SUNDAY 11TH APRIL 2021

FG Begins N140bn Solar Rollout Programme for 25m Nigerians Osinbajo: National grid no longer reliable Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The federal government has begun the implementation of its plan to deliver electricity, through solar energy, to about 25 million Nigerians

whose communities are off the national power grid. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who spoke during an event to mark the programme in Jangefe, Roni Local Government Area of Jigawa State, restated

the determination of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to give more Nigerians access to cheap and environmentally friendly renewable power.

Osinbajo said the Solar

Power Naija programme would continue across the six geopolitical zones in six states, namely, Edo, Lagos, Adamawa, Anambra, Kebbi and Plateau, in the first phase, and then move to the entire 36 states

and the nation’s capital, thus, covering 25 million Nigerians at completion.

Jangefe community got 1,000 solar home system connections for its about 5,000 population, as part of a 100,000 scheme,

with a local solar power company implementing aspects of the scheme.

According tom Osinbajo, “The president had emphasised Continued on page 8

Relief, as Resident Doctors Suspend Strike… Page 76 Sunday 11 April, 2021 Vol 26. No 9499

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Okowa: COVID-19, Insecurity Aggravating Poor Food Supply Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has said the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread insecurity have grossly affected the food

supply situation in the country.

Okowa said the food situation in the South-south geopolitical zone was particularly challenging, explaining that the nutritional profile in the zone is presently below globally

accepted levels.

Okowa spoke at the weekend in Asaba at the Exploratory Dialogue on the United Nations Food Systems (UNFSS) Sub-National Dialogue in the South-South

Geo-political Zone for Delta, Edo and Bayelsa states. The dialogue was organised by the Delta State government, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

The governor said urgent measures were needed to tackle the food situation.

"The task before us now is formulating policies to achieve the SDGs target. Nutritional situation in the South-south

zone has also been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to hike in prices of food items and agricultural inputs, in Continued on page 8

Aisha Buhari, 36 Govs’ Wives Want First Lady’s Office Institutionalised Deji Elumoye in Abuja The First Lady, Aisha Buhari, and the wives of the 36 states’ governors have canvassed policy and administrative measures at the national and state levels to formally accommodate the existence of the office of wife of the president and wives of governors as a complement to inclusive governance. This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a summit on “Emerging Trends in the Role of the First Lady in National Development”, organised by the Office of the First Lady of Nigeria, in collaboration with Women and National Development (WAND), at the Conference Centre, State House, Abuja.

In the communiqué signed

by First Lady of Edo State, Dr. Batsy Obaseki, and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women Affairs and Administration, Dr. Hajo Sani, the summit said despite limitations,

first ladies in Nigeria had contributed significantly to national development. It said Nigeria needed to move with the time and formally acknowledge the critical role of the first ladies.

The summit encouraged every first lady to champion an issue or cause, and be more visible in order to highlight their contributions and showcase how important their leadership was at national and sub-national levels.

The communiqué said the dismal number of women in leadership and decisionmaking in Nigeria was discussed with a challenge to the first ladies to serve as mentors and champions in order to open doors for more women in public life.

It pointed out that projects implemented by first ladies should not be referred to as “Pet Projects” because such terminology trivialised the importance of the initiatives.

Continued on page 5

Bauchi Govt Releases N300m for Fertiliser Revolving Scheme…Page 8

CHARLES PAYS TRIBUTE TO HIS FATHER, PRINCE PHILLIP "My dear Papa was a very special person"

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Yoruba Group Condemns Matawalle’s Threat to Southerners in North

Says governor’s statement insensitive, reckless Makinde: we must shun partisanship, close ranks to combat insecurity Commends Borno gov's efforts to tackle insurgency, banditry Northern groups task new IGP Seriki Adinoyi in Jos The Yoruba Leadership and Peace Initiative (TYLPI) has denounced a statement by the Zamfara State governor, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, claiming the killing of northerners in the South and threatening reprisals against southerners and southern interests in the North. In a statement issued on Saturday, and signed by its Director of Publicity, Mr. Tunde Ipinmisho, the group said the governor’s assertions were “baseless, distasteful, reckless, insensitive, and irresponsible.”

The Yoruba group’s reaction came as Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde called on political leaders across the country to shun partisanship and close ranks in a collective effort to fight insecurity in the nation. Makinde made the call yesterday in Ibadan, when his Borno State counterpart, Professor Babagana Zulum, paid him a courtesy visit. Makinde’s comments came on the heels of the statement by Matawalle threatening retaliations against southerners.

The Oyo State governor, however, commended the North-east governor for his handling of the insurgency and banditry in his state. He said Zulum, who was in the state to receive an award by the University of Ibadan Alumni Association, said the honour by the premier university was well deserved.

In a related development, the Northern Governors Forum urged the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Usman Baba, to device proactive measures to tackle crime in the country. The appeal was contained in a congratulatory statement by the forum to the Yobe-born police boss, who was on April 6 appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police by President Muhammadu Buhari.

TYLPI warned that it was unguarded comments like the one by Matawalle that triggered the 30-month civil war in the late 1960s that claimed millions of lives and arrested the country’s development for a long time.

It said Matawalle’s statement smirked of dangerous desperation by those who believed Nigeria must travel on a trajectory pre-determined by them.

The group also said the governor’s “unguarded

A THANK YOU VISIT TO THE JAGABAN The National Leader, All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Director, Arewa House Centre for Historical Research and Documentation of Ahmadu Bello University, Kaduna, Dr Shuaibu Shehu Aliyu, during a thank you visit to Tinubu for chairing the 11th Arewa House Lecture at Asokoro, Abuja...at the weekend. statement reflected poorly on the nation’s leadership recruitment process.”

It, however, praised the northern socio-political organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), for a timely and courageous condemnation of Matawalle’s statement.

TYLPI cautioned the elite to avoid acts that deliberately stoke crisis, saying no one can predict its extent.

“It behoves all men and women of goodwill to disperse, with responsible conduct and utterances, the evil cloud hanging over Nigeria. Nobody knows who will be swept away by the flood, should the rain be allowed to fall,” the group added.

Reacting to the claims and threats by the Zamfara State governor, Makinde said, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, that the state of the nation required a more conciliatory and responsible tone by public officers.

The statement said, “Yes,

we know that our country is currently going through issues and challenges, but as leaders, at this point in time, it is a time for us to come together. It is not about sentiments, because we have to explain to our people, the citizens, the residents of our various places, our various states that countries do go through challenges, but when the leaders cast aside partisanship, come together to tackle that problem, then we have a chance to succeed.

“I want to encourage all our leaders in the North-east, who are facing security issues. Even yesterday, we were in Makurdi and they have challenges also. Three or four days ago, I was in Sokoto and Zamfara. They have banditry, but these are not challenges that we cannot surmount. The only thing that we need is for us, as leaders, to pull together.

“I offer myself, irrespective of party, to build bridges that will ensure that we come together to defeat all the problems that we are

currently having. So, this courtesy visit is timely and it is a demonstration to the whole world that we are together in the task of building our nation.”

Earlier, while introducing his guests, which included the Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and a former governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima, at the Government House, Makinde said the visit was significant because it was devoid of party affiliation.

Zulum, who spoke before Makinde, said he had come to commiserate with the Oyo State governor over the crisis in Sasa and the fire incident that engulfed the spare parts market in Ibadan.

He said, "We decided to pay the governor a visit over the recent unfortunate incidents that happened in Oyo State. The most recent one is the inferno at the spare parts village here in Ibadan.

We continue to pray that such an incident will never happen again.”

The Borno State governor

described Ibadan as “a very peaceful city,” stressing, “coincidentally, my predecessor is also an alumnus of the University of Ibadan. Many of us in the North, especially, those of us that are in the academic environment, did our postgraduate studies here at the University of Ibadan.”

Reminiscing his experience as a student in Ibadan, Zulum said, “We walked across the length and breath of this ancient city - Shasa, Ojo, Mokola, Sango, Gate, Bodija – across everywhere to look for some of our delicious foods – ewedu, amala. It has been a very nice stay for all of us and I hope we do not allow sentiments to destroy the very important culture of these great people here in Ibadan."

Meanwhile, the northern governors said in a statement

by Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, that the appointment of Baba as IGP was well deserved

considering his track record of diligent service to the nation across various police formations in the country. The governors pledged to support the new IGP, but urged him to be more proactive in the fight against crime.

The statement said, “As Northern governors, we remain committed to community policing and any other measure that will lead to securing our region, which has been bedevilled by different forms of insecurity.

We must work together to adopt new measures that will not only enable us overcome these challenges, but also remain on top of the situation by preventing criminals from carrying out their nefarious activities."

Lalong noted that the northern governors were particularly concerned that the farming season was at hand and many farmers might be discouraged from cultivating their farms if crimes, such as banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency, still thrived.

important issues. It called for partnership with government agencies, civil society, and development partners to strengthen and scale up the work of first ladies.

The summit appealed for a culture of continuity

in governance. “Efforts should be made to sustain worthwhile social intervention programmes initiated by first ladies, not everything needs to be thrown away when governments change,” the summit stated.

AISHA BUHARI, 36 GOVS’ WIVES WANT FIRST LADY’S OFFICE INSTITUTIONALISED According to the communiqué, “This will enable more accountability and provide an opportunity for worthwhile initiatives to be sustained for the benefit of the people. Meanwhile, Nigerian first ladies will stay focused on their respective

roles and responsibilities, engage in peer learning and collaborations, build coalitions, and continue to support their husbands to achieve their governance goals.”

Other recommendations included that the ''Summit

raised the importance of first ladies as role models for women and youth. To this end, and in order to avoid negative perceptions and stereotypes, First Ladies were encouraged to live up to expectations by being approachable and inclusive.”

The summit urged first ladies “to support advocacy initiatives that will facilitate laws and policies to ensure lasting institutional change to tackle key social issues, such as Gender-Based Violence, health, education of the girl-child, and other

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THE MARATHONERS Cross section of the participants, at the 2021 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, held in Lagos, yesterday

Bauchi Govt Releases N300m for Fertiliser Revolving Scheme Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi As part of efforts to enhance agricultural production in the state, Bauchi State Government has released N300 million to the Bauchi State Agricultural Supply Company (BASAC) for a revolving scheme meant to ensure uninterrupted fertiliser blending and distribution to farmers in the state. The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Samaila

Burga, disclosed this yesterday while declaring open a five-day training workshop for staff of BASAC, organised in collaboration with Namus Agro-Consult Nigeria Limited, at the BSADP Conference Hall, in Bauchi, the state capital.

Burga emphasised the present administration's determination to develop the agricultural sector and boost the state’s economy. He said the scheme was aimed at

eliminating hindrances to the availability of fertiliser to peasant farmers across the state.

The commissioner said BASAC was established in 1981 by the state government to alleviate the plight of farmers.

He stated, “The company is to ensure that the farmers got quality farm inputs in order to boost production.

Over the years, the company has done well, as can be seen in the produce of our

farmers yearly.”

Burga added, "in order to ensure that the farmers got fertiliser without hitches, the government has released the sum of N300 million to BASAC as a revolving scheme to procure the commodity from the blending company, sell it to the farmers, and go for another round of supply.

With that, there will be no break in supply of the commodity.” He urged the participants to pay attention

to the training to be able to serve the people better because, according to him, effective service delivery will attract patronage from the farmers.

Earlier, General Manager of BASAC, Mr. Ibrahim Duguri, said the company was determined to ensure farmers in the state got quality service in order to boost production. He said for effective service delivery, the company had three zonal offices

and sales outlets across the state where the farmers, especially peasants without the financial ability to make purchases, could access its services.

The BASAC general manager commended the state government for supporting the company in its determination to improve agricultural production in the state, saying the people of the state are collaborating with the company to boost their businesses.

collaboration among stakeholders in the Southsouth and the country at large.

The governor stated that the adoption and domestication of the policies and constant strategic plans by governments in the South-south would require "increased reliance on domestic funding and wellcoordinated multi-stakeholder approach, comprising governments, CSOs, private sector donors, and backed by sustained high-level political commitment.”

Okowa further said, "Several dialogues are being organised in Nigeria in response to the United Nations Secretary-General's call on world leaders to take part in a summit that will help to establish the future direction for food systems and accelerate collective action by all stakeholders. This is in recognition that transforming the food system is pivotal to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.”

Badaru also listed that the school feeding programme and other schemes, saying apart from impacting the economy, they have improved school enrolment from about 600,000 to over a million since their implementation.

Present at the event were Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State; Minister of Power, Mr Saleh Mamman; Minister of State for Power, Mr Goddy Jeddy-Agba; Managing Director of REA, Salhijo Ahmad; Managing Director, Niger Delta Power

Holding Company (NDPHC), Mr Chiedu Ugbo; and Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr. Alex Okoh, among others.

Osinbajo had earlier attended the coronation of the Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, as the Madakin Kazaure and Galadiman Roni. The vice president was joined by the governors of Ekiti, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, and Katsina states, as well as the National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd).

OKOWA: COVID-19, INSECURITY AGGRAVATING POOR FOOD SUPPLY addition to insecurity, militancy and kidnapping in the region," Okowa said.

The exploratory dialogue on food systems in Asaba was preparatory to the United Nations' world food systems summit, slated to hold later in the year.

Okowa was represented at the one-day event by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Chiedu Ebie. The governor said in the light of the low nutritional profile of the South-south states due

to poor supply of valuable food, the need to rub minds on relevant policy directions towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Goals (SDGs) in the region could not be over-emphasised.

Okowa stated, "South-south zone, like the other parts of the country, has a lot of nutritional challenges, with stunting rate as high as 27 per cent for boys and 18 per cent for girls under the age of five. The percentage of wastage was put at 2.4

per cent and 9.2 per cent, respectively.

"It is, therefore, imperative that very drastic measures are taken, because the effects of malnutrition during the lives of these Under-Five children affect them even in their adult life. This affects their rate of survival to adulthood. The SDGs for wasting for 2020 is less than three per cent.”

The governor acknowledged the visible efforts by the respective governments in the zone "to improve the

nutritional profile of our foods" through various policy instruments. But he said he had personally taken up the challenge to tackle the situation head-on through a strategic plan of action as well as budgetary provision.

Specifically, Okowa said, "In Delta State, aside from adopting the Strategic Plan, I have also approved funds for the Food and Nutrition Strategic Plan in the 2021 Budget."

He called for more

FG BEGINS N140BN SOLAR ROLLOUT PROGRAMME FOR 25M NIGERIANS that we could no longer rely solely on the grid if we were to electrify the whole country, which meant that we had to develop an effective strategy for decentralising power supply.

“The Solar Power Naija programme, which is designed by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), is an ambitious initiative that aims to create five million connections through a N140 billion financing programme that will support private developers to provide power for five million

households, which means providing electricity for up to 25 million Nigerians.”

The vice president disclosed that the programme was a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement supported by concessionary lending via the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and commercial banks. He emphasised that structures had been put in place to make the cost of the connections affordable for the target communities.

In addition to the concessionary lending rates,

Osinbajo explained that the government had provided subsidies and rebates for private developers to the tune of over $200 million under the REA and World Bank Nigeria electrification programme. He lauded the Jigawa State governor, Mr Abubakar Badaru, the Emir of Kazaure, and other critical stakeholders for their role in ensuring the implementation of the programme in the community.

The vice president further commended the Emir of

Kazaure, who made a down payment for the community to benefit from the solar connections, stating that the decision facilitated the programme.

Earlier, Badaru said the federal government’s support to the states, despite declining resources, had been unprecedented since 2015.

He recalled how the Buhari administration gave a bailout to states to pay salaries and the payment of the long outstanding refund from the Paris Club debts.

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Jonathan, Atiku, Wale Edun Commiserate with Queen Elizabeth over Prince Philip’s Death Former President Dr Goodluck Jonathan has commiserated with the British Royal Family and the United Kingdom over Prince Philip's death.

In the same, Nigeria's former Vice President Atiku Abubakar expressed his condolence to the UK and Prince Philip's family, especially the Queen.

Both Jonathan and Atiku commiserated with the Queen and the UK in separate statements on Saturday.

Prince Philip, until his death, was the Duke of Edinburgh. He died on Friday morning at the age of 99.

Jonathan described him as an epitome of duty. The former president stated this in a condolence message, recalled his meeting with the Duke of Edinburgh during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, Australia, in 2011, noted that he was "most gentlemanly."

According to him, the late British prince and consort to the Queen of England lived a life of service and was deeply committed to many charitable causes and youth development.

"His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, was an epitome of duty. Duty to God, his family, his nation, and the Commonwealth.

"His death, at the age of 99, is a sad occasion for the Commonwealth; that veritable institution to which both he and Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, gave the most valuable service," said Jonathan.

The former president added, "On behalf of my family and the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, I commiserate with the British Royal Family, and especially

Her Majesty the Queen. We also share in their grief and extend our right hand of fellowship to the government and people of Great Britain at this trying time."

Prince Philip's death, according to Atiku, is a "sad loss" to the Commonwealth and the world, pointing out that his life was one of service and good works.

"I met His Royal Highness during the Commonwealth Heads of Government

Meeting of 2003, which held in Abuja, and was hosted by my boss, then President Olusegun Obasanjo," the former vice president recalled.

Continuing, he stated, "I found in Prince Philip a man committed to the unity of the world and the advancement of the dignity of humanity as well as the brotherhood of man. His military service, and the dutifully supportive role he played by the side of Her Royal Majesty, Queen

Elizabeth II, will forever be remembered, and indeed studied, as an epitome of royalty and loyalty."

"On behalf of my family and my supporters, I condole with the British Royal Family and pray that the Almighty will grant them the fortitude to bear their loss."

Also reacting to Prince Phillip's death, Wale Edun, international board member of the Duke of Edinburgh's International

Award Foundation and its Chairman in Nigeria, expressed his condolence.

Edun particularly sympathised with Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and the chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation.

Edun paid tribute to the late prince's "fantastic and enduring" legacy of encouragement, support, and empowerment of young people through the award.

This scheme, which Prince Philip founded in 1956 for young people aged 14 to 24, currently operates in over "130 countries and territories," including 17 African countries.

"In Nigeria, the award currently operates in 11 states, and FCT, with over 28,000 young people who have participated since it relaunched here in 2014.

He is gone to rest, but his legacy lives on," Edun said.

BRINGING RELIEF TO HIS PEOPLE...

L-R: Transition Chairman, Ifo local government, Mr Fola Salami; Ogun State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya; Governor Dapo Abiodun and member representing Ifo II constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon Ganiyu Oyedeji during an inspection tour of DenroIshashi and Akute-Ijoko roads bordering Lagos ... Saturday

Insecurity: PDP Chief Dares Garba Shehu to Travel by Road Sylvester Idowu in Warri A Chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has challenged the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mallam Shehu Garba to travel by road without escorts and experience the plight of motorists on the nation’s highways.

He reminded the Presidential Spokesman that Nigerians, especially, motorists and travellers now fast and pray before embarking on any

journey as a result of the spike in insecurity across the country The former Delta State governorship aspirant was reacting to Shehu Garba recent response to Bishop Hassan Kukah’s message, describing it as lacking the quality of Presidential spokesman.

Kukah had in his Easter message disclosed that Nigerians had lost faith in President Muhammadu’s administration, because of increased insecurity, religious intolerance and lack of unity.

Reacting to Kukah’s homily, Garba described his action as

ungodly, while accusing him of playing partisan politics and insisting that security in the country had improved tremendously compared to pre-2015 Goodluck Jonathan’s era.

Speaking with Journalists in Warri yesterday, Onuesoke said Shehu needed not to have attacked Kukah over his message to Nigerians reason being that the Reverend Father said the truth everyone sees on daily basis in the country.

He said it was unfortunate that, rather than Garba and his colleagues to reflect on

the lessons of Kukah’s Easter message, resorted to maligning the Man of God. Onuesoke therefore dared mallam Garba Shehu to travel the roads without security escorts if he was honest with his argument that the state of insecurity in the nation was better than what it was before 2015, adding that a governor was attacked with his convoy not to talk of a Presidential aide.

“Garba Shehu seemed to be blinded to the fact that though the frequency of suicide bombings have reduced,

the increase in wide spread kidnappings and general insecurity is thrice as bad.

Where he got it wrong is that the Presidency claimed to have defeated Boko Haram, but every week students are being kidnapped, everyday herdsmen slaughter innocent citizens, soldiers are attacked in their bases and killed in dozens.

"For five days, our Air force have not had the guts to go and recover their crashed aircraft, because of insecurity even though they know the crash site yet Shehu is talking about improvement in security.

“Buhari has failed woefully and we don’t need a Kukah’s homily to know this. For the first time ever, Boko haram sacked military bases while soldiers ran into Cameroon.

The Zamabari killings of 78 farmers never happened in the past. Abduction of school kids happened only once, but today, it is a routine. If Shehu feels 2021 is better, I challenge him to travel through Adamawa to Yobe, enroute Borno State. It is easier to sit in air conditioned room in Aso Rock and be propagating lies and falsehood", he said.

Prince Charles: My Dear Papa was a Very Special Person Prince Charles yesterday paid tribute to his "dear Papa" the Duke of Edinburgh for the first time since his death on Friday.

Speaking from outside his country home Highgrove House in Gloucestershire, Prince Philip's eldest child said his father was a "much-loved and appreciated figure".

"My father for I suppose, the last 70 years, has given the most remarkable, devoted

service to the Queen, to my family, and to the country and also to the whole of the Commonwealth," said Charles.

"And as you can imagine, my family and I miss my father enormously - he was a much-loved and appreciated figure, and apart from anything else, I can imagine he'd be so deeply touched by the number of other people here and elsewhere around the world in the Commonwealth

who also, I think, share our loss and our sorrow.

"And my dear Papa was a very special person who I think, above all else, would have been amazed by the reaction and the touching things that are being said about him.

What will Happen to Sporting Fixtures Next Saturday?

Sporting bodies will now face a decision whether to allow games and matches to still be played next Saturday - the same day as the duke's funeral.

It is a busy weekend of sport next week, with the FA Cup semi-finals, a full raft of football league fixtures, Women's Six Nations and the opening of the World Snooker Championships all among the events taking place.

As part of the funeral, a one minute silence will be held at 3pm, as the proceedings in Windsor get underway.

The Football League has already announced that matches scheduled to begin at 3pm will be rearranged.

An EFL spokesperson said: "As a mark of respect, EFL matches scheduled for 3pm on Saturday 17 April will be moved to avoid a clash with the funeral of HRH The Prince

Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

"The EFL will now work with its clubs to determine at what time the matches will be played, giving consideration to the timing of the service.

"An announcement will follow in due course."

Other sporting bodies are awaiting further guidance before moving fixtures, but the decision ultimately rests with organisers of the competitions, as per government advice.

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OPINION

WHY WE MUST LOVE NIGERIA

Despite the all-pervasive gloom, there are some redeeming qualities in the country, writes Fredrick Nwabufo

W

e abide in wilful fatalism. We see only doom and gloom about Nigeria. We make cynical projections on our country and hold up to ridicule narratives that do not fit into the gloom-ridden portrait.

Blood, sorrow and tears saturate the public discourse as if there is no ‘’light, love and life’’ in any corner of the country.

It is all doom, gloom and doom. We could as well be living through doomsday.

I must admit, the egregious state of security and the occasional revelries of blood somewhat instigate this negativity about our country today. But are kidnapping, banditry, insurgency and corruption all there is about Nigeria? Is it all bleak with no crevice of illumination? While I cannot attenuate the staggering challenges, particularly on security, gnawing at the country, it will be defeatist to say there is no hope of calm in this tempest. It will also be cynical of me to say it is all rain and no sunshine.

Nigerians are beautiful people. They love life. They love people. Where you find bigotry, you can also find tolerance; where there is hate; there is love, and where there is tension; there is also good neighbourliness. Even under the cumulus of ethnic tonguefire, they do not relent in helping one another when the occasion demands it. I will cite an example of Nigerians’ expansiveness and why this is a reason we should appreciate one another the more.

The ‘’farm to classroom’’ story of Emmanuel Nworie, a first-class mathematics graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, who was tilling away his destiny at the backwaters of Ebonyi State, accents the congeniality of Nigerians.

Nworie, a 27-year-old, graduated with a cumulative grade point average of 4.92/5.00 – unarguably a mathematical genius.

A diamond in the rough. But life gave him a raw deal. He could neither secure a job nor capital to go into business. He lived in abominable squalor. A first-class graduate of mathematics! But he rerouted his talents into tilling the soil in the forgotten corners of Ebonyi – the most unlikely places an Einstein prodigy can

make a genius of his ability.

“I started having challenges in 2005 when we struggled with the health of my dad. He gave up in January 2009. I have long wanted to be a mathematician. But after my dad passed away, I was deterred because at some point when I was trying to save for undergraduate studies and after two years I couldn’t save enough, so I was frustrated,” he apprised TheCable of his trials and tribulations in an interview.

But Nworie’s dream of becoming a scholar and of parlaying his talents turned to gold when Michael Taiwo, a US-based Nigerian and sponsor of MT Scholarships, and Suraj Oyewale, founder of JarusHub, a career and education platform, picked Nworie during the selection of candidates for scholarship.

Taiwo and Oyewale are both Yoruba – Nworie is Igbo. But while selecting candidates for the scholarship sponsored by Michael they did not consider where he came from, his religious background or the status of his family. They selected Nworie strictly by the content of his mind.

In a statement on March 3, Taiwo announced Nworie’s selection for a fully-funded PhD in mathematics at the Southern Methodist

Nigerians are beautiful people.

They love life. They love people.

Where you find bigotry, you can also find tolerance; where there is hate; there is love, and where there is tension; there is also good neighbourliness

University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas.

He said Nworie received three offers from universities in the southern part of the US. Taiwo: “Today, I am pleased to announce that Emmanuel Chinweuba Nworie has accepted a fully funded offer to study for his PhD in Mathematics at the Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas. SMU is a prestigious private research university. Emmanuel prefers locations with warm weather. He received three great offers, all from schools in the southern part of the US. Mentors are our secret sauce. It is hard to exaggerate the role Dr. Busayo Aworunse, Emmanuel’s assigned mentor, played in delivering the outcome we celebrate today. Busayo, thank you. Help me congratulate Emmanuel. I cannot wait to see what he does with a Math PhD from SMU!” The cost of attending SMU is over $75,000 per year, but Nworie will not be paying a dime. His living expenses are also covered. The life of a lowly citizen, who could have been another statistics in the number of jobless and frustrated Nigerians, is changed forever.

Grass-to-grace stories like that of Nworie abound in the country. Some Nigerians chanced on fortune by the benevolence of Nigerians from other ethnic groups. In fact, some owe their breakthrough, status, wealth, and influence to that Nigerian from the other side who looked beyond their ethnic and religious backgrounds.

We can also consider the way Nigerians mobilise themselves to fight for justice when one of their own suffers prejudice in an alien country. I have witnessed how Nigerians go the whole hog in protecting their countrymen/women abroad. The solidarity of Nigerians in South Africa during the xenophobic killings and in the recent cases in Ghana and Cote d'ivoire accentuate this unvarnished quality.

We should celebrate that which makes us one of the kindest, loving and most accommodating people in the world. We are not all bad, corrupt, nepotistic and bigoted. We have a redeeming quality. We are Nigerians.

–– Nwabufo is a writer and journalist

The Varnishing Tribe of Freedom Fighters Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim canvasses the need to document the lives and times of activists for posterity

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ver the Easter weekend, two core Nigerians that my generation produced fell to the cold hands of death. Yinka Odumakin, better known as Afenifere spokesperson in the now highly convoluted Nigerian politics charged with identity politics, but known to us the generation of pro-democracy activists of the 1980’s as Comrade Yinka, gave in.

Just when many were making efforts to pay their tributes to the departed soldier of freedom, Yinka, another one, Innocent Chukwuma, the Executive Director of CLEAN gave up after a struggle with leukemia. It is barely two months that Didi Adodo, the General Secretary of Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association, gave up the ghost. I met with Didi in 1987 at Benin, in one of those marathon meetings of patriots plotting to get our country out of underdevelopment. We became flat mates in a shared threebedroom accommodation alongside Tony Iyare. Didi died too as a result of ill health. The trio were in their fifties as almost all of us in that generation, except a few ahead of us who had attained the age of 60.

I used the word “tribe” very deliberately, because whether of Igbo origin, Hausa, Isoko, TIV, Yoruba, or Kamberi, we were a tribe of patriots in the revolutionary 1980’s. Whenever there was call to struggle against injustice and a protest match or lecture boycott was needed, the whole country, the entire studentry, the youth, organized labor and the intelligentsia responded at once from Sokoto to Port Harcourt, Maiduguri to Lagos, Ilorin, Jos, Ife, Ibadan, Benin, Warri, etc., all rose up at once. The youth movement and the studentry were the most important contingent of the radical movement of the 80’s struggle.

And those struggles were yearly occurrences or at most bi-annually. For the records they were 1984 Boycott of classes, 1986 Ango must go struggle after the massacre of students in ABU, Zaria; the 1989 struggles against increase in petrol prices, and the 1989 Anti-SAP protest. The struggle normally resulted in more killings by security forces, arrests, detention of student activists, aborted trials sometime at Military Tribunal as with the planned trial of Emma Ezeauzu, Chima Ubani (both late) and others at Military Tribunal in Enugu in 1987.

The planned trial was aborted as great lion and lionesses at UNN Students started marching from Nsukka to disband physically the military tribunal, simultaneously as we were getting Akokites (from University of Lagos), Great Ife (from University of Ife), and all the campuses to stage solidarity protests or march on Enugu. Innocent Chukwuma (now late), was one of the expelled UNN students in the wake of that crisis in 1987.

While the 1986, 1987, 1988 struggles were reactive to events the 1989 Anti-SAP protest was a planned and a massive uprising beyond issues limited to the educational sector; it took on an eco-

nomic policy of a regime that had global consequences together with the military regimes political transition programme. And therefore involved extensive consultation as well as organization.

I met Yinka who was the PRO of University of Ife, in one of those mobilizational activities. I was a guest speaker at a symposium organized by Obafemi Awolowo University Students Union. I was the PRO of the National Association of the Nigerian Students (NANS) as well as the Head of Bureau of Information.

Activists of the 1980’s were a close-knit family despite our diverse cultural and social backgrounds. We were bound in the expectation of a revolutionary change that would transform our nation. Not all of us were from poor homes: Yau Yar'Adua was one example, he was younger brother to the late Nigeria number two, Gen. Shehu Musa Yar'Adua. As we struggled between 1988 and1989, one of us Lukman Salihu’s uncle, - Rilwan Lukman was Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum; my dad was a senior Police Commissioner and my step dad, a senior civil servant, while my Mum a business tycoon of reasonable means. We were ready to sacrifice anything for our country including our lives.

We were bond in love and solidarity, we shared our resources and ate in the same bowls at meetings. I still remember vividly Chima Ubani’s big mussels of Eba compared to his fragile frame; the times we were hosted by Chris Abashi, NANS president 1983 at Barawana residence in Kaduna. Unfortunately Chris died of ill-health as well, while Chima died in a ghastly motor accident.

In the 1970’s and the early 1980’s Nigerian’s health system was good enough to support the health of activists of the anti-colonial struggles; the ones of the 1950’s and 60’s also had the solidarity of the then socialist world to fall back on. The radicals of the 1980’s are an endangered species. Worst still for this tribe of activists is that they are not even well celebrated and recognized for their sacrifices for democracy.

The new Nigerian rulers not connected with any struggles for democracy deliberately side-line the activists. They obviously cannot stomach the excessive criticisms of this tribe.

Tragically, not any serious record exists of the roles of these radical young men and women in history to inspire contemporary positive natural values. Not much has been written about them, neither did they document their own experiences.

I must admit quickly that lack of adequate historical records is not limited to the struggle of 1980’s which makes our country a dwarf in history, an injustice we consistently melted to ourselves and forbearers.

From the Aba Women Riot of 1929, to the Coal Miners’ strike of 1949 (Iva Valley massacre), the struggles of Satiru in Sokoto, the Agbekoya Revolt, the struggles of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti,

the Gaubo Sawaba struggles, the struggles of the Zikist Youth, the struggles of Saad Zungur, records are scanty and absent in the consciousness of our children. And without blaming the young people, it is one of the reasons why some youth protesters during the EndSars protest imagine that they were doing for the first time what their parents never did. Quite to the contrary, Nigeria has such a rich history of struggle for freedom unmatched by the history of any other country in Africa.

The remaining tribe of freedom fighters must do something for posterity, start writing biographies and history books as I have started working on my own biography. We should not leave historiography at the mercy of those who stole and raped the country and now funding dubious version of what happened before our very eyes.

One of the major handicaps of this tribe is that many are barely managing to survive in the Nigeria’s desperate socialeconomic theatre that has become the survival of the fittest.

Many of this generation of activists did not make effort by choice, to economically and politically empower themselves in order to win themselves voices in the political space.

It’s customary to find the bulk of this tribe of freedom fighters in the civil society groups sustained largely by foreign aids, a few who went to the bar perhaps a bit stronger motivated by the example of Alao Bashorun (former President of the Nigerian Bar association), Gani Fawehimi, and Olisa Agbokoba, Femi Falana, and Abdulraman in Kaduna. Some found relevance in the media on the heels of Dapo Oloruyomi, Kayode Komolafe, Lanre Arogundade, Chris Mamah, Kabiru Yusuf, Femi Ahmed, Bolanle Omonijo, etc. Apart from the media, the trade union were the comfort zone of these crusaders for freedom. The early entrants were Sulisu Mohammed, John Oduah, Chris Uyot, Chom Bagu, Isa Aremu, Denja Yakubu, Shola Olorunyomi, followed by Lukeman Salihu, Olaitan Oyerinde (late) , John Sani (late) and Benedict Ederhue, etc.

Very few of the activists of the mid and late 1980’s ventured into business, army, civil service, police force or even politics.

These generation of freedom fighters also made a catastrophic mistake to stay out of politics. The few of us who ventured in were ostracized and mocked. We were “renegades” and petty bourgeois opportunists. And when we were taken on the establishment on their terms the reaction was scornful “look at him, he thinks he can play bourgeois politics”.

––Olawepo-Hashim, former student union activist, former presidential candidate in the last general elections, is an oil and power sector business executive.

(See concluding part of the article 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 ˾ APRIL 11, 2021

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LETTERS

KEEP YOUR PROMISES: END WATER POVERTY

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hat does water mean to you?

This was the question asked on March 22nd as the world celebrated World Water Day. The International water day aimed to draw attention to the global water situation, the need for effective water management as global water systems/aquifers continue to shrink and the stress faced by marginalized communities who lack access to water.

It is a great step that the day was celebrated in Nigeria to create awareness on the lack of clean water in rural communities, but it should not stop at picture posting or storytelling, something must be done about the issue. Creating awareness alone on the lack of access to clean water in rural communities once a year isn’t enough to drive the sustainable change that will bring about the realization of SDG 6 in Nigeria. Stronger and intentional political action is needed to bridge the widening gap between the entire population and the number that have access to clean water.

Without actions being taken of what use is the knowledge?

According to J.W Von Goethe, “Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do”. And no truer words have been spoken, the knowledge is simply not enough it must be applied.

The importance of water in our lives cannot be overemphasized. Water is life, it is more than just a basic need, it is a fundamental human right.

We need water just as much as we need the air we breathe.

The sacrosanct nature of water is heightened when issues bordering hygiene and sanitation are put in perspective.

It’s really a thing of concern

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how persons in marginalized communities survive with little access to clean water.

Their daily struggle to access water which in many cases are unclean and contaminated predisposes them to a lot of dangers and hazards. For many women and girls; they are exposed to sexual and gender-based violence, their menstrual hygiene is threatened and productive time is lost. For school children; they lose productive school time simply because they have to go in search of water. In general, many rural communities are vulnerable to disease outbreak that are water related such as cholera and these also contribute to money lost to emergency aid provided by government thereby impacting the GDP of the nation.

In Nigeria, poor access to clean water and sanitation has been a developmental issue plaguing numerous communities around the country.

Lack of access to clean water seemed more or less a rural area problem but slowly this problem has started creeping its way into some peri-urban and urban areas. According to UNICEF, “seventy-three percent of the diarrheal disease burden is associated with poor access to adequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and children from poorer homes are largely affected by this”. These WASH related illnesses sometimes lead to poor performance in school and even malnutrition in children.

Some other studies show that poor access to water and sanitation leads to open defecation. It is quite evident that poor access to water has a domino effect in our society.

Issues pertaining to water can never be isolated, because in its absence it creates more

problems and hinders our progress.

Nuhu Joseph, a community leader in Rije community of Kuje Area Council, spoke with HipCity Innovation Centre (HipCity Hub) on the lack of clean water in his community.

He said, to them water is more of a luxury than a necessity, most of the boreholes in his community are either nonfunctional or inadequate to cater for the residents of the community. They have resorted to getting their water from a stream close by as they lack the funds to repair the damaged boreholes, and help from the government is not forthcoming.

The source of water Joseph spoke of was clearly unfit for drinking and other domestic uses, but this is reality for the residents of Rije community and several other suburbs in the Federal Capital Territory.

The UN Water Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking Water put the figure of Nigerians who do not have access to safe drinking water at 67 million while 42% of households do

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not have access to clean water.

This number is alarming and bodes ill for the public health and safety of citizens.

It is the duty of the State through its appendage Water Boards and the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RUWASSA) to provide safe and clean drinking water for all citizens.

For efficiency and greater output, they are expected to work with local governments in their various states to ensure each local community is adequately catered for. There is an obvious need for the government to re-strategize and double their efforts in ensuring the provision of clean and safe water for all Nigerians.

With proper monitoring and evaluation, progress can easily be tracked and areas that are still lacking or in need of maintenance can effectively be given the attention they require. It is not enough to just create awareness on water challenges, the government must keep their promises and be held accountable because they owe the people this duty.

In Praise of Nyesom Wike

hen Abraham Lincoln, a former American president and historical figure of great repute averred that ‘’while the statesman thinks of the next generation, the politician thinks of the next election,’’ he obviously didn’t know that his words would reverberate in the heart of Africa centuries later. This statement of fact aptly captures the very essence of the evolution of Nyesom Wike, Governor of Rivers State into an emerging voice of national conscience and a living legend of great reckoning.

Though his actions and public engagements effuse varied perceptions among a cross-section of Nigerians, Governor Wike is evolving into the best state executive in the current dispensation and setting a pace for transformational leadership across the nation.

Apart from an unnecessary politics of acrimony playing out in Rivers with a tendency to impede development initiatives, the leadership character of the man at the helm of state affairs is a needed impetus to the prospects of the collective aspirations of the good people of the state and he is seemed

RAPING WOMEN IN NEED OF FOOD

am worried over rape and sexual exploitation of women and girls displaced by the conflict with Boko Haram who are in need of water and food.

There are several reports of sexual abuses, including rape and exploitation of women and girls living in many internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa States, Chad, Niger Republic and Cameroun. The victims had been displaced from several towns and villages. This year, the Nigerian refugee crisis will be going into its seventh year.

Since violent attacks of the Islamist group Boko Haram started to spill over Nigeria’s north-eastern frontier in 2014, Cameroon, Chad and Niger have been drawn into what has become a devastating regional conflict.

To date, the Lake Chad Basin region is grappling with a complex humanitarian emergency. Over 3.2 million people are displaced, including over 2.9 million IDPs in north-eastern Nigeria, over 684,000 IDPs in Cameroon,

Chad and Niger and 304,000 refugees in the four countries.

The crisis has been exacerbated by conflict-induced food insecurity and severe malnutrition, which have risen to critical levels in all four countries. Despite the efforts of governments and humanitarian aid, some 12.5 million people remain in need of humanitarian assistance in the Lake Chad Basin region, with 5.3 million people remaining food insecure.

Borno State Governor, Prof.

Babagana Zulum has urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to address the plight of IDPs in camps and communities.

The over a decade-long Boko Haram insurgency has claimed more than 36,000 lives with property worth over $9.2b (about N3.42tr) in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States. Over 2.5 million IDPs are in need of food and other insurgency communities.

Food interventions must be sustained, since majority of IDPs rely on agriculture as means of their livelihoods.

Most IDPs in camps and

Suleiman Adamu, Minister of Water Resources commitment to rescue over 60 Joining the global millionNigerians facing water commemoration of March poverty.

22 shouldn’t just end at ––Dumebi Oduah, government making political HipCity Innovation Centre, statement, it must be matched Abuja. with strong political will and

returnees cannot access their farmlands, due to terrorists’ attacks.

Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) have said that women and girls in the Boko Haram infested Northeast are randomly raped in exchange for food and water. The Project said that the incidences occurred mostly in the host communities and the IDPs camps located in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe States and Abuja, the federal capital territory.

The report analyses information collected from over 325 respondents in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, and Abuja indicates high incidences of recurring sexual and gender-based violence, forced and child marriage and sexual exploitation in exchange for food and water.

One woman sums up her experience with this haunting words, ‘I have been raped so many times that I can’t even remember’.

Several women and girls, including pregnant women, were raped, more often than not in the presence of

their children, and many contracted HIV after these experiences and yet they were yet to obtain any justice for the recurring violations.

Ensuring accountability and the provision of SRH information and services is central not only to an effective humanitarian response but also for fulfilling fundamental human rights obligations.

The report calls on the Nigerian government to comply with its international and regional human rights obligations in regarding access to maternal health care services to ensure women and girls affected by conflict-related violence access comprehensive medical and support services, including psychosocial support.

“Also, the government should ensure that there are functioning mechanisms to monitor, investigate, and punish sexual violence and other SRH violations by state and non -state actors, even in the IDP camps and host communities,” it said.

––Inwalomhe Donald, Yola, Adamawa State.

to be judiciously using the mandate generously given to him by his people.

Noteworthy is the fact that the quality of leadership in Rivers should be of concerns to those who believe in the inherent greatness of Nigeria as a whole owing to the strategic status of the state.

Being endowed by providence with a huge deposit of mineral resources and a composite pool of human resources, Rivers State has been a major economic mainstay of the country. Her sociopolitical make up also bequeaths some sort of renown in the Niger Delta extraction which makes any individual who emerges as governor of utmost importance to the Nigerian public.

This is why the personality of Governor Wike and his predisposition to issues germane to development has come under robust scrutiny from critics and well-wishers alike. For a man who rose through the ranks of politics to become a figure of national reckoning, Wike’s various

political exposures- from serving his people as Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government where he effectively rid the area of criminals; through to his meritorious service to the state as Chief of Staff to Governor Rotimi Ameachi and his subsequent national service as Minister For Education obviously prepared him for the current role in administering the heart-beat of Nigeria and assuming a moral fortitude for the political class. Defying arduous odds of an estranged political patronage with his immediate predecessor, the stage has been set for Wike to write his story in gold.

Interestingly, unfolding developments in Rivers have affirmed a determination to recreate a garden of modernity which could serve as a model not only in the Niger Delta geopolity but across the entirety of Nigeria.

––Adams Abonu wrote from Asokoro, Abuja Read the full article online www.thisdaylive.com

Satisfying The Thirst of A Waiting Voter

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he UN statement on "Human Rights to Water and Sanitation" includes "Physically accessible" and although it doesn't mention "Voters in Line" it is implied that it should be available anywhere, but it appears not so in Georgia, USA. The new law in Georgia makes it a misdemeanor crime to give food or drinks to voters waiting in long lines and again although not mentioned it is apparent that this will affect Black voters the most.

What reasonable legislator could think it is wrong for people to hand out free water

and food to anyone? What reasonable legislator could think that a bottle of water and a roll could make a voter change their voting intention?

What reasonable legislator still thinks the election was stolen?

What reasonable legislator would try to make it more difficult for anyone to vote?

Apparently a few in Georgia think this way and maybe it would be best to vote them out as soon as possible and celebrate their departure, not with a glass of champagne but a bottle of water.

––Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia.

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APRIL 11, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

EDITORIAL

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

VIOLENCE AGAINST UNIFORMED MEN Frequent attacks have added to the woes of security agencies. The authorities should embark on strategies to rekindle confidence in them

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arely a month after the publication of a report that at least 497 police officers and men were killed in 554 incidents across the country in eight years, dozens of others have been brutally hacked down. But it is not only policemen that are being killed in what has become a criminal offensive against uniformed personnel in Nigeria.

On Friday, the Army Headquarters confirmed that their troops initially declared missing had been found dead in Konshisha local government area of Benue State. The troops, comprising one officer and 10 soldiers, came under attack while on a peace-keeping operation in the state.

We commiserate with the families of the slain soldiers in Benue State and urge the military authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to fish out the real perpetrators.

Invading communities where innocent villagers become victims of a crime they did not commit can only compound the problem. But the brazen way criminals now operate across the country and the audacity of their attacks on uniformed men should worry the authorities.

That citizens would turn against the very people who are paid to protect them signifies on one hand a loss of confidence in the security agencies and on another, a flirtation with anarchy. These bode ill for the country.

In the recent report by SB Morgen about police killings, of all the six geopolitical zones in the country, the South-South region tops the chart with 163 incidents which resulted in the death of 174 policemen in the years under review. But the statistics of the past one month is chilling with dozens of policemen killed, especially in the South-east. More worrisome is that this is a growing trend under the

current democratic dispensation. A deputy superintendent of police was once beheaded following an ambush during a legislative rerun election in Rivers State. Two years ago, in an incident that further underlined the prevailing lawlessness, seven policemen on duty were gunned down around the Galadimawa area of the FCT, Abuja.

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A friendly security agency will be fed with more intelligence to combat crime than one that is inherently cruel

Letters to the Editor

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

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

rom the north to the south, men in uniform are now sitting targets for extermination by sundry criminal cartels which then raises pertinent questions: Why are these criminals increasingly directing their guns against those whose duty it is to keep all of us safe? Why have our security agents, particularly the police, become easy game for hoodlums across the land? Much more importantly for our national security, how will law enforcement agents who cannot protect themselves secure and protect ordinary citizens?

From the military to the police, civil defence and others, it is important for law enforcement agencies to also look inwards to understand what is fuelling this criminal enterprise against them. We also recommend a reorientation of their men, especially those who interface with the public. Offences that could have attracted warning get visited with instant punishment and the idea of guilt by association like it is now the case in Benue State should be discouraged. Besides, in several instances, those paid to enforce the law prefer to encourage rather than prevent offences from being committed, all in a bid to extort people. Citizens find all these very frustrating and tend to react negatively. But there can be no justification for the targeted killings of police and military personnel on lawful duties.

In the interest of national security, there is an urgent need for government and its security outfits to roll out a comprehensive confidence building strategy that would rekindle the trust of citizens in these institutions. This begins with a change of attitude towards law enforcement, which should emphasise crime prevention rather than enforcement.

Those who carry arms on behalf of the state should be more friendly, taking time to explain to citizens why the law must be obeyed in the interest of the society. A friendly security agency will be fed with more intelligence to combat crime than one that is inherently cruel. Above all, the authorities should investigate how and why those who are meant to protect the people have themselves become vulnerable to violent attacks.

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.

ABDULSALAMI’S ALARM OVER ARMS PROLIFERATION

“The number of small arms in circulation in Nigeria, in the hands of civilian non-state actors is estimated at 6,145,000, while the armed forces and law enforcement collectively account for 586,600 firearms” ––SBM Security Report

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uns, guns, everywhere!

Who is safe in Nigeria?”

That was the millionnaira question recently posed by a concerned public affairs analyst.

The answer is as obvious as the sun rising from the east. But how many innocent and defenceless Nigerians are alive to witness the beauty and mysteries of such days? How many of them fall as helpless victims to the senseless carnage in the land by Boko Haram terrorists, bandits and

kidnappers on daily basis?

Only recently, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State survived a hideous attack by suspected armed herdsmen at Tyo Mu along Makurdi/Gboko road, luckily. He pointed fingers at Myetti Allah because of his avowed stand against an-outmoded open cattle grazing in the 21st century. But ever since, the search for the attackers has gathered more heat than light. I am worried.

Of course, millions of Nigerians are, including former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who is also the Chairman of the National Peace Committee (NPC).

According to him over six million illegal weapons are currently traced to civilians, many of whom are jobless, hungry and angry!

Furthermore, some 80,000 Nigerians have died in recent months with close to three million

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) spread across the country. He painted an ugly picture of the dire insecurity challenge at a dialogue session of the committee with stakeholders at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.

Another terrifying dimension to the riling nakedness of the ordinary Nigerian in the face of the proliferation of arms and ammunition is aptly captured, specifically in the words of Bamigboye Olurotimi, a writer, poet and technologist: “Only desperate and corrupt politicians can use rigging, thuggery, vote-buying, violence, trouble, assault, propaganda and lies to win an election and take over power by force.”

It would be recalled that back in August 2020, I had raised a similar alarm over the serious consequences of arms proliferation across the country. But now,

according to the Global Terrorism Index licences to responsible citizens to "carry 2020 report, Nigeria was ranked as sophisticated weapons such as AK-47 the third most terrorised country in to deter criminals from attacking the world due to insecurity. General innocent and helpless Nigerians".

Abubakar also gave an assessment of Add this to the alarm raised the security situation, stating that the mid-2020 by Senator Ali Ndume, security forces are not only overstretched representing Borno South Senatorial but they are under-funded. One cannot District at the National Assembly, that but wonder what must have happened attacks by Boko Haram insurgents to the security votes and related were on the increase. The senator humungous funds taken from our narrated how Boko Haram terrorists excess crude account to battle insecurity killed 75 members of his community over the past years! in Gwoza LGA in one night!

It has become imperative for the We also recall the blame-game new Acting Inspector General of Police, between Governor Godwin Obaseki of Usman Alkali Baba and the Minister of the PDP and the APC stalwarts in Edo Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi State over the importation of arms and to take note of the concerns of the good ammunition as well as political thugs people of Nigeria and do the needful. It from the neighbouring states, sequel to is all because when proactive measures the 2020 governorship election in the are not deployed as when due, the state. insecurity issue worsens by the day.

Things are getting out of hands. Even ––Ayo Oyoze Baje, Lagos.

Governor Samuel Ortom has called Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com on the federal government to grant

APRIL 11, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

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SPECIAL REPORT

TECH, NIGERIA’S NEW OIL (3) IF TECHNOLOGY IS THE NEW OIL, THEN DATA IS THE NEW POWER

With the fast pace at which fintech companies are growing in Nigeria, it should be noted that the success of these businesses are largely due to their access to huge data on customers and this drives their innovation, product development, customer relationship management, among others, Oluchi Chibuzor, continues our focus of Nigeria’s emerging tech players which started three weeks ago

SOBOWALE TEMILOLUWA

“The power of artificial intelligence is so incredible, it will change society in some very deep ways,” billionaire Microsoft co-founder, Bill Gates.

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T

emiloluwa is the CEO of Intelligent Interactive Limited, one of Nigeria’s leading brand marketing and digital analytics companies.

A Kellogg Alumni, a sales and Marketing Scholar with specialisation in analytics. +e is the Àrst individual in Africa certiÀed by *oogle in as a professional in four areas, (Analytics, search, display and fundamentals), and became the Àrst consultant to *oogle in Nigeria on Analytics and AdWords.

He has worked in Nigeria for global brands like SimilarWeb: a leading web competitive intelligence platform, MarkMonitor: world’s leading online brand fraud management and Radian6 a social media analytics company acquired by Sales force. His passion to provide support and power the growth of local brands into global brands using analytics and AI brought about his development of repnalytics. com a leading AI and analytics driven brand and digital insight tool, helping Nigerian brands get the most from

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 11, 2021

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TECH (3)

SPECIAL REPORT

IF TECHNOLOGY IS THE NEW OIL, THEN DATA IS THE NEW POWER intelligence available online from consumer conversations on social media, and brand mention across the web. His organisation also provides digital competitive intelligence support to Nigerian brands, so that they can favorably compete with brands in their industry locally in Nigeria and global industry too.

FEMI ADEYEMO

Adeyemo is the founder and Chief E[ecutive O΀cer for Arnergy, a %ill *ate’s a΀liated venture backed distributed utility that provides energy reliability to residential, commercial and industrial customers in Nigeria. He led Arnergy to complete a $9m equity capital injection from 4 tier 1 global investors. Arnergy enables SMEs and economic clusters run sustainably by providing reliable and aͿordable uninterrupted electricity with rooftop solar solutions. %eforehand, Adeyemo executed nationwide rollout of four mobile telecommunication access networks, he was the Single 3oint of Contact on rollout and Managed Service Operations projects to Multinational telecom OEM including Ericsson, Huawei and Nokia across Africa, South America and Asia from startup phase to nationwide scale. With 15 years of versatile experience, )emi is particularly skilled at operation excellence deploying high availability and reliability for operations ranging from Solar Energy to Telecommunications.

Arnergy leverage internet of things(IoT) to provide real time monitoring of energy yield, energy consumption and advisory data points that help consume energy e΀ciently. Her big data optimises climate data including weather and solar irradiation to deploy optimize and reduce total cost of ownership leading to provision of aͿordable energy solution to homes and business across emerging markets starting with Nigeria.

EYITAYO OGUNMOLA

Ogunmola is a technology education entrepreneur that has built a company that helps Africans and 3eople of Colour learn premium tech skills and make into jobs in the technology industry. Today, his company 8tiva has the biggest Data School, ArtiÀcial Intelligence School, 3roduct School and Design School across 4 cities in Nigeria. Eyitayo’s company is marketing talents to companies across the world. He is the founder of 8tiva and a partner at Darlytics.

Ogunmola is a )acebook Community Leader, an Antler Entrepreneur, a Halcyon Incubator )ellow(8S), 19 *lobal *ood )unds )ellow (8nited States) 1 Chevening Scholar ()unded by the 8K *overnment) 16 Atlas Corps )ellow (8nited States), 19 8nleash Talent (Shenzhen, China), 15 NLI Associate )ellow, 14 Carrington <outh )ellow.

His aspiration, above anything, is to reEducate the Nigerian Human Capital; helping post-secondary school leavers learn digital skills and helping employers hire trained talents.

Started his career in international development, Ogunmola has worked on 8SAID )unded programs across 6 countries. He also studied %usiness Strategy and Change at Edinburgh %usiness School and freelancers as an AI 3roduct Manager. Till date, his organisation has developed more than , young people. With a large network of about 14, students across 5 8niversities, an ecosystem of about 6, Data 3rofessionals, AI Developers, 3roduct Managers, Design 3rofessionals etc, the organization currently leads in 3remium Skill Learning.

TOBA OBANIYI

DELE ODUFUYE

Dele Odufuye is the Country Director of Cavista Nigeria. He is an awardwinning IT professional, entrepreneur, mentor and investor with years of professional experience in building innovative technology solutions that solve business challenges. 3rior to his work with Cavista, Odufuye served as the Chief Executive O΀cer of Tsaboin, which produced Tra΀cTalk, a free tra΀c information sharing platform for mobile, web and desktop platforms. In 1 , he founded A3I )ocus, a non-proÀt community that educates tech startups, software developers and Àrms to make A3I part of their core oͿerings to foster information exchange.

Odufuye has been the recipient of the Nigeria )uture Awards’ ´%est 8se of Technology” two years running and received the Special Recognition Award

by Olusegun Aganga, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment of Nigeria.

He earned his %achelor of Environmental Management and Toxicology degree from the 8niversity of Agriculture, Abeokuta

=ikoko is one of the fastest growing youth publications in Nigeria and Africa today, creating high-engagement content around culture and what it means to be young in Nigeria today. =ikoko sits at the heart of Nigeria’s youth culture, telling the most important stories that matter to youth audiences, via written content, video, images and memes. We create, reÁect and amplify the most urgent elements of youth culture in ways no other platform can. An experienced executive, Aladekomo has worked extensively across media and marketing roles in Nigeria and North America. He believes in products that address real human needs, brands that stand for something, marketing that thrills and great ideas executed well. He has taken %ig Cabal through a transformation that’s made it one of the most exciting new media companies on the continent, telling Africa’s stories in depth and in innovative and fresh ways.

He is passionate about Nigeria and is actively involved in driving sustainable change in the Nigerian political system by creating a thriving hub of bright minds, providing the much-needed infrastructure and atmosphere required for grooming future leaders. He isn’t just passionate about Nigeria, but about Africa as a whole. This passion is what fuels the pace-setting work he does at %ig Cabal Media, and also as a %oard Member of the Africa Tech & Creative Group; which is working to ensure that the implementation of the AFCFTA (Africa Continental Free Trade Act) works for tech, creative and small business communities all over the continent.

PRESTON IDEH

TOMIWA ALADEKOMO

Toba Obaniyi is the CEO OF Whogohost LImited, a cloud solutions company in Nigeria. Founded in , Whogohost has grown from just providing web hosting services to help individuals and businesses to offering a wide range of cloud services and solutions to help small businesses and large enterprises to be more productive online.

As one of the largest web hosting providers in the West African region, we have data of several thousand customers that help us understand their business needs and service preferences.

This data helps us to determine complementary services to offer our growing customers, and determine our customers’ usage patterns which is important to determine services and solutions that we should push aggressively and those that may not be performing as well as we expected. Data is super important in determining trends and predicting future needs and product evolution and innovation.

Tomiwa Aladekomo is the CEO of %ig Cabal Media, which publishes the tech and youth publications, TechCabal and =ikoko. %ig Cabal is building the next generation of African media brands and creating some of the most exciting original content from the continent. TechCabal is a futured-focused publication that leads clear and compelling conversations on the impact and business of tech in Africa. Its data analytics, research and consulting service, TC Insights provides actionable intelligence about Africa’s technology industry to big tech companies, investors, entrepreneurs, regulators and other players on and oͿ the continent. TechCabal’s job is to help people on and oͿ the continent to understand the potential of the sector and how to participate in its success.

3reston Ideh is the CEO of Stears, a digital information company based in Lagos. Stears’ mission is to make it easy for anyone, anywhere in the world to access high quality information on Africa.

Stears Data is the data access, analytics and research division of Stears, which uses analytics to answer questions about the Nigerian economy. For instance, Stears Data worked on a project using proprietary data, combined with satellite imagery, to estimate income levels at local government level in Nigeria. The project was inspired by work done at the World %ank which provided evidence to support the use of night light data to estimate regional income inequality.

Stears leveraged machine learning models created by researchers, combined with its own data, to improve the accuracy of its on estimations.

Stears was co-founded with other alumni from the London School of Economics and 8niversity of Oxford. %efore Stears, 3reston worked as a Corporate Ànance lawyer at Linklaters and at the energy giant %3 in London.

APRIL 11, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

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TECH (3)

SPECIAL REPORT

IF TECHNOLOGY IS THE NEW OIL, THEN DATA IS THE NEW POWER companies across the globe.

Before founding Betastore, Steve was the Head of Commercial Planning in Jumia from 2017 to 2019 and Head of Operations, Warehousing and Marketplace also in Jumia between 2015 to 2019.

The company adopts data analytics in determining the consumption rate of certain products through tracking the frequency of booking the products by retailers.

CHUKWUEMEKA FRED AGBATA JNR. (CFA) CFA wears multiple hats which are all focused on launching and supporting technology startups on the African continent. He is a Partner at Pacer.vc, Co-Founder of GoDo Hub and Founder Institute’s Regional Director for Africa.

For more than a decade, CFA has actively promoted the African tech ecosystem through Tech Trends on Channels TV, ICT Clinic in the Punch newspapers and techbuild.africa.

He currently serves as a Director of the Innovation Support Network (ISN) Hubs; a network of >100 innovation and technology hubs across Nigeria, and is also a Director with Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), the sovereign managers of Nigeria’s .ng domain.

CFA supports a few charitable foundations including: FATE Foundation, Sam Ohuabunwa Foundation, and Centre for Values in Leadership. He has written two books; Becoming a Professional Blogger & Powering your Business on the Internet and Social Media. Also, along with Taiwo Fajolu, he co-authored Technology Disruption. He enjoys reading, travelling, building relationships and making impactful connections

DAKAYI KAMANGA Steve Dakayi Kamanga is the founder of Betastore, an online platform with a B2B model, designed for connecting retailers with manufacturers to facilitate seamless distribution of goods from manufacturers to retailers. Betastore in the past few months has demonstrated a huge level of traction through its continuously rising customer base and was recently named among the elite company of the global founder institute companies; a position reserved for the top 1% best performers among the thousands of Founder Institute

TITILOPE ADEWUSI Titilope Adewusi is the Founder of 9ijaKids, an online learning platform that provides adaptive learning for k-12 students’ individual learning needs. It contains thousands of fun, interactive resources where kids can learn while playing. With over 50,000 users enrolled, 9ijakids is currently working on building more content, translating its content to French and Arabic, acquiring more users and Àne tuning its adaptive technology for an ever more personalized learning path for the learners. 9ijakids uses data analytics to understand the behaviours of its users, determine required content for each user to enable a more personalised learning path and retain its customers.

In addition, it leverages data analytics to understand preferred content that drives further development.

SEUN ABIMBOLA Seun Abimbola is the Founder of Rentit, an online marketplace designed for the public to easily rent diͿerent items while creating opportunities for the item owners to generate income. This platform operates within the E-Commerce Space and adopts a B2C business model, creating values for items users to easily rent instead of buying items that are not permanently needed. It allows the owners of the items to earn income while they retain the ownership of the items.

Rentit adopts data analytics in promoting its e΀ciency through constantly tracking

the data of customers’ needs in terms of what is rented at certain time and location and the information is in turn used in making vital decisions with respect to the items accepted from owners.

TOPE SULAIMON Tope Sulaimon is the CEO/Co-founder of Scrapays. His leadership and activities led Scrapays to emerge one of the top Àve Ànalists of Orange Corners, Nigeria that closed over 25,000 Euros in Grants.

Emerged second runner up UK based TecXposition Pitch Event, emerged MEST Africa Challenge 2020 Finalist amongst others.

Scrapays was created to drastically improve recyclable material recovery rate in developing nations through development and incorporation of existing local participants as agents and collectors, to deliver less than a day recovery cycle and drive producer participation.

The company adopts data analytics to its volume driven business, consequent of waste producer participation. Habitual modiÀcation to drive desired outcome is crucial, user engagement is also closely monitored through leveraging the power of data.

WALE OGUNJOBI

Wale Ogunjobi is the Founder of SabiTeach, an online platform created for connecting learners to vetted Tutors. This platform adopts B2C business models and it operates within the Edtech Industry.

Sabiteach is designed to address some of the pressing challenges of learning in the Nigerian society and beyond by creating opportunities for students to achieve plausible educational feet through being tutored by experts while at the same allowing the tutors to earn income as they teach their favorite subjects. Sabiteach is leveraging data analytics to determine the most pressing needs of learners through the type of tutors they are requesting to be connected with and this ultimately

contributes to making vital decisions in the company’s overall operations.

TAYO OVIOSU

Tayo Oviosu is the Founder/CEO of Paga, a fast growing Fintech Company in Nigeria, that is using emerging technologies like ArtiÀcial Intelligence (AI) and Analytics in addressing societal challenges in the Ànancial industry.

According to him, at Paga, “we are driven by a massive transformative purpose – to make it simple for a billion people to access and use their money – in essence using technology in making life possible for our customers by building the Square/PayTM for Nigeria, making it easy for individuals to perform digital transactions and sellers to collect payments.

In solving the societal challenge of cash use Paga has developed a homegrown solution - people can now download the Paga app, link their bank cards or accounts, or fund the account at agents, and transact digitally.”

Those who have multiple bank accounts can transact from one place with money in any of their accounts. Those who are not banked can leverage Paga’s agent network to come into a digital world. Shops can use Paga’s application to collect payments digitally and reduce the acceptance of cash, and thus reduce theft, he said.

Oviosu who called for collaboration in the growth of Fintech players, said: “There is signiÀcant collaboration behind the scenes. Paga has opened up all its APIs for not just other Àntech players but the entire technology community. Now any business can leverage Paga’s apis on Paga.dev to innovate - without worrying about payment infrastructure. Two great examples are Flutterwave’s partnership with Paga to allow for consumers to pay with their Paga accounts; and Visa’s partnership with Paga to drive contactless payments. We are also seeing traditional Banks want to partner more deeply with us to leverage our retail distribution and access to the last mile.”

He said Fintech remained an enabling technology to drive commerce, and thus economies. Nigeria is no diͿerent than other countries in the potential Àntech oͿers to drive growth, jobs, and simplify how we live our lives. At the core is how do we exchange value - today that is mostly done in cash. This will change to fully digital at some point. Advancements in Nigeria to allow for mobile wallets, such as Paga, and the CBN’s drive for a cashless Nigeria are the start. The future of Àntech is more innovation to make it simple for people to exchange and grow their money. He therefore called on the federal government to put in place, policies that will help structure a Àrm future for Fintech in Nigeria.

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SUNDAY APRIL 11, 2021 • T H I S D AY

21

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 11, 2021

BUSINESS

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

Can the Economy Meet IMF’s Growth Projection?

The International Monetary Fund says that it expects Nigeria’s economy to grow by a very modest 2.5 per cent this year. Against the backdrop of many social, political and economic ills belabouring the country, as well as the persistent lack of growth over the past Àve years, Nosa James-Igbinadolor wonders if this projection can be met

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n a report released last week, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), raised Nigeria’s growth forecast for 2021 to 2.5 percent from 1.5 per cent earlier announced in January.

The di΀dently hopeful projections from the global Ànancial institution comesagainstthebackdropofnegative economic growth, contractions, depression and recession that have scarred the Nigerian economy over the past Àve years.

The IMF report noted that the future for the global economy “presents daunting challenges.

The pandemic is yet to be defeated and virus cases are accelerating in many countries. Recoveries are also diverging dangerously across and within countries, as economies with slower vaccine rollout, more limited policy support, and more reliance on tourism do less well.”

Addingthat,“thesedivergentrecoverypathsare likelytocreatewidergapsinlivingstandardsacross countries compared to pre-pandemic expectations…Unevenrecoveriesarealsooccurringwithin countries as young and lower-skilled workers remain more heavily aͿected.”

Thereporturgedforswiftpolicyaction,warning that, “policymakers will need to continue supporting their economies while dealing with more limited policy space and higher debt levels than priortothepandemic.Thisrequiresbetter-targeted measures to leave space for prolonged support if needed. With multi-speed recoveries, a tailored approachisnecessary,withpolicieswell-calibrated to the stage of the pandemic, the strength of the economicrecovery,andthestructuralcharacteristics of individual countries.”

And this is where it gets a lot disquieting for Nigeria. For an economy pounded by a gravelly mishmash of extremely bad macroeconomic and monetary policies, persistent contractions in GDP, reduced earnings from oil and gas, and a generally poorpoliticaleconomyenvironmentthathasbeen triggered by poor socio-political governance from the centre, it is more likely that the projections from the IMF is unduly optimistic.

Nigeria’sexportstructurehasnotfundamentally changedoverthedecades,withhydrocarbonproducts still accounting for 90 percent of the country’s exports today as they did in the 1970s. Successful economic diversiÀcation requires trade openness and competitive discipline. “The experience of Malaysia, Indonesia, and to some extent India has shown that a shift toward export-oriented industrialization can boost GDP. The limited gains from inward-oriented policies in terms of creating jobs and improving living standards suggest that Nigeria needs to change course. To accommodate a growing number of young people entering the labour market, Nigeria will need to create at least 5 million new jobs each year over the next decade”, an IMF report noted in February.

Ahorizontal analysis of the growth rate of the Nigerian economy since the second quarter of 2015 shows a -1.62 percent growth in 2016, 0.81 percent growth in 2017, 1.92 percent, 2.21 percent and -4.28 percent growth in 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively.

In spite of the cautiously positive outlook from the IMF, the reality is that the Nigerian economy remains brittle; troubled by uncertainties around global oil price path and local production capabilities, rising inÁation, a horrifying and ¶immoral’ rate of unemployment, unprecedented security challenges and social tensions largely allowed to incubate and fester by the actions and inactions of the Nigerian government.

More troubling for the Nigerian economy is the distasteful policy environment that have helped to spur the headwinds pushing against economic growth.

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“It is essential,” the IMF warned in its report, “that progress is made on resolving trade and technology tensions.”

In February, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) bannedbanksandÀnancialinstitutionsfromfacilitatingpaymentsforcryptocurrencyexchangesand ordered that they needed to identify and close accountsassociatedwiththem.Thisfurtherprompted the Securities Exchange Commission, SEC, to put on hold its plans to formalize cryptocurrencies as securities under its sphere of activity.

According to Buy Coins, one of Nigeria’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, the crypto market had expanded so much that the volume of Bitcoin traded monthly is estimated at $200mn.

The decision by the CBN to put a halt to crypto trading likely added to the already expansive pessimism of current and likely domestic and foreign investors who were already cynical about theuncertainpolicyenvironment.TherelatedeͿect could likely be an increase in capital outÁows, which is risky for the naira and economic growth.

Areport by a Ànancial information outÀt ¶Proshare’ warned in the aftermath of the ban, that “the recent ban on cryptocurrency transactions could taper investment Áows into the country as global investors are beginning to heavily eye the cryptocurrency space. Just recently, Jay Z and Jack Dorsey (Twitter Founder) announced a $23.6mn investment to fund Bitcoin development inAfrica.

In addition, there is a fast-growing interest from Wall Street and the big players in the Ànancial industry, such as JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley.

This signals a huge potential for the crypto market in the coming years. There are high expectations of reduced volatility as investors could begin to increase cryptocurrency investments in emerging markets.Thisisgoodnewsbutwiththelargestconsuming market inAfrica banning cryptocurrency transactions, this could limit potential investment in-Áows that would boost economic growth…

“The fast expansion of the Nigerian crypto market has created numerous jobs especially

for the youths. The ban will aͿect individual home-based traders and these traders often have employees of their own. Stopping the operations of the emerging crypto market means more job loss, and this could trigger a faster increase in the rate of unemployment.”

Another extremely unpleasant policy decision taken by the federal government that would likely negatively aͿect the economy in the short to long term is the uneconomically sound decision to commit a whooping 1.5 billion USD (575 billion Naira) for the rehabilitation of the 32 year old Port-Harcourt reÀnery.

The decision itself comes on the heels of the Federal Government’s proposal to sell or concession no fewer than 36 of its properties in the bid to raise funds to Ànance the 2021 budget. Top among these properties are the three reÀneries in Kaduna, Warri, and Port Harcourt, among others.

As noted in a recent report by a national daily, “Nigeria has spent about 25 billion USD in turnaround maintenance of reÀneries in the past 25 years, the prevailing development is coming after promisesbytheadministrationthatthegovernment would no longer spend on the facility. Previous rehabilitations notwithstanding, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) audit report had last year revealed that three of the nation’s four reÀneries recorded 1.64 trillion Naira cumulative losses in their 2014 to 2018 details.”

The sordidness of the decision by the NNPC to rehabilitateareÀneryithasnocapacityofe΀ciently runningwaswelldeÀnedbyformerVice-President AtikuAbubakarwhenhedescribedthedecisionas “suspicious” and wondering if there was a public tender before the cost was announced, or if any due diligence was performed.

According to the former Vice-President and Businessman, “we cannot as a nation expect to make economic progress if we continue to fund ine΀ciency, and we are going too deep into the debt trap for unnecessarily overpriced projects.

“Our national debt has grown from 12 trillion

Naira in 2015 to 32.9 trillion Naira today. Surely that is shocking enough to cause us to be more prudent in the way we commit future generations into the bondage of bonds and debt.”

Economist and former Stanbic IBTC Bank Chairman, Atedo Peterside had also urged the federal government to put a stop to the “1.5 billion USD approval for repair of Port Harcourt reÀnery and subject this brazen & expensive adventure to an informed national debate”.

HemostlikelyspokethemindofmostNigerians when he assessed that, “many experts prefer that this reÀnery is sold “as is” by BPE to core-investors with proven capacity to repair it with their own funds.”

These decisions as well as many others taken by the Buhari administration leaves many experts aghast at the rational route to meeting an ultramodest2.5percenteconomicgrowthratepredicted by the IMF. The reality is that a growth rate of 2.5 percent will not do much to accelerate the more than needed ¶economic rearmament’ that Nigeria so much needs.

Forthatsmallandthenultimatelystronggrowth to take place in the Nigerian macroeconomic landscape, the advice by the IMF that policymakers should also continue to ensure adequate access to international liquidity and that major central banks should provide clear guidance on future actionswithampletimetoprepare,toavoid“tapertantrum” kinds of episodes as occurred in 2013 needs to be well heeded by the CBN. The current system of multiple exchange rates as adopted and implemented by the Nigerian Central Bank creates uncertainties for the private sector because of multiple exchange rates and nontransparent rules for foreign exchange allocation.

As noted by a report by the Fund in February, “unifyingthevariousratesintoonemarket-clearing rate would establish policy credibility. Sustained premiumsintheparallelmarketandunmetforeign exchange demand indicate the need for further adjustment in the exchange rate to reduce the gap between supply and demand. An appropriately valued exchange rate and a clear exchange rate policywouldalsohelpinstillconÀdenceandprivate sector-ledrecovery.Policyclarityisalsoimportantto attractlargercapitalinÁows,includingforeigndirect investments, which have dropped signiÀcantly in recent years and successful diversiÀcation.”

As the Nigerian government remains largely clueless on how to engender a private sector led growthoftheeconomyespeciallyinmanufacturing, the expectation and hope in government circles is for a rebound in the global price of crude to ignite growth.

Absent a dramatic rise in international oil prices, economic activity in 2021 would obviously remain dampened by low oil prices, falling public investment due to weak government revenues, constrained private investment due to Àrm failures, and subdued foreign investor conÀdence.

Moreover, private consumption prospects will likely be weighed down by lost incomes and higher precautionary saving among nonpoor households, as well as lower remittances and the depletionofsavingsamongpoorandunemployed households amid inadequate social safety nets.

In addition, pre-existing structural constraints, such as persistent power-supply disruptions, are expected to remain inelastic.

One way the Nigerian government could have expanded growth to meet the IMF forecast, was to raise more revenues to ensure a sustainable Àscal position. Nigeria has one of the lowest revenue levels as a share of GDP worldwide.Alarge share of revenues is spent on the country’s public debt service payments, leaving insu΀cient Àscal space for critical social and infrastructure spending and to cushion an economic downturn.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 11, 2021

AVIATION

Unanswered Questions as NG Eagle Berths Recently, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria confirmed that it had floated a new airline, NG Eagle, which it hoped would be used to recover its huge debts inArik, while the latter would be wound down. Chinedu Eze examines the implication of the liquidation of Arik on the aviation industry

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fter four years that Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) took over the management of Arik Air, Nigeria’s foremost carrier, the agency has announced that it had started the process of establishing another airline, NG Eagle, which is at the threshold of obtaining its Air Operator CertiÀcate (AOC).

In a recent interview with THISDAY, Arik Air Receiver Manager, Kamilu Omokide, said in order to recover its huge debts in Arik Air, AMCON is spearheading the establishment of the airline and it hopes it would use the new carrier to recover some of the debts.

Omokide said AMCON hoped that after operating the airline for some time, it would sell it to the private sector through direct sale or through the Stock Exchange, if the federal government does not take it over.

Omokide also said Arik Air would continue to operate till the end of 2021, stating that both the NG Eagle and Arik would operate from the current Arik Air headquarters at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

THISDAY also gathered from Omokide that some of the aircraft that made up the Arik Air Áeet have been taken over by AMCON and handed them to NG Eagle.

That is the Áeet expected would be used to kick-start the airline. The remaining aircraft would be with Arik Air until the planned exit of the nation’s foremost carrier.

THISDAY investigations also revealed that the aircraft that would remain for Arik Air include the ones that have been on AOG (aircraft on ground) even as far back as 2017 and some of the aircraft that have been cannibalised and the parts used to repair the ones now among NG Eagle Áeet.

This also indicates that Arik Air might not be inheriting mainly airworthy aircraft, as many of the aircraft it is currently operating, were leased and out of AMCON’s magnanimity, as the agency would be facilitating the leasing of another three aircraft for the airline. So while Arik Air would be operating largely leased aircraft, NG Eagle would be operating former Arik Air aircraft, which are mainly Boeing 737 New Generation equipment.

But Omokide made it clear that this was the only option available, if AMCON would ensure that retention of the staͿ and the continued stabilisation of the aviation industry.

Controversy The founders and former management of Arik Air were not positively disposed to AMCON Áoating another airline. Speaking on behalf of the founders, the former Vice Chairman of the airline, Senator Anietie Okon, frowned on the fact that AMCON had taken some aircraft from Arik to start Nigerian Eagle.

“These aircraft belong to Arik and are supposed to be used to generate revenue for Arik to reduce its alleged debts. The aircraft have been working for AMCON for the past four years and the loan has not been defrayed, but rather has grown exponentially. AMCON keeps on bandying Àgures. It is clear that setting up another airline is only a wasteful adventure that will neither resolve the Arik issue nor make the new airline viable,” he said.

Senator Okon noted that AMCON on February 8, 2017, alleged in court that Arik owed approximately N136 billion in total and the agency moved in on February 9, “under the pretext that they

An Arik airplane

needed to protect the creditors and the operation because of the airline’s strategic importance.”

“Today, four years later, these guys from AMCON are telling the country, that under their capable and caring hands, they have been able to destroy the airline operationally, destroyed its routes, and its certiÀcation, landing rights in the UK, USA, SA (South Africa), and UAE, and brazenly, added a further N240 billion on the so-called original debt. How can that be acceptable? The truth is that they malign the owners and quietly give the impression that they are helping the nation. This is a scam! Will Nigerians accept this? I believe if anybody would accept this, I am very sure Mr. President will not accept this under his watch,” he added.

A Dying Horse From AMCON’S postulations it has become obvious that if there was no intervention, Arik would inexorably walk into the graveyard of extinction.

Omokide said as much when he intoned that AMCON would operate along with NG Eagle “till the end of 2021.”

What will happen to the industry with the exit of Arik Air? So many more jobs would be lost. Although it is not clear, but AMCON may have the intention to retain the existing workers in Arik, especially the technical staͿ and other senior administrative staͿ. Even as it was revealed that Arik’s 3, 200 Nigerian staͿ has been reduced to about 900, including Nigerians and expatriates, AMCON still made it clear that it wanted to save the jobs of the airline workers.

THISDAY spoke to industry analysts, who said that the picture about what AMCON wished to do is still blurred.

But some also said, if done well, NG Eagle would become a proÀtable airline.

Industry analyst and Secretary General of Aviation Round Table (ART), Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd), told THISDAY that AMCON did not make it known that it would wind down Arik Air and wanted to know what the agency would do under its one strategic exit from the airline.

Ojikutu also wanted to know how AMCON intended to recover the debts and pay Arik creditors and whether the new airline would be responsible to the creditors and asked if the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had conducted economic audit on the airline since AMCON took it over.

“When did AMCON make it known (that it would close Arik) and to who?

How has AMCON planned or decided the one-year exit of AMCON from Arik?

How much of the foreign and external debts of Arik have AMCON recovered or what plans has it put in place to recover the debts or pay the Arik creditors? Would the established AMCON NG Eagle be responsible to the creditors? How much is the additional debts of AMCON Arik to the government services providers (FAAN, NAMA and NCAA)? Is AMCON’s Arik also indebted to private services providers like the ground handling companies?

Has the NCAA conducted the economic audits on the AMCON’s Arik before its transformation to NG Eagle and before the issuance of AOC to AMCON NG Eagle?

“There are many questions to ask now which were not asked in 2012 when Arik and the other airlines that were less than four years in operations went collecting government intervention funds over bank debts and all collapsed within a year of the collections. The NCAA must do what the CBN and BOI did not do in 2012.”

Ojikutu said.

But industry consultant and CEO of Belujane Konsult, Chris Aligbe, declined comments on AMCON, saying that he never believed in the agency and what it is doing in the aviation industry.

But in 2016, Aligbe had said AMCON lacked the competence in managing airlines. “I told you over time that AMCON has no competence in managing airlines.

AMCON does not know what it takes to manage an airline and that is the fact of the matter. They cannot pretend about it.

One of the problems in this country is that people know that they do not know, but they still want to behave as if they know.

“And then if you don’t recognise your

weakness; your inadequacies, you cannot maximise your strength. AMCON has not recognised its weaknesses and inadequacies in airline operation and management and therefore it cannot strengthen the airline. So AMCON cannot maximise its area of strength.”

Rebirth through NG Eagle But informed source told THISDAY that all the pitfalls that other airlines are known for would not be identiÀed with NG Eagle, which is being “professionally put together”.

“NG Eagle is in safe hands. It is being put together by experienced people who will make sure that it will be a success once it begins operation. There is no doubt on my mind that the objective for its establishment will be realised. We are using a diͿerent template for the airline and we are sure it will meet our target.

AMCON has aircraft beyond the ones they inherited from Arik Air. We may start with three leased aircraft and later add the other ones we have,” an inside source told THISDAY. The Managing Director, Flight and Logistics Solutions, Amos Akpan, also told THISDAY that AMCON could have done things diͿerently to ensure that Arik Air survived while they Áoat their own airline, but from indications now, “they are killing Arik to resurrect a new airline.”

“It is not in and out thing. The value of Arik assets plummeted with speed in terms of aircraft and the hangar, which value is also limited. AMCON should ensure that Arik survives or what they are trying to do will expose them to higher risks. AMCON cannot complete this process without sitting down with the original owners of the airline. They could not Ànd a buyer for the airline but Áoating NG Eagle is a risk. What is the timeframe between gestation period and recovery of investment? What sequence had they laid for the recovery of their debts?,” Akpan asked.

AMCON may have left so many questions unanswered in its bid to establish a new airline.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 11, 2021

CONSUMER

Trademark Dispute, Recipe for Confusing Consumers Festus Akanbi examines the unfolding issue of trademark infringement between Rite Foods Limited and the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), producers of Fearless energy drinks and Predators, respectively, saying the legal battle will end up confusing consumers of the two products, unless an amicable settlement is urgently worked out

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lobally,businessowners make use of distinctive features such as trademarks for product identiÀcation, in order to carve a niche for their organisations and to eͿectively compete in the market they operate.

Its usage, which dates back to pre-historic times, has evolved over time to this contemporary era, and it is a type of intellectual property consisting of a word, phrase, symbol, or design that distinguishes a product or service of an organisation from those of competitors.

Over time, the use of marks for product identiÀcation led to its registration and protection, with the earliest trademark legislation known as the Bakers’ Marking Law, enacted by the British Parliament in 1266.

Subsequently, this development spread to other parts of the globe so we had the United States Federal Trademark Act of 1870, the French Manufacture and Goods Mark Act in 1857, followed by Merchandise Mark Acts of 1862 in England, as well as the Japanese law in 1884.

In Africa, the situation is the same, with businesses making use of trademarks in markets where they operate, as also evident in Nigeria, the largest economy on the continent, with over 200 million people, making it the most populous and lucrative investment destination on the continent.

Indeed, the strive for market share has made it necessary for organisations to be identiÀed with one trademark or the other, and it is governed by the Trademarks, Patents and Designs Registry, Commercial Law Department of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, under the Trade Marks Act, Cap T 13, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and the Trademark Regulations 1990.

However, the importance of trademark and product style protection against passing-oͿ by others trying to deceive the consumers to believe their product share same quality with the original cannot be overemphasised.

Some cases of trademark infringements in the country include that of Alban Pharmacy Ltd. V Sterling Products International Incorporated, in 1968, over the mark Casorina, which the appellant (Sterling Products) said infringes on its ‘ Castoria’ which was registered on November 26, 1958, in Class 3 for medicinal products.

After the trial court has passed judgement of non-similarity in favour of the defendant, the Supreme Court overruled that the issue of resemblance was not the right approach, that what the learned judge had in mind was a case of passing-oͿ which must be distinguished from infringement.

It therefore ruled that if the proposed trademark ‘Casorina’ is allowed to be registered, the syllable ‘Cas’ will no doubt form the essential part of the name of the medicine and would likely cause confusion in the minds of the public.

Again, the court stated that the last syllable in the mark ‘Casorina’ namely ‘RINA’ in itself was not free from causing confusion with ‘RIA’ in ‘Castoria.’

In the judgement, Ademola CJN, was of the view that in determining what constitutes an infringement, “the mark sought to be registered must not when compared with what is already registered, deceive the public or cause confusion.”

Another example was that of Beecham Group Ltd. And ors. V Essdee Food Products Ltd (1985). In the Suit No: CA/L/12/84, the

Fearless Vs Predator energy drinks

plaintiͿs/respondents, Beecham Group, who were the owners of the registered trademark ‘Lucozade’ with the mark numbers 5452 and 5456, Àled an injunction restraining the defendant, Esdee Food from infringing with the trademark ‘Glucos-Aid.’ At the trial court, it was held that ‘GlucosAid’ is confusingly similar in sound to the trademark ‘Lucozade’, and as such contravenes the provision of Section 5(1)of the Trademark Act of 1965, and consequently, N5,000 was awarded as damages to the plaintiͿ.

In the appeal suit by Essdee Foods at the Supreme Court, the counsel to the plaintiͿ cited the case of ‘Bell Sons and Co. V Godwin Alco & Others’ to support the point that the ears and the eyes must be together involved in the exercise of comparison.

In the judgement, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal and held that ‘GlucosAid’, in sound, is confusing to ‘Lucozade’ and it will undoubtedly mislead the public.

And N300.00 was awarded in favour of the plaintiͿ.

Indeed, the current battle between Rite Foods Limited and the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) brings to the fore the stiͿ competition that arises in reaching the consumer.

A Form 48, and in the Suit No: PHC/L/ CS/92/2021, at the Federal High Court, Lagos, published on Friday, March 19, 2021, in THISDAY and Guardian Newspapers, the plaintiͿ, Rite Foods, alleged that NBC has infringed on its trademark with its Predator energy drink, which has adopted a lion insignia in resemblance of the mark on its Rite Foods’ which has been using and trading with lion imagery for its Fearless energy drinks three years before the NBC’s Predator came into the market.

The alleged trademark infringement, according to Rite Foods, has damaged its goodwill and it is seeking reliefs which include injunctions and damages for its loss.

Indeed, an exparte injunction has been secured against NBC while another for interlocutory is yet to be decided.

The report also contain a notice of consequences of disobedience of order of court issued to the NBC’s MD, Mathieu Seguin, and ex parte order restraining the company from promoting or using any sales promotion material for its Predator energy drink in a manner that infringes or passes oͿ or that is capable of infringing or passing oͿ the plaintiͿ’s Fearless energy drink, until the interlocutory application for injunction is determined.

However, investigation reveals that the PlaintiͿ, Rite Foods’ Fearless energy drinks were launched into the Nigerian market in June 2017, and has become well known with great market share before the NBC’s Predator brand which made entrant in June, 2020, three years after, Fearless entrant.

After the publication of the court proceedings and the matter brought to the public, in what appears like a feeble response, the NBC insisted it will defend itself, stating that it will contest the case vigorously in court.

In a statement, the NBC a΀rmed its conÀdence in the court and contended that the bottles and logos are not confusingly similar and that the Predator brand and logo are in use in other markets of the globe. It added that neither the company nor its MD has breached any court order.

There are claims the trademark may have been in use by NBC trade partners in other countries before the product launch in Nigeria in 2020, the issue of trademark concerning businesses and products, it is believed, is territorial.

According to the report, what this means is that a product or trademark registered or used in Brazil or America for example, will not be recognised in Ghana, if it has not been registered or being in use and identiÀed with a product in the country.

The plaintiͿ, the publication posits, owns

the exclusive right to the trademark which has been a mark of identifying its market leading product, Fearless energy drinks since 2017, that with the alleged infringement by NBC, consumers are likely to assume (mistakenly) that the Fearless and Predator brands are from the same source and may also share the same quality.

It further stated that Rite Foods claimed the degree of similarity between the lion symbols on its Fearless brands and that of the NBC’s Predator energy drink is high, and that since both compete in the same market spectrum, the mark is likely to cause confusion in the minds of consumers, about the source or sponsorship of the brands oͿered under the defendant’s mark.

However, an important question posed on this dispute is why NBC waited for three years after Rite Foods’ Fearless energy drink was introduced before coming out with a look alike of the trademark used by Fearless energy drink, if indeed its partner had used the trademark or style in another country?

A marketing analyst, Mr. Kayode Adewale, wondered why a big multinational company will be playing a catch-up marketing strategy to the point of using a trademark similar to an indigenous company, who had successfully gained market acceptability with the trademark unique packaging.

He a΀rmed that Fearless introduced in a PET bottle and its unique taste was the game changer, rather than the trademark.

However, this product identiÀcation with a particular trademark need not be passed oͿ by another in a healthy competitive market like Nigeria.

The industry analyst stated that the alleged infringements negates the provision of the Trade Marks Act, Cap T 13, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and the Trademark Regulations 1990, which grants Rite Foods the exclusive owner of the mark for identiÀcation of its products within the country.

But there is a new twist to the case with the application of committal Àled against the NBC and its MD for contempt of court.

The Rite Foods’ application for committal states that the contemnors, the NBC and its MD have disobeyed interim injunctions granted by Hon. Justice Aneke of the Federal High Court on February 9, 2021.

In the application which was published in the THISDAY and Guardian Newspapers of April 6, 2021, the plaintiͿ, Rite Foods, is seeking an order committing the contemnors to purge themselves of the contempt of court.

The court papers Àled by Rite Foods through its lawyer, Muyiwa Ogungbenro of Olajide Oyewole LLP, shows that the court would be moved at the instance of Rite Foods for an order committing the contemnors to prison for disobeying a court order.

According to the application of committal in both national newspapers, the NBC and its MD are restrained from promoting or using any material for its Predator energy drink in a manner that infringes or passes oͿ Rite Foods’ Fearless energy drinks.

The documents also states that NBC and its MD are in breach of the court order for failing to remove from public domain, promotion materials already released including those released through Taaooma.

It further mentioned that the NBC’s boss is responsible for the company’s breach of the court orders, as Rite Foods alleges that Seguin (NBC’s MD) has the power to command its obedience.

As the matter is now before the court, it is hoped that consumers’ interest will be protected while the dispute is being settled.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 11, 2021

WOMEN ENTERPRENEURS

NNEKA ISAAC-MOSES

Govt is Not Doing Enough to Support Tourism Nneka Isaac-Moses is an entrepreneur, destination promoter, tourism consultant, ‘Top 100 women in tourism’ awardee, a World Bank Scholar, author and multiple award-winning media producer. She focuses on tourism promotion and development, destination assessment, business strategy, sustainability, training and marketing within the Tourism Industry. She is one-half of the twin brain behind the multiple award winning culture and travel TV programme, Goge Africa – a project she conceptualised and nurtured with her husband and business partner from inception and built into one of the most-respected tourism brands in Africa. Speaking with Oyinlola Sale, Isaac-Moses reveals the inspiration behind the creation of Goge Africa and how she has managed to build a successful business over the years with her husband, Isaac Moses

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hatinspiredthecreation of Goge Africa?

The beauty of Africa; our people, awesome destinations and the undiluted natural sceneries, wild life, mosaic of cultures and our rich heritage inspired us to start Goge Africa. We felt the need to tell our beautiful African stories ourselves.

We should focus on promoting Nigeria to Nigerians Àrst (Nigerians in the country and to those in the diaspora). Nigeria has the largest traveling population in Africa.

If we get 40% of out traveling population to travel within Nigeria; the industry will feel the Ànancial impact.

Nigeria will save the foreign exchange we lose through outbound tourism. More so, the government and corporate organizations should consider holding their conferences and retreats here in Nigeria.

Finally I urge tour operators to create creative tour packages utilising locations that are ready to receive visitors.

State tourism boards and agencies should engage tour operators in Nigeria: by organising familiarisation trips to showcase what they have in their various states. Tour operators sell better when they have experienced the experience they are selling.

How have you managed to build and maintain your brand over the years?

Goge Africa is an exciting project and we are very passionate and excited about the possibilities and value addition it oͿers to Africa.

So we had to stay focused. We managed the meager resources we had properly. We never tried to impress anyone by living beyond our means; that way, we contained our overhead in order to keep the business going. We never compromised on the quality of our delivery regardless of the amount paid by our clients, or even when the production is not funded. Above all, our resilience comes from our deep faith in God and His ability to make all things possible according to His will. So we just kept dreaming, acting on it and believing.

What can be done to revive the tourism sector in Nigeria in the post COVID-19 era?

On the part of tourism practitioners, we need to gain the conÀdence of travelers; to convince them that, it is safe and ok to travel again. We need to comply with the safety standards for travels and hospitality in a pandemic situation. The committee set up by the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) for: “Health & Safety Measures for Tourism & Related Services during Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic” have done an excellent job in setting up acceptable standards of operations for tourism; I am a member of that committee and also a member of the committee set up by International Standard Organization ISO/TC 228/WG 18 N 15ISO/TC 228/WG 18 “Measures to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 in the tourism industry.

So businesses in tourism ecosystem should get

Do you think the Government is doing enough to support the tourism sector in Nigeria?

NO. They are not.

Were you ever afraid when you started this platform?* No. We were very positive and excited. We still are!

What is your projection for this business in the next 5 years?

The business will be even bigger. It will have more a΀liates and would provide more jobs while stimulating the local economies in Nigeria particularly and across Africa.

Isaac-Moses

certiÀed by SON. Besides observing strict safety rules, collaboration within the industry is very necessary. We also need cross-sectoral collaboration to reinvigorate, sustain and boost the industry.

We need training and retraining opportunities for practitioners and new entrants in the tourism

space.

On the part of the government, we need enabling laws that will favor investors in tourism, enabling environment: Security, access roads and basic amenities like, water and energy (light). Nigeria should invest in image laundering (packaging and marketing Nigeria as a brand).

What advice do you have for young women that have a passion to go into tourism?

Today is the best time to start! Get some trainings and Ànd a mentor in the industry. Collaborate and strike partnership deals with stakeholders in the industry. Above all, just know that you can do it because you want to. If you stay focused and resilient, you will turn your passion to proÀt.

Access Bank Supports Glow Initiative to Install Solar Panels in School

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low Initiative for Economic Empowerment, through its Solar Up Nigeria (SUN) Initiative, has launched the Solar for Schools Community Project with funding support from Access Bank PLC. The pilot project was concluded recently at Community Secondary School Ebenebe rural village, Anambra State, where the initiative has powered, especially, the school’s computer centre to enable kids access to computer, digital and ICT Education.

Previously, the school sold palm fruits from their compound to enable them aͿord to rent a generator so that only 45 SS3 students preparing for exams out of 500 can conduct computer practicals.

ICT, digital and internet education are powerful skills of the 21st century. Young people must thereby be equipped with the knowledge with which they could create own businesses and employ others.

On the day the team arrived the school premises, they saw about 15 female students gathered in a corner picking palm fruits from a bulk and stacking them in a bag instead of being in their classroom studying. But if the palmfruits are not

picked out and sold, the school couldn’t rent an electricity generator to power school activities especially computer learning. With electricity in the school, the female students can be engaged more productively. With the installed solar system all 500 kids can conveniently have access to ICT and Computer Education including coding.

The project was completed on Saturday 20th February and the students were so excited that as soon as light came into the computer centre from solar they all gathered round the computers excitedly.

In March 2020, Glow Initiative conducted a similar project at Makoko slum

Community where it built a solar powered centre and trained 20 female Àsh trades on how to build a solar dryer.

They could now save more money by avoiding Àsh damage. Through the solar powered center the women are able to sell electricity and make some money to invest in cleaner technology for their Àsh products.

The Solar for Schools Community Project is part of Glow Initiative’s eͿort to promote solar energy and power education for oͿ-grid rural schools. It plans to reach more rural schools and therefore seeking access to technical support and more funding.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 11, 2021

25

DEVELOPMENT

From MDGs to SDGs: The Nigeria Story

As the global community is accelerating eͿorts in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by world leaders in September 2015, as a successor framework to the Millennium Development Goals, Udora Orizu writes on the Nigeria story

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ith the adoption, world leaders, including President Muhammadu Buhari, had saddled themselves with the task of mobilizing eͿorts to end all forms of poverty, Àght inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind in the space of 15 years.

The SDGs build on the success of the MDGs, but with the added challenge to world leaders end all formsofpovertyby2030.The17Goalsand169targets of the Sustainable Development are indeed call for action by all countries, poor, rich and middle-income to promote prosperity while protecting the planet.

In adopting the framework, world leaders recognised that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and addresses a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection.

Therefore, the SDGs are about people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership. With it, global community committed to ending poverty and hunger in all forms and ensuring dignity and equality, protecting the planet’s natural resources and climate for generations yet unborn, ensuring prosperous and fulÀlling lives in harmony with nature and working for a peaceful, just and inclusive societiesforall.Thesegoalsaretobeachievedthrough the spirit of partnership and pragmatism to make the necessary choices to improve livelihood in a sustainable way.

In realisation of the need to accelerate eͿorts directed at achieving the goals, the global community has declared the next 10 years Decade of Action.

Groundwork for Successful SDGs In Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari expressedhiscommitmenttotheimplementationofthe Sustainable Development Goals with the appointment of Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire as his SeniorSpecialAssistantonSustainableDevelopment Goals and the establishment of the O΀ce of the SeniorSpecialAssistantforSustainableDevelopment Goals, OSSAP –SDGs as the national focal o΀ce for the implementation of 2030 Agenda in Nigeria.

The O΀ce started oͿ with stock taking of its implementation of MDGs followed by the crafting of the country’s transition strategy from MDGs to SDGs. This process culminated in the production of a strategic document which phased the implementation of the SDGs into three phases.

The Àrst phase which covers the Àrst Àve years which is that of building on existing foundations advocacy sensitization and partnership building.

The second phase is that of scaling up investments and implementation while the third phase which is essentially about tracking, monitoring and reporting for the SDG while simultaneously implementing key initiatives directed at leaving no one behind.

In this Àrst phase of the implementation, OSSAPSDGs under the leadership of Princess OrelopeAdefulire had in the past Àve years provided the strategic leadership and guidance, high-level representation, advocacy and partnership building; mobilization, robust monitoring, evaluation and reporting needed for the success of the SDGs in Nigeria.

As part of multi-stakeholder Engagement for SDGs Implementation, a Private Sector Advisory Group on the SDGs, Donors’ Partnership Forum for SDGs, Civil Society Strategy Group on SDGs have been launched while OSSAP-SDGs has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the NBAto provide free legal and pro-bono services in actualization of justice goals of Sustainable Development.

A Presidential Council on SDGs has also been established. In the area of advocacy, OSSAP-SDGs has established SDGs Ambassadors for advocacy and sensitization as well as SDGs Champions for grassroots advocacy.

Also, a series of capacity building sessions aimed at bridging capacity gaps of Technical O΀cers involved in the planning and implementation of the SDGs at both National and Sub-National Levels have been organised.

The O΀ce has worked vertically and horizontally with Federal Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) to integrate relevant SDGs into their

One of the Skill Acquisition Centres Constructed and Equipped By OSSAP-SDGs

Sectoral Policies and Plans with an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) already established for successful coordination.

At the Sub-national level, the OSSAP-SDGs in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been working with the 36 States and the FCT to mainstream the priority SDGsintotheMediumandLong-termDevelopment Plans of the State and Local Governments.

Some of the key achievements include the production of SDGs Baseline Report in 2017; Publication of the 1st Voluntary National Review Report to the United Nations in 2017; the re-alignment of the National Statistical System with the requirements of the SDGs;thesigningoftheDataBondandResponsibility Framework with MDAs, the Domestication of the Integrated SDG (iSDG) Model for Nigeria and the Publication of the 2nd Voluntary National Review Report to the United Nations in 2020.

The Nigeria iSDG, a home-grown analytical tool for SDG-based planning and reporting at the national and sub-national levels, the Report was o΀cially launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on September 24, 2019 during the Nigeria High Level Side Event on the Margins of the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly.

“I will say we have done extremely well and it’s a demonstration of the commitment of this administration to the 2030 agenda by establishing all these institutional frameworks that will enable us achieve the SDGs, not only timely but in a way and manner that is extraordinary. The realignment of the national statistical system will enable us in the next ten years on annual basis to track our progress towards the SDGs. If we hadn’t done that, we wouldn’t be able to track our progress towards the SDGs,” SSAP-SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire said.

Inaddition,theSDGsO΀cehassupportedvarious SDGs-related programmes and projects across the 36 States and the FCT through the scale up of the implementation of the Conditional Grants Scheme to State and Local Governments.

Education Quality Education as enshrined in Goal 4 is recognized as one of the cross cutting goals of Sustainable Developmentastheachievementofthegoalcanhave a multiplier eͿect on the achievement of all the other goals. In realization of its importance, OSSAP-SDGs either through its Conditional Grants Scheme or by direct funding has been intervening in eͿorts to improve the education process since 2016.

Aside the intervention at the States, OSSAP-SDGs on24January,2019inconjunctionwithotherpartners, celebrated the Àrst International Day of Education in Nigeria in commemoration of the role of education in peace and development.

The event, celebrated globally under the theme Education:AKeyDriverforInclusionandEmpower-

ment was celebrated in Nigeria with a panel session which discussed the centrality of education in the achievement of all the other 16 SDGs with key stakeholders in the Nigerian education sector in attendance.

Also, OSSAP-SDGs in January 24 2020 also with the support of other partners celebrated the International Day of Education under the theme, Learning for People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace. The event was used to rally stakeholders on the need to accelerate achievements of SDG 4, especially, the need to bring over 10 million out of school children roaming the streets in Nigeria back to classrooms.

To celebrate the 2020 day, OSSAP-SDGs took stakeholders to Pilot Science and Nursery, School, Abuja where the maiden initiative of its partnership with a Chinese company, NetDragon Websoft, to use digital technology for the advancement of education in Nigeria was implemented.

OSSAP-SDGs had through the partnership established digital classroom designed to equip pupils with ICT skills to enhance teaching and learning opportunities.

Also as part of its contributions to help tackle the phenomenon of out of school children in Nigeria, the O΀ce constituted a Technical Committee on Out of School Children to provide leadership in the conduct of a rapid assessment in states where the problem is most pronounced and to design cost eͿective interventions. And following the recommendationofthecommittee,PresidentMuhammadu Buhari recently constituted a steering committee to implement the alternate school initiative in States where the problems are most pronounced.

For the management of OSSAP-SDGs, availability of secured and conducive environment for learning is also very crucial. To this end, the O΀ce has been embarking on massive construction, rehabilitation and furnishing of some educational facilities. So far, about 731 blocks of classroom have been constructed & furnished with VIP toilets and external works across the country.

The o΀ce has also completed a Library building in Mega School Dumurkol, Daura, Katsina State.

The Library is expected to serve as knowledge and resource centre for students Good Health and Wellbeing The o΀ce has also intervened and supported states and public medical institutions with resources through building of various categories of healthcare facilities and supply of medical equipment to help advance the health goals of SDGs. SigniÀcantly, to help reduce the high level of maternal and child mortality ratio in the country, OSSAP-SDGs in partnership with global soft drink giant, Coca-Cola, Medshare International and Federal Ministry of Health on November 2, 2018 launched the Coca-Cola Safe Birth Initiative, SBI at the National Hospital,

Abuja. The SBI is designed to support 10 selected tertiary level hospitals in the country with vital state of the art life-saving medical equipment and technical capacity building – including kits and supplies needed for diagnosis and treatment of mother and child during the ante-natal, birthing and post natal period.

The equipment supplied include ultrasound Machine, Infant Incubator, Resuscitaire Infant Warmers, Delivery Bed ,Anesthesia Machine, Multi-Parameter Patient Vital Signs Monitors, phototherapy Light, Stainless Steel Baby Bassinets, Fetal Monitor, Baby Scales, Theatre Lamps, Patient/ Hospital Beds and Bubbled Wrapped Baby Incubator.

With Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 576 per 100,000 live birth, Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) of 37 per 1,000 live births and Under-Five Mortality Rate (UMR) of 128 per 1,000 live births, the OSSAPSDGs as part of its intervention programme has been taking strategic steps to halt and reverse the trend by strengthening healthcare service delivery.

Particularly, the O΀ce has constructed nine Maternal and Child Centre with 149-bed capacity. The Centres are located in Kano, Kaduna, Benue, Kwara, Yobe, Adamawa, Abia Lagos and Ondo State. The facility is complemented by other 80 Bed prototype Hospital established in 5 other States namely: Kebbi, Lagos, Bauchi, Enugu and Anambra State.

The three-Áoor prototype Maternal and Child Centre has two operating theatres, recovery rooms, sterilisationroom,deliveryroom,consultationrooms, private and general wards, scanning room, side laboratory rooms, reception area, lounge, nurses room and station, doctor call rooms, scrub room and a Board room.

The facility also boasts of ultra-modern equipment that will aid the prompt delivery of maternal and childcare services; these include patient monitors with EC02, Suction machine double jar, ultra scan machines, oxygen generating machine, vacuum extractor delivery set, anaesthetic machine and diathermy machine. It also has an emergency cart with a deÀbrillator, baby incubators, phototherapy lamps, paediatric ventilators, multi-parameter monitors for mothers and babies, crash cart, theatre monitor, deÀbrillators and foetal Doppler.

In addition, the OSSAP-SDGs has between 2016 and 2019 constructed about 60 Type A & Type B Primary Health Centres, rehabilitated 12 diͿerent Hospitals, while 75 Intensive Care and Rural Ambulances have been supplied to various Hospitals across the country. The TypeA& B Primary Healthcare Centres are located in Jimeta,Adamawa State, Tilde Fulani, Toro LGA in Bauchi State, Ibbi, Taraba North Senatorial District in Taraba State, Kudu, Mokwa Niger Central Senatorial District in Niger State, Daura in Katsina State, Nasarawa town, Gudi, Akwanga LGAin Nasarawa state and Ogun Central Senatorial District, Ogun State.

26

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 11, 2021

BUSINESS OUTSIDER

FC Barcelona and Real Madrid match.

The Business of Football Tunji Adegbite

“T

he more money you have coming from revenue, the more you can spend on players. The more you can spend on players, the more you win.

The more you win, the more money you make in prize money from a higher league finish or qualifying for European competition.”- Steve Horowitz Football is unarguably Nigeria’s most common sport, beloved and played by both children and adults.

From dusty streets to stadiums, Nigerians discuss football with so much vigor. Football’s preponderance in the Nigerian sporting scene is quite obvious, from the many businesses built around the sport to the unity it brings to players, fans, and spectators alike during matches, discussions, and debates.

Introduced by British missionaries in the coastal areas (Lagos, Calabar, and Port Harcourt), the popularity of the sport spread inland quite quickly. Interestingly, football was not the only sport introduced by the missionaries. The colonial officials and military officials also introduced Polo and Cricket. However, cricket faded from the scene, while Polo was and perhaps still regarded as a sport reserved for the elite. Football caught on and spread quite rapidly because of its relative ease to set up (a ball and an open field). By the 1930s, football had already grown to be a national obsession, and various leagues and tournaments were being organized. In 1933, the Nigeria Football Association (NFA)

was established (although formally launched in 1945) to support the development of football associations across the country. The Nigerian Premier League has its roots in Lagos, initially known as the 1931 Lagos league.

Given the affection Nigerians have for football, especially the international leagues, one would be curious regarding why Nigerians are not flocking to the local stadiums to watch the domestic Nigerian league football. The domestic league was quite popular among Nigerians until the late 2000s. Clubs like Enyimba FC, Shooting Stars, and Rangers were household names, and their fixtures were widely anticipated.

However, as poor management, violence, and clashes among rival team’s fans built up, the stadia for local leagues became ‘ghost towns’ even on big match days.

In 2012, the Nigerian Football Federation, in partnership with the owners of the participating clubs in the Nigerian league formed the League Management Company (LMC) to remedy the decay in the sector. The LMC rebranded the League, from the Nigerian Premier League to the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL). Their efforts led to the NPFL being ranked the best in Africa and 24th best in the world by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics.

Globally, the football industry is big business. This is evident in how they are incorporated and governed. Football clubs generate revenue via broadcasting rights, merchandise sales, transfers, sponsorship, matchday revenue, and prize money. Al Ahly is Africa’s most successful football club with a net worth of $28 million. The revenue of football clubs largely depends on the

economy of where it is run, how it is run, and stakeholders’ participation (fans).

The Synergy between Sports Betting and Football Industry Nigeria has witnessed a surge in the number of bookmakers with a physical or digital presence in the country as new names keep sprouting to compete with existing players.

The nexus between the $2 billion Sports betting industry and the Nigerian football scene has grown largely due to the passion for sports

by Nigerians, with football betting, in particular, being the main driver of traffic for these sites. These sports betting sites have a lot to gain from an improved domestic league, as rational bettors are likely to not stake on unfamiliar games due to zero or low-quality television coverage on the domestic leagues and little incentive to watch domestic leagues due to the current level of infrastructure and level of organisation.

One could point to the popularity of the English Premier League among Nigerian viewers as one of the driving factors of an influx of football bets focusing on the EPL in the sports betting scene. Following this trend, an increase in viewership and popularity of the domestic league ideally would bring along bettors willing to stake on these teams. This has not happened as expected.

The Way Forward Several things have to be done for progress in the NPFL, one of which is the need for proper management and accountability across board to move the league forward. It would have seemed as though infrastructure has been the problem preventing the sport from advancing. However,

with the introduction and renovation of stadiums and improving existing infrastructure, the industry has still not progressed.

Also, the government has to take responsibility for providing an enabling environment for the football league to thrive. There has to be standards to ensure that domestic league clubs carry on their activities in line with global best practices. The LMC and the NFF have to be able to sanction and check behaviors detrimental to the growth of the industry.

In addition, a rebranding attempt with decent public relations crafted to win Nigerian fans over is required.

As fans have been disengaged from the domestic leagues for quite some time, an increase in viewership and fan engagement would likely come with sponsorship from companies across industries. To further bring the league to the global standard, a network of transfers of players from different regions to the league is a tactic that should be wielded as soon as the regulators and the government improve the league standard.

Football is a passion for many Nigerians, and many would willingly pay to watch domestic leagues if the infrastructure is put in place; however, to keep Nigerians entertained and engaged, the government and the league regulators have to do more than just talk, they have to show workings.

Adegbite is a thought leader in strategy and supply chain, who has worked with leading organisations like PwC and an IOC. He also founded Naspire, a business research platform using business insights to help entrepreneurs and professionals succeed in Africa. He can be reached via tunji@naspire. com.

27

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 11, 2021

ECONOMY

Job Opportunity, Youth Empowerment as Recipes for Africa Recovery As Africa nations continue to look for ways out of the continent’s social-economic quagmire, Chairman of the United Bank of Africa (UBA), Mr. Tony Elumelu, has made a clarion call to African leaders on the need to address challenges facing the booming youths population if indeed they are desirous of economic and political stable nations. Raheem Akingbolu reports

H

ope rose for Africans, especially youths, last week as one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the continent and Chairman of the United Bank of Africa (UBA), Mr. Tony Elumelu, reeled out the opportunities in Africa and potentials in Africans at a wellattended event in Enugu organized by the Anglican Church Youth. The business man, who is also the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, an umbrella body of Tony Elumelu Foundation that has lifted many youths across Africa, however added a caveat; he called for empowerment of the African youths to unlock the opportunities.

Speaking on the topic; ‘Africa: Unlocking Our Potential, Securing Our Future’ the banker advocated for the need to unlock the potential of youths in Nigeria and other countries in Africa, in order to catalyse the socio-economic development of the continent.

While emphasising the fact that youth restiveness has suddenly become a ticking time-bomb in the continent, he mentioned among others how many social vices such as; extremism, banditry, robbery, senseless killing, kidnapping and political thuggery, have become means of livelihood in many African countries.

In a melancholic tone, Elumelu pointed out that Africa is the world’s youngest continent, with almost 60 per cent of the country’s population under the age of 25. In particular, the businessman stated unequivocally that in Nigeria, youths of 35 years and under are estimated to constitute 70 per cent of the population.

“However, the jobless rate in Nigeria has now risen to about 30 per cent in March 2021. Some states have as high as 56 per cent of all their youth population as unemployed. In Africa, the situation is not much different: We have 65 per cent of all Africans below the age of 35 and many of these people are not gainfully employed.

“The Covid-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns have exposed the vulnerabilities in our population structure. We now have, as a continent, the largest young generation in history - this youthful population is Africa’s hope, it is our pride and it is our potential. The urgency and need to unlock the potential of this generation is imperative for the security of our collective future.”

To the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, to address this challenge, there is a need for a high sense of urgency, dissatisfaction to what is happening presently as well as a commitment to improving things.

He said: “We must accept that we face a crucial period in our history where youth issues must be the main and central issue of our time. Millions of our young people are entering the job market every year; and 20 million jobs are needed to be created annually to absorb new entrants in

Elemelu

the labour market. Only about three million formal jobs are being created annually across Africa and this was even before the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic outbreak,” he added.

While speaking on the power of entrepreneurship, Elumelu said: “For me and my colleagues at UBA, at TEF and the across the HH Group, we have come to believe that entrepreneurship-the power of entrepreneurship- is key to harnessing the potential of these young Africans “By so doing, we secure our own future. This comes from our own experience, first as entrepreneurs ourselves. And secondly as people that have committed a lot of resources at TEF (capital, time, personnel) tin helping create a new generation of African entrepreneurs. We are helping to give economic hope and opportunities to young Africans. And we speak not just as people that do this in Nigeria but in all 54 African countries, the TEF intervention cuts across all sectors and gender across the 54 African countries because we believe that prosperity should be shared as much as possible across board and that poverty anywhere is a

threat to us all everywhere.

“The enormous potential of our youth, we must prioritise our support for small-scale businesses. Corporate organisations do well in employing people but there is a limit on how much corporates can do in employing the huge numbers of our unemployed youths. Therefore, capacitising and supporting small businesses, empowering our young ones and their businesses, in our own view is the most powerful means to reduce unemployment on the continent,” he said.

In a subtle and patriotic manner, Elumelu pointed out the link between the UBA brand and youths empowerment, especially in Nigeria, where it operates close to 700 branches in every part of the country. Beyond Nigeria, the bank is also believed to be serving at least 25 million customers and most of them are young ones across Africa.

“Our young Africans are proud customers of UBA, they use our platforms, cards and digital bot Leo for their transactions,” he stated.

Speaking on his excitement to know that he would be opportune to speak

to the youths at the event, he reemphasised the operations of his Heirs Holdings Group and by extension the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which he founded years back with to encourage budding entrepreneurs.

“And because of this session, I will speak briefly about what we do at the Foundation.

The kind speaker that introduced me spoke about more people signing up to the Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Programme on tefconnect.com.

And I firmly believe that applying to the Tony Elumelu Foundation is one of the ways to be empowered as youth, and I want to encourage everyone here to apply,” At the end of the session the entrepreneur didn’t only inspire the 21,000 youths, who were targeted by the organisers, he gave them a leeway to tap from the opportunities provided by his foundation.

“Take advantage, visit TEFConnect. com and be guided on how to apply.

Apply for the non-refundable $5000, which is our own commitment to actually empowering young Africans which we believe at TEF at the future of the continent,” he stated.

28

˜ ˾ APRIL 11, 2021

MARKET NEWS

Niger Insurance Explains Delay in Submitting 2020 Accounts Goddy Egene

management of Niger Insurance Plc have said the delay in submission of the company’s Audited Financial

The Board of Directors and 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

Statements(AFS) for the year ended 31st December, 2020 was caused by ongoing restructuring.

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 08Apr-2021, unless otherwise stated.

The company, which apologised for the inconveniences caused by the delay, said the AFS is

awaiting board’s approval for onward submission to its primary regulator, the National Insurance

Commission before submitting it to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

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

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

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 1.06 1.08 17.99% ACAP Income Funds 0.65 0.65 -10.41% 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 3.91% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.35 3.51 -5.68% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 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 N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Eurobond Fund ($) N/A N/A N/A ARM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 103.49 103.49 1.75% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 123.98 124.85 -1.74% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.35% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.05 2.05 -18.32% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.17 2.21 -11.53% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.29% Paramount Equity Fund 15.26 15.55 -4.55% Women's Investment Fund 128.86 130.22 -3.22% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.99% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 126.32 127.19 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 110.71 110.71 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 1.08% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.14 1.15 -4.99% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.40 1.40 -11.93% 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 2.42% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 2.32% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,155.92 1,160.71 -3.60% 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 1,354.70 1,354.70 5.94% FBN Balanced Fund 183.79 185.04 -2.07% FBN Halal Fund 110.55 110.55 4.30% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.47% N/A N/A N/A FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 124.04 124.04 3.01% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 147.88 149.85 -2.19% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy USD Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,784.47 3,834.09 0.96% Coral Income Fund 3,351.79 3,351.79 2.30% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 2.11%

GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 1.33% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 127.85 128.01 18.44% 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 2.45% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.68 2.74 16.85% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 146.03 146.41 -6.05% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.08 1.08 5.34% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.36 1.38 -0.69% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,146.65 1,146.65 2.05% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.58 1.61 7.52% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.32 12.45 0.72% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 1.50% PACAM Equity Fund 1.55 1.57 -1.80% PACAM EuroBond Fund 109.96 112.75 0.55% 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 129.47 131.64 6.33% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 1.96% 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 3,104.39 3,128.09 -3.49% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 227.94 227.94 1.37% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.13 1.15 -3.39% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 298.60 298.60 1.34% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 209.15 211.84 -4.26% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.04% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,754.84 9,879.10 -7.11% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.24 1.24 1.53% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 113.01 113.01 1.74% 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 1.31 1.33 -4.30% United Capital Bond Fund 1.92 1.92 1.62% United Capital Equity Fund 0.88 0.90 1.35% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.21% United Capital Eurobond Fund 119.25 119.25 1.85% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.05 1.07 -3.44% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.03 1.03 2.72% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 11.97 12.07 0.87% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.31 13.42 8.93% Zenith Income Fund 24.26 24.26 1.18% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.00%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

122.38 52.92

1.36% 0.99%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

12.36 118.27 92.79

12.46 118.27 94.52

-6.47% -2.85% -6.63%

Fund Name SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT

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

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.59 5.53 16.66 1.00 18.65 170.42

3.63 5.61 16.76 1.00 18.85 172.42

-4.86% -2.81% 1.98% 2.11% -9.05% -22.55%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.30

13.11%

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

11.4.2021

S

SIJIBOMI OGUNDELE

SETTING NEW PARADIGM IN LUXURY REAL ESTATE Sijibomi Ogundele is a man of vision who is currently living his dreams. For six years, the Managing Director/ CEO of Sujimoto kept knocking on every door of opportunity that would help fulfil his mission. His experience at the initial stage left a bitter taste in his mouth. With self-conviction, perseverance, and resilience, he has since surmounted his failure and conquered his world. Today, Sujimoto, a company built out of the abundance of vision, has set a new paradigm in luxury real estate.

As the estate mogul turns 40, Funke Olaode discovers how he conquered his fears to carve a niche for himself, building a multibillion-naira empire

ijibomi Ogundele, Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto, just turned 40. At 40, Ogundele, who relied on his dreams to fulfil his set goals, has continued to resonate in Nigeria, Africa, and the Middle East as one of the youngest investors in real estate. His look may be modest, but his ambitions are taller than the Burj Khalifa. With a current project portfolio of over $450 million, Ogundele is not slowing down anytime soon.

He has risen above his current environment to start planning projects in the Middle East.

Despite the economic barriers and challenges, the 40-year-old entrepreneur keeps filling his glass with new and more challenging projects in Africa and in Dubai, Miami, and Turkey.

Born in the Agege area of Lagos and nurtured within the four walls of Oke-Arin Market on Lagos Island, Ogundele, without parents with deep pockets, had to rely on ‘himself’ to achieve his tall dreams.

“I wasn’t born with a silver spoon. I was born into a corporately dynamic family where my father worked 9-5 as a manager, and my mother was a full-time entrepreneur.

“I grew up on the streets of Agege. I grew up in Oko-Oba, a neighbourhood where only two households had a generator set in a street with over 19 houses, so I made a decision that I was never going to be poor. Poverty has remained a major driver for me, I have always consciously driven myself to excel and surpass my last big success. I attended state-owned schools – Oko-Oba Primary School, Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, Model College, and Anglia Ruskin for my Law Degree.

“As the son of a woman who happens to be a trader, I was nurtured within the walls of Oke-Arin market, which was filled with enterprising Igbo traders—and that influenced my passion for business,” he narrated.

Ogundele as a young man has done this and that in his four decades of existence. Age, they say, is just a number, but turning 40 is significant.

He said, “Turning 40 is a landmark age; not many people make it to 40, but here I am, strong and healthy. I remain grateful to God for bringing me this far and for enabling me to win the ovarian lottery in the first place. I am profoundly grateful to my mother, who took the time to nurture me and impacted my life-changing principles that have brought me thus far. The mother that God gave me is a diamond in the coal.

“For me, 40 is significant because it is the end of one era and the beginning of another.

Our parents gave birth to us and planned most of our first 20 years. Then life plans the remaining 20 years. So for me, one of my greatest responsibilities is to take full charge of the next 40 years if God gives me the privilege.”

For Ogundele, having a pedigree can open many doors of opportunities, but the race to success lies in succeeding in the game of life.

“Success is not served a la carte. It is a buffet! You have to go for it! Coming from an influential family or having the right connection with people at the top is not a bad recipe for success, but it is not a guarantee!

I was not born with a silver spoon. I had no spoon at all! My mother always says that if I go to school, work hard, and stay committed, I would be able to build a successful business.

“Life has taught me that your location does not determine your allocation, and the only remedy for success is hard work and an annoying spirit of never-giving-up.”

But were there major events that shaped his childhood and upbringing that pushed him to be focused? “Yes,” he said.

He added, “I will say winning an ovarian lottery and been born by a champion like Idayat Adebukola. My mum wakes

ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/funkola2000@gmail.com

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRILH 11 2021

COVER

On HisVision, Mission and Intuition

up by 4 am, sleeps by 10 pm, and will see her working, calculating, and counting her goods on weekends. Growing up in a business environment like Oke-Arin dominated by Igbo traders helped shape my interest in entrepreneurship and my drive for success. I watched my mother move from being a small trader to become a major distributor for Nestle.

“Through the exposure to open market principles, I learnt some vital business lessons such as integrity, negotiation, nard work and a passion for what you do. I also learnt the art of persuasion from my mother because to her, no means nothing. She has a unique ability to persuade customers to patronize her, and as a result, I learnt that anything I set my mind to do, I can achieve it. She also taught me that my growth or stagnation in life is dependent on my capacity to dream big or small.”

Ogundele grew up in the slum of Agege, but his vision to be liberated from the shackles of poverty has been a propeller that constantly drives him.

“Poverty and the desire to make an impact have been my driving force.

Acquiring wealth is ultimate, but for me, your neighbour is hungry. Of course, your chicken is not safe. So, a rich man in the midst of the poor is also poor and has been enslaved with mental poverty. At the tender age of five, my mother would wake

Ogundele

us up very early in the morning while my mates are sleeping, and she would say to me: ‘Ajaniogun wake up, wake up! Ise l’ogun ise.’ That meant ‘Ajaniogun, wake up, wake up! Hard work is the cure for poverty.’ During the holidays, while my friends were busy playing Nintendo and going on holidays, I would have to resume work at my mum’s shop in Oke-Arin, gradually learning the ropes and charting the path for my future. My mother’s words have been my driving force.”

Since he stormed the Nigerian scene, Ogundele’s company is constantly in the news.

Sujimoto, built out of the abundance of vision, has set a new paradigm in luxury real estate.

“We studied projects from France to Italy, Dubai to New York, and we decided to beat the best. For the next 10 years, our vision is to remarkably rebuild and turn Nigeria into a worldclass country when it comes to luxury edifices. We are holding this vision dearly and working on it firmly,” said the mega-entrepreneur.

“I always say that we shall lower our standard for no man, and I mean it. That means that from the foundation to the chandelier, compromising quality is not an option. When we started Sujimoto, we founded it on two fundamental principles,

Integrity and Quality.

Combining these two philosophies, we know that the sky is the limit.”

In few years into a luxury construction behemoth in Africa, the visionary entrepreneur, a rose that grew from concrete built Sujimoto Group, focused on building extraordinary luxury edifices in premium neighbourhoods across Africa.

Reeling out his achievements, The Sujimoto boss said that he is living his dreams without playing to the gallery.

“About six years ago, I declared my intention to redefine luxury living in Africa, starting from Lagos. We started with just six staff members and one project, but today, we have numerous projects in Lagos, Abuja, and Dubai. We are taking Abuja by storm with a luxury residential tower, QueenAminaBySujimoto. It’s the tallest residential building in the North, Sujimoto Diamond City (SDC), a 38,000m2 development in the middle of Victoria Island and the S-Hotel.

“We are also looking at developing a new estate of 520 exceptional luxury villas. We also have a world-class 6-in-1 Mall coming up in the heart of Ikoyi; and our Sujimoto Dubai Project. All set to launch officially in 2021.

“We have built our team from 6 staff to over 200 professionals comprising a team of international and local experts, over 100 skilled individuals, putting in approximately 584,000 hours of hard work annually. We have

adopted a client-oriented customer addiction perspective to feed our clients’ ever-evolving appetite, putting integrity and value creation over profit maximization. We’ve made Home Automation the minimum standard for luxury development and brought the immersive experience of an IMAX Cinema to the comfort of customers’ homes. Above all, we have added value to customers, developed and changed the lives of our staffs, and as a brand, we have grown from an Iroko tree to becoming a forest.”

Like every businessman, Ogundele had had his ups and downs.

“When I started six years ago has been the most difficult period of my life. Since I wasn’t born with a silver spoon, I had to prove myself three times over, work harder three times, and keep proving myself over and over again. Life will always challenge you, but as a man, you must be courageous.

“Courage is not the absence of fear but the ability to transform your challenges into opportunities. When we had challenges with the Lorenzo Project due to the recession and the crumbling economy, people said nasty things about us because we were bold and audacious enough to challenge the norm with our big dreams. “Sujimoto would have been a thing of the past if we didn’t persevere and see every disappointment as an opportunity. While it is good to have big dreams, ensure your passion is twice as big because life will test you. When the chips are down, the bills are not paid, and the salaries are due, the only thing that will keep you going is the genuine love and the passion you have for what you do.”

Speaking further on how he confronted his challenge and put the naysayers wrong, he disclosed, “The year 2016 and 2017 were probably the most difficult and challenging periods of my life. I had conceived and developed the biggest project of my life, over $90 million, to build the tallest residential building in Sub-Saharan Africa – the LorenzoBySujimoto.

“I invested all my money, time, and passion into this project. Unfortunately for me, as a result of the economic downturn, my Saudi Investors pulled out. The economy was so bad, and things became very tough. I had to refund over 450 million to off-takers out of 11 off-takers. I will never forget three of our off-takers who said, ‘Go ahead. We are with you,’ especially Dr. Greg.

“On the verge of almost giving up, I visited him crying, and he told me his own story and encouraged me to move on. After that meeting, I immediately reassessed my plans, reviewed all my decisions, identified my pain point, and made the much-needed adjustment.

“Riding on the wings of criticism and media backlash, I found courage again and conceived the GiulianoBySujimoto project in Banana Island. Twenty months after, the Giuliano has metamorphosed from a proof of concept into a proof of product! It is home to music entrepreneur, Davido and was fully sold out six months before completion. We have some projects that will revamp all sense of mediocrity in the luxury real estate industry, and we plan to complete all these projects before the end of 2023.

Some of them will be completed next year.”

Giving tips on how to build a successful business empire, he said, “First and foremost, integrity is a must-have. It is the currency of my business – saying what you mean and meaning what you say. On many occasions, when I say something, I make sure I uphold that promise.

Even if it results in a loss, we will take it as a debt of integrity.

“For us at Sujimoto, quality is our business, and our model is entrenched in diligence. We always think about how we could do things faster, better, and cheaper. We think customers first, employees second, and myself third.”

Ogundele started as a young man, and he believes with the right vision, diligence, the sky will be the limit for any youth who dare to dream and erase the entitlement mentality because “no one owes us anything but ourselves.”

He explained, “If we don’t make a sacrifice for whatever we want in life, what we want will become the sacrifice. I have travelled all over the world, and trust me when I say that Nigeria is the biggest ground for uncommon opportunities.

This same opportunity is what brings foreigners to our land and make them billionaires. Nigeria is the only land where the Lebanese man starts as a trader and becomes an industrialist, or the Indian starts as a storekeeper and becomes a manufacturer.”

For Sijibomi Ogundele, his life has been on a roller costal. Any regrets? Regrets?

“None! I see every event in my life as an opportunity for learning and improvement.

Every setback has been a strategic way of God setting me up for greater opportunities,” he stated.

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

FEATURE

Hon. Minister Sadiya-Farouq,(third right) with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and some of the beneficiaries of NSIPs programme in Abuja...recently

T h e N - Po w e r Pr o g ra m m e , N S I Ps a s G a m e C h a n g e r s Louis Achi

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he federal government inaugurated the third batch (Batch C) of the N-Power exercise on the National Social Investment Management System (NASIMS), on Thursday, March 11, 2021, in Abuja.

NASIMS is the central management platform for the administration and coordination of the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIP) under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. The inauguration was chaired by the Honourable Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq.

An elated Farouq told her rapt audience that the inauguration was in continuation of the on-going strategy by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to lift 100 million people out of poverty in ten years.

She revealed that Batches ‘A’ and ‘B’ had already been implemented, stating that the 500,000 beneficiaries will benefit in the first stream of the on-going process for batch ‘C’, while the same number of Nigerians will benefit in the second stream.

Her words: “I am delighted that we are gathered today for the launch of the Batch ‘C’ on the National Social Investment Management System (NASIMS).

The N-Power cluster, which is a combination of many sub-cluster initiatives, is aimed at providing opportunities in skills acquisition, competency building, and entrepreneurship training among the poor for human capital development.

“The N-Power, Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme, National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, and Conditional Cash Transfer are undergoing series of strategic realignment and restructuring with the view to optimise their operations and maximise their impacts. Today, we have reached another milestone in the process of recruiting and on-boarding of the Batch C N-Power beneficiaries, beginning with 500,000 beneficiaries.”

Farouq further explained that the new batch will drive skills acquisition for beneficiaries, with the goal to ensure that they are economically active and possess the right vocational skillset to attract gainful employment when they graduate. The beneficiaries will be paid N30,000 each as monthly stipend.

A pro-youth flagship social investment project of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration conceived in 2016, the N-Power-targeted sectors are in the nation’s critical areas of needs in education, agriculture, health, technology, creative industry, construction and artisanal industries. The programmes include: N-Power Agro, N-Power Tax, N-Power Build,

N-Power Creative, N-Power Health, N-Power Teach, N-Power Tech Hardware and N-Power Tech Software.

From tracking the impact of N-Power in the SouthSouth and North-Central regions it was obvious that positive effects were registered. A study by Newman Enyioko of the University of Port Harcourt found that the major activities of N-Power programmes towards poverty alleviation in Rivers State indeed generated empowerment for the youths in the state.

The study revealed that N-Power Programmes’ beneficiaries are mainly university and polytechnic graduates. It also revealed that the major factors affecting the implementation of N-Power programmes towards poverty alleviation in Rivers State include: Insufficient information, non-payment of stipend to participants as at when due, wrong bank verification number (BVN) and overbearing hands of politicians in the programme. Going forward, the study recommended that the authorities concerned should promote rural development through N-Power programmes.

To varying degrees of success and often similar challenges, the N-Power programmes have also impacted Bayelsa, Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states - all in the South-South zone.

A unique dimension is the N-POWER - Innovation Hubs Programme. Through this, the federal government plans to establish eight Technology Innovation Hubs around the country with one in each geopolitical zone. An early beneficiary, the South-South Hub, in partnership with the Edo State Government’s ‘Edo Innovates’ initiative, is focused on training the youths and supporting entrepreneurs with solutions across education, oil & gas, security, amongst other areas.

The Hub is strategically placed alongside Microsoft, Cisco Academy, Slot Foundation’s training class and other similar organisations that feed the ecosystem. In addition, a branch has also been set up at the Tinapa Knowledge City, Cross River, Calabar.

In the North-Central zone, the N-Power programme has recorded measurable impact too. In Kwara State for instance, N13.3 billion has been spent on NPower beneficiaries as at September 2020. The 15,246 N-Power beneficiaries comprised Batches A and B who volunteered in the state before they exited the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP).

Among the five N-Power components, education subcomponent is the most popular, due to a large number of youth deployed to teach in public schools.

Other popular subcomponents are agriculture and health. The Kwara State NSIP Focal Person, Bashirah Abdulrazaq also gave a breakdown of the total expenses spent in a period of five years. She said the Batch A beneficiaries in Kwara State, who were

engaged for a period of 42 months, gulped a total sum of N7.4 billion, while the Batch B beneficiaries received a total sum of N5.7 billion in 24 months.

Her words: “Non-graduates received the sum of N10,000 every month and were engaged for a period of 24 months with a total sum of over N24 million spent.” Also, about 10,000 people benefitted from the “trader moni” programme in the state with over N1.3 billion disbursed to them. Bashirah Abdulrazaq however regretted that the beneficiaries were not willing to repay the loan.

Meanwhile, in Makurdi, Benue State, last weekend, the federal government disbursed N20,000 each to 2,900 women to improve their living standards, Sadiya Farouq revealed during the inauguration of the grant for rural women project.

Her words: “Our target in Benue is to disburse the grant to about 2,900 beneficiaries across all local government councils. The grant is expected to increase income and productive assets of target beneficiaries. It is our hope that the beneficiaries of this programme will make good use of the grant to generally contribute toward improving their living standards.

What obtains in Kwara, Nasarawa, Kogi and Benue are largely replicated in the other states that constitute the region: Niger, and Plateau.

In Nasarawa State, the federal government distributed tools and equipment to over 5000 N-power build pre-apprenticeship participants in Lafia to make them more self-reliant. This was confirmed by Alhaji Dauda Wase, the Nasarawa State Coordinator, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), while presenting Testimonials and distribution of the training tools and equipment to the beneficiaries.

The tools and equipment distributed to the beneficiaries were for masonry and tiling , electrical installation, carpentry, plumbing and pipe fittings, automobile repairs, catering, housekeeping, bakery and confectionery, among others.

In Kogi State, over 12,000 youths have benefited from the N-Power scheme. It’s worth repeating here that the NSIP is not all about N-Power; it also has other key components like the Conditional Cash Transfer (Household Uplifting Programme), Government Enterprise and Empowerment Program (tradermoni, marketmoni, farmermoni) and the Home Grown School Feeding Program (HGSF) Aside the direct cash transfer of 5,000 to the most vulnerable of the vulnerables, the CCT also has Topup Transfer which incorporates benefits linked to a selection and participation of households in activities that focus on capacity building and human capital development.

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WEEKLY PULL-OUT

11.4.2021

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THE LAGOSIAN WHO WANTS TO MAKE HISTORY IN 2023 Articulate, daring, outspoken and fearless: those are the words that aptly describe AbdulAzeez Olajide Adediran, fondly called ‘Jandor.’Though trained as a broadcaster, Adediran is the founder of Lagos4Lagos, a political movement set up to re-awaken the political spirit of Lagos indigenes. For this 43-year-old of Awori descent, his latest move is a mantra created to form a unique way for youths to express themselves no matter their political affiliations. He tells Funke Olaode about his vision, mission, and ambition.

ressed in blue jeans, T-shirt, and fez cap with an inscription “Lagos4Lagos,’ AbdulAzeez Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, is polished and handsome. The indigene of Badagry in Ojo Local Government of Lagos State is loved by youths and courted by elites.

Since his emergence on the Lagos political landscape through his Jandor Foundation, he has shown a commitment to human empowerment, excellence, innovation, empathy, community service, and creativity.

Prior to his recent romance with politics Adediran’s name resonates in broadcasting where he plied his trade for 18 years. He has also walked the corridor of power. You can say he understands perfectly well the intrigues associated with power, government, and governance.

Focused, determined and ambitious, Adediran, an alumnus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, has his eyes fixed on one thing: to be the number one citizen of Lagos State come 2023.

But does he have what it takes to wrest power from the vice-grip stranglehold of the ruling party? Unperturbed, Adediran believes sitting down is not the solution.

“We have consciously and subconsciously ceded leadership and governance to our old leaders. We must not be content with being aloof and complaining from our closets. Our world today is quite fast-paced, with ever constant changing dynamics,” he says. ”For me, it is time to change the status quo and make Lagos work for all. Together, we will achieve our Lagos4Lagos vision and bring to life the Lagos of our dreams. We must take the task at hand with every sense of responsibility. It is essential, it is urgent.”

Is Lagos4Lagos a platform to achieve his dreams?

“It was an idea that was put together about four years ago, to see how we can make Lagos work for all in Lagos. This is because we believe that Lagos has resources. Everyone owns Lagos, actually but it’s been working for few, but we want to see a situation whereby it can work for all. Again, it is a political movement that doesn’t recognize any party whether you are in PDP, APC, or Accord.

“The intention is to have one voice and I am sure we will turn out a new bride. Our goal is to restore decision making power to Lagosians and birth a Lagos that will work for, and benefit all in Lagos and not just a privileged handful as has been the practice,” he answers.

Beaming with confidence as he reels out his plans, the chorus of ‘Your excellency’ rent the air from his followers.

“Let’s redirect our efforts and youthful energy towards creating a better Lagos for all,” he explains.

“Lagos needs you. I have a very strong conviction that we can achieve anything if we put our minds and effort into it. I feel this is the time to

ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/funkola2000@gmail.com

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͯ​ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

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COVER 2

My Mission to Change Lagos Status Quo realize that our greatest missile is the potency and strength of our unity; I feel this is the time to stop entrusting our future with leaders that fought to create theirs and were fortunate to live in it; I feel this is the time to learn from them, do what they did in their youth and take our own future in our hands. I believe the youths must banish the thoughts that you can’t make a difference.

Their support is the added weight required to bring our Lagos4Lagos project to life.”

Privileged to have been in the position of power for about 18 years because of his “consulting job” for various governments, including the Presidency.

He adds, “Let’s say about eight years ago, based on my experience, I looked at how the entity of Lagos is being run and I feel, if all of us continue to shy away from politics, how then do we govern or ensure that we have a Lagos that is for all?”

Since 2014, he has been nursing that idea of people-driven governance that he doesn’t believe is the current focus of governments.

“I looked at it critically, and again it is to be able to have something you are bringing to the table. Because in 1999 when democracy returned to Nigeria, Lagos has three senatorial districts. In 1999, we have Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu representing the Lagos West. It left from Lagos West to Lagos Central, and Fashola took it for eight years, and after then it left for Lagos East. So, it is expected that it’s going to return to Lagos West in 2023,” he analyses.

If good looks are enough to hold to a political office, Adediran is a clincher. Is it about articulation? He rocks with oratory. But does he have what it takes to challenge the powers that be in Lagos? Can a meek lamb take on a jungle-king lion?

“What it takes is to be bold, courageous, outspoken, and rally round people like you, and that is what we aim at doing to the glory of God,” he emphasizes.

“For us, that is what we believe it takes. Many people will look at what it takes is about naira and kobo. If you sit down on a project and you say, ‘for me, this project is going to cost me XYZ,’ you won’t start.”

The political neophyte in the sense that he’s not held a political office before. With his experience having walked the corridor of power, he’s got enough wind in his sail.

“Our movement and project are in phases. Something must be driving you to want to get into leadership. I have had experience in that corridor,” he repeats for emphasis.

“Aside from that, by the virtue of my profession, I have been in the position to know something about everything and everything about something. I can tell you that the amount of experience I have gathered is even more than that of those that have occupied that office as special advisers and all.”

That’s not all. He says further, “We sit at the top of policymaking and all of that. You see, by the time the so-called politicians were appointed, they need to sit with people like us to tell them okay, this is how you settle into office, this is what you look out for, this is what you need to do, this is what the country has been going through.

“But what I have known in Lagos State is the fact that every year, we come to say that, this is how much our budget has gone in terms of performance, this is how much money we have made in terms of revenue, but you won’t be able to put side by side in that way, the level of infrastructure renewal.”

Adediran

To prove his point, he provides specifics.

“For example, the 2020 and 2021 budgets,” he begins. “In 2020, we had N1.16 trillion or thereabout which was eventually slashed down by 21 percent, because of the pandemic, and it came to about N920 billion. And in that, we had a revenue target of about N812 billion or thereabout. The government came to say that, as of September this year, they have done about 98 percent of the revenue target which means they will have so much more.

“The budget came with a deficit of about N103 billion, and during the year, we floated a bond of N100 billion. If you put that side by side with what was generated in terms of revenue, it shows that our budget should be able to do nothing less than 90 percent.”

He expatiated: “Again, it was also reported that the performance of the overall budget in terms of expenditure and capital recurrence is about 71 recurrent, and 53 capital expenditure. Then we ask ourselves, where is this on the street of Lagos? Where is this performance in your locality?”

Away from Lagos’ revenue and commenting on the Not Too Young bill, Adediran said: “The problem is not the bill in place, but the game of the two major political parties being run by those who won’t even allow you to benefit. Because it’s like, there is a cartel. It’s like you are asking the people who are currently in charge of the policy to leave the stage for us to come in.

“It’s like me asking you to kill yourself so that I can live. Meaning that what I want is at your mercy. But again, if you do it, it’s going to affect you. That is why some of us believe that we will come into the mainstream and see how much we can get involved, and see what we can do on our part.”

But does he think the country is ripe enough to have young leaders?

“Young age bracket is a period when you are mentally and physically fit to get things done. Those in their sixties or close to their seventies today, can’t be as agile as they were in their prime, in their forties. It is that age you can give your very best in terms of performance, that you are trying to be everywhere,” he replies.

He adds, “Age tells on the body, and in your thinking. We have instances such as Donald Duke. He didn’t do badly when he was a governor. Fashola did well as a governor, and a few others too.

Even among the older men we still have those that are still performing, despite their age. It’s not cast in iron that you must be young before you can perform.

But we are saying it is when you are mentally and physically fit that you can perform.”

Away from politics, what makes him tick as a person?

“I am just an easy-going person. I just know that anything worth doing is worth doing well. I like to set targets. I like to pursue them. I like long-term planning.

I like to be busy. I like to ensure that all the time every time, there is something running after me or I’m running after something,” Adediran intones matter-offactly.

Athletic and penchant for sport wears, Adediran embraces simplicity.

“My style is very simple,” he admits.

“I have always been a T-shirt person. I don’t like to wear suits. Until about three or four months ago, I had just one pair of shoes. I am always on sanders, flipflops, sneakers, etc. But now they have compelled me that I must wear shoes.

And for this project now I just have to make sure that I wear shoes and even jackets once in a while.”

As he rounded off the interview, Adediran expressed his only wish: “It’s to be the governor of Lagos State by 2023 and I am working towards that already.

Not sleeping at all. I can tell all the youths, ‘let’s run with my vision to make Lagos work for all.’ I believe together, we can make history.”

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͯ​ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

HighLife Bukola Smith the Game-changer

Smith

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wenty-twenty-one is a year of transformative appointments and a tireless plan to make significant advancements everywhere. The situation in Nigeria is not different, and neither are the folks behind the banks. Thus, the appointment of the Executive Director of the Business Development department of First City Monument Bank Limited (FCMB), Bukola Smith, into the position of MD/CEO of First Securities Discount House Limited (FSDH) is not without antecedence.

To ignore one so brilliant, capable and diligent to a fault, the Executive Board of FSDH would have to be blind or backward. Fortunately, they are neither, and so Smith has reached the pinnacle within the Lagos-based bank.

Brilliance and ability are the main descriptions that come to mind at the mention of Bukola Smith’s name. As FSDH MD/CEO, the prospects of the bank have just increased by many folds. This is expected since Smith has proved herself capable of succeeding the former MD/CEO, Hamda Ambah, and possibly surpassing her.

Bukola Smith has a prodigious profile. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Lagos, an MBA from Manchester Business School, the University of Manchester, and several business certifications. These have contributed to how she scaled the heights of banking and finance in Nigeria, becoming as notable a figure as those who came before her.

FCMB has enjoyed the effectiveness and productivity of Bukola Smith the most. Since joining them in 2006, she has served in different capacities: as the group head of Treasury and Financial Institutions, as divisional head for Investment Banking and Financial Markets; as director of Project and Structured Finance, as divisional head for Group Internal Audit, as head of the Lagos Region, and finally as executive director for Business Development.

Now, it is the turn of FSDH to bask in the game-changing halo of Bukola Smith. Her work is guaranteed to polish the prospects of the bank. Thus, these are great times for FSDH indeed.

with KAYODE ALFRED ͮͶͯ​ͯʹ͵ͳͷͶͮ͵˜ E-mail: kayflex2@yahoo.com

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

The Amazing Grace of Pastor Ituah Ighodalo at 60 It is almost statutory that people designated as men and women of God are excellent at unravelling sacred scriptures and religious texts. Seeing them performing less than average in other endeavours does nothing to their reputation. Pastor Ituah Ighodalo breaks common sense; he is good at everything: pastoring, modern philosophy, reformative activism, writing, even financial accounting. With a passion for transforming lives for the better, Ighodalo does not hesitate to serve others and put into effect the manifold grace of God upon his life.

To most people, Ighodalo is only the vibrant, persuasive and diligent pastor of Trinity House Church. An exalted status for sure but nothing worth shouting about. What these folks do not understand is that this pastor is as vibrant, persuasive and diligent in every other thing that he does. Thus, he has managed to climb into the Nigerian elite’s ranks, those few that sit on company boards and dictate the affairs of the corporate sector.

Ighodalo sits on as many executive boards as there are letters in the English language. These include FAMAD Nigeria Plc., FINATRUST MFB, The Clinix Diagnostic Center, NSIA

Insurance, Standard Bearers School, Courage Education Foundation and Courage Center TV series, Edensfield Health Initiative, ELPIS Mental Health Initiative, Heritage Homes, Trinity Media and Films, etc. Also, he is the Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief of Timeless Media Group, Chairman.

Barring his natural aptitude and a good head for understanding people, Ighodalo maintains this height because he is book-smart. With a combined Bachelor’s combined honours degree in Economics and Accounting from the University of Hull, England, Ighodalo is a chartered accountant and an alumnus of the Boston Harvard Business School.

Moreover, the man has many fellowships in many high-ranking institutions and councils.

Nevertheless, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo uses all these to the benefit of all and sundry. His efforts in this regard have significantly increased since he has to take up even the responsibilities left behind by his late wife, the well-liked Ibidun Ighodalo. Still, Ighodalo’s diligence and grace are inspiring. Some are born with greatness. Others have greatness thrust upon them. Some others take up greatness as they go along. Pastor Ituah Ighodalo is, beyond all doubts, one of the latter.

Ighodalo

Ayiri Emami in the News

Emami

Cities and Thrones and Powers—one does not need a university degree or a business school education to understand that these are not easily grasped.

Following the passing of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli in December of 2020, what might have been a sombre period lasting half a year or more has been disrupted by the interruption of well-known political figure and Itsekiri titleholder, Chief Ayiri Emami. With Emami’s appearance and position, the idea of a simple and straightforward transition of power has flown out of the window.

Known for speaking his mind and striking while the iron is still hot, Chief Ayiri Emami has stamped out many fires in his time. However, this is the first time that the Ologbotsere (Prime Minister) of Warri is going against the grain to oppose the rest of the tribal council’s will. Based on the reports from Emami’s corner, he is totally against the recent developments regarding the late Ogiame Ikenwoli’s successor.

Recall that a few days ago, news houses reported that prominent members of the Itsekiri kingmakers and

council of chiefs had finally decided on someone worthy of bearing the mantle of Itsekiri monarchy. According to the report, Prince Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko had been found capable and aligned with the hearts of the Itsekiri people, and so has become the Olu of Warri in-waiting.

Furthermore, the announcement also included that Prince Emiko is 37 years old, possessing sky-trampling educational qualifications and experience of public service, and would—before July—conclude all preparations and ascend the throne.

Unfortunately, Chief Emami is not keeping mum about his opinions.

According to the latter, whatever the council of elders has decided is void and even illegal. Supposedly, the onus of announcing an Olu designate remains with him, and since he has done nothing of the kind, the ceremony that was held at Ode-Itsekiri and resulted in the announcement of Prince Emiko is nothing short of a ‘kangaroo event.’ Whether Chief Emami is correct in his reproof or mistaken, riotous days are ahead.

Dakuku Peterside’s Love for His Kinsmen

Those who are wise understand that truly formidable people are not distinguished because of their abilities. On the contrary, the purpose that drives them to keep moving forward irrespective of opposition - that is the truly frightening thing about such people.

For Dakuku Peterside, his vast intellect and administrative effectiveness continue to churn out ideas and solutions for Rivers’ advancement. It has baffled many people, but his motivation has been revealed to be nothing more than a sincere and unaffected love for his people.

The simple and humble personality known as Dakuku Peterside is a man of many talents.

As a politician, columnist, teacher of leadership and organisational development, and a force to reckon with in oil and gas, maritime regulation, and security, one would expect him to have flown out of Nigeria in search of greener pastures. But the man has remained on this side of the world, striving and struggling to improve those around, however necessary.

The latest gesture of Peterside’s goodwill is the publication of his book, Strategic Turnaround: Story of a Government Agency.

This book is reported to chronicle Nigeria in light of the administration of its many bureaus and parastatals. Because Peterside had experienced this firsthand (especially as DG/ CEO of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)), his account is worth vying for. And many notable Nigerian business and government figures have done exactly this.

It is remarkable that Dakuku Peterside is still helping out—and relevant to—Rivers affairs. He started there, after all, and made his political debut in 2003 as Special Adviser to the Governor at that time, Peter Odili. After that, Peterside only ascended to greater heights and eventually caught President Muhammadu Buhari’s attention, after which the latter made him NIMASA DG/CEO. In all this time, Peterside has not forgotten his roots, people, and devotion to these. Truly, with Dakuku Peterside, there is much to wait and watch out for.

Peterside

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HIGHLIFE

Hadiza Elegushi: The Queen After Elegushi’s Heart Bisi Fayemi: Making a Saints and scoffers and princes and paupers all are vulnerable to the dictates of love. Thus, even the exalted father of Ikateland, Oba Alayeluwa Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Kusenla III, is susceptible to love’s cuddles and love’s kisses. Because Elegushi is amiable to a fault, one might have assumed that he loves and favours everyone equally— and then Queen Hadiza came along.

Queen Hadiza Elegushi, the happy wife and mother of the Crown Prince of the Ikate-Elegushi lineage, has become the queen after the king’s heart. People say that nothing is more attractive like a wife committed to her husband’s purpose and duties, and so Queen Hadiza is up there with such people.

If folks ever doubted that Elegushi had begun to favour Queen Hadiza beyond perfunctory embraces, they had to think again after the 40 Days Fidau of Alhaji Umar Saro. During that event, Elegushi openly showed Queen Hadiza enough love to satisfy Solomon’s harem. Moreover, Queen Hadiza was also unceasing in her efforts to show that this royal father, this

Elegushi

man of utmost nobility and gentleness, is her husband and king.

Of course, such public displays of affection

are nothing compared to what goes on in their privacy. It is obvious that neither party spares anything in their devotion to one another, and so they have to limit it to whispering ‘sweet nothings’ and finding excuses to touch hands in public, or the whole of Ikateland would blush furiously for a year and a half. But Queen Hadiza has earned this much.

Just a few weeks ago, it was Queen Hadiza who was running up and down to make sure that Elegushi’s 45th birthday and commemoration of 11 years on his fathers’ throne was such a colourful event.

More so, the proud mother would have to keep both eyes on the Crown Prince, her son, whenever Elegushi is unable to.

Who will teach him (the Crown Prince) how to admire and appreciate his own wife when the time comes? Best that he learns it from his mother’s laps and in his father’s presence.

And that is love for you, unclutching a king from the typical sombre disposition and giving him something to warm his heart. Indeed, Elegushi and his queen, Hadiza, are lucky to have each other.

Elohor Aiboni: The Corporate Amazon with Beauty and Brain

Aiboni

The call for gender inclusiveness has been met with varying responses around the globe. In some nations, men and women have begun to be handed roles they would never have thought possible. In other nations where merit and credibility are the only true basis for power and position, men and women have to walk in and out of the jaws of hell before

taking up similar roles. Nigeria is one of the latter nations, and its people are increasingly becoming more and more capable.

The recent appointment of Elohor Aiboni to the position of MD has received riotous applause across the many industries and business sectors of Nigeria. And yet, while it appears to be another win for Nigerian women everywhere, no other party is going to benefit from her appointment as much as her employer, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO).

With a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and a Master’s in Integrated Environmental Management, Aiboni acts the part of the run-of-the-mill character. But only even folks with indifferent personalities marvel at her devotion to Shell since 2009.

According to reports, Aiboni got involved with Shell as a business analyst to the sub-

Saharan branch executive vice president.

Afterwards, she became a senior PtA engineer, then a manager at different tiers, and finally, its managing director. Is it any wonder that Elohor Aiboni is on record as the first MD of Shell ever?

According to the response from the Nigerian Presidency, “every woman can do more when she recognises her innate potential, capabilities.” This is the truth and something worth celebrating in Aiboni.

Moreover, it is almost impossible to find any other women whose natural intellect has allowed her to rise within the oil and gas sector ranks continually.

These are great times for Elohor Aiboni, Shell, and Nigerian women everywhere. It is one tiny step for the corporate Amazon and paragon of management, but something a step on the moon for those looking up to her.

Kola Abiola’s Presidential Ambition, a Ruse To the fair and noble of mind, politics is just another avenue to help and serve people. It is the unruly and undisciplined that erect political figurines of themselves in a bid to siphon both public approval and public funds. Abdul-Lateef Kolawole Abiola, son of the late symbol of democratic vision, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (MKO), is of the former category.

Nevertheless, recent reports have demonstrated that he has little or no interest in changing the world through politics or—contrary to rumours—becoming a presidential candidate.

It is not certain how the rumour started, but it did, and several people and agencies have already filled the purses as a result of it. Out of the blue, posters bearing Kola Abiola’s face and name started appearing on social media with the implication that Abiola intends to join the presidential race come 2023. Furthermore, the posters carry the All Progressives Congress logo, implying that Abiola was set to go against

several of his friends that belong to the ruling party by not informing them beforehand.

However, several friends and aides of Kola Abiola have denied the assertion of ‘Abiola for 2023!’ According to one of them, Abiola has nothing more than a middling interest in the country’s political somersaults, being fully immersed in his devotion to serving its people without needing unnecessary attention or canonisation.

Nevertheless, it is evident that the gambit is well-meaning and not a ploy to get Abiola involved in the same theatre that led to his father’s death in 1998. According to insightful people, the intention of those that started the rumour is twofold. One is to rekindle the mandate of MKO and give hope to those who remember the happy prospects of decades past, intimidate greedy politicians, and remind them that some prominent Nigerians still care about the country’s welfare enough to shed blood,

Abiola

sweat and tears. Ultimately, Kola Abiola is not running as a presidential candidate under any political party. It is all a lie.

Meet Nola Adetola the new Wizkid of The Real Estate Business Nola Adetola is a young and upwardly mobile real estate entrepreneur who is headlining the advent of a new team of real estate community consisting of developers, property consultants, and end-users. Nola’s experience in the real estate marketing and investment sphere brings to the fore an avalanche of credible expertise in that industry and beyond.

The CEO and Founder of Veritasi Homes and Properties Limited, one of the fastest-rising real estate companies in Nigeria has over the years built credible relationships in Nigeria and abroad with the provision of top-of-the-range real estate solutions cutting across property sales, real estate advisory services, land acquisition, and property development, with a sales record of over N2 billion in less than five years.

Nola Adetola is certainly one of the youngest entrepreneurs in the real estate industry in Nigeria who is building houses worth several billions of Naira and the very humble entrepreneur is just 31 years old. The graduate of Chemical Engineering from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife,

Adetola

Osun State is no doubt committed to offering consummate real estate solutions in a bid to deliver luxurious and affordable housing to all Nigerians in Nigeria and in the diaspora.

Nola is the type who doesn’t believe in luck but in hard work as he has been working all his life despite just being 31 years old with Veritasi been his eighth company. In Nola’s words ‘’If I stop working now, I would still be fine, even for the

next 70 years, because I have been working for the past 15 years, it has become a part of me to work. If peradventure I stop working, I would just need to liquidate some of my assets and move to England and I would be very fine’’.

When asked when he would get married, Nola said he wants to have a baby more than he wants a wife, in his words ‘’I want to have a baby more than I want to get married. I missed the person I was supposed to get married to because I was solely focused on making money so I missed her. I have a girlfriend, she is not in Nigeria, she is in the UK and she is a banker over there. I really would love to get married one day, at the moment I have two adopted kids, you wouldn’t know they are not mine’’.

Nola, Nola, whose Camberwall Estate has been adjudged as one of the hot cakes in the real estate sector is currently working on 6.5 billion Naira project in Banana Island.

He was also recently decorated as member of the Forbes 30 under 30.

Difference in Ekiti

Fayemi

“M

any women,” says King Solomon of Ancient Israel, “have done well.

You have done excellently.”These are the words that one can only imagine that Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State speaks to his dear wife and First Lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi. Like an empress happy to drive her husband’s dreams to manifestation but neglecting none of her own, Erelu Fayemi has really done well since assuming the office of Ekiti First Lady in 2018.

There is likely no other incumbent Nigerian first lady as actively involved in her state’s governance as Erelu. Folks who doubted the validity of such reports saw her exert herself to ensure her people’s health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using everything in her arsenal, Erelu Fayemi organised a team and immediately set up measures to curb it. It is on record that Ekiti recorded one of the lowest numbers of casualties and infected people in Nigeria.

Nevertheless, it is not the COVID-19 crisis that brought Erelu Fayemi to her people’s attention but her devotion to the ideals of her office and person since coming onboard. Every native and resident of Ekiti has come to know her as the feminist activist, gender and development specialist, social entrepreneur, policy advocate, communications specialist, and writer that she is. How many of them have benefitted from her involvement with organisations like Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA), African Women’s Leadership Institute (AWLI), African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), others like them? Many, many people.

Erelu Bisi Fayemi has managed to accomplish in three years— behind the scenes—much more than certain holders of more conspicuous positions. To serve as the voice of the voiceless, is there a grander achievement? Yet, with Erelu Bisi Fayemi, this is an everyday thing.

No wonder the people love her.

No wonder her husband sings her praises.

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LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

Chief Emeka Anyaoku – Honour Well Deserved A few good men are what comes to mind anytime I think of my lord, Chief Emeka Anyaoku. Very few are this distinguished with the kind of unblemished public record as this elder statesman. On a few occasions, I have had cause to have tea with daddy and what used to marvel me is his diction.

When he speaks, I will close my eyes, and it will be like it is the Duke of Edinburgh that is speaking. I am writing about Chief Anyaoku because I had a very brief but incisive conversation with him the other day. You see, I have set up a new online platform called The Alvin Report. This platform will take essays from highly cerebral Nigerians in a bid to change the narrative. There is too much noise out there. Empty heads are screaming and shouting, crowding out the intelligentsia, which unfortunately does not bode well for

national development. No matter the issue, be it insecurity, restructuring, or the economy, all you hear is a cacophony of meaningless noise. This has done a lot of damage to public policy and execution. So, the Alvin Report will give highly intelligent minds the platform to engage and engage powerfully through logic-based arguments, data and verifiable positions with a slim chance that, slowly, common sense will start to seep back into public discourse.

Already we have about 36 contributors drawn from different sectors of the polity, of which seven are SANs, with people like Olumide Aju and Bode Olanipekun leading the charge. Others are Mohammed Garuba, revered investment banker and developmental economist Magnus Onyibe, to mention a few. Now you will ask how this concerns Chief Emeka Anyaoku. I decided to

institute the Chief Emeka Anyaoku prize for the best essay submitted in driving the vision. This will be our own Nobel Prize but this time from Shomolu.

The prize will be N1 million and given annually to the best-researched essay on “economy, business and impact.” When I told Chief Anyaoku, he was elated and screamed, “Duke, I didn’t know you were that rich!” and I laughed, saying, “Chief, what else can we do? The fact is that I can’t afford this money, but if I cannot raise N1m every 12 months for a worthy cause like this, then what am I still doing in Lagos? Na to go back go Uyo go dey tap palm wine na?” We all can’t be sitting on the fence and shouting Buhari, Buhari, Buhari. We must all start folding our sleeves and be constructive.

It is almost getting too late o. Nigeria must be pulled back from the brink.

Simple.

IGP ADAMU – A DISGRACEFUL EXIT I wish I could see this baba. I will stick out my tongue at him and pull my eyes and say, ‘ntoi.’ Shebi tenure don end them extend am for three months.

Instead of you going jeje, they extended it. It has never happened before, why they are extending it, me I siddon here and no understand. This wasn’t a brilliant tenor, everything that could go wrong went wrong, and they are extending it. Even if it was the most brilliant tenure, institutionalisation of processes would not have allowed it.

But is it not Nigeria? Who cares about processes and laid down rules? On the whim of long neck, we were extended for three more months, and the baba carry him long frowning face siddon there and be doing only God knows what. Now the attack on Imo comes, and he is hurriedly removed. I tire, dem for leave am na. Is it today that these things have been happening all over the country? We should have extended him for another one year na since he is the only policeman brought to the world to salvage the force. Did he even catch one bandit? I just tire with the way we do things in this country. Please, if you know any slave dealer, especially a female one from Brazil, send me details let me sell myself to slavery. Is it not better than continuing to exist under this kind of jagajaga system?

is going on, and yet Nero is in the UK having an appointment with his dentist when Rome is burning? The fear in this country is now so palpable, with life uncertain. Everything is going wrong.

We have never had it this bad, Nigeria is really on the brink, and nothing is sacred anymore. Traditional rulers’ palaces looted, insurgency everywhere, banditry, kidnapping. The only efficient thing is our ability to give labels to these things. We sha know how to define these evils. So kidnapping is different from banditry, is different from insurgency, it is different from robbery, it is different from ethnic violence. As it is happening, we are labelling and have even gone one step ahead to label and attach according to geographical and ethnic lines. But nobody is seeking solutions or an end to the carnage. We are in deep trouble in this country. Real deep trouble, when will all these end? Peace is elusive, I tell you. Sad.

puking, and I am very serious that this particular one should be pushed back into his cave for continued hibernation.

We are facing very serious issues as a country, and it is not time for ojuju to come out and be running around the circus. We need very fresh minds, very serious articulation of the issues and a strong and robust engagement at the leadership level even to give us a chance. This is not time for mimicry or fart-induced oratory. Please, stay away, daddy. Don’t you have greatgrandchildren to cater to? They need you more. Go back to your hut.

IMO STATE – THE FIRE THIS TIME You see my fear. These attacks are getting more brazen nationwide. Prison attacked, over 1,000 inmates released.

Police headquarters attacked. What

Adamu

PROF. JERRY GANA – PLEASE, STAY AWAY I have received the news of this man coming back to PDP with disgust. I will not want to mince words or be charitable this morning because this is the main problem. People like this have pulled us by the nose along the lines of varying selfish interest for so long. This man has been within the corridors of power since when I have been suckling my mother’s breast, and what has he achieved or what have we gained from him? – zilch.

This is a dinosaur that should be in a museum and studied. This is a relic that we should use as a poster boy on how not to choose leaders, and he is coming out to be saying there is no Government at the Centre and want to join PDP to come and do what? I really feel like

THE COVID-19 JAB - MY STORY I finally took the jab o. If you follow all the gist around this thing, you will not want to go anywhere near the street.

They are giving the jab talk less of entering the hall. I have been listening and reading authorities’ views and not the many charlatans who have seized the media to be pushing one conspiracy theory after the other. What pushed me was that I was told that even with the vaccine, you could still be infected but will not die. The vaccine eliminates the possibility of fatality in the event of infection. Another strong argument was the possibility of the yellow fever card being mandatory for international travel in the near future. That is how I carry myself go o. Like everything Nigerian, the Yaba Psychiatry venue was a bedlam of confusion. The temporary power this thing gives the nurses and handlers is crazy. Come and see shouting, struggling and fighting to collect jab which is free o. Who is from Prof Lagbaja, they will scream, and that one will jump the queue. They will come again, who is from Senator Ekpu, that one will jump up and enter. So, I

Prof. Gana

Okotie

Anyaoku

went to the man in charge and said, “Please, we are less than 50 here. This thing is free. Why are we still doing corruption?” He looked at me with very ugly eyes, sweating and spitting and said, ‘You mister, come back tomorrow. As long as I am here you will not take the jab today.” I ran mad.

You see, this our Nigeria; we are all the problem. We are all mad, I swear. See this mumu, low-level civil servant with a smelly mouth even doing corruption in vaccine o? The vaccine that nobody is taking that they are begging people to come and take. I stood by the door and made sure nobody entered until the right thing was done. The man, his colleagues and handlers moved against me and continued with their madness.

So I called someone in Government House to ask if it was Lagos policy to have people jump queues, hoard the vaccine and ask to be settled before giving the jab. Of course, the answer was no. I don’t know who my contact called, immediately my status changed.

Oga, please come and take your own.

I say no. I enter my Gani Fawehinmi mode. I say no until everything is done normally and people respected.

The crowd cheered, and I felt like going for election in Nsit Ibom as a community leader. I sabi the work.

The only problem come be that, I had totally forgotten my fear of needle.

When it was my turn, I begged the nurses, including the ugly man, to hold me. They started laughing. They say, “Oya, call Sanwo-Olu to hold you, call

Tinubu

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LOUD WHISPERS carry your agbada and take custody of any ‘thing’ that comes with the title.

Congratulations, Boss and many, much more to come.

Buhari. Yeye troublemaker that is fearing needle. Nurse, oya, nack am.” I start to beg. I say she should be gentle with me. I start to apologise that they should hold me. I ran around the hall, and that man jumped at me, wrestled me to the ground and made sure they jabbed me. I screamed and started crying. The mumu people I was fighting for join their oppressors to laugh at me. They laughed at me o. The pain was massive, and my hand paralysed. I cry to my car and immediately slept off. Mbok, if this thing no work with all this pain, it will be sad o.

ASIWAJU BOLA TINUBU – PLEASE, MARRY HER I have come across a very funny story.

A married woman went to tattoo Bola Tinubus’s face on her back, complete with his name and birth date. Wait first, how is she sure of the real date o, since they say the thing has been changed over 80 times on Wikipedia? Anyway, she did that o to show her love for her hero. But wahala burst o. The husband don drive her comot for house and rightly so. How will I want to make love to my wife and I say, oya, turn so I can be very robust, and she turn for me and as I am going na Tinubu face I go dey look. I will lose my something na. That is where I am sure the annoyance is. Why would I be looking at Tinubu when I am trying to concentrate? You know, at above 50, the struggle we men face to maintain turgidity and continue at a respectable pace to the finish. You now come to complicate matters by adding Tinubu face. So the man drive her and say, since na Tinubu you want, go to him na. This thing almost happen to me too when Duchess come dey carry Sanwo-Olu for head. Mbok, Sanwo-Olu everywhere in my house, Sanwo-olu poster for my bedroom. Same thing o. When we start as I want to jump on top, I will see Sanwo-Olu smiling. I will lose it. So one day, I call meeting, I say, “Please, dear, can you at least remove the Sanwo-Olu poster for the bedroom. I understand the toilet, living room, my cars, my kitchen, but in the bedroom, it is distracting me.”

She say on one condition that I allow her to go to Sanwo-Olu campaign. Kai. My wife to go to campaign? So that all those APC boys will be touching her inside crowd? I say no o. So that is how I continue to manage, with Sanwo-Olu staring at me each time I was trying to be a man. Na wa.

Karim

Etukeyen

Ibadanland. I don’t know if the title comes with other fringe benefits like 60 virgins and COVID-19 immunity,

but I know that the honour is greatly deserved. Congratulations, my egbon, and I really do apologise for not being in attendance. The next one na me go

CHIOMA ROWLAND – A DILEMMA FORETOLD For those of you who do not know this person, she is a popular musician, Davido’s fiancée. I was watching the popular TV talk show, the View on TVC and her matter was the topic.

When one of the presenters said that she prays that God should not give her this kind of daughter with no sense, I almost laughed. But instead, I put my head down in gloom. So, the story: She met the silver spoon musician at Babcock University. With all the talent and pedigree, he finished his education and got his degree, she with nothing but looks and empty status of girlfriend to Davido, dropped out so she could be with him. When this happened, I screamed.

What kind of decision is this, I asked?

Does she not have parents? Is she not under some control at all? But you see, when you are dealing with teenagers, you will realise that it is better to negotiate with a bandit than this set of Nigerians. So, she dropped

CHRIS OKOTIE AND THE VAMPIRE TALE The pastor has said those of us that have taken the vaccine will turn into a vampire that the vaccine will make us start drinking blood and be looking for other people’s blood to suck. This beats them all. So the man, said to be learned and sophisticated, will sit in front of TV cameras and spew this kind of babble with confidence, and people will be believing? If I write what is on my mind about this former musician, they will ban me from this page. People are giving credible and logical arguments for and against the vaccine, and this one is coming out with this kind of story that can only interest a child in kindergarten. The sad thing is that millions will listen and believe o. This one has watched too many movies, especially horror movies.

Na im be im problem. Laugh nearly kill me. Maybe he should go back to the jerry curls.

KOLA KARIM - WELCOME THE AGBAOYE OF IBADANLAND My brother sent his invite, but I was in Uyo looking for only God knows what. This is a great man who, amongst other things, is very passionate about Nigeria. The great people of Ibadan land, through the highly respected Olubadan, decided to honour one of their most accomplished and respected sons with the highly revered title of Agbaoye of

Chioma

out and promptly went to have a child. He promised to marry her, but she has remained a fianceé for years.

Now, the relationship is breaking with the man tasting other puddings, and we begin to ask what the recourse is for Chioma? No marital cover, no educational qualifications, what does she fall back on? This is a lesson for those of us who have teenagers. It is only prayers o. You cannot say you are in control. Their own madness is at another level. I am sure some other parents are facing things worse than this Chioma’s madness. My own tell me the other day – “Joe, please, I do not enjoy having conversations with you, so try not to be talking to me. Me o, that is paying school fees. If I slap now, they will say you, slap woman. I just open mouth dey look am as she leave my room after that declaration. God help us. Our children have all gone mad. Kai.

UDEME ETUKEYEN – THE MAN FROM IBIOM I am sure by now most of you would have known that I am trying to do a new Play in Uyo called Ibiom. As we speak, MTN, Anchor Insurance and Hope PSP have all joined the crusade.

But long before they came was Udeme.

I had gone to my aunty Rosemary to say, although I am from Akwa Ibom, I am an unknown quantity in the place, and as such, I will need someone of goodwill, the right connections, and good character to work with, and she said, Udeme is your man. She gave me his numbers, and I dialled, though I already had his numbers. I had met him during the heyday of South-South Professionals when we used to hold meetings at Albert Okumagba’s house.

So, it was a reunion of sorts. Udeme has been phenomenal in bringing all Akwa Ibom elites together on this journey. He has made my entry into the circle very seamless, making this production a success before we even deliver it. His reach and respect are phenomenal; he even opened up to us, Obong Victor Attah, the highly respected and mercurial former governor of Akwa Ibom. Thank you, my brother, and God bless you.

KOLA ABIOLA FOR PRESIDENT? When I first heard this story, what came to my mind was that MKO jingle during that legendary election MKOOOOOOO is our man o. I loved the thing like mad. But sadly, we cannot sing the same with his son Kola Abiola.

This is not our man o, and I really hope this story is one of those things that just comes out like a fart and will blow away. I studied Kola during June 12.

Remember, I was doing my Masters in Political Science in Unilag at the time.

I had written a powerful essay in my third year at the University of Ibadan long before the annulment, where I had correctly predicted that IBB would not hand over.

The dribbling was too much. So when it happened, I started studying Kola, who had a lot of weight and press mileage as the heir to the throne. He showed a remarkable lack of ideology, timing and confidence at the time. He could not and did not rise to the occasion and watched his stepmother take over the weight and arrowhead of the struggle. He could not wrestle down his emotional feelings for IBB’s daughter and didn’t care that people were losing their lives over his girlfriend’s father’s policy and allegedly continued with that dalliance.

So his father’s wives carried on with the struggle, his younger sisters joined, and he just stayed silent.

After all that hullaballoo, he was accused of presiding over his father’s wealth’s that many claimed there is little or nothing left of the legendary wealth. He has been quiet ever since, in business and politics, and now he wakes up or is being pushed even to consider a run?

Is this how ‘useless’ the presidency is now? Granted that in a democracy, everybody has a right, but it is never and will never be an all-comers’ affairs. There must be some level of pedigree and seriousness tied to the pursuit. The last time I saw him was at my brother Uwem Whyte’s house in Lekki, and I didn’t even recognise him. It was Uwem that said, “Duke you know know who be this?” I said, “I know know o.” He said na Kola Abiola, I said ooh sorry, na head I just see o, no vex. Evening sir. He greeted me, and we exchanged some light banters, and he drove off. I just hope this is a small joke. Thank you.

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Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

Sanusi Lamido Remains Unfazed Araoyinbo

Another Feather in the Cap of Olumide Araoyinbo

F

or enterprising businessman and politician, Hon. Olumide Araoyinbo, it was yet another date with history recently, when he was installed as the Basorun Onisowo of Ibadanland.

In his honour, his friends and business associates stormed the ancient city of Ibadan to share in his joy, leaving behind sweet stories that will be told for long.

Araoyinbo, a businessman, humanist, security expert, entrepreneur, investor, community leader, and politician of repute, is the President of Akoko Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, Industry, Manufacturing and Agriculture, AKOCCIMA. His foray into the murky waters of politics, he once revealed, was informed by his experience as a child and the determination to give succour to the poor.

For Araoyinbo, who is also Otunba Ogbagba-Agbotewole of Idimu-land, Lagos, Olu-Omo of Irun Akoko, and Otunba-Bobagunwa of Ogbagi-Akoko, among several others, the honour didn’t just come on a platter; instead, they are all for his kindness and impactful contributions to the society.

Araoyinbo, a multiple awardwinner, served as the Chairman of a strategic House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, and other committees like Transport and Utilities, Sports, Commerce and Industry, Natural Resources, and the Finance and Appropriation.

Top Lawyer, Morenike GeorgeTaylor, Soaring Higher Morenike George-Taylor, a lawyer of repute, keeps soaring higher to the admiration of her fans in and outside the country.

George- Taylor, who had cut her teeth as a lawyer with the Legal Aid Council and Wemimo Ogunde & Co., SAN, is the founder of Reni Legal Consulting. The full-service law firm operates in Lagos and Abuja.

Unknown to many, she also has another passion: business. A restless soul, she combines her legal practice with running Foodlanders, a high-profile restaurant that currently operates in Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos and now Abuja.

She also runs a real estate company called Taylors Realties, which specialises in selling luxury properties worldwide.

Since she came on board the company, it has expanded its operations to Dubai, the UK, Kenya, and South Africa. George-Taylor, who is also the head honcho of Morenike Flux Group of company, is the brains behind a business support company called County Support. She leads a team of professionals located worldwide to help businesses cope with the impact of COVID - 19.

County Support was built to save other businesses. It offers hotel and restaurant consulting services to companies while also creating solutions that help them survive and thrive amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In one of his deathless quotes, Atul Purohit, an Indian-born classical singer, once said, “Life is about trusting your feelings and taking chances, losing and finding happiness, appreciating the memories, learning from the past, and realising people change.”

When Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was unceremoniously sacked from his exalted position as the Emir of Kano on March 9, 2020, it came as a rude shock to many. It was one of the most trending stories in Nigeria and in some parts of the world.

Although he was not the first emir to be relieved of his position ( Abacha had sacked Ibrahim Dasuki in 1996), Sanusi’s deposition travelled like wildfire because of his popularity and political disposition, having been the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

After he was relieved of his position, he was banished to a remote village in Nassarawa State, and he eventually moved to Lagos.

Interestingly, observers of developments, particularly since he relocated to Lagos,

have described him as a cat with nine lives. That became more pronounced in recent time, as he now enjoys more freedom than when he was an emir. And he has refused to be mowed down by the situation.

Perhaps, his newfound status has given birth to the speculation that he may be launching a political career. Possibly even contesting the presidency in 2023.

It was gathered that the outstanding brilliant economist with high-wired connections was sighted at an event in Ibadan, penultimate weekend, where he was accorded all the paraphernalia of office as an emir. He was colourful and dapper.

Our source disclosed that he carried himself well without betraying any emotions of a deposed emir and that his face beamed with smiles while the event lasted.

Since he left office a year ago, he has been given several appointments, including the Kaduna State University (KASU) chancellor and the vice chairman of the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA) by the state governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

Lamido

Gbenga Daniel Celebrates God’s Blessings at 65

Daniel

Last Tuesday, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, a former governor of Ogun State, played host to select family members, friends and political associates at his Maryland office in Ikeja on the occasion of his 65th birthday.

Though it was a low-key event, the former governor was celebrated by his guests on that beautiful evening.

It is incontrovertible that OGD, as he is famously called, is not a pushover in the political setting in Nigeria, particularly in Ogun State, where he once held sway as the state’s helmsman between 2003 and 2011.

Apart from being the first governor of the state to complete a second time, he was also the first governor of the state to align with the government at the centre.

Until recently, he was a strong member of

the Peoples Democratic Party and one of those who kept the party’s structure for so long.

His tenure as a governor brought about unprecedented developments to the state. Since he left office, he has had to fight many wars to remain relevant politically and escape the claws of those who allegedly wanted to ‘kill’ his businesses.

His successor, Ibikunle Amosun, who became governor on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria, had given OGD a deadly blow; many of his property, including his multimillion Naira hotel in the state, were allegedly seized.

Amosun had, a few months after he was sworn in, set up a Truth Commission to probe the activities of Daniel and his aides between 2003 and 2011.

Eventually, the committee made its recommendations. The government revoked the Certificates of Occupancy (Cs-of-O) granted to Gateway Front Foundation (GFF) and the Golf Resort Hotels in Abeokuta, the state capital.

The recommendations were contained in the Ogun State of Nigeria Gazette No. 6 Volume 37.

The gazette stated that the government of Ogun was taking over the said properties in the public interest, “as there is allegation that state funds were used in the construction of the hotels.”

The government, however, maintained that

“no money shall be paid as compensation to Daniel, GFF or Golf Resort Hotels Ltd until the said allegations are determined.”

Consequently, the hotel was taken over by security personnel, who barred the former governor from gaining access to his private property.

The hotel, which is located at Presidential Boulevard along Oke-Mosan, opposite the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, was said to have been erroneously constructed on an illegal land belonging to Golf Resort.

As he was fighting to keep his property, he was also struggling to keep his political career from collapsing before his very eyes in a match against his political ally in PDP, the late Senator Buruji Kashamu.

He was kayoed politically by the IjebuIgbo-born politician and almost lost his voice in the party.

In reminiscence, things got so bad that he even announced his retirement from active politics at a point. But like the biblical Daniel, the founder of Krestal Laurel Nigeria Limited triumphed over his ‘enemies’, and he is gradually getting back his groove politically.

He recently crossed over to the ruling party, the All Progressives Party, APC, where he is said to be channelling his new political direction.

Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue Dazzles Corporate World with New Books Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue is called a boardroom boss by those who know her very well. But she is not called so for the fun of it. Many say it is a very apt description of her.

To furt her assert her place in the nat ion’s corporat e world, s h e is set t o launch some b ook s targeted at business leaders, entrepreneurs, top management executives, and new entrants to the field.

According to her, the books will help the aspiring boardroom leaders learn from the wealth of experience she has gained over the years.

She further disclosed that top management executives and new entrants to the field would also find the books a good companion.

“At a time when the playing field has drastically changed, and the effects of the

pandemic ravaging all aspects of life, it is essential to have guidance in building or reinforcing leadership in business or the corporate world.

“The answers needed to move from the boardroom to execution, build team spirit, increase client base, gain visibility and significance are contained within the pages of these books,” she added.

Nnamdi-Ogbue is a multi-level leader and skilled expert with over 17 years’ boardroom experience.

As a trainer and leadership coach, she works with individuals, professionals, corporate leaders, organisations, and governments to become the effective leaders they truly desire and deserve to be.

Her desire to help raise borderless leaders across several sectors is the reason she has written the books, which would be available to the public next month.

Nnamdi-Ogbue

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ ͹͹˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹

63

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

INTERNATIONAL The Conscious Destruction of NIIA: Repealing and Re-enacting the Act Establishing It is Smokescreen

T

he Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) was first established in 1961 as an independent and non-profit making research institution.

The NIIA, as an idea, was conceived by Dr. Kenneth Onwuka Dike, who wanted an institute like the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) in London and like the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. The conception predated Nigeria’s independence on October 1, 1960. As we have noted elsewhere, the cardinal objective of all the founding fathers was self-education and making Nigeria relevant in world affairs, particularly in Africa (vide ‘’The Problems of the NIIA, THISDAY, 24 May, 1999 and Bola A. Akinterinwa, Nigeria in the World: Issues and Problems for the Sleeping Giant (Lagos: Pumark, 2001, pp.

815-818).

In the strong belief that one cannot give what he does not have or that one must first be informed before seeking to inform others, the founding fathers sought self-education first. This was the basis of seeking an institute that could serve as a laboratory for the exegesis of international affairs. In the words of Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, ‘if Nigeria is to acquaint herself honourably and to take her rightful place in Africa, she requires to be fully informed on the world of today, which is one of the paramount functions of the Institute.’

And perhaps more relevantly, the third and best Director of Library the NIIAever had, Mr. Gboyega Banjo, also drew attention to the main objectives of the All-Nigerian People’s Conference, held in Lagos on August 19-21, 1961, which was ‘to ascertain and assemble views of all shades of opinion in Nigeria in respect of ways and areas whereby Nigeria can play an effective role in African Affairs.’

In this regard, Mr. Banjo has it that a ‘Research Institute Committee’ was not only created at the 1961 conference, but was also ‘the first in the list of eight working committees set up by the Conference.’

Thus, the importance attached to the need for an institute of international affairs was evident. In fact, in the period from 1961 through 1973, the NIIAwas given an annual subvention of £30,000 even before it was taken over by the Federal Government on August 18, 1971 in an Act of Parliament of 1971 (CAP) 311. The 1971 Act sets very clear objectives for the NIIAwhich the various Management committees have promoted in different ways.

Professor Bolaji Akinwande Akinyemi is on record to have been the most astounding Director General of the NIIAin terms of development and protection of the NIIAmandate.

Most unfortunately, however, while the Governing Council put in place by Government to assist in the achievement of the Institute’s mandate was very useful in some cases, it was a disaster in some others. The very case of the Governing Council under the chairmanship of Major-General Ike Nwachukwu was the most destructive and disastrous. His Council laid the foundation for the destruction of the NIIAas it is today, in terms of protection of the mandate, discipline and excellence. It is against this background that the efforts at repealing and re-enacting the 1971 NIIAAct should be explained and understood.

The 1971 NIIA Act The Act established the NIIAwith a 3-point mandate and a 5-tactical strategy for achieving the objectives of the Institute. The first mandate is ‘to encourage and facilitate the understanding of international affairs and of the circumstances, conditions and attitudes of foreign countries and their peoples.’ This mandate is not simple as it appears. There are many operational words that should be well understood in their appropriate contexts. Seeking the understanding of international affairs is very consistent with the initial objectives of the founding fathers: self-education of the founding fathers, and particularly of the policy makers, in order to be relevant in the conduct and management of African affairs. And true enough, the notion of self-education necessarily applies to the generality of the Civil and Public Service.

Additionally, the NIIAis to ‘encourage’ and ‘facilitate.’ Encouragement requires an intellectual leadership and direction, as well as ability to sustain an effort or an objective. Facilitation is about implementation of strategic objectives made easy. It requires technical support, managerial skills, commitment and adequate funding.

By talking about circumstances, conditions and attitudes of foreign countries, the mandate is simply requiring the NIIAto articulate

VIE INTERNATIONALE

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

Nwachukwu the dynamics of the attitudinal dispositions of foreign countries to enable the Government and people of Nigeria understand and determine how to respond to them. And perhaps more importantly, the mandate talked about international affairs, not about international relations, not about international studies and not about international law, all of which have different intellectual scopes, dimensions and connotations.

International relations deal essentially with relations between sovereign states at the bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral levels.

Relations, in this regard, cover a gamut of sectors: trade; cultural exchanges; cooperation, be it scientific, socio-economic or politicomilitary; development assistance; etc.

International Studies deal with the academic approaches to the study of international relations, especially in terms of methodologies, theories, hypotheses, etc. They are about research programmes. International law is about the codification of customs. It is about rules and regulations, about the Law of Nations that regulates the attitudinal disposition of all sovereign States, whether or not they are members of the United Nations Organisation. Essentially, international lawyers are interested not simply in understanding the nature and codification of laws, but particularly in also ensuring and investigating the extent of compliance with international law by States.

All these disciplines are still different from international affairs, which are specifically about international questions. A given bilateral or plurilateral or multilateral issue can fall under international affairs. For examples, climate change, globalisation, terrorism, Covid-19 pandemic, denuclearisation, global peace and security, etc, are international questions that fall within the classification of international affairs which are scientifically studied. Thus, if the first mandate requires the encouragement and facilitation of the understanding of international affairs, the challenge is à priori, the articulation of issues that constitute international affairs, at any given time of research inquiry. The NIIAmust, therefore, find out the dynamics of such issues and how they relate to Nigeria’s foreign policy. This is the true meaning of NIIA’s first mandate in this regard.

The second objective is to ‘promote and maintain means of information upon international questions’ and ‘promote the study and

It is not the inadequacy of objects of the NIIA in the existing 1971 Act that is the problem. It is the conscious misrepresentation of the Act, the conscious destruction of the culture of discipline and research ethics at the NIIA under Major General Ike Nwachukwu,as Chairman of Governing Council, that constitutes potentially a major threat to any meaningful implementation of the would-be new Act. If under very notable scholars, like Professor Akin Oyebode, or under a nationalist of the calibre ofAlhajiTankoYakassai,a Governing Council could afford the luxury of seeking to influence academic assessors of professorial candidates,NIIA can never be a Centre of Excellence.At best,repealing and re-enacting the 1971Act can only be a smokescreen,because professorial candidates and Governing Council members should not know the identity of assessors.With the Ike Nwachukwu-led Governing Council factor, there are now two categories of professors at the NIIA: NIIA’s legitimate professors and Governing Council-sponsored professors. If the NIIA is to be a centre of academic excellence, which it used to be, it must first be removed from its state of destruction by specifically placing it directly under the Presidency orVice Presidency and no longer under the supervisory authority of the Foreign Ministry.This should be the first genuine step in seeking value addition

investigation of international questions by means of conferences, lectures and discussions, and by the preparation and publication of books, reports, or otherwise as may seem desirable, so as to develop a body of informed opinions on world affairs.’

There are three main instructions in this second objective: the need to investigate international questions through conferences and lectures, etc; need to develop a body of informed opinions on world affairs; and the need to maintain a means of information about research findings on international questions as may be demanded.

What is noteworthy about this second objective is its nexus with the first objective, and that is the emphasis placed on international questions, which are basically synonymous with international affairs. As provided in this second objective, the NIIAis to ‘promote the study and investigation of international questions.’ While the NIIAis required in objective one to facilitate the understanding of international affairs, the second objective requires the provision of means of information on the problematic or questions about international affairs to be discussed in conferences, lectures, etc. It is therefore not surprising that the third objective requires the NIIA‘to establish contacts with other organisations with similar objectives,’ in addressing the various international questions to be identified.

Put differently, the NIIAis required, in this regard, to share its research findings and outcome of its investigative activities with other similar institutions, at home and abroad, for the purposes of better understanding. The founding fathers, simplicita, were much interested in knowledge-sharing.

As regards the 5-tactical strategies, the NIIAis required to provide the outcome of its scientific study, which was then limited to international politics, economics and jurisprudence, to Government and people of Nigeria; provide facilities for the training of Nigerian diplomats and personnel and those of other countries; study all aspects of international affairs; organise international seminars and conferences from time to time; and engage in whatever is deemed necessary in attaining the objects of the Institute.

Thus, the 1971 Act provides for both national and international seminars and conferences on all aspects of international affairs and also for the research outcome to be made known, not only to the Government, but also to the generality of the people of Nigeria.

The immediate implication of this provision is that professional journalists and independent researchers need not beg the NIIA Research Fellows before they could be assisted with the provision of information. In fact, it is fundamentally wrong for any Director General of the NIIA, as some of them had done in the past, to refuse to grant interview to journalists or prevent any NIIAResearch Fellow from assisting the public, and particularly the journalists, who are constitutionally granted power to monitor political governance on behalf of the people of Nigeria.

In sum, how are the objectives of the Institute to be re-enacted in the bill sponsored by the Chairman of House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Rt. Hon (Dr.) Yusuf Buba Yakub? What prompted the bill? When I, as Director General of the NIIA, took the initiative in 2014 to have a bill for the purposes of repeal and re-enactment of the NIIA1971 Act, why was it frustrated by the Ike Nwachukwuled Governing Council? Why was there no interest then and there is now much interest in the bill? This is one of the manifestations of the conscious destruction of the NIIAand the unpatriotic killing of Nigeria softly.

NIIA Destruction and Act Re-enacting Let me begin with the initiative I took by inviting Honourable Dayo Bush Alebiosu to assist in doing the needful before informing the Governing Council chaired by Major General Ike Nwachukwu. Honourable Alebiosu was the pioneer Chairman of the House Committee on Treaties and Agreements. The NIIA, by law, was and still is, the depository of Nigeria’s international, and particularly ECOWAS, documents. This factor provided an opportunity for me to collaborate with him and to seek the possible repeal and re-enactment of the 1971 NIIAAct. And true enough, efforts were strenuously made to prepare a preliminary report for the NIIAGoverning Council for consideration and possible approval. For obvious reasons of conflicting interests - my strong opposition to turning NIIAprofessorship into a negotiable commodity in the market by the Council; my opposition to ethnic chauvinism in the Institute, etc - not much could be done to make progress. Even when Honourable Alebiosu was succeeded by Honourable Balogun, a former Head of Service in Lagos State, not much could be advanced.

The important point here is that the initiative was basically to translate the mandates of the NIIAinto action. My objective was also to make the NIIAthe coordinating epicentre of all foreign policy research activities in Africa. Before my appointment as Director General of the NIIAon November 16, 2010, the Institute had six international academic exchange programmes in its many decades of existence. By the time I left the Institute on November 30, 2015 the number was increased to eleven. The NIIAwas actively engaged nationally and internationally without iota of gainsaying or scintilla of bragggadocio.

Put differently, the NIIA, as an arm of government and under the supervisory authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, needed to support foreign policy more constructively and beyond the theoretical teachings in the universities.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

11.04.2021

ENGAGING SOR AND HIS SENSIBILITIES

Cover continued on Page 66

Sor Sen

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 11, 2021

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ARTS & REVIEW\\ART-LOGUE

ENGAGING SOR AND HIS SENSIBILITIES In a nod to these desperate times, the Abuja-based artist Sor Sen urges the viewer to scour beneath his linear stokes and evocative colours and discern the hidden meaning behind man’s existential conditions. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke writes

C

ould waking up daily to a “quite erratic” routine be an artist’s antidote to these depressing times?

Perhaps, Sor Sen would know.As for a typical day for the 25-year-old, it could start with his cooking his breakfast. It could also find him just sitting still and listening to music. Or, he would simply pick up a book and read. But that is if the allure of the outdoors sent him in the quest for some humaninterest story that could breathe life into his works.

Whatever. These daily activities would always end up pointing towards one direction: art. Speaking of which theAhmadu Bello University, Zaria MFAholder in painting could spend hours in his studio groping for inspiration or hoping for what he calls “accidental discharges”.

Meanwhile, the veneer of the normalcy of life inAbuja drapes over a tangle of existential uncertainties. For the artist, for whom the human experience has been the theme song of his studio practice, these uncertainties should be the grist of his creative mills.Abig close-up view of what he calls his “existential dilemma” would leave the dispassionate observer in a whirl.

In a statement intended for an upcoming solo exhibition, which opens in Lagos on Saturday, June 12, the artist muses: “Why am I here?

What is my role here? How can I survive the turbulent nature of life?

On a deeper level, I do not know the answers, but the search is worth it. Most times, I get consoled by the fact that I’m not alone in this quest for a meaningful life. The confusion and triumphs feel very much like the nexus of humanity. This sense of shared humanity is the source of value and meaning in the world.”

About this exhibition, which he titled Dreams, Disruptions and Actualities, he says it is “an extension of [his] practice hinged on the ambiguities of the human experience.” Could these ambiguities be lurking beneath the patented, familiar apparently scratched surface of his paintings? Obviously. The viewer, contemplating the works scheduled for the exhibition, discerns the artist’s clear-sighted attempt at the deconstruction of the puzzles of the present-day gloominess. He also senses a restless thought-process seething beneath the apparent inertness of the static forms. For him, this opens the doors to further conjectures and lends wings to his fantasies, as he contemplates the series the artist titles “Defying the Odds”, “Coping Mechanism”, “Unspoken Complicity” and “Intense Energies”.

Apainting, titled “Fickle Times”, and depicting a surgical masksporting female figure, for instance, seems imbued with so much tension and, perhaps, even motion. The female figure’s eyes turned skywards and her two arms held out in supplication are eloquent testimonies of piety enforced by her unfavourable circumstances.

Indeed, this oil and acrylic on canvas work produced in 2020 is an obvious allusion to the state of hopelessness and helplessness many were plunged into at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Still, on the artist’s efforts at animating his static forms, the viewer discerns a male figure’s struggle to disentangle himself from a mesh of confusion in the 2021 oil and acrylic on canvas diptych paintings,

Sor Sen in his studio “Defying the Odds”. Similarly, in “Defying the Odds II”, a female figure struggles for a clear vision of the chaos of these times.

In a certain sense, Sen transforms the vagaries of the COVID era into his creative assets, which eventually become his coping mechanism.

Yet, not even these can stifle the questions bordering on his whence and whither or even the real purpose of his existence. Like the figures in his painting, the Benue State-born artist grapples with what constitutes his real essence. Hence, he writes: “The works in this exhibition are an attempt to explore my experience with life as regards eventful phases of the self in relation to the larger society. In some instances, I delved into my dream world, to alter reality in order to communicate my emotions on how I have encountered living from the vantage point of helplessness to hope and joy.”

Sen’s invitation to the viewer to scour for some meaning beneath the intricacies of his linear strokes and evocative colours is at the same time a clarion call to the latter to lift his gaze beyond his existential conditions and recognise whither his paths lead. “It is my hope that these works will engage your thoughts on these bits of life and maybe find yourselves in this act of mutuality,” he says.

Meanwhile, attempts at deciphering the artist’s stylistic leanings or influences end up becoming an exercise in futility. So obvious is the artist’s devotion to his creative identity and authenticity that he only

seems to pay scant attention to conventional rules. With the edge of the blade of his palette knife, he sometimes scratches the surface of the canvas. But “majorly,” he adds, “the colours are lifted with the knife from the palette and laid on canvas in a combination of careful and carefree strokes.”

Even more nebulous and fluid are his sources of inspiration. From the simple, easy-to-identify forms of the early years of his career, his forms gradually ebb into the less discernible. This, he attributes to the dictates of the kind of issues he chooses to engage.

From doodling with crayons and learning to draw from magazines in his childhood years, he had risen above peer pressure to make the difficult career choice of becoming an artist. Being partial to the use of colours, through which he evokes emotions, he ended up inclining to the painting medium.

Sen, who also dabbles in photography, has paid his dues in the art scene. Besides holding a couple of solo exhibitions and participating in several group shows both within and outside Nigeria, he had won laurels at the annual Life in My CityArt Festival in Enugu and events organised by the National Gallery ofArt, the embassies of Spain and Egypt as well as theAfricanArts Resource Centre in Lagos. He also got special recognition from the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library inAbeokuta.

BOOKS

Digging into Dark Hearts Yinka Olatunbosun

I

n Dark Hearts, Layi Babatunde, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who has been in legal practice for close to four decades, brings into the open, in simple prose, what would otherwise have been buried in Law Reports and other legal literature. He delivers a chilling account, which would make you ponder, on the increasing loss of humanity amongst humans using a collection of short stories.

Evidently aided by the legal luminary’s wellknown interest in scholarship and incursion into law reporting, through the Supreme Court Reports (S.C Reports) which he has edited and published for decades; Dark Hearts is a collection of 12 short stories based on actual life occurrences, leading to prosecution under the Laws of Nigeria and decisions rendered up to the Apex Court. The case references or citation are in the End Note.

And as the author says in his introduction, some of the revelations in the collection would make the average person shudder at man’s limitless capac-

ity for evil. The stories distilled from cases decided by the Supreme Court at diverse times, also amply tells that the pervasive cold-heartedness and lack of fellow feeling with which Nigeria currently grapples may in fact be as old as humanity itself, Indeed Nothing is truly new!

From murder to armed robbery to kidnapping, ritual killings and even the desecration of worship places in the perpetration of evil for selfish gains, Nigeria is only currently seeing an escalation rather than a novelty.

One would imagine that this is one of the concrete benefits that this timely book has for its readers. By rousing their consciousness, the book reminds them that they have always had the tendency to jettison blood ties and affinities and sacrifice a brother and sister for the sake of becoming rich.

Thus, Dark Hearts compels sociologists and psychologists in Nigeria to probe beyond the general assumption that the current economic downturn and government’s inability to actualise shared prosperity amongst its 200 million citizens is what is turning Nigerians

into money-mongering savages. This is one of the myths that Babatunde busts in his collection of stories. In one of the stories, “Brother Kills Brother”, a man leaves Kano, in the north-west of Nigeria all the way to Iwo, in the south-west to source for a hunchback required for a money ritual for some men who were desperate to be rich. And you wonder at the depth of darkness of this man’s heart when you realise that he merely facilitates evil for people other than for himself and that the hunchbacked man he was ready to sacrifice turns out to be his own younger brother!

The reader is also confronted with issue of unsafe school environment, the kidnapping of children either for ransom or ritual purposes. In “Ex-employee from Hell”, a former domestic worker kidnaps the son of his old employer from school for a ransom. But the story does not end well. The story in “Gruesome Murder of a Child” is similar expect that this time around, the crime is masterminded by an uncle, who knew the itinerary of the abducted child’s parents. Again, the motive is money ritual.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 11, 2021

CICERO

Editor:Olawale Olaleye mail:wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08116759819

IN THE ARENA

A Seismic Eruption in Southeast Recent attacks on prison facilities and police command centres in Owerri and contiguous regional theatres by gunmen speak to a potential strategy tweak by ‘separatist forces’ in the Southeast with latent security backlash, writes Louis Achi

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learly, what is unfolding in the nation’s socio-political space is comparable to an Athenian tragedy but lacking the majesty of a Greek drama. A verdict delivered years ago, this paraphrase of the late erudite economist and scholar, Dr. Pius Okigbo’s position, simply distils the damming failure of the nation’s political leadership.

In geology-speak, seismic activity is spawned by the release of built-up stress within the earth’s crust along geologic fault lines and can be quite destructive and disruptive. In Nigeria, currently, ethno-religious fault lines amplified by quirky leadership is spawning security nightmare, massive socio-economic and political disruptions and destruction.

Early last Monday morning, a prison facility and police command centre in Owerri, Imo State, was targeted by gunmen, who destroyed part of the prison walls with explosives, freeing 1,844 inmates. A police officer was shot and injured in the attack.

The police alleged the gunmen were from the Eastern Security Network – a quasi-military wing of the dominant pro-Biafra secessionist group in Southeast Governor Hope Uzodinma inspecting one of the facilities vandalised by thugs Nigeria, the Indigenous People of Biafra two cities in the state as a precautionary response to (IPOB). But the group has denied responsibility. digenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Oodua People’s the jailbreak in Owerri. At least, six police officers had From London, where he is having a two-week mediCongress (OPC) both ethnic extremist groups. All the been killed by gunmen in Abia over the last month, in three groups operate on the platform of extremism.” cal check-up, which has now been extended, President attacks also blamed on IPOB. Muhammadu Buhari condemned the attack as an “act Dambazau’s comparison of IPOB, OPC to Boko As it were, the rise of secessionist agitation in of terrorism.”

Haram terrorists remains conceptually controversial for nation’s Southeast has stoked growing tension in the According tpolice spokesman, Frank Mba, reinforceits apparent lack of intellectual rigour. In the darkness region and a heavy response by security forces and ments had been sent, including “a new special of the extant crisis, many see it as providing pretty little Buhari’s government. investigation team specifically set up to deal with cases light on the way forward.

According to Amnesty International, security forces of incessant attacks on security formation/operatives in But according to Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, a special have killed hundreds of protesters since 2015, includthe region”. counsel to the proscribed IPOB, in a recent twitter post: ing 60 extrajudicial executions committed over just two “The continuing exclusion of Southeast officers from Significantly, since President Buhari assumed power, days in 2016. But the Nigerian Army would have none the Southeast has experienced scaled up resurgence security formations in SE is unconstitutional. It’s also of that, and had denied the allegation outright. in secessionist sentiment since the 1967-70 Biafra war. dangerous & suspicious. It stokes popular distrust & a In his apparent contribution to defogging the unfold- sense that SE is a conquered territory. And it justifies Millions died during the conflict, many from starvation ing crisis, the immediate past Minister of Interior, after a government blockade of the region. the case for #Biafra.”

Lt.-Gen. Abdul-Rahman Dambazau (rtd), on Friday Perhaps, not surprisingly, in recent years, security In another reaction, Ejimakor queried: “How can you stated that the O’odua People’s Congress (OPC) and forces have launched successive controversial cracksecure a people without their participation? When you the proscribed IPOB are extremist groups like Boko downs on mass protests, boycotts and attacks by do that, it runs the grave risk of being perceived as a Haram. suspected pro-Biafran groups. In 2017, two years after belligerent occupation, or worse – a benign conquest.

Dambazau spoke at Army War College in Abuja, Buhari’s induction as president, IPOB was banned Plus, it breeds popular distrust, which is antithetical to while delivering a lecture to participants of course from organising by the federal government, labelled security.

5/2021. He alleged that the two groups were sponsoring a terror organisation – blamed for attacks on security “Then, you wonder why the agitation is not letting a new wave of extremism that could ignite ethnic personnel and citizens. up. Southeast is a bonafide part of this country, which conflict so as to achieve their aims of dividing the Economic inequality and deprivation have fuelled is still a federation, not some unitary contraption.” country. secessionist resentment in the Southeast of the country, However, the emerging consensus amongst promiHis words: “The two groups have been making although much of this scenario runs through several nent stakeholders is that with five governors, five funcefforts to ignite nationwide inter-ethnic conflicts regions. The authorities have often been accused of tional state parliaments and ranking representatives through their violent attacks on northern residents or unlawful arrests of pro-Biafran activists as well as in the National Assembly, a constitutional approach to transacting businesses in the south as a quick way to rights abuses. Significantly, attacks on police and state seeking equitable inclusion and appropriate redress for realise their dream for a divided Nigeria. facilities have risen in recent months. the region’s political grievances is a preferred template “We see parallels between Boko Haram and the InGovernor Ikpeazu of Abia State imposed curfews on of engagement.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

That Military Offensive in Benue

T Lieutenant General Attahiru Ibrahim

he recent military operations in a certain Benue community, which reportedly left over 70 people dead was preventable if the military had been more circumspect in its response to the assault on its men by some irredentists in the community.That the development quickly brough to mind, events in Odi and Zaki Biam, in Bayelsa and Benue States some years ago, made it the more worrisome.

The military had launched a counter attack in the Shangev-Tiev community in Konshisha Local Government Area of the state, days after some of their men had first gone missing before about 11 of them were later reportedly killed, with at least one officer amongst the dead.The soldiers were said to be on a peace mission

after crisis broke out between Kanshisha and Oju local governments.

Bad as the action of the communities seemed, the response of the military was worse. First, they’ve not been able to identify the actual culprits in the killings of their men, and thus, the reprisal had only consumed numerous innocent people in the communities, which of course queried their discretion and action.

While the killing of uniformed men at whatever classification is eternally condemnable, clamping down heavily on harmless civilians is worse and despicable.That the Benue people are multiple times unlucky makes their plight pathetic.The action of the military is sad, shameful, pathetic and utterly reprehensible, their excuses notwithstanding.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 11, 2021

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BRIEFINGNOTES Baba: There’s No Time to Waste Time!

For the New Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, his appointment isn’t a tea party, writes Olawale Olaleye

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he appointment and subsequent decoration of officer Usman Alkali Baba as the nation’s new inspector general of police is not one to attract envy. Landing such a good job at a rather inauspicious time is no less a delicate balance, which of course, declines all the flashes and pizzas, given a different epoch.

Perhaps, Baba is not unawares of his current job description, not as a police officer per se, but as one, who has just been handed the most unattractive assignment of securing an ‘uncivil population’. He’d acknowledged the state of Imo State and admitted there was a need for clean-up in the Southeast state.

But Imo is just a fraction of the humongous assignments that his appointment has thrown his way. The Southeast and the South-east regions have been security unfriendly in the last few months – killing police officers at will, burning down security facilities and carting away weapons of the state.

Apart from Enugu, there have been strings of attacks on police officers and facilities identified as theirs in some states within the Southeast and the South-south regions. But fears are that, if the attacks on the police continued, it could complicate the already deteriorating security situation in the country.

It is commonplace that Nigeria is currently struggling with Boko Haram insurgency in the North Eastpart of the country, banditry in other parts of the north, kidnapping and the perennial clashes between herders and farmers in several other parts of the country, the south inclusive.

Thus, with the seemingly coordinated attacks on the police and their facilities across many states, the country is fast replicating a description of the Hobessian setting.

In Ebonyi State, for instance, three Police Officers were killed from Onueke Police Station in Ezza South Local Government Area on January 8. On February 4, the Police Divisional Headquarters in Isu, Onicha Local Government Area was burnt down and on March 1, the Iboko Divisional Police Station in Izzi Local Government Area was brutally attacked.

Imo State is currently in the news for all the wrong reasons. On February 5, two Police Officers were killed from Umulowo Police Division in Obowo local government Area, while on February 25, another Police Station, Aboh Mbaise Divisional Police Headquarters, was burnt. And On the 9th of March, the Police Station in Ihitte-Uboma local government Area, was burnt.

Anambra State too has been volatile lately. On March 18 an officer was killed at a Police checkpoint in Neni, Anaocha local government area. The following day, another officer died at Ekwulobia Police Station, Nanka and on March 31, three officers were killed in an attack on the former Central Bank Governor, Chukwuma Soludo at his hometown in Isuofia.

Abia State hasn’t fallen far from the three either. On March 22, three Police Officers were killed in Abiriba, Ohafia Local government area. Two more officers were again killed on February 23 at the Abayi Divisional police Headquarters in Aba, while another was killed on February 1 at the Omoba Police Station in Isiala Ngwa South council area.

Curiously, South-south’s Edo State has not been left out of the ugly trend. In early February, three policemen were killed, when gunmen attacked a zoological garden. One civilian identified as the managing director of the Ogba Zoological Gardens was kidnapped in the attack, police spokesperson Moses Nkombe, said.

In neighbouring Cross River, gunmen have continued to be on rampage. They reportedly killed no fewer than six policemen and a soldier in an attack at a checkpoint in Obubra on the Calabar-Ikom highway. In the attack, several other policemen were injured. Sadly, the attack came barely two weeks after four policemen were also killed at a checkpoint in Idundu, near Calabar.

Although the Nigerian police had reportedly arrested sixteen militants of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) for alleged complicity in a series of violent attacks on security operatives and facilities in some states in

Baba, shortly after he was decorated by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo Southeast Nigeria, the tide has yet to abate.

Police spokesman, Frank Mba said, the suspects were arrested in various parts of the country following sustained, and intelligencedriven sting operations.

He explained that the police investigations had clearly established and linked the suspects to several attacks and murder of security personnel as well as stealing, unlawful possession of firearms, arson and malicious damage to operational assets of military and law enforcement agents.

Isn’t it interesting that this is the time that Baba has taken over the leadership of the police? While the test and strength of true leaders often manifest in times of crises, such leaders do not sit back and rely on old approaches and expecting that the tide would turn around. This is where Baba would have to prove himself different, if at all he intends to scratch the crisis on the face.

Nothing, though, suggests that Baba understands the nature of the crisis at hand as he is expected to be properly briefed soon, his profile, however, presupposes he came prepared to the job.

Born on March 1, 1963 in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State, Baba enlisted in the Nigeria Police on March 15, 1988, having held a Teachers’ Grade II Certificate from Teachers College, Potiskum. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts (ED) degree in Political Science from the University of Maiduguri and a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from Bayero University, Kano.

Until his appointment as the acting IGP last Tuesday, he had held several positions in various commands of the force.

For example, he had served as Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Yola, Gombe, Kaduna and Jos. He also served in Ilorin, Kwara State as Area Commander; second-in-command in Ebonyi State and Assistant Commissioner (CID), in Kaduna.

In Kaduna, Baba served as the deputy commissioner (administration), while in the FCT, he served as deputy commissioner of police (Investigation). He was also in the staff college as a directing staff.

In January 2014, he became a commissioner of police and in July

2016, an AIG. He was commissioner of police in the FCT and Delta State and later served as the AIG in charge of Zone 5 Benin, Zone 4 Makurdi and Zone 7, Abuja.

Baba, who had attended peace keeping operations outside the country, was promoted to the rank of DIG in November 2020 in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) until his appointment as IGP on Tuesday. He had acted as DIG in charge of Finance and Administration and at some point served as Force secretary. For his career growth, he had attended a few professional courses hence he is a member of Course 22/2014 of the National Defence College (NDC) Abuja and also a fellow of International War College.

Due for retirement in 2023, Baba said for the record lately that he would like to “leave a legacy of policing with human face.” That promise, however, starts now as he is under pressure to bring sanity to different parts of the country. After all, his job is already cut out for him.

Besides, his meeting Friday with Police Strategic Commanders – Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police, Commissioners of Police and Deputy Commissioners of Police (Operations) – in charge of the South-east and South-south states to brainstorm on how to tackle the security crisis in the two zones, was a confirmation of the fact that he had a good idea how to go about the issue at hand.

The meeting, which held at the Force headquarters, Abuja, it was learnt, was part of efforts by the new police leadership to critically diagnose the security threats in the regions and evolve new policing strategies and responses towards tackling them.

“We have called this meeting to discuss issues affecting us in the South-east and South-south geo-political zones. We have a very critical situation in the two zones, which needs immediate attention –rejigging our strategy to ensure that it is contained. It is not like we do not have problems in other geopolitical zones of the country, but we have to address them one after the other,” he said.

Now, the new police leadership can prove its mettle.

NOTES FOR FILE

What’s Ayiri’s Problem?

Emiko

Since 37-year-old Tsola Emiko was announced as the new Olu of Warri-designate, the Ologbotsere of Warri, one Chief Ayiri Emami, had been everywhere opposing the choice of Emiko, citing different insensible excuses as justification for his position.

First, he dismissed reports that the former Olu of Warri, His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli had joined his ancestors. Two, he predicated this argument on the fact that the person legitimately empowered to announce the passing of the Olu of Warri, was himself being the Ologbotsere, adding that until he did that, then, the announcement was a nullity.

Unfortunately, for a man whose choice as the Ologbotsere was itself controversial and largely opposed by a lot of people, it might

have lent credence to why many did not want him as the Ologbotsere, since certain characters may never fit certain offices, no matter how well put together to suit the occasion.

Interestingly, apart from Ayiri, who’s been on a lone journey on this cause, everyone else including the federal government had acknowledged and respected the choice of the chiefs, which of course, leaves Ayiri alone in his journey to nowhere.

Perhaps, he was seeking relevance in the emergence of the new Olu of Warri, which has not only eluded him, but also exposed his hypocrisy. Whatever he was thinking as far as this matter is concerned, the bus long left him at the station. He can as well race to the terminus.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 11, 2021

CICERO/ONTHEWATCH

Ihedioha at a campaign rally

2023: Resetting Imo’s Political Calculus Despite the Supreme Court judgement removing Hon. Emeka Ihedioha as Imo State governor in 2020, associates and stakeholders of the Rebuild Imo Agenda are set to roll out a new political machine that would unseat the APC-led government in the state in 2023, writes Chuks Okocha

S

ince 1999, the state once made popular by the late sage, Dee Sam Mbakwe has been struggling to have a firm grip of its politics. Within the last two decades, Imo State has been running short of clean politics. Its leadership recruitment and governance have also suffered the same fate. From ‘share the money’ in 1999 to flogging priests with cassock to Iberiberism and now to hopism, Imo State politics and governance have fallen short of what makes the oriental state thick.

In the 2019 gubernatorial election, there was a glimmer of hope that things were going to change for the better.

That fate of a better Imo, according to some, was hinged on a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha ascending the office of governor.

It was a fait accompli, until the Supreme Court nullified Ihedioha’s mandate after seven months in office and enthroned Senator Hope Uzodinma, a man who came fourth in the election.

Thus, since the January 14th 2020 judgement, a lot had gone wrong in the state. A toga of credibility and legitimacy question still hangs on the current government in Douglas House as the government house is called. Also, in Abuja, the seeming infallibility of the apex court is slowly being eroded.

Speaking on the doctrine of stare decisis, retired Supreme Court justice, Bode Rhodes-Vivour at his valedictory session argued passionately that most of the judgements by the Supreme Court no longer make sense. Following on that thought, many were of the opinion that Rhodes-Vivour had the case of Uzodinma vs Ihedioha/SC.1462/2019 in mind.

That notwithstanding, Ihedioha has far gone pass the apex court’s inexplicable verdict. What stares Ihedioha and his political machine in the face now is how to draw the new political map in Imo. To that extent, his 56th birthday celebration in Abuja and Owerri sort of became a template and a rallying point, where the 2023 Imo governorship would be won and lost. In Abuja where the birthday event held at the highbrow Maitama District, it was a gathering of top notch Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members.

From former Governors of Cross River and Kwara

States, Sen. Liyel Imoke and Abdulfatai Ahmed respectively, to former Imo governor, Chief Achike Udenwa, PDP National Organizing Secretary, Col. Austin Akobundu (Rtd), PDP Governors Forum Chairman and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi, former Deputy Governor, Engr Gerald Irona, House of Representatives Minority Leader, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, Dr Kema Chikwe, Senator Uche Ekwenife, Hon. Nnenna Ukeje and others, it was more of a mega political rally than a toast of sweet wine for Ihedioha.

At the event, it was more of the reunion of the Rebuild Imo Agenda, Ihedioha’s political group with the primary focus of fostering people-oriented politics and governance in Imo. The main objective of the Rebuild Imo Agenda is basically to restore decent politics back to its stead and ensure that Imo is never stripped of its foundations – rooted in transparency, hardwork, economic development, public service and accountability to the people.

The group was instrumental in the 2019 gubernatorial polls’ victory of Ihedioha and the subsequent political trajectory that Imo took within the seven months that the former Deputy Speaker held sway.

In the minds of those, who honoured Ihedioha, that fateful day was the regrouping of Rebuild Imo Agenda all for the sake of 2023 governorship election. The ambiance at the event wore the outlook of a birthday celebration; with their hearts and souls fixated on the political battles that lay in wait ahead of 2023 A former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Uche Onyeagocha, who spoke on the current position of the group with regards to Imo politics, harped on what made Ihedioha’s government celebral in comparison with others. According to him, the objective was to entrench “clean and incorrupt administration. We were sure that definitely, the state was on the right track to development in a manner that was sustainable.”

Also, a former House of Representatives member, Hon. Mayor Eze, added his voice to the synergy associated with Ihedioha and the Rebuild Imo Agenda. Eze believed Ihedioha practically held the ace of redemption of Imo both from the political and governance standpoints.

He added that the former governor was able to prove

his worth and capacity with the track records in policy, governance and development agenda he set forth within the seven months he lasted in office.

It was not only the politicians that used Ihedioha’s birthday to reset public discourse about Imo, even intellectuals and private citizens also echoed the imperatives of the Rebuild Imo Agenda.

An indigene of the state and Harvard-trained scholar and Associate Professor of Law at Baze University, Dr Sam Amadi, said, “you seemed prepared to govern.

You came with a good script and a good team. But the Supreme Court threw a spanner at the work.”

Back in Imo, the PDP and its state Chairman, Charles Ugwu also used the occasion to set the missing links between Ihedioha and the current administration in politics, accountability, infrastructuredevelopment and governance. According to Ugwu, the accomplishments recorded by Ihedioha and the vision for a better Imo remained critical in the history of the state.

Beyond the accolades and applause poured on Ihedioha, the eyeballs were squarely on the political possibilities in Imo come 2023. The idea, for the Ihedioha group, was to rejig the Rebuild Imo Agenda and stay focus on the goal.

Ihedioha and his group would have to remain tight, as they railroad a new political calculus in Imo. That will take the combined forces of Ihedioha, Onyewuchi, Senator Sam Anyanwu (Sam Dede) and all the PDP bigwigs to slug it out with APC and Uzodinma. As the season for politicking fast approaches, Imo promises to be a fierce political battle.

The Nigerian political calendar indirectly awards two years for governance and development; and regrettably, the other two years for politicking and electioneering campaigns. With that in focus, after May 29th, 2021, serious campaign and political consultations are expected to pick up. In Imo, Ihedioha and Uzodinma would have to return to the trenches for a real battle royale in 2023.

It will be Ihedioha’s big-picture ideas centred on Rebuild Imo Agenda – of infrastructure, education, policy, youth, women and beneficial governance and Uzodinma’s peculiar politics. For Imo voters, it will be a contest to affirm their democratic and universal franchise – the power to vote. It will likewise be a date to keep in deciding how Imo politics revolves and evolves in these trying times.

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Shhh…Al-Makura Is Now a Sardauna Former Nasarawa State governor and Senator for Nasarawa South, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura was on March 27, 2021 turbaned Sardaunan Gwandara with a pledge to emulate the late Sir Ahmadu Bello.

Igbawase Ukumba reports

A

vailable documentary evidence and oral tradition state that the Gwandara ethnic group belongs to the Aboriginal Hausa tribe refer to as HABE of the pre-Islamic times. It is believed that the Gwandara people were the descendants of Barbushe and the original inhabitants of Kano before the Bagauda arrived Kano.

Historical records also show further that during the reign of Muhammadu Rumfa (1463 - 1499), Islam was introduced into the courts of Kano.

King Rumfa, determined to root out all pagan practices, came into conflict with his son, Prince Karshi, who did not accept Islam, preferring the religion of his forefathers, which was the worshipping of shrines of Tsumburbura.

Consequently, Prince Karshi migrated with his supporters southward from Kano in 1474, as a result of their refusal to embrace Islam preferring their old system of worship.

They moved south-wards through Zazzau (Zaria) with stop-overs (Zango) in many places including Padan Karshi; meaning the palace of Prince Karshi. The movement from Padan Karshi led to settlements in Karshi, Ara, Gurku and Gitata among others between the plains of Abuja and Keffi.

The other version of the migration of Gwandara indicated that they moved directly from Kano through Zazzau (Zaria) to the plains between Abuja and Keffi.

The migration from Kano, no doubt, led to the establishment of Karshi kingdom, which has authority over other ethnic groups such as Gade, Yeskwa, Gbagyi (Gwari) and Koro. Indeed it was from the Kingdom that the Gwandara nation dispersed northwards, westwards and southwards to establish other towns and villages.

According to Hodgen (1931), CG Ames (1932) and Kirk Greene (1935) as found in the Gazetteir of Plateau province (Vol 14 of 1934, New Edition published 1972) it was recounted that all the Gwandara villages and towns in Kaduna State were breakaways from the former Keffi Division in Nasarawa State. Similarly, Gwandara in the former Lafia Division were the breakaways from other towns from Keffi Division.

Acccording to S.O Ayih (2003, 2012 and 2013), who wrote extensively on the history of Gwandara and the history of Gwandara towns and villages in Nigeria, he posited that there were over 100 Gwandara towns and villages in Nigeria and they cut across Nasarawa, Kaduna, Niger, FCT-Abuja, Kogi, Plateau, Taraba and Benue Al-Makura at his turbaning States.

Perhaps, the Gwandara people in these locations deemed it harmony and progress of the Nasarawa State. wise to champion the course of Northern Nigeria, when they For the host and Sangarin Kwandare, Alhaji A Al-Makura, converged on Kwandare town in Lafia Local Government Area it was appreciation for Governor Abdullahi Sule’s good work of Nasarawa State on March 27, 2021 and turbaned one of for Nasarawa State, as well as the governor’s listening ears to their own, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, as the Sardaunan critical stakeholders of the state in his decision making process of Gwandara; a tittle equivalent to that of Sardaunan Sokoto developing the state. bestowed on the late Premier of the then Northern Nigeria He said: “Therefore, today, you (Governor Sule) did not Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello. change Senator Al-Makura’s developmental milestones, when Speaking during the turbanning, the Emir of Kano, who was he held sway as the executive governor of Nasarawa State, since the royal father of the day, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, expressed the inception of your administration. Rather, you have continued optimism in the continuity of the long time relationship that with it and even added more values on the Ex-governor exists between the Kano State Emirate Council and the people of Al-Makura’s developmental strides. Therefore, the way you are Nasarawa State. relating with your immediate predecessor, Al-Makura, nobody Alhaji Ado Bayero said the Kano Emirate Council has due will accuse you of antagonism. respect to the Gwandara nation hence the recognition given to “We want to tell you (Governor Sule) that as long as your His Excellency, Senator Al-Makura by the Gwandara nation elder brother, Senator Al-Makura, is today turbaned as the was a recognition of not only Nasarawa State, but the whole of Sardaunan Gwandara; you (Governor Sule) cannot therefore Nigeria, which will bring unity and peace among the diverse come to Kwandare and go empty handed. Today, the good ethnic groups of Hausa, Fulani, Beriberi and Gwandara. people of Kwandare will honour you, as long as you have The Kano Emir, who was represented at the turbanning traveled to Kwandare town, with a chieftaincy tittle of Turakin ceremony by the Sarkin Dawaki Maitutan Kano, Alhaji Bello Kwandare.”

Abubakar, charged Senator Al-Makura to use his new status as The Sangarin Kwandare was overwhelmed that Governor the Sardaunan Gwandara to unite all ethnic nationalities resident Sule was yet to clock two years on the saddle but what people of in Nasarawa State and beyond. the state have seen so far as his achievements were wonderful.

The Emir of Kano said: “I appeal to Nigerians to pray for the “We pray for God’s guidance and protection as he (Governor country to overcome the insecurity that is bedeviling the country Sule) administers the state. We are appealing that you (Sule) in recent times. Nigerians should also continue to pray for the should not waste your time going out to campaign for your country’s leadership and as well cohabitate peacefully for the second term, but entrust your campaign in our hands, which nation’s development. Let me emphasise the need for peaceful we are going to deliver efficiently and effectively,” the Nasarawa coexistence, which is critical to the development of the country. monarch assured Governor Sule.

Therefore, all hands must be on deck to achieve good results.”

Though the governor was at Kwandare specifically to show The monarch consequently expressed pleasure over the solidarity to Al-Makura, he was unexpectedly turbaned with the Kwandare gathering, which he said would foster unity, peace, chieftaincy tittle of Turakin Kwandare by the Sangarin Kwandare.

Sule said: “Since my sojourn on earth, I have never been dressed in a chieftaincy regalia except in Kwandare, despite that I am a prince. Notwithstanding, my royal father and Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd), gave me a brief history of what the forefathers said about the evolution of Kwandare.

“Today, somebody left the corridors of governance but is still being glorified in our clime where the moment one leaves the saddle of powers, he is deserted by his followers.

I want to give one testimony about Tanko Al-Makura that he is a detribalised human being, not religiously sentimental. Senator Al-Makura’s major preoccupation is to do what God wants to be done unto mankind.

“By the grace of God, I didn’t do his Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), neither was I his commissioner nor adviser, hence I am in a better position to give testimony on his personality. Senator Al-Makura even booted me from an appointment given to me as chairman of the state investment company by Late Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma.

“But when the time came for the senator to do what is right for the state, he beamed his searchlight and discovered me as the right person for the job of governing the state.

Therefore, I have a personal conviction in my person.”

Sule said he had another personal commitment for himself that wherever Tanko Al-Makura has laid as a foundation for the development of Nasarawa State, he (Sule) would add ten more bricks on top of that foundation.

“Anywhere Tanko Al-Makura’s developmental foundation is found, if I am able, I will do three of such; not that I’d surpass him, but to capitalise on his foresight in the development of Nasarawa State by way of showing my appreciation,” Governor explained.

Al-Makura’s feeling on the day was one of its kind. It was something that he had never had before in his life.

Therefore to say the erstwhile governor of Nasarawa State was overwhelmed was an understatement, saying he had seen love on the day of his coronation.

Acccording to him, “I have seen affection. I have seen concern; I have seen commitment and affinity by all categories of people who I have come around with since my childhood, since my adolescent and throughout my political life.”

“This kind of love, affection and commitment was expressed in an unfettered manner by the way people answered my invitation to come and felicitate with me, and all the people that were involved in this ceremony.

Not only that, the number of hours people have decided to keep to their seats to ensure they witness the function was something else.

“If you look at the calibre of people that graced the occasion, including the Executive Governor Abdullahi Sule himself; Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed; the other two of my senator colleagues; and the two eminent representatives of the Emir of Kano, the city which our ancestors originated.”

He expressed his feelings when interacting with journalists at his residence in Lafia shortly after he was coronated as the Sardaunan Gwandara, adding that he has seen so much love that has ignited so much reflection and nostalgia, which also made him think about how his forefathers left Kano to settle in that area.

“So, I think that it is something that one does not see everyday.

That is why I am overwhelmed and excited. And above all, I am humbled by the way people received and responded to my invitation,” the new Sardauna maintained.

The tittle of Sardauna has assumed a very special meaning since Sir Ahmadu Bello became one. Before he became a Sardauna, there could have been some Sardaunas. But the actual understanding the position assumed took root only at the time that Sir Ahmadu Bello became the Sardauna.

Al-Makura explained: “What is meant by that to a large extent, to so many people is somebody that is dispassionate. Somebody that does not believe in primordial sentiment. Somebody that embraces all. Somebody that does not discriminate against religion, tribe or creed.

“That is what Sardauna has come to assume in terms of meaning, in terms of concept. And that is why I am very happy to receive this recognition, because I would want to be like Sardauna of Sokoto. “This country needs many Sardaunas of Sokoto to ensure peace, stability and security of this country. By assuming this position, I have made a pledge to sacrifice as much as I can for the sake of humanity without any differences of religion, tribe, creed, even political parties.

“If you come from a different political party, I treat you like a human being that desires some kind of etiquettes, some kind of protocols, some kind of respects. So, I am really happy and I pray that God will give me the wisdom to act the way of the Sardauna and even add value to what Sardauna has enunciated,” Al-Makura stated.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 11, 2021

TRIBUTE

One Death, Too Many Between 2019 to April 6, 2021 over 9 members of National Assembly have died. This trend has however reached an alarming rate in recent time. Tobi Soniyi chronicles some of the lawmakers who have passed on

Hassan-Kila Maitala

Haruna Maitala

Haruna Maitala who died in a ghastly motor accident on April 2nd, 2021 along Bade-Gitata Road on his way to Jos. Until his death he represented Jos North/ Bassa federal constituency at the House of Representatives.

Yuguda Hassan-Kila

A member of the House of Representatives, Yuguda Hassan-Kila died on Thursday March 4, 2021 at the age of 65 years.

A member of the APC, he represented the Gwaram Federal Constituency of Jigawa State in the House.

He became the second federal lawmaker from Jigawa State to die in the current National Assembly, following Muhammad Adamu Fagen-Gawo who died in December 2019.

Longjan

Senator Bayo Osinowo 64

He died on June 15, 2020 Adebayo Sikiru Osinowo represented Lagos East in the National Assembly. He died on June 15, 2020.

Osinowo popularly known as (Pepperito), was an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker, who was a former member of Lagos State House of Assembly for 16 years.

Uwajumogu Iliyasu

Jafa’aru Iliyasu

Jafa’aru was the House of Representative members representing Magama/Rijau federal constituency of Niger State before his death in December 2019.

Until his death, he was a member of the ruling APC and one of the 360 members of the 9th Assembly that took the oath of office and oath of allegiance on June 11, 2019.

He reportedly died in his sleep after returning to Abuja after a retreat organised for members of the House Committee on Public Accounts in Lagos.

Fagen-Gawo

Mohammed Adamu Fagen- Gawo (1950- 2019)

Fagen- Gawo was the lawmaker representing Garki, Bubara constituency of Jigawa state in the House of Representatives.

He died while serving as a second-term lawmaker and less than a month after another member of the House, Ja’afaru Illiyasu passed away.

He reportedly died in Dubai, UAE while on a medical trip.

Benjamin Uwajumogu (1968- 2019)

Benjamin Uwajumogu until his death was the senator representing Imo North senatorial district in the Nigerian Senate.

He was the chairman, senate committee on employment, labour and productivity.

The deceased lawmaker was a member of the ruling APC and was reported to have battled illness for a long time.

Report had it that he sought medical treatment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Prestige

Ossy Prestige

Ossy Prestige died early February, this year.

Prestige, represented Aba North/South Federal Constituency of Abia State, died at a hospital in Germany.

He died after a protracted illness.

He was elected on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

Longjan

Aliyu

Ignatius Longjan (1944- 2020)

Suleiman Aliyu

Senator Ignatius Datong was confirmed dead at Turkish hospital in Abuja. He was 75. Until his death, he was representing Plateau’s Southern Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

He also served as the deputy governor of Plateau and was elected as senator in 2019, on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He died at Turkish hospital in Abuja.

Suleiman Aliyu until his death represented Lere Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

A member of the All progressives Congress, Aliyu died in the early hours of Tuesday April 6th at the Barau Dikko Hospital in Kaduna.

He was sworn in March 2020 after the Court of Appeal in Kaduna declared him the winner of the election and ordered the removal of Lawal Adamu of the PDP.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ RIL 11, 2021

TRIBUTE

Blown Out Like A Candle in The Wind: A Tribute to Innocent Chukwuma

T

he death of Innocent Chukwuma hit the airwaves early on Easter Sunday, 4th April 2021. Coming after the sudden death of another illustrious activist, Yinka Odumakin on 2nd April, 2021, news of the death of Innocent the next day suggested that fate was being unfair to Nigeria taking away two patriotic and eminent Nigerian activists - Odumakin on Friday and Innocent on Saturday. The sun set for both in a most inauspicious time and prime, mid-50s.

I was a bit close to Innocent Chukwuma within the civil society and development agitation space. Long before Innocent became the Regional Director for West Africa Office of Ford Foundation our paths had crossed in a number of civil society projects including serving as joint consultants for DFID in 2008 to design one of its development intervention projects in Nigeria. More recently, Innocent as leader of the Ford Foundation office for West Africa, partnered with the MacArthur Foundation led by Kole Shettima and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) led by Jude Ilo to support the Buhari government anti-corruption agenda especially the work of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) in which I served as Member/ Executive Secretary from 2015 to 2019, before assuming my current position. Without that strategic funding support from the three notable donor agencies, PACAC and indeed the lift up of the government’s anti-corruption drive would have remained a theoretical idea for quite some time.

That Innocent was eventually ambushed by unexpected leukemia a health challenge that sneaked behind global focus and attention to COVID-19 is indicative of the providential and domineering hand of fate in the affairs of men. Just this January 2021, he finished strong at Ford Foundation as immediate past Regional Director and had concluded plans to proceed to Oxford in the UK for a fellowship program.

Indeed, his former position at Ford Foundation is yet to be

Chukwuma filled by a substantive director before the cold hands of death snatched him.

In celebration of that milestone service at Ford Foundation, a memorable virtual send-forth was organised for him Friday 29th January 2021. The event revealed that he was a man associated with many firsts having being part of Civil Liberties Organisation unarguably Nigeria’s first human rights organization, from there he set up CLEEN Foundation one of the first African CSOs to focus on security, public safety and justice. CLEEN led the advocacy for community policing that has now become one of the inevitable solutions to Nigeria’s

current security challenges. He used his gift, knowledge and leverage within the civil society space to lift and mentor a number of other activists and organizations often working behind the scene but nevertheless ensuring impact with his eyes on the ultimate goal of democratic sustainability and the development agenda.

Most recently, the Ford Foundation provided support to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to advance its prevention work around illicit financial flows and associated corruption and money laundering and strengthen its capacity to investigate and prosecute allegations of sexual harassment as abuse of power especially in the public service and tertiary institutions.

While eulogies will not resurrect the dead, contributions to national development will remain indelible and undeniable.

We can only be remembered by what we have done. This ought to, in the minimum, motivate the living to carefully number our days so we may daily apply our hearts to wisdom. Innocent has left footprints in the sands of time especially here in Nigeria and in Africa. But, it has pleased God that service at Ford Foundation would be the terminal point of his earthly sojourn. Without notice, he suddenly reached his “Bus Stop” and disembarked! Fading away like the star of early morning and a lighted candle “mistakenly” left in the open and blown out by the wind. Who can question that? As the popular saying goes, “Quo sera sera” “What will be, will be.” For those left to mourn and reflect these mysteries, we ought to remind ourselves frequently - for whom does the bell toll? The answer as they say “is blowing in the wind”.

I extend my condolences to Josephine, the children, extended family, friends and colleagues especially in the civil society space. May God comfort all with words that human minds cannot fathom.

Adieu, Innocent the son of Chukwuma dear friend and brother.

––Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye SAN, Chairman, ICPC.

POLITY

President Deby Pressing Ahead with 6th Term Plan in Chad’s Chaotic Election Paul Ejime

C

had’s President Idriss Deby is going ahead with Sunday’s election for a 6th term after 36 years in office amid unrecedented violence, calls for boycott by his beleaguered opponents and alleged assassination and bombing plots.

The ministry of internal affairs in N’djamena on Thursday announced the arrest of several people, including politicians, over an alleged plot to assassinate prominent figures, attack polling stations and the electoral commission headquarters.

Deby, 68, has been running the oil-rich but poor country for a cumulative 36 years.

The list of his original 30 opponents for Sunday’s vote was whittled down to 10 but most of those cleared have either been barred or quit the race.

Saleh Kebzabo, runner up in the last presidential race, says he has quit, following the “militarization” of the electoral process. This was after security forces raided the home of another aspirant Yaya Djero, whose 80-year-old mother was among the three people killed in the raid.

The government version was that some armed men attacked security agents who had gone to arrest the politician for an alleged crime.

Protests have been banned or violently dispersed with human right groups accusing the authorities of cracking down and intimidating opponents.

Deby’s decision in February to stand for a sixth term sparked violent protests. Sporadic anti-government demonstrations have been met with strong arm responses.

Since independence from France in 1960, Chad has seen chronic political instability, ethnic conflicts, high unemployment and stifling poverty.

Deby, a former rebel and military paratrooper, who seized power in a coup in 1990 has remained on the saddle for all but a few years.

In 2020, the parliament controlled by his ruling party conferred on him the rank of Field Marshall for his “efforts in fighting Islamic terrorism in West

President of Deby of Chad Republic Africa.”

Most importantly, Deby enjoys the support of France and other foreign powers, who consider him an ally in the unending fight against terrorism and insurrections by jihadists groups including Al Qaeda and ISIS in

the Sahel, especially with the killing of Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Deby’s compatriots are now in charge of the African Union Commission and the 15,000-strong UN Mission in Mali, MINUSMA.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ RIL 11, 2021

Issues in the 12th Bola Tinubu Colloquium Tunde Rahman

I

f the 12th Bola Tinubu Colloquium to celebrate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s 69th birthday was organised in the ancient and progressive city of Kano purposely to demonstrate the unity and oneness of Nigeria, it would appear that, that purpose was achieved bountifully given the huge success of the conference. Not only was the colloquium immensely successful with a rich collection of important dignitaries and first-class panelists in attendance and the high quality of ideas and recommendations thrown up on the pressing issues facing the country, the selection of Kano as host city for the colloquium was also highly praised.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who chaired the conference virtually from the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, said taking the event to Kano demonstrated true statesmanship on the part of Asiwaju Tinubu, the former Lagos State governor. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said it was a pointer to the fact that Nigeria’s diversity is better harnessed as strength to further unite Nigerians. Commending Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, for hosting the colloquium, Osinbajo said the gesture would further deepen the essence of national unity. For the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the selection of Kano to celebrate Asiwaju’s birthday was a “testament to his love and quest for a united Nigeria.”

Monday March 29 was the first time the colloquium, that has over the years become a veritable platform for the fraternal exchange of ideas and views about issues plaguing the country, was staged in the core North. For the first time in its 12 years of commencement also, the colloquium was planned as a hybrid, taking place simultaneously at the Bourdillion, Ikoyi, Lagos residence of Asiwaju Tinubu, International Conference Centre, Abuja, and, of course, Kano.

However, there was no doubt that Kano was the centre of attraction. Physically present in the city for the conference were dignitaries, which included the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress who is also Yobe State Governor, Mallam Mai Mala Buni; the host, Governor Ganduje; former Interim Chairman of APC & ex-Osun State governor, Chief Bisi Akande; the celebrator, Asiwaju himself, Chairman of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim-Imam; former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, former National Vice Chairman, South-west of APC, Chief Pius Akinyelure; former governors, many senators and House of Representatives members.

Vice President Osinbajo, House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha, four state governors namely Dr. Kayode Fayemi (Governor of Ekiti State & Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum), Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu (Lagos), Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun) as well as some former governors, ministers and senators who were on their way to Kano were forced to halt the journey at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja because of the inclement weather which disrupted flights. The governors instantly joined the colloquium by virtual means at the airport while others simply headed back to their offices to hook up.

Among the panelists were President George Weah of Liberia and former President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone. Others on the impressive panel were Madam Finda Koroma, Vice President, ECOWAS Commission; Professor Dani Rodrick, Ford Foundation Professor of International Political Economy at John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University; Prof. Funmi Olonisakin, Professor of Security, Leadership & Development King’s College, London; Mr. Mohamed Yahya, Resident Representative in Nigeria, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); Ms. Amaka Anku, Practice Head, Africa Eurasia Group, and Ms. Namdir Charity Namsoh, Founder/CEO, HoP Africa, Jos, Plateau State.

Another remarkable aspect of the colloquium is the high quality of ideas and valuable interventions on national issues thrown up this year as in previous ones. For instance, President Buhari who stated that the theme of this year’s colloquium was very apt and timely emphasized the need for the country to remain together notwithstanding its challenges.

Chairing the conference, the president noted that despite occasional tension in the nation’s history characterised by diversity of ethnicity, culture, language and religion, “Nigerians are better off and stronger together.”

Lauding Asiwaju, the president said the former Lagos governor had always been an advocate of unity and cohesion in Nigeria. “This has been a constant factor in his outstanding political career, from the time he served in the short-lived Senate of the Third Republic to his involvement in the struggle for the actualisation of the June 12 mandate of the late Chief MKO Abiola, to his much-acclaimed period of service as Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007,” the president said.

“The ranks of Asiwaju’s political collaborators, whether as party members, comrades in the struggle, members of his cabinet, or his advisers, assistants and political associates, have always reflected a pan-Nigeria attitude. I believe all of us can also confirm that the same outlook of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other like-minded Nigerians eventually made possible the coalition of four political parties into what we now see as our great party, the All Progressives Congress,’’ he added.

Tinubu

Vice President Osinbajo spoke in the same vein too.

According to him, what the country needs presently are patriots who are ready to work resolutely for a new Nigeria, “a tribe of men and women who are prepared to make the sacrifices and self-constraints that are crucial to building a strong society; who are prepared to stick together, fight for equity and justice side by side. A tribe consisting of professionals, businessmen, politicians, religious leaders and all others who believe that this new Nigeria is possible.” He said despite the various socioeconomic challenges worsened by the fallouts of a global pandemic, Nigeria should avoid stoking tendencies, viewpoints and opinions that threaten the federation and Nigeria’s unity.

Some of the eggheads at the conference also harped on this matter of cohesion. Prof. Rodrik, in his keynote address, noted that the lack of social and national cohesion is a challenge for economic growth, explaining that although this problem is not limited to Nigeria or Africa as other advanced democracies also experience it, Africa only suffers more because of its ethnic-religious-linguistic divisions.

Professor Rodrik spoke on the topic: “Social Cohesion in Divided Societies. Answering the question “Is Diversity a Curse?” the Professor said the countries that are much more diverse or fragmented in terms of ethnic or linguistic groups tend to perform worse in terms of economic development. “The general message is that counties that are more fractionalised in terms of ethnic groups or with much more ethnic heterogeneity tend to have high levels of poverty and deprivation and low levels of economic growth and productivity. Many African countries fall in this group. There is evidence that ethnic-religious-linguistic divisions leads directly to racism, discrimination, low trust, poor social outcomes, under-provision of collective, public goods, inequality, low growth ethno-national chauvinism, divisive politics, nativist (right-wing) populism and bad politics.”

According to him, “On average, participatory democracies produce greater economic stability and (perhaps) higher economic growth. They are better at avoiding large mistakes and they respond to external shocks better, especially in divided societies.” While arguing that democracy is the best way to ensure national cohesion, using the example of how democratic countries had responded better to the COVID-19 pandemic than authoritarian regimes, Prof. Rodrik noted that democracy is not only about elections, “it is about protecting the rights of the minority including the rights of the ethnic and religious minorities”. While arguing that the infusion of social conflict is not necessarily disruptive to any society, the professor advocated inter-ethnic equity, spatial integration and an all-embracing politics as panacea for peace.

Prof. Olonisakin from King’s College, London urged Nigeria to listen to the conversation from the youths, from

the streets in building cohesion. Recalling the EndSARS protests by youths, she pointed out that by their protests and demonstrations against the excesses of the police and their demand for radical change, the youths were passing a message. “The Nigerian government should listen to and hearken to this conversation.”

In his remarks, the celebrator, Asiwaju Tinubu, urged the Federal Government not to inflict stiffer economic policies on Nigerians, pointing out that the citizens were already going through devastating pressure. Speaking extempore, he said: “What Nigerians need is economic stimulus and not austerity measure capable of driving the country deeper into poverty. Nigeria is under-policed. We are competing with armed robbers and bandits to recruit from the youths who are unemployed. Nigeria’s unemployment rate recently hit a new record high at 33.3% in the fourth quarter of 2020.

“With the high unemployment rate, some have feared that many youths who are out of jobs might turn to social vices and ills including banditry in the Northern parts of the country. It is time the Buhari administration addressed the situation so as to improve the standard of living of the citizens.” Saying Nigeria is a sovereign state and could engage in large stimulus spending without bothering about balanced budgets unlike states and Local governments, Tinubu advocated an employment policy wherein a vast number of the nation’s youths could be recruited into the army, police, other security agencies and all aspects of nation-building ranging from infrastructural development to agricultural modernisation.

In the end, the consensus among participants at the gathering was about the need for a new national integration and genuine rebirth to steer the country away from a threatening ethnic and religious fragmentation. The 12th Bola Tinubu Colloquium lived to its billing again this year.

The conference was initiated in 2009 to celebrate Asiwaju, propagate his ideals and provide a platform for exchange of ideas on national issues. It has been held since 2009 except last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For Asiwaju, the road to this year’s colloquium was laced with a plethora of activities from Kaduna to Kano. Two days to the event, he was in Kaduna where he chaired the 11th annual Arewa House Lecture on the theme “Reduction of the Cost of Governance for Inclusive Growth and Youth Development in Northern Nigeria in a Post-COVID-19 era.”

On Sunday, the eve of the colloquium, he paid a courtesy call on the Emir of Kano where he again canvassed unity.

He urged Nigerians to strengthen the bond of unity among them to ensure prosperity of the country. The nation, according to him, was at a critical stage in its history where unity and understanding were required to move it forward. From the Emir’s palace, Asiwaju proceeded from one part of the state to another to inaugurate the numerous projects put in place by Governor Ganduje.

–––Former Editor, Thisday on Sunday Newspaper, Rahman is Media Adviser to Asiwaju Tinubu.

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APRIL 11, 2021 ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

with RenoOmokri THE ALTERNATIVE Is The Buhari Agenda To Politically Dominate and Economically Exploit Nigeria?

O

ne of the first things that President Muhammadu Buhari did upon his swearing-in as President of Nigeria in 2015 was to ban foreign exchange allocation to Nigerian students studying abroad.

He later gave an interview to Aljazeera on March 5, 2016, and justified the position he took.

When the interviewer, Martine Dennis, pushed back at him and reminded him that his children were schooling abroad and that “your children will continue their studies, no doubt?” Buhari was taken aback.

He did not know that the reporter was that knowledgeable about his personal affairs. Stammering, Buhari responded thus: “Those who can afford it, can still afford it. But for those who can’t, Nigeria cannot afford to allocate foreign exchange for those who decided to train their children outside the country. We can’t just afford it.” In other words, he could afford it, because he was in power and has ways to access foreign exchange, but he would not provide it to others.

And then, a few months later, Buhari banned foreign rice from Nigeria. He followed it up a year later by closing Nigeria’s land borders with her neighbours for 18 months.

Now, the question is this: Why is a man who is so opposed to the citizens he presides over accessing foreign goods and services, is himself so addicted to foreign goods and services?

Buhari habitually wears $600 designer Gucci shoes, all his children schooled abroad, and his entire family routinely take care of their social and healthcare needs abroad.

For example, let us examine his wife, Aisha Buhari.

When Aisha Buhari wants to shop, she famously goes to the United Kingdom and it is splashed all over gossip sites and celebrity magazines. When she wants to escape from her bully of a husband, Muhammadu Buhari, she runs to Dubai and takes up residence there. When her daughter, Zahra Indimi, wanted to give birth to her first child, they went together to Spain. But when Aisha wanted to launch her books, she came to Nigeria and gathered 12 billionaires together. Is it that to the Buharis, Nigeria is only suitable for exploiting? Are we just one giant ATM that spits out cash for the Buhari family to spend abroad?

I say this because for some days now, the same Muhammadu Buhari, who banned Nigerians from eating foreign rice, and who stopped Nigerian students from accessing foreign exchange to study abroad, and who closed our land borders, has been in the United Kingdom, patronising foreign doctors.

Ironically, he went there on the very same day that Nigerian

doctors went on strike over poor working conditions.

Is this not a case of do as I say, not as I do?

Muhammadu Buhari is undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty and to borrow Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu’s making us look big for nothing to the international community. And for how long shall we continue pretending that the emperor is naked?

As a Nigerian, how many times have you heard that the Presidents of smaller African nations, like Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda went on medical tourism to England? Why are we independent from Britain only to have our leader dependent on Britain? Does that not make us dependent? And it is the mentality of the Buharis. It is not just unique to their patriarch. They are all in it together. And then there is the modern standard-gauge railway Nigeria is building in the Republic of Niger, at our own cost, but to Niger’s benefit. I mean, who does that?

That is an act of economically exploiting Nigeria. That was what the colonial masters did. Building railways directly from farming communities to the ports. Why should Nigeria be going into debt to the tune of $1.9 billion to build a railway for a country whose Gross Domestic Product is not even equal to the GDP of Anambra state, yet, Anambra, and the entire Southeast do not have a standard-gauge railway?

Honestly, you could not make this type of rubbish up if you were writing a novel about Mad King George, yet sadly, this just happens to be our reality in modern-day Nigeria.

There is not enough food in your house. Those you call your children are starving. And then you are taking what little food they do have and are giving it to their neighbours, who have already eaten.

How can you justify it? The world headquarters for extreme poverty is building a multi-billion dollar project for its neighbour.

And it does not end there.

Whereas Seme Border-Badagry express road, the only road currently linking Nigeria to other West African littoral nations, remains in ruins and looks as if it has been repeatedly carpetbombed, Buhari had spent enormous resources developing road networks between Nigeria and the Niger Republic.

On February 26, 2020, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, announced that the government had awarded a contract for the construction of two roads from Sokoto and Jigawa States up to Niger Republic, at the cost of $81 million.

Nigerians in my age group may remember how, as military head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari in 1985, voted against Peter Onu, an Igbo man, who was Nigeria’s candidate for the post of Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Unity, in

THE PUBLIC SPHERE with Chido Nwakanma

favour of Ide Oumarou, a Fulani from Niger Republic.

I have it on good authority that this was the last straw that broke the camel’s back and made his colleagues oust him a few weeks after that. Which begs the question: Is Buhari from Niger Republic? Because the way he and his family economically exploit Nigeria, while treating Nigerians with disdain leaves a lot of questions unanswered.

In fact, the last official act that l Buhari undertook before jetting off to London to bromance with his doctors was the naming of a very major artery road in Abuja (the Outer Southern Expressway) as the ‘Mahamadou Issoufou Expressway’ in honour of the President of the Republic of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou.

As the creator of the fictional James Bond spy character once noted, “Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action.” Is Buhari a foreign potentate holding sway over Nigeria and exploiting her for the benefit of his home country, as the colonialists once did?

These are valid questions that everyone should be asking, and so few are asking.

That is why I want to end this piece with a call to action. I urge the media to raise this question before Buhari and let us get a straightforward and direct answer. And the question is as follows: What is so special about Niger Republic to Buhari and his cabal, that in this period of a lack of funds, when our foreign debt has risen from $7 billion in 2015, to $34 billion in 2021, and we are the world headquarters for extreme poverty, that he must award a $1.9 billion contract to build a railway in Niger Republic.

Reno’s Darts

1. He met Naira at N199 to $1. Today it is N485 to $1 2. He met Nigeria as the third fastest-growing economy in the world. Today, we are the world headquarters for extreme poverty 3. He met unemployment at 10%. Today it is 33% 4. He met other Presidents using Aso Rock Clinic. Today, he is in London 5. He met fuel at N87. Today, it is N221 6. He met only Boko Haram. Today, we have Boko Haram, herdsmen and bandits 7. He met one Nigeria. Today, he has divided Nigeria 8. He met 50Kg bag of rice at N8000. Today it is N24,000 9. He met a debt of N12 trillion. Today, it is N34 trillion 10. He met Dangote at a net worth of $25 billion in 2015. Today, Dangote is worth $10.7 billion That is why you should join me to #HarassBuhariOutofLondon

@ChidoNigeria https://www.facebook.com/chido.nwakanma

Vision and Myopia of the Fulani and what other Nigerians Must Do

T

he Fulani by their own attestation is the wisest of the ethnicities in Nigeria. They are so smart they assert imperiously that Nigeria is their inheritance, and her land space belongs to the Fulani to take when they desire. Fulani from all over West Africa and anywhere else are thus welcome to the geographical space called Nigeria.

The Fulani ethnic group, from available reports and assertions by their kin, is at war with Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Berom, Bachama, Tarok, Tiv, Jukun, Edo, Nupe, Ebira. They commit atrocities all over the land. They rape, steal, ransack territories, abduct, and kidnap. The abduction of school children for handsome ransoms is the latest trick in their bag. Travelling from Abuja to Kaduna was a breeze in the past. Now it is walking through the valley of the shadow of death, as are most roads in the country. If all these are true, as many think they are, what manner of humans are these with no respect for humanity?

It is part of their wisdom that in hundred years of dominating Northern Nigeria they did not negotiate to get a land space they could call Fulani land just as you have places for the Yoruba, the Tiv, Berom, or the Ijaw. There is no indigenous space called Fulani land. Rather than negotiate for or buy such spaces as other people do, they want to claim it by conquest. In the 21st century?

The Fulani are atavistic. In their wisdom, it is a matter of culture.

While the world has moved on from walking cattle across the land to placing them in ranches, the Fulani insist that the old-fashioned way is the best. Well, climate change and urbanisation caught up with that lifestyle forcing modifications elsewhere. Not to the Fulani.

Their response is to move their cattle to invade the farmlands and crops of fellow citizens. They kill where the owners protest such unwarranted damage. They have gone to bring their kin from across West Africa for the mission of despoilation and conquest of the lands of the various other ethnicities of Nigeria.

The Fulani would seem to have what William Shakespeare called vaulting ambition. “Macbeth: I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself and falls on the’ other”. The dictionary says vaulting ambition is “a strong wish to be extremely successful, powerful, rich, etc. and a

belief that this is more important than anything else.” The Fulani are seemingly ready to sacrifice the country for their vaulting ambition.

Greed undergirds that ambition. The Fulani are so wise they did not hear the counsel in all the Holy Books to do unto others as you would want them to do to you. Wherever they gain power, they exclude others, as they did in the Central African Republic. In Nigeria, they have connived to place in their care all the military authority.

The Fulani need to hear the counsel of B.C. Forbes. “Any business arrangement that is not profitable to the other person will in the end prove unprofitable for you. The bargain that yields mutual satisfaction is the only one that is apt to be repeated.”

In the modern world, the Fulani can be as successful as they want.

They have many bright stars, including the lady next in rank to the Secretary-General at the United Nations.

Somehow, when convenient, they delink from the Hausa-Fulani that we all knew. Maybe they should do that more often.

The Fulani should try to emulate the ethnic Hausa Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man. Dangote understands the importance of “the bargain that yields mutual satisfaction” as the one that would be repeated and sustainable. He manufactures and provides essential items to consumers in 16 countries and counting across Africa.

Dangote strikes deals with governments everywhere. Dangote illustrates the conquest that is acceptable today, not the one obtained by brute force. Force begets the counter of force.

Yet the Fulani example shows in some of the business practices of the Dangote Group. Dangote Group recently canvassed that only firms with an active refinery license be allowed to import petroleum products. Their representative did not hide the motive: when Dangote Refinery is down, all others should not and cannot import to make up the shortfall! He also wants to shut off other players in cement and sugar businesses.

Note, however, that Dangote Group uses the law track in its quest for monopoly. He wants to persuade our National Assembly to grant him a monopoly in law, and not by force of arms. It is up to our representatives whether they consider the national interest or the Dangote interest.

The Fulani want to pull down the house if the rest of Nigeria will

not consent to their kin’s banditry and violence. On the bandits, the Fulani have engaged deliberate incoherence and obfuscation. The “bandits are not criminals”, they say, although banditry is a crime.

They declare that the bandits are non-Nigerian Fulani. When the rest of the country tries to push away these criminal foreigners, the homegrown Fulani rises to their defence. Are the criminal herdsmen one of yours or not? What are you doing to curb the criminality of those who give Fulani a bad name? When will the Fulani elite speak up against banditry and show that these people do not represent them?

Then the Fulani tried unsuccessfully to launch a starvation war against fellow citizens in the South. Cruel, inciteful, and brazen. The South would not budge.

The Fulani Grand Vision is to own Nigeria- land, people, and faith. Their elite and commoners believe it. The vison is bold but suffers myopia and astigmatism. They should think in win-win terms of collaboration. They cannot go it alone no matter how much force they appropriate.

Moreover, the other ethnicities of Nigeria must show tough love.

Sustain over 100 years of love to the Fulani. However, resist their imperialistic drive, firmly but fairly. Refuse to be dragged down to banditry and such animalism. Governors must grow a spine, legislate against open grazing everywhere and enforce the legislation. There are no “unoccupied public spaces” as of Bola Tinubu for anyone to allocate for ranching in the South.

The rest of Nigeria’s ethnicities must also deploy the law, advocacy, and civic resistance to this Fulani drive.

Citizens must engage better with the civic process. We should realise that farming out the responsibility to elected leaders will not work here. The sad news is that majority of them lack the moral fibre to withstand blackmail and intimidation when it comes to shove unless citizens provide the bulwark.

Other Nigerian ethnicities must help the Fulani see reason. With all their power and wealth, Fulani can make a statement of development with the Sambisa Forest and turn it into Fulani Wonderland.

We shall applaud.

What a boring canvass a Fulani-Moslem-only Nigeria would be compared to the vibrant multiple colours now on display.

75

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 11, 2021

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

ENGAGEMENTS

NATIONAL SECURITY

Zamfara as Metaphor

S

tripped of predictable partisan blemish, recent revelations by Zamfara state governor ,Bello Mohammed Matawalle, provide some insight into key aspects of our current security nightmare. For those who have been wondering how banditry emerged as a separate department of our crime industry, Mr. Matawalle’s has useful news. He comes from a vantage position as the governor of a state that has arguably become the national headquarters of a thriving banditry franchise. To Nigeria’s anti intellectual national security establishment, therefore, I would recommend Zamfara as an unofficial insecurity laboratory and Matawalle as a credible source of useful statistical data and human intelligence. But in the search for credible solutions to the banditry problem, I wouldn’t touch Matawalle and his neighbor governors with a long pole.

First, a note of caution on the politician as source of intelligence.

In a country an era where everything else is politicized, it can be hard separating politics from reality even in a matter as consequential as security of lives and limbs. Governors especially have tended to muddle up discourse on the prevailing insecurity with the politics of blame hunting and scape goat chasing. It is a deliberate ploy. Individual governors carefully choose convenient angles to address the insecurity in their states. The blame either goes to their political opponents for sponsoring criminals or the federal government for failing in its duties as the owner and controller of national security assets and agencies. Yet as the immediate prefects in the theatres of trouble, the public expects governors to be more factual and serious when it comes to security matters. This is one area where partisan fiction will not cut it. When it comes to who is looking out for their security and welfare, it is hard to fool the Nigerian public. We know who is playing political football and who is working for us. This is where Matawalle’s recent outing on the matter may at least help the security establishment.

Matawelle’s menu is a cascade of numbers. Over N900 million was paid as ransom to bandits in 8 years by the state government; that is a little over a N100 million a year in unbudgeted spend.

There are over 30,000 bandits in about 100 different forest camps in the state and its neighbouring states. This comes to an average of 7 camps per local government and 2000 bandits in each of the 15 local government areas in the state. Over 300 weapons have been recovered from or surrendered by ‘repentant’ bandits in the state. Bandits killed 2,619 persons and kidnapped 1,190 persons between 2011 and 2019. Of the number kidnapped, 1000 were released without ransom. Another 100,000 people were displaced from their homes and livelihood. This does not take into account the farms destroyed, homes razed and food stores and other valuables lost to the rampaging banditry.

These statistics are further enriched by the recollections of immediate former governor Abdulazeez Yari. By his own recollection, 500 villages were sacked and devastated by the bandits with 13,000 hectares of farmland ravaged and destroyed. By his own estimates, the state haboured about 10,000 armed bandits and cattle rustlers during his tenure. Since 2010, the violence of bandits has left 44,000 children orphaned with 16,000 internally displaced persons in Anka local government area alone. By Yari’s unverified accounting, Zamfara state under his stewardship spent N17 billion in augmenting and supporting formal security efforts in the state.

Cumulatively, studies have shown that the state economy of pastoralism, animal husbandry and crop agriculture has declined by 50-55% as a result of bandit activity over the last ten years.

Bandit terrorism has replaced agricultural products as the main export of Zamfara state to its immediate neighbours and the rest of the country. The state now ‘exports’ bandits and cattle rustlers of varying grades to neighbouring states and places as far afield as Abuja-Kaduna highway and parts of Nassarawa and even Benue states.

From this mishmash of figures, trends and features can be extrapolated to make sense of the extent and pattern of the bandit angle of Nigeria’s insecurity. First, both privileged accounts indicate that the bandit phenomenon has been developing over the last decade.

The first major harvest from the Zamfara experience is the danger posed by ungoverned spaces in our national insecurity.

Ungoverned spaces refer to those stretches of territory in different parts of the country where the presence and influence of government is hardly in evidence. No security presence, neither police nor military or even vigilante presence. No federal, state or local government influence or presence. No functional social services except scattered schools and the occasional health centre.

Citizens in these spaces are left to the forces of nature; little education and enlightenment means a virtual state of nature in which ignorance and superstition hold the people mortal hostages. In the absence of constituted authority, they are at the mercy of self -appointed agents and enforcers of all hues. This is where bandits and all manner of armed agents fill the gaping vacancy left by government. They harass people, collect illegal taxes and tolls on one’s behalf and generally marshal whatever coercion they command to humiliate the people into blind and helpless obedience.

The great majority of our rural communities especially in the fringes of the North East and North West fall within this category.

To citizens in these places, government is almost a fairy tale told

Matawalle by wayfarers from a distant place. The dominance of ungoverned spaces is greater in states with vast stretches of land and with a low level of urbanization and western education. Pastoral and subsistence crop agriculture is the mainstay of economic life and people live or die depending on the magnanimity of nature and benevolence of gods in the form of rainfall. Zamfara falls miserably within this sad category. Its population of 9.2 million lives mostly in rural far flung farming villages located very far from the state capital or indeed any other semi urban location.

Zamfara is made all the more attractive to bandit activity by the preponderance of forests. This is where the bandit camps are located and from where they operate freely. These forests include the Rugu, Kamara, Kunduma and Sububu. By the same token, Sambisa forest has become part of our national lore, being synonymous with the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East. It has provided a safe haven for insurgents and terrorists to train, organize and launch attacks from for over a decade. By the time the Nigerian authorities became aware of the existence and threat of the Sambisa fortress, it had become the nucleus of a virtual caliphate with helipads, ammunition dumps and secure supply routes. It was the nucleaus of an unchallenged unofficial sovereignty, collecting tolls and taxes from locals in exchange for a fierce justice that rewarded obedience or punished sabotage with instant death. It dug into the doctrinal weakness of the people to posit a more fanatical Islam that would take illiterate masses to heaven on a fast track.

Reports from different parts of the country indicate that forests have become safe havens for the operations of assorted criminal groups. Kidnappers and abductors take their victims into forest camps where they are held while ransom negotiations proceed by cell phones, far from the prying eyes of the police and state security operatives. Between 2005 and 2008, the forests in the border areas between Rivers and Abia states were the operational base of kidnappers operating in both states. Similar operations were mounted from the forests in the border areas between Rivers and Imo states off the Port Harcourt-Owerri highway.

It was the menace of these criminal activities that led the then Rivers state government to pioneer the acquisition of the technology for tracking suspicious cell phone calls from the Israelis.

Detachments of the police were duly trained in the use of the new technologies. This led to the successful tracking of the criminals and the busting of their camps and cells in this area. This produced the welcome effect of reducing kidnapping in the axis at this stage.

Recently in Ondo state, for instance, the decision of governor Akeredolu to evict errant herdsmen from the state’s forest reserves led to a face off that spiraled into a north -south war of words, enveloping the entire South West. In Kaduna state, there is an ongoing war of nerves between governor El-Rufai’s government and bandits who abducted 39 students of the state forestry school and are still holding them in forests in the state. In cases where bandits and kidnap rings have entrenched their presence in these forests, the Nigerian military has had the unwholesome task of conducting sometimes indiscriminate aerial bombardments to smoke out criminal elements with predictable collateral human losses.

Ungoverned spaces are more dangerous strategically when they are located along borders between nations. For a long time in the Boko Haram operation, the border areas between Nigeria and its neighbours: Chad, Niger, Cameroun and even Benin Republic became the hotbeds of insurgent activity. This led to the birth of the multinational force with contingents from these countries to participate in ongoing enlarged counter insurgency operations.

In modern African history, ungoverned spaces along colonial boundaries have provided the base for the launch of major consequential rebellions that altered the history of major African

nations either for good or for ill. By October 1992, Charles Taylor launched his assault on Monrovia from ungoverned spaces in two flanks: from the Liberia/Burkina Faso border and from the Liberia/Sierra Leone border area. The Liberian civil war was born and left the country bleeding and devastated until a multilateral effort led by Nigeria compelled a stalemate that eventually led to the defeat of Charles Taylor’s forces. Similarly, in former Zaire, Laurent Kabilla invaded Mobutu’s Kinshasha in 1997 to topple Mobutu from the bushes in the border area between Zaire and Rwanda.

Yoweri Museveni’s forces came from the ungoverned border areas between Rwanda and Uganda to invade Milton Obote’s successor regime to Idi Amin’s infamy in Uganda in 1986 to initiate the Ugandan revolution.

In general, then, where ungoverned spaces have provided a launch base for movements informed by a definite political agenda, they have facilitated major political change in neighbouring territories. But where such spaces have provided a hiding place and safe haven for mindless and directionless criminality, they have become a source of insecurity and instability in the affected nation state. The latter is the case with Nigeria’s current situation.

It is also a historical truism that all guerila movements choose forests and ungoverned spaces to launch and sustain their activities, leaving the cities and highways to the conventional forces that tend to be the province of governments targeted by these guerilla movements. Nigeria’s current insecurity in its most armed iterations have followed this familiar path. Bandits, Boko Haram and sundry kidnappers have preferred the forests, leaving the highways and fancy cities to the army and the police.

The literal infestation of Zamfara with bandit groups has been made possible by a low level of government presence in the susceptible rural areas. There is a near lack of formal national security presence in most of the state. In the absence of sufficient military and police presence, a state with 9.2 million population in 15 local government areas now has over 30,000 active armed bandits in 100 camps. The scanty official security presence means that the rural populace owe their primary allegiance to local bandits and can at best rely on local vigilantes and traditional chiefs for their security. Study groups on Zamfara have identified corruption among traditional authorities and even vigilantes who sometimes collude with bandits to levy locals for farming activities in return for security. There have also been allegations of collusion between formal security agents and bandit gangs.

In such an environment, the decay of state structures for security can only aid a free circulation of small to light arms from porous borders adjoining the Maghreb. This is an area where arms from uprisings and sundry wars in Libya, Mali and Sudan have led to a thriving illegal arms trade across desert routes. The transportation of choice for these arms shipments tend to be camels and donkeys.

Most importantly, a situation of abject poverty and material desperation can only breed a population that trades off collective security for paltry cash rewards. They give out information and security intelligence to whoever is ready to pay for it. Because the armed bandits tend to be the immediate reality that they can see and feel, people tend to withhold information on the activities of bandits from officials for fear of reprisals or in anticipation of rewards offered by bandits often at gunpoint.

Another major factor that has contributed to insecurity in Zamfara is the widespread activities of illegal miners for gold and other precious minerals. There would seem to be a modern day gold rush in the state with an influx of illegal foreign miners in rural Zamfara.

These operations are facilitated by influential citizens, politicians and other powerful influencers. Because these illegal operations require security protection which is often not available from official quarters, bandit groups provide such protection for a fee.

This is the classic natural resource curse in Africa which enthrones the triumph of anarchist forces in a vicious scramble for mineral resources that exist in places where the state is in dysfunction.

Astate administration that is virtually dependent on on the magnanimity of bandit forces to exercise minimum authority or to be relevant to its citizens becomes a sitting duck which has little choice when it comes to facing up to the threat of bandits. This is the source of the option of negotiating with bandit leaders in exchange for the security to carry out the normal activities of government.

Yet, this option which is being actively canvassed by governor Matawalle and some of his colleagues can only amount to a surrender of the authority of the state to criminals. This is the current dilemma confronting various levels of government in Nigeria in the face of armed insecurity. We are dealing with a situation in which the superiority of force which used to be the prerogative of the nation state is now being actively contested by non state actors. Should the state surrender to anarchy?

Should it negotiate away part of its sovereign power? Or, should the state re-equip and reorganize in order to retake its authority by overwhelming force? These are the stark options which Nigeria now has to face up to as it battles the scourge of violent insecurity.

In some sense, then, Zamfara state with its low level of social and economic development and a predominantly agrarian and rural economy is a working laboratory for anyone who wants to understand, appreciate and fight Nigeria’s current scourge of insecurity.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͯ​ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

76

NEWS

News Editor: Gboyega Akinsanmi E-mail: ÑÌÙãÏÑ˲ËÕÓØÝËØ×Ó̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙט͸΀͹ͽͺͻͽ΁ͺͽͻ

Relief, as Resident Doctors Suspend Strike Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called off its 9-day old strike .

The resident doctors reached the decision to end the strike at a virtual National Executive Council (NEC) meeting which ended late Saturday evening.

The President of NARD, Dr. Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi who spoke to THISDAY on the telephone said the association has resolved to resume work following positive consideration of the Memorandum of Agreement reached with the federal government at their meeting on Friday.

He said that the association had directed it’s members to resume work by 8 am (today) Sunday.

Minister for Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige has also confirmed the suspension of the resident doctors’ strike.

Ngige who spoke to THISDAY Saturday night said that NARD has called off its industrial action.

He said that the leadership of

NARD had formally notified him of its resolution to suspend the strike after “10 hours of meeting on Saturday”.

At the time of filing this report, NARD leadership was still drafting details of the communiqué for submission to the government.

As part of the Memorandum of Agreement reached with the federal government at the conciliation meeting on Friday, the government agreed to set up a committee to regularize payment of Resident Doctors by removing the irregularities encountered in the process.

The agreement which addressed all the immediate concerns of the resident doctors gave the NARD leadership the opportunity to consult with members on Saturday before taking a decision to call off the strike.

The agreement also stated no member of NARD was to be punished for taking part in the strike.

Ngige, who explained the outcome of the meeting between

the representatives of the federal government and the resident doctors said the meeting agreed to set up the committee after observing that “the payment of the House Officers’ salaries experienced some irregularities as double payments were made to some officers in some centres, while a few have not been paid as of date.”

Ngige said the five-man committee was given 72 hours from Saturday, 10th April to produce a valid list of names of House Officers to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), through the Federal Ministry of Health.

The committee members were drawn from the Federal Ministry of Health, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), IPPIS, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), NARD, Committee of Chief Medical Directors (CCMDs).

Ngige expressed the hope that with this and other understandings

reached, NARD would give “this conciliation process a chance for industrial peace by calling off the strike embarked on 1st April 2021.”

On the issue of abolishment of Bench fees, the Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) are to waive this payment and that the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Health will issue a circular to this effect and send a memorandum on this for ratification at the National Council of Health (NCH) whenever it is convened.

Regarding the non-payment of national minimum wage consequential adjustment arrears and salary shortfall in 2014 – 2016 for resident doctors, the meeting agreed that the CCMDs should immediately submit a list of affected institutions and personnel strength in order for it to be captured in the 2021 Supplementary Budget.

It stated that the arrears should

be from April 2019 to December 2019.

Also on the issue of residency training allowance it was resolved that 1003 doctors not paid would be captured in the 2021 Supplementary Budget while those wrongly paid would be requested to refund the same.

The meeting noted that the issue of hazard allowance was not peculiar to NARD but cut across the entire health sector and its workforce .

The minister further disclosed that the government was in the process of working out a better hazard allowance arrangement for all health workers in Nigeria.

According to him, in consonance with an agreement signed in July last year to review that allowance, the Presidential Committee on Salaries (PCS) had been on it all the while.

To this end, PCS would meet

on Monday, 12th April, 2021 with National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to examine the issue, and would meet on Wednesday, 14th April with all the health sector workers - Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and its affiliate, NARD, and Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and its affiliates, the Minister said.

On salary shortfall from 2014 to 2016, the minister stated that it was agreed that NARD and CCMDs should immediately submit a list of affected institutions and personnel strength for it to be captured in the 2021 Supplementary Budget, while the arrears would run from April 2019 to December 2019, as contained in Memorandum of Action 1 (MoA).

The meeting also agreed that NARD would communicate their decision to the Minister for Labour and Employment before 12 noon, 10th April, 2021.

Lagos-Ibadan Rail: Again, Amaechi Slams Contractors for Slow Pace of Work Says he’s sick and tired Kasim Sumaina in Ibadan

Miffed by continuous delay

by China Civil Construction Company (CCECC) and its counterpart, TEAM Consortium, in delivering the on-going 156km Lagos-Ibadan rail project, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday berated the contractors for slow pace of work on the remaining stations.

Amaechi, who was on an inspection tour of work on the stations along the Lagos-Ibadan rail corridor, has, therefore, summoned the two companies to a roundtable meeting next Wednesday inAbuja, to answer questions over their failure to deliver the project.

Lamenting that the speed of work has reduced, he said, “We agreed with them that we will commission this April, but who will commission an uncompleted project.”

“For CCECC, I’m sick and tired of them and that is why I asked them to see us on Wednesday, although most of the things remaining are minor and it

cannot delay the movement of goods. They have promised to finish by the end of the month; okay I believe them, but I want them to reiterate that,” he added.

Besides, Amaechi noted that, “TEAM consultant firm has also complained that they (CCECC) don’t go by their work plan”, directing that , “For Ibadan-Kano, everybody must follow according to work plan both in terms of payment, construction, inspection and everything.” According to him, the Ibadan-Kano rail project would be a different ball game as the plan must be followed.

On the date of commissioning, the minister said, “We are trying to get appointment from the Office of the President for the date of commissioning. Once they give us the date, we will let the public know. There a lot of things involved in bringing the president to commission a project, but, if you look at level of work, we cannot ask the president to commission this. However, once we give CCECC definite time, I know they will speed up.”

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT . .

Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola (middle), being assisted by member representing Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Atakumosa East and Atakumosa West Federal constituency, Hon. Lawrence Babatunde Ayeni (left) to present vulcanizing machine to Mr. Abdulrasheed Adeoye, one of the 5,000 beneficiaries of the empowerment programme of Ayeni in Osun state recently

UK Exempts Nigeria from High-risk Countries for Money Laundering Tobi Soniyi

The efforts of the federal government at combating money laundering and illicit financial flows may be paying off as the United Kingdom has exempted Nigeria from its list of high-risk countries for money laundering.

The list, comprising 21 countries, was released as part of post-Brexit developments.

Until the end of the Brexit transition period, the list of high-risk

countries was determined by the European Union under the 4th Anti Money Laundering Directive.

However, from January 1, 2021, the UK has had its own standalone list.

Since then, any amendments made by the European Union to its list do not have effect in the UK. The EU had in March 2019 added Nigeria to countries on its “dirty money blacklist”.

The EU said the nations in this category pose a threat

because of tax controls on terrorism financing and money laundering.

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, however, announced that Nigeria was officially withdrawn from the list by the Council of Europe on March 5, 2019.

Ghana, Senegal, Iran and Morocco are among the countries listed in the UK’s Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) (High-Risk Countries) Regulations 2021

which took effect on March 26.

Others include Syria, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Pakistan.

“These Regulations amend the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/692) (“the MLRs”) to insert as Schedule 3ZA a new UK list of high-risk third countries for the purposes of enhanced customer due diligence requirements,” an explanatory note attached to the regulation read.

Nigeria Must Reserve 50% Elective Positions, Appointments for Youths, Women, says N’east Govs Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

North-east Governors have advocated for the inclusion of youth in governance even as they called on all tiers of government to reserve fifty percent of elective positions and appointments for youths and women.

The governors made this known Saturday at the Northeast PDP National Youth Summit with the theme “Youths in Governance”, held at the

Multi-purpose indoor Sport Hall in Bauchi.

Speaking at the occasion which had in attendance PDP youth delegates drawn from Adamawa, Taraba, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi and Gombe states, the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed said that for Nigeria to move forward, it must continue to recycle leaders, pointing out that the government should open new frontiers and rediscover new talents, so that the country could be governed

by innovation and ingenuity, which could only be discovered in the youths.

He said: “The Nigerian youths can trust the PDP. Since 1999, I can remember clearly, that time I was a very young person, our leaders who started with the Obasanjo regime to Yar’adua regime and of course my boss, former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, youths occupied political space that was unprecedented, but we are not surprised that the youths have

been put at the background today.

“I am not used to denigrating anybody, but we had people that were young, the president I served, worked twenty four seven and you will see him treating all his files and attending to all his responsibilities and even appointing young people.

“The leadership recruitment was different. I did not have to know Goodluck before I was made the minister of the FCT, that is what a young President

and the PDP can do for you.

There was no nepotism, there was no exclusion of the youths.

Nigeria was never on the brinks under the PDP. There was a political strategy and plan to ensure everyone had a shot at the leadership” he said.

Also speaking, Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri who was represented by the Adamawa State Commissioner of Works, Adamu Atiku Abubakar, said that youths play a great role in economic develop-

ment anywhere in the world, particularly in Nigeria where the youths represent seventy percent of the electorates.

“The youths should not be taken for granted, they must be involved in the affairs of Nigeria. As we know, the role of the youths in any government is to renew and refresh the current status of any society.The youths help in advancing technology, they assist in coming up with innovation and skills.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͯ​ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

77

NEWSXTRA Obaseki: Nigeria in Financial Woes, Printed N60bn to Augment March Federal Allocation Kunle Aderinokun

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has raised the alarm over Nigeria’s financial trouble, particularly given the continued shrinking oil revenue, which made the federal government print about N60 billion to augment allocation shared to states in March.

Besides, Obaseki, who spoke at a programme in Benin, revealed that, by December this year, the country’s total borrowing would be in excess of 15 to 16 trillion.

“In another year or so, where will we find this money that we go to Abuja to share every month?

Last month, we got FAAC for March. The federal government printed an additional 50 to 60 billion to top-up for us to share,”

he said.

The governor believed, very soon, there would be no crude oil revenue, accruing to the national treasury for spending, with the dwindling fortunes of oil.

Emphasising that despite the prices of crude at the international market, the current fortunes of crude is only a mirage and the Nigerian economy could no longer rely on oil revenue. According to him, major oil producers like Shell and Chevron, which hitherto made huge financial commitment to oil production, are no longer investing as much, especially with Chevron was heavily investing in alternative fuel and Shell pulling out of Nigeria.

He, therefore asked, where will the federal government find the oil revenue to share monthly as federal

allocation among the three tiers of government?

“We say remove subsidy, they say no. This April, next week again, we will go to Abuja and share.

By the end of this year, the total borrowing is going to be in excess of 15 to 16 trillion.

“My worry is that we will wake up one day like Argentina, the naira will

be 1,000, 2,000 and will be moving because we don’t have money coming in. You are just borrowing, borrowing and borrowing without any means or idea of how to pay back.”

Obaseki pointed that the change in the world economy which is now affecting Nigeria, would be the major factor that will affect the country’s economy going forward.

Osborne Residents Seek Sanwo-Olu’s Intervention in Estate Dispute Tobi Soniyi

Residents of Osborne Foreshore Two Estate have appealed to the Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu to order that works on all approvals for development in the estate be suspended for three months because of the ongoing review of the approval order.

They particularly want a property development firm Lekki Gardens/ Foreshore Waters Limited which they accused of violating existing plan to stop work forthwith.

In a statement they issued yesterday, the residents warned that refusal to stop further work might lead to a breakdown of law and order.

In its bid to ensure an amicable resolution of the dispute, the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako had held a meeting with all the stakeholders.

The residents appealed to the governor to protect their interest.

They said: “We once again invite your Excellency to visit our estate to see for yourself how the activities of Richard Nyong will one day lead to a breakdown of law and order if this brazen disregard of planning laws of Lagos States is allowed to continue.”

They accused the developer of violating state’s planning laws in its quest to construct multistorey structures in the expansive residential estate.

The residents also accused Richard Nyong, Lekki Gardens Estate, Foreshore Waters Limited of alleged “flagrant and unchecked violation of officially approved building plans.”

The relationship between Lekki Gardens and the management of the Estate turned bad after it insisted that the property developer obeys building permit laws given to it by both the Lagos State government and the resident association.

PDP Set up Committee to Screen Aspirants for Anambra Guber Election Screening begins Monday April 12 Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up a screening committee that will screen all aspirants for the upcoming Anambra State Governorship Election.

The screening committee is headed by a former governor of Kogi State, Capt. Idris Wada (rtd) as Chairman.

Other members of the screening committee are Senator Ehigie Uzamere, Mrs. Martha Bodunrin, Mr Jones Onyereri and Chief James Ugwu (SE Zonal Secretary) as member /Secretary The screening exercise is scheduled for Monday April 12 - Tuesday April 13, 2021 at the NWC Hall, Wadata Plaza, Abuja FCT. The time is 9:00AM daily.

According to a statement by the National Organising Secretary. Col. Austin Akobundu, it is expected that the aspirants will exercise exemplary conduct and strict adherence to rules and regulations during the assessment that will justify the confidence reposed in them by the leadership of the party.

Those that have collected the nomination forms and are expected to be screened by the committee are Senator Uche Ekwunife, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, Mr Chris Azubuogu, Wintson Udeh, Valentine Ozigbo Godwin Ezeemo and Emeka Etiaba (SAN).

Others are Chidi Onyemelekwe, Godwin Maduka, Mrs. Genevieve Ekwochi, Ifedi Okwenna, Ugochukwu Uba, Walter Okeke and Tony Nwoye.

ROYAL CELEBRATION . . .

His Royal Highness, Elewo of Ilewo Abeokuta, Oba Clement Kolawole Omosowon (Orisanwo II) (second left); Ogboye of Ilewo Abeokuta, Chief Hezekhaia Morenikeji (left); Chief Executive Officer, Niger Delta Exploration and Production Plc, Dr. Layi Fatona, (second right); and Chairman of the occasion, Sir. Emmanuel Egunsola (right), at a renewal conference in celebration of the third anniversary of Oba Omosowon, at Ilewo Abeokuta North Local Government.. recently

Yahaya: We Must Sustain Our Cherish Unity Segun Awofadeji in Gombe

Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has said that his administration will continue to cherish and maintain the brotherhood subsisting among the adherents of the two major faiths in the state.

The governor stated this yesterday while commissioning the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN Guest House located at CAN centre along Gombe-Kwami road.

He said his administration would not relent in providing the necessary support for people to practice their beliefs freely, stressing that the essence of leadership is

service to humanity.

The governor acknowledged the contributions of religious groups to the development of the society and commended CAN for its role in maintaining peace and stability which he described as the fulcrum of sustainable development.

“And let me reiterate that this peace we have in Gombe state is non- negotiable, we cannot afford to throw it away and no matter what the devil will do, God will see us through and we shall maintain our strength in unity and our faith in Him and we believe He will deliver us at the point of need”.

He described the commis-

sioning of the Guests House as an important milestone in the development of the Gombe CAN centre, congratulating the Christian community in the state for the opportunity and the gift that came from God. He said as a party to the development of the CAN Centre during the Danjuma Goje administration, he would continue to ensure its growth stressing also that “as a leader, I am aware that the state can only be a complete unit if the interests of all citizens are taken into consideration.

These are my watch words always”.

He underscored the relevance

and importance of providing such accommodation not only to the hospitality industry but also as a place for seclusion and solitude.

“If you are looking for a place that you feel secure, you come here. If you are looking for a place that you can meditate and relate with your God as a Christian this is a place to be. So development of this place to the highest level is something that we need to pursue and cherish.”

The governor praised CAN leadership in the state for spending the money he donated to them for the purpose it was meant, describing their sincerity of purpose as worthy of emulation.

Buhari Appoints Dagari DG DTCA, Osaghae DG NIIA Michael Olugbode in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Ambassador Rabiu Dagari as Director-General of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA).

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, in a letter dated April 8, 2021, addressed to Dagari, said the appointment was for an initial period of four years with effect from March 16, 2021.

Letter read: “The terms and condition of your appointment is

as provided in the appointment of Chief Executives of Government Parastatals and Agencies In the Federal Public Services.

“It Is hoped that your performance at the Interview/screening exercise as well as your experiences as a seasoned Diplomat/Administrator will be brought to bear in the discharge of your duties as the Director-General of the Directorate,” Aduda said.

Dagari, a former Nigerian Ambassador to Venezuela with concurrent accreditation to Colombia and Ecuador, had while in service, served in the Nigerian Mission in

Paris as Ambassador/Deputy Head of Mission, London, Rome, Dublin and Brussels.

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dagari also served in various departments, particularly as the acting director, Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Director of Consular Affairs and Deputy Director, Protocol, Office of the Head of State, State House.

An indigene of Nguru, Yobe State, Dagari is also a member of the Senior Executive Course 28, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru.

He holds a Bsc Political Science degree from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom and a Master of Arts in Governance and Development Policy – CERIS/L’Universite Paris, Sud. President Muhammadu Buhari has also appointed Professor Eghosa Emmanuel Osaghea of the Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan, as the DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian institute of International Affairs (NIIA).

Be Proactive in Tackling Crime, Northern Governors Charge Ag IGP Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

The Northern Governors Forum has congratulated the acting Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba over his recent appointment

by President Muhammadu Buhari, urging him to pay attention to proactive measures in tackling crime in the country.

Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State,

Simon Lalong in a statement said the appointment of Baba was well deserved considering his track record of diligent service to the nation across various police formations in the country.

The governors pledged to give him all the support he would require to succeed in providing the leadership for proactive policing that ‘deters crime, effectively tracks criminals and generally attracts

the goodwill of the public.’

The forum said, “As Northern Governors, we remain committed to community policing and any other measure that will lead to securing our region which has been bedeviled by different forms of insecurity. We must work together to adopt new m e a s u re s t h a t w i l l n o t o n ly enable us to overcome these challenges, but also remain on top of the situation

by preventing criminals from carrying out their nefarious activities.”

Lalong said northern governors were particularly concerned that the farming season was at hand and many farmers might be discouraged from cultivating their farms because of banditry, kidnapping and insurgency.

They urged him to ensure that farmers go back to their farms safe.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 11, 2021

78

SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by: Duro Ikhazuagbe email:Duro.Ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

TRACK & FIELD

Edo Sprinter, Adegoke, Emerges Fastest Man of 20th National Sports Festival Team Rivers athlete, Stella Kingsley, wins three gold in weightlifting

Enock Adegoke...fastest man of Edo 2020

Duro Ikhazuagbe

E

co State athlete, EnochAdegoke won the blue ribband race of the 20th National Sports Festival in Benin City yesterday to emerge the fastest man of Edo 2020.

Theformerjuniorinternational, Adegoke, breast the tape in a split 10.28secs to leave his friend and Team Edo teammate, Alaba Olukunle to settle for the silver in 10.29secs.

The bronze medal went to Lagos State athlete, Jerry Jakpa, who won the consolatory silverware with 10.33secs.

In the women’s version of the 100m race, Grace Nwokocha who recently qualiÀed for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in Lagos raced to the Ànish linein11.42secstowinthegoldmedalforDeltaState.

Lagos State’s sprinter, Joy Udo Gabriel, Ànished the race in 11.44secs to win the silver medal while Bayelsa State’s Tima Godbless achieved a time of 11.61secs to grab the bronze medal.

Ihezue Nzube won the men’s triple jump gold medal for Delta State while Edo’s Frank Anabel Orobosa was the winner of the women’s Shot put event gold for Edo State.

Also yesterday, Team Rivers’ Stella Kingsley was all over the moon after winning three gold medals in the women’s 49kg Weightlifting event.

Stella snatched 74kg, Clean and Jerke 105kg a record in (49kg) to pick the three available gold medals.

Kingsley at the last National Sports Festival in Abuja three years ago Ànished fourth in same category.

The elated athlete thanked her coach for the

Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu (2nd right), played the last 15 minutes as the state’s team defeated Borno State 4-2 to reach the semi final event of the ongoing 20th National Sports Festival in Benin City...yesterday

support and God for the victory.

“At the beginning it was not easy, I had to work very hard for it with the support of my coach Ojadi and Uche for advising me and encouraging me. I

alsothankGodforgivingmethethreegoldmedals, may his name be praised,” she said.

The River State athlete who won three silvers at the 2019 All African Games in Rabat, Morocco

Football: Shaibu Shows Skills as Edo Defeats Borno to Reach S’Ànal Despite his tight schedule as the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the ongoing National Sports Festival, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, was still able to be part of the Team Edo football team as they defeated Borno State to top the group.

With a semiÀnal slot at stake, Edo defeated Borno 4-2 with the deputy governor playing the Ànal 15 minutes of the game played at the University of Benin Sports Complex With the victory, Team Edo stroll to the semi Ànal of one of the most covered medals of the festival.

The deputy governor was handed the captain’s band as soon as he came on board for the host state team Edo is to play high riding Imo State in the semi Ànal.

The deputy governor who is a

registered player with the state owned team, Bendel Insurance, showed his strength in the middle of the pack. Shaibu has been part of the team’s plot to return to the topÁight football.

Speaking after the victory for Edo, the deputy governor congratulated the Borno team for coming out strongly in the later part of the game.

“By playing in front of the youths of Edo State, I just want them to know that you can be a sports man and still pursue other things. I went to school including graduating from the university, I also played football during that time and by the special grace of God, I am the Deputy Governor of the state, so with determination, they can achieve whatever they put their mind into achieving as Officials and technical crew flanked by participants at the Adamu Yola Foundation/ Jordan an individual,” observed Shaibu. Nwora Foundation organised North East Basketball Clinic in Gombe at the weekend

Gombe Agog for Youth Kenyan, Ethiopian Dominate 2021 Edition of Access Lagos City Marathon Basketball Clinic

A two-day maiden basketball developmental clinic in Gombe, Gombe State co-sponsored by the Central Bank of Nigeria under the auspices of Adamu Yola Foundation in-conjunction with the Jordan Nwora Foundation is set to know how far kids in the region have imbibed the basketball culture.

Meanwhile, the Team Manager of the senior national basketball team, Musa Adamu, who is also the host, has described the event as a dream come true. It is more so when it is a form of giving back to the society and oͿering the youngsters good education and better life.

He pleaded with the participants to exhibit high level of discipline and hard work irrespective of their family background. Speaking further, Adamu hinted that the clinic has come to stay as an annual event with a view to sustaining and enhancing the coaching skills of the local o΀cials.

In his remarks at the event, Alex Nwora of Jordan Nwora Foundation noted that clinics of this nature serve as good avenue for coaches and players to share knowledge while noting that “the biggest thing at the moment is about young boys and girls among whom the next generation of basketball stars would emerge.”

Kenya’s Emmanuel Naibei and Meseret Dinke have emerged as the winners of the men and women’s 2021 edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

Naibei crossed the Ànish line in 2hrs 15 mins 01 sec (o΀cial) to claim the $30,000 top prize at stake.

While the winning time falls short of the course record of 2:10:23 set last year, it is the second-fastest ever in the history of theAccess Bank Lagos City Marathon.

A runner-up at the 2019 Guangzhou Marathon where he set his current Personal Best time of 2:08:27, the ageing Naibei is still waxing strong

to continue his quests for more road race glories. Naibei was also among thosewhoÀnishedonthepodiumat the CFLD Beijing Marathon, Beijing where he Ànished third.

Ethiopian duo of Daresa Geleta and Demiso Legese Ànished in the second and third positions.

Now in its sixth edition, this is the fourth time a Kenyan is emerging as the winner of the Men’s category of the 42km Access Bank Lagos City Marathon. In the women’s category, Meseret Dinke reclaimed her title and she did it in style with a new course record after returning a time of 2:28:51.

said she hopes to qualify for the Olympics.

She will now shift her focus to the African Championships in Antananarivo, Madagascar later in the year.

PREMIER LEAGUE

Ten-man Leeds Snatch Victory from Runaway Leaders Man City Stuart Dallas scored an injury-time winner as 10-man Leeds United beat runaway leaders Manchester City at Etihad Stadium.

Dallas gave the visitors a surprise lead three minutes before the break with a low shot that went in oͿ the inside of a post. However, the dismissal of skipper Liam Cooper for a tackle on Gabriel Jesus before the opening period was over appeared to have given the visitors an impossible task.

It completed Leeds’ best win since their return to the top Áight - and means Manchester United can cut City’s lead at the top to eight points if they win their games in hand against Tottenham and Burnley. City must take 11 points from their remaining six games to guarantee a third league title in four seasons. Elsewhere, an impressive Chelsea moved back into the top four of the Premier League with a dominant victory at Crystal Palace.

Beaten 5-2 at home last weekend by struggling West Brom, the Blues quickly set about making amends, scoring twice in the opening 10 minutes, during which the overwhelmed home side barely got a kick of the ball. Kai Havertz curled in the Àrst before turning provider to set up Christian Pulisic to Àre the second into the roof of the net from close range.

Kurt Zouma all-but ended the game as a contest on the half-hour mark, rising highest to head in a Mason Mount free-kick.

InthethirdgameoftheEnglishtopÁightyesterday, TrentAlexander-Arnold scored an injury-time winner as Liverpool came from behind to beat Aston Villa and end a run of six consecutive defeats at AnÀeld.

SUNDAY APRIL 11, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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“I did not have to know Goodluck Jonathan before I was made the minister of the FCT, that is what a young President and the PDP can do for you. There was no nepotism, there was no exclusion of the youths. Nigeria was never on the brinks under the PDP.” – Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed speaking at Northeast PDP National Youth Summit.

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Before Nigeria Breaks Up…

T

ihere was a time in my life when my biggest worry about the Nigerian union was the likelihood of a breakup. I worried about the process: would it be peaceful? I didn’t think so. No president would watch the country disintegrate under his watch without putting up a fight. But that would mean another civil war. We have fought a civil war before and there was nothing delicious about it.

In recent times, I have also heard tales of war horrors from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Sudan.

They scare me stiff. Most importantly, I used to worry about the consequences of balkanisation on ordinary Nigerians who could be uprooted and dislocated from places they have always known as home.

Today, my biggest worry is no longer the possible balkanisation of Nigeria. After all, if Nigeria breaks up, would it be a first in the history of mankind?

The way we talk about break-up in this country, you would think it is unknown to the human race and we are about to invent something magnificent.

The almighty USSR broke up, didn’t it? Eritrea came out of Ethiopia and South Sudan left Sudan.

Life goes on. While there are those who genuinely believe the current structure of Nigeria is not working and needs a fundamental change for the greater good, there are also those who are campaigning for an outright break-up completely out of spite. Whatever option we settle for, life will always go on.

My biggest worry, the way things are going, is the somalisation of Nigeria, which I wrote about recently. By somalisation, I mean a descent into prolonged chaos and anarchy. The Federal Republic of Somalia — a country with one ethnic group, one tongue, one religion and virtually one sect (Sunni Islam) — became unthinkably divided along clan lines as it began to descend into anarchy in the 1990s after a military coup. The Somali armed forces could not contain the various armed groups. UN efforts failed and by 1995 its forces withdrew, leaving the country in the hands of armed gangs who competed for power in the absence of a functioning national government.

It is a very sad story.

With the Nigerian security agencies showing seeming helplessness as criminal gangs, terrorists and secessionists strike daily, we should be worried more about a prolonged state of lawlessness and ruin than the possibility of a break-up. It would appear these criminal gangs have carved out their own portions of Nigeria where they are operating without let or hinderance. When soldiers are running away from the battlefield and complaining that the enemy has superior firepower, when bandits are killing randomly by the minute, when police stations are being attacked and prisons are being flung open with so much ease, somalisation should worry us — far more than balkanisation.

Nigeria has been inching towards disorder for quite a while, but it appears we accelerated badly in the last few years. I don’t think the anarchy has ever been this widespread, even though I know I could be accused of wild exaggeration.

Insurgents, bandits and kidnappers in the north, kidnappers, rapists, separatists and gunmen in the south… I don’t think our security agencies have been this stretched since the end of the civil war. The attacks on police in Imo state and Akwa Ibom have lengthened an already horrifying list of lawlessness across the country. Every day, we wake up asking: where next? My biggest pity is for the hapless and helpless Nigerians seeing hell daily.

The recent attacks on police stations and prisons in Imo state in which thousands of inmates were freed strikingly followed patterns established by the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and Boko Haram. In 1999, OPC targeted police stations in the

Buhari south-west, particularly in Lagos, before President Olusegun Obasanjo reined them in by using a combination of soft and hard powers. In 2009, when Boko Haram began to transform from a religious sect to an armed group, its initial attacks were directed at police stations and DSS offices in Borno state. They have gone on to become a formidable rebel force with military-calibre arsenal.

We can all feel the consequences.

I have no doubt in my mind that most of those we call “bandits”, “gunmen” and “herders” today are products of the Boko Haram insurgency — that’s if they are not actually their agents. Boko Haram — whether the Abubakar Shekau faction, or the one referred to as the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP), or any other faction at that — definitely needs funds to sustain operations, including buying arms and feeding the insurgents and their captives.

That is a huge budget running into billions of naira monthly, even by conservative estimates.

Through banditry and kidnappings, they achieve two things: exerting terror on the populace and extorting ransoms to fund their budgets.

The insurgents have also succeeded in fuelling ethnic agitations in Nigeria which are threatening to boil over. In the south-west, northerners are bearing the brunt of the conduct of criminal gangs who engage in kidnapping and rape. The entire Fulani ethnicity has been issued with quit notices and attacked. This is raising ethnic tensions. Some Yoruba nationalists are also seizing the opportunity to amplify their call for the balkanisation. Some have declared Republic of Oduduwa. Ethnic tensions are high and ethnic militias are having a field day. The Boko Haram guys must be having fun in their cocoons because whatever they are doing to damage Nigeria is obviously working very well.

In the south-east, which has a no-love-lost relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari, the activities of these criminal gangs have been interpreted as a Fulani jihad being executed to conquer Igboland. If you dismiss this interpretation with a wave of the hand, then you are far away from understanding the sentiments on the streets. And that will be totally unhelpful. There is a standing instruction by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), the south-east separatist group, that Fulani herders should be chased out of the region. The attacks on police stations and prisons, no matter who is behind them (IPOB has denied having a hand), can only worsen the somalisation situation.

There have always been political explanations for the perennial violence in Nigeria in the last two decades. I recall that in 1999-2002, there was insecurity across the country: ethnic and religious riots in the north and violence by armed gangs and ethnic militias in the south. The first interpretation

then was that there were agent provocateurs at work trying to truncate our “fledgling democracy” and bring the military back to power. If that was true, then we managed to scale the hurdle. At least, we have enjoyed uninterrupted civil rule for almost 22 years now. The violence and insecurity have not stopped, though. Instead, things have only got progressively and frightening worse over time.

Another political interpretation of the insecurity is that violent agitations are a means of getting power in Nigeria. In the heat of the Boko Haram insurgency under President Goodluck Jonathan, I read an article (I can’t remember the author) suggesting that it had an ethno-political motive.

The author said there was a belief that the Yoruba got power in 1999 because of the agitations of Afenifere, NADECO and OPC. He further argued that power moved back to the north in 2007 as a result of the Shari’a riots that pushed the country to the brink of religious war. He also thought a VP candidate was picked from the south-south in 2007 to pacify the Niger Delta militants.

His overall argument, then, was that Boko Haram was set up to destabilise the Jonathan administration so that power could return to the north after their notional eight-year tenure was cut short by the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in May 2010 — three years into his first term. The author warned that using violence to gain power was a dangerous and an unhealthy trend for Nigerian politics. (I hope I have not misrepresented the author’s arguments and views because I have not been able to find and re-read the article since then). Some analysts believe that some of the ongoing violence and agitations in the country are aimed at securing political power in 2023.

While I admit that there could be some truth to the author’s thesis (I, however, do not believe Boko Haram was set up to return power to the north, given the little I know about their origins and evolution), I am more disturbed with the inability of the Nigerian state to halt the somalisation. No matter the politics or demographics of it, this carnage has to be stopped urgently. I am not saying the balkanisation campaigners should stop their job. That is above my paygrade. But before Nigeria breaks up — if it has to break up at all — government still has the constitutional responsibility to protect life and property. This “on your own” situation is, to put it mildly, depressing.

One frustrating thing about Nigeria is the inability of many ethnic leaders to see that the state of insecurity is a threat to all of us. Helpless and hapless Nigerians are being killed all over the country. No ethnic group is spared. No religion is exempted. But the framing of the issues is such that the impression is being created and sustained that it is a campaign by one section of the country against the other. I wouldn’t be amazed if it is only a few Twitter warriors that are politicising the insecurity. Do they know any better? But when you see supposedly educated and enlightened people peddling divisive theories and falsehoods just to score cheap political points, you have to shake your head.

For one, I no longer worry about Nigeria’s break-up. There is nothing falling from the sky that the ground cannot accommodate. However, for the record, I continue to strongly believe in one Nigeria. It is not because I am such a wonderful patriot; it is simply because I have spent time observing how ordinary Nigerians relate with one another. We do not have differences that cannot be managed with political sagacity. The obstruction to national unity, I maintain, is political mismanagement. But even if Nigeria is eventually going to break up, we still deserve, for the time being, government protection in this Hobbesian state of nature, where life is “poor, nasty, brutish, and short”.

And Four Other Things…

HAZARDOUS WASTE It has emerged that a Nigerian doctor is paid N5,000 as hazard allowance monthly — while a senator gets N1.2 million to buy newspapers. Senator Shehu Sani once told us that a senator gets roughly N13.5 million monthly as “running cost”. A rep takes home N8.5 million, we were told later. This is outside what they rake in from MDAs for “oversight” and “public hearing”. That is just one arm and one tier of government. Our problem is not that difficult to decipher: we are run by a greedy and selfish political class who do everything to feather their own nests while caring little or nothing about the people they are supposed to govern. Fix politicians and you will fix Nigeria. Simple.

ADAMU DAMNED President Buhari surprisingly removed Mr Mohammed Adamu as the inspector-general of police last week after controversially extending his tenure in February. This is a little bit baffling because the tenure extension was to end in May. We had enough prior notice of Adamu’s retirement date and he could have handed over to the most senior officer instead of getting an extension. It would really be pleasant if the president can be setting key performance indices for his appointees so that we can know the basis on which some people get extension or renewal, and why some are dropped. The new IGP, Mr Usman Alkali Baba, has his work well cut out as insecurity spreads nationwide. Uphill.

KOGI PRISON Kogi state is known for intimidating those with COVID-19 symptoms into silence.

Doctors are not allowed to diagnose or report COVID cases if they love their lives.

However, something equally dangerous is going on. If we do not oppose it, it may become a trend and this democracy will be further undermined. Anene Victor and Emmanuel Larry, two anti-Buhari protesters, were arrested in Lokoja, flogged, secretly arraigned before a magistrate court for “treasonable felony” and “inciting public unrest” and are now cooling off in Kabba prison. If anti-Buhari protesters could be treated this way, I do not expect any demonstrator against Yahaya Bello, the state governor, to be alive. Scary.

TURKEY’S CHRISTMAS The proverb that turkeys do not vote for Christmas is being challenged in Nigeria as the country continues its romance with electricity-powered cars. We should assume that Nigeria, an oil-producing country that lives large on petrodollars, would not be enthusiastic about the gradual phase-out of vehicles powered by fossil fuels. But not only have we launched the first locally assembled electric car in Nigeria, we have also unveiled the first 100 percent solarpowered electric vehicle charging station — a collaborative project of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) and Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto (UDUS). Suicidal?

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