SUNDAY 24TH MARCH 2019

Obasanjo Berates ‘Evil Minds’ Discouraging Atiku from Challenging Poll Says Adeleke’s victory at tribunal saved Nigeria from embarrassment Buhari group hits back, says former president angry over defeat Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Femi Ogbonnikan in Abeokuta Former President Olusegun

Obasanjo yesterday chided those trying to discourage the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku

Abubakar, from challenging the outcome of the last general election in court, saying, “If Buhari could go to court three times to seek justice, even

without reasonable cause, any Nigerian who feels denied of justice must feel free to go to court.” Obasanjo stated this in a congratulatory

letter to the Osun State PDP governorship candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke, who was on Friday declared winner of the September 22,

2018 election in the state by the governorship election tribunal.

The former president said Continued on page 8

NiMet: Nigeria in Danger of Extreme Weather Conditions… Page 12 Sunday 24 March, 2019 Vol 24. No 8749

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INEC Inaugurates Seven-member Legal Team Monday Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will on Monday inaugurate a seven-member legal team to handle all presidential election cases on behalf of

the commission.

INEC had on February 27 declared President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the 2019 presidential election after he got a total of 15,191,847 votes to defeat

the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who scored 11,262,978 votes.

The former vice president rejected the results, citing irregularities, and subsequently revealed his decision to

approach the tribunal to reclaim his mandate.

Atiku and his party last week filed their case before the Presidential Election Tribunal in Abuja, where he claimed that data from the INEC server revealed that his votes were

reduced in 31 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Atiku claimed that he defeated Buhari with 1,615,302 votes, stressing that the data from INEC server showed that he actually polled a total of 18,356,732 votes to defeat

President Muhammadu Buhari, who had 16,741,430 votes.

The electoral body in a leaked letter obtained

by THISDAY yesterday, Continued on page 8

Rerun Polls Marred by Violence in Kano, Bauchi, Benue, Adamawa

Jubilation in Bauchi as results trickle in Sokoto, Plateau election peaceful PDP condemns killing, wants Kano votes cancelled Lalong coasting home to victory

By Our Correspondents Yesterday’s supplementary elections meant to bring down the curtain on inconclusive polls in the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections in Kano, Bauchi, Benue and Adamawa states were heavily marred by violence, killings, intimidation, and suppression of voters. But there were exceptions in Sokoto and Plateau states, where the polls went peacefully.

In Plateau, Governor Simon Lalong, the governorship candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), may be coasting home to victory with a total of 12,327 votes secured in the supplementary election in the state.

Jeremiah Useni, his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rival,

trailed with 8,487 votes, leaving a margin of 3,840.

Lalong has maintained his lead in the state’s supplementary governorship election.

The electoral commission, INEC, had two weeks ago declared the state’s governorship election inconclusive as the margin of victory was less than the cancelled votes.

Before the declaration of the election as inconclusive, the incumbent governor, Lalong, polled 583,255 votes while his opponent, Useni polled 538,326 votes.

The supplementary elections were held on Saturday in 40 polling units in nine local governments.

Results from six of the nine Continued on page 8

Lassa Fever Kills Four as NCDC Confirms 23 Fresh Cases... Page 85

WHY I WANT TO BE SENATE PRESIDENT...

L-R: Senator-elect Teslim Folarin, representing Oyo Central; Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan and Senator-elect representing Yobe North; Senator Sabi Abdullahi, Senator-elect representing Niger North, during a press conference by Lawan to express interest in the office of the Senate President in Abuja... yesterday julius atoi

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

PAGE EIGHT RERUN POLLS MARRED BY VIOLENCE IN KANO, BAUCHI, BENUE, ADAMAWA local governments announced at the INEC headquarters in Jos, Plateau State capital.

Some of the results already announced by INEC are those of Bassa, Shedam, Jos North, Barkin Ladi, Kanem, and Pankshin. The announced results so far do not significantly alter the margin of lead of the APC candidate.

However, there was wild jubilation by Bauchi residents yesterday as they awaited the final results of the supplementary elections, which took place in some local government areas in the state.

The atmosphere was charged and many already in a state of in euphoria took over the popular Ahmadu Bello Way in jubilation, singing “Sai Kaura� in support of Bala Mohammed, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state.

With a lot of musical instruments such as drums, flutes, trumpets and saxophones, the electorate danced to tunes of blaring music to express their happiness.

Speaking with THISDAY, one of the electorates, Mohammed Usman who could not hide his excitement and happiness said they were celebrating the outcome of results received by PDP agents in all the polling units where the supplementary elections took place.

According to him, “We are already getting feelers from our people on the field that Kauran Bauchi is leading in many of the polling units and we are celebrating.

He added that "We are celebrating for the outcome of the results we are hearing from our agents for our candidate, senator Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. We are celebrating the results.� According to reports from some of the states, many voters were prevented from voting either by security operatives or thugs believed to have been hired by politicians and their political parties.

In Kano State, there were attacks, which resulted in the killing of four PDP members.

The development caused the party’s leadership to call for cancellation of the Kano votes.

Former Senate President David Mark, who was miffed at how the elections turned out, said the idea of inconclusive elections was largely responsible for the voter

apathy that greeted yesterday’s elections in Benue State. Mark said the concept was both strange and needlessly expensive.

Trouble started in Kano when thugs wielding dangerous weapons dispersed voters at Suntulma Gama primary school in Nassarawa Local Government Area, causing a major disruption in the election process. The thugs, many of whom donned the agent tags of the APC, also attacked a journalist working with The Authority Newspaper, Mr. Maduabuchi Nmeribe, and the Nigerian Tribune Newspaper correspondent, Mr. Kola Oyelere.

The journalists were rescued by some Good Samaritans.

Many of the polling units visited by THISDAY had complaints regarding the conduct of the election.

Spokesman of the Kano State Police Command, Abdullahi Haruna, said the command had sent reinforcement to Gama ward to beef up security at the various polling units in the area in the wake of the crisis. Haruna, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the deployment of additional security personnel to the areas followed the visit by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Anthony Michael, to the areas. “The DIG Anthony Michael has visited Gama ward to assess the situation and has since sent more reinforcement to protect lives and property,� Haruna said.

He, however, denied the alleged arrest of the Commissioner for Special Duties, Muktar Ishaq.

But following the developments in Kano, PDP has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately declare its candidate, Abba Yusuf, winner of the Kano State governorship election, having scored the highest number of lawful votes and secured the statutory 25 per cent in twothirds of the state. The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, insisted that no valid election held in yesterday’s supplementary polls and, therefore, no figures could be fabricated from the exercise to displace Yusuf’s leading margin of over 26,000 votes.

Ologbondiyan noted that the people of Kano State had since made up their minds to have Yusuf as their governor and any attempt to subvert their will as already expressed in the March 9 substantive poll, would surely attract the legitimate anger of the

masses.

The statement said, “We therefore call on INEC to immediately do the needful by respecting the will of the people as freely expressed on March 9 and announce Abba Yusuf, the flag-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, as the winner of the election, having fulfilled the demands of Section 179 (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). “INEC is already aware that its supplementary election in Kano was completely disrupted by thugs contracted by the All Progressives Congress (APC), who invaded polling units and chased away voters. The commission therefore cannot accept fabricated figures being bandied by the APC as results from the scuttled rerun."

Supporting PDP’s position on the Kano situation, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) condemned the killings in yesterday’s election and called on INEC to immediately cancel the poll. CUPP described the Kano supplementary election as bloody vampire ceremony and not election.

In a statement issued by its National Spokesperson, Ikenga Ugochinyere, the coalition said it based its position on the massive bloodshed, violent activities of armed thugs, and sporadic shooting of voters that characterised the exercise. “It is regrettable that the state had been taken over by armed thugs, who are busy shooting voters in the name of election and killing anything standing on their way. These thugs armed with sophisticated weapons took over accreditation and voting and murdered party agents,� CUPP said. It accused President Muhammadu Buhari and APC chieftains of promoting the violence.

In Bauchi, a mild drama played out when policemen, who allegedly carted away election materials during the supplementary election, had difficulty returning the same ballot boxes, as people alleged they had been stuffed with more ballot papers.

Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Mr. Turaki Hassan, stated, “Policemen who abducted INEC staff and materials in Jama'are, Bauchi have returned with stuffed ballot boxes.� He, however, alleged that "voters chased them away."

Few minutes earlier, Hassan

had raised the alarm on his social media accounts that, "Police officers have just abducted polling officials with all election materials at Jama'are B, PU, taken them to unknown destination.�

He advised that “INEC Nigeria should take note of this. Any result that emanates from that PU is fraud."

However, the election in Bauchi held across selected polling units in no fewer than 15 local government areas generally witnessed a large turnout of voters, amid tight security.

THISDAY checks revealed that the atmosphere was initially peaceful, smooth and hitch-free with impressive voter turnout.

No fewer than 22,641 registered voters were expected to vote in the supplementary election in 36 polling units in 29 registration areas (wards) scattered across 15 of the 20 local government areas of the state.

At Malar Giji polling unit 008, in Bogoro local government, voters, particularly women, were seen in large numbers getting accredited and voting without hitches. The Presiding Officer in charge of the polling unit, Dapirep Panmun, told THISDAY that accreditation commenced as early as 8am and the card reader machines were effective with impressive turnout when compared to the previous exercise that was marred by low turnout.

A PDP agent and Bauchi’s former Commissioner for Mines and Steel, Professor Audu Gani, also acknowledged the fact that the election in the area was peaceful with huge turnout.

But Benue State’s supplementary election suffered a huge setback when irate youths in Chito, the headquarters of Azendasha council ward, in Ukum Local Government Area, attacked INEC officials, agents and observers. They afterwards snatched all the electoral materials meant for election and burnt them.

A lawmaker representing Ukum state constituency in the House of Assembly, Mr. Paul Biam, the Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Kachina Merga, and adviser to the state governor on revenue and taxation, Mr. Jerome Zaye, who were agents of the PDP in the area, were reportedly attacked by the hoodlums, who successfully disrupted the electoral process.

When contacted, INEC’s Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Andyer Terkaa confirmed the

development. It was, however, not clear which party was responsible for the attacks, as attempts to reach the Benue State Police Commissioner were not successful.

Similarly, in Adamawa, some APC members were allegedly attacked by the youths of Nassarawo Jereng at the collation centre for Nassarawo/Binyeri House of Assembly election. The rescheduled election was to fill the vacuum created by the death of the APC House of Assembly candidate for Nassarowo/Binyeri constituency two weeks to the general election, which was marred by voter apathy and skirmishes at the collation centre.

The supplementary poll was characterised by same voter apathy and glitches in many places. Many people who were interviewed at Nassarawo Jereng, Wuro Lamja primary school and Gorobi bemoaned the low voter turnout.

But Deputy Inspector General of Police, Usman Abubakar Tilli, who led the AIG, Adamawa State Commissioner of Police, and other security agents to supervise the polls, said he was satisfied with conduct of the electorate. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Kassim Gaidam, also commended the electorate for coming out to vote despite the not-too-conducive atmosphere particularly, the inclement weather.

Deputy Governor Martins Babale was equally optimistic that the APC candidate would overwhelmingly win the two constituencies at the end of the polls. He spoke at Jereng venue of the collation after supervising the elections at Tora and other districts of the constituency.

Plateau State was relatively peaceful as Governor Simon Lalong, who is candidate of the APC, and his PDP counterpart, Senator Jeremiah Useni, slugged it out to determine the next governor of the state. While Lalong defeated Useni at Mandar polling unit in Bokkos Local Government Area of the state, polling 300 votes as against Useni's 88 votes, Useni defeated Lalong at the Plateau Hotel polling unit. Announcing the results, the presiding officer of the polling unit, David Terfa, said Useni polled 178 votes, while Lalong polled 78 votes.

Results from other polling units showed neither of the candidates was in clear lead.

But the exercise, which commenced early in the various areas of the state, went peacefully

without Card Readers failure or related hitches as witnessed in the previous elections.

In Sokoto State, there was a massive turnout of voters for the supplementary election. Our correspondent who visited Shigar Danfarijo Magaji Gari Ward B in 005 and 009 polling units in Sokoto North local government reported that the exercise commenced as early as 8am.

Meanwhile, Mark’s maintained that inconclusive polls were alien to the polity and above all, a waste of time. He said, “This business of inconclusive election is very bad and if we make it a habit, it is a very bad precedent. This is because if I know I’m losing an election, then, I will go and disrupt it and hope for it to be declared inconclusive.�

success of a Nigerian president, so he finds solace in creating the impression of a divided nation.�

The pro-Buhari group said Obasanjo’s comments about the outcome of the presidential election won by Buhari indicated, “This must have hurt his massive ego tremendously and he holds Buhari responsible for that. So it is not surprising that he took that subtle dig at the president, even though he was quoted some time ago as saying that he is not yet ready to speak on the 2019 elections. “We at BMO believe that as

much as the former president has a right to rally support for any presidential candidate, we think this is the time to play the role of a statesman rather than continually singing the ‘losers anthem’ “Having just gone through a major campaign season and a hard-fought presidential election, one would expect people like Obasanjo to be at the forefront of efforts to heal the wounds, not to exacerbate the situation by drawing inaccurate comparison with a part of the Nigerian history that is best forgotten.�

INEC RESULTS SO FAR SOKOTO

LGAs TAMBUWAL SHAGARI SOKOTO NORTH SILAME GUDU ILLELA RABAH WAMAKKO WURNO SABO BIRNIN GADA

APC 1392 242 2212 504 211 632 1411 417 904 1023 5548

LGAs MADOBI DAWAKIN KUDU KURA GEZAWA MAKODA GARUN MALAM GWARZO SUMAILA WUDIL BICHI BEBEJI ROGO KARAYE RIMIN GADO WARAWA RANO DANBATTA TAKAI GABASAWA MINJIBIR ALBASU TOFA GAYA DALA

APC PDP 908 164 471 322 807 528 167 27 360 0 235 01 2784 34 967 154 954 23 1969 39 205 0 1033 162 1517 27 1463 12 501 132 2337 37 608 24 4221 149 728 329 2214 226 1804 66 628 190 1051 526 2905 3138

KANO

PDP 1644 263 1783 834 176 607 1319 221 609 887 4336

OBASANJO BERATES ‘EVIL MINDS’ DISCOURAGING ATIKU FROM CHALLENGING POLL those insinuating that Atiku’s decision to challenge President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory at the presidential election tribunal was an invitation to violence were “evil minds� engaged in a deceptive tactic calculated to rationalise a plot to unleash turmoil on the country.

He said Adeleke’s electoral court victory against the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who had been declared winner of the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Governor Gboyega Oyetola, had saved Nigeria a national embarrassment.

But the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) hit back at Obasanjo, alleging that his criticism of Buhari is an expression of anger over the defeat of Atiku, his preferred candidate at the last presidential poll. In a statement jointly signed by its chairman, Niyi Akinsiju, and secretary, Cassidy Madueke, BMO accused Obasanjo of playing up "a false narrative because of his animosity towards President Muhammadu Buhari". The group was reacting to Obasanjo’s statement at a recent public function where he bemoaned the state of affairs in the country, especially the conflict generated by the general election.

Obasanjo, who was in Dubai attending the Global Education and Skills Forum meeting, stated

in the congratulatory message, “Those who have conceived and are promoting the narrative that if Atiku Abubakar continues to seek legal redress, there will be violence, are evil minds looking for an excuse to unleash violence on Nigerians. “At no time in the history has sustainable peace been built on theft, injustice, corruption and inequity. These merchants of chaos and violence should have no peace in any decent society.

And they must know that no intimidation or prophecy of violence and doomsday will cow anybody. “Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians. We will respect as friends those who believe that what is good for their country should be good for Nigeria. Yes, we are Africans, but we have values that are consistent with international standards. “Court is part of our democratic process and it must be used when necessary if only to achieve justice, stability, unity and progress for our country.�

The former president also stated, “While I have refrained from commenting on the 2019 elections, because one of the parties has gone to court, may I point out that those who call themselves our development partners and friends and preach, sacrificing justice on the altar of

the so-called stability, are enemies of justice, democracy and Nigeria. “We will continue to sustain Nigeria in stability and unity on the altar of justice, equity, fairness, freedom, human rights and democracy. Stability cannot be successfully built on injustice, corruption, inequity and divided nation and one-sidedness. “Nigeria will match forward with or without those who will want to feed us with diet of values and actions that are not acceptable in their own countries.

Nigeria is of age.�

Obasanjo commended the Osun governorship election tribunal for its courage in nullifying what he described as “clearly an illegality�, saying, “This action by the judicial officers, albeit a first step in the legal process, gives renewed confidence in the judiciary at a time when there are coordinated efforts by some political leaders to undermine, if not destroy it. “As I have repeatedly said, the world is watching with keen interest. What we do or do not do right in our electoral process will have implications, not just for Nigeria, but for Africa and, indeed, the world. “By correcting what was clearly a desperate attempt to change the will of the Osun people, the tribunal has saved Nigeria from great embarrassment and

started the process of saving and strengthening our democracy. This is the right and proper thing to do in any decent society. “Going to court must be encouraged as some people are now attempting to do.�

However, the pro-Buhari group condemned Obasanjo’s disposition to last general election.

BMO stated, “It has come to our notice that former President Obasanjo has opted to use the platform presented to him by the Association of Chief Audit Executives of Banks in Nigeria to again take subtle pot-shot at the Buhari administration.�

It said the former president was being mischievous in drawing a comparison between the civil war and the current situation in Nigeria.

"So we wonder what exactly is happening in the country now that compares with that ugly period in our nation’s history,� it stated.

The group also alleged that the former president’s criticisms were “a reflection of Chief Obasanjo’s disappointment that he was unable to influence the outcome of the February 23 presidential election in favour of his preferred candidate. “This is the first time since 2007 that the former president cannot authoritatively say he was instrumental to the electoral

INEC INAUGURATES SEVEN-MEMBER LEGAL TEAM MONDAY dated March 21, 2019, with reference number INEC/LEG/ DR/391/1/7 and addressed to Yunus Ustaz Usman (SAN) and signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs Rose Oriaran-Anthony, showed that the commission was ready to defend its decision to declare Buhari as the winner of the election.

The letter read, "This is to notify you of the approval by the commission of the composition of the under listed legal practitioners as members of its legal team to handle all presidential election petitions on its behalf.

"Yunus Ustaz Usman (SAN),

Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), Omoruyi Augustine Omonuwa (SAN), Tanimu Inuwa (SAN), Abdulrahmab Madaki esquire, and B.M Saluhu.

"The fee payable for the engagement shall be as negotiated between the commission and the legal practitioners.

"If this offer is acceptable, you are required to indicate in writing to the undersigned and note that the agreed terms engagement deals be reduced into an agreement. Further note that all the Presidential team shall be inaugurated on Monday, 25th March, 2019 at the commission's conference room by 2:00p.m.�

9

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

POLITY

We Shall Miss Ambode

Abidemi Thompson

The sages say an enterprising industry player attracts to himself more noble service to the society as a mark of appreciation of his diligence. That is to say, when you work hard, you are given more work so the community can benefit from more of your expertise. But, alas, with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State it has not been so, no thanks to a grand conspiracy that upturned the wisdom of the ancients.

Now, these wise old men also warn that the people would be in agony when you reject their counsel and reward a hard-working person with a refusal to let him continue his good work. This, unfortunately, translates into a colossal loss for the people.

That’s the irony we have been forced to face in Lagos as we draw close to the end of the Ambode era: a man is departing, not because he was found wanting in performance in office, but because a cabal, against the run of play and contrary to convention, ruled that they no longer wanted him. Well, the popular verdict on this travesty of justice is that history will have the last say. And that Ambode is also going to have the last laugh on account of the mammoth legacy of verifiable and beneficial service he is leaving behind, the stand of a few naysayers notwithstanding.

The point is that the governor doesn’t need to blow his own trumpet, the proverbial one.

If, as it is acknowledged worldwide, people are the bedrock of democracy, Ambode can always appeal to the citizens as the gauge of his tenure. For, in under four years of his administration, the governor has touched the lives of millions of Lagosians in every sphere such that it would appear as if he has been in office for a far longer period.

How do you use governance to touch lives?

It is simply by de-alienating government and the governed. Government is deemed distant to the populace when you concentrate good roads, healthcare facilities, schools, industries,

Ambode government offices etc. in only the urban centres. The message you send when you do so is that your administration is only for the elite.

Ambode renounced this approach and took the path that has made him quite popular. He moved to the suburbs and opened up their narrow roads, giving them modern streets with lights that also link the arterial highways.

It’s been a seamless arrangement which has prevented traffic glut on the expressways. In addition, we can do a lot of inner community motoring and business without as much as going through or sighting the highways. A classic example is the road network in Alimosho area. Lagos has never had it so good!

No wonder a commentator has written:� In our society, there is arguably no achievement that boosts good assessment of a government than construction and rehabilitation of roads.’’ An interesting point is that Ambode has

done so elegantly. In other words, he has not just built roads and bus terminals; he has also offered first-class exotic types at Ojodu Berger, Tafawa Balewa Square and Ikeja.

These structures, indeed monuments, are fast turning into near tourist centres, given their architectural symmetry. You etch yourself in the consciousness of your people when you give them such quality service which outlives you.

Now, all these have flown from a man eager to give a new model of governance propelled by inclusive government. This has enabled Ambode to absorb all shades of the citizenry in his administration: technocrats, bureaucrats, professionals, grassroots representatives, labour, clergy, physically challenged, artisans etc. in the policy formulation and implementation stages of administration. It is in fulfillment of his promise when he assumed office. He declared: “As we collectively face the challenge to make Lagos a better place to live in, we must recognize our strength in diversity. In my administration everybody counts. I shall run an open government of inclusion that will not leave anybody behind.’’ Those who were not left behind included the vulnerable of the society who benefitted from Ambode’s milk of human kindness. Multiple births mother, Ruth Uche, was shattered after her husband fled home at the delivery of their third set of twins. He was reunited with the family when Ambode intervened with necessary government support for the Uches. The governor has also been known to stop his convoy to personally help in rescue operation at accident scenes.

Those who will also miss Ambode are the pensioners. They won’t forget how the governor, in one fell swoop, released the whopping sum of N11b to offset their gratuity liabilities.

The state had never recorded such show of government affinity with the plight of aged retirees.

Ambode’s health and education initiatives have equally been penetrating, profound and

promising. He has established templates suggesting a progressive look into the future.

Stakeholders say Ambode has put up what they describe as ‘’irreversible’’ achievements in his time, just as he has done in pushing Lagos as a foremost player in the crusade for food security through its Lake Rice project.

Sports, public security, tourism and the judiciary have similarly received brilliant initiatives in the hands of Ambode to emotionally endear him to the people of Lagos and to move the state to higher level.

Therefore it came as a shock to Lagosians and other Nigerians that a man who has so excelled and become the best performing governor in the country would be jettisoned at the critical time we need him most, all because of the greedy, gargantuan and grabbing propensity of a cabal alienated from the best interests of the people.

But in addition to putting up a superlative show as governor since 2015, Ambode has reacted most gentlemanly and gallantly to the rough deal he got from the All Progressives Congress. Despite provocations and the temptation to quit the party and move to other groups offering him their platform for the governorship ticket, this affable Epe-born accountant has handled all that came his way with equanimity and candor. He went as far as campaigning for President Muhammadu Buhari across the country and soliciting support for Babajide Sanwo-Olu in Lagos State. That’s the true display of humility coupled with integrity.

A future of more noble work awaits Akinwunmi Ambode as a reward for the great service he has rendered to the people of Lagos State. History will be most benign to his era, when he returns later, in accordance with the demand of the sages that you must reward able and dedicated workers with more opportunity for noble service. That is the consolation for those who shall miss Ambode. t5IPNQTPO BO FDPOPNJTU XSPUF JO GSPN 0CBOJLPSP -BHPT

Ihedioha: For Imo, the Sun Shines Again Oke Epia One premium lesson adulthood teaches is that in life there is the divine order of things and there is also the world order made and manipulated by man. For those like me who believe in the inevitability of divinity in the determination of mortality, the ways of men are inexorably a function of the hand of God Almighty. It is neither a coincidence that the sun rises from the east nor was it a scientific discovery that led the three wise men from the east to the magical manger in Bethlehem. In the same vein, recent events in the eastern heartland of Nigeria cannot be explained solely as the whiff of man’s wisdom.

The emergence of Emeka Ihedioha as the next governor of Imo come May 29, 2019 cannot be anything but divine. This is not by any means an attempt to downplay the place of hard work and political sagacity in the victory of the green cap man in the March 9 governorship election. I speak of a more sublime side of the matter – the unassailable fact that Ihedioha is a man of destiny whose time has come. But what do I mean by ‘time’ here?

In 2015 when he contested the governorship of the state then as deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, some of us thought that was his moment. Everything seemed to be working well for victory until Goodluck Jonathan lost the presidential poll of March 2015. By the time the governorship contest held days later President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory at the centre had altered the calculations so much that the PDP which had won overwhelming majority of national assembly seats in the previous election had been sufficiently weakened in both resolve and resilience to deliver its candidate for Douglas House. The rest, like they say, is history. Rochas was returned. And Imo sank lower and lower into the abyss such that almost four years down the line, it is the vacuous and meaningless iberiberism ideology that has been promoted into policy of state in one of Nigeria’s federating unit with some of the most sophisticated citizens.

Ihedioha What an irony! While I believe that the ruins Mr. Okorocha dug Imo into will require a commissioned study of what leadership and governance is not about, suffice to say that the state has never had it so bad since its creation in 1976.

But then came the long kind arms of the omnipotent divine who looked from far above having heard the loud wailings and mute groaning of Imolites under the heavy hand of the iberiberist emperor and intervened on March 9 to stop the sufferings of his people.

And from the many that postured as the called HE chose and anointed Emeka Ihedioha to lead his people from the locust years of pillage and plunder into the greener pasture of restoration and prosperity. Thus when the governor-elect in his victory speech says “this election is as epochal as its outcome is momentous,� he speaks to the touch of destiny which defines his mandate. It shows a man who is not only conscious of and can correctly interpret the signs of the times but is imbued with the empathy and courage to appreciate the interconnectedness

of his divine calling with the yearnings and aspirations of those he has been called to serve. But will Ihedioha serve the people of Imo state truly? Will he be different from the rest of the political class? Will he deliver good governance and leave positive imprints in the sands of time? These are very valid questions but I must first of all raise a word of caution by saying that while Ihedioha has turned out to be the man of the moment for Imo, the expectation should not be of a stewardship without occasional bumps. That would be cloaking him with the garb of a saint and we know there are no saints on this earthly plane. I am however confident that the questions raised above would be answered in the affirmative. And this is why: In the about two decades of his involvement in politics and leadership, Emeka Ihedioha has come to be identified with three solid character traits – Capacity, Competence and Consistency. Given the muddy mix of Nigeria’s political waters, I dare add a fourth one: integrity. For someone like me who has worked closely with him, I am not able to circumscribe my experiences and thoughts to the limited space of this article in order to exhaust the details of the salient and enviable character traits laid out above. But one thing I can say without any fear of contradiction is that for him to have straddled and swaddled through the landmines of Nigeria’s politics for two decades without as much as a blemish to his name and brand is an eloquent testimony to the character and personality of Emeka Ihedioha. Though an influential member of the political class of this country, his brand of politics is anchored on forthrightness and integrity of purpose, both of which are rare attributes he would be bringing to bear on the governance of Imo state.

And he is already acting it. Refer again to his victory speech: “We shall run an open, transparent and accountable government with due process as its hallmark. I believe strongly that those in positions of authority must render account of their stewardship to the people. The era of brazenness in Imo State is gone.� What is important for me

however is that Imo people should be strongly encouraged to take Ihedioha seriously on his pledge to “run an all-inclusive government and not a government of exclusion.� Hear him further: Ours will be a government that will promote the unity of the state, rather than accentuate the fissures that have characterized our relationship with each other in recent times. Our priority will be the reclaiming of the dignity of our people.

We shall no longer be the laughing stock of Nigeria as only positive, productive and progressive stories will be told of the new Imo. Imo has always been known for the right things, with a huge reservoir of human capital waiting to be exploited for the great leap forward. It is my duty and responsibility to ensure that we remain brothers and sisters with a common destiny. I am certain that with all hands-on deck, we shall achieve the Imo of our dreams. “The elections are over. What remains is the fulfillment of the promises we made to our people. We entered into a social contract with you with our manifesto and we shall remain faithful to our obligations in that contract. This contract seeks to substantially improve the welfare, security, property rights, economic and social advancement of our people. We shall find creative ways of funding our ambitious infrastructural projects and give Imo the quality education, healthcare and general good governance that you desire.�

But are politicians not known to be huge in rhetoric but shrunken in deliverables?

Again this is another very valid question.

And the onus is on Emeka Ihedioha to walk his talk and prove to all who has reposed such huge faith in him that he will be the governor that all Ndi-lmo and the rest of Nigeria will be proud of by the time the jury is out. I am super confident that he can do just that. I wish this great man of destiny a happy 54th birthday anniversary.

God bless Imo State. God bless the federal republic of Nigeria. t&QJB KPVSOBMJTU BOE EFWFMPQNFOU QSBDUJUJPOFS XSJUFT GSPN "CVKB

MARCH 24, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

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SUNDAY COMMENT

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

2019 P OLLS A ND T HE P EACEMAKERS The National Peace Committee deserves commendation for initiating the right response to our social malaise

T

he Nigerian political elite has done very little to figure out how to pull together all the various strands of our differences as a people to weave a united nation.

To do this of course would require some depth of knowledge about our people, as well as the sources of their fears and frustrations, before creating policy options to rally them around a common cause. The absence of this vision has seen the retreat of our people from the centre of national life into their ethno-religious enclaves. Elections and competition for power have in turn pushed these frustrations to the centre, leading to the rash of violent explosions across the various strata of the country.

However, thanks to the efforts of such bodies like the National Peace Committee (NPC), Nigerians are gradually coming to terms with the fact that problems arising from elections, however imperfect they may be, are better resolved peacefully. The essence of the committee’s interventions which started with the 2015 general election is to discourage the rule of violent mobs that vitiate public expectations and disappoint the rest of the world. Chaired by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar with Bishop Matthew Kukah as convener, the peace committee has become a stabilising factor in our polity.

Before the commencement of the 2019 general election which was substantially concluded yesterday, the committee addressed the political parties and listed conditions for peace. Following series of meetings, the committee eventually got the leading presidential candidates to adopt the same principles that guided

the 2015 general election as a template for peace. Both President Muhammadu Buhari of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), signed the deal that has endured.

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By providing a platform for filtering many of the frustrations in our country, the NPC has helped to douse a lot of tension that ordinarily come with the contest for power

Letters to the Editor

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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

e should, however, take nothing for granted. Against the backdrop of mercantilist politics and a rentier economy, majority of those who seek public office in Nigeria have come to see politics as a war for survival.

Although the elite pretend that political competition should not be seen as a do-ordie affair, the ordinary people continue to bear the brunt of the consequences of losing elections or voting the wrong way, by their clear exclusion from social services and other forms of participation in the benefits of democracy.

By providing a platform for filtering many of these frustrations in our country, the NPC has helped to douse a lot of tension that ordinarily come with the contest for power. By offering an opportunity for politicians to make politics more respectable, both Abubakar and Kukah, the leading lights of the committee, have become peacemakers. It is therefore fitting that they would pay homage to the ordinary Nigerians, as they did at the weekend. “In the run-up to the campaigns, they (ordinary Nigerians) were often the ones to be ‘mobilised’ to attend rallies and mega rallies of the different political parties.

On election days, many had to abandon their means of livelihood, to stand for hours, often under inclement weather conditions, or security challenges in their areas, to partake in choosing their leaders. They are also often the victims when things go awfully wrong”, they wrote in a joint statement released on the eve of the supplementary and run-off elections held yesterday.

We commend both Abubakar and Kukah as well as other members of the committee for their efforts. The principal role of the committee has always been hinged on how to ensure that defeated presidential candidates accept in good faith the outcome of the election by conceding promptly and unequivocally. While the underlying purpose for this is to instil a new culture in an environment where elections have become zero-sum games, the point also must be made that our democracy cannot thrive if there are no consequences for electoral malpractices.

So, going forward, the committee should also strive to impress it on our politicians and leaders that peace, especially after acrimonious elections, will endure only if anchored on justice.

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.

Amaechi VS Wike: Trivialising The Irrelevant

n the aftermath of the 2019 elections, Rivers State will continue to intrigue sociologists and political analysts alike, regarding the rather rapid escalation of politically-related violence in the face of dramatic pace and scope of infrastructural development projects which have significantly enhanced the welfare and empowerment of the people in the first tenure of Governor Nyesom Wike.

Until now, the frequency of political and economic agitation leading to various forms of militancy and rebellious activism by an increasing number of youths has been attributed to gross negligence of the peoples’ plight as they barely eke out a living amid pollution-devastated environment.

The painful paradox of a potential Eldorado swamped and smothered by poverty-entrenching squalor is constantly provoked by

the proximity to oil exploitation installations that produce the stupendous wealth, visible everywhere else. But the remarkable development scorecard of the Wike administration in all sectors of need, in barely four years, has triggered a more regrettable realization among the distressed people of Rivers State, as they recall miserable memories of the eight years they endured under his predecessor, who distracted them with all kinds of excuses and failed to translate the billions accruing into the state’s coffers into even half of the Wike economic transformation narrative.

This eye-opening comparative analysis of governance outcomes proved that, as reprehensible as the federal government’s negligent and discriminatory relegation of Rivers State peoples’ entitlements and dividends was, the squandermania and frivolous governance of the Rotimi

Amaechi tenure was particularly callous and unforgiveable, in view of the contrasting value-for-money accountability and development dividend on ground.

It could even be logically concluded that by the same aberration of politics of distraction and misplaced aggression which Amaechi cunningly deployed as governor and still resorts to as minister misrepresenting Rivers State, the seemingly inexplicable prevalence of political violence remains the distractive strategy he used to ward off public vigilance as governor but now a desperate decoy from the deepening decline he is suffering in the estimation of Rivers State citizenry as well as destabilizing device against Wike’s rising performance profile.

Governor Wike hit the nail on Amaechi’s headed political mischief in the run-up to the 2019 election

which exposed the minister’s ulterior preoccupation as APC’s agent provocateur and political warlord in Rivers State when he declared on many occasions that the APC was only campaigning because of their planned reliance on state violence to manipulate the polls, adding that “if APC is not a blood-sucking political party, they won’t be coming to Rivers State to attempt campaigning. In this state, they have nothing on ground to promote themselves. They think they will rely on state violence, but that will fail them.”

This is supposedly the hidden agenda that has been tragically exposed in the unprecedented violence, daring confrontation of Nigerian military and security forces and brazen attempts to scuttle election processes that was witnessed during the elections. It is further implicated by the isolated and sporadic outbreaks of such sponsored brigandage whereas the vast majority of people and local government areas of the state remained calm and law abiding, confidently casting

their votes conscientiously to not only appreciate their workaholic governor but to endorse him for a second term.

When you deliver performance in good governance as a governor, you don’t need the vectors of violence as Governor Wike illustrated when he remarked, “There was a government here for eight years and it allowed Port Harcourt to decay. Amaechi lived in Borokiri, but did nothing to improve the roads in that area. But I have transformed roads in Borokiri, Township, Abuluoma, GRA, Diobu and other parts of the city. If I were in APC, there are some states that I will dare not campaign in. One of such states is Rivers State.” But Amaechi won’t listen, he only learns the hard way!

For the people of Rivers State and particularly in the matter of Amaechi and Wike, attempting to equate one for another is simply trivialising the irrelevant.

––Adamu Gwazuwang, Abuja.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MARCH 24, 2019

NEWS

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

NiMet: Nigeria in Danger of Extreme Weather Conditions Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) yesterday decried escalating weather conditions, which it said, had been ravaging the

country as a result of climate change.

The agency, however, said it would install additional 100 weather stations across the country to reduce the consequences of escalating

weather conditions.

The agency’s Director General, Prof. Abubakar Mashi disclosed this in a keynote address he delivered yesterday to mark the 2019 World Meteorological Day in

Abuja.

At the session, Mashi said it was “to note that the beginning of 2019 continued where 2018 left off with extreme weather. This has, indeed, claimed lives and destroyed

HONOUR WELL-DESERVED

L-R: Founder, Crescent University, Bola Ajibola (SAN); Vice-Chancellor, Ibraheem Gbajabiamila; Ibrahim Marmara and Managing Director, Istabaraqim Nigeria Limited, Rafiu Ebiti during award presentation to Ebiti at the institution’s 13th Founder’s Day Lecture held in Abeokuta, Ogun State… on Friday

livelihoods.”

Mashi said the World Economic Forum identified weather extremes, natural disasters, the failure of climate change adaptation and mitigation, and water crises as the highest four global risks in 2018.

He said the cost of natural catastrophes “is escalating.

These trends underpin the importance and relevance of our efforts. On March 14, one of the worst tropical storms (Cyclone ldai) made a landfall in Mozambique where it almost completely destroyed Beira, coastal town and also adjacently affected Zimbabwe and Malawi.

Aside, the directorgeneral explained that the natural disaster resulted in loss of hundreds of lives and destruction of livelihoods.

He said the environment “is in serious challenge of extreme weather events as a result of climate change, which is seen as the single most prominent risk.

“As such, 2018 was found to be one of the four warmest years on record and was the warmest year without an El Nino. Already, 2019 has already begun with pockets of extreme events in form of severe storms currently ravaging Mozambique and parts of Australia.

“This came after the passage of Polar Vortices as

well as soaring temperature of about 50 degrees Celsius in Australia recently. Longterm climate change as a result of greenhouse gas emissions commits our planet to a warmer future with more extreme weather and water shocks.”

He said the consequences of the catastrophes could affect Nigeria as weather changes. However, NiMet is positioned to continue to meet our weather and climate challenges in 2019 and beyond.

He said NiMet “has continued to invest efforts to support climate-smart decision-making to increase resilience and adaptation to changing climate.

“In the last two years, the agency has invested heavily in the establishment and upgrading of meteorological observatories to increase the dense network of observing stations across the country.

“The agency has found it richly rewarding in terms of data generation for improved service delivery to all sectors of the economy.

“On this alone, we have so far established 63 additional weather stations across higher institutions, including secondary schools and still targeting to install additional 100 stations within this year.”

Third Force to Sue INEC over Alleged Electoral Fraud Segun James The Alliance for Defence of Democracy (ADD) yesterday disclosed that it would institute legal actions against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for rescheduling the presidential and National Assembly elections on February 16.

The ADD, a coalition of presidential candidates that contested the 2019 election, protested alleged manipulation of the election results by the INEC, military and other state actors across the federation In a communiqué signed

by Director of Publicity, Dr. Olusegun Obe and Director of Special Duties, Ms. Olufunke Awolowo, the ADD said a class action had been initiated to query the reasons the INEC postponed 2019 elections.

The communiqué, which was titled Our Intervention on the Crisis Rocking: The 2019 General Elections in Nigeria,” said the third force coalition said the INEC action affected the poll and cost the mass of the Nigerian electorate so much loss in uncountable regards.

It said the ADD in conjunction “with a public interest

NGO; Common Voice has undertaken to champion the cause of Nigerian citizens who have so far sent in strong petitions for a class action to be instituted on March 25.”

It warned the INEC “to desist from the antics of declaring elections almost won inconclusive to enable its favoured political parties to put machinery in place for eventual rigging of the elections as cleverly invented during the Osun State elections.

“We note that this style of mandate circumvention is again about to happen in the supplementary gubernato-

EU Asks Buhari to Strengthen Nigeria’s Democracy The European Union (EU) at the weekend urged President Muhammadu Buhari to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and unify its people, in line with the 2019 Abuja Peace Accord.

The EU made the plea in a letter formally congratulating President Buhari on his reelection as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, expressing willingness to work with Buhari’s government.

In a letter dated March 22, 2019 and jointly signed by Donald Tusk for the European Council and Jean-Claude Juncker for the European Commission, the Union said: On behalf of the EU, the letter read in part: “We would

like to congratulate you on your re-election as the President of Nigeria” “We look forward to your leadership in strengthening democracy and uniting the country in line with the principles and spirit of the 2019 Abuja Peace Accord. The EU is willing to work with your government to follow up on the recommendations of our Election Observation Mission.”

The EU, also, reiterated Nigeria’s important position in world affairs and the Union especially, noting that what “happens in Nigeria matters to the rest of the world, including to Europe.

“Your commitment to

an inclusive government offers an opportunity to take Nigeria forward in a way that meets your objectives of strengthening the economy, fighting corruption and improving security.

“The EU has always partnered with Nigeria and its people. We look forward to continued and increased cooperation on bilateral and international matters.”

The EU wished Buhari more successes in promoting peace and prosperity for all Nigerians as he enters the new mandate.

United States, China, Britain, AU and many governments had sent letters of congratulations to President Buhari.

rial elections in some states like Kano, Rivers, among others, which shall be resisted with a nationwide mass action in expressing our principled grievances against the obvious lapses in the 2019 elections.”

The communiqué said the third force had no option than “to embark on the plan after it became obvious that the military, INEC officials and some state actors allegedly subverted the will of the people to ensure the All Progressives Congress (APC) achieve their goal during the elections.

“It is abundantly clear to

us that there was a strategic collusion among state agents, political gladiators and some unscrupulous officials of the INEC to subvert the will of the electorate by manipulating, doctoring, concocting, manufacturing and allocating imaginary votes and figures parties,” the communiqué said.

It added that this was contrary “to the actual votes cast in the various constituencies where elections were held or not held during the 2019 elections in Nigeria, citing revelations from INEC officials and ad-hoc staff, among others.

It, therefore, said the presi-

dential election conducted by the INEC under the leadership of Prof. Mahmod Yakubu was seriously marred by several infractions that should have warrant it cancelation or otherwise.

It said, “We also received some pathetic confessions from some corps members, serving as presiding officers of polling unit in some Northern states that electoral officials in their areas of assignment were subjected to heavy terror and duress by state and political agents.

Thus, nothing like card reader, PVC and the rest was used.

I Remain Osun State Governor, Says Oyetola Tobi Soniyi and Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Osun State governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola yesterday said he would remain in office pending the determination of his appeal challenging last Friday’s judgment of the election petition tribunal.

Oyetola said his faith in the judiciary remains unshaken despite of the tribunal judgement, which nullified his election on Friday He made the remarks while inspecting some on-going road and drainage projects in the state capital, Osogbo, enjoining the public to disregard the insinuations that he had been sacked, saying he was confident of retaining his mandate at the appellate court.

He said the outcome of the lower court did not in anyway affect the validity of the votes freely and willing given to him by the people of the state, saying since the constitution allowed him to file an appeal against the judgment, he remained the legitimate governor of the state.

The governor said: “I am confident that our mandate will be reaffirmed at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. As you all know, it was a split judgment, telling us that it was not a unanimous decision. This is part of our strength at the Appellate Court “I must correct the impression that I have been removed from office I remain the governor of Osun till all

the electoral litigations are finalised.

“So, my visit to this site is in furtherance of our commitment to ensure a better life for all residents of the state and to demonstrate that governance brought about by our government continues”, he said.

Oyetola, who had earlier received the leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Government House had assured the teeming supporters of the party that he would come victorious at the end of the electoral litigation.

He called on the party loyalists to remain calm and expressed confidence in the judiciary to deliver justice as it remained the ‘hope for a common man’

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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 ˾ MARCH 24, 2019

OPINION Leaving No One Behind: Beyond World Water Day The Five Cowries Initiative has partnered with key stakeholders to enhance the quality of arts education, writes Polly Alakija

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ater is an essential element for life; the average adult human body is 50 – 65% water. However, access to potable water is particularly limited in developing countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) has some alarming statistics on water access; such as in 2017, 2.1 billion people were deprived of safe water globally. Lack of access to safe, sufficient and affordable water, sanitation and hygiene facilities has a devastating effect on the health, dignity and prosperity of billions of people, therefore having significant consequences for the realization of other human rights.

Goal six of the United Nations (UN) 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) is“Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all” by 2030. World Water Day – an annual UN observance for advocacy around sustainable management of freshwater resources – has been celebrated every 22nd of March, since it was established in 1993. It aims to bring people together and encourage them to think about water-related issues including the development of solutions for those who do not have easy access to water or encounter significant challenges regarding water due to climactic conditions, sanitation, availability and geo-politics.

This year, the theme is Leaving No One Behind. This mission has motivated several governments, organizations and non-profits to come together and work towards raising awareness around water sanitation. Some examples are UN Water and Water.org which operate across the world, working with local partners to provide solutions

and infrastructure.

In Nigeria, The Five Cowries Initiative, a creative arts education programme has partnered with key stakeholders – in Lagos State government, the private sector, education, arts and civil society – with the aim to offer an inclusive route to education that makes learning fun and enhances the quality and capacity of arts education and teaching skills in Lagos.

To deliver this, the initiative is working closely with Teach for Nigeria. As the first and only organization to partner young leaders from diverse academic backgrounds in an extended service initiative, Teach for Nigeria recruits, trains and supports outstanding young leaders to teach in underserved schools, in low-income communities. Arts literacy

Lack of access to safe, sufficient and affordable water, sanitation and hygiene facilities has a devastating effect on the health, dignity and prosperity of billions of people

is proven to help children to develop design thinking, enhance creativity, improve collaboration and develop critical thinking. It also acts as a strong mechanism for improving attendance rates, as interactive and visual teaching methods increase children’s engagement levels and so, desire to participate. The Five Cowries Initiative will help build the capacity of Teach for Nigeria Fellows to enhance the creative skills of their students.

In addition to building teacher capacity, the initiative has also established a range of opportunities for the work that the students produce, to be showcased both in Lagos and internationally. Its 2019 theme ‘My Story of Water’, will encourage students to tell visual stories about water and sustainability in their environment. The initiative will select 30 classes of students to produce artwork that gives the 1,800 participating pupils perspective on the importance of water in their daily lives. The theme follows from its pilot project in 2017,‘Flying Flotilla’, in which students produced artwork on canoes; the installation was seen by 1.5 million visitors during its monthlong display on the South Bank (London, UK). This was followed by an installation of painted umbrellas telling stories that addressed various issues around rivers and our waterways, in 2018.

Creativity is the currency of our future and the hope is that it continues to encourage collaboration for greater impact; ensuring no one is left behind, especially beyond World Water Day. ––Alakija is a muralist, artist, educator and children’s book author. She is the Founder of the Five Cowries Initiative and Chairperson of the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture

The Utility of Legislature’s Ranking Rule Sufuyan Ojeifo argues for the enforcement of ranking rule to deepen legislative convention

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ongressional leadership stability is a key feature of advanced democracies, particularly the United States of America. This is anchored on natural progression by ranking members into positions reserved for “wise men” held in high esteem by their peers, respected by the executive and trusted by the people. In the US Congress, the progression rule has been institutionalised, resulting in leadership stability in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

In Nigeria, there has been a measured attempt to copy the US Congress via pragmatism in recognising seniority and experience when constituting the presiding officers’ positions. The ranking rule has been enshrined in the standing orders of the National Assembly and it is high time it was enforced, stricto sensu, in order to deepen the legislative convention in Nigeria.

Significantly, the convention will rid the Federal Legislature’s leadership of extraneous stuff. Consideration for the positions of senate president, speaker, deputy senate president and deputy speaker will no longer be the prerogative of the moneybags. It will not matter if a legislator is a former governor or if a legislator enjoys the support of his party leadership. If she or he is a new member, the ranking rule, ipso facto, becomes a bar.

Conversely, legislative returnees are thus properly positioned to vie for presiding officers’ spots. The convention is utilitarian by helping to eliminate rancour generated by aspirations for legislative leadership positions. When the rule is added to the deliberate zoning decision, the leadership selection becomes much more streamlined and much less acrimonious.

Order 3 (2) of the Senate Standing Orders 2015 as amended on election of presiding and other officers, wherein ranking rule is clearly specified, states inter alia: “Nomination of Senators to serve as Presiding Officers and appointments of Principal Officers and other Officers of the Senate or on any Parliamentary delegations shall be in accordance with the ranking of Senators. In determining ranking, the following order shall apply- (i) Senators returning based on number of times re-elected; (ii) Senators who had been members of the House of Representatives; (iii) Senators elected as Senators for the first time….”

A similar provision in the House of Representatives’ Standing Orders is captured in Order 2 (3)(a), and adumbrated in two words, to wit: legislative experience. The order specifically reads: (3) “The election of Speaker shall be conducted in the following manner: (a) “A member-elect, addressing the Clerk, shall propose

another member-elect with legislative experience as member of the National Assembly to be Speaker and shall move that such member-elect , ‘Do take the Chair as Speaker of the House of Representatives’.”

Amusingly, while in 2015, the election of presiding officers in both chambers complied with the ranking rule with the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki as Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President, Hon. Yakubu Dogara as Speaker of the House of Representatives and Hon. Yusuf Lasun as Deputy Speaker of the House, both the APC and PDP caucuses in the Senate circumvented the rule in the selection of some principal officers.

While against all logic and reasonable expectations, the PDP selected a new member and former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio as Minority Leader, the APC looked towards the Southsouth zone to pick a new senator from Edo State, Francis Asekhame Alimikhena as the Deputy Chief Whip.

Clearly, the selection of Alimekhena was justifiable as it was not supremacy battle or contestation for office.

The position of Deputy Chief Whip was zoned to the South-south; and, since he was the only APC senator from both the South-south and South-east zones, his selection became a fait accompli of sorts. His emergence was thus understandable. It was a rare scenario foisted on the APC. However, the decision by the PDP to select Akpabio was characterised by intense horse-trading, alleged financial intimidation and compromise, political braggadocio and glib pretentiousness to the control and leadership of the South-south. The totality of those considerations was deployed in supplanting the right candidate for the position - Senator James Manager - who kept a cool head. Perhaps, as recompense, he has just been re-elected for his fifth term in the Senate while Akpabio, reputed for uncommon transformation as governor, has suffered an uncommon defeat and exits the red chamber with his reported aspiration for the position of a presiding officer.

Akpabio's defeat was not as tragic as his decision to dump the PDP that he led in the Senate for the APC. While uninspiring in discharging his responsibilities as Senate Minority Leader, he was perceptibly hamstrung by personal issues that trailed him from Akwa Ibom State. The Akpabio experience underscores the imperatives of discipline and restraint on the part of party caucuses in the legislature, both at the national and the sub-national governments. They must comply

with their own standing rules and orders. It is a good lesson for the parties in the legislature. It was such an outlandish usurpation of a strategic leadership position meant for committed and experienced members.

Henceforth, it should not be traded to doubtful greenhorns for a mess of porridge.

The 9th National Assembly will be inaugurated in June, this year. Preparatory to the inauguration, some senators-elect, including some new members, have indicated interest in the position of Senate President and Speaker. Both chambers will witness intriguing politicking and gambits that will spawn tension.

It will, indeed, be farcical, if the APC allows the 2015 history, which saw the emergence of Saraki as Senate President against its wish, to repeat itself. As it is, the APC leadership, under the nimble Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, should be on top of the process and guide the APC caucus to the right choice. The former Edo State governor has the sagacity, capacity and discipline to rein in legislators on the APC platform.

Oshiomhole’s approach to party administration has been different from his predecessor’s, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, under whose nose the party lost the control of the National Assembly to the opposition PDP. With parental (party leadership) guidance, the election of presiding officers in the APC-controlled National Assembly, this time round, should be seamless. The leaders that emerge should be in pari materia with the executive arm in pursuit of the manifesto of the governing party that is made to align with the national interest to stimulate rapid development.

Besides, it is expected that henceforth, legislative leadership should be about national responsibility and sound constitutional obligations. As a nation, we must graduate to that point in the National Assembly where the emergence of the structure of the executive arm of government, specifically the president, does not affect the ranking rule and leadership stability in the legislature.

The legislature, as an independent arm of government, which also acts interdependently with other arms of government, is the bastion of democracy and must be allowed to grow on its own terms, merits, circumstances, peculiar experiences and experimentation. A significant experimentation is the ranking rule, which must be carefully guarded by the legislature.

––Ojeifo, journalist and public affairs analyst, contributed this piece via ojwonderngr@yahoo.com

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MARCH 24, 2019

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LETTERS

T

Challenges of Power Privatisation

he need for power (electricity) cannot be underrated especially when it comes to the development of a nation. Power is sought for in individuals’ daily businesses, infrastructural and industrial activities.

Many nations have adequate supply of electricity.

Nigeria has been an exception.

In spite of her rich human and natural resources, it has been a struggle for the country to maintain a stable and efficient power sector. This becomes even more hurtful, considering the array of technocrats the nation parades both in the local and foreign fronts.

All the series of meetings between stakeholders and even regulatory interference all have come to nothing.

African countries like Ghana celebrated uninterrupted power supply for more than three years. South Africa with a population of about 60 million produces 51,309MW while Nigeria with a population of about 190 million produces just 4,000MW. As the centre piece of Africa, we still are unable to produce sufficient megawatts for more than half of the population. The privatization process was embarked upon to improve the sector and to ensure stable electricity supply to power both homes and industries.

Over the years the government has undertaken various means, strategies and reforms to grow the power sector and

“

Fashola, Minister for Power and Housing see to it that it works, but all attempts have been an exercise in futility. Under the Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act of 2005, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) was established to take care of the functions, assets, liabilities and employees of National Electric Power Authority (NEPA). The government then unbundled the PHCN into 18 successor companies; six generation companies (GENCOs), 11 distribution companies (DISCOs) and the power Transmitting Company of Nigeria (TCN).

By 2010, the power sector still yielded no tangible result.

This called for another reform known as the Road map of the power sector reform. This reform set the momentum for further privatization, and by 30th September 2013, the successor companies aside the transmission company was privatized with a US 2.5 billion dollars transaction. PHCN therefore ceased to exist. The legal control of the power sector formally belongs to and is now being monitored by the government through Nigerian Electricity Regulatory

Commission (NERC) in a kind of arrangement that is not too clear; however, it is owned by individual stakeholders.

Following the privatization, more problems were created in the power sector. Rather than healing the wounds of the sector, more wounds where created. The privatization process has been a massive catastrophe for the nation’s economy. It has caused untold hardship for the people already living on the fringe of poverty. More than 60 per cent of Nigerians have no access to electricity. Those who have, hardly enjoy its benefits due to erratic supplies.

The process of privatization itself was not effective, it featured a flawed process that worked on the basis of estimations and assumptions. Key actors and information management functions comprised only of the federal government. In reality most technical partners were invited only as technical operators. The hostility of some electricity union workers prevented physical inspection of assets by bidders as part of the process initiated by the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE).

The administration that carried out privatization exercise is accused of selling the companies to cronies of the past administration. The process was therefore for the few privileged elite. Some of the estimations include Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) assumed to be sufficient to raise enough revenues from DISCOs in order to fund the value chain, a N100

Seven-Star Lucky Draw

…And the Jews marvelled, saying, how knoweth this man letters having never learned’’ Jn7:15. I usually do not have more than 850 words to say in this space of five minutes sermon apiece but should take hours for a prudent search.

This is yet another piece of the jigsaw that can only fit into the big picture-puzzle, in the light of precedence, supposed to have been searched out with New King James Version of the Scripture. Scriptures that should no longer require elaborate referencing to a serial and discerning reader. The fundamental scriptures of above topic are Lk5:4-7 and Mt17: 27.

These are in addition to the following as SPIED among others: Amos 5:26 Amos5: 8, Job38:31, Lk1:13, Jn19:13, Jn19:24 Zech3:9, Mk12:42, Jn19:30, 2kg6:5-6 Jdg13:18, Isa 53:7, Eph2:12, Eph5:2, Job41:1, Jn21:7, Mt6:4, Dt 25:11, Dt23:1, Jdg16:21, Mt26:26, Job9:9 Gen44:15, Gen50:26 Lk1:61-64 Num22:28 Lev14:10-24 Rev15:2. Now to get on with subject matter, 70 locks is 7-O-clock of age-Elis abeth, Elia isa bet on a playing card marked with 7-spots. Sports of Jacob imposted on Isaus’ game in gamble of whot to ask. Tax of one cent as fever of love Jn4:52. One love, a-fevers’-cent, effervescent of Sprite known as Elf-father. Ephphathah Mk7:34, a command to be opened, of the door-mouth, of a dumb. A

dumb-ration at sallah-feast of alms, amu made as helping to meat, in wed-lock of the dumb and deaf-infant. Defiant bata-lion of Dothan-soldiers, sold theirs for the price of twenty ‘Ohu’ coterminous with slave Gen37:28-17. Slave-soldiers as legion that are many Mk5:9.

Many of which is a multitude at the opened doorpost-office Lk5:19. Post orifice, a sobriquet for the mouth of vagina in nakedness known as otor agbara. Otor-Agbara that enervated deaf infant, dumbfounded in shylock-pad, welded in wedding. Wed Shy-padlock, to un-lock in ‘ima-osho-Nnia’ the father in sigh, in-sign-nnia, insignia done as key. Donkey as-sign-in password of zo-chiga ark.

Zo-dia-ark as zodiac-sign in the moon-night-mare to be made.

Mermaid on the third day, by the spirit of God upon the face of the deep Gen1:2 and10, Jn1:3.

Gods’-mermaid-zodiac sign in the sun as god. Sun-god known as the Ra, Ra of IS, ISRa-El, the El IS-Ra-stars Gen1:14.

Ra-stars of the kingdom-minoreffect. King-domino effect of Orion which is a constellation.

Cons-telling nation of the pros. Prospect of a coming incarnate soul of Samu-elson, to father-El, as son of psalms.

Samson, a Ra-star, Rasta with 7-locks of hair. Hair-lucks as omen of let-in by amu-nnia.

Amulet, the Lawd-stone of Israel Gen49:24 Exo31:18, Dt23:1.

Lord-stone known as magnet,

magic-netting-fishes of self to Joe, Joe-self, fish-hook-worm.

Warm fishers’-coat of Peter, the sobriquet for a stone of van.

Atone-van, Antonio-van, a tonovan means to Joe’s end as-sleep with Mummy in Egypt-tomb as corpse, divine-cups ‘Iko akwukwa’ Rev17:4. Corpse for embalm, meant with apo-thecary-ointment Ecc10:1.

Apo-ointment on the left palm of Joe at bet. Birth-left in coffin as coffers of birth-right to a lucky draw. Draw in draughtgame of Isau, as a wage of war. War-time of life-tale of in-heirit-age, told as his number of daystar-sign of zodiac Psm90:9-12. Zodiac sign told on a watch of tower-clock. Watchtower clock of Ephrathah, the mother of Hur, whore tell-tale sign. Hotel tail sign discarded in the whot to ask amiss, heard

by Jacob. Jacobs’ a-missing head of axe to grind as price-son of sam, Samson prison enter-price.

Enterprise token of one cent, as the coin-incidence a-missing in shylock-debt. Depth of the pool of bet on odd number of name-account made in river havillah bank. Bank on an even-keel of Jacob and isau as both in sync. Boat-sinking fund, fond of mate-helping to meet.

Meat-luncheon of Deliala at noon as diner. Dina as sister, as-sist-star of Ra. Rams that are mute, mutton of sharers as a dumb-ration Gen43:16 Gen20:2 Gen30:31.

Adumbration of the 2nd course of Domino. Domino

caused by the fourth watch of Omega as the last and the first bet on Alpha, the letter A of twenty mene-lders and Amen, the 24thAlphabet of the Greeks Rev5:8. Greek-gift of the womb, given that ‘X’, is equal to novan-star, as the bank-key.

Quay in seven sea-men, lain as chambers in cof-fins of fish-out, with hook to cheque-ing and out of the pool as a lucky draw. Draw-luck of the ‘O’men, as chamberlain, tele-cast in stone-dead amulet. Amu, let-in but not out of an hook of ‘Y’ equals wife-Pot-Thiefer.

Thieves yohim, being the two male-factors of re-production at industry. Indoors-try your luck 2kg4:5, in ex-merriment with Delilas’ menu broth as brought-el. Brothel for a chance in her-lottery. Harlot as plot of photo-graph-a el. Rapha-el draw, Raffle draw of 7-star-luckkey, Jehovah-Star of David, the Super-rasta, I-Am ulet and Livingstone of Judah, The Lion, Odum alia-Jah, abba-Agatha, Okpo-chiun-ity ikpakpa-ndo, and Van of nkwor-chance, All the mites of might as perhaps, Anthonio-U.K Pound of flesh and blood, the sterling and Darling of Shylock, the Sallah-ry and Peace offering of H-islamb as the feast of Amu, The One whose name is secret, Bread of Winers, Co-finish King of King-fish and the Ancient of Days, Star Judge of Shylock and Anthonio, Okikpe aanaghi ikpeghe ––Abili Willy, Lagos.

billion transitional subsidy to DISCOs that will prevent rate shock, DISCOS were assumed to be financially viable.

The power sector lacks cost reflective electricity tariffs.

Nigerians are groaning over costly electricity tariffs despite the fact that they do not enjoy adequate power supply. The government hiked electricity tariff by up to a hundred per cent, claiming to make profit for the private enterprise. This has rather increased public suffering for private gains Based on the operations of the privatized power sectors especially amongst the DISCOS, it is obvious that funds have been mismanaged and mishandled.

There has been a mismatch between the funds channeled by the government towards restoring the sector and the service currently provided by the operators. In the last five years there has been a consistent supply of funds by the federal government through the CBN, USAID- founded energy initiative, the Japanese government and the World Bank, amongst others.

According to the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), the losses recorded by the sector translate to an average of about N1.5 billion monthly, totaling about N90 billion in five years. This loss is attributed to water, gas and transmission line constraints.

In spite of the release of funds to the DISCOS, they have not effectively distributed the generated energy. While about 7000MW is generated only 4000MW is distributed.

Also, the meters have not also been installed in many areas.

DISCOS undertook to provide meters and they are not

fulfilling their promises.

The problem of revenue generation and collection is another issue that has destroyed the power sector. In spite of holding the ninth largest gas reserves in the world, one of the main challenges currently faced by thermal GENCOS is insufficient gas supply. Due to poor gas infrastructure, domestic gas supply has been a major challenge in Nigeria.

As a point of inferred probity, these recommendations are made; ruling elites should reduce their level of intervention in the privatization process as it has only been for their advantage. Secondly, there is need for the DISCOS to be more transparent and accountable in their dealings with finances. Thirdly, an agreement should be reached by the NERC and DISCOS to ensure that only prepaid meters are used, billing and estimation have proven to be ineffective.

Lastly, administration and management of the power sector should be effectively reviewed to ensure proper maintenance and positive output. In conclusion, the power sector failed to produce rapid transformation to the economy. The privatization of Nigeria’s electricity industry is still plagued by numerous challenges such as mismanagement of funds and poor administration. However these challenges can be resolved.

If the recommendations listed above are duly put into consideration, it will go a long way in promoting development to the country.

––Mujong Rachel Humwapwa, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Abuja.

International Women’s Day And The Nigerian Situation

T

he 2019 International Women’s Day was celebrated globally with themes, #BalanceforBetter and Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change.

Nigeria was no exception as women from all walks of life used the day to canvass for affirmative action, gender responsive governance, gender equality, girl-child education and the need for the inclusion of more women in the political and civic arena.

Twenty years after the return of democracy in Nigeria, it is absurd that an abysmal number of women were elected into the 9th National Assembly thus bringing to reality that a number of issues which concern the agency of women and the girl-child for the next four years may likely be sidelined, leading to the underdevelopment of the country as in the words of former First Lady of the United States of America Michelle Obama- “No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half of its citizens."

The political and social advancement of women cannot be achieved if there are no

sustainable mechanisms in place to develop the leadership capabilities of the girl-child as well as protecting the education of the girl-child. Sad to note that Leah Sharibu, a 15 - year -old girl kidnapped alongside her classmates at the Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State is yet to be released after spending more than 365 days in the den of her captors; her experience in their hands is better imagined.

More worrisome is the fact that political gladiators during the campaign rallies never mentioned her name or the strategies that would be deployed in securing her release.

Women are beginning to take their place in the global sphere by demonstrating that they are capable of providing good leadership as exemplified

by Jacinda Arden of New Zealand. In conclusion, all hands must be on the drawing board in effectuating mechanisms which catalyzes a level-playing field for all irrespective of sex or socio-economic status.

––Oluwatoyin Olabisi Taiwo, Executive Director,Women and Girl Child Capabilities and Empowerment Organization.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MARCH 24, 2019

16

NEWSANALYSIS

Adeleke

Oyetola

And Osun Fell!

As the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal looking into the last September’s governorship election declared the candidate of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, Gboyega Oyetola, not being properly elected and declaring the PDP candidate, Ademola Adeleke, as the duly election governor, Samuel Ajayi writes on the election, especially the unprecedented violence and brigandage that characterised the controversial rerun and why this was enough ground to overturn Oyetola’s victory.

Hopes of the Living Dead...

G

overnor Gboyega Oyetola, the embattled helmsman at Osun State, never had any doubt that he actually won the governorship election proper held on September 22, 2018 across the state and the controversial supplementary election that held five days later on Thursday September 27, 2018.

However, on Friday March 22, 2019, which was exactly six months after the original election, the Osun State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja thought otherwise. Its verdict? Oyetola should not have been declared as the winner of the election but the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

Reading the judgment on behalf of other members of the Tribunal, Justice Ibrahim Sirajo held that the returning officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, should not have ordered for a rerun by cancelling elections in seven polling units on September 22, 2018. The Tribunal just deducted votes scored by Oyetola and Adeleke at the supplementary election and held to the original votes scored by the two candidates at the original election which Adeleke had won before the electoral body declared the election inconclusive.

The rerun election was conducted in parts of Oshogbo, Ife North, Ife South and Orolu Local Government areas of the state.

Between ‘Revellers’ and Teeth ‘Gnashers’...

The Presidential candidate of the PDP in the February 23 election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, said the Judiciary has proved it was the last hope of the common man. His word: “Truly, the Judiciary is the last hope of the common and the defender of our democracy. Congratulations to Senator Ademola Adeleke.

In his own words, Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, congratulated Adeleke for “recovering his stolen mandate”. He had this to say: “Little by little under the rule of law, we shall recover all. Atiku is the next in line. Osun people, congratulations.”

But the man at the centre of the storm and candidate of the APC, Oyetola, was defiant. He said the judgment could not stand as it could not stand any rigorous legal scrutiny.

His words: “The verdict cannot stand superior legal scrutiny.

Therefore, we will appeal against it.”

David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, hip-hop artiste and nephew of the PDP candidate said the victory of his uncle at the election was a “dawn of light in Osun State.”

Violence Like Never Before...

The verdict of the tribunal brought to a close, even if temporarily, weeks of anxiety and legal brickbats as counsels to both the APC and PDP candidates tried to outdo one another before the Tribunal. At the end of the day, it was the counsel of the PDP candidate that was able to convince the Tribunal on

behalf of his client. And hence, the pendulum swung on the side of the PDP candidate.

Electoral Violence Like no Other…

Beyond the rhetoric of loss and the swag of victory, if there was any group of people who believed the victory of the APC in the Osun governorship election could stand, it must have been APC leaders themselves. To many observers, it was daylight robbery and the whole process made mess of democracy itself. While there was semblance of electoral sanity during the original election, all was let loose during the rerun five days later. The ruling APC threw caution into the winds and unleashed violence on real and perceived opponents.

A reporter with online newspaper, The Cable, who covered the rerun election, writing on his experience said it was like a scene from a horror movie as political thugs unleashed violence on suspected PDP members. He said he was temporarily disallowed from accessing the venue of the rerun election even despite the fact that he identified himself as a reporter. He also added that even election observers were not spared as they were turned back by heavily armed policemen who clearly told them they were not needed at the venue of the rerun election.

Reports of violence did not start and end with politicians being at the receiving end alone. Reporters were not spared.

Cameras, laptops and other equipment were destroyed by thugs allegedly loyal to the ruling APC. About four journalists working with the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation, OSBC, narrowly escaped being lynched by suspected APC thugs who caught the reporters recording their nefarious activities. Two vehicles belonging to the reporters were vandalised while none of the equipment they brought was taken back as they were lucky to have escaped with their lives.

“Ironically, when these acts of violence were being visited on reporters and opponents of the ruling APC, security agents were there and did nothing. From every indication, it was like the security agents were there to provide official cover for the thugs to unleash their reign of terror on real and perceived opponents,” an election observer told newsmen during the election.

The candidate of the Action People’s Party, APP, Dr. Ekundayo Ademola, was severely beaten in Unit 05 in Alekuwodo in Oshogbo on the day of the rerun election.

Ademola had been tipped off by his loyalists that thugs were on the look-out for him and he had escaped. Or so he thought.

But he was eventually caught up with at Olaiya junction where he was beaten to stupor. Ironically, he was granting interview to newsmen when thugs caught up with him and descended on him. Reporters who tried to film the beaten had their equipment seized and they too had a taste of the wrath of the thugs. It must be noted that Ademola was a former chieftain of the ruling APC before he decamped into the rival APP. Where the thugs had a field day were Gbogo, Kajola and

Idi Iya all in Orolu Local Government. In these communities, PDP supporters were prevented from assessing polling centres.

Only APC supporters were allowed and they were identified through wrist arm bands and face caps which they had been allegedly issued by their party leaders.

Brazenness Like in a Horror Movie…

A Lagos-based lawyer Kabir Akingbolu, told THISDAY on Saturday that the Osun State case was too brazen to be allowed to stand by the Election Petition Tribunal. According to the lawyer who is an authority in litigation and has handled many election petition cases, said the high-handedness of the ruling party was too “brazen”.

“When politicians are doing whatever they like on the day of election, especially those who believe they have the backing of the ruling party, they must be aware that some things cannot stand when put into legal scrutiny. And it is unfortunate that we are still where we are in 2019,” Akingbolu lamented.

Question Marks over Inconclusive Elections...

One hallmark of election since President Mohammadu Buhari of the APC came to power was the regular occurrence of inconclusive elections. In Kogi State, the gubernatorial election of November 2015 was declared inconclusive after the then candidate of the APC, Abubakar Audu, died before the process of announcing results of the election could be concluded. While observers felt there was no reason to declare the election inconclusive, political watchers in the state believed the powers that be did not want Audu’s running mate, Abiodun Faleke, to “inherit” the mandate after his principal had died. However, legal experts believed INEC declared the election inconclusive because the law did not anticipate a situation whereby a governorship candidate would die before election was concluded.

Bayelsa State was to experience another inconclusive election on January 9, 2016. Though the PDP candidate eventually won the election, it was not until after the second time of asking.

On March 9th, 2019, the nation went to polls to election governors in 29 states of the federation and members of state Houses of Assembly. However, by the time dust would settle on the polls, INEC had declared the exercise inconclusive in at least five states. These states were Bauchi, Kano, Sokoto, Benue and Adamawa. Observers have been saying there was no need for these rerun elections as the process could have been concluded during the original exercise.

While the ruling APC would be preparing for its appeal against the judgment that threw its victory out of the window, perhaps, it is high time the party looked at its modus operandi. Perhaps, it could do well by subscribing to a little democratic culture and allow the will of the people to prevail. If not, many states will fall just like Osun.

If not via election, then through the judiciary.

5 ) * 4 % ": t SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 2019

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11thBOLA TINUBU COLLOQUIUM

WORK FOR PEOPLE Date Thursday March 28th, 2019

Venue International Conference Centre Abuja

Time 10:00 am (Guests must be seated by 9:30am)

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5 ) * 4 % ": t SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 2019

19

20

M ͺͼ˜ ͺ͸͹΁ ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

INTERNATIONAL Nigeria’s Diplomacy of Economic Development and China: An Exegesis of the Factor of Criticality

“N

igeria’s Diplomacy of Economic Development and China” is the title of a new book edited by Professor Warisu O. Alli of the University of Jos and published by the Centre for InterAfrican and Human Development Studies (CIDES) in 2018. The book is chapterised into thirteen, authored by fourteen scholars, and covered different aspects of Nigeria’s relationship with China: trade relations, foreign direct investment, physical and human security, infrastructural development, especially in the areas of transportation, agriculture, educational and scientific cooperation, and what there are for Nigeria to learn from the Chinese model of national development. It is a book that attempts to examine the nature of Sino-Nigerian ties in all the known ramifications.

Without scintilla of doubt, the title of the book is quite interesting and quite challenging intellectually. First, it is quite arguable to admit that Nigeria has an official diplomacy of economic development, in spite of the well-explicated factors advanced by Professor Alli. True enough, there have only been manifestations of diplomacy of economic development but the manifestations are yet to be concretised within the framework of diplomacy as an art. It should simply be recalled here that since the middle of the Sixteen Century, when diplomacy of economic development was first developed as a concept in international relations, emphasis has generally been placed on diplomacy as a mania, especially as a style of negotiations. Thus, Nigeria cannot be rightly said to have had any diplomacy of anything and even in the foreseeable future, because the conduct and management of foreign policy in Nigeria is more reactive than planned.

Secondly, the title also raises another interesting academic challenge: what impact has Nigeria’s diplomacy of economic development on the bilateral relationship with China? Again, how does or has China influenced Nigeria’s diplomacy of economic development? And more importantly, many of the chapters in the book talked about the factor of criticality in Nigeria’s ties with China. Many of the authors also raise the factor in their methods of analysis.

Explained differently, three observations bothering on critical issues in Nigeria’s relationship with the People’s Republic of China are noteworthy in the book. The first is as presented by the editor, Professor Alli. He explicated the general nature of the market in his Chapter 2, ‘entitled “Nigeria-China Relations, Challenges and Prospects of Strategic Partnership.’ He directly mentioned some of the challenges in the relationship. He also clearly showed in the preface to the book two dimensions of ‘critical’ in the relationship. One of them is the suggestion that the areas of development to which the Chinese have opted to contribute are the critical ones, that is, areas of fundamental needs.

As he further pointed out, the focus of the book is essentially to ‘interrogate some of the elements of the relationship, including the massive infusion of Chinese capital through provision of loans for the execution of critical social and physical infrastructural projects that have suffered neglect and were in great need of upgrading and reconstruction, provision of technical assistance and investment in key sectors of the economy.’

Put differently, the use of the word ‘critical’’ is to suggest that there are some areas of urgent need of the people and these are the specific areas that China has accepted to provide assistance to Nigeria and this is what partly explains the goodness in Nigeria’s relationship with China. The second point is the criticality of China’s offer of assistance to Nigeria. As Professor Alli put it, ‘it is intriguing that in the midst of global neo-liberal assault, China offers Nigeria and other African countries a unique opportunity to address their many developmental challenges.

The second observation is that of Professor Rafiu Ayo Akindele, who wrote the foreword to the edited book. In the words of Professor Akindele, former Acting Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, ‘the bedrock, as well as the foundation of any country’s national power profile is unquestionably the economy. Economic strength is a function and indeed a critical index of the national power that broadly and

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

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Professor Warisu O. Alli cumulatively flows from the existence, skilful management and utilisation of the country’s agricultural resources and mineral wealth including oil and gas.’

Additionally, Professor Akindele identified one truth of the matter is how to avoid two catastrophic sins in the relationship.

In the words of Professor Akindele, ‘the truth of the matter is that, even though the “Chinese scramble” for resources is fundamentally different from the European ‘scramble’ for ‘territories,’ it is necessary to warn African States against allowing themselves to fall into two catastrophic political sins: 1) using their domestic assets as collaterals for Chinese loans; and 2) the booby-trap of possible Chinese neo-colonialism on the continent of Africa in the 21st Century.’

The third observation is the adoption of a ‘critical’ approach to the analysis of Sino-Nigerian ties. Five of the 13 chapters in the book gave impression of engaging in a critical analysis or evaluation of the relationship. For instance, Chapter 5, authored

by Zoaka Yusuf A and Ogbu Collins, is entitled “ Nigeria-China Relations and Trade Agreements in the Fourth Republic: A Critical Examination.’ The observation to note here is the sub-title, ‘a critical examination.’

The joint authors, in explaining their methodological framework, qualitative research design, said their chapter is ‘a critical examination of Sino-Nigeria relations and the nature/dynamics of their trade agreements in the Fourth Republic. It attempts to question whether the trade agreements and relations between China and Nigeria are based on mutual cooperation or one-sided exploitation.’ The outcome of the critical examination shows that ‘since Nigeria established diplomatic relations with China in 1971, the benefits accruing from the relations have always

When Professor Bolaji Akinyemi came up with the idea of a Concert of Medium Powers, which later became Lagos Forum, was the original idea not to provide a foundation for Nigeria to be able to play relevant and leadership roles in global politics, regardless of whatever domestic challenges that might be confronting Nigeria? Can it be rightly posited that North Korea and the United States are relating at par in their bilateral relationships? The answer is capital NO! But is it not also true that North Korea has developed enough capacity to resist whatever may be considered an American imperialism in the US bilateral ties with North Korea? Without any jot of doubt, what is considered as ‘critical’ either in methodological analyses or importance or challenges in Nigeria’s bilateral relations with China, can be considered as critical but not as the most critical.The most critical factor is Nigeria’s own inability to determine what is of interest to pursue in the relationship with China and any other country

favoured China, and the reasons cannot be far-fetched.

The main reason given by the authors is that ‘in the area of trade, China exports more to Nigeria resulting in huge trade imbalances to its favour. For instance, China’s total exports to Nigeria in 2017 were valued at above US $12 billion in contrast to Nigeria’s export to China within that same year valued at US $600 million with export of mineral fuel accounting for about 90% of the total exports.’

A second reason, which from a deductive analytical perspective from the recommendation of the chapter, is Nigeria’s culture of non-diversified exports and for which China may not be directly held responsible. For instance, on the one hand, the authors want Nigeria to ‘learn from the trend of reform in China and adopt policies that will advance the economic development of the country.’

Put differently, Nigeria has various economic setbacks to which the Chinese models of economic development can apply. Nigeria is challenged by infrastructural facilities in the areas of power, rail network systems and communications. The issue of trade imbalance already raised above is another question entirely that also requires urgent intervention. Perhaps more important is the question of non-substantial transfer of technology to Nigeria from China.

As the joint authors explained this point in the case of the joint venture between China and the Zamfara State Government in Nigeria, ‘the Government signed a US $250 million agreement for the construction of three new processing and smelting factories in the State. Under the joint venture projects, Chinese companies had 90 per cent in each of the joint venture projects while the Zamfara government will provide land, acquire both exploration mining licenses, provide security for the Chinese investment and employ 5,000 local miners... This is a pattern of most of the investment agreements signed by Nigeria with China.’

This observation is worthy of further analysis: is it that the negotiating or bargaining skills of Nigerians are not good enough when laying the foundations of the agreements? Many scholars often wrongly assume that agreements were signed by the Government(s) of Nigeria without seeking to protect the national interest of Nigeria. It is important to note here that all the various agreements done on behalf of Nigeria had been done in the belief that the pursuit of an agreement is in itself in the national interest.

The truth of the matter is that there is no general consensus of what constitutes a national interest at any given time. It is what the Government says that, more often than not, is considered to be in the national interest. It is in light of this challenge that Ambassador Oluyemi Adeniji, reconceptualised Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari theory of foreign policy concentricism. Professor Gambari advocated that the pursuit and protection of the national interest should be predicated on prioritisation of the operational areas. In this regard, he identified four main concentric circles: the innermost circle which covers Nigeria and the immediate neighbours, with Nigeria at the epicentre of it. In other words, the first and most important circle is the Nigerian sub-region; the ECOWAS region of sixteen countries, that is, including Mauritania; the rest of Africa; and fourthly, the rest of the whole world.

The input brought by Ambassador Oluyemi Adeniji is that, as good and welcome Professor Gambari’s foreign policy concentricism is, there cannot but be need to also first articulate the foreign policy interest to be pursued in each concentric circle, Ambassador Adeniji argued. In the very case of Nigeria’s relationship with China, and particularly in terms of negotiation of agreements, China is in Asia. What are the foreign policy goals of Nigeria in the Asian region? What are the specific objectives pursued at the level of China?

It is important not to assume that there are no known objectives being pursued at all. Every diplomatic mission of Nigeria is given what is called ‘a Mission Charter’ which guides the mission in its mandate of representation. What should be said here is that the pursuit of an objective is quite different from how the said objective is to be protected. In other words, strategy in terms of objective is necessarily different from tactic, which may also have specific limited objectives aimed at the attainment of the ultimate foreign policy interest.

In terms of protection of the national interest, China, for instance, has always drawn the attention of the Nigerian government to insecurity as a threat to its direct investments in Nigeria. The Zoaka and Collins even admitted here that ‘China has complained about the high rate of insecurity arising from pronounced social violence. There are instances of kidnapping of foreign investors properties and investments of foreign investors come under direct attack, while oil bunkering and the destructions of oil installations in the Niger Delta region became widespread at a point.’

From the foregoing, China may not be held responsible for Nigeria’s inability to diversify its trade exports to China or for Nigeria’s inability to industrialise or what the joint authors have described as ‘escaping the commodity trap.’ We therefore agree with the joint authors in their main submissions, but also with a great caution that ‘as the China-driven bilateral relations cannot be reversed just for asking, Nigeria needs to confront the indigenous technology capacity building gap as this is the only way by which Nigeria will avoid Sino-imperialism in the relations with China.’

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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The organised labour protesting over minimum wage recently

Minimum Wage: Is FG Offering Workers Poisoned Chalice?

Onyebuchi Ezigbo

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s the Senate ended its debate on the 2019 Appropriation Bill, with the passage of N30,000 new minimum wage for workers, the country heaved a sigh of relief that the action will help to maintain industrial peace in the public sector. The public sector employees under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress ( TUC) had threatened to embark on nationwide strike action if government fails to approve the new minimum wage.

So it was not surprising that the passage attracted appreciation from the NLC, which gave kudos to the red chamber of the National Assembly.

But the federal government came up immediately to say that it might increase value added tax (VAT) by 50 per cent to enable it pay the new pay package. This measure was also said to be part of the deal brokered with the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) to get the state governors accept to pay the new wage. The proposal to jerk up VAT before the end of 2019 with a view to properly funding the national minimum wage was made public by both the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma, and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Babatunde Fowler, during an interactive session, with the Senate Committee on Finance headed by Senator John Enoh, on Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for the 2019 budget.

Udoma and Fowler claimed the federal government was considering an upward review of the five per cent currently charged as VAT by as much as 50 per cent to enable it to fund the new national minimum wage. The minister told the senate that the Technical Advisory Committee on minimum wage, would submit its report to President Muhammadu Buhari last week. “So we will be coming to you. There may be some changes maybe in VAT and other things. But we will be coming to you in order to make sure that we can fund the minimum wage.

“Not just to fund the minimum wage, but as you announced it, you now enter into negotiations with those above the minimum wage and we have to be prepared for that. So it is something we are going to work closely with the Finance Committee on how best this minimum wage will be addressed, both from the federal government and the states, to ensure that the whole government apparatus is not just paying salaries and nothing else. “It is important that we are able to pay the minimum wage and still have enough resources to do infrastructure. The committee has virtually completed its work,� Udoma said.

Fowler said the proposed VAT would be between 35 per cent and 50 per cent adding that with it, the FIRS’ goal was to achieve an N8 trillion revenue generation target this year. According Fowler, the 50 per cent increment will affect the Company Income Tax and the Petroleum Profit Tax. “By the end of this year, we should be ready for an increase in the VAT. A lot of Nigerians travel to Ghana and other West African countries and they can see that theirs is much higher. They pay when they go for those trips. We should be ready for an increase on VAT. I can certainly see an increase in VAT of at least 35 per cent to 50 per cent this year based on our enforcement activities�

While passing the new minimum wage bill, which put the salary of the least paid Nigerian worker at N30,000, the senate called for a review of the revenue sharing formula to give the states more financial muscle with which to implement the new minimum wage.

The state governors had also made a case for the review of the current revenue sharing formula which gives federal government 52 per cent, while states and local government get 24 per cent and 20 per cent respectively and four per cent for ecological funds.

The governors argued that in addition, the federal government should hands off its responsibilities in some areas like primary healthcare, road construction and agriculture. According to state governments, if federal government hands off such areas, it will free more resources that will enable them meet its responsibilities. Some of the senators who supported the proposal for the review of revenue sharing formula said such an action will provide improved

earnings for the states, most of which are currently heavily indebted to their workers. Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi, emphasised that review of revenue sharing formula was key to the implementation of the minimum wage, pointing out that without it many states won’t be able to pay.

However, on his part, Senator Barnabas Gemade, stated that state governments had enough money to pay, arguing that “with the kind of money deployed to buy votes, it means the states have so much money to pay workers. Senator James Manager said it has become embarrassing that some states had not paid the N18,000 minimum wage approved several years back. The House of Representatives had on January 29 passed N30,000 as minimum wage for workers in both public and private sectors.

There are indications that governors may accept the new minimum wage based on the proposal federal government is making to go increase VAT and to use other avenues to shore up the revenue earnings for states. Following the recommendations of the federal government’s technical committee, “state governors are now set to drop their opposition to the implementation of the N30,000 new minimum wage� said a source at the Nigeria Governors Forum.

The 36 state governors had opposed the proposed new minimum wage figure of N30,000 as was recommended by the tripartite committee, saying that they lacked resources to implement it. Instead, the governors proposed N22,500 as what the states could afford. Apart from the increase in VAT recommended by the technical committee led by Bismarck Rewane, the federal government has suggested other initiatives like the adjustment in the official exchange rate of the dollar to the naira.

Expectedly, Labour movement has welcomed the approval of the new minimum wage by the two legislative chambers.

Speaking in a reaction to the passage of the wage bill, the NLC Deputy President, Mr. Amaechi Asugwuni, said the National Assembly has put a smile on the faces of workers. He urged Buhari to follow the part of honour and immediately sign into law the new pay rise document once he receives it. NLC challenged state governments to brace up to accommodate the new salary increase once it is signed into law by the president. But even as the

organised labour was happy with the concurrent passage of the N30,000 new minimum wage bill, it has expressed reservation over an attempt by the Senate to tie its implementation with the review of the revenue sharing formula. Labour is arguing that the minimum wage bill is an independent bill, which should not be subjected to adjustments in sharing formula by the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission.

Also reacting to the Tuesday’s passage of the minimum wage bill by the Senate, the Head of Information Unit in NLC, Mr. Benson Ukpah, said the leadership of the labour movement were not expecting anything that will drag the process backwards. “We do not expect to go back and forth, the process that led to the arrival at the N30,000 new minimum wage remains unimpeachable and cannot be controverted by anybody. We do not envisage any party acting within the precincts of the law to oppose what the National Assembly has approved.�

As good as the progress made in the approval of a new minimum wage may seem, the matter is not yet rested because of the measures which federal government is proposing for its implementation.

With the plan to increase VAT by a whopping 50 percent, many analysts foresee a situation whereby the amount of burden it would place on Nigerians will surpass whatever gains the workers would make from the increment in wage. Also considering that the percentage increase in VAT (50 per cent) is more than that of the increase in the new minimum wage.

Another argument is that whereas the new minimum wage will only affect public sector workers and few others in the private sector, going ahead to hike VAT is going to inflict monumental economic hardship on the generality of the masses of the country. Since VAT is a form of taxation that is targeted at consumption, there is no way of ameliorating its impact on the people. Critics of this latest government’s policy measure said it would be likened to giving with one hand and using another hand to take it back. They described the offer to pay the N30,000 new minimum wage to workers based on the new template of VAT as amounting to offering Nigerians a “poisoned chalice�.

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Redefining Nigeria’s Investment Landscape with Technology Investment One Financial Services Limited, erstwhile GTB Asset Limited, is not leaving any stones unturned to achieve its mission of helping its clients achieve their investment goals. The company, which berthed in the Nigerian financial services sector, some 10 years ago, has identified the use of technology as the fastest means of changing the investment landscape in the country, reports Bamidele Famoofo

Marina, Lagos

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icholas Nyamali, the group managing director of Investment One Financial Services Limited, a fast growing financial services conglomerate, revealed that the institution was poised to become a technology entity, selling financial products in the next decade. “It shows the extent to which we see technology playing into what we would do in the future. It does not change our mission or our business model, which is investment but it changes how that services would be delivered. It will enable us reach younger people and more people outside the country,� he said.

However, Nyamali and his team are careful not to be trapped in the net of doing the talks alone as they have been seen to match their words with action; going by the rate they have deployed technology to satisfy the yearnings of their customers in recent times.

One of its most recent interventions in making investment more attractive to its teeming customers is the introduction of the ‘Ziing App’ into the financial services sector.

The Ziing App, according to Nyamali, is a complete solution package for all classes of investors, who desire to take charge of their investment life. “Ziing is an App on your phone that essentially enables you to take control of your finances. It is your money buddy. It is an App that provides the user an array of financial services ranging from timely investment information to identifying available investment opportunities,� Nyamali explained. “With Ziing, l don’t need to walk into a

bank to ask my banker questions on how to manage my idle fund and l can easily control my expenses in case they are getting out of hand,� he added.

A major difference between Ziing and other Apps so far introduced into the Nigerian financial space is its ability to address other financial needs apart from payment.

The Investment One chief executive shed light on the uniqueness of Ziing, saying, “It is a one- stop -shop investment management App. You can save with it, track what trading looks like on the stock exchange without going through a broker just with a touch on your phone. Ziing can be used for international money transfer (both sending and receiving).

It will help you get market information such as the latest stock prices, treasury bills prices, and investment advisory services from robot.

All you need to do is to simply Ziing it. For cash, loans etc., Ziing it.�

Ziing also offers its users access to their investment account outside the working days as it enables them to be able to meet their immediate financial needs at any time they need it. “For instance you can put your money in a fixed deposit say at 13 per cent and on a Saturday, with your phone, you can liquidate such an investment to create immediate access to your money. There is no need to have an investment fund (fixed deposit) separated from your current account with the Ziing App,�

Investment One disclosed.

Speaking on the rationale behind the introduction of the Ziing App by his company in a time like this, Nyamali said, it is the need to provide access and control to players in the financial space both locally and internationally. “If we are honest to ourselves we will realise the bulk of solutions we have seen

in the banking space are that of payment, payments for subscriptions, bills etc. But the solution for access or control is largely lacking. For instance, l want to have access to my investments; l want control over my savings; monitor my expenditure; get investment information; investment education; take control of my finances etc.; those questions had no answers before the introduction of Ziing. That is why at Investment One, we identify that we need a tool called Ziing,� he explained.

Before the advent of the Ziing App, Investment One Financial Services, in its determination to make investment fun for its customers, introduced what it called a trading simulator. “It was a programme we developed with the intention of aiding our investment education outreach to encourage students and workers. This system can ask you to trade on the stock exchange with real time prices and stock movements without using real money. As l register it may decide to give three million units asking me to decide how to invest. So, when you make investment decision and at the end of the day you lose money that tells you that is not how to make investment decision,� the company explained.

The purpose of the game is to teach investors how to make investment decisions, though some would still choose the option of going for an investment manager rather than do direct investment.

Speaking on the company’s numerous exploits in the deployment of technology to serve its customers, Nyamali said, “We have also gone to the level where we use Fintech to reach more customers and deliver to them better trading experience. A few years back, you must call your trader when you want to

buy shares from the stock exchange, but now market has extended trading time and also allow people to trade remotely. But we have gone beyond that too. Investment One has what we call Easy Trader. It is an application that permits customer to trade on shares directly on the exchange without the assistance of a stockbroker. We have created platforms on your system to help you fund your account instantly. So, in five minutes you can fund your account, and immediately you are buying and selling shares from the floor of the exchange on your mobile phone. When we observed that this was only available to customers who have smart phones and data, we created a system that will allow you buy and sell shares through USSD code. So, text message trading was introduced to allow you trade with sms on the exchange without making any request to our traders. Our system is automated and converts your text messages without human interference. The sms goes into a code and links your account with us and buys for you or sell on our internal trading machine with the exchange. We have taken customers experience to a different level where your willingness to buy and sell is at your own convenience.

Our mutual fund business has also used these applications successfully.�

Meanwhile, Investment One is not resting on its oars as it says the launch of Ziing is just the beginning of the long journey into the future. “There is a future we see, it is a future when you will be able to take control of your money. For us in Investment One, this is the beginning of the transit. Ziing is one of the things that Investment One is offering the financial industry which will help people take charge of their investment�, Nyamali said.

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Agenda for Buhari on Communications and Information Management With President Muhammadu Buhari set to begin his second term in office on May 29, 2019, Raheem Akingbolu feels the pulse of experts in media and marketing communications on how best the incoming administration should relate with the public in order to win their admiration

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or President Muhammadu Buhari and his team to achieve their ‘Next Level’ dream in his second term, stakeholders in the media and marketing communications industry have called for a review of the country’s information management and communications strategy. In separate interviews with THISDAY, some of the information management experts, while admitting that the outgoing administration recorded successes in some sectors, condemned its approach to information and communications, which they insisted has not resonated well with Nigerians.

While some blamed the Minister of Information, Lai Muhammed, for his inability to change his communication template of propaganda which was deployed while he was an opposition spokesperson, some blamed the entire team for undermining the significance and role of communications in public governance. However, in what looks like a unanimous position, most of the experts have called on government to restrict the choice in the ministry of information portfolio to individuals with media or marketing communications backgrounds, who know the consequence of whatever they say and have huge influence to churn out information on various media channels.

Though some acknowledged that despite not being a trained journalist or broadcaster, Muhammed tried his best but it is believed that the deficiency in training and capacity affected the final picture and image painted about the Buhari’s administration.

Reviewing the information management under Buhari, the Deputy Provost, Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Lagos, Dr. Jide Johnson, said the administration could have done better than it did in terms of communicating government programmes with the public had it employed the service of professional to administer the ministry.

Johnson said, “The federal government’s gargantuan efforts in rice production and Anchor Borrowers’ scheme were not well articulated and packaged to the public, the successes in security engagements were dwarfed by the opposition efforts to effeminate the progress made, the economy improved slightly in four years, but poor Lai didn’t have the skills to put a spin on the government’s efforts. His lack of charm and charisma was a major drawback. A country of 180 million people coming from a hogwash reputation of never-do-wells requires a highly cerebral and charismatic personality with deep media background as Information manager. “Mr. Lai Muhammed did not make attempts at engendering national unity, national cohesion and social harmony and playing down ethnicity, tribalism and religious extremism all of which the country’s media infrastructure and architecture needed to have put on the front burner. All these made his tenure ineffectual.�

Speaking further, the mass communication lecturer also expressed his regret over the way and manner organs of the information sector are in paralysis under Mr. Muhammed. “Too bad, under the current information minister, FRCN is literally dead, NBC is riddled with allegations of scandals as regards a never - ending digital switch over and a globetrotting director-general. NTA is reduced to a mere passenger within the top TV networks behind Channels and TVC. NOA died long ago and remains in the morgue. VON and NAN only collect paltry subventions and remain charity organisations

Buhari

for paying salaries to helpless and hapless unproductive staff. Going forward, I think the incoming administration should look for competent and capable people. For me, I think Nigerians and its media practitioners deserve better,� Johnson said.

A former Chairman of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Lolu Akinwumi, in setting agenda for the incoming administration observed that management of such position by the present administration had been more activity-driven than strategy-driven.

Among other things, Akinwumi noted that whoever will man the information ministry in the next dispensation must, at first, review the country’s national policy on information through which he or she would develop a comprehensive information strategy that will drive all activities.

To this end, the advertising practitioner called for the integration of all government activities into a single strategy that would be shared with all stakeholders; Nollywood, music, public communication, embassies and others, to digest.

In addition, Akinwumi recommended a brand management specialist as minister, arguing that Nigeria’s image issue is critical and complex and requires a brand management specialist who will be working with

journalists and public relations practitioners to sell government activities.

In a similar way, the President of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN), John Ehiguese, said government needed to communicate more effectively with the people, and that the approach must be strategic and engaging. He also agrees with Akinwumi that the first step would be for government to appoint true communications professionals, who are grounded in strategic communications. “The job of public communications is essentially a PR function government communications must from now on be managed by professionals who are trained and experienced in executing PR-led strategic communications, the hallmarks of which are: listening, transparency, planning, being proactive and continuous engagement across both traditional and digital channels.

That would be a good starting point. The adversarial approach of ‘we versus them’ has clearly proved to be ineffective over the years, and appears to have only engendered public distrust and consequent lack of citizen buy-in to government’s policies and programmes,�

Ehiguese said.

While reminding President Buhari and his team that the next administration would be their last chance to etch their name in gold

in terms of achievement, PRCAN Secretary General, Jaiye Opayemi, noted that there is need for the total overhaul of government communications architecture He said, “As it is said, ‘you’re only as good as your last story. For this administration, this is a fresh opportunity. To get the buy in or what is called the social licence of the people, this administration needs a coordinated strategic communications plan. That process would necessitate a drastic change in government communications architecture. “As a professional in government communications, the model I often prescribe is the Tony Blair Model. Our communications architecture itself is outdated. There are too many people speaking for government. When some ministers and government officials speak, you just wonder who cleared such messages. The British government was once in that situation until Prime Minister Tony Blair brought in Alistair Campbell and there was a re-organisation of government communications. Everything must be cleared from a central organ. The next administration must invite professionals in to help redesign government communications architecture, help develop tool kits, help frame a strategy and help shape new communication tactics that will speak to the hearts of the people,�

Opayemi added.

The Chief Executive Officer of Absolute PR, a Public Relations firm, Mr. Akonte Ekine, in his contribution urged the federal government to set up a communications/ information management committee to review communications policy and develop strategic conversation direction with the goal of researching projects and other government activities such that those activities are projected in a way that would be understood by the various publics.

Aside setting up such a committee, Ekine also advocated the need for various ministries and agencies to have standard weekly and monthly record presentation model to the minister of information such that there will be a feedback on activities.

Like others, writer and marketing communications practitioner, Toni Kan, also believed that government needed to hire a professional to handle the information ministry. “Lai Mohammed was a hatchet man. He made the same mistakes that hurt Trump.

Lai Mohammed never stopped campaigning and opposing. His communication was always reactive instead of proactive.

Whoever comes in must have a strategy that articulates gains and wins instead of attacking perceived enemies. He or she must create awareness about the administration’s activities, win minds and engage robustly.

He or she must talk to Nigerians not talk down on them,� Kan said.

A newspaper editor, who spoke to THISDAY on the condition of anonymity, said government should be more deliberate and proactive in its communication henceforth. “The ministry of information and strategy must deliberately set out to market the government and its achievement and programmes through a variety of platforms, including PR events, social media, radio and periodic publications. Other ministries must also be encouraged to tell their own stories as a complement to what the information ministry is doing. In addition, the communication must be localised through radio and TV stations, public and private, located in each of the 36 states through regular interactive programming. Finally, the President should engage with the public more through media chats and town hall meetings,� he said.

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CBN headquarters, Abuja

Towards Achieving CBN’s Financial Inclusion Goals Microfinance banks are part of the several channels through which the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) planned to achieve its financial inclusion goals. To make the goals achievable, the CBN which directed the MFBs to shore up their capital base by April 2020, has extended the deadline by one year to April 2021. Bamidele Famoofo reports

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icrofinance banks operating presently in Nigeria (whether at the rural, urban, state or national levels) now have until April 2021, to increase their capital requirements to N50miilion, N200million, N1billion and N5 billion respectively, if they must

remain in business.

The directive from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in a circular titled: “Re: Review of Minimum Capital Requirement for Microfinance Banks in Nigeria�, issued by the Financial Policy and Regulation Department, was an upgraded version of a similar circular issued by the apex bank to microfinance banks in October 2018.

According to Kevin Amugo, Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, CBN, the latest directive from the bank aims at broadening the scope of operations of MFBs in the country to enable them to continue to operate in the rural, unbanked and underbanked areas of the economy. “Accordingly, unit microfinance banks shall comprise two tiers: tier 1 microfinance bank, which shall operate in the urban and high-density banked areas of the society; and tier 2 unit microfinance bank, which shall operate only in the rural, unbanked and underbanked areas,� Amugo said.

To help microfinance banks to achieve the capital requirement with a measure of ease, CBN has allowed them (MFBs) to raise their capital in two tranches in a space of two years.

Tier 1 unit microfinance bank shall meet a N100million capital threshold by April 2020 and N200million by April 2021; while tier 2 unit microfinance bank shall meet a N35million capital threshold by April2020 and N50million

by April 2021.

A state microfinance bank shall increase its capital to N500million by April 2020 and N1billion by April 2021; and National microfinance bank shall hold a capital of N3.5billion by April 2020 and N5 billion by April 2021.

The CBN first announced the upward review of the minimum capital requirement in a circular dated October

22, 2018 to all microfinance banks in the country.

The minimum capital requirement for unit and state microfinance banks was raised by 900 per cent each to N200million and N1billion, respectively from N20million and N100million, while that of national microfinance banks increased by 150 per cent to N5 billion from N2 billion.

The microfinance policy, regulatory and supervisory framework was introduced on December 15, 2005 and revised in 2011.

Amugo stated that the key focus of the policy was, among others, to increase financial inclusion rate in the country, improve access to financial services for the active rural poor, and pursue poverty eradication.

According to him, the microfinance banking sub-sector, in pursuit of the above objectives, has been contending with such challenges as inadequate capital base, weak corporate governance, ineffective risk management practices, dearth of requisite capacity and mission drift.

He said, “The CBN has reviewed the state of health of the sub-sector and is of the view that microfinance banks, as presently constituted, would be unable to meet the critical targets set out in the microfinance policy, hence the need for specific reforms to strengthen the sub-sector and reposition microfinance banks towards improved performance. “To meet these requirements, existing microfinance banks are expected to explore the possibility of mergers and acquisitions and/or direct injection of funds. The Revised Regulatory and Supervisory Guidelines for Microfinance Banks, Code of Corporate Governance for Microfinance Banks and sector-specific Prudential Guidelines for Microfinance Banks would be issued in due course.�

Financial Inclusion Motivated by a survey conducted in Nigeria in 2008 by a development finance organisation, the Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA), which revealed that about 53 per cent of adults were excluded from financial services and the result, which further revealed that the global pursuit of financial inclusion as a vehicle for economic develop-

ment had a positive effect in Nigeria as the exclusion rate reduced from 53 per cent in 2008 to 46.3 per cent in 2010, the Central Bank of Nigeria in collaboration with stakeholders launched the National Financial Inclusion Strategy on 23rd October, 2012.

It was aimed at further reducing the exclusion rate to 20 per cent by 2020. Specifically, adult Nigerians with access to payment services is to increase from 21.6 per cent in 2010 to 70 per cent in 2020, while those with access to savings should increase from 24 per cent to 60 per cent; and credit from 2 per cent to 40 per cent, insurance from1 per cent to 40 per cent and pensions from 5 per cent to 40 per cent, within the same period. “The implementation of the strategy is impacting positively on the rate of access to financial services. The adult exclusion rate reduced from 46.3per cent in 2010 to 39.7 per cent in 2012. All the geopolitical zones in Nigeria equally recorded improvements with exclusion rate declining between 2010 and 2012 as follows: North-east, 68.3per cent to 59.5 per cent, North-west, 68.1 per cent to 63.8 per cent, North-central, 44.2per cent to 32.4 per cent, South-east, 31.9per cent to 25.6 per cent, South-west, 33.1 per cent to 24.8 per cent and South-south, 36.4 per cent to 30.1per cent,� CBN disclosed.

The channels for delivering the financial services were equally targeted to improve, with deposit money bank branches targeted to increase from 6.8 units per 100,000 adults in 2010 to 7.6 units per 100,000 adults in 2020, microfinance bank branches to increase from 2.9 units to 5.5 units; ATMs from 11.8 units to 203.6 units, POSs from 13.3 units to 850 units, Mobile agents from 0 to 62 units, all per 100,000 adults between 2010 and 2020.

According to Nigeria’s CBN, financial inclusion has continued to assume increasing recognition across the globe among policy makers, researchers and development oriented agencies. It says its importance derives from the promise it holds as a tool for economic development, particularly in the areas of poverty reduction, employment generation, wealth creation and improving welfare and general standard of living.

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With Conditional Grant Scheme, SMEDAN Raises New Crop of Entrepreneurs In line with its promise to create jobs, eradicate poverty and grow the economy, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), is raising a new crop of entrepreneurs across the nation. Apart from a conditional grant from the government, free registration of business name, beneficiaries are exposed to a comprehensive knowledge of how to run a business successfully, reports Bamidele Famoofo

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urrently, across the country, Nigerians, who are still in their active years, desirous to engage in productive economic activities are taking the opportunity offered by the federal government to acquire entrepreneurial skills backed with take a minimum take-off grant of N50,000 to make a difference in their chosen field of business.

The two-edged offer from government is a Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS) and entrepreneurship development training managed by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

SMEDAN is an agency of the federal government, which has the mandate to stimulate, monitor and coordinate the development of the Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) sub-sector. Initiating and articulating policy ideas for small and medium enterprises growth and development and promoting and facilitating development programmes, instruments and support services to accelerate the development and modernisation of MSME operations are other key duties of the agency among others. “The project sponsored by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) through SMEDAN is aimed at elevating or assisting micro businesses thus creating employment and eradicating poverty, � Chief Operating Officer (COO), Kresto Paco Limited, a consulting/training firm handling the programme on behalf of SMEDAN in Lagos and Katsina States, Mr.Kehinde Ogundipe,� told THISDAY. Ogundipe who noted that a total number of 1,710 participants are targeted beneficiaries in Lagos State alone, further revealed that the CGS training, which will hold concurrently in all the 22 Local Governments (LGs) in Lagos, will be done in clusters from the 13th to 26th of March,2019.

According to him, a similar training and conditional grant scheme programme have been organised by Kresto Paco in the North-west geographical region of the country, where the programme was formerly inaugurated with 3,060 beneficiaries receiving cash grants for various micro enterprises.

In all, a total of 145 local government areas in the country are expected to participate in the scheme with beneficiaries receiving total cash of N2 billion.

SMEDAN Director-General, Dr. Dikko Radda, who spoke at the inauguration of the programme in Daura, capital city of Katsina State, explained that the scheme was designed to promote activities of micro enterprises across the country in the areas of capacity building and delivery of post-intervention support services, such as access to finance, markets and workspace, among other aids.

According to him, in order to make sure that the objectives of the programme are achieved and its impact guaranteed, we have put in place a well structured business mentoring and monitoring mechanism. “The justification for a special entrepreneurship and vocational development intervention for entrepreneurs at the bottom of the pyramid cannot be overemphasised, based on the need to graduate informal enterprises to the formal sector, industrialise the nation, develop the rural economy, stem youth restiveness and unemployment, and create the platform for sustainable economic growth and development in Nigeria.�

Breakdown of the six clusters in Lagos showed four local governments namely, Badagry, Ojo, Amuwo-Odofin and Ifako-Ijaye, to be in cluster one, produced 350 participants. Each of the local governments produced equal number of participants being 90 each.

Cluster two, which comprises of Alimosho, Oshodi and Mushin presented a total number of 270 participants with Alimosho presenting twice the number of participants the others presented.

Kosofe, Ikorodu, Ikeja and Lagos Mainland local governments, which formed cluster three with 360 participants are poised to receive support to either enhance existing businesses or create new ones. The others are cluster four, which has Epe, Ibeju Lekki, Apapa and Eti-Osa grouped and cluster four with 270 representatives as well as cluster five presenting 180 beneficiaries consisting of Lagos Island and Surulere while Agege, Somolu and Ajeromi/Ifelodun in cluster six, where the training will terminate are expected to present 270 participants.

Ogundipe, the COO of Kresto Paco, gave details of the training modules. According to him, the training will expose participants to business plan formulation, how participants can manage their business finance alongside legal and regulatory issues bordering on business. “Trainees are also expected to acquire basic marketing and sales technique skills during the programme as well as how they can become their own boss,� he disclosed.

SMEDAN has reiterated the importance of developing the MSME sector in Nigeria with its findings that micro enterprises constitute close to 99.9 per cent of total enterprises in the country.

According to the agency, in terms of jobs creation, micro enterprises accounted for about 97 per cent of total number of persons employed in 2013. But, as at the same 2013, over 90 per cent of the micro enterprises are informal and populated by people at the bottom of the pyramid. “Hence, the need for the agency to conceptualise a flagship programme referred to as Conditional Grant Scheme for

micro enterprises in Nigeria�, Dr. Radda stated.

According to Radda, the justification for a special entrepreneurship/ vocational development intervention for the entrepreneurs at the bottom of the pyramid cannot be overemphasised based on the need to graduate informal enterprises to the formal sector, industralise the nation, develop the rural economy, stem youth restiveness and unemployment and create the platform for sustainable economic growth and development in Nigeria. “This present initiative (conditional grant scheme) looks

to promoting the activities of micro enterprises across the country in the areas of capacity building and the delivery of post-intervention support services such as access to finance (conditional grants), markets, workspace, technology, among others�.

The Chairman SMEDAN Governing Board in Lagos State, Femi Pedro, a former deputy governor in the state, reiterated the agency’s commitment to develop and promote the MSME sub-sector of the economy.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍźËœ ͺ͸͚Î

ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Demola Ojo Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă– demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Rakolojane: Visas for Nigerians High Priority at S ’Africa’s Presidential Level heĂšĂ˜s›‚`øÚ›Û›Ùøneâ€šĂ˜s‚Ă&#x;he‚neâ‚–à Ú‚–eø¸‚º›r‚‚|݈ Ă&#x;h‚ÒºrĂ˜ĂşĂ¸n‚ ݈ rĂ˜sĂœâ€šĂ˜n‚òesĂ&#x;‚ÒºrĂ˜ĂşĂ¸ĂŽâ€šâ€“e‚Ă&#x;øÛÚs‚ øÚ›à Ă&#x;‚hĂ˜s‚Û›åe‚º›r‚ßø›s‰‚Ă&#x;he‚œrâ€şĂœĂ˜se‚›º‚ø‚ºrĂ˜enÂ¸Ă›Ă˜erâ€šĂĄĂ˜sĂ¸â€šĹ“â€şĂ›Ă˜ĂşÂĄâ€šĂ¸n¸‚sĂ&#x;røĂ&#x;eÂťĂ˜es‚Ă&#x;â€şâ€šĂ˜nĂşreøse‚Ă&#x;he‚ nĂ ĂœĂšer‚›º‚NĂ˜ÂťerĂ˜Ă¸nsâ€šĂĄĂ˜sĂ˜Ă&#x;Ă˜n‚|݈ Ă&#x;h‚ÒºrĂ˜ĂşĂ¸ĂŽâ€šDemola Ojo reœ›rĂ&#x;s

T

hekiso Rakolojane’s assignment as the new Hub Head for SouthAfrican Tourism in West Africa kicked-off January this year, as he resumed at the regional head office in Lagos to lead a team whose mandate is to sell South Africa’s tourism offerings to Nigeria, Ghana and other countries in the sub-region. “I love it,� was his quick reply to his impressions so far as he fielded questions from THISDAY. He was at his office, which comes with an eighth-floor view of upscale Victoria Island. “Lagos is second home to me. When you come from where I come from – Johannesburg and Soweto – you feel the energy. The energy is quite similar. “I’m happy to be here. I’m loving the food, battling with the traffic but it’s all good. I love the diversity that Lagos provides in terms of the various places where one can go. You could pretty much do a new establishment every night, which is a good thing; sometimes high intensity, sometimes low key and private. I like that.�

Rakolojane has over 17 years experience in the fields of marketing and communications and has spent the better part of the last decade as Marketing and Communications Manager of the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA), a business unit of South African Tourism.

However, from being the man behind the scenes, he has been thrust into the field. He is wasting no time in getting to grips with the task at hand. “I’ve had a lot of engagements and we’re receiving very positive feedback,� he revealed.

There are still improvements to be made but he is taking it in stride. “Things can never be perfect. I’ll be worried if it was perfect because they wouldn’t need me here,� he laughed. You can tell he’s a straight shooter.

As his country’s chief marketer in the sub-region, he is keen to attract as many West Africans as possible to South Africa. “There is so much that they can do there. We’ve got nine provinces that provide a diversity of experiences. “For every visit to South Africa, you would do something new. You meet different people, there are different things that will entice you. “We’ve got everything for individuals, friends, couples, families. You just need to choose what kind of experience you’re looking for. We have it.�

He has a strategic plan to sell his country. “What is really important is to position our destination as a premium leisure destination to West Africans and if we can get more of them coming to South Africa, then I can say I have done my job.�

Rakolojane’s journey has prepared him for exactly this type of project. He first got acquainted with West Africa seven years ago. “I was introduced to this market representing South African Tourism, albeit in a different department. “I was talking to our trade partners in the market, doing road shows and attending expos where I was presenting the quality of establishments we have in South Africa. “We have about 26,000 tourism products in South Africa. So it’s very important that of those 26,000, you profile those that will give your guests good quality experience. My job was to make sure that I share that information with them,� he explained.

From then, a relationship with Nigeria – and West Africa – started, as he made frequent visits to support the market from a branding marketing perspective. “The work you have seen in the last few years was this particular office (Lagos) working with myself and the branding marketing department from head office, where we were supporting with how we position ourselves; the type of images that we use

“However, we are clawing back. That’s why we have started to see the increase in our numbers and certainly in the next five years, the strategic plan is to not only increase from the past year, but go back to the numbers of 2013 and 2014 when we had about 80.000. “The only way we go back is through a comprehensive effort, which comes through our partners including the media, which is a very strategic partner to us, by sharing the positive stories of our destination, working with our travel trade partners who put out the deals, affordable deals I should add, and most importantly, making sure that the deals themselves are what people are looking for in South Africa. “Some of the things we’re looking to put out is to show the diversity that South Africa has to offer to Nigerians. There is so much more that you can do.�

Rakolojane

and the content in its entirety, because I was the brand manager for the continent. “Now I’ve been given the task of coming into the market and driving the entire business. So I’m really not new to the market, I’ve had quite a bit of exposure. I know what is required of the market.�

Friendlier Visa Policy The transition from pushing out images and content from behind the scenes to driving the whole business in West Africa means he can witness first-hand, a major impediment to free travel between Nigeria and South Africa: a discouragingly tough visa policy.

He knows he has his hands full. He shares some of the inroads the SA Tourism office in Lagos is making in order to ease the process. “The body that is responsible for the issuance of visas is a very strategic partner to us. What we’ve strategically set out to do is to have ongoing engagements with them to see how to assist them with information that will help them fast track the issuance of visas. Matter of fact, I am meeting with them tomorrow (the next day). “The whole idea is to set out ongoing platforms where we can share with them the experiences of our travel partners and the challenges they face and see how that information enables them to review how the whole visa process works, so we can promptly issue out visas.�

Beyond the High Commission in Lagos, there are moves being made back home in South Africa. “The issue of visas is being taken on a presidential level. Our President has provided assurances to the tourism industry in South Africa who obviously, are impacted. If we don’t have visas issued here in the market, people don’t travel to South Africa and therefore, hotels are not being occupied, and travel agents are not generating income. So it does have an impact on South African businesses as well. “So he (President Cyril Ramaphosa) has given assurance to the business sector in South Africa that

the issue of visas is getting high priority and matter of fact, the big countries that have been affected are Nigeria, India and China. “All three countries are receiving special attention at the presidential level, with a view of coming up with ways and means of how these issues will be addressed. It is receiving the attention that it deserves.�

Increasing Nigerian Tourists In spite of difficulties in getting visas, Nigerians still visit South Africa in the tens of thousands.

Rakolojane’s job is to increase this number further. “I can tell you what we’re looking at. Our annual target is 60,000. For 2018, as at end of October, we were sitting on 55,000, which is quite a considerable performance. “Matter of fact, we’ve started seeing the increase in arrivals to South Africa from Nigeria from August last year, which is quite a positive thing for us. We however would like to increase that on an annual basis,� he said.

His Immediate target is to surpass last year’s numbers. “As you can imagine, my challenge is to increase the numbers for 2019. And I think that in itself should assure our partners and the travelling public of our desire to get them to travel to South Africa. “So if we say we’re getting involved in the barriers that are hindering travel to South Africa, we really do have a vested interest in this. We’ll do our best to make sure that as many as possible get their visas, buy the packages and travel to their destination.�

While recent data point to a potential upsurge in numbers, they still fall short of the record achieved earlier this decade. “There was a huge increase in travel to South Africa from Nigeria starting in 2010. And I think the decline that we experienced in the past few years was a result of quite a number of variables. The ease of travel became one of them. Other destinations obviously came into play.

Open Invitation While there have been no recent cases, there was a time a few years ago, when isolated incidents of xenophobic attacks cast a pall on South Africa’s image as a welcoming destination.

Rakolojane is quick to allay any fears though. “Safety and security are very important to us. In terms of frequency, the issue of xenophobia has come down quite considerably in the recent past.

However, our desire is to have it at zero because first and foremost, Nigeria and South Africa have a long history of brotherhood from during the days our fathers were involved in the struggle.�

Safety and security is taken seriously at the policy level in South Africa. “The South African tourism industry has in the past few years, implemented what we call a tourism safety initiative which is a concerted effort between government and the private sector in making sure that tourists that come to South Africa are protected. “There are various measures right from the airport to the hotels so there’s no opportunity of people pilfering your bags or you getting physically harmed. What we also like to encourage people to do is to visit South Africa. Any negative experiences that they may have had in the past are certainly a thing of the past because we’ve learned from those mistakes that have happened and also, those incidences were a reflection of a very small portion of the community.�

In fact, rather than less Nigerians, South Africa wants more, he said. “The bigger community is very welcoming of Nigerians and if anything, we want to see more Nigerians come in. We share the same passion for music, the same passion for lifestyle. “Music is a big thing. I think between Nigeria and South Africa, there’s a much bigger platform where there’s an exchange of musical cultures. So you have Wizkid regularly in South Africa, and Cassper Nyovest, AKA and Mafizikolo coming into the market in Lagos. “It tells you people are conducive to South African music here, and I can tell you, Nigerian music is big in South Africa. I’m a big fan of Wizkid, Davido, Mr Eazi, Patoranking and Burna Boy who was in the country for a while and did a lot of collaborations. I love his music. In fact, my colleague, Mohammed, has just done a compilation for me of strictly Nigerian music.�

He recalled fond memories of the Global Citizen concert held in Johannesburg in December as part of activities to commemorate Nelson Mandela’s 100th birthday posthumously. “It was quite exciting for us to have Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, Dbanj, Femi Kuti and others performing.

That was really, really exciting. Just shows you the appetite we have in South Africa for not only the music but the culture as well. “If you go to some of the hotels in South Africa, the Da Vinci for example, we have a restaurant there that sells strictly Nigerian food. For me that shows how big the Nigerian culture is in South Africa.�

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺͼ˜ ͺ͸͹΁

27

OSENI ELAMAH

How I Built My Life from the Scratch to the Top ÔhØeº‚‚ÿsenØ‚ÖÛøÜøh‚Øs‚ø‚Üøn‚›º‚Üøn¡‚œørßs΂–e‚Øs‚ßhe‚e~eúàßØáe‚seúreßør¡‚›º‚ßhe‚˜›Ønß‚ ø~‚Ó›ør¸‚…˜ Ó†‰‚ßhe‚ÿÚø›ØáùØ›re‚›º‚ÓenØn‚ûØn»¸›Ü‰‚ßhe‚•ØÜùø‚›º‚ÒàúhØ‚ûØn»¸›Ü‰‚ ø‚ÚnØ»hß‚›º‚ßhe‚ÿr¸er‚›º‚|øØnß‚MàÛàÜùø‚Øn‚ßhe‚Ôøßh›ÛØú‚Ôhàrúh‚øn¸‚ø‚ÜeÜùer‚›º‚ßhe‚ NØ»erØøn‚—nsßØßàße‚›º‚{›ÛØú¡‚øn¸‚|ßrøße»Øú‚|ßà¸Øes΂UnßØÛ‚hØs‚œresenß‚øœœ›ØnßÜenß‚øs‚ ßhe‚e~eúàßØáe‚seúreßør¡‚›º‚ßhe‚˜ Ó‰‚he‚âøs‚ßhe‚e~eúàßØáe‚úhøØrÜøn‚›º‚ßhe‚Ö¸›‚|ßøße‚ `eáenàe‚|eráØúe΂Òs‚he‚ßàrns‚“0‚ß›¸ø¡‰‚he‚sœ›Úe‚âØßh‚seÛeúß‚Ù›àrnøÛØsßs‚›n‚hØs‚Ûغe s‚ Ù›àrne¡Î Bayo Akinloye œresenßs‚ßhe‚e~úerœßsË‚

28

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍźËœ ͺ͸͚Î

At 60, God Has Given Me Special Calling

Y

ou’ve lived a remarkable life. Can you please share some of the milestones with us and the values that propelled you to success?

First and foremost, I’ll like to give gratitude to God Almighty for his grace upon my life, for being born into this Earth. I also pay special appreciation to my dear parents, my father AlhajiNasiruDodoElamahandmymother,Alhaja Salamatu Mary Elamah.

I was born in Auchi, born a twin with a twin sister and I started my primary school at a very early age. Just before the Civil War in 1966, I was separated from my parents to go to Benin to live with my uncle, Chief Patrick Sule Salawe, who thereafter began to act as my dad having left my biological parents. From 1966, he brought me up as I had to start school all over again from primary three. From there, I went to Secondary School. But oneremarkablethingwasthatbythetimeIfinished my WestAfrican School Certificate Examination, I was given an appointment to work with the then Bendel State Audit Department where my Uncle, Chief P. S. Salawe, was then the Auditor General.Ihadpreviouslyhadaninterestinreading Architecture. I had in fact gotten admission to the University of Nigeria Nsukka, but my Uncle was more interested in me reading Accountancy. He wanted me to toe his career path, being the auditor general. I think he was also instrumental to my being able to secure an in-service training from the Bendel State Government when I got admission to Auchi Polytechnic to read Accountancy. On that basis, I spent about two months in Nsukka before I had to come back because I now had an in-service training to read Accountancy, so I proceeded to Auchi Polytechnic.

OncompletionofmydiplomainAccountancyin Auchi, since I was on in-service training, whenever I was on holidays, I came back to work. But on completion, I now decided to take a step further by undertaking the professional exam to qualify me as a chartered accountant. So, I proceeded to Lagos to work with a close family friend, Mr. SamAfemikhe, who was operating an accounting firm, S. S. Afemikhe & Co. That’s where I did my articleship and did my exams–foundation,professionalIandfinalprofessional II. I got chartered in 1992, and while working there I rose to the rank of an Audit Senior in S. S. Afemikhe & Co, and because of my diligence and commitment at work, I was then seconded to a sister Company, Geomesaf Nigeria Limited where I became the financial controller. I was there in Geomesaf till 1993 or thereabouts and proceeded to another sister company that was just being set up, Sheltercare Mortgage Finance. The mortgage banking industry was just coming up then and I was the head of finance and administration.

It was from here that I proceeded to set up my ownconsultancyoutfit,PatriotConsultantandalso Patriot Investment. It was from Patriot Investment that I teamed up with a friend of mine, who was a stock broker then, Mike Itegbuoje, to resuscitate a stock broking firm that had long been registered by my uncle and some of his close colleagues in Benin.Andin1994,IbecametheExecutiveDirector in charge of Finance andAdministration of TRW Stockbrokers and I went on to also qualify as a dealing clerk on the NSE floor. I was there till 1998.

In 1998, during the administration of Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar, I was with the pioneer Group Managing Director of NNPC Chief Aret Adams, who was a mentor to me, when he was called to take up the position of the SpecialAdviser onPetroleumtotheHeadofStateandherequested that I go with him to Abuja. On getting to Abuja, I was then appointed a Senior Special Assistant to the Head of State on Petroleum under the Office of the Special Adviser on Petroleum. So, I worked closely with the late Chief Aret Adams in the petroleum ministry until the transition to civilian rule ushered in the Olusegun Obasanjo administration in 1999.

I then went back to Lagos and with my friend, FemiOsundewhowasthenworkingwithCaptain Hosa Osunbor in a company called Hoselyn Oil and Gas and with my assistance we were able to secure a $12 million contract to build the Oredo flow station facility in Benin, and I was then made the executive director in charge of business development. It was from there that the late Chief Aret Adams requested that I should join him at Multinational Expertise, and I was asked to develop a new business line. In doing that, we had a joint venture relationship with an international oil field supplying Company, Craig Energy Services based inAberdeen Scotland and with that we formed the company called Multinational Craig Energy Services and I was

Elamah

appointed the pioneer Managing Director and Chief Executive.

In 2002, we moved to expand the capital base of Multinational Craig Energy Services, and we had just finished a Board Meeting before proceeding on a family vacation with my family to the United States. But about two weeks before I travelled, I had gone to Abuja on the instruction of the late ChiefAretAdams to submit a proposal to the then National Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) where Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was the Chairman and also the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President.

The proposal was on how to assist the NSITF to better grow its membership contribution so that they could deliver more services to workers. I went on that mission and on getting to submit the proposal, I met the Managing Director of NSITF, Alhaji Abba Aji, and the then General Manager, Finance and Investment,Ahmed Rufai, who later became the managing director. By the time we finished the meeting, I then met with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who noted that the proposal looked so convincing but that the only challenge was that the company may not have the people to translate the proposal into reality. He then asked if I would want to come on board and take up an Executive position. I told him there and then that I was not in a position to give him an answer but instead he should speak to my mentor who sent me.

He put a call through to ChiefAretAdams who told him they would meet on his next visit. I went back to Lagos to honour a meeting and after the meeting, Chief Aret Adams personally dropped me off at the airport. From there I proceeded on my scheduled vacation with my family. But, just a week after I got to New Jersey, I got this call, a very sad news, to the effect that ChiefAretAdams, on his way back from Port Harcourt where he had gone to flag off a community trust fund for the first indigenous marginal field development company,theNigerDeltaDevelopmentResources, had a stroke aboard the Aero flight from Port Harcourt and he was taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, by the next morning, he had transited.

This devastating incident was one of the saddest moments of my life, and till date, when I recall the good memories of Chief Aret Adams who had mentored me to what I have become today, I am moved to tears with grief.

I cut short my trip, my family vacation, left my family and took the next available flight I could find through Paris back to Nigeria. When I got to Nigeria, by the time they did the burial, it was then that Comrade Oshiomhole informed me that the late Chief Aret Adams after the meeting they had, had given his go ahead that I should proceed to join the NSITF. After the burial ceremonies, I resumed at the NSITF in September of 2002 as an Executive Director Finance and Investment.

I was there until the new pension reform started, and given my active contribution on having been able to grow the investment portfolio of the NSITF by over 400% to N120 billion in assets, and then with the pension reform, I was appointed the pioneer Managing Director of the Pension Fund

Administration company, Trustfund Pensions Plc, that was formed by the NSITF, the NLC, TUC, Afribank, Niger Insurance and Denham Management Limited.

I was there till 2007 when Adams Oshiomhole ran for the Governorship of Edo state. Initially, the mandate was denied him, but he was able to recover it through the Court. Immediately he recovered the mandate, I was the first to be appointed under the Edo State Government of ComradeAdams Oshiomhole to head theAssets Verification Committee which was charged with the responsibility of ascertaining the assets and liabilities of Edo State as at when he took over, and also to help chart a way for the new government that was coming into place to ensure that there was value for money for Government money spent.

This was to ensure that there is transparency and accountability in all Government transactions.At the end of that exercise, I was appointed a Special AdviseronFiscalGovernanceandProjectMonitoring. I was there till July 2011 when I was made to take up the position of the Chairman of the Edo State Revenue Board. That was where we started the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) reforms, where we put together the legal framework that was eventually passed by the Edo State House of Assembly and signed into Law, giving birth to the Edo State Internal Revenue Service and I became the pioneer Executive Chairman of the Service. A position I occupied till I proceeded to the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos. On my completion of the study, I came back to Edo State. At the end of my tenure as executive chairman of Edo State Internal Revenue Service, I was in Benin for a while. During the interregnum, I was assisting in carrying out some major reforms and also to put some institutional framework for the new Oba of Benin, by helping to put in place the requisite manpower to man his private Secretariat and also the reform of the adjudication administration of the Kingdom, which culminated into the Benin Traditional Council Dispute Resolution Committee.

It was on the verge of the inauguration of the Committee that I was called upon by the Executive Chairman Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Chairman Joint Tax Board (JTB), to take up the position of the Executive Secretary of the JTB so as to strengthen the administrative structure of the Board in order to make sure that it delivers on its core mandate under the Personal Income Tax Act, and till date, we have put a lot of institutional framework in place towards the realization of this objective.

How do you feel clocking 60?

Well, I think honestly, I don’t feel anything different now. Sometimes when I look at some of my pictures, I just see 60 as just a number. I feel it is just looking at the fact that there’s still a lot to be done. I just see it as a very short period given all that I’ve narrated. I believe that God has given me a special calling and endowed me so much with good health and some unique talents that I believe he wants me to use in being a blessing

to my fellow human beings and also impacting the society.

And I believe that as one attains this age, I want to try as much as possible to give back to society from the blessings that I’ve received myself from God. I believe that I’m just a vessel and a conduit forthoseblessingsthatGodhasgivenmetoimpact society positively for the good of mankind and to the glory of God. So, I look forward to the years ahead to be of greater service to mankind, being in a position to carry further the passion I have for mentoring young people and also in the service of God. I want to work closely with those who are in the vineyard of serving God and try as much as possible to create opportunities for others and put smiles on the faces of so many who are disadvantaged and who are less privileged. I derive happiness in creating happiness in other people’s lives.

Do you have any regrets or what would you have done differently if you had the opportunity?

I think at 60, it’s a lot of gratitude and thanksgiving to God. What experience or what I’ve gone through in life is something that has already been ordained by God and I have found no regrets whatsoever. If I were to live my life again, I believe that the way I live it will equally be in the hands of God. So, like they say, we human beings are just like pencil in the hands of God. He will use us as he has so destined to. The only thing that is left is for us to be very prayerful so as to be able to access that which God has destined for us. So, I have no regrets but instead I have so much of gratitude and so much of appreciation and so much of thanksgiving.

Your youthful and athletic looks belie your age. What’s the secret?

I think the secret of my youthful looks is a key that is in the hands of God and to be able to get access to that key you need a lot of prayers. So, first of all I am very prayerful to God. I start everyday with prayers and thereafter I also am addicted to working out, engaging in early morning exercise and getting fit. I go to the gymnasium. I have a regimented routine. When I finish doing that, I do my morning preparation, take my bath, and get ready for work. Because of the way I work outside the home with my family, I am not used to having breakfast at home. I go with my breakfast pack to the office and my breakfast is just basically oatmeal, fruits and vegetable, juice and that may just be what I need for the whole day or until I close from work.

But I think what is basically responsible for my youthful looks apart from the blessings that God has given me through my parents is that I also maintain very disciplined eating habits and disciplined lifestyle. Normally what happens is that there are certain things that I will ordinarily not be interested in eating, but over and above that, it is a blessing from God to be of good health.

Like I always say to my wife, I feel so amazed and I’m so blessed that I’ve never really been

29

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍźËœ ͺ͸͚Î

How My Wife Contributed to My Sweet Life admitted in a hospital or taken ill. I just thank God for the gift of good health, and I try as much as possible to maintain the kind of habits that will not put me under unnecessary stress. And I don’t really feel much stress because at the end of every day when I go home and put my back on the bed I sleep like a baby till the next day. So, I think that is just a blessing that one is lucky to have gotten from God Almighty.

is given, it’s not repeated anywhere unless the holder is no longer alive.

For me coming from Edo North orAuchi didn’t really matter to His Royal Majesty because he had already taken me as one of his sons, and having lived in Benin over the years and my close relationship with some members of the royal family, he had no hesitation whatsoever and that is how I was conferred with the Okaoivbiore of Benin Kingdom by His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo Oba Erediauwa and the rest is history.

You are credited as spearheading the bold reforms that catapulted IGR from a mere N300 million a month to close to N2 billion in Edo State within a relatively short time as the chairman of the State Internal Revenue Service. How did you do it?

You call it a feat, but I think it is something that you should plan and work for. Whatever you achieve is what has been envisioned, so one was very clear as to the vision that one wanted to attain in going to the Edo State Internal Revenue Service.

Having had the opportunity of serving as the chairmanoftheAssetsVerificationCommitteeand also as the Special Adviser on Fiscal Governance and Project Monitoring under Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, it was very clear that I wanted to demonstrate that it was possible to make Edo State work for the citizens of the State and to add value to their lives. Therefore, the government needed all the resources it could muster to execute so many of the laudable social and infrastructural programmes.

Starting from one’s experience in the previous assignment that one had had both in the private and public sectors, I believe that it was those experiences and given the enabling environment that was provided by the Governor, ComradeAdams Oshiomhole and the confidence and trust that he had in me as a person, enabled me. Furthermore, working closely with young men and women who were fired to building a career for themselves and making their own little contribution towards the development of Edo State, we were able to achieve the results we achieved. I believe that there is still a whole lot more that Edo State Internal Revenue Service is going to attain given the crop of committed and dedicated workforce that we were able to put in place that are leveraging on Information Communications Technology in delivering quality service not just to the Edo State government, but to taxpayers and to other major stakeholders in Nigeria.

That leads us to the next question. You are currently the Executive Secretary of the Joint Tax Board (JTB) which encompasses amongst others,all the revenue authorities in the Federation including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the various State Revenue Authorities, including the FCT Internal Revenue Service. What lessons do you think can be borrowed by these revenue authorities to deepen the tax net?

I think it is actually a rare privilege to collaborate and support one of those that I will call the prime movers and the pioneers at carrying out major reforms in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of various Governments. The current Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Babatunde Fowler, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Joint Tax Board (JTB) was the pioneer Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) where the IGR reforms were midwifed by the then Executive Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and he was at the forefront of carrying out those reforms.

It is on record that in Edo State when we came on board, the entire Edo State Executive Council came to Lagos and had a one-week retreat with the then Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, and the Emeritus Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, along with all the members of the Lagos State Executive Council, taking us through all what they had done.

It was the determination and resolve of the then Executive Governor of Edo State that whatever had succeeded in Lagos we would replicate in Edo and we went back to doing just that.

Over and above that, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole gave specific instructions and directed that I should go back to understudy the work that was being done by Mr. Babatunde Fowler in LIRS. With the Management of the then Edo State Board of Internal Revenue we came to Lagos and we had three days of understudying them before we went back. So, what we did in Edo State was to improve on whatever had succeeded in Lagos State.

But the most critical factor was that we were able to build internal capacity, getting the requisite qualitymanpower,trainthemandempowerthem in delivering those results. We had also borrowed

This relationship has also extended to the current Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’EdoUku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II. What can you say about this?

Elamah

from wherever because in carrying out the reforms in Edo State Internal Revenue Service, we had invited the former Executive Chairman of FIRS, Mrs. Ifueko Omogui-Okauru, who then was pioneering the reforms at the FIRS. She helped us in re-engineering the processes and also improve the manpower and personnel recruitment and putting an attractive remuneration package in place that ensured that we got the best from the staff that were now recruited to work in the EIRS, creating a Service distinct from the State Civil Service, more or less helping us to give reality to the provisions in the law for an autonomous revenue service, autonomous in administrative power and also financial support.

So, with that kind of experience, I will recommend same for all revenue authorities in Nigeria. But then, for them to actually deliver on their mandate, the State Governors and Chief Executives of every State who actually have the sole responsibility for generating the revenue they need to execute their projects should so empower the revenue authorities and give them both administrative and financial autonomy so that they can put all the necessary requirements in place towards ensuring that they optimise the revenue potentials that are embedded in those various levels of Government.

I think currently, Mr. Babatunde Fowler has demonstrated exactly what he did In Lagos and is deepening that performance at the FIRS. For the first time the FIRS generated the highest revenue ever of about N5.3 trillion for the year 2018, and in the new year with further deepening of those reforms, it is targeted that the FIRS will be able to generate between eight and ten trillion naira in 2019.

What most people don’t really realize is that the money generated by the FIRS is for the federal, state and local governments in the federation account. So, it is adding value to the various tiers of government in their revenue drive; and I think his chairmanship of the JTB often shows us that working in collaboration with him and from the various experiences that we have gathered I think we cannot have a better opportunity than now for us to be able to help ensure that the various revenue authorities do not need to re-invent the wheel, they just have to take off from the experiences we have, and using those recipe and with greater commitment and dedication, I think they can also generate revenue that are sustainable for the development of various States.

The collaboration among the various revenue agencies and critical stakeholders initiated by Mr. Babatunde Fowler is geared towards having an inclusive tax revenue administration system in Nigeria anchored on treating the taxpayer as king.

You had a special relationship with the late revered monarch of the great Benin Kingdom, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Oba Erediauwa, even though you hail from Auchi. He even made you the Okaoivbiore (Head of theYouths) of Benin Kingdom. What was the chemistry

between you and him?

IthinkIwasjustprivileged.LikeIsaid,whatever happens to me in life has already been destined

by God; it’s just for you to be able to be get the key to it. With prayers you get the key to what has been so destined. My first major encounter with our father the then monarch of Benin Kingdom, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Oba Erediauwa, was when I was an audit clerk. He was then the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom and also the Commissioner for Finance of then Bendel State, and I had the privilege of carrying out the cash audit at the Ministry of Finance under his office. That was the first time we met. There was an incident that did occur when he referred to me as ‘my auditor’.

Many years later when I went in company of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who was then contesting for governorship of Edo State, to the palace and was being introduced, he recalled again to say, ‘Is that not my young auditor?’ I said I was the one, and he was wondering what I was doing in politics and I said I wasn’t actually in politics, that I only escorted a friend and brother to pay a visit to him at the Palace. Of course, he recalled that first encounter as an audit clerk when I had come to do a cash survey and I requested for proper retirement of a certain amount which His Royal Majesty (His Royal Highness then) had already passed on to his Secretary for retirement, but who instead kept the cash receipts in his drawer; and because I made the enquiry, he proceeded to report me to His Royal Highness. It turned out that what the Secretary had planned to use to intimidate and punish me became a blessing and elevated me, and I found favour in the sight of His Royal Highness.

So, when Comrade Adams Oshiomhole now came on board, he watched severally my sessions as Chairman of theAssets Verification Committee and also as SpecialAdviser on Fiscal Governance and Project Monitoring while monitoring projects.

On one of those occasions, he sent for me and asked to find out what government was doing especially regarding theAirport Road when they said they were going to bring down the Palace Walls. I explained what we were doing. He was so impressed that there and then he requested that one of his daughter work with me so that she can get to learn some things and gain some experience, and she did.

The way I was able to mentor her, I think His Royal Majesty was very pleased and asked that as a mark of appreciation they should offer me some traditional beads if I would accept. I said I would be so humbled to be given some traditional beads by His Royal Majesty, and when I went on a thank you visit, I told him how pleased I was and that I am ready to serve in any capacity as a way to support him.

It was then that the issue of being given a chieftaincy title came about, and if you correctly recall, in Benin culture and tradition they don’t have honorary chieftaincy title they just throw about to people. It’s on record that chieftaincy titles in Benin are so documented that once a title

I just mentioned that even as I was being given the title by Oba Erediauwa, I had been in close relationship with the Benin royal family. My first encounter with the current Oba was when he was a Crown Prince. I was assigned by my late mentor ChiefAretAdams to carry out a feasibility study towards the setting up of an independent petroleummarketingcompany,andthatmarketing company was actually for the Crown Prince. It was eventually established in Benin and since then we’ve been in close contact. Of course, when we came to Benin under the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole administration, His Royal Majesty was then serving as the NigerianAmbassador in Rome and he had extended an invitation to me and my wife to visit him, and we did visit him; and each time he was in Nigeria, I went to see him.

By Benin tradition, the Obaship is one. The Oba is not made, the Oba is born. So, from day one that the Crown Prince was born he was destined to be Oba. So, the transition from Oba Erediauwa to Oba Ewuare II goes along with all that is associated with the Benin throne. Therefore, the Chiefs that were appointed by Oba Erediauwa were automatically Chiefs of Oba Ewuare II. For me, since I’ve always been in close relationship and my determination and willingness to support the Palace, it is predicated on the fact that I have demonstrated a level of commitment, honesty and integrity in handling all assigned traditional duties and functions that has been given to me and that is what has endeared me to His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II who has zero tolerance for dishonesty and lies. Therefore, I think I am just in my natural habitat being with His Royal Majesty.

Do you agree with those who believe that traditional institutions have become anachronistic in modern times in Nigeria and so should be discarded?

From what I’ve said so far, my views are very clear. I don’t think those who share this view are in the majority. But for those who do, I think it is as a resultoflackofproperknowledgeandappreciation of the role that our traditional institutions have played over time. They are not just the custodians of our culture and tradition, but they are also the stabilising force that has today been able to weld the modern Nigeria together.

If you recall, even when the colonial masters came, they used the traditional institutions in instituting the kind of indirect rule they were putting in place. But for the traditional institutions and the traditional rulers, the country called Nigeria may not have been in existence today because they all were heads of various kingdoms that were Republics in their own right, taking Benin for example. You find out that with the stability that has been with the traditional institutions, they have overtime been able to bring in personalities of integrity, knowledge and vast experience in all aspects of life. And I think that the unity and stability that we have in Nigeria today, we owe to the traditional institutions.

This becomes vividly clear in times when Nigerians are going through difficult moments of doubts and despair. You find that those who have in one way or the other created the kind of despair with people losing hope in the unity of Nigeria fall back to the traditional institutions to rally round because they are fathers of all. And because of the level of trust and confidence the ordinary man on the street has in the traditional institutions, they are the only voice that they hearken to in situations like that in ensuring that there is peace and stability. You find that it is the traditional institutions that accommodates everyone, it doesn’t matter whatever tribe, religion or creed you come from. You find out that any traditional rulers you go to his Palace today, you find those who are non-indigenes where even title and positions are created, and they are all welcome to the Palace. see concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com

30

˜ ˞ MARCH 24, 2019

MARKET NEWS

Global Money Week: NSE to Expose Youths to Investment Opportunities Goddy Egene The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has concluded plans to celebrate this year’s Global Money Week (GMW) across its offices nationwide.

The week begins from Monday, March 25 and ends on Friday, March 29, 2019.

The GMW, a global movement to raise awareness of the importance of financial education and financial

inclusion for children and youth is led by Child and Youth Finance International (CYFI), a non-profit organisation based in Amsterdam.

The theme for this year’s celebration, ‘Learn. Save. Earn,� has been carefully selected to help children and youth learn about savings and explore investment opportunities so as to become better money managers and improve their overall quality of life.

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

According to the NSE, GMW is one of its many intervention programmes to build a financially savvy generation of future leaders, stressing that the children and youths are an important component of planning our future as a nation and we must imbue them good financial skills that assure a secure and great future for them. “The week’s activities will include an interactive session

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 21Mar-2019, unless otherwise stated.

with executive management of the Exchange, financial literacy fair, art exhibition, a tour of the NSE trading floor, school outreach programmes and a Closing Gong ceremony. For the past four years, NSE has directly reached over 30,000 students from over 70 primary, secondary and tertiary schools with an indirect impact on about 60,000 young people across its operating environment.

“Whether you are from an educational institution, financial authority, central bank, stock exchange, NGO, government institution, or community organisation, you can play an integral role in advocating for greater economic education and financial inclusion for children and youth. Getting involved in the GMW festivities is the first step toward improving the lives

and opportunities of children and youth within your community and worldwide. “Together we can take action to reshape the financial landscape, in order to ensure that every child grows up to be an empowered economic citizen, equipped to gain employment, make wise financial decisions and understand their personal rights and responsibilities in their community,� it said.

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

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

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 0.85 0.86 1.62% ACAP Income Funds 0.64 0.64 15.01% 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 13.40% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.28 2.31 2.65% 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 16.80 17.31 1.25% ARM Discovery Fund 361.46 372.36 1.35% ARM Ethical Fund 29.18 30.06 3.33% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.77% 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 102.62 103.34 1.41% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.76% 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 13.59% Paramount Equity Fund 12.12 12.22 2.61% Women's Investment Fund 105.55 106.12 1.88% 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 13.01% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 101.18 101.27 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 102.63 103.22 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 13.21% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.85 0.85 Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.17 1.17 4.10% 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 12.32% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 11.77% invest@fbnquest.com FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,235.24 1,236.10 4.20% FBN Heritage Fund 145.08 146.32 1.16% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.06% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 117.13 117.43 2.84% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 117.06 117.36 3.04% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 0.00 0.00 -100.00% 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 1.21 1.23 -1.13% Legacy Debt Fund 3.33 3.33 2.64% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.04 1.04 1.05% 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 3,009.59 3,042.58 0.89% Coral Income Fund 2,837.62 2,837.62 3.60% 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 12.66% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 109.96 110.63 2.78% 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 12.61% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.18 2.21 1.62% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.36% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 124.75 125.00 -0.12%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD ďŹ ncon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.16 1.19 1.75% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,100.98 1,100.98 2.91% 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 11.48 11.57 -0.24% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.37% 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 1.38 1.40 7.88% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.34 12.41 1.15% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.89% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 126.42 127.11 4.76% 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 1.03 1.03 3.28% 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 2,379.59 2,393.53 2.83% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 196.06 196.06 3.11% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.97 0.98 2.63% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 253.39 253.42 2.52% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 166.64 168.48 2.14% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.08% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,480.00 8,583.42 -0.10% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.12 1.12 1.37% 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 1.22 1.22 1.51% United Capital Bond Fund 1.65 1.65 3.72% United Capital Equity Fund 0.70 0.72 -0.75% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 14.81% United Capital Eurobond Fund 109.40 109.40 1.99% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.12 1.12 2.28% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 11.22 11.37 5.72% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.34 12.48 2.94% Zenith Income Fund 21.35 21.35 9.95% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.39%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

5.95 119.37 52.08

-39.35% 1.39% 0.66%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.51 112.87 88.44

10.61 115.28 90.09

-0.36% -3.77% -0.25%

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

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

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

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WEEKLY PULL-OUT

24.03.2019

May Ikeora

On Academia, L’Avyanna and Miss Nigeria ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/funkola2000@gmail.com

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COVER

May Ikeora

I’m Interested in Beauty, Justice, Ideology, and Identity Dr May Ikeora shot to limelight by winning the Miss West Africa beauty pageant more than a decade ago.

She has further developed herself by spending years in the academic field, earning a PhD in Law at the University of Hull. An entrepreneur, human rights and women empowerment advocate, the British-trained author and researcher is now CEO of the Miss Nigeria pageant and is bent on changing the pegeantry’s narrative, writes Demola Ojo

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Ikeora

all, dark and beautiful, Dr May Ikeora walks out of the elevator with the air of a woman who knows where she’s going and is determined to get there. On this occasion, she’s dressed casually in blue distressed denim pants that matches with a blue shirt of a different shade.

She effortlessly handles two bags; one slung over her shoulder, the other - a laptop bag - held in her hand. Both are chic, and bear the logo of an unmistakable high-end designer brand. Her black oval glasses – intentionally or not – give her a professorial look.

She drops her bags and paces a bit as she finalises a deal over the phone.

She’s concluding the delivery of skin care products sold under her L’Avyanna brand to Russia. She’s also putting finishing touches to hosting budding beauty queens to a brunch.

But there’s more to her beyond beauty and its trappings. For example, she’s a talented artist who now paints for fun. “I actually painted professionally for 10 years,� she reveals. I’ve had three exhibitions, two of them internationally.

My first painting was bought by (former Head of State) Abdulsalami Abubakar.�

Nowadays though, she’s known more as an author. She contributed to the book, The Benin Monarchy: An Anthology of Benin History, which was launched to great fanfare late last year.

It’s her latest contribution to the academia, after authoring the widelyacclaimed book, Bilateral Cooperation and Human Trafficking: Eradicating Modern Slavery between the United Kingdom and Nigeria. “That’s my expertise at the moment, in terms of my work as a frontline worker in the UK looking into cases of human trafficking,� she says, now settled in a seat facing the window overlooking the Atlantic at this classy Victoria Island lounge. “My PhD research focused on human trafficking. Also, my work at the moment as the technical assistant to the governor of Edo State is on human trafficking and migration. I write about human trafficking a lot.�

But if there is one thing she would rather be known for above others, it’s the empowerment of women. Being CEO of the Miss Nigeria pageant, as well as sitting atop L’Avyanna which she founded in 2015, are important in achieving this goal. “Everything I do centres around how to empower women. Whether in the way they think, in terms of the opportunities that they have, or in terms of understanding their strengths and their

challenges. “I’m interested in beauty, I’m interested in justice, in ideology, in identity. Mostly all focused on how to make women better than they are. “I started L’Avyanna, which means the strong, beautiful woman, and it was centred around helping me pursue my passion to empower young girls. I needed to build a brand to help me do that. “I love beauty and beauty is something that resonates with all women. So I started a skin care line produced in different parts of the world; the UK, India, China, and we sell to different parts of the world.�

The plan is that income generated from the business would help her pursue her passion for raising girls to be great women.

According to her, the Miss Nigeria project also aligns with her vision. “It is becoming an empowerment platform for young women and basically embodies everything I stand for, which is the beauty element but also the empowerment element. “So it says women should be empowered beyond beauty but it doesn’t undermine the beauty element of being a woman. So as the CEO, my job is to ensure that I make it the foremost empowerment platform for women, not just in Nigeria but also in Africa. “It’s a journey I’ve embraced very dearly and I’m taking it very seriously and I can’t wait to see what it becomes.�

She continues to draw parallels between her separate pursuits. “This also touches on the work that I’ve done in the last 15 years which is in the area of gender and human trafficking, mainstreaming women’s rights and child rights. “These were the issues I worked on with the UK government, with NGOs and institutions whose aim align with my aim to ensure we end any form of violence, especially against women. “That led me to pursue my PhD in law, basically focusing on ending modern slavery in form of human trafficking. Coming to Nigeria and producing my first academic book on human trafficking and having the opportunity to work with the Edo State government opened my eyes to the realities of the issues in Nigeria. You can see that most people who are affected by these issues are women and children. “It seems like a lot of things but they all centre around my main aim and passion.�

Business Acumen Despite being women-centric, L’Avyanna makes male products; beard oil, aftershave and scrubs. “Although men tend not to focus on beauty and grooming as much as women do, women also enjoy certain things about how men groom themselves. “I know for a fact that when a woman tells a man ‘oh, I love the way you smell,’ he tries to use that thing all over again just to make sure he gets the same compliment and reaction.

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People are More Fascinated by Who I’ve Become Than Being a Beauty Queen “So when we were making our products, we made them for men the way women love it. Some women love bearded men, some women love clean-shaven men,” she says. It only made sense to make products for both.

“In conducting our experiment during product development, we ensured that we had 50 per cent women and 50 per cent men to help us come to conclusions on the products.

“So L’Avyanna for men is basically men’s products inspired by women, for men who love strong, beautiful women,” she laughs.

Beauty Queen May Ikeora’s journey started when as a Psychology student at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, she contested and finished second in the 2003 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant. It earned her the opportunity to represent Nigeria in the Miss West Africa pageant which she won.

Years after, this is what she’s still known for in some circles.

“It depends on who I’m speaking to and where. So in the academic sector, no one thinks of me as a beauty queen at all.

In my work, it doesn’t even come up.

“But when it comes to the entertainment sector, people always refer to it, but it means more to them that I’ve gone beyond that.

“I find that people are more fascinated by who I’ve become from being a beauty queen more than the fact that I’m one.

They have more appreciation for how far I’ve taken my life beyond being Miss West Africa.

“To be honest, there are a lot of women with PhDs but people are more shocked that someone with my background could aim that high.

“But I’m of the mindset that any woman who goes for a beauty pageant is an ambitious woman. When you see a group of girls who decide to compete, it tells you they have a certain kind of spirit, they see themselves in a certain way. They believe they can succeed, they believe they can win. And those are the kind of women you want.”

Transitioning from the world of entertainment to the academic world comes with some challenges. “I won’t undermine the difficulties, especially because once you go into that sector, it’s so easy for you to think you must be an entertainer. You find some beauty queens who decide they want to become actresses.

“I don’t know if this is what they want but sometimes, it’s so easy to divert there because those are the people you tend to come across; you’re around the media and entertainers, it’s almost directing you.

“It’s not just about beauty pageants but also other sectors. Some people after NYSC continue in the sector that they first started to develop their career.

“So making that transition, I had to keep in mind what I really wanted. It can be difficult but you have to make that conscious decision and remain conscious of yourself. I’d like to say I was conscious of myself and had people who guided me.

Not everybody though. Some people have their own dreams and want to fulfil them through you.”

ECOWAS Ambassador She was lucky that along her path were people who helped her actualise her dreams of fighting for justice. “Having my relationship with and being an ambassador for ECOWAS was significant, highly significant to who I am today.

“The day ECOWAS made me their goodwill ambassador for young people and peace during their 30th anniversary, the then executive secretary, Dr Ibn Chambas introduced me to a man called Mr Richard Conte, who was the head of West African Civil Society Forum.

“I remember exactly his words; ‘Richard, this girl wants to work, she wants to get her hands dirty, she wants to get some experience in the field. Teach her.’

And Mr Conte replied; ‘We’re going to Guinea-Bissau next week, are you ready?’

I was.

industrial attachment. I think it would be better for the girl.”

Empowering Miss Nigeria As CEO of Miss Nigeria, she is already looking into ways to implement this and other enabling ideas. “I’ve already started looking into that way ahead of time. It has helped us look into our policies of how we recruit the girls.

“If you’re a graduate, it’s a plus. If it’s time for your industrial attachment, it’s a plus. If you’re still a student, we then look for something more. Because it’s not about us, it’s also about you. If you come to us and then feel disempowered later on, we haven’t done our job.”

She speaks more on her plans. “I want Miss Nigeria to be a scholarship pageant at some point; a pageant that sends women to Harvard, to Oxford, to Cambridge and other universities to become better. Like Miss America.

They don’t go for Miss World. They’re a scholarship pageant. They’re strictly to empower the woman. It doesn’t end with Miss World. Just because you attended the Miss World pageant doesn’t make you the best girl in the world.

“At Miss Nigeria, we don’t believe in living a social media life, we believe in the reality of it. There are a lot of broke people on social media. I’m not the most popular person on social media but I have a good life. For me, being an empowered woman is not a popularity contest. It is a question of honesty to oneself.”

Ikeora

‘Studying Psychology in the university, I found out that I’m a very resilient person.

My upbringing was without a silver spoon. My father believed in education, so he would give us the best in terms of education but that was it. I had experiences that when I tell people, they don’t believe that I could have gone through all those things and still be okay.

I’d like to say those things made me stronger but I don’t necessarily think it applies all the time. I think you have to be resilient, otherwise you have an excuse for why you are useless. It’s like a get-outof-jail-free card for many people’ “And that was the first step I made in my life in being where I am today. I went to Guinea Bissau, a post-conflict country as an election observer and from there, to Liberia, then Cote’d’Ivoire and other parts of West Africa and it opened my world.”

Two Years on the Throne Juggling the role of an ambassador for an international body while still astudent can come with pitfalls, an experience Ikeora is drawing from to help guide the new crop of queens Miss Nigeria will churn out.

“It’s difficult staying focused as a beauty queen. You have to harness your will. When I was Miss West Africa, I was asked to live in Cote’d’Ivoire for a year and I refused because I was in my final year in University and the very reason I contested for the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant was because I wanted to complete my school fees.

“So it would have defeated the aim if I dropped out of school as a result of going for the pageant.

“School was difficult because everybody thought I was a millionaire, so I had all these threats of robbery and rape. Some people had to help secure me because there was the impression that I was rich. But that’s not true. Beauty queens are not rich.”

She smacks her hands on her thighs subconsciously for emphasis. You can sense the exasperation. “They’re not rich. They’re not billionaires’ daughters. I’m not one. I had to keep my eye on the ball and realise why I went for the pageant in the first place, which was to complete my education.

“So I went back to school and sometimes they would call me to travel some place or the other. I missed some trips because they were clashing with my exams. But I decided it was more important to finish my education.”

By a twist of fate, she got further opportunities. “As soon as I finished, war broke out in Cote’d’Ivoire. They couldn’t organise the next pageant, so I had to stay for one more year. It was that year that I basically started to find myself as a beauty queen and did all those activities.

“For that reason, I keep thinking, perhaps, a Miss Nigeria should be a graduate, or somebody who has started their

Humble Beginnings, Big Dreams Quizzed on particular incidents in her past that must have prepared her for her current path, Dr May ponders for a bit. “Studying Psychology in university, I found out that I’m a very resilient person.

My upbringing was without a silver spoon,” she reveals. “My father believed in education, so he would give us the best in terms of education but that was it.

I had experiences that when I tell people, they don’t believe that I could have gone through all those things and still be okay.

“I’d like to say those things made me stronger but I don’t necessarily think it applies all the time. I think you have to be resilient, otherwise you have an excuse for why you are useless. It’s like a get-out-of-jail-free card for many people.

“But no matter what situation I find myself, I keep my eye on the ball. In my business I’m very tenacious, even when things go bad. I might cry, I might feel bad but I keep moving. It’s like a child that is crying but keeps eating.”

This tenacity should come in handy as she sets lofty goals. “L’Avyanna is going to be a global brand,” she says with intent. “My focus is to keep that vision alive. We already cater to customers all over the world but now we’re going to make it even more accessible to the customers.

“I want L’Oreal to be on the lookout for L’Avyanna. I want a situation whereby, when you talk about mainstream global beauty brands, you talk about L’Avyanna.

“With Miss Nigeria, I want every young woman in Nigeria to want to be Miss Nigeria. I want everybody to look forward to the Miss Nigeria events. I want Miss Nigeria to be a platform for any woman who gets on that platform to leave a better woman; not just in the way people see her, but in the way she sees herself.

“I believe that pageants should be regulated in Nigeria, because right now, people are using pageants as a means to exploit women. I want us to stop that.

“So one of the things we’re doing is that we’re calling on all beauty queens and all women who have been beauty queens, regardless of the pageant they won, to reach out to us to work together.

“Whether anybody likes it or not, Miss Nigeria is the mother of all pageants. We’re 62 years old. You can’t buy that brand equity.”

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T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R Ëž MARCH 24, 2019

GLITZ PERSONALITY

Randle with wife and children during memorial service for his late father held in Lagos

Bashorun J.K. Randle

My Father Said What He Owed Me Was a First Class Education, Not Inheritance A one-time President of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria, Bashorun J.K. Randle was exceptional in thoughts and actions. His life is an illustration of an indefatigable soul constantly in search of fulfilment, favour, and freedom.

From the visionary and renowned dynasty of the Randles, he understands perfectly well the burden of carrying a family name. A foremost accountant in Nigeria, Randle exemplifies professionalism, humanity and the bridge between the past and the future. Funke Olaode writes that there is more about this Randle than one may already know

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Randle

hat comes to mind when the name Randle is mentioned? Power, affluence, influence and extreme wealth? No doubt, the Randles have the pedigree that can make others green with envy. For more than a century, their names have been a dominant factor in the sociopolitical factor of Lagos. The J.K. Randles enjoy a special place in Lagos. The first generation of the Randles, Dr. John Kehinde Randle, a medical doctor graduated with a Distinction in Medicine from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland in 1888. He would later float a political party, Peoples Party in Lagos in 1908 and created the Onikan Swimming Pool. The second-generation

Chief Joseph Koshoniola Randle was a politician who made waves in his lifetime.

He was a Nigerian businessman, socialite, social crusader and philanthropist, involved in Lagos’ public activities until he died in 1956.

The third generation of the Randles was a one-time president of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigerian (ICAN) and an accomplished accountant who has carried on the family name untainted. There is no doubt; the rich pedigree has put the foremost chartered accountant on good footing in life. For over five decades, the 75 year old has plied his trade and his clients are in big leagues.

His palatial office tucked inside the highbrow Parkview Estate Ikoyi is befitting of a man who has seen it all in his chosen

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Randle

How Randle’s Name Affects My Life career and excelled beyond his family name.

He is a renowned accountant. Over 30 years ago, Bashorun Randle was an occupant of Marina Government House while serving as chairman of a committee that looked into Lagos transport problems. He was the prochancellor and chairman governing of the council of the Lagos State University (LASU).

He served on the council of the University of Benin and at a time, chairman of Eko Hotel and at one time served as vice-chairman of Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) where the younger ones are being encouraged to embrace and appreciate music. In 2011, he dabbled into politics by slugging it out with the then governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) who was seeking a second-term in office. Randle’s motive was to contribute his own quota to the development of Lagos.

Late last year, Bashorun as his fondly called organized a remembrance service for his late father who died in 1956 and a few weeks later, January 13th to be precise, he also turned 75.

Recollecting growing under the umbrella of his famous family, the former ICAN president said it was memorable. “My father died 62 years ago and a few days to my 13th birthday. It was a huge shock. The whole of Lagos was in palpable grief and deep mourning. Growing up under an illustrious son of Lagos and his legacy of goodwill, unblemished family name and untarnished reputation still loom large. He touched so many lives and the beneficiaries have remained firmly loyal, far beyond the call of duty or any other obligation.”

But how did he weather the storm of losing his father at that relatively young age? “Well, I was 13 years old when my father died but I had already prepared my mind because much of what he was doing then didn’t make sense to me at that stage of my life. My father was so pre-occupied with charity, giving away most of his wealth and also he felt the most important asset in life is good will and not how much you acquire or have. Some of his properties were later placed under trust. My father donated N100 million naira each to colleges and organisations. Though he was a Christian, two Muslim schools – Ahmadiyya College, Agege and Ansarudeen College, Isolo as well as a Catholic school – Holy Cross Primary School, Lagos all benefited from his

I was 13 years old when my father died but I had already prepared my mind because much of what he was doing then didn’t make sense to me at that stage of my life. My father was so pre-occupied with charity, giving away most of his wealth and also he felt the most important asset in life is good will and not how much you acquire or have.

Some of his properties were later placed under trust. My father donated N100 million naira each to colleges and organisations philanthropist gesture.

“It must have been around 1954, when my father patiently explained to me that I should expect no inheritance from him that what he owed me was a first-class education and a first class reputation and family name. Considering that I was only ten years old at the time, the full impact and implications of what he had in mind did not immediately register. He tried to clarify matters somewhat by explaining that those who would take over power in Lagos in particular (and Nigeria in general) are likely to emerge from an entirely different background. According to him, it is only through education that they too would be exposed to opportunities in order to enable them to excel. Anything short of that would be recipe for resentment, envy and vindictiveness. By the time he died, I was

fortunate that I got into King’s College and was there and left the country at the age of 19 to pursue further studies abroad. I was able to appreciate what it means to be an ordinary person and to live a normal life in England. For instance, if you look at my grandfather’s house located in Marina, Lagos. The fact that he was the only black person living on that stretch in Marina at that time showed his class because the place was occupied by the expatriates. So by the time I went to England I knew how to be an ordinary man because in Nigeria I was like a King, a kind of privileged living but England I was ordinary,” he recollected.

How has the name Randle open doors for him? He said: “It doesn’t open doors for me. In fact, if anything, it is the opposite. Look at what the government has been doing to the Randles family. We got a raw deal from them seizing our properties. For instance, take a walk to Onikan and see J.K. Randle Memorial Hall. Government just woke up one day and demolished it. The same thing for the swimming pool and even the Love Garden which my grandfather bequeathed to Lagos was seized by government and handed over to MUSON without any consultation with our family. And then go to Ikeja, where the secretariat is built is Randle property for which they (the government) never paid any compensation. And if they tell us they paid, let the government tell us who they paid to. Then go to Surulere, The Nigerian Port Authority was a tenant then and now NPA is claiming that they own it.”

Buttressing his points, he explained: “People always see the family as a well-todo people and if one is in dire need of help is like ‘Why is he coming to share from our little now?’ But it runs counter to my father’s philosophy of life which he passed unto me that it is not what you inherit that belongs to you it is what you are able to achieve by your own sweat and toil that divines you. For me, this is my 50th year as a chartered accountant and only worked for KJMP and never jumped from one job to another. I turned 75 on January 13 which put me in the same bracket with President Buhari. This put us at stake that if he succeeds it is our generation that succeeds and if he fails, it the entire generation that fails.”

Having a family with an accomplished name or pedigree tends to create a burden of expectation.

Does he sometimes feel the pressure to excel more than his predecessors? “Of course,

that is a prayer and expectation of every parent that their children would surpass them and my father was no different. And I have tried my own bit to contribute my own quota to Nigeria. Do not forget that we are still talking about security issue in 2018. In 2012, I sponsored a Security Summit, brought in experts from all over the world who were anxious to share their knowledge with Nigeria and its security problems and they did an excellent job.

Even one of them pointed out that there is a strong connection (nexus) between security and power because if people are denied of economic activities they can’t trade or have jobs, their lives would be compromised and they become angry. As an auditor, I used to work all over north. You could see the vast land but they don’t have industry, they didn’t have basic infrastructure and didn’t have jobs. That was about 30 years ago and it was like a time bomb. When I was the chairman of Eko Hotel, I personally organized lectures to bring the plight of northern people to the government but government turned a deaf ear.”

Lamenting the state of the nation, the foremost account says this is not Nigeria of his dream. “For me, Nigeria is not what we hoped to be, regardless, anybody who is not Grateful is a Great Fool because whatever Nigeria is now is a consequence of our own efficiency and incompetency and also deliberate squandering of riches.

For my 76 birthday, I am going to republish all the five books which I have written: The Godfather Never Sleeps, Who is Fooling Who, British Are Friendly, and God Does Not Live in Los Angeles Anymore with additional 15 more books and that would be my own contribution.”

From an accomplished trained medical doctor who popularized the J.K. Randle dynasty in the 18th century, the Randles have grown in leap and bounds. Reeling out his dynasty, the proud Bashorun said, “My grandfather was named John Kehinde Randle, my father was Joseph Koshoniola Randle, I am Jaiye Kofolaran Randle. After that, my own son is Jaiye Koshoniola Randle; my second son is Jaiye Kofolaran Randle. He too has a son who is Joseph Koshoniola Randle. We have about seven generations of J.K. Randles now and I am proud to have emerged from such illustrious dynasty.”

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5 ) * 4 % ": t SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 2019

MARCH 24, 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 A Lady Seen in New Light … As Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu Becomes ‘New Bride’ The glory and splendour of a new empire are often erected on the ruins and monuments of the fallen one. Time warps the memories of the fickle as they rush to erect an altar on which they will worship the latest overlord in a revolving door of power. The beauty and wonder of yesterday is discarded in favour of the incumbent bride, who laps up the adulation of the throng, unmindful of her fleeting role in the pages of history.

However, those who meet Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of the incoming governor of Lagos Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will recognize her as a refreshing exception to the norm. Jovial and genial in equal measure, she gives off an aura of calm and composure that contrasts with the mass hysteria surrounding her now that she has ascended to an exalted seat.

The incoming first lady of the centre of excellence has no time of day to give to the back-scratching and favour-trading that follow elective success in these climes.

She is a very private person who squarely faces her work in the medical industry, her faith, and her home. She is not the type to be found gleefully gallivanting at some uncensored shindig.

No wonder she has been getting more headaches since her husband won the guber elections. Since then, she has become the popular actor who must drive through the back roads in order to escape the attentions of the paparazzi who have laid an ambush for her on her normal route. Everyone is trying to get close to the woman who has become the beautiful bride that must be married at all costs.

While some political jobbers see her as a conduit through which they will be able to attract the attention of the new governor, others want to make her acquaintance for rather more sinister, though well-hidden reasons. Every Tom, Dick and Harry wants to be in her good graces by hook or by crook.

As for the first lady in-waiting, she pays little heed to the gymnastics of political desperadoes.

She is learning from the fate of Bolanle Ambode about the hollowness of political associations contracted for the satiation of selfish ends.

Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu

61 with KAYODE ALFRED 080116759807

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

Rochas Okorocha’s Camp Jittery... Emeka Ihedioha Might Probe His Administration Outgoing Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha is a worried man.

Following his spectacular double setback at the just-concluded polls, he wears the look of a hunter who knows that the days before he becomes the hunted are coming soon.

Haunted by the mistakes he made leading up to the elections, Rochas has turned into an emergency engineer trying to restore the bridges he burned in his quest to install his son-in-law at all costs. But he is learning the hard way that it is easier to destroy than to rebuild as he is shunned by everybody. To add insult to injury, the hammer of probe is dangling above his head as the handover date draws nearer.

Feelers from the camp of the newlyelected governor of Imo, Emeka Ihedioha indicate that machinery is already being put in place to probe the outgoing administration which according to many experts was defined by a culture of waste whereby state funds were dissipated on white elephants.

The alleged development has thrown the Rochas camp into a state of disarray, leading to some of his stalwarts to dump him like a bad habit for fear of indictment by association.

Like many governors before him, Rochas tried to play the role of godfather in his domain only to be taught a bitter lesson that the Imo political jungle does not recognize the reign of novice kingmakers. He failed to install his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu as his successor.

The statue-building governor was still reeling from the shock when the Independent National Electoral Commission gave him a knockout punch with their refusal to issue him a Certificate of Return as winner of the Imo West Senatorial District elections. This follows the confession of the Returning Officer that he was coerced to declare him the winner.

With the setbacks coming thick and fast like a torrential rain, the beleaguered governor who has become an outcast in his own party has been making moves to secure his position after he leaves office.

He is rumoured to be erecting a statue of President Buhari. Those in the know claim it is a symbolic gesture by Okorocha to wriggle his way into Buhari’s good books and save himself from humiliation after he leaves office.

Okorocha

Drama … As Yahaya Bello Shows Off Boxing Skills

Bello

If recent events are anything to go by, then Kogi State should be the first port of call for anyone looking for riveting episodes of political drama. Between Senator Dino Melaye, unarguably the most controversial senator in the country, and Governor Yahaya

Bello who is fast raising eyebrows with his brand of politics, the state has become a hub for action thrillers.

No one will forget in a hurry how Senator Dino resorts to music to taunt and jeer his opponents at the slightest provocation. There was “Bye Bye to Jati Jati” which he used to taunt the APC after he defected to PDP. The “Ajekun Iya” crooner was in his elements few months back as he released another video to mock his state’s governor, Bello.

And it seems the governor too has decided to develop a useful side hobby. Few days ago, pictures of him practising boxing were all over social media. Expectedly, tongues began to wag as to how an exalted governor could find the time to be engaged in frivolities. They wondered whatever happened to focusing on the job he was voted for.

While some have argued that everyone, even an elected executive, is entitled to any pastime of their choosing, others have

flayed him for engaging in a demeaning activity. The governor who has been all over the news in recent times, following a spate of fights with different political actors in the state doesn’t seem to care about the noise as he continues to hone his boxing skills.

A theory has been floated that perhaps Bello is symbolically showing his opponents how he is going to knock them out of political contention. Some insist it is a message specifically targeted at his number one nemesis, Melaye. It is no news that the two of them don’t see eye to eye back from when Dino was still in the APC. Dino had tried to get the governor impeached. The governor in turn had thrown his backing behind a failed process to recall Dino from the Senate.

