SUNDAY 28TH APRIL 2019

Why Tinubu May Have Stayed Away from Buhari’s Lagos Visit Rahman: His absence not delibrate Olawale Olaleye Contrary to the official position that a former governor of Lagos State and one of the national leaders of the All

Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, was absent at last week’s visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Lagos, because he was out of the country, THISDAY gathered

Ambode penciled in for South-west ministerial slot

that Tinubu deliberately stayed away, because he had personally asked Governor Akinwunmi Ambode not to inaugurate any of those projects but leave them to

his successor-elect, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, an order the governor eventually defied.

Buhari had during his visit last Wednesday, inaugurated some of the major projects

of the Governor Ambode administration, which included the rehabilitated 10-lane Oshodi/Murtala Mohammed International Airport; 170-bed maternity

hospital at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital; Lagos State Theatre at Oregun; new 820 mass transit buses Continued on page 7

S'East APC Leaders Seek Review of Zoning of 9th NASS Offices… Page 9 Sunday 28 April, 2019 Vol 24. No 8784

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Dozens of Soldiers Feared Killed in Boko Haram Attack in Borno Military denies terrorists assault on Biu, Konduga Bandits kill two in Kaduna communities, disrupt their burial

Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri and John Shiklam in Kaduna Scores of soldiers were feared dead on Saturday in a predawn attack on Sabon Gari village, near Biu, in Borno State. A resident of Biu, Gambo Muktar, told THISDAY by phone that the insurgents attacked the village about 4am on Saturday and caused

havoc. Muktar said as many as 50 soldiers might have died in the surprise assault, which lasted about an hour.

But in a quick reaction yesterday, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) denied knowledge of any attack in Konduga and Biu, in Borno State, by the terrorist group.

Defence spokesman, Col. Continued on page 7

Governors-elect Converge on Abuja to Chart a Way Forward Some US counterparts also attending Spouses’ summit to follow Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The 29 governors-elect in the country will hold a retreat in Abuja, the nation’s capital on Monday, beginning with registration for members today, Sunday, in preparation for some of the challenges that

lay-in-wait for their incoming administrations, due to be inaugurated on Wednesday, May 29.

The one-day summit, which is being put together by the secretariat of the Nigeria Continued on page 7

Edo 2020: Obaseki Under Pressure to Drop His Deputy... Page 10

CHAMPION OF IMMUNISATION...

Gavi Champion for Immunisation in Africa and Founder/CEO, Avon Medical, Dr. Awele Elumelu vaccinating babies during the official flag off of African Vaccination Week in Kuje-Abuja...Thursday. Looking on is Director, Disease Control and Immunisation, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Dorothy Nwodo

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

PAGE SEVEN

CELEBRATING A DECADE OF AFRICAN VOICES WITH GLO (L-R) CNN International Commercial, Account Director, Zara Driss, Supervising Producer, Jenni Watts, African Voices Producer, Earl Nurse, Executive Vice Chairman, Globacom, Mrs Bella Disu and Presenter, Arit Okpo at the “African Voices” 10TH Anniversary Cocktail Party organized to celebrate a decade of positive spotlighting of Africans to the world , Eko Hotel… recently.

DOZENS OF SOLDIERS FEARED KILLED IN BOKO HARAM ATTACK IN BORNO Onyema Nwachukwu, said he said did not receive any briefing on such attack.

But in Kaduna State on Saturday, armed bandits launched a repeat attack on Kagi village, in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, that prevented mourners and sympathisers from burying two people the criminals had killed in raids the previous day.

Muktar said the attack on Sabon Gari lasted from 4am to 5am, and the insurgents encountered little resistance from the military personnel stationed about 25 kilometres from Biu, in the South of Borno State.

Biu is considered the birthplace of Boko Haram.

“Many of the soldiers were killed while others fled,” Muktar told THISDAY. He lamented that many weapons belonging to the soldiers were carted away by the terrorist group.

However, the Acting Director

of Defence Information said, “I am not aware of any attack. I have not received any briefing on any attack. The right place to get your information is the Army.”

Attempts to reach the Army spokesman, Col. Sagir Musa, were not successful, as his phone number was switched off.

The Army had earlier refuted a report about a terrorist attack on Konduga, Borno State, that allegedly killed 60 soldiers.

It had tweeted, “The attention of 7 Div Nigerian Army has been drawn to an online publication twitted yesterday, Thursday, 25 April 2019 on a purported massive attack on Konduga, which was solely designed to cause severe panic, utter chaos and pandemonium within the communities.

“The publication is not only false but a deliberate effort to smear and discredit the image and sacrifices of the entire operation as well as the peace

in the North East region and the country at large.”

But a source within the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, who preferred anonymity, confirmed the attack on Sabon Gari and, however, said no casualties were recorded.

The source said, “Sabon Gari was invaded by some insurgents, the villagers and some security personnel fled from the village and no casualty is recorded for now.”

One of the deadliest massacres of Nigerian soldiers by Boko Haram occurred in Metele, Borno State, in November last year.

Scores of soldiers were killed at 157 Task Force Battalion in Metele. The exact casualty figure is still a closely-guarded secret.

The commander of the battalion, Lt. Col. Ibrahim Sakaba, was also killed in the attack.

In the last four years, Boko Haram has attacked and sacked 22 military posts, killing hundreds of Nigerian soldiers.

The sacked military posts were in Gajiram, Mainok, Rann, Geidam, Sasawa, Magumeri, Malam Fatori, Gashigha, Kanama, Gamboru-Ngala, Mafa, Damasak, Gudumbali, Garunda, Kunduga, Kareto, Jilli, Arge, Zari, Arege, Metele, and Buni Gari.

Meanwhile, in Kaduna State, bandits conducted a second raid on a village, preventing the burial of two persons killed during a first attack on Friday.

The bandits were said to have attacked Kagi and Kugu villages about 6pm on Friday, killing two people and injuring two others. They allegedly stole cows and grains belonging to the villagers.

Then, about 8:40am on Saturday, when members of the community, accompanied by the police, went to bury the dead, the bandits returned and opened fire on them, chasing them away from the burial ground.

In a statement in Kaduna,

the Birnin Gwari Vanguard for Security and Good Governance said the gunmen shot indiscriminately and the people, including the police, took to their heels and returned to Birnin-Gwari town for safety.

According to the statement, “Armed bandits chased away mourners from a grave yard this morning in Kagi village, about three kilometres from Government Science Secondary School, Birnin-Gwari, in Kaduna State.

“The incident occurred, around 8.40am (on Saturday), when relatives and volunteers as well as handful of policemen went to Kagi for the burial of the two victims of armed bandits‘ attack in the village that were on procession to the grave after the funeral prayers.

“The gunmen fired shot indiscriminately and the people as well as the police took to their heels and returned to Birnin-Gwari town for safety.”

The statement said by 12 noon, about 300 vigilantes and some policemen mobilised and went back to the village for the burial.

“Although, during the attack on Friday, the Army went to the location, but returned to base, thinking the armed bandits had left, only to resurface this morning to take away remnant of cattle that return to the village,” the group said.

The group expressed concern that with the attacks on communities close to BirninGwari town, the invasion of the local government headquarters by gunmen might be imminent.

The statement called on the federal and state governments to deploy more security personnel to Birnin Gwari area to protect lives and property and flush out the bandits.

The spokesman of the Kaduna State police command, Yakubu Sabo, could not be reached for comments, as he did not respond to telephone calls.

also gather useful information that would help their transition into their new roles as the chief executives of their states.

"It is expected that all the governors-elect will, at the end of their induction, have their knowledge and skills honed on the nuances of governance to better equip them to hit the ground running "All governors-elect would have established relationships with national and global leaders and have a better understanding of the tools and opportunities available to achieve their vision

and their priorities," it said.

The summit for their Spouses is also designed as an introduction to public life for the spouses of the newly elected and existing governors. It is expected that this event would bring about an avenue to discuss how the activities of the governors’ spouses could best complement the roles of their husbands in promoting good governance at the sub-national level.

"This summit is also envisaged to harness and promote best practices in the execution of pet projects," the statement added.

The decision to bring Ambode into the Buhari political family, often referred to as the ‘Abuja boys’, was believed to have been informed by the fact that the president did not like the way the outgoing governor was treated to the ignominy of not returning to office, more so that he personally intervened on his behalf on two different occasions, but his intervention failed to save Ambode from losing his re-election ticket to the perceived prebendal politics of the state.

It was against this backdrop that the president was said to have consulted with other stakeholders from the region and came up with the decision to include Ambode in his next cabinet, albeit representing the South-west geo-political zone, a move many believed would soon set the President and

Tinubu on war path.

Curiously, however, the last may not have been heard of Ambode’s many battles with the political forces in Lagos state, a crucial example being the refusal by the state House of Assembly to pass his 2019 budget, which he struggled to lay before the parliament sometime in February.

Ambode and the state assembly have had a running battle over the 2019 budget as some members of the state assembly felt his approach, preparatory to the presentation of the budget, breached what they considered the understanding and camaraderie between the executive and the legislature, including their alleged probe of some of the finances of the state.

GOVERNORS-ELECT CONVERGE ON ABUJA TO CHART A WAY FORWARD Governors’ Forum (NGF), will be witnessed by the old governors and some of their counterparts from the United States of America, and also followed immediately after by a summit organised for their spouses.

The governors-elect retreat, THISDAY, gathered was designed to build the capacity of the governors-elect and their spouses to develop and utilise their platforms to address critical issues affecting their states with specific focus on social intervention issues.

A statement from the NGF Secretariat at the weekend stated that the induction programme was for both the newly elected and returning governors.

The statement further explained that the initiative is aimed at supporting incoming governors to develop key governance and management skills that would enable them transit from campaigning to managing the processes of governance.

According to the NGF, the objectives of this induction include, preparing the governors-

elect to make the most of their transition from campaigning to governing and building bridges for effective leadership; deepening their knowledge and skills on the principles of governance as well as shaping their disposition and outlook to align with their work and motivation levels.

The NGF also said the retreat would enable governors to fully understand the philosophies, responsibilities, organisation, and cultural values, along with key processes of governance and create an opportunity for peer learning, promotion of global

best practices and networking with national and global leaders.

It further said the retreat would expose the governors-elect to relevant contemporary national priorities in critical sectors of the economy and driving consensus on opportunities to achieve desired outcomes.

Among those expected at the occasion are critical stakeholders, including current and past governors of Nigeria and the United States, to provide the opportunity for the governorselect to, not only network with national and global leaders, but

WHY TINUBU MAY HAVE STAYED AWAY FROM BUHARI’S LAGOS VISIT and the multi-level Oshodi transport interchange.

The president’s visit also attracted Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Sanwo-Olu and his deputy-tobe, Obafemi Hamzat as well as many other dignitaries, both from the capital city, Abuja and the state. But Tinubu was conspicuously absent.

However, Tinubu’s media office had quickly reacted to the barrage of questions that attended the absence of their principal during the president’s Lagos visit, especially against the backdrop of insinuations that it could be in retaliation to the president’s absence at the colloquium organised last month to mark Tinubu’s 67th birthday, saying it was not deliberate.

Mr. Tunde Rahman, Tinubu’s

Special Adviser on Media, had on Thursday tried to explain this away, when he told a national daily (not THISDAY) that “Tinubu missed the event, because he is currently out of the country. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is not in town. He is currently out of the country. That was why he was not present at the occasion, not otherwise.”

Asked yesterday night to respond specifically to whether his principal at any time directed the governor not inaugurate the projects, Rahman further stated in a text message to THISDAY, "His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was out of the country at the time. He was working on the initial schedule under which President Muhammadu Buhari was to be in Lagos April 29th and 30th. So he had planned his itinerary abroad taking that timing into cognizance. Even

the President was aware of Asiwaju's trip. So he did not boycott or deliberately stay away from the event. If you claim Asiwaju told Governor Ambode not to inaugurate the projects, I’m really not aware of that. And that’s the truth."

But THISDAY findings have shown that Tinubu and Ambode have actually had a conversation on the matter and the former Lagos governor was alleged to have pointedly told Ambode to forget the idea of inaugurating the projects and letting SanwoOlu come in, finish them off and then inaugurate them.

Believed to have felt inadequate by that charge, Ambode was said to have run his conversation with Tinubu with a few people, including the president, a majority of whom felt it was unfair to have compelled him not to take the

glory for his own work especially, that he wanted to inaugurate them by himself, even though time would not allow him to completely finish them off.

Therefore, when the development was communicated to Tinubu, he considered it a slight and therefore chose to be away about the same time, since it would be indefensible to be in town and not attend a programme that featured the president, whom he recently led to victory for another term of four years.

Incidentally, this is happening at a time Ambode is said to have been penciled in for a ministerial position, representing the South-west slot, the reason all the South-west governors apart from Osun, who is currently being ruled by one of Tinubu’s cousins, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, were in attendance.

Continued on page 12

APRIL 28, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

8

SUNDAY COMMENT

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

HEALTHCARE DELIVERY AND ‘SURPLUS DOCTORS’ Chris Ngige cannot rewrite the rules. Nigeria is in dire need of medical doctors

F

ollowing public outrage, the Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige has walked back on his dismissive statement that the rate at which Nigerian doctors emigrate is a positive development for the country.

“We have a surplus…If you have a surplus, you export…They (doctors) go out, sharpen their skills, earn money and send them back home here. We have foreign exchange earnings from them. Indians are doing it,” Ngige had said while responding to a question on Channels Television last week. But the claim flies in the face of available statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

It is therefore not surprising that both the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have dismissed Ngige’s statement as a piece of political theatre. “For optimal healthcare to be achieved, according to WHO, we need doctor/patient ratio of one to 600. In Nigeria, we have 40,000 doctors taking care of 200 million people,” said NMA president, Dr Adedayo Faduyile. NARD president, Dr. Olusegun Olaopa, added: “We have the maternal mortality that is about the highest in the world.

To correct it, we need health professionals around. The doctors we are losing are not fresh doctors but specialists.

That means that Nigeria will continue to battle with shortage of specialist doctors.”

It defies logic that a public official who incidentally happens to be a medical personnel cannot see the huge health burden facing the country. Aside having the third worst infant mortality rate in the world, Nigeria is the second country with the highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS; the first with the highest number of malnourished children and the highest number of people lacking access to basic primary health care. With 840

maternal deaths in 100,000 and 143 deaths in 1,000 under-five year-children, Nigeria loses 2,300 under-five children and 140 women every day.

T

For optimal healthcare to be achieved, according to WHO, we need doctor/ patient ratio of one to 600.

In Nigeria, we have 40,000 doctors taking care of 200 million people

Letters to the Editor

O

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

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

he consequence of this state of affair in the health sector is that several Nigerians now habitually fly to India and other countries to obtain what they consider quality health services at a very huge cost to our economy. On Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari left for the United Kingdom on a ‘private visit’ that many have interpreted to mean he is going to see his doctors. Sadly, due to both a lack of job fulfilment and inadequate remunerations at home, Nigerian medical practitioners are leaving the country in droves for Canada, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other Asian, European and American countries where their services are required and the reward systems are better. This latest form of brain drain, which Ngige believes is a positive development, poses huge challenge to our beleaguered health sector and should worry the authorities in our country.

Meanwhile, the frequent face-off between doctors and the government has not only left an indelible stain on the image of the public health care system in Nigeria but has also brought untold hardship, deprivation, humiliation and frustration to the embattled medical doctors, their wives, children and relatives. It is therefore no surprise that many of our medical doctors have resorted to fleeing Nigeria in search of greener pastures abroad.

In rationalising his statement, Ngige said Nigeria at present does not have enough health facilities to “accommodate all the doctors seeking to do tertiary specialist training (residency) in the teaching hospitals, federal medical centres and few accredited state and private specialist centres in the country.” But who do we hold accountable for that?

What makes Ngige’s statement particularly noteworthy is that under a plan by the current administration to bring healthcare to about 60 million vulnerable Nigerians within two years, the federal government last year proposed building 10,000 health centres in the 774 local government areas in the country.

According to the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, the initiative was aimed at reducing referrals of primary diseases to tertiary health institutions by 70 per cent. The question now is: if those hospitals were built, where would the federal government get the medical doctors to man them since the idea is to train our medical personnel so they can go and earn foreign exchange abroad?

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.

Truth to Power: Omotola on My Mind

motola Jalade-Ekehinde, star actress and multiple-award winner, recently stirred the hornet’s nest by saying it as it is, through a post to both President Muhammadu Buhari and the Vice President, Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo. Said she: “The country under your watch is Hellish. The lack of money in circulation coupled with continuous assault and killings by uniformed men will make this country implode! It is unbearable.

Do something. Insecurity, fear and desperation everywhere.”

As expected, the apologists of the current administration went on a tweeting spree, unleashing vituperations on the messenger instead of focusing on her poignant message. And as if they live in another country. How can we be comfortable with Benue, Adamawa, Kaduna, Borno, Yobe and Zamfara

States - states turned into killing fields? What about the increased spate of extra-judicial killings coming out of attacks by some security operatives, erroneously taking laws into their hands and considering innocent citizens guilty outside the law courts?

Should we shield ourselves from the pervasive poverty ravaging our land? Has the World Poverty Clock not rated Nigeria home to the largest number of the extremely poor in the world? Has our dear country not been ranked as the sixth most miserable to live in according to Steve Hanke, an economist from John Hopkins University in Baltimore, United States?

This scary scenario raises the fundamental questions: Does the country belong to only those in authority, members of the party in power and their supporters to the exclusion of the mass of citizens?

No! Should our political leaders be held in such alarming level of awe and fear, kowtowed to and worshipped instead of being loved on account of their people-oriented policies, programmes and performance? What is the role of the average citizen under a democratic dispensation if not to assist the leaders to actualize their dreams and vision, to meet their needs, from a bottom-up approach instead of ramming their greed-driven antics down their throats?

Should governance not be sustained as a continuous process, instead of the politicians remembering the electorate only during electioneering campaigns and elections? Does it not help our leaders to grow when their supporters highlight the failures of past administrations? Why make yourself available for political contest if you are neither prepared for nor

going to make the desired change? This is one wrong mindset foisted on the pauperized people by the political elite that must be done away with. So good that Omotola has taken up the gauntlet.

She explained it thus in a recent media chat: “ It is very bad for people to want to compare negatives of different administrations, times and people…A lot of people follow the bandwagon…they have been programmed to only engage in comparison. They feel that it can never get better”.

But she believes that it can and I do too.

With good leadership and restructuring of the political economy in favour of the people, why not? Insecurity would have been better managed by community policing. Also, the gold wealth from Zamfara State now stolen by foreigners in collusion with illegal miners could have served the people much better.

If only our past leaders had listened to, and acted on the suggestions of great entertainer-cum activist such as Fela Anikulapo Kuti we would have been

saved the recurring decimal of ‘Sorrows, Tears and Blood’, the politicians’ usual trade mark. And of course, from the hands of ‘Jeun kokus’ and ‘Vagabonds in Power’(VIP) still with us till today.

Perhaps, if they had watched and got touched by the gripping features film entitled: “Squandering of Riches” by Onyeka Onwenu on the massive waste of our oil wealth during the Second Republic they would have had a second thought before pillaging our common patrimony.

For instance, when in August 2017 the violent outbreak from a "Unite the Right" white supremacist rally that took place in Charlottesville, led to the deaths of three people, with dozens left injured, several celebrities took to social media.

They did so to share their outrage and disappointment.

In all sincerity, the government should listen to Omotola because she has spoken out of her love for the country.

––Ayo Oyoze Baje, Lagos

10

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER t "13*- 28, 2019

NEWS Edo 2020: Obaseki Under Pressure to Drop Deputy as Running Mate Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Critical stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo State, have been mounting pressure on the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki to drop his Deputy, Hon. Philip Shaibu as his running mate in the state’ governorship election holding next year, THISDAY has learnt.

Multiple sources gave insight into the state’s political undercurrents at the weekend, claiming that the deputy governor might edged out despite that he was a political godson of the APC National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole.

One of the sources claimed that the pressure “is coming from some APC leaders in the Estako, Edo North Senatorial District where the deputy governor came from.”

The source explained that Shaibu “is regarded as a confident and ‘political son’ of Oshiomhole. However, he is no longer in the good book of the state’s former governor.”

Consequently, according to the source, leaders from his constituency are asking for his removal as a condition for them to support Obaseki’s second term bid.

Another party source said the leaders had pencilled down

some names to be presented as Shaibu’s replacement with a view to whittle down his powers ahead of 2024 when the governorship seat will probably be zoned out of Edo South.

He named those pushing for Shaibu’s removal to include the APC leaders from Auchi, Fugar, Okpella, Jattu, Owan East and Agenebode from Edo North senatorial district.

The source explained that part of Shaibu’s sins were that he opted “to support Obaseki‘s second term agenda and the role he played in the political wrangling between Uzairue and Auchi.”

A top government official, however, said Obaseki would decide Shaibu’s fate in November 2019 when his administration clocked three years.

President of the Estako Solidarity Forum, Mr. Saidu Momoh confirmed the pressure to drop Shaibu, noting that the group would wait for Obaseki to formally declare for second term before taking a stand.

In a swift reaction, the Press Secretary to the deputy governor, Mr. Musa Ebomhiena , said it is laughable and irritating because Edo governorship election is still far away.

According to him, how can people be talking about an election that is coming late next

year? Those behind this are people who want to create a wage between the governor and his deputy for their self end

He said the governor “has strong confidence on his deputy and that was why when he proceeded on his annual leave, he

transmitted a letter to the state assembly so that his deputy can act on his behalf “This has not happened before

since the present dispensation in Edo State. Those peddling the rumour do not like the cordial relationship between the two.

CONJUGAL BLISS

L R: Former Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Baba Agaie; Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara; former Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Mukhtar Ahmed and Imo State Governor-elect, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha at the wedding of Mukhtar’s daughter at the Emir’s Palace in Suleja, Niger State ... yesterday

Group Appoints Okoronkwo New 10,000 Benefit from Dogara’s Aiteo Managing Director Free Medical Treatment Gboyega Akinsanmi

Segun Awofadeji inBauchi The Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara has sponsored free medical treatment to 10, 000 people in Bauchi Local Government Area, Bauchi State on various ailments.

The medical outreach which commenced on yesterday at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) Bauchi would be carried out by specialists under the aegis of ‘Doctors on the Move Africa.

Speaking with Journalists shortly after the flag off of the exercise, team leader of Doctors on the Move Africa, Dr. Haruna Joseph Kigbu said this edition “is the first phase of the annual free medical outreach being spon-

sored by the speaker.

He added that the second phase would hold in Azare, Katagum Local Government Area of the state. ‘’We are here today, to implement a free medical outreach program that is being sponsored by the Speaker of the Nigerian Parliament Yakubu Dogara. Our projection for the next six days is treat about 10, 000 patients. Last time, we were able to treat 18, 000 patients in this hospital.

“The services to be provided to patients include general consultation, administration of free drugs, laboratory service, ultrasound scanning, test and treatment of diabetes, hyper tension and surgery on people with cataracts, fibroids, Hernia etc.

Following a review of its operational and investment objectives and in reaction to prevailing business environment, one of Africa’s fastest growing energy leaders, Aiteo Group has restructured its executive management, naming a number of critical appointments and reassignments.

In a statement by its Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, Ndiana Matthew at the weekend, the oil giant explained that the organisation had undertaken the exercise driven by the necessity to realign its considerable interests across the various sectors within which it currently operates.

The statement said the firm’s pioneer Managing Director, Mr. Chike Onyejekwe “will be

retiring from the company. Mr. Onyejekwe will be replaced as Managing Director by Mr. Victor Okoronkwo.”

Currently, the statement said Okoronkwo “is Senior Vice President, Commercial & Gas for Aiteo E & P Limited. He brings over 30 years of Oil and Gas experience to this position.

Prior to joining Aiteo, he worked in various leadership capacities with the Shell Group in Nigeria and abroad as General Manager.

Besides Onyejekwe, the statement said the firm’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ukegbu “will also be retiring from the company. In related moves, Mr. Emmanuel Ogagarue currently General Manager, Assets will become the Director in charge of Asset Development and Engineering.

Police Arrest Kidnapper of Eugenia Abu Centre Announces Creative Feast Super Eagles Player’s Father David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

The Eugenia Abu Media Centre has announced the first edition of her Creative Entrepreneurship programme, the Creative Feast, featuring Nollywood actor Segun Arinze as Lead Facilitator and Faculty.

In a statement by its Deputy Programme Officer, Ms. Iveren Adeyongoin, the centre said the feast “is a one-day event scheduled for April 30 at the Eugenia Abu Media Centre, Maitama Amusement park, Abuja.

The statement said the initiative was to educate young creative entrepreneurs about the process of creative entrepreneurship, how to get in the game and stay in the game, how to source resources for projects and tools and requirements for remaining

relevant in the field.

It added that the managing partner of the centre, Mrs. Eugenia Abu would also be on hand “to deal with the subject of creative entrepreneurship and legacy.

“It is erroneously believed that to become a successful actor, photographer, chef and comedian requires little or no work. This initiative will feature successful celebrities who would give masterclasses, one-on-ones, role play and field questions from participants.”

The explained that Abu “is concerned about the youths falling to scams about how they can be stars overnight and offers this golden opportunity at the centre.”

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested the kidnapper of an 85 year-old man, Pa Iloanyusi, father of former Super Eagles player, Chikelu Iloanyusi.

Pa Iloanyusi was allegedly kidnapped and murdered by one Ikechukwu Emilie, a notorious kidnapper terrorising Anaku and Otoucha axis in Anambra State in November 2014.

In a statement by its spokesperson yesterday, Mr. Haruna Mohammed, the command said the suspect was rounded up at Phix motel Abagana where he jumped down from a three storey building with handcuff and escaped in 2014.

Mohammed, a Superintendent of Police, explained that since

then, the suspect he became elusive while all efforts to rearrest by the security agencies was furtile.

However, the spokesman said following credible intelligence, police detectives attached “to the Command Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) arrested the suspect, Ikechukwu Emilie ‘m’ aged 30 years in his hideout at Anaku, Anyamelum Local Government Area, Anambra State.

He said investigation into the matter has commenced, after which suspect would be charged to Court for prosecution.

He explained that police had commenced full investigation and that effort is being intensified to apprehend other accomplices in order to bring them to Justice.

“Mr. James Iwoh will become the Director in charge of Production and Operations, from his current position as General Manager, Operations.

Mr. Mitchell Uchegbulam, the current Chief Financial Officer, becomes Group Head, Planning, Budget and Implementation and will report to the Group Office.

“Mr. Taiye Eyewuoma, presently General Manager Joint Venture & Project Management becomes Acting Chief Financial Officer, Aiteo E & P Limited.

Mrs. Osareme Archibong, current Deputy Chief Financial Officer/ Head Corporate Finance, becomes General Manager, Joint Venture Finance, Aiteo E & P Limited.

“Mr. Uzoh Anijah–Obi, currently Treasury Manager be-

comes Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Aiteo E & P Limited. All appointments take immediate effect.”

Quoted in the statement, Peters said the new appointment became imperative “to make the investment arms of the various businesses more effective; galvanise and enhance collective productivity to demonstrate visibly profitable outcomes for the ultimate benefit of its considerable stakeholders.”

He observed that the uniqueness of the group “demands that an infusion of important impetus is given the necessary momentum by recognising as well as empowering key positions within the Group and realigning its considerable person-capacity to fit operational demands.

Police Upgrade Operations, Personnel Technology

Kunle Aderinokun

The Nigerian Police, which is the nation’s major crime fighting body, has recently been undergoing some important technology upgrades of its activities, operations and personnel information.

According to a statement, the upgrades are aimed at unifying the Nigerian Police database through a digital case management solution, which infuses biometric technology in its core.

The statement added that the upgrade will also enable the Nigerian Police enroll, identify and verify individuals, suspects, and persons of interest through a robust and secure biometric database, thereby, eradicating the challenges of the traditional police systems.

The major goal of the project

is to make the Nigeria Police effectively compliant with the 21st Century global best practices in policing and security networking by digitalising its operations nationwide.

This will put the Force at a vantage position to access the cooperation of other nations in the policing community, especially the Interpol.

The technical brains behind this digitisation of the Nigerian Police are Mr. Nasa Anthony, CEO of Hardcore Biometrics, and Dr Agu Osoka, MD of Biosec Solutions amongst others.

According to Osoka, the system is a self-sustained project, which will also facilitates token fees being charged for online background check services and other practices in line with international best standards.

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NEWS Bello, PDP Disagree over Failure to Pay 38-month Salaries t Govt denies owing public servants Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja

Kogi State Governor, Mr. Yahaya Bello and the People Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday disagreed that the state government had failed to pay its public servants salaries for 38 months.

In a statement by its Publicity

Secretary, Mr. Bode Ogunmola, the PDP urged the state’s public servants not to be deceived by Bello’s crocodile tears and apology after he admitted owing 38 months salaries only to turn around attributing it to youthful exuberance.

The PDP, also, urged the

public servants not to accept the plea of Chief Edward Onoja, noting that all he ended up doing at the NLC meeting was “to market a bad product to a people wounded and injured

by Bello’s administration. ”Kogi public servants are wiser now and once beaten twice shy. The time of reckoning has come. Thuggery will

not pay you this time around.

You are a bad product that is dead on arrival.”

He, therefore, described Onoja, as not a sincere marketer, marketing a bad product that would not sell, thereby asking Onoja to tell his boss to prepare his hand over note.

In a statement Bello’s Chief of Staff, Onoja issued yesterday,

the Kogi State Government denied owning public servants 38-month salaries.

He said the state government did not owe any genuine civil servants in the state such amount of salary arrears, adding that most of the persons raising false allegation were civil servants that were affected during the screening exercise due to certain anomalies.

Onoja accused the media of constituting a major national problem which required immediate check as the infiltration of falsehood and propaganda was becoming alarming.

He said during the civil service screening exercise in the first year of the Bello administration, about 10,000 civil servants were found wanting, falling under categories ranging from age falsification, certificate forgery among other criminal issues legally requiring, dismissal, imprisonment among other punitive measures.

He said due to Bello’s magnanimity, many were pardoned and some sort of soft landing were offered, an action by the State government that was now being taken for granted.

APC Wins Ajeromi-Ifelodun House of Reps Election Segun James

HAPPY MARRIED LIFE L-R: The bridegroom, Ogugua Emehelu; his bride, Mukosolu Onyia; Catholic Bishop of Enugu Doicese, Dr. Callistus Onaga and Enugu State Governor, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi after the couple’s wedding at St. Mary’s Catholic Parish, Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, yesterday

Nigerian Army to Inject N1Bn into Vehicle Manufacturing Firm John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Nigerian Army yesterday disclosed that it would support its Vehicle Manufacturing Company in Rigachikun, Kaduna State with a sum of N1 billion to boost its operations.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai stated this at the end of the combined Chief of Army Staff First Quarter Conference and the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps week which held in Jaji, Kaduna State.

He said the money would be sourced as loan from numerous army investments across the country to support

the vehicle plant.

Buratai said supporting the company would enable it stand on a sound footing to meet the dream of the Nigerian Army to be self-reliance in the manufacturing of its military hardwares and safe the nation from scarce foreign exchange.

Buratai said in the next three months, the army should have its new brand of vehicles originally produced by company for the army and members of the armed forces as well as the paramilitary agencies.

He explained that the initiative “will transform the Nigerian Army and subsequently boost Nigeria’s industrial sector.

We are sourcing the sum of N1 billion to support the Nigerian Army Vehicle Manufacturing Company (NAVMC).

“We will be taking loan. We have a number of investments in the Nigerian Army that is generating huge amount and we will take the loan from there to support the NAVMC, so that they will be able to stand on a good footing and enable them realize our dream of having an indigenous fighting vehicle and continue to maintain our existing equipments.”

While emphasising on the need maintenance culture, Buratai said the military equipment “are never obsolete,

Why Tinubu May Have Stayed Away from Buhari’s Lagos Visit This, at a time, had resulted in genuine impeachment threats against the governor, a development that was eventually staved off through the pressured intervention of Tinubu and other stakeholders in the state’s body polity like the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), the same group that jointly denied him his re-election ticket.

But fears that the assembly might not pass the budget especially that many now feel it was deliberate on the part of the legislature to starve the governor of funds in the twilight of his administration was confirmed at

the weekend, when it suspended debate on the 2019 budget.

Expectations had been high that the lawmakers would finally pass the budget on Friday, but they stood down the debate that could have culminated in passing the bill on account of the excuse that they needed to study the voluminous report submitted by the Hon, GbolahanYishawu Appropriation Committee, which was assigned to look into the budget details.

After the presentation of the report by Yishawu, the Majority Leader, Sanai Agunbiade, reportedly argued that because

but can be serviced. With the maintenance culture of military globally, vehicles and equipments used in the third world war are still in service in other parts of the world.

“So, there is no gainsaying that if we adopt the same maintenance culture, we will be able to conserve our scarce foreign exchange for our country and to be able to employ more hands to ensure we are locally sufficient in manpower, skill and indeed the equipment that we need to operate.

“The combined Infantry Corps Combat week and the First Qurterly Chief of Army Conference 2019, which was

Continued from Page 1

of the volume of the report and its technicality, the House would have to choose another day for a comprehensive debate of the report, meaning it was after the debate and necessary amendments that the third reading of the Bill could be taken before its eventual passage.

Consequently, the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, concurred to the logic and ruled in favour of the deferment of the debate.

However, if the recommendations of the Appropriation committee were adopted by the House, it would mean that the size of the budget would

have scaled up from its initial N852.317 billion to N874.96 billion, indicating a difference of about N22.541b from the figures presented to the House by the governor in February, in addition to the fact that the committee had reportedly done a major surgery to the budget by re-allocating funds to different ministries and projects as it deemed fit. This development, as a result, makes it the first time since the nation’s return to civil rule in 1999, that the Lagos Assembly has not passed an appropriation bill by the end of April of the same year.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared the All Progressives Congress candidate, Mr. Kolawole Taiwo, winner of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Federal Constituency election.

INEC conducted the supplementary election in 71 polling units across eight wards of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Federal Constituency of Lagos State for the House of Representatives seat.

The commission had declared the Feb. 23 House of Representatives election in the constituency inconclusive due to over-voting, non-compliance with the usage of smart card readers and violence.

The Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Olusoji Ilori announced the result for the election at the INEC Collation Centre located at Local Authority Primary School, Baale St. Ajegunle at about 7:35 p.m.

Ilori, who is a lecturer at the University of Lagos, an-

nounced the total votes after the supplementary poll.

According to him, Taiwo polled a total of 36,115 votes to defeat his closest rival from the Peoples Democratic Party Mrs Rita Orji, who got 32,557 votes.

Ilori added that Mr Matin Iwonlaye of Accord Party had 587 votes, Mr Jimoh Rasheed of PPN got 206 votes, Mr David Kola of AD polled 158 votes, Mr Michael Ogoeke of APP polled 149 votes while Ms Julie King of APDA polled 112 votes.

According to him, Mr Adebayo Adegbenro of ADC scored 107 votes, Mr Kennedy Nzemiro of PPC had 90 votes, Mr Morenikeji Oluwole of MPN had 39 votes, Mr Jacob Ogundiran of DPC scored 17 votes while Ms Victoria Oladipupo of DA, polled 06 votes.

Ilori said, “I declared that Kolawole Taiwo Musbau 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.”

Police Apprehend 39 Kidnappers, Robbers in Bauchi Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police Command has disclosed that about 39 suspected kidnappers, armed robbers, cultists, and political thugs have been arrested in various locations across Bauchi State.

The Commissioner of Police (COMPOL), Ali Aji Janga made the disclosure while inaugurating a special operation code -named “Operation Puff Adder at the state command headquarters yesterday.

Speaking after the inauguration, the police chief said said exhibits recovered from them include 39 wraps of Indian hemp , five Dane guns , nine cutlasses, 1 sharp knife, axes , and three motorcycles .

He said the arrest of the suspects and recovery of the arms was as a result of the operation, saying the inauguration of the special squad

was in compliance with the directive of the Inspector General of Police and directly under his supervision as Commissioner of Police.

According to him, the operation comprises the Conventional Police, Police Mobile Force Counter Terrorist Unit, Special Protection Unit, Anti -Kidnapping Unit, State Intelligence Bureau and the State Criminal Investigation Department.

He added that the objective of the operation “is to tackle crimes affecting the state such as kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and activities of Babeli groups among other crimes.

“It is to also prevent the influx of criminal elements to the state considering the ongoing security operations in the neighbouring states as Bauchi State has borders with seven states of Kaduna, Plateau, Taraba, Gombe, Yobe, Jigawa and Kano.

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OPINION

ONCE UPON A T RIPOD

Uzor Maxim Uzoatu argues that the distribution of political power is inequitable

A

t independence in 1960, Nigeria was said to stand on a tripod of East, West and North. The civil war ensured that the North in alliance with the West defeated the East. The oppressed minorities of course took sides with the victors. That is a simple historical fact, and any other embellishments only exist to serve

expedience.

According to Michael Crowder in The Story of Nigeria, “When the British occupied Nigeria they had almost no contact with the large Ibo and Ibibio population of the East, whilst already many Yoruba had received English education and provided a small intellectual elite in Lagos. Population pressures and land hunger in the East forced many Ibo and Ibibio to migrate to the cities of the West and North, where they proved remarkably successful as clerks, railway workers and storekeepers.”

In The Trouble with Nigeria Chinua Achebe writes: “Nigerians of all other ethnic groups will probably achieve consensus on no other matter than their common resentment of the Igbo… The origin of the national resentment of the Igbo is as old as Nigeria and quite as complicated. But it can be summarized thus: The Igbo culture being receptive to change, individualistic and highly competitive, gave the Igbo man an unquestioned advantage over his compatriots in securing credentials for advancement in Nigerian colonial society. Unlike the Hausa/Fulani, he was unhindered by a wary religion and unlike the Yoruba unhampered by traditional hierarchies. This kind of creature, fearing neither god nor man, was custom-made to grasp the opportunities, such as they were, of the white man’s dispensation.

And the Igbo did so with both hands. Although the Yoruba had a huge historical and geographical headstart the Igbo wiped out their handicap in one fantastic burst of energy in the twenty years between 1930 and 1950.”

The fear of the other tribes could not have been assuaged by Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe’s statement, to wit: “It

would appear that the God of Africa has created the Ibo nation to lead the children of Africa from the bondage of the ages…” When Majors Emmanuel Ifeajuna and Patrick Nzeogwu struck to end the wobbling First Republic, the coup was tagged an “Igbo Coup” even though the plotters had planned, according to them, to release Chief Obafemi Awolowo from prison and compel him to rule the country. On why the coup-makers wanted Awolowo as the leader of the country, Major Ifeajuna wrote in his unpublished manuscript: “Chief Awolowo launched forth his party on a platform of tribalism, and for his parochial and partisan approach to national issues, he got deserving blame. But probably in the later Awolowo of after the 1959 Federal election that began the fiasco, our people saw for a second time an image of honesty, courage and discipline… In time he came to win the respect and admiration of even his greatest detractors, and what was more, he came to represent a rallying point for the young and the intellectual, for all that sought progress and nationhood for our country.”

Major-General Aguiyi-Ironsi who took over after the failed coup announced the Unification Decree, which took the fear of Igbo domination to a fever pitch. Thousands

The contradictions of Nigeria are staring back at the nation.

