SUNDAY 20TH JANUARY 2019

Detectives Ramp up Probe of Onnoghen’s Accounts Ignore estacodes, conferences, other allowances Presidency: Allegations against CJN being handled by courts Our Correspondents The federal government is not

letting up in its determination to get the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen

at all cost. It is ramping up its probe into the finances of the CJN.

THISDAY learnt last night that report from the probe reveals that for eighteen

months stretch, Onnoghen did not make any withdrawal from his salary accounts and

they were wondering why Continued on page 8

Dogara: Buhari’s Poor Outing on NTA Live Interview Vindicated Me … Page 86 Sunday 20 January, 2019 Vol 23. No 8677

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US: ISIS, Boko Haram Planning Major Attacks During Elections... Page 10

Buhari Absent as Atiku Pulls out of Presidential Debate APC: President has taken advantage of other platforms Ezekwesili: we’ll rescue Nigeria from poverty Moghalu promises to end protracted strikes in tertiary institutions Atiku: Buhari must be present to defend his policies

Nseobong Okon-Ekong, Vanessa Obioha in Lagos, Deji Elumoye, Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Shola Oyeyipo in Abuja The much advertised 2019 Presidential Debate organised by the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) and Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) held yesterday without the participation of the two leading candidates, President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The absence of Buhari and Atiku drew angry reactions from the other candidates present, with the presidential candidate of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, saying their nonappearance was a statement of their “exit from governance”. The other candidates spoke in similar tones.

But in a statement last night, the APC Presidential Council said Buhari could not attend the debate because he had met Nigerians on other platforms and answered pertinent questions. The council also claimed the

president’s busy schedule was part of the reasons for his absence.

Atiku said he left the debate venue because Buhari was “not present to defend himself or his policies.”

In a dramatic twist, Atiku walked out of the debate while he was about to be introduced. The moderator, Mark Eddo, was set to introduce the PDP candidate when a female protocol officer quickly passed a note to him, apparently, announcing his exit.

Shocked by the content of the note, Eddo said, “This is live TV and anything can happen.” He moved on to introduce the Young Progressives Party (YPP) candidate, Kingsley Moghalu, as the last candidate for the debate. He later revealed that Atiku actually came for the debate but walked out at the last minute.

The session, which offered presidential candidates an opportunity to present their policies before a live audience, featured the presidential candidates of ACPN, Ezekwesili; YPP, Moghalu; and Association for New Nigeria (ANN), Mr. Continued on page 8

See THISDAY Weekly Guide to 2019… Pages 19

WAITING FOR THE REFINERY...

L-R: Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Aishah Ahmad; Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele; and President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, during the Central Bank Governor’s facility tour of the Dangote Oil Refinery and Fertilizer Project, Lekki... yesterday

Jimoh Ibrahim’s Mother Burnt to Death … Page 86

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ÍşÍ¸Ëœ ͺ͸͚Π˞ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

PAGE EIGHT

We'll Resist INEC’s Plot to Postpone Elections in Rivers, Says Wike Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the people of the state would resist a plot by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone Rivers 2019 general elections to allow the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepare.

Addressing the Rivers State PDP Campaign Rally yesterday at Okehi, Wike said alleged that INEC was working in liaison with the APC to illegally postpone Rivers elections and create room for manipulation.

He stated that two years ago in Ondo State, INEC established the precedent that no election would be postponed on the

account of intra-party crisis.

His words: “We know all the tricks of INEC. INEC is a fraudulent institution that lacks credibility. Because of Rivers State, INEC will sink. As the election is approaching, INEC is trying to give hope to APC in Rivers State. Remember that INEC is a member of the APC. It is number three on the APC official register.

"Two years ago, PDP had a problem in Ondo State. Three days to the election, Court of Appeal gave judgment and PDP requested for postponement, but INEC bluntly refused to grant that request.

"Now APC has a problem and INEC is claiming they will postpone Rivers elections to give APC opportunity to prepare. I

am warning INEC not to try that rubbish in Rivers State."

The governor said the INEC Commissioner who is circulating the negative propaganda should seek God's forgiveness or face divine consequences.

He reminded Nigerians that Former Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris was forced out of the police because of the evil plans he had for Rivers State.

"Anybody plotting against Rivers State will not survive,� he said.

Speaking on the forthcoming elections, Wike urged the people of Etche to vote for Atiku Abubakar and other PDP candidates on February 16 and March 2. He said a vote for Atiku Abubakar would lead

to the revival of the national economy, which will enhance employment.

The governor charged the Chairman of Etche Local Government Area to mobilise the people of the area to collect their voter’s cards for the forthcoming elections.

On the development of Etche, Wike said when re-elected, he would commence the construction of a major road, linking key communities in the area and that he would also complete the Sports Academy in the area.

Also speaking at the PDP Campaign Rally, National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, said Wike deserves a second term because of his outstanding projects delivery.

He wondered why the APC Federal Government continues to plot against the Rivers State Governor when they should shower praises on him for good governance.

The PDP National Chairman warned that any attempt to rig the forthcoming elections will lead to crisis.

"If they want to cause civil war, let them not obey rules and court order. I believe our security agencies are well trained, only a few of them dance to the tune of the APC", he said.

Speaking further, Secondus said that President Muhammadu Buhari runs the most corrupt administration in the history of the country.

"The APC leadership is jittery,

that is why they want to frame Atiku Abubakar. When Buhari was the Minister of Petroleum, who stole N2.8billion?� he said.

The PDP National Chairman said that the Former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was indicted, but Buhari has refused to refer him to EFCC for prosecution.

Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah handed over the PDP flags to the Rivers East Senatorial Candidate, Senator George Sekibo; PDP House of Representatives candidate for Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency, Hon Ephraim Nwuzi; PDP Candidate for Etche Constituency 1, Mr Nnanna Opurum; and PDP Candidate for Etche Constituency 2 , Mr Tony Ejiogu.

secondary education The ANN candidate, Fela Durotoye, said if elected, his government would introduce free bus transportation that will convey children from their homes to school and back. “We will strengthen the school programme and ensure that any parent who keeps their children at home will be arrested.�

Durotoye saw the absence of the candidates of the two leading parties as a Godgiven opportunity. “Their absence,� he said, was a sign “that the future is here and old things have passed away.

Pride comes before a fall.

Anytime you tell the people that they do not matter, it shows that you are a ruler and rulers do not explain to the people what they are about to do for them. The time is here to be free from this bad coin that has two sides. Leadership is about character and people who respect people.�

Each of the candidates fielded questions from the moderator and social influencers on YouTube on various issues.

Popular young YouTube comedienne, Emmanuella, inquired from the aspirants how they intended to improve the quality of education in government schools.

Why Buhari was not at presidential debate The absence of Buhari and Atiku had long been foretold, as APC had clearly said the president will not take part in the debate, offering, instead, to feature Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

This request was turned down by the PDP, which contended that its candidate will only participate in the debate if Buhari was present.

Atiku partly honoured the invitation of the debate organisers by coming to the Transcorp Hilton venue, but had to leave when it became apparent that Buhari would be absent.

But Director, Strategic

Communications, of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo, SAN, said in a press statement last night, “Buhari, could not attend the Presidential Debate organised by the Nigeria Election Debate Group and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, which held today, Saturday, January 19, 2019, for the following reasons: “Firstly, out of several opportunities afforded our candidate to interact with the Nigerian people directly by different organisations, our presidential candidate has taken full advantage of another town-hall meeting organised by another group which held on Wednesday, January 16, 2019. He was also joined at that townhall meeting by our vice presidential candidate who is also the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN. Nigerians from all walks of life who were physically present and through online platforms asked uncensored questions which were adequately answered. It was also transmitted live by various broadcast networks in Nigeria. “In addition, the busy and hectic official and campaign schedules of Mr. President clashed with this programme. Today, Mr. President commissioned the Baro Inland Water Port in Niger State and campaigned in Niger and Plateau states where his time was overstretched by the tumultuous and mammoth crowds in both states, (as seen by Nigerians on live television) and only returned to Abuja late this evening. “Whilst we thank the organisers for the invitation, we want to assure Nigerians that we shall continue to hold these debate groups and Nigerians in high esteem which our candidate has demonstrated during past

election debates when he honoured similar invitations.

Nigerians will also recall that a few weeks ago, our vice presidential candidate, Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo, also attended the debate organised by the same organisations. “After all, he has his own eight years of crass and grand corruption as Vice President to defend before the Nigerian people.�

salary account showed a turnover of N91,962.362.49, from which no withdrawal was made between March 2015 and October 2016.

But a security source privy to the early report wondered why the CJN did not make any withdrawal from his salary between March 2015 and October 2016.

Thus, his salary and allowances had accumulated to N22, 520, 636.27 by October 2016 from N6, 132, 885.24 that it was in March, 2015.

A document obtained by

a national newspaper, noted as follows: “Naira Account (Salary Account): r5IF CBMBODF BT BU 0DUPCFS 10, 2016 was N22,510,636.27; r5IF UVSOPWFS JO UIF account from September, 2005 to October, 2016 was N91,962.362.49; r)JT TBMBSZ JO XBT N240,202.20 and it rose to N751,082.37 in February 2008.

The salary remains within this range till date; “He did not spend from the salary account from March 2015 to October 2016. The salary and

allowances accumulated to N22,520,636.27 in October 2016 from N6,132 885.24 in March of 2015 . “From the investigation conducted so far, it is possible that the payments into the various accounts might be bribes. “This is because the sources of the inflows into his accounts other than the salary account in Union Bank of Nigeria Plc are unknown and probably fraudulent, and

BUHARI ABSENT, AS ATIKU PULLS OUT OF PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE Fela Durotoye.

Moghalu: We’ll end protracted strikes, introduce free education Muoghalu pledged to put an end to the lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over infrastructural development of public universities, if elected.

According to him, "We’ll make secondary school education free throughout the country.�

He declared, "We will invest heavily in the transformation of public schools in the country. Today, education has about seven per cent of our budget, in my presidency we will begin the first budget in 2020 by allocating not less than 20 per cent of the budget to education.�

Muoghalu said his government would do away with the situation where about 80 per cent of the education budget was spent on recurrent expenditure by reforming the sector and making sure that the bulk of the money went to school infrastructure.

He stated, “I will establish a national ambition upon which all Nigerians can unite. We will restructure this country constitutionally so that it fulfill its potentials. “We will establish effective national security. We will work with women as equal partners, they will not just be in the kitchen or the other room. We will work with our young people the youths of this country. “We will break the backbone of poverty in this country by establishing education and literacy for all the citizens of this country with the right access, establishing skills training centres in all the 774 local government areas of the country and we will provide access to finance. We will restore Nigeria's strong image in the world.�

Moghalu, a former Deputy

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, said he was not surprised that the leadership of APC and PDP declined to debate with other candidates in the presidential race.

He said, “They believe the people of Nigeria have no choice and no voice. They believe you will always come back to them. “The second reason they are not here is because they cannot answer intricate questions on the economy.

They have promoted a season of entitlement. The two leading political parties are the same. One is a kettle, one is a pot."

Ezekwesili promises to rescue Nigeria from poverty

Speaking at the debate, the presidential candidate of ACPN, Obi Ezekwesili, assured that if voted as the Nigerian leader in the 2019 election, her government would lift 80 million Nigerians out of poverty.

She said her mission was to rescue the country from widespread poverty. “Nigeria is in dire strait,� she said, and “there is massive leadership failure,� which is behind the sufferings of children, youths, and women and the massive poverty. “This is a historic moment.

This is the moment. The citizens of this country can change the direction of this country. I am not in this race because I want to be called Madam President, but because Nigeria needs a leader that really cares and is capable,� Ezekwesili said. “Our plan is to lift at least 80 million Nigerians out of poverty. When you look at Nigerians who are poor, it is clear that they earn below N700. We need to improve their productivities.

When people earn they lift themselves out of poverty.�

She said her government would give input to the people, particularly those in the agricultural sector.

The former education minister also promised to reduce the cost of governance.

On education, she said, “We will focus on technical education, teachers quality is at the heart of how effective education is, so we must moderate teaching. We must train teachers‌ “One key thing that needs to happen to education is that we need to be structurally balanced. We have to be analytical to know what matters most.â€?

Ezekwesili said, “The public schools are the basics to lift people out of poverty. The education of the government schools will be paramount in my presidency." She stated that her government would focus on identifying learning gaps in the system, improving the quality of teachers, including their remuneration, as well as setting up curriculum reforms. She also highlighted the importance of the private sector’s role in the dynamics of public education.

Commenting on the absence of Buhari and Atiku at the debate, Ezekwesili said, “They have simply announced their exit from governance. We showed up for this debate to show that it is time for a new type of governance in this country.

We are here because we believe our country needs to be rescued. I represent a new mindset.�

She added, “It is important for us to acknowledge that there is a political class that needs to pave way for our country. The idea that the people will be subordinated to the whims and caprices of our politician is a total anomaly. Today, as we focus on competitive ideas that will move our country forward, if the two dominant political parties care about the Nigerians people, they would come here in other to have a contest of ideas on how we will fix Nigeria.�

Durotoye promises free

Atiku: Buhari must be present to defend his policies

In a brief statement explaining his decision to exit the debate, Atiku said, “We came here for a presidential debate, not a candidacy debate, and I, Atiku Abubakar, cannot challenge or question an administration where the man at the helm of affairs of the nation is not present to defend himself or his policies.

After all, you cannot shave a man's head in his absence. “I do not believe in attacking a man who is NOT here to defend himself. As a leader and former vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, let me first apologise to all Nigerians, my fellow candidates, and the moderator for the APC presidential candidate’s absence in this debate.

His nonappearance is a slight on ALL of us and our democracy. “Secondly, with all due respect to my fellow candidates, Fela Durotoye, Oby Ezekwesili, Kingsley Moghalu and to the moderator Mark Sugar and with apologies to all Nigerians here and at home expecting an interesting debate, I regret that I will not be able to go on with this debate due to President Buhari's absence. “I however challenge President Buhari to choose a date and time for a debate where he will be present and I will be there, hopefully with the other candidates as well.�

DETECTIVES RAMP UP PROBE OF ONNOGHEN’S ACCOUNTS this is so.

But close judicial sources informed THISDAY that insinuating corruption might be premature as findings have so far ignored estacodes, training and conferences as well as other allowances, which form the bulk of the money in his accounts.

In the first official reaction to the planned arraignment of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, over alleged non-disclosure of assets, the Presidency yesterday in

Abuja said the allegations were being handled in the “normal way�, promising non-interference. In a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the Presidency also denied reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had concluded plans to arrest the CJN and frame up three other Supreme Court justices. It said the case against Onnoghen was being handled by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) and other courts, insisting

that the trial of the CJN is legitimate.

Also yesterday, the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BoSAN) called on all Nigerians, including the executive arm and members of the legal profession, to exercise restraint over the scheduled arraignment of the CJN. the sources further told THISDAY that the Chief Justice never spent his dollars and was meticulous at saving money over time.

Also, preliminary reports by security operatives indicated that Onnoghen’s

Continued on page 28

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JANUARY 20, 2019

9

SUNDAY COMMENT

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

IGP ADAMU AND THE TASK AHEAD Mohammed Adamu needs to rekindle public confidence in the police. That will be a struggle

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ollowing the unceremonious retirement of Mr Ibrahim Kpotum Idris as Inspector- General of Police (IGP) on Tuesday, Mr. Mohammed Adamu Lafia, an Assistant Inspector- General, was appointed in his stead. If he is to succeed, Adamu must shun partisanship and abuse of office which characterised the era of his immediate predecessor. Such is the level of decay in the past three years that Adamu needs to embark on immediate damage control in a bid to restore credibility to the police.

More importantly, he must also tell his men where to draw the line during the coming general election.

Although well-trained, with the requisite experience and exposure, home and abroad, the new IGP is coming in at a time the image of the police is in a shambles, due principally to the antics of his predecessor. Rather than make professionalism his focus, Idris became so partisan that he ran the police almost like a wing of the ruling party. Under Idris, indiscipline also became the order of the day. Within a period of six months, he redeployed nine commissioners in the Bayelsa State police command and on his last day in office, two commissioners were fighting over control of the Lagos State police command.

Beyond the restoration of a sense of order and credibility, there is also an urgent need for

Adamu must overhaul the entire police structure and restore it to its original mandate in a way that soldiers do not have to be pulled out of their duty posts to protect the ordinary man on the street

the new IGP to improve on the capacity of the police. As President Muhammadu Buhari remarked in a recent interview with THISDAY/ARISE Television, soldiers who are principally trained to defend the territorial integrity of the country are now being compelled to assume the role of protecting lives and property within towns and villages because of the failure and ineffectiveness of the police. For this to change, Adamu must overhaul the entire police structure and restore it to its original mandate in a way that soldiers do not have to be pulled out of their duty posts to protect the ordinary man on the street.

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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

Letters to the Editor

T

verywhere in the country today, there is the pervading sense of fear and insecurity. The activities of Boko Haram, armed robbers, kidnappers and sundry other criminal cartels have combined to paint the picture of a country practically at war with itself. To worsen matters, there is a growing negative perception of the police - whose men are supposed to be at the epicentre of restoring law and order - due to the excesses of a small group. From extortion of money from hapless citizens at illegal checkpoints to brutality through extra-judicial killings to the scam derogatorily called ‘charge and bail', an institution that ought to be a friend is perceived more as a foe and treated with suspicion, and sometimes derision. What this implies is that Adamu has a huge responsibility on his hands as he strives to entrench discipline in police operations and restore the confidence of Nigerians.

For sure, the problematic shopping list for the new police boss is inexhaustible. Most of the police stations across the country are in deplorable conditions. They lack basically everything. Yet if the police must live up to its responsibilities, it must be adequately equipped. A force entrusted to secure the nation cannot perform in the face of antiquated equipment and low morale. Therefore, for Adamu to succeed, he will definitely need all the resources he can muster from the authorities and the support of the civil society. But most Nigerians are also agreed that the new IGP cannot afford to tread the ignoble path of his predecessor if he is to earn the trust of the people within the two years that he has to pilot police affairs.

We can only wish well.

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.

Trans Forcados Pipeline and National Interest

he battle for the soul of Nigeria is perpetually a contest between good and evil, light and darkness. But, as a renowned 18th century philosopher and politician, Edmund Burke, once said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." The truth is, nations that have succeeded against retrogressive forces largely because some good men and women did something positive in different spheres.

The latest rumble, by economic saboteurs, to reinvent failure of surveillance and security on the Trans Forcados Pipeline (TFP), which is a critical national asset, could be appropriately

situated in this context in which the forces of good are compelled to respond in obligatory defence of national interest. The interest that the individual stakeholder promotes and projects determines the side it belongs: whether it is progressive or retrogressive.

In fact, the retrogressive forces have been brazen in their effort to ensure the retention of the old order of sleaze and waste that poses real threats to the national economy. Will the retrogressive forces prevail over the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in the battle to remove the surveillance of the TFP from the clutches of an inefficient entity?

For decades, the Nigerian

oil industry has been perpetually made a jungle of monumental rip-offs. Transparency and accountability have been sacrificed for opaqueness, conspiracy and corruption.

It will not be out of place to conclude that there are "oil demons" in Nigeria, because only such a term could qualify the battle to keep TFP in a state of criminal abuse.

Such a rigid and open resistance to doing what is right and just in the oil industry is demonic and scandalous.

The raging battle to keep TFP in a state of jeopardy is entirely worrisome. There is absolutely no sense in sustaining a failed contract that had persistently made the NNPC to pay for inefficiency while the Corporation and

the nation bleed through the pipes.

There comes a time in the affairs of a nation when an absolute stop is put to abominable feasting and critical decisions are taken to end wastage. Nigeria and other stakeholders cannot survive the conspiracy against the TFP if the NNPC leaves the surveillance and security of the critical national asset in the hands of oil marauders and jackals.

How do we, as a country, explain and account for a loss of 11 million barrels of crude oil (equivalent to $800m) in 2018, just because of the inefficiency of a surveillance firm, Eraskorp Nigeria Limited?

Shall we continue to pay for and reinvent the failure of a "hapless contractor that has presided over the abject surveillance and security of the TFP?" Certainly, the NNPC has taken an audacious and

patriotic position on the TFP in the overall interest of the country and it should not be deterred or worried about the heavily-induced distractions both locally and internationally.

If Shoreline Natural Resources Limited cannot dispense with the services of Eraskorp, which has become an unmitigated disaster in the face of its recurring dismal performances, then it should not blame the NNPC for electing to give the TFP contract to another indigenous firm with a proven track record in surveillance and security of pipelines. It is important that value for service and the need to adopt international best practices must no longer be compromised in the oil sector, and especially by the NNPC. ––Femi Ayelabowo, Ibadan

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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 ˾ JANUARY 20, 2019

NEWS

Acting News Editor Gboyega Akinsanmi E-mail: gboyega.akinsanmi@thisdaylive.com, 0808198 6590

US: ISIS, Boko Haram Planning Major Attacks During Elections Borno elders warn against release of repentant insurgents Tobi Soniyi and Olaseni Durojaiye The United States Government has revealed the plan of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Boko Haram to disrupt the 2019 general election from holding successfully, citing increased propaganda videos specifically directed at

Nigeria and the ongoing civil unrest in Borno State.

In a related development, Borno Elders faulted the process leading to the release of ‘repentant’ Boko Haram members into the public, which they argued, could undermine national security if not well handled.

While the US gave its

warning in a post on the official website of its Embassy in Nigeria on Friday, Borno elders expressed their concern in a letter they addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari.

In Its post, the US said the insurgents were targeting public places, noting that Nigerian forces had turned

on the heat on the insurgents in the recent weeks repelling them and reclaimed the town of Baga hitherto captured by the terror groups.

The post said it did not have information regarding attacks directed at its embassy, though urged its citizen resident in the country “to review their movements.

I AM WITH YOU...

L-R: Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu; his Lagos counterpart, Akinwunmi Ambode; Zamfara State Governor, Abdul’aziz Yari and President Muhammadu Buhari during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign in Kaduna State...Friday

“There is an increase in ISIS propaganda videos specifically directed to Nigeria and the ongoing and the ongoing civil unrest in Borno State and the North- east.

“ISIS West Africa and Boko Haram have both stated they plan to disrupt the upcoming 2019 presidential elections by conducting attacks on Nigerian security and infrastructure, as well as places of gathering such as markets and hotels, and malls.

“While we have no specific threat information to the US Embassy or within Nigeria during the election season, US citizens in Nigeria should remember to follow personal security precautions on a regular basis.”

In their letter to the president, the elders gave update on the security situation in the state and the danger of releasing repentant Boko Haram insurgents to the public.

The elders observed that some members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) involved in intelligence gathering, easy identification and arrest of suspected Boko Haram members in civilian populations, were worried the operation safe corridor of the military could lead to breeding spies for insurgents because their release coincided with accelerated attacks by insurgents.

The letter said, “The ongoing de-radicalization and reintegration of repentant Boko

Haram insurgents under the ‘operation safe corridor’ of the defense headquarters is a cause for concern for members of the Civilian JTF and some stakeholders in the state, who suspect that ‘Boko Haram members do not repent’ hence the de-radicalization programme may be breeding spies and agents of recruitment for the Boko Haram”.

The elders, therefore, called on ”Mr. President to consider and approve the suspension of the ongoing de-radicalization and reintegration of repentant Boko Haram insurgents until such a time they do not pose serious threat to our fighting force.”

One of the elders, who spoke with THISDAY privately, said the elders were of the view that the military’s operation safe corridor was not well thought out. The elders also requested the president to consider arming members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, so as to help combat the Boko Haram insurgency.

The elders also expressed reservations on the refusal to deploy 800 ex-CJTF members, recruited into the army since they are “fearless and understand the terrain better” than most soldiers deployed from other parts of the country.

They therefore demanded that for President Muhammadu Buhari order the immediate deployment to Borno State, the 800 soldiers drawn from ex-CJTF fighters.

At Ibadan Rally, Hoodlums Attack Atiku’s Wife Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan Mrs. Titilayo Atiku, wife of the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has been attacked in Ibadan while canvassing votes for her husband.

THISDAY findings revealed that she was attacked by suspected political hoodlums on Friday evening at Sarkin Sasa house in Ojoo, a sprawling suburb of Ibadan. .

More findings showed that she was attacked after a fruitful discussion with the Sarkin Sasa and the Hausa community in the area when hoodlums pounced on her convoy and unleashed attack.

Multiple sources told THISDAY that a number of PDP supporters in her convoy sustained varying degrees of injuries during the attack.

However, the PDP governorship candidate in Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde

condemned the attack on Atiku’s wife, noting that the attack was uncalled while accusing the All Progressives Congress of orchestrating the attack.

In a statement by his Director of Media, Mr. Dotun Oyelade, Makinde described the attack as a very unfortunate incident where those who wanted to play clean and competitive politics were confronted by those who wanted to hold on to power

by crook and by force and send their enforcers to attack and intimidate.”

According to the governorship candidate, with the way the APC is conducting itself, the next election may be rougher if things don’t go their way and that’s looking pretty likely.

In his reaction, the Oyo State Police Command said Atiku’s wife was not attacked.

In a statement by its Police Public Relations Officer, Mr.

Adekunle Ajisebutu, the command said, “She wasn’t attacked. It was one of the area boys begging for money but was not given, that threw a stone.

“The stone hit side glass of a car belonging to a Fulani chief who was driving behind her convoy. The chief had come to join Sarkin Sasa to receive the visitor who after her visit left successfully unhurt.”

In another development,

the gubernatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the state, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin yesterday decried the poverty among the residents of the state.

Lanlehin, who represented Oyo South in the Senate between 2011 and 2015 said Oyo “is in dire straight, urgently in need of peoplefocused and results oriented leader. We re in difficult times.

UNTH Records 23 Free Open Heart Surgeries

Amnesty Programme Reintegrates DSS Grills Ikeja Oba-elect “I laughed when I heard Kayode Fasua 13,000 Ex Militants this, because the accusation

Ahamefula Ogbu

James Sowole in Akure

The Chief Medical Director of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Dr. Chris Amah at the weekend disclosed that 23 children with heart-related issues were successfully operated in the health institution.

Amah revealed this at a session with journalists, describing the free heart surgical operations carried out

by Indian doctors as the most successful that had taken place in the facility since its establishment.

Amah explained that it was probably a gift from God, which according to him, occurred at a time when he was

winding down his tenure as the chief medical director of the health institution.

He commended the team of medical personnel the team led by Chief Surgeon Dr. Ashish Katewa, who observed that Nigerian children “are robust and strong with one of the quickest recovery rates.

“The mission was successful. It was sponsored by the “Gift of Life”, a non-profit initiative by the Spiritan Self -Awareness Initiative Nigeria, working in partnership with the Aruike Hospital, Enugu, Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospitals, Naya Raipur, Chattisgarh, India and the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.

The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, Prof Charles Dokubo has said that over 13,000 ex agitators in the Nger Delta have been fully reintegrated into the society by the federal government.

Dokubo disclosed this at the inauguration of the vocational training centre built by the Presidential Amnesty Programme in AgadagbaObon in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The special adviser said the vocational centre being inaugurated would train 100 ex-agitators to acquire skills in five areas that are mostly

related to oil industry.

According to him, the centre would train ex-agitators in mechatronics, drilling technology, instrumentation and control and two other areas.

Dokubo that many of the ex agitators that had been integrated were already doing well in the society.

The special adviser, who declared that President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to the development of the Niger/Delta Region, said vocational centres was also being built in four other states of the region.

The four other states that would soon have the vocational centres are Bayelsa, Edo, Rivers and Delta states.

Operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS), Ikeja branch have grilled the Obaelect of Ikeja, Alhaji Samsondeen Adeleye for two hours over a petition it obtained that the monarch-elect was trying to crown himself.

Adeleye confirmed his travail in the hands of the DSS operatives to THISDAY on Friday, saying he was invited to the DSS office at the Ikeja Local Government Area to clear himself over a petition that he was trying to crown himself.

He said, “The DSS said someone wrote a petition that I had begun the traditional rites for self-installation as the Oba of Ikeja, and that such a move could cause disaffection in the community.

is strange and unfounded.

We all know that it is only the state government, through the local government, that has the power to approve the choice of any traditional ruler and also, to issue out a letter that he be installed. “Though the Body of Ikeja Kingmakers had unanimously elected me as Oba-elect four years ago, we are still waiting for the state government to issue a letter of approval. So, there is no way I can jump the gun; to do so is to dare a moving train.”

He said his detractors who wrote the petition possibly mistook the ongoing periodic traditional rites for the peace and tranquility of Ikeja, to mean that he was about being installed as Oba.

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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 ˾ JANUARY 20, 2019

OPINION The Prism Called Onnoghengate The case against Walter Onnoghen has exposed the level of distrust in the land, argues Anthony A. Kila

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his newspaper, like most dailies in the country, has so far given a very comprehensive account of the sad and embarrassing event of asset declaration charges against Justice Walter Onnoghen, yet notwithstanding these across-the-board accounts and the thousands of comments from them generated across the land, almost everything regarding this very publicised and debated case is still subject to controversy and uncertainty.

Only two things seem to be certain so far about the ongoing Onnoghengate: One is that more people can now pronounce the noun Onnoghen; two is that more people now know more about the role and status some positions, offices and acronyms such as CJN, CCT, AGF, CCB, etc. The rest, as said, is still subject to controversy and uncertainty that generate sentiments of anger, bemusement, concern and wonder, depending on who you are talking to.

Above and beyond the obvious and understandable sentiments of frustrations and vexations most Nigerians are going through on this saga, the crisis and manners in which many are dealing with the event have also thrown up some traits and points about us as a people worthy of serious considerations, if we really want to move the country forward.

Onnoghengate is a personal, professional and political case that forces us to look at ourselves as a people and to ponder upon how to coexist and what matters to us individually and collectively.

A major trait that has reared its head very forcefully since the news about the CJN broke has been distrust.

Most people that heard about the news did so because someone else wanted to confirm from them if the news was true. Editors, publishers, reporters and all those leading media operations need to seriously think of their profession because as it currently stands, there are too many people who don’t trust the news they get anymore. They also need to ponder upon the fact that news from unorthodox and non-mainstream sources are one hand making rounds faster than theirs, on the other, reaching more people than mainstream media.

This is a dangerous drift and a worrisome challenge that can be overcome only through fair, bold, accurate

and authoritative reporting.

Onnoghengate also forces us to note that the colossal level of distrust has not spared the government and institutions of the land. Truly or falsely, as the case maybe, it is clearly a very sad state that in which so many people can readily view and suspect the action of the government and its agents as motivated not by justice but for sectional or partisan interest. A state or government that does not enjoy the trust of an overwhelming majority of its citizens during the use of its legitimate monopoly of force and in the exercise of justice is a failed or certainly a failing state or government.

In situations like this, it will be foolhardy to limit our thoughts and actions to finger pointing or scoring partisan points. Those who have the privilege of thought and the burden of leadership need to find the clarity of mind and courage of action to stand up to warn the rest that no partisan or interest of today is worth the trading or destruction of institutions, we all need to remember that without trusted institutions there will soon be neither parties nor interests.

A competent and responsible government of the day needs to proceed in all its acts with a reminder that in politics, perception most times matter as much, if not, more than reality and consequently, every pronunciation, nomination, and all actions taken by any arm or extension of government must be done bearing in mind what the

Onnoghengate is a personal, professional and political case that forces us to look at ourselves as a people and to ponder upon how to coexist and what matters to us individually and collectively

opposition or those that will bear the brunt of such actions might say, feel or see.

This same rule applies to the opposition of the day but it cannot really be held responsible for much since it has no real power but its mouth and the promises it emits.

The key to building and maintaining trustworthy institutions that in turn are crucial to the peaceful survival of a country and coexistence of its people is made of care, common sense, commitment to fairness and respect of the rule of law even when such rules and procedures are cumbersome. Once we try to take shortcuts in democracy, the most likely arrival point tends to be dictatorship or anarchy.

Viewing ourselves through the prism of Onnoghengate also shows us how much we have become a land of sophists and partisan lovers of relativism. Our conversations and commentaries are filled with opinions and suspicions, with little space or desire for facts, values and competence. The sad part of all these is that too many of those certified as erudite and learned now spew opinions that are neither heartfelt nor personal talk less of being original. More often than not, they seem to be delivering just talking points in defence of a part or a leader.

It is becoming more and more difficult to get simple answers to simple questions, everything is becoming dependent on who said or who did it. Those who hate or suspect the government cannot ask themselves if it is acceptable for a public officer not to declare his assets or to check if he can account for the source of such assets. Those who love the government cannot ask themselves if it makes sense for the government to open itself to such barrage of criticism of not following the rule of law in prosecuting a suspect. They do not care to test the competence and performance of those charged to lead high profile cases and events on behalf and in the name of all of us.

If we take time to view ourselves through the prism ofOnnoghengate, we shall soon see that too much is wrong in the land and that those who can, really need to start doing a lot about it and that we all need to keep vigil.

––Prof. Kila is Centre Director, Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies

Memo to IGP Abubakar Adamu Zayyad I. Muhammad writes that the forthcoming elections will define the new police boss career

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ongratulations on your appointment. But you are lucky and unlucky at the same time.

You rose to the top at a critical moment in the Nigerian polity - election time. The next two months may mar or make your achievements as a police officer, depending on your management of the Nigerian police and its obligations during the forthcoming elections.

In Nigeria, policing is interwoven with politics. During this period, many politicians will attempt to frustrate you, while some will try to manipulate you via political powers. Fortunately for you, you have a Commander-inChief who does not have the trait of a typical Nigerian politician. So, as a fine officer, when you find yourself on a tight-rope, do not cry nor run.

While the pressure of the elections are there, keep in mind that you are being faced with the challenge of managing a police force that is plagued by poor conditions of service, deplorable work environment, lack of incentives and motivation, corruption, low level of public confidence and serious lack of expertise in some specialized fields.

Mr. IGP, the Nigeria Police needs total overhaul and this can be grouped into three core areas: leadership, methodology, culture and attitude. The Nigeria Police has witnessed various changes since its inception in 1861 when it began with a 30-member consular guard formed in the then Lagos Colony. From 1964, the NPF has had 20 IGPs, each coming with his own transformative ideas.

However, if the NPF must be responsive to modern public policing standards and demands, reforms in the three areas mentioned above are imperative.

For reforms to create desired change, all strategies and goals must be communicated and a buy-in among officers created - especially junior officers. Reforms cannot be imposed on the police. However, the urgency of these reforms cannot be over-emphasized.

The police have some fine and intelligent officers who persevere in spite of obvious challenges. Some of them

inspire the trust and confidence of the public. However, in general, the Nigerian Police direly needs a new direction and different orientation. In addition, it needs modernization and massive reorganization similar to what obtains in private corporations. Mr. IG, you can be one to lay the foundation for the new police.

The police under you can rejig the mentality of ‘absolute hierarchical superiority’ by giving junior officers who are always on the field the chance to weigh in their views. The public expects you to look at things ‘off-the-police-shelves’ to see what they expect and need from the police. This will bring imaginative ideas to strike a new resonance among the officers of the police and also bring visible functionality and efficiency in police.

The public expects the police to prevent crime, and maintain peace and public order. However, the job of the Nigerian police is dangerous, with high rates of on-the-job injuries and deaths.

The police operate without up-to-date and high-tech equipment. You cannot fight crime with only guns, broken batons and jalopy pick-up vans. The police should be armed with modern firearms and protective equipment in addition to small tools like lasers, incapacitant spray, telescopic and expandable batons, etc. Communication is vital for modern policing. Thus, any existing police radio spectrums which are subject to serious interference should be gradually replaced by a new spectrum of superior quality.

The police should have their entire vehicles and posts/stations installed with Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) system for effective communication, as well as for data and voice transmission. TETRA is encrypted to prevent interception.

The general management of policing equipment by the Nigerian police is very poor. For instance, most of the vehicles used by the police are in bad states. The process of vehicle purchase, fuelling and maintenance

should be redesigned - outsourcing and workable decentralization are the best options. The Police Service Commission should commission competent automobile firms to supply and maintain for the Nigerian police vehicles which are built to police specifications in factories. Fuelling of vehicles and other policing equipment should also be contracted out to responsible fuel marketers. This will eliminate corruption and usher in easy administration.

The biggest problem facing the Nigerian police is culture and attitude. The police need to create and cherish a strong culture among its rank and file.

The Nigerian police should seek the services of Public Relations experts/firms to develop a modern PR plan for it - one that should go beyond the traditional police’s PR method - public display of achievements.

Instead, its officers and men should be trained in many areas including basic professional behaviour in the public, how to attend and talk to people, association with civilians and even posture when in public view, etc.

One of the most critical aspects that need urgent attention is smart dressing. Every officer in the Nigeria police should dress smart and neat. This will reflect the meaning of the yellow colour in the police flag - discipline and resourcefulness and the elephant in its crest- steadfastness and reliability. A major benefit of culture and attitude reform is that it will help engender better community policing.