Despite his recent travails, the toughtalking Dino will no doubt have something to say about the emergence of the newest boxing “superstar” in the person of his state’s executive governor. Political watchers are staying tuned for the release of another taunting hit track.

New Dawn for Sijibomi Ogundele Every generation has the singular artist who leaves the comforts of the crowd in his field and goes pioneering. He boldly walks into the mist where worlds undiscovered and ideas lie in wait, ready to be brought into the glorious light of dawn by the willpower of a revolutionary mind.

When you talk about construction, it doesn’t get more ambitious than Sijibomi Ogundele, head honcho of Sujimoto Constructions. Believing that his dreams are valid, no matter how big they are or crazy they seem, he shuts out the naysayers and cuddles his grand ideas like a mother smothering her newborn with care.

Sijibomi, otherwise known as Sujimoto, recently launched his new project, “The Giuliano by Sujimoto”. The first of its kind anywhere in Nigeria, the project gives a new meaning to luxury residence. From foundation to finish, it is an epitome of opulence, comfort and extravagance that upgrades ordinary experiences to realms of superluxurious living. The Giuliano

by Sujimoto is poised to compete for the title of best luxury terrace in Africa. It is uncompromising on the standards by

which first-world opulence are joined. Every component of the masterfully designed edifice has been selected to cater to the needs of those who don’t lower their standards for any reason.

From exclusive Porcelanosa by Zaha Hadid to full home automation and private elevators in in each unit, The Giuliano comes equipped to destroy the competition with out-of-this-world features. These include 2 fitted kitchens, 3 car parks per unit, all wrapped up in a wonderful exterior clad in special Spanish Stone.

The Giuliano, which has already been snapped up by buyers, is Sujimoto’s answer to his critics who sneered at him for being a failure after his original vision of residential luxury, Lorenzo by Sujimoto ground to a halt.

Touted to be the tallest residential building in Nigeria upon completion, the project hit some snags which proved too tough to overcome at the moment. He had to return the money of disappointed investors.

Since then, Sujimoto has been in the eye of the storm as some have accused him of always harbouring grandiose dreams bigger than his abilities. The criticism stung but his

Ogundele

resolve wasn’t weakened. Sujimoto used it as fuel of motivation with which he tackled the Giuliano project. He is working round the clock to make sure every aspect is handled without a hitch.

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HIGHLIFE

Grand Betrayer: How Ladi Adebutu Betrayed Ibikunle Amosun Spare a thought for outgoing Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. He had to watch hungrily on the sidelines as his opponents feasted on the spoils of victory. Not only that, the man whom he thought would provide a pillar of support in his lowest ebb turned around to stab him in the back.

When Judas betrayed Jesus, he did it with a hug and a kiss in the dark of night. When Ogun big boy and PDP chieftain in the state, Ladi Adebutu did the same to outgoing governor Ibikunle Amosun, he did it in the daytime in full glare. The effect is the same but, for Amosun, the wound of betrayal is doubled.

Cheated out of contesting the Ogun guber polls on the platform of the PDP, Ladi Adebutu and his camp decided to pitch their tent with Amosun. They joined forces with the Amosun-backed Allied Peoples Movement and its candidate, Adekunle Akinlade.

However, fate often throws a

Oluremi Tinubu

Amosun

spanner into the works of the best laid plans of men. Despite all calculations and permutations to the contrary, the one that emerged Ogun governor was the candidate of the APC Dapo

Adebutu

Abiodun who coasted to victory, leaving Amosun shell-shocked and demoralized.

Having observed which way the wind is blowing, Ladi, son of billionaire

Joyous and Rollicking Times ‌ As Tokunbo Modupe Joins Golden Club

Modupe

Ondo State-born Tokunbo Modupe is having the time of his life. He recently ran into troubled waters that laid him low for a while, the popular public

relations expert is balling and partying like no man’s business. He was on top of the world last Saturday as he clocked 50. Tokunbo, who runs top PR company TPT is a hoary head in the public relations and brand management business and has carved a niche for himself as one of the top PR guys in Nigeria and beyond. However, his top notch pedigree wasn’t enough to save him from almost drowning few months back when he went fishing in troubled waters.

Fondly called Toks by his admirers, the dark-skinned and slim built dude is also a paramount chief in Ondo. His already towering profile got a further boost when he was chosen as Ondo Campaign Coordinator for former president Jonathan’s unsuccessful reelection bid in 2015.

Bidding to soar higher, Toks neglected to take note that he was threading on a slippery slope. That was until men of the EFCC came calling in connection with N500 million allegedly siphoned from the presidential

campaign funds. His hue and cry of innocence fell on deaf ears as they ruthlessly threw him behind bars. He only managed to leave after being granted bail.

His woes with the anti-corruption agency led to a cooling of his standing within the PDP where he was once poised to secure a senatorial ticket to represent Ondo North. His ambition to represent his people was brutally truncated, at least for now, as the party gave the ticket to another person. The man who was once the cynosure of all eyes became a shell of his former self. He was hardly visible on the scene as he reined in his participation in active politics. A lover of the spotlight, Toks has cut short his hiatus and returned to the scene with a big bang. As his troubles recede one by one, his waning enthusiasm for the bright lights has returned in full force. The storm has cleared and the fun times are back for the amiable dude who marked his membership of the golden club in the company of family and friends.

Will Boss Mustapha Make Buhari’s Next Cabinet?

If Boss Mustapha is the unstoppable force determined to assume his rightful seat in Buhari’s second-term cabinet, the First Lady Aisha Buhari is the immovable object who has sworn to bar his way to the Promised Land. Aisha is spoiling for a fight over the key role Mustapha allegedly played in scuppering the governorship ambition of her younger brother.

The Adamawa-born dude who was made the SGF after Babachir Lawal was given the boot for abuse of office has become one of the key players in President Buhari’s administration. Unlike his predecessor who seemed to have a lasting covenant with trouble, he has steered clear of controversy and discharged his duties with stellar efficiency.

He is highly lauded by the members of Buhari’s inner circle so much so that he has been pencilled down as one of those who will continue in government

after the May 29 handover date. And like a shooting star on an inexorable upward trajectory, his profile was further boosted when he was made the Chairman of the Presidential Inauguration Committee.

The lone roadblock in the way is Aisha.

She is still smarting from the humiliation of her brother and has allegedly vowed to get her pound of flesh from all those who orchestrated his downfall. She has made it known that her preferred candidate to represent Adamawa in Aso Rock is former military governor of Lagos, Buba Marwa rather than Boss Muhammed.

In this battle of the titans, it remains to be seen which side will prevail. While the Aisha camp is singing songs of “no retreat, no surrender,� Muhammed’s faction, allegedly backed by the president’s inner circle, has drawn their own line in the sand.

Mustapha

Lioness of Bourdillion, Senator Oluremi Tinubu Eyes Vantage Position in 9th Assembly She has a ďŹ re inside of her that never seems to burn less. It burns brilliantly and true, brightening her pretty face and framing the feline girth that shelters her persona. Every ďŹ rst gaze at senator Oluremi Tinubu arrests the attention of the looker.

Her mien induces the admiration of the spectator held spellbound by her brilliant combination of beauty and brains.

There are perks to being a lioness, especially a Lioness of Bourdillion.

When you roar, people listen, heads look up, and the great wheels of state start rolling to satisfy your needs. The gist ying around is that the savvy senator is eyeing a marquee position in the 9th assembly. She has served in medium positions long enough; now she is ready to move on to challenge for bigger and better roles.

High Life gathered that the twotime senator who recently won reelection to represent Lagos Central for the third time has intimated some of her husband’s men of her ambitions. They in turn have gone into the drawing room to map out a way for her to secure a spot in what is gearing up to be a very competitive leadership tussle in the incoming assembly.

Since her entry into the upper chamber in 2011, the woman who oated the New Era Foundation when she was Lagos ďŹ rst lady has never shied away from challenging positions. She was a member of the Committee on Women Affairs & Social Development and vicechairwoman of the Employment, Labour and Productivity Committee during her ďŹ rst term. In her current stint, she holds sway as the chairwoman, Women Affairs Committee and vice-chairwoman, Environment Committee respectively.

Feelers from the Tinubu camp suggest that the Lioness is aiming higher this time around. Her preference is rumoured to be between leadership of a plum committee such as appropriations, or a slot as one of the principal ofďŹ cers in the 9th Senate.

It is on record that the red chamber has never had a female major principal ofďŹ cer since the advent of the 4th republic in 1999.

With her own established reputation in the hallowed chambers and her husband’s formidable machinery behind her, nobody is betting against the possibility that the Lioness of Bourdillion might be the one to make history.

MARCH 24, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

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HIGHLIFE

Abimbola Bakare, Queen of Blings

Abimbola Bakare

Sartorial excellence meets depth as extravagantly talented Abimbola Azeezat Bakare establishes her signature couture, Zee Stitches by Abimbola, to the pleasure of high society. Like the Queen of Infinite Chic, she loves clean cuts and intricate lines. Indeed, Abimbola flaunts an enviable understanding of clothing. She uses the best stones in her designs.

Gifted with a physique and psychological balance not a few people would die for, she has evolved from young lady to full-fledged driven entrepreneur with outstanding sartorial depth. With a degree of diligence that would shame those of lesser cojones, she has managed to cut a large slice of the Nigerian fashion space for herself.

Specializing in ready-to-wear fabrics

tailored to measure for men, women and children, her bling game is no joke as she brings a wide array ornamental excellent to her exquisite designs. Blessed with a mind that intuitively knows the best outfits for every occasion, she has become the toast of those that love good designs, both home and abroad.

Unwilling to rest on her burgeoning laurels, Azeezat is back in town with Zee Stitches, a collection poised to be the inthing among the fashion-conscious crowd.

The collection features head-turning outfits embellished with her custom-made and excusive glass beads and crystals which have become her signature.

Though her foray into the glamorous world of fashion is barely half a decade old,

Abimbola has shown time and time again that she is here to stay. She remains uncowed by the pedigree of her more tenured colleagues.

She takes the game to them in the high-stakes battle for the hearts and wallets of the fashionconscious crowd.

Abimbola understands that fashion goes beyond what is worn to how the self is presented to the world. She operates by the philosophy that anything in the world can be had if one dresses for it. Hence her obsession with creating fabrics that transcend fashion. She designs outfits that capture the essence of their wearers. Whether it is custom-ordered or ready to wear, whether bridals or accessories like jewellery, shoes or bags, Abimbola has positioned herself as the woman for the occasion.

Pastor Wole Oladiyun at 60: Timeless Vision of the Man Who Sees Tomorrow One of the biggest events that will be talked about in April is the birthday of the CLAM pastor, Wole Oladiyun. Baba Aladura, as he is fondly called is just a few days removed from his diamond jubilee and the ranks of Christendo are already anticipating the April 2ndD-Day for the man of God extraordinaire who has spent a lifetime practising in life what he preaches from the pulpit.

The president of CLAMGLOBAL Outreach (CLAMGO) is a veteran seasoned on the battlefield of a hundred spiritual fights.

His passion for prayers and soul winning has birthed a strong apostolic and prophetic ministry which has withstood the test of time and contrary machinations. Famous for his village and citywide crusades, scores of lost souls have been brought back into the fold after experiencing the power of his healing touch.

The man who presides diligently over his loyal flock has however courted controversy with some of his pronouncements, not that he

gives a hoot. He relays his prophetic messages with firm conviction without caring whose ox is gored. Nonetheless, the Omole, Ikeja headquarters of CLAM is always full to the brim each Sunday. Everyone wants a piece of the renowned prayer warrior.

Though surrounded by a halo of glorious light following his exploits in the lord’s vineyard, Baba Aladura remains humble and unassuming. He disdains the allure of fame and sneers at the ineffective temptation of earthy power. He fills his barns with more goodwill than wealth and remains grounded in the firm roots of his core convictions.

Cognizant of the fact that it is herculean, if not impossible, to successfully preach the good news to empty stomachs, Pastor Oladiyun goes out of his way to wrap his evangelical ministry in considerate packages of philanthropy. Through his Pastor Wole Oladiyun Foundation (PAWOF), good education and healthcare go hand in hand with the Good News, and manna on earth becomes a supplement of manna from heaven.

Tinuola Abudu

Oladiyun

Ajimobi, Tegbe and Adelabu: Eyes on the Same Ball All is not allegedly well in the Oyo chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC). The horse of unity has bolted for the door as key players engage in a deadly battle for the ministerial slot in Buhari’s second term cabinet. The development has turned political allies into fierce rivals in the blink of an eye.

What was once thought to be a settled matter before the elections has descended into a three-way fight for the juicy appointment. It is a battle of wits which pits the outgoing governor against the party’s governorship candidate and governorship aspirant respectively.

When the going was good and it was assumed that Oyo APC would sweep everything at the polls, the slot was given to Joseph Tegbe, who had to be enticed to make him step down for Bayo Adelabu,

Ajimobi

who went on to represent the party in the governorship elections. It was assumed that Adelabu would become governor and Ajimobi senator, then both would support Tegbe for minister.

However, after both Adelabu, grandson of popular first republic politician, Chief Adegoke Adelabu, and Ajimobi suffered devastating electoral defeats, the political equation has crumbled as both of them are angling to be compensated with the ministerial slot.

A source close to the matter disclosed that the determination by the three chieftains to clinch the position has been pushing Oyo APC closer and closer to a crisis. None of them is ready to step back as each believes they are justified in their desire to clinch the slot.

Adelabu sees it as his ticket to stay

Adelabu

in political relevance ahead of another assault at the Oyo State government house in 2023. Tegbe, on his own part, feels that the juicy ministerial slot is his due reward for bowing to the wishes of the party and stepping down for Adelabu to emerge the consensus candidate. Ajimobi, having been denied entry into the upcoming 9th Senate, wants to be compensated with the slot.

With the three formidable stalwarts breathing down each other’s neck, the leadership of Oyo APC is at a loss as to the best course of action. Wary of offending one party in a bid to satisfy another, they are dragging their feet on the issue.

However, those close to the matter claim the national leadership will have a big say in who finally gets the slot.

Tegbe

Wedding Bells Toll for EbonyLife TV Boss, Mo Abudu’s Daughter Nothing attracts the attention of high society like a high-octane party thrown together to celebrate a momentous and joyous occasion. It is like squealing to famished mice the location of a stash of fresh cheese. Similarly, the metropolitan city of Lagos is currently enshrouded under a charged atmosphere of anticipation as the D-Day of the coming together of Tinuola Abudu and Adebola Makanjuola draws nearer.

Come Sunday March 24, the matrimonial train will berth in Lagos and Temidayo Tinuola, beloved daughter of media personality, business mogul and owner of EbonyLife TV Mo Abudu, and Adebola Teslim, cherished son of moneyman and founder of logistics and environment support services company, Caverton Group, will hop aboard.

Not everyone will be fortunate to witness the coming together of these two prominent families whose tentacles reach to the corridors of power and influence within and beyond the shores of the country. The customized invites have already winged their way to the lucky few. The much sought-after invites for the traditional and engagement ceremonies come equipped with an un-clonable access card that uniquely identifies each invitee.

The Grand Ballroom of the Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island is expected to be draped in luxury for the event which will kick off at 4pm. The guests will be draped in their customized versions of the aso ebi + headgear or cap which came in a goldplated box along with the invitation card.

The couple-to-be kicked off their journey to matrimonial felicity with an engagement in August last year.

On Saturday, January 5, they had the introduction ceremony at the Abeokuta, Ogun State country home of Chief Olatunde Abudu, a popular legal luminary and businessman who is also the bride’s paternal grandfather.

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Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

Rahama Indimi Moves On Last Tuesday, Rahama Indimi, beautiful daughter of Borno Stateborn oil mogul, Mohammed Indimi, marked her 42nd birthday, amidst fanfare.

It was gathered that she exhibited infectious zest and liveliness during the well-attended birthday bash.

She was said to have flashed a winsome smile throughout the event and even exchanged banters with some of the guests.

The mother of four, it was also gathered, did not betray any modicum of frustration or emotional disturbance while the event lasted, a situation that shows that she has moved on after leaving her husband, Mohammed Babangida, son of a former military President, Ibrahim Gbadamosi Babangida.

It will be recalled that the separation had been rather messy, as the public was fed with some unpleasant news about their marital life.

One of the major problems, which became a recurring decimal in her marriage to Muhammed, was her alleged dominance and control over her husband’s life.

It was also gathered that Rahama runs a store that sells aphrodisiac products in Abuja. Her line of business enterprise was reported to have created disaffection between her and Muhammed, as he strongly objected to her selling sex stimulating products.

But Rahama was said to have put her foot down and refused to heed Mohammed’s plea to re-consider the line of business she had chosen to trade in.

At the outset of the crisis in the 12-year-old marriage, only the couple’s families and close friends knew about it.

Sadly, it was later made public by Rahama herself when she took to the social media and announced the crash of her marriage last year.

There were accusations and counter- accusations leading to a legal battle.

Eventually, a court granted Mohammed the custody of the children.

But efforts by court officials, accompanied by the policemen, to execute a valid court order, were allegedly met with resistance from Rahama and her sister.

Those close to her say that the mother of four has finally put this ugly drama behind her and moved on.

CharlyBoy

Keyamo

CharlyBoy, Keyamo and The Mumu Movement OurMumuDonDo as espoused by the maverick CharlyBoy was meant to be an exercise in selflessness and removing a government that is at best lethargic and retrogressive.

But news doing the rounds points in a different direction and portrays the ‘area father’ as anything but honest and reliable.

It didn’t start today. From time immemorial, sons have betrayed mothers, daughters, fathers. Others have sold their own birthright for a

morsel of meal.

So much did the #OurMumuDonDo activist-turnedsong-seller trade a song to an administration he was vehemently against? He said “nine figures”. Do the maths and you’d get at least N100 million. Who paid him that much? No other person than the anti-graft federal super lawyer, Festus Keyamo, claimed CharlyBoy. Revelations! What shall we not hear under this administration? But

the learned SAN and mouthpiece of the Buhari campaign organisation swore he didn’t pay such a money.

Read their lips, can you tell who is lying here? You have heard about the grass-cutter dupe inside the presidency.

You’ve heard about the Gandollar and you’ve heard about the bullion vans in Bourdillon. It all appears #OurMumuJustStart.

The moral of the whole lesson: if you’re a monkey, you’ll be paid peanut.

Ex-Speaker, Dimeji Bankole Goes into Political Oblivion?

Bankole

In reminiscence, only Dimeji Bankole, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, can explain why he staked all to contest the recently held governorship election in Ogun State.

As political pundits opined, he

should have known that he is no longer a force to be reckoned with in the political circle of Ogun State; hence, he should have saved his sweats and money for his comfort.

But typical of an incurable optimist, he threw his hat into the ring for the number one job of the state and tried to slug it out with other gladiators in the state.

It was gathered that when he signified interest in the governorship race, the former Speaker of the Green Chamber became the anvil of criticisms in the political circle, as many in the state understood that he is no longer relevant, politically.

But for his over-bloated ago, he failed to realize that he is no more than a paper tiger.

He was said to have spent so much money to realize his ambition. But to his chagrin, he scored less than ten thousand votes in the entire state.

Sadly, his inability to clinch the number one job in the state has even made him a subject of ridicule in some quarters.

“Bankole didn’t understand the fact that he is no longer a force to be reckoned with in the political circle of Ogun State.

“He allowed his desperation to blind him. Besides, he is presently a paper weight in the political circle of the state.

“The Action Democratic Party, ADP, on which he contested for

governor, is unknown in the state.

“Anyway, maybe he was deceived by his hangers-on or being led by his over-bloated ego,” a source said.

The soft-spoken politician was once a heavyweight in the nation’s political scene.

Quite a lucky young man, he was made the Speaker of the Lower Chamber at the young age of 37, following the removal of Patricia Etteh over an alleged financial misconduct.

He, however, suffered a political misfortune in 2011 when he failed to make it back to the House.

However, many years after his unceremonious exit from the National Assembly, he is still in quest of political relevance.It will be recalled that he first made an unsuccessful attempt to return to the House in 2011.

Then, he suffered a defeat when he contested for the number one job in Ogun State on the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

His ambition was truncated, as the party leaders seemed not have any confidence in him, the popular choice then was Gboyega Nasir Isiaka. A stubborn hopeful, he repositioned himself again for the plum job, as the race for the 2019 general election gathered momentum.

But with the recent humiliation, many claim that his political clout may be on the precipice.

Tayo Babalakin: Retraction Indimi

We wish to state unequivocally that THISDAY Newspapers is not in anyway an interested party in the case involving Mr.Tayo Babalakin before the Federal High Court, Lagos.

We have only reported the matter as a neutral party and in line with our professional responsibility and

will continue to do so in a fair and unbiased manner.

However, if the language used in the article is considered to have distorted the proceedings or offensive to Mr Babalakin, we hereby retract the words in their entirety and apologise for the offensive language.

Babalakin

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SOCIETY WATCH

Of Bourdillon, Bullion Van and Adeleke’s Dance Steps Olu

Ademola

When Sir Shina Peters sang “dance, dance, and forget your sorry...� no doubt he did not have the “Dancing� Senator Ademola Adeleke in mind. Today, the maverick politician can dance his way into the Government House of Osun State with his usual expansive smile. The reason is not far-fetched: the election petition tribunal on Friday declared Adeleke as winner of the 2018 governorship election in Osun state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had announced Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the election.

But the tribunal held that the rerun election conducted in the state after the initial poll was illegal.

The lion roared. The bullion vans came.

Friday’s verdict is an indication that nothing

can subvert the will and mandate of Osun people. What happened to all the boast about changing the treasury of Osun State to coins? What happened to the taunt of the roaring Bourdillon lion that he is richer than Osun State?

Has the riches finished? Will more bullion vans be needed to bribe the court of appeal?

Power and riches are transient, those who are intoxicated by them should know.

They can fool all the people some of the time but they can’t fool all the people all the time.

In the euphoria of the victory, it is hoped that pretender to the exalted governor’s office will by now understand the saying: “Ten kings, ten epochs; no one has monopoly over rulership.

Osoba’s Uproarious Laugh Olusegun Osoba, a former governor of Ogun State, has never been advertised to be a seer.

Even if you are profiling him, you will, at best, say he was once a top journalist and a political gladiator.

But when he told Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State that what an aged man would see in his crouching position, a young man perching on the top of a tree won’t, Amosun had dismissed it with a wave of the hand.

In saying so, Osoba had warned that he would have the last laugh over Amosun. And like a seer, his prediction has come to pass.

Since Amosun lost out in the political game in Ogun, with the

defeat suffered by his preferred candidate, Adekunle Akinlade, many have been recalling his humble beginning as a political neophyte.

In 2011, Amosun, in his bid to realize his political ambition, was reportedly on bended knees, begging to be accepted into the fold of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. Unlike some others, Osoba had expressed his misgiving about admitting Amosun into the ACN, having studied him like a book. But many did not see reason with him.

He was , however, persuaded by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ex-Ekiti State Governor, Niyi Adebayo, among others, to give Amosun the benefit of the doubt. And Osoba agreed!

Osoba

As proof that he was ready to toe the line of the party, he threw in his weight behind Amosun, thereby making him to coast home to victory over Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, who was the preferred candidate of Gbenga Daniel, a former governor of the state and even former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s candidate, Olurin.

Kayode Ajulo Celebrates Mum

Ajulo

Kayode Ajulo is a notable lawyer. He knows the law like the back of his hand.

But it may be said that law isn’t his first love.

Those who know him very well say the only person who qualifies to be described as his greatest love is his mother; and that the love he has for his mother supersedes all.

Indeed, he confirmed this recently when his beloved octogenarian mother turned 84.

The occasion brought out another side of Ajulo as a powerful writer, one

who knows how to weave words together in a very telling way.

In a piece entitled, “Princess Christiana Monisola O. Ajulo: Celebrating A Quintessential Mother @ 84,� the lawyer wrote: “My mother, Mrs. (Princess) Christiana Monisola O. Ajulo (nee Adedeji) is 84 years old and I cannot but celebrate her on the occasion of her glorious and purposeful 84th birthday. “Over the years, she has come to win the love and adulation of all, who adore her. Beyond her sound sense of elevated style, which is evidently observed in her choice of modesty, give it to Maami, she is an embodiment of humility, decency, grace and warmth. “Despite that she is half-educated, she ensured that all her offspring acquire the best education in different fields of endeavours/ professions. We the biological children are eight in number with several others who passed through her tutelage. Today, to the glory of God, we are all better educated and resourceful. “Despite her limited educational background, my mother remains the best educationist I ever passed through; my first and best teacher ever. I am a lawyer and I

dare say that Maami is my first law teacher. she taught me the rules of life, ethics, values and what it meant to be an �Omoluabi�, a philosophical and cultural concept that describes a man to be of excellent and enviable character . “Maami never spared the rod and as I write this I still feel with nostalgia and trepidation her occasional squeezing of my long ears. Maami is a great disciplinarian, a slave driver. I can vividly recall my first alphabets with her in this interesting mould, she taught me valour, trust, magnanimity, benevolence, integrity, respect for others, boldness, and the virtue of being candid and fearless at all times. “She was trained as a seamstress what today is known as tailor/fashion designer.

She taught me how to sew, which made me to design all my clothes till this day.

Later, she became a textile merchant and subsequently digressed into books and stationery business. “Maami owned the famous TI OLUWA NI ILE BOOKSHOP (NIG) LTD (TONIB) with branches in some cities and towns in the West of Nigeria, namely; Ibadan, Ilesha, Ondo, Akure, Osu, Ikare, Awe and Oke -Imesi respectively.

Kosoko’s Kindness

Though he is currently based in the United Kingdom, Prince Olu Kosoko, who is the Aremo of Iworo Kingdom, Badagry, Lagos, has never severed his ties with his people.

His abiding philosophy is exempliďŹ ed by his oft-quoted words: “I have the sincere love of my people in my heart and this has provoked my passion to do my own quota in human development.â€?

Interestingly, he has kept faith with his vow to his people since he set up a non-governmental organisation, Vanguard Initiative Foundation in 2004 at the relatively young age of 22.

The Foundation aims to help the educational needs of the people in the Badagry Division, Lagos State.

In line with his avowed commitment, the businessman has just successfully conducted a free ďŹ ve months’ tutorial to support secondary school students applying for the Joint Admission Matriculation Board examination in Badagry and Ojo Local Government Areas.

He also gave out free JAMB forms to successful candidates and distributed free educational materials to primary schools.

Commenting on his philanthropic act, he said: “I believe that the youth can determine their future now through shared individual responsibility for the demand of greater governance rather than immediate ďŹ nancial gratiďŹ cation.â€?

Meanwhile, affable Kosoko has also congratulated the Governor-elect of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the party’s standard-bearers in Badagry, Babajide Hunpe, Hon Ibrahim Layode and Hon Setonji David on their victory at the National Assembly as well the Lagos State House of Assembly elections respectively.

He also urged them to fulďŹ ll their electoral promises, especially youth education/engagement and women empowerment, saying all this will greatly transform lives.

Tunde Buraimoh Fetes Daughter at 21 Popular lawyer and member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Tunde Buraimoh, was in a joyful mood last Saturday when his first daughter, Oyinkan, turned 21.

The respected lawmaker did not spare any expense to make his daughter, a law student at the University of Lagos, Akoka, happy on the occasion.

The invited guests were treated to an exquisite 3-course meal prepared by one of Lagos top catering firms, great

wine and specialty cocktails.

The party, which held at the family’s Ogudu, GRA, Lagos residence, was further enlivened by contemporary music from a live band and supported by a DJ. The fabulous soiree was also an opportunity for select guests to celebrate with Buraimoh, the Bamofin of Ketuland, who was overwhelmingly re-lected on Saturday March 9 as a lawmaker representing Kosofe Constituency 2 in the State Assembly.

Kosoko Buraimoh

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LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

Gbenga ! Gbenga ! Gbenga Daniel !

KAI, it is not today that I know you o. When the news started sipping out with the first one stating that you were retiring from politics, I immediately called Duchess to tell her that be watching o, America wonder want to happen. I know you very well o. You are a master of slippery politics, you are king of double speak so you see why I am not surprised at this present turn of events.

Let me tell you one small story. My Oga Albert Okumagba one day as was his style just called and said, oya we are off to Ogun State to see the governor, it was you o. That was how we carried ourselves with our client who was looking for investments in the oil and gas sector. I think your government was doing the usual noises about supporting investments and pulling in serious players into Ogun State. You know the kind of

empty noises you people make just to grandstand. Anyways unfortunately, we believed and carried ourselves to your office that morning. After a short while, you came in with a retinue of aides and we started the presentation. The client, an overtly ambitious young man who went ahead to create seismic movements in his industry spoke from his heart. As he spoke, I could see the lack of interest in your ever-smiling face. Na only me see am o, you know me, I am Ekun. The boy spoke so passionately about how his project would create jobs for your people, increase government revenue amongst others. When he finished, my lord Albert also spoke very eloquently.

I didn’t speak o, even if they had asked me to, I would have declined because I saw your body language. Yours was not this kind talk, it did not seat with your

plans and vision which I dare say must have been very far from the good of the people. After all the talk, you stood up and gave a beautifully empty speech that lasted all of ten minutes. The speech was a study in ‘nothingness’. As you spoke, the words coming out of your ever-smiling face did not carry any weight. They were beautiful, flowery and very prominent in its meaninglessness. After all, we stood up and clapped and you ushered us out of your office into our waiting cars. Kai, in the car the client was so excited. He had swallowed your words, at face value but we as experienced Investment bankers had read the true meaning of your words and were really downcast. This has been your trademark and when you first started with the ‘I am retiring’, then morphed to ‘my people are asking me to lead them to APC’ I just smiled .

Agbaje

Okorocha

Obasanjo

Buhari

JIMI AGBAJE – IS THIS TRUE?

registration centre o, make me sef run away o. My mama na widow.

planning something. My advice to Buhari is to watch out for his birthday or his wedding anniversary or a date that is auspicious because Baba na strategic man o. Ask IBB when he released ‘SAP must get human face’. That time I was in the University of Ibadan black market, eating eba with no meat – me and James Etonirun Bode Shojobi when he released it o. kai, the whole place shake and IBB fear. Mbok come and see debate. Or do you remember when he said what Gowon was going back to Aso Rock to collect, did he forget something? Even the banana peel at the Senate and them the various letters that took down Jonathan? I think he has fired like two letters at Buhari so far. But this Buhari na wizard. He is showing that he knows how to contain Baba. When Baba fire, Buhari will just dodge, asking his boys not to disrespect his boss. Kai this will anger Baba because it is looking like Buhari is turning the other cheek and if you know Baba very well, the paddy like roforofo.

Baba will just fire again with the venom of an earthquake and Buhari will just calmly respond –‘he is my boss and I will not disrespect him’. I just love Buhari on this one. He is an expert in handling Baba. All the Lai Muhammed and El- Rufai types are all Eaglet. They will be carrying dictionary to reply. Buhari will just calmly send baskets of fruits to Ota so that daddy will not go and get high blood pressure, you know the economy cannot sustain state burial at this time. Mbok, Buhari na don dada when it comes to OBJ. so we dey wait for Baba to fire o on this election o. I don cancel all travels and trips to the other room, because I really want to be on ground when the bomb comes as I am sure as hell that it will come. Till then I say to Nigerians, be patient.

this is the young girl whose video went viral recently. She had been kicked out of school for not paying the fees and in a huff, she wondered why she was not flogged and left in school. The video resonated amongst Nigerians thereby embarrassing the Delta State Government and making most of us forget our neighbours and children that we have not paid their school fees to be looking for the small girl’s contact to pay her school fees. The small girl’s hunger for education, her insistent on being flogged to the point where ‘na dem go tire’ touched every vein in every Nigerian that watched the video.

She was really upset as she walked away in her tiny legs still cursing. Kai, this girl and millions like her who have to go through tremendous challenges to get education continue to give me hope for this country.

I can’t wait for Success to graduate and come and lead this country. Did you see her determination, principled position and willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice to be educated in her neat uniform? I remain happy and like I told a creditor who came to collect the money I was owing him, I cannot wait for this generation that Soyinka once called a wasted generation to all come and go. Our children do not see things the way we see it. Our children will not buy votes with loaves of bread or use nepotism and gangsterism to drive fear into people. Now children like success who have sweated and laboured will emerge true leader, I swear. God will keep all the warlords of this world alive to see the true Nigeria - a Nigeria where our children will have access to quality education without being flogged, a Nigeria that would give its people the very best of medical care, expose them to globally envied infrastructure, a Nigeria of our dream. I can’t wait for Success and her generation. Meanwhile, shame to Delta State Government. Olodo government.

You know I will really be very disappointed if it is true that you are leaving PDP for whatever reason. People have started laughing at me. Niyi the big-headed APC stalwart who was my Campaign Manager at the Command Secondary School elections has been laughing the hell out of me. Very early on, he had told me that you were APC and that you were positioned to weaken the opposition. I told him to gerrout.

After I came to your office and took pictures with you leading to threats from my big headed friend and an attempt to ‘ruin me’ by the bow legged dark man in Gbagada, Niyi repeated his position that I was backing the wrong horse. I did not listen o. I took a delegation from the DUKE SUMMIT to meet up with you in Lekki and we had a fruitful two hours of deliberation where you spoke very eloquently on issues and policies that you would put in place for the people. We knew we were a minority but were driven by the need to entrench inclusive politics, government for all and up to the election day, people were still pushing. Now we are hearing that you are about to leave the party or whatever it is that they are saying. Well, I have not yet confirmed officially so will hold back a bit. But if it is true then you just may have finally put a huge big nail on the coffin of your career, confirming all they have been saying about you as an Olympic politician who comes out once every four years.

Well, for me our support was not based on any individual but on the need to firmly entrench good governance, participatory democracy and full suffrage of all Nigerians and we believed that the platform you were running on better illuminated that position.

So whether you stay or not, it is immaterial, it is of no consequence. Because the vision is bigger than any one personality, bigger than party politics and bigger than Nigeria itself.

Mbok, who can direct me to the nearest APC

OKOROCHA – TIRED OF LAUGHING With this my lord, it is one laugh per minute. I saw footage where in a Martin Luther King type voice and oratory, he was lamenting that the DSS and police were undermining democracy. I almost fell from my chair in tears. This brother never seizes to amaze me. Be like say he no dey even read papers to see just how unpopular he has become. My brother no be DSS or INEC or police be your problem, read my lips very carefully – YOU FAILED. Simple!

Kai. Why didn’t you raise your statues to vote for you? You made a mockery of the people, laughed at them, ridiculed them and treated them like slaves as if you did not know that a day of reckoning would come.

The day has come now and you and your son-in-law, commissioner for happiness and the whole throng of court jesters have been dealt a slap of awakening and now you are crying. Bro let’s take a farewell trip around Imo apologizing and begging for forgiveness and then let’s go into full humanitarian works bringing down these statues and possibly selling them to raise much-needed funds for a private sector driven impact developmental initiatives. After all it is not only in government that you can serve the people. You can serve the people in your private capacity. He don do, thank you, you need rest. Na wa.

OBJ – DON’T SPEAK! Baba, don’t speak yet. I kuku trust you, you no dey talk anyhow. You will take your time, go to toilet, eat efo and amala and call your faithful aide and dictate the bomb.

All your letters na time bomb and the one that will come on the back of this election will be Hiroshima. I tell you I dey fear o.

For Baba to keep quiet like this, then he is

SUCCESS ADEBOR -FLOGGING FOR EDUCATION This name may not sound familiar but

Daniel

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LOUD WHISPERS

Odumakin

Tinubu

YINKA ODUMAKIN VS BOLA TINUBU If you have not seen the statement allegedly issued by this Mr. Odumakin in response to what the report claims was his response to an ‘attack’ by Tinubu’s people in a national daily in which he alleged is owned by Tinubu, find a way to read it.

Mbok as I read the statement which has gone viral on social media, I was just pitying Mr. Odumakin.

Everybody knows where I stand when it comes to the Jagaban but this one I no gree.

Oga Yinka went into a cat fight, fighting like someone who was bullied at the village stream. Going below the belt and going personal, telling us very personal things about the lord of Bourdillon, to me this was really low and unbecoming of issues to be discussed on a national platform. So what if Tinubu is 80, is that the issue, is that the reason why the man for the last 20 years has been in charge? If he did not attend his “biological mother’s burial” nko? How does that affect the exchange rate of the dollar and if you were able to print campaign posters for him at 40% less the initial cost nko? Na that one come be our independence anniversary? As the saying goes, as you lay your bed so shall you lay on it. Keep talking about the Jagaban’s toilet habits and his ability to eat five fufu at a go while the daddy is securing himself, entrenching himself and better positioning himself within the scheme of things.

Me I no like the man, but I must say he dey try. He is very hard-working, determined and seems to better understand the system more than the rest of us who are left with nothing but remnants when he has finished with us. Oga Yinka, please withdraw that letter, it is unbecoming of a Man of your pedigree and bring something that men can discuss. This one is looking like the lamentation of a woman whose husband was snatched by the maid. The Jagaban will just be smiling at you and ignore this thing that is like that thing Chuba Okadigbo said about the great Zik - ranting of an ant. Mbok don’t quote me for this last statement. I hear it caused a lot of trouble for Okadigbo. I just used it to illustrate this your dribble. Thank you.

Omo Agege

Fraud is a politician Following the gale of defections and cross carpeting, I had written a serious article on the lack of foundational positional play by our politicians as the bane of our socio-economic development. What most people do not know is that my friends at Ripplesng, usually reach out when they need strong academic inputs on things to do with our politics and I no dey slack. So last week, just before this Gbenga Daniel thing, I had written a thesis which reverberated and was read by millions. I swear. My position was very clear that our politicians are not anchored by any strong ideological foundation which in better climes would see them being labelled as either left, right, centrist etc. so if you go to the US, politicians take positions according to the dictates of the ideologies they subscribe to. So for example, on abortion or immigration, you will immediately know for certain where each person will stand. They rather abstain than cross carpet because they know very clearly that the other side is dramatically opposed to their position. So it will be very difficult to see a democrat subscribe to the immigration policy of a republican government and otherwise and these divisions usually lead to bipartisan bridges where middle grounds are

reached.. but here na any where belle face. Politicians will just be jumping boats at will with no ideology but positioning, greed and avarice being the main driver. So let’s us ask Mr. Daniel for instance what is the APC position on say education, he will just be looking at you with that his smile like a boy caught with his paws in the cookie jar. Or you even ask Atiku who moved from PDP to APC and back to PDP what is PDP’s position on health care delivery or on big or small government. He will ask you how many votes will that answer give him. That, will the answer break Kano for him or help him at tribunal. So you see the problem. Atiku runs with a leftist leaning deputy but with strong rightist tendencies. So Obi talks about welfare in a rightist leaning platform while also pushing for reduction in tariffs and duties in a lesser government involvement in business. You see how it is so easy for these politicians to be jumping around like cats with pants on fire?

We never see the end, dey wait, I won’t be shocked if Atiku himself also jumps; after all, Kingibe jumped na. What else is new?

Fraud is a politician. If you want to read the whole article, please give me a call. I tire for these people.

OMO AGEGE – WHAT WILL YOU DO NOW? They say a court has nullified something thereby casting doubts on your reelection bid. If this is true then we must act very fast.

Mbok, where is the court? I must go and seize the gavel. If the judge can’t find that gavel then the proclamation cannot be law. I must seize it and go and hide it in Shomolu.

What kind of judgment is that? Don’t they know who you are? Or what you represent.

Nigerian politics is really a theatre of the absurd. Is this not the actor who last year did Chinese film at the National Assembly? Na wa. Laugh want kill me. Let me just keep quiet karma is a b…..d. na wa.

M C OLUOMO – GOOD MORNING SIR! Good morning Egbon. Hope you are very OK and you have fully recovered. God will continue to protect you and give you long life so that your enemies will continue to see His wonderful works in your life.

You remain one of the greatest and most accomplished sons of our soil and may you reign long and forever. I hear we all have to come and show you our certificate for final

Yakubu

endorsement without which we may not be able to proceed to our posting. Mbok, please do not vex that I have not come since o. The issue is that since I was named the Duke of Shomolu and crowned at a meeting of all the maiguards in Shomolu at Aiyepe

Avenue near Abiodun bus top, I have not been issued a certificate of return hence my inability to come and submit to you for final endorsement. Please Egbon, ‘ema bi nu si wa’, I am doing everything within my powers to ensure that I get the certificate. I

M C Oluomo

have been the Duke now for over two years within the period I have educated a lot of people on the need to respect constituted authority and also worked assiduously to maintain status quo. So this situation where my staff of office has not been given to me is now of grave concern. Egbon, I am not reporting anybody o, I am also not blaming anybody. I am just trying to explain why you have not seen me just yet. Please bear with me before the next cycle of election in 2023, I would definitely come and see you. Thank you sir and God bless you mightily. You remain my lord.

TUFACE UNDER FIRE Tubaba, what exactly did you do to this your Blackface brother? The man has been firing you and calling you all sorts of names and when he ran out of names to call you, he has labelled you gay. Gay ke, you of all people, father of the nation, gay? Inside the laughter, I have decided to reach out to you to find a way to sort out the problem with your one-time partner before he calls you transvestite. Na that one be senior brother of gay.

RACIST CHINESE RESTAURANT? They say there is a Chinese restaurant operating in Lagos that is racist. They have said they don’t serve Nigerians and as such there has been hue and cry everywhere.

Thankfully my brother Steve Ayorinde sent undercover agents to the restaurant and they found out that the allegations are not true.

Are you minding Nigerians, they would have gone to the place and seen the prices which are truly ‘racist’ and come out to shout racism.

Mbok is it by force to eat Chinese? If you can’t afford it, you no go collect rice from Sanwo-Olu Campaign Organisation and fry the thing with ororo and put alligator pepper and sit down in your house and eat your own ‘Chinese’? The average meal in an average Chinese restaurant cost between N4,000 and N30,000 depending on location and quality of service. So when federal government give person Trader Moni of N10,000 and you enter Chinese restaurant, how won’t you come out to shout racism? The thing almost happened to me once o. I had gone to eat buffet in one of those places with a friend who had just come into town from the UK. As we ate, I began to savor the meal. These Chinese people can cook o, they can even make you forget afang o. I tell you when we finished, they offered us juice. Is it not God I am worshiping?

I said no, they should give us water. After it all, I saw a bill of N32,000. I piss o. I jump up, you know me I cannot shame and in my Gani Fawehinmi voice, I asked for the manager that I don’t understand the bill. Mbok N32,000 for three spoons of rice, one alligator pepper and Ororo? No snail or periwinkle that you will find in a well-made Afang soup. The Chinese man was very calm as he asked for his money. I said I would not pay and started calling Festus Keyamo who did not pick. Fela had died so no need to go there. Femi Falana no like me again, that door too closed. Finally, I called my mum, who advised I pay and not go there anymore.

My people that is how I pay N32,000 for a combined six spoons of rice and ata rodo. But because I be gentleman, I just take the picture of the place to remind me never to go there again. In fact I swore that if by mistake I drive towards there that LASTMA should catch me. That is what would have happened to this fellow who after being slammed with this kind bill don shout racism. Racism ko, apartheid Ni. Nigerians’ kai.

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

24.03.2019

FOR NAFEST 2019, GREAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS The National Calabash used by Rivers Governor Wike to inaugurate the NAFEST 2018

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MARCH 24, 2019

ARTS & REVIEW\\FESTIVAL

FOR NAFEST 2019, GREAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki’s full support and commitment to this year’s NAFEST give culture buffs a reason to look forward to the festival, Okechukwu Uwaezuoke reports

O

ne thing about the National Festival of Arts and Culture never changes. That is the fact that the festival – better known by its acronym NAFEST – plumes itself on every new edition always seeking to surpass the successes of the previous one. Hence, even as culture buffs relish the great moments of the 31st edition, held last year in the Rivers State capital Port Harcourt, many are already looking forward to its next spectacular outing.

Indeed, there is no doubt that the annual rotation of venues among the states of the federation breathes some freshness into this celebration of Nigeria’s cultural diversity, which was established in 1970 shortly after the Nigerian civil war. Still, the festival’s participants from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory regularly have something new to bring to the table through its exhibitions and fairs for books, herbs, food and arts and craft.

This, therefore, is one of the reasons why the Edo State governor’s promise to enrich NAFEST’s cultural content should excite the culture community. Governor Godwin Obaseki had earlier this year at a pre-NAFEST 2019 engagement meeting with the director-general of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe at the Government House in the state capital, Benin City, assured aficionados of the robust presence of the Benin royalty and culture at the event.

More recently, the governor reiterated his full commitment and support towards a successful hosting. This was during a world press conference, organised last Tuesday in Abuja at the instance of the NCAC to flag off the publicity campaign for this year’s edition. Obaseki, represented at the world press conference by the Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs Osaze Osemwengie-Ero, promised Nigerians that his state would host one of the best ever art and culture festivals in the world. His antecedents as the governor, who was instrumental to Nigeria’s first-ever presence at the Venice Biennale, lends credence to the expectations of a better NAFEST. Of course, there is also the fact that the state is riding on the crest of its rich cultural past, whose echoes resound in the present. With this heritage, the governor hopes to enrich and embellish the cultural festival’s growing influence. And there is no gainsaying the unifying effect of culture on an ethnically diverse country like Nigeria.

Nonetheless, hosting a remarkable NAFEST cannot be achieved without security. Hence, the governor disclosed that security measures were being put in place for the event. “We cannot talk about promoting tourism without concern for security,” he argued. “Edo is very safe. We are ready to put in a lot of security measures in place before October.”

In the same vein, NCAC’s Otunba Runsewe prescribed a cultural diplomacy as a means of

DG, NCAC Otunba Segun Runsewe flanked by the Edo State Commissioner for Arts and Culture Diaspora Affairs, Osaze Osemwegie-Ero, Director for Arts and Culture, Moses Obakpolor,film producer, Lancelot Odua Imasuen

curbing the country’s persistent inter-ethnic tensions and conflicts. With Edo State, he hopes the NCAC should be able to showcase the beauty of Nigeria to the world.

“There is a new beginning for us to speak for ourselves,” he said. “Enough of the negativity, enough of hearing bad things about us. We must celebrate ourselves and showcase what we have to the world.

“We are going to have a new beginning in Edo State, come October 19 to 26. If we move from one state to the other, there will be less hate speeches, disagreement and more love. Culture is the secret to make a new beginning for our great country.”

Thus, the director-general stressed that the annual festival demonstrates the critical relevance of culture in forging national unity, peace, mutual understanding as well as for building bridges of love and friendship across the different ethno-religious divides in the country.

Runsewe remains upbeat about the choice of Edo State for this year’s edition of the festival, which he adds “promises to be unique in all respect”.

Enthusing about the state’s “very rich and diverse cultural heritage dating back to several centuries”, he spoke of a “Day of Royal Splendour” as one the NAFEST 2019 distinctive features. This, he added, is an event that will be organised in collaboration with the Oba of Benin’s palace as a tacit acknowledge-

ment of the Benin monarchy’s centrality to the socio-cultural activities of the state.

The task of reviving Nigeria’s cherished cultural heritage as well as the use of culture as a springboard for driving the process of national development, he added, would depend on its traditional rulers’ collaboration with the NCAC. Ensuring the success of this year’s edition, whose theme is “Our Royalty, Our Pride”, chimes well with Runsewe’s mission, which is the strategic turnaround of the fortunes of the national festival into refreshing iconic gathering of the best of Nigeria culture in his less than two years in office. Indeed, Governor Obaseki had lauded his efforts so far as the helmsman of the government agency, which was established by Decree No. 3 of 1975 and amended by Decree No. 5 of 1987 (now Cap N25 Laws of the Federation 2004). “With what you have done with NAFEST, some of us are reassured that Nigeria can rebound in all aspects of our national life and we are proud to have you at the centre as key partner to take Nigeria out of the woods to the promised land,” the governor said.

Otunba Runsewe, who has remained a key player in the country’s media, culture and tourism sectors in Nigeria since the past

three decades, has indeed held various positions such as the executive director of the National Orientation Agency, the director-general of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, the pioneer chairman of the Abuja Carnival Planning Committee, the media coordinator of the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Abuja and Head of Public Relations (Media), at the National Theatre, among others.

Based on his industry track records, expectations swirling around this fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and former newspaper publisher remain very high.

Back to the NAFEST, the Edo State governor’s directives have long gone out for the constitution of a local organising committee, whose terms of reference will be to ensure a stress-free organisation of the festival. Runsewe had during his visit to Benin earlier this year promised to pay detailed attention to the festival’s content. And that, of course, includes its marketing and promotion.

The director-general had also lauded the giant strides and initiatives taken by the governor, who made his state the first in Nigeria to introduce cultural clubs in public schools and also the introduction of culture/tourism desk at Benin Airport as a process of reviving and sustaining Edo culture in the minds of the people and Nigerians at large.

VISUAL ARTS

Relishing the National Gallery of Art’s Legacy Strides

B

esides an implied mandate to collect Nigeria's modern art, the National Gallery of Art has wormed its way into the industry’s consciousness thanks to its penchant for publications.

It is not surprising, therefore, that the gallery devoted almost an entire day to highlight this aspect of its activity.

Indeed, since the years of its pioneer chief executive, Dr Paul Chike Dike, filling the documentation gap in the vibrant local art scene has been its focus. Not even the problem of poor funding has dampened its enthusiasm in this endeavour.

Indeed, the presentation of books and exhibition of publications of the NGA, on Thursday, March 14, at the Radio House premises in Abuja, was the National Gallery

of Art’s outgoing director-general Alhaji Abdullahi Sabo Muku a time to cast a backward glance at the journey so far. “The works you are about to view emanated from our signature programmes such as the National Symposium on Nigerian Art and the Annual Distinguished Lecture series, among others,” he had told the gathering. “The current publication itself is a compendium of National Gallery of Art’s publications showing the developmental stages and how much we have achieved in this direction.”

Muku also hoped that the exhibition, which is designed to encourage reading culture, would help make the works accessible to more people than ever before. “We are also offering them online to a wider public across the world,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, the NGA’s Governing Board’s chairman, Ambassador Azores Sulaiman, informed the gathering that the gallery takes

documentation as seriously as it treats visual arts promotion and empowerment of artists from the length and breadth of the country, adding that “it has grown to become one of Nigeria’s repositories of books and publications in the visual arts sub-sector.”

The one-day event was graced by such distinguished personalities as the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, a representative of the guest of honour and the information and culture minister Lai Mohammed, the director-general of the National Council of Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka-based emeritus professor of art history and criticism, Ola Oloidi and a representative of the chief executive of the National Library of Nigeria, Professor Lenrie Olatokunbo Aina, among others.

Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar at the event

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MARCH 24, 2019

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CICERO

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

IN THE ARENA

That CHANGE May Start With Buhari President Muhamamdu Buhari must pay deserving attention to some of the failings that typified his first term in office and consciously make amends this second term. Olawale Olaleye writes

T

he rebranding slogan of the Muhamamdu Buhari administration, as put together by the Ministry of Information and Culture under Alhaji Lai Mohammed, is “change begins with you”. It’s an idea, which seeks to embrace the challenge and task of rebuilding the country from the individual level and emphasises the concept of roles and responsibility between the leaders and the governed.

However, with respect to this administration, change failed to begin with it in many respects. Indeed, it eluded it in practically all the boxes of expectations of an administration, which vowed to do things differently from what was about the ‘standard normal’ in the governments before it.

The failure of change to take effective root in the government of Buhari in the last four years has been located by observers in the inability of the president to take active charge where necessary and also stamp his feet in areas he was least expected particularly, by paying attention to the functional structure of governance in a democracy.

For nearly the whole of the last four years, government functionaries functioned at cross purposes, a development that not only stalled a lot of things but further earned the government obnoxious reputation, the president especially.

Up till now, no one has explained or apologised to the nation over the disharmony that existed between the Department of State Services and other sister agencies, like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Intelligence Agency and at other times, with the Buhari..will the president change his style now police. This poor working relationship was at a huge cost to the country particularly the repercusin attendance for administrative purposes. sion that the Nigerian people suffered over failure While the SGF is the secretary of FEC, the reason to share intelligence concerning the staggering he is always in attendance with six permanent secreinsecurity that had since plagued the nation. taries, the Chief of staff is to convey FEC decisions to Even amongst active cabinet members, many the president under extract. The NSA is there to deal of the ministers refused to work together, a condiwith security issues by taking note of deliberations tion largely responsible for the below average at FEC. The HOS is there to understand decisions performance of the administration. In some other concerning the civil service and pass them on approstances, a junior minister was reported as having priately, while the SA on Media is to understand the disrespected the senior colleague and all that the decisions taken at FEC and to be able to convey and president did was look away. own the narrative when they arise. This is applicable The failure of the president to rein in some of to a few others, who were just in attendance at FEC. his personal staff, who loomed large, created a This category of people does not have a vote lot of perception crisis for him, such that his wife, whenever issues get to that point and as such, does Aisha, came out a few times to say just about two not have a voice. They cannot even espouse their people and not his husband were the ones ruling own views at FEC, because they are not members. the country. Although she did not name the persons Therefore, those who directly report to the Chief in question, fingers of course pointed at a familiar of Staff, for example, include the Chief Detail; Perquarter. manent Secretary, State House; SA Media; CSO and Moving forward, the president must curtail the the ADC. No minister is by normal structure under excesses of some of these personal staff, who have the Chief of Staff, yet, the current Chief of Staff is done more to undermine the cabinet, no matter how feared heavily, because of the influence he wields. highly placed. After all, the Secretary to the GovThe truth is that the Chief of Staff is not known ernment of the federation, the Chief of Staff to the to the Nigerian constitution and it’s actually a President, the Head of Service, the National Security creation of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Adviser and Special Adviser on Media as well as the since the culture of chief of staff is of the military. It Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement was why Obasanjo picked one of his juniors in the (BPP), who attend the Federal Executive Council military, General Abdulahi Mohammed, otherwise (FEC) Meetings are not cabinet members but always called Baba Ilorin, who was largely commended

as effective and in total control of the Villa, yet, unseen, unknown and unheard of by many.

In fact, under military regimes, what obtained was the head of service and the SGF. Thus, the place of the Chief of Staff is definitely not a civilian culture.

Although peculiar to the American system, it was never part of the Nigerian system before Obasanjo introduced it.

It was also for the same reason that the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua scrapped the office of the Chief of Staff and would rather the principal secretary, State House, in the person of David Edevbie.

But the current Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari has since remained such a power house that many of the ministers fear and defer to him.

It is also no surprise that he was believed to have influenced the nomination of about eight ministers, including Geoffrey Onyeama, Udoma Udoma, Okechuckwu Enelemah, Aisha Abubakar, Zainab Ahmed and Mustapha Baba Shauri. That’s an evidence of how much powers he wields.

And with no Principal Secretary, who ordinarily is in charge of the Vila Admin, Kyari has an expanded role in the presidency, such that many believed he used his office to even undermine the office of the NSA as service chiefs also report to him.

Truth be said, it is the understanding of many that the president needs to be well managed for obvious reasons. Thus, as gatekeepers, there is a school that reckons his role so far is with good national intent. Besides, some of the candidates he was said to have nominated into the cabinet are also ranked as some of the best in the government.

But this does not take away the fact that he largely abused his influence and power. With him (and his veiled allies), he’s maintained a firm grip on the administration. And with such a set-up, even the vice-president is effectively contained in terms of the authority he exercises.

These are some of the structural anomalies of the administration, which the president passed, albeit inadvertently and which of course, were largely responsible for the larger chunk of the failure of his administration. Therefore, if the very essence of the change that the Buhari government signifies must be seen and felt, it must begin with him as the Commander-in-Chief by first engaging in thorough ‘house clearing’.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

Daniel’s Dilemma

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Daniel

ormer Ogun State governor and coordinator of the Alhaji Atiku Abubakar campaign for the entire south, Otunba Gbenga Daniel was strongly in the news for the better part of last week, unfortunately, for the wrong reasons. He had first endorsed the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun even when his party, the PDP had its own candidate, Buruji Kashamu. Not done, days later, he hinted of the possibility of defecting to the APC. Naturally, the development attracted unsavoury reactions from everywhere, including members of the APC he claimed

his supporters wanted him to lead them to. Everyone thought his moves were too hasty, poorly conceived and suggestive of treachery and betrayal of Atiku, who is still in court challenging the outcome of the presidential election.

Truth is that Daniel is said not to be happy about many things in the PDP and believed he was badly treated for the period of the campaigns if not undermined. He didn’t feel appreciated and thought he might have had enough of partisan politics hence his official announcement of quitting earlier in the week.

Whatever his grievances are, he obviously didn’t handle it well and with just a false move, he’s landed on a stone-based slab.

What a dilemma!

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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 ˾ MARCH 24, 2019

BRIEFINGNOTES Time to Fix the Electoral System Intheaftermathofthefalloutsfromthe2019generalelection,ithasbecomenecessarythatthenation’selectoral system is fixed once and for all if the country must deepen her democracy, writes Olaseni Durojaiye

T

here is no gainsaying the fact that the nation’s electoral process is far from being ideal or comparable to what obtains in some countries considered developed. In fact, what obtains in some African countries including Ghana, Senegal and South Africa, where democracy appears to be taking firmer roots are by far better in standard and organisation than what obtains in Nigeria.

In the case of Nigeria, the whole process is fraught with both human and systemic challenges. From registration of voters to collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) and management of uncollected PVCs, which is an abnormality in itself if the system was right, seamless distribution of electoral materials and voting process as well as votes collation votes. One of the resultant effects of the avalanche of challenges besetting the nation’s electoral process is that the poll results are always a product of electoral malfeasance and thus, the resort to the courts to challenge the outcome of the election.

The last election was no different. Rather, the resolve by the Presidential Candidate of the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to challenge the result of the presidential election in court follows the usual pattern.

Given the fallouts from the last general election, it is crystal clear that the nation’s electoral system is not working. Matter-of-factly, the nation’s electoral system is in urgent need of holistic fixing and the time is now.

There is no better time to start fixing the system than now and doing so now will afford a few test runs before it is tested in the next general election, four years from now.

President Muhammadu Buhari had declined to accent to the bill when it was passed by the eighth assembly in the run up to the 2019 elections. In a correspondence to the leadership of the assembly, President Buhari had hinged his decline to accent to the amended bill on reasons bordering on legislation and need for further clarity on some sections of the bill as passed by the Senate. It was deliberate, many now reckon with the benefit of hindsight.

“I am declining assent to the Bill principally because INEC National Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu I am concerned that passing a new electoral bill this far States-Nigeria Law Group had also criticised the decline and into the electoral process for the 2019 general election, which stated that it was a ploy to perpetrate electoral malfeasance commenced under the 2015 Electoral Act, could create some uncertainty about the applicable legislation to govern the process. during the 2019 elections.

“The National Assembly tried to cure the defects of the “Any real or apparent change to the rules this close to the election may provide an opportunity for disruption and confusion in Electoral Act that led to controversies during the 2015 elections.

After the passage, the President kept on giving countless excuses respect of which law governs the electoral process. why he wouldn’t sign the amended Electoral Act. The whole “This leads me to believe that it is in the best interest of essence of not signing the Electoral Act is to rig the 2019 general the country and our democracy for the National Assembly to election. And in the plot to rig the 2019 elections, Rivers State specifically state in the Bill that the Electoral Act will come into comes first and Akwa Ibom State is the second on their list,” effect and be applicable to elections commencing after the 2019 Wike explained. general election.”

No doubt, some of the fallouts from the last elections have Analysts opine that the first step in that direction remains further exposed the inadequacies of the 2018 Electoral Bill as proper legislation. Indeed, the time to revisit the 2018 amended amended.

Electoral Law is now even though the bill will require further For instance, there was poor deployment to which men of the tinkering to take care of some of the issues that plagued the last Nigerian Army during elections are not new and this is mindful elections including the role of security agencies during election of how the soldiers were deployed in the 2014 governorship and how they are deployed during future elections. elections in Osuna and Ekiti States. However, the unfortunate The presidential decline naturally drew criticisms from the drama that played out in Rivers State during the election presupopposition. In his reaction, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike described the refusal as a threat to the country’s existence adding poses a clearly defined role for the military, particularly men of the Nigerian Army, if they must be involved during elections. that it would generate political tension in 2019. According to Interestingly, the accusations and counter-accusations between him, the president’s action was to afford the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) the leeway to rig the 2019 elections. the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Aside Wike, who could be described as an ardent and virulent the Nigerian Army regarding the role of the military in Rivers State during the last elections are still to abate. It is against the critic of the administration, an election observer group, United

backdrop that many continue to call for a clearly defined role for the military during elections.

While it is an aberration to involve the soldiers in election duties, expediency has made it inevitable, given the high propensity for violence, in some states and the fact that the Nigerian Police have consistently showed lack of capacity to contain election violence.

In an interview with THISDAY, a Port Harcourt, Rivers State-based public affairs analyst, Ezeh Wordu noted that the police had shown that they are incapable of handling the violence that trails election in Rivers and Bayelsa States. According to him, the pragmatic route to go is to deploy the military, because the police cannot curtail the kind of violence that has become characteristic of elections in Rivers State.

“The kind of violence that trails elections in the Niger Delta, especially in Rivers and Bayelsa States are far beyond what the police can handle.

I don’t subscribe to military being deployed for election duties but what we witness in Rivers State during elections from 2015 till date requires that the military is involved, because they are better equipped and trained than the Police. But they must be professional about it.”

Also speaking with THISDAY, a political science teacher at the department of Political science, Lagos State University (LASU), Dr. Kolade Adams, posited that to avert a recurrence of the Rivers State incident, there is need to clearly define what role the military will play during the elections and under whose authority.

“If we must involve the military or any security agency at all, it should be a dedicated team and the team must take directives from the INEC chairman or anyone he delegates the powers to. A situation where a minister or any member of the executive arm could use his office to commandeer the military or police for whatever end during election is an aberration. It robs the election of the toga of free, fair and credible; and confers undue advantages on the incumbent government,” Dr. Adams states.

Other commentators harped on the need to deepen the use of the electronic card reader as it has proven to be another lacuna that unscrupulous politicians exploit to raise votes even as they insisted that the process of voter registration still required some form of fine-tuning to check cases of underage voters, which is very prevalent in the North of the country.

Again, putting in place a legislation that makes the use of the Electronic Card Reader mandatory will solve the problem of multiple voters. This has become necessary considering the allegations that the card readers were deliberately not put to use to allow for multiple voting using uncollected PVCs, which the INEC allegedly made available to parties in the elections.

The failure of embracing the use of the card reader is yet another glaring failing on the part of the current leadership of INEC. It is unfortunate that after it was introduced by INEC under Prof. Attahiru Jega over four years ago, the INEC is yet to perfect its usage. It is on such accounts that critics of Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu have continued to insist that he has failed the nation and therefore “must go.”

Whatever it is worth, governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Lagos State during the March 17 election, Owolabi Salis, made similar allegations against the APC during a recent media briefing.

Salis alleged had that “There was multiple voting in favour of the APC during the (governorship) election. INEC officials colluded with APC by releasing unclaimed Permanent Voters Card to the APC. The unclaimed PVCs were then shared among

NOTES FOR FILE

Why Is APC Upset over Extra Polls?

Oshiomhole

A news report in the week had it that the leaders of the APC were not happy that President Muhammadu Buhari didn’t pull his weight in the lead up to yesterday’s supplementary polls in some parts of the country and those slated for other dates. Simply put, they intended for the president to help them rig the polls and this, the president’s spokesperson, Sheu Garba also confirmed.

Unfortunately, this came at a time even Buhari too has had his plate full. His election is still under the greatest scrutiny of all time, with eyepopping evidence of monumental rigging and manipulation staring all in the face. Perhaps, it

would be one crime too many to have shouldered their own burden in addition to the one he is yet to shed.

But talking seriously, what were the governors thinking? Do they mean because they helped to manipulate and rig Buhari’s election, he owed them too? This is what it is anyway. Reports from the governorship and house of assembly elections showed high apathy, yet, the elections produced more votes than the presidential during, which witnessed huge turnout. That the nation’s electoral system ails and in bad shape is not in doubt; the problem is if the political class is willing to have it cured of its infirmities.

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CICERO/ISSUE

The Deadly Scramble for Rivers Rivers State has once again captured the attention of the world as the main arena of conflict and violence during elections. The current battle for supremacy among major political actors and parties is no less a deadly one, writes Ernest Chinwo

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uring the February 23 presidential and parliamentary elections, Rivers State occupied the centre stage in violence. While several people were killed across the state, the attention of the world was drawn to a shootout between the army and hoodlums, especially at Abonnema, headquarters of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state.

While the people counted their losses after the elections, one thing that became clear was the full involvement of the military in the elections.

They saw a familiar but elevated trend in elections in the state. In the past, the police were the ones accused of meddling in the electoral process, escorting desperate politicians to cart away election materials from polling units and collation centres.

But during the recent polls, the people saw that the game has changed and that indeed, it was time for the faint-hearted not to be involved in the slapdash of warriors.

Perhaps, the tone for the new order was set by the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, during the February 12 Presidential Rally of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Igwuruta-Ali, Port Harcourt, where he said the party would claim Rivers State at all cost.

The minister lamented that he and his party men were dealt a raw deal in 2015, when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Nyesom Wike, used the full complement of “Federal Might” to ensure that the state remained a PDP stronghold.

Amaechi, who was also the Director General of Buhari Re-election Campaign Organisation, accused Wike, of lobbying to be returned as Amaechi and Wike...the good old days governor for a second term.

He said: “Whatever PDP wants in Rivers State, we are equal to the task. In 2015, the army tried to arrest me as a sitting governor. least 25 per cent of the votes in the presidential election at all cost, Now, we have a governor, who is trying to negotiate with us, using every arsenal it could garner, including the military. asking us to give him governor and in return, he will support us On the other hand, Wike and the PDP also wanted to retain the for President. He is afraid, isn’t it? We will battle him till the last. state using everything it could muster.

“On Saturday, we are ready for them. They used Federal and While the APC succeeded in narrowing the gap, it did not get State institutions against us. They used to kill our people every up to 25 per cent of the votes and it appeared that Wike would day. Because they want to deny us the right to choose our leaders, be coasting to victory easily in the governorship elections as the they ran to a state High Court judge to give them judgment.

Supreme Court had sealed the fate of the APC that it would not Saturday is our day.” be on the ballot.

In 2015, Amaechi, who was then governor of Rivers State, But determined to make a political statement, the Amaechi-led as the Director General of the Muhammadu Buhari campaign APC adopted a relatively unknown governorship candidate of the organisation, conquered the entire nation for the APC and Buhari African Action Congress (AAC), Awara Biokpomabo, two days to became president. But he failed to conquer his home state, Rivers. the elections as its candidate of choice, and directed its supporters The APC did not get up to five per cent in the presidential electo back the AAC candidate. tion and Wike also defeated then APC governorship candidate, In addition, the APC and its supporters mounted a campaign: Dr. Dakuku Peterside.

Operation Kick Wike Out, almost a declaration that if the APC The party blamed its woes on violence allegedly perpetrated candidate would not get it, Wike must not be allowed to remain by the PDP under the protection of then President Goodluck in The Brick House. This, of course, set the stage for the governorJonathan. But same day during an interactive session between ship and State Assembly elections on March 9. While the APC Buhari and traditional rulers in the state, Wike replied that Rivers wanted to oust Wike and appropriate the state for itself to redeem people would never support violence as being orchestrated by its image, the PDP was set to resist at all costs. leaders of the state chapter of the APC. While the actual election was relatively peaceful compared to Referring to Amaechi, who sang a war song in Igbo Language the violence that followed the Presidential and National Assembly at the APC Presidential Campaign Rally, Wike said leaders who Elections, there were reports of ballot snatching by politicians have imported war songs would not succeed. aided by armed men in military uniform. Indeed at Omerita “Rivers State does not believe in violence and we will not Unit 3, Ward 5, Elele, military men in two Hilux vans were about support any dance for violence. Those who sing other people’s carting away materials at about 1pm when they sighted journalists song for violence, they know what they achieve. They know approaching. They quickly entered their vehicles and took flight. what they gain,” Wike said, assuring Buhari that “Rivers State is But mayhem was let lose at the collation centres when men a peaceful state. It will never be a violent state. I will not support in military uniforms tried to snatch election materials. At some violence and Rivers people will not support violence.” centres, people were killed and scores injured.

In his address, Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Indeed while commenting on the elections after voting in his Rulers, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, urged Buhari to ensure that native home, Rumueprikom, Wike noted that the turnout during security agencies act professionally during the elections and that the election was affected by the illegal activities of the military. the security agencies should not join the fray and complicate the “The way the military acted discouraged people from turning issues of electoral violence. up. The role of the military is to provide security. But it is The Traditional Rulers called for free, fair and credible polls in unfortunate that they directly participated. Police have no role Rivers State and appealed to the president to check the tide of in the elections. The military appears to have taken over police violence in the country. duties,” he said. Also commenting on the conduct of the elections, President Buhari however promised that law enforcement Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, agencies would be asked to respect Nigerians and that elections Emma Okah, expressed dissatisfaction with the involvement of the would be free and fair. He added that nobody would be allowed military in the elections. He noted that thugs in military uniform, to intimidate people. He also said nobody would be allowed to aided by soldiers, were going round the area scaring voters away intimidate people and that the snatching of ballot boxes would be and carting away materials. discouraged.

“If the military will be playing this disruptive role in a democBut it later seemed those were mere rhetoric as events during racy, let them take over so that we know we are in a military the elections proved. The APC wanted to win the state or get at government. But, what the APC and the army want to achieve is

impossible. The people will not allow it,” Okah said.

While the activities of soldiers or men in uniform scared people, it also affected the INEC, as the commission’s staff were forced to flee the headquarters on Sunday, March 10, because of siege by the army. Senior officers of the commission surreptitiously left the commission at about noon when the military took over security, rendering the police to remain as mere by-standers.

Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity of the commission, Edwin Enabor, said they had to leave, because of siege to the office by men in military uniform.

Addressing journalists before leaving the state headquarters, Enabor said: “In fact, throughout the elections we had many reports of insecurity, molestation, harassment and assault on our staff and ad hoc staff and the disruption of the electoral process throughout the state; in all the local government areas with the consequence that yesterday evening (election day) we were unable to see the results.

“Now, it is about 1:00pm, the office is under siege by men in military uniform, Army uniform and the Police, who have taken over the INEC office. They are stopping and screening people and clearing results before they enter the office to the extent that up till now, no collation had been done. So, that is the situation now.”

On the identity of the men, he said, “We don’t understand where the people are deployed from. We are not accusing the Nigerian Army but what we say is that the people in the office right now are wearing the uniforms of the Army.

“So, if they are not from them, we are therefore calling on them to come and rectify the situation and allow our officers to enter with their results without molestation, intimidation and harassment.”

Same day, citing widespread disruption of elections in the State, INEC announced the suspension of the process in the state. In a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Festus Okoye, the commission said it determined that there was widespread disruption of the elections in the state.

The commission set up a fact-finding committee to assess the situation and report back within 48 hours.

The battle then shifted to the boardroom as well as propaganda and outright falsehood by the dramatis personae to sway the commission and the electorate on what should be done to ensure the success of their positions.

But ultimately, the battle for Rivers State is the struggle of control of the treasure base of the nation. But beyond that, it is an ego war between Amaechi, and Wike, over the control of the political space of Rivers.

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Makinde’s Victory and the Resurgence of PDP in S’West The election of Seyi Makinde as the governor-elect of Oyo State might have repositioned the PDP in the South-west, writes Kemi Olaitan

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hen the Oyo State Returning Officer, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, who is the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, declared Oluwaseyi Abiodun Makinde, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of March 9 of the governorship election, polling 551, 621 votes to defeat his closest rival, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 357, 982 votes, the reverberation was felt all over the pacesetter state as the victory signalled the end of the eight-year rule of APC in the state.

While Makinde is expected to assume the leadership of the state come May 29, when he alongside other governors will be sworn in, political watchers could not be more interested in knowing the implication his victory hold not only for the state but the entire South West come 2023.

Clearly, many Nigerians are of the opinion that the fierce contest exhibited in this year’s election by political gladiators in the two dominant parties, the ruling APC and the opposition, PDP, was not about 2019 but because of 2023, when power is expected to move back to the South based on the nation’s present North/South dichotomy. And whatever happens in Oyo State, which is more or less the political headquarters of the region, would be of paramount concern.

At the inception of the present democratic dispensation in 1999, Oyo state like the other states in the region was won by the Alliance for Democracy (AD) with the late Alhaji Lamidi Adesina, elected as the governor. But the PDP tsunami of 2003 was to sweep the party from the region with Lagos State as an exception as the National Leader of the APC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was to be the last man standing among the six AD governors.

The state was to fall back into the hands of the progressives with the election of the present governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi in 2011, after eight years of Governor Rasheed Ladoja and Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, both of the PDP. The election of Makinde has thus returned the state back to the PDP. Given the fact that the state as the political headquarters of the South West will be governed by the PDP for the next four years, many political analysts believed that whatever Makinde makes of his administration would determine the fate of the party come 2023.

With congratulatory messages pouring in for him from far and near despite the fact that the ruling APC in the state did not give him chance to thrive in the election, his electoral success which cuts across all the five zones of the state – Ibadan, Oyo, Oke Ogun, Ogbomoso and Ibarapa – was overwhelming.

This immediately compelled the Ibadan people to start passing judgment on one of their own, Governor Abiola Ajimobi that he failed them and subsequently voted against his party, the APC. It is thus important that Makinde owes it a duty to avoid the mistakes made by Ajimobi, which led the people of the state to turn their back against his party.

The many sins of Ajimobi, which political analysts want him to avoid include involving himself in matters that concern traditional rulers such as the one involving Olubadan, owing salaries and seeing the position of governor as the all-in-all and all-knowing, among others.

Though Makinde in his acceptance speech assured the people of the state that all the promises he made during the campaigns would be kept, commentators insisted that the future of the PDP in the South-west region is in his hands to make or mar. According to them, with only him as PDP governor in the midst of five other governors, who are from the APC, the task ahead of him cannot but be enormous if at all he wants his party to be relevant in the region in the struggle for 2023. His acceptance speech read in part: “The political struggle of the past weeks by the people of Oyo State, particularly the elections which took place yesterday leading to my being elected as your next governor come May this year, reminds me of the Agbekoya struggle of 1968.

“I compare the two historical events, because while the original Agbekoya struggle of 50 years ago was a peasant revolt that kicked against high taxation and tariffs, particularly of farmers by the powers that be, Saturday’s voting pattern, clearly showed your dogged determination in spite of spirited efforts to frustrate you.

“The needless bloodletting, maiming and killings of members of opposition parties, which led to the death of a federal legislator, Hon Olatoye Temitope Sugar and some others was an unfortunate dent on our democracy. I assure the families involved that they will not die in vain. In your valor, you stood up against what you perceived to be mismanagement of your common patrimony brought about by collusion with forces outside of our shores to fleece our treasury, among other obvious misdemeanors.

“Well, there is no need crying over spilled milk and it is for us to move forward together and for me to fulfill my campaign promises to you in the clear understanding that we will take realistic decisions together, because you did not elect me to compensate me for anything, you elected me to fulfill your desire for a better life and God helping me, I will not

Makinde...the future on his mind disappointing you.

“You also made it easier for us by voting in majority of our legislators, which means that we can push through, without ado, all of our people-oriented policies particularly, in critical sectors of education, health and job creation.”

Apart from being in charge of the political headquarters of the South-west, political watchers look forward to seeing Makinde from May 29, playing the yeoman’s role of Tinubu as the only governor left, when the progressives were swept away in 2003.

Indeed, with the support he got from the people of the state, analysts believed that he must deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state such that it would leave up to its name as pacesetter. For the four years that he will be occupying the Agodi Government House, it will not be permissible for him to give excuse for failure as he is the eye of the party, not only in the state but the entire region as a whole.

Despite winning the election for the PDP through a coalition formed with other political parties that include the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) led by Senator Ladoja and

Chief Sarafadeen Alli as the governorship candidate; the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of Senator Olufemi Lanlehin and Social Democratic Party (SDP), led by Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), commentators are of the view that the composition of the people that will work with him will go a long way on how he does the job expected of him.

Interestingly, the state is not in short supply of bright minds, who can deliver at any time. This, of course, will require him picking the best hands rather than relying on political patronage, which can be counterproductive.

Similarly, as the only governor from the party in the South-west, it is incumbent on him to be its rallying point as he is expected to provide the necessary war chest the party would need for any political war that will crop up.

It is worth stating that the victory of Makinde as the governor-elect 12 years after he joined the political fray in the state, puts him in a position to change the fortune of the PDP in his state and the entire South-west region such that come 2023, the party can compete favourably in the region and the country as a whole.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MARCH 24, 2019

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Atiku’s Petition and the Burden of Proof Proving the mind-boggling infractions, which the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar alleges plagued the 2019 presidential election isn’t going to be easy but not impossible, writes Tobi Soniyi

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hen the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shifted the general election in the wee hours of Saturday February 16th, the signs suddenly became ominous that the election which many expected to be better than the 2015 might not measure up to standard.

Unlike the 2015 presidential election, which then president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan conceded and refused to go to court to contest, the 2019 presidential election is being challenged on the grounds of monumental fraud. Other candidates, who are dissatisfied are already in courts or have filed petitions at tribunals challenging the results of the National Assembly, governorship and state houses of assembly elections.

In their petition, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the presidential election results as declared by INEC were not authentic.

Among other claims, they said the data from INEC server showed that their votes were reduced in 31 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In other words, they claimed they defeated President Muhammadu Buhari and his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) with 1,615,302 votes.

Atiku claimed data from INEC’s server showed that he actually polled a total of 18,356,732 votes to defeat Buhari, who had 16,741,430 votes. As such, he rejected the result declared by INEC from the 36 states and the FCT wherein Buhari polled 15,191,847, while Atiku came second with 11,262,978 votes.

The petitioner said the smart card readers deployed by the commission, in addition to accreditation, equally transmitted electronically the results of voting from polling units directly to INEC’s server.

Atiku also said that at various polling units in the northern parts of Nigeria, especially Borno and Yobe, nobody was accredited to vote as voters stayed away for fear of Boko Haram attacks, but returns were made.

He further claimed that the commission published numbers of registered voters before the election but recorded a totally different figure in its Form EC8D (A).

Other allegations made included voters suppression, overvoting, multiple thumb-printing by one voter, use of military to intimidate voters, alterations of results, and other malpractices such as compromising printing of electoral materials and the militarisation of the election. All these allegations can be found in ground 3 of his petition wherein he said Buhari’s election was not valid by reason of corrupt practices.

In grounds 4 and 5, which he titled: ‘Non-Qualification and Giving False Information’, Atiku also claimed Buhari was not qualified to contest for the office of the president of Nigeria.

He said Buhari did not possess the educational qualification to contest the election.

He said: the Middle School Katsina and Katsina Provincial Secondary School which the 2nd Respondent (Buhari) claimed to have attended in his Curriculum Vitae between 1953 and 1956 and 1956 and 1961 respectively were at the material time non-existent.

“In this regard, the petitioners plead and shall found on the archival documents of school system in Katsina, including Middle School, Katsina and Katsina Provincial Secondary School.

“The 2nd Respondent in Form CF001 filled and submitted by him to the 1st Respondent (INEC) at Paragraph C, Column 2, Page 3, under SECONDARY, wrote ‘WASC’, thereby falsely claiming that qualification whereas there was no qualification known as WASC as at 1961.

“The petitioners contend that the 2nd Respondent was at the material time, not qualified to contest election for the exalted office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Atiku also raised the issue of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), because according to him, election was cancelled in many polling units and that by the admission of INEC, the said polling units were 4,171 out of the 119,973 polling units in the country.

He contended that the cancelled election covered 2,906,384 registered voters. When added to the 2,698,773 registered voters in various polling units where election did not take place, there are 5,605,157 voters who did not vote.

He therefore argued that INEC should have declared the election inconclusive since 5,605,157 is more than the 3,928,869 which was the difference in the votes announced by INEC. He attached to the petition results as declared by INEC as well as results computed by his legal team, which in his view represented the actual results of the elections. He also included the electronic collation of results state by state as of February 25.

In Abia State, the petition said Atiku recorded 664,659 votes in the electronic results from the server, against the 219,698 votes recorded by the commission.

In Adamawa, 646,080 votes, instead of 410,266; Akwa Ibom 587,431 votes, instead of 395,832; Anambra 823, 668 votes, instead of 524,738; Bayelsa 332, 618 votes, instead of 197, 933; Benue 529,970 votes, instead of 356, 817; Borno 281,897 votes, instead of

Atiku...will anything change 71, 788; Cross River 572, 220 votes, instead of 295, 737 recorded by the commission.

The document also revealed Atiku had 778,369 votes in Delta, instead of 594, 068; in Ebonyi 565, 762 instead of 258, 573; Edo 677,937, instead of 275,691; Enugu 698,119 instead of 355,553; FCT 419,724 against 259,997; Gombe 684,077 against 138,484; Imo 485,627 against 334,923; Jigawa 539,522 against 289,895; Kaduna 961,143 against 649,612; Kano 522,889 against 391,593; Katsina 160,203.

Kebbi 493,341 against 154,282; Kogi 504,308 against 218,207; Kwara 353,173 against 138,184; Lagos 1,103,297 against 448,015; Nasarawa 344,421 against 283,847; Niger 576,308 against 218,052; Ogun 438,099 against 194,655; Ondo 451,779 against 275,901; Oyo 527,873 against 366,690; Sokoto 552,172 against 361,604; Taraba 442,380 against 374,743; Yobe 306,841 against 50,763 and Zamfara 379,022 against 125,123.

However, the petition stated that the commission inflated the scores of the party in Osun and Plateau states. The document claimed that the party recorded 337,359 votes in the data available in the server, but the commission credited the party with 337,377 votes; likewise in Plateau, the party garnered 273,031 votes, against the 548,665 recorded by INEC in its final collation.

Furthermore, Atiku said he won in four of the states that INEC, declared were won by Buhari. The states are Kogi, Kaduna, Gombe and Niger.

The Task of Proof

It is easier to ask that one be declared winner of an election and to also raise allegation of malpractices but getting admissible evidence to prove them have turned out to be the Achilles heel for many petitioners. Atiku isn’t going to be an exception.

In Buhari vs Obasanjo (2005) 2 NWLR (pt 910) 241, the Supreme Court held that unless and until the petitioners have satisfactorily proved their entitlements to reliefs sought, no duty arises on the part of the respondents to lead evidence.

Therefore, if Atiku and PDP fail to prove their claims, Buhari and APC will not need to call evidence to prove that they won the elections. How does Atiku hope to prove his claims, some of which even included crimes, which the courts said would require proof beyond reasonable doubts? The petition provides some clues.

Most of the documents he plans to rely on are in the custody of INEC. He stated in the petition thus: “The 1st Respondent (INEC) is hereby given notice to produce the originals of documents in its custody/made by it, which are in this petition pleaded in their secondary forms at the trial.’ Therein lays the problem. Possible scenarios may arise from this. INEC may fail to produce the records or may produce documents that contradict what he pleaded. Yet, the petitioner will still be expected to prove his case.

The level of proof to sustain allegation of malpractices is even much stricter. By virtue of section 135 (1) and (2) of the Evidence Act 2011, they are to be proved beyond reasonable doubts.

Discharging this onus is going to be tough for the petitioner. This position was affirmed in the case of Buhari vs INEC (2008) 19 NWLR (PT 1120) 246.

The courts, over the year, have shown tendency to side with whoever is declared the winner of an election. No one can rule

out the influence of corruption in such decisions. The courts have therefore laid down stringent conditions for a petitioner to succeed in an election petition.

President Muhammadu Buhari was himself a victim. But today he is a beneficiary of a system he once bitterly complained against.

Odds Stacked Against Atiku

Delivering the Adegboyega Awomolo colloquium on Integrity and Accountability as Pillars of National Development in 2015, a former chairman of the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission, Dr. Chidi Odinkalu stated: “The courts have been at best cavalier and self-serving in their attitude to issues of electoral legitimacy, regarding them as no better than customary neighbourhood disputes to be decided by black-letter lawyering and settled by the rules of evidence, pleadings, practice and procedure.

“The Electoral Act creates electoral crimes such as electoral corruption, provides for elections to be invalidated for corrupt practices, and authorises the courts to set aside electoral outcomes that have been procured through processes that are not in substantial compliance with the principles of elections.

“Nigeria’s courts and legal processes have, however, subverted these provisions in three ways. First, contrary to the clear provisions of the Evidence Act, they claim that any allegation of corruption in an election petition must be proved to the standard of criminal law, i.e., beyond reasonable doubt.

“Second, even where they have set aside elections on grounds of corrupt practices, Nigerian courts do not order any criminal investigations or prosecutions for the crimes established. It is as if our judges believe election rigging is an act of nature without human agency. Thirdly, they have created insurmountable burdens of proof that cannot be discharged by even the super-natural.”

He cited the case of Muhammadu Buhari v. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) & 4 Others, where the Supreme Court took this tolerance of electoral corruption to a level of diabolical absurdity.

In this case where even INEC admitted that ballot papers were not serially numbered and the Court of Appeal found as a fact that this was indeed the case, a four-judge majority of a sevenperson Supreme Court panel spectacularly concluded that: ‘Non-serialisation, if it had benefits and advantages, was not exclusive to the respondents. I do not see any proof by the appellant that the respondents had benefits or advantages over and above the appellant on the alleged non-serialisation of the ballot papers. I do not see that the non-serialisation favoured the respondents and disfavoured the appellant.’

As pointed out by Odinkalu, “If ballot papers are not serialised, the only result, one would think, must be that there are no elections to begin with because it is impossible to control in such circumstances for contamination of the ballots.”

Not done, he asked: “Thus, the question of whether or not any party has benefitted from failure of serialisation does not arise in the first place, for no one should be speaking about that.

To accord judicial stamp of approval to alleged elections with no serially numbered ballot papers is therefore to fundamentally mis-understand the nature of elections or willfully dis-regard or destroy the people’s will in constituting their government.”

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MARCH 24, 2019

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Osun as Caution to Election Riggers ThesackingofGboyegaOyetolaoftheAPCasgovernorofOsunStateisaclearwarningtoprospectiveelectionriggers thatthejudiciaryismorethandeterminedtofixthewrongsinthenation’selectoralprocesses,writesOlaseniDurojaiye

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he verdict of the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sacking the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2018 Osun State Governorship Election, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola and affirmed candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ademola Adeleke as the rightful winner of the election has no doubt opened a new vista in the history of governorship elections in the country.

Historically, it is not the first governorship election result announced by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to be upturned. That credit belongs to Mr. Peter Obi. He had contested the 2003 Anambra State governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Upon the completion of the election, INEC had pronounced Dr. Chris Ngige, candidate of the PDP in the election as winner.

In what turned out a landmark judgment, the election petition tribunal sacked Ngige and pronounced Obi the actual winner of the election. The Appeal Courts sitting in Enugu, Enugu State went ahead to affirm the verdict of the tribunal and Obi thus assumed office afterwards.

After the Obi experience, there had been other cases, including that of the Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi; his then Osun State counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola and later, a former Edo State governor and now the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole. They were all beneficiaries of judiciary’s benevolence.

The election that has now been nullified was indeed a hard-won victory, given the maneuverings, deft political moves and manipulations that the ruling party allegedly deployed in the days leading to the re-run, which the tribunal described as illegal in the first place.

And because two of the polling units in which the re-run election took places were perceived as strongholds of candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Iyiola Omisore, who came a distant third in the election, APC stalwarts immediately moved in on him and eventually struck a deal with him to deliver the two units for their party.

Sources had alleged that in the high-wire politics that culminated in the deal, the APC had agreed to offset a substantial part of the SDP candidate’s campaign expense. He was also alleged to have been promised a soft-landing in his prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for his alleged role in the DasukiGate saga. THISDAY could however not independently confirm this.

Eventually, Omisore played along with APC and ensured that the party won resoundingly in the two units in his Ife North Local government, even though it was the PDP that first approached him for collaboration in the election.

However, the verdict of the Osun State Governorship Adeleke Election Petition Tribunal stands out on two fronts. First, it will certainly throw up for debate and legal interpretations, University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, who cancelled the results in the seven affected units after the announcement, the practice of inconclusive governorship election in the had no powers to have done so. nation’s electoral system. Second, it sounded a strident note Though the verdict of the tribunal is likely going to be of warning to election riggers. tested as the APC appeared poised to appeal the decision at No doubt, this is a welcome development at a time when the appellate court, as it stands, however, the interpretation inconclusive governorship election was fast becoming the is that the judiciary having had its image severely battered new normal in the conduct of governorship elections in in recent time appears ready to redeem itself by playing its the country even as many commentators lamented the constitutional role of interpreting the laws of the land without inconsistencies of INEC in declaring governorship election biases. inconclusive, bearing in mind the breakdown of the last Needless to say the decision is also a good one for the governorship election in Ogun State.

Judiciary. The verdict signposts the determination on the part In declaring Adeleke the rightful winner of the #Osunof the Judiciary to play its part in the quest to fix the nation’s Decides, the tribunal made two far-reaching decisions with electoral system. This could glean from the declaration that huge prospects for sanitisation of the nation’s electoral returning officers have no powers within the ambit of the system. Interestingly, this is what commentators, observers law to declare election inconclusive, because elections were and pundits have all along been advocating. cancelled in some units due to irregularities. Until the Appeal The tribunal declared that the re-run conducted on Court rules otherwise this is a welcome development and September 27, in seven units in the state was unconstitucapable of sanitising the nation’s electoral process. tional and unknown to the law. The majority judgment read Some analysts interpreted the ruling as an admonition to

by Justice Peter Obiara also deducted the number of votes politicians to approach elections with the aim of campaigning collated during the re-run from both the APC and PDP and consequently deducted over 2000 votes from the votes of the for votes legitimately as against resorting to underhand tactics that undermine the credibility of electoral process, which was ruling party and over 1000 votes from the votes of the PDP. what characterised the Osun re-run elections.

Thereafter, it declared Adeleke of PDP, who had scored the Analysts further maintained that by ruling that re-run elechighest number of votes in the initial election as the winner. tions are unknown to the law was an unambiguous warning Prof. Joseph Fuwape had said the election was inconcluto unscrupulous politicians, who have perfected the act of sive, because 3,498 votes were cancelled as a result of ballot box snatching that occurred in some polling units during the disrupting voting exercise when the tide is against them in anticipation that a re-run would afford them a second chance election. to undo what went against them during the first ballot.

The Justices further held that the returning Officer of the The verdict of the tribunal also marks the return of the election, Fuwape, who is the Vice Chancellor of the Federal

PDP to the political hemisphere of the South-west given that the party would now control both Oyo and Osun States, if the latter finally went its way. Before now, the APC controls all the six states in the South-west geo-political zones after it uprooted the PDP from Ekiti State.

While it is remains to be seen how the APC reacts to the verdict, it is certainly not a good one for the party. Those who hold this view argued that unless a superior court rules otherwise on the status of re-run elections, the party will lose five of the six states where governorship elections have been declared inconclusive even if the re-run elections goes ahead as planned for yesterday by the INEC. The states where INEC earlier declared elections inconclusive include Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Kano, Plateau and Sokoto. According to the results so far released by the electoral umpire, PDP leads in all but Plateau State.

Quite unexpectedly, some pundits have also posited that the verdict of the tribunal will serve as a fillip to the resolve of the PDP standard bearer in the 2019 presidential election to challenge the results as announced by INEC. But more importantly, the verdict was coming at a time when many observers are miffed with the many flaws associated in the nation’s electoral system such that they have continued to call for it to be fixed. Could this be a reaction to the call?

Is the judiciary ready to lead the process of fixing the problems associated with the nation’s electoral process? The answer lies with time, master of the fears and worries of the mortal. Nevertheless, the concern is valid considering that the laws allow for a testing of the tribunal’s verdict at the Appeal Court.

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Amosun and Akinlade during the campaigns

Ogun 2019: The Joke Not on Amosun!

Amosun may have lost his bid to install a successor from Ogun West, the narrative of being humbled is greatly misplaced, writes Olaseni Durojaiye

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he 2019 governorship election in Ogun State may have been settled for now and Mr. Dapo Abiodun announced as the eventual winner. However, on account of the interplay of forces, political scheming and deft maneuverings that characterised the election, it is worthy of some interrogations on many fronts, particularly as it concerns the quest of the people of the Ogun West Senatorial district to produce the governor of the state and the contrived narrative that the outgoing governor of the state and senator-elect, Ibikunle Amosun was humbled.

Amosun was defeated but was he humiliated or humbled?

That cannot be correct. Considering the many political gladiators that rallied against him and the Armanda of political arsenal and forces massed up to undo him, Amosun could not be said to have been truly humbled even as he failed in his quest to ensure that the Ogun West zone gets the chance to govern the state after 43 years of its creation.

The forces Amosun stood were though a legion, certainly not as formidable as many would have expected. They include but not limited to the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; two former governors of the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel, who are both tested grassroots politicians in the state; National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomole; governor-elect, Dapo Abiodun; the Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Solomon Adeola, who was rattled out of the state over his desire to be governor; the Senator representing Ogun East zone, Buruji Kashamu, who is also a candidate in the race but aligned to see the back of Amosun; billionaire philanthropist and lotto magnate, Chief Kensington Adebutu and his son, Ladi.

There was the senator-elect for Ogun East and Amosun’s ex-Chief of Staff, Tolu Odebiyi; candidate of the ADC in Ogun State, Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka, who was said to have had an understanding to remain in the race and divide the votes of Amosun’s candidate from the West also played along; there was Abiodun Akinlade, a former House of Representatives candidate from Ogun East, who had always wanted to be governor but aligned with anti-Amosun forces out of sheer envy; there was the Senator-elect, Lagos East Senatorial District, Bayo Osinowo, who was deployed to the state by their Lagos master.

Also on the other side were persons like Amosun’s Commissioners for Commerce as well as Culture and Tourism, Bimbo Ashiru and Muyiwa Oladipo. Added to the politically intimidating list are several scores of their foot soldiers, some of whom are former state assembly members, local council

chairmen and former commissioners among other political offices.

Even then, Amosun was far from being humiliated. He, indeed, gave a good account of himself as a formidable political force in the state and the greatest grassroots politician of all time. The results of the election buttress this contention.

A look at the governorship election results revealed that while the candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Amosun’s choice, Adekunle Akinlade polled 222,153, the governor-elect, Abiodun polled 241,670 and the margin of lead was 19,517 votes, with cancelled votes put at 20,969.

An analysis of the results showed that the forces against Amosun heavily mined votes from the Ogun East zone, where more than a handful of the political gladiators hailed from. And this is besides that Abiodun is from the zone. A breakdown of the results from the axis also revealed that Abiodun won in all the local governments in the area except in Ijebu North Local government, which was won by homeboy, Kashamu.

In the whole, Abiodun won in Ijebu-Ode, Odogbolu, Odeda, Ijebu North-East, Sagamu, and Ijebu-East. He also won in Remo- North, Ogun Waterside, Obafemi-Owode and Ikenne Local Government Areas; all in the Ogun East Senatorial District of the state.

On his part, Akinlade, of course with the clout of his promoter and his nerve-racking campaign, won in six council areas spread between Ogun West and Central Senatorial Districts, including Abeokuta-North, Egbado-South, Ewekoro, Ipokia, Ifo and Ado-Odo/Ota council areas.

Armed with the breakdown of the results and the forces of against Amosun, a defeat with 19,517 vote differential simply exposed the lie in the narrative that he was humiliated, even when the cancelled votes were in excess of the margin of lead.

This is besides the argument among some pundits, who insisted that going by the ‘Principle of Margin of Lead’ cited

by INEC officials, who declared elections in states like Benue, Kano, Plateau, Bauchi, Adamawa and Sokoto inconclusive, same ought to have been applied to the case of Ogun State Regardless, the joke really is certainly on the notable politicians of the Ogun West stock and by extension some of their associates outside of the zone but within the state, who aligned to defeat their own, after 43 years of seeking to rule the state.

Historically the zone has never produced an elected governor of the state. The pendulum of governance in the state has always swung between the Ogun Central, where Osoba and Amosun are from and Ogun East, where the late Olabisi Onabanjo, Daniel and now Abiodun are from.

But the inability of the zone to produce a governor for the state is not out of lack of push for it; rather, it has always been a case of inability of major politicians from the area to forge a united front in the push for it.

This was the case when former President Olusegun

Obasanjo attempted to push for Retired Major General Tunji Olurin during the 2011 general election. At the same time, Daniel pushed for Isiaka while Amosun ran on the ticket of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and eventually won the election.

Political watchers in the state contended that had the zone agreed on a consensus candidate in 2011, the zone irrespective of its numerical weakness (which is a façade) would have produced a governor for the state. But alas, it was not to be and Amosun rode to victory on the back of that disunity and a political agreement between his political movement in the state and that of Osoba.

Similar scenario has again played out in the 2019 election.

Isiaka threw his heart in the ring even when he was certain his chances were slim especially, after the presidential and national assembly elections, where he performed dismally.

No doubt, it is within his constitutional rights to aspire to govern the state. However, he would for a long time battle to dispel allegations that some parties in the election goaded him on to play the spoiler role in Yewa zone for whatever reason.

Interestingly too, others posited that the inability to come up with a consensus candidate betrays the lack of unity of purpose among the proponents of a Yewa governor for the state. Those canvassing the position argued that the quest was more of personal interest as against regional interest.

As one observer, who is familiar with the Ogun State politics posited, the quest for a Yewa governor for the state might continue to suffer until two things happen: politicians from the zone must come together, jettison personal interests and forge a united front. They must also fend off destabilising interests from the two other zones, who often times play politicians from the zone against themselves.

Agreed that Amosun may not have handled his push to have Akinlade succeed him, that is not enough to justify the narrative that he was humbled. What more, was the way Abiodun emerged APC candidate ideal? Amosun was simply outfoxed by the formidable political forces that he was up against, which is not a new occurrence in politics.

In the final analysis, it goes without saying that the outgoing gave a good and impressive fight and the fact that he secured a senate seat further confirms same. He didn’t actually lose in this contest, rather, the joke in on those, who forged a front against him and still could not secure a clean win to prove their worth or standing in the political calculus of the state.

Against the foregoing, clearly the joke is not on Amosun even with his inability to install a governor of the Yewa extraction. Rather the joke is more on politicians of the Yewa stock, who yet again scuttled the move for a governor of the state coming from among them and their associates from outside of the zone. It is around their necks that the medals of shame dangle.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MARCH 24, 2019

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Saraki: Not a Lot to Sacrifice for Being Different With the political leadership of Kwara State wrested from the grip of the outgoing Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Olawale Olaleye examines some of the factors that left the sweeping defeat of his party in the state

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t would be naïve to assume Senate President Bukola Saraki didn’t ponder the possibility of an invasion from the already and clearly identified enemy camp. What, perhaps, he might not have envisaged was the extent to which they planned his political annihilation – leaving nothing to chance.

But as it eventually turned out, the results of all the elections – presidential, national assembly, governorship and state assembly – in Kwara State were an anti-climax. The party and structure that had been in control of the state since the return of democracy in 1999 was retired in all of the elections.

Thus, to fully understand the weight of what happened in Kwara, one of the simplest ways to put it is that Saraki’s political structure, which he inherited from his late father, Dr. Olusola Saraki otherwise called Oloye, moved from a position of total control of all the elective offices in the state to currently having none.

Of course, except for the undiscerning, in a normal election, which features the same level of discontent against him, Saraki’s hold on the state could have been reduced significantly, but to say he would lose all belies simple logic.

His defeat in Kwara was no doubt orchestrated, and executed from a place higher than those who claimed the victory locally, even when a majority of them can hardly muster their households to the poll. Whilst many of those angling for his exit would pass as mere e-rats, others were elites, who sat in the comfort of their homes in different parts of the world and watched their prayers answered.

It is therefore pertinent to emphasise, at this point, that the O to’ge movement as an idea was a façade, the actual factors responsible for Saraki’s defeat is beyond the comprehension of the locals as they had nothing whatsoever to do with it. The movement was the cover; the real plan was insidiously orchestrated and pushed to fruition.

Therefore, do not be surprised if the real brains behind the temporary collapse of the Saraki dynasty smirk at the folly of those taking the glory for what they had no clue how it came about.

Naturally, since the elections and their shocking outcomes, many people had toyed with different postmortem analyses and contemplations on what might have happened on February 23 and March 9 elections respectively.

But unknown to a majority of the people, since the many failed attempts to get rid of Saraki as a senate president especially that his leadership of the Senate and National Assembly had always come handy as the reason for some of the failures of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in the last four years, some of the president’s men were since determined and had glibly boasted they would use the elections as payback for Saraki, often reiterating their desire to retire him politically, both from the senate and the control of Kwara.

Some of them even contemplated burying him by ensuring he is not politically relevant again on all counts, short of admitting they already had a solid plan to make it happen. However, those angling for his fall didn’t hide their disdain for him.

The list is long but not limited to some of those who had publicly declared war against him. And when you ponder, albeit for the discerning, it was not because these people had any intelligent plan to take out Saraki except that they banked on the presidency’s full weight to take him out, since they could not afford the return to the senate of an individual they all concluded was the problem of the government, the president and the presidency, being Nigeria’s number one lawmaker, who effectively deployed the powers of his office to checkmate the presidency. But when you are done toying with these ideas, you’d want to ask: what were his sins, really? Here is one. He had insisted that the APC, which he helped to install, should embrace an all-inclusive government, based on justice in which offices are properly shared among the legacy groups that formed it.

Curiously, this has always been the position of the wife of the president, Aisha Buhari, but Saraki’s bravery pitted him against the party establishment. Many of them saw his emergence as Senate President against the wish of party establishment as a coup and therefore not forgivable. They openly assaulted him throughout his tenure, often without regards to the rule of law and constitutionalism.

The attacks, of course, would not play down on the fact that the outgoing senate president had always rooted for the independence of the legislature and the judiciary with inherent checks and balances as separate arms of government particularly, in a presidential system of government. He canvassed inclusiveness and justice in a multi-ethnic modern state as well as the need to develop system and

Saraki institutions as against building individuals, while seeking the need for a virile opposition in a democracy.

Unfortunately, those who controlled the levers of power at the top considered his position as sheer dissent to the ruling APC, which they reckoned created an opposition within in the National Assembly and the party as well as prevented them from benefitting in the ways they deemed best.

Thus, for abandoning the ruling party to become the national leader of the opposition PDP, contesting for the presidency and creating a scenario of the number three citizen against the number one, before becoming the Director General of the campaigns of the leading opposition candidate, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, had created the much needed atmosphere and opportunity to move against him, stealthily.

The APC was all out against him menacingly.

From massive security deployment to indulging the APC in the state and deploying a police commissioner of choice, it required no spiritual consultation before determining where the election was headed.

In fact, one of the incumbent senators from the state, who was a candidate in the election, Rafiu Ibrahim (Kwara South) was arrested on the eve of the polls and was only released after the elections.

Many other foot soldiers of the Saraki political machine allegedly suffered similar fate, while others scampered to safety. And you thought he was fairly defeated?

With obvious official backing, which guaranteed the APC could get away with ‘blue murder’, the Saraki group was simply overwhelmed, forcing the structure to yield and of course, that paved the way for the APC victory and celebration.

Interestingly and against the thinking of his

traducers, Saraki chose to stand on better grounds of decency and maturity. Rather than being drawn out for further humiliation, he accepted his fate and took the defeat in his stride. Like a true democrat, he also acted right by congratulating the winners and wishing them best of luck. He had since returned to Abuja, to gracefully complete his current mandate.

Without doubt, Saraki might have his faults too, some of which might have aided the Kwara invasion, including the not-so-impressive performance of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed in almost eight years; he is not the devil that his adversaries struggle to paint. He has definitely set a high standard in civilised politics. He remains the smart, intelligent, urbane and cosmopolitan Nigerian politician with a secure place in the foreseeable future. And when you consider his age, capacity, efficiency and experience, he not only will rise again, he is certainly a material for the future.

It also offers an interesting study in advanced political science classes that a certain people from a certain state in a certain country chose to give up their son, who occupies an eminent position in the country for those who cannot pull a string and therefore amenable to being muscled by better positioned forces in the body polity.

That he is finishing good, both as a senator and the Senate President with more achievements and walking away with the trophy as the leader of Nigeria’s most productive senate, the invaders can have their days for now, Saraki definitely will bounce back even to the shudder of the hypocrites, who think he is their problem, when indeed, they had always contributed their quota to the collective challenge in Kwara. But for now, it is okay to pay the price of daring to be different.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MARCH 24, 2019

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CICERO/ENCOUNTER

PROSPER OKONKWO

There is No Sickness Called AIDS For Dr Prosper Okonkwo, the Chief Executive Officer of the APIN Public Health Initiative (former AIDS Prevention Initiative for Nigeria), fighting HIV/AIDS and intervening in public health is a way of life. Recently, the President, Muhammadu Buhari launched the Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey, NAIIS, which showed that HIV/AIDS prevalence has dropped sharply in the country from 3.1 in 100 to 1.4 in 100. Speaking to Samuel Ajayi, Okonkwo says he is personally fulfilled that at last, their work of the last 17 years is now yielding positive results

L

ooking back, how old is APIN, that is the AIDS Prevention Initiative for Nigeria, though I am aware you have now changed your name?

I think we have to tell the whole story.

We started in Nigeria in 2001 as a project of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, the United States of America. The School came to Nigeria and started an organisation called APIN. I joined in 2004. As we moved on and started doing different things, we saw the need to become an indigenous organisation on our own. In 2007, APIN became registered in Nigeria as a local entity with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, and we had a board of directors. As a project, we have been here for 18 years but as an independent Nigerian organisation, we have been here for 12 years.

Can you say the mandate has been met?

I can say it is an ongoing mandate. I can say we are working towards achieving the objectives of the organisation which keep evolving. When Harvard set up in 2001, the objective was to build capacity in Nigeria which is to build infrastructure and research around the HIV/AIDS issue in Nigeria. We were only thinking about the treatment that time but in 2003 to 2004, the infrastructure, that is human resource and laboratory were in place and these became good launching pads for our treatment programme and today, we are one of the leaders in the treatment programme area. Today, we work in about eight states of the federations, managing about 250,000 cases which are about a quarter of the patients in Nigeria.

Why I cannot say the objectives have been met or not is that as we are doing things, new objectives are emerging but I can say we have built enough structures to deal with emerging trends. When we started, we were called the AIDS Prevention Initiative of Nigeria, APIN, and then as we evolved, we became APIN Public Health Initiative because we felt that one, the HIV programme we were doing has become a matured programme because patients are now living longer and also that we have built enough structures, systems, networks and collaborations that we felt we could use of other things. For instance, I wasn’t trained to do HIV but here I am. So when we wanted to do malaria or reproductive health, they would say no, your name is about HIV. But right now, we are working in the North-East on a World Bank project called N-SHIP (Nigerian State Health Investment Project).

We are doing this in Gombe, Adamawa and Bauchi.

There is also a programme called Save One Million Lives which has to do with childbirth-related issues. It is estimated that about a million women and children die in Nigeria from childbirth-related issues. So the World Bank and the Federal Ministry of Health came together and felt that if we could improve on some indicators, we can bring this down. The role we play there is called the Programme Support Unit, PSU. They have zoned the country into six zones and we PSU for South-east zone and Benue State. The states are being funded by the government but our work is to provide a technical assistant. So these are the reasons I can say we have achieved our mandate or not because things keep evolving and coming up. But we can say we are happy with what we have achieved.

Your operations are modelled after any reputable corporate organisation as your set-up is well organised and functional. But that cannot be said of governmental organisations which you have to deal with all the time. How have you been coping with governmental bureaucracy and the attendant lackadaisical attitude that goes with it?

I think this is very important. From day one, we have had to work with government institutions. I think one of the things that have worked is the fact that the government knows that most of the works we do come

Okonkwo from founders who work with deadlines. And the option of not doing well does not even arise because it will cost a lot of things. Let me say that there will be issues but to get the good results that we all desire, we must do things differently. I can tell you that most of the states now know that there are ways we do our work and there are deadlines and if these deadlines are not met, it could affect the funding. We had difficulties in the beginning but things are shaping up.

Now, talking about governments at different levels, it could be different at different levels. At the federal level, things are much easier and in some states, things are better than other states. But what it has taken is persistence. We are working in six states and we need to do retreats but only two states have agreed that we come and do the retreats. Others are just saying well, you hold on till after this or that. It is there, but it is improving. In the same vein, a lot of people who work with us at the federal level are also part of the system

and are beginning to understand.

Right now, the US government budget for this year for this country is being discussed in South Africa and the director-general of NACA is there. Segilola Areoye, who is the director of HIV, is also there. So everyone is becoming part of the language but as the level goes down, the knowledge decreases.

How do you deal with the myth around HIV/ AIDS among Africans? I mean like someone saying, as in other African countries, that he has to sleep with an albino to get cured and stuff like that.

We have but let me bring more important things.

If you do what is called Knowledge, Attitude and Practice, KAP, on 100 people, you find that about 95 people have knowledge about HIV, either he or she believes it is real or not. But where the challenge comes is the knowledge-behaviour gap, KBG. This means that

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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 ˾ MARCH 24, 2019

CICERO/ENCOUNTER t SHARP DROP IN HIV/AIDS PREVALENCE HAS VINDICATED APIN!’ t Continued from Page 78

Okonkwo in a chat with Prof. Adewole, Minister of Health people know but they don’t do. So what we discover that doctors are important but social scientists are also important: how could someone know that if he puts his hand in fire it will burn him and yet, still does it.

For us, we felt that while we are doing well on the medical side, the social systems of poverty, education and so on must be dealt with.

Like a female sex worker who knows she must insist the client must use protection but will still allow someone without protection but who is willing to pay double the fee. She has to do this because of economic reasons: she has bills to pay. So what am I saying?

What we know at times is different from what we do. So most programmes we do now, you bring eight professors but someone will be looking and asking: where is the social scientist? Doctors will say this is twenty percent but the social scientist will ask: why is it twenty percent?

So are you achieving anything in that regard? I mean the knowledge-behaviour gap issue.

Well, HIV prevention work is not Jack of all trade.

Everyone is funded to do different things. We are interested in prevention but there are people who are in qualitative work on HIV. How is your work in areas of malaria, tuberculosis, maternal health and so on?

Tuberculosis and HIV are like husband and wife; the two cannot be separated.

How? AIDS means Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. The syndrome is a collection of diseases. There is no sickness called AIDS. Tuberculosis is the number one killer of patients that have HIV. Let me explain this way. If we take chest x-ray of two of us here, there is a small, whitish thing that looks like chalk there. If we are okay, it remains like that until the rest of our lives. Different infections come into our body but our natural immune systems keep them at bay. Once we have HIV, those abilities are lost and all sorts of things will manifest. We deal with TB because most of our HIV works involve TB. For reproductive health, a lot of things that have to do with family planning are happening in the Save One Million Lives project. There are six things used to measure this: family planning and that is about contraceptive prevalence rate; immunisation coverage for children, third is still-birth, nutrition, long-lasting insecticide net and percentage of pregnant women attended to. To answer your question,

we are still open to opportunities. There is another grant from a university in the United States we are working on to deal with infant mortality rate. You find out that for children under the age of five, 45 of their deaths happen within the first 28 days. So if we can manage the first 28 days of life, you have dealt with 45 percent of death before the age of five. And we know that three things: premature births, infections around birth and complications are the greatest causes of these deaths. So there is some bio-medical equipment they are bringing into Nigeria and we are looking to partner them to make these things available, not free but at a very little cost.

Recently, you launched the National HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey, NAISS. It was a major event in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. Can you throw light on this?

What has happened is that before now, estimates have been used to say this was the number of patients we needed to treat in Nigeria and these estimates were based on what we have done before. The idea was that every other year, they took samples of pregnant women at ante-natal clinics to determine the number of people that needed treatment across Nigeria. But over the years, the numbers were increasing and we were asking: with what we were doing, numbers supposed to be decreasing. And even the people funding us, they were asking if nothing was asking. What we did now is a household population-based survey. It was like the way we do the census. About 200,000 houses were surveyed and we were sure that the statistical methodology for this was very sound. And to make sure that it was reliable, the United Nations Agency for AIDS had to send their chief statistician to validate this result. So it was not a result that was inconclusive.

One thing they found out was that prevalence was reducing. That is the proportion of people like say, out of 100, we now have 1.4. That is 14 out of 1000 people.

Before, it was 3.1 which was 31 out of 1000 people.

That was very good, but in Nigeria, there is what is called the burden of disease. And this means knowing how many people have the disease. Prevalence is low but in the area of the burden of disease, Nigerian just moved to number four from number two.

And it is a question of population. A country that has a prevalence of 20 per cent but has a population of two million, only 400,000 people need to be treated.

But Nigeria with 160 million people and 1.4 per cent will be about 2.2 million people. So we moved to number four in prevalence behind South Africa,

Mozambique and India. For treatment, we thought before that 3.1 million needed to be treated but now, it is 1.4 million people. So what we need to cater for now is 1.7 million. So this is good for the government because now the issue is now tractable. The slogan now is ‘Let’s go for the last man’. It now shows that the efforts are no yielding results and even, God forbid, the funders want to go, Nigeria can cope. And secondly, we are no longer planning blind; we now plan with facts and figures.

You are having a book launch in a couple of weeks. Can you tell us the significance of the event vis-à-vis the recent achievement from the survey?

I am excited to talk about the book. One of the things APIN has done which we have not taken credit for is that from the beginning we have been associated with the academic community and most of our works have been directed in that direction. When we started, we tagged our work: ‘AIDS in Nigeria: A Nation at Threshold. 13 years after, we say, ‘Turning the Tide: AIDS in Nigeria’. It would have indicted us if the result of this survey had come and there was no indication that the tide was indeed turning. We are very happy that this book, which is 551 pages, is coming at this time because it documents what the national response has been which led to this reduction.

It has been widely received and the launch would be on April 11 and we are expecting a huge government presence.

And wasn’t it instructive that the book is being launched when this survey came out?

Ironically, we started the book three years ago and the survey was from July to December last year. So there was no connection but the result of the survey has shown that we have indeed made some impact on HIV/AIDS reduction in Nigeria. We knew that on the field, things are happening but the figures we are getting were not congruent with our efforts.

You are doing well in your work but grossly under-reported. Why? At the board of directors’ meeting, this issue always comes up but we always felt our works should always speak for us. But what we found out is that HIV/AIDS community, they know us but outside, we are not. So we want to wean ourselves off that because we were an offshoot of the academic community and we didn’t have to shout but now, it is time to gradually change that. We want to get more visible.

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ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ™ĂœË? Olawale Olaleye Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ë? ĂĄĂ‹Ă–Ă?Ë› Ă–Ă‹Ă–Ă?ĂŁĂ?̜ÞÒÓĂ?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ù×

A cross section of members during plenary

2019 Budget: Committee Work Takes Centre Stage In the two Chambers of the National Assembly, committee work has commenced in earnest on the 2019 Appropriation Bill, report Deji Elumoye and Shola Oyeyipo

H

ow soon will the federal legislators pass the 2019 Appropriation Bill? That is the question on the lips of many Nigerians as it took the National Assembly about three months to commence debate on the bill that was presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to a joint sitting of the federal parliament on December 19, 2018.

Although the House of Representatives commenced debate on the general principles of the 2019 budget estimate in January, the Senate did not touch the bill until the middle of this month.

A breakdown of the 2019 N8.83 Trillion budget estimate which is N300 billion lower than N9.1Trillion budget being implemented for the 2018 fiscal year includes N4.04 trillion or 50.31 per cent for recurrent expenditure and N2.03 trillion representing 22.98 per cent for capital projects. Other estimates include N492.36 billion for statutory

transfers, N2.14 trillion for debt servicing and provision of N120 billion as sukuk fund.

Senate President Bukola Saraki had at plenary on March 13, given a hint that the 2019 budget estimate would be debated by the Senate for two days. He said “the reading of the 2019 budget will commence on Wednesday and continue on Tuesday. So, Senators should register their names against the days they will want to debate the budget�.

Some Senators opened debate on the general principle of this year’s budget by frowning at the rising debt profile of the nation. They therefore called for caution on the part of the executive so as not to return the country back to a highly indebted one it was before the 2005 debt relief granted it by the Paris Club.

First to raise the alarm was Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu (PDP Enugu West), who spoke after the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan (APC Yobe North) had given the lead debate on the budget estimates for passage for second

reading.

Ekweremadu had said though the budget proposals need to be given expeditious consideration and passage in view of enormous time already lost on the bill but was quick to add that its borrowing plans must be scrutinised to prevent the country from exceeding its limit, when juxtaposed with the ratio of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

According to him, “Time is already running out on us as regards consideration and passage of the 2019 budget estimates but the increasing borrowing proposals cum plans on our yearly budget is becoming unbearable. Yes, money must be sought for by any government to fund infrastructure but it must not be solely anchored on borrowing, which in the long run, will take the country back to a problem it had earlier solved. Besides, there are other creative ways of funding such highly needed infrastructure�.

On his part, Senator Dino Melaye (PDP Kogi West), while reeling off statistics to back the nation’s rising debt profile, emphasised that the

debt profile of the country was now at $60 billion from less than $20billion it was before the present administration came on board in May, 2015.

According to him, the components of the $60 billion debt profile include $23billion as external debt, $20billion as local debts while $12 billion is already being proposed for financing of Port Haarcourt to Maiduguri rail lines. “Nigeria is gradually turning to a chartered borrowing nation under this government all in the name of funding infrastructure. This must be stopped, because the future of the country and in particular, lives of generations yet unborn are being put in danger�, Melaye further said.

He added that even with the nation’s high level of indebtedness, the federal government was planning to further devalue the Naira to about N500 to a US dollar and that the Nigeria Stock market suffered a misfortune of N300billion loss with the re-election of President Buhari three weeks ago. “Inflation is on the rise, unemployment rate is increasing, assumptions

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2019 Budget: Committee Work Takes Centre Stage made for the budget estimates as regards $60 oil price benchmark and 2.3million barrels oil production level per day are unrealisable and unrealistic�, he added.

However, some Senators especially from the ruling APC disagreed with their counterparts over Nigeria’s rising debt profile.

They include Senators Gbenga Ashafa (APC, Lagos East), Adamu Aliero (APC, Kebbi Central), Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North) and Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah (APC Kebbi South), who claimed in their various submissions that Nigeria’s debt profile was not as outrageous as being portrayed by those raising the alarm.

Specifically, Na’Allah said rather than saying Nigeria was over borrowing, the country was grossly under borrowing when the total amount borrowed is juxtaposed with her population and resources, both human and capital.

The Senate, last Tuesday, concluded debate on the general principles of the 2019 budget proposals and referred it to its committee on Appropriation headed by a former governor of Gombe State, Senator Danjuma Goje.

It also directed the Committee to submit its report on the budget estimate for final approval of Senate within two weeks. So, with effect from this week, ministers and heads of government’s departments and agencies will begin to appear before the Goje-led committee to defend the allocations for their ministries and departments.

The Senate had since suspended plenary till April 2, to allow the Appropriation committee conclude its work on the budget and report back to the upper legislative chamber.

However, at the House of Representatives, budget defence has already commenced with plenary being suspended, also till April 2, for the purpose of performing legislative duties on the budget.

Making the announcement last Tuesday, Speaker Yakubu Dogara said suspending the plenary was to allow lawmakers attend to the 2019 budget defence.

Already, the 2019 appropriation bill has passed second reading in the House and so, suspending plenary was to enable committees take up ministries, departments and agencies to present their 2018 budget performance and defend their estimates for 2019.

Majority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, told his colleagues, “It is now time to get back to people’s business. There is so much works to be done in a very little time. The budget is pending; the bill on estimated billing and many other such legislative initiatives that directly affect Nigerians must be attended to. There cannot and should not be a break, and our priority must be the welfare of the people we represent.�

Obviously, the budget proposal could have before now been given accelerated hearing but apart from election periods (with the postponements), the errors brought out in the appropriation bill by the duo of Hon. Adamu Chika, representing Shiroro/ Rafi/Munya of Niger State and Hon. Ahmad Patigi, representing Edu/Moro/Patigi federal constituency of Kwara State, accounted for why it did not move at the speed prescribed by Dogara, when the document was presented

by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Chika had pointed out some errors in the budgets of the Ministries of Education, Finance, Budget and National Planning and raised another observation with the estimate for the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

Although one is not sure if the

Saraki and Dogara

A member of the House, Yakubu Barde, addressing the sitting

corrections had been effected on the estimates, committee work has commenced in earnest in the House.

Last Wednesday, the lawmakers kicked off the exercise with the Director-General, Nigeria Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Jonathan Jumah, his counterpart in Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Mrs. Cecilia Umaru Gaya and the Director-General, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila.

The trio answered questions on various aspects of their agency’s 2018 budget, particularly in the area of performance and their proposal for 2019 expenditures.

The House Committee on Governmental Affairs led by Hon. Hussaini Sulaiman Kangiwa (APC Kebbi) engaged the trio and the high point of the debate with Jumah was when they took him on the proposed expenditure of N72 million on two cars in 2019.

Gaya too had questions to answer for spending a very significant proportion of ASCON’s internally generated revenue (IGR) as running cost in 2018. Her explanation was that the institution does not charge much money for its trainings and

that providing electricity could effectively take its allocations.

The committee was displeased with the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), under Gbajabiamila. Their grouse was that despite its huge potential to generate high revenue and employ many Nigerian youth, the commission was under-remitting.

According to the lawmakers, out of the N6 billion projected revenue for 2018, only N1.9 billion was remitted into government coffers by the NLRC. The committee chastised three agencies that appeared before it for their budget defence issues of inappropriate accounting reports, transparency of revenue generation and expenditure.

As regards the N72 million the NIPSS spent on vehicles, Jumah said the mistake was indicating the vehicle type in the document, arguing that the vehicles were meant for project monitoring, and that the institute could decide to change the type and specification to SUVs. “The cost for the vehicle is highly exorbitant, because I have not seen anywhere in Nigeria where a Camry car would cost N36 million. And we have not seen any Camry product that is SUV being produced except

Sedan. No matter the model, it can’t be beyond 2017, 2018 or 2019�, Kangiwa noted.

The ASCON DG, on her part, was advised to adhere strictly to the principles of federal character in recruiting staff for the institute.

She was also asked to provide proof of expenditure on items listed as procured in the 2018 budget.

Kangiwa, while addressing the ASCON boss, had said for spending virtually all the IGR of the body, “It is not enough for you to come here and tell us you spent N20 million, N50 million and N100 million on items and you expect us to look at them, and I say okay. We have to see evidence of procurement by way of supporting documents, and we must have that before we can consider your requests for 2019.�

The college, which generated N998million revenue in 2018, has N18.162 million left in its balance. It also claimed to have remitted part of the 25 per cent required of it to the Consolidated Revenue Account.

The lawmakers did not hide their disenchantment with the Gbajabiamila-led NLRC, calling for the scrapping of the commission for underperformance. “Government allocated huge sum to your commission but to my greatest dismay the government that appropriated the money is at the verge of losing. Government money is just wasting. That is why we need to have an explanation as to why this agency should still stand, because government is not getting value for its money. This commission needs to be scrapped. “The main purpose of this agency is to police lottery operators so that it can favour the government. What are we doing when we expected the change to be positive and yet we are not making progress? We have observed that the general performance is very low.

So, we need to have an explanation for that otherwise we will stand this budget down, because it is our duty to protect the interest of Nigerians,�

Kangiwa stated.

The lawmakers expressed disappointment that rather than employ about 10,000 Nigerians and become one of the highest paying agencies, the lottery commission is underperforming.

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with DEMOLA OJO demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

SOCIAL MEDIA BITS

Last week on social media, Tony Elumelu celebrated his birthday, Senator Adeleke had reason to dance and Charly Boy got paid...

T

he past week witnessed a drop in the intensity of political debates and discordant opinions that accompanied the recently concluded (in most parts) elections. Instead, some of Nigeria’s biggest businessmen were in the news for different reasons and to varying degrees.

Heirs Holdings chairman Tony Eleumelu celebrated his 56th birthday with family, friends and 3,050 beneficiaries of The Tony Elumelu Foundation grant.

Drawn from across Africa, beneficiaries of the 2019 entrepreneurial incubation programme get $5,000 each, amounting to $15.25 million in total. “We are blessed so we may bless others!� Elumelu posted on Instagram on the occasion.

His friend and fellow tycoon, Femi Otedola, simply hailed him as “Great Tony� from one of the European countries he passed through recently. The Forte Oil boss

has been making the most of the weather, glad to be back on the slopes, gliding on snow.

Access Bank MD Herbert Wigwe tweeted some advice for the thousands who would surely gobble it up: “Networking is beyond handshakes and exchanging of cards...follow up, show interest, add value...�

Entertainment is making a comeback after an election-induced hiatus. Another edition of Big Brother Naija is revving up with a televised reunion of the previous edition’s housemates whetting viewers’ appetites for two weeks before the fourth season kicks off.

Meanwhile, Big Brother Africa host, IK Osakioduwa, announced a parting of ways with radio station Rhythm 93.7, a relationship that has lasted 18 years. He thanked his boss, Senator Ben Murray Bruce, for giving him the opportunity to pursue side gigs while working his day job.

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An expose on how things fell apart between Afro-pop star Iyanya and his erstwhile manager, Ubi Franklin, was published by entertainment journalist, Joey Akan.

The well-written piece read like a thriller, with undertones of assault, forgery and betrayal sparking debates on social media.

We probably haven’t heard the last of this.

Betrayal was the subject matter as the rift in the ‘Our Mumu Done Do’ movement escalated to a state of irreconcilable differences, after its chairman, Charly Boy, was accused by members of receiving bribes from the Federal Government to sabotage the work of the group.

Charly Boy later admitted in an interview that he was paid for a song by Festus Keyamo, to the tune of nine figures, which amounts to N100 million at least. Keyamo denied via social media.

It is undeniable that presently, dancing is the order of the day in the Adeleke household, after Senator Ademola Adeleke was declared the authentic winner of last year’s Osun State election by a tribunal. His nephew, Davido, is ecstatic, going by his Instagram and Twitter posts. The battle has been won but the war goes on.

Adeleke’s victory is music to the ears of Atiku Abubakar and the PDP as they pursue

a case against the APC’s victory at last month’s presidential elections.

Still on the subject of tribunals, the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, who has been accused of false declaration of assets, contends that he has no case to answer after the prosecution - apparently - failed to prove its charges. Case adjourned till March 29.

Nigeria’s football team played Seychelles in an African Nations Cup qualifier that had little at stake, with the former already qualified and the latter out of the running.

The match was won 3-1 by the home side and - if Twitter was anything to go by - was only notable for the howler committed by the hosts’ keeper Francis Uzoho.

In more cheery football news, one of Italy’s biggest clubs, AS Roma, became the first European team to launch a Twitter account in Pidgin English. It’s an indication of Nigerian culture spreading fast and it’s being amplified by social media.

Just like tweets credited to Quatari national Nassir Al Saidi with the Twitter handle @nass. He has transitioned from correcting irate Nigerians who erroneously tag his handle believing it belongs to the National Assembly, to sharing Nigerian proverbs and revelling in Nigerian culture.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MARCH 24, 2019

PERSPECTIVE

The Malicious Prosecution of Onnoghen The on-going trial of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), JusticeWalter Onnoghen, appears to be reaching an anti-climax with key prosecution witnesses’ testimonies contradicting claims that the embattled number one judicial officer might have corruptly enriched himself way out of his income. Iyobosa Uwugiaren examines what appears to be a malicious prosecution of the CJN

F

or those who were still in doubt about the seemingly malicious prosecution of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, the proceeding at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) last Thursday, cleared it all.

Three of the witnesses called by the federal government, on Thursday put lies to the claims by the prosecutor – the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) that the embattled CJN had 55 houses hidden across Nigeria; that Justice Onnoghen operated foreign accounts, where he hid away undeclared monies, running into millions of dollars.

These were the allegations drooped on Onnoghen’s neck by one seemingly political jobber, Dennis Aghanya, for himself and on behalf of Anti-Corruption and Research Based Data Initiative, which later won the executive arm of government support and dragged him before a quasiexecutive-controlled tribunal – the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) – for trial. And in spite of the fact that the prosecutor had listed six witnesses against Onnoghen, it closed its case after three of the witnesses testified. They are Awal Yakassai, a former director in charge of political office at the CCB; Ifeoma Okagbue, a banker with Standard Chartered Bank and James Akpalla, a Senior Investigative Officer with the CCB. Testifying at the CCT, Yakassai said the prosecutor – CCB, lied when it alleged that Onnoghen did not declare his assets, stating that the suspended CJN’s assets declared in 2016 were yet to be verified by the Bureau. The witness also affirmed that contrary to claims that Onnoghen owned 55 houses, he indeed has only five, one of which was sold to him by the federal government.

On her part, witness Okagbue attested that contrary to claims that Onnoghen operated a foreign account, all his accounts are domiciliary; and domiciled in the Wuse branch of the Standard Chartered Bank.

Reading out bank balance on Onnoghen accounts, she as well as confirmed that the bank advanced a $500,000 facility to Onnoghen, as of January this year. Okeagbue, who was testifying as the third prosecution witness in the trial of Onnoghen on charges of false and non-declaration of assets, also confirmed that the loan was guaranteed by his investments in federal government’s bonds and shares, among others.

She said this while being cross-examined by the CJN’s Onnoghen lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN). The witness, who anyone. had earlier said in her evidence-in-chief that Onnoghen had five Many legal experts, who spoke to THISDAY in confidence, accounts, said the ones in euro, dollar, and pound sterling, were said if the tribunal is to base its verdict on the facts before it, domiciliary accounts and not “foreign accounts,” as alleged by Onnoghen may have the last laugh. the prosecutor.

“The prosecution’s case has crumbled and we have nothing to Okeagbue in her evidence-in-chief told the tribunal that defend,” a senior silk in Onnoghen’s legal team told THISDAY Onnoghen maintains five different accounts with her bank in last night.

Abuja: two of the accounts, naira accounts; one saving and the The suspended CJN is facing a six-count charge bordering on other current; while the remaining three in pounds, dollars and incomplete asset declaration. Media reports, particularly in the euro. She disclosed that as December 2018, one of the naira acsocial media, apparently stimulated by the federal government, counts has N2.6million while the other has N12.8million. Under had speculated that the CJN had fat foreign currencies-based cross-examination by Onnoghen’s lawyer, Okeagbue added that accounts and scores of houses undeclared as required by law. the five accounts had one Bank Verification Number (BVN).

Following arraignment and a contentious, questionable ex She further admitted that Onnoghen as “a discipline account parte order by Danladi Umar-led CCT, the CJN was suspended holder” was encouraged by bank to invest in profit-yielding

by President Muhammadu Buhari. And in spite of a series of investment with the interest in the investment regularly credited litigations challenging the constitutionality of the presidential to his account, adding that the bank made investment on action and jurisdiction of the tribunal, the trial commenced.

Onnoghen’s behalf from his account.

A constitutional lawyer and former President of Nigerian The social media has since screamed blue murder following these revelations before the tribunal. For many, who have always Bar Association, Chief Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, had dragged the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, held a strong view that the CJN was being ‘persecuted’ for obvious political reasons, the testimonies by the federal government’s Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, to court over the arraignment of Onnoghen. witnesses put a huge lie on the allegations against Onnoghen, Agbakoba, in the suit he lodged before the Federal High showing that the federal government might have had other Court in Abuja, maintained that the six-count charge was illegal, motives in moving against him other than fighting corruption. unlawful, wrongful, unconstitutional, null and void, praying As a political commentator, Jimmy Ameh, put it, “It simply the court to determine, “whether having regard to the decision says that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, of the Court of Appeal in NgajiwaV FRN (2017) LPELR-43391 assisted by desperately mendacious officials, was fighting corruption by corrupt means. It also proves as truth, insinuations (CA), the combined provisions of sections 6, 153,158,287(2), and 292(1) and Paragraph 21(b) of the 3rd Schedule to the that Onnoghen was being hounded for fear he may lead the 1999 Constitution, as altered and extant provisions of the Code Supreme Court to redress planned fouling of the electoral of Conduct for Judicial Officers, the present charge in Charge process.

No: CCT/ABJ/01/19 against Onnoghen, does not amount to “The bigger question that still begs for answers is the new flagrant and violent disregard of the provisions of the constitunational demand on Dennis Aghanya to face Nigerians with tion, and due process of law.’’ proofs of his allegations against Onnoghen. He has to tell NigeAgbokaba had also prayed the court to decide whether the rians, where the 55 houses he claimed in his petition belonged federal government can competently file and maintain charges to Onnoghen, are located. He also has to come to terms with against the CJN, before CCT, or indeed any court or tribunal the reality of his claims of financial impropriety against the Chief without prior recourse to the National Judicial Council, in Justice. At least, that is what honour demands.’’ accordance with constitutional provisions.

To be sure, many believe that Aghanya and the prosecutor The speed at which the CCB investigated Justice Onnoghen owe sensible members of the public, comprehensive clarification and dragged him before the CCT, raised suspicions among as to how they laid their hands on Onnoghen’s asset declaration many legal experts and political monitors, with many of them form, given that the law establishing the CCB does not allow reading political motives to it. any official of the Bureau to release an asset declaration form to

Last week, the first witness, Akpalla, made futile attempt to justify his action against Onnoghen at the tribunal. Akpalla in his evidence-in-Chief had told the tribunal that the CCB on January 10 referred a petition written by the Anti-Corruption and Research Database Initiative to his team for investigation.

He claimed that on the strength of the petition signed by one Chief Dennis Aghanya, he visited Onnoghen in his office at the Supreme Court, during which a cautionary statement was obtained from him while letters were also written to the Standard Chartered Bank for account details of the defendant with the bank.

He further stated that the following day, January 11, 2019, the bank responded, prompting the investigating team to conclude its investigation and prepare its report. But, under cross-examination, the witness informed the tribunal that he did not know whether the CCB had a central registry and register where returned assets forms are deposited and registered.

Responding to another question, the witness said investigation into the petition against Onnoghen was concluded ‘within 24 hours’.

However, there was drama at the CCT, when the suspended CJN counsel, Awomolo, confronted the witness with the charge against Onnoghen, proof of evidence, list of exhibits and witnesses, which were all dated January 10, when investigation into the petition had not been completed.

Also, when Akpalla, the witness, attempted to deny involvement of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the CCB investigation, he was confronted by Awomolo, with documents from Standard Chartered Bank addressed to the EFCC but tendered by the witness.

In all, the witness said he was not aware that the charges against Onnoghen was filed before the completion of the investigation and declined comments on the bank’s document addressed to EFCC, giving an indication that the anti-corruption agency was also involved in the plot to nail Onnoghen.

And in what appeared to be a shopping for incriminating documents against Onnoghen, the anti-graft commission last week raided the farm of the CJN, carting away sales books, receipt booklets, its members of staff list and other documents.

About nine EFCC operatives: a cameraman and policemen in a Nissan bus marked Abuja BWR 627AT was reported to have raided Wanogan Farms Limited located in the Masaka area of Nasarawa State around 3pm and searched the entire premises for over three hours.

A relative of the CJN had told journalists that the EFCC operatives seized all the phones of the workers to prevent them from taking photographs of the operation, while searching the store houses and water tanks, perhaps, in search of dollars.

“We were at the farm on Saturday afternoon when operatives of the EFCC arrived in a white Nissan bus marked Abuja BWR627AT. They forced their way into the premises, harassing everyone.

“No document was presented to the manager under the claims that the EFCC doesn’t need a search warrant. They searched his office and made away with a list of staff members from around February last year.

“The manager was then made to write and sign a document that nowhere was broken into, and nothing was taken. The supervisor was made to countersign. Both were made to do this under duress”, Onnoghen’s relative stated.

The cashier was also said to have been harassed and made to turn over the sales record and all receipts and invoices in his keeping and forced to write an undertaking, releasing the sales book to them under duress and made to write his name and designation.With strong political motive, the seemingly strategy of President Muhammadu Buhari has always been to name and shame in the media, perceived political enemies it wants to pull down.

As a political commentator, Ameh said “It shows that most of the administration’s leadership strategy had been couched in lies, sold as lies and managed as lies to an undiscerning and noisy public that is blinded by devotion.”

If all things go well for Onnoghen, the embattled CJN might drag the petitioner and the prosecutor to court at the end of his trial, for malicious prosecution, false accusation and defamation of character.

Already, Onnoghen’s lawyer, Awomolo SAN, had informed the tribunal of his intention to invoke section 303 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, to present a no-case submission before the tribunal.

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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 ˾ MARCH 24, 2019

NEWSXTRA Lassa Fever Kills Four as NCDC Confirms 23 Fresh Cases Gboyega Akinsanmi

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) yesterday disclosed that Lassa fever outbreak had claimed four lives in three states while 23 fresh cases were confirmed.

With the new death cases, the NCDC disclosed that the current fever outbreak in Nigeria had killed at least 114 persons between January 1 and March 17.

The agency gave the updates in its weekly situation report from NCDC for week 11, showing that 23 new confirmed cases were reported from nine states.

The report said a total of 1801 suspected cases were reported from 21 states. Of the cases, 495 were confirmed positive, 15 probable and 1277 negative (not a case).

It showed that eight fresh cases were recorded in Edo; four in Ondo; three in Ebonyi; three in Bauchi; one in Taraba; one in Imo; one in Enugu; one in Benue and one in Kebbi In Edo, according to the report, two death cases were recorded; one in Benue and one also in Bauchi Since the beginning of the outbreak, the report said there “have been 114 deaths, taking the case fatality ratio in confirmed cases to 23 per cent.

“This, however, represents a significant drop in both confirmed cases and death as compared to week 10. Also, in the reporting week 11, one new health care worker was affected in Ebonyi State.

“This brings the number of

health care workers who have been infected with the disease to 16. The 16 health workers infected were reported from seven states; Edo – 7, Ondo- 3, Ebonyi- 2, Enugu- 1, Rivers – 1, Bauchi- 1 and Benue 1 with two deaths in Enugu and Edo state.

“The number of deaths recorded in 2019 is almost threequarters of the total recorded from the disease in 2018,” the situation said.

The annual report by the NCDC last December showed that there were 171 deaths with 3,493 suspected cases in 23 states in 2018.

The Director-General of NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu said 73 local government areas in 21 states have recorded at least 1 confirmed case as at week 11.

The states are Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Plateau, Taraba, FCT, Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Kwara, Benue, Rivers, Kogi, Enugu, Imo, Delta, Oyo, Kebbi and Cross River.

Currently, 63 patients are at various treatment centres across the country. Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital treatment centre has the highest number of patients with 26 undergoing treatment. The Federal Medical Centre, Owo has 16, Federal Medical Centre Abakaliki 10; Nasarawa 1; Bauchi- 1; Plateau 3; Taraba 4; and others 2.

According to the NCDC, 590 contacts have been identified from 19 states. Of these, 2353 are currently being followed up, 3384 have completed 21

Cybercrime Crippling Nigeria’s Economy, NCC Tells Youths Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday lamented the menace of cyber theft in the country, claiming that it had cost many Nigerians valuable property and money.

The Coordinator of the NCC Consumer Advocacy Group, Mr. Jide Azees raised the alarms at a sensitisation programme for telecommunication consumers in Ekiti State.

The programme brought together stakeholders including the traditional rulers, students, youth groups, faith-based groups, artisans, market men and women as well as civil servants.

At the agency’s 104th consumer outreach programme, Azees reeled out safety measures against cyber fraud while lamenting that fraudsters were using information and communication telecommunication infrastructure to defraud innocent citizens.

Azeez, who spoke on Mitigating Effects of Cybercrime: Role of Telecom Users, said there was need for consumers to avoid frivolous discussion with unknown individuals on social media platforms, saying this is the best way to fall into the hands of fraud-

sters.

He said many Nigerians have lost their lives as a result of trauma caused them by ICT fraudsters, saying consumers must protect their personal data from being stolen by ICT theft.

He explained that the fraudsters “attack consumers on social media, website where consumers carry out financial transactions by using credit and debit cards. Our mobile devices and computers are the targets of yahoo boys.

“So, users must be aware that this fraud and attacks can emanate from any part of the world as long as the devices are connected to the global super highway known as Internet.

“So, we must take precautions on our SIM cards, by not using preregistered cards .Follow guidelines on SIM replacement and where you lose your phone, or SIM quickly contact your bank to stop transactions on the account”, he advised.

The Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Mrs. Felicia Onwuegbuchulam said the programme was packaged by the NCC to inform and educate telecommunication users on how best to protect their lives.

days follow-up, while four were lost to follow up.

So far 84 symptomatic contacts have been identified, of which 49 have tested positive. Contact tracing has been identified as one

of the crucial strategies in curtailing the spread of the disease.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness, which is been transmitted to human via contact with

rodent or human to human transmission.

Person-to-person infections and laboratory transmission also occur particularly in hospitals due to lack of adequate infection preven-

tion and control measures.

NCDC said the National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Emergency Operations Centre continues to coordinate the response activities at all level.

FOR THE COAL CITY...

L-R: Former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dubem Onyia; Executive Chairman, Enugu Sports Club, Ben Etiaba; Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Enugu Ecclesiastical Province (Anglican Communion), Archbishop Emmanuel Chukwuma; President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Nnia Nwodo; and former Governor of Anambra State, Virgy Etiaba, during the inauguration of new projects at the Golf Section of the Club in Enugu... yesterday

Travelex: Nigeria, Other African Nations Lose $50bn to Illicit Flows Annually OlaseniDurojaiye Travelex Nigeria Limited at the weekend disclosed that Nigeria and other African countries “are losing over $50 billion annually through illicit financial flows.”

Travelex, a foreign exchange firm, disclosed its plan to hold agenda-setting session for the country’s Bureau De Change (BDCs) in order to This was revealed in a statement the firm’s General Manager, Mr. Anthony Enwereji issued yesterday, noting that the session with the BDCs would emphasise the need to speed up best practices in global remittances.

The statement explained that Travelex held a similar session with the BDCs in the South during the countdown to the 2019 general election.

It said the session helped the

BDCs guard against facilitating illicit financial flows associated with the season of campaign financing.

According to the statement, at that time, it was stated that African countries were losing more than $50 billion annually through illicit financial flows.

It explained that the interface with the BDCs in the country “has become an annual programme as part of Travelex contribution to the society (CSR). The 2019 edition is intended to address the BDCs operating in the northern half of the country.

“In its continuing effort to assist the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in strengthening the nation’s BDC Sector, Travelex will hold its 2019 BDC Seminar in Abuja on Tuesday.

“The timing of the 2019 seminar is aimed at helping set an agenda

for the BDC sector under the incoming administration. The place of the BDCs in the domestic economy of Nigeria cannot be over-emphasised.

“For its important roles, whether in the past or now, the federal government has always taken special interest in the activities of operators in the subsector,” the statement explained.

It noted that Travelex was determined “to assist the operators make informed assessment of their activities in the foreign exchange market with a view to enhancing their performance going forward.”

Enwereji said the 2019 edition would focus on “The BDC Industry in Nigeria: Retrospect and Prospect,” which he said, would take off on March 26 at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

He said the seminar would have in attendance the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele as the keynote speaker while the CBN Deputy Governor, Financial Systems Stability Directorate, Ms. Aisha Ahmad would review CBN Forex policies and guidelines on BDC operations (2015-2018).

Also, Enwereji said CEO, Economic Associates, Dr. Ayo Teriba would address the audience on analysis and proposals for strengthening Nigeria’s enduser forex policy’.

The seminar, according to him, will feature Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu who would speak on anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws and regulations as concerned the BDCs in Nigeria’.

Lawan Declares Intention to Run for Senate President DejiElumoyeinAbuja Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, has made public his intention to vie for the office of Senate President when the ninth National Assembly is inaugurated in June saying the upper legislative chamber will be more vibrant under his leadership.

Lawan, (APC Yobe North) who has been in the federal legislature since 1999, made this known at the weekend in Abuja while addressing newsmen in the company of 10 other Senators-elect.

He hinged his aspiration on the need to make the National Assembly pro-active,focusedandquestfor all legislators to work together.

Ahmad, a member the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2007 and a Senator since 2007, emphasised that he was going to reach

out to all Senators-elect across party lines over this objective.

“APC senators in this respect are so critical because that is our focus.

But we will also reach out to other senators-elect from other political parties. So, this is a representation.

This is not the number of senators that are supporting this cause. This is just introducing ourselves to you”.

He further said that “it is very critical and crucial that we talk to our colleagues, convince them that we are the right people to lead the Senate and the National Assembly.

“We take nobody for granted. We believe that the crop of senators elected this time will be such that can achieve much more in terms of uniting ourselves and focusing on the real issues of development, of making Nigerians experience very rapid and sustainable changes and transformation.

Ahmad ruled out any crisis rocking the rank of APC Senators-elect over the election of presiding and principal officers of the 9th Senate saying “we are not in any way thinking that we will start having some crisis”.

According to him, “we are not even praying that that happens but our party, the All Progressives Congress must have learnt its lessons.

Therefore, I am sure the leadership of the party will do something differently. “ I am sure our leaders will try to manage this huge success of APC. and I have no doubt that the party will find us complaiant and very supportive of the programmes of our party and our administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari”.

While canvassing for a bipartisan legislature under his leadership,

Ahmad however did not rule out disagreements over issues among the lawmakers.

His words : We need to have a bipartisan chamber. We definitely will disagree from time to time becauseofpartyperspectivesorsomething. But generally because we are senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, when we legislate, we do so for the entire country. And therefore, we need to remain united and focused.

“Whether you are APC or PDP or YPP, we have the same people to serve. So, we will work to ensure that we achieve and attain that desired unity within the chamber. There will be equity and fairness in our affairs. I am sure that once we are able to unite around national interest, we will contribute meaningfully to governance

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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 ˾ MARCH 24, 2019

NEWSXTRA Africa Must Address Root Causes of Conflicts, Says UN Deputy Chief Tobi Soniyi Africa cannot have sustainable development without sustaining peace, United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed said Saturday.

A statement issued by the Communications Section Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, said Mohammed spoke at the 20th Session of the Regional Coordination Mechanism for Africa (RCM-Africa) and the Third Joint Meeting of the Regional United Nations Sustainable Development Group in Marrakesh, Morocco.

According to her, it is

crucial for Africa to turn the pages of conflict, where it remains on the continent, and start building peace that in turn can transition into sustainable development.

“We cannot have sustainable development without sustaining peace, neither can we build a secure future for everyone without addressing the root causes of our conflicts and vulnerabilities,” she told participants gathered to discuss and generate solutions to the continent’s refugee and internally displaced persons challenge.

Mohammed added that climate change, rising inequalities, persistent gen-

der discrimination, lack of social cohesion, ‘conflicts in its many different forms, deteriorating political consensus and the mass movement of people across borders are signs of the hindrance we are having to face. Challenges that know no borders and cannot be resolved through solutions

of the past’.

She said viable solutions were possible, especially as the United Nations and the African Union Commission continue to work together.

“We do go further when we join hands for a common cause, on common grounds and when we

bring the best of our assets and leadership around the continent,” the UN Deputy Chief said as she applauded the strong AUUN partnership.

“Today offers the opportunity to recognize our common challenges and maximize the impact of our regional work. The

RCMs can help to galvanize and accelerate progress towards the sustainable development goals in various areas, including integration across all dimensions of sustainable development, as well as integration across development, humanitarian and peace,” she said.

NDP Demands Cancellation of Supplementary Elections James Sowole in Akure The Nigeria Democracy Platform (NDP) yesterday demanded cancellation of the supplementary elections held in some states to save the country’s democracy.

NDP, a forum of scholars, ideologies, activists and professionals, said the reports from the supplementary elections indicated that stakeholders have violated the electoral law during the poll.

In a statement by its Director of Administration, Mr. Promise Adewusi and Director of Special Duties, Khadija Yusuf, the coalition said the cancellation would halt the mayhem in Kano, Sokoto, Rivers and kidnap of INEC staff in Benue state.

To save Nigerians from this mockery of democracy, the NDP urged the INEC “to immediately have recourse to the provisions of the electoral act as it relates to violent disruptions of elections by calling off and cancelling the charade floating on the blood of citizens in Kano State until such a time adequate security can be guaranteed in the country as no election is worth the blood of any citizen.”

It noted that after the democratic dispensation entrenched in the country 20 years ago with blood of some fellow citizens, others blood must not be spilled to sustain it.

It said the current Nigeria’s democratic dispensation “was nurtured and watered by the blood of some of our compatriots. We do not need more blood to sustain it in a civilised 21st century where elections are taken as a given in the rest of the modern world.”

It wondered why the military had failed “to provide needed security to ensure free and fair supplementary election since it was not been held simultaneously in all states.

“NDP is therefore scandalised that with all the open threats by partisans in the run up to these elections, inadequate security measures still pervade our electoral landscape.

“What happened to the marching order given to the security forces by the President to ensure a violence free election cycle? Some of the supplementary elections holding today arose as a result of violence in the affected areas on February 23.

GIVING ASSURANCE

L-R: Human Resources Manager, Kewalrams Chanrai Group, Gbenga Oguntusin; CEO, Auto Division, Mr. Anil Sahgal, General Manager, Auto Division, Gaurau Malhotra; Director, Bridgestone Tyres Middle East and Africa, Stefano Sanchini and Deputy Managing Director, Kewalram Chanrai Group, Victor Eburajolo at the unveiling of Bridgestone Tyres Vicovis Workshop at Ikota, Lagos…recently

APC Clears Legislative Seats in Lagos, Ekiti Victor Olakitan in Ado-Ekiti The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ibeju-Lekki state constituency I, Mr. Adebola Mojeed, winner of the election.

Also, the APC made it a total sweep in the Ekiti State House of Assembly election as it won all the 26 seats available.

With the victory, the APC has secured all the 40 seats in the state house of assembly.

Mojeed was declared the winner yesterday after the

conclusion of the supplementary polls in nine polling units in the constituency.

The commission had declared the March 9 assembly election in the constituency inconclusive, because of overvoting in the nine polling units, covering two wards of the constituency.

The Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Rasheed Ojikutu announced the result for the state house of assembly election at the Collation Centre located in INEC office in Ibeju-Lekki council at about 6:30 p.m.

Ojikutu announced the scores of each political party

on March 9 election, before reeling out total votes in the supplementary poll.

According to him, in the March 9 election, APC polled 8,525 votes and PDP scored 1, 786, SDP got 63, ADP scored 54 votes, Accord got 50 votes, AD polled 59 votes while other political parties scored less than 40 votes each.

The returning officer said at the conclusion of the supplementary election, Mojeed polled a total of votes 9,484 to defeat his closest rival from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mrs. Tare Oliver who got 1,901 votes.

“I, Prof. Rasheed Kola Oji-

kutu, hereby certify that I am the returning officer for the constituency I of Ibeju-Lekki in the election held on the 23rd Day of March 2019.

“I declare that Mojeed Fatai Adebola of APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes is hereby declared the winner and he is returned elected,” Ojikutu said.

Accord Party scored 51 votes, AD polled 60 votes, ADC polled 26 votes, SDP got 64 votes, AAC polled 27 votes, ADP got only 55 votes while others got less than 10 votes each.

PDP Chieftain Writes Secondus, Obaseki, Legislators Mull New Elumelu Foundation Splashes Development Template Quits Party over Injustice $15m on 3,050 Beneficiaries Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja A chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Hon. Oladapo Salako has resigned from the party, thereby deepening internal rift that plagued the chapter.

Salako, former member of House of Representatives, disclosed his decision in a letter he addressed to the PDP National Chairman, Mr. Uche Secondus, quitting the party that offered him platform to contest and win federal legislative elections.

In his letter, Salako accused the PDP Ogun governorship aspirant Mr. Ladi Adebutu of wielding ‘great influence and inducements on members of the National

Working Committee (NWC).

Salako, who represented Remo Federal Constituency between 2003 and 2011, lamented how he was denied of senatorial ticket by the state chapter of the party.

He added that his decision to walk away from the PDP was premised on the alleged injustice he suffered him during the primary election of the Ogun East Senatorial District.

Salako noted that despite the position of the Appeal Committee that he should be declared winner of the primary election, the party ignored same and instead, declared his cocontestant, Bola Kalejaiye, the party’s flag bearer.

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and the newly elected legislators on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have agreed to deepen synergy between both arms of government to ensure projects are not duplicated across the state.

The consensus was reached after the thanksgiving service organised by the Edo State Government to celebrate the success of the general elections in the state.

Addressing members and supporters of the party

at Government House, Obaseki said his administration would no longer accept boreholes and toilets as constituency projects from members of the national and state assemblies.

He said, “I will not accept boreholes and VIP toilets as constituency projects any more. Edo people have spoken that they want real change and we must deliver the change to them.

“For the elected members of the House of Assembly, every constituency you represent must have something meaningful in the budget on a yearly basis.

Demola Ojo The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has announced that 3,050 African entrepreneurs drawn from 54 countries have been selected to join the fifth cycle of its $100million TEF Entrepreneurship Programme.

This was revealed on Friday at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, following a presentation of the selection process

by Accenture Development Partners.

The selected entrepreneurs each received non- refundable $5,000 of seed capital (which amounts to $15.25 million in total), access to

mentors, and a 12-week business training programme, directly focused on the needs of African entrepreneurs.

This year, over 216,000 applications were received, an increase from last year’s 151,000.

Nearly 90,000 were submitted by female entrepreneurs, an increase of 45 percent, illustrating the Foundation’s strategy to achieve greater gender balance.

On July 26 and 27, the selected entrepreneurs will gather at the TEF Entrepreneurship Forum, the largest annual gathering of African entrepreneurs on the continent.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍźËœ ͺ͸͚Î

87

SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by Demola Ojo Email: demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Omeruo Targets Second AFCON Title in Egypt Duro Ikhazuagbe

S

uper Eagles’ defender, Kenneth Omeruo has set his sights on winning a second African Cup of Nations title after helping Nigeria finish top of Group E with their 3-1 win over Seychelles on Friday in Asaba, AOIFootball.com

reports.

Omeruo, who remains the only AFCON winner among the 23 invited players for the clashes against Seychelles and Egypt, posited after the Seychelles game that his teammates must now continue working hard to ensure they are fit ahead of the tournament in June. “Of course, we are dreaming of winning the title. I was part of the victorious team in 2013 and I will love to win it again.

However, we are going to take the matches one at a time. “On our part as players, we have to work hard in our clubs and get regular playing time to ensure we stay fit for the Nations Cup,� Omeruo said.

He further charged the NFF to organize quality friendly matches and proper preparation to ensure the squad is well prepared for the biannual tournament. “All I can urge the NFF is to organize more friendly matches and training camps for us ahead of the tournament and I am

very confident they will do it because they have been doing so lately,� Omeruo concluded.

The 24-year-old earned his 44th senior cap in the win over Seychelles and will be a huge influence if the country is to win its fourth AFCON title having starred in the 2013 edition in South Africa.

Since winning the 2013 edition in South Africa under the tutelage of late Stephen Keshi, Nigeria has failed to qualify for the two consecutive editions held afterwards.

Coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr however believes the team’s preparation for the AFCON 2019 has started. “The preparations for the AFCON started already after our game in Johannesburg, because we have qualified in November.

Since that time we are already preparing, searching for good players and scouting our actual players and we will have three full weeks of preparations for the AFCON in the beginning of June. “ Everybody I hope by then they would have finished their seasons and it is very important for us that we don’t have any injuries,� Rohr stated.

Goals from Odion Ighalo, Henry Onyekuru and substitute Moses Simon ensured that the Super Eagles cemented their top position in their AFCON qualifying group.

The Super Eagles will be in action again on Tuesday when they face the 2019 AFCON hosts, Egypt in a high-profile friendly also at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.

Serena Williams Pulls out of Miami Open Eight-time champion Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Miami Open because of a knee injury. American Williams reached round three on Friday with victory over Sweden’s Rebecca Peterson, only the seventh match she has completed in 2019.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner was set to face Wang Qiang in the last 32 but the Chinese 27-year-old now gets a bye. “I am disappointed to withdraw from the Miami Open due to a left knee injury,� said Williams, 37.

Williams has now withdrawn from two consecutive WTA events, after her retirement from last week’s tournament in Indian Wells with a viral illness.

She last claimed the Miami title in 2015, beating Spain’s Carla Suårez Navarro in the final.

Her last Grand Slam win arrived at the 2017 Australian Open, moving her one behind Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.

African Tour: Torgah Clinches Memorare Tournament Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Serena Williams

Court Restrains NBBF Factions from Interference in Kwese Premier League Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) factions led by Musa Kida and Tijjani Umar, from conducting any fresh Premier Basketball League for the purposes of selecting the men basketball club representatives to the 2018/2019 African Continental Club Championship pending the determination of the substantive suit before it.

The management boards of Kwese Premier League and two clubs, Gombe Bulls Basketball Club and Kwara Falcons Basketball Club, who are both winner and runner up of the 2018 Kwese Premier Basketball League, had approached the High Court in Abuja, asking for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants, their agents or servants whosoever, from substituting them with any other clubs to represent Nigeria at the Zone B African Basketball Club Championship or interfering in the Kwese Premier Basketball League.

The presiding judge, Justice A.I. Chikere, in an order of interlocutory injunction granted on March 18, 2019 restrained both factions

Omeruo is the only memeber of the invited Eagles to have won the Nations Cup

of NBBF from further enforcing or imposing any guidelines or conditions for the purpose of selecting and/or conducting any league for selecting Nigeria’s male basketball representatives for African continental competition.

The substantive suit is scheduled for hearing on April 18, 2019.

Addressing newsmen on the court’s order, counsel to the plaintiffs, Josiah Daniel, said his clients were seeking the declaration of the court, that in face of fictionalised basketball federation in Nigeria and the absence of an extant update and FIBA approved local constitution regulating the affairs of NBBF, none of the existing factional executive boards of the federation was competent to regulate the plaintiffs who are nonpartisan, nonpolitical neutral basketball stakeholders in Nigeria.

He said his clients were, in addition to other reliefs, asking the court to declare them independent and autonomous bodies and selfregulating bodies, pending when the national basketball federation would have an updated and FIBA approved version of local constitution regulating its affairs.

Vincent Torgah yesterday dazzled to his third Memorare Tournament victory on the African Tour at Arsenal Golf Club, Owerri, Imo State, with a final round -5 under 67.

Victory was an icing on the cake for the inform Ghanaian who brought to a climax his domination with a total haul of -18 under par over 72 holes.

Torgah has also made it two wins in two starts on the African Tour this season building on his victory at the season’s opening event- the Eko Challenge Cup held last month at Lakowe Lakes.

He drained 23 birdies over four days to lay to rest whatever doubt that might arise concerning his victory.

Old war-horse, Emos Korblah shot the day’s lowest round of -6 under par 66.

The Ghanaian’s impressing final day putting was highlighted by the seven

birdies he plucked in the course of his round. He built on the two birdies that came his way on the front by making five more after the turn.

However, in spite of his 7 under par carding, he finished five strokes outside the lead to in wind up in second place at 13 under par.

C. Frances and Gift Willy both tied for third with a single digit score of 7 under par, while Sunday Olapade’s late rally- a final round 67- pushed him into a joint fifth place with C. Okoro.

U. Saater and Magnus Onumajuru finished in tied for seventh at 2 under par while Daniel Pam finished ninth at +2 over par, one stroke ahead of Kingsley Oparaku in 10th place.

The tournament, one of the 16 listed events on the schedule of the African Tour for 2019, featured a field of 40 players drawn from several African countries.

BOA Lawyers’ League: AELEX, Falana Aiming to Consolidate Duro Ikhazuagbe

After AELEX picked the first win of Group A in the 2019 BOA Lawyers’ Football League that commenced last weekend, the law firm will today try to consolidate on that victory when they confront Perchstone & Graeys LP this afternoon at AstroTurf 2000 in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Similarly, favourites Falana & Falana leading Group B on three points have a date to keep with another past winner of the tournament, Lagos State Ministry of Justice (LSMJ) in top of the billing clash.

Falana lost their crown to Olisa Agbakoba Legal in the final of the last edition.

Before these two top games, Pinheiro LP is to tackle Templars in the opening match of the second week.

Other matches billed to hold today include; the clash between SOOB/NICCOM LLP and Olaniwun Ajayi, BA Law LLP/ Probitas

Partners LLP versus DOA Law/Greychapel Legal, Aluko & Oyebode against ALP/ SPA Ajibade and the battle between Wole Olanipekun/Dele Adeshina and UUBO/ ACAS Law. In the opening week of the BOA League, Aelex defeated Aluko & Oyebode 1-0 while Perchstone & Graeys LP battled to a 1-1 draw with George Etomi/FRA Williams.

Falana defeated Wole Olanipekun/Dele Adeshina 1-0, UUBO/ACAS Law drew goalless with LSMJ, while SOOB/NICCOM LLP beat Pinheiro LP 2-0.

The BOA Lawyers’ Football League is held annually in memory of the late notable lawyer, Mr. Bankole Olumide Aluko, a founding partner in the law firm of Aluko & Oyebode (A & O).

He died 17 years ago and ever since, his colleagues and associates have celebrated his life and times with the tournament.

Sunday March 24, 2019

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Price: N400

MISSILE

Buhari to Politicians “I believe in the will of the people, and I cannot, therefore, put pressure on voters to elect leaders they don’t like.”

– President Muhammadu Buhari while calling on voters to vote for candidates of their choice during Saturday supplementary election.

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

Weaponising Religion in Yoruba Politics

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n case you missed it, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an advocacy group, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint Muslim ministers from five south-west states when he constitutes his cabinet for his second term. Why? The group says because five of the south-west governors would be Christians, that is the way to go — to address the “marginalisation of Muslims” in the geo-political zone. Put plainly, what should determine the choice of ministers from the south-west should be religion, religion, religion, religion and religion. The press release said Yoruba Muslims have been marginalised in ministerial appointments for too long “despite being in the majority”.

I seem to understand the game MURIC is trying to play. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has spent the better part of the last 33 years analysing how many Christians are appointed into cabinets, especially when the figure tends to favour Muslims. They are quiet when it favours Christians. In the aftermath of Nigeria’s membership of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) in 1986, CAN became more than a pressure group. In fact, it could have been registered as a political party along the line, given the role it played in weaponising religion in the politics of Nigeria. I guess MURIC was propped up as a counterforce to CAN and it is now trying to outCAN CAN. One problem I can see, though, is that MURIC is not serving as a counterforce to CAN at the national level but has been working very hard to divide the south-west along religious lines. Although I have heard many people describe MURIC in uncomplimentary terms and would want the body ignored or even blacked out of media coverage, the truth remains that it represents a tendency and it is gaining followership. The Yoruba love to celebrate their multi-religious culture and often boast that they cannot be divided along religious lines. However, recent events suggest that this religious harmony should not be taken for granted, not with MURIC on the prowl.

What is MURIC’s complaint? Of the six south-west states, five will be governed by Christians by May 29, 2019. Only Osun state will be ruled by a Muslim, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola. Although Senator Ademola Adeleke has won his case at the election petitions tribunal, Oyetola is expected to appeal all the way to the Supreme Court. Adeleke, who goes by the name Nurudeen, is assumed to be a Muslim, although MURIC has rejected this claim and once issued a statement saying the dancing senator is a Christian. If Adekele eventually becomes governor, MURIC will have yet another evidence that Muslims have been marginalised in Yorubaland. It will then demand six ministers.

But how relevant is religion in the politics of south-west Nigeria? Is MURIC trying to solve a problem that does not exist? Is the body genuinely worried that if religion does not become a factor, south-west Muslims might be relegated to the background and be denied what belongs to them in the scheme of things? The south-west is the only region in Nigeria that is evenly divided between adherents of Islam and Christianity. While the north is predominantly Muslim, the southsouth and the south-east are predominantly

Buhari

Christian. But no one, apart from MURIC, describes the south-west as predominantly Muslim or Christian. You have Christians and Muslims in almost every family.

From my own understanding of Yoruba politics, I would say religion has never really been a factor. Let’s be clear: religion is a very strong sentiment for millions of Nigerians, the Yoruba inclusive. However, when it comes to politics, it appears the Yoruba have managed to keep religion out of it most of the time. Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the revered Yoruba politician, was a Christian, but some of his closest associates were Muslims, notably Chief SO Gbadamosi and Alhaji DS Adegbenro. When the Western House of Assembly crisis broke out in 1962, Awolowo favoured Adegbenro to take over as premier from Chief SL Akintola, a Christian.

Religion was not on the cards.

In the second republic, it was even more “ridiculous”. There was nothing like the religious balancing of governorship tickets that we have today. The governor of Lagos state was Alhaji Lateef Jakande, and his deputy was Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo. Both were Muslims.

There was no CAN noise. The governor of Ogun was Chief Olabisi Onabanjo and his deputy was Chief Samuel Soluade. Both were Christians. There was no MURIC. The governor of Oyo was Chief Bola Ige and his deputy was Chief SM Afolabi. Both were Christians. Nobody even thought about it.

Although Chief Bisi Akande, a Muslim, later became deputy to Ige, religion was not the consideration.

The crisis created by Nigeria’s full membership of OIC in 1986 appeared to have snatched this innocence from Yorubaland. The mutual suspicion created at the national level percolated to the south-west, and suddenly the two religions must be accommodated in a governor-deputy ticket, even when nobody really cared about it. Yet, there was a deviation: when Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola was governor of Osun state from 2003 to 2007, his deputy was Mrs Olusola Obada.

Both of them were Christians. In a state that is most probably predominantly Muslim, nobody raised an eyebrow. Nobody discussed religion. This is one thing the Yoruba seem to have conquered.

I will even go one more step. Most of those regarded as leading Yoruba politicians today are married to Christians, though

they are Muslims. Name them: Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Akande (who lost his wife in 2017), Senator Abiola Ajimobi (the “constituted authority”), Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, and a host of others.

Akande nominated two ministers into Buhari’s cabinet — Prof. Isaac Adewole and Prof.

Omoleye Daramola — and both are Christians.

Amosun, a Muslim, nominated Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, a Christian, into the cabinet. That is the kind of liberal and convivial religious atmosphere that has shaped Yoruba politics for ages.

Even the Christians that have been elected governors in the south-west had the support of Muslims. How on earth could Mr. Jide Sanwo-Olu have been elected governor of Lagos without the support of Muslim heavyweights? Mr. Dapo Abiodun is governorelect of Ogun state with the full backing of Tinubu. Mr. Oluwaseyi Makinde has been elected governor of Oyo state with the backing of key politicians who are Muslims, most notably Alhaji Rashidi Ladoja. In the same state, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, a Christian, handed his supporters to Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, a Muslim. It would, therefore, be very wrong to say there is a conspiracy to install Christian governors in the south-west.

I am very much aware that the Lagos branch of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) addressed the press sometime in 2014 asking that the next governor of Lagos should be a Christian because Christians had been supporting Muslims since 1999, but those familiar with the story said it was a game arranged by the big masquerade himself who was eyeing a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket. As ridiculous as it sounds, religion was not the motivation for the PFN demand!

Fashola was doing well as governor of Lagos and nobody asked whether he was holding the Quran or the Bible on the day he was sworn in. Sure, I support balancing but I won’t kill for it.

However, the controversy over the wearing of the hijab in schools in the south-west is a pointer that the Yoruba are also vulnerable to religious conflict. If you ask me, though, I would think it is just a matter of intolerance and a storm in a teacup. There are churches that ban their members from wearing earrings and even instruct them to wear headscarf — so how is wearing hijab a problem for anybody if not that some people just want to stoke fire? Indeed, if MURIC concentrates its resources on advocating for Muslims in the south-west to practise their religion without let or hindrance, without intimidation or discrimination, it would have my support 100%.

While MURIC has the constitutional right to advocate as it wishes, I would advise, with every sense of humility, that weaponising religion in south-west politics is too dangerous.

Northern Nigeria is today sharply divided by religion. The tension is permanent. I don’t envy them. Northerners identify themselves first by their religions before anything else. In many northern cities, it is rare to see Muslims and Christians living in the same area, much less the same compound.

But in Yoruba homes, you can have two people sleeping on a bed — one a Muslim, the other a Christian. If religion is, therefore, successfully turned into a lethal weapon in the south-west, who can survive it?

And Four Other Things…

BRAIN DRAIN AGAIN You do not need a stethoscope to diagnose the malignant ailment within the medical profession in Nigeria. Most of the doctors I have spoken with complain about poor equipment and low morale. Even the medical schools are poorly equipped and many of the teachers are directly from hell.

So I was not surprised to learn that Nigerian medical doctors have joined the brain drain train. This time, it is not to Canada. It is to Saudi Arabia. Hundreds of doctors recently thronged a popular hotel in Lagos where officials of Saudi Arabia health ministry came to recruit them. Soon, we will not complain about poor hospitals again.

We will be talking about lack of doctors.

Unhealthy.

POLL DANCE Senator Ademola Adeleke, also known as the ‘Dancing Senator’, has been declared winner of the September 2018 governorship poll in Osun state by the tribunal — and many would say it was not such a surprise. The circumstances surrounding the declaration of Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola of APC as the winner were strange — especially how some results were cancelled, thereby forcing a supplementary election. The tribunal declared the cancellation “illegal” and proclaimed Adeleke, the PDP candidate, as the winner. Oyetola will definitely fight all the way to the Supreme Court, but INEC needs to save us this waste of precious time and resources in future elections. Justice.

THE PAWN The story of Tanitoluwa Adewumi, the eight-year-old Nigerian chess genius in the US, has caught global attention. It is the romantic story we all love to read: a poor, little homeless boy conquering the world with a sling and a stone. Tani has won the New York State Scholastic Primary Championship in his age bracket — and he only started learning to play chess a year ago! Even former US President Bill Clinton has invited him for a handshake. The line that the Adewumis were fleeing from Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria may be suspect, but let us just eat the rice and ignore the stones. Tani could have been hawking “pure water” if he was still in Nigeria.

Opportunities.

AND FINALLY… Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house of reps, recently wrote to the International Criminal Court (ICC) as well as the governments of the US, the UK and the EU on a “plot” by the federal government of Nigeria “to unleash violence on innocent citizens of Bauchi state” ahead of the supplementary elections. I don’t know if Dogara took the right step or not, but these guys must be getting tired of receiving mails from Nigerians every day. The rate at which Nigerians are writing to ICC, UK, US and EU these days at the slightest provocation must have turned us into a laughing stock. Expect a Nigerian husband to petition ICC soon if the wife is reluctant to open the door for him. Petty.

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