The truth that cannot be dodged remains that unless the other leg of the tripod is fully reintegrated into the country, Nigeria can only at best be living on wobbly legs

of hapless Igbo were massacred in the North during the pogroms of 1966 until Ironsi himself was killed and toppled in the revenge coup of the Northern officers. After taking over power, Gowon had prepared a speech to announce the dissolution of the Nigerian Federation on August 1, 1966 and the secession (araba) of the North until he was prevailed upon to change his mind by the British High Commissioner in Lagos, Sir Francis Cumming-Bruce.

As the British did not want Nigeria dissolved, enormous support was given to the Federal forces, with the help of then Soviet Union, to defeat secessionist Biafra led by Odumegwu-Ojukwu. Historically, the British had faith in the government of the feudal emirs of the North and the highly organized if decadent kings of the West as opposed to the rebellious and almost ungovernable Igbo and minority republics of the East.

There was talk after the war by Gowon of reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation, but progress on all fronts is neither here nor there. The contradictions of Nigeria are staring back at the nation.

The truth that cannot be dodged remains that unless the other leg of the tripod is fully reintegrated into the country, Nigeria can only at best be living on wobbly legs and borrowed time.

The danger has risen to dangerous levels given President Muhammadu Buhari’s lopsided government which has somewhat completely excluded the third leg of the tripod. Old fears such as the spirited agitation for the revival of Biafra have come to haunt the land.

When Buhari initially talked of giving more appointments to those who gave him 97 per cent votes as opposed to those that gave him a paltry five per cent vote many thought he would eventually see reason and reverse himself.

President Buhari’s actions have been very divisive and one cannot but fear for the future of our benighted country.

A tripod without one of its legs cannot truly stand.

––Uzoatu is a journalist and a poet

Finding A Home Ground for The Eagles Government should hands-off administration and funding of professional sports, writes Ayodele Okunfolami

W

hile receiving the Fair Play Award on behalf of Akwa United at the just concluded Aiteo NFF Awards, Chairman of the Football club side, Paul Bassey described Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State, as the home ground of the Super Eagles of Nigeria. He backboned his assertion by reminding the audience that it was at the Nest of Champions, Uyo, that the national team qualified for the last FIFA World Cup. Well, after hosting the matches against Seychelles and Egypt in a space of five days most recently, Asaba, the Delta State capital may have something to say about Bassey’s claims.

Coming from a history of playing virtually all their home matches in the National Stadium in the 1980s and 90s, some football enthusiasts canvass for Lagos, which was then the federal capital, to be the permanent home of the Eagles.

Those in this school argue that having an eternal home like England’s Wembley Stadium or Brazil’s Maracana would not only help the fortunes of the team but also boost the brand of the team. They posit that not having a ground the national team can call home especially under the scrutinizing eyes of the Lagos press and dense concentration of supporters, the seesaw play of the Eagles may continue to be the norm.

But time has changed. The return to democracy in 1999 coincided with Nigeria hosting the FIFA World Youth Championship. While Nigeria 99 encouraged us to upgrade at least eight arenas across the nation that were used as venues for the tournament, democratically elected governors built sporting infrastructure as a show of achievements to the electorate. With the Abuja National Stadium also in the mix, the handlers of our football now became spoilt for choices of where the Super Eagles should play.

With the end of dictatorships that have the habit of using sports as a form of public relations to the more accountable civil rule, budgetary allocations to sports shrunk and the federal capital moving to Abuja, sustaining the Super Eagles in Lagos became more demanding. This led to opaque considerations on taking the team outside Lagos as much as possible at the cheapest cost possible. Some governors take advantage of this to accommodate the team but this is

usually an all-expense venture. The hosting state, under the approval of the governor, accommodates the team at its expense, pay player bonuses and even throw the gates open for free on match day. This is typically a good deal for the football federation. That was why all the qualifiers that ushered the Eagles to Russia were played in Uyo because the Akwa Ibom State government was ready to pay the bills and so Bassey could make a boast at the awards.

But can Bassey make such a boast next year? Hosting of these one-off games is usually tied to the temperament of a sitting governor. Subsequently, if a governor is naturally inclined to football and the hosting of it, he makes his state the home ground of the Eagles and if his mood changes or another state strikes a better deal with the football federation, the home ground changes again.

I don’t subscribe to making Lagos or any state the permanent home for our football. First, the National Stadia in Surulere and Abuja are both shadows of their original selves at the moment and fixing them for less than half a dozen matches a year doesn’t make economic shrewdness. Secondly, comparing Nigeria with England doesn’t suffice. Wembley belongs to the Football Association and so can be used by the Three Lions or for any FA Cup Final, but in Nigeria, our pitches are government owned and run. So looking for a permanent home ground in an era where periodic change of government is the canon is unrealistic.

Thirdly, a perpetual home ground for our football restricts other parts of the nation from having a feel of our collective patrimony. In fact, federalizing our football has proven that fans outside Lagos are more enthusiastic.

Even England takes the Three Lions outside Wembley sometimes. For example, England’s Euro 2020 qualifying match against Kosovo coming up in September would be staged in St. Mary’s Stadium, Southampton implying Wembley is not as permanent a home ground as some want us to believe.

Then attaching the roller coaster performance of the national team to their faffing around is not empirical.

The Eagles 25 years ago were victorious not because they played in Lagos, they were victorious because they were

Super! They were invincible wherever they played unlike the squad nowadays when we not only sometimes make a mockery of their aquiline moniker but also have dubious reasons to demonize some fields.

As we progress in this free market world, the political involvement of government in running sports should continue to diminish. It is not developmental prudence for a state where a lass goes viral on social media because she is pursued from her dilapidated school for inability to pay fees (something that should be free) would host three international matches about the same time frame for free (something that should generate income for the state). Or another “football-loving” governor using state resources to host the Eagles but owes players of its state-owned football club months of wages.

My proposal moving forward is that government should hands-off administration and funding of professional sports completely. Football especially has risen enough to be fiscally independent of any tier of government. With this, football would not be taken as a social good tainted with politics but as a commercial good that improves the economy of the hosting city.

What a profit-driven NFF should do is to come with its programme of fixtures that its teams would be involved in a foreseeable future and transparently ask for interested bids. Location, national spread, stands size, condition of the playing turf, accessibility for fans, security, hotel accommodations, TV friendliness of the stadium, importance of the match, opponent disadvantage and the like would be considered along with commercial partners in choosing the winning bid.

The bidders, most likely the states, will come up with arguments why certain fixtures should come their way.

Arguments like wider marketing reach for commercial partners, football development and how it would improve the economy of the state. It should be a chance for the states not only to showcase their sentiments for Super Eagles but also an occasion to attract tourists to their states. Governors can use the opportunity to show achievements in other sectors in the state.

Okunfolami wrote from Lagos

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LETTERS Ambode and Lagos’ Infrastructure Renewal

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n terms of landmass, Lagos State is the smallest state in Nigeria, yet it has the highest urban population which is 27.4% of the national estimate (UN-Habitat).

Lagos is to the people of Nigeria, what the head is to the body of an individual.

Since his assumption of office on May 29, 2015, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has left no one in doubt about his capability and competence as a tested and trusted administrator and technocrat of repute, in the discharge of his constitutional responsibilities to the people of the state.

Like his other illustrious predecessors, Ambode has followed in the tradition of responsibility, innovative governance, responsiveness and focused leadership. Till date, he has been faithful to his electoral promises by ensuring prompt delivery of democratic dividends to the people.

In a recent media interview the governor affirmed thus: “I usually concentrate on projects that would have the greatest social impact, ones that really touch the majority of the people. If I say my government is people driven, I should be able to choose projects that affect them and also have the greatest impact on their lives”.

Ambode It is, however, in the upgrade of basic infrastructure across the state that the governor has really distinguished himself as a leader with a mission. Infrastructure development is critical to achieving human capital development in any society.

The economic impact that infrastructure improvement has on nation-building cannot be over-emphasised.

The growth of any country’s economy hugely depends on the status of its infra-

structure. The dearth of needed infrastructure in a given society places serious limitation on human capital development.

It is, therefore, in the realization of this that the Ambode administration has made road construction a major part of its developmental agenda. Towards this end, construction of major roads such as Ago-palace Way, Capitol Road, Ajasa Command Road, Ejigbo Ikotun Road, Okota Road,

Isolo, Metal Box Road, Ogba Daleko Road Mushin, Brown Street and Oshodi have been completed. Also, inner roads have not been neglected. For instance, the construction of 114 inner roads, two each of the 57 councils delivered in September 2016, had been applauded by the beneficiaries.

To address traffic gridlock around critical spots across the state, the state government constructed flyover bridges at Ajah and AbuleEgba. Pedestrian bridges were also constructed at Ojodu Berger in response to the yearnings of residents to enable pedestrians navigate both sides of the ever busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where some people have lost their lives. A novel feature of the bridge is that it accommodates the easy movement of people with disabilities with their own wheelchair.

Similarly, the construction of a segregated bus park at the Iyana-Oworo end of the Third Mainland Bridge to alleviate the suffering of the people has halted the avoidable impediment of the free flow of traffic. This is also complemented by the Alapere lay by and slip road which has drastically reduced traffic congestion at the Ketu-Alapere junction.

Since 2015 till date, the state government undertook a total of 342 roads reha-

Mono-Polytechnic Building

T

he Forebears of Ehugbo would appear to have been ancient in wisdom but wise by half, for they approximated Jewish old testament traditions, leaving the new to its’ fate, the faith of Jesus Christ, which SPIED is attempting to bring. SPIED is a black-hollow cause-way, alleys in wonderland of onomatopoeia, idioms and metaphors.

There is no way these articles of faith in Christ, are going to make sense to the first-time reader, for as you would kindly recall, SPIED tends to apply in subsequence. For this level of application, therefore, you are supposed to have carefully searched out preceding editions with New King James Version (NKJV) of the scripture, scriptures that should no longer require elaborate referencing to the serial and discerning reader.

The NKJV of Holy Bible, chapter 11 co-notes from vs1), that the whole earth-plan, planet, was of mono-language and uni-verse of speech. Monolingual vex of speech, speech of sons from Mars. Mars-sons of God, that took wives from among the daughters of men, their offspring of whom became engineers Jinn nears, as close relatives. Vs2) And it came to pass as an event, a vent of anger, on stories of building that is not His-story, as they journeyed from the east, feast of mess to come as commerce, that they saw and found, Shinar.

China-plain in earth, they

found, and said ‘I saw’, Isau found-nation, foundation-sod as pottage of Jacob-dwelling, as doing-well of Rehoboth.

Reho-bought, sold as soldiers, sold theirs’ as sheep in Lion Denmark-et. Vs3) and they said one to another, we are free-masons, mars-sons that Amu-let as ape to go, as scape goat, go to sky as ape, sky-ape, skype scraped off as sheets of sky. Ski on water, the Mini-po, tent of Israel, that was Jacob the Jew-El, but is Isau-the-gem-man, German reach on the 2nd rise and fall of the 3rd-Reich, as bedsheet of heavenly riverHavilah bank as Monk-keys’, quays of sea-men, cemented in animal-horse-bandry.

Whores-banditry of Tivs, thieves, the male-factors of re-production in love-made as bricks-a side-burns with fire, for a smoke out of sight in face of the sky. Ski-on water as khans, watering cans of rain, meant for a hide of the skin, of Jacob in trance, trans-figuration of Isau-name-number in slime, lime-light, the oroma-nce-nkirisi-screen of sperm, counted as stars by Ma, matrix-culation-aja.

Aja-culation-matrix of number, ass-sign, meant of name for thy mention in sex, incense burnt as love-made bricks, from stone of Peter-stirring-willo, the whisper of adams’ mutter to eve, in mutual convokeoccasion as orgasm.

Oga zim ozi-moo-odibo, the message of Esau, never to return as income of Jacob, for uza-Nna, the fathers answer at mount Gibeon. Vs4) And

they said ‘go to’ un-heard of, goat-herd on message of Jacobthe sport, spotted as Isau-the archer-detected as the architectgame, game of monopolyenterprise-profit and loss account-name-number, cooked up as pottage for consummation. Cons-assumption as the bank on odd and even-kill as slain chamber of igbe-ozu-ahia in tomb. Tombo-corpse of winesellers, cellars in the chamber lain at upper-room. Room of the apartment, de-apart, meant for a lodge, of ifa-cultics.

Departmental-faculties-building of Mono-Polytechnics, as Uni-verse-city.

City of Mans’-heart, an tower, Manhattan tower, the sky-scrappers of heavenly-sexkicks of foot-print out, of Jacob as a cat. Cat-copy in photo of Esau under honey-moon-light of Ajalon, Futa-jallon mountain, a prayer oratory of incantation, in mono-language-utara nce isi-ewu asuru nikwe, which translates to ‘ fofo pounded in adams’ mortar of goat-heard, as eves’ dropping of stool in Po-nsi-Ibids, a foot-note on the page of Israel history.

History of Nsi-Bids of tender-men-transfiguration of name-numbers in akwam ozufeast of Igba-afa-birth, alphabet-esda-pool, as sign, meant for pros, the incarnate-soul to come as zodiac-star numbered in cons-tellations, as opposed to random-name numbers in scatter-gram of matrix.

Scatter-grammar, grandma-ma-tricks-culation, the aja o-tele-cast afore as rations

of utara-nce kasua-hili mole of foofoo-dey at feed-hausa, house of ready-made feast, east of the son-rise, set at table of west, waist of mid-wives, a sobriquet for sugar-mummies, the pool-in-step-mother, the nne-ortu-asoturu as the north and south of message on errand, a randy-rite made as love, with the daughters of Heth. Hate speech of uni-verse-city, in mutual loss of under-standing between the thighs for a put-forth hand that taketh life-time seed of the woman-forbidden fruit, in a give and take of secret alm.

Amu-I-Am, God, ogodo eyiri as appara-El, sewn in gender with diverse kinds of monopoly-technique building.

Mono-polytechnic building di-erected by De-Rector, to con-found-nation of prostitution.

Pros-in-tuition fee-males as tax of the sun of righteouscarpenters’-saw of Nazi-wreath, anvill-age-hammer-house of horror-logic of love, made as watch of time and chance as cumulative cause and effect of the king-dom-minor Asia.

Asia minus sign of Isaus’ zo di ark, as sign of plus they saw, sur-name of Jacob, Israel the sur-plus sign of free indeed masons of The Christ-Marsson, Mansions for a ration of three-in-one as Symbol-meta, Meta-boli-sym-card of Joker, the King-dom main, domain of variables, the Add-mathmatricks and the Wateringcandid-date. Gen6:2 1kg3:4 –– Abili Willy, Lagos.

bilitation and construction projects amounting to 365.258km of single carriage way and an approximate width of 7.5m and 5.322km length of bridges. These roads include the 114 and 181 roads on the phase one and two of the state intervention on local government roads. Furthermore, 125 public buildings comprising of three general hospitals, 49 public centres, four skills acquisition centers, three combined high/magistrate courts, 10 fire stations, five police commands, three youth centers, 10 residential development, 28 institutional buildings, five sport facilities, two elderly centers, a hall, a multi-level facility/car park and a multi-purpose center across various local government areas in the state were also executed.

It is also pertinent to state that there were other projects prior to 2015 inherited by the Ambode administration that were also continued and at various levels of completion.

Some of the on-going land mark projects include the reconstruction of the Oshodi Airport Road, Pen Cinema Agege Flyover Bridge, Agric Ishawo road, Igbe-Igbogbo road and building projects such as construction of J.K. Randle Center for Yoruba Culture and History Onikan,

Construction of MultiAgency Building Complex Alausa, reconstruction of Onikan Stadium, among others.

These are iconic infrastructure projects need to be completed because of the derivable socio-economic benefits to the citizenry and enhancing the beauty of the Lagos landscape.

The completed projects have been able to impact positively on the life of residents including addressing traffic gridlock, improved road connectivity within Lagos and general improvement in the socio-economic activities of the state.

No doubt, Governor Ambode’s administration has excelled in the area of infrastructural renewal.

Within a period of four years, nearly every area of the state has felt his Midas touch. It is expected that the incoming administration of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu would continue in the trajectory that is already on ground and build on the achievements the state has recorded in the last 20 years under successive progressive governments.

––Shina Thorpe, Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Alausa, Ikeja

Need for a Peaceful Rivers State

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he general elections have come and gone.

Post-election examinations will reveal that it was an election between Nigerians and the forces of darkness. Rivers State was mapped out as a state to be captured using the exact word of the trouble shooters. To them, the governor must be forced out of power. When it appears that their plan to give governor Wike a bloody nose would not materialize, they had to realign to achieve their aim.

Rivers State became a hot spot. By the time the election results were announced, the number of deaths was still counting. While the people of Rivers State were recovering from the pains of the violence visited on them, the APC warring factions were still in court believing they would get another chance to impose themselves on Rivers State.

It came to an end conclusively when the Supreme Court struck out all the appeals concerning the non-inclusion of the APC in the gubernatorial election in the state. With this, one would expect that peace will return to Rivers State. The governor had to make a statewide broadcast where he urged the belligerents to join hands with him to build the state. The speech depicts a governor who was actually agitated over a possible comeback of the APC on the ballot. Now that that is foreclosed, Rivers State should now return to the path of peace and tranquility.

Beyond the governor calling on the opponents to join hands with him to move Rivers State forward, the security challenges in the state is alarming and all hands must be on deck to arrest it. One cannot honestly divorce the election violence from the current wave of cult-related killings in the state.

If nothing is done right now, the entire Rivers State may be engulfed in flame.

As it stands today, every individual in Rivers State is becoming unsafe every day.

It is unfortunate that some persons decided to capture the state by hook or crook not minding its post-election consequences. The killing in Rivers State can be squarely put on the door steps of politicians who use these criminal gangs at will. Now that the elections are over, the security agents can now enforce security in the state without fear or favour.

Indeed, I say this since they were accused of partisanship during the elections. Our mindset should be that security is everybody’s business and one life lost is many lives lost.

The security agents must be up and going. So far, their efforts are not enough to stem this tide of insecurity in the state. To achieve this, there must be post-election reconciliation between the politicians themselves on one hand, and the government and the security agents on the other hand.

–Chimezie Elemuo, Port Harcourt.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž PRIL 28, 2019

REPORT

Ambode, the New Mr Infrastructure Takes Lagos Infrastructure to Next Level Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013; ͺ͟ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ě&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁ Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x; Ă&#x;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x2039;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x161; Ă&#x2122;Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;ĂĄĂ&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x201C; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă?ËŞĂ? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;ĂĄĂ&#x2039;ĂŁĂ? Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ë&#x203A; Bayo Akinloye Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă? Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2022; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x201D;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?

The Oshodi Transport Interchange commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari

T

he lanky figure looked at the rotund gentleman standing beside him, revealing a gracious grin and a smile of approval. The latter nodded appreciatively.

Then, there was a warm handshake.

If President Muhammadu Buhari was a man of many words, his supporters said he would have described the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, in the most colourful superlatives of adjectives. While that might have been an icing on the cake of Ambode, the illustrious civil servant-turned-politician, people say the projects he has been able to execute in Lagos and for Lagos are enduring â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and not for any show.

Some of the projects: a 170-bed maternal and child medical centre popularly called Ayinke House located on the premises of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH); the remodelled 10-lane Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road; 500-seater Lagos Theatre, Oregun; iconic Oshodi transport interchange; and 820 high and medium capacity public buses had brought the president of the most populous black nation on earth to Lagos on Wednesday.

As he declared open the grand facilities, an elated Buhari subtly described the governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s performance as â&#x20AC;&#x153;satisfactoryâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;commendableâ&#x20AC;?.

Until Ambode assumed power, the Airport Road in Lagos was considered a blight on Nigeria and Lagos as the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s centre of excellence. Today, the road and the environs have gone through a transformation having undergone reconstruction and expansion becoming a three-lane expressway on both directions. In addition, there is also a two-lane service road in both directions making a total of 10 lanes with a ramped bridge to provide a U-turn from Ajao Estate to the airport; and the construction of a flyover at NAHCO/ toll gate and drainage works.

The landscape of the area is breathtaking.

But that is not all.

President Muhammadu Buhari and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, exiting One of the newly unveiled high and medium capacity Buses at the Oshodi Transport Interchange during the commissioning ...recently There was the construction of new pedestrian bridges at the estate and NAHCO/Hajj camp, slip road to provide access to the area, lay-bys and the installation of street lights.

Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one-day working visit to Lagos was a fitting farewell to Ambode, whom many claimed is the best-performing governor Lagos has ever had since the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s return to democracy in 1999.

But when the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s jet touched down at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, his first port of call was a maternity centre â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ayinke House, Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

biggest maternity hospital â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to declare open the revamped clinic which was upgraded from an 80-bed facility to one of 170 beds with state-of-the-art medical equipment, as well as information technology services.

During the inauguration of the facility, Ambode described the opening of the hospital as historic, expressing optimism that the facility will provide world-class health care services to Lagosians and other Nigerians.

The maternity centre has a history behind it â&#x20AC;&#x201C; first inaugurated in 1990 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with the late businessman and philanthropist, Sir

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ PRIL 28, 2019

17

REPORT t "4 ".#0%& 4 -&("$: 130+&$54 .",& -"(04 (3&"5 "("*/ t Continued on Pg.16 Mobolaji Bank-Anthony donating the first dedicated maternal and child care facility to the state government, in memory of his mother. The building was fittingly christened ‘Ayinke House’.

With just one surgical theatre, the medical facility became a first-class hospital – the first choice for expectant mothers and eventually became stretched beyond its capacity as well as suffered neglect. All is well that ends well, people are wont to say. Ambode shared the same sentiment.

“Today, seven years after the closure of the facility, the new edifice is now a 170-bed facility with five surgical theatres. It has a 16-bed emergency care unit with three organ support facilities, 30-bed special baby care unit, five neonatal intensive care units, a fully equipped laboratory with support services, laboratories, and a blood bank,” the governor announced to the cheering of all in attendance.

He added: “Beyond its significance for the health sector, this institute is a major contribution to our education sector also as it becomes a veritable platform for our medical students in the state’s university to enhance their exposure and experience with the top-class medical equipment provided.”

In view of Buhari’s determination to making universal and basic primary healthcare as one of the cardinal priorities of his administration, Ambode noted that the Lagos government, under him, has worked to bring quality, affordable and modern healthcare to all in the state – and, that includes the launch in 2018 of the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme which gives residents access to top quality medical care with support from the state government.

“These and other efforts,” Ambode explained “are directed at improving the lives of our people, especially the women and children; and by extension the productivity of our nation.”

Itching to tour the facility, President Buhari did not waste time in declaring open the facility and took a tour of the hospital. Afterward, the president visited the Lagos Theatre, Oregun in Ikeja, another landmark project conceived and implemented by the Ambode administration to increase arts spaces and create standard platforms for talented citizens of the state to showcase their skills.

The theatre with 500 sitting capacity is one of four such edifices simultaneously constructed by the Ambode administration in Epe, Badagry, and Igando. Afifth one, to be located in Ikorodu, is in the works.

For a first-time visitor in Lagos – and many residents of the state – the sight of Oshodi offered a giddying kaleidoscope depicting humanity at war with modernity. That was in the past as the ‘outgoing sheriff in town’ saw to it that the human, infrastructural and vehicular menace that made the beautiful Oshodi look like a monster was removed and replaced with something many Nigerians had not seen before. It is the Oshodi Transport Interchange.

The OTI seeks to transform Oshodi into a “world-class central business district (CBD) with business, travel and leisure activities conducted in a serene, secure, clean, orderly and hygienic environment, comparable with other transport terminals around the world, including Stratford and Victoria Bus Station in the United Kingdom”, the Lagos government said.

By the project, all the 13 city and interstate bus parks in Oshodi have transformed into three multi-storey terminals, providing standard facilities including waiting area, loading bays, ticketing stands, drivers lounge, parking areas, restrooms, accessible walkways and pedestrian sky-walks linking all the terminals.

Ambode and his team are the brains behind the OTI, designed to reduce travel time on Lagos roads, unlock gridlocks associated with the megacity and “help people commute without stress”. The interchange, like the previous ones before it such as the Ikeja Bus Terminal, Berger Bus Terminal, Yaba Bus Terminal, Oyingbo Bus Terminal and Race Course Bus Terminal will make Lagos function like other megacities in the developed world.

Inside the OTI are 20 lifts and escalators, two skywalks connecting one terminal to the other, architectural LED lights, passenger concourse, public address systems, bus depot, passenger drop-off areas, taxi, and car parks, passenger lounge for intercity commuters, loading bays, and passenger information systems, among others.

The glint in President Buhari’s eyes as he looked at the facilities spoke volume as he inaugurated the facilities which include the 820 buses (equipped with cameras, USB point, internet, television, and reserved spaces for the physically

The newly dualisation of Airport Road, Ikeja challenged, pregnant women and the aged, among others,) being integral components of the Bus Reform Initiative of the Ambode administration through which the government plans to inject 5,000 high and medium capacity buses into the public transportation architecture of the state.

“Your Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has performed satisfactorily and we should all commend him for his contribution to the growth and development of Lagos State,” the impressed and excited president said to Lagosians.

For Ambode, the presidential commendation was a pat on the back for effective governance – not politicking – in Lagos State in the last four years.

The governor believes that at the core of politics is good governance, not power.

“In our promise to deliver people-oriented projects and programmes, a closer look at all the projects indicate that nearly all the different pillars of our development plan as a state have been affected positively through these projects.

The Institute of Maternal and Child Health at LASUTH contributes to our health and education sectors simultaneously.

“The Lagos Theatre, Ikeja is about our social development sector while the Oshodi transport interchange and buses come under our transport, infrastructure, and commerce sectors. The Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road is an infrastructural development project,” Ambode said to Buhari.

All the projects, the Lagos State governor explained, form the thrust of his administration’s vision with the ultimate aim “to make life better for all our people, irrespective of gender, tribe or political leanings.”

Ambode explained further that the state invested the second tranche of the Paris Club refund, in addition to the refund by the federal government on federal road projects executed by states to the construction of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road and the OTI, considered the first of its kind in Africa.

The first tranche of the Paris Club refund to states approved by the president was used “to pay the 40 percent down-payment” for the 820 buses.

“This is our report card, Mr. President,” Ambode said with a smile. “We have used your approval and releases judiciously because we believe strongly in you – in your leadership and in your vision for our country. This is our modest contribution to the growth and development of our state and to the country in general.”

Continuing, the governor said: “Mr. President, we believe strongly that the projects inaugurated today are our own modest contributions to the national development of Nigeria. As I said earlier, these projects would not have been possible without Mr. President’s quiet but impactful decision to approve and release the payments of the Paris Club refund and the refund on federal road projects incurred by the states.”

Brimming with optimism, Ambode believes

The newly commissioned Institute of Maternal and Child Health (Ayinke House), LASUTH, Ikeja

The Lagos Theatre, Oregun, Ikeja that the projects will secure the future prosperity of Lagos, pointing out that the level of investment in the last four years in strengthening the social and physical infrastructure base of the state is becoming evident in all sectors of the state’s economy. There is more Lagos can do.

Ambode said: “Mr. President, Lagos State will continue to support your aspirations to move Nigeria to the ‘Next Level’. The business community in the state is desirous of partnering your government in moving our economy forward.”

That does not appear a gesture the president will take for granted.

According to Buhari, projects executed by the Ambode administration clearly demonstrate the need to continue to provide high-impact schemes for the development of infrastructure and opportunities for job creation at all levels, saying that the development is in sync with the efforts of the federal government to improve infrastructure especially in the transport sector.

Buhari said further: “To complement the Oshodi transport interchange, the federal government has recently approved the reconstruction of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway up to Oworonshoki and the old toll gate which was last attended to 40 years ago.

“We have recently inaugurated the new International Airport Terminals in Port Harcourt and Abuja, as well as the rail lines from Abuja to Kaduna. The Lagos to Ibadan rail line is under construction. Our government will continue to prioritize high-impact infrastructure which will vastly improve the lives of our people.”

Grinning with delight, the president thereafter went on a bus ride with dignitaries to tour the facility and also drove through the remodelled Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road.

By May 29, Ambode will take a bow from his exalted office and not a few Lagosians will “stand up for the champion.

18

A ͺ΀˜ ͺ͸͹΁ ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

INTERNATIONAL Deepening Global Insecurity: Kim Jong-Un’s Russian visit, Sri Lankan Bombings and Huawei’s 5G Politics

G

lobal insecurity is deepening in various ramifications with different state and non-state actors shopping for bombs and particularly with global incapacity to contain effectively nuclear proliferation. Global insecurity is largely emerging essentially as a conflict between Islamic jihadists, on the one hand, and all other members of the global community, on the other. Before now, emphasis used to be placed on nuclear arms, conventional weapons, climate change, gender violence, cyber crimes, bio-weapons, crimes against humanity, etc. As at today, even though terrorism became more pronounced as from 1991 with 9/11 twin tower saga, there is no disputing the fact that the accentuation of terrorism is being globally witnessed.

But why is this so?

It is not clear whether the lack of peace, and particularly deepening of insecurity in the world is a resultant of biblical injunction or not. The Bible, the Gospel of Saint Luke, Chapter 12, Verse 51, stipulates that Jesus Christ asked His followers this question: do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division.’ If this biblical stipulation is that peace is not meant to exist in the world, why is the whole international Community making efforts to establish an environment of peace that we all know, cannot be achieved? Put differently, will there ever be peace in the world before the second coming of Jesus Christ?

For example, the future of the political crisis in Venezuela is not certain. What is currently certain is that there is political lull, a stalemate in which the opposition leader, Juan Guaido, supported by the United States and its allies and the incumbent President, Nicolás Maduro, with the support of Russia and China, cannot lay any good claim of being able to undo the other.

The resultant situation is that the people of Venezuela are made to suffer from the conflicting policies of both sides.

In Africa, the new political trend is that the people of Africa are increasingly taking up the courage to challenge their sit-tight leaders to step aside. The style of the courage is to organise a prolonged sit-down and street protests insisting on resignation of their leaders and not minding government’s brutalities.

Two most recent examples are those of Algeria and Sudan. In both cases, leadership changes have been made in such a way as to respond to public demands. In Sudan, the president was completely removed, but the public is still insisting on a complete change in which all the associates of the former President, Al-Bashir are also sent packing. In Algeria, a new government was set up, the President, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, accepted not to contest in the April 2019 presidential elections.

There is also terrorism-driven insecurity. As noted above, it is largely influenced by Islamic extremism to which the non-Islamic disciples are also now bracing up to fight in self-defence. The cases of Australia and Sri Lanka are good illustrations of this observation. You will recall that, in the case of Australia, terrorist attacks have been occurring from time to time. In 1990, there were four terrorist attacks without casualty, both in terms of death and injury.

The following year, there were again four terrorist attacks, but this time with casualties: one dead and four cases of injury. The year 1993 witnessed no attack but in 1994, the number of terrorist attacks increased sharply to nine, with three cases of death and eight of injury. The number of attacks reduced to five in 1995 and 1996 without casualty in 1995 but two cases of death and one casualty in 1996. In 1997, the number reduced to four with 23 cases of injury. The recidivist character began to show more clearly as from 1998 when six attacks were recorded and no attack in 1999.

In the period from 2000 to 2005, there were no attacks apart from one case in 2000 and two cases in 2001. From two cases in 2006 and three in 2008, terrorism appeared to have taken its root in the country thereafter, and for that matter, on an increasing basis: one attack in 2013, eight in 2014, seven in 2015 and nine in 2016. In 2017, Casey Quacken Bush noted on December 21 that ‘at least a dozen people were hurt on Thursday when a driver in a white SUV plowed through pedestrian(s) at a busy intersection in Melbourne, Australia. Police have not confirmed whether the motive is terrorism-related, but Victoria Police told media that the incident was believed to be a deliberate act.’

In the same vein, Luke Henriques-Gomes reported on Satur-

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

in the country will be checked... The lists of permanent residents of every house will be established to ensure no unknown persons could live anywhere.’ In fact, Catholic Sunday masses have been suspended until further notice’ in Sri Lanka. It is useful to also note that both Muslims and Christians are in the minority, each with less than 10% of the population. Majority of the population are Buddists.

The import of the foregoing is that terrorist threats are no longer those witnessed in a dream. They are real, meaning that the environment of political governance in Sri Lanka is necessarily that of insecurity. But what is again noteworthy about terrorism is the likelihood of its nature being changed to state-driven terror.

Without doubt, state terrorism exists already. However, States that are the targets of terrorists cannot but be compelled in the spirit of legitimate self-defence seek to use what is available to them to fight back, with or without bearing in mind the rules of humanitarian law. Thus the world is gradually inching towards a more disorderly situation. It is within this context that the recent visit of the North Korean leader, Kim Jung-Un, to Russia and the banning of the Huawei’s 5G telecommunication equipment should be explicated and understood. The two cases also have the potential to seriously threaten global security.

Kim Jung-Un’s Visit

Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres day, 10 November, 2018 that ‘Australian police have declared a terrorist attack in the centre of Melbourne a “reality check” and a “wake-up call,” as the city mourns a popular restaurant owner who was stabbed to death by the ISIS-inspired attacker on Friday.’

More important, ‘the event yesterday for us is a reality check, even with the fall of the ISIS caliphate... the threats continues to be real,’ Ian McCartney, the Acting Deputy Commissioner for National Security, has said.

The aftermath of the fall of the ISIS Caliphate is the new source of fear. It is, indeed, the new threat with the potential of the returning battle-hardened and not weary-experienced terrorists to the country that not only remains the most critical security challenge for the Government of Australia but also to the global community.

Perhaps more disturbingly too, is the most recent terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka where 359 people were reportedly killed in a wave of blasts on Easter Sunday. What is particularly disturbing is the nature and reported cause of the attacks: there were reports of advanced intelligence advice on the likelihood of the attacks but to which little or no attention was paid. In other words, the security agencies cannot rightly claim that they were cut unawares. In fact, there is the Indian early warnings on the potential attacks ahead of the Easter Sunday bombings given to Sri Lanka.

Most unfortunately, the security warnings appeared not to have been taken seriously.

Now that the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka himself, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has said that ‘police and security forces are rounding up those involved, but they’re also rounding up the sleepers, those used on second and third rounds of attacks... The danger has come down drastically, but we do have to pick up some more sleepers, which we will do in the next few days.’

True enough, the Government of Sri Lanka has told all the Muslims not to stay at home for Friday prayers. In the words of the Sri Lankan president, Maithripala Sirisena, ‘every household

The import of the foregoing is that terrorist threats are no longer those witnessed in a dream. They are real, meaning that the environment of political governance in Sri Lanka is necessarily that of insecurity. But what is again noteworthy about terrorism is the likelihood of its nature being changed to state-driven terror. Without doubt, state terrorism exists already. However, States that are the targets of terrorists cannot but be compelled in the spirit of legitimate self-defence seek to use what is available to them to fight back, with or without bearing in mind the rules of humanitarian law. Thus the world is gradually inching towards a more disorderly situation

The first summit visit of North Korean leader, Kim Jung-UN, to Russia last week Wednesday, 24th April, raises many speculations, especially in terms of the objective of the visit and implications for global security. The organisation of the visit, which took place in Vladisvostok, was shrouded in secrecy. But because the visit came after the June 2018 Singaporean and 2019 Hanoi (Vietnam) Donald Trump-Kim Jung-Un summits, both of which could not achieve the set aims, some logical speculations are that Kim Jung-Un might have gone to Russia to not only further brief Russia about the implications of global trends but also to seek Russian support. It is from this perspective that the State visit is considered strategic and important.

First, the meeting clearly suggests the non-dependentist attitudinal disposition of North Korean president. In other words, North Korea is saying that it is neither dependent on the United States nor on Beijing. The clear message to the United States, which is seeking to stop any nuclearisation effort of North Korea, is non-preparedness to dance to the American tunes. In other words, there is no readiness to subject the sovereignty of North Korea to the whims and caprices of the United States.

In the same vein, Russia is equally sending a strong message to the United States and its allies that, in any quest to resolve the Korean Peninsula conflict, the Russian interest cannot and must not be ignored. In this regard, Russia is also indicating that North Korea can begin to rely on Russian friendship in its US foreign policy defence and calculations. Thus, the visit is that of mutual solidarity. And true enough, during the summit meeting, President Vladimir Putin did not fail to indicate Russia’s interest in possibly mediating Kim Jung-Un’s dispute with the United States. One point that emerged from the summit following Kim Jung-Un’s quick return home, that is four and a half hours earlier than scheduled is that President Donald Trump unilaterally negotiated in bad faith with him in the February summit held in Hanoi. This means that the North Korean leader was aggrieved, a situation which probably prompted his visit to Russia.

And perhaps more importantly, the visit might have been particularly organised to firm up alternative strategies to the South Korea-United States consultations. In other words, how should Russia and North Korea respond to the South Korea-United States consultations since their relationships with North Korea are largely predicated on mutual suspicions. Russia has different grouses with the United States. There is the US allegations of Russian intervention in the processes of the 2016 US presidential elections which had led to the taking of sanctionary measures by the United States against Russia. The European Union allies of the United States have differences with Russia as well.

The critical problem in the relationships is the attempt by the United States and its allies to impose their national interests by manu militari to which North Korea has vehemently refused to subscribe and the reason cannot be far-fetched. The United States is strongly opposed to North Korea having nuclear weapons but North Korea is capitalising on the fact that other nuclear weapons states, including the United States, are legally allowed to have nuclear arms. To North Korea, this is an expression of unfairness.

North Korea wants to acquire the nuclear weapons for purposes of national security and strategy. This is a clear case of conflict of national interests.

Another point of significance of the visit is that it clearly points to the changing of the current global balance of power. The United States is currently adjudged the leading power of the world even if President Donald Trump gives the impression that the United States is on the path of decline and that there is the need to put in place an ‘America First’ policy. The truth of the matter is not really that the US power is declining but the fact that other countries of the world have also had good scientific breakthrough while the United States is looking at the Chinese ascendancy simply as Chinese stealing its technology, hence the issue of intellectual theft as an issue in the Sino-US trade war.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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

BUSINESS MTN’s Bold Step Towards Shares Listing 08033204315, 08111813084

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Last week’s completion of the conversion from private company to a public company (Plc)

by MTN Nigeria, has been described as a major leap that will put an end to the long-awaiting plans of the telecoms company to list on the NSE, writes Emma Okonji

MTN Nigeria CEO, Ferdi Moolman

B

efore now, hopes were high for would-be shareholders of MTN Nigeria, who were interested in investing in the shares of MTN Nigeria by the time the telecoms company makes itself available for listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), and becomes MTN Nigeria Communica-

tions Plc. Their hopes kept rising and they were looking forward to a day when MTN Nigeria will announce its readiness to list on NSE, to enable them seize the investment opportunity to invest in MTN Nigeria shares.

The hopes were however rekindled last week, when MTN Nigeria announced that it has completed its conversion from a private company to a public company (Plc), thus making the telecoms company to become MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, which they considered as a major step taken by the telecoms giant towards listing on the NSE.

Initial Promises The former MTN Nigeria Communications Limited, which last week became MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, following its conversion from a private company to a public company, had long made its intention known to the Nigerian populace that it was interested and willing to list on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, with initial promises from its management team and its parent company, MTN South Africa.