Above all, as a matter of urgency, you have to get your team well prepared for the forth coming elections which are about a month away. The police have a huge role to play in the elections if it must be successful.

The time is short but in colloquial parlance, it is the baptism of fire for you. It is believed you are up to the task.

––Muhammad wrote from Jimeta, Adamawa State.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JANUARY 20, 2019

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LETTERS

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The Type of Leader Nigeria Needs

ust as Shakespeare said that “the apparel speaketh the man, in the same manner the type of ideals and activities a man engages in says so much about his beliefs, visions, values and his preferred methods of impacting on his community. Fashion experts can tell you that dress-sense says so much about the personality of anyone, boy or girl, man or woman. There are dresses for all kinds of occasion—for corporate outing, for social events, for funerals, for birthdays, wedding ceremony, coronation, launching, AGM or disco partying.

It would seem out of fashion for one going for a funeral event to put on a bare-all transparent, red ribbon lycra and mini-skirt with an imperial ornate bowler hat to match. People would only say you’ve come a bit close to insanity or perhaps you are a soul-less bovine creature with nothing like empathy in your DNA. In much the same way, you cannot make a good leader out of one who is always eager to borrow rather than craving to be a lender; who is more disposed to borrow from rich nations’ raw cash for infrastructure projects rather than asking them to participate as PPP-investors. You cannot make a reformist leader out of one who refuses to discipline superintendents of key institutions charged with driving his administration’s key economic programmes whenever they err. This was one major fault of the Jonathanian administration which Nigerians up till today have refused to forgive.

On the other hand, you can discern a potential good leader by the tone of

Abubakar

his language, the nature of contacts he keeps, the quality of personalities he associates or prefers to associate with, the values he holds dear, his approach to combustible issues—even the type of business investments he makes.

There is no doubt that the greatest task facing anyone that will lead Nigeria from next year is the economy.

On aggregate rating, since 2015 when this regime started implementing fiscal budgets, Nigerians have not witnessed a corresponding improvement in their living standards. With the elections around the corner, there is no guarantee that this N8.7 trillion 2019 budget will do any magic. With three full budgets in 2015 (partly), 2016, 2017 and 2018 gone—or about three or four months to run full circle, Nigerians have

not seen appreciable level of infrastructure upgrade. Fuel pump prices have not gone down. Generator imports have not abated. Rice production is yet to fill the stomachs optimally. Lagos ports remain the only navigable ports servicing more than 70% of African trade with the outside world. Cost of governance still remains more than capital projects appropriations.

Central government spending structure still remains in the heavy-weight category.

Institutions are still riddled with the culture of impunity, sleaze, snail-speed, nepotism and I-don’t-care. Discipline is low. Flood and other man-made disasters still strike year-on-year with debilitating effrontery. Institutions created to prevent them sit idly-by.

Malaria and other minor aches still continue to compile deaths for grave-diggers

even as mosquitoes and cockroaches continue to grow fat and multiply everywhere.

Boko Haram continues to mock our inability to secure our homes and villages while cattle herders have succeeded more in protecting the lives of their beasts at the expense of living souls in the country. Our children helmed in by helplessness continue to provide delicacies for all manner of beasts in the seas and oceans in their attempts to escape. There are so many negatives which on aggregate do not kindle hope or enthusiasm for the continuation of the prevailing order. Worst, the much needed innovations were not forthcoming from the coterie of cabals masquerading as government operatives who are better at staging bravura invasions against critical state institutions. There have been too much grammar and little practical accomplishments.

State governors are not better. They seem concerned with only how to acquire and retain power—whether they have finished or are still serving. And why did all these come about? Chiefly because the realization that governments exist to serve rather than reign is not in them. So the consciousness is not there.

Prioritisation of programmes and policies are not to them management tools.

The type of policies, programmes and projects these governors and their ministers boast about tells one that this APC government is yet to come to the realisation that modern statecraft today is run with the same technique and know-how applicable to running a huge corporate firm. But we still operate the old template of hand-outs and Paris club donations to constituent state that ought to

Democracy and Political Thuggery

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he word "hoodlum" here is simply described as "thuggery".

Thuggery can be an act of violence or behaviour by ruffians hired or instigated by politicians to intimidate their opponents.

Politicians and hoodlums are associated with the issue of political thuggery in Nigeria.

This has made many people to believe that the problems of poverty, unemployment among the youths, financial attractiveness of elective positions, wealth accumulation, the phenomenon of godfatherism, lack of political ideology and principles, absence of internal party democracy in contemporary political parties and its attendant effects as well as ineffective security agency, account for the incidence of political thuggery in Nigeria.

Poverty makes many willing tool for thuggery in the hands of desperate politicians.

Sadly, we failed to understand that political thuggery is a serious threat to democratic consolidation in Nigeria because it scares credible candidates from going into politics. It is very common to see some politicians giving youths arms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons in order to fight their way to power.

Unknowingly, political thuggery hinders public accountability of elective officers, thus it is a bane to good governance in Nigeria. It also increases the crime rate and a threat to democratic dividends and exercise of citizenship rights.

To say the least, politicians at the federal, state and local government levels are the highest paid public office holders. Consequently, politics in Nigeria has become prebendalistic and wrongly perceived as a lucrative venture where millions of naira are invested in the electoral process and billions of naira reaped as personal

profiting interests.

The funniest thing about the politicians is that they don't engage their children, relatives or loved ones to participate in the process of political thuggery or any sort of criminal activities but they influence the poor children through the use of money and drugs.

In the Northeast, particularly Yobe and Borno States the rate of political thuggery has reduced as a result of Boko Haram Insurgency.

According to a research carried out by a lecturer in the Department of Public Administration, University of Maiduguri, Paul Y. Mbaya, "The Implications of Political Thuggery on Socio- Economic and Political Development of Maiduguri, Borno State" he found that "Over the years, the activities of thugs have been legitimatized and powerfully backed by the political class and unfortunately in Maiduguri most of these thugs have metamorphosed to Boko

Haram. The findings reveal that poverty, high rate of unemployment, high rate of illiteracy among the youths and families having more children that cannot be catered for by their income are responsible for the increasing number of thugs in the state. As a result, these children have no good education, no proper home training, and no food to eat and even shelter. These conditions they found themselves make them more vulnerable to be hired as thugs to rig elections, to kill and to engage in other social vices in the society.

Similarly, thuggery in Maiduguri has caused mass exodus of people out of Maiduguri city to look for safer places because of the fear of death.

Therefore, both the politicians and the thugs should understand that political thuggery is unfair to democracy.

––Abdulmumin Kolo Gulani, abdulmuminumkolo@gmail.com

be complementary units of wealth creation and employment generation to absorb the army of fresh graduates rolling out from educational institutions every six months apace. Is Nigeria cursed with leadership problems? What our government delivers is infinitesimal compared to public expenditures on them.

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, if one checks at his life is a wise businessman. Whether he has at one time or the other dipped hands in public till is of no importance here.

We accuse a lot without facts. At least for now no court has condemned him as such and no graft agency, home or away is hanging any tar-brush on his political apron. It is something of a credit for someone long politically exposed as Atiku to have managed to steer his social parachute safely off the minefield of scandals, arrests, “invitations” and “interviews

by Nigeria’s sundry graftfighting agencies. At least the latest news that he landed safely on the shores of United States sullies any propaganda that he has no integrity there.

It is a huge compliment, not only to him as a Nigerian Presidential aspirant, but also

a reflection of how seriously strategic Nigerian partners regard Nigerian affairs, such as who aspires to rule her.

In today’s global power games, Washington is a Power any serious nation that wants to grow and make global impact must have to relate to seriously. She has interests and investments all over the world, especially in Nigeria—and in strategic sectors for that matter. So whoever rules Nigeria must be somebody Washington regards seriously.

It is noteworthy that one way or the other, Atiku Abubakar is instrumental to the bringing in of some of niche US businesses in Nigeria. Intel Corp, one of the major concessionaires of Nigerian ports in the Niger Delta region like Delta State is building some of the very crucial ports and jetties for the ever evolving Nigerian oil and gas maritime sector.

The good thing is that some of these firms like Intel are doing these jobs largely with their own cash, not troubling our local banks with take-all loans and overdrafts.

––Sam Nwokoro, samuel.nwokoro@yahoo. com

In Praise of Peter Obi

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here is little doubt that the choice of ex-governor Peter Obi, by the Waziri of Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar, has elicited unwarranted and hate commentaries from different parts of Nigeria and beyond.

While the greater number of the commentators favour the former two-term Anambra State governor, the Biblical thesis that no prophet is with honour in his home front has, however, played out. This is exemplified by the negative disposition of some people who, like Peter Obi, hail from the South East region of our country.

Speaking in the wake of Obi’s announcement as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate, the Governor of Ebonyi State (a PDP chieftain) and current chairman of South East East Governors’ Forum (a position which Obi himself had held while on the driving seat of Anambra State) argued that the PDP Presidential candidate should have asked the South East Governors’ Forum to pick a running mate for him instead of directly going for Peter Obi. While one would not digress into whether or not the choice of a running mate is the prerogative of a Presidential candidate or governorship aspirant, one would rather take a peep into the persona of Peter Obi – his pedigree; how he governed Anambra State for eight years; his suitability for the job ahead; whether he left the state in a better condition than he met it or

not, etc.

Compared to his fellow men and women from the South East geo-political zone (a zone which parades an array of star-studded professionals), what are Peter Obi’s competitive features?

It is common knowledge that there are brands and there are brands. There are several things that make the Agulu-born Anambra State PDP Vice-Presidential candidate thick!

An expose of candidate Peter Obi shows that he is a rare gem. At the risk of deifying this human being, he is at once a ‘Solomon”, a Socrates, a Warren Buffet, a Bill Gates and a Mao Tse Tung and (nearer home) a rare combination of Zik of Africa and the Doyen of Western Nigeria politics, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, among several other things.

Peter Obi is not a subject for a brief narrative – a short documentary, for he cannot, repeat cannot be properly and adequately dissected because of temporal as well as spatial challenges herein.

A tip of the iceberg will however suffice in the interim. Check out these commentaries from just five referees: the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar who had as a soldier, served in Nsukka where Obi was an undergraduate at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The Sultan sees Obi as “a visionary leader. His sustained commitment to the socio-economic transformation of the state remains a source of hope and strength to all of us.

––Eziokwu Nwachukwu , Abuja.

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18

ISSUE

Buhari and Osinbajo at the townhall meeting tagged The Candidates

APC’s Litany of Misadventures Either for its unpardonable goofs or Freudian slips, last week was far from being pleasant for the ruling APC, writes Olaseni Durojaiye

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ast week was certainly not a good one for Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). It was marked by a galore of goofs. Simply put, it was the type that if it were possible, the party’s apparatchik would want wiped away from the memories of Nigerians, because it revealed very disturbing signals about the presidency and the party leadership.

The goofs drew varied comments from commentators, observers and public affairs analysts alike even as it thought to be a foreboding sign in some circles that opined that what were thought to be goofs could as well have been Freudian slips.

First was the case of false asset declaration involving the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, which President Muhamamdu Buhari claimed he was not aware of and knowing that the president is never aware of anything, timing of the proposed removal of Onnoghen has been variously described as criminal. Sad as it is, despite feigning not to be in the know, the actors behind Onnoghen’s removal in the presidency have not reneged and yet, the president has not stopped them either.

The dust raised by this disappointment had not settled when the President’s unimpressive performance at a Town Hall Meeting tagged ‘The Candidates’ took the shine off everything else. More than twice, the President’s responses to questions posed at him were at tangent.

During the parley, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo made up for the president at different times.

According to a source, which preferred anonymity, “I noticed that when THISDAY interviewed the president, he was fond of saying something that didn’t relate to questions asked while responding, until he had to be reminded over and over. It was the same thing that happened yesterday at the town hall meeting. It seems he suffers from memory loss,” the source said.

To substantiate his point, the source shared a compilation of instances where the president veered off from the question that he was asked. When asked by the moderator, Kadaria Ahmed, “What are your thoughts on restructuring with regards to education?” President Buhari retorted: “I’m expecting the press to investigate the corruption in the local government.”

In another instance when he was asked “Why should the Nigerian people vote for you again?” the president’s response was that “I’ve said before that if my party nominates me, I will contest.”

In yet another instance when asked that “The soldiers are protesting poor treatment and are ill-equipped, what are your thoughts?” The president replied thus: “I get situation report from the military. The military should investigate the demonstrations because they are not supposed to demonstrate.”

Clearly, the Town Hall Meeting showed a couple of deficiencies in the president as he often times struggled to answer the questions posed to him by the anchor. And as often as the president struggled to answer the question or when he strayed off mark, Osinbajo came to his aid, which prompted Ahmed at some point to ask the vice-president to allow Buhari answer the questions himself.

Analysts were of the opinion that the president’s outing left much to be desired. On a few occasion, the president, while labouring to answer questions would end up with the points he should have started with.

Others argued that the president rambled and failed to go straight to answering the question adding that if he was being timed, he would have been stopped before getting to the real answers to the questions.

Commentaries about the president’s performance at the Town Hall Meeting were yet to abate, when he again displayed worrying signs of memory loss at the APC campaign rally in Delta State. He had said he was there to present the party’s flag to the APC presidential candidate, then corrected himself and said senatorial candidate before realising he was a gubernatorial candidate. Even when corrected the first time, the president erred again.

This has led critics of the administration to suggest that the president could be suffering from incipient stage of memory loss and may be unfit to rule. Other interpretations of the situation border on the president being propped up to rule by some cabal in the presidency.

Instructively, when asked “Why should the Nigerian people vote for you again?” the president’s response was that “I’ve said before that if my party nominates me, I will contest.” Could this suggest that he is being goaded to run by some forces behind the scene against his wish given his fragile health?

Interestingly, this is not the first time a president was being foisted on the nation by a powerful cabal. The late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was kept in office even when it was obvious that his health could not cope with its attendant rigours.

At the height of that inglorious saga, his handlers and the cabal shielded him from the public. He was even flown to and from Saudi Arabia in un-presidential manner. Still, a few of the key players in that whole episode are around the administration. Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau is one.

But the National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole further compounded the week for the party and president, when he spoke during the party’s campaign rally in Benin, Edo State.

While welcoming some defectors from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oshiomhole had urged members of

the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the APC so that their sins could be forgiven.

“We have some PDP defectors. They are Henry Tenebe, Iluobe ... Iluobe means I have done something wrong. Yes, once you join the APC, your sins are forgiven.”

However, Oshiomhole’s statement is being described as a Freudian slip and revealed the ruling party’s strong arm tactics against opposition politicians. Besides, it has further fuelled speculation bordering on why some leading politicians were fast dumping the PDP for the APC. Those who hold this line insisted that many of the politicians, who have defected to the APC, might have been coerced into doing so. Critics of the administration insisted that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), has become an arm of the ruling party even as they argued that the APC has perfected the practice of deploying the anti-graft agency against influential opposition politicians in a bid to make them dump the PDP. The tactics appear to be working as many leading PDP members have continued to dump the party for the APC in recent time, further decimating the leading opposition party and forcing it to re-strategise.

Clearly, the past week was not a good one for the ruling party. But beyond the party, it is instructive of the persona of the president, his presidency and the leadership of the ruling party.

A few facts that are glaring from all of what happened last week are: The president is far from being in-charge; the anti-corruption war has become a political weapon even as the APC will hound any opposition politician standing its way of re-election until such politician jumped ship.

But in spite of the burgeoning frustrations of the ruling party, two issues further messed last week for the APC and they are the trip made by former vice-president and presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to the United States, 12 years after he was unable to visit the country over allegation of corruption. The APC had made needless issue out of the matter, daily taunting Atiku about his inability to go to the US. But he made it and threw the APC camp, not only off-balance but into serious confusion.

The other one is the aftermath of the visit. Apparently stupefied that he eventually made it to the US, the federal government has reportedly resolved to probe Atiku the moment he returns to the country following his alleged involvement in the failed Bank PHB. Of course, the entire nation has since come down hard on the party and government as their latest moves seemed to have exposed their intolerance as much as vulnerability in the February 16 polls. That last week was bad for them was not anyone’s fault but entirely that of the APC because of their choice.

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JANUARY 20, 2019 ˾ 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

Adebutu

Wike

Saraki

Sylva

The Road to 2019: Flashpoints to Watch (XIX) Across all interests, the campaigns peaked last week, writes Olawale Olaleye

I

n spite of its rejection by about 61 political parties, which frowned on some of the provisions contained in the electoral guidelines, INEC last week, released the document. With about 22,643 candidates seeking to fill 1,504 positions across Nigeria, the commission definitely has a huge task at hand.

INEC has though said it would stop the collection of PVCs by February 8 and that anyone with temporary card would not be eligible to vote, campaigns by all political parties went some notch up last week.

The leadership of African Democratic Congress (ADC), for example, came out openly to campaign against President Muhammadu Buhari’s APC, asking voters to reject them both on February 16. But Buhari, on his part, promised not to abuse the trust of the people if re-elected.

However, the political temperature of the country rose a bit when the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar visited the US last week. The development definitely rattled the camp of the APC. It was generally a week of intense political activities with events fast assuming shapes in the states.

RIVERS IsitDuskAlready?

INEC released the full list of candidates up for election next month and the names of the APC candidates in Rivers had been yanked off. This followed a lingering legal battle over the process that produced the state executive of the party and by extension, every fruit that came therefrom.

While the APC is waiting on the Supreme Court, PDP’s Nyesom Wike might stroll back to power except something happens, even though he is believed to be behind APC’s legal misfortune. It is not also certain how this would affect the presidential polling in the state. The situation in Rivers is not a pleasant one, but Tonye Cole and APC are sure things will change.

OGUN TheMoreThingsChange

Just last week, Senator Buruji Kashamu pretended to have surrendered the governorship ticket to his rival, Oladipupo Adebutu and asked his supporters to rally round him. But when INEC’s final list came out, Kashamu was the candidate. That, of course, dealt a terrible blow on the Adebutu camp.

The development is certain to alter the existing equation and disrupt other extrapolations as that was INEC’s final list. But other candidates like Adekunle Akinlade of APM, Gboyega Isiaka of ADC, Dapo Abiodun of APC and Dimeji Bankole of ADP have continued with their campaigns, thus raising the bar.

Sadly, however, the more things change in the state, the more they remain the same.

IMO It’sGettingHotinHere

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, last week, received the shocker of his life when the party suspended him for anti-party. But the governor has dismissed the suspension news, saying he remained in the APC. For all that it is worth, Imo has never pretended about what it was up to as far as 2019 is concerned and it has not fully begun yet. It would

definitely get fiercer in the days to come.

ABIA DifferentFolks,DifferentStrokes

Two former governors in the state are in the senate race in the two leading parties – PDP and APC. While Theodore Orji is from Central, while Orji Kalu, his predecessor and former benefactor, is from Abia North. Orji is however not comfortable with some developments. He accused some of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s people of challenging him, a move he said would alter the Equity Charter that governs the state’s political process.

In other news, an Abuja High Court has unsettled the ranks of the APC, when it recognised Chief Ikechi Emenike as against Uche Ogah as the gubernatorial candidate of the party in the state. Yet, there is said to be another order from a Federal High Court, Abuja, upholding Ogah’s candidacy. Things are getting really interesting in the state as different folks battle different strokes.

BORNO: ANigglingUncertainty

The security situation in the whole of the North east is not abating and this is prevalent in Borno State, which has remained the hotbed of insurgency. The situation was so overwhelming that the governor, Kashim Shettima cried before President Buhari recently and sought his intervention on behalf of his people.

But the attacks and killings have not abated, meaning it could affect election in the state and environ.

As it is, the situation is one of staggering uncertainty about the fate of the willing voters. Even INEC had once alluded to the possibility of an election, depending on the state of security in the region. Borno has too much on its hands already.

KWARA TheResorttoSelf-help

The recent attack on the family home of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki in Agbaji, Ilorin, Kwara State by thugs believed to be loyal to the opposition in the state pointed to one thing and one thing only: that the security architecture of the state is weak and penetrable, albeit it could have been politically orchestrated.

Although the state is one of those that recently signed the peace accord, coupled with a ban on rallies by the governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, Kwara is not looking very good in terms of violence and it’s the very reason the new and acting Inspector-General of Police, Adamu Mohammed must pay attention to the state.

KOGI TheReturnofMelaye

After spending weeks in police custody, Senator Dino Melaye was last week granted bail, when police could not defend why he was still being kept in their custody. Melaye, who is being challenged by Senator Smart Adeyemi is seeking to return to the senate, in addition to being on the PDP presidential campaign council.

It is therefore understandable why he has remained a menace to the APC in the state. But with his experience in the last few weeks, it is not certain whether he must have been cowered or hardened. Whichever it is, Kogi’s election would be a blockbuster especially, when the governorship bout is not holding yet.

BENUE: GrazingRoutesStilltheIssue

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom and the presidency had a good sparring in the week, when they accused each other of hate campaigns.

In fact, the governor thought it was a move to set him up against the president and quickly dismissed it. But if anyone thought it was over, then, Buhari’s assertion about Benue’s grazing routes yet raised another round of debate, which forced the governor out again to say the state did not have grazing routes.

There is no doubting the fact that Benue and the presidency had pitched different tents since the 2018 New Year’s Day killing, which claimed 73 people and in fact, forced the governor out of the party. But with the election a few weeks away, the rivalry has increased and sure with some telling effect on the likely outcome of the elections.

AKWAIBOM AretheFortunesChanging?

In both camps of the two leading parties in the state – PDP and APC – things appear to be coming up fine as they both continue to count down to the elections. The PDP, Governor Udom Emmanuel had been having a bad time since his benefactor, Godswill Akpabio, defected to the PDP. This was also followed by a series of defections by many of his aides and appointees. But last week, a former speaker in the state and lead campaigner for Buhari, Ignatius Edet defected to the party with about 5000 supporters.

In almost equal breath, candidate of the APC in the state, Nsima Ekere secured the backing and endorsement of some key elders in the state. These two situations have naturally heightened the stakes and up the ante. Akwa Ibom is not going to be a walkover even though the incumbent might cashin on the weight of his office.

LAGOS ASampleofthePowerGame

Since the disrupted kick-off rally of the APC in Lagos some two weeks ago, things have not been the same again in the state. Some of the hardened supporters of the party had suspected official involvement in the attack, which reportedly left one dead and many injured, including the Treasurer of the NURTW in the state, Musiliu Akinsanya aka MC Oluomo.

But the power game became fiercer when the police commissioner in the state, Imohimi Edgal, was redeployed and another, Kayode Egbetokun moved in. But within 24 hours of this announcement, immediately after the change of guard at Abuja, a different signal came, which asked Edgal to stay back. Again, the move to remove Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has been renewed amid refusal by the state assembly to deal with the 2019 budget. This is already complicating the entire Lagos 2019 equation.

ENUGU FightingtheUnusualElements

If there is any state with the highest level of civility, Enugu State and its governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi could have no competitor. Despite

being in charge and with the general assumption that the election is his to lose, opposition still often rides roughshod over the state, not because the governor does not know what to do but refused for politics to turn him into a monster.

Last week, five campaign vehicles branded with the pictures of the governor and his running mate, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo were burnt by thugs suspected to be loyal to the opposition. That is only possible with a civil and cosmopolitan governor like Ugwuanyi.

Ironically, there is a swirling belief that such harassments have changed nothing but increased his chances. The governor knows he is dealing with strange elements and he is sure handling them well.

KATSINA It’sTwoFighting

One state whose electoral battle would be interesting is Katsina. This is because being the homestead of the president, there is a growing assumption that the election in the state is a walkover for Governor Aminu Masari. But that may be false assumption. That the security situation in the state has deteriorated despite being the home state of the president is enough sign that nothing can be taken for granted.

But the APC and PDP took their rivalry to a different level when the Katsina State Government through its Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Mustapha Inuwa, accused the PDP of buying the PVCs of its prospective supporters across the state. Funny! But the state PDP Chairman, Hon. Salisu Yusuf Majigiri, has dismissed the allegation, describing it as false and misleading. Katsina may shock many on February 16.

DELTA: ARefreshingTwist?

Arecent report has claimed that former Delta State governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, might pull off an upset in the race for Delta South senatorial seat, giving the impression that nothing is cast in stone yet as far as the election is concerned. Unfortunately, this has not changed the mindset of the ruling party, which has never seen him as a threat.

Even when he was in the party, the PDP hardly saw him as an asset, therefore, it would be intriguing to see the recent projection play out in a state, where heavily entrenched heavyweights play crucial roles in who emerges what? Delta is not friendly to any other party except the PDP hence the eagerness by many to see Uduaghan change the equation.

SituatingthePresidentialRun

Yesterday’s presidential debate that was jettisoned by the duo of Buhari and Atiku marked another low in the nation’s drive for a better electoral culture, which seeks to facilitate an improved leadership recruitment process. Although Atiku was present but declined to debate because the president was not present and tendered an apology, Buhari did not hint at his absence.

But kudos to the trio of Oby Eekwesili, Fela Durotoye and Kingsley Moghalu, who made it to the show and debated raging national issues.

In truth, it would have amounted to sheer waste of time not debating against a man, who was supposed to run on his record otherwise other debaters would have been scored against nothing. The race continues

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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 ˾ JANUARY 20, 2019

SPECIALREPORT

Supreme Court Judgment: Ogoni Community Celebrates, Set for N134bn from Shell After nearly 50 years of massive crude oil pollution and about 29 years of chequered and fierce legal battle in the Courts of Law, people of Ejama community in Eleme Local of Ogoniland breathed a sigh of relief as the Supreme Court dismissed Shell appeal against the Appeal of Court judgment, writes Davidson Iriekpen

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he central issue at the Court of Appeal was a finding by that Court as affirmed by the Supreme Court that Shell Companies as Appellants did not file a brief of argument as required by law. It was also found from the records that Shell Companies never applied for leave of that Court to file an Amended Brief of argument nor were they granted such leave by Hon My Justice Tsamiya led panel of that court on 9th Feb .2013 contrary to Shell’s claim on oath in that regard.

If Shell did not file a brief of argument, how can they file an Amendment to a non existent brief ?

It is against these findings of fact by the Court of Appeal that an aggrieved Shell took out an appeal to the Supreme Court.

It was the convention of the Ogoni respondents that for an appeal against factual findings to be valid, leave of the Court of Appeal or failing them, the Supreme Court must be first sought, had and obtained under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This was not done and as a result the Appeal was incurably incompetent and was accordingly dismissed with N500,000.00 costs against Shell.

For the people of Ejama Community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, the judgment of the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court, penultimate Friday was a great relief. For about 29 years, they were in court seeking redress for environmental degradation caused by crude oil exploration in their area by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC). To them, it was necessary to fight since the devastation of their environment had caused them a lot. Not only were their resources such as water and soil destroyed, their ecosystems, habitat and wildlife also affected through pollution.

To this end, their joy knew no bound when news filtered into the community that the Supreme Court had delivered judgment in their favour. Delivering a ruling on the appeal filed by SPDC which prevented First Bank of Nigeria Limited from paying the community a judgment debt now totalling N134 billion to the plaintiff community, the court only dismissed the case, but chastised the oil giant for wasting the time of the court.

Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs who read the ruling on behalf of other justices led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, said the notice of appeal filed by the oil giant was incompetent. He said motion filed on July 16, 2018 had no leg to stand on it ought not to have been filed and dismissed it in its entirety. The apex court consequently awarded N500,000 against Shell for filing an incompetent appeal in the court.

The suit commenced in 1991 before a Rivers State High Court sitting at Nchia Division, when the Ejama community represented by Isaac Osaro Ogbara, Victor Obari, John Oguru, Joseph Ogusu, G. O. Nnah, George Osaro, and Adanta Obelle, sued Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Netherlands, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, United Kingdom, and SPDC over alleged oil spills which occurred when Shell operated in the community in 1970s.

Judgment was entered for the sum of N6billion in favour of the community by the Nchia High Court. That judgment was conceded on appeal because the Supreme Court had in a sister case decided that states High Court have no jurisdiction in oil related matters.

The plaintiffs in 2001 refiled the suit at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt. After listening to the submissions of the parties in the suit, the presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba, in his judgment in 2010, awarded N17 billion to the representatives of the Ogoni people. The court equally granted the Ogoni chiefs 25 per cent interest charge on the principal sum of about N17 billion.

SPDC then appealed against the judgment and applied for a stay of execution of the judgment pending the appeal. As a condition for granting the stay of execution, the court required Shell’s bankers, FirstBank, to provide a guarantee of the judgment sum plus interest. This condition was complied with.

But Shell’s appeal failed on merit because it failed to file a brief of argument in support of their appeal but instead claimed that they were granted leave to file an amended brief of argument, which the Court of Appeal found not to be correct.

Against the agreement reached, Shell proceeded to the Supreme Court where its lawyer, Olanipekun (SAN), now leading Olawale Akanni (SAN) who was the company’s lawyer at the Court of Appeal when that appeal was dismissed, filed a fresh application asking for leave to amend the original notice of the appeal filed by Akoni at the Port Harcourt Court of Appeal registry in order for him to argue fresh points not raised at the court below and in order for him to argue 36 additional grounds of appeal.

Upon the new application at the apex court, the respondents’

Honourable Joseph Ogosu (middle) and cross section of the Ejamah representatives lawyer, led by Lucius Nwosu (SAN), filed a preliminary objection. It must be noted that the appellants against whom judgment was entered at the court of appeal are Shell companies – Shell International BV of the Netherlands, Shell International of UK, and Shell Development Company of Nigeria Ltd. Nwosu, assisted by Lawal Rabana (SAN) and others, argued that the findings of the Court of Appeal dismissing their appeal were based on facts, adding that the law is that an appeal must arise out of the decision complained against.

He stated that if the decision complained against was based on findings of fact, the constitution requires that you cannot appeal them except you first seek leave of the Court of Appeal. The respondents’ lawyer contended that since that notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal was filed without leave, it meant that the notice was incompetent and cannot be amended because it would mean putting something on nothing and expecting it to stand.

But Justice Akaahs citing a plethora of authorities to back up his submission, held that since the notice of appeal filed

by Shell sought to be amended was incompetent, no valid amendment could be effected because issues of fact or mix law and fact were raised in the original notice of appeal with leave of court.

The Supreme Court justice agreed with the submission of the lead counsel to Shell, Olanipekun, that an appellant who has a valid and subsisting appeal can seek the leave of court to do so, adding that in the instant case, there is no such valid notice of appeal that could be amended.

“Where the grounds of appeal are based on mixed law and facts and the leave of either the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court is not sought and granted, the appeal is incompetent and neither the Court of Appeal nor the Supreme Court will have any jurisdiction to entertain the appeal.

“As the notice of appeal sought to be amended was incompetent, no valid amendment could be effected even though issues of jurisdiction were raised in the proposed notice of appeal.

“Learned senior counsel for the appellants stated that correct legal position that the appellant who has a valid and subsisting appeal can seek the leave of court to do so but in the instant case, there is no such valid notice of appeal that can be amended, Justice Akaahs held.

However, while the case was still pending at the apex court, sensing that Shell was using delay tactics to prevent FirstBank from paying the judgment creditors the N17billion judgment debt, in December 2017, they commenced garnishee proceedings at the Federal High Court in Owerri

presided over by Justice Lewis Allagoa. They urged the CBN to pay them N122.53 billion out of FirstBank’s account in its custody.

THISDAY gathered that they calculated the principal sum of N17 billion and the accrued 25 per cent interest charge per annum to arrive at the sum of N122,533,403,392. In January 2018, Justice Allagoa granted them a temporary order (garnishee nisi) ordering the CBN to pay them the sum from FirstBank’s account with it.

But the CBN asked the court not to make absolute the temporary garnishee order it granted Ogoni chiefs representing the Ogoni community, compelling it to pay the sum of N122.53 billion on behalf of FirstBank. The apex bank’s lead counsel, Professor Fabian Ajogwu (SAN) while responding to the garnishee proceeding, stated that making the order absolute and compelling the CBN to pay out the huge sum would be against the interest of justice because the matter was still pending at the Supreme Court.

He also argued that compelling the CBN to pay the N122.53 billion from FirstBank’s funds domiciled with it could have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s oldest and biggest lender by assets and deposits, and a systemic impact on the rest of the financial system and wider economy.

With the dismissal of the Shell’s appeal last Friday, it is not clear if the application filed by the Ogoni chiefs seeking garnishee absolute against FirstBank and reserved for ruling

by Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos would not be granted.

With the dismissal of the Shell’s appeal penultimate Friday, it is not clear why the application filed by the Ogoni chiefs seeking garnishee absolute against FirstBank and reserved for ruling by Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos would not be granted.

Reacting to the Supreme Court judgment yesterday, Nwosu said: “With this decision, therefore, all arguments of FirstBank that Shell was on a further appeal at the Supreme Court for which they were reneging from honouring their obligation that was due by virtue of their guarantee has completely collapsed and as of today, the guarantee is standing at N134 billion, contingent liability of First Bank’s assets. And that there is a garnishee order nisi attaching First Bank’s money at the CBN which since had been served on the Central Bank.

“With this judgment now, the central bank is under an obligation to set aside that amount of money with interest still running from First Bank’s account to satisfy that judgment debt based on what the law says under garnishee orders.”

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An oil reďŹ nery

NNPC’s Insistence on Ending Fuel Importation in December Despite likelihoods of a slip, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) insists its goal of weaning Nigeria off imported petroleum products, especially premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise called fuel, would be met. Chineme Okafor wonders if the self-imposed deadline is sacrosanct

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he NNPC, in its September 2018 operations and financial report which THISDAY obtained shortly afteritwasreleasedacoupleofdays back, had indicated it would stick to the plans it had made to ensure Nigeria stopped importing petrol by the end of 2019.

Though a tall order from experts’ assessments of the options available to the corporation to meet the year-end target, it however explained in the monthly report, which usually comes belated that since it was the intention of the federal government that Nigeria ends petrol importation, it would abide by the deadline provided.

Indicating the government-imposed deadline was perhaps sacrosanct, the corporation equally stated it was making progress on the plan which means that its refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna, would have to ramp up their production levels to produce most of the petrol consumed in the domestic economy. “NNPC is intensifying efforts towards the rehabilitation of the refineries to meet the December, 2019 target of ending fuel importation,� the September report stated on the plan to meet the target.

What Brought the Deadline?

Based on an interview the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, had in 2017 with the BBC, and in which he vowed to resign his cabinet position if Nigeria continued to import fuel by 2019, the deadline to end petrol importation, thus came about.

In the interview, which lasted for about 23 minutes, Kachikwu, made promises to have the refineries of the NNPC absolutely repaired and working at maximum capacities, and when he was specifically asked when Nigeria was going to be self-sufficient in petroleum products refining, he declared that 2019 had been set as the target. “2019 is the target time‌ I target 2019. If I don’t achieve it, I will walk‌I put the date and I will achieve it,â€? said Kachikwu, in the interview.

Going further, Kachikwu, maintained again earlier

in 2018, that the 2019 target was still in place and that the country would in addition to revamping NNPC’s refineries, also expect the 650,000 barrel per day processing capacity Dangote refinery in Lagos, to come up and complement efforts at weaning itself from foreign-refined petrol.

He even explained that a steering committee he headed had been constituted to fine-tune the processes of getting this achieved.

Rationale Based on THISDAY’s conversations with experts in the downstream petroleum sector, apart from Nigeria’s annual expenditure on petrol importation which has continued to grow, the country has also lost huge economic opportunities from its failure to locally refine the petrol it needs.

For instance, analysts in a November 2018 Financial Times report on the state of Nigeria’s oil sector, explained that Nigeria’s annual expenditure on subsidising imported petrol was about $7 billion, and that the expected emergence of Dangote’s refinery could change the country’s energy balance and effectively send NNPC’s three refineries to their natural deaths because there would not be any need for them on the back of the production capacity of Dangote’s.

Again, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, recently disclosed that the total amount of under-recovery – a term now used by the corporation to describe the financial amount of subsidy the government absorbs for keeping the pump price of petrol at N145 per litre, was N25 per litre.

This figure when calculated against the three billion litres of petrol the corporation recently imported, suggested Nigeria may have recorded about N75 billion under-recovery in this regards.

Additionally, if calculated on the basis of 60 days, which the NNPC said the three billion litres it imported would last Nigeria, and which amounted to 50 million litres consumption per day, then the corporation may be recording an under-recovery of N1.250 billion daily to keep petrol pump price at government regulated price of N145 per litre, a decision experts view as wasteful and unproductive.

Thus, according to the market experts, to end importation of petrol means for Nigeria, to bring back jobs to her downstream oil sector and perhaps further enlarge its market clout across countries in the West African region where the NNPC claims most of the petrol it imports ends up through smuggling.

Moves Towards Target Tracking how well the NNPC has followed the paths it has set to ending petrol importation, THISDAY at the 175th meeting of the OPEC in Vienna, Austria, asked Kachikwu, what had been done to meet the target, and he disclosed the board of the corporation was on December 15, going to hold more discussions with investors to decide whether to continue with the planned upgrade of the refineries in Warri, Port Harcourt and Kaduna, or not.

He acknowledged that negotiations with investors for the refineries’ upgrade had been slow, and rather not as fast as he would have expected, but stressed that, “the board of the NNPC has decided that by December 15, we should draw a ceiling whether we should be going forward or not with investors.� “We think that we will be able to go forward with minor adjustments in terms of the terms and by first quarter of next year (2019), we begin to see some works begin at least with the initial ORBs,� added Kachikwu.

Also before the OPEC meeting, Kachikwu had earlier reportedly said at a Lagos meeting in November that it was no longer going to be possible to meet up with the plans to fix the moribund refineries and make them work in utmost capacity by 2019.

At the 18th edition of the International Biennial Health Safety and Environmental (HSE) Conference on the oil and gas industry in Nigeria organised by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Kachikwu, said “I am very excited about the development as they tend to create fuel sufficiency as well as employment opportunities.

We are also working hard to see the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) four refineries coming up with 425,000bd in 2020.�

At the moment, all of NNPC’s refineries have a combined installed production capacity of 445,000

barrels per day, but the monthly report of the corporation showed they maintained an average of 11.66 per cent production levels in the last 13 months, that is, between September 2017 and September 2018.

Tough Deadline Putting a perspective around the issue, one of the experts who agreed to speak with THISDAY, Mr. Dan Kunle, a global energy business advisor, who had worked with various energy agencies of the Nigerian government in the past, and understands the issues involved, explained it was a tough deadline.

Other experts THISDAY approached declined to comment on the basis that the issue had become mundane, and they were no longer interested in sharing their thoughts.

But Kunle stated that he was doubtful about the corporation meeting the target.

According to him, nothing the corporation has done so far with regards to the deadline looked concrete and convincing of it meeting the target. He clearly pointed out that the finances for the refineries upgrade would be a tough call to achieve, and even accused Kachikwu and officials of the NNPC of playing to the body-language of President Muhammadu Buhari, without concrete strategies to back their intentions. “How can they work? Who will invest to fix the refineries? How many months do they think it would take to fix the refineries, considering that the parts and units of the refineries would have to be produced first?,� asked Kunle.

He further said: “What were even the terms and conditions for the refinery upgrade programme, which is the contract between them and the vendor to rehabilitate the refineries? We don’t have the terms or how it was tendered. How will the refineries work this year and at what capacity exactly would they operate? By the way, they are working at maybe 10 per cent now, but that is epileptic. “We need to see the template and milestone of what they have done to make it work. The officials have played along with the body language of President Buhari, to say they will exit importation, but that is not the issue because we are still importing petrol and paying subsidy.�

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Ngige

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Kokori

An NSITF without a Board Onyebuchi Ezigbo

F

ive months to the end of the tenure of the present administration, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has remained without a board to enable it carry out its statutory functions.

President Muhammadu Buhari had appointed a former President of NUPENG, Chief Frank Kokori, as chairman of the NSITF, but the board was not inaugurated alongside others, namely, National Productivity Centre (NPC), National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Micheal Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS).

NSTIF is among the parastatals under the Ministry of Labour and Employment. It is one of the key instruments devised by the federal government to address poverty within the nation’s workforce and to protect workers from financial difficulties. The origin of the NSTIF can be traced to the Provident Fund Scheme which later became the Social Insurance Scheme NSITF, earlier known as the National Provident Fund (NPF) was established by an Act of Parliament in 1961 to provide a poverty alleviation measure as required by convention No.102 of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

At that time, the goal of the scheme was to protect private sector employees (whose employers were then mostly multinationals) from financial difficulties in the event of either old age, cessation of employment, invalidity or death.

Most employers didn’t have any scheme like this in place at that time.

Funds for the scheme was sourced from a monthly compulsory contribution by members at the rate of 6 per cent of basic salary subject to a maximum of N8 per month or a sum total of N96 per annum to be paid in equal proportion by the employer and the employee.

However, in the event of employment cessation, old age, invalidity or death, the cumulative amount contributed plus accrued interest (7per cent as at 1994) is calculated on a compound basis and paid to the contributor or his/ her dependent as the case may be. The Act was later amended by another Act of Parliament in 1962 to cover only employees in the private sector, who were not covered by the Pension Service Scheme.

This led to the federal government setting up the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) in July 1994. In line with the establishment Act, all employers of labour in the private sector in the

country were to contribute monthly and the organisation was expected to remit this sum to the NSITF coffers.

Controversy The trouble with the enthronement of the board of the NSITF started when the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said he had the instruction of President Muhammadu Buhari to stay action on inauguration of the board of the fund pending the outcome of an administrative enquiry set up by the ministry to investigate the alleged looting in the agency.

Lots of dust have been raised since the inauguration of the NSITF board was put in abeyance. The matter almost pitted the minister against the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole.

In a letter to dated 17th July 2018 with a reference number: No. ML.HMO/LAB/126/III/208 and addressed to Ngige explained that contrary to insinuations, the noninauguration of the board was not a deliberate act.

In the letter, the minister stated that the alleged involvement of some members of former board of NSITF in major issues of corruption involving about N48 billion, which comprises federal government and employers’ contributions to the Employees’ Compensation Fund plus some nonremitted PAYE taxes were some of the reasons the board was not inaugurated alongside that of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) whom is the chairman, National Productivity Centre and Michael Imoudu Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Ilorin, on March 8, 2018.

The issued has been addressed with the conclusion of investigation by the Economic and Financial Crime Commis-

sion (EFCC). Findings showed that the EFCC has not conducted investigation on the management of the NSITF, some persons indicted are currently being prosecuted.

However, another dimension was added to the intriguing controversy as the minister of labour said last week that all the board member-nominees for the NSITF have undergone screening with exception of two nominees from the NLC. He said the NLC nominees have so far declined to make themselves available for security screening, hence further delaying the inauguration of the fund’s board. The Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Nwachukwu Obidiwe, told THISDAY last Wednesday that the ministry is waiting for the NLC representatives to present themselves for security screening like other members of the board before the inauguration will take place.

But worried, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, has dismissed the excuses given by the ministry. First, Wabba said the issue of corruption probe could not be used to delay the commencement of work by the board, since the one the key essence of putting the board is to help in over-sighting the operations of the fund. Wabba said the EFCC had since submitted report of its investigation, noting that about three officials of NSITF had been taken to court over the allegations of financial misappropriation.

He also disagreed with the minister that two NLC representatives were the ones delaying the inauguration of the NSITF board. He told THISDAY last Thursday that contrary to claims by the minister that the NLC was being reluctant to present its nominees for security screening, it is the ministry that has been delaying the process. He said the ministry did not invite the NLC

The implication is that if the relevant bodies like the Central Bank of Nigeria and NLC, which should be on the board ensure that procedures were followed and funds are also secured have not been there, they cannot be able to conďŹ rm what has transpired

representative for the security screening.

According to Wabba, it was only last Tuesday that they received the letter of invitation for screening.

Wabba noted, “Our two representatives have submitted their names since more than two years ago. In fact, it was after I granted an interview on January 9 that the minister wrote us a letter on January 14 and said the screening of members of the board of the NSITF and the Michael Imoudu Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Ilorin in Kwara State has been done and that our two representatives were not available for screening and I responded immediately informing the minister that I have confirmed to him that our two nominees have not been invited for any screening.�

On the implications of the non-constitution of the parastatals board, Wabba said: “ The implication is that if the relevant bodies like the Central Bank of Nigeria and NLC, which should be on the board ensure that procedures were followed and funds are also secured have not been there, they cannot be able to confirm what has transpired. The functions of the NSITF board are statutory in nature because it is an Act of Parliament, which means these actions or oversight functions that ought to have been taken by board have not been exercised. There is no good compliments of good governance. Clearly, I think we need to have the board in place because the NSITF is very important to workers. It is where issues of accidents and workers’ occupational hazards are actually taken care of, including the issues of compensation. Employers pay money to ensure that their workers are adequately compensated in terms of accidents and social security cover .

In same vein, the Chairman-designate of new NSITF board , Mr. Frank Kokori, has also expressed displeasure at the turn of events. Kokori was reported as having said he suspects some insiders are afraid of “the big wand the board may wave once inaugurated�. “I suspect that they don’t want somebody of high integrity so sit down there to correct what is happening.

Maybe my name is what is frightening some people inside, people who benefit from the rot.�

With extension of invitation to the NLC representatives on the board of NSITF to appear for security screening, it is expected that the new board soon take off after inauguration and be able to chat a new course and strive to provide the needed succor to long-suffering Nigerian workers. Notwithstanding the loss in time, an effective board and management team can still make the desired impact.

23

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍ¸Ëœ ͺ͸͚Î

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Election Spending May Worsen Inflation Outlook As inflation continued its upward trajectory in December, experts predict a further rise particularly as the general elections draw closer, reports James Emejo

A typical ďŹ sh market in Lagos

F

ueled by increases in consumer prices including food and services, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which gauges inflation, increased to 11.44 per cent (year-on-year) in December 2018 compared to 11.28 per cent in the preceding month.

The 0.16 percentage points increase from November estimates resulted from increases recorded in all the divisions that determine the headline index.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in its latest inflation estimates for the period under review, stated that core inflation was unchanged from the 9.80 per cent recorded in November.

On month-on-month basis, the core sub-index increased by 0.50 per cent in December, down by 0.18 per cent when compared with 0.68 per cent in November.

The highest increases were recorded in prices of domestic services and household services, dental services, garments, narcotics, major household appliances whether electronic or not, medical services, cleaning, repair and hire of clothing and tobacco.

The average 12-month annual rate of change of the index was 10.51 per cent for the twelvemonth period ending in December, representing 0.19 per cent points lower than 10.70 per cent recorded in the preceding month.

Also, food inflation was recorded at 13.56 per cent in the month under review compared to 13.30 per cent in November.

According to the NBS, the composite food index rose by 13.56 per cent in December compared to 13.30 per cent in November.

The rise in the food index was largely caused by increases in prices of soft drinks, fish, bread and cereals, oils and fats, coffee, tea and cocoa, meat, milk, cheese and egg, vegetables, potatoes, yam and other tubers.

On month-on-month basis, the food sub-index increased by 0.81 per cent in December, down by 0.09 per cent points from 0.90 per cent recorded in the preceding month.

The average annual rate of change of the food sub-index for the twelve-month period ending in December over the previous twelve-month average was 14.35 per cent, 0.45 per cent points from the average annual rate of change recorded in November (14.80) per cent.

In addition, the urban inflation rate increased to 11.73 per cent (year-on-year) in December from 11.61 per cent in November, while the rural index increased to 11.18 per cent in December from 10.99 per cent in the preceding month.

Inflationary pressures often constitute adverse impact on monetary policy as it affects price stability and also necessitates for tightening of monetary policy instruments.

In the process, it compounds credit to the real sector particularly small businesses which find it difficult to borrow at high interest rates.

High inflation also has the potential to cause an artificial devaluation of the country’s currency as it loses purchasing power and value and affects exchange rates.

Unfortunately, the scenario will ultimately translate to more hardship for Nigerians and further dampen efforts to reduce poverty.

This explains why the trajectory of the headline index had been of serious concern for monetary authorities particularly central banks.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had been struggling to push inflation to single digit through several interventions, but prices of commodities had gotten out of hands in recent times.

Nonetheless, there are yet increasing concerns that inflation could bite harder in subsequent months especially as the country approaches the general election because more money will be flooded into the economy as politicians spend more money to secure victory, a development that could lead to more liquidity in circulation, an essential ingredient for inflation.

Also of particular concern for analysts is the issue of the proposed minimum wage increase for workers, which is also expected to lead to further inflationary pressures.

Commenting on the inflation report and future outlook, Nigeria’s first professor of Capital Market

and the President, Association of Capital Market Academics of Nigeria, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, said he expected the headline index to further increase in January.

According to him, the uptick in the CPI figure for December should not come as a surprise considering that the month is characterised by increase in the demand for goods especially food. “It is what I call the ‘Santa Claus’ effect. This explains why the rise in the inflation rate from 11.28 percent in November 2018 to 11.44 per cent in December came from the increase in the volatile food index from 13.30 per cent to 13.56 per cent, while the core index remained same at 9.8 per cent.�

He added:“It is also vital to note that the food items that increased in price were chiefly those that are usually in high demand during festive periods such as soft drinks, fish, cereals and tubers. “I expect the ‘Santa Claus’ effect to linger into January 2019, which is likely to record a higher inflation rate. This will however begin a gradual climb down from February or by March this year. “Expected improvements in food supply, power and transport infrastructure in particular as well as stability in exchange rate given the country’s huge external reserves needed to defend the naira will help the government achieve its single digit inflation target of 9.98 percent contained in the 2019 budget.�

Also, a source told THISDAY that the country may yet witness further accentuation of inflation headwinds if CBN was unable absorb the current pressure in forex demands and adjust the currency after election in February.

According to him, NBS reported that headline inflation rose to 11.44 per cent year-on-year in the month of December 2018, from 11.28 per cent year-on-year in the month of November 2018. “On a month-on-month basis, headline inflation declined by 6 basis points to 0.74 per cent, from 0.80 per cent.

Higher food prices drove the headline inflation due in large part to increased consumer spending in festive season of December.

“Locally-produced food prices rose by 13.56 per cent in December 2018, relative to 13.30 per cent in November 2018. Increased food prices in 2018 suggest the impact of election-induced spending,� he pointed out.

He also said,�A sustained increase in headline inflation is anticipated, albeit at a slower pace.

Headline inflation may rise further in January largely due to election-related activities, as the 2019 General elections draw closer and moderate from March.�

Further commenting on the latest inflation figures, analysts at Cordros Securities Limited stated that, “With minimum wage still hanging in the air, we expect the dual impact of slight uptick in core inflation and faster deceleration in food basket to midwife a reversal in the headline inflation trend in January.�

They added in a report obtained by THISDAY that on account of a steeper decline in demand for farm produce following the end of festive season, they anticipate that month-on-month food inflation would moderate slightly by two basis points to 0.79 per cent. “However, whilst we expect forex to remain largely range-bound, together with tame energy prices, we see scope for mild uptick in the m/m core inflation as election-related spending intensifies. Overall, we look for January m/m headline inflation of 0.73 per cent translating to year-on-year figure of 11.37 per cent. “Further, we reiterate the implementation of the new minimum wage, currency devaluation, as well as petrol and electricity price hikes, as notable upside risks to inflation in 2019, with year-end forecast of 13.55 per cent year-on-year.�

On its part, Cowry Assets Management Limited predicted further upward pressure on general price level of goods and services in January 2019 as presidential election campaigns intensify.

However, as the Monetary Policy Committee of the CBN converge for its first meeting of the year this week, inflation is likely to be the focus of its deliberations and may compel the apex bank to adjust key monetary instruments to counter the emerging threats to price stability.

24

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BASIL AGBOARUMI

Agboarumi

Nigerian Aviation Can Compete with the Best of this World

Built from the ashes of the dead Nigeria Airways, hitherto the national carrier, Skyway Aviation Handling Company PLC (SAHCO), an aviation handling company, is occupying an enviable position in the business. Now in its about 10 years as a privatized entity, having been bought over by Sifax Group, under the privatisation programme of the federal government, the company’s story and that of its investors, is not of regret, but fulfillment. SAHCO’s Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mr. Basil Agboarumi, in this interview with Kunle Aderinokun and Bamidele Famoofo, speaks about the prospects and challenges in the aviation handling industry, particularly, the effect of Nigeria’s economic slowdown, just as he provides insights on the company’s operations, its recent introduction to the capital market and aspiration. Excerpts:

H

ow has Nigeria’s economic slowdown affected SAHCO’s operations?

Let me start by explaining what we do as an aviation handling company.

You know that the aviation sector is the backbone of any economy. What we do is to the other players in the economy. Without aviation nothing much will happen in the economy. Like l tell people, l say everybody needs aviation. Whether you are a banker or even in the maritime industry, everybody needs aviation to get things done. Aviation is the propeller of the economy.

Without aviation there is no economy. So, when you look at it, you will realise that there is a connection with the economy.

Policies are formulated sometimes that affect the operations of the sector. You would remember that in 2016, the economy entered into recession and a year after, we were told that we

are out of recession. But during that time, aviation was badly affected. Some people who used to travel by air decided not to travel by air any longer while some who engage in import and export of goods also held on especially during that period of time when foreign exchange was not stable. People who are in business would want to know what foreign exchange would be the next day before they take decision.

Due to the economic challenge in that period, l can tell you that a major airline, who wanted to come into the country to do business pulled out. Some others also pulled out and that affected travelling. All that was a loss to the aviation industry at the time.

Last year also government tried to come up with a national carrier, which some of us in this part of the world believe we should have, but it did not come out as a success. There were projections, which we had that did not materialize as a result of the setback caused by the recession. But generally

looking at things from 2015 to 2018, one can conclude that 2018 was better than the previous three years because things were more stable in 2018.

How did your company ďŹ nd its way around the challenges ?

At a point, l have understood that to do business successfully in Nigeria, you need a very large heart. Our kind of businesses, especially when it comes to providing ground handling services for airlines, is a tough one in this part of the world. Last year, l can tell you that we decided to do certain things in term of expanding our businesses and that has to do with bringing in new equipments to enhance our operations. Before now, we have been importing equipments but last year we decided to import more modern equipments which cost us a fortune. Let me put it this way that what we would spent to bring in three equipments in the past was not

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25

Aviation is the Propeller of the Economy even enough to import one this time around.

Yet, we must bring in this equipment to be able to continue to render quality services to our clients. It was tough, but we just have to squeeze ourselves to get it done. As l talk to you now, some of the equipment started coming in from December last year. We are commissioning few of them very soon. Yet some are still being cleared as l talk to you now. It was a tough business decision, but as painful as it was, we needed to do it to continue to be relevant in this kind of business of ours. I can tell you that it has not been easy doing business in this particular sector of the economy. I tell people that when you talk about the aviation sector or the airline business, the success begins from the ground because if there is failure on ground, we cannot be talking of success in the air. And because airline is timely we needed to do everything to make sure that we render quality services to avoid delay on ground which may affect every other aspect of the flight. So many things could cause delay. It may be the inability to provide quality equipment that will help deliver quality service at the ground level or being unable to provide the expertise that is required. That is why we have continued to equip ourselves to ensure we continue to render quality services to our clients.

Given the picture you have painted about Nigeria’s aviation sector, would you say SAHCO is competitive?

You see there is nothing like Nigeria aviation.

And l can tell you that we compete with the best anywhere in the world. The only thing is that what we have to go through to compete is where the issues lie. I tell you, we are rated as one of the best anywhere in the world. We go through the same certifications. For instance the handling companies have what we call the ISAGO certification. We are also audited by external auditors which IATA has to send from other parts of the world. We had auditors come in here. In fact, there was a case in question recently when an auditor, who works for one of our major clients; he is in charge of Middle East and Africa. He came in here for audit, but sometimes l needed to find out their independent feedback about our operations. So l asked him and he asked me if l wanted to hear the honest truth about our report. I told him he has done his job, but we must talk outside the books. He said in Africa and Middle- East, he has not seen a ground handling company like SAHCO. He told us that there is only one ground handling company in Middle East that he tried to match our services with. But he said we still stand out from that ground handling company because the people at the top in SAHCO are more easily accessible to customers than what is obtainable in the Middle East and particularly the ground handling company in question. Yes, what we do is that apart from the fact that we are professionals and we try to offer professional services, we still attach a face to the services we render to our clients. We don’t joke with relationship here. He observed it and he spoke about it to us. So when we talk in terms of matching our services with others, we go out and we see what is obtainable elsewhere and so when we import equipment, we go for the best. I know the kind of regards the manufacturers of these equipment have for us, because they can see in us the courage to go for best. Even some, who are based where the equipment is manufactured does not have the courage to go for the best, and yet we do.

What changes have happened since the Sifax Group took over the operations in SAHCO Plc a few years back?

First, having been here for quite a time and also knowing what has happened in the country those periods, l would say SAHCO is blessed to have had someone like Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, who through Sifax Group bought into SAHCOL (now SAHCO Plc). To me, l see it as a blessing. On many occasions l have said God just loves this company because you need to understand where we are coming from.

SAHCOL used to be an offshoot of Nigeria Airways. Of course Nigeria Airways is now history. Now you have a company that came out of that ashes and was dying, because at a point, government felt it could no longer run with the burden. So, they did something about it. The process of privatisation was what

Agboarumi

they took. We had so many companies that bid. After the first stage, both the preferred bidder and the one that was next were unable to pay. And suddenly government through the BPE came up with what they called the willing buyer, willing seller option .I was in that room that day when all of them were to submit their envelopes, and Sifax Group submitted N5.25billion and they were able to pay within the stipulated time, and they took over. At the time they came in, SAHCOL was a company nobody wanted to do business with.

As at that time, it does not have what it takes to provide the services that airlines needed.

Meanwhile you could not fault the ingenuity of the staff as we had very passionate people, who are committed to their work even without government providing what was required to work. Then the Sifax group came in and it was like a miracle that happened in the company.

The first thing Sifax did was to make massive investment in the company. All my years of working in this industry, l have not seen that kind of massive deployment of investment. The volume of brand new equipment pushed into this company within the first three years was massive. And that was like the game changer in the company. As at that time too, we were not an ISAGO-certified organisation. We put in for that and got certified. Massive training was also taking place at the same time in the company. As an individual, for instance, the training l got in the space of two years after Sifax came in was massive. They brought in trainers from abroad to provide training for everybody. There was a software we did not have that made us not to be competitive, we got that also. So, for the first time; airlines started coming to do business with us.

Before the coming of Sifax, we did not have a corporate headquarters where we operated from as we operated from porta cabin. But we now have this place today. As at that time, we did not have a warehouse, where any airline will want to have its cargo .But now, we have a very modest warehouse that l must let you know is among the best is Africa and the best in West Africa.

These were the blessings that Sifax Group brought to us. Since that time, it has been from one glory to the other as we have more and more airlines leaving the competitors to do business with us. Apart from the aforementioned, another good thing that happened with privatisation of SAHCOL was Sifax retaining staff of the company. Usually people are afraid of job losses, but in this case more jobs were created. As at time of privatisation, we had about 900 staff, but as at today we have about 1,500. Since Sifax took over, we don’t have the reason to owe salaries as staff are now paid

as and when due, even during the recession.

Since that time when Sifax took over, salary has also grown.

Beyond the beneďŹ ts the Sifax Group has brought to SAHCO staff, will you say Sifax has taken a wise investment decision acquiring this company?

Well, when you talk about Sifax, I like referring to Dr. Taiwo Afolabi as he is the only face of Sifax that is visible. If you look at all his companies, you will see that they are truly indigenous. If a company like this were to be in other hands, you would have seen many foreign faces and expatriates, but that is not the story. So, he is one man that believes in investing in Nigeria. And of course you would have asked, what happened to companies that have been privatised before? You know that people just buy the companies and they strip their assets. Dr. Afolabi is well spoken about everywhere. He is a man with a good heart.

He said this is his own way of giving back to Nigeria. l can tell you that after many years of investing in this place, rather than take money from the company, he would rather re-invest the profit. He is not like most Nigerians you are in a hurry to make the money. His intention was to build and that is what has taken us to where we are today.

So back to your question, his decision was a very wise one, rather than say it was a wise investment. He had other options to put his money elsewhere and that is why l said his decision was a blessing to this company.

SAHCO recently approached the capital market . What prompted the company?

I knew we would get to this. It’s good we are talking about it now. I will explain. In 2009 when SAHCOL was being privatised, there was an agreement and that was part of the agreement. In 2009 100 per cent of SAHCOL was handed over to Sifax with the agreement that after a period of time, a certain percentage of the shares of the company would be sold to the Nigerian public. Also, a percentage will go to the staff. Meanwhile, before now, we have been under the watchful eyes of BPE. Every year, they come in to see how we are doing .The final one was in 2017 when current director general of BPE visited this place and he could not believe what he saw and he said it was time for us to let go and we agreed to give out the shares meant for the Nigerian public, though we could have argued that the stock market was not ready for such capital raise at the time given the lull in activities in the market then. But being an organisation that does business with a high level of integrity, we just had to let go.

Then the process of taking it up started and that was how the IPO went through. What we agreed was to take out 49 per cent for the Nigerian public and the staff of SAHCO. The staff is entitled to 10 per cent while the public have the rest.

Now, the decision to go public via IPO will change so many things about your company. How prepared are you for this change?

Even before the IPO, we were prepared.

We have taken ourselves to the public even before we were asked to do so. We have already organised a retreat for the directors and staff because we know that there are things we need to imbibe before we go public. We have been prepared for the next level even before the IPO came on board. We have already seen ourselves as a public quoted company so that from the board, management and staff aspects, there will not be any problem.

Are you saying investing in the shares of SAHCO will be beneďŹ cial to the shareholders?

It is the best decision anybody could take in this dispensation. There are equipment we are about to launch and there are some that are still under production. I was just told that some of them will be ready before the end of this quarter. So, when the airlines know that you have what it takes to give them the kind of services they need, then they are comfortable with you. Like l said, the clients also know that we are not just their handlers, we are a partner with them to achieve success.

Having achieved this much, where do you see this company in the next 10 years?

Like l said, everybody in business wants to grow. No matter the growth level you have achieved, you must continue to grow. That is why someone, who is the richest in the world still would continue to do things that would make him richer. One thing we try to do as an aviation handling company is to provide safety and that we will continue to ensure. We will consolidate on safety. We are promising safe ground handling service. We know what to do. We will also continue to align ourselves with international best practices to serve our clients better. Since aviation is timely, we will keep giving our clients quick ground handling services.

The SAHCO of 10 years to come is that company that will give you an excellent ground handling services which the customers will always come back to enjoy. Those are the three things we are promising: safe, speedy and excellent ground handling services.

26

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Ëš

Ahmed

Udoma

Ogbeh

Adamu

FG Presents Buhari’s Economic Scorecard James Emejo

T

he Banquet Hall of the State House was packed as the Economic Management Team (EMT) updated representatives of the private sector from all over Nigeria on the economy at the 10th Presidential Quarterly Busi-

ness Forum. “We didn’t know you have done so much,�

Chief (Mrs.) Nike Akande, the President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry and honorary life Vice-President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, said during the interactive session.

Six ministers had taken turns to brief the leaders of the Organised Private Sector in a manner that told the story of the economy and addressed contemporary issues.

They were Budget and National Planning Minister, Udoma Udo Udoma; Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed; Minister of Agriculture, Aude Ogbeh; Industry, Trade and Investment Minister, Okechukwu Enelamah; Works, Power and Housing Minister, Babatunde Fashola; and Water Resources Minister, Suleiman Adamu.

With sharp drop in oil revenue from N4.076 trillion in 2014 to N1.439trillion in 2016, and no savings to fall back on, the economy was heavily challenged with exchange rate instability, declining reserves, soaring inflation from 8.2 per cent in 2014 to 18.5 per cent in 2016. There were also challenges at the sub-national level.

GDP growth slowed down to 2.11 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2015 and continued to decline through 2016 resulting in the recession.

According to Udoma, the EMT responded positively with a strategic federal budget in 2016 budget, and the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan to stem the slide.

The key fiscal priorities under the ERGP included enhancing revenue generation, collection & monitoring; fiscal consolidation by optimising priority capital and recurrent expenditure; optimising management of both domestic and global fiscal risks; and increased coordination of fiscal, macroeconomic, monetary & trade policies.

Expectedly, there was an urgent need to shore up revenue. The measures undertaken included positive engagement with communities in the Niger Delta to stop shut-in of oil production; transition from joint venture cash calls to a new cost recovery funding mechanism; executive order on remittances of GOEs operating surplus; and the introduction of the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) resulting in number of tax payers rising from 13 to 19 million.

Alongside those were measures to improve public finance efficiency with the implementation of the Treasury Single Account; a whistle blowing policy; establishment of Efficiency Unit to cut costs and block leakages; and the Integrated Payroll Personnel System (IPPIS) implemented

across MDAs to enhance efficiency and eliminate unjustified payroll entries, etc.

In line with the ERGP, government increased CAPEX dramatically in the annual budgets.

At the sub-national level, a fiscal sustainability plan with the states was adopted.

Acknowledging the role of industrialisation and the importance of the private sector in reviving the economy, the federal government stepped up the implementation of the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan with the establishment of the Nigeria Industrial Policy and Competitiveness Advisory Council, comprised the government and private sector representatives at the highest level. It serves as a vehicle for partnering with the private sector on the industrialisation agenda and on infrastructure development.

In the agriculture sector, initiatives were undertaken.

The Anchor Borrower’s scheme by the Central Bank of Nigeria kicked off resulting in massive cereals production and reduction of imports.

Over N120.6 billion has so far been disbursed to more than 800,000 farmers. Eleven fertiliser blending plants with a capacity of 2.1 million metric tons were revitalised, and a Special Presidential Committee on key commodities set up.

To address poverty, the federal government introduced the N500 billion Social Investment Programmes across the 36 states of the federation.

It includes the N-Power, Home Grown School Feeding, and Conditional Cash Transfer, among others meant to assist petty traders, university graduates, NCE holders and other less-privileged Nigerians.

Results The ministers listed the gains of the recovery process thus: r(SPXUI JO 3FBM (%1 BU QFS DFOU JO 2 2018, up from 1.50 per cent in Q2 2018 and 1.17 per cent in the corresponding quarter of 2017.

The performance was driven by the non-oil sector, which grew by 2.32 per cent in Q3 2018, representing the strongest growth in the sector for 12 consecutive quarters since Q4 2015. r 5IF 4FSWJDFT 4FDUPS DPOUJOVFE UP TUSFOHUIFO in Q3 2018, recording its best performance over 10 quarters, growing by 2.64 per cent compared to 2.12 per cent in Q2 2018 and a contraction of -2.66 per cent in Q3 2017. r 5IF ESBH UP (%1 HSPXUI JO BDDPSEJOH UP the government, was largely due to a contraction in the crude oil and gas sectors and a slowdown in the agriculture sector, which was affected by temporary production and security challenges in the North-east and North-central zones as well as incidences of flooding. r 'PSFJHO FYDIBOHF NBSLFU USFOET TIPX TUBCJMJUZ with convergence between the interbank rate (NIFEX) and NAFEX over the past 12 months r%FDMJOF PG JOĂĄBUJPO SBUF CFMPX &3(1 UBSHFU of 12.4 per cent for 2018 r CJMMJPO DBQJUBM JNQPSUBUJPO JO UIF UIJSE quarter of 2018, a 56.7percent increase compared to the corresponding period of 2016. They maintained that the recent outflow by portfolio investors was due to developments in the external environment.

r 4VTUBJOFE BDDSFUJPO UP FYUFSOBM SFTFSWFT XIJDI SFDPWFSFE GSPN 64 CJMMJPO JO .BZ UP 64 CJMMJPO CZ NJE %FD r1VSDIBTJOH .BOBHFS T *OEFY 1.* B LFZ indicator to assessing the health of the manufacturing sector, in the month of Dec. 2018 stood at 61.1 index points, indicating expansion in the sector for the twenty-first consecutive month. r 6OEFS UIF 4PDJBM *OWFTUNFOU 1SPHSBNNF 1,378,804 loans successfully disbursed in the Govt. Enterprise & Empowerment Programme (GEEP), with 1,061,592 loans under the TraderMoni Scheme. r 6OEFS UIF $POEJUJPOBM $BTI 5SBOTGFS TDIFNF 297,973 people were supported with transfers of 5,000 in 217 LGAs across 20 states, while 2,530 community facilitators were trained. r NJMMJPO TDIPPM DIJMESFO XFSF GFE VOEFS the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme in 49,000 schools across 24 states; and 96,972 catering staff were engaged; and r HSBEVBUFT CFOFĂ UUFE GSPN UIF N-Power Programme.

Udoma described the results as the building of momentum. “Although the real GDP growth is still low, it’s a movement in the right direction, especially with regard to the non-oil sector performance,� he said. “We are focused on diversification of the economy, in partnership with the private sector.�

The ministers detailed out other achievements they have recorded so far. On power, Fashola said: “The administration has methodically and diligently identified both the quick wins to deliver and the teething, but avoidable challenges in the transmission and distribution networks to correct them. “We have taken bold steps to nipping the challenges in the bud. The notable projects that had dragged for too long are now being completed and commissioned and to increase speed in performance, our administration has introduced the Power Sector Recovery Programme through which funds are being injected into the sector and new strategies evolved to strengthen existing policies in order to achieve our objective of incremental, stable and uninterruptable power supply. “Also, in order to have a robust Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and by also exporting electricity to neighbouring African countries, the Discos have been mandated to metre all their customers. Attainment of this feat will make NESI a key player in the West African Power Pool (WAPP).�

Among the projects expected to increase power supply soon from the current 7,000MW are the 40mw Kashimbilla Power in Taraba and Benue;700mw Zungeru Hydropower Plant and the 215mw Kaduna Power Plant, 2x60mva Substation & 2x1.5mltrs AGO Tanks.

The reforms the Ministry of Trade and Investment, under the leadership of Enelamah is leading, include improvement in the Ease of Doing Business, with the target of achieving a sub-100 World Bank ranking this year and the establishment of Nigerian Industrial Policy & Competitiveness Council, which aims to increase

the contribution of the manufacturing sector to GDP by 250 per cent over a five-year period, and establish Nigeria as the manufacturing hub for West Africa, by implementing initiatives aimed at accelerating industrialisation by leveraging private sector expertise and capital as well as reforms of the automotive sector towards making the country the automotive hub in West Africa; and the building of special economic zones.

Enelamah explained that, “In accordance with the Economic Recovery & Growth Plan, which identifies the development of special economic zones as a major strategic tool to accelerate the implementation of the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan, Project Made in Nigeria for Exports (MINE) was envisioned by the Ministry and the Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority to develop SEZs to world-class standards and position Nigeria as the pre-eminent manufacturing hub in sub-Saharan Africa and become a major exporter of made-in-Nigeria goods and services regionally and globally.

Among other objectives, the project seeks to aid structural transformation of the Nigerian economy by increasing the manufacturing sector’s contribution to GDP to 20 per cent by 2025; contribute to sustainable inclusive growth by creating 1.5 million new direct manufacturing jobs in the initial phase of Project MINE; and increase and diversify foreign exchange earnings UP BU MFBTU 64 CJMMJPO BOOVBMMZ CZ CZ increasing manufacturing sector exports.

Other reforms include the creation of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiation; improved access to financing for Medium and Small Scale Enterprises and the delivery of technology-enabled solutions to ease business for MSMEs; as well as the modernisation of the intellectual property registries.

The minister also said between January 2015 and October 2018, the Bank of Industry disbursed a total of N487.5 billion to 3,334 large, medium and small enterprises.

Speaking on some other achievements of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, Adamu, the minister of water resources, disclosed that his ministry inherited 116 major ongoing and abandoned projects on assumption of office in 2015. They included 38 projects on irrigation and drainage, 27 dams.

He said with the deployment of resources towards completing and commissioning of all the high and medium priority projects, 11 projects have been completed and inaugurated, while six are ready, waiting to be inaugurated. “We also plan to complete many more water supply, dam and irrigation projects including seven water supply projects, and 13 dams and irrigation projects between now and 2020.�

Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters in the Office of the Vice-President, Dr. Yemi Dipeolu, who closed the session with a vote of thanks, described it as engaging and commended members of the organised private sector for their presence and consistency. “We continue to take your views and advice seriously,� he assured them on behalf of the EMT, headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

5 ) * 4 % ": t SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2019

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ÍşÍ¸Ëœ ͺ͸͚Π˞ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

DETECTIVES RAMP UP PROBE OF ONNOGHEN’S ACCOUNTS the nature of the transaction (including structured payments), are not typical of the financial transactions of a Public Servant.�

News reports also revealed that, “Following the screening of the CJN’s accounts, detectives have discovered that the turnover does not tally with funds in other accounts. “He needs to explain the sources of some extra inflows into other accounts. The government may ask any of the anti-graft agencies to look into the latest discoveries.�

It was also learnt that some salary schedule officers might be interrogated by detectives, according to the report.

But security operatives have also denied any restrictions on the CJN account, particularly the five undeclared accounts of the CJN, believed to have about $3million.

The accounts were not declared by the CJN in his Asset Declaration Form.

Last week, the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), acting on the strength of a purported petition by some Dennis Aghanya, a former media aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, recommended the trial of the CJN by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

The CJN was subsequently summoned by the tribunal to appear before the CCT to defend himself for failure to fully declare his assets.

But the development caused widespread outrage across the country with many

reading political motivation to the planned arraignment and trial.

The arraignment was expected to take place on January 14, but the CJN failed to appear in court as his lawyer rushed to a Federal High Court, Abuja, to secure an order restraining the CCT from trying the CJN. As news of the summon broke last week, lawyers, civil society groups and prominent individuals rose to condemn the government for attempting to humiliate the Chief Justice of the country, warning of unintended consequences that might spiral out of country. The case was adjourned till January 22, on the grounds that the CJN was not properly served.

Again, yesterday, the Body of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (BOSAN) held an emergency meeting at the law school, deploring the attempt to arraign the CJN and insisting that due process must be followed.

However, many had wondered at the speed the petition was written, investigated and referred for trial.

Following the ordeal of the CJN in the hands of the CCB, many recall the reason CCB gave for declining copies of the president's assets declaration form.

They had come under the Freedom of Information Act but CCB declined to release the forms citing the need to protect the privacy of the president.

CCB's response to Jamiu Akolade, a lawyer, who had written to the bureau demanding of Buhari and Osinbajo to declare their assets, was instructive. The letter, dated August 25, 2015, was signed by Mrs. Ijeanuli Arinze Ofor for the CCB Chairman.

The letter read: "We acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 15th August, 2015 and refer to same.

"In line with the requirement of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) on assets declarations, President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo have declared their assets and the declarations are in the bureau's custody.

"However, it is conceded that section 1(1), (3) and (4) of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2011 guarantees the right of a person to access or request information whether or not in written form, in the custody of any public agency. “Conversely, by virtue of sections 12 (1)(a)(v), 14 (1) (b) and 15(1)(a) of the same Act, the bureau is not under any obligation to grant your request, which constitutes invasion of personal privacy.

Assets declarations by public officers contain such personal information which falls within the exemptions to the disclosure of information in the FOIA. "Furthermore, paragraph 3(c) of the 3rd Schedule, Part 1 of the 1999 Constitution

P H OTO S P E A K

provides that Code of Conduct Bureau shall make assets declarations of public officers available for inspection by any citizen of Nigeria only on such terms and conditions prescribed by the National Assembly. “However, the terms and conditions under which that can be done are yet to be prescribed by the National Assembly. In view of the aforementioned, the bureau hereby declines your request."

Against this backdrop, the question many are asking is why the CCB obliged the accounts of the CJN to the petitioner.

The federal government has preferred a six-count criminal charge against Onnoghen before the CCT over his alleged failure to declare some of his assets. The CCT scheduled Onnoghen's arraignment for last Tuesday but the arraignment did not take place owing to the absence of the CJN, who claimed he was not properly served with the summons of the tribunal. This led Chairman of the CCT, Danladi Umar, to adjourn till January 22 for the arraignment with an order that the defendant be personally served with the tribunal summons.

Presidency denies plans to arrest CJN But there were rumours that the federal government planned to arrest the CJN this week and frame up

P H OTO S P E A K

Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar (acknowledging cheers from the crowd); Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council and Senate President , Bukola Saraki (r); Muazu Babangida Aliyu (l) ; Ben Obi and other PDP stalwarts, during Atiku’s arrival from the United States at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja... yesterday

Former Vice President and PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, exchanging pleasantries with Presidential Candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Kingsley Moghalu, at the venue of the presidential debate in Abuja... yesterday

some other justices of the apex court.

The presidency statement denied the rumour and alleged that the insinuation was conceived to put the executive and the judiciary on a collision course to create crisis ahead of the forthcoming polls.

The statement said, “We have read with considerable concern and surprise, the fake news of the Presidency's alleged plan to arrest the Chief Justice of Nigeria and frame three other Supreme Court Justices. “This false story is being peddled by the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), apparently, to set the judiciary against the executive and cause major confusion ahead of the forthcoming general elections. “The story is absolutely false, as the Presidency is not in any way involved in plotting against or framing anybody. “We note that the findings of the Code of Conduct Bureau against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, and the allegations arising from them, are being handled by the courts in the normal way, as is expected in a democratic society like ours.

The Presidency has not, and will certainly not, interfere in the process. “We, however, want to draw the attention of the general public to this or similar false stories, which are ill-motivated to further the political interests of

their sponsors. “While the Buhari administration is very firmly committed to the fight against corruption, we want to assure the general public that government will always pursue its mission with the highest standards of fairness, and in strict conformity with the relevant laws.�

Body of SANs deplores planned arraignment Meanwhile, BoSAN, after a crucial meeting in Lagos over the CJN’s trial and other matters of national importance, urged careful handling of the issue, saying it is capable of hurting the country's democracy as well as the administration of criminal justice.

In a communiquĂŠ signed by Professor Ben Nwabueze, SAN, and Seyi Sowemimo, SAN, BoSAN said it “deplores the situation that has arisen from the preferment of charges against the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and head of the Nigerian Judiciary before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).â€?

It urged respect for the constitution, the rule of law, separation of powers, due process, and the proper administration of justice.

The communiquĂŠ said, “In the prevailing circumstances, all parties are urged to consider the impact of their respective actions on the administration of justice in Nigeria and public confidence in our institutions.

P H OTO S P E A K

L-R: Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; President Muhammadu Buhari; Etsu Agaie Niger State, Dr. Yusufu Nuhu; and Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, during inauguration of the Baro River Port, in Baro Niger State... yesterday

L-R: Bauchi State PDP Gubernatorial Candidate, Sen. Bala Mohammed; Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; and his wife, Gimbiya Dogara; and DG PDP Gubernatorial Campaign, Sen. Abdul Ningi, during the PDP Bauchi State Gubernatorial and National Assembly campaign inauguration in Bununu, Tafawa Balewa L.G.A, Bauchi State ... weekend

5 ) * 4 % ": t SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2019

29

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˜ ˞ JANUARY 20, 2019

MARKET NEWS

Sterling Investment SPV Plc’s N32.9bn Bond Listed on NSE Goddy Egene The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has listed the Sterling Investment SPV Plc’s N32.899 billion Series II, seven-year 16.25 per cent fixed rate unsecured bond.

The SPV is a tier-11 capital raising programme for Sterling Bank, a creative way to shield the bank from unnecessary regulatory and market issues while having access to the much-needed capital.

Market operators said the additional capital will boost the operations of Sterling Bank and lead to improved financial performance going forward.

The financial institution had reported impressive results for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The bank’s gross earnings rose by 21.1 per cent to N114.6 billion in 2018 compared with N94.6 billion recorded in comparable period of 2017. Profit before tax grew by N8.5 billion or

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

29.5 percent as against N6.5 billion in corresponding period of 2017, while net profit rose by 39 percent from N5.9 billion to N8.2 billion.

Customers’ deposits increased to N723.2 billion by September 2018 from N685.0 billion in December 2017. The bank’s net loans and advances increased by 10.7 per cent to N662.0 billion from N598.0 billion in December 2017. Total assets improved to N1.08 trillion as against N1.07 trillion recorded

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 17Jan-2019, unless otherwise stated.

at the beginning of the year while shareholders’ funds increased from N102.9 billion in December 2017 to N106.2 billion in September 2018.

The Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman said the bank was been able to sustain its steady growth due to focused implementation of its strategic intent of exceeding customers’ expectations.

According to him, the robust growth of 31.2 per cent in

non-interest income was driven by a growth in trading and transaction banking revenues, as the bank continues to prioritize efficiency of its digital banking platforms to support its retail drive. “Our strategic intent to be more customer-focused has continued to yield results; one of such recorded in the last quarter is the increase in the volume of transactions processed through our various electronic platforms since the start of the year. We

achieved over one million monthly NIBBS Instant Payment transactions as at July 2018, a 73 per cent increase from the start of the year and expect to see continuing traction in this regard,� Suleiman said.

Some of shareholders of the bank have expressed excitement over the nine months results, saying it was highly commendable that the bank recorded significant growth in the period where growth is marginal.

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 155.34 155.45 -1.89% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 11.00% Nigeria International Debt Fund 279.05 279.23 2.17% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.84 0.85 -0.09% ACAP Income Funds 0.62 0.62 10.72% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.00% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.23 2.25 0.21% 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 16.93 17.44 -7.33% ARM Discovery Fund 362.47 373.40 -6.84% ARM Ethical Fund 28.61 29.47 4.72% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.97% 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 99.21 99.91 -1.95% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.53% 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 14.13% Paramount Equity Fund 11.43 11.72 -2.40% Women's Investment Fund 100.33 102.90 -2.18% 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 13.00% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 96.19 96.46 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 98.88 99.30 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 12.38% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.83 0.83 Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.13 1.13 0.95% 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 12.67% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 12.76% 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 NA NA N/A FBN Heritage Fund 141.03 142.21 -1.66% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.36% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 114.66 115.10 0.68% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 114.44 114.89 0.73% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 145.46 147.46 -3.03% 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 1.18 1.20 -2.91% Legacy Debt Fund 3.26 3.26 0.53% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.03 1.03 0.22% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 2,931.62 2,960.02 -1.77% Coral Income Fund 2,776.49 2,776.49 1.38% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.42% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 106.70 107.04 6.31% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.41%

Vantage Balanced Fund 2.13 2.14 -1.16% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 16.00% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 120.16 120.34 -3.81% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.22 1.24 0.29% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,076.06 1,076.06 0.63% 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 11.11 11.20 -3.40% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.82% 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 1.37 5.13% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.29 12.34 0.64% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.63% 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 119.60 120.13 -0.95% 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 1.01 1.01 0.65% 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 2,304.91 2,316.79 1.72% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 191.91 191.91 2.25% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.92 0.94 -2.11% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 248.28 248.32 2.48% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 162.21 164.04 -0.56% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.86% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,286.72 8,386.61 -0.62% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.11 1.11 3.00% 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 1.19 1.20 -0.59% United Capital Bond Fund 1.60 1.60 0.22% United Capital Equity Fund 0.70 0.71 -2.10% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.20% United Capital Eurobond Fund 107.34 107.34 0.08% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.08 1.08 -1.45% 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 10.94 11.09 2.64% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.30 12.41 2.02% Zenith Income Fund 20.88 20.88 8.37% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.30%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

5.95 117.86 51.79

-39.35% 0.06% 0.03%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.38 112.53 86.04

10.48 114.97 87.66

-1.63% -4.05% -2.95%

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

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

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.79 7.06 14.25 12.82 144.88

3.83 7.14 14.35 13.02 146.88

-5.25% -7.38% -4.67% 3.68% 0.93%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.13

17.03%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

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

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

20.01.2018

Razaq Akanni Okoya

Elegant in Stature, Extravagant in Taste, Extraordinary in Wealth ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/funkola2000@gmail.com

32

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R ˞ Ͱ͎, Ͱ͎ͯ͡

COVER

Some of the beneďŹ ciaries at the event

ÒÙÞÙĂ?Ë?

L-R-Mrs. Shade Okoya, Chief Razaq Okoya and Mrs. Kuburat Okoya distributing food items and clothing materials to the less privileged to mark his 79th birthday...recently. Photo Mubo Peters

Razaq Akanni Okoya

His Life, His Legacy and His Luxury Larger-than-life, he is reputed to have the kind of wealth only mentioned in fables. The constant subject of praise-songs and a doyen of entrepreneurship, he needs no introduction. Elegant in stature, extravagant in taste, extraordinary in many ways, the enduring entrepreneur is no other person than Chief Razaq Akanni Okoya – the industrial mogul of the famous Eleganza conglomerate. With a flash of smile, untouched by age and an empire of enterprises enduring the test of time, Okoya is a signpost of the revolution of a sole entrepreneur. Vigorously committed to various money-spinning ventures, the elegant moneybag is also passionate about humanity, writes Funke Olaode

T

he rhythm of local drummers rent the air as the “landlord of Oluwaninsola Estate� – an expansive estate located on Ajah expressway – emerged from the mosque after a special prayer. He waved his hands to onlookers, admirers and wellwishers who had thronged his expansive abode to felicitate with him on his 79th birthday. Regal in cream guinea brocade, he danced majestically to the mellifluous songs sung in his praise. The joy of his heart overflowed.

Beyond the shores of Lagos, the name of Chief Rasaq Akanni Okoya – of the

Eleganza fame – rings a bell.

Larger-than-life, he is reputed to have the kind of wealth only mentioned in fables. The constant subjects of praisesongs and a doyen of entrepreneurship, he needs no introduction. Elegant in stature, extravagant in taste, extraordinary in many ways, the enduring entrepreneur is one of a kind. The industrial mogul of the famous Eleganza conglomerate, with a flash of smile, untouched by age and an empire of enterprises enduring the test of time, is a signpost of the revolution of a sole entrepreneur.

His image looms large as one of the most successful businessmen of his time

having dominated the scene for more than six decades. Okoya is adored by many, playing the extravagant role of a billionaire, philanthropist and a socialite. Okoya, who is the Aare of Lagos, means different things to different people.

To the less privileged, he is a great philanthropist whose milk of kindness flows ceaselessly. In the business community, he is a man with a Midas touch reputed with unequal business acumen.

In the social circle, he has his fingers on the pulse of Lagos’ social calendar as a regular face in both corporate and social gigs. Often, you will not find billionaires open their doors to all and sundry. But for the Aare of

Lagos such a gesture is commonplace.

As briefly narrated at the outset, the crowd that thronged his estate for his birthday bash was overwhelming. As early as 8:00 am, guests – old and young, swarmed the expansive estate to celebrate with the business icon. Surrounded by his ever-beautiful youngest wife, Shade Okoya the ebullient Alhaja Kuburat Okoya, the industrial magnate demonstrated that beyond opulence and everything money can buy, service to humanity means a lot.

To make his 79th birthday, he feted the less privileged in their hundreds.

Okoya’s life is synonymous with charity and the business magnate’s reach and

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COVER

On His Elegance, Extravagance and Extraordinariness influence extent beyond the borders of Nigeria.

The shrewd business colossus is also a gentle religious giant. These days, many of his activities revolve around religion and service to humanity through his philanthropy. This cuts across the various sectors of the society. At various times, he has supported medical establishments and hospital homes by donating lifesaving equipment. His contributions to the manufacturing sector and the economy in Lagos are immeasurable by giving employment to thousands of people.

Currently, he has thousands of people under his employment. Having achieved what he wanted to achieve right from his young age, he has continued to give back to the society by assisting many people in establishing various business ventures.

He also organizes annual pilgrimage for Muslims and feed over 2,000 underprivileged every week.

He also believes in quality education and has a foundation. In recent years, he has thrown his weight behind the country’s educational sector. Several undergraduates have benefited from his “Alhaji Akanni Okoya Scholarship Awards” as he gave out N100,000 each to brilliant undergraduates picked across four tertiary institutions in Lagos State.

Like an old wine, he continues to get better with age. Okoya has not rested on his laurels. His company, Eleganza, has been around for over five decades controlling Nigeria’s markets and even extending its tentacles to other West African countries. Four years ago, he

floated another company, the new Eleganza Industrial City Limited, which is built on 35 acres of land in Ibeju-Lekki.

The whole idea of the newly established EICL, according to him, is to have household items in one place. Not only that, the company wants to be able to give Nigerians and other West African countries what they produce locally at affordable prices – making it a household name.

The new company produces luggage and bags that can be branded for companies, pilgrimage, government parastatals and family trip. It manufactures over 68 different designs of standard chairs for churches, parties, eateries, hotels, etc. It also has sets of coolers and food warmers in different shapes and designs.

Okoya attests to the fact that consistency, not compromise, on standard and quality has been the guiding principle that has kept his company going in the past four decades. The industrial giant turned 79 on January 12. How does he feel adding another year?

“I feel great for seeing another year in my life. I decided to do it quietly by celebrating with the less privileged. I am looking forward to my 80th birthday celebration next year,” he said.

At 79, Okoya feels he couldn’t ask for more.

“I am very fulfilled except that I am still very busy at my age in the factory now. I go everyday because production is my life and I am still very much involved with production in my factory. And I want

to see the factory grow great. The economy nowadays is making manufacturing tough.

But we have to face it to make sure that everything is successful,” the business mogul added.

At 79, retirement is a distant call for him. ”Sometimes I work from home as early as 9:00 am,” he explained. “Some of the managers come home and even the bank managers and by 11:00 am I am already in the factory.”

Talking about the economy being tough for businesses and his advice to the government as elections draw near is straightforward. He asked for a level playing field and an enabling environment for industry to thrive. He has other worries though.

“Even to get competent staff is tough as well. A lot of people are looking for employment but they are not trained or lack in-depth knowledge of the job. If you set up a job interview for 50 applicants for a particular task you hardly get one successful candidate.

We must go back to the basics as a country to ensure that our university graduates are employable.

“The answer is simple. The training must start from the elementary school, secondary, technical and the university. For me, those who want toe the academic lines should concentrate on that while those who want to become artisans should keep to their calling.

But in the industry you hardly get competent hands to work with you,” he said.

With a desire to help other entrepreneur and industrialist rise to his height, he lets out the secret to his enduring success.

“Well, it is by being true to oneself in

what one is doing. I am passionate about my business. I am committed to it and I have been consistent over the years by getting involved all the way by not playing the boss. If you take bank loans or an overdraft and you are unable to pay back the bank or financial institution will take over the factory and business.

At Eleganza, we try to work within our means particularly by working with the local market. We try as much as possible to work with local market,” he pointed out.

Okoya is determined to ensure that his conglomerate outlives him. But there is a snag.

“Honestly, this is a big problem for me. A lot of my senior children are not interested in my business. Currently, I rely on the junior ones to carry on the mantle.

And that is why at my age I am still very much involved. If my senior children had shown interest I shouldn’t be in the factory by now. I don’t want the factory to die and I hope one day the younger ones will take over. I also thank God that I have an able wife in Shade who is very interested in the factory. She wakes up as early as 6:30 am to go to the factory and come back around 7:00 pm in the evening. She has devoted a lot of her time to the factory and I hope she will keep it going,” Okoya disclosed.

At 79, he is still very active, what is the secret?

“The secret is the passion. I enjoy the work and if you like doing something the passion will energise you. I relax in my factory during production,“ he simply stated.

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PERSONALITY PROFILE

Wemi-Jones

Ope Wemi-Jones

On Self-Discovery, Service Delivery and Success Story If experiences are weighed in gold, after spending 22 years in the banking sector Ope Wemi-Jones must be sitting close to the Sheik of Brunei sipping an Arabian tea. She must be vacationing the next moment with her children and friends on a beach in Bahamas. Wemi-Jones was passionate, industrious, trustworthy and result-driven as an employee in four different banks before she decided to take a leap of faith into the seemingly insecure world out the corporate establishment.

Today, she has become an Amazon in the customer service sector bringing about a revolution in the corporate world, writes Vanessa Obioha

A

s her 45th birthday approached, Ope WemiJones was filled with an inexplicable dread.

In five years’ time she would hit the golden age. What were her achievements? What legacy is she leaving behind? The more these thoughts clouded her mind, the more convinced Wemi-Jones was that she made the right decision to set up her own company.

It all started as a thought on October 29, 2007 while she was with Access Bank. Even though she loved her job, Wemi-Jones knew that her nine-to-five job would not give her the ultimate

satisfaction. She needed that validation that she could be successful in other fields if she decided to quit the banking industry sometime. Many ideas ran through her mind. Should she set up a bank? The thought disappeared with the same speed it crept into her mind. The regulatory process involved, capital required were enough deterrents to the lofty idea. As she furiously wrote down one idea after the other while simultaneously listing why she needed to be her own boss, she got a brainwave to set up a customer service company. The field was not entirely new to her. In fact, it was what fetched her referrals to other banks.

“As a young bank officer, my boss

called me one day and said we were going to use customer service to differentiate our bank from others and wanted me to spearhead it. Prior to that time, I had no idea what it was.

I needed to figure that out myself.

The process of discovering and understanding my new role was what launched me into this. For me, it went beyond work to a passion. I really developed passion for it; I invested time in learning about it. I sent myself on training such as the Service Quality Institute in Minneapolis. I bought a lot of books. I read about organisations internationally that distinguished themselves using service because I was meant to be the catalyst and I didn’t

think I could do the work successfully if I didn’t understand what it is I wanted other people to do. That discovery journey was where the passion grew, and I just realised that truly, in spite of whatever amount you spend on branding and all the other things that people spend money on, if you don’t spend money to develop a customer service culture that is sustainable, you will go back to square one,” she said in her new office which will be open for services next year.

Wemi-Jones registered her new company, The Customer Focused Company — a consulting firm established to raise the awareness of customer service amongst customers and service providers — in 2008. However, it was only recently

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PERSONALITY PROFILE Walking the Path Less Travelled that she took the bold step to quit the banking industry where she had worked for 22 years, serving in different capacities in three banks.

A native of Ekiti State, she is also a chartered accountant with an MBA from the Prestigious I.E Business School in Madrid, Spain. While in the financial services sector, Wemi-Jones earned some accolades, notably the acclaimed Women Banking Programme at Access Bank ‘The W Initiative’ as well as the development of low cost deposit products and campaigns geared towards customer loyalty and liability generation.

In her new role as the founder and the chief experience officer (CEO), Wemi-Jones’ goal is to work with C-suite executives to integrate a customer service culture with a gender lens into their corporate strategy. As far as the former banker was concerned, there is no customer service culture in Nigeria.

“I think it is more of a facade in terms of how willing they are to put their money where their mouth is. It costs a bit of money and requires patience because most organisations are focused on shortterm benefits and in customer service, you can’t wake up and suddenly be a fantastic customer service organisation.

It is a summation of doing several things consistently and rightly. It is not building on one dream that would transform them. Those training need to be done at regular intervals, and it also needs to involve everybody. I would conveniently say that none of my bosses then ever went to customer service training.

“So, there are certain things that maturity affords you. With maturity, they could be doing ‘do this, do that’, but in their lives and in their careers, I’m quite confident that they feel that they never went to service training. I’ve had good commendations from other banks that employed my training services.

Some of them are not aware of the dynamics of customer service despite their career rank.”

She delved deeper into what customer service culture entails.

“The truth is attaining to your needs is just the minute part of customer service culture. So, if everybody attends to your need, what makes us all different? That’s why they say we are in a ‘service’ economy and it is the age of customer experience. Beyond attending to your needs or paying your cash when you present a cheque or ensuring when you do your transaction on the internet it goes through is how we make you feel.

“I will make you feel element of the service is very important, and if you want to leave it to the number of employees you have then you are leaving your customers to chances. That’s why organisations need to be deliberate about building a service culture. Today, you go to any organisation, ask them for their corporate chart, you won’t find something.”

Perhaps, the most important part of the customer-based service is the

emotional side.

“So, everybody has got the transactional side. The next important thing is the emotional side. How do I feel? What do I see? What am I meant to do? What do I smell even when I go to the organisation? I tell people that just like human beings have the sense to see, taste, hear, touch and smell, the same applies to an organisation. If you go to a banking hall, just to cash a cheque and the tellers are talking about their boss among themselves, be rest assured that as the customer step out, the bank officers are going to be the topic of discussion. It’s just natural,” she explained.

With most financial institutions depending on technology advancement to carry out their operations, WemiJones believes that technology can never replace the human experience attached to customer service.

“Technology is a disruption that is growing everywhere and I don’t think it is going to leave anybody, industry or sector out. Technology can complement service but not a substitute. It will reduce my cost, it will give me speed, which is part of servicing but everybody still craves for that natural touch,” she argued.

At the core of Wemi-Jones’ mission is the creation of gender equality in the service area such that women will not be sidelined. Having experienced the pressure of women to prove themselves at the workplace, it is important for the leader to lend a voice to women matters.

One of the perks that come from leaving a paid job is the availability of time to do other things.

Wemi-Jones said: “My children knew me in the bank. They didn’t have another life with their mom apart from the one in the bank. I was saying to someone that I didn’t do school runs.

From the day that I registered my children in school, maybe the next time I would be there was during the end-ofyear party. I had a sense of falsehood that employers create because of the salary that they pay. Sincerely, I don’t need half of what I was being paid to survive. Your employer can never think that your life can be better if you step out. They would never give you the impression. They will remind you how the job is crucial to pay your children’s school fees; how it’s crucial to maintain the lifestyle that you are living and all of that. Who said that I need to buy an N80,000 suit now? I don’t need it. So, the money was more to finance the lifestyle that commensurate with the job.”

As she embraces her new freedom, the author and motivational speaker is conscious of one thing: how she manages her time.

“The numbers I was driving for others, I will drive for myself, and I think I’m going to have more opportunity to make impacts. I was limited; there were certain things I could not do. The limitations now are the ones I set for myself,” she declared.

I will make you feel element of the service is very important, and if you want to leave it to the number of employees you have then you are leaving your customers to chances. That’s why organisations need to be deliberate about building a service culture. Today, you go to any organisation, ask them for their corporate chart, you won’t find something

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JANUARY 20 , 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

High Life Where is Faysal Harbs?

Kwara socialite disappears from social scene High society pulsates as you read. The gist revolves around the whereabouts of Faysal Harbs. Like shy elves hiding from the traveler’s eye, Faysal suddenly disappeared from the social radar, hiding out where no one but his close family members know. Harbs had once made Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara State, his oyster.

He remains yet a prominent player in the city’s economic and social spheres. Not only does he call the shots in the city’s social scene, his wife, Chief (Mrs) Jumoke Harbs, is also a famous socialite and a highly regarded woman.

Lately, the well-connected dude seems to have little or no interest in social affairs.

Faysal, who used to be the rallying point of major social functions in Ilorin, hardly attends social events these days, no matter the status of the people involved. While no one seems to know the reason for his sudden sabbatical from the social scene, rumour has it that Harb’s businesses are facing some hard times.

Due to this, he is committed to resuscitating his business while staying away from the eyes of the public.

Others have, however, countered the rumour, insisting that Fayasal remains financially solid. His wife, however, remains a regular face in social circles.

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

The Rumour about Dapo and Patricia Ojora

The flick of r tongues could drive the timid into the desolate corner where they could only cling to rage and spittle to escape the poisonous breath of the rumour mongers and the rumour mill.

However, despite the insidious lunges of the rumour mill against them, polo buff, Dapo Ojora and wife Patricia Ojora, are unperturbed. Rumour has it that the much-celebrated relationship of the duo has hit the rocks and that friends and family of the couple are doing everything they can to reconcile them. However, investigation revealed that the rumour was just an insidious plot of certain mischievous people to truncate the love affair of the couple.

Further findings revealed that the duo hardly argue, let alone engage in irreconcilable bickering to the point of crashing their enviable relationship.

Interestingly, findings revealed that Dapo decided to take a long break from the social scene immediately after he survived a bike accident. It would be recalled that he gave his family, friends and other loved ones a terrible scare in the wake of the ghastly accident; too many of them feared he would not survive the deadly crash but he did.

And ever since, Dapo beat a retreat

Patricia with her in-laws

from the public. He withdrew into his shell, carefully shunning every attempt by his friends and family to lure him out of his cocoon of anonymity until recently when his beautiful

daughter, Tara Ojora and her beau, Folajimi Ayodeji, had their introduction ceremony, (Writing-In), at the Ojora family house in Ikoyi, Lagos. Or has the marriage run its full course?

DJ XGee: The Untold Story of His Suicide

DJ XGee

On Wednesday, 2 January, 2019, Seun Omogaji, a Lagos-based disc jockey, popularly known as DJ XGee, committed suicide, hours after posting a cryptic note on his Instagram page. He was said to have taken an insecticide, ‘Sniper’. His death sent shock waves across and beyond the entertainment sector, where he was known to have made an impact. According to reports, Omogaji decided to take his life after unresolved marital crises with his wife.

It was gathered that the crises led to his wife packing out of their matrimonial home.

Omogaji, in the note he wrote on his Instagram account said, “Okay, there is a twist to this last respect people give to their loved ones when gone. Black as signs of sadness but in my case, please rock white because I love the colour so much. “To all that I have made to smile and to those I have pissed off, trust me, I’m only being human. Enikorewa, I love you so much; Eriayo, your name sums it all up; you are truly the reason for my joy. Omobolanle Ajoke, you know I care, Moradeke, my mum, may my God heal you; and to my in-laws, stay blessed always.”

A source who claimed to be close to the deceased, but craved anonymity, disclosed that after Omogaji posted his cryptic note on his Instagram page, some friends had rushed to his home in Lagos Island, to check on him. On getting to his house, they were said to have met him, on the verge of opening the second bottle of Sniper. The sources added that when Omogaji’s friends moved close to him to wrest the bottle out of his hand, he reportedly pulled out and brandished a knife and another dangerous weapon, with which he

threatened to attack them. While holding these weapons and with his friends watching in horror, Omogaji, reportedly emptied the bottle in his mouth. At this juncture, seeing that he had dropped the weapons, the friends moved close to him and rushed him to the hospital. Unfortunately, Omogaji died before any treatment could be administered to him. Upon hearing the sad news of his death, Omagaji’s mother, Moradeke was said to have collapsed and landed in the hospital.

Investigation further revealed that Omagaji’s 5-year-old marriage to his wife, Bolanle was fraught with constant physical abuses. Sources disclosed that Bolanle usually found herself shuttling between her matrimonial home and her parents’ home, as a result of the constant beatings she was getting from her husband. The last battering meted to her, triggered her parents’ decision in vowing not to make her go back to Omagaji. It was after he was faced with the reality that Bolanle was gone for good, that Omogaji decided to take his life. The marriage between Omogaji and Bolanle produced two children.

Where are These Late Until President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua died on May 5, 2010, these men wielded enormous influence and powers. As members of the late president’s inner cabinet, they practically dictate the pace, pulse and policy direction of government. The change of baton following the death of their boss, however, forced them to recoil into their anonymous cocoon. Dr. Sayydi Abba Ruma within the cabinet Jumoke Harbs

and in government circles, Ruma was acknowledged as a ‘super minister’ who had the ears of the president. As the Minister in charge of the strategic Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, Ruma was alleged to be the ‘go to’ man for any top government official desirous of fixing any knotty issue with the president. Also, Dr. Taminu Yakubu from Katsina State like Yar’Adua and Ruma, Taminu served in the cabinet as the President’s Chief Economic

Adviser. A doctorate degree holder in Economics, Taminu was also a member of the National Economic Management Team (NEMT). There is also Dr. Mansur Muhtar, who held the position of the Minister of Finance.

An indigene of Kano, Muhtar was alleged to be one of the closest aides and allies of the late president whose words in the seat of government carry immeasurable weight. The list of the influential kitchen cabinet is not complete without the mention of Mr.

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HIGHLIFE

Oil & Gas, Not Politics!!! Reality Bites Tonye Cole as He Loses Another Case

R

Chima Anyaso

Oil Baron, Chima Anyaso, in 2billion Naira Oil Scam

You could be forgiven for thinking Chima Anyaso, the owner of Ceecon Energy, has a dark heart. Donning false smiles like silk robes, he betrayed his banker, defrauding the latter of money amounting to two billion naira. Yes, some men toss away their conscience in pursuit of money. Eventually, they become beacons of dishonour by their pitch dark exploits. Like the proverbial turncoat that betrayed his people’s hopes soon after he was entrusted with the wheel of their collective destinies, Chima perpetuated the worst form of treachery against his bank, GTB. He never knew that so large a fortune could have so short a lease. When he did, he had been mowed to rubble by the wheels of vanity. As you read, the truth dawns on Chima making him understand that fortune and status are nothing but mirage. That is why too many people engage in desperate pursuit of it and end up in a shameful form. This tragic transformation applies to Chima. According to a report doing the rounds, Chima Anyaso has been charged before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos by the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation (AGF) on

a three-count charge bordering on forgery and N2,066,400 billion fraud.

Anyaso was charged alongside his company, Ceecon Energy Oil and Gas Limited, in charge sheet marked FHC/L/332c/18, was alleged to have committed the offence on or about February 21, 2011. The oil marketer was alleged to have forged a letterhead paper of Total Nigeria Limited, dated February 21, 2011, with reference number AAC/CSO/OPS/, which he falsely presented to Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), to obtained credit facility in the sum of N2,066, 400, 000 billion, for delivery of 15 metric tonnes of Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK). He was also alleged to have on February 22, 2011, forged another letterhead paper of Total Nigeria Limited with reference number FEB/yjo.FIN22.11, dated February 22, 2011, which he presented to GTB for the payment of N2,066,400 billion, for the supply of 15 metric tonnes of ATK. The AGF also alleged that the oil marketer fraudulently obtained the said sum from GTB as a credit facility. The offences according to the prosecutor, Mr Julius I. Ajakaiye, a deputy director in the AGF’s office are

contrary to and punishable sections 2(1)(c) and section 1(1)(a) of Advance Fee Fraud and other related offences, Cap. A6 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. The prosecutor had told the court the criminal charge against the oil marketer and his company arose from a petition by Guaranty Trust Bank, dated January 19, 2017, and signed by one Sarah Ugamah and Tolulope Fadipe on behalf of the Bank. However, at the resumed hearing of the matter on Tuesday, the prosecutor informed the court that the defendants have been evading services, he therefore urged the court for an order of substituted service, through an ex parte motion, by way of posting the charge on the defendants’ last known address, which are number 16, Babatunde Dabiri Street, Lekki Phase 1 and Olaza 307/Suit 301, third wing, Worth Plaza, Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Justice Ayotunde Faji, while adjourning the matter till January 30, for a report of service, ordered that the charge sheet be posted at the last known addresses of the oil marketer and his company.

President Yar’Adua’s Men? Micheal Aondoaka, the Benue Stateborn former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation.

Two other men who had the ears of the late president were his AideDe-Camp (ADC), Col. Mustapha Onoyiveta, an Infantry army officer from Delta State and Yusuf Tilde, the Chief Security Officer (CSO). Outside government, the man said to be the late president’s closest friend and associate was Alhaji Dahiru Mangal, a wealthy businessman from Katsina State. Where are these men now?

Yar’Adua

ed-hot rage and regret reign in the ruins of the suave businessman, Tonye Cole’s failed gubernatorial ambition. Last Wednesday, the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for the second time, dismissed an appeal instituted by the All Progressives Congress, APC, challenging the ruling of the Justice Chiwendu Nworgu of the Rivers State High Court, which nullified the party’s wards, local governments, and state congresses for filing out of the stipulated time in the constitution. Prior to that, a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on January 7, 2019, had nullified the primaries conducted by the two factions of the party in Rivers State and also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from presenting Tonye or the factional leader, Senator Magnus Abe, and other candidates of the APC in the 2019 governorship election in the state.

Tonye is the anointed of former governor Rotimi Amaechi while Abe, hitherto one of the closest men to Amaechi, refused to accept his leader’s choice, went ahead to conduct a parallel congress that predictably produced him as governorship candidate, and instituted the court case that has now done their party in. Now, both men have, as things stand, lost out in the battle for, with the exception of Lagos State perhaps, the most coveted governorship seat in Nigeria.

Following the court verdict, the spokesman of Tonye Cole Campaign Organization (TCCO), Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke, issued a statement, saying the party would receive a briefing relating to what transpired from its lawyers, and that it has not exhausted all avenues leading to the remedy of its exclusion from the 2019 election. The statement reads, “There are still options open to the party. All the roads to a judicial settlement of the cases that are pending before the court are still open. We have faith in God and the capacity of the judiciary to deal impartially with all the matters that are pending before it. Our leaders are working to make sure that we secure victory for the party and the Rivers people who truly yearn for change.� That was, however, the political perspective to Tonye’s angst. He is angry.

And he is reportedly ruing succumbing to Amaechi’s persuasion to join the race. Had he understood the dynamics of Rivers State politics better, Tonye, perhaps, would not have fallen for the bait.

Now, he blames himself and curses the Minister of Transportation who he believes set him up for failure and humiliation.

According to an online publication, PUO Reports, Tonye was quoted to have ‘bitterly lamented that had the former governor told him all the truth about the internecine crisis in the party, he would not have risked his hardearned international reputation for the murky water of Rivers politics.’ Tonye reportedly told their correspondent, “Politics was never my thing. The minister had over ten different meetings with me when he was trying to convince me into this thing, but I believe that he kept certain information concerning the internal contradictions within the party from me. If I understood the magnitude of the internal crisis, I wouldn’t have taken this cliff.�

A very successful businessman by every standard, Tonye resigned from Sahara Energy which he co-founded with his friends (Tope Shonubi and Ade Odunsi), to dabble into politics.

In spite of his wealth, Tonye was a patently reserved man until Amaechi brought him out of his shells. Within the last year, he has experienced the horrendous part of Nigerian politics. Last November, he saw death at close range. Tonye revealed on his Twitter page; “Tragedy was averted on Friday, November 16, at Old Bakana. Gunmen opened fire on my team while we were carrying out wardto-ward consultation in the community. We thank the Almighty for his protection now and always. I stand for politics of peace.�

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HIGHLIFE

Billionaire Delta Princess Juliana Edewor Finds Love Again at 60, RemarriesVictor Izegbu

Julian Edewor and Victor Izegbu

She is no longer bleary-eyed or lachrymose. At a time when many would have given up on love and marriage, Juliana Edewor has found love; in fact, she is now married to a long-time friend of hers. It is often the lot of mortals to encounter bliss even in the most crippling tragedy. Ask Juliana, she knows.From the illustrious Edewor family in Delta State, Juliana Edewor has found love again and has re-married for the third time.

The tall fair- skinned businesswoman who is the mother to twins, TV presenter, Eku Edewor and Kessiana Edewor got married

last weekend to Doctor Victor Izegbu in an intimate traditional wedding which had in attendance only close friends and family. One of the early pioneers of interior decoration in Nigeria, Juliana Edewor who is in her 60s, runs Showcase Interiors as well as two highend restaurant and bar, Chardonnay and The Green Room. One of her daughters, 32-yearold Eku Edewor shared the good news of how her mother remarried for the 3rd time after her first marriage failed and her second husband, Peter Thomas died.

Okoya

Ejindu

Building Support Systems, BSS, and Principal Partner, Starcrest Associates, an Abuja-based architectural firm.

To say that she has done immensely well for herself in the building and construction industry would be akin to saying that the sun rises from the east. In that sector, across Nigeria and beyond, Fifi has carved a niche that transcends her true persona,

emerging as one of the best architects in the country, with jobs in virtually every urban district in the capital city. Party-loving Biola, on the other hand, is one of the children of billionaire industrialist, Alhaji Rasaq Akanni Okoya of the Eleganza fame.

A mother of two, she used to be married to Akinwande Johnson, a businessman.

Not Yet Uhuru…Why Biola Okoya, Fifi Ejindu are Still Sworn Enemies In every parting, there is a spectacle of death and in treachery, a spectre of comradeship gone sour; hence when two friends go their separate ways, they drift like tramps having no conscious sympathy or loyalty to all the things that bound them.

Unyielding and rigidly detached like a walkway of screed stone, the bitter feud between two former friends - Biola Okoya and Fifi Ejindu - has evoked series of questionable rhetoric.

Could their quarrel be attributed to petty rivalry or over-priced ego?

No tangible answers have been found to these salient questions even by the closest friends and confidants of the former bosom friends. Among their inner circles, there are still concerted efforts to resolve the crisis that has polarised two otherwise very good friends, Biola Okoya and Abujabased successful architect, Fifi Ejindu.

Ironically, a lot of these friends do not

even have the full details of what actually transpired between Fifi and Biola. Both were very good friends who did a lot of things together.

When Fifi celebrated her fairytale 50th birthday party in Dubai years ago, Biola was conspicuously present and active at the party. She even came with her own select, classy crowd just to lend support to her dear friend. She was equally everywhere ensuring that Fifi looked good at every point in time while looking out for the comfort of their guests. Similarly, at Fifi’s African Fashion banquet in London in 2013, Biola was also very present. Besides these, they have been sighted together at different events. It has come as a surprise therefore that these two confidantes could ever part ways. Yet, none of them is ready to talk about the genesis of the problem making it hard to proffer solutions.

Fifi is the Chief Executive Officer of

Between Beatrice Abebe and Mina Okoloko

Late Stella Obasanjo’s in-law returns to social scene

Beatric Abebe

The people we get along with, trust and feel simpatico with are the strongest links in our networks. Ask Beatrice Abebe, the beautiful wife of the late Henry Abebe, she knows. There is no union of hearts that does not meet its end; friends after friends leave each other, but comrades in true spirit stay.

With them, the deep, tightly woven fabric of affection glistens even with wear and the inescapable vicissitudes of companionship and emotional life. This much is exemplified in the enviable friendship between Mina Okoloko and

Beatrice. Little wonder you see both of them together like Siamese twins. Few women are wrought like these two beautiful women. They garnish love with meekness and extend sweet, silky hands of affection to their loved ones.

However, life blossoms in the heart and ravishing eyes of Beatrice, like a phoenix rising from the ashes of its own demise, as you read. The widow of the maritime boss, the late Henry Abebe, is really a happy woman, even as you read. It would be recalled that Beatrice ended her intimate romance

with fame and recoiled into a shell of solitude, while she grieved over the loss of her husband and soul mate. It would be recalled that the sister-in-law of the late Nigerian first lady, Stella Obasanjo once reigned supreme among notables in the country’s high society. However, fame began to slip from her grasp like a deflating balloon when her husband died thus whittling down her influence among her peer in the country’s high society. As you read, the resilient socialite is back with her sweet friend in tow.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JANUARY 20 , 2019

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Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

Advertising Mogul, Steve Omojafor Celebrates

Otunba Funsho Lawal Expands his Coast

A few days ago, Sir Steve Bamidele Omojafor, a marketing communication guru, turned 73.

The well planned birthday celebrations, which held at his Ikoyi, Lagos residence, was graced by a number of leading lights in the advertising sector as well as titans of the corporate world in Nigeria.

While the event lasted, Omojafor was full of appreciation to God and some individuals who had contributed in different ways to his success story.

The septuagenarian , who is the Chairman of STB McCann, has been around for so many years; and many who have drunk from his fountain of knowledge are today ‘irokos’ of sorts in the nation’s thriving marketing communication industry.

His company is one of the most successful advertising companies in Nigeria.

The advertising guru, who holds a degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos, is a Fellow of the Association of Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria (AAPN).

He was at various times a SubEditor, Daily Times; Group Head, Client Service, Lintas Limited and co-founder of Rosabel Advertising.

Eleganza Boss, Rasak Okoya’s Happy Moment It was a great and unforgettable moment on January 16, when billionaire industrialist, Razak Akanni Okoya, celebrated his 79th birthday.

In celebration of his birthday, the Chairman, Eleganza Group of Companies, threw the doors of his palatial Oluwanisola home in Ajah, Lagos open to friends, associates and well-wishers who were on hand to celebrate with him.

His beloved wife, Shade, proved to all her good sense of hospitality, as she made the distinguished guests most welcome.

The birthday soirée, just like many he had held in the past, will continue to be a reference point in the society.

Versatile and talented highlife singer, Alagbada of Koko Band thrilled the guests to some nice melodious tunes.

Okoya started out early in life, after working in his father’s tailoring business, which also included the sales of tailoring accessories.

The experience prodded him to launch his own tailoring business later in life.

Having made some money, he eventually went into importation of goods from Japan.

His business expanded swiftly, as he travelled far and wide learning the rudiments of importation and exportation.

Today, under his Chairmanship, the Eleganza Industries produces a wide range of household goods and utensils, including cutlery, collieries, food warmers, ice chest, electric fan, cosmetics and ballpoint pen.

The Company now directly employs over five thousand Nigerians and nonNigerians, including those working in his RAO Property Investment Company.

Lawal

All you need to know that the Chairman, Sogenal Oil &Gas, Otunba Funsho Lawal, OON, CON, is an ambitious businessman is that he has his hands in every sector of the economy.

Though he is famously known as a top player in the country’s oil and gas sector, his businesses are scattered within and outside the country.

Anyone who undertakes to compile the list of top corporate players in Nigeria will be making a grave error if he or she lives out the name of the billionaire whose inspiring story started a long time ago.

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

However, this is not the news.

The former Chairman of Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, is said to be investing in another line of business, communication.

Though the source refused to disclose the details of the business, it was learnt that his involvement in the communication sector would definitely change the narrative in the sector.

For a man whose eyes are on the future, it is not surprising that he is trying to expand his business interest.

However, in spite of his great accomplishments, one can say that Otunba as fondly called is still a story waiting to be told.

Since he started out as a businessman, he has continued to ply his trade in such a way that makes many of his competitors green with envy.

The Petroleum Club former president is known to have a soft spot for advancement of humanity.

Indeed, people who have come in contact with him also affirm that he’s always in constant quest to influence and give back to the society.

Aminu Tambuwal’s Most Treasured Birthday Gift

Tambuwal with the new baby

Without a doubt, Rt. Aminu Tambuwal, the Governor of Sokoto State, loves to mark his birthday in a grand style.

On the occasion of his birthday celebrations, Tambuwal, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, loves to present himself a wonderful gift. So also people close to him never allow the day to go without showering encomiums on him.

Interestingly, his 53rd birthday on January 10, will remain unforgettable for a very good reason. How? The birthday celebratiosn came at a time his wife, Mario, an Information Communication Technology expert, was delivered of a baby girl in Dubai.

The governor, quite expectedly, is said to be in a very joyous mood over the priceless birthday gift that came two years after he married beautiful Mario. The governor has four children from his first wife, Hajia Mariya Aminu Tambuwal.

He married 40-year-old Mario in 2016, whom he met during the period he served as a Speaker of the House of Representatives. He proposed to her shortly before he contested the Sokoto State gubernatorial election.

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SOCIETY WATCH

Mohammed Abacha’s Castle in the Air

Mohammed Abacha

Mohammed, son of the late military Head of State, Sani Abacha, is in the race for the next governor of Kano on the platform of the All Peoples Democratic Alliance, APDA. But since his emergence as the candidate of the party, the unspoken question in the minds of many is: how on earth does he think anyone will vote for him?

Society Watch gathered that many who ask this question premise their doubts on the fact that he does not have any strong political structure that can enable him to achieve his aspiration in 2019.

A source revealed to Society Watch that the young Abacha has been moving

around, lavishing money on party leaders as well as those he believes can assist in the realisation of his ambition.

The source added that many, however, see his ambition as building a castle in the air. ‘’Anyone who advises Mohammed to join the race is only fooling him. He is only building a castle in the air; he can’t go anywhere,” he said.

It will be recalled that the lightcomplexioned son of the late Army General has been eyeing the state’s plum job since 2014. He first attempted to run for governor on the platform of then ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, but he finally withdrew on the eve of the primaries.

Olori Sola Adedoyin-Alao’s Passion Sola Adedoyin-Alao, daughter of the famous industrialist, Chief Samuel Adedoyin, has got everything going for her.

She went to some of the best schools around the world and at a time was one of the youngest bank MDs in Nigeria.

She is married to the Olugbon of Igbon land, Oba Francis Alao, one of the leading monarchs in Oyo State.

Interestingly, both seem to share a lot of things in common. They get invited to A-Class parties and everyone wants them to grace their events in and outside the country.

Perhaps, this has made some people to insinuate that the stylish ex-banker has abandoned her most cherished hobby, which is service to humanity.

However, those who know the beautiful Olori, who is also a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, will attest to the fact that she is still dedicated to the service of humanity.

She does this particularly through her foundation for cancer patients, MariaSam. The foundation is currently in operations in three countries (Nigeria, US and UK), with a plan to build a Research Centre for cancer in Africa.

She tells whoever cares to listen that she can never abandon her ‘baby’ , which is very dear to her heart.

Indeed, her new life as a queen has not made her to abandon her service to humanity.

Over 100 women were said to have been

screened in Lagos last October.

Some others are said to be receiving treatment at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH. Though the Foundation has been forced to slow down on its commitment due to the prevailing economic challenges in the country, it’s still committed to its vision and mission.

Adedoyin-Alao holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing/ Accounting from the St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, USA, in 1985 and an M. Sc in Human Resources Management & Statistics from Upsala College, East Orange, New Jersey, USA, in 1987. She is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Lagos.

She was a State Representative for Dataman Incorporation based in Atlanta, (now called Experian) 1985/87. She also worked for Consolidated Food and Beverages, Nigeria between 1988 and 1989, before joining City Express Bank at inception as a Manager. She became Managing Director/CEO of the bank in 1999.

She was a modest and highly experienced banker with strong Christian ethics.

Her managing abilities are defined by but not limited to a rare talent for managing human resources.

She has attended several top-level management courses and seminars- in the areas of Finance and Management within Nigeria and overseas. She is a member of

Adedoyin-Alao

American Management Association (AMA), and the Institute of Directors (100).

She is also an alumnus of the Lagos Business School and a former Deputy Treasurer of Nigeria-America Chambers of Commerce.

Another Honour For Tony Elumelu flight banker, businessman and economist, this man with the Midas touch has rubbed shoulders with very powerful individuals around the world.

So, it is not a surprise when he was recognised as the ‘Vanguard Man of the Year’ last Friday, in recognition of his legendary contributions to the continent’s economy.

At the colourful event that held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, the brilliant businessman shone like a star that he is.

The quintessential banker in 2014 had been honoured by the newspaper as its ‘Businessman of the Year’ His large footprints across key sectors of the Nigerian economy, from Banking and Finance to Real Estate, Oil and Gas, attest to his entrepreneurial dexterity and knack for Elumelu business excellence.

Don’t work for recognition, but do work Indeed, his philanthropic activities are worthy of recognition, says H. Jackson, Jnr. becoming the stuff for legends.

No doubt, Tony Elumelu is one of the The Delta State-born billionaire had most successful bankers in Nigeria, who shown traces of precocity very early in have done work worthy of recognition and life. Though he might not be said to be emulation. clairvoyant, his childhood betrayed him as Apart from being a successful top a potentially great person in life. As a child,

his dream was to become one of the greatest economists and bankers in the world.

Luckily, providence has granted him his heart’s desire.

Over the years, the African financial wizard has shown evidence that he is committed to impacting his society positively.

At 34, he had led a small group of investors to acquire Standard Trust Bank, a then small struggling commercial bank in Lagos, and restored it to profitability within a few years.

Again, he became a reference point around the globe in 2005 when he led one of the greatest mergers in the history of African banking sector- the merger of Standard Trust Bank (STB) and United Bank of Africa (UBA), Within five years, he transformed the bank to be one of the best financial institutions in the world.

His origination of the Africapitalism concept, driven through The Tony Elumelu Foundation, is changing lives and creating businesses not only in Nigeria but also across the continent of Africa.

Ex-Ogun Speaker, Titi Oseni Coming back from the Cold Former Ogun State House of Assembly Speaker, Titi Oseni’s coming into politics seems to have a divine seal. This is because she shot into the spotlight not too long after she became a partisan politician.

The America-trained business administrator’s political path, no doubt, is laced with roses. In fact, her meteoric rise had been applauded particularly by the womenfolk.

Many had envied her and wished to be in her shoes. But this came to an abrupt end after the tenure of Gbenga Daniel in 2011.

She, thereafter, went into political oblivion particularly after her party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, failed to make impact in the state.

She was literally left in the cold.

It is said that she has not been lucky to taste the nectar of marital bliss, especially after her marriage to Kunle Oseni hit the rocks.

But as fate would have it, she found another love in a popular and wealthy Lagos lawyer, Wale Gomez, a few years ago.

Having sorted out her marital issues, she has also given her political career another shot.

It was gathered that she would be contesting as the Senatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, for the Ogun Central Senatorial District.

She will be slugging it out with the incumbent governor of the state, Ibikunle Amosun, whose tenure will end in May this year.

Oseni

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LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

CJN: Leave Him Alone!

Very little things get to me. I have really tried to ignore all the happenings for some time. But this one is like taking things too far. What has the CJN really done to warrant this attempt at humiliating and hounding him out of office? Was he caught cutting grass or did he appear in a video collecting large wads of dollars? The baba is sitting down there and minding his own business and one person who I hear used to run a beer parlour in Abuja has been pushed to go write a petition and in record time, the petition has passed all stages to the point that we are about to receive judgment. This kind of efficiency we have not seen in this country and I am sure we will not see again after this one. If we take the magnifying glass to look at every public

officer in this country, not one will come out clean. So this one no matter how you want to explain it is a clear attempt at ‘shaking’ the system just one month to the elections.

This move shows a major arrogant approach to governance, a devil-may-care approach and let them do their worst kind of thing. This is really not fair, even if we have all been conquered and turned into 180 million mumus, they should still pity us sometimes na. It’s just as well that they have come out to say that the President was not aware. It’s good, let him not be aware o; he is never aware of anything. Mbok, let them just leave the CJN alone. He is not the problem of the country. I don talk, I don keep quiet. I will not talk again but enough is enough. Thank you.

Amaechi

Tinubu

Gbadamosi

Edgal

APC – NICE ONE!

but whoever is orchestrating it really understands power and how to use it.

No be child’s game, no be ‘breakdancing’ na serious matter. So the opposition can decide to start building very concrete responses and also go on the offensive instead of relying on emotional dribble and shouting this is right or not right.

Everything I am seeing at this point is arguably within the purview of a sitting government although it remains to be seen how the new appointee especially the new IGP will carry out his duties. So my brothers in the PDP and the millions of armchair analysts who clog my Whats’App with emotional talk had better sit up and start working strategically to upturn the cart because in my books it’s looking like APC is running away with victory. Can’t we get Tinubu to defect to PDP? Nothing is impossible o , let’s just try abeg.

One time I took a swipe at SanwoOlu, I was almost castrated. That night na under my bed I sleep. The people almost finished me with constant phone calls, Na Wale Oluwo save me that night. He said, I should drink holy water and Kola Nut that nothing will happen. As I head to go buy Kola nut again this night, let me state here that Sanwo will win this election even my illiterate Mai guard know that one and as such he should go better prepare himself for the task ahead, no be that thing we see last Sunday. Kai.

man looked like he should be watching an Arsenal match. And then Tunde opened his mouth. Oh boy the guy catch me o. The clarity, the boldness and the eloquence. He did not talk like an outsider even when he was not an outsider. His uncle, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, was one of the youngest commissioners who served Lagos, his great grandfather according to him built the first Ikorodu road and their family started the first bottled water factory in the country. Sound pedigree but a Sanwo-Olu he is not, and as such he will not win. So we just enjoyed the entertainment value of the debate. He tried o and when the topic went to his area which is technology, the guy went to town.

He talked about building hubs, opening up wifi to students, market women everybody and the need for technology to fight corruption and drive economic renaissance. The guy try o. Youthful, energetic and with the zest to work. He is ready but like everything Nigerian, we go just watch am the way we dey watch Big Brother and that was all. Well Babatunde, don’t worry, we will soon as a country truly find our bearing and when we do, we will come for you. Welldone my brother.

to frisk me and humiliate me know the difference? All I used to do is to look for a way to mention my name and eureka I am free. The policemen fear him o and I lived like a lord on that. But there was one that did not know him o. That day, it was terrible. As I descended the third mainland bridge at Adekunle, they stopped me. These ones were very notorious, they ’no send’. The leader asked me to drive into the MRS station there and wait for him. I confidently did that with a smirk. They did not know they had just stopped His Excellency, younger brother to the Commissioner of Police. As I waited, I called my friend and brother Okupe, cousin to the Prisoner of Conscience Doyin Okupe that I was opposite his house and that he should not bother coming out that when I was thru I would come eat Amala. He insisted on coming out o, that these ones are not ‘well’. I said he should not bother, he know know my name. I be Edgar o.

So finally Emperor Hiroitho came and said matter-of-factly, I will not ask you for your papers, just give me N30,000. I say how na my brother, N30,000 just like that? That is almost double minimum wage o. Be like say the man get School fees to pay. He didn’t look like he was in a playful mood. So I tried to explain to him that all my papers were complete and if na to just give something to the boys which I am not averse to then it should be my decision on the amount.

He looked at me with blood-stained eyes and said I should give him N30,000 or head to Panti. Kai, as I no want go Panti because the whole matter could easily turn into a murder case, the proportion of O.J. Simpson, I decided to throw in my joker. I said my brother we are together oga na, my brother my name na Edgar.

He looked at me the way you would look at a chicken thief and replied,’ who

You see, I have been labelled PDP. Na una know. Me I am for the better fighter.

The better prepared and the one with better strategy. Even the APC people I hear have blacklisted me, na them sabi. Me I am excited when I see better movements. I am congratulating the APC for the strategic moves they have directly or indirectly been throwing up this last two weeks. You see election is not a child’s play, it is not a beauty pageant and cannot be fought with emotions and morality especially in a third world country like ours where the winner takes all. So if Jonathan decided to be reticent in his use of the power of incumbency does not mean that these ones will do the same. Machiavelli wrote it in his book and if you have not read the book especially all these PDP apologists and those my friends in the Duke’s summit who are emotionally appealing that ‘right’ should be done, I say sorry oooo. APC people have made some very strategic moves that have elicited my admiration though reluctantly. They have moved against my Brother Dino who is in the cooler now thereby weakening the Senate President.

To what extent I am yet to decipher.

They have directly or indirectly made the Senate President worried over his continued control of kwara. His sister has been poached and you can imagine what will be happening in that theatre. Doyin Okupe has been put in the dock, thereby securing his distraction, a new IGP has been announced and a move has been made against the Lagos CP. He seems to have survived at the time of writing. The CJN has been hobbled even if he survives, he would have been mortally wounded, stripped of the moral integrity he would need to superintend the rash of law suits emanating from the elections. Now we may not trace all these directly to APC

WHO IS BABATUNDE GBADAMOSI? Until that debate night, I never knew about him o. He stood there, dark and roguishly fine in a Yoruba way. You know how some of these Yoruba boys can fine in a Yoruba way, na so the guy fine. I did not even give him face. I was rooting for Agbaje and that one dressed like an Ifa priest also caught my attention, SanwoOlu, I just dey look am with pity. The

Onoghen

IMOHIMI EDGAL – PLEASE STAY! Nobody was sadder than myself when it was announced that gentleman Edgal was leaving. Kai, this is personal for me o. I cried and went into hiding.

You know the reason is not far-fetched.

It’s not because the gentleman was able to achieve anything significant in the state, thugs still rule the roost and female underwear thieves are still every where but for the simple fact that we share the same name o. Almost the same o. He is Edgal while me I be Edgar. But how will the errant policeman who is stopping me on Morocco road at night and hoping

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Nwankwo

be that, na your pastor? Then I knew I was dead. I started shaking o. I said na Commissioner of Police, Na my brother. I be him blood brother. Him mama ad my papa na twins. The man just grabbed my car key and walked away o. My people Edgal don fail me o. I come dey drop so many police names since Edgal no do the magic. Finally they keyed into baba Sege who retired in police. They screamed o; me for talk o. Sege na Supol. Na our man o. Aghhh great guy. Why you no call him name since na. Abeg call am make I hail am. I called Sege and Sege greeted them and told them I was his son. They jumped up and shouted yes sir and from then na royal treatment. So I now on my own free volition gave them N5,000 for the xmas and as I drove off they advised me not to be calling that other name, we know know am na. who you say he be, I say na commissioner of police. Hmmm na Sege we know. Supol na better man. So my brother na Edgal me I know and that one episode will not stop me from dropping the name at check points. Welldone sir.

M C Oluomo

Kunle Poly

Jide Sanwo-Olu: 16m Taxpayers?

Mbok, laugh nearly kill me. That statement just ended an already poor showing for the Lagos APC governorship standard-bearer at the last debate organized by The Platform last Sunday. The man just stand there looking quite intimidated and almost wishing he was somewhere else. He was bullied by the rest and came out worse off. His posture, composure and performance were sub-par and smelt like one not ready for the task of running the 5th largest economy in Africa. Even his dressing was suspect and although he had a good grasp of the issues still came out like one not ready and prepared for the war. He was drowned and squeaked along while the other contestants flew away with the audience. Even the one that dressed like Babalawo who was just screaming how he has traveled

to half of the world still came out bolder and confident. He tore at the establishment with relish; with no worries. You see when you have very strong backers watching, you tend to be under pressure. Na wetin do Sanwo_Olu be that. He was under pressure to perform and not to say the wrong word and this showed in his performance as fear catch am. It was at that point that he made the major gaffe that we have 16m people within the tax pay grade in Lagos out of the about 20m people. I just shout, no be only me o, my neighbour too shout and our landlord shout. We all ran out of our apartments screaming, ’Did you just hear that?’ Sanwo has killed us o. kai, the man will tax our six-month-old babies, unemployed people, handicapped and blind people kai, Lagos in trouble. Eko ti baje.

KANU NWANKWO: ANOTHER SAD SONG Kanu was and is still a legend but today he has cried out that his hotel has been forcefully taken from him by the AMCON despite the case being in court.

He further went emotional by saying that he served the country for over 16 years winning laurels and carrying the Olympic torch which have all been stolen now as a result of the ‘illegal’ renovation being carried out in the hotel. Well, my people na this emotional appeal he lose my support. Why do we not like standing by the facts of the matter and be resorting to emotional appeal? So because he won the Olympics he should not pay his debts if he is truly owing? So because he served Nigeria he must owe. Na only him serve?

All of us are serving the country and na minimum wage we are earning o. The traffic warden, the soldier in the North East, the Local Council worker, the teacher and the nurse are all serving the country and the country never rewarded us the way they have rewarded you. Your one match-winning bonus you were paid for matches dey more than ten years’ salaries of most Nigerians. The thing can pain me. So you play for 90 minutes and get paid what most of us will never earn in 16 lifetimes and something happens, you say you serve the fatherland. Abeg, make I hear word. Face the facts. Why is AMCON making this alleged move if according to you the case is still in court? Is it within the legitimate rights of AMCON for this takeover and if not, the necessary legal and judicial steps should be taken to enforce your rights. Simple! Please leave all these we serve the country and they have stolen your Olympic torch. Mbok involve police for that one because this emotional dribble is not touching me at all o. The nation has repaid you almost very well for all your service to it. How many matches you even win sef?

Sanwo-Olu

M C OLUOMO: GET WELL SOON “Let me confess that this name really did not come into my consciousness until I listened to the song ‘Case’ by the new artiste, Teni. I heard her say she was going to report someone to Oluomo and then when I watched the video, I saw someone being beaten up by thugs and still could not get the link with the name mentioned.

Prior to that time, I used to also hear the name being mentioned in relation to some Nollywood figures but did not really take notice until the last wahala at the APC rally and the whole nation’s interest in keeping him alive. This MC is truly a very powerful and influential figure especially if you take into consideration the need for him not to die. Everybody is praying for whatever reason for his safety and

immediate recovery. Powerful bodies have issued statements reiterating that he is alive o while other less powerful otherwise mischief-makers have been shouting that he is dead. In fact, one taskforce even warned ‘troublemakers’ that they would be dealt with if they did not stop the rumours that MC Oluomo has died.

Well, MC I know you cannot just die like that. You, Ekun, you the Ajanaku and the Gbogobiri of Eko no be small knife will kill you. You will not die o. You must stay alive o. God cannot allow this calamity to come to us with your unfortunate passing.

You will live, you will be blessed and you will continue with your God-given task of keeping the treasury of the Union. I wish you speedy recovery and if they will allow me, I would like to come visit you with some drinks so that we drink to your good

Wigwe

health. God bless you o. Please don’t die o na beg o.

HERBERT WIGWE : HOW BODY? Just sending a sweet shout out to you my brother. Heard some very funny story about your health, I am not believing and instead praying to God for continued good health and a very long life for you to continue to touch lives the way you have been doing. Please take your health very seriously, drink a lot of water, take fruits and vegetables, jog 30 minutes a day and watch the weight and you will be ok.

You remain one of the very few I respect.

You may not remember me but let me tell you, you once interviewed me for a job at Access. I was to be given one big post as recommended by Obinna. You asked to see me and I was ushered into your beautiful office. You were looking so handsome and well dressed. You admired my suit and asked me some questions about my plans for Access bank. I answered very brilliantly and you were quite impressed. You then said, I should go see your Boss Aig and that it was just formality since he was leaving; that I should just go say hi. Na there I jam road block o. Aig kept me waiting for over eight hours with no food or drink and came in and in less than three minutes declared that I was not a fit. Kai, that day I cried and swore that the bank will collapse in 4 hours except I was not a true worshiper of Orisha. Well, I thank God my prayers were not answered as your bank has grown to a very huge edifice and with this upcoming takeover of Diamond bank putting you in a very powerful position amongst the league of big banks. Well done. As for Aig, I don forgive am. Saw him the other day at an event and greeted him, he shook me and I did not want to remind him so that he would not feel uncomfortable since I am now the Duke of Shomolu and can make things happen. I greeted him and we smiled and I admired his suit and asked him for it and he said it was not my size and we both laughed.

The man cannot change but great guy all the same. Anyways, this is my prayer for you and I know God will answer it. Stay blessed and keep fit.

MUCH ADO ABOUT FEMALE UNDIES They have moved from rituals, kidnapping and armed robberies to stealing female undies. You see how creative our brothers in the underworld can be. What even took their minds to that kind thing?

When other nations are discovering great technological feats to transform the lives of their people, we are discovering great diabolical feats like this one. Soon they would be asking for government grants to enable more research into the issue.

Why would female undies now become a weapon of mass destruction to the point that the police have said that they will try suspects for murder? The good thing about the whole thing now is that some ladies are working round without undies for fear of being attacked. Which kind country be this?

Na wa.

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JANUARY 20, 2019 ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

THE ALTERNATIVE

with RenoOmokri

Atiku, a Picture of Life in America, Buhari, a Picture of Lifelessness in Warri!

T

wo weeks ago, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar intimated me of his planned trip to America and threw me into an ecstatic state. I kept his confidence and did not discuss the trip with anyone, including my former boss.

However, I could hardly contain myself when Adams Oshiomhole, the pint-sized garrulous factional chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress said on Saturday, January 5, 2019 that Nigerians should not vote for Atiku Abubakar because he “can only travel to Dubai”.

Even at the time that the talkative Oshiomhole made that silly statement, it was a lie. Atiku Abubakar had travelled severally to the United Kingdom, where he had met, in my presence, with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and had spoken at the Royal Institute for International Affairs (AKA Chatham House).

Very sadly, the APC built almost their entire campaign against Atiku on the myth that he could not visit America and now that, that myth has been busted, I feel very sorry for the APC. In an almost knee-jerk reaction, a bevy of APC vuvuzelas have come up with different uncoordinated responses.

One of them, Zara Gift Onyinye, a member of the APC’s Presidential Committee for the 2019 elections, came up with the ridiculous idea that the visit was fake and the pictures were staged.

Another vuvuzela claimed that the pictures were shot in Ghana!

I understand their pain. The APC’s main campaign tool has just gone up in smoke. I hope they will accept my sympathies. Meanwhile, has their presidential candidate made up his mind on whether he is the presidential candidate of the APC, or is he still confusing himself with Great Ogboru?

Whoever advised the APC to pin their campaign on such silly and risky gambit did them a great disservice. Take Festus Keyamo for instance. He would rather use precious campaign opportunities to berate Atiku Abubakar for his supposed inability to visit the United States. Ditto for Alhaji Lai Mohammed and other mouthpieces of the clueless and inept Muhammadu Buhari administration.

So, while Nigerians know Atiku’s plans to get Nigeria working again, they know precious little of Buhari’s plans, if he has any at all.

And the beautiful thing about Atiku Abubakar’s visit to America is that he went to the US Congress and the Capitol

Atiku (as the building that houses the Senate is called).

I tweeted Atiku Abubakar’s picture as he was received

by US Legislators. The picture is a direct blow to Festus Keyamo who had lied to everyone who cared to listen that the US Senate had indicted Atiku Abubakar and was seeking his arrest. Yet, the very same institution that Keyamo says is looking for Atiku Abubakar turned out to be the same body that celebrated him. If I were Keyamo, I would hide my head in shame. But Keyamo has no shame.

Stephanie Otobo proved that.

In fact, I heard that they are shamelessly cooking up a new lie to the effect that Atiku Abubakar only visited the US because there is a government shutdown which automatically guarantees that he would not be arrested. Only desperation could lead the APC down that route!

If at all the APC would listen to counsel, I would counsel them to focus their energies on damage-controlling the ripple effect of President Muhammadu Buhari’s almost comical appearance on The Candidate Town-hall event, hosted by Kadaria Ahmed and broadcast on the Nigerian Television Authority.

I felt so sorry for the President. He stumbled from question to question, constantly looking to his vice for help to the extent that Miss Ahmed had to quip at Mr. Osinbajo “He can talk for himself!”

The President repeatedly could not comprehend the questions he was asked and even after they had been dumbed down to him by Mr. Osinbajo, he would begin answering the question and then forget what the question was midway into his answer.

But the worst was yet to come. On Wednesday January 16, 2019, the President slumped as he descended a flight of stairs while campaigning in Kogi. Thankfully, the Channels Television camera immediately zoomed away from him to hide his epic fall.

If you thought that was the worst, then you did not bargain for what happened in Warri.

On Thursday the 17th of January, while campaigning in Warri, Delta state, President Buhari handed over the APC’s flag to Great Ovedje Ogboru and said “I am handing over this flag of honour to our presidential candidate.”

What!!!

Oh yes, you heard right. Buhari, the Presidential candidate of the APC, confused himself with Great Ogboru.

And when he was corrected, Buhari demoted Ogboru to a “Senatorial candidate”.

And finally, when corrected the last time, Buhari invented a new word by calling Ogboru a “governortorial candidate”.

After watching the video of President Buhari in Delta State, I can only conclude that those who are pushing the man to go for a second term are his worst enemies. The man is clearly tired and retired. Why are they doing this to him?

Allow the poor man go #BackToDaura to rest!

The long and short of the matter is that Atiku Abubakar was a picture of life in Washington DC, while Muhammadu Buhari was a picture of lifelessness in Warri!

PERSPECTIVE

How Ugwuanyi Gave Chimaroke Back His Groove Laurence Ani

I

f any doubt remained about former Enugu State governor, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani’s popularity, it would be whether he could still conceivably attract the sort of large crowd once seen at his events, having left office over a decade ago and literally fallen out of favour with the mainstream political establishment.

But had such doubt ever existed, it certainly must have been banished by the sea of heads at the expansive grounds of the Government House, Enugu, where a reception for the ex-governor and former senator was held last Wednesday as he, alongside other leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party from Enugu East Senatorial Zone, paid a courtesy call on Gov. Ugwuanyi.

For one who has endured a rather turbulent and less-than-edifying post-office experience, the enthusiastic crowd of supporters belied all that and, indeed, evoked memories of his eighth years as governor of the state that earned him a robustly loyal grassroots following identified as the “Ebeano Family”.

It was more like rolling back the years for Nnamani who, besides being the PDP’s Enugu East Senatorial candidate in next month’s election, was usually accustomed to having such large crowd in tow like the one that had converged for his reception at the Government House, which he was visiting only for the first time in 12 years.

“What we have seen today shows clearly that God’s time is the best, and that it is God who gives power to whomever he choses,” speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi, said.

The speaker’s reference to providence was particularly fitting as Nnamani had, in 2011 and 2015, controversially lost reelection bids to the Senate in spite of that famed popularity in a manner that could only have bred ill feelings, signalling a rather long spell on the fringes of Enugu State politics to the sheer consternation of many observers.

That, plus the fact he is on the cusp of returning to the Senate

Former governor of Enugu State, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, the incumbent, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, during the former’s courtesy visit to the Government House, Enugu made the emotions he betrayed at the reception and thank-you visit quite understandable. “I’m very surprised with the level of reception I’m getting,” he said, thanking his host (the Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi) for giving him a “second chance” and describing him as a “benevolent man with an uncommon grace”.

“Who can explain? Who can decipher? Nobody can explain this. If it were to be written, nobody can write it. It is only God who can explain this. When I look around, I begin to wonder if I really deserve this honour. I am saying to the governor, let that benevolence which God has given me through you, let that benevolence be shown also to you in Jesus’ name,” he added.

He may have found the spectacular events of that evening totally humbling, yet as the speaker had noted in his remark,

it wasn’t hard to situate the outpouring of support the former governor continues to enjoy. For Nnamani, it didn’t matter whether you were learned or was the child of a peasant, he explained, adding that “he gave opportunities to everyone regardless of their social status”.

The state’s PDP chairman, Hon. Nnamani (no relation of the former governor) corroborates this. “Barring his benevolence, most of us won’t achieve what we have achieved today,” he said, as shouts of “Ebeano” rent the air.

The overwhelming gathering, according to him, vindicates the party’s insistence on fielding only candidates with grassroots

appeal in the general election.

Beyond the large crowds that former governor Nnamani typically attracts, his popularity is further underscored by his defeat of the incumbent holder of the Enugu East Senatorial seat, Senator Gil Nnaji, at the PDP primary, late last year.

Governor Ugwuanyi also hinted at the remarkable impact of ex-Governor Nnamani’s barrier-breaking philosophy, when he noted that although the people of Enugu East Senatorial Zone said they had come to thank him for the honour he had bestowed on their “son” and in supporting him back to political reckoning, he considered himself rather more indebted. “If I should place things the way it should be, I don’t know who should thank the other.

––– Ani resides and works in Enugu.

5 ) * 4 % ": t SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2019

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ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

20.01.2019

ADEREMI ADEGBITE

THE CHARM OF RESILIENCE

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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ARTS & REVIEW\\VISUAL ARTS

ADEREMI ADEGBITE THE CHARM OF RESILIENCE The Nigerian-Ghanaian interdisciplinary artist, Aderemi Adegbite, recounts his career trajectory alongside his hope for contemporary arts in Nigeria, writes Yinka Olatunbosun

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t a group photography exhibition at GoetheInstitut Lagos, his works stood out. Aderemi Adegbite, with a knack for manipulating images to tell a captivating visual story has experiences that form great assets in his creative expressions. From his days as a theatre artist with the Legendaire Theatre Company, he had learned a vital lesson that some individuals spend their entire career life to finally discover, which is to be “a good stagehand is better than being a sloppy stage actor”.

A stagehand is anyone who helps in removing and placing props on stage before and after a scene in a production.

It is regarded as a very humble task, far below the role of an actor. Members of the audience don’t really care to know who the stage hand is as they have come to watch the actors at a show. A stagehand’s role requires being attentive to all the cues as well as identifying what can cause potential stage accidents and removing them. But no professional comes to the theatre with the goal of being a stage hand, certainly not Aderemi Adegbite.

But he did while working with the dramatist and theatre director, Lekan Balogun, which prepared him for his role as culture project manager. Once, he worked as an assistant to Jahman Anikulapo, an ace journalist and culture advocate during a poetry festival called “Wordslam’’.

“I remember having an issue with a difficult reggae musician during Wordslam,’’ he recalled. “I called Jahman Anikulapo, the executive producer of the project to inform him of the situation, he said, ‘Remi, it’s your show, you must know how to deal with every artist. Be calm when they are angry.’ It’s about paying attention to details when I was with Prof. Awam Amkpa. The knowledge acquired during my internships at various intervals with my mentors cannot be quantified. I was treated like a son, a brother and sometimes, a colleague. They did not only show me ropes; they also taught me about life as well.”

Although, the interdisciplinary artist is known for his photography, video art and other forms today, he had worked with artists like Sage Hassan and Ade Bantu before an internship with the legendary playwright, Ben Tomoloju.

“Even though I had had a career switch from being a cultural producer to photographer before I met Prof. Awam Amkpa in 2011 or there about, it was he who mentored me on being a good visual narrator,’’ he recalled.

As a curatorial assistant to Prof.

Awam on the travelling photography exhibition, titled, "Africa See You, See Me," he understudied his for more than two years; learning more styles and framing patterns from the works of 37 photographers, who participated in the exhibition. Other studio artists that he had assisted include Pamela Udoka, Peju Alatise and Ndidi Dike whom he described as “no-nonsense women”.

His photography work, titled "Time out" treats the subject of depression, one that he knows personally thus explaining the psychotherapeutic nature of some of his works. “‘Time out’ was a series I created after being part of a few workshops at the Nlele Institut. It was first shown at the first ever Lagos Open Range at the Goethe-Institut, Lagos so you are right about seeing the work there.”

Prior to that show, he had suffered from depression for two months

Agbegilere, a performance by Yusuf Durodola during I C A F Lagos 2018. Photo by Raffaele Fortunati

before he was diagnosed. And it was a real struggle in the midst of friends and colleagues from mid-2014 and mid-2015. He tried to blame others for it.

“What I remember vividly was that it started from family pressure to personal ambitions that were taunted by lack of resources and opportunities. I realised that I was in a mess that I needed to deliver myself from. Only then did I started looking into my family history and saw a particular pattern in both my paternal and maternal families. Luckily for me, my uncle’s family albums were in my care, and I began to ask more questions from my mum about her brother’s early life, his relationship with family and friends and also about my dad. For them, it was one for all, all for one. Time out was what eventually came out of that process of questioning and self-realisation. Some photographs from the album were used to make digital-collages, which served as psychotherapy for me. In all the images, I was seen departing from the image behind me, which is a way of saying I don’t want to be like you or live my life like yours. Most of the photographic works I created during that period played a strong role in giving me Time out from depression.”

Adegbite resolved his frustration and emotional issues by dissecting his family history. By late 2015, he created “Al-Ikhlas: The Purity/ The Refining” in Yogyakarta, Indonesia – the country with the largest congregations of Muslims – using different family albums and history. The collages were printed on Islamic slates to signify that humans are firstly spiritual beings before operating in the physical and was shown at Jogja Biennale.

“I was struggling with my faith. I wanted to reconnect with my Islamic background and also understand the country’s cultural influence on the religion, which was the reason why I decided to create the work,” he explained. “The slate signifies a space of knowledge and spirituality.”

From a place of unfulfilled dreams to a voice in the international community, Adegbite founded Iwaya Community Art Festival (ICAF Lagos), an annual community-based

international art festival, a project of Vernacular Art-space Laboratory in 2016. The project, was conceived to challenge the notion of art in the 'white cube' through the extensive use of public spaces, as well as alternative and abandoned spaces around Iwaya/ Makoko community so that contemporary art can be accessible to those who cannot afford to go to the galleries and museum(s) or are constantly excluded from contemporary art discourse.

After two years, Adegbite decidedly sought to address domestic issues in an inclusive engagement with both indigenous and foreign artists.

“Communal Re-Imagination as the theme of the third edition of I C A F Lagos was adapted from the year-long (2018/2019) alternative community art school project funded by Prince Claus Fund as part of its Next Generation project, in Iwaya Community. Without the festival, the funding which was given for the alternative art school in the community, might not have been possible,” he disclosed.

One challenge with digital art forms is that there is still a disconnect between the collectors and the art form.

Some Nigerian collectors are sticklers for portraits and landscape paintings, at the detriment of installation and interactive works. A case in point was the alarming distance between the winning work at ART X 2018 and the viewers. Bolatito Aderemi-Ibitola, the winner, had made a conscious effort to explain the piece to bystanders at the international art fair, encouraging them to move closer to the work for their fabric patterns to be replicated on screen.

Adegbite remarked that while some collectors are only interested only in digital, video art and photography, some don’t see photography as an art form, adding that a collaborative project for art forms will take a positive turn on the visual art space.

“Some will rather ask commercial photographers to make 5000 photos

of cultural events for their collection at the rate of N5,000 and possibly, a token for transportation. Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to acquire less than 100 photographs of Gordon Parks for their ‘The Dean Collection’. Our musicians would do themselves a lot of good by supporting visual art.”

Recently, it was widely reported that the Louvre Museum in Paris had a record-breaking 10.2 million visitors in 2018 after hip-hop legend Jay Z and wife Beyonce rented the entire museum for the “Apesh*t’’ music video. That is the power of collaboration.

Adegbite argued further that it is not the business of an artist to sell his works but gallery owners. For him, art advisors should act as the intermediary between artists and collectors so that artists can focus on their creativity.

Asides writing and watching films in fiction and documentary genres, Adegbite watches the contemporary art scene and his vision is to see a contemporary art museum, more studio spaces and alternative exhibition and residency spaces for young artists to explore.

“After structural infrastructure, we should put in place a funding structure that will help the creations of artists come to life,” he said. “This funding could come inform of competitions. Turner Prize played a major role in the contemporary art history of the UK.” He recalled how a commercial bank in Nigeria funded Tate Modern Museum in London some years ago but is yet to institute such funding for visual art in the country.

As part of the community art festival, in 2017, his team started an artist-in-residence programme. Since then, they have invited 12 international and two indigenous artists. In 2018, one of the African artists invited for the residency was funded by Art Moves Africa (AMA) travel grant.

“We hope that we will have more participation by African artists because our interest is on the artistic exchange within the continent,” he said.

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J ÍşÍ¸Ëœ ͺ͸͚Π˞ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

INTERNATIONAL China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Nigeria’s Memorandum of Understanding on the BRI

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oday, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria holds a Forum to discuss the Belt and Road Initiative and Production Capacity Cooperation between China and Nigeria. On the sidelines of this discussion forum, the Chinese community in Nigeria is also celebrating the Lunar New Year in China. Our main focus in this column is on the issue to be discussed by the Forum: the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It is to serve as a prolegomena to the seminar.

The BRI is not only referred to as the ‘One Belt One Road’ (OBOR), but also as ‘Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.’ The use of belt covers the overland routes, that is road and rail transportation, and therefore called the Silk Road Economic Belt. On the contrary, the use of ‘road’ is to describe the sea routes or the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

Three factors are noteworthy in understanding the subject. First, it is a project initiated under the Xi Jinping administration and first made public in Kazakhstan in September and in Indonesia in October 2013 as a geo-political and geo-economico development strategy meant to be implemented at the plurilateral level to begin with. In this regard, it was simply referred to as OBOR until 2016 when the name was changed to allow for global involvement and to give it a more multilateral framework. Emphasis was no longer placed on the use of ‘One.’ Emphasis was simply placed on the development of infrastructure and injection of fresh investments in various countries of the world.

As explicated in 2016 by Kuik, the BRI is a connectivity of systems and mechanisms. It is ‘to construct a unified large market and make full use of both international and domestic markets, through cultural exchange and integration, to enhance mutual understanding and trust of member nations, ending up in an innovative pattern with capital inflows, talent pool, and technology database.’ Muhammad Khalil Khan et al consider the BRI as a ‘cornucopia of international projects that offer mammoth opportunities for more economic cooperation and deeper regional integration primarily among emerging economies.’. They posit further that, ‘in essence, BRI is a critical tool for peaceful development that is resulting in massive investments in infrastructure, that is facilitating economic development and that is promoting shared governance’ (vide their “China’s Belt and Road Initiative: AGlobal Model for an Evolving Approach to Sustainable Regional Development� in Sustainability, 2018, Volume 10, Issue 11, pp. 4234 et s). Thus, the beauty of the BRI is its aspect of quest for peaceful development, shared governance, win-win cooperation model, shared globalisation, communities of interests, and shared future.

Without doubt, the BRI has its own aspect of international politicisation. Some observers have said that the Chinese government is seeking to increase its share of global influence if not global dominance. The position of the Chinese government is that it wants to ‘enhance regional connectivity and embrace a brighter future.’ China, in the eyes of its Foreign Minister, is also emphasising equality of sovereignty.

From the perspective of the Americans, the BRI is a failure that the Washingtonian authority should not copy. As explicated in foreign policy.com, ‘many Americans fear that the Belt and Road Initiative is an extension of efforts by the Chinese Communist Party (CPP) to undermine the security and economic architecture of the international order. China’s growing largesse, they worry, comes largely at the expense of international institutions and American influence.’ And perhaps more interestingly, in fear of the emerging global leadership of the Chinese, in a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Australia, Japan and the United States announced the establishment of their own ‘trilateral investment initiative to help meet infrastructure needs in the Indo-Pacific.’ Besides, the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission has also advised the Congress to create an additional fund ‘to provide additional bilateral assistance for countries that are a target of or vulnerable to Chinese economic or diplomatic pressure.

Additionally, foreignpolicy.com also has it that, ‘by buying into the flawed idea that barrels of money are all that is needed

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

Chao Xiaoliang, Consul General, Consulate General of the Peoples Republic of China in Nigeria to solve complex geopolitical problems, China has committed a colossal error.’ Thus, when Xi Jinping is happily talking about a ‘community of common destiny, ‘national rejuvenation,’ a ‘unique role for China to play,’ etc, the Americans do not see any big deal about them.

There is nothing wrong in the position of the Americans, for reasons of psychology of human differences and there is nothing wrong in China’s pursuit of regional connectivity which is nothing more than regional integration in another sense. Regional integration has been generally accepted as a model to fast track global development. It was on this basis that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was established in 1975. It was also on this basis that Africa was divided into five regions in order to enhance rapid development (vide the 1991 Abuja Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community).

The truth of the matter is that the Chinese think differently. In their thinking, the Chinese, the need for development in their immediate neighbourhood, hence a plurilateral approach, is required in the maintenance of regional and global peace and security. This is the context under which the explanation and understanding of the BRI should be located.

The second point of note is the nature of the goals pursued: policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration, and people-to-people bonds. Whoever is talking about coordination of policies, integration and people-to-people relationships is necessarily also talking about shared attitudinal

Nigeria’s MOU on the BRI follows the standard of all MOUs other participating countries have signed. In other words, Nigeria reached an understanding to cooperate with China in the area of policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, ďŹ nancial integration and people-to-people bonds.These ďŹ ve areas of understanding are always‘guided by the principles of wide consultation, joint contribution and shared beneďŹ ts.’ These principles are precisely what often attract China to African leaders.And true enough, China often presents itself as aThird World country, and by so doing, consciously endearing itself to countries truly in this category.And with this attitudinal disposition, theThird World countries do not see China as an exploiter the way the former colonial masters of Africa are generally seen

disposition to all questions dealing with the BRI Thirdly and more importantly, the funding of the BRI is essentially to be borne by China. The BRI is essentially to respond to the infrastructure deficit in Asia, the estimated cost of which, excluding China, is put at US$900 billion of infrastructure investments per year over the next decade by the World Pensions Council, mostly in debt instruments, 50% above current infrastructure spending rates.’ In fact, the position of the Americans is strengthened by the challenges of funding of the six economic corridors, three of which have only been funded in the past five years. The factor of hostility in some countries, such as in Sri Lanka, where the Sri Lankan security forces and Buddhist monks clashed during a protest in the Southern port city of Hambantota over the creation of an industrial zone for Chinese investments on the island on January 7, 2017, constitutes another important consideration. Above all is the perception of the BRI as a debt-trap for some participating countries. True, many countries are already heavily indebted to China on project loans. More loans are seen as a trap to deepen dependence on China.

In spite of the American perceptions, the truth of the matter is well revealed in a recent survey carried out by a Singapore-based think-tank and involving 1,008 respondents in 10 Members States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It was found out that ‘some 73% of the respondents believe that China has more political and strategic influence in the region than the United States.’ However, some 73% of the respondents want their governments to be ‘cautious in negotiating BRI projects to avoid getting into sustainable financial debts to China.’ This view is strong in Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines.

Consequently, the BRI is not simply a geo-strategic development framework, but also one which has the great potential to open-up China to the world in terms of new superpower politics in which China is underscoring cooperation that is open and mutually benefiting for all the participating countries. The principle is basically adoption of joint approach to the definition and evolvement of policies, joint implementation of policies, joint resolution of issues of misunderstanding, and joint sharing of benefits. This joint approach to doing things is largely defined by the recognition that all Member States of the international community are sovereign and equal, at least, from the perspective of international law.

In this regard, the strategy is to have Asia, Europe and Africa connected along five routes. Within the framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt, the first route is the linkage of China to Europe through Central Asia and Russia. The second is to connect China with the Middle East through Central Asia. The third is to connect China, South East Asia, South Asia, and the Indian Ocean. The fourth and fifth routes, which are the Belt or maritime routes, are the linkage of China with Europe through the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean for the fourth route, and the connection of China with the South Pacific Ocean through the South China Sea. Additionally, six international economic cooperation corridors are to be built: New Eurasia Land Bridge; China-Mongolia-Russia; China-Central Asia-West Asia; China-Indonesia Peninsula; ChinaPakistan; and Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar.

Fourthly, and most importantly, Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the BRI, meaning that Nigeria is among the 68 countries of Asia, Africa and Europe participating in the BRI, currently considered as of the largest infrastructure and investment projects in history with the involvement of more than 68 countries, or 65% of the global population and 40% of global GDP as at 2017.

The joining of Nigeria is very consistent with the principles of Nigeria’s foreign policy in many ways. At the level of Nigeria’s Non-alignment policy, which appears to be the most critical and controversial, it is particularly consistent. The decision to join the BRI was not under coercion but voluntarily done by the legitimate Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Many observers and students of Nigeria’s foreign policy often confuse or misinterpret Nigeria’s policy of non-alignment to imply at the time of adoption of the policy during the Cold War politics that Nigeria would not align with the West or the East.

As presented to the public by the then Prime Minister, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria’s Non-alignment Policy was simply the freedom to decide whether or not to be aligned with the West or the East. It was not about the act of alignment itself. Consequently, the various criticisms levelled against the Government for claiming non-alignment policy and then hobnobbing with the West was completely misplaced. The issue was that the Federal Government of Nigeria, in its own self-enlightened interest, saw Nigeria’s interest in the alignment with the West.

It is from this perspective that Nigeria, under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, believes that there are some benefits to derive from its participation in the BRI, and with this belief, has exercised the freedom to act, under the rule of sovereign right in international law and relations.

There is also the principle of economic diplomacy introduced

by Major General Ike Nwachukwu, in his capacity as Minister of External Affairs. Internationally speaking, economic diplomacy emerged in international relations in the Sixteen Century when it was called ‘development diplomacy.’ (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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CICERO

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

IN THE ARENA

For Mohammed, His Job as Acting IGP Is Already Cut Out Abubakar Adamu Mohammed’s appointment as the acting Inspector-General of Police on the eve of a general election is not enviable, writes Olawale Olaleye

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fter 35 years in service and having attained the mandatory 60 years retirement age, it was inevitable that the immediate past InspectorGeneral of Police, Ibrahim Idris would quit the stage. He had reached his stop in the service to fatherland hence the immediate appointment of Abubakar Adamu Mohammed, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police as his successor, albeit in acting capacity as is the practice.

Mohammed’s appointment has been greeted with a lot of excitements, both within and outside the police force and this came on the heels of the seemingly poor job delivery by Idris, who completely lacked the requisite emotional intelligence to professionally lead the nation’s first line of defence and was helplessly unable to manage his political biases in an inherently volatile environment.

Except, perhaps, for family, friends and well-wishers, Mohammed is not oblivious of the sensitive implications of taking up such an assignment at a time like this. He is just not enviable.

He does not need endless congratulatory messages either, but the sincere prayers of well-wishers to help him run this onerous race of securing the nation and at a particularly challenging period.

However, it may be trite to assume that his job has been clearly cut out for him. He is coming into office on the eve of a general election. Many states of the federation are already in ‘turmoil’ occasioned by their respective local high-wire power games. This, of course, has compounded the already deteriorating security situation in almost every part of the country.

From Lagos to Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, Rivers, Kano, Kaduna, Borno, Katsina, Taraba, Kogi and in fact, Abuja, the security situation, aside the menacing reign of insurgency in the North East part of the country, has assumed a disturbing dimension.

Therefore, there is no debating what Mohammed ought to do or ought not to do in terms of his brief at the moment. Apart from having to effectively contain everything that poses threat – near or remote – to the election of next month, Mohammed must also take the liberty of his highly sensitive and critical office to look into some pending cases that have been of national and sometimes, global concerns.

One of such cases is the April 2018 robbery in Offa, Kwara State, which claimed about 32 people, a majority of them police officers. Interestingly too, the leader of the gang, Michael Adikwu was a dismissed policeman, who took his frustration out on his colleagues and killed them mercilessly.

But the highlight of the robbery case is the attempt by the former IGP to link the heist to the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, in a move many considered highly political and cheap. While many agreed some of the robbers could be political thugs with affiliations to known politicians, several attempts were desperately made to establish a futile link between them and Saraki by Idris, which made complete nonsense of the case, although still ongoing.

More instructively, is the need for Mohammed to probe the passing of Adikwu, many weeks after Saraki and the state government had claimed that he had been killed by police under Idris.

The police then denied any such thing and claimed the reason Adikwu had been kept away from some of their news conferences was because he was assisting with investigation.

Many weeks gone, the police finally came forward to announce the passing of Adikwu, citing different circumstances at different times. That Saraki and others knew long ago that he was dead meant he had died at the time. Two, the different accounts of how he might have died is also not tidy enough and so, Mohammed would do well by reordering fresh investigation into the whole mess and unraveling the truth. The people deserve to know.

Controversial Senator Dino Melaye from Kogi West had been

Buhari decorates new IGP Abubakar Adamu Mohammed

at loggerheads with the security for a long time over different charges, bordering mainly on security concerns. Indeed, one of the suspects in a case of attack against Dino also suspiciously died while in police custody during Idris’ era. His latest arrest after keeping vigil at his house for many nights is an indication that the police had brazenly taken side, when indeed there were other security challenges requiring the police attention. Mohammed must ask questions concerning the matter and fix this mess too.

No thanks to Idris.

Again, Mohammed must take more than a passing interest in the death of Chief Ope Bademosi, the Credit Switch Technology boss, allegedly murdered by his Togolese cook, about a week after he was brought to Lagos from Ondo State. From the narration of the cook the first time the police put him on the spot, it was clear even to the discerning that there was more than meets the eye.

Days after, the police came up with a different account of what happened and claimed the cook confessed to killing Bademosi and subsequently committed him to prison.

But many days after this, there was news of his passing too, which the prison authority had quickly refuted. Yet, neither the police nor the prison authority had presented him to the public as a way of confirming their own story. Mohammed must be concerned about developments like this, which put the police in bad spots before the people.

The recent killing of a former Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, which the police had almost messed up when they claimed the arrested suspects had linked their action to a land purchase.

But in a rather embarrassing twist, Badeh’s family had quickly come out to dismiss the police story saying it was not correct by any chance.

That was almost going to mess up the investigation of the killing of a former CDS, except of course Mohammed steps in to correct what many would glibly dismiss as Idris’ deliberate error.

What about the preliminary report authored by Idris on the sack of Lawal Daura, former Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS)? That was yet another embarrassment to the police authority. Understandably, the police arrested the reporter, because they didn’t expect that such a sensitive report would be leaked as soon as it was submitted.

From the tone of the letter to the insinuations that dotted many of the submissions, it was fraught with biases, which exposed the inter-agency rivalry that had been the bane of effective policing of the nation through the sharing of sensitive information and intelligence. Idris seized advantage of the report to descend undiscernibly into the arena.

These and more are some of the things that Mohammed must address as the new police chief. He must stay away from Idris’ petty disposition and helpless unprofessional misses in the delivery of his job.

However, if there was anything that gives hope of a better police leadership under Mohammed, it is his choice of Frank Mbah as the spokesperson.

Unlike Idris, Jimoh Moshood was a disaster. He completed the foibles of his boss and highlighted the many shortcomings of the force as one. He delighted in sheer lies and was unable to keep his biases under wrap. He was cheap in his deliveries and grossly unprofessional. He too undid the work of his boss but they both enjoyed their folly, thinking they were doing the man who hired them a favour.

Mohammed must stand out in every way possible and live his record of outstanding service. Importantly, his first major test is the elections and how he handles them through the deployment of his men without fear or favour would determine on which side of history he chooses to be. Idris and Moshood made their choice without external influences. And now that history has beamed its flash on Mohammed, he should choose that which he desires.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

How Much is Your PVC Worth?

T

INEC Chairman, Yakubu

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said days ago that it had it on authority certain political actors were going round buying Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs), and also financially inducing prospective voters to collect the Voter Identification Numbers (VIN) on their PVCs. This is just some 26 days to the general-election and after admitting that vote-buying constitutes a huge threat to credible, free and fair elections.

Like the typical armed robbers, who are always ahead of the police, the Nigerian politicians appear to be ahead of the

INEC and the electorate hence they are constantly coming up with ideas on how to edge out one another at the poll. But definitely, vote-buying through the acquisition of PVCs must be contained. It is criminal, illegal and unpatriotic.

Perhaps, the electorate must have to ask the right questions when approached by the desperate politicians seeking to buy their PVCs. They must realise the only power they have over and above “these killers of destiny” is that one vote with inherent power to change destinies. How much is your PVC worth? Curiously, it cannot be cost when put to good use. But if you put it up for grabs, it is worthless and unable to sustain the owner for a day. Think voter, your PVC could change your life.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JANUARY 20, 2019

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BRIEFINGNOTES

There Was a Police Chief Dogged by many controversies, the eventual retirement of Ibrahim Idris comes with a huge sigh of relief, writes Olaseni Durojaiye

L

ike everything that has a beginning, the curtain officially fell on the era of Ibrahim Idris, immediate past Inspector General of Police (IGP) on Tuesday, with the decoration of Abubakar Adamu Mohammed as his successor. The nation heaved a sigh of relief to a reckless era. Idris exited the force on the ground of age.

Many commentators had speculated that his tenure would be extended and might remain in office beyond last Tuesday even as critics of the administration accused President Muhammadu Buhari of plans to retain him for the general election.

Nothing in his profile suggested he would go down in history as one of the most controversial Inspectors-General of Police that the country ever had. Analysts said that the diadem of the most brazenly partisan IGP in the force’s history will be keenly contested between Idris and the Second Republic IGP, Chief Sunday Adewusi. That is debatable though.

However, the sigh of relief expressed at his exit was how Idris ran the police.

Without mincing words, Idris sank the force into the abyss of unprofessionalism, partisanship, vindictiveness and disregard for the constitution that he was supposed to uphold and defend, so much so that many insisted that he was an albatross to the advocacy for independent, professional and strong state institutions needed to deepen democratic principles in the land.

His litany of misdeeds while in office was well documented. Last March, at the height of mindless bloodletting between farmers and herdsmen in Benue State, President Muhammadu Buhari had bowed to public outcry to arrest the situation and thus directed Idris to relocate to the state and remained there until the bloodletting was contained.

Idris put up an appearance in the state but that was all. He flagrantly flouted the presidential order to remain in the state until Idris the carnage was contained.

In fact, President Buhari was surprised that the IG flouted his orders. He was surprised when he learnt that Idris merely made a whistle-stop trip to the state. The president expressed this shock during a meeting with farmers, herdsmen, government officials and other stakeholders when he visited the state.

Such arrogant disobedience of a presidential order was unprecedented in the nation’s history. Nothing near it had been seen in the recent history of the force and yet, he got away with it because there was no move to sanction him.

That led critics of the administration to insinuate that it could only happen under a Buhari presidency, adding that he couldn’t have tried same under an Olusegun Obasanjo presidency. In retrospect, it is arguable that Idris became more emboldened because he was not shown the exit door after that cardinal misdeed. And so he continued in his unprofessional ways.

Under him, many suspects of high profile cases mysteriously died in police custody.

The team leader in the Offa heist, Michael Adikwu; the suspect in the Dino Melaye culpable homicide charge by the police is another; yet another is the young Togolese house help suspect in the murder of prominent Lagos businessman and Ondo High Chief, Ope Bademosi.

This gave rise to several conspiracy theories with the most prominent of all being that the deaths were covered-

up murders. However, to cover up what for whom? Nobody could ascertain just yet.

The Offa heist stood out more because it also exposed Idris partisanship. So far, the other suspects have not been brought to court and this lent believability to the theory that Adikwu’s death was a cover-up murder.

Besides, his attempt to rope the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki in the case clearly showed his hands at siding with the Executive in the political feud between Saraki and some elements in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and by extension the presidency.

Many commentators interpreted the shenanigans directed at Saraki as a pushback strategy to ward off pressure mounted on him to appear before the senate to clarify certain national issues at the time.

This take gained traction as Idris rather than honour the Senate’s invitation he challenged the invitation in court. And when the court threw out his objection, he still refused to honour the invitation until the curtain fell on his inglorious reign on Tuesday.

Again, when police personnel cordoned off the official residences of Saraki and the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu last year, many observers again saw his hands in the infamous move. He was unperturbed. Rather,

he carried on as if it was ‘a good day.’

If the force had a think tank in place that studies and reviews the tenure of every Inspector General of Police, Idris’ tenure would make for a good scholarly work, particularly the psychological side of it. If a review of his tenure is carried out, with particular interest in the psychology of what drives him, or the motivations behind some of his infamous actions would certainly make interesting read. Perhaps, that would explain his acts of vindictiveness towards men and officers of the force.

More important, his action once glaringly showed no love lost between him and the sacked Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) Lawal Daura as exemplified in the preliminary report on the infamous invasion of the National Assembly by hooded men of the DSS last August.

The report did not hide his disdain for Daura. Even if Daura had played into his hands, so much more tact was expected in the handling of the investigation that led to the report from a nation’s number one cop. The report had stated that by ordering the invasion, Daura acted in gross violation of Nigerian Constitution. Even a fifth grader knows so.

The report, which he submitted for Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo’s exclusive perusal, at the time Acting President, added that Daura was working for some politicians for selfish interest, but did not name the accomplices. He did not until he left office. In the report, Idris said Daura did not consult with other security agencies before ordering the siege, and questioned the validity of a security report that allegedly anticipated violence at the parliament, which was the excuse Daura gave for ordering the blockade.

Quite revealing of his unprofessional handling of the supposed investigation that produced the report, there was nothing in it that was new, or not already in the public domain.

While some commentators attempted to absolve him of blame in the shoddy preparation of the report, arguing that it was prepared by Garba Umar, the police commissioner in Anambra State at the time, others countered that given that the buck stops at Idris table and so should get the blame.

He had also sought Osinbajo’s permission to further search Daura’s properties and those of other unnamed suspects already identified. How tactless could one be is a show of dislike for a fellow head of a sister security agency.

And as he exited the force, it is hoped that the nation would never again witnessed those controversial and avoidable actions and inaction that marked his tenure as the nation continues in the advocacy for professional and independent state institution, insulated the often overbearing influences of politicians and ruling parties.

NOTES FOR FILE

A Penny for Kanu’s Thoughts

Kanu

For many reasons and obviously so, not many people pay attention to the words of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, any more. The fact that he started the Muhammadu Buhari clone rumour, Kanu gets less attention these days and even from his own people.

But last week, he started yet another campaign that cannot be wished away, when he said candidly that the South-east governors were working for Buhari, an insinuation

many outside the political family of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) do not think should be taken with levity.

Whilst the South-east governors are at liberty to support any candidates of their choice, the debate in the allegation by Kanu emphasises sincere and genuine leadership, a trait that is totally absent in the current crop of political leadership in the country. Hypothetically, however, what could be the fate of the PDP in the presidential election if Kanu was right? It’s a wild guess!

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JANUARY 20, 2019

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CICERO/REPORT

Can Yakubu’s INEC Be Trusted?

With the recent release of voters’ register and election guidelines by INEC, there are indications that the body might be treading an unpopular path ahead of the February 16 presidential poll, writes Olaseni Durojaiye

F

inally, the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), last week, released the revised election guidelines and the voters register for the 2019 elections, despite protest and disapproval by no fewer than 61 of the 91 registered political parties.

It is, however, not on record that any of the stakeholders contributed to the letters of the revised election guidelines before it was eventually released. Curiously, INEC did not encourage a debate of the document before its release, even when other stakeholders took exception to some of its provisions.

The initial decision by INEC to release the guidelines was announced by the commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Festus Okoye. And as reported exclusively

by THISDAY some weeks ago, the revised guidelines were meant to be ready for the consideration of the political parties and other stakeholders.

“We are going to officially release voter register to the political parties on Monday and we are also going to use the opportunity to hand over guidelines and regulations for the conduct of elections to them,” Okoye had stated just like that. Although the THISDAY exclusive report was believed to have compelled INEC to convene a meeting of stakeholders, it changed nothing as the commission appeared to be set in its way.

Unfortunately, this is against the practice under Prof. Attahiru Jega. INEC under Jega convened a stakeholders’ meeting during which the commission and stakeholders including the political parties had a dialogue around the guidelines with the political parties contributing to the eventual contents of the guidelines for the 2015 general election.

To a very large extent, that singular exercise helped to build confidence and trust in the commission’s commitment to conduct free, fair and credible elections at the time.

Aside the June 12, 1993 presidential election that was annulled by the Ibrahim Babangida military junta, no other election is rated to have surpassed the 2015 general election in terms of acceptability standard. This informed the expectations that the current INEC set-up would follow in the path that was already invented and found to have improved the nation’s electoral process. But that is not to be and this is bound to throw up questions bordering on whether the INEC, under Prof. Mahmood Yakubu’s leadership is truly committed to conducting free, fair and credible 2019 elections.

With the revised rules obtained and earlier reported

by THISDAY, analysts insisted had left the opposition parties with little to cheer about as it retained the main features of the guidelines used to regulate the 2015 elections, even when the Electoral Act amendment which was meant to provide the buffer for any shortcomings had been shut down by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The electoral body categorically stated that the regulations and guidelines supersede all other regulations or guidelines on the conduct of elections issued by the commission and would remain in force until replaced by new regulations or amendments supported by a Decision Extract of the Commission or an official gazette. It said: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) herein referred to as “the Commission” issues the following Regulations and Guidelines for the conduct of Elections (general election, by-elections, re-run elections and supplementary elections). These regulations and guidelines are issued as a Decision Extract of the Commission of the 21st day of the month of December 2018.”

Interestingly, the INEC chairman had on many occasions promised free, fair and credible elections that would meet acceptable standards. At different fora, including a congressional hearing on Nigeria’s 2019 elections in Washington, US, he reiterated same as he had done within the country.

But the approach by the commission is otherwise suggestive. The decision to initially do away with the stakeholders meeting which would have afforded critical stakeholders the opportunity to make inputs into the revised guidelines is one, and a very telling one at that. Eve when it finally bowed to pressure and called stakeholders’ meeting, that it refused to look into their protest is instructive.

The legal status of the incidence form makes its appropriateness for use doubtful. The Electoral Act 2018, which was turned down four times by President

Nigerians voting in a crucial election

Yakubu...ls INEC trustworthy?

Buhari, had sought to extensively reform the electoral process by incorporating mandatory use of the card reader to the exclusion of the incidence form as the mode of accreditations.

The guidelines in Clause 11(b) retains the use of incidence form, stating, “Where a voter’s PVC is read but his/her fingerprint is not authenticated, the APO I shall refer the voter to the APO II who shall: (i) request the voter to thumbprint the appropriate box in the Register of Voters; (ii) request the voter to provide his/her phone number in the appropriate box in the Register of Voters; (iii) continue with the accreditation of the voter; and (iv) refer the voter to the PO or APO (VP) for issuance of ballot paper (s).”

It added: “Where a voter’s PVC is read but the name of the voter is not on the Register of Voters, APO I shall refer the voter to the PO or APO (VP) who shall issue a Tendered Ballot (TB) to the voter.

“In the event that the PVC fails to be read by the Smart Card Reader, the APO I shall refer the voter to the Presiding officer or APO (VP) as the case may be, who shall request the voter: (i) To thumbprint in the appropriate box in the Register of Voters; (ii) Provide his/her phone number in appropriate box on the Register of Voters if available; and (iii) Thereafter refer the voter to the PO for the issuance of Tendered Ballot.”

Aside the legality or otherwise of the incidence form, it is a loophole for electoral malfeasance. Electoral officials could exploit it to perpetrate rigging in favour of whatever party, often times the party in power, or at different parties’ stronghold. The Osun governorship rerun is an instructive reminder of such possibilities.

In yet another breath, adopting the continuous accreditation and voting exercise is inherently contentious. This is akin to re-inventing the wheel or trying to fix a machine that is neither broken nor malfunctioning.

It portends an avoidable distraction that could have been taken care of if the failed stakeholders’ meeting had been genuinely productive.

The continuous accreditation and voting is against the practice in 2015, where specific and different time belt were scheduled for accreditation and voting proper. This helps to ascertain the number of accredited voters even before voting proper. When the number of accredited voters is established from the word go, it makes it difficult for politicians to inflate number of eventual voters, thus limiting cases of electoral fraud.

Another argument against the adoption of continuous accreditation and voting among stakeholders in Nigeria was that allowing for continuous accreditation and voting could make the process loose and prone to abuse from unscrupulous politicians especially, in areas considered their strongholds.

“The loose timing for accreditation and voting affords politician the time to perpetrate all sorts once they are done voting in a certain area and have enough time on their hands to cause crisis in other areas,” one commentator opined.

It goes without saying that the next election comes with a make-or-mar status for the nation. This has been severally reiterated by many observers, local and foreign groups as well as individuals, who are expecting the country to build off on the gains of the last elections. In the same vein, they have expressed positions that frowned on any unwholesome practices from all stakeholders, including INEC, the politicians, the nation’s security agencies and the presidency and the administration.

It was against the foregoing that many were disappointed that despite being forced to convene a stakeholders’ meeting as a first step towards confidence-building and ensuring that the right process was jointly agreed to by all in adopting the guidelines for the elections, INEC still refused to see the sense in the reservation expressed by the others and went ahead to release its predetermined guidelines.

Truth is that any attempt to consciously undermine the interests of other stakeholders in the collective resolve to ensure a credible electoral process, the eventual outcome of the exercise would definitely expose the results and the feigned neutrality of INEC.

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CICERO/ONTHEWATCH

With Atiku’s US Visit, PDP Consolidates Winning Chances Some factors will combine to help the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar win next month’s presidential election, chief amongst which was his recent visit to the United States, which had remained a major campaign issue. Adedayo Akinwale writes

W

ith less than 30 days to the presidential election, political analysts, Nigerians as well as the international community do not know where the pendulum would swing at the moment.

But predictions have so far shown a very tight race between the candidates of the two leading parties – President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This is in spite of the fact that there are more than 60 candidates in the presidential race with only about five of them considered the most serious contenders.

However, since the emergence of Atiku at the Port Harcourt convention on October 7, 2018, the PDP has since swung into action, traversing the length and breadth of the country.

Being the main opposition party, PDP started its presidential zonal rally in the North-west, Buhari’s base on December 3, 2018 in Sokoto, Sokoto State, before proceeding to North-central, which was held in Ilorin, Kwara State, and later South-west zonal rally held in Ibadan and in the North-east held in Gombe State.

While the South-south presidential campaign rally is yet to be conducted, PDP rally in Ibadan the South-east zonal rally had earlier that the APC is hell bent on rigging the election. been scheduled for January 18, 2019 by the party, PDP’s Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Kola except that Atiku and some members of his campaign Ologbondiyan, had said at a press conference that, council had to hurriedly travel to the US as part of “We are not surprised that Buhari is not campaigntheir campaign. But the states’ campaign had since ing. What’s he going to campaign on? Is it insecurity, commenced. incompetence, mass killings, humongous corruption Interestingly, for Atiku and the PDP, last week’s and collapsed economy?” trip to the US significantly changed the tide for him.

But the main opposition party has said on a Ordinarily, a candidate’s visit to the US should not number of occasions that its campaign would be have been an issue as that would have been considered issued-based and would not engage the ruling party a personal issue, but the ruling APC has made an issue in gutter politics, and so far so good, the party has out of, insinuating at every turn that the PDP canditried to adhere to that. date’s inability to visit the US was out of fear of arrest The PDP is trying to re-ignite the hopes of since he has a pending corruption case to answer.

Nigerians by saying it has solutions to the myriads The debate over Atiku’s US visit became messy at of problems confronting the country. The party had a point that the government was almost interfering in at several times promised to end hunger, create jobs, the decision of the US embassy on whether or not to turnaround the economy, and also fight corruption. issue one to him. Indeed, the often mob-like supportPresently, there is no doubt that there is hunger, ers of the Buhari government had dared Atiku to visit joblessness, insecurity in the land and the thrust of the US as a first major step to seeking to rule Nigeria.

PDP campaigns so far is the promise to end hunger, But the former vice-president ignored them all jobs and turnaround the economy. These along and was running with other campaign plans un- create have rekindled the hopes in many Nigerians til the time came for him to travel to the US and he did promises of the voting age, making some resolute to vote out the without as much making a media capital from it. That present administration, and ‘change the change.’ he chose to travel without hinting at it lent credence to On the other hand, the APC has maintained the his confidence about traveling to anywhere at will and rhetoric that brought it into power in 2015 that the “16 this, has not only shut his enemies up but changed the years of PDP rule destroyed this country,” “Atiku is current tenor of the campaigns for the nation’s top job, corrupt,” “Buhari is a man of integrity,” and all that. It whose election is due second week of next month. leaves much to be desired that the ruling party, having Immediately he arrived in the US, Atiku had first been in power for nearly four years has no messagemet with Congressman Christopher Smith, the man achievement to campaign with. who warned weeks ago against tampering with the Prior to the 2015 election, the party promised to electoral process, while a legion of other meetings had fight corruption, create three million jobs every year been set up for him, including meeting with operators and tackle insecurity. One would have expected the of some of US critical sectors. party to campaign based on its achievements Although generally, observers and political analysts ruling this three major thematic areas to push for the have suggested that the presidential campaigns of both on re-election of Mr. President. This is not the case as the PDP and the APC have not been robust, the PDP the APC appears to be less innovative, or maybe it appears to be making more efforts and determined to requires someone to tell the party that Nigerians are get back to power than the ruling party, which seems no longer interested in rhetoric and the16 years of to think the election is already a walkover. the PDP but what they have achieved in the last four Aside the ‘Trader Moni’ initiative, which has Vice years.

President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo as its face and The ruling party by now should know that no one likewise the door-to-door campaign, the APC has not cares about the much touted Buhari’s integrity or antidone much when it comes to robust and aggressive war, when there is hunger in the land and campaign for the re-election bid of President Buhari, in corruption senseless killings, while government has been unable addition to desperately avoiding a debate. to find lasting solution to them. Nigerians are only When eventually the ruling party released its caminterested in what the APC would do to end hunger, paign timetable less than a month to the presidential killings and joblessness, which they are not being told. election, President Buhari, who is seeking re-election, Alleged selective anti-graft war, nepotism, will not be the face of the campaign himself. He has incompetence and witch-hunt of political opponents asked a former Lagos State governor and one of the by the APC-led federal government had drawn more national leaders of his party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to sympathy for the PDP. Considering the body language spearhead the campaign on his behalf. of the president that has refused to change, many The PDP said it wasn’t surprised that President would-be voters in the forthcoming elections have Buhari is not going out to canvass for votes, alleging already formed their opinions based on what they

have witnessed from this administration so far.

Unlike the 2015 presidential election, when the APC enjoyed massive goodwill, having taken advantage of the emotions of Nigerians to campaign, next month’s election will be a different ball game. Most of Buhari supporters in 2015, including the league of retired generals are all against his re-election.

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo has told Buhari in his famous letter to jettison his second term agenda. He opted to end years of animosity between him and his former deputy, Atiku Abubakar and promised to help launch him to presidency. In fact, he has been going round asking Nigerians not to reinforce failure by re-electing Buhari.

In the midst of these, some supposed ‘men of God’ and political pastors had also released various prophecies for 2019 and had also predicted the winner of the presidential election. While some predicted Buhari to win, some said Atiku would win.

Analysts are however of the opinions that the six geopolitical zones of the federation will be battle grounds for both the PDP and APC. Existing permutation is that the South-south and South-east are for the PDP to lose, the North-west would be shared Buhari, with a loss margin favourable to Atiku.

With what happened in the Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial elections, the South-west will be a serious battleground. Though the APC holds sway there, it should be ready for a tough fight. The South-west might vote overwhelmingly for PDP, not because the party is a credible alternative, but because the APC has failed glaringly.

The killings in the north-central as a result of Fulani herders/farmers clash and the federal government nonchalant attitude to end the carnage is enough reason for people of the zone, especially Benue and Plateau States to vote PDP. Kwara will not also be an easy take for the ruling party, because of the perceived persecution of the Senate President Bukola Saraki.

While North-east has always been a fertile ground for Buhari, which was also evident in 2015, but next month election would be different. The equations have changed significantly. One reason why the region won’t be easy for Buhari this time around is because one of their own, Atiku is Buhari’s main challenger.

The people of the region have never had this opportunity since 1960. With an understanding of the typical Nigerian politics, it is clear that North-east would not abandon their own for someone else, in addition to their current experience in the hands of terrorists.

The ruling APC can only write-off Atiku at its peril, because apart from the fact that he is not a political underdog, his political antecedents and national spread would naturally come handy during next month’s election, not to talk of his growing international acceptance.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JANUARY 20, 2019

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CICERO/REPORT

Onnoghen: An Unparalleled Siege on Nigeria’s Judiciary Under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, Nigeria’s judiciary is facing the fiercest battle in the democratic history of the country. Not a few believe that the third arm of the government is under siege, writes Davidson Iriekpen

T

he four years of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration will go down in history as one that shook the judiciary to its very foundation. When a few months after he had assumed office, President Muhammadu Buhari gave an insight into what would happen in the judiciary under his tenure, nobody imagined the dimension it has taken so far.

Having made the fight against corruption one of the cardinal objectives of his government, the president during a town hall meeting with Nigerians living in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, innocuously said at that occasion that the judiciary remained his main “a headache in the fight against corruption.”

According to him, corruption is so pervasive in the country that it requires the strong support of the third arm of government to effectively tackle the monster.

The president, who stated that he needed the support of the judiciary to win the anti-graft war, recalled that corruption in the judiciary stalled his presidential ambition for an upward of 12 years.

He also promised to overhaul the country’s judicial system.

He said: “On the fight against corruption vis-à-vis the judiciary, Nigerians will be right to say that is my main headache for now.”

With this kind of remarks from the commanderin-chief, the discerning knew it was a matter of time before the arm of government, known as the last hope of the common man began to get all the attention.

Soon after the comment, he approached the National Assembly to grant him emergency powers. Due to the tendencies the administration was already exhibiting, his request was turned down Onnoghen by the National Assembly. Not only were people, especially members of the opposition parties arrested, but court orders were also disregarded and disobeyed.

For this reason, the National Assembly reasoned that granting the president emergency powers would make him a tyrant.

Having failed to secure emergency powers, and other regular orders from the court granting bails to persons standing trial, the president turned on the judiciary, accusing it of being corrupt in the discharge of its statutory duties.

In October 2016, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, alleged that his office received complaints from concerned members of the public over the corrupt practices of some serving judges of the superior court of record.

Consequent upon this, he directed the Department of State Service (DSS), whose primary duty is for intelligence gathering within the country and for the protection of senior government

Let us assume, without conceding, that the charge stands, where does the federal government get the power to order the CJN to vacate his seat? That is acting ultra vires.

The constitution has succinctly provided for the procedure in which the CJN can be removed under Section 292 which requires the support of the twothirds majority of the Senate.

It is my opinion that if the federal government wants the CJN removed for any reason whatsoever, the constitutional procedure must be strictly followed

officials, to raid the homes of seven serving judicial officers of the Supreme, Federal and High Courts across the country at the wee hours of the night and arrested some of them.

The affected Justices of the Supreme Court were, Sylvanus Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro. Those from Federal High Court included Muazu Pindiga, Adeniyi Ademola, Abdullahi Liman, and Nnamdi Dimgba. The seventh judge, who was serving in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital was saved from the raid and arrest following the intervention of the state governor, Nyesom Wike.

The outcry was massive, especially among lawyers, members of the National Assembly and the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) but it was ignored.

While all these were going on, they did not know that bigger repression against the judiciary was underway. Then came who would succeed then outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, which is based on seniority in the Supreme Court bench.

As it is usually the tradition, the National Judicial Council (NJC) forwarded the name of Justice Walter Onnoghen to the President to be named the new CJN based on the recommendation of the Federal Judicial Service Commission.

On November 10, 2016, Buhari inaugurated him as the acting chief justice of Nigeria. But for his name to be sent to the National Assembly for confirmation, it took pressure and outcry from members of the public for steps to be taken.

After the first three-month tenure of Justice Onnoghen in an acting capacity, the pressure intensified due to speculations that the seniority rule at the Supreme Court would be truncated by the powers-that-be in the All Progressives Congress (APC), who were uncomfortable with having him as the head of the judiciary.

But as fate would have it, while the president was away on medical vacation, the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, forwarded Onnoghen’s name to the National Assembly for confirmation as the substantive CJN and was later sworn in.

From nowhere, a civil society group, the Anti-Corruption and Research-Based Data Initiative (ARDI), submitted a petition dated January 7, 2019, to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), alleging a number of infractions committed by Onnoghen and within three days, without query and investigation, a six-count charge was filed before CCT, signifying that investigation had already been concluded before the petition was submitted to the CCB. While many observers argued that it was a total misconception that Justice Onnoghen could not be tried, they also faulted the processes and steps taken by ARDI, CCB and the CCT. Section 1(1) of the 1999 Constitution, says it is “supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on the authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

This needs to be stated clearly in view of the opinion of some sections that the CJN enjoys immunity. Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides for immunity clause does not cover the CJN. Hence, he is not above the law. Since everybody is subject to the law, the CJN, as “big” as he is can be charged and tried in both civil and criminal matters.

In any case, if the CJN is to be tried or charged for any offence whatsoever, it must be done according to the law. The position of the law is that any judicial officer including the CJN, cannot be tried by any court whatsoever, CCT inclusive unless the matter in question had been investigated and completely treated by the NJC. This position was given judicial backing in the recent case of Nganjiwa vs Federal Republic of Nigeria 2018 4 NWLR Part 1609 Page 301, where it was clearly held that no serving judge in Nigeria could be tried or charged in any court, without the earlier investigation and sanction by the NJC. Consequent upon this, it was argued that the charge and arraignment were both illegal and unconstitutional, ab initio.

Also, from the doctrine of stare decisis, the decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of Justice Nganjiwa vs the Federal Republic of Nigeria stands and is binding on all authorities and persons until upturned by the Supreme Court as provided for under Section 287(2) of the 1999 Constitution.

Analysts submitted that since the Supreme Court is yet to give a pronouncement on the decision, it stands to be the law which must be obeyed by all and sundry.

Second and most importantly is whether the CCT should try a judicial officer? A famous case appears to show that the CCB may be embarking on a journey in futility.

For instance, in May 2018, the CCT struck out the 10-count charge filed by the federal government against Justice Ngwuta of the Supreme Court, who was one of the judges whose residences were raided by the DSS in 2016 for concealing their assets.

Ngwuta’s lawyers argued that CCT lacked the jurisdiction to try him, based on sections 318, 158(1) and paragraph 21 (B) of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution.

Before judgment could be delivered on the matter, the Court of Appeal had delivered judgment in the case of Justice Nganjiwa vs the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This made the CCT accept that it lacked the jurisdiction to hear and determine the case against Justice Ngwuta and consequently struck out the case.

And because nothing has changed since then, many analysts are wondering why the same CCB and CCT would assume jurisdiction in the case of Justice Onnoghen, when it knows that something cannot be placed on anything and expect it to stand.

Knowing that it has bungled the case against CJN, the federal government directed him to resign over the charges. To this end, on Wednesday, the AGF directed that his bank accounts be frozen. This has also generated outrage across the board.

This, perhaps, lent credence to the rumour that the petition and charges might not be unconnected with attempts by members of the APC, who were not happy having Justice Onnoghen at the helm of affairs in the judiciary especially appointing judges, who will adjudicate on disputes arising from the general election.

This is why a legal affairs analyst, Festus Ogun, described the action as a symptom of dictatorial tendency, abuse of power and invitation to tyranny.

“How possible is it to place something on nothing and expect it to stand? Respectfully, this is a symptom of dictatorial tendency, abuse of power and invitation to tyranny. In the first place, the charge and arraignment cannot stand as they are illegal.

“Let us assume, without conceding, that the charge stands, where does the federal government get the power to order the CJN to vacate his seat? That is acting ultra vires. The constitution has succinctly provided for the procedure in which the CJN can be removed under Section 292 which requires the support of the two-thirds majority of the Senate.

“It is my opinion that if the federal government wants the CJN removed for any reason whatsoever, the constitutional procedure must be strictly followed,” he said.

Many pundit have argued that if the federal government in its fight against corruption has refused to arraign and charge the Chairman, Special Presidential Investigative Panel for the Recovery of Property, Mr Okoi Obono-Obla, whose school certificate has been described as fake, “altered and invalid” by WAEC, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Lawal Babachir and many others accused of corruption, it exposes its hypocrisy.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JANUARY 20, 2019

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SUNDAYINTERVIEW Adekunle Akinlade

Akinlade...it’s smart to sustain Amosun’s development agenda

A PC’s C o n t e n t i o us P rimary Election About 2023 Power Game Hon. Adekunle Abdulkabir Akinlade, a serving member of the House of Representatives from Egbado South and IpokiaFederalConstituency,isthegovernorshipcandidateofAlliedPeoplesMovement(APM)inOgunState.From a relatively unknown background, his profile has risen to a point of intense public reckoning less than one decade that he started partisan politics. From being the Senior Special Assistant on Taxation & Revenue to Governor Ibikunle Amosun to going to the House, he was hitherto the issue in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), before defecting to APM to realise his governorship bid. In this interview with Gboyega Akinsanmi in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Akinlade reeled off his governance blueprint with a central theme of sustaining the current agenda of making Ogun the epicentre of socio-economic activities in Nigeria and Africa. Excerpts:

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iven the emerging status of Ogun State as an industrial hub and the infrastructure it needs to attract investments, what exactly are you bringing to the table?

If you look at where we are today and juxtapose it with where we were coming from, we have a state that has transformed immensely in terms of infrastructure development in the last seven and a half years. Before now, Ogun State had no basic infrastructure, especially road infrastructure. But because of the size of our roads and the level of development we witnessed in the last six years, it became necessary to sustain what the administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun started.

Of course, that attracts a lot of people to the state. Wherever you have development is where population growth starts from. By implication, that brought about the expansion of our roads in the capital. Now, we are going to approach governance differently in order to make other towns and local councils in the state economically viable. Once we make other towns and councils economically viable, we start to see population growth in those areas naturally.

Our vision is to make sure we complete all roads that link Ogun to Lagos and other neighbouring states. Ijoko road is a good example. Another example is the road linking Ota to Ojodu Berger.

We will expand all roads that link Ogun State to other states, especially Lagos State. This is to make sure that as development grows, it flows into Ogun State easily.

Ogun State, especially Abeokuta, is a huge construction site. With different projects going on simultaneously, what is your sustainability strategy?

It’s very simple. We cannot develop the state without money.

One of the things we will do is to increase our internally generated revenue (IGR) from N7 billion to N12 billion. To realise this, of course, we want to look into our rural areas. We are predominantly farmers in Ogun State. Over 60 per cent of our population is farmers. We will look at different ways we will invest in and grow the economy of our rural areas. Once we are able to do that, we will be able to have enough resources to sustain the development you see today.

If you look at Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, to attract

certain kind of investment anywhere in the world, you need to have a capital that people can see that you are actually serious.

That is the trend globally, if you look at the history of the United Kingdom, China, the United States and all these big cities that are fully industrialised. To really attract the attention of investors or the big players, we need to have a befitting capital.

As Senior Special Assistant on Taxation and Revenue between 2011 and 2015, what we discovered was that the top management staff members of the companies you see in Ogun State live in Lagos. They do not live in Ogun State. Only the junior workers live in the state. So, what we need to do is to create a state that will enable such individuals to live here. We do not want Ogun State to be a state, where people come to work and do not live.

The tax law is very simple. It requires that you pay your tax where you live and not where you work. That is what we are trying to do differently. We’d make sure we build the capital of the state. Once the capital is fixed, we will attract the right investments all over the world. After South Africa, today, we have one of the

Continued on Pg. 77

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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 ˾ JANUARY 20, 2019

SUNDAY INTERVIEW t ‘IT’S SMART TO SUSTAIN AMOSUN’S DEVELOPMENT AGENDA’ t Continued from Pg. 78 biggest breweries in Africa. When we have companies that give us N400 million monthly, that tells you that things are getting different.

But we simply need to provide enabling environment for them, not just to operate, but also to live.

That is why we have all these new housing estates we are developing now. The essence is to ensure that people, who work in Ogun State, can also live here. For us, it is a win-win.

First, we need to have a right state capital that the big players will know that we are serious as a state. We can now tell all these big businesses that they can actually work and live in Ogun State. With what we have done in Abeokuta, you can see we are going to expand all roads in the capital and all major cities within the state.

There were complaints that some of the policies of the Amosun administration did not really touch rural communities and suburbs. How do you intend to address this concern?

We strongly believe we need to create enabling environment for our communities and towns if we must develop. It is part of our blueprint. That is what we are going to do.

Already, we have the blueprint to ensure we make our communities and towns economically viable. We have a plan to dredge our rivers and streams to create an economy for those who are living in the riverine communities. Like I mentioned earlier, we have great plans for the rural dwellers.

In 2011, Amosun held a meeting with his Lagos counterpart then on the need to remit taxes of Ogun residents that work in Lagos. Did the meeting yield any result? If not, how do you intend to get Lagos comply with the tax law?

I was the Senior Special Assistant on Taxation & Revenue between 2011 and 2015. What we did then was to ensure that every state surrounding Ogun State complied with what the tax law says. The tax law stipulates that every tax payer remits his/her tax to the state, where he/she lives and not where he/she works.

Then, we sat with former Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), now the Minister of Works, Power and Housing. Both Amosun and Fashola held a meeting and had an understanding.

But the Lagos State Government said we needed to prove that these people, who work in Lagos State, actually live in Ogun State.

One of the things we did then was to get cameras. We went to Sango-Otta and Ojodu Berger to capture the movement of Ogun residents into and out of Lagos State every day. By 4:00 a.m., we were there, waiting vehicles coming into Lagos State and very few people were going out of Lagos at that same period. By 3:00 p.m., we went back there again, many vehicles were returning to Ogun State and very many people were going into Lagos around the same time.

Physically, we could see the trend of movement. But they rejected that proof, because it was not empirical enough. Lagos State argued that the video footages did not translate to the fact that the people were actually living in Ogun State. We went back to the drawing board. Then, we started door-to-door enumeration. We later developed an App to capture the details of Ogun people with focus on where they live in Ogun State, where they work and their home addresses.

We put a notice that every Ogun residents should text where they work, their home address, phone contacts and other details to a particular number. We told them that they would get an alert of N500 airtime for the text they sent. The App was designed in such a way that once a message entered into the system, the sender would not be able to send it again. We got so much data through the App that we were able to present empirical evidence to the Lagos State. As a result, Lagos agreed to start remitting, though did not remit taxes collected before we were to provide evidence about Ogun residents, who work in Lagos State. I was aware then that Lagos State made some remittances.

However, I do not have details of what Lagos State remitted to the Ogun State Government. During the Fashola administration, we got remittance from Lagos State. At a point, I think we got about N1billon annually from remittances. When the new government came in, I left Ogun State. Presently, I am still in the House of Representatives. I do not have the details of what happened. Once we come on board, this is one of the areas we are going to look at.

Can you shed light on the political intrigues to change the tax law at the House of Representatives to allow every tax payer remit their taxes to the state where they actually work and not where they live?

It was really an interesting episode. At the House of Representatives, there was an attempt by Hon. Wale Raji from Epe Federal Constituency to amend the tax law. Hon. Raji brought a motion to amend the law that taxes should be paid to where you work and not where you live. As representatives from Ogun State, we stood our ground and told the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara that the bill would not see the light of the day.

Of course, we know our position today as an industrial hub of Nigeria, if not Africa. We are quite confident that Ogun State will survive. But what about the states like Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger and these small states surrounding Abuja? People live in these states

and work in Abuja. But if their residents pay their taxes to Abuja, what happens to these small states? When we put our position forward, the bill was eventually stepped down.

An attempt was made by a representative from Lagos State to change the law. For those who understand the politics between Lagos and Ogun will know where we find ourselves. The good thing is that I am a son to them in Lagos State and not a friend. I know I will get better deal when we come on board.

Recently, you were quoted as saying, “The exploits in the area of infrastructure development, foreign direct investment, youth employment, agricultural revolution, health and cultural reawakening, which Ogun has witnessed under Governor Ibikunle Amosun should not be abandoned. Our commitment to the people of Ogun State must remain eternal.” Is this not a mere political statement?

To be honest, it is not a political statement. I am from Ipokia Local Government Area in Ogun West. I am one of Ogun indigenes that believe strongly in the welfare of our people. We have started from somewhere already. And because we have started, it is like digging a well. You spend so money to carry out environmental impact assessment. We dug the well. We have started seeing water.

Yet, the water is not fully clean. But we have dug the well. We have invested money, our state’s monies and everybody’s monies.

I believe we have to get to the last dig where clean water will come out and all of us can now drink. I will not sit down and abandon that well and start digging a new well. It is not going to get to my generation. That is what we are saying. We must sustain what they have done. We have seen what is happening in Abeokuta. We have seen what is happening around our industrial hubs. Look at Agbara and Sagamu Interchange area. That is the first industrial hub in Ogun State.

Nothing much has happened in terms of infrastructure in that sector. After we have done this, I will not abandon the well Senator Amosun started digging. We must get to the final stage of the well, where all of us can get clean water. We must sustain what we have done to make sure development gets to Ogun East, Ogun Central and Ogun West. I believe it will be in the best interest of our people.

We cannot start afresh. It is not in the interest of any person if we are going to start afresh.

So, it is better we sustain what we have and make sure we get to the last dig so that when the water comes out, all of us will drink.

It is not even viable for us to borrow money. Those who borrowed us money in 2015 cannot borrow us money now, because most projects we use the money to execute are not for profit-making purpose.

The roads are not tolled. We service every loan we borrowed from our IGR. If our roads are tolled, every person will give us money, because they know they can get their money back every day in terms of concessions. If you have clear understanding that these are social projects for people, everybody that knows what they are doing will sustain it rather than abandoning it and starting afresh.

There is no doubt that you have lofty programmes, but the platform on which you are contesting is considered rather weak. Do you stand a chance on this platform?

No, our platform – the Allied Peoples Movement – is not weak.

Rather, it is very strong. I might have shared the same concern two or three months ago. After our primaries on October 2, 2018, we had some interests, who wrote results and announced some people. We thought it was not possible. But it took us time to come

to realisation that they were not going to reverse that decision. We realised that it was beyond Ogun State. It was beyond me as a person. It is a bigger game. It is all about 2023 presidential game. We understand the position of the APC that only the National Chairman and National Secretary can actually sign our forms and present us to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

When we realised that they were not going to change anything, we came back home. The mistake they made was that they undermined the goodwill of Amosun in Ogun State. I work closely with him. I cannot deny the fact that he is my mentor.

People clearly know my vision; what I want to do in Ogun State; that I believe in Ogun State and people believe me. We realise it is not the time to go after any person. We realise it is the time to come back home and let the people understand what actually happened. All I did was to change the cap I was wearing before now. It does not take anything away from my head or who I am.

It is still the same Kunle you know. I served as the Senior Special Assistant on Taxation and Revenue. I interfaced with every union in the state.

We started what we called voluntary compliance. I used to call them then when I was in Ogun Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS). I called the associations to assure them of our readiness to listen to their complaints.

Sometimes, I would tell them: “If the law says you pay N10, 000 annually as tax, there is no problem about that. I negotiated with them. How much can you afford to pay? And they would tell that they could only afford to pay N3, 000. I would tell them that the cost of collecting N3,000 was high.

But I would agree to collect N3, 000 from them if they agreed to pay directly into the state coffers, because I realise the cost of collecting every N1, 000 is a lot of money. I would equally tell them I would collect the N3,000. But their associations or unions should collect the money from every member of your association or union and pay it into the state coffers.”

That tells clearly that the people know what I stand for and who I am. It is about Ogun State. It is about our people. It is not in any way about the party to be honest. Likewise, it is not about me. The party is not the platform. We do not have the structure at the state level. We do not have the State Executive Committee. We do not have Local Government Executive Committee. We do not have the Ward Executive Committee.

What we set up is campaign coordinators and teams to help us win this election. Yet, people know me. Yet, they are driving my campaigns in all local councils without giving them money.

But the language has not changed. Who I am has not changed. I have served in Ogun State. They know I am a serving lawmaker at the House of Representatives. For me, we have made a name.

Nobody knows this party. We have turned it to household name in this state With the rising profile of the APM in Ogun State, don’t you think the decision of some aggrieved aspirants to contest on this platform will jeopardise Buhari’s re-election?

If you go around the state really, you will discover there is hope for us. I went to Yewa North on Thursday. I just came from Ikenne on Wednesday. We are going around Ogun State. We have been to seven Local Government Areas already and have covered over 60 wards as a result. We are going from ward to ward to campaign. You need to see the way people are coming out in droves to receive us. These people are enlightened. They voted in the primaries and saw that it was a case of injustice.

People are telling us not to lose our sleep. They are not asking for money. Yet they are ready to support and work for us. Actually, we are stronger than major parties in Ogun State today. I campaign for Buhari’s re-election anywhere I go to in the state. If I do not campaign for him, they will not vote for the APC. I have to tell them to vote for Buhari. I have to tell them Buhari would have helped if not for where he finds himself.

When I visited the president recently, he was happy when he saw me. He was almost apologetic. He is like a father. You know your son was cheated and as a father, you can’t do anything to help him. But he is proud of us and what we have been able to do with our platform. He wondered where we got our energy from.

He said: “As young people, you can stand up; take a position and stand by it.” For me, we are stronger than what you think.

You sound very confident about your victory. Where is that coming from?

Simply put, it’s the people of Ogun State. They are the source of our confidence. It is not Senator Amosun. Even, the governor gets his confidence from the people, because no matter how much you put out there and no matter how brilliant you are, it is still the people that will determine who wins the election at the end of the day. So, it is the people. When I go out every day, I see them; I am tired and my voice is gone.

When I wake up in the morning, I see people happy coming out. I do not give them ten kobo. People sleep outside. They followed me for two days when we went to Yewa North. They follow me everywhere I go. I do not have a hotel. People will sleep in their vehicles. I cannot even leave them alone. I sit with them. All of us will play till the next morning. Then, you can see that there is hope for us in Ogun State.

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A joint sitting of the National Assembly

As the 8th N’Assembly Counts Down‌ The federal lawmakers returned from a 25-day recess on Wednesday, January 16, with the leadership charging members to be prepared for more legislative duties in the New Year, write Deji Elumoye and Shola Oyeyipo

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pon resumption of plenary on Wednesday, January 16, Chairman of the National Assembly, who also doubles as the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, drummed it into the ears of their colleagues that more work needed to be done as the 8th National Assembly, which was inaugurated on June 9, 2015 began the final lap of its four-year legislative race.

But the plenary on January 16 was however adjourned by the two chambers of the National Assembly as a mark of honour for one of the lawmakers, Hon. Abayomi Ayeola (Ibeju Lekki federal constituency), who died on December 30, 2018.

In line with the tradition of the Assembly, the two chambers adjourned plenary till Thursday, January 17 but not until both Saraki and Dogara had formally welcomed their colleagues back with strongly-worded speeches.

Saraki used the occasion to note that going by the anticipatory mood of an average Nigerian, the nation has a date with destiny this year. Saraki emphasised that “as evident all around us, the New Year has met our countrymen and women in an anticipatory mood. “Spirits are high, because in this year 2019, Nigeria has a date with destiny. But we also know that despite all of this, the work of leadership must go on; governance must not suffer. We must trudge on and fulfill our mandates as legislators subject to the Nigerian Constitution and the will of the people.�

He, however, urged his colleagues not to be distracted from their legislative duties, adding that, “We must have our eyes firmly fixed on the unfinished business of the 8th Senate and that is to bring the legislative agenda to a fitting close and cap our endeavours of these four years with success as we cannot relent or lose steam on this

last lap. We must remain focused and finish strong.�

According to him, the 8th Senate had by the end of 2018 passed an unprecedented 257 bills, many of which are groundbreaking enough to change the game to meet the needs of Nigerians, with the potential to radically transform their lives for the better. “Nigerians expect us to continue in this vein, and we owe it to ourselves to meet their expectations. The legacy of the 8th Senate will be written in the legislative footprints that we leave, and the foundation that we lay�, and therefore urged his colleagues to ensure that they continue to address issues affecting Nigerians, and which they seek legislative intervention. “Issues such as unemployment, lack of economic opportunities, insecurity and so on – these still require the attention of the National Assembly. Every action that we can take to address these issues through the legislative function, we must take. Everything that we can do, we must do. We must ensure that we conclude work on all outstanding bills and petitions; and bring successful conclusion to all issues and investigations brought to the attention of this Senate.�

On the forthcoming general election, Saraki advised his colleagues to rise above partisanship as they go about their legislative work.

His words: “In our work in this chamber, we are expected to rise about the partisan paradigm. We should address our minds to, and always channel our efforts to how we can move our country forward. Nigerians want to see leaders, who will not succumb to the partisan instinct in lawmaking. They want to see leaders, who will bring new ideas to bear on the challenges confronting the country.�

He stressed the need for all to ensure that everything must be done and every sacrifice must be made to ensure free and fair 2019 Elections. “INEC is encouraged to engage the parties and be transparent in its decision-making. It is important that

the people are assured of the Commission’s resolve and commitment to credible elections. “To all Nigerians, I say this: we must have a country after the elections. We all still have to live among ourselves when the polls have closed and the elections are over.

The rhetoric leading up to the elections must therefore be mindful of the need for moderation, decorum and respect.�

The Senate President also advised leaders not to heat up the polity saying, “leaders should help reduce the tension in the polity by contributing to an atmosphere of moderate and measured political conversations. “Expectations of the Executive are also palpable, particularly with regard to the need to uphold the Constitution and its tenets especially, as they guarantee the minimum basic requirement of Separation of Powers; the unity of the country and the welfare of the citizens,� he said.

Saraki further stressed the role of the judiciary in promoting justice saying if the Judiciary was violated or eroded or otherwise brought to ill repute, so do the values attached to its role in a democracy. “Everyone in the political value chain should therefore do nothing that could raise tensions in the country.

Nigerians are looking up to leaders, who will douse flames that have the potential to threaten the peace and wellbeing of our country�.

On his part, Dogara, while welcoming his colleagues back was emphatic that the lawmakers were ready to commence the second reading of the 2019 Appropriation Bill.

In fact, he initially promised that the House would start work on the 2019 budget after the valedictory session held on Thursday in honour of Ayeola and the late Second Republic President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari.

His words: “I hope copies of the budget have been circulated? If copies of the budget have been circulated, we may have to start the second reading of the budget

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As the 8th N’Assembly Counts Down‌ tomorrow.�

Although listed on the Thursday Order Paper to be considered for second reading as promised Wednesday, Dogara told the House that the second reading had to be postponed because members were yet to get copies of the budget. “We will not take the debate on the second reading of the budget until members have copies (of the budget). So, we will fix a new date,� he said but candidly, the Speaker has shown more than a passing interest in facilitating a quick passage of the 2019 budget. He pleaded with his colleagues to ensure a quick passage of the budget.

Aside that, Dogara also made some instructive observations on some issues bordering on national security and his expectations on the fast approaching 2019 general election.

Primarily, Dogara was not pretentious that the end of the tenure of the eighth National Assembly is about five months away so, he said there was no better time than now to reflect on the journey that started in June, 2015.

While he was certain that members of the House can confidently beat their chests that that they have done appreciably well as lawmakers, Dogara said: “We must realise that the remaining period demands of us to work assiduously and expeditiously so that we can dispose of the huge legislative assignments that still lie ahead of us. “This will enable us to sustain to the very last day the unsurpassed record of legislative outputs we have this far achieved thus finishing as strongly as we started and have fared.�

Dogara, therefore, called for an accelerated passage of the 2019 budget appropriation bill so that the business of the federal government, which ends on May 29, 2019, is not negatively affected.

On the 2019 Appropriation Bill, the Speaker said it was a major assignment “we have to discharge as quickly as possible so that Government business will not be impeded as the life of the federal government draws to a close.�

According to him, “It is imperative in this regard that we accelerate our pace of work in all the legislative processes involved in the Bill so that it could be passed in good time.�

The Speaker also lamented the continuous deteriorating security situation in the country especially, in the North-east, North-west and some parts of the Northcentral, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to overhaul the Nigerian security architecture.

He implored members seeking elective offices to commit time to completing their legislative duties, stressing that “We all know that the process for the 2019 general election is at its peak. The demand of the current political campaigns on our time is obvious to all. “While this is not new to many of us, I wish to remind us to strike a good balance between our commitment to our legislative duties and our participation in the campaigns. In particular, those of us who are contesting elections should streamline our political timetable and schedules to make room for our attendance to our legislative duties as much as is expected of us.�

He also noted that there were some other bills under consideration, which were critical to the development of Nigeria and that must receive the concerted attention in the days ahead, saying “We must resolve to conclude work on as many of these bills as possible for the advancement of the country and the wellbeing of our people�.

On the poor state of security in the country, Dogara said: “Only three days ago, scores of people were killed in Sokoto State and elsewhere,� adding that “hardly any week passes without reports of mass killings and bloodletting either by terrorists or armed bandits. “This calls for drastic, urgent and concerted action and efforts to bring to

Saraki with Dogara outside the chambers

a quick end. Our citizens are looking up to us and we can’t afford to fail them, because security of lives and properties is the primary purpose of government.

The fight against unbridled violence is one we cannot afford to lose as we can’t do so and still keep our civilisation. “The symptoms of the malady afflicting our national security architecture are in plain sight. It is therefore imperative for the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces to take a hard look at our national security architecture with a view to fixing the malady in order to secure lives, national pride and prestige.�

Dogara regretted that President Buhari declined assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2018 despite painstaking efforts of the National Assembly, which he said was aimed at giving the country a more acceptable electoral system. “It should remain a thing of pride for us that the National Assembly has done its best by taking steps to guarantee the successful and rancour-free conduct of the 2019 general election by passing the Electoral Act Amendment Bill for the third time after Mr. President had declined assent to it twice. “Lack of passage into Law of the amended Bill means that the impending general election will not benefit from the innovative mechanisms crafted in its collaboration with international and Development partners. “Consequently, the palpable fears of wellmeaning Nigerians and the international community of the possibility of some forces working to manipulate the coming elections by exploiting the identified loopholes in the current Electoral Act may become a reality if proactive steps are not taken by critical stakeholders. “We had intended through this Bill to minimise the risk to the survival of our hard-won democracy through responsive and timely legislation aimed at ensuring free, fair and transparent elections. Nonetheless, as Parliament, we have done our best to guarantee the stability and growth of our fragile democracy, and I have no doubt that history will be very kind to us. “Under the present circumstance, we have no choice than to take INEC and the police by their words and give them the benefit of doubt in their recent assurances to be impartial, efficient and truthful in

the conduct of the coming elections. This is the minimum that the country deserves from them at this auspicious time. Nothing short of complete openness, a level playing ground and strict adherence to extant laws will be acceptable to Nigerians.�

But on the sideline of all that happened in the two days that the National Assembly held plenary last week, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) added one more lawmaker to its rank in the House of Representatives on Thursday when the lawmaker representing Okitipupa/ Irele federal constituency of Ondo State, Hon Mike Omogbehin, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Dogara read Omogbehin’s defection letter dated January 16, 2019 at plenary.

Omogbehin wrote in the letter “I wish to inform you that I have formally resigned my membership of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in an earlier letter to the chairman of my ward. “My over seventeen years of unflinching loyalty and passion, as well as the passion of overwhelming majority of the good people of my constituency for the party is dead. �I am therefore very pleased to inform you that I have decided to agree with my people in pitching my tent with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in continuation of my political journey.�

The passing of former President Shagari also received the attention of both the Senate and the House of Representatives with the lawmakers taking turns to eulogise the virtues of the late elder statesman.

