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Covid-19 May Reduce Nigeria’s Oil Revenue, Says UN Report Earning likely to drop from $38.9 billion to $14bn Obinna Chima The raging Coronavirus, otherwise known as Covid-19, may cause Nigeria’s total revenue from crude oil export in 2020 to drop to between

$14 billion and $19 billion, compared to $38.9 billion previously predicted, a United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) report has stated.

The ECA, in a report

titled, “Economic Impact of the COVID-19 on Africa,” and obtained yesterday by THISDAY, noted that Nigeria’s gross oil revenue stood at N1.564 trillion as at the end of fourth quarter 2019.

The prediction was, however, predicated on crude oil price falling to $35 per barrel as well as Nigeria’s export of about 1.9 million barrels per day, a 50 per cent drop.

The report also estimated that Nigeria and other oilexporting nations in Africa could record revenue losses of up to $65 billion due to a likely drop in demand for the commodity.

On the average, the report estimated that between 2016 and 2018, yearly export revenues from fuels for Africa were $166 billion, with the Continued on page 5

Coronavirus: Trump Calls on God, Declares Day of Prayer, Adds UK, Ireland to Travel Ban…Page 5 Sunday 15 March, 2020 Vol 25. No 9106

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Dethronement: How Presidency Tried to Save Sanusi Ganduje, Sanusi refused to give peace a chance I don’t want to go back, I’ve moved on, says deposed Emir Tobi Soniyi in Lagos and Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Contrary to insinuations doing

the rounds, the Presidency actually made several moves to reconcile the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar

Ganduje and the deposed Emir of the state, Muhammadu Sanusi ll, in the peak of their feud.

A highly placed source in the Presidency, who pleaded anonymity but claimed to be in the know of efforts to broker

peace between Ganduje and peace a chance.

Sanusi, said both parties were But the deposed Emir, responsible for what happened, Continued on page 5 because they refused to give

Two Days to NEC, APC Govs Still Divided on Oshiomhole

Imo, Ogun, Lagos, Osun, Nasarawa, Borno, Kano, Kwara, Gombe, Katsina govs back embattled chair Appeal Court to decide stay tomorrow First-term govs standing firm by Oshiomhole Anti-chairman govs send emissaries to Tinubu in London Akande is disturbed, laments multiple litigation Chuks Okocha in Abuja, Gboyega Akinsanmi and Bayo Akinloye in Lagos Ahead of Tuesday’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC), there are strong indications that critical stakeholders are still sharply divided on the question of removing the embattled National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, from office. Ten governors of the party are said to have made up their minds that he must go, while 10 have vowed to back him. Also the Deputy Senate President and the Speaker of the House Representatives are said to be solidly behind Oshiomhole.

THISDAY findings showed that the governors of Imo, Ogun, Lagos, Osun, Nasarawa, Borno, Kano, Kwara, Gombe, and Katsina Continued on page 8

HONOURING ENIOLA BELLO'S MOTHER...

L-R: Managing Director, THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. Eniola Bello; His Highness Alapomu of Apomu, Osun State, Oba Kayode Adenekan II Afolabi; Mrs. Bosede Ogunbiyi; HRH, Olu of Ayetoro Gbede, Oba David Sunday Ehindero; and Commodore Ayo Bello – Odofin at the reception after the commemoration service of Mrs. Julianah Ibimawu Lawrence held at Ayetoro-Gbede, Kogi State…yesterday godwin omoigui

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Coronavirus: Trump Calls on God, Declares Day of Prayer, Adds UK to Travel Ban President test negative Demola Ojo with agency reports The President of the United States of America, President Donald Trump has declared today, March 15, a National Day of Prayer across the United States. This he did, not long after he officially declared a state of emergency over the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Trump has also added the United Kingdom and Ireland to a 30-day travel ban that includes 26 other European countries of the Schengen free movement zone, which came into effect Saturday.

Also late yesterday the White House said President Donald Trump tested negative for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Many Americans had expressed worry about his status after it was confirmed that some people he came in contact with in the Brazilian President's delegation tested positive to the virus.

In a memo, Trump’s doctor said he received confirmation that the president’s COVID-19 test was negative, adding that Trump was “symptom free.�

After declaring a national emergency on Coronavirus on Friday, Trump took to Twitter to announce his "great honor" in declaring that a National Day of Prayer would be taking place two days later.

An annual National Day of Prayer normally takes place on the first Thursday of May, which falls on May 7 this year, although Trump has previously given other days the designation during emergencies.

"It is my great honor to declare Sunday, March 15th as a National Day of Prayer. We are a Country that, throughout our history, has looked to God for protection and strength in times like these," Trump tweeted. "No matter where you may be, I encourage you to turn towards prayer in an act of faith. Together, we will

easily PREVAIL!" A few hours before the president suggested Americans turn to God for protection against the pathogen, Trump appeared at a press conference to announce that he would be freeing up federal resources to combat the virus.

"To unleash the full power of the federal government ... I am officially declaring a national emergency- two very big words," said Trump. "The action I am taking will open up access to up to $50 billion of... very important, a large amount of money for states and territories or localities in our shared fight against this disease."

Hours later, the UK and Ireland were added to America's European travel ban over the pandemic. The new restrictions will begin at midnight on Monday (5am Tuesday Nigerian time). American citizens and permanent residents will still be allowed to return home to the

US but they will be "funnelled" through selected airports, said Vice President Mike Pence, who is running the administration's response to COVID-19.

Pence also announced that free coronavirus testing would be provided for every American.

Speaking at the same news conference, President Trump said he had been tested himself and expected to get the results in the next 48 hours. The US has confirmed 51 deaths linked to the pandemic and 2,488 infections.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said the travel ban was extended because of the growing outbreak in the UK. The UK yesterday saw the number of confirmed cases reach 1,140, with 21 deaths - up from 11 on Friday.

Meanwhile, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has ordered the closure of all nonessential public locations from midnight (Sunday morning) in response to the coronavirus

outbreak. The measure applies to restaurants, cafes, cinemas and discos, as well as non-essential businesses. Philippe also called on French people to reduce their travel, especially between towns.

France reported a sharp rise in cases Saturday, from 3,661 to 4,499. It recorded 12 more deaths, bringing the toll to 79.

Meanwhile, Spain is also poised to declare a 15-day national lockdown tomorrow (Monday) to battle the virus, following similar measures by Italy last week.

On Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Europe was now the "epicentre" of the pandemic.

Its head Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries to use aggressive measures, community mobilisation and social distancing to save lives.

Back in Nigeria, the government has intensified its surveillance against COVID-19 at the nation's airports. Lagos State Commissioner for Health,

Akin Abayomi, said the move came as it was inevitable that there would be more cases in Africa.

Abayomi revealed on Friday that the state government has eliminated the threat of the COVID-19 outbreak through the Italian index case. Concerted efforts of government and its partners assisted in breaking the cycle of transmission, the health expert said.

He said Lagos was intensifying its surveillance to ensure that the health facility does not get overwhelmed, in case there are new cases, and added that the state government had sent more health personnel to the airport to assist the Federal medical team to boost their surveillance.

According to Abayomi, all the 179 people who had contact with the index case had been identified, while the only person confirmed to have contracted the virus from the index case has now tested negative.

"The governor insisted that the newly created emirates must be kept but acceded to the Emir that four of the five kingmakers whose districts were excised from Kano be reinstated. The Emir agreed not to appeal the decision to uphold the Emirates by the courts.

"It was clear all this while that the inflexibility to meet some of the conditions for peace by both have added complications that made peace almost impossible. For example, the former Emir had wanted the Kano State Anti Corruption Commission to stop its case against him completely. “He stood firmly that the case he instituted against the Code of Conduct Bureau will not be withdrawn, because in his view, he needed to pursue it to clear his name, a demand that Ganduje rejected."

The source, however, said the Abubabar Committee report didn't give any "glimmer of hope" for ending the crisis, adding that, "A mediator's success depends largely on the cooperation of the parties involved."

Despite the frustrations, sources explained the president didn't give up on the efforts for peace. The presidency official said when the Chief of Staff led a delegation to condole the

former Emir over the death of Ambassador Sanusi, the late Dan Iyan Kano, and the former Emir’s uncle, Abba Kyari met separately with Ganduje and Sanusi in a renewed effort to reconcile the two actors in the conflict.

The source noted that, having gone to this extent for peace, it was uncharitable and baseless to accuse President Buhari of ordering Ganduje to depose Sanusi.

He said, "the President holds Sanusi in the highest esteem and has nothing personal against him and, therefore, he couldn't have told Ganduje to depose him," describing as nonsensical the allegation that Buhari, was complicit in the Emir’s illegal removal and banishment to Nasarawa. “Chieftaincy law in Northern Nigeria going back to 1919 makes for the deposition and confinement of Emirs and Chiefs. Sarki Alu of Kano was removed by the colonial administration using this law and was walked to Lokoja on foot – start a life of exile. “State governments have used that law to full effect dealing with Sultan Dasuki in Sokoto, removed and kept in Zing, Taraba state and Emir Jokolo of Gwandu, Kebbi State, who has been kept away

from the state now for over two decades. Kano State did not need President Buhari’s authorisation for anyone to remove and exile Emirs and Chiefs.�

But, Sanusi, in a video uploaded online yesterday, said the dethronement letter sent to him by the Kano State government was poorly written and it would have been easy for him to proceed to the court to challenge it. “I have done what I could in six years, I’m moving on.

I don’t want to go back. The truth is if I had wanted to go back, the dethronement letter was so badly written, it was not done professionally. The easiest thing is just to go to court. “It’s a simple, fair hearing, ‘did you query him? Did you ask him to defend himself? Did you even call him to ask him any question?’ That’s all but I think we should go on to a new phase in life.�

Sanusi was dethroned last Monday as the Emir of Kano, by Ganduje for alleged insubordination and was subsequently banished to Loko and later Awe, both in Nasarawa State. He, however, returned to Lagos on Friday following a court order granting him freedom.

with China and Europe, and indirectly, through trade links between China, Europe and the rest of the world, through remittances and tourism.

The disease is also expected to lead to decline in foreign direct investment (FDI) flows, capital flight, and domestic financial market tightening, the report said.

Furthermore, it anticipated that in Africa, there would be disruption of global supply chains; drop in value creation; demand side shocks – oil, tourism, remittances; slowdown in investment, hence job losses; and inflationary pressures due to supply side shortages.

The report added, “There could be unanticipated increases in health spending of up to $10.6 billion and revenue losses could lead to unsustainable debt. “The decline in commodity prices could lead to fiscal pressures for Africa’s largest economies, making it impossible to respond to COVID-19 crisis.�

The report disclosed that in past crises, Africa’s tourism experienced losses of up to $7.2 billion.

According to the report, “All African countries are net importers of medical and pharmaceutical products.

COVID19 affected countries

are Africa’s main exporters. “Medical and pharmaceutical products imported from the EU27 (51.5% of Africa’s total imports) but also India (19.3%) and to a lesser extent Switzerland (7.7%), China (5.2%), the US (4.3%) and the UK (3.3%). “From Africa, South Africa is the largest source of imports (2.2% of Africa’s total imports).

African exports of medicinal and pharmaceutical products, although quite limited, are essentially directed to Africa (56.5% of Africa’s total exports), the EU-27 (16.5%) and to some extent Saudi Arabia (3.3%), the US (3%) and Yemen (2.6%).�

DETHRONEMENT: HOW PRESIDENCY TRIED TO SAVE SANUSI yesterday, said in a video that went viral, that he was done with the traditional stool and was not considering going back, because “I’m moving on�.

According to the presidency source, "Contrary to allegations of collusion to remove former Emir Sanusi from office, the presidency had intervened at many stages of the conflict to avoid escalation in the last two years, but the efforts collapsed because of the intransigence of the two sides to shift ground."

He said, when the Ganduje administration made up its mind to remove Emir Sunusi as far back as 2017, the governor informed President Muhammadu Buhari of this decision and asked Buhari for advice and guidance.

"Outright, President Buhari said it was inappropriate and requested that the plan be shelved," the source added, noting that the president, on November 17, 2017 wrote a letter to Ganduje wherein he advised the governor not to remove the Emir.

"This meeting was followed with a written letter to the governor dated 17th November, 2017 in which the President’s advice was clearly stated. The president directed his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari to follow up

for a peaceful resolution of the crisis of confidence between the two."

The source said it was part of the president's efforts to resolve the dispute that led to the setting up a committee made up of five state governors led by the Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

"They did their best. Calm returned but occasional flare-ups continued and were aggravated by the tense situations under which the governor reemerged for his second term in the 2019 general election", he added.

It was also gathered that in the course of that period, Governor Fayemi, his Jigawa State counterpart, Abubakar Badaru and to some extent, the Inspector General of Police, made several expeditions to Kano, to prevail on the Governor to not remove the Emir in those tense moments in the interest of peace and security.

The source said the main grouse of the administration was that the Emir had failed to stay above the fray of partisan politics especially, as it related to the governor’s re-election.

Explaining further some of the efforts made by the president to save the situation, he said: "In reaction to the various suggestions

by senior citizens including Generals Ibrahim Babangida, Mohammed Wushishi and Abdulsalami Abubakar, among others, the Chief of Staff sought for permission and gave the green light for the commencement of work by the Abdulsalami Abubakar committee.

"The committee members sat down with the president at the Villa to discuss their mission.At this meeting, the president outlined the efforts he put into the resolution of the conflict in Kano and said he had had enough. He gave assurances of support and put at their disposal, the use of the Presidential Aircraft, then wished them the best of luck.

But he did make clear that if the situation warranted it, we would not hesitate to clamp an emergency rule on the state.

"Governor Ganduje gave conditions for peace, including the withdrawal of court cases

by Emir Sanusi against the Kano State Government.

Sanusi allegedly accepted to withdraw some of the cases, but stood his ground on the others, including his refusal to withdraw a court case instituted

by Bashir Tofa and his group who the state government alleged to be Sanusi's proxy in the case.

COVID-19 MAY REDUCE NIGERIA’S OIL REVENUE, SAYS UN REPORT West Texas Intermediate (WTI) average yearly price for the period at $ 57.6.

It assumed an identical volume of fuels to be exported in 2020 was an average of same volume between 2016 and 2018, with average 2020 price at $35.

The report listed top oil exporters to be mostly affected to include Nigeria, whose share of total oil exports on the continent is 91.7 per cent.

Others are Algeria (95.7%), Angola (97.4%), and Libya (88.4%). It identified others also to be affected as South Africa, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Congo, Gabon, and Ghana.

The report said, “COVID-19 could lead to Africa’s export revenues from fuels falling to around $101 billion in 2020.�

It predicted the trend of crude oil prices per barrel as follows: $61.6 (January), $53.4 (February), $35 (March), and $30 (April), saying it would continue through December due in part to the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) policy differences.

The report also said further drops in demand occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic could compound price drops amid cancellation of flights, lower use of cars due to lockdowns,

and quarantine measures, etc.

It, however, showed that of 118,000 known Covid-19 cases, less than 50 were in Africa.

Ghana, Kenya and Ethiopia reported first cases on March 13, with only 15 countries in Africa numbering among 117 countries globally affected.

It predicted that the global pandemic was expected to weaken economic growth in the region, from 3.2 per cent, to 1.8 per cent, disclosing that the continent is increasingly interconnected with the rest of the world.

The UN report pointed out that Africa was directly connected through trade links

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NEWS TWO DAYS TO NEC, APC GOVS STILL DIVIDED ON OSHIOMHOLE states were standing firmly on the side of Oshiomhole.

One of the governors, who craved anonymity, vowed that the successes attained by APC could not be sacrificed on the altar of greedy ambitions of those angling for positions on the party’s platform. "Their push to oust him is to pave way for their selfish 2023 ambition."

Oshiomhole is also said to enjoy the backing of a good majority State Chairmen of the Party.

Oshiomhole's support base consists mostly of first term governors of the party who are said to not only be rooting for him, but have also hinted at setting up an association of first term Progressive Governors to register their displeasure at the way the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) is being run and have a unified platform to pursue common interests. A handful of second term governors have aligned with the first term governors to back the embattled chairman.

But more crucial, it seems, is Oshiomhole's appeal for stay of his suspension order by a Federal High Court, which triggered the tsunami of activities leading to the emergency NEC meet scheduled for Tuesday. The matter comes up for determination at the Court of Appeal tomorrow.

Should that appeal succeed, the entire gamut of the plots and permutations will change.

However, the anti-Oshiomhole governors are said to have already pushed their game a notch up by reaching out to one of the national leaders of the party, Bola Tinubu, who is currently in London, with a view to securing his buy in. But close sources to the National Leader told THISDAY last night that Tinubu is unshaken in his support for the embattled Chairman.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the APC reconciliation committee and former protem national chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, has lamented the multiple litigation in the party, saying a resort to the courts is not the solution to the crisis plaguing the ruling party.

THISDAY, however, gathered that about nine APC governors decided to support their Edo State counterpart, Godwin Obaseki, instead of allowing him to be humiliated by Oshiomhole, the very reason they are not taking chances as far as the Oshiomhole-MustGo project is concerned. They have argued in discussions that with Oshiomhole as national chairman of APC, the party would lose the forthcoming Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

At the South-south meeting, which drew attendance from ministers and members of NEC, among others, it was resolved that Oshiomhole should be asked to go. Following this, officials of the party were said to have started removing his posters from the party’s secretariat, the venue of the NEC meeting. But an observer pointed out that Ministers are not members of the Party's NEC and that they have no say on the matter.

Although many big names from the zone did not attend the meeting, like the APC national vice chairman for the South-south, Hillard Eta, who called for its boycott. Others equally conspicuously absent were Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie OmoAgege, and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipire Sylva.

Those who attended the South-south meeting included Obaseki, who hosted it; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Godswil Akpabio; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo; Minister of State for Power, Jeddy Agba; and the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire.

There were also a former governor of Edo State, Prof.

Oserheimen Osunbor; former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Usani; former Minister of State for FCT, Senator James John Akpanudoedehe; former Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba; and former Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, among others.

Briefing newsmen at the end of the meeting, Obaseki said, “The meeting was attended by leaders from the six states of the zone, comprising serving ministers, serving members of the National Assembly, members of the zonal executive of our party, and members of the state executive of our party. We also had former ministers, former senators, and leaders, who had served this country in various capacities. “At the meeting, the leaders of the zone deliberated extensively on situations in the party and at the end of the meeting, they adopted the following resolutions: that as a party, we commend our brother, the acting chairman of the APC, Victor Giadom, for rising to the occasion by providing leadership for the party in this trying times. “That we fully support the convening of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Tuesday, March 17th, as the NEC is the only recognised organ under the constitution of our party to resolve these crises; that we insist that the party should respect the current zoning arrangement by retaining the chairmanship of our great party in the South-south zone even in an acting capacity. “We resolved that the most senior officer of the party from the zone, being the national acting secretary, Chief Victor Giadom, should be conformed acting chairman for the time being. “We urged all our brothers and sisters from the zone to fully embrace the NEC meeting and not boycott the emergency NEC meeting, which has been slated for Tuesday, March 17th, because boycott in a democratic environment is always counterproductive.�

The battle now for the Southsouth, it seems, is how to retain the office of National Chairman in the zone. The other option is to recall the suspended deputy national chairman, Shuaibu Lawan, to act as chairman of a caretaker committee, or allow Giadom to continue in office.

Curiously, the APC constitution has no provision for a caretaker committee. This is where those asking that a former governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajumobi, should be made deputy national chairman, which could have put him in a better position to take over from Oshiomhole, lost it, because the APC constitution has made it impossible.

According to article 20(a) of the party’s constitution, “All party posts prescribed or implied by this constitution shall be filled by democratically conducted elections at the respective national convention or congress subject, where

APC GOVERNORS

NAME PROF BABAGANA ZULUM MR. GODWIN OBASEKI ALHAJI INUWA YAHAYA SENATOR HOPE UZODINMA ALHAJI ABDULRAHAM ABDULRASAQ MR. BABAJIDE SANWO-OLU ALHAJI ABDULLAHI SULE PRINCE DAPO ABIODUN MR. ROTIMI AKEREDOLU ALHAJI GBOYEGA OYETOLA ALHAJI MALA BUNI DR. KAYODE FAYEMI ALHAJI BADARU ABUBAKAR MALLAM NASIR EL-RUFAI DR. ABDULLAHI GANDUJE HON. AMINU MASARI ALHAJI ATIKU BAGUDU ALHAJI YAHAYA BELLO ALHAJI ABUBAKAR BELLO MR. SIMON LALONG

possible, to consensus, provided that where a candidate has emerged by consensus for an elective position, a vote of yes or no shall be called, to ensure that it was not an imposition, which could breed discontent and crisis.''

Against this backdrop, the likes of Ajumobi and others appointed as members of the last National Working Committee (NWC) meeting chaired by Oshiomhole would have to depend on the NEC meeting for ratification.

Oshiomhole is said to enjoy the support of many council chairmen across the country, who have so far presented a formidable challenge to those who want him out.

Pro-Oshiomhole Forces Make Their Move Displeased with the way the secretariat of the Progressives Governors Forum is being used against Oshiomhole, APC's first-term governors are already standing in the gap for him.

One of the governors stated, "We (the APC first-term governors) are planning to form a new forum: the Progressives First Term Governors Forum.

The formation of the forum is to clearly underscore our displeasure regarding how the Progressives Governors Forum is being run.�

Some of the governors, who spoke off the record to THISDAY, raised the alarm that some second-term governors with eyes on the 2023 presidential ticket and the post of vice president were using the Director-General of the Progressive Governors Forum, Salihu Lukman, to antagonise the national chairman.

One of them said regarding Lukman, “He is constantly issuing unauthorised statements in the name of governors of the forum without reprimand – all in promotion and advancement of certain ambitious interests of a few individuals. Statements that have no bearing on the collective views of the governors or overriding interest of the party.�

Another governor lamented the deleterious effects of the antiOshiomhole moves on the party.

He stated, “We cannot sacrifice the successes of the young party on the altar of greedy ambitions of a few governors who want to be president, vice president, or other positions. They are doing this not for the party, but for their own selfish interests. “We will not let them destroy the young party and the successes it has attained so far. They are misrepresenting the president and misleading Nigerians on what the president

STATE BORNO STATE EDO STATE* GOMBE STATE IMO STATE KWARA STATE LAGOS STATE NASARAWA STATE OGUN STATE ONDO STATE* OSUN STATE YOBE STATE EKITI STATE JIGAWA STATE KADUNA STATE KANO STATE KATSINA STATE KEBBI STATE KOGI STATE NIGER STATE PLATEAU STATE

in London TERM FIRST FIRST FIRST FIRST FIRST FIRST FIRST FIRST FIRST FIRST FIRST SECOND SECOND SECOND SECOND SECOND SECOND SECOND SECOND SECOND

said.�

They lamented that the APC governors’forum's secretariat was being used as an attack dog to weaken the national leadership of the party in pursuit narrow interests.

When THISDAY probed further on when the new forum was likely to come to life, one of the governors responded, “as soon as next week�.

The APC governors also disclosed to THISDAY that apart from the formation of the Progressives First Term Governors Forum, they would also move a vote of no confidence on the chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, the Kebbi State Governor, Mallam Abubakar Bagudu.

One of the first-term governors said, “We are going to move a vote of no confidence on the chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Abubakar Bagudu. Most of the issues they have against Oshiomhole are based on the fact that they see the national chairman of the party as a threat to their interests. “The second-term governors of the APC are eyeing the presidential seat in the next presidential election and to have their way, they are planning a take over of the party machinery and in the process, they are trying to destroy the party.

They are one leg here, one leg there."

The governors argued that the key problem they had against Oshiomhole was caused by some of them, who refused to adhere to the party’s instructions on primaries. “Look at what happened in Rivers and Zamfara states, for instance. They were asked to do direct primaries but they refused and did indirect primaries, the same thing almost happened in Ogun state," he stated.

According to the governors, who all shared concern about the conduct of Lukan, “The views often expressed by the DG do not summarise the thinking of all the governors.�

They accused their secondterm counterparts of using subterranean approaches to destabilise the ruling party in their bid to achieve their parochial interests and selfish ambitions.

"They are on their way out.

They are looking for how they can get the presidential ticket and the vice presidential ticket.

They are looking for someone to put in office (their successors)," said one of them, who warned that the second-term governors were "treading on dangerous waters".

Emissaries to Tinubu

Meanwhile, sources within the party disclosed that the anti-Oshiomhole governors had concluded plans to send emissaries to Tinubu in London or Chicago to brief him on the need to change the suspended national chairman at the next NEC meeting.

The source claimed that the governors “have sent two of their colleagues to meet the national leader. The essence is to brief him on the resolve of the governors, who are adamant that Oshiomhole should be replaced. I agreed with the position of the governors. He is still the party’s national leader.�

If the NEC meeting eventually holds as scheduled, the NWC source disclosed that the two national officers – the Deputy National Chairman for the North, Alhaji Shuaibu Lawal and National Vice Chairman, Mallam Inuwa Abdulkadir, who have been on suspension, would be called back.

On the Deputy National Chairman for the South, a different source alleged that Ajimobi’s nomination did not follow due process, because the Zonal Executive Committee had not ratified him for the position before the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu controversially announced his name.

The source admitted that the party’s leaders “met in Lagos to discuss Ajimobi’s nomination.

But the meeting did not agree.

The meeting of the APC Southwest Caucus held in Osogbo on the same matter a fortnight after the Lagos meeting. “At the Oshogbo meeting, there was protest and the meeting was inconclusive. The Zonal Executive Committee, the only body that has the power to make such nomination, has not decided whether Ajimobi should be nominated for the position.�

Specifically, the source explained that APC “is using the zoning structure it adopted in 2014, and nothing has changed. For instance, when Alhaji Lai Mohammed left the NWC in 2015, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi from his zone and state replaced Mohammed as National Publicity Secretary. “The same thing happened when Bolaji Abdullahi resigned in August 2018, Lanre Issa-Onilu also from his state and zone stepped in. When the National Youth Leader, Ibrahim JaloWaziri, left the NWC, Yobe nominated a candidate that replaced him. With this trend, on what ground should Ajimobi take over a position originally zoned to Ekiti State? This is not just.�

Akande Laments Multiple Litigation Akande, in a statement last night, frowned on the state of the party, saying, “I have noticed with growing concern the increasing number of court cases being filed pertaining to disputes regarding the leadership of our party, the All Progressives Congress.

Competition and different views on leadership are inherent in political parties. “Thus, the fact that all party members do not agree on all things is not abnormal. Politics, after all is, in significant degree, the art of resolving conflicts and disputes in a manner that strengthens institutions as well as relationships between the people, who share those common institutions. “The APC is a democratic body. This means we seek to

resolve internal conflict through dialogue, deliberation and ultimately through open and transparent voting procedures.�

He also said, “I am a bit taken aback by the swift resort to the courts by some members, who seek external decisions on what are intrinsically internal matters best determined by the deliberative process that is part and parcel of democraticallyoriented party politics. “I do not know the motivations behind this litigious conduct. It is not in my nature to ascribe negative or harmful motives to anyone. Those seeking access to the courts to decide what are basically politic questions, perhaps, think they are doing the right thing. If this is the case, I must state that they are innocently in error. “Their actions are harmful to the party in compound ways. First, the subject matter they bring before the court is not amenable to judicial pronouncement. The manner by which court decisions are rendered – one side wins, the other loses – is not the best way to resolve political disputes. “Again, such disputes are better treated by dialogue and the give-and-take that dialogue engenders. Courts do not proceed in such a manner.

Second, to resort to the courts casts the party in a negative public light. Third, this penchant for litigation undermines party discipline, internal dispute resolution mechanisms and institutions.�

Akande reminded party members that the party’s constitution required that all internal dispute resolution measures should be exhausted before a member carries a matter to court, noting, “I dare say this provision has not been honoured either in spirit or in letter by those initiating these court cases seeking to oust party officials. “More specifically, along with several other respected party members, I have been appointed as a member of the party’s special reconciliation committee. I have been given the further honour to be the committee chairman. This committee was the product of discussion and deliberation of party organs such as the NWC and NEC. No one has contended that this committee was improperly established.�

He stated that the committee’s mandate was to investigate and submit recommendations regarding the dispute in Edo State, involving Oshiomole and Obaseki, as well as look into disputes in other states that might weaken the party. “All party members are aware of this decision,� he said. “Thus, it runs contrary to the explicit decision of the party and is severely premature for members to seek judicial intervention in areas that form the very subject matter of the special committee’s mandate.

To do this even before the committee has had time to do and finish its work not only insults the committee, it offends the NWC, NEC and the entire party.�

Akande called on all party members to honour the rightful and correct decisions of the party leadership. He said members should allow the committee to do its work and stop seeking judicial intervention in matters under the purview of the special committee. “For members to act otherwise would be to discard the party constitution and ignore the tenets of deliberation and compromise upon which all successful political parties are founded,� he noted.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MARCH 15, 2020

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SUNDAY COMMENT

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

CORONAVIRUS AND THE ECONOMY Nigeria could do with a sense of urgency about economic reforms

E

ven though Nigeria has not recorded any fatality from Coronavirus, the country is nonetheless witnessing other gloomier consequences. Not only are there fears about the sustainability of business operations that require the movement of personnel for maintenance of plants and machinery as well as disruptions in the supply chains of essential goods, the assumptions on which the 2020 budget were predicated are almost forfeited.

Already, oil is trading far below the benchmark of $57 per barrel; the exchange rate of the local currency has depreciated While the outbreak in the parallel market, reportedly going for as of the novel Coronavirus might low as N401 per dollar, in some instances provide a quick aided by the activities alibi on why our of speculators. The economy is now stock market is also on a dangerous reeling from the impact of the virus, officially trajectory, the christened COVID-19, reality is that the tell-tale signs that with market capitalisation dipping sharply. all was not well Some basic figures were there long might explain the cheerbefore the dreaded less position we are in. pandemic begun to Oil prices are currently at about $34. Foreign take its toll reserves are wearing thin, from a peak of $48 billion in July 2018 to about $36 billion currently. The Excess Crude Account (ECA) that could have served as some buffer had been depleted to a mere $71 million. Basic raw materials for Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industries go from China to India for contract manufacturing.

That supply chain has been disrupted as India is holding on export of drugs in anticipation of an outbreak given their huge population. Currently, prices of essential drugs like paracetamol are up by about 40% in the country.

On the whole, the economic prognosis does not look good. On Wednesday in Abuja, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Group Managing Director, Mr Mele Kyari joined several critical stakeholders to warn of tougher times

Letters to the Editor

T

he quality of life of a people finds measurement in the quality of roofs spread over their heads at the end of each long, exhausting day.

For many years, decent housing has been one of the defining yardsticks of how well people are faring at any given time. If at the end of each long day, people are able to retire to decent houses, then, invariably, they are living reasonably well. On the other hand, if at the end of similarly long days, people are confronted by dingy homes in overcrowded areas, then a problem immediately becomes obvious.

Now, Nigeria as a country has had its fair share of

ahead. “We will have the impact of Coronavirus for a while", said Kyari at a roundtable session with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele. “Today, I can share with you that there are over 12 stranded LNG cargoes in the market globally. It has never happened before. LNG cargoes that are stranded with no hope of being purchased because there is an abrupt collapse in demand associated with the outbreak of Coronavirus."

B

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

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

reaking down the gloomy economic challenge to numbers at the CBN parley, Kyari said as at today, “the best of our production system is $15 to $17 a barrel, there are many countries whose cost of production is $30 and we’re one of them. So, when the price now goes to $22 and we’re producing at 30 dollars, that means we’re out of business.”

While the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus might provide a quick alibi on why our economy is now on a dangerous trajectory, the reality is that the tell-tale signs that all was not well were there long before the dreaded pandemic begun to take its toll. While reviewing the 2020 budget may seem an inevitable option for now, we believe that the nation boxed itself into this recurring pitiable situation dictated by the vagaries of oil prices for failing to diversify, in real terms, and for failing to save for the rainy day. Although the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed tried to put a positive spin on the challenge ahead, she nonetheless admitted that “the combination of crude oil price crash and Coronavirus will put severe strain on our budget revenue, forex and many sectors.”

As a consequence of neglect spanning decades, the economy is sadly over-dependent on the oil sector which accounts for about 90 per cent of our foreign exchange earnings but provides less than 25 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Oil has created a culture of fast money through government patronage and corruption. The farms are no longer attractive to the able-bodied youths of the country, who stream daily to political capitals of the nation – federal, states, local councils – for their share of the cheap money.

Now that Coronavirus has shown how risky, unsustainable and unwise overdependence of oil revenue is, we urge the federal government to demonstrate more seriousness and a sense of urgency in diversifying the economy.

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.

Nigeria and The Housing Crisis developmental struggles since independence in 1960.

Some of the problems that were occasionally defined and dismissed as teething problems have shown both remarkable longevity and ability to evolve. They have continued to impede the country`s development in many deleterious ways. The effects are all too clear.

One such problem is the housing inadequacy that plagues the country like an epidemic. All over the country, a sickening majority of Nigerians find themselves cramped into houses in areas that are so tight that there is literally no breathing space. This ugly situation marks urban as well as rural areas although it appears that the

urban areas with their pull of a better life are the worse affected.

The housing problem also immediately betrays a frightening spectre of inequality. While the rich are able to enjoy quarters closer to fresh air, space, light and minimum noise, people of little means are left on the fringes of the housing crises.

Inequality is the common denominator here, the common divider, the main instigator of the housing crisis. In cities like Lagos and Abuja, areas that are the exclusive preserve of the rich enjoy space and exotic houses, while the poor who must occupy the fringes of the city find themselves corralled into shanties.

There is yet another group that is worse off, it is group of the homeless: those who have no homes at all.

The housing crisis is a blight on Nigeria as it should be on every country that desires the well-being of its citizens. A lack of political will exacerbated by a self-interest that is distinctly Nigerian has ensured that successive administrations have floundered in their bid to fix it.

Some would argue that population explosion is partly to blame. Well, this may be true to an extent. What is truer however is that poor planning is a chief contributor. The future can always be planned if the vision and the mission are well placed.

There is also the problem of landlords who provide stiff competition to the Shylock of the Merchant of Venice. These

landlords churn out substandard houses with frightening speed and proceed to crush their hapless tenants with extortionate amounts as rent.

When these helpless and hapless tenants are unable to keep up with the exorbitant demands of rent, forced eviction becomes the order of the day.

Laws have been made to remedy the housing crisis, but Nigeria is a country of many laws that lack teeth and traction.

The government must continue to do all it can to regulate the housing industry with the ultimate aim of ending the housing crisis and providing decent housing to all Nigerians.

A country where citizens do not have quality houses to inhabit is a homeless country.

Kene Obiezu, Abuja

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NEWS

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LCCI, NECA Recommend Policy Options to Cushion Effect of Oil Price Slump ‡ Say Nigeria may not be able to meet her debt obligation ‡6XJJHVW HTXLW\ ÀQDQFLQJ SULYDWH LQIUDVWUXFWXUH IXQGLQJ ‡ 6D\ ELOOLRQ ERUURZLQJ UDLVHV VXVWDLQDELOLW\ FRQFHUQ

Gboyega Akinsanmi With a 50.69 percent slump in oil price per barrel between December 2019 and March 2020, Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) have proposed equity financing and private infrastructure funding, among others, as strategies to prevent Nigeria from slipping into grave economic contraction.

Also, the two foremost business

associations – LCCI and NECA – have warned the federal government against going ahead with its plan to take additional $22.7 billion borrowing, which they say, will bring the country’s total debt stock to $108 billion if the National Assembly approves the request for additional foreign loan. The Senate had already approved the loan.

In separate conversations with THISDAY, Director-General of LCCI, Dr. Muda Yusuf and his NECA counterpart, Dr. Timothy

Olawale expressed concern about Nigeria’s economic future amid steady crash in the price of crude oil since December 2019, suggesting policy options to cushion its effects.

The price of Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) basket of fourteen crudes had slipped to $33.25 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $35.54 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

From $67.31 per barrel in December 2019, oil price had

dropped to $63.83 in January 2020; $56.21 in February 2020 and $33.25 as at March 31 with Goldman Sachs’ prediction that the price would crash to about $30 per barrel.

With this trajectory, the gradual slump in global oil prices had upset Nigeria’s 2020 appropriation plan premised on a benchmark of $57 per barrel, thereby compelling the federal government to seek an urgent review of the benchmark and most likely the budget size

LONGER LIFE, GRANDMA...

L-R; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; the celebrant, Chief Christie Ade-Ajayi and Mr. Dipo Ajayi during the 90th anniversary of Madam Ade-Ajayi, widow of the late Prof Ade-Ajayi in Lagos... on Friday

Police to Arraign Lawyer for Forgery Tobi Soniyi The police will on Monday arraign a legal practitioner, Mr. Eziafa Enwedo before Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court in Abuja for alleged forgery of court processes.

The police last Thursday filed the charge against Enwedo who was accused of forging court processes which a court of the Federal Capital Territory relied on to give judgment declaring the election of Mr Ifeanyi Ubah as the senator representing Anambra South null.

Enwedo was said to have conspired with his client who was plaintiff in the suit- Anani Anacletus Chuka, and a contestant for the senatorial seat, Dr Obinna Uzor who later applied to join the suit, and two others namely Aroh Ifunanya and Faith Samuel.

In the charge sheet, Enwedo co-conspirators are said to be at large.

Count one of the charges obtained read: “That you Eziafa Samuel Enwedo on or about September, 2019 at the Federal Capital Territory within the jurisdiction of this court did conspire with Anani Anacletus Chuka, Aron Ifunanya, Faith

Samuel and Obinna Uzor all of who are at large to commit a felony to with forging originating summons number CV/3044/18 Anani Anacletus Chuka Versus Ubah Ifeanyi Patrick and Others and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 Law’s of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section 1(2) of the same Act. In count two, the accused was charged thus: “That you Eziafa Samuel Enwedo and the following other persons now at large that is Anani Anacletus Chuka (M) Aron Ifunanya (F) Faith Samuel (F) and Obinna Uzor (M) on or about 27th of March 2019 at the Federal Capital Territory within the jurisdiction of this court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony, to wit; forging of motion for joinder with motion number M/4017/19; and thereby commuted an offense contrary to Section 3(b) of the Miscellaneous Offenses Act, Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section 1(2)(c) of the same Act.�

Count three, according to the prosecution counsel, Celestine

Uroki Odo of the Police Legal/ Prosecution Section of the Forces Headquarters Abuja read “that you Eziafa Samuel Enwedo (M) and the following other persons now at large that is Anani Anacletus Chuka (M), Aron Ifunanya (F), Faith Samuel (F) and Obinna Uzor (M) on or about September,2019 at the Federal Capital Territory Abuja; within the jurisdiction of this court, with intent to defraud, made a false document, originating summons No 3044/18 Anani Anacletus Chuka Versus Ubah Ifeanyi Patrick & Others knowing same to be false, with intent that it may be acted upon as genuine to the prejudice of Senator (Dr) Ubah Ifeanyi Patrick a distinguished Senator representingAnambra South Senatorial District and thereby committed an offense punishable under Section 1(2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, LFN 2004 “ In count four, the suspects were charged thus: “That you Eziafa Samuel Enwedo (M) and the following other persons now at large that is Anani Anacletus Chuka(M),Aron Ifunanya (F), Faith Samuel (F) and Obinna Uzor (M) on or about September ,2019 at the Federal Capital Territory Abuja; within the jurisdiction of this court,

with intent to defraud, made a false document, namely motion on notice for joinder, with No M/4017/19, knowing same to be false, with the intent that it may be acted on as genuine to the prejudice of Senator (Dr) Ubah Ifeanyi Patrick a distinguished Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District and thereby committed an offense punishable under Section 1(2)(c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, LFN 2004.�

Count five reads: “That you Eziafa Samuel Enwedo (M) and the following other persons now at large that isAnani Anacletus Chuka(M),Aron Ifunanya (F), Faith Samuel (F) and Obinna Uzor (M) on or about September,2019 at the Federal Capital Territory Abuja; within the jurisdiction of this court, with intent to defraud, made a false document, namely a purported judgment in suit number CV/3044/18 knowing same to be false with intent that it may be acted upon as genuine to the prejudice of Senator (Dr) Ubah Ifeanyi Patrick a distinguished Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District and thereby committed an offense punishable under Section 1(2)(c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, LFN 2004.

among uncertain economic future.

Disturbed by this global dynamics, LCCI’s director-general warned that the sharp drop in revenue could cause significant dislocations in the 2020 budget and in the economy, especially for a country already grappling with challenges of weak revenue performance and a complete erosion of fiscal buffers.

With the tumbling oil price, Yusuf added that a drastic reduction in the revenue of governments at all level “has become inevitable in the near time on the ground that oil revenue currently accounts for about 50 percent of government revenue and about 85 percent of foreign exchange earnings.�

He noted that the trend “will have grave implications for the level of fiscal deficit in the budget; budget implementation will be constrained; infrastructure financing will be affected; borrowing may increase, and the capacity to fund capital project will be severely constricted. With this scenario, the outlook for oil dependent economies looks rather gloomy.�

To prevent Nigeria’s economy from slipping to recession, the director-general warned that additional $22.7 billion borrowing (if eventually approved) would bring the total debt stock to $108 billion, saying the capacity to service the current stock of debt raises serious sustainability concerns.

He said the growing national debt “is a cause for concern as the debt profile grew from N12.6 trillion in 2015 to N26.2 trillion in third quarter 2019, an increase of 108 percent. With additional $22.7 billion loan, it will bring the total debt stock to $108 billion. But state governments owe 15 percent of the debts. “For instance, the debt service provision in the 2019 budget was a whooping N2 trillion; whereas the total capital budget was N2.9 trillion; this implies that the debt

service commitment was 70 percent of capital budget allocation. Debt to revenue ratio was about 30 percent, which is also on the high side.�

He, therefore, urged the federal government to take appropriate policy choices to attract equity domestic and foreign private sector capital for infrastructure financing.

The director-general added that the federal government “should look beyond tax credit in its quest for complimentary funding sources for infrastructure. We should be looking more in the direction of equity financing. But for this to happen the policy and regulatory environment must be right.�

Also, Yusuf recommended that the federal government should deepen public private partnership (PPP) and public private dialogue should be deepened to harness quality ideas on how to manage this rather scary situation.

He equally counseled the federal government “to review the spending structure of government and the cost of governance. The ballooning recurrent expenditure, in the face of declining revenue is a cause for concern. It is also important not to respond to the situation in panic mode in order to avoid a disproportionate response which could do even more harm to the economy.�

Like his LCCI counterpart, Olawale lamented that the global oil price “has tumbled below the $57 on which the 2020 National Budget was premised. The scale of the reduction is eliciting unpleasant memories of 2014 and 2015 oil price downturn that largely pushed the country into recession in 2016. “The fluctuation of the oil price is already threatening the National budget benchmark and overall revenue of the government for 2020, with consequential negative implication for the proposed capital projects and other critical expense heads.�

APC Chief Lauds FG, LASG over Coronavirus Treatment A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Lagos State, Chief Lanre Razak has commended the Federal and Lagos States over the way they are handling the issue of the dreaded disease called coronavirus that is ravaging the whole world in recent time.

Razak, in a media chat at the weekend said the steps taken and still being taken were indications that Nigeria is blessed with responsive administrators, who have the welfare of the citizenry at heart.

According to the elder statesman, the setting up of a committee peopled by highly competent professionals by President Muhammadu Buhari to handle the issue concerning the disease has given the populace confidence that they are in safe hands.

The respected politician also gave kudos to the Federal Government for relevant information concerning

precautions to be taken to avoid contacting it and by extension preventing its spread.

The Epe, Lagos State born member of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), also gave a pat on the back of the state governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for prompt pre-emptive measure already taken before the disease hit the country.

The preparedness, according to the APC stalwart, went a long way to assist in successful handling the first victim in Nigeria, saying that the four well equipped hospitals designated for the eventuality came handy when needed.

He therefore enjoined the people to reciprocate the governments’ good gestures by utilising the telephone lines of designated centres in the event any suspected victim is sighted within their vicinities, reminding that prevention is better and cheaper than cure.

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NEWS UNHCR: Edo Accounts for 70% Migration from Nigeria Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR), has disclosed that Edo State accounts for 70 percent of migration from Nigeria.

