokuta No fewer than 11 persons have lost their lives as a boat conveying 29 passengers capsized on Tafa River, Maun in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Different accounts confirmed that the incident occurred on Friday night as a result of engine failure, while the boat was floating in the middle of the river.

An eye witness account told THISDAY that t h e boat which took off from Badagry, Lagos State and ferrying passengers and their goods was heading towards Maun in Ipokia.

The account said the passengers were mainly traders who were conveying their goods to a market in Badagry in Lagos, before the boat capsized, leaving 11 dead, 10 rescued alive while others were still missing.

The Police Public Relation Officer, Ogun State Police Command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident and blamed it on overload of the boat.

He said, “There was boat capsize. It was caused by overloading. The boat did not have light and travelled in the night. It had a head-on collision with a pillar in the river.

The passengers were coming from Badagry in Lagos to Ipokia.

It was the last boat left and all the 29 traders boarded the boat.

11 persons died, while 16 others were rescued Friday night.

They were not wearing life jackets. Marine policemen had been deployed in the scene of the incident. Two are still missing.

The engine crew man simply identified as Skipper has been arrested shortly after he escaped.

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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 18,, 2018

NEWSXTRA Aiyedogbon: Lagos Lawyer, Four Others Charged with Murder, Armed Robbery Akinwale Akintunde A disbarred Lagos Lawyer, Ephraim Emeka Ugwuonye has been charged before a High Court in Abuja, alongside four others over their alleged involvement in the alleged killing of Abuja business woman, Charity Aiyedogbon.

The charge, with number CR/20/2018, between the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command (complainant) and Ephraim Chukeuemeka Ugwuonye and four others (defendant) centres on criminal conspiracy to commit murder, armed robbery and culpable homicide.

Other accused persons charged along side Ugwuonye are: Ezeugwu Paul Chukwujekwu, Adogah Emmanuel, Ikechukwu James Ezegwu and Michael Leo Oyong.

The charge reads in part: “That you Ezeugwu Paul Chukwujekwu, Adogah Emmanuel and Ephraim Chukwuemeka Ugwuonye all ‘M’, on or about 9/05/2016 in Kagini, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit illegal act to wit: criminal conspiracy when you agreed with amongst yourself and robbed one Mrs. Charity Chidiebere Aiyedogbon (now

late) of her property and killed her. You therefore committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 6 (b) of Robbery and Fire Arms (special provisions) Act Cap. RII LFN 2004.

“That you Ezeugwu Paul Chukwujekwu, Adogah Emmanuel and Ephraim Emeka Ugwuonye all ‘M’ on or about 9/05/2016 in Kagini, Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit illegal act to wit: armed robbery when you armed yourselves with cutlasses and other offensive weapons, attacked and robbed Mrs. Charity Chidiebere Aiyedogbon ‘F’ (now late) of her Accura ZDX Jeep with registration number RSH 225 AH Abuja gray colour, one Samsung Galaxy phone, one Itel 1408 phone, one Iphone and Ipad and other valuables….

“That you Ezeugwu Paul Chukwujekwu, Adogah Emmanuel and Ephraim Emeka Ugwuonye all ‘M’ on or about 9/05/2016 in Kagini, Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit illegal act to wit: Culpable Homicide, when you intentionally attacked one Mrs. Charity Chidiebere Aiyedogbon ‘F’ (now late) with cutlasses and other offensive weapon and killed her, when you both knew that death

is the probable consequence of your action. You thereby committed offence contrary to and punishable under section 221 of the penal code law.”

Similarly, Ugwuonye is facing a fresh 10-count charge of extortion, impersonation, injurious falsehood and false information. The charge, with number CR/19/2018, between the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command (complainant) and

Ephraim Emeka Ugwuonye (defendant) is also before a High Court in Abuja.

The charge reads in part: “Extortion by threat of accusation of an offense punishable by death, Injurious falsehood against the Nigerian Police, injurious falsehood against David Aiyedogbon, giving false information with the intent to mislead public servants, Obstruction Public Servant in the discharge of his functions, Insultive

or abusive language against the Nigerian Police Force, Influencing cause of Justice and Inciting Public disturbance.”

Others are: “Failing to assist public servants, when bound by law to assist, when you were aware about the investigation into the killing of late Mrs. Charity Aiyedogbon to arrest the killers whom you knew and had prior knowledge of how one of the suspects Ezeugwu Paul Chukwujekwu escaped from

Nigeria immediately after committing the offence without arresting or giving the police useful information as to who is to be investigated for the sad killing; impersonation, when you have reasons to know that your name has been struck off of legal practitioners roll by the Supreme Court of Nigeria even when you knew that you have been disbarred and your name struck off the roll of Legal practitioners in Nigeria.”

Zenith Bank Ushers in Festive Season with Christmas Decoration Light Up Vanessa Obioha In its usual tradition, Zenith Bank lit up the Ajose Adeogun axis of Victoria Island, where it is headquartered, with dazzling Christmas décor yesterday, leaving onlookers in awe. From the roundabout up to its headquarters, brightly lit décors lined up the street, exuding a Yuletide aura.

The roundabout is a captivating spectacle on its own, with moving trains, artworks of angels blowing horns, white birds roving around, white

chariots; the whole spectacle can be likened to a Christmas wonderland.

Graced by top executives and other employees of the bank, the event was marked with music entertainment provided by Mavin artiste, Reekado Banks.

Speaking at the event, Managing Director of the Zenith Bank, Peter Amangbo, expressed gratitude to employees and customers for their support all through the years “Zenith Bank has gained a lot of support and patronage from the society. Nigerians are

amazed by this light up, so it is a way of giving back to the society, to Lagos and the entire world that this is a season where we should translate love and joy around the world,” Amangbo said.

He added that the event was the most celebrated in the world and was incomparable.

According to him, “This is something we have done in the past 15 years and we will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. The key thing is that the best can only come from Nigeria and that is why we are making

this bold statement. I want you to go to any part of the world and you will see that there is no event as great as this to usher in the Yuletide season.”

The Christmas light up is not the only activity the bank has on its plate. In a fortnight, the bank would be hosting schools from within and outside Lagos State, both affluent and indigent, to its annual Christmas parade.

For Amangbo, the activities are ways the bank is showcasing Nigeria to the world while spreading the gospel of love and peace in the society.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚΀˜ ͺ͸͚΀

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SUNDAYSPORTS

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

Super Eagles Draw 1-1 with S/Africa, Qualify for 2019 AFCON

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hree –time champions Nigeria made a return to the biggest football party in Africa after being held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa in Johannesburg yesterday.

The result meant only one other team in Gourp E (either Libya or South Africa) could end up with the same 10 points that Nigeria already have, by the end of the qualification series in March 2019.

Libya’s 8-1 defeat of their hosts Seychelles on MahÊ Island would create real fear in the Bafana Bafana going into that last battle against the Mediterranean Knights in Tunisia. The South Africans need a draw from that match to qualify but Libya will go through with a win.

Nigeria made the brighter start in yesterday’s match at the FNB Stadium with stand –in Captain Ahmed Musa watching his shot held by goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune in the 6th minute.

Two minutes later, Nigeria had the ball in the net after a sweet combination by Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho. But Gambian Referee Papa Gassama wrongly ruled it off-side, on the prompting of the assistant referee.

A minute later, Nigeria finally went in front as Samuel Kalu, playing in a wing back role, outpaced Sfiso Hlanti and crossed, only for Buhle Mkhwanazi to divert it past Khune into the net for an own-goal.

In the 11th minute, Bafana had a glorious chance to equalize as the irrepressible Percy Tau got behind the Nigerian defence, only to be thwarted by Kalu.

It became a ding-dong affair as the match gathered some vibrancy, with Captain Thulani Hlatshwayo arriving late for a free –kick and Mothiba wrong –footed, and at the other end, William Ekong’s run to a good chance from a corner was foiled and Kalu shot too high from

Samuel Kalu was instrumental in the Super Eagles only goal

an Ahmed Musa corner.

Bafana were level in the 26th minute though, as the nimble –footed Tau, appropriately named Man-of-the-Match, left Ekong and Omeruo in no-man’s-land before passing to Mothiba to slot into an empty net.

Nigeria could have reclaimed leadership in the 36th minute, but after Musa did all the work, Iheanacho’s atrocious first touch bungled the

opportunity.

In the second half, both teams sought to conserve energy in a high altitude environment.

Then in the 83rd minute, another big talking point surfaced when Musa ran onto a great pass and slotted past Khune, only to be wrongly deemed off-side.

However, the mistakes by the officials didn’t prove costly as the Eagles went on to earn the

point that qualifies them for next year’s Nations Cup holding in Cameroon.

After missing the last two AFCON finals, Nigeria will now join hosts Cameroon, Madagascar, Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco and Uganda as the teams already guaranteed slots at next year’s competition.

An ecstatic President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick heaped encomiums on Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government for providing the conducive environment for Nigerian football to continue to thrive, while praising specially Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State who led the Nigeria delegation to the big match. “This is great day for Nigerian Football. Just as it happened in the qualifying series for the FIFA World Cup, we have won the ticket to the AFCON with a match to spare. This victory is for President Muhammadu Buhari and the Government and people of Nigeria. “We commend the technical crew and the players, and I must praise Governor Simon Lalong who is here with his wife to support the team. He has been a pillar of support. I also congratulate the Members of the NFF Executive Committee, NFF Management and Staff, Members of the NFF Congress, Football Stakeholders and the media. “We will begin the preparations for the AFCON immediately. As I have said several times, we do not want the AFCON ticket just to go there and make up the number, but to make a massive impact at the finals,� said Pinnick, who is also the President of the AFCON Organizing Committee, aside being the 1st Vice President of the Confederation of African Football.

The Super Eagles have a friendly international with the Cranes of Uganda at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, on Tuesday evening.

Nations League: England Host Croatia in Crunch Match World Cup semi-finalists England play World Cup finalists Croatia for a place in the semi-finals of the Nations League. However, a loss for either of the teams will get them relegated.

Croatia’s dramatic 3-2 win over Spain in Zagreb on Thursday night has thrown Group A4 wide open, with a winner-takes-all clash in store when England and Croatia meet for a third time in the space of just four months.

England are still to get the better of Zlatko Dalic’s team, losing 2-1 in July’s World Cup semi-final in Moscow, before a goalless draw behind closed doors in Rijeka in last month’s Nations League encounter.

However, victory today would see England win the group and earn a place in the semifinals to compete for the inaugural Nations League title.

The Three Lions come into this clash on the back of an impressive 3-2 win in Seville

against Spain in this tourney and would be brewing in confidence – as they seek to go top of the group with a win.

Despite Spain seemingly walking into the sunset after the first two games in Group A4, Croatia and England are both in with a chance of claiming the top spot.

Spain’s destiny is out of their hands now, as a win for either the Three Lions or the Croats will mean that they are eliminated at this stage, although it’s impossible for them to be relegated.

A draw would mean that Spain will advance, a goalless one meaning that Croatia are relegated, however, a score draw will send Gareth Southgate’s side relegated.

Last Thursday, Croatia upset the odds to beat group leaders Spain, despite the home side losing the reverse game 6-0 earlier in the campaign.

Kyle Walker and Ivan PErisic jostle for the ball

ATP Finals: Zverev Beats Portugal Hold Italy, Qualify for Federer in Semi-ďŹ nals Nations League Semis Roger Federer must wait until 2019 for another chance to reach 100 career titles after semi-final defeat

by Alexander Zverev at the ATP Finals. Zverev, 21, tipped by many as a future Grand Slam champion, triumphed 7-5 7-6 (7-5) at London’s O2 Arena. He will face Novak Djokovic or Kevin Anderson, who played later yesterday.

Zverev faced boos at the end of the match after he had - legitimately - stopped a point in the tie-break when a ball boy dropped a ball.

In scenes reminiscent of Naomi Osaka’s victory speech at the US Open when her win was overshadowed by Serena Williams’ outbursts, Zverev was left apologising to both the crowd and Federer after one of the biggest wins in his career. “I apologised to Roger at the net already, he said it is OK and it is in the rules,� the world number five said. “I’m sorry this happened. I didn’t mean to upset anybody.�

Former Wimbledon champion Boris Becker, commentating for BBC TV, had said before the match between ‘the King and the Pretender’ that he believed Zverev was a future world number one.

Zverev (left) is in the season-ending ďŹ nal With three Masters titles to his name, the young German has yet to make his mark on the Grand Slams - although his French Open quarter-final this year was a breakthrough.

But now he will get the chance to win the seasonending title, which is second only to the Slams in terms of prestige.

Portugal became the first team to qualify for the Nations League semifinals when they held Italy 0-0 yesterday, the second time in a year that the hosts have been knocked out of a competition following a goalless draw at the San Siro.

Italy, with defender Giorgio Chiellini making his 100th appearance, suffocated Portugal in the first hour with their pressing and created numerous openings with their intricate passing moves.

But they ran out of steam in the last half hour and the European champions held out fairly comfortably.

Portugal have seven points from three games in the three-team group, two ahead of Italy who have finished their campaign.

Poland, who visit Portugal for the group’s final game on Tuesday, have one point and have already been relegated.

They are also in line to host the semifinals and finals in June as Italy and Poland were the only other two countries to express an interest in staging the tournament. The decision still has to be ratified

by Uefa on December 3.

Last November, Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 60 years after being held by Sweden at the same stadium.

Italy had an early chance when Lorenzo Insigne’s long-range shot was parried by Rui Patricio and Ciro Immobile blasted the rebound over the bar.

In what was a hugely promising display by Roberto Mancini’s side, Alessandro Florenzi drove a low shot narrowly wide before Marco Verratti threaded a ball through to Immobile and this time Patricio saved the shot with his leg.

Another neat move ended with Jose Fonte blocking Federico Chiesa’s shot early in the second half.

Portugal, who have not picked Cristiano Ronaldo since the World Cup by mutual agreement, were more threatening as the game wore on.

Substitute Joao Mario shot over on the turn after Joao Cancelo worked an opening on the right and Gianluigi Donnarumma made a difficult save from William Carvalho’s low shot.

Lorenzo Pellegrini’s header was comfortably saved

by Patricio as Italy had a final fling in stoppage time.

THISDAYt SUNDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2018

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MISSILE

Buhari to PDP “We will not get tired of speaking about the golden opportunity Nigeria lost during 16 years of the PDP. We earned money, which we didn’t use” – President Muhammadu Buhari accused the Peoples Democratic Party of wasting resources while it held sway for 16 years.

He spoke at a meeting with a select group of South-East leaders.

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The Demons Tormenting Nigeria

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r. Yemi Kale, the Statistician General of the National Bureau of Statistics of Nigeria (NBS), recently tweeted that the bureau’s unemployment report was being delayed by funding issues. He was reacting to insinuations that the delay was because the Buhari administration wanted to hide the current unemployment figures, given the implications for the 2019 elections.

However, those familiar with the state of the nation’s finances know that it is much more than that. NBS reports are classified as capital expenditure and most government agencies have received only about 10% of their capital allocation so far this year. By the way, this year ends next month.

In fact, capital expenditure in the 2018 budget will be borrowed 100%. In simple language, every kobo spent or to be spent on capital projects in 2018 by the federal government will be borrowed. The federal lawmakers only recently approved the borrowing plans.

In all, what we call budget is usually made up of recurrent expenditure of between 70% and 80%. In simple language again, most of what we call budget is just to pay salaries and allowances and fund overhead expenses such as travels and consumables. This has been the case for only God knows how many years; I only started paying attention to the fine details about 20 years ago. It is not cute at all.

One question to ask then is: how can oil sell for an average of $72 per barrel — as it has done so far in 2018 — and we still cannot fund our budget? As a layman, I find this very difficult to understand. Oil price is low, we are in trouble. Oil price is high, we are in trouble. Oil price is between high and low, we are in trouble. What then is the problem?

Why do we have to borrow money to do capital projects when oil prices are in their 60s, 70s and 80s? Why do we have to borrow to pay salaries, as Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former minister of finance, said in 2015 when President Goodluck Jonathan was preparing to hand over power at a time oil was selling for an average of $50?

Our conversation today is on what I call the demons killing Nigeria. I have identified a legion of demons that will continue to torment our economic progress. We shall discuss just three of those demons today. Until we exorcise them, Nigeria will continue to be locked in the vicious circle of underdevelopment. Even if oil was sold for $200 per barrel, even if we had the best president votes can buy, even if we had the most intelligent ministers in this world, we are going nowhere until we deal with these demons. Unfortunately, these things are hardly discussed at election times.

We put more energy into mudslinging as if this has ever developed any country.

The Beelzebub, the king of demons, has to be our management of the oil industry.

I can write a whole book on this, but I will restrain myself to how it applies to today’s discussion. I go back to the question: how can oil sell for an average of $72 per barrel and we still cannot fund our budget? One of the answers is not that complicated: we export crude oil and then spend the bulk of the revenue on importing petroleum products — petrol, diesel, kerosene, aviation

Kale

fuel and such like. In other words, most of the benefits we get from high oil prices go down the subsidy drain. We avoid increasing the pump prices because of the enormous political implications.

We earn billions of dollars from oil but the money goes back into subsidy (or whatever this government has decided to call it), so we keep borrowing to finance our budget.

This is not an argument against subsidy (I think we will never stop debating this — it is more of politics than economics) but more of an insight into how we manage our resources. What do we want to spend our oil revenue on? Is there a more efficient and more sustainable alternative to fuel subsidy that will have less political backlash? How can we earn more and spend less? This is the conversation we should be having rather than discussing the Jibril from Niger and the Jefferson in America.

This oil Beelzebub incessantly torments the economy in several ways. Oil provides over 90% of our forex earnings. Basically, what we do is deplete all our forex earnings on importing petroleum products because our refineries are not working. They have not worked for over 20 years, and every successive government has paid more attention to fuel imports than local refining. If we calculate how much forex has been flown away to import fuel in the last two decades, we would understand why the naira will always be on a downward journey. If we refine at home, the forex pressure on CBN would drop dramatically. Our reserves would be robust and the naira would be stable.

If only the NNPC can summon the courage to give us a breakdown of the demurrage it has been paying over the years because of lack of enough reception and storage facilities for fuel imports, we would see that the money is enough to build six mega refineries across Nigeria and banish fuel importation forever.

In fact, we can start earning forex not just from crude export but also from exporting refined products! Every government has claimed it would fix the refineries, with billions of dollars being regularly spent on “turn around maintenance” for decades, but all we do is keep importing fuel. Are we under a spell?

Who bewitched us? Beelzebub?

Beelzebub hurts us far more than I have listed, but I will now move on to discuss the other demons because of space. Civil service

is the second demon on my list. Go to any country we call “developed” today and check out the calibre of their civil service, which is the engine room of public administration. This is where policies are formulated, implemented and appraised. Take a country like the UK as an example. The civil service is filled with first-class brains. The best products from their best universities get automatic employments.

Civil service runs the country. That is why UK has had four prime ministers in 11 years and the system still runs smoothly regardless.

Our civil service is not only excessively bloated (both at federal and state levels), what is the calibre of the civil servants? How many first-class brains end up in the civil service?

Have you ever tried to get anything done in a typical government office anywhere in Nigeria? Enter the office and nobody will acknowledge your presence. If you greet them they will respond with contempt. They are busy watching African Magic or, increasingly these days, Zee World. How many people get promoted on the basis of productivity?

Promotion is basically a formality. Files go missing with ease. One director or the other is never “on seat” to sign a document that could save a life. The attitude is appalling.

But how do we recruit our civil servants?

Usually, when there are vacancies, slots are allocated to politicians and other demigods who use the opportunity to resettle their thugs and hangers-on. In many instances, these employees hardly come to office. The dedicated of the lot report late to office, close early and take many days off. By Friday, government offices are like ghost towns.

They are only committed to receiving salary alerts at the end of the month. And we expect Nigeria to develop! If we do not build a meritocratic, well-motivated, trim and fit civil service, Nigeria is going nowhere. Let crude oil sell for $500 per barrel, we would remain stuck in this vicious circle.

The third demon is a blood relation of the second. It is recurrent expenditure. We are spending too much on the salaries, allowances and overheads of civil servants. This is basically the totality of our budget year in year out. The civil service is not only bloated, we are spending virtually all our revenue to maintain it. In 2017, federal government budgeted N1.9tr for the salaries of over five million civil servants and public office holders but its share of oil revenue was just N1.2tr.

What country in the world would ever make progress under such a structure? How can Nigeria fund infrastructure for development when overheads eat up its revenue? Where are we headed?

I am sorry to have disappointed you — you were expecting me to list corruption, nepotism, lack of “true federation” and federal character as the demons. Pardon my impunity. But even if we get rid of these things without tackling the dollar flight in search of fuel imports, without building a solid, trim and fit civil service and without cutting out the wastes embedded in recurrent expenditure, we are going nowhere. These are the issues that should be shaping the debate on the 2019 elections, but here we are talking about President Buhari’s WAEC certificate and Alhaji Abubakar Atiku’s tax clearance. No wonder the more things change the more they remain the same.

And Four Other Things…

GANDUJE THE GREAT What a week it was for Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state, who is at the centre of a multimillion dollar bribery saga. First, the house of assembly suspended its probe into the affair. Second, President Buhari, in far away France, described him as a “responsible governor” (although it was over his performance in office but it’s a presidential accolade anyone under fire would gladly take). Third, he was blessed with the Africa Value Award for “effective leadership and economic empowerment”.

If not that nomination has passed, I would have a launched a “Ganduje for President” campaign as my humble contribution to celebrating this iconic governor. Legend.

AREGBE’S CHALLENGE Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the outgoing governor of Osun state, has said he did not receive any salaries for the eight years he was in office. The man known for his communist leanings said: “The state feeds me, fuels my car and covers my other expenses. This is why I see no reason to earn a salary. I have no house, save the one I built before I became governor of Osun...

I have not earned a dime in salary since I became governor.” If Aregbesola was indeed saying nothing but the truth, I find these to be huge claims. While you may say the salary is pittance in any case, I wish more Nigerian governors can honestly and boldly make similar claims. Challenge.

TRUMPED, AGAIN Despite the chaos and the threat to democracy that accompanied President Donald Trump to the White House since his unfortunate election to lead the socalled “free world”, it is heart-warming that the American judiciary has regularly risen up to uphold the rule of law. America, under Trump, is no longer looking like the land of liberty. On a cheerful note, a judge in Washington DC has ordered the White House to return CNN reporter Jim Acosta’s press pass after it was revoked by the US Secret Service. CNN’s lawsuit against the action continues. Whether or not we accept it, whatever happens in the US is adapted as a precedent in many developing countries. Menacing.

AND FINALLY… You know Christmas is around the corner when jingles of promos and discounts rend the air. On Friday, Rev. Jolly Nyame, former governor of Taraba state, was given a discount on his jail sentence by the court of appeal in Abuja. He will now serve 12 years in prison instead of 14. Chief Joshua Dariye, former governor of Plateau state, got a bigger discount — four years off the original 14-year sentence. Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of Abia state who is facing an imminent similar sentence, has fallen seriously ill and was rushed to a German hospital by his darling wife. I wish him quick recovery and a generous discount when his case is finally decided.

Bargain.

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