The Senate urged the federal government to immortalise Shagari by naming a national monument after him. This was sequel to a motion moved by Senator Ibrahim Danbaba (Sokoto South) and co-sponsored by eight other Senators on the demise of former President Shagari, who died on December 28, 2018 at the National Hospital, Abuja.

The co-sponsors of the motion were Senators Tijjani Yahaya (Zamfara North), Bala Na’Allah (Kebbi South), Ibrahim Gobir (Sokoto East) and Aliyu Wammakko (Sokoto North). Others were Senators Adamu Aleiro (Kebbi Central), Ahmed Yarima (Zamfara West), Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara Central) and Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North).

Many Senators including the Deputy

Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over Thursday’s plenary, eulogised the virtues of Shagari, who died at the age of 93.

While observing a minute silence in honour of Shagari, the Senate also resolved to send a high-powered delegation to condole with the family of the deceased as well as the people and government of Sokoto State.

Earlier, some Senators had described the December, 1983 coup that ousted the second republic government of Shagari as a cog in the wheel of development of the country.

The senators, who spoke while contributing to a motion, titled “The Demise of Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari�, lamented that Nigeria would have improved tremendously in all facets of life if the administration of the first executive president elected on the platform of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN), was not overthrown by the military.

They noted that the late former president had a clear vision for Nigeria’s development and lived a life worthy of emulation by the present leaders and young politicians so as to restore the old glory of the country.

Leading the debate, Senator Danbaba, said Shagari promoted national unity in the country and executed many projects in the agricultural sector under his government’s Green Revolution programme, housing and industrial development.

According to him, Shagari had a distinguished and unblemished public record spanning over a period of 30 years, adding that “he was forthright, a nation-builder, a distinguished statesman that contributed greatly to the growth and development of democracy in Nigeria�.

He therefore lamented that Shagari’s government was overthrown in a military coup in 1983, thereby terminating the Second Republic democratic rule barely after four years, noting that the deceased remained a political colossus after he was toppled from office.

Senator Mao Ohuabunwa (Abia North), said the 1983 coup took Nigeria backward by 20 years.

Describing him as a detribalised Nigerian, Senator Ohuabunwa said the late second republic president would be remembered for his selfless love and commitment to the nation’s unity.

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SOCIALMEDIABITS

with DEMOLA OJO demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Last week, the President campaigned, the VP defended his boss and Atiku went to America. It was all captured on social media...

W

ith the presidential election less than a month away, the leading gladiators are in full campaign mode as they jostle for supremacy.

President Muhammadu Buhari was very visible over the past week, as he crisscrossed the country, from Kogi to Delta, Edo to Kaduna.

While his media aides have been sure to put up images of filled-up stadiums to prove he’s the man the people want, his adversaries have focused on his gaffes, as they question if he has the physical and mental capabilities to lead Nigeria for another four years.

They gleefully shared videos of the President needing three takes to correctly identify Great Ogboru’s designation at

the APC rally in Warri. After referring to the gubernatorial candidate as the presidential candidate, he then called him the senatorial candidate before finally getting it right at the third attempt.

But the campaign ground is not the only way the contestants are looking to gain an advantage leading into next month’s election.

For instance, eyebrows have been raised over the timing of the planned arraignment of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, on charges of false declaration of assets.

The move, which was met with outcry and condemned by the general public, was subsequently suspended till later this Cont’d on pg 87

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SOCIALMEDIABITS month after an Abuja court extended the restraining order against the continuation of the trial.

In the meantime, the Federal Government ordered the freezing of five bank accounts belonging to Onnoghen.

All these happened with President Buhari in the dark initially, according to his Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

The VP is always on hand to defend his boss with the same line: “He doesn’t know,” he jumped in, before Buhari could answer a question during a live presidential town hall meeting.

The question was in reference to videos which seemed to show Kano Governor Umar Ganduje receiving dollar kickbacks from a contractor.

When President Buhari finally answered, he doubted the authenticity of the videos as he wondered what “type of technology” was used in capturing the governor who has promised him five million votes from Kano in the coming elections. “Does Ganduje have to take the money himself, smiling?” he asked.

The Kano governor probably has nothing to fear, especially as his party chairman, Adams Oshiomole, let out the worst kept secret in the land during the week. “Once you join APC, your sins

are forgiven,” he boasted as he received defectors from the PD in Benin.

He should have also added that once you leave the APC, you’re condemned as PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and Senate President Bukola Saraki are finding out.

Both of them jetted out to the United States during the week, as Atiku – a former VP – debunked rumours that he is a wanted man in the US. It was a huge moral boost for the PDP and Atiku’s supporters as they took to social media to taunt the APC. The APC was having none of it though.

The President’s Special Adviser on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, branded Atiku and Saraki “low lives” and claimed that the only reason Atiku evaded arrest is because he travelled as an office aide to Saraki.

Not done, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, revealed that Atiku had questions to answer on his return to Nigeria following fresh evidence that he benefitted from slush funds that led to the collapse of Bank PHB. This led some to wonder if Mohammed was now the spokesperson for the police and other anti-corruption bodies in Nigeria.

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NEWSXTRA Group Files Fresh Suit Challenging Buhari’s Eligibility for Election Tobi Soniyi The Incorporated Trustees of the Civil Society Observatory for Constitutional and Legal Compliance (CSOCLC) has again reignited the controversy on whether President Muhammadu Buhari has attained the minimum educational qualification to enable him seek re-election into the office of the president.

In a suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the All Progressives Congress and President Muhammadu Buhari are listed as 1st, 2nd and 3rd de-

fendants respectively.

All the defendants have been served and the suit has been assigned to Justice Binta Nyako who has fixed hearing on an application for accelerated hearing filed alongside the originating summons for the 4th of February, 2019.

The plaintiff is also asking for an injunction restraining Buhari from contesting the presidential election.

Among others, the plaintiff asked the court for an order disqualifying and barring the 3rd Defendant President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR from standing for and contesting election to the office of Presi-

dent of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the 2019 General Elections for making a false statement to INEC in breach of the provisions of Section 31 (6) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and failure to attach proof to his Affidavit in support of Personal Particulars (INEC Form C.F. 001) that he has attained educational qualifications to qualify to contest election to the office

of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as set out in Section 131 (d) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

CSOCLC also asked for an order invalidating the candidature Buhari, in respect of the election to the office of president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the 2019 General Elections.

The plaintiff counsel

Nnamdi Nwokocha-Ahaaiwe, said that as at press time none of the defendants has filed a defence to the suit.

A 14-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Mr ThankGod Unanimously who claimed he was a programme officer at the plaintiff’’s office was attached to the originating summons.

He averred that “The 3rd Defendant in the Affidavit of Personal Particulars (Form

INEC Form C.F. 001) which he submitted to the 1st Defendant failed to include any evidence or proof of any qualification at all which he claims to possess.

“Since no document which can be considered proof of academic qualification was attached to the said Affidavit in Proof of Personal Particulars, the 3rd Defendant is ex facie, not qualified to stand for the election.”

Umahi: S’East Not Divided over Atiku Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi yesterday said there was no division among the leaders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southeast on the support for the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Umahi, also Chairman, South-east Governors’ Forum, said he would work with other stakeholders in the region ensure the PDP and all its candidates win the 2019 elections at all levels.

He spoke at a campaign rally organised to receive 8,000 members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP at Iboko, the headquarters of Izzi Local Government Area yesterday.

Umahi urged voters to support and vote for Atiku and other PDP candidates in the forthcoming general elections, noting that there was no division in the PDP in the South-east zone.

Umahi vowed that all PDP candidates in the upcoming general elections “will emerge victorious. Ebonyi is the home

of PDP and other parties had no moral justification to challenge their party in the state.

“There is no division in southeast PDP. PDP is southeast and Ebonyi State is number one PDP”, he declared.

He said as the Chairman of the PDP Presidential Campaign in the South-east, he would make the party proud in the upcoming Imo State zonal rally to prove to them he had the capacity to lead the party in the zone.

He also commended the people of Izzi clan for their support and for donating ten buses to him when they paid him Xmas homage in support L-R: Abia State Governor and Visitor of Abia State University (ABSU), Okezie Ikpeazu, and the Paramount Ruler of Tiv Nation, Prof. James Ortese of his reelection.

Ayatse, (Tor Tiv V), at a banquet to mark his appointment as the ABSU Chancellor...yesterday Umahi also said he wanted all the gubernatorial candidates of all the political parties and their leaders to face him in a debate, boasting that he had all it takes to box them to the corner.

PVCs yet to be collected by The governor also charged Bayo Akinloye Nigerians.” the people to get their PVCs However, THISDAY checks Olaseni Durojaiye and be ready to vote PDP The Independent National as the governor of one of the candidates; just as he rein- Electoral commission has revealed that many people at important states in Nigeria.” stated the commitment of his been accused of frustrating the Garki Primary School and The Paramount Ruler of Tiv According to him, Ikpeazu administration to empower the efforts of would-be voters other collection centres were Nation in Benue State, Prof. was one of our very brilliant, to collect their Permanent finding it difficult to collect James Ortese Ayatse (Tor Tiv sharp doctoral candidates. the youths.

Voter Cards (PVC) with less their PVCs. V) yesterday disclosed that he He finished his doctoral proSome of them claimed that never knew Abia State Gover- gramme at the university in than a month to the February they had been trying, since nor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu could record time.

16 presidential election.

THISDAY learnt, for exam- 2011 to get a PVC without be a governor while undertakAlso at the banquet, Ikpeazu ple, that at the Garki Primary success. ing his doctoral studies in the noted that Tor Tiv V was one of “They kept us waiting for University of Calabar.

School in the Federal Capital the lecturers that inspired him ours,” a nursing mother waitTerritory, Abuja, hundreds of in his choice of becoming a However, the monarch Also, the foundation said a panel of girls in the SHE Ini- Nigerians almost on a daily ing to collect her card stated. attested Ikpeazu’s sterling university lecturer.

He said, “This event has tiative programme “has been basis throng the school, which “Many of the workers here academic performance, noting selected through a transpar- the commission is using as were lousy. They were rude. that the governor was indeed provided me the opportunity ent process. Keynote ad- one of its PVCs collection They kept us under the sun was one of his most brilliant to say what I have never said dresses will be taken by the centres, often in vain to pick while they sheltered them- and exceptional doctoral anywhere or to anyone. When selves in the classroom. Some students at the University of I arrived University of Calabar Managing Director, Siemens up their cards. of us have been waiting since Calabar.

Few weeks ago, the elecfor my doctoral studies in Nigeria; Mrs. Onyeche Tifase He made the comment dur- Biochemical Pharmacology, and General Manager, Deep toral body had cried out that at 2016 to collect our cards.”

Another would-be voter, ing a state banquet organised Tor Tiv was one of the lecturers Water Operations, Chevron least eight million PVCs were who identified herself as Cyn- in his honor at the Govern- that inspired me. He made me lying fallow in its offices and Nigeria, Mrs. Michelle Obaurged would-be voters to pick thia Odabe, told THISDAY it ment House, Umuahia, Abia see my choice of becoming a toyinbo,. was easier for a camel to pass State just after the governor university lecturer as the right “Through the SHE Initia- them up.

One of INEC’s National through the needle’s eye than approved his appointment one. tive, possibilities are ignited, “I then promised myself as the Chancellor, Abia State confidence is inspired, skills Commissioner, Dr. Moham- for her to get her PVCs. “I was disenfranchised in University. that I would equal his achieveare developed and dreams med Lecky, disclosed this Tor Tiv, a professor of Bio- ments in academics. But when are birthed, adding that it is during an interview with the last general election. Since 2011 that I applied to collect chemistry, was one of biochem- he became the Vice Chancellor, a privilege to be part of the THISDAY. He said, “There is no state the permanent voter card, I istry Ikpeazu’s lecturers while University of Agriculture, girls’ transformative journey.

“Every child should have in the country where we have have tried without success undertaking doctoral research Makurdi and later Vice a fair chance at the breadth achieved 100 per cent distribu- to get my card. Even though in Biochemical Pharmacology Chancellor Federal University, of opportunities that life tion of PVC. The distribution my name is on INEC’s voter at the University of Calabar Dutsin-Ma, I knew then that I can’t equal his academic affords, and should not be of PVC is the biggest headache register, they said they don’t between 1991 and 1994.

Speaking at the banquet, heights.” inhibited by their socio- for us. We need the media to have my card. So, where’s my Meanwhile, Ikpeazu, the economic background or help us encourage the people PVCs? INEC should please Tor Tiv V said, “When I knew gender. Our partners are to come and collect their give me my PVC,” said Odabe Ikpeazu many years ago, I Visitor of Abia State University making it possible for us PVCs. People are not coming though she disclosed that did not know he would be a approved the appointment of to narrow the gap for SHE forward to pick their PVCs. INEC had intervened in her governor. I never knew that the monarch as the Chancellor We have about eight million case.

I would sit beside him today of the Abia State University. girls.”

Kolade Foundation Rallies Girls Science Fair Uchechukwu Nnaike The Christopher Kolade Foundation (CKF) at the weekend said it would hold the second edition of ‘Girls Only’ science and technology fair in Lagos next week as part of effort to enhance the technology competence of girls in Lagos schools and motivate them to explore the exciting world of science and technology.

In a statement by the foundation’s Managing Consultant, Mrs. Omobola Lana, the foundation noted that the fair had already been scheduled to hold on January 23 at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The foundation said the fair would showcase projects of SHE Initiative participants from 10 public schools in Lagos, saying a panel of successful women in science had been put together for the fair.

WORTHY RECOGNITION...

INEC Frustrating Our Efforts to Tor Tiv: I Never Knew Ikpeazu Collect PVCs, Say Abuja Residents Could Be Governor Says he’s an exceptional student

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NEWSXTRA Dogara: Buhari’s Poor Outing on NTA Live Interview Vindicated Me Says he doesn’t bear personal grudge against the president Shola Oyeyipo in Abuja The Speaker, House or Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, yesterday said he had no personal grudge against President Muhammadu Buhari, noting that his concern “is whether the president is capable of ensuring the welfare and security of Nigerians.”

Dogara made the observation at the unveiling of his reelection campaign held at Bununu, headquarters of Tafawa Balewa local government area (LGA), Bauchi State.

Currently, the speaker is representing Bogoro/Dass/ Tafawa-Balewa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

Dogara told his supporters that neither him nor his political associates “have any personal grudge against Buhari.

But we are only concerned about the welfare and secu-

rity of the Nigerian people.

“None of us here hates Buhari. We do not hate him.

But the truth is that we are worried and concerned about the future of our people in Nigeria, especially the Northeast, which has been ravaged

by Boko Haram violence.

“If not checked, it will consume us here even in Bununu, may God forbid.

Poverty, killings and bloodletting have ravaged our land,” the speaker said.

He said he was vindicated when some people, who initially prevailed on him to remain in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saw Buhari’s performance in his recent live televised media chat held on Nigeria Television Authority (NTA).

“Two days ago, two people who did everything to stop me from joining the PDP called after watching Buhari’s interview on television to

apologise to me and said they thank God for opening their eyes,” he noted.

While decrying the desperation to remain in power in the face of glaring incompetence, he prayed that God “will destroy whoever equates himself with Him as

the one who gives and takes power and positions, as He did to Pharaoh a d other despots and dictators.”

He also apologised to the people of Bauchi for helping to bring the present state government that has been a massive and monumental

failure to power and sought their forgiveness.

At the campaign rally, eight former executives of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in addition to over 10, 000 other members defected to the PDP. While calling on the

people to resist any attempt to instigate violence and rig the 2019 elections, Dogara alleged that there are people who do not have any ancestral link, connection or origin in Bauchi State but who want to cause violence and killings during the elections.

Osinbajo Meets CAN, PFN Leaders in Benin Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday held a close-door meeting with the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Benin City ahead of the forthcoming general election.

The meeting, which lasted over three hours, took place at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre, Benin City and attended by the PFN President, Dr. Felix Omobude, Chairman of Edo CAN, Bishop Oyonude Kure and Revd Richard Okere, among others.

Osinbajo was accompanied

by Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, his deputy, Mr. Philip Shaibu, Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Osarodion Ogie; Senator Manus Abbe from Rivers State and other top government officials of Edo State to the meeting After the three-hour session, however, Kure said it

was conveyed “to pray for the peace and progress of Nigeria.

The meeting was fine. We prayed for him. We believed that there will be peace in Nigeria and that there will be progress in our nation.”

When asked if the CAN has agreed to endorse the candidacy of President Muhammadu Buhari for reelection, Kure simply said that the association’s responsibility was to pray for those who are in authority.

According to him, what I will tell you is that our responsibility is to pray for those who are contesting and that is what we have done. We simply gathered to pray for the peaceful election and nothing more.

As part of activities marking his one-day visit to the state, Osinbajo unveiled TraderMoni, a component of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), in Benin City, promising the federal government’s unwavering support for micro businesses across the country.

FORGING COOPERATION...

L-R: President, Total Coop, Olawale Olasoji; Managing Director, Germaine Auto Centre, Mr. Vincent Ezeh; and Past President of Total Coop, Mr. PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT Louis Ogeifun, during the official opening of the Germaine/Total Coop Lube Bay in Lagos

My husband Deserves Second Term, Says Aisha Buhari Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari yesterday urged Nigerians to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari, saying he “runs a compassionate government and deserves a second term.”

She also said all the policies and programmes of the present administration in the country under the leadership of her husband “are geared towards alleviating the sufferings of the downtrodden.”

Aishat made case for her husband’s re-election at the South West rally organised by the Women and Youth Presidential Campaign Team of the All Progressives Congress

(APC), held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium (formerly Liberty Stadium), Oke-Ado, Ibadan.

Aishat, who was represented by the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, said the Buhari government had been compassionate to women, youths, children and traders.

She maintained that programmes such as the School Feeding, N-Power, Tradermoni and so on were designed to make life more meaningful to Nigerian children, youths and women.

She then urged women and youths in the region “to mobilise their family members, friends and neighbours for Buhari’s re-election on February

Buhari Remains Best Choice for Anglican Priest Urges Nigerians to Pray for Peaceful Election Nigeria, Says Ambode Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, at the weekend reiterated that President Muhammadu Buhari, flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) remained the best choice for Nigeria to move forward to the next level.

Cornered by journalists at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, venue of the Presidential rally, Ambode said Buhari in the last three and half years has set the nation on a trajectory of reviving its glory days, adding it was expedient for him to consolidate on the achievements with another term of four years.

“The choice before Nigeri-

ans is simple; to go back to the days of corruption, infrastructural decay and insecurity or continue with the trajectory of infrastructural development, steady anti-corruption war and the constant fight against territorial threats. This is what the Buhari and Osinbajo ticket represents.

“They have initiated social inclusion policies and constructed critical infrastructure across the federation which is gradually bringing back the nation’s economy in the right path and giving Nigerians a real sense of belonging. This is the way we want to go and Nigerians have shown that this is where they are going to go.”

Mary Nnah The Bishop, Diocese of Lagos, Anglican Communion, Revd Humphrey Olumakaiye, has urged Nigerians to pray for peaceful elections scheduled to hold on February 16 and March 2.

He gave the advice at a news conference different activities line up to mark the centenary anniversary of the Diocese of Lagos, where he emphasised the importance of prayers in the next elections.

Olumakaiye said prayer “is a necessity for the development and security of a country. Prayer is not a

problem to the development of a nation, but an asset to the development of any nation. Nigerians cannot pray enough.

He, therefore, urged Nigerians “to pray without ceasing, particularly at this point in time when we are preparing for national elections.”

Olumakaiye said the diocese “is planning to have a convention ground somewhere in Lagos. Inside the convention ground, a place will be carved out as “Garden of Gethsemane”, which shall be a place of prayer for individuals to pray and get answers to their prayers.

16, 2019. She advised that apart from casting their votes for the president, South West women and youths should also wait at polling booths on the election day to monitor their votes.

Governors Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state; Gboyega Oyetola of Osun state and Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state, were present at the rally, which was attended by thousands of APC women and youths from all the South West states.

Among others, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi,

Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun, Mrs. Olaitan Oyetola, Mrs. Betty Akeredolu, and Mrs. Bolanle Patience Ambode also attended the rally.

In her speech, Ajimobi, who hosted the rally, assured the President and APC of massive votes from Southwest women and youths.

Similarly, Fayemi told Osinbajo to go back to Abuja and assure the President and Vice President of the readiness of the Southwest to vote massively for them at the February 16 poll.

Jimoh Ibrahim’s Mother Burnt to Death Theresa Jimoh, the mother of business mogul, Jimoh Ibrahim, has been killed in a fire incident in Lagos.

The victim, aged 76, was at her house in the Victoria Garden City, Lagos, when a fire broke out around 2 a.m.

She was said to have been burnt to death before the inferno was put out by fire-

fighters from the Lagos State Fire Service. The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chike Oti, confirmed the incident.

Oti, Chief Superintendent of Police, noted that the remains of the deceased have been deposited in a morgue, saying investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍ¸Ëœ ͺ͸͚Î

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SUNDAYSPORTS

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

Arsenal, Man United Cut Gap on Chelsea in Top Four

Demola Ojo

A

rsenal yesterday beat London rivals Chelsea 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium to move within three points of their fourth place opponents with 15 matches to go in the Premier League race.

Manchester United are also level on points with Arsenal and three behind Chelsea as the race for the coveted fourth place – which guarantees Champions League football - gathers pace. lexandre Lacazette put Arsenal ahead in the 14th minute when he made the most of a poor Hector Bellerin cross with a fine first touch before turning and beating Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga at his near post with a fierce strike.

Arsenal’s intense pressing hampered Chelsea’s ability to play the ball from the back, particularly in the first half, and the Gunners deservedly added a second through captain Laurent Koscielny in the 39th minute.

Chelsea failed to mark well enough at another set-piece and Koscielny missed a free header but the ball fortuitously looped in off his shoulder.

Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea struggled to create in the first half but did hit the post on the stroke of half-time through Marcos Alonso’s header at a corner.

They posed greater threat in the second half but failed to have a shot on target until the 82nd minute as Arsenal’s defence, led by the excellent Koscielny, held firm.

Chelsea had 64% possession but failed to create any clear opportunities from open play with their passing and build-up too slow. Their one shot on target came from Alonso from a tight angle on the left-side of the box and was easily parried away from Bernd Leno.

Meanwhile, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer became the

Lacazette (middle) scored a stunning opener for Arsenal against Chelsea first Manchester United manager to win his first six league games in charge as his side held on to beat Brighton 2-1.

It was United’s seventh straight win since the Norwegian took over at Old Trafford on an interim basis a month ago.

PSG Beat Guingamp 9-0 in Record Win Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani scored hat-tricks as Ligue 1 leaders Paris St-Germain put nine goals past Guingamp to earn a recordbreaking victory.

It surpassed PSG’s previous heaviest victory at the Parc des Princes - 8-0 against Dijon last year. Their biggest wining margin remains a 10-0 French Cup thumping of Cote Chaude in 1994.

Neymar also scored twice, while Thomas Meunier struck late on against the league’s bottom side.

Ten days ago Guingamp had stunned PSG by beating them 2-1 in Paris to reach the semi-finals of the French Cup. But a similar shock was never on the cards yesterday as the home side took control from the outset.

Neymar opened the scoring in the 11th minute, driving high into the roof of the net before turning provider for Mbappe, who steered a neat finish into the bottom corner for his first of the match.

Mbappe netted again soon after when he pounced on Felix Eboa Eboa’s blocked clearance to make it 3-0 at the break.

PSG did not score again until the hour mark when Cavani turned home Juan Bernat’s cross, before the Uruguayan headed in Angel di Maria’s ball. Neymar slid a finish under goalkeeper MarcAurele Caillard to join Mbappe and Cavani on

RESULTS & FIXTURES Wolves Bournemouth Liverpool Man United Newcastle Southampton Watford Arsenal Roma Udinese Inter Real Madrid Huesca HuddersďŹ eld Fulham

4–3 2–0 4–3 2–1 3–0 2–1 0–0 2–0 3–2 1–2 0–0 2–0 0–3 v v

Leicester West Ham Crystal Palace Brighton Cardiff City Everton Burnley Chelsea Torino Parma Sassuolo Sevilla Atletico Madrid M’City 2:30pm Tottenham 5pm

Cavani and Mbappe with match balls after the match

two goals - then the latter became the first to complete his treble by bundling the ball in.

Mbappe’s third came soon after courtesy of a close-range finish, and Guingamp’s misery was complete when Meunier made it nine in the 83rd minute.

Paul Pogba put United in front after winning and then converting a penalty in the 27th minute.

Marcus Rashford doubled the lead just before half-time with a beautiful solo goal on his 150th appearance for the club.

Pascal Gross halved the deficit for the visitors

when he scored in off the bar with just over 20 minutes remaining.

Brighton improved in the second half but their wretched away record continued as they fell to a fifth defeat in their last eight Premier League games.

Liverpool Edge Seven-goal Thriller, Move Seven Points Clear Mohamed Salah scored twice - including his 50th Premier League goal - as Liverpool survived a scare by coming from behind to defeat a resolute Crystal Palace in a seven-goal thriller at Anfield.

The Reds led 3-2 as the final whistle of a topsy-turvy match approached, but after James Milner was sent off in the 89th minute for two yellow-card offences, it was a nervy ending as the Premier League leaders desperately tried to hold on to their lead.

The win was ultimately secured when Sadio Mane added a fourth in stoppage time, though there was still time for Max Meyer to score a consolation for the visitors.

Liverpool had dominated the vast majority of the first half at Anfield but it was Palace who broke the deadlock through Andros Townsend, who beat Alisson

from close range after Wilfried Zaha pulled a cross back. The hosts came out for the second period with goals on the agenda, and it took just one minute for Salah to equalise before they went ahead seven minutes later through Roberto Firmino.

Palace were not down and out just yet, though, and James Tomkins capitalised on poor defending to head his side level from a corner.

However, a calamitous error by Julian Speroni - making his first appearance since December 2017 - handed Liverpool an advantage they did not relinquish again, the visitors’ keeper scooping the ball towards his own net for Salah to poke in from on the line.

With closest rivals Manchester City set to play today, Liverpool remain seven points clear at the top of the table, while Crystal Palace stay 14th.

Australian Open: Serena Williams Comforts Teenager after Third-round Win Seven-time champion Serena Williams comforted opponent Dayana Yastremska after powering past the teenager into the Australian Open fourth round.

Williams beat the 18-year-old Ukrainian 6-2 6-1 in one hour and seven minutes and did not drop a service game. “You’re gonna make it, don’t cry�, Williams, 37, told a tearful Yastremska following her victory. The American will face Romanian world number one Simona Halep next after she beat Serena’s older sister Venus. “I thought she did really amazing,� Williams said when asked about the future of Yastremska, who was not even born when the American won the first of her 23 Grand Slam singles titles in 1999. “She came out swinging and to be so young, she came out ready to go. When I was young I played against so many people and everyone I faced was intimidating and not easy. You just go out and swing and do the best you can.�

Williams is favourite to win a record-

equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title in Melbourne and her performance in the third round showed why.

She put youngster Yastremska under immediate pressure, breaking in the first game and winning four games in a row.

The occasion seemed to have got the better of the Ukrainian - a promising talent who could only provide brief glimpses of her ability and could not hide inconsistencies with her serve.

But Williams was ruthless and looks firmly on course to win a record-extending eighth Australian Open title.

With defending champion Caroline Wozniacki exiting on Friday and rivals Naomi Osaka - the fourth seed - and Elina Svitolina - the sixth seed - being forced to fight back to scrape their way into the fourth round, it is so far falling into place for Williams.

Her toughest test yet will be in the next round where a mouth-watering tie with Williams Consoles Yastremska after blasting past her Halep awaits.

Sunday January 20, 2019

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Price: N400

MISSILE

FG to Atiku Abubakar

“Anytime Abubakar returns home, he has questions to answer following the fresh evidence that we have that he benefitted from slush funds that led to the collapse of the former Bank PHB.” – Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed on the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar’s trip to the US.

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

In the Name of Democracy

I

f you are a lover of competitive democracy, you must have been worried by the pronouncements and demeanour of Alhaji Lai Mohammed, minister of information, on Friday. Lai, speaking in a very bitter tone, told State House correspondents that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), could spend as much time as he wanted in the US but he would be quizzed on his return over his role in the collapse of Bank PHB. He said fresh evidence has linked Atiku to a slush fund from which the former vice-president allegedly benefited N156 million in 2009. This, he said, contributed to the death of the bank, according to his post-mortem report.

It would appear Atiku’s trip to the US has ruffled quite a number of feathers within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). There is no need to deny it. I think APC built a significant part of their campaign on the plank that the 2019 election is going to be a straight fight between corruption, represented by Atiku, and anti-corruption, typified by President Muhammadu Buhari. The icing on the cake, I would guess, was that Atiku dare not travel to the US because he would be arrested by the FBI on the charges of money laundering. In fact, the APC-led government at some point asked the US not to grant Atiku an entry visa.

That was a bit childish and desperate, in my opinion.

The US, for some reason, finally decided to issue a visa to Atiku after about 12 years of fencing him out for reasons we could only speculate since there was no official explanation.

Having secured his visa late November 2018, Atiku still did not travel to the US, further fuelling speculation by the APC that having failed to secure assurances that he would not be arrested, the presidential hopeful decided to respect himself by limiting his foreign trips to Dubai. APC supporters taunted Atiku to no end, daring him to go to America. Atiku took the plunge, went to the US on Thursday unannounced and held meetings with government officials and business people.

In my opinion — which might be naïve because I do not know much about politics — Atiku’s trip to the US would not have a decisive impact on actual voting in Nigeria. From my little unstructured research here and there, I believe that most Nigerians have already made up their minds on the presidential candidate they would vote for. For sure, Atiku did not lose anything by getting the US visa and flying to Washington, DC. If anything, it boosted his stock in many quarters. It also dented the APC narrative that America was after him. However, I am of the solid opinion that if Atiku ends up winning the election, it wouldn’t be solely because he travelled to the US. Why am I worried by Lai’s pronouncements?

Listen to him again: “You can recall that a few weeks ago, I did issue a statement advising the US government not to issue visa to Atiku… In any event, any time Abubakar returns home, he has questions to answer following the fresh evidence that we have that he benefitted from slush funds that led to the collapse of the former Bank PHB. [There is] fresh evidence as to his involvement in the collapse of Bank PHB, so we want him to stay as long he wants in the US but as soon he comes back, he has to explain to the electorate and to Nigerians

Buhari

his role in the collapse in the former Bank PHB.” What exactly is the game plan? Arrest and detain him?

Correct me if I’m wrong: it would seem Lai is so bitter that Atiku was allowed to enter the US that he has decided to fish for some “fresh” evidence to deal with him at all costs.

Dragging a presidential candidate before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) less than one month to an election would be a first. Alas, this can only make Atiku look like the victim. Lai is taking this visa thing very personal perhaps because he went out on a limb in the matter. Or was it just to take the wind out of Atiku’s sail? If Lai’s threat is mere political talk, then there is nothing to worry about. Politicians say all manner of things against each other before elections without meaning them. We call this phenomenon “handbags” in the field of soccer.

Of course, if Atiku has a case to answer, we cannot stand in the way. But even a preschool kid knows that the timing and the “gravity” of the fresh evidence can only point to one thing: political persecution. Those who enjoy deceiving themselves can continue to argue in another direction. We are now at the most poisonous stage of the political season in which sentiments rule over reason. Some people’s consciences have been so seared with hot iron that they are not in the mood to distinguish between what is right, what is wrong and what is appropriate. Their minds are dead to reason and there is nothing anyone can do about it. But we all have a duty not to set Nigeria on fire.

One of the sweetest traits of elections in a democracy is a level-playing field. But in Third World politics, there is always the temptation to undermine the opposition with state power.

Winning power “by any means necessary” will still be considered a victory, but there will always be questions hanging over the process, the fairness and, ultimately, the credibility and integrity of such elections. Leaders who rise to power, or hold on to power, by hook or crook always end up having legitimacy issues. They thus suffer a complex and become desperate in an attempt to stamp their authority. Such leaders do not command respect; rather, they demand it. Buhari must resist this temptation.

To be sure, using underhand tactics against the opposition is not a new thing, at least in

this dispensation. In 1999, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was seen as the anointed candidate of the military government. One night, Chief Olu Falae, the opposition candidate, flew to Sokoto ahead of a campaign rally. His jet almost crashed because the airport staff had switched off the lights allegedly to sabotage him. Blames were traded and explanations offered, but the sentiment in Falae’s camp was that it was a deliberate move against him. Unfortunately, not many airports were operating at night in those days, so Falae still had to land in darkness. It must have scared the hell out of him.

In 2003, Buhari, as the candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), tasted the misuse of state power himself. His campaign rally in Kano was tear-gassed by the police. His running mate, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, who was said to be asthmatic, collapsed in a heap, gasping for breath. Okadigbo, the former senate president who had crossed over to ANPP from PDP, died later in the year, and many attributed it to the teargas, although there was no conclusive proof. Buhari was denied use of Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt for his rally by the Rivers state government. Also, Chief Marshall Harry, Buhari’s staunch supporter in the state, was assassinated in Abuja.

In 2007, Obasanjo used every tactic in the book to stop Atiku, his VP, from succeeding him.

That was when the corruption toga was cut, sewn and hung around Atiku’s shoulders. But Atiku won his cases in court and participated in the presidential election. The courts ruled that INEC had no powers to disqualify any candidate on the basis of an indictment by a panel of inquiry. Only a court could do that, the Supreme Court justices said. Obasanjo once declared a public holiday to stop the courts from giving judgment in an Atiku case! That was misuse of state power. There were no suppression games in 2011 when President Goodluck Jonathan ran for office, but 2015 was completely different.

Indeed, according to those in the know, as well as accounts in books written by Olusegun Adeniyi and Bolaji Abdullahi, there were pressures on Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, then attorney-general of the federation, to charge Buhari to court over various allegations — including certificate forgery and incitement to violence — but Adoke blatantly refused and was secretly tagged “Buhari boy”. He was reportedly asked to get a court injunction restraining INEC from further announcing the results when it was glaring Buhari would win, but he again refused “in the national interest”.

It is a sad irony that the same Adoke is now on self-exile because of alleged persecution by the Buhari government.

In the final analysis, I passionately plead with President Buhari to, in the name of democracy, call his men to order over Atiku. He should tell them to resist the temptation of joining the fray or misusing state power for political purposes.

It can backfire and put the entire system at risk. We do not need this tension. We can do without this muscle-flexing. If Buhari is going to get re-elected, this would not be achieved through a witch-hunt. Buhari believes he has done enough to earn a second term and that the ordinary Nigerians love him and are happy with him. What this tells me, then, is that he does not need these vicious machinations. Let us allow this democracy to grow gracefully.

And Four Other Things…

ON ONNOGHEN I previously argued that as a matter of procedure, Justice Walter Onnoghen cannot be tried by the Code on Conduct Tribunal (CCT) until he is reported to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for disciplinary action over alleged false declaration of assets. My argument was based on the appeal court judgment in Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa case. Many have argued otherwise: that the case before CCT is not what Onnoghen did wrong in his capacity a judicial officer but what he failed to do as a public officer. This makes it a CCT case. It makes sense to me.

Unfortunately, no matter our opinions, it is only the courts that are constitutionally empowered to interpret the law. Democracy.

GOING TO AMERICA The best way to enjoy politics in Nigeria is to watch proceedings from your balcony.

Before Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate, finally visited the US last week, APC supporters taunted and dared him to go if he would not be arrested for corruption by the FBI. PDP supporters said going to America was not a big deal.

Now that Atiku has gone and returned, supporters have switched positions: APC people are saying going to America is not a big deal and PDP guys are saying the corruption tag against Atiku has finally collapsed. Me: with America done and dusted, can we now face the bigger issues around the peace and progress of Nigeria?

Focus.

WELCOME, IGP The appointment of Mr. Abubakar Adamu Mohammed as the acting IGP caught us unawares; for a long time, we thought the rudderless Ibrahim Idris was going to get tenure extension. Nobody has spoken a bad word about Mohammed, and he put his first foot right by getting rid of the uncouth Jimoh Moshood as the force PRO and appointing the civilised Frank Mba in his stead. I know Nigeria has a way of killing the best of its talents, especially as we continue to mix politics with policing, but I sincerely wish Mohammed the best. He should resolve to write his name in gold by leaving the police force far better and genuinely professional than he met it. Legacy.

AND FINALLY… Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said something intriguing at the presidential campaign rally in Benin on Thursday. Hear him: “I’m told that there are a lot of senior people from PDP who have decided to join forces with President Buhari to take the broom to sweep away PDP to continue to ensure that APC continues to preside over Nigeria… in fact, once you join APC, all your sins are forgiven.” Is Oshiomhole saying categorically that if Olisa Metuh and Sambo Dasuki join APC today, their sins would be automatically forgiven — like those of Senators Musiliu Obanikoro and Iyiola Omisore? Wonderful.

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