SUNDAY 10TH JANUARY 2021

Ayeni Accuses Okunbo of Stealing, Criminal Diversion of Millions of Dollars OMS: He is a Meddlesome Interloper Seeking to Blackmail Okunbo for Financial Benefit Tobi Soniyi A former chairman of the defunct Skye Bank (now Polaris Bank), Mr Tayo Ayeni,

has dragged his business partner, Captain Hosa Okunbo, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged mismanagement,

stealing and diversion of funds from their company – Ocean Marine Security Limited. In the petition written by his counsel, Mr Femi Fálànà (SAN), Ayeni

gave a vivid account of how Okunbo tried to scheme him out of the company.

Ayeni said he had since discovered "a lot of stealing

and diversion as well as gross mismanagement of large sums of money belonging to the company."

However, in a swift reaction

to the multitude of allegations against Okunbo and OMS, via press statement obtained by Continued on page 8

Jubilation in Edo as Court Dismisses Alleged Certificate Forgery Suit against Obaseki… Page 5 Sunday 10 January, 2021 Vol 25. No 9408

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COVID-19: 15 Doctors Test Positive in Nasarawa Specialist Hospital NCDC announces 1,585 new cases, total confirmed cases now 99,063 Oyo warns against managing patients in private facilities Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia No fewer than 15 medical doctors working with the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH), Lafia,

Nasarawa State, have tested positive for COVID-19, which is currently in its second wave with a new variant.

Relatedly NCDC yesterday announces 1,585 new cases,

total confirmed cases to 99,063.

Discharged 79,417; death 1,350.

Lagos maintained its top spot with 573, followed by FCT 182, Plateau 162, Gombe 81, Oyo 75, Rivers 68, Sokoto 58,

Ondo 55, Ogun 42, Nsarawa 40, Akwa Ibom 36, Edo 31, etc.

This is as the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has urged corporate institutions especially, banks to join efforts

with the state government and enforce measures to check the spread of the second wave of coronavirus in the state.

In Oyo State, the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has

warned owners of private health facilities in the state against managing COVID-19 cases in their facilities, as this Continued on page 5

Soyinka: It’s Time to Use ‘Soldiers of Fortune’ to Battle Insecurity Warns against negotiating with bandits, says you can’t appease evil Cautions against Amotekun becoming another SARS Chuks Okocha in Abuja Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, Saturday, called for the use of “soldiers of fortunes”, also known as mercenaries, to tackle the growing insecurity in the country. Soyinka, who appeared on a one-on-one interview session on Arise News Television Network, however, warned government against negotiating with bandits, saying it is impossible to appease evil.

The literary icon cautioned governors of his native South-west to consciously guard against a possible transmutation of the regional security outfit, Amotekun, into a security menace, like the disbanded Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS). He Continued on page 8

ARMOURED SHIELD ISOLATION CENTRE...

L-R: Chief of Surgery & Group Managing Director, Reddington Hospital, Dr. Olatunde Lalude; Lagos Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Executive Chairman, Reddington Group, Dr. Adeyemi Onabowale; his wife, Oludayo and Managing Director/CEO, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, during the official inauguration of Armoured Shield Isolation Centre, Victoria Island... Friday

Army Redeploys 1000 Senior Officers in Major Shake-up…Page 10

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Jubilation in Edo as Court Dismisses Alleged Certificate Forgery Suit against Obaseki Gov: Victory is triumph of truth, rule of law Alex Enumah in Abuja and Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City There was wild jubilation yesterday in some parts of Edo State as Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Saturday, dismissed a suit of forgery against the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki for want of merit.

Mohammed dismissed the suit brought by Obaseki's former party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the grounds that they failed to prove allegations of forgery against the governor.

Obaseki hailed the decision of the court as he triumph of truth and rule of law in a statement immediately after the judgment.

According to the judge, the plaintiffs’ reliance on photocopies of Obaseki's credentials in instituting the forgery case against him was fatal to their case.

He held that non of the witnesses called by the plaintiffs confirmed ever seen Obaseki's original certificate, nor visited the University of Ibadan or other relevant educational bodies to verify the authenticity of Obaseki's certificates submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in aid of his qualification for the September 19 governorship poll in Edo State.

APC and one Edobor Williams had dragged Obaseki to court for allegedly forging his University of Ibadan (UI) degree certificate as well as other certificates he submitted to INEC for the governorship election.

In the suit filed on July 14, 2019, the plaintiffs asked the court to disqualify Obaseki and his party, from the poll in the event that Obaseki was found to have forged his university certificate obtained from UI in 1979.

They further submitted that Obaseki did not meet the minimum requirement for admission for a first degree course at the university in 1976.

In proving their case, the plaintiffs called in a total of six

witnesses including two Associate Professors, who tendered their individual certificates obtained from the University of Ibadan in 1978 and 1979 respectively.

But in his defence, Obaseki called three witnesses among whom is the Deputy Registrar, Legal, University of Ibadan, Mr. Abayomi Ajayi, who told the court that the mere fact that some parts of the original of Obaseki's degree certificate from the UI were missing in the photocopy he attached to his form EC9 and 001 to INEC did not amount to forgery.

Delivering judgment, Mohammed, who held that he who alleged must prove, noted that the plaintiffs failed to lead credible evidence to substantiate their claims that Obaseki submitted forged or false documents to INEC. He said plaintiffs only relied on photocopies instead of going to the various institution to verify Obaseki's claim regarding his certificates, adding that Obaseki through his witnesses were able to explain convincingly the discrepancies in the certificates.

The judge further stated that the issue of forgery was a criminal offence, which required that the allegations must be proved beyond reasonable doubts, adding also that the case of the plaintiffs lacked evidence talk less of being proven beyond reasonable doubt.

He therefore argued that the evidence brought before the court was at variance with the allegations.

Noting that Obaseki on his part called witnesses, who tendered direct evidence in his defence, the judge held that Obaseki's presentation of his original copies of all his certificates put to rest any claim that he forged his certificates.

He added that one of the witnesses from the University of Ibadan, Ajayi, went further to show that Obaseki actually graduated from the UI in 1979 and met all necessary requirements to gain admission into the faculty of Arts, where he bagged a Bachelor's degree

in Classical Studies.

"It is my conclusion that plaintiffs failed to prove their allegations of forgery against the defendants. Plaintiffs’ case has failed and it is accordingly dismissed", the court held.

Meanwhile, there were wild Jubilations yesterday in Benin City, the Edo State capital by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as they celebrated the verdict of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Speaking in Benin immediately the news broke, the Edo PDP sent out a congratulatory message to Governor Obaseki on the victory he recorded at the Federal High Court.

Obaseki Reacts The governor, in a statement, said the judgement is a triumph of the rule of law and a testament to the fact that truth would prevail ultimately no matter how vehemently detractors push lies in the face of incontrovertible

evidence.

According to the governor, “The verdict of the Federal High Court, delivered by Honourable Justice Ahmed Mohammed is well-received and a victory for the rule of law. It was a most needless attempt by desperate individuals trying to undo the will of the people through the backdoor but we are happy today that justice and truth have prevailed.”

He noted that the verdict confirms once again that Edo people were well-guided in trusting him to lead them in the September 19th governorship election, promising to continue to prioritise the development of the state not minding the darts thrown by those who are embittered by their loss and continue their attempt to put spanner in the works even when they have been roundly beaten on all fronts.

“My profound gratitude goes to the judiciary who have stood indefatigably for truth and justice;

the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR); my party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); our party leaders and members; my teeming supporters; the good people of Edo State and all Nigerians.”

Edo PDP Reacts The party described the victory as a testimony to the fact that the Obaseki-led government was actually enthroned by the wish of Edo people and had the blessings of God. The party, therefore, advised APC to stop traveling the road of ignominy and joined the government to build a society, where hard work is rewarded; where hate should be condemned and love for a prosperous state the driving spirit.

Publicity Secretary of Edo PDP, Chris Nehikhare, who signed the message declared: "It is now clear that Edo APC and the news and stories they

propagate are built on falsehood, social greed, intellectual imbecility and pathological irresponsibility.

"Edo people are advised not to only punish them with their votes on election days, but to consider them public enemy number one henceforth!

"However, if each and every one of them own up to their role, tender well-intentioned apologies and commit to be of good character, show respect to Edo people, toe the path of honour and have the decency of admitting to the fact that they spread lies and concocted fake stories to sell their mandate and attempted to dupe the courts, Edo people may show some mercy. After all, Governor Obaseki is a reasonable man.

Edo people are reasonable people.

"It is the most honourable thing to do; it is the most noble step to take. Governor Obaseki, we once again congratulate you and the good patient people of Edo State as your resetting Edo a right path," the statement stated.

PROVIDING INFRASTRUCTURE...

L-R: National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus; Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike; and Governor of Sokoto, Aminu Tambwal, during the inauguration of Forces Avenue Olumeni and Harvey streets in Port Harcourt, Rivers State... Friday

COVID-19: 15 DOCTORS TEST POSITIVE IN NASARAWA SPECIALIST HOSPITAL has been linked with the rising cases of the infection in the state.

Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the DASH, Dr. Ikrama Hassan, however, disclosed the situation in the state yesterday, while addressing journalists in Lafia, even as he debunked earlier claims by Association of Resident Doctors in the state that 35 medical doctors in the hospital had tested positive for the virus.

Resident doctors in Nasarawa State had on Thursday, at a press conference in Lafia, called for downscaling of services in all departments of the hospital due to high rate of COVID-19 infection among health workers in the facility, where 35 medical doctors had contracted the virus.

But the CMD confirmed that only 15, out of the 139 doctors in the hospital, tested positive for the virus and therefore appealed to the resident doctors to have a dialogue with management of DASH on their position to shutdown the hospital in the midst of the second wave of COVID -19.

Reacting to a call by the

resident doctors to downscale service delivery in all departments of the hospital due to the rise in the COVID-19 infection among health workers of the hospital, he said the second wave of the pandemic was more infectious and needed concerted effort to tackle.

The CMD contended that calling for a shutdown of the hospital would result in high mortality rate in the state and concluded that since Personal Protective Equipment had been provided by the hospital, the closure of service delivery by resident doctors in the midst of second wave of the pandemic had no rational and scientific basis and as such, unacceptable.

Meanwhile, Obaseki in a statement, said the state has a robust case management system put in place by the state government to manage confirmed cases at the four well-equipped and functional isolation centers, spread across the state.

“Several corporate institutions particularly banks have so far done well in enforcing social distancing and other safety measures. They are, however,

encouraged to intensify efforts this time around to ensure that we curb the spread of this deadly virus,” Obaseki said.

The governor also commended religious leaders for their support and assistance during the first wave of the pandemic, adding: “I encourage them to actively and continuously disseminate information on adhering to safety guidelines to halt the spread of the disease.

“Market unions and trade associations are encouraged to rally their members to adhere to public health and safety guidelines outlined to halt the spread of the disease. Do not sell items to anyone not wearing facemasks so that they don’t put your life at risk.

“In as much as the government will enforce the rules relating to COVID-19 in Edo State, it is important that each and everyone of us take personal responsibility to protect ourselves and the people around us. We must abide by all public health and safety measures to ensure that we are safe,” Obaseki added.

Also, Oyo State's COVID-19 Technical Task Force, while

warning private hospitals, noted that there were 30 approved Testing Centres including the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, for the purpose of testing samples.

It added that those suspected to have symptoms of coronavirus infection should be referred to these centres, adding that testing for symptomatic or suspected cases was free.

A statement by Mr. Taiwo Adisa, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, indicated that the chairman of the COVID-19 Technical Task Force, Professor Temitope Alonge, handed the warning in a memo addressed to Chief Executive Officers, Chief Operating Officers and Managers of private health facilities in the state.

Alonge, the statement noted, appealed to the health workers to comply strictly with the advisory, reiterating that the state government could not afford any depletion in the healthcare workforce due to ill health arising from coronavirus infection.

According to the statement, "The spread of the new wave of the coronavirus infection in

Oyo State is increasing and the reports reaching the Emergency Operations Centre and the Technical Task Force is that some of the people infected had been managed for various ailments in some private health facilities.

"In some cases, the private health facilities fail to notify the EOC about suspected cases that would have had their samples taken by the EOC at the invitation of the private health facilities.

Sampling of such cases by the EOC has been the established protocol and it is still in place.

"However, repeated breach of this protocol is worrisome and I wish to remind all health care providers that we are not immune to this infection and admitting suspected cases in private health facilities is unacceptable.

"No private health facility in Oyo State has been licensed to manage COVID-19 patients.

Strict adherence to the laid down infection prevention and control measures will be enforced by the EOC at any private health facility.

I wish to inform you that there are reports of an increase in the number of healthcare workers, who have contracted coronavirus

infection at various healthcare facilities."

The Task Force therefore stated that managements of all public and private health care facilities in the state should be aware that "there are thirty (30) testing centres dotted all over Oyo State, including the UCH, Ibadan, and that patients suspected to have symptoms of coronavirus infection should be referred to these centres for testing.

"Please note that testing for symptomatic or suspected cases is free. There are five testing centres in Ibadan, namely: Alakia PHC (Lagelu LGA); Health is Wealth (Ibadan North LGA); General Hospital, Apata (Ibadan South West LGA); Ologuneru PHC (Ido LGA); and the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

"I wish to appeal to all for strict compliance with this advisory and to reiterate that the Oyo State Government cannot afford any depletion in the healthcare workforce due to ill health arising from coronavirus infection. If you see something, say something, and if you know something, please speak up," the statement concluded.

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NEWS SOYINKA: IT’S TIME TO USE ‘SOLDIERS OF FORTUNE’ TO BATTLE INSECURITY said to curtail the growing threat to security of life and property in the country, "The government should be willing to pay people to come and help us."

But the foreign military contractors previously engaged

by Nigeria during the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan to combat insurgents have vowed never to return to Nigeria. They based their decision on the way the President Muhammadu Buhari administration treated them and their Nigerian counterparts.

Apart from paying the soldiers of fortune to come to Nigeria's aide, Soyinka called for national mobilisation to combat insecurity.

He condemned governors, who engaged in negotiations with bandits and criminal elements terrorising the country.

According to him: “You don’t appease evil. We are dealing with evil. There is no other word. We are dealing with the proliferation, the enthronement of evil in the society. And, unfortunately, we have encouraged its manifestation, its proliferation, its entrenchment.

“So, let them get away with the issue of sovereignty. If they have to pay people to come and help us, then call them whatever you want. Please go

ahead, because we’ve reached that stage of desperation.

“But I will prefer a general mobilisation in which people are trained, farmers especially, are trained to work with the hoe in one hand and the gun in the other hand, ready to protect their lives, their harvests and the rest of us. We are not unique. History is full of those situations. I will

like to see a national mobilisation.

Let’s be practical.”

Soyinka warned South-west governors to be wary and watchful against the use of the Ametokun security outfit in terrorising society, just like the disbanded SARS. He called for proper training, particularly on ethical standards, to avoid such conversion.

“I have told them anytime you want us to come and assist, we will come, even if it is just on the ethical session, so that as you are training them to defend us, we are also training their minds so that Amotekun does not become another SARS, very important.

We must do everything together,” he said.

There have been renewed calls

on the federal government by North-east governors to engage foreign mercenaries to help in routing Boko Haram terrorists in Sambisa forest and other enclaves.

During the Jonathan administration, Nigeria had brought in “military-technical advisers” – widely believed to be mercenaries – from South

Africa and parts of the former Soviet Union to take on Boko Haram ahead of the 2015 general election. Several regional security, defence and diplomatic sources were aware of the development at the time. There was a tacit confirmation by Jonathan that two companies were providing “trainers and technicians” to help Nigerian forces.

UNRAVELLING CAUSES OF ORUKU CONFLICT...

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (4th right) with the Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to unravel the remote and immediate causes of the recent crisis in Oruku Community, Nkanu West Local Government Area, Justice Harold Eya (4th left) and other members of the panel, after their inauguration, at the Government House, Enugu... yesterday

AYENI ACCUSES OKUNBO OF STEALING, CRIMINAL DIVERSION OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THISDAY yesterday night, the Management of OMS categorically stated that Dr Ayeni was no longer a part of either OMS or its associated companies as he resigned since in 2018 after selling all his shares. The press state reads in part: "The attention of the Board of Ocean Marine Solutions Limited (OMS) has been drawn to several petitions written to various Government Agencies and widely circulated online, written, authored and orchestrated by Dr. Olatunde John Ayeni, a former Director and shareholder of OMS." The statement went on to discribe Ayeni as "a meddlesome interloper seeking to blackmail Okunbo at this time of his ill-heath for Financial Benefit."

On his part, businessman and politician, Prince Ned Nwoko, has dismissed allegations in the Tunde Ayeni’s petition that he (Nwoko) received the sum of $6,000,000 (Six Million Dollars) from him and Captain Idahosa Okunbo, in a business deal with Ocean Marine Solutions (OMS) Limited, over which he allegedly promised to pay the company the sum of $30,000,000 (Thirty Million Dollars).

Mr. Ayeni's petitioner alleged that sometime in 2007, himself, Okunbo, Joe Aikhomu, represented by his father, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, and Gareth Dooley came together to form a company called Ocean Marine Security Limited. He said the company later changed its name to Ocean Marine Solutions Limited.

According to him, Okunbo holds 46 per cent shares in the company, he, Ayeni, holds 35 per cent, Dooley holds 14 per cent, while Aikhomu held five per cent.

Ayeni said himself and Okunbo acquired Aikhomu's shares after his demise. After his death, Aikhomu, who was the founding chairman, was replaced

by Okunbo as chairman.

Ayeni said the company incorporated four other subsidiaries and invested in Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company as well as Yola Electricity Distribution Company.

Trouble started when in 2016 the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) took over Skye Bank Plc, now Polaris Bank Limited.

Following the take over, the new management of the bank wrote a petition against the management of the bank under Ayeni.

Charges were filed against

him at both at the Federal High Court and the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.

In the petition Falana stated, “Our client became very distracted from the day to day operations of the company because of an almost daily requirement of his presence at either the EFCC, the offices of his lawyers and the courts.

“During this period, the company had a payment challenge from the CBN as it also works for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiary NPDC as a result of which some of the payments are denominated in United States Dollars and as such the payments come through the CBN.” Ayeni said Okunbo attributed difficulties in the payment of the invoices to his (Ayeni's) prosecution by the EFCC. In order to shield the company from the effect of his prosecution, Ayeni said Okunbo persuaded him to step aside from the company and its subsidiaries and handover to him to enable him protect income sources of the company.

Ayeni said he agreed to the suggestion because he trusted Okunbo, only for the latter to turn around and say Ayeni's shares had been sold to him, the petition said.

The petitioner alleged that at no time did he discuss the actual sale of his interest in the company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates with Okunbo. He said he no longer received emails and briefings from the company in respect of the businesses and finances but continued to receive his monthly allowances of $350,000 and $25,000 for his wife.

However, Ayeni alleged that the allowances were stopped in September 2020 because of irreconcilable differences bordering on financial impropriety by Okunbo.

The petition said, “When our client confronted Okunbo he had no defence whatsoever but claimed that he had bought our client out of the company and he cannot complain.”

Ayeni also narrated how Okunbo introduced one Mr Nedd Nwoko to the company.

Nwoko said he had a contract with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in respect of the Paris Club refund and that his fee was 20 per cent, Ayeni alleged.

He said Nwoko asked the company to fund the transaction process for him, which he put at $5 million, and proposed to pay the company at success the sum of $30 million.

Ayeni said Okunbo funded Nwoko at various times to the tune of $6million.

He said, "Captain Okunbo claimed that only $4.5 million was paid which was less than the money given to Nedd Nwoko because the Nigeria Governors' Forum reduced his payment and he could not afford the commitment.

“Captain Okunbo suggested to our client to accept the money to reduce the pressure from AMCON, which he obliged, as this was the practice in the company – any particular director in need is sometimes advanced sums of money ahead of others."

Falana further stated in the petition, "Captain Okunbo now claimed that our client is no longer entitled to any share in the company's revenues because of the N1 billion (utilised in initially settling the EFCC on his behalf) which was part of the $4.5 million paid through him to our client by Nedd Nwoko, which was tied to the agreement our client signed with him to avoid EFCC from closing down the account."

He explained, “Sometimes in July 2020, one of our client’s partners told him of a discrepancy which had been noticed in the accounting records leading to an unauthorised withdrawal of $10 million and $8 million, respectively.

“Capt. Hosa Okunbo had claimed to them that he had spent the sum to settle a Senate hearing on one of the subsidiary companies, the Secured Anchorage Area (SAA), and that $8 million was spent in the Presidency on the same issue because of the dispute between him and the Ministry of Transport/Nigerian Ports Authority, which our client considers to be unreasonable because the total annual profit achieved on the SAA was about $5 million.

“You will agree with our client that the claim that Capt. Hosa Okunbo spent $18 million on influence peddling without discussing it with our client amounts to diversion as it makes no sense at all. More so, that the story of the amount he claimed to have spent has

continued to change by the day from $1 million to $2 million to $4 million to $6 million until he made them to input the records $10 million for the Senate hearing and $8 million for the Presidency.”

Infractions Ayeni accused Okunbo of included moving the company's accounts from Polaris Bank to Stanbic IBTC and abandoning the loan repayment comment by the company to the consortium of banks that funded the acquisition of Yola and Ibadan Discos.

He said, “The loan as at today is about $100 million and no single repayment of interest and principal has been made into the account for over one year and a half.

“Captain Okunbo was a director of the Board of IBEDC until a few months ago when he resigned and replaced himself with his younger brother, Mr. Kingsley Okunbo, but he refused to pay the money meant for the acquisition of the company but he rather has been stealing it and diverting same to his personal use and to fund his political activities in just concluded Edo State governorship election.”

Ayeni also alleged that Okunbo inflated the cost of making a movie on oil spill in the Niger Delta from $7 million to $30 million.

The petition read, "Diversion of the loan of N500m to Gen. Boro the then coordinator of the Niger Delta Amnesty programme. Our client was informed that the money was subsequently repaid to the company through Captain Okunbo and two vehicles were recovered by him. He took possession of it and never paid back to the company.

“Captain Okunbo borrowed $2 million from the company and took it to Liberia to fund the current Liberian president's election. He has refused to pay back to the company.

“Unauthorised sale of the company's Challenger Aircraft for the sum of $5.5 million and diversion of the money to his personal farm in Benin, which he has refused to pay back to the company.

“Captain Okunbo borrowed $1 million from the company account which he refused to pay back to the company.

“The company through Captain Okunbo made available the sum of $5 million to Dr John Abebe for a five per cent share

in an oil block with Star Oil. He has refused to provide details of the document of the investment.

“Captain Okunbo has illegally taken unauthorised amounts of money from the company account to fund the just concluded Edo State election without our client's consent.

From preliminary information our client has been informed that he spent about $18 million in this process, as a result of which our client requested a forensic audit of the accounts of the company and the subsidiaries, which Capt. Okunbo had taken full control of.”

Excerpts of OMS Press Statement in Response to Ayeni's Petition "The Board of Directors of OMS with a view to setting the records straight and to prevent Government Agencies, Clients of OMS and the general public from been misled by the false stories hereby states as follows: 1. That Dr. Olatunde John Ayeni is no longer a Director of OMS and any of its Associated Companies having resigned from OMS since August 2018.

2. That Dr. Olatunde John Ayeni is no longer a shareholder of OMS and its Associated Companies having sold and transferred all his shares and interests to Wells Property Development Company Limited for valuable consideration since 2018.

3. That Dr. Olatunde John Ayeni has not been involved and connected in the management of OMS since 2018 when he resigned from the Board and sold his shares.

4. That Dr. Olatunde John Ayeni became aware in September, 2020 that the Chairman of OMS Capt.

(Dr.) Idahosa Wells Okunbo had health issues and was undergoing treatment in London and has since that time started making false claims that he is still a part of OMS. 5. That the Board of OMS has implicit and unshaken confidence in all the steps taken by Capt.

(Dr.) Idahosa Wells Okunbo in managing the affairs of the company and the lofty heights to which he has taken the company.

6.

The Board commends and appreciates Capt. (Dr.) Idahosa Wells Okunbo for his selfless and personal efforts

in managing the affairs of the company and the use of his personal resources in meeting operational financial shortfall in the company.

7. The company states unequivocally that its accounts are in good and correct order and its funds are intact and not missing, misappropriated or otherwise mismanaged.

8. The Board has passed a vote of confidence on Capt.

(Dr.) Idahosa Okunbo.

9. Dr. Olatunde John Ayeni is a meddlesome interloper who is seeking to blackmail Capt.

(Dr.) Idahosa Wells Okunbo at this time of his ill-health for financial benefit.

10. Dr. Olatunde John Ayeni has no interest whatsoever in OMS and its affairs and is hereby advised to steer clear from OMS and its Associated Companies."

Ned Nwoko Fires Back at Ayeni In a letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, Nwoko put a lie to Ayeni’s claim, stating that at no point in time “have I had any dealings with Ayeni or Ocean Marine Solutions in whatever capacity.”

Describing Ayeni’s assertion as “a malicious statement devoid of truth”, Nwoko expressly stated he has "never received any sum from Ayeni which he purported in his petition and has never played any role whatsoever as it relates to this transaction."

“All transactions on the subject matter were done directly with Capt. (Dr.) Idahosa Wells Okunbo in his personal capacity to the exclusion of any other party including Ocean Marine Solutions Limited. To suggest otherwise as contained in the said petition is merely a malicious statement devoid of truth.”

Nwoko urged the IGP to yield no credence to the contents of Ayeni’s petition, as he had no clue “as to the nature or extent of my involvement with ALGON,” as he further clarified that that he only met Tunde Ayeni “in connection with ALGONS contract for the supply of Ambulances which were to be funded from the Paris Club refunds (5% of the judgement sum) and this project is still pending for all that I know.”

“I am not aware of any payments in connection with this project,” Nwoko stated.

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Army Redeploys 1000 Senior Officers in Major Shake-up Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Nigerian Army Headquarters yesterday approved the redeployment of over 1000 senior officers across military formations in the country.

The affected officers include Major Generals, BrigadierGenerals, Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels, Majors, and Captains.

A statement issued last night by Army Spokesman, Brigadier-General Sagir Musa, said the postings, which were approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, was a routine exercise intended to reinvigorate the system for greater performance and effectiveness.

Details of the new postings and appointments showed that Major General FO Agugo was moved from Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals Corps, Apapa, Lagos, to Defence Headquarters Department of Communications as Chief of Defence Communications.

Major General M Mohammed was moved from Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, to Pronto Tech Nigeria Limited and appointed Managing Director.

Maj Gen AR Owolabi moved from Defence Headquarters, Abuja, (Department of Communications) to Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals Corps as Commander.

Major General A Bande is to remain as General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Sokoto, while Major General E Akerejola moves from Army Headquarters Department of Logistics to Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, Benin, as Commandant, and Major General UM Mohammed remains in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff as Special Adviser, Nigerian Army University, Biu, and Vice Chairman, Nigerian Army Property Limited, Abuja.

Others include Major General CV Eze, who moves from Office of the Chief of Army Staff (Nigerian Army

Special Projects) to Army Headquarters, Department of Army Logistics, and appointed Director, Engineering Services; Major General OF Azinta moves from Defence Space Agency, Abuja, to Defence Headquarters as Director, Psychological Warfare; Major General AM Dauda from National Defence College, Abuja, to Army Headquarters, Department of Policy and Plans, and appointed Director Policy; Major General AL Dusu from Army Headquarters, Department of Policy and Plans to Nigerian Army School of Artillery, Kachia, and appointed Commandant.

Major General H Ahmed from Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police remains as Provost Marshal (Army).

Redeployed also are Major General TA Gagariga from Nigerian Army School of Artillery, Kachia, to Defence Space Agency, Abuja, appointed Deputy Chief of Defence Space Agency; and Major General JO Iwara from Army Headquarters Department of Standard and Evaluation to Department of Army Logistics, and appointed Director of Logistics Planning.

Major General PI Eze is to remain at Headquarters, Theatre Command, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maiduguri, as Theatre Logistics Component Commander; Major General OO Oluyede to remain in Sector 2 Operation Lafiya Dole, Damaturu, as Commander; Major General BR Sinjen to remain in Army Headquarters Department of Training and Operations, Abuja, as Director Operations; Major General R Abubakar to remain in Defence Headquarters as Defence Liaison Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.

Major General OO Soyele was redeployed from Defence Headquarters, Abuja, to Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, as Senior Research Fellow.

Major General AK Ibrahim is to remain in Headquarters 7 Division/ Sector 1 Operation

Lafiya Dole, Maiduguri, as General Officer Commanding/ Commander Sector 1 Operation Lafiya Dole; Major General SI Igbinomwanhia to remain in Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole, Monguno, as Commander; and Major General IM Jallo moves from Headquarters 63 Brigade, Asaba, to Headquarters 6 Division, Port Harcourt, appointed General Officer Commanding.

Similarly, Brigadier General AIM Lapai was moved from 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support), Onitsha, to Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery, Kontogora, and appointed Director, Field Defence; Brigadier General Kawugana moved from Warrant Officers' Academy, Jaji, to Headquarters 9 Brigade, Ikeja, and was appointed Commander; Brigadier General MO Jimoh moved from Defence Headquarters to Defence Space Agency, Abuja, and was made Deputy Director, Launch Vehicle Systems; and Brigadier General MA Bolarinwa moved from Nigerian Army School of

Supply and Transport, Benin, to Defence Headquarters (Annex), Lagos, and was appointed Deputy Director, Supply.

Brigadier General SM Uba is to remain in 401 Special Forces' Brigade as Commander; while Brigadier General WM Dangana moves from Army War College Nigeria, Abuja, to 3 Division Garrison, Jos, as Commander. Brigadier General AGL Haruna would remain in 7 Division Garrison, Maiduguri, as Commander, while Brigadier General AM Garba moves from Headquarters Theatre Command, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maiduguri, to Headquarters 23 Brigade, Yola, as Commander; and Brigade General AG Laka moves from Army War College Nigeria, Abuja, to Nigerian Army Operations Centre, Abuja, and as Coordinator.

Brigadier General IA Ajose moves from Training and Doctrine Command, Minna, to 4 Special Forces Command, Doma, as Chief of Staff; Brigadier General DK Zirkushu moves from Headquarters 1 Brigade,

Gusau, to Headquarters 28 Task Force Brigade, Chibok, as Commander; Brigadier General M Ibrahim moves from Operation Safe Corridor, Gombe, to 14 Brigade, Ohafia, as Commander; Brigadier General A Idris moves from Army Headquarters Department of Administration Army to Headquarters 63 Brigade, Asaba, as Commander; and Brigadier General RT Utsaha moves from 34 Brigade Garrison, Owerri, to 32 Brigade, Akure, and is appointed Commander.

Brigadier General MA Sadiq moves from Headquarters Operation Delta Safe, Yenagoa, to Headquarters 4 Brigade, Benin, and is appointed Commander; Brigadier General IH Daniel moves from 304 Artillery Regiment, Maiduguri, to 34 Brigade Garrison, Owerri, as Commander; and Brigadier General EO Ojabo moves from Defence Headquarters, Abuja, to 81 Division Garrison, Lagos, as Commander.

Brigadier General SS Tilawan is to remain at Headquarters 5 Brigade as Commander.

Others affected include Colonel FD Babatunde from Headquarters 81 Division, Lagos, to Headquarters Operation SAFE HAVEN, Jos, appointed Sector Commander; Colonel OJ Majebi from Operation SAFE HAVEN, Jos, to 31 Brigade Garrison, Minna, appointed Commander; Colonel JC Mbanefo from Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery to 301 Artillery Regiment (General Support), and appointed Commander; and Colonel MA Maaji from Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria, to 4 Operation Delta Safe and appointed Commander.

The statement said all the postings and appointments took effect from January 18, 2021.

"While wishing all the officers well in their respective appointments, the Chief of Army Staff enjoins them to take their new responsibilities and appointments seriously and discharge all duties professionally with utmost loyalty to the nation and the service,” it said.

VIOLATORS OF LAGOS COVID-19 CURFEW...

Violators of Lagos State curfew on COVID-19 arrested by the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosun and his team during a Night Club at Bode Thomas Surulere Lagos on Saturday

Nigerian Convicted in China for Fraud, Seeks Justice Says he was wrongly convicted Tobi Soniyi Nigerian Consulate in Guangzhou, China is investigating the case of a Nigerian- Mr Dirisu Abusari Dodo, who was convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison for alleged fraud which he said he did not commit.

His lawyer, Alaio Momodu had written to the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission asking for its intervention to get justice for Dodo.

In a reply to the lawyer, the commission said that Mr Dodo's petition had been forwarded to the Nigerian Consulate in Guangzhou with a view of getting justice for

him.

His lawyer had earlier written to the Police Chief Yuexiu district people’s court, Guangzhou city, Guangdong Province, demanding that the case against Dodo be reinvestigated and reviewed.

"Our client needs your protection as a non-citizen of your country, we request and plead that he should be removed from this fraud case and be freed since he never gained any proceeds from the criminal activities", the letter to the police chief read.

The lawyer also demanded a review of the legal advice with the aim to exonerate Dodo from the criminal case.

He also appealed to the

Chinese police to cause a detailed reinvestigation into the matter in order to come to a conclusion that Dodo was not part of the crime but a victim of circumstance while performing his legitimate business activities.

The letter read: "We are solicitors to the family of Mr. Dirisu Abusari Dodo who resides and does legitimate business in your country with Nigerian Passport Number A02193276 and lives at Guangzhou city, Guangdong Province, China.

"We are ceased with the facts of this case and it is our legal opinion that our client (Mr. Dirisu Abusari Dodo) is a victim of circumstance in

the course of performing his daily business. Our client has so much at stake to jeopardize his freedom and happiness and that of his wife (your citizen) and their little kids.

"Our client has lived in China for the past 10 years doing business and even married a Chinese lady. As a businessman, he often engages in the business of helping entrepreneurs to receive money from different parts of the world for the sole purpose of assisting them to purchase goods and products in China. This he has done diligently over the year and never had any issue in relation to fraud. We believe that your records

will show that he has no previous criminal records in your country.

"During the course of his business, he received a call from an unknown person requesting that he assist them to buy some goods in China.

Subsequently, they requested for his account details, which he furnished them, in the course of their discussion, they told him that someone (now Mr. Li) will transfer the money for the purpose of assisting them to purchase the goods. Having received the money for the goods, they further called him that he should no longer purchase the goods but rather return the money to them through

transfer,without hesitation he complied and returned the said money to them without any knowledge of fraud since they were the ones that contacted him for business initially.

"Our Client was surprised when this issue came up, believing he has done nothing wrong, he submitted himself for investigation. Sir, if he was part of the fraud gang he wouldn't have done that, this is why we said and still reiterate our client is a victim of circumstance that fell victim to fraudsters . He never envisaged what is happening now but this is part of the hazard of doing business."

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JANUARY 10, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

EDITORIAL

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

TACKLING MALNUTRITION IN NIGERIA Government must do more to create wealth among the people

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n estimated 10.4 million children in seven countries, including Nigeria, will suffer from acute malnutrition in 2021, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said in a statement last week. The other countries cited are Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Sudan, South Sudan and Yemen.

In the Northeastern part of Nigeria alone, the United Nations agency said over 800,000 children are expected to experience serious deprivation, about the same number Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum said last are starving across 11 communities in his troubled state. The cost of disregarding this issue in human and economic terms cannot be quantified.

Malnutrition implies a marked increase in the child’s susceptibility to infections and contributes to child mortality.

Invariably, pregnant women who are not adequately nourished eventually give birth to babies with low weight thus putting their survival at risk.

Nigeria is reputed as having the second highest burden of stunted children in the world, with a national prevalence rate of 32 per cent of children under five. An estimated two million children in the country also suffer from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) while only two out of every 10 children affected are currently reached with treatment, according to UNICEF. Seven per cent of our women of child-bearing age also suffer from acute malnutrition.

Given the dire statistics, unless government takes immediate steps to address hunger and malnutrition, especially in children and pregnant women, our poor indices on maternal and child mortality can only further worsen. Indeed, if concerted and deliberate action is not taken, millions of Nigerian children

will be physically and mentally stunted with their lives devastated perhaps forever.

Political commitment is therefore necessary to ensure advocacy on the adverse implications of malnutrition and how to avoid its devastating consequences. Partnership with civil society and academic institutions with focus on food and nutrition is also an imperative.

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Nigerians, as a minimum, deserve a life free from hunger in a country blessed with arable land and natural resources

Letters to the Editor

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 HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT PATRICIA UBAKA-ADEKOYA TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

owever, such political commitment is best demonstrated by a tangible increase in resource allocation, with the relevant ministries and agencies committing to establish a road map and coordinated mechanisms for implementing activities for up-scaling nutrition in the public sphere. This road map should consist of clear roles and responsibilities for the various stakeholders, as well as implementable strategies, with milestones for mainstreaming nutrition into agriculture, fortifying basic foods with essential minerals or vitamins, mobilising communities for action on the need for growing more beneficial foods, and the perils of malnutrition.

Even though malnutrition is the underlying cause for a third of child mortality in the world, it is yet to receive the nature of highprofile campaigning and investment necessary to address it effectively, in comparison with other causes of child mortality such as malaria and HIV/ AIDS. Consequently, while child mortality rate caused by malaria has shrunk by a third since 2000, child malnutrition has remained a huge challenge over the same period. For effective health and social protection, mothers must be encouraged to adopt exclusive breastfeeding habits for their babies in the initial six months of their lives. Thereafter, complementary feeding can be introduced for 24 months, in addition to the consumption of various nutrients such as Vitamin A, iodized salt and zinc, amongst others.

Nigerians, as a minimum, deserve a life free from hunger in a country blessed with arable land and natural resources. Unfortunately, both poverty and hunger continue to saturate our country’s landscape, exacerbated by the pervasive insecurity across the country. Hunger is both a cause and consequence of poverty, as people on low income tend to have worse diets, while people who lack adequate nutrition struggle harder to extricate themselves from poverty.

Our governments, at practically all levels, need to sit up and confront malnutrition with resolute decisiveness if the future of our children is to be secure.

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.

MINIMUM WAGE AND PLATEAU LG WORKERS

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lateau State has been in the unfortunate grips of an agitation by local government staff for the implementation of the new N30,000.00 minimum wage for the better part of late last year.

Since then, the staff have deployed the constitutionally sanctioned means of lawful protests to drive home their point. But the state government has remained defiant, insensitive, for reasons that are chiefly self-serving.

Pushed to the wall, the hurt and obviously wronged LG staff are

now, expectedly, resorting to their last resort in order to get their just deserts.

As part of this struggle, they issued a statement recently debunking the information commissioner's position about their just demands and strongly declared that they wouldn't back down.

One of our takeaways from the LG staffers statement about this unfolding saga is that they are now openly admitting that they indeed aided Lalong to 'win' the very much disputed 2015 and 2019 gubernatorial elections.

The first impulse of

Plateau citizens is to categorically declare to the LG staffers that it's simply the natural law of karma taking its course here.

But Plateau people - including the PDP which the Lalong government is inordinately blaming for this just struggle - are humane and understand the worth of local governments in the general wellbeing of our ordinary citizens at the grassroots.

In fact, denying local government staff the minimum wage is simply akin to denying majority of our people in villages food, school

fees, comfort, etc., because there's no family in the state that doesn't depend on these civil servants for their overall survival, livelihoods and wellbeing.

Thus, we, Plateau citizens, must strive within our capabilities to empathise with these victims and, most importantly, show the clueless Lalong administration that, indeed, it must not abdicate its responsibility to these hardworking citizens, who are breadwinners in our various local government areas.

Their just demands must be met. The Lalong government must not also callously sidestep this responsibility the way it has done with regard to roads, infrastruc-

ture, security, general governance, etc., in our state which has brought Plateau to the odious point of absolute stasis and disrepute.

We must categorically tell the Lalong administration that the local government staffers' agitation is right because Plateau as a whole is now being negatively affected by their not being paid the N30,000.00 minimum wage.

Last words: Lalong and his government would be making a big mistake if they misconstrue that Plateau people are not solidly behind the local government staffers.

Chris Gyang, chrisgyang01@gmail.com.

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OPINION

T RUMP A ND E MERGING Q UESTIONS ON E LECTOR AL D EMOCR ACY Trump Presidency holds useful lessons for democratic institutions, writes Matthew Ayibakuro

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s I lay back and watched the news on the developing events in Washington, DC, the best phrase to describe what I felt at that moment is "sustained disbelief": sustained because the presidency of Donald Trump has thrown up so many shockers over the last four years that nothing is hardly shocking anymore, including the events of January 6. In fact, when you speak to most liberal minded persons in the United States of America and elsewhere, the last four to five years sometimes feel like living in an alternative universe that you would have thought impossible just a decade ago.

We have come to trust so much in the supposedly inherent utilitarian value of electoral democracy in the post-war era that we are now scrambling to make sense of the diverse sour and grey fruits that electoral democracy has forced down our throats in the last half-decade. Personally, as a Nigerian, it started when our citizens voted out a liberal-minded, PhD-holding, equitydriven President seeking a second term, and replaced him with a former military dictator who has struggled to prove that he completed his secondary education before military school, and continues to pursue a brazenly ethnic agenda that has left the country in chaos.

Of course, there was the little matter of the Brexit vote in the United Kingdom, - the process of which has just been finalised a week ago - the election of Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, who is on a mission to destroy the Amazon, the Five Star Movement in Italy, Rodrigo Duterte in the Philippines and many more. However, there is no doubt that the most notable and terrifying outcome of electoral democracy in recent times has been the election and resulting president of Donald J. Trump.

There is a lot that can be said about the many unbelievable things that Donald Trump has said and done, and gotten away with during his presidency, including his incitement of the events of yesterdays. These should, however, not be the major cause for concern in the bigger picture. These are regrettable actions that would come and go with the man, hopefully. The main question is how a modern democratic system in an educated and supposedly enlightened society like the United States of America produce an outcome such as the election of Donald Trump,

despite his obvious regressive position on issues such as climate change, human rights, equality and fairness, religious tolerance and respect for humanity.

Over the last few years, I have spoken to people who believe that events like the election of Trump and what the world is witnessing currently in the United States is a sign that electoral democracy is not inherently better than other forms of government. There are more extreme views that consider these events as the unravelling of the message of democracy that the United States has championed around the World. Irrespective of one's stand on this argument, what is clear is that leaders with extreme dictatorial and populist views are now finding success in manipulating electoral systems to gain access to power or otherwise institute populist policies.

In the long run, the effect of the Trump Presidency and the many other incredible fruits of electoral democracy over the last few years from the perspective of countries in the global North might be to engender a certain level of humility in preaching the message of electoral democracy around the world. The impression that elections and democracy are the unquestionable tools for achieving desired national development and global goals will no longer fly unchallenged. There is now ample anecdotal evidence to show that even a democracy as deep-rooted as America's is still susceptible to deep cracks that will echo through time.

For countries and people in the global South, it is in our best interest not to be carried away by the theatre and slight feeling of schadenfreude at seeing democracy bear fruits like the siege of Capitol Hill in a country like America that has talked down on

There is now ample anecdotal evidence to show that even a democracy as deep-rooted as America's is still susceptible to deep cracks that will echo through time

us for decades. Rather the focus should be on drawing useful lessons to protect our democratic institutions and processes from producing outcomes such as Donald Trump.

The reason for this is simple: Whilst the Republic Party and American democracy as a whole will not be the same again following the shockwave generated by the Trump Presidency, there is little doubt that they would recover in time and do their best in addressing the circumstances that got them here. They have the institutions and processes that would enable them do that; we don't. If Trump was leading a country with a relatively young democracy like countries in Africa, Asia or the Middle East, there would be a real threat of civil war or the start of a dictatorship in America right now.

If we are to draw meaningful lessons from the ongoing events in Washington, DC, a good starting point would be to try to understand why over 70 million people voted for Donald Trump during the just concluded elections, despite his many misdeeds during his four years in the White House. It is important to understand the factors in society - from education to religion to economic circumstances and electoral systems - that made 70 million people decide that they would re-elect a leader like Donald Trump, irrespective of the consequences.

Closer to home, we have to understand why most of our educated friends and colleagues continue to be committed followers of Donald Trump, even going as far as holding rallies for him in Nigeria, praying for him and defending him even after he lost at the polls. Despite its many flaws, electoral democracy continues to be a preferred form of government due to its capacity to let every citizen have a say in who should lead or represent him or her. Inevitably, many, like Trump's 70 million supporters, would have to accept that the person who is eventually selected would not be their choice.

The result of a refusal to accept is what separates the countries that have effective democratic and governance institutions from the countries that do not. As America tries to recover from its galabagalaba four years of Trumpism, we must all deal with the question of whether our democracy would survive if Donald Trump were a leader in our country?

––Dr. Ayibakuro lectures at the Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State.

Mutawalle, Chancellor of The Exchequer Muhammad Bello pays tribute to Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal

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tatesmen everywhere around the globe are a success story not only politically but in terms of superb management of men and resources. Often it is their excellence at putting food on the common man's table and giving listening ears to the cantankerous elite that define their life chances.

A synopsis of a moment in the life of British war time Prime Minister, Harold Wilson attests to this.

He was billed to give an interview at the BBC in London. So, he took a cab. While riding towards his destination, he got talking with the cab driver who narrated that he was in a hurry to drop off his passenger, who he didn't recognize, so that he would get home on time to listen to Prime Minister Wilson's talk.

Upon arriving at his destination, Wilson handsomely paid off the cab driver and was about to head off for his appointment when the driver changed his mind and decided to wait for him till he comes out. Without knowing who gave him a tip, the cab driver had, all of a sudden, jettisoned his interest. The lesson in the story is the place of money in our lives. And, who is better to spearhead 'who gets what, when and how?', than the discerning leader?

This is the calling of Gov. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal- accomplished man of letters, lawgiver extraordinary and seasoned administrator. Before he became the Governor of Sokoto State in 2015, he was sought after by a well-connected group of persons in the country. For good.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Saad Abubakar and the Sultanate Council of Sokoto gave him a mark of trust. He was made the Mutawallen Sokoto in justification of the trust reposed in him, that with him the till of the state and the Caliphate are safe.

His name, his honor and leadership dispositions had blended at an appointed time in history to earn him the emblem of a patriot, at once a representative of the North and Nigeria.

Born January 10, 1966, three days before the nation spiralled towards the abyss of destruction by forces that chased him to cover their profligacy half a decade later, Tambuwal, according to an ex- legislator I know well, "is a man destined for bigger things, that kind of person who when he sets his mind on something achieves it."

Whether this is true or not, the governor has laid the ground,

superlatively, for the attainment of what he aspires for. Chief among these is his passion for trust, fairness and equity.

Through dint of hard work and perseverance, he has held the number four position in the country and became the fourth person in the history of the seat of the Caliphate to be accorded the outstanding title of Mutawallen Sokoto- the Exchequer of the Caliphate.

Ever since he was bestowed with this distinct status the trajectory of his commitment to upholding the burden of trust has been unflagging. In his first tenure in office as the state governor, he instituted fiscal reforms that were unprecedented.

This ruffled many feathers, some of which resorted to diabolical designs to even scores with him.

He was undaunted to the extent of encouraging his chosen financial guru, Hon. AbdusSamad Dasuki, not to relent until the goal he sought is reached. Of course, it came to pass.

In the first year of his administration, the state saved half a billion Naira from the duplicitous enterprise of douche wage earners. A year later, he became the cynosure of the World Bank's eye.

Under the bank's States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Programme (SFTAS), his prudence and propriety fetched the state $2.5 million. Few months later, the astronomical reward accruing from the global bank, for the same financial management acumen, rose to $22.5 million.

Undoubtedly, this remarkable achievement has put Sokoto state in an illustrious position sought after by every other entity. More so, it had opened the vista for better proactive partnership with other donor agencies across the world- the United Nations, with which Tambuwal's administration, on December 2, 2020, signed an MoU of $4.9 billion with the UN system to be part of the UN implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) tools to unite, harness ‘comparative advantages,’ and “help states to accelerate” the execution of “agenda 2030 and the SDGs.” Again, the state gained the trust of the World Bank, which will soon grant it a $20 million facility to cushion the effect of COVID-19.

Significantly, the brilliant mix of financial wizardry and political brinkmanship, for which Tambuwal has been known over the years are developmental anodynes that have started

curing the malaise of malfeasance and retrogression that has nearly plunged Sokoto into a ditch few years before his coming.

Today, under Mutawalle, the story is different. The fund so far raked in and the monthly Federal allocation, after prompt payment of salary, pensions and gratuity, has been properly ploughed into developing the education sector (multi-million naira girls science schools under construction), healthcare delivery (a state of the art diagnostic center and Sokoto State University Teaching Hospital), as well as agricultural development across the state (procurement of N4 billion partnership fund from the African Development Bank to resuscitate a 90-year-old irrigation farming scheme at Kware local government area). These are just tips of the iceberg, pointing to the fact that Sokoto is working under Mutawalle.

The testimony of those who witnessed his turbaning as the Exchequer in 2014 still resonates. According to the Sultan of Sokoto, "You have been in the limelight for a long time but today you are in a much greater limelight.

We have confidence that you have the ability to discharge this additional responsibility. We are very proud of your contributions to humanity."

For Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Most Rev. Matthew Kukah: “This is a very significant event for all of us in Sokoto, it couldn’t have happened to a better person.

Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal has conducted himself and the affairs of politics in a way and manner that has further increased the level of appreciation of politics."

Consequently, the applause that still trails the milestones of Mutawalle, to which discerning minds are still accustomed and the goodwill of the governor of putting his people first are the best birthday gifts that one can present to him.

As you brace up for astute leadership responsibility and the reinvigoration of your will to serve, may that which in you is dark be illumined. May that which in you is low be raised and supported.

Happy birthday the Exchequer.

–––Bello is the Special Adviser Media and Publicity to Gov. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State.

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LETTERS

TRUMP: LESSONS FOR AMERICA AND THE WORLD

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he outrageous conspiracy theories of the outgoing President of the United States of America, Donald Trump have exposed the flaws and dangers in the America’s age-long democracy which is approaching its third century. The recent invasion of the Capitol Hill in Washington DC which houses the Legislative Chambers, just a stone-throw from the US White House, by thugs during a plenary with backing from President Trump is indeed saddening and shameful. This is a clear act of sedition punishable with jail terms, and therefore must be condemned.

The most horrible part is that these mobs that unprecedentedly, invaded a sacred place like Capitol Building, disrupted Congress plenary and hijacked offices resulting in the death of four persons and many seriously injured including 50 cops, were cheered on by the president with complimentary remarks as ‘We love you”, “You’re special,” etc.

Of course, Trump wouldn’t have condemned their actions having purposefully mobilized them for a rally in Washington on January 6, the day Congress was billed to certify Democrats victory, and openly instigated them to march to the Capitol to violently resist certification.

To say the least, this is uncivilized.

Americans owe gratitude to the arrowhead that doggedly refused to be counted in the mediocrity. If not the ethics and maturity of the President of the Senate, VP Mike Pence, the victory

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Trump

being celebrated wouldn’t have come about. It climaxed that Trump openly urged Pence to use his office for the illicit task. America needs more of Mike Pence’s character. He deserves encomium for the significant roles in protecting America’s democracy. Pence paired with Trump as Republican Vice-Presidential candidate, yet, prioritized public interest.

Many selfish persons in his shoes as a running mate that stands to benefit from the illicit plot if succeeds may back Trump to overturn the results autocratically. But he put public interests above personal gains.

Now, the question begging for answer is: should Donald Trump go scot-free despite his involvement in sedition and insurrection - treasonable felonies that sent citizens to early graves and almost

collapsed democratic institution? Sensibly, Trump should face the wrath of the law for deterrence purpose. The law is no respecter of persons. A political leader who out of inanity incited and mobilized mobs to unleash mayhem leading to deaths of scores of persons is a good candidate for trial on crimes against humanity. The mayhem was targeted at the members of the US Congress after the Vice President, Pence declined to tamper with the sacred will of the people.

Prior to this grand scene, Trump had urged the Georgia Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger in a telephone conversation to “find 11,780 votes” to enable him to overturn the election results already declared in favour of Democratic Party’s candidate, Joe Biden. This is certainly an offence in the

Electoral Laws - to induce officials or manipulate the electoral process. These must not be swept under the carpet. Otherwise, it will set a wrong precedence in America and around the world. Trump crossed the red line, and should be put to order.

Premised on these, it is logical to conclude that Trump is a psychopath and enemy of the state, thus, should be discharged, monitored to avoid causing further damage as Biden’s inauguration approaches. His statement to allow “orderly transition” should not be banked on. It must be noted Trump has not conceded defeat but vowed to continue the unreasonable fights.

Thus, he is unpredictable.

People as desperate as this can unleash costly mayhem at a time least expected. As it stands, uncertainty on what may happen before the inauguration date looms.

Recall the Capitol Police was overpowered having been taken unaware. Trump mobilized the thugs and instigated them to proceed to Capitol Building to violently disrupt plenary.

The way forward – the 25th Amendment of US Constitution which gives power to remove a President temporarily when unfit should be invoked to suspend him from office to allow the Vice President carry on a peaceful transition of power. Possibly, he should be impeached straightaway.

This will send a strong message. With the monumental stains, Trump lacks aptitude to be categorized as a US statesman.

Secondly, the two-step

NWOBOSI: EXIT OF A BRAVE SOLDIER

ntil Nigeria became a sovereign nationstate, it had been under repressive colonial rule for a long time. So, such freedom fighters and nationalists as Rt Hon Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Nwafor Orizu, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, and others fought relentlessly and bravely for the political emancipation of Nigeria. And before Nigeria became a politically independent country, it had been evincing the tendencies and traits of a country that would become a great country, technologically and economically. So, Nigerians celebrated wildly when the British union jack was lowered and the green and white flag hoisted, signifying Nigeria’s new status as a sovereign country.

Sadly, barely six years after Nigeria’s attainment of political freedom, the country was embroiled in political trouble with the western region turned to a theater of bloody conflicts. Consequently, the military struck and overthrew the government of Alhaji Tafawa Balewa. The coup plotters cited nepotism, political maladministration,

and pervasive corruption in the country as their reasons for staging and executing the coup.

The January 15, 1966 coup was tagged and branded an Igbo coup because top politicians of Igbo extraction like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Akanu Ibiam, Nwafor Orizu, and others were not killed whereas some Yoruba and Hausa/ Fulani politicians were brutally and gruesomely killed in the coup.

The lop-sided killing or purge of members of the ruling political class reinforced the belief that the coup was an Igbo coup. Consequently, there was a countercoup in July 1966, which led to the genocidal decimation of the Igbo people’s population in the north. The political conflicts of 1966 snowballed into the Nigeria-Biafra civil war.

Among those who played great roles in the 1966 coups and the civil war was Colonel Emmanuel Nworah Nwobosi, a native of Obosi, Anambra.

He was imprisoned after the botched putsch of January 15, 1966. Major Nzeogwu, Major Ifeajuna, Major Ademoyega, Captain Ben Gbulie, Lt Bob

Igbikor, Lt Oyewole, Lt J.C Ojukwu, and others were jailed, too, for their participation in the execution of the January 15, 1966 coup.

They were transferred to the Enugu prison when political tension mounted in the country owing to Lt Col Ojukwu’s secessionist bid.

And before the outbreak of the Nigeria-Biafra civil war, Colonel Nwobosi and others were released from the Enugu prison.

A very brave and courageous soldier, he saw action in the Nigeria-Biafra civil war.

In fact, he led an artillery unit that launched attacks against the Nigerian soldiers. He was wounded in a battle at Obollo-Afor, Enugu State. That spinal cord injury, which he suffered, changed his role in the war. After his recuperation from the wound, he was redeployed to the Defence Quarters to understudy Col Patrick Anwuna. His transfer to that place brought him close to Lt Col Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, the leader of the secessionist Biafra.

At the end of the civil war, he went into exile in Libreville, Gabon, the place from which

he travelled to Ivory Coast to stay with Lt Col Ojukwu. He was in exile for 14 years before he returned to Nigeria in 1984.

Until his death at a ripe old age in the late 2020, he enjoyed warm and intimate relationship with the Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano.

It should be noted that he contributed in no small way to the successful execution of the Ozoemezina mass burial for the victims of the Nigeria- Biafra civil war at the Alex-Ekwueme Square, Awka, in 2015. The event was performed for the appeasement of the earth-bound souls of those who died prematurely and violently in the war. Its significance was not lost on us as the Ozoemezina ceremony was in harmony with Igbo metaphysics.

Again, during his life time, Colonel Nwobosi had cause to shed light and offered insightful answers to some controversial issues agitating the minds of Nigerians.

––Chiedu Uche Okoye, Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State.

Read the full article online www.thisdaylive.com

electoral system in the states comprising popular votes and Electoral College should be reviewed as the recent calamities have exposed its vulnerability. Same with Congress certification except for mere transmission. Imagine if Pence was brainwashed and had bowed to Trump’s conspiracy theories, the victory wouldn’t have been sustained; the election would either be overturned or declared inconclusive against the January 20 - inauguration despite verdicts of 62 courts including the Supreme Court. Instructively, nobody or institution including the Congress or Electoral College can override court verdicts.

That’s the concept of rule of law. A general poll with election tribunals in place which concludes at the court as practiced in many countries remains the best option.

Now, great lessons to the world – President Trump’s excesses have been manifesting, unsettling long ago from his day-one in office, and at

a time, impeached by the House of Representatives but acquitted by Senate merely on account of political affiliation and selfish interests.

There should always be a boundary between politics and leadership. Public interest is supreme. Had the Republicans acted astutely and did the needful, the mess would have been averted.

The Republicans’ oversight then fortified Trump’s impunity thereby growing to the present agonizing, monumental disasters - desecration of a democratic institution which ridiculed America before the global community.

Politics should always be played with a sense of objectivity, responsibility and foresightedness. Again, over 60 different courts received petitions on Trump/Biden presidential election, yet, concluded in a space of one month. Many thumbs-up to US judiciary. This must necessarily be noted.

Carl Umegboro, carl@ CarlUmegboro.com.

The Politics of Bauchi State

M

any a time, observers of political developments in Bauchi State from without are impressed by the complexity of its politics and the sophistication of its voters.

However, moving closer, like the optical illusion, the political complexity and voters’ sophistication soon disappear and one is left with lots of disappointments courtesy of the insincerity of our politicians and the ill -informed voters that constitute the electorate.

Most of Bauchi politicians either have no capacity in terms of the ability to understand the exigencies of both politics and governance or are insincere in terms of principles and ideologies of politics as well as in the administration of public trust. And that is why, when they exhibit their incapacity characterized by insincerity during parties’ primary elections, the electorate are mostly compelled to choose between the devil and the deep blue sea.

A mixture of a good dose of incapacity and insincerity remains one of the reasons why most of our politicians are nomads; always on the move in

I

search of greener pastures.

Most of them have travelled, at least once, across party lines, not for God and country, but for devil and self. As a result, Bauchi State has little to show in terms of development of whatever sort.

Since the return to democracy in 1999, the state has earned billions of Naira from federal allocations and internally generated more billions of Naira as revenue but to the chagrin of all, there is virtually nothing to show for it.

Many of our politicians were financially in the middle-class category of the economy before joining government, but they come out of it in abundance despite that they are not known to have started any business enterprise even if it is at Bauchi Central Market.

And worst of it, the electorate are always ill-informed of the real motives of the politicians.

We therefore allow them to control our instincts.

And by that, they get the desired results. They win, we lose. But we don't see it that way. We join them in the euphoria of victory; our victory, their victory.

––Mukhtar Jarmajo, Bauchi.

Where Were The Wise People?

n ancient times January 6 was the biblical epiphany, a revelation or realization, when the wise men arrived at the stable.

Now January 6 will be remembered as the day America realised that the

President's words can inspire people to storm the Capital as an act of terrorism, not patriotism.

There were no wise people this time.

––Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia.

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SUNDAY JANUARY 10, 2021 •T H I S D AY

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BUSINESS

Editor: Kunle Aderinokun 08033204315, 08111813084 Email:kunle.aderinoku@thisdaylive.com

Sanusi Garba

Sale Mamman

The Electricity Tariff Conundrum The perennial increase in tariff for electricity, which in many cases, is rarely available, has stirred debates across the country. Is it a case of putting the cart before the horse or does it simply centre around the never-ending argument as to which comes first between the egg and the chicken? Emmanuel Addeh takes a look at the issues

W

ill Nigeria ever exit this cycle of perennial electricity tariff increases without commensurate service? Will Nigerians ever enjoy stable and reliable power supply? Will this country in its lifetime ever catch up with the rest of the world? Will the customer ever be crowned king in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI)?

These questions fly in the air, given the state of the power industry and the seeming lack of capacity of the players, starting from the ministry of power, the Generation Companies (Gencos), the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the Distribution Companies (Discos). And so, as it wont to happen, outrage has again greeted the sudden and covert approval of another increase in electricity rates by

the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), a body, which it appears, now has the sole responsibility of hiking energy prices without recourse to the times, quality of service and backlash from its decisions.

Indeed, it would seem that despite a horde of functions bestowed on the commission under the law, including sanctioning industry players for infractions, which the industry does not have a shortage of, the only time NERC ever acts or is in the media, is when it feels it’s time to further add to the burden of Nigerians, who indeed are supplied darkness most times.

The unannounced and discreet January 1, 2021 increase in electricity tariff has again jolted citizens – artisans, technicians, manufacturers, and industrialists, who have described the action as ill-timed, insensitive, and a deliberate move to further impoverish an already poor entity, less than four months after a roughly 50 per cent increase. On September 1, 2020, NERC

approved new rates for the Discos and again on December 30, said it gave the distribution companies the go-ahead to adjust tariff based on what it ascribed to changes in inflation rate, foreign exchange, among others.

Coming at a time negotiations were going on with organised labour, which had kicked against the previous September hike, it shocked many Nigerians how such a decision could be taken by NERC during a pandemic and recession, without the least attempt at consultations.

Many Nigerians believe, regardless of the excuses or pressure from Gencos, TCN and Discos, since there has been no remarkable improvement in power supply, NERC must resist their goading, especially given that majority of Nigerians have not been metered and are arbitrarily billed.

Although, the regulator hinges its actions on the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO), which in 2015 was enacted to satisfy different interests, including that of the ordinary

consumer, the framework appears to only take care of the Discos, NERC (who get their own cut from it by law) , TCN and the Gencos.

Despite the Service-based Tariff, recently introduced which seeks to ensure that bills are at par with quality of power supplied, many Nigerians say the scheme has failed, especially because NERC neither has the manpower nor the infrastructure to monitor how much power a household or cluster is supplied, thereby leaving them at the mercy of information they receive from the Discos.

Questions remain over why, for instance, a transformer servicing a certain cluster will develop a fault for two months and yet unmetered residents of those areas are billed based on the existing stratification by hours, when indeed there was no supply?

Or for metered customers, how if supply falls from 16 to 10 hours per day, they are still vended based on the 16 hours?

While NERC has always insisted that there would never be a good time for the

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BUSINESS/E-BUSINESS

:KHQ 1,0& 6WD; 3URWHVWHG 3RRU :RUNLQJ &RQGLWLRQ Emma Okonji reports that the industrial action by the staff of National Identity Management Commission, who were pressing for better welfare package and work tools, caused hitches and anxiety in the SIM-NIN integration exercise and may defeat the ultimate objectives of the system, if the workers’ plight and grievances are not addressed

T

he National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) staff across its branch offices nationwide, have been working under difficult situations, among which are poor funding, inadequate work tools, poor working environment among others.

But in spite of these, NIMC offices nationwide have always been open for business on a daily basis, except on Saturdays and Sundays.

Although the staff have complained openly even to Nigerians, who visited the offices for enrolment, government had always turned the deaf ear to their complaints, until they decided last week, to suspend all enrolment exercises and embark on a nationwide strike, after holding a congress on Wednesday to access their performances under poor working conditions.

At the end of the congress, which was called by the NIMC unit of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), the union directed its members to suspend all enrolment and to embark on a strike, which took effect from Thursday January 7, 2021, an action that has paralysed NIMC’s operations and the enrolment of the National Identification Number (NIN).

Industry stakeholders have, however, blamed government, especially the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, for not attending to the demands of NIMC, despite the efforts of staff members in ensuring steady enrolment exercise under difficult work environment.

The Strike Staff of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), on Thursday last week, embarked on a nationwide strike, in demand for a better welfare package. The staff shut down operations and suspended enrolment of NIN in all their branch offices nationwide.

NIMC, on its official twitter handle same Thursday, said: “NIMC wishes to assure members of the general public that glitches experienced in the enrolment process were being resolved and normal enrolment would resume shortly. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and wish to assure you of our continued excellent service.”

The NIMC unit of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) directed members to embark on the strike, after its congress, which held on Wednesday last week.

In a communique released at the end of the congress and signed by the Union’s Secretary, Mr. Victor Odia, and representative of ASCSN NIMC unit, Mr. Michael Asekokhai, the workers said the strike action became necessary to address issues of poor welfare package, lack of tools and risk of exposure to coronavirus during enrolment.

“The meeting was convened to discuss the state of the exposure of staff members to COVID-19, the salary structure, its representation in the annual appropriation, the irregularities in the conduct of promotions, and the personal protection and safety in light of the COVID-19 pandemic,” part of the communique read.

The workers are also demanding for a review of the ‘lopsided and irregular’ promotion done in 2017 and 2020, implementation of the approved salary structure and its appropriation in the 2021 annual budget as well as adequate provision of work tools for civic data enrollment.

They are also demanding provision of adequate monthly operational stipends, work tools necessary for the process of enrolment of civic data. The work tools also include power and connectivity (airtime and

Pantami

data connectivity), enrolment systems and peripherals, stationeries and consumables such as NIN slips, enrolment forms, and A4 papers. The same things they clamoured, even with this recent exercise, had been their age-long demands.

The union asked all NIMC staff to suspend all enrolment activities with immediate effect pending when their demands are met.

According to the communique, “Consequent upon the just concluded congress of the above-mentioned association that took place on January 6, 2020, the unit executive directs all members of grade level 12 and below in the head office and state offices to report to their respective duty posts from January 7, 2020, and do nothing.

“All members at the local government offices and special centres are advised to stay away from their various centres as task force and implementation committees would be on parade to ensure total compliance with the directive.”

The Genesis The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, had in December last year, directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to enforce the implementation of the integration of all registered SIM cards to NIN, and gave a window of two weeks to complete the exercise, which was later extended by six weeks to end January 19, 2021, for those who have already registered for NIN, and February 19, 2021 for those who were yet to register for NIN. Pantami warned that subscribers who failed to integrate their SIM cards with their NIN, would risk outright disconnection of their SIM cards.

The fear of being disconnected compelled Nigerians to throng the offices of NIMC nationwide, to enroll and obtain their NIN, a situation that led to unprecedented crowd at all NIMC’s branch offices nationwide.

Worried about the crowd, which became difficult to manage, NIMC staff demanded for better welfare package, and additional work tools to manage the situation. However, the inability of government to meet their demands, led to the strike action.

Implications Thousands of applicants, who went for enrolment last Thursday at NIMC’s branch offices nationwide, were locked out and were not attended to.

In Lagos and Ilorin in Kwara State, hundreds of applicants who went for enrolment were locked out at various NIMC offices, following the strike embarked upon by the workers of the commission.

During visits to NIMC offices across the country last week, our correspondents noticed that many applicants who had arrived as early as 7am on the day the strike commenced, were disappointed as the gates to the offices were locked by security officials.

Speaking on the possible implications of the strike action, the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, said: “Implications for the strike action are that NIN enrolment will be paralysed and Nigerians will not be able to get their SIM cards integrated with their NINs, which of course will be a challenge for government in implementing SIM-NIN integration exercise.

“Without NIN, Nigerians cannot integrate their SIM with NIN as directed by government.

Again, without NIN, no one can embark on

activation and replacement of old SIM cards as well as registration of new SIM cards. So it becomes a challenge for both government and the subscribers, if they cannot enroll for NIN as a result of the strike action embarked upon by NIMC staff.”

Adebayo added that the bottleneck would now be on NIMC and it would likely ground all operations of NIMC. He said government must rise up to the demands of NIMC staff and ensure the staff return to work quickly in order not to jeopardise the whole exercise of NIN enrolment and integration with SIM cards.

“The earlier government resolve the issue, the better for the country. The strike action will certainly slowdown the wheel of progress at NIMC and it will definitely impact negatively NIN enrolment in the country,” Adebayo said.

Addressing the issue of proper funding of NIMC, Adebayo said: “Enrolment of NIN by licensed telecoms operators, may be done free by the operators as ordered by NIMC, but the truth is that there are cost implications for the enrolment exercise, which the telcos themselves bear and NIMC has to address this issue. So NIMC should be well funded to successfully carry out NIN enrolment nationwide.

“But again, our role is to assist NIMC in the enrolment exercise and we are doing our part, but we cannot verify NIN. Only NIMC that can verify NIN. We will sure do our part to enroll Nigerians and send details of enrolment to NIMC for verification. We are not NIMC, we are not verification agency, and we are only licensed to support NIMC in enrolling Nigerians. So NIMC staff must be operational for NIN verification, the more reason why government should address the issue of funding and also meet other demands of NIMC on time and ensure NIMC staff return to work as early as possible, otherwise the strike action will affect the economy negatively.”

Addressing the issue of possible disconnection of SIM cards that are not integrated with NIN, Adebayo said: “Now we are under instruction from government to disconnect all SIM cards that could not be integrated with NIN at a certain date, and we are under obligation to do so at that particular time, except there is a counter order to that effect. We are mindful of the deadline giving us by government to achieve NIN registration and integration and we are working with NIMC to achieve that order. The issue of strike by NIMC staff is far beyond our control as telecoms operators and we appeal to government to quickly address the issue.”

The National Chairman, NationalAssociation of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS), Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, blamed the Minister for the short notice on NIN enrolment and integration with SIM, without adequate plans to equip NIMC staff and all licensed registration agents that are involved in NIN enrolment. He said NIMC must be properly funded to successfully accomplish the task of NIN enrolment.

“Subscribers across networks are not happy with the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, because of the harsh order he gave to telecoms operators to disconnect telecoms subscribers who are unable to meet up with the deadline given for SIM-NIN integration. With that draconian order, the minister is only fueling the second wave of COVID-19, when he is supposed to join forces with government to reduce human crowd and physical contact of people. We will hold the minister responsible if telecoms subscribers are exposed to the second wave of COVID-19,” Ogunbanjo said.

He, therefore, called on the federal government to impress it on the minister to remove all timelines for NIN enrolment and integra-

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BUSINESS/E-BUSINESS 7KH (OHFWULFLW\ 7DUL; &RQXQGUXP review of rates, stating that it will ensure that Discos improve the quality of service, feedback from consumers indicate, however, that it is putting the cart before the horse.

“There will never be a good time to review the tariff. The interest here is to ensure that Nigerians are migrated to a threshold where there will be continuous improvement in the quality of service delivery,” NERC said in the heat of the last tariff review.

Although the SBT is expected to operate a progressive regime-which means that customers are charged based on quality of service, however, a quick check will show that the body hardly has the capacity to enforce this rule.

In announcing the latest increase in an order copied all the Distribution Companies (Discos), NERC said it was embarking on the hike considering the changes in inflation rate, foreign exchange, generation capacity, gas prices, among others, since the last review.

In the revised MYTO signed by the new Chairman of NERC, Mr. Sanusi Garba, and Commissioner, Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye, on December 31, 2020, the memo indicated that the new tariff increase took effect on January 1, 2021.

However, in a statement clarifying the order marked NERC/225/2020, NERC explained that the commission had not approved a 50 per cent increase in electricity tariffs, but had only made an approval based on minor changes in the variables that go into the final charges paid by consumers.

“The commission states unequivocally that no approval has been granted for a 50 per cent tariff increase in the tariffs order for electricity distribution companies which took effect on January 1, 2021.

“On the contrary, the tariff for customers on service bands D & E (customers being served less than an average of 12 hours of supply per day over a period of one month) remains frozen and subsidised in line with the policy direction of the federal government.

“In compliance with the provisions of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPRSA) on the nation’s tariff methodology for biannual minor review, the rates for service bands A, B, C, D and E have been adjusted by NGN2.00 to NGN4.00 per kW/ hr to reflect the partial impact of inflation

and movement in foreign exchange rates.

“The commission remains committed to protecting electricity consumers from failure to deliver on committed service levels under the service-based tariff regime,” it stated.

It noted that any customer that has been impacted by any rate increases beyond the above provision of the tariff order should report to the commission through its approved lines of communication with the public.

NERC added that the factors taken into consideration were: “14.9 per cent inflation rate rise in November 2020, foreign exchange of N379.4/$1 as of December 29, 2020, available generation capacity, US inflation rate of 1.22 per cent and the Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) of the power firms.”

“This order supersedes order / NERC/202B/2020 and shall take effect from 1st January 2021 and shall cease to have effect on the issuance of a new MYTO or an extraordinary tariff review order by NERC,” it said.

The commission noted that the order ,among other objectives, aimed to transit to Cost Reflective Tariffs (CRT) and introduction of service-based tariff regime with a view to improving customer service experience as well as ensuring financial sustainability of the electricity industry.

“Accordingly, this order is issued to reflect the impact of changes in the minor review variable as indicated in section 7 of this order and used relevant projections based on best available information in the determination of CRT and relevant tariff shortfalls for the year 2021,” it noted.

NERC said the revised tariff reflects the impact of changes in the projected minor review variables from January to December 2021, explaining that part of the objectives was to steer the market to gradual costreflective tariffs and activation of market contracts in line with the requirements of the transitional electricity market. But it added that the Discos shall be liable for service improvements in accordance with the commitments under the universal service obligations for providing electricity supply to customers.

It also said, where there is a failure to deliver on committed service level as measured over a 60-day period, rates payable by all the customers in the affected load

cluster shall be retroactively adjusted in line with the quality of service delivered over the same period, upon verification by the commission.

But following the backlash over the increment, the federal government Thursday directed the immediate rollback of the new tariff increase, pending the conclusion of negotiations with organised labour over the matter.

In a statement, he personally signed, Minister of Power, Mr. Sale Mamman, noted the reversion to the old tariff would allow the resolution of all the issues surrounding the hike, but refuted reports that the tariffs were increased by 50 per cent.

Mamman, who said he had directed NERC to communicate the Discos to revert to the pre-January 1 rates, however contradicted himself, saying that the regulatory agency must be allowed to work without undue interference, even when his statement was a clear interference in the activities of NERC. “It should be clear to all that the regulator must be allowed to perform its function without undue interference. The role of the government is not to set tariffs, it is to provide policy guidance and an enabling environment for the regulator to protect consumers and for investors to engage directly with consumers,” the minister said.

Speaking on the instruction to NERC, the regulator of the power sector, Mamman stated that till date, the federal government still subsidises electricity tariffs to the tune of 55 per cent for power consumers in band D and E and those on the lifeline band.

“To promote a constructive conclusion of the dialogue with the labour centres (through the Joint Ad-Hoc Committee), I have directed NERC to inform all Discos that they should revert to the tariffs that were applicable in December 2020.

“This will persist until the end of January 2021 (when the FGN/labour committee’s work will be concluded). This will allow for the outcome of all resolutions from the committee to be implemented together,” he stated.

He explained that the reported percentage increase had succeeded in confusing the public, insisting that government had been engaged in positive discussions about the electricity sector through a joint ad-hoc

committee led by the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, and co-chaired by the Minister of State for Power, Mr. Giddy Jedy-Agba.

But before the statement, which sought to placate Nigerians, several interest groups berated the federal government. In their separate reactions, they particularly picked holes in the timing of the tariffs considering the economic hardship and recession which had affected the purchasing power and wellbeing of Nigerians.

Speaking in separate interviews with THISDAY, former Director General, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Dr. Chijioke Ekechukwu, said the new pricing regime would lead to more hardship, particularly for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

He said: “It is unfortunate that electricity tariff had to be increased at this critical and difficult time. In my opinion, this is a very wrong timing of implementation of such increase.

“The country is currently in recession and experiencing attendant hardship by the citizenry. Recession is not a period to increase taxes, levies, tariffs and bills. This is because the ultimate effect will adversely affect households and consumers.”

In the same vein, Managing Director/ Chief Executive, Credent Investment Managers Limited, Mr. Ibrahim Shelleng, told THISDAY that the hike would among other things, effect the general cost of goods and services and compound the pre-existing inflationary pressures.

Also, a former Commissioner for Finance, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, described as ill-timed the latest increase in electricity tariff by NERC. Uwaleke argued that much as having in place a cost-reflective tariff was in the long-term interest of the power sector due to its potential to attract investors, implementing such a reform now would be counter-productive.

While the idea of tying the level of tariffs to the ability of Discos to meet certain service parameters, appears to be the right thing to do, as it will incentivise power distributors to improve service since it’s in their interest, many Nigerians feel that NERC must sit up in its monitoring function to ensure that Nigerians are not short-changed.

:KHQ 1,0& 6WD; 3URWHVWHG 3RRU :RUNLQJ &RQGLWLRQ tion with SIM cards and allow Nigerians to accomplish the task at their own pace, while observing the COVID-19 protocols. Ogunbanjo also called on the minister and the Nigerian Communications Commission to meet the demands of NIMC staff and ensure that they return to work without further delay.

“A visit to NIMC offices in Lagos, clearly showed that NIMC is underfunded and have no sufficient logistics to manage the crowd that throng to their offices on a daily basis,” Ogunbanjo said.

Some subscribers, who spoke to THISDAY, also blamed government for poor funding of NIMC operations. According to them, NIMC staff had to literally beg applicants who visit their office for enrolment, for money to buy fuel to power their generator and to buy stationeries to work with, before they could attend to applicants. Some centres do not even have generators to work with, that said.

NIMC Staff Suspend Strike However, NIMC on Friday night issued a statement, announcing the resumption of enrolment exercise of the NIN after two days that of the nationwide strike.

According to the statement, which was signed by its Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Kayode Adegoke, “NIMC is glad to inform the general public that normal enrolment services for the National Identification Number (NIN) have been fully restored at all NIMC offices nationwide as the glitches experienced since January 6, 2021, have been sorted out.”

The statement further said: “Enrolment services were temporarily disrupted when the local chapter of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) of NIMC embarked on an industrial action on Wednes-

day, 6 January, 2021 immediately after their congress. However, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, who promptly intervened in the matter, has assured the workers of looking into their grievances and advised them to empathise with Nigerians especially at this time that linkage of the NIN with the Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards is ongoing for the security of lives and property in the country.

“While thanking Nigerians for their understanding in the face of the challenges posed by the two-day hiatus in enrolment, DirectorGeneral of NIMC, Aliyu Aziz, stressed his management’s avowed pursuit of the welfare and health of all staff of the Commission across the country.”

Although the NIMC staff, who came under the umbrella union agreed to suspend the staff and resume work, they gave the management 21 days to grant their requests, failing which they will resume the industrial action.

Reactions Nigerians from all walks of life had opposed to the directive on timelines given by Pantami on SIM cards registration and integration. While some were calling for outright review of the order, which they regarded as harsh, others were calling for the outright cancellation of the order, and allow reasonable time for SIM-NIN integration.

In one of those calls, the House of Representatives urged the federal government to extend the deadline for the synchronisation of subscribers’ SIM card registration with their NIN by 10 weeks.

Pantami had issued a directive that made it compulsory for all SIM cards to be linked to National Identity Number (NIN), giving

a two-week deadline for compliance.

But the House at a plenary said NCC should give a reasonable amount of time to enable Nigerians to comply with the instruction.

It also mandated the House Committee on Communications to ensure compliance.

The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance, moved by the Minority Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu.

Elumelu, moving the motion noted that as laudable as the idea behind the policy may seem, the timing was very wrong because Nigerians have not been properly sensitised.

He said if the NCC is not urgently called to halt their plans there may be unnecessary panic in the country, which may lead to the exploitation of vulnerable Nigerian thereby causing more pains in an already pathetic situation.

After several agitations, the federal government, however bowed to pressure from Nigerians when it announced the lifting of the suspension order on the replacement of Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card.

Nigerians had kicked against the suspension order on the sales of new SIM cards and the suspension order on the activation of old SIM cards that have been retrieved by their owners, and have continuously put pressure on government to rescind its decision.

The decision to lift the suspension order, was reached at an emergency stakeholders meeting convened by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami.

The federal government through the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, had on December 9, directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms industry regulator, to implement the suspension order of the sales of new SIMs

as well as the suspension order on activation of old SIMs. The suspension order had elicited reactions from Nigerians who kicked against it, insisting that it will make Nigerians incommunicado, especially for those who lost their SIMs during robbery attacks in different parts of the country, as they will not be able to retrieve and reactivate their SIM cards.

Licensing NIN Enrolment Agents In order to meet up with the timeline for SIM-NIN integration, which was later extended to January 19, 2021 for those who have already registered for NIN and February 19, 2021 for those who were yet to register for NIN, the federal government, through the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, has approved the licensing of 173 agents and 30 state governments/public sector institutions to conduct enrollment of all persons, including legal residents into the national identity database of NIMC, on behalf of the commission.

The approval, which was given in different categories, includes all telecoms operators and private companies, and they are expected to commence enrolment into the NIMC database.

Despite the licensing of NIN enrolment agents and the extension of the timeline for SIM-NIN integration from December 31, 2020 to January 19, 2021 and February 19, 2021, NIMC could not manage the unprecedented crowd that throng at its branch offices nationwide on a daily basis, a situation that prompted NIMC staff to demand for better work tools and better welfare package to handle the situation.

Rather than yielding to the demands of NIMC staff, government decided to treat their demands with levity, a situation that prompted the strike action.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹͸˜ 2021

20

BUSINESS/FOCUS

Oil & Gas Industry in 2021: A Preview Emmanuel Addeh looks at the major factors likely to shape Nigeria’s oil and gas industry this year

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020 was a tumultuous year for the oil and gas industry. Though characterised by highs and lows, with the disastrous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry witnessed arguably the most traumatic occurrences in history last year.

It did not just keep many oil and gas-based companies at the risk of folding up, it set so many oil-dependent nations, Nigeria inclusive, on the edge, prompting the loss of revenue by as much as 60 per cent for the country at a point.

If anything, experts predict that 2021, though with a more positive outlook, may follow in the same direction as last year until, the deadly coronavirus is effectively brought under control.

Global oil demand fell by 25 per cent in April when the world began to face the reality of the virus, but it has rebounded sharply since then, cutting its losses to just 8 per cent.

However, looking ahead, 2021 oil demand is expected to recover strongly but remains lower than it was at pre–COVID-19 levels—about 4 per cent lower in the base case, and about 7 per cent lower, according to Rystad Energy’s second-wave scenario.

Added to that, 2020 experienced massive layoffs and heightened cyclicality in employ- Slyva ment, with an average layoff of about 14 per cent of permanent employees in 2020. But S&P The situation has been further exacerbated for predicts that 70 per cent of jobs lost during the pandemic may not come back by the end countries like Nigeria almost solely dependent on crude oil and have largely ignored the World of 2021.

So, what are the key factors that may likely Bank and the IMF advice to oil producing affect the oil and gas industry, which essentially nations to diversify their economies.

The country’s crude and condensate producis a global market, controlled by the vicissitudes tion slumped to around 1.79 million b/d last of actions or inactions of global players and year from 2.04 million b/d in 2019, according of course acts of God. to S&P Global Platts estimates.

This was the lowest output since 2016 when The Vaccine Although the market has largely rebounded, Niger Delta militants repeatedly attacked the thing for industry right now is not the low key oil infrastructure pushing the country’s crude prices, but the decline in demand for production to as low as 1.4 million-1.5 million b/d at points that year. refined products.

President Muhammadu Buhari recently Demand has largely fallen because of lockdowns that have led to restriction, for example admitted that the country has been suffering on flights, land travel and even reduction in heavily following a sharp drop in output and manufacturing capacity of many industries. depressed global oil prices.

“We are being squeezed to produce at 1.5 Some experts predict that by the second million b/d against a capacity to produce quarter of 2021, the industry should be back to $60 a barrel, while natural gas will follow 2.3 million b/d... now the oil industry is in suit as well, but the fact is that how fast the turmoil,” Buhari said.

Under the latest OPEC+ deal, Nigeria has vaccine gets delivered to the countries of the world and taken by their people, will play a committed to keeping its crude output at 1.52 huge role in returning normalcy to the market. million b/d for January, 313,000 b/d below its Because of the lack of demand for refined baseline under the deal of 1.829 million b/d.

Platts Analytics expects Nigerian crude products, crude oil refineries are being shut production to grow from 1.4 million b/d in down in parts of the world, thereby reducing demand for Nigeria’s oil. Energy prices will December to over 1.7 million b/d in April, continue to benefit from demand-side optimism and then holding at around 1.9 million b/d as the world continues to embrace the vaccines in the second half of the year. from Pfizer-BioNTech and other several jabs Renewed Focus on Renewables that have now been approved for use.

The oil and gas industry faces opposition and huge threats from a public greatly concerned OPEC Production Cuts Nigeria, one of the 14 countries in sub-Saharan with the environmental impact of fossil fuels Africa producing crude oil, has not been spared and investors, who are shy of putting their the impact of the global decision to reduce oil monies in oil and gas.

From hydrogen to solar energy, there’s a real output. , which accounts for most of its annual global energy transition, putting the future foreign exchange earnings.

In April, members of the Organisation of of oil and gas companies and oil-dependent Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), along countries increasingly in question.

Nigeria’s challenge and that of the oil and with its non-OPEC members called OPEC+ gas industry in the country, is therefore, to agreed on the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) document which essentially saw the cartel engage and adapt to a changing policy and investment landscape. There is a gradual reduce daily supply to stabilise the market.

While Nigeria was targeting 3 million barrels shift from policies that have supported oil per day at the time and had already exceeded and gas production to policies that instead 2 million barrels, the OPEC decision meant are starting to disincentivise fossil fuels, while that the country had to roll back its progress many governments are encouraging the use in terms of its daily production which fell to as of substitute technology and fuel, especially low as 1.4 million or thereabout at some point. renewable energy.

However, the Group Managing Director of While the record production cut is a way of balancing the mismatch between supply the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, and demand in global oil prices due to the Mele Kyari, has a different view. According coronavirus pandemic, Nigeria has borne part to him, fossil fuel will remain relevant in of the brunt, having to shut down some of the global energy mix for decades to come its oil wells to comply with the OPEC quota. contrary to assumptions in some quarters,

Kyari

even beyond 2040.

Added to that, Kyari believes that Nigeria’s crude oil grades are rich with high global demand.

But despite his optimism, there’s a surging growth for renewable energy, with growth very likely continue into 2021, fuelled in part by last year’s major turning points.

China, one of Nigeria’s biggest customers has now committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2060, putting the world’s biggest market for solar and wind power on the path to ramp up installations as it begins its next five-year plan.

Although no longer a major consumer of Nigeria’s crude, in the United States, solar energy industries are making a kill with the addition of 19 gigawatts of total solar power, about 15 gigawatts higher than the total that Nigeria has ever wheeled. About 40 per cent of the electricity in the first half of 2020 in the European Union came from renewable sources, compared with 34 per cent from plants burning fossil fuels, according to environmental group, Ember.

Passage of PIB Many Nigerians and expatriates believe the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) which has finally left the President’s desk and is currently at the National Assembly, when passed will be a game changer for the industry. The lawmakers have set between now and June to pass the bill into law.

The PIB is meant to completely overhaul the Nigerian oil industry and provide new fiscal incentives to producers, but it has been in the works for more than a decade. It will lay the framework to commercialise the operations of the NNPC , using the NLNG model and taking off government’s huge influence, thereby enabling external funding.

Furthermore, the bill includes, initiatives to amend oil and gas royalties, aiming to make the sector more attractive to investment, changes to certain key petroleum sector regulatory bodies, environmental and social components and initiatives to promote gas monetisation.

When passed, it is expected to bring together all legal instruments: the Oil Exploration Licence; the Oil Prospecting Licence; and the Oil Mining Lease etc. under one framework.

It will equally allow for clear separation of powers between industry bodies, statutory funding, operational autonomy, senate approval of senior managerial appointments and dismissals, and insulation from political influence as well as assuage the feelings of

the people of the Niger Delta, who have felt short-changed by successive governments as well as the oil companies.

If the National Assembly eventually passes the bill and it is finally assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari, the oil and gas industry will experience a new lease of life.

On this, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva, adds that it will include low tax provisions to sustain stable investments in the country’s oil sector.

“We are not unmindful that the industry players are of the view that the current level of taxation on onshore and shallow water operations is excessive and therefore the proposed PIB should include a significant lowering of these taxes for new investments and for existing operations.

“As a government, we have identified major constraints that have delayed recent projects from reaching financial close or caused projects to be delayed and/or abandoned altogether.

The PIB before Nigeria’s legislative arm that we propose will, I believe, provide this new framework.”

The proposed PIB framework shall be based on core principles of clarity, dynamism, neutrality, open access and fiscal rules of general application, he said.

Relationship with China The ability of Nigeria to maintain good relations with China will further determine how the oil, gas and indeed the entire energy sector will fare this year as the country remains Nigeria’s biggest customer. China is also funding a number of the gas projects currently going on within the country, mostly through the China-Exim bank. So, literally speaking, when China sneezes, Nigeria catches cold.

On a brighter note, Asia’s oil demand, including India’s, another big consumer of Nigerian crude, continues to look strong.

While oil demand in Europe and the United States continues to disappoint, refiners in Asia are racing to procure crude from around the world, giving the oil market some hope that at least in one region, demand is strengthening.

China’s oil binge is expected to extend beyond 2021 although it is reported that the country stockpiled oil this year when prices were cheap, offering an extra bit of demand to the market. It is further estimated that China’s private refiners will stockpile an additional 100 million barrels in 2021, boosting Nigeria’s chances of being able to sell some of its products despite being dumped earlier by Europe and America.

Place of Gas In 2020, the federal government declared that year as “The Year of Gas”. This year, the government will continue to push for more production and utilisation of its abundant gas resources, with over 200 million TCF already proven.

On steps being taken to boost the gas market in the country, Kyari stated that several projects that are critical to the delivery of gas hitherto delayed are now being completed.

He said: “We have several projects spanning 10 years. Many of them were hugely delayed for various reasons, sometimes for financial constraints that government faces over time, and also sometimes probably out of a sheer lack of will to deliver on those projects, and there are a number of them.

“There’s a major trunk, Nigeria’s gas pipeline spanning all the way from the east, specifically from around Port Harcourt, all the way across the country into Abuja, all the way to Kano.

“Then also, you have another line that links the east to the west, through what we call the Escravos – Lagos pipeline segment, and then the OB – OB 3 pipeline. The connection of these three means that you can take gas from anywhere in the country, and also deliver to the key consumption point.”

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹͸˜ 2021

21

BUSINESS/ENERGY

OPEC Cut, COVID-19 and 2021 Budget This year is already showing signs that are similar to last year’s, when COVID-19 pandemic hit the world. What is worse, the new variant of the virus seems to be coming with a force that may make the 2020 dark days a child’s play, as countries are already considering lockdown. This means that the demand, supply and the price of crude oil will take another lethal hit. In response, the OPEC+ alliance has deepened oil production cut and this will set Nigerian share of supply by over 300,000 barrels per day in three months. Clearly, the Nigerian 2021 budget will now have to contend with the oil production cuts and COVID-19, in order to make the budget to work for Nigerians. Chris Paul reports

W

ithin two days, between 30 November and 1 December, 2020, the 108th meeting of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) debated whether to maintain its supply cuts as at last year’s levels, or increase output as planned for 2021, worried that should the group not come through, the fourth quarter rally in crude prices could be destabilized.

Even though there was a unanimous agreement on the proposed three-month delay, consensus about the precise terms of the extension could not find a common ground among delegates who attended the four-hour video conference.

Still unresolved, at the virtual conference, according to a Bloomberg report, were questions of compliance with pledged cuts and compensation from countries that had exceeded their supply limits.

Although, UAE and Kazakhstan, two of the coalition’s major players did not back maintenance of the existing curbs into the first quarter, most member countries were said to be support the plan.

With growth pegged at minus 4.3 per cent for 2020, the global economy was, clearly deep in the hole of recession.

As the second wave of the pandemic and related lockdowns put a damper on demand, global oil demand for 2020 is expected to decline by around 9.8 mb/d; as disclosed in the opening remarks of Algeria’s Minister of Energy and President of the OPEC Conference, Abdelmadjid Attar, during the meeting, which held in Vienna.

Warning of the long and bumpy road to recovery, he advised that great patience was required; but enthused that, “However, there are signs of light at the end of the tunnel. Next year (2021), the global economy is forecast to return to growth, expanding by an estimated 4.4 per cent. Oil demand growth is expected to be high, in the tune of 6.1 mb/d. This brighter outlook for 2021 gives us a cautious optimism and is a clear indication that we are on the right path.”

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Production quotas had been reduced to account for lower demand for oil as improbability led to instability in the oil market with a severe descent in prices.

While the lifting of restrictions had resulted in partial market rescue, re-implementation of lockdown around the globe has driven demand down again.

Recent end to major hostilities in Libya revved up the country’s production dramatically; prompting worries by observers that these two factors may further destabilize the market with the resulting oil glut.

Consequently, majority of OPEC and OPEC+ members (including Russia and nine other countries) advocated a continued reduction in production quotas to avoid surpluses.

The call led to an oil production cut of about 9.7 million barrels per day by OPEC and its alliance countries OPEC+, for an initial period of two months that concluded on 30 June 2020, from 1 May 2020. Impressed with the outcome of that measure, the alliance agreed to another six months extension of the cut between 1 July 2020 and 31 December 2020 with a commitment to sustain production cut of 7.7 mb/d.

In compliance to the cartel’s agreement, Nigeria agreed to a production cut of 1.412 mb/d till June 2020, which would later be increased to 1.495 mb/d between July 1 and December 2020; with the intention to shoot production up by 84,000bpd to 1.579 mb/d from January 2021 to April 2022, excluding condensates.

The continuation of the deal, starting January 2021, which would see members maintain cuts of 5.8 mb/d for 16 months ending 30 April 2022, caused divisions within the group, which Russia and some other countries rejecting the cuts.

The Russians insisted on having more output, arguing that unless OPEC Plus keeps pace with the recovery of demand,

Barkindo

Ahmed

the group will lose market share to shale oil producers in the United States. The Russians also appear to be more optimistic about the recovery of demand for oil.

Although they have been wary of easing the production cuts agreed to by the group in April which helped shore up prices back from their spring ebb; Saudi’s worry was hinged on the fact that the pandemic still far from abating.

Thankfully, on Tuesday, 5 January 2021, they were able to arrive at a compromise with Saudi Arabia obliging to drop its oil production by one million barrels a day, just so Russia and Kazakhstan could get the production increases they insisted on. This gesture, which the Saudi offered to stabilize the market, was warmly welcomed by Traders.

Consequently, the impact on the market was an over 4per cent rise in oil prices reaching a record high not seen since February; giving some bounce to Brent which shot beyond $53/barrel, with West Texas Intermediate exceeding $50.

The initial challenge in arriving at a consensus, at the OPEC Plus meeting, gives the impression that cooperation between the cartel’s de facto leader, Saudi Arabia and Russia had once more come under intense pressure. However, Observers of the alliance fear the tension could, in months to come, herald hitches in restraining production.

All this OPEC drama and increasing market volatility amid the second wave of coronavirus will most certainly have a debilitating effect on the Nigerian 2021 budget.

Recall that the crude oil price benchmark in the 2020 budget began with about $57 per barrel. Following the sharp decline in the world market crude oil prices, Bonny Light crude oil price dropped from a peak of $72.2 per barrel on 7 January 2020 to below $20 per barrel in April, 2020.

Compelled to revise the benchmark in the budget, initially to $30 per barrel, the government had to, later, reduce it to $25 per barrel, and finally landed it at $28 per barrel.

Notwithstanding the review, tangible incomes in oil revenues, between January and May, increased by 66per cent (N278.2billion) to N701.6billion.

This year, Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed, said part of the funding for the budget would come from the export of 1.86 million barrels per day oil output at about $40 per barrel.

The minister said out of a net accrual to the Federation

Account of N6.67 trillion (after 0.5per cent transfer to Police Trust Fund), total oil revenue, after all costs, deductions and derivations would come to about N4.09 trillion.

With the current OPEC cuts, Nigeria’s share is 313,000bpd and that means Nigeria will be losing a total of $1.48 billion in potential oil sales in three months at an average price of $50 per barrel.

OPEC’s decision to increase crude oil production output by 500,000 barrels per day for February and March, 2021, at its 13th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting (ONOMM), see Nigeria cut production by an additional 939,000 barrels per day.

This is in observance to the OPEC+ resolution, with reference production set for the country by OPEC put at 1.829 million barrels per day in January, February and March.

But the required production per month will be 1,516 million barrels per day, a reduction of 313,000 barrels per day for each of the months.

The loss of the 313,000 bpd will greatly affect the economy and destabilized liquidity. According to KPMG’s outlook on Nigeria’s 2021 economy, oil production is expected to be negative, Year-on-year, at least in the first half of 2021 due to deep OPEC cuts, as well as new lockdowns and restrictions.

And so, some of the obstacles Nigeria will experience in the near-term include an uncertain foreign-exchange (FX) environment, constrained productivity, cautious privatesector investors, socio-political threats and high inflation.

What is worse, Nigeria would have to hope and pray that the entire world do not join United Kingdom (UK) to go into an another lockdown as the deadlier variant in the second wave of COVID-19 is currently overwhelming nations’ healthcare facilities that are barely recovering from the first wave. As its impact continues to subject economies to severe strain, Western nations that are the most affected may actually resort to a shutdown; and that means Nigeria may not even be able to sell the oil within the period, as it happened during the last lockdown.

So, as it stands, Nigeria’s economy is on a ‘hold your breath’ mode and by extension, Nigerians have to brace up for a similar harsh experience they went through during the lockdown.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹͸˜ 2021

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Buhari’s Ever-increasing Appetite for Borrowing The Buhari administration has become well known to Nigerians as the ‘borrowing government’. Its penchant for foreign loans is legendary. After contracting $60 billion foreign loans, the government now wants to ‘borrow’ from Nigerians by taking over their dormant accounts and unclaimed dividends.

The government has also been making deep-toned noises about ‘borrowing’ from the pensions of Nigerians. Nosa James-Igbinadolor looks at Buhari administration’s decision to access the accounts and dividends of investing Nigerians and the expansive distrust of the government and its policies

B

roke and determined to grab monies from wherever it can lay its hands on them, the Buhari administration has decided to ‘borrow’ some N900 billion owned by Nigerians in unclaimed dividends and in dormant

accounts.

Nigeria, as aptly captured by a 2019 Agusto Consulting report, “is currently in a dire fiscal strait and the numbers are quite grim. For instance, despite the positive spin about Nigeria’s benign debt to GDP currently around 20per cent, interest payments as a percentage of revenue are over 60per cent.

“Other fiscal indicators also put Nigeria at the bottom of the rung even amongst sub-Sahara African peers. Nigeria’s five-year average of capital expenditure as a percentage of nominal GDP is a meagre 2.1per cent which pales in comparison to Angola (7per cent) and Kenya (7.6per cent).

However, with a projected budget deficit of N3.8 trillion in 2019, CAPEX as a percentage of nominal GDP could decline further to 1.1per cent this year. The implication of this burgeoning deficit is that in 2019, Nigeria will have to borrow to meet its obligatory spendings (interest payments, transfers and payroll) projected at about N5.4 trillion with a revenue of about N4 trillion. This implies a cash crunch for CAPEX. “Thus, with this fiscal backdrop, macro reforms that will improve the revenue position of the government and pare back the deficit by cutting spending are non-negotiable.”

Nothing fundamentally has changed with respect to the state of the Nigerian economy since that report was released nearly two years ago. The state of the economy remains grim and ever more debilitating.

It was no doubt with this understanding in mind that the Federal Government using the 2020 FinanceAct, which recently came into effect, decided to expand its financial chest by ‘borrow’ from Nigerians. For a government high on a blast of foreign borrowings, unclaimed dividends and dormant bank account balances of Nigerians unattended to for at least six years, were the new overdoing frontiers for garnering funds.

The funds are made available as a special debt owed by the federal government to the respective shareholders and the dormant bank account holders through the Unclaimed Funds Trust Fund contained in the Finance Act 2020, recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the Act, “Any unclaimed dividend of a public limited liability company quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and any unutilised amounts in a dormant bank account maintained in or by a deposit money bank which has remained unclaimed or unutilised for a period of not less than six years from the date of declaring the dividend or domiciling the funds in a bank account shall be transferred Immediately to the trust fund.”

The operation of the trust fund will be supervised by the Debt Management Office (DMO) and governed by a governing council chaired by the finance minister and a co-chairperson from the private sector appointed by the president.

While the value of unclaimed dividends hit NGN158.4 billion at the end of 2019, dormant account balances constituted about 2.5 per cent of total deposits of banks, which stood at N29.5 trillion as at September 30th, 2020, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics. This means, that the amount of money in dormant account balances is about NGN737.5 billion.

When combined with the NGN158 billion

Buhari

Ahmed

Oniha

outstanding unclaimed dividends, the total amount of money that would be taken over by the FG would hit nearly NGN900 billion.

Aretired senior civil servant and board member of an NSE-listed company told THISDAY that the federal government’s policy flies in the face of reason. “This voracious appetite for borrowing by this administration is now looking ridiculously untenable,“ he said, adding that, “what is needed rather, is for the federal government to sit down and design sensible ways of growing the economy. They have been borrowing tens of billions of dollars since 2015, and it has not had any impact on the economy.

Taking the funds of Nigerians without their agreement will unlikely have any impact on the economy either. The problem is that this government is not thinking. They want monies but they do not want to think about how to create wealth. The truth is that these monies the government wants to forcefully borrow, belongs to people and not to the government.”

The severity of the economic recession in Nigeria since the beginning of the Buhari administration makes expanding access to the credit pool inevitable for the government as it seeks to pay its bills and finance infrastructure.

The challenge with this policy however, is the fact that many see it as nothing but a heist of private property by the government. As noted by shareholders under the aegis of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), “dividends are private wealth of investors, either individuals or corporate entities. The idea of converting such private wealth to federal wealth negates the relevant provisions of the rights to own property as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution. Our opinion is that S39 to the extent of its inconsistency with S44 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is null and void.

The law expressly states that there shall be no forceful takeover of any private movable property of any Nigerian without due and appropriate compensation and or valid court order.”

For Choji Pwol, an Abuja based Economist, the FGs policy is a welcome development. “It all depends on what the government is offering?

How will they structure the idle funds? Indeed, they are idle funds as they have been lying idle for years. Are the banks paying a premium for it? Why should the banks be the only ones to trade with the monies? So, for me I do not have any problem with the FGs decision as long as it is properly structured and as long the

government provides enough time for accounts and dividends owners to access and claim their rights before any government action.”

Idle funds whether in banks or in dividends really serve no purpose for the economy? When money lies idle, the real economy suffers. Demonetised funds are really worthless unless they are put back into the economy as investments.

Adam Smith in his magnum Opus, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, noted that, “It is not by augmenting the capital of the country, but by rendering a greater part of that capital active and productive than would otherwise be so, that the most judicious operations of banking can increase the industry of the country.”

Idle funds and capital are replete across the Nigerian financial and economic landscape.

PwC estimates that Nigeria holds at least $300 billion or as much as $900 billion worth of dead capital in residential real estate and agricultural land alone. The high value real estate market segment holds between $230 billion and $750 billion of value, while the middle market carries between $60 billion and $170 billion in value.

These funds and capital need to be made productive for economic development to take place.

Alex Otti, a former Banker and Politician posits that, “There is a whole lot we can do with the money available to us rather than leaving them idle in the banks. We must ensure that our money does not become lazy. Beyond the low hanging fruit of agriculture are other infrastructural deficit areas. “Power is a very big deal in a country generating no more than 5000 megawatts of power for everyone.

Recognising the legislative challenges and the huge investment outlays required, there are yawning gaps in the area of renewable energy like solar, wind and bio mass. We believe that where to invest funds in a low productivity and densely populated country like Nigeria should not be a challenge.”

Here again, this government has a credibility problem. Frustration and discontent are fast spreading among the populace who have already been negatively impacted by the adverse economic consequences of extremely bad socio-political and economic management.

Dr. Uche Igwe, a Visiting Fellow at the LSE Firoz Lalji Centre for Africa opines that, “five years into Buhari’s presidency, public trust in the Nigerian government appears to be in decline alongside a growing perception of lacking political inclusion. This is hardened

by negative economic impacts caused by the pandemic, and a sense of undelivered political promises, which underscore the importance of collective buy-in for the country’s development aspirations”.

Stephen Onyeiwu, Professor and Chair of the Economics Department, Allegheny College, writing in 2019 for the South Africa based magazine The Conversation, rightly asserted that, “one of the main reasons newly-elected Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari had been widely expected to lose his bid for a second term was the poor state of the country’s economy.

Under his presidency, Nigeria’s unemployment rate more than doubled, from 10.4per cent in January 2016 to 23.1per cent in July 2018 “In his first four years, Buhari also failed to address poverty. Under his watch, Nigeria overtook India as the country with the largest number of people living in extreme poverty. About 87 million Nigerians, or half the population, live on less than US$1.90 per day.

“And economic growth has been lacklustre since his election in 2015. The country went into recession in 2016, with a negative 1.6per cent growth rate. There was a rebound in economic growth of about 2per cent in 2018.

Nevertheless the IMF forecasts that growth will remain anaemic at an annual average of about 1.9per cent from 2019 – 2023”.

Despite borrowing some USD60 billion, the Nigerian economy under Mr. Buhari has nothing credible to show for these elephantine monetary acquisitions. As noted by the U.K based Economist Magazine, “the Nigerian economy is stuck like a stranded truck.

Average incomes have been falling for four years; the IMF thinks they will not rise for at least another six. The latest figures put unemployment at 23per cent, after growing for 15 consecutive quarters. Inflation is 11per cent. Some 94m people live on less than $1.90 a day, more than in any other country, and the number is swelling. By 2030 a quarter of very poor people will be Nigerian, predicts the World Data Lab, which counts such things.”

Nigeria under Buhari is very much underperforming and unlocking dead capital is critical to stop this.

The problem is, the people do not just trust this government to do the right thing with their money. This is why the government’s decision to put idle funds to work seems like an attempt at grand theft to majority of Nigerians.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹͸˜ 2021

23

BUSINESS/PERSPECTIVE

FCMB’s Nuru Adam and Social Media Predators For an increasingly predatory local social media hemmed in by unrelenting insecurity, the Janus-faced COVID-19 and bruising socio-political uncertainty, any diversionary relief is just fine, writes Lewis Chukwuma

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ecently, local social media platforms came alive with titillating tales of alleged office romance between a boss and his subordinate officer in the banking sector which produced two kids and willy-nilly led to the death of the female worker’s husband. Nollywood could hardly better the script.

But the real catch here is that this involves real life personalities, reputations, the future of young kids, cultures and a key industrial sector in this instance. Ungoverned by some of the professional strictures of traditional mainstream media which require rigorous investigation and substantiation of stories, for the social media, it is game on. What are the issues?

Nuru Adam, the erstwhile managing director of the First City Monument Bank, FCMB, was alleged to have sired two kids with Moyo Thomas while she worked at the bank. Tunde Thomas, Moyo’s husband, reportedly died from trauma after discovering the children were no his biological offsprings.

Yet another version of the story says Moyo revealed to Tunde that the kids were not his after she moved to the US and that the deceased had moved on and arranged to marry another woman before his death on December 16, 2020.

All these raunchy tales were fed by a petition posted in the social media allegedly signed by over 1900 people asking the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and FCMB to sack the Nuru.

But emerging facts show the petition was not signed. The socalled petition alleged that the bank MD was responsible for the demise of Tunde Thomas was the source of the allegations peddled by social media’s commentariat.

Given the nature of the allegations, why would a nameless group deliver an unsigned petition to the CBN to sack Nuru?

What is really the underlying motive? What quirky calculations are afoot?

The unfolding drama looks like a well-orchestrated plot to damage Nuru professionally. Nobody even heard from Tunde before he died. Notwithstanding the social media spin, there is actually no DNA report to prove that Nuru sired the young kids in question. Somebody or group just scripted an anonymous petition and put it on social media and based on the preposterous lie all hell was let loose. The post went viral.

Even Moyo, the lady allegedly at the centre of the narrative had left the bank four years ago and relocated to the US. Nobody even cared about the potential psychological damage to the kids involved.

What are the responses from both sides of the character cast of the drama? Besides some reactions from the Moyo Thomas’ family which even debunked the entirety of the allegations circulating on social media, there is pretty little to go on. The FCMB board must look at the issues dispassionately.

But good a thing Moyo Thomas herself has spoken up essentially pulling the rug from under the foot of the slimy social media crisis entrepreneurs who would stop at nothing to destroy an innocent man’s reputation.

And Moyo Thomas Speaks According to Moyo, the widow of Tunde who spoke up for the first time on Friday, at no occasion did she ever tell her now late husbands that he was not the father of their two children.

In her words:“On no occasion did I ever tell him he was not the father of our two children.

“It is, therefore, deliberate falsehood and certainly malicious to allege and insinuate that I informed him that the children are not his. The children still bear his name. Only God knows why he died in an untimely period.

“It is not in my place, or anyone’s place to play God and talk with certainty as to the cause of his death, without proven medical facts,”she said in a statement, late Friday.

She said she refrained from commenting on the issue to preserve the memories of Tunde who died on December 16, 2020.“Memories, not only to me, but to his children, who are still young, and to everybody who had a relationship with him,”she said.

According to Mrs. Moyo, they had many differences in their marriage, some of which led to police intervention but she remained committed to keeping only positive memories of him.

She said despite their separation, they never allowed their differences to affect their relationships with the children.“He still had conversations with the children like any father will, up until his sudden and unfortunate death.

“It is quite sad and disheartening to see the pictures of these innocent children splashed all over the internet with very disparaging and weird comments,”she said.

She implored everyone to respect her privacy and“allow those grieving his loss, including the children and I, to do so in peace.”

Moyo Thomas Family’s Position Even much earlier, a formal statement issued by Moyo Thomas’family had clarified matters and affirmed that Moyo’s two kids belong to Tunde and that they were not legally divorced before their daughter’s husband’s death despite the fact that she had relocated to the US.

Adam The response, signed by Adetunji Iromini, on behalf of the family, said in part:“This is quite unfortunate in many ways. It does not augur well for the memory of the departed soul especially as we are all grieving the loss of Tunde, who was buried on Wednesday 30th December, 2020. The pictures of the children are being posted in the social media, without care.

“There would not have been any need to respond to issues raised in the petition but for the sake of posterity, the memory of Tunde and for the sake of his children. Like any marriage, there were differences between Moyo and Tunde leading to their separation and eventual relocation of Moyo to the USA in December, 2017.

“It is important to note that the divorce process was never thought of or initiated by Moyo. And to the best of our knowledge, no divorce papers were ever served on Moyo. This means that they were still legally married. In the opinion of Moyo and her family, the channel for reconciliation was still open up until Tunde’s unfortunate demise.

“Tunde is the father of the 2 children and Moyo never told him he was not their father. Moyo and Tunde clearly worked to ensure the differences they had did not affect the relationship they respectively have with the two children.

Tunde paid a visit to the USA to see the children in June 2018. He met them and interacted with them unhindered.

This was after his recovery from the stroke he had earlier that year.

“It is very sad that a group of people have decided to take the differences between a married couple and misrepresent it into a sensational story. It is unfair to have the pictures of his young children splashed all over the internet.”

This may have informed the position of FCMB when Nuru Adam, being the professional he is, decided on principle to proceed on leave to allow his bank investigate the whole saga. Based on Nuru’s decision, the FCMB top management appointed an acting MD, Mrs.Yemisi Edun.

Good a thing, the FCMB, a key industry leader has signalled it is investigating the alleged affair. It correctly recognises that it could lose goodwill if it acted slowly in the face of concerted social media onslaught.

Significantly, in a Twitter post mid last week, the bank also clarified that Mrs. Edun has only been appointed in acting capacity,“and that she has not been made the substantive managing director”.

Cut to the bone, the so-called“facts”being paraded by the social media are fundamentally mere conjectures.

Transparent fact-based cases are not anchored on social media conjectures or titillating speculations – no matter how seemingly entertaining.

Clearly, folks cannot simply be judged, demonised and sentenced based on the social media. This is simply because social media trial is no trial. It’s based on who spoke first.

Nigeria is a law-governed country and procedures abound to deal with genuine cases of rights infringement and more.

The crooked script here simply needed adroit positioning to generate a feeding frenzy for social media sharks and stakeholders who may already have an axe to grind with the inimitable FCMB MD. Nuru who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with specialization in Finance from the Ahmadu Bello University, has over 20 years of experience covering Corporate Finance, Consumer Banking, Public Sector, Treasury, Commercial/Retail Banking and Human Resources Management. He has faithfully paid his dues in life. He is by no means a saint and good a thing he has not been heard claiming that arcane status. But he deserves fair treatment even in the den of ravenous lions with an agenda.

According to Canadian-based philosopher, entrepreneur, and author Matshona Dhliwayo,“Never judge an eagle by the opinion of turkeys.”This because those who judge will never understand, and those who understand will never judge.

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SPECIAL REPORT

Ahmed

Emefiele

Collateral-free Loans with Collateral Damage: How Loan Sharks Devour Nigerians As personal finances head south for millions, many Nigerians are hanging by a thread and in catch-22 situations, they have to walk a tightrope — either swimming in figurative sharks-infested water or sink in troubled waters — as they deal with a horde of collateral-free loan apps. Bayo Akinloye reports

L

astNovember,FidelisUbongdid not hesitate to take a N15,000 loan just a couple of days before his wedding.

“It was a collateral-free loan,” Ubong, who was excited at the time of taking the loan, tells THISDAY. “I learnt about the loan app through a friend who saw the firm’s advert on Facebook.”

He was given two weeks to pay back 18,950 — principal and interest.

As his honeymoon began to climax, he got a rude awakening. But he is not alone. Hundreds of thousands of Nigerians who had gone aborrowing from some loan apps have similar stories to share. They all felt caught between a rock and a hard place.

Currently in Nigeria, at least 90 million people live in extreme poverty as the hand of the World Poverty Clock ticks furiously. In 2020, many Nigerians were expected to sink deeper in the sea of abject poverty as crude prices dipped and the COVID-19 pandemic gave the country’s floundering economy further pounding and in no time, Africa’s largest economy by gross domestic product slipped into a recession for the second time in five years. It is not uncommon for many hungry Nigerians to borrow as little as 500 from a neighbour, friend, or relative.

Generally despised by banks and overlooked by moneybags, many broke Nigerians and those in financial straits are finding succour in collateral-free loan apps. There are a teeming number of these loan applications run by various companies registered in the country. Amongst them are Sokoloan, OKash, GetCash, Carbon, Branch, GoCash, QuickCheck, PalmCredit, Get Loans, and 9jaCash.

Ubong, a school teacher, had pitched his tent

with Sokoloan — a subsidiary of Soko Lending Company Limited. Sokoloan is an online lending platform that provides short-term loans in Nigeria to help cover unexpected expenses or urgent cash needs.

“You can apply for a Sokoloan loan 24 hours a day, seven days a week with our quick application process that lets you know your status within minutes. For online loans in Nigeria without collateral, fast loans, and quick loans in Nigeria, download and apply for Sokoloan loan,” the firm reassures on its website.

Other loan apps say similar sweet things on their websites. Some of them charge processing fees.

First, Rules of the Game AQuickCheck loan has interest rates starting from as low as five percent monthly on the first loan; loans range from N1,500 to N500,000 with terms from 91 days to one year. Interest ranges from two percent to 30 percent with an equivalent monthly interest rate of one to 21 percent. For example, if a loanee borrows N100,000 over six months (with a fixed interest rate of 13 percent per month, three repayments of N25,000), he will cough up N150,000.

For Carbon (formerly PayLater), a One Finance & Investment Ltd product, a loan attracts interest rates starting from five percent monthly on the first loan and its loans range fromN1,500 to 1m (Nigeria) and Ksh 500 to Ksh 30,000 (Kenya) with repayment terms of up to 64 weeks. Its loan interests range from 1.75 percent to 30 percent, with an equivalent monthly interest rate of one to 21 percent. The annual percentage rate on a Carbon loan ranges from 23 to 60.8 percent.

For example, for a 50,000 three-month loan, Carbon charges two percent monthly. With an APR of 24.3 percent, a loanee must, after 90

days, pay N53,000.

Another loan app, OKash (Blue Ridge Microfinance Bank Limited), has similar interest rates. It offers loans as much as 500,000 and as little as N3,000. Its interest rates are between 0.1 percent and one percent. “Our interest rate is calculated on a daily basis. Annual interest rates are from 36.5 percent to 360 percent. Origination fees range from N1,229 to N6,000 for a one-time charge,” OKash reveals.

To break it down, a 91-day loan payment terms have a processing fee of 41 percent and an interest of 9.1 percent. For the loan processed with a principal amount of N3,000, the processing fee would be N1,229, the interest would be N273, and the total amount to be repaid will beN4,502.

But for another loan app, 9ja Cash, a loanee can choose to repay between 91 and 180 days.

Interest ranges from one percent to 34 percent with an equivalent monthly interest of three percent to 29 percent (and APR of 29 percent to 365 percent) allowing you to borrow up to 300,000 from a minimum of N5,000. If a loanee chose a six-month loan and borrowed N1,000, 9ja Cash charges an interest rate of 4.4 percent per month, the interest rate being 26.4 percent, “we would charge you N263 as the interest of six-month repayment period. Total amount of repayment is N1,263,” the online loan outfit says.

Esther Anibiniran, a Get Loans subscriber, feels the interest rates are impoverishing.

“This app (Get Loans) is incredible. I have got my second loan and it was instant. But I want the owners to work on offering low interest to the available loans. It is not okay paying as high as 50 percent interest on a loan.”

This January, Praise Elijah shared the same sentiment, saying: “The loan app is amazing.

But the problem I have is the high-interest rate.”

How LoanAppsWork amid Glitch Galore “Easy-peasy,” said many subscribers who shared their opinions.

“Our loan app is available to serve customers in Nigeria with Android phones only,” QuickCheck explains. “If you live in Nigeria, need quick cash to settle emergencies and have an android device, all you have to do is: download the loan app for free; sign up to create an account; apply for a collateral-free loan in less than one minute; credit scoring using our algorithm will be carried out (no collateral needed); and if eligible, the cash loan will be credited into your account within minutes.”

Last December, Bello Lukman did not feel that few-minutes effect from Get Loans, saying: “I and my wife have been trying to apply for a loan on this app but it has been unsuccessful despite the fact that we don’t have any record of owing. Though the application was a great experience as it was very easy to apply.”

That same December, another subscriber, Femi John, could not hide his frustration.

“The most useless app I have come across,” John laments. “Giving out a loan was great; interest rate is cool and the duration period is fine. But what I don’t like about them is that when your loan is about five days due, they send you a message that you should pay up on time which I did. When they are about to give you the next loan you found out that it’s the same loan, they are offering to you which I feel is just too bad.”

This January, it was a different experience for Eniola Oluwatosin, who says: “I love this app. It is reliable. You can meet your needs in case of an emergency.

“But please believe me when I say this: you’ve to pay before or on the due date to avoid unnecessary calls and they can deduct any amount from your account even if your balance is less

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SPECIAL REPORT Collateral-free Loans with Collateral Damage: How Loan Sharks Devour Nigerians than 100. That’s in case you did not pay on the due date. But I love the app.”

Others like Ajibola Oluti complained about not being able to get another loan. “I have not been able to get another loan since l paid back my last loan because I suddenly cannot log into the app any longer. All I get is ‘unable to log in with provided credentials.’”

Ezekiel Oshin, Elegbeleye Omotayo, Mopelola Azeez, and Williams Ajibola, among many others, rated the app highly. Said Ajibola: “(Get Loans is very reliable and dependable...The issue I have now is that after my first loan and I repaid on time, my loan amount (sic) is yet to be increased. Aside from that, this is the best loan app. The interest rate is very convenient.”

Many loanees complained that many loan outfits sometimes fail to clear their debts even when they have repaid before due dates and allow interests to accrue.

Love Okukwa, a 9ja Cash loanee, could not hide her disgust.

“This year it will never be well with the people behind this app who are trying to frustrate people’s life. How can you always be available to increase overdue payments and you are never available to update someone when the payment has been made?

“I have paid back my loan since last year (2020) and still loan is still increasing day by day in my profile,” Okukwa claims.

Similar complaints were made about GetCash as Joy Panam notes: “I paid the balance of the loan. Up till now, it’s not reflecting on my account.

That’s not fair on all levels. I’ve sent emails with the proof of payments.”

The worst of the loan apps, to Solomon Abiama, is GetCash. “(It’s) the worst system that I have ever seen.

How can this company take money from my account after payment? This is the second time.

They have not refunded the first money. My money was due on 24 December and I paid on the same day,” Abiama says.

Regarding PalmCredit, Kabir Yahaya says, “I made a complaint on my full payment with proof and linked BVN and still my payment has not reflected and no reply from PalmCredit.

But if it’s due or overdue charges PalmCredit is active to call and send messages countless times.”

The concerned loan apps were unreachable to reply to these allegations.

Customer Service Agents Rubbing Salt into Wound Many are the miseries of poor Nigerians. They told THISDAY they get treated poorly by the loan apps customer service agents. Nigeria has a record of poor customer service and the targets are often hard-working, ordinary individuals, especially the poor. It is little wonder then that uncouth customer service agents are said to be making lives more miserable for loan apps loanees. However, virtually all subscribers attested to the courtesy extended to them by Carbon, Branch, and QuickCheck.

Sokoloan, GetCash, Get Loans, GoCash, and 9jaCash loanees were the most upset describing their experience in the hands of the loan apps’ agents as nightmarish.

“The app is reliable with (the) fastest disbursement into your bank account. The only problem the company has to work on is the way their staff approach customers when it comes to late repayment; need to work on the type of representatives (they have). (They’re) so rude; disrespectful while talking to customers,” Bolaji Ademola says of GoCash.

It is not different at 9Ja Cash as George Nnochiri explains: “Worst loan app. Repayment is hell. I’ve repaid my loan ...but the app is still counting it as a running loan and adding interest.

No contact number to call. Customer service is terrible. Shame.”

About 9Ja Cash, Goodness Ukoh adds, “Very good app: it works exactly when you need it most just that the interest is too much and just one or two days that you didn’t meet up with repayment their customer service (agents) will start calling you rudely.”

An upsetAdedoyin Fakorede explains further, “The collection agents are so unprofessional and unethical. They are a bunch of touts, especially the ones called Stella and Gloria.” Of OKash, Austine Adekanmbi notes, “Most of their staff lack courtesy and (are) very insulting to clients.”

Olutosin Olusegun says of GetCash, “Customer service officers are in need of extensive customer relations training. Their choice of words is very unprofessional.”

Gaming the System Nigeria’s loan apps are facing some heat too as some unscrupulous loanees have begun to game the system.

On Facebook, one John Glenn, with a profile indicating he works at ‘Petronas and Structural

Pantami

Engineering,’ reveals: “I am on a campaign to bring down Sokoloan and we can do this together. First of all, I collected a loan of 15,000 from them after they messed with a friend of mine and I refused to pay. I didn’t even pick their calls because I have all their numbers.

“So, they started sending messages to my contacts. I went to my settings on my android phone, under apps and notifications. I opened their app (under permissions) and turned off all permissions so they won’t have access to my locations, messages, and contacts anymore.”

To further game the loan apps, he adds, “I copied all my contacts to my laptop, opened a bulk SMS account and sent messages to all my contacts with ‘Sokoloan’ as the heading, stating that my phone was missing and my account hacked that they should ignore any message, stating that I am a debtor or fraudster; that I am innocent.”

Sokoloan did not respond to THISDAY’s inquiry on this matter.

Apart from Glenn, THISDAY checks suggest that potential loanees can sometimes open multiple loan apps, request loans, and default. With perhaps a limited number of staff, some loan apps after repeated messages and phone calls to get defaulting loanees to pay up, eventually give up but not without informing the country’s credit bureaus.

Many credible loan apps have become calculative in terms of risks, focusing more on interests they can derive and less on the number of loans they grant existing and new loanees.

“I have been reported to the credit bureau

by PalmCredit due to the outstanding debt of N3,000 only. It was reported to me by Union Bank. My cell phone was stolen and all the applications on it crashed so I couldn’t repay the loan promptly,” Olakunle Makinde confesses.

Enter Loan Sharks As a method of getting defaulting loanees to pay their debts, the Central Bank of Nigeria approved naming and shaming, among other legal methods like seizing collateral, “poor credit rating, prosecution under law, loss of business, etc.”

On its website, responding to one of the frequently asked questions (FAQ), ‘What happens if I don’t pay back my loan?’

Sokoloan simply states, “We want to keep you as a customer, so please make every attempt to pay us back on time. If you find yourself in a situation that makes it difficult to make your scheduled repayment, please contact us immediately by sending us an in-app chat message.”

It adds, “We do our best to help our customers avoid these situations and the resulting consequences which can include suspension of your access to our lending service; reporting your account delinquency to multiple credit bureaus; involvement with external collection agencies; possible legal action.”

Salako

There is no mention of threatening fire and brimstone and blackmail, as weapons-in-chief.

Sochima Nkwor, identified as a customer service and ticketing officer at EthiopianAirlines on Facebook, felt scandalised as she shared a message from Sokoloan describing a loanee as a criminal.

Adeola Ranti, a GetCash loanee, says, “After paying for (an) extension, they still behaved irrationally and sent messages to my contacts.

How will they clear the rubbish they sent out of the people’s minds? This is absurd.”

One of the messages often sent out by some of the loan apps can be very damaging, bringing to the fore a proverb, he that goes a-borrowing goes a-sorrowing.

Here’s a message, a loan app (with 09063166039) sent to contacts of an alleged defaulting loanee: “Hello, if you knowAbiodun Ojo on 08038..., he is a criminal and a fraudster on the run for duping a lending company. You are advised to stay (sic) clear of him as he is not to be trusted because he is wanted. Thank you.”

Then, Sokoloan (using 08060164806) sent this to the contacts of one of its loanees: “Fel Ndo, with phone number 08188..., is a criminal on the run with company’s money. He is wanted by credit bureau. Call if found. Sokoloan.”

Afolayan Luke explains regarding GetCash: “Worst app and worst people. Ever since I have been taking their loans I have never for once defaulted. The last one I took I requested (an) extension option on their app for additional two weeks, having deducted my money from my account for the extension, they kept threatening me and sending messages to all my contacts that I took a loan and I refused to pay back.

Useless people!”

Fakorede reveals, “They hide behind the phone and start issuing threats. They seriously need to be trained. Even if a customer defaulted in payment for a day since the interest are being added there is no point for the uncultured staff to be issuing threats to their customer. One thing the idiots fail to realise is that once they can’t retain existing and new customers they will be out of (a) job.”

Adisgusted Ukoh adds: “They even disgrace you sending messages to your contacts telling them how you have defrauded their company.

Too bad.”

“If you love yourself don’t use this app. The moment your loan exceeds a day after the due date for payment, they start sending messages to your contacts saying you are a criminal on the run. As a matter of fact, I want to sue them,” warns Oladayo Aremu about GetCash.

Another loan app subscriber, Dare Fasipe, says of GoCash: “My experience was unpalatable.

Let me just warn potential users: installing all these loan apps makes all your information on your phone vulnerable especially your credit card details, anybody could use it for dubious means. Then, they gain access to all contacts on your phone. If you fail to pay, they’ll be sending

messages to all your contacts.”

A9ja Cash loanee, Cosmas Tizhe, also shared his experience, stating, “Besides their highly exorbitant fee — 33 percent — they have a very stupid customer service with extremely rude relation skills. I defaulted (to pay back my loan) by a week and they sent SMS to all my contacts saying I was a ‘criminal on the run.’”

Ubong, mentioned at the outset, knows better.

When his contacts began to call him, asking: “Is it true?” He wondered: “What’s it?” When he was shown the messages, they had received about him being on the run as a criminal, it dawned on Ubong his honeymoon was over.

He was not able to meet the two-week deadline and according to him, his plea for an extension fell on deaf ears.

After describing loanees as criminals on the run, recovering their money, the loan apps do not issue any retraction. Perhaps, Ubong and thousands of his ilk will realise that there is no collateral-free loan (as they gave away what is considered one of the most valued commodities in the world today, personal data — digital collateral — for measly loans).

What Will It Take to Lift 100 Million Nigerians Out of Poverty?

In a report with a title as the above sub-heading, published by the World Bank last December, Nigeria is projected to fall into its deepest recession since the 1980s, pushing up to 20 million Nigerians into poverty by 2022. Ranking 152 of 157 countries in the World Bank’s 2018 Human Capital Index, the country has one of the lowest human capital scores in the world. Access to electricity and improving service delivery remain a priority, with 80 million Nigerians lacking access to grid electricity, and annual economic losses due to unreliable power are estimated at $28 billion.

In another report, ‘A Tale of Two Markets: How Lower-end Borrowers Are Punished for Bank Regulatory Failures in Nigeria,’ authored by P.I. Omede, the existence of a larger informal market for the poor and a smaller formal market that caters mostly to elite borrowers “is unfair because it ensures that the poor continue to pay more for credit and highly vulnerable to ruthless lenders.”

The disparity in access, according to Omede, is predicated on the latter’s private property rights and ability to provide valid collateral whereas the former are excluded not because they do not own properties but that they hold ‘dead capital.’

“Regulators, therefore, must initiate regulation that transforms ‘dead capital’ into ‘live capital.’ This will increase the Central Bank of Nigeria’s burden of prudential oversight, but the costs to consumers of exposure to loan sharks, given the sheer size of the informal market in Nigeria, and the benefits derivable from regulatory protection outweigh that burden,” Omede argues.

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BUSINESS/PERSPECTIVE

Why Fixing Nigeria’s Fiscal Crisis is Key to Exiting Recession

Victor Muruako

Aishat Dahiru

Oke Epia

partially funded corporation shall limit its annual expenditure within its internally generated revenue to not more than 60% of its gross revenue and remit 40% quarterly into the CRF; and a fully funded corporation shall remit 100% of its internally generated revenue into the CRF. Another key proviso in the bill is that the“consolidated debt profile and limit for the Federal, State and Local Governments”is made part of the information that shall be contained in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) in order to make the debt profile of each tier of government evident and help in the management of the consolidated debt of the federation.

Importantly, it provides for the following clear timelines for preparation and approval of the MTEF to, among others, ensure that the document is presented to the National Assembly not later than mid-August of each financial year for consideration and approval.

This clears the coast for the annual budget to be approved by the Federal Executive Council not later than the last day of October for onward transmission to the legislature. Although the current legislature has achieved the feat of returning Nigeria to a January-December budget circle, it is imperative to stipulate these clear timelines in law to guide against revisionism in future.

An exciting part of the bill is the provision of a scope of offences and accompanying sanctions for violations of the FRA, a vital guide against impunity and wanton disregard of the FRC that has crippled its operations. Another exciting provision in the bill relates to forfeiture of proceeds of corruption whereby a Federal High Court, whether under a criminal or civil action, is empowered to recover all benefits of related corrupt enrichment; and upon conviction, the offender will also forfeit all ill-acquired

the law. These loopholes include lack of sanctions and inadequate funding t is a notorious fact that Nigeria which have presented clear barriers to the implementation of the Operatis in economic recession, a ing Surplus measure designed by the second in less than five years.

It is a fact that the government current FRC management led by the is up and about seeking an exit indefatigable acting chairman, Mr.Victor Muruako. Available records show that from the cul-de-sac – at least the Commission has caused over N1.7 the rhetoric suggests so. But whether the efforts are sufficient and/or trillion to be remitted to the Consolidatpotent to redress the situation is a mat- ed Revenue Fund (CRF) since coming ter for determination by economists and into operation despite the shortfalls in the Act. It is not hard to imagine how other qualified and competent experts. much more the government could have The reality is however disturbing: a benefitted from an independent and skyrocketing public debt profile occaempowered FRC. sioned largely by a revenue dip deepThis is why it is heartwarming that the ened by inefficiency, corruption and National Assembly has made notable sheer non-adherence to statutes and progress on an amendment bill to regulations made by statutory bodies.

At no time perhaps is Nigeria faced with correct the anomalies observed in the extant law. The Fiscal Responsibility Act a fiscal crisis than now when a decent (Amendment) Bill has passed second percentage of the annual budget is used to service debts while fiscal deficit reading in senate and now awaits a public hearing. The bill seeks a holistic continues to rise thereby causing more and more borrowings. For example, the overhaul of the act to ensure that the Commission is empowered to bark and sum of N4.28trillion is benchmarked bite in terms of improving the budgetary as new borrowings in the 2021 -2023 approved national fiscal framework. All process and increasing the revenue of these bring to the fore the urgency of profile of the government.

For instance, it provides that Governfixing the fiscal miasma that Nigeria is in. And a key imperative in this regard is ment-Owned Corporations (GoEs) and a sincere and wholehearted embrace of revenue generating agencies must remit the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA), 2007 80% of their Operating Surplus to the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Fedand tightening loose ends in the Fiscal eral Government. This has largely been Responsibility Commission (FRC), the observed in the breach, signposting the agency of government seized of the country’s revenue crisis. To strengthen responsibility of operating the law. this provision, the amendment bill The FRA which came to life on 30th provides that the amount of Operating July, 2007, was a bold move by the Surplus payable by each Corporation government of the day to instill fiscal or agency will be calibrated to depend discipline and prudence in public on the nature & extent of the particular finance management.

Corporation’s funding from the Treasury The Act created the Fiscal Responsiaccordingly: a self-funded corporation bility Commission (FRC) to enforce its provisions but unfortunately, left certain shall limit its annual expenditure within its internally generated revenue to not loopholes which have been exploited for well over a decade by agents of state more than 70% of its gross revenue and remit 30% quarterly into the CRF; a to undermine the noble intentions of

I

funds to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) The amendment bill also provides that the Commission shall be independent in the performance of its functions through measures like appointment of a Secretary of the Commission by the President subject to Senate confirmation. The bill also provides that removal of a member of the Commission by the President shall be supported by a simple majority vote of members of the Senate.

The 9th National Assembly is on the edge of a momentous breakthrough. It stands a chance to gain public applause by passing the Fiscal Responsibility Act (Repeal and Reenactment) Bill, 2019.

This fiscal reset bill seeks to pull Nigeria out of the miasma of financial indiscipline; budgetary impudence; and public finance mismanagement that combined to help tip the country into a second recession in four years.

This bill offers the legislature a golden opportunity to not only restore a healthy fiscal firmament for the country but also take back a lavish oversight space in furtherance of its constitutional mandate.

There is no reason why members of the Senate and House of Representatives of the 9th assembly should miss this moment under the sun. It is hopeful already that the bill has gone through second reading and awaiting public hearing in the Senate.

All persons of goodwill who sincerely desire that Nigeria is pulled out of the woods are enjoined to support the passage of this bill and advocate for assent by the President. t&QJB JT UIF &YFDVUJWF %JSFDUPS 0SEFS1BQFS /JHFSJB UIF DPVOUSZ T QSFNJFS QSFFNJOFOU QPMJDZ UIJOL UBOL BOE NVMUJ QMBUGPSN MFHJTMB UJWF JOUFSGBDF

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BUSINESS/PERSPECTIVE

Crystal Gazing the Nigerian Stock Market in 2021 Uche Uwaleke

I

t is simply impossible to envisage modern-day life without cement.

Cement is a vital construction component used in housing and infrastructural development and as a key element to crucial growth of any economy.

The high demand for cement in Nigeria is directly associated with economic growth and corresponding demand for rapid infrastructural development; which underlines the tremendous growth in the cement production industry. The cement industry accordingly plays a major role in improving living standards all over the country creating direct and indirect employment and providing multiple cascading economic benefits to associated industries across the entire value chain.

In spite of being an extractive profitable industry, the cement industry faces many challenges due to environmental concerns and sustainability issues.

However, Lafarge Africa, a member of LafargeHolcim is reinventing how the world builds to make it greener, smarter and healthier for all. With our circular business model – Geocycle, we are leading the recycling of waste as a source of energy and solving the challenge of waste, for instance we signed an agreement with the Food and Beverages Recycling Alliance (FBRA).

The cement industry is energy-intensive and a significant contributor to climate change indices. It is known globally that emissi For many a Nigerian,‘’good riddance to bad rubbish’’ best describes the year 2020.

But not so for scores of investors in the Nigerian stock market who must be basking in the euphoria of the ‘wealth effect’ created by the superlative outturn of returns in the market. Despite the ravaging impact of COVID-19 on the Nigerian economy, the Nigerian stock market surprised on the upside, outperforming global stock markets in 2020 according to Bloomberg and posting circa 50 percent year-to-date return due, in large part, to the improved liquidity in the economy made possible by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

To be sure, the impressive stock market performance in 2020 is not without theoretical foundation. According to Keynesian macroeconomics under the popular IS-LM framework, an exogenous increase in money supply would, all things being equal, lead to a lower rate of interest and a higher level of income. The increase in money supply increases spending in goods and services, stimulating a rise in income some of which trickle into the securities market.

Away from theory, it is not in doubt that the remarkable performance of the stock market in 2021 has more to do with the low yield in the fixed income market than the fundamentals of listed companies. This became more apparent in the last quarter of 2020 when the benchmark index recorded strong gains. Expectedly, the stock market had initially reacted to the news of

Yuguda

the outbreak of the pandemic especially in February and March- the only months that posted negative returns in 2020 aside from the month of June. As a matter of fact, the worst performing month of the year was in March when the NSE All Share Index lost over 18 percent.

Indeed, market consensus attributes the biggest factor that lifted the stock market in 2020 to favourable policies by the Central Bank of Nigeria. It will be recalled that in the course of 2020, the Monetary Policy Committee of the CBN cut the Monetary Policy Rate, which is the benchmark interest rate, from 13.5 percent to 11.5 percent. By the same token, the CBN reduced the minimum interest on Savings deposits from 30 percent of the MPR to 10 percent. Further, in order to increase credit to the real sectors of the economy, the apex Bank sustained its deposit to loan ratio of 65 percent. All these promoted a low interest rate environment making investments in the fixed income market less attractive to the extent that return on risk-free assets such as Treasury Bills and

Table :FBS

(%1 (SPXUI SBUF /4&"4* 3FUVSOT

2014

6.3

-16.14

2015

2.7

-17.36

2016

-1.62

-6.16

2017

0.81

42.3

2018

1.92

-17.81

2019

2.21

-14.60

2020

-3.62 (Q3)

50.03

government bonds was nothing to write home about. Little wonder, investors, especially domestic investors that dominated transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange all through the year, ported to riskier equities that offered returns in excess of the inflation rate.

Other factors that helped turbo-charge the stock market in 2020 were some positive global and local news including the gradual recovery of crude oil prices, the COVID’19 vaccines, the early presentation and passage of the 2021 appropriation Bill, the COVID’19 stimulus packages from the government and the CBN, the containment of the first wave of the pandemic in the country and the early lifting of restrictions and lockdowns. As the New Year is ushered in, the jury is out regarding the outlook for the stock market in 2021. The big question is whether the momentum will continue and for how long. The fact remains that, consistent with the random walk hypothesis, the stock market is full of surprises and cannot be predicted with any reasonable degree of certainty.

Be that as it may, a rough idea can be fathomed based on a number of variables.

For instance, it is expected that CBN’s policies will continue to be pro-growth in 2021 till the economy makes a recovery.

This will include sustaining the Loanto-Deposit Ratio policy as well as a low interest regime environment. The Minister of Finance and the CBN Governor have been quoted as saying that the economy would turn the corner by end of the first quarter. The low interest rate backdrop will incentivise investors to continue showing preference for equities over other asset classes because of the prospect of relatively higher returns.

In addition, some other developments that will likely sustain positive sentiments in the first half of 2021 include the early passage of the 2021 appropriation Bill and the prospects of the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill by the National Assembly. On the external front, the recovery in crude oil prices, the Brexit deal between the UK and European Union,

the take-off of AfCFTA and the roll out of COVID’19 vaccine will all be positive for the stock market.

Nevertheless, this stock market optimism in the first half of 2021 has a number of caveats: The first is the seeming resurgence of the pandemic given the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country and the likelihood of another round of lockdowns capable of plunging the economy into a deeper recession and dimming hopes of a possible rebound by the first quarter of 2021. Another major concern, connected to the first, is whether or not crude oil prices will disappoint in 2021. By implication, a slump in oil price will be detrimental to government revenue and external reserves. Its negative impact on the budget and the financial sector is capable of dampening investors’ sentiments. As a corollary, there is the issue of foreign exchange pressure and rising inflation and the extent to which the CBN will be able to manage these in 2021 against the backdrop of dwindling external reserves and foreign investments.

With the benefit of hindsight, the stock market will most likely pull back by the second half of 2021 having attained an unprecedented peak in 2020. The low yield environment in 2020 acted like a tide that lifted all boats and under such circumstances, there is the tendency that a number of stocks may have been mispriced or priced above their intrinsic values. If history is any guide, market correction is bound to happen especially in the last two quarters of 2021 regardless of any positive growth rate in GDP attained in 2021.

In 2014 for example, dominant stock market sentiment was negative in spite of a strong GDP growth rate of 6.3 percent.

During the last economic recession in 2016, the stock market single-digit loss represented an improvement over the performance of the previous two years.

The period following the economic recession in 2017 was surprisingly quite remarkable for the stock market. By the end of 2017, the NSE All Share Index appreciated by 42.3 percent and was adjudged the third best performing stock market in the world after Argentina (73 percent) and Turkey (43 percent). It is instructive to note that the stock market reversed all the gains the following year posting a huge loss of -17.81 percent in 2018 despite the fact the Nigerian economy delivered relatively stable and modest growth of 1.92 per cent, fuelled by gradual recovery in crude oil price.

Undoubtedly, the stock market obeys the laws of gravity. So, given the magnitude of the recent rally, the market can only head southwards in 2021. This possibility appears reinforced by the recent Business expectation survey report published by the CBN in which most Respondent firms surveyed expressed pessimism about the direction of interest rates and inflation over the next six months.

This has implications for the stock market not least because rising inflation is likely to be accompanied by tighter monetary policy with higher interest rates. This has the potential of changing the current narrative elevating the attraction of fixed income instruments as viable alternative to shares.

By and large, the outlook of the Nigerian stock market in 2021 is essentially a bet on how long the CBN is able to sustain the current accommodative monetary policy stance. Gazing into the stock market crystal ball, what looks obvious is that this New Year has the potential for downside surprises. Consequently, investors in the stock market will be well advised to follow the time-honoured cautious investment path of asset allocation, risk management and diversification.

Happy New Year t6DIF 6XBMFLF JT B 1SPGFTTPS PG $BQJUBM .BSLFU BU UIF /BTBSBXB 4UBUF 6OJWFSTJUZ ,FGm BOE UIF 1SFTJEFOU PG $BQJUBM .BSLFU "DBEFNJDT PG /JHFSJB

˜ ˾ JANUARY 10, 2021

28

MARKET NEWS

Abbey Mortgage Bank Shops for N2.954bn via Rights Issue Goddy Egene Abbey Mortgage Bank Plc is

shopping for N2.954 billion from existing shareholders through a right issue.

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

The company is issuing 3,692,307,691 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each

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 07Jan-2021, unless otherwise stated.

at 82 kobo per share on the basis of four new ordinary shares for every

seven ordinary shares held as at 8 October 2020. The issue opened on Monday,

January 4 and is expected to close on February 11, 2021.

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: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A 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 1.50% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.55 3.69 -0.44% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 0.84% Anchoria Equity Fund 135.10 135.50 24.35% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.34 1.34 15.16% 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 18.46 19.01 20.50% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 406.95 419.22 17.81% ARM Ethical Fund 34.08 35.11 17.20% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.22 1.23 22.78% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.11 1.12 11.48% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 0.55% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.15 2.15 0.97% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.23 2.27 -42.17% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.18% Paramount Equity Fund 16.22 16.53 1.46% Women's Investment Fund 134.02 135.57 0.71% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.04% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 130.78 131.65 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 108.87 108.87 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 N/A N/A N/A FBN Balanced Fund 188.68 190.09 0.53% FBN Halal Fund 111.54 111.58 0.01% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.06% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 122.56 122.98 0.80% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 122.71 123.13 0.80% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 152.07 154.37 0.59% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy USD Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,807.63 3,855.44 1.36% Coral Income Fund 3,311.78 3,311.78 1.40% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 1.79% 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 1.18% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 127.37 127.90 18.35%

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 1.08% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.90 2.96 32.49% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 7.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 157.02 157.98 9.61% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.44 1.46 0.00% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,155.29 1,155.29 0.16% 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 N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 1.64 1.68 6.83% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.20 12.32 8.71% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 1.50% PACAM Equity Fund 1.56 1.58 PACAM EuroBond Fund 108.43 110.88 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 131.18 133.55 8.39% 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 1.00 1.00 0.14% 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 2,521.35 2,532.80 0.56% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 0.05% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 0.00% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 0.08% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 0.06% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 0.28% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 -0.71% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.23 1.23 0.11% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 111.17 111.17 0.08% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.38 1.41 1.19% United Capital Bond Fund 1.89 1.89 0.07% United Capital Equity Fund 0.88 0.91 1.70% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.61% United Capital Eurobond Fund 117.22 117.22 0.12% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.09 1.10 0.30% 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 12.39 12.52 4.52% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.69 13.81 12.08% Zenith Income Fund 25.02 25.02 0.80% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.95%

REITS NAV Per Share

Fund Name SFS Skye Shelter Fund

Yield / T-Rtn

120.74

0.00%

52.40

0.00%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

13.24 123.19 99.27

13.34 123.19 101.13

0.21% 1.19% -0.10%

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

4.12

4.16

8.73%

Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund

5.82

5.90

2.22%

Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Money Market Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund

17.77 1.00 20.79

17.87 1.00 20.99

8.54% 1.02% 1.32%

200.52

202.52

-10.15%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.71

13.11%

Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund

Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

Yield / T-Rtn

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.

29

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JANUARY 10, 2021

with ChidiAmuta e-mail:chidi.amuta@gmail.com

ENGAGEMENTS

Democracy’s Dark Festivity in Washington

T

he world has been aflame this week with expressions of consternation over last Wednesday’s political drama in Washington. The images of Donald Trump’s mob of irate supporters breaching the perimeters to storm the Capitol in Washington amounted to a wild desecration of the prime holy place of democracy.

By motivating and inspiring this hubristic act, Donald Trump was scoring a number of damning firsts: He staged and failed in a coup against a sitting government, the one he heads. He sponsored and inspired the invasion of Congress, the first time since after the invading British forces in 1814. He sought to overturn the result of a free and fair election that took place over two months earlier with clear results.

Understandably, the insurrection in Washington has shocked a world long used to seeing the United States as the citadel nation of liberal democracy. Understandably, the emphasis in responses to the chaotic drama has been on the plight of democracy itself as both a concept and a system. From Moscow to Beijing and from Tehran to Caracas, America’s adversaries have seized the occasion to gloat over the apparent devaluation of western democracy in its best place. Others have even used Trump’s questioning of Biden’s clear victory to doubt the integrity of the American electoral system. On the contrary, the best democratic nations in the world like France and Germany have condemned Trump’s actions while reaffirming their faith in democracy as a system, culture and tradition. The classic irony of this moment, however, is that on his way out of the front door of the White House, Donald Trump has vastly devalued and demystified the nation he vowed to “make great again.”

Perhaps the cumulative outcome of Donald Trump’s misrule and serial shenanigans can be seen as a consequence of a glitch in democracy. But strictly speaking, this can only be in the sense that Trump emerged from a presumably democratic process.

On the contrary, the tragic failures of the Trump presidency are squarely the results of the foibles of one man, Donald Trump. He literally defrauded the system and rode on the back of democracy to foist his ill digested personal autocracy on the democratic edifice of America.

Of course democracy as a concept and a system cannot go completely scot free from the Donald Trump debacle. American democracy is built on the integrity and credibility of certain institutions on which the system depends first to select “fit and proper” leaders and, secondly, to run an efficient rule -based government that delivers good governance. In the emergence of Donald Trump as the candidate of the Republican party in 2016, American democracy failed. A system that allows a deranged demagogue to pass the test of personal scrutiny in its leadership selection process must hold itself responsible when things go awfully awry. That system or significant aspects of it must be overdue for internal revision.

The political party remains a cardinal pillar of democratic leadership selection. Every now and again in history, however, democracy delivers an illegitimate child. Adolf Hitler was one.

Closer to this copy is Silvio Berlusconi, another licentious and noisy moneybag. Here was another, Donald Trump, a loud mouthed and unstable Manhattan real estate mogul with scant knowledge of world affairs or government except as a target for unrelenting vitriol and abuse.

The emergence of Donald Trump as US president remains a historical accident . Garrison Keillor wrote back in The Washington Post of 9th November, 2016 : “Raw ego and proud illiteracy have won out, and a severely learning-disabled man with a real character problem will be president.” Easily one of his signature verbal indiscretions was at the final presidential debate when he interrupted Hillary Clinton: “Nasty Woman!”

In the run up to the 2016 US presidential elections, the Republican primaries weeded out other more credible, ‘fit and proper’ persons to settle for Donald Trump. While the primaries lasted, all the negatives of a Trump candidature were on full display.

He had not paid his taxes (business and personal) as and when due. He had frolicked with any number of women of easy virtue. He had made a series of recorded uncomplimentary and disrespectful comments on women and persons with physical disability. His associates read like a directory of the infamous and the crooked. His business practices had been proven to be less than transparent all around the world. His racism was copiously evident in both his previous pronouncements and treatment of employees in his real estate business. Similarly, his extremist views indicated clearly that he would lead a divided America. His lying streak was conspicuously evident in the statements he had made on the Obama identity issue, on Hillary Clinton’s controversial emails, on the multiple exaggerations and false claims about his net worth which proved to be vastly wrong.

In spite of this catalogue of personality and character deficits, the Republican Party went ahead to choose Donald Trump as its presidential candidate. That was the effective backdrop to the serial disaster and perennial danger that Trump became as president of the United States. From the outset, therefore, the political party as the bedrock institution for leadership selection in a democracy failed. Once elected, Donald Trump overran the party and replaced its leadership and bureaucracy with his cronies and personal faithful.

The party itself is now a victim of its oversights and systemic pitfalls. Never since the 1892 humiliation of Benjamin Harrison has the Republican party been so roundly defeated in the

Rioters inside US Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021

Sadist Donald Trump...the organiser of the Protest Presidency, Congress and Senate elections in one term. There is a cruel logic by which we can even say that the Democratic party never had a better campaign manager than Donald Trump!

Usually, when a political party suffers such overwhelming and humiliating defeat, it tends to reorganize and bounce back stronger as the Republicans did after Barry Goldwater was defeated in 1964 and the Democrats after Walter Mondale’s defeat in 1984. This time, there are doubts as Trump has weakened the party both organizationally and as a popular movement. It has shrunk into a bigoted army of white supremacists, dangerous extremists of all hues and gangsters with an unclear agenda.

For anyone who has followed Donald Trump’s disruptive presidency, the insurrection and desecration of the Capitol is thus the culmination of the failures of the Republican party and should come as no surprise. A presidency that patented itself as a blatant deviation of accepted norms of presidential conduct and serial violation of all civilized codes of political behavior was destined to unravel. It was destined to destroy both itself and the nation that gave it oxygen for four whole years.

In the process, America’s long established reputation as a bastion of democracy has been badly shredded. Its long held reputation as a place of law and order has also taken a bad drubbing with the images of rough goons swarming all over the hallowed corridors of the Capitol trending globally. The comparisons that came readily to mind were with backward Third World countries and banana republics where the whims of elected autocrats ride rough shod over the will of the people. It is from the depths of such dismal comparisons that America now has to salvage itself. Thus, President Biden now has the additional burden of rehabilitating the image and reputation of America as a credible place of democracy and respectable domestic and international leadership. Not to talk of the lingering social and economic depredations of an era haunted by a dangerous pandemic.

The most enduring test of the credibility of American democracy and indeed any viable democracy is the sanctity of its electoral process. That sanctity is a function of the guarantee of fairness, accuracy and reliability of results of elections. That process has used the combined force of tradition and technology over the years to establish a reputation with global acclaim.

Therefore, when Donald Trump targeted the credibility of the 2020 presidential elections for unrelenting vilification, he was striking at the very heart of America’s reputation as a citadel of democracy. The assault on the Capitol was only an added step in a programme of self destructive private onslaught that eroded US national credibility and reputation both at home and around the world..

The rule of Donald Trump damaged global democracy in more serious ways than just the ugly images of this week’s Capitol invasion or the sustained onslaught on the 2020 presidential election. Donald Trump signaled the rise of populism and renascent nationalism as a counter force to the long established liberal order. This alternative was propelled by a new rhetoric of extremism and the unleashing of the forces of populism, neo nationalism (‘America First’), aggressive protectionism, isolationism and the promotion of ugly identity politics. Suddenly, nativism, racism and exclusionism resurfaced in the language of nations. Populist autocrats came to power in places as diverse as Hungary, the Philippines, Mexico, Egypt and Brazil.

One outcome of this return of populism that has infected global democratic culture is the rise of mobs as a force of public opinion and mass protest. The mob as an irrational force of public protest is often fuelled by an equally irrational sense of entitlement which then dredges up racism, ethnicity, old style nationalism and all manner of ancient sentiments. Mobs patrol the streets, mouthing a new rhetoric of hate and separatism.

Mobs speak mostly the language of violence and hate. In the national space, in the compelling defense of counter truths and contrary sentiments, opposing mobs emerge to defend their equally legitimate civil rights. The normal exchange of views and perspectives in a democratic society is replaced by violent clashes of rival mobs in the streets. At best, they hide under the general convenience of freedom of expression and right of protest. Security of public and private property is jeopardized while the official forces of security and public order are stretched to the limits. The public places of even well established democracies become battlegrounds for the rival forces of populist insurgency.

In the case of the United States, the rise of Trumpian populism has divided American society into factions and vicious tribes.

White supremacists and extremist rough necks have emerged with confidence to challenge the will of a diverse polity. Emboldened by a presidency that champions and even sponsors their values, they have in the past four years waged a relentless combat in the streets of major American cities to reclaim the American heritage as their factional entitlement and racial heritage. This is the force that inaugurated the false narrative of stolen ballots and rigged elections. Trump and his acolytes sold this false narrative for partisan and personal gains.

At this transitional moment, the damage that Trump has done to America’s democratic credentials require three paths to restitution. First, the actions that Mr. Trump has taken against his country are consequential. In order to discourage future instances of such bad behavior, the system ought to exact clear personal sanctions on Mr. Trump. These should be both political and legal.

The invocation of the 25th amendment that throws Trump out of the White House even if for the last one week of his presidency would put an end to his nuisance presence in America’s political landscape. The possibility of an impeachment process is ruined by a limitation of time. Even after he leaves office, Mr. Trump ought to be kept busy in the law courts especially for crimes like attempted treason, insurrection and sedition from which he cannot possibly pardon himself in advance.

Secondly, for the American democratic system, the major challenge is the reinforcement of political meritocracy in the leadership selection process of the political parties. For a political meritocracy that produced the likes of Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George Bush Snr. or even Ronald Reagan to end up producing an abysmal Donald Trump is perhaps the greatest degeneration of contemporary American democracy.

Thirdly, for the incoming Joe Biden administration, the burden of remedying the destruction wrought by Trump must begin with bridging the social divides created by Trump. Thereafter, Congress must re-examine the weaknesses in the system that make it possible for the world’s most acclaimed democracy to allow for the emergence of a demented fascist authoritarian as president of the United States and leader of the free world.

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JANUARY 10, 202ͯ ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

THE ALTERNATIVE

with RenoOmokri

The Stupidity in Demolishing the Alleged Venue of Kaduna’s Sex Party

O

n New Year’s Eve, which was on Thursday, December 31, 2020, the Governor of Kaduna state, Nasir ElRufai, gave an order for the immediate demolition of a restaurant that was falsely alleged to be the venue of a prank Kaduna Sex Party. This was contained in a tweet by the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Agency.

After public outcry, the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Agency, which released the statement, made a U-turn and said that though they had initially claimed that the building was demolished, without notice, for being the venue of an alleged sex party that never held, that was no longer their stance.

Their new stance is that the building did not have proper permits, so they demolished it without notice.

I traced Mrs Aisha Mercy Yakubu, the woman entrepreneur, whose Asher Restaurant was demolished, and she informed me that everything the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Agency said was false.

In truth, she is the wife of the spokesman of the Kaduna state Peoples Democratic Party, and her husband has been critical of Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and there has been animosity between them for a while.

She further told me that there was no real or imagined sex party scheduled for her restaurant.

Moreover, who in their right minds holds a sex party in a restaurant?

She then informed me that when she was detained by the police, it was her who gave the police money to trace the youngster who published the online flyer, and that the youth, one Marvellous Akpan, revealed that the whole thing was a harmless prank.

Moreover, Section 79 of the Kaduna State Urban and Regional Planning Law, 2018, which was signed by Governor El-Rufai himself, provides that a building cannot be demolished without notice to the owner, and without opportunity for a defence.

Yet, without warning, and without any cogent reason (as is clear by the u-turn from the Kaduna Government), Asher Restaurant was demolished, leading to Mrs Aisha Yakubu losing her pregnancy.

After what happened to the building housing the restaurant, which was not even the venue of the alleged ‘sex party’ (the whole thing was a prank), I cannot imagine anybody in their right mind wanting to invest in Kaduna as long as Nasir El-Rufai is Governor!

The whole thing is ludicrous. It just shows the total absence of the rule of law in Kaduna. Not that I support sex party (God forbid), but even if it is true that a sex party was to be held at the venue (it is not true), are sex parties illegal in Nigeria? The same country where a serving Senator married a 13-year-old?

If sex parties should lead to demolition, then Nasir El-Rufai’s son’s house should be demolished. We all saw when the young man threatened to gang rape an Igbo man’s mother and pass her around to his friends. That is even worse than a sex party. That is a rape party. Hypocrisy!

What type of hypocrisy is this? Where in our constitution does it say that a building that was to house a sex party should be demolished? Has the home of a Senator notorious for slapping and sex toys been demolished? Are there no brothels in Kaduna? Have they been demolished?

Which fool will read or hear about such an extrajudicial action and then bring his money to invest in a state where such a thing can happen?

In fact, Kaduna state should get ready for a capital flight from the state to other states where there is some measure of restraint on the part of the government.

What is to stop any enemy of hoteliers or restaurateurs from printing ‘sex party’ flyers, without the knowledge of the proprietor, just to influence the Kaduna authorities from taking the laws into their hands and demolishing their businesses?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing!

And now we hear that the Nigerian police are after the organisers of a beach party in Yola. The only thing strange here is that I thought there were no beaches in Yola. My bad. If they cite #COVID19,

El-rufai I would understand, but they said the party is immoral. What is ‘immoral’ about a beach party?

Kaduna and Adamawa have some of the worst hunger parties on Earth, with over a million out-ofschool children. Their governments cannot demolish poverty, yet, they are demolishing buildings on the flimsy excuse that they were to host a sex party.

If they hate sex so much, have they demolished the brothels in their states?

I agree that a sex party is immoral. But that is the thing. There was NO such party. It was a prank.

But even if it was not a prank, what is the business of government if consenting adults gather to have sex? There are many pregnant underaged girls in Kaduna. Has Nasir El-Rufai demolished the houses of the men who impregnated them? Or are they saints?

Sex parties are not the problem of Kaduna. Not by a long shot. Herdsmen, bandits and kidnappers kill people in Kaduna daily. How many of them have Governor El-Rufai demolished? Instead, he boasts that he pays herdsmen. Imagine that. Short in height and vision!

The saddest part of the Kaduna alleged sex party saga is that the innocent woman who owned the building lost her one month pregnancy due to the trauma. May that unborn infant return to heaven and cry out to God over El-Rufai and his rape enthusiast son!

And this tiny tinpot dictator holds a KadInvest seminar every year to attract investors to Kaduna.

After the demolishing of the alleged sex party hotel, any investor that invests in Kaduna has a demolished brain. Only the Taleban or ISIS would still find Kaduna attractive enough to invest under the El-Rufai dictatorship.

And true to type, the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria commended El-Rufai for his action a few days after the event. Their statement read inter alia: “The Council as an advocate of moral and social values commends the steps taken by the Kaduna State Government on the arrest of the organizers of the Satanic so-called “Kaduna Sex Party” and the demolition of Asher Hotel at Barnawa, Kaduna.”

That statement could very well have been written

by Mullah Omar, leader of the Taleban. Kaduna, Unser El-Rufai, would be ISIS’s idea of paradise.

We have not forgotten the Shiite Zaria Massacre of December 12, 2015. We are quietly waiting for El-Rufai’s immunity to end. The vulture is a patient bird!

If Nasir El-Rufai is still wondering why the Nigerian Bar Association disinvited him, he should take a long hard look at the demolished Kaduna alleged sex party hotel. It is such intolerant, dictatorial, unconstitutional and callous action that has made him a pariah to decent society.

Tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of Kaduna youths are being ravaged by tramadol and codeine addiction. It has caused a spike in crime and terrorism. Yet, we have not heard that ElRufai has demolished a tramadol centre. Majoring on the minor and minoring on the major!

And if you even look at the building, which the Kaduna State Government claimed was to host a sex party, it is obviously a restaurant. Who holds a sex party at a restaurant? Where are the beds? It just beggars belief that anybody could believe such a ridiculous story!

Nasir El-Rufai threatens people that do not share his political leanings with death in body bags, Boko Haram’s Abubakar Shekau threatens those who don’t share his religion with death by violence. Shekau demolishes schools, El-Rufai demolishes businesses. At the end of the day, same difference!

Abubakar Shekau and Nasir El-Rufai are men Nigeria does not need. Men whose religious and ethnic intolerance is eating away at the fabric of our national unity. Born of them are terrors in their little fiefdoms. Is Kaduna much different than Shekau’s stronghold?

Of course not! It is even arguable that the quantum of bloodletting is even more pronounced in Kaduna than in Sambisa ever since he rose to power. And what is happening in Kaduna will happen nationally if he ever becomes Nigeria’s President. Igbo man say Tufiakwa! Yoruba man say akoba adaba Olorun ma je a ri!

Only today, I saw a massive crowd marking the New Year at Elegushi Beach in Lagos, unmindful of #COVID19 regulations. Lagosians do not know how blessed they are that Jide Sanwo-olu is their Governor. Had it been Nasir El-Rufai, he would have demolished the Atlantic ocean!

In fact, I have a question for Nasir El-Rufai: If I print a flyer and list your personal house in Kaduna as venue for a sex party, without your knowledge, will you demolish your own house? If I list the address as your godfather, Buhari’s house, will you demolish the house? Or does your madness only apply to those you can bully because of their powerlessness? Is your gang rape enthusiast son any better than the youth who did the prank?

Yoruba call people like you oloriburuku!

And you can just imagine the infantile statement released by the Kaduna State Government claiming that though the trigger for demolition of the property was the alleged sex party, the grounds for the demolition is that the building had no permit.

Are we fools? So we are to believe that the fact that Mrs. Aisha Mercy Yakubu is the wife of the spokesman of Kaduna State Peoples Democratic Party played no role in this?

On Thursday January 7, 2021, the Kaduna State government charged Aisha Yakubu’s husband, Abraham Alberah, who just happens to be the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kaduna State, on a charge of attempted adultery and organising a nudist party in breach of COVID-19 protocols.

In the charges preferred, Kaduna state alleged that 50 people were found dancing naked at Asher Restaurant, venue of the alleged Kaduna Sex Party.

A couple of questions arise. Why were there no photos or videos of the 50 naked people? They claimed they all escaped. How can 50 naked people escape a building surrounded by police?

So, let me get this straight Mr El-Rufai. The Kaduna state government claims the police surrounded Asher Restaurant, which had a 3 meter fence. After surrounding the premises, they went in and met fifty naked people dancing. Yet, all the 50 naked people escaped, and police could not catch or photograph even one? El-Rufai, what is the name of your Nollywood movie?

On President Jonathan’s 2015 Concession: What happened in the US on Wednesday, January 6, 2020, should cause those who never appreciated what former President Jonathan did to have a rethink. Nigeria could have gone up in flames if Jonathan did not concede. Not only did he concede, he did so while the results were still being collated.

He then addressed the country on the same day, in a national broadcast and urged his supporters to accept the results of the election. Jonathan had staunch supporters. But his power of love was greater than his love for power. Muhammadu Buhari lost three elections and never conceded. In 2011, his supporters unleashed terror on Nigeria and hundreds died. It is now that Nigerians and the world will appreciate the man who said “my ambition is not worth the blood of any citizen”.

May God bless Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan!

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

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SUNDAY JANUARY 10, 2021 •T H I S D AY

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

10.01.2021

AKIN SALAMI

I CAME, I TRIED, I GAVE MY BEST In the past 12 years, media mogul and visionary entrepreneur, Akin Salami, has been at the forefront of creating and promoting African content in the diaspora with a slew of businesses across varied sectors including banking, technology, aviation, and broadcast media in Africa and the United Kingdom.

He shares with Vanessa Obioha his latest project, The Voice Nigeria, and his plans to leave a lasting legacy ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/funkola2000@gmail.com

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͯͮ˜ ͰͮͰͯ​ͯ

COVER

My Vision for Nigerian Youths, Media Production

Salami

A

kin Salami hates traffic like most Lagosians; dreads being snarled-up in traffic. Recently, while being driven from the mainland to the Island, he finds the notorious traffic hotbed, Third Mainland Bridge, free of any congestion. His excitement and relief reflect in his tone.

“This is the magic of me hating traffic,” he jokes.

Lately, Salami who moved to the United Kingdom over two decades ago has been spending more time in Lagos. The reason is not far-fetched. He is neck-deep in the production of The Voice Nigeria Season 3.

The news about his acquisition of the rights to produce the music reality TV show in Nigeria — through his television company, FAME TV — was whispered in 2019 but by last August, the news reverberated across the country as the hosts, coaches, and sponsors were unveiled.

The last time Voice Nigeria held was in 2017, then it was produced by M-Net and taped in South Africa. Salami is, however, flipping that script. For the first time, the singing competition will be produced in Nigeria by his broadcast and production company, UN1TY, in partnership with Livespot 360, making the populous nation in Africa, the 40th country to achieve that feat.

The international music reality show which was birthed in Holland in 2010 is a fan’s favourite due to its unique format.

Contestants go through a blind audition with coaches’ chairs backing them. If the coaches like their singing quality, they press a button that automatically turns their rotating chairs to see the contestant.

Then comes the best part. If the contestant appeals to more than one coach, the coaches will have to compete to have the contestant in their team. It doesn’t end there. After the blind auditions, contestants will compete with team members to secure a spot at the live shows. The eventual finalists will either proceed to the knockout stage — where again they compete against each other but have the opportunity to select a song of their choice — or to the live show where they compete with other teams, depending on the version of the producers.

This unique format made The Voice a global brand as many countries began to make their version. The most popular versions are The Voice UK and The Voice America.

If everything had gone as planned, the third season of the show would have been held earlier in the year. But COVID-19 struck and production was delayed for seven months, inadvertently affecting the planned budget.

“Everyone is getting tested, put in hotels,

and we are having an active medical team on the ground. All of this was not part of the budget because there was no COVID-19.

The delay has a cascading effect on all our plans,” he says.

Producing The Voice in Nigeria is no cinch. It requires Salami to tick all the right boxes to meet international standards. In this case, financing and technicalities. But he is not losing sleep over it. The graduate of Engineering from the University of Ife is lucky to belong to the class of people who are living their dreams, therefore, unfazed by the daunting task.

Although he admits that he has a knack for perfection.

“I compete with myself. I like to be a perfectionist and that can be seen as a problem. I like to get things done. When they say it’s not going to work, that’s when I want to do it,” he remarks.

In the past 12 years, Salami has been at the forefront of creating and promoting African content in the diaspora. He is renowned as a media mogul and visionary entrepreneur who owns several thriving businesses across varied sectors including banking, technology, aviation and broadcast media in Africa and the UK. However, he is mainly known for his work in media production. He launched his illustrious career in technology at Barclays Capital but resigned to pursue a career in media production, rising to become a partner at DAVE LLP, an audiovisual services company in the UK. This birthed his desire to revolutionise black media.

“When I got into TV in the UK, I realised that there was nothing on UK TV that represented me. And the ones available were of poor quality. We had to start creating

content for Africans in the diaspora, as well as Africans in Africa,” he explains.

Together with a friend, they launched OH TV, a UK television channel and production company focused on the creation and promotion of wholesome family entertainment and keen on preserving the African heritage through dynamic and authentic content. Under his seven-year leadership as the chief executive officer of the company, they produced the first African content made by Africans aired on pay-TV platform DStv, ‘Jim Iyke Unscripted’.

He also ran a widely successful competition for a popular wine company, ‘The Face of Sweet Lady.’ He pioneered and produced TV shows such as the UK Gospel reality talent TV show, Time2Shine and God’s Children Great Talent (GCGT), a Nigerian gospel talent show to identify young talents in the country.

Pushing the envelope further, they created the award-winning 2011 film, ‘The Mirror Boy,’ written and directed by Obi Emelonye, featuring Nollywood superstar, Genevieve Nnaji. The film was the first Nollywood film to premiere at The Empire, Leicester Square, London with over 3,000 people in attendance.

‘The Mirror Boy’ release grew into a movement that eventually became the catalyst for jump-starting Nollywood in the UK and wider Diaspora with the film also being released in The Gambia, Ghana and Nigeria.

“What that movie did was to show that it can be done. It showed that if you create the right kind of content, it has the legs to travel.”

A firm believer of African content, Salami is bringing a similar attitude and resilience to The Voice Nigeria production. According to him, he and his team prayerfully and consciously selected partners that will bring his vision to reality. They include YouTube, ITV Studios, and Africa Magic. His sole objective is to produce not just any kind of show.

“But the best show that Nigerians have ever seen. The kind of goal we have given ourselves as a team for The Voice Nigeria is pretty high.

And we are not taking any chances. There will be wows on the screen and the talents that will be on the show. We are not doing this just to have a show but a show that will connect with the Nigerian audience, brings wholesome TV viewing,” he notes.

To ensure this, he’s built a studio for The Voice Nigeria production. The studio is carefully designed to replicate the international standards. From the seating to the stage design, no detail is omitted. He projects that The Voice Nigeria will further enable the environment for Nigeria creatives and build capacity for youths.

The overwhelming number of entries they received from the online audition is a good pointer to his assertion. They estimated 5,000 entries but they ended up receiving 11,523 entries.

“This shows that Nigerian youths are extremely ambitious, creative, and passionate about what they want to do. As difficult as the terrain may be, the youths are very resilient.

I’m not surprised at the applications we saw.

There is an appetite for what we are doing and we get the chance to raise the standard of living of people by the content we show on TV,” he adds.

He reveals that one of his goals is to make the first Nigerian global superhero feature film.

“We have the storyline already, just waiting for the right timing. You will be amazed at what these stories do for young and upcoming talents.”

By all standards, Salami is a wealthy man even if he sees money as a by-product. It is easy to assume that everything was offered to him on a silver platter. His parents, he points out, played starring roles in his success.

“I wasn’t born with a silver or a wooden spoon either. Everything I am today is a result of my parents. They gave us (him and his siblings) a shoulder to lean on.

They gave us values that we stood by.”

With the slew of businesses he operates, the proud old boy of Government College, Ibadan is concerned about leaving a lasting legacy. To build a business empire that outlasts his name and impact meaningfully on the lives of people.

This is the way he wants to be remembered.

Says Salami, “I came, I tried, and I gave my best. I hope we give the future a shoulder to stand on just as we have been given a shoulder to stand on where we build people, the younger generation. I will love to be remembered for the guy who made people achieve their dreams.”

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͱ˜ ͰͮͰͯ​ͯ

59

ENTREPRENEUR

JOSHUA IDIONG, NEXT TITAN SEASON 7 WINNER TURNING PALM OIL INTO THE NEW CRUDE OIL Looking dapper in a forest green jacket with matching pants, he exudes confidence, brilliance, and intelligence. For Joshua Idiong, it was a long walk to academic and business attainment but determination has been his driving force.

When his name was announced as the winner of the Next Titan Season 7, he was overwhelmed. Joshua was a shining light at the just concluded seventh edition of the Next Titan, defeating 15 other contestants to clinch the coveted prize of N10 million. Funke Olaode writes about his trajectory.

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MARCH 8, 2020˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

ENTREPRENEUR

Nigeria’s Poster Boy for Entrepreneurship

Joshua ldiong

T

he stage was set. The expectation was high but the anxiety from the contestants could be felt. Not even the melodious songs from the De Jay Szee could douse the tension in the air. It was a defining moment. A moment of destiny that would be determined after 10 weeks of intense display of intellectual business acumen under the tutelage of four boardroom gurus and judges comprising of Chris Parkes, Tonye Lillian Olubi, and Kyari Bukar.

Sitting eagerly for the final verdict, four top finalists of Chindima Eriobu of Phronesis Foods, Ifeanyi Nkwonta of Design Date, Ifeoma Benjamin of isabi Deliver, and Joshua Idiong of JOSULT OIL waited in anticipation. The Oriental Hotel located on Lagos Island was agog as well-wishers, family members graced the occasion to witness the grand finale of Season 7, the Unstoppable Edition of Next Titan Nigeria, where a young aspiring entrepreneur will walk off with Ten Million Naira to kick start his or her business.

According to the executive producer of Next Titan, Mide Akinlaja, which is Nigeria’s foremost entrepreneurial reality show was created and designed as a deliberate attempt to provoke the spirit of

PHOTO: ETUP UKUTT

entrepreneurship of young Nigerians, not only the contestants on the show but other multitudes of aspiring entrepreneurs who can watch the show on TV. According to him, it has been a challenging year with the COVID-19 outbreak and with a lot of uncertainties that affected the economy, businesses, and individuals. The peculiarity of the year necessitated a few changes on the show including its first online auditions, Top 50 Online Bootcamp, and a situation that the top 16 contestants had to perform all their business tasks within the Titan House.

Tagged unstoppable as the organisers believe “that it is only unstoppable entrepreneurs that can bring the world back to its place.” Sponsored by the Heritage Bank in association with Haven Homes and Sifax Group, the reality TV show has continued to throw up entrepreneurs who have gone out there to achieve greatness.

“Our joy as the organizers of Next Titan Nigeria is that all our previous winners are doing great in their respective businesses.

They have created jobs, and they have remained on the journey to building lasting wealth for themselves and for the nation as a whole. And this also applies to most of the participants who did not even win the competition. And with the efforts of our

judges, we greatly anticipate that another candidate that will make us proud will emerge as the winner,” said Akinlaja.

After an interlude from Body Language Lagos, a dance art group, and a short speech from the Session 6 Winner, Amife Yakubu who admonished the contestants that whatever happens, they shouldn’t see the competition or the outcome as the end as it goes beyond money, the judges summoned the top finalists to defend their business presentations.

Brimming with ideas and oratory prowess, each contestant dazzled the judges with various skills and tactics on how to be a successful entrepreneur managing people, money, and the environment. But alas! There can only be a winner. In the end, Joshua Idiong of JOSULT OIL was declared the winner and was presented with the coveted prize of N10 million.

Stunned, the Akwa Ibom-born Joshua Idiong was overwhelmed with emotion.

The cash prize will support his palm oil processing business. It will also provide job opportunities for graduates and farmers in the agricultural sector. He has the vision that in 2025, his brand, Josult Oil would be a global brand.

Basking in the euphoria of his achievement, he said he saw this coming.

“I feel super excited this evening. I saw it coming as a child of God. I remember I wrote it in my room that ‘I am the Next Titan.’ This is my second time on the show.

So I came here prepared by God’s grace and I know I put in a lot of sacrifices physically and spiritually,” said Idiong.

“I was let down in 2019 because I didn’t make it to the house and in 2020, I became a winner because I gave it a push. For me, everything happened for a purpose.

As of last year, I hadn’t got my NAFDAC certificate and maybe I wouldn’t have won.”

For Idiong, consistency and hard work have been his winning edge.

He explained, “I have followed the show before now and had a lot of mentors.

I was mentored by season two winner and season six winner and those that didn’t make it to the top. I learnt from their mistakes and learnt from their successes.”

And how would he say Next Titan has impacted his life?

“I have followed Next Titan diligently over the years. I got to know about the reality TV show when I went for training at the British Council and the Season Two Winner was there to speak as the guest speaker. I also went for the Young African Leadership Initiative in Ghana and met a friend of mine who once contested but didn’t make it to the final. I started researching. I was an undergraduate then and didn’t apply. I waited until I graduated and did my youth service.

“I can say that Next Titan has shaped my life and moulded me. I attribute my success to the support I got from every contestant. There were tasks I didn’t contribute so much but others contributed to make my team win. Mine was a case of everybody working for my success. I learnt that teamwork is very important and even in building your business the kind of people you employ is important to the success of that project,” he recounted.

A young man of vision and mission whose every move is calculated, stated further, “When I was younger, I was struggling to study electrical engineering or petroleum engineering so I could either work in Shell or Mobil or any of the multinationals having come from the Niger Delta. I later realized there is a limit to what you have but don’t know how to use it. I discovered that we had oil palm.

Again, while I was looking for admission, I couldn’t get Petroleum Engineering so I landed in Environmental Technology.

“I started thinking about what to do with that course. In the process, I discovered that oil palm still has the same potential because it is renewable energy.

You can convert the waste of palm oil to Biogas which is still an energy. Again, when I think about the challenge my father had as a civil servant. He was working with NITEL and the company was sold off and life became unbearable because there was no money again. Right from my undergraduate days, I made up my mind that I was not going to be a civil servant and to be my own boss, creating jobs and adding value to humanity and society at large.”

Continuing, he noted, “So the idea of looking for a job in an oil company gradually faded away and it was more about what could I start. The easiest way or what aligned with my vision is the palm oil business because I stayed with my aunty after I lost my mum at the age of eight. She was an oil palm processor and I saw the challenges she went through and I decided to solve that problem.”

For Idiong, it has been a long road to academic and business attainments having battled poverty as a child, and moving from penury to becoming a company owner is a feat. His story is an inspiration to those who dream big.

“I grew up in a family of five. I was born in Lagos and later moved to Akwa Ibom where I had my secondary school in a private school after which I went to the University of Technology Owerri where I studied Environmental Technology. My going to Owerri was intentional because I wanted to understand the secret in doing business as an Ibo man and wanted to tap into that spirit.

Every of my move has been intentional.

Growing up was challenging. My dad lost his job and there were days I had to skip going to school.

“There was time I didn’t go to school for a full term because there was no money.

There was a time I used the book I used in my primary school to continue to write in secondary school. It was that bad. I sold shoes and in secondary school, I sold recharge cards just to make money, I sold starch and groundnut in front of my father’s shop just to survive. So, growing up all the early life challenges affected my personality and made me realise that life is full of challenges but if you are determined and focused you will overcome.”

Brimming with ideas, Idiong set out to conquer his world by becoming an entrepreneur. Four years ago, at the age of 23, he floated Josult oil, a palm oil producing company with a slogan, ‘Healthier alternative’ from the seed capital he got from Tony Elumelu Foundation.

“I started it with the seed capital I got from the Tony Elumelu Foundation. I was an undergraduate then. I applied, answered the business questions, and got the funding of N1.25 million. It wasn’t big enough to buy my machinery but I stumbled on another need intervention programme that subsidized the machinery so I was able to acquire it. I didn’t have land I had to approach the proprietor of my secondary school and leased land. But over time we have grown and now we have our land.

Today, I have eight people working with me: four are management staff and four are contact staff.”

Idiong believes beyond palm oil; his company has set out to contribute to the GDP. How? He explained, “We want to scale up. We want to diversify. Apart from producing palm oil, we want to convert that palm oil into different home usage products such as groundnut oil. We also want to start the production of different cosmetics such as soaps, lipsticks, cream from the raw materials from palm oil. We are also looking at opening up improved general species palm plantation which is part of the goals of the federal government to establish 100,000 palm plantations and if we can start by establishing 10 that is one of the ways of contributing our own quota in meeting the goals.

“Another plan is to establish sachet packaging of palm oil so that low-income earners can still have access to healthy palm oil with N50 or 100 you can have access to it.

We have been running for four years and we have managed to put things in place. What helped us was that we didn’t have the right funding and we still structured our business to achieve what we have been able to so far.

With the funding available now we will be able to put all our plans in action and skill our businesses.”

On a parting note, Idiong gave some tips to other youths.

“It is not what you don’t have that limits you but you have and don’t know how to use it. Look inward and look at those things you can add value to. Look at your skills and see what you can improve on. My journey started four years ago when I was 23. Learn from businesses that have failed and the ones that have succeeded. So, if you have a vision chase it, it might take time but definitely if you are serious about it and willing to learn you will have a breakthrough,” he advised.

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

TRIBUTE 133 Years After, Family, Well Wishers Celebrate Madam Efunroye Tinubu, the Yoruba Unsung Heroine Ranti Thomas

O

gun State, unarguably is one of the states in Nigeria naturally blessed with national heroes.

The state is also highly rich in socio cultural heritage having produced celebrated heroes and heroines who fought for right causes at their time.

In the hall of honour therein lies this late renowned woman, who also happened to be a well respected political figure in Egbaland as of that time, whose role as a powerful female aristocrat and slave trader in pre-colonial and colonial Nigeria history can never be erased. Strangely though, she was never celebrated until recently when her descendants led by Chief Akinfolabi Akindele, of Adamakin Investment Limited who is also a great grandson of Madam Tinubu decided that the time had come to celebrate her.

It is important to note here that while the likes of Queen Amina of Zaria, Mrs Olufumilayo Kuti, are being celebrated as national heroines, Madam Tinubu’s love and sacrifice for her fatherland seemed to have been forgotten.

She played a pivotal role and note too that she has been of benefit to the like of Mrs Kuti because the land in which the Kuti school is located belongs to Madam Tinubu.

December 3rd, 2020 marked the 133th remembrance of Madam Efunroye Tinubu, the renowned businesswoman and brave warrior in the history of Egbaland/ Yorubaland.

History revealed that Madam Tinubu was a successful businesswoman in Abeokuta, who traded in salt, slaves and was actively involved in the politics of Egbaland.

In Abeokuta where she lived at the time, Madam Efunroye Tinubu also traded in arms and supplied Abeokuta with ammunitions in the war against Dahomey.

Her activities during the war earned her the chieftaincy title as the first Iyalode of Egbaland in the 19th century.

The significant impact and courageous role played by the late heroine in the history of Egbaland deserves to be widely celebrated by the Egba just like the late popular Lisabi was honoured.

It is in the light of this that Tinubu’s descendants, have called on the Ogun State government to immortalise this heroine for her remarkable legacy and for the service she rendered to the Egbas during the Dahomey war in the 19th century.

While speaking at the 133th remembrance, Mr Sulaimon Osuntinubu explained the need for the state government to immortalise the heroine saying the positive impact of the female warrior would forever be remembered in the history of Ogun State.

He also enjoined the state government to press further by setting

Madam Efunroye Tinubu aside a day to celebrate the heroine legacy in Egbas history just as Lisabi day is yearly celebrated in Egbaland.

He said: “We are now calling on the state government to make our historical mother remembrance to become a state affair, the first Iyalode of Egbaland deserves to be immortalised beyond her statue lying at Totoro.”

While part of the event to commemorate her 133 years took place in Abeokuta, thousands flocked to the Mushin area of Lagos to celebrate the late iconic warrior in grand style.

The iconic first Iyalode of Egbaland was celebrated simultaneously both in Ogun and Lagos states.

The event which will be hosted yearly by her descendants was spearheaded and fully sponsored by the sole attorney of the late madam Tinubu family, Chief Akinfolabi Akindele.

Speaking at the event, Akindele who also manages Madam Tinubu’s

estates said the family placed a premium on her annual remembrance, because the history of the first Iyalode of Egbaland deserves more awareness in Nigeria.

He said Efunroye Tinubu was more than a black traditional woman when alive, she defiled all the so called native and traditional norms that African women were subjected to, she acquired success from her business, her acumen in engaging in Egba politics and Dahomey crisis among others.

However, he expressed concerns on how she was not widely celebrated today, adding that Tinubu’s history was about to be eroded completely aside the Lagos Tinubu Square and Ita-Iyalode in Abeokuta named after her.

He then called on the authorities to immortalise the late superior black woman by making attractive tourism programs to showcase her heritage to the world.

Akindele also stated that the family has a women based program to help train young girls in all forms of business, since madam Tinubu was a renown business woman.

As a further step to immortalise the late first Iyalode of Egbaland, Akindele said the family had Akindele revealed that the family had created Efunporoye Osintinubu foundation which is a non-governmental organization that would empower women to earn a living.

The foundation, he said would also provide free diagnoses to the sick.

At the colourful events in Abeokuta and Lagos, different cultural dances and traditional displays were staged to entertain people.

The celebration formally began on 3rd December, 2020 when customary rites were performed at the tomb of the late Madam Tinubu lying at Tinubu compound, Ijokodo, Abeokuta.

Following the annual opening declaration at the ancestral tomb, hundreds of people were received at the Tinubu’s shrine. They came to seek blessings from the deities.

Deities worshipped at the late business woman’s shrine include Ogun (the god of iron) Osun (water goddess),Obata among others The celebration continued on Saturday(05/12/2020) with Islamic session held at the family’s residence at Mushin.This is the sixth time the celebration would take place in Lagos. It was started by the late Madam Olufunmilayo Ransom-Kuti.

Madam Efunroye Tinubu died on 3rd December 1887, at the age of 82.

Efunporoye Osintinubu, was a politically significant figure in Nigerian history because of her role as a powerful female aristocrat and slave trader in pre-colonial and colonial Nigeria.

The late Madam Tinubu was famous for her activities when she traded in arms and supplied Abeokuta with munitions in the war against Dahomey. Her activities in the war earned her the chieftaincy title as the first iyalode of all of Egbaland in the 19th century. She lived from 1805 and died on the 3rd of December 1887.

Perspective

Make 2021 Count: Having a First-Class Year Fela Bank-Olemoh had the right attitude – they were usually the first to appear in lecture halls, deliberate about acquiring the needed materials for each course, elcome to 2021!

Hi there, good to be they were ardent listeners and note-takers that took every assignment and test very seriously. back.

Though 2020 threw They were not necessarily the most intelligent us all some curveballs, in class or most talented, but like the American football champion and author, Robert Griffin III we have a new opportunity for a fresh said: “Hard work pays off – hard work beats talent any day”. These first-class graduates didn’t start this year. One only perform better than the other intelligent of my favourite quotes is; “You don’t earn a First-Class in your Final Year.” To achieve that, students by working hard, they also started the work early. We noticed these traits in them right you start working hard from your first year from the first year, so their first-class status at in school. Like academics, living a First-Class graduation wasn’t really a surprise to us. Some of year requires deliberate commitment and us who were not as dedicated turned out… Well, actions.

I’ll leave that to your imagination.

In my last article, I shared my thoughts on Here is a lesson for this new year; To have a the Art of Self-Audit and in this new year, I will first-class 2021, it’s very important to start now! like us to build on that.

Ask yourself, what should I be engaged in Mark Twain, often said that; “The secret to now to make the best of this year? getting ahead is getting started.”

Whilst we may still be facing the COVID-19 Let me share with you four things I think you pandemic, lockdowns and economic uncershould do to make this year a fantastic one for tainties, you need to ensure that you start the yourself. year 2021 with the right mindset.

One of the greatest discoveries of all time 1. Self-examination according to Oprah Winfrey – is the knowlThe discipline of self-examination helps you to edge that a person can change his future by changing his attitude. This indeed rings true as evaluate the current realities in your life in order to put things in perspective. It gives room for I recall a memory from back in my university days, when we rightly predicted the students honest feedback necessary to aid growth in every who came out tops in our class. These students area of your life. To properly examine your life,

W

you’ll need to be brutally honest with yourself and also schedule regular “Me Times” as well.

According to Socrates, “an unexamined life is not worth living”; you will agree with me that your life is worth living so commit to regular self-examination.

2. Make Plans, Set Clear Goals and Stick to Them Warren Buffet said; “An idiot with a plan will always beat a genius without a plan.” It couldn’t be said any better; to have a first-class year, you need a plan. So, what’s your plan for 2021? Do you have clearly set goals? What have you put in place to stay committed to achieving them? These and more are questions you have to answer as you start the year.

Like the traffic lights, the red light means “stop”; you must endeavour to stop and plan.

This helps you to set broad objectives that should align with your projected future.

The yellow light means “get ready”; at this stage you need to be certain that the goals you’ve set are specific, relevant and achievable within a stipulated time frame.

The green light means “go”; and this is when you take action and start working out your plans, to bring them into reality. Start early and be consistent because life always rewards consistency.

3. Have an Accountability Partner

Statistics from the University of Scranton, Pennsylvania USA show that interpersonal strategies like having an accountability partner increases the chances of keeping new year resolutions for over six months. So, why not apply that logic to your personal goals this year, and get yourself an accountability partner?

Such a person can be trusted to keep track of your progress, and ensure you’re actually doing the things you set out to do. More so, when we accept accountability we are putting ourselves in a position of responsibility which will allow you to make the necessary changes needed to have a successful year.

4. StrengthenYour Faith This is what I call the God Factor, it should be the foundation upon which you build every other thing you do. You need to evaluate your relationship with God. Is it a strong relationship?

Fantastic! Stay connected. If not, it’s important to reconnect because you need God to have a first-class year.

So, as you begin this brand-new year, give it all it takes and approach it with the right attitude.

I challenge you to self-examine, set clear goals, have an accountability partner and strengthen your faith.

The ability to thrive in this year 2021 is within your reach but you must play your part.

Remember You Have Only One Life to Live, MAKE IT COUNT.

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HighLife Oyetola, Aregbesola Feud Gets Messier

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oliticking in Nigeria is no easy venture, not as long as it is an endeavour to compete in and with human resources. Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State and his predecessor, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, are a case in point. Their reported penchant for disagreeing on almost everything and anything is reaching an all-time high.

It is easy, based on the frequency of clashes, to assume that Ayo Fayose and Governor Seyi Makinde are the main political adversarial gladiators in the Southwest, especially within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). That may be, according to some people.

But, Aregbesola and Oyetola in the All Progressives Congress (APC) are not doing badly themselves.

According to recent reports, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (who is currently the minister of the Federal Ministry of Interior of Nigeria) is setting up political machinations to ensure that his successor, Oyetola, does not at all make the cut for a second term. Because the Osun State gubernatorial elections are slated for 2022, tensions are high.

Thus, Oyetola is not taking kindly to any indication of an intended disruption of bid for a second term.

According to reports, Aregbesola’s efforts at terminating Oyetola’s governance pertain to the regional card (i.e., the next APC candidate is expected to emerge from a different senatorial district, and not from Oyetola’s Osun West).

On the other hand, Aregbesola has been reported to have acquired military help in securing his luxurious country home (which is currently under construction at Ilesa, Osun State) from hoodlums. Folks have pointed out that Aregbesola is essentially protecting his house from Governor Oyetola, but that remains a mere conjecture.

Interestingly, the alleged Aregbesola-Oyetola feud has remained something of a mystery since Oyetola came into office. During Aregbesola’s tenure as governor, Oyetola was his chief of staff. How does one go from chief of staff to public enemy number one? Both parties have noted, from time to time, that their feud is non-existent, settled, or nothing to worry about. Regardless, reports disprove all that.

Whatever the case, 2022 is nigh, so the alleged Aregbesola-Oyetola beef is getting hotter and hotter.

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

Exposed! Why First Foundation MD, Tosin Ajayi, Hasn’t Been Buried The sudden demise of Dr. Tosin Ajayi, the Managing Director of First Foundation Medical Engineering Company was one of the most jolting incidents in April 2020. The man had contributed immensely to the health and wellness of many people, big and small, a true hero of the people. But the shock that followed his death is nothing compared to the shock from the fact that eight months after, Tosin Ajayi remains unburied.

Almost immediately after Dr. Ajayi passed away, the peace of his immediate family passed away with him. His wife, the renowned former beauty queen, Helen Prest-Ajayi, entered into a boxing ring with the deceased’s children from his first marriage. Thus, because of the alleged feud between Prest-Ajayi and all five children of Mrs. Yemisi, Ajayi’s first wife, things got very uncomfortable and complicated within the family.

It was originally published that Dr. Ajayi’s demise resulted from kidney problems. His first kids, however, refuted this claim and immediately reported their stepmother (Helen Prest-Ajayi) to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, alleging that she was responsible for their father’s death. Faced with this allegation, the police got involved, invited Helen PrestAjayi to write a statement of defence, and began to investigate the accusation.

Although the results of the police’s investigation showed that Dr. Ajayi had indeed died from kidney failure complications, the issue was nowhere near over. The disgruntled

Ajayi

Ajayis demanded and obtained a different death certificate which was slightly different from the original one issued to Helen PrestAjayi: the address of the deceased had been changed to that of his first wife’s. This ‘error’ paved the way for the involvement of Ajayi’s first wife, Yemisi. Probably confident from her being a sibling to Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Mrs. Yemisi asked the court to release the deceased’s remains to her own family (i.e., herself and her five children). Naturally, Helen Prest-Ajayi, with whom the deceased shared a home in Ikoyi, opposed this suit.

All this aside, the date of burial has been another forklift in the way of Dr. Ajayi’s interment. It has been gathered that Helen PrestAjayi isn’t responsible for the delay in selecting

a date, but Ajayi’s other family, who are reportedly intent on opposing the involvement of Prest-Ajayi in any of the proceedings. Not even the intervention of Ajayi’s close friends and other prominent people has yielded satisfactory results.

It is noteworthy that Helen Prest-Ajayi reportedly got together with Dr. Ajayi 10 years after his separation from Mrs. Yemisi. Counting the 25 years that Helen was married to the deceased before his death, Mrs. Yemisi has been out of the picture for 35 years. How she expects—as her children reportedly insist—that Helen Prest-Ajayi would allow the remains of the deceased to be placed in her (Yemisi’s) custody is beyond common sense. But that is reportedly what they want: that the corpse of Dr. Ajayi be delivered to his first wife for burial; and that the second wife (Helen) disappear from view, never to participate in the funeral process.

As if all that is not enough, Yemisi’s children are also reportedly insisting that the funeral process be handled at their mother’s church, Shepherd Hill Baptist Church, Lagos. Curiously, this is the same Church within which two of the children got married, and Dr. Ajayi, while alive, had refused to attend. Furthermore, it was gathered that before his death, Dr. Ajayi asked that his burial be officiated by the Pastor of the church he attended, a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) parish in Ikoyi.

All Eyes on Onyeali-Ikpe as She Begins Reign at Fidelity Bank Fidelity Bank, at the very start of the New Year, launched into a new era of management.

With all readiness to plunge into 2021 and draw out as many benefits as possible, all eyes are trained on Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe as she takes over management of Fidelity Bank as the new MD/CEO. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe is in something of a tough spot. Before her, is the legacy of Nnamdi Okonkwo, a man who coalesced every avenue, opportunity, and trend to push Fidelity Bank onto the frontiers of both onsite and online banking in Nigeria. Before Okonkwo, there was Reginald Ihejiahi, who especially laid the foundations for Fidelity’s renowned customer service and staff teamwork. Before Ihejiahi, there was Nebolisa Arah, who set the bank on its track with his gentlemanly approach to management. So, Onyeali-Ikpe is in good company. Furthermore, based on her track records, the Board and customers of Fidelity are

in for a good time.

Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe is unquestionably the first female MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank since the bank began operations in 1988. However, it is also unquestionable that she has one of the finest professional profiles among its CEOs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe has over 30 years of banking experience and has occupied several significant positions in Standard Chartered Bank, Zenith Bank, and Citizens International Bank. Onyeali-Ikpe’s natural smarts and education have ensured that she flourish in every endeavour and sector of the Nigerian economy: from oil and gas, to manufacturing and exports, to aviation, and real estate.

Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; and a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from the King’s College, London. Her management and corporate genius also come from her having attended different leadership

Onyeali-Ikpe

training programmes at Harvard Business School, the Wharton School University of Pennsylvania, INSEAD School of Business, Chicago Booth School of Business, London Business School, etc.

With such a profile, not to mention her being the first female to handle the MD/CEO position at Fidelity Bank, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe is the focus of every eye and ear inclined to banking and the Nigerian corporate jungle.

Sad as Lagos Deputy Governor, Hamzat’s Younger Brother, Late Billionaire Owner of Ekene Dili Chukwu Motors’s Son Died

Hamzat

Oyetola, Aregbesola ... .when the going was good

with KAYODE ALFRED ͮͶͯ​ͯʹ͵ͳͷͶͮ͵˜ E-mail: kayflex2@yahoo.com

The New Year has come with its brand of expectations and surprises. Nearing 12 months of dreading the pandemic, it appears as if 2021 is a long-awaited break from the miasma that is Covid-19. Unfortunately, this is not true for the

families of some notable Nigerian personalities.

Two of such families that recently lost their loved ones to what is becoming a recurring cause of death—Covid-19 complications: the families of Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and that of the late Augustine Ilodibe, owner of Ekene Dili Chukwu Motors.

Dr. Haroun Hamzat was the half-brother of Lagos State Deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, while Augustine Chukwunonso Ilodibe Jr. was the son of Augustine Ilodibe.

The death of Dr. Haroun Hamzat was reported by the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on 5 January 2021. According to reports, the deceased was 37 years old and worked as a medical officer in a Primary Health Centre in Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State.

On the other hand, the death of Augustine Ilodibe Jr. was announced by the family,

courtesy of the deceased brother, Obinna Ilodibe. Augustine Ilodibe Jr also passed away in a Lagos medical facility, on 4 January. He was a 42-year-old husband, father, brother, uncle, and son.

According to reports from the Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC), the number of infected Nigerians continues to increase on a daily basis, with Lagos and Abuja being the places most affected by the pandemic.

The late Dr. Haroun Hamzat and Augustine Ilodibe Jr., are only the first casualties of the virus with incredible backgrounds.

In other news, folks are preparing for how best to manage their lives, health and household economies as the NCDC records increasing trends of infection all over Nigeria.

The deaths of Hamzat and Ilodibe have roused folks from sleep and plunged them, Lagosians especially, into unease and fear.

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HIGHLIFE

Governor El-Rufai Goofed Big Time! Joyous Times as Skeletons are to cadavers what legacies are to politicians: embarrassments that refuse to melt away. If Abuja residents remember El-Rufai for any one thing, it is for his demolition of properties. Those unaffected might remember that he did all that to ensure that the layout of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is not different from the Master Plan.

Well, El-Rufai’s legacy of demolition has resurfaced in Kaduna State.

One of the most viral news bits on the Nigerian social space (as of the first week of 2021) is that of Governor Nasir El-Rufai demolishing the proposed venue for the Kaduna State ‘sex party’ that has now been cancelled. Folks are making all kinds of noise (celebratory and condemnatory) at El-Rufai’s super quick response to the randy gathering supposed to have taken place on December 27, 2020.

According to reports, Governor El-Rufai firmly encouraged the police in Kaduna State and the state’s Urban Planning Development Agency (KASUPDA) to tear down the building (Asher Kings and Queens Restaurant and Lounge, located at

El-Rufai

Sabon Tasha, in Kaduna) supposedly designated for the ‘sex party,’ as well as arrest those responsible for proposing and organising the event.

El-Rufai has never shied away from the fact that his religious leanings are pillars of/to his approach to governance. In this wise,

that is, assuming that everybody else agrees to and follows the very same religious beliefs, all will be fine. But this is not so. A good fraction of Kaduna residents are neither practising Muslims nor intend to be. But that has never stopped Governor El-Rufai.

The owner of the demolished building, Aisha Yakubu, has reportedly threatened to sue El-Rufai’s government for defamation and losses. According to her, she lost a month-old pregnancy while watching ElRufai’s commandos demolish her property. Almost nobody believes that Aisha Yakubu will receive any reparation.

Was it only recently that Governor El-Rufai allegedly “suggested” that Nigerian Breweries in Kaduna State reduce the volume of beer it produces?

Meanwhile, folks of a different religious persuasion are bearing under the heavy hand of persecution and torture—in the same Kaduna State. Is El-Rufai’s Kaduna an Islamic or democratic state? Evidence points to the latter.

Go-To-Guy: Hakeem Muri-Okunola Celebrates Birthday Lagos State is starting off in 2021 with a bang on all sides! One of its most powerful figures just clocked a year short of the golden 50. More to the point, said figure chose to launch a spiritual campaign to draw God into the picture of Lagos governance and everyday life, demonstrating that he has the welfare of Lagosians and Nigerians at heart.

The figure is none other than Hakeem Muri-Okunola (HMO), Lagos State’s 21st head of service (HoS). HMO clocked 49 on January 7, 2021. Amidst so much going on, HMO elected to have a prayer service to show gratitude to God and ask for greater wisdom, patience, and personnel to help raise Lagos State and Nigerian to higher levels of economic growth and development.

Folks were quick to raise glasses in HMO’s honour, mostly because he is the most celebrated civil servant in the state, second only to his boss, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. But the honour paid Muri-Okunola is not for nothing.

HMO was appointed HoS in December 2018, making him the most

senior Lagos civil servant. Until this appointment, he was the permanent secretary of Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, where he oversaw the amendment of the Child’s Rights Law and the Child Protection Policy.

Hakeem Muri-Okunola has been blazing trails since he first came into the limelight at Ibile Holdings, an investment arm of the Lagos State government. It was during this time that his smart and hardworking personality drew the attention of the then Lagos State Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The latter consequently raised Muri-Okunola’s career collars and made him his personal assistant. Not long after, HMO’s good work landed him the position of permanent secretary at the Lagos State Lands Bureau.

Hakeem Muri-Okunola has not collapsed the prestige of his forebears at all. As the first son of the late respected Justice Muritala Okunola, HMO has done nothing but raise the bar even further.

He remains the number one go-to-guy in Lagos State’s league of administrators,

These are great times for billionaire businessman, lawyer, and CEO of Sifax Group, Taiwo Olayinka Afolabi. Recent reports on Afolabi’s business strides include the multibillion-naira five-star hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, that is close to completion. It would appear that after taking a dominant position in several other areas of the Nigerian economy, Afolabi is preparing to take the hotel service industry by storm.

There are tiers amongst Nigerian businessmen: noisemakers, newcomers, middlemen (by all accounts), company CEOs, industry leaders, and conglomerate champions.

Taiwo Afolabi is one of the latter, and his latest business venture, the Marriott Hotel, is proof of this.

It used to be said that Marriott Hotel was a project that Afolabi intended to use to dazzle and intimidate, but never accomplished. The blueprints show a beast of an edifice, 7,000sqm of land housing over 250 luxury rooms; every conceivable convenience attachment, from fitness spas and gyms to outdoor swimming pools, boardrooms, and executive lounges. Who would have expected that Afolabi would push for quick completion and that the five-star Marriott Hotel will be ready before the

Great Aspirations: Sifax Boss, Taiwo Afolabi, To Open Marriott Hotel

Afolabi

Muri-Okunola

blazing with even more fire at age 49 than his contemporaries.

end of the first quarter of 2021?

Then again, Taiwo Afolabi has demonstrated time and time again that business is to him what breath is to others, and he has inadvertently grown to be a mahatma of the business process. The width and depth of Sifax’s interests testify to Afolabi’s masterful grasp.

To date, Sifax Group is one of the leading companies raking in the goods from the many investments on the sea (port operations, oil, and gas, haulage as logistics, ship chartering, etc), in the air (freight forwarding, airport ground operations, cargo consolidation, etc.), and on land (financial services, hospitality, etc).

With the expected completion of Marriott Hotel sometime in March or April, Afolabi is likely to secure a firm foothold in the hospitality sector, maybe even building a business empire of a similar rank to his Sifax.

Great times for Taiwo Afolabi indeed.

Obaseki Again!

Obaseki

T

here are always some hurdles to cross after winning a gubernatorial election in Nigeria. For returning Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, it is the objection of his old ally, the All Progressives Congress (APC) to his educational qualifications.

After battling his detractors in court over the originality of his university certificate, Obaseki has come out victorious.

Governor Godwin Obaseki has demonstrated yet again that he possesses more karmic luck compared to the entire league of his detractors, APC and its members included. Relying on nothing but the University of Ibadan (UI) itself to find out the truth, Obaseki’s lot has emerged on the right side of things.

According to a legal representative from UI, the certificate under question (Bachelor of Arts) was indeed issued to Obaseki by the university in 1979 and is consequently not a forgery.

Recall that it was one Williams Edobor, a chieftain of APC, who filed a suit against Obaseki immediately after the latter won the Edo gubernatorial election, accusing him of submitting a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). If Edobor’s gambit had struck true, Obaseki’s initial gubernatorial victory would have been annulled, the return governorship certificate returned, and the runner-up, Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the APC, would have been sworn in as Edo State governor.

It may be said that the APC went all out in their efforts to shove Obaseki out of power. Witnesses emerged from the blues in droves to claim that they had never seen Obaseki’s original academic certificate. It got so rowdy in the courthouse that the trial judge, Ahmed Mohammed, had to push the case onto the shoulders of UI, essentially stating that it had become a headache for the academic court.

And now the academic court has resolved that it was all due to a slight error; that Obaseki’s certificate is not at all forged, but the result of a faulty photocopier. Thus, was the Edo chapter of the APC clobbered to submission by a faulty photocopier.

Thus, was Governor Godwin Obaseki victorious again.

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LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

The US Crisis – Buhari, Let’s Act Now!

As the situation was unfolding, I was watching with small shock. You see hoodlums are everywhere. It is not only here that you find hoodlums.

These hoodlums were attacking Capitol Hill and using the same tactics we use here o. As I watched, I was trying to see if I could see any Nigerian representative on the walls or over the fence and everywhere but I no see. I was kinda sad. We should have been represented there. Anyways, after the hullabaloo, the Americans retained law and order and went ahead to certify Biden’s victory in a well thought out and orchestrated exercise that saw Trump’s deputy in charge. That is another gist.

The way the American Vice President conducted himself

with so much responsibility, you will just weak. Can that one ever happen here? The man did not even check to see if na him oga dey lead, he just dey do what the people and constitution ask him to do. It was so impressive. Anyway, the kernel of my talk this morning is that although Trump has tweeted his concession saying that he will allow a smooth transition, he should still not be trusted abeg. He can still do anything within the two weeks left of his stupidity and that is why I am calling on President Buhari as the leader of the largest black democracy in the world - forget all these our own wahala, we are still a democracy- to move in and ensure a smooth transition. He should put

a call to Trump, threaten him with a visa ban; for him, his family, and any agent that wants to truncate democracy. He should also put the Nigerian Army on high alert so that they can move in and restore law and order should there be any of such again. While at it, he should also issue a travel warning to all Nigerians to avoid the US for now. It is now we need Dame Abike Dabiri. He should be very unequivocal that Nigeria will not in the least tolerate any breakdown of law and order and that we are watching the situation very closely in a bid to intervene at the slightest possible infraction. Ehen, this is how to be a leader of the free world. Oya Buhari over to you.

Buhari

M

Nuru

Abubakar

FG- ARE YOU CREDIT-WORTHY? I have read so many reports that the government wants to borrow from dormant accounts and unclaimed dividends to meet their gaps. I like the idea because it is better to borrow locally than to go and take that foreign-denominated loans that come with specific conditions like bringing DNA certification of all members of the Federal Executive Council. But there is a snag: is the federal government credit-worthy?

That is my problem o. As a young credit officer those days, if someone asked for a loan, in appraising the request you would want to see if the person can meet the 5Cs – character, capacity, capital, collateral, conditions. My people if we look at this thing very well, do you really think the government will meet these conditions? That character own go first knock them out before the rest. The thing just remind me of when I went to borrow money from my boy Ope who was running a credit company. He say, ‘Bros, I no fit borrow you money because I cannot chase you if you no pay.’

So, who will now be chasing FG if at the time of repayment that Baba say, ‘common gerraout’. They say, they are setting up a trust fund that will be managed by the DMO. Who be DMO again? No be person

wey be civil servant under the same government? Mbok, the best thing to do, is to move all the money and place with IMF or NATO or one big international body that Buhari will fear, then the person will now come and give the government a cash-backed loan. This will make them be serious and use the money judiciously and much more important, make them pay back because these are people’s monies.

I like the idea of borrowing from these idle funds instead of just grabbing them but my fear is will they pay back? Won’t we hear songs of freedom when the time comes to pay back?

my position was clear. Please these are lives: the accused, the dead man, and the woman, and much more important, there are little children in the mix. As such, let’s look for the facts and allow due process and structures to handle the matter.

Mbok, come and see abuse. They abused me oh. One elder sent me a text and said he was disappointed in me and would stop reading my column. I called him to explain my position. I was talking to a wall.

He didn’t shift. The abuse was continuous. One other guy called me, “Edgar, why are you taking a bullet for FCMB? Is it because you used to work there?” I said no.

They even drive me commot for the place. My point is very clear: if we allow the continuous rage of the digital mob who trade on emotive sentiments rather than logic and who instead of allowing due process but seek blood, then we are headed towards a complete breakdown of law and order and at that point nobody is safe. I never even talk finish, when I got a call and the caller said, “Edgar, how could you?

I heard you were sleeping with Erelu’s housemaid?” I laughed and said, “You and your people who are talking, God will punish all of your stupid mouths for this kind of wicked lie and I dropped the phone.

MY BANK, MY WIFE AND MY DNA When this thing broke, I stood clear.

I knew social media in its usual erratic form will take the bank and its MD to the cleaners. I didn’t comment oh. I was just looking. As expected, the war was ferocious and the bank’s image was taken to the cleaners. But as it raged, I observed as is the case with social media exchanges that facts, logic, and common sense were not the currency but emotions, rumours, and outright fabrications were the order of the day. So, I decided to write an article and placed it on Simon Kolawole’s The Cable, and

Obaseki

If I was a public figure now or a bank MD that is how the gist will gain currency and social media will carry it and they will be saying, he can kuku do it. Is not Duke of Shomolu? He likes ‘yellow’ women.

My people this is the dawn of the social miscreants and nobody is safe. The digital mob once they pick on you it’s like a horde of Piranha, they will not stop until they finish you. Scary, really scary.

ATIKU ABUBAKAR AND HIS COVID-19 VACCINE Baba has run to Dubai to go and collect the COVID-19 vaccine. You see life. he no even wait to see if there is a different study to see how effective it will be on a Nigerian body. He has run quickly to go and be the first Nigerian on record to take the vaccine. Tomorrow now if he doesn’t have his usual morning erection, he will start shouting.

Don’t mind me sha, this second wave is scary. The numbers are crossing the 1,000 mark almost on a daily basis and Nigerians are as careless as ever. If you take a drive around Lagos, I kid you not, you will not count up to 10 people out of the 24m of us wearing masks or social distancing. People behave as if the virus has reason. They will say, I just remove the mask to eat

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LOUD WHISPERS as if the virus will understand and wait for you to finish eating before it tries to enter your system. Daddy while there, please pay for some of those vaccines for some of us na. It will not be too bad o. But let me wait for like six months and see if you do not have any side effects then you bring for us. Thanks for being our very first live guinea pig. Atiku for President. This baba no just dey gree sha.

GODWIN OBASEKI ATTENDED UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN The war has been raging. They say my guy did not attend the University of Ibadan and that his certificate was purchased by the roadside near the Benin motor park in Lagos.

Thankfully, the University of Ibadan has come out again to state that the man was their student and that he graduated in 1979 abi he enter 1979? Whatever, the most important thing is that he sha went to the school. Me sef, I no doubt because the English the man used to speak cannot be English learnt from watching NTA which his accusers did while still in their tailoring shops. This man should be left alone and let’s see what he can do for the people of Edo State. His first term was quite colourful as he impacted especially in the area of education but all these distractions from very ugly godfathers would not let him concentrate. So now that he has won his second and final term, they should just allow him to concentrate after all it’s just four years na and it will soon finish.

But bros if you go university in 1979, that means you are not today pikin o. Kai, you don old o. You no be youth na. Lol. ALIBABA – WELCOME BACK! You know I have been looking at this COVID-19 thing with another eye. Despite the huge daily increases, we are also discharging at almost the same numbers. So, we are catching it and treating it. The mortality rate has dropped from 2% to 0.82% according to the Lagos State Health Commissioner.

So instead of pushing these positives, it’s the negatives that we are pushing and this keeps scaring me and making me refuse to come out of my bedroom. It is so bad now that I have not made love to Duchess since this second wave. When she come near, I will say go and sanitize, go and wear glove, where is your face mask?

Please, gaggle with Izal. She go just tire and carry her wahala go.

That is how my brother reached out and told me he was in isolation centre. I weak. Now the first wave, I didn’t know people hit but this second wave, all around me na, my friends. Even my sister, Elvina Ibru and so many others I cannot mention. Fear grip me. Alibaba tell me say the thing is bad and that the centre is full and people are dying.

My people, Covid is real o. Alibaba, I thank God for your life. He will keep you until you give me the money you promise me after that na Mummy Mary go dey pray for you.

I really thank God for your life and in fact the lives of all Nigerians right now because we are at the war front.

Tinubu

Inyang Edgar

Welcome back, my brother, I no fit come see you until I see your test result signed by Sanwo-Olu, until then na virtual greeting. God bless you.

BOLA AHMED TINUBU – GET WELL SOON Even though we belong to different political camps, I will still pray for you. I have heard that you are either

CHIEF OSOBA‘S OUTDATED ZONING, TONYE COLE’S PRINCIPLE Don’t mind me oh. I just want to yab my brother, Tonye small. But seriously, let me even tell you why I used Tonye Cole in this. All this your talk of zoning and rotation is just so old and archaic. It used to rattle my teeth when I hear people talk about it. Why not just go and rest? I am sorry but the Nigeria of today needs to install and push meritocracy, let the best man rule us and wherever he comes from should not matter. You guys have been bandying all these old times talk and have led us nowhere. What is zoning? What is federal character that we will now be sacrificing talent and merit on the altar of ethnic convenience? Those policies worked when Nigeria was relying on oil to run the country. So, you take turns to go to the centre to preside over the sharing of the oil.

Now things are different, economic indices have changed. It’s now much more dynamic and it is people who better understand its dynamism that should be allowed to rule such an

Osoba

important economy like our country.

I was talking with my brother Tonye Cole the other day and I told him, I was leaning towards PDP because the few policies I have seen were veering towards free market and less government. He said, he wanted to stay in APC but pull out a Tony Blair-type New APC that would push along the lines of free enterprise and merit-based positioning. Made sense to me and we had a long conversation.

Daddy with over 200m people, the largest market in Africa, a non-oil market positioning growing daily, a huge army of youths making money from technology and service, the diminishing importance of oil in the scheme of things, and a large diaspora population returning over $25bn annually into the system, I am sorry it is not zoning or your so-called gentleman’s agreement that would be able to throw up a leader that can pull all these together and build a powerful nation. Please, let’s go and play ayo in Abeokuta or ludo or something to keep us busy. Thank you.

in France or the UK convalescing. I have also heard that you have done the COVID-19 test more than 15 times and have come out negative in all. You get mind oh. Fear has not let me do even one. I will now go to Dr. Nwabuoko and say he be like say, I dey sense symptoms, he will laugh and say, “Edar go home. Your mind is playing tricks on you.” My lord, please get well really soon. We still need you. Your brilliance and colour are unmatched. You have grown from a refugee to becoming the main talking point in Nigeria.

Your influence even without an elective position transcends even the commander-in-chief. I am in prayers for you and I am sure Almighty Allah will give you good health.

Daddy mi, ma fa ra le o. You can tell mummy to be giving you enema.

It is very good. They should pump your stomach. They will put hot water and bitter leave inside and put a hose in your bum and push the water inside. I swear it works.

Try it and come and thank me. God bless you, sir. God will keep you for us.

DUKE OF SHOMOLU SHIFTS ATTENTION TO AWOLOWO At the end of my play, Aremu, which was a play that depicted Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as we stood in his private quarters with an expert writer, Director Makinde Adeniran FTA – he say I must put that FTA beside him name o – the idea struck me. Why not do Awo next? So, I mentioned to Makinde who happens to be the Lagos State Chairman of the National Association of Theatre Arts Practitioners, NANTAP. Makinde said he could do it and last week, he sent me one of the most beautiful synopses that I have ever seen. I had told him I wanted a different story.

I didn’t want to be obvious with this. I wanted Awo from a different angle. Show me his softer side. Show me the role his ‘Jewel of inestimable value’ played in his life. Let’s see him sing and dance and let’s see him at his moments of weakness.

Let’s have a human Awo that this generation can connect with. Mbok, Makinde surprised me. When I sent the synopsis to Mrs. Subair who happens to be a granddaughter to the late sage, she was impressed.

The train has left the station and the Duke of Shomolu, COVID-19 allowing us, should be dropping this June the mighty play, AWO. God should keep us alive. Amen.

MRS. INYANG EDGAR– MY MUMMY IS GONE My mummy passed on last Sunday.

My only mama. The one that did not give me breast milk because she was at war during the civil war just left us like that oh. We all now have a mixed feeling because she was ill for a very long time and as such, we feel that at 76 years, it was OK. But then we will still miss her. All of us, Ernest, Charles, Bernard, and Gloria, who was the closest to her will still miss her. Anyway, don’t let me talk much because I am supposed to be bereaved before they will say, and “he is still talking.” Mummy, goodbye, and say hello to daddy when you see him.

Pain.

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Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

Peace at Last! Late Billionaire Oil Mogul, LIRS Boss, Ayodele Subair’s Lulu-Briggs’ Families Sheathe the Sword Wizardry What do you know about the boss of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, LIRS, Hamzat Ayodele Subair?

To many, this brilliant chartered accountant is a thoroughbred professional. No wonder, his appointment in 2016 was greeted with a loud ovation from different quarters.

Many who have worked with him in the past confirmed that he is a gogetter.

At first blush, he does not strike you as the no-nonsense, aggressive, go-getter person. Instead, he comes across as a quiet, media-shy, humble, yet assertive man.

But be careful not to let the calm exterior fool you. He is acknowledged as the top man in the Lagos tax industry, responsible for the tax revenue generation of Lagos state, managing the LIRS, creating strategies and programmes that create a positively tax-informed society.

It is no news that, in spite of the unsavoury developments of 2020, this brilliant man was able to pull out his magic wand.

Society Watch gathered that the agency met up to and greatly exceeded its yearly target under his leadership.

For lifting the agency to enviable success during the most volatile economic year ever recorded, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, gave the LIRS a special commendation for a job well done and is also said to be very supportive of the chairman’s efforts to improve the tax sector of Lagos State.

Subair, who is quick to attribute the success of the agency to investment in technology, big data, and investment in people, has successfully revolutionized the income and business tax collection in the state by introducing technology to process and protocols, thereby making tax payment a seamless experience.

He is a strong believer in welfare development as a major key to a successful enterprise; he believes that people are the backbone of every business.

Subair was appointed the chairman of LIRS in 2016. He bagged a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Metropolitan University of Manchester, United Kingdom, and also has a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Lagos. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation Nigeria, an associate member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, and a fellow of the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria.

Like the typical Kalabari chiefs of old, the late oil mogul and philanthropist, High Chief Dr. Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs populated his household and built a great family.

It was clear to all that the billionaire loved his immediate family, his Kalabari culture, and the entire people of the kingdom to heart.

As he advanced in age, one of his several heart desires was to be survived by his family who would give him a befitting burial in his country home whenever he passed on.

Therefore, when he breathed his last, shortly after arriving in Accra, Ghana for his annual vacation with his wife, Dr. Seinye Lulu-Briggs on December 27, 2018, at the age of 88, many were eager to partake in honouring him with befitting obsequies.

Sadly, for two years, the burial was put on hold due to a protracted family crisis.

But on Friday, January 1, 2021, the Chiefs of Oruwari Briggs family of Abonnema in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area in Rivers State announced the obsequies of their departed patriarch and leader.

The billionaire, according to the Briggs family, will be buried on Saturday, March 13, 2021, a development that has thus brought joy to the hearts of many of his family members.

Prior to this development, Society Watch gathered that, while many were expressing

Princess Toyin Kolade, otherwise known as Iyalaje, has her fingers in many pies, including oil and gas, furniture, real estate, maritime, hospitality, and many others.

She is a socialite of note, as no party is complete without her presence.

The Osun State-born beauty also commands deep respect from young and old, especially in the political, social, and business circles.

Besides, she is in tune with modern trends in the fashion world. In fact, call her a showstopper, and you will only be stating the obvious. Those close to the Fisolak Global Resource boss would attest to the fact that she is a hard-working and supportive woman.

She is recognized as one of the champions of the revitalization of the Yoruba culture and tradition.

In particular, she has been enjoying the support of His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Her name Siju Iluyomade is now synonymous with philanthropy.

This is on account of her efforts in lifting needy individuals, while also supporting communities, in one way or the other.

In furtherance of her humane gesture, she set up a non-government organization, Arise Women Foundation, and also institutionalized the Handmaidens Women in Leadership Series (HWILS) to build intentional leaders.

The Arise Women Conference, Society Watch gathered, has been committed to empowerment, human capacity building, and national development in the last 13 years.

It has also provided hospitals, schools, a computerized library, and boreholes in many communities, including Dafara, Kabusa in Abuja, Ondo, Imo, Kebbi, and Lagos.

The intervention of the ever-supportive wife of Pastor Idowu Iluyomade of Redeemed Christian Church of God, the City of David to the plight of coronavirus patients and the less

deep concerns over the delay in the burial of the billionaire, some family members especially his second son, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, were working quietly to end the unresolved disagreement, which had stalled the burial plans of his late father at different times.

Sources said Dumo had been greatly disturbed by having the corpse of his late dad freezing inside the morgue more than two years after his demise and almost a year after the body was released to the family by the Ghanaian authorities.

He was said to have worked quietly to ensure that every matter stalling the funeral rites of his dad was resolved and his mortal remains committed to mother Earth.

Not a few would understand why Dumo had toed that path. As the Iniikeiroari V of Kalabari Kingdom, the late Lulu-Briggs was the paramount head of Oruwari House of Abonnema.

Before his passing, he had anointed his son, Dumo, as the next Iniikeiroari of the Lulu-Briggs family and head of the family in his absence.

According to a source, any gathering where the late Lulu-Briggs was, Dumo, traditionally always sat or stood by the right side of his dad which symbolizes the significance of his anointing as the next holder of that traditional title.

Late last year, Dumo officially got the heirloom of the Lulu-Briggs’ chieftaincy when he was announced as the new Iniikeroari - the paramount

Kolade

Ife, Oba Babatunde Adeyeye Ogunwusi, as the sole promoter of the annual Aje Festival (Festival

Lulu -Briggs

head of Oruwari House of Abonnema - and thus continues a legacy his late dad fought for and cherished all his life.

As the new leader of the family, his first major task was to ensure his father has a peaceful rest.

As part of efforts to give the deceased a befitting burial, the Rivers State government has also promised to accord the founder of Moni Pulo Limited, an indigenous oil exploration and production company that currently owns oil blocks in Ondo, Abia, and Akwa Ibom states with its flagship OML 114 producing 10,000 BPOD, a befitting burial.

of Wealth) in Ile-Ife, the cradle of the Yoruba race.

Ever since the coronation of Oba Ogunwusi in 2015, the affable businesswoman has shown unflinching support and loyalty to him in all ramifications.

For her commitment, the cosmopolitan businesswoman, it was gathered, will be bestowed with the highly coveted Yoruba title of ‘Iyaalaje’ during the forthcoming Aje Festival in Ile-Ife. A source disclosed to Society Watch that preparations are already in top gear, as the ancient city of Ife is set to welcome top political officials, captains of industries, and socialites, who will come in their large numbers to celebrate with the stylish philanthropist.

“The title coronation party will be a massive one. It will hold sometime in the first week of March 2021 after the annual Aje Festival in February. The title for Princess Toyin is like putting a round peg in a round hole. She is sparing no costs to fete all invited guests that day,” said the source.

Siju Iluyomade Lifts Souls on 57th Birthday privileged in this very challenging time cannot be more auspicious, considering that the foundation has donated ventilators, several medical equipment including protective suits, KN95 masks, infrared thermometers as well as foodstuffs to Isolation Centres in Lagos State.

Interestingly, in the build-up to her 57th birthday on January 8, 2021, the delectable lawyer of 36 years’ experience assisted and supported no fewer than 40,000 households and individuals.

In the last few weeks, Siju’s Arise Pink Bucket, which consisted of food items like rice, groundnut oil, tomato paste, among others, has taken over many parts of the state.

With over seven local government areas in Lagos State already benefited from the largesse, Siju continued the distribution of Arise food baskets in other councils in the state in commemoration of her

Iluyomade

How Billionaire’s wife, Rosemary Adebutu Died

Subair

The Kessington Adebutu clan did not bargain for such unpleasant New Year news. For Chief Mrs. Rosemary Adebutu, the amiable wife of billionaire lotto mogul, Odole Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu, she had hoped for a brilliant new year of 2021. Days ago, she was livelier and very upbeat until late Friday when she complained of common cold.

Family sources told Society Watch that the woman displayed nothing so severe as regular first aid treatment was applied and felt relaxed until early Saturday morning.

Adebutu

According to the source, Mrs. Adebutu later developed a severe cold and malaria symptom and was rushed to St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos where she was brought into the highbrow facility dead before any help could reach her.

The deceased is the mother of Adebutu’s pop ular daughter and former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s estranged daughter-in-law, Temitope Adebutu-Obasanjo.

The Edo State born socialite would have clocked 68 May, 2021.

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

10.01.2021

BASKING INTHE REMINISCENCES OF A BOHEMIAN’S LIFESTYLE Cover continued on Page 68 Aderinokun

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 ˾ JANUARY 10, 2021

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BASKING INTHE REMINISCENCES OF A BOHEMIAN’S LIFESTYLE Fond memories of Eddie Aderinokun swirl in the industry’s consciousness and continue to linger, like a benevolent spirit, even after his death on Sunday, January 3, was announced. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke writes

E

ven back in 1993, Eddie Aderinokun was already seeing the “Dark Days”. Whatever he had in mind, when he titled one of his poems – after which he also named an entire collection – “Dark Days Are Here”, certainly had nothing to do with a pandemic. Indeed, he could have found myriads of reasons back in those years to muse about gloominess. Little wonder aeroplanes, in that versified philosophical travelogue, “shun/ black-breasted tarmacs,” while “water-vessels snub rivers of shiny faces...”

Somehow, the poet – who was also a veteran journalist and a former sports administrator – never entirely vanished from the industry consciousness.

This remained the case even until he breathed his last after on Sunday, January 3 at 80.

Last year, about two months before he clocked that landmark age on Monday, July 13, he was devastated by the news of the sudden death of his youngest child and daughter Bisayo after an asthmatic attack.

That could have robbed him of whatever enthusiasm he might have had for a planned relaunch of his poetic feats by his friends on his 80th birthday.

That is apart from making him apathetic towards the celebration of the birthday itself.

Aderinokun Nonetheless, as one of his long-term associates and veteran journalist Tony Amadi recalled: “people had shown up from nowhere,” at his Wuse 2 residence in Abuja. Even the President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity Femi Adesina, sent in his tributes, which extolled his contributions to the Nigerian media and cultural space.

Talking about culture, Aderinokun’s contributions date back to the late 1960s when he put together a pop music group he called the Clusters in Lagos. Then, as a young journalist with Daily Express, his impact on publicising the genre in Nigeria was undeniable. “Without him, I don’t think the Nigerian pop music would have had the kind of meteoric rise against the backdrop of Afrobeat and highlife,” Amadi recalled. “Because of his publicity power, he devoted his paper to pop music. That was when he found me and gave me a column in Daily Express, a music column called Swing Spot.”

Here was what the Lagos culture scene used to be like back then: the influence of such British pop groups as the Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Cream was so evident, especially among the Nigerian well-heeled young trendies, that the Beatles-inspired haircut – called mop-top or ‘Arthur’ – used to be all the rage among them. As for the Rolling Stones devotees,

they favoured their idols’ spiky hairstyles.

To think Bobby Benson’s Caban Bamboo used to be the place to be for the Lagos revellers. And highlife still exuded charm among the local aficionados. Those heady days after the Nigerian Civil War saw Aderinokun headhunt the talented guitarist Berkley Jones Ike, died last year on Sunday, June 28, for the Clusters. He later joined forces with Tony Amadi, Linus Okechi and Jibade Thomas to create a pop promotional outfit that was credited with kickstarting a musical revolution, which culminated in the Nigerian pop-rock music gaining recognition in the UK and the US. The late octogenarian was no less celebrated for his over 60 years of robust journalism practice as well as for his many books, which included poetry collections. As a journalist, he had risen to become the editor of the renowned Daily Express, which then rivalled the Daily Times. Amadi recalls that Aderinokun’s creative headlines used to give the Daily Times a run for its money. He also became the national vice president of the Association of Nigerian Authors, which is known more often by its acronym ANA, and later a major benefactor of its Lagos chapter.

Since the deceased family, in a statement signed by his brother Chief Kayode Aderinokun, announced his passing, there has been an outpouring of grief and tributes in the social media platforms.

“Great minds in sports and literature met at Uncle Eddie’s residence in Surulere, Lagos as he straddled both professions,” Lookman Sanusi, one of the frontline ANA members, wrote on his Facebook wall. “We celebrated inspiring literary works including the creative offerings of people like Odia Ofeimun, Bunmi Oyinsan, the late Harry Garuba, Karen King-aribisala, Mobolaji Adenubi and so on. Uncle Eddie’s place was our place: we wine and dine, we plot [sic] and hatched ‘literary coups’.

Uncle Eddie’s place was both [a] classroom for critical minds and theatre where quintessential literary works were produced.

“Uncle Eddie played a significant part in the birth of ANA Lagos and the overall progress of ANA National. He was never one to clutch power at all cost even when he had the means. Uncle Eddie came, gave his all and left a big footprint.”

Similarly, another member of the literary community Muritala Sule wrote on his Facebook wall: “At some point in my journey, he was the one who housed me when I lost my accommodation and my family got torn apart because of that. It was at the famous No 9, Eric Moore Close, which was Eddie’s office and partial home, I found a warm welcome. It was a place to which many people of the Lagos literati and social élite flocked. That was because of Eddie’s ‘people spirit’. He was so generous - and naively so, too – that some people abused his kindness. But, he never stopped being welcoming.

"I helped run his business from that house for a while – editing and publishing one of his many books of poetry - and coordinated his 60th birthday anniversary in the Year 2000.

Other temporarily homeless big men and women, too, found warm beds at Eddie’s Eric Moore Close place. Travellers from out-of-town found lodging there, as well.

"For some people, the day was never complete till they’d visited 9, Eric Moore Close. Writers, authors, sportsmen and women – he was once the Chair of Nigerian Volleyball Association – culture advocates, musicians (it was there I met the great Laolu Akins for the first and only time), journalists (Eddie was the first President of the League of Veteran Journalists that deliberated on national issues and sent its report to the government), dancers, drummers, dramatists, all!”

Then, the culture activist collective the Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA), while commiserating with the Aderinokun family on his passing, described him as “an enigmatic and resourceful patron of the CORA and its projects”.

President Muhammadu Buhari, in his condolence message, lauded the fact that Aderinokun, as President of Nigeria League of Veteran Journalists, shared his wealth of experience, and guided younger professionals on the path of ethics and good conduct, and added that all these would be recorded in his favour by posterity.

Meanwhile, his funeral arrangements were yet to be announced by the family.

ART-ICLES

What 2021 Will Bring to Arts Scene Yinka Olatunbosun

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020 was such a lacklustre performance year for the cultural scene across the globe because of the Covid-19 protocols that placed restrictions on large gatherings and events. Art, by nature, is people-centred and many art event organisers were, at first, confused as to how to proceed with their projects. As a result, many projects were postponed till 2021. Unfortunately, many woke up on January 1, 2021 to the reality that Covid-19 pandemic is really far from over.

For the visual arts, the pandemic provided a theme and indeed great content for other creatives. Many paintings, sculptures, collages and drawings document the mask-defining moment in history in beautiful pieces that in reality contrast the doom that accompanies Covid-19 infections. Writers had found isolation to be quite rewarding for their career as they are able to devote more personal time to writing and sparing a few to engage with their readers online. The award-winning feminist writer, Chimamanda Adichie is a case in point in this regard. Her Instagram live sessions had helped to shed light on the world of her popular novels.

From mundane to serious issues, Adichie tackles questions in quick succession, however below

A mural by Arts in Medicine sound reasoning that some might sound.

For Professor Wole Soyinka, the release of his first novel in 48 years in 2020, titled Chronicles of the Happiest People on Earth, was no coincidence as this was followed by the release of the biographical novel

on the life of Chief Nike Okundaye, the founder of the popular Nike Arts Gallery, Lagos. Whilst the literary scene is bubbly at this perilous time in our history, one cannot say the same about music and live theatre shows. Many virtual music

concerts had emerged online to build resilience in music fans. Still the sudden surge in the cases of Covid-19 in December did a great disservice to music concert organisers who had born some measure of optimism for the end-of-the-year shows. Mass cancellations of shows were recorded.

Fast-forward to 2021, the arts scene seems quite bleak at the moment as many projects that had been rescheduled for 2021 are being reviewed in the light of the current pandemic. For instance, the opening of contemporary museum of arts in Lagos and Oyo State had been delayed for a while. But the Oyo Kingdom is determined to begin the museum of African women in history without funfare. This is likely going to be the trend in 2021. Very limited gatherings will be held and more organisers will begin to think digital in order to be able to sustain their brands and connect with the people.

There will be more music releases, collaborations and for now, it is very dicey as to how the 2021 Grammy Awards ceremony will be held. But it is very certain that the Recording Academy will honour the memory of music artists who had died as a result of Covid-19 and other health challenges.

The Recording Academy had done more than just to thrust plaques in the hands of artists; they had instituted a bill to provide for music artists and other cultural workers who had been largely affected by the Covid-19 restrictions. Have you ever thought of how tour organisers, tour managers, supporting staff and band members are coping without the performances, concerts and festivals?

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JANUARY 10, 2021

CICERO

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

IN THE ARENA

Presidency 2023: The Fog Thickens Ahead of a post-President Muhammadu Buhari tenure, unconstitutionalised ‘gentlemanly agreements’ on North-South rotational presidency template becomes foggier as different zones and chieftains stake their claims. Louis Achi looks at the key issues

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stute former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba is no political Spring chicken. So when a politician of his standing speaks on a key political issue like the rotational presidency, discerning observers pay close attention.

Last week, as a guest on ARISE TV News programme, Osoba told Nigerians that zoning “was factored into their (APC) discussions even though not clearly spelt in the constitution.” He made it clear he was at the APC merger talks that yielded the presidential ticket to Northern Nigeria in 2013 and eventually produced President Buhari and therefore should know.

Stoutly defending the right of his close ally and former Lagos governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to contest the 2023 presidential election, he painted a veiled picture of lack of seriousness on the part of South Easterners to clinch the number one position of Nigeria. Not one to beat about the bush, he proclaimed that nobody from the South Eastern part of Nigeria within the APC has approached him to seek his support for that coveted office.

According to Osoba, “I recall, I was very strong in the campaign of MKO Abiola in 1992. We went around the whole of the east. He and I went to see Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe in his house, CC Onoh, Mbakwe, we went around the whole of the east to lobby them that we are interested, nobody from the east has contacted me.”

Further according to him, “Part of the understanding in the case of rotation is a conventional understanding that the presidency will move between the North and the South. That was the reason we now allowed the chairman (of the party to come from the South).

“I don’t want to use the word zoning, because we definitely did not put zoning. We know it may go in conflict with the Nigerian constitution, which says anyone who is a Nigerian, who has read up to school certificate, can contest and at the age of 35, I think can contest for the presidency of the country.

“But there was a clear gentlemanly understanding that the northern part of the country will produce the president, when we did the merger in 2013 and the chairman of the party will then come from the South.”

Although Osoba’s position on North-South rotational presidential format reinforces Chief Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation’s stance and the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola’s and many other APC party chieftains significantly have different perspectives on the matter. Fashola even warned that it would be dangerous to abandon the agreement.

Recall that Zamfara State’s two-term governor, Sani Yerima, while proclaiming his desire to run for the presidency, denied the existence of an agreement to zone the ticket to the South in 2023. His footing is similar to that of a Kano State senator, Ibrahim Shekarau, who maintained that APC had no agreement to rotate the seat.

On his part, Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, in the last two years, has apparently taken inconsistent positions on the North-South zoning formula of the presidency. Most recently in November

Yobe State Governor and APC National Chairman, Mai Mala Buni last year, Governor El-Rufai proclaimed what seemed a position to his earlier singsong for a Southern presidential candidate in 2023.

Curiously, he based his fresh logic on the imperative to solve the nation’s festering economic woes and electing competent leaders. Hear him: “Zoning in political parties cannot solve the economic problems we are facing. Selecting the best person to get the job done will benefit everyone.” The Greek double-faced deity Janus can hardly sire more creative whelps than these.

There is more.

Mallam Mamman Daura, the influential nephew of President Muhammadu Buhari said last year, in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, that there was no need for zoning the presidential ticket to any part of the country, holding that Nigeria’s political space should be left open for the best candidate to emerge as president. His position shored up suspicions that some elements from the North were perfecting plans to retain the presidency after Buhari’s second tenure lapses in 2003.

Besides reactions from the major socio-political organisations, key stakeholders also took different positions on Daura’s controversial statement. The

Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), also claimed that the issue of rotational presidency is not a constitutional matter but only adopted by political parties for their own convenience.

“The Nigerian constitution does not make provision for rotational presidency; it is done at the convenience of political parties and not a constitutional practice.

There is nowhere in the Nigerian constitution, where there is provision for rotation,” the body said.

For many observers, the unfolding drama holds a powerful message for the South East region, which has not had a shot at the presidency. The region must step up its template of engagement with the Nigerian state to achieve its legitimate dream of tenancy in Aso Rock.

Looking at the big picture, zoning remains, for now, a pragmatic template to assure contending forces in the Nigerian polity, who interpreted the nullification of June 12 presidential election widely acclaimed to have been won by Chief MKO Abiola, as a Northern agenda rather than junta politics.

Since the country returned to civil rule in 1999, under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the presidential office had been rotating between the Northern and Southern regions of the country. Will this template change under the APC? Foggy big question!

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

Soyinka’s Familiar Bluntness

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Soyinka

obel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka relived his vintage self, last week, when he declined commenting on President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and also refused to acknowledge there was a government in place at all.

Soyinka had responded to a question on his take on the Buhari government, even while onboard one of the administration’s trains to Abeokuta from Lagos.

For him, such notwithstanding, there

was nothing to talk about if his sanity ever meant anything to him.

Not unexpectedly, some supporters of the government and those gainfully engaged by the administration took exception to Soyinka’s verdict and had gone ahead to take a swipe at the old man. The truth, however, is that not only was Soyinka’s bluntness familiar, his submission was equally public knowledge and incontrovertible.

The joke, as it were, was on Buhari and his avalanche of supporters. And no matter whose ox is gored, truth is constant.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JANUARY 10, 2021

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BRIEFINGNOTES Revisiting the Offa Robbery The latest statement from some of the suspects arrested in connection with the April 5, 2018 Offa robbery, that they were tortured by men of the disbanded Special Anti-robbery Squad to implicate former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has not only opened a new narrative on the issue, but vindicated those who saw the true picture a long time ago, writes Shola Oyeyipo

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fter several months of dragging his name in the mud as part of the sinister plans to remove him as Senate President and seize his political base of Kwara State, facts emerging from the retired Justice Tunde Garba-led Kwara State Judicial Panel of Enquiry investigating Police Brutality, are beginning to exonerate Dr. Bukola Saraki of alleged involvement in the April 5, 2018, Offa Bank robbery, which claimed 33 lives, many of whom were police officers.

In the thick of the animosity against Saraki by the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders, after he attained the Senate presidency without their support and approval, the former Ibrahim Idris-led police at that time had alleged that in their confessions, the five gang leaders arrested in connection with the mindless bank robberies indicted Saraki and his successor as governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed.

According to the police, the robbery perpetrators volunteered statements that they were political thugs to Saraki and Ahmed, but since that time, the immediate past Senate President told members of the public to disregard the claims as baseless. He said it was a ploy by the Police to implicate him by all means possible. He also maintained that his alleged false assets declaration trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal was politically motivated.

Ahmed, on his part, also dismissed the allegations and noted that the state could not be held responsible for the behaviour of youths, who opted to embark on negative acts.

But last Wednesday, when some of the suspects appeared before the panel, the duo of Kehinde Gobir and Shuaib Jawando, alleged that SARS personnel forced them to lie against Saraki by saying he bought guns for them. The duo’s latest narrative was that police accused them of collecting guns from Saraki, and made it stick as though it was the truth Gobir and Jawando maintained that they were not used

by Saraki for criminal activities as alleged, but that they were tortured and went through inhuman conditions in both Ilorin and Abuja police detentions hence they implicated him.

For many of Saraki’s supporters and admirers, it was rather easier to agree with him that the President Muhammadu Buhari government deployed every arsenal at its disposal to get rid of him. They couldn’t bear his return to the Senate, because he had firm control of the National Assembly and his actions of holding the government accountable to the people were considered an affront to the APC government and the Buhari leadership.

From 2015 till Saraki eventually announced that he was leaving the ruling party on Tuesday, July 31, 2018, it was a tempestuous relationship between him and the APC leadership, hence Buhari’s social media aide, Lauretta Onochie released the 22 sins Saraki committed against the government on her Facebook page in reaction to his claim that Buhari’s anti-corruption war was being used as a weapon to silence any form of dissent and that every dissent from the legislature was framed as an affront on the executive or as part of an agenda to undermine the government.

Saraki, however, underscored his angst against the government by noting that, “All governance principles which were required for healthy functioning of the party and the government were deliberately violated or under-

Former IGP, Ibrahim Idris mined. And all entreaties for justice, equity and fairness as basic precondition for peace and unity, not only within the party, but also the country at large, were simply ignored, or employed as additional pretext for further exclusion.”

Onochie, on the other hand, listed Sarakin’s sin to include the non-confirmation of Ibrahim Magu as the EFCC Chairman, giving preference to PDP members in committee appointments in the Senate, delay in the confirmation of the boards for AMCON, CBN, NERC, NSADA, ICPC, among others, giving the Deputy Senate President to the opposition party, placing roadblocks to the actualisation of government’s promises to Nigerians and constituting a clog in the wheel of progress of the development of the country.

Other allegations against him were that he joined forces with the opposition to ridicule President Buhari’s fight against corruption, stole money from the APC Campaign during the presidential campaign in 2015 and starved the campaign council of funds, maintains a relationship with a gang of armed robbers, who have been notorious for disturbing the peace of the good people of Kwara State and that he rallied corrupt elements to buy his Senate Presidency seat against the wishes of the Party.

He was also alleged to have induced Senators with $100, 000 each to suffocate Buhari’s government in the Senate, delaying of 2016, 2017 and 2018 budgets, budget padding and inserting 391 projects into budget of only two agencies, shutting down the National Assembly and personalising the National Assembly affairs, refusal to entertain the virement for the funding of critical MDA’s, frustrating the fight against corruption and promoting laws that served personal interest like the Bill on re-ordering the sequence of elections.

Also, he was alleged of inserting fictitious amounts into the budget to be diverted in the name of constituency projects, suspension of senators with divergent opinions from his, refusal to approve loans for infrastructure development of the country, using the Senate for personal vendetta, undermining the government for three years

and endorsing frivolous motions to unjustly attack the president and the government.

In Africa, Nigeria in particular, where governments at all levels are ‘infallible’ and extremely powerful, Saraki’s sins were ‘too much.’ That he survived three years before he was prevented from returning to the Senate through campaigns of calumny after he dumped the APC, returned to his old party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and retained the Senate presidency, also showed that he was politically smart. He was simply like a proverbial dog that had to be called a bad name in order to hang it.

Not only did the false asset declaration case brought against him at the CCT fail, there were also occasions when the integrity of the police was questioned over the Offa robbery case. One of such was the suspicion that surrounded the circumstances that led to the death of the principal suspect, 30-year-old Michael Adikwu.

Nobody could say what led to his death. Was he deliberately killed? If yes, why? If not, did he die a natural death or did the suspect lose his life under torture? Was he sick or was there a ploy to cover up something by the police?

At the time of Adikwu’s death, Saraki had raised the alarm that the suspect was dead, but at that time, the police told the Attorney General of Kwara State through the Police Public Relations Officer, Moshood Jimoh, that he was alive in their custody and helping with investigations.

It took the police so long to disclose the death of the principal suspect after denying it. This gave rise to the conspiracy theory of possible cover-up of what could have been an extra-judicial killing aimed at rubbishing Saraki’s political pedigree.

As far as the Offa robbery is concerned, the feeling in Saraki’s camp is that no matter how far and fast lie might have travelled, the truth will definitely catch up with it as soon as it takes off. So, Saraki and his supporters are not just unperturbed by the allegations, they are confident that one day, the entire truth would be told and that those involved in the cover-up would all be named and shamed.

NOTES FOR FILE

COVID-19’s Notorious Second Wave

Boss Mustapha, SGF and PTF chair

How some Nigerians still go about their normal businesses as though all the campaigns about the Covid-19 pandemic was made up confound a lot others, who had either been exposed to the virus or knew people who had it or had even lost some of their loved ones to the virus.

Unfortunately, Nigerians’ recalcitrance is being exhibited at a time the second wave of the virus isn’t just lethal, but inexplicably notorious,

with a mutation period that claims its victims faster than any other disease known to mankind in recent history.

Quite frankly, the choice to life and death is essentially personal.

Even when the anti Covid-19 campaigns are as famous as with those indifferent to it, wisdom is clearly profitable in the current circumstance. The tendency to be reckless and utterly irresponsible comes with its consequences and the brunt

would be shouldered alone.

The second wave of Covid-19 is real and deadlier. Interestingly, government is not asking for too much. It’s just asking everyone to be responsible in order to keep others safe. Compliance with the protocols isn’t a big deal, albeit for those who desire to live and see the end of the virus. Let everyone be guided. Life hasn’t got a duplicate, even if affordable.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JANUARY 10, 2021

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CICERO/TRIBUTE

Tambuwal: A Pragmatic Unifier in Times of a National Dilemma Paul Obi

“A pragmatist turns away...from abstraction and insufficiency, from verbal solutions and from bad a priori reasons; from fixed principles, closed systems, and pretended absolutes and origins. He turns towards concreteness and adequacy; towards facts, towards action and towards power.”

–––William James

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o assess the viability of a democracy and its survival; start by measuring the number of political elites who oppose undemocratic policies. Then, x-ray the quality of debate within the civil space, specifically in times of a national crisis. Within that scope, it’s been a dicey situation for Nigeria. Since 2015, Nigeria’s continuous slide to monumental crisis has known no bound. Like a malicious orchestra, Nigeria’s prospects have turned 360° clockwise, from vibrancy to a national ailment. Deep at what ails Nigeria the most is the increasing spate of disunity, insecurity, hunger and clear abdication of leadership at the highest level - including the oval office. In this season of anomie, voices of truth, peace, reason and foresight have also lost their traction in the ensuing political nadir that have occasioned the present administration.

Ensnared by the politics of deep state Nigeria has been thrown into for more than four decades, political elites very often maintained table manners at the detriment of national unity and progress. It is in this very setting that Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has created a different niche rather resorting to hold the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration accountable to the true tenets of democracy. And the need to live up to the responsibility of protection of lives and property as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended. Of a truth, a democracy without dissenting voices loses the vibe that makes it thick. The absence of dissenting thoughts breath and emboldened authoritarian regimes. It is not a mean feat therefore for the Tambuwals of this world to choose to battle Buhari’s Presidency with truth. Recent attacks targeted at Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, His Lordship, Mathew Hassan Kukah bears witness to the criminalization of truths and facts - even on Buhari’s infectious policy of nepotism.

To cap it all, the sincere lampooning of the federal government’s abysmal performance on security by the trio of the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Sa’ad Abubakar III, Kukah and Tambuwal is the climax of the demystification of Buhari’s messianic presidential capacity. Strategically, all three - deriving their powers from the Caliphate; their measured intervention in the polity and their guts and sack to speak truth to power has come out handy.

For Tambuwal, beyond being the Chairman of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, Waziri’s resolve to give voice to the helpless resonates with many Nigerians trapped in the present national crisis of monumental proportions.

And as the political leader of Sokoto State, situated in the Seat of the Caliphate, it will ordinarily smack of political self-immolation to speak truth to power and confront Buhari, whose cult-like followership in the North has remained obstinate even in the midst of this present crisis. Tambuwal’s zeal to constantly engage the Buhari’s administration, specifically on its betrayal of the Nigerian mandate underscores his pragmatism. This task in all accounts, accounts for Tambuwal’s sincere political leaning, which is now seen as his magnum opus politically.

Yet, in times of overwhelming distrust within the Nigerian civil space, Tambuwal has continued to provide a poignant look at the potential pathways upon which Nigerian citizens could be engaged constructively. He has led both in the national discourse on how to retool Nigeria for the better and the need to hold forth democracy in the true sense of it. With helpful insights, the former Speaker has relentlessly explored avenues for national unity - sort of some damage control from the current orgy of spoilt-rotten nepotism that has regrettably been elevated to state craft by Buhari’s Presidency. Even in terms of challenging personal trial - like coming in contact with a Covid-19 patient, Tambuwal’s speed to handover power to his deputy, Munir Muhammad Dan Iya, with utmost clarity and equanimity remains legendary.

On restructuring, Tambuwal has remained one of the fierce proponents among Northern Governors Forum for devolution of powers to the respective

Tambuwal federating units. His argument lies on the urgency to dismantle the current malady of Nigeria’s feeding bottle democracy - that practice unitary government on one and turn round to preach federalism. Unlike other pseudo-political activists, Tambuwal has been frontal in his support for restructuring in line with the participation and buy-in from the National Assembly.

The Governor also understands the imperative of reducing the ominous Exclusive List and expansion of the Concurrent List, to quote him, “for the importance of sub-national development” agenda. He has argued passionately that the stripping of powers of the states by the 1999 Constitution as amended in critical areas such as electricity, transport, policing, railway, resources management has continued to inhibit development across the country. Despite this clamour for restructuring, as a pragmatist, Tambuwal has insisted on the sanctity of the constitution as the benchmark and roadmap upon which restructuring and devolution of powers could be achieved. He is basically not given to the verbal remedies that suggest a new constitution without recourse to the National Assembly and the 1999 Constitution as amended.

On #EndSARS and participatory politics, Tambuwal has not minced words, in calling the Nigerian state and its elite to action in the midst of the prevailing widespread angst by the Nigerian youths against the state. According to him, the #EndSARS Protest is a ‘wake-up call’ for Nigerian leaders to brace up and meet the yearnings of the populace or faced the consequences of inaction in addressing real issues of governance. Irked by the misgovernance that has continued to frustrate the Nigerian youth, Tambuwal has chosen to side with the youths rather than dwell within the cozy confines of the Nigerian ruling elite.

Incensed by the continuous collapse of human capital development, the Sokoto Governor went further to recommend that more strategic roles should be given to the Nigerian youths, by way of expanding the scope and reach of participatory politics. To this end, he called on the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Budget Office and National Assembly to go beyond ‘closed doors’ mentality to organizing town halls for the youths to participate fully in the national budget processes.

As Nigeria is plagued by more killing fields by Boko Haram terrorists in the North East, banditry and kidnapping in the North West and other increasing criminal gangs around the country, Tambuwal, has even to his own political risk, tasked the Buhari’s government on the need to reorganize the nation’s security system. Not done, he has demanded for the sacking of the service chiefs in the midst of a gloomy performance and inability to tame the monster of insecurity. Sokoto, being a victim of banditry both from within and neighbouring countries, the governor had to meet President Buhari to make a case for more proactive measures in curtailing insecurity in the country.

But in all his political adventures, it’s Tambuwal’s quest for peace, unity, oneness and a united Nigeria that has come to define his place within the Nigerian nation state. With all intents and purposes, Tambuwal understands the consequences of the social dislocation Buhari’s stinking nepotism and 97/5% politics of tribalism would have on a united Nigeria. Hence, his zeal to constantly extend a hand of fellowship across the Niger for the sake of peace and unity. And as Buhari entrench nepotism the more, and Nigeria becomes more drenched in an unprecedented North - South divide, Tambuwal has risen to the occasion as the unifier and bridge-builder, stretching the olive branch with great pomp and applause. In the South South, Tambuwal has found a trusted ally in Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike; in the South East, he has former Deputy Speaker and former Governor of Imo State, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha (Omenkeahuruanya) and in the South West, he has Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde. The aim of this political romance is not just for mere friendship and comradeship, but that Nigeria may survive post-Buhari. In this zero-sum game that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has regrettably brought Nigeria into, these are the young Turks for Nigeria’s unity and indivisibility. In the midst of this national dilemma, where the constituent regions are even angling for separate empires, Tambuwal’s peace initiative remains a beacon of hope for Nigeria’s future.

Conversely, notwithstanding his national pedigree and political pursuits, it’s the political economy outcomes from Sokoto State that will count for or against Tambuwal. As popular and strategic as Sokoto is, data from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) have not been favourable. Granted, the state government may have issues with NBS on how such data are collated, yet, there is need to explore more avenues to re-write the poor statistical data emanating from Sokoto State.

For instance, in the 2019 Poverty and Inequality Index Report, a survey spearheaded by the NBS and World Bank through the Nigerian Standard of Living Survey (NSLS), Sokoto alongside Taraba and Jigawa State were ranked the poorest in Nigeria.

Instructively, the Sokoto State government under Tambuwal has an economic plan to fight poverty to a standstill in the state. It’s in that light that the Sokoto Development Plan (2020 - 2025) and the Zakkat and Waq Commission (SOZECOM) ought to be given more vibes in order to confront poverty fiercely in the state. As a pragmatist that he is, Tambuwal should go beyond the periphery and reach out to experts well equipped in the business of fighting poverty to assist the state. The cash transfer and business support policies of the state targeted at the poor should be intensified and expanded as well. The government should also expedite action in education and healthcare service delivery. Whenever government is able to take the burden of access to quality education and healthcare from low income households and earners, chances are that poverty would have been stemmed out half way. These are the very daunting tasks lying in wait for Tambuwal in order to make or betray history.

Born on 10th January, 1966 in Tambuwal, Sokoto State. He attended Tambuwal Primary School, Tambuwal; Teachers’ College, Dogon-Daji; Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto. He also obtained certificates from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University in Infrastructure in Market Economy in the United States among other certifications and training.

He is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). He turns 54 today.

And as he navigates his path politically and nationally, a lot still lies ahead for Tambuwal. Nothing is certain; some tongues have been wagging whether Tambuwal has his eyes fixated on the Presidency.

Some have even adduced that the clamour for power shift to the South, specifically the South East may halt his ambition. Yet, much lies in wait for Tambuwal. But whenever historians would flip on his pages and political trajectories, Tambuwal will be remembered as a symbol of unity in times of Nigeria’s greatest national dilemma - a dilemma that’s even edging towards a national hara-kiri. He will likewise be remembered as a politician whose corporate mantra was the pursuit of truth even to his own political harm. He will be adjudged as an empire and a pragmatic prince from the caliphate who rejected trifles and the paraphernalia of the palace in defence of the masses. Happy Birthday Matawallen Sokoto, Ka Tazarche!

––Obi, is a journalist and political communication consultant based in Abuja.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JANUARY 10, 2021

72

CICERO/TRIBUTE

Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim

I

arrived Sam’s house at 4.10 pm on Friday, 4th December 2020 for a scheduled meeting. The meeting was to start at 4.00 pm so I was not surprised when I found Alh Bashir Othman Tofa, a stickler for keeping time who came in for the meeting from Kano, already there. By 4.30 pm everyone in attendance was seated. Sam had hosted these meetings virtually every quarter, without fail, for nearly six years. The meeting went fine, as usual - the deep and impassioned discussions about how to make Nigeria better, the banter, the meal, the frustrations. There was nothing to suggest this was going to be my last encounter with the man I had come to consider my non biological brother.

I met Sam through a mutual friend, late Salihijo Ahmad, the indefatigable director and professional face of the consultancy firm, Afri-Projects Consortium. My first encounter with Sam defined the nature of our relationship over the next 25 years, beginning with the silent and frustrating struggle to convince Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) to join politics and run for President based on his track record in public office up to that point. For a full year, we tried and failed. During one of our unsuccessful pitches, the general had expressed his total dislike for politics and politicians. He told us, with a tinge of bitterness, how he watched a former governor of Kano State during the Second Republic insult Mallam Aminu Kano on national television. He was not going to be part of a community of unprincipled opportunist. Years down the line, the general capitulated and Sam played a key and visible role in his political career.

Eventually, Sam and I discovered we had another passion in common - the media. This discovery came through another struggle to convince another retired general, Olusegun Obasanjo, to join politics and run for President. Soon after the government of General Abdussalami Abubakar declared amnesty for Obasanjo and, later, announced his release from prison we determined, if we could not get Buhari to run for President, we could try our luck with Obasanjo, who had suddenly and unexpectedly become available. As Head of State, Obasanjo had an impressive track record. We were also of the firm conviction the international network he had painstakingly forged since leaving office and his experience in prison had prepared him further for the job. Nigeria had been through difficult times with the international community during late General Abacha’s five years in office and was just emerging from a pariah State status.

To pursue our Obasanjo-for-President agenda, we created a shadowy group, The New Millennium Collective, and saturated the public space with newspaper advertorials calling on Obasanjo to, once again, offer himself for national service. We placed one advertorial after another, every other week, in three strategically selected newspapers. Sam and I took turns writing the text of those advertorials while the two other members of the group would sit with us to tone down the rhetoric. Our media offensive was so effective Obasanjo had to, at one point, address the press to disown the group. He was right. Other than members of the Collective and our advert placement agent, no one else knew, until now, who was sponsoring those advertorials. With Sam’s departure, all members of the group, except this writer, are now no longer alive. The other two members, Salihijo Ahmed and Usman Gidado, passed on in 1999 and 2000 respectively.

It will come as a shock to many that Sam had canvassed for Obasanjo to be President of Nigeria, particularly considering he built his career as a columnist tearing former President Obasanjo and his government apart. Sam threw himself to a cause without minding the consequences, once he was convinced it was the right thing to do. He believed in Obasanjo’s capacity to turn Nigeria around and did what he could to make it happen.

Once he became deeply disappointed early in the life of the administration, because of what he perceived as Obasanjo’s sectional and prebendal politics, no one doubted where he stood at that point. He did not approve of my accepting the offer to be President Obasanjo’s Special Assistant but he did not make much fuss about it either. He told me he trusted my judgement but I suspected he was just being polite.

Our Obasanjo-for-President campaign led Sam and I to start a media business. We incorporated a company, Blueprints Consortium, with Sam as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer and I as Executive Director/Editor-in-Chief. Sam was to run the business side while I was to run the practice side. Both Salihijo Ahmad and Usman Gidado became shareholders, with the latter doubling as Director. We made the late Abba Kyari, who was then Managing Director of United Bank for Africa, Chairman of the Board of Directors. Abba Kyari was to later become Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari until he passed on in May last year.

We flew in and engaged the services of Mr. Gertings a Briton and veteran of the newspaper business, who had earlier set up Nation House Press and The Sentinel newspaper in Kaduna, to recruit the production staff and help set up the production line. His mandate was to create a system whereby we could produce the newspapers centrally with 75% national and 25% local content while printing simultaneously in six different cities across Nigeria - without owning a press. We employed the late Jibril Bala Mohammed, a professor of Mass Communication from University of Maiduguri, to lead our recruitment drive on the journalism side and train the new staff on the lofty ethics

Nda-Isaiah of journalism. His mandate was to recruit only fresh hands without direct experience in the Nigerian media industry. We also employed an IT consultant, Musa Chadi, to design and set up the IT infrastructure. We set out to build an ambitious media business starting with a newsletter, then a group of newspapers and later networks of radio, terrestrial and satellite television, in that order. Sam and big ideas were inseparable.

Blueprints Consortium started fairly well, with a subscriptiononly newsletter. Blueprint Confidential was launched into the market early in 1999 with a promise to deliver unmatched, in-depth local analyses and privileged ‘intelligence-grade’ information about Nigeria. We promoted it aggressively using, mostly, privileged personal contacts and channels. We also ran adverts in the international media, including Financial Times and The Economist. CNN International ran it three times a day, for two weeks. Before long, we had reputable financial institutions, state governments, embassies, international organizations such as Africa Development Bank, World Bank, European Union and highly influential individuals among our subscribers.

However, just as we were riding high on the euphoria of our success, tragedy struck. We lost two of our shareholders to the cold hand of death within roughly six months of each other. It would not have been so devastating if they were just our shareholders. In the end, it was a devastating blow from which our ambitious project never recovered. With the benefit of hindsight, we could have handled the tragedy much better than we did. I felt gratified watching Sam put in so much effort to build Leadership using practically the same model. I would often share my personal views with him on how to make the Leadership stable better. I once called and brought his attention to a spelling error in a headline. The word ‘disease’ was spelt as ‘desease’. He promised to make the sub-editor pay with 50% of his salary. He was such a hard taskmaster.

Sometime in 2011 after the general elections, Alhaji Sule Hamma, former Director-General of The Buhari Organization and coordinator of Buhari’s presidential campaign in three consecutive elections and I had a discussion about Sam, his patriotism, his passion and the fact that he was never beholden to sentiment or prejudice of the usual Nigerian variety. As Nupe, Sam never saw himself as a minority like most others do; as Christian, most of Sam’s closest friends and associates were Muslim; he obtained his undergraduate degree, not in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria but in University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University. Sam was intelligent, a goal-getter, reliable and trustworthy. We wondered why Sam could not be groomed for a major political role in Nigeria’s future. I remember the discussion took place over lunch on a Friday because, as long as we were both in town, Alh Sule Hamma and I had lunch every Friday since I became his neighbour in 1999, a tradition we kept alive now for 21 years.

The following Friday while I was at Alhaji Sule Hamma’s house, Mallam Abba Kyari came visiting at about 4.30 pm and met us discussing Sam. It was on this day the three of us decided to promote Sam’s profile and push his political career as far as was practically possible, without him knowing, and see how far we could go with our new product. We tasked Mallam Abba Kyari to link up with and draft other critical stakeholders, such

as Sam’s benefactor, General T.Y. Danjuma, Mallam Adamu Ciroma, General Aliyu Gusau, Mallam Mamman Daura, etc.

Essentially, we made Sam a political project behind his back and made Mallam Abba Kyari project coordinator. We did not set out to make Sam the President of Nigeria because we had no such power but we thought, with some push and the buy-in of critical stakeholders, Sam would go far and, eventually, be an asset to Nigeria.

The first opportunity to unveil our product came on Sam’s 50th Birthday. Mallam Abba Kyari went to work and put the event together. A number of Nigeria’s top political leaders were there. If I recall correctly, there were three former military Heads of State on the high table - Generals Buhari, Babangida and Abdussalaami Abubakar. There were also other leading politicians from all the nooks and crannies of Nigerian. I don’t recall if Abba Kyari spoke at the occasion but I was given 10 minutes to address the gathering. When Sam’s turn to speak came, he broke down in tears barely two minutes into his address. It was shortly after Sam attempted to run for President in 2015 that I took it upon myself to visit him in his office and inform him of the project. I told him he threw his hat into the ring too early.

I noticed moisture building up in his eyes as he admitted he had always suspected someone, somewhere, was giving his political career a nudge.

On 26th September this year Sam and I set out from Abuja to Kaduna by road early in the morning to attend an usual meeting. Our convey comprised of members of the group we named Friends of Democracy. The Southern Kaduna crisis had boiled over with Muslims and Christians in the area resuming hostilities, often involving arson and loss of life. The FoD, for short, perceived a breakdown of trust between a section of the community in the area on the one hand and the state and federal authorities on the other. After months of silent and painstaking diplomacy, the two adversaries agreed to submit themselves to mediation and possible reconciliation to be facilitated by Friends of Democracy. This trip in particular was to attend the second meeting as both Sam and I had missed the first meeting. When Sam’s time came to speak at the occasion, he came down hard on both sides but he came down harder on the Christian community. On our way back, he was the one who told the driver to find a suitable place and park to enable me say my early evening prayer. I was trying not to expose us to the risk of possible kidnapping but vintage Sam did not care.

I said this before in a separate tribute but I believe it bears repeating. Sam was courageous and never took the easy way out. He was generous, reliable and the closest you could find to a total and unapologetic Nigerian. Sam was a ferocious reader.

That was probably why he wrote so well for a scientist. He believed Nigeria deserves better and went to great length to put forward an alternative vision of Nigeria through his writings and activism. He spared no one and was afraid of no power when it came to articulating his vision and to defending what he perceived as the best interest of Nigeria. His last published masterpiece, a scathing Leadership editorial titled CNN Don’t Mess With Nigeria, was a case in point. Sam was by no means perfect but he was the type of imperfect Nigeria needs badly at this point in its miserable existence. I will miss you badly Sam. –––Ibrahim writes from Abuja.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JANUARY 10, 2021

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INTERVIEW

JACKSON OJO

What Buhari, APC Should Do Before Trouble Erupts in Niger Delta Jackson Lekan Ojo, a member of International Security Association Switzerland and a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, bares his mind on security concerns in Nigeria and sundry issues in this interview with Yinka Kolawole. Excerpts:

A

s a security expert familiar with politics in the NDDC, what do you think about the interim management put in place by President Muhammadu Buhari?

Nigerians are already clamouring for substantive management for the NDDC but recently President Muhammadu Buhari appointed another interim management headed by Mr. Effiong Okon Akwa as an interim administrator, who was until his recent appointment NDDC’s acting executive director of finance and administration.

Well, Akwa’s appointment was as a result of the corruption allegations against the former interim management committee put in place last February and led by Prof. Kemebradio Kumo Daniel Pondei. You know that Pondei emerged NDDC’s helmsman shortly after the acting Managing Director, Mrs. Jol Nunieh, was sacked in a controversial manner.

However, before now names were forwarded to the National Assembly for substantive management, but the government later appointed an interim management. Well, I want to believe that if the substantive management is put in place now, the forensic audit that is ongoing will be jeopardized.

As people are protesting for the substantive management in the area, the Niger Delta people are also clamouring for the same but people should realize that Akwa that was appointed had relationship with the minister and Niger Delta. I want to believe that all this is a political game, which is already playing out because of the replacement from Akpabio’s area.

Did the minister have the power to appoint the NDDC management?

As a security expert, I want to say categorically that the minister has no power to appoint anybody on the NDDC management committee but the president of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari, has that power to do so. Also, if the sole administrator was appointed from Bayelsa, there may not be any noise form any quarter.

What is your reaction to the incessant kidnapping and increased terror attacks in the country?

Security should be the business of everybody. What people don’t know is that security matter should be handled carefully, when you provided security on the radio, newspaper or television, it’s no security at all.

I think there must be a security summit, where traditional rulers, religious leaders, politicians, and opinion leaders would meet and proffer solutions to it. Also, there’s a need for recruitment of more men into the army. It’s permissible by law to invite retired military officers to assist in tackling the problem because of their experience, but it will be on contract basis.

Equally, I want to believe that allowances and salaries of military personnel should be paid promptly to serve as motivation to them.

On sexual abuse, there is no value system anywhere again.

Nobody is following culture and tradition again and the situation in which women dress half naked on the street is too bad. Men and women are iron and magnet when iron meets with magnet, it will meet. That is the situation for now.

Recently, the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers said they would not allow NDDC to defend the budget for 2021, whereas 2020 is ending soon, NDDC has no budget.

What do you think?

This should not be allowed to continue. If the people listened to them and there is no budget for 2021, that will be 24 months of no budget in Niger Delta and at the end of the day, if the people of no budget in Niger Delta start agitating, we will have problems on our hands.

Two days of the Avengers coming out in the Niger Delta, Nigeria will feel it more than two months of what we saw in Lagos recently during the #EndSARS protests. I have been a voice for the country by the special grace of God. I am a chieftain of APC but most of the times, when I talk some people ask me if I am still a member of the party. What is wrong is wrong. I am not being sponsored by anybody and I can tell you that no one is bankrolling me.

Do you have an idea of who could be behind these issues? Why would people push for their own budget defence to be put on hold?

In security as in journalism, there are some pieces of information you have, if you divulge that, there will be problems. Yes, I know that the defunct Niger Delta Avengers has some very educated members, who were highly exposed.

Ojo There are some figures at the federal level that are behind this, pushing these boys to heat up the tension in the Niger Delta. If Niger Delta has lost 12 months budget and they are still clamouring for another 12 months just because there is somebody somewhere that said it could no longer be business as usual, there is a problem.

NDDC is an intervention agency but this is an agency, whereby some persons are taking contracts running into billions and they never know the contract site and they will be paid 100 percent, whereas some people borrowed money from the bank and have completed their contracts for the past 10 years and they have not been paid. This is because they don’t belong to the right clique.

The powerful ones will collect contracts, they will collect the 100 percent because they see themselves as untouchable and they will not do the contract. And Akpabio has come and said no it cannot be business as usual.

He is saying let me replicate what I did in my state for eight years since the opportunity has been given to me as a minster of Niger Delta Affairs. Akpabio is saying if 10 kobo is budgeted for this place, we must spend it judiciously. This is why they are not happy with him. He pushed for the forensic audit of the place and Mr. Akpabio stepped on toes.

We must be careful because if oil production stops in the Niger Delta, the economy of this country will be grounded and when it is grounded, it will affect the entire Africa. Some powerful figures are behind the demand by the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers that Akpabio should not be allowed to defend NDDC’s 2021 budget until substantive board of the agency is inaugurated.

They are clearly trying to frustrate the minister but, in the end, the Niger Delta as a whole will suffer for it. What they should have been doing is calling for increment in the budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the NDDC, not pushing for the budget to be put on hold. The question to ask here is what are the senators of the nine states of the Niger Delta doing in the senate?

They are not representing their people. What are their House of Representatives’ counterparts doing? Can’t these people speak with one voice with high volume and support the minister so that the budget can be made to run in the interest of all? So, I advise the father figures that are pushing these boys to stop.

What is APC doing about this?

Let me be bold to tell the world that it does not mean that Adams Oshiomhole offended the entire party but Oshiomhole offended some persons within the party, because they saw him protecting the interest of a particular person. That was why he lost out. The removal of Oshiomhole brought about the defeat of the party in Edo State.

Who is in charge of the party today? We have only one leader, Mr. President, and don’t forget Mr. President is a person but the presidency is an institution. So, APC has nothing to do today, what matters most is the people of Niger Delta that are bearing the consequences. They need to come together, all the governors of the Niger Delta regardless of their political affiliations.

If you look at it, there is no governor today in the Niger Delta that belongs to the ruling party. So, instead of them to come together to back up the issue of Niger Delta, they are not doing that because they think Akpabio will take the glory.

Some of the senators representing the nine states of Niger Delta today are PDP. So, when APC senators from Niger Delta raise an issue – a developmental issue – PDP senators will not support the same. This is wrong. They need some level of political understanding.

Are you not worried that the militants may go back to the creeks if nothing is done to meet their demands?

Can’t your party leadership intervene?

If you are talking about APC or the leaders in the Niger Delta concerning this matter, it will not yield any position result. Today, the APC caucus in Niger Delta is not together.

They speak from different points of view.

But I want to tell you clearly, the Niger Delta Avengers are not illiterates and they are not demonic. Some of them are Christians while others are Muslims. They need to be talked to and I am sure they will see reasons to back out eventually.

Before the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum, I believe something positive will happen. What we must do is for the leaders of the Niger Delta to rally round Akpabio and once this happens, the boys will toe the path of peace.

These things are happening because some people just believe that they must enrich themselves while giving out stipends to the boys. This is not going to work. What happened recently in Lagos is a tip of the iceberg. We should not pray something like that erupt in the Niger Delta. We won’t be able to recover from it for many years.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ 10 , 2021

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GAVEL

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

A Controversial Public Works Scheme Commences

Despite resolutions by the National Assembly halting the implementation of the 774,000 special works job programme, the federal government has commenced the recruitment exercise in earnest, writes Udora Orizu

T

he federal government, last week, ignored attempts by the National Assembly to halt the takeoff of the 774,000 special public works programme and commenced the exercise on the scheduled date of Tuesday,

January 5, 2021.

The special public works programme is designed to employ 1,000 people from each of the 774 local government areas in the country, who would each be paid N20,000 monthly from the N52 billion voted for the exercise in the revised 2020 budget.

President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the programme under the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to cushion the effect of COVID-19 pandemic. The programme was initially expected to take off in October 2020. Nigerians enlisted on the programme are expected to carry out public services such as street sweeping, waste disposal and the like.

However, since the announcement of the programme, members of the NationalAssembly and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo have been at loggerheads over the recruitment modalities for the programme.

The Shouting Match On 30th June 2020, the Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Productivity, Festus Keyamo,engagedfederallawmakersinashouting match over the recruitment exercise.

The disagreement took place at the interactive session on the subject between the Minister and members of the National Assembly joint committee on Labour.

Trouble started, when the Committee requested the then Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment, Nasiru Ladan, to speak on the composition of a 20-man committee inaugurated by the Ministry for the implementation of the planned Programme.

Ladan in his explanation could not defend the N52 billion budgeted for the recruitment of 774,000 Nigerians under the NDE programme. He disclosed that he was aware of only eight members of the committee, referring the lawmakers to seek further clarification from the Minister.

The lawmakers were not satisfied with his explanation, having given the impression he was not in control of the programme.

At this point, Keyamo said his ministry was asked by President Buhari to supervise the recruitment but the lawmakers disagreed with his declaration, and this sparked off a shouting match.

Keyamo became angry as the lawmakers threw questions at him, accusing him of hijacking the programme from NDE and alleging acute lopsidedness in the entire programme.

The drama took a different dimension, when the lawmakers asked that journalists excused the meeting for an executive session with the Minister. Keyamo rejected this, insisting that having been openly accused, the media should remain in the room.

His outburst infuriated the lawmakers who asked that he apologised for his behaviour but Keyamo refused, saying he had done nothing wrong to warrant an apology. Keyamo’s threat to walk out of the meeting further irked the lawmakers, who asked him to go, if he wanted. When he refused to apologise, the lawmakers reached a resolution and asked him to leave the meeting.

Speaking with journalists shortly after, Keyamo accused the lawmakers of trying to take control of the recruitment under his ministry, saying while he was not opposed to the lawmakers investigating the programme, he would not allow himself to be controlled by them. The Minister opined that in doing so would mean sharing in the powers of President Buhari. He said despite granting the lawmakers 15% of the job placement; they still wanted to hijack the entire process and take over the powers of the President.

Lawan and Ngige A Move to Suspend the Programme Following the face-off, the federal legislators on July 1, 2020 passed a resolution suspending the implementation of the recruitment of 774,000 public works personnel, being supervised by the Minister, because according to them, the executive arm of government does not have an exclusive right over the recruitment programme.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Ajibola Basiru, who spoke to journalists on behalf of the two chambers of the National Assembly after an executive session of the Senate, also advised the Presidency to approach the court if it feels its powers are being encroached upon by the legislature.

The Senator, while responding to a question, said the conception of the programme was not exclusive to the presidency, explaining that its conception, approval and funding were with the considered input of the National Assembly because it believes it’s going to be beneficial for the purpose of addressing the challenges of COVID-19.

According to him, government revolves around the three arms – executive, legislative and judiciary.

Basiru and his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, in a joint statement, said the suspension of the scheme was necessary, because the lawmakers were concerned about the proper and effective implementation of the scheme.

They also mandated their Committees on Labour and Employment to immediately invite the Minister of Labour and Employment and any other officials of the ministry to appear before the joint committee to brief it on the modality for the implementation of the engagement of 774,000 persons for public works.

The lawmakers said they wanted to ensure transparency of the process just as it did with the National Social Register by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

Aweek after the shouting match, the substantive Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige tendered a formal apology to the lawmakers over the incident. Ngige, who was a Senator in the Seventh Senate, tendered an unreserved apology during a visit to the leadership of the Senate and members of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Labour.

He asked the President of the Senate, Dr.

Ahmad Lawan, and the federal lawmakers to discountenance whatever position earlier taken

by Keyamo on the implementation of the special public works project.

But Keyamo had insisted that he would still superintend over the recruitment of the 774,000 personnel for special public works programme, which was the source of the disagreement between him and the legislators.

Keyamo, who spoke to reporters after attending another consultative meeting with the NationalAssembly joint committee, declared that he was standing by his earlier position and that he would pursue it to the last including seeking legal interpretations from the Attorney General of the Federation.

Few days later, Keyamo confirmed that he had secured a fresh instruction from President Buhari on the issue, saying he’s now had the Presidential nod to proceed with the recruitment exercise.

Renewing the War on Public Works Controversy over the public works jobs of the federal government resurfaced on August 18, 2020 as the National Assembly said it would not be part of the ongoing recruitment in which 30 slots were allotted to each member of the federal legislature.

Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinanya Abaribe, while responding to THISDAY’s enquiries about the job scheme said as far as the National Assembly was concerned, they were not participating in any recruitment exercise, because of their earlier reservations about the lack of transparency in the programme, where a minister has hijacked the programme for his own purposes.

He cited the earlier decision of the upper legislative chamber not to be part of the controversial public works scheme, saying, “The Senate of the National Assembly agreed that it will not participate in the programme as vehemently promoted without due process by Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr. Festus Keyamo.”

He explained that based on the earlier position of the NationalAssembly on the issue, the federal legislators would reject the various slots already allocated to them in their respective senatorial districts and constituencies.

On its part, the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives also rejected the 30 slots al-

lotted to each member of the House for their respective local government areas within their constituencies in the scheme.

House Minority Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, in a statement,a described the allotment of 30 out of the 1,000 slots per local government area as grossly unfair and unacceptable by the lawmakers.

The caucus demanded more transparency and a review of the criteria being used for the allotment, which it alleged to favour certain interests in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

But Keyamo, in his response, told THISDAY that the rejection of the slots was irrelevant and of no consequence since their constituents would still benefit from the initiative.

“It’s the PDP caucus in the House of Representatives but that is irrelevant, because their constituents will still get the jobs. It’s 1,000 per local government. It’s just their normal sense of entitlement that they always had over the years that is worrying them.

“During their time, all social intervention programmes nobody heard about them. This is the first time that this government is making it multi-sectoral with Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Muslims and market women there. They should tell me just one PDP administration’s programme that involves all segments of the society; not one.’’

Recent Attempt to Halt the Exercise However, the House of Representatives at plenary on December 15, 2020 asked the federal government, particularly the Minister of State for Labour to stop with immediate effect, all processes leading to the commencement of the programme until the list of beneficiaries compiled by the NDE in each state is used as a basis of selection.

It also asked the Minister of Finance not to release funds for the programme until all issues that are related to non compliance to due process are resolved, and mandated the Committees on Labour and Productivity and Legislative compliance to ensure compliance and report to the House in the next one week.

The House’s decision, which followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance and sponsored by Hon Olajide Olatubonsuni, also condemned the sack of the Director General of NDE, Mohammed Ladan-Argungu and advised that he be reinstated forthwith.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JANUARY 10, 2021

VIEW FROM ABROAD

Teacher at the Rising Sun Children School in Lagos prepares to measure the temperature of a pupil

Lagos Battles Indifference as Virus ‘tsunami’ Looms Hospitals in Lagos are facing a tidal wave of COVID as the authorities warn of the dangers from a new viral strain, yet many people in Nigeria’s mega-city seem indifferent

T

he New Year’s break saw thousands of people gathered on the city’s beaches for fun and relaxation, and social distancing was as rare as mask-wearing.

At night, young people have been crowding blithely into the city’s discotheques -- for those stopped at curfew roadblocks, a small banknote slipped into a policeman’s hand has often been enough to ease any problems.

Gaudy weddings have taken place without a hitch, sometimes with a hundred or so guests, double the 50 officially allowed for gatherings.

Denial or insouciance in this famously bustling city seem widespread.

“If I feel ill, I’ll do the test for malaria, not for Covid, it doesn’t kill,” said Ali, a 27-year-old taxi driver.

- ‘Tsunami’ The city’s government and medical community have multiplied warnings, urging people to wear masks, respect social distancing and obey the curfew.

“We are well into the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Yesterday, Lagos scarily recorded its highest number of infections in one day,” Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said on Tuesday.

“This second wave comes with severe symptoms and (a) higher number of positive cases,” he said.

“2021 will only work for us if we take #COVID19 seriously.”

According to official figures, Lagos -- a city of around 20 million souls -- has so far notched up 33,329 cases of coronavirus, of which 250 have been fatal, in a national tally of 94,369 cases, 1,324 of them fatal.

But these figures, in a population of around 200 million, Africa’s largest, are likely to be far short of the true tally, given the paucity of testing.

At Paelon Memorial Hospital, a private facility in the business district of Victoria Island, managing director Ngozi Onyia likened the surge in cases to a “tsunami” rather than merely a second wave.

“My phones are ringing off the hook,” she said.

“I’m making tough calls -- who to take into the treatment centre, who to put on one of our four ventilators -- ethical decisions I’ve never had to make in 38-plus years.”

At Lagos University Hospital, a public facility, director Chris Bode said Covid’s resurgence “is ravaging our land, claiming many lives.”

He blamed the second wave on a new local viral strain that he said was “deadlier” than the first -- an

assertion that for now is not supported by the variant’s discoverers.

- Vaccine cavalry The authorities are stepping up well-worn appeals to prevent viral spread, although social distancing in the crowded streets, markets and public transport of Lagos is notoriously difficult.

Even so, “prevention messaging is the best approach” for now, said Yap Boum of Epicentre, the research branch of Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

Like other countries, Nigeria is looking urgently to vaccines to stop and reverse the tide.

The government says it hopes to receive 100,000 doses by the end of January and inoculate 40 percent of the population by the end of the year.

Already, rich countries are finding vaccination to be a major task, both in securing sufficient supplies and administering formulas that have to be kept extremely cold.

But it is an even greater undertaking in a large underdeveloped country like Nigeria, where transport problems and unreliable power supplies can disrupt the cold chain.

Culled from AFP

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ͯͮ˜ ͰͮͰ͹ ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

SPECIAL REPORTS FOR 2020 AND 2021

Corona Pandemic in 2020

20 Positive Issues That Defined 2020 Despite the doom and gloom that characterised 2020, including the crash in crude oil prices and the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought the socio-economic and political structures of Nigeria to their knees, the Nigerian government still made several efforts to beat the odds. Amidst various criticisms and antagonism, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government took several steps to ensure the wellbeing of the country and its citizens.

Demonstrating resilience and resourcefulness, the government took critical decisions, and implemented daring policies despite the uncertain clouds occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic and a second recession in row. THISDAY, however, considers some of the critical decisions, policy implementation, and achievements of the Buhari regime in the year that just ended.

Railway Constructions

T

he most successful of the government rail projects, according to some quarters, is the Lagos-Ibadan SGR, a section of which was recently opened. Nigeria has a history of abandoned rail projects after spending billions of dollars. The Itakpe-Warri rail was abandoned for almost 25 years until the Buhari administration completed it.

Three other major rail projects inherited from the previous administrations have been completed and commissioned. They include the Abuja Metro Rail, the Abuja-Kaduna Rail, and the 327km Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri Rail, started in 1987 and completed in 2020. There is a fourth rail project, the Lagos-Ibadan rail, started in 2017, and was expected to be completed in 2020.

The track laying for the main component of the project was completed in March 2020.

COVID-19 Response On January 23, 2020, the World Health urged all countries to be prepared for the containment, including active surveillance, early detection, isolation and case management, contact tracing and preventing the spread of COVID-19, and to share full data with WHO. By January 30, 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 as a pandemic.

In the face of the pandemic, the government said it would require $330 million to procure medical equipment, personal protective equipment, and medicines for COVID-19 control.

Committing to investing some of this amount, financial commitments were also made by private, bilateral, and multilateral institutions to raise the remaining funds.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation pledged $30 million for the government’s COVID-19 efforts. The European Union contributed €50 million to the fund. The IMF approved $3.4 billion of emergency support to Nigeria to tackle the economic impact of the pandemic.

In addition, in order to alleviate the macroeconomic situation triggered by the sudden fall in oil prices, the Nigerian govern-

Rehabilitation of Railway rails in Nigeria ment borrowed $4.34 billion from the domestic stock market to finance its budget with further plans to borrow another $2.5 billion from the World Bank and $1 billion from the African Development Bank.

The CACOVID Response The private sector in Nigeria, after being called upon by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, established the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID), launched on March 26, 2020, to help the government fight the pandemic. CACOVID has raised over N39 billion, used for the purchase of food relief materials and to provide medical facilities and equipment in different regions of the country, including

building and fully equipping 39 isolation centres across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Nigeria Declared Polio-free On August 25, 2020, it was a great sigh of relief and fulfillment when the WHO and UNICEF congratulated Nigeria on being declared free of the wild poliovirus. The announcement was the culmination of selfless and concerted efforts of many health workers, policymakers, and the political will of the Nigerian government.

Achieving the milestone is not the end of the collective efforts though - all children under five years must continue to be Continued on Pages 78-81

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Lekki Toal gate protest vaccinated against vaccine-preventable diseases, the UN organisations urged.

“This is critical to significantly reduce avoidable mortality in Nigerian children under 5 years old, keep polio permanently out of Nigeria, and ensure better health and well being for future generations,” they said in a joint statement.

The UN agencies also commended Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners in Nigeria who helped reach this achievement: Rotary International; the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC); Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI); as well as Nigerian traditional and religious leaders and volunteer community mobilisers – the latter, the foot soldiers who fought to free the children of Nigeria from the wild poliovirus.

“It is a momentous achievement that calls for celebration,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria. “This historic achievement not only signifies the end of the wild poliovirus across the entire African continent, but is also a significant springboard towards attaining global polio eradication.”

He added, “This is not the time for Nigeria to take its foot off the accelerator. This is the time for Nigeria to strengthen its primary health care system, and give routine immunisation a vital boost.”

A Resilient Economy Nigeria has made notable progress even within the challenging environment of increased poverty associated with growing insecurity and the economic downturn as the government embarked on reforms starting with unification of its multiple exchange rates, the introduction of a market-based pricing mechanism for gasoline, eliminating subsidies, and adjusting electricity tariffs.

These measures allowed the government to cut non-essential expenditures and redirect resources towards the COVID-19 response both at the federal and the state levels, as well as improved debt transparency and accountability of its oil and gas sector.

Notable efforts were made to increase accountability in the public sector, with 35 states publishing their annual budgets in 2020 and 15 states now operate a single treasury account. With the uncertainty of the long-term economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new economic analysis said the speed, quality, and sustainability of Nigeria’s economic recovery will be determined by the effectiveness of its government’s response.

Relief for Teachers The federal government on October 5, 2020, approved a special salary scale for Nigerian teachers as well as increased years of service from 35 to 40 as the world marked World Teachers’ Day. For many years, teachers have agitated for an increase in their retirement age, welfare, and salaries. But last year, the Buhari administration made the dream come true.

SARS Ban, Proposed Police Reforms Following directives by President Muhammadu Buhari on the dissolution of the Special AntiRobbery Squad as an immediate response to yearnings of Nigerians in the face of the #ENDSARS protests that drew global attention, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, convened a meeting with stakeholders, agreeing to meet the demands, which included halting the use of force against protesters and unconditional release of arrested citizens.

Thereafter, public hearings began to dispense justice to those who had suffered under the jackboot of corrupt and brutal policemen. This, of course, precipitated a renewed call for police reform, which is now in the offing.

A Unity Against Rape After unrelenting naming and shaming of alleged rapists, protests after protests, state governors across Nigeria’s 36 states agreed to declare a state of emergency on rape and other gender-based violence against women and children. The governors renewed their commitment to ensuring that sexual offenders were brought to book.

To that extent, many states domesticated relevant gender-based protection laws on the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, the Child Rights Act and the updated Penal Code to increase protection for women and children and ensure speedy investigation and prosecution of perpetrators in addition to creating a sex offenders’ register in each state to name and shame.

Kankara Boys’ Release Nigerians were reminded of the ugly 2014 Chibok kidnapping of over 200 schoolgirls in Borno State, when gunmen (said to be Boko Haram insurgents) stormed a school in Katsina (Buhari’s

home state) and ferried over 300 boys into a forest on December 11, 2020.

They were students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State. The world watched with bated breath, thinking ‘not again!’ To cut a long story short, the boys were brought back – all of them. Thanks to the Buhari administration.

NNPC’s Moments of Glory Despite the ravaging pandemic in 2020 and instability in the international oil market, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) recorded a number of achievements.

Under Mallam Mele Kyari, the corporation’s 19th group managing director, the NNPC appears to be taking its place in the comity of state-run oil companies globally.

The $2.8 billion AKK Pipeline Project On June 30, 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the $2.8 billion Abuja-KadunaKano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project, which apart from transporting gas from the south to the north of the country has the capacity to generate 3,600 megawatts of electricity and result in the injection of 2.2bscf/d of gas into the domestic market.

The project added to the Escravos to Lagos Pipeline System – 2 (ELPS-2) and the Obiafu to Obrikom (OB3) pipeline, fundamental to Nigeria’s desire for quick industrialisation. With a completion period of two years, the AKK is expected to enhance power generation and ensure supply to gas-based industries. It will also ensure the revival of moribund industries along transit towns in Kogi, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger, Kaduna, and Kano.

The EPC contract for the 614-kilometre AKK gas pipeline project was awarded to Messrs Oilserv Plc/China First Highway Engineering Company (Oilserv/CFHEC Consortium) for the first segment covering 303 kilometres, with work already on-going.

FID, NLNG Train 7 EPC Contract Last year also witnessed the take-off of the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract for Train 7, part of the country’s major gas expansion plan. NLNG, a consortium between NNPC, Eni, Total, and Royal Dutch Shell, had earlier signed its Final Investment decision (FID) on the Train 7 processing unit in late 2019.

The project, expected to boost Nigeria’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) output by about 35 per cent, that is roughly 8 million metric tonnes, was awarded to a consortium, including Italy’s Saipem, Japan’s Chiyoda, and Daewoo of South Korea.

That critical milestone was achieved in the heat of the Covid-19 pandemic, with the five-year project, worth an initial $4 billion expected to create more than 12,000 direct jobs at the peak of construction.

Ologbo, Edo Gas Plant The Integrated Gas Handling Facility (IGHF) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) processing and dispensing plants in Ologbo, Edo State, which is expected to generate $200 million in annual revenue into the country’s coffers, was commissioned last December.

While the lean gas can generate at least 267 megawatts of power per day and also ensure feedstock to gas-based industries, the over 200 million standard cubic feet per day project, moved Nigeria a step closer to its dream of full utilisation of its abundant gas potential.

Built and operated by the NNPC through its upstream subsidiary, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), the integrated project is capable of supplying 20 per cent of the current LPG demand in the country.

It will unleash 240,000 metric tonnes of commercial-grade liquefied petroleum gas and propane and about 205 million standard cubic feet per day of lean gas to the domestic market.

Release of 2018, 2019 AFS: First in 43 Years For the first time since its incorporation in 1977, the NNPC publicly published its Audited Financial Statements (AFS) and said it recorded a 99.7 per cent reduction in its loss profile from N803 billion in 2018 to N1.7 billion in 2019.

General administrative expenses also witnessed a 22 per cent dip from N894bn in 2018 to N696bn in 2019, with the majority of the subsidiaries posting improved performance.

They included the NPDC, which recorded N479bn profit in 2019 compared to N179bn in 2018 representing 167 per cent increase; the Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL) recorded N23bn

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President Muhammadu Buhari in a handshake with the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan. with him are the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN, President of the Senate Ahmed Lawan, Speaker Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, SGF Mr Boss Mustapha, MiniSter of finance, Zainab Ahmed, SSAP to Senate Matters, Senator Babajide Omoworare and others during the signing of 2020 Budget at the State House in Abuja

Re-opening of Nigeria Border sectors of the economy were resuscitated.

The Minister of Trade and Investment, Chief Adeniyi Adebayo, pointed out that the closure did not only give security agencies the opportunity to assess prevalent challenges on smuggling at the borders, but also stopped the smuggling of petroleum products out of the country.

Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, also argued that the recent border closure had yielded positive results for the economy particularly, agriculture.

Recently, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) further testified that the recent border closure and security drills at the borders helped to boost daily collections from N5 billion to the current N9 billion.

Pension Transfer Window The National Pensions Commission (PenCom) in 2020 commenced the implementation of the Retirement Savings Account (RSA) transfer window under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

The transfer window allows RSA holders to transfer their accounts from one Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) to another within a year, in line with Section 13 of the Pension Reform Act of 2014.

Prior to the launch, PenCom had successfully developed the RSA application, which is an electronic platform to enable seamless account transfer.

The transfer window option means that retirement account holders can port from one PFA to the other even if he or she does not give any reason for the action. The development is expected to translate into increased competition in the PFA space, as account holders will move to operators that give them the best returns on investment.

Ratification of AFCTA

Releasing of abduction of some students from a boarding school in Kankara, Katsina State profit in 2019 compared to N154m in 2018, representing 14966 per cent increase.

Also, the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) recorded N14.2bn profit in 2019 compared to N9.3bn in 2018 representing 52 per cent increase.

Though the refineries maintained the same level of losses as in 2018, the corporation said it would reduce significantly when the 2020 statement is released due to its cost optimisation drive.

CBN’s N300bn COVID-19 Facility The N50 billion CBN COVID-19 Targeted Facility, which was gradually raised to about N300 billion was one of the key targeted interventions by the apex bank in 2020. It was floated to douse the impact of the pandemic on vulnerable households and small businesses.

The funds, which is being administered by NIRSAL Microfinance Bank has provided invaluable support to Nigerians, whose livelihoods had been negatively impacted by the lockdown and restrictions of movement hitherto implemented by the federal government to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Analysts have commended the initiative, which according to them helped in no small measure in stimulating economic activities as well as boosting purchasing power, which among other things, helped to manage the socioeconomic crisis, which had confronted the country.

The Anchor Borrowers’ Initiative The CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) was launched in 2015 by the apex bank as an audacious initiative to reposition agriculture by creating a linkage between anchor companies involved in the processing and Smallholder Farmers (SHFs) of the key agricultural commodities.

The impact of the virus saw to the ramping up of the programme in 2020. The primary objective was to boost cheap finance to farmer groups and associations to enable them have access to inputs to improve local food production amidst efforts to diversify the economy.

The revolution in local rice production has been one of the most celebrated agriculture interventions embarked upon by the bank.

Up till date, the CBN had funded SHFs under the ABP to the tune of over N374 billion across the cassava, maize, cotton and rice value chain from 2016.

The ratification of Nigeria’s membership of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), on Wednesday, November 11, 2020, cleared the way for the Nigeria economy to participate in the continents expanded market of 1.3 billion.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed, had said that the council ratified Nigeria’s membership of AfCFTA in compliance with the instruction asking parties to the agreement to ratify their memberships latest by December 5, 2020. He recalled that Nigeria signed the agreement on July 7, 2019, in Niamey, Niger Republic, adding that by the ratification of its membership, Nigeria had beaten the ratification deadline.

Director General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Mr. Timothy Olawale, said the ratification of AfCFTA agreement by the federal government was a welcome development that would enable the economy to launch into the benefits in the newly formed market of 55 nations and an aggregate GDP of up to $6.7trillion PPP. Also, the Director General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Muda Yusuf, said the AfCFTA would serve as an avenue for Nigerian industries to penetrate new markets and establish strong cross-border supply chains with other African countries.

The January-December Budget Cycle The restoration of January to December budget implementation cycle 2020, which has been jettisoned for about 20 years, was achieved by President Muhammadu Buhari with the signing of the 2020 Appropriation Bill in December 2019.

The Director General of the Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Ambassador Ayo Olukanni, described the restoration of the January to Decenber budget cycle as a reflection and signal from the Presidency that things would be done as at when due and at the right moment in the Nigerian economy.

Finance Bill 2019/2020 Another positive development in the Nigerian economy was the signing into law of the 2019 and 2020 Finance bills on January 13, 2020, and December 2020 respectively by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The implementation of the 2019 Finance Act provided the economy with a document that contained the fiscal policy of the government and enabled the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) to collect N4.1 trillion tax revenues between January and October 2020.

Buhari stated that the Finance Act was specially designed to support the implementation of the 2020 national budget and to create an enabling environment for businesses.

Re-opening of Borders

A New VISA Policy

Nigeria’s borders reopening on December 16, 2020, after about 15 months of closure no doubt came as huge sigh of relief to many Nigerians, who had linked the current the economic hardship to the continued closure. The federal government had in August 2019 shut the country’s land borders on an effort to check increasing activities of smugglers as well as protect the local industries.

However, the situation had also led to rising prices of food and other commodities due to supply gaps. Rising inflation became a major source of concern. On the other hand, the closure provided a rare opportunity for both the agricultural and manufacturing sectors to thrive during the temporary closure of borders.

But, analysts believed the gains of border closure far outweighed the disadvantages as key

Year 2020 also witnessed significant immigration reforms that was approved by President Buhari on January 31, which enabled the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to expand the categories of visas it issued to foreign citizens intending to visit Nigeria from six to 79 classes under the 2020 Visa Policy.

The reform also included the Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) policy that allows a foreign citizen on a short visit to have his visa processed and issued at the airport.

The visa expansion would enable Nigeria to resolve the age-long issue of wrong classifications and validity of visas granted foreigners coming to Nigeria and reposition the nation’s immigration practice to serve the current needs on integration.

Continued on Pages 81

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African Free Trade Market

Issues That May Shape 2021 AfCFTA Ushers New Trade Regime g After initial delays, the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCTA) finally fi took off on January 1, 2021 to user a new era in Intra-African trade with 54 participating countries.

The $3.4 trillion economic bloc, which experts believed Nigeria must play a leading role, offers fresh opportunities for the country to boost industrial growth and development.

According to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Niyi Adebayo, “Nigeria cannot afford to be left out of the emerging African economic block”.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents a major opportunity for African countries to bring 30 million people out of extreme poverty and to raise the incomes of 68 million others who live on less than $5.50 per day.

With the implementation of AfCFTA, trade facilitation measures that cut red tape and simplify customs procedures would drive $292 billion of the $450 billion in potential income gains.

The formal take-off of the trade agreement is a very significant development even though issues bordering on implementation remain unresolved. Those issues will surely pose a challenge this year.

and unemployment in the country.

While the protests were triggered by the alleged shooting of a lady by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Delta State, the protest quickly snowballed into one national issue that some even claimed was a threat to national security.

The protesters said in addition to ending SARS’ highhandedness and police brutality, was a need to end bad governance. On October 20, men of the Nigerian Army, ostensibly brought in to enforce a curfew order allegedly shot at protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate.

While organisers claimed it was a massacre, the authorities kept saying there was nothing of such.

Many young Nigerians are unemployed or those employed are doing what they are doing because they don’t want to stay at home. This is a generation of Nigerians, who have never enjoyed life as citizens. All they need to take on the society is a little provocation; the kind the End SARS protests provided. This New Year may also provide such. It’s just a matter of time.

Terrorism and General Insecurity

Shortly after the Muhammadu Buhari administration won second term in offfice, the call for the country to be restructured gained momentum. And this was not without reason or that the calls were not justifiable. Either by design or accident, the lop-sidedness in appointments into key positions was just too glaring to be ignored.

The lop-sidedness was not even limited to geographical reality alone, but also in religion. It was this lop-sidedness that revered Catholic priest, Matthew Kukah, referred to recently, when he said if a Southern president had done half of what President Buhari has done in the area of appointments, there would have been a coup.

Beyond the issue of lop-sidedness in appointment is issue of fiscal federalism. What is currently obtainable right now is that there’s a string centre controlling a lion share of the nation’s resources, while the federating units could barely survive. The federal government still takes almost 50% of federal infl n ows while the 36 states are left to share the rest and out of this ecological funds and derivation for oil production states still have to be made provision for.

This debate, which has dominated public discourse for some time now, is not likely to fizzle out in 2021. Nigerians especially, those in the southern part of the country, will not fi stop asking for restructuring.

In terms of security, Nigerians have never had it as bad as they did in 2020. And while hoping that 2021 fares better, the need to rejig the nation’s security architecture will dominate national discourse in 2021. In 2020, terrorism, banditry and kidnappings that were initially restricted to the northeastern part of the country, have now spread to virtually every part of the country, with ritual killings and cult clashes on the rise.

Right under the nose of the President, when he was holidaying in his native Katsina, over three hundred students of the Government College, Kankara, Katsina State, were abducted. They were later released, but a powerful yet disturbing message had been sent.

In Zamfara State, bandits had taken so many parts of the state. They come on motorbikes across the border and attack villages. They steal and kill. All these are apart from kidnapping and gruesome killings. In December, 49 farmers working on a rice field in a village in Borno State were abducted and killed by Boko Haram insurgents and all a presidential spokesperson could say was that they did not get clearance before going to work in their farms.

Down south, kidnappings became order of the day in 2020. In Ibadan, on three different occasions, some Asians, who were operating farms and factories were kidnapped and their security details killed. In fact, there was a case when one of the security agents sent to rescue one of the kidnapped expatriates was killed. There have been strident calls that the service chiefs, including the Inspector-General of police, be sacked. These calls would continue in 2021 and Nigerians can only hope things improve.

2023 Elections: The Schemers Are Out

Battling g COVID-19

Immediately the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), clinched victory in 2019, focus of political gladiators shifted to the 2023 general election and that has not changed since then and it will continue in this 2021. There have been permutations going on across the country as each zone and presidential hopefuls are trying to position themselves against 2023. For instance, when Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the APC, many political watchers knew it had nothing to do with ideology but part of the 2023 game.

The question of whether power would shift to the South is also present amid indications that those northerners, who supported Buhari in 2015 and 2019 might move their support to candidate from another party should the APC decide to zone the Presidency to the South and PDP does to the north.

The Southwest is also pushing its own case, stating that it is logical that power returns to the zone. And leading this charge is a former governor of Lagos State and self-acclaimed national leader of the ruling APC, Senator Bola Tinubu. Different groups are already springing up across the country in his support.

However, the greatest moral crusade for power shift is that, which calling for the Southeast to be given a chance to produce the next President if only to give the zone a sense of belonging. The zone has not produced the number one citizen in the country since the short-lived military regime of the late General Thomas Umunakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi.

No matter what, the debate about 2023 will continue this year.

It is no longer news that the second wave of the deadly virus is ravaging the world with many advanced countries striving to cope. Britain has activated Tier Three lockdown while Germany, Italy, Spain and other countries like that have been calling on their countrymen and women to stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary to go out.

In Nigeria, the Presidential Task Force has been telling Nigerians that the second wave is upon the world and part of the moves made to curb the spread, they banned the crossover nights in many states of the federation. Also, federal workers were asked to stay at home with stern warning issued to any superior offi f cer, who asked staff to come to work.

The only cheering news is vaccines are now ready and are being administered to people around the world. In Nigeria, this has not started with the federal government weighing the fi financial implications of administering the vaccines on the people.

From all indications, COVID-19 dominated 2020. It will seemingly take a large chunk of 2021 as well. It is a sad reality.

Restructuring: g To Be or Not to Be?

Youth Restiveness/Unemployment: A Time Bomb?

The End SARS protests that rocked the nation to its foundations in October last year was a sad reminder to those at the helms of affairs in the country that the nation was sitting on a keg of gun powder if something was not done regarding youth restiveness

The Anambra Governorship Election Towards the end of the year, the gubernatorial election in Anambra State will take place.

The questionable conduct of the 2007 elections and the Supreme Court declaration that the tenure of a governor starts counting from the day he takes the oath of offi f ce and not the date of the election that brought about litigation in the fi first place, have ensured that the nation now has key off-season elections virtually every year.

Ondo and Edo governorship elections were conducted last year while that of Ekiti and Osun will take place next year and Kogi late 2023.

The significance of the election in Anambra that will usher in the successor to Governor Willie Obiano is about 2023 and if the ruling APC would be able to make inroad into the Southeast, which has stubbornly refused to embrace the party.

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SPECIAL REPORTS FOR 2020 AND 2021 20 POSITIVE ISSUES THAT DEFINED 2020 Continued from Page 79 The new visa policy would also accommodate education visa for those desiring to study in Nigeria.

The Airspace Safety In February 2020, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) commissioned its newly installed Category 3 Instrument Landing System (ILS) at Runway 18 Right of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, following the installation of the same system on Runway 22 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja in November the previous year.

An instrument landing system (ILS) is a system that works by sending radio waves downrange from the runway end and aircraft intercepts it using the radio waves to guide them onto the runway. It is a radio navigation system, which provides aircraft with horizontal and vertical guidance just before and during landing and, at certain fixed points that indicates the distance to the reference point of landing.

The agency also installed Doppler Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Radio Range (DVOR) in Lagos and in April 2020 and carried out successful flight calibration on Runway 18 Left in Lagos.

Category 3 ILS enables pilots to land at zero visibility, which means that pilots can land safely during harmattan haze and cloudy weather Reformation of Nigeria Police force from #ENDSARS to FSARS occasioned by heavy rains. So, this ended the delays due to Harmattan dust and low visibility at Lagos and Abuja airports. start-up, Paystack in a deal estimated to be about $200 million. The US-based company had In the same year, the agency installed Doppler VOR (very high ominidirectional radio range) in explained that the African internet economy was expanding quickly, with online commerce in the Kano to improve communications at the Kano Area Control Centre, which caters for the whole region growing at 21 per cent year-over-year, which was said to be 75 per cent faster than the global airspace in the northern part of the country and beyond. average.

Therefore, in order to help increase Africa’s online Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Stripe entered into an agreement to acquire Paystack, the Lagos-based technology company that makes it easy for Stripe Acquires Paystack organisations of all sizes to collect payments from around the world.

Stripe, an American financial services and software company last year acquired Nigeria’s

ISSUES THAT MAY SHAPE 2021 Continued from Page 80 Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, defected to the APC towards the end of last year. Should APC win Anambra, it means the party has two governors in the zone and that might strengthen the hands of the party leaders on the zone to make a strong case for the Presidency in 2023. It promises to be interesting.

APC Convention: An Unfinished Business Either the ruling party, APC, likes it or not, it has to conduct a national convention this year to elect new national offi f cers especially, the National Chairman. Since the forced exit of the former National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, in July last year, the party is being run by a caretaker comm mittee led by the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala-Buni.

On August 22 last year, the caretaker comm mittee set up a fi five-member reconciliation committee led by the governor of Jigawa State, Abubakar Badaru. It is not known if the committee has been able to achieve any breakthrough in reconciling various warring factions within the party.

But it is fair to say the party might have boxed itself into a corner, because the election of a National Chairman has assumed a more critical dimension going by the fact that where the new head of the party comes from will invariably affect the zone or region that will produce the party’s presidential candidate in 2023.

Beyond this, it is a known fact that various Inauguration of Panel on #ENDSARS tribunal tendencies within the party will also want to infl nfluence the choice of the new National Chairman for selfish reasons. Many are of the opinion that whoever controls the party machinery will have a say in whoever emerges the party’s presidential standard-bearer in 2023. Therefore, for APC, 2021 is a strategic year.

Police Reforms: Beyond End SARS One of the demands of the End SARS protesters was the need to reform the police, make it more professional and ensure that the Force is made to be people-inclined and not just there to protect the high and powerful and also any government or party that is in power. Many have said the take-home pay of an average police offi f cer is poor and not good enough to take care of his or her basic needs.

While this argument is tenable, there is the school of thought that whatever an average police offi f cer is being paid, there is an endemic corruption within the system that has made any efforts at reforming the police futile.

From police barracks to their uniforms, arms and ammunition and other operational equipment, the argument is that the rank and fi file of the police force are always shortchanged and most governments of the day have not been able to do much, because police are also needed for regime protection.

That is why police commissioners, especially those in charge of state commands, are silent millionaires. But the rank and fi file, are working with tattered uniforms and torn

boots. Incentives are not there as many are complaining that they have not been promoted for years. Closely related to this is lopsided promotions and postings, which are based on ethnicity and religion.

These are issues that have bedeviled the Nigerian Police for decades and many are of the opinion – rightly or wrongly – that these have made offi f cers of the force to take their frustrations out on the people they are meant to protect. In 2021, police reforms are an issue that will be sustained.

Recession May Tarry Awhile It is a known fact that the economy is shrinking. But more disturbing is the fact that apart from COVID-19 ravaging most of 2020 and rendering many Nigerians inertia in terms of pursuing economic activities that would have fetched them income, the governn ment of the day does not seem to have any clue as to what to do to prevent another recession.

Only last week, the government said it would be “borrowing” from funds in redundant and idle accounts in the nation’s commercial banks. That is obviously a desperate move from a government that is on its wit’s end.

With soaring interest rates and commercial banks not ready to advance long-term loans, Nigerians should brace for a not too economically friendly 2021.

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JA ͹͸˜ ͺ͸ͺͯ ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

INTERNATIONAL #EndSARS and Pro-Trump’s Protesters Compared: Coupmaking and the Challenge of International Responsibility

C

oup d’état has always been a critical issue of discourse in contemporary international relations, especially since the accession of many African countries into national sovereignty in the 1960s when coup-making was not taken as a big deal. When dictators, military or civilian, are friendly with the big powers, whatever was done by dictators in terms of bad governance was generally overlooked by the big powers. When the matter was about being pro-communist or unfriendliness, the policy was always to remove them, even brutally.

This brutality was revisited on June 22, 1990 during the Opening Session of the 16th Conference of Franco-African Heads of State, held in La Baule, France. At the Summit, France tied the giving of development aid to promotion of democracy and protection of human rights. This new position was given support by other Western countries in such a way that the French position became a common conditionality for financial aid internationally.

Apart from this development, the United States is always on record to seek to police the whole world in order to ensure protection of democratic values. By so doing, the United States is perceived as the chief defender and bastion of democracy.

However, fresh concerns are now raised globally following the pro-Donald Trump protests and violent attacks on the US Capitol on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 on the instruction of President Donald Trump.

And true enough, the pro-Trump supporters complied with Trump’s instruction, by protesting violently. Some observers variously described the protests as an insurrection, domestic terrorism, sad situation, etc. Professor Bolaji Akinyemi sees it as an expression of insanity. The videos of the protests are unbelievable but true. Many observers have asked questions about the manner of handling of the protests in comparison with the official handling of the protests of the Black Lives Matter (BML) and other black protests. With the encouragement of some Republican Senators also encouraging the protesters, with Donald Trump saluting the courage of the protesters and democrats also calling for a second impeachment, is the international responsibility of President Donald Trump not raised?

Like the United States, Nigeria is the biggest democracy and the epicentre of democracy in Africa. Nigeria also shares the presidential system of government with the United States. Put differently, political governance is largely patterned after that of the United States. As such, what are the lessons possibly to learn from the pro-Trump protest saga, when compared with the #EndSARS protests. Is the attack on the US Capitol not a manifestation of a real coup d’état in a civilian setting?

The Two Protests Compared

The cardinal purpose of the #EndSARS (End Special Anti-Robbery Squad) protests was to seek an end to police brutality under the SARS, restore sanity, and compel the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to imbibe the values of good governance.

The SARS was established in 1992 under the Ibrahim Babangida regime, but its roots have also been traced back to 1984 under Major General Muhammadu Buhari. Unlike that of the #EndSARS protests, the objective of the pro-Trump protesters in the United States is two-fold: accidental and profound objectives. The main focus at the level of accidental purpose was to undermine the final certification of the Electoral College presidential results being collated at the Capitol Hill. The protesters simply wanted to disorganise and undermine the review processes.

At the profound level, the purpose was basically to defend white supremacist values of which President Donald Trump has been the chief advocate since his election in 2016. Donald Trump visibly presents himself as racism-oxygenated, blinded with myopia, and wrapped up in the glory of restoration of American greatness by destructive lies-telling, which his followers also short-sightedly take as plain truths. And most unfortunately too, his followers often gave a public impression that they were only supporting Donald Trump’s claim to presidential election victory, but in the erroneous belief that the victory was truly stolen by Joe Biden.

Put differently, Donald Trump wrongly believes that he is a Mr. Big Stuff, who is completely full of himself and enjoying the backing of majority of Americans seeking protection of racial inequal-

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Pro-Trump protester flooded Capitol Hill ity or white supremacy in the United States. Without any whiff of doubt too, a substantial number of Americans, 70 million, voted for his re-election. But over 78 million Americans voted against him. They preferred Joe Biden. Thus, the purpose of the pro-Donald Trump protests was, at best, very selfish, and not patriotic. That of the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria was visibly very patriotic, altruistic and objective. The pro-Trump protesters apparently belong to the Fourth World, and therefore will need to learn lessons from the organisational experiences of the Nigerian #EndSARS protesters who are from the Third World.

On the character of the protests, the #EndSARS protests were very peaceful. The origin of the protests is traceable to 2017 when, in a tweet campaign entitled, #End SARS, a demand was made for the immediate disbanding of the SARS which was only reputed for brutality and violations of human rights. They carried Nigeria’s National Flag, singing the National Anthem. They conducted a multi-religious Sunday thanksgiving service at the venue of their protests at the Lekki toll Plaza. Even though there were different indicators that the Government incited hoodlums to join the peaceful protesters in order to damage and taint their good image and patriotic objectives, there is no disputing the fact that their cardinal objectives were still given prompt attention.

The peaceful protests began on October 8, 2020. On October 11, the SARS was disbanded. As at today, the new SARS has its responsibility limited to armed robbery cases only. It can no longer interface in any civil matter and cyber crimes. Apart from situations of distress calls from the general public, the SARS cannot engage in stop and search activities and in commercial activities of debt recovery, tenancy issues, socio-cultural questions of marital or boy or girl friend relationships. The SARS only has responsibility to control armed robberies and banditry, as well as kidnappings.

On the contrary, the pro-Trump protests were very violent.

The protesters carried various dangerous weapons, including guns, improvised explosive devices. They behaved like African armed robbers, climbing the wall to gain access into the Capitol, removing the name plate of Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, from her office. They broke windows and doors. They carried the flag of the 1861 Confederate Flag, meaning that they were revolting against and seeking secession

Third, the international image of the United States has been seriously tainted with the terroristic character of the pro-Trump protests. What the United States stand for has also been subjected to international rethinking. What really does ‘America First’ policy mean in international relations? Nonsense! There is the urgent need to redefine the policy and that of making America great and great again. Making America respected again and relevant, repackaging democracy as the best form of government that promotes tolerance, makes peaceful coexistence cherished by everyone, and serves as an antidote to reckless manu militari civilian dictatorship and military coups d’état, remain the urgent challenges of US foreign policy to address. While President-elect Joe Biden may want to quickly focus his attention on the serious problems of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines, and on how to grow the economy and reunify the American people at the domestic level, the promotion of a better entente with the whole world, particularly with the traditional allies of the US with whom relations have been bastardised, has become a desideratum and urgent, if the international responsibility of the United States is not to be raised internationally and if the US is to be able to provide a legitimate leadership for the free world in the foreseeable future

from the United States of America of today. The pro-Trump deadly protests in which five people have lost their lives, in the words of Joe Biden, is ‘one of the darkest days in the history of our nation.’

As regards the mania of management of the protests by the security agents, the Nigerian experience clearly showed serious violations of human rights. Non-armed protesters, who were neither soldiers nor in a warfront as combatants, were shot dead.

A Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and Lekki Toll Gate Incident was put in place by the Government of Lagos State. The panel began meeting thrice a week (Tuesday, Friday and Saturday) as from October 27. Not less than 26 States established a panel of inquiry into police brutality in the spirit of the agreement reached with the #EndSARS protesters. What is noteworthy about the various inquiries is the clear revelation of several contradictions in the defence put up by the military. Eventually, there were calls by Government for the Lagos panel to be disbanded.

The mania of police intervention in the US did not show violation of human rights per se but a double standard when compared with the brutality with which black protests had always been meted out with. There was no visible inhuman mistreatment of the pro-Trump protesters. Although five people died as a result of the protests, the death was not as a result of direct brutal killing.

Besides, President Trump sponsored his followers to march on the Capitol, which they did very violently and which Donald Trump appreciated and considered as very patriotic. President Donald Trump incitement of the violent protests against the Capitol has not only prompted calls for his second impeachment but also calls for national accountability and international responsibility. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi demanded the resignation of President Trump or the application of the 25th Amendment to remove him as President of the United States. Two main concerns are at stake: Donald Trump does not appear to be mentally stable. He can recklessly fiddle with the nuclear nukes or the Red Burton. This requires quickly removing him out of office. This brings us to the other question of international responsibility of Donald Trump’s incitement into insurrection against the Capitol.

Issues in International Responsibility

International responsibility is an important principle in international law. It is defined by many factors: sanctity of agreement, obligations, duties, need for reparation, need to sanction illegality, etc. Speaking grosso modo, it is when a State breaches an international obligation or fails in its duties that the international responsibility of the State is always called to question, with the ultimate objective of making the State to make reparation. All Member-States of the international community do have various responsibilities under international law to protect to assist in the maintenance of international peace and security of life and property.

While this principle of international responsibility may generally apply in bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral disputes, it should not be confused with a similar principle, IR2P (International Responsibility to Protect), which compels the international community, as a whole, to ensure that there is never again any mass atrocity of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. The IR2P principle was developed by the International Committee on Intervention and State Sovereignty in 2001, following the sad experiences of the genocide in former Yugoslavia and Rwanda and the initiative of the Government of Canada to prevent future occurrences.

International responsibility, as well as IR2P, at the level of the pro-Trump protesters and attacks on the Capitol can both be applicable. First, Donald Trump is hardly a respecter of international law. Second, the rule of pacta sunt servanda means absolutely nothing to him. Third, he is not a decent statesman and does not appreciate protocolar rules. Four, and in fact, his American citizens now seriously fear that Donald Trump might degenerate into a reckless state of mind before January 20, 2021, not only to provoke a fresh mayhem, but also to play around with nuclear nukes. Donald Trump is a predictable belligerent.

The IR2P can also be raised in this same vein, since one main rationale for the adoption of the principle is not simply to suppress, but also to prevent. Section 138 of the World Summit Outcome Document provides that ‘each individual State has the responsibility to protect its population from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. This responsibility entails the prevention of such crimes, including their incitement, through appropriate and necessary means...’

Most unfortunately, however, it is precisely Donald Trump who is required to prevent such crimes, that is actually inciting people to engage in the crimes which are all capable of leading to general public unrest and insecurity.

Perhaps more relevantly, Section 139 of the same World Summit Outcome Document provides that ‘the international community, through the United Nations, also has responsibility to use appropriate diplomatic, humanitarian and other peaceful means, in accordance with Chapters VI and VIII of the Charter, to help protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.’

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Acting News Editor ÌÙãÏÑË ÕÓØÝËØ×Ó E-mail: ÑÌÙãÏÑ˲ËÕÓØÝËØ×Ó̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙט͸΀͹ͽͺͻͽ΁ͺͽͻ ̙Ý×Ý ÙØÖã̚

COVID-19: Lecturers, Students Express Apprehension as Varsities Resume Jan. 18 Gboyega Akinsanmi With the rising incidence of COVID-19 infection, lecturers, parents and students have expressed anxiety and apprehension over a directive of the National Universities Commission (NUC) that all public universities should resume on January 18.

Consequently, they have warned the federal government, especially the NUC, against directing all public universities to resume without putting in place adequate measures to curtail the rate of COVID-19 contagion among lecturers and students.

In separate interviews with THISDAY on Friday, they urged the federal government to adopt

e-learning or virtual learning to teach students rather than exposing them to graver health hazards.

A 300-level student of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Abiodun Ajetomobi acknowledged that he was no longer excited to resume school activities due to what he ascribed to the second wave of COVID-19 infection.

Unlike when the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) suspended strike on December 23, Ajetomobi said he was actually afraid of returning to school due to the scary reports about the grave effects of COVID-19.

He said: “In truth, I am afraid as much as I am eager to complete my programme.

The pandemic is claiming more

lives by the day. The chance of surviving is very low, especially with poor healthcare facilities.”

Rather than exposing the universities to undue health risks, Ajetomobi urged the federal government “to work out strategies to train tertiary students without coming together in large numbers. It is too risky.

“The world is going virtual now. The federal government can adopt virtual learning. There is nothing wrong about it. If the authorities insist on resumption, adequate preventive measures should be put in place to avoid unnecessary loss of life,” Ajetomobi said.

Also, a 100-level student of University of Lagos (UNILAG), Deborah Akinola said she would

be excited only when protocols are put in place to stop the spread of the pandemic and mechanism for enforcement laid out.

She said: “If the authorities cannot guarantee right measures, there is no reason for resumption.

I am satisfied with virtual learning. The authorities must consider safety of lecturers, students and other staff members first and foremost.

“If public universities must resume, it must be limited to a fraction of students, especially those in terminal classes after stringent conditions must have been institutionalised,” the UNILAG student said.

A parent, Mr. Abraham also buttressed the viewpoints of the students, warning the federal

TOWARDS FOOD SECURITY...

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum presenting seeds to one of 1,200 irrigation farmers, at the distribution of variety of farm inputs in Damasak, headquarters of Mobbar LGA in Northern Borno... yesterday

government that the risk of resumption “is too high at this time with the increasing rate of the pandemic.”

He urged the federal government “not to expose its young population to undue health hazards, especially the increasing rate of COVID-19 infection.

“Rather, like the UK, it should work out an alternative method to teach and train tertiary students without exposing them to any health risk. Nothing stops public universities from adopting virtual methods.

“If private universities can teach their students virtually, nothing will stop public universities from doing the same,” the parent said.

A Senior Lecturer at the Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan, Dr. Johnson Idowu noted that after the lockdown and ASUU strike, every reasonable lecturer or student would want to resume.

In March, he reflected that the federal government “locked down all schools in Nigeria.

Between August and September 2020, they lifted the lockdown.

ASUU was only on strike from September to December 2020.

“In its wisdom, ASUU called off strike on December 23. The second wave of COVID-19 started in January 2021. If ASUU had not suspended the strike, the federal government would hide under COVID-19 and would not pay lecturers.

“But now, the federal government has no option not to pay lecturers. Every lecturer is also a parent. They will resume. But if they cannot observe COVID-19 protocols strictly, they have to go back again.”

He admitted that virtual learning would have been an alternative to physical learning, though doubted the capacity of the tertiary institution to teach or train students virtually.

He noted that the public universities “are ill-equipped.

Students cannot afford. Most students do not have money for data. As I speak, we do not have internet service in my department.

“Power is not stable. Has the federal government come with communication strategies that will enable virtual learning.

Even most private universities that are using it are not deploying the way they ought to.

Parents are complaining about the amount of money they are paying as tuition fees,” Idowu explained.

Likewise, a Professor of Urban and Regional Planning Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Prof Julius Olujimi admitted that nothing was wrong with the directive of the NUC Ordinarily, Olujimi explained that every lecturer and even students “will be excited to resume. Inasmuch as the federal government can put in place all necessary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, universities can resume.”

However, Olujimi lamented that the universities “are not prepared amid the second wave of COVID-19. If you are bringing a large number of people together at this time, there must be adequate preparation in place.”

While doubting the possibility of managing COVID-19 effectively if the public universities resume activities, he urged the federal government to adopt e-learning as an alternative method to teach students.

However, he observed that nearly all the universities “are not well-equipped for it. Most universities do not have functional internet service. Power is not stable in all our universities.

FG Awaits China to Approve $5.3bn Loan to Execute Ibadan-Kano Rail Project Gboyega Akinsanmi The federal government has disclosed that the Chinese government has yet to approve the loan of $5.3 billion loan needed to commence the construction of the Ibadan-Kano rail project.

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi explained the delay in the takeoff of the rail project on the NTA Weekend Deal Programme in Abuja yesterday.

Amaechi noted that the Ibadan to Kano rail project would take off immediately if the Chinese government approves the $5.3 billion loan to Nigeria.

To complete all its planned rail projects, the transportation minister admitted that Nigeria had relied largely on loans from the Chinese government.

Acknowledging that the

federal government had already approved the contract, the minister said other investors who showed interest in helping Nigeria developed cold feet later.

He said: “We are waiting for the Chinese government and bank to approve the $5.3 billion to construct the Ibadan-Kano.

What was approved a year ago was the contract.

“The moment I announced that the federal government has awarded a contract of $5.3 billion to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) to construct Ibadan-Kano, they assume the money has come in, no.

“Up to now, we have not gotten the money a year after we have applied for the loan.

We have almost finished the one of Lagos-Ibadan. If we don’t get the loan now, we can’t commence,” he added.

Amaechi also said the IbadanKano rail would link six areas which span Kaduna-Kano-AbujaMinna-Ilorin-Oshogbo-Ibadan where cargoes could be moved to Kano from Lagos.

On the issue of wet cargoes on the road causing accidents, the transportation minister said cargoes “can only go from Lagos to Ibadan for now”.

He said when the Ibadan to Kano rail project is completed, “wet and dry cargoes can be transported from Lagos to Kano.

“Nigeria should be more patient with the Ministry of Transportation over the issue of wet cargoes. Currently, we are trying to construct the railway into the seaports to enable us to transport either wet or dry cargoes to various destinations.

The only wet cargo that can go now is between Lagos to Ibadan.

“The moment we conclude that, we will be able to move wet cargoes all the way to Kano from Lagos. We should also commence the construction of Port Harcourt to Maiduguri. We should be able to move cargoes from Bonny to Maiduguri,” he said.

Amaechi said the ministry of finance “is in charge of funding of rail projects not the ministry of transportation,” adding that “they have the presidential approval to borrow money to fund projects.”

The federal government sealed $5.575 billion loan agreements with the Export–Import Bank of China between December 10, 2010 and May 29, 2018, according to Debt Management Office (DMO) documents.

Of the total $5.575 loan agreements wrapped u with this timeframe, the document

showed that China EXIM had already disbursed $3.313 billion while the federal government was left with an outstanding loan of $3.121 billion.

With this debt exposure and its implication for the country, the federal government had appealed to the national assembly to approve a $5.3 billion Chinese loan request to enable the government execute the Ibadan-Kano standard gauge rail line.

It had justified the decision of the federal government to borrow to fund infrastructure projects, saying there is nothing bad in borrowing, provided the funds are invested in infrastructure rather than services or consumption.

It had claimed that the government “does not borrow money for overhead but for capital projects. There have

been concerns about Nigeria’s borrowing from China and other countries.

“There is no better way to answer Nigerians as to what we have done with the money we have borrowed than this trip,” the minister said in a statement.

On this trip, you have seen first hand the stations being constructed, the rail lines and the people who are working on the projects.

“Rather than arguing with critics, we opted to allow you (journalists) – the ears and eyes of Nigerians – to come and see for yourselves what we are doing with the money we are borrowing.

“We didn’t borrow money for services or overhead expenditure.

We borrowed money for capital projects: rail; roads; bridges; power – infrastructure generally.”

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Oshun: Governing Nigeria without Restructuring Will Escalate Crises Faults Buhari for not implementing APC’s report Says early electioneering undermines governance Gboyega Akinsanmi Citing multi-layered governance crises that plague Nigeria, the National Chairman of Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), Hon. Olawale Oshun yesterday warned that governing Nigeria without restructuring would further escalate its internal challenges.

Oshun, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), also faulted the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for refusing to implement the report of the APC Committee on True Federalism despite resources invested in the process.

He gave the warning at a session with THISDAY yesterday describing the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as a product of tyranny that could not guarantee the socio-economic development of the federation and its constituents.

He said: “If we all truly love this country, this government should include in its governance agenda the need to restructure this country. Unless the country is restructured, it will be difficult to have a seamless run of government.

“We have problems all over the country. There is no part of the country that is not in one crisis or the other. We must immediately commence the process of restructuring to save Nigeria from worse challenges.

“Running away from restructuring will keep escalating the problems that we are having.

Whoever is planning to take over in 2023, just like the era of former President Goodluck Jonathan, will face the same problem. At that time, whoever takes over will face the problem with greater magnitude.”

Till date, Oshun lamented that

Nigeria “is being governed by the 1999 Constitution. We all know that General Sani Abacha put together the 1999 Constitution,” which he said, was a product of the late tyrant.

Apart from being the product of the late tyrant, ARG’s chairman noted that one professor of law, who of course did not deny it, wrote the constitution, which according to him, suggested that the 1999 Constitution was the product of Nigerians.

Oshun, equally, observed that there “have been many attempts to review the 1999 Constitution.

For instance, former President Olusegun Obasanjo convened the first conference to review the constitution in 2005.

“But the process was tailored to inserting a third term into the new constitution. If that selfish motion of third term was not part of it, perhaps the National Assembly would have allowed the process to succeed.

“We also had President Goodluck Jonathan experiment.

There was confab in 2014. Even if there were complaints, Nigerians selected from various associations, communities, cultural setup and academic institutions prepared a new constitution. That constitution is being kept in an archive.”

ARG’s chairman, also, said the APC set up a committee that went round the country, noting that a northerner was the chairman of the committee.

On this ground, Oshun noted that any issue of manipulation “did not arise. The committee held stakeholders’ meetings all over the country and came up with a report that Nigeria needs to be restructured urgently.

“In an interview, about a week ago, a former governor of Ogun

Uzodinma Emerges APC S’East Leader Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Ahead of its planned national convention, the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) has appointed Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma as the leader of the South East caucus for the exercise.

This was revealed in a letter the Chairman of the APC National Caretaker/Extraordinary Conversation Planning Committee and Yobe state governor, Alhaji Mal Mala Buni addressed to the governor.

The letter said part of his responsibilities I”s to mobilise other leaders in the zone to ensure a hitch free membership registration exercise, congresses and national convention.

“Uzodinma will also over see the reconciliation of disputing and aggrieved members in the zone.

“I write to mandate Your Excellency to lead the south east caucus, stakeholders and other

opinion leaders towards achieving the objectives”, the letter read.

Prior to the appointment of Uzodinma to this role, the governor had spearheaded the reconciliation of APC members both in the state and the entire Southeast.

Apart from providing a platform for leaders of the zone to exchange ideas on how to expand the influence of the party in Igboland, Uzodinma has hosted them from time to time.

Before the defection of Ebonyi state governor, Dave Umahi from PDP to APC, Uzodinma was the only elected governor of the party in the south east.

In one of his visits to THE Government House, Owerri, former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani predicted that with Uzodinma’s leadership of APC in the Southeast, more responsible Ndigbo will flock to the party in no distant time.

State, Chief Olusegun Osoba expressed disappointment that some powerful people within the APC were sitting over the report of the APC Committee on True Federalism. After two years the committee submitted, why has the party not looked at the report?

“The report was reviewed at the party. It was reviewed

at different levels. A former National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun publicly acknowledged the effort of the committee. Unfortunately, he became a victim of the system at last. If the 2014 report is kept in the archive, what about the report of the APC committee?”

“If any house will stand, the foundation must be ap-

propriate. When we started at independence, we started as a true federation because we are diversified people in terms of culture, language and religion.”

Under the First Republic, Oshun said each of the federation had the mandate to determine its economic policy, noting that the Western Region

maintained an office in the United Kingdom overlooking its own interest.

At the same period, he said the North under Sir Ahmadu Bello decided that it had nothing to do with Israel while the West under Chief Obafemi Awolowo had good business with Israel and no region interfered with one another.

REWARDING EXCELLENCE . . .

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (second right); the 2018/2019 best graduating student of Lagos State University (LASU), Mr. Oladimeji Shotunde (second left) and his Parents, at the presentation of Cheques to Shotunde at Lagos House, Marina... Friday

Edo APC to Challenge Obaseki’s Victory at Appeal Court Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo State, yesterday disclosed that it would appeal the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja that absolved the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki of certificate forgery.

However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congratulated Obaseki on the resounding victory he recorded in the court.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court Abuja on Saturday dismissed a suit of

forgery against the Edo governor for want of merit.

Mohammed dismissed the suit brought by Obaseki’s former party, the APC, on the grounds that it failed to prove allegations of forgery against Obaseki.

In a statement by the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee, Col. David Imuse disclosed that the APC would appeal the decision of the court.

Imuse said: “We will appeal the ruling of the court. The party’s legal team would immediately move to study the judgement and file an appeal.”

He expressed the hope that the judiciary would remain upright and always ensure that the will of the people and rule of law prevail.

He thanked God for granting all the lawyers and the judge very good health with which they all contributed to bring the whole litigation process to this interesting stage.

However, according to the party chairman, it is not the end of the road.

Imuse added that all APC members in Edo state were very hopeful like the good democrats

and believers in the rule of law that the judiciary would continue to show that it is the last hope of the common man.

He therefore appealed to all APC members in the state to be calm and to go about their normal activities without animosity as the party appeals the verdict.

In a message by its Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, Edo PDP described the victory as a testimony to the fact that the Obaseki-led government was actually enthroned by the wish of Edo people and had the blessings of God.

SSANU, NASU Begin 3-Day Protest Jan. 12 Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSNU) and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) yesterday said they would commence a three-day protest on January 12.

The unions, also, disclosed that the protests would be held at all branches of Universities and Inter-University centres, with members of both organisations as participants.

This was revealed in a statement NASU’s General Secretary, Peters A. Adeyemi and SSANU’s President, Mohammed Ibrahim

issued yesterday under the aegis of the Joint Action Committee of SSANU and NASU. In their statement, the unions said that the move “is to express their displeasure over the refusal of the federal government to address their grievances contained in several agreements reached by both parties.

The unions said that JAC resolved, among others, that a 3-day protest should hold simultaneously at all the branches nationwide from Tuesday, January 12 to Thursday, January 14.

They said that preparatory to the protest, a meeting of the branches should be held to sensitize and mobilise all members into joining

to make the protest a successful outing.

According to the statement, the issues for which the Memorandum of Agreement were entered into include inconsistencies in IPPIS payments, non-payment of Earned Allowances, non-payment of arrears in minimum wage.

“Delay in renegotiation of FGN, NASU and SSANU 2009 agreement, non-payment of retirement benefits of outgone members, Teaching Staff usurping Headships of non-teaching units in clear violation of conditions of Service and establishment procedures”.

They said the protest is a

response to the Federal Government’s failure to address any of the issues contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) both parties had reached and signed back in October.

“The JAC observed with disappointment that the Federal Government has completely failed to address any of the issues contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)”, they said.

In November 2020, the erstwhile President of SSANU, Samson Ugwoke said the biggest challenge faced by the union is the lack of respect of agreements duly and freely entered into by the government at all levels.

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Nigeria’s Foreign Missions Reel under Corruption Allegations

CISLAC Seeks foreign service, foreign policy review

Gboyega Akinsanmi and Michael Olugbode in Abuja Nigeria’s embassies and high commissions across the world are reeling under the burden of corruption, extortion and passport racketeering, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has alleged.

Amid these allegations, CISLAC, the national chapter of Transparency International (TI), urged the federal government to urgently reform foreign services and review foreign policy in line with the country’s core national interests.

CISLAC’s Executive Director, Mr. Auwal Rafsanjani made this allegation while speaking with THISDAY from the United States at the weekend on the failure of the federal government to pay attention to its foreign missions worldwide.

Also yesterday, the federal government disputed a report that linked the Embassy of Nigeria in France with passport racketeering.

Speaking with THISDAY on Friday, Rafsanjani alleged that many Nigerians abroad “are complaining that they cannot even get their passports after they have made payment.

“Too much corruption and extortion is going on in our foreign missions, especially with respect to services that Nigerians are supposed to get “I am here in the US. Everywhere you go – be it Washington D.C or New York – Nigerians are complaining about the officials in our Embassy.

“Nigerians living not only in the US, but also other countries

globally will pay and they will not get the services, especially in terms of passport renewal or even getting certification for some of their relations that died.

“The way and manner the officials of our embassies and high commissions work in their offices in Nigeria, they transfer the same culture to the foreign missions. So, many Nigerians are not getting the services they paid for or they are ordinarily supposed to get,” he alleged.

Besides corruption allegations, Rafsanjani lamented that the country’s embassies and high commissions had failed “to play the important role of promoting our cultural values unlike other countries that hold their national days every year.”

CISLAC’s executive director lamented that there “are very few countries around the world where our embassies and high commissions use October 1 to showcase the cultural value system of Nigeria abroad.”

He explained that the officials of the Nigerian embassies had failed in their responsibilities because the embassies and high commissions “are starved.

Probably, many of them are not interested in promoting the country.

“Apart from culture promotion, we are supposed to promote our goods. A lot of Nigerians are producing so many products. But our embassies are not doing that.

We need to redefine our foreign policy interests.

“It is urgent we place priority on promoting our products. There are a number of factors responsible for this challenge. First, the country’s

Glo Offers Customers 22-Fold Return Chibuzor Oluchi Globacom, a Nigerian multinational telecommunications company, has offered all its inactive prepaid customers who have not used their lines for 30 consecutive days 22 folds returns on every recharge of N100 and above.

This was revealed in a statement

by Glo Corporate Communications Office recently, promising to give all its customers a delightful experience nationwide With the new offer, the statement said subscribers who recharge with N100 “will be credited with N2, 200 in value. First, they will receive the N100 recharge amount in their main account, which they can use on any Glo product as they wish.

“In addition, they will receive a bonus value of N2, 100, which can be used for voice calls to all networks in Nigeria and for data,” the statement said.

The company explained that customers, who recharge with N1,000 “will get N22,000 worth of value comprising N1,000 credit in their main account, which they can use on any Glo product as they wish and a bonus value of N21,000

for voice calls to all networks in Nigeria and for data.”

Also in its statement, Globacom stated that subscribers could enjoy an unprecedented 5GB free data and hundreds of bonus minutes every month for 3 months, depending on the amount recharged.

The telecom giant said: “This is by far the biggest of such bonuses being offered by any operator in the market. The plan, which empowers customers to satisfy their browsing and calling needs, is another effort by Globacom to give its subscribers more value for their money. “The customer does not need to dial any USSD code to migrate or memorize a special recharge string, rather they will get the offer automatically when they simply recharge their lines with N100 or more.

“What’s more, the customer still gets the full recharge amount in his/her main account, with 100% freedom to use it the way he or she wants”, Globacom said.

It added that the voice and data bonus received on each recharge “is valid for seven days from the recharge date. Value credited to the main account does not expire.

priority in terms of defining her foreign relations is adhered to is not clearly known to many peoples that have been posted.

So, the orientation is declining.

“Ordinarily, the officials of our embassies are supposed to play the roles of real representation in terms of economy, culture, defence and

FG disputes passport racketeering in France

other relationships. Patriotism has collapsed in our foreign missions and services.

Unlike four decades ago or more, Rafsanjani alleged that foreign mission “is no longer what it used to be or how it should be. It is simply now an avenue for some people to do

their own personal businesses using diplomatic cover.

“There is a need to properly reform our foreign service and review our foreign policy so that it will benefit Nigeria in terms of science, technology, economy, military, socio-political and cultural

activities,” CISLAC’s helmsman advised.

In a statement by its spokesman, Mr Ferdinand Nwonye yesterday, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected a report published by a national daily that linked the Embassy of Nigeria in France with passport racketeering.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP. . .

L-R: President, Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN), Aishatu Abubakar; Director - General, Premier Agribusiness Academy (PAA)/Nigeria Soy Excellence Center, Toromade Francis and Head of Administration, Force Animal Branch, Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Tariminge Zirrah Faive, at a collaboration meeting of PAA with the Force Animal Branch of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja... recently.

COVID-19: Nigerian Unveils Free Online Platform for African Students Kayode Fasua in Abeokuta Amid the ravaging effects of the COVID-19 on the global education system, a Nigerian-American, Dr. Henry Balogun, has floated an online lecture series to cover all categories of students, especially those of African origin.

Balogun, Chief Executive Officer of www.PrimeHangout. com, the online classrooms would pay special attention to the needs of African students, many who are lagging, owing to the social distancing protocol caused by COVID-19.

He explained motivations to float the platform during

a session with THISDAY at the weekend, noting that the initiative was purely born out of sheer passion to assist AfricanAmericans at the difficult times.

He said, “This is a technology developed to assist students of all ages in their quest for academic excellence and to lend a helping hand to every institution of learning all over the world.

“The need for the prompt takeoff of this idea cannot be delayed, given the sad realities of the damage done to the global educational system by Coronavirus; with Africa being at the receiving end.”

Balogun, an indigene of Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State who has been living in the US for over 40 years, said his PrimeHangout online charity and support efforts, were 100 percent minority owned and non-partisan.

He also noted that PrimeHangout is a “social media carefully positioned to successfully compete through exclusive technology as well as success-driven innovation, such as its Transparency platform designed to help disadvantaged students.

“No child should suffer and struggle quietly with learning difficulties.

Transparency provides an open door to a

child having problems with whatever subject - math, science or any subject in any school in the United States and around the world.

“One thing we cannot overemphasize is the fact that transparency is totally free for schools and free for students and their parents. It’s a free service at every level, and developed to remove the stigma associated with learning problems.

“It is equally designed to assist teachers who are frustrated and wrestling with what-do-I-do to help students a little more. All there is to be done is for schools to register to use it.

At Last, Customs Reopens Nigeria-Niger Border Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto About 24 days after the federal government announced the immediate reopening of four of the land borders shut 15 months ago, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) yesterday officially reopened Illela-Niger border.

With the official reopening of the border, a large number of stakeholders and residents of Illela, Sokoto State and Niger Republic expressed joy at the development At the official reopening, the Area Comptroller, Sokoto and Zamfara Zone, Mr. Abdulhamid Ma’aji said the economic activities would return to Illeila and its environs.

He urged the stakeholders “to give maximum support to Nigerian Customs and other

security agencies so as to help discharge their responsibilities.”

Now that this border is reopened for operation, the area commander pleaded with all residents of both Illeila and Kwanni to cooperate with the customs service.

He said “I want to assure everyone that the Nigerian Customs and its sister agencies are ready to be professional in discharging their duties. All items that are tagged as contraband still remain banned.”

The area commander listed the contraband items to include foreign rice, palm oil, drugs among others, which according to him, would still remain banned.Ma’aji warned that the items listed above would not be allowed to enter the country from this land border, thereby appealing to all traders to

cooperate with the service.

Also, a Technical Supervisor of the Customs, Sokoto and Zamfara Zone, Mr. Babagana Shettima said the command would collaborate with both the customs agents and traders in making things work amicably.

He urged all the traders “to always make use of the opportunity provided through the ICT to obtain relevant papers relating to their goods.”

Speaking on the development, an entrepreneur in Sokoto, Alhaji Oladimeji Olotu said the decision of the federal government to reopen the land border would boost trans border trade between Nigeria and Niger Republic.

He further disclosed that many freight forwarders had lost their means of livelihood as a result of

the closure because their goods were stuck on both sides of the border.

Also, the Chairman of traders association in the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma commended the government for the reopening of the land borders in the state.

He said traders in the state would continue to cooperate and collaborate with the security agencies in order to carry out their legitimate business.

He, also, added that all traders in the state would avoid bringing in goods that were not allowed into the country.

He said with the reopening of the border, residents of the communities who have been out of jobs would benefit while governments at all levels would benefit from improved revenue for the country.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹͸˜ 2021

SUNDAYSPORTS

87

Edited by: Duro Ikhazuagbe email:Duro.Ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

ENGLISH FA CUP

Ndidi, Iheanacho on Duty as Leicester Crush Stoke to Reach Fourth Round Duro Ikhazuagbe with agency report

W

ilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho were on duty as Leicester City defeated John Mikel Obi’s Stoke City 4-0 to reached the FA Cup fourth round.

Both Ndidi and Mikel played all 90 minutes while Iheanacho was a 82nd minute substitute.

Even without Jamie Vardy and James Maddison, a strong Foxes side displayed too much quality for the Championship side.

James Justin’s superb effort into the top right corner set Leicester on their way before Marc Albrighton, Ayoze Perez and Harvey Barnes added to their tally.

Stoke’s best chance fell to Sam Vokes with the score at 0-0 but he blazed a volley over from close range.

While Michael O’Neill’s Stoke side acquitted themselves well and at times troubled the visitors from set-pieces, there was a noticeable gulf between them and a Leicester side occupying third place in the Premier League.

Vokes’ miss, coupled with Justin’s excellent run and sparkling finish, set the tone for what was to follow.

With Leicester enjoying success down both flanks, Albrighton nipped in off the left to double their lead just before the hour mark.

Perez then steered a right-foot shot into the bottom right corner from Timothy Castagne’s pass before Barnes rounded off the scoring with a powerful effort.

One positive for Stoke was the return of Ryan Shawcross to their starting XI.

Former Super Eagles Captain, John Obi Mikel (left) played all 90 minutes as Leicester City hammered Stoke City 4-0 to progress to the fourth round

The Potters captain, who was capped by England in 2012, has spent much of the past 18 months recovering from a broken leg, and calf and groin injuries.

Speaking after the game, Leicester Manager,

NPFL: Ndifreke’s Brace Earn Akwa Utd First Victory of the Season Ndifreke Effiong was the hero yesterday as Akwa United record their first goals and win of the 2020/21 Nigeria Professional Football League season. That victory temporarily lifted the Promise Keepers from No 17 to the fifth spot ahead of today’s Fixtures in the Nigerian topflight league.

Abia Warriors’ Ibukun Harrison scored inbetween Effiong’s brace. The Umuahia landlords remain rooted at the base without any point in three games.

This afternoon, Jigawa Golden Stars forward Abdullahi Musa Lala will be targeting a win against Enugu Rangers to push his team to the top four bracket of the NPFL. The Dutse-based outfit won their first league game against Sunshine Stars by 1-0 but lost their second game against Dakkada FC 2-1 last Sunday in Uyo to stand in seventh place on the log.

Yet Lala said the team has all it takes to compete among the big clubs in the NPFL, stressing he and his colleagues are poised to secure a continental ticket.

“My expectations this season is to be in the top four ; so that we can be among the clubs that will played in the CAF competitions next season,”

Lala said.

The formerYSFON product has in the meantime, set sight on registering his name on the scorer sheet when Jigawa host Rangers International on Matchday three today at theAhmadu Bello Stadium.

“We just want to take that points and I hope to be one of the goal scorers for my team by God’s grace,”he affirmed.

The season resume a fortnight ago after a ninemonth break due to Covid-19 but the 2012 Nigeria national League (NNL) highest goal scorer said the NPFL has not been the same without fans.

“Yeah! It’s not been easy playing without fans because they are the one to boost our moral,”he said.

The Kaduna-born star started his top flight football career at the Katsina United in the 2017/18 season after helping the team gained promotion to the elite division in the 2016/2017 season.

He played at Dynamic Sporting Solution in Kaduna and Kaduna United respectively before joining Jigawa Golden Stars in 2019.

The 2005YSFON U13 highest goal scorer and 2006 U14 Most Valuable Player said he has fond admiration for Ronaldo da Lima,Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Sadio Mane.

UNDER 17 WAFU B TOURNAMENT

Golden Eaglets Walk Tight Rope with Draw against Ghana Nigeria’s poor run in age grade football continued yesterday as the Golden Eaglets failed to beat Ghana’s Black Starlets to pave way for their qualification for the WAFU B ticket to the U-17 AFCON. After the Fatai Amos’s lads were beaten by Côte d’Ivoire in their opening Group B game in Lome, the five-time world champions were expected to pick their maximum points but that failed to materialize as the Ghanaians battled Eaglets to a one-all draw.

Joseph Arumala gave Nigeria the lead from the spot 13 minutes from time after Abdullahi Ahmed was fouled in the box.

The Black Starlets were awarded a penalty after Eaglets goalkeeper Destiny Emuwahen committed a foul inside the box.

The penalty was coolly converted six minutes from time. The Eaglets will now have to wait for the result between Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire on Tuesday to know if they have not been eliminated.

Brendan Rodgers said: “We stayed strong for 15 minutes or so when Stoke started well. After that we were excellent. The first goal is important and from that point we were very good.

“I thought at half-time we needed to be quicker to

second balls and press the game with more urgency, that then gave us the tempo in the game. We have a good team that is mobile and it was about making sure we ran into the spaces, nice and aggressive,” concluded the Foxes boss.

...Blackpool Knock out Allardyce’s West Brom on Penalties Sam Allardyce’s nightmare start to his reign as West Brom manager continued as his former club Blackpool knocked the Baggies out of the FA Cup on penalties.

Twice the League One club led as Jerry Yates swept in Bez Lubala’s cross from close range and Gary Madine stroked into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Semi Ajayi’s header and Matheus Pereira’s penalty, awarded for an Ollie Turton handball, forced extra time.

But Chris Maxwell saved three shootout spotkicks to send Blackpool through.

Maxwell, making his return after a bout of coronavirus forced him to miss Blackpool’s past two games, thwarted Kyle Edwards and Darnell

Furlong before sealing the Seasiders’progress by foiling Pereira.

Sullay Kaikai had missed a chance to clinch victory against the Premier League strugglers by hitting the post with Blackpool’s fifth spot-kick but Maxwell’s third save avoided the need for sudden death.

The Seasiders,who handedAllardyce his full-time managerial break in 1994, added to his worries with a committed showing and never looked two divisions inferior to the visitors.

They were dangerous on the counter throughout, swift breaks leading to both their goals asYates, the scorer of the first, turned provider for the second by helping Dan Kemp’s pass on for Madine to beat exposed keeper David Button.

La Liga: Messi, Griezmann Brilliant against Granada Lionel Messi is back in form and Barcelona are finding their feet after a 4-0 demolition of Granada on Saturday put them within four points of the top of La Liga.

Messi scored twice to make it four goals in three matches since the turn of the year and his resurgence has coincided with an upturn for the team too, this victory Barca’s third on the bounce.

It puts them in sight of league leaders Atletico Madrid, even if Diego Simeone’s side now have three games in hand.

Atletico’s match against Athletic Bilbao earlier on Saturday was postponed due to the snowstorm that has engulfed Spain this weekend.

Messi’s double, the second a sweetly-struck free-kick, came between two strikes from Antoine Griezmann, who is also enjoying a revival after a disappointing 18 months at Camp Nou. Some had wondered if Messi would ever get back to his best following an underwhelming start to the season but his latest contribution makes him the league’s top scorer on 11 goals.

After attempting to leave Barcelona last summer,

Lionel Messi (right) was in his element as Barcelona defeated Granada 4-0...yesterday

the 33-year-old’s recovery always felt dependent on him rediscovering his own motivation and focus.

But Barca coach Ronald Koeman deserves credit for the rejuvenation of players like Griezmann,Ousmane Dembele and Frenkie de Jong, all of whom have improved significantly in recent matches.

Sunday January 10, 2021

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“The federal government is insisting that it is the one that can run the policing system or that it must be in charge of security. But every part of the country can see that the federal government lacks the capacity to secure lives and property. Policing or security is a local problem” – The National Chairman of Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), Hon. Olawale Oshun calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to start the process of restructuring the country.

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The Election Violence in America

H

ooligans invading the Capitol Hill, disrupting the certification of presidential election result and desecrating the symbol of American democracy? That would be art imitating life. That would be the Machiavellian and eccentric President Frank Underwood doing his thing in the House of Cards on Netflix. But, no, this is life imitating art. This is US President Donald Trump unleashing his mobsters on the Congress in a last, desperate and violent attempt at enthroning anarchy — after urinating on American democracy persistently since his definitive defeat in the November 3, 2020 election. Trump and his political thugs are forever on the wrong side of history. Not that they care, though.

When Trump put together his rally in Washington, DC, to coincide with the certification of the election of Vice-President Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States by the Congress, I had no doubt in my mind that he was up to some mischief. It was not ordinary that he picked DC, nor was it a coincidence that he chose January 6. Sitting in my house thousands of miles away, I sensed there was going to be a pandemonium. It must come as weird that the US security agencies did not take any action to pre-empt the breach of Congress

by Trump’s thugs. The mob easily marched into the parliament as the certification session started.

At the end of the carnage, lives were lost.

Before the reign of terror, Trump had thrown everything and anything at assaulting the credibility of the presidential election, claiming — without evidence — that he won and that the vote was rigged. If you believe you won and were cheated, there is a place to make your point in modern, civilised times: the courts.

Take your evidence there. His wild surrogates had filed over 60 lawsuits seeking to upturn results. They failed woefully. He had tried to manipulate the Electoral College by encouraging the electors to undermine the wishes of American voters as expressed through the ballot. Again, he failed woefully. At that point, the sane thing was to take his loss and walk. Not Trump.

Having failed to get Vice-President Mike Pence — the ceremonial president of the senate and the chairman of the joint session of the Congress — to sabotage the certification of the result, Trump pulled the last card from his chest pocket: inciting violence. At the ironically named “Save America” rally, he told his hoodlums: “And after this, we’re going to walk down — and I’ll be there with you — we’re going to walk down... to the Capitol and we’re going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women.” He thereafter drove off in his motorcade while his thugs rioted and piled violence on the Capitol, leading to five deaths. Trump has blood on his hands, for sure.

American democracy just dodged a bullet.

The constitution specifically says the presidential result must be certified on January 6. If the Congress had failed to do the certification that day — after the mob attack — there could have been a constitutional crisis. Given that Trump had reportedly been toying with imposing martial law or invoking the Insurrection Act all along, who knows what next he would have done in his desperate attempt to steal the election? The lawmakers, determined not to allow Trump ruin the system, reconvened and certified the result that day. In the end, democracy won. In my opinion, the system has shown that it is robust enough to cage the monsters.

To be sure, the January 6 violence was neither spontaneous nor unlikely. It probably started

Trump loading in 2008 when Barack Hussein Obama got nominated as the presidential flagbearer of the Democratic Party and went on to be elected president of the United States in the general election. That was unacceptable to the right-wing racists and xenophobes who could not imagine a black man occupying the White House. It was unthinkable. Soon, we started hearing the coded message of “Take Back America”, disguised as a rallying call to “Save America” from mismanagement by Obama. Statistics showed that the US economy had one of its most prosperous times under his leadership.

Trump, with his eyes firmly on the White House, began to mobilise the racists and the lunatic fringes to “Take Back America” — presumably because Obama, a black man, had taken America from the rightful owners. Trump was one of those who actively promoted and supported the “birther” movement peddling the falsehood that Obama was not born in America and was, therefore, not constitutionally qualified to be president. In March 2011, Trump told the Laura Ingraham Show: “He doesn’t have a birth certificate, or if he does, there’s something on that certificate that is very bad for him.”

Obama had to release his birth certificate to prove that he was born in Hawaii.

Tragically, the racists took back America at the end of Obama’s tenure through their champion — Donald John Trump — who immediately set out to grow his philosophy of hate, unilaterally placing travel bans on some Muslim-majority countries and launching a full-scale war against Obamacare, the affordable healthcare programme that allows the uninsured to receive treatment.

The little detail in there is that because black Americans are at the bottom of the social stratum and are low income earners, they are unable to afford health insurance. They were going to be the biggest beneficiaries of Obamacare.

But Trump and his racist allies would have none of that.

The attack on Obamacare was not in any way surprising — it was part of his campaign promises. The promise served a big purpose: that was what most members of his racist coalition wanted. The Tea Party fringe of the Republican Party held rallies in the days of Obama calling him a Communist and a Muslim, depicting him as Adolf Hitler and an African witchdoctor.

They protested against the Affordable Care Act and made disparaging statements against black members of Congress. (As an aside, there is a disproportionate number of blacks among those

killed by Covid-19 so far and this is largely attributable to pre-existing conditions which treatment many could not afford.)

Trump did quite an amazing job nurturing racism and breeding violence in America. He did not hide it. In 2017, he tweeted in no uncertain terms that four congresswomen — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley and Ilhan Omar — who were critical of him “should go back to your country”. All of them were originally from foreign countries.

For context, “Go back to your country” is a phrase popularised by the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), the white supremacist hate group that targets mainly African Americans in their campaign.

For context, too, KKK is one of the strongest support groups for Trump. They campaign and vote for him. His racist credentials are monumental.

In those infamous tweets against the three women, Trump wrote: “So interesting to see ‘progressive’ Democrat congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all), now loudly and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful nation on earth, how our government is to be run. Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime-infested places from which they came. Then come back and show us how it is done.” The undertone was, how do I put, quite explicit.

Gradually but consistently, Trump kept building up and encouraging hate and violence in America. He encouraged the use of brutal force against Black Lives Matter demonstrators who were protesting the racist murder of George Floyd last year. Trump disgracefully retorted: “When the looting starts, the shooting starts.”

It is quite normal that the quote had a racist past — dating back to 1967 when Walter E. Headley, the police chief of Miami, Florida, said: “When the looting starts, the shooting starts.” Headley was responding to the outbreak of violence in protests for racial justice across the US that year. It is only fitting that Trump would use Headley’s words to the same effect.

Trump’s rhetorical romance with violence only climaxed in the January 6 mayhem. He rode on the back of chauvinism to win in 2016. In four years, he amassed 74 million votes — compared to 62.9 million in 2016 — by primarily playing the hate card. He posed with the Bible at St John’s Episcopal Church to keep faith with his right-wing Christian fanatics. One of the rioters displayed a big banner, JESUS SAVES, while they attacked the Congress. The irony! They believe Trump — who grabs women by the privates, pays more for sex than tax and might not even know where Genesis is located in the Bible — is more Christian than Biden and Obama combined. Hate destroys brain cells.

I do not envy Biden. He can neither heal nor unite America. The damage is extensive. The racial prejudice is endemic. That is why the police kill blacks like a game. Blacks are not at the bottom of the ladder by mistake. Calling non-whites “people of colour”, as they do in America, is an eternal stamp of racism. Is white not a colour? Trump did not start racism in America. He only saw an opportunity and became a unifier of racists, misogynists, xenophobes and bigots. With 62 million voters growing to 74 million in four years, the number in 2024 may be more astounding. Is another Trump warming up? If so, it may become a case of “when the voting starts, the shooting starts”.

And Four Other Things…

IGBO AND 2023 South-east political leaders rose from a meeting in Igbere, Abia state, last week with a proposal — that all parties cede their presidential tickets in the 2023 elections to the zone “in the interest of justice, equity and national unity”. Since 1960, only the southeast has not produced a democratically elected chief executive of the Nigerian federation. In 1999, the south-west enjoyed the privilege of producing the only two presidential candidates, evidently as compensation for the annulment of the June 12 election won by Bashorun MKO Abiola.

The Igbere Proposal, as I would call it, is the easy part. The real job is in building the key alliances across Nigeria to actualise it. Work.

APAPA DEADLOCK There are many things to break your heart about Nigeria, but how do you explain the fact that it is cheaper to ship goods from China to Lagos than to move the same cargo from the ports to warehouses in the same state?

We are not even discussing port congestion here, which is another issue entirely. Trailers have for years made the Apapa roads hellish for other commuters. A call-up system put in place by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to keep the trailers in designated parks has been consistently sabotaged by the presidential task force which allegedly takes bribes and allows trailers to park on the road. An import-dependent country cannot even import properly. Shame!

ASUU DOCTRINE The University of Lagos chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has sanctioned 240 members for enrolling in the integrated personnel and payroll information system (IPPIS). Indeed, IPPIS, which can detect ghost workers and track tax evasion, is one of the reasons (some will say the real reason) ASUU went on strike for nine months. They said they have developed their own software to accommodate their “peculiarities”. But here is the irony: one of the conditions ASUU gave before calling off their strike was that noone should be victimised for participating in the action — but now the Unilag chapter is victimising members for their choices.

Hypocrisy.

“S.O.” AT 70 Dr Sunny Obazu-Ojeagbase (“SO”), Nigeria’s sports journalism legend, clocked 70 on December 31. The great man, who pioneered sports publications such as Complete Football and Sports Souvenir, gave me my first job in 1993 — employing me straight from my national youth service and making sure I was not unemployed for even one day.

To his eternal credit, his Complete Football “academy” has produced a vast number of top sports journalists in Nigeria, including notably Dr Abdulmumin Alao, who has been working with Obazu-Ojeagbase since 1988.

I thank God for the life of the builder of talents, business coach, author and pastor who has touched many lives home and abroad. Hurray!

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