UNCHR’s Liaison Officer, Amah Assiama-Hillgartner gave the statistics in Benin City at a dissemination meeting, saying although she may not be able to provide answer to the root cause of it.

At the meeting, however, Assiama-Hillgartner said data available showed that

a lot of people who claimed to have left Nigeria all claimed Edo state as being their place of origin.

She said: “This is what had been recorded. In fact, we have office here. It is not recorded haphazardly.

We do recognise that Edo State is one of the centres or places where processes for people to leave to overseas go on.�

She said though UNHCR might not be able to say whether all the people were from the state, there seemed to be some kind of infractions which allow people to be processed or to move on for migration in the state.

Amah said the purpose of the meeting “is to ensure that if people must move then they must do it in safety and dignity. I am not talking only about Edo, but also on the risks on IDPs camps that the condition was such that the people who live, like in Maiduguri, for instance could be at risk. “We are here today because this is where the whole things seemed to have started. Right now, we have concerns that we have to start work in our IDPs camps to tell it to the whole population in our IDPs who are at risk to be manipulated by

Police Parade Suspect Who Beheaded Octogenarian Okon Bassey in Uyo The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has paraded 59 suspected criminals for committing various forms of crime in the state in the last 10 weeks including a man who beheaded an 82-year-old woman.

The state Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal gave updates about the activities of the command, noting that different types of ammunitions and dangerous weapons were recovered from the suspects.

He listed crimes committed by the suspects to include murder, kidnapping, child trafficking, cultism, hard drugs, armed robberies and fraud among others.

One of the arrested persons was

the principal suspect one Lucky Michael ‘m’ who beheaded an 82-year-old woman, Cecilia Isong who went to her farm with grandson to harvest cassava in Oku Abak, Abak local government area of the state on March 7.

Her grandson, one Kingsley Emmanuel ‘m’, who reportedly took some harvested cassava to the house, on returning to the farm, met the headless body of Isong in the farm. “Operatives of Abak Division in collaboration with the youth cordoned the farm where nine suspects including the principal suspect, one Lucky Michael ‘m’ were arrested. “During interrogation, the said Lucky Michael confessed his involvement in the crime and

led the detectives to his house where the deceased severed head was recovered. Investigation is in progress,� the commissioner said.

He explained that “on assumption of duty, I promised the good people of Akwa Ibom State that I will interface with them on a regular basis as we partner in fighting crime to a standstill in the state.�

According to him, “I have reappraised the security architecture of the command in order to effectively police the state and bring crime and criminalities to the barest minimum. “I am calling the good people of Akwa Ibom State to be more vigilant and utilise our hotlines in reporting crimes and criminalities promptly as we have further increased our response capacity and are now closer to the people.�

the traffickers because of the harsh condition of living in the camps, and the difficult conditions they are going through. “Look at the vulnerability of the people and the need of the people who are likely to fall victims. We need to go there and tell them the message that there are other ways of traveling safely. “We are going to come out with dissemination strategy for people in the churches, mosques, schools, market squares for people to understand that they can travel without passing through the desert,� she said.

Also, the UNCHR Senior Protocol

Officer, Markus Topp said the UN agency “is trying to ensure that people who want to migrate do so with correct understanding of the conditions. “We are focusing on telling the real story before people leave and not focusing on after they have come back. Some of the participants in the project are people who have left and come back to the country. “But they are the messengers of telling the real story. It is about having people who actually moved, whether they made it to Niger, Libya or Europe, to have them come back and talk about their

own experiences. “To have a balanced shared of information because on the one hand we have people who we always refer to as traffickers who are painting one picture but we think giving people a chance to make informed decisions. We get the story from those who actually went and when they come back and give their own experiences.

How it was to cross the desert, what is actually like when you get to Libya? What are the conditions like in Libya? What are the risks of being detained in Libya?

Ude, SA to Uzodinma, Pledges to Implement People’s Oriented Projects Tobi Soniyi The Special Adviser to Imo State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Humanitarian Services, Mrs Christina Ude has pledged her readiness to embark on projects that will impact positively on the lives of Imo people.

Ude stated this during her assumption of office and after embarking on a routine inspection of the SDG’s corporate office along Port-Harcourt Road Owerri.

She promised to revatilise the SDG office, which had become moribund, saying she was very much prepared to revitalise the SDG office in line with the Imo state governor’s ideology.

He explained that the complex has fallen far below standard with no seats, barely working air conditioners, no electric fans, no workable standby electricity, power generating set and also has only two unserviceable official vehicles.

Ude, a gender activist, also said that the above challenges would only force her to brace up to ensure that the government of Senator Hope Uzodinma succeeds through strategic planning, implementation and execution of such sustainable projects that would improve the welfare of the Imo people.

She used the opportunity to call on her workers to be proactive in the discharge of their duties in line with the governor’s reconstruction, rehabilitation and recovery.

She said: “I am not pleased at all with what I met on ground, but nevertheless, we are good to go, what Imo people should expect from me is a quality administration as the SA to the governor on SDGs and Humanitarian Services. “We are going to focus more on the areas of non communicable diseases reduction by ensuring an improved health care delivery system is in place, environmental cleanliness and poverty eradication, reposition both human and non human infrastructural development. “We will also partner with the media for advocacy, source for funding through harmonious working relations with donor agencies both at the local, national and international levels.�

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NEWS APC Crisis: Oluwajana Disagrees with Nabena over Gaidom’s Resignation

‡ Says NWC granted acting national secretary waiver ‡ -XVWLÀHV *DLGRP¡V SRZHU WR FRQYHQH 1(& PHHWLQJ Gboyega Akinsanmi in Lagos and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The National Vice Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) for the South-west, Mr. Bankole Oluwajana yesterday disputed claims that the party’s acting National Secretary, Chief Victor Gaidom had resigned from the National Working Committee (NWC) before the 2019 general election.

Oluwajana added that the NWC under the chairmanship of the APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, granted waiver to the acting national secretary to contest the 2019 election as the running mate to the governorship candidate in Rivers State, Mr. Tonye Cole.

He made the clarification in response to THISDAY inquiries yesterday, faulting the claims of the APC Deputy National Publicity, Mr. Yekini Nabena that Gaidom resigned from the NWC before the 2019 governorship elections.

Nabena had earlier challenged Gaidom’s power to convene the meeting of the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) scheduled to hold on Tuesday at a news conference he addressed in Abuja, claiming that Gaidom had resigned from the NWC before the 2019 governorship election.

Nabena alleged at the news conference that the acting national secretary tendered his resignation letter to the NWC to contest the 2019 election as the deputy governorship candidate in Rivers State.

He said: “It is an aberration that he still attends meetings of the NWC, occupies the office of Deputy National Secretary and convenes a NEC meeting. In our politicking, we must not lose sight of due process and the dictates of the Party’s constitution.�

However, faulting Nabena’s claims yesterday, Oluwajana explained that at one of one of the party’s NWC meetings before the 2019, Gaidom’s decision “to seek an election was deliberated upon. The issue is not whether Oshiomhole should stay or go.�

Before Gaidom stood for election in 2019, Oluwajana noted that the acting national secretary was given a waiver by the NWC, noting that the APC Director of Administration, Alhaji Abdullahi Gashua duly communicated the waiver to Chief Victor Gaidom.

The APC chieftain noted that the acting national secretary “never resigned from the NWC as Nabena claimed. Gaidom is the acting National Secretary. The previous meetings – NEC and NWC - were called by the national secretary.�

Kaduna Magistrate DeďŹ es High Court, Insists on Odinkalu’s Trial Tobi Soniyi In what amounts to judicial rascality, a Kaduna Chief Magistrate Court presided over by Mr. Ibrahim Musa has ruled that he would continue with the trial of alleged incitement filed against a former Chairman of the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu after a High Court of Kaduna State had stopped him from continuing with the trial.

A Kaduna State High Court had on January 20 granted leave to Odinkalu to seek judicial review of his trial by the Kaduna State Government before the magistrate court.

The order made by Justice S.S Daka of the state high court, was sequel to a motion ex-parte by Odinkalu’s lawyer, Gloria Balason seeking for leave of court to apply for a judicial review by way of an order for certiorari in case KMD/2019 between the State v.

Odinkalu.

Granting the reliefs, Daka said, “Leave is hereby granted to apply for a judicial review by way of an order for certiorari in case KMD/2019 between the state versus Odinkalu. “An order is hereby granted stipulating that the granting of leave of paragraph 1 above shall operate in the interim to stay proceedings in suit KMD/2019 pending the hearing of the motion on notice.�

The high court order was served on the chief magistrate who was also the second respondent in the

case at the high court.

After securing the high court order, Odinkalu through his lawyer, Balason applied to the magistrate for a stay of execution of the trial since a higher court had stayed further proceeding in the matter.

The enrolled court order was also exhibited in the application for stay of proceedings.

However, in his ruling on the application, last Friday, the chief magistrate said that it had not been shown that he had no jurisdiction to try the case.

He also held that he was not aware of the proceeding for a certorari before the high court He therefore ruled that he had jurisdiction to continue with the trial and would continue with the trial. He consequently adjourned to April 7.

The Kaduna State government had last year filed charges bordering on injurious falsehood and incitement against Odinkalu before the chief magistrate, seeking the activist’s imprisonment for faulting Governor Nasir el-Rufai claim that 66 Fulani residents were killed in an attack in Kajuru, Kaduna State.

The chief magistrate’s court in Kaduna has been hearing the charges behind closed doors since they were filed at the apparent instance of Governor El-Rufai.

Odinkalu’s lawyers had earlier claimed that trial had been characterised by “unnecessary adjournments and secrecy� with little progress made months after it was filed.

He justified the need to hold the NEC meeting, noting that whether there should be the NEC meeting or not should not be a subject of debate because the APC’s constitution set up the organ to resolve issues and take decisions.

He said: “It is not whether Oshiomhole should go or not. A minority cannot retain Oshiomhole against the wish of the majority. A minority cannot drive him if the majority wants him to remain in office. The organ, where all these

issues can be resolved, is the NEC. “All the arguments, court actions, court orders and counter court order are very unnecessary. The essence of democracy is that issues are resolved through democratic process. That is why we have the

NEC and some other organs our constitution set up. “Anybody, who goes against the meeting of NEC, is simply strangulating democracy. Who is afraid NEC meeting? Why the sudden fear of the NEC meeting?

FISHING FESTIVAL. . .

Thousands fishermen ran into Matan fada river in search for the biggest fish at the grand finale of Argungu fishing and cultural festival in Argungu, Kebbi State... yesterday Kunle Ogunfuyi

Nigeria, S’Africa, Ethiopia, Congo Account for 50% Illicit Financial Flows in Africa Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja Nigeria, South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia account for 50 per cent of illicit financial flows (IFFs) in Sub-Saharan Africa, Brookings Institution, a globally renowned American research group, said in a new report.

The report, titled Illicit Financial Flows in Africa: Drivers, Destinations, and Policy Options, said revelations around illicit financial gains by Isabel dos Santos, Africa’s richest woman and daughter of former Angolan president Eduardo dos Santos, once again brought the topic of illicit financial flows

to the forefront of the conversation on domestic resource mobilisation in Africa.

Unfortunately, the report noted that illicit flows “are not new to the continent: While between 1980 and 2018, sub-Saharan Africa received nearly $2 trillion in foreign direct investment (FDI) and official development assistance (ODA), it emitted over $1 trillion in illicit financial flows. “These flows, illicitly acquired and channelled out of the continent, continue to pose a development challenge to the region, as they remove domestic resources that are crucial for the continent’s

development,� the reported added.

It stressed that over a 38-year period, between 1980 and 2018, Africa exported an aggregate $1.3 trillion of illicit financial flows, adding that IFFs saw a notable increase in the 2000s in correspondence to increases in trade from Africa.

The report, however, said while the high aggregate amount of illicit financial flows might appear alarming, it was important to note that the relative share of illicit financial flows seemed to be steady or declining. “In 2018, illicit financial flows only made up 5 per cent of GDP, down from 8 per cent in 2012 and

2008. Illicit financial flows as a share of trade also fell from 14 per cent in 2008 to 11 per cent in 2018. “The top four emitters of illicit flows—South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia and Nigeria—emit over 50 per cent of total illicit financial flows from Africa. “Among the top 10 emitters of illicit flows, nine countries attribute a significant portion of total exports to natural resources: mining products in South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Botswana, and Zambia, and oil and gas in Nigeria, the Republic of the Congo, Angola, Sudan, and Cameroon.

Appeal Court Rules This Week on Ubah’s Application against Sack Alex Enumah in Abuja There is palpable anxiety in Anambra State as the Court of Appeal readies to deliver its verdict this week on the appeal filed by Senator Ifeanyi Ubah of Young Progressives Party (YPP) against his sack from the National Assembly.

A three man panel of the appellate court presided over

by Justice Stephen Adah had last week reserved judgement in Ubah’s appeal seeking to upturn the judgement of an Abuja High Court, which ordered his removal from the Senate over alleged forgery.

Ubah represents Anambra South Senatorial District in the upper chamber. He was declared winner of the February 23, 2019 Anambra South Senatorial election by the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC) and was accordingly sworn in as a Senator of the Ninth Assembly last year.

However, Kawu, delivering judgement on April 11, 2019, in a suit filed by one Anani Chuka nullified, Ubah’s election on the ground that he allegedly used a forged National Examination Council (NECO) certificate to contest the senatorial election that brought him to office as Senator.

Kawu, on January 17, 2020, further upheld his judgement in a ruling on Ubah’s application seeking to set aside his sack order on the ground that the application lacked merit. The court after sacking Ubah ordered INEC to withdraw the certificate of return it had issued to him and issue a fresh one to Dr. Obinna Uzoh of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who came second in the election.

Miffed by the decision, Ubah had on same day approached the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgement, which, he insisted, was a grave miscarriage of justice. In the appeal predicated on four grounds and filed by Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, the senator alleged that he was denied fair hearing by the trial court.

Respondents in the appeal included Anani Chuka, Young Progressive Party (YPP), INEC, and Dr Obinna Uzoh, as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th respondents, respectively.

Arguing the appeal Ubah’s lawyer, Ikpeazu, urged the court to hold that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to have heard the matter in the first place because the originating summon was incompetent, having not been signed by the lawyer.

Ubah also brought a motion

before the court praying it to set aside the judgement of the lower court on the ground that the suit was never filed because the stamp and seal of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) allegedly used in the filing of the originating summons was forged and the payment for the originating summons was made on September 25, 2019, months after the judgement was delivered.

Ubah also asked the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgement of Kawu on the ground that the entire proceedings and the judgement were manifestly incompetent, being a nullity because as at the time the judgement was delivered, the suit had not been filed because filing fees had not been paid.

He accordingly urged the court to set aside the judgement of the lower court.

SUNDAY MARCH 15, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MARCH 15, 2020

OPINION Thoughts on The UNODC Report UNODC reports a marginal decrease in the prevalence and frequency of bribery in Nigeria, writes Chuks Akamadu

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n the invitation of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) I had flown into Uyo Tuesday afternoon (March 2nd, 2020). Being my first air trip to Uyo, reader please permit me to quickly remark that I was warmly received by an airport that could pass for one of the sanest and neatest in and around Nigeria. In like manner, the long stretch of road that takes one from the airport to Uyo town is well-paved and looks satisfactorily free of danger. Both combined, one was psychologically prepared for a pleasurable experience in Akwa Ibom.

It therefore was not much of a task for me to quickly settle down, alongside other delegates from virtually all parts of Nigeria, for the two-day assignment that made us converge on Uyo that Wednesday morning. We were not in Uyo for fun, rather for very serious business. UNODC had gathered us to witness the formal presentation of its second Corruption Survey Report in Nigeria and to critically evaluate same with a view to identifying gaps in the report and making appropriate recommendations.

For me, it was an interesting scenario for an obvious reason. Coming on the heels of President Muhammadu Buhari’s coronation as ‘African Union’s Anti-Corruption Champion’ at the 30th AU Summit in Addis Ababa for his outstanding efforts at curbing corruption in Nigeria and the recent damning Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perception Index Report which ranked Nigeria 144 out of 180 countries, there has been an enduring debate between two parallel opinion camps arising from the conflict the AU assessment and TI’s Report present – as to whose verdict should be embraced!

As the meeting gained steam, we learnt that UNODC

carried out the said survey in the months of May and June last year in collaboration with National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) supported by Department for International Development (DFID). For the avoidance of doubt, the methodology used for the survey and sample size could only have yielded credible outcomes, with over 33,000 Nigerian households covered. The summary of the report however is that bribery in Nigeria is slightly less prevalent than it was three years ago (2016) when UNODC carried out its first survey. Please do note that whilst the prevalence of bribery in Nigeria may have declined, it does not mean that the frequency of bribe-paying has also shrunk.

According to UNODC, whereas the prevalence and frequency rate of bribery in Nigeria stood at 32.3% in 2016, it dropped to 30.2% in 2019. The report’s breakdown indicates that 93% of bribery transactions is done in cash; food accounts for 4.6%; and gift items have a market share of 1.3%. Generally, men are more likely than women to pay bribes just as urban men are almost twice as likely as rural women to pay bribes. Further, in 2016, the prevalence and frequency of bribery in urban and rural areas were 34.8%

The federal government has an urgent task of quickly redoubling its efforts on the anti-corruption war, so as to make its victories unquestionably glaring

and 31.0% respectively whilst in contrast, urban area bribery prevalence and frequency slightly dropped to 34.2% in 2019 as against rural area that came down from 31.0% to 28.2%.

On the other hand, states with a statistically significant increase in the prevalence and frequency of bribery are Niger, Kwara, Kogi, Akwa Ibom, Osun, Enugu, Gombe and Ebonyi. Conversely, states with significant decrease are Abia, Ondo, Nasarawa and Taraba. Others are Kano, Borno, Kebbi, Zamfara and Sokoto. Lest I forget, UNODC did commendably well by expanding the scope of its second survey through the inclusion of the phenomenon of vote-buying and pervasive nepotism in recruitment processes within the public sector.

According to the survey report, 21% of adult population of Nigeria reported that they were personally offered money or a favour in exchange for their votes during the 2019 general elections just as 17% of survey respondents admitted that they were personally offered money. This revelation is frightening! The advent and rapid dominance of bribery in our electoral processes should worry every right-thinking Nigerian who has the interest of the nation at heart.

On the whole, there is the temptation to give federal government a pat on the back for the marginal decrease in the prevalence and frequency of bribery in the period under review (2016-2019), but we must to so with measured caution, so as not to compromise the sanctity of data.

––Akamadu, M.IoD, is President, Centre for Ethical Rebirth Among NigerianYouths.

(See concluding part on www. thisdaylive.com)

An Open Letter to Buhari on The $22.7bn Loan Jide Akintunde argues against taking the new loans

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ike many fellow citizens, I have had serious concerns about your proposal for new loans totalling $22.7 billion.

Except for the concerns, I should be congratulating you on securing the Senate’s approval for the loans recently.

You had sought the approval for four years.

Mr. President, I will be direct and brief, considering various affairs of state that are begging for your attention.

Except those components that are in the 2020 Appropriation Act, I would implore you to not take the loans at all. The exception is simply to affirm the rule of law. But the total sum approved by the Senate is not law. Although you initiated the request, you need to ignore the approval and shelve the loans that are not part of the financing plan for the 2020 budget deficit.

You may view this advice as hard to accept. Indeed, those we could call the “loan hawks” in your administration might tell you that the loans are no longer only imperative, but that they are now urgently needed as well. I woke up recently to the news of the virtual collapse of crude oil prices. In one single day of trading in Asia, before the European markets opened – with the US market opening even later – the Brent Crude had fallen close to $30 per barrel.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has depressed oil prices below the benchmark for the Nigerian 2020 budget. As the negative impacts of COVID-19 on the world’s economy and asset prices were projected to worsen, the reaction of the OPEC cartel last week was to cut supply. But with the refusal of Russia to cooperate, Saudi Arabia precipitated the price decline from around $50 a barrel by oversupplying the market. But the situation is more economic than geopolitical. In any case, the short-term outlook for oil prices, and consequently the Nigerian government revenue in 2020, are quite dim.

Mr. President, let’s assume that the loan request was granted in 2016 when you first sought it in the $30 billion proposal at that time. How would we finance economic growth now, in the wake of a probable coronavirus-induced economic downturn or recession? Borrow more?

Mr. President, the first reason for my objection to your newly approved loan proposal is that the assumptions and economic projections made for the previous deficit financing by your administration (for mainly infrastructure development) have all fallen flat.

Most tellingly, the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) projected real GDP growth rate to average 3.83 per cent from 2017–2019. Instead, real GDP averaged 1.67 per cent in those years; it was 0.86 per cent on average in the four fiscal years (2016–2019) since your administration. Indeed, instead of 4.50 per cent projected in the ERGP for 2019, actual growth was 2.27 per cent.

Not only that. A lot of the infrastructure projects, including the new terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja,

which you commissioned in December 2018, have missed their completion dates and are not yet (fully) operational. This will continue to delay the realisation of the impacts the projects were supposed to have in the economy. In the meantime, the foregoing performance lapses have contributed to unemployment, which was last reported at 23.1 per cent in Q3 2018. Figures for the subsequent quarters are not released, ostensibly because they would, at best, remain as high and embarrass your government.

The second reason you should not go ahead with the new loans is that the previous ones failed to deliver projected economic impacts because they couldn’t have. The multiplier effects of the spending belong in China from where the project loans were procured and from where the expertise, technology, materials and substantial number of personnel are sourced. The notion of reflating an economy with infrastructure spending is not premised on foreign sourcing at the breadth that is associated with the key infrastructure projects of your administration.

Mr. President, no country has substantially developed its infrastructure by relying completely on debt (local and foreign), overwhelmingly on foreign technical knowhow (as exemplified by the halting of work on the Lagos-Abeokuta rail way project because the Chinese workers are held back in their country due to coronavirus), and even technical skill for project development.

The only thing Nigeria brings to the table for most of our infrastructure projects is our putative need for them. A number of items in the new loans approval are altogether for project development and policy reform – some technical documentations.

The third point I would like to make against the new loans is that they would compromise the country’s capacity to safely borrow after your administration. In under five years, your administration is set to experience two major oil price crashes.

The first in 2015-2016 was devastating because the country did not have substantial fiscal savings to respond. You, rightly, complained about the situation then.

Mr. President, the country’s fiscal savings are now non-existent.

From $2.1 billion in May 2015, the Excess Crude Account held just $70 million at the end of February 2020. The government after yours would meet a fiscal position of no savings and high debt, a worse situation than the one you complained bitterly about throughout your first term. Yet, the cycle of oil price crashes is frequent and the long-term outlook of oil prices is grim, owing to the transition in the energy market to renewable energy.

Mr. President, officials of your administration have continued to argue that the country can borrow more; they insist that our public debt is sustainable, because the public-debt-to-GDP ratio, at about 21 per cent in 2019, is low. They shrug off analysis of debt sustainability that is based on the fact that debt-service cost

is already gulping more than 60 per cent of actual government revenue. Should oil prices average below $50 per barrel in 2020, this ratio would likely worsen.

But let’s consider even the debt-to-GDP ratio argument, using the borrowing record of your administration to make a 30-year projection of Nigeria’s debt and its sustainability. This exercise is fair to you. Between June 2015 and September 2019, Nigeria’s public debt increased by N14.1 trillion, according to data by the Debt Management Office (DMO). Total public debt stood at N26.2 trillion at the end of last September. If we continue to borrow N14.1 trillion every four years, additional N99.5 trillion would have been borrowed by 2049.

Now let’s consider that in the first four years of your administration, utilising the hefty borrowing, real GDP growth rates averaged 0.86 per cent. With the GDP at N122.6 trillion in 2019, according to World Bank data, and using your administration’s growth scorecard, the GDP would have grown to N158.5 trillion in 2049. Given the extrapolation of public debt, and overlooking June 2015 debt balance of N12.1 trillion, Nigeria’s debt-to-GDP ratio, give or take, would have climbed to 62.7 per cent in 2049. At that time, and also based on your record with revenue generation and debt service, the country would have to borrow to pay the interest on its debt, leaving one to wonder where the fund for capital expenditure and non-debt recurrent expenditure would come from!

From the above scenario, it is clear the current debt-to-GDP ratio can be misleading in judging debt sustainability when your administration is on a borrowing binge. The projection of changes that such loans would wrought on fiscal coordinates is important for consideration.

Mr. President, I promised to be brief and I will keep the promise. The loan hawks may argue that future governments will not have to borrow as much as your administration has had to borrow. When the infrastructure projects you are financing with debt are completed, they would increase the country’s infrastructure stock and we will not need to invest in such infrastructure again.

This is fallacious. The reasons for budget deficits are legion and can be ever-present. Apart from infrastructure, deficit financing could be for social safety nets and economic stimulus to fight a recession. As we saw with US President Donald Trump, the deficit can be fuelled by tax cuts to encourage consumption and investment.

The focus of your administration on funding infrastructure development has neglected the huge need for public investment in education and healthcare.

––Akintunde is Managing Editor, Financial Nigeria, and Director, Nigeria Development and Finance Forumw

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MARCH 15, 2020

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LETTERS Nigeria’s Healthcare System And COVID-19

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igeria is grappling with hydra-headed problems traceable to the rudderless, visionless, clueless, inept, wasteful, and corrupt political leaderships and military regimes that had existed in the country in the past. Now, one of our national problems is our depressed economy. Our economy has become stagnated owing to the mismanagement of our oil wealth by past successive military juntas and successive corrupt political governments.

Consequently, now, some roads in the country have become death-traps, what with potholes dotting and pock-marking them. The pitiable and unsightly state of those roads brings back memories of roads in war-torn countries. Are our leaders aware that good road network opens up a country for rapid industrialization? And, we should not gloss over the state of our public schools, ranging from the kindergarten to the university level, conscious of the fact that education is the bedrock of national development. Is the insanitary as well as the pitiable condition of most public schools’ buildings not one of the causes of the dysfunc-

Dr. Ehanire, Minister of Health tional state of our educational system? Not surprisingly, our pupils and students attending public schools do not receive qualitative education.

More so, since our government – owned hospitals were once described as mere consulting clinics in the 1980s, the state of our healthcare delivery system hasn’t improved a bit, what with well-heeled Nigerians seeking

treatments for their illness in India, Europe, and America.

So, today, Nigeria loses whopping sums of money yearly via medical tourism embarked on by the country’s political leaders and other well-heeled Nigerians.

In his first term in office, President Muhammadu Buhari spent considerable length of time in a London hospital undergoing treatment.

Were our hospitals equipped with modern medical equipment, and the morale of medical personnel boosted, majority of Nigerians would not contemplate seeking cures for their diseases in foreign countries, not to talk of their travelling to those countries for health reasons. However, sadly, the obverse obtains here.

In today’s Nigeria, doctors who work in governmentowned hospitals, both at the state and federal levels, do embark on incessant industrial actions to call attention to their welfare condition. But, when medical practitioners down tools, it will lead to loss of human lives as they are under obligation not to give medical help to those lying critically ill in hospital beds. But are our leaders with the virtues of empathy and common touch?

The indisputable fact is that successive political administrations in the country had failed to address holistically and comprehensively the issues impeding the growth of our health sector. That’s why highly educated and eminently qualified Nigerian medical practitioners, who possess medical expertise, are migrating to foreign countries in droves for greener pastures.

The brain-drain or mass exodus of Nigerian medical

Reading Versus Aliteracy

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nce upon a time, Nigeria paraded the best set of authors and publishers in Africa. Then, reading was an innate affection for both young and old. This reading culture reflected so much on the quality of leadership and civil discipline that brought pride to Nigerians anywhere in the world.

Now, the rich literacy history the country was famous for is gradually being eroded.

A new type of reading problem is sweeping our country. It is called aliteracy.

Aliteracy is defined as the quality or state of being able to read but being uninterested in doing so. Yes, reading –which was once indulged in as a pleasure – is now often spurned as a chore.

Nigeria has been rated by the World Culture Score index as one of the countries in the world with the lowest reading culture. Available statistics from the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education show that 38 per cent of Nigerians are non-literate, as four in 10 primary school children cannot read for comprehension. Regrettably, this adverse development is an ominous challenge that the country seems not to be paying the needed attention.

What are some of the factors that contribute to the poor reading culture in the country? The downturn in reading and book readership actually has a global dimension, especially given

the onslaught of the digital revolution. Globally, the influence of new technology has altered the disposition to reading. Perhaps the most time-consuming competitor of reading is television. Also, the decline in the standard of education has seriously affected reading ability. Before now, schools engage and participate in reading activities to enhance the thinking and creative ability of students. But lack of suitable reading materials, absence of well-designed reading activities, insufficiently trained staff to prosecute reading culture in schools and ineffective monitoring and evaluation of readership promotion programmes are constant challenges currently affecting readership development.

Another possible factor contributing to the poor reading culture in Nigeria is perhaps that our socio-economic environment is not reader friendly. The daily struggle for economic survival provides little or no time for people to cultivate a good reading habit. Equally, high cost of books, particularly imported ones, as well as a dearth of dedicated quiet reading spaces like libraries, has contributed to low readership promotion in the country.

Why is reading important, and what benefits come from developing a good reading habit? Reading is the key to unlocking many kinds of knowledge, skills and enjoyment. Reading stimulates the imagination, develops verbal skills by helping us build up a good vocabulary,

and reading also promotes the fine, godly quality of patience.

Also, studies have shown that there is an almost symbiotic relationship between reading and intelligence. The analytical skills that provide the ability to understand issues and solve problems are the product of intensive reading. Reading regularly is also a way to mental health, which enhances emotional intelligence, helps with self-awareness, empathy, social skills and managing relationships more effectively.

Reading provides a therapeutic effect and inner tranquility, while also slowing mental decline. Thus, the relationship between reading, knowledge acquisition, intelligence and personal development is crucial for economic and social development. A critical mode of thinking is lost in the absence of reading.

True, the ability to read with ease and fluency does not come without real effort. But for the effort we put forth now, we will be repaid many times. In our waking hours, we daily face things to read: signs, labels, books, magazines, newspapers, forms, also letters. All of this can be an unpleasant chore for those who read poorly.

However, if you learn to read well, you will find your life greatly enriched in a pleasurable way.

How can parents help their children become good readers?

They can do this by one, setting a good example of being good readers themselves.

Two, having lots of books around. Children will read if books are readily available.

The incentive to read will be even greater if the books are part of their own personal library. Three, making reading enjoyable. They can do this by setting limits on television time; creating an atmosphere that is conducive to reading (for example, quiet times and areas with good lighting); not forcing reading.

Make the materials and opportunities to read available, but let the child develop the desire.

It is commendable that certain individuals and organizations are making concerted efforts to revive the reading culture in the country.

To improve the reading culture among young ones, more books should be procured for children than smart phones and tablets. Nigerian homes need to be fitted with more bookshelves and bookcases than flat screen TVs and laptops. There should be increased funding for the education sector and the government must take an active role in resuscitating good reading habits. Existing libraries should be refurbished, and there should be a redesign of the school curriculum to incorporate more reading activities. There should also be effective campaigns to bring back the libraries to our schools and communities. Also, efforts should be made to reduce environmental noise, which is inimical to reading.

If these steps are taken, it will result in an improvement in the reading culture among young ones and old alike.

–– Daniel Ighakpe, FESTAC Town, Lagos

practitioners to Europe and America has become our loss and other countries’ gains.

So, the parlous state of our health sector induced fear in us and caused panic among us when there was an outbreak of Ebola disease on the African continent in 2014.

Then, a Liberian attending conference in Nigeria (who was the index case in the country) brought the deadly disease to us. But for the professional expertise, patriotism, and diligence displayed by the late Dr Stella Adadevoh, the disease could have spread to every nook and cranny of Nigeria. She paid the supreme price while working to halt the spread of the disease.

Now, the success we recorded in halting the spread of Ebola disease in Nigeria in the past has imbued us with the belief and confidence that we can check the spread of the corona virus in our country. Sadly, an Italian man has brought the disease to our shores. Another person has tested positive to it, too.

Expectedly, Nigeria has risen up stoutly and confidently to the Covid-19 challenge, with the quarantining and isolation of the index case victim in a hospital in Yaba, Lagos.

Those who came in contact with the sick and unfortunate Italian are being traced in order that they should be tested and screened for the disease. This action is in harmony with government’s effort and policy to check the spread of the hitherto incurable disease (Coronavirus) in Nigeria.

As covid-19 disease has no known cure, we should adopt and implement measures

for the early detection and isolation of those who have contracted the disease. This is important because it has been discovered that the early treatment of infected persons will stand them in a good stead to recover from the disease and live normal life thereafter.

Again, the entry points in the country should be adequately guarded. Visitors to the country should be screened for the disease at the international airports.

Our health personnel at the airports should maintain a high level of vigilance and diligence while doing their jobs. They should know that Covid-19 has no known cure, and that it has caused huge fatalities in such countries as China, Italy, Iran, and others.

More importantly, governments at different levels in the country should educate the masses on the nature and symptoms of the deadly scourge and sensitize them to the need to maintain a high level of personal hygiene. And, efforts should not be spared to disseminate information about Covid-19 to rural dwellers.

And the state governors should equip hospitals in their states with drugs and equipment and train their medical personnel on how to tackle cases of corona virus.

We should note that contracting coronavirus is not a death sentence. It is on record that many a man who got infected with the disease recovered from it. But our taking proactive action aimed at its containment has become an imperative.

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

The Cost of Coronavirus to Global Economy

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ost of today's struggling economies will soon go into recession. For those that don't, they will only be struggling to remain above water.

In the case of Nigeria, if coronavirus is not contained, certainly latest by July 2020 Nigeria's economy too will be in recession.

And also, it is obvious that 2020 Appropriation Act will be reviewed downward to the extent that majority of the capital portion of the budget will be suspended.

Naira too will crash. It will hover around tN400 and N500 per dollar. That will negatively impact on dollar -denominated corporate and sovereign debts. Banks will witness huge losses as a result of non-performing loans particularly in the oil sector.

But what might save the naira from free fall could be Nigeria's increasingly food sufficiency.

Low imports from China too can reduce pressure on the naira.

But of course, inflation remains inevitable. That too will lead to the rise in lending rates, forcing most local producers to shut down production lines and reduce staff strength. Both personal income tax and company income tax will drastically diminish.

Low global productivity along with difficulty to move investment across borders will further send global economy down southward.

But that notwithstanding, so long as coronavirus continues to ravage global economy, the consequences will heavily show up in the pricing of oil. Sluggish imports will mean oil prices continue to go further southward. Given this scenario, reductions in production

by OPEC will unfortunately do little in lifting oil prices.

Low oil dollar receipts over time will put the apex bank in a difficult situation. At the beginning, the CBN may intervene using its reserves. But with too much pressure on its foreign reserves, the apex bank may be forced to allow market forces to prevail on the naira.

If and when the CBN did this, it means that the long overdue replacement of our contradictory dirty (guided) floating of the naira with clean floating has finally taken place. With clean floating allowed to prevail the naira will no longer be distorted in value.

This will in fact, become the long-awaited blessing in disguise.

Especially because it will finally give naira the international value it has been lacking.

––Odilim Enwegbara, Abuja

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SUNDAY MARCH 15, 2020 •T H I S D AY

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MA ͹ͽ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

INTERNATIONAL Dethronement of Emir of Kano as Enthronement of Corruption: The Foreign Policy Implications

D

ethronement is an act of deposition, or forcible relief, of a monarch in a monarchy. Dethronement is a manifestation of a coup, and even a coup d’état in another form. When it is an act of deposition of an elected president of a nation-state, it is called a coup d’état, which is generally frowned at in international law and relations. For instance, in intra-African relations, the African Union does not accept any leader coming into power by use of force to participate in the activities of the organisation. In other words, coup-making has been prohibited in African politics. Electoral politics is being encouraged in lieu.

Dethronement has the same objective as coup-making, which is to effect a change in government. It is only different in the method and who becomes the new leader. In terms of method, it is necessarily military for coup d’états, while it is manu militari for dethronement. Military methods necessarily involve the use of brute force. Dethronement only involves the use of force at the level of pressure, intimidation, and other means not involving the use of brute force. An example of this method is the arrest, detention and banishment of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

He was enthroned the Emir of Kano in 2014 amidst various controversies. He was, for instance, removed as Governor of the Central Bank by the Goodluck Jonathan administration over controversies surrounding missing oil revenues. On Monday, March 9, 2020, he was dethroned by the Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, and put under detention of the type of house arrest, first in Loko, and thereafter in Awe, in Nasarawa State.

As explained by Governor Ganduje, Emir Sanusi II has a total disrespect for ‘lawful instructions from the Office of the State Governor.’ The implication of this is that the Governor is insinuating that Emir Sanusi II is behaving as if he is above the law, a situation that should not be allowed. True, he is not above the law. As Governor Ganduje actually put it, he was removed ‘in order to safeguard the sanctity, culture, tradition, religion, and prestige of the Kano Emirate.’

Explained differently, the dethronement of Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II is nothing more than whatever militates against the cultural values of the Kano Emirate in the areas of tradition, religion and culture. The Governor wants to maintain the sanctity of these values. And without jot of doubt, the public pronouncement of Emir Sanusi II, and particularly his attitudinal disposition towards the classical mania of doing things in the North has generally been a cause for worry for the conservative elite.

It is on record about three weeks ago that Emir Sanusi II advised that parents who encourage or actually send their wards out to plead for alms should be arrested and prosecuted.

This type of advice, in whichever way it is looked at, is aimed at growing the society within the framework of modernity. It is an advice that is in the long term interest of the Northern youth, but which necessarily conflicts with the practice as at today.

More interestingly, he has it that ‘Islam in Africa has its own schools of thought, its ancient empires and its own history.’

Consequently, he believes that there is ‘no need for Saudi Arabia and Iran to explain Islam to us.’ Again, Emir Sanusi II is actually preaching the sermon of Africa for Africa, African solutions to African problems, etc, as being propounded in the African Union circles. By rejecting explications on Islam by Saudi Arabia and Iran, and underscoring those of the African schools on Islam, the Emir is simply preaching the gospel of self-reliance, patriotism and self-enhancement. However, it is quite apparent that the conservative elite in the North is not much interested in such gospels according to Sanusi. Emir Sanusi II is showing much concerns about the future of the youths in the North, believing that, if their future is not redefined quickly today, before it will be too late, they may end up becoming threats to the whole country, in general, and the Northern region, in particular. This is the main rationale for his dethronement, but the dethronement, indeed, not only has its many foreign policy, but also critical corruption, dimensions. Put differently, his dethronement cannot but lead to enthronement of corruption in the strategic calculations of many countries of the world.

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II

Culture: Dethronement and Enthronement Emir Sanusi II is an embodiment of wanted and unwanted culture. He is unwanted by some of his own people for trying to change the status quo. He is solicited for by some others because of his beliefs and quest for a better organised North that will be capable of responding to development challenges in a constantly changing world. Thus Emir Sanusi II is a symbol of the two schools of thought. As a symbol of culture, he has been dethroned. What he stands for, as a leader, has also been dethroned.

Those who are his fans have re-enthroned him with fresh appointments. Governor El-Rufai of Kaduna State is on record to have not only visited him in his house of arrest, where he has a two-bed room to live in, but has also appointed him the Chancellor of the Kaduna State University and Vice Chairman of the Board of Kaduna Investments Promotion Agency. The dethroned emir has accepted the two appointments. Culture of dethronement, culture of enthronement, culture of sympathy and culture of solidarity is what is at stake with the case of the dethroned emir.

It is all about politics. Politics in Nigeria is more about self-destruction and not about self-development. The dethronement of Emir Sanusi II is not new and not also a big deal. His grandfather, Muhammadu Sanusi I, who was Emir of Kano in the period from 1953 to 1963, was dethroned by the then Premier of Northern Region, Ahmadu Bello, who also happens to be his cousin. The dynamics of the recent dethronement of Emir Sanusi II are therefore quite interesting.

Ties between Emir Sanusi II and Governor Ganduje have generally not been good. Their relationship can be likened to that of hide-and-seek game. It was when the relationship deteriorated to its lowest ebb that power rivalry became the hallmark. The Governor made attempts to suspend the emir, but on February 19, 2020 a Kano State High Court put a stop to the plan of suspension. Governor Ganduje was carrying out investigations into the alleged involvement of the Kano Emirate Council in financial impropriety.

All in all,the dethronement of Emir Sanusi II appears to have been thrown into the garbage of history.

However,it is being replaced internationally with the perception of enthronement of corruption.This replacement cannot but be a pointer to national disintegration for reasons that are not far-fetched: relationship between traditional rulers and their people are generally very warm. Attacks on them are considered as attacks on their people which can easily lead to civil unrest.When there is national crisis, the traditional rulers are the most readily available to be used in containing the crisis. By the time relationship between such traditional rulers and the Government has been allowed to become frosty, the Government can only remain helpless, as the required support for the law enforcement agents of government will be difficult to achieve without the popular support of the people. And more importantly, now that the dethronement of Emir Sanusi II raises the issue of enthronement of corruption, Nigeria’s Foreign Service Officers will need to prepare more constructively to provide justifications for the dethronement saga in their various host countries

In fact, Emir Sanusi II was actually accused of misappropriating N3.4 billion, reasons for which efforts were being made to investigate him. On February 25, 2020 the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission announced its intention to appeal the judgment against the investigation of the alleged N3.4 billion misappropriation. In this regard, if there was a case of suspected misappropriation of funds, why would there not be investigation? This reasoning appeared to have informed the thinking of the Kano State House of Assembly which, on March 4, 2020 empanelled an 8-man committee to investigate the allegations, and particularly allegations of violations by Emir Sanusi II of religious norms and cultural values.

Even though Governor Ganduje’s government instructed Emir Sanusi II to initiate a process of assigning the four Kano Kingmakers as District Heads of Local Governments under the jurisdiction of the Kano Emirate Council, and despite the fact that, the following day, Emir Sanusi II requested for a new day to appear before the State anti-corruption body over accusations of land racketeering, Governor Ganduje did not hesitate on March 9, 2020 to dethrone the emir. What really is behind the foregoing hullaballoo? Is it simply political rivalry? Is it an expression of decline in Fulani or Hausa power or disagreement over domination of the North, if not of the whole of Nigeria, strategy?

Without any shadow of doubt, culture is at the epicentre of the dethronement of Emir Sanusi II. The culture is not simply limited to religion and tradition, but also extends to the culture of politics, as well as culture of corruption, which has not been receiving the attention it deserves. In an attempt to stop Emir Sanusi II from possibly ‘bastardising’ the culture of the people of the North under the guise of modernisation, Governor Ganduje has also unconsciously enthroned the issue of corruption in the dethronement equations.

First, Governor Ganduje was on record, in a well distributed video, to have received a dollarised bribe from a business contractor. The report was quite damaging not only for the Governor, but particularly for the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. One of the three strategic objectives of his administration is suppressing corruption. The other two are revamping the economy and neutralising the Boko Haram insurgency. In the attainment of the three objectives, it can be rightly observed that President Buhari has not been lucky, and therefore has been far away from achieving them.

At the level of Boko Haramism, the country is still much threatened than ever before, this is in spite of the claims by Government that it had technically defeated the Boko Haram in the battle fields. In the thinking of Government, the fact that the flags of an Islamic State hoisted in some Local Government Areas in the North East had been removed and the Boko Haram fighters chased out, President Buhari and his government unnecessarily underestimated the magnitude of the problems involved. In the mania of General Charles de Gaulle of France, it was a case of winning the battle but losing the war.

As at today, the Boko Haram has become more than a noisome threat to Nigeria’s national peace and security. The Boko Haram has apparently transformed itself into warring herdsmen, armed bandits and heartless kidnappers. Consequently, international help has become a desideratum. In fact, the President of the United States, Mr. Donald Trump, renewed its $7m bounty offer to anyone who can provide useful information that can lead to the arrest of the leader of the Boko Haram group, Abubakar Shekau. It should be recalled here that it was in 2013 that the administration of President Barack Obama first offered to pay $7million bounty for such information.

As regards bringing about economic vibrancy, President Buhari has not been lucky again. This is mainly as a result of the economic recession that came to characterise his first term in office. Life was made difficult for the people of Nigeria. Even though he eventually overcame the problem, there was little time to perform any useful magic. And perhaps more disturbingly, during his current second term in office, the international price of oil, Nigeria’s foreign exchange chief earner, has drastically reduced to a barest minimum of $32 per barrel. In the 2020 budget, the benchmark for revenue generation from crude oil was $57 per barrel. However, the reduction of oil price to about $30 per barrel has prompted the consideration of devaluation of the naira.

Again, concerning the anti-corruption fight, there are always reports on government’s success. However, the more the narratives of success, the more the revelation of new cases of corruption. What is much tainting about the cases of corruption is the public perception that many politicians accused of corruption practices are taking refuge under the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) and are protected in one way or the other by the Buhari administration. This means that the APC is not only a congress of progressives, but also a congress of corruptionists. This cannot but send a signal of the president as a non-serious anti-corruption fighter to the world.

And most unfortunately, too, by coincidence, Nigeria’s problems unnecessarily got heightened under President Muhammadu Buhari. Crises deepened into conflicts. Insecurity deepened with the sharpening of the Fulani herdsmen and farmers’ misunderstanding.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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

L-R: Chairman, Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Minister of Transport, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin EmeďŹ ele, at the CBN Roundtable on the Economy, themed: ‘Going For Growth 2.0’, in Abuja‌recently PHOTO: Julius Atoi

Resetting the Nigerian Economy Recent developments in the economy once more bring to the fore, the need to take actions that would wean the economy from excessive reliance crude oil earnings for survival. Therefore, there is need to strengthen efforts to stimulate growth and create jobs in critical sectors of the economy, so as to insulate the country from external shocks. Obinna Chima and James Emejo report

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he Nigerian economy has come under pressure in the past few days due to external vulnerabilities.The situation was heightened last Monday following the sharp drop in the prices of crude oil, the country’s major source of revenue.That trading session now termed,‘Black Monday,’ which saw the price of Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, drop by 30 per cent in few hours, to about $30 per barrel from $45 per barrel, has continued to cause unease among policymakers in the country. Since then, the crude oil price has remained soft, trading around $36 per barrel.

Beside the slump in crude oil prices, the effects of the raging coronavirus across the globe have also continued to threaten macroeconomic stability, even as analysts are foreseeing a global economic recession.

Indeed, the slump in crude oil price was triggered by a price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia. Saudi Arabia, the world’s top exporter, had launched a price war over the weekend.The move followed the implosion of an alliance between the OPEC cartel, led by Saudi Arabia, and Russia.

Owing to these, the knock-on effect of these development is already being felt in the foreign exchange market, where the naira has come under pressure, declining to a new low of $375 to US$1 during the week.

However, policymakers and private sector operators that participated at the ‘Going for Growth 2.0’Roundtable that held in Abuja, last week, stressed the need for urgent measures to diversify the economy and insulate it from external vulnerabilities.

Already, in response to the developments in the global economy, the federal government last Monday raised a committee to cut the size of the N10.59 trillion 2020 budget, which is under threat of underfunding.

The committee, which was constituted by President Muhammadu Buhari, has as members the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources,ChiefTimipre Sylva; the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin EmeďŹ ele, and the Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Malam Mele Kyari.

Aside the task of reducing the size of the budget, the committee is also saddled with the responsibility of reducing the oil benchmark from the approved $57 per barrel to reect the current realities.

Ahmed said the committee was expected to submit its report to the president on its eventual decision latest Wednesday.

She explained that the committee would determine a new oil price benchmark, the size of a new budget and subsequently make such new decisions public.

She said:“We just met with the president to discuss the matter of the impact of the coronavirus on our economy and Mr. President has formed us into a committee, with the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, the Central Bank Governor, the GMD NNPC and I as members. “Our mandate is to make a quick assessment of the impact of this coronavirus on the economy, especially as it affects the crude oil price.We will be writing a report and brief Mr. President tomorrow or Wednesday morning and after that, we’ll also have more substantial information for the press. “But it is very clear that we will have to revisit the crude oil benchmark price that we have of $57 per barrel; we have to revisit it and lower the price. Where it will be lowered is the subject of the work of this committee. “What the impact will be on that is that there will be reduced revenue to fund the budget and it will mean cutting the size of the budget. The quantum of the cut is what we are supposed to

assess as a committee. “This is just an initial update to inform you on the directives that we have and subsequently we will be sending a report to the president, after which we will be brieďŹ ng the press on the actions that government will be taking.â€?

Going for Growth But speaking at the ‘Going for Growth 2.0,’ Ahmed allayed fears of an economic crisis in view of the effects of the crash in global oil prices and the Coronavirus epidemic on the nation’s economy.

She called on Nigerians not to panic as the drastic fall in global oil price threatens the country’s 2020 budget as well as its macroeconomic stability.

According to Ahmed, Nigerians must adjust to life beyond oil, following the bleak outlook on the global economy occasioned by the Coronavirus outbreak.

She said there was no doubt that the combination of crude oil price crash and Coronavirus epidemic would put severe strain on revenue, foreign exchange and other sectors of the economy.

The minister said the current economic challenges arising from the dramatic drop in oil price came as a huge surprise to the government.

She called on stakeholders to work together and seize the opportunities provided by the crisis to reset the economy.

The minister said the government would need to resort to measures which were hitherto delayed, adding that this is the right time to act.

She explained:“For us it was a shock and unexpected; we didn’t think the price of oil would go as low as $30 per barrel. So, it came to us as a great surprise.These are very strong headwinds and these headwinds reinforce a wake-up call for us as a country to look towards a life without oil and the time to do that is now. “But for all of us in this room, we have a responsibility to ensure that we do not spread panic and that we don’t allow speculation, which will not

be in favour of our country. We need to put our hands together to weather this storm. “This is not something that the government can do alone nor is it something that the private sector can do alone; it has to be a partnership- a very strong one. We need to work together to take the opportunities that this same crisis has provided for us. “For us in government,there are some measures that we need to take, which we have not taken and this is the right time to take those measures. “We are working as a government to strengthen our macroeconomic fundamentals, which some sectors of the economy were already dished before the crisis and so the crisis is only exacerbating the situation and we knew about that. “There is no doubt that the combination of crude oil price crash and Coronavirus will put severe strain on our budget revenue, forex and many sectors, we are drastically reviewing the budget as well as redoubling our efforts to raise revenue and plug the leakages and intensify engagement and support of sub-national entities and the private sector in our economic recovery and growth programmes.�

Monetary Policy Measures Also, the Central Bank of Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin EmeďŹ ele, said the CBN had already embarked on measures to signiďŹ cantly reduce lending rates, which have resulted in total banking credit rising to over N17.4 trillion as of January. He reiterated the need to adopt measures that would diversify the economy given the external headwinds that the Nigerian economy faces, which have emerged as a major threat to global growth in 2020.

He added that the impact of the Coronavirus across over 100 countries has affected global supply chains, as well as demand for goods and services. “The CBN fortunately had already embarked on similar measures,which have resulted in signiďŹ cant

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÍ˝Ëœ 2020

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BUSINESS With Coronavirus, Saudi-Russia Oil War, It’s Trouble for Nigeria reduction in lending rates, as part of our efforts to boost growth. “Working with the ďŹ scal authorities, we will not hesitate to deploy additional measures to strengthen our buffers and insulate the Nigerian economy from the global headwinds,â€?he said.

According to him, in the last three years, the Nigerian economy had remained on a positive growth path as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth has remained in the positive territory for 11th consecutive quarter,following the 2016 – 2017 economic recession. “One of the critical measures that helped to boost growth in 2019 was the impact of the central bank’s new minimum loan to deposit ratio, which was initially at 60 per cent and subsequently raised to 65 per cent. “We also imposed restriction on access to open market operations (OMO) auctions in order to encourage banks to lend to the real sector. “Indeed, the banking sector has responded positively with the rise in aggregate industry credit from N15.3 trillion in May 2019 to over N17.4 trillion in January 2020. “I am aware that these loans have been granted to borrowers across different sectors at considerably lower rates. Although a lot more still needs to be done; we intend to sustain these policy measures as it will help support improved economic growth and create more employment opportunities,�

EmeďŹ ele added.

He explained that notwithstanding current measures aimed at supporting growth, the economy faces challenges as GDP growth remains below annual population growth rate at 2.6 per cent.

He said:“Second, our reliance on crude oil for more than 80 per cent of our foreign exchange earnings and 60 per cent of government revenues means our economy is exposed to the impact of the Coronavirus on crude oil prices. “Projected declines in revenues as occasioned by the drop in crude oil prices, constrains the government’s ability to meet its infrastructure commitments in 2020, which is vital if we are to achieve double digit growth. “Given this challenge, it is imperative that this roundtable session comes up with well-structured funding models that will mobilise funds from banks and other ďŹ nancial institutions to fund critical infrastructure projects, while providing attractive returns to investors. “We must also use this opportunity to consider funding for infrastructure projects that improve access to markets for farmers and SMEs, while also connecting the railways to our ports, in order to increase our non-oil exports. “Such schemes will support greater economic growth and help free up funds for the government to focus on other priority objectives.â€?

According to him, the current oil price shock validates some of the measures taken by the ďŹ scal and monetary authorities on diversiďŹ cation of the Nigerian economy.

Tough Times Ahead Also, the Group Managing Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Malam Mele Kyari, has expressed the corporation’s readiness to strategically put in place measures that would reduce the cost of crude oil production in Nigeria to create a market for Nigeria’s crude and make the country a choice destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

He, however, said the country should plan for the possibility of a further drop in crude oil price, saying“we haven’t seen the bottom yet.�

In his contribution, Kyari expressed the corporation’s readiness to strategically put in place measures to alleviate the cost of crude oil production in Nigeria to create market for Nigeria’s crude.

He noted that due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Nigeria has about 50 cargoes of crude oil that have not found landing, adding that this implies that there are no off-takers for them for now due to drop in demand.

He said in the face of the Coronavirus global pandemic, countries like Saudi Arabia have given discount of $8 and Iraq $5 to their off-takers in some locations meaning that when crude oil sells at $30 per barrel, countries like Saudi Arabia is selling at $22 per barrel and Iraq selling their crude at $25 per barrel.

According to him, the oil price crash on Monday signiďŹ ed the importance of oil to the global economy.

He added that oil price will continue to shape activities in the global economy. “We used to say when the ďŹ nancial sector collapses, everything collapse. But certainly, it is the other way round. When the oil market collapses, everything collapses. So oil is the only commodity that the beneďŹ ciaries panic when the price goes

L -R: CBN Governor , Mr. Godwin EmeďŹ ele ; President , Dangote Group of Companies , Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and Managing Director , Guaranty Trust Bank Plc , Mr. Segun Agbaje, at the ‘Going for Growth 2.0 ‘ Conference in Abuja... recently Godwin Omoigui

up,�Kyari said.

He predicted that fossil fuel would remain signiďŹ cant contributor to energy need in the next 40 years. “But what would not be there in the next 40 years would be inefďŹ cient producers because as we speak today, we are getting production from the least expected places. Nearly every country now produces oil and that means that the best of people who would remain are the people who would produce oil at the cheapest cost. “Much as these are high expectations, but you must produce them today even at low prices.

And the assumption for this year was $60 per barrel. Now, we are facing sub $30 per barrel and potentially we haven’t seen the bottom. We haven’t! And this is a challenge to us as a country and it is difďŹ cult to manage. It simply implies huge deďŹ cit for all of us and it would radiate in all sectors, including the ďŹ nancial sector,â€?he said.

He added:“Today, I can share with you there are LNG cargoes that are stranded because there is an abrupt collapse in demand associated with the Coronavirus.We hope that is the only reason.

Today,for Nigeria’s crude,we have about 50 cargoes that have not found landing. “It means that they don’t know where to take them to and this is so with many other jurisdictions.

So, when you sell in the market at $32, there is a huge problem. There are so many countries whose cost of production is at $30. So, when you produce at $30 per barrel, you are out of business. “Beyond that, you have competition, which depresses the potential of coming out of the impact of Coronavirus for at least three months. So, we need to prepare for the shock. Even if price rise up again – we have backlog of production that is hanging and has to be resolved. What that means is that we would have the impact of this shock for some time.�

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said funding remains a key factor to infrastructure development.

According to him, it would require N288.72 billion to complete critical road projects, particularly those that lead from the Lagos, Warri, Port Harcourt and Calabar ports to the savannah and to the borders with Niger Republic to Cameroon. “If we make those roads work, then we score a big dent in easing transportation by road across Nigeria.The rail is progressing because the money is there: Lagos-Ibadan, second Niger Bridge and Abuja-Kano are progressing because the money is there. So the big elephant is how do we ďŹ nd the money?â€?

Fashola decried a situation where budget releases to ďŹ nance infrastructure had often fallen 50 per cent between 2016 and 2020. “What we have seen from our 2016 to 2020 budget is that we are getting just under 50 per cent budget releases.And that speaks again to the challenge that the minister had had to deal with: raising revenues in order to fund infrastructure,â€? he pointed out.

Similarly, the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, gave reasons why the country was yet to oat a national shipping line.

He explained that the failure of the petroleum ministry to implement the Cabotage law had not encouraged private sector investment.

He said:“When we were to bring in the metals, the iron for the tracks, just to move it from China

to Nigeria, I was excited to support a Nigerian company that has a shipping line to bring it from China to Nigeria. And you know the response we got? That there’s a Chinese law that says only Chinese vessels can carry Chinese cargoes. “Now, we had that law but either NNPC or the Minister of Petroleum has refused to implement that law‌Now if you want to encourage private sector investment in Nigeria, then that law should be implemented. “In fact, when I became minister for transport, I announced to the country that we will establish a national shipping line. So what does the law say – 60 per cent of Nigerian investors and 40 per cent of foreign. “We travelled to Singapore and a foreign company in Singapore was ready to invest. We came back here, till today no Nigerian has brought one kobo even though we installed a committee for that purpose.That’s why we don’t have a national shipping line today.â€?

Private Sector Intervention To the Chairman, United Bank for Africa Plc, Mr.Tony Elumelu, power is extremely important for any country to realise its potential.

According to him, access to electricity,“is key for the development of every economy and we believe that if we can all work together and improve power, it will propel growth in our country seriously.�

Also, the Chairman, Ikeja Electric, Mr. Kola Adesina, noted that,“No matter the volume of gas available in the country, no matter the installed and available capacity, no matter the extent to which power can be evacuated,if it is not effectively distributed, it is a waste of time. So, we need to frontally resolve issue around power distribution. “You hear a lot of commentators speak to the fact that we have installed capacity of 13,000MW and the transmission company say we can transmit 7,000. However, today, you see the distribution companies supplying just 3,500MW. “Nigerians don’t want excuses and all they are looking for is that there should be electricity.

For 200 million people, generating 3,500MW is appalling to say the least. So, there is need to start seeing electricity from a commercial and economic perspective. “Without you taking the commercial and economic view of power, never will you be able to ultimately get the power you require.�

On his part, Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia, stressed the importance of a vibrant banking sector for the diversiďŹ cation of the Nigerian economy.

Ovia said Nigerian banks over the years, had contributed signiďŹ cantly to the growth of the economy. “In 2004, before consolidation, all the Nigerian banks put together, had a total market capitalisation, which was below N12 billion and all of them put together could not lend one-tenth of what Dangote Cement required. But today, one of the top tier banks is much larger than all the banks’ shareholders’funds put together in 2004. “So, that is a testimony that Nigerian banks are solid. We have even started to export our expertise to West and East African countries.

Nigerian banks in Ghana are the ones showing the way.They didn’t know about recapitalisation, until we thought them,�he said.

Also, the President of the Dangote Group,Alhaji

Aliko Dangote, urged the government to stop paying lip service to economic diversiďŹ cation, adding that the diversiďŹ cation of the economy needs to be achieved urgently, following Monday’s crash in the price of crude oil.

Dangote said the country must also take advantage of its huge market and address the high cost of doing business, diversify into agriculture and manufacturing to reset the economy in the right path.

He added:“The diversiďŹ cation of this economy is very important, in fact, we are late. Since 1979 that I came to Lagos, people have been talking about the diversiďŹ cation of the Nigerian economy.

You can only diversify the economy through manufacturing and agriculture. Manufacturing actually creates a lot of jobs, creates middle class and also transforms countries. “These are areas we need to really focus on.

But how do you diversify an economy and go into manufacturing that makes sense and also makes it an inclusive growth? Then you need to actually do what we call backward integration or import substitution.�

Dangote noted that Nigeria has a readily available market because of its huge population and stressed the need for government to remove factors that have continued to constrain the manufacturing sector.

According to him, providing enablers such as road and power infrastructure would have the government effectively diversify the economy from crude oil.

He said: “Well as you know, for the crash of the oil price, it is imperative that we diversify this economy. Our economy is great because we have a local market because when you look at the economy of Asia, it’s mainly focused on exports.

But we have a domestic market: this is a country with about 200 million people apart from the rest of the ECOWAS market where our imports last year was almost $47 billion. “It is not sustainable,we cannot have 200 million people growing at about 2.7 per cent and then we are importing most of the things that we are consuming. I think we really need to be serious this time around so we don’t just keep talking about diversiďŹ cation‌it has been very elusive I don’t know why. It is possible but we are not really focusing on that. “We need to reduce the cost of doing business: the cost of doing business can actually affect everybody. I can tell you the truth, the government lost so much money last year in the trafďŹ c logjam of Apapa alone.We as a company, our three companies lost over N30 billion in terms of proďŹ ts, which means the government will also collect less taxes. So we need to look at infrastructure, we need to look at power.â€?

The Managing Director/Chief Executive,Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, said only infrastructure spending would be able to solve problems relating to economic sustainability.

According to him, with the current economic predicament, coupled with the threat posed by the spread of the coronavirus, the knock-on effect on the country could be monumental without a sustainable economy at this point in time.

SpeciďŹ cally,Wigwe,stressed that if the challenges in the power sector are resolved, the overall cost of production in the country could drop by as much as 30 per cent to 40 per cent.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÍ˝Ëœ 2020

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Barrels of oil

With Coronavirus, Saudi-Russia Oil War, It’s Trouble for Nigeria The debilitating effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the global economy is now rife, with oil prices crashing to a three-year low. Nigeria, an OPEC member and a major exporter of crude oil, is unfortunately caught in the midst of the unfolding consequences of Covid-19 and the oil war between Saudi Arabia and Russia, Nosa James-Igbinadolor writes

I

t was the biggest crash in oil prices in over 20 years.

Global oil demand has only contracted in three years since 1985. No one saw it coming, yet the signs were palpable.

It began with the coronavirus and as Bloomberg noted of the annual International Petroleum Week, a major oil-industry gathering in London, at the end of February,“the mood darkened as outbreaks from Italy to Iran forced traders to re-evaluate the virus’ impact on the global economy�.�Fewer trips to work, cancelled vacations and disrupted supply chains all meant reduced demand for fuel.

By late February, the IMF had slashed its economic growth forecast for Nigeria citing falling oil prices as it urged the country, Africa’s biggest crude oil

producer to diversify its oil-reliant economy.

The fund has now cut its forecast for Nigerian gross domestic product growth this year from 2.5 percent to 2 percent“to reect the impact of lower international oil prices‌Under current policies, the outlook is challenging,â€? the IMF said.

By early March, commodity traders and oil companies had begun updating their internal forecasts, with some cutting 2020 demand growth to a range of 200,000 to 700,000 barrels a day, according to Bloomberg. By the end of the ďŹ rst week of March, oil prices had crashed more than 9 percent to their lowest level in nearly three years as major producing nations failed to agree on supply cuts aimed at addressing the collapse in global demand caused by

the coronavirus outbreak.

By the beginning of the second week, Brent crude oil futures had tanked as much as 31per cent to $31 a barrel as Saudi Arabia ratcheted up pressure on Russia by slashing its list prices by the most in some 20 years. Saudi Arabia’s shock decision as talks on production cuts between OPEC and its allies ended unceremoniously.

Saudi Arabia’s decision to cut prices added to pressure on an oil market already reeling from a global economic growth slowdown at the hands of the coronavirus outbreak.

Goldman Sachs has since come out with a dire warning: $20 a barrel oil. “The prognosis for the oil market is even direr than in November 2014, when such a price war last started, as it comes to a head with the signiďŹ cant

collapse in oil demand due to the coronavirus. This is the equivalent of a 1Q09 demand shock amid a 2Q15 OPEC production surge for a likely 1Q16 price outcome. As a result, we are cutting our 2Q and 3Q20 Brent price forecasts to $30/bbl with possible dips in prices to operational stress levels and well-head cash costs near $20/bbl,�

Goldman Sachs oil strategist, Damien Courvalin, said in a note to clients as reported by CNN. Courvalin added,“This completely changes the outlook for the oil and gas markets, in our view, and brings back the playbook of the New Oil Order, with low-cost producers increasing supply from their spare capacity to force higher-cost producers to reduce output.�

Then out of the blues, Saudi Arabia,

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÍ˝Ëœ 2020

22

BUSINESS/ECONOMY With Coronavirus, Saudi-Russia Oil War, It’s Trouble for Nigeria

Buhari

the world’s top exporter, launched a price war over the weekend. The move followed the implosion of an alliance between the OPEC cartel, led by Saudi Arabia, and Russia.

Saudi and Russia had come together to form the so-called OPEC+ alliance in 2016 after oil prices plunged to $30 a barrel. Since then, the two leading exporters have orchestrated supply cuts of 2.1 million barrels per day. Saudi Arabia wanted to increase that number to 3.6 million barrels through 2020 to take account of weaker consumption.

But Russia, worried about ceding too much ground to American shale oil producers, refused to go along with the plan and his energy minister, Alexander Novak, on Friday signalled a ďŹ erce battle to come for market share when he said countries could produce as much as they please from April OPEC Secretary-General, Mohammed Barkindo, speaking to reporters after the meeting broke up, said there was no consensus to extend the policy of supply restraint beyond the end of March and OPEC would not act unilaterally. Discussions would continue, he added but gave no further detail.

Africa including Nigeria is beginning to feel the effect of these major external shocks. According to Africa ConďŹ dential, three-quarters of Nigeria’s and Angola’s oil production earmarked for export in April is unsold. Similar deďŹ cits are reported from Chad, Republic of Congo, and Gabon.

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari signed the country’s N10.6 trillion ($29 billion) spending plan into law this year based on a crude price projection of $57 barrel, and targeted oil earnings of N2.64 trillion. Brent crude prices have plummeted about 45 percent this year to around $36 a barrel. With oil accounting for as much as 70 percent of total government revenue and 90 percent of export earnings, and with the 2020 budget based on an oil price of $57 per barrel, the Nigerian government was quick to scramble a review of the national budget.

Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, lamented the effect of the sprawling virus on Nigeria’s 2020 budget.

Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva

The country’s oil benchmark for 2020 is $57 per barrel of crude compared to current Brent crude oil prices of $45 per barrel, stoking fears of a widening budget deďŹ cit.

Ahmed stated,“The current crude oil price of $53 a barrel is below the budget benchmark. So what we are doing is studying the situation. We are committed to doing a midterm review. We are concerned about the current drop in oil prices because it’s now below our budget. We will do a mid-term review, and if the impact is so much, we will need to do an adjustment in the budget, working together with the National Assembly.�

The outlook is no doubt dire. Simply put the coronavirus and the attendant lower oil price will be raw for the budget, as it means less money is available for much-needed investment in infrastructure. An analyst, Mr. Obasesam Okoi, noted,“Arguably, the collapse of oil prices over the years not only poses a strategic danger to the country’s growing importance in the global economy but has been the new catalyst behind its domestic predicaments.�

Okoi further stated,“The far-reaching implication is that changes in the price of oil have the potential to instigate changes in domestic conditions, which can lead to protracted instability.�

Nigeria’s forex market, he added, has been historically responding negatively to the fall in oil prices“as the local currency has dropped from the N363 per US dollar that it traded for a better part of 2018 to N370 per dollar. Should the fall in oil prices be sustained, it could lead to a shortage of the US dollar in the domestic market, further driving down the value of the naira.�

Head of Research at Sigma Pensions, Mr. Wale Okunrinboye, posits that Nigeria faces a perfect nightmare.“If oil averages $45 per barrel in 2020 and Nigeria does not take action to restrain import demand growth as we saw in 2019, then we could see the current account deďŹ cit go towards $20-25billion.

While the ďŹ scal deďŹ cit will blow beyond the 3 percent statutory limit.â€?

The International Energy Agency (IEA) slashed its demand outlook by

1.1 million bpd due to the coronavirus outbreak and its impact on economies, assessing that oil demand was set to drop this year for the ďŹ rst time since the ďŹ nancial crisis in 2009. “While the situation remains uid, we expect global oil demand to fall in 2020 – the ďŹ rst full-year decline in more than a decade – because of the deep contraction in China, which accounted for more than 80 percent of global oil demand growth in 2019, and major disruptions to travel and trade,â€?IEA said in its March report. It is expected that demand for Nigeria’s oil will wane while future deals will close at a price much lower than Nigeria’s crude oil benchmark.

With the Central Bank of Nigeria’s reserves having decreased by 20 percent in the past two years to the lowest since November 2017, and may soon reach the psychological $30-billion threshold set by Governor Godwin EmeďŹ ele for the country to consider a devaluation, there is a legitimate fear that the plunge in oil prices is piling pressure on Nigeria to devalue the naira as dwindling export revenue depletes foreign-exchange reserves, curbing the central bank’s ability to support the currency. It is widely believed that the apex bank may start adjusting currency policy before it reaches that point.

EmeďŹ ele had last month said no adjustment of the naira was planned and that the bank would continue to sustain the value of the currency, even though its dollar reserve was shrinking.

In February, the bank had introduced longer-term contracts on the naira in a move to attract more foreign inows, shore up its dwindling dollar reserves and stave off a currency devaluation.

The naira has come under pressure this year as importers demand dollars to feed Nigeria’s consumers and as market sentiment worsen by fears that the coronavirus outbreak would hit Chinese demand, one of Nigeria’s major trading partners, and dampen growth.

Jason Daw and Phoenix Kalen, strategists at Paris-based Societe Generale SA, warned that“the combination of a current-account deďŹ cit -- previously

due to strong imports, but now being compounded by weak exports -portfolio outows and lower oil prices will continue to deplete FX reserves and pressure the naira�. This situation elevates the risk of the devaluation of the naira. Nigeria’s CBN has kept the exchange rate at the Investor & Exporter window at M360/$1 since 2017 when it last devalued.

And it goes beyond the monetary ecosystem. Analysts at SMB Intelligence wondered how the Nigerian government would be able to raise the $22.7-billion loan, which the National Assembly approved last week against the background of plummeting oil prices. “This question is important because Nigeria’s Federal Government is hedging the repayment of those loans on oil sales. Even the ďŹ nancing for the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline is hedged against assets that may soon be non-performing.

There is also the risk that as oil prices remain low, some of our oil wells may be shut as they become increasingly unproďŹ table. New investments (including the much-touted Mambila Power Project) could probably be frozen as a result,â€?they noted.

Already, the naira extended a decline in offshore trading last week, slipping 0.2 percent to 366.45 per dollar, the weakest level on a closing basis in almost three years.Yields on Nigeria’s 2049 Eurobonds climbed 11 basis points to 10.34 percent, a record, after soaring 149 basis points on Monday.

The country’s benchmark stock index slumped 4.1 percent, heading for the lowest close since March 2017.

At the market level, no other country in Africa consumes more Chinese products than Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammad Dan Auta, spokesman for the Traders’Association in the northern Nigerian city of Kaduna told German international public broadcaster, Deutsche Welle,“Chinese products are usually found in all parts of Nigeria�.

And that is the dilemma for Nigeria.

With falling prices, lower oil sales and steeping government revenues, the near future looks very rough, if not eventful.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÍ˝Ëœ 2020

23

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

How Falling Oil Price Threatens 2020 Budget The chances for Nigeria fulfilling its budgetary obligations for the fiscal year 2020 is very doubtful, no thanks to the ravaging Coronavirus (Covid-19), which has taken the world by storm. It is apparent that the federal government cannot implement this year’s N10.33trillion budget with the oil price at almost 50 per cent of the budgetary benchmark. Policymakers have, however, returned to the drawing board to review the Appropriation Act with a view to managing the looming trouble for the economy. Bamidele Famoofo reports

T

he euphoria that greeted the early passage of the 2020 budget may have waned. This is because the plan of the federal government to spur economic growth and create jobs may be now be very far from becoming a reality.

The reason for the pessimisms is not far-fetched; Nigeria may never be able to generate enough revenue to make the dream of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration a reality. Though the country, since 2011 had fallen short of realising its revenue target, depending on debt to finance its budget, the case at hand is a bit more tragic as oil price has dropped freely owing to a couple of factors.

According to data provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday, crude oil price came down to $37.57 per barrel compared to $56 per barrel benchmark for the 2020 budget, representing about 33 per cent shortfall. In a situation where oil does not appreciate above price on Tuesday, revenue shortfall from oil which represents 60 percent of revenue to finance budget will stand at N0.871trillion, leaving expected revenue from oil at about N1.77trillion as against N2.64trillion oil revenue target in the budget. Total expected revenue to finance the budget, which was put at N8.16trillion, would drop below N7.31trillion. “Nigeria’s fiscal revenue profile remains highly susceptible to oil price shocks in the global energy market, as the oil sector contributes more than 60 per cent of the annual budgetary income. In 2016, the global oil crisis resulted in an economic recession. As a result, fiscal revenue generated from oil sales decreased to about N0.70 trillion (representing 46 per cent of total fiscal revenue) in 2016, the lowest in eight years (2011 – 2018).

In 2018, actual oil revenue grew to N1.96 trillion, representing 64 per cent of total fiscal revenue. Non-oil revenues, on the other hand, continued to grow in the same period.

Consequently, in terms of contribution to fiscal revenue, the non-oil sector contributed 54 per cent in 2016�, PricewaterhouseCoopers said in a report.

PwC noted that the substantial revenue generation potential presented in the 2020 budget might be a mirage. “The achievement of the 2020 FGN fiscal plan remains in doubt, as the federal government’s actual revenue has fallen short of the budgeted revenue in eight years (2011 – 2018). The continued shortfall in budgeted revenue has

Ahmed

resulted in a widening budget deficit, which is proposed at N2.8 trillion in 2020, fuelling the debate of the growing debt burden of the government. This debate continues, with the federal government’s plans to spend N2.5 trillion on debt servicing in 2020 – approximately 23per cent of the total proposed budget.�

The firm expressed doubt that Nigeria’s rising non-oil revenue will fill the yearning gap that oil revenue shortfall will create in financing the 2020 budget. “The first time in the history of the country that non-oil revenue outpaced oil revenue was 2016. Despite this significant trend in 2016, the proportion of actual non-oil revenue slowed marginally to 36per cent in 2018. From 2011 to 2018, actual oil revenue generated remained below budgeted oil revenue. In 2018, the gap between the actual and the budgeted oil revenue reached a peak of N1.02 trillion, due to contraction in oil sector GDP.�

The sum of N8.155 trillion was estimated as the total federal government revenue in 2020 and comprises oil revenues of N2.64 trillion, non-oil tax revenues of N1.81 trillion and other revenues of N3.7 trillion.

The proposed 2020 budget is anchored on two policy frameworks – the Finance Bill, and the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract (Amendment) Bill 2018. The former amended the existing VAT regimes and make it more dynamic. The latter, previously rejected by the National Assembly, was later reconsidered. “These bills have the potential of generating substantial revenue stream from tax and crude oil.�

Meanwhile global energy experts have expressed concern that the falling oil price may linger for a while as Global Head of Energy Analysis at Oil Price Information Service, Tom Kloza, said Wednesday: “All of the data points we look

at suggest that April will be a very cruel month for oil prices.� “Spate of news hit the oil markets on Wednesday—from downgraded estimates on U.S. crude production and global demand, to plans by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to boost output—giving traders a lot to chew on during an uncertain time in the market driven

by COVID-19 concerns,� Kloza noted.

Goldman Sachs has revised downward its oil price forecast second quarter and third quarter oil to $30 per barrel and has warned its clients about the possibility of dips in prices to operational stress level and well-head costs near $20 per barrel, according to Yahoo Finance. “The prognosis for the oil market is even more dire than in November 2014, when such a price war last started, as it comes to a head with a significant collapse in oil demand due to the coronavirus.

This is the equivalent of a 1Q09 demand shock amid a 2Q15 OPEC production surge for a likely 1Q16 price outcome,� the investment bank said in a release.

Goldman Sach added: “This completely changes the outlook for the oil and gas markets, in our view, and brings back the playbook of the New Oil Order, with low-cost producers increasing supply from their spare capacity to force highercost producers to reduce output.�

Meanwhile, policymakers in Nigeria are strategising to contain the precarious situation, which threatens its fragile economy.

Report showed that an emergency meeting of key revenue agencies to review the impact of falling oil price on the Nigerian economy held last Monday. The meeting which held at the instance of the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, was focused on the 2020 budget whose fundamentals appear to have been derailed.

Some of the officials who attended the meeting included: CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele; Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Engr. Mele Kyari; Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Alhaji Mohammed Nami, as well as the Minister of State for Budget, Mr. Clem Agba.

The finance minister had earlier said the government would take a decision to review the budget fundamentals based on the lower crude oil prices. On Friday, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) failed to reach a consensus with its nonOPEC members on further cut on oil output to strengthen the price.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÍ˝Ëœ 2020

INTERVIEW SIMON OKEKE No Insurance Company Will Collapse with New Recapitalisation Structure Executive Chairman, Purebond Insurance Brokers Limited, Mr. Simon Okeke, has over three decades’ experience in the insurance industry. Formerly managing director/CEO of Central Insurance Company Limited, Okeke, is a member of the Council of Fellows of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers and an associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute of London. Okeke had in late 2000 founded Souche Insurance Brokers unLimited, which metamorphosed to Purebond Insurance Brokers Limited in 2011. In this interview with Kunle Aderinokun and Bamidele Famoofo, he speaks on the recent development in the Nigerian insurance industry and addressed pertinent issues in the pension scheme, asserting that the specialization of Purebond Insurance Brokers in special risks, oil and gas, engineering, gas pipeline construction and aviation insurance broking, amongst others, has placed the company in the league of prominent and indigenous professional broking concerns. Excerpts:

W

hen did your journey into the insurance world begin and how has it been so far?

I started my Insurance career as broker in 1986 with United Modern Insurance Brokers and latter joined Crusader Insurance company in 1987 as an underwriting superintendent before the company closed its general business in 1989 to remain a specialist life office. The life office was eventually taken over by a group of investors, who changed its name to Custodian and Allied Life Assurance Company.

I consider myself exceptionally favoured when during the Crusader interview; l emerged one out of the two management trainees that scaled through the rigorous tests that weeded out 133 applicants.

Besides being an underwriter, my flair for marketing stood me out in my career as l contributed to the growth of the gross earnings of the company and many others that l worked for thereafter.

As a staff of Crusader Insurance, l worked in variousdepartmentsheadedbythecurrentgovernor of Osun state, His Excellency, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, which include general insurance, reinsurance and motors etc. In 1989, the company wound down the aspect of its general insurance business because of its cyclical growth pattern and settled down for the life business that offers a more stable positive growth graph and better returns.

Still, l was among the few staff retained by the company to wind up the general business unit of the company. While this was going on, l qualified in 1990 as an associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute of London and that gave me the leverage to seek employment elsewhere. This is because l do not want to be contained in the life assurance business, l have always wanted to experience both arms of the business. I got employed at African Development Insurance Company (ADIC) as an assistant marketing manager. The firm was headed

by Prof. Joe Irukwu, who is nicknamed Mr. Insurance of Nigeria. I thought it was a very big leap for me as assistant manager marketing from a superintendent position. I was in charge of all the brokers in Lagos and parts of the country. My duty was to train and also lead my team to market the products of the company. We marketed both the general and life assurance businesses as well as engineering insurance. Engineering insurance is a special risk arm of insurance that deals with machines, plants, equipment or civil works, construction of hydro power plants, gas pipeline constructions, among others. Special risks are just like engineering, but

Okeke

include oil & gas upstream activities, while life assurance business deals with term, whole life, endowment, mortgages, annuities pension and related benefits. Don’t forget that it was the Nigerian insurance companies that were handling pension schemes as it is done in developed economies of the world until 2004, when the federal government, out of the ugly experiences that bedeviled the fate of retirees, decided to open up and regulate the pension business and brought in foreign investors to take over the portfolio of pension schemes being managed by Insurance companies. Before then,

insurance companies were both administrators and custodians of Pension assets and liabilities.

However, because of the lucrativeness of the life assurance and pension business, coupled with the benefits of deposit administrations from big corporations and multinationals, the government felt it was more or less something that can be managed by specialist administrators with the banks acting as the custodians. The PFAs now had to work with Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs).

The National Pension Commission emerged as a result of this development to regulate these opera-

tors, who invest the regular savings collected from contributors in the government and the organised private sector of the Nigerian economy. PenCom has amassed so much money from contributors.

We should be talking about over N9 trillion pension fund being managed by Pencom through the appointed custodians. This is not a small amount of money. You can imagine what would happen if insurance companies are managing such fund.

There is, however, a regulation that governs the investment of pension fund. Currently, pension assets are channeled into the following sectors: real estate properties, quoted ordinary shares,

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÍ˝Ëœ 2020

25

There’s No Reason Pensioners Can’t Get 50% of Benefits Immediately after Retirement FGN and state government bonds, corporate debt securities, money market securities, private equity funds, infrastructure and open/close funds.

The underlying caveats in these channels is that of convertibility of the investment, in case the need arises or cash call, the fund will easily be available to meet pension obligations.

I’m of the view that PenCom regulations are work in progress because there are a lot of dashed hopes in the area of harmoniously and proactively complete the verifications of pensioners with the primary motive of the thrift or contributors of the fund. Don’t forget that the contributory pension scheme allows a contributor to access up to 50 per cent of the balance in the RSA to 50 years old, but due to some anomalies in the reforms, a contributor can be delayed until age 60 or more. They should be allowed to draw 50per cent of their money to start a business of their own while the rest is converted into annuity. It allows the contributor to draw from his/her savings in perpetuity. If death does not occur, the benefit continues as the savings attracts interest.

What aspect of the Pension Reform Act 2014 would you want to be amended to create a level-playing ďŹ eld for both the pension administrators and the insurance industry?

I want to look at the Pension ReformAct 2014 from two angles. One is the operation or administration.

Of the pension itself and the provision of the Life Assurance component that pays 3 x annual salary for death in service before retirement. Following the Pencom Act 2004 that became effective 2005, few life insurance companies indicated interest to apply as administrators or managers bearing in mind their existing clientele base. There is a central issue in the present regulatory framework, as it relates to the benefits payout to the estate of employees, who die interstate. Also there are instances, where somebody dies after creating his/her will, some administrative encumbrances in the system tend to frustrate the dependent relatives as certain details that should have been extracted from the deceased records are never updated or completed, and that hinders payment to the would-be beneficiary. To be specific, in a situation where a named beneficiary dies, there should be a provision for the next beneficiary, who could show a proof of claims to be given undeterred access to be able to claim his rights, but that remains a big challenge as we discuss. I’m looking at it from the point of view that the regulation or reform that has been made should address the issue of the management of the pension fund. It should allow the PFAs to give insight as to how to channel the investment of the fund. It should be channeled into the guaranteed sectors of the economy as I mentioned earlier where there would be no liquidity issues when the fund is badly needed.

Government borrow from the pension fund for political and white elephant projects rather than in infrastructure that would create wealth through employment and this l consider as pretty sad for the industry and the economy at large. Let us consider, if government had borrows to renovate, for example, the abandoned Federal Secretariat at Ikoyi, Lagos State, and commercialise it, don’t you think it will yield a good return for the country?

There are lots of companies searching for good office locations in Lagos, which the location of this structure provides. Secondly, the pension managers themselves do not know how the funds are being generated and therefore allow political and government influence to determine investment direction. This does not meet the original objective of setting money aside by the contributors.

It would appear that the contributors are caged under this present arrangement in the pension scheme as their chances to access their beneďŹ ts when they need them are slim. They must wait for a very period and the procedures are long. Are there no ways this can be improved upon?

Like l said earlier on, the contributors are not the government, but people, who have decided lawfully to keep a certain portion of their own money for the rainy day, because thrift is the very essence of every progressive person, company or even state.

Nigeria operates the contributory pension scheme.

If somebody has contributed for some time, say 35 years before retirement, at 60, he is supposed to be given 50 per cent. In fact, the day the person is retiring should be when his/her account should be credited. I don’t see what you need to verify to pay into the account of the contributor. He/ she needs his/her money to be able to start a new life. You would realise that most people die after retirement because they have no hope. But when they are assured that when they retire, there is something good ahead, they live longer. I will even propose that three months before retirement, the money should be paid into their account. There should also be pre-retirement workshops organised

Will the players be able to raise the required fund for recapitalisation or should we be looking forward to series of mergers and acquisitions?

As it is right now, no company is going to go down because of the way the recapitalisation is structured. This is because it allows for any players to fix itself in the category it belongs. If you belong to any of the bands, you will be limited by what your capital allows to do. But beyond this, in business, you don’t want to remain where you are. You want to be a line crosser and for you to do that, you must have the motive to do bigger business. This move will motivate both local and international investors to bring fund into the industry as is currently being ahead of the June 2020 deadline. For the purpose of recapitalisation, NAICOM gave them up till June to confirm their readiness to continue to play either in their current level or at a bigger level. I’m encouraged to let you know that almost all the insurance companies have indicated their readiness to recapitalise. They are saying that they are sure to meet up with the NAICOM’s requirements to raise their capital base. I see them raising funds through Rights Issues from their shareholders, outright IPOs or any other hybrid investment options. Mergers may occur, but I don’t see acquisitions. I believe that the power of two is greater than that of one. If two companies that have N10billion each combine, they will raise N20billion to be more capable in doing larger risks and play in the upstream sectors of oil and gas industry.

Okeke

by both the organised private sector and public organisations to show people how to manage their monies before they retire, knowing that managing money is a different problem all together.

If these happen, l will tell you that people will retire with a level of confidence, but whereby this money is caged, they are deprived of accessing their own fund. If you are deprived, what then will you have to do considering the enormous responsibilities waiting ahead? The balance of 50 per cent is kept in form of annuity, so that even when you are doing business with the bulk you got, you are still entitled to a pension on monthly basis. On the other hand, when death occurs before retirement, three times the annual salary is expected to be paid to the family of the deceased as the fund becomes automatically matured. But there are two possibilities here. It’s either administrators pay it out in bulk to the family of the deceased or spread it out in form of annuity for the beneficiary, depending on their choice.

To what extent has the withdrawal of the pension fund portfolio affected the Insurance industry in Nigeria?

It has in no small measure affected the industry because this is money taken away from players in the industry. Of course, you don’t have any power to say no to what the government says. Government says transfer the pension assets to the PFAs and if you want to become one, register. The transition is still running as far as l’m concerned. In 2005, so many PFAs came in from all over the world.

Some of them are no longer in existence as they cannot manage the pension assets. They could not survive because Nigeria has a peculiar way of doing things.

What are the prospects of the pension industry in Nigeria?

The industry has a huge and bright prospect in the country given the population, and especially the growing population of youths. But the challenge is unemployment. There is a positive correlation between employment and pension fund increase.

That to a large extent means that a wealthy nation has a strong workforce. You will observe that migration from Nigeria has increased the workforce of the countries where our people go in search of greener pastures. They go there to form the workforce and what they leave us with is the creation of pension liability not asset. Nigerians increase the pension assets of those other countries.

Could you do a brief review of the insurance industry in Nigeria?

I would say that the insurance industry in Nigeria has come of age. Remember that the first insurance company in Nigeria, which is over 100 years old today came into the country under the Royal Niger Company as an agency office. Since then, there has been a trajectory of innovations, establishments and indigenisation of Nigerian insurance industry and much has happened since then. Today, we operate and are governed by the Insurance Act of 2003. We call it NAICOM Insurance Act. Insurance has had its worse times and is coming out of the woods.

And l will say the best thing that NAICOM did to

change the game was to implement the sections of the Act that deals with corporate governance and institution of world best practices among others. One of the provisions of the Act that says ‘no premium, no cover’. Before now, people can subscribe to insurance contract and refuse to pay even one year after. You cannot force him to pay. But the truth is that there is no cover when you refuse to pay your premium. So, from 2011 up to 2013, it became a deal that if you don’t pay your premium, you won’t have any cover. This has really helped the insurance industry since it became operational.

Some of the evidences of the change are that most insurance companies are now owners of their own properties in form of head offices. They now also have money to buy enough re-insurance to back claims on liabilities. The NCRIB is equally making insurance to be better and patronised.The use of registered insurance broker in every insurance contract delivers peace of mind as he takes time to interprete the tiny clauses in the every insurance contract. Entering into any insurance relationship without a registered insurance broker is tantamount to entering a court to defend yourself without a lawyer. Involvement of insurance brokers in the industry has a positive correlation with the volume and quality of business being done as we speak.

The capacity of the industry is beginning to grow because premium is coming in bigger volumes than it used to be.

What impact do you think the on-going recapitalisation plan, ordered by NAICOM will have on the industry?

Thank you very much for this question. You know the insurance industry is the only arm of the Nigerian economy that guarantees growth as they provide the necessary financial backing in the event of unforeseen circumstances or disasters. For you to play as a risk manager or sound insurer, it means you must possess the financial capacity to provide for the necessary risks that would arise in the course of your business. So, what NAICOM saw that prompted it to come out with this policy was that so many players in the industry operate on low capital with a steady rush of capital flight. What they want them to do now is increase their risk acceptance capacities and create underwriting profits. The summary of the recapitalisation are as follows: A general business insurer whose capital was N3billion will now make it N8billion, A life underwriter will upgrade from N2billion to N8billion while the composite company (Life and General) will move from N8billion to N18billion. The Re-insurers will move their base from N10billion to N20billion. The implication of this is that the volume of business being generated in Nigeria will be retained more because the industry is seriously campaigning for deeper insurance penetration. Currently, insurance penetration is as low as less than 2per cent. With the emphasis on the ease of doing business and sound adequacy of re-insurance cover, we would definitely be on the right course to reduce capital flight. Recapitalisation will help the industry because there would enough capital for operators to do business, settle all genuine claims which will in turn boost confidence among premium payers.

Can you talk about the brokerage industry in Nigeria?

The brokerage industry is the professional arm of the insurance business in every vibrant economy of the world. There is no insurance business done in Nigeria that is done without a brokers’ input.

At least 60 per cent of businesses underwritten in Nigeria pass through an insurance broker. The rest goes to those who gets the business directly or by affiliation with banks. Though NAICOM has asked banks to divest from insurance, some of them still have captive accounts. Acaptive account refers to businesses that come from the banks to the insurance companies directly without going through a broker. Even brokers themselves have their own captive as is synonymous in business.

However, the brokerage business in Nigeria has come a long way. The positive development in the brokerage industry started after the NCRIB, which is the professional body for insurance brokers, became an autonomous body. That happened over 50 years ago and we are still waxing stronger. We are the professionals that arrange the risk profiles of every entity be they government or organised private sectors. They are the professional intermediaries that ensure seamless insurance package for their clients. They have a better understanding of insurance technicalities and understand the strengths and weaknesses of insurers, if any, and are in a better stead while advising their clients. The broker also spells out the terms in every insurance deal.

They do the risk survey, advocacy and manage risk profiles of their clients through intermittent reviews and training of their clients’ workforce. Above all, they render these services without charging any fee except their brokerage commissions derivable from the discounted and reduced premiums clients pay through them.

The broker help the client with the technicalities of the business and also explain and advise him on the appropriate steps to take. Once you appoint a registered insurance broker to handle your insurance deals, you might go and sleep with both eyes closed. You pay less when you go through a registered insurance broker. Please take note that brokers and not agents, are loyal to their insurance companies who appointed them.

Tell us about the motivation behind the creation of Purebond Insurance Brokers Limited.

Purebond Insurance Brokerage Limited started in 1995 as Souche Insurance Brokers unlimited. Then l was working in a paid employment, but l had a vision to make a name for myself in the insurance industry. This is because when I told my family about my decision to study insurance, out of sheer ignorance, l was despised. They wanted to know why l did not choose to become a medical doctor, an accountant, an engineer or even a lawyer. Their belief was that no serious minded person wants to make a career only to end up ridding a vespa or scooter as was seen in my town at that time.

But l was bent at making a career in the industry and so, l struggled to sponsor myself through the course. In the course of my career in the industry after graduating from school, l discovered l had a lot of potential for marketing. When I joined the mainstream of insurance at Central Insurance after l left ADIC, l made up my mind that the way to go is float a business in insurance brokerage.

26

SUNDAY MARCH 15, 2020 •T H I S D AY

SUNDAY MARCH 15, 2020 • T H I S D AY

27

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÍ˝Ëœ 2020

28

: 19 Capital Importa on and Trade Report: External Condi ons Worsen Prior to the incidence of the COVID 19 pandemic which is wreaking havoc across the world, Nigeria͛s external sector was already in a fragile state. In our earlier reports, we had indicated a successive deteriora on in external condions in 019. This week, the long awaited external sector data was nally published by the Na onal ureau of Sta s cs (N S), con rming our suspicions. We proceed to review the capital importa on and merchandise trade reports for 019.

The capital importa on report revealed a con nuous decelera on in foreign capital in ows since 019, driven by post elec on uncertain es, falling yields, currency pressures and weakened investorsÍ› con dence. In 019, there was sustained decline across the board as foreign capital ows fell by 3 . % o to 3.8bn, the lowest recorded during the year. Regardless, there was a .7% o rise in foreign capital in ows to .0bn in 019, given the trac on recorded in 1 019. PI rose to 16. bn in 019, represen ng a 38.7% o up ck. This was driven by the 58.7% o rise in money market

in ows as investors remained shy of e uies where foreign investments dipped 19.9% o to S 1.9bn. We a ribute the in ows into money market instruments to the rela ve calm recorded post elec ons which eased poli cal risk. ikewise, a 75.3% o surge in in ows from other investments to 6.7bn, buoyed foreign capital ows in 019. oreign direct investments ( DI), on the other hand, remained uninspiring, down 1.8% o to 0.9bn, re ec ng the weak macroeconomic environment and lack of reforms to encourage investors.

Elsewhere, Nigeria͛s trade balance fell to a de cit of 579.1bn in 019 as imports expanded faster than exports. Imports accelerated by 37. % to 5.3bn in 019, bringing 019 total imports to 17.0tn, a 8.8% o rise. This was mainly driven by an expansion in the importa on of capital goods and industrial supplies as well as fuel and lubricants import. Conversely, exports contracted by 9.8% to .8bn in 019, driven by the slowdown in the export of manufactured goods and crude oil. In 019, exports rose at a slower rate of 3.6% o to 19. tn, following a 3.1% o moderaon in crude oil exports to 1 .7tn. We a ribute this to a 10.0% o reduc on in crude oil price to 6 .0 bbl. despite a .7% o up ck in oil produc on at

.0mb d in 019.

Going forward, we expect sustained downtrend in capital ows following global risk o sen ments due to the COVID 19 pandemic. The global decline in oil prices amid oversupply and falling demand for oil raises Nigeria͛s risk, hence we expect foreign investors to be reluctant to hold Naira assets. or trade, we an cipate weaker export growth due to plumme ng oil prices ( 3 .9 bl). With the ma or oil producing countries engaged in a price war, we are not op mis c that the removal of curbs on Nigeria's oil output would support more sales. We also expect a slowdown in imports given the disrup ons to global supply chains and so ening economic ac vi es among trading partners such as S, Europe, China and India. The combina on of trade de cit, nega ve current account balance and weak capital ows mean there would be a sustained modera on in external reserves, thus increasing the need for currency devalua on.

Global E ui es Market: S ll Reeling from COVID 19 The unrelen ng spread of Coronavirus This week, the global market sustained its downtrend as investors were concerned about the rapid spread of COVID 19. The virus is now in 118 countries from 87 last

week, with the number of cases rising to 13 ,911 from 95,333. To slow the spread of COVID 19, ma or economies con nue to implement social distancing measures, given its rela ve e ec veness. The implica on of these measures would be a sharper slump in economic ac vi es. In response, governments and Central anks are providing s mulus to nancial ins tu ons, businesses and households. In the S, the ed announced a 1.5tn interven on in the nancial markets to support its economy.

Performance In the advanced market, performance was all red. The decline was strongest in Germany͛s ETR D index which dropped 0. % w w as investors reacted nega vely to new cases of the virus. In rance, the C C 0 index shed 0.1% w w to trail the top loser, although no new cases were reported. In the same vein, ͛s TSE ll Share index slipped 17.3% w w. In the S, e orts by the ed to support markets have not worked as the N SD and S P 500 indices plunged 13.5% and 15. % w w respec vely. Elsewhere in apan and ong ong, the Nikkei 5 and ang Seng indices closed the week at.

In the RICS market, performance was bearish as all 5 Indices under our coverage trended south. ra il͛s Ibovespa index led the laggards, down . % w w, while Rus-

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÍ˝Ëœ 2020

sia͛s RTS index closely followed with a 1. % dive w w. In South frica, the TSE SE index lost 15.1% w w as business sen ment con nues to wane. astly, India͛s SE Sens and China͛s Shangai Composite Indices closed at.

In the frican market, all stock market indicators under our coverage closed in the red. Nigeria͛s ll Share and enya͛s NSE 0 indices led decliners with losses of 13.5% and 11.5% w w respec vely. Similarly, auri us͛ SE DE and orocco͛s Casablanca SI indices slipped 8.0% and 8.3% w w in that order. astly, Egypt͛s EG 30 and Ghana͛s GSE Indices shaved o 8.1% and 0.1% w w respec vely.

In sia and the iddle East, the story remained the same as performance was below water for all 5 Indices we cover.

Thailand͛s SET Index recorded a 17.3% w w loss to lead the laggards. ddi onally, E͛s D General and Saudi rabia͛s Tadawul SI Indices trailed, down 15.5% and 1 .9% w w respec vely. Conclusively, losses were also recorded in atar͛s DS 0 and Turkey͛s IST 100 indices as both indicators fell 11.6% and 1 .8% respecvely.

Domes c E ui es Market: The Bears ReturnÍ™ ASI down 13.5% w/w The rapid spread of coronavirus and weak oil prices con nues to mount fear as investors took a risk o approach towards the e ui es market. This week, the local bourse posted a bearish performance as the ll Share Index ( SI) fell 13.5% w w. s a result, investors lost 1.8tn as market capitalisa on declined to 11.8tn while TD loss plunged to 15.3%. c vity level improved as average volume and value traded advanced 118.5% and 68.0% to 73 .6m units and 10. bn respec vely. The most ac vely traded stocks by volume were ZENITH (9 9. m units), (607.3m units) and GUARANTY (50 .1m units) while ZENITH ( 11.1bn), GUARANTY ( 9.9bn) and UBA ( 3.5bn) led by value.

Sector performance was bearish as all indices under our coverage lost w w. The anking index led the laggards, down 6. % due to sell o s in ZENITH ( 36.7%), ACCESS ( 36.5%) and STERLNBA ( 9.5%).

Similarly, the Consumer Goods and R ICT indices declined 1 .8% and 10.7% respec vely, following sell pressures in CADBURY ( 38.9%), NIGERIAN BREWERIES ( 31. %) and MTNN ( 19.0%). Price declines in OANDO ( 5.9%), CONOIL ( 18.9%), WAPIC ( 18. %) and NEM ( 16.8%) dragged the Oil Gas and Insurance indices lower by 8.5% and 5.7% respec vely. inally, the Industrial Goods index fell 5. % on the back of price deprecia on in WAPCO ( .0%) and CUTIX ( 17.1%).

Investor sen ment as measured by market breadth (advance decline ra o) weakened to 0.0 x from the 1. x recorded last week as 1 stock advanced rela ve to 63 stocks that declined. The top outperform-

29

ing stock for the week was CORNERSTONE (+6.0%) while CADBURY ( 38.9%), ZENITH ( 36.7%) and ACCESS ( 36.5%) led decliners.

In the coming week, we expect the bearish performance to con nue as the economic outlook of the country remains uncertain.

Foreign Exchange Market: Oil Price War Further Dampens Possibility of Reserves Accre on ollowing the OPEC+ mee ng last week, a price war broke out in the oil market as Russia backed out of further and exis ng produc on cut. n escala on ensued as Saudi rabia announced plans to increase produc on to 1 .3mb d (300,000mb d over its maximum produc on capacity) at a discounted price in pril. arkets were ra led following this development, resul ng in rent crude price plunging %, to S 3 . bbl. on arch 9th and further down to S 33.7 bbl. on riday. gainst this backdrop, the possibility of a currency devalua on heightened while the external reserves were down 0.1% w w to S 36. bn (3 11 0 0) with no prospect for accre on in the near term.

The C N spot rate appreciated 5kobo w w to close at 306.95 S 1.00 while at the parallel market, rate opened at 360.00 S 1.00 and depreciated 0 to close at 380.00 S 1.00. t the Investors͛ Θ Exporters͛ (I E) Window, the N E rate depreciated 1.76 to close at 368. 7 S 1.00. c vity level in I E Window declined this week as total turnover tanked 56. % to S 1.3bn from S 3.0bn recorded in the previous week.

t the D Securi es Exchange (SE) utures Contract arket, the total value of open contracts se led at S 1 .9bn, 15.8%

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( S 1.8bn) higher than the prior week. The ar 0 1 instrument (contract price 371.00) had the most buying interest in the week with an addi onal subscrip on of S 5 .8m which took total value to S 5 3.0m. eanwhile, the Dec 0 0 instrument (contract price 370.17) was the least subscribed with an addi onal subscrip on of S .6m pu ng the total value to S 1.6bn. We expect the C N to support the Naira through interven on, although concerns about possible devaluaon could widen the parallel market premium.

Money Market: Lower Rates In the Secondary T bills Market This week, O and OVN rates opened the week at 15.5% and 16. % respec vely, higher than 11.7% and 1 .9% recorded in the previous week as system li uidity fell to 0 .9bn from 06.1bn. On Wednesday, O and OVN rate fell to 1 .8% and 13.8% despite depressed system li uidity as a result of the P held by the C N. t the close of the week, O and OVN rate dipped further to 9. % and 10.8% respecvely due to elevated system li uidity ( 661.3bn), buoyed by in ow from O O maturi es ( 3.7bn) and refund (c. 00.0bn).

In line with its schedule, the C N conducted a Primary arket uc on (P ) on Wednesday, o ering instruments worth 86.3bn, receiving a total subscrip on of 3.5bn and selling 86.3bn across all tenors. The stop rates were . 9%, 3.78% and 5.30% for the 91, 18 and 36 day instruments respec vely. The 91 day (O er 1.8bn Subscrip on 3.7bn Sale 1.8bn), 18 day (O er 1 .0bn Subscrip on 9.5bn Sale 1 .0bn) and

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36 day (O er 70.5bn Subscrip on 190. bn Sale 70.5bn) instruments were oversubscribed at 13. x, .1x and .7x respec vely.

In the secondary treasury bills market, performance was mildly bullish as average yield across benchmark tenors trended lower, down 13bps w w to close at 3.9%. The 18 day instrument saw the most demand as average yields declined 1 bps to 3.8% while the 91 and 36 day instruments traded at at .9% and 5.9% respec vely. In the coming week, we believe that the secondary market would remain tepid as foreign investors seek higher yields in short tenured bonds. lso, we expect the C N to mop up excess liuidity given O O maturi es worth c.300.0bn.

Bond Market: Weak Oil Prices Drive Sell o s t the close of the week, the domes c bonds market recorded a nega ve performance as average yield across tenors rose 1. % w w to 11.7%. This resulted from the breakdown in talks at the OPEC+ mee ng which led to oil prices plumme ng to a year low over the weekend. owever, on Tuesday, yields recovered slightly (intra day) following a revised ond auc on calendar for 1 0 0 by the D O, replacing GN PR 0 9 and GN PR 0 9 with GN R 035 and GN R 050 respec vely. Despite this, yields rose on all trading days save on riday were it closed at. The mid end curve posted the most sell o s, apprecia ng 00bps w w in yields while the short end curve trailed, rising 9 bps w w. inally, the average yield on the long end curve advanced 86bps w w.

In the coming week, we expect the bearish performance to con nue as investors remain i ery.

In the SS Eurobonds segment, the bearish performance was sustained across board as average yield inched .0% higher w w. # $( " " # The I N 0 and 0 instruments recorded the most sell o s as their respecve yields advanced 16.9% and 10.5% w w. The G ON 0 instrument trailed, rising 7. % w w. On the other hand, the SO T RIC N 0 0 instrument matured during the week.

In the frican Corporate Eurobonds market under our coverage, performance trended northward as average yield rose . % w w. The SI N E GO D 0 3 and SEP T 0 3 instruments led laggards, up 9.6% and 7.7% w w respec vely. This was 0

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30

˜ ˞ MARCH 15, 2020

MARKET NEWS

CreditRegistry Restates Commitment to Quality Services Judith Obaze Managing Director (MD) of Credit Registry, a credit bureau, Mrs. Jameelah Sharrieff-Ayedun, has restated the company’s commitment to the provision of quality services to customers.

Speaking on its 17 years in operations, the MD noted that it firm would continue to encourage partnership as part of efforts to remain a leader in the business of enhancing access to credit and provision of information to make decisions for strategic growth.

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

According to her, Credit Registry has continually championed the credit risk management industry with its biometric discovery service, SMARTScore along with 268 credit score characteristics and the newest product for borrowers called CreditConnection.

She said the with over 20 products

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 12Mar-2020, unless otherwise stated.

in CreditRegistry portfolio, hundreds of financial and non-financial institutions now benefit from using its credit information database, adding that the its has given customers fast, easy and efficient access to data and financial software solutions.

Sharrieff-Ayedun expressed

appreciation for the support management has received over the years from all directors, shareholders, regulators and also her peers in the industry.

Also speaking, Partner, West Africa Financial Services Leader and Chief Economist, PriceWaterhouseCooper,

Andrew S. Nevins, commended the credit bureau for being a big part of the push for the implementation of the Bank Verification Number (BVN) policy, among other accomplishments. Nevins said access to credit for consumers and businesses is necessary in driving the economy.

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 116.69 120.25 -20.41% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 6.59% Nigeria International Debt Fund 302.16 302.16 -3.34% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.88 0.89 4.65% ACAP Income Funds 0.76 0.76 34.25% 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 6.76% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.41 2.46 -2.18% info@anchoriaam.com ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 12.78 13.17 -16.56% ARM Discovery Fund 309.11 318.42 -10.52% ARM Ethical Fund 25.77 26.54 -11.40% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.46% 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 87.79 88.40 -8.63% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.04% 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 N/A N/A N/A 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 0.07 0.05 7.15% Paramount Equity Fund 10.52 11.73 -11.92% Women's Investment Fund 106.90 107.92 -3.15% 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 6.27% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 95.31 95.72 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 101.34 101.84 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.16% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.81 0.81 -12.96% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.31 1.31 -1.34% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 5.57% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 4.87% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,190.33 1,193.00 2.46% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,297.20 1,298.37 0.47% FBN Balanced Fund 129.71 130.62 -11.65% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.07% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 114.75 115.28 -3.77% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 115.50 116.03 -3.61% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 103.23 104.44 -20.67% 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 1.00 1.00 8.17% Legacy Debt Fund 3.71 3.71 1.42% Legacy Equity Fund 0.95 0.97 -16.09% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.09 1.09 0.86% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 2,792.94 2,822.78 -6.36% Coral Income Fund 3,131.08 3,131.08 14.22% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 6.36% 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 5.26% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 114.60 115.26 7.99%

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 5.03% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.00 2.03 -6.95% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 10.87% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 138.24 138.63 10.73% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD ďŹ ncon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.13 1.15 -3.12% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,123.48 1,123.48 2.27% 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 7.56 7.63 -22.90% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 4.39% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.34 1.36 9.64% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.28 12.30 8.55% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 7.50% PACAM Equity Fund 1.10 1.10 PACAM EuroBond Fund 101.56 103.48 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 122.87 125.41 1.86% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.02 1.02 2.21% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,521.35 2,532.80 -5.02% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 1.31% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 -11.80% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 1.66% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 -10.05% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.21% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 -12.05% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.16 1.16 1.15% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 118.18 118.18 0.00% 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 1.13 1.15 -12.16% United Capital Bond Fund 1.77 1.77 2.08% United Capital Equity Fund 0.64 0.66 -19.02% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.36% United Capital Eurobond Fund 113.36 113.36 1.39% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.06 1.07 -5.19% 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 9.14 9.26 -11.05% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.03 11.16 -4.98% Zenith Income Fund 23.20 23.20 4.34% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.59%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

3.20 120.62 52.41

-66.85% 1.28% 0.69%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

7.78 76.58 58.94

7.88 78.20 60.04

-10.61% -17.19% -20.05%

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

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

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

2.52 3.79 10.88 11.01 169.18

2.56 3.87 10.98 11.21 171.18

-28.93% -35.67% -10.05% 5.87% -9.54%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

108.69

17.60%

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.

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

15.03.2020

RIGHTEOUSMAN ERHABOR From Sawdust to Stardom ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/funkola2000@gmail.com

32

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R Ëž ÍŻÍłËœ 2020

COVER

RIGHTEOUSMAN ERHABOR

Nigerian Artiste Adding Glitz to Gospel Music Glamour His white beard and sideburns with a tinge of blackness make his countenance glisten. His bespectacled eyes dilate with excitement in their sockets. With a hefty frame, he towers above many. Clothed in a colourful top, his dreadlocks flow from under his velvety-like black beret. On his hefty shoulders, he carries the yoke of hope and relief. Like a stone rejected, he has since become a cornerstone. The CEO of Praise International, Righteousman Erhabor, is more than an artiste. Not many Nigerian artistes add glitz to the glamour of gospel music like Righteousman. His life is a piece of purpose, perspicacity and prosperity, writes Funke Olaode

H

is hope was nearly dashed, his dream remained unfulfilled and the flame of passion was fizzling out. As a kid, he had a passion for music and great ideas dwell in him but couldn’t find his feet until he came to Lagos at age 17 and met his destiny helper in Felix Liberty who helped to record his first album.

He is one of the artistes who rose from grass to grace. It was a rough beginning, Righteousman Erhabor, CEO, Praise Affairs International has remained true to himself as he beli eves fulfilling life purpose sometimes requires perseverance, consistency, and commitment.

He is massive in stature, smart in movement and melodious in singing. Righteousman Erhabor’s appearance reminds you of popular reggae artistes. You can’t miss him in a crowd because of his intimidating personality and his dreadlocks. What makes him different is his style of music which is reggae. Welcome to the world of Righteousman Erhabor, a gospel artiste and native of Edo State.

He began his career as a kid singer in Benin and was one of the kid stars at the NTA Music Panorama in the early 80s. He was also the first artiste to perform on Weekend Delight on NTA.

His name Righteousman evokes curiosity. Is it his birth name or an appellation? “It is my real name given to me at birth,� he said. “By His grace we are righteous and the Bible says the righteous are as bold as lion. Most times when people hear the name is like ‘Is anybody righteous?

Abraham was perfect because he walked with God. And if you work with God you will be perfect because he is a Master.

I believe in Jesus because Jesus lives in me and Jesus is a righteous as well. So it is like bearing your father’s name.

Although I didn’t give myself that name.

It was given to me at birth and I grew with it. I learnt I spent one year and eight months in my mother’s womb. “My mom is a spiritual woman who gave me the name and it has worked for me. I believe there is a purpose why God kept me. Ironically, while I was growing up I didn’t like the name because I felt the name was like a cage or prison. It put me on my toes and constantly put me in check. There are certain things that I would want to do and the name is like a blockage. I remember I tried to do a naming ceremony to change it but it didn’t work.�

Erhabor has a passion for music and literarily you may say it dwells in him without any hope of actualization.

His liberation came when he decided to seek a greener pasture in Lagos.

57

MARCH 15, 2020 ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

COVER

How I Stole The Show at Felix Liberty’s Concert He was only 17. Before his sojourn, something happened that laid credence into a prosperous future in the music industry. He was only 16 trying to find his feet in his chosen career but his moment of destiny came when Dan Irabor Promotions organized a Lover Boys Concert in Benin which was headlined by the reigning pop star of the time, Felix Liberty. As an upcoming artiste, he had pleaded with the promoters to allow him and his boys to open the show but was shoved aside.

Unperturbed, and not given up on his dreams, he decided to be one of the spectators and more than anything just to stay and learn the ropes. Then an ugly incident happened around 12 midnight when Felix Liberty was about to start the show. The news came that armed robbers had invaded his house in Benin. Felix Liberty abruptly ended the show and quitted the stage. For Righteousman, a rejected stone later became a corner piece as the promoters were looking for him and his boys. And throughout the night, he played his heart out, exhibiting his God’s given talent.

“I have always loved music and I made up my mind at a very early age that this is what I was going to do for a living. I made my own guitar when I was very young. The Dan Irabor concert also gave me a huge platform to perform,” he recollects.

The following day, Felix Liberty heard about his exploit and sent for him wanting to see the greenhorn who saved the day. To confirm his authenticity, Felix Liberty asked him to play a guitar and song which he did impressively. His hope was rekindled but it was short-lived as Felix Liberty travelled abroad.

“Felix Liberty promised to do something with me but we didn’t see until a year later when I came to Lagos at 17. I was going to Awolowo Road in Ikeja and I was trekking from Ketu down to Ojota and took Oregun when I sighted a beautiful car. Felix Liberty loved flashy cars. I found out he was around and I introduced myself. He said he remembered me. I said I am in Lagos hustling. I am somebody who always records. I had my demo cassette with me. He asked me whether I have any song and I said yes. He asked me to enter his car and we drove straight to a recording studio, which is one of the biggest analogue studios in Lagos.

Felix booked the studio for the night and he said he would come back in the morning. I got my friends and we recorded ‘Stay with me.’

“He came, listened to it but it took a year for the album to come out because Felix Liberty took it to America to remix it. I recorded my first album at age 18 under Liberty Records owned by the iconic Pop Star, Pastor Felix Liberty. I was his rhythm guitarist. He signed me on. He is my father. I was on different platforms I was under Dan Irabor Promotions who is based in the United States before I met Felix Liberty. So far, I have recorded 30 albums under 30 years. Before this year, I promised to release a song every month. In January, we came out with “Product of Grace’ and in February we came out, with ‘I do” myself and my amiable wife Carol Cee and in March we are releasing a song titled, “I know Jesus is here.’ It is a collaboration featuring Buchi, Hezekiah, Big Bob and one of the biggest DJs in Africa, Covenant Child. That one is dropping on the 24th of March.”

Today, he has recorded 30 albums and still counting. Has he always been doing gospel music?

“I started with reggae music and you know reggae music is spiritual music then it was 90 percent conscious music addressing the ills in the society.

Now it is 99 percent gospel music and one percent of addressing the social ills because I can’t change it but I believe

Erhabor and wife

God can change it. I have never written or sang a song that will insult God. I have never sung sex and music.

I don’t promote it either.”

Gospel music according to some people is not a money-making venture, but Righteousman is of a different view.

“Going into music at an early age was a passion. Growing up destroying my father’s tapes by picking one and press record and play button and wipe it out. I don’t want to know the artistes. I will just wipe it out and record it because I wanted to hear my voice. I wasn’t doing that for the money but the passion. That has kept me going over the years because if it was for money I would have faced something else. When I was with Liberty Records, there was no contract between me and Felix Liberty. We had a written document though. But the passion and my personality endeared me to him.”

Righteousman life’s lies between life determination and actualization, the strength and ability to succeed he said lies in God’s grace. “Sometimes when I begin to think about ups and downs in life which I had faced while pursing my career I give God the glory. It is not by passion but His grace because I have seen passionate,

talented and gifted people dying with their talents, passion, and gift. And I have seen righteous men who have served God wholeheartedly die. What has taken me this far is God’s grace. I am also a very consistent person. Grace is the greatest sustenance because you can’t be consistent when you are sick.

God gives me good health even with my massive stature God is with me. If it is not God I would faint but God has given me strength. And before I climb the stage I will always tell God to hide and show thyself forth.”

What would he consider his biggest breakthrough?

“Well, it was the day my mom gave birth to me after one year and eight-month. Coming out itself was a breakthrough. The biggest breakthrough is my salvation that I am still in Christ.

My biggest breakthrough is not about money. I tell God every day don’t let me beg to eat and give me the grace to feed my family.”

Righteousman would not be caught without his dreadlocks which he has kept for decades. “I can’t remember how many years since I have been wearing the lock but I know about three of us in my family have dreadlocks. It started from childhood and my parents would cut it off. If I leave it, it would twist back.

I have shaved it more than four times because whenever I cut it people mistake me for something else. Again, we are in a society where people play religious and a lot of people don’t see me as a born again because of my dreadlock until they hear me speak then it will dawn on them that I actually belong to Jesus.”

Righteousman as a gospel artiste is married to a woman of like mind who is also into music.

“I was a street boy and my wife is a church girl and I took her from the church and moved her to the street. I didn’t know I was doing myself great favour by allowing a church girl into my life not knowing she had her own intention of moving me back from the street. She is from Isoko in Delta State.

Her parents are pastors and she is the only daughter. I remember when I wanted to marry their daughter and I introduced myself as a musician and they said how can they discharge this dreadlocked man. They said their daughter can’t marry a musician.

“They said I am either a pastor or an oil worker with the fear of God. They weren’t specific about the company either Chevron or Shell.

I left and after three days I went back with five litres of kerosene, five litters of palm oil, groundnut oil, fuel and everything that has to do with oil and I said that the condition to marry their daughter was like an eye-opener that I am now into oil business and currently the president of Righteousman Oil and Gas and these are my products. The woman fell on the floor that ‘who is this man that they thought I had gone. That was how the whole thing started.”

Continuing his love story, he recounted: “And prior to that scenario, I first met my wife when she escorted her friend to the studio and my late friend showed interest in her. I remember asking him whether he saw a black beauty outside and he said ‘She is my girlfriend.” And I said, ‘Are you okay” you are calling my girlfriend your girlfriend. I quickly ran out and pleaded with my wife to strike a deal with me that in case my friend comes out just say you are my girlfriend. Being an adventurous person she agreed. That was how the whole thing started.

We have been together for over 20 years now. She is a Data Processing graduate from the University of Benin. The marriage is blessed with five children of a boy and four girls.

My children too love music but I am not pushing them.”

For his amiable wife, Carol Cee, she couldn’t have chosen a better man.

“I have been singing in church from the age of four long before I met him. It has not been boring for us. It has always been adventurous and exciting. He loves music and I love music. We love what we do.

There is virtually nothing that will weigh us down. We believe this is what we are called to do and it is been fun all the way doing the same thing.”

She also wears dreadlocks. “My husband influenced the ‘dreads’. I am a low cut person. But I found that ‘dreads’ are comfortable. When I met him I loved it and since I love him I will do what he likes.”

Music wasn’t lucrative when they started out but Carol Cee stood by him because of love.

“I tell people to love is not love until it is tested and I love music.

Music is life and I wonder how it would have been if God had not created music. I am happy with my husband and what we do. So far, it has been good and the Grace of God will continue to lead us through,” she stated.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R หพ MARCH 15, 2020

58

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MARCH 15, 2020˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

59

High Life Amazing Grace of Igho Sanomi

Sanomi

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

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s Inspiring Mileage

I

t is very unusual for thunder to strike twice on the same spot. In fact, very rare. How many people can replicate a feat, years apart with resoundingly heart-warming result? Things are looking so good For Nigerian businessman and Philanthropist, Igho Sanomi.

With the strings of successes, he is gathering and lining his prestige with, who’s to say whether or not his fate was written with golden ink and pen?

It wasn’t all that long ago that Igho Sanomi embraced the brilliant – but frowned-on – idea to move to Dubai and leave Nigeria to her makers and markers. To many, this was a foolhardy decision that spoke against the collective sense of awe he had evoked from onlookers over the years. But the man had a plan and an agenda, to live life in a steady, non-hasty way, soft of voice and opinion. And he was right.

All that firm grasp of the corporate jungle came in handy in Dubai, and he soon carved out a work station for himself there, brand growing bigger and bigger and the owner getting quieter and quieter.

Igho Sanomi, a man in his middle forties, is renowned for having grown his company – Talaveras – from a middling outfit to one of the largest commodities trading companies in Africa; all within the span of a decade. That’s a businessman.

Like a barman on a roll, Sanomi’s vaunted years were characterized by fingers oiled with the soup of every corporate pot (oil, power, logistics, telecommunications, the maritime industry, aviation and real estate).

His operations, as expected from someone of his stature, ran along the continental lines of Africa so that he could even maintain offshore bank accounts with minimal effort.

The latest gist from around him is that he has really taken to his new life in Dubai. In fact, while business is flourishing and folks are eating from the crumbs of his table, the man himself has grown even more sombre, avoiding controversies and unnecessary attention with a vigour alien to his former self.

with KAYODE ALFRED 08116759807, E-mail: kayflex2@yahoo.com

Okonjo-Iweala

There’s always that one individual who stands out in a crowd regardless of how thick the throng, how vast the guts, and how long the necks; that person is always distinguished by either speech

or service, action or appearance. That person in today’s Nigeria – judging from the most recent developments – is none other than Madam Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

With her recent appointment in the South African government, Okonjo-Iweala has broken records existing and extant.

The first step towards any problem is the proper identification of the issue.

This is what happened in South Africa when the government acknowledged that the economy was not altogether functioning as it ought to. The recession had crawled into the economy stealthily and unbidden. The second step is not to hit at that problem until it goes away.

Here again, President Cyril Ramaphosa demonstrated deep wisdom by including Madam Okonjo-Iweala, a Nigerian, in the country’s Economic Advisory Council.

This is no doubt the most remarkable development in the up-and-ups of Nigerian society and pride. Here was a woman renowned for her biting intellectual prowess, a lioness of economic insights and depth, and she was lying seemingly dormant for years.

And then the call came. It is especially

interesting that Madam Okonjo-Iweala has never made it a point of call to draw attention to her hall of accomplishments – she needn’t, it appears; her power speaks for itself.

This appointment is a challenge to anyone purposing to make a significant dent on the country, continent, and global scene, as pointed out by Peter Obi, Vice-Presidential candidate of PDP. That her expertise straddles such fields of endeavour as international economics, macroeconomics, labour economics, and the economics of education and that of poverty and inequality and urban development is something to marvel at.

Okonjo-Iweala has proved her mettle. It little matters that her headdresses are worn in a style never before seen, she has earned the honour and respect of every Nigerian, home or in the diaspora. A model to the young and pride itself to the old, Okonjo-Iweala will doubtless rattle the economy of South Africa, and then polish it with the same ease with which she was Nigerian Minister of Finance. Two times.

Tokunbo Wahab Putting the Right Leg Forward Genius does not wear a veil. Genius has never taken kindly to the shadows. More than any other virtue, genius is a proud warlord with an ego the size of a regular Brobdingnagian. Any surprise then that her wards always stand out? Any surprise that all who walk with wisdom at their shoulders have their deeds trumpeted from the mountaintop? No wonder at all! Check out Tokunbo Wahab.

For the unaware and out-of-state, Tokunbo Wahab is a noted legend in the clinical hallways of the legal world. Less than 50 years old, Mr. Wahab has already taken the country by storm on countless occasions with only a well-groomed suit and a well-groomed education. His exploits in the courtroom and outside have earned him a reputation of fierceness, whereas the heart behind that image beats with compassion and zeal not moderated by his profession.

His A-Grade education is a testimony on its own. He is an alumnus of the renowned Harvard Kennedy School of Government, as

well as the Wharton University of Pennsylvania.

Although he launched himself into the legal profession at Paul Usoro (SAN,) & Co., and Aluko & Oyebode and Co., it wasn’t long before he assumed the role of Managing Partner at Wall & Ace Legal Practitioners.

The man is a philanthropist, and it is said that that aspect of him caused him to provide countless pro-bono legal services to the poor and underprivileged even as far back as his post-law school days. But Tokunbo Wahab’s high-flying reputation is already something of an adage. He in fact once earned himself a Lagos State prestigious recognition award presented to him by former Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola in 2014.

However, in recent times, Tokunbo Wahab has borne the burden of administrative governance, like Atlas straining and succeeding to keep the world in place.

As Special Adviser on Education to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Mr. Wahab has flexed his muscles – the results of which are a polished education sector free

Wahab

of grime and gravel. The tertiary institution is especially evidencing the diligence and brilliance of Mr. Wahab, and this is merely the beginning.

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s Deposal Divides Kano Elites Rudyard Kipling was a prophet.

There’s no other way to explaining the ultraprecision of these words: cities and thrones and powers stand in Time’s eye, almost as long as flowers which daily die: but, as new buds put forth to glad new men, out of the spent and unconsidered Earth, the cities rise again. Cities and thrones and powers, emirates and emirs and exiles.

March 9 came with its own packet of a surprise when Mohammadu Sanusi II was reported as dislodged from the Emir seat of Kano. The first agent of this communique was the Director-General for Media and Communications for the Kano State Government, Salihu Yakasai.

According to him, the decision was directed by the Kano State Executive Council who had come to a kindred agreement.

Folks have taken to their cams and scrolls and cauldrons to espy the grounds for this abrupt dismissal of Sanusi. The flavours they have come up with include Sanusi’s alleged fraternizing with the enemy (the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Abba KabirYusuf); growing distance between the

Sanusi

former Emir and his council; and most thumbed-up, a long-standing standoff with Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.

It has been pointed out since the deposal that Sanusi was rather suited to

the Emir throne. As the 14th Emir in a long line of prestigious monarchs, Sanusi bore the devoir of upholding his grandfather’s legacy – who was himself an Emir, the very one before Premier Ahmadu Bello. Nearly six years on the throne, and then the drumbeats would allow another word.

According to sources close to the matter, Sanusi’s vast influence and associative retirement have resulted in the splitting into five lots the Emirate of Kano. This knifing, it is reported, is a means of slicing through Sanusi’s network of loyalists and sympathizers.

The paths are gloomy and the skies are bleak. An accomplished banker and economist, Sanusi’s leadership of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2009 to 2014 shows him to be a capable hand in administration and its dynamics – so his future remains a secured vista.

An exile is what the general notion regarding Sanusi’s new movements seems to hint at. Perhaps it’s time to rest the head awhile and let it cook up a schema for cities and thrones and powers.

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HIGHLIFE

Hadiza Usman: Setting the Records Straight

Usman

The fever of cultural radicalism has recently been having a field day with the Nigerian people. From aggressive advocacy for feminism, social justice

and equality, some folks are fighting to keep things just the way they are. So they go the way of rumour-mongering and make accusations.

Hadiza Usman who is the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has taken her final stand against the rumour that she had to play milkmaid to her superiors to get into the enviable position of MD. Whilst she has been barraged in recent times for this allegation, it is jolly good to see that she will tolerate it no more.

It was the year 2016 and there were messes in the Nigerian economy and society that needed sorting out.

Hadiza Usman, then 40 years old, had already taken up the activist role and chanted with the compassionate few in the #BringBackOurGirls campaign. It didn’t take long for her passion and compassion to catch the eyes of President Muhammadu Buhari, and he did the only thing reasonable – he appointed her as the MD of NPA.

Since that was too hard a pill to swallow for envious folks, it didn’t take long for them to point out her inexperience and complete unsuitability for the role. Soon after, the rumour mills were grinding and Ms. Usman was reported as having sexual relations with her boss, Kaduna State governor Nasir ElRufai, to further her ambitions.

Hadiza Usman has explained that El-Rufai is not only her boss but her mentor, one who has always advocated the contribution of women in polity and economy.

Because Ms. Usman has proved those allegations false with good and effective work, her naysayers have not fine-tuned the gist to reflect nepotism of some sort or another, stating that the President was biased in his appointments.

In the meantime, Ms. Usman has made her stand and point and has moved on to accomplish the purposes to which she was appointed. Shikena.

Who will settle Lai Mohammed and Kwara Governor’s Ti?

The more the years wear on, the easier it is to appreciate the humanness of political systems. Without people, there wouldn’t be aspirations and ambitions; there wouldn’t be the inimitable fact of healthy (and unhealthy) competition; there wouldn’t be depressions and laughter and stress and threats. When the barrels are fitted to fire, we are reminded that these folks are people too. If it wasn’t apparent, the folks at the shoulders of Kwara State polity are people too.

News reaching the ends of the very human nation of Nigeria is that two heads of power – one of Information and Culture, the other of Kwara State – have drawn lines in the sand and now glaring at each other from behind fortified lines. Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Info and Culture has taken one corner of the ring, and Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazak occupies the other.

The sparks were lit when it was reported that the cordial relationship between Mr. Mohammed and Mr. AbdulRazak had soured beyond refrigeration. This has the unintended cycle of cause and effect of them

slicing the state division of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and then walking away with APC faction pies.

In perspective, the governor’s faction (with the State party Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Samari, at its head) accused the State party Chairman, Alhaji Bashir Bolarinwa (representing the Minister’s faction) of fiscal irresponsibility and other unmentionables that run against the nobility of the party.

In response, the Minister’s faction called attention to the excellent handling of the 2019 elections and challenged the opposition to find a fault. True to form, they further labelled the misgivings of the other faction petty, childish and laughable – all things that the contributions of the Minister to the party’s success in the State were not. The icing on the cake, said the Minister’s side, was that the governor was not even in active communication with the party chiefs, so what gives?

The long and short of the matter is that things have fallen apart between Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Alhaji Abdulrahman AbdulRazak: cats of different coats with

Mohammed

bloody teeth and claws, both just waiting for a bold peacemaker to give out white flags.

The Belligerent Attitude K1 Cannot Shake O

K1

There is a thin line between talent and terror.

And it is a line many talented people seem to cross far more often than they should. It is an oft-seen story: a man, having surfed the waves of public acclaim up into stardom, surfs their way back down into public disdain. Drunk on power or pleasure, and perhaps both, they tune out the pleading notes of humility, becoming poster children of haughtiness and belligerence.

Not very many people are aware of the pool of inimitable magnetism, magic and music that is Fuji. A radical genre that integrates the purity

of wisdom and common sense with staccato beats and dance, Fuji has evolved since its ‘70s cradle into a unique culture. There’s really no telling the width and breadth of its influence.

While it remains strong and true to form, one can only hope that those who come clothed in its threads do not make a mess of things. To be sure, with exponents of Fuji like K1 Dr Ultimate, it isn’t for lack of trying.

A viral video which is of interest to Fuji aficionados has been making the rounds. In the video, a photo journalist attempts take a quick shot of someone with his camera and gets a flat smack on the head by none other than popular Fuji star, K1 De Ultimate. The result of conflicting interests, no doubt, the affair is like icing on the cake as it evidences what, according to many, is the cesspool of rubbish that is the default attitude of K1.

For folks new to the Fuji culture, K1 De Ultimate (full name Wasiu Ishola Adewale Olasunkanmi Omogbolahan Anifowose) is one character that is loved and despised with almost equal passion. The man has clowned the Fuji industry full fathoms deep and has never had scruples with peeing on society, politics, his forebears, or even common sense and courtesy.

Fuji history is probably the best launching pad to understand K1. K1 was apprenticed to Fuji founder and prime proponent, the late Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde (aka Barrister). After the maestro’s

death, K1 was accused on numerous occasions of disrespecting his memory. For one, K1 has led folks to believe that he singlehandedly gave Barrister a fitting burial. That’s not difficult to believe, as long as one believes his even earlier crow that it was he, K1, that set the Fuji genre on its wheels, and not Barrister. Talk about literally pissing on your benefactor’s grave.

Another evidence of K1’s alluring charm is how he has in recent times frolicked with powerful individuals.

Considering he is always at one party or another singing or drinking, this isn’t hard to imagine. However, it wasn’t so long ago that he threw shades at a former governor, renaming the man a madman – something to which another Fuji star reprimanded K1 assiduously. The former governor who ruled one of the states in the south west before being ousted by the powers that be was said to have been taken aback by the attacks.

One who doesn’t know might think that K1 is perpetually subscribed to a Paraguayan grass. He has peed on his forebears, on his sponsors, on his comrades in the Fuji industry, and whoever stands in his way. Was it really just a few months ago that he was honoured with the Mayegun title? Talk about a wrinkle on a silk that just refuses to go away.

Who is After Otunba Lekan Osifeso?

Osifeso

O

ne, two, three, four, ďŹ ve: once I caught a ďŹ sh alive. Six, seven, eight, nine, ten: then I let it go again. Why did you let it go?

Because it bit my ďŹ nger so...

This nursery rhyme might just be the most appropriate way to start from the very beginning of Otunba Lekan Osifeso’s presence at the precipice of affairs, on feet in the air and the other on a fresh banana peel.

Some would say that the landslide that is right behind Otunba Osifeso was born alongside his success and accomplishments. This is born out of the belief that all misfortunes are just expired fortunes, and because one man chooses to brave the brow of the mountain, he must be open to grazing at its feet.

Otunba Lekan Osifeso has had his pot of wins from when he outshone his fellows in the corporate jungle with evidence after evidence of vast business intellect, a happy attitude, engaging persona, and confident charm. Like a shark in his prime, he had sharks for dinner and smooched electric eels on his way out. A complete boss man, his Lekai Construction company drank directly from his brilliance and grew fat on his genius.

He was also not a slacker in social circles – his fiery cool had no place for that. I’m fact, it should be said that Osifeso rode the waves of high society much the same way as he did business – with a spark like no other. And then there were friends in high places, one of whom was Obafemi Hamzat, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State.

Business guru, check.

Successful socialite, check. On his way to Calvary, check. How did that last one come about?

Name-dropping.

Osifeso is known to have participated in no small way in the campaign efforts that saw the Sanwo-Olu government – with Femi Hamzat as co-pilot – take off. But that is apparently not a yer to hold out to everyone.

It has been alleged that certain jefes of the Lagos State polity are not smiling at Osifeso’s show of association. Fast forward a few side glances and head shakes, and Osifeso is found at the precipice, riding waste and wind and not at all as cool as the old days.

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HIGHLIFE

Victor Ochei: A Round Peg in a Round Hole

Ochei

There’s something to be said for times and seasons in the life of a man.

Just when one thinks that he has been relegated to the end of the line,

something else comes along his path and there’s nothing else to do but be grateful to divine providence for skill and ability and just the right people in just the right place. With the latest appointment in town, Hon. Victor Ochei must know this truth better than anybody else.

The earliest days of the month of March came with a lot of surprises and shocks and changes. One of the most radical of these was the impending retirement of Dr. Dakuku Peterside from his position as the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) – the apex regulatory and promotional maritime agency in Nigeria. Having occupied the Director-General role for 4 years, folks were eager to see who was next in line to run with the NIMASA baton. It was Dr. Bashir Jamoh.

With the appointment of Dr. Bashir Jamoh as the new DG, it was obviously imperative to have someone just as capable in the executive roles; and thus was Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei appointed as the Executive Director of Maritime

Otunba Gbenga Daniel’ Son Unites Ibikunle Amosun, Governor Dapo Abiodun

Ogun state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, in a warm handshake with his predecessor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun at the wedding ceremony of Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s son at Lekki in Lagos on Saturday.

Labour and Cabotage Services in NIMASA. Victor Ochei is at the moment being lauded as a fitting individual for the role. As a former speaker of the 5th Delta State House of Assembly, the administration is not new to him.

Besides, Ochei was a remarkable grassroots politician, and so must excel in rapping people’s heads – that enviable skill called people skill that has always eluded most of the gentry.

Hon. Ochei is proficient in numerous disciplines, including engineering, financial management, corporate governance, education administration, and legal partitioning. With all these in his belt, there’s really no reason to imagine him doing anything less than his utmost best – which he has already proved with years of public service and philanthropy.

These are the days indeed for fitting cotton on soft bodies, hard boots for harsh climes, staff of hope and belief on the left hand and right, and the perfect man for the perfect job. one after the other, each one enjoying the stool and prepping it for his buddy in tow. However, conflict arose and they broke apart, one against two.

Intermission.

Otunba Gbenga Daniel (aka OGD) was governor first, and he did not hold back. He so affected the people of Ogun state that subsequent visits to the State Government House after his retirement were met with loud voices. Senator Ibikunle Amosun came second and he did not hold back too.

However, Amosun turned his full wrath against his predecessor and former friend, Gbenga Daniel. For 8 years, properties were confiscated, words were missiled and lives experienced misery.

All the more worrisome, no onlooker could pinpoint the cause or moment of this dissension – and the combatants were not exactly forthcoming.

Then came Dapo Abiodun. He, it was, who with the help of Gbenga Daniel wrestled the governorship from Amosun and his allies. And so Prince Dapo Abiodun became the governor of Ogun State, and immediately took arms against Amosun by releasing all confiscated properties. Ever since, silence strife grew and blossomed under the watch of these three, waiting to be torn out by a party loved by all three.

Olurotimi Daniel was that party and his wedding on March 7 that united the three. Those who saw Senator Amosun deliver a casually hearty greeting to governor Abiodun and then hug Otunba Daniel forgot to breathe for a while. Evidently, a new beginning was in play for Olurotimi and his bride, and Amosun, OGD and governor Abiodun.

It was James Russell Lowell who penned these immortal words: once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide in the strife of Truth with Falsehood for the good or evil side. After over 8 long years of adamant enmity and intolerance, the wedding of the son of former governor Gbenga Daniel was

the moment and place for strife to be set aside and old machetes set on the ground.

Once upon a time, there were three buddies from Ogun State who had ambitions for the polity. As it was evident that they couldn’t all occupy the same stool, they went into the king’s chamber

These are the days of jollity as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador George Oguntade is still in high spirits after a jovial 80th birthday celebration that saw remarkable individuals from the nobler walks of life felicitate with him. With the presence of business industrialist Razak Okoya, it was obvious to all that birds of a knightly feather do flock and fly together.

Ambassador George Adesola Oguntade has earned the love and respect of many a gentleman and lady. Born in the prestigious Ijebu-Ode community in old Western Nigeria on March 10, 1940, Oguntade did not venture too far to attain primary and secondary education. He attended Ijebu-Ode Grammar School between 1953 and 1958, and it wasn’t long after that the fire for Lady Justice was stoked.

No sooner envisioned than worked out, Oguntade grew his passion while educating himself at Holborn College of Law in the early 60s, and then proceeded to the Nigerian Law School immediately after. Called to bar after then, Oguntade established himself as a capable gavel in the courtroom, earning the reputation of being one of the sharpest minds in Nigerian Court history.

With 14 years of private legal practice, it wasn’t long before people began to take notice of him, and he was soon appointed

Eleganza CEO, Razak Okoya and Wife, Shade, Celebrate Justice George Oguntade @80 a Judge of the Lagos State High Court, and then the Court of Appeal, and then the apex of them all, the Supreme Court – where he remained unmatched until he was 70 and retired.

Although there are various awards that speak to the impact that Justice Oguntade has made in the Nigerian legal division, he’s also a laid-back everyday person. He can be mistaken for any golfer with a lovely wife and wonderful kids.

All these traits, even without Justice Oguntade’s position as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, mark him out as worthy of respect. Is it any wonder that Eleganza boss, Razak Okoya and his wife Sade took time out to celebrate Justice Oguntade?

Even as a retired Justice, George Oguntade continues to raise eyebrows with his excellent statesmanship. 80 years and counting, the likes of Okoyas are fierce promoters behind such remarkable chaps as Ambassador Oguntade.

Oguntade

King-in-Waiting Aremo Olusegun Oniru Hits 55

Oniru

The best human stories are always a far cry from the monotonic existence that most of humanity enjoys. Tragedy and comedy, happiness and pain; these have a tendency to accompany each other. Sometimes, it is better to have little or no knowledge of them; other times, they serve to make better sense of the times.

With Aremo Adesegun Oniru, the clouds of tragedy have given way to joy.

Just a few days ago, Aremo Adesegun Oniru turned 55. Rather than put together a fanfare event, the likes of which will remain on the minds of all and sundry, it was a small party of close friends and relatives. Notwithstanding, it was evident from the festive ambiance that there was no better time to be 55.

For folks who aren’t in the mix, Aremo Adesegun Oniru is the firstborn son of the late Oba Idowu Abiodun Oniru, the recently deceased Oniru of Iruland. However, Aremo Oniru is just the first among others – all of whom have a vested interest and right to the Iru stool of kingship.

Regardless, Aremo Oniru has been acknowledged to stand a better chance to continue the prestigious legacy of his late father, Oba Idowu Oniru.

Truth be told, since the late Oba’s sojourn to the abode of his ancestors, there has been a bit of tension and unrest as to whose shoulders the royal role would fall.

In the real sense, Aremo Oniru had as much chance of bearing under the weight of kingship as his brothers, Ademola and Tajudeen.

However, not long after the controversy and anticipation came to a towering crescendo – with another man claiming the role for himself – Aremo Oniru reportedly got the thumbs from the Baales and kingmakers of Iruland.

Thus ended a long traditional campaign, culminating in success for Aremo Oniru within whose breasts the heart of the people of Iruland will beat and beat and beat stronger. At 55, Aremo Oniru already possesses a kingly mien and the character of strength for which; what else is needed for the job?

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Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

Kola Karim Goes Underground?

Dethroned Emir Sanusi’s Many ‘Sins’

Karim

For some time now, one of the probing questions on the lips of many, especially those who are familiar with his antecedents, is: What is Kola Karim up to? Karim, an oil and gas baron, has gone underground, a situation that is making many to wonder what he has up his sleeves.

For the record, Karim, Chairman, Board of Directors of Shoreline Natural Resources Ltd., is blessed with the ability to start a company from the scratch and nurture it to success as well as an aptitude for spotting a new business and creating new partnerships with leading international companies.

His portfolio consists of highwired businesses in the construction, commodity trading, oil and gas, engineering and power sectors.

He is also the chairman, Board of Directors of Costain (West Africa) plc, Nigerian Ropes plc, and serves as director in seven other companies, including Shoreline Power Company Ltd, Shoreline Energy International Ltd, Ecobank Nigeria plc, Schlumberger Testing & Production Services Nigeria Ltd, Trans Amadi Facilities Ltd, Grange Education Ltd. and African Eagles plc.

He is known for hosting a grandiose party every New Year.

No wonder, many were surprised that this year’s party did not hold for reasons best known to him. However, this has since kept many wondering what could be happening to the ever happy-golucky dude.

If Sanusi Lamido had known, he would have talked less and been less controversial.

But now, it is too late as the former Emir of Kano has finally talked himself into trouble, barely six years of ascending the throne of his forefathers. Sanusi was deposed by the Kano State government on Monday, March 9, following a resolution of the Kano State Executive Council on allegations of insubordination.

The action was based on the governor’s powers under the State’s Emirates Law 2019. Aminu Ado Bayero, the former Emir of Bichi, was immediately announced as the new Emir with the endorsement of the four Kano kingmakers.

Later in a 4-minute video message, Sanusi accepted his dethronement as an act of destiny. â€œâ€ŚToday, the almighty Allah, who gave me the leadership, has destined to take it back. As I always say, leadership has a predetermined tenure. The days Allah destined are numbered. When the days come to an end one must leave. “We have accepted whatever Allah decides. We have agreed. We appreciate (God). We are happy and we know it is what is best for us.

We enjoin everyone to remain peaceful.

We have directed our family, our children and those that support us that whoever gets it and is endorsed by the people they should pay allegiance to him. They should follow him (the new Emir). They should guard his honour and dignity because that

Sanusi

is also the honour and dignity of this palace.

It is a thing of pride that made us to rule and end in the same fashion as Halifa (his grandfather’s sobriquet).�

In the last few hours of Sanusi’s dethronement, there has been a mix of hues and cries, as well as a form of karmic payback. There are those who didn’t hide

their passionate disdain for Sanusi. Some still try to pretend, but their views are clearly motivated by vendetta.

Beyond the official reasons by the state government, so many reasons have been ascribed to the cause of Sanusi’s present travails.

Many believe that Karma is real. And to many people in the Nigerian banking industry, Sanusi is getting his comeuppance.

Within the industry, it is believed that Sanusi, as a former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, created a big drama as he went for his “enemies�. They believe that he killed some of the nation’s best banking brands and by extension, nearly killed the industry.

He claimed he unearthed infractions in some banks. But rather than used moral suasion and ask the Board to quietly remove indicted Chiefs and let other measures follow, he had to ‘deal with his enemies’ in a way that they can only become useless.

Also, many supporters of the former President Goodluck Jonathan are yet to forgive Sanusi for his perceived role in the sacking of his government. To them, Sanusi sowed wind and he’s reaping whirlwind.

In 2014, Sanusi, as CBN Governor, claimed that $20 billion was missing from the nation’s coffers. That claim and the attendant scandals, it was believed, contributed to the eventual defeat of Jonathan in 2015. And many of Jonathan’s supporters have never forgiven him of that sin.

Olajumoke Adenowo’s Global Recognition Over the years, Olajumoke Adenowo, a celebrated architect, has proved to all that she is a rare breed.

Very cerebral, she is one woman who possesses an intimidating profile.

As many would say, she also enjoys abundant grace in all her steps and actions in life. Not a stranger to awards and honours, Adenowo’s eyes are on the future and she can’t be stopped in her tracks.

Perhaps, this explains the excitement , last week, when she was in the news for being listed on Forbes Woman Africa’s Power List of Africa’s Most Powerful 50 Women.

Indeed, it is evident that she’s a worthy ambassador of her fatherland in their country and a symbol of inspiration to the womenfolk.

And as if that honour wasn’t enough, Olajumoke also walked tall in the presence of top decision makers

and influential business people, as she emerged as Forbes Woman Africa Entrepreneur Award winner for 2020.

Again, Adenowo of Ad Consulting fame, has proved that she has just made the country proud internationally.

Described as an exceptionally gifted architect, Adenowo has built herself into an institution over the last few years.

She has scored many firsts, both in academics and in her career. It is, therefore, literally a tough job to keep up with her accomplishments in the architectural and real estate world.

At the early stage of her career, the stylish woman worked with Towry Coker and Associates (TCA). But she later moved on to Femi Majekodunmi Associates (FMA).

She first gained public recognition when she designed the Federal

Adenowo

Ministry of Finance in Abuja under the FMA platform at the young age of 23. Adenowo’s Ad Consulting is the brains behind most iconic building design jobs in the upscale neighbourhood in Lagos and other major cities in Nigeria.

Layal Tinubu’s New Passion

Lulu Briggs: Retraction Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă‹ĘľĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ĂŽĂœĂ‹ĂĄĂ˜ ÞÙ Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂž ÞÓÞÖĂ?ĂŽ ËŤ Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă’Ă™Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă&#x;Ă–Ă&#x; ĂœĂ“Ă‘Ă‘Ă? Ă?ËÞÒˏ ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ͙˜ Í“Í‘Í’Íš Ă?ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă? Ă’Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂŒĂŁ ĂœĂ?ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă?Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“ĂœĂ? ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžË› Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă˜Ă™Ăž ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă&#x;Ă–Ă&#x; ĂœĂ“Ă‘Ă‘Ă?Ë› Ă? ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? ËÚÙÖÙÑÓĂ?Ă? ÞÙ ĂœË› Ě™ ĂœĂ?Ěš Ă?Ă“Ă˜ĂŁĂ? Ă&#x;Ă–Ă&#x; ĂœĂ“Ă‘Ă‘Ă? Ùà Ă?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂž ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă—Ă‹ĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă’Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂœĂ‹ĂŁĂ?ĂŽ Ă’Ă?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĘŽĂ‹ĘľĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ—Ă?Ë› Ă? ĂŽĂ“ĂŽ Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ‹ĂœĂœĂ‹Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ Ă™Ăœ ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂ˜Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă’Ă?Ăœ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ&#x;ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ‹ĂœĂœĂ‹Ă?Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă—Ă‹ĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă’Ă?ĂœË› – Editor Tinubu

Sometime in 2008, beautiful Layal Jade Tinubu, wife of Seyi Tinubu launched Noella foundation, a nonprofit making organization that helps the youth to identify and use their passion to create solutions that drive economic growth.

The foundation aims to contribute to the nation’s economy by fostering entrepreneurship, building rapid innovations and advancing economic growth and development.

Goaded by her genuine love for children, Layal Jade, one of the daughters-in-law of Asiwaju, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos State, later set up Tots Toys, a company driven by the vision and mission to assist in the learning process of children and their development, particularly with toys.

Recounting the particular experience that led her into the toy business, Tinubu, who obtained a degree in Politics and African Studies from the

University of London and a Master’s in Entrepreneurship and Business Management from the University of Surrey, said the idea arose when she became a mother and needed to get toys, educational books and general learning resources for her kid, which werescare.“Thismademeto constantlysearch forresourcesintheUnitedKingdom andthe UnitedStatesofAmerica,USA. “Idon’twantparentsto go throughthat struggleanddeny their children the right access to the effective learning toys, books and resources that stimulate creativity, problem-solving and much more for their kids. The culture around children playing in Africa needs to be redefined.

My ultimate mission for Tots Toys is to create an accessible learning experience through play for children and contribute to the availability of educational resources in Nigeria, “she said. She also revealed plans to expand to other areas outside Lagos.

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SOCIETY WATCH

Oando Boss, Wale Tinubu, Scores Yet Another First It is a fact that Adewale Tinubu, CEO, Oando Group, is not given to making so much noise about his feats. But if you find him thumping his chest a visionary and meticulous manager, don’t condemn him.

Indeed, he has every reason to be extremely happy now, considering the fact that Oando Plc, which birthed 25 year ago, has scored yet another first.

Oando, it was gathered, emerged the first oil and gas company in Nigeria to receive the prestigious ISO 27001 Certification from Certification Partner Global FZ LLC. ISO 27001 is the international standard outlining best practices for information security management systems.

The certification also means that the company is able to provide with its stakeholders with a higher degree of confidence in the quality and stability of data security and further validating the company’s commitment to the highest standards of information security.

Speaking at the certificate presentation ceremony recently, the Group Chief Corporate Services and Operations Officer, Oando Plc, Mr Zubairu Muntari said: “This is a significant achievement for Oando.

Tinubu

By implementing and following the necessary steps to comply with this

standard, we can identify, control, and eliminate security risks, ultimately validating the security practices adopted within the organization.�

In his speech, Head IT, Oando Group, Mr Idris Musa, who directed the project, attributed the success to the commitment by the management towards managing business compliance and operational risks associated with the use of information systems and digital assets. “The investment in ISO 27001 enterprise security frameworks has allowed us structure and implement modern security controls in a complete and cohesive manner, thereby strengthening our data and information system governance,� he said.

In his remarks, the Chief Operating Officer, Digital Encode Limited, Dr Obadare Peter said: “Essentially, the certification aims to establish and put in place good information security practices across the Oando Group. The certification is proof that the Company’s systems and processes have been audited against international best practice, positioning Oando as operating to global standards.�

Dumo Lulu-Briggs’ Wondrous Taste

Zahra Buhari-Indimi’s New Love

Buhari-Indimi

It seems the pretty daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari, Zahra Buhari-Indimi, has really come of age.

Known to always court controversy with great relish, she seems to have kicked her old habit, while she is busy deploying her energy to some adamantine deeds.

In recent times, her passion revolves around some philanthropic projects through the platform of ZMB Homes, the non-governmental organisation she established to cater for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC).

Unknown to many, Zahra, an

alumna of University of Surrey, United Kingdom is also warming up for a new career path in the Nigerian arts industry. In the last few days, she has teamed up with one of Abuja’s arts genius, Maryam Maigida for a private paint and sip session.

The session also featured one of Zahra’s closest friends, Sabeeha Hussain; and it was more of ‘chai’ + canvas session accompanied with lots of laughter and good vibes.

Interestingly, some of Zahra’s paintings were said to have been pretty good.

Buruji Kashamu, Ladi Adebutu’s Unending War Many would have thought that with the victory of Dapo Abiodun The All Progressives Congress as the Ogun State governor, members of the main opposition, The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will come together to find a lasting solution to the ‘war’ that rocked the party before the election in the state.

One year after the party lost woefully at the poll, the war between the party gladiators, Ladi Adebutu and Buruji Kashamu rages on.

It was gathered that, the unending power play between the former National Assembly members has continued to tear the party apart.

Penultimate week, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja granted an order to prevent the Buruji faction led by Engr Adebayo Dayo from conducting ward, local government and state congresses in the state. But the congresses took place as Buruji and his loyalists ignored the alleged order. A source revealed that shortly before this, the faction had issued a statement rubbishing the purported order. “Anyone who knows the dissidents in our midst would know that they are pathological liars whose stock in trade is deceit. No court granted any order. If they claim anything to the contrary, we challenge them to show the whole world the said order! “In their usual character, they secretly

went to the Federal High Court in Abuja to file a suit and wanted to get ex parte orders against us. “But Justice Inyang Ekwo dashed their hope and refused to grant any ex parte order. “Rather, the court ordered that the processes should be served on us. We were served and our counsel, Prince Ajibola Oluyede, appeared in the matter today and filed a preliminary objection to the suit. “ “After a lot of arguments, especially as it relates to their desperate bid to make the court to grant a restraining order against us, the court refused to make any order but advised parties not to do anything that will destroy the “res� (substance) of the case. “However, it is instructive to note that the Federal High Court, Abuja, cannot sit on appeal over a matter long decided by a court of coordinate jurisdiction. “The Constitution of our great party, the 24th of June, 2016 judgment of the Federal High Court in FHC/L/CS/636/2016; the decisions of the Court of Appeal in CA/L/864/2016 on the 4th of May, 2017 and 11th July, 2018 as well as the judgment of the Supreme Court in SC. 968/2018 on the 11th of February, 2019, which are still subsisting, binding and unappeallable owing to the effluxion of time, empower Engr. Adebayo Dayo as the Chairman of the PDP to be the Chairman of the State Congress. “And as law-abiding citizens, we will always uphold the rule of law, no matter

Kashamu

the shenanigans of the desperadoes. We are focused and remain unperturbed, ’’ the statement showed. Although it was gathered that the Adebutu faction is more recognised by the national body of the party, more popular with larger members, they are at loggerheads over the control of the structure of the party in the state.

The war has polarised the party and affected its performance at the polls as Adebutu and Kashamu are laying claims to the candidature of the party.

Lulu-Briggs

All you need to know that Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Chairman, Platform Petroleum , is an ambitious businessman is his newly-completed GreyHouse in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Since the imposing building literally sprouted on Engineering Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, not a few who have sighted it attested to the wondrous taste of the Rivers State-born businessman, who is one of the biggest oil and gas moguls in the country. A source revealed that he had envisioned the building, which reportedly cost over N5bn, about few years ago. But at different times, he had had to alter the design, all in the quest for excellence. For a man whose eyes are on the future, it is not surprising that the 12-oor architectural masterpiece has changed the narrative about the area for its beauty and artistic design. Interestingly, in spite of his great accomplishments, one can say that the shrewd businessman is still a story waiting to be told. Since he started out as a businessman, he has continued to ply his trade in such a way that makes many of his competitors green with envy. Considering his chain of businesses, which includes oil and gas, real estate, among others, it is evident that he enjoys uncommon grace, especially when you consider the inclement business climate in the country.

Dumo Lulu-Briggs or DLB, as he is popularly known, is a seasoned legal practitioner of over 27 years post call, an accomplished businessman, technocrat, politician and grassroots mobilizer.

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LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

Shakida Sanusi – In Tears, You Stand in Courage I really don’t like downloading clips on my phone. People like sending all sorts but when you see a particular clip being shared by so many people, you tend to want to open it. That is how I opened this one and it was Emir Sanusi’s beautiful daughter delivering a homily amidst tears on her father’s dethronement. First, let me state here that the lady is very beautiful. Come and see her face, her composure and even her skin.

As she was talking, she was sniffing and fighting back the tears. Mbok, I come pity am, feeling like going to her to hug and comfort her. I called Chantal my own beautiful daughter to come and watch in case

they dethrone me too one day so she can give this kind of speech. That one no even show concern. Mbok, this girl try o. She talked in glowing terms about her dad, his legacy and what he stood for. She showed that the thing ‘no pain’ them and that they were ready to move on. Kai, I didn’t follow must of the things she said because I was detracted by her beauty and the need for me to comfort her. You see, I am kind of detached from this whole drama and apologies to the fans of the Emir, I no really dey carried away with the whole drama. The Emir in my books should have been more subtle and more practical in his engagement.

How you go dey fight people who

have executive powers and who have shown that they can react with deadly efficiency? That one na yeye fight na and even in the fight sef, I no see any practical move to help even the talakawas independently but instead na Sowore-type rhetoris and a life rolling in luxury. On the other hand, the people that dethrone him have only succeeded in propping themselves for the judgment of history which is usually very harsh and unbiased so I really have nothing to say on that part. My advice for Nigerians na to just ignore this one because there is nothing here for us. These are ‘spoilt’ cousins fighting over spoils. It’s OK we have real struggles to face. Life continues.

ATEDO PETERSIDE – WHAT DID YOU JUST DO? No na, did you just turn down an invite to the CBN roundtable because of the dethronement of Emir Sanusi?

No na , no na, what is the meaning of that one now? This symbolism and play to the gallery is what will continue to bedevil this country. I do not understand the rationale behind it nor the effect of such a move. I respect and fear you so I will not say this was a childish move so I will hold my peace. The invite was to come and talk about the seeming hopelessness we have found ourselves economically like you had rightly mentioned and if your pushback was based on other reasons other than this dethronement, it would have sat down well with me and others but to hinge this on the dethronement in my books just looked like a crass play at public sentiments. This did not sit well and I am sure on second thoughts you would have not done this. The economy is on the brink, oil prices are crashing and against the benchmark of the budget we are seeing crises looming, the Coronavirus pandemic is taking its toll on global economy and you are here playing hide and seek when you should have immediately jumped into the fray to put heads together in seeking a viable way out.

Now, let go back a little, when Sanusi was suspended as CBN Governor I remember you were a member of the technical committee of BPE, did you resign in protest of his suspension by President Jonathan then? Haba! Now

that a state governor has dethroned him from his position as Emir of Kano you dey vex say you no go put head together with others to find solution to our problem. My brother, I no agree with this one. No vex.

Irabor on the panel. it will be taking place at the lush green grounds of the Federal palace Hotel and has already confirmed such powerful titans like influential Journalist-cum-activist Kadaria Ahmed, Gbemi Shasore, Ini Abimbola and Hon. Modupe Mujota to mention a few. This promises to be an exciting outing.

Peterside

Udemgba

CHILE UDEMGBA – A WOMAN AND A HALF This lady is a banker with a mission. In the last three years, she has donated in excess of N20m through her 1k miracle group to mostly patients at the Gbagada General Hospital. The idea behind the group which has grown from just two people to over 500 is to contribute only N2,000 from their lunch money monthly for the patients. Chile has carefully nurtured and grown the group to this point where it is impacting very aggressively on the patients of this hospital. Not stopping at that, she has set up the Woman and a Half Initiative which has brought together over 1,000 professional women to network and engage themselves all in a bid to better position themselves for leadership positions within the system. These are the kinds of things we are talking about, not armchair criticisms but the desire to go out there and make things happen. The WAH Initiative as she calls it has attracted the attention of very sophisticated and super successful professional women who look forward to its annual offering. This year, I hear the theme is ‘winds beneath her wings’ and for the first time, they would be having some powerful males like uncle Soni

YIBO KOKO – A LEGEND IN THE MAKING The man buy me rice and plantain for Presidential Hotel in Port Harcourt so I must call am legend na. After the exciting and powerful showcasing of my new play Aremu, I flew into Port Harcourt to meet up with this very influential culture ambassador Yibo Koko. Please do not say that I am calling him just like that o, remember he is now the Director General Tourism in Rivers State so no be small man. I had watched his dance play, ‘Seki’ at the Eko Hotel sometime ago and was blown away with the extent of creativity and vision he put on display. Yibo is a very influential member of the team that is curating our cultural essence as a people so the opportunity to meet up with him was one I was grabbling with both hands. As I landed, he asked me to meet up with him at the very prestigious Presidential Hotel. I went with my friend and brother Ovie.

The place fine no be small. Expansive and well apportioned. We sat at the swimming pool side marveling at the scenery especially how the Rivers State government had turned around the

Koko

Sanusi

edifice. The waiters came and Ovie was afraid to order when he saw the bill. Me, the gambler I say Ovie let’s order one plate and one Coke to share in case Yibo no gree pay. At least we go pay that one and I go back to Lagos with God is Good night bus.

We should not have worried because he came down and asked us to take anything we wanted. We embarked on a spree. You know how free things dey do person na. Anyways, Yibo took us on a cursory journey on his plans for tourism in Rivers State and beyond hinging the vision on what he called – soft tourism as against infrastructural tourism. He spoke so eloquently and passionately that you begin to wonder where he gets all the energies from. He came across as a man with verve. His clarity and strong sense of purpose left us with the sense that he was going places with his agenda. Welldone my brother, with people like you it can only get better.

HADIZA BALA USMAN – WHY BOTHER? She was quoted to have denied all the rumours that she is Nazir ElRufai’s girlfriend. She did not stop at that but also came out to state very categorically that she did not sleep her way to the top. Madam the only thing I want to say at this juncture is why bother. People with little minds will continue to talk their rubbish because that is where they find themselves.

I have watched very carefully this madam since her appointment at

Usman

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MARCH 15, 2020˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

LOUD WHISPERS

Ikpeme

Joshua

NPA. The policies and the way she goes against very powerful vested interest have marked her out as a woman of courage. Not just anyhow courage but with sense. Hers is not the usual gragra with no sense type of movement but hers has been a strategic and deliberate move towards ensuring success not only for herself but for the organization she is piloting.

I am sure it is this attribute that ElRufai must have seen in her that has made him nurture and support her throughout her career that is making people say these things. Nigerians cannot see two people of the opposite sex without jumping into these kinds of conclusions. Please madam kindly ignore and remain focused, we need more people like you in the system.

Thank you.

the title of this piece. The other day, as I was coming back from the Island just at the foot of the Third Mainland Bridge at Adekunle, I saw a giant banner with Anthony Joshua on it.

The people of Makoko had claimed him as their own and were organizing a carnival in his honour. I loved it even though I was not sure if he actually came form that side of town.

Anyways, that is how I listened and watched him declare his heritage, his pride at being a Nigerian to the whole world including the Queen.

While the rest of us are jumping and migrating and not seeing anything good in our fatherland this one is out

JUSTICE AKON IKPEME – THIS IS ‘RACISM’ You see me, I had already done an internal blackout on anything that has to do with Cross River State before they say I want to come and overthrow their government. For that side, any small thing you talk dem go say you be coup plotter and as me I don’t have power to pursue a treason trial I decide to just ignore that side after all there are other states and thousands of people I can yab freely and still fill this column. But after weeks of silence, one of my ardent supporters threatened to disown me if I did not say anything about this matter. He sent me a text, ‘Duke if you remain silent on this Justice Ikpeme matter, I will label you a coward and block you’. You see how they push people into trouble.

He is saying I should put mouth, like anybody stop am from also carrying laptop and putting out his own opinion. But that said, I think very strongly that the reasons adduced for the refusal of the House in confirming her appointment are to say the least quite pedestrian and if you have followed the matter very carefully, you will see that there are more extraneous reasons than the official position. So let’s leave the matter, it is not because she is from Akwa Ibom State, there are other reasons that time will soon bring to the fore. It is just sad, that despite the level of exposure and education we can still be playing this kind of pady pady politics, just sad.

ANTHONY JOSHUA – ‘OMOLUABI’ That is a Yoruba term that I really don’t know the full meaning. All I just know is that when I was doing my NYSC in Ilaro anytime I bought ewedu and gbegiri for the old women who lived across our corpers’ lodge they will smile and call me Omoluabi.

So I have come to identify that term with something quite positive hence

Hassan-Odukale

there shouting. ‘I’m Nigerian’, you see yourselves? Some people will say it is because he grew out there that he had the opportunity. I will shout like Chief Zebrudaya – fa fa fa foul. He suffered deprivation out there, hooked on drugs, I hear even went to jail for a bit and also faced racism. But he strived and worked very hard to achieve the pedestal he has reached. It’s the same thing, the people suffering here will still go there and suffer. It’s not curse.

If you don’t have the drive even if you live in Buckingham Palace you will still not make it. This Joshua story is inspirational and I praise him. Thank you brother and please keep the flag

TUNJI BELLO – WHERE ARE THE RAINCOATS? The Honorable Commissioner for Environment in Lagos State has just announced that we will be having more than 200 days of rain in Lagos. Mbok, this is not good news o, because the kind of flooding we will encounter can only be imagined. The problem of Lagos flooding is dual. Both Lagosians and the government have themselves to blame. The place is surrounded by water with some places below sea level and yet we will be building monstrosities, blocking drainage and expecting a miracle. This information I must say is not making me happy and I am praying and

Bello

hoping that the people who gave the commissioner the forecast must have made a mistake. Rain is essential but too much rain in a place like Lagos na natural disaster. The commissioner like a modernday Noah has however sounded the note of warning and has asked us to prepare the least we can do is to start clearing the drainage, buy Jeep and marry big fat wives because with these kind of rain, one might go to sleep and wake up to see that his wife has floated into the lagoon from the expected flood. Be prepared, is all I can say at this juncture.

Ighalo

flying.

TUNDE HASSAN ODUKALE – WELCOME ON BOARD It is Oye that I have met. Oye until very recently was the Managing Director of fast growing Leadway Assurance. My people, when I say ‘I have met’ don’t go and be thinking that we are drinking pals o. This met, na one Sunday morning for upscale Orchid bistro in Ikeja GRA where I had gone for breakfast just as I collect salary. There was seated across me -Oye. I admire him especially with what he had done with the family business. The way working with his team he has built such a huge player in the insurance industry that has spread its tentacles to other sectors.

So I moved in and greeted him and he graciously responded and we had a five-minute chat on the economy and his interest in the Arts. Na him be the ‘meet’ wey I dey talk o.

Anyways, I had always heard about Tunde in the markets. I heard he was sound and easily approachable and this gave the market confidence that there was a sweet succession plan in the system. So this week, when I went into their Iponri office for a meeting and heard that Tunde was now the new helmsman, I was kinda happy. They also mentioned to me that ‘Tunde says he knows you’.

I say me? They say yes,’ that he had mentioned that he knew me as that person wey dey do play. Kai, so I got his numbers to call and say hi. They say he was in a Board meeting and may not pick, but na lie, he picked and said, Edgar can I call you back by 4pm. I happy o.

The man know me true true. But then again, when a Nigerian CEO says let me call you back, Jesus for don come back marry and get grandchildren you never see the call. But at exactly 4pm, the Bobo call me o. I shock. Anyways, this is me sending my congratulatory message to him and praying for a successful tenure at Leadway welldone bro.

ODION IGHALO – BRILLIANT DISPLAYS This Nigerian superstar is really doing well in his new club and I am asking everybody who cares to listen if it is the same person who fluffed our chances in one of the World Cups and ended up in China. It looks like he has redeemed himself with the superlative performances he has been showing since his debut at Manchester United.

Although I am not a fan of the premier league for patriotic reasons, I cannot help but wonder in amazement at the series of exciting displays from this our brother. Well done bro and keep the magic, we really need these spurts of excitement at this time.

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GLITZ FOCUS

iREP, Documentary Film Festival Conceived Over Glasses of Wine Clocks 10 Vanessa Obioha encounters the gentlemen Femi Odugbemi, Jahman Anikulapo and Makin Soyinka who conceived the iREP Documentary Film Festival and sought the truth behind the fabled story that iREP was born over glasses of wine

I

n the late 2000s, three habituÊs of film festivals from Nigeria always met at the Real Life Film Festival in Ghana. It was a festival curated by Awam Amkpa for the New York University’s Ghana Campus. These gentlemen were quite acquainted with one another.

One is a filmmaker, another an actor and journalist; and the other a content producer. They were the only Nigerians present at the festival.

Each time they attended the film festival, they noticed the trickling audience and wondered why documentary films drew little or no attention. Even the students of the university evinced little interest in the festival. It was a thing of worry for the trio and as they waited for their delayed flight at the airport that fateful day in 2010, they pondered on it more. Why were Africans resistant to documentaries?

By their estimation, documentary films spur development. It provides a platform where issues are processed beyond the news item and insight is received. More importantly, documentaries help humans define what they believe and seek what is possible. They couldn’t fathom why Africans were not interested in that form of filmmaking.

They were convinced that the burgeoning film industry needed to have a connection with the issues in the country and being that Nigeria boasts diversity in different spectrums, they only saw documentaries as the platform

to plumb such critical topics.

At that impromptu meeting, the gentlemen Jahman Anikulapo, Femi Odugbemi, and Makin Soyinka conceived the iRepresent International Documentary Film Festival (iREP). The film festival is now a staple in the arts calendar. iREP started at a time when documentaries were highly regarded as a medium of propaganda for the government and their agencies. Anikulapo pointed out in a phone conversation that few documentary filmmakers like C.Y. Okonkwo were the popular documentarians until a young Odugbemi who honed his filmmaking skills at Montana University in the United States came into the scene. Therefore, the key objective for the founders was to create awareness that will attract younger people to the art.

Gradually, iREP changed the warped perception and inspired many to try their hands on the craft. It became a rarefied gathering of arts and culture intellectuals, a training hub for young filmmakers and more importantly, a movement to promote and preserve the arts and culture.

On March 18, iREP would be marking its 10th anniversary, a historic landmark that the founders never envisioned. “It’s amazing,� Femi Odugbemi tells this reporter, a bit nostalgic. We were having lunch at a restaurant in Victoria Island, Lagos. He brought out his phone and showed me a picture of the trio on their first edition. They were wearing branded iREP shirts.

Femi Odugbemi and Jahman Anikulapo

“We were very young then.�

Indeed, they were very young and brimming with ideas that they didn’t foresee the huge responsibility of organizing a film festival. “For the first edition,� Odugbemi recalls, “I went to Bolanle AustenPeters because I had told my friends that we were going to have the festival immediately. Without her, there would be no iREP. We had no money, resources or venue. After telling her of our situation, she immediately jumped on the idea and gave us a hall for free for three days.�

After the maiden edition at Terra Kulture in 2011 that had over 70 attendees filling the 80-seating capacity hall, the gentlemen went on with their lives. One afternoon in February 2012, Odugbemi received a call from Austen-Peters. “She said to me: ‘We’re making bookings for the hall. Are you guys still doing that your documentary festival?’�

Odugbemi’s eyes became animated as he recounted this incident. “I asked her which documentary because I had totally forgotten about it. She reminded me of the documentary film festival we had the previous year. The memory slowly came back to mind. I feigned knowledge and affirmed that plans were underway.�

Immediately Odugbemi got off the phone with Austen-Peters, he called his friends and reminded them of the festival. Makin urged the group to

have the second edition. “As I often tell people,� says Odugbemi, “if she hadn’t made that call, I don’t think we were keen on having another edition. It is a punishing thing to have that festival. It’s not easy. You have to watch tons of films across the world. I travel to many documentary festivals with my money to see how it’s done.� “At times, we ask ourselves who came up with the foolish idea to have a documentary film festival,� Makin tells me over the phone. “We barely managed to have a first edition after scraping all the pennies and kobos in our pockets.�

What kept them going according to Anikulapo was their relentless pursuit of achieving that dream. “It is the fundamentals of iREP. We were not ready to give up on the vision which was to encourage young people to make documentary films.�

Each edition is heralded by the constant issue of funding but somehow the festival still holds.�iREP thrives a lot on voluntarism,� Anikulapo explained. “When we first started there were so many young people who worked with us and are still working with us.�

They include the Nollywood actress and filmmaker Kemi Akindoju, Lanre Olupona and Toyin Poju-Oyemade.

Odugbemi finds it amazing the way people throw their weight behind iREP. He has a long list of people who had supported their dream.

There is the famous documentarian Jihan El-Tahri who was invited to speak at the first edition. “At the time we invited her to speak,

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GLITZ FOCUS we had not bought her flight ticket. We were trying to seal a deal with a local travel agent who was not forthcoming.

She kept calling and asked if she should proceed to the airport. Makin assured her that she would get her ticket at the airport. It was at the last minute that the agent finally agreed.”

There were other outstanding individuals like Niyi Coker of Africa World Documentary Film Festival who secured a partnership for the founders that allowed them to screen films shown at the festival.

“Coker ends up paying our screening fees. He also foots his bill each time he attends the festival.”

Paul Ugor who lectures at Illinois University is another regular in the festival, so also is the American film scholar Jonathan Haynes. The former director of Goethe Institute Marc-Andre Schmachtel played a pivotal role by connecting them to festivals in Germany.

“The more I think about it,” Odugbemi said, his voice assuming a reflecting tone. “The more I realize that there’s something in the universe that convinces everyone that iREP is something that you give to, not take from. Because if you look at all our partners across the world, even the printers print for us almost at no profit. People simply recognize the sincerity of our vision. There is also Lolu Durojaiye of AV Edge Limited who supplies the projectors yearly to us at no cost.”

Over the years, iREP expanded to include a training workshop for young filmmakers. It also provides opportunities for young filmmakers to mingle with other international filmmakers at the festival.

The crowd has seen a significant increase. Last year, over 3000 participants from across the world gathered at Freedom Park to witness the festival.

“We had sustained a crowd of thousands in recent times,” Odugbemi points out. “The Freedom Park’s amphitheatre is full at our evening screenings. Even the area boys attend the festival. You can hardly find a place to sit. That crowd defeats the thought that Nigerians do not like serious things like documentaries.”

With the increased attendance and participation, it dawned on the founders that the festival was assuming a larger than life status.

“I don’t think we ever envisioned that iREP would be bigger than this,” says Makin. “It was quite interesting that after a certain edition, we saw some magical things. We got requests from global bodies and we wondered why they were taking us too seriously.

Such incidents dawned on us that there is something really going on here.”

Odugbemi recalled that the first edition had only 10 Nigerian films.

The rest were mostly his films. Today, that figure has multiplied.

“For this year ’s entry,” said Anikulapo, “Over 100 films are from Nigerian filmmakers.” That number would further be trimmed to 20 that will be screened at the festival this year.

Last year, the opening film ‘Skin’ was from a Nollywood actress Beverly Naya who delved into the effects of colourism and how it fosters low selfesteem.

The trio agreed that the emergence of young documentary filmmakers is a success story of iREP. “The fact that young people from different parts of Africa are now interested in documentary filmmaking is fulfilling,” states Anikulapo. “The greatest motivation is the subscription of young people. Watching their transformation, the manifestation of their growth, seeing them winning awards.

Naturally, anything I do that young people subscribe to is a success because I know the role mentorship plays in that age. I was once in their shoes. At iREP, you see the young ones raising pertinent questions about films and the society they

Theo Lawson, Jahman Anikulapo and Femi Odugbemi

The founders at one of iREP’s editions

live in. It assures me that the future of documentary filmmaking is not bleak.”

To capture and sustain that young audience, Odugbemi revealed that they had to show a documentary for what it was.

“It is a form of filmmaking that could be interesting, comedic, dramatic; the approaches are many. It could be a thriller, an expose on the documentarian, about one’s life experiences. A documentary could be about wine, practically anything.”

Another testament of iREP is the ability of the founders to encourage other filmmakers like Tunde Kelani and Kunle Afolayan to also make documentaries.

“By doing so, we are telling the young ones that it is not a matter of choice to be either a documentary or a feature filmmaker. They can be both.”

He described the festival as a festival of youth, intelligence, and fun. iREP was to a large extent modelled after the Real Life Film Festival. Though the latter no longer holds, its founder Amkpa serves as the chairman of the Board of the iREP Foundation. Another silent influencer of the festival is Theo Lawson. He was co-opted as a director after the first edition and handles the technical part of the festival.

He is also responsible for making Freedom Park, the home of the festival.

For their 10th anniversary which will run till March 22, the organisers plan to host an evening at Terra Kulture where the journey began.One of the dreams

of the founders is to have a dedicated documentary channel on the airwaves.

The budget is out of their reach at the moment but they are hopeful it will come true soon. iREP’s enduring relevance can be attributed to the character of the founders. Despite their different personalities and backgrounds, they maintain an enviable level of friendship that has stood the test of time. They are highly revered for their intellect as well as comical innuendos.

Makin calls himself the one who ensures he gets all the credit for doing nothing. Anikulapo described Odugbemi as the one whose laughter goes over the roof and claimed that they all turned him to a ‘rascal’ with their crazy ideas.

Odugbemi puts their endearing friendship more succinctly: “We are uniquely suited to each other. We are good friends but our personalities work. By nature, I’m the idea guy. I’m the one that says we will do this without having the idea of how it will be done. I’m the one that will pick up the phone and by the time I finished talking to someone, they are already buying into the vision. Jahman is the detailed guy. He puts things in a clearer perspective. I really have a lot of respect for him. Maybe because he is a former editor, there is a way he puts questions to everything and by doing so,

he gets the details of everything. It makes life easier when you have someone like him who has a versed experience in the arts and is committed to outcomes rather than heresies. I like that he brings to bear the power of journalism in managing the administration. I actually came to have a lot of respect for editors just by working with him. Getting to the facts is one thing, defining what the facts are used for is another thing. And making sure that everybody understands continuously what our vision is and how this vision doesn’t really need all the drama.”

He continues: “Makin is an amazing human being. I have never seen Makin upset. I don’t know that sort of temperament. That really makes life easy for us because we never get too intense about anything. It’s also the calmness that comes with the fact that we are not in this for the money, more or less as a public service to grow an industry which we also have benefited from. It is more about the young generation and what we are planting.

Makin ensures that our meetings are devoid of any kind of competition for anything. There is no competition for prominence.

“Another thing I find interesting about Makin is that each time there is something to be done. He picks up his phone and does it right away.

He doesn’t wait till tomorrow. I can’t tell you how many times Makin and Jahman have used their personal funds to get something done so that we could move forward. That’s the culture. I don’t know how many times I have spent outside my pockets. Or even Theo Lawson.”

A conversation about iREP is incomplete without the issue of wine.

It is widely believed that the founders and wine are almost inseparable as it was over a glass of wine that the idea was born.

“Not a glass of wine,” Makin says, “several glasses of wine.” He is known as a wine connoisseur and usually supplies all the wine in their gathering.

But Odugbemi won’t readily attest to the assertion. “It’s scandalous to say that iREP was conceived over a glass of wine,” he says, feigning annoyance.

It was pointed out to him that his colleague already confirmed it.

“There’s a minor distinction to it but a distinction nonetheless,” he laughs.

“We make a lot of jokes about having red wines. It makes everyone not take each other too seriously, keeps our relationship honest and sincere, ensures that our meetings are fun even if we are not paid and that people keep coming up with ideas.”

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

15.03.2020

PRACTISING ART IN ABUJA AND LOVING IT L-R: Sor Sen, Jacqueline Suowari, Amarachi Odimba and Obi Nwaegbe

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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ARTS & REVIEW\\VISUAL ARTS

P RACTIS ING ART I N ABUJA AND LOVING IT Struggling to earn their living against all odds, four Abuja-based artists enthuse about a brighter future. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke writes

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o much optimism reverberates in the word “promising”. Amarachi Kelechi Odimba uses it for good reasons in her allusion to the Abuja art scene. “Abuja is a growing city,” the Enugu State University of Technology geology and mining graduate says.

It is, therefore, expected that more and more art spaces would spring up in different parts of this rapidly expanding city. “With the contemporary art scene growing at a good pace, it becomes a more enabling environment for art to thrive,” she adds.

This optimism is shared by her colleagues: Jacqueline Suowari, another Abuja-based female artist and a University of Port Harcourt graduate of fine art and design; Sor Sen, an Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Master of Fine Art degree holder, and Obi Nwaegbe, a University of Nigeria, Nsukka graduate of fine and applied arts.

While Suowari and Nwaegbe enthuse about the increasing vibrancy of the city’s art scene, Sen is somewhat guarded in his optimism. While the Benue State-born artist acknowledges the unprecedented increase in art spaces as well as the growing enthusiasm and awareness among the public, he is concerned about the unregulated development of the industry, which makes it easier for novices and shylocks to have a free reign. “I would hope to have an art scene that merges thought, practice and profit for the benefit of all,” he adds.

Soon after his first degree from the Ahmadu Bello University in 2008, he found himself assailed with doubts about his chosen profession. “I wasn’t sure, whether I was cut out for it or not,” he says. “So I went back to school to acquire a master ’s degree in the same line.”

Even his obtaining an additional degree did nothing to dispel his doubts. “After school again, it felt like I was more confused in the sense that I was dealing with a career that rather appeared formless in nature,” he explains.

Specifically, he found no existing structures that young graduates like him could key into. So, he had to pave his path. “This has been quite challenging but at the same time fulfilling, in the sense that you have to become the author and master of your fate. Being resident and practising in Abuja sometimes gives you a sense of leverage over others in other parts of Nigeria, in the sense that you are close to the seat of power and, sometimes, can access the flakes of power, if you are lucky enough. That could help in pushing your career. But again, I expect much more from this city. Perhaps, this is a city that screams loudest about the need to restore itself to a masterplan. When you study critically what has been tagged a plan, you will discover that art is not consciously included in their plan. So, how do you build a city without the inclusion of art? Who is supposed to live in that type of city, robots?”

But, for Odimba, whose full-time studio practice started in Abuja in 2013, networking with artists who work with different media rather opened her eyes to a new world of experiences. “I explored more and more within and outside the country and this has exposed me to practise better,” the Abia State-born artist enthuses. “I must appreciate the encouragement from associations like the Female Artist Association of Nigeria and Society of Nigerian Artists, which are good platforms for artists to get on.”

She had moved to the federal capital city with big expectations and had, so far, experienced no disappointments.

Ditto Suowari, whose full-time studio practice began a decade ago. To her, the city “has been awesome”. Her verdict on the art community? “[It] is stronger and more vibrant than it has ever been.”

For Nwaegbe, it took a solo exhibition in Omenka Gallery in the upscale Lagos neighbourhood Ikoyi to launch his career. This was in 2010, after two years of painstaking preparation. The show, which recorded over 60% sales, buoyed his confidence in a talentglutted scene.

Like many of his contemporaries, he had moved to Lagos soon after his National Youth Service Corps programme full of hopes. Moving in with one of his female cousins in FESTAC town area of the denselypopulated city, he struggled to overcome the financial pressures he was facing. There was also the fact that he was in someone else’s space, which he considered an inconvenient arrangement that should be shortlived. “My priority became about economic enablement which I pursued making small paintings and

Progress shot ''Love overrules'' 2018 J.Suowari

Sen beside one of his paintings selling them to Lagos galleries.”

Thus, his move to Abuja in 2015 became the turningpoint in his career. In this city, he found more reasons to be more resolute in his art practice. “I started pretty well while in Lagos and in moving to Abuja, I have expanded my market scope to include international clientele using the internet and social media to reach out,” he says. “So, I have a market link between Abuja, Lagos, Europe and the United States. I have a gallery contact in Australia that promotes my work in Adelaide, one of Australia’s vibrant cities. Quite often, buyers pay in full at time of purchase and for those

who ask for an instalment they have largely complied to payment plan although there are a few defaulters here and there.”

Still on the patronage of his works, it seems to tilt in favour of the Nigerian collectors. This is even when he acknowledges the expatriate community’s in the Abuja art scene.

“They attend our events and buy our art as well. They are also involved in the organisation of art shows in the [federal] capital territory, either as on individual or official capacity.”

Odimba, who says more Nigerian collectors patronised her works in 2019 than the three previous years, echoes his experiences, adding: “It hasn’t been all rosy. I have had a couple of not-so-good experiences.

But, I’m grateful for the good ones.

The experiences enable me to learn, improve and move on.”

But, both Suowari and Sen have had different experiences. Both affirm that their works are more patronised by foreigners than by Nigerians.

“I haven't had any bad experiences with collectors,” Suowari says. “It's always rewarding when people can appreciate your style of expression and seek to do nothing else but encourage you to keep being unique.”

“There are no laid-out rules out there,” Sen argues. “A patron would visit your studio and tell you all the things he likes and commissions you to execute the work. When the work is executed, they would in some cases come up with a lot of ‘what ifs’, ‘it should be's’ or they would reject the commissioned piece completely. I understand the burden they carry, its aesthetics and it’s quite hard to please people. Then, others would walk into your studio and pick up whatever they like at just any rate you would want your work to be sold. So, it’s a mixture of sweetness and bitterness. This feels like life itself.”

Meanwhile, the artists’ relationship with the National Gallery of Art, whose administrative headquarters is in Abuja, has been cordial. While Odimba recalls that a couple of her exhibitions had either been sponsored or organised by the parastatal, Suowari says she has participated in several group exhibitions it organised.

In Nwaegbe’s case, there was an official representation from the National Gallery for an exhibition he held in Abuja. “Recently, the curator of the gallery attended a lecture I delivered on ‘Mentoring Moments’, a monthly mentorship programme organised by Thought Pyramid Art Centre Abuja.”

Predictably, the artists – except Suowari – do not adhere to any strict work schedule. According to Suowari, who is married, she gets to her studio at about 9.30 am and closes any time between 5.30 and 6 pm from Monday to Friday. “I work late nights and on weekends if I have a deadline to meet or if I'm preparing for a show. Also, there's always a lot of music in the background while I'm working.”

Sen describes his daily routine as “quite erratic”. “It could start with me preparing my breakfast, sitting still listening to music, reading a book or engaging common people on the street in a bid to get stories that would make up the soul of my work,” he says. “I try always engaging in some sort of activity that points to art every day.”

Somehow, the artists have carved a niche for themselves in the federal capital city, where virtually everything revolves around the country’s seat of power, and have remained undaunted by the challenges they have faced so far.

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he Funeral of Mama Muinat Mosekonla Mimiko, mother of former governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, in Ondo town, on Friday 21st February

Former Governor Olusegun Mimiko (2nd left), his wife Olukemi (left), Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde (right) with a female talking drummer, Ayansike

Dr Olusegun Mimiko anked by his brothers; Prof Femi Mimiko, former VC of Adekunle ajasin university, Akungba-Akoko (right) and Dr Abass Mimiko (left)

Former Governor Olusegun Mimiko (2nd right), his wife Olukemi (right), and Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi (2nd left)

L-R: Mrs Olukemi Mimiko, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo and Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, Minister of State for Niger Delta, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, and Speaker, Ondo House of Assembly, Bamidele Oleyelogun

L-R: Former Governor of Kogi state Capt Idris Wada with the High Chief Lisa of Ondo Kingdom, High Chief Oguntimehin and High Chief Sashere of Ondo Kingdom, High Chief Olu Akinduro

L-R: Former national vice chairman of APC, Pius Akinyelure, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, Dr Abass Mimiko, Hon Joseph Akinlaja

L-R: Dr Olusegun Mimiko with former Governorship candidate and APC Chieftain, Olusola Oke (SAN)with Chief Ayo Adebanjo

L-R: Dr Olusegun Mimiko, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Nnia Nwodo, and Ondo Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi

L-R: Prof Femi Mimiko and Wife, Mr Fifo and Mrs Idowu Akinbulumo

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CICERO

Editor:Olawale Olaleye Email:wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08116759819

IN THE ARENA

Sanusi: Why It’s Imperative to Obey the Laws The recent removal of the former Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, by Governor Abdulahi Ganduje of Kano State has made obedience of laws guiding the traditional institutions more imperative and urgent. Samule Ajayi writes

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ormer head of state, General Abdusalami Abubakar, Chairman of Governors Forum and current governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, both made efforts to save the dethroned Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, but their efforts were in vein.

In fact, General Abubakar said if Buhari had intervened, perhaps, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, would not have been relieved of his duties.

Abubakar’s words: “We tried to mediate. All I can say is that there was misunderstanding and Satan got involved.

The governor had the knife in this matter, because the emir is under him. I can’t say whether or not President Buhari intervened, because I was not in Nigeria. But before I left, we went to him with our report and we discussed.”

Both Sanusi and Governor Ganduje had been at loggerheads for a long time. Many were of the opinion that the decision to create additional four emirate councils out of the Kano Emirate Council was to whittle down the power and influence of Sanusi.

Apart from this, the governor has had to query the former managing director of First Bank Plc several times before the decision to dethrone him was taken. After his dethronement, the former Emir was banished, first to Loko and later Awe, in Nasarawa State.

The deposed monarch has set up a strong legal team to challenge his banishment and detention in court and abuse of his fundamental human rights. And on Friday, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the release of the embattled former monarch.

Justice Onwuli Chikere granted the exparte application moved by Sanusi’s lead counsel, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, on Friday. Those joined in the suit were the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, DirectorGeneral of the Department of State Service, DSS, Yusuf Bichi, the Attorney-General of Sanusi...Did he see it coming?

Kano State, Ibrahim Muktar, and the Attorney ruler. And if given the backing by a state governor, he or she General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami. The judge fixed could suspend or dethrone outright a monarch.

March 26 this year for further hearing of the case.

In fact, during the regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, first And the question many Nigerians are asking is, how a class traditional rulers were asked to submit letter, requesting monarch as powerful and influential as the Emir of Kano could authorisation to the chairmen of their local governments before be so easily dethroned by a state governor? It is an issue that travelling out of the country. should be looked into. Not only was Sanusi dethroned, he was A public affairs analyst told THISDAY last week that the also banished into exile and is not expected to step on the soil of way Sanusi was treated by the Kano State government could the ancient city of Kano till the end of his life. discourage brilliant and well learned individuals from taking up The way traditional institutions, had been weakened by monarchical titles. successive governments, has raised the fundamental issue on the Perhaps, the fellow has a reason. Sanusi attended the famous relevance, power and influence of those who are the custodians of Kings College, Lagos before proceeding to the equally famous these institutions.

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, for his Bachelor of Science degree Before, it was unheard of that even a President could dethrone in economics. He also has a master degree in Islamic Studies a monarch, even though a few examples abound. Nowadays, a before starting his banking career that took him to the pinnacle local government chairman could query a first class traditional

of his career as the managing director and chief executive of the nations oldest financial institution, the First Bank of Nigeria Plc. However, despite these enviable feats, Sanusi never hid his desire to one day become the Emir of Kano. His grandfather, Mohammed Sanusi I was one-time Emir of Kano before his dethronement in 1963. His granduncle, Ado Bayero, succeeded his grandfather before his death in 2014, and Sanusi succeeded him.

The history of dethronement in the country is replete with names of prominent monarchs. The most prominent one before independence was that of former Oba of Benin, Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, who was deposed in 1897 and was sent to exile.

He was accused of the murder of James Philips, then acting consul-general, during a visit to the Benin kingdom.

The Oba was captured by the British authorities and tried in accordance with the British law; he was subsequently found guilty before being deposed.

In 1955, Adeyemi Adeniran II, the Alaafin of Oyo, dethroned by Obafemi Awolowo, leader of old western region, reportedly over political reasons. The Alaafin was among those who did not identify with Awolowo but was a fan of Nnamdi Azikwe and his National Council of Nigerians and the Cameroons, NCNC).

On April 20, 1996, Ibrahim Dasuki was dethroned as the Sultan of Sokoto. He had reigned for exactly eight years having been enthroned in 1988. Many were of the opinion that the late Mohammed Maccido, who died in a plane crash in October 2006, was the popular choice of the people.

He was allegedly dethroned on the orders of General Sani Abacha, then head of state. On the day he was deposed, the emir was called into the office of Colonel Yakubu Muazu, then military administrator of Sokoto, and was told he had been deposed as the Sultan. He was subsequently taken to Yola and later to Jalingo in Taraba State, where he was placed in exile.

In 2005, Mustapha Jokolo was deposed as the 19th Emir of Gwandu by the Kebbi State government for allegedly making unguarded statements capable of threatening national security. He was accused of not being in good terms with other traditional rulers in the state.

Oba Olateru Olagbegi, the late Olowo of Owo, in Ondo State, reigned on two epochs. He was first appointed in 1941 but was dethroned in 1966. He was caught in the crossfire of regional crisis between two Action Group leaders: Obafemi Awolowo and Samuel Ladoke Akintola.

Ironically, the Action Group was birthed in his palace about a decade before but was accused of taking sides with Akintola and was dethroned. Oba Adekola Ogunoye succeeded him and in 1993, after the death of Ogunoye, he was returned to his post until his death.

If you look at how Sanusi and some these monarchs were treated, the analyst told THISDAY, I don’t see anyone who has paid his dues in the corporate world showing interest in traditional stools again. They will just be rubbished by people, who are not as learned or exposed as they are but are holding political positions over them.

This is why the laws establishing the operations of the traditional institutions must be reviewed and amended. Putting the traditional rulers under the absolute controls of political office holders is inimical to collective interest and would continue to hamper fundamental human rights.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

O

Makinde

Makinde’s Tall Ambition

yo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, last week stirred the hornet’s nest, when he hinted at plans by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to take over Lagos by the next elections in 2023.

Although some of the leaders of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) like Chief Lanre Rasak, had since asked the governor to perish the thought, it is however important to stress that this is one ambition the PDP had nursed time and time again and had failed.

There’s no law that says people should not dream dreams, after all, ambitions often start off by dreaming and then, living the dream with careful planning and execution.

Also, it is important to state that all is not entirely well with the ruling party in the state often referred to as the centre of excellence.

But taking over Lagos from a party and people, who had developed a template to winning elections, including having all the major institutions of state under control isn’t just by talking but organised action.

Maybe Makinde should face his Oyo for now.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MARCH 15, 2020

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BRIEFINGNOTES What Ogbeh Must Do as ACF Chairman!

With his new job as the Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum, a former Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh will Nigeria a lot of good, using his position to change the northern narrative. Shola Oyeyipo writes

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hough mixed reactions trailed the emergence of Benue State-born former Minister of Agriculture, Communications and Steel Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh as the new chairman of the most prominent association of leaders in Northern Nigeria, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), fact is, saddled with such huge responsibility, a lot is expected from the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who is now a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Like other major socio-political organisations such as the Afenifere (South-west), Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), the ACF has been in the forefront of contributing to both national and sectional issues, and like its counterparts in other regions, the body has vigorously pursued such agenda that could ensure the north gets the best from the contraption called Nigeria.

Though some kinsmen of the Otukpa-born Idoma politician had taken to the social media to reject his emergence as the ACF chairman, on the grounds that he was not a core northerner and that he did not have their backing, Ogbeh, coming from the North-central is both qualified and equipped with requisite qualifications to help him lead the organisation and make significant difference.

He is an administrator, educationist, civil servant, farmer and politician. He headed the Department of Humanities, Murtala College of Arts, Science and technology (now Benue Polytechnic and was Deputy Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly.

Not only that, he is from a region, North-central, which carries the appellation ‘north’ but only comes into reckoning with the core north during electioneering and census. He is from Benue State, which has been worst hit by the activities of the rampaging Fulani herdsmen, who are basically from northern Nigeria.

Another thing that stands Ogbeh out for his new responsibility is the fact that he is a Christian. People of his faith have been primary target of killer terrorist organisations in the north on the basis of ideology.

So, who is he that is better placed to head such noble body of respectable leaders of the north than a man like Ogbeh, expected to know where the shoe really pinches?

Formed in 2000, ACF has considerable influence in the Nigerian political scene. It took its root from the defunct Northern Peoples Congress (NPC), which ceased to exist after the 1966 military coup.

The ACF has been associated with the Arewa People’s Congress (APC), a militant group set up to protect the interests of the Hausa-Fulani people. The forum on its part drives its agenda through democratic processes, working in tandem with constitutional provisions, relying on the consensus of its members and the people.

Ogbeh’s leadership of this group of northern elites will be evaluated from different contexts and perspectives. For instance, one very important aspect will be how the body relates with other sectional groups vis-à-vis some major contending debates.

There are many of such unresolved issues, chief amongst which are the persisting violent activities of the deadly Boko Haram sect and its ripple effects on the nation at large.

This militant Islamist group has held the North-East of Nigeria in bondage since 2009. It has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions more. No fewer than 2.5 million people have been rendered homeless and an estimated 7.7 million people are in dire need of humanitarian support.

While it is expected that the ACF will continue to stand in the gap between the government and the northern people, who have suffered ceaselessly in the hands of this terrorist organisation, a spillover of the insurgency – the farmerherder clashes must also take a central stage in the agenda of

to the level to lack of So, members beyond proactive ensure streets educated manipuelections.

ReGovernor, warned illiteracy part of into an in the near He backof armed the area, population families in north.

Masari thoughts. country executives efforts in-theinsignifi-

Ogbeh the new ACF leadership.

The Middle Belt region, where Ogbeh himself comes from has had been worst hit by violent clashes between the predominantly Christian farmers and the mostly Muslim cattle herders. Understandably, the main cause of the clashes is access and rights to land and water resources as a result of continued desertification affecting the grazing patterns of cattle.

Be that as it may, Ogbeh’s leadership will not be expected to continue to pursue the Ruga Farm Settlement agenda of the federal government, which was not only rejected by his own people, but other parts of the country.

Most other Nigerians consider the Ruga idea and a government-backed expansionist agenda of the north and as such, attempting to initiate it in any form will only continue to widen the gulf between the north and other parts of the country.

If not handled in national interest, it is capable of aggravating the existing ethnic and religious tensions, something very unhealthy in an already divided country like Nigeria.

The ACF should, therefore, join other compatriots to ensure that President Muhammadu Buhari finds inclusive and creative ways of deescalating the unceasing conflicts.

Though the ACF has shown that it is not favourably disposed to the agitation for restructuring being canvassed by the Southwest, Southeast, South-south and the Middle Belt, however, given a leadership with a broad mind, Ogbeh and other members of the organisation can objectively sit at a table with other similar bodies to look at way forward and how to evolve lasting peace among the various ethnic nationalities that comprise Nigeria.

The mentality to dominate other regions and subject them to the whims of the north is what is fueling unending disaffection from the Yoruba, Igbo and other southern nationalities. So, history will preserve Ogbeh’s name if he would be able to get the ACF to engage other Nigerians in a meaningful dialogue – with an open mind that could facilitate the ‘give and take’ spirit with a view to moving Nigeria forward.

Despite dominating the corridor of power in Nigeria over the years, illiteracy and the growing number of out-of-school students are worrisome. Many commentators have attributed

of violence in the region proper education. the elite, which include of the ACF, must go rhetoric; they must take actions that would that the urchins littering in northern states get rather than keep them as lative tools during cently, the Katsina State Aminu Bello Masari, that the high level of prevalent in the northern the country might turn unmanageable disaster future. said so against the ground of the activities bandits operating in lamenting that the rising of bandits and their the forests in parts of the

is not alone in his Leaders across the know this. Some state have made frantic to address this disastermaking but with very cant success. So, while the ACF makes effort to position the north in the national scheme of things, the leaders must save themselves and the country at large from the danger of the growing rates of uneducated children.

In identifying some of the major problems confronting Nigeria, which must be addressed if the country must make noticeable progress, commentators are of the opinion that sectionalism and tribalism must take the back seat, when national issues are being discussed.

A business consultant at Premiumkraft, Adeola Adebowale, said the country was contending with the problem of “Bias and sentiments, because of culture, religion and a tendency to want to identify with a group.”

According to him, “Most Nigerians think along the lines of us and them when trying to address issues. This leads to trying to justify why the others qualify as them and defending the position or shifting base, when classification sets clash, as against actually identifying and solving the problems.

“Privilege: majority of Nigerians have the mindset that privilege must be exploited to one’s advantage. This ideology affects the goals and general expectations of individuals, shaping their behavior in all areas of life.”

Also, answering the question: what are the major problems facing Nigeria? The major problems facing Nigeria, a Sapele, Delta State-based student, Reuben Mofford, named tribalism as one of the main problems.

“This is another big problem facing Nigeria. The major tribes like the Hausa, Igbo and the Yoruba are like cats and rats. The Igbos always believed that the Yoruba man is a betrayal; the Hausa man believes the Yoruba man is his work tool. The average Hausa believes he owns the country.

“There are series of tribal wars going on in a popular online forum (nairaland) on a daily basis. We Nigerians don’t see ourselves as one, we see ourselves as tribal enemies. A president was publicly saying those that gave him five per cent votes (Igbo) should not expect much from him.”

Indeed, the problems with Nigeria have been extensively researched and adequately documented, it’s only a matter of will for the likes of Ogbeh and other members of the ACF to take necessary steps to resolve the widening division between Nigerians.

NOTES FOR FILE

COVID-19: Buhari’s Task Force is Timely!

Buhari and Mustapha

When the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Mr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Thursday declared coronavirus, otherwise known as Covid-19, a pandemic, acknowledging that the virus might likely spread to all countries on the globe, and that the situation could get worse with time, there was just one message in that declaration: it is that leaders of the world must buckle up their chin straps and get on site for serious work.

There’s no doubting the fact that so far, Nigeria has put up a good showing as far as containing the spread and setting up campaigns in that respect is concerned. But that, with the development so far, isn’t enough. Not only must governments up their game, they should start comparing notes and seeking help on the management of the virus.

It is against this backdrop that President Muhammadu Buhari’s

latest intervention in the crisis by setting up a presidential task force for the control of Coronavirus is commendable. Even more noteworthy is the choice of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha as the chairman of the task force.

From the initiative to the leadership of the panel and membership made up of prominent Nigerians, many of them sitting ministers, it goes without saying the Nigerian government is leaving nothing to chance.

It is also common knowledge that Boss Mustapha has carried himself well since joining the Buhari administration, in addition to being known and described as the “stabilizer” by other stakeholders in the government. His interventions in matters of all kinds have remained mature, tactful, measured and without sentiments or biases, plus showing capacity at all times. Definitely, the president thought good making him head the task force!

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Osinbajo...savouring grace

Osinbajo at 63: Greying and Glowing with Grace At 63, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has spoken to national anxiety and fear, writes Louis Achi

H

e is no less a child of providence, wielding power with alluring humility and exemplary focus. He has demonstrated, with his life’s trajectory that spirituality, law and politics fundamentally address transformation of the human condition for good.

To date, he unabashedly maintains this unique philosophy and footing.

Little wonder, the famous American poet and essayist, Maya Angelou, observed that, “Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.”

Angelou’s captivating insight into the existential challenges that confront great men in-the-making fundamentally captures the life story of Nigeria’s Vice President Oluyemi Oluleke Osinbajo, GCON, who notched 63 years of age on March 8.

The enthralling odyssey of Vice President Osinbajo further goes to validate the enduring wisdom that difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.

An unwavering sense of loyalty and duty, rigorous erudition and professionalism, stern discipline, demonstrable integrity and almost a child-like faith in his beloved God had activated and enlisted those mysterious principles that guide progress.

In the academia, legal profession, faith arena, politics and even romance, these deep traits have meshed to win over the needed fundamental forces, which interfaced to leverage his journey in life.

Osinbajo has demonstrated that he is a personality and leader not swayed by extraneous emotionalism and parochial cant. Besides, the statutory executive functions of the vice president, which includes participation in all cabinet meetings and, by statute, membership in the National Security Council, the National Defence Council, Federal Executive Council, and the Chairman of National Economic Council, he also handles other specific duties that the president, whom he enjoys a good rapport assign.

As Acting President, when President Muhammadu Buhari officially handed over the reins of governance to him, before proceeding to the United Kingdom on medical vacation on January 19, 2017, Osinbajo acquitted himself extremely well. This surprised many.

Beside tweaking the foreign exchange policy, a move that strengthened the Naira against the US Dollar then, his expressed position that, “Nigeria has no business with China if Aba is developed” was widely applauded and genuinely appreciated.

The incessant communal wars between Cross River and Ebonyi States, between Ebonyi and Benue States and between Cross River and Akwa Ibom States

also engaged his attention. Many may perhaps have forgotten that the vice president’s shuttle diplomacy in the Niger Delta became a moderating balm.

The parameters for electing the vice president in Nigeria do not specify sainthood as a key requirement. This humble servant-leader has never claimed he is one. His choice tacitly acknowledges the capacity of focused individuals to change their society for the better.

For decades, he has provided clear, pragmatic leadership in diverse life arenas. Today, Osinbajo, who has now been deservedly transformed into an active, circumspect and intellectually focused national political figure can do no less.

The position of vice president carries considerable weight especially, in charting the course of progressive engagement with the critical elements in a democratic mix, especially so when the occupant enjoys the total confidence of the President as Osinbajo undoubtedly does.

According to Henry Louis Gates, former leader of the African and American Research Institute at Harvard University, “People are afraid, and when people are afraid, when their pie is shrinking, they look for somebody to hate. They look for somebody to blame. And a real leader speaks to anxiety and to fear and allays those fears, assuages anxiety.”

Within the limitations of our extant peculiar political milieu, in his five years in office and counting, Vice President Osinbajo has spoken to national anxiety and to national fear and allayed those fears as well as assuaged the anxiety. This is his forte.

Undeniably, fears and anxiety has been aplenty.

We must also genuinely acknowledge that the implicit trust and total support of President Muhammadu Buhari has immeasurably contributed to the effectiveness of the nation’s sedate Second Citizen Vice President Osinbajo is a professor of law, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, philanthropist and a notable spiritual leader. He was born on March 8 1957, at Creek Hospital, Lagos. His early years in primary school were spent at Corona School Lagos.

Between 1969 and 1975, he attended Igbobi College, Yaba, where he was the winner of the State Merit Award (1971); the School Prize for English Oratory (1972); Adeoba Prize for English Oratory (1972-1975); Elias Prize for Best Performance in History (WASC, 1973); School Prize for Literature (HSC, 1975); and African Statesman Intercollegiate Best Speaker’s Prize (1974).

Thereafter, he studied for his undergraduate degree at the University of Lagos between 1975 and 1978, where he obtained a Second Class Upper Degree

in Law. Here, he also won the Graham-Douglas Prize for Commercial Law. In 1979, he completed the mandatory one-year professional training at the Nigerian Law School whereon he was admitted to practice as a Barrister and Solicitor of Nigeria’s Supreme Court. In 1980, he attended the London School of Economics and Political Science, where he obtained a Master of Laws degree.

An accomplished scholar, teacher, lawyer and administrator, he is one of Nigeria’s leading experts on the Law of Evidence, National and Regional Corporate Commercial Laws and Public Law. In 1981, the University of Lagos, engaged him as a Lecturer. From 1988 to 1992, he was appointed an Adviser (Legal Advice and Litigation), to the then Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola, KBE. In 1994, he became a Professor of Law following which he was appointed Head of Department of Public Law, University of Lagos. Between 1999 and 2007, he was Member of Cabinet of the Lagos State Government, where he served as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

From 2007 to 2013, he was once again employed as a Professor of Law, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos. In 2007, Osinbajo became Senior Partner at SimmonsCooper Partners, Nigeria (a commercial law practice).

He was Staff Member, United Nations Operations in Somalia, Justice Division, UNOSOM II. Member, United Nations Secretary General’s Committee of Experts on Conduct and Discipline of UN, Peacekeeping Personnel around the globe, Member, 2006. He was Partner in Law Firm of Osinbajo, Kukoyi & Adokpaye.

A member of the International Bar Association and the British Institute of International and Comparative Law, he has served on the Nigerian Body of Benchers and the Council for Legal Education of Nigeria.

While in public office as Attorney General of Lagos State, he was credited with undertaking significant judicial reform in the state, addressing critical areas as judges’ recruitment, remuneration, training and discipline.

He also addressed access to justice for the poor by establishing appropriate institutions in the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) and the Citizens Mediation Centre (CMC). He was elected vice president in 2015, under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He is married to the love of his life, Oludolapo Osinbajo (nee Soyode), granddaughter of the late sage and statesman, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. They are blessed with three children.

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In APC, the Centre Can No Longer Hold In this report, Chuks Okocha envisages what might become the fate of Adams Oshiomhole at the All Progressives Congress’ March 17 National Executive Council meeting

Buhari and Oshiomhole

“T

o be, or not to be” is the opening phrase of a soliloquy uttered by Prince Hamlet in the so-called “nunnery scene” of Williams Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1.

This is exactly what is to be expected on March 17, when the All Progressives Congress (APC) would be holding its much-expected National Executive Committees (NEC) meeting. Will Oshiomhole be removed as the national chairman of the party or will survive his travail from the hands of his traducers and continue in office as the national chairman?

Unfortunately, the odds seemed to be stacked against him, when compared from the officials that have lined up arms against him. It was gathered that out of the 20 governors of the party, 14 had lined up against his continued stay.

Apart from the battle to ease him out, Oshiomhole’s continued stay as national chairman would portend a divided NWC, because of how the crisis has polarised the party and therefore, the party, under him, can’t present a united team for the 2023 electioneering battle.

Take for instance, how would Oshiomhole sit on the same NWC table with those, who have marshaled out his fall? Apart from that, how would he hold meetings where already, fourteen of the governors are already against him, many of whom he had publicly called out?

The Progressive Governors’ Forum, like the PDP governors’ forum, operates as a team. They operate like a cult and an injury to one is seen as injury to all. To some stakeholders, it is in the overall interest of APC that the embattled National Chairman should exit the stage at this juncture.

Again, a court order has been obtained to ensure that he does not attend and preside over the NEC meeting.

So, his hair would be shaved in his absence. As the late MKO Abiola would say, it is bad to shave one’s head in his absence. Oshiomhole would not be at the meeting, when his fate would be decided.

More so, he won’t be attending, because the court’s order of suspension on him has not been lifted. Another fresh court order has dealt another blow on the camp of Oshiomhole as contention rages for the soul of Nigeria’s ruling party.

Consequently, the proposed emergency meeting of

APC’s NEC slated for Tuesday, March 17, 2020 has received the nod of an Abuja High Court with a restraining order on the pro-Oshiomhole National Working Committee (NWC) not to obstruct the meeting.

Ruling on the issue, Justice S. U Bature of the High Court of Federal Capital Territory, Maitama Abuja, granted an interim order restraining Babatunde Ogala, National legal adviser; Lanre Issa-Onilu, National publicity Secretary and Waziri Bulama, National secretary from interfering with the planned NEC. According to the order, the defendants are restrained from interfering with, disturbing or taking any steps or actions whatsoever described towards disrupting the meeting of the NEC of the All Progressives Congress

by National Working Committee members scheduled for 17th March, 2020 or any subsequent date pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed.

In the motion ex-parte filed by the party’s national Vice Chairman, North East, Comrade Salihu Mustapha against Ogala, Issa-Onilu, Bulama and the APC, the Court also compelled the party to give full effect to the resolutions of the NWC convening the NEC of APC scheduled for March 17, 2020.

Recall that the trio of Ogala, Issa-Onilu and Bulama, seen as the Pro-Oshiomhole NWC members, had declared the March 17, 2020 emergency NEC meeting Illegal, alleging that the convener lacked the locus standi to summon such meeting.

But the stage appears finally set to say goodbye to Oshiomhole as the national chairman of APC. The plots on ground are for the NEC in session to lift the sanctions against Shuaibu Lawal and let him act as the national chairman.

With this, the second stage is the proposal to set up a caretaker committee to be headed by Shuaibu lawal and subsequently pass a vote of no confidence on the entire NWC. This is ensure that there is no Victor and no vanquished.

To do otherwise is to see Oshiomhole as the only ‘sinner’ in the entire crisis. This is the position that is being canvassed by some governors, addition to seeking a soft-landing for Oshiomhole by way of appointment.

On the appointment of the former governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajumobi, as deputy national chairman, which could have put him in a better position to take over from Oshiomhole, the provision of the APC consti-

tution has made it impossible.

According to article 20(a): All Party posts prescribed or implied by this Constitution shall be filled by democratically conducted elections at the respective national convention or congress subject, where possible, to consensus, provided that where a candidate has emerged by consensus for an elective position, a vote of yes or no shall be called, to ensure that it was not an imposition, which could breed discontent and crisis.’’

So, the likes of Ajumobi and others appointed, as members of the last NWC meeting chaired by Oshiomhole will depend on the NEC meeting for ratification. This notwithstanding, some governors are making last minute frantic efforts to ensure that a successor to Oshiomhole comes from the zone.

As the controversy over the status of Oshiomhole rages on, feelers have emerged that the governors in the party are already shopping for his replacement.

One agreement among the APC governors is that the replacement must come from the South-south zone. It was however gathered that the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki did not want a replacement from his state.

The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) had outright declared support for the suspension of Oshiomhole after the FCT High Court gave the order in a joint suit instituted by the Deputy National Chairman of the APC, North-East, Salihu Mustapha and aggrieved leaders of the party in Edo State, Oshiomhole’s home state.

As a direct result, the NEC of APC has agreed to a meeting on March 17. THISDAY gathered that most of the governors were seriously looking in the direction of three former governors from the South-south, the region to which the chairmanship of the Party is currently zoned.

According to sources, who are in the know, Chief Clement Ebri, a former governor of Cross-River State, who also aspired for the exalted position and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, a former governor of Delta State, who joined the APC ahead of the last elections are being considered.

Also said to being shortlisted is a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator. Godswill Akpabio. Akpabio is currently the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

Another source said the power brokers in the presidency are looking in the way of Chief Don Etiebet, a former Petroleum Minister and one time chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). Etiebet was ANPP’s chair, when President Muhammadu Buhari first ran for presidency in 2003.

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Who’s Afraid of Oshiomhole?

In a familiar power-grab project, some imperious governors, ministers and operatives of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have contrived a stalemate to attempt dethronement of the party’s tough national chairman Adams Oshiomhole whose stern insistence on new party governance template provided potent ammunition for the shadowy operators. Louis Achi looks at the key issues

I

n a season of partisan frenzy, with many red-eyed politicians focused on various power-grab intrigues often dressed up as patriotic ventures, discipline, party supremacy and rule-governed processes become threatened.

Against this background, it is a given that the position of national chairman of a political party carries considerable weight, especially in charting the course of informed engagement with the critical elements in a democratic mix. That the inherent power of that office, its responsibility and authority have been watered down and often caged by forces out of sync with transformative politics doesn’t mean the occupant must jettison plucky, principled and disciplined conduct.

With principle, pluck and discipline as watchwords, former governor of Edo State and current embattled chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has thus far guided the party in power. What’s more, this significantly evokes the days of Chief Adisa Akinloye, national chairman of the National Party of Nigeria, NPN, of the Second Republic. But this scenario has a flip side.

The tough-guy image of former governor of Edo State and national chairman of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) Oshiomhole’s evolved over decades of challenging trade unionism and often bruising engagements with recalcitrant governments - both military and democratic.

This unwittingly feeds a perception that Oshiomhole, now a mainstream national politician is a fellow to be wary of. When this scenario interfaces a milieu where national interest often comes a poor second to personal and sectional imperatives, both the messenger and his message become objects of suspicion and fear - for friends and foes alike. This arguably sums up Oshiomhole’s apparent public relations quandary.

It could be recalled that on June 23 2018, amidst considerable internal dissonance and palpable party governance deficits that hobbled the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, former Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, was elected national chairman at the party’s national convention, to rein in unseemly dissidence and provide a new trajectory.

Perhaps not surprisingly, less than two years after he formally took the baton of leadership of APC from Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and successfully guided the party to victory, his approach to leadership came under serious scrutiny, especially because of what some pundits see as a belligerent style he allegedly adopted. But interestingly, much of this scrutiny is skewed and ungoverned by good faith.

The Intrigues

Ahead of the governorship primaries in Edo State, Governor Obaseki had scaled up the war between him and his erstwhile godfather Oshiomhole, quite sure that the national chairman would hold back his anointing oil this time around. The scenario had made the Edo governor a key arrowhead in the dethrone Oshiomhole project.

Going forward, the ruling party has been engulfed in crisis after a court ruling ordered the suspension of Oshiomhole as the national chairman of the party pending the determination of suits filed against him. The court gave the order following an application by a member of the party that the national chairman had been suspended by the APC in his home state of Edo. Oshiomhole is appealing the suspension as well as the attendant decision to deny him access to the party’s national secretariat. Last week, the assistant national secretary of the party, Victor Gaidom, circulated a statement announcing a NEC meeting on March 17.

But a counter-statement issued by some top officials of the APC enjoined party members to ignore Gaidom saying his action fell outside the party’s constitution and jurisdiction. The statement was jointly signed by Lanre Issa-Onilu, the party spokesperson; Babatunde Ogala, the national legal adviser; and Bulama.

Gaidom, however, continued to insist he is the next in line in the party hierarchy following Oshiomhole’s suspension and the absence of a substantive national secretary. The party’s former national secretary is now the governor of Yobe State.

Mid last week, a high court in Abuja restrained party members – specifically Messrs Issa-Onilu, Ogala, and Bulama – from disrupting next Tuesday’s NEC meeting. The application was filed by Mustapha Salihu, the North-East zonal vice-chairman of the APC. In his counter application, which is designed to effectively oppose the Abuja court ruling, the Lagos State APC chairman prayed the court to compel the party to recognise Bulama as the acting National Secretary, Ajimobi as the acting National Deputy Chairman (South), and Chukwuma as the acting National Auditor of the party. He said the trio were nominated by their geo-political zones after the offices became vacant and were zoned to the North-East, South-West, and South-East

respectively.

According to Balogun, the nomination of Bulama was ratified at the meeting of the APC National Working Committee held on January 14, 2020, while those of Messrs Ajimobi and Chukwuma were ratified at the NWC meeting of March 4, 2020.

“By virtue of the ratification stated above, the nominees have become members of the National Executive Council and are entitled by the constitution of the defendant (APC) to work and operate in acting capacities in their respective offices pending their swearing-in at the National Convention of the party,” he said.

“In spite of the foregoing, the defendant (APC), acting through its officials and officers, particularly, the Deputy National Secretary, has not allowed the nominees to perform their duties as members of the National Executive Council.”

He argued that the party’s NEC could not effectively operate unless Messrs Bulama, Ajimobi, and Chukwuma were allowed to perform their duties and prayed the court to compel the APC to recognise them.

After listening to the applicant’s lawyer, Justice Liman granted the prayers and adjourned till March 25, 2020, for further hearing.

Challenges

It would be recalled that there a bad tradition in political parties in subsisted where governors insist on picking their successors and actually move to handpick all candidates for elections and just organise party primaries as a formality. Left to governors, they want everything in their state politics to revolve round them. For example, in Imo State, during the 2019 elections, former Governor Rochas Okorocha (now senator) wanted his son-in-law as successor.

He also nursed an ambition to represent his senatorial zone, which he eventually actualised. Not done, he pushed for his choice associates as candidates for various elective posts. But Oshiomhole would have none of that. He insisted that proper primaries must be held to pick the party’s candidates. This bold, decisive move stopped Okorocha from having his way in imposing his son-in-law as governor.

In Ogun State, the same script played out. Former Governor Ibikunle Amosun insisted that his choice aspirant must be governorship candidate and also wanted only the people he solely chose to be candidates for other elective positions.

Oshiomhole defied him. Amosun sponsored his governorship candidate and others in another political party.

Oshiomhole once told Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, to obey the directives of the political party that gave him the platform to serve the nation. That was during the controversy over the constitution of the board of the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). Typically, he starred down Ngige and made it he would not tolerate disobedience to constituted authority in APC. The Rivers State governorship primary where former Governor Amaechi took measures that willy-nilly led to the loss of the state to the powerful Governor Wike was a study in extreme ambition at odds with party governance and supremacy. It’s then not surprising who the choreographers are at the core of the current dethrone Oshiomhole project.

Nimble Governance

Although much of the internal political landmines that ruffled APC primaries ahead of the 2019 general elections were laid well before his ascendancy as national chairman, instructively, he was never heard to grumble about these but set about defining a new direction. That is leadership. Like other leaders of note, Oshiomhole disdains hazy journeys and consequently prefers to define a direction clearly.

Without buck-passing, he seized the bull by the horns. Before his coming the governors had hijacked the party, creating serious crisis between governors and National Assembly members in their states. Oshiomhole decided to hand over the party to the people so as to bring the party back to life.

He introduced direct primaries so as to deepen democracy and ensure that the masses produce candidates of their choice not that of the god fathers. Apart from the fact that the direct primaries gave party members the feeling of belonging, it helped in checking the numerous legal issues which arose during the congresses held by the Oyegun-led NWC. To a large extent, direct primaries was a huge success apart from states where the governors where hell-bent in producing their successors against the wishes of party members in their states. Oshiomhole changed the narrative such that the common party members and not the governors or leaders are the supreme commanders.

In no small way, this gung-ho approach played a crucial role in APC’s victory in one of the keenest presidential electoral contests in the nation’s history, on Saturday. APC candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari defeated Alhaji Atiku Abuba-

Oshiomhole kar, former vice president and candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, with 15,191,847 to 11,262,978 votes.

Little wonder, a hugely grateful Buhari specifically commended the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, in his post-victory speech, in Abuja.

By effectively overhauling the party’s internal governance template and processes and resolutely standing down party spoil-sports, the APC national chairman simply proved he is indeed a sublime command room guru. Without the enforcement of party discipline, a political party’s journey becomes an unduly hazardous enterprise. Oshiomhole made it clear that the era of petulant, rambunctious anti-party intrigues to achieve personal interests were over. Members of the APC must submit to orderly, disciplined conduct and use prescribed channels to seek redress of any grievances.

He unambiguously signaled a total break from the old way of doing things to help reposition the ruling party and align it with 21st Century best practices. He is initiating a comprehensive, computerised membership data-base which would make it much easier to peg real members and ensure they are meeting party membership obligations. According to him, ultimately, this will be synced with members PVCs data, a really unprecedented course.

His moves, not surprisingly spawned internal resistance.

But Oshiomhole quickly reminded his party stakeholders that the dinosaurs died out because they could not work smart and adapt quickly to critical changes in their environment then. Even when some miffed APC governors went as far as weaponising dissent, Oshiomhole never backed down.

Drawing from a history of tough, diverse labour and political engagements, Oshiomhole unquestionably has provided nimble guidance, intellectual spunk and bold party governance leadership for the ruling APC. It’s worth recalling that significant, unresolved deficits in these areas led to the sacking of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from power in the 2015 poll and its rejection again in 2019.

What Next?

Clearly, Oshiomhole is not a saint. But the parameters for selecting the national chairmen of political parties in Nigeria do not specify sainthood as a key requirement. His choice, simply acknowledges the capacity of focused individuals to change their society for the better. Revamping of the progressives’ vanguard has clearly compelled the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to revise its gratuitous assumptions and ponder its future, a hitherto unaccustomed footing.

Against the background of his clear accomplishments, despite the bracing challenges, the top-echelon party hierarchs can really not afford to fold their hands and watch a competent, bold party leader go down with consequential retributions for the party.

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GAVEL

Editor: Olawale Olaleye SMS:08116759819 email:wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com

FG’s $22.7bn Loan and Southeast’s Exclusion Protest As the House of Representatives halts the consideration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s $22.7bn loan request, federal legislators from the Southeast have however kicked against the loan already approved by the Senate, report Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu

T

he Senate’s approval of President Muhammadu Buhari’s $22.79 billion external borrowing request on Thursday, March 5, stirred the hornet’s nest especially, among the Southeast caucus of the Ninth NationalAssembly that faulted the non-inclusion of Southeast zone among the zones to benefit from the 34 infrastructure projects to be executed with the loan.

Alot of protests and grievances also trailed the loan approval by the upper chamber with the public and the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faulting it.

President Buhari had on November 28, 2019 forwarded a request to the National Assembly to reconsider and approve the federal government’s 2016 to 2018 external borrowing plan to help Nigeria finance the capital components of the 2020 budget. The loan if approved, he said, would be used to execute key infrastructure projects across the country.

The President had sent the same request to the Eighth Senate under Bukola Saraki in 2016 wherein he requested for about $30 billion. The then lawmakers, however, rejected the request as majority voted against it when it was brought for consideration.

The President, in the November 28 letter to the Ninth Senate led by Dr.Ahmad Lawan, explained that the external borrowing plan target-projects cut across all sectors.

According to the document accompanying the President’s request, the loan would be spread across many financial institutions. Over 70 per cent of the loan would come from the Exim Bank of China, while the remaining funds will come from the World Bank and Africa Development Bank, among others.

Thebreakdownisasfollows:EximBankofChina ($17bn), World Bank ($2.95bn), Africa Development Bank ($1.88bn), Islamic Development Bank ($110m), Japan International CooperationAgency ($200m), German Development Bank ($20m) and French Development Agency ($480m).

The Senate’s approval of the loan on March 5, was however not without protests from the PDP Senators with Senate President Lawan and the Minority Leader, Senator Eyinaya Abaribe being locked in very bitter altercations over the whole procedure.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Loans, Senator Clifford Ordia, had barely laid the report and was about to read the executive summary, when SenatorAdamuAliero askedtheSenatePresidenttopostponedeliberation on the document to enable them study the report.

Lawan rejected the suggestion warning that the report may have become a public debate before last week, because the press would definitely get copies and publish the contents. “According to Senate rules, the report should not be subjected to line by line consideration. We are not doing second reading on this. We have recommendationswhichwewillvoteonbutbefore wereachthatstage,whatishereiswhatistofinance our capital budget,� the Senate President said, Abaribewas,however,quicktofaulttheposition of the Senate President saying, “The position is that we would now approve some of this. It is when we get to the point of looking at each one of them that we will now determine which of these projects will help in growing our economy. Now that you have said we will take it line by line. “We are going to pass a loan approval of $22.7bn and we, who are going to pay back that are making efforts to make sure this is clarified and Mr. President, you are not giving us the privilege to make our points known and come across. We don’t see anything that is so difficult for us.�

The Senators eventually approved the loan request when they emerged from the closed-door session that lasted for over three hours.

It, however, took the Southeast caucus of the National Assembly one whole week to express their reservations on the loan. The lawmakers made up of Senators and House members from the zone met after last Thursday’s plenary in the office of Abaribe and resolved to separately meet with the leadership of both the Senate and

President Buhari in a handshake with Lawan ... Osinbajo and Speaker Gbajabiamila watch House over the loan request approved by the Senate. Immediate past Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who is the Leader of the Southeast caucus in the National Assembly led the ‘protesting’ Southeast legislators to the meeting that lasted for about three hours.

Ekweremadu, who briefed the press after the meeting with Lawan and Gbajabiamila, in company withAbaribe, Deputy Minority Leader, HouseofRepresentatives,Hon.TobyOkechukwu; Deputy Whip and House of Representatives, Hon. Nkiru Onyejeocha, among others gave a synopsis of the loan. “You’ll recall that in the last National Assembly, there was a borrowing plan presented by the federal government but for some obvious reasons, especially exclusion, it was not taken.

This has been returned in the present National Assembly. Regrettably, the Senate passed the borrowing plan last Thursday, which excluded the whole of the Southeast. “I would like to use this opportunity to thank some of our colleagues, who were in the chamber that day, especially, Senator Abaribe, who made spirited efforts to get the issue of equitable distribution addressed. Most of us were not in the chamber that day. Like myself, I was attending the INEC retreat on electoral reforms in Lagos as a member of the Senate Committee on INEC.�

He posited that the caucus met last Wednesday and decided to engage the National Assembly leadership on the issue “We met as a Caucus last night after consulting with our people and getting their feelings on this issue. We decided that the best approach would be a constructive engagement with the NationalAssembly leadership. So, this afternoon, we had a very good conversation with both the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. “Theyshowednotjustconcern,butcommitment to addressing these issues. And we are satisfied with those assurances.And we are believing that the matter will either be revisited or since it has not been passed in the House, that the appropriate thing will be done so that our people’s fears could be assuaged. “We want to thank the Senate President and the Speaker for their assurances and their commitments to national unity and justice for all parts of Nigeria. We believe that equity should be the way for our country to make progress. It is our thinking that since what the federal government presented is a borrowing plan, there is still an opportunity for us to look at the distribution so that every part of the country will have a sense of belonging in the way the loan facilities will be managed.

“WebelieveultimatelythateverypartofNigeria will be part of the repayment.And if we are going to be part and parcel of the loan repayment, it makes every sense that we all also benefit from the utilisation of those funds. We are concerned about certain facilities, including the Eastern Railway Corridor from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, access to the sea through dredging and developing of seaports in our area, power projects etc�.

Responding to why some Senators, including the Southeast Senators were not at plenary on the day the loan was passed, the Chairman of the Senate committee on Environment explained, “I cannot remember any day 109 Senators were present during a sitting. Not even on the day of inauguration. It has never happened. We all have our own assignments and sometimes they take us out of the plenary or the National Assembly entirely. “But if a matter comes up and you are not there and a decision is taken, we have under our Rules, what you could do, which is what we are raising now. What you could do is to come under our Rules for the matter to be rescinded and be taken again. We understand that. We have been here for a long time. “Meanwhile, you can’t be in two places at the same time. Those Senators from the Southeast, who were not there were on one national assignment or the other. So, it is unfair to say we were not all there. It came up in the last Senate and we ensured it was not taken. If it has now been taken in the current Senate that is democracy in action. “Also recall that the Southeast has only 15 Senators. It is part of the issue of marginalisation we have been talking about and that is why we have been pushing for restructuring. Even if you put all the 15 members of the Senate from the Southeast together at a sitting and you vote, definitely, you know what will be the outcome.

So, it is not a matter of playing to the gallery. We are here to engage our colleagues in a way that they would understand our concerns and we will get results. That is what matters. Minority will have their say, but majority will have their way�.

On the part of the House, the consideration of the loan request has been kept on hold, due to a petition by a member, Hon. Henry Nwawuba on behalf of Southeast Leaders, under the aegis of Southeast Elite, who described the loan as illegal.

Nwawuba at plenary earlier last week stressed that the borrowing and procedure being used were against the norms, laws and constitution of Nigeria.

Responding, Speaker, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila asked the lawmaker why the petition came from the elite and not the common man? “On the issue of the Southeast elite, I guess the $22.7bn does not concern the Southeast’ poor men,

it is only for the elite. Honourable Nwawuba, this $22.7bn you complained about does not concern your constituents? Only the elite? Until we get a petitionfromthecommonman,whoyourepresent, I’m not sure we will address that petition.�

Nwawuba, who is the Deputy Chairman of House Committee on Niger Delta Affairs later told THISDAY that the document was basically seekingtosavetheNationalAssemblyfromembarrassment, saying there’s a disconnect between the loan proposal and Fiscal Responsibility Act. His words: “The elite raised alarm, I presented the petition this afternoon on the floor of the parliament challenging its efficacy. There’s a way we can contravene the constitution by approving this loan and we will be taken to court as a parliament for that approval that we have given. “There’sadisconnectbetweentheloanproposal and fiscal responsibility act, which says that for every loan, we will take in this country it must be accompanied by a cost benefit analysis of the implementation of the loan.�

Thelawmakerfurtherexplainedthatthepetition also sought to stop the House from passing the loan request and do some more work to ensure that economic activities will be triggered to repay this loan.

Following Nwabuba’s petition, the House duringplenarythenextdaypostponeddeliberationon the loan request, while Gbajabiamila, who made the announcement said the consideration of the external loan request by the President should be stepped down for now.

‌And the Immunity Clause Amendment Debate!

If the proposed amendment of some sections of the 1999 Constitution scaled through in the Senate, the election of President, governors, lawmakers and other political office holders including serving politicians may be affected, The constitutional amendment is seeking a new minimum educational qualification for those seeking to be president, governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly.

The political office seekers have to pass through this new hurdle in order to be eligible to run for any office.

Titled: “ABill for anAct to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for the amendment of Section 65(2)(a),131(d), Section 106(c) and Section 177(d) therein, to provide for minimum qualification for election into the national and states assembly, office of the President and governors, and other related matters, 2020, the bill, which passed second reading on the floor of the Senate last Thursday was sponsored by Senator Istifanus Gyang (Plateau North).

The Bill also seeks to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to provide for the amendment of Sections 65 (2) (a), 131 (d), Section 106 (c) and Section 177 (d) on minimum education qualification for those seeking election into the State Assembly, Governor, National Assembly and office of The President. “The Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (in this Bill referred to as ‘the Principal Act’) is altered as set out in the Bill,� part of the proposed amendments reads. The Bill is seeking thealterationofsection65(2)(a)oftheConstitution, which deals with the qualifications for intending members of the National Assembly “While the existing law which the Bill seeks to amend reads: ‘A person shall be qualified for election under subsection (1) of this section if he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent’, Section 65 (2) (a) is now rephrased to read ‘if he has been educated to at least National Diploma level or its equivalent.�

The Bill also seeks the alteration of Section 131 (d), which deals with minimum requirements for anyone running for the office of the president.

The current Section of the Constitution states that the person must have “been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent�.

The proposed Section 131 (d) is now rephrased to read: “He has been educated up to at least HND level or’ its equivalent.�

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MARCH 15, 2020

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SUNDAYINTERVIEW Seriake Dickson

Dickson...Lyon was brought in to reverse Bayelsa’s development

I Took the Supreme Court Judgement as God’s Way of Vindicating Me, the Position we took as a Party Immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson shared his some of his experiences before, during and after the last governorship election in the state. He spoke to Stanley Nkwazema. Excerpts:

H

ow did you react, when you heard the news that the Supreme Court had delivered judgement in favour of PDP? For me, I took it as God’s way of vindicating me as a person, vindicating the position we took as a party and God’s way of preventing a major disaster that was waiting to happen in Bayelsa, because of the inadequacies of the APC candidates that were being foisted on the state and the contradictions within the APC system.

The state leader of the party had his own agenda for bringing up that contraption. It was not for the interest of Bayelsa as claimed. It was purely for his political comfort, advancement and to satisfy vested interests. Our reaction was to spontaneously give credit and glory to God. We all erupted into our usual way of praising God with songs and dances.

Everyone came crying and prostrating on the floor to God. It was spontaneous jubilation across the state, the whole country and beyond. At this point, I want to once again appreciate the Justices of the Supreme Court and generally the Nigerian Judiciary for the boldness and courage in spite of all the harassment and intimidation, subtle and open to undermine completely the wishes of the Bayelsa people.

Do not forget that this was a process started from the Federal High Court, where the trial Judge after listening to all arguments came to this same conclusion; that the APC candidate was not truthful about his records and his past. That he concealed very pertinent facts and issues about his past. This case wasn’t really a

case of forgery, which most people wrongly claim it was. It was a case of an aspirant not telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

That is what the Electoral Act requires now; that any candidate filing for any elective post must not just speak the truth but the whole truth and nothing but the truth. If you change your names, there is a column there: have you changed your name in the past? What did you fill there? That means the whole truth was not said or told? It wasn’t a case of a criminal trial or forgery.

It went up to the Court of Appeal, their Lordships at the Court of Appeal decided otherwise, and the party and our candidate went to the Supreme Court as required by the constitution of our country and the Supreme Court gave their final judgement.

I commend the Judiciary for their courage and for standing up to play their constitutionally assigned roles for which they were attacked.

Some of their homes like Justice Mary Odili’s home, both in Port Harcourt and Abuja were attacked by the APC elements, instigated by their leadership. My own home and the home of Senator Diri, the new governor, the High Court, a private Library and so many homes were also attacked in Yenagoa. That has been the brand of the APC. Don’t forget that in all of this, people must not lose sight of the fact that there was never an election, where the people of Bayelsa voted for the APC. It is a lie that has been constantly told since November 16, 2019. They don’t address that fact. They are talking about three hundred and something thousand votes allocated by INEC working in conjunction with the Nigerian Army and the Police

that shut down the state and came with pre-written figures to announce as results. That was what happened. There was never an election that APC won.

There is no issue in the first place of the court judgement repudiating the wishes of the people. To the contrary the position of the Supreme Court validates the real thinking and the mandate of the people of Bayelsa, who were for the PDP and our candidate, but whose votes and voices were shut down by the APC and the entire federal set up working as a team to destroy our democracy.

It is a welcome development and we thank God Almighty, the candidate himself and all of us in Bayelsa. Everyone who believes in God knows that this was a victory that God gave to us.

Many believed that your political career would have gone into oblivion if David Lyon had remained governor, following your activities in AD, Ijaw National Congress, IYC, Attorney General of the State, a two-term member of the House of Representatives, and two-term Governor of Bayelsa State, which nobody in the state has ever done before. How do you feel about that?

Well, everyone’s life and destiny are in the hands of God. If there is one thing that this Supreme Court judgement on Bayelsa should teach everyone including myself is that God is in control of the affairs of men and He is the one who gives power to whom and at what time and how. As a man of faith, I never lost

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t $"4& "("*/45 "1$ $"/%*%"5& 8"4/ 5 '03(&3: #65 %*4)0/&45: t my faith in God till the very end. Even with the shenanigans in Bayelsa and the sustained propaganda against us, we never lost faith in God. We kept praying as we were doing every morning, every month and every year, giving God the glory for everything He does for His own purpose. God tried our faith, my faith particularly to the very last before vindicating us. This victory is therefore an act of God but having said that, no man’s destiny is the hands of fellow men. I have come a very long way in politics. I am not an appointment politician; I am not an establishment politician.

The fact that my candidate and my party were rigged and shut out by the federal system, even my party leaders, who should have stood for the party, if not for the candidate and for me. I have appointed more people than every other Bayelsa governor put together. I have supported and served people from morning to midnight every day for eight years, working for the good of our people.

The fact that some people saw that the federal government was determined to take the state by force and therefore realigned instead of standing by me and our party and our candidate and by the government was disheartening. I am used to people decamping during elections, when they see that federal might is available to help them take power. That might give a wrong notion that if APC took over, my political career would have been over.

That is not a correct assessment, because up to now, irrespective of what happened I have the greatest followership in that state, the greatest penetration, the greatest organisational capacity in that state and I have touched more lives, whether the people themselves admit it today or not, they know – the politicians, office holders, former appointees – they know the roles I have played and the people themselves in the various communities know what I have done. I have my work that is speaking for me in all critical areas – in education, in healthcare, in infrastructure, in agricultural opportunities, in law and order, in governance reforms itself.

I have employed more people into the public service in that state, I have given more scholarships, thousands of their daughters and sons are in our public schools, clothed by me, fed by my government three times a day up till now. My impact is so massive not just in Bayelsa State; I have appointed over 200 Ijaw people into the government of Bayelsa State from across all the Ijaw speaking states.

My government recognised and created more traditional stools than any other administration, Statewide traditional reforms all of them recognised, running into thousands in every community.

So these are impacts, which would have been very difficult, even impossible for anybody to wipe out. Yes, the euphoria was there, the threats and blackmail were there and that was why I never bothered, I have done my job to the best of my ability, there is no decision I took as Governor that I cannot defend.

If there was anything people complained about, it wasn’t that Governor Dickson stole our money and this is where he kept it, this is what he has done with it. Nobody says I did not work. It was that everybody says I made it difficult for people to have free money, to steal money and that I committed the resources of the state to the development of the state and that is the right thing to do.

At the same time, they know that all my allowances were spent supporting them for different personal problems from morning to night and my office and homes were like market places. I have access to all classes of people. So, even if a David Lyon had taken over, yes the euphoria was there, we know the dynamics of politics, the euphoria and intoxication would have cleared, reality would have set in and the huge sense of disappointment would have been felt in the state and even among the APC chieftains.

He wouldn’t have been able to meet the expectations of all those people that want to have a share of Bayelsa allocation.

The commitments they had made and the expectation that they all had from the national to the state and to various people and families, who had built personal interest into his candidacy.

He was not supported to work for Bayelsa; he was supported to undermine and reverse the developments, peace and stability that were done and if possible launch personal attacks at me. Those who brought him believe in personal vendetta of politics unlike me who has never fought people beyond elections.

That is not correct. I was planning to go back to the trenches, re-organise my machine and this is not just in terms of party control. Non-politicians focused on hijacking party structures, but those of us that understood the art of mobilising human beings, organising human beings into political formations for political contests, and warfare, which is not violence, knew what to do. We knew we have the people.

It doesn’t take me long to set up a political machine. In a month, I will have a viable political machine that can take on anybody building on my massive network and image and most importantly, the work I have done in Bayelsa and the lives I have touched across the nation. Apart from my work in Bayelsa, no one underestimates my network and the friends and allies and colleagues and the leaders I have access to; whose confidence I enjoy.

That is why I understand the concerted national effort to demonise and blackmail me through propaganda in the Bayelsa election, because of my national profile, now became a national election. All of this would have helped me to launch a big comeback in a different way. As long as I remain in politics, we have a capacity to reorganise and launch together with friends and allies, a formidable political movement.

Did you actually prepare a handover note for the APC as you were leaving office?

Of course! I set up a transition committee. Most of what they were doing in terms of the state handover were state events funded by the government of Bayelsa under me. I ran a decent and honourable government and I wanted to set a standard for succeeding governments, because I am the first governor completing eight years, who had to manage a very difficult transition, the way the federal government and its agencies intervened and tried to mess up the situation and with the behaviour of some party leaders, who decided to sell out.

I was determined to make a success of it. I set up a transition committee, which was well funded by my government and they were in regular contact with the APC. As a matter of fact, the committee on Wednesday had handed over transition documents to the APC transition committee, before the judgement came on Thursday.

Yes, there was nothing I did as governor that I was scared or afraid of. It was just peddling of unfounded rumours, because no one has worked harder or done more. A number of the things I did were revolutionary. I was a pioneer in so many ways so I can understand when they became antagonistic or cynical.

What’s the story of the Bayelsa airport?

The story of the airport has been well told and documented.

The great work that we did is known to our people, both in conception and execution. Those who are demonising me; those who don’t believe in the need for that airport will come to their senses and face the reality of it very soon. That is the price you pay when armchair critics and envious opponents don’t understand what governance is all about.

What it means when a leader is ahead of his people, those are the kind of situations you face. They are not seeing what you are seeing as a leader and yet, it is your duty to envisage what may happen in the near future and that is the duty of leadership, whether it is the airport or building of universities. That airport is world class, everyone knows and the federal authorities know. I don’t want to say more about it. I leave it for the new governor to take it up from there.

What I know is that that airport is set for business. It will go down in history. They didn’t want that history, because they were jealous. A number of people, who had the opportunity to work on the airport tried but couldn’t bring it to fruition. But I did, so, I can understand human elements of envy and jealousy in all sectors, because what I have done in education, health sector, infrastructure and other areas not only surpass people’s expectations, but I set a very high mark.

I can understand when political competitors and small-minded detractors try to belittle the contributions that I have made. What is comforting being that the people know and posterity will tell. The airport will be put to use, there is no doubt about that. They are complaining of the perimeter fencing to be completed even though they know that there are several federal airports that don’t have perimeter fences. We completed over 60 per cent of the fencing and the authorities acknowledged that and the radar, surveillance and fire-fighting facilities are some of the best you can find around.

I believe those are matters that the new government will handle.

What’s your take on Nigeria and Democracy?

Well, we are a developing democracy but it is very disheartening, when you see state apparatus being so brazenly used against poor, innocent people. It is disheartening when you see military, security agencies and INEC abdicating their duties and responsibilities and their oaths to the services of the country and colluding with criminals, to maim and kill, destroy and aid political robbery, political terrorism.

It is sad to see electoral officials compromise their impartiality in the name of taking instructions from above and committing acts that are treasonable. That has become the order of the day. That is what they call Nigerian Democracy. You saw what happened in Nembe, where over 20 people were killed. Law enforcement units in Nigeria were not interested in who killed who or arrest and prosecute the culprits?

Were you ever at any time forced to retaliate as the Chief Security officer of the state?

Oh, I could have done that. Everybody knows I could have done that. In fact, the lies the APC leaders have been telling the federal government since 2015, Governor Dickson will do this, he will do that as a basis for getting federal support to go and terrorise our people, but all of them know in their minds that I am a politician of peace, ideas and a non-violent person. As a matter of fact, the reason you did not see bloodshed when the federal government came and announced pre-written figures, using the Army, Police and INEC, was not because of weakness.

It was because of deliberate restraint on my part. People were crying and wanted to do a few things but I have never subscribed to that. The APC leaders know, the whole of Bayelsa State knows that Governor Dickson is one politician, who protects everybody, one politician who does not victimise anybody and one politician, who uses state apparatus at my disposal to do the work that I am meant to do: public safety and order, and not partisan politics.

That was what happened when election results came, even when the Court of Appeal gave them the judgement, you did not see demonstrations or violence on the part of my party and the followers in the state. Not because there were no people to demonstrate, we had more support than them, the good, the bad and the ugly, but everyone knows my politics, that I don’t allow violence. The first duty of any political leader is to enthrone peace and order.

It is unfortunate that from 2015, the federal government actually undermined Bayelsa’s security at every election time and even during normal times. So, they compromised Bayelsa’s security in a way that criminals were made to go free and have the effrontery to commit crimes while law-abiding people were made to lose confidence. That is why in Nembe about 20 people were killed and nothing happened, and figures were written and brought, announced and accepted.

How was it managing finances of the state and settling debts running into billions incurred by past administrations?

I think the main problem elites of Bayelsa had with my government was prudence and commitment to accelerated development

Continued on Pg. 79

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t '( $0.130.*4&% #":&-4" 4&$63*5: '03 1"35*4"/ 3&"40/ t Continued from Pg. 78 and my not compromising on the development of the state, blocking the loopholes that supported wastages and the corrupt system that was then entrenched and engrained in the politics of the state; even in the civil service. The only people building big houses and hotels, buying big cars, having big investments, were civil servants, particularly the Treasury staff, accountants and political leaders colluding with them.

I had to stop all of that from day one, because I had a big developmental agenda. The state couldn’t afford any wastage. We had to channel all the available funds to face issues of development. My understanding is simple, money that comes into a state, a state like Bayelsa, a virgin territory, carved out of the least developed, the most challenged areas of the old Rivers state must be utilised for the benefit of the people. The leadership and all our people must be prepared to make sacrifices.

The sacrifice is that any money the state has should be used for development. It is the development that will engender individual comfort and advancements. Not the other way round where monies come and treated as pocket money for the leaders and their wives and their allies beyond legitimate entitlements and then issues of developments are allowed to suffer. That is why roads, hospitals, bridges, schools were not built. That was why there was no single boarding school in Bayelsa before I became governor and I am leaving behind almost 15 boarding schools.

And not just boarding schools, boarding schools with students filled with scholars, who are fed three times a day by the government.

And with policies backed up by law to sustain it. That was why they were not building hospitals and we have hospitals and diagnostic centres that are world-class, a medical university. We have a Health Insurance Scheme, which is one of the best in the country and all backed up by law. It is because of this shift in emphasis, yes it is good to enable people to make money from in government and government appointments.

But it must be through legitimate means. If you don’t control it, if you don’t fight and you let it loose or you treat public money as money that is PR money and you allow people to go with that notion of entitlement mentality as was the case before I came, the state will not see or know development.

And I have done all of these at a time the earnings of the state were far less than my predecessors in office. In Bayelsa, during my governorship, the complaint was that I am too tight-fisted; I’m araldite, because the expectation is that government money should be left loose for the governor, his team, the civil servants and all those in authority and political leaders and their family. I redefined it, created more appointments to enable people have legitimate income.

I had over 3,000 different classes of appointment, whose services I did not strictly need to run a government. I was in control of the agenda of the government. I had to because of the weak state of the economy and what they are used to. I had to spread those appointments. At some point, we were spending over N750 million to N800 million monthly to pay them, because in Bayelsa, government is the only business. The more you appoint, the more they complain.

If you appoint somebody today, he wants a car, if you don’t give him a car, he becomes disgruntled, you give him a car, he wants more money, he wants to award contracts and make money. If you don’t make that possible, then he complains. He builds one house; he wants 10 houses. That insatiable greed that drives them makes them feel they are entitled to all the public money. That has been the issue behind political instability where people during elections move to an incoming government.

I addressed that, but I also brought the reforms within the government; and the systems and the laws to correct the problems in the civil service, where people were collecting salaries without working, where people were collecting salaries they were not entitled or qualified for. It is irresponsible for a governor to allow that to continue. And no one had really had the heart to do all of that. And I did that. But in that process, I opened up the service, employed almost 5,000 people from 2012 till date in all sectors of Bayelsa Public Service.

So, I have employed more people. So if you are talking of the man who created more wealth, who made it possible for the people to survive more, it is me! I never made it possible and it wasn’t my plan to allow few people even those around me to become millionaires and billionaires at the expense of the rest of the state, most importantly at the expense of the development of the state. Now, if there is any sin, any wrong like I always say, I have no apologies for that.

That had to be done. I have created more avenues for enterprise. I instituted the first Micro-Finance bank in the state, I created it and it is there in every Local Government of the state to enable people borrow and do business, encouraged people to do business but they are not used to it. I think that some of these policies are of the form where if civil servants don’t go to work they have no business in public service and should be told to get out. I never hesitated to doing that. If you are a government appointee, you will do your job, but you can never be allowed to turn your own office to a source of making millions and billions because the state does not have funds for that.

And even if the state has money, there are other needs. These are some of the things that enabled us to manage and put a lot of things on ground during the very challenging period, which saw also the worst economic recession. Yet, we had more life changing big ticket programmes than any government before me, because of prudence, transparency and the careful management of the resources of the state.

Don’t forget, I enthroned the regime of transparency by which every month we announce what came into the state. I thought I did all of that to empower the people with the knowledge as

to the circumstances we were managing, and also to enthrone a regime of responsibility. I understand lack of industries in the state, unlike other states, everybody looks up to Government House for survival. Everybody comes there. Most people in some states don’t know where their Government Houses are and how much comes to their states on a monthly basis.

In Bayelsa, everybody from the high to the lowest, they are thinking of making billions. And if you have enabled them to make thousands, you have not done anything; they want millions. If they get millions, you have not done anything; they want billions. If they get billions, you have not done anything.

They want to get more and expect to get all the money that gets into the state into their pockets. If you don’t make that happen, then you are not a good governor.

To the average Bayelsan psyche, a good governor is a governor, who comes and opens up the state treasury for everybody in the state to go and collect something. They forget the fact that even those they said were spending money on the people and money was flowing, it was only within a tiny circle and I never allowed that circle. Or even any circle to have access to the treasury. Rather, I supported people to have legitimate incomes far more than any other governor and I am very happy about it.

I am leaving a government not only of physical development but also a government that paid off all existing liabilities.

My predecessor had a bond that totalled over N120 billion. We cleared it within this period. When people talk of a trillion naira or so in eight years, my predecessor stayed for five years and got close a trillion naira and if I ask you what you can point on ground, I don’t know how many people beyond propaganda can say much. Our own expenditure also includes the N120 billion that we paid off, a salary wage bill that is high and all the challenges that we met, and in addition, we have put a lot on ground in education, infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, in all fields and in making state investments.

I am happy that I am leaving a state with the right indices.

Firstly, on education and health care which is one of the best.

Maternal mortality index is the least in the sub-region in the South-south. At least, people come to Bayelsa for referrals, diagnosis and treatment. We have best public schools. Tertiary schools equipped and supported, which I believe the new government will continue. In the area of prudent management of resources, by the DMO reports and other public statistics that is available, Bayelsa is the least indebted state in the South-south even with all the investments that speak to the record I am leaving behind.

Why so much focus on education?

I must tell you that education is a key area of investment for any leader, who wants to make a difference; any leader who understands what true development is. Lasting development does not consist of roads and buildings. That is brick and mortar.

No matter how costly, no matter how beautiful, it deteriorates with time. The major areas, where I believe you can see if a leader has the right mind-set and vision for his people are investments in education, healthcare, investments in economic opportunities, investments in law and order. And the right values for governance like not oppressing anybody with the state apparatus, which I never did for one day.

Setting a tone of tolerance and enthroning the right democratic atmosphere, which I did throughout. All opposition from within my state, my party, I took it in good faith and allowed everybody to express their views. I had my own right to my vision and my agenda, consulting, agreeing and disagreeing and moving on.

But no one will say Dickson drove us out of Bayelsa, Governor Dickson revoked our land, destroyed our building, because of political disagreements, sent thugs to attack us because of disagreements or Governor Dickson killed that person, because of

political differences.

You can’t hear that. For me, these are the areas you use to assess. Anybody can build a road even a mad man can build a road, because it doesn’t take much vision to build a road. Some resurface roads to gain popularity. Their fixation is in roads.

Yes, roads are important. I have done so many roads in a very difficult riverine terrain, where the whole state is below sea level, built the longest set of bridges than any governor has attempted to build.

I have done them and the records are there but I don’t point at those as my landmark achievements. As important as they are, because it will affect mobility; it will enable people move around and contribute to the development of the state.

Now, people are finding it easier to commute and move amongst themselves.

But the lasting changes that I have brought in the state, which will be felt in years to come is the investment in education, investments in healthcare - the investment in governance structure itself, the temperance, the moderation, accommodation and the politics of dialogue and persuasion.

The idea that a leader is not in government to maim and kill and chase people, who disagree with him out of the state; the idea that you can disagree with your leader and still feel safe in your own state – no one governor has tried as much as I have done. These are the lasting contributions that I have made. I am open and I understand the feeling, because of the prevailing lack of private sector in the state, where unlike other states people don’t know the way to the Government House.

In Bayelsa, everybody must go to Government House. All problems must be solved by the governor – all personal problems of over 2.5 million people must be solved by the governor. That is not the situation that you have in most states.

Most governors don’t feel what we feel in Bayelsa. They don’t understand, they can’t relate to it and so people will ask for more.

That is legitimate also but with time, with more empowerment particularly with education and with business opportunities, with enlightenment most of those will be taken care of.

After eight years in office, what are the challenges and fulfilment?

Let me start with fulfilment. Every day of my life, I will be grateful to God. My faith has been so strengthened by what I have done and seen, what God has done for me and for my people, and even making me to have the opportunity to be in a position to do what I have done, I remain eternally grateful to God and the people of Bayelsa, and to my friends and allies, who have been with me in this journey, including some who for some reasons may not be here with me now.

I acknowledge and thank them. It has been a wonderful opportunity. Do I feel fulfilled? Yes, very fulfilled, very happy that I had this opportunity and was able to make the difference. The full extent and degree of my work will come to the fore in years to come. Not now but because of the noise of political contest and competition and the human emotions of envy, jealousy and greed.

When you see products of schools that I built, the lives my medical facilities have saved and will continue to save, when you see people enjoying the benefits of the roads and bridges I built and what they will benefit from the economic opportunities that we provided. In the years to come, when you look at this, every day I feel happy and fulfilled. I was almost moved to tears when I moved to my village and appointees followed me, friends with their families trooping in up and till now, thanking me for affecting their lives in one way or the other.

They still do so and I remember I had well over 3,000 from across the Ijaw’s in Niger Delta, not just Bayelsa. Even in Abuja, people come to thank me for the impact I have made in their lives. No one governor can solve all problems of everybody of a state in four years or eight years – problems of a state or a nation, are not solved by one government or one individual. The problems will continue to be there. Have we made a difference?

Did we try our best? Yes, and if I may say, a very big difference.

Are there effects of Public Service on your Family?

As a matter of fact, I don’t know how to thank my family for the sacrifices and the understanding they showed by the way I carried on with my duty to serve them, because I am a man of passion and service. What makes a difference is passion combined with compassion and vision. The way I did it left me with very little time for family and even personal things. All my personal things were abandoned, my farms folded up. I used to have so much time as a family man.

I love my children; I love my family but I never had as much time. I used to take them for swimming every Saturday. We did not have that luxury. I used to tell them stories and educate them myself. I read with them. But all of these, I did not have much time for. I sincerely thank them.

I was almost moved to tears, the day I left office and went home and they released two videos and sent to me via social media. They said, Daddy, thank God you are going to have more time for yourself and more time for us. I thank them for their understanding.

They have really made a lot of sacrifice. It is not just in my own case. It is the case of everybody in public service, especially those who understand why they are in public service and who apply the totality of themselves to the service of their people.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MARCH 15, 2020

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

ENGAGEMENTS

The Sanusi Situation

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mir in the morning; homeless exile in the evening. There is no better way of capturing the cascade of dramatic events which, last Monday, saw a reversal in the fortunes of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, deposed Emir of Kano. It was a foretold outcome. Given Sanusi’s perennially adversarial relationship with the Kano State Governor, Mr. Abdullahi Ganduje, it was not a matter of if but one of when this outcome would materialize. Yet the Sanusi situation bears, in its sketchy outlines, the essential confrontation that will define the future of the northern half of the country: between tradition and modernity; between conservatism and progressivism and between basic democracy and elective autocracy.

Sanusi had for long been embroiled in a series of power wrestling matches with Mr. Ganduje.

At issue was the subordination of Sanusi as Emir of Kano to the executive diktat of the erratic governor. There was also the unstated political fight between both men over partisan alliances and preferences especially in the 2019 elections.

Add Sanusi’s blue blood, elite education, intellectual effervescence, progressive political views and a cosmopolitan outlook that reaches out to a national and international audience. Then you begin to appreciate why it was hard for Sanusi to bend to the unenlightened bully politics of Mr. Ganduje. Yet the governor precedes the Emir who of course owes his office and tenure to the statutory powers of the state. The humiliation of dethronement is perhaps the Governor’s the triumph of a bruised gubernatorial ego over a perceived arrogant and recalcitrant Emir.

The dethronement was a desperate political solution. Previous attempts to diminish the Emir’s sphere of influence had met with legal road blocks. The governor had previously carved up the Kano Emirate into smaller bits in order to curb Sanusi’s influence by erecting pliant minions.

This is in addition to instituting endless investigations and probes into Sanusi’s book keeping habits. All these political pranks were effectively checkmated by Sanusi through the legal process.

Even in an imperfect democratic environment like ours, the law remains the most effective bulwark against autocratic flirtations. The dethronement card was perhaps the last desperate option left for a governor with a big appetite for autocratic rough play. And he had historical precedents from the colonialists to Abubakar Rimi and Sani Abacha (the latter, all from Kano!) to draw inspiration from.

The precise manner of Sanusi’s dramatic removal is the starting point of all enlightened reservations about it all. Mr. Sanusi was subjected to a five- minute trial by the Kano Executive Council and of course pronounced guilty of insufficient regard for the emperor governor.

Thereafter, the rest of the rehearsed absurdity was rolled into play. An armed motorcade escorted the ‘abducted’ Emir to the Kano Air Force field from where he was flown to Abuja. From there, there was reportedly a several hours road trip into the heart of darkness, to some remote destination in Nasarawa state. The dethroned Emir had been ‘abducted’ by high officialdom and dispatched into internal exile as a detainee. That is precisely where this macabre drama of power and impunity parts ways with common sense and common law and veers into the dark waters of primordial absurdity and mindless autocracy.

Nonetheless, the might of state impunity has to yield to the rights of Mr. Sanusi the citizen. I am yet to see anywhere in our laws where it is stated that a traditional ruler stripped of his office automatically loses his fundamental rights as a citizen: freedom of movement association, family communion, expression and free choice of abode, Only under colonial over lordship or decadent military dictatorships could the detention and exile of a dethroned ruler fit into place.

There is something even worse. As if the medieval practice of banishment of dethroned traditional rulers was not enough, the choice of place is outlandish, punitive and deliberately humiliating. Nasarawa state? I am not aware that the authority of the Kano state government extends to far away Nasarawa. It would be interesting to find out the details of the deal between the two governors on this hostage keeping operation.

Could there be a higher guarantor for this sordid human trafficking transaction? Eventually, from somewhere called Loko, I understand Mr. Sanusi

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is now quarantined to a small-glorified hut in a remote place called Awe which I am yet to find on Google map!

Here, however, is the salient and urgent public interest point. Once dethroned from the Emirship, Mr. Sanusi’s rights as a citizen should kick in. He should have been delivered to wherever he chose to make his abode. In that capacity, he ought to be accorded the full gamut of rights and privileges to which his citizenship entitles him.

His rights and freedoms ought to be unimpeded. But the authorities have chosen differently. All actions so far taken to tamper with or whittle down Sanusi’s citizenship rights as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution are therefore violations of his rights as a citizen and infringements on the supremacy of the constitution itself. Mr. Sanusi has a responsibility to our democracy to seek redress for the restoration of his abridged basic rights.

Over and above these citizenship issues, however, Mr. Sanusi’s predicament resonates with larger political meanings. Most Nigerians believe that Sanusi’s travails originated more immediately from the kind of Emir he chose to be. In spite of his material fulfillment and privileged access to wealth and material comfort, Mr. Sanusi remained a restless advocate, in fact a proselytizing agent of Islamic modernization and anti establishment change. Against the background of a sedate and conservative monarchy, the implications of his public posture on key issues are self -evident.

His progressive views on the larger Nigerian society and polity gained currency from his time as the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria. Many recall that he called out former President Goodluck Jonathan on issues of accountability around the untidy book keeping on oil revenues. But his progressive views become more urgently destabilizing for the political establishment of his immediate northern Nigeria base. His views obviously grated a few nerves in the region by dint of their long term subversive implications for apredominantly Islamic region.

He has repeatedly advocated massive education of the girl child and greater involvement of women in public affairs. He has insisted that the entitlement state should end and senseless affirmative action (quota system) should be wound up so that the north can compete with the rest of the country on an equal meritocratic basis. He has repeatedly directly critiqued his fellow northern traditional rulers, the governors of the northern states and indeed the entire political leadership of the north for adopting retrogressive policies that had frozen development in the region. For him aggressive education, modernization and greater investment in human capital development should supersede physical infrastructure development in the northern states.

Furthermore, he has advocated an end to street begging, prodigious procreation and family sizes beyond the economic capacity of household heads.

He even once advocated that mosques be converted to classrooms except on Fridays as part of an accelerated education programme for the north.

This gamut of progressive and reformist views are politically consequential. They constitute a direct shot at the heart of the long-standing conservative political establishment in his part of the country. These positions may have earned Sanusi powerful enemies in the region. But elsewhere in the country and beyond, Sanusi acquired a rock star popularity of the Emir poised against static tradition, a rebel in turban. It also earned him the admiration of the national elite and the support of the younger generation of Nigerians who desire urgent change. Literally, Sanusi was the Northern Spring in turban!

Perhaps two factors made the Sanusi phenomenon more frightening to his constituency and got him into his present troubles. First, he is royalty rebelling against tradition, a walking contradiction of sorts.

More importantly, he openly called for an end to the quota system of allocating privileges to his part of the country which was part of a post civil war affirmative action regime that has lasted half a century. The latter implied an upturning of Nigeria’s lopsided entitlement state. He could be forgiven for his socio-cultural advocacy, but not for seeking to upturn the gravy train.

Previous iterations of progressive and radical thinking and views in the north had been mostly non-wealthy politicians and radical intellectuals like the late Aminu Kano, Balarable Musa, Bala Usman and Bala Mohammed whose views and influence could be contained and minimized. To have a blue blood Emir who is a familiar face in corporate boardrooms with a network of some of the richest and most influential Nigerians advocating a subversion of the existing conservative order was perhaps a clear and present danger. And the fact that he now has peers and fellow travelers in the north with identical views and in vantage political positions make him an even more potent threat. But in spite of his dethronement, Sanusi’s message has already gone viral and has been enthusiastically received by the rest of Nigeria.

In the Sanusi dethronement, then, what is openly on display is wanton impunity, administrative recklessness and political rascality. These have become the trademarks of our ‘elected’ office holders, especially the imperial state governors. While we can concede to the Kano state governor his right to appoint and dethrone traditional rulers in his domain in line with applicable and extant laws, that power needs to be exercised in accordance with lawful due process. High political office demands sublime candour and a higher degree of maturity than Mr. Ganduje has displayed in the Sanusi matter.

There is however an abiding tragic streak in the Sanusi trajectory. From his final days at the Central Bank and his rough encounters with the Jonathan presidency, it was clear that Mr. Sanusi was off to an anti-establishment course. He had a choice of translating his progressive views into a political weapon on a partisan platform. His royal heritage and extensive contacts in the country could have armed him to breeze through to the apex of political power. But he chose differently. He opted instead to become Emir of Kano. As Emir, he would be subordinate to a state governor or even a local government chairman, going strictly by the constitution. His significance was essentially a municipal one, restricted essentially to traditional functions within the Kano emirate. At best, he would be part of the décor at national events. His essential burden, therefore, was how to reconcile his larger than life stature as an urbane, high-minded and progressive political animal with the constricted space of the Emirship of the Kano metropolis. Important as that position may be in the ranking of traditional rulers, its political gravity is highly limited.

Yet in now being dethroned from the Emirship of Kano, Sanusi may have been freed from the encumbrance of royalty to pursue the promptings of his progressive political engagement. Onlly he can write that postscript to his illustrious career.

In essence, then, Mr. Sanusi’s current travail is the consequence of his conscious choice of career. But the challenge of the moment is both his and ours as a national community. Sanusi needs to rise above the humiliation of his casual de-turbanning and assert his residual rights as a citizen of a free society. We all have the complementary citizenship responsibility of standing by his rights because they are ours as well.

––Dr. Chidi Amuta is a Member of Thisday Editorial Board.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MARCH 15, 2020

THEALTERNATIVE

with RenoOmokri

Analysing Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s Dethronement

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ome people are footing the idea that the dethronement of Muhammad Sanusi II as Emir of Kano, ostensibly by Governor Umar Ganduje (AKA Gandollar), is some type of grand Machiavellian plot by the Fulani intelligentsia to make him popular and put him in good stead to succeed President Buhari in 2023.

I am sorry to burst your bubble, but that is an infantile fantasy. Anyone who knows the North, and more specifically, the Northwest, and even more specifically, Kano, will know that postulation is utter gibberish.

Emir Sanusi was never popular in Kano. Yes, he was momentarily famous in a faux manner in 2014 in Kano, not because he was substantively well-liked, but because he was seen to be against then-President Jonathan, who the Kano people perceived as an obstacle to their then burning desire - the enthronement of General Buhari as President.

Once their conspiracy against Jonathan succeeded, their true feelings for Sanusi began to surface. Sanusi is a liar and a manipulator, and Northerners may not be as western educated as Southerners, but they have more honed native intelligence than Yan Kudu (Southerners), and can detect lies and nonsense, even when sugarcoated with a British accent.

Sanusi lies a lot. He tells tall tales, which run contrary to his beliefs. Google the term Taqiyya. Sanusi is the definition of Taqiyya. And I will prove it.

He talks so earnestly and passionately about educating the almajiri and talakawa of the North. Yet, while he was Emir, he built not even a single school for them.

This is even as he spent billions of Naira renovating his palace. Money that could have built 500 schools for the talakawa he loves so much.

Sanusi spent N37 million on phone calls in just three years, and furnished his palace with N152.6 million, even as he bought vehicles for himself worth almost N200 million. All at taxpayers’ expense. Nigerians are so gullible. Focus on people’s actions, not their words.

Emir Sanusi spoke very eloquently against polygamy in Northern Nigeria. He knows that is what many people want to hear. But how many wives does he have? And how many children does he have? This is a man that does not practise what he preaches - a skilled manipulator of the public.

And now he has been dethroned. What has happened?

Not even a mild protest in Kano, the most volatile city in Nigeria. No riot, no storm. Just...NOTHING! Now, on to President Buhari. I read his statement denying a hand in the dethronement and banishment of former Emir Sanusi. The man sure knows how to spin a yarn!

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi How can Buhari deny that he had a hand in Sanusi’s dethronement? What an unintelligent lie. Sanusi is being guarded by Directorate of State Security agents (DSS).

ONLY Buhari, as Commander-in-Chief, can deploy armed DSS officials.

Moreover, Sanusi has been banished to Nasarawa state. Governor Umar Ganduje of Kano has no authority to banish Sanusi to any place beyond Kano state. Only Buhari has such powers (though he does not have such authority).

Finally, and most importantly, Sanusi criticised Buhari only two weeks to his dethronement. The Yoruba say ‘the bird flew at night, and the baby died the very next morning’. Please, Buhari, respect yourself and lie less!

The irony of the Sanusi Lamido saga is that he was enthroned as Emir of Kano for telling lies against former President Jonathan and dethroned as Emir of Kano for telling the truth to Buhari. It just shows how we have moved from democracy to autocracy!

This intimidation of traditional rulers is not new to Buhari. In 1984, he queried Sanusi’s predecessor, Ado Bayero. I will therefore strongly urge the revered Sultan

of Sokoto to be mindful of the times we live in. This government is vindictive and petty. Sultan Abubakar speaks truths to power. I pray that power does not speak as brutes to him.

Buhari can be likened to a tiger that various people brought in order for the tiger to destroy former President Jonathan. However, former President Jonathan, ever the man of peace, said ‘my ambition is not worth the blood of any citizen’, and promptly conceded. But the tiger was bloodthirsty for baboon and dog blood.

And when it didn’t see it, it demanded the blood of Emirs and notorious lying online publishers, and stupid Igbo former governors, who thought that by betraying their people, they would obtain the tiger’s love. But the tiger is not looking for love. It is looking for blood. And blood it will get.

How fitting that Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was enthroned as Emir of Kano on June 8, 2014. A very significant date, and one, which if the former Emir had any consciousness of auguring, he would have rejected and appealed to the Kano State government to choose another date.

You see, June 8 is the date when that bloodthirsty, kleptomaniac buffoon, General Sani Abacha, died.

For sure, the lives of Sanusi and Abacha crossed paths in ways that I know of, but have chosen not to elaborate here. Be that as it may, Sanusi, as a Kano prince, should have been aware that he was being enthroned on a day that a notorious son of Kano (Abacha, though a Kanuri, claimed Kano as his place of origin), died.

To have consciously or unconsciously tied his reign spiritually to such an odious person was not wise.

I have no sympathy for Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. He has got his comeuppance, and it is very well deserved.

As long as his life is not touched, I am very fine with whatever Buhari decides to do to him. Good riddance to bad rubbish!

After Sanusi, the duo of Nasir El-Rufai, and that potbellied traitor, Rotimi Amaechi, maybe next!

My final word to Sanusi is this: “Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay are those who gain riches by unjust means. When their lives are half gone, their riches will desert them, and in the end, they will prove to be fools.”-Jeremiah 17:11

Reno’s Nuggets

A man without money is a man without power. If you want power, don’t just spend time in the gym growing muscles. Create wealth. Muscles lead to strength. A labourer is strong, but a multimillionaire is powerful.

Get power, and you can buy strength. So get your sixpack. But more importantly, get your six-figure income, or you may end up as a bodyguard to a potbellied man with a six-figure income

FEATURE

Smoke orVape: The Growing Public Health Debate Ayodele Esho

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s the debate rages globally over cigarette smoking and the much-touted smoke-free alternatives, such as e-cigarettes, which are being presented by tobacco companies as safer options for smokers, truth sometimes get killed in the stampede and falsehood often ascends the throne.

Meanwhile, there has been no conclusive study disputing the safety of smoke-free devices. The closest was research by University of California’s scientists Stanton Glantz and Dharma Bhatta which concluded that conventional cigarettes and vapers carried similar risk, with increased likelihood of a heart attack when both are used. The study was originally published on June 5, 2019 and concluded that the use of conventional and electronic cigarettes carried similar risks while doing both at the same time was an even more dangerous option that could increase the likelihood of having a heart attack.

This conclusion then called into question the assertion by the tobacco industry that the new smoke-free devices were an alternative with potentials to reduce the damage caused by consuming cigarettes for the more than 1 billion smokers in the world.

However, after much criticism and after eight months of pressure from the scientific community, the editors of the magazine accepted their error and retracted. They stated that the study could have been based on misleading data, concluding that it did not take into account certain information from a population assessment survey on tobacco and health, very relevant to the research.

By modifying its position, JAHA confirmed the fact that these conclusions were “unreliable.” Much of the information shared in the report did not have adequate scientific methodologies,

internationally recognized practices and validated scientific teams.

There are different ways of smoking now. There are electronic cigarettes, which are battery-powered devices, do not contain tobacco but vaporize a liquid solution (e-liquid or e-juice) with different amounts of nicotine and / or flavors. On the other, vaporizers, a type of electronic cigarette that may or may not contain liquid nicotine, in addition to other substances such as marijuana oils or flavorings. And finally, heated tobacco products, which contain natural tobacco and nicotine and produce steam instead of smoke.

In this sense, it is very important that information based on science, is always put out about alternatives to cigarettes and products that, although not risk-free, are significantly less harmful to health than smoking tobacco.

It is interesting, once again, that the Glantz and Bhatta research report was retracted by the Journal of American Heart Association, where it had been published, on account of ‘misleading data’ that did not consider some information on tobacco and health from a relevant population assessment survey.

The journal was emphatic in its retraction, saying, “the editors are concerned that the study’s conclusion is unreliable.”

Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, senior researcher on health behaviors, at University of Oxford seized upon the retraction to declare: “We can try to learn from this, and it takes several forms. For researchers and the people who fund and publish research, it means not just doing more research, but doing good research, subject to rigorous, critical review. It also means doing open research; it is possible that if the initial data was publicly available, the flawed analysis may not have made it to publication in the first place. It means being aware of ‘hot stuff bias,’ where topics that get a lot of media attention attract more bad science than those that are less on the radar.”

Meanwhile, as far as the safety of e-cigarettes is concerned, WHO says that while it is still too early to understand longterm effects of use or exposure, non-smoking consumers who use them have double chance of smoking conventional cigarettes.

Tobacco manufacturers, of course, disagree, insisting that whatever decision is taken should not only be based on sound science that stresses harm reduction, but also be based on the people’s preferences. If this sounds self-serving, they are at least correct in one respect: smokers’ decisions need to be guided by absolutely correct information.

“The best choice is to quit altogether, but every adult smoker in the world who does not, should have access to accurate information on significantly less harmful alternatives,” says Dr Gilchrist, Philip Morris International’s Vice President of Strategic and Scientific Communications, admitting that smoke-free products are not entirely risk-free, since they contain nicotine, which is addictive but is not the primary cause of smoking-related disease.

As this debate rages, in many countries in Africa, including Nigeria, there are many deaths from preventable diseases.

The real duty before the governments is to invest heavily in the welfare of the people, especially in nutrition and health-care delivery.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍŻÍłËœ 2020

with DEMOLA OJO demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Ă‹Ă?Ăž ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă“Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă™ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ĂŽĂ?ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă?ĂŽËœ Ă‹ Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ™Ăœ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂšĂ™Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ™Ăœ ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă•Ă?ÚÞ Ě‹Í’Íš Ă‹Ăž ĂŒĂ‹ĂŁË›Ë›Ë›

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ver the past few weeks, it has been rare for any subject to relegate the COVID-19 pandemic to the background in Nigeria’s social media space for a day, talk less of a week.

But the news last Monday of the dethronement of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Emir of Kano sent shockwaves across twitter, facebook and instagram as reactions poured in. It all started with incredulity, then anger or vindication (depending on what side of the divide you belong), before questions arose over the legality of “banishment� of a Nigerian citizen.

According to the gleeful announcement from the Kano State government and aides to Governor Umar Ganduje, Sanusi

was dethroned because of - among other things – insubordination and corruption. His removal from the (once?) revered seat was without any fair hearing. He was effectively bundled out of the palace, flown to Abuja and driven for about seven hours to a remote village in Nasarawa State in the dead of the night Gestapo style.

The word from Kano State was that his subsequent detention was in line with ancient traditions and Mallam Sanusi may never step foot on Kano soil again. In actual fact, he would be a prisoner for the foreseeable future.

But a lot of questions and accusations came up on – you guessed right – social media. First was the finger pointing at President Muhammadu Buhari. While his handlers vehemently denied these

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SOCIALMEDIABITS accusations, one wonders how Department of State Security officers started doing the bidding of a state governor. Second was the choice of Nasarawa State. Is Nasarawa under the jurisdiction of Ganduje?

It didn’t take long to see that this wasn’t a well thought out plan. It was no surprise that the legality of the banishment was challenged in court.

Sanusi is now in Lagos, after a court declared that the banishment was against his fundamental human rights.

In fact, Sanusi claims he’s not interested in becoming Emir again because he could easily challenge the legality of his removal and win.

The above drama played out over a week, which helped in distracting a bit from the coronavirus outbreak which has shaken the world with unprecedented travel bans, cancellation of events and crash of stock markets.

Beneath the din of fearful news from Europe especially, is the cheery news from Nigeria which at the moment is officially coronavirus-free, with the two known cases fully recovered, and scores of suspected cases testing negative. Senator Dino Melaye

misses the good old days when one could sneeze without being looked at with suspicion of spreading an infectious disease.

You bet he also misses his days in the senate where comical ideas seem to be read on the floor of the “hallowed” chambers like the preposterous plan to ban the use of generators and 10 years jail term for defaulters. The senate was also besieged earlier in the week by opponents of the anti-social media bill.

At the rate outlandish ideas keep being churned out at the senate, protests will soon be a regular occurrence.

There was some good news from the house of representatives where the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, revealed that members’ votes on decisions will be published so constituents can know for sure if their reps vote in line with their desires.

Meanwhile the Lagos State government has told citizens to brace up for 240 days of rain between March and November. Cue flooding.

At this rate though, anything but a COVID-19 outbreak isn’t such bad news.

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FOCUS

Ozurumba

Chioma Ozurumba

Using Her Craft to Create Stunning Looks Chioma Ozurumba, the brain behind Duchess Beauty Hub is a walk of her craft as she always looks stunning with a glowing face and radiant skin. Funke Olaode writes about how The Federal University of Owerri trained Logistics manager turned a childhood passion to means of livelihood

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sing different beauty products ranging from foundation, eye shadow, lip gloss, lip liner, and blush to create stunning looks for women of all ages, Chioma Ozurumba, CEO of Duchess Beauty Hub has become a goto expert in Oke-Afa, Isolo, Lagos axis

where she reigns supreme.

For this beautiful mother of three boys, she is a walk of her beauty hub.

With a physique of a supermodel; tall, slim elegant, exotic and stunning, her glowing face commands attention.

Over the last four years, her studio has become a beehive of activities as customers throng the beauty parlour regularly to have their face transformed

with Duchess’s magic touch.

Born and raised in Owerri, Imo State where she grew up before relocating to Lagos. The Nkwerre Local government Area native finished from the Federal University of Technology, (FUTO) Owerri in 2009 where she studied Logistics Management. She would later serve her mandatory one-year national

service with a Fleet Management Company in Abuja. Her commitment to duty didn’t go unnoticed as the company retained her after her service.

She worked in the company for the next three years but had to bid the company a goodbye after marriage. Ozurumba joined her husband in Lagos. “I got married and had to move to Lagos to join my husband. While in

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Pushing the Envelope In Beauty Industry Lagos I couldn’t get a job and had to enroll for make-up training, which I did for a month or less and became my own boss. That was how Duchess Beauty Hub was birthed in 2016,� she recollects.

Lack of job partly and having a passion for beauty drove her into the beauty industry where she is currently earning a living. But right from the onset, she had always had a passion for beauty or anything cosmetics. while growing up as she used to experiment with various colours. For her, the passion later became a blessing in disguise as her new foray enabled her to embrace motherhood wholeheartedly raising her three boys.

Having acquired necessary skills she went into it fully in 2016 while still living in Ajao-Estate before the family moved to Oke-Afa in Isolo, Area of Lagos. It may sound odd, Duchess, as she is fondly called, has become a go-tofor people around that area who wants to look stunning at a social gathering.

And she has the magic wand of transforming her clients into a princess in less than 40 minutes.

Did she go for further training to have mastered the art of makeup? “Not really. I learned on the job.

Also, you have to bear it in mind that perfection goes with practice. Again, I constantly upgrade myself online. I go to YouTube most of the time to make up for what I think I am missing.�

How has it been from a degree in Logistics management to becoming a make-up artist? “It is not being easy,� she said. “But passion keeps me going.

It has its ups and downs. When it is down there is always this urge to get a paid job. And when the money is flowing then you are like, you are on the right track. And that is why one should always embark on something you have passion for because it will keep pushing you.�

What makes Duchess Beauty Hub tick? “It is my uniqueness and ability to transform an ordinary face into stunning looks that will keep headturning. Again, I have this signature that when you see my work you would know that this is Duchess, you are able to say this is Duchess. It stands out. You can easily identify my make-up on my clients.�

Though hasn’t done celebrities yet but the Nnena and Friends actor of Super Story, once experienced Duchess signature hands in terms of gele.

Throwing more light on what Duchess Beauty Hub offers its numerous clientele, she said it does everything and anything make-up including ‘gele’ headgear. “Basically, the aspect of the craft that I enjoy most is when clients come to my hub and I transform their looks. Apart from being a make-up artist, I also train students too and in a month I can train up to 10 students and it is being good. I also sell make-up products too such as Mary Kay, Zaron, Mac, lipsticks, etc, we do bridal make-up pre-wedding shoot, dedication, and everything make-up. I source for my beauty products locally and internationally. My sister lives in the United States so I often get Mary Kay product from the US and I also source it locally from a good source.�

Combining the ever-busy beauty business and motherhood can be daunting, she has a supportive husband who has made motherhood and business easy for her. “My husband is one in a million. He supports me. He encourages meshed helps in the home front when I am out there attending to

Ozurumba

clients because his job allows him. He used to work in a bank and resigned to do his own business.�

And how has Ajao and Oke-Afa Axis helped her business? “We are not doing badly. It may not be as huge as the mainland. Again, in this profession, for you to be up there you have to know people, your networking has to be large and mostly you rely on referrals. The patronage in Oke-Afa has not been bad and I believe it will get better.�

As she is growing in business, Duchess is still willing to learn from other experts. According to her, she would like to collaborate with the CEO of House of Tara, Tara Fela-Durotoye whom she regards as her role model. “Tara Fela-Durotoye is one woman that I look up to. She is very passionate about what she does. She has carved

a niche for herself in this profession.

Having a line of beauty products in her name is a big deal. I am inspired by her. For instance, I am looking for a day when will venture into my own product using my brand name or having my own brand with my name on it. I will say Tara Fela-DuroToye is my role model. I like everything she does. I haven’t met her in person but I have attended a series of her programme. So I look up to her as my mentor.�

With a supermodel figure and stunning looks, the mother of three amazing boys still looks attractive.

How does she ward off male admirers? �By knowing where to draw the line.

I am just my cool self. Again, my husband trusts me and most times he would be like ‘babe, you have to cool down’. My husband doesn’t have a

problem with me looking good he has been supportive of me and my business and he trusts me.�

Where does she see herself and her business in the next few years? “I see myself going places. I see it growing globally capturing Africa and the global market. I want to be big like Tara and even bigger. I am working towards that and so help me God,� she stated

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Ekiti Monarchs Tackle Alaafin, Accuse Him of Undue Interference ‡ Say his letter is borne out of ignorance ‡Ask Makinde to call him to order Idowu Sowunmi Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers yesterday disputed a letter Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III addressed to Governor Kayode Fayemi, accusing him of “an undue interference� in the internal affairs of Ekiti Obas.

The monarchs described Alaafin as a “meddlesome interloper,� declaring that the Oyo monarch’s letter to the Ekiti governor was “borne of out ignorance.�

In a five-page letter written to the Oyo State governor, Mr Seyi Makinde by the Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti and Chairman of the council, Oba Adebanji Alabi, the Ekiti monarchs asked the Oyo governor to call Adeyemi’s to order.

Adeyemi had through a threepage letter warned Fayemi against treating the traditional institution in Yorubaland with levity and disrespect.

Alaafin had said unlike in some tribes, where there was nothing attached to their traditional institutions, the Yoruba traditional institution was “ancestral and spiritual.�

Adeyemi wrote the letter following a query issued by the Fayemi administration to some prominent traditional rulers in the state over alleged insubordination.

Reacting to the letter yesterday, Alabi described Alaafin’s action and letter as unbecoming, noting that the monarch’s letter was absolutely unwarranted.

He said the attention of Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers “has been drawn to an undue interference of His Majesty Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the Alaafin of Oyo in the internal affairs of Ekiti Obas through a letter written to Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, dated 12th March 2020 and well circulated in the social media

the following day with respect to the administration of chieftaincy matters in Ekiti State. “This is to say the least unbecoming of one of your monarchs in Oyo State. Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers takes strong exception to the whole content of Alaafin’s letter, which is absolutely unwarranted as Alaafin cannot superintend over the monarchy in Ekiti State. “Ekiti State was never and can never be part of Oyo empire. It is on this note that Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers is respectfully requesting your Excellency to stop the Alaafin from his meddlesomeness in the internal affairs of Ekiti Obas.�

He explained that Adeyemi’s letter to Fayemi contained “a lot of misrepresentation of facts and inaccurate accounts of events between the state government and the traditional institution in Ekiti State, which cannot be in consultation with, and occurrence of the highly revered and venerable traditional rulers mentioned in the letter but who did not sign same.�

Ekiti Obas added that grading, classification and composition of council of Obas in Ekiti State and perhaps anywhere in Nigeria is governed by law through government gazette even during the colonial era. “From his letter, Alaafin is unable to define what qualifies an Oba to be a PeluPelu Oba. He is not aware of the fact that among the first group of Obas that formed the association in 1900 were Deji of Akure (Ondo State) and Owalobo of Obo Ayegunle (Kwara State) who have since left the association. “Alaafin is also not aware of the fact some Obas joined he group in 1909 - Atta Ayede, 1929 (Elemure), 1947 (Alawe, Arajaka, Olujido Ido Ile and Olosi). In 1971, Olomuo was

‘Living in Bondage’ Sweeps AMVCA Vanessa Obioha in Lagos Amid fears of coronavirus that has led to cancellation of most entertainment and sports events worldwide, Nollywood stars yesterday graced the seventh edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) with “Living in Bondage: Breaking Free� winning most of the awards.

Living in Bondage: Breaking Free, a 2019 Nigerian drama thriller film produced by Charles Okpaleke and directed by Ramsey Nouah, clinched 11 nominations out of which it took home seven award.

Among the awards the movie won are Best Overall Movie and Best Director for Ramsey Nouah and Steve Gukas. It is the first AMVCA win for Nouah who was absent at the event.

The movie, also, earned a first time win for Larry Gaaga who composed the soundtrack of the movie. Absent at the event, Charles Okpaleke, the executive producer of the movie.

However, a Nigerian lawyer and media personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu received the award on his behalf.

Elevator Baby, which clinched six nominations, earned Timini Egbuson his first AMVCA in the Best Actor in a Drama, Movie/ TV series and Toyin Abraham a

Best Actress in a Drama, Movie/ TV series. ‘God Calling’, one of the movies with the most nominations only took home two awards: Best Lighting Designer and Best Make-up.

The Kemi Adetiba’s film, ‘King of Boys’ didn’t win any award despite having seven nominations.

It was also a big night for Funke Akindele-Bello who won in the Best Actress in a Comedy category.

The elated actress reminded the excited crowd she is winning in that category for the fourth time.

Holding for the seventh time after a one-year break, this year’s event was laced with witty humour and performances by media personality IK Osakioduwa who’s been hosting the event since its inception in 2013.

He was joined this year by Kenyan TV and radio presenter, Amina Abdi Rabar. The afro-pop icon 2Baba also performed at the event.

The AMVCA takes pride in celebrating and rewarding African creative talents. For its lifetime achievement award, Peter Igho, a veteran in TV and film production was honoured.

For the first time, a male took home the coveted trailblazer award.

Living in Bondage: Breaking Free’ star Swanky JKA was this edition’s recipient.

admitted to the PeluPelu status by the then Governor of Western State, the late General Adeyinka Adebayo. “17 Obas are presently laying claim to Pelupelu Obaship in Ekiti State, adding that by the gazette of October 2018, “government recognised 22 Obas as PeluPelu in Ekiti and no one raised an eyebrow when (former) Governor Ayo Fayose added the 22nd member, the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti in August 2018.�

Questioning Alaafin over the number of PeluPelu Obas put at 16, the monarchs said: “We therefore say with all sense of authority and responsibility that Alaafin goofed to say that from time immemorial,

Obaship leadership had been with 16 Obas who he could neither name nor mention. He only pretends to know that the number of PeluPelu Obas has never be static. “Unfortunately and appallingly, Alaafin stated that his source of information was by ‘hearsay’ yet he refused to verify his erroneous fact before falsely accusing Governor Fayemi of neglect. He refused to say those he considers as subordinate Obas. Subordinate to who?� the letter explained.

The letter added that Alaafin “is no doubt an Oba who enjoys stirring controversies and crisis where there are none. Alaafin is without doubt a meddlesome interloper who is bent on exporting

the crisis he engineered in old Oyo State during which the traditional council was unable to hold a single meeting as a result of leadership tussle between him and the Ooni of Ife until Osun State was carved out of old Oyo State. “Worse still and under him, the Oyo State Council of Traditional Rulers has not held a meeting once in four years under his chairmanship as a result of his inability to foster peace, unity and cohesion among the Obas. How does he give what he does not have? Ekiti monarchs are not Alaafin’s Ajeles hence his current voyage into an internal affairs of Ekiti Obas is

highly unwarranted.�

It said they were “highly offended by the vituperation poured on Fayemi through Alaafin’s unsolicited intervention in a purely domestic affairs� of Ekiti council.

Alaafin has no moral right nor justification to interfere in the matter of traditional rulers’ administration in Ekiti State.�

He, therefore, urged to call Alaafin to order and to desist forthwith from meddling in the internal affairs of Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, especially as the matter is pending before a court of competent jurisdiction, saying Alaafin’s letter to Fayemi was “clearly subjudice to the matter in court.�

CONFRONTNG DRUG ABUSE . . .

Commander National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Katsina Command, Mr Sule Momoh presenting a book to Katsina State Governor, Hon. Aminu Masari during a visit to the Government House, Kastina ... recently

Incest, Rape Cases Alarming in Adamawa, FIDA Cries out

Sanwo-Olu: No Going Back on Construction of Regional Road

Daji Sani in Yola

Segun James

Adamawa State chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has described the increasing rate of rape, incest and other forms of sexual violence against women and girls in the state as alarming.

FIDA state chairperson, Barr.

Halima Abdulraman, made the revelation at a one-day training workshop on how to eliminate all forms of violence against women, convened by Clear View Integrity Foundation (CVIF) at Alheri Hotel in Yola, sponsored by the EU/UN, Spotlight Initiative.

She said cases of rape and incest had become so rampant in the state, with fathers having sexual intercourse with their daughters.

Abdulraman explained that mothers’ confessions on incest and rape cases were alarming, adding that lack of concrete evidence to nail perpetrators has always hindered prosecution. “That is why the perpetrators of many rape cases go scot free

for lack of evidence to proof in court that they actually committed the crime “It is disturbing for a father to have sexual intercourse with his daughter while young brothers harass their sisters for sex. The situations are becoming worrisome and alarming in the state,� she said.

She blamed hard drugs as one of the major factors influencing such shameful and condemnable behaviour. Abdulraman said FIDA had been creating awareness to parents and rape victims on how to preserve evidence so that the perpetrators would be brought to book.

She said she handled a case of incest involving a father who withdrew his biological daughter from JSS 3 only to marry her.

The chairperson added that she pursued the case until the man was convicted and sentenced for that act. “Policymakers and all stakeholders need to be decisive on protecting the women and the Child Rights Act.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said despite the encroachment on the right of way of the proposed regional road in Lekki-Ajah axis in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the state construction activities on the road will commence this year.

Sanwo-Olu made the remarks after inspecting the regional road alignment yesterday, noting that the government would remove the contraventions to give way for the construction of the road.

He explained that there was the need to remodel the design and alignment for the road in order to reclaim the right-of-way already encroached on by property developers along the corridor.

He pointed out that it was the second time he would be going round the alignment of the 9.3 kilometre-long, 45 metres wide road, which he described as strategic in the implementation of Lekki Masterplan Development.

Sanwo-Olu explained that the road would not only bring traffic relief to commuters plying Lekki

axis, but improve quality of life for residents of the area.

Sanwo-Olu, who was accompanied on the tour by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye, acknowledged that the road was very strategic. “This is the second time in two months that we are going round the alignment of Regional Road. What it means is that, we are getting close to the reality of developing this corridor, which starts from somewhere close to Victoria Garden City (VGC) and terminates at Freedom Road in Lekki. “The road, which is parallel to Lekki-Epe Expressway, is strategic for us in our Lekki Masterplan Development programme. While we went round the alignment, we discovered that there are so many estates behind this place.

Construction of Regional Road will not only give relief, it would also enhance movement and improve quality of life for our people.

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SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by: Demola Ojo email:Demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Japan Ready for Olympics Despite Coronavirus, Says PM

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apan Prime Minister ShinzoAbe said the Tokyo Olympic Games will go ahead as planned in July, despite coronavirus concerns resulting in the postponement of sporting events. Abe however added that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) would have the final decision whether Tokyo 2020 goes ahead. “We will overcome the spread of the infection and host the Olympics without problem, as planned,�

Abe said. Japan has had more than 1,400 cases and 28 deaths resulting from coronavirus. The Tokyo Games is expected to cost about 1.35 trillion yen (ÂŁ10.26bn), organisers said in December.

The Japan section of the Olympic Torch relay is due to start in Fukushima on March 26. The recent torch-lighting ceremony in ancient Olympia was held without spectators, before the rest of the relay in Greece was suspended to avoid attracting crowds.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike yesterday vowed to take thorough measures against the coronavirus outbreak for the Olympic Torch relay through Japan and reaffirmed that preparations for a “safe and secure� 2020 Games were progressing.

Koike’s comments came after Greece’s Olympic Committee on Friday cancelled the remainder of the Olympic Torch relay through the country to avoid attracting crowds that could raise the risk of virus contagion. “We’re taking thorough infection measures with regards to the Olympic Torch relay domestically,�

Koike said according to TV Asahi, adding that preparations for a safe and secure Games were moving forward.

The Greek portion was cancelled after what organisers described as “unexpectedly large crowds� gathered when the flame visited Sparta on Friday - but organisers insist the procession will go ahead “safely� in Japan.

Organisers also maintain that the handover ceremony will go ahead at the Athens Panathinaiko Stadium on Thursday (March 19) but it will be held withoutpublicattendance,withsimilararrangements in place to those at the Flame lighting ceremony in

BOA Lawyers’ League: Tokunbo Orimobi Aiming to Consolidate on Odivbri’s Hat trick Win Tokunbo Orimobi LP will be looking forward to upstaging DOA Law//BloomďŹ eld this afternoon as Group B leaders when Matchday 4 ďŹ xtures of the 2020 BOA Lawyers’FootballTournament hold at the AstroTurf 2000 facilities in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Orimobi are on four points behind leaders DOA/ BloomďŹ eld with six points from two matches.

But Orimobi whose fortunes took an upward swing following Ejiro Odivbri’s hat trick in their 3-1 defeat of ALP/SOOB last weekend, will be looking forward to consolidating when they face Pinheiro.

Odivbri is the ďŹ rst player to score hat trick in this 2020 edition of the tournament named after late Bankole Olumide Aluko, a partner in the law ďŹ rm of Aluko & Oyebode who died 18 years ago.

Similar scenario is expected to play out in Group D where leaders, SPA Ajibode/Niccom LLP Will also hope to maintain lead.OAKE Legal is aiming to leapfrog the SPA Ajibode as the are both tied on six points but separated by goals difference.

SPA Ajibode/ Niccom LLP have a date with Olaniwun Ajayi in this Matchday 4 ďŹ xture while OAKE Legal who lost 0-3 to to the leaders have the weekend off to strategize on how to return to winning ways. Other ďŹ xtures include; Advocaat versus AELEX while BA Law / Probitas Partners are paired against OANDO/AXXELA Legal.

Champions Falana & Falana who have just one point from a possible six and have been languishing in the fourth position of Group C will be aiming to pick their ďŹ rst maximum points of the season when they play UUBO/Ajumogobia & Okeke this afternoon.

Snow falls on the Olympic Rings near the new National Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday

Olympia.

AHellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) statement said: “Despite strong recommendations to the public not to focus on the ceremony in the flame crossing cities,theHOCtookthedifficultbutnecessarydecision

to cancel the rest of the programme on Greek soil. “The decision was made in consultation with the ministry of health and the International Olympic Committee with a deep sense of responsibility, as publichealthistheultimategoodandinthesedifficult

times a reasonable attitude is imposed by all sides.�

HollywoodActorGerardButlerdidcarrytheflame in Sparta before the cancellation. He had been invited by the city to do so as part of the celebrations for the anniversary of the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC.

Semenya Says She is Supernatural, Targets Olympic 200m

Two-time Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya says she is“supernaturalâ€?as she conďŹ dently targets the 200m at Tokyo 2020. The 29-year-old cannot compete in events between 400m and a mile without taking testosterone-reducing drugs after a World Athletics rule change.

South African Semenya ran 200m in 23.49 seconds - 0.69secs outside the Olympic qualifying time - at an event in Pretoria on Friday.“I call myself supernatural,�she said.

The three-time world 800m champion, who spoke of her decision to switch to the 200m in an Instagram post on Friday,must bring her time down to 22.80secs before June 29 to qualify for the South African Olympic team.“We are chopping the times and I call myself supernatural. I can do anything I want,�she added.“I always challenge myself.This was not an easy decision to make.

“I am used to running two laps and then you come and run half a lap.You have to adjust, which is not easy, but anything is possible.�

If Semenya qualiďŹ es for the Olympics - which begin on July 24 - she would be set to compete against Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith, who won 200m gold at the 2019World Championships.

Semenya, who won Olympic gold in the 800m in 2012 and 2016, missed the chance to defend her world 800m title in Doha last year, having failed in her bid to prevent the governing body’s rule change.

World Athletics argued female athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) - such as Semenya - have“a competitive advantageâ€?. In February, Semenya competed in her ďŹ rst track meeting since last June with victory in the 300m in Johannesburg, winning her race in a national record of 36.78secs.

Semanya has been banned from competing in the 800 metres where she is a two time Olympic gold medallist

Messi Self-isolates as Barcelona Postpones Training for Two Weeks Lionel Messi admits“health must always come ďŹ rstâ€?as the Barcelona superstar joins those taking in a period of self-isolation during“complicatedâ€? and worrying times in the coronavirus outbreak.

A global pandemic is forcing a concerned global population to take decisive action in a bid to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Professional sportsmen and women form part of that process, with events having been cancelled and suspended around the world.

La Liga has joined the likes of Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Premier League in bringing competitive football to an immediate halt. Barcelona have taken matters a step further by postponing all training activity for two weeks.

A statement released by the Catalan giants read:“Given the healthcare situation and according to the recommendations of the club’s medical staff, the ďŹ rst team has suspended all activity until further notice.â€?

Messi and the Blaugrana will not be back on the ďŹ eld any time soon, with a Champions

League clash with Napoli going the same way as La Liga matches. As a result, Quique Setien’s squad are taking in an enforced break.

They will be adhering to any protocols put in

Messi (left) and Barcelona are two points ahead of Toni Kroos and Real Madrid with 11 matches to go in La Liga

place, with six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi looking to lead by example when it comes to following coronavirus advice.

He has posted on social media:“These are complicated days for everyone. We live worried about what is happening and want to help by removing ourselves from the places where those are having the worst of it, either because it directly affected them or their family and friends, or because they are working on the front line to combat it in hospitals and health centres. “I want to send a lot of strength to all of them. Health must always come ďŹ rst. It is an exceptional moment and you must follow the instructions of both health organisations and public authorities. Only in this way can we combat it effectively. “It is time to be responsible and stay at home, it is also a perfect opportunity to enjoy that time with those that you cannot always be around.

Sunday March 15, 2020

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Kola Adesina to Nigerians “No matter the volume of gas available in the country, no matter the installed and available capacity, no matter the extent to which power can be evacuated, if it is not effectively distributed, it is a waste of time. We need to frontally resolve issue around power distribution. ” – Kola Adesina, the Chairman of Ikeja Electric PLC, spoke at the Central Bank of Nigeria Roundtable on Going for Growth.

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All the Emir’s Enemies

T

he dethronement of His Highness Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II as the emir of Kano did not catch some of us by surprise: it was long in the making. All you need to do is google his public statements in the last four years, either when he was commenting on President Muhammadu Buhari’s economic policies or Dr Abdullahi Ganduje’s performance as governor — or the tailor-made problems obstructing the progress of northern Nigeria. It did not help that Sanusi was made emir by Ganduje’s predecessor, Alhaji Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, who tried to help unseat the governor in 2019. It was just a matter of time for the turban to be yanked off Sanusi’s head. We saw it coming.

For a man who easily divides opinion, we are bound to view Sanusi’s dethronement in different ways. In the camp of Sanusi are those who think such a cerebral royal should not have been humiliated out of the palace, no matter what. In the other camp are those who are saying “it serves him right”. I have heard the gloating gang accuse him of getting “due reward” for his “past sins”. Interestingly, most of those deriding His Highness do not possess a fraction of his intellect, neither will they ever attain half the height he has attained in life.

If you ask me to choose who should lead me between Ganduje and Sanusi, I know whom I will choose. I don’t know about you.

In the enemy camp, Sanusi is never in want of staunch adversaries. Many have not forgiven him for the role he played in the ouster of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. In 2014, when he was governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), he had written a letter to Jonathan alleging that $49.8 billion was “missing” from the federation account. He arrived at this figure after calculating what he believed to be the difference between crude oil sales between January and July 2013 and the actual remittance to the federation account by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). After a lot of back and forth, we finally agreed that the actual figure was around $20 billion.

Piqued that the letter leaked to the press, Jonathan reportedly called Sanusi into his office and asked him to resign in peace. Knowing that the CBN law does not permit the president to unilaterally fire him, Sanusi — one of the most stubborn Nigerians since 1914 — reportedly told the president to his face that he would not resign. He also knew that Jonathan could not garner the required two-thirds majority of the senate to remove him from office. But this is an all-powerful presidential system; Sanusi still found himself thrown out of the CBN through suspension based on accusations of financial recklessness brought against him by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC).

Nigeria — bitterly poisoned along ethnoreligious lines ahead of the 2015 elections (from which we are yet to recover, I must add) — went into frenzy. The All Progressives Congress (APC) quickly adopted Sanusi as if he was an orphan and defended him day and night — and Sanusi was cast as a tool being used by the opposition against Jonathan. He went to court to challenge his suspension. In the process, his uncle, fatherin-law and emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, died. A fierce succession battle ensued between Sanusi and Alhaji Lamido Sanusi Ado Bayero, the late emir’s son. Kwankwaso — reportedly promised the APC presidential ticket — threw his weight behind Sanusi.

As things turned out, Kwankwaso did not get

Sanusi

the APC ticket. He came second behind Buhari in the APC primary. He clearly felt betrayed by the party’s power brokers, including his governor colleagues. They might have done the math and concluded that Buhari was the best bet to unseat Jonathan. To make matters worse, Kwankwaso’s successor, Ganduje — who was his deputy from 2011 to 2015 — decided to realign forces, naturally warming up to President Buhari while Kwankwaso was still hoping to be president. That was how Kwankwaso and Ganduje effectively parted ways. Kwankwaso later left APC and returned to PDP. The emir was always going to be the collateral damage. Naturally outspoken, he did not shy away from commenting on national and state issues. He openly criticised Buhari’s policies on exchange rate and fuel subsidy to the discomfort of many. Some thought the emir should voice his criticisms privately since he had access to the president. He started amassing enemies in Buhari’s camp. Those ones are, naturally, happy that he has been deposed. In the end, he lost on two fronts: Jonathan’s supporters hated him and Buhari’s fans despised him. But the neutrals are satisfied that he spoke “truth to power” irrespective of religious, ethnic and political sentiments.

During the 2019 elections, Ganduje believed Sanusi was supporting Kwankwaso’s candidate, Mallam Abba Yusuf (PDP), to upstage him. Sanusi had allegedly criticised Ganduje for spending 30 days in China in search of loans. He said Ganduje was borrowing billions to do rail “just for people to attend weddings in Kano”. This was believed to have hit Ganduje very hard.

In no time, corruption allegations showed up.

Remember Sanusi was also suspended at CBN governor over corruption allegations — AFTER he wrote that letter. In Nigeria, corruption allegations are typically the first line of political response to critics (you can now add treason and terrorism to the crime list).

Ahead of the presidential contest, Sanusi made statements that were considered overtly political. Addressing imams, scholars and district heads two weeks to the elections, he said: “It is not always easy to have a leader who has both integrity and capacity to govern — two important qualities of a leader. If a leader does not have both integrity and capacity to govern, choose the one that has the capacity to govern because his capacity to govern will benefit the people while his lack of integrity will be his own harm. If you choose a man who has integrity without capacity to govern, his lack

of capacity to govern will harm the people while his integrity will only benefit himself.”

His statements were rooted in the thoughts of Ahmad bin Hambal, the 8th century Muslim jurist regarded as the most significant exponent of the traditionalist approach in Sunni Islam. But by simple interpretation, Sanusi was believed to be campaigning against Buhari, whom critics had cast as having only personal integrity without competence. His opponent, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, was viewed in many quarters as having the competence but lacking the integrity. With a few weeks to the presidential election, it was safe to conclude that the emir’s statements did not win him many friends in Aso Rock. Only a victory for Yusuf or Atiku could save his neck. Both lost.

He has several other enemies. His unending criticism of the socio-economic structure of the north keeps ruffling feathers. He criticised the relegation of the girl child, maintaining that it is not Islam but an outdated culture that is at play, citing the example of several Muslim-majority countries where the girl child is highly educated.

He criticised polygamy among the poor which, he said, is breeding and sustaining poverty up north. He attacked the almajiri culture which encourages irresponsible parenthood as children are produced en masse and sent to the streets to beg for food under the guise of learning the Quran. These are not the statements you expect from a typical emir.

For northerners who think massive and reckless procreation is the key to the domination of Nigeria, Sanusi warned them to stop banking on quota system and federal character as the sun would set on those principles at some point. He regularly spoke about how the north was being dragged down by the millions of out-of-school children, malnutrition and drug abuse. What His Highness needed was big support from more northern leaders, other emirs, traditional rulers, clerics and opinion leaders. He clearly needed more hands on deck. What he got was a kick in the teeth. You can accuse him of speaking too critically and too bluntly, but you cannot accuse him of talking nonsense.

Most of the gloaters are terribly mistaken.

You cannot cage a Sanusi. We are talking about a reformer, a philosopher and a cerebral royal.

His life-long ambition was to be emir. That is now done and dusted. It is time for him to move to new grounds. In my books, he ranks high up among the most intelligent Nigerians alive.

No society can keep such an endowed person down. I believe he has just been set free to be useful to Nigeria, Africa and the whole world in different capacities. I was against his being made emir of Kano in the first place — because I felt the position would cage him. It turned out I was wrong: his voice only became louder in the quest to reform society.

Sadly, this is our Nigeria in summary: Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the man we saw in a viral video the other day inside a babanriga flowing with milk and honey, is returned as governor for another four years; His Highness Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, the intellectual royal and economist we saw in a video fighting for the girl child and preaching deep sociocultural reform, is deposed as an emir. Why is anybody still wondering why Nigeria is like this — rudderless, regressive and grossly underdeveloped? This is our Nigeria where what is wrong has become right and what is right has become wrong. Evil often triumphs over good. But we don’t give up. We keep walking.

And Four Other Things…

GANDUJE POLICE One of my fears about state police is the way Nigerian governors can use them to terrorise their political opponents. Now that presidency has denied the involvement of President Buhari in the dethronement and banishment of Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II as the emir of Kano, my worries just got bigger. So Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the state governor, actually has authority over the federal police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)? So Ganduje can issue instructions to the police IG, DSS DG and the NSCDC commandant general to move Sanusi from Kano state to Awe, Nasarawa state, in a federal set-up?

Wonderful!

MENTAL POLLUTION There is a bill before the senate, introduced by a senator from Niger state, asking for the prohibition of generators in Nigeria “to fight environmental pollution”. You heard me right: the senator wants generators banned in Nigeria! It has gone through first reading in the upper legislative chamber.

At this rate, another senator will soon introduce a bill to ban candles, lanterns, lamps, gas cookers and stoves to protect the ozone layer. What next? The time has come to ban boreholes to protect our water resources. I understand that our lawmakers are overpaid and overfed but I don’t think they need to be throwing banters at us in the name of proposing bills — just to appear busy. Wasteful.

CURBING COVID-19 I am quietly hopeful that by this week, Nigeria will be declared free of COVID-19, the coronavirus that is wreaking havoc all over the world. The index case, an Italian, is reportedly making good progress while the second case has now been declared virusfree. The 179 persons who were observed, having had contact with the Italian, have all been discharged. However, we should not make the mistake of lowering our guard. For as long as the world is not free of the virus, Nigeria is not free. I am very proud of the way the Nigerian authorities have handled this health challenge. We survived the more deadly Ebola. We must not drop the ball.

Vigilance.

OFEIMUN AT 70 Mr Odia Ofeimun, the poet, polemist, public intellectual and author, clocks 70 tomorrow.

I first encountered him in 1994 when I joined TheNews/TEMPO group as a youngster and he was a member of the editorial board.

My first impression of him was that of someone who was very passionate about the progress of Nigeria and a humble soul.

His age might have changed, as nature dictates, but his passion has been ever so consistent. The former private secretary to Chief Obafemi Awolowo has had a very interesting life — he was a news reporter and factory hand before going to the university to study political science. Today, he’s surely an accomplished man! Congrats.

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