NPA Terminates Intels Pilotage Contract over Failure to Remit $145.84m Eromosele Abiodun After about two years of bickering, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has terminated its boats pilotage monitoring and supervision agreement with Intels Nigeria Limited. Intels is a leading integrated logistics and
facilities services provider in the maritime and oil and gas logistics sectors of the economy. In a letter dated March 29, 2019, addressed to the Managing Director of Intels, which was obtained by THISDAY, NPA said the decision to revoke the contract
was taken in line with Article 8 (C) of its agreement with Intels, dated February 11, 2011. The letter signed by NPA’s Assistant General Manager, Legal Services, read in part, “We refer to the agreement dated 11th February, 2011 and 24th August, 2018 between the NPA and Intels Nigeria
Limited for the monitoring and supervision of oil industry related activities in the compulsory pilotage districts of the authority (service boat operator). “The NPA (the principal ) hereby serves on you Intels Nigeria Limited, (the Managing agent) notice of
termination in line with article 8 (C) of its agreement with Intels, dated 11th February, 2011, which said notice shall expire three months from the date of this notice of termination.” In a letter dated March 27, 2019, addressed to the Managing Director of NPA,
Hadiza Bala-Usman, NPA’s Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mohammed Bello-Koko, had accused Intels of non-compliance with the presidential directive and circular on implementation of Treasury Single Account Continued on page 7
Nigeria Heading Towards Self-destruction, Ex-President Obasanjo Warns… Page 7 Sunday 19 May, 2019 Vol 24. No 8805
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FG: We Have Credible Evidence Atiku, PDP Want to Subvert Nigeria Former Vice President: Substantiate your claim
Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The federal government on Saturday claimed there was credible proof that the
main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, were planning to subvert
the power of the state, attack the economy, and unleash mayhem on the polity. In a swift reaction, former Vice President challenged
Information Minister, Lai Mohammed to come up with evidence if he has any, to back his claim that he (Atiku) and the PDP were planning to
overthrow the government of the All Progressives Congress, APC. The government said the security agencies must be alive
to their responsibilities to stop any plan to reverse the gains of the country's democracy. Continued on page 7
Concern Mounts Over Possible Share Manipulation in MTN’s NSE Listing Some 700 Shareholders profiting from massive demand and piecemeal supply intended to jack up value Share price jumps 21% in 2 days of trading Kunle Aderinokun, Obinna Chima, Goddy Egene and Bamidele Famofoo Investors on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and stakeholders waiting to purchase the shares of MTN Nigeria Communications Plc through an initial public offering (IPO) may do so at a very high premium whenever the telco decides to float the IPO. This is because of the free float accommodation MTN Nigeria was granted by the capital market regulators to pave the way for its listing last Thursday, even as MTN exercised its option on preference shares worth N145 billion a day after the listing and went ahead to borrow a further N200 billion from Nigerian banks, to pay off the preference shareholders at the listing price of N90 per share, a source revealed.
These developments are already creating illiquidity and driving MTN Nigeria’s share price, which gained 21 per cent in just two trading sessions, from the N90 per share it was listed last Thursday, to the N108.90 per share it closed on Friday. In fact, analysts told THISDAY that the intention of the pentup demand on MTN Nigeria’s shares was to drive the price of the stock very high before any share offering through an IPO. In addition, one analyst said the IPO may take a longer time to come, as the telco is said to be hiding under the alleged $2 billion tax liabilities slapped on them by the Office of The Attorney General ( AGF) instead of the Federal Inland Revenue Service( FIRS) to delay the public Continued on page 7
BANKER… UK Court Asks Shell to Pay EXTRAORDINARY L-R: Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo; Group Managing Director/CEO, Guaranty Trust Bank and CIBN Fellowship Awardee, Segun Agbaje; Chairman of the occasion, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; and President/Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers Ogoni Community N183bn… Page 86 Mr. of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr. Uche Olowu, at the CIBN Extraordinary Fellowship Investiture held in Lagos… recently etop ukutt
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T H I S D AY • SUNDAY MAY 19, 2019
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͚Π˜ ͺ͸͚Π˞ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R
PAGE SEVEN
Nigeria HeadingTowards Self-destruction, Ex-President Obasanjo Warns Sylvester Idowu in Warri Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday warned that Nigeria edged close to the precipice of destruction, saying urgent measures are needed to pull the country back. Obasanjo said all the indices of political collapse were evident in the country, including corruption, insecurity, and lack of faith in the electoral system. The former president spoke in a paper titled, “Mobilising Nigerian's human and natural resources for national development,� which he
delivered at the 2019 Synod of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, held at Oleh, in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State. Obasanjo chronicled various efforts and policies by past administrations since independence to achieve national development, noting that nothing much can be seen as moving the country towards national development. He said nepotism, lack of continuity of policies by successive administrations, and corruption had hindered development,
resulting in widespread insecurity, mistrust, nepotism, and electoral fraud. He described electoral fraud as a killer of democracy, which undermined legitimacy, and destroyed democracy and hope. According to him, “We must all appreciate that democracy that fails to deliver dividends to the citizenry in terms of security, safety, freedoms and general enhancement of livelihood will lead to frustration and desperation and all other dangers that can follow. “Through division and
alienation, wittingly and unwittingly encouraged by government, incipient factors of state destruction are observable everywhere in hate preaching and advocacy, upsurge in tribalism and sectionalism, silence and complacency among those who should care, and a dangerously rising feeling that your votes don’t count and elections don’t matter. And yet, we spend colossal amount of money on elections every four years with apparently not much to show for it. “With other ills within our
society, if these observable symptoms are not addressed, and speedily too, we are heading to self-destruction. It will not matter where the fire commences from, it will spread fast and widely, leaving no survivor on its trail. “In the last three weeks, I have been close to two countries and learned how they self-destruct. I was in Somaliland to learn at firsthand the story of self-destruction of Somalia. And I was in Colombia to similarly learn the story of selfdestruction of Venezuela. They both started with destruction of
democracy. “And Venezuela used democratic process to destroy democracy. Nigeria seems to be embarking on the path of Venezuela. With only a population of about 30 million, the Venezuela humanitarian situation today, heightened by drug trafficking, illegal mining, pervasive corruption and terrorism, is crying to the world. But the world can turn a blind eye and it would be our funeral.
the aggregate sum claimed against the company in on-going cases was approximately N231 billion; US$19,721,386.21; and GBP40, 000. Additionally, litigation and regulatory proceedings are unpredictable and legal or regulatory proceedings in which MTN Nigeria is or may become involved (or settlements thereof) may have a material adverse effect on MTN Nigeria’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. MTN Nigeria had in the past faced litigation and recently been subject of a number of petitions, complaints and threats of class-action and other lawsuits by competitors, suppliers and subscribers, in relation to unsolicited marketing message content delivered to such subscribers. The telco had also been subject of numerous complaints by customers in relation to a SIM swap scam carried out by phone scammers, who seek to obtain people’s private information to defraud them of banking funds. If the company is subject to any such litigation or regulatory proceedings in the future, it could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. MTN Nigeria was also involved in a suit against the CBN concerning a demand by the bank for the sum of US$8.1 billion from the company. The said sum was alleged
to have been illegally transferred from Nigeria using Certificates of Capital Importation wrongly issued by CBN’s Authorised Dealers. This matter has, however, since been resolved with the CBN. The residual amount of the NCC fine owed to Federal Government is about N165bn.
The shareholding structure of MTN Nigeria is such that MTN International Limited with 15,485,544,050 is the controlling entity with 76.08 per cent of the shares. On the other hand, the noncontrolling entities in the telco include Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited with 1,962,349, 050 (9.64%); Victor Odili, 806,886,900 (3.96%); Mobile Telephone Network N.I.C.B.V with 559,720,150 (2.75%); Government Employees Pension Fund (represented by Public Investment Corporation SOC Limited), 355,281,650 units (1.75%) and Pascal Dozie with 340,409,900 units (1.67%). Other non-controlling entities are Sani Mohammed Bello, 265,092,150 (1.30%); Babatunde Folawiyo, 218,815,100 (1.08%); Gbenga Oyebode with 181,776,250 units (0.89%); Mallam Ahmed Dasuki with 177,717,850 units (0.87%) and Karl Olutokun Toriola with 920,000 units (0.005%).
Intels has not responded and this has held down further reconciliation. The supplemental agreement stipulates that reconciliation should be monthly but the apparent delay to speed up the exercise appears inconsistent with agreement. “That the executed supplemental agreement does not provide that revenue transfer to TSA be dependent on conclusion of reconciliation, it is worrisome that an average of 80 percent of revenue is being withheld by Intels while a meagre 20 percent is being paid to TSA. The authority by its letter of March 1, 2019, has given Interls a Grace period of five days within which to remit the outstanding revenue to TSA. However, it is worrisome that about 20 days after no payment was made as
requested.� THISDAY exclusively gathered that it was on this ground that NPA decided to cancel the authority's agreement with Intels Nigeria Limited. This decision according a usually reliable source should have come much earlier but had wait to avoid giving the termination political colouration. The source also admitted that NPA is owing Intels about $600 million which it intends to pay from the revenue source. On how NPA intends to proceed with revenue collection going forward, the source stated that it was going to go through the process of engaging another company when the termination process is fully executed.
Vice President, Mr. Paul Ibe said Nigerians must learn not to take the Information Minister serious anymore. In his words, “the man has run out of smart arguments and what he does these days is to make allegations he cannot substantiate.� He called on Lai Mohammed to feel free to present his evidence before the relevant security agencies or keep his peace and allow Atiku to pursue his case at the election petition tribunal to a logical conclusion. Also reacting to the claims, National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan chided the minister for what he called an attempt to play to the gallery while dodging “issues pertaining to poor
governance and maladministration, his party is famous for.� According to the publicity scribe, “Nigerians are tired of a man who keeps running away from the real issues at hand. If Lai has evidence to substantiate what he has been saying, he knows what to do.� Continuing, Ologbondiyan added that “The federal government has no answers to the numerous challenges facing the nation. Nigerians are daily dying of hardship and all their spokesman can say today is to look for people and party to scapegoat for their failure. “The PDP is determined to retrieve its stolen mandate at the tribunal and no amount of lies can distract us from realizing this objective.�
Continued on page 9
C O N C E R N M O U N T S OV E R P O S S I B L E S H A R E M A N I P U L AT I O N I N M T N ’S N S E L I ST I N G share offering that was expected to be beneficial to a whole lot of retail investors and stakeholders, while few existing shareholders are currently making hay in an illiquid market for MTN shares. According to a source who is very familiar with MTN Nigeria’s affairs, “Most of the investors, lost value because of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) fine last year. So, this Listing by Introduction in the NSE was being designed to create a "value recovery" for the previous investors and pave the way for them to sell off their shares, after driving the price to the desired level which a senior stock broker said was sheer " share manipulation". He further opined that "this can only happen in Nigeria. If you try such in The New York Stock Exchange or even the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the regulators and law enforcement will pounce on you." “Essentially, there are about 700 shareholders who came in through the private placement that are currently allowed to cross these shares among themselves and with other buyers. But the remaining A-list shareholders and directors have been advised by lawyers not to take advantage of the current price appreciation until the IPO to avoid legal challenges and law enforcement inquiry. “So they want this share to rise to more than N150 to N200 per share, which allows them to
recover and thereafter, the company would now float an IPO.... What they (MTN Nigeria) are telling the markets and regulators is that they are delaying the IPO because of the AGF's directive on tax arrears.� Another analyst insisted, “What they are trying to do is to manipulate their share price to a level, then do their IPO.� The listing requirements of the NSE allow companies that want to list on the premium board to make 20 per cent of the shares available for trading. But the NSE allowed the MTN Listing by Introduction because they expected MTN to meet its Listing Rule 2.2.4b, where the NSE stated that the,"the value of its free float shares is equal to or above N40 billion on the date the Exchange receives its application to list.� This was not met as only 5.542 million shares, at N90 per share was traded, so instead of N40 billion, the telco complied with N498 million in free float. THISDAY checks also revealed that that Rule even has a proviso: "that The Exchange will from time to time determine the market capitalisation and free float requirement" as was done when Dangote listed it's shares by introduction and the NSE insisted at least five per cent of the shares be made available to all investors which the Dangote Group complied with. This is apparently
not the case when it comes to MTN, who may have gotten preferential treatment - allowing the telco to create illiquidity of the shares in the market, and deliberately so to drive up the share price. MTN Nigeria, which was previously indebted to Nigerian banks to the tune of N252 billion, last week signed an agreement for a fresh N200 billion syndicated loan with seven local banks. The company was to seal the seven-year medium term facility so as to pay off its preference shareholders. “The intention of raising the N200 billion was to pay off all their preference shareholders because they do not want the shares to be available in the market to create any liquidity at this time,� analysts added. THISDAY checks showed that only 53.900 million shares were traded in the first two days. While many investors on the NSE were frantically demanding for the shares, only 53.900 million shares were transacted in mostly cross deals. Specifically, 5.542 million shares were traded at N99 per share on Thursday, and 48.358 million shares at N108.90 per share on Friday due to a 10 per cent daily appreciation. While MTN made an initial investment of $300 million, when they came into Nigeria 18 years ago, the telco has realised over $6 billion in returns. MTN Nigeria’s revenue hit N1.04 trillion in its
2018 full year results, an increase of 17.2 per cent compared with the N884.5 billion it recorded in 2017. The rise in revenue was driven by voice revenue. The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, had last September directed MTN Nigeria to pay $2 billion to the federal government, being taxes it allegedly failed to remit to the government in the past 10 years. The AGF notified MTN in a letter that his office made a high-level calculation and came to the conclusion that MTN Nigeria should have paid approximately $2 billion in taxes relating to the importation of foreign equipment and payments to foreign suppliers over the last 10 years and requested the company to do a self-assessment of the taxes. The telco has since dragged the AGF to court. The AGF had stated that the government intended to recover up to $2 billion in tax relating to, inter alia, import duties, VAT and withholding taxes on foreign imports/payments. Moreover, MTN Nigeria is subject to numerous risks relating to legal and regulatory proceedings to which it is currently a party or which could develop in the future. The company’s involvement in litigation and regulatory proceedings may adversely affect its reputation. For instance, as at April 8, 2019,
MTN Shareholding Structure
NPA TERMINATES INTELS PILOTAGE CONTRACT OVER FAILURE TO REMIT $145.84M (TSA) and Article 4.1 of the executed supplemental agreement by refusing to remit the sum of $145, 849,309.33 being outstanding service boat revenue generated from November 1, 2017 to October 31, 2018. According to Bello-Koko, Article 4.1 of the executed supplemental agreement states, “The total revenue generated on behalf of the principal in each of the pilotage districts from the service boat operations shall be paid directly into the principal’s TSA at designated commercial banks which will be swept daily into the principal’s corresponding TSA at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).� He stated that Intels neither remitted the sum of $55.72 million, which it pledged to remit in a letter dated February 12, 2019, nor the
sum of $145.84 million, which it demanded via various letters. The letter by Bello-Koko also stated, “Let it be clearly stated that Intels persistent refusal to remit all service boats revenue to TSA as clearly stated in Article 4.1 of the supplemental agreement and the sudden introduction of the ‘concept of reciprocity’ in your letter dated March 6, 2019 is worrisome. The concept of reciprocity is alien to the executed supplemental agreement. “In a letter dated March 6, 2019, Intels alluded to the following as defence for its refusal to comply with terms of executed agreement: that the outstanding revenue of $145. 84 million, which covers the period of November 1, 2017 to October 31, 2018, is not true, that its pledge to pay the sum of
$55.70 million as revenue for period from November 1, 2017 to March 31, 2019 is predicated on authority's payment of $19.67 million. And added that the authority's fulfilment of the payment is a prerequisite for the reciprocity of rights and obligations of each party in executed agreement. “That the unreconciled amount of $145. 84 million included revenue expected from both clients under Intels agency and other agents.� On NPA’s reaction to Intels assertions, Bello-Koko said NPA and Intels had jointly reconciled service boats transactions covering the period of November 1, 2017 to July 31, 2019. He said, “That the reconciled and jointly signed report covered November 1, 2017 to March
31, 2018 and the associated outstanding reconciled revenue is $55.702 million. However, Intels persistently refused to transfer the agreed amount to TSA, instead, it introduced the concept of reciprocity, which is alien to the executed agreement. “That the jointly reconciled report for the period of April 1 to July 31, 2018 has been submitted to Intels for signature. That this has not been signed till date. And the outstanding revenue for the period is $49.008 million, which ought to have been transferred to TSA by Intels.� He added, “That the period from August 1 to October 31, 2018 was reconciled by the authority and forwarded to Intels for review to enable joint agreement. However,
FG: WE HAVE CREDIBLE EVIDENCE PDP, ATIKU WANT TO SUBVERT NIGERIA Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the allegation at his Oro country home in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State during the 12th annual Ramadan lecture. Mohammed said, “Our interventions are based on credible evidence, and no government with the kind of evidence that we have, of plans to subvert the power of the state, attack the nation's economic life wire, and generally unleash mayhem on the polity, will keep quiet. “The security agencies are all alert to their responsibilities and will not sit by and allow anyone to reverse the gains of our democracy under any guise.�
He added, “Since our intervention, pseudo and partisan analysts have teamed up with the spokesmen for the main opposition party and its presidential candidate to either exhibit their ignorance or to engage in red herring and name calling‌ “We are neither distracted nor dissuaded.â€? Mohammed also disclosed, “As you are aware, a few days ago we raised the alarm that either by themselves or via their proxies, the PDP and its presidential candidate are doing everything possible to sabotage the Buhari administration, generally overheat the polity, and make Nigeria seemingly ungovernable. “Of course, you are aware of
similar alarms that have been raised by the police, the military and the DSS.� The minister called on Nigerians, across religious and ethnic divides, to pray for peace and unity of the country. He said, “I make this request against the background of those who are daily plotting to exploit our national fault lines of religion and ethnicity, those who masquerade as democrats but can't take electoral defeat, those who will not hesitate to collude with anti-democratic forces and dead-enders to fan the embers of violence in the country, and those who have elevated their personal ambition over and above our survival as a nation.�
Mohammed, nevertheless, thanked Nigerians for their support and prayers for the Buhari administration, and urged them not to relent, especially in the run up to the May 29 inauguration of Mr. President. Earlier, the lecturer, the Chief Imam of Olorunsigo Central Mosque, Ilorin, Alhaji Mohammed Saliu Olorire, urged Muslims to love one another. Olorire called on the incoming administration in the state to be alive to their promises so as to better the lot of the people. He lauded the Minister of Information and Culture for his doggedness at ensuring the electoral victory of APC in the state. Media Adviser to the former
MAY 19, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R
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SUNDAY COMMENT
Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com
THE TRAGEDY AT K ANO AIRPORT The government should reinforce security and intelligence at the major airports in the country
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hile we rejoice over the release by the Saudi authorities of Ms Zainab Aliyu who was incarcerated wrongly over alleged drug trafficking, it is important that a thorough investigation be conducted on the scandal. In the age of terrorism, an airport is one of the last places any nation would want to have a compromised security system. It is therefore disturbing to learn that some officials who work at the Aminu Kano International Airport are part of a criminal network. The most dangerous challenge any airport can face is such insider threat. Indeed, the sad story of Zainab Aliyu has raised the tragic possibilities that some Nigerian travellers arrested in the past and sentenced to death or long-term imprisonment in foreign countries might actually be innocent.Besides, a conspiracy between criminals and airport workers operating in sensitive areas causes a different kind of vulnerability that is frightening. With such insider help, for instance, terrorists could easily access the tarmac. Supposing what was planted in Aliyu’s luggage was a bomb, it could have succeeded in destroying the lives of the passengers on board and could easily have become another tragedy in Nigerian aviation history.That is why the authorities must go beyond the arrest of just six persons in Kano to unravel all possible cases of collusion between officials and criminals at our airports. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confirmed the existence of a syndicate that specialises in planting drugs in passengers’ luggage at the airport. In May 2017, for instance, more
than a year and half before the Zainab incident, according to the NDLEA, some officials of an airline handling company colluded with a passenger to ferry ephedrine and used their official pass to take the drug to the tarmac where it was loaded into the airplane. Following a tip off, NDLEA officials seized the drug and arrested the passenger, two officials of airline handing company. Two clearing agents were later charged to court and were convicted. This shows that the illicit activities have been going on for long and it will be surprising if the security operatives at the airports are not aware of the syndicate.
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The Kano incident is a further dent on the country’s image, and about our seriousness in prosecuting the drug war. This is yet another wake-up call for the agencies manning our airports to sit up
Letters to the Editor
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S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS OLAWALE OLALEYE, TOBI SONIYI MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE
T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI , PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS ERIC OJEH, PATRICK EIMIUHI ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com
hile the NDLEA did well to expose the obnoxious activities of the syndicate, we wish to observe that the agency did not act fast enough. After discovering the nefarious activities of the syndicate in 2017, arrested some members of the illicit body and sent them to jail, NDLEA ought to have carried out a thorough investigation to expose their network, possible reach and methods of operation. That the syndicate continues to operate is a serious indictment on the authorities. The federal government should reinforce security and intelligence at the major airports in the country while the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) should closely monitor the activities of airlines, handling companies and clearing agencies personnel, especially at the restricted areas of the airports. Given the grave implications of the Kano incident, we urge the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to review the National Civil Aviation Security Programmes (NCASP) and ensure compliance by all operators. It is also important for the airlines to review their security operations for the safety of their passengers while the FAAN Aviation Security (AVSEC) should carry out periodic profiling of all workers that have access to the airside and baggage handling sections of all the international airports in the country. It should also carry out background checks on any airport staff that applies for On Duty Card (ODC) before issuing it to the applicant. Anyone that has a criminal record should not be allowed to work at the airport. So there should be no illusion about the problem: the Kano incident is a further dent on the country’s image, and about our seriousness in prosecuting the drug war. This is yet another wake-up call for the agencies manning our airports to sit up.
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.
The Yoruba Deserve 2023 Presidency
here is nothing as fatal as a blow from a “consanguineal fist”. A cut from a “sibling” hurts deeper than that from a stranger. I have been inflicted severe cuts – caustic verbal attacks - by some Igbo persons for advocating a president of Igbo extraction in 2023. While some of them are irritated by the attention that I have been able to generate for the cause, a few others see the “advocacy” as a means of cutting deals for filthy lucre. The fiercest opposition to the cause, “president of Igbo extraction in 2023”, has been the people for which it is championed – the Igbo. While some of my kinsmen argued that they want restructuring and not the
presidency, a great number of them say that they only want to “secure Igbo-land economically, politically and security-wise.” But when you ask them, how they intend to actualise these “dreams”, they just let off inchoate pieces of babble. As a matter of fact, most of these objurgators are just fortune seekers pinning and angling to benefit from “anything Igbo.” I recall when Ifeanyi Uba, senator-elect, Anambra South, was trying to make an inroad into the fold of the dominant party at the national assembly, he was brutally hacked down with vicious criticisms by his own people. I have reflected pensively on what the Igbo political agenda could be, but at every point I become sectioned with a
brain fag. What do the Igbo really want? I have written a couple of essays, expounding the reasons the Igbo deserve the 2023 presidency and why all Nigerians of dispassionate interest and untainted conscience must support the group in actualising this noble goal. I still believe, for the sake of national cohesion, the southeast region deserves a shot at the presidency. But it appears they are not ready for it. In my essay, ‘With Buhari’s 4+4, Igbo presidency in 2023 is now non-negotiable’, I wrote: “I believe healing will begin for Nigerians when political justice is seen to have been done to all. At that point we can build a country defiant to disunity. But political justice must be done to all to
get to this stage.” However, I failed to add: “Political justice must be demanded when it is not given”. How can justice be done to a people who have resigned to hopeless fate? How can a people who are stuck in political stasis be called to the table for negotiations? How can a people who are on the path of no certain destination be taken seriously? Really, I was surprised at the reactions to the essay by most Nigerians from the north and the south-west. I have messages from reputable Nigerians across ethnic divides in my phone log, telling me that it will be grave injustice if the Igbo are schemed out of the 2023 presidential race. I remember one retired general asked at the end of his message to me, “But what is the southeast doing about the 2023
presidency?” I only responded with a “smiley OMG”. But the answer to that is, “nothing; just whining, blowing hot air, fantasising about restructuring and mouthing off about Biafra”. Luck is when opportunity meets preparation. I can see the southwest positioning itself strategically and making the necessary noise and calculated connections for a 2023 presidential bid. I cannot begrudge a people who are resolute about what they want, and who are, most importantly, feisty about their destiny. The cake will certainly be taken by a fiercer cat; it will not be handed to a gutless kitten. You can demand political justice when it is not given; injustice only persists because you allow it. ––Fredrick Nwabufo,fredricknwabufo@ yahoo.com
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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MAY 19, 2019
NEWS
Acting News Editor Gboyega Akinsanmi E-mail: gboyega.akinsanmi@thisdaylive.com, 08081986590
Armed Banditry, Kidnapping Stoke Food Crisis Nationwide tFarmers lament loss of colleagues in Katsina tAsk FG to end threat to lives, investment Francis Sardauna in Katsina The nefarious activities of armed bandits and kidnappers in Katsina and Zamfara States, among others, may stoke unprecedented food cri-
sis nationwide if not promptly nipped in the bud, some crop farmers in the north have warned. The farmers have equally decried the loss of their colleagues to armed bandits and
kidnappers in Katsina State, lamenting that between January and April alone, scores of innocent farmers have been killed on their farms. They expressed concern about the activities of armed
bandits in separate interviews with THISDAY at the weekend, noting that there was no way the affected states would not experience food scarcity because farmers were running away from their farms.
ALWAYS WITH YOU
L-R: Enugu State Governor, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and Ugwuanyi’s deputy, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu...yesterday
Besides, they lamented that the activities of armed bandits and kidnappers would not only lead to food scarcity and hunger, but would also have grave economic implications on the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). One of the farmers in Batsari Local Government Area, Katsina State, Mr. Bala Halisu explained that the activities of bandits and kidnappers in the northern states “have been impacting negatively on agricultural production and food security.” He said many farmers “are apprehensive of entering their farms. We cannot go about our activities freely during dry season. We no longer feel safe and secure on our farms. “By now, farmers in Katsina State are supposed to have started clearing lands for the next cropping season. But most of us are taking refuge in our relatives’ houses in Katsina town. We do not know when we will return home and start farming.” Halisu, therefore, urged the federal government to protect their lives, property and investment, which he said, had been the target of armed bandits and kidnappers.
According to him, except urgent measures are taken by the federal government and state governments in curbing the killings in the state, it might result to scarcity of food items and famine. A rice farmer in Safana Local Government Area, Katsina State, Alhaji Aliyu Babangida Maishikafa noted that there would be a great shortage of farm and food produce because most farmers could not currently access their farms. Maishikafa added that food crisis “is imminent because farmers cannot access their farms. There will not be much farming activities in major parts of the north. Consequently, there will be shortage of food towards the end of 2019. “Many farmers have been killed. Communities have been destroyed. Hundreds of farmers and pastoralists have lost their lives and property in an extended act of killings and destruction by well-armed bandits terrorising us. “The deadly attacks have scared farmers away from their farms. So, many farms have been abandoned as a result of fear of being killed or abducted by bandits,” he said.
Firm Asks Court to Order Customs to Pay N5bn Debt tDefendants deny any wrong doing Tobi Soniyi in Lagos A property development company, Cambial Ltd has asked an Abuja High Court to order the Nigerian Customs Service Board (NCSB), to pay it N5billion being a debt owed for the sale of 120 units of fourbedroom houses to customs. In court documents filed by Professor Yemi AkinseyeGeorge (SAN), in the suit, marked: FCT/CV/607/2016, the plaintiff stated that from 2003 to 2007, it obtained Estate Development Loan, totalling about N1.42billion from the
Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) which it deployed to the construction of 120 units of four-bedroom houses in its parcel of land located in Kuje, Abuja. Other defendants are Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), ex-CGC, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde, Alhaji Garba Bala Makarfi and a legal practitioner, Mr Umar A. Husain. Cambial stated that after building the 120 units fourbedroom houses, it put the estate up for sale, following which the Nigerian Customs
NIGERIA HEADING TOWARDS SELF-DESTRUCTION, EX-PRESIDENT OBASANJO WARNS “Over the same period, I was in Malaysia and Vietnam and I could feel the palpation of nations on the right path, by and large. The forewarned is to be forearmed and the impunity is already there.” However, Obasanjo said he was hopeful that with collective goodwill, right leadership, and good governance, “The sky is the limit for Nigeria, a country surely in the hands of God, for us to move forward, unitedly mobilising all necessary resources to make Nigeria a leader in Africa and the leader of the black race.” The ex-president commissioned a multimillion naira project, Datinajo Gold Resort Limited, a world class hotel at Oleh, as part of the highlights of the event. He urged the federal and state governments to see the private sector as the engine of development. Obasanjo said the function of the public sector was to provide a conducive atmosphere for the
private sector to thrive, stressing that government should limit its role to regulating the activities of the private sector. “The point is this, the private sector must be seen as the engine of development. The job of the public sector is to provide conducive atmosphere for the private sector to thrive. Of course, to regulate, because knowing human beings as they are, if they are left unregulated, they will make the system worse,” he explained. Chief Executive Officer of Dantinajo Gold Resort, Mr. Daniel Elozino Omoyibo, in his remarks said he was motivated to build the hotel as part of his contribution to the development of the community, Delta State, and Nigeria at large. Omoyibo said he was delighted by his ability to provide employment for the youth in the area and promised to look into other areas of investment.
Service (NCS), in November 2009 “indicated interest in buying the 120 units of fourbedroom fully detached houses at Kuje, Kuje Area Council, from the plaintiff.” The estate was commissioned on March 31, 2011 by the then president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan when Abdullahi Dikko was the Comptroller General of Customs. However, about eight years after senior officials of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and their families moved into the sprawling housing estate,
named “Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Customs Barracks,” the plaintiff said NCS has failed to settle an outstanding debt of N5 billion. Before the deal was consummated, the plaintiff said that NCS later engaged experts from the Federal Ministry of Works, Housing and Urban Development (FMWHUD), who evaluated the houses and and approved N40million per unit, putting the total cost at N4,800,000,000 (N4.8b). The plaintiff further stated that, rather than pay for what the FMWHUD evaluated, the
Taraba to Unveil Legacy Gallery Wole Ayodele in Jalingo The Taraba State Government yesterday said it would unveil a legacy gallery to commemorate the milestones of Governor Darius Ishaku recorded during his first term in office. The state government added that the legacy gallery would be unveiled as part of activities to mark Ishaku’s inauguration for a second term in office as the governor of the state. The Chief Executive Officer of Skillful Impressive Enterprises (SIE), Jerry Irimiya revealed the plan yesterday while conducting journalists round the gallery, noting that the SIE would organise the event in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Orientation. Irimiya said the unveiling would feature customised exhibition of the administration’s action and achievement since its assumption of office in 2015. He added that the world class timeline historic event would showcase the achievements of
Ishaku across the nooks and crannies of the state crafted in gold and would be on display during the democracy day celebration. Irimiya noted that the event holds high promises “to serve as an artistic pilgrimage for the generality of the people of the state and other categories of visitors including researchers and tourists.” He said the legacy gallery was conceptualized as a world class timeline historic exhibition “to showcase the actions and projects oftheIshakuadministrationacross the length and breath of the state. “The achievements have been carved in gold plates and it would serve as an artistic pilgrimage for the people of the state during the democracy day celebration and other categories of visitors including researchers and tourists.” Irimiya added that every visitor to the timeline would enjoy a variety of satisfaction arising from the corresponding creative artistic expressions of the governor’s achievements on display.
NCS, represented by Dikko (who was then the CGS) and Makarfi (who was then Assistant Comproller-General Finance, Administration and Technical Services), requested that Cambial provided “additional developments/ enhanced infrastructure.” The “additional developments/enhanced infrastructure,” the plaintiff said, included “fully tarred roads within and outside the estate, fully developed infrastructure like drainage system, dedicated transformers, water tank, treatment plants and
the provision of landscaped environment-friendly neighbourhood, among others.” The plaintiff stated that Dikko and Makarfi agreed to pay separately for the “additional developments,” which it eventually carried out. Cambial further stated that it became suspicious about the true intention of Dikko and Makarfi when, on April 1, 2010, its account with Zenith Bank was credited with N3,980,952,380.96k by the NCS/Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as the proceeds of the sale of its 120 housing units.
Community Denies Planning to Blow Oil Installation Sylvester IdowuinWarri The people of Kolokolo in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area (LGA) yesterday denied planning to blow pipelines belonging to Sahara Energy Resource Limited for depriving them of their rights. Contrary to the claims of the oil firm, the people also said no worker of the oil company was abducted as their protest against Sahara Energy Resources Limited entered the seventh day. The President-General of Kolokolo Youth Council Mr. Sunny Etchie made the clarification while addressing the protesters yesterday, saying there were attempts to sabotage the protests by some people. Etchie explained that the people of Kolokolo “have no plan to blow pipelines belonging to Sahara Energy Resource Limited, even though we have been protesting against ill-treatment by the oil firm.”
The youth leader said the indigenes set up a camp at the entrance of the company last Sunday from where they were cooking and sleeping while awaiting the intervention of the federal and state governments. He said the indigenes “will not leave the creeks where the oil firm operates until our demands were met. We are on peaceful protest since seven days ago. This is the seventh day. We sleep here, eat here and cook here until Sahara answers us.” A leader in the community, Mr. Benson Ayokotse narrated how the community’s leaders were invited by the Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Army 19 Battalion in Koko alongside officials of the oil firm for a meeting. He said officials of the oil firm “were absent at the meeting. After three hours, the intelligence officer called on Sahara and they refused to come. The Commanding Officer later asked us to go back until Sahara is ready.
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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 ˾ MAY 19, 2019
NEWSXTRA PDP Reviews Strategies, Insists on Frustrating Lawan, Gbajabiamila Whips up anti-Tinubu sentiment Gboyega Akinsanmi in Lagos and Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reviewed its strategies to frustrate the emergence of the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan and his House of Representatives counterpart, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila respectively as the Senate President and Speaker of the House in the ninth National Assembly. However, the South East Consultative Initiative (SECI) has equally backed the candidature of Gbajabiamila for the speakership contest less than 48 hours the faction of Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El Rufai withdrew its support for the House Leader. Different sources disclosed the PDP’s resolve to disrupt the plan of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to impose the leadership of the National Assembly, noting that its latest strategy was to whip up sentiments against the APC National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu. Just after the general election, the APC National Working Committee (NWC) had endorsed Lawan for the Senate presidency and Gbajabiamila for the House of Representatives speakership in the ninth National Assembly, a position the presidency threw its behind. However, the PDP and an APC faction opposed the
nomination of Lawan and Gbajabiamila for the National Assembly leadership. While the former warned against undermining the independence of the National Assembly, the latter rejected the party’s position, citing Tinubu’s undue influence. But with the rising support for the APC candidates, a lawmaker disclosed that the opposition party “has changed strategies to frustrate the emergence of Lawan and Gbajabiamila.” The lawmaker explained that the APC leader “is the main driver of the zoning of the positions to these two ranking lawmakers. Already, the social media is awash with such sentiments projecting Tinubu as greedy having singly installed the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and now wants to install the leaders of the National Assembly.” Among the flyers being circulated on the social media is one that has Osinbajo’s photograph atop the image of President Muhammadu Buhari and flanked by Lawan on the left and Gbajabiamila on the right. The photograph was captioned “The shape of New Nigeria.” Beneath the names of all these leaders on the flyers are inscribed “TINUBU’ except for President Buhari. Another lawmaker explained that the idea was “to cause disaffection among the populace by presenting the
S’East group supports Gbajabiamila
endorsed candidates as lackeys of one man who has eyes set for 2023. “Expect a heightening anti Tinubu social media blitz from this week” a ranking Senator who spoke on condition of anonymity told this paper last week. “Besides, cartoons, fliers and commentaries will flood all known social media
platforms pillorying the erstwhile Governor of Lagos and a pillar in the formation of APC and supporter of Buhari. However, Gbajabiamila’s candidature yesterday received major boost when a South-east group threw its weight behind his quest to contest the speakership race in the ninth National Assembly. In a statement by its National
President, Mr. Nnaji Paschal and Secretary, Dr. Offia yesterday, the group dissociated itself from the speakership ambition of Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba and other contestants from the South-east. The statement said though Nwajiuba defeated Chike Okafor to clinch the Ehimembano/ Ihitte Uboma/Obowo/Okigwe South Federal Constituency
seat, he was never a member of the ruling APC. It said Nwajiuba was not even from the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but from the Accord Party, thereby describing Gbajabiamila as a team player and selfless politician with the requisite knowledge to pilot the affairs of the ninth House of Representatives.
FOR STRONGER BANKING
L-R: Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Mr. Edward Lametek Adamu; President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr. Uche Olowu; (CBN) Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Mrs. Aishah Ahmad; MD/CEO, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Peter Amangbo; and MD/CEO, Development Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Tony Okpanachi at an extraordinary Fellowship Investiture of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in Lagos... recently
Aviation Minister Gives Conditions to Avert FIRS Generates N1.5tn in Downgrade of Enugu Airport Three Months
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) yesterday disclosed that it generated N1.5 trillion as revenue in the first quarter of 2019, representing 28 percent above what it raked in the first quarter of 2018. FIRS Chairman, Mr. Babatunde Fowler disclosed the figure on the sidelines of a highlevel meeting on illicit financial flows hosted by the United Nations General Assembly in New York, US, at the weekend. The revenue represents a 28 percent increase from the N1.17 trillion reported by the service in Q1 2018. Fowler said the first quarter figure represents 18.7 percent of the agency’s total revenue target of N8 trillion for 2019. He said the amount included revenue from non-oil taxes that were 11% higher than what the agency realised from that sector
in Q1 of 2018. “In the first quarter (of 2019), what I will say is that in the non-oil sector, we generated 11 percent higher than what we generated in 2018. Basically, we have generated about N1.5 trillion,” hesaid. Fowler said the target, described by economy watchers as quite ambitious, wasrealisticwiththecooperationoftax payers,amongotherfactors. “Itisquiterealisticaslongaswehave the cooperation of tax payers in addition to deployment of technology,” he said. “We have already started the enforcement of over 50,000 accounts that have banking turnover of 100 billion and above that have not filed their returns.” The FIRS chairman also spoke of plans by the agency to surpass the over one trillion naira it realised from valued added tax (VAT) in 2018.
CAC Leader Charges Christians to Trust in God The General Evangelist of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) World Wide, Prophet Hezekiah Oluboye Oladeji has charged all Christians to put their trust in God in spite of what they are passing through in life. Hezekiah made the remarks while addressing the congregation at CAC Ikorodu and GRA Ikeja to mark his first anniversary as the church general evangelist. He charged them to always be
patient while asking for request, saying God’s ears are not deaf “to hear our request. But he will do it at the appointed time when His name alone will be glorified.” During one of the services he conducted to mark the anniversary, the general envagelist dedicated the triplet from the family of one Mr. Mattew Olutayo, who had been trusting God for fruit of womb for eight eights but whose God bless through his ministration.
Chinedu Eze The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has said that if the Enugu state government takes urgent action to enforce the directive given to address safety concerns at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, the federal government may reconsider the downgrading of the airport. Sirika on Friday said the federal government had resolved to downgrade the airport due to issues bordering on safety
of flights at the airport, which include dilapidated and undulating runway and other infrastructural breaches. For the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to install safety critical equipment, rehabilitate the runway and provide other facilities that would enable international airlines to operate at the airport, the state government was expected to clear the flight path of structures. The state government was also expected to relocate the market at Emene along with the abattoir
in order to keep away birds from the airport; it was also expected to remove masts that tend to obstruct flights after takeoff from the airport. When Sirkaexpressedthefederal government’s intention to downgrade the airport, the state government reacted by closing the Emene market and the abattoir, ordered the relocationanddemolitionofstructures on the flight path and also ordered the removalofthemasts. The Minister in reaction acknowledged steps taken by the Enugu state government and
said, “We are happy to see that the Enugu state government has seen reason with the Ministry to address safety concerns raised. We are appreciative that in the name of safety, Enugu State Executive Council approved the immediate closure of Orie Emene Market (abattoir inclusive) to forestall any tragedy at the airport. We are also happythat thecouncilalso ordered immediate removal of all illegal structures encroaching on the land of the airport, radio mast of the state broadcasting service, and Free Trade Zone.
N72m Bribery Allegation Tears Ekiti NLC, TUC Leaders Apart
Gbong Gwom: Governors Lack Power to Redefine Traditional Boundaries
Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti
Seriki Adoniyi in Jos
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ekiti State, have described N72 million fraud allegations the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemileveledagainstitspastleaders asdisturbingandworrisome. Consequently, some labour leaders havebeenqueriedforallegedlyreceiving gratifications from the administration of former Governor Ayodele Fayose contrary to the rules of the civil service. Official documents showed that the immediate past NLC Chairman, Mr. Raymond Adesanmi; former TUC Chairman, Mr. Odunayo Adesoye; former JNC Chairman, Mr. Oladipupo Johnson and former NLC Secretary, O.P. Olayemi were facing investigation on the allegation.
The document, also, showed that former JNC Secretary, Blessing Oladele; former Chairperson of TUC Women Wing, Bolajoko Fajulugbe and former Chairperson of NLC Women Wing, Toyin Ofere had also received queries over the same allegation. During the Fayose administration, it alleged that officials of the unions were accused of receiving N6 million “monthly running grants” and another N6 million quarterly running grants for their meetings, which amounted to N72 million in four years term of Fayose’s government. They were also alleged to have been involved in partisan politics contrary to the Public Service Rules and using their positions to acquire plots of land ”under suspicious circumstances under the past administration.”
Gbong Gwom of Jos, Jacob Gyang at the weekend noted that governors lacked authority to redefine traditional boundaries. Gyang, who is also chairman, Plateau council of chiefs, said this on Friday while speaking at an annual cultural festival of the Berom ethnic group of the state. On Thursday, the Plateau government ordered the creation of two traditional councils – Jos north and Riyom councils – from the one headed by Gyang. In a circular, the Commissioner For Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Dayyabu Garga said the decision by the Plateau State Governor, Mr. Simon Lalong was in line with section 91(1) of the 2016 local
government law. The move is coming after Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje created four emirates out the one headed by Muhammadu Sanusi, Kano emir. However, Gyang said the state government could not redefine boundaries where there was no issue. The monarch said, “I am not aware of any authority by a governor to redefine traditional boundaries. Government cannot redefine boundaries where there is no problem. “There has been government pronouncement and actions to do with the traditional institution even when there was no problem. We have no problem with our neighbours and we have been in peace with one another.
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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 ˾ MAY 19, 2019
OPINION
REDUCING THE COST OF GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA Ejeviome Eloho Otobo and Oseloka H. Obaze argue that the cost of governance is excessive
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igeria suffers from democratic overload. Governance expenses are hugely disproportional to its developmental strides and democracy dividends. This is reflected in the high recurrent expenditure relative to the capital expenditure at the federal, state and local government levels. Since the return to civil rule in 1999, the share of recurrent expenditure in federal budget have hovered slightly above 70 per cent and accounted for 78 percentage of 2018 federal revenue. It was not always thus. Nigeria had relatively lean governance structures under first civilian administration in the postindependence era as well as under the military regimes, which were marked by conspicuous absence of bloated parliamentary structures. Whilst military regimes are aberrations and cannot serve as a useful model for assessing governance costs, tackling the problem of high cost of governance requires a deep understanding of its genesis. The prevailing high cost of governance in Nigeria is attributable to both structural and operational factors. The structural factors include a pervasive mentality of “national cake” sharing; the federalization of several standards, in particular as it relates to payment of wages, salaries and pension entitlements; constitutional principles mandating the application of federal character or ethnic balance; the high level of pensions for some elected officers codified into law; the huge number of institutions provided in the constitution and several national legislations; the inability of most states to meet their recurrent expenditures from internally generated revenue despite federal government bailout; and the bourgeoning cost of campaign financing – a sectoral expense poised to outpace public administrative costs. There is a myriad of operational factors in the high cost of governance. One such operational factor, especially at the federal level, is the large number of MDAs – ministries, departments, agencies, many with overlapping mandates. Another important operational factor is the huge expenditure arising from the opaque high salaries and benefits for members of the national assembly. Comparatively, Nigeria’s federal legislators earned
more than their U.S., U.K., German, South African and Brazilian counterparts, as evidenced in The Economist in July, 2013 review of lawmakers’ pay in 29 countries. Yet another major operational factor is the large size of the federal cabinet coupled with an equally large number of advisers and special assistants at the federal and state levels. In an effort to address this issue at the federal level, the Transitional Committee led by Ahmed Joda, which was appointed by then President-elect Buhari in March 2015, recommended the reduction in the number of federal ministries from 28 to 19. But this proposal was not adopted. Still another operational factor is the significant duplication in the establishment of institutions at the federal and state levels with overlapping functions and with no unique added value at either level. This can be attributed partly to the constitutional design of concurrent list of items shared by the federal and state levels. Then, there is the factor of inflating and splitting of contracts as well as padding budgets as a means to siphon off public resources for private gain. This practice represents huge opportunity cost to the socio-economic development of Nigeria. It’s no surprise that Nigeria’s “democracy has been described as the most expensive in the world with minimal evidence in terms of infrastructure development, poverty level and pace of general
Despite the high cost being expended on Nigeria’s governance, she has earned the dubious distinction of being the poverty capital of the world
economic growth.” The disconcerting paradox, is that despite the high cost being expended on Nigeria’s governance, she has earned the dubious distinction of being the poverty capital of the world. Indeed, fewer Nigerians are rising above the consumption poverty line, and it’s most unlikely that the newly introduced N30,000 minimum wage will help in cracking that ceiling. Whereas GDP growth and rising consumption are considered validating corollaries of high cost of governance, experts warn that “making GDP growth and rising consumption the central objective of public policy” amounts to “self-undermining concept of prosperity”. While the number of members of the national Assembly and States’ Houses of Assembly may not be easily reduced, their salaries and perks can. This requires statesmanship and placing national interest above vested interest personal privilege. Whereas section 147 (3) of the 1999 Constitution provides for appointing a minister from each state of the 36 states, it does not stipulate the number of ministries. The constitution made no distinction between a Minister and Minister of State: an 18-member cabinet can satisfy the constitutional requirement by having a minister and minister of state appointed to each ministry. Significant cost savings can also come from abolishing the non-constitutional post of Chief of Staff in the presidency and the Governors’ office, with consolidation of the functions around the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Secretary to the State Government. This was the situation that prevailed during the first and second civil administrations as well as in a brief period of the Umaru Yar’Adua administration. The current number of advisers and senior special assistants can also be reduced significantly both at the federal and state levels, with much of their tasks consolidated into relevant line ministries. ––Otobo is a Non-Resident Senior Expert at the Global Governance Institute, Brussels whileObaze is a public policy expert and MD/CEO Selonnes Consult, Ltd. Awka (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)
Much Ado About NASS Leadership Election Until the rules are amended, the agitation for open ballot remains futile, writes Sufuyan Ojeifo
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head of its June 11 inauguration, there has been so much noise about the mode of electing presiding officers of the ninth National Assembly. Some stakeholders canvass adoption of the secret ballot system while some others favour open ballot. Both have given reasons for their respective stance. Secret ballot advocates want confidentiality so that members can freely cast their votes without fear of victimization by the superintending machinery of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC). Those pushing for open ballot want a restraining process that could be used to rein in members of the governing party to vote for its endorsed candidates. Open ballot puts members-elect under intense pressure. It can influence the election in favour of the governing party’s preferred choices, excepting where members or some members decide to dare the party and damn the consequences. Conversely, secret ballot gives members the leeway to engage in real ‘monkey business’. For the APC, the fear of ‘monkey business,’ now, is the beginning of wisdom. Having been once beaten in the 2015 National Assembly leadership election when Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara upstaged its anointed candidates - Ahmad Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila - for the positions of Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively, circumspection becomes imperative. Interestingly, the APC’s anointed candidates that were defeated in 2015 are the same candidates being promoted by the party to lead the National Assembly in 2019. The question is: what has changed between then and now to avert a repeat of the 2015 debacle? It is possible that a whole lot has changed. But the attitude of the party leadership suggests otherwise. The party leadership and the anointed candidates do not appear surefooted; otherwise, the mode of election should not have mattered, especially where the standing orders of the Federal Legislature are unambiguous on the voting mode. The method of clothing leaderships at all levels of government with authority or legitimacy should not have been problematic had the quest for power been motivated by altruism. Selflessness is not an exemplar in the government and governance architecture of our nation. Institutions and processes are always circumvented to satisfy predetermined narrow ends. The agitation for the circumvention of the extant standing orders of the National Assembly, which provides secret ballot as the mode of electing presiding officers, speaks to the much fundamental malaise afflicting our body-politic: the proclivity to violating rules and regulations and the impunity of scoffing the ramifications of
the breach. The system is sadly subordinated to individuals’ whims or caprices. Pretenders to leadership positions egregiously operate the system in service of their selfish agenda. Otherwise, I ask once more: why, indeed, would some individuals advocate the adoption of open ballot when the standing orders of both the Senate and the House of Representatives clearly provide for secret ballot? The fault is in political elite’s mind-set of deliberately placing personal interest over collective, national interest. Political leadership and power elite have always manipulated the system in desperate and selfish bids to appropriate authority and commonwealth in furtherance of personal gains. This is not solely APC’s problem. Regardless, it is buckling under the weighty pressure of its avowed determination to deliver the individuals to whom it had micro-zoned the leadership of the ninth National Assembly, perhaps preparatory to 2023 presidential politics. For a party that controls the majority in the Federal Legislature, APC’s gravitas and magisterial élan are on the line. Ordinarily, it should have its way. But the acts of politicians and their desperate quest for power and positions are somewhat shrouded in political statements that are, at best, apocryphal. I believe stakeholders should not resort to circumvention of the rules in a bid to push through interests and endorsements. Instead of circumventing the rules, steps should be taken by the National Assembly to amend the rules in accordance with popular aspirations. Usually, every session of the National Assembly has the liberty to do that. That was the reason the seventh session of the Senate purportedly amended the standing orders that the former Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Salisu Maikasuwa, used to inaugurate the Eighth Session. The document, tagged: Senate Standing Orders 2015 as amended, comprises the extant rules regulating the workings of the Senate. It provides for secret ballot and it has yet to be amended. And as long as it has not been amended, it remains the document that will guide the incumbent CNA, Mohammed Ataba Sani-Omolori, in the inauguration of the ninth National Assembly. The crux of the procedures is that nomination of senators-elect for election as presiding officers shall be addressed to the CNA. Significantly, the rule mandates the CNA to take charge and, specifically, in Order 3(3)(9e) to proceed in this direction, to wit: “when two or more senators-elect are nominated and seconded as Senate President, the election shall be conducted as follows: one, by electronic voting; or two, voting by secret ballot which shall be conducted by the Clerks-at-the Table using the list of
the Senators-elect of the Senate, who shall each be given a ballot paper to cast his vote, with the proposers and seconder as Teller.” The same mode applies in the House of Representatives. Ostensibly, the APC leadership, acting in concert with the presidency, is ill-at-ease with the secret ballot mode. It would have loved to see members-elect of the party that will dare to vote against its positions on the floors of the two chambers. But for a member of the seventh National Assembly, Senator Yisa Braimoh, who represented Edo North on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), open ballot should be adopted. That was the mode that was adopted on June 5, 2007 in the election that pitted David Mark and George Akume against each other. That was the first and only time open ballot would be adopted in the Fourth Republic Senate leadership election. Both Mark and Akume belonged to the ruling PDP. The standing rule was not specific on the election mode. The party, under Ahmadu Ali, had informed members-elect that Mark was its candidate for senate president and Mulikat Adeola was its candidate for Speaker. Although Mark won in the Senate and Adeola lost to Aminu Tambuwwal who dared to challenge the party’s decision, Mark’s victory did not go without a strong challenge on the Senate floor. Incidentally, Braimoh was one of the senators who voted for Akume in the open ballot that was adopted, a move that indicated their independent-mindedness and courage to differ with the party. He and other senators who voted for Akume, however, received raw deals from the Mark leadership in appointments into standing and ad-hoc committees. In retrospect, Braimoh believes he took the right decision. He believes open ballot will help to strengthen democracy and independence of the three arms of government. According to him, “that is why I remain of the firm belief that the open ballot system, if adopted, now or permanently, will guarantee the genuine wish of Senators-elects (and members-elect) for the emergence of the senate leadership. Secret ballot safeguards hypocrisy, disloyalty and pretence.” As appealing as his position maybe, the fact remains that the standing orders of both chambers have yet to be amended and the CNA, who is a lawyer, will be guided by the rules of both chambers on the mode of election contained therein: secret ballot. Until the rules are amended, the agitation for open ballot remains futile. –– Ojeifo, editor-in-chief of The Congresswatch magazine, contributed this piece viaojwonderngr@yahoo. com
T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MAY 19, 2019
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LETTERS The Transformation of Lagos-Airport Road
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nfrastructure 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 infrastructure. The dearth of needed infrastructure in a given society places serious limitation on human capital development. It is in view of its crucial role to achieving rapid economic growth that advanced nations of the world commit huge investment to infrastructural development. J.F. Kennedy, a former President of the United States of America once put the relationship between infrastructure development and economic prosperity into a proper perspective when he affirmed that “America has good roads, not because America is rich, but America is rich because it has good roads”. According to the World Bank, every 1% of government funds spent on infrastructure leads to an equivalent 1% increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which invariably means that there is a correlation between any meaningful inputs in infrastructure development which reflects on economic
Ambode growth, indices, hence the value of infrastructure cannot be underplayed. It is, therefore, in an effort to ensure even and accelerated development in all parts of Lagos State, that the Lagos State government placed high premium on infrastructure development as evident in the construction and rehabilitation of road network across the state. It is, indeed, particularly soothing to note that the state government has placed great emphasis on development of
more inner roads in order to ease the peculiar Lagos traffic gridlock. Not quite long ago, Lagos State Governor, Mr, Akinwunmi Ambode, played host to President Muhammadu Buhari as the latter embarked on a one-day working visit to Lagos State. Part of his mission was to inaugurate several landmark projects put in place by the state government to better the lot of Lagos residents. Some of the key projects officially commissioned by the
president include the 170 –bed Maternal and Child Medical Centre, popularly referred to as Ayinke House located on the premises of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, the 500 – seater Lagos Theatre Oregun, the iconic Oshodi Transport Interchange and the 820 High and Medium Capacity Public Buses. However, of particular concern to this piece is the remodeled 10- lane Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road. The road is one of the people-oriented projects that were inaugurated by President Buhari during his one-day working visit to Lagos. Constructed between 1939 and 1947, the Lagos Airport Road is no doubt one of the oldest roads in the country. The road which cuts through Ajao Estate and Mafoluku areas of Lagos terminates to join the network of roads connecting the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway to other parts of the city-state. Considering its importance to local and foreign investors, tourists and many others, many have likened the road to the famous “The King’s Highway” in the United States that is acclaimed the busiest road in the world with about 500,000 vehicles daily. Unlike other roads in the country, the Lagos Airport Road clearly influences the first
Welcome Home Legislators
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fter the George Washington led forces roundly defeated the military forces of King George III of the British Empire, something akin to a constitutional conference was held. It was mutually agreed by the founding fathers of the United States that there should be a bicameral legislature to legislate for the new nation. The Senate and the House of Representatives made up the Congress. They took into consideration the demographics of the nation and deftly struck a balance. The Senate would have two senators representing each state to ensure equity while the House of Representatives would be based on the constituency delineation. The Senators would have a six-year tenure while the lower chamber would have a two-year term. The Senate had more powers and would attract legislators who wanted to make a career in law making. The 1979 constitution made Nigeria shift from the British parliamentary system of government to the American-styled presidential. Invariably, we copied their system to a large extent and this has remained so till date. Many critics of the bicameral legislature contend that the cost of getting into the hallowed chambers and the
subsequent maintenance is too high. They argued that we should do what Senegal did by getting rid of the upper chamber to cut cost. The national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu once called for the scrapping of the senate as well. The incoming ninth senators are set to receive a whopping N4.68 billion to help sort out their furniture and accommodation issues. The accommodation is paid annually while that of the furniture is paid once every four years. Their counterparts in the lower house are set to receive N3.57 billion to help out with their living costs as well as furniture. They are also entitled to motor vehicles allowances as well as other perks of office which are paid on a monthly basis - personal assistant – 25 per cent; domestic staff – 75 per cent; entertainment – 30 per cent; utilities – 30 per cent; newspapers/periodicals – 15 per cent; wardrobe – 25 per cent; house maintenance – five per cent; and constituency – 250 per cent. There are other entitlements that they are not paid to them directly but provided and paid for by the government. These are for their special assistants, security and legislative aides. The lawmakers are also entitled to tour duty allowance, estacode (when
they travel) and recess allowances. For a senator, the tour duty allowance is N37, 000 per night; the estacode is $950 per night and the recess allowance is 10 per cent of their annual salary. For a member of the House of Representatives, the tour duty allowance is N35, 000 per night; the estacode is $900 per night and the recess allowance is 10 per cent of their annual salary. Their medical expenses whether at home or abroad are also borne by the government. These jumbo pay that our lawmakers are getting is extremely obscene and insensitive to say the least. Many states are practically insolvent and cannot pay worker’s salaries. A state like Kogi is owing 38 months’ salary with no hope of respite anytime soon. Why should our supposed elected representatives who are supposed to be representing our collective interests join the bandwagon of our oppressors? Our lawmakers earn far more than the President of the United States who is supposedly the world’s most powerful man. The mind-boggling pay of our legislators has historical antecedents. In the defunct Second Republic, the then President Shehu Shagari alarmed at the outrageous demands of the parliamen-
tarians was determined not to give in to their demands. The Sokoto born politician was threatened with impeachment and was forced to be whipped in line. In the current fourth republic during the Presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo, former Senate President, late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo who was smarting from the loss of the Senate Presidency to late Chief Evan Enwerem was quoted to have said that they were not in Abuja to spread poverty. Many workers in the private sector work without their salaries being paid at the end of the month and there are no sanctions by their cruel employers from the National Assembly. Many are known to have died from work related accidents without their compensations being paid and no legislation to protect them by their so-called legislators. Many Nigerian workers working for foreigners especially the Chinese, Indians and Lebanese are worse than indentured serfs in their own motherland. Their fate is worse than the African slaves in the Trans Atlantic slavery in the days of yore as they are brutally dehumanized by hard-nosed employers in their country – worse than second class citizens in their own country. ––Tony Ademiluyi, Lagos
impression conceived by first time visitors to the country. Unfortunately, this much strategic road had suffered gross neglect over the years. Its current state, no doubt, constitutes a serious dent on the image the country. It is, thus, quite logical that Lagos residents were extremely enthusiastic when the state government completed the reconstruction of the road. For a government that has made improvement of infrastructure across the state a prime mission, the completion of the project represents another grand milestone in the life of the outgoing administration. Among others, features of the redesigned road includes the reconstruction and expansion of the existing carriage to three-lane expressway on both directions, construction of two-lane service road in both directions, construction of ramp bridge to provide a U-turn from Ajao Estate to airport, construction of a flyover at NAHCO/Toll Gate and drainage works. Others include the removal of existing pedestrian bridge at Ajao Estate and construction of pedestrian bridges at Ajao Estate and NAHCO/Hajj Camp, construction of slip road to provide access to Ajao Estate, construction of lay-bys
and installation of street lights, among others. Being an investor’s friendly state, what the Lagos State government has achieved with the reconstruction of the Lagos Airport road is a masterpiece with aesthetic infrastructure and an explicit environment serenaded by street lights illuminating the 10-lane route to aid the convenience of local and foreign investors as well as residents along the route. Though, a federal government responsibility, the Lagos State government took up the enormous task of rebuilding the road in view of its strategic importance to the socio-economic well-being of Lagos State and, indeed, Nigeria at large. If governance is truly about adding value to people’s lives and propounding creative solutions to critical societal needs, then the Lagos State government is actually on the right path in its pact with the citizenry. Lagosians are implored to protect and preserve all major infrastructure in the state as they represent our collective heritage. ––Tayo Ogunbiyi, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.
Waiting for Leah Sharibu’s Return
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o fully understand the sheer grief and agony that Leah Sharibu’s parents go through every passing day, while still hanging on a thread of hope for their daughter’s return, we have to put ourselves in their sole-less shoes. Only recently, concerned citizens of the world in unison condemned her continued incarceration by the Boko Haram terrorist captors. They are worried too that in spite of the frequent assurances from the President Muhammadu Buari-led administration of her safe return, nothing has happened till now. That she spent over 420 days in the den of the religious extremists as the Christian faithful celebrated her 16th birthday in solemnity has made the Nigerian girl an enduring metaphor of what an unquenchable faith in God through Jesus the Christ should be. It would be recalled that Leah Sharibu was denied freedom after the insurgents released 109 other students of Government Girls Science School, Dapchi, Yobe State after the abduction was carried out on February 19, 2018. It is worthy of note that the release came with the intervention of the federal government. Leah was reportedly held back because of her refusal to renounce her Christian faith. Meanwhile, some concerned Nigerians are asking what would have happened if the religious pendulum has swung the other way. That is, if the terrorists were Christians
asking the victim to turn over to their faith instead of Islam. But members of the Buhari Media Organisation(BMO)are piqued by the allegations that the president is not interested in doing the needful. They have labeled that as both “nauseating and regrettable”. In their defense, they said “Nothing can be more preposterous like the suggestion that President Buhari had not been concerned about Leah’s plight because of her refusal to renounce her faith”. Expectedly too, they are making comparisons with what transpired during the Goodluck Jonathan-led administration. They are quick to remind us all that on April 14, 2014, some 276 school girls from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State were similarly abducted from their dormitory. They are also beating their chest that the current administration has so far succeeded in bringing back 107 of the hapless girls, at a time even Amnesty International had given up hope. Interestingly, they are silent on the strong feeling in some quarters that the Chibok girls’ drama was one act of crude, callous and cruel political blackmail, aimed to kick Jonathan out of power! So, one cannot but ask the critical question- for how long shall we continue to play dirty, muck-raking politics with the precious, irreplaceable lives of innocent Nigerians? –––Ayo Oyoze Baje, Lagos.
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T H I S D AY • SUNDAY MAY 19, 2019
T H I S D AY • SUNDAY MAY 19, 2019
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M ˜ ͺ ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER
INTERNATIONAL Chinese Belt and Road Initiative: The Abuja Beijing Consensus as a Catalytic Implementation Instrument
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he Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is the newest global development strategy in international economic relations, offered in 2013 by the People’s Republic of China under the leadership of Xi Jinping to the world. It is the issue of discourse among the great leaders of the world at the moment. True, it is a development strategy whose time has come and by which several countries are beginning to define their infrastructural and investment needs. In this regard, not less than 37 (thirty-seven) African countries, have acceded to the BRI agreement, including Nigeria. The decision of African leaders to be part of the BRI agenda was reached at the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on ChinaAfrica Cooperation FOCAC, which was established in 2006 but is also serving as one of the implementation mechanisms for the purposes of the BRI. One main rationale for the decision to be part of the BRI is essentially because of the African Union’s own agenda 2063. It is useful at this juncture to note that the BRI is a 36-year global development agenda, covering the period from 2013 to 2049. In other words, whatever is to be done in terms of provision of infrastructure, direct investments and development assistance to any country are to be completed in 2049 by which time the Chinese will be celebrating one century of the People’s Republic of China, as well as possible ascendancy to global leadership. In the same vein, By the year 2063, the African Union will also be celebrating one hundred years of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity, created on May 25, 1963 but disbanded on July 9, 2002, under the last Chairman, Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, and transformed into the African Union. A large part of the continental development projects contained in Agenda 2063 underscore the provision for infrastructure, energy and industrialisation deficit, trade development. It is therefore not surprising that several African leaders took active part in the deliberations of the Second Belt and Road Forum, a special implementation platform for the BRI, which took place last 25-27 April, 2019 in Beijing. Without any whiff of doubt, there is no reason why African leaders should not be actively engaged in the BRI for one obvious consideration. As noted in ChinAfrica Newsletter, vol. 4, no. 6, May 2019, ‘in respect of overland construction, Chinese companies through concessional financial support have built Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway in Ethiopia which is the first electrified railway in Africa; Mombasa-Nairobi Railway in Kenya; Abuja-Kaduna Railway in Nigeria and Benguela Railway in Angola, and many others, including the Lagos-Ibadan-KanoAbuja under construction.’ Apart from this, the Chinese have, at the maritime component level, ‘constructed (the) Port of Bagamoyo in Tanzania, No. 19 berth of Port Mombasa and the Berth of Port Lamu, both in Kenya, New Port of Pointe-Noire in the Republic of Congo (Brazaville), Lekki Deep Seaport in Nigeria, Kribi Deep Seaport in Cameroon and Port of Tamatave in Madagascar.’ Ambassador Aminu Wali, former Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Nigeria to China, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, has also reminded us that ‘as at the end of 2016, China under the Initiative, has set up 20 industrial parks in 15 African countries, including Nigeria, with accumulated investments of 5.38 billion US dollars, attracting more than 450 enterprises with an accumulated value output of 19.35 billion US dollars that has contributed 1.62 billion US dollars to the revenues of the host countries in taxes and fees. These activities have created over 33,000 jobs and brought about industrial clustering in pertinent areas’ (vide his paper at the roundtable). Thus, the BRI is essentially about international cooperation in the areas of infrastructure connectivity, industrial cooperation and financial integration. Perhaps more interestingly, it has been argued that the BRI has not only become a core subject of international relations and studies, but also that the central paradigm of cooperation, consultation and consensus-building of the BRI cannot but ‘struggle with the traditional theoretical approach of international studies that focus on conflict manage-
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Pingjian, Ambassador of China to Nigeria ment and power politics of the so-called realist school.’ It is against this background that one should begin to explain and understand the need for holding an Abuja Beijing Consensus Roundtable, on Thursday, May 16, 2019 at the Executive Hall of the International Conference Centre, Abuja. The roundtable, which is the first of its kind, was convened by Sam Nda-Isaiah, founder of the Leadership Group and Chairman of the Abuja Beijing Consensus and co-hosted by Dr. Zhou Pingjian, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria. The Abuja Beijing Consensus (ABC) is a newly created think tank, ‘created to harness the opportunities provided by the Nigeria-China relationship. ABC is a private initiative and a bridge builder between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China.’ Among the main functions of the ABC are the provision for interested persons within formation about arbitration, expertise of the contracts regarding projects between local economic agents and agents from abroad upon their request, as well as organisation of training and seminars and master classes for entrepreneurs.’ The roundtable was divided into two main session during which nine papers were presented. In the first session, five discussion papers were presented in addition to the goodwill messages given by the host and co-host, Sam Nda-Isaiah and Dr. Pingjian. Four papers were presented in the second session. One observation that was made crystal clear in all the papers was the need for active Nigerian engagement in the BRI. For instance, Ambassador Aminu Wali, has it that ‘Nigeria, as one of Africa’s largest emerging markets with a huge potential for further economic expansion, should be at the forefront for Africa’s greater engagement with the Belt and Road Initiative framework to fast-track its national development and ensure its place as the continent’s foremost economy and investment destination.’
In particularly responding to the challenges of the BRI in Nigeria, Dr Tunde Emmanuel, a Resident Fellow at the Bolytag Centre for International Diplomacy and Strategic Studies (BOCIDASS), Lagos and Secretary to the Nigeria-China Friendship Association (NICAF), has it that Nigeria has done very little to take ownership of the infrastructural projects and investment of China in Nigeria and this is not likely to encourage a win-win outcome.Taking ownership of the BRI projects necessarily entails Nigeria’s increased and adequate contribution to the process of investment. A scenario where Chinese companies provide all of the expertise and the Exim Bank of China provides all of the credits, and Nigeria is unable to provide anything, cannot make the future of the BRI bright in Nigeria.This is one challenge that the ABC, in serving as a catalyst, should look into in addition to how to acquire technology
Sam Nda-Isaiah put the need for Nigeria to be involved in the BRI this way: ‘the global economic order now points towards three fronts, and nations would have to decide which direction to take. There is the American frontier led by the United States, the European frontier headed by the European Union, and the China frontier, headed, of course, by China.’ In this regard, what is the choice for Nigeria? The Leadership group leader says ‘China is building an intimidating portfolio of friendships around the world based on win-win cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, health care, etc. The Chinese model of engagement with others appears attractive, especially to the developing countries because it does not interfere with the internal affairs of other countries.’ Consequently, the ABC intends to be the engine and catalyst of these win-win engagements between Nigeria and China, taking into consideration that China is by far the largest investor in infrastructure in the world today.’ Honourable Yusuf Buba Yakub, Chairman House Committee on Nigeria-China Relations, House of Representatives, spoke more interestingly on why Nigeria should take the BRI seriously. In his words, ‘prior to the MoU signed in Beijing by both countries in September 2018, Nigeria had benefited considerably under the 60 billion USD FOCAC fund... BRI has opened up new spaces for global economic growth, produced new platforms for international trade and investment and offered new ways for improving global economic governance.’ Additionally, Honourable Yusuf said that ‘contrary to the aspersions of critics, BRI is solely an effort to promote economic globalisation and improve global governance system while focusing on project execution and moving forward with results-oriented implementation is anchored on people-oriented policies and seeks to address inequality crisis in developing countries.’ Consequently, he said ‘as Nigeria joins the Belt and Road Forum of nations, the prospect of addressing the lingering challenges of poverty and unemployment is about to receive a major boost.’ This is why a think tank like the ABC should be encouraged and this is also why ‘our duties as policy makers are to ensure that effective laws are in place to consolidate on the existing relationship of both nations,’ he said. Mr. Li Jianhui, the President of the China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria, Managing Director of the CGC Nigeria Limited, and the Vice President of the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Nigeria Limited (CCECC) Group, noted the support received from the Embassy of China and the Government of Nigeria since the establishment in July 2011 of the China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria, which now has 163 members, covering oil and gas, infrastructure, communication, manufacture, trade, agriculture, mining, finance and internet. Segun Adeniyi, former presidential adviser on media and Chairman, Editorial Board of ThisDay Newspapers, drew attention to the admonition of Mr. Tony Ejinkeonye, the Business Development Director, Africa Esilknet Network, who is on record to have said that in his discussions with the Chinese, ‘the emphasis has always been on doing business on a win-win basis. But like every business or nation, you don’t get what you deserve but rather what you negotiate. There is no free lunch anywhere. Western nations ate our breakfast. Eastern nations are now eating our lunch. Nigeria and Africa need to ensure that they don’t also eat our dinner.’ Adeniyi noted that he had reacted to the statement and he believed that there is the need to learn lessons from the Chinese experience, at least, for the purposes of the ABC agenda. First, he noted on the basis of the June 2017 report by the global consulting firm McKinsey on China’s financial flows to Africa that ‘there is considerable upside for the continent if Chinese investment and business activity accelerate.’ This necessarily means that Africa ‘will need to dramatically improve their productivity and efficiency to compete - or partner effectively - with new Chinese companies on their turf. Secondly, even though the Mckinsey report drew attention to Africa’s young population as an advantage, especially ‘with some estimates showing that 60% of Africa’s total population is between the ages of 15 and 25 that should be a plus,’ Adeniyi observed that the factor of young population cannot be seen as an advantage simply ‘because more than 50 percent of these young people are illiterate and many of them have little or no skills.’ In fact, Adeniyi has it further that even though those who have some education often exhibit skills irrelevant to the current demand in the labour market,’ there is the need to tackle this critical challenge. Thirdly, and perhaps more importantly, he drew attention to the false impression we create for ourselves in terms of riches. He said Nigeria is by all accounts a poor nation. Additionally, Nigeria’s growing population is not backed by investment in education and health. There is also the factor of ‘national pride that comes with achieving something great.’ In essence, Adeniyi strongly believes that ‘there is nothing we cannot achieve if we are ready to work together as a team in pursuit of a common goal. That is the value China now brings to the world with the BRI.’ (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)
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6HQDWH &RQĂ€UPDWLRQ $ 9RWH RI &RQĂ€GHQFH RQ (PHĂ€HOH The speed at which the Senate confirmed the re-appointment of the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, was a display of confidence in the activities of the banking regulatory authority, reports Obinna Chima
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he Senate, last Thursday, passed a vote of confidence on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, given the speed at which his re-appointment was
confirmed. Senate President Bukola Saraki, who announced the CBN governor’s confirmation, congratulated Emefiele on his re-appointment and wished him a fruitful tenure, adding that, “he use this opportunity to continue to provide support to ensure that the economy of our country continues to improve and address the important area of ensuring microeconomic stability.� President Muhammadu Buhari had
on May 8 reappointed Emefiele for an unprecedented second term and requested the Senate’s confirmation of the appointment. The process that led to Emefiele’s confirmation commenced last Wednesday with Emefiele’s screening by members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions. After Emefiele’s presentation to the committee, members praised him for his performance in the last five years and indicated that he would be recommended for confirmation. The Committee Chairman, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, said the committee was impressed by Emefiele’s performance as governor of the central bank. Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Affairs, Senator Ita
Enang, who presented the CBN governor for screening, had commended the Senate’s speedy response to the request of the president to confirm Emefiele. Enang had said, “This confirmation will be seen as one of the fastest requests to be considered by the Senate. The executive is grateful.� A member of the committee, Senator Fatima Raji-Rasaki, in her contribution, urged the CBN boss to ensure any time there are funds like the bailout fund, the government is properly advised on how to disburse the fund for the benefit of Nigerians. Senator Hope Uzodinma reminded his colleagues that the screening was for re-appointment and not a fresh appointment. He noted that in the wisdom of the
president, the CBN governor passed his examination hence his re-appointment for a second term. Senator Shehu Sani noted that when things are good everybody will come around but when things are bad everybody will run away. The Kaduna Central senator advised the CBN boss to consolidate the growth of cotton and textile industry, especially in Kaduna and Katsina States. Reacting to certain attempts to smear the image of the CBN governor, Senator Ibrahim, the committee chairman, noted that the good work the CBN governor was doing might have attracted distraction to him. “When you see a good thing some people want to distract it,� he said. At least, 17 senators attended the screening.
THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚Π˜ ͺ͸͚Î
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BUSINESS
Senate ConďŹ rmation: A Vote of ConďŹ dence on EmeďŹ ele More Work In his presentation before the Senate Committee, Emefiele said the central bank would be hard on the nation’s economic saboteurs. He added: “We will push very hard to ensure that those who seek to undermine the policies of Nigeria without respecting the laws of this country will be brought to book under any circumstances.â€? The CBN governor, who appreciated the avalanche of prayers offered for his success by the committee members, acknowledged that the road ahead of him was very rough. “I thank you for praying for me because we need it and I say this because the road ahead is still rough and very tough,â€? he said. He, therefore, called on the citizenry to cultivate the habit of respecting government policies and laws. “I want to appeal to all Nigerians that a time comes in the history of a country where you have to learn to respect the policies and laws of a country. Part of the problem that we have seen in Nigeria is lack of respect for the policies of this country. “Nigeria is very good at putting in place policies that are sound and workable. But implementation has always been almost zero. And it is arising because we see people sabotaging government activities,â€? he said. Speaking on exchange rate, Emefiele said: “We do not have multiple exchange rates. When you talk of multiple exchange rates, you talk about divergence in exchange rate. “Substantially today, our rates have converged around N360 to $1 because the investors and exporters will know which is the dominant market for procurement of foreign exchange today; it hovers around that rate. “But what you will find is multiple windows and we don’t have any apologies for it.â€? He further justified multiple windows of exchange rate saying: “When you talk about multiple windows, the central bank has a responsibility to provide foreign exchange to everybody. “What we saw that resulted in us creating multiple windows – we want to make sure that those who seek to travel, who will normally go to our banks to ask for foreign exchange and the banks will turn them away, and these people will seek to go to black market to buy foreign exchange, we said No! “We will allocate specific sums of money to banks to allocate to people who want to travel. We will allocate specific sums of money to you to allocate to those who are into the small and medium enterprise business. And we will allocate funds to you for you to give to those who are in your corporate sectors. “So, you will find multiple windows because the rates at which foreign exchange is traded through all these windows are substantially the same. So, there are no multiple exchange rates but I will admit there are multiple windows and it is for a good reason.â€? He said Nigeria’s population was expected to peak at 425 million people by year 2050 going by the IMF/ World Bank Economic Outlook. According to him, the CBN from the monetary policy side has come to realise that using the instrumentality of the Anchor Borrowers Programme where access to credit is being provided to the masses all over the country, will be a way to generate employment and boost economic activity among the rural population. “We just came back from the IMF/ World Bank programme in April. And in the World Bank’s/IMF’s World Economic Outlook, Nigeria is positioned as a country whose population will grow and rise to over 425 million people by the year 2050.
Cont’d from pg. 19
CBN building, Abuja
“That will present Nigeria as a country with the third largest population in the world after China and India and indeed surpassing the United States of America in population. “I worry and I do think that we all should worry that a lot of work needs to be done to make sure that we are able to put in place policies that will make life good for this 425 million people when we are the third largest population in the world. “So, we from the Central Bank of Nigeria, from the monetary policy side, have come to the realisation that using the instrumentality of the Anchor Borrowers Programme where access to credit is being provided to our masses all over the country, that it will be a way to generate employment and boost economic activity amongst our rural population,� he added. Continuing, he said: “The results are there to see that as a result of our Anchor Borrowers Programme, where we have disbursed over N190 billion to over 1.1 million smallholder farmers, cultivating over 1.3 million hectares of land, that we need to do more of this. “As we do this, we make finance available at low-interest rate; we make access to credit easy for our people. And in doing this, we will be able to create jobs for them and improve the livelihood of our people. “That is a sole thing that we make. And I am very optimistic that this can be achieved.� Furthermore, Emefiele assured that the monetary policy authority would do everything possible to ensure that they move the country forward. “Aside from the Anchor Borrowers Programme, we are also looking at special programmes targeted at wholesale growth of agricultural sector in Nigeria. Aside from rice and other small good crop markets, we have started looking at palm oil. “Because we believe that this country has a lot of potentials in palm oil. If you think about what this country was in the 50s and 60s, Nigeria being a country at that time that controlled 40 per cent market share in palm oil industry, exporting its palm oil to different parts of the world. But because we found crude oil, we receded and abandoned it. “For some of you, who are very good in
doing calculations, go and check today: the price of a barrel of palm oil is more than the price of a barrel of crude oil. So, what happened to our country? “There are countries when they have the opportunities in agriculture and also have opportunities in the crude sector, they didn’t let their guards down,� he added. The CBN governor, however, gave the assurance that the palm oil market would be grown back again, after which cocoa in the South-west area would be the next area of focus. Speaking on how the CBN supported the economy when it slipped into recession Emefiele said: “When I resumed work in June 2014, I unveiled a five-year vision for the bank and for the country. Achieving microeconomic stability was my main focus.� Expectations However, just as some chief executive officers (CEOs) of financial institutions have hailed the confirmation of Emefiele for the second five-year term, they urged the CBN governor to work towards having much stronger banks in the country. The chief executives spoke in separate interviews with THISDAY. The Managing Director/CEO, Polaris Bank Limited, Mr. Tokunbo Abiru, described the confirmation of the CBN Governor for another term of five years as a positive development for our economy. “The economic outlook remains positive, as this adds fillip to the continuity of current macro-economic policies initiated by the CBN Governor. “The positive interventions in the agriculture, real sector and foreign exchange stability gives confidence that the economy will continue to grow,� the bank chief executive added. The CEO, Cowry Assets Management Limited, Mr. Johnson Chukwu, advised Emefiele to ensure that the central bank is more decisive in resolving banking crisis, to avoid any form of contagion effect. “In terms of banking supervision and regulation, I want to see a situation whereby the central bank is more decisive in resolving banking crisis, such that when it becomes imperative that a particular weak institution should be
allowed to exit the market, I believe the CBN should be decisive. But in all, we expect to see stronger regulation,� Chukwu explained. He added: “He (Emefiele) has said he was going to focus on stimulating the economy, particularly the small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs). He should work towards harmonising the exchange rate and push for faster economic growth through monetary stimulus. I also expect him to continue to work towards lowering interest rate.� Also, the Managing Director, Investment Banking at United Capital Plc, Mr. Babatunde Obaniyi, also called for stronger banks. “I think he (Emefiele) needs to make our banks stronger. What we need are stronger banks that can drive the developmental process in the country. We expect the CBN to guide the banks to cut down on the bad loans and also make them lend to the real sector. Banks should do less of trading in treasury bills and focus on supporting critical sectors of the economy,� Obaniyi added. According to him, with the confirmation of Emefiele, there would be stability in terms of policy drive and also investors would be able to make projection on basic parameters such as exchange rate and the direction of interest rate. “But I think the focus for the CBN governor should be how to have an inclusive growth for the economy. Having paddled us out of recession and the economy is now growing at a modest rate, I think we can do better. So, the strategic thrust should be how to oil the real sector of the economy,� he said. On his part, the Managing Director of Kairos Capital, Mr. Sam Chidoka, said the confirmation by the Senate had removed, “all the uncertainties in the market and shows continuity. One thing the market doesn’t like is uncertainty.� “Now, the market knows who is continuing and we have seen his policies in the last five years and we don’t expect major changes going forward. So, the confirmation is good for the government because we didn’t see any issue that could trigger a sell-off or exit from the economy. All in all, we think it is a good deal,� Chidoka added.
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As Central Bank Moves to Finance Creativity It’s a new dawn for the creative industry as the Central Bank of Nigeria makes funds available for creative persons, who genuinely seek financing to grow their businesses under its Creative Industry Funding Initiative, reports Bamidele Famoofo produced and more formal distribution methods.
Genevieve Nnaji and Ramsey Noah, two of the notable faces in Nollywood, a major component of the Nigeria’s creative industry
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ust like it did to farmers under its Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), where rice farmers got cheap capital to boost their production capacities, leading to Nigeria becoming one of world’s largest producers of rice, the Central Bank of Nigeria, has launched a financing programme for the creative industry in Africa’s largest economy to enhance productivity and wealth creation. The Creative Industry The creative industry is adjudged one of the fastest growing in Nigeria and beyond. Statistics showed that the country’s creative industry accounts for 2.3 per cent (approximately N239 billion) of the nation’s GDP in 2016. It has however grown more than double the previous figures and continues to pose as the go-to sector to massively reduce the unemployment rate as well as creating a more robust economy. “Nigeria has the largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa and its fast-growing tech, film and fashion sectors have become a strong exporter of culture,� the British Council said on its website. Also, Nigeria’s culture and information minister Lai Mohammed said, “Our greatest strength lies in our creative industry, our music, and our films. That is one area we need to build on because that is one area we have a comparative advantage over many other countries.� Nigeria’s creative industry is growing at an exponential rate with emerging talents in the fashion and film sector. But their chances of emerging from talents to creative entrepreneurs are quite slim due to the
country’s harsh economic realities. The country’s unemployment rate was at 23.1 per cent, from the previous rate of 18.8 per cent released in the third quarter of 2017, Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics said in December 2018. Despite these challenges and even more, Nigeria’s creative industry is tipped to hold the key to reducing the growing unemployment rate and contribute to the nation’s economy. While the challenges are real, the opportunities in the creative industry remain limitless. Operators in the industry might as well heave a sigh of relief as the CBN has taken it upon itself to make fund available to creative entrepreneurs to finance their dreams and grow their businesses. Intervention The central bank, in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee, as part of efforts to boost job creation in Nigeria, particularly among the youth, has developed a Creative Industry Finance Initiative (CIFI). A circular recently published by the CBN disclosed that four key areas in the creative industry are targeted for financing under the scheme. They are fashion, information technology, movie production and music distribution. Software Engineering students can also access loan from the scheme for use in their creative ventures. According to CBN, prospective beneficiaries are only required to prepare their business plan or statement on how much they want for their business and approach their bank for the facility. “You can get a loan of up to N3 million for Software Engineering Student, N30 million for Movie Production business, N500
million for Movie Distribution business,� the CBN announced. The facility covers rental/service fees for Fashion and Information Technology business and training fees, equipment fees, and rental/service fees for Music business. The CBN added: “Go to any bank of your choice to access the fund. Tell your bank how much you need. Your bank will discuss your request and provide you the money.� The maximum interest rate of nine percent per annum (all charges inclusive) is applicable to all loans with a period for the repayment of the loan ranging from three to 10 years, depending on the segment of the business. For software engineering student loan, it is a maximum of three years to repay a loan while it takes up to 10 years for people in movie production and distribution and also fashion, information technology and music. Impact The creative industry in Nigeria is believed to have the potential to turnaround the economy, if given the right attention as the CBN and the banks are about to do under the CIFI scheme. Although there are no precise data on the size of the Nigerian fashion market, the apparel and footwear market in sub-Saharan Africa is estimated to be worth $31 billion with the global apparel market valued at $3 trillion. As of 2014, the film industry was worth N853.9 billion (about $5.1 billion) making it the third most valuable film industry in the world, behind the United States and India. It contributed about 1.4 per cent to Nigeria’s economy- this was attributed to the increase in the number of quality films
Other Interventions The Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, which was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, has a primary objective to create economic linkage between smallholder farmers and reputable large-scale processors with a view to increasing agricultural output and significantly improving capacity utilisation of processors, targeted commodities of comparative advantage. They include cereals, cottons, roots and tubers, sugarcane, tree crops, legumes, tomato, livestock among others. Farmers under the scheme assessed loan at nine per cent per annum interest rate (all inclusive, pre and post disbursement). The fund was provided from the N220 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMEDF), facilitated by the central bank. According to the CBN, in the agriculture sector, the Anchor Borrower Programme ensured that Nigeria moved from being a net importer of rice to becoming a major producer of rice, supplying key markets in neighbouring countries. As at October 2018, it stated that a total number of 862,069 farmers, cultivating about 835,239 hectares across 16 different commodities, had so far benefited from the Anchor Borrowers programme, which had generated 2,502,675 jobs across the country. Emefiele stated: “It is in light of the success of the Anchor Borrowers Programme with regards to cultivation of rice and maize that the Monetary Policy Committee, in its last meeting on November 21, 2018, recommended that the programme be applied to other areas such as palm oil, tomatoes and fisheries to mention a few,� he stated. “Our efforts at supporting small scale farmers and SMEs are based on our awareness of the critical role they can play in supporting our economic recovery and growth, as well as in creating job opportunities for millions of Nigerians. “So far, the CBN has through its MSME fund disbursed over N100billion to the sector, but we still feel a lot can be done. Under the auspices of the Bankers Committee, the sum of over N60billion has so far been set aside under the AGSMIES fund to fund Micro Small and Medium enterprises in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors of our economy.� The CBN stated that it recognised that the greatest challenge confronting the MSMEs and local farmers was access to credit, and that to unlock the growth potential in the country; these groups must access funding seamlessly. In response to this challenge, Emefiele said the CBN would in due course take action that would directly bring banking services to the rural communities through licensing of a national micro finance bank to be located in all local governments in Nigeria, through which credit could be channeled to the rural communities. “We will continue to explore ways, in partnering with the fiscal authorities, on how we can best provide farmers and SMEs with the support they need to expand their operations,� he said. While noting that many people were being employed by these entrepreneurs to support production of these goods as a nation, he said the country “must continue to encourage these businesses as they do more than just provide goods, they help to sustain the vitality of the communities in which they live and work.�
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A Case for Stricter Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Banks and regulators have to admit the hard truth that not even today’s complex anti-money laundering and compliance programmes are enough to stop criminals exploiting financial platforms, Adedayo Adejobi reports
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he first major challenge of compliance is the continued rise or innovation in technology. There is still a long way to go here, as companies slowly adapt, and often-conservative businesses change the way they do things. Experts have enthused that, the industry should expect to see more companies moving to cloud technologies for tasks such as security analytics, KYC verifications, consumer payments and credit scoring. This expansion will be accompanied by a boom in cyber security. Another major trend is Information sharing, which prepares to move beyond big banks. One of the most promising AML compliance trends for 2019 is the prospect of increased information sharing among financial institutions. Considered a cornerstone of an effective AML/CFT framework, information sharing is a key component of the recommendations set out by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Early initiatives bringing together the public and private sectors such as the regulatory agencies including the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, Banks, Designated Nonfinancial Institutions, for the forthcoming mutual evaluation in Nigeria later this year, have all shown that bridging the gap between different players makes a big difference. While information sharing has seen success among regulators and banks, in the coming months of 2019, it is expected that stakeholders start to see it become more prevalent amongst all concerned institutions. To make sure that this trend is a success, however, a culture of collaboration needs to be cultivated, and supported by timely guidance from regulators. Various obstacles stand in the way of information sharing, not least the inconsistency of territorial regulation and privacy legislation, all of which will need to be resolved. Managing Director at DataPro, Adeseyoju Abimbola, said, “Information sharing is of crucial importance to combat financial crime effectively. We have traditionally seen challenges in being able to share and obtain information with financial institutions due to the fear of tipping off and privacy-related issues.� Looking to the future, he continued, “FinTech and emerging technologies will play a vital role in shaping the sharing of information.� Secondly, stakeholders anticipate more information on Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs), especially since the release of the Panama Papers, the many creative ways criminals use shell companies and offshore structures to hide their cash have become public knowledge. To counter this, in 2019 experts expect ultimate beneficial ownership legislation to become a prominent feature of the financial crime landscape. The need to increase transparency around UBOs has long been moving up the agenda of policymakers and in 2018 was a focus of the G20 Summit, where leaders made clear a desire to implement ‘international standards and the availability of ultimate beneficial ownership information’. THISDAY predicts that the global focus on UBO transparency will ramp up in 2019 as a consequence of various legislative actions from the year that’s passed. For Instance, the United States of America has continued its pioneering work around Geographic Targeting Orders (GTO) till date, and likely to extend it
NFIU MD Modibbo Hamman Tukur
till the end of the year. Should Nigerian financial institutions implement fully, its rule on customer due diligence, it would have shown that Nigeria is committed to increasing transparency of ownership. The European Union last year, published the Fifth Money Laundering Directive, which has made ownership registries, compiled under the Fourth Directive, publicly accessible. In the UK, steps have been taken to introduce ultimate beneficial ownership registers for companies in overseas territories by the end of 2020. Can same be said of Nigeria, and can we truly expect to see further progress in all of these jurisdictions in 2019? A very useful tip Nigerian stakeholders might want to start adopting is to begin thinking about how UBO information which will become available in the next few years will impact the compliance process. Some of the questions to be answered are; how will financial institutions incorporate it into the risk rating of different clients, and how will this change their perception of their expected behaviour? Third on the front burner, are anti-money laundering rules for crypto-businesses and virtual assets becoming a standard. The unevenness of the crypto currency landscape has prompted efforts by governments across territories like Japan, China, South Korea and Switzerland, to develop a global regulatory framework. The FATF answered this call and will release a set of international anti-money laundering standards in June 2019. Beyond intervention by these governments, experts
suggest that crypto businesses themselves should be encouraging regulation in 2019, simply to “increase the addressable market for adoption.� There is no gainsaying that governments across the world, until now, have wrestled with the anti-money laundering risk crypto poses for years, with the highlighted territories adopting a considered approach allowing for trade and investment, and opting for tight restrictions on exchanges and mining. Nigeria and the rest of Africa seem to have taken a back seat on this major chance to regulate this new form of exchange. At a national level, Nigerian regulators are expected to take progressive steps in the regulation of virtual assets and ramp up their engagement with the sector in 2019. With the European Union’s Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (5AMLD) , geared towards introducing Anti-Money Laundering obligations for crypto currency exchanges operating within member states, which will have to be complied with by 2020, big moves are likely in the global regulation of crypto currencies – which will inevitably prompt the industry to adopt new monitoring and compliance tools. With wider adoption and regulations taking centre stage in crypto currencies, the FATF guidance provides Nigeria’s crypto businesses with a clear framework of how to perform anti-money laundering compliance, prepare to use this to inform its risk assessment and procedures. Given the rise and active participation
of FinTechs in the financial service sector, there is indeed for a drive and increasing demand for automated anti-money laundering. 2019 will see a large number of firms move to automate their AntiMoney Laundering practices to scale even faster, especially with increasing consumer adoption and subsequent transaction volumes in a competitive FinTech climate. The motivating factor here is the sheer amount of false positives generated by legacy data and technology, adverse effects of which are obvious: the greater the number of false positives, the more difficult it is to on-board customers and process payments, and the higher the operational overheads. Added to that, of course, is the increased likelihood of missing genuine money laundering activities amongst so many false alarms. The Data Protection Officer at DataPro Limited, Matthew Jesse, said: “Highquality data is the driving force of AI and machine learning tools and is the key to effective automation of AML risk management and reduction of false positives numbers. 2019 will be the year where an automated approach to AML will be mission critical if you want your FinTech to succeed. “Banks and investment partners will increasingly expect to see FinTechs working with innovative compliance partners to not only reduce operational costs but also prove that they are catching illicit finance. 2019 will be the year that artificial intelligence and machine learning move from buzz terms to key ingredients for success.� According to the President, Compliance Institute, Nigeria, Pattison Boleigha, the truth is that while Nigeria has made significant strides in the AML/CFT regime, it is largely on paper. In all my travels in Africa, I can say that Nigeria’s AML/CFT regime is about the best, but our problem is implementation. “I am of the view that financial institutions and the supervisory authorities need to do more to ensure the effectiveness of our near perfect framework. There is need to have the right governance and proper tone -at –the- top to give the AML/CFT regime the required bite it needs. The surest way to achieve effectiveness is to get governance right from the macro and micro perspective and improve the provision of adequate resources to implement our AML/CFT frameworks. “Compliance is not cheap because it takes more resources to check and correct anything than its costs when we do it very well initially. Government and the Financial Institutions should invest in compliance skills development and technology. The government needs to encourage the establishment of compliance training as a profession same way they have done for accounting, banking, medicine, survey, architecture, etc.,� Boleigha added. “We need to have a chartered institute for compliance officers to encourage the professionalism in the compliance field. In this regard a number of individual efforts have been made, for example the Compliance Institute, Nigeria. “The Compliance Institute, Nigeria was established four years ago by the Association of Compliance officers of banks in Nigeria (ACCOBIN) and today they had trained over 1,200 designated compliance processionals from Nigeria and even other countries in West Africa. Such institutions need to be encouraged and should be supported by giving them chartered status,’’ he explained.
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The Huge Data Rip-off in Nigeria Sincetheincursionintocoredatacommunicationfromthegeneralvoicecommunication by mobile network operators (MNOs), subscribers have raised concerns over data rip-off by internet service providers, writes Emma Okonji
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ollowingaglobalconsumershift from voice communication to data communication, coupled with the emergence of Over the Top Technology (OTT), players currently provide free data services to subscribers on WhatsApp and Twitter platforms, while riding on the network of MNOs that spent fortunes to build their networks. The MNOs in recent times, have, however, decided to shift from their core voice communication service offering to data communication service offering, in order to align with the global consumer shift. Aside selling data bandwidth in large capacities to internet service providers (ISPs), which were originally licensed to provide data services to telecoms subscribers, the MNOs are also competing with the ISPs, by selling data bundles and offering data services directly to telecoms subscribers. Although the incursion into data communication by MNOs is a global phenomenon meant to generate additional revenue strings for MNOs in order to make up for the loss in voice revenue, occasioned by activities of OTT players, the MNOs like MTN, Globacom, Airtel, 9mobile and ntel, are however using the opportunity to rip off telecoms subscribers of their money, through early data depletion. The situation is such that subscribers’ data bundle purchased from MNOs, depletes in a twinkle of an eye after few usage, which the telecoms subscribers have described as huge rip-off in the system that needs to be addressed urgently by the telecoms regulatory body, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Subscribers’ Complaints Telecoms subscribers across networks have continued to groan under heavy data rip-off by data service providers, especially the MNOs. Majority of the complaints have been on fast depletion of data bundle after each successful purchase of data bundle from their data service providers. One of the subscribers who identified himself as Mr. Yemi Adeniran, said he has multiple SIMs for data services, and that the rate at which the data depletes from his devices after visiting few websites was alarming. According to him, as soon as data is loaded into my device and I visit few websites, the data bundle depletes faster than expected, forcing me to buy another data when I have need to go online another day. A telecoms mast Other complaints from subscribers, include fast data depletion while on social media. One of them mission (NCC) to come to their rescue, and to said his monthly data bundle of 1.5 Gigabyte for compel ISPs to compensate for any downtime N1,000, which is supposed to last for a period of suffered by their customers and to ensure that one month, does not stay up to two weeks before service providers deliver unhindered internet he gets a notification that he has consumed up access to customers. to 75 per cent of his data usage and that within few days he is cut off because of insufficient MNOs Position data. Some other complaints have to do with MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, one of the the inability of telecoms subscribers to access MNOs, said in a statement that the company the internet when they actually have sufficient has provision for data rollover as palliative to data bundle to do so, which they attributed enable MTN customers have more access to to poor network service on data delivery, and the internet, through subscribers’ data bundle. the inability to rollover their unused data to According to the statement, to roll over unused the next month. Most light users of data often data balance, customers must renew their bundle have surplus of data at the end of the month, before expiration or before the end of grace period. but cannot rollover the excess data to the next Auto renewal only applies, if the customer selects month. They had to forfeit their unused data the “Recurrent� option at the point of activation of the previous month, at the beginning of a of any data bundle, the statement added. Like new month, a situation they also described as every other network/internet service provider data rip-off. in Nigeria, MNOs sporadically alter their data Some other customers blamed the situation on plan packages to suit their business. As a result, weak internet infrastructure across the country. it can be quite difficult to tell which operator According to them, they got disconnected data plan/code is correct per time. intermittently from the internet, especially at MTN Data Plans for instance, include daily, a time when they required the service the most, weekly, monthly as well as quarterly plans for a situation, which is said to be hurting businesses phones devices, tablets and modems. that relied heavily on internet. MTN once had the most expensive data plan Some of the customers said they pay so much for mobile devices, however with competitors for monthly subscription, yet they do not get the like Glo and Airtel ever on the outlook to win full value for their monthly subscription. They over the hearts of more and more customers have therefore called on the telecoms industry with mouth-watering deals, MTN said it has regulator, the Nigerian Communications Com- been forced to make her prices more affordable.
contributing immensely to telecoms growth, the issue of high interest rate and high cost of equipment are threatening to crumble the once vibrant sector, providing internet connectivity to homes, offices, organisations and individuals. The Managing Director of Swift Networks, one of the few surviving ISPs in the country, Mr. Charles Anudu, however said ISPs would continue to ensure uninterrupted service supply if the market condition remain stable for business. According to Anudu, ISP business is capital intensive and banks collect as much as 25 per cent interest rate per annum on loans offered to ISPs for purchase of equipment, which has skyrocketed. “Aside high interest rate and high cost of equipment, we spend so much in maintaining co-location sites that run diesel 24/7 and we are sometimes faced with destruction of underground fibre cables that transmit internet capacity from one location to another, thereby disrupting internet connectivity “ Anudu said. Another ISP, who preferred anonymity, blamed the situation on the inability of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms industry regulator, to come up with the new data floor price that will determine the charges of internet service delivery and also protect the smaller ISPs from undue market forces from the bigger ISPs that are mostly telecoms operators, who are licensed to provide both vice as data services. The situation, according to ISPs, is forcing traditional ISPs to go out of business, coupled with the harsh business environment in the country. The effect has cut down on the current 103 licensed ISPs, as only few of them were able to renew their licenses in 2018 and 2019, an indication that more ISPs may have gone under this year. Confirming the reduction in the number of licensed ISPs in the country, NCC said only 10 per cent of the 103 licensed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the country approached it for licence renewal last year. This means that about 90 per cent of ISPS are out of business. The commission said the larger telecoms industry of which ISPs are integral part, is beset with numerous challenges.
MTN used to have over 15 different data plans for Android/mobile users, but in recent times, that number has been cut to about nine plans, making the choosing process less ambiguous for the user, the statement added. It however explained that MTN has developed a single data plan that suits all mobile devices. Globacom, in a statement, said its data plans are by far the cheapest than what any subscriber can get in Nigeria. Whether you are a heavy data user or a light user, you will find your perfect choice from Glo’s list of data bundles. And whether you use a PC modem, smartphone, or any other internet-enabled device, Glo has variety of data plans for data subscribers. Airtel, on its part, advised customers who perceived that they were being ripped off, to consider Airtel SmartSPEEDOO, an affordable data plan which can be used for all devices including smartphones and computers. Airtel in a statement, said it introduced its free data services, which offers some free megabytes fevery month just for being a subscriber on the Airtel network, with a validity of 30 days. ISP’s Position ISPs who are licensed to provide internet service to customers, are already facing market challenges in the course of internet service delivery, occasioned by market competition from MNOs. Although the sector has growth potential and
Regulator’s Initiative In order to address some of the challenges faced by telecoms subscribers over poor internet service, NCC, last year, directed operators in the telecommunication industry to begin data rollover with effect from June 26, 2018. Before the directive from the NCC, subscribers could not use their unfinished or unused data subscription after its monthly expiration. The unused data automatically became useless to them as soon as it hit the monthly expiration date. NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Prof Garba Umar Danbatta, said then that telecoms operators must begin the implementation of the data rollover directive from June 26, 2018. Danbatta gave the marching order at the 95th consumers outreach programme in Dutse, Jigawa State last year. The NCC boss, who was represented by the Head of Information and Reference Unit of the commission, Alhaji Ismail Adedigba, said failure by the operators to start implementing the directive would attract N5 million fine on each subscriber whose data they failed to roll over. “The NCC has directed the telecom service providers in the country to begin the implementation of data rollover on June 26, 2018. They have been duly informed about this and they have also been given adequate time to prepare their networks for it. “Failure to implement this will attract N5 million fine on the first default and N500,000 on each day that follows the first default date. “All these are to ensure that the consumers’ rights, privileges and interests are adequately protected,� he said.
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Making Oil & Gas Projects Viable in Niger Delta Investing in multi-million dollar oil and gas projects in the Niger Delta is highly risky and harrowing, especially with the militating factors, associated with operating in the terrain. Besides, investors are usually caught unawares of ancillary factors that are remarkable in frustrating many laudable projects. Adopting Macro-Level Conflict Risk and Impact Assessment (M-CRIA), a conflict sensitive business practices tool, has proved to be a measure to forestall crisis in planning, implementation and delivery of such projects, writes Kunle Aderinokun
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hat Nigeria is blessed with enormous oil and gas resources is over-emphasised. But the unfortunate reality is that the abundant natural resources are being squandered as rent seekers and warlords, otherwise described as conflict entrepreneurs, have a field day. And sadly also, oil and gas projects that would have catapulted Nigeria to an industrialised nation or enviable position in the comity of nations are being frustrated by these conflict entrepreneurs. That is the big issue now confronting the country and this issue has assumed a dangerous dimension, and is now becoming very worrisome. Since the first discovery of crude oil in Oloibiri, Bayelsa State, there have been several but different levels of investment in oil and gas projects in the Niger Delta, expected to give fillip to the economy and better the lots of the communities where the black gold is mined, but the sad realities are better imagined. While many of these projects are well-intentioned, one could not rule out impact of untoward activities of conflict entrepreneurs, some corrupt government officials and their cohorts on the implementation and delivery of the projects. Besides, in the region, there has been misdirected focus by investors on how investments impact the host communities. This has led to many lost investments and probably a dearth to investments in that section of the country. Often times, disagreements in the Niger Delta have led to conflicts with many people- the conflict entrepreneurs- benefiting from or becoming rich off these crises. But this can be avoided when investors are able to do their homework better and more importantly make investments work by making the community the heart of the issue. According to the Managing Director/CEO, Trajan Energy Ltd and adviser to the federal government on Gas-based Industrialisation, Mr. Charles Majomi, there is a very disturbing recurrence of host community agitations, specifically where brownfield projects are being attempted, which leads one to believe the ugly face of conflict enterprise is actually happening here in Nigeria. “That is when you have the government or private sector contemplating a large investment in a particular area, you will find that the conflict is driven as much by genuine grievances as by opportunists within the sector, who see it as an opportunity for state and benefits capture. “For example, if you have made considerable investment and feasibility studies and you have cleared the ground, and about to start your operation, after having substantially invested. We find out that at that point, these so-called conflict entrepreneurs emerge and exacerbate existing conflict in a community in order to stop the project and extort money from the project or the government backers, thereby embarrassing the government politically and extorting money from the investors, who have already gone far. There are varieties of issues,� added Majomi, who granted THISDAY an interview recently. With this being the trend over the years and the cycle continues, especially with connivance and veiled blessing of unscrupulous government officials, the conflict entrepreneurs get richer at the expense of the citizens. Definitely, huge risks are associated with investing in the host community in the Niger Delta given the illicit activities of conflict entrepreneurs. It is, however, unfortunate that awareness of the host community risks to bankability has been difficult to capture with the current traditional political and financial risk assessments and management processes for companies. These frameworks have often been inadequate in analysing and assessing the full range of issues that might cause, trigger, or exacerbate
Ogidigben gas industrial park... frustrated by conict entrepreneurs
violent conflict because they often look at how external factors may impact the investment and less on how the investment might impact the wider conflict dynamics. Governments and companies evaluate the impact of the conflict on their project, not the conflict itself. This becomes even more imperative where investments are being considered in sites where existing projects are already planned or underway. That is why adoption of Conflict Sensitive Business Practices (CSBP) is necessary to help companies improve bankability of their projects. A researcher and lecturer at Niger Delta University, Bayelsa, Dr. Tubodenyefa Zibima, who has worked extensively on conflict resolution in the oil-rich region, says the CSBP consists of several tools, one of which is Macro-Level Conflict Risk and Impact Assessment (M-CRIA). All of the tools could be used in different stages: pre-feasibility, tendering or implementation. Zibima notes that CSBP, which supports extractive industries to anticipate conflicts, was first used in 2005 and has been working ever since in Angola, Burma, Colombia and Indonesia. A report titled, Conflict-sensitive business practice: Guidance for extractive industries, produced in March 2005, consists of guidance on doing business in societies at risk of conflict for field managers working across a range of business activities, as well as headquarters staff in political risk, security, external relations and social performance departments. This is like the case of the Niger Delta. This guidance provides information on understanding conflict risk through a series of practical documents, including: introduction to conflict-sensitive business practice, including an overview of the regulatory; environment for doing business in conflict-risk states; screening tool for early identification of conflict risk; macrolevel conflict risk and impact assessment tool; project-level conflict risk and impact assessment tool; special guidance on key flashpoint issues where conflict could arise at any point during a company’s operation. The M-CRIA is an analytical tool that has been adapted for companies, governments, and communities to support understanding host community conflict dynamics.
According to Zibima, by adapting the M-CRIA for the entities and communities, they make more informed decisions on projects (investments) by facilitating a deeper understanding of causes (root causes, proximate causes, triggers, etc.) and consequences. It also enable them to understand the roles, interests, and capacities of major conflict stakeholders as well as the issues that may shift or change their decision-making as well as help in designing mitigation strategies based on up-to-date information gathered. Reeling out the advantages of M-CRIA, the don states that planning ahead should enable companies to identify better local partners. He adds that with the assessment, many of the initiatives identified will be long-term in that they seek to transform structural conflict issues, such as underdevelopment or unemployment. Besides, he also says there are reputational gains at the local and international levels from implementing strategies early, and preempting negative impacts. “It helps to manage expectations if companies communicate with stakeholders about their plans as early as possible. Companies interact with host societies through three basic categories of business activity: core business, social investment and policy dialogue,� Zibima reckons that from the outcome of a recent research, it is evident that the explanation of the dynamic of conflict is a manipulation of the interaction amongst three main actors - host community, state government, and potential investors - by shadow actors external to these three seemingly separate groups of actors. One of the key findings of the study, the expert points out, shows that “the three clusters of actors cannot be viewed as mutually exclusive collectivities, but one where members now share overlapping affiliations that increase the potentials for instrumentalising conflict for corrupt extraction of rent, which in turn threatens the take-off of planned investments.� As a strategy for increasing influence and access to rent, community leaders and key influencers are increasingly expanding linkages by acquiring political power either via appoinments or elective positions. The report establishes that issues such as community leadership crises and community
engagement practices are processes which support the methodologies employed and instrumented by conflict entrepreneurs. Zibima believes using the M-CRIA methodology to understand conflict and corruption across locations in the Niger Delta is essential in order to prevent its recurrence as well as deepen government understanding of the nuances of conflict that are relevant to investments made in impacted communities. He identifies three major locations where violence have been instigated by conflict entrepreneurs, all because of their selfish and pecuniary interests, thereby frustrating laudable projects of national and international magnitudes in those host communities. The selected locations, used as studies were: Ogidigben in Delta state, Gelegele, Edo state and Odukpani, Cross River state. Ogidigben in Delta state is host to the planned $20 billion Gas Revolution Industrial Park (GRIP). It comprises a 2400 MMSCF/D Central processing facility (CPF); a 1.3 Million tons per annum Polyethylene plant, 0.4 Million tons per annum Polypropylene plant, 2.3 Million tons per annum Urea plant; 150 MW independent Power Plant (IPP), and a port, with a 14-meter berthing draft. ; Gelegele, Edo state, which is host to a proposed sea port connecting to the Benin River. The sea port is to function as an export processing zone with an independent power station; and Odukpani, Cross River state, which is the location of one of the National Independent Power Projects (NIPP). The Odukpani NIIP project is a 630.5MW gas fired power generating plant. “Given the analysis of conflict dynamics that currently surround the aforementioned three sites, we find that it becomes imperative for any potential investment to conduct the M-CRIA assessment framework. This enables the future investors on each of the sites to understand the ways in which these conflict dynamics may impact the bankability of the investment. It becomes imperative for the M-CRIA assessment to be integrated into the on-going analytical structures used by the original investment project such as the Environment Impact and Social Impact Assessments,� Zibima submitted.
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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚Π˜ ͺ͸͚Î
Ëš
Piracy: Changing a Wrong Perception of Nigeria Vincent Obia
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heninDecemberlast year Dr. Dakuku Peterside appealed to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) to, “Please, report Nigeria appropriately,� he was making a passionate comment on a country determined to change, and challenging the misrepresentation of its situation by a world information system often lost in the ambiguities of perception. The call by the Director-General of the Nigerian MaritimeAdministration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), made during a visit by the International Maritime Security Operations Team (IMSOT) from the United Kingdom, was against the backdrop of exaggerated reports on incidents on the country’s waterways. IMB, a specialised department of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) dedicated to fighting maritime crime and malpractice, was the main culprit in what looked like a campaign of disinformation against the Nigerian maritime domain. In often complicated and confusing accounts of maritime incidents, crimes within and outside Nigeria’s territorial waters are lumped together and presented as piracy. And attempts are hardly made to appreciate Nigeria’s efforts to curtail security incidents within its maritime space. Yet, maritime crimes are distinguished by geography. While attacks outside a country’s territorial sea are classed as piracy, those within are categorised as armed robbery. Both endanger seafarers, threaten commerce and other maritime activities, and exacerbate insecurity. Nigeria acknowledges this, and it has done a lot to scale back the maritime crimes. This, exactly, is what Dakuku always wants IMB and, indeed, the world to realise. He is pained by attempts to perceive Nigeria as the centre of piracy, despite the mounting fruits of President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to make cracking down on sea crimes a hallmark of his administration since 2015. Dakuku reiterated his abhorrence of the wrongful perception of Nigeria’s maritime domain on Tuesday in Abuja while defending NIMASA’s 2019 budget before the Senate Committee on Marine Transport. He bemoaned the effect of such perception, which had played a major role in the slump of the Agency’s contribution into the Consolidated Revenue Fund, from N22 billion in 2017 to N16 billion in 2018. Contrary to the perception of Nigeria as the centre of piracy in the world, Dakuku told the Senate committee, “Our own problem here is more of maritime crime and not piracy, which is committed on high seas.� Piracy is defined in Article 101 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and Armed Robbery is defined by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) as Resolution A.1025 (26) in its 26th Assembly session. Under Article 101 of UNCLOS, piracy comprises of any of the following acts: “(a) Any illegal acts of violence or detention, or any act of depredation, committed for private ends by the crew or the passengers of a private ship or a private aircraft, and directed - (i) on the high seas, against another ship or aircraft, or against persons or property on board such ship or aircraft; (ii) against a ship, aircraft, persons or property in a place outside the jurisdiction of any State; “(b) Any act of voluntary participation in the operation of a ship or of an aircraft with knowledge of facts making it a pirate ship or aircraft; “(c) Any act of inciting or of intentionally facilitating an act described in subparagraph (a) or (b).� The IMO defines armed robbery in Resolution A.1025 (26) of its “Code of Practice for the Investigation of Crimes of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships� as armed robbery against ships, saying it means any of the following acts: “(1) Any illegal act of violence or detention or any act of depredation, or threat thereof, other than an act of piracy, committed for private
Dakuku (right) and Managing Director, TMC Shipping Pvt. Limited and the Maritime Academy of India, Neeraj Kumar displaying a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NIMASA and the Maritime Academy of India for on-board sea time training of graduates of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) in Lagos, recently
ends and directed against a ship or against persons or property on board such a ship, within a State’s internal waters, archipelagic waters and territorial sea; “(2) Any act of inciting or of intentionally facilitating an act described above.� Nigeria has taken proactive steps to stop both. Interestingly, IMB recently released its report for the first quarter of 2019 showing an increased level of safety in the Nigerian maritime domain. It said no vessel was reported hijacked in the period under review, marking the first time since the first quarter of 1994 that Nigeria would have such record. The report showed between January and March 2019 Nigeria witnessed a 36 per cent decrease in piracy incidents, compared to the same period in 2018. IMB Director Pottengal Mukundan said Nigeria was benefitting from coordinated responses to incidents through NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy. Mukundan called for sustenance of the collaborative effort. He stated, “These latest statistics from the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre are encouraging. However, first quarter statistics should not be a basis to anticipate trends through the rest of the year, as it’s too short a period. It, nonetheless, confirms the importance of information sharing and coordinated action between the industry and response agencies. Going forward, it is critical to continue to build a more effective reporting structure to enable a strong, unified response when dealing with piracy incidents.� Dakuku said regarding the latest IMB report that NIMASA would continue to do all within its powers and the law to reduce piracy and other maritime crimes in Nigeria’s territorial waters. He said the Federal Executive Council’s recent approval of the Deep Blue Project, an all-encompassing maritime security architecture, was a testament to the Buhari government’s resolve to tackle the menace of piracy. According to the Director-General, “This report by IMB is not a surprise because if you consider how seriously the President Muhammadu Buhariled Federal Government is paying attention to maritime safety and security, which led to the approval of the Deep Blue Project geared towards tackling all illegalities in the maritime sector, you would understand that these are the best times to invest in maritime in Nigeria.� The Nigerian government aims to rid the country’s territorial waters of criminalities through
the Integrated Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, also known as the Deep Blue Project. Initiated by NIMASA and operated in collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police, and the Department of State Services (DSS), “The Deep Blue Project is a multipronged approach towards tackling insecurity in our territorial waters and the entire Gulf of Guinea,� Dakuku stated recently in Lagos during the graduation ceremony for participants of the C4I Intelligence System Operator Course for the Deep Blue Project. The Deep Blue Project is a multilayered scheme comprising various complementary aspects, including the training of operational personnel, acquisition of assets, such as fast intervention vessels, surveillance aircraft, and other facilities, and establishment of a command and control centre for data collection and information sharing to facilitate the goals of targeted enforcement. “The Deep Blue Project is geared towards building a formidable integrated surveillance and security architecture that will comprehensively combat maritime crime and criminalities in Nigeria’s waterways up to the Gulf of Guinea.� Nigeria is strengthening its laws and investing in training, intelligence, acquisition of maritime security assets, and regional collaboration to enhance safety in its maritime domain. The Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offences Bill, 2018, sponsored by NIMASA, has been passed by the House of Representatives. Dakuku used the opportunity of the budget defence to appeal to the Senate to give concurrence to the bill to facilitate its enactment as a law to provide a legal framework for the prosecution of maritime offences. “We need adequate security on our waterways, the very reason why the anti- piracy bill already passed by the House of Representatives is urgently needed,� he said. The bill incorporates the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the Suppression of Unlawful Acts at Sea (SUA) conventions of IMO into a comprehensive statute to tackle the menace of piracy and related crimes in the Nigerian maritime domain. NIMASA, as the Designated Authority (DA) responsible for implementing IMO statutes, has adopted a Total Spectrum Maritime Security Strategy to combat insecurity on the country’s waters and in the Gulf of Guinea area. It has hinged its maritime crime combating effort on the initiative, which has four components, namely, situational awareness, response capability, law enforcement
and local partnerships, and regional cooperation. There is the Nigerian Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) at Kirikiri, in Lagos, which helps to disseminate information in the Nigerian maritime domain. With this, incident reports from Masters of Ships/Skippers on piracy attacks or suspicious crafts are promptly relayed to the Nigerian Navy for immediate response. Distress messages will also be directly intercepted by the NMRCC, eliminating delay in the transmission of messages. The Agency is working out modalities to ensure that all ship owners install Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) on their vessels. The SSAS, when triggered on board, automatically alerts the MRCC and the naval authorities of any piracy attack. At the bilateral and multilateral levels, Nigeria is at the forefront of efforts to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea. The country recently carried out joint maritime security patrols with Benin Republic, codenamed “Operation Prosperity�. The exercise has helped to reduce pirate attacks off both countries’ coast. Nigeria has been participating in regional exercises with other countries’ militaries. These efforts have yielded positive results, as Gulf of Guinea member states now conduct cross-border patrols, share law-enforcement intelligence, and maintain joint coordination centres. The US Navy component of AFRICOM has been conducting exercises, such as Obangame and Saharan Express, in line with operational agreements. NIMASA fully participated in the 2018 edition of Obangame Express held in the Gulf of Guinea region. Last year, NIMASA conducted a joint maritime security exercise with INTERPOL, tagged “Operation 30 Days At Sea�. The operation involved the country’s security services, including the Nigeria Police and Nigerian Navy. The country is doing a lot to ensure safety on its waters. And by the accounts of IMB, these efforts are yielding fruit, making Nigeria’s maritime domain increasingly conducive for business. The maritime crime fighting and reporting organisations need to continuously show they are completely on the same page with Nigeria. “We should change our focus to the modest achievements and efforts we have made in maritime security, and eschew perceptions that tend to feed the hubris of enemies of our country,� says Dakuku.
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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚Π˜ ͺ͸͚Î
Enelamah
Enelamah: We’ve Reached Point of No Return on Economic Zones Company Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, was literally in the eye of the storm, following a mild controversy with members of the National Assembly over the status of the federal government-promoted Nigeria Special Economic Zones Investment Company (NSEZC), a special purpose vehicle designed to build infrastructure and drive industrialisation across the geo-political zones. In this interview, with Ndubuisi Francis, Enelamah says the fog over its ownership has been cleared. He also addresses other pertinent issues. Excerpts:
H
aving spent about four years in ofďŹ ce, what would you consider as some of your achievements?
The more I spend time in public service, the more I understand the power of partnership. Partnership, in the sense of different stakeholders coming together, to guarantee harmony. And I say this in the context of public service, to the people that you have come to serve, sometimes it’s humbling you realise that you serve best when you serve a wider team that’s working together for the common good. And if I step back and reflect on the three and half years that we have been here, I have to start by saying that when I was given the opportunity to serve, the first thing was that I took bearing from the vision of the president. And the vision of the president ,which I think is relevant is the threepoint agenda, which is securing the nation, fighting corruption and importantly the economy. What became clear (same point I made about understanding the power of partnership) is that it’s always important to remember that unless you work as a
team, you won’t be effective. So, if you think about the economic agenda, for instance, part of the broader vision on the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan which was developed after the first year when we had something called the Strategic Implementation Plan, which is part of the things you have to get right to stabilise an economy that was already going into recession. Within that context, the plan we have for the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment is situated. I will just to make a couple of comments on the ERGP. One is that, in terms of the objectives, I think it’s right. There are three objectives that remain highly relevant; one is to focus on quality growth, two is investing in our people, I’m very obsessed with the issue of enabling environment, which is one priority of our ministry and I believe that if you sort that out, you will fix Nigeria. Third is trade. This, as you know, deals with your interactions both domestically and internationally. What we focused on was: how do we create a relationship or partnership that will foster trade, both domestic and international trade? How do we recognise favourable trade agreements or relationships? The fourth area we focused on was micro, small and medium
enterprises. You will agree with me that if you can champion the course of MSMEs to the point that we will address most of our problems. If every MSME created jobs, then you will be looking at more jobs than we need. The final area is investment, which is why these three pillars are tied together--industry, trade and investment. The good news is that on each of these things, we have achieved major reports, several initiatives and some still on-going. I talked about industrialisation, being the pillar of our five-point agenda in Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. Under industrialisation, there are three policies that we are pursuing-- that we think will make an impact on industries or industrialisation overtime. The first one is that we have established an industrial council, something called Nigerian Industrial Policy and Competitiveness Advisory Council, which the membership is made up of leading stakeholders in the private sector and senior members of government, ministers, CBN Governor and it’s chaired by the vice president and I am the vice chair. The whole idea of this industrial council is that we look at the critical issues affecting
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We’re Targeting 20% of GDP from Manufacturing industry, with a bias for implementation. There are six broad areas we focus on which are critical --infrastructure, financing for industry, policy stability, skills acquisition and vocational training, trade and market access and finally working with the states. From the point of view of basically making sure that the things industrialists and manufacturers want from the state, whether it’s in terms of land, addressing multiple taxation and so on, they are addressed. The second area, which is where this question is focused on is that we also decided that we would do industrial infrastructure. First, we look at all the countries that have been industrialised, in fact, the rapidly industrialised countries in the last 30 years. We saw a common trend; we recognised that when it comes to infrastructure, it’s simply too complex. We also understand that industry is so important that they prioritise infrastructure for industry, and they concentrated their efforts in terms of power, transportation and logistics to make sure those places became very competitive centres of excellence and that does a lot when it comes to rapid industrialisation. Nigeria has talked about it for 30 years, but we have never really added concerted effort to break the back of this problem and doing it. So, one of the things we focus on is doing it. We also focused on sector reforms within industry-- what are those sectors or areas within the industry or commodities or productswherewehaveacomparativeadvantage, where we ought to have specific policies that will help grow those things here and produce them here?And normally, agro-processing--- you know Nigeria is very endowed when it comes to agriculture and petrochemicals. In those two areas, we have come up with various policies to address particular commodities or products. So, if you like tomatoes, cassava, oil palm, cashew nuts, cocoa, these are things that we did in the past and the point is that how do we ensure that we produce them in sufficient quantities and quality and also process them? And we have done a number of things.You then come back to the question of industrial clusters and special economic zones. When the president went to China in 2016, I went with him. He visited a number of special economic zones in China and it was an eye-opener. While there, we met one of the top advisers, who is a chief economist at the World Bank, who is now in the business of advising other countries on what they did. We invited him---he came and shared their experience with us. When we came back, we now decided to launch project made in Nigeria for exports. This is because if you can produce to the point where you are competitive enough to export, then you will be competitive enough theoretically as well and addressing problem of basically import. And in order to do that, you come back to industrial infrastructure, and knowing that we can’t afford the resources, the know-how or capacity to do it all alone, we decided to pursue a strategy of public and private partnership with other players who are interested. We targeted raising $500 million in the first instance to just build this industrial infrastructure, but in a way that will be done to world class standards, using world class governance, management and policies and operations. We called that initiative Nigeria Special Economic Zones Investment Company. I’m sure you have heard the talk about a private company, the so-called private company uses private-public partnership which the president supervised a signing ceremony with these other investors on February 8. It was a high point of more than one year of work. So, trying to dismiss that effort as the main effort of one man is mindboggling. It’s just one of those surprises which you have to deal with operating in Nigeria because it raises the question of what more could you have done. If the president of a country sits over a ceremony where investors come in, we are talking about the likes of Afrexim Bank, AfDB, African Finance Corporation , Bank of Industry and Nigerian Sovereign InvestmentAuthority‌ Now, these five players with the federal government owning 25 per cent through the Ministry of Finance Incorporated were those that came together; two of them came as observers, two signed the agreement.Afrexim Bank and Bank of Industry and one signed an MoU to complete their work--Nigerian Sovereign InvestmentAuthority. And all that work has progressed since then. The reason that is important is because you’re targeting raising $500 million with the federal government providing 25 per cent and we have been working on that, and we are looking to
billion, the year before that it was over $60 billion. Now, the challenge for us as a country and as a ministry is how much of this do we convert. And we must convert more. The conversion rate of this commitment people have shown is the key. And that’s why we know that Nigeria has the potential. I do believe that we are well on our way but we must go back to that enabling environment because what they need is the right environment so that when they put in their investment, they will suffer loss. The credit goes to NIPC primarily; what they did was to basically look at what should be pioneer industries and because we need investment, we have chosen to be brothers, none of any industries here in Nigeria that has not achieved maturity. When you want to invest, you should consider it a pioneer industry.
The issue ofAfrican Continental FreeTrade Agreement (AfCFTA) comes to mind.Nigeria is yet to sign. What is your take on that?
Enelamah
establish world-class modern industrial parks across the country. We are also looking to revamp two existing industrial parks that the government owns---Calabar industrial park and the one in Kano. And all that is on-going because we have gotten approval. What we are doing now is attempt to establish three more as a module. We have one in Lekki where we are trying to do one for export of textile, garments and another one in Abia State and it’s a huge site--- about 9,000 hectares and another one in Katsina for cotton and all these things have received approval and we are now going through the budget process, which has been a subject of media attention in the last several weeks. The whole idea is that this will continue for the next 10 years. What do we want to achieve with these? We believe that if we do this right, we will be able to generate over $30 billion of exports. And this could become an annual stuff once it reaches maturity. The research also showed that we will create 1.5 million direct jobs, and for each direct job we create, you create six or more indirect jobs. So, we are basically looking at 10 million jobs. We also want to move manufacturing industry from 10 per cent of GDP to 20 per cent. This is an extremely important initiative of the government and it is important it’s reported right so that people can understand and support it. First, we have worked with the senate on this. They actually helped to select some places where we are doing the feasibility studies and expansion. So, if you go to 2017/2018 budget, you will see it. What happened was I believe that some mischief makers went to the senate and told them to watch it; that it looks like a private thing. That made them raise the question that, how come we are trying to establish Nigeria Special Economic Zones Company, whereas for example, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) can do it? And if you are partnering the private sector you can’t tell them to come and buy shares, they cannot buy shares, it’s an agency. So, telling NEPZAto do it is ill-advised unless NEPZA will register the company. And we are working with NEPZA; we have a steering committee where we included them. However, mind you, it’s not necessarily a bad thing that questions are being asked. The important thing is those questions need to be addressed and we need to stay focused and achieve the result. And my recommendation to the government will be that the engagement must continue and also the investment must continue. We have passed the point of no return; the president has supervised the signing agreement and they are legal agreement. Work is ongoing and I believe we will implement them the right way. When you say budget, I told you that the target
we are trying to raise is $500 million, so 25 per cent is obviously $125 million.
Will $500 million be enough to set up three special economic zones and provide facilities for them? These things have a multiplier effect. If you look at my previous background, I was in the equity business. $500 million is the equity. This meansthatanycompanycapitalising$500million, first of all, can raise multiples of that effect. The reason they are interested is not just because they will contribute the equity, but also because they will provide the infrastructural financing, the project financing. In fact organisations like African Finance Corporation told us that their main interest is infrastructure, inside and outside-infrastructure as project finance. But obviously, we are saying come together as a club first, own this umbrella company that will supervise and provide management and goodwill. It also gives us an opportunity to work with the rest of the government, so the special economic zones will be included in our plan. It will be the focal point in terms of making sure that the projects actually receive attention and are properly implemented to world class standards.
You said attracting investments is one of your major focuses. Will you be able to put a number to how much you have been able to achieve in this regard? Investments can be looked at in different forms, there’s foreign and domestic investment, there’s portfolio investment and then there’s direct investment. Let me focus on direct investment. If you look at foreign direct investment for instance, when we came in, it had declined because of the oil price and pressures on the currency. What we did was to strengthen the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission. We also re-launched the Export Expansion Grant. We are now starting monitoring and all those things were to engage businesses and various stakeholders. The first sign that you monitor is the commitment people make; the investments people have announced. I will give you another example: when the president was in China last year for the Forum on China—Africa Cooperation( FOCAC) as it is called, we met with the Ruyi Group, one of the largest and most successful Chinese international textile garment companies. They committed to invest $2 billion in Nigeria. If we go ahead with our industrial infrastructure now; if you look at the investments that were announced just for last year, the commitment people announced at the state level and federal, which is by Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), it’s over $90 billion, the year before it was over $70
I will answer that question in two parts, the first part is that, the African Union summit, which is the highest decision-making body for heads of government and state, made the decision rightly that they need to improve intra African trade. If you look at every other region in the world, the African trade hovers around 15 per cent; that is trade within. So we are way behind. The AU summit is right on a lot of things: why don’t we enter an agreement that will create the rules and basis right by recommending collaboration?. But having 12 to 18 months for a country framework agreement, most people decided to get the agreement signed by the heads of state and then go, engage your people, get into the details of the agreement, terms of the agreement. Then have to do what programmes as I call it. This is where you spell out in detail what you’re going to do. So, right now, when it became clear, that was re-inforcing the framework agreement in Nigeria, which was a different pattern, I think, probably the beginning of it. For most of our stakeholders, understanding the prowess of this agreement said, you know that you need to understand what’s in it. The president considered that and he wisely decided that he will hold up, let’s do those stakeholders’ engagement.You don’t know what the consequences are, you may end up compromisingsomethingormakingitadumping ground. So on the basis of that, they decided to not sign it, not to sign immediately. That work took over a year to be completed. Now, having finished that work, the president now asked for impact assessment, the pros and cons. So he set up a committee chaired by myself and the chief of staff to the president, basically to oversee a technical group. I am hopeful that the president will sign the agreement which includes remedies and plan of action and how we will engage and make the most of it. The point is let’s do it well and I think Nigeria has such strategic importance. By doing it well, we can provide leadership.
I expected you and your team to take a more vigorous campaign of encouraging Nigerians to patronise made-in-Nigeria goods. What is your take, sir? Yes to an extent, it is the duty of the government plus plus. I said plus plus because first government has a duty to make it viable to produce here, the enabling environment so that people can produce here. Secondly, government has a duty to lead by example. But we have put some measures in place and those are landmark measures. Look at Executive Order number three, government has committed itself and said 40 per cent of whatever it buys will be made in Nigeria and of course that directive has gone out to all our ministries, departments and agencies. Government also put up an Executive Order number 5 saying that where services (it could be technical services) can be provided by Nigerians, please use them first. Now, what are we doing to market, to promote or advertise? That’s the part that is collective, because those that are producing goods will advertise their products and government will do an umbrella advertisement. Made in Nigeria is good; we took to cabinet, a comprehensive proposal with the Ministry of Information and Culture about made in Nigeria which was approved and of course the implementation. Like you said, I wish it’s more vigorous. We have to be ahead of ourselves. That’s why I said the goods have to be there. We have to help them to increase that local value. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
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˜ ˞ MAY 19, 2019
MARKET NEWS
SAHCO Gets International Air Transport Association Recertification Goddy Egene Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO) has been recertified by International Air Transport Association(IATA). The Managing Director of SAHCO, Mr. Basil Agboarumi , said in a notification to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday that the recertification came after the company passed the IATA
Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) standards audit conducted on the following the expiration of the previous certification. By this recertification, SAHCO has continued to model its operations in Lagos and Abuja to ISAGO standards, as a result making a commitment to continue to operate to globally accepted industry best practices.
A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return. An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the
According to company, audits cut across load control, passenger and baggage handling, aircraft handling and loading, aircraft ground movement, cargo and mail handling. “The revalidation was issued to SAHCO after an onsite confirmation of the implementation of the ISAGO Audit which was certified to be in compliance with internationally recognised quality auditing
floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 16May-2019, unless otherwise stated.
principles. ISAGO audit is essential to promote safe ground operations and understanding of high-risk are as within ground operations, the audit also eliminates redundant audits from airlines thereby promoting a uniform audit process and harmonised standards that improve quality standards in aviation ground handling,� the company said. SAHCO was listed on the NSE
last month. Agboarumi had said that the company was one of the success stories of privatisation in Nigeria. According to him, they needed to give Nigerians opportunity to benefit from the success story and also to make the company more feasible, hence the listing, which followed an initial public offering(IPO).
“SAHCO Plc’s future strategy seeks to create long term shareholder value through the profitable operation and expansion of its business beyond Nigeria and into other West African markets with vision to become the leading provider of passenger ramp and cargo handling services in the West Africa sub-region,� Basil noted further,� he said.
Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors. Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return. NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.
DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 148.26 149.99 -5.85% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 8.11% Nigeria International Debt Fund 276.52 276.52 1.21% 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 0.88 4.13% ACAP Income Funds 0.63 0.63 13.05% 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 13.31% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.29 2.31 3.11% 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 15.58 16.05 -6.10% ARM Discovery Fund 345.18 355.58 -3.21% ARM Ethical Fund 28.94 29.82 2.49% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.14% 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 N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 1.81 1.81 8.99% 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 13.98% Paramount Equity Fund 11.96 12.04 1.18% Women's Investment Fund 105.49 106.03 1.81% 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 12.74% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 98.93 99.39 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 98.87 99.18 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.85% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.83 0.84 Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.19 1.19 6.43% 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 12.49% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 12.39% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,185.44 1,186.26 6.21% FBN Heritage Fund 142.64 143.61 -0.10% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.16% 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 140.57 142.57 -6.29% 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 Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.28% Legacy Debt Fund 3.39 3.39 4.56% Legacy Equity Fund 1.13 1.15 -7.39% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.05 1.05 1.80% 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 2,958.99 2,988.19 -0.85% Coral Income Fund 2,886.89 2,886.89 5.38% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.92% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 108.18 108.53 0.93% GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A
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 12.23% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.12 2.15 -1.20% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 14.91% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 129.96 130.04 3.98% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD ďŹ ncon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.17 1.19 2.43% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,096.85 1,096.83 5.08% 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 10.63 10.72 -7.60% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.16% 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 1.26 1.29 3.01% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.40 11.46 2.52% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.93% 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 121.70 122.09 0.73% 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 1.02 1.02 5.21% 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 2,341.01 2,352.73 1.12% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 201.05 201.05 5.74% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.91 0.92 -3.68% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 254.00 254.03 4.79% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 157.06 158.74 -3.75% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.67% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,995.61 8,083.64 -5.86% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.11 1.11 2.36% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.19 1.20 -0.46% United Capital Bond Fund 1.69 1.69 5.82% United Capital Equity Fund 0.68 0.70 -3.44% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.06% United Capital Eurobond Fund 110.52 110.52 3.04% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.12 1.12 2.31% 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 10.25 10.41 -2.68% Zenith Ethical Fund Zenith Income Fund Zenith Money Market Fund
11.94 21.75 1.00
12.07 21.75 1.00
-0.30% 12.87% 11.47%
REITS NAV Per Share
Yield / T-Rtn
5.40 120.61 52.31
-44.85% 2.45% 1.10%
Bid Price
Offer Price
Yield / T-Rtn
9.57 100.40 81.07
9.67 102.52 82.56
-9.29% -14.42% -8.58%
Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund
VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva GrifďŹ n 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund
funds@vetiva.com Bid Price
Offer Price
Yield / T-Rtn
3.54 6.38 13.14 10.43 155.28
3.58 6.46 13.24 10.63 157.28
-11.52% -16.18% -12.04% -15.46% 8.12%
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.
T H I S D AY • SUNDAY MAY 19, 2019
29
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T H I S D AY • SUNDAY MAY 19, 2019
A
WEEKLY PULL-OUT
19.05.2018
YINKA DAVIES
Being on Stage Helps Me to Think Clearly ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/funkola2000@gmail.com
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T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R ˞ ͯ͡, Ͱ͎ͯ͡
COVER
Davies
I Was Notorious as A Secondary School Girl As her mellifluous voice wafts from the stage through the auditorium, an instant delirium is elicited from the crowd. With electric performances and her eclectic character, she never fails to send her fans into rapture. Her voice is intrinsically powerful; even her artistry is uniquely ingenious. Soulful in delivery, thoughtful in idealising, Yinka Davies is arguably Nigeria’s biggest understated female artiste. In this interview with Adedayo Adejobi, she unveils her enigma, public and private persona, and charisma
Y
ou seem to have been off the radar musically and doing a lot of stage plays these days. Are there plans for a career shift, or are you cooking some new music in the studio? Theatre performances are time-consuming, yet intensely rewarding for me. Being on stage helps me to think clearly. So, when every time I get the chance to be part of a play for a stage, I jump at it. Recently, I almost bit more than I could chew and I bowed out gracefully. How do you assimilate the inuence of the various people in your band? I’m not a learned musician. I can’t give them their tonic sol-fa notations off the cuff as they give themselves. However, not one
sound can elude me. This is my blessing from God. A host of musicians name it – horns’ men, bassists, keyboardists – that had worked a bit or a lot with me will tell you I don’t play with sound. This is probably why a host of my band members are comfortable with me – I hope. What does music mean to you? Music is information presented to the ears that are willing to be soothed by sound. What inspires you? Anyone and anything honestly, it could be a look, a pose – anything. Please, explain your creative process. I apologise: it’s not something that I can say I do. I’m only blessed to be gifted and to recognise the ‘wave’ when it comes
to me to write. But to tell you the process, I will need the Father to help me here.
have that feel. My first choice has always been the Federal Palace.
Is there a hidden meaning in any of your music, Black Chiffon? Not entirely.
Have you ever dealt with performance anxiety?
What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps? To the person, I say: please allow patience to run its course in your life. Don’t learn things the hard way as I did. Let the Holy Spirit guide you and don’t insist on doing things your way without having a super-agreement with God first. One more thing: remain very playful and ever grateful. That’s the ultimate for your blessings.
It’s always going to be there. Tell us about your favourite performance venues. I love nature. I love land, sea and air experiences so I look for great grounds that
What were you like in secondary school? Notorious! A loner: always looking for trouble and yet, always getting love with all my aggravation.
What is your favourite part of being an artiste? It’s the joy of being inspired to write and see people’s reaction to a new sound.
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MAY 19, 2019˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R
COVER What makes you mad? It’s when there are no real bases for doing what humans do to fellow human beings. What song instantly puts you in a good mood? ‘Because of who you are’. What is your greatest indulgence? Seven large tablespoons of Milo with a teaspoon of coffee, and hot water to caress my feet – and some smooth sound playing in the background. When do you think the wedding bells will ring? When the time is right. Are you getting married? I trust to be going on honeymoon soon yes... Who is your ideal man? He’ll be someone who loves and fears God, loves to build people and is willing to go the extra mile to make people find rest in their hearts, in their businesses, and in their homes. As long as he’s got a great soul, I’m gunning for him straight. Would love a man whose sex drive is excellent, so much that he wants it every day or the once-in-a-while type? This is irrelevant to a life of purpose. What would you do if you caught a member of staff kissing your man? It must mean he made her smile. What is your biggest fear? Not knowing what to do. Would you date a fan? Should his person be sound, both in heart and mind after the euphoria of seeing what the world calls a star and still remains calm yet glad – na me go chase am. What annoying habit do you have? It’s eating the skin off my fingers. Who is your inspiration? Every living soul, especially Jesus.
What’s on My Mind When in Bed Alone What is your assessment of presentday music? Those who know good music are still out there, serve them. Some think you should go commercial. Do you align with that? Music is music. It grows on you. There’s nothing called commercial or elitist music. Sound is sound. What’s your favourite 1990s jam? ‘Places you find love’ by the legendary Quincy Jones.
gatherer? I’m both actually: two extremes that have come to be of use whenever the need arises. If you were a new addition to the crayon box, what colour would you be and why? That would be a dash of paleness because I love complicating and utterly gobsmacking sense of style.
If you could be any animal, what would that be and why? I belong to the species that speaks. Why would I want myself to be less than who I am?
Say, we’ve wrapped up the interview and you stepped outside the office and find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million. What would you do? Nothing; it’s just a tool to plan what to do – and more responsibility. Better to invest half of it to yield, and use the other half to build people.
What was the last gift you gave someone? It was the pleasure to see me perform.
What do you think about when you’re alone in your bed? My Lord Jesus
What’s the last thing you watched on TV and why did you choose to watch it? Construction is building, I like for us to build people.
If you woke up and had 2,000 unread emails and could only answer 300 of them, how would you choose which ones to answer? We must take ourselves seriously; there’s nothing wrong in employing people who have great minds to come to help you out and respond politely to all.
What do you work toward in your free time? Being alone with God; having a têteà-tête with Him and deriving pleasure knowing He’s smiling. What’s the most interesting thing about you that we don’t know about? That’s for you to find out. How will you rate your memory? Pretty decent for a woman that likes to forget what a day brings either good or bad. Are you more of a hunter or a
You are no doubt a creative writer with language. Describe the colour yellow to somebody who is blind. Whatever makes you smile is bright and yellow. Who will win a duel between Spiderman and Batman? Clearly, (it’s) Batman. How would you convince someone to do something they didn’t want to do?
By making sure, they are not aware they are doing it. Would you rather know a lot about a little or a little about a lot? Whichever one is appropriate for whatever is on the ground. For example, in a heated argument, better to stay neutral, know a little. Who will you invite to a dinner party? I will invite those who have the flair for dinner wear and wares. Which three celebrities will you like to join for a night out? The Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Do you prefer to be right, or to be liked? Being right or being liked does not help sir. Being true yet, humble enough to listen to all concerned before drawing a conclusion. What would you do if the sun died out? My light shines out and comes through Do you like to sing in the bath? Rare, but I’m not opposed to it. What is the first song you publicly performed? Being solong by Anita Baker You are very deep. What inspires your introspection? My Lord, my King, my Saviour, the God and Man Jesus Christ – the Lamb of God
What or who will you sacrifice your life for? Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for you and me. What’s wrong in living or dying for Him? Nothing. What single event has had the biggest impact on you? It was the day I literally saw the national theatre in 1986 and jumping hysterically saying to myself: Eureka! What’s the most crucial thing for a healthy relationship? Integrity. How would someone get your special attention? Every soul that’s created by God is special. My work is to make you achieve your full potential. Why do you think apocalyptic games, movies, shows, and books have become so popular in recent years? A new generation is being introduced to the way of life but (that’s being) watered down. What does it say about our culture or society? We are throwing our culture away and imbibing thin air. What keeps you up at night? Creativity. What’s the most extreme example of poverty you have seen? Everyone wants to be better than their neighbour.
What brings you the greatest joy? It’s when people are satisfied with services (I) rendered (to them).
What do some parents do that can screw up their kid? I don’t like the tone of this question but I can say it’s neglect.
What brings you the greatest satisfaction? It’s when all glory goes to God.
What will be a good theme song for your life? I will leave that to you to decide.
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T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R ˞ 19, Ͱ͎ͯ͡
FOCUS
Traore-Shumbusho
Creating Great Smiles for All Ages Passion, commitment, in-depth knowledge, unparalled customer service and a transformative vision were what propelled Founder/CEO of Smile 360 Dental Specialists, Dr. Amy Traore-Shumbusho, from operating a small dental practice less than 10 years ago, to becoming one of Nigeria’s largest and most successful practices today. As the world celebrates the World Orthodontics Health Day, Traore-Shumbusho tells Funke Olaode about the importance of Orthodontists, benefits of having one’s teeth examined by orthodontists and while a great smile can boost and increase self-esteem
W
hat is the World Orthodontics Health Day all about?
World Orthodontics Health Day falls on the 15th of May of every year. It is a day that has been set aside by the World Federation of Orthodontists that I am a Fellow Member to celebrate the specialty of orthodontics. And here in Nigeria at the Smile 360 our theme for this year celebration is “Creating Smiles for all ages�. We
are celebrating it because we know that a lot of patients out there don’t even know what orthodontic means. We know about dentist, we don’t know what or who is orthodontist. Today, we want to explain and at the same time create awareness who is orthodontist is and what orthodontists do. And what are the benefits of orthodontic treatment. An orthodontist is different from dentist in the sense that after qualifying as a dentist then you go into three or four year or sometimes five or six years to become an orthodontist. A dentist looks at your teeth, your gums
while an orthodontist looks at the alignment of your teeth. We look at the health of your teeth. Of course, people know an orthodontist as a specialist performing cosmetic side of dentistry because at the end of the day, we build healthy smiles and we also build beautiful smiles. So the impact that the Orthodontist has to the people has to do with building more self-esteem and how to carry out that beautiful smiles that can impact their lives both from the health aspect and the cosmetic side. Today (May 15) we are creating that awareness so that people can know
they can have orthodontic treatment done in Nigeria at Smile 360 just as there are other centers as well so that patient doesn’t have to travel abroad to have their orthodontic treatment done. The best service is available in Nigeria and we can say that we can deliver with international standard that is available out there. The second part is talking about the team for this year is creating healthy and beautiful smile for all ages. A lot of people are convinced that orthodontic is for teenagers or children meanwhile it is also for adult. At Smile 360 we have smaller, less visible, wireless braces
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MAY 19, 2019 ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R
FOCUS Shaping Your Teeth for a Better Future Even people out there who are highly placed. The work of orthodontist is to carefully move those teeth in right position. If you have an orthodontic treatment done by someone who is not a specialist you are at risk. So before you go ahead ask the right question.
that enable adults go into orthodontic treatment. So if for some reasons you are not happy with the smiles that you have or your parents couldn’t afford, we are in 2019, and in Nigeria, there is affordable orthodontic treatment with international standard and regardless of your age you can have an orthodontic treatment. And even if you are in high position and don’t want the wireless showing, there are aligners, ceramic braces so that adults up to the 80 years old can have an orthodontic treatment and you can start having orthodontic checkup as early as age seven you can assess how your new teeth are growing in that changing body that you have.
What is the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist? Well, a dentist fixes the teeth, fills the teeth and so on while an rrthodontic treatment can take 18 months to 24 months. It is a process. And during those two years you need regular visit of once in a month. Imagine if you want to go abroad every month for check-up definitely you will spend much. Here in Nigeria, we are more affordable and more importantly we deliver a world class and quality treatment you can get abroad. It is a way of building our country. We even have the ability now to do clear braces, we have the 3D digital printer combined with alignment technology where we can do our own alignment. It is something innovative that we are launching soon. Rather than having your treatment done in California or America you are able to have the same procedure done here. So we manufacture some of those braces and orthodontics appliances here.
For how long has Smile 360 been celebrating the World Orthodontics Health Day? This is the first time we are celebrating it in a big way but we have always promoted Orthodontics. We are one of the first centers that purposely built an Orthodontic Centre here in Nigeria. This is something that Smile 360 is known for and we will continue to create awareness about the Specialty. I am wearing three hats today because I am not only Clinical Director at Smile 360, I am also a Senior Orthodontist at Smile 360 and Vice-President for the Nigerian Association for Orthodontics. So I have that duty to create awareness about the Specialty in Nigeria. We are here to let the public know how to recognize an Orthodontist, making sure that Orthodontic treatment is done by a specialist that is eligible to practice orthodontic in Nigeria. There is always the cliché that the treatment is for the rich. How expensive is it? In terms of cost, people usually know that dentistry quite well has a price tag while Orthodontics is even more. But when you look at the benefit and the fact it is something that will impact your life. It is an investment for life. So I won’t say it is expensive. For instance, when we are paying for our children education it is an investment for their future and beyond the education, I think Orthodontics should be the next investment for any child out there because it is something that child will carry for the rest of his/her life. If people have toothache or tooth problem the next thing is to look for a dentist. At what point does one start to look for an orthodontist? What happens is that orthodontics is not just for a great smile. it is also put you in position for your teeth to survive. So we get a lot of people coming in with issues such as stability, tooth ache and teeth that are worn because they are in the wrong position so we refer them to an Orthodontist to put those teeth back into the right position. We see a lot of people with deformity or teeth that are not properly arranged. What’s your thought?
L-R: Business Development Manager, Smile 360 Dental Specialists, Mr. Olukayode Fadele, Clinical Head, Dr. Latre Bakoshi, Founder/CEO, Dr. Amy Traore-Shumbusho, and Health and Quality Manager, Dr. Apara Akinsanmi during a press briefing celebrating 2019 World Orthodontic Health Day organized by Smile 360 Dental Specialists in Lagos,... recently Etop Ukutt
Well, the awareness isn’t there, people don’t know that they can do something about their teeth even the rich ones. And that is why we are doing this in a big way to let people know that they can do something about the way they look, about their smile and health of their mouth. In Nigeria, you don’t have to suffer loss of teeth or bad smile. A lot of people don’t smile just because of their teeth alignment. What bad habits can affect one’s teeth or oral hygiene? From children, we have children sucking their thumbs, the tongue right from the womb that habit can push the jaw and deform the alignment of the teeth. It can also have an effect on your speech and how confident you are on your smile.
There is a limited number of orthodontists in Nigeria. What can be done to ensure that a lot of dentists specialise in this area? The World Health Organisation recommends ratio of 1 to 600 doctors but in Nigeria we have about one to about 3,500. Two yearsago,Nigeriahas 50 orthodontists and now it is 70. The good thing is that the number is increasing but the ratio is ridiculous. We have one orthodontist attending to three million people. The problem is that those orthodontists are not busy enough. In as much as we are 70 they are still not busy and that is why we are creating this awareness so that people can know the benefits and consequences of not fixing them. You can imagine talking with gaps within your teeth, it will affect your speech apart from your selfconfidence, and it affects your health.
For four consecutive years, Smile 360 Dental Specialists have won Nigerian Excellence Health Award. What makes you tick? According to Health and Quality Manager, Smile 360 Dental Specialists, Dr. Apara Akinsanmi, basically, we have been very consistent and always being innovative in our work. We believe in Smile 360 and we want to be the foremost Specialist in terms of service delivery. We believe in customer service in such a way that to make sure that anybody that comes to our clinic will feel the warmth of home away from home. That way people are willing to come to us. That I believe has always endeared us to our clients. In terms of the award it is actually the people that nominate us and they vote and not the organisers. Then the organisers will come in to find if we meet up to the international standard and we always meet up. Again, we have been nominated for the fifth time. So it is about our brand and our services. We have standard that we adhere to and we will continue to build tirelessly to deliver the best. Bring us up to speed about Smile 360’s corporate social responsibility Every year the clinic carries out its corporate social responsibility under Project Smile which was launched four years ago where we offer the public the chance to have a beautiful smile free of charge. So far about 22 people have benefitted from this gesture. We will have the public to nominate and vote for the beneficiaries and state why we must make their smiles beautiful. We need people to know and understand that a smile doesn’t just change what your teeth look like but change you as a person. Your teeth can actually change you from an introvert to an extrovert. It boosts your confidence and opportunities around you.
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High Life Okorocha’s son-inlaw, Uche Nwosu Fades Out.....Shuns Social Events If you want a human version of a star that briefly, brilliantly illumined the sky before losing its light and fading suddenly into relative nothingness, look no further than Uche Nwosu. The son-in-law of outgoing Imo governor Rochas Okorocha and candidate of the Action Alliance during the recent Imo governorship elections had had his reckoning with reality. No longer as popular as before, he has become a regular absentee at social events. Having had his fifteen minutes of fame on the political scene, Uche now has to contend with being ignored and marooned, without a leg to stand on. Okorocha, his father-in-law who handpicked him as his successor is currently fighting his own battles. Some of those who flocked around him when the promise of victory sounded sweet have also returned to the APC or bent over to ingratiate themselves with incoming PDP administration. All in all, Uche is all alone; even as he bravely fights on to overturn the election verdict that ushered Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP as the new governor. Recall that the Imo chapter of the All Progressives Congress became a battlefield as Okorocha tried to impose Nwosu, an action fervently resisted by the national leadership of the party who pronounced Senator Hope Uzodinma the party’s standardbearer. This led Okorocha to lead Nwosu and other disgruntled elements into the Action Alliance from which platform the latter contested and lost the gubernatorial elections. Initially, he thought Okorocha would be there for him as he sought repeal at the tribunal but the latter, currently wrestling with INEC over his certificate of return as the winner of the Imo West Senatorial District election, has only paid lip service to his godson’s travails. With no one of higher influence to turn to, Nwosu has been gnashing his teeth in private. He slunk into the comfort of his anonymous cocoon.
61 with KAYODE ALFRED 08116759807, E-mail: kayflex2@yahoo.com
...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous
In His Shell… Adeyemi Ikuforiji Withdraws To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven says the Ecclesiast and one person whose recent actions indicate his agreement is former speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji. Due to recent happenings in the political sphere that reconfigured the balance of power in the state, the decorated politician has decided to take a back seat and observe developments from the sidelines. One of the pillars of Lagos politics Ikuforiji has taken a step from the centre stage where he ruled the roost as one of the kingmakers that decided who got what. The memories of how he bestrode the state’s legislative chambers like a colossus remain fresh in the minds of many. Under his tenure, which spanned the eras of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Babatunde Raji Fashola as Lagos governors, the executive and legislature worked hand-in-hand to enact laws that uplifted the centre of excellence to new heights. Among his achievements as Lagos speaker were presiding over the creation of New Local Government Areas (Amendment) Law, 2005; Lagos State Number Plate Production Authority Law, 2006; Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority Law, 2007; Lagos State Signage and Advertisement (Amendment) Law 2007; Lagos State Citizens’ Mediation Centre Law, 2007; Lagos State Security Trust Fund Law, 2007. His aura did not dim immediately after leaving office in 2015. In fact, he was one
Otunba Runsewe
of those at the forefront of the keenlycontested race to take over from Fashola but fate and the powers that be in APC had other plans. The accomplished lawmaker who represented Epe Constituency for three terms ended up throwing his support behind the eventual winner Akinwunmi
Ambode who went on to clinch the Lagos executive seat. In no time at all, Ambode and Ikuforiji, his erstwhile challenger, became fast friends. The fact both trace their origins to the fishing community of Epe in Lagos East merely cemented a fraternal relationship born from mutual admiration. Whenever Ambode came under fire for some perceived shortcomings or the other, the former speaker was always the first to mount the walls in defence of his comrade. Even during the short-lived succession controversy that briefly threatened to tear Lagos APC apart, Ikuforiji stood by Ambode through thick and thin. He did his best to convince the ranks and file of the party that the outgoing governor should be allowed to also run for a second term like those who came before him. Alas, his pleas fell on deaf ears as Ambode was unceremoniously kicked out of contention in favour of the incoming governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Since then, Ikuforiji has found it more difficult to maintain his towering status of yore in the grand scheme of Lagos politics. Some of those who used to be at his beck and call are said to have dumped him and moved over to the opposing camp. Little wonder the welltravelled dude is hardly seen in recent important events and meetings ahead of the inauguration of the new executive governor. He has withdrawn into his anonymous cocoon to plot a comeback.
Who is After Kingsley Kuku? Rumours of Arrest Trail Former Amnesty Boss
Kingsley Kuku
More haste, less speed, cautions a timehonoured saying on the virtues of patience. And if Kingsley Kuku could turn back the hands of time, he would have chosen to stay on the long
but certain road rather than try to get ahead through a glittering, gleaming shortcut that promised much but delivered nothing except painful deportation. At least that is the rumour being peddled in town about the former head of the Amnesty programme during the tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan. The rumour, which has been debunked by Kuku’s lawyers as nothing more than the figment of a malicious imagination, claimed that Kingsley Kuku is currently licking his wounds and kicking himself in Ghana where he has been dumped by US immigration. According to this outlandish gossip, the eagle-eyed men of the United States immigration service caught him with his pants down as he tried to orchestrate a green card status for himself by arranging a marriage with a US citizen. Kuku had allegedly sought refuge in the United States in fear of persecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission who are looking to bring him in to answer questions concerning how he handled a 6.2 billion contract while he held sway atop the Presidential Amnesty programme. Somehow, claimed the purported expose published by one online organization, he managed to secure asylum on grounds of political persecution
in his home country. However, part of the conditions for his continued stay in America was that he must not travel to the country he fled from in the first place. The publication claimed Kuku flouted the stipulations by going for an arranged marriage interview where he was busted by the US Immigration. All of Kuku’s pleas thereafter fell on deaf ears as his asylum was revoked and he was bundled into the nearest international flight bound for Africa. He was deported to Ghana which was his chosen destination. He was afraid that the EFCC would be on to him in a jiffy if he had been returned to Nigeria instead. Since the outrageous rumour surfaced, not a few people have been wondering who could be after the well-connected dude who has been in the United States to pursue a doctoral degree. He was initially flown abroad to undergo surgery on a troubling knee and has been combining his recuperation with academic pursuits. It, therefore, came as a rude shock to many when his name suddenly became associated with green card racketeering out of nowhere. According to those in the know, Kuku is miffed at the development and has instructed his lawyers to deal with the perpetrators of the name-tarnishing story through any and all possible legal means
Celebration of Life… John Abebe Plans Big for Mother’s Burial
Okorocha’s son-in-law
In the next few weeks, connected businessman and grand old man of oil and gas John Abebe will throw a huge shindig in honour of his late mother, Madam Theresa Omosebhoa Abebe who passed away in December last year. The distinguished matriarch of the Abebe family who lived a long, eventful and accomplished life was 89 when she died. Mrs. Abebe was the wife of Dr. Christopher Abebe, the first Nigerian Chairman/Managing Director of United African Company, UAC, and Chairman, Nigerian Breweries Limited. She was a kind and compassionate wife and mother who inculcated the values of hard work,
dedication, and humility into her children from an early age. Her home education was the platform that John and his siblings used to launch themselves into successful careers. No wonder the in-law of political royalty is hell-bent on honouring her memory with a grand ceremony that will shake Edo State to its foundations. The burial proceedings will commence with a vigil mass at the Abebe family residence in Abia Quarters, Iruekpen, Edo State at 5 pm. This will be followed by the requiem mass the next day by 12 noon at the Stella Maris Catholic Church, Iruekpen. The grand reception will take place immediately after. With his stature in the business world
garnered over decades of uninterrupted achievement, not to mention his connections in the corridors of power, it is a given that the burial will be well attended by who’s who of high society, captains of industry and top political power brokers. John Abebe is the first Nigerian in deep offshore oil exploration. He successfully brought British Petroleum and Statoil into the Nigerian oil scene in 1991. He is a distinguished Alumni award winner of the University of Lagos and the first and only African and Nigerian to be awarded the Lifetime Achievement award of the International Cricket Council.
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HIGHLIFE
Intrigues as Gbemisola Saraki Eyes Kwara Ministerial Slot If feelers seeping out from the Kwara State chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress is anything to go, there is a titanic battle currently ongoing between two of the state’s prominent people in what amounts to a straight shoot-out for control of the local chapter of the APC. Both camps have started beating the war drums ahead of the impending inauguration of the new administration. In one corner with her followers stands Gbemisola Saraki, daughter of the late strongman of Kwara politics and second republic lawmaker Olusola Saraki. In the other corner is long-serving APC stalwart and former national Publicity Secretary of the party Alhaji Lai Mohammed. Like two elites athletes who have set their sights firmly on the finish line, Gbemi Saraki and Lai Mohammed are eyeing the ministerial slot for Kwara in President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term. While Gbemi is aiming to take her first bite of the ministerial apple, Lai Mohammed, the current minister of information and culture, is bidding to retain his position. Over recent weeks, Gbemi has been on a charm offensive, trying to rally prominent Kwarans under the APC flag to her cause. She is also allegedly in contact with top APC officials at the national level. She is leaving no stone unturned to secure what she regards as just rewards for the herculean efforts she expended to unseat her blood brother and outgoing Senate president Bukola Saraki from his perch atop the Kwara
Gbemisola
political totem pole. Expectedly, Lai Mohammed is not taking her recent moves lying down. They
have been telling whoever cared to listen that Gbemi cannot match Lai in terms of loyalty or contributions to the cause. Lai Mohammed, they opined, has been a staunch loyalist who stayed in the APC under its various guises, unlike Gbemi who is a relative newbie having only decamped in 2015. They also pointed out how Mohammed has done a yeoman’s job in his post and right from when he was the chief publicist for the APC. As the battle heats up, Gbemi and Mohammed are banking on their respective networks at the national level to gain the upper hand. Gbemi is said to have wormed her way into the heart of the APC national chairman comrade Adams Oshiomhole such that he always consults her before making any important decision that affects the party in Kwara. On the other hand, Alhaji Lai Mohammed is the designated leader of the party in the state and can count on the loyalty of much of the rank and file, despite Gbemi’s recent moves to win them over. He is also said to be very close to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In fact, he served as Tinubu’s Chief of Staff during his first term as Lagos governor. With the die cast and the stage set, all eyes are now on President Muhammadu Buhari and his advisers to see which of the two titans of Kwara politics gets the nod to represent the state as a primary minister in the 2019-23 executive cabinet.
Proud Father: Pastor Sam Adeyemi’s Son Graduates with Flying Colours Popular man of God and senior pastor at Daystar Christian Centre Pastor Sam Adeyemi and his wife Nike are over the moon right now as one of their children David completed his studies at the prestigious Emory University in faraway Atlanta, Georgia. The Adeyemis were in high spirits during this year’s degree-awarding ceremony of the acclaimed institution. Attired in brown suit and yellow skirt with white, blackbelted shirt respectively, Sam and Nike were grinning from ear to ear like two happy Cheshire cats as they clapped, congratulated and posed with their son on bringing honour to the family through his academic exploits. Their joy knew no bounds as the young tyke David Toluwani Adeyemi, one of the three happy issues of their 26 years of fruitful matrimony, was conferred with the school’s Bachelor of Arts degree at the One Hundred and Seventyfourth Commencement of the grand old school which took place on May 13. Emory
University is ranked within the top 80 in the world by reputable ranking bodies. In a related development, the dazzling and charismatic pastor has gone to town to rubbish insinuations that he is now the proud owner of a private jet. Rumours have been rife in recent times claiming Pastor Adeyemi exerted undue pressure on the church committee and strong-armed them into coughing up the billions of Naira for a luxury private aircraft. The popular preacher is known for being one of the few men of God that have come out to say the common practice of paying tithes isn’t obligatory. And now he has strongly come out to rubbish accusations that he secretly acquired a private jet for quick getaways whenever he has an appointment or ministration anywhere in the world. Those expecting Pastor Sam to join the league of jet-owning pastors should forget it, at least for now, as those close to him insist nothing like such is in the offing at the moment.
Adeyemi and son
Giant Steps‌ As Rotimi Akeredolu Takes Marijuana to Next Level
F
ailure can be excused if there really was no chance to succeed, but doubly unfortunate is the man who fails even when faced with an obvious road to the metaphorical land owing with milk and honey. Never mind that sometimes the roots of success look and feel like dead twigs, the governor of Ondo State, Barrister Rotimi Akeredolu is not a man to let go of opportunities just because the means might feel unpalatable to the conservative crowd. Where many see a deadly weed and intoxicant that cause social problems for the youth, Akeredolu sees a pathway towards boosting the internally generated revenue of the Sunshine State. As the hotbed of cannabis cultivation, Ondo is primed to tap into the fast-growing market for legal marijuana and the hardworking governor is not about to let the opportunity pass the state by. To this end, he has begun consultations with stakeholders both at the federal and state levels to put machinery in place to begin cultivation of marijuana. The project is envisioned to be modulated and strictly controlled to prevent abuse. It will be undertaken in partnership with the federal government and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) who will provide strict monitoring of the harvests to ensure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. The legal marijuana market has experienced an exponential boom in recent times following studies that have proved the multiple medical benefits of controlled marijuana use. Experts forecast the industry will be worth up to $145 billion by 2025. Little wonder Akeredolu is in a hurry to kick-start the state’s participation so as to establish a foothold before the market inevitably becomes saturated. “We all know that Ondo State is the hotbed of cannabis cultivation in Nigeria. We know how to grow it and it thrives well in the Sunshine State‌ We would be shortchanging ourselves if we failed to tap into the Legal Marijuana Market,â€? he explained.
Joyous Rollicking Times for Toyin Subair‌. As New Wife Gifts Him New Baby
Toyin Subair
About a decade ago, Toyin Subair was the young and enterprising upstart who came from nowhere to upend established practices in the Pay TV industry. He took the bulls by the horns as he challenged the entrenched player
MultiChoice and its DSTV platform with his own HiTV which soon became a hot cake that made many people abandon their DSTV subscription. In those good old days for Toyin Subair, HiTV scored a coup when it managed to snag the local rights to air English Premier League matches, placing it on a pedestal to rule the roost for years. As befits, an ambitious dandy who had pulled off the unthinkable, Toyin lived it large and long. He acquired a series of expensive wonder on wheels and travelled in pomp and circumstance wherever he went. He spent money like there was no tomorrow, and whenever tomorrow came, he spent even more. He looked for the entire world like a mad man. Until disaster struck when the company was unable to fulfil their financial obligations to the Premier League, opening the door for MultiChoice to march in and steal back the rights. To add insult to injury, Guaranty Trust Bank made a hue and cry of Toyin’s indebtedness, forcing the now harried dude to
flee to London where he hid in his anonymous cocoon. While there, he subsisted on the help and generosity of a few close friends like Kola Aluko, who stood by him when the going was tough. While in London, Toyin met and fell head over heels in love with Indian beauty Anita Gupta. Not a few months had passed since they began dating before he rushed to the altar to say his marital vows for a second time, surprising his friends who had thought he would remain single for life after his first marriage crashed like a pack of cards few years after his self-imposed exile. And now the beauty has blessed Toyin with a bouncing baby boy. Like a kid giddy with delight after getting his first taste of chocolate, Toyin rushed to social media to share the news with an accompanying picture. Although he has since deleted the post, congratulations have not stopped pouring in for the lawyer who is now in his 40s.
Rotimi Akeredolu
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HIGHLIFE
For Rahama Indimi, the Storm is Over
Rahama Indimi
Sometimes, it takes adversity to bring out the greatness hidden within a man or woman. Just like iron must pass through the fire to become steel, many a man or woman must be tried and tested by trials that strip away the baser aspects, leaving only a being full of determination and resolve behind. Such is the case with Rahama Indimi, daughter of billionaire Borno businessman Muhammed Indimi. After so many years
of uneventful marriage with Muhammed Babangida, son of former military president Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, Rahama’s world fell apart. She and her then-husband engaged in multiple rounds of public mudslinging as their union teetered inexorably towards the cliff’s edge before it crashed down. Even then, the last was not heard of the matter as they tussled in court for custody
of their four kids, a battle finally won by Muhammed, leaving Rahama distraught and miserable. But rather than wallow in despair like the vast majority would, the beautiful blueblood reached deep within her and found the resolve to forge ahead. She reconnected with her purpose, discovering in the process that flows not from fleeting joys of self but from lasting memories of kindness etched in the minds and faces of the impacted. And what better faces to impact than those of the refugees that litter her homeland in the Northeast, sad victims of the ravages of war? Thus, Rahama borrowed a timely leaf from her father, a renowned philanthropist in his own right, and made alleviating the plight of internally displaced persons in the region her number one goal. She founded the Yakolo Indimi Foundation whose mission is to empower mostly the women in those camps through education, skill acquisition, micro enterprises, farming, and enforcement of their human rights, financial aid and psycho-social interventions. She gathered a pool of committed volunteers and began to wage war on the myriad ills that trail those living in the IDP camps that litter the region. And in just a few short months, she has attracted the attention of the government as well as local and international donor agencies that have been flocking to her for partnerships. And so the woman rejected by a man has become the chief cornerstone for many,
Between El Rufai and Tinubu: Who Blinks First? What happens when an unstoppable force collides with an immovable object? That is the question on the lips of many who have watched in amazement as the hitherto cold war between Kaduna State governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and the Lion of Bourdillon Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu finally poured into the open. El-Rufai, who is well-known as a top figure in President Buhari’s kitchen cabinet and a man nurturing grand ambitions of his own in the not-too-distant future, stoked the flames recently when he recommended a mass democratic revolt of the 6 million registered voters to unseat Tinubu from his lofty perch atop the Lagos political hierarchy which he has occupied since 1999. There is no gainsaying that all roads lead to Bourdillon Avenue, Ikoyi when it comes to making any decisions over who gets to represent the state in the national assembly, state legislature, federal cabinet; even the state commissioners all the way down to who heads the 54 LCDA councils must be approved by the Asiwaju. Such is the extent of Tinubu’s control that even the heads of the vocational and transport unions and even the market associations report to him. Insiders close to the matter squealed to HIGHLIFE that certain northern elements within the Buhari administration see Tinubu’s formidable political machinery as their greatest obstacle towards their conquest of the southwestern political frontier. Given the indications that Tinubu himself is planning to run for president in 2023, they see him as a thorn in their flesh that must be removed for them to get their wish of another northerner succeeding Buhari.
El Rufai and Tinubu
Having swept to power in Kaduna and consolidated his own machinery, El-Rufai has been tipped by many as the consensus frontrunner from the North in the next election and he has already made moves to take over Buhari’s mass support. But penetrating the south-west corridor, and by extension, the economic goldmine of Lagos for support remains a mirage as long as the Asiwaju sits staunchly on his throne. Those are the alleged underlying permutations that finally resulted in an eruption of verbal hostilities as the Kaduna governor and the Tinubu camp launched angry missiles at each other. “I don’t know if he is the godfather of Lagos,� said the governor, “it is up to him to say that. What I know for sure is that we have
retired godfathers in Kaduna and I have told those that asked me the question that there are six million registered voters in Lagos and only one million voted in the last election, so there are five million people you can bring into the electoral playground and you can defeat anybody if you work hard but it is hard work; it is four years‌. If anyone feels offended, that is his business.� Expectedly, the Lagos chapter of the APC didn’t take the construed attack on the Asiwaju lying low. Some of them have taken to the media to dismiss El-Rufai’s utterances as cheap talk borne out of jealousy and inferiority complex over his failure to achieve anything close to what Tinubu has achieved in Lagos and national politics.
especially in Borno and Adamawa states, who would otherwise remain void of hope. Being able to put smiles on their faces with every vocational implement donated, the start-up capital distributed and the empowerment training conducted have become Rahama’s source of joy. No longer is she the frustrated woman prone to public and desperate outbursts. She’s transformed into a bold and confident humanist while losing none of the allure and ethereal beauty that made her the toast of high society.
Cecilia Ibru Regains Her Voice‌ Why She May Never Forgive Sanusi Lamido Sanusi Time, it has been said, heals all wounds. But some wounds can never truly heal. They leave deep red scars that cause the occasional groan or itch, painful reminders of love turned sour or trust gone awry. Just ask Cecilia Ibru. The woman who once bestrode the banking scene as a mighty colossus has since been laid low by the darts of fate. But far more than the transient machinations of fortune, what hurts her most was the betrayal of friends. Baring her heart and telling her story in her own words, or at least as much of it as she could bear to recount at the moment, Cecilia narrated a dramatic tale of soaring prospects extinguished and rugs pulled out from beneath her feet; of hopes dimming, of intractable court cases following allegations of corrupt enrichment with depositors’ funds, and of being stabbed in the back by friends. Fingering the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi for particular mention, the matriarch of the Ibru dynasty could not hide her disappointment, claiming that the then-CBN boss was one of those who used the chance of her myriad troubles to viciously stab her in the back. This, she maintains, was despite her standing as a pillar of support for Sanusi when he was going through uncertain times. Recall that Cecilia Ibru was the boss of defunct Oceanic Bank before she ran afoul of security agencies. She was dragged to court and eventually took a plea bargain option to plead guilty to a three-count charge of money laundering. She spent six months in prison and her assets worth 191 billion were forfeited to the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON). Yet, the perceived betrayal by Sanusi, now Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II of Kano Emirate remains fresh and raw, like a wound that periodically wriggles free of its bandage. To her dying breath, she remains of the belief that he deliberately threw her under the bus because he feared she would usurp him as governor of the apex bank, a position she claimed she was uninterested in.
The Stage is Set‌ Folasade Tinubu-Ojo Plans Big Bash The head of the market women association of Lagos aka Iyaloja General of Lagos Folasade Tinubu-Ojo is in the midst of putting finishing touches to the high octane shindig she is planning in celebration of herself and her predecessor in the post of Iyaloja General, Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, who was also her grandmother. The big event which for sure will attract the cream of high society has been slated for June 16, 2019. Though the venue hasn’t been fixed, sources disclosed that it will for sure be an upscale and spacious space, conducive to the very elite calibre of guests that are sure to grace the occasion. With her stature as Iyaloja General of Lagos, and arguably of the whole of Nigeria too, it is not an event anyone would want to miss.
No wonder the celebration outfit, aka abi that costs N60,000, is being snapped up as many have already indicated their intention to storm the venue for what will be a three-in-one affair. The event is a remembrance ceremony, coronation anniversary and birthday celebrations rolled into one. The occasion will be used to pay homage to the memory of her paternal grandmother Alhaja Abibat Mogaji who passed to glory on June 15, 2013. Before passing on, she had handpicked her granddaughter, who is the first daughter of the godfather of Lagos politics, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as her successor. Despite the hue and cry that trailed that decision, her granny’s command and
father’s influence were enough to vault her to that post, culminating in her official coronation on October 29, 2013. She will be celebrating the 6th anniversary of her installation as Iyaloja General on the same day. To cap it all, the woman of means whose word is law in every major market in Lagos will be celebrating becoming a year older on the same day. With such a triply joyous event approaching, she has been busying herself to ensure everything goes well without a hitch. Folasade is married to Ekiti-born politician Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo for over 15 years but it was only recently that the couple welcomed their first child, a baby boy.
Cecilia Ibru
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Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651
SOCIETY WATCH
Who is after Engineer Toyin Omotosho? If you ask Toyin Omotosho, an engineer, educationist and property merchant, one of the things he cherishes most in life, he will tell you, in his characteristic self-assuredness, that it is having a good name. Indeed, a good name, the Yoruba say, is better than silver and gold. So, having built a good name, for himself, Omotosho is ready to guide it jealously . No doubt, this explains why he was miffed that some people, whom he described as his detractors, are out to destroy his reputation over a little disagreement between him and executive members of Maplewood Estate, Lagos,where he resides and has a business. In a report, which has gone viral, Omotosho is alleged to have slapped a certain lawyer. But in a chat with Society Watch, Omotosho wondered why his detractors, whom he also said are envious of his rising profile, would elect to turn the truth on its head. He said, “ The whole story of slapping and engaging thugs to wreak havoc was actually orchestrated by my enemies.” Omotosho, who owns the popular Eyes On The Future School within the estate, narrated the circumstances leading to the ugly encounter between him and the estate’s Estate executive members, saying, “The issue started when I was going out of the estate for a medical appointment. “Surprisingly, when I got to the gate, the estate security personnel locked up the gate on sighting me while some executive members kept the keys. “No reason whatsoever was given for the closure of the gate. “At first, I was angry, but they later realised their error and everything was resolved. “That video clip that was posted in the social media that has gone viral did not even bear my name or identity, except for my picture that was graphically super-imposed in the story to give me a bad name. “The whole matter was outrageously overblown and misdirected by those who posted the malicious story, with my picture surreptiously embossed to give it a plausible outlook, especially in this age of social media technological breakthrough where any perceived enemy can be easily maligned and debased”. “ I did not slap anyone for whatever reason and I stand by my word. I couldn’t have done that. I am peaceloving man.”
Olori Sekinat Elegushi Heartbroken
Sekinat
The quest for higher education had led both of them to the Lagos State University, Ojo, many years ago. While they studied hard for academic excellence in their chosen courses, their
paths had crossed and they had been drawn to each other like bee to honey. In those days, their mates and friends generally knew they would end up as husband and wife someday because they
shared very strong love for each other. Last year, Oba Saheed Elegushi Kusenla 111, the Elegushi of Ikateland and his beautiful queen Olori Sekinat Aramide celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary to the admiration of all. Again, during the celebrations, they both professed their undying love for each other before the public glare. But as the world waited to witness their 16th wedding anniversary, the highflying monarch decided to increase his home front with another beautiful bride, Hadiza Tank Yakassai, who hails from Kano. Though the Oba is traditionally permitted to marry more than one wife, it came as a big shock to Olori Sekinat, who is said to be heartbroken now. It was gathered that the stylish queen was allegedly kept in the dark, until the wedding plans had almost peaked. “The reason is the Oba had always assured her that he would not marry another woman, in spite of his status” a family source told Society Watch. Olori Sekinat was said to be enraged until she was persuaded by top personalities in the society, especially the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi. The source further revealed that, although Olori Sekinat had been persuaded and accepted her fate in good faith, she is yet to get over it.
Kayode Ajulo’s Abiding Interest In the nation’s legal firmament, Dr. Kayode Ajulo is regarded as a shining light and a role model par excellence. A child of destiny, he grew up under the care of a father, who owned a bookshop, and a mother, who was a seamstress. In his growing up days, he had encounters with several brilliant legal minds, who used to patronize his father; so, he had secretly desired to become a lawyer later in life, with a determination to impact his society positively. Today, aside sitting atop one of the most flourishing law chambers in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and in some countries, he is the national secretary of a leading political party in the country, in addition to being saddled with some national assignments. Also, Ajulo, who is a member of the Committee set up to find a lasting solution to the incessant crisis between ASSU and the Federal government, has used his foundation, Egalitarian Mission Africa, to protect the rights of many across Africa. This, no doubt, has endeared him to many, most especially in his home state, Ondo. Society Watch gathered that he is
currently under serious pressures from his state, as the 2020 gubernatorial election draws near. It will be recalled that towards the just-concluded general election, he was rumoured to be interested in running for the Senate. But those who know better claimed that he was rather busy with the re-election campaigns of President Buhari in his capacity as the engine room of a high-ranking Buhari support group, Forward With Buhari. He was thereafter invited to join the APC Presidential legal team as counsel to provide a robust legal defence of President Buhari in the ongoing Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. It was further gathered that the ruling All Progressives Party is reportedly zeroing on him to be the party’s standardbearer in Ondo State come next year, as plans have been activated across party lines for a new governor after the fate of the incumbent has been sealed. The party’s leadership in Abuja, it was also gathered, is interested in him owing to his popularity and high-wired connections across the strata of the society. But Society Watch gathered that he seems not to be interested in any such
Kayode
elective post now, as he is more concerned about taking his legal practice to the next level and ultimately getting to the enviable peak of his profession.
US-based Businessman, Jim Omaraye’s New Passion
Sekinat Toyin
All his life, Jim Omaraye, Chairman/President, De-WestWind, USA, is known for his ability to discover and nurture talents. It was in pursuit of his passion that he created and produced Nigeria’s first ever education-focused movie. The Secret of Success, a production that starred Funke Akindele, who is one of the most popular movie stars in Nigeria. Interestingly, Omaraye, having made a name for himself abroad, has now returned home to pursue one of his other childhood dreams, which is to give back to the society. He has
Jim
set up a ride-sharing app/delivery service christened De-West Wind
Nigeria, a subsidiary of De-WestWind, California, USA. Speaking of the opportunities DeWestWind is offering Nigerians, he said car owners are welcome on the platform. “Drivers looking for cars to drive or car owners who want to put up their cars for rent are also welcome. Those who have motor bikes with service careers at the back are also welcome, he added. He further stated that DeWestWind, which is currently in Edo, Oyo, Enugu, Delta and Rivers States and FCT, Abuja, is giving a whopping 90 per cent commission to drivers.
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Ex-Lagos Lawmaker, Risikat Adeniyi-Adegeye’s Headache
Rizikat
Earlier in life, when she went into catering, beautiful Risikat Adeniyi Adegeye made a success of it. She would later find the allure of politics irresistible, especially having watched her mother play active roles in politics. Goaded by her desire to impact her society positively, she ventured into politics. With support from some individuals and groups, Adegeye, one of the wives of legendary Juju artiste, Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, aka Sunny Ade, first pitched her tent with the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, where she contested first as a councillorship candidate in Apapa in 1999 and subsequently as a House of Assembly member in 2003. Though her efforts did not bear any fruits while she ran on the platform of the PDP, she
never entombed her living dreams, politically. So, as fate would have it, her efforts paid off when she defected to the defunct Action Congress, AC, to contest for the House of Assembly seat in 2007. Today, if she were to review her decisions to go into catering and politics, she would most likely thump her chest and declare, with impressionable confidence, that they were some of the best she had taken in life. But can Adegeye say the same about her decision to obtain a loan facility from Sterling Bank Plc to the tune of N63, 951,292.44 in the face of her lingering legal tussle with the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON? It was gathered that AMCON had filed an application before a Federal High Court in Lagos to attach funds in her account, owing to her alleged failure to repay the debt. In an affidavit sworn to by AMCON’s credit officer, Patience Obute , and filed before the court by a Lagos lawyer, Olatokunbo Fatai, It was≠ alleged that, flowing from the banker /customer relationship, the bank, by an offer letter dated July 22, 2017, granted facility to the respondent in the sum of N23,100.000 for purposes of partfinancing the purchase of a four-bedroom semidetached duplex at the Central Business District, Opposite MKO Gardens, Alausa, Ikeja , Lagos, using the property at Plot A2,House3,Adonai Tekts Estate, Central Business District, Alausa, Ikeja as security for the loan. However, the mortgage facility allegedly became non-performing when she defaulted in repaying. Consequently, it was classified as nonperforming and sold to AMCON in accordance
with the AMCON Act 2010 as amended. Society Watch also gathered that the sum of N63, 951, 292.44 was outstanding as at November 29, 2017, owing to the defendant’s failure to meet her repayment obligation to the bank. In a bid to ensure the payment of the outstanding debt, AMCON reportedly entered into several negotiations with the defendant and even granted several concessions to her. But it allegedly resulted in naught. A source revealed that AMCON had approached the court to seek an order freezing the accounts of the defendant in any account with any eligible financial institution and restraining the defendant from removing or dealing with the assets located within jurisdiction. AMCON, it was also gathered, is seeking an order directing the Central Security Clearing System (CSCS) to deposit all shares belonging to the defendant into the accounts of the CSCS. “AMCON in the debt recovery suit is also seeking the order of the court for the exercise of power of sale as a mortgagee under a perfected tripartite legal mortgage between the parties. “AMCON verily believes that the politician’s funds in the listed financial institutions filed before the court will serve as pre-judgment security and the defendant will dissipate the said funds if unrestrained,” the source added. When Society watch spoke with the ex Lawmaker she told us to go ahead with the story. “ I don’t know what you are talking about you can go ahead and write your story” and she hung the phone.
When Adewale Tinubu turned a Preacher Again, the family of the late Alhaji Kafaru Oluwole Tinubu brought together conscious Muslims in and outside Lagos State to be fed with spiritual diets during this year’s memorial Ramadan lecture held on Sunday, May 12, 2019 at the popular De Blue Roof, LTV, Ikeja, Lagos. The event, which was chaired by Aderemi Muinudeen Makanjuola, Chairman, Caverton Offshore Group, was organised in honour of the late police boss to literally take Muslims faithful on a voyage around the blessings of Ramaddan under a convivial environment. The organizers’ choice of the two lecturers Imam Najim Jimoh, Imam, Light House Mosque, Lekki, Lagos, who spoke on Leadership, Service and Trust: A Necessary Tripod to the Next Level, and Dr. Salis Mohammed, Imam, LASUTH / LASUCOM Mosque, Lagos, who spoke on Homosexuality: Trial of Parenting in the 21st Century - was generally applauded by the excited audience. Both lecturers kept the audience on the edge of their seats, as they took turns to engage them during their brilliant presentations, which were peppered with copious quotes from the holy
Quran as well as Hadith, the sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammed, SAW. Interestingly, aside the engaging lectures, the audience, again, enjoyed some moments of spiritual uplift during the presentation of goodwill messages by some eminent individuals, including Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, a former Lagos State Governor, current Minister of Power, Works and Housing, and a former partner in K.O. Tinubu and Co. Legal Practitioners; Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the immediate former Governor of Osun State; Special Guest of Honour, Her Excellency, Dr. (Mrs) Idiat Oluranti Adebule, Deputy Governor, Lagos State and Tunji Bello, Secretary to State Government, SSG, Lagos State who represented Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief Host and National Leader of All Progressives Congress, APC. In particular, Wale Tinubu, Group CEO Oando Plc, who also gave a goodwill message, unwittingly offered a glimpse into his other side as a good orator, and even an “Islamic preacher” of a sort, especially as he espoused the benefits of the Ramadan, the need for uprightness by Muslims, while also evoking the memories of the late patriarch of the Tinubu family.
Adewale Tinubu
City Businessman, Rotimi Ajanaku Honoured
Rotimi
It was another moment of glory, penultimate Wednesday, for businessman and philanthropist, Otunba Rotimi Ajanaku, when he was honoured at the maiden Royal Inauguration of World Omoluabi Day as Asiwaju Odo O’odua of
Yoruba Land The event with the theme ‘’Omoluabi Ni Mi’,’ held at the palace of the Ooni of Ile Ife, Osun State, His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11. The Omoluabi Day, according to the Founder and President of the Egbe Igbimo Odo Yoruba Lagbaye( Yoruba council of Youths Worldwide) , Oladotun Hassan, was organised with the authority and support of Ooni of Ife, Her Majesty, Yeye Luwa Olori, Evang. Silekunola Moronke Naomi Ogunwusi and other notable Yoruba monarchs. “It was an all-embracing socio-cultural ȱ ȱ Ĵ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ stakeholders, captains of industry, professionals, youths, artisans, and all sons and daughters of Yoruba Land,” he said. Other Omoluabi Royal Icon awardees are: Her Majesty, Yeye Luwa Olori Evang. Silekunola Naomi Ogunwusi as Iyaniwura Oodua of Yoruba Land; Sir Olu Okeowo, Aare Maiyegun Oodua of Yoruba Land; Chief Abdulwaheed Adebayo Adelabu (Agba-Akin Parakoyi of Ibadan Land) as
Aare Atunluse O’odua of Yoruba Land; Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as Omoluabi O’odua of Yoruba Land; Oba Adetola Emmanuel King, GMD Adron Homes and Properties Limited as Aare Akinkanju Oodua of Yoruba Land; Rev.Mother Esther Ajayi, as Yeye Aremolekun Oodua of Yoruba Land; Dr. Kelly Nwogwu, Esq.GMD, Blue Sea Estate as Aare Alejo Oodua of Yoruba Land; Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, aka MC Olu Omo, as Aare Ataiyese Oodua of Yoruba Land; Chief Sunday Adeyemo as Agbaakin Akoni Oodua of Yoruba Land; Barr. Seyi Tinubu as Asoju Odo Oodua of Yoruba Land, among others. Royal Guests of Honour at the epochal event include HRM, Oba Dr. Adegboyega Dosunmu, CON; Olowu of Owu, Amororo 11, Arole Obatala Obalesun Agbaye; HDG Oba Isoro OO Dada, Erelu Tuwase Alderman Lola Ayorinde ( UK). The organisers revealed that the Day would be an exclusive yearly global celebration of Oduduwa descendants-cumfestival, aimed at promoting peace and unity among Yoruba sons and daughters.
Lagos Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Suarau’s Sterling Performance As the government of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in Lagos State is approaching the finishing line, political observers have begun to take a critical look at some of its far-reaching policies as well as individuals whose contributions will remain a subject of interesting discourse in the state and beyond for a long time. Interestingly, there seems to be a consensus that Hon. OluwatoyinIsiaka Suarau,theincumbentCommissionerfor Agriculture,hadplayedapivotalroleinthe successoftheadministration. Hisbrillianceandastutenessledtothe strategicpartnershipbetweenKebbiand LagosStates,whichbirthedthenowpopular Lake rice project. The project earned Lagos billions of Naira in return on investment, boosted rice plantation and curbed the excessive importation of rice into the country. When Suarau, a former Immigration officer, was appointed a commissioner in 2015, Ambode was hailed by many for his decision, describing it as a round peg in a round hole. Like a good wine that need no advertisement, his sterling performance in the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015 had earned him the respect and honour accorded him by his fans, who also lauded his appointment in the Ambode cabinet. It was gathered that the state had thrived tremendously in agricultural development on his watch, considering the fact that the Lagos Ministry of Agriculture recently embarked on a rice mill project, which will soon be launched. The mill, it was learnt, can conveniently boast rice production of billions of metric tons at a reasonable price for general consumption. Suarau, who holds a B.Sc in Business Administration and a postgraduate diploma in print journalism, is also a philanthropist par excellence. Society Watch gathered that he had enjoyed tremendous support from his constituents. As Chairman of Iba Local Council Development Area between 2008 and 2011, he inaugurated many projects that are still being talked about. In spite of criticisms in some quarters, he has continuously maintained that he would always respect the sanctity of his vow to his constituents and the people of Lagos in general.
Oluwatoyin
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with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)
Emir Sanusi, No Shaking! My dear brother, I am obliged to send to you once again this message of solidarity. As a traditional ruler like you, we have to stand together especially at a time like this. Our elder brother the Awujale has expressed his fear at the happenings in your domain. I would say fret not, all that is happening have been foretold and would not stand the test of time. You see what I am learning from all of these is a clear understanding of the politics of our brother here in Isale Eko. Our Oba here, no dey find trouble o. Anywhere they say he face, he go face o even if they say jump inside Lagoon, he go ask at what point for clarity. Is it near third mainland or the outer Marina? You see the wisdom there is the realization that power has left we the blue bloods and have resided in the hands of ‘thugs’ who not
understanding the usage of it for the greater good, have continued to use it for shallow and personal benefits. For our survival, we must all come down to Isale Eko to learn survival tips from our Egbon. The other day when he saw that the Igbo votes were now becoming critical, he issued a Royal Order asking them to align or jump in the Lagoon and during the imbroglio between the godfather and his estranged godson, after putting small mouth, he went out of the country. That is professionalism if you ask me. You have not learnt these things and that is why we are having these problems. But not to fret, this will not stand. Truth and justice will prevail. No video-acting political Lilliputian will come and desecrate an 800-yearold institution just because he feels like doing so and has the state Assembly under his control. This will not stand
and cannot stand. Time always have a way of sorting these things out. Remain firm, maintain your dignity and do not grovel. Do not beg anybody, do not send emissaries to those who are beneath you and maintain your dignity. All of us traditional rulers all over the country and even as far as the Kalahari are watching and praying for you. Should you need to go on exile please feel free to come here, we in Shomolu would give you rest. We will receive you and your entourage with warm open arms and will make sure you enjoy what little time you would be spending with us. One small thing though, we can only accept you, your wives and single female members of your entourage. The men can go to Idumota. I cannot shout. God bless you my brother, we shall overcome.
THE DUKE FINALLY MEETS OBJ Didn’t I say my birth was not normal? Didn’t angel Gabriel announce my birth to my father, telling him that I was coming with a virgin birth? The very first Ibibio man to have such honour. Didn’t my father ignore that angel Gabriel and quickly went into the other room to meet my mother just before angel Gabriel got there? Na angel Gabriel pay dowry? Mbok Lagos traffic delay angel Gabriel till my papa finish and dem born me for Okuyiga street for Shomolu. Well, mine was a special birth and as such I have been destined to do special things like meeting the man himself, the great one, the leader of leaders, the king of Kings and the Jehoshaphat of the cherubim – Chief Dr., General Olusegun Obasanjo. Na me o. I led a delegation including some great Nigerians – Bro Ibi Sofekun who wore pussycat boots, veteran actor Yemi Shodimu who forgot his cap, the great director and actor William Benson who dressed like Jaja of Opobo, Booby the talented photographer to capture the image for posterity and the excitedly beautiful Duchess of Shomolu completing the team. It was a wonderful meeting as my lord walked into his expansive hall to receive the Duke of Shomolu and his delegation. Baba was looking good as he moved towards his favourite seat. We all went flat on our tummies. When you see power, real power no be this Duke of Shomolu thing. This na authentic, you must bow. I was flat on the floor making sure my tummy touched the cold granite on the floor. Baba had to beg me to stand up. Me? Stand up? Civil war hero, the one that said SAP must have human face, the one that fought apartheid to a standstill with juju, the one that faced Abacha’s death squad and came out? The one that gave us mobile phones, the one that said
he was sorry for giving us Jonathan. The greatest letter writer of all time without a Nobel prize, Olusegun Matthew, Aremu
Obasanjo, I should stand up? Mbok leave me on the floor o. I remain there o. Discussions were expansive and thorough
Jim
Chief Obasanjo
Ambode
Godwin Emefiele – How? Mbok how did you do it o? How did you manage to secure this second term? It was meant for my partner. Apparently he had contested the House of Representatives in Ogbomosho under the AD and I had contributed N20,000 to the campaign. You know in politics you must invest. Anyways in the negotiation to step down, he had called me for advice that what should he ask for. I said CBN governor because that one we know need to campaign and there are some fine girls in that office. So that was our basis to step down. So it came to us as a rude shock when your reappointment was announced. Your juju man must be very powerful. I hear that in this democratic era with all the nepotism,
you have emerged the first CBN governor to win a second term. You are not a herdsmen, to the best of my knowledge you do not belong to the cabal and despite all of this, you emerged. Mbok you must write a book and show us the way. Anyways, let me congratulate you on this record-breaking appointment even as I admonish you to make sure the exchange rate remains the same at worse or make it better. That is my major concern. You must in this your second term be much more aggressive in fighting inflation - you are doing well in that regard but more could be done. Your fiscal and monetary policies must also be more robust and all-encompassing. I trust you can and will do well. weldone and congrats.
Godwin
Sanusi but I swore to secrecy and will not reveal our discussions which bordered on taxation of prostitutes, the intriguing relationship between Yahoo boys and EFCC and other such topics with national and global ramifications. Siddon there, you think I will talk so that they will ban me from Abeokuta. Aremu loading. DINO MELAYE – MY CONDOLENCE I hereby send my comprehensive condolences to you, Senator Dino on the unfortunate loss of your mother. It is indeed a great loss especially to me, one of your greatest supporters. I would have loved to meet with your mother to greet her and to say thank you for being the vessel God used to bring you to this world; not only to this world but to our Nigeria. I follow the pictures of the dignitaries that have continued to flock your home to pay their condolences. I am sorry I have not been able to make the trip just yet and this is because I am not sure where you are. Are you at the Abuja house, the same one that police laid siege to or in Kogi? If it is Kogi, I go wait till you come show for Lagos, or I send you email. I cannot risk kidnap but if na Abuja I will come after rainy season. You know how Nigeria plane can be shaking in the air due to turbulence. Anyways please accept my full condolence even as I pray that God will give you the strength to bear this loss with the dignity and grace we have come to know you with. Meanwhile, I have noticed those brilliant T-shirts with SDM logo you have been wearing on Instagram. Different colours for different dignitaries. Very beautiful, how many you do and who be the tailor? I need to do my own too to be receiving dignitaries. They are lovely. Pele my brother, take heart.
W. Stuart Symington
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Mua’Azu Zubairu
AMBODE – ‘I’M WISER’ It’s my late father that used to say, How many times will something do you before you get sense’. My brother despite the massive infrastructural excellence he foisted on Lagos, they said he was not fit since he was not ‘carrying partymen along’ whatever that means. Are you seeing the beautiful buses plying the roads? The excellent terminal at Oshodi, the Airport road and all that, they still said he was the worst thing that happened to Lagos since Ebola and they kicked him out. I am happy he is saying he is wiser now because his eyes did not open on time that he was in the midst of a pack of wolves. Today he says he is wiser and I am happy for him. I pray that Nigeria would still find a role for him to play because he still has a lot to offer. Ambode in my estimation did his very best for Lagos. He put down strong policies that struggled to position Lagos as a modern city. See the jetty in Bariga, the huge billboards that tell you about the weather and distance to destination. His wonderful relationship with the police that reduced very significantly crime rate in metropolitan Lagos, yet they said he was not worthy. Today they have fostered on us their children and have already started the macabre dance in the nude with our future. Well, Ambode I thank God you have opened eyes and if God gives you another opportunity to serve us like I am sure he will, you will move with eyes wide open. No be every lizard wey dey for floor get belle ache. Nice one bro. CP MUA’AZU ZUBAIRU – WELCOME SIR. You see me I can fear police. I usually don’t want their trouble. That is how they will be frowning and be looking at you with one eye and before you know it, you are behind counter. Me, I no dey carry my play to them side. This was until I met SP Aliyu of the X squad who during my altercation with some rogue police men came to my rescue. We have since struck a chord and built a wonderful friendship. In fact last Saturday, as I was driving my BMW jeje in Ikoyi, that was how one team of policemen just appeared in front of my car and asked me to park. I no fear o. If na before, I will just leave the car and run but as they alighted and started coming towards me fully armed and frowning their usual frown, I just call SP. I no commit offence, I drive slow, I get particulars, I wear seat belt in fact I just gentle so I know that na the usual thing wan happen. By the time they got to me, I just gave them the phone. SP talk to them, come and see the smile on their faces when they gave me back the phone and wished me a safe journey to my mistress. So that is the kind cordial relationship I now have with the police. So the other day, when I was supposed to fly to Abuja for an engagement with the force and the international community
Nse Ekpe Etim
Geoffrey-Onyeama
Dino
but could not make it due to some personal problems that took me to Uyo to see my sick mum, I got a call from the new Commissioner of Police in Lagos, CP Zubairu, he was so soft-spoken and cosmopolitan. He was very convivial and spoke extensively about his plans for community policing and his plans to carry along civil society in ensuring comprehensive security in Lagos. I came out of that conversation with renewed faith that we still have some good men in this country. I enjoyed the conversation with a stronger belief in the role of the policeman in our country. The only problem was that I forgot to put the phone on speaker so that my mother can see the kinds of people I am talking to. After now she will be yabbing me that I should not write column. Mbok, my lord I will let you know when next I will be by her bedside so that I flash you and then you call me and when you call, start by saying, ‘Is that the Duke of Shomolu, this is CP Muazu Zubairu, Commissioner of Police Lagos, MNI your full title o so that she will believe o. Or better still do video call; if you don’t have data let me know, so I send to you. Welcome my brother. Let’s make it work.
harmony. Happy birthday sir.
ogas at BGL and has Katung of the Big Brother fame as director. I have not seen the movie yet but feelers I am getting from those who have is that the movie is a major explosion. The bevy of heavyweight actors, the wonderful scripting and the technicality thrown in by Katung can only make the movie an experience to behold. If you are looking for something to do after work, go see the movie I promise you, you will not regret. I tell you.
JIM NWOBODO – LONG TIME Just as I was wondering whatever happened to this once influential politician, I saw the headline, ‘Nigeria will know no peace until an Igbo man rules us’. I wanted to fire until I saw the pictures from his 78th birthday. So I calm down. That is old age talk and we should just let it go. The thing remind me of when my mother will be talking to me. She is a bit younger but na the same tactics. She will just be talking and talking, I go just switch off and be looking at her, she will just be going on and on, saying things like ‘don’t carry girlfriend, they will kill you, don’t let your wife know your salary, you should come and marry from Uyo as your last wife, it’s not too late, take your bath every evening before you sleep and don’t forget to brush your teeth after every meal finally ending it with stop writing for Thisday, you be Ibibio you will have no money to hire lawyer’. Now this talk is not that bad but try listen to it repeatedly at say 10 times in a 10 minute conversation just when you are about to climb the mountain of pleasure in the other room then you will begin to see how that Jim Nwobodo talk be. Na talk of the older generation that have been far detached and should not be taken too seriously. That kind talk, we say thank you, we don hear daddy, oya chop the food and be careful not to stain your shirt - TV camera dey here o. Mr. Nwobodo was a colorful politician who added so much flamboyance to our politics. Well respected and one of the architects of modern-day Nigeria. He should be allowed to live the rest of his life in blissful
MINISTERIAL LIST – I AM BUSY I have been sent a draft copy of the ministerial list to vet and make my comments. I first was not interested as I had taken the siddon look posture on the matter. I have said my own that in choosing people to serve in this tenure, that legacy should be the watch word. The need to secure his place in history by the President must be paramount in choosing those that will work with him. So all those na my village man, he marry my pikin, him papa steal my wife and all those mundane things should not be criteria for choosing ministers. Now whether he go listen or not no be my problem. Me I don talk my own, I don go. So you can imagine my surprise when I got the list sent to me. I just drop am for table as I no bother to open am. So for night, as I creep out of the bed to go make sure say our new housemaid is settling in well and that the heat from lack of Fashola mythical power was not disturbing her, I stumble on the list again for the table where I keep am. Curiosity overcome me and I decide to open the list. The names I see for the list just make me smile. Things will never change. I just cover am drop am for dustbin, continue my mission as I enter Esther room to open window so that fresh breeze can touch her before they say I dey do inhumanity for another person pikin. As I dey commot for the room, I notice the wrapper did not cover her well, my people advise what should I do oooo? SENATE AND BET9JA – SHUT IT DOWN! I have seen a news report saying that the senate is miffed that officials of this company have refused to appear before its subcommittee on something and that if they do not appear they will be shut down. Mbok, shut the thing down because me I do not have time for indiscipline. The lottery industry is what is used in other climes to support infrastructure, culture and sports amongst others. It generates serious revenue that is now parlayed into these areas and assists government in their duties. For here, na way we dey see. It is either they are not paying up winners, not remitting to appropriate authorities or generally just behaving badly. If this report is true, why is the firm running away and as my former principal used to say, ‘A sinner runneth when no man pursueth’. They should please go and appear and answer all the questions that need to be answered. We need probity and transparency. Enough is enough. This one no be untouchable o, you can be injured. Run to the Senate and immediately so. NSE EKPE ETIM AND HEAVEN’S HELL This wonderful actress is starring in the excitedly crafted movie, ‘Heavens Hell’. The movie is produced by my former
US EMBASSY – WELL DONE They have finally sent in the last disgrace. They say they have cancelled the drop box and everybody should go and queue. The way they are going, our president will be doing cabinet meetings in that queue and we will not respect ourselves and just siddon in our country to build it so that they too can be queuing at our embassies for visa. What is even in that America sef? If not for education and medical reasons, wetin person should be going there to go do sef? I know how to respect myself o. The last time I went for that interview, the small oyinbo boy wey dey the counter after I had been on the queue for three hours was asking me if I knew where he could cut his hair in Lagos. I say come to Shomolu, we are experts in comb and razor blade technique. He asked me what that was. I explained to him and he could not stop laughing and said, bro go pick up your visa. Na de yama yama thing we dey face as a nation with no respect and dignity. Today 10 years after and after several visits to the place to go waste my money, they have revoked my visa for no reason. I am sure na that boy do am. Looking for me to come make am laugh again. I will not go. I am not interested. The women here fine too so what is the driving force? I have my respect and my dignity to uphold as the Duke of Shomolu and will not ridicule my position, my people and my heritage by going to beg and queue at any effing Embassy. I dey kampe. I WILL NOT GO. SWAZILAND – GIVE ME THE VISA Now this is the country I will go and beg to visit. The King there has just announced that any man that cannot marry five wives will go to jail. Now I will queue for that visa. That is the country to go to. Mbok due to the scarcity of men and too many virgins, the decision was taken and that any man who refuses will be given a ‘life sentence’. Mbok what am I doing here? Shouldn’t I abdicate my throne and head there? It gets better, government will pay for the ceremonies and give you a house. What now concern me with Buhari second term and legacy, is something wrong with my head? Can someone show me their Embassy? Is it on Victoria Island or in Abuja? Abi I should just go by road? Did you see the pictures of the women from that country? A country filled with virgins? Jesus is Lord.
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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 AY 19, 2019
FEATURE
Ending ‘Environmental Terrorism’ in Bayelsa the Dickson Way Holding the bull by the horns, even as toxic intrigues by international oil majors play out and the federal government dithers, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State empanels an international commission on oil spills to assess environmental damages and determine responsibility, among other issues. Stanley Nkwazema reports
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ccording to Sheikh Zaki Yamani, the stubborn Arab strategist, and one-time Saudi Arabian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources from 1962-1986, “The Stone Age did not end for lack of stones, and the Oil Age will end long before the world runs out of oil.� The compelling logic of this position expressed three decades ago, remains true. Going forward, clearly something fundamental has shifted in strategic calculations in the world’s hydrocarbon sector. Clearly, advances in technology are beginning to offer a way for economies, especially those of the developed world, to diversify their supplies of energy and reduce their demand for petroleum, thus loosening the grip of oil and the countries that produce it. But from the facts on the ground, these fundamental changes and logic have no place in the oil sector exploration and exploitation practices in Nigeria’s Niger Delta regions where death and environmental despoliation remain grim facts of life as both the national and regional leadership watch. The level of environmental degradation, loss of human lives and nonchalant attitude of past leaders both in the Niger Delta region and at the national level are becoming extremely worrisome. The physical environment is polluted and the seas are no longer a safe place for fish and human lives to exist side by side. Past governments cannot deny the fact that the problems have been in existence but as well as to not paying adequate attention or deaf ears to the problems associated with the activities of the major players in the area. It is against this grim background that the Bayelsa State Governor, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, who leaves office in February 2020, recently brought together a team of world leaders including the former President of Ghana, Emmanuel Kuffour, the Archbishop of York Dr. John Setanmu who is expected to retire from his post on June 7, 2020, as well as notable academicians to address the harrowing issue of environmental despoliation as well as related challenges in the oil industry. It would be recalled that the Archbishop of York chaired an independent Commission on the Future of the Living Wage. This flowed from his work as the sponsor of the fairness commission in York for the Commission on the Degradation of the Environment As governor of the oldest and largest on-shore oil-producing state in Nigeria, Dickson strongly feels he is representing people that have been unduly affected by the corporate negligence which he said inspired him, on behalf of the people of Bayelsa State, to set up this commission. With little question, oil and gas exploration and extraction has had an incalculable impact on the people and environment of the Niger Delta. It has threatened local livelihoods and economies, impeded agricultural development, fueled health disorders and caused tensions in the social fabric of the communities. Bayelsa has paid too high a price for the growth of Nigeria’s oil sector, without reaping any significant benefits; though it was in the state oil was discovered first in Nigeria. The work of the commission, according to the governor, will transform the lives of his people the environments in which her citizens live. His words: “These are our lives. This is our future. We will work together to restore all of Bayelsa, for ourselves and for the next generations�. More so, there have been several commissions at both the states and federal government levels to get the oil companies to face the issues positively. The aim of Dickson’s commission, however, is to develop a set of informed recommendations that will lead to the development of a new legal framework that ensures accountability and an action plan for implementation to ensure a healthy environment by ensuring appropriate clean-up and remediation of impacted sites and that host communities receive sufficient compensation for the impacts of environmental pollution and degradation and reap the benefits from the production of oil within their communities. While inaugurating the commission which also includes Prof. Engobo Emeseh, Head of the School of Law, University of Bradford, Professor Anna Zolik, Dr. Anna Zalik, Faculty of Environmental Studies at York University, Dr. Catherine Nwajoku-Dahou, an international independent consultant, Dickson read out the commission’s mandate: “The Commission on Oil Spills in Bayelsa State shall investigate the facts and current circumstances surrounding oil spills and their environmental and human impact. To that end, the Commission shall (a) establish the facts; (b) quantify the impact of oil spills; (c) determine responsibilities and, where possible, identify those responsible; and (d) make recommendations, including, in particular, on a suitable accountability framework.�
The Dickson Vision
The former attorney general and commissioner for justice who mounted the saddle as the executive governor of Bayelsa State seven years ago, said: “First of all, the environment is a collective
Dickson with the ArchBishop of York Dr John Setanmu heritage of all mankind. There is no isolated Bayelsa or Nigerian or Ijaw or Nigerian environment. The environment is for all. God made our environment special and it is for the use and benefit of all mankind. Unfortunately, we have not paid much attention and care to the environment as we ought to do and we are already beginning to see the signs, and we are equally beginning to pay the price for abandoning the environment. “I always say that English playwright and poet William Congreve who wrote these lines in his play The Mourning Bride, 1697, Heav’n has no Rage, like Love to Hatred turned, Nor Hell a Fury, like a woman scorned, was right when he said that hell has no fury comparable to a woman scorned.� Dickson may have referred to the play but he was furious as theatre-goers of the day would have understood the meaning of ‘scorned woman’ as something more specific than the present day meaning. Observers of the oil industry in Nigeria and other countries will explain the great difference in operations and community relations, vis-a-vis the double standards, being applied by the oil majors and their affiliates/associates. Dickson believes that “where Shakespeare to be alive today, he probably would have said “hell had no fury than the environment abandoned� because the environment has been abandoned for so long that we are already beginning to see the signs. He added: “We are taking up the challenge of the environment; we are taking up the challenge of calling for all those who have contributed to our degraded environment to account. I call it environmental terrorism. That is simply what the oil companies and their collaborators and the Nigerian state in a way have done in the Niger Delta. We are calling on all people of goodwill to rise up for Bayelsa, rise up for the Niger Delta environment; rise up for our collective heritage.� On the Level of Degradation The former member of the House of Representatives believes that “what is going on in Bayelsa and the Niger Delta is very well known; it is almost as we say, the law of res ipsa Loqito, the facts in the Niger Delta speak for themselves. If you go to every oil producing/bearing community in the Niger Delta, the facts there stare you in the face. The facts are proof of terrorism itself�. He added: “So, there of no doubt that great injustice, great harm has been done to the environment of the Niger Delta and to the environment of Bayelsa. Of course, you all know that the story of oil and gas exploration and exploitation in Nigeria started from Oloibiri in Bayelsa, in 1956. From that time till now, we have been paying the heavy price. We in Bayelsa know more than most states, more than most people, what it means to be an oil-producing state. “We know what it takes for communities to be oil bearing communities. The social dislocation apart, the restiveness it promotes and the disruption of our livelihood. And now, the danger to our lives itself. So, I call it terrorism because it is an act of terrorism. For a group of people or individuals to come, pollute the environment that they met in a pristine condition and they
don’t care about what happens there and thereafter. “They don’t care about their environment; they don’t care about the effects on the people themselves. Whereas, if a person, a terrorist wraps a bomb around himself and blows up a place or has a gun and fires at people, you see that immediately and we call that terrorism. So, that is plain terrorism. This is terrorism also because there are people who don’t do what they ought to do. They don’t observe that standards that they ought to observe. “And they deliberately collude with ‘our’ people to look the other way while they treat the environment with reckless abandon, knowing that the effect of the degradation of the environment is going to end up or produce the same result like somebody blowing up, detonating a bomb or firing a gun. It leads to the destruction of lives; it leads to mass destruction of the environment, the livelihood, and human beings. This is exactly what is happening in Bayelsa and most of our oil-producing communities.�
Rising Up for Bayelsa
Bayelsa is one of the major oil-producing states in Nigeria. However, there are indications that past administrations - military and civilian - paid deaf ears to the outcry and neglect occasioned by the degradation and double-speak on the part of the government and international oil companies operating in the area which Dickson says is worrisome. “We are calling on all people of goodwill, Bayelsans to rise up for themselves and all Nigerians to rise up for Bayelsa. We are calling on all people of goodwill to also rise up and do what is right, proper and call the oil producing communities and the agencies that are colluding with them to account. We are calling for environmental responsibility, we are calling for social corporate responsibility; we are calling for enforcement of standards, just in the same way and manner that these standards are observed by these same companies in other countries. But in Nigeria, anything goes. “In the Niger Delta environment, anything goes. In Bayelsa, anything goes. This is the capital of oil and gas pollution in Nigeria. We are not just the place where oil and gas exploration started. We are unfortunately also, for 60 years almost the headquarters of pollution. There are several acts of pollution by oil majors and their agents every day. You can verify it from the agencies. The records are there, so we want an end to it,� he said. In doing so, firstly, Dickson stated: “We want people to know and be aware of the dangers that we live with now. The dangers stare us in the face. The oil majors and their collaborators in our communities are damaging us. They need to be careful and need to know that being exposed to these substances is harmful to plants, not just to the natural environment but also to human existence. “I think our people need to know that you can’t just avoid it again because a lot of the water we drink and the fish we eat are polluted. It is not practicable to provide water to all our communities, all the thousands of them because of the extant challenges.
ARTS & REVIEW A
PETER USMAN’S UNDYING LOVE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY PAGE 71
PUBLICATION
19.05.2019
AN ARTIST’S ESOTERIC TAKE ON LAGOS Ehikamenor
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 ˾ MAY 19, 2019
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ARTS & REVIEW\\ EXHIBITION
WITH EYES WIDE OPEN, AN ARTIST DREAMS OF LAGOS Artist Victor Ehikhamenor in his first solo exhibition in eight years, which opens today at Rele Gallery in Onikan, Lagos, engages the mega-city in a style he called neo-natural synthesis, a fusion of old and new styles to birth something new yet inherently old, Toni Kan writes “Apparitions of faces in a crowd Petals on a wet black bough” – Ezra Pound
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ow does one paint a city? How do you capture its sheer girth and the multitudes that clog its arteries? More to the point, how do you paint a city like Lagos with its many faces and multi-faceted dimensions? Victor Ehikhamenor tackles that problem headlong in the new body of work that he is exhibiting under the theme: Day Dream Esoterica, at Rele Gallery in Onikan, Lagos. The exhibition, which opens today by 3 pm, is on until Sunday, June 30. Why Esoterica? “Understanding Lagos requires an almost specialised knowledge,” the artist explains during a quick visit to his Lagos studio. What he is saying, essentially, as many have essayed in books and songs and essays and films is that Lagos is a large city that is not easily caged or circumscribed. Like the fabled elephant, it takes more than seven blind men to capture the essence of the city. “To be honest, when I started this body of work, I had no idea where I was going. I just let the muse take me where it would. All I knew was that I was going to use oil instead of acrylic and then in using oil I realised that oil speaks a whole different language.” This is not surprising because Victor Ehikhamenor’s artistic practice has been defined by two distinct imperatives; evolution and change. This new series exemplifies those imperatives by his use of oil paints, the burst of colours, the layering of colours and images as well as the intersection of light and dark hues in fresh ways to create what seems like a palimpsest. What comes across is the presentation of what appears to be a brand new iconography seen in the near absence of his signature concentric circles and stylised lines. Here is further extension of what the artist has called neo-natural synthesis, a fusion of old and new styles to birth something new yet inherently old. The works here also feature larger-thannormal canvases in what might well be an unintended acknowledgement of the sheer breadth of the city it is attempting to capture. Only three paintings that form a triptych are under 5 feet by 5 feet. There is a clear nod to the dualities that define life in the city – hope and despair, light and darkness, vibrancy and listlessness. The paintings also reflect the dynamic and frenetic pace of the city in the interplay of dark and bright colours even though the darker hues tend to predominate. Victor Ehkhamenor explains the “darkness.” “I began painting these series just as news of the passing of our friend Pius Adesanmi came to me. The darkness is representative of my state of mind. Before I came to Lagos it was you, Pius, and Ogaga who painted Lagos for me, albeit in words. Pius lived in Ibadan but Lagos was his dream and playground.” Like Victor Ehikhamenor and his ongoing work, many people come to Lagos with a vague idea of what they are getting into. They want to ‘hammer’ and ‘blow’, but the road to their assumed Eldorado is foggy and never clearly defined. To better understand how Lagos can be the womb and tomb of dreams we will consider three songs that have tried to apotheosise Lagos and what it means to the man who ventures. Darey Art Alade in “Pray for Me”, leaves his provincial locale for Lagos and four years and
Ehikhamenor painting in his studio
11 months later, confounded and befuddled he sends word back home to his father asking for prayers – It’s true what you said to me Life in the city is unbelieveable Have to struggle just to get by every day… Pray for me.” In Timi Dakolo’s “Wish Me Well”, a young man leaves his home town for the city where he says “dreams come true” but his journey, though embarked upon one atop the magic carpet of hope and day dreams requires the fuel of good wishes. “I’m heading for the city and that’s my home… I got no money, just hopes and dreams… I’m gonna work hard… Wish me well. For Brymo, Lagos is a city of magic where all his dreams will come to pass. He will go to Lagos, make money, get the best girls and live it up, I go go Lagos I go get money I go change my life Get honey Fine fine girls Dem go come mon mi I spend the cash Gbo-gbo won ju’ di But his lofty dreams and coital aspirations require that he makes an invocation Eko no let me go Eko your love sweet me so Love you never let you go Dreams, like Ola Rotimi’s joy, has a slender back that breaks too soon and for Brymo, the infatuation with Eko ends quickly in frustration
I’m crushing on you too long Pack my bags I’ll be gone Love is all I seek for You let me down just too long Living in Lagos requires a heady cocktail, a potent dose of day dreams and prayers but day dreams and prayer are not plans, they are mere wishes and a wag once said that if wishes were horses, beggars would ride. Lagos beggars do not ride but they are the ones that Victor Ehikhamenor has decided to use as metonyms for the city. In contemplating the denizens of the city, those whom Cyprian Ekwensi called People of the City, you gain a better handle on the city. Victor Ehikhamenor’s people of the city are day-dreamers, dream-chasers, and prayer warriors. Befuddled, confounded and frustrated by Lagos, they cling to the talisman of hope waiting for the ships of their aspirations to drop anchor in a good port. With this body of work, which capture the people of the city in fresh new ways, Victor Ehikhamenor is using the city as a terminus but not just as a place of arrival but also as a point of departure and in so doing he is speaking a new visual language, code switching if you will by presenting a new iconography and opening up a fresh iconology. The images that make up the collection present faces that are androgynous at best. Unlike in the Female Cardinal Series, one is never sure whether the face he is contemplating belongs to a man or woman. They are,
in that sense, almost like apparitions, faces glimpsed in a fog. Each image, in presenting as neither fully male nor female becomes symbolic of the city-dweller who is in many ways a shape-shifter. In these paintings, Victor Ehikhamenor has achieved a Bobrisky-fication of the Lagos denizen. In the paintings that make up Day Dream Esoterica one quickly notices that the eyes have it! The most distinguishing features are the eyes, big and bulging and sometimes scary. There are faces festooned with three or four eyes and in looking at the images there is a sense of the image looking right back at you. When we day dream, we dream with our eyes open. You see a beautiful car and you fall into a reverie as you wonder when you will make enough with extra to afford it. Your eyes are open and you are often so lost in your head that it requires a physical push to, as the cliché goes, jolt you out of your reverie. The people of Victor Ehikhamenor’s Lagos city are day dreamers struck with tunnel vision, their eyes are firmly focused on the object of their lust or affection. But there could also be a flip side. In Lagos, the city dweller must always be on his guard or he can be had. So, in that sense the images captured on Victor Ehikhamenor’s canvases may as well be obeying a popular Lagos dictum – Shine ya eyes! The novelist, Ifeoma Okoye has a book called Men without Ears and while Victor Ehikhamenor may or may not be aware of this novel, he seems to have painted these new works with that novel title ringing in his head because the second thing that strikes the attentive viewer is that the images do not have ears. Who are these androgynous people with bulging eyes and no ears? They are denizens of Lagos who, like Darey Art Alade’s persona, head to Lagos disdaining all counsel. Like sailors seduced by the voice of the sirens, their ears are plugged and they will hear nothing contrary as they head to Lagos to chase their dreams. But in keeping with the theme of day dreams, the ears are absent because when you day dream, time stops, all ceases as you zone out to focus and even when your name is being screamed out loud you will not hear until that clichéd jolt. Visitors to Day Dream Esoterica will receive a bonus. Regulars at Victor Ehikhamenor’s exhibitions must be aware that there is always a sidebar; an installation. This will be no different. The installation will feature a playful exploration of a fashion item steeped in nostalgia. As young boys growing up in the village, we all wanted sunglasses, colourful plastic items that were essential to our wardrobe. Coming to the city and with discernment dawning, we discovered RayBans, Prada, Tom Ford, Polo. We upgraded. Victor Ehikhamenor’s installation is a playful and nostalgic nod to a bygone era when you were not fully dressed without your shades. Victor Ehikhamenor in keeping with evolution and change is making a quiet detour on a journey to the same destination as he pays a beautiful homage to the city of Lagos which he has called home for 10 years now. The city is both space and place, site specific yet fluid. It is both urban conurbation and people magnet and in that sense Victor Ehikhamenor is correct in asserting that a city is nothing without its people. “Imagine coming out to Lagos Island on a Monday morning and you don’t see anybody. You will be alarmed and the city will not be the same.” True that. ––Toni Kan writes from Lagos
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ARTS & REVIEW\\EXHIBITION
PEJU LAYIWOLA: SET TO TAKE HER ART TO THE NEXT LEVEL Yinka Olatunbosun
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nother solo exhibition coming exactly a year after her inaugural edition at the Raw Gallery at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa keeps Peju Layiwola fresh in the industry’s consciousness. The exhibition, which University of Lagos’s current Head of Department of Creative Arts titled Indigo Reimagined, revisits the indigenous clothing tradition of dyed fabrics known as adire in south-western Nigeria. For Layiwola, whose career was partly weaned on the tutelage of her mother Princess Elizabeth Olowu – the daughter of a former Benin monarch, Oba Okenzua II – and by her studies in art history, this exhibition brings together her overall experience and engagement with the cloth. True, she had indeed written articles on textiles, which have been published in reputable journals. But, her hands-on experience leading workshops on tie-dye, batik, silk painting at her women’s centre for art in Surulere, Lagos extends her trajectory. Add to this, the designing of costumes for the public art project, Whose Centenary? Igun Street, Benin City, in 2014. For keen devotees of Layiwola’s artistic trajectory, the exhibition also lifts the veil on the beauty and functions of other indigenous crafts like pottery and metalwork associated with dyeing. Hence, the installations featured in Indigo Reimagined highlights are not restricted to the dyed textile as a site of adornment and signification. Rather, they also redirect the viewers’ gaze to the fact that the very process of making art can be considered as art in its own right. In the exhibition’s catalogue, there are short articles by such leading academics and artists as Jean Borgatti, Janine Sytsma, Patricia Oyelola, Ayo Adeduntan, Emmanuelle Speisse, Tobenna Okwuosa, Phoenix Savage and Nengi Omuku, many of whom have publications on African textile traditions. The foreword to this catalogue is written by Ayo Olukoju. Among the events organised around the exhibition is a panel to discuss
Layiwola
scheduled to hold at the next Lagos Studies Association conference, from June 27 to June 29. There will be a gallery talk with the artist as well as a discussion with Elizabeth Olowu, mother of the artist, who is celebrated as the first female to specialise in the art of bronze casting in Nigeria. The princess will speak about the early career of her daughter and about her artistic practice as a pioneering student of the Department of Creative Arts, University of Benin. She will also provide insights into her inroad into the art of metal casting in Benin whilst working with the guild of Benin bronze casters. This exhibition, which is supported by the University of Lagos Research CRC grant 2018, is a fitting comeback show for Professor Layiwola, who has carved a special niche for herself in the local art scene. The 1988 University of Benin BA holder, who also holds an MA and a PhD in art history from the University of Ibadan in 1991 and 2004 respectively, is a widely respected figure in the visual arts sector. She is best remembered for her previous
exhibitions Benin 1897.com: Art and the Restitution Question held in 2010, Whose Centenary?, held in 2014 and Return held in 2018. Her career in the academics had started at the University of Benin in 1991. It was from her that she would later join the academic staff of the University of Lagos in 2002. But then, her non-profit community-oriented ventures like Women and Youth Art Foundation (Wy Art), which she founded in 1994, have helped to engrave her name in the collective consciousness. A fall-out of these ventures was the creation of the first DVDs on teaching arts and crafts in Nigeria. A recipient of several awards at almost every step in her career, Layiwola had won the departmental prize in Applied Arts 1987, the best graduating student at the University of Benin art school in 1988, the NYSC Merit Award in Lagos State (1989), the Distinguished Researcher’s Award, Faculty of Arts, the University of Lagos in 2007, two Central Research Grants of the University of Lagos and commendation for teaching at the University of Lagos, in 2005. On the international scene,
Layiwola was recently selected as a Tyson Scholar at the Crystal Bridges Museum, Bentonville, USA (2019-2020) and to share her time as a Distinguished Visiting Scholar, University of Arkansas; Terra Foundation grantee for American Art 2018; CAA-Getty Alumni grantee (2018), Nominated, US International Leadership Programme (IVLP) 2011; Partner with Bronx Museum of the Arts on the Hilary Clinton US State Department SmARTpower programme, 2012; US Lagos State Consulate Grantee 2017; US Alumni Exchange Award 2018; Goethe Resident Artist grantee, Kunstsamlung NorthreinWestafalen, (KNW), Dusseldorf, 2017. She is also the president-elect and the vice president of the Arts Council of the African Studies Association (ACASA), USA and member of various distinguished associations; Board of the Lagos Studies Association; Art Powa Publishing Network(ARTPOWA), South Africa; International Committee of Museums; College Arts Association (CAA); Nigerian Field Society, Ibadan Branch (NFS) and other organisations.
ENCOUNTER
Peter Usman’s Undying Love for Photography Olufunke Adepuji
F Usman
or Peter Usman, the journey into photography started from playing with Photoshop. This was while he was a final year student at the Kogi State University in Ayingba. “I started learning Photoshop from a set of tutorials I found on my sister's laptop back then,” the Ebonycomplexioned artist explained. “Then I started playing around with editing, photo manipulations, a bit of graphics and so on.” Along the line, he acquired skills in creative lighting, Adobe Lightroom, colour grading, colour correction and high end retouching, among others. But his real engagement with photography started with his resolve to make his own images rather than just edit what others had made. “That was the spark
really that has brought me to this point in my career and, of course, there are other stories in between,” he explained. Nonetheless, it may not have been a cakewalk for the 2014 sociology and anthropology graduate. Still, help was always available from the people he met along the way. Art had always been his passion while studying sociology was his way of giving to Caesar what was Caesar’s. After all, society expected him to get into a university and acquire a degree. “It's not like before applying for sociology I had some other goals/career choice to pursue, but it's just you know that nursery-primary-secondary -university process you had to complete. To be honest I didn't even know what I wanted to really do career-wise with my life even until my final year at the university until I found photography. Photography as a medium helps fulfil my desire to be expressive and creative.”
Having come thus far with photography, Usman is intent on establishing a distinct brand, getting international recognition for his work and working with massive brands and platforms, among other things. He really hopes to go very far... “as far as I can go from where I started really.” So far, the twenty-something Abujabased photographer has earned money from taking shots at wedding ceremonies and all kinds of events as well as taking portraits of individuals. “Now, I’m beginning to earn money from shooting for my preferred clients in the fashion and beauty-cosmetic industry, which is really amazing and fulfilling.” He has neither held a solo exhibition nor participated in a group show. To be able to feature in an exhibition, he believes he needs a body of really amazing works to share with his public. And that, he does not think he has enough of yet. ––Adepuji writes from Lagos.
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ARTS & REVIEW\\FILM BOOK REVIEW Deposit of Reality in Ernest Bhabor’s Legacy Yinka Olatunbosun
F A scene from the documentary
Adeola
Salami
NIGERIAN DOCUMENTARY ‘AWANI’ WINS A UNESCO PRIZE
"W
hen I submitted my film to the Afrika Film Festival, all I wanted was my film to be seen by a wider audience it was amazing being nominated and ultimately winning the UNESCO prize,” says Aderonke Adeola, the producer and director of the film, Awani. A historical documentary, Awani explores the intersection between colonialism and gender inequality. In the film, viewers are offered the perspectives of such leaders of thought, social commentators, activists and historians as Kemi Da Silva Ibru, Ed Keazor, Bismarck Rewane, Minna Salami, Kadaria Ahmed and Joe Odumakin. The documentary blends expert opinion and archival footage to create a story. Prior to the completion of Awani, Aderonke Adeola received a grant from the Ford Foundation. The UNESCO jury had described Awani as: “A pure
Another scene from the documentary
documentary that encourages active participation in the process of emancipating women in Nigeria, but also globally.’” This would be Awani’s second award, for the documentary had earlier in the year won an Award of Merit from the Impact Docs Awards. It has, in addition, been well received at several film festivals across the world. Awani had a bi-coastal premiere at the Ake Arts Festival and the first Yale Africa Film Festival on the same date. It has been screened at the Africa International Film Festival, irep documentary film festival, Africa World Documentary Film Festival and Afrika film festival. During the coming summer, the documentary will be screened at the African Film festival in New York, the Durban International Film Festival and the African Women in Media Conference. Awani has also held private and sponsored screenings in collaboration with the following organisations SustyVibes, Fate Foundation, WIMBIZ, WAVE academies and Pedro’s Africa. Awani partnered with women’s empowerment foundation Zonta Lagos to host a screening at Queen’s College Yaba. Aderonke plans to take Awani to more secondary schools in the future.
oraNigerianauthorindiaspora,theimagerypaintedinthe book,Legacy:GenesisofthePopularNigerian419Scamis veryvivid,withspotlightsonthesocio-politicalandeconomic realitiesattheycurrentlyexistinNigeria.Thereisatemptation tobeintimidatedbythesizeofthebook,whichislessthan 300pages.Fromthebooktitle,areadermayexpecttofindaseriesof commentaries.However,theauthor,ErnestBhaborwindsinandoutof prosenarrationtoaccommodatecommentariesthatpunctuatedthe entirestoryline. ThroughthecharacterofFrankAudu,theUS-basedauthorattempts totellacaptivatingstoryofamoney-cravingyouth,withaveryhumble backgroundwhogetshishandsdirtyfromhisadventurousundergraduatedaystillhebecomesalawyer.Hespinshiswebofcorruptionaround hisformerschoolteacher,whomheremembersasthefirsttobuyapairof schoolfootwearforhim. Bhahor,whoisoneofthepioneeringfilmmakersinNigeria,is advertentlydisenchantedbythedegreeofillegalfinancialpracticesthat havefastbecomethebedrockofthepoliticalclassinNigeria.Throughthe narrativeinLegacy,hehasbeenabletodemonstrateinconcretetermsthe systemiclayersoffraudulentpractice,fromsmalltolargescaleschemes. Audu,thoughaverybrilliantyoungman,earnsalivingfromimpersonating peopleduringexaminationsalongsidehisfriend,Johnwhoisindeeda badinfluenceonhischaracterformation.Audugraduatedintopreparing fraudulentcontractdeals,usinghisknowledgeofthelawtofooltherich butgullible.Withthetechniqueofauthorialintrusion,Bhahorexpressed disappointment,sadness,pessimismandotheremotionsusingrepetitionforemphasisinsomeinstances.Perhaps,theauthorconsidersthe themeoffraudapersonalone,withasenseofresponsibilitytoaccount fortherateinwhichNigeriannationalshavegainednotorietyworldwide. AlthoughsomeNigeriansmayconsiderthisasadisservicetoanalready damagedimageofthecountry,thestoryinLegacyisonethatabsolutely neededtobetold,especiallyfromitsroots. TheauthortouchesonthecollectiveresponsibilityofmanyNigerians fortheacceptedcultureofget-richquick.Fromthehometotheschoolto thelawenforcementagencies,everyonewhohasthemoralandlegalduty toinculcatedisciplineinyoungmindsseemstohavefailed. Legacyoffersathree-dimensionalviewofthestructureoftheNigeria police.Everyreaderwillunderstandwhytheissueofstatepolicehasbeen astalemateinpublicdiscourse.Fromtheinterferenceofthestategovernmentinon-goinginvestigationstotheinternalconspiracywithintheoffice oftheInspector-GeneralofPolice,thetroublewithNigeriaismulti-layered andintertwined.ConscientiouspolicemenlikeUsmanDanladihavebeen hamperedbythecloginthewheelofjustice.Althoughhewaiteduntil hewasinpositiontoenforcethelaws,thereareotherpolicementoday whohavetakenextra-judicialmeasurestoaffirmtheirauthorityaslaw enforcementagents. Reportsofextortionsandviciouskillingsofyouthsarewidespread. LookaroundyouinNigeria.Manyyoungmenwithoutspecificjob descriptionsrideexpensivecars,rentorownluxuryapartmentswithout parentalguidance.Someofthemareinthebusinessofromancescams, workingassiduouslytoluresingleworking-classwomenintopromised relationshipswithoutanythingtoofferbutlies.InLegacy,AuduluredaGermanbusinessmanintobuyingsharesbelongingtoagovernment-owned corporation,wipingcleanallevidenceoftheso-calledbusinesstransaction.Heeventuallymeetshiswaterloowithachangeingovernment. Although,fictitiousnamesareusedinLegacy,thereal-lifeparallelsare notfar-fetchedwithcluesaroundtheempireofmaterialisticpoliticians, corruptionincivilrule,thetransitionera,interimgovernmentandother historicalsignpostsinNigeria.RatherthanglamourizethelifeofNigerians whomadewealthoutofdefraudingpeopleorthestateassomepopular artistesdo,theauthorrevealshowthisscandalouslifestylecomesata price. WhilethebookisstronginarticulatingtheNigerianrealities,another printmaybenecessaryinfuturewithcorrectspellingsofnamesof phenomenal Nigerianssuch as“RansomeKuti’’andafew otherminor errors.The author’suse ofEnglish languageto delineate thestudent characters onNigerian campusisalso debatableas anyonewhohas beeneducated inanyNigerian universitycan tellthattheauthor’sAmerican influencekicked inoccasionally duringthenarrationofensuing dialogue betweenthestudentcharacters.WhileexaminingLegacyfromapair ofgenderlens,itcanbeinferredthattheauthortookarathernarrow perspectiveinportrayingtheNigerianwoman.Nancyispaintedas beautifulandintelligentseductress;Kemi,whoworksattheCafetariain BlackMarketislustful,providingfreeforAuduandJohnonthepromise ofintimaterelations.TherewasnomentionofaLola,aserious-minded youngundergraduatefemalewhocomestotheuniversitywithnosexual experiencebutishauntedbylustfullecturersormalecolleagueswho pretendtohaveaffectionforherandotherlikelyencounters. Whileanauthorisnotexpectedtolaundertheimageofhishome country,itisnecessaryforhimequipthereaderwithknowledgethatwill fuelsoundjudgment.Bhabor’sLegacyisthatliteraryeffortthatevery potentialforeigninvestorinNigerianeedstoread.
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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 ˾ MAY 19, 2019
CICERO
Editor:Olawale Olaleye Email:wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08116759819
IN THE ARENA
Lest the States Wither! Alleged non-viability of 17 out of the 36 states is troubling and must be addressed, writes Olawale Olaleye
A
n Annual States Viability Index released recently by the Economic Confidential, a Nigerian economic news magazine, for the 2018 review has stated that 17 of the 36 states of the federation were insolvent. This, it noted, was because their Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) in the year under review were far below 10 per cent of they received from the Federation Account Allocation Commission (FAAC) in the same year. From the analysis by the Economic Confidential, without the monthly disbursement from FAAC, many of the states would remain unviable. And for most of the states, the IGRs are generated through Pay-As-You-Earn Tax (PAYE), direct assessment, road taxes and revenues that accrue from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), amongst others. Thus, the IGR of the 36 states of the federation, the agency noted, totaled N1.1 trillion in 2018 compared to the N931 billion in 2017, with an increase of N172 billion. It further indicated that the IGR of Lagos State at N382 billion was higher than that of 30 states put together, whose IGRs are extremely low and poor compared to their allocations from the Federation Account. But the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, which is the nation’s capital, it maintained, generated N65 billion IGR against N29 billion from the Federation Account in the same period. While Lagos maintains its number one position in IGR generation with total revenue of N382 billion compared to FAA of N260 billion, which translates to 146 per cent in the 12 months of 2018, Ogun State, which generated IGR of N84.55 billion compared to FAA of N93 billion, represents 90 per cent is followed by Rivers with N112 billion compared to FAA of N237 billion representing 47 per cent. Following in that order is Kwara State, which despite its low receipt from the Federation Account has maintained its impressive IGR by generating N23 billion compared to FAA of N81 billion representing 28 per cent. Other states with impressive IGR collections are Edo with N28 billion compared to FAA of N112 billion representing 25 per cent; Kano with N44 billion compared to FAA of N183 billion representing 24 per cent; Enugu with IGR of N22 billion compared to FAA of N92 billion representing 23 per cent; Ondo with IGR of N24 billion compared to FAA of N108 billion representing 22.77 per cent; Kaduna with IGR of N29 billion compared to FAA of N131 billion representing 22.44 per cent while Delta State earned N58 billion IGR against FAA of N285 billion representing 20 per cent. With the breakdown above, only 10 states boast impressive IGR generated at N808 billion, while the other states merely generated a total of N295 billion in 2018. The import of this, Economic Intelligence reckoned, was that the 17 states with less than 10 per cent IGR even in 2017 may be unable to stay afloat outside the Federal Allocation due to sociopolitical crises including insurgency, kidnapping, armed banditry and herdsmen-farmer clashes. Quite naturally, some of the states had reacted to their poor classification and dismissed the report as not a true reflection of their capacity to meet current financial obligations. But it
Buhari still does not change the fact that they are truly incapable of meeting basic obligations, the reason many of them owe months of salaries, pensions and allowances of civil servants, not to talk of the demands of governance. Indeed, the fear of the viability of some of the states has always popped up each time the call for the creation of more states is pushed by any section of the country. It is bad enough that apart from the basic source of the IGR augmented by the handouts from the federation account, a majority of the states cannot think outside the box to generate more revenues without actually putting the pressure on their people. And despite the meager revenues that come in from the limited sources, the degree of stealing in some of the states is quite ungodly, often compounded by institutional revenue leakages, perpetuated by the civil servants in connivance with officials of the governments. Also, many states lack prudent management of their resources through poor prioritisation of needs, which often clog the wheel of progress and make governance appear somewhat esoteric. This is position further vindicated by the fact that despite the help that came the way of many of the states in the last few years through bailouts, Paris Club Refund and even refunds done to some
states from the purse of the federal government over projects paid for by the states some years ago, the situation in many of the states has not changed. With some states owing between 15 and 40 months of salaries, it can only get worse especially with their status not changing. This is why debate for more states creation cannot suffice now. Besides, there is the need for a more strategic intervention in the affairs of some of the states, a vacuum that could be better filled by the leadership of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. There is a need to resuscitate the age-old Peer review mechanism, and this time, it must transcend comparing projects delivery alone. Style, governance and administrative components of government must be incorporated for stiff and healthy competition amongst the states and to the overall good of the people of the country. Otherwise, with the rate things are going in many of the states, there may be, although cynically, the need for merger in the future yet unseen the moments the states can no longer fulfill any other obligations outside of paying salaries. This is why the ugly and gloomy situation painted by the Economic Confidential is scary and deserves all the attention it deserves.
P O L I T I CA L N OT E S
Is el-Rufai Serious about Kaduna-Abuja Road?
K El-Rufai
aduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, last week asked the people to ignore the position of the federal lawmakers over the Kaduna-Abuja highway, saying the road had become very safe and went on to okay it for everyone, who intends to ply it. Unfortunately, this is not about what el-Rufai thinks but that which is obtainable as far as the road is concerned. That the Kaduna-Abuja highway has remained notorious for many years is not in debate; what is however trending is that the degree of noto-
riety has escalated, because those entrusted with the security of life and property are incompetent. It is important for the Kaduna governor to know that this is not one of such issues he could easily talk his way through. The state of the road became appalling the day men of the underworld made it their abode and government didn’t see a need to live up to its billing. It is therefore difficult to trust el-Rufai, who is good at talking himself through difficulties, on this. Reality is the answer to the menace that the road currently constitutes.
THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 19, 2019
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BRIEFINGNOTES What Are Bulkachuwa’s Options? It is in the interest of the All Progressives Congress to support the call for the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa to recuse herself as a member of the Appeal Court panel, hearing the petition challenging President Muhammadu Buhari’s election, argues Tobi Soniyi
T
he controversy over whether the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa should preside or be a member of the panel that would hear and determine the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar challenging the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari continues to rage. Under the constitution, the Court of Appeal has the original jurisdiction, to the exclusion of any other court in Nigeria, to hear and determine any question, as to whether any person has been validly elected to the office of President or Vice-President under this Constitution. Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa’s husband, Adamu Bulkachuwa, contested and won the Bauchi North Senatorial District election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the February 23, 2019 poll. Not just that, the PDP and Atiku recently told the tribunal that Bulkachuwa’s son, Aliyu Haidar Abubakar, also campaigned for President Buhari ahead of the February 23, presidential election. They further alleged that her son was not only a card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress, but also contested the party’s governorship primary election in Gombe State, last year. The question therefore is: should the president of the court of appeal recuse herself because he is married to a member of the APC? On the facts, and in a saner clime, this issue may not arise. First, Justice Bulkachuwa is only one of the five justices who will hear the petition. At best, she will write a minority judgment if she wants to help her husband’s party and in Bulkachuwa case other panel members find otherwise. Besides, it is usually the practice for the president of the pointed out earlier, just like her predecessors, she just wants to be part of history. She just wants to discharge court to lead, when cases or appeals that matter are to her duty as a justice of the court of appeal. be determined. It would amount to Justice Bulkachuwa Some of the arguments raised by those, who insist she shying away from her responsibility if she is missing in should continue sitting are absurd and ludicrous. They that panel. cited the instances where Mrs. Peter Odili of the Supreme Justice Umar Abdullahi, who handed over to Justice Court, who is married to a PDP stalwart and former Ayo Salami presided when Muhammadu Buhari chalgovernor of Rivers State. lenged the election of Olusegun Obasanjo. Justice Salami With due respect, there are no bases to compare that would have done same. No president of the court of case with the instant case. Those raising the argument appeal would want to be missing when the biggest case conveniently forget that Justice Odili was appointed of the year is being determined. member of the panel by whoever was the Chief Justice of However, these are strange times. Until, the day of the Nigeria then. She did not appoint herself as a member of Court of Appeal held a valedictory service to celebrate the panel. their retirement from the bench nobody knew who their If the CJN, who made her a member of the panel, wives are. The likelihood that they would be biased because their wives were members of a political party did believed her membership would raise biases, he would not have appointed her. In this case, Justice Bulkachuwa not arise. is the appointing authority. So, she could simply have But Justice Bulkachuwa’s case is different. Everyone chosen not to include herself in the panel, because of her already knows who the husband is. This makes her marriage. decision to include herself in a panel constituted by Again, the opposition in the cases in which Justice Odili her suspicious. She already has the privilege to select sat did not object to her Lordship membership of the members of the panel. panels. So, the issue of her stepping down did not arise. When people appointed into offices by the APC In all other cases referred to there was no objection. Here, administration and those sympathetic to the party argue PDP has objected to Justice Bulkachuwa’s membership of that there is nothing wrong with Justice Bulkachuwa bethe panel. ing a member of the panel, they indirectly strengthen the Rule 12.1 of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers suspicion that Bulkachuwa is in the panel for a purpose. states: “A Judicial Officer should disqualify himself Yet, her Lordship May have no ulterior motive. As
in a proceeding in which his impartiality may genuinely and reasonably be questioned.” Anyone who can rise above political party partisanship should have no difficulty coming to a conclusion that the impartiality of Justice Bulkachuwa is being genuinely questioned. This does not mean she would be biased. What the law requires is a likelihood of bias. The Supreme Court has had opportunity to decide on cases where issue of bias was raised. In the case of WOMILOJU v ANIBIRE (2010) 10 NWLR (Pt. 1203) 545 at 566, the Supreme Court, per Muhammad, JSC held that “the test for determining a real likelihood of bias is that the court does not look at the mind of whoever sits in judicial capacity. It does not look to see if there was real likelihood that the judge would or did in fact favour one side at the expense of the other. It rather, looks at the impression which will be given to the other people. The likelihood of bias, nevertheless, must be real, not surprise, caricature or a game of chance.” If the PDP will go home thinking that we would have won the case if Justice Bulkachuwa isn’t a member of the panel, the threshold laid down by the Supreme Court would have been reached. There have been instances where a judge who thinks his impartiality might be questioned raised the issue by himself and asked the litigants if they object to his hearing the case, it enable him recuse himself. There is no need to make a simple case difficult. The more Justice Bulkachuwa insists on remaining on the panel, the more some will think that she has an interest she was pursuing by her membership of the panel. She could save herself, the APC, the PDP, her husband and even the nation the trouble by simply walking away. The question is what injury will she suffer if she continues to lead the panel? There is yet another angle. Presidential election petitions and indeed all election petitions must be heard within stipulated time. The court of appeal by insisting Atiku and PDP should file a formal application asking Justice Bulkachuwa to recuse herself so that it can be argued is unwittingly making it difficult for the petitioners to have enough time to argue their case. It is like putting a stumbling block on the petitioners’ way. There is a simpler way to do this: let Justice Bulkachuwa recuse herself. End of story. Other members of the panel should have no problem asking her Lordship to step down. Since President Muhammadu Buhari claimed he won the election squarely, there is no cause for alarm. The absence of Justice Bulkachuwa from the panel would not diminish the president’s success at the polls if that is true. Allowing her to remain may result in a tainted victory.
NOTES FOR FILE
Musing at IGP’s ‘Suicidal’ Order
Adamu
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, ignited an interesting social media debate last week, when he said anyone stopped for a search by the police could also ask to search the police man first before subjecting him or herself to the police search. Of course, a majority of Nigerians, who knew better, had laughed this off, because it is tantamount to suicide in Nigeria to tell a police officer to surrender or submit himself for a search by a “bloody civilian”. Is it the same police officers to whom the people had been warned not to speak the Queen’s English for fear of being hurt or maltreated, since the average police officer is assumed to
have inferiority complex? Ironically, the truth is that the IGP wasn’t joking, but his directive is nothing but a huge joke. Honestly, the police leadership should consider first the retraining of their men and inculcating fresh orientations into them to be able to understand the demands of this age, while recruiting new hands with absolute circumspection. How do you want the public to carry out an order you have not even passed down to your men, many of whom also read it in the news – in an era of fake news? That is nothing but suicide, Mr. IGP!
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CICERO/ISSUE
Yakubu
Nwoko
Nwaoboshi
Is INEC Two-faced? How neutral was the Independent National Electoral Commission, when it withdrew the certificate of return it issued to Peter Nwaoboshi and gave same to Ned Nwoko, despite a pending appeal before the Court of Appeal and stay of execution on the judgment of the Federal High Court? Davidson Iriekpen asks
T
days after the conduct of the election. he Independent National Electoral Commission Following the delivery of the judgment, Nwaoboshi, who Perhaps, what is instructive to note is the argument that the (INEC) penultimate Friday stirred a controversy, was first elected to the Senate in 2015, proceeded to the Court case also came by way of originating summons, which implies when it withdrew the certificate of return it of Appeal, specifically, on the grounds that the court had no that everything in connection with the case must be done via earlier issued to Senator Peter Nwaoboshi and jurisdiction to have even entertained Nwoko’s action in the sworn affidavits. This also meant that the trial judge did not presented same to Hon. Ned Nwoko. The first place. He equally brought a motion before the Court of have the right to ask any of the parties to give evidence on any commission predicated its decision on a court Appeal for the stay of the order for the publication of the name ruling that recognised Nwoko as the candidate of Nwoko as a candidate. By this time, the 2019 general election material since the case came by way of originating summon. Last Tuesday, following an application for accelerated hearing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta had held and Nwaoboshi declared the winner and a Certificate of the two appeals filed by Nwaoboshi and the PDP against North senatorial district election held on February 23. of Return issued to him by INEC. the decision of the Federal High Court, the Court of Appeal Recall that after the primary election held on October 2, 2018, Besides, the senator contended that at no time did the judgordered Nwoko to respond within six days. Nwoko rejected the outcome. Through his counsel, Mr. Ahmed ment of the Federal High Court give any consequential order When the matter was called, the senator’s lawyer, Anthony Raji, SAN, he sued INEC, PDP and Nwaoboshi at the Federal to the commission to issue a certificate of return to Nwoko, nor Idigbe SAN, informed the court that they had filed an applicaHigh Court in Abuja, praying for an order to bar the electoral did it give it such an order in view of the extant constitutional tion to abridge time within which the appeal should be heard umpire from publishing the name of Nwaoboshi as the provisions and those of the Electoral Act, which specifically because the respondent refused to respond to the appellant candidate of the PDP for Delta North senatorial district. state that no court or tribunal shall declare as returned, any briefs of argument. He also asked for a separate order compelling PDP to person who did not participate in all the stages of the electoral He said that the judgment being challenged was delivered on forward his name to INEC as the authentic candidate of the processes in any election. April 3, 2019 and that by the constitutional provision, the appeal party for the senatorial area. THISDAY gathered that the commission was not only aware will expire on June 3, 2019, therefore the court should limit the In his suit predicated on seven grounds, 20-paragraph of all these, it was equally served with all the court processes time allowed for the respondent to respond to five days. affidavit and five exhibits, the former member of the House of in the appeal. As a party to both the action at the Federal High Nwoko’s lawyer, Ahmed Raji, SAN, on the other hand, did Representatives claimed that he was screened and cleared to Court and both the pending appeal and the application for not oppose the application but sought seven days to file his contest the primary election by the PDP electoral committee. stay, the electoral umpire had continued to participate in all the response. INEC and the PDP lawyers, Anthony Onyere and He further claimed that at the end of the election, he scored proceedings, where it was fully represented by its lawyers. Emmanuel Enoidem did not also oppose the application. 453 votes to beat Nwaoboshi to second position, having scored What then went wrong? This is the question many observers In a short ruling, presiding judge of the three-man panel of 405 votes; while another contestant, Paul Osaji, came third with are now asking the commission? They wondered why the the Court of Appeal, Justice Adamu Jauro, adjourned till May 216 votes. He told the court that he was surprised that the PDP commission, which supervised and certified the primary 22 for hearing of the appeal and ordered Nwoko and INEC to jettisoned the result of the primary election and forwarded the election and defended it in court as one of the respondents file their responses within the next six days while Nwaoboshi name of Nwaoboshi to INEC as its candidate for the senatorial would turnaround against it? They equally questioned the time has just one day to reply. While analysts are waiting to see district. He stated that all efforts to redress the injustice through Nwoko wasted before filing the case at the FCT High Court. how the Court of Appeal will handle the dispute, they are the PDP appeal panel proved abortive. The law makes it clear that you cannot take a pre-election wondering if INEC was not already partial. They wonder why THISDAY checks revealed that the Federal High Court matter from one state to another state’s court. It has been was not where Nwoko first approached to seek redress. It argued that at the court, Nwoko did not only file his case out of the commission was in a hurry to issue a certificate of return to Nwoko? was gathered immediately after the primaries, he first went to time, he filed it on October 19, 2019; three days out of time. The They also wondered why it could not wait till the legal an FCT High Court in Kubwa, a court that lacked territorial 1999 Constitution allows the challenge of all primary elections to process is exhausted at the Supreme Court, which is the highest jurisdiction over the matter. be brought before any court of competent jurisdiction within 14 court in the land like other cases? They are On December 10, 2018, the date fixed for judgment, demanding to know what makes the case special the plaintiff, having realised that he erred on the issue and if it is the only one where only person of jurisdiction, through his lawyers, filed a notice of would be sacked by a court of first instance? withdrawal and discontinuation of the suit. The case They pointed to a plethora of cases that are was eventually struck out in open court by the trial pending at the Appeal Court and Supreme judge. However, on December 11, 2018, he quickly Katsina filed the case again at the Federal High Court in On April 20, a Federal High Court in Katsina sacked APC House of Representatives member Court, where the winners are still in possession of Abuja, which was clearly 56 days out of time. representing Bakori/ Danja Federal Constituency, Amiru Idris as the party’s candidate in the their certificates of return. One example is the case Nevertheless, in their defence, the three respondents – February, 23, 2019 election. The judge ruled that Yakubu Danja is the party’s rightful candi- of Zamfara. INEC, PDP and Nwaoboshi – urged the court to dismiss date for the election since he scored the highest votes at the October 5, 2018 party’s primaries. In the state, INEC had said the candidates of Idris is on appeal and maintains his certificate of return the All Progressives Congress (APC) would not the suit on the grounds that it was not filed within the participate in the general election, because it did time allowed by law. They argued on the grounds that Zamfara the suit was statue-barred and also constituted an abuse After a Court of Appeal in Abuja had directed INEC to include all APC candidate in the 2019 not conduct primaries at the scheduled time. After of court process, due to the fact that the plaintiff filed a general election, the Sokoto Division of the Court of Appeal last March sacked governor-elect all said, the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld the similar suit at the FCT High Court, which was struck out and all APC candidates in the state. The appeal by INEC is currently at the Supreme Court decision of the state High Court to include the APC. Soon after the elections and the winners declared, upon its withdrawal. the certificates of return of the candidates have not been withdrawn. the Court of Appeal in Sokoto ruled that the APC In his judgment, Justice Ahmed Mohammed held that Ondo Nwaoboshi was not the duly elected candidate of the A few days ago, an Ondo State High Court in Akure sacked an APC state lawmaker-elect, candidates were not supposed to participate in the PDP in the primary election. The judge ordered INEC to Mr. Sina Akinwumi over his ineligibility to contest the last house of Assembly election in Ok- election. At this point, the commission had already publish the name of Nwoko as PDP candidate, having itipupa Constituency 2. The court declared Mr. James Ololade-Gbegudu of the same party as issued certificates of return to all APC candidates. Instead of withdrawing the certificates, INEC established before the court that he scored the highest the winner of the primary. Akinwumi has proceeded to Appeal Court proceeded to the Supreme Court. number of votes in the said primary election. He held Adamawa The observers are wondering why the same that Nwoko scored 453 votes to beat Nwaoboshi, who On May 2, Federal High Court in Abuja sacked Abdulrauf Modibbo as member-elect repcame second with 405 votes. resenting Yola South/Yola North/Girei Federal Constituency of Adamawa in the National INEC did not pursue Nwaoboshi’s case to the Justice Mohammed also barred Nwaoboshi from Assembly. The court ordered INEC to replace Modibbo with Mustapha Usman and declare Court of Appeal and ultimately to the Supreme parading himself as the candidate of the PDP for the the latter as the Rep-elect. While Modibbo is at the Court of Appeal, his certificate of return is Court? Or in the alternative, allow him to pursue and conclude the case himself before withdrawing senatorial zone. He held that the case of the plaintiff was still intact. the certificate of return from him. not statue-barred and did not also amount to “forum Delta While both parties are anxiously waiting for the shopping” as alleged by the defendants. He said the After a Federal High Court in Asaba on March 18 sacked Senate Ovie Omo-Agege, his decision of the Court of Appeal, they have equally plaintiff was entitled to his claims and prayers, having certificate of return was not withdrawn until last Friday when the Appeal Court affirmed his enjoined their teeming supporters not to panic but established that he emerged victorious at the PDP Delta reelection. The respondents have gone to the Supreme Court remain steadfast. North senatorial primary election of October 2, 2018.
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CICERO/REPORT
Kogi Governorship and the West/Central Challenge With the current agitation, the November 2 governorship election in Kogi State is likely to be between the people of West and Central parts of the state, writes Yekini Jimoh
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he people of Kogi West and Central Senatorial Districts of Kogi State are not relenting in their efforts to ensure that one of either Okun or Ebira ascends the Lugard House seat for another four years. History shows that the Igala (Kogi East) has produced all past governors of the state, except for the incumbent, Yahaya Bello, an Ebira man, whose time was made possible with the death of the APC candidate in the 2015 governorship election, Abubakar Audu. Although the agitation for power shift had been in the front burner before the 2015 elections, politicians of Okun and Ebira ethnic groups are of the common view that power should not leave their domains anytime soon. Indeed, they want the governorship retained till 2023. But feelers from Kogi East, where more than 15 aspirants had indicated interest to run do not suggest that the Igala are ready to concede. This is as a statement purportedly credited to the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, that the party leadership may have backed the East to produce its candidate for the November poll, is currently a cause for concern among the west and central political interests. Thus, a group of women and youth under the auspices of Movement for the Consolidation of Power Shift (MCPS) has risen to dismiss alleged plans by the APC leadership to deny the west and central the party’s ticket for the November 2 governorship, citing their superior voting strength. Reacting to the publication titled “Comrade Adams Oshiomhole Hits the Public Arena with Another Painful Truth Again”, credited to Network News of Radio Nigeria, the MPSC said the statement could not have emanated from Oshiomhole, because “the authors and their sponsors failed woefully in their attempt to put words in the mouth of the APC national chairman”. Parts of the statement allegedly ascribed to Oshiomhole read: “It is too early to lose Kogi to opposition party, because we just took over the state in 2015 with the effort of the late Prince Abubakar Audu, our governorship candidate in the 2015 Kogi governorship election, who died on verge of his victory. “So, we will field a sellable candidate from the majority flank of the state, which is Kogi East, because fielding a candidate from the minority part of the state is risky for APC. We are aware of Kogi East politics, which is based
Bello on zoning particularly, when it comes to governorship and we will respect their zoning formula to avoid division and disunity in the state. In its reaction signed by the group’s Chairman and Secretary, Bolade Emmanuel Olumide and Abdulmalik Oneida, the MPSC stated: “It is interesting, even laughable just how Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has become so instantaneously immersed in the micro-Igala jingoistic gubernatorial zoning arrangement, to the ridiculous extent of digging into extant federal constituency appropriations of political office between the Idah, Ankpa and Dekina zones in Kogi East. “Yet in all his lifelong engagements as a unionist and politician, he has never cited a degree or diploma in Igala socio-politics on his resume. This most unintelligent concoction alone diminishes the source and originality of
the statement ascribed to the APC national leader. “The claims ascribed to Oshiomhole that the APC governorship ticket in Kogi State would be given to an aspirant from Kogi East, because of the large population and voter strength of the zone, relative to the other zones in the state, cannot be true.” Suffice it to say that out of the nine local governments in Kogi East, the Igala could only count on seven local governments: Idah, Olamaboro, Dekina, Igalamela-Odolu, Omala, Ankpa and Ofu, whereas two others, Ibaji and Bassa, from their past voting patterns tend to align independently and most likely to mobilise for a candidate of west or central extraction. The 2019 presidential election results in Kogi State aided by the use of card readers, which showed that votes from West and Central senatorial districts were more than votes cast in Kogi East, also put to question the census figures. But after producing the past governors from the creation of the state in 1999, whilst power shift agitation had been in the front burner of Kogi politics until the accidental shift in 2015, the group argued that it was fair that “our Igala brothers appreciate our long wait by giving way for another four years. “Ordinarily, it would have been a non-issue which zone produces the governor of the state so long as there is justice, equity, fairness and good governance. But since this dream is elusive, the principle of power rotation should be pursued until we get to that utopian stage, where ethnicity or religion becomes irrelevant, if they ever will.” The quest for power shift to the west has occupied the front burner for close to two decades now, most particularly after the expiration of Audu’s first tenure. Issues such as lack of even development, maltreatment and discrimination in the Kogi State civil service, allegation of exclusion from the key decision-making processes in the state and that the Igala, from creation of the state in 1991, had dominated the two most important aspects of Kogi State – the government and the civil service, are parts of the causes of fear and agitation for power shift, the group noted. The MCPS pointed to the February 23, 2019 presidential election results across party lines between the east, west and central as proof that the west and central have the edge in terms of voting strength, if they come together.
OPINION
Edo Politics: Why Political Gluttons want Obaseki’s Removal Eben Enasco Kingsley
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nterests seem to be rising over Governor Godwin Obaseki’s second term bid within the political class, particularly within the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State with a little over a year left in his first term. The 2020 gubernatorial election in Edo State has thrown up a deluge of issues that have divided the APC’s hierarchy in the state and gradually charging the body polity. While many of the party’s faithful are honestly clamouring for Obaseki’s return, owing to his sterling performance across critical sectors of the state, a few members of the party who believe in money bag politics are dead scared that a second term for Obaseki means their annihilation because Obaseki does not share money to politicians, instead he has deployed his knowledge of finance, to repositioning Edo State for robust and sustainable growth and development. Edo workers and pensioners get their entitlements as and when due. The governor’s prudent allocation of the state’s lean resources has earned him accolades from workers and their dependants alike. All the three senatorial districts are hosts to heavy earth-moving equipment delivering infrastructural facilities to enhance quality of life and spur socio-economic development. As the APC primary election in the state draws near, the battle in Edo State is between millions of those whose lives have been impacted positively by the Obaseki administration and the few self-seeking, desperate and greedy politicians who want to enthrone a reign of looting by installing a ‘Yes Sir Man’ as governor. A search for Obaseki’s replacement is on the card of these indolent politicians who rate their political value
Obaseki beyond their real field value. They bandy such terms as the ‘Governor’s undemocratic policies’ that have adjusted their pot bellies as one reason Obaseki should be replaced.
At a meeting of leaders across the senatorial districts held recently in Benin City by few of the aggrieved members of the party, they hinted at a plan to form a parallel group, and painted the picture that the national Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to whom they pledged allegiance, is unhappy with his successor. But the allegations suggesting differences between the duo was aptly refuted by the government of Godwin Obaseki calling it the handiwork of mischief makers. But that has not stopped the peddlers of the falsehood, with more unfounded speculations being bandied in the political space. It was learnt that the battle for supremacy started during the nomination of candidates to represent the party during the National and State Assemblies’ elections. Despite the disagreement, millions of Edo people are looking forward to another four years for Obaseki to consolidate on his achievements, as he picks a second term ticket soon. The detractors will continue to try all the tricks in their heads to show how ‘influential’ they are, but with leaders in the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), swelling the ranks of Obaseki’s supporters by openly throwing their weight behind and around the governor, the coast seems clear for the incumbent governor to, as we say, Carry Go! The few people working against Obaseki in the APC, risk losing what is left of their marginal political equity in the coming days as Edo people in the South, North, East and West, from several groups and parties seem to have decided on only one candidate; Governor Godwin Obaseki, come 2020. ––Kingsley, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Benin City, the Edo State Capital.
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Sowumi: Atiku Is More Patriotic Than Those Who Set the Nation on Fire Because They Lost an Election Spokesperson for the Atiku Campaign organisation, Mr. Segun Sowumi, in an interview with select journalists in Abuja, spoke about the 2019 general elections and also dissected the first term of President Muhammadu Buhari. Adedayo Akinwale presents the excerpts:
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ou believe the outcome of the 2019 presidential election was a stolen mandate. You’ve also had a number of narratives as to why you thought it was a stolen mandate. But also looking back, were there things you should have done differently? This question comes up a lot from the media. There is no human engagement that is not open to improvement. Observations after the event are always 20/20. You never make any mistake with it. So, in that regards, I would say maybe, topmost of them is that we could have used our support groups more. We could have relied on them more as election day managers. Perhaps, if our support groups had been our polling booth managers, maybe they would have resisted more. But then again you have to ask: why put your supporters in harm’s way? So, from the point of view of how statesmen should approach election, Atiku did everything he was meant to do and whatever was asked of him he did. In the campaigns, you all are witnesses that we speak to issues; did we provide the minimum logistics required to organise things? We did. Did we run on a clear agenda that can be given to the people which will help them to better their lives and move us into greater level of development across the country? We did. Did we prosecute it with the diligence and the discipline required? We did. Did we engage the media and the public? We did. Did we get in touch with the traditional rulers and the owners of the emotions of our people, everything that was required and that was descent? We did. Did we participate in debates as many of them as possible except for the one debate, where it was clear that the main challenger was not going to be there. But in terms of our campaign, it was a beautiful campaign. It was a campaign that had life; that had message – it was a campaign that really spoke to Nigerians. As far as I am concerned, the 2019 presidential election – the campaign part of it – the one that has to do with Atiku Abubakar, the ‘let’s get Nigeria working again motive’ was absolutely fantabulous. Looking at the areas where Buhari won, which is mainly in the north: was it a case of Buhari being very popular in the north or Atiku not accepted in the north? You must first of all understand that our position is that Buhari didn’t win and it is etched permanently in our hearts. And then you must also see that there is a lot of disconnect and inconsistency in the way the number from the north especially, the key states, came in. The various patterns of human beings towards election are actually a scientifically predictable set of outcomes. What we saw is that the North would have to come and explain itself how it was easy for the numbers, that the presidential election could be so much different from the numbers at the state elections. What we saw in some of those areas that you are talking about in the North was that something like abracadabra must have taken place there. We are in court already, therefore, some of these matters we cannot delve much. If you don’t examine critically, thoroughly, holistically what happened in 2019, you will not be able to prevent it from repeating itself and if you cannot prevent it, God forbid we will be inching our country nearer crisis, because election on their own are even very emotive and you can see the ugly signs showing up in some locations. Take the case of Rivers, however you call it, nobody will be happy to see that kind of thing. Take the case of even some locations in Lagos, why would you be happy as a Nigerian to see that and if you stretch it to the other locations in the country, you just find out that examining the 2019 election is a way to prevent us from a bloodbath that would be uncontrollable? And when you look at all of the things happening in our country now, the earlier we do that the better for us. So, for us and Atiku, going to court is actually a service to humanity and a service to Nigerians. There are insinuations that the former vice president is being backed by some foreign powers. How true is this? I will know or I ought to know. Atiku is a phenomenon and with phenomenon what you find is that everything they do have a way of even becoming larger than life. Atiku is not backed by any foreign power to the extent of maybe in
If Atiku loses at the courts, will he contest again in 2023? You cannot pre-empt the judiciary. There are no otherwise in the affairs of the judiciary. They are going to do what is professionally expected of them to do. We hope and pray that the cankerworm that is nepotism, corruption and lack of integrity that have eaten into the other fibres of the society; we hope and pray that the court had been immune – the court of appeal and this panel from the same integrity issues that have bedevilled the country and it is up to the court to demonstrate that.
Sowunmi the course of the campaign of this magnitude all the nations of the world that are interested in the activities of Nigeria may be interested and other agencies of government all over the world. Atiku is a Nigerian; his patriotic, nationalistic zeal is such that Nigeria first all the time. Atiku is not backed by any national power. There is no truth about that. Atiku is not conniving with anybody. He is not trying to undermine this country by any means. He is not even wishing for crisis in the country. Atiku is not interested in the shedding of the blood of any Nigerian for whatever reason let alone for his ambition. That is not Atiku. If Atiku did not get enough reason to believe he won or that it could be challenged in court, Atiku is not the kind of person, who would do that. This is not Atiku’s first time of running an election in this country, he has been running election for some time, when have you ever heard Atiku ran for an election and lost and he tried to implode the country? It is not his style. Don’t you think it would have been better for the former vice president to wait for the current president to finish his tenure, and then contest again in 2023. After all, the APC is talking about zoning the presidency for 2023 to the south? Men must be fearful of playing God for God is the eternal and omnipotent, omnipresent, absolute ruler over the affairs of men. We are yet to bury the carcass of 2019. It is too early to start to speculate about 2023. In any case, what is important is that democracy does not imagine some musical share: run I run after you, chop I chop kind of thing. If the people go through a dignified process and the credibility or otherwise of the process is not in doubt, then, even whoever it is that loses an election must be very proud of himself for he would have done the job of opposition and even if the other man gets to carry it. So, there is no way you hedge it. Atiku is already the winner of the 2019 election in the minds of the people for he is the leader of the opposition now. His views are the views by which we are going to measure the performance or otherwise of government. Atiku is not going to be silenced whatever the outcome be. We are going to bring forward alternative viewpoints, even on policies, on ideas and directions and the reason is because democracy is supposed to be like that. So, I don’t believe that Atiku shouldn’t have gone in 2019. He was the best bet for the party. He was the best bet for the country. The entire process was energised as a result of him. We believe he won and we are waiting to see how that goes.
After the elections, there have been reviews of INEC’s performance by the CSOs and other stakeholders. Already, 75 out of 91 political parties that participated in the 2019 election gave a pass mark to the electoral body and its chairman said it means the commission was right in declaring Buhari as the winner of the presidential election. What do you think? Seventy-five political parties gave INEC pass mark; maybe those political parties were not involved in the election or didn’t go into the election to try and get anything out of it. All those 75 political parties that endorsed INEC, INEC should just withdraw their certificate. What are they endorsing? Are they endorsing the process of accreditation that is difficult for anybody to understand? Or is it the fact that after all the political parties that are serious went in to go and do election, five minutes before the election started, INEC came up with one annoying story about logistics and postponed the election, is that what they are endorsing? Is it an INEC that went into a location and the rules by which they declared some parliamentary elections inconclusive is not consistent with how they quickly rushed and declared the presidential election results? There is a difference between the person whose child is dead and the one whose child is missing. If your child is dead you will cry and they will console you but if your child is missing it is like madness. Have you ever seen a mother looking for her child? So, you cannot come and tell me to clap for INEC when we are the victims of the things INEC have done. We thought that after the huge applause that Jega got, we thought it will only get better but little did we know that the people who are going to step into the tiny shoes of Jega are going to have the feet of a mouse, whose legs will be so small that the entire body will be consumed by Jega’s big shoes. What’s your assessment of Buhari in the past four years? The past four years of President Buhari’s administration has been extremely unfortunate. It has been retrogressive. It has not even met the minimum that anyone would have expected from someone, who is as experienced or ought to have been as experienced as Buhari. He couldn’t manage the legislators well to his own advantage. He couldn’t manage the security of the country well as he should have. In the economy, he scored zero. He couldn’t manage the relationship with the judiciary. If he is not arresting them overnight, he is uing Gestapo style to cow them. He couldn’t even manage his own anti-corruption drive. He converted it into a machine by which he goes after the enemies or perceived enemies of his own government and his party. He couldn’t even manage the health care requirement for a country. He has been president for four years and even though he himself needs medical intervention but that has not spurred him to create a situation in the country where we can have one good hospital that can take care of the high-networth persons in our country for whatever it is worth. He has not even thought about the security situation of yielding the number of citizens of our country to the management of another country. Only God knows what you want to score Buhari well on. I heard that even in his state, Katsina, people are crying. They are being killed. He met the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east and he tried in that regard. But he has allowed the insurgency to go to the North-west and the North-central and the South-west. Even the Abuja-Kaduna road has become a harvest ground for kidnappers, where they kidnap people every day. He has not been able to manage well the security apparatus in my opinion. He has left the officers, who should have been retired for younger people and fresher hands to take over. He has extended their stay longer than necessary while their colleagues have been retired and he has retired people, who are even their junior.
THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 19, 2019
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SUNDAYINTERVIEW Anthony Sani
Sani
Alleged Plans to Oust Buhari Must be Investigated President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term must not be based on military loyalty but on the good performances of the people around him. He should also do away with non-performing ministers in his cabinet. It is also vital for him to establish a commission that will deal with electoral offenders. These are some of the thoughts of a northern leader and the Secretary-General of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Anthony Sani in an interview with Bayo Akinloye. Excerpts:
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re you worried about the rising insecurity in Nigeria? Any rational and patriotic citizen should be worried whenever there is pervasive insecurity in the country that seeks to stultify economic activities. And that is why even the president has said he was the saddest leader in the world as a result of the challenges to security posed by terrorism, herdsmen/farmers phenomenon, ethno-religious crises, banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, cultism and armed robbery across the country, which have collectively challenged his political will and wit to go as far as his regime’s effort can go in order to tame the menace. Such assurances from the president have inspired confidence among the citizens that they have a president, who cares and who is also worried and determined to put the whole shebang of the insecurity astern by making them history. But all one can advise now is that because the nature of the insecurity differs from one geopolitical zone to another, it is important to know the underlying causes with a view to developing the variegated strategies of addressing them. For example, banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling in the North-West may not be the same as the nature of insecurity posed by herdsmen/ farmers saga in the north-central zone, and these may not be the same with cultism in the South-East, South-South, and South-West. Also, these kinds of challenges in the North-West may not be one and the same thing with the insurgency in the North-East. It would, therefore, be foolhardy of the authority to imagine that because one has the hammer, then every problem is a nail. Hence, the significance of the need for applying the United Nation’s resolution that all affected states must address the underlying causes of challenges to national security. Also, there is the need for all Nigerians to come to terms with
the reality that Nigeria is at war with herself and there is the need to come together with a view to living up the synergistic potential against collective challenges for common good. To this end, the imperative for a well-articulated narrative against the insecurity cannot be overemphasised. A situation where some groups would gloat over any misfortune suffered by our security agents in the hands of insurgency or bandits is not acceptable and must be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians. By May 29, President Muhammadu Buhari will be sworn in for a second term in office. What do you think about his first term in terms of general performance? The regime came into office with campaign promises to fight insecurity and corruption in order to pave the way for the economy to take root and thrive. But the paucity of resources would not allow the regime to prosecute those three campaign ideas with the same zeal at the same time. There has to be a priority. In this case, more attention must have gone into the fight against the insurgency in North-East, since no form of socioeconomic development can take place amid insecurity. In the same way, because corruption steals the resources, no socio-economic development can be in place in the face of unbridled corruption. That explains the emphasis on the fight against corruption. These two had to take precedence over the other socio-economic undertakings like infrastructure, education, health, and the economy. Yet, we cannot say the government left the economy and other aspects unattended to. For example, the economy is being diversified gradually and agriculture is beginning to take pride of place. The recession which was foretold by the trio of (Charles) Soludo, Ngozi Iweala, and (Sanusi Lamido) Sanusi before 2015 has been exited and efforts were made to grow the GDP, improve the foreign reserves, reduce inflation and also
reduce the interest rate. Also, the fight against corruption using punitive measures by the EFCC and the ICPC as well as preventive measures of BVN, TSA, IPPIS, etc., are capable of creating enabling environment for investors to do business in the economy. I’ve taken note of those who cry foul by alleging selective fight against corruption. My advice is that those who have been arraigned for corrupt practices should defend themselves instead of saying, ‘we’re not the only ones who are corrupt’. After all, the fight against corruption is a work in progress, which is expected to outlive the regime. That is why I do not see the wisdom in PDP saying all allegations of corruption against present functionaries of government should be done away with before May 29, 2019. Afenifere and Ohanaeze said it was disrespectful for the Miyetti Allah group to be mentioned in the same breath as them. What’s your thought on that? I guess the reasons why the presidency likened the Miyetti Allah to Afenifere and to Ohanaeze Ndigbo is because all the three are ethnic-based organisations. Somehow, I do not share the view that Miyetti Allah should be criminalised for the sinful acts of a few of its members, who are criminals and should be treated as such. It would offend many people’s sense of justice if Afenifere is criminalised because few of its members have gone astray and have become criminals. Similarly, it would not be fair to brand Ohaneze as criminal for criminal acts of few of its members. Kano, for ages, has been seen as one indivisible emirate until when the Kano State House of Assembly, supported by the state government decided otherwise. Some think the division of the Kano emirate into five is geared towards undermining the influence of Emir Sanusi at the expense of the emirate. How do you see this?
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SUNDAY INTERVIEW t "--&(&% 1-"/4 50 0645 #6)"3* .645 #& */7&45*("5&% t Continued fromPg.78 determination will enable him to make most Nigerians experience change by way of dividends of democracy. We pray he gets what it takes for his resolve to come unto its own.
I do not have the facts for a well-informed comment on this issue. But I am aware that emirates and chiefdoms have undergone changes over the long history of nations. You would recall how Chief Solomon Lar split emirates and chiefdoms in former Plateau State under the guise of emancipation, which some of us saw as mere multiplication of feudal points manned by sinecure personnel. We also saw how Alhaji Abubakar Rimi followed suit by balkanising Kano emirate and Alhaji Bakin Zuwo had to restore it. There was another example where my friend, Gen. Jaafaru Isa, created six chiefdoms out of Zazzau emirate in Southern Kaduna. In this democratic dispensation, there has been such split of the Olubadan stool. Echoes of the split can still be heard in Plateau and Nasarawa States which have more emirates and chiefdoms than the state House of Assembly constituencies. What seems disagreeable in what has happened in Kano is the apparent lack of consultations that should precede the exercise in order to carry the people along. As a result, there is the avoidable impression that the split of the Kano emirate is politically motivated against the person of Sarki Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. But I am very sanguine that the political versatility of Kano people will bring about amicable resolution of the challenges posed by the exercise to the satisfaction of the majority. With banditry, insurgency, and kidnapping, things appear to be getting worse in the north than in the south. Is that correct? I have not done any fact-check for the purpose of comparison. But I am sure that the insecurity posed by banditry and kidnapping transcends regional boundaries. More so because Nigeria can be likened to a big river fed by the tributaries and when a tributary is poisoned, the whole river becomes contaminated. What needs to be done to end the cycle of violence and insecurity in the country? What needs to be done in order to tame the insecurity is for the authority to declare war against such criminals through a wellarticulated national narrative and address the underlying causes of the insecurity across the nation. What is to be done first should be so approached, considering the needed resources for prosecution are not limitless. Do you think the governors and state lawmakers are as interested in their people as they should? One cannot say especially, when regard is paid to the fact that they have been elected by their people to deliver on the promise of their electoral mandate. If they ignore the people, the voters should do the needful by deploying their democratic rights to recall them. If they are not recalled by the electorate, then, it would be undemocratic of my humble self to dismiss them as elected leaders, who ignore their people. According to the latest Fragile States Index, Nigeria is still living on the edge. Do you think the nation’s leaders are doing enough to get off the edge? We do not need Fragile State Index to conclude that both the leaders and the led have not done enough in the important task of bringing about the order, justice, liberty, common decency and prosperity for all, as long as we still experience insecurity that straddles the nation. The President himself has expressed his profound sadness over the issue and has expressed his determination to overcome it. All that is required of the rest of us is to give the needed support in that regard. Should the world pay more attention to the country before it jumped from the fry pan into the fire? The president has appealed to the world for support in the light of limited resources available for prosecution of the war against insecurity. I have read some countries like Jordan and Japan have come in with some financial support. And this is necessary, because if Nigeria is in crisis, it would affect the world, especially the neighbouring countries in West Africa since no country is an island unto itself. The president is expected to announce his cabinet soon. What are your expectations? Will you want all the ministers to be replaced? The President is in a better position to know which ministers have performed (well) and which have not performed (well). He is expected to drop non-performing ministers and retain performing ones since he is the one expected to impel progress by multiplication of his own strength through members of the cabinet. Motivation is the instrument and social skill is the requirement. The chasm between the north and the south seems to be widening in terms of unity, development, education, and cooperation. What’s responsible and what can be done to correct the situation?
What areas do you want President Buhari to work harder on so that he could deliver all his campaign promises? He should prioritise his campaign promises by first overcoming the insecurity in order to allow farmers have access to their farms and businessmen’s movements that are needed for economic activities, and this should be followed by fighting corruption that steals national resources. One way he can do this is through attitudinal and value change. That is to say, there should be a cultural renaissance that can enlist the people in the fight against corruption by way of stigmatisation. What electoral reforms do you think is important for the country to make now before the next general election? The needed electoral reforms should be the formation of a commission to try electoral offenders. Electoral voting should be legalised early for INEC to master, preparatory to next elections. All persons who have pending cases of corruption in the courts should be barred from contesting elections. A situation where ex-governors with cases in court stand elections, win and make laws for the nation offends the sense of justice and makes nonsense of the regimes’ fight against corruption. Also, in order to avoid the bandwagon effect and reduce cost, all the elections should be held on the same day. Also, INEC should conduct elections into local government councils in view of unbridled abuse by governors of the state electoral commissions, which kill democracy at that level of governance.
I am not sure if there is any serious gulf between the North and the South different from what we used to know it. For example, education which impels development arrived in the South a century earlier than it reached the North. But if you compare the development status of the North at independence in that region, you would hardly avoid the conclusion that the North has made some strides. And I think the North will reach the Promised Land someday. As to unity, I know the annulment of elections of June 12, 1993, tended to bring about the mistrust between regions; the same with the civil war. But recent events of the political alliance between the South-west and the North have demonstrated the resilience of Nigeria to maintain its unity. This is more so that it is about the first time of the South-west in a political alliance with the North. In the same way, the way the President paid the pensions of the Biafran police has helped to break barriers. And, if you compare the margin of victory of the APC in 2015 of three million votes over and above that of the main opposition party, the PDP, with that of 3.9 million votes in 2019, you would observe that the 0.9 million improvement came mostly from the South-east and the South-south which gave APC less than 10 per cent in 2015, which goes to show democracy is bringing about more unity, because politicians cross the aisles, make friends and build bonds. Lately, the Defence Headquarters issued a statement denying involvement in any plans to overthrow the government of President Buhari. Does that bother you? The rumours bothered me only to the extent of the stupidity shown by those who think they can truncate our democracy through some form of overthrow or insurrection. For example, the advent of ICT which has helped people to overcome distance and time would make it impossible for the military to organise any overthrow of the government. Also, note that we have just had the elections which are said to be free and fair as testified (to) by observers, both foreign and local; and President Buhari has been declared the winner with improved margin in both number and spread over those of 2015. This shows most Nigerians believe that despite some observed shortcomings on the part of the regime and the person of the President as a natural concomitant of human frailties, President Buhari is still the best who can navigate the nation out of the labyrinth of woods created by past regimes. As a result, any thought of overthrow of the regime would be revolting and would not get any traction. Do you think the security agencies should investigate the source of the information? That is expected of the security agencies. This is more so that the main opposition party has accused the regime of a plan to frame its presidential candidate, Atiku (Abubakar). A thorough investigation would enable Nigerians to know the truth for common good. What do you think President Buhari’s second term would be like? The president has told the nation of his resolve to work harder through an inclusive government by way of balancing competing demands among constituencies and among sectors. That
The call for state police hasn’t gone away. What’s your view about it? Those calling for state police are merely groping. This is because unless we have a sufficient number of trained and equipped Nigerian police and they still do not deliver on their mandate, we cannot reasonably submit that state police whose number are not adequate and not well-trained and equipped will do better than the Nigerian Police. What is more, state police can be abused by governors reminiscent of what happened with state electoral commissions. In addition, in states that are diverse, state police can exacerbate conflicts instead of being the solution. Can this country make lasting progress without the restructuring of its administration? I have never believed the problems of this country lie in further restructuring. This is because this country has been restructured several times: be it geographical, political or economy. We started with three regions and moved to four regions with a weak centre. Then moved to 12, 19, 30 and now 36 states, where the national government is appropriately balanced with state-level powers. We have tried the parliamentary system, went through military dictatorships and the unitary system of government with a strong centre and now we’re practising a presidential system of government. We restructured the economy under the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) of President Ibrahim Babangida. In the current republic, there has been privatisation under the watch of the former Vice-President, Atiku, which has not yielded the desired results. That is why we do not think the problem of Nigeria is in further restructuring but in our attitudes and the way we do things. After all, Lagos and Kaduna states are managing for performance using the same structure which some pundits say is unworkable. Boko Haram seems to be the biggest threat to the North’s development. Has the group come to stay? Boko Haram poses a great danger to our survival as a nation. But the way President Buhari has weakened the sect’s oomph and has consigned them to the fringes of the North-east suggests the terrorist group can be defeated and has not come to stay. If you were to meet President Buhari today, what would you tell him? If I were to be in any rendezvous with President Buhari, I would tell him to ensure that the opposition party should not be the leadership of the national assembly. This is, precisely, because the mandate is to the APC, which is expected to account to Nigerians at the end of the tenure. It would amount to anti-democracy for the minority to lead the majority. The place of the opposition is to provide viable alternative platform since democracy without a viable alternative is a sham. I would also advise the president to note that where he seems to preside over a divided presidency should not be repeated in the coming tenure. Also, because what propelled the president to victory appears to be a mass movement and not due to an organised political party, the president should still try and carry the elite along in order to reduce fissiparous tendencies in the polity. Loyalty is good, especially in a military setting, which is regimented and emphasises ‘obey before complaint’. But loyalty at the expense of performance is not helpful. Lastly, I would ask him to look for people who share his vision of Nigeria and appoint them to help him deliver on his electoral mandate.
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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 ˾ MAY 19, 2019
CICERO/REPORT
When an Ex-convict Blackmails... A recent allegation of financial malfeasance against the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele by a self-styled whistle-blower, George Uboh, has raised concerns about sincere whistleblowing and sheer blackmail, writes Bayo Akinloye
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eorge Uboh is not unknown by the United States of America’s government in his heyday as an accused fraudster, who was said to have once cooled his heels for nine years in a US prison. Back home in Nigeria, he had also been reportedly convicted for another crime. Today, again, Uboh is in the news, also for the wrong
reasons. Not a few believed his allegation against the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, came at an inauspicious time, when the country’s ruling party – the All Progressives Congress – and the major opposition party – the Peoples Democratic Party – easily agreed on the choice of Emefiele to do a second term in office as a CBN governor. The appointment was considered historic in itself being the first time in the country’s democracy that a CBN governor would be re-nominated for another term. It is therefore imperative to imagine the excitement in the camp of Emefiele, who has had the onerous tasks of keeping the country solvent. Perhaps, CBN officials must be in a party mood – except for one party pooper. Then enter Uboh, the Chairman of the George Uboh Whistleblowers Network (GUWN). In a May 9, 2019 press statement, Uboh had impugned the character of the CBN governor, accusing him of being responsible for a missing $2.5 billion – an amount so staggering that it had stirred serious controversy in the polity. The GUWN chair said the public statement was made, because Emefiele did not reply to his allegation that he did not remit the money to the TSA, adding: “I call on all security agencies in Nigeria, in a joint effort, to arrest Emefiele within 72 hours.” Uboh’s past seems intricately intertwined with his present and perhaps, future. Today, he’s being held by the Department of State Services. In the past, he was a felon in the United States and in Nigeria. The self-styled whistle-blower is seen by some as “a blackmailer in disguise”, accusing him of demanding money from his “preys” and “potential victims”. One of his prominent preys in the past was Ibrahim Lamorde, then acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In a twist of fate, Uboh was the one swiftly arrested by security operatives. Why would a whistle-blower making such an allegation be taken into custody by a security agency? A peek into the past of the GUWN leader may offer an explanation. A group, Youth Coalition Against Financial Crime (YCAFC), during the week had warned the public about Uboh, saying he “served 9 years in federal prison in America for credit card fraud in 1992 and was indicted for drug trafficking in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He was also convicted for stealing assets belonging to the Police Equipment Foundation (PEF) in Abuja in 2016. The YCAFC is not far from the truth signposting why many people and organisations – even Emefiele’s employer – the federal government and his staunch supporter, President Muhammadu Buhari see the current CBN governor as the perfect fit. Described by the EFCC as a “serial fraudster”, Uboh had once sensationally accused the commission of diverting proceeds of recovered assets. In the heat of that accusation, he was convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment by Justice S. E. Aladetoyinbo of the Federal Capital Territory High Court Abuja, for his role in converting the property of the defunct PEF to his own use. Uboh was arraigned by the EFCC on a three-count charge which bordered on criminal breach of trust involving the sale of PEF vehicles and allegedly abused his position as the former Head of Security and Communication Department, PEF, to convert the properties of the foundation to his personal use in 2007 – carting away six units of operational vehicles. Even though he pleaded not guilty, claiming that the then National Coordinator of PEF, Kenny Martins, gave him the vehicles to offset the debt owed him by the foundation, he also admitted in the court that he did not have any evidence of transfer of ownership of the vehicles from PEF. “I know the vehicles belong to PEF. But it was to offset the debt owed me. The Hilux pickup vans are four and not five.” With his conviction, “Uboh who runs a company called Panic Alert Security System (PASS), completes a double as a certified fraudster having previously been convicted of wire fraud in the United States”,
Emefiele the EFCC had said. Uboh was prosecuted after the US law enforcement agents carried out a major raid on a credit card and bank fraud ring led by Uboh in Georgia in 1992. He came out of jail on January 16, 2001. Fifteen years after, he was back in jail – in Nigeria. Considered a dangerous con, Uboh has always hidden his criminal records even at a time to the federal government leading to his being engaged as a recovery agent of national assets. But in the end, the contract signed with him by the Buhari-led government was revoked. “When Mr. George Uboh offered his services to act as a recovery agent for the federal government, he did not formally declare that he was a convict in the US associated with credit card fraud,” the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, had told PREMIUM TIMES, citing that as reason for revoking Uboh’s contract. The GUWN boss had, however, claimed that he obtained a mandate to trace, recover and remit federal government’s funds that are allegedly trapped in Nige-
After EFCC had meetings with me with a promise to pay Bayelsa the monies they stole from Bayelsa through me, EFCC reneged, turned around to intimidate the Bayelsa governor, who revoked my engagement...I have blown the whistle against the banking sector mafia and I have blown the whistle against the Nigerian oligarchs; whistle-blowing (fighting corruption) is a cause I cherish so much and, according to my mentor ,Nelson Mandela, if need be, it is a cause for which I am prepared to die,”Uboh told his audience
Uboh rian banks. According to him, he was able to trace N324 billion instead of following up to recover the money, Uboh said the minister terminated his contract. “While I am not against the revocation of my mandate, I am concerned that while President Muhammadu Buhari is busy travelling around the world tracing stolen wealth, his minister is not interested in recovering stolen monies stashed in various Nigerian banks which can be easily recovered,” Uboh had told journalists. But Malami noted that Uboh could not be trusted, because he went beyond the bounds of his contract. “I hereby revoke the Letter of Engagement issued to your firm under my hands on 9 February 2016,” Malami told Uboh in a letter and “direct that you refrain from taking any further action in respect of the said letter henceforth.” To Uboh, the chink in his shiny armour is the contraption of his enemies, especially those in the government. At a workshop, he had told his audience: “I was engaged to trace federal government funds trapped in financial institutions after the EFCC/Lamorde debacle. Within 27 days, between February and March, 2016, I traced N324 billion while the federal government traced N117 billion in one year. “When I asked for my five per cent fee as clearly stated in my letter of engagement, I was labelled an ex-convict and detained on June 7, 2016, for 17 days by the Department of State Services.” Uboh claimed he was labelled “an ex-convict” but refused to admit he was actually one, because according to him, he started his whistle-blowing “quest” in 2013 and represented Bayelsa State against the EFCC. “After EFCC had meetings with me with a promise to pay Bayelsa the monies they stole from Bayelsa through me, EFCC reneged, turned around to intimidate the Bayelsa governor, who revoked my engagement,” Uboh alleged. He went on to declare that he was actively involved in whistle-blowing during the PDP era and that he has been blowing the whistle during APC era. “I have blown the whistle against the banking sector mafia and I have blown the whistle against the Nigerian oligarchs; whistle-blowing (fighting corruption) is a cause I cherish so much and, according to my mentor ,Nelson Mandela, if need be, it is a cause for which I am prepared to die,” Uboh told his audience. With his latest arrest, it is not clear what the security authorities intend to do with Uboh.
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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚Π˜ ͺ͸͚Î
Eighth Senate, Ekweremadu and National Security
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The contentious issue of national security received the attention of the eighth senate under the leadership of Dr. Bukola Saraki as Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu hinted of plans to quit the red chamber in 2023, reports Deji Elumoye
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t the inception of the Eighth National Assembly in June, 2015, the escalating incidence of insecurity across the country was the order of the day. The upper chamber of the National Assembly moved swiftly to intervene with a view to ensuring that necessary moves were made towards guaranteeing the security of an average Nigerian. The Senate engaged the heads of military and para-military agencies in the country on how to ensure that adequate security was provided in all the nooks and crannies of the nation. With the commitment shown by the Senate in tackling the nation’s insecurity challenge, the Police High Command until recently appeared not bothered about the issue. It is on record that the immediate past Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, for three solid years refused to honour the invitation of both the Senate and House of Representatives to shed some light on the challenges facing the Police with a view to assisting accordingly. But Idris’ successor, Mohammed Adamu, moved swiftly to address the situation. In less than six months in office, Adamu not only paid a courtesy call on Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, he also appeared before the Senate at plenary to canvass for more legislative support for the Police to solve the myriad of security problems across the country. The Acting Inspector General of Police, while appearing before the Senate alluded to the fact that Nigeria was under-policed, adding that the federal government had approved the recruitment of 10,000 additional policemen this year. The Senate, on its part, passed both the Police Trust Fund Bill and Police Reform Bill to enable the Police carry out its statutory functions. The Senate had in February, 2018 convoked a National Summit on National Security aimed at intervening in the escalating insecurity in the country. The Summit provided a platform for service chiefs and heads of par-military organisations to make submissions to the National Assembly. The Summit came up with 20 recommendations to the Executive on the strategies to boost national security. The recommendations practically boiled down to adequate funding of the security forces by the Executive. Over a year after the Summit, the security agencies are still being underfunded and the security agencies keep complaining of insufficient funding. The Executive might need to revisit the recommendations of the Security Summit with a view to implementing them to the letter. Saraki’s Deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who is also passionate about the nation’s security and sponsor of state police bill before the Senate, has however hinted of plan to quit the Senate in 2023, when he would have served for 20 years in the upper legislative chamber. Ekweremadu shocked his constituents and the Nigerian polity, when he publicly announced at his 57th birthday celebration in Enugu last Sunday that he would no longer seek re-election as Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial District at the end of the 9th Senate in 2023. The Senate number two man recalled how he became the Chairman of his age grade association at age 10, and served as President-General of Mpu Town Union, pioneer elected Chairman of Aninri LGA, Chief of Staff of Enugu Government
Ekweremadu... embracing the path of honour
House, Secretary to Enugu State Government, fourth term Senator, third term Deputy President of the Senate, and the first Nigerian Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament. He confessed that god had been kind to him, even as he expressed happiness over the developments his representation had brought to his people. “My life and political odyssey are products of divine grace, working through destiny helpers like you, for I know where I am coming from. I also know how far the Almighty God has brought me. “I have also looked back on the last 16 years, which I have represented Enugu West as their Senator and I can only thank God for our accomplishments. I have tried to count our blessings. I have tried to name them one by one. I must confess that I am truly surprised at what the Lord has done for us. Our road infrastructure has improved remarkably. TheAwka-Ugwuoba-Oji River-Nachi-Udi-9thMile-Abor-Ukehe-OpiRoad, which is our latest intervention in this regard, has just been awarded. “We have made progress in electricity and water supply to our various communities. We have built, rebuilt, and we are still building and rebuilding schools, churches, health and civic centres, among others. Our human capital development projects are on the upward trajectory. We have assisted several of our young people with employment in public service. Through the Ikeoha Foundation, we have supported 3,843 undergraduates with bursary awards, 87 with full scholarship, while over 12,155 women and youth have received basic education courtesy of Ikeoha FoundationAdult Literacy Programme�, he told his people. Despite the achievements, however, Ekweremadu said it was time to call it quits with the
Senate come 2023. His words: “However, my dear brothers and sisters, you must admit that no matter how melodious a song may be it will definitely have an end. Therefore, as I thank you for these 16 memorable and splendid years as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; as I thank my distinguished colleagues for honouring me as the Deputy President of the Senate for three consecutive times; as we recall the accomplishments of the projects of my representation in the last 16 years; as I acknowledge your kindness in keeping me in the Senate for these 16 years; and as I prepare to further represent you by your mandate for the next four years, let me seek your understanding and indulgence to now announce that this will be my last term as your Senator. “As we get set for the 9th Senate, be assured that I will focus on the completion of all ongoing projects we attracted and ensure that communities that are yet to benefit from our vision in infrastructure adequately benefit. “I will work with other patriotic Nigerians within and outside the National Assembly and across party, ethnic, and religious lines to address issues of disunity, insecurity, and poverty currently threatening our nation. I believe that together we can pioneer a new order characterised by peace, justice, unity, prosperity, egalitarianism, and boundless opportunities for all�. The ranking Senator was quick to add that it had not been an easy ride, stressing that God and the goodwill of his constituents and wellmeaning Nigerians had seen him through “the evil intensions of wicked souls in high and low places of our society�. Ekweremadu had faced a turbulent tenure in the last four years that included two assassination attempts, arraignment alongside the
Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki in June 2016 over alleged forgery of Senate Rules, a crime he vehemently denied even and which charges the Federal Government eventually withdrew following national outcry. He also had a running battle with security and anti-corruption agencies, which he has variously slammed as sheer political persecution. “We are assembled here today to mark the awesomeness of God in my life and to thank you all for standing by me over yet another year of trauma in my politics, including the attempt on my life and lives of my family members, the assault on my liberty, and all the evil designs of the evil people in our society against my person and politics. “I have been through the valleys of the shadow of death. I have been scorched and bruised for my political beliefs and determination to defend the principles of democracy and uphold justice for every segment of this nation,� Ekweremadu told his constituents. Despite his political battles, Ekweremadu is highly respected among his colleagues across party line. Those who don’t like him for his political party like him for his unarguable brilliance. Those who don’t like his brilliance like him for his detriblised nature. While nominating him for a second term as Deputy Senate President in the 7th Senate (2011), Senator Zainab Kure described Ekweremadu as a lawmaker’s lawmaker and a legislative wizkid. His boss, Dr. Saraki, has also variously described him as the brainbox of the Senate, an assertion also affirmed by Senator Dino Melaye, who recently described Ekweremadu as “the intellectual bank of the Senate� in a tribute to the Senator on his 57th birthday. “Senator Ike Ekweremadu has been a very loyal and committed Deputy President of the Senate. He has excelled in filling the gaps. Whenever there was need for him to come in and preside, all of us in the 6th and 7th Senate and in fact, in this current senate, had to look for our helmets because definitely, skills and speed will come into play�, said Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, while paying tribute to the Senator at plenary on his 56th birthday last year. Lawan went ahead to urge Ekweremadu to crossover to the rulingAll Progressives Congress (APC) as the party was in dire need of his type in the South-east and national politics. Instructively, Ekweremadu is one of the few lawmakers, who have not changed political party since the inception of the current democratic dispensation and those, who may not like him for any other thing might as well like him for his principled style of politics and his courage. “We will stand by our democracy. We will defend our democracy. We are going to stand together to ensure that we continue with the assignment Nigerians gave us to represent them. We will go through everything on our order paper for today, even if it takes us till 6 o’clock today. We will conclude everything here because that is what we are being paid to do�, a defiant Ekweremadu, who presided on the day armed hoodlums invaded the Senate and carted away the mace told an awed nation. Ekweremadu has chaired the Senate Committee on Constitution Review for 12 out of the 16 years that he has served as Senator and it was in his first term as the pilot of that Committee that the jinx of amending the 1999 constitution was broken in 2010.
THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 19, 2019
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CICERO/TRIBUTE
Emeka Offor: Celebrating A Conscientious Giver Tunde Olusunle and Ralph Omololu-Agbana
Sir Emeka Offor, through his foundation has constantly reminded the world that the very poor and needy can become active and productive members of society, if properly empowered and mentored
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illionaire entrepreneur, business mogul and philanthropist, Sir Emeka Offor was conferred with an honourary doctorate degree at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, Awka, Anambra State, at the institution’s 13th convocation ceremony. In specific terms, Offor’s doctorate degree, honoris causa, was for his consistent endeavours and enterprise in entrepreneurship, against the backdrop of his multivalent exertions as an enabler of men and dreams. Offor was joined at the investiture by other honorees including the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, among a select few. In the words of the Vice Chancellor, Prof Joseph Eberendu Ahaneku, the three awardees were selected for such honour because of their immense contributions in various spheres of human endeavours. “They have developed people, contributed in the stability of our democracy and have also developed our economy in one way or the other and we want them to be part of our university family and great ambassadors too”. With due deference to the two other great Nigerians so honoured, Sir Emeka Offor needs no introduction. He earned a formidable reputation as a genuinely generous persona, immensely committed to humanity and humanistic causes over time. His friends, admirers and associates straddle space and time for a man who freely oscillates between a number of major Nigerian languages, including his indigenous Igbo and Hausa, a product of his pan-Nigerian upbringing. They fondly call him ‘Sir E’, the ‘E’ taken from the first letter of his first name, Emeka. Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, CON, pioneer Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC and a very good friend of Sir Emeka Offor is one distinguished Nigerian who is quite close to the awardee. He has known Offor for over two decades now and he felicitates with him thus: ‘I am very delighted by the award of this honorary doctorate degree to Sir Emeka Offor. It is an honour to a man who richly deserves honour, for his enterprise and doggedness, his compassion and magnanimity, and genuine generosity of spirit. His contributions to community development, to a wide variety of charities are truly enormous. These, characteristically, are executed with minimum publicity and noise.” Commenting further, Ugochukwu notes: “On top of all his many commendable qualities, is his unwavering commitment to friendship and relationships. Sir E, stands by his friends through thick and thin. And he does have a lot of friends. I’m happy to count myself among his friends. Hearty Congratulations to Dr Emeka Offor”. Another longstanding friend of Dr Offor, Chief Steve Ahaneku, has this to say about him: ‘Sir Emeka Offor has been my close friend for about twenty seven years now and I still find him very fascinating. He is compassionate, loyal and humane. These for me are his greatest strengths and they are responsible for the huge sense of empathy that he has. He is there for you in good times and in bad times and his commitment is total, unwavering. Speaking further, Ahaneku says: “In addition to these, his work ethic is incredible and his determination to succeed in all he does is phenomenal. He is many things to many people and most of them will agree that his generosity knows no bounds. Sir Emeka is one of the few genuinely detribalized people I know. He is multilingual and speaks quite a few Nigerian languages and dialects. Sir Emeka is indeed a global citizen. He is at home with people no matter their background. He has no chip on his shoulders and is conscious of his roots. He goes out of his way to fight for the down trodden, the weak, the marginalized and those forgotten by society. I can disclose that he has been reluctant to accept such honorary awards over the years. So it is significant that he is accepting the one from a renowned university in his home state of Anambra State. On behalf of my family, I felicitate with him and his family as he receives this honour. May his shadow never dim. I say congratulations Dr (Sir) Emeka Offor!’ Sir Emeka Offor is the Executive Vice Chairman of Chrome Group of Companies, a Nigerian Company, which he founded in 1993. He is a dynamic, astute and adventurous entreprenuer with over three decades of entrepreneurial experience. Born in Kafanchan, present day Kaduna State on February 10, 1959, he is the first of the ten children of his parents, late Chief Benneth Offor (Nnakaibeya) and Mrs Comfort Offor of Umueneke Umudalagbayim kindred, Nkalafia Village, Oraifite Town in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State. He had his early education at Eziukwu Primary School, Aba and St Michael’s Primary School Ogbete, Enugu. Thereafter he proceeded to Merchant of Light Secondary School, Oba and later Abbott Boys High School Ihiala, where he completed his secondary education. Being a policeman’s son, the young Emeka sojourned with his father in the course of his career movements from one part of the country to the other. Growing up was therefore synonymous with serial relocations: From Kafanchan to Aba, Enugu to Onitsha, Abakaliki to Ihiala
Offor and thenceforth to Oraifite, grossing mileage across the length and breadth of the country. He taught briefly at Abbott boys High School for three months until his late father demanded complete accountability of the three months salaries he earned as a teacher, which the older Offor suspected his son appropriated without parental consent and authorization! What followed thereafter is now history but his father’s former colleague, one Mr Geoffrey Abadi who intervened, took young Emeka to Warri and got him employed as transport clerk in Rivways Lines Nigeria Limited, a Nigerian Company engaged in importation of Packed/Bulk bitumen. From being an employee, Mr Abadi further assisted the young man as a pupil enterprenuer through purchase of small quantities of bitumen which he supplied to smaller companies. After two years of apprenticeship in the small business enterprise, Sir Offor began the supply of bitumen to big players including Julius Berger Nigeria Limited, Ozigbo Engineering Company, Guffanti Nigeria limited, Fougerolle Nigeria Limited etc. Between 1981 and 1982, the young Emeka supplied all the bitumen used by Alden Volker Nigeria Limited in the construction of Onne Port, Rivers State. Emeka’s business prospered without acrimony, principally because of his hardwork, business knowledge, loyalty and high level of intergrity and dedication to his chosen career. Consequently in 1985, he established Chrome Oil Services Limited. This little mustard seed has within 34 years, expanded into a vast business empire with interests in oil and gas, insurance and finance, the power sector, telecommunications and logistics both in Nigeria and overseas under Chrome Group of Companies incorporated in 1993. ‘Sir E’ has unparalleled business energy, intelligence, knowledge, humility and humanity that have assisted him in navigating the murky waters of entrepreneurial adventure in both Nigeria and abroad. Guided by the principles of hard work, commitment and passion for success, he was able to engineer the turn-around maintenance of Port Harcourt Refinery despite inherent minefelds. The success of this project became the impetus for the tremendous growth and giant strides made by Chrome Group. Today, the subsidiaries of Chrome Group include: Kaztec Engineering Limited; Nimek Investments Limited; Global Scansystems Nigeria Limited, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company; Elcrest Exploration and Production Company Limited; Chrome Insurance Brokers Limited and Inland Containers Nigeria Limited, to mention but a few. There are indeed over twenty active companies operating both in Nigeria and overseas under the over-arching umbrella of Chrome Group. Until recently, Sir Emeka Offor was the Chairman Board of ERHC Energy Inc., a United States of America based Independent Oil and Gas Company focused on oil and gas exploration and production in the Gulf of Guinea. Authentic patriots are known not only for the giant strides they have made in their chosen careers or professions but also for how much they have given back to the less privileged and the society through which they meander to greatness. Continuously fired by the desire to give back and constantly reminded that he was not born with silver spoon in his mouth, Dr Emeka Offor established the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, SEOF, a non profit , charitable organization. SEOF is committed to poverty reduction and the creation of life-improving economic opportunities for those residing in Nigeria’s most marginalized communities through education and healthcare services. It equally operated a cooperative for widows, a youth empowerment/employment scheme and engages in infrastructural development. Since its establishment in 2003, SEOF, through the magnanimity and benevolence of the founder, has been involved in worthy
and amazing philanthropic gestures. In collaboration with Books for Africa, BFA, the foundation has donated over 27.3 million United States Dollars (USD) worth of books, computers and other educational materials to schools and institutions in Nigeria and about 19 other African countries. Specifically, Nnamdi Azikiwe University as a beneficiary has received over 10,000 volumes of books covering e-library, law, medicine, engineering, computer science and other disciplines. SEOF, in continuation of its nationwide book distribution policy has proposed another nationwide exercise between June and July 2019. Currently, about 198,000 volumes of books contained in nearly a dozen 40–foot containers are being offloaded preparatory for the exercise. In addition to improving reading culture through donations of books, SEOF through its scholarship programmes established since 2007, has awarded scholarships to over 150 primary school pupils, 200 secondary school students, 300 students in the graduate and undergraduate programmes. In monetary terms, well over 150 Million Naira has been spent in the provision of scholarship and scholarly support to a broad spectrum of students desirous of acquiring education. The foundation endowed a professorial chair worth N20m in the Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Nigeria Nsukka , UNN. It also offers automatic employment in the companies of its founder and a brand new car to graduates of Tertiary Institutions who graduated with first class honours. SEOF established health centres, provided free medical consultations, treatment and drugs to the less privileged. Further to this, a yearly 150,000 Euros Glaucoma Research Grant was made available to the Department of Ophthamology, University of Mainz, Germany. There is also a Nigerian Fellowship for Cataract Surgery and Glaucoma Management at the same university. In 2014, the foundation awarded an empowerment contract to a polio survivor, who has requisite skill and competence to manufacture/produce tricycles/clutches in aid of his disabled colleagues, worth N44m. Similarly, SEOF sponsored the Nigerian contingent to the International Wheel Chair and Amputee Sports, IWAS, tournament in the United Kingdom, where Nigeria won gold medal. Dr Offor through his foundation has constantly reminded the world that the very poor and needy can become active and productive members of society, if properly empowered and mentored. The Foundation is presently in active collaboration and cooperation with The Carter Centre in the area of eradication of River Blindness in 5 Eastern States of Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi and Abia. Also included are Delta and Edo States. SEOF pledged $10Million at the inception of this partnership and has regularly made modest commitments in fulfillment of the obligation. SEOF supported the global ideals of Andrew Young Foundation and the Rotary International in the areas of polio eradication, peace and conflict management, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy. Emeka Offor is a member of the Rotary International, and was recently elevated to the status of the Foundation Circle of the Arch C Klumph Society, AKS, of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. His singular donation of One Million USD to the Rotary Foundation, to be appropriated across the four cardinal objectives of Rotary International, earned him deserved elevation to this status. Offor is currently the Rotary International Polio Ambassador to Nigeria. He has cumulatively contributed over 3.1 Million USD towards the eradication of the polio scourge in Nigeria. This contribution also singles him out as the highest donor to the cause, on the African continent. Despite his looming stature as a global personality, his contributions to integrated community development remain unparalleled. Oraifite has benefitted in road construction and rehabilitation; town hall construction; erection of the All Saints Anglican Church Irefi, Oraifite; medical outreach programmes and general empowerment programmes. In recognition of the rare qualities of this gentleman, he was honoured by the Romanian Consulate in Nigeria for his invaluable contribution towards the development and enhancement of bilateral relations between Nigeria and Romania. The Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture also celebrated him as the most Resilient and Outstanding Entrepreneur in Human & Material Capacity Development, in January 28, 2012, just as the Abuja Chamber of Commerce & Industry has equally recognised him as the Business Man of the Year 2014. The Botswana Book project honoured him for lending a helping hand in “Putting a book in every hut” in Botswana in 2014, while the Oraifite Community USA honoured him with a Merit Award for “Unrivaled Philanthropic/Selfless commitment and Contributions to the socio-economic development of Oraifite, in 2015. The National Association of Energy Correspondents honoured him with a Merit Award as Chairman of Kaztec Engineering Limited adjudged the “Best Oil Services Company of the Year,’ 2012. In similar fashion, Nnewi Sports Club also honoured him as the Most Valuable Member in 2012, while the the Arch of Europe Frankfurt honoured Chrome Group with a Gold International Bid Quality Award. (2013) The Consul-General of Nigeria in Atlanta, Hon. Chidi Okafor as far back as 2009 honoured him for “ Selfless Service to Humanity,” even as the State of Georgia in United States of America proclaimed Offor on June 11, 2015 as an Honorary Citizen of Georgia with all rights and privileges attached thereto.” Sir Emeka Offor is the patron of the Nigeria-Trinidad & Tobago Chamber of Commerce and was the Chairman of the Governing Council of Imo State Polythecnic Umuagwo. A lover of Sports, Sir Emeka Offor also professes that without God his life and subsequent accomplishments would have been great impossibilities. He is a Knight of Saint Christopher of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Diocese of Nnewi and without equivocation is the oldest Knight of the Diocese of Nnewi, amongst a plethora of recognitions in the Church of God. ––Olusunle is a Member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, while Omololu-Agbana is a Member of Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ.
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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 AY 19, 2019
SPECIALFOCUS
Presidential Amnesty Programme: Then and Now Bayo Akinloye
F
ollowing the incapacitation and the failure of all other initiatives with regards to the growth and the development of the Niger-Delta region, the Nigerian government under the Late President, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, decided on the 25th of June, 2009, to establish the Presidential Amnesty Programme — a special institution that will not only grant amnesty to the Niger-delta militants but will also oversee the human development capacity of the region. However, at the time, the amnesty programme was created as a response to against the menace of social agitations that had undermined insecurity and the development of the region in which the agitators were most-often-than-not involved in unwanted destruction of government and community properties, blowing up of pipelines and other oil infrastructures etc. The report of the government-constituted Technical Committee on the Niger Delta, which was submitted to the then Nigeria’s President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua on December 1, 2008 that eventually gave birth to the PAP, offered the region a great opportunity to reduce violent conflict significantly and to begin longer-term regional development in the oil-rich region. The success of the Amnesty programme evolved around the willingness and readiness of the militants to surrender their arms and unconditionally, renounce militancy and sign an undertaking to this effect. And in return, the government pledged its commitment to institute programmes to rehabilitate and reintegrate ex-militants under a structured Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DDRR) programme. It is important to note that the DDR programme of the PAP was not the one usually conceived to reflect what we have under the framework of ordinary peace agreement although it drew a lot from international standards and principles that are consistent with the national context. A further examination of the PAP shows that the programme has undergone a transcendental progression through the various phases of Disarmament, Demobilization, and Rehabilitation. In fact, these phases have been concluded. As at when Prof. Charles Dokubo took over as the present Special Adviser to the President and the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Program, the programme was at its Reintegration Phase - a phase that is pivoted on training; education and knowledge; vocational and skills acquisition. One thing stood out clearly, since the inception of the programme to the time Professor Dokubo took over; the programmes’ predecessors were only interested in education and training without recourse given to empowerment and job placement. Hence, the turning point of PAP was under the leadership of Dokubo. Having come on board, he injected new thinking and dimension to the programme. This new thinking is all about the introduction of job placement programmes, microcredit, cooperatives, business support, monitoring, and evaluation. What informed Dokubo’s thought is the fact that for the programme to achieve its objectives, the Niger-Delta youths do not only need to be taught to go through training and education, but they should be assisted to rediscover their potentialities and further made to be self-reliant, as this will keep the youths engaged. Furthermore, since taking over, the number of ex-militants that have graduated has increased geometrically to over 20, 000. On his watch, about 3, 243 persons are at present undergoing training while 5, 578 are at the same time awaiting training (this is because the PAP does the training in batches). With regards to education, a breakdown show that, of 2,577 persons are in school right now, 1,060 persons are studying in not less than 10 universities (both private and government) locally, while 1,517 are studying abroad in over 50 universities spread across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. PAP is doing all this knowing that knowledge and education are key factors to the full and effective participation of youths in the processes of social, economic and political development. What education does to the youth is that it gives them the knowledge, capacities, skills and ethical values needed to fulfil their role as agents of development, good governance, social inclusion, tolerance, and peace. We recognise the fact that greater focus on
Prof. Dokubo
universal access to education, quality education, human rights education and learning is key for young people to be able to address their aspirations and challenges, fulfil their potential and influence current and future social and economic conditions and opportunities.
PAP Empowerment through Vocational Skills/Acquisition Skills and vocational training is another area where Dokubo has done tremendously well. Skills acquisition involves the development of a new skill usually gained through training or experience. Vocational skill is a highly useful education as its occupational content is such that the trainee acquires skills, attitudes, interest, and knowledge to perform socially and economically scientific knowledge. Vocational skill is all-embracing since it prepares its recipient for a living. In that light, it can be argued that entrepreneurship would hardly yield the desired result unless it is accompanied with skills acquisition/knowledge component. If that is the case, a vocational skill, therefore, becomes indispensable for economic growth and development. That is why vocational/skill acquisition is a priority for Dokubo under the PAP. Deriving from that, therefore, under his watch, a total of 18,602 received vocational training in specialized courses. This is the breakdown: agriculture, 2,265; automobile mechanics, 1,171; welding/ fabrication 4,686; entrepreneurship, 2,074; carpentry, plumbing and pipe fitting, 402; electrical installation/ maintenance, 714; information and communications technology, 401; crane/heavy duty operations, 1,536; health safety and environment, 249; music/ fashion/entertainment/catering, 1688; others, 2,185; aviation, 187; and boat building, 152; Out of the 3243 in training, 3,006 are receiving education; 2,799 in universities in Nigeria, and 207 students in universities and colleges abroad. Also, at the moment, 237 are receiving specialized vocational training, 217 in vocational/skills acquisition in Nigeria, and, 20 undergoing specialized training Aviation training at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT). This shows that the training component of the reintegration programme has had a modest impact on human capacity development in the Niger Delta. Thus said, right now, Dokubo is working on setting up in collaboration with the different state governments’ vocational training centres (VTCs) in different fields. Two of these centres are already
commissioned. The oil and gas training centre in Agadaba-Obon, Ondo State and the Basic Skills Training Centre in Kaiama in Bayelsa State.
PAP and Entrepreneurship Development
Empowerment through job placement and entrepreneurship is the new dimension introduced by Professor Charles Dokubo. However, for us to understand what PAP is doing with regards to job placement and entrepreneurship, it is important we situate the definition of entrepreneurship within the PAP framework. That notwithstanding, an entrepreneur is a person who tries to do something new ideas, visualizes a business opportunity, organizes the necessary resources for setting up the business and bears the risk involved. Thus, an entrepreneur may be termed as an innovator, an organizer, and a risk bearer. On the contrary, the Nigerian scenarios have depicted that many Niger-Delta youths and citizens do not have the financial muscles to set-up their businesses, and PAP realizing this and further recognizing that governments alone cannot provide jobs for its teeming youth population, have astutely developed programmes towards the expansion of economic activities through entrepreneurship and job placements of all the trained delegates. Right now, PAP is liaising with different organisations such as United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to help in this regards. Although, post-training engagement for already trained ex-militants remains daunting. However, the present amnesty coordinator has so far empowered and facilitated the set-up of small and medium scale businesses for nearly 4,450 ex-militants. Some of the many trained delegates have secured direct employment in the public and private sectors within and outside the country. Conclusively, since taking over, Dokubo has restructured and created the programme such that in the long run, it will proffer solution to the endemic crisis and give room to sustainable security in the region and to Nigeria as a whole. This is imperative, knowing that if we give these young men and women from the Niger-Delta favourable conditions and policies to enable them to gain employment, it will keep them busy, invariably, they will not have time for much agitation or to foment more trouble. On the contrary, a properly empowered youth within the region is also a potential employer of labour, thus contributing to economic growth as well as development.
T H I S D AY • SUNDAY MAY 19, 2019
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NATIONAL ASSEMBLY COMPLEX, THREE ARMS ZONE P.M.B. 141, GARKI ABUJA
AD-HOC COMMITTEE ON THE INVESTIGATION OF THE NON-REMITTANCE OF THE NIGERIAN SOCIAL INSURANCE TRUST FUND (NSITF) CONTRIBUTIONS BY THE FEDERAL, STATES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
INVITATION TO AN INVESTIGATIVE HEARING
T
he House Ad-Hoc Committee on the Investigation of the Non-Remittance of the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Contributions by the Federal, States And Local Governments invites the following Stakeholders and the General Public to an Investigative Hearing scheduled to hold as follows: DATE: VENUE:
TIME:
Tuesday, 21 May, 2019 Conference Room 236, Second Floor, New Building Extension, House Of Representatives, National Assembly Complex, Abuja 2.00 P.M
THE STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDE: · · · · · · · · · · · ·
Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd Abuja Leasing Company Limited Abuja Geographic Information Systems Bank of Agriculture Debt Management Office Department of Petroleum Resources Federal Capital Territory Area Councils Federal Capital Territory Administration Federal Housing Authority Financial Reporting Council Of Nigeria Industrial Training Fund (ITF) National Environmental Standards Regulations Enforcement Agency · National Automotive Design And Development Council · National Biosafety Management Agency · National Broadcasting Commission · National Information Technology Development Agency · Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority · Nigeria Commodity Exchange · Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority · Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative · Nigeria Immigration Service · Nigeria Investment Promotion Council · Nigeria Maritime Administration & Safety Agency · Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation · Nigeria Railway Corporation · Nigerian Airspace Management Agency · Nigerian Incentive Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending · Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate · Petroleum Equalisation Fund · Rural Electrification Agency · Transmission Company Of Nigeria · Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd · Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation
· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Limited NLNG Ship Management Limited Nigeria Ports Authority Nigerian Security Printing & Minting Plc Independent National Electoral Commission Federal High Court of Justice Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Raw Materials Research & Development Council Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund Universal Basic Education Commission Court of Appeal Headquarters Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission Niger Delta Development Commission Nigeria Export Import Bank Corporate Affairs Commission National Universities Commission Security Exchange Commission Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority National Identity Management Commission Nigeria Communications Commission National Pension Commission National Judicial Institute Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation Abuja Petroleum Technology Development Fund Supreme Court Of Nigeria National Assembly Tertiary Trust Fund Galaxy Backbone Investment and Securities Tribunal National Health Insurance Scheme National Insurance Commission Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Limited National Sugar Development Council National Industrial Court of Nigeria Sharia Court Of Appeal (FCT) Nigeria Stock Exchange Ltd National Judicial Council Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria National Economic Reconstruction Funds Border Communities Development Agency Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors & Valuers Nigerian Society of Engineers National Cooperative Insurance Society of Nigeria Nigeria Customs Service
Evidences of registration and remittances to the NSITF should be submitted to the Committee Secretariat in Room 320, 3rd Floor, White House, House of Representatives, National Assembly Complex, Abuja, not later than Monday, 20 May, 2019. For any enquiries, please call 0803 312 0870
HON. CHUKWUKA ONYEMA Chairman
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M ˜ ͺ ˾THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER
PERSPECTIVE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NATIONAL ASSEMBLY COMPLEX, THREE ARMS ZONE P.M.B. 141, GARKI ABUJA
AD-HOC COMMITTEE ON THE INVESTIGATION OF THE NON-REMITTANCE OF FUNDS TO THE FEDERATION ACCOUNT BY THE NIGERIA NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION (NNPC) FROM JANUARY 2018 TO DATE
INVITATION TO AN INVESTIGATIVE HEARING
T
he House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on the investigation of the Under/Non-Remittance of Funds to the Federation Account by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) from January 2018 to Date, invites the following stakeholders and the general public to an investigative hearing scheduled to hold as follows: Date: Venue:
Time:
Tuesday, 21 May, 2019 Conference Room 236, Second Floor, New Building Extension, House Of Representatives, National Assembly Complex, Abuja 11.00 A.M.
THE STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDE: ·Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) ·Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)) ·Department of Petroleum Resource (DPR) ·Federal Ministry of Finance ·Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation ·Nigeria Governor's Forum (NGF) ·Chevron Nigeria Limited ·Statoil ·Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited ·Nigeria Agip Oil Company Limited ·Petrobras ·Total Petroleum Nigeria Limited ·Hardy Oil & Gas Plc ·Nexen Inc ·Addax Petroleum ·Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited ·Texaco Oversea Petroleum Unlimited Please appear before the Committee as scheduled above, for briefing on your remittances into the Federation Account. For any enquiries, please call 0803 312 0870 Hon. Chukwuka Onyema Chairman Announcer
Why NNPC Must be Sold Now! Kunle Oshobi
I
n today’s rapidly transforming global economy, the only thing constant is change. Businesses that are not keeping up with the trends or are unable to adapt to new disruptive technologies and innovations will sooner or later find themselves out of business. There are a few examples of market leading companies that went down as a result of not reading their markets right and being unable to keep up with innovations within their industry. Fifteen years ago, Nokia was the market leader and dominant player in the mobile phone industry accounting for over 30% of mobile phone sales globally. However the market changed very rapidly due to several innovations in the industry but Nokia had become complacent as the market leader and did not innovate as quickly as the market was transforming. By the time they realized, it was too late. The market had moved on and they were left bankrupt. Another industry that has been rendered obsolete is the photographic film camera industry where the two leading players; Kodak and Polaroid, failed to respond adequately as digital photography caught on in the 1990s. Ironically it was Kodak’s research team that first came up with the digital camera in the early 1970s but they failed to develop the technology because the company made more profits from the sale of films than from the sale of cameras and they didn’t want to lose that revenue stream. As a result of the failure of these companies to innovate and adapt to disruptive technologies, both companies have since filed for bankruptcy and gone under. Bearing in mind what these disruptive innovations are doing to industries all over the world and the consequent effect on those that refused to adapt, it makes it imperative for us as a nation to plan ahead to avoid the consequences of not adapting to change and going down like those who refused to adapt. The Nigerian economy is one that is largely dependent on crude oil revenue to sustain its economy given the fact that crude oil accounts for 70% of government revenues and 90% of export earnings. As a result of this, any disruption in the crude oil industry will greatly impact on the Nigerian economy. Today, there is a big push away from using crude oil(fossil fuels) as the primary source of energy globally. Apart from the fact that global oil reserves are fast depleting, due to environmental concerns, there is a concerted effort by Western and some Asian countries to phase out the production of cars using fossil fuels and concentrate more on the production of vehicles using renewable energy. As a result of this some countries have even gone to the extent of passing legislation on dates to phase out vehicles powered by fossil fuels. German car manufacturers are presently investing over 60 bilion euros in the building of electric car factories, likewise China, Japan and Korea are making similar heavy investments. Tesla an American car manufacturer that specializes strictly in the production of electric vehicles is currently the fastest growing car manufacturing company the world and virtually all major car manufacturers in the world are scaling up their production of electric vehicles. All these point to
the fact that the world is moving away from fossil fuels as a means of powering our vehicles and this will clearly result in a global decline in the demand for crude oil. A fall in the global demand for crude oil will translate into a fall in price of the commodity as time goes on and countries like Nigeria that depend heavily on the commodity will be greatly impaired if we fail to respond to this pending disruptive innovation that is staring us in the face. Apart from the loss of revenue, oil producing companies will lose a lot of their value as a lot of the assets in the industry become obsolete. Nigeria has heavy investments in the petroleum industry through the government-owned NNPC that is estimated to be worth anything between $300 billion and $500 billion. In twenty years time when the real effect of the disruption in the industry would have fully set in, the value of this investment may not be worth up to $10 billion. This is apart from the sad reality that the industry will no longer be bringing in any appreciable revenue into the coffers of the country. The good news is that we still have enough time to plan ahead to mitigate against this impending loss to the economy and strengthen our economy to remain relevant in the emerging global economy. Government should as a matter of urgency through transparent bidding that will be handled by the World Bank sell off all its investment in the oil sector and the proceeds of the sale should be invested in Human Capital Development and our sovereign wealth fund. By so doing we will be able to save the country hundreds of billions of dollars due to depreciation that will happen in the oil industry whilst at the same time we generate huge revenues that can be invested in preparing Nigeria and Nigerians for a world after Oil. There are fears in certain quarters that government will cease to make revenues from oil if it sells the NNPC. This is not true as government will still continue to make revenues from the oil companies through royalties and petroleum profit tax after these companies are sold. What they will forfeit is production sharing from the Joint Venture companies that would have been sold off. Also savings will be made form selling off the loss making arms of NNPC that constitute a huge drain pipe in the coffers of the nation. With the selling of NNPC government can now focus mainly on the generation of taxes to meet it’s financial needs. Given that our current tax to GDP ration is less than 5%, there is a lot of opportunity to significantly improve government’s revenue in this area when we take into cognizance that some of our fellow African countries have tax to GDP ratios of up to 20%. The sale of NNPC presents the best opportunity for government to cut off its dependence on oil, develop other sectors of the economy whilst at the same time generate funds that will be needed to transform our economy from one that is dependent on oil to one that is dependent on our most valuable resource which is human resources. ––Oshobi wrote in from Lagos. Can be reached on kunleoshobi@ outlook.com.
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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MAY 19, 2019
NEWSXTRA
IN AMBODE’S HONOUR
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, flanked by former Nigerian footballer, Peter Rufai (right); representative of Liberian President George Weah, Mr. Zeoga Wilson and other former African football stars during the Testimonial Football Match in honour of Ambode at the Agege Stadium, Lagos… yesterday
UK Court Asks Shell to Pay Ogoni Community N183bn Davidson Iriekpen The Queens Bench Division High Court of Justice in the United Kingdom has ordered Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), Shell International Company Limited and Shell International Exploration and Production BV to pay Ejama Ebubu community of Ogoni in Rivers State the sum of N183bn as damages for oil spill in the area. The verdict followed the registration and reaffirmation of the judgment of the Federal High Court in Asaba on the compensation due to the Ogoni community as judgment creditors in a suit filed at the High Court of Justice, Queens Bench Division in the United Kingdom.
The judgment awarded the community the sum of roughly N183bn in line with the judgment given by the Federal High Court in Asaba on June 14, 2010. In 1970 an oil spill occurred that affected 255 hectares of arable farm land in the EjamaEbubu community in the Tai-Eleme part of Rivers State which adversely affected fishing livelihood, farming activities and communal health of the local area. In July 2010 the Federal High Court in Asaba set damages against SPDC, in the region of N15.4bn (or about $43 million at current NAFEX rate of N360/$). The recent judgment amid pre-existing adverse claims and orders against the AngloDutch giant, Royal Dutch Shell, raises fresh claims with the reg-
istering of judgment in the sum of N182.7bn against the three defendants all subsidiaries of the conglomerate based in Nigeria, UK and the Netherlands. The new judgment registered by the Queen’s Bench Division in February 2019 followed protracted litigation which commenced at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt and went all the way to the Supreme Court. The local environment green case had dragged on for 29 years before the Supreme Court in February 2019 in a ruling upholding earlier FHC judgments ordered that the community be paid a total judgment debt of N134bn ($372.2m by Shell). This is about 16 per cent of Royal Dutch Shell’s Net Income of $23.91bn for 2018. Analysts believe that the
fresh UK judgment is likely to compound Shell’s challenges with judgment debts across the globe and in Nigeria, given the size of its contingent liabilities and their potential effects of compressing the Group’s FY 2019 profit before tax (PBT). Royal Dutch Shell (RDSA) currently trades at a market price of GBp2, 447.50 on the London Stock Exchange (LSE); since Q2 2018 the Group’s quarter-on quarter net income has remained flat at GBp5bn. This suggests that if the 2018 trend persists in 2019 the company would likely post a net income of GBp25bn but this could fall considerably if judgment debts in line with IFRS9 rules are charged against its 2019 profit and loss account. These contingent concerns may not have been priced-in
with the oil group’s price earnings ratio (P/E) of 11.17; one year return of -3.67per cent, and a twelve month trailing earnings per share (EPS) of GBp2.84. Recent contingent concerns may underline a bearish trend in the stocks London price as investors begin to charge a ‘green discount’ to accommodate fears over judgment debt outflows. The suit was first commenced in 1991 before a Rivers State High Court sitting at Nchia Division, when the Ejama community represented by Isaac Osaro Ogbara, Victor Obari, John Oguru, Joseph Ogusu, G. O. Nnah, George Osaro, and Adanta Obelle, sued the Shell Group SPDC. Judgment was entered for the sum of N6billion in favour of the community by the Nchia
High Court. That judgment was conceded on appeal because the Supreme Court had in a sister case decided that the States High Court had no jurisdiction in oil related matters. The plaintiffs in 2001 refiled the suit at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt. However, the court, presided over by Justice Ibrahim Buba after listening to the submissions of the parties in the suit, in his judgment in 2010, awarded N17 billion to the representatives of the Ogoni people. The court equally granted the Ogoni chiefs 25 per cent interest charge on the principal sum of about N17 billion. SPDC then appealed against the judgment and applied for a stay of execution of the judgment pending the appeal.
LGAs Can Exercise Constitutional Christian Group Protests Powers with N’Assembly, Says Court Attacks on Southern Kaduna
Oloto, Four Others Charged with Unlawful Interference with Property
Alex Enumah in Abuja
Segun James
An Abuja High Court has declared that 774 local government areas (LGAs) across the federation have powers to carry out their primary constitutional duties without an Act of the National Assembly. Also, the court has declared that the fact that the National Assembly was yet to enact a law to spell out the functions of the area councils as provided under Section 7(5) of the Constitution, does not divest them of their functions. The presiding judge, Justice Charles Agbaza made the declaration while delivering Judgment in a suit seeking clarification on the power of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) to name streets in honour of an individual. The suit was filed by an Abuja-based lawyer, Mr. Ogwu Onoja (SAN) challenging the FCDA) and AMMC to replace the road named after him by
the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) with Amma Pepple Crescent’. In his decision, the judge noted that the 1999 Constitution had already recognised and indeed accorded those functions as functions of the Local Government Areas or Area Councils. He added that the law to be enacted “is mainly to comply with the provisions of the constitution as the constitution had already under the Fourth Schedule assigned or accorded the Local Government Councils or Area Councils, the function which include the naming of streets and roads.” The judge cited Section 1(g) of the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution” to support the decision, directing the disputed street be restored in favour of the senior advocate. Consequently, Agbaza restrained all FCDA and all its agencies from further tampering with the street named after Onoja. He also awarded the sum of N2m as general damages against AMMC.
Kayode Fasua The Living Faith Foundation, a Christian religious body in Southern Kaduna, has condemned the ethno-religious crisis in Gidan Magani, Kasuwa Magani and other parts of Kaduna State, which it claims has led to the loss of scores of lives, with casualty rate heavy on the part of Christians. In a statement issued yesterday, which was obtained by THISDAY, the foundation specifically lamented the what it described as the dehumanisation and torture of its church instrumentalist, Mr. Busayo Anthony Akinwande, who had been rendered virtually lame by religious extremists. The victim, it stated, is the Managing Director of White Bridge Nigeria Limited, a construction firm in Kaduna, even as it added that it was still mourning the killing of others of its members who included Mary Emmanuel, Julius Akinwande, and Tunde Ogbeha. “The trio was burnt to death in
their family homes by suspected members and supporters of Muslim Youth Foundation of South Kaduna (MYFOSKA) and Muslim Youth Wings of Southern Kaduna (SOKAMUDA),” the group alleged. In the statement issued by Pastor Mose Olaiya, its regional pastor, the group called on the authorities to wade in, to save its members from total annihilation. “The Living Faith Foundation condemns the continued and increasing challenges of violence against members of our Church by Islamist groups in Southern Kaduna. “Our places of worships are targeted for destruction and our members are persecuted and threatened on daily basis since the first ethnoreligious clash in the state. which happened in Kasuwan Magani in the 1980s, and since then, a…constituency had developed, which believes that violence pays and is convinced that violence has no consequences for its perpetrators.
Lagos socialite, Buhari Oloto have been charged alongside four others before a Lagos State High Court for unlawful interference with property, contrary to Section 2(1) of the Lagos State Properties Protection Law 2016. Charge Number LD/8821C/2019 dater 18th February and signed by Mr Henry Obiazi, a Deputy Supretendent of Police on behalf of the Inspector General listed Tomori Williams, Adeyemi Adewale, Jimoh Jafar and Chief Edward Akande as co-defendants. The police gave the particular of the offence as follows: “Buhari Oloto, Tomori Williams, Adeyemi Adewale, Jimoh Jafar and a Chief Edward Akande between January and April, 2016 at Alaka area of Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, unlawfully interfered with a vast
expanse of land, property of the Registered Trustees of the Estate of Late Madam Iyalode Efunroye Tinubu and prevented the trustees, their lawful representatives and genuine purchaser of the portions of the said land, from making use of the said property and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 2(3) of the Lagos State, Properties Protection Law 2016.” They said land was said to be in peaceful possession of the Registered Trustees of the Estate of Late Madam Iyalode Efunroye Tinubu. They were also charged with forcible entry, contrary to section 3 of the Lagos State, Properties Protection Law 2016. The police accused the defendants of entering the land in a manner that likely to cause a breach of peace. The defendants were also accused of forcible possession of land contrary to section 4 the Lagos State, Properties Protection Law 2016.
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SUNDAYSPORTS Man City Thrash Watford 6-0, Complete Domestic Treble
Edited by Demola Ojo Email: demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com
R
aheem Sterling scored the first FA Cup final hat-trick since 1953 as Manchester City rounded off an outstanding season by crushing Watford at Wembley to clinch a historic domestic treble. Sterling was the star of the show as Pep Guardiola’s team became the first English men’s team to achieve this feat and re-affirmed their status as this season’s dominant force as Watford were utterly outclassed. Watford’s best chance of over-turning the odds came early on when City keeper Ederson saved at the feel of Roberto Pereyra and they were furious when referee Kevin Friend waved away penalty claims after Vincent Kompany blocked Abdoulaye Doucoure’s shot. The contest was effectively over from the moment David Silva finished from close range after 26 minutes, Sterling doubling the advantage before half-time by turning in Gabriel Jesus’s goalbound shot. Watford rallied briefly after the break but were always wide open to the counter attack. They were brutally punished by an imperious City side, as substitute Kevin de Bruyne scored from Gabriel Jesus’s pass just after the hour before the Brazilian raced clear for another goal shortly afterwards. Sterling wrote his own name into the history with a treble by scoring twice in the final 10 minutes - turning in Bernardo Silva’s perfect cross before bundling in the final goal of a memorable display from Guardiola’s side. It was City’s sixth FA Cup triumph and their first under Guardiola, who has now won six trophies since taking over at Etihad
Citylift the FA Cup to complete an unprecedented domestic treble
Stadium in 2016. City’s win means Wolverhampton Wanderers, who finished seventh in the Premier League table, will play in the two-legged second qualifying round of the Europa League on 25 July and 1 August.
Manchester City’s latest triumph means they have become the first team to complete a treble consisting of those three trophies, taking yet another place in the history books. After also winning the league and
Bundesliga: Bayern Trounce Frankfurt, Beat Dortmund to Title Bayern Munich made it seven Bundesliga titles in a row as they saw off Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 at the Allianz Arena to take the crown by two points from Borussia Dortmund, who won 2-0 at Borussia Monchengladbach. Veterans Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben, on as second-half substitutes, both scored in their final Bayern appearances as Niko Kovac’s side recovered from the shock of a Frankfurt equaliser to wrap up the title in emphatic fashion. Bayern needed only four minutes to take the lead, with Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller combining to set up Kingsley Coman to fire beyond Kevin Trapp. With Dortmund’s score at Gladbach standing at 0-0, Bayern put further pressure on the Frankfurt goal, with Lewandowski having an effort blocked. Bayern’s afternoon almost got even better when Gladbach were within a whisker of going in front against BVB, Ibrahima Traore hitting the bar, and back at the Allianz Arena, Lewandowski came close to setting up another for Coman. The defending champions also thought they had doubled their advantage when Serge Gnabry struck, only for a VAR review to find Lewandowski had been offside in the build-up to the goal. But they continued to sweep forward, Frankfurt’s Jonathan de Guzman diverting the ball against his own crossbar and Trapp saving well from Muller. At Gladbach, Marco Reus curled a free kick over for Dortmund -- but with moments to go until half-time, he set up the goal that kept their title chances flickering, a cross falling to Jadon Sancho, who steered the ball high into the net. Half-time came with both contenders in front, but there was drama in the opening stages of the second half in Munich. Frankfurt substitute Sebastien Haller equalised in the early stages after the ball had come back off the bar in a scramble, meaning Bayern and Dortmund were temporarily level on points with Bayern substantially ahead on goal difference. Within moments, Bayern were in front again,
Ribery and Robben score in their farewell appearance for Bayern
David Alaba on target after Trapp had parried from Muller, Dortmund then doubling their advantage as Sancho and Christian Pulisic set up Reus. But after 58 minutes, the title was all but decided when Bayern struck again, Renato Sanches making space and firing through Trapp from an angle to spark huge celebrations. Ribery, on his way in the summer, ended his
long and distinguished Bayern career when he replaced Coman, and Robben followed suit as he came on for Gnabry. The Frenchman was soon on the scoresheet, jinking away from a couple of defenders and dinking the ball past the demoralised Trapp. Not to be upstaged, Robben had the final word, tapping in after a low ball into the area had eluded the ragged Frankfurt defence.
Super Falcons lift WAFU Cup, return to Nigeria Today Nigeria swept to glory in the 2019 WAFU Women’s Cup tournament in Abidjan yesterday as the Super Falcons edged host nation Cote d’Ivoire 5-4 after penalty shootout in an interesting final match at the Stade Robert Champroux. The Ivorians took the lead in the 43rdminute of the encounter when Spain-based Ange Koko N’Guessan, who also scored for the Dame
Elephantes against Mali in the semi final, beat goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie with a marvelous free-kick. Afterwards, the African champions created several chances without making hay. It was left to leggy forward Uchenna Kanu, the USA-based student, to draw Nigeria level in the fourth minute of added time in the second half.
Carabao Cup last season - they have now lifted five of the past major six domestic trophies available. And if you count the Community Shield, as Pep Guardiola seems to, you can make that six out of seven.
BOA Lawyers League: Advocaat Aiming to Continue Giant Killing in Semis Today Surprise team of the 2019 BOA Lawyers Football Tournament, Advocaat is to play ALP/SPA Ajibade in one of the semi finals of this edition today. Advocaat topped their giant-killing spree this season, creating the biggest upset knocking out Olisa Agbakoba Legal who are the defending champions. They beat Olisa Agbakoba 2-0 to set up today’s semifinal clash with ALP/SPA Ajibade who defeated SOOB/NICCOM LLP 1-0. Before the Advocaat clash with ALP/SPA Ajibade, former champions, Falana & Falana will take on the Lagos State Ministry of Justice (LSMJ) in the first semifinals at the AstroTurf2000, Ikoyi, Lagos. Falana & Falana defeated Templars 1-0 in one of the quarterfinals played last Sunday, while LSMJ overcame UUBO/ACAS 2-0 after a penalty shoot out that settled their tie, which ended goalless in regular time. Meanwhile, the organisers have advised teams to arrive at the venue 30 minutes before their game, adding that everything has done to ensure the players, supporters and their guests have a good time tomorrow. The Lawyers League is held in memory of the late lawyer, Bankole Olumide Aluko, a founding partner in the law firm of Aluko & Oyebode, who passed on 17 years ago. The first semifinal will start by 3.30 p.m., while the second will hold by 3.50 p.m In the penalty shoot-out, Amarachi Okoronkwo, Maryam Ibrahim, Alice Ogebe, Joy Bokiri and captain Evelyn Nwabuoku made no mistake from the spot, while the Ivorians lost one of their kicks. The Falcons had also won their semi final match against Ghana after penalty shoot-out, 4-2. On the whole, the African champions scored 23 goals in the tournament, conceding only two. They thrashed Burkina Faso 5-1, victimized Niger Republic 15-0, defeated Mali 2-0 and defeated Ghana on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
Sunday May 19, 2019
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MISSILE A Rice Farmer to FG “Food crisis is imminent because farmers cannot access their farms. There will not be much farming activities in major parts of the north. Consequently, there will be shortage of food towards the end of 2019.” – A rice farmer in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State, Alhaji Aliyu Babangida Maishikafa whole expressing concern over the spate of kidnapping and banditry in the north.
SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!
simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961
Talkin’ about a Revolution
I
always hesitate to use the “R” word because I don’t understand how it really works, but a lot of Nigerians have been talking about “revolution” for a while. They say Nigeria will experience a revolution at a point in time, given the way the society has been going: the rich getting richer, the poor getting poorer; the fat getting fatter, the lean getting leaner. One definition goes like this: “Revolution is a fundamental and relatively sudden change in political power and political organisation which occurs when the population revolts against the government, typically due to perceived oppression — political, social, economic — or political incompetence.” It sounds interesting but many have also argued that a revolution is not possible in Nigeria because “we the people” are “docile”. Some say Nigerians deserve the kind of leaders they have. They collect cash, rice and vegetable oil at election times to trade their votes and are inevitably bound by the choices they make. It is said that morally, therefore, they cannot rise up against the same leaders they put in office after selling their votes. Nigerians are also sharply divided along ethnic and religious lines, meaning there can never be a consensus to rise up against the government in power because it will be resisted by those who have the incumbency advantage. Revolution is too heavy an idea for me to discuss on the pages of newspapers, but Senator Dino Melaye got me thinking with his tweet on Thursday about the “revenge of the poor” and the “perilous times” that lie ahead. He tweeted: “I am afraid of the revenge of the poor, it happened in Russia, France and recently in Sudan. It can happen in Nigeria. Housing segregation put us the elite in jeopardy. Ikoyi, Banana, Maitama, Asokoro etc. Our leaders + me beware of violent revolution. Perilous times loading.” Coming from a senator who has more fancy cars than the hairs on my head, the warning hit me like a half-hearted satire but I managed to survive it. In my previous article, “Whatsoever a Man Soweth” (May 12, 2019), I did warn that nobody is safe in Nigeria, including those who think they are covered by a convoy of armed escorts. I also said that the rebellion by the vulnerable elements of the society seems to be in full motion as Nigerians groan under the pandemic of kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, internet fraud and all kinds of criminality. Unfortunately, the security system designed to protect the high and the mighty is failing. It is not just the poor and the lowly that are bearing the brunt, although it is only when the big fish are victims that we make so much fuss over the calamity that has befallen us as a people. I don’t know if Senator Melaye actually meant what he was saying but I will, all the same, give us a few examples of how our legislators are contributing to the state of union and how they are making “perilous times” inevitable — except they change their ways. As I will always argue, our leaders should stop thinking that Nigeria is like this because of some mistake or co-incidence. No. We are only reaping what we have been sowing. What we failed to plan for yesterday is coming back to bite us today and
Melaye
unless we plan for tomorrow as a matter of urgency, the harvest is going to be bountiful but unpleasant. The ruling elite must chew over this again and again. The first thing the lawmakers must realise (and I refer to both state and federal legislators because I don’t believe Abuja is the only problem) is that there is a link between their greed — the obscene allowances, extortiondriven oversight activities as well as padded budgets — and the poverty and insecurity in the land. It is a very simple matter. In a country where tens of millions are unemployed and those who have jobs are struggling to survive, each senator is pocketing N13.5 million “running cost” in a month. We still don’t know what members of the house of reps take home every month, neither can we say anything about state legislators. Maybe theirs is even fatter and juicier. Imagine if the lawmakers — at all levels — are determined to live a decent life and are not obsessed with grabbing every naira in sight. Imagine they are working round the clock to hold the executive accountable for the budgets that are passed every year. Imagine that the lawmakers make sure what is budgeted for roads goes into roads, every kobo earmarked for education goes into education, and every naira allocated to health goes into health. Imagine that those public hearings are actually meant to hold MDAs accountable and expose the rot in the system. Imagine that the auditor-general’s reports are used by the lawmakers to clean up the system rather than to extort. Unfortunately, the lawmakers are a big burden on Nigerians. Not so long ago, the Bayelsa state house of assembly passed a bill granting themselves pensions. The speaker would take N500,000 monthly, the deputy N200,000 and the others N100,000. This, we must understand, is different from the severance package, which the rest of us are not privileged to know. We can only guess that it will not be miserly. All of this happening in a state where the majority of the people are struggling to make ends meet. So we run a society where the fat are getting fatter and are not ashamed to keep sowing bigger coats for themselves every day. But Nigerians are watching. Not to be outdone, Kano state lawmakers have also passed their own law to award life
pension to their principal officers. They will also be entitled to foreign medical treatment for life — while the people who voted them into office are not entitled to common paracetamol at the public hospitals. The lawmakers in several states, working as rubberstamps of incumbent governors, passed pension laws that awarded former governors new cars every three to four years, in addition to mansions in the state capitals and Abuja, foreign medical treatment and other sickening benefits. Nigerians are programmed to be exploited by their leaders in and out of office! The inequality is wicked. The bazaar of budget padding by lawmakers is one of the most evil developments in this democratic dispensation. A former lawmaker once challenged me to define “budget padding” and I was wondering if he was pulling my leg. It so happens that an agency will prepare a budget of N10 billion and the supervisory legislative committee will tell the agency it can double the figure to N20 billion if they can bring a certain amount in cash upfront. Some lawmakers will even insist on nominating contractors for projects smuggled into the budget, and you and I know that the job may not be done at all. How can any society make progress that way? How can? Melaye is talking about the coming “revolution”. Yes, the behaviours of the power elite are in the public domain. Nigerians are watching. They listen to the news everyday and can tell you what the lawmakers are doing with our commonwealth. They are seeing pictures and videos on social media. They are reading the charges filed against politicians in court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They know all these things. Nothing justifies criminality and I will never vote for criminality, but maybe it is time for Nigerian politicians — not just the lawmakers — to see how their greed and lifestyles are hurting Nigeria’s progress and breeding criminals. You can always argue that we should not use poverty to explain the growing criminality in the land. But we need to step back again and again and ask the question: why are certain crimes becoming attractive to our young people? Many of those being arrested are university graduates and brilliant people whose energies have been deployed for the wrong use because they have nothing gainful to do. I will, therefore, conclude with the same admonition: the time has come for the Nigerian elite to have a “meeting” and agree to change their ways. Things cannot continue like this. They must forsake their greed and redirect our commonwealth from personal comfort to communal progress. To make my admonition simpler: let our budgets and resources be utilised to build a society that prioritises the welfare of the majority and not the pensions, wardrobe allowances and DTAs of a tiny minority. Governors’ convoys must grow leaner and the presidential jets must reduce in population. Tracy Chapman, the American singer, sang in 1988: “Don’t you know/They’re talkin’ ‘bout a revolution/It sounds like a whisper/ While they’re standing in the welfare lines/ Crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation/Wasting time in the unemployment lines/Sitting around waiting for a promotion.” Those who have ears, let them hear.
And Four Other Things… CHICKEN CHANGE Abdulgafar Ayinla, a member-elect of the Kwara state house of assembly, has been arrested by the EFCC over an alleged N26 million property scam. Ayinla, a legal practitioner, allegedly defrauded a US-based client in a property deal. He is accused of collecting the money without delivering service and has allegedly confessed to the crime, promising to refund the N26 million to the petitioner as soon as he is inaugurated and he — wait for this — collects his “wardrobe allowance”! The lawmakers are really feeding fat on the treasury. Of course, he will be sworn in as a lawmaker. That is the way we roll. And we still wonder why Nigeria is like this. Honourable! LOOT AND LAUGH If you are a public officer in Bauchi state, I have some news for you: you can now loot and laugh all the way to the bank. The Bauchi state house of assembly has repealed the law on the recovery of looted public funds and properties. The law was passed on the floor of the house with only 13 out of 31 members in attendance. Governor Mohammed Abubakar had signed the law establishing Public Property and Funds Recovery Tribunal in 2017 allegedly to deal with his predecessor, but now that he is about to become a predecessor himself, he does not want to have a dose of his own medicine. And life will continue as usual. And we will keep wondering why Nigeria is like this. Licence. SMOKING HOT Is the grass greener on the other side? Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo state, has joined Omoyele Sowore, former presidential candidate, in stressing the value of marijuana business, which is projected to hit a global value of $145 billion by 2025. “We all know that Ondo State is the hot bed of cannabis cultivation in Nigeria… we would be shortchanging ourselves if we failed tap into the legal marijuana market,” he said. Of course, there is a difference between medical use of marijuana, which has been identified as a cure for diseases such as epilepsy, and recreational use — which we regard as a vice. Marijuana is gradually becoming a burning issue in Nigeria. Highlight. MYTH BUSTER The full meaning of “sir” is “Slave I Remain”, isn’t it? It was a word introduced to Indians during the British colonial rule to make them subservient to their colonisers for life, according to the urban legend. While India was under various forms of British colonial rule from 1612 to 1947, the word “sir” entered the English language in 1297. That means it was in use about four centuries before India was colonised! Indeed, “sir” was a formal English honorific address for titled knights, not slaves, derived from “sire”. It was also used as a respectful address to “senior commoners”. Sir, sire, seigneur and senior all grew up together in the evolution of language. Fact.
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