Since the telecoms company made the initial promise to list on NSE, Nigerians have been looking forward to that day to enable them invest in its shares and become shareholders of a multinational telecoms

CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyema

company that had since its inception of rollout of its commercial services in 2001, maintained the position of the largest telecoms operator in Nigeria, with a current subscriber base of over 65 million and market share of 37.83 per cent.

The latest of MTN Nigeria’s many promises to list on NSE before last week’s announcement on the completion of its conversion initiative, was the affirmation by MTN Nigeria CEO, Ferdi Moolman, who reiterated plan by the telco to list on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) before the end of third quarter of this year.

According to Moolman, save for the disagreement MTN Nigeria had with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last year, the company would have gone ahead with its listing plan.

He explained: “There was a lot of work that we did on the listing and our target was to list in 2018. We are a private company at the moment and we need to change to a public company before we can list.

“We need to send our directors for training to comply with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nigerian Stock Exchange requirements to be able to list and a lot of work went on at the backend on the listing. Then, the CBN issue happened.

This was sequel to the assurance given by the President and Chief Executive Officer of MTN Group, Mr. Rob Shuter, in February this year, when he said MTN Nigeria would be listing on the NSE by the first half of this year, by way of introduction.

“We have decided though to pursue the listing by means of a listing by introduction. It is phase one,” Shuter said.

He indicated that the move would enable the company to get listed easily, adding that findings showed

that the free float in the Nigerian market would be about 35 per cent.

Transcript of the call revealed that after the phase one, which would be completed by the first half of 2019, the shares would be open to Nigerian investors as part of the second phase of the listing.

“It means that we will list the company in the initial phases without any public offer or sell-down or initial public offering. I think this will enable us to get the company listed whilst the market still digests the implications of what has happened over the last few months,” Shuter said.

He added, “We will in phase two be doing a project to increase the Nigerian participation in MTN Nigeria, targeting more a free float of around 35 per cent than the free float we have today which is around 20 per cent. So, we aim to conclude at least the listing by introduction in the first half of 2019, pretty much as soon as we can, and then subject to market conditions, appetite and demand, we would, in phase two, do the sell-down,” Shuter added.

Last Week’s Announcement MTN Nigeria, last week further raised the hope of Nigerians, when it announced that it has completed its conversion from a private company to a public company (Plc), thus making the telecoms company to become MTN Nigeria Communications Plc. According to MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, the conversion to a Plc remained a legal requirement and key milestone in the preparatory process for its listing by introduction on The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

MTN’s intended listing on NSE will create a new telecoms asset class for investors and provide a wider

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Has CBN Finally Tamed Inflation?

With a downward trajectory in recent months, the Central Bank of Nigeria may have curtailed the rising inflation, which had threatened the key macroeconomic conditions, writes James Emejo

A ďŹ sh market...hopes on the horizon for lower inďŹ&#x201A;ation

T

he consumer price index (CPI), which gauges the rate of inflation, further dropped to 11.25 per cent (year-on-year) in March 2019, compared to the 11.31 per cent recorded in February.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in its March CPI report noted that the 0.06 per cent decrease in the headline index was reflected in all the divisions that determine inflation.

Core inflation for the month stood at 9.5 per cent, down by 0.3 per cent when compared with the 9.8 percent recorded in February while the composite food index, stood at 13.45 per cent compared to 13.47 per cent the previous month.

According to the statistical agency, the urban inflation rate dropped to 11.54 per cent (year-on-year) in March, compared to 11.59 per cent in February, while the rural inflation rate also reduced to 10.99 per cent from 11.05 per cent.

On a month-on-month basis, the urban index rose by 0.81 percent in March, up by 0.05 from 0.76 per cent recorded in February while the rural index also rose by 0.77 per cent in March, up by 0.06 per cent from the 0.71 per cent rate recorded in February.

Specifically, the slow rise in the food index was attributed to the muted increases in prices of bread and cereals, meat, fish, potatoes, yam and other tubers, oils and fats, and soft drinks, vegetables, and fruits.

On month-on-month basis, the food sub-index increased by 0.88 per cent in March 2019, up by 0.06 per cent points from 0.82 per cent recorded in February 2019.

According to the NBS, the average annual rate of change of the food sub-index for the twelve-month period ending March 2019 over the previous 12-month average was 13.42 per cent, 0.20 per cent points from the average annual rate of change recorded in February 2019 (13.62) per cent.

However, on a month-on-month basis, the core sub-index increased by 0.53 per cent in March, down by 0.12 per cent when compared with 0.65 per cent recorded in February.

The highest increases were recorded in prices

of domestic and household services, tobacco, actual and imputed rent for housing, dental, medical and hospital services, tobacco and major household appliances.

It was not surprising that the decline in headline index impacted positively on the prices of some consumer items within the month.

For instance, the average price per litre paid by consumers for National Household Kerosene decreased by -0.49 per cent month-on-month and increased by 12.99 per cent year-on-year to N303.94 in March from N305.44 in February.

According to the National Household Kerosene Price Watch March 2018, states with the highest average price per litre of kerosene were Anambra N329.09, Ebonyi N326.83, and Ondo N326.67.

Those with the lowest average price per litre of kerosene were Gombe N255.38, Niger N278.02 and Kaduna N279.75.

Also, average price per gallon paid by consumers for kerosene decreased by -1.56 per cent month-on-month and increased by 26.25 per cent year-on-year to N1190.89 in March 2019 from N1209.73 in February 2019.

Furthermore, the average price for the refilling of a 5kg cylinder for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (cooking gas) decreased by -0.16 per cent month-on-month and -1.25 per cent year-onyear to N2,064.45 in March from N2,067.68 in February.

According to the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Cooking Gas) Price Watch, states with the highest average price for the refilling of a 5kg cylinder for cooking gas include Bauchi (N2,500.00), Cross River N2,400.00 and Adamawa N2,375.00 while those with the lowest average price for the refilling of a 5kg cylinder for cooking gas were Kaduna N1,740.17, Enugu N1,769.23 and Osun N1,785.29.

Essentially, the recent decline in inflation has caused some excitement in the market especially the CBN which had been battling to contain the rising prices and stabilise the exchange rate.

Notably, inflation resumed its descent in January 2019 when it dropped to 11.37 per cent from 11.44 per cent in December in 2018.

The headline index further reduced to 11.31 per cent in February and 11.25 per cent in March.

One of the major concerns around high inflation had been its benign effect on both monetary and fiscal policy and the economy in general.

Writing in the European Journal of Business and Management, on the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Assessment of the Effect of Inflation on Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Economic Growth: Vector Error Correction Model Approachâ&#x20AC;?, in their 2017 piece, Eze Onyebuchi Michael and Nweke Abraham Mbam of the Department of Economics, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, had further established that inflation affected Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic growth negatively and insignificantly.

According to them: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Generally, high inflation imposes welfare costs on a nation, hinders efficient allocation of resources by affecting the role of changes in the relative price level, and as well discourages investments and savings in an economy as it creates unpredictable future prices. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The situation also affects financial development because it makes financial intermediation more costly, and the poor are mostly affected because they rescind in holding financial assets that provides a hedge against high inflation and decreases a countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s international competitiveness by making exports more expensive. â&#x20AC;&#x153; It also has negative effect on payments balance, and reduces long-term growth of a country. Business and households perform poorly during the period of high inflation.â&#x20AC;?

There is no gainsaying the fact that the CBN had in recent times reeled out an array of intervention programmes to tame inflation and restrict it to a single-digit target of between six to nine per cent this year in order to stabilise exchange rate, which had been under undue pressure from mainly oil price volatility in recent times.

The apex bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts appeared to have yielded fruits, by the recent consecutive monthly decline, eventually allowing the bank a rare opportunity to tinker with the monetary policy rate (interest rate) which was reduced by 50 basis points recently to the excitement of the markets.

The adjustment in MPR finally came after holding the rate at 14 per cent for about two years, largely due to inflation as the former rate cannot go below the latter rate.

Nonetheless, analysts have expressed cautious optimism over the downward trajectory in inflation.

A credible source told THISDAY that though the decline in the March index was a positive indication for the economy, vulnerability of oil price shocks for an import dependent economy such as Nigeria posed a challenge.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s positive news that the trajectory of inflation has been heading downward consistently over the last few months. Even MPC decision to reduce the MPR has not in any way turned effective interest rate to negative which is positive as portfolio investments will remain profitable to that extent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A signal for supporting growth is now sent to the market by MPC and this will be further supported by reducing inflation rate and improving foreign reserve to over $44 billion. However, vulnerability of oil price shocks for an import dependent economy like Nigeria implies that, any downward change in oil price will easily put pressure on our foreign exchange reserve and further trigger imported, cost push inflation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Walking the talk of ensuring economic diversification and dealing with the fuel subsidy issue is the key to sustainable growth and development of the economy.â&#x20AC;?

Also, commenting on the inflation numbers, Research Analysts at FXTM, Lukman Otunuga, said it was a favourable development, considering that there had been speculation of increased government spending stoking inflationary pressure.

He said:â&#x20AC;&#x153;With consumer prices moderating closer towards the Central Bank of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s target band of six to nine per cent, this may open the doors for the central bank to make a move in the future. â&#x20AC;&#x153;While it remains premature to speculate on the possibility of another rate cut occurring anytime soon following the surprise move in March, repeated signs of easing inflationary pressures could prompt the CBN to cut rates again during the second half of 2019.â&#x20AC;?

Also, analysts at Cordos Securities Limited, said there appeared to be no risk to the headline index for the rest of the year.

It noted that looking ahead, whilst the still elevated diesel price should have ordinarily driven month-on-month food inflation higher in April, they expect a ramp up of output in April off season harvest by Nigerian farmers would cap higher transport cost pass-through to food prices.

According to the investment analysts: â&#x20AC;&#x153;That, together with a stronger naira, which continues to discourage cross-border demand from neighbouring countries, informs our sanguine view on food prices. Thus, we expect month-on-month food inflation to moderate slightly in April. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Elsewhere, despite the fuel scarcity which greeted the month of April across key segments of the federation, we remain largely confident of a subdued month-on-month core inflation reading in the near term.â&#x20AC;?

However, analysts at Cowry Assets Management Limited said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We expect inflation rate to rise in the months of April, May and June amid Easter and Ramadan festivities plus ongoing planting season. Also, the eventual signing of the new minimum wage bill will also push headline inflation higher going forward.â&#x20AC;?

Nonetheless, Michael and Mbam further observed that â&#x20AC;&#x153;while government economic measures aimed at improving public spending on both private and public investments leads to increase real GDP, such measure does not lead to solving Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inflation problems.â&#x20AC;?

Rather, they urged government to â&#x20AC;&#x153;reconsider the over reliance in its spending on public and private investments in solving inflation problems in Nigeria, as there are other factors responsible for high inflation in the economy.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Similarly, government is advised to pursue vigorously the economic policies targeted at improving economic growth because that will help to reduce high inflation in the economy,â&#x20AC;? they added.

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How Artificial Intelligence will Disrupt Financial Services Industry With a fast-paced world becoming a global village where customer-interaction personalised and a click-away, technology is, no doubt, playing a key impactful role in redefining the operations of finance and banking sector, including the consumer experience. Artificial Intelligence is the new buzzword and trending focus across the financial world. Can Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finance services industry benefit from the application of Artificial Intelligence without major collateral damge? asks Adedayo Adejobi

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oday, it is easy to get carried away by the buzzword of artificial intelligence, especially with huge noise made about it. But, in its current form, its application is helping improve and transform industries across developed countries, especially in the financial services sector. The big question amongst the third world countries is, how would artificial intelligence assist the financial services industry in Nigeria? If Nigeria gets it right, the likelihood that Africa would speedily join the bandwagon is high.

Every fintech application or new piece of banking software is presently accompanied by bold claims about its use of AI, even though in many cases, they are simply upgraded algorithms. In truth, such advanced filtering applications are already available.

They are just one of the AI-driven applications that are going to transform the way customers view financial organisations, especially in the retail banking and lending sector.

General purpose technology is a term economists reserve for technologies that spur protracted economic growth and societal advancements, revolutionising the operations of households and corporations alike.

According to a recent Harvard Business Review study, artificial intelligence (AI) is designated as the most important general purpose technology of this era. With increased familiarity with the power of Artificial Intelligence, it manifests in the form of a robot defeating a world-renowned chess player, a car that can parallel-park itself devices that respond with tomorrowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weather when we ask. But much of manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contact withâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and understanding ofâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;AI revolves around products that affect the consumerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s every day.

At the various levels in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s financial services sector, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a larger question around how AI will disrupt industries, and specifically, how financial services will harness AI. What could be timelier in Nigeria is when the financial service providers and relevant authorities open up banking revolution by placing greater requirements on banks to use technology for more effective engagement with customers, without having to down tool a chunk of its workforce. It all adds to the competitive pressures on banks and fintech companies.

How will AI change banking?

As they slog it out in this intense atmosphere, financial organisations will quickly find they must embrace AI, given the range of applications now operational, such as chatbots, virtual assistants or automated personalised review summaries in developed climes.

A compliance analyst and market research specialist with Data Pro Limited, Dele Adeoye, said analysts forecasted that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;more than 85 per cent of customer interactions will be managed without a human by 2020, whilst he believes that chatbots and other virtual assistants will become the primary consumer AI applications over the next five years.â&#x20AC;?

There is indeed every reason for banks to deploy solutions like chatbots to engage with customers seeking help or information, just as online retailerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s applications, for instance recommends outfits to shoppers based on the style of clothes they prefer.

Banks and insurers know their customers far more intimately than fashion retailers and with AI to analyse the data, can make highly relevant recommendations about financial products and services.

Technology professionals allude to the fact that AI solutions can also head off potential problems before they develop, learning to detect the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;distressâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; signals and react accordingly. Experts opine AI is a huge driver of efficiency in customer-service, facilitating rapid expansion and keeping a cap

Machine Learning, an oďŹ&#x20AC;shot of ArtiďŹ cial Intelligence

on recruitment costs.

Voice-based Assistance A unique advantage to AI-driven innovation is the voice-based assistance feature which allows the user to use banking services through voice commands rather than touching their mobile phone or any other device.

Greater Insights into Data Analytics AI can dig deeper and get better insights into the existing and newer data to look for trends and patterns leading to the delivery of a better service to a customer. With ever increasing data, AI can efficiently examine raw data to excavate important information.

The Future Artificial intelligence in finance is able to continuously learn and re-learn the existing data, patterns which affect the finance industry, as it provides a great scope for developing current products and services an opportunity to develop these existing products in the portfolio. Artificial intelligence can regularly study the market to know what the consumers are looking for and can provide them with those services before anyone in the market.

Meeting the Demands of New Generations There certainly is no alternative to AI-adoption unless a bank or financial institution is determined to lose out to competitors. It is clear that todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s consumers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; especially the under-35s â&#x20AC;&#x201C; will head elsewhere if they are not given fast responses and quick, effective solutions to their problems.

For marketing reasons, advertisers, business owners, brand custodians and investors, this generation is presently engaging with banks and wants to do more with lenders, insurers and mortgage-providers in more meaningful ways â&#x20AC;&#x201C; preferably using a mobile device.

New generation is a demographic moving into the mortgage market, gaining higher salaries and having families. They cannot be ignored and while fees

and charges matter, the use of technology is a major factor in whom they should bank with, especially when it comes to customer-facing technology that makes interaction easier and increases personalisation.

Personalisation is essential to winning customers when a simple mouse-click is all it takes to switch between competitors. What builds loyalty and increases revenues, is treating customers as individuals, recognising them each time they interact with a business so that their specific requirements are always met.

Less Human Intervention There might no longer be a need for specific personnel to answer questions about financial services being offered and how they can help the customer.

Now, AI processes data to solve queries and suggest the best service or solution for an individual without human intervention. Human opinions are no longer needed to forecast the demand of financial services.

What might pose a difficulty across the industry, however, is the banks might be short of the capacity and expertise to develop AI initiatives. Yet this is not an insuperable difficulty. Many organisations are already realising that off-the-shelf solutions with their plug-in-and-play ease of integration will enable them to meet these challenges immediately.

Fraud Detection Artificial intelligence can proactively detect whether fraud is going to take place in a financial system or not. AI makes it a point to keep all things secure and take steps towards safety before any chances of fraud can occur. Fraud detection through AI can help bankers follow the policies and regulations while providing a financial service to an individual.

AI is expanding the financial products portfolio by continuously understanding the human psychology.

Compliance Considerations Speaking on key compliance considerations relating to the use of AI in the provision of financial services, Abimbola Adeseyoju, Managing Director, DataPro Limited, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;With the emergence of AI, financial industry

would be devoting increased amount of money, attention, and time to developing and using AI approaches. This is a result of several significant factors, including the increased accessibility of the three key components of AI -- algorithms, processing power, and big data. We are already seeing the ways in which AI is and will continue to impact the banking sector. These impacts range from combining expanded consumer data sets with new algorithms in credit underwriting and insurance pricing, to the use of chatbots (rather than live operators) to provide assistance and financial advice to consumers, among others. With AI, compliance and risk management by banks comes to the fore, as it would boost fraud detection, capital optimization, and portfolio management.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; In Nigeria, the use of AI in financial services is still not in use, and might soon be receiving increased attention and regulatory scrutiny. Regulators are aware of and paying attention to the application of AI in the financial services industry. Local regulators would be faced with the task of first looking to existing laws, regulations, guidance, and supervisory approaches from developed climes, especially as they begin to evaluate the appropriate regulatory and supervisory approach for AI uses.

Besides, most banks will need to resort to using non-bank vendors in order to take advantage of AI approaches, including chatbots, anti-money-laundering/ know your customer compliance products, or new credit evaluation tools. Financial institutions could be adopting the regulatorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; risk-based supervisory approach in their use of different AI approaches.

Speaking on the unique essence and pivotal role AI would play in the global economy, Femi Jaiyeola, Fellow, Compliance Institute of Nigeria and the Association of Chief Compliance Officers of banks in Nigeria, said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;With the pivotal role of the Banking and Financial Services Industry in general to the global economy, one would expect that AI by now, would have dramatically changed the face of the industry. However, the level of adoption of AI in the Banking and Financial Service sector has been a bit limited.

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As More Companies List on NSE The jinx of listing of new shares by fresh companies on the platform of the Nigerian Stock Exchange appears to be disappearing as more companies are beginning to express confidence in doing business on the bourse by listing their shares. Most recently was the listing of an aviation handling companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s initial public offer which boosted the capitalisation of the market by over N6 billion. More companies are on the waiting list to further increase the depth of the bourse with the listing of their shares in the days ahead. Bamidele Famoofo reports

Nigerian Stock Exchange

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n the last three years, the revival of listing of new shares on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange has begun, putting an end to the drought the market has experienced since 2008 after a major global financial crisis took its toll on business in the stock market.

To be specific the turnaround came in 2016, when the NSE welcomed the offer The Initiates Plc to list 889,981,552 ordinary shares by introduction on the Alternative Securities Market (ASeM) Board. The Initiates Plc, by that action, became the first waste management company to be listed on the exchange.

In January 2017, NSE listed by introduction 9.75billion ordinary shares of Med-View Airline on its main board. Med-View Airline Plc is one of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foremost airlines, airlifting more than three million passengers and 46million tonnes of cargo (annually) to 14 local, regional and international destinations, including London, Accra, Jeddah, Abuja, and Lagos amongst others.

Barely a month after Med-View Airline came on board, a financial institution joined the league.

Jaiz Bank Plc, Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first non-interest bank, listed ordinary shares of N29, 464,249,300 of 50kobo each at N1.25 per share on the exchange on Thursday, February 9, 2017, by introduction.

Also, the exchange on Monday, November 27, 2017, listed by introduction, 800 million ordinary shares of Global Spectrum Energy Services Plc at N5 Per Share on its main board. Global Spectrum Energy Services Plcis an integrated oil & gas offshore support vessel services company operating in key oil and gas producing areas in West Africa.

Then in August 2018, Notore Chemical Industries Plc opened the door of listings as the foremost Nigeria Fertiliser Company joined the club of quoted companies as it listed its entire paid-up share capital on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. A total of 1.612 billion ordinary shares was listed.

Notore, a vertically integrated agro-allied, chemical and power group based in Onne, Rivers State, has six subsidiaries including Notore Supply & Trading Mauritius Limited, Notore Power Limited,

Notore Seeds Limited, Notore Foods Limited and Notore Industrial City Limited.

The most recent on the list and perhaps, one of the most celebrated was the coming of board Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCOL Plc) to increase the number of issuing companies on the exchange.

SAHCOL Plc is the first company under the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) privatisation programme to successfully finalise an initial public offering and list its shares on a securities exchange. The company is a full-scale aviation ground handling service provider with a focus on aircraft/ramp handling, cargo handling passenger handling, premium lounge, aviation security and baggage reconciliation.

SAHCOL Plc, which is competitor to NAHCO Plc listed1,353,580,000 ordinary shares at N4.65 per share by way of an Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the main board of NSE on Tuesday, April 23, 2019. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The listing of SAHCO added N6.29billion to the market capitalisation of the exchange, further deepening the Nigerian capital market.

This listing marks a return to listing by way of IPO following Transcorp Hotels IPO listing in 2015. The long break of IPO listing at the local bourse followed the 2008 global financial crisis,â&#x20AC;? said Chief Executive Officer of NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema.

In her welcome remarks, the Executive Director, Regulation, NSE, Ms Tinuade Awe, commended SAHCO Plc for taking the bold step to list on the exchange. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are particularly pleased that SAHCO Plc has taken this strategic step to join the main board of the exchange and in so doing, the prestigious club of quoted companies in Nigeria. This step indicates the firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s belief that our platform remains a veritable avenue for raising capital and enabling sustainable national growth. I commend SAHCO Plc for this bold and strategic step, which will not only showcase the company as an established player in the Aviation sector, but will enable the firm to actualise its strategic vision of becoming the leading provider

of passenger, Ramp and Cargo Handling Services in the West African sub-region.â&#x20AC;?

Awe, also stated that the exchange encourages other privatised state-owned enterprises to explore the different opportunities in the capital markets for raising long term capital.

SAHCO was incorporated as a private limited liability company under the name Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited on 22nd April 2009.

The company is a member of the Sifax Group. In 2009, the Sifax Group, through SAHCO, acquired the Federal Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 100 per cent equity stake in Skypower, an aviation ground handling services entity, under the privatisation programme of the federal government. Following the acquisition, Skypower became a wholly-owned subsidiary of SAHCO, with its operations taken on by the company.

More companies are expected to join the train in the months ahead. For instance, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has announced that it had completed its conversion from a private company to a public company. The company said the conversion to a public liability company is a legal requirement and key milestone in the preparatory process for MTNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s listing by introduction on NSE. A source from MTN said the intended listing on the NSE will create a new telecoms asset class for investors and provide a wider group of Nigerians with a chance to participate in the MTN investment opportunity.

Speaking on the announcement, the MTN CEO, Mr. Ferdi Moolman, commented: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our conversion to a Plc is a major step towards listing by introduction on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in the first half of 2019. It is a reaffirmation of our long-term commitment to expanding investment opportunities for Nigerians, in addition to providing everyday services to them. We look forward to continuing our engagement with the SEC and NSE to take forward the listing process.â&#x20AC;?

In March this year, MTN announced its earnings for the 2018 financial year, recording growth above inflation in full service revenue at 17.2 per cent and the addition of nearly six million new subscribers

to the network. The company announced earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of N453.1 billion and expanded EBITDA margins to 43.6 percent(excluding the CBN resolution amount). The company added 4.5 million active data customers during the year, delivering data revenue growth of 39.3 percent and expanding to 18.7 million the number of people that it connects to the possibilities that the internet provides. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigeria is one of the largest markets within MTNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s portfolio and central to its growth strategy.

The upcoming listing is a key milestone for the MTN group and is part of its commitment to localisation in the markets in which it operates,â&#x20AC;? a statement from MTN said.

Analysts believe that the overall weak macroeconomic scenario, the sustained negative market sentiments within the period, coupled with other factors such as falling oil prices, and the tension in the socio-political space, did not encourage successful primary market activities.

Meanwhile, the NSE has retooled itself in many ways to remain an attractive destination for issuers. It has built a more responsive market by deploying cutting-edge technology for trading and reducing market infractions through improved market monitoring and surveillance via the use of artificial intelligence. The exchange has also developed a market structure that has introduced upscale securities listings such as the first ever Sovereign Green Bond (FGN Green Bonds) in an emerging market and the FGN savings bond, which democratised participation in fixed income securities. Investors have also been provided with better visibility into listed companies as the exchange introduced the Corporate Governance Rating System (CGRS) and CG index, while providing protection by way of the Investors Protection Fund.

The NSE is in the process of introducing e-IPO platform, which will help boost market participation and enhance liquidity in the market. This platform, according to market sources, will enable seamless and efficient public offering subscription.

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Ëš MTNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bold Step towards Shares Listing Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from Pg. 19 group of Nigerians with a chance to participate in the MTN investment opportunity.

Speaking on the announcement, Moolman said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our conversion to a Plc is a major step towards listing by introduction on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in the first half of 2019. It is a reaffirmation of our long-term commitment to expanding investment opportunities for Nigerians, in addition to providing everyday services to them. We look forward to continuing our engagement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and NSE to take forward the listing process.â&#x20AC;?

Subscribers Some subscribers to MTN Nigeria who reacted to last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s announcement on the conversion exercise, hailed the telecoms company, describing the action as a major leap towards listing on NSE. They however called on MTN Nigeria to fast-track all processes leading to the listing.

A Lagos-based businessman, who identified himself as Chief Jude Okoroafor, told THISDAY that Nigerians were eager to invest in MTN Nigeria, and advised its management to facilitate all processes leading to the listing, to enable Nigerians invest in MTN Nigeria.

Okoroafor however expressed his worries over the delay in listing, explaining that most Nigerians are getting tired of the continuous promises of MTN Nigeria to list on the NSE, without actualising it. He advised that the July date for the planned commencement of the phase listing, should be realistic to keep hope alive.

Stakeholders Pleased with the conversion from a private company to a public company (Plc), the President, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Olusola Teniola, told THISDAY that the move was a welcome development in the Nigerian telecoms industry, since it would pave the way for listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. According to him, it would help the company to grow its capital expenditure (CAPEX) base and have enough money for its 4G rollout. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The telecoms industry is proud with this development and we will support MTN Nigeria Communications Plc in its genuine plan for listing on the NSE. It will help the telecoms company to raise more money and contribute more to the industry in terms of development, because people will be interested to invest in the telecoms company. The telecoms industry alone contributes over N450 billion yearly to government in terms of taxes and this will be an opportunity for MTN Nigeria Communications Plc to contribute more to the Nigerian government and to the telecoms industry,â&#x20AC;? Teniola said.

Responding to question on how the planned listing will help the telecoms company manage its current challenges with the federal government, Teniola said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is on global record that any company that lists on the stock exchange, has higher chances of becoming more responsible and more transparent in its dealings with government and the public, because it will automatically come under public scrutiny as soon as it gets listed on the stock exchange.â&#x20AC;? According to him, with the planned listing, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc will have to raise its game and comply with corporate governance rules and act always in a manner that will be seen by the public as transparent.

Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, who also spoke on the latest conversion of MTN Nigeria Communications Limited to MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, commended the efforts of the telecoms company for making preparations towards listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. According to him, the move would make MTN Nigeria Communications Plc to become publicly quoted and its approach to business would change, thus giving Nigerians the opportunity to become part owners of the telecoms company.

Challenges Looking at the challenges associated with listing on the stock exchange, the Founder, CWG Plc and ALA Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies, Mr. Austin Okere, said listing on the stock exchange for business expansion remained a good business idea, but that there was need to consider the peculiar nature of the business before attempting to list on the stock exchange. â&#x20AC;&#x153;CWG Plc, which I founded some years ago, for instance, listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, but companies must be careful in listing on the stock exchange to raise â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Series Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Series Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; funding for their business, because people that want to invest in the business at the stock exchange, want their investments to yield results three times within a space of five years, and their expectations are high.

Again businesses must consider the stability of exchange rate before listing. If exchange rate is

fluctuating and probably rise to a certain level at some points in time, it becomes an issue to pay back loans or dividend at high exchange rate, whereas the exchange rate was relatively low when the business was listed.

So the best way to successfully run a business is to avoid money that you do not really need to run the business, to avoid a situation, where investors will take over the business and the owner of the business becomes a management staff in his or her own business,â&#x20AC;? Okere said.

Okere, who currently teaches entrepreneurial studies at the Columbia Business School in the United States of America, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Before going to list on the stock exchange, it is advisable to first test the business plan, understand the unique value the business is providing, as well as understand the type of partners needed to provide the value into the customer segment.

There is also the need to understand how to secure customers in a business and how to grow and keep the customers.

The delivery channels of the business must be clear and understanding of the business turnover, are all key factors that must be considered before listing on

the stock exchange.â&#x20AC;?

Financials In March this year, MTN announced its earnings for the 2018 financial year, recording growth above inflation in full service revenue of 17.2 per cent and the addition of nearly six million new subscribers to the network.

The company announced earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of N453.1 billion and expanded EBITDA margins to 43.6 per cent, excluding the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) resolution amount.

The company added 4.5 million active data customers during the year, delivering data revenue growth of 39.3 per cent and expanding to 18.7 million, the number of people that it connects to the possibilities that the internet provides.

Nigeria is one of the largest markets within MTNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s portfolio and central to its growth strategy.

The upcoming listing is a key milestone for the MTN group and is part of its commitment to localisation in the markets in which it operates, the telecoms company said.

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Rafsanjani: Strong Economy Will Bail Nigeria out of Poverty Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) Mr. Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, at the just concluded 2019 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Washington DC, United States, participated in five-day policy dialogue sessions with civil society organisations, where views were exchanged on a wide range of issues affecting nations and humanity. In this interview, Rafsanjani shared with Funke Olaode some outcomes of the meeting, especially those relating to subsidy removal, illicit cash flow, economic growth and poverty eradication

Rafsanjani

Ë? Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;

W

hat is your view on the economic projection for Nigeria by the World Bank and IMF?

It is very disturbing to see the World Bank analysis of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy. It is also very clear that because of the absence of sound economic team that is why we are not actually making the necessary progress in terms of consolidating and strengthening our economy in Nigeria. Therefore, it is not

surprising given the fact that Nigeria has not make appreciable progress in terms of diversification of economy, in terms of effective economic management, which is as a result of sound policy or legislative framework that would deal with the economy particularly the oil and gas sector. You would recall that we have been advocating for the Nigerian government to ensure that we have Petroleum Industry law passed in the country which has been languishing in the national assembly. It would have helped to ensure the economy is strengthened, would have eliminated corruption, duplication of responsibilities as well as inefficiency.

Nigeria government is yet to do that. Secondly, the non-oil sector has not been consciously developed in a way that will help drive the economy. You have so many areas that we as a nation is not utilizing very well. That is why we have found ourselves in Zero Economic Stagnation which the World Bank has rated us. And besides the World Bank, there are other institutions that have warned Nigerian government in terms of ensuring that it should have been more focus, more productive way of improving the economy because once the economy is not rolling well, definitely, the issue of poverty, employment will be affected.

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

Rafsanjani: Strong Economy Will Bail Nigeria out of Poverty According to the IMF Chief, Ms. Lagarde, the country in the last four years has spent over N5 trillion on subsidy which could have been channeled towards health, education and infrastructure on subsidy. What is your take on IMFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advice to Nigeria on subsidy removal?

Nigeria should have done away with the subsidy long time ago. The present administration promised to stop paying subsidy because they discovered at that time that it is a scam, it is a fraud and nothing is being subsidized. Unfortunately, we have not seen that commitment being fulfilled by the government. The government is spending a lot of money on subsidy. For me and many Nigerians, the problem is not about subsidy, the problem is about corruption, it is about inefficiency in the management of so called subsidy because once some people imported petroleum to Nigeria, they claimed to have brought certain amount of tones of petroleum which is not being verified or authenticated and yet they get their payment. That is why the problem is. Had it been the government had eliminated where this fraud is we would not be talking about it. And if government had taken steps to ensure that the refineries are working, you would not be talking about subsidy. It is funny that Nigeria as an oil producing country has to be spending that much to import petroleum for its citizens consumption.

If we are able to fix our refineries and make them efficient, and effective, the question of subsidy would have been eliminated.

The issue of illicit ďŹ nancial ďŹ&#x201A;ow and how it can be tackled also came up. What do you think about it?

The illicit financial flow is a very serious issue because in the region, Nigeria account for over 70 per cent of the illicit financial flow in West Africa and this is an alarming rate. It has not stopped. It is still happening therefore there is no way a nation can have vibrant and productive financial system once people are deliberate and consciously siphoning public funds abroad. I think government anti-corruption should intensify more effort to block these leakages and we must make sure that people that are found guilty or caught in the act are interrogated and prosecuted.

And the refunded money can be injected back into the economy so the issues of poverty and employment can be reduced.

Also, during the meetings, there was a comment by some economic experts that poverty is like a time bomb ready to explode.

Do you agree with them?

We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to wait until 2030 because poverty has already exploded in Nigeria. When you have a large per cent age of the population that is living in abject poverty and cannot avoid descent living. They cannot afford education and so on they are already in abject poverty and that is why you see a lot of crises going on in Nigeria because people are already in poverty orchestrated by corrupt public officials coupled with lack of government planning to come up with programmes that would deal with poverty.

For me, expansion of economic base that would encourage diversification, more investment from local and international investors that would help create jobs, which would address the issue of unemployment. This is the reason why IMF body is projection abject poverty or extreme poverty by 2030. A lot of Nigerian youths are idle, they cannot feed themselves and you need to go round as see how poverty is walking naked.

How do you think all the issues raised can be addressed and tackled?

As said earlier, sound economic team being led by committed, knowledgeable personnel that understand global economic framework should be put in place. Secondly, government must eliminate wastage, shun corrupt official.

Government must consolidate easy way of doing business in Nigeria so that there would be business and idle hands can find something to do because in the past last of unfavorable environment has hindered many investors from investing in Nigeria. There is no strong legislation that can protect their investments as a result of corruption and uncertainty in the direction. Government must create more economy diversity instead of relying on oil and gas sector...

Cut inâ&#x20AC;ŚThere is the claim by the FG that

Rafsanjani

Nigeria has achieved so much in the area of agriculture and so on. Do you agree with that?

Like you said, it is a claim which to me is not backed by any statistics. There was a claim that Nigeria has stopped importing rice but just last week, there has been a report of an alleged tons of rice being smuggled into the country.

So if we are actually producing that the issue of smuggling wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have come up. I think government should stop propaganda and actually focus on work that international community would appreciate because there is a limit at which one can blow obvious lies that is not on the ground.

So I will advise government at local, state and federal levels to focus more on work and stop propaganda that would not take us anywhere and will be raising a false hope.

And because one state is producing rice does not mean that the entire 36 states in the federation is producing rice shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be used as a measure of complete success. Government should encourage local participation in economy.

We have a lot of textile industries that have gone into comatose because of lack of energy and other basic infrastructure. Let government do the talk and walk the walk.

For instance, on issue of asset recovery which to me can help revive the economy if properly managed. Now, Nigeria is interested in recovering more funds but lack of legal framework to ensure that the recovered money would be used on Nigerian people is there. Many countries are even skeptical even though it is not their rights to deny Nigeria to have its money back. Here in Washington DC, last week I was I the US State Department. I have been in France few weeks ago. I was invited by the French parliament

to discuss about their plans on how to return assets that they are holding in France to various countries including Nigeria. So I suggested to them on what to do so that money returned can reflect on the citizenry. So there is hope but what the governments in of these countries are saying is framework that would guarantee that the money would be used. I am calling on Mr. President to constitute people of integrity that would get engaged with these countries.

Women empowerment, girl-child education and ďŹ nancial inclusion are still issues. What effort is the CSO making to be the voice of the voiceless?

Well, it is an on-going process which efforts are yielding gradually. During CISLAC side event at the United Nations Commission on the status of women during its 63rd Session held in March in New York, we as a non-for-profit organization played an important role. We used the gathering to serves as an enabling platform for different stakeholders and international community to interact in proffering holistic solutions to the current trend and challenges confronting adequate, accessible and effective multi-stakeholder approach towards promoting social security for African women.

This event is primarily aimed at provoking critical discussions and harnessing potentials for what will ultimately lead to showcasing the plight of the African women to the international community and exploring gender relevant issues to promote social security for women in Africa.

It has become continuously imperative to keep the issues of women in general and African women in particular on the front burner of the international discourse. We observed that

despite the progressive policy commitments and institutional frameworks on gender equality and women empowerment, implementation remains slow and inconsistent. To date, some countries in Africa are still battling with domestication of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women, popularly known as CEDAW, a treaty adopted since 1979 by the UN General Assembly. This treaty is described as the bill of rights for women and has been ratified by 189 countries. Most African countries that have domesticated CEDAW are yet to fully implement the provisions, hence the need for other social developmental laws for women including Gender policies which are not even taken seriously.

Equally, the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa has not secured universal ratification. It is pertinent to note that no nation can fully attain sustainable development without including women, girls and all vulnerable groups.

The cost of non-inclusion is shocking. According to a World Bank report released in 2018, countries are losing worldwide 160 trillion USD in wealth because of differences in lifetime earnings between women and men.

The extent of the problem is disproportionally more serious in Africa. UNDP in its Africa Human Development Report for 2016 says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gender inequality is costing sub-Saharan Africa on average $US95 billion a year. Yes the issue came up and what we are saying is that African women should be protected from issues of violence, poverty, lack of opportunity, justice and equity.

We must get away with gender discrimination and misguided believes based sometimes on cultural and norms.

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Ige

TAYE IGE

We’ll Stop Creating Wealth for Other Nations from the Sweat of Nigerians For an entrepreneur who started from a small shop somewhere in Borno Way, Yaba, Lagos and later moved to a sprawling ultra-modern office with arguably, the best studios in Africa, the Chief Executive Officer of Hot Sports Media Group, Mr. Taye Ige, has paid his dues. From running a weekly programme on NTA 2 Channel 5, Lagos, his outfit has become a content provider comprising other concerns like sports marketing and media mix. In this interview with Samuel Ajayi, the Hot Sports owner talks about success, creativity, and sports. Excerpts:

H

ot Sports as a programme was originally meant to replicate the typical newspapers vendor scene of people arguing over football and other sports matters. How much of this uniqueness does the programme still retain?

The programme, Hot Sports, despite several changes over the years, has managed to stay true to its original concept of informed arguments on sports. It has retained that format only that different segments have been introduced to beef up viewers’ information needs and make it worth their while. You know informed arguments are the hallmark of the pro-

gramme, but we also realised we could feature only one topic in the argument segment per episode. Hence, we have introduced a number of segments to give viewers a more rounded programme they can enjoy.

How many channels are you running now?

We run pan-Nigeria via the network service of the NTA. Gone are the days when we needed to syndicate. So, we just put it on the NTA at a very prime time of 10am on Saturdays, which is Nigeria’s traditional sports day and pronto, we are seen across the country. But don’t forget that the programme is also available on social media, YouTube, for instance, where you can view the full programme and snacks of it on other platforms.

How has sports marketing evolved in the last 25 years?

In far many more tremendous ways than we thought 20 or 25 years ago when it was generally seen at best as a vocation in Nigeria. Only few individuals like Sunny Osa Adun’s DBN had seen the light and were doing well with Godwin Dudu Orumeh of The Best of Football also pulling his weight in sports media marketing. As time went on, several people emerged with new platforms and began exploring several areas of this huge sector with varying degrees of success.

But don’t forget that there are 36 different areas in sports and you can see a lot of Nigerian companies involved in those aspects. The exponential growth witnessed in sports

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

27

‘Beneath Eagles Wings’ Will Excite Nigerians in the 2019 Nations Cup marketing cannot, however, be appreciated in isolation of the very sharp rise in value that sports itself has witnessed in Nigeria over the decades and even though it started before then. But we cannot discount the salutary effect of Nigeria’s highly successful outing at the FIFA World Cup in the USA in 1994, where the Super Eagles were tagged the most entertaining Team of the Tournament and subsequently ranked 5th on the Coca-Cola FIFA Ranking ladder; the Atlanta Olympics, which represents Nigeria’s best outing in the quadrennial games till date and other similarly successful outings, on sports marketing.

This binary growth has had some positive effect on Nigeria’s larger economy. The point is that success in sports is directly proportional to the economics of it. The good news is that it can still do far, far better. In order words, the more successes achieved on the field of play the more prosperity will come the way of sports people-athletes, coaches, officiating officials, marketers, athletes’ personal and team managers and several others down the value chain.

For us at Hot Sports, our own specialties revolve around contracting relationships between sports and corporate Nigeria as well as creating content especially on radio and television and marketing them for commercial support. This explains our investment in television production facilities, setting up these studios to create media not just in sports but also in different genres of the business.

being 23 years in the business. Whether we will go into it, is not my call exclusively until I sit down with my team, but we cannot run away from such opportunities if they arise since we cannot move against the time.

Recently, Cameroon lost the rights to host the 2019 African Cup of Nations.

What’s opinion about the development?

I think the issue was that Cameroon was unfortunate; like shifting the goal post after the match had started. They got hosting the rights for a 16-team tournament, which was later increased by some 35 percent.

(Cuts in) It was even 50 per cent increase with additional eight teams.

You are right. It is not even the playing arenas alone but associated issues like hotel accommodation, transportation and so on.

It would have been a miracle if they had succeeded, if they had been able to host the tournament and CAF could never joke with the Nations’ Cup since it is their flagship tournament. So CAF needed to do what they did and so we are all headed to Egypt.

Do you think increasing the number of teams will compromise the quality of the game?

Talking about the facilities, they are quite massive and looking at the ultramodern studios and adjoining offices, it will be difficult for a first-time visitor to believe that a sports marketing outfit put this up. What informed such a humongous investment?

The digitalisation of television in Nigeria ought to have happened years ago, but to date, has not fully taken place, although the present government has tried its best and few cities have gone digital. They started from Jos, the home of television in Nigeria. Abuja, Kaduna, Enugu, Ilorin are some of the other places that are currently experiencing digital television. My belief, and I could be wrong, is that these are being used as a test-run for the big boys like Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, etc. When digitalisation hit all these places, Nigerians will be spoilt for choice as they will have a plethora of options of stations to tune in to at any given time.

In a place like Lagos, as an example, you can have up to 200 channels. I am talking of clean, clear free-to-air channels. The issue will not be about having a station running; it will rather be about content.

What are you showing on your station?

Viewers will always watch stations that give them what they want. That is for sure.

It means production and content will be central.

So we thought that owners of those stations must look for production facilities.

That was what informed the decision for the investment you have described as massive and humongous. By the way, those are your words and I don’t necessarily agree with you but, anyway, that is it. Even before digitisation reared its head, what I wanted to do was to have a damn good studio on the ground floor of a storey building and build our offices on top of it and erect our own mast. We had, of course, applied for a licence from the NBC as far back as 2007 for an all-sport free-to-air channel.

Did you get the licence?

Yes and no. Yes, because in principle, it was approved but no because there was no spectrum. Of course, we wanted Lagos and Lagos was and is still analogue. And it will still remain so until full digitalisation comes to the city. You see, for every portal occupied by an analogue channel, it can actually accommodate an average of six (minimum of four, maximum of eight) stations in a fully digitalised environment. But if, maybe no longer if, but when, digitalisation comes

Ige

and frees up the space, then you won’t have those issues again. But in the meantime, we are getting ready.

Or shall I say we are actually ready to cater for the production needs of the community of television producers in Nigeria and beyond? As we speak, all these acclaimed reality shows that enjoy premium attention from segments of the Nigerian viewing audience, without exception, are produced from outside Nigeria. But that is set to become a thing of the past with the arrival of the HS Media Group Studios on the scene. We are about to arrest that trend of taking massively popular programmes out of Nigeria. We are going to stop creating wealth for other countries from the sweat of Nigerians. From the production crew, to facilities to script writers and so on, Nigerian producers currently create business opportunities for professionals in these other countries – not to talk of the ripple effect these things can have on the environment economically and socially.

And for productions that are sponsored

by Nigerian companies? No. The truth is that you shouldn’t have Nigerian companies, making money off Nigerians but going to fund productions in another country. But you really can’t blame anyone for this. The truth is that these productions could not be done here because of lack of requisite facilities and that is why we are coming on board. And to tell you how right-headed this investment is, as we speak, even though we are just putting finishing touches to plans to order our equipment, we already have major productions, at least three of them lined up, ready to do business. As a matter of fact, The Price is Right has come through already. This is an American reality shopping show that has run in the United States for nearly five decades. Genesis Studios, the well heeled Nigerian production company have gotten the franchise to run it in Nigeria.

Not only have we signed an MoU with them, Hot Sports’ group COO informed earlier in the week that all budgetary issues are now fully agreed upon and that

everything is set and by April this year we start production.

Back to the issue of digitalisation: we have been on this issue for so long. What do you think is militating against it?

To be honest, I think it is nothing but the Nigerian way of doing things and it is unfortunate. And because Nigeria has not made it to digitisation, the whole of the west coast of Africa has not, whereas smaller, less endowed countries in other part of Africa with lesser potential to realise the full benefits, pardon my language, and have since gone past this issue. Prior to 2015, the ITU (International Telecommunications Union) has had to shift the deadline it gave Nigeria to fully digitise twice. And I cannot tell you that I know why. But since 2015, quite a bit has happened. They have started city by city.

Do you have any plans to work with bodies like CAF, FIFA and so on in terms of marketing their products and competitions?

I told you at the beginning that there are 36 different areas in sports and one should be careful not to bite more than he can chew.

My focus is to get my studios running for now and become fully operational and be in a position to accept briefs from clients and meet their needs. Next will be to look at our own channels – our live party channel, the all-sport channel and the e-gaming channel about which my partner, Robert, is particularly very passionate. This is the focus for now. Remember, we have five different business units making up the group of companies. Hot Sports Marketing is now just one of these units. And we have a capable guy running it that went very high up in Guinness Nigeria Plc before joining us. So, all of us are just focused on getting the studios running. Again, don’t forget I told you at the beginning that our forte is sports media marketing. Buying rights and exploiting those rights locally is another area of sports marketing we have not really exploited or gone into despite

I thought so really, but the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of the increase in size of the tournament. Football is a game that has grown phenomenally along with the interest it generates in fans. As a 16-nation tournament, every now and then, you see that one or two very good team have been left out because they did not qualify and thus quality and popularity and enjoyment of football itself are short-changed, not to talk about the economics of it. A more inclusive tournament will guarantee higher economic input arising from higher marketing proceeds. There is also the growth of manpower. The players have greater opportunity to showcase their talents and many more of them get exposed to scouts, who throng venues of the AFCON and other such high profile tournaments on behalf of the big clubs, thereby enhancing the economy of the continent. Like I said, the disadvantages might be there but the merits far outweigh them.

So, what are you working on with the NFF and the senior national team?

We are the official media partner of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, in the capacity of ‘official non-match partner’.

That is to say, we have rights to anything and everything pertaining to the Nigerian national football teams except their matches.

You see, there are quite a lot interesting things that go on behind the scenes when teams are in camp either for AFCON, the FIFA World Cup etc., and these can excite fans to no end. For instance, when they are going for a game, what do they do inside the bus? How do they feel coming back after they have won or lost the game? Who is the choral leader in the bus? And after losing a game, how do they react? The final pep talk by the coach, how does it go? There are lot of camp activities.

Which other sport do these players love to get involved in? Some are fantastic swimmers and tennis players. Who is the religious leader? Who is the pastor? Who is the imam?

So we approached the NFF, paid for these rights, actually and we have them. Now as a vehicle to bring these exciting details to Nigerians, we have designed a programme called Beneath Eagles’ Wings, BEW. This programme will enable us to give expression to all I have captured above. The rights give us the opportunity to set up production facilities in the camp of Nigerian national soccer teams, male or female, and bring these behind-the-scene happenings to the enjoyment of Nigerians.

Finally, when will Hot Sports’ new office be ready for commissioning?

Like I told you, we are just about ordering our equipment. It has been a tedious journey to get to this stage especially financially.

But finally, here we are.

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

28

Ëš

The Ajaokuta Steel Controversy Rages Kingsley Nwezeh examines the sorry state of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex envisioned as Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s industrial hub 38 years ago, its potential, attempts to resuscitate it the approval of $1 billion by the National Assembly and President Muhammadu Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s refusal to sign the bill into law

Ajaokuta Steel Complex

I

t is argued that had the Ajaokuta Steel Complex worked according to plans, it would have contributed significantly to Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), boosted its foreign reserves and generated thousands of jobs. Besides, the epithet, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Giant of Africaâ&#x20AC;? would have been more befitting for Nigeria as a country.

But 38 years on, the project that would have made all the difference is still hanging in the balance, mired in scandalous controversies.

The State of Affairs With 41 plants designed to generate electricity, manufacture steel, cement, fertiliser, among others and with the project at 95 percent completion, Ajaokuta Steel is still a far cry from realisation.

On completion, the steel component is expected to roll out 10 million tonnes of steel each year while the steam-powered electricity generators would be adding 70 megawatts of electricity to the national grid.

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Abubakar Bawa Bwari, said as a government on a rescue mission, the Buhari administration was determined to complete the projects before the end of its tenure. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What we did was to resolve the legal issues around Ajaokuta. Those issues were resolved and Ajaokuta is wholly owned by the Federal Government. While Itakpe is supposed to feed Ajaokuta steel, it is still under the ownership of Global Infrastructure and we are waiting for their contracts to run out based on the modified concession agreement that we reached. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We realised that 95 per cent of Ajaokuta, the rolling mills, the liquid steel cannot be produced because they have not started using the blast furnace. And for us to use the blast furnace, certain things have to be in place.

When you switch on the blast furnace, you

cannot switch it off till after seven years.

So the right raw materials must be there and the external infrastructure must be in place.

The external infrastructure has to do with the railway, river port and the dredging of the River Niger,â&#x20AC;? he said.

According to the minister, what the government has done is to put the external infrastructure in place. Today, we have put up a rail line from Itakpe-Ajaokuta to Warri Port. The dredging of the River Niger has been done. The Baro Port is completed and has been commissioned. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Lokoja and Warri Ports are being worked on and the Onne seaport is there.

These are some of the things that will make Ajaokuta 100 per cent functional â&#x20AC;&#x153;Today, if we are able to produce liquid steel, we will meet the steel requirements of this country. As at today, we spend more than N4 trillion importing steel in this countryâ&#x20AC;?.

He added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If fully sorted out, it will go a long way in solving our foreign exchange.

We need to produce liquid steel so we can produce our cars, power lines, rail lines, coaches, meet construction needs, anything to do with steel and with that Nigeria will be on the right part to industrialisation.â&#x20AC;?

The $1billion Intervention It is estimated that $700 million is required for the completion of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex. It is in this regard that the National Assembly recently passed the Ajaokuta Completion Bill in a bid to fast-track the project, which is at 95 percent completion thirty eight years on.

The Ajaokuta Steel Company Completion Fund Bill, 2018 presented by Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, made provision for the sum of $1billion from the federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s share of excess crude revenue to be devoted to the immediate completion of the steel company.

The bill, which was passed in December last

year, states that all monies that may from time to time be appropriated and authorised by any tier of government should be part of the funding for the completion of the company.

In addition, it provides that all loans or grants from time to time made to the country for the purpose of completing the Ajaokuta Steel Company should be accommodated while monies in the Fund shall be applied by the minister subject to appropriation by the National Assembly only for the purpose of the construction, improvement, extension, enlargement and replacement of infrastructure and works, including the provision, acquisition, improvement and replacement of other capital assets required in respect of or in connection with the completion of the Ajaokuta Steel Company project.

The bill further states that monies in the fund can be used for the acquisition of land and of any right or interest in or over land and in respect of the use of any invention including the carrying on of any survey, research or investigation preparatory to the undertaking of any such purpose or the formation of any plan or scheme for the development, improvement, of Ajaokuta Steel Company project.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekwerenmadu, who presided over the passage of the bill, expressed optimism that the bill if signed into law by President Mohammadu Buhari would ensure a speedy completion of the project.

Buhari Declines Assent In a letter read to the parliament early in the month, the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, informed senators of President Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision to decline assent to the Ajaokuta Completion Bill 2018, predicating his reasons on the fact that the bill was an infraction on extant laws, a duplication of responsibilities of existing agencies and was

coming at a time the country faced financial difficulties. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The nation cannot afford to commit such an amount in the midst of competing priorities with long-term social and economic impact that the funds can be alternatively deployed towards. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bills, which seek to make appropriation of revenues to fund public expenditure should be consolidated in the annual Appropriation Act, such that the proposals pass through the traditional scrutiny that budget proposals are subjected to by the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Budget and National Planning and the National Assemblyâ&#x20AC;?, President Buhari said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Furthermore, as the Excess Crude Account Fund belong to the federation, it would be proper to consult with the National Economic Council where the states are represented. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Relevant stakeholders, such as the Ministries of Mines and Steel Development, Industry, Trade and Investment, were not fully consulted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The inputs of key stakeholders are necessary to create the optimal legal and regulatory framework, as well as institutional mechanism to adequately regulate the steel sector,â&#x20AC;? he argued.

Investors Excited The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Bawa Bwari, has maintained that whether the money from government comes or not, investors all over the world are showing interest in the Ajaokuta Steel Complex. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whether funds come from government or not, there are so many expression of interest from many companies from China, Ukraine, Belarus and some other European countries,â&#x20AC;? he said in a recent interview.

From all indications, the executive and legislative arms of government, hold different views on how to move the steel complex forward and so expectedly, the Ajaokuta Steel controversy rages.

SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

29

MARKET NEWS

FBNQuest Merchant Bank Reports Improved Performance Goddy Egene

According to the company, the portfolio of the company made operating environment in 2018 to end the year with improved FBNQuest Merchant Bank, part was particularly challenging performance.

For instance, total revenue of the investment banking and for the business. Explaining asset management group of FBN that the year characterised by increased by 8.6 per cent to Holdings Plc, has maintained contracting spreads in the fixed N40.96 billion from N37.72 billion profitability and recorded steady income market, a sluggish equity/ in 2017, while profit before tax growth in certain business lines merger and acquisition(M&A) grew by 56.2 per cent to N16.4 for the year ended December 31, market, fewer transactions and billion from N10.5 billion. a competitive landscape that has Assets under management 2018.

(AuM) across the group increased The company disclosed this at become more intense.

However, the resilient and by 5.0 per cent to close at N261 the fourth annual general meeting (AGM), held in Lagos recently. diversified nature of the business billion, up from N248.5 billion. The A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. investment vehicle that allows both small and Investors with similar objectives buy units of the large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their that willl generate their desired return. investments. The assets are divided into shares that An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, GUIDE TO DATA: etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 24shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the Apr-2019, unless otherwise stated.

asset management business has Speaking at the AGM, the remained strong in the competitive Managing Director and Chief ranking amongst its peers, Executive Officer of FBNQuest based on SEC registered funds, Merchant Bank, Mr. Kayode maintaining the second position Akinkugbe said: “Despite the in the industry, same as the prior challenges of 2018, we have year. Overall, total assets closed at taken learnings, and in 2019, are N218.6 billion, representing a 1.1 more determined to find ways per cent increase compared with of creating more value for our N216.2 billion. The businesses in customers. We will focus on our the group remain well capitalised strategic goals of increasing group with total group equity of N44.0 collaboration and enhancing billion. revenue generation across all Offer price: T 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.

businesses, improving efficiencies as well as deepening innovation and digitisation to enhance the client experience.”

The CEO said the company provides investment banking, wealth management, institutional sales, fixed Income, currencies & treasury, corporate banking, asset management and equity brokerage services to support the diverse financial needs of our clients.

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 0.88 0.89 5.27% ACAP Income Funds 0.63 0.63 12.42% 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 13.07% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.29 2.31 3.09% 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 16.51 17.01 -0.46% ARM Discovery Fund 358.94 369.77 0.65% ARM Ethical Fund 29.52 30.41 4.53% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.25% 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 100.47 101.18 -0.71% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.77% 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 13.75% Paramount Equity Fund 12.15 12.24 2.82% Women's Investment Fund 106.44 106.98 2.72% 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 12.65% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 98.79 99.23 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 101.57 101.28 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 12.00% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 12.34% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 0.00 0.00 -100.00% FBN Heritage Fund 145.67 146.70 1.58% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.40% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 0.00 0.00 -100.00% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 0.00 0.00 -100.00% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 146.10 148.21 -2.60% FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Equity Fund 1.18 1.20 -2.95% Legacy Debt Fund 3.37 3.37 3.82% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.04 1.04 1.48% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 2,987.73 3,019.63 0.15% Coral Income Fund 2,865.74 2,865.74 4.61% 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 12.40% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 109.52 109.96 1.76% 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 12.55% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.16 2.18 0.40% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.29% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 125.44 125.67 0.43%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.17 1.19 2.39% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,087.79 1,087.79 4.26% 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 11.15 11.21 -3.24% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.60% 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 1.27 1.29 3.48% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.50 11.55 3.25% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.34% 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 121.19 121.76 0.38% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.01 1.01 4.31% 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 2,374.53 2,387.94 2.60% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 198.65 198.65 4.48% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.95 0.96 0.53% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 251.89 251.92 1.91% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 163.23 165.02 0.05% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.73% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,347.70 8,443.81 -1.69% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.11 1.11 -0.24% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.19 1.21 0.18% United Capital Bond Fund 1.67 1.67 4.84% United Capital Equity Fund 0.69 0.71 -2.12% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.04% United Capital Eurobond Fund 110.06 110.06 2.61% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.12 1.13 2.87% 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 10.82 10.99 2.48% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.26 12.41 2.65% Zenith Income Fund 21.62 21.62 12.16% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.50%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

5.40 120.06 52.31

-44.85% 1.98% 1.10%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.27 105.69 85.97

10.37 107.95 87.56

-2.65% -9.89% -3.05%

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

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

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.86 6.71 14.00 11.44 153.94

3.90 6.79 14.10 11.64 155.94

-3.46% -11.89% -6.32% -7.42% 7.19%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

106.90

17.40%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

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

30

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ PRIL 28, 2019

POLITY

Obaseki, Thriving with Politics of Good Nature Roy Oribhabor

G

iven his calm and reticent persona, many politicians and non-politicians alike in Edo State are still perplexed about the manner of politician, which the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki is.

Every step Obaseki takes as a politician seems to baffle the traditional politicians within and outside the state.

In the election that brought him to power in 2016, he lost in the Edo Central Senatorial district of the state in a fairly spectacular manner.

Following this rejection by many Esan people therefore, what a typical Nigerian politician will do is to completely abandon that section of the state.

Yes, the typical Nigeria politician will quickly toss Esan people away, after all, they are the region with the smallest population in Edo State.

Edo South where Obaseki hails from has over 50 percent of the state’s population; Edo North, the home of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has just above 20 per cent; while Edo Central has less than 20 per cent of the population.

So, with Edo South and Edo North showing up strongly for Obaseki and bringing him to power, the convenient way to carry on would have been to abandon the Esan people of Edo Central. Bearing in mind that with one section of the state out of the equation, there will be more to share in the regular ‘chop, I chop’ politics which has become common in Nigeria. But not Obaseki. He does not dwell on hate, bitterness and the ‘do me, I do you’ principle which politics in Nigeria is unfortunately now mostly renowned for.

The Esan people were hostile at the beginning. Youths from there at a time pelted the governor’s convoy with stones.

Thereafter, the people in Esan North East, around Ugboha and Uromi area prevented him from accessing the community in respect of a water project he was championing for Esan land.

Obaseki was however unfazed, he kept courting Esan people like a bloke seeking the affection of a damsel playing hard to get.

He picked up one of their heros, Prof. Ambrose Alli, who was indeed a hero of not only the entire Edo State but also a hero of the then Bendel State and Nigeria in general, but had been seemingly forgotten and his labour as a past hero profaned.

Obaseki re-enacted Ambrose Alli’s greatness in a sublime event to mark the 29th anniversary of the death of the Esan and Edo political hero, who set the stage for what gave the then Bendel State the edge to compete with the then Western region of Nigeria as one of the most educationally advanced parts in the country.

All of Edo, Delta and Nigeria on Obaseki’s prompting, stood

Obaseki still on September 22, 2018 and paid tributes to this hero that had been treated as a villain for decades.

Not long after, Chief Anthony Akhakon Anenih, another Edo political hero of Esan extraction, went to be with his maker.

Love Chief Anenih or hate him, there is no controversy over the fact that at a time in our history as a nation, this man from a minority tribe in a minority state in a minority region of Nigeria bestrode the nation’s political space like a colossus.

Obaseki ensured that he was buried like a political hero that he was despite being the leader of the main opposition political party in the state.

In exchange for their hostility at the time, Obaseki embarked on massive infrastructural development in Esan land. Across Ekpoma, Irrua, Uromi, Ubiaja, Ewu, Ibore and several others, the people will attest that no recent government in Edo State has paid so much attention to Esan land. Schools renovated, rural and sub-urban roads revamped, erosion threats and challenges checked, age long water scarcity confronted.

Mesmerized by the good-natured politics which has become synonymous with Obaseki, many in the state struggle to find an adequate definition for the governor of Edo State within the context of Nigerian politics mostly characterised by distrust, vile

insults, bitterness, hatred and unforgiveness.

First, some see the governor as a technocrat, rather than a politician. They hinge their position on the fact that before 2016, Governor Obaseki was a financial and business expert. He was the Chairman of Edo State Economic Team during the administration of Comrade Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole.

He contributed greatly to the improvement of the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). As Governor of Edo State, Obaseki has been able to use his expert knowledge and wealth of experience to improve on the state’s economy, diversify the economic base of the state and manage the scarce resources from the federation account.

Secondly, some regard the governor as a quiet man whose actions speak for him. These set of people made comparison between the former Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Godwin Obaseki, and concluded that while the former is very verbally expressive about everything he does, the latter simply and quietly executes projects without any fun-fare attached to it.

This approach of Godwin Obaseki has earned him the nick name “Wake and see Governor.” Furthermore, many people have referred to Governor Obaseki as a true democrat and a progressive minded person. They base their argument on the fact that Obaseki always respects the rule of law in whatever he does, unlike in the past when things were done with impunity.

For instance, Governor Obaseki fully transmitted power to his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu to act as the State Governor while he was on vacation. The letter to that effect was forwarded to the State House of Assembly and read on the floor of the House. This has not been the case in previous governments.

In the execution of projects, Obaseki has been rated very high by the people, especially in the area of road construction.

It is very visible in Benin and other towns across the state that major roads and adjourning streets are being asphalted and reconstructed. This is helping to give the state a facelift, resolving the problem of traffic congestion and giving people easier access to their homes, businesses, and other locations of socio-economic importance.

Governor Godwin Obaseki has broken the jinx surrounding the uncompleted and neglected Secretariat/Palm House building on Sapele Road in Benin City, abandoned for over 40 years.

He is working hard on the completion of the project as well as embarking on the construction of new buildings within the Palm House and High Court premises on Sapele Road.

A visit to this centre of government business reveals that work is ongoing night and day to ensure early completion of the projects. The uncompleted buildings used to be home to destitute and a hide out for all categories of criminals. But today, the story has changed.

––––Oribhabor, a social commentator and immediate past Chairman, Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Edo State, writes from Benin City.

NASS Bureaucracy: Appraising Sani-Omolori’s Leadership Sufuyan Ojeifo

A

t the level of small talk, you could hardly best Mohammed Ataba Sani-Omolori, the big, astute Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA). But for a legal-cum-administrative guru and consummate public servant more at home with analysis and action, this trend of dialogue could easily lose its attraction. This is because the management of Abuja’s massive, influential national legislative bureaucracy does not permit of routine laissez-faire.

The above summative verdict flows from the somber atmospherics and nuances of obligatory positive actions that must be taken in the enterprise of managing the administrative infrastructure of the Federal Legislature for the wellbeing of staff members and elected members who are the reasons the National Assembly, the Service Commission and the Institute of Legislative Studies- the intellectual wing of the arm of government-exist.

The process that underpins their existence continues ad-infintum.

As the 8th National Assembly is drawing to a close, members-elect of the 9thNational Assembly that would be inaugurated in June, this year, had already been taken through an induction programme by the Sani-Omolori-led bureaucracy in conjunction with Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC). The programme was executed within a space of two weeks to acquaint members-elect, especially first-time members, with the workings of the Legislature.

Inducted in two batches, members-elect of both Senate and the House of Representatives were opportune to interact with one another in a setting that bore some similitude with a joint sitting of the National Assembly. Participants were made to understand their onerous lawmaking responsibility. There were verbal exhortations on the imperative of patriotism and commitment to country and the inevitable pressure of reasonable expectations by the electorate.

Such expectations include addressing deep-seated poverty, insecurity and dilapidated infrastructure, etc, through the deployment of robust legislations. The meeting of minds at the programme took place in a conducive environment provide by the Transcorp Hilton Hotel. Overall, the organisation was of international standard.

Resource persons lived up to their billings.

Indeed, the magnitude of the programme and other such efforts, initiated by the NASS bureaucracy headed by Sani-Omolori, validates the arguments in some quarters that the twenty-four

hours in a day and round the year are not enough for the highly-motivated team to cover the entire field of administrative, innovative and transformational development in the conclave of the National Assembly.

Thus, sitting sure-footed in the driver’s seat of the National Assembly bureaucracy is not swag of frivolity but a burden of commitment that Sani-Omolori’s shoulders are wide enough to carry. Absorbing pressure in an osmotic manner, Sani-Omolori’s restless and incisive mind continues to crave the institution of excellent service delivery in the running of the National Assembly bureaucracy.

Deploying a model organisational template since his substantive appointment as the fifth CNA on the 16th of May 2016, Sani-Omolori has indisputably and positively impacted the landscape of the nation’s apex legislative body and revamped its administrative processes, flow and function. Constitutionally empowered to conduct the election of presiding officers of the National Assembly and swear-in those elected, a very thorough, principled and focused Sani-Omolori is ready to perform that assignment for the first time in June with a high sense of responsibility and distinction. He has the standing rules of the Senate and the House to guide him in that enterprise.

He had assumed office after the 8th National Assembly had been inaugurated about a year earlier by his predecessor, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa. Sani-Omolori, like Maikasuwa, came into the job with vast knowledge, experience and understanding of how the Legislature works. But some humorous analysts might be tempted to say that the blue-blooded CNA, who is also the Ciroma of Ebiraland, brings an unfair advantage to his brief.

Validations: His first managerial position in the National Assembly was acting Director of Legal Services Department in 2002 where he became a substantive Director in 2007 and served for three years. Sani-Omolori was promoted to be the Clerk to the House of Representatives on February 5, 2010 where he served until his appointment, first as the acting CNA and shortly in substantive capacity. While the crop of analysts who hold such quirky view may well have their point, this hardly diminishes the towering qualification of the man, his guts and compelling career trajectory. To be sure, Sani-Omolori has the law in his head and the rules in his hand.

On the heels of his appointment, Sani-Omolori rolled out his transformational blueprint by immediately up-scaling the facilities

Omolori and technological proficiency of the bureaucracy and workforce in general. A firm believer that a human work environment should function optimally, he initiated massive renovation of the buildings, improved security and parking lots, among others.

Indefatigable, purposeful and result-oriented, he pushed for better and improved welfare of staff members. He encouraged a well-trained workforce to withstand the rigours of administrative and legislative work together with the related demands of lawmakers through training and re-training initiatives and programmes as well as periodic retreats for brainstorming and recreation.

The CNA also constantly interfaces with various categories of staff members and departments for first-hand knowledge of their operational challenges while he maintains and ensures a peaceful and harmonious working relationship with the 109 senators and 360 members of the House of Representatives, including their various principal officers.

––––Ojeifo, editor-in-chief of The Congresswatch Magazine, contributed this piece via ojwonderngr@yahoo.com

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WEEKLY PULL-OUT

28.04.2018

EX-BEAUTY QUEEN CYNTHIA ADINMAH

Coping with Nollywood Sex, Men Playing Games

ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/funkola2000@gmail.com

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QUEEN CYNTHIA ADINMAH

On Nollywood Sex, Playing Games With all the trappings of a queen– a glowing, towering crown on her head delicately forming a halo on her glowing, flowing hair – her beautiful face glistens like twinkling stars in the dark sky. Her ravishing figure is enthralling with glazy eyes that seem to hypnotise. As she flashed her white, incandescent teeth all in the hall rise to acclaim not just her beauty, but her brilliance. Yet, Cynthia Adinmah is more than just a beauty queen. She is a singer – with the stage name, Ferrycee. She is also a prolific and exquisite painter. Add to that, she is a philanthropist. Funke Olaode explores Cynthia’s ingenuity, self-belief, vision and mission

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hen she shot into limelight in 2007 as an undergraduate in the Theatre Arts Department of University of Port Harcourt, she was not given a chance. Her intelligence and beautiful face couldn’t win her the coveted crown of Face of Association of Theatre Arts students’ (ATAS) where she ended as the first runner-up.

She won Ada IMO 2013 under Adandiigbo beauty pageant, and was the second runner-up in Most Beautiful Face in Nigeria, 2014. Her dream came through in 2015 when she was declared the winner of Face of Independence Nigeria 2015. She has since moved on to establish herself as an actress, artist and lately a singer.

Following a quiet 2018 musical outing, burgeoning songstress, Ferrycee – her stage name – is set to have an active 2019 musical campaign and to kick-start the loop, she’s taking on a bold step to create an offering which could be well received by fans and music pundits alike as a theme song to the Nigerian reality competition television series, Big Brother Naija (formerly, Big Brother Nigeria).

With a fourth season about to hit the screens, the “Obim” and “Bae” crooner decides to tease her fans with her new single titled “Big Brother Egwueji,” a song which sees her shower praises on the popular television series which is based on the Big Brother franchise - Big Brother Nigeria Season 1 winner, Katung Aduwak, alongside Big Brother Naija Season 2 and 3

winners, Efe Ejeba and Miracle Igbokwe, have been the lucky ones to reap the benefits of the show and the contestants for the fourth season should share in Ferrycee’s lyrical content which tells on how the show has made an impact on Nigerians and Africans at large, most especially the youths.

“Big Brother Egwueji” song produced

by Joe Waxon is just a number to wet fan’s appetite as Ferrycee would be churning out another single in weeks to come.

Hers has been a long walk to fame and recognition considering many years of disappointment in beauty contest but Adinmah says believing in herself coupled with compliments from friends kept her going even in the face of doubting Thomases.

“It has not been easy,” she recalled noting that every step all the way took determination and personal conviction.

“My long walk to beauty pageants began in 2007 when I was 19 and in year one at the University of Port Harcourt.

I contested for Face of Association of Theatre Arts students’ (ATAS) in year one 2007 was the first pageant I contested and I was the first runner-up. For me it was a stepping stone because it gave me hug popularity then at University of Port Harcourt. I had to go for bigger pageants.

I won Ada IMO 2013 under Adandiigbo pageant, 2nd runner up Most Beautiful Face in Nigeria 2014 and winner Face of independence Nigeria 2015.”

The songstress, born Cynthia Ngozi Adinmah, hails from Mbaitoli Local Government Area of state. From a family of seven with a set of twins, Cynthia

Adinma

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Uche Egele

Proudly Nigerian Luxury Leather Designer Ambitious, savvy and focused, Uche Egele is the founder of the burgeoning Nigerian leather goods and accessory brand, Marté Egele, which was born out of the desire to create unique products that mesh African culture with Western style. Her dream of global recognition is gradually being achieved after American superstar, Beyonce, was recently spotted with one of her handmade leather bags, writes Vanessa Obioha

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che Egele likes to think she knows Lagos very well.

At least, her knowledge of the most populous city in Nigeria has expanded since she returned to the country in 2014. Looking vibrant in her colourful skirt and top as she took her breakfast at Cafe Jade in Lekki Phase 1, she explained how acquainted she is with the city now.

Born in Holland, Egele’s sojourn in Lagos has been in bits. When her family moved back due to the nature of her father’s job (he worked with Shell Oil Company), their first stop was in Rivers state, then to Warri, Delta State, before returning to Port Harcourt where she had her secondary education.

In 2005, her family finally moved to Lagos where she had her A-Levels before relocating to the US for her tertiary education.

During that brief moment she stayed in Lagos, her movement was quite restricted.

She only recalled some areas in the highbrow parts of Ikoyi and Victoria Island..

“I was a teenager then so I can’t necessarily be moving around. And my

parents were very conservative. They don’t know Lagos that much. So it was just moving to school and back home. Most of my activities were around Glover and Dolphin Estate,” she said.

The only places she knew in Lagos Mainland then were Surulere (because the family church was located there) and the local airport.

However by the time she returned to Nigeria in 2014, her adventurous part took over and she explored the city despite warnings from caring friends and family to stay safe.

“I actually loved seeing places. I was quite content staying on the Island but then I wanted to know more places. The routine was quite the same when I first returned, from work to home,” Egele added.

All that changed when she decided to set up a business in Lagos a year later. Now she can thump her chest and reel out places on the mainland she’s been to such that her parents marvel at her sudden exploration of the city. “ l’ve have driven to Isolo on my own, to the airport. I have been to Mushin. I

have never really been to Oshodi but at least I pass the area to other places,” she said delightfully.

Of all the places she mentioned, Mushin is the only place she knows like the back of her hand. The reason is not farfetched. It is where she sourced her leather for her accessories.

An accessories designer, Egele was determined to make her brand purely Nigerian.

“I’m about to start an accessory brand and I needed to source my materials locally.

Nigeria is very rich in leather. While in the US, people usually told me to come back home and check out how I can do my business here. There were so many tales about Nigeria that piqued my interest. I came back to really know what people were saying about Nigeria and to study the fashion industry very well.

“By sourcing materials locally, I’m trying to let people know that they can return and make things happen. We are creative but we are not taught those things in school. It’s a bit better now unlike my time when we were hardly taught handson skills.”

Egele’s proclivity towards fashion started at an early age.

By the time she was a young adult, she knew she wanted to be a fashion designer and not tow the engineering part all her siblings towed.

“My parents were cool with my decision as long as I was not a model,” she said, laughing.

Egele ended up studying Marketing and Sales but would enrol in the Fashion Institute of Designing and Merchandise in Los Angeles to hone her designing skills more. It was during that training that she realised that Providence had created another path for her.

“My friends actually pointed out that to me. Each time I was doing my designs, when it comes to shoes and bags, I always add more details. Moreover, my mum and I used to do a lot of upcycling back in Houston.

My friends would bring their old clothes and then we could change it to a bag or any other accessory.”

Before she finally moved to Nigeria, she sampled some of her skills, making scarves and handbags using leather and George. But in launching her brand Marté Egele, she stuck strictly to leather.

“Leather is rich. It lasts longer. It can

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Adinma

I Look up to Beyoncé, Tiwa Savage and Ciara attended St. Mark Nursery and Primary school, Gboko in Benue State and proceeded to the Federal Government Girls’ College also Gboko. From there, she went to the University of Port Harcourt where she studied Theatre Arts and graduated in 2011.

Cynthia’s dream as a child has always been to impact her world.

“My parents told me that I had talents so it made me to thrive to do everything I came across to enable me pick the best and focus on it. My dream is what you are seeing today. Also being the first born in a family of seven constantly put me on my toes because it is a responsibility that makes me stand out in the family, having my siblings looking up to me, leaning from me also made me to be more serious and hard working.”

It has been 11 years since she embraced the limelight and five year ago got recognition when she became a beauty queen, her staying power she said is determination and consistency. “Since I came into the limelight, it has not been easy but I needed to keep pushing because my fans are expecting more from me. So far, I have been consistent in my charity work every year – planning on setting up an NGO soon and dropping songs.”

Cynthia can be described as a jack of all trade but master of all. As a singer, she is beginning to make a name, as an artist, she is making a living and as an actress, she has acted alongside big names in Nollywood movies like Amara rice and beans, Ikemba, Scorned, The Outrage and

so on.

“It was a good experience and learnt from the tutelage of veterans. Working with them discovered they guide you to be a better actress or better actor. I enjoyed acting with big names such Olu Jacobs, Mercy Johnson, Mike Ezuruonye, Rachael Okonkwo, Chunks Chyke, Mary Uche, Dexter Nwanya, etc.,” she explained.

From being a beauty queen, to the arts: painting, acting and now singing, Cynthia admits that her foray in theatre arts which was accidental unearthed her self-discovery, saying: “Studying theatre arts was a blessing in disguise because studying Theatre Arts was far from my career choice. I wanted to be a lawyer but admission issues made me go for theatre arts and it was the best decision I took because it brought the best out of me.

Theatre arts made every good thing you see today happen. It sure influenced me.”

Apart from the big guns in the Nollywood whom she looks up to for career guidance, Cynthia has a role model in her mother, Tiwa Savage, Beyoncé, and Ciara.

Talking about the new single she dropped for Big Brother Naija, she said: “It was an idea that came last year so I decided to fix it believing it will give my music career more success since big brother is a big name and franchise. The idea behind the song is me appreciating big brother for the impact they are making the lives of some youths. Apart from transformation in the life of Efe, Bisola, Miracle10, Alex and Nina, sit is entertaining.

“It is a show that raises people from nothing to becoming heroes. I feel this is my own way of acknowledging them. For instance, this year’s audition thousands of graduates came out just to make it to the show due to lack of jobs. In all just 20 contestants were picked so it is worth praising them.”

Another cash cow for Cynthia is the visual painting which she said started in secondary school.

She explained: “I was good in drawing and painting in secondary school but didn’t continue with that after secondary school so last year August, the urge to draw came like a fire so I took a bold step because it’s something on my own I knew I could do very well so I got few materials and my first drawing was been appreciated by a lot of people, I had to keep doing the work and today I get commissioned works and art piece yet to be displayed.”

Life is not a roller-coaster as Cynthia very well understands, particularly in the entertainment industry where female actresses are often faced with many challenges.

“One is faced with a lot of challenges everyday but I see it as a process in the making. In business, we plan it to grow and in the industry too I want to grow. But in all of this you have to meet the right people to reduce the challenge. A lot give up in the process. But if you believe, you will hit stardom. For me, I have combined acting with singing. It has not been easy but having adopted acting as a part-time it gives me time for my music,” the beauty said.

Has she ever experienced sex for role which is often mentioned in Nollywood?

Does she think it exists? And if yes how does she think actresses or actors can change the narratives?

Cynthia responded: “For sure! Sexfor-roles do exist and it’s very high now.

I had same similar issues where I got to location after a role was given to me and script sent. I got to the location and the director asked me to have sex with him if not some else would play the role.

“I told him that I will never do that for acting that I spent years to study so I decided to leave acting. I now made it a part- time job. Fine challenges would always come and it will always be there but if you believe in yourself and if you know you are good, jobs will always come. But if you are desperate, you will fall prey.”

How does she ward off male admirers? “It is simple,” she said, “I just tell them that I’m not ready for games and I have a man.”

Though Cynthia regrets not starting her music career professionally when she was an undergraduate, all hope is not lost as 2019 unfolds the singer sees herself moving up the ladder, courting more fans, improving on her philanthropy works and becoming a movie producer.

“I am not going to rest as my ambition is to become an international act in my music and visual art. I have no fear because I believe anything can be achieved if one is determined and work hard on it,” she stated.

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Stylish,Trendy and Artistic be in different forms and not boring and represents who I am. I wanted something that my customers could always rock ten years later.”

Her first year of operation was tortuous according to the young designer. Trying to navigate the contours of the business landscape and understanding the fashion industry proved to be more than she bargained for. But with the love and support of her family, Egele was able to hold steadfast to her dreams.

Her bags which are a variety of clutch and tote bags are well patronised and are available online and in stores in Nigeria, US and Ghana. Its bold and colourful designs appeal to mostly young and middle-aged women.

The Beyonce Effect Early this year, the 29 year-old lady got a surprise. One of her friends was surfing the internet and came across a picture of American celebrity musician Beyoncé carrying one of Egele’s bags.

At first, she found it too good to be true.

Marte Egele hand bags

But slowly, it dawned on her that indeed, the powerful singer was carrying one of her signature bags.

“I was literally out of my mind. She carried the bag last December. She was supposed to carry it to Madiba’s 100 years celebration in South Africa. The fact that she had the bag in her possession really excited me. Her people saw the bag from one of the stores that stock my goods and requested for it. The good thing was that it was a limited edition.”

For Egele, having Beyonce carrying her bag is the main highlight so far this year.

Her sales spiked and people started paying attention to her.

“Sometimes I wonder if they patronised me because of Beyoncé or because they love ny designs.”

She modestly attributed her success so far to hard work and staying connected to the right people.

Encouraging Returnees Her networking skills would come in handy when she became the Project Lead

Uche

of The Returnees, a platform that helps Nigerians returning home for the first time to know more about the country. “We are trying to promote the country. To let them know that Nigeria is not as bad as it is often painted. We started in 2015 and have about 2000-3000 members. Some of them are very excited to be back. Some are not impressed and often times leave. We love to promote brand, share and have a community where Nigerians are making progress. We use information from those who are successful here to promote others.

We make sure that they stay connected and find people they could relate well.

“People have gotten married through the platform. We have different events that take place throughout the year and have representatives in different parts of the country as well as in the diaspora.”

For one who knew so little about Lagos a few years ago, Egele is doing quite well connecting people to businesses and places in Lagos. She wishes she knew more places but is being patient. One day at a time, she hopes to know a lot more places in the city.

I was literally out of my mind. She carried the bag last December.

She was supposed to carry it to Madiba’s 100 years celebration in South Africa. The fact that she had the bag in her possession really excited me. Her people saw the bag from one of the stores that stock my goods and requested for it. The good thing was that it was a limited edition.”

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High Life Femi Otedola’s Love for Saving Lives Just like we have wolves in sheep’s clothing, there are angels among us. Sometimes, they blaze openly, radiant, rays of pure divinity that turn every blade of withering grass into a field of April flowers, every drooping human head within touching distance into a mind full of purpose and productive ideas.

More often, they remain hidden, quietly transforming lives and spreading their impactful aura, yet uninterested in the acclaim they richly deserve.

If pillar of prosperity, Femi Otedola isn’t an angel, then there are none. Despite his formidable aura garnered over decades of outstanding accomplishments, the Forte Oil boss is the epitome of kindness. Possessing a soul attuned to the suffering of the needy, the son of former Lagos governor and the late elder statesman, Sir Michael Agbolade Otedola, quietly comes to the aid of those in the throes of despair.

In recent times, news has abounded of Otedola appearing like a good tiding - bearing deux ex machina to those in urgent need of medical help. Most of these acts of kindness never see the light of public day, because of his nature that frowns upon milking humanitarian deeds for personal gain. Yet a few manage to escape to the public arena. Like the case of veteran Nollywood actor Victor Olaitan whose $50,000 medical bills were cleared by Otedola. Not to mention former Super Eagles Captain and centre back Christian Chukwu got a firsthand taste of Otedola’s angelic nature. The billionaire businessman selflessly donated money for the former footballer to undergo a prostate operation abroad.

Those who reside in Otedola’s native Epe can tell you more than most about his heart of gold. He’s invested billions of Naira in the area, uplifting education, health and social services. No wonder he is more or less a god to them. Despite all this, the father of DJ Cuppy, Fewa and Tèmi Otedola remains humble.

Femi Otedola

with KAYODE ALFRED 08116759807

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

Old wine Tastes Better... Hon. Ned Nwoko Marries Teen Actress, Regina Daniels

Hon. Ned Nwoko and Regina Daniels

It’s official! Now, rumour mongers and naysayers can slow their roll and hop on to the next gist as wealthy businessman cum politician, Hon. Ned Nwoko, has legally wedded his love interest, the teenage actress, Regina Daniels. Nwoko, a former member of the House of Representatives, is 59 while his new bride was born in the year 2000.

Sources told Highlife that an introduction ceremony held recently in the bride’s family home in Asaba, the Delta State capital. It was a hush-hush affair as the few family members invited were instructed not to take photographs. There wasn’t much glitz as many would have wanted and everybody complied with the wish of the couple to have a discreet ceremony. More so, there was not

much to make noise about given that it is Nwoko’s fourth marriage.

Regina came into limelight as a sevenyear-old, featuring in a slew of Nollywood movies. Her mother, Rita Daniels, is also an actress. Currently, a Mass Communication student of the Igbinedion University, Benin, she became a social media sensation recently when she started flaunting luxury on her Instagram page. From flying private jets to different parts of the country to flaunting luxury cars, she became the kind of newsmaker acting never afforded her. The blogosphere went into overdrive when she claimed to have bought her mum a mansion followed by the acquisition of a new Rolex wristwatch with the receipt bearing

N3million. All these acquisitions were within one month. Of course, there were questions about who was financing her but nobody could emphatically say. It was until recently that Nwoko’s name began to fly in the air as Regina’s paymaster. Now, he has put a ring on it and ended speculations.

A London trained lawyer reputed to be running the biggest law chamber owned by an African in the United Kingdom, Prince Chinedu Nwoko’s London-based law firm, Ned Nwoko Solicitors, engages in management and verification of foreign debts of third world countries, including their component states. He served as a legislator between 1999 and 2003 and will be returning to the Senate as a Federal High Court Abuja, yesterday, April 3rd, sacked Senator Peter Nwaoboshi as the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the Delta North senatorial election and affirmed Nwoko as the authentic winner of the PDP primary election of October 2nd, 2018.

In spite of being away from politics, he was never away from the news. Some years back, perhaps in giving vent to his architectural streak, he designed and built a wondrous home on a large expanse of land in his native Idumuje-Ugboko, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The eye-popping edifice, nicknamed ‘Castle in the Air,’ is a combination of Arabian and western designs complemented with a royal traditional touch which experts have described as a tourist destination.

Gubernatorial Ambition Tears Timi Alaibe, Seriake Dickson Apart The outgoing governor of Bayelsa, Seriake Dickson and former managing director of Niger Delta Development Commission are on a warpath over who gets to obtain the seat of state executive come November when the Independent National Electoral Commission will conduct Governorship poll in the state.

Though both are in the PDP, sources say their relationship is that a leopard and a lion in a dens. They are working at cross purposes as Timi goes all out to finally earn victory after several failed attempts while Dickson works round the clock to halt the former’s march towards Creek House, Yenagoa by fair means or foul means.

Armed with the requisite war chest and wealth of connections that should theoretically soften his path to the elusive crown of governorship, Timi finds Dickson an obstinate opponent. The governor, according to those who should know, intends to support another candidate for the PDP ticket.

In a bid to outdo each other, both Timi

Timi

and Dickson have been courting former President Goodluck Jonathan whose stamp of approval is required for any candidate to emerges the PDP standard-bearer.

Jonathan is however anything but an open book these days. He’s largely kept his counsel to himself and left both camps within the PDP to slug it out with the understanding that both will eventually have to come together to support whoever finally stands victorious from the ongoing melee.

Apart from Timi, who, despite not publicly declaring his intention yet, is far and away the most influential person in the crowded PDP field, another candidate is Reuben Okoya, an associate of Jonathan who served as coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Area Council during his benefactor’s presidency. Some have speculated that Kemela Okara, Dickson’s current SSG and very close ally, is the man he is personally grooming to succeed him.

No matter the outcome of the PDP primaries in the state, one thing that’s certain is whoever emerges will have to face a battle to triumph over the APC that will bank on federal might. Former governor of the state Timipre Sylva of the APC is alleged to have virtually thrown his hat into the ring.

Nkeiruka Onyejeocha Becoming a Woman of Her Own The weak are prey to the strong, in every society this is an irrefutable truth; no one is an exception. The best way to ensure survival is to become strong. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, House of Representatives member representing Isuikwuato/ Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State knows this all too well. She knows how it feels to be one of the few women in a chamber dominated by men.

She knows that if she doesn’t have enough strength to defend herself, her political career would likely end with a barely noticeable whimper. Unwilling to surrender to such a fate, the enterprising woman has cut her way into positions of increasing prominence since entering the lower chamber of the national assembly.

Currently holding forth as the chairman, House Committee on Aviation, she’s set her sight on the highest perch.

Shrugging off the contrary advice of naysayers and head shakers, Nkeiruka has thrown her hat into the ring of combatants for the post of speakership.

Despite her party’s apparent zoning of

the post to the South West, she remains undaunted. After all, no young eagle can know whether they can fly until they unfold their wings.

In her 11 years plus of stellar representation in the national assembly, the graceful yet combative woman has sponsored several motions and bills, conducted oversight over multiple activities and initiatives of government, ministries, departments and agencies, as well as helped deliver meaningful constituency projects to the people of her constituency. Since she has paid her dues several times over, it’s time to move on to the next level.

Disdainful of the yes-sir culture that envelops the political scene where dictates from the powers that be are hardly challenged, Nkeiruka is the lone and confident ranger carrying the hopes of a marginalized zone and demographic on her slender shoulders. Both her South-East geopolitical zone and the female caucus in the house have been excluded from most muted power-sharing formulas in the national assembly.

Taiwo

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Uphill Task… Yahaya Bello Faces Tough Battle Corporate Flower Girl: Prisca Ndu Celebrates Birthday This Weekend

His Excellency, Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello might have won most of the battles for control of Kogi politics during the last general election, but he is presently experiencing sleepless nights as he ponders the best course of action to take that guarantees he won’t lose the approaching war. It will be governorship election time for the people of Kogi in November and the vultures have begun to circle the coveted seat.

During the February and March elections, Bello of the ruling APC helped the party to secure the Kogi East and Central Senatorial seats as well as seven House of Representatives seats at the National Assembly. Such huge victory was however dampened by the emergence of his arch nemesis Dino Melaye as winner of the K≠≠ogi West senatorial election.

Like two sworn enemies that will sheathe neither sword nor bitter words until one of them has given up the political ghost, Dino and Bello see the approaching elections as a chance to deal a mortal wound. No wonder Bello has become increasingly antsy. The other day, a video of the governor boxing surfaced on the internet. Not a few wondered whether he wasn’t taking out his anxieties and frustration on the poor punching bag.

In addition to Dino who many have speculated is eyeing the PDP governorship slot, a number of prominent sons of Kogi have also expressed

interest. Understandably, when it comes to Kogi Central zone, the governor can rest easy as nobody is interested in challenging one of their own for now.

The same cannot be said of the other two zones, especially Kogi East. There is a queue of determined combatants lining up to take a shot at the governor who many see as a relative greenhorn despite his status as an incumbent.

As a beneficiary of happenstance, Bello’s political structure isn’t yet as sturdy as he’d like.

The Idris Wada and Ibrahim Idris political camps pose him a formidable threat, especially if they align under one person. Engineer Musa Wada, younger brother of former governor Idris Wada and sonin-law of another ex-governor Ibrahim has been tipped by many pundits.

Coupled with that is some undercurrents of discontent from the followers of the late former governor Abubakar Audu whose untimely death paved the way for Bello to ascend the governorship seat. Angered at being sidelined from prime of place, some of them have vowed to work against the governor’s re-emergence come November.

With all these obstacles it is no wonder that Governor Bello is nursing a headache.

He’s been on a charm offensive in recent times as he tries to get everyone in his party inside.

He is not leaving anything to chances as he has continued to strategise and woo more supporters to his camp.

Yahaya Bello

Fulfillment of A Tax Man.... Tunde Fowler in Good Mood

Tunde Fowler

If you approach the presence of the boss of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Babatunde Fowler, be prepared to be bathed in a rain of glee. Joy unrestrained oozes from the former Lagos tax don like an opened dam, watering the surrounding, droughtweary land. These days, the stars have aligned for Fowler as everything he touches turns into gold.

It was just a few days ago that Fowler happily walked the apple of his eyes, Funke, down the aisle of matrimonial

bliss. And not to a man of mean significance either. Funke’s handsome groom was none other than Aigbovbioise Aig-Imoukhuede, the younger brother of Aig Imoukhuede, the former MD of Access Bank. Those who attended the star-studded wedding could not help being awed and a little intimidated by the sheer opulence on display.

It was a grand three-day affair that made mockery of many so-called high octane shindigs. This was true class and aristocracy in action as everything from guests to venue to scale to decoration was top notch. The exclusive traditional wedding took place at the Fowler family residence in Parkview Estate, Ikoyi with the matriarch of the house, Chief (Mrs) Leila Apinke Fowler, dazzling everybody in her role as chief hostess.

It was more of the same at the grand wedding held at the Oriental Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos. It was like the Fowlers and Aig-Imoukhuedes conspired to display the full extent of their considerable connections.

So great was the number of celebrities on display as the who’s who of high society filled the spacious wedding hall from corner to corner.

For Babatunde Fowler, it was like suddenly happening about an oasis of

abundant water in the Sahara. Relief filled his features as joy filled his heart.

He had been agonizing about Funke, who had remained single ever since her first marriage to Abby Kuku, son of the late Ogbeni Oja Bayo Kuku hit the rocks barely two years after a wedding that turned the city of Lagos upside down. But every cloud has a silver lining as Funke and the younger Aig seem destined for unbreakable bliss.

That is not the only thing Tunde Fowler is excited about. Ever since he assumed the huge responsibility of being in charge of the nation’s tax collection, Tunde has been breaking records like no man’s business.

Whether it is monthly, quarterly or annual tax returns, the FIRS under his leadership, is poised to scale new heights.

In fact, with his stellar performance, the powers that be are more than happy to leave Tunde alone as he keeps on fighting the good fight of revenue collection. While other agency bosses at the federal level are jittery as the inauguration looms large, Tunde, one of the best performers around, is a picture of contentment and fulfillment.

Heaven Can Wait… As Apostle Suleiman Acquires Private Jet It is one thing for men of God to preach against the ostentatious lifestyle. It is quite another for them to walk the talk. For some, the treasures being laid up in heaven can as well be supplemented by shiny new toys in this world. The popular senior pastor and general overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Suleiman Johnson, has joined the exclusive club of powerful General Overseers who can boast of travelling in their very own private jets.

Not a few weeks after shooting passionate darts from the pulpit against the opulent lifestyle, the controversial televangelist and online sensation has taken delivery of a Hawker BAe 125-800 reportedly costing in the $1-3 million bracket. A viral video displays the handsome pastor proudly seated in the aircraft while a companion administers prayers.

The Muslim-turned-Christian firebrand is never shy to speak his mind on issues affecting the country. He has at various times confronted people in power and is no stranger to making controversial

Seyi Makinde

comments that put him on a collision course with powerful individuals.

However, with this feat of buying a private jet, the husband of Reverend Lizzy Johnson has been officially admitted to the league of jetsetter men of God who make

use of their private aircraft to tour the globe, whether on official ministrations or for reasons of a rather more pleasurable kind.

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the founder and presiding Bishop of Faith Tabernacle, David Oyedepo, Senior Pastor of Word of Life Bible Church, Ayo Oritsejafor, and Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, Sam Adeyemi are others who boast of at least one private jet in the fleet of luxury shutters that convey them from place to place.

Apostle Suleiman founded Omega Fire Ministries in 2004 which has rapidly grown to become a mega church to be reckoned with. He leverages the viral nature of social media to disseminate his messages to all corners of the globe.

Celebration TV, founded by the church, and Voice of Fire Radio, are used to do much the same to the same for those watching at home or listening on the radio.

Today, Sunday, Lagos will heave to the outpouring of prayers and well wishes for one of Corporate Nigeria’s flower girls, Prisca Ndu, an executive director at the Resolution and Restructuring Company Limited (a subsidiary of the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON) as she adds a year; and creak to the impending festivities. Not known to fancy elaborate parties as such, close friends of the hard working lady said she has promised not to typically disappear into her shells or bury herself in work as she is wont to, but that she would indulge and let her hairs down and celebrate the addition of another year. Thus, a swanky restaurant has been chosen to host a few friends and wellwishers and the crème of Corporate Nigeria; Prisca, indeed, has friends in high places by virtue of her sterling banking career.

Prisca does have so much to celebrate.

She traversed the banking industry and rose to become Head, Public Projects at the Bank PHB where she was charged with managing and ensuring adequate financial support for major contractors to the three tiers of government, providing them financial services and working closely with State Treasury Offices and Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

At the AMCON, she represents the corporation on company boards where AMCON has equity holdings,ensuring compliance with set turnaround objectives, restructuring the business and resolution of its financial and business challenges, in order to revive the business, to meet its obligations and remain a going concern.

In 2017, she was listed among the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD), an honour that excited an inestimable joy in her and everybody remotely acquainted with her. A fire starter of a woman; the glamorous equivalent of a modern heroine: posh, seductive and intelligent, Prisca is a Biochemistry graduate of the University of Ibadan. She acquired further learning and certifications at the Lagos Business School, IESE Business School, Barcelona; the INSEAD Business School regarded as one of the world’s leading and largest; the Harvard Business School and the International Institute for Management Development, Switzerland among others.

Prisca

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HIGHLIFE

Double Celebration : Goddess of Nigerian Social Establishment, Folashade Okoya, Clocks 42, Celebrates 20th Wedding Anniversary The Nigerian society space is in a joyous mood, as the undisputed Queen of Beauty and Elegance, Chief (Mrs) Folashade Naimat Okoya celebrates her 42nd birthday few days ago . The celebration also marks The 20th wedding anniversary of her marriage to Aare Rasaq Akanni Okoya, the billionaire industrialist and chairmanmarriage of Eleganza Group of Companies.

We gathered that Shade opted out of celebrating her birthday this year.

Rather, the very hardworking lady spent her special day with her workers at the factory.

In 2000, Okoya, who holds the enviable title of Aare of Lagos got married to Sade, then a 23-year-old

Mr and Mrs Okoya

The Silent War Between Oshiomhole and Obaseki

The cold war between Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has entered another dimension as the embattled governor tries to consolidate his position ahead of his second term bid in 2020.

Those close to the state of affairs in the state allege that Oshiomhole is determined to take back control of Edo from Obaseki’s iron grip. Although the governor has largely succeeded in establishing his own strong structure since coming into office, the APC national chairman’s current prominence on the national scene is said to give him a joker, especially as the National Working Committee of the party which he presides over will have to approve the Edo governorship candidate of the party.

The genesis of tensions can be traced back to 2016 when Oshiomhole, the outgoing governor of the state then, handpicked Obaseki, who was then the chairman of the state Economic and Strategic Unit, as his successor against the advice of many stakeholders.

Obaseki went on to win the elections.

Oshimhole must have neglected to emphasize the virtues of loyalty

in his handover notes, for no sooner had Obaseki settled down than he went about hounding some of his predecessor’s most loyal men placed in strategic positions. While some were arrested and detained, others were summarily dismissed; the rest were unceremoniously run out of town. Only a few lucky ones either too entrenched or too low on the totem pole survived the purge. The governor also allegedly undermined some of the projects of the previous administration, like the Benin Central Hospital built by Oshiomhole which is yet to be opened several years after completion.

Since then, Oshiomhole has an axe to grind with his former protégé. And as the time approaches to choose the state’s number one citizen, he senses his opportunity to get his pound of flesh. The governor knows this too, hence the recent token attempts at conciliation ahead of the recent general election. His cause wasn’t helped by the party’s performance during the presidential and house of assembly elections as the party under his stewardship lost several seats to the

Oshimohle and Obaseki

PDP. Desperate to bolster support, Obaseki has turned around and embraced some of those he persecuted in the early days of his tenure. By hook or by crook, he has wooed some of Oshiomhole’s foot soldiers of yore to his own side. But he knows that isn’t enough. His situation is like when the heroes of a martial arts film have fought their way through an assortment of henchmen only to come face to face with the big bad boss who stands between them and their ultimate quest.

Lagos Oriental Hotel, Linked to Political Godfather, Up for Sale

Oriental Hotel

One of the most eye-catching fivestar hotels in Nigeria, Lagos Oriental Hotel, has been placed on the sale list, a development that has caused shock and consternation to many.

The beachside destination hotel has

over the years cemented itself as the temporary resting place of choice for prominent Nigerians.

According to a March 30 advertorial on a popular property website thenigeriapropertycentre.com, the Lagos Oriental Hotel is up for grabs by any willing buyer for the princely sum of two hundred and fifty million dollars.

Eyebrows have been raised over why an obvious money-spinning first-rate hotel with all the top facilities should be put on the market. Especially with the alleged connection of the place to a top Lagos political godfather whose name alone is guaranteed to keep customers coming in perpetuity.

Those in the know claim the development might not be unconnected with the godfather’s mammoth expenditure in prosecuting the recent general elections on many fronts. He obviously spent a boatload of money, on so many candidates. With the coffers running somewhat low, the proceeds from the Lagos Oriental Hotel will replenish the war chest.

All facilities in the hotel, from the Chinese Restaurant, the Japanese Gourmet Restaurant, the Lobby Lounge & Bar’s and the Grand Ballroom to the guest rooms and suites, meet the most exacting demands for comfort and

service. Lagos Oriental Hotel promises excellent accommodation, business and leisure experiences with 64 guest rooms including nine spacious suites.

With enchanting views of the lagoon each one of the guest rooms ranging in size from 60 to 300 square meters, offers guests a unique combination of luxury and style.

Even the Lagos Oriental Hotel’s guest rooms are a sight to behold.

They feature original artwork complimenting the Asian furnishings.

The muted colour schemes contrast with a backdrop of city lights and skyscrapers. All the rooms have LCD flat screen televisions, wired or wireless internet access, individual air conditioning control, in room safe, complimentary tea and coffee making facilities, luxurious bathrobes and slippers.

Whether you are planning a ball or a gala banquet, a conference or a convention, the Lagos Oriental combines the very latest technology and immaculate service with the elegant flair and traditions of a magnificent five star deluxe hotel. Even though ownership might change hands soon, it shouldn’t make much difference to the front facing service. Customers are assured of the same comfort they have unfailingly enjoyed since day one.

Sociology undergraduate at the University of Lagos. Shade is no doubt, one of the most formidable businesswowen in Nigeria. Over the years, she has been able to inject a sizable dose of entrepreneurial magic into her husband’s manufacturing business empire. She is the Managing Director of Eleganza Industrial City.

The company manufactures plastic utensils, plastic chairs, luggage, cooling packs, sanitary products and many other household necessaries.

Shade holds an honourary Doctor of Science degree from the EuropeanAmerican University.

Her marriage to Aare Okoya is blessed with four lovely children Olamide, Oyinlola, Subomi and Wahab.

Joyous Moment…

As Nnamdi Okonkwo Adds Another Year Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank, Nnamdi Okonkwo has a lot to be thankful for as he clocks 55 this week. Bearing the fate of a financial institution on the back is not a task for the faint of heart yet Nnamdi handles the enormous responsibility with the aplomb befitting a natural. Like a champion hunter who never misses a target, he stalks the high halls of finance. Reinforced barricades turn flimsy before his towering presence, crumbling into dust as he steadily ascends to the Olympian heights reserved for banking gods.

Back to his birthday, those who expected a fanfare and dazzling display of financial fireworks as is common among the wealthy in these climes were instead greeted with resounding silence. He organized a small get-together with family where prayers for his continued well-being flowed liberally like tap water.

But that wasn’t all. The cerebral banker was in upbeat mood as he took his birthday celebrations to the doorsteps of the less privileged. He came loaded with gifts aplenty which he distributed to the needy with so much cheerfulness that the sun seemed to shine a little brighter. The man who reportedly spends a sizeable portion of his salary on humanitarian causes was ably assisted by some of his friends who chipped in with their own donations.

When he first entered the banking arena, not many had prophesied that he was one of tomorrow’s leaders. Still, those who predicted a brilliant future for Nnamdi couldn’t have been labeled Nostradamus. They had a sure thing on their hands, and it didn’t take any crystal ball to see that a young man who pays attention to what counts, and spends his time and energy on what’s important will get far.

Okonkwo

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Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

Top Personalities Honour Oba AbdulFatai Akorede Akamo It was obvious that no one among the indigenes and residents of Itori, the headquarters of Ewekoro Local Government in Ogun State, wanted to miss out of the grand finale of the 15th coronation anniversary of the Olu of Itori, Oba Abdul-Fatai Akorede Akamo, on April 6, 2019.

Without a doubt, everyone wanted to witness history when the respected monarch, once again, celebrated his glide to the ornate palace 15 years ago, after a successful career in a travel agency in Lagos.

The coronation anniversary was formally flagged off on March 29, 2019 with a press conference inside the palace of Oba Akamo, cultural gatherings, novelty football match and hosting of old students, among other activities. One of the highlights of the day was the conferment of chieftaincy titles to some individuals, including an Assistant Editor with Nigerian Tribune, Tunde Busari, who enjoyed full compliment of the Tribune titles workforce on the occasion.

The colourful event also featured presentation of honourary Doctorate degree to the monarch by representatives of European-American University as well as the launch of Oba Akamo’s memoirs titled, Journey Through Time, which chronicles his experiences before Providence shot him to the palace in 2004.

The invited guests were wowed by the attention to detail exhibited by the organizing committee that put the event together. It was a gold and purple spectacle from the entrance to the podium with state-of-the-art tables and seats arranged in royally setting giving guests enough space to breathe.

In attendance at the historic event were the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi; Alake of Egba, Oba Michael Adedotun Gbadebo; Elegushi of Ikate, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi; Oonirisa, Oba Adeyeye Eniitan Ogunwusi; Wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs, Olufunso Amosu; Nollywood stars and musicians, among others.

Fuji star, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal 1 thrilled the invited guests to good music during the ceremony.

About Ajimobi’s Billion Naira ‘Retimement’ Home

Just like yesterday, Senator Abiola Ajimobi was first sworn in as Oyo State Governor in 2011.

In the build-up to that election, Ajimobi, like many other candidates, made a lot of promises to the people of the state and expectations were high.

At the expiration of his first tenure in 2015, he, again, signified interest in the number one job of the state.

His expression of interest in the governorship race in 2015 witnessed a lot of drama.

In the end, he won, making him the first executive governor to have ever served two terms in the history of the state. Having spent the past eight years in that elective post, Ajimobi, who is often called out for popularising the phrase “constituted authority” at the height of his face-off with students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, seems not to be willing to retire to his Oluyole EState home.

For him, life in retirement, especially as he lost the bid for a Senatorial seat, must be lived and enjoyed to the hilt, even to the envy of his critics.

Perhaps this explains why he is reportedly

building ‘a retirement house’ in the Agodi GRA area of Ibadan on a hilltop overlooking the entire ancient city.

The house, which is described as an architectural masterpiece, is being handled by a reputable construction company.

Society Watch gathered that there is massive work going on at the site, as the contractor is striving to ensure completion before May 29 when he is planning to move from the Government House to the new apartment.

However, what might constitute a clog in the wheel of his plan is the allegation by the family of his late godfather, Aare Abdulazeez Arisekola Alao, that building on the piece of land is an encroachment The Arisekola family, it was also gathered, has allegedly threatened a showdown with the governor, even though there is already a pending case in court over the matter.

But a reliable source in the Arisekola family disclosed that there was no crisis between the governor and the family, adding that “Let me tell you the gospel truth; the land was actually given to the governor by my late dad. So, there is no crisis whatsoever over it.”

Ajimobi

When Social Establishment Stood Still For Abbah Folawiyo When the wedding between Oluwaseun, first daughter of Segun Awolowo, Executive Director/CEO, Nigerian Exports Promotion Council, and Akintoye, son of the late Olabode Kayode, was put off in December 2018 owing to the passing on of Akintoye’s mother on December 20, 2018, many had received the news with mixed feelings.

But the long wait, so to say, was worth the while for fans of the two lovebirds when their wedding eventually held on April 22, 2019.

On that memorable day, the Nigerian social establishment literarily stood still as the doyenne of fashion, Princess Abah Zainab Folawiyo, played host to a galaxy of personalities who gathered to witness the traditional marriage ceremony of her granddaughter Seun, who runs an NGO called Teach-A-Girl Nigeria.

The traditional and engagement ceremonies held at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos with many A-list personalities in attendance, including the Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who is also an in-law to the Awolowos; Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Oil magnate , Femi Otedola; Senator Florence Ita Giwa,; Former governor Ogun state, Olusegun Osoba with wife, Derin Osoba; Ogun state governor- elect, Dapo Abiodun; Lagos state governor-elect, Babajide Sanwoolu, and Ovation publisher, Dele Momodu, among others.

The bride, Seun, a motivational speaker, is part of the management and strategy team for real estate at Goldman Sachs. She holds a degree in Politics and International Studies from the Warwick University.

Sehun Awolowo

How Tinubu, Fashola’s Absence Coloured Buhari’s Lagos Visit

Akorede

They are both Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s predecessors, with each of them spending eight years as governors. They have also moved on in national service and politics. While Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has since remained a rallying point in the party and government being one of the national leaders, Babatunde Fashola is the current Minister of Power, Works and Housing.

In the just concluded national elections, while Tinubu co-chaired the presidential campaign council of the APC, Fashola was in charge of mobilisation, an indication that the two men shared close relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari, respectively. And they both led the president to his electoral victory this February, albeit his victory is still being

contested.

It was no wonder, therefore, that when they were both nowhere to be found during the president’s recent visit to Lagos, tongues started wagging on what could be amiss. Of course, Tinubu’s media handlers had come out to say he was out of the country at the time and others, who corroborated this position, added that poor communications had caused the mix-up in the dates of the visit.

However, there was no official explanation to Fashola’s absence. What many could relate to was that there had really been no love-lost between him and Ambode, such that Ambode hardly

invited him to state functions. This was therefore seen in the light of the possibility that he might not have been extended an invitation. And knowing Fashola, except with reserved invitation, he would not be a metre close to wherever he is not invited.

Unfortunately, given the place of Lagos, both in the body polity and the economic chart of the nation, the absence of these two naturally coloured the president’s visit even though it did not remove from the glamour that attended what could pass as one of Ambode’s last assignments before handing over on May 29 to Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu. But whatever it is, all the parties had since moved on and life itself goes on equally unhindered.

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SOCIETY WATCH

Fani Kayode’s Boys and Wife Celebrate Birthdays !

FFK’s boys! The four sons of former Minister of Aviation and former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode - Aragorn, Ragnar, Aiden and Liam - are simply gorgeous. These four young Princes from Ile-Ife are handsome, intelligent, classy and going from strength to strength.

Aragorn turned 3 years last month and his younger brothers, Princes Ragnar, Aiden and Liam, will celebrate their first birthday on May 25th, the same day as their beautiful mother, Mrs. Precious Chikwendu Fani-Kayode, will celebrate her birthday. Preparations have begun for a big first birthday bash and a 30th birthday party for their mother.

Fani- Kayode is putting everything together for the big bash for Precious. This family is truly blessed and we wish them well.

Akpabio

Another feather in Akpabio’s Cap

Mrs. Precious Chikwendu Fani-Kayode and her children, Aragorn, Ragnar, Aiden and Liam

Uchechukwu Ogah: Champion Extraordinaire

Uche-Sampson-Ogah

Those that say money making is an art and Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, OON, is a maestro in the field seem to be right.

The Oke Oji of Abia and CEO of Masters Energy is a big player in the oil and gas industry and he plies his trade in such a way that makes many of his competitors green with envy.

Indeed, he enjoys uncommon grace so much so that he now sits atop a multi-million Naira conglomerate with various subsidiaries in oil & gas, banking, insurance, aviation, shipping, dredging, logistics, construction, hospitality and power. He started out as a banker, but he later dumped banking 15 years after to pursue his dream. In reminiscence, the decision has paid off hugely. Today, his firm owns a 158,000- metric tonne capacity independent petroleum products storage facility located in Port-Harcourt, which is reported to have provided direct employment to over 600 people and created over 4,000 indirect jobs for communities in the Niger Delta region.

In addition, he is said to be constructing an industrial city at Onuaku -Uturu in Isikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, which is expected to provide 14,000 jobs on completion in the next few months.

The factories, which include plants that will produce petrochemicals, lubricants, organic fertilizers, plastics etc., are reported to have achieved an 80 percent completion status,

and will be ready for commissioning in a couple of months. Unlike many other billionaires, he has used his money to assist thousands in the state as well as neighbouring states. So, when he threw his hat into the ring of politics, people in his state danced for joy and jubilated because they were quite sure that a messiah had arrived at last.

For those who do not know, Ogah stands like a colossus in the area of philanthropy.

He has single-handedly provided electricity for villages, changed the landscape of a whole village by building prototype houses and offered free medical services for citizens of the community. He has built and equipped the modern hospitals in his native Uturu community in Isikwuato Local Government of Abia State and also offered scholarships to both primary and secondary students in the same community since 2006. He has also partnered Hopeville Rehabilitation Centre, Uturu for fabrication of Prosthetics (artificial limbs) or Orthotics (calipers) for so many physically

challenged people. These are in addition to sponsoring many people to India for various medical issues.

In 2011, he took his humanitarian gesture to a higher level when he established the Uche Ogah Foundation. He also instituted a chair at the Abia State University and is building an auditorium in the same university.

Little wonder, his name is not just one of the most popular names in Abia State today, it is also a name that is associated with positive impact on the lives of the people and a struggle for the liberation of the state. So his entry into politics was fuelled by his determination to provide quality leadership to Abians and to help them achieve enduring social uplift. A source disclosed that in 2015, Ogah contested his party’s primary in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and defeated other notable politicians in the state, including a deputy governor, minister, but the manipulation was simply out of this world just like the last election. ‘’In 2015, Ogah was not squarely on the ballot for an obvious reason: manipulation. But in 2019, he contested against six other great sons of Abia and won his party’s primary, thereby becoming the candidate of his great party and a nightmare to the subjugators of Abia people and election riggers. He gave a good account of himself in the general election, having been voted for overwhelmingly by the majority of Abians. This is the truth which will eventually be revealed when the issues raised at the tribunal are determined and those who truly lost the election will be known. ‘’Dr. Uche Ogah is very much aware that politics is a process and not an event. He is also very much aware that the struggle to liberate Abia from the stranglehold of political merchants will be an onerous task and definitely not a day’s job. He has also been careful to ensure that due process is followed and that no life is lost. He is ready to make this sacrifice and he hasn’t failed.

“It is no longer news that leading opposition parties in the last gubernatorial election in Abia State have gone to the tribunal, seeking to upturn the fraudulent result that was announced in favour of the PDP. But the public is yet to know the fulcrum upon which they seek to retrieve the mandate of the people from the malingering kleptomaniacs who represent dark elements within Abia State,” the source added.

EDITOR’S NOTE THISDAY had published a report in our March 17 edition titled Tayo Babalakin in Financial Mess. The story in the report is sub judice at the Federal High Court in a case instituted by Tayo Babalakin and others as Plaintiffs. The report was considered offensive and prejudicial to Tayo Babalakin’s case and reputation. That was never our intention. We hereby withdraw the offensive report and apologise for whatever distress it may have caused Mr Tayo Babalakin, family and friends. We hold Tayo Babalakin in high regards.

A golden fish they say has no hiding place.

For former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, this is indeed true in every sense.

Undoubtedly, he is perhaps the most garlanded governor in the nation’s recent history for the uncommon transformation he brought to Akwa Ibon State.

Years after leaving as helmsman of the ‘’Land of Promise’’ Akpabio’s light continues to glow as his footprints remain invisible and rightly so.

Unlike some former governors whose road projects are today craters, it is on record that not a single road project constructed by Apkabio has a single pothole, ten years after. The story is the same across education, health, power, agriculture, infrastructure, environment and more. It was therefore another reward for excellence as the Senator was honored with the ‘’reaching for the stars’’ award by twenty five right groups in Abuja recently.

The groups which included the Campaign for democracy (CD), Centre for rule of law, Crime Victims Foundation among others were full of praises for the exploits of the former governor. Mrs. Grace Ogbuji and comrade Olasupo Ojo of the Crime Victims Foundation and Centre for Rule of law respectively said they were touched by Akpabio’s successes as he has his hands on everything that makes Akwa Ibom what it is today. According to them, even respected UNILAG don and professor of constitutional law, Prof. Akin Oyebode who was in the state with them for a 3-day training for police officers in the state was full of praises for the ex-governor. Akpabio who was flanked by social commentator, Emmanuel Umohinyang and Akwa Ibom APC chairman, Mr. Ini Ukupido told the groups that the award could not have come at a better time, promising to join forces with the groups for the betterment of the society.

Peterside

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LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

Tinubu – The New Awolowo?

Let me comparee or even saying the Asiwaju is a fitting successor to the great sage, Obafemi Awolowo.

You know I can like to look for trouble like this and I will not hear word until someone knocks my head. This topic has really caught my mischievous person pushing me to curry trouble like a playful kitten. “Are you mad?” How can you compare Asiwaju to the great Awolowo” that was my friend Bode in our Whatsapp group when I brought up the topic. He continued, ‘even Tinubu himself will pay you not try it, do you think that if they could achieve it they would not have tried it all this long?’

That is position Tinubu as the successor to Awolowo’s legacy. This was the train of thoughts amongst the series of Yoruba intelligentsia that I broached this topic with. From the b us stops in Shomolu, down to the beer parlors that litter the Bajulaiye end of Shomolu and even in the brothels, everybody thought I was crazy to even attempt a comparison. Now is something not

wrong with my head bringing this up to mainstream media? Look my people it is my unalienable right to compare anybody to anybody. In fact I can even compare Dino Melaye to Arthur Nzeribe and while I am still at it I will compare Buhari to Margaret Thatcher sef. Look them no dey buy am for market, na my head na my brain so why can’t I compare Tinubu to Awolowo? Please my people as far as I am concerned this is the new Awolowo After all they wear the same glasses and cap only that Awo own no get the symbols wey dey Tinubu own and I think Tinubu may be a better dancer. I have seen Tinubu dance in many places never saw Awo dance and be like say Awo no get bullion van. He was too serious and that has given Tinubu the edge in my books. Well my brothers from the South West, you guys are very lucky to have a leader like the Asiwaju or you want to exchange him for that Nnamdi Kanu who is the authentic Igbo leader and

Doraga

DOGARA - BUT WHY? Mbok, who wrote that your statement on Tinubu? Me I am not there o. kai, it was a masterpiece even me the master of satire couldn’t have done better. Kai, Tinubu go just fall down dey roll for ground. That statement na atomic bomb, you don’t ever recover from that o. If I begin to quote him now, they will say I am adding insult to injury. But this Dogara na wicked bobo. kai he even reminded us of the certificate wahala, something we had long forgotten. The best advice I can give Tinubu at this point is to calm down, take a shower, eat amala and ewedu and just sleep.

But knowing him very well he go wan reply. From my experiences with yabis, you don’t attempt a comeback from this kind of blow.

You just go to sleep because you are not sure from what angle the next one is coming. But wait, shebi dey say this North na educationally disadvantaged area so where Dogara come learn this kind English abi his father is from Akwa Ibom? You know Atiku has just told us his father is from Sokoto

who has been regaing us with videos of him and his wife about to make love?

Look the Aiswaju is a great leader in the mould of the great sage and we must support his presidential ambition whether he wants it or not. We do not want at the end of the day the appellation that Aswiaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu was the greatest president never had, again. Mbok, we must have this one o. So all of you, the whole 800 of you who filled my questionnaires saying that the Asiwaju cannot be compared to Awolowo do not know what you are talking about. I have declared the results of that opinion polls inconclusive and have shredded the result sheets. Anybody who wants to argue with me will have to take a paternity test to make sure he is not a Cameroonian because only a Cameroonian can be thinking like that.

Asiwaju is the new Awolowo. Come and give me quit notice don’t like the statement. Mbok, I tire.

Tinubu

Akeredolu

Sola

Segun

no more Adamawa abi where he first call am. We have to look at this Dogara very well o He don kill Tinubu finish. Even my friend Osa call me to ask if I don read the statement say fear dey catch am. I tell am say I don read am o. I have been studying the statement line by line in preparation for use at our next village meeting in case anybody wants to look for my trouble. My dear Asiwaju no vex these are the downsides of high politics, just please learn to avoid this person o so you don’t run into these blows again. But in case you need to reply, this no be work for any of your people o. I do not see anybody in your team that can match this firepower. This na work of Professor Wole Soyinka. I tell you. You need the Nobel Laureate.

Kai. Dogara you too wicked. Kai.

stride. You can reach out so I can train you on how to handle things like this. In secondary school, I spent more time on suspension than being in the class so after sometime I developed a thick skin. So when they announced my suspension, I go smile, pack my load go Shomolu go eat afang for two weeks. After sometime they discovered that I was indifferent about the suspension and in fact that I was even looking forward to the suspension, so they invented a new type of suspension. This one you stay in school while still on suspension and be doing all sorts of menial and humiliating chores. So you can see that I have developed strong proficiency in this matter and would be in a good position to advise you during this period.

The first thing you will do is to give your phone to any female member of your cabinet, please do this one with at least two people and one media person present before dem give you bad name. Now back her and pull down your pants including your boxers that is if you wear one and then bend down ask her to snap the picture. Please make

sure she has a steady hand and will not shake when she sees your Excellency’s bum. I know it could be a hideous sight. Once you have a good picture, then send it by ‘Whats App’ to your party’s chairman at the national level, the chairman at the State level, the head of the boys brigade in your state and all those who were party to the decision to suspend you and then relax and continue to enjoy yourself. Mbok, life no hard like that. Please don’t call my name o if wahala bursts, me I am just talking o.

AKEREDOLU – WE ARE TOGETHER Is it true that my guy has been suspended from the APC? I just heard this and hope it is not true.

Anyway in the case that it is true, please do not fret. Do not beg anybody and do not grovel, just be a man and take it in your

ABUBAKAR ATIKU FROM SOKOTO? I no wan laugh. This is my candidate and last week I wrote in strong defence of this my lord only for him to fall my hand like this. Now we are from Sokoto. I think the best thing for us to do to help in this matter is to subpoena his mother if she is still alive.

We have to think ahead o. They will soon say he doesn’t have a mother and must have been dropped from the sky into the Cameroonian mountains and from there he joined Customs. Look bro

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LOUD WHISPERS

Abubakar

go and take your time and make your own independent enquiries and ask very pertinent questions like “who am I” before coming out with statement and once you say one thing, stay by it no matter what. All these Mubi, Adamawa, Sokoto and sooner we will soon here Ikot Ekpene is not helping our matter. We cannot afford to lose this matter on this chin chinny technicality. The question that needs to be answered still remains the questions that Atiku has asked the tribunal; all these other ones na just distractions. But then bro, this thing if not handled properly could derail everything o. So me I was born in Shomolu. at Military Hospital, Yaba, in 1969 and lived in Okuyiga Street Shomolu all my young life. My father is Sampson Nyong Edgar from Nsit Ubiom Local Government in Akwa Ibom State and my mother is Inyang Edgar, nee Ibok from Iwo Achang In Ibeno in Akwa Ibom State. Bro, it is that simple. Please let’s stop the rambling, its making me fear o.

OONI - LET’S GET BUSY OK me I respect and worship the Ooni so I will not yab him.

As a strong believer in the traditional institution I will really pick my words so as not to run foul of any traditions and customs. I no get power to carry ‘ebo’ go stand for middle of road to dey beg for forgiveness. But that said, from one traditional ruler to the other, I want to beg his Majesty to kind of calm down on all this matter of Yoruba being Igbo people or is it Igbo people being Yoruba people? We never solve the Cameroon/Sokoto wahala yet and I no get power to come add this one. Your Majesty, the issues that face us today in this country let me tell you very clearly and neatly and with all respect no be this one you dey talk. We are facing extinction Baba. Mortality rate is dropping, robbers are decimating people in Zamfara, economy is shrinking, millions are losing their jobs and in the process unable to feed their families and then instability and all sorts; no be Igbo is

Ooni

Gowon

Glorious Yakubu Gowon He has just announced his retirement There is a video going round on Social media depicting the exact time someone whispered in Gowon’s ears that he had been overthrown. Apparently, he was attending a conference in Uganda abi na Nairobi – the video don old, so I no sure abeg. When one diplomat tapped him and whispered that they have taken over o. I am sure he had added, lets run away o. but cool Gowon the cat that he was remained very calm. A soldiers soldier, a man who had taken over the reins of government when at that age I didn’t even have pubic hair, remained calm o. He nodded, put off his ear plugs, stood up walked very briskly out of the hall into a barrage of pressmen and elicited calm that he would revert as soon as he got a clearer picture. After he had been properly briefed, he called a press conference

and pled his loyalty to the new government. That is a statesman.

Any other reaction would have plunged us just coming from the bloodiest civil war having lost over 6million lives into another round of bloodletting. He put the country first and went quietly into the sunset without rocking the boat. If na me, I for cry for that conference, beg everybody there not to agree o, that they should follow me home and drive away these people o. I for naked on that stage and state why the rulership was my birth right and continue to rule from that place. I for call my kinsmen to action that this was a move against us and as such we should all stand up and resist.

This was not for Gowon and that is why today we all listen to him. A warm salute to this great Nigerian.

Okorocha will not come and build statue here now o.

Yoruba or even Yoruba the cradle of civilization talk we want hear. Please sir, I hope you are listening, you can use your good office to galvanize tremendous wealth and resources to impact on people.

Just do the Ife people no worry the rest of us. Just better touch their lives and leave history for historians. Thank you, my lord. Oya wey the ebo make I quickly go carry am go stand for Apata junction begin serve my punishment. Sorry sir, we no want to know where we come from, na wetin we go chop is of utmost importance.

and making sure I was restituted. I just love that guy. Fine gentleman and powerful dresser. When my madam ask for him number I no gree o. I cannot come let police snatch my wife for this Lagos.

Who will I run to? Tinubu? Well I got a call from the same Aliyu during the week and he wanted me to come speak at a police human rights session from the victim’s point of view. I quickly agreed o and he put the new commissioner on the phone and he spoke with me in such a soothing manner. As I write, I still await the plane ticket they promised me and I hope they will send a lovely female police to pick me at the airport. The Nigerian police is a much-maligned organization and we all seem to just derive pleasure in pushing them down. They are really trying and officers like SP Aliyu remain a shining example of what the police can be if we all encourage and support them. Mbok, anybody that beat you, look for your trouble from SARS to the ones who stand at Adekunle bus stop at Yaba, just let me know and SP Aliyu has assured me that the police are on the lookout for such bad eggs. Let’s stop abusing the police, let’s encourage them, they are truly our friends.

NIGERIAN POLICE AND OUR HUMAN RIGHTS Remember I once talked about how I was robbed by a combined team of the police and LASTMA. They had taken me to a secluded bank and took all my money. I even had to borrow money from Brother Chike to add so that I could escape to write again. Pronto SP Aliyu of the X Squad entered the matter after being drafted by the then Commissioner of Police Edgal.

Come and see action. The bobo no easy o. See the way he jumped into action apprehending the culprits

Kayode Egbetokun

N11, 000 FOR AGEGE BREAD! Yes I kid you not. That is how much I spent recently somewhere in Ikoyi for two slices of Agege bread with small Agoyin beans and like two dodo on top. You see why it is even better to import pizza from the UK sorry o Minister Ogbeh. Because as I am talking to you now, I am still vexing what kind terrorism is this na? I had heard of the beans and went to try it. The place fine sha so I forgot to ask the price before I made my order. The bread was delicious and the beans the best I have seen so far and when the beautiful girl brought the bill and I saw the price I almost became a suicide bomber. This one is not Buhari again na. This one is us killing ourselves. So what if na Ikoyi nko? Agege bread of N100 you come sell a slice for N2, 500?

This is treason. Where is that CCT chairman? This na real job o. kai.

HIGHEST EARNING CEOS – IT IS WELL A national Business Daily has just released a list of the highest earning Chief Executives in Nigeria with the highest taking home about N500m annually and the lowest taking home a Princely N80m per annum. It is well, I will not begrudge these people o as they have obviously worked very hard to achieve this. A lot of people who saw that list with me made all sort of negative and derogatory comments. Like there were no women on the list. Of the top ten, three were from the Oil and Gas industry, Five from Banking and two from manufacturing. I like seeing things like this as it makes people like us aspire to enter the list. The only problem is, which economy is sustaining these kind salaries?

Banking sector with all the sacking and push for their staff with devilish targets? Na him a whole five of them are now earning a total of N700m per annum. Please note that this is not dividends from investments o but pure salary and perks. If this no be vulture things what else is. Banks that are sacking people, not promoting their staff with people staying in one position for over five years and they finally refusing to support the real sector in the way they should and only five people come dey take this kind money every year. There is god o. mbok, when will an Ibibio man make this kind list o. na small question o

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 28, 2019

68

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ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

READING CULTURE GOES TO THE NEXT LEVEL PAGE 71

28.04.2019

MOREMI: SHARING THE MESSAGE OF SACRIFICE EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 28, 2019

70

ARTS & REVIEW\\MOREMI THE MUSICAL

MOREMI: SHARING THE MESSAGE OF SACRIFICE

Months after its successful run last December, Moremi the Musical ups the ante in a spectacular return to the Terra Kulture Arena stage, Okechukwu Uwaezuoke reports

C

uriously, the Moremi legend resonates with the ecclesiastical notions of the Easter season. Is it not a season the faithful strangely glosses over an obvious travesty of justice, preferring instead to see it as a divine sacrifice? Perhaps, it is a mere coincidence that the musical, which romanticises the 12th century Ile-Ife queen, returned to the Terra Kulture Arena on April 18, just in time for an uninterrupted Easter weekend run.

The treat, which continued this weekend, is expected to subsequently spill over into the next public holiday and weekend to conclude on May 5.

Like most legends, this aweinspiring tale of womanly dignity and courage is replete with its own fair share of heart-breaks. No doubt, the memories of its successful last December outing at this Victoria Island, Lagos-based 400-seater performance space remains fresh in many aficionados’ memories.

Indeed, as the latest production of the Bolanle Austen-Peters Production (a.k.a. BAP), Moremi the Musical is a stunner just like the legendary figure on which it is based is believed to be. It chimes with the standards of the Lagos-based playhouse, whose track record flaunts such first-rate productions as Saro the Musical, Wakaa the Musical, Fela & the Kalakuta Queens, 93 Days movie, Full Circle, Rhythm of the Times, Lagos Style and Music of Africa, among others.

For this musical, the Nigerian theatre amazon, Mrs Austen-Peters, as the director, had collaborated with Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, who created the storyline, and the wife of the Ogun State governor, Chief Olufunsho Amosun, who is the executive producer.

Though not quite another Jeanne D’Arc story with an African setting, culture buffs revel in the fact that the historical female figure also sacrificed for her people. It is one reason why many in the audience at the production’s last Monday’s matinee session would have anticipated the

Another scene from the play

opening scene with bated breath.

A male voice over wrenches the audience back to the present. This is after a lengthy instrumental musical prelude.

Then, a solo female crooner dramatically introduces Moremi (Tosin Adeyemi).

Now, the show has begun…

From the fogginess of the neatly choreographed dances, songs and dialogues, the storyline gradually resolves itself into some form of coherence. A people, the ancient people of Ile-Ife, are under a siege, the viewer gathers. They are terrorised by a war-like neighbouring tribe, known as the Igbo who are said to be no relations to the present-day Igbo ethnic group.

Turned into bogeymen by their apparent invincibility and their ferocious masks, the rampaging Igbo warriors ride roughshod over their helpless victims. Unease reigns over the land and even the Ife monarch, the Ooni Obawinrin (Bimbo Manuel), admits how hopeless the situation has become, as he represents each of his subjects captured or killed with carved images. He refuses to be heartened by the encouraging words of Moremi, into whose intimate

home the audience has been permitted a quite revealing glimpse.

It is obvious that the monarch has run out of ideas. For the hunters, sent into the forest at the behest of the Ifa oracle on a mission to capture a live elephant, a live tiger (who has really seen a live tiger anywhere in Africa?) and a live leopard, have returned emptyhanded to the consternation of the people.

Enter Moremi to the rescue.

The dramatic highpoint, which italicises her sacrifice, revolves around her willingness to leave her comfort zone for the common good. Indeed, there is something heart-rending about her having to leave a husband, who never seems to have enough of her, and her son, Ela Oluorogbo (Moshood Fattah), for whom she seems ready give her own life.

Seeking the help of the river goddess Esinmirin (Kemi Lala Akindoju), she learns later, comes at a price. She is promised the help she requested for on the condition

that she would make a sacrifice on her return. Thus, the legendary heroine of the Yoruba race turns herself into a Trojan horse when she lets herself be captured by Igbo warriors.

One thing leads to another and she eventually ends up becoming the consort of the king of the Igbo, Olu-Igbo (Femi Branch), a position that stands her in good stead to discover the secrets of the invading warriors.

Her escape and triumphant return to Ile-Ife coincides with the time of the recall of Oranmiyan (Rotimi Adelegan) from Benin after the former Ooni’s death. With the return of peace soon to the besieged people, the time to thank the river goddess for her help has come. The river goddess demands that Moremi sacrifices her only son. Not even her pleas and lamentations fazes the deity, who remains adamant.

The impasse is soon resolved when Ela Oluorogbo willingly accepts to be sacrificed and rebukes his mother for grieving.

Even so, Moremi’s sudden selfpossessed acceptance of her fate so soon after her pathos-inducing wails is confounding. Seamlessly stepping into her new supra-human status seems rather hyperbolised.

As for the production, it hopes to elicit the interest of the younger generation in their culture and tradition. It also projects the Yoruba legendary heroine as the precursor of modern-day feminism.

Yet, it seems to be drawn between the adherence to the canons of Broadway-style musicals and the effort to achieve a historical Vraisemblance.

Could that why some of the dialogues, which could easily have been sung in Yoruba, were rendered in English?

Wouldn’t spoken dialogues in English alone have sufficed to help the audience understand the storyline?

Granted, Moremi the Musical targets a global audience. This, nonetheless, does not excuse some of its needless concessions to the whims of modernity – as evidenced by the use of modern music instruments and rendition of songs in English – which dilutes its aesthetic integrity. Also, a few of the dialogues in the musical are spiced with double entendres, which are obviously insensitive – if not indifferent – to the presence of minors in the audience.

EXHIBITION

WITH ITAN PLAY, THESPIAN FAMILYTHEATRE RAISES OWN BAR Yinka Olatunbosun

T

he crowd went wild with the appearance of two robots on stage, receiving instructions from an aged man. Itan, a theatre production by the Thespian Family Theatre was one of the highlights of Lagos theatre during the last Easter holidays, thanks to its contemporary tilt to a morality play. Morality plays were popular in the 15th and early 16th centuries, typically having characters named after virtues. In Itan, the producer-director, Ayo Jaiyesinmi broke some conventions.

Instead of directing one of the classics or its look-alike as she had done in the past

productions, she worked on an original contemporary play, which was performed at the Agip Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

The story revolves around Diekola (ThinTallTony), a popular Lagos big boy otherwise known as “DK” whose grandfather just arrives in Lagos in search of him. He is completely rude to and unwelcoming to the old man, who has been humiliated on his way by street urchins, skaters and street dancers. Being a first-time visitor in Lagos, he is appalled by the city’s temperament, especially the attitude of young people towards the elderly.

In a swift effort to intervene in the brewing turmoil on earth between the old and young as well as the custodians of African tradition and young ones who are largely influenced by post-colonial culture, Asiko (Time) embarks on a journey to the earth. He finds Diekola and his

grandfather and quickly separates them in a fight that has ensued. Through a series of flashbacks, Asiko tells the story of how Diekola’s grandfather single-handedly raised Diekola’s mother in the village after his wife died shortly after childbirth. But Diekola’s mother loves the city life. As soon as she met a lover from Lagos, she left the village for Lagos where Diekola is born.

As Diekola continues to talk in a condescending tone to his grandfather, Asiko decides to show him his future. In this fore-gleam, he impregnates the love of his life but the parents of the young lady refused to let him marry her. He watches the scene of her marriage to someone else in sheer bitterness. Diekola sees himself as an old man, stuck with two robots and a mobile device in his home. His frustration is unmistakable as the robots sometimes

misinterpreted the information that they received from him.

Bringing such futuristic theme to a play heightened its comical elements. With subject matters of culture clash, generational gap, man and robots, technology, Itan could have got a more compelling title. The production of Itan is heavy on spectacle, rich in individual characterisation and certainly a great family entertainment piece.

However, reducing the length of the play by 15 minutes would have made a significant impact on its pace, which seemed to drag towards the resolution.

Starring the comedian Broda Shaggi, Itan is a family must-watch and could have been a sold-out production if the organisers were all about the hype. It should return to the theatre for the sake of those who missed it.

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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 ˾ APRIL 28, 2019

ARTS & REVIEW\\LITERARY CAFÉ

READING CULTURE GOESTOTHE NEXTLEVEL Yinka Olatunbosun

A

few years ago, Mrs. Farida Ladipo-Ajayi took a very important decision. She quit a lucrative career in an energy firm in Lagos to concentrate on a social enterprise that unite people with books.

Called The Bookworm Cafe, this literary initiative has grown big in the mega city with its diverse programmes that promote reading. In commemoration of the World Book Day, Ladipo-Ajayi spoke with THISDAY on what the day means to her.

“World book day is a day set aside to celebrate the love of reading, to celebrate books and the people who make it possible for us to read books from the authors, to publishers, to book sellers, everyone in that chain,” she said. “There are so many ways to celebrate. Older people can read stories to young ones, children can read to the peers, people can gift books to their loved ones, children can dress up in costumes related to characters in their favourite books, and people can donate books.”

To celebrate the World Book Day, the Bookworm Cafe paid a visit to the children’s ward at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). The children on treatment for a variety of ailments are stuck in the ward, out of school, and away from friends. It made complete sense to reconnect them with the world through books.

“We took books donated by friends of The Bookworm Café to the ward,” she continued. “We restocked their children’s library and also gave each child a book.

We read stories and did other related activities with the children.”

Interestingly, the Bookworm was established to get Nigerian children to read. It has been reported that many schools in Nigeria do not have libraries. The public libraries are also few, with none available to the public on weekends. Worse still, many school children are bombarded by time-consuming school assignments that leave little or no time for reading before bed-time.

Then, there is the poor power supply situation, which is another huge obstacle to healthy reading habit. The founder of Bookworm Cafe sees the great potential in reading good books in spite of the raft of challenges.

“As cliché as it sounds, readers are truly leaders and we want to change the narrative for children from Nigerians who never read to Nigerians who read,” she said. “We’ve seen how good reading habits have helped children become better in other subjects in school; a good reading habit has also helped them become creative problem solvers and children of character. This makes it really important for children to develop a habit of reading from a very early age. Due to the scarcity of good libraries and relevant library programmes for children, we are trying to fill the gap created by this void because for children to read, they must have access to good books. We are filling this gap through our reading hubs in various communities in Lagos and through a small book store where we sell only books that children love.”

The mileage that Bookworm Cafe had covered in three years had been impressive. With clients nationwide and beyond, the literary hub had made reading a glamorous experience. Buoyed by the 2016 Tony Elumelu Foundation Grant, (Ladipo-Ajayi) is a product of the oneyear mentoring/programme was able to transform the Bookworm Cafe from a business idea to a start-up.

A major influence in this passionturned-portfolio was her childhood. Her father was an avid reader and she was also weaned on books. Her home was equipped with a library with encyclopaedia of various versions. Her mother was

Reading culture

Reading culture also a book fan. She insists that parents too have a major role to play in a child's reading habit.

Although there are over 10 public libraries in Lagos, the figure is a far cry from the required. Mrs. Ladipo-Ajayi recommended that there should be more advocacy on the use of public libraries and reading in addition to the on-going renovation exercises.

“Our library boards should have departments with people who focus strictly on advocacy, sensitising the public about reading.

“Our library programmes need to be

relevant; our libraries need to solve problems for people. Apart from reading there are other adhoc programs libraries run to lure people to use the library. If my library organizes training about how to use excel for instance, I might be interested in that programme visit the library for the first time.”

She added that public libraries should be open on weekends so that persons, who desire to read in quiet places without distractions can do so. She argued that other institutions such as churches should promote the reading culture.

The surge of electronic books have culti-

vated a new breed of readership as many download and read books online. Still, Ladipo-Ajayi insisted that hard copies of books should be promoted.

“I am an advocate for hard copy books for children; there is that discipline that comes with holding an actual book,” she explained. “However, eBooks serve a purpose and should be promoted as well.

For one thing eBooks are cheaper and more accessible. Everyone has a mobile phone these days especially for people living in remote communities. Every child has a right to read no matter where they come from or their financial status.”

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APRIL 28, 2019 ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

with RenoOmokri THE ALTERNATIVE How to Cure Poverty and Create Prosperity

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or several years, I have been consistently teaching that the traditional path to success (go to school, get a job, retire) is one if the least effective ways of achieving success. It promises a utopia but delivers a dystopia.

I know from personal experience, and many years of pastoring diverse people in different stations of life that the purpose of work, of being an employee is not to make you rich, but to give you just enough comfort to make you return to work the next day and not too much that you become independent.

In fact, former Chairman of the US Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan, (a man I met in person in January this year) gave testimony before the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee on February 26, 1997 and testified that worker insecurity was good for the economy.

The reasoning behind this is that the more insecure a worker is about his future well being, the more likely he is to remain at his or her job and try to impress his or her employer.

For years, the ruling class has fed the working class the myth that hard work is the best route to wealth. That assertion has been disproven by empiricism evidence. Hard work is the best route to the grave. It will kill you.

I urge my readers not to fall for that myth.

Stay in school. Graduate. But do not think school makes you rich. MOST of the world’s top 10 richest men never finished university. Academic success does not guarantee real life success.

Ask Richard Branson, Joel Osteen and Bill Gates. They are mega-successful without having a degree.

Do not limit yourself by thinking that the only way you can be wealthy is to go to school, get a certificate and use it to get a job. That is one way. But there are other ways. Ideate. Come up with a business. Invent an app. Invest in real estate. Write a bestseller. There is only One Way to God. But there are many ways to success.

Poverty is a disease. Get that straight. It is an aberration and Jesus came to die for our sins, but that is not all that He came to do. In John 10:10 The Bible says “The thief comes not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more ABUNDANTLY.” (KJV).

God wants humanity to live an abundant life. And this is reiterated in 2 Corinthians 8:9 which says “you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became POOR, so that you through his poverty might become RICH.” (NIV).

Some people unwisely say that that verse refers to spiritual poverty not physical or material poverty.

Let me ask you a question. Was Jesus ever spiritually poor?

Impossible!!! God forbid!

Listen, today I tell you that a job or being a worker cannot cure the disease of poverty. It is only your own business that can cure poverty and give you the financial freedom to own your own time and use it to serve God. I am living proof of this. Brethren, I tell you the truth, your job cannot give you the John 10:10 life. Do all you can to be a

Alan Greenspan business owner. I decided to dedicate 2019 to traveling round the world to promote the cause of #FreeLeahSharibu. I gave out all my cars (I wouldn’t be needing them for at least a year) and hit the road. As I write this, I am in Helsinki, Finland, which is the 16th nation I am visiting as an advocate for Leah in 2019! and I am able to do this because I do not have a job. I have a business.

My time is my own. My money is not tied to a job. It is tied to my God, through my business in fulfilment of the promise God gave in Deuteronomy 8:18 “remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth”!

Look at the disciples who were closest and most loyal to Jesus. Peter, James and John. They all had their own businesses.

They were fishermen. They had their own boats and their own equipment.

In fact, if you read Mark 1:20, you will discover that not only did they have their own family business, they equally had staff, employees. The KJV says they left their hired servants.

If they needed money, they took from their business. But Judas was an employee. He kept the bag. He was the treasurer. He was the cashier.

Many people do not know why Judas betrayed Jesus. It was because of money.

Judas was incensed that a woman had wasted (from his point of view) an alabaster box of ointment worth a whole year’s wages and said “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” John 12:25 (NIV).

But Judas had a hidden agenda for saying that.

John 12:26 reveals that. That verse says “He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.” (NIV).

It was immediately after this event that Judas approached the Sanhedrin and the Chief Priests and asked them “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?”-Matthew 26:15 (NIV).

If Judas had a thriving business, he would not have been desperate for money.

Maybe you are saying to yourself that this is too weird to be true. Well let’s let the Bible have the final say.

Ecclesiastes 10:19 says “money is the answer for everything.”

You may ask me why I am travelling round the world for Leah Sharibu. Well, I am doing it because she was being forgotten in the media. However, since I started traveling for #FreeLeahSharibu, Boris Johnson got involved and helped me. And once he did, the world took notice. The Pope called Buhari. Buhari was FORCED to remember Leah. What I am doing is NOT in vain and it will continue.

If The Bible were still being written today, I am convinced apostle Paul, or Luke the historian, would have written at least a chapter on Leah Sharibu. NOBODY alive has inspired me to faith in Jesus as much as this 15-year-old girl who would rather die than DENY Jesus. Do not forget that Peter denied Jesus THRICE. Leah has not denied Him even ONCE. So, today I want to appeal to all pastors who have a private jet to do JESUS our Lord and Saviour this favour. Please paint #FreeLeahSharibu on your jet. Use your private jet to tell the world of one of the greatest Christian soldiers that ever lived. A 14 year old girl who refused to deny Jesus on pain of death.

Leah is my hero. I am a full grown man, but would I have the courage to stand up for Jesus at the risk of my life? Leah did it at 14. She inspires me. God sparing my life, I will take this movement around the world till she is FREE.

Reno’s Nuggets

Some of my followers say they admire my thinking and lifestyle and want to live like me. I am NOT perfect. But I am very FULFILLED. It is very easy to live like me. Do the following: * Pray daily * Read The Bible daily * Eat ONLY organic * Drink ONLY Water or REAL fruit juice * DON’T Eat UNTIL you pass out yesterday’s food * Exercise DAILY until you SWEAT * DONT WATCH CNN. It’s NOT NEWS. It’s HYPNOSIS * Get your news from multiple RELIABLE sources then make up your own mind * Care what God thinks, not what man thinks Do this and I guarantee you happiness and fulfilment in life. #FreeLeahSharibu #RenosNuggets

TRIBUTE

One Year without Imam Imam Turaki Hassan remembers his late predecessor, Imam Imam, who was Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Aminu Tambuwal,bothasSpeakeroftheHouseofRepresentativesandGovernorofSokotoStatebeforehispassinglastyear

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mam’s sudden death on Friday April 26, 2018 is still not only very fresh in our hearts but every time the thoughts of his demise flash through my mind, it comes with an indescribable piercing pain and soreness. It is still very difficult to believe that he is no more and that it is now 365 days.

His death left a huge vacuum in our lives. He meant so much to us all. Imam was a good man – a friend, who stayed closer than a brother. He was a man of peace, kind-hearted and excellent manager of human and material resources.

He was humble and unassuming, even though he had achieved a lot to his credit. He was one whose leadership qualities manifested much early in his formative years as a student and continued to grow even into his later years as a journalist. Imam was an excellent and talented writer, whose ink we all prayed and hoped would not dry this early.

He was a tender plant birthed in the deep hinterland of the food basket of the nation – the land of yams and oranges.

Sired by a revered Islamic scholar into a family of scholars, that little lily sprouted and blossomed into a flint, which stood tall among his peers. He treaded the earth with dignity and honour and shone as a bright morning

Imam Imam star.

Courageous, honest and hardworking, with a stroke of pen, he changed destinies, preached peace, lived peace and departed in peace.

That sun, he was, that rose and shone brightly, putting an everlasting smile to faces around.

For all the years I knew him, I never heard he went under the weather, even for a day, and so when it was said that he had a cold, which

later turned out to be pneumonia, no one ever thought that it would be fatal.

He was admitted in the hospital for just a week, had even recovered and a day before his death, we were together with his mother and he was upbeat and optimistic that after one week, as the doctors said, he would be well enough to return home but that he needed some rest also. Sadly, few hours later, he was gone and I would only see his body and not him.

Indeed, Imam left huge vacuum in the lives of many of us. He was my brother, friend, closest confidant and twice my predecessor. In him, I lost a counselor and a dependable ally.

He left behind his two wives, four young children, including a two-month old baby, an aged mother, and scores of dependants, who all became orphaned on that fateful day he departed this world.

God is the father of the fatherless and He gave them a worthy father in His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who has been with them all through.

Tambuwal defended, protected and supported Imam while he was alive and has extended same to his family even after his death.

He made a solemn vow to look after his

children so long as he is alive and has not only kept that promise but has adopted them as his children and there is nothing a father does to his children that Tambuwal does not do same to Imam’s family.

For this act, only God will reward Tambuwal.

God will never allow him to be disgraced but will ensure he continuously soars higher and higher, no matter the scheming of his adversaries. To Tambuwal, Imam was a reliable, competent and dependable aide, who gave his all in the service of his principal – protecting him against foes – and he did discharge his responsibilities with dignity and honour.

To his family, he was a wonderful and loving father and husband. To friends, he was a reliable ally you could always count on in time of your need.

To professional colleagues, he was a role model, excellent and exceptional writer, spokesman and an exemplary image manager, who distinguished himself and set the pace for others follow.

Above all, Imam was a man of peace.

May his gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace!

-Hassan is the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara

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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 ˾ APRIL 28, 2019

CICERO

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

IN THE ARENA

Saraki

Tinubu

Dogara

Now That the Gloves Are Off...

Unlike the experience of 2015, the battle for the leadership of the Ninth National Assembly will be messier, writes Olawale Olaleye

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f the marked indications on the political turf were anything to pay attention to, it therefore means the current tussle for the leadership of the National Assembly is going to be ‘bloodier’ than the experience of 2015. To that extent, albeit unfortunately, the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may not have learnt anything from the recent past experience.

Typically, the gladiators had tried to pretend by making it seem this was all about party supremacy cum national interest, but what the close watchers of events have been treated to in the last few days have shown otherwise. Indeed, this may not be unconnected to the jostle to remotely controlling the different levers of power preparatory to the 2023 presidential election.

Setting this off was the self-styled national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. In a statement titled: ‘Tinubu Focusing on the Issues of Today: Tomorrow is the Master of Itself,’ the former Lagos State governor pointed out that in 2015, Saraki bulldozed his way into the Senate presidency and as such, the APC would not allow a repeat of such in June, when the ninth national assembly would be inaugurated.

And then, he attacked pointblank.

“With the Senate leadership usurped by regressive elites, that chamber constituted a brake on progress and good governance.

The Senate leadership, and to a lesser degree the House leadership, stymied APC legislative initiatives while attempting to hoist noxious, reactionary and self-interested legislation on the nation,” he explained in the statement by Tunde Rahman, his media aide.

From here, he activated the next phase of his attacks more specifically. Here, he accused the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, of hijacking the budget process these past four years.

“National budgets were delayed and distorted as these actors repeatedly sought to pad budgets with pet projects that would profit them. Even worse, they cut funds intended to prosper projects that would have benefitted the average person. After four years of their antics halting the progress of government, we should do all we can to prevent a repeat of their malign control of the National Assembly,” he said.

From this station, he went very personal with Saraki. “He planted himself at the apex of legislative power. But his actions as Senate president showed a man devoid of compassion for the

average Nigerian. All he cared for was power and position.”

And now, the clincher: “Soon he will be deprived of both.

House Speaker Dogara has fared only slightly better. Occupying these positions is not a guarantee of future success. It is only a guarantee of present duty.”

He obviously didn’t stop there but went all the way in his clearly thought out attacks on the national assembly leadership, a move that attracted immediate response from the two leaders of both the red and the green chambers.

To serve his salvo of response was Saraki. In what was no less a proportional counterattack, the outgoing Senate President went straight to the points, taking up the issues one-by-one.

“Tinubu should know that if there was any mistake made on June 9, 2015, it was the miscalculation by himself and his small cabal in the All Progressives Congress (APC) who felt they could decide for the senators-elect and House of Representatives members-elect.

“When they failed after their grand-standing that they could always get whatever they desired, they resorted to undermining the institution of the legislature and waging a campaign of calumny against the lawmaking body.

“It is now clear that those who took senators away from the chambers contrary to the directive contained in the proclamation signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on June 9, 2015, are ‘mistake personified.

“It is obvious that if they repeat that arrogance during the inauguration of the ninth National Assembly, they will fail again, because Nigeria is greater than them. The institution of the legislature is bigger than the over-bloated egos of these power mongers and dirty schemers…It is obvious Tinubu’s arbitrary and tactless interference in the process for the emergence of the leadership of the ninth Assembly is already falling through.

“The frustration from this experience might have been responsible for these needless and baseless outbursts…He should stop treating the legislators like hapless pupils receiving orders from a cane-wielding headmaster.

“A situation where he, Tinubu, is dictating to elected legislators and ordering them to either comply with his directives or get out of the party will not augur well for the legislature in the next dispensation…We advise him to leave Saraki out of his manipulations and ‘jockeying and maneuvering for influence and power’, as he termed it,” Saraki stated in a statement by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu.

Then enter the Speaker, Dogara, who was unsparing in his rather vitriolic response. Speaking too through his Special Adviser, Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Turaki Hassan, the speaker said Tinubu was “pursuing fascist agenda to control all levers of power in Nigeria.”

His words: “Only the ignorant with dubious academic certificates will say the maker of a document has padded the document that only he can constitutionally make. The legislature cannot be accused of padding a budget it has unquestionable constitutional power to review.

“The budget is a law and the executive does not make laws.

Therefore, it’s only the ignorant and those who hold dubious academic certificates that say the maker of a document has padded the document that only he can constitutionally make.”

Advising Tinubu to be more circumspect in his language use especially, that he (Tinubu) spoke as a spokesperson of depravity, Dogara added: “Our reaction must, therefore, be seen as a provoked counter-punch. Anyone can descend into the gutter, if he so wishes, but no one has a monopoly of gutter language. We won’t run an adult day care centre anymore on matters like this.

“It is on record that the speaker has done more to stabilise this government more than Asiwaju Tinubu and his ilk, whose stock in trade is scheming, manipulation and subversion, especially when they feel they cannot be caught.

“When the history of Buhari’s administration is written by those, who know the truth of what really transpired in the last four years, Asiwaju’s pretentious loyalty to President Buhari will then be exposed. We won’t say more but no matter how long it may last, the truth will one day overtake lies.”

From this point going forward, you may not hear from any of these three again till after the June inauguration of the legislature.

But they have done one thing successfully; they have set off the battle amongst their foot soldiers, a majority of whom are also not oblivious of the fact that the fight is not about now but 2023. What this means, therefore, is that battle for the control of the leadership of the ninth national assembly just got real as the gloves are completely off! Thus, the eventual winner is going to rely more on capacity for consensus-building, deft political moves, tighter lobbying skills and the ability to trade effectively on what is both tangible and achievable within the context of ‘cooperative opposition politics’. But do not make the mistake on what this is all about, because it is about the future no one can yet see or predict.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

Usman, a Human amongst Man!

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Usman and the borehole in a collage

rending all over the country now is the story of Musa Usman, a Fulani man from Jigawa State, who recently taught the political and ruling class through his exemplary selflessness that true leadership is not determined by how much money one has or the level of education acquired or the size of house you live or the number of cars you have in your garage but by your contribution to the growth of humanity.

Usman, a domestic staff of some foreigners was due for retirement after 25 years and his principals, in appreciation of his service, decided to build him a small cottage house in their village, so he could have something to fall back on after 25 years of serving them. But Usman shocked everyone, when he turned down

the offer and instead requested that a borehole be constructed for his community that has suffered good water for ages, despite government’s existence.

His request was considered and his principals did as he requested. Usman humaneness has moved from SELF to US even without batting an eyelid. Usman deserves a national honour for his mesmerizing gesture. The state government should encourage him by building for him the very house he traded for his people.

Indeed, the world should recognise him and everyone especially, the political leadership must take a cue from a man, who had nothing yet gave it all up for humanity. He is a rare gem – an example of God’s image. No doubt, Usman represents a new meaning of what leadership is all about and right in his life time, posterity is already smiling at him.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 28, 2019

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BRIEFINGNOTES Atiku Vs INEC: An Interesting Turn of Events A recent revelation by some 13 presiding officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission that they transmitted the presidential election results electronically to the commission’s server has again put the commission on the spot and opened a vista of debate, writes Davidson Iriekpen

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he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has come under intense fire the moment 13 of its presiding officers said they were ready to testify at the presidential election petition tribunal that they transmitted results electronically to the commission’s server during the February 23, presidential election. The officers, who are in Borno and Yobe states, under oath, said they transmitted the results on the instruction of the commission.

The contention on whether or not the results of the presidential election were forwarded to a central database of the commission has been among the top grounds for contesting the presidential election results by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

On February 27, INEC declared President Muhammadu Buhari winner of the presidential election, and issued him a certificate of return for a second four-year term starting on May 29, 2019. But Atiku and his party, the PDP, dissatisfied with the result declared challenged it at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal last month, saying they won the election and were in possession of evidence that would upturn the declared outcome.

In his 139-page petition challenging the results at the election tribunal, Atiku said the results from INEC server showed he polled 18,356,732 votes to defeat Buhari who had 16,741,430 votes, which according to him, contradicted the results declared by INEC that said Buhari received 15,191,847 votes against Atiku’s 11,262,978.

His lawyers said the results were released by an INEC whistleblower that had access to the commission’s internal server and other tools throughout the election.

But the All Progressives Congress (APC) is also tackling the former vice president over his claims that the results from INEC server showed that he won the election. In addition, the commission too had dismissed Atiku’s claim, saying the results he paraded were fabricated, adding that the results were transmitted manually and as such, there was nothing in the server.

It added that the results the former vice president was parading were fake and fabricated. Consequent upon this, the APC asked that Atiku should be arrested for hacking into INEC’s supposed empty server. But the PDP presidential candidate said he was willing to engage experts from Microsoft, IBM and Oracle to verify his claim. He and the PDP said INEC pulled down the results from its server and replaced it with a doctored one to favour the president.

To pacify the ruling party, the electoral umpire advised that it should not worry because there was nothing in the server.

THISDAY checks revealed that as soon as Atiku publicised the INEC server ID to prove that he had genuine election results, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested workers in the commission’s IT department for leaking information on the server.

It was further learnt that when the wives and families of arrested INEC staff threatened to protest publicly, the DSS quickly released the INEC staff.

To the consternation of Nigerians, in a response to INEC’s denial of the server and its purported result, Atiku’s legal team has attached affidavits from the 13 officers to the tribunal. In their witness statement of oath, the presiding officers said INEC had during their training, instructed them on how to electronically transmit the results to its server.

“We were specifically instructed that the use of the smart card reader for accreditation, verification, authentication, collation and transmission of results is mandatory and that any election conducted without the use of the smart card reader would be invalid.

“I took part in the conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives) elections of February 23, 2019, where I served as the Presiding Officer (PO) and I ensured the use of the Smart Card Reader for accreditation, verification, authentication, collation and transmission of votes in my polling unit,” one of the presiding officers said.

According to him, “At the end of voting, the information on

Atiku...optimistic

Yakubu...unperturbed

the Smart Card Reader with the results inclusive, were collated by me in the presence of the party agents and other ad-hoc staff of the 1st respondent after which my Assistant Presiding Officer (APO-1) transmitted the result electronically in my presence to the 1st respondent’s server, using the Smart Card Reader (SCR) and the code provided by the 1st respondent.”

Another presiding officer said: “I was employed as an ad hoc staff and trained for three days by the 1st respondent at the Government College, Maiduguri, Borno State to serve as a Presiding Officer (PO) at Waliri Polling Unit with Code 003, of Shehun Barna Ward, Borno State on February 23, 2019 Presidential and National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives) elections.”

No doubt, the revelation has proved the commission wrong. The same results it said were never transmitted electronically have been confirmed. This has made many observers to accuse the electoral umpire of attempting to pervert justice and truncate the wishes of Nigerians.

For instance, a public affairs analyst, Hamma Shehu, said: “INEC was clever by half. They played themselves, they think they can use technology and jettison it crookedly, unknown to them, everything digital has a footprint and cannot be deleted.”

On his part, Demola Olarewaju said: “The denial by INEC that it did not collate results electronically is a woeful cover-up that absolutely evaporates in the face of evidence and testimony from its own ad hoc staff. The only reason INEC can be lying is, because Atiku won and INEC is conniving with the APC.” While INEC till now has not reacted to the latest allegation, the spokesman of the APC Presidential Campaign, Festus Keyamo, reacting to the 13 presiding officers and some videos where some INEC staff said the commission planned to transmit results of the 2019 elections electronically, said the courts would only deliver judgments based on the provisions of the Electoral Act and not videos circulating on social media.

According to him, while INEC may have planned to transmit the results electronically, what matters most is if it actually did.

“Without referring to any particular pending election petition, there’s a need to generally guide Nigerians not to gullibly fall for the fantasy created by any video circulating where INEC official(s) spoke of INEC’s plan to electronically transmit results before the elections.

“The video(s) of some INEC official(s) expressing intention to electronically transmit results are only circulated for entertainment.

That procedure is neither contained in the Electoral Act nor in INEC’s Guidelines. Courts are only guided by these documents and not such videos.

“Also, what you plan to do may be different from what you actually did. Assuming INEC planned to transmit electronically, the

moment it said after the election that it did not do so, the matter ends there especially as the Electoral Act & the Guidelines do not allow it to do so,” he said in his tweets.

But Keyamo alleged that some people connived with some INEC staff to upload results to the website of the electoral body and “the fact that electronic transmission didn’t happen destroyed their plan”, adding that, “those who actually planned to steal the people’s mandate are the ones crying foul.

“In anticipation of the electronic transmission, some crooks concocted fictitious results and perhaps in connivance with certain INEC insiders (or by hacking) tried to upload those results into the server. The fact that electronic transmission didn’t happen destroyed their plan.

“The irony is that the real cheats are the ones struggling to create a narrative that they were cheated; the real crooks are the ones struggling to convince everyone that the system is crooked; those who actually planned to steal the people’s mandate are the ones crying foul.

“The noise about electronic transmission of INEC results is akin to a student, who wants to cheat in an exam & enters the hall with prepared answers, not noticing that the set questions are not exactly framed as expected. So, when he’s later told he failed, he says it’s impossible!”

On its part, Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) too has attacked Atiku for always choosing to leak information to the media. It also asked him to choose either the court or the media for his petition.

The group further accused the PDP presidential candidate of showing disrespect for the judiciary by prosecuting his election petition in the media, rather than at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, alleging that the recent revelations were targeted at whipping up unnecessary sentiments against the courts.

BMO said in a statement signed by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke that what the former vice president has been doing is prejudicial “We have observed this pattern of disrespect for the judiciary by one of the losers of the 2019 presidential election, Atiku, who has embarked on a media hearing of his petition even after his lawyers went to court. Nigerians have regularly been fed with snippets from the 139-page document on the pages of traditional media and their online counterparts, to the extent that it seems like the tribunal is about to take a decision.

“We consider it a deliberate act of contempt for the panel and a disregard for the judiciary that should not be encouraged or tolerated. It shows that he is more interested in whipping up public sentiments through the media than prosecuting the case”.

For now, Nigerians are waiting to see how the tribunal will handle all the evidence before it.

NOTES FOR FILE

...And the Killings Continue!

Adamu, IGP

The spate of killings in different parts of the country is both alarming and disturbing. This menace moved nearer home last week, when Katsina, the home state of President Muhammadu Buhari, recorded attacks that led to the killing of about 15 people.

Thus, most parts of the north have become killing fields as everyday reports have shown. From Zamfara to Katsina, Kaduna, Borno, Yobe, Sokoto and Benue amongst others, the development is gradually creeping to the South of the country, with the secu-

rity agencies nearly helpless and clueless on how to contain the situation.

What more, that some security personnel are also culpable in some of the killings, coupled with a set of security chiefs, who had lost it in terms of ideas, has compounded the fears of an average Nigerian on the nation’s failing security architecture, which if not arrested now, is already paving the way for total anarchy, the result of which is better imagined. Shall President Buhari wake up, please!

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 28, 2019

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CICERO/REPORT

Yaya Bello Fighting a Losing Battle?

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is currently facing arguably the fiercest battle of his life as he seeks reelection. But will his return to office change the sorry state of the state or reinforce the alleged failure of his government? Yekini Jimoh reports

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t is no more news that the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, recently declared his intention to contest the November 2 governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the inauguration of the Kogi State House of Assembly Commission in Lokoja, the state capital.

According to him, his intention to contest was based on the “people’s call to run for a second term in office as the governor” and the “tremendous achievements (his government) has made in the past three years”.

Bello said: “I would like to inform the good people of the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC) family and supporters from the state, the local government areas down to the wards and polling units as well as various stakeholders, opinion moulders, families and friends, of my interest to answer the people’s call to run for a second term in office as Governor of Kogi State.”

But his intention has since led to mixed feelings among the people of the state even though his media team has been shuttling from one private television station to another to sell the candidacy of the governor. And going by the situation in the state today, the ambition appears more like a tall order.

For instance, people are hungry; children can no longer go to school. The worst hit, perhaps, are the civil servants, both at the state and local government levels, who have not been paid salaries for months, not to talk of the pensioners.

Also, many have lost their jobs based on the purported endless screening exercise of the administration since the governor assumed power. Those that were lucky and cleared by the screening committee in the last twenty months have not received any salaries. As a result, pensioners and workers are dying for lack of money to take care of their medical conditions.

A majority of the people - besides not being able afford three square meals - have relocatied to towns outside the capital because they could no longer pay rent or afford the city lifestyle. Sadly, prostitution among married women has risen while robbery and kidnapping are the order of the day.

Workers of the judiciary have been on strike in the last nine months due to the government’s policy that seeks to conduct table payment for workers and magistrate’s court judges. The question is: how can magistrate’s court judges, line up for such a screening exercise?

Unfortunately, here is a governor that is considered close to the president, yet, he has never invited the president to the state to commission a single project, more so as an APC state.

The governor is said to be at daggers drawn with everybody in the state. It is alleged that Bello is plotting to remove from office, his deputy, Chief Simon Achuba and the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Nasiru Ajanah, without any justification. While some believe he has the right to contest as the incumbent governor, others think that his last three years in office has been a disaster.

But a member of his cabinet, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “Our governor deserved second term in office. He has done so much for the people despite the little resources.”

He argued that four years was not enough for the governor to achieve much and therefore should be given another term to consolidate his efforts.

The Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Matthew Kolawole, also described Bello as the best option for the state saying, “This will be the first time the state will be blessed with a selfless and detribalised leader that is bold to confront issues that have been the bane of development in the state.

He said the governor has achieved in various sectors, including security, infrastructure developments like roads, education with most of the primary schools wearing new looks across the state.

Kolawole, who said he was confident that the APC would do better in Kogi West Senatorial District, stressed that efforts were ongoing to bring on board some prominent politicians from the opposition party.

Yet, Bello’s hope of securing the ticket of his party, the APC for the November election is under serious threat as a result of criticism of poor performance from various quarters.

In view of the uncertainty that hovering over his secondterm ambition, the governor might just be planning to pitch his tent with another party, Accord Party, those in the know of political manouverings in the state said.

Bello is currently believed to be facing a difficult task to secure the party’s ticket as the APC has been petitioned by individual, groups and even members of his party before the National Working Committee of APC of poor governance.

Of note is that the APC flags hoisted in the premises of Government House including the one hosted at the main entrance gate to Lugard House have been removed.

Bello...the battle of his life At the same time, the Accord party secretariat was allegedly renovated by the governor, although the party was his alternative party in 2015, when he lost the APC governorship primary to the late Abubakar Audu.

According to sources, Bello have disclosed to some of his closest allies that a cabal in Aso Rock had advised him to move to another party since forces were against him for the ticket, and that he had been assured of their support if he contested the governorship election in another party.

This plot is also believed to have been inspired by the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Otom, a good friend of Bello, who allegedly advised him to leave the APC for another party if he planned to win the November election.

The national secretariat of the APC was said to have received over 10 petitions submitted by individuals, groups and also from members of the party, demanding that Bello should not be given the governorship ticket.

One of the groups, who made their statement available to THISDAY, by name Kogi Rescue Mission (KRM), is of the opinion that Bello’s “abysmal style of leadership has further subjected the state to political and economic hemorrhage.”

The group which embarked on a peaceful protest led by its President, Hon. Ali Dan to the national headquarters of the APC with numerous placards which bore various inscriptions, described the Bello-led administration as a threat to people’s welfare and the economic prosperity of Kogi State.

In their protest letter to the national leadership of the party, the group highlighted various anti-people activities of the state government, said “salaries of civil servants for November and 60 percent of December, 2017 are yet to be paid, this is despite receiving N20 billion as bailout funds, over N21 billion from the Paris Club refund and money from the monthly federal allocations as well as the internally generated revenue.”

Dan further stated: “Businesses have folded up, people are

leaving for another state to seek refuge and workers have become paupers, feeding from hand to mouth. You will believe me that on no account will the people support and vote for a governor that operates draconian policies of this nature.”

In the same vein, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said no amount of deception by the APC-led administration of Bello would stop it from losing the November 2 election.

The party described the allegations of inability to pay salaries as caused by the PDP as another lie by Kingsley Fanwo, APC’s director general media and publicity in the state.

The PDP described the APC-led administration as fraudulent, having received bailouts, Paris Club refunds on three different occasions to settle shortfall of Kogi’s workers amounting to N5.7 billion for state workers and N45 billion for local government workers.

The opposition party said the people’s verdict on the abysmal performance of Bello’s administration is no longer a secret, describing it as the worst ever since the creation of the state.

The PDP, therefore, stated that it is the new bride, having enjoyed wide acceptance by the people and is set to occupy Lugard House in January 2020.

As things stand, it appears that it will be easier for the camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for Bello to secure reelection on the platform of APCor any other party.

A major indicator for many was his failed move to recall Senator Dino Melaye. Indeed, it was generally considered his major popularity test, which he was unable to realize despite showing his hands.

Political observers said the ruling party chieftains in the state and in the APC national hierarchy are weighing their options as decide whether Bello is a political deficit or fortune to the party.

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CICERO/REPORT

Armed youths taking laws into their hands. This is the level the ugly situation in Zamfara has degenerated

Zamfara and the Implacable Killing Machine It’s time to exorcise the ghost gruesome killings taking place in Zamfara State and get the state working again in peace and unity, writes Shola Oyeyipo

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oncerns are mounting daily across Nigeria over the increasing violence in Zamfara State as 30 people are reportedly killed every day in the North-west state.

In the estimate of some concerned citizens, there are currently more killings taking place in Zamfara than in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states combined - even though the latter are North-eastern states currently in the throes of the Boko Haram insurgency.

Starting from the activities of some armed groups that specialise in cattle rustling, kidnapping for ransom and attacking communities, the recent surge in illegal mining of gold and other precious stones has further exacerbated the instability Zamfara is grappling with.

As the situation continues to deteriorate, heavy deployment of security personnel by President Muhammadu Buhari, since July 2018 has not resulted in better security of lives and property. Stories of woes, carnage, kidnapping and destruction of property have not ceased.

One man has remained at the centre of all of this and that is the Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari. He has been roundly criticised for not doing enough to curb the activities of bandits. Some

We found out that a lot of ammunition and money were being turned out to the bandits so as to make the area ungovernable.

The higher the rate of the crisis, the better for the illegal miners

say he only cares about Zamfara people when he is playing politics and needs their votes.

Worst in the series of the condemnations Yari has been faced with lately was the protest to Aso Rock, the presidential villa, led by broadcast journalist, Ms. Kadaria Ahmed, who rated Yari very low in the annals of the Nigerian political history.

“That governor is the most useless governor in the history of Nigeria. Quote me – he is the most useless governor in the history of Nigeria. This is a governor whose reaction to the killings in his state was to resign as the Chief Security Officer (CSO).

“He went on the record to say that he cannot be the Chief Security Officer. So, I don’t know what he is still doing in office. He doesn’t care.

“He only cares about the people of Zamfara when it comes to politics. The fact that they are getting killed does not concern him. He lives most of his time here in Abuja. How can you govern a state for eight years from Abuja? What sort of leadership is that? We are so happy he is on his way out.

“He is hopeless as a leader. He has not done well for our people. Under him, Zamfara has deteriorated.”

A coalition of civil society groups, comprising Peoples Alliance for Indigenous Rights (PAIR), Society for Gender Equity (SGE), Network for Onward Nigeria (NeO), and The Peoples Collective (TPC), did not however agree that Yari deserves the blame.

They blame the growing insecurity in the state on the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali instead. The coalition said the defence chief is not doing enough to address the ugly trend.

The coalition’s National Publicity Secretary, Isa Yaro, in a recent statement, said Yari has done what the constitution permits him by providing logistics, communication gadgets, housing and special allowances for police and the military posted to the state without commensurate support from the Ministry of Defence.

“What we find happening in Zamfara State is not only unfortunate but tragic. It is inconceivable that two years on, the federal government has failed to address the orgy of killings in Zamfara State.

“All the blame trading and trying to put Governor Yari as the main culprit is reprehensible. We all know that governors are merely Chief Security Officers by name without inherent powers. For long, the governor of Zamfara State has raised the alarm over the buildup of a vicious militia with those responsible at the centre doing little or nothing about it.

“From our findings, the Zamfara government has spent several millions in kitting, communication

gadgets and allowances for the police and military posted to the state. What we need to ask is how much has the Minister of Defence, who is from the state, leveraged to address the carnage?” Yaro asked.

He was however optimistic that the deployment of Special Forces to the state is capable of bringing some reliefs to the people of the state.

Unfortunately, on more than one occasion, Governor Yari showed that he lacked what it takes to address the problem of insecurity in his state.

At a point, he backed President Buhari to declare a state of emergency in the state, due to incessant attacks that claimed many lives, saying “I am also in support of the declaration of state of emergency if it will save the lives of people of the state.”

Again, he offered to step down from his post if it would improve the level of security in the troubled state.

“I was not being political; we are talking about human lives here. If that is what will stop this thing, I am ready to step down,” Yari said to the surprise of many.

At the beginning of April, the government responded to concerns over increasing levels of violence, suspended all mining activities in the state, and deployed additional troops to the area.

According to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, banditry, kidnapping, killing and cattle rustling are being sponsored by illegal miners, whom he said deliberately instigate instability so as perpetrate their illicit trade unhindered .

“We found out that a lot of ammunition and money were being turned out to the bandits so as to make the area ungovernable. The higher the rate of the crisis, the better for the illegal miners,” Mohammed said.

He shared the optimism of many observers, who are of the opinions that with the commencement of Operation Puff Adder, which was conceived to move against the bandits, the criminals would be smoked out and peace restored to the state.

Taking a cue from the words of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who described the killings in Zamfara State as “barbaric, unacceptable” it is vital that relevant agencies must collaborate to come up with a strategy capable of ending the perpetual waste of human lives.

Such strategy must also be extended to other states such as Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna and Niger. Kajuru, in Kaduna state is also notorious for killings and kidnappings.

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Idris: Life in Kogi is Miserable Now A former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, recently marked his 70th birthday and therefore seized the occasion to interact with some reporters on his reflections about life and politics. Yekini Jimoh was there. Excerpts:

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ow do you feel at 70, sir?

Well, I’m feeling great and I am grateful to God to have kept me up till this moment, and I remain grateful to Him for what He has been doing for me, what he has done for me and my family, what he has used me to do for the people as well.

So, I will say I am great.

You once served the state for a while, so, how do you see your legacy?

Most of the things I left behind while in office, so many of them are dilapidated; they are not being taken care of. It is hoped that government is a continuous exercise and as you leave, whoever is taking up from you will continue from where you stopped.

However, when you find out that some of those things left are not being taken care of, constantly check to make sure they are working perfectly or even better than what you’ve even left behind. For instance, I remember the one you call Ibro water, the one that everybody is talking about, is not there anymore. I remember Ibro water is meant to service Okene, Kotonkarfi and even all the towns towards Kabba, because it produces about 50 million gallons everyday. So, up till the time I left, we didn’t use up to 5 million.

So, we just have enough for expansion and everything.

There are so many. Do I talk about the roads, institutions, like Kogi State University that was ranked as one of the best state and private university in Nigeria even in West Africa that was able to clock about 29 accreditation within 29 months, which I think Kogi State was the first and the only that has done it so far is now something that you will just sit back, look at it and lament.

I remember when I was there, we had over one hundred professors but now I doubt if there are more than ten. So, there are so many to count. All I will say is that I am not really happy, when I see all the good jobs I have done so far are not maintained.

As one of the leaders of the people in Kogi State, an election is coming up in November, what steps are you taking to make an impact?

To be honest with you, my concern is to have a good leader, who will take care of my state, our state, Kogi State.

That is my main concern. I don’t really mind whether the person is from APC or from SDP or any party, my concern is to have a leader, who will continue from where I stopped, so that people will have food on their table and live happily; people will have quality life to live. That is my concern. But when these are not available and people are crying no food and hunger, you will get disgusted.

The question now is when you ask people how you are doing now, they will tell you hunger, which is quite different from when they say ‘we are working hard’ though it is tight but they are hoping it will be well. To be frank and honest, I am not happy with what is going on in Kogi.

I am not trying to condemn anybody, state of life in Kogi is so miserable.

You have since retired to a quiet life. Is this deliberate?

Well, from the word go, I am not a noisemaker even while I was in the office, I was a silent achiever. What I believe in doing for the people to see and making use of it.

That is what is important. When I was there, most people didn’t see what I did. By the time I left, they realised that what I had done was there for the people to see. But then even if you say I didn’t do anything, they are there for the people to see.

The fact is I do not believe in talking, I only talk when it is necessary. I don’t just wake up and start making noise.

Not really that I am quiet, I may be quiet, because people don’t hear me criticise and jeer people, I don’t believe in that, I don’t believe in violence. I want to live happily, quiet life, peaceful life with my people.

But I will feel bad if I have the immediate food I will eat with my family while the rest of my brothers and sisters out there have nothing to eat. For me, that’s where my concern comes. I don’t think there is a good leader, who will be happy to see that happen to his people.

For me, like I said earlier, I don’t care who is there, my interest is that who will serve the people well and give the people what they want, and that is my interest. Where this doesn’t come, then, it is worrisome. It is something that everybody should be interested in. So, if PDP will be an answer to that, then, I will work very hard collectively with every member of PDP to make sure we bring back our lost home, Kogi State.

Idris...I want the best for Kogi What’s the secret behind your youthful look?

You see, what is important about life is, I am a contented person. I am grateful to God for what He has done for me and I will continue till I die. I believe it’s when you look for trouble that it will find you. I try to cut my cloth according to my size. I try to live a peaceful life, where I don’t think about anybody, I don’t sleep with people in mind while sleeping and I don’t have people in mind when I wake up.

Each time I laid down and think about God, I pray. That alone is enough to keep me young like you have said.

What is the greatest challenge you ever faced in life?

It has not been smooth all through. I have always worked very hard. From my childhood, God has always been kind to me. Things were difficult but God is always finding a way of putting it right for me. You find out people look at me and say, why did I build Mosques and Churches all over and so on? Not because I have money, if I tell you that, I lied.

Why I do that is because I want to appreciate God for what He has done for me. Of course I cannot pay God and I cannot bribe Him. But I believe maybe trying to help improve the houses of God be it Christian or Muslim, we are all praying to God, if it is so, then, whatever I do, I do it because of God. That is all I think I can offer for now, because I cannot pay Him enough for what He has done for me.

I feel happier than the people I carry out those projects for, and that alone is enough happiness and joy for me and makes me look even younger.

Have you any Regrets?

For me, there’s no regret. Like I said earlier, I am very contented. I see myself like the most beloved person on earth. I am not saying that God does not love you but that is the way I see myself.

You were able to anoint a successor in Kogi State, former governor Idris Wada.

But we have seen former governors have problem with people they brought to power, how did you manage that, because we didn’t get to hear of any crisis between you both?

You see, we are humans and we are not perfect.

So, we are subject to making mistakes. It is normal, natural. You probably didn’t hear us quarrel like other states, because I minded my business. I am not the one that made him governor; it’s God that made him governor, because I don’t have such powers. I may be instrumental to it but because that has happened does not mean I should tell him what to do while in office. I don’t have such right. But I can only advise him, where I advise him, he takes it and it works for him, fine; where he doesn’t, that is left for him.

To be honest, I have never intruded in his administration from the beginning to the end. Mine was just to give him a useful advice that would help him get up. That was how we have all worked through. But that doesn’t mean he has not done anything to offend me.

But I have to know and I believe that the moment somebody is in power and you tried to tell him what to do and how to do it is when you get into trouble.

The moment you avoid that, you don’t have any problem and I did so. That was why you didn’t hear us quarrel.

What is your next political aspiration?

For me, I am contented. To be frank, between me and my God, I am into politics today, because of what is happening.

My prayer to God when I was leaving office was to give me somebody that would do better than what I did. Luckily, I left the office without blemishes from the people I served.

Above all, today in Kogi, people still love me. For them to appreciate me, I think that is enough for me. There are some of my colleagues, who cannot go back to their places.

For now, I don’t have any political ambition. To crown it all, being interested in politics was, because of what is happening. I cannot sit in my house eating, drinking and wining and other members outside are suffering and you want me to be happy. That was why I decided to come back to see what I can do. We need the cooperation of everybody.

All hands must be on deck to work hard and see how best we can present PDP to the people. You can’t do it if the people don’t support you. I still believe PDP has ample opportunity in Kogi State to bring back the power. What is happening now is an eye opener to them.

Except there is a change in the heart of the leadership to allow a free and fair election, if what they have done in the past elections will be repeated, then, there will be no free and fair election in the state.

When can you describe as your happiest day?

My happiest day was when I won my first election in my life. That is the first election in my life. Like I said earlier, it is God that gave me to defeat an incumbent governor.

And when was your saddest day?

When my father and mother died; those two moments were my saddest days in life after which I don’t think there is any.

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Wunmi Bewaji

Bewaji...party supremacy is key

Our Democracy Threatened by Army of Lazy Nigerians A former House of Representatives member and one time leader of the Alliance for Democracy caucus in the House, Dr. Wunmi Bewaji has commended the INEC for the conduct of the last general election. Bewaji, a human rights lawyer and Executive Secretary of the Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reform, recently spoke to newsmen on the outcome of the 2019 general election and thought that despite its many imperfections INEC’s handling of the elections reduced the rate of litigations by about 95 per cent. Segun James presents the excerpts:

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aking a cue from the last elections particularly, the conduct of party primaries, what is your take on internal democracy?

There is the possibility that a party is not allowing internal democracy, but internal democracy defined as what?

We must be careful when we get to that because we have found a situation where a political party would be sponsoring another candidate in another party.

That has happened a lot and it’s still happening. A political party would be the one sponsoring another candidate to run on another party, yes.

So, for the party elders, there must be a structure, that is why you have Board of Trustees. You also have the National Working Committee and so, the elders of the party as represented by the Board of Trustees must be given that say. There should be no internal democracy that would go beyond that elders’ committee, because you are going to go to court; it is going to be determined by one man, who for lack of better word to say is not even aware of history of this party.

Look, in all other facets maybe in finance, and all that, judges are trained specifically. As a lawyer, this is what I know. If you want judges to handle maritime cases, they are trained for such. If you want them to handle sophisticated matters coming from the security and stock exchange, shares and debentures, you must train them for that purpose. Since 1999, when was the last time judges were trained in democracy? Do we have to assume that judges know democracy? Don’t forget that we have pervasive political illiteracy in our system. You might see a professor, but he may not be politically literate. Somebody can be a judge and not be literate in the art of democracy.

So, what I am saying is this: the role of judges must be limited. The organs of the party must be strengthened by law. This internal democracy, INEC can come in and say look you have to strengthen your organs. When you

strengthen your organs, you have the NEC of the party.

The reason why outside of the NEC, you have the National Working Committee, outside the National Working Committee, you still have the Board of Trustees is that any complaint that goes through the party to the level of Board of Trustees should end there, not the court. When we free the court of this, it can do some other work.

Also, in the constitutions of these political parties are provisions that say you must explore and exhaust these remedies there before going to court, but now the first thing people do is they go to court without even exploring those remedies. So the court must now tell them, go back to your party and resolve this. And then probably now, we amend the Electoral Act to say any issue relating to party primary must be dealt with by the internal organs of that political party.

But for election proper, we also must define it. What are the situations where somebody can challenge an election in court? If you say there was violence, again the violence would affect everybody as well as members of all the 93 political parties, so that should not be the reason so long as the election held on that particular day. The fact that you are able to come to court to say oh, there was violence here and there, then, you are not going to be able to say that such violence affected only your own supporters such that they were not able to come out and vote.

So, we must determine what and what we want the court to do, not that we will leave it open that the court should now be in a situation to say you are the winner and you are not the winner. The court should not be the one to say that, the electorate should be the one to say you are the winner, you are not the winner.

But when you give that power to the court, you are undermining our democracy. It is also undermining the stake of the average voter, because a voter, who thinks that the loser, by going to court can buy his way in the court room, will also not be so encouraged to come out to vote.

What then is the solution?

In Nigeria, I have said it before an election is free and fair where the person has won. If he loses that election, it is not free and fair. So, that one we have to factor it into whatever solution we want to proffer. But at the end of the day, if we are having 93 political parties, if they are all fielding candidates; that would mean 92 persons are going to lose that election. I think what we can do is that you must cultivate the culture of democracy in people and that was why we advocated the idea of enshrining in our constitution democracy as a fundamental human right.

We have to start even from the schools. When you contest, when you run for an office maybe as class captain or school prefect, at the end of the exercise, you must be made to deliver minimum of 10 minutes speech, congratulating your opponent. You must say something for a minimum of 10 minutes otherwise you would not be eligible to run for office again.

So, we must put something like that in our law whereby if an election has been conducted and somebody has lost, the person must have the courage to pick up the phone and congratulate the other person, who has won. We are not saying don’t go to court if there are valid reasons to go to court, but a situation whereby the reason for going to court is because he thinks he can buy his way in court room, that must be discouraged.

Earlier, in your pre-interview remarks, you said INEC performed very well. How? I said the process, not INEC. INEC is a part. I rated the process. INEC is a stakeholder.

A majority of the people would disagree with you, because the presidential election earlier fixed for February 16 had to be shifted for a week whereas INEC assured the people that it was fully ready for the exercise. Again, we had inconclusive elections in about six states and one suspended. Do you still

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CICERO/INTERVIEW t ‘OUR DEMOCRACY THREATENED BY ARMY OF LAZY NIGERIANS’tContinued from Pg. 78 believe INEC did well despite these developments?

I scored the process 99.99 per cent, not INEC. INEC is part of the stakeholders we are talking about. The electorate and the security agencies are also part of the process.

It is not everything that goes wrong with the election that we are going to blame on INEC, but you would remember in our report, we talked about population explosion. And then when we are now talking of inconclusive elections unlike before, the point is that the population of voters we now have happened to be the total population of Nigeria some years back.

As the population continues to explode, unless INEC embraces technology, INEC is going to be finding it more and more difficult to conduct elections. We are having 80 million registered voters now, the next exercise, it might be 120 million. How will INEC cope with that figure? We are talking of 34 per cent voter turnout. If we had recorded 60 per cent voter turnout, would INEC have coped with that figure? That is the question we should be asking ourselves.

If we had recorded 80 per cent voter turnout maybe the results wouldn’t have been announced by now. So, the INEC is facing the problem we have described as archaic method of conducting elections.

The system is archaic. INEC itself has become obsolete organisation, an obsolete bureaucracy, it’s not growing and it’s not in tune with modern development in the conduct of elections. So, for INEC to be able to rise up to the occasion especially, the growing challenges that population explosion is bringing about, then, INEC has to embrace technology. Electronic voting is long overdue. I think the time has come for electronic voting.

And then on the idea of one-day voting, INEC also has to revisit that. But I think electronic voting would take care of a lot of these problems if people can vote electronically.

I will give the example of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) which before now, whenever we were having NBA conference, it was always like motor park union having an election. But today, you now find a situation whereby even the day NBA is holding its election, nobody is even aware.

This is because I will open my phone; the Supreme Court no is my password. I use my Supreme Court no to enter into it and then I vote and that’s it. And by evening, we already know who has won and who has lost.

And that has started a couple of years back and then people are saying some people are hacking into the server.

Nothing has been proved. But if it is the problem of hacking, I tell you that there are organisations that we know of.

CODER can assist INEC in that regard. There are technology organisations that can handle it, that is, those that have been handling such for these big banks in the world. There has never been any occasion, when anybody made any allegation that any of their servers were hacked before.

So we can deploy top notch technology for that purpose. But I think the truth of the matter is that there are vested interests in INEC, who are making a whole lot of money from this manual system – billions of naira. Do you know we can conduct our election with less than 5per cent of this present INEC budget if we embrace technology yet the election will be far more credible than what we have now and the level of participation would rise? In the 21st, for us to be queuing up in the sun, inside the rain to vote, I think it’s very sad. I think the time has come for us to embrace technology in Nigeria.

What percentage will you give INEC because the EU and American government are critical of the performance of INEC? The comments of the EU and US are unwarranted and self-serving. Do they have any interest in our democracy?

Were they not the same people dealing with Abacha?

People that were dealing with Abacha have no interest in our democracy. Are the elections in EU and US perfect?

Look at what is happening with Brexit. After three years, the Brexit is yet to take effect. They cannot even handle it. So, EU and US have nothing to teach us. We saw how elections were rigged in the US through fake news.

Hilary Clinton won the popular vote by 3m votes but Trump won through the Electoral College. But what I am saying is that they have a lot of problems at home that they should take care of. Where are the so-called foreign observers today? Apart from releasing some few paragraphs, did they go back to review the data as we the domestic observers have done?

We should never allow a situation where the legitimacy of our elections will depend on the assessment of the socalled foreign observers. The danger in that is tomorrow it could happen, like they are doing in Venezuela now where they are encouraging a man that did not win election to declare himself president and they are giving him every support. So, we must never allow the credibility of our elections to be determined by the so-called foreign observers.

When you talk about election observer job, it is regulated by three ethics – no meddling, no interference, no quid pro quo. Did they observe that when they came here?

Did they invite us to their own elections and give us all the access? I have been invited to US for their elections. I was not taken to CNN or allowed to issue any statement on their election. That never happened. They should respect us. Nigeria is a sovereign nation. We have had 20 years of democracy. This is no longer a nascent democracy. Nigeria is now a stable, strong and virile democracy. They must recognise and respect that.

What do you have to say on voter’s apathy, which was observed in the last elections, and what do you think is the way forward?

It is not good for any democracy. The national average is 34 per cent. It is even worse in some states. In Lagos, it was 18 per cent. Even the number of uncollected PVC is high. I think the democracy itself is under threat and the threat is not coming from the military but the army of lazy

Bewaji Nigerians, who think that the only thing they want to do is to talk on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and criticize the government. Every citizen must have a sense of civic responsibility. Of course, these elections are held once every four years.

In some countries, it is mandatory for citizens to serve maybe two years in the military. Even after that, you now enter into the list of reserves, which means they can call you back at any time during emergency. We don’t have that in Nigeria. All we are asking you to do in Nigeria is to make you come out for just one day and vote. I think that is not too much to ask from citizens. In the end you find a lot of people in their houses sleeping. Some youths were found on the streets playing football. So, that means with what we are witnessing now, something urgent has to be done.

Lagos recorded 18 per cent but do you know that a state like Jigawa recorded 54 per cent. Sokoto recorded 50 per cent. Katsina also recorded 50 per cent. But the lowest figures are coming from the areas where we have the socalled educated people. That is why I made the comment that elites don’t vote. Even in this Lagos, when you look at that 18 per cent, 90 per cent of that 18 per cent are market women. From our data, women are taking active part in our elections than men. The so-called illiterate are taking active part than the so-called educated people. 90 per cent of these educated people don’t even have PVC to start with.

So, something then must be done.

We are talking of problem of godfatherism and all that; how does that affect outcome of elections? You can even come to the polling booth to express your mind about that godfatherism. That is how it is done in advanced democracies, which Nigeria is aspiring to be one. We must make it difficult for people, who would not want to perform their civic duty. We are not asking you to come and pay your tax at the polling booth, we are asking you to come and vote.

While in some countries, voting is compulsory, we are not advocating that voting should be made compulsory but people that vote must be recognised by the system when it comes to the enjoyment of certain privileges like you want to enter civil service, government, you must provide your voter’s card to show that you are a responsible citizen and several other things. That will go a long way to making people live to their responsibility as good citizens.

You are a former lawmaker, the leader of Alliance for Democracy in the House of Representatives, can you compare the National Assembly you were to the one of today and what are your thoughts on the composition of the next leadership of the National Assembly?

I think the party should be allowed. The tradition has always been to allow the party to determine the leadership structure of the National Assembly and the reason is simple. The party ran on particular policies and programmes sold to the electorate. Now the party knows its own members. You are not going to outsource that to members of another party, because the leadership of the

National Assembly is meant to complement and synergize with the elected president. In established democracies, that is the reason. For example in the US, unless something personal is found against the nominee of the President, the nominee would be allowed to go by the Senate.

The convention is always that the president knows the people he wants to work with. As far as the Parliament is concerned, the leadership of the party; the Board of Trustees and others would be able to sit down and say, ‘ok, at the end of the election, the President is coming from this, the Vice-President from this, the remaining positions, how do we distribute them in such a way that other interests would be represented?’

In 1999, the only reason the National Assembly was not inaugurated on 29th of May was because as at that time, meetings were still going on in the Villa to choose the Senate President and agree on the Speaker and all the rest of them. They were still holding meeting until June 2nd when candidates finally emerged and the National Assembly was inaugurated on the 3rd. So, the party hierarchy must be allowed to choose the people that they know would deliver on their agenda.

But people are critizing the way the party is going about it instead of lobbying the members.

Yes, they should continue to lobby but what we were thought is that multi-party democracy is founded on three principles – party loyalty, party discipline and party supremacy. So, once the party decides, you leave that room to grow. That is what we were taught by Baba Ayo Adebanjo (an Afenifere leader). You can say anything you want to say inside the room, but once we have decided, you leave that room to go and defend the position of the party.

Sometime even the person that brought the contrary idea that was defeated would be the one to go and address the press and say, ‘this is what we have decided.’ There was no problem at that time. What you are seeing is the problem of indiscipline that has crept into our politics. It is not about personal ambition that you want to be the President of the Senate, it is about the party. You are not going there to effect your own programmes but the programmes of the party.

The party has decided that this is the best suited man to deliver on this agenda, then, you should embrace it. If you have any misgivings, let the party know. It would be resolved through the internal mechanisms of the party. But it is never heard that you go to the floor and go against the position of the party.

When I was chosen as the Minority leader, the decision was made at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja by the leaders of the party.

So, what we went to Abuja to do was a formality and nobody ran against me. That is party discipline. I didn’t lobby for the post. I was in my house when they called. They said the reason why they chose me was because the man that left was not loyal to the hierarchy and that they wanted somebody that would be loyal 100 per cent to the party.

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Buhari presenting the 2018 budget proposal to a joint sitting of the National Assembly

A Vicious Debate over Legislative Power of Appropriation The leadership of the National Assembly did not take kindly to allegations of ‘consistent budget padding’ levelled against it by a former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, report Deji Elumoye and Shola Oyeyipo

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ntil late last year, the trio of former governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, were active members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

While Tinubu, as one of the national leaders remains a determining factor in the party, Saraki and Dogara parted ways with APC over irreconcilable differences and defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in July, 2018.

Although Tinubu had since June, 2015 taken exception to the way Saraki and Dogara emerged Senate President and Speaker respectively, against the APC’s alleged choice of Senator Ahmad Lawan and Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, he had at every given opportunity hit hard especially on Saraki. It was, therefore, not surprising when early last week the two-time former governor of Lagos fired another salvo aimed at Saraki and Dogara.

Tinubu, in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Tunde Rahman, alleged that the duo of

Saraki and Dogara always padded budgets with projects that profited them.

According to him, Saraki and Dogara had allegedly hijacked and padded national budgets for the four years that the APC has been in power. Tinubu said rather than his perceived future political ambition, his intention is to prevent a reoccurrence of the Saraki and Dogara eras in the National Assembly leadership.

“With the Senate leadership usurped by regressive elitists, that chamber constituted a brake on progress and good governance.

The Senate leadership, and to a lesser degree, the House leadership, stymied the APC legislative initiatives while attempting to hoist noxious, reactionary and selfinterested legislation on the nation.

“Just look at the way Saraki, Dogara and their ilk hijacked the budget process these past four years. National budgets were delayed and distorted as these actors repeatedly sought to pad budgets with pet projects that would profit them.

“Even worse, they cut funds intended to prosper projects that would have benefited the average person. After four years of their antics halting the progress of government, we should do all we can to prevent a repeat

of their malign control of the National Assembly.

“If we are truly committed to optimal governance, then we also must be equally committed to ensuring that the National Assembly leadership be competent and experienced as well as imbued with a progressive mindset and a desire to work in close cooperation with executive.

“This is all Asiwaju has hoped to achieve.

There are no ulterior motives. Everything he has done is in concert with and in furtherance of the wishes of President Buhari and the party. Thus, those who cast aspersions at Asiwaju, in reality are bucking against the stated position of the President. This is a democracy and people have the right to oppose whoever they wish to oppose.

“However, if these mongers oppose the President, let them be of sufficient courage to plainly say so. They should not disparage Asiwaju as an indirect way to contend against the president,” Tinubu said.

But Saraki, in a strongly worded response by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, described the budget padding allegation as careless, irresponsible and callous.

On the allegation that national budgets were delayed, distorted, padded, new

projects introduced, funds for projects reduced, “to halt progress of government”, the Senate President described as unfortunate that a man like Tinubu, who was in the Senate during the ill-fated Third Republic did not have a better understanding of how the legislature works.

Saraki reminded Tinubu that the passage of budget was definitely not the exclusive responsibility of the leadership of the Senate as most of the work was done by the various committees.

“These committees are headed by Senators representing different parties. It is the level of co-operation between the committees and the MDAs in the timely defence of the budget proposals and the ability of the two chambers of the National Assembly to reconcile their figures that usually determine how soon the budget is passed. To put the blame of budget delay on the Senate President or Speaker can only be mischief, or at best, playing to the gallery”.

He further explained that any so-called delay in the passage of budgets under the Eighth National Assembly could be tracedto the refusal of heads of MDAs to defend the budget proposals for their agencies on time.

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A Vicious Debate over Legislative Power of Appropriation “Last year, the President himself had to direct the Secretary to Federal Government to compel heads of MDAs to appear before the National Assembly committees following the report made to him by Saraki and Dogara.

“So, if a man like Tinubu is spreading this falsehood about budget passage and delay being deliberately orchestrated by the National Assembly leadership, one wonders whether he tries to even understand what happens in the federal legislature at all or is it that the only thing that is of interest to him is “jockeying and maneuvering for influence”, he asked.

Continuing, he said, “To further make the points here clear, we invite Tinubu to look at the records of the time of submission of budgets and their passage since 2010 and he will see that with the exception of the 2013 budget, which was passed on December 20, 2012, all the budgets have been passed between March and May of the same fiscal year.

“This should give him a better understanding of the fact that the date the Appropriations Bill is submitted to parliament and the readiness of the MDAs to defend the proposals submitted as well as timely agreement on the figures by both chambers of the National Assembly are the main determining factors in when the budget is eventually passed. So, Tinubu should see that the facts cannot support his spins and fake narrative”.

Tinubu was further challenged to be specific about where Saraki and the leadership of the National Assembly “sought to pad with pet projects” as he alleged, saying, “Tinubu should be graceful enough to substantiate this allegation. We consider that allegation careless, irresponsible and callous. We therefore demand that he should withdraw it.

“However, there is need to let him know that it is the constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly to review the proposals sent by the executive and where it deems necessary, it is within the power of the legislature to make changes.

“A good example, is the decision by the National Assembly to include in the 2018 budget the one per cent of the total budget, amounting to N33 billion, as allocation for Universal Health Coverage as provided by an extant law, which had been hitherto observed in the breach. Is this what Tinubu considers as budget padding? And this was a decision which was praised across the world as a real benefit to ordinary people across the country,” Saraki explained.

On his part, Dogara seemed to have taken more of his time to digest Tinubu’s vituperations and reacted 48 hours after in yet a statement by his media aide, Mr Turaki Hassan, who accused Tinubu of manufacturing falsehoods and painting a non-existing picture of his stewardship.

For Dogara, Tinubu is “pursuing fascist agenda to control all levers of power in Nigeria,” adding that “only the ignorant with dubious academic certificates will say the maker of a document has padded the document that only he can constitutionally make.

“The legislature cannot be accused of padding a budget it has unquestionable constitutional power to review. The budget is a law and the executive does not make laws. Therefore, it’s only the ignorant and those who hold dubious academic certificates that say the maker of a document has padded the document that only he can constitutionally make.

“In the words of his lordship, Hon Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, in suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/259/2014, delivered on March 9, 2016, ‘the National Assembly was not created by drafters of the constitution and imbued with the powers to receive ‘budget estimates’ which the first defendant is constitutionally empowered to prepare and lay before it, as a rubber stamp parliament. The whole essence of the budget estimates being required to be laid before Parliament is to enable it, being the Assembly of the representatives of the

Tinubu in a handshake with Saraki while Dogara and House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila watch

people, to debate the said budget proposals and to make its own well informed legislative inputs into it.”

The Speaker, while advising Tinubu to be circumspect in his use of language, said “In this case, he spoke as a spokesperson of depravity. Our reaction must therefore be seen as a provoked counter-punch.

Anyone can descend into the gutter if he so wishes but no one has a monopoly of gutter language. We won’t run an adult day care centre anymore on matters like this.

“If Asiwaju had confined his intervention to stubborn facts, this response would not have been necessary. He, however, used the opportunity to manufacture falsehoods and paint a non-existing picture of the stewardship of Mr. Speaker and the work of the 8th House of Representatives under his watch. It is, therefore, incumbent on us to set the records straight for posterity.

“We do not expect Asiwaju Tinubu to dwell on brazen mendacity, much less murder facts and decorum in his rabid bid to justify his patently clear fascist agenda of controlling all levers of power in Nigeria. Asiwaju Tinubu’s nocturnal agenda has no parallel in the history of any democracy and it is more loathsome when he throws caution to the winds and maligns government officials, who are doing a yeoman’s job of stabilising the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, even in spite of political differences.

“It is on record that the Speaker has done more to stabilise this government more than Asiwaju Tinubu and his ilk, whose stock in trade is scheming, manipulation and subversion, especially, when they feel they cannot be caught.”

Dogara further stated that “when the history of Buhari’s administration is written by those who know the truth of what really transpired in the last four years, Asiwaju’s pretentious loyalty to President Buhari will then be exposed. We won’t say more but no matter how long it may last, the truth will one day overtake lies.

“Perhaps, Asiwaju is still bitter about the leadership contest for Speakership of the 8th Assembly, even though the actors have moved on culminating in Speaker Dogara magnanimously facilitating the appointment of his opponent in the race and Tinubu’s protégé as House Majority leader.” Dogara explained that the main

cause of delay in passing the budget is the persistent refusal or neglect of the executive to present it in good time.

“For the record, in the last four years, there was no urgency or plan by the executive to achieve a January to December budget cycle. For the avoidance of doubt, we will show the dates the budget estimates were submitted by the executive in the last four years below.

“The 2016 Budget was submitted on December 22, 2015, exactly nine days to the end of the year. 2017 budget submitted on December 14, 2016, just 17 days to the end of the year. 2018 Budget was presented on November 7, 2017, the earliest even though it also fell short of the 90 days stipulated by the Fiscal Responsibility Act. The 2019 budget was presented on December 19, 2018 exactly 12 days to the end of the year.

“As if the late or delayed submission of budget estimates wasn’t enough, in most cases, ministers and heads of agencies contributed to the so-called delay by consistently refusing to appear before National Assembly Standing Committees to defend their budget proposals in line with the provision of the law.

“At some points, the leadership of the National Assembly had to take up the issue with the president, who advised his ministers to honour legislative invitations to defend their budgets.

“What Nigerians don’t know is that the Executive, through the various Ministries, continued to propose additional projects to be included in the 2018 budget even as at April and May of 2018, which further delayed the passage of the 2018 budget.

These were communicated officially and if anyone is in doubt, we will exhibit the letters with the dates they were written and received.

“The National Assembly inserted a clause in the Appropriation Bill consistent with S.318 of the constitution, which allowed the budget to last for 12 months after Mr. President’s Assent. This enabled the executive to spend more of the capital component of the budget as it still had 12 months protected by law.

“As an activist legislature, the National Assembly effected an amendment to S. 81(1) of the constitution to compel Mr. President to present the budget estimates not later than 90 days to the end of a financial year

in order to solve this problem but unfortunately, very unfortunately, Mr. President declined assent to the bill, which was passed by both chambers of the National Assembly and over 2/3rds of the State Assemblies.

“The National Assembly made a further attempt to make the budget process much better by improving the institutional capacity of the Parliament to process and pass National budgets by passing the National Assembly Budget and Research Office (NABRO) Establishment Bill. It was loosely modeled after the American Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Again, Mr. President declined assent to the Bill,” he further explained.

Reiterating that the 8th National Assembly is not a rubber stamp parliament and reserves the right, working cooperatively with the executive, to interrogate projects unilaterally inserted by the executive branch without the input of or consultation with parliament, Dogara said “The parliamentarians are representatives of the Nigerian people and you don’t expect them to rubber stamp budgets that are heavily skewed and lopsided against most sections of the country.

“It is their responsibility to ensure equitable and even distribution of capital projects across all the nooks and crannies of the country, if the executive fails to do so. In any case, it is false to state that legislative intervention in the budget process is to benefit the legislators and not their constituencies.

“We challenge Asiwaju Tinubu to prove otherwise. He should also show in what way the 8th assembly acted differently from other assemblies of the past to warrant the kind of language used”, Dogara further submitted.

After all said and done about budget padding, the leadership of the federal parliament needs be reminded of the need to without further delay pass the 2019 Appropriation Bill submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari on December 19, 2018.

Saraki had last week promised that the 2019 budget report, which had been laid before the Senate would be passed on Tuesday. It is therefore hope the House too would follow suit by passing the budget this week after which it would be transmitted to President Buhari for assent.

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with DEMOLA OJO demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

SOCIAL MEDIA BITS

Last week on social media, ARISE Fashion Week stole the show, the Labour Minister made a bizarre claim, and the President – once again - left for London...

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ast weekend was Easter which meant many entertainment events were held especially in the country’s commercial capital, Lagos. Taking pride of place for three days over the weekend was the Arise Fashion Week with Naomi Campbell, which had top designers from Nigeria and beyond showcasing their skills.

Models strutted the runway while A-list entertainers like Wizkid and Wande Coal delighted the audience which included captains of industry and the cream of Lagos society.

But beyond the glamour was the substance of how the creative industry can be of immense benefit to the Nigerian economy in terms of jobs and revenue if strategically supported. Among many initiatives to achieve this was Zenith Bank’s offer of flexible facilities to the designers on show.

Lagos was the epicentre of attention this week for another reason as President Muhammadu Buhari visited the state to inaugurate the remodelled Murtala Muhammed International Airport road among other projects initiated by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

After Lagos, the President went to Borno State the next day (Thursday) for another project commissioning exercise, before jetting out to the UK (again!) for 10 days in what the presidency described as a private visit.

The fact that the President has been travelling frequently of late hasn’t escaped observers with some suggesting he engages in some sort of travel blogging on Instagram.

There was some number crunching too: 33 countries visited; one year, 39 days abroad in three years, 10 months of his tenure; 154 days over two visits to the UK

APRIL 28, 2019 ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

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SOCIAL MEDIA BITS in 2017 to treat an undisclosed illness...

Eyebrows are usually raised when the destination is London. If it’s not for official reasons, the suspicion is that it’s medical.

The timing couldn’t have been more awkward, considering the remarks made on live TV by Labour Minister, Dr Chris Ngige, who caused a stir by recklessly stating that Nigeria had a surplus of medical doctors.

This wasn’t a slip, as he confidently doubled-down on his assertion despite numerous opportunities to state his case intelligently during the interview. His was a perfect example of a government official totally out of touch with reality. “We have surplus. If you have surplus, you export,” were his words.

After he was pilloried incessantly on both social and traditional media, he backtracked somewhat, trying to make a case by reeling out his achievements in the medical field, while claiming he was misquoted. But he spoke live on TV and the clips are still on the internet for anyone to see!

Another case of backtracking is unfolding as Presiding Officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission during the last elections stated under oath they electronically transmitted results to the

commission’s server, contradicting the assertion of INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu that no such thing happened.

INEC says the “server results” presented

by PDP presidential candidate in the election, Atiku Abubakar, are fake. But there are those hoping that the “stolen mandate” will be recovered at the courts.

On hand to dash these hopes is Festus Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of NIgeria who was Director, Strategic Communications, for President Buhari during the election.

Courts are guided by the electoral act not social media videos, was one of many statements he made on social media.

On the subject of the INEC server, it is disgraceful that in 2019, there was no recourse to electronic transmission as a backup to manual collation as both INEC and Keyamo (who strangely, is acting like the electoral body’s lawyer) claim.

On the other hand, if – as the presiding officers testified and backed up by other INEC officials in videos circulated via social media – results were indeed transmitted electronically, then it leaves the realm of shame to that of criminality. One way or the other, the reputation of the INEC chairman has suffered a dent.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž APRIL 28, 2019

IMAGES

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t was a colourful gathering of families, friends and colleagues for the Statutory retirement/ last day in office and Thanksgiving service of the Principal and Director of Education, Mainland Senior High School, Mrs Sarah Funmi AjetunmobiattheApostolicFaithChurch Multi Purpose Hall, Anthony, Lagos Bar. Paul Ajetunmobi and his wife, Sarah

L-R: Mrs. Toro Agbetunsin; Mrs. Abiola Agbe Davies and Mrs. Olayide Martins

Adebolu Taiwo and Ogunfemi Bola

Charles and Omolola Abayomi

L-R: Rev. Michael and Mrs Esther Oroleye

Chief John-Bola Olayemi and wife, Sarah

Chief Shade Ajayi and Ephraim Owofolaju

L-R: Shittu Adesegun; Mrs Funmi Okeowo; Mrs Lola Are Adegbite and Mrs Florence Akinsanya

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž APRIL 28, 2019

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Funto Adebolu and Mr Adedayo Adebolu

L-R: Mrs. Kolawole and Mrs. Funmi Onakoya

L-R: Chief John Mesele and Prince Bowo Olateru Olagbegi

L-R: Dr. Felix Sule; Biodun Kajotoni and Femi Agbaniaka

Abraham and Blessing Balorunduro

L-R: Mrs Rotimi Balogun and and Rev. Albert Abe

L-R: Mrs. Okiche Chinwe; Mrs. Oshin Adetutu; Mrs. Banjo Modupe and Mrs. Soname Aderionla

L-R: Elder Aliu and Chief Olu Adebola

Sir Andrew Makun and wife, Bolajoko

Mrs. Funmi Komolafe and Oluwanifemi Ajetunmobi

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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 ˾ APRIL 28, 2019

CICERO/TRIBUTE

Odia Ofeimun, Edekin Imoukhuede, Afolabi Imoukhuede, SSA to the President on Youth Empowerment and Job Creation, Prof. Olaopa, guest lecturer, Ahousi Imoukhuede and Ajike Ososanya, all children of the late J.E Imoukhuede at the event…recently

Imoukhuede: Legacies of a Model Public Servant Joseph Enaifoghe Imoukhuede, the first non-Yoruba man to be appointed permanent secretary in the old Western region and pioneer Secretary to Government and Head of Service of the old Mid-Western Region, would have been 98 on Thursday, April 25, 2019, but the day was used for the inaugural annual Imoukhuede Memorial Lecture Series. Samuel Ajayi, who witnessed the event, reports on the reliving of the good old days of the nation’s civil service in which the late Imoukhuede played a pivotal role A Post-Humous ‘Birthday’ Like no Other

H

e would have been 98 years old on Thursday April 25, 2019 having been born on same day in 1921. But if Joseph Enaifoghe Imoukhuede, had been alive, it is debatable if the gathering would have been more colourful than that.

But having passed on in 1989 at the age of 68, it was a good idea for his children to mark the 30th anniversary of his passing with a public lecture that tore into the heart of civil service in Nigeria.

The lecture, delivered by Professor Tunji Olaopa, a former federal permanent secretary and Executive Vice Chairman, Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy, dwelled on the halcyon days, when the likes of Imoukhuede, late Simeon Adebo, Alison Ayida, and so on held sway and complemented the political leadership of those years to run the country and provide good governance.

Unforgettable Civil Service Years Digging into the career of Imoukhuede, Olaopa admitted that being asked to deliver the lecture and the things he found out about the late Imoukhuede had actually left a huge gap in his research and scholarship works into governance and public policy issues over the years.

“The trajectory of Chief Joseph Imoukhuede’s life and career is a testament to the coincidence of historical, administrative and personal dynamics that makes Imoukhuede one of the most significant administrative figures in Nigeria,” Olaopa said. And then he added: “Let me make a confession at this point: delivering this lecture brings me face to face with a huge absence in my reform and administrative scholarship. And that absence is constituted by the towering and redoubtable achievements of Pa Imoukhuede, especially within the ensemble of great pioneers that I have dedicated my intellectual energies to profiling for the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s institutional dynamics. And yet, Imoukhuede stands shoulder to shoulder with the best in that period that marked what has often been regarded as the golden era of the public service in Nigeria.”

He said what stood out the era and times of the late Imoukhuede and the likes of Simeon Adebo as public servants was the professionalism they brought into their jobs. He said they were not just government workers but gate-keepers, who ensured due diligence and professionalism in the discharge of government business.

Olaopa submitted: “First, there were a corps of pioneer civil servants schooled in the value-based administrative tradition

instituted by the British, and who were eager to lay a foundation of a prestigious profession that was world-class.

“These pioneers belonged to a Nigerian society that had its time-honoured value foundation intact, an era when people attained positions of responsibility that were earned by dint of learning achievement, distinct professionalism, deep sense of self-worth underpinned by honour, exemplary conduct and the noblest of character. Meritocracy was sacrosanct in staffing and appointments, even as quota system was already a guiding policy in diversity management.”

He said the then Federal Public Service Commission was unqualifiedly incorruptible in the discharge of its work of professional gate-keeping, which it guarded jealously and with utmost integrity.

“Policy work thrived under a seminal spirit that allowed the public service to take advantage of an institutionalised town and gown multidisciplinary cross-fertilisation of knowledge and skills available in the academia, industry, the civil society, Donors of technical assistance and the global community of service and practice; very much unlike the reigning anti-intellectualism in the policy space today, a tendency dominated by the attitude that dismisses every attempt to reinforce the policy process with research findings as theory and therefore not practicable. Motivation and condition of service were administered to preserve the prestige and professionalism of the service. So, what went wrong?”

He explained that the civil service, as left by the likes of Imoukhuede, had derailed and what is obtainable today are contractors, who masquerade as civil servants. He also added that elected political leaders have also stifled the civil service by not incorporating them into their policy formulation. He said during the 60s, political parties used to send the manifestoes to civil servants to study and help them implement if they won elections.

Olaopa explained that the likes of Imoukhuede and Adebo would take manifestoes on their own, dissect them and work policies out of them. He also lamented that lack of reforms and the purge of 1975 by the Murtala/Obasanjo military government left a gaping hole in the nation’s civil service and even did more: it killed morale.

“The failure of administrative reforms in Nigeria left the space open for all forms of dysfunctions to cripple the efficiency capacity of the civil service system in Nigeria. Most significantly, the failure to interrogate the capacity readiness of the civil service in postcolonial Nigeria led to the emergence of crippling process, policy, capacity, performance and resource gaps, which undermine the capacity of democratic governance

to achieve efficient service delivery for Nigerians.

“After the 1974 Udoji Commission report was voided, the Obasanjo military regime facilitated a massive purge of the civil service in 1975, which undermined morale and critical values significant for defining public service as a vocation.

Public servants then became ‘wiser’ in their conception of what service entailed.

“In this negative transformation, the value of deferred gratification, which defined the professionalism of Adebo, Udoji, Akilu and Imoukhuede went out the window. Public service now became a source of livelihood rather than a Levitical vocation,” Olaopa lamented.

By harping on the concept of ‘deferred gratification’, Olaopa said the likes of Imoukhuede did not care for any personal gain in the discharge of their duty. Rather, they were buried in the job of ensuring effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and making governance impactful in the lives of the people. He lamented that this was never appreciated by those who stifled the growth of the nation’s civil service as an institution.

The Man, Joseph Enaifoghe Imoukhuede Many would have been wondering, who was the man, Joseph Imoukhuede? Perhaps, there’s no need going to Google to search. Born in 1921 in Benin-City, young Joseph passed out of the Kings College, Lagos in 1938 and went into the public service and had to start with the highest position available to Nigerians then: Third Class Clerk.

But with dint hard-work, he was First Class Clerk within a year and by 1946, after the Second World War, he was at the Cambridge University where he bagged a degree in History.

Ten years later, in 1959, he already had his master degree and was the first non-Yoruba man to be made a permanent secretary in the Western Regional government civil service.

In 1963, after the creation of the Mid-Western Region, he changed his service to the new region as the Head of Service and Secretary to the Government. He was reputed to have single-handedly built the civil service structure of the new Region from the scratch.

In 1967, during the civil war, he was abducted and spent 888 days in captivity until his release in January 1970 after the war.

He retired in 1983 into private life until his demise on April 27, 1989 at the age of 68. He was honoured with the prestigious Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, OBE, in 1960.

As the ancient city of Benin stood still for this illustrious son of the soil, perhaps even if he did not live to be 98, he would be happy that his legacies as a top career civil servant live on.

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

SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by Demola Ojo Email: demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Man United Host Chelsea in ‘Top-four Final’ Demola Ojo

T

wo of the most successful teams in the Premier League era, Manchester United and Chelsea, go head-to-head today at Old Trafford in the race for fourth place. With two games to play after today, the stakes are high for fourth-placed Chelsea and their hosts who lie three points behind in sixth.

A draw does neither of these sides any good. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side must win to keep alive any realistic hopes of Champions League football next season, while Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea need victory to fend off city rivals Arsenal, who are close behind in the race for fourth.

Neither side can afford to slip up as Solskjaer desperately tries to reverse United’s fortunes, and Sarri looks to get his side back into the Champions League. . If Chelsea finish outside the top four, they will have to win the Europa League to qualify for the Champions League.

However, Chelsea are yet to win a single point away at a ‘top six’ club this season. They have lost four games, conceding 13 goals and scoring only one, and face a United side hurting from a 2-0 midweek humbling

at the hands of Manchester City.

“We have two very important targets at the end of our season,” said Sarri. “The first is the top four and the second is to get to the final of the Europa League.

“For the first target, this match is more than important for us and for our opponents.

So we will try to win, of course, but we need not to lose. It’s a very difficult match for both I think.”

Manchester United have not been good enough over the past five seasons, says manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and face a “great challenge” to compete at the top again.

The end of Solskjaer’s honeymoon period has now seen seven defeats from the last nine matches, but he believes the results are a reflection of United’s overall level rather than a sudden dip.

“The total points is 70 in average for the last five seasons, we’re now on 64, so that’s where we’re at, that is the reality that we are in now, where we’ve been in the last five seasons and that’s not good enough,” he said.

“That’s not down to the last six, seven or eight games, that’s where we are at the moment and we have a great challenge ahead of us to get us up challenging again.”

United have won their last

Eden Hazard (in blue) and Paul Pogba are vital players for their respective teams and would be expected to rise to the occasion today two Premier League home games against Chelsea - they’ve not beaten the Blues in three top-flight games in a row at Old Trafford since January 1957.

However, Chelsea have won more Premier League games against United than any other side have in the competition (18).

Chelsea’s six Premier League wins at Old Trafford have come under six different managers (Glenn Hoddle, Ruud Gullit, Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Rafael Benitez), with five of those victories being the manager’s first such game at the ground with the Blues.

Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante

has scored nine goals in all competitions in his four seasons in England, with Manchester United the only side he’s scored more than once against (2). remains a doubt for today’s game due to a rib injury suffered in Monday’s 2-2 draw with Burnley, while Callum Hudson-Odoi is a long-term

absentee after Achilles surgery.

Eden Hazard has been directly involved in 10 of Chelsea’s 23 Premier League away league goals this season (5 goals, 5 assists), double that of any other player at the club (Ross Barkley 5).

Anthony Martial scored twice for United in the reverse fixture against Chelsea this season. The only United players to score home and away Premier League goals against the Blues in the same season are Wayne Rooney in 2011-12 and Eric Cantona in 1992-93.

Ander Herrera could return for Manchester United today.

The midfielder has missed the last six games with a hamstring injury but is back in training, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed goalkeeper David de Gea will keep his place despite poor recent form.

Midfielder Scott McTominay missed Wednesday’s derby defeat after failing a fitness test and is again a doubt along with defender Phil Jones, who hobbled off against Everton last weekend.

Antonio Rudiger should shake off his knee injury in time for Chelsea. The Germany defender hobbled out of the Blues’ 2-0 league loss at Liverpool but is closing in on full fitness.

Messi Scores, Wins 10th La Liga with Barcelona Barcelona wrapped up their 26th La Liga title with a sluggish victory over Levante yesterday, thanks to a goal from second-half substitute Lionel Messi.

Ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg with Liverpool, Messi began the game on the bench.

The Argentina forward came on at the interval following a goalless first half and scored just after the hour.

He latched on to Arturo Vidal’s header and beat two defenders before stroking the ball past Aitor Fernandez.

Barcelona did not have everything their own way and Levante almost spoiled the party when they twice went close to equalising in the second half.

Jose Luis Morales broke clear on the left edge on the edge of the box only to fire into the stands. Then at the death Enis Bardhi’s shot hit the woodwork

and it bounced into the hands of Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen on the line.

Such has been Barcelona’s recent La Liga dominance - this is their fourth Spanish title in five years and Messi’s 10th overall - that determining whether this season will be heralded as a glorious one, or simply a good one, will depend on their performance in other competitions.

The defending champions will doubtless have taken satisfaction from delivering the title in front of their home fans for the first time since 2010; their last four titles have been won away or without playing.

They did so with three games to spare and in doing so closed the gap on Real Madrid’s record of 33 La Liga titles to seven.

However, it is the prospect of a treble, featuring the Champions League and Copa del Rey, which will now command their serious attention.

Their performance against Levante was far from a vintage one and the celebrations of Barcelona’s players when they lifted the trophy after full-time were relatively conservative.

The Catalans have not reached a Champions League final since 2015, when they last won the treble, and the focus will now switch to the first leg against Liverpool at the Nou Camp.

They also face Valencia in the Copa del Rey final on May 25.

In Messi’s absence, attacking trio Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele carried the threat but without Messi’s talismanic presence Barcelona celebrate a fourth liga in five years they drew a blank.

‘Stressed’ Tottenham Lose U17 AFCON: Eaglets Lose Bronze Medal Match to Angola at Home to West Ham Nigeria finished outside the world title five times, and the later as Nigeria broke forward Angola got a rare opportunity Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino said his side were suffering from “stress and fatigue” after they slipped to defeat at home to West Ham in the Premier League.

Michail Antonio’s superb secondhalf strike was enough to inflict Spurs’ first loss after five games in their new stadium. Spurs face Ajax in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday, their eighth game in April.

“The stress and the fatigue arrived. We are competing with circumstances that are not the best,” Pochettino said. “We arrived for this game in a different condition and that was an important factor in the second half. It was really tough today.

“We cannot say now we were thinking about Tuesday. We wanted to win the three points to be in

our position and arrive to the Champions League game in a very good mood and way, but it wasn’t and now we need to move on.”

Until yesterday, third-placed Spurs had won all four of their games since moving into Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this month.

Antonio’s goal in the 67th minute was the first they had conceded at home since moving into their new stadium and means they are not yet certain of finishing in the top four and securing Champions League football next season.

Victory ended a run of four games without a win for West Ham, who remain 11th in the table with two games to play this season.

medals’ zone after losing 1-2 Angola in the third place match of the 13th Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Tanzania yesterday.

The Golden Eaglets however kept their ticket to the FIFA U17 World Cup in Brazil.

The technical crew of the five –time world champions must be quite worried how the Eaglets’ scorecard showed a steady decline in the tournament. First they narrowly edged a nine-goal thriller (against Tanzania); won by a goal from the spot (against Angola); came from behind to draw (against Uganda); lost on penalty shoot-out (against Guinea) and; then lost in regulation time (against Angola).

It is an unflattering output at a continental championship for a country that has won the

team has, sincerely, not done enough to justify the support of the Nigeria Football Federation and the confidence of Nigerian ball fans.

It was always going to end this way for a team that wastes opportunities, and despite creating another basketful of chances, and playing against a team with one man down for 34 minutes (after Porfirio Abrantes got a second yellow card), the team led by Samson Tijani failed to capitalise.

While Olatomi Olaniyan, Tijani and Charles Etim lifted their shots too high each time when they should have scored, championship top scorer Osvaldo Capemba headed past Sunday Stephen into the net in Angola’s first real opportunity. But Wisdom Ubani equalized two minutes

again.

Yet, they would not make use of another opportunity again throughout the game, rather failing to keep close control and losing the ball carelessly.

Instead, Andre Sebastio Zito rifled into Nigeria’s net as

three minutes into the second period, and despite showing sense of urgency, the Eaglets just could not come up with the right ideas in the final third.

Cameroon and Guinea will contest today’s final in Dar es Salaam.

RESULTS & FIXTURES

Tottenham Crystal Palace Fulham Southampton Watford Brighton Leicester Burnley Man United

0–1 0–0 1–0 3–3 1–2 1–1 v v v

West Ham Everton Cardiff Bournemouth Wolves Newcastle Arsenal 12pm Man City 2:05pm Chelsea 4:30pm

Sunday April 28, 2019

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& RE A S O

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Price: N400

MISSILE

Elumelu to Federal Government

“Until there is a reduction in what SMEs pay as tax, elimination of multiple taxation, the abolition of minimum income tax and excess dividend tax, it will be difficult for us to attract investors into this country, and it will be difficult for us to retain the ones already in the country. ” – Chairman and founder of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu speaking at the 21st annual tax conference of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN).

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

How to Sell Brand Nigeria to the World

L

ast night, the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc held its 2019 CEO Awards Ceremony, to which I was invited. This year, the bank is celebrating its 70th anniversary — having been established as the French & British Bank Limited (B&FB) in 1949. It took the name “United Bank for Africa” in 1961 following its metamorphosis and incorporation under Nigerian laws after the exit of the colonial masters. Although there was plenty to eat and drink at last night’s event, dining is the least exciting thing for me. Something else has been playing on my mind: when will Nigerian brands begin to play really, really big on the African continent and, indeed, all over the world?

South African brands are stamping their feet all over Africa. Shoprite is putting its footprints in almost every Nigerian state. There is basically no Nigerian competition to the retail chain. MTN is Africa’s king of telecoms. DStv, owned by Multichoice, is fully in charge of the cable TV market. It is worthy of note that Dr Raymond Dokpesi set out to rival DStv, but his Daarsat pay TV is yet to break through. Years ago, HiTV attempted to take the Nigerian pay TV market from DStv using the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League, but it didn’t end well. Meanwhile, Ethiopia is not joking. Ethiopian Airlines and Ethiopian coffee are winners on the global stage.

It is not as if Nigeria is completely missing from the picture. Dangote Cement is present in 13 other African countries — and is targeting the Asian market, beginning with Nepal. Globacom has always had the African market in sight and currently operates in Ghana, where Silverbird Cinema is also present. In truth, when I started the series on “Made in Nigeria, Enjoyed Worldwide” in 2005, my hope was that by now, Nigerian brands such as Oando, Zenon and Zinox would have stormed the African continent and even started playing on the global field. I predicted that “Made in Nigeria” would delight the world and Nigeria would no longer represent all that is bad on this planet.

You can argue that my enthusiasm was misplaced. Between then and now, Nigeria has become a global “brand” in the wrong things. One of such is terrorism — Boko Haram has dubiously become a global icon — and another is the kidnapping pandemic. We have not been able to get our politics right, much less our economy which has been going through boom-bust cycles for decades. We can still hold our heads high, though, that Nigerian cable wires remain among the best in the world. In the creative industry, Nigerian artistes are increasingly playing in the global arena. Nollywood movies are making it to Netflix. We can say the cup is half-full and half-empty.

Interestingly, when Professor Chukwuma Soludo became governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2004, the first major policy step he took was the consolidation of banks. His stated aim was for us to have stronger banks that can ultimately play big beyond the shores of Nigeria. I was one of the fiercest critics of the policy. I argued that consolidation should be voluntary and organic — not regulator-ordered.

No matter the value of my argument then, Soludo has been largely proved right over time.

The banks certainly became bigger and stronger,

Elumelu

although a few still ran into troubled waters and died thereafter. By and large, Soludo’s consolidation has served us well.

I am not an expert in banking and finance, so there is a limit to which I can really discuss the intricacies, but I would say the sector is now more stable in Nigeria than it used to be. We are now seeing organic mergers. It seems the regulators are determined not to allow any bank to go down again. There are bailouts in various shapes, and depositors are not losing money, unlike decades ago. The bailouts come at a cost to both the public purse and the economy, but the other options are not better. Reckless lending has apparently reduced, thanks largely to the emphasis on risk management by Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi who succeeded Soludo at the CBN. One of the unusual highlights of the consolidation era was the merger between Standard Trust Bank (STB) and UBA in 2005.

STB was a much younger bank under the leadership of Mr. Tony Elumelu, and it had fundamental cultural differences with UBA. Founded in 1987, STB was not the darling of old-generation bankers who felt the Young Turks in the banking hall were too smart for their liking. By special arrangement, the old and the new became one in 2005; unsurprisingly, the UBA identity was retained and Elemelu became one of the most powerful bankers in the land. The new UBA went on to acquire more banks and aggressively embarked on an expansion drive.

For sure, UBA was already a big bank before the consolidation era. It prides itself as Africa’s global bank. It has grown to become one of the most visible Nigerian banks outside the country.

With its commencement of business in Mali two months ago, it now has operations in 19 African countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone and Mozambique. Last month, the bank re-launched its UK franchise under a new licence granted by the financial sector regulators. UBA also operates in the US — and is the only financial institution from sub-Saharan Africa licensed to take deposits in the country, according to the bank’s official profile.

As UBA marks its seventy years of existence — which makes it the third oldest bank in the country after First Bank Plc (established

in 1894) and Union Bank Plc (1917) — the bank has been highlighting and celebrating its landmarks: the first among international banks to be registered under Nigerian laws in 1961; the only Nigeria-headquartered bank with footprints across all Africa’s sub-regions; the first Nigerian-headquartered bank to offer an IPO following its listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1970; the first Nigeria-headquartered bank to hit N1 trillion in balance sheet size, contingents inclusive; the first to launch cash deposit ATMs in Nigeria; and several other firsts.

Since the rebirth of UBA in 2005, it has had three CEOs: Elumelu, who is now the chairman after a regulator-forced retirement in 2010; Mr. Phillips Oduoza, who was in the saddle for six years, from 2010 to 2016; and Mr. Kenneth Uzoka, who succeeded Oduoza. Elumelu, the proponent of “Africapitalism” — which preaches positioning the African private sector as the engine for growth and empowerment as well as prioritising social and economic wealth creation — proudly announced in 2016 that Uzoka’s appointment “has once again proven the resilience of our succession planning process and the value we place on having in place a strong corporate governance system”.

This brings me to my central point today: we cannot talk about building strong Nigerian brands without talking about the need to build an enduring structure. Many Nigerian companies die as soon as the founders are no longer on the stage. That is why it is a rarity to see Nigerian-established companies celebrating 50 years of doing business. I don’t know if it is fair to say UBA is still alive and kicking 70 years after its establishment partly because of its European roots, but when you consider how many home-grown banks have gone under in the last 30 years, it is clear that African entrepreneurs need to do more about building legacies that will outlive their founders.

I grew up being told the fascinating stories of great businessmen such as Alhaji Alhassan Dantata, believed to be the first Nigerian millionaire (and great grandfather of Alhaji Aliko Dangote), Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu and the Odutola brothers, among several others. What about Chief MKO Abiola? You really have to wonder what happened to their businesses after their deaths. Many of the pervasive global brands of today were modelled to outlive their founders.

Some of them, such as Cadbury, Barclays Bank and Quaker Oats, are over a hundred years old and you know they would be around for much longer. What are they getting right and what are we getting wrong?

While I am happy for UBA that it is now a “septuagenarian”, the biggest challenge for Elumelu and his team today is not just how they can dominate the African market but how the brand will still be around long after they are no longer on the scene. Taking over a historic bank and keeping it competitive and growing can be very gratifying. But if Nigeria must play big on the global stage, if “Made in Nigeria” is going to be enjoyed worldwide, the entrepreneurs must pursue their visions with passion and purpose. Politically, Brand Nigeria is a difficult product to market. That is why we are looking up to business brands and the creative industry to help us keep the flag flying.

And Four Other Things…

DOCTORED REALITY “When you have something in excess, you export and earn foreign exchange.” Those were basically the words of Dr. Chris Ngige, minister of labour, when asked about medical doctors leaving the country. He said we have enough of them and they can go!

Ngige, himself a doctor and husband of a doctor, has a way of saying annoying things, but this should be his worst yet. All credible data point to the fact that not only do we not have enough doctors in Nigeria, we are, worryingly, losing the ones we have — mostly as a result of poor working conditions. If this is the kind of argument Ngige makes to President Buhari at FEC meetings, then our trouble has just started. Unhealthy.

UNCIVIL DEFENCE An official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was said to have deliberately rammed his vehicle into an Easter procession in Gombe, killing 10 people instantly. Eight of them were children.

Mr. Adams Borkono, the state chairman of the Boys Brigade, said that after a disagreement, the NSCDC official switched off his headlamp and rammed into the boys from behind. The official, named as Adamu Abdullahi, was then killed by a mob. Gombe is one of my favourite northern states where Muslims and Christians accommodate each other. I can only hope and pray that the demons of Kaduna are not about to pay Gombe a visit. It never ends well. Frightening.

SUDAN SOLUTION? President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan fell after 30 years in power — and an increase in the prices of bread and fuel. The military seemed to have encouraged the people to take to the streets to demand al-Bashir’s ouster in order to stage a coup. Many Nigerians, particularly on social media, are suggesting a similar situation for Nigeria. I assume that they were not yet born when the military ruled Nigeria — or they have lost memory of the terror and the impunity of the Nigerian military. Did you see the video of Nigerian soldiers torturing a disabled man in 2017 for wearing a replica of military camouflage? That is a small idea of what military rule brings upon us. Myopia.

AND FINALLY… Forget Zik, Ahmadu Bello and Awo. One of the greatest Nigerians since 1914 is Mallam Musa Usman. You don’t know him.

He was a gateman for 25 years in Lagos.

Upon retirement, his boss, an Indian, offered to build him a house in his village — a Fulani settlement in Jigawa state called Giljimmi.

My hero said: “No Oga, please build a borehole for my people in the village because they trek kilometres everyday to fetch water.” Oh my God! Alhaji Sule Lamido, the self-acclaimed champion of the talakawa (the masses), was governor of Jigawa for eight years. He built an airport while the masses were dying from thirst! Mallam Usman has a special place in my heart. Selfless.

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