SUNDAY 25TH APRIL 2021

Pantami: Your Argument is Pedestrian, Ozekhome tells Presidency Insists minister can be prosecuted PDP accuses APC leaders of supporting terrorism Gombe APC stands in solidarity with minister Moghalu alleges double standard

Tobi Soniyi, Chuks Okocha, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Segun Awofadeji in Gombe Abuja-based constitutional

lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), has faulted and dismissed as pedestrian, all the arguments put forward by the federal government in defence of the Minister of

Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami.

In a statement he issued Friday night, Ozekhome argued that even though Pantami committed the

alleged terrorist acts before the enactment of the Terrorsim (Prevention Amendment) Act 2013, he could be prosecuted under Section 46 of the Economic and Financial

Crimes Commission Act, 2004 (EFCC Act).

This is as the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday accused the All Progressives Congress

(APC) and its leaders of a conspiratorial silence in the face of the worrisome revelation in which Pantami, Continued on page 8

IPOB Commander, Six Others Killed in Joint Military, Police Operation…Page 12 Sunday 25 April, 2021 Vol 26. No 9513

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Imo Boils Again as Hoodlums Attack Uzodimma’s Country Home Three security personnel killed Property worth several millions burnt Amby Uneze in Owerri Unknown hoodlums in the early hours of Saturday

attacked the country home of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma in Omuma, Oru East Local Government Area

of the state, leaving three security personnel dead and property worth several millions destroyed.

Yesterday’s attack was about the fourth in the state in the last three weeks. The state police command headquarters

and the state headquarters of the National Correctional Centre, both in Owerri, the state capital, were attacked on

April 5. That was in addition to assaults on other police Continued on page 5

Students’ Killing: Nigeria is at War, Soyinka Cries Out Seek help, stop improvising with human lives, laureate tells Buhari President mourns, describes killing as a barbaric terror attack It’s shocking, Northern governors lament The already over-stretched sinews of moral restraint have been snapped off the casing of nation being, and nothing is left but the collective wails of impotence. Not for the first time, what many hoped was a Natural Law of Limitations has been contemptuously, defiantly breached – Soyinka Deji Elumoye in Abuja, Gboyega Akinsanmi in Lagos and Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka has cried out about the endless martyrdom of

youth in the country. And has called on the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to seek help, saying the killing of three of the Continued on page 10

Dangote, Wale Tinubu, Others Donate N1.3bn for ICICE Mosque... Pg 10

TINUBU GETS HONORARY DOCTORATE ...

L-R: Registrar, Federal University of Agriculture, Mrs Helen Nyitse; a former Lagos State Governor and National Leader of APC,Bola Ahmed Tinubu; and Vice-Chancellor Federal University of Agriculture,Prof. Anande Richard Kimbir, during the conferment of the Honorary Degree Doctor of Science in Management at Federal University of Agriculture,Makurdi, Benue State...yesterday

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Buhari, Northern Govs Sad over Passing of Sardauna's Daughter Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the death of Aishatu Ahmadu Bello, second daughter of the late Premier of the defunct Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto.

President Buhari, in a reaction to Aisha's demise by his Media Assistant, Garba Shehu said, "the deceased lived a worthy and humble life and was an embodiment of discipline and fine character."

According to him, Aishatu, who is the mother of Magajin Garin Sokoto, Alhaji Hassan Danbaba, "was not only prominent on account of her birth into a powerful family, but also for her own decent character that endeared her to so many people.

"At 75, Aishatu lived a fulfilled life of modesty, discipline and decent character, virtues that should be emulated by her surviving children and other women," the President stated.

Buhari, however, extended his condolences to the Sokoto State Government, Emirate Council, her son, the Magajin Garin Sokoto, Alhaji Danbaba and in-law, Ambassador Shehu Malami, Sarki Sudan.

He prayed Allah to forgive the gentle soul of the deceased and reward her noble deeds with paradise.

Aishatu, the second daughter of the late Sardauna was till her death, a widow of Ahmad Danbaba, the late Marafan of Sokoto.

Aishatu’s father was the first and only premier of northern Nigeria from 1954 to 1966, when he was killed in a military coup.

Late Hajiya Aishatu, who died on April 23, was born

on October 31, 1945. She had 23 grandchildren. Her mother was the late Aminatu Abubakar (Gwaggon Kano).

According to the family, the deceased will be flown

back to Sokoto from Dubai for burial according to Islamic rites.

Also, the Northern States Governors Forum, in a statement by its chairman

and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, has commissered commiserated with the government and people of Kano State over the demise of the mother

of Emirs of Kano and Bichi, Hajiya Maryam Ado Bayero.

They described her as a loving, humble and exemplary mother that devoted her life to

inculcating positive values to the younger generation and also promoting peaceful coexistence and tolerance among people of different persuasions.

CONVOCATION LECTURE AT THE SEMINARY...

Ekiti State Governor and Guest Lecturer, Dr. Kayode Fayemi (right); and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah; during the Convocation lecture “Church, Politics and Future Elections” delivered by Gov Fayemi at the Seminary, in Kafanchan, Kaduna State...weekend

IMO BOILS AGAIN AS HOODLUMS ATTACK UZODIMMA'S COUNTRY HOME formations in the state.

The assailants on Uzodimma’s home set ablaze several property in the governor's premises, running into millions of naira, including choice vehicles.

According to an eyewitness account, the attackers, who came in large numbers, wearing black vests, overpowered the security personnel on duty. However, sympathisers and villagers were said to have struggled to extinguish the fire on the governor’s house before the arrival of the state fire service and other security agents at the scene.

Other sources from the community told THISDAY that the gunmen, who were no fewer than 30, arrived about 8:30am in three vehicles, dressed in black attire and military camouflage. They began a shooting spree in the air before launching their rocket to rip the entrance gate of the governor's house open,

the sources said.

It was also gathered that the hoodlums set two vehicles, including a Rolls Royce belonging to the governor, parked inside the compound, ablaze. In the cause of the attack, an official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who dared the assailants, was killed instantly.

Although the fire affected only some parts of the building, the governor’s neighbours, who rushed to the scene, were said to have helped in bringing the fire under control before the arrival of fire fighters.

A prompt response by a combined team of the military, police, air force, and NSCDC prevented further damage at the governor’s house. But a police sergeant, and another official of the NSCDC lost their lives to the attackers’ gunshots at the popular Mgbidi junction, Onitsha road, while they were trying

to escape.

A reliable source from the comunity, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he saw six persons in critical conditions being hurriedly moved out of the governor's residence but could not confirm their state.

The source said, "These people looked mean, they drove in a large convoy and headed straight to the governor's house. They threw a bomb, because we heard a loud explosion and some of them went in while some remained outside.

"They were shooting heavily as they made their way into the building, we saw some of them outside carrying second hand tyres, which they used in setting the vehicles outside ablaze.”

Another source, who also did not want his name mentioned, said he felt the gunmen actually came to kill the governor.

He said, "From what I could

see from my house, these people are dangerous and I think they came to kill the governor. From the way they were shooting and bombing everywhere, you will think war has started. We were all afraid, we thought they will come for us in our buildings, but they never did until they left."

Reacting to the incident, the state government attributed the assault to the activities of its detractors.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy Declan Emelumba, in a statement, insisted that the attack on the governor's house was politically motivated, but he commended the security operatives drafted to save the situation.

Emelumba said, "Gallant security operatives this morning repelled an attack on the Omuma country home of the governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma.

"At 9am today (Saturday)

April 24th, a group of hoodlums, numbering about 15, driving in a motorcade of three vehicles, accompanied by a tipper loaded with used tyres, stormed the country home of the governor in Omuma, Oru East LGA, and attempted to burn down the house.

"However, vigilant security operatives attached to the governor’s house successfully repelled the attack and consequently minimised the damage they had planned to unleash.

"In the cross fire that ensued, a few casualties were recorded. Preliminary investigation suggests that the foiled attack may have been politically sponsored.

"The government has directed the relevant security agencies to expedite investigation on the incident and promptly apprehend the sponsors and their agents and bring them to justice."

The state Police Public

Relations Officer (PPRO), Orlando Ikeokwu (DSP), confirmed the incident.

Ikeokwu, however, explained that the hoodlums only attempted to raze the governor's house but were repelled by the security operatives deployed to the scene.

Ikeokwu confirmed the death of three security operatives, saying, "I can confirm the story, the hoodlums attacked the governor’s house by throwing in petrol bomb as a result of which two cars were burnt.”

The PPRO said the attackers were successfully repelled. However, one unarmed personnel of the NSCDC was killed in the process, Ikeokwu said, adding that the hoodlums, while escaping, also killed a Police Sergeant and another NSCDC personnel, both in their private vehicles at Mgbidi junction.

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HOLY MATRIMONY...

L-R: Former FCT Minister and father of the Bride, Chuka Odom; newly wedded, Gabriel and Jessica Bello; Former President, Goodluck Jonathan and brides mother, Adaku Odom, at the wedding reception for the couple at the International Conference Centre in Abuja...yesterday JULIUS ATOI

PANTAMI: YOUR ARGUMENT IS PEDESTRIAN, OZEKHOME TELLS PRESIDENCY has been accused of affiliation with terrorist groups.

Again, in defence of Pantami, the Caretaker Chairman of the APC in Gombe State, Mr. Nitte K. Amangal has condemned in strong terms, the sustained campaign of calumny Pantami by people he described as disgruntled and unpatriotic.

However, standing with those against Pantami, a former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and a presidential candidate in the last general election, Kingsley Moghalu, has joined the call for the sacking of the minister over his past radical Islamic views and support for the Boko Haram terrorist group.

The calls for President Mihammadu Buhari to relieve Pantami of his appointment as a minister after he admitted making incendiary religious statements sometime between 2000 and 2006, as an Islamic scholar, has continued to gather momentum.

In the inflammatory speeches, he had expressed allegiance to and support for (including sympathy with) the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram terrorist groups.

But the minister claimed he had since changed his views.

"Some of the comments I made some years ago that are generating controversies now were based on my understanding of religious issues at the time, and I have changed several positions taken in the past based on new evidence and maturity."

The Presidency had days ago issued statements supporting and defending the minister.

Quoting copiously from the EFCC Act, which he said was much wider in scope and the definition of terrorism, Ozekhome said: "The combustible and inflammable comments of Pantami no doubt were

intended to cause fear or make any government or bodies abandon a standpoint, induce fear in the public or government, etc. He can be charged under the EFCC Act." But because he made the statements long before the Terrorism Prevention Act was enacted, the senior lawyer submitted that, "Pantami cannot therefore be prosecuted under the Terrorism Act, because his alleged terrorist acts occurred prior to the enactment of the Terrorism Act. The Terrorism Act does not have a retroactive or retrospective Act." Section 36(8) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which provides that, “No person shall be held to be guilty of a criminal offence on account of any act or omission that did not, at the time it took place, constitute such an offence, and no penalty shall be imposed for any criminal offence heavier than the penalty in force at the time the offence was committed", appears to support Ozekhome's position.

This, nonetheless, the lawyer said the Presidency missed the point when it rose in defence of Pantami.

“Pantami’s albatross has nothing to do with his alleged effectiveness or efficaciousness in his duties.

But, it has everything to do with his dangerous religious antecedents, which on the surface, he says he has renounced, but is still effectively practising in reality.

"Otherwise, why will he invite only a very little known Al-Afrikiy (a wholly Muslim Television station, that broadcasts strictly religious matters) to solely cover a programme of a whole federal government’s activity – the virtual Flag-off capacity development programme on VSAT Installation Skills and TVRO Systems for 600

youths? Why? "This was only on March 22, 2021. Where were AIT, Channels, NTA, NAN, TVC, ITV, Arise News, SilverBird, Oak TV, or the several Radio Stations across Nigeria? This is Nigerians’ great worry, Mallam Shehu. Do not run away from the substance and pursue the shadow. Please, face the real issues at stake," je posited.

According to him, Pantami’s religious bigotry, earlier inflammatory speeches in support of and sympathy with terrorist groups, such as Al Qaeda, Taliban and Boko Haram (the third group of whose shed blood he described as “our Muslim brothers’ blood”), are the real issues at stake.

He said: "If we go by Garba’s pedestrian argument that woefully fails the acid test of logic and rigorous reasoning, why did Nigerians not pardon brilliant Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, who was accused of forging her NYSC Certificate, rather than pressurise and force her to resign her office?

"Why didn’t the Presidency trenchantly defend Mrs Adeosun, a Yoruba woman?

Who was more dangerous – a certificate forger, or a terrorist group sympathiser and supporter?

"Why support only Northern-Muslim Pantami?

What about the death of one young lad, Sunday Achi, who was said to have been killed due to his incendiary preachment? What about the consequential killings of Christians in Kaduna, Kano, Jos, Maiduguri, Katsina and other parts of the North, occasioned by his bigoted religious teachings?

"What did former CJN, Onnoghen do that made the Presidency rubbish, hound and hunt him out of office in a most premature, disgraceful and unconscionable manner?

"What was the offence of the #EndSars innocent protesters,

that were mindlessly and callously mauled down at the Lekki tollgate, even as they were harmlessly waving the Green-White-Green Nigerian flag in a peaceful protest?

Why does the Presidency perennially have a “siege mentality”? he asked.

Furthermore, Ozekhome queried: "Why does the Presidency forever play victimhood, when it is always the aggressor? Why do presidential spokespersons always scramble to outdo each other to beat Adolf Hitler’s Goebel to vile propaganda as exhibited during World War II? Why will the Presidency be defending a Minister? What is it hiding? Why weep more than the bereaved? I cannot understand, or can you?"

However, for continuing to support terrorist groups, Ozekhome said Pantami should be charged under section 5(2) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act. His words: "Pantami can be charged for terrorist activities, because terrorism includes 'support' for; and 'support' includes (in the words of the Act) 'incitement to commit a terrorist act through the internet or any electronic means or through the use of printed materials or through the dissemination of terrorist information'".

He, consequently, called on Pantami to honourably resign his ministerial appointment and 'save this clueless government of further infamy, calumny, obloquy and odium' He said: "Where he fails or refuses to do so (as I know he would), then President Buhari should sack him. Where Buhari refuses (as I know he would), then, any and every Nigerian or NGO that feels sufficiently concerned and aggrieved can approach the courts and ask for an Order of Mandamus, to compel the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar

Malami, to prosecute Pantami, by virtue of section 174 of the 199 Constitution.

"Every Nigerian has the right (locus standi) to do this. The Nigerian Supreme Court has laid this to rest as far back as 1981 in the causa celebre (celebrated case) of Senator Abraham Adesanya v. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1981) JELR 54679 (SC)."

PDP Accuses APC Leaders of Supporting Terrorism The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its leaders of a conspiratorial silence in the face of the worrisome revelation in which a member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, has been accused of affiliation with terrorist groups.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP stated that, "Our party asserts that this silence by the APC and its Leaders is a direct confirmation of APC's support and sympathy for acts of terrorism including the wanton mass killings, banditry, maiming, kidnapping and marauding, which have overtaken our landscape as a nation under its watch.

"We find it unthinkable that the APC as a party, and some of its leaders, who are going about grandstanding on their aspiration to further lead our nation, can be silent in the face of a major threat to our national security as well as our foundation as a nation.

"Our party had always drawn the attention of Nigerians to the manifest relationship and camaraderie between terrorist elements and APC leaders, including those angling to be President," the

PDP stated.

The party urged Nigerians to recall that the PDP had always urged the APC and its leaders to free the nation by returning the political mercenaries and thugs they imported to help them rig the 2019 elections.

Instead, the PDP said the APC has allowed their political mercenaries to continue to maraud the country, with Isa Pantami being accused of using his office to compromise the NIN registration exercise to register such aliens with a view to foisting them on the nation as citizens.

"Our party challenges the APC and its leaders to speak out by calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to relieve Isa Pantami of his office without further delay, clean up whatever compromises he may have made in the system and take further steps to protect our nation from terrorist activities," PDP posited.

Gombe APC Stands in Solidarity with Pantami The Caretaker Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State, Mr. Nitte K. Amangal has condemned the sustained campaign of calumny against the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami by some people he described as disgruntled and unpatriotic.

In a statement on behalf of the APC family in Gombe State, the party chairman expressed the belief that the bad narratives against Pantami were being pushed by enemies of progress of the nation and therefore urged the minister not to be deterred nor succumb to any form of Continued on page 12

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Dangote, Wale Tinubu, Others Donate N1.3bn for ICICE Mosque Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the Group Chief Executive officer of Oando Group, Adewale Tinubu yesterday made the highest individual donations towards the completion of the Al-Noor Masjid at the International Centre for Islamic Culture and Education (ICICE) in Wuse 2, Abuja.

While Dangote made a donation of N350 million, Tinubu donated N300million.

Over N1.3 billion was raised in two hours at the appeal fund that had in attendance the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy in Nigeria, Dr. Isa Pantami and Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.

Others were the Minister for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Musa Bello, NNPC GMD, Mele Kolo Kyari, former Minister of Finance and National Planning, Dr Shamsuddeen Usman, Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, the Religious Adviser, Al-Huda Satellite TV, Sheikh Mohammed Salah and the Grand Mufti of Zimbabwe, Sheikh Ismail Ibn Musa Menk.

The construction cost of the mosque is N3.15 billion while its completion time frame is 24 months. Upon completion, it would have a sitting capacity for 10,000 worshippers and will be fitted with a moderate cinema suite for viewing Islamic documentary and lecture, audio recording, conference facilities, printing press, video editing studio, several study areas for independent and

group research, language laboratory and library for journals, articles and electronic books. It will also serve as centre for inter-faith dialogue.

Other major donors were Abdulkabir Aliu, N200 million; AYM Shafa, N100m; the CEO of Waltersmith, Alhaji AbdulRazak Isa, N50m;

Saliu Buhari, N50m; ANG Petrochemical, N50m, Mele Kyari, N25m; Former FCT Minister, Dr Ibrahim Bunu, N20m, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar

N10.1 m, Senator Mohammad Dagash, N10m, MD Lubell, Saleh Mohammed N10m, Bala Uti, N10m and Tunde Folawiyo, N10m.

The Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu promised to supply all the cement required for the construction of the mosque.

ADEBOYE'S VISIT TO THE LAND OF PROMISE...

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel (right), receiving General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor E. A Adeboye on his arrival at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, for his Pastoral visit to the State...yesterday

STUDENTS’ KILLING: NIGERIA IS AT WAR, SOYINKA CRIES OUT abducted students of the Greenfield University, Kaduna was another indication that the country was at war.

This is as President Buhari mourned the brutal murder of the students describing their killing as a barbaric terror attack.

In the same vein, the Northern States Governors Forum, has expressed grief over the reported death of the students, describing it as shocking, barbaric and condemnable.

Soyinka, a renowned octogenarian playwright and poet, said with their killing, the already over-stretched sinews of moral restraint had been snapped off the casing of nation being, and that nothing was left but the collective wails of impotence.

He made these remarks in a statement yesterday in reaction to the brutal killing of the abducted varsity students, whose bodies were dumped close to the institution.

In the statement titled: “The Endless Martyrdom of Youth,” Soyinka said Abukakar Atiku had summed up the nation’s feeling, when he said, “This most recent savagery against our youth is heartbreaking.

“More than the heart is broken, however, more than millions of individual hearts that still lay claim to bonds in a common humanity,” the

Nobel laureate said with grief.

He said one’s greatest fear, with this latest feat of cowardly savagery, “is that the nation must brace itself for a Beslan scenario, yet strive to avoid Nigeria become Africa’s Chechnya.

“I envy no one the task ahead, terminating the toxic harvest of past derelictions.

Blame laying is for later. Right now is the question of – what needs to be done, and done urgently.

“We keep avoiding the inevitable, but that very unthinkable now hammers brutishly on our gates, the blood ransom arrogantly insatiable.

“This nation is at war, yet, we continue to pretend that these are mere birth-pangs of a glorious entity. They are death throes. Vultures and undertakers hover patiently but with full confidence,” he declared.

Soyinka noted that those who have been proven weak and incapable should learn to swallow their vain pride and seek help.

According to the Nobel laureate, “this is no new counseling. But of course, the dog that will get lost no longer heeds the hunter’s whistle.”

He further noted that the dogs of war “stopped merely baying years ago. Again and

again they have sunk their fangs into the jugular of this nation.”

“I grieve with the bereaved, but mourn even more for our youth so routinely sacrificed, burdened with uncertainty and traumatized beyond youth’s capacity to cope. To this government we repeat the public cry: Seek Help. Stop Improvising with Human Lives. Youth - that is, the future – should not serve as Ritual Offering on the altar of a failing State.

“Not for the first time, what many hoped was a Natural Law of Limitations has been contemptuously, defiantly breached. We need to remind ourselves of hideous precedents.

“We must remember Chibok. And Dapchi. And numerous antecedents and after, unpublicised, or soon relegated to the sump of collective amnesia. The wages of impunity never diminish, on the contrary, they distend,” he said.

Formally reacting to the development via a statement by one of his media aides, Garba Shehu, the president however declared that, "banditry, kidnapping and the politics of murders will be fought with all the resources available to our country".

He gave strong assurances that those that thought profits

could be made, either from money paid as ransom or in politics, “will realise sooner than later that they are bound by the same fate as their victims".

The president strongly condemned the killing of three of the students, even as he described the students as bright youngsters, who were cut down by evil people in their prime.

“My thoughts are with their families in this time of grief.

May their souls rest in peace,” said the President.

On the recurring incidents of kidnappings and killings in Kaduna State in particular, the President condemned them as “barbaric terror attacks,” and described as “unfortunate, the tenor of some political and religious leaders that seem to further incite and stoke the pain and anguish of mourning families,who are forced to confront these atrocities.

"Addressing this scourge requires a great show of empathy and coming together as a society to squarely confront these elements and the danger it poses to our democracy and peaceful life in the country.”

Nigerians on Friday reacted with shock and anger to the killing of three of the students of Greenfield University, Kaduna kidnapped by bandits

on Tuesday from the school.

The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, had in a statement yesterday morning, announced that the bandits shot dead three of the abducted students In announcing the killing of the three students, the Kaduna State government said, “In an act of mindless evil and sheer wickedness, the armed bandits, who kidnapped students of Greenfield University have shot dead three of the abducted students.

“The armed bandits on Tuesday night kidnapped an unspecified number of students at the institution located at Kasarami village off Kaduna-Abuja Road in Chikun LGA. “The remains of three students were found today (Friday), in Kwanan Bature village, a location close to the university and have been evacuated to a mortuary by the Commissioner, Internal Security and Home Affairs, and Force Commander, Operation Thunder Strike, Lt.Col. MH Abdullahi.

“Governor Nasir El-Rufai has condemned the killing of three students as sheer wickedness, inhumanity and an outright desecration of human lives by vile entities.”

The statement quoted the governor as saying, “the armed bandits represent the worst of humankind and must be fought at all cost for the violent wickedness they represent.”

Evil, the Governor further said, would not triumph over God-given humanity. He appealed to citizens to come together against the forces of darkness challenging national security and the very existence of the Nigerian state.

“The Governor, on behalf of the government and people of Kaduna State sent deep condolences and empathy to the students’ families and the university community, as he prayed for the repose of their souls.The Government will keep citizens informed of further developments”, Aruwan said.

The statement was, however, silent on the number of the students abducted.

Reacting too, Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong, in a statement said there was no justification whatsoever for the kidnap and murder of the innocent students, who were simply in school to study and prepare themselves for service to the nation, adding that action was an act of sheer wickedness that must not be allowed to go unpunished.

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IPOB Commander, Six Others Killed in Joint Military, Police Operation Army officer, 3 policemen lost Group confirms killing, says Imo governor will pay dearly Troops decimate 21 terrorists in Yobe Tobi Soniyi and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja A tactical team of the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, and Department of State Services (DSS), in a joint operation early Saturday morning, stormed the operational headquarters of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the military wing of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in Awomama, Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State, killing seven members of the group.

The Army said Ikonso Commander, who was said to be the commander of the IPOB military, was among the seven killed during an exchange of gunfire between government forces and ESN fighters.

An army officer and three policemen also died in the operation.

In a swift reaction to the attack, IPOB confirmed the killing of one of its commanders, but disputed the security agents’ claim that ESN operational headquarters was stormed. It said Ikonso was ambushed.

IPOB issued a stern warning to Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, saying he “will pay dearly” for the killing of one of its commanders.

In a related development, the military authorities said troops killed 21 terrorists in Geidam, Yobe State.

A statement by the Nigerian Army, signed by the Army spokesman, Brigadier-General Mohammed Yerima, said the operation in Imo State was launched in the early hours of Saturday following an intelligence report on the location of IPOB’s operational headquarters and the movement of the overall commander, popularly known as Ikonso Commander. It said the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Police and DSS team, along with troops of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, had been on the trail of the group since the attacks on the Imo State Police Command headquarters and the Owerri Correctional Centre on April 5.

The statement alleged that Ikonso Commander was the mastermind of the attacks, in addition to multiple attacks in the South-east and Southsouth.

The statement said, "The joint intelligence team had earlier interviewed several arrested IPOB/ESN terrorists in connection with the April 5 attacks and they all confessed that Ikonson Commander who was named as Vice President by their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and was the one that mobilised men and resources as well as ordered and orchestrated the attacks on Owerri.

"They equally revealed that Ikonson was responsible for many other attacks on police stations across the two geopolitical zones."

It said the intelligence team later "tracked the IPOB/ ESN top leader to his exact location in Awomama village where he (Ikonson) and his to commanders were hibernating and plotting dastardly acts against the Nigerian state.

"On noticing the presence of the joint operations team,

IPOB/ESN terrorists brought heavy volume of fire on the raiding team who swiftly responded and overwhelmed them with superior fire power that neutralised Ikonson and six of his top Commanders.

"Sadly however, a Second Lieutenant and three IRT operatives paid the supreme price in the fire fight that ensued. The four officers who fought gallantly have already been evacuated to a military facility in Owerri.”

The army statement said three AK 47 riffles, a Toyota Sienna van, and several other items of value, including drugs suspected to be psychotropic substances, were recovered and were being processed by the intelligence team to assist in further investigations and operations in the area.

The statement added, "The joint security team is already dominating the general area while preparations for further operations are in top gear. The neutralised Ikonson Commander had in several occasions posed for photographs with the fugitive

leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu."

The Army said the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru, commended the troops, the Police IRT, and DSS operatives for making the operation a success.

"The Nigerian Army along with other security agencies will sustain intelligence-based kinetic operations in the Southeast and South-south until the regions are free of terrorist activities," the statement said.

IPOB had denied being behind the attacks in Imo State.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, on Saturday, IPOB said, “The killing of the heroic innocent Biafrans protecting our communities and towns from Fulani terrorists herdsmen masquerading as cattle herders in cold blood is very painful.

“The Supreme Court Administrator of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, and all those who had a hand in this wickedness will pay dearly.

“Hope Uzodinma and his cowardly Nigerian security agencies that cannot confront Fulani terrorists but only flex

their muscles when they see Biafra agitators. For murdering Ikonso, the ESN (Eastern Security Network) unit commander in cold blood, Uzodinma has stirred the hornet nest! He should get ready for a sting.

“Uzodinma decided to kill Ikonso because he refused his offer to head Ebubeagu ghost security outfit formed

by South-east governors.

Uzodinma has tried but without success to lure ESN operatives into Ebubeagu. He had made irresistible offers to them, which were turned down, hence his resorting to elimination of these patriotic heroes who vowed never to betray Biafra.

“Hope Uzodinma sent a lot of emissaries to beg Ikonso and other ESN officers to join Ebubeagu security outfit. So, because of their refusal to betray Biafra agitation and our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the hopeless governor mobilised joint security forces to attack them today.

“Contrary to claims by the cowardly security forces who

flee from terrorists but kill innocent citizens, they were not able to penetrate into the camp of Eastern Security Network.

They only ambushed Ikonso but we promise them hell for this cowardly act!

“Hope Uzodinma has murdered sleep, so he should be ready to stay awake! Fulani terrorists pretending to be cattle sellers in Enugu destroyed police vans and attacked government officials on lawful duty with AK-47 but no army, police or DSS attacked them till now. But ESN operatives defending our communities against the terrorists are being hunted like games every day.

The world has kept quiet over this atrocity until we begin our own madness.”

Meanwhile, troops of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) currently conducting Operation Tura Takaibango inflicted heavy casualty on Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Geidam, the headquarters of Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State.

Gunmen kill Nine Persons in Nasarawa Farming Community Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, in the early hours of yesterday, attacked Ajimaka, a Tiv farming community in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, killing nine persons, while several others were reported missing.

The gunmen, who were said to be carrying sophisticated weapons, invaded the community at about 2:00am, shooting sporadically.

It was gathered that most of the victims were majorly women and children scampering to safety during

the invasion of the area by the suspected Fulani herdsmen.

An eyewitness gave names of some of the persons killed during the attack to include Tsekaa Chiatyo (m), Kwaghdoo Tsekaa (f), Sewuese Tsekaa (f), Bobo Chiatyo (m), Aondoseer Fidelis (m), Aboyi Aduku (m) and Mwuese Aseer (m).

President of Tiv Development Association (TIDA) in Nasarawa State, Comrade Peter Ahemba, confirmed the incident while speaking with journalists in Lafia and described the attack as both unprovoked and unfortunate.

He regretted that the attacks

on the Tiv people of the state, particularly, those living at the border areas between Benue and Nasarawa States have become a recurring decimal despite efforts by the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule and his Benue State counterpart, Samuel Ortom, to ensure lasting peace.

"Each time the Fulani herdsmen have issues relating to implementation of the anti-open grazing law by the Benue State government, they come and attack our (Tiv) people in Nasarawa State.

"We are indigenous Tiv people of Nasarawa State.

We are peace-loving people

and the Fulani herdsmen must stop attacking our people for things they know nothing about," he said.

He lamented that the ugly development has led to the displacement of thousands of Tiv farmers in the area, regretting that the incident was happening at a critical time farmers were set to commence the current farming season.

While acknowledging efforts by the Nasarawa sState government to ensure peace and security at the border areas of the state, the TIDA President appealed to the state government to direct

deployment of security operatives to the trouble area to forestall further breakdown of law and order.

He called on the Tiv people to remain calm and avoid taking laws into their hands despite the unprovoked attack as the state government was taking measures to restore normalcy.

When the Nasarawa State Police Command was contacted over the killings, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Nansel Ramhan, said the command was yet to receive any report on any occurrence of such from the area.

of his views now is that he has been serving as a minister while presumably still harboring those views.

His disagreement with Boko Haram does not absolve him of, at the very least moral culpability for supporting Al Qaeda and the Taliban.

“For this reason, Pantami should not continue to serve as a minister. For him to remain in his position, and for presidency to support this, is to tell Nigerians that we have two sets of standards from the very same government, one for the likes of former Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun, who had to resign for a wrongdoing in her past, and another for Pantami.

“This position of

presidency undermines public accountability, as well as Nigeria’s struggle against Terrorism. He should never have scaled the vetting process and being approved for that office. The implication of the timing of Pantami's recanting of his views now is that he has been serving as a minister while presumably still harboring those views.

"Two sets of standards from the very same government: one for the likes of former Finance Minister,Kemi Adeosun, who had to resign for a wrongdoing in her past, and another for Pantami. This position of @ NGRPresident undermines public accountability, as well as Nigeria's struggle," he stated.

PANTAMI: YOUR ARGUMENT IS PEDESTRIAN, OZEKHOME TELLS PRESIDENCY blackmail.

He said: "We commend the presidency and all the people of goodwill for coming out openly and boldly to defend the Minister against baseless accusations and attacks by individuals and organisations who do not mean well for Nigeria.”

According to the statement issued by Sabo Ibrahim, State Publicity Secretary, "We identify and stand in solidarity with our dear brother, Dr. Pantami, who is a very dutiful and faithful member of our great party as well as an illustrious son of Gombe. We, therefore, request all well-meaning party members to do so in the interest of our dear nation.

"We are very pleased and

proud of the achievements recorded by Dr. Pantami in his stewardship as federal cabinet member and believe that the smear campaign, which we are sure will not succeed, are not unconnected with the wonderful policies and reforms he has been carrying out in the ICT and digital economy sectors in the overall interest of the nation's security and wellbeing."

Moghalu Accuses Presidency of Double Standards A former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and a presidential candidate in the last general election, Kingsley Moghalu,

has accused the presidency of double standards in the matter involving the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, over his past radical Islamic views and supporting the Boko Haram terrorist group.

While accusing the presidency of setting two criteria for officials serving in the same government, Moghalu said the minister should just go.

Moghalu, in several tweets yesterday said Pantami should be sacked, wondering how he passed through the Department of State Security (DSS) screening before he became a minister.

The former deputy governor of CBN contended that Pantami should never have

scaled the vetting process and approved for that office.

He reiterated that the presidency exhibited double standards as Kemi Adeosun, a former minister of finance, was made to resign for a wrongdoing in her past.

“I have refrained so far from commenting on the #Pantami controversy. From information available: anyone can a mistake, and has the right to recant from it. But when the evidence shows that a serving minister of Nigeria has expressed open support for global terrorist groups, he should never have scaled the vetting process and been approved for that office.

“The implication of the timing of Pantami’s recanting

SUNDAY APRIL 25, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 25, 2021

OPINION

ORTOM'S EXAMPLE IN SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER Adams Abonu writes that Nigerians await other leaders with Ortom’s strength of character

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ny reasonable analysis of recent issues within the body polity would readily refer to Samuel Ortom, Benue State Governor; as a man who has come to assume the face of the champion of those who are not afraid to speak truth to the powers across Nigeria.

As governor of the predominantly agrarian Benue, Ortom's predisposition as the protector of the fertile valley is unparalleled. As a Nigerian with a national outlook, Benue's governor has demonstrated through his public interventions that he is committed to ensuring that Nigeria works for her people regardless of any parochial sentiments or political considerations.

Consider the raging friction between Fulani herdsmen and their host communities that has taken an unimaginable toll on lives and property and the courageous strides of the governor to remind federal powers of their statutory responsibility to secure Benue.

Though the recurrent skirmishes between herdsmen, who are mainly of Fulani preoccupation, and indigenous crop farmers predate the days of Ortorm's stewardship, that he has risen to the occasion and constituted his authority as a shield for his people against the rampaging excesses of supposed cattle rearers and numerous criminal pretenders bent on robbing local people of their ancestral land, is worthy of mention.

It defines the essential character of the man at the helm of affairs in Benue. Upon the inauguration of a new dispensation in Benue on 29 May 2015, there was already a gathering national outcry about the dangerous attitude of Fulani pastoralists who deprive host communities of livelihood by criminally sabotaging their farms and lives in a somewhat futile bid to establish some dominance.

Benue State, widely acclaimed for her fertile soils and nourishing vegetation, remains a coveted asset to many.

This has been at the heart of the crisis between the two sides - a struggle between balancing the excesses of the

herdsmen and the basics needs of the local farmer.

Governor Ortom has risen through ranks of the Benue society and established for himself a name in national reckoning set about correcting the dangerous tides, which has won him both resentment and admiration in unequal measures.

With the dangerous transmutation of the excess of Fulani herdsmen into a criminal enterprise that makes the lives and livelihood of every Nigerian a bargaining item, the Ortom has once again risen to the occasion and assumed a voice of conscience. Having seen the harbinger of what the dastardly attack on his people would eventually assume, Ortom became a major rallying point when he called the attacks what they should be called: a matter of urgent national importance. In addressing this menace, the government sponsored the Open Grassing Prohibition Law through the Benue State House of Assembly with the support of the people. That this solution-seeking legislation has become a model across many states of the federation should be a policy message to those at the realm of federal might.

As the outrageous elements within the folds of Fulani herders across the length and breadth of Nigeria mutate into a monster called banditry and criminal brigandage, what the country needs right away are people who are not afraid to whip national sentiments towards salvaging the already protracted imbroglio.

Ortom's strength of character, measured by his disciplined approach to the national malaise of insecurity, is the needed ingredient of national salvation at this point in Nigeria's socio-political trajectory

The cords that hold Nigeria's unity together in a firm resolve have been assaulted by the excesses of the criminal elements masquerading as Fulani herdsmen.

Every people of conscience should rise to this ominous occasion.

The fallout of the raging insecurity occasioned by the grandstanding of bandits and terrorists manifests in the common existence of the Nigerian people, and any voice that seeks to cry against the common enemy is a voice of reason. While no interest can deny Benue its rightful status as the nation's food basket, it behooves anyone interested in the existence of Nigeria as a united entity to gather against what is becoming a daily harvest of innocent lives cut short mostly unawares.

The recent worrisome inflation in the prices of staple food items, the increasing unease in the entire populace, and not the least, the widespread apprehension are manifestations of a nation in travail, and all hands must be on deck to save the soul of this giant of Africa.

President Buhari-led federal government recently heeded some aspects of Governor Ortom's admonitions viz-a-viz the illegitimate claim of herdsmen to possess dangerous arms capable of a wide-scale massacre. While it remains unclear if the government is sincerely committed to the charge, Ortom's call to conscience has reverberated. Governor Ortom's strength of character, measured by his disciplined approach to the national malaise of insecurity, is the needed ingredient of national salvation at this point in Nigeria's socio-political trajectory and stands as an enduring legacy of his colourful political career.

It is encouraging to see that the good people of Benue appreciate this statesmanship and have made their governor a champion of their collective interest. What is left is the willingness of the political leadership to heed this worthy example.

––Abonu wrote from Asokoro, Abuja via adamsabonu@gmail.com.

Why Aren’t Nigerians Curious About The New PIB? There are still many unanswered questions around the bill, writes Gimba Kakanda

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n January, when representatives of oil-producing communities converged at the National Assembly for a public hearing on the controversial Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), they turned the venue into a wrestling ring. The visitors from Niger Delta were in Abuja to clarify their interests in the bill and protest perceived injustice by the federal government and oil companies. Among their demands was a 10% equity shareholding in the oil companies operating in their communities.

This was against the provision of the bill, which provides for the creation of Petroleum Host Communities Fund (PHCF) to grant the victimized people 2.5% of the oil companies’ actual operating expenditure for the preceding year.

Even though there’s already the vastly under-utilized and misappropriated 13% Derivation Fund, a subsisting law that addresses community funding, I’m more curious about the provision in PIB that tasks oil-producing communities with first-line protection of oil facilities. This is a responsibility in which the military, the Police and the Civil Defence have failed, and yet with no state official hounded for paving way for the volatility of the oil-rich region. This, again, is the government admitting to lacking the monopoly on violence in a bill designed to strengthen institutions that govern Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

The bill also presents a series of paradoxes that merely reflect the familiar Nigerian dysfunction. The agitation for 10% equity shares in mostly foreign-owned oil companies that already pay tax to Nigeria, although an unrealistic expectation, is an outcome of our perennial mismanagement of the trust and fund of these host communities. So, the proposed community funding, although a fair demand, is a telling indictment of the managers of the 13% derivation fund designed to salvage the Niger Delta. The probe of NDDC MD, Daniel Pondei, on the mismanagement of N40 billion gave us an idea of what has happened to the region, as also underlined by the large-scale corruption of their leaders.

What the framers of the bill don’t seem to have acknowledged is the critical role of the disasters called Nigerian politicians in building strong institutions in Nigeria. With the same cast of politicians in charge of affairs, this proposed disbanding of existing oil-administering bodies is akin to a mere change of acronyms. The problem of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, aside from the technical aspects of it being utterly inaccessible by the public, is the persistent political interference and quality of the citizenry. The citizens don’t get to ask tough questions to

understand and oppose the grand corruption that drives the industry. For instance, in its 43 years of operation, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) only got to publish its first-ever audited financial accounts last year. This is a frightening realization.

The PIB, officially titled “A Bill for an Act to Provide Legal, Governance, Regulatory and Fiscal Framework for the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, the Development of Host Community and for Related Matters”, proposes to also disband the existing governing institutions, especially NNPC and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR). These two entities aren’t the same and have functioned separately in the pre-PIB oil sector. DPR is the main regulator of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, and tasked with licensing and permits, while NNPC mostly represents the country’s commercial interests in the oil market along with limited regulatory functions.

But this restructuring of the oil and gas governing institutions undermines the intelligence of Nigerians in a way.

One, PIB proposes two regulators, the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (the Commission) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (the Authority) to take over the functions previously performed by DPR. This is ironic in a sense, for DPR, as simply explained by my good friend and oil industry insider, Suraj Oyewale, “does to oil and gas industry, what CBN does to banks – oversight.”

Despite the size and sophistication of Nigeria’s financial sector, he explained in our conversation around PIB, the Central Bank of Nigeria hasn’t been disintegrated into different organizations to focus on the operations of commercial banks, micro-finance banks and the fast-expanding FinTech separately. This has always been the trouble with Nigeria, the mindset of always rushing to create a committee and duplicate or redundant agency to address a social or bureaucratic dysfunction even though the problem has been the frailty of existing institutions all along.

Secondly, the so-called commercialization of the NNPC shouldn’t excite the public. The privatization template proposed in the current version of the bill, with the loss-accruing corporation assuming a commercial status, isn’t privatization in the sense most understood by Nigerians. The proposed incorporation of NNPC as a limited liability company under the Company and Allied Matter Act does not imply that the

shares are available for the public or private enterprises as hastily assumed by those who’ve compared the new firm to the massively successful Saudi Aramco or even the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited.

The concern about this commercialization of the NNPC is the uncertainty of its shareholding structure, especially because the corporation has existed as a cash cow of the government and yet there’s no feasible alternative to Nigeria’s monthly revenue inflow. Even if entirely owned by the government, NNPC limited, like any company, shall be based on dividends, which aren’t a monthly business.

So, where does a country that’s relied almost entirely on the proceeds of oil intend to source money while it awaits dividends? Perhaps there’s something the politicians aren’t saying. Only 49% of NLNG, for instance, is owned by Nigeria (NNPC), with the other shares belonging to Shell (25.6%), Total (15%) and Eni (10.4%).

The workability of the reforms proposed in the PIB is one that Nigeria must pay attention to, and it’s embarrassing that there are these many unanswered questions around the bill after 20 years of frustrating attempts to adopt it. Reorganizing the industry, which is largely a mere change of acronyms in some areas, is the easiest part of the process. How has Nigeria managed the previous governing institutions and are we importing a new cast of politicians and experts to run the new organizations or mind their business and allow the industry to optimize its functions this time around?

PIB is, no doubt, a desirable quest for transparency and efficiency in the Oil and Gas sector, but we can’t build a mansion on the bank of an island without a solution to declared flooding of the areas. The bill can’t redeem the conditions of the oil-producing communities that have been governed by corrupt politicians who misappropriated funds earmarked for their redemption. Unless the institutions are strengthened to resist political interferences, scrapping the existing regulatory bodies is just a ceremonial or futile exercise. The problem isn’t the size of the oversights before the regulators, it’s the corruption of the political class and the undermining of these governing agencies.

But, ultimately, the heightened interest of Nigerians in the operations of this industry and the components of PIB itself is highly required.

––Kakanda wrote from Abuja

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 25, 2021

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LETTERS

SOCIAL MEDIA AND MOB JUSTICE

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once witnessed a macabre execution – early 2000s.

It was a quotidian day in Onitsha – except for a sudden alarm jarring everyone grinding away in the day’s humdrum. Thief! Thief!

Swiftly, commuters, traders and idlers became vigilantes. They encircled a young man and bludgeoned him until he was lifeless. No questions asked.

No trial. No justice – but jungle injustice.

There is a ‘’SARS’’ in some Nigerians; reservoirs of cynicism, misanthropy and bigotry. These ones see other people through the bifocals of their own vile existence. Just like SARS, the notorious but disbanded police unit, profiles young Nigerians with tattoo branding and dreadlocks, this category of Nigerians reduces every individual to an offender. You are guilty without charges, convicted and summarily sentenced – by the self-appointed rogue jury! That predilection for exacting jungle (in)justice

on alleged offenders in the streets is very much the same on Nigeria’s social media platforms – where you expect to find refined people above the stratum of ‘’agberos’’. It is all the same – in the streets and on social media district.

Nigerian Twitter, in particular, is a toxic locale – defiant to order and devoid of joy. There is that proclivity for ‘’gotcha gotcha’’. It is always about ‘’dragging this person or that person’’. I must say, very angry creatures take residence there.

It may be fun and games until you are a victim of this ferocious social media mob. I recall when Segun Adeniyi, senior journalist and author, was a casualty of this ruthless horde over a book he wrote.

He was tyrannised until he apologised and withdrew copies of the book. There have been many other victims but some felt so overwhelmed that they took an exit from humanity.

I recall the story of Ariyo

Olanrewaju Taiwo – a man who suffered depression – in 2017. He expressed suicidal thoughts on Facebook but was bullied and taunted. He committed suicide afterwards.

Social media, which ordinarily should be a crucible for ideas, conviviality, networking, and seminal exchanges, has become a belvedere where some people exhibit their hate, bigotry, insecurities, and prejudices with disinhibition.

A few days ago, Japheth Omojuwa, the digital media entrepreneur, was the whipping boy of these internet infestations. They clobbered, scratched and gored him with pitchforks and daggers, even throwing dynamites into the mix. Much of their grouse with the gentleman was the side he chose to support in the 2015 election. They seized a moment to creep out of their crevices and forgotten neck of the woods to extract a toll. I have never seen such virulence and turpitude on social media before.

I have been a casualty of this brood of calumniators myself. I am unfazed by the trolling on social media. I have developed impermeability to ‘’praises and curses’’ on social media. I am comatose to what happens there. But somehow, these maligners find my mobile phone number and keep me under siege for hours and days with a fusillade of attacks and curses. This bothers me because it is an intrusion of my personal space. I wake up at 4am deleting hate messages.

We are a nation of extremists. A violent people. When you stray from the single narrative promoted by some compromised persons, you become an enemy pencilled down for demolition. Is this not a tyranny of opinion?

How did we become so vile, unfeeling, and sadistic? The beauty of intellection is in the variety and robustness of opinions. Why must everyone submit to a lone account – even if it is falsehood? Why should everyone

THE SOUTH-EAST DESCENT INTO ANARCHY

T

he Southeast, which is composed of five states, is one of the geopolitical zones that make up the Lugardian contraption called Nigeria.

The southeast is one of the legs of the tripod on which Nigeria rests. The Igbo people, who inhabit the zone, are predominantly Christians and practitioners of African traditional religion. The culture of the Igbo people during the pre-colonial era is encapsulated in Chinua Achebe’s anthropological novels; Elechi Amadi’s The Concubine; and other literary works.

And, from their forebears, today’s Igbo people inherited rich cultural heritage, which they are still upholding till now. Colonial rule, which the Igbo people experienced, couldn’t obliterate their culture. And people of Igbo extraction, such as Nnamd i Azikiwe, Nwafor Orizu, Mokwugo Okoye, Osita Agwuna, and others fought tirelessly for the political emancipation of Nigeria. Nnamdi Azikiwe played a pivotal rule in the decolonization of Africa. But when Nigeria got political independence, the British colonial overlords helped in the enthronement of the Hausa/Fulani political hegemony in Nigeria.

So, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa defeated his political betters like Obafemi Awolowo and Nnamdi Azikiwe to become the Prime Minister of Nigeria. However, he was overwhelmed by the political trouble in the western region.

Consequently, he was killed in a bloody military putsch executed by soldiers, who had revolutionary bent. Because the north’s top military brass and leading politicians were killed while Igbo top politicians were spared, it was tagged an Igbo coup.

Consequently, there was a counter-coup in July 1966,

which led to the genocidal decimation of the Igbo people in the north. So, the country descended into a civil war following the failure of the secessionist Biafra and the federal government to reach a truce.

The secessionist Biafra, which was led by Lt. Col. Emeka Ojukwu, lost the war.

And, since the end of the civil war, efforts are being made to re-integrate the Igbo people into Nigerian society and into our country’s mainstream political parties. But have other Nigerians forgiven the Igbo people for fighting a secessionist war? No, they have not forgiven the Igbo people for fighting a secessionist war.

Today, the Igbo people living outside the southeast zone in Nigeria are stereotyped as bad people. And other Nigerians treat them with utter distain and suspicion. Worst still, they have not been receiving a fair deal in the country. They are marginalized in Nigeria’s scheme of things. And, they are treated as second class citizens in the country to which they’ve been contributing their quotas for its development. The sidelining of eminently qualified people of Igbo extraction and the injustices that are meted out to Igbo people have caused the resurgence and resurrection of the pro-Biafra separatist rhetoric and sentiments.

Today, Nnamdi Kanu’s proscribed IPOB has members, who are ready and willing to execute the IPOB agenda. In the past, before its proscription, the southeast had quaked with violent protests carried out by IPOB members.

Although the group has been proscribed, it has formed the Eastern Security Network (ESN). ESN is charged with protecting forests in the southeast. We all know that the Fulani cattle herders live in forests, the place from which they launch attacks on people.

And, till now, there is no let-up in the Fulani’s herders’ pillaging of farmlands in the southeast. In addition, they had raped defenseless women and killed farmers who barred them from entering their farmlands.

These atrocious deeds committed by Fulani cattle herders have scarred the southeast landscape and underlined the necessity of having a security outfit that can complement the efforts of the police personnel.

So, the southeast governors had collaborated and birthed a regional security outfit called Ebube Agu. Ebube Agu, which could be likened to the Yorubas’ Amotekun, should be given legal teeth to perform the functions for which it is created. But can Ebube Agu solve the southeast security challenges?

Now, the southeast has become a theatre of a mini-war. It has come under siege what with the violent bloody happenings unfolding in the region with ceaseless rapidity. Now, policemen in the southeast are endangered species. Unknown gunmen do stalk and kill them. And police stations are not spared the assault and attack by the assailants.

In Anambra State, a governorship aspirant on APGA platform and former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, was attacked by gunmen while presiding over a youth meeting at Isuofia, Anambra State. Three policemen guarding him were killed in that attack. And the Zone 13 Police headquarters in Ukpo, Anambra State came under attack, too. Two of the policemen who engaged the attackers in a gun duel were killed.

In Enugu and Abia States, there were incidences of brutal and fatal attacks on police stations and police personnel resulting in deaths of police-

men and destruction of police buildings. In Imo State, not only were police stations and police personnel attacked but also a correctional centre was overrun by the rampaging gunmen, leading to thousands of the inmates escaping from the facility. In Ebonyi State, herdsmen had sacked towns with impunity.

And the state has witnessed and experienced coordinated attacks on police stations and police personnel.

But the incidences of attack on police officers and the destruction of police buildings may not abate soon. The masterminds and executioners of brutal attacks on police officers and destruction of police stations have not been unmasked, not to talk of knowing their motives for carrying out the bloody campaigns. Now, the frequency of the attack is alarming, and it can cause the incapacitation of police officers, if the perpetrators of the heinous deeds are not found quickly.

Now, it is evident that the entire southeast is being enveloped and thrown into a cataclysm of unremitting violence, which can cause an anarchic situation. The area is being turned into a river of blood with dire consequences.

And nobody is unaware that anarchic condition and national development are mutually exclusive. Development is put in abeyance in a country that has bloody conflicts.

The governors of the southeast states should settle their political differences, band together, and proffer solutions to the security challenges besetting the area. If no urgent action is taken to address the matter, the southeast may become like the northeast of Nigeria, sooner than later.

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

Lai Muhammed, Minister of Information anyone and anything that hold the same opinion? What does not agree with us? is happening on Nigerian I think we need to be social media is akin to the Dark Ages where people were having conversations on ways of mitigating the perils of hanged for having contrary this Frankenstein technology. opinions. And the Dark Opinions on social media can Ages was a blot on humanbe bought and ammunitioned ity – because knowledge was forbidden. We are in an era of against anyone. We cannot intellectual darkness in Nigeria discount the veritable place of social media but the evolving where all opinions must be trend of sponsored prejudiced unitary and must conform to opinions is leading to a certain ethnic and religious dictatorship of narratives. prejudices.

We are all potential victims Some of the loudest voices of mob (in)justice. The mob accusing others of extremism runs Nigeria’s social media. are themselves extremists, You either fall in line with the who ambush and savage governing narrative or risk contrary opinions. It must be their way or the Milky Way to violence. This mob rule has to end. assaults and threats.

How did we become so –Fredrick Nwabufo, pugnacious that we will tear fredricknwabufo@yahoo.com.

M AKING NIGERIA M ALARIA-FREE

A

s a little girl, growing up in a rural community, you have to struggle to survive, in an environment where life treats you the hard way. My parents wanted a good life, but everything didn't go as planned. It was difficult growing up in a rural community where stagnant water is everywhere, an environment where mosquitoes have comfortable homes to breed. My mother whose priority is her children, is always concerned about the health and well-being of us, she made sure we always sleep under treated mosquito net. But I felt it was a cage. I wasn't comfortable sleeping under a mosquito net.

With time, I started getting used to it. As a child I was ignorant of what my mother was doing, I never knew she was protecting us from the deadly malaria disease. Through my mother, I learnt how to help prevent malaria and how to save lives.

Malaria is a life - threatening disease worldwide. It is a deadly disease caused by the female anopheles Mosquito. It affects both children and adults around the world. Children and pregnant women are most

at risk. It has jeopardised the economy and health sector of the nation, people die every day from malaria.

But malaria is a noncontagious disease which can be curbed. In other to tackle the disease, Nigeria needs proper planning in distribution of health workers, drugs and information.

Provision and distribution of bed nets can prevent mosquito bites, and insecticides will help prevent malaria. But distributing these things won't eliminate the disease completely, it will only reduce the spread. But creating awareness among the people, educating them about the deadly disease, and also training them on how to dispose waste properly and creating drainage system to prevent mosquitoes from breeding will help tackle malaria.

This World Malaria Day is to mark and celebrate the successes and collective effort put together to fight malaria. I hope our leaders will make more effort to improve the health facilities to make Nigeria “Zero Malaria.” Let's work together and draw the line against malaria.

––Maryam Buba, Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri.

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APRIL 25, 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

THE CHALLENGE OF INTERNAL DISPLACEMENTS Internally displaced persons are increasingly becoming desperate. They need shelter from the storm

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he scale of forced displacements in the Northeast is triggering a complex humanitarian emergency. Last week some 65,000 people fled Damasak in the fringes of Lake Chad, Borno State, after series of attacks which claimed many lives. The insurgents looted and burnt private homes, warehouses of humanitarian agencies, police stations and health centres. The attacks were a setback for Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum who had been striving hard to return almost two million displaced persons to their ancestral homes. More disturbing is the situation in Chad following the killing last week, by rebels, of President Idriss Deby and the power struggle that is bound to ensue in the weeks With thousands of and months ahead. peoplesleepingin The Damasak the open and others attacks affirmed the in overcrowded alarm raised last week places, the by the United Nations High Commission for conditions of the IDPsaredire,harsh Refugees (UNHCR) over rising cases of displaceandincreasingly ment caused by escalating becomingcritical. insecurity in the country.

Foodisrationed The UNHCR Representaandaccesstobasic tive to Nigeria, Ms Chansa hygiene and health Kapaya, said while the relentless violence in the servicesislimited North-East and North-West continues to cause mass suffering and displacement in the region, the agency is increasingly finding it difficult to cope as it is struggling to adequately respond to the growing humanitarian needs. According to the spokesman for the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Jens Laerke, agencies were forced to shut down because of targeted attacks against aid workers.

“Humanitarian aid operations and facilities are the lifeline of people in northeast Nigeria who depend on our assistance to survive”, said Laerke, adding that the violent attacks on Damasak will affect the support of nearly 9,000 internally displaced people and 76,000 others in the host communities.

There is no doubt that the challenge of the internal

Letters to the Editor

displacement is growing across the country but more especially in the North. Last year the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) reckoned that 1.9 people were displaced in the North-east, with 60 per cent of them vulnerable children. Unfortunately, many more are fleeing relentless attacks in Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara, Yobe, and Adamawa States.

Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, has become one huge displacement centre. With thousands of people sleeping in the open and others in overcrowded places, the conditions of the IDPs are dire, harsh and increasingly becoming critical. Food is rationed and access to basic hygiene and health services is limited.

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

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

hat seems to have worsened the situation is the Covid-19 pandemic which has affected sources of supply. Lack of safe water, poor sanitation and waste management, constitute a major problem as they promote communicable diseases and make life unbearable. The challenges are accentuated by the ineffectiveness of the several agencies of government saddled with the responsibility of soothing the pains of the IDPs, and massive corruption. There are also reports of the startling abuses to which women and girls are subjected in the camps. Some criminal security personnel whose primary task is to guard and provide support for the displaced persons demand sexual gratifications from women and girls in exchange for food and other favours. Besides, some of the people in the IDP camps suffer from post-traumatic stress disorders. Many children born in these camps do not have access to education, placing their future at risk.

The dire situation of the displaced persons is amply captured in a recent report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: “The vulnerable host populations are in critical need of humanitarian interventions that include food, water, sanitation, protection, education, shelter and health services.” Unfortunately, many of the aid givers who largely sustain livelihoods in the camps are dangerously overstretched. A shortage of cash is the biggest problem. Last week, Ms Kapaya said funding had been grossly inadequate, adding that the UN agency had received only 10 per cent out of the $96.4 million it needs in 2021.

While government should do its bit, we also appeal to all critical stakeholders in the private sector, donor agencies, NGOs and others to help in tackling the diminishing quality of life in the IDP camps. We cannot abandon the most vulnerable of our citizens at their hour of need.

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.

AREGBESOLA AND SCARCITY OF INTERNATIONAL PASSPORTS

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cross the globe, emerging technologies and innovation continue to affect day-to-day activities, from the way people communicate to the way organisations carry out their activities. With this trend, it’s safe to project that digital technology will further transform the working environment of Nigeria Immigration Service in the next 10 years.

To address the problem of scarcity of international passport, Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Interior has commenced decentralisation of international passports in the 774 local government areas. The process started with inauguration of Passports Express Centre at Maitama District, Abuja.

International passports, according to the minister, will now be

available within 24 hours nationwide under the new Maitama Passport Express Centre (MPEC).

Aregbesola said: “MPEC is in response to the yearnings of the general public for the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service to devise additional ways that the passport issuance process can be less stressful and more efficient. It is the future. The goal is to have a facility like this in every local government in the country. Every Nigerian has the right to a Nigerian passport and it is our responsibility to put it in the hands of anyone desirous of it within the shortest possible time, without stress. The passport should be available in maximum of 72 hours of a successful application. Where there are issues, the applicant must be notified within 48 hours”.

Recently, the Minister of

Interior commissioned the Nigeria Immigration Service Passport Express Centre, Maitama, Abuja which is established in partnership with the private sector. It is a first of many more to be established and designed to offer specialized services to Nigerians.

Every Nigerian has the right to a Nigerian passport and it is the responsibility of the ministry to put it in the hands of anyone desirous of it within the shortest possible time.

A centre like this is necessary to reduce stress. Secondly, by minimising human contact, it eliminates the prospect of corruption. The centre will offer value added service to all Nigerians, irrespective of their status; socially, politically and economically. This implies that the centre will serve the passport needs of Nigerians who may be desirous of

premium services. This is in line with international best practice, and also in conformity with the Executive Order One on the ease of doing business in Nigeria which was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2017.

Earlier in March, President Buhari commissioned the Data Management Centre of the agency. Not long ago, NIS presented the electronic temporary passport for Nigerians abroad that do not have the regular passports but a one-way travel document to return to Nigeria. Then again, last week, the annual report of the agency was presented to the public. For this and more, the NIS deserves commendation.

Rauf Aregbesola commissioned the Nigeria Immigration Service Passport Express Centre on 30th March, 2021. It is an electronic document and has all the features of a regular passport, but it is temporary and valid for one trip and will be retrieved from the user at the entry point. It is a replacement for the

hitherto Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) which was issued to Nigerians in emergency situations where their passports were not available and had need to travel to Nigeria. The old paper ETC is non-electronic.

This new document is not a replacement for the Nigerian Passport, it will only serve a temporary purpose in the case of loss or misplacement of the Nigerian Passport by a Nigerian abroad. The temporary passport is ICAO compliant and is valid for 30 days.

It is a consolidation of the digitization efforts of the operations of NIS to further strengthen its collaboration with other security agencies for effective border security of the country. In light of the present security challenges, the temporary passport will no doubt help to checkmate criminal elements that take advantage of the ETC to infiltrate the country.

––Inwalome Donald, Abuja.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 25, 2021

BUSINESS

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

Renewed Move to Finance Safe Schools The federal government has initiated a coordinated approach to financing and implementing an integrated safe schools programme across the country, which is government-led and is tailored to the current realities. Ndubuisi Francis reports that a comprehensive and effective plan of action is desirable to stem the current spate of abductions in schools in the northern part of the country

Ahmed

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rior to the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nigeria accounted for approximately 20 per cent of the global out-of-school population. With an estimated 13 million children currently out of school in the country, Nigeria sits in the precipice of a socio-economic disaster and a full education crisis, if there is no coordinated action to stop the current wave of systematic attacks on the fundamental rights of children to a safe learning environment.

Parents are increasingly more nervous about sending their children, and particularly their young girls to school, with some opting to withdraw existing students.

This troubling statistics pose a major danger both in the present and near future.

The Safe Schools Initiative Following the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls by Boko Haram from a secondary school in Chibok, Borno State the then federal government alongside the then United Nations Special Envoy

Emefiele

for Global Education, and one-time British Prime Minister, Dr. Gordon Brown, and several development partners and private sector stakeholders launched the Safe Schools Initiative (SSI).

This was in April 2014 when Nigeria hosted the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Abuja.

The SSI, which was initially implemented in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states was generally designed to: Facilitate the transfer of students from high risk areas to safe schools; Provide education in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and other affected communities; * Ensure the rehabilitation of school security infrastructure, while also implementing community-driven security processes.

A national Safe Schools Fund was established in 2015 to aggregate funding from the federal government, private sector and donor communities.

While some level of progress has been made through the SSI and other programmes, there is still a long way to go, and there is need to reimagine, institutionalise, and scale up the safe schools programmes.

Financing Safe Schools and Safe

Emefiele

Learning Communities Current realities characterised by the spate of abductions in schools across the three geo-political zones of the north, and the growing apathy among parents to allow their children and wards to go to school have thrown up fresh challenges.

In a bid to stem the tide, the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning on Tuesday organised a high-level dialogue on “Financing Safe Schools: Creating Safe Learning Communities”.

The well-attended event which drew stakeholders from all strata of the society within and outside the country was aimed at initiating a process towards renewing and reimagining commitment to maintaining learning environments that are safe, secure and that protect the dignity of children, teachers, and school administrators.

Participants were the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard; a former British Prime Minister, Dr. Gordon Brown; governors, ministers, all the Service Chiefs, United Nations (UN) agencies, development partners, donor agencies, and the Organised Private Sector (OPS), among others.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed,

who set the ball rolling, noted that the dialogue was an opportunity to come together to renew and reimagine the country’s commitment to ensuring safe schools for the children.

This process, she said, must be government-led, must be strategic, and must result in a multi-stakeholder framework and plan of action that ensures that any planning done is sustainably financed.

Ahmed noted that financing is a critical enabler to maintaining safe and secure Schools.

She stressed: “It goes without saying that financing is critical to the successful implementation of any proposed interventions that come out of today’s dialogue. We in government recognise that to make the critical investments necessary to sustainability secure our schools and ensure a holistic and community-centered approach to safe schools programmes, we must address the longstanding challenge of domestic revenue mobilisation. This process is already ongoing through the implementation of fiscal reforms, including Finance Acts 2019 and 2020.

“Today’s dialogue recognises the need for decisive action and for a coordinated approach to the financing and imple-

18

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 25, 2021

BUSINESS The Renewed Move to Finance Safe Schools

Leanard

Brown

Fayemi

Rufai

mentation of an integrated safe schools programme across the country, which is government-led and is tailored to the current realities on ground.

“Our citizens are looking to us to lead the way, and we must heed the call to action, and we must all work together to realize the promise of safe school environments.”

The minister lamented that the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic crisis have posed unprecedented challenges globally, including Nigeria.

She observed that while the government has been proactive in response to the pandemic, establishing and implementing the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) and other interventions (including the scaling up of social safety net programmes, and increased investments in health and education), the pandemic has deepened insecurity across the country.

This, she added, had resulted in an alarming spate of school attacks and mass kidnappings, stressing that , “These actions are a direct attack on our children’s fundamental human rights to “an education without fear of violence or attack,” as described in the Safe Schools Declaration, to which Nigeria is a signatory.”

The minister recalled that Nigeria was in fact among the first 37 UN member states to endorse the Declaration.

The UN Special Envoy on Global Education and former British Prime Minister, Dr. Gordon Brown, who joined the dialogue virtually, said he was excited to be part of the discussions on the Safe Schools Initiative.

He regretted that Nigeria accounts for 20 per cent of the world’s out-of-school children, warning that a full-blown education crisis was brewing.

Brown noted that if nothing was done within and outside Nigeria to arrest the drift, a future of regrets would ensue He recalled that way back in 2014, following the abduction of over 200 Chibok schoolgirls, the idea of “safe schools started from investments from diverse business fellowships for education across the globe and supported by the charity, raising funding from business meetings, governments and government donors.”

Brown assured that such donors were still ready and willing to help in the latest move to re-energise the initiative, adding that the Safe School Initiative was able to help 2,400 students relocate from high-risk areas in some of the states to 43 unity schools.

He stated that since 2014, over 1,300 school children had been abducted and were yet to return.

Abductions/Insecurity and Strategies The first panel discussion which dwelt on the “Economic and Social Impact of

Insecurity” had the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai as one of the panelists.

El-Rufai, who provided the synopsis of insecurity in his state with special reference to the recent abductions in schools, said the target of kidnappers and bandits were usually girls and those living in boarding schools.

He restated his opposition to negotiation with, and payment of ransom to bandits, saying the federal government should apprehend and kill the outlaws.

He argued: “Nobody living in the forest is innocent, and we must kill them all. The Chief of Air Staff has been doing well and this has led to a reduction in the activities of bandits in recent times.”

While prescribing the acquisition of drones in addition to aircraft in the fight against insecurity, he explained that the only way to discourage banditry was to stop negotiating with them and paying ransom, but to completely wipe them out.

The governor who stated that part of the measures to address the abduction of students was the erection of perimeter fencing, disclosed that before the recent spate of abductions in the state, a risk assessment carried out showed that 42 secondary schools were at risk.

According to him, 10 of them were immediately closed, leaving 32 following assurances by security agencies to provide quick response during emergencies.

He said there was the need to invest more in the security agencies, adding that they require superior firepower to overwhelm the criminals.

El-Rufai pointed out that governors should be accorded a level of control over the police to be able to effectively handle security challenges.

Speaking in another panel discussion, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Lucky Irabor, pledged the support of the military for the Safe Schools Initiative and other measures to tackle the general insecurity in the land.

He, however, appealed to the media to be more responsible in their reportage of security issues, regretting that the narratives in the media were misleading.

According to him, the reportage on insecurity triggers fear among the people, adding: “The narratives that you find within the media space are misleading. I will rather that the media begin to tone down the hype that they give to issues that have to do with insecurity.”

The CDS acknowledged that a lot of ungoverned spaces dot the nation’s landscape, noting that whatever it takes to secure the schools is a worthy investment, and should be pursued.

Irabor also argued that the global community should support Nigeria’s

efforts to combat insecurity as doing so is equally in the best interest of the world.

Contributing, the Chairman, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr. Asue Ighodalo, explained that the Initiative requires a lot of funding.

Pledging the support of the support of the private sector as was the case with the COVID-19 pandemic, Ighodalo stated that the Nigerian economy is over-regulated and needs to be loosened to trigger investments.

While explaining that the use of technology and fencing of schools could prove potent tools in checking insecurity in schools, he observed that the high unemployment at 33 per cent is a trigger for criminality and must be addressed.

Minister of State for Education, Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba, suggested that his Ministry should coordinate the work plan flowing from the dialogue, urging the finance ministry to provide a template for all stakeholders to operate.

Nwajiuba added that the coordination should be between his ministry and that of finance.

pressures.

Lamenting that before insecurity compounded the problems facing the country, one of the biggest challenges was how to ensure enough enrolment in schools, noting that with insecurity in the mix, there is a far more complex problem to grapple with.

According to him, the abductions and kidnappings in schools had provided enough excuse for parents to keep their children away from schools, and called for urgent steps to stem the tide.

He said: “At the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, we are committed to working with other partners to ensure that we keep our schools safe. In all our states, we are conducting vulnerability assessment of all our schools. The state security services have been helping in the states on this.”

The governor lamented that the high unemployment rate had worsened the socio-economic problems in the land, with more criminality and insecurity.

“It is good to be tough on crime.

We must be tougher on the causes of crime. You cannot have a 33 per cent unemployment rate in any country and not expect to deal with the sociological implication of that.

“That is an area that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum believes we must also work collaboratively with our partners, also work with our financial institutions and private sector in order to find the best mechanism to bring our youth to work.

“If we do that, we would have fundamentally played our role in addressing the causes of this untoward crisis that the country is dealing with.”

He regretted that over N41 billion is sitting idle with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) because of part-funding challenges, adding that a pathway to surmount that challenge is underway.

Govs Appeal to FG, CBN to Shelve Planned Deductions At the event, Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto State) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti State) pleaded with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, to shelve the deduction of loans obtained by states from the federal government via the apex bank’s budget support facilities.

Apparently speaking for their colleagues, the two governors, who are Vice Chairman and Chairman, respectively of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) said the deductions would worsen the fiscal positions of the states.

Tambuwal appealed to the CBN and the federal government not to deduct the loans from states’ monthly allocations at this time, and appeal echoed by Fayemi, who said such deductions at this time would compound the states’ fiscal problems.

The CBN had recently threatened to commence deductions to recoup the $2.1 billion budget loans advanced to the states, following claims by the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, that the federal government printed N50-60 billion to augment the March FAAC disbursements to stakeholders.

Contributing to the discussions on safe schools, Fayemi said what the country was facing was a much more serious and complex security issue that needed every collective approach to handle.

He stated that governors were facing the direct heat of the security problems in the country amid tough economic

National Plan on Safe Schools At the end of the high-level dialogue, the federal government is to develop a national plan on safe schools as stakeholders from the public and private sectors of the economy, donor agencies and development partners across the globe rose to galvanise financing support in the renewed effort to ensure safe schools in Nigeria.

Although the Minister of Finance would not provide figures vis--a-vis the cost implication of the national development plan, the she said such a cost could only emerge after all the stakeholders, including the security agencies, had done their cost analysis.

She, however, stated that the implication of not putting such a plan in place and ensuring safe schools could cost the nation N32 billion annually.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 25, 2021

ENERGY

The Fuel Subsidy Quagmire After the on and oͿ appearance of queues at Àlling stations across some states of the federation some time ago, it would appear, like a lion that retreated to recharge, the queues may have roared back. The fuel queues have returned. Meanwhile, the controversial subsidy for petroleum motor spirit, popularly called petrol, returned with an almost irredeemable audacity. To be fair to the NNPC Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, his desperation to ensure Nigerians do not suͿer fuel scarcity or another unbearable increase in pump price has caused him to hold on to the subsidy pillar. He insists the queues, this time around, has nothing to do with availability or aͿordability of petrol, but the tanker drivers’ strike. But we have been here before! What could really be the problem? Chris Paul examines

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n the past two months, Nigerians have found themselves enduring the usual fuel crisis, arising from imminent increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

To calm nerves, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva and the NNPC GMD, Mele Kyari, have assured that consultations with the labour unions to agree on the appropriate price for the product are in progress.

The consequences of that on-going dialogue has found expression in the arbitrary and uncoordinated hike in the cost of petrol at the Àlling stations.Accompanying the seeming confusion in the downstream sector were irregular fuel queues at Àlling stations across many parts of the country.

At some point, it appeared the minister and his team had managed the crisis and the fuel queues had disappeared; price seemed to have returned, for the most part, to the N162 per litre. However, within this past week, the queues came back, Àercer than before. It started in Abuja.

When the fuel queues resurfaced in Abuja, NNPC,aswasexpected,advisedthepublicagainst panic buying, saying petrol will be available in all depots across the country.

This happened barely two months after petrol scarcity hit major cities across Nigeria.

Avisit to petrol stations, last Monday evening found that some of the stations were shut, while others were besieged by motorcyclists, tricycle owners, as well as private and commercial drivers.

Some NNPC retail stations were also shut, with no fuel station selling petrol to motorists along Lugbe- Airport Road and Kubwa expressway.

This round of scarcity was said to have been triggered by the strike action announced by petrol transport drivers.As a result, diͿerent locations in the capital city were gripped with tra΀c gridlock.

The usual selective sale of the product which normally greet this chaotic development, where Àlling stations sell to their favorite customers with capacity and willingness to pay higher, became the order of the day.

While telling many that they have ran out of stock, some of the top Àlling stations across the Abuja metropolis surreptitiously sell the product to their preferred patrons; thus depriving commercial drivers and other customers access to purchase the product.

Witnessing the unfairness in the dispensing of the product, in situations such as this, some smart drivers will rebel and Àght to ensure the fuel goes round all in the queue.

As it happened in one of the NNPC outlets in Lugbe, the attendants stopped dispensing to customers, but some of the motorists refused to leave the petrol station.

At other times, the retail outlets deliberately hoard their stock in anticipation of a rise in price.

This was the situation in some of the outlets that declined to sell petrol in anticipation of a price hike Tuesday morning.

Reacting to the scarcity and anticipated hike in price, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said it will not increase the ex- depot price of petrol in May. TheGroupManagingDirectormadethisknown attheendofaclosed-doormeetingwithPetroleum Transport Drivers (PTD), National Association of Road Transporters Owners (NARTO) and oil marketers in Abuja on Monday.

Ex-depot price is the price marketers buy

Fuel Queues at an NNPC filling station in Abuja

products from depot owners. It also determines the pump price at Àlling stations.

“We want to inform oil marketing companies that NNPC will not increase the pump price of PMS in May. I am giving the assurance and I ask Nigerians to go about their normal businesses; we have over 20 billion litres of petrol in our custody.

“Many of you are aware of this and with the assurancegivenbythetankerdriversandNUPENG, there is no need for panic buying of the product.

“Petrol will be available in all the depots in the country including NNPC dispatched depot across the country, so nobody should panic in buying the product,” he said.

Commenting on the strike by PTD, the NNPC GMD said NARTO’s inability to increase their compensation which was not resolved last week, may have caused the crisis.

The NNPC boss a΀rmed the commitment of the corporation to both NARTO and PTD that issue will be resolved within a week; adding that the parties will come back to the table to have a total closure on the issue.

“We also have a robust engagement with our oil marketing partners in respect of increase in the volume product that is check in the Nigerian market. We have agreed to work jointly with all the security agencies to contain any possible infractions seen in our borders.

“We will work as a team to curtail this fraudulent practice with the help of the security agencies,” he added.

He explained further that the meeting dwelt on issues concerning payment by Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) to oil marketing companies.

He said that all stakeholders agreed to ensure the availability and sale of PMS to marketers.

In his reaction, NARTO President, Yusuf Othman, commended the NNPC for the intervention and assured that within the next seven days, things will normalise in the adjustment of allowances of PTD. “Wehaverequestedthattheybringthreepersons so that we discuss the issues but that would not

have been possible without this intervention.

“We hope that within the next seven days things will normalise and I want to assure Nigerians that we are committed to it,” he said.

The PTD president also said that the strike had been suspended until the next seven days.

CommendingtheNNPCandallthestakeholders for their quick intervention, he said; “We believe that the condition of service of tanker drivers and others need to be improved and we believe that everything will be resolved as discussed.”

Still in the spirit of engaging stakeholders, the NNPC boss pledged to work with stakeholders to ensure sanity is restored in the downstream sector.

Kyari made the pledge on Friday, in a statement issued by the Corporation during a meeting with the Association of Distributors and Transporters of Petroleum Products (ADITOP) in Abuja.

Speaking during the visit the National President ofADITOP,AlhajiLawalMohammed,commended the NNPC for its unrelenting eͿorts to bring sanity into the downstream sector of the oil industry.

Mohammed expressed delight at the achievements of the corporation under the leadership of Malam Kyari, especially in the area of stakeholder engagement.

TheADITOP President said NNPC’s initiative to engage in regular meeting with the union deÀned Kyari as a leader with limitless leadership humility and untiring capacity for encouraging the conceptofstakeholdermanagementandeagerness to carry the union along in every public policy engagements of the NNPC concerning the oil and gas value chain.

He pledged the group’s support for NNPC, stressing that they were ready to place their trucks and retail outlets at the disposal of the corporation for any pilot programme and investment initiative.

In the midst of the confusion, controversy and stakeholders engagement the downstream has gone through within the past week, the issue of subsidy, which appears to have be playing a ¶Catch me if you can’ game with the purse of the Nigerian state.

Last month, it was disclosed that, as at March 25, 2021, Nigerian government had been spending close to $300 million a month, on fuel subsidies.

In other words, the state oil Àrm will continue to absorb the cost diͿerentials; until the federal government-labor negotiations end.

Unfortunately, until then,Africa’s biggest crude producerwillcontinuetoimportvirtuallyallitsfuel.

The national oil company is emphatic in its resolve not to phase out gasoline subsidies that are costing up to N120 billion ($294 million) monthly.

While Nigeria produces 1.6 million barrels of crude a day, NNPC imports virtually all its fuel from abroad due to the country’s low reÀning capacity, reselling it locally at a subsidised price.

The NNPC boss said it will maintain the price at which it sells gasoline to wholesalers and retailers, saying, “Until the conclusion of on-going engagement with the organised labor and other stakeholders.

Meanwhile, he assured the NNPC will keep “bearing the burden of price diͿerentials between the landing cost and pump price.”

Nigeria’s average daily consumption is around 60 million litres of gasoline.

At this rate, will NNPC not run into a supply and distribution jam, in the nearest future?

The question to ask is, what did the GMD based his proclamation of the removal of subsidy on, a year earlier? What has changed so drastically that has necessitated the bold plunge into another full subsidy regime.

The controversial $1.5 billion repair cost of the Port Harcourt ReÀnery and the close to six years outlay for the completion of the rehabilitation of the reÀnery does not give many Nigerians and international observers’ conÀdence.

Nigerians hope that, at the end of the day and as has been the case with the nation’s downstream sector in the past two decades, this Port Harcourt ReÀnery story does not develop complications.

So, until the reÀneries are Àxed, the country will have no choice; but to be bringing in the product from foreign reÀneries.

But raising pump prices, let alone allowing them to move in line with international crude markets, is a risky proposition Nigerian politicians cannot consider; because of the combustible nature of the kind of controversies that have been known to come with it.

Many in Africa’s largest economy, which also hosts the highest number of people living in extreme poverty globally, regard cheap fuel as their single dependable beneÀt from the country’s misspent oil wealth.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is considering ways to cushion the impact of fuel-subsidy cuts once they are Ànalised.

The policy change would lead to deregulation of the downstream sector, opening up the fuelimport business to private companies.

The NNPC is in talks with the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide foreign exchange to private sector players for the importation of gasoline after deregulation, Kyari said. “We expect all oil marketing companies to commence import so that the burden will be taken away from the NNPC,” he informed.

Taking the problem oͿ the NNPC is the desire of all stakeholders including all Nigerians. But the nutty concern here has to do with the rules of engagement and the sustainability of the process, even though the queues may have, in their usual manner, faded away.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 25, 2021

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BUSINESS PERSONALITY Adenuga: Celebrating Africa’s Paragon of Enigma, Charisma @68 The Chairman of Globacom, Dr Mike Adenuga Jnr, turns 68 on April 29. Typically, he would not roll out the drums in celebration as he is widely known as patently self-eͿacing. However, the day would avail his family and friends, mentees, employees, associates, and admirers worldwide, a rare opportunity to extol, recall, and recount the virtues of the man fondly called the Pillar of Prosperity. It would also be a day for the philanthropist extraordinaire to look back at his life and realise that every day deserves celebrations because of his trajectory and impact on humanity illustrated by boundless and borderless philanthropic endeavours, writes Lanre Alfred

I

n the mottled landscape of Nigerian businessmen, Dr MikeAdenuga, the trillionaire chairman of Globacom, is like a burst of the rainbow through a very cloudy sky. He is audacious and innovative, and despite the size of the telecommunications company, very hands-on and almost omnipresent in every department. He was quoted as saying in a tribute to celebrate one of his past birthdays; “You cannot be in my position and be oblivious of developments around you.”

Tales abound of how, since its incorporation, Globacom has never had an advertising agency for its commercials and promotional materials, as is the case with big companies. These are created in-house and underscore the creative bent of the man popularly called ‘The Bull.’

He’s a tireless hard worker. He signs oͿ on all promotional materials and has a hand in every brand ambassador because, despite his legendary self-eͿacing nature, he is in tune with contemporary culture and trends. Not surprisingly, millions of youths see him as a quintessential mentor because of his guarded and understated lifestyle and business successes.

Indeed, Adenuga is not the typical African billionaire with a gaudy lifestyle. He chooses privacy over frightening excesses and superÁuous splurges.

Also, at Globacom, there are no permanent goodbyes. It is more about ‘see you later.’ There is something about the company that makes former workers return years after leaving.

Some say it has to do with the job security and convivial environment. Others say it is because Adenuga quadruples as a teacher, leader, father, and mentor before being an employer. Aformer top staͿ once stated, “Adenuga has recalled or reabsorbed former members of staͿ who left in the most dramatic circumstances. Some came back voluntarily while he reached out to others. For him, it is not about the sentiment but the value the individual has to oͿer. Yet, there were exceptional instances when he reabsorbed people mainly because he pitied their prevailing circumstances.”

Stamp of His Honour Many money men covet and lobby far and wide for a mention on the Forbes Rich List.

Don’t blame them. It satiates their conceit. They deploy huge resources to push their rating in the American journal, and when listed, these billionaires take out congratulatory adverts in newspapers and billboards. But Adenuga is markedly diͿerent. He pays no heed to such ephemeral listing. Many analysts have even consistently argued that he is bestowed with wealth far beyond the worth ascribed to him on the Forbes list and might even be the richest on the continent. He is, however, unperturbed by such guesses. Indeed, if Adenuga doesn’t strike you, at Àrst sight, then possibly, he is a masterpiece of a man disguised as a blank canvas.

The multibillionaire businessman aͿects a Áurry of beings curled into one: he is science, an art, a foundation of genius with dashes of brilliance brightening the creativity of his mind and soul, thus illumining the world. A product of pure intellect, vision, and sheer enterprise, he can become any form he creates; he is a library of masterpieces, an intricate web of sensitivity and hope attuned in full measure to the world’s

Adenuga

needs. This is a glimpse of who he truly is.

In top business schools across the world and beyond, the corporate exploits of Adenuga are veritable case studies for academic researches.

And there seems to be a consensus of opinions that the Globacom boss has created phenomenally successful businesses and changed the world signiÀcantly.

A force of nature. A towering anchor of hope.

An entrepreneurial depth: very few men can knead the tripartite traits of genius, modesty, and character into that moral and human centaur that

remains unattainable to generations of tycoons and multibillionaires like this entrepreneur extraordinaire. The Globacom chairman achieves this with unequalled grace. He also epitomises merit and a΁uence with indescribable allure.

He’s got a heart of gold too. His forays into the business sector are richly layered and iconic.

He is a peerless patriot whose commitment to national and economic stability is beyond doubt. Having recorded a series of remarkable Àrsts in the highly competitive world of local and international commerce, Adenuga has no

more worlds to conquer.

A Citizen of Humanity Becoming an entrepreneur extraordinaire is not mere lip service. It takes consistent eͿort and focus on growing from just an entrepreneur interested in a particular business to becoming a respected and renowned empire builder. Think Adenuga, frequently likened to a champion and sometimes, a business genius that eͿortlessly depicts the image of a modern-day general of commerce. Nothing excites him as much as his

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 25, 2021

BUSINESS PERSONALITY Africa’s Businessman Extraordinaire octopoidal conglomerate because very few members of Nigeria’s a΁uent club can achieve great feats in their youth and remain quiet and self-eͿacing like an avatar of the Himalayan thrust. While some are busy pushing status and their immense bulk in a desperate dash for socioeconomic and political acclaim, Adenuga aͿects tact and humility without ostentation or pretence. You would be forgiven for ascribing to him superhuman smarts. For a man who has learned and mastered intricate business as the genius conductor assimilates Mozart’s aria, you can never ornament the words enough to describe his unparalleled verve and genius. If Adenuga were a lab scientist, he would have reordered groups in organic chemistry and calculated the anti-derivatives of functions that he will eͿectively deploy in real life - all with a modest amount of energy.

Knighted in French Indeed, if virtue truly is the fount whence honour springs, then he is a virtuous man; apologies to the late English playwright and poet, Christopher Marlowe, who would have probably said the same of one ofAfrica’s redoubtable billionaire businessmen. The chairman of Globacom wears his entrepreneurial strength and savvy like a badge of honour on his chest, shining it with sweat as true virtuous men do. He stands tall, wading through odds with the courage of a knight and the conÀdence of a champion.

Unlike the proverbial warrior who lives to sing the song of his deeds and derring-do, Adenuga remains impressively humble and immune to conceit, treading a rare path to acclaim thus, attracting honour in torrents, from home and abroad.

In homage to his humanity and relentless strides at rewriting the African business narrative, the French government invested him with a Knight of the Legion of Honour (Chevalier de la Legion d Honneur), the highest French decoration and one of the most famous in the world. Adenuga is the only and Àrst-ever Nigerian to have received the award since its inception. He was recognised and honoured for his “remarkable contribution to the development of the French-Nigerian relations and appreciation of the French culture.” And, just as he has earned the respect of the French government, he continues to earn that of nations, world leaders, associates while commanding the genuÁection of men. Not long ago, he was decorated with Ghana’s highest civilian national honour, the Companion of the Star of Ghana (CSG). The former President of Ghana, John Mahama, said, “The award is in recognition of your unique and outstanding contribution to business enterprise both in Ghana and the continent of Africa at large. Through your creative business exertions, you have touched many lives in Ghana. You have provided employment for our teeming youth, artists, footballers, and many more. I am particularly proud of you.

This award is our way of saying a simple thank-you.” By the honour, Adenuga became the Àrst Nigerian outside government to receive Ghana’s highest national honour.

Similarly, in 2012, he was decorated with the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON), Nigeria’s second-highest national honour after the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR). Talking about the award, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan said, “Mike Adenuga Jnr has contributed immensely as a businessman and an entrepreneur to the growth and development of our economy.

He worked hard to establish Globacom as an international communications company, which provides means of livelihood to over 100,000 Nigerians.”

Champions often write history. Sometimes they rewrite it. But very few champs excite the splendid tribute of a cheer in the wake of their most glorious feats. Nonetheless, Adenuga strikingly commands the relentless tribute of a cheer.

It reverberates as deafening applause for the extraordinariness of the man who taught Nigeria and Africa to trust in the entrepreneurial depth of man of their sons and daughters. Adenuga makes history every hour.

He industriously adds page after page, volume after volume, as if nature were holding up a monument to his exploits.

In an era beleaguered by the infamy of humans, Adenuga’s handiwork unfurls as an undying tribute to mankind’s better nature. Adenuga emerges as the perfect symbol of business excellence. As a historic Àgure, he is seen at home and abroad, the personiÀcation of a business calculus within Nigeria and the African continent.

full lives of their own, they had added to their repository of insight before passing it on to him and his siblings and so doing subsequent generations of Adenuga. Undoubtedly, everyone who comes in contact with Dr Mike Adenuga gleans from that timeless wisdom that distinguishes the Adenuga lineage as an enviable one.

No doubt, It helped him situate the fount of his parents’ uncommon humanity and capacity for tough love. His parents were both strong and outgoing. They were an uncompromising pair who helped make a success of the family’s moral code. They taught him and his siblings never to cringe from hard work. They taught them to be self-reliant.

He once described Chief Juliana Oyindamola as “Amother whose business blood Áowed like a river inside us. Amother whose innate business intuition, acumen and genius we all inherited.

A mother who schooled and mentored us all, from very early childhood in the art and science of doing business, through the school of hard knocks and even as adults, was still coaching us in business acumen”.

Also, his father, “Pa Michael Agbolade Adenuga- a man of letters! Despite his ever busy schedule as a headmaster and inspector of schools constantly moving from one location to the other, Papa still always found time to write letters to all his children’s school”.

Born to the illustriousAdenuga family of Ijebu Igbo in Ogun State onApril 29, 1953, he attended Ibadan Grammar School. After that, he studied Business Administration at Northwestern State University,Alva, Oklahoma, in the United States.

He earned a master’s degree at Pace University, New York, majoring in BusinessAdministration.

His sojourn in the U.S. added an inspiring chapter to his impressive history. He attracted national attention as far back as 1991 when his Consolidated Oil Limited struck oil in a commercial quantity, having distinguished himself in the business of importation at the age of 22.

Adenuga

Philanthropy Philanthropy is at the heart of everything that Adenuga does. Why a lot of elite philanthropy is about elite causes is not so forAdenuga. Through his eponymous Pan-African philanthropic foundation, the Globacom Chairman helps Nigeria and other African countries to achieve social and economic independence while contributing to an improved future for Nigerians and other African citizens. The foundation puts smiles on people’s faces by creating or supporting initiatives that deliver knowledge, skills, resources and infrastructures that will stimulate innovation, facilitate commerce, drive enterprise and improve living conditions. Its core programme interests are entrepreneurship, education, health, and rural development. The education programme aims to support the study of disciplines that drive innovation and development.

As the coronavirus pandemic ravaged the world, Adenuga dug into the depth of his humanity to support every eͿort of the federal government to combat the virus, particularly, through the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s private sector Coalition against COVID-19, donating heavily. In a letter to the CBN Governor, Godwin EmeÀele, Adenuga applauded the federal government’s measures to tackle the pandemic’s impacts on the country, commending the bank for its worthwhile initiatives. He donated generously to the Lagos government, various bodies, and institutions.

Love for the Arts Adenuga’s love for the arts is intrinsic and invaluable. Perhaps after his passion for business, making money, and philanthropy, appreciation of the arts is next in line. The entertainment industry has featured prominently in Globacom’s corporate social investment initiatives because of Adenuga’s passion for the industry.

Aside from direct Ànancial commitments, including massive sponsorships, Globacom currently retains the largest number of key players in the entertainment industry as brand ambassadors while upholding that by actively engaging them. He has also really done so much too for African football. He has taken football to greater heights and African football has suddenly become a global phenomenon that can no longer be held back. It is no wonder that Africa continues to get more slots in the FIFA World Cup competition.

Many entertainers, both established and unheralded, have been blessed immeasurably by this love and patronage. Though very elusive,

he once drove himself to the album launch of Paul Play Dairo, a phenomenon in the Nigerian music scene in the late 1990s and early 2000s, to the amazement of guests.

“The chairman, Dr Mike Adenuga, showered me with so much love and I enjoyed so much favour from him. The height of the good gestures was when he honoured the invitation to my album launch in 2004. A lot of naysayers in the press said I was too inconsequential to get him to attend my launch. But they were all disappointed,” Dairo recalled.

When Paul Play fell sick in 2009 and took a long break to treat what many thought was cancer, he confessed that he didn’t try to publicly raise funds because “people like Dr Mike Adenuga were there for me.”

Likewise, when juju music maestro Ebenezer Obey, who had retired from secular music decades earlier to concentrate on evangelism, required eye surgery many years ago, Adenuga bankrolled the entire treatment, which took place abroad.

That gesture restored Obey’s health and return to musical reckoning. The Globacom boss also blessed the Miliki exponent with an Escalade SUV. For several decades, the Alliance Franoaise, committed to promoting French culture and teaching French as a second language around the world, was located in the boisterous area of Yaba, Lagos. But thanks to the generosity of Dr Adenuga, the organisation now has a new home in Ikoyi that has been aptly named the Mike Adenuga Centre. Since it was declared open to the public in 2019, the centre has been commanding commendations from far and near from art aÀcionados and artists, and preeminent Nigerians. In Adenuga’s reckoning, it is all in a day’s work.

Journey To Selfhood Growing up in the Adenuga household was like evolving in a brilliant world of dazzling mirrors. Even now, he relives the sparks of magic and tufts of grace wrought in his psyche by his exceedingly principled and loving parents.

Adenuga learnt a lot from his parents. From his father, Pa Mike Agbolade Adenuga Snr, he learnt humility, sacriÀce, tact, wisdom, and patience. Whatever he learnt from his father was reinforced by his mother, Madam Juliana Oyindamola Adenuga. Both parents taught him to value every human life and relationship.

Adenuga’s parents, like most of their peers of the conservative era fondly remembered as the good old days, inherited the timeless wisdom of the ages from their forbears. Having lived

Philosophy Virtues, according to him, should be, in the popular estimate, the rule guiding human conduct in business, social and political circuits rather than the exception. “A man is nothing without his virtues”, he argues. Thus he endeavours to do good. But his deeds are done not as an apology or extenuation of his fortune and citizenship of the world. While many rich men propagate virtues as penances for the inaction of the world’s privileged divide, Adenuga imbibes and perpetuates the culture of goodness out of an intrinsic part of his manliness.

Reports abound that despite his large heart, Adenuga has suͿered untold betrayal by friends and staͿ. Yet, he does not harbour illwill towards anyone. He forgives easily. Thus, he sets high standards, which he abides by as a matter of exemplary leadership and integrity of character. Therefore, it is not surprising that doing good comes naturally to him, which is why no amount of betrayal or backbiting would deter him from what he believes in. He doesn’t hug the limelight despite that it comes with his monumental attainments.

Notwithstanding his depth as an entrepreneur extraordinaire, philanthropist, and citizen of humanity, Adenuga covets no vanities, unlike other billionaires. He demands no free verses, heroic couplets, or ornamental rhymes to glorify his personage as a man. Adenuga is hardly given to such infectious vanities.

Class Excites Businessman Extraordinaire Many a billionaire cannot be elegant even if they slave at it. So they choose to be extravagant. They forget that style, rather than a deep pocket, is the most crucial thing in matters of reputation and honour. But Adenuga is remarkably diͿerent.

He understands that if universal rules could teach poise and panache, it would no longer be poise or panache, and every middling fellow with a deep pocket or otherwise may adorn themselves with the twin traits of sophistication and elite breeding. There is no gainsaying Adenuga possesses admirable poise and panache, a man of venerable taste in fashion.

He eͿortlessly depicts style as an outward and inward sign of grace and character.

Many privileged billionaires stumble into vogue, but it takes a discerning man of class and plan to mirror the girth and depth of burgeoning trends to the world. ‘Chairman,’ without doubt, epitomises such an exclusive breed of manhood.

Among other traits, he Áaunts immaculate Áair and charisma. He eͿortlessly characterises the essence and reÀnement, exemplary of intensely constituted men of style.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 25, 2021

MONEY

Access Bank’s Race for Continental Expansion

Access Bank Plc has intensiÀed its cross-border expansion in order to take advantage of opportunities in the African Continental Free Trade Area, which has been described as a potential game-changer for the continent, writes Obinna Chima

I

nline with its expansion drive, Access Bank Plc last week entered into a deÀnitive and binding agreement with ABC Holdings Limited to acquire 78.15 per cent shareholding in the African Banking Corporation of Botswana Limited (BancABC Botswana).

The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions precedent, is expected to close before the end of this quarter.

ABC Holdings is a subsidiary of London Stock Exchange listed group ² Atlas Mara Limited.

The Nigerian bank disclosed this in a statement signed by its Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi.

Bostwana is renowned for its quality sovereign credit rating and stability. Access Bank’s market entry is expected to further solidify its strategy as, “a strong banking partner in key verticals across retail and corporate banking, including especially supporting trade in payments across southern Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa more broadly.”

Commenting on the deal, the Group Managing Director Chief Executive O΀cer, Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, said: “We remain committed to a disciplined and thoughtful expansion strategy in Africa, which we believe will create strong, sustainable returns for our shareholders and stakeholders at large, over the medium and long-term.

“The establishment of Access Bank through this acquisition in the Republic of Botswana will position the bank to deliver a more complete set of banking solutions to its clients active in and across the SADC and COMESA regions.

“This transaction complements our recent strategic growth acquisitions in South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique. We are building a bank of the future thatAfricans acrossAfrica and the world would be proud of and look forward to welcoming the employees, customers and other stakeholders of BancABC Botswana to Access Bank.”

BancABC Botswana is the Àfth largest bank in Botswana and is a very well-capitalised banking institution poised for growth and success in its local market. The bank has been perennially proÀtable, given an existing high-quality retail loan book with opportunities and scope for diversiÀcation and further expansion into corporate and SME lending.

Access Bank recently unfolded plans to expand to more African countries as part of a strategy to support trade and Ànance in the continent and take advantage of the newly formed African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

According to Wigwe, across Africa, there is an opportunity for the bank to expand to highpotential markets, leveraging the beneÀts of AfCFTA. He said AfCFTA, among other beneÀts, would expand intra-Africa trade and provide real opportunities for Africa.

He stated that the plan is for the bank to establish its presence in 22 African countries so as to diversify its earnings and take advantage of growth opportunities in the continent.

According to him, Africa has enormous potential and there are opportunities for an African bank that is well run, that understands compliance and has the capacity to support trade and the right technology infrastructure to support payments and remittances, without taking incremental risks.

“We believe that we are best positioned to basically do all of that. Our focus is to become an aggregator in Africa and we are building a global payment gateway and providing trade Ànance support and correspondent banking across the continent. We are focusing on the key markets.

“The approach would always be that in the country we wish to go to, that we have the right skills. We would not just be a drop in the country in which we are present, we would make sure that we have an impactful presence in each of

Wigwe

the major countries in which we are present.

“In doing this, we are also mindful of the country we are going to so as to make sure that it is of beneÀt to the bank. As we do this, we are working with our friends and partners.

“We are diversifying our earnings away from volatile markets as well and we are orchestrating our operations from the global payments gateway and ensuring that using Access Bank UK, providing corresponding services from digital platforms, the overall proÀtability of our franchise,” he explained.

Commenting further, on AfCFTA, he said the bank would use its digital framework to beneÀt from the continental agreement.

“Coming to Nigeria, we think we need to continue to entrench ourselves in the local market because there is still so much work to be done.

“So, we are doing everything possible to satisfy our customers and also to ensure that our channels are adequately secured. We are also ensuring that our staͿ are very e΀cient,” the CEO said.

Since the commencement of the AfCFTA, analysts and stakeholders have expressed optimism about Nigerian banks’ readiness, saying the Ànancial sector stands to beneÀt most from the continental agreement.

They noted that with most Tier-1 banks already operating in many African countries and are continually expanding, saying that would give them an edge over their counterparts in other African countries.

They added that with the increase in trade expected to spur economic activities and increased lending, many banks are already positioned to take advantage of AfCFTA. The immediate past President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN), Mr. Uche Olowu, said Nigerian banks with more trade will be in a better position to increase lending to the real

sector which in turn will spur economic activities.

He said: “Banks are ready especially as banks have procured good lines that would support trading and supporting manufacturers, exporters, Nigerians products, which would thereby jumpstart economic activities.

“Nigerian banks are liquid and are prepared to lend out to those channels and outlets to serious manufacturers because it poses great opportunities for Nigerian banks and the Nigerian economy.

“Banks are there to intermediate and they have the information, data and all that it takes to support Nigerian businesses that are serious and credit worthy.”

Also, the President of Risk Management Association of Nigeria, (RIMAN) Mr. Magnus Nnoka, said Nigerian banks are well capitalised and have outlets across Africa which put them at an advantage.

Nnoka said: “We are amongst the most prepared country from the Ànancial services point of view. Apart from a few banks in Egypt and South Africa, Nigerian banks are reasonably capitalised compared to other African countries.

“I think Nigerian banks, given their size today and given their track record, are prepared and positioned to attract partnerships that would also facilitate trade within the African block.”

On his part, the Head of Consulting, Agusto Consulting Limited, Mr. Jimi Ogbobine, said: “In terms of the AfCFTA, the Nigerian banking industry is more prepared than banks from Ghana, Kenya and maybe it is the South African banks that can give them a challenge in terms of exploiting AfCFTA. But outside South African banks, Nigerian banks are the most prepared, especially when you are using footprints across the continents and for South Africa.”

In view of the opportunities that exist in the market, Access Bank recently disclosed plan to transit to a holding company (HoldCo)

structure. The bank has received the Approvalin-Principle from the Central Bank of Nigeria for the restructuring and the HoldCo will consist of four subsidiaries in order to tap into the market opportunities that are available in the consumer lending market, electronic payments industry and retail insurance market.

Access Bank Group will consist of Nigeria, Africa and international subsidiaries, while the payments subsidiary will leverage the strong suite of the bank’s assets.

“Going into the fourth year of our four-year cyclical strategy, our focus remains on consolidating our retail momentum and expanding our African footprint in a sustainable manner,” Wigwe said.

In 2018, the bank launched its ‘Africa’s Gateway to the World’ campaign ² a strategic initiative which aims to promote ‘access to Ànance’ in Africa and beyond. It started this campaign by leveraging technology to oͿer its consumers new products. An example was its partnership with Remita, which has oͿered PayDay loans to over Àve million external customers. The product was available on the web, through the bank’s USSD code, via ATMs, Access Mobile, WhatsApp Banking, and 4uickBucks ² its instant loan disbursal application.

Access Bank has also continued to strengthen its digital technology to propel both its sustainability targets and its African gateway strategic drive.

This was evident in the bank’s partnership with the Africa Fintech Foundry (AFF), aimed at nurturing the next generation of cutting-edge Ànancial-technology Àrms.

Equally, Access Bank has been driving its revenue growth through retail expansion, which has grown consistently across all income lines, driven by a strong focus on consumer lending, payments and remittances, digitalisation of customer journeys, and customer acquisition at scale It has also maintained strong capital levels despite investments for growth and has accumulated capital over time.

Its recently released Ànancial statement for the year ended December 31, 2020, showed that despite a challenging economic and regulatory landscape, the bank beat analysts and stakeholders’ expectations.

In the period under review, the bank recorded gross earnings of N764.7 billion for the Ànancial year ended December 31, 2020, which was a 15 per cent improvement from the N666.75 billion posted for the comparative period of 2019.

ProÀt before tax grew by 13 per cent to N125.9 billion from N111.9 billion, despite the high cost of operating the enlarged franchise and the increase in net impairment charge of near N43 billion arising principally from a Structured Trade Finance(STF) portfolio in the Access Bank UK. According to the bank, the STF impairment is one-oͿ COVID related and recoverable over the next 12-18 months against insurance cover from world class insurers.

However, proÀt after tax (PAT) rose by same margin from N94.1 billion to N106 billion in 2020 on the back of a 32 per cent growth in operating income, which oͿsets the rise in impairment charges and operating expenses.

Customer deposits grew by 31 per cent to N5.59 trillion in December 2020, from N4.26 trillion, while net loans and advances grew by 18 per cent to N3.61 trillion, up from N3.0 trillion in 2019.

The board recommended a Ànal dividend of 55 kobo per share bringing the total dividend to 80 kobo per share. As the bank intensiÀed recovery eͿorts, it undertook signiÀcant write oͿ and leveraged its risk management practices, its asset quality improved to 4.3 per cent, compared to its 2019 report of 5.8 per cent.

This is expected to continue to trend downwards as it strives to surpass the standard it had built in the industry prior to the merger with Diamond Bank.

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˜ ˾ APRIL 25, 2021

MARKET NEWS

Nigeria Exchange Lists N41bn Bond of Fidelity Bank Plc Goddy Egene

(NGX) has listed the Fidelity Bank Plc’s N41.213 billion10 years 8.5 per cent subordinated

The Nigerian Exchange Limited 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

unsecured fixed rate series 1 Bonds under its N100 billion debt issuance programme.

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 22Apr-2021, unless otherwise stated.

The Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, had said the

bank took a conservative stance in recognition of the impact of the global pandemic, which

has redefined business risks and opportunities in the new normal.”

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 154.37 155.89 -4.58% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 3.72% Nigeria International Debt Fund 306.62 306.62 -16.62% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 110.07 110.07 -1.79% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.15% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.36 3.52 -5.24% 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 ($) N/A N/A N/A ARM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 103.72 103.72 1.98% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.83% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 1.98 1.98 -25.80% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.19 2.23 -8.41% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.36% Paramount Equity Fund 15.26 15.55 -4.55% Women's Investment Fund 131.36 132.75 -1.34% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.24% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 128.48 129.30 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 110.87 110.87 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 1.18% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.15 1.16 -4.52% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.34 1.34 -15.58% 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 2.54% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 2.31% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,165.98 1,171.56 -2.72% 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 1,357.58 1,357.58 6.31% FBN Balanced Fund 184.49 185.74 -1.70% FBN Halal Fund 110.75 110.75 4.43% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.94% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 124.29 124.29 2.96% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 148.35 150.32 -1.87% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.00% Legacy Debt Fund 3.92 3.92 1.35% Legacy Equity Fund 1.55 1.58 1.77% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.15 1.15 1.51% 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 3,819.25 3,871.23 1.90% Coral Income Fund 3,355.77 3,355.77 2.42% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 2.33%

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 N/A N/A N/A Nigeria Entertainment Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 2.74% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.73 2.80 19.22% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 148.15 148.60 -4.67% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.08 1.08 5.77% 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 1.37 1.39 0.69% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,130.12 1,130.12 2.36% 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 1.59 1.62 7.47% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.16 12.30 0.58% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 2.21% PACAM Equity Fund 1.59 1.61 0.81% PACAM EuroBond Fund 110.86 113.73 1.39% 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 130.70 132.87 6.01% 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 2.20% 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 3,109.60 3,134.16 -3.31% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 228.39 228.39 1.57% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.15 1.17 -1.69% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 299.29 299.29 1.57% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 211.00 213.58 -3.45% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.30% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,872.04 9,995.90 -6.01% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.25 1.25 1.72% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 113.21 113.21 1.92% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 100.58 100.58 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 1.32 1.34 -3.43% United Capital Bond Fund 1.93 1.93 1.91% United Capital Equity Fund 0.88 0.90 1.86% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.17% United Capital Eurobond Fund 119.59 119.59 2.14% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.07 1.09 -1.32% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.03 1.03 3.14% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 12.06 12.17 1.64% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.27 13.27 8.14% Zenith Income Fund 24.30 24.30 1.31% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.00%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

122.53 53.06

1.48% 1.26%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

12.46 120.47 94.35

12.56 120.47 96.10

-5.71% -1.04% -5.06%

Fund Name SFS REIT 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

3.70 5.49 16.78 1.00 18.91 162.75

3.74 5.57 16.88 1.00 19.11 164.75

-2.09% -3.45% 2.67% 2.63% -7.83% -25.71%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.52

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.

24

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ PRIL 25, 2021

DISCOURSE

Gains of Effective Economic and Multilateral Diplomacy

I

have taken a focused interest in international relations, economic diplomacy, multilateral, bilateral trade arrangements, countries quests for foreign direct investments because no country lives in isolation. The biggest economic powers in the world like US and China are dependant on smaller nations in the areas of buying and selling of products. They engage in bilateral and multilateralism to survive as powerful nations. They use their effective diplomatic contacts and tools to engage in free trade agreements to allow other countries access to their markets.

Having hosted a diplomatic programme on AIT for 3 years, my massive exposure to diplomatic and strategic engagements with ministers of foreign affairs, economic and trade matters were years of diplomatic experience and cognate exposure. From my understanding, free trade agreements can force local industries to become more competitive and rely less on government subsidies, open new markets, increased GDP and invitation for new investments. Under free trade agreements, increased international trade has the following main advantages: rJODSFBTFE FDPOPNJD HSPXUI r NPSF EZOBNJD CVTJOFTT DMJNBUF r MPXFS HPWFSONFOU TQFOEJOH r GPSFJHO EJSFDU JOWFTUNFOU QPSUGPMJPT XJMM BUUSBDU JOWFTUPST UP áPDL UIF DPVOUSZ r HMPCBM companies have more technical expertise than local companies UP EFWFMPQF MPDBM SFTPVSDFT r MPDBM DPNQBOJFT BMTP SFDFJWF BDDFTT to the latest technologies from their multinational partners.

In developing a strategic format and focus for our valued readers on this DIPLOMATIC DISCOURSE column, I will focus my attention and research in developing valuable information from the 28 countries that form the EU/Shengen block including US, UK, Canada, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, UAE etc. These countries have formed strategic economic partnerships with Nigeria over the years and played solid roles in the economic growth of our country during the period in question. Nigeria’s volume of trade with the EU block has astronomically increased over the years: 20 billion Euros in 2016, 26 billion Euros in 2017 and 34.4 billion euros in 2018.

Nigeria has just received USD168 .5 million to Nigeria in new development assistance to Nigeria. Under a 5 years assistance agreement that’s ending in 2020, that underscores the strategic importance of the US/Nigeria bilateral agreement. This total assistance value of USD805.5 Million covers ministries of health, agriculture and national planning.

Nigeria’s Diaspora Community remains an outstanding socio-economic and political power house in Europe, US,

environment, industry trends, and new economic opportunities.

The Investment Summit features senior government officials, C-Suite business executives, and other strong political leaders from the 2 countries. The 2018 US Nigeria Investment Summit Themed: “Nigeria Is open for Business” was the maiden Edition Sponsored by the Nigerian Consulate, which drew over 700 attendees.The 2021 Investment Summit Themed, “Nigeria: The future of Global Business” will build on the success of 2018. With Topics ranging from infrastructure to workforce development will once again feature prominent industry experts and government officials from both countries.USNIIS is an organization of People, Purpose and Posterity that seeks to ensure that the significant potential in a US-Nigeria commercial, investment and Canada, China, Australia and host of other countries. About trade engagement is fully and mutually realized. I believe that 1.2 million migrants from Nigeria are in the diaspora. (2017 such an engagement will align this important purpose to long figure). With the latest trend in migration from Nigeria, the term posterity as it positively impacts the people of both great above number, must have gone through the roof by now. The nations. migration remittance to Nigeria amounted to USD23.63 billion The Mission of the organisers is to host the most advanced and while 2017 witnessed USD22 billion. This represented 6.1% of influential annual summits, bringing together the direct connecNigeria’s GDP. The 2018 remittance translates to 83% of the FG tion of national, state and industry policy makers and regulators, budget in 2018. Nigeria’s diaspora remittance inflows was also finance directors, economists, investors, industry leaders, 7.4 times larger than the net official Development Assistance (foreign aids)received in 2017 of USD3.4 billion. Nigeri’s present corporations big and small, startups, entrepreneurs and influencers that impact the economic mission of both nations. The 2021 diaspora remittance stands at US2 billion monthly. I intend to focus on our Diaspora Community around the world with short summit is expected to bring key representatives from the largest global sectors including healthcare, agriculture, ICT/Fintech, interviews with the leadership to give the to have a strong voice Education, Manufacturing, Infrastructure / Real Estate, media on sociopolitical and economic development in Nigeria. & entertainment, Transportation and Logistics etc. The trade and investment value of opportunities is expected to exceed $5B. Embassies And High Commissions in Nigeria I would devote a sizeable chunk of my space to cover the activ- While primarily targeted at US-Nigeria engagement, participants ities of foreign embassies and high commissions in the areas and from around the globe are expected to participate Finally, DIPLOMATIC DISCOURSE will focus on the issues of trade balance growth, seamless immigration strategies that largely supports FDI, balance of trade, technology transfers, promotion Foreign Direct Investments flows into Nigeria. My attractions here will be to promote trade, balance of trade with ICT development, support for actions against victimisation other nations on bilateral relationship that will promote business of girls and young boys, economic cooperation projects that supports the youths and women. The US and the EU Economic stimulation and increase in the employment prospects of our Development Policies in Nigeria would be treated extensively in Youths and women. I will also focus on multilateral agencies and UN agencies like WHO, WTO, UNHCR, RED CROSS, INthis space for obvious economic benefits for Nigeria. My focus TERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND(IMF), WORLD BANK, in this regard will stretch beyond the 2 national economic areas.

USAID, EU CENTRAL BANK, EUROPEAN UNION etc. I will Immigration, such a picky thorny issues will be extensively also focus on foreign immigration services and harsh treatment discussed. of Nigerians, foreign airlines and harsh treatment of Nigerians.

The preparations for the upcoming US-Nigeria Investment My promise here’s to provide unbiased incisive insights and Summit in September this year will receive attention here because of the strategic economic value to US and Nigeria. Each forensic investigations into varied subject matters that will be treated here.

Investment Summit focuses on Nigeria and the US investment

The Fight Against Malaria in Time of A Pandemic Derrick Osondu

N

igeria bears the main brunt of the deleterious effect of Malaria on the African continent year on year, as you read this piece ten children would have been infected with this disease. One out three Nigerian children that are infected with Malaria will die within two days of developing the symptoms.

In Nigeria, Malaria kills over two thousand

pregnant women every year. Malaria is endemic in Nigeria as a result at least 50% of the population will have an episode this year, resulting in over a quarter of a million deaths.

I can go on reeling out the grim statistics on how Malaria devastates our communities each year, but let me stop for now and look at our present debacle. Like the Americans say we are between a rock and a hard place, as if the burden of Malaria was not enough into it slips the COVID 19 pandemic.

However, as big as the COVID-19 pandemic is, it is nothing compared to the size and scale

of the Malaria scourge that has afflicted us for years. Numbers they say don’t lie with a body count in the excess of a quarter of a million, it means we must not take our eyes of this problem while we fight the COVID 19 pandemic.

We must not let the notable strides we have made in recent years to come to nothing due to a shift of focus from Malaria to COVID-19. No doubt there has been some progress in the fight against Malaria prior to this outbreak. A recent article published in early 2017 pointed towards both a reduction in the incidence of Malaria and reports of deaths attributable to the disease in

A group picture of the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire with some staff of the Ministry with the representative of the Chinese government, Li Guanjie in Abuja...recently

the period under review 2001-2015. Experts say an estimated 6.2 million lives were saved across the African continent over this period, of which 5.9 million (95%) were that of children under the ages of five. This success was as a result of hard work and eternal vigilance on the part of all stakeholders. Sadly, this is being threatened with the emergence of the COVID 19 pandemic leading to a shift of focus, which in my thinking could have a devastating effect, imagine a COVID 19/Malaria double whammy, the prospect of such a combo is be better imagined than described.

My opinion is that all critical stakeholders in the fight against Malaria must get our public health practitioners and clinicians to multi-task as we must not sacrifice Malaria on the altar of COVID-19. Long after the battle against COVID 19 is fought and won Malaria will still be here with us so there is the need for us to stay the course.

The fight against COVID 19 has been characterized by terms associated with conventional warfare, phrases like front-line, the unseen enemy, lines of defense, brave heroes, and so on, have become part of our pandemic lexicon. So to underscore our present problem I will also like to add to the characterization, we are fighting a battle that has two fronts; one is Malaria the other is COVID 19. It is important that for both fronts we bring to bear the full weight of the Nigerian healthcare system backed by all critical stakeholders so we will not in an attempt to solve one problem exacerbate an existing one.

Today is World Malaria Day 2021, the rallying cry being ‘ZERO MALARIA STARTS WITH ME’. The slogan according to Dr. Dave Knight was designed to keep Malaria initiatives out there so that with the challenges posed by COVID-19, Malaria will not be neglected.

Greenlife Pharmaceuticals on its part will continue to make available affordable and efficacious Malaria commodities such as ACTs which are key components in the success so far achieved.

Derrick Osondu MPSN, Greenlife Pharmaceuticals Limited. info@greenlifepharmaceuticals.com.ng

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

25.04.2021

OLUSHOLA MEDUPIN A LIFETIME AS A RESTAURANTEUR The mention of food excites him. The smell of cuisines intoxicates him, and being in the kitchen performing culinary art brings fulfilment. His tentacles as a restauranteur spread across the three continents. He has dined and fed the high and mighty. Meet Olushola Medupin, the brains behind Enish Restaurant, an upscale Nigerian restaurant with branches in the United Kingdom, Houston, and the only authentic Nigerian bar in Dubai with the sumptuous traditional signature of African cocktails. An indigene of Kogi with degrees in economics and investment banking, Funke Olaode, finds out why Medupin, son of a retired judge, jettisons white-collar job for a career in the kitchen ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/funkola2000@gmail.com

50

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ͱͳ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

COVER

One Nigerian, One Restaurant Across Three Continents

Medupin with the Former Vice-Presidenr, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku in his Restaurant in Dubai

Medupin...in the art of culnary skill

H

e doesn’t look like someone who is feeling the heat due to a career path. He exudes confidence. Cosmopolitan and debonair, the gold chain around his neck illuminates his chocolate skin. As a renowned chef and restauranteur, he has created a world for the low, high, and mighty to enjoy. A remarkable thing about this Kogi State-born is his ability to turn a childhood passion into a multimillion-naira business that spreads across the three continents of the world. Meet Olushola Medupin. Medupin is the co-founder and managing partner of Enish Restaurant. He holds a first degree in Economics and a master’s in Investment Banking and Securities. He also doubles as an African restaurant consultant and combines his qualifications, skills, and acquired experience to lead the restaurant’s operations, staff recruitment, menu definition, and training initiatives for Enish Restaurants and Bar. Together with his wife, Eniola Medupin, a co-founder, they have combined their expertise to wow their numerous clientele through their culinary skills. The restaurant’s name is the confluence of Eniola and Shola to form ‘Enish.’

Medupin is passionate about what he does. He grew up in the restaurant and never thought of making a career out of it.

He has become one of the most talked-about restauranteurs.

“My entire life has revolved around the kitchen. Since I was born, after school, there is nobody at home, you only go to the restaurant.

So that is where you eat your lunch, and that is where you stay every day. So that is all you see, no friends, only a restaurant. You see people pounding every day, and for you to pound, that means you are an adult. My younger sister was eager to start pounding, and in my mind, I was like, you cannot pound before me. So there is a bit of competition. So, the older ones were pounding already. So at some point, to be honest, it was a punishment because we didn’t have a life. All we do is school, restaurants and home except on Sundays. And even on Sundays, you go to church as early as 7 a.m. and come back at 4 p.m,” the restauranteur admits.

Consciously or unconsciously, Medupin’s

career life manifested right from childhood, but he didn’t pay much attention.

He explains, “I know so much about food and at some point, when I got to UK people were encouraging me to open a restaurant, but I simply said God forbid. It was like a punishment. You know what? In my first three years in the UK, I was trapped in the kitchen.

Anytime I apply for any job, I don’t get it. But if I apply for a position as a kitchen porter, kitchen assistant, trust me, I will get it. I was like, this is a curse, and at some point, I was I like I am not going to do this. I just stopped. But when I was looking for business and nothing was coming apart from that restaurant. So I said, let me give it a try. Trust me, let me say, like 11 years ago, I would never think that I would create a restaurant. I never liked it. Because I was the one who actually shut down the restaurant I was running in 2000 in Nigeria due to bad roads. So I felt there was no point. I am not going into the restaurant business. Today, here I am. I think it’s just God’s plan.”

He was born in Kwara into the family of Justice Michael Medupin and Ebunola Christiana Medupin.

He shares his childhood: “It is quite interesting, my dad was the first permanent secretary for the Ministry of Justice in Kwara.

He was in Lagos before he moved out. He was a retired judge. He was in the Federal Ministry of Justice in Lagos before they created Kwara, so when they created Kwara, he went to Ilorin.

He was in government; life was good. We were like the middle class. My mum had a restaurant. My grandparents on both sides had a restaurant. So she took over from her mom.

She even used most of her equipment. So she started before I was born. So, all our lives have been in a restaurant.”

Having struggled with his inner instinct, Medupin convinced and listened to himself. It all unfolded in 2012.

“I saw that the environment was actually conducive. All I did was just went online and looked up how to open a restaurant in London.

It was extremely difficult initially because I did a lot of research to learn the rudiment of how to operate a restaurant. And as soon as I got the trick, I swung into action,” he reveals.

He had one thing in mind: the Nigerian concept.

He says, “We are a Nigerian concept that delivers 100 per cent authentic NigerianAfrican-inspired dishes. Our vision is to bring our authentic quality food merged with modern African fusion of fine dining to the world and become a household name in our industry.”

With this in mind, he started his first restaurant with an inscription—the Nigerian Restaurant in Lewisham, London, UK 2013. In 2016, he moved to Finchley Road London, UK, Croydon Surrey, UK, 2019, Brixton London, UK, 2019 he registered his presence again in Ilford Essex in 2020 and in Camberwell London, UK, 2021. Having satisfied UK appetites, in 2019, he moved to the United States and co-founded Kapriultra Lounge in Houston, Texas.

In February 2020, Enish Restaurant stormed Dubai in style with the mission to be the best authentic Nigerian restaurant in the Middle East with the bestAfrican food, quality and music served in the state-of-the-art restaurants that promote modernAfrica. Located in the heart of Dubai and along the famous street in UAE, Shek Zayed Road, Enish restaurant offers a perfect venue for both business and social meetings with various night themes for each day, for example, Ladies night, Flux Saturdays,Afro Drip,African night,Afro Beat night, etc. With a 200 sitting capacity, a VIP Shisha serving lounge, and VVIP 10 sitter guest room on the mezzanine floor overlooking the DJ and the big musical video screen, Enish Restaurant and Lounge brings years of culinary craft to Dubai.

It serves the true taste of Nigerian cuisine and beverages with a fine dining experience in Dubai, delivering authenticity to its customers’ plate. It is classy with modern design, dark marble, rich materials, sophisticated colours, and subtle lighting. Enish Dubai exudes class and luxury whether guests have come for a cocktail, dining or party experience. Its management is planning another world-class at The Pointe Palm Jumeirah Dubai, UAE, very soon with its success story.

Medupin adds, “Opening our Dubai first branch amidst the global pandemic and managing to sustain it despite the COVID 19 business interruption is quite a milestone achievement. Above all, we have made our presence in the industry to claim the top spot as the best African outfit on UAE ahead of our predecessors.”

Since it registered its presence on the

three continents, the world-class restaurant has played host to top politicians, celebrities, and artistes such as Burna Boy, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, Kiss Daniel, Yemi Alade, Adekunle Gold, Simi, Peruzi, DJ Cuppy, Anthony Joshua, just to mention a few. His restaurant is also recognised with various awards. For instance, in 2017, it won the African Pride Award, Best Authentic Craft Bar in Dubai, and Most Outstanding Restaurant In Dubai.

Apart from his culinary art that has constantly drawn people to his tent, another magic that has worked for Medupin is the signage added to his restaurant.

He points out, “Because on my signage I added Nigerian restaurant and people were like, you are limiting your market. Why would you put Nigeria, and why can’t it be Africa?

I said I don’t sell Moroccan food. I don’t sell Egyptian food. I only sell Nigerian food. I told a man, ‘look opposite me, that is Jamaican restaurant, and they have their flag there.

Italian will put an Italian flag. Why can’t I put Nigeria?’ So let people know where they are going, and I stuck with that Nigerian name.

Because even online, when you Google Nigeria, my name will pop up. So later, I found out that it actually helped.”

From London, Medupin expanded to Houston and now Dubai. How did he manage to do that? And what has been his staying power?

He states, “Our staying power is consistency and the ability of my team to keep improving to be the best. My nature is that I like challenges. I like creating problems and solving them. As soon as I finish solving it, I am bored. I am in Nigeria because there is nothing to do. So the first one is Lewisham, after that Lewisham, I started getting bored. I opened a second one hoping that, that one will keep me busy. I have six restaurants in the UK. So when I opened the second one in Finchley Road, I just put two of my staff, and they didn’t even need me there.

So I said, okay, let me look for another one, so I did another one in Croydon and put two staff there. The Houston restaurant started with my brother-in-law. He wanted to start a restaurant.

He didn’t have any experience. He involved me, and we started. Along the line, we didn’t get the licence for the restaurant per se, but we got the club and the lounge. So we started the club and the lounge. For the Dubai restaurant, I just went to an exhibition. I go to exhibitions all over the world. Normally, when I go to an exhibition, it takes me one week to tour every site, but it took me only 30 minutes when I got to Dubai.

He adds, “I said I am in Dubai already. Let me enjoy myself because I have already booked five days hotel. So I started going around, and I saw one Africa restaurant in Dubai. I entered, and I liked the atmosphere, and it was quite big, and I said if this man can do it, I should be able to do something better because I know what I can do. And I just spoke to one or two people, and two months later, I opened in Dubai.”

If you want to learn how to run a successful restaurant, Medupin has become an open book for the upcoming ones. Surprisingly, apart from what he picked from his mother’s restaurant as a child, he did go for further training.

“No. It is just a passion. It is just what I grew up with. It is just like when your mum is a nurse, and you grew up seeing her do that, and before you know it, you will know more about medicines. So I had a passion for it, so I started growing it myself. Before I started restaurant, I was cooking for friends. They come to me. So it is just a passion, even I do all the cooking in the house. I think my wife like that part,” he explains.

And his father’s reaction to his career path?

“He retired as a judge. He didn’t have a problem with it. He just assumed I took after my mum. And my mum does a lot of business as well, so he was just like you have taken her steps,” he answers.

For him, his relaxation still revolves around his passion, saying, “I relax in the kitchen. For example, if you take me to a shopping mall, I won’t enjoy it. But take me to like plate shop or cookery store, where they sell restaurant equipment, trust me, I will love it.”

For Medupin, it has been 20 years doing his things and nine years capturing the world with his flavour. He is not slowing down any time soon as many more years will see him expanding.

He admits, “I love Africa, but I don’t think Africa is ready for me yet except Nigeria. So I am looking at coming to Nigeria because I see huge potential. I want to open the biggest restaurant in Lagos. I don’t have space. I don’t know how it is going to happen, but I will keep working on it, and God will help me.”

SUNDAY APRIL 25, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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COVER 2 A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

25.4.2021

IKE NNAEBUE

A Road Trip into the Past Filmmaker Ike Nnaebue embarked on a road trip to Europe over two decades ago with the hope of returning as a wealthy man. But his mission didn’t go as planned. Now, he is on a similar trip for his new documentary.

Vanessa Obioha narrates the filmmaker’s migration ordeal ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/funkola2000@gmail.com

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ͱͳ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

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COVER 2

IKE NNAEBUE

My Road Trip to Self-discovery

Nnaebue

T

he day after Burna Boy won his first Grammy award, filmmaker Ike Nnaebue was in Cotonou, Benin Republic, enjoying the sight and sound of the morning rain. From a tender age, the musically inclined filmmaker developed a liking for rainfalls.

It’s like watching a musical performance.

Music is an art that Nnaebue evinced an interest in as a child. When he began his music career over a decade ago under the name FloSmith (aka Docto Aiyk), there were very few international music channels that showcased Nigerian music. The music video of his song ‘Brown Sugar’ nominated at the defunct Nigerian Music Video Awards in 2010 was among the first music videos aired on Trace TV. Like many Nigerians, Nnaebue was enthusiastic about Burna’s win. It’s a validation of the uniqueness of Nigerian music and its ability to dominate world trends. It also spoke volumes of the hard work and tenacity of the artists. The night before, he and his crew had visited a social spot in the quiet town only to find that Nigerian music dominated the airwaves.

Their discovery evoked a mixed feeling.

On the one hand, they were proud of the

prominence of Nigerian music. On the other hand, they longed for something different.

Beyond his love for music, Nnaebue has a penchant for storytelling. He remembered gathering at the village square with his peers to listen to fables spill from elders’ wise mouths or the dinner-time stories by his grandmother and mother that made every meal worthwhile.

“Somehow, my young mind understood that stories have the power to influence people,” he said. Those stories shaped his understanding of life even as he embarked on a journey that shaped his destiny over two decades ago.

Tall, light-skinned, with a bald head that sits on an admirable physique, the soft-spoken filmmaker was born into a polygamous family. However, he has no memory of his father, for he died while Nnaebue was still a toddler. From that young age, the filmmaker understood his responsibility to the family, becoming the backbone of his mother and younger siblings.

His flair for the arts made him a star in primary school. He snapped up roles in singing, acting, and writing school plays such that his teachers predicted a bright future for him. Despite his outstanding

academic results, his mother denied him the opportunity to attend a secondary school, although not deliberately. Their pecuniary situation made it impossible to consider education for her first son. Rather, she toed the path most mothers did at the time: sending her son to learn a trade. Nnaebue became an apprentice to a man who dealt in the auto parts business for an agreed period of five years, after which the master was to ‘settle’ him and help him establish his own business. His master orchestrated a fallout plan that left Nnaebue poorer than the church rat as his tenure ended.

Frustrated and disappointed, Nnaebue, who had just turned 20, sought a better life.

In his village Ojoto in Anambra, there were tales of young men basking in wealth. These young men returned home with flashy cars, built mansions, and rained money at functions as if they were moneymakers.

The secret of their wealth rumoured to be in Europe. Europe, it turned out, was the magic money-making machine. Anyone capable of surviving the harrowing road trip to Europe, particularly to Las Palmas, a province in Spain, and endured the hardship of working in plantations, guaranteed a better lifestyle.

“Everybody wanted to go to Europe then. People were sending cars back home and building houses. To my young mind, it was just a unique opportunity,” he narrated.

The more Nnaebue listened to these stories, the more convinced he was that the greener pastures resided in the lush plantations of Las Palmas. Few of his friends also bought into the idea, and together, they dug out their savings and planned the road trip. But first, they had to figure out how to navigate the journey. They bought an atlas and drew their itinerary with their scanty knowledge of geography.

“It sounded so simple and easy on paper.

It was a good plan,” he laughed.

The next hurdle for Nnaebue and his friends was to get passports. A guy in Lagos Island came in handy. He sold passports to them that had other people’s names but with their pictures. They were advised to identify themselves as artists from the National Troupe attending a concert in Europe. A trip to the National Theatre helped them get the necessary documents.

With all their documentation in order, Nnaebue and his friends set out on the adventurous journey.

“We had no fear. It was a lifetime opportunity for us to see the world. We were so elated to get to Las Palmas, start work on the plantation, make money, and start sending cash and cars back home,” he recalled.

The sense of danger would, however, come during a stopover between Gao and Bamako in Mali. A man who overheard them discussing their plans warned them of the dangers ahead. He told them a story of a group of travellers who embarked on a similar mission but lost their way in the desert and eventually died.

“For the first time, it occurred to me that I had made a huge mistake in my young life,” said Nnaebue emotionally. “I didn’t know how to deal with that. It was quite devastating. It’s the bleakest moment of my life to date. The memories still linger.”

Caught in fear’s grip, Nnaebue planned to make a U-turn. He was not alone. His friends, too, were scared to death by the stranger’s story. But just when they were about to abort the journey, another stranger offered them help.

This particular stranger identified himself as a sailor in Austria who was on his way to The Gambia to pick his wife and children.

He offered to travel with them and even help them secure a job in Austria. The naive minds swallowed every promise the stranger made with gusto, to the extent that when he proposed to keep their cash to avoid customs tax, they willingly gave it to him. He was to keep the money for the first few days they arrived in The Gambia. Unfortunately, the man disappeared a week later with all their life savings. It gradually dawned on them that the stranger had swindled them.

With no money and no sense of direction, the young men became homeless and stranded in Banjul. Mobile phones were not available at the time, so Nnaebue’s efforts to reach his family proved futile. Back home,

his mother was worried sick. It took him almost two years to reunite with his family.

Fortunately for them, they found a Nigerian community in The Gambia that sheltered them.

“The only recurring thought I had in mind was survival. How do I get my meal for the next day? Of course, I was hungry most of the time. I remembered I was offered a job at a restaurant. I was so excited. It didn’t come with monetary payment but just two meals per day. I was so excited to have that offer and applied myself so passionately to the job as if my life depended on it, which was the reality at the time. I also understood my condition wouldn’t last forever, so I was always looking for something better.”

Indeed, he only lasted two months at the restaurant. He would transition to a newspaper vendor in the mornings, a shoe repairer in the afternoons and the evenings, a bread hawker.

Eventually, he offered classes to primary and secondary students.

“It was a big deal for me because I didn’t go to secondary school. Most of the things I taught them were from textbooks. I would borrow them, study them all through the night and teach the students the following evening.”

His students performed remarkably at exams that their parents began referring friends and families to the filmmaker. While still teaching, he got an opportunity to play a lead role in a soap opera ‘Colour of Love’ shown on GamTV. The success of the show reawakened his passion for music and film. He bought a guitar and saved money to attend a film school in Nigeria.

The guitar became the only possession he returned home with. If Nnaebue feared his mother would be unhappy with him, he was mistaken. On his return, she hugged him, plastered him with kisses, and would have slaughtered a goat to celebrate his return like the biblical father of the prodigal son if their financial status allowed it. After all, his son was once lost but now found. Her joy replaced any fury she felt. Rather, she encouraged him to pursue his dreams with vigour. In fact, she contributed financially to his trip to Jos where he honed his filmmaking and directing skills.

“That journey was a defining moment in my life. I had two options: either to beat myself up and stay in The Gambia until I had something to show off or swallow my pride, return home and pursue my passion in film and music. I made the decision that my future was better than what society thinks. I embraced my failure. Of course, people mocked me. My half-brothers laughed at me, but I was focused on my future.”

All of this happened over two decades ago.

Now, Nnaebue is taking a trip into his past to document the experiences of migrants taking the harrowing journey to Europe by road.

The documentary with the working title, ‘No U-turn,’ will be his first.

Although he’s been toying with the idea of telling his story for a long while, the opportunity finally came when he stumbled on an open call by a non-profit media organisation in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2019. The organisation was looking for people with migration stories across Africa. He sent his proposal and was accepted. The project was to kick off in 2020, but the pandemic happened.

However, he attended four workshops in different countries, including Spain and Ghana.

In ‘No U-turn,’ Nnaebue, known for his film such as ‘Loving Daniella,’ will travel across four African countries — Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Mali and Mauritania — to Europe. His ultimate goal with the documentary is to understand why people still embark on the journey even with the copious tales of danger on that route.

“There are still people who embark on this risky journey,” he said. “Someone once told me that he would rather die in the desert than return to Nigeria.

“People still have this idea that life in Europe is better. To be fair, most Nigerians are not afraid to work. They are willing to work as long as they are getting paid and showing society that they are successful. While some are not willing to work in Europe but delve into crimes such as drug trafficking, fraud, etc. The general perception is that you can make it abroad more than in Nigeria,” he explained.

But more important for the filmmaker, he needed to tell his story, “and hopefully, it inspires people to make a different kind of decision.”

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ͱͳ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

HighLife Senator Adeola Solomon: Tale of an Ambitious Politician

“I

Solomon

ntelligence, without ambition, is like a bird without wings”, said Salvador Dali. Also, ambition, it is believed, is the path to success, just as persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.

So, it is not out of place that Senator Adeola Olamilekan Solomon is preparing well and guiding his political career come 2023.

To many, 2023 is a long way to come. But the politician, who is known as a strategist, believes the maxim that says, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

Indeed, anyone who knows the man, popularly known as Yayi, very well, will attest to the fact that he understands politics like the back of his hand. A reliable source close to the two-term senator (Lagos West Senatorial District), disclosed that as part of his political permutation and calculations, he would contest to represent his ancestral district, Ogun West Senatorial District, in 2023 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

It is said that the senator currently representing the district, Tolu Odebiyi, and ex-Governor Ibikunle Amosun, has never hidden their loathing for him, could be a clog in the wheel of his ambition.

Another source disclosed that Yayi could be using his Ogun senatorial ambition as a launching pad for his most cherished aspiration: the state’s number one job in 2027 after the current governor, Dapo Abiodun, will have served his two terms as required under the law. Political observers claim that the senatorial ambition is to worm himself into the heart of the state’s citizens and gain more relevance. “If you ask the senator about his most cherished ambition, he will definitely tell you that it is to become the governor of Ogun state.

“He is working tirelessly to achieve this someday.”

In the build-up to the Ogun governorship election in 2019, the Yewa-born senator was considered the likely successor to Amosun, owing to his financial war chest, connections, popularity, and sound political experience. Just like it happens anywhere in the world, the unexpected sometimes occurs in politics. So, when the reality dawned on him, the Yewa-born member of the National Assembly quit the race; and hurriedly ran back to Lagos. By Providence, he came back to Lagos to retain his seat as the senator representing Lagos West.

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

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

Two Scores of Bliss for Rotimi, Betty Akeredolu It was Francis Wayne Sinatra, American singer, songwriter, actor, and conductor, who said that love and marriage are inseparable—the longer the years of marriage, the deeper the devotion of the married to each other.

After 40 years of being together as man and wife, one can only imagine how deeply Governor Rotimi Akeredolu is devoted to his wife, Betty, and vice versa.

A few days ago, social media was awash with felicitations and goodwill messages for Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, and his wife, Lady Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, on their 40th wedding anniversary. Of course, Akeredolu’s allies and other Ondo state natives and residents were not the only ones celebrating the couple; those who know a thing or two about ‘conjugal bliss’ had nothing but praises for the Akeredolus.

The anniversary was capped with a private event organised by Akeredolu’s children and held at the residence of the mother of the governor in Ibadan, Oyo State. Several notable figures were in attendance, including Akeredolu’s Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his wife, Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa; Speaker of the

State House of Assembly, Bamidele Oleyelogun; acting State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ade Adetimehin; Deputy Speaker, Samuel Aderoboye; Majority Leader, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi; Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu; Chief of Staff, Gbenga Ale; Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo; Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa; and many others.

During the event, the happy couple had much to say. According to Akeredolu, his marriage to Lady Betty is the first plus of his life. He stated that going back 40 years, he would still want her for himself, even though they have faced many odds. Similarly, the 67-yearold Lady Betty noted that her husband remains her first love, and she has no regrets that she had to cross the Niger to get together with him.

Obviously, these 40 years (which is almost two-thirds of their respective lives) have only deepened the love that Rotimi and Betty Akeredolu have for each other. With four children and many grandchildren, there is much to be grateful for besides their respective careers.

Rotimi and Betty Akeredolu

Babajide Sanwo-Olu: The Sleepless Achiever

Sanwo-Olu

Lagos is still the number state and city in Nigeria. This is not because of the overwhelmingly large crowds of hustling people or the significant ethnic diversity characteristic of these crowds. Rather, Lagos is like imperial jade, a glowing centre of

opportunities and comfort because of a man, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his team of sleepless overachievers.

To a newcomer to Lagos, the State is a swirling mass of people, islands and good roads.

But to anyone who has lived in the Centre of Excellence for three to eight years, none of the changes to these characteristics of the Lagos environment is undeserving of applause.

It used to be assumed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was the typical noisemaker, albeit an intellectual one. Since coming on board the Lagos ship in 2019, the agenda and accomplishments of the man have proved otherwise. Practically every aspect of Lagos has changed, from housing to infrastructure, education and job opportunities.

In fact, one might say that Sanwo-Olu’s vision of a 21st Century Lagos with traffic management and transportation, health and environment, and education and technology has been nothing but a well-clocked augury.

To Sanwo-Olu’s credit, the education sector has become a hive of honey for teachers and instructors. The learning environment has not

only been significantly amped, but teachers have begun to enjoy the true dividends of democracy. And then there’s the integration of the sector with technology, with online learning, digital schooling, skill acquisition, et cetera.

To Sanwo-Olu’s credit, potholes on highways are becoming something of the past. Transport infrastructure has enjoyed a buoying up since Sanwo-Olu came on board, with new options for travel, reduced congestion, and an all-round improvement in the movement of people and things within Lagos.

To Sanwo-Olu’s credit, indigenous investors have had their interests stoked, and large-scale investments are pouring in at an all-time high rate. This has reduced the burden for job creation and infrastructure development at the lower levels of the Lagos government.

All in all, Governor Sanwo-Olu is not asleep or sleeping. This much is obvious from the many welcome developments in Lagos State.

New Lease of Life for Billionaire Businessman Tayo Amusan...to Buy Shoprite Everything appears to be coming together for Tayo Amusan, the billionaire businessman and boss of the popular shopping mall on Victoria Island, Lagos, The Palms. After the many uncertainties that threatened his life and livelihood in 2020, Providence has pressed a reset button for the Lagos-based enterpriser—a reset button that guarantees a quantum leap in Amusan’s fiat and fortune.

The COVID-19 crisis of 2020 racked up the nerves of travelling business people all around the world. As one of the many reportedly infected with the virus, Tayo Amusan was the subject of many conjectures, many fears, and many prayers. But it all ended in happy tears, with Amusan hale and indescribably hearty. With recent developments, Amusan’s happiness is even more unquantifiable.

Based on new reports, Shoprite Holdings, managers of Africa’s most prominent retail establishment, is considering—as the company stated it—“the potential sale of all, or a majority stake, in Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited,

a subsidiary of Shoprite International Limited”.

In other words, ShopRite is going on the shelf for whichever Nigerian investor and business owner has the best qualifications to acquire it.

Unsurprisingly, Tayo Amusan is at the top of this list.

The ShopRite story has been on popular demand by Nigerian investors, including those in the diaspora. For a multi-million-Naira company with over 2000 branches in other African countries, the acquisition offer is likely worth billions of naira. And Tayo Amusan just happens to be on top of it. But that is no surprise at all.

Amusan single-handedly established The Palms, the first mall in Nigeria that surpassed international standards according to legends.

That was in 2004 when Amusan was only 43 years old. Now, the man is 60, has accumulated 17 years of constant business activity and related managerial experience. Who is a better fit for ShopRite in Nigeria than such a person?

As a side note, Amusan’s property

Amusan

development company, Persianas Nigeria Limited, is housing several outlets of ShopRite and is reportedly the only one out of the three competing investors that is all indigenous, without any foreign association or influence.

So yes, Amusan is on the go for a new breakthrough and lease of life.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ͱͳ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

HIGHLIFE

Meet the Silent Achiever: Akinwole Omoboriowo II, CEO, Genesis Electricity The new wave of Nigerian achievers is not exactly new. Like the clouds behind harmattan rains, they are as stealthy as their accomplishments are loud. This is why folks would have heard of Genesis Electricity and GEL Utility, but not the man behind these hedge-breaking enterprises.

It is heartwarming that Nigerian business people are straddling the line between innovation and venture.

Akinwole Omoboriowo II, with his Genesis Energy Holdings, for example, is taking a straightforward approach to pushing his ideas and goals for the country and continent. In his own words, it is all about ‘Lighting up Africa... one community at a time.’

Akinwole Omoboriowo II (AOII for short) goes toe to toe against some of the best minds in the world on the matters of energy in general and electricity in particular. Unsurprisingly, he is the Chairman of the directory Board of the

largest licensed Commercial OffGrid company in Nigeria, GEL Utility, and the CEO of Genesis Energy Group.

The power sector is the primary focus of AOII, so his having served on the Advisory Board of SHELL Foundation UK demonstrates the strength of his passion. Nevertheless, the man still has enough administrative/ managerial prowess to be a fellow of the Advisory Board of the Global Thinkers Forum UK. Who knew that one could accomplish so much with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Jos? But AOII’s educational foundation is more rock-solid and determinative compared to the next man. With a postraduate diploma in Strategy and Innovation from the University of Oxford, Saïd Business School, and certification in Electricity Pricing and Modelling from the London Business School in the United

Ademola Adebise is under Pressure

W

Omoboriowo ll

Kingdom, and another in International Oil Trading and Shipping from the OxfordPrinceton College in the same UK, one might say that AOII scripted a fine life for himself.

He has.

Amazing New Year for Nnamdi Okonkwo

Okonkwo

The former Fidelity Bank MD, Nnamdi Okonkwo, has added a happy year to his life on earth. With so many individuals of height

and depth sending felicitations and goodwill messages, Okonkwo’s premium value in banking, industry and the Nigerian society is evident to all.

A deluge of complimentary messages is still ramming Nnamdi Okonkwo’s social media channels. From the heights of the Nigerian society with industry leaders to the bottom with those who aspire to be like Okonkwo, the depths of feeling were not unfeigned. Nnamdi Okonkwo has made his mark, and he remains relevant to all and sundry.

After six years as the dynamic MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank, Nnamdi Okonkwo had to bow out and usher in Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, the current MD/CEO. Nevertheless, Okonkwo stirred up many bees and buzz in Fidelity Bank, the Nigerian industry in general.

It was during the time of Okonkwo that banking in Nigeria took a complete digital turn.

Unsurprisingly, Fidelity Bank took a topmost position among its peers. Furthermore, several

Akin Alabi, Shina Peller and Tajudeen Adefisoye: Youngest Politicians Youths are the leaders of tomorrow. Young people are the key to the future. Overuse has turned such sayings into clichés. Nevertheless, the truth might pass into legend, but it will never become falsehood. Although only a handful of young people are in the upper tiers of Nigerian politics and government, no one can claim that they are nonentities.

For most intending politicians who are 45 years old or less, politics in Nigeria is like a dinner with the devil: surviving the ordeal would require the use of very long cutlery. Thus, those that eventually take a bold step do so against well-meaning counsels from friends and family to do otherwise. Notwithstanding, with the quality of youths making loud impacts, the narrative is gradually changing.

In the House of Representatives, especially, young politicians have begun making legends of themselves with their passion and visions for the future of Nigeria. Three of these politicians immediately come to mind: Oloye Akin Alabi, Shina Abiola Peller, and Tajudeen Adefisoye.

Oloye Akin Alabi is more notable for his being a super entrepreneur and author.

Although he has taken a step back from NairaBET, it is on record that he almost certainly

established the modern sports betting industry in Nigeria. However, the 44-year-old Alabi has wielded the same influence to represent his Egbeda/Ona Ara Federal constituency (of Oyo State) in the House of Reps. So far, the titled philanthropist has not disappointed his people.

Shina Peller is 45 years old and has represented the Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/ Kajola Federal Constituency (Oyo State) in the House of Reps since 2019. An industrialist and entrepreneur, Peller has proved to the other members of the Green Chamber that youth does not connote shyness or reservation. Thus, Peller has been one of the most outspoken voices in the legislative pavilion of Femi Gbajabiamila.

Hon. Tajudeen Adeyemi Adefisoye is the youngest member of the House of Reps. At 37 years of age, Adefisoye represents Ondo State’s Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency.

Nevertheless, age is just a number for him. His momentum has culminated in projects geared towards youth development in his State.

What else is there to say? Nigeria will be nothing short of exciting with such people at the helm of affairs in the coming years.

awards, since 2014, have found a way to Okonkwo’s shelf.

For a while now, folks have begun to ask what Okonkwo’s next step is—after sitting at the apex of Nigerian banking and industry, what next? This is not out of place considering that his peers (First Bank’s Bisi Onasanya and Skye Bank’s Tokunbo Abiru) have also left banking but taken over a massive chunk of other industries for themselves.

In any case, based on those with ears everywhere, Okonkwo plans to take nonExecutive roles in industries other than banking. In other words, the man has refused to start-up a coffee shop and live the rest of his life commenting on business in Nigeria. Obviously, the man intends to remain in the thick of things—and for a good reason. Overall, it is a new year for Nnamdi Okonkwo, one that will undoubtedly be as exciting and star-bright as the ones before.

Alabi

Adefisoye

ema Bank in general and its MD/CEO, Ademola Adebise in particular, have come under pressure from their customers for recent tidings regarding the bank’s liquidity status. With fears regarding Nigeria’s financial future, this is not a good time for any bank to lose the trust of its customers. With Wema Bank as an old and generational Nigerian bank, the stakes are even higher.

No banker understands the risks involved in losing the trust of shareholders and depositors as Wema Bank’s Ademola Adebise. He emerged as the bank’s MD/CEO in the last quarter of 2018 after his prior position (which he held for three months) as acting MD and Deputy MD (which he held for about a year and a half). After labouring all that time, the recent allegation that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has Wema Bank under surveillance has dealt a heavy blow to Adebise.

The allegation is recent and announced that Wema Bank is doing remarkably poorly compared to other Nigerian banks. In economic speak, the bank’s liquidity ratio has fallen so far from the mark that doubling the last reported ratio (14.54%) would do nothing to reach the requisite benchmark of 30%. Meanwhile, Wema’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (a measure of Wema’s available capital against risks associated with asset loss and liabilities) was also reported as unimpressive, also falling short of the benchmark. Essentially, the report stated that Wema might just fall off the counter of credible and operational Nigerian banks.

Ademola Adebise has had to defend the performance of Wema Bank against these reports.

He explained that the seeming underperformance of Wema Bank as featured in the report is an outlier, the exception rather than the normal.

Furthermore, he maintained that the poor metrics reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the lockdown and consequent disruption of banking. Thus, he stated, Wema Bank is still standing strong, and there is no need for panic.

Regardless, folks are still panicky.

The onus is on Ademola Adebise again to prove the resilience of Wema Bank with an outstanding performance at the end of the first quarter of 2021. No pressure, indeed.

Peller

Billionaire Val Ugbeide Dazzles Sister-in-Law with 2021 Range Rover Wedding presents are a convenience that most guests never take too seriously. In fact, some think it is compensation for the refreshments they enjoy at wedding receptions.

To honourable guests and close relatives of the couples to be wed, wedding gifts offer an opportunity to show the depth of love. Despite this, billionaire businessman Val Ugbeide still broke the internet with his wedding gift to his sister-in-law.

Very recently, low-profile Val Ugbeide and his wife, Linda, got social media buzzing with how far they were going to celebrate the wedding ceremony of Linda’s sister, Efe. Suppose one were not aware of the close

relationship between the three. In that case, one might assume that the Ugbeides were overly excited because Efe was finally getting her own home (as brothers usually think of their little sisters). But the joy of the Ugbeides paled in comparison to that of the bride herself, Efe. It has been a while now, but Efe has finally got together with the love of her life, Inyang Dietake. The wedding was as lavish and highoctane as one might expect to demonstrate the happy union between the two families. Even though her sister and brother-in-law are the representatives of all things, low profile, Efe’s wedding was packed full with high-profile figures, the very best of the Nigerian society.

The highlight of the wedding ceremony

came during the time of gifts. Among the many commendable gifts, that of the Ugbeides stood out starkly. According to those in the know, Val and Linda’s gift is valued millions of naira. A brand new 2021 Range Rover SUV—that is raising the bar a few kilometres up.

While the Ugbeides made no big deal of their Range Rover wedding present, not everyone can enjoy the same privilege. For one, you would have to be endeared to a billionaire family. Even so, thoughtful billionaires like Val Ugbeide are rare. Big ups to Efe and her husband. Talk about a marital union that started on new wheels.

Adebisi

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LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

Isa Pantami – Just Go

I don’t even know why some people cannot be shaming and save us the stress of continued national debate. This Pantami scandal when it first broke, I ignored it. I just didn’t want to start stressing myself about another untouchable. But as more information came out and his puny defence begins to rankle and irritate people, then we must all come out to strongly tell this dude to do the right thing and

just go. Even if na juju dem take do us, there are some limitations na. You cannot have this kind of background as alleged, and you will remain not only in government but in one of the most strategic ministries at this time. This one is like carrying a convicted rapist to stand guard in a female hostel. Abeg, just go. I really do not have power for this matter.

Writer’s block is catching me.

That is why I am not writing plenty. Just go, baba, you can serve us in another capacity. If you truly are repentant, or as you say, it was childish youthful exuberance, OK no problem.

Now that you are healed, go into the forest or wilderness to talk to your people to be calming down.

This thing is just too much. What kind of country is this? What kind of slavery is this? Please go.

I beg. Go!

WHAT SORT OF ASSURANCE IN CONTINUITY? When I first heard this one, it was Davido’s hit song, ‘Assurance,’ that came to my mind. Davido, in that powerful song, promised his belle Chioma everything in this world – it was a scam. Years after, he never marry am. We are even hearing some funny stories about variations of this assurance that the man is giving other starlets to pop their cherry. It is in the same vein that I am looking at this Buhari’s continuity. Na real ‘Assurance’ - he is giving us assurance. Oya, everybody start singing in Davido’s voice – Continuity. Mbok, leave me make I rest. This Buhari, I sure say even he himself don tire. When they ask him any question, he will just say the first thing that come him head so that they will leave him alone so he can go and rest. Continuity of what o, if I may ask?

Inflation, insecurity, mbok make I no talk. Daddy, my best advice for you is to also start a countdown. A countdown to when you will go and push it very powerfully. That way, people will start to leave you alone. They will say after all he is going. Continuity, please don’t let me laugh. This na real suffering and smiling as Fela sing.

cannot in any way solve the matter and is tantamount to you supporting the continued threat of secession in our national polity. Let me tell you honestly. I have not been taking your calls and refused to attend the funeral last week personally. I cannot be seen to be cavorting with you when this your policy will exacerbate the situation we face and embolden other such tendencies. Nigeria, like my marriage, remains indivisible. We are together whether we like it or not and like the Duchess, who will continue to maintain major sanctions, including suspending my ‘bedroom rights’ but will still be ‘prouding’ and be saying, ‘I am Duchess Mofoluwake Edgar.’ Come and see her at my mother’s burial, that is gist for another day. So, my brother with the blonde scattered hair, when they come to you with the memo, just thrash it or better still put in a call. Let me give you better advice. Let me state it here very correctly that if you go ahead with this very funny policy, I, the Duke of Shomolu, will impose my sanctions, and you will see how all the single women above 40 in that your UK who are my constituency will show you at the polls. If you think this is an empty threat, try me.

I fast track you, or you go home. My people, I didn’t waste time, no be me do amalgamation of 1914 creating this monstrosity. I say oya. He say bring the money. I ignored him I say I have filled the covid test form online. He say oga are you ready or not? I say no vex.

Went to the business centre paid the N5,000 and the man fill form that I had already paid. That is how I watched the guy do his magic, and pronto I was checked in, and we were on the way.

It wasn’t over o. I say let us don’t leave the airport until she actually enters the plane because this airport is a different republic entirely with its own government complete. That is how we started driving around the airport while waiting. That is how I saw a bin and decided to stop for a second to throw the bottle of coke into the dustbin, and immediately my tire was clamped. I say, ‘please, bro, I just stopped to bin this bottle as I did not want to throw the bottle on the road and litter our international airport.

Four men, smelling, no mask say pay N25,000, or we tow you and you pay N50,000 to government. I say this is so unfair. So so unfair. Guess which option I took?

BORIS JOHNSON – IS SOMETHING THE MATTER? Baba, I know you are still in mourning following the passing of my colleague Duke, but then again, some things cannot wait. I have been dutifully informed that your immigration people are submitting new guidelines that would allow for some leverage to a certain group of people in this country. This, if true, is wrong. This

THE DAY I FELT SHAME TO MY CORE I had first done this post on WhatsApp, and it went viral. People now started begging me to put it on this column.

In fact, my friend Olumide Ohunayo called from Ghana – don’t ask me wetin that one go do there – him nomadic pass herdsman. He called in that he had put the post on so many Aviation Platforms and that the matter was even mentioned on Ghanaian TV. Mbok,

what is the matter? Na me taking my daughter to the airport on her way to the UK on school exile. As we drove into the airport, I swore to be a model Nigerian. I swore not to give any bribe or tip, jump queue or anything like that.

I am the Duke of Shomolu, and I must show the world the new Nigeria we are building. My people by the time they finished with me six hours after, I was out of pocket to the tune of N60,000, my ego deflated, and confidence in this country totally shattered. From the outside, people were paying as much as N5,000 to police to jump the queue. Scanner? What is that? After paying, you just put your luggage into that thing and collect it at the other side and continue. Even the FAAN Lounge, na black market. That corona has not finished us in this country is but a miracle yet to be understood.

Nobody wore a mask despite the announcement going on. The ones who even had a mask kept it under their chin. As I sit down, I weigh my options, do I remain a model Nigerian and risk my daughter following me back to Shomolu, or do I become a Nigerian and join the fray and achieve my objective? Please, note that as a model Nigerian, I was in the queue outside the airport for two hours watching Nigerians pay a toll in front to jump the queue. One dirty looking official in uniform I could not recognize came to me- sir, where are you going. I say the UK. He say flight?

British Airways. He say N10,000. I say for what. He say if you no careful you go miss flight, be speaking English.

This na 9.20 pm, flight na 10.15 pm and you have three points, you never even pay covid. Pay this N10,000 make

Buahri

Johnson

Odumosu

Pantami

AMAZON AND TWITTER – I UNDERSTAND EXPERIENTIALLY You see, we sha like to be opening our mouth and be talking crap. There has been much angst at Twitter opening shop in Ghana and now Amazon going to South Africa. People who have not seen anything in this Nigeria that will be shouting, those that have experienced what Nigeria is, will just be clapping for these people. Let me tell you, people, one story: that is

Tinubu

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LOUD WHISPERS how one man call me. He say, is that Edgar? I say yes, he say I am Dr…. I am an international TV consultant. I have lived in America for over 40 years and I have the option of opening an international TV station in either South Africa or Nigeria. I am a Nigerian from Bayelsa, and I think I should come into Nigeria because with the US government backing this project, it will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs and open up Nigeria, making it the hub of international broadcasting. The South African government has given me land, tax holiday for five years and part of the funding, but I want to come to Nigeria for patriotic reasons.

I say, oya na. I love this. Let’s do it. As an investment banker, these kinds of transactions excite me. So I took the mandate. My people don’t let me talk far. We ended up in EFCC cell, losing millions of personal money, and much more painfully, the old man losing all his life savings. That night inside EFCC cell, I ask myself questions. Questions I could find answers to. Where did we get it wrong? We only just wanted to bring in our own small FDI and contribute. See me inside cell. The man is in Abuja today jobless, penniless and ruing the day he called me. Me, I am here writing a column and doing plays and running around begging people for sponsorship. Mbok, you don’t know what Amazon must have experienced trying to come. Dem just quietly go saner place. Mbok, don’t blame dem o. I cannot blame them. I understand.

HAKEEM ODUMOSU – PLEASE CATCH THE MISCREANT Oga, let me tell you very clearly that if in two weeks you do not catch that miscreant, I will personally come to that your Ikeja GRA office with 100 naked women from Shomolu and stand there till you resign. I hope you like breasts because you will see plenty and don’t be looking forward to it o. I know you now o. My brother, the video of that man hitting a policeman with a bottle in the head is not only annoying but nauseating. I actually cried. Not only for the lack of respect for the institution but also for that lonely policeman so assaulted. They broke a bottle on his head. He was there alone, no backup, no communication to call for help. Which kind of service is this? Which kind of life is this?

Frustration all over the place. Please, what plans do you have for the man?

If not, kindly send me his details?

I will beg Nigerians to donate N5 million to the policeman. He looked so scared and alone. Please, can you kindly compensate him because that bottle he took on the head was for the whole force? Mr Odumosu, that was your head. Please, do something fast, and I repeat, if there is no budget for his medical or compensation, send his details. We will compensate him.

Thank you.

SEYI TINUBU – I NEED DELIVERANCE Bro, for the past week, I have been trying to write something about you along your business lines and how you have been doing well in it. But funnily enough, each time I open the laptop, I go just get writer’s block, and nothing will come out. This is really funny because normally, I flow o. I can represent Nigeria in the Olympics in writing, so you can imagine my frustration. I will write and write, but I go just get babanla writer’s block when I come to this your matter.

People are fighting you spiritually o.

They don’t want me to hail you o. Even this one that I am writing, na since 4 am. I have written other people own,

back and say edjjjjaarr – that is what he calls me – no vex my phone dey silence, I just dey see your call. I na say na your loss, you wey I want give afang and we will laugh. Great guy. Bro, come out of the closet and help rebuild this country.

Well done.

Echijile

Ajaere

but as I reach your side, I block again.

Be like say, I will leave it before the witches blind me. Na, you know your contributions to the system, whatever it is, keep doing it and always stand by the side of truth, justice, and fair play as a new breed of young Nigerian. As for me, I don run before dem turn me blind. I no write about Seyi Tinubu again o, mothers of the earth leave me.

Then one name struck. My brother and friend, Chidi Ajaere, is the young chairman of the GIG group. This boy is remarkable, taking a family-owned business to the dizzying heights of corporate engagement. This man has the practical experience and is doing things. A passionate Nigerian who has some very strong but highly closeted views about our land. Plays in the political background with strong reach but would prefer his works to show in the economic front where he has created employment opportunities for thousands of Nigerians. I was so excited that I placed a call to him.

As usual, he did not pick. He now call

CHIDI AJAERE – COME OUT OF THE CLOSET When I saw the announcement of the joint committee of the NGF and NESG, I just wanted to waka pass. All these elitist contraptions that they will be talking above people head don tire me.

WHEN CHARLYBOY CAME TO SHOMOLU

The call was crisp, Duke of Shomolu, I want to see you. Fada call and I won’t answer? I went o. I entered his lair, and he was looking at me. Still very handsome, roguish and dangerous. I love this man die. My papa beat me for am.

When my father ask me – who do you want to be like when you grow up, I say CharlyBoy. The man beat me like ‘gbomogbomo’.

Charly Boy has been consistent in his rebellion. Passionate about Nigeria but weakened by the death of the nation. He is sad. I say, bro, no worry, make we chop afang. He agreed. So I invited other icons, Mudi, Yemi Shodimu, Olisa Adibua,

CharlyBoy

Makinde Adeniran and the Ogelle man Osita Oparagu. We all sat down under the tree in my house and devoured the most deliciously made afang in Lagos. Come and see snails, periwinkle and goat meat. Osita say he is vegetarian.

I just look am. I eat him own. We ate and downed it with beautiful bottles of wine provided by my in-law, the great Ezekiel Etim.

Yemi brought palm wine. By the time we finished, we forget to talk o. Nigeria matter disappears, the afang take over. Anyways, I still think CharlyBoy is a living legend and must be celebrated. Welldone Fada.

ELDERSON ECHIJILE AND OLAIDE WILLIAM – A SWEET PAIR For those of you who follow football, Elderson will be familiar. He is a former Super Eagles player who has played all over Europe. Me, I don’t know him because I no dey see am for xvideos.

That is my own premiership, so I was just looking at the tall, handsome man when I met him. Na my partner Lami who says, ‘he is a footballer and played for the nation.’ I say OK. I hear. But then he is onto something cute in the sports betting space. He is working on OurBet, a novel platform that aims at levelling the playing field.

I like him, so I work with him. Then one day, he said, I will like you to meet my partner. I say, oya. She is Olaide.

This one is a professional who has done over 25 years in the oil industry with some very impressive mark.

This odd pair is on to something quite remarkable that will create wealth and redistribute it, which is very on point.

As I listen to them talk over bottles of water and coca-cola, it was early in the morning ( I trust Olaide for buy me afang). I could not help but be intrigued at the clarity of their vision and the seamless partnership they had built despite their different professional backgrounds. I wish them well, even though I am very, very excited at the prospect of their partnership and the effect on the nation.

IBIOM – WHEN DOVES FLY INTO UYO Orman Esin, the hard-working and talented Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, called me that morning saying, Duke, his Excellency has approved. I say Lord be praised.

You know I am now an elder in the church, so you will see some of these churchy things in what I do once in a while. Akwa Ibom today has some of the greatest tourism potential that is being harnessed. From the powerful Tech Tower to the wonderful Golf Course situated in the iconic Ibom Icon Hotel and the deep Seaport in Oron. My most exciting view of Akwa Ibom is the villages, some still in their natural state. I love the clay huts, the lush vegetation, the narrow paths, the streams. This is what we went to see in the Gambia the other day.

Finally, Akwa Ibom is the home of delicacies. There is nothing like diet in that town o - afang, ekpang, afia efere, atama too many to mention.

This is the home of Afang. I have eaten Afang on every street in Uyo. Another one is fisherman soup.

Oh my God, eat this soup in Ibeno; you will die o. The crayfish, snails, octopus. Yes, o octopus. These and more are the things Orman Esin wants to use to drag both internal tourists and external ones into Akwa Ibom and my new Play Ibiom – When the Doves Fly is heralding all these. This is my most special play because it will define me as an Akwa Ibom man first and foremost before a Nigerian. The story is sweeter than afang, over 50 dances from some of the most beautiful damsels, the stage and lightings will be out of this world, and my writer Director William Benson has just outdone himself on this one. Ibom Air and MTN are leading a slew of corporates, and guess what? It is free.

All free. The Duke’s gift to the people who birthed him. Let’s fly to Uyo and make magic. See you there.

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Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

Olori Hadiza Yakasai-Elegushi’s Commanding Fashion Sense

Okoya

Shade Okoya’s Homily as she Turns 44

T

he elegant and lavishly beautiful entrepreneur behind Eleganza enterprise and Managing Director of Eleganza industrial City, Dr. (Mrs.) Folashade Okoya is marking another milestone today as she turns 44.

But instead of throwing a lavish party as usual, the woman of means would use the occasion to deliver her homily about the need for Nigerian youths to prepare themselves to benefit from emerging opportunities by being well grounded educationally.

In a recent interview, Okoya had urged the young people of Nigeria to always be alive to their responsibilities as they prepare themselves to take up leadership positions.

Speaking further, she discussed all that she has done in terms of restructuring, organizing and saving costs through her leadership at the new Eleganza Industrial City; which is being positioned as the number one manufacturing organization in the whole of Africa.

“Since I assumed office as the Managing Director (MD) of Eleganza Industrial City, I have repositioned the company in a positive environment.

The company had suffered major lapses in the past. However, the company has undergone major improvements and is now bigger, better structured. Under my leadership, Eleganza has new visions, a new mission and culture aimed to propel the company in the direction of being the number one producer of all household items. Today, I am proud to say that Eleganza is stronger and with higher quality products,”she said.

The fashion icon also added that the new Eleganza Industrial City is a massive project on 35 hectares of land which will cater for every household needs.

“It is called an ‘Industrial City’ because of the large variety of household products that we manufacture. My chairman, my husband is so passionate about the project and Allah has been so kind and good to him in terms of giving him the strength and health for achieving his dreams and goals in the new Eleganza Extension site,” she added.

Born in Lagos on the 25th of April 1977 into the family of the late Alhaji Taju and Alhaja Nimota Adeleye, Chief (Dr) Mrs Shade Okoya had her early education in Lagos where she grew up. She studied at Lagos State Polytechnic Isolo, where she obtained an OND in Banking and Finance. She followed this up with a degree in Sociology from the University of Lagos.

Among her many titles are the Bewaji of Lagos, Otun Aare lyalaje of Ajiranland, Yeye Oge of Epe Land, Ajisewa of Oke Ona Egba as well as the Patron of Fashion Designers’ Association of Nigeria (FADAN).

She has interest in many areas of business other than standing as the Managing Director of Eleganza Industrial City Limited. She is also a member, Board of Directors of Eleganza Group and RAO investment Property Company Limited.

To say that Olori Hadiza Yakasai, wife of the stylish and youthful Oba Saheed Elegunshi Kusenla 11, is a dazzling beauty is, to put it mildly.

Those who have met her say she has many models to spend fortunes to possess: attractive curvature and stunning looks.

This, in addition to her commanding dress sense, usually makes her the cynosure of eyes at any public event. She is already becoming a fashion icon, as she is setting a new standard in Nigeria’s social scene.

Little wonder, since she got married to the flamboyant king two years ago, she has been grazing the pages of several newspapers and magazines for her beauty and almost

unparalleled fashion sense. Recently, she caught the attention of many when her husband celebrated his 45th birthday in Lagos.

Elegantly fitted in white lace with a pink flower-patterned flowing gown and a white headgear, the attire sat well on her.

She looked resplendent and bright like a well-polished diamond on the occasion. When the drop-dead gorgeous sauntered into the hall in the company of her friends, she instantly got the paparazzi busy as they tried to capture every step she took in the picture as memorabilia. She also rocked the popular N5 million Judith Leiber clutch bag to complement her ravishing looks during the celebration.

Elegushi

Prince Adeniji Kazeem’s Brilliant Career at 56 Without a doubt, former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, Prince Adeniji Kazeem (SAN), son of the late Honourable Justice Boonyamin Oladiran Kazeem, a former Solicitor General of Nigeria and justice of the Supreme Court, (a scion of the illustrious Kazeem Aralawon Family of Isale-Eko fame) and Princess Jemilat Adetoun Kazeem (a biological daughter of the Oba of Lagos) takes pride in his work beyond description.

He seemed to have foreseen a fulfilling career in law practice while he was an undergraduate of Political Science at the University of Lagos; so, he wasted no time in bagging another degree in law in 1990 at the same university.

Soon after he finished from the Nigeria Law School, he travelled to Glasgow, Scotland, where he earned his Master’s degree in Information and Telecommunication Law from the University of Strathclyde.

He would later start his professional career as a consultant with the foremost globally-rated international consulting and accounting firm, Arthur Anderson (now KPMG Professional Services), where he worked in the Tax and Regulatory Services Division.

Kazeem

Five years later, he quit his job at KPMG to establish Adeniji Kazeem & Co; and today, the

multi-disciplinary boasts three offices in Lagos and Abuja.

The legal luminary, unknown to many, is also a brilliant writer and an accomplished author whose publications, such as the Nigerian Hire Purchase Act and the Future of Customary Law in Nigeria, have enriched Information and telecommunication law adjudication and jurisprudence in Nigeria and the West African coast.

While he was a cabinet member in Lagos, he brought to bear his vast knowledge in Information and Telecommunication Law, as seen in some of the practical reforms and initiatives like the Lagos mobile courts, the digitization of Lagos State laws, with over 100,000 users monthly, the passage of 14 bills into laws, the constitution of the anti-land grabbing unit and the establishment of a world-class DNA forensic centre. Described as caring and compassionate, he also scores highly in the area of philanthropy. No wonder so many people spoke glowingly about him last Monday when he turned 56 last Monday.

Interestingly, whenever asked to talk about some of the best decisions he has made in life, he is always quick to mention his blissful marriage to Ronke, a lawyer.

Ambassador Maureen Tamuno: Round Peg in Round Hole

Tamuno

Even as she warms up to resume office as the High Commissioner to Jamaica, Haiti, Belize, and the Dominican Republic, Dr Maureen Piribonemi Tamuno has begun to show evidence of being a round peg in a round hole. Tamuno, who has also been appointed as the Permanent Representative to International Seabed Authority, seems prepared to prove her mettle. Indeed, the River State-born woman of substance has hit the ground running with activities that tend to benefit Nigeria. For two days, specifically April 15, and Friday, April 16, 2021, she was in Osun State, where she visited both the Governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, and the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

The visit to the Ooni of Ife was part of activities to discuss issues of mutual relations and seek cooperation from the Ooni, who is

also a custodian of Yoruba nay African culture and traditions. Speaking on the occasion, Tamuno, who was spectacularly entertained by traditional dancers from Ile-Ife, thanked the Ooni for the invitation and the hospitality accorded her and her entourage, which she described as “overwhelming”.

In her words, “Kabiyesi, I am thrilled to be here on your invitation as the representative of Nigeria in the Caribbean and Jamaica.

“The Caribbean would be happy and also look forward to being associated with the people of Nigeria, especially those from the South West, who were transported as slaves many years ago through Badagry in the South-West part of Nigeria and Calabar.

“So, we have ancestors over there waiting for us to connect. As a woman who believes in the tradition and culture of our people, I was glad when the Ooni of Ife invited me to come here to see and know how to communicate with the people of the Caribbean.

“I have seen and also thrilled; I want to assure your Imperial Majesty that this story would go viral than what you ever thought.

As an ambassador of the black people, I am assuring you that I will let people know that there are people known as people of Ife who hold the African culture in high esteem. We would love to bring it to the global space for the world to know. We are working for the cooperation of the two countries and for the people of Ife to get ready to visit Jamaica.”

She further revealed that the Jamaicans had not been connected to Nigeria owing to a

lack of direct flights from both countries.

“But this is being looked into and will soon be a thing of the past,” she added. In his response, the Ooni, who expressed his joy over the visit by the ambassador-designate, assured her of total cooperation to make her job easy.

The Ooni, who also christened the ambassador-designate ‘Adetamilore( which literally means gift from the crown), further stated that “I am stating here that, as the representative of our country, you have been adopted as our daughter, and we will continue to celebrate you and honour you.

“You are starting well; we are with you; God is with you, and you are going to be the greatest Nigeria’s ambassador ever. God will continue to guide you.

Amen.” Her visit to the governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, was also fruitful as the governor showed his appreciation and promised his utmost support.

As gathered, she again paid a pre-departure visit to His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos. The courtesy call was essential to facilitate seamless communication of the progressive plans of Ambassador Tamuno, to further expose the cultural splendour, heritage, trades, and other Institutional aspects of Lagos and Nigeria to investors and the world. His Excellency Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said with delight that the visit was well-timed and that he will ensure that all avenues are exploited to bring to pass the things discussed.

SUNDAY APRIL 25, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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INTERNATIONAL UK’s Asylum for the IPOB: Beyond the Myths and Reality of Foreign Policy Reviews in Nigeria

T

here were two major events in the past one week: the holding of a conference on Nigeria’s foreign policy and the consideration of a possible grant of political asylum to members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) by the Government of the United Kingdom. One important nexus between the two events is that they are both about foreign policy challenges that have always, at best, not been well addressed. For instance, how do we explain the quest for and the grant of an asylum to the IPOB? What is an asylum in international diplomatic practice? Should the reaction of the Federal Government, through the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to the grant of asylum by the British be an issue of concern?

In the same vein, what is a foreign policy review? In which way does the operational word ‘review’ different from an amendment or modify? When should there be a review of foreign policy? In fact, what should we mean by foreign policy as distinct from a domestic policy? There have been calls for a comprehensive foreign policy review. When is a foreign policy review comprehensive or holistic? Is it from the perspective of contents of foreign policy?

Participating stakeholders in the foreign policy conference? Must there always be an organised conference before a foreign policy review can take place?

These questions are necessary because the House of Representatives, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held a Conference on Foreign Policy on... on the basis of which the Kingsley Osadolor-anchored Good Morning Nigeria show focused on April... and during which many controversial issues were also raised. Perhaps we should ask at this juncture: can we review a policy that does not exist? Can foreign policy be an all comers’ business?

Without any shadow of doubt, asylum cannot but be an important issue in foreign policy, because it is very political in conception, self-protecting in design and unquestionable in outcome. It squarely falls under the exercise of political sovereignty whenever it is considered and granted by every sovereign State.

Vie Internationale observes that the Government of Nigeria always thinks after action, not before. We strongly believe that the conduct and management of Nigeria’s foreign policy is largely predicated on poverty of ideas. If not so, there should not have been any public outbursts about asylum by Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Asylum in International Diplomatic Practice The basic principles for granting asylum to an individual in international relations are well known. They are a truism. There are reasons for requesting for an asylum by seekers, and qualifications for eligibility to apply. In the same vein, there are also reasons for accepting or not accepting to grant an asylum. This is where there can be need to rightly talk about foreign policy review, in terms of foreign policy as a technique of relationship, as distinct from foreign policy as a strategic objective. There can be time to plan for a once-and-for-all holistic conference to review foreign policy when it is about change in focus and new interests.

It is useful to note that asylum is internationally and nationally regulated, particularly for refugees, particularly the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). There is the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, generally referred to as the 1951 Geneva Convention or the Geneva Convention of 28 July 1951. In other words, one can become a refugee by force of necessity as a result of unprovoked wars. Many IDPs often run helter-skelter to escape being trapped when there is a crisis or conflict. Consequently, it is not when one has committed a political crime or one is victim of an impending persecution that asylum is sought. Generally, asylum is hardly given if crimes are involved Grosso modo, for an asylum to be considered and granted, an applicant for it must be under the fear of persecution in his or her home country and the fear of persecution must be driven by reasons of either race, religion, political opinion, nationality or membership of a particular social group. In other words, an asylum applicant must be able to prove beyond every reasonable doubt that he or she is evading persecution on account of anyone of

VIE INTERNATIONALE

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs the five foregoing conditions, which are internationally considered as ‘protected grounds.’

Apart from these general conditions, States also have different considerations for granting asylum. There are bilateral international instruments compelling States to grant asylum to refugees.

In fact, each country defines, on the basis of sovereign right, the conditions for grant of an asylum status, as well as the number of applicants to be admitted. In the United States, for instance, the number of African asylum seekers who were admitted into the status of an asylee, has been on the increase since 2012: from 10,608 in 2012; 15,980 in 2013; 17476 in 2014; to 22,472 in 2015 and 31,625 in 2016. The number began to decline with 20,232 as from 2017; 10,459 in 2018; and only 4,160 in 2020. The sharp decline can be explained by the factor of COVID-19 pandemic which emerged in March of 2020.

The essence of the foregoing figures is simply to underscore the issue of asylum in international relations. Even though the Washingtonian authorities often place a ceiling on the number of asylees to be admitted in a given year, there have generally been more arrivals than approved ceilings, especially when there are situations of force majeure.

In the specific case of the United Kingdom that has reportedly received applications for the grant of asylum and refugee status to the prohibited IPOB members, it should be noted that asylum and refugee status necessarily go pari passu. Whoever is seeking to live in the UK must first of all apply to be an asylee in order not to be lawfully resident a refugee, and particularly to also qualify to work in the country and benefit from social amenities provided by the Government.

In determining the eligibility of the IPOB and MASSOB applicants for an asylee status, the British Government released on April 21, 2021, a ‘Country Policy and Information Note Nigeria: Biafran secessionist groups.’ It ‘directed its decision makers to consider if a person who actively and openly supports IPOB is likely to be at risk of arrest and detention and ill-treatment which is likely to amount to persecution.’ More important, the decision makers were also instructed ‘to consider if the Nigerian government’s actions are acts of prosecution or not persecution. Those fleeing prosecution

The bitter truth of the conduct and management of Nigeria’s foreign policy under the PMB administration is that it lacks lustre and focus. Government wrongly believes that Nigeria has a Foreign Policy Grand Strategy by simply nursing the idea of Nigerians occupying executive positions in various international organisations as a landmark success. In order to make Nigeria great, she needs a foreign policy grand strategy. Nigeria’s foreign policy must be research driven before it is given a political colouration. A foreign policy conference in which there are no leading research institutions on foreign policy, with limited governmental, non-governmental organisations, and civil society organisations, etc, cannot be seriously described as a true national conference. At best, as at today, Nigeria’s foreign policy is reactive and largely predicated on pillars of poverty of ideas, particularly in light of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishing a chapter in a book and claiming that Dr. Jaja Wachukwu was Nigeria’s First Foreign Minister.

If there is to be any meaningful review of foreign policy, it must begin with ensuring better quality of Foreign Service Officers, functional reorganisation of the foreign policy research institutions, and most importantly, establishment of a separate Foreign Service Commission for the purposes of Nigeria’s larger Grand Strategy. It is by so doing that Government can move from the mythical world to that of reality

or punishment for a criminal offence are not normally refugees.

Prosecution may, however, amount to persecution if it involves victimisation in its application by the authorities.’

Three points are noteworthy in the notice of instruction given to the decision makers: determination to consider applications for asylum; grant of asylum on the basis of fear or act of persecution; non-preparedness to consider criminally-oriented applicants. In this regard, can it be rightly argued that there are no legitimate bases for any Nigerian to seek asylum in light of the deepening situation of insecurity in Nigeria? Let me note at this juncture that it cannot but be most unpatriotic and very cowardly for a Nigerian, worth his person and dignity, to seek to check out of the country because of insecurity challenges. However, it is also an act of reckless foolishness not to seek to check out when certain ethnic group openly declare whoever does not accept an Islamic Caliphate in Northern Nigeria or who are considered infidels because they do not accept Islam, or who disagree with their ethnic group, should be considered very eligible to be shot dead first.

Explained differently, it is either you accept an Islamic imposition and you have the right to live peacefully without being targeted to be kidnapped or aggressed, or you refuse to accept Islam and one will be brutally killed. This was the message conveyed in a statement sent to the Geidam community in Yobe State by the Boko Haram insurgents last week. The statement is not as of concern as the attitudinal disposition of the PMB administration.

There is no disputing the fact that the IPOB and the MASSOB have been agitating for separate identity. They specifically are asking for the sovereign State of Biafra because of perceived political marginalisation and persecution. Why is it that the play of politics has been made so difficult to the extent that it has not been possible for an Ibo indigene to be Nigeria’s First Citizen? Is it because the 1967-1970 war has not officially ended? End of battles but the war continues?

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has been asking for the control of mineral resources in its area in the manner gold is being mined by Government and people of Zamfara State. In a normal setting, there should not be one set of rules for one group of people and another set of rules for another ethnic group. What is allowed in Zamfara State should not be prohibited in another State. Most unfortunately, this is what obtains in Nigeria and over which the Federal Government has always been quiet, but which is a major of anger for many law abiding people in the country.

It is also a major rationale for the agitation for self-determination and calls for separatist governments. The agitation for Oduduwa Republic is largely a resultant from the perception of the Fulani ethnic stock as born to rule, the impact of which has been to the detriment of the interests of other ethnic groups. Fulani offenders are reportedly allowed free hands and quickly released with impunity when they are under police investigation. This is another perception fuelling national disunity. It is even believed that law enforcement agents are not always enthusiastic in prosecuting a case in which Fulani people are reportedly involved. Why are Nigerians in this type of dilemma?

And true enough, Chief Olusegun Okikiola Obasanjo, GCFR, and three-time Head of State of Nigeria, publicly told all Nigerians that the PMB administration has a Fulanisation agenda, the origin of which we already traced to a debate initiated by Senator Fagbenro Beyioku at the Senate in 1961. One major problem of the Fulani herdsmen is that they do not believe that there is no more terra nullius. Every land in Nigeria is titled. Engagement in open grazing cannot but involve trespasses. In the eyes of the Fulani herdsmen, all unexploited land, including government reserved forests and other swathes of land, can be occupied and exploited by them.

In fact, they have also argued that they can reside in any part of the country, which is constitutionally allowed, but without wanting to accept that residence in any community outside of their own indigenous areas, necessarily requires playing along with the rules of engagement in their new community. This is another major rationale for the conflict between the Fulani herdsmen and the local farmers in the southern parts of Nigeria. The establishment of Àmòtékùn, a security outfit in the South-West of Nigeria, was prompted by this Fulani factor, and also interestingly why the Yoruba leaders have similarly decided to carve out an Oduduwa Republic out of the current Federation of Nigeria. Consequently, the PMB administration has made life not worth living as a Nigerian.

The IPOB and MASSOB saga should be understood within the same framework.

Under the PMB administration, public officers are sacked from office for reasons of embezzlement of public funds, and yet the disgraced officials will still be given letters commending the same sacked officials for jobs well done. How can someone be sacked for wrong doing and, at the same time, still be commended for doing well? One Minister is not only suspected to be currently aiding and abetting terrorism, but on record to have expressed unqualified sympathy and support for Osama bin Laden. It is shameful that the president is defending such a Minister. One unanswered question often asked is this: how do we explain the fact that the same Minister created a social media platform only in Arabic language and is using that same platform for dissemination of government news? Why the double standard?

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

18.04.2021

FOR FRIEDERIKE MOESCHEL,

IT’S SOON TIME TO SAY

‘AUF WIEDERSEHEN’ Moeschel

Cover continued on Page 62

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 25, 2021

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ARTS & REVIEW\\INTERVIEW

FORFRIEDERIKEMOESCHEL,IT’SSOON TIME TO SAY ‘AUF WIEDERSEHEN’ Asherfour-yearengagementasDirector,Goethe-InstitutLagoscomestoanend,FriederikeMoeschel,whoissettoleave Nigeria nextmonth, offers insights into her cultural experiences in the countryinaninterviewwith Yinka Olatunbosun

"I

t was an amazing time. I learned a lot,” Friederike Moeschel said, as she reclined in her chair in the new breezy Goethe-Institut office in Victoria Island, Lagos. In the past four years, she had asserted her presence at major cultural events in Lagos. Apart from being very active on her social media pages, she has remained attentive to the art community, whether she is in or out of Nigeria.

Moeschel is always curious about different aspects of Nigeria’s cultural life and art institutions. Hence, before arriving in Nigeria, she made some findings about her destination. Lagos, she was told, is a leading cultural destination in Africa. Of course, she came in dressed in light-texture clothings. Compared to the average weather in Bonn where she hails from, it feels like summer-all year round in Lagos.

Whenever conversations swirled around archiving and documentation, her interest was piqued. Two years ago, she backed a workshop that focused on museum reform. Perhaps owing to the way museums are positioned in Nigeria, any one would imagine that a discourse about museum would be boring. On the contrary, the session was like BBC’s ‘Hard Talk’. The representatives of National Museum that were present at the workshop were put on the hot seat with the barrage of difficult questions posed by members of Moeschel the audience about how the institution is still operating an archaic management system in a highly-digitalised world.

That sort of openness is one of the things that Moeschel will miss about Nigeria. “I will miss the openness of the people,” she says. “And thank God, in Lagos, you don’t have a language barrier so it is very easy to adapt. For me as a German, it was very easy to talk to people and Nigerians always say when they don’t want something. They are also very blunt. It makes it easy to adapt. And I never had any fears coming here. I have spent four years and I have never had any experience where I had felt threatened or unsafe.”

When COVID-19 struck in 2020, there was panic in the diplomatic circles. News about the closure of the airports forced many expatriates to return to their homeland. Moeschel had to leave for Germany, suspending many planned projects in the process.

“Last year was a big challenge for everyone,” she reminisced. “When I look back, it is something to delete from memory because one was not able to do a lot of things. We tried to do some things but in all, it was a very positive time here for me. I really do hope that in spite of all the challenges right now, the cultural scene would flourish and go back to where it was before the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Next year, Goethe-Institut will mark its 60th anniversary globally. Although Moeschel will be long gone by then, she has reasons to celebrate now that as a representative of one of the most enduring international cultural institutions in the world. One of her projects centred on documenting Yoruba gods and goddesses is the book, titled Who’s Who in the

Yoruba Pantheon, has been released. Written by Peju Akande, Toni Kan and Jahman Anikulapo, with illustrations by Abdulkareem Baba Aminu, the book targets young audience between age 25 and 40 who are curious about Yoruba culture and religion. Moeschel relives the circumstances that birthed the idea of writing the book, tracing it to an event in Lagos.

“It started more than two years ago at an event. I think the topic was architectural heritage and how the Brazilian buildings are deteriorating and when they are gone, they are gone.

You can try to rebuild but it will not be the real thing. For us, the starting point to discuss this is that when you are not aware of your own culture and history, then you will wonder why you should take care of those things. It is not part of your own cultural DNA. If you don’t have this knowledge, you cannot protect it and then we continued talking about the influence of the religion on culture. Culture and religion have always been closely related. The publishing house, Iwalewa Books is very experienced in publishing cultural books. So, I am really proud of the project because it is an example of Nigerian-German collaboration. We have lots of Yoruba in diaspora. This book is our baby. This is a first publication that targets young audience. We have had other publications done with support from Goethe Institut.”

The book features details about orisas including Ogun, Sango, Oya, Oba, Obatala, Orunmila, Esu, Soponna, Olokun, Aje, Osanyin, Yemoja, Osun, Moremi and Osoosi. As at the time the book project commenced, she didn’t know that her next destination after her assignment in Nigeria would be Brazil. With this research into Yoruba culture, Moeschel felt

prepared to embrace yet another cultural life.

“I have an advantage of knowing about the Yoruba cultural heritage,” she enthuses. “So, I am quite confident that a lot of things that I learnt here, I can also take with me to Brazil and also, maybe, help to strengthen some connections. I am looking forward to using the knowledge that I have gained in Lagos.”

Already fluent in English, German and French, Moeschel is looking forward to learning Portuguese in Salvador.

While reflecting on the various aspects of Nigerian arts and culture, she acknowledges the global image of Nigerian music, visual arts and literature. In her opinion, the fashion industry is one aspect that needs more visibility across the globe just as much as the clamour for the return of stolen artefacts.

“Before I came to Nigeria, I went to bookshops in London and Germany. You can find nearly all well-known Nigerian authors there and some are translated into German. And in music, the latest Grammy award in Best Global music went to Burna boy. Nigeria is a big name in music.

“I think it is the histo-cultural heritage is being forgotten especially by the younger generation who are unaware of their pre-colonial heritage. This discussion includes bringing back artefacts from museums in the global north and also put these topics on platforms so that it is not just a discussion amongst the intellectual elites but also the people of Nigeria to realise what these mean for them through the development of new curriculum.”

For her, it is one thing to have a great idea and another to motivate people to come with you on the journey towards actualising the dream and achieving sustainability. On the heels of the attack on City Hall that housed the former Goethe Institut office, in the violent attacks targeted at properties owned by Lagos State after the protests last year, Moeschel said Goethe-Institut Nigeria has made arrangements to make German language learning easy for Nigerian audience through its online classes. Therefore, location is no longer a barrier to anyone who seeks to learn German.

While awaiting her replacement, Dr. Nadine Siegert who currently serves at the Goethe Institut in Johannesburg, South Africa, Moeschel is focused on rebuilding GoetheInstitut Nigeria though on a temporary site at the moment.

However, there is one thing she will certainly not miss about Nigeria.

“I will definitely not miss the traffic,” she said. “It steals so much time from you. It is something I always regret. Sometimes, it would be so nice to have three or four meetings in a day but it is not possible. So, sitting in the car for hours is not easy. Unfortunately, I do not belong to the category of people who can work while in traffic because I always felt sick. I hope the government will, in future, find more possibilities for public transportation.”

MOVIES

AWON BOYZ: Demystifying Area Boys Yinka Olatunbosun

E

very bit of the 38minutes for the documentary movie, titled Awon Boyz is worthy of attention. The area boy phenomenal in Lagos was the centrifuge of this brilliant cinematic experience directed

by Tolulope Itegboje. Through the eyes of seven individuals who work as street urchins, the story of the unemployed youths is told from the point of view of cause and effect.

While each one has a peculiar circumstance that puts him on the streets, they all share the quest for survival. Through Awon Boyz, the viewer learns that the phrase “area boy” has been misused over time by many who use it loosely to describe criminals. But the truth in reality is that not everyone on the street is out to perpetrate crime. Some had failed in their pursuit of career goals and had resorted to sheer aggression and bullying to extort money to

A scene from the movie survive on the streets.

Mostly domiciled in shanties found in Monkey Village, Oshodi, Orile Iganmu, Mushin and other parts of Lagos, these “area boys” are husbands, fathers, brothers to other people. The average area boy speaks B or C grade English which may come as a shock to anyone. Although quite a number of them are school drop-outs, some are graduates of

higher institutions who couldn’t secure jobs after graduation. Sadly, the documentary did not provide statistics on the number of these individuals on Lagos streets and why this is predominant among the male gender, but the interviews beamed light on the foundation of this systemic failure- the family unit.

For instance, Malik also known as Ete who

is one in ten children revealed that he hailed from a middle class background but the large number of children made it difficult to give each child the right quality of life. With families like his, it is very easy for any child to end up on the streets. Malik who claimed to have had excellent performance in school said his troublesome nature forced him to leave school. With characters like Yobo, Moses and Lovely, it is established that street boys are not just limited to the Yoruba clan but quite a number of persons from other ethnic groups have assimilated this street life and built the street persona that is both intimidating and misleading.

Still, drug-dealing, stealing, fraud, prostitution rings and gang fights are regular features of the street life. Agamma who stays around Afrikan Shrine recounts a very emotional story of two street urchins who had a fatal fight over cabbage and suya. Agamma is a non-committal narrator who gives the perspective of others rather than his.

The movie, released on April 14 on Netflix puts a face to this growing legion of young men who run the street life in Lagos. Though it had its premiere screening two years ago, the docu-movie remains a timely collage of lives of courage, unconditional happiness and unfulfilled dreams.

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CICERO

Editor:Olawale Olaleye mail:wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08116759819

IN THE ARENA

Defending Pantami With a Presidential Cudgel Brushing off sensitive public allegations against Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, President Muhammadu Buhari deepens distrust, widening significant ethnoreligious fissures imperilling the state, writes Louis Achi

T

wo months after Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in as the 15th President of Nigeria, on Friday, 29 May 2015, the 11th President of India (2002-2007), Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen (APJ) Abdul Kalam, died aged 83.

Kalam was a top notch aero-space engineer, rocket scientist, Indian hero, author and exemplary statesman.

As a Muslim steeped in Hindu culture, he was to many an oddity – a scientist, who could recite classical Tamil poetry, who played the rudra-veena, a traditional South Indian instrument, and listened to Carnatic devotional music every day, but performed his namaz with no sense of incongruity.

In melding the Islam into which he was born with a strong sense of the traditions in which his civilisation was anchored, Abdul Kalam was a complete Indian, an embodiment of the eclecticism of India’s heritage of diversity. His popularity was undimmed by his relinquishment of office. In his life and his work, Kalam personified the best of what India can be.

Noted Saikat Chaudhuri, Wharton Adjunct Professor of Management and Executive Director of Wharton’s Management: “He was a true nationalist, upholding the utmost integrity. He pushed the country to reach new heights and to aspire to lead the way in its global rise, rather than aim to merely catch up with the Pantami developed nations.”

“Kalam raised aspirations by catalysing a demonstration effect. By showing that it was possible to think big and look far, he did what the best leaders always do: recalibrate what people think is possible,” gushed Manish Sabharwal, co-founder and chairman of TeamLease Services, India’s leading staffing company.

While in his single five-year tenure, Kalam pushed India with her diversity and over one billion folks to reach new heights and to aspire to lead the way in her global rise, the same can hardly be said for Buhari leading his 200 million-plus citizens and now trundling into the home stretch of his second and last presidential tenure.

Successive controversy, enervating insurgency, bloody security nightmare, unforced serial errors and intractable governance snafus have become defining highlights of Buhari’s presidential trajectory. But at a fundamental level, it may be unfair to pillory the lanky General from Katsina, given the huge disparity in cognitive capacities and critical leadership endowments between the two.

The latest quirky controversy involves Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, a former Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), now Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.

Pantami, an Islamic cleric, has been in the eye of the storm for over two weeks after videos resurfaced online showing he supported, over a decade ago, extremist groups like Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

Hence, for once holding extremist ideology and expressing it openly; advocating the violent Jihadist narrative of al-Qaeda and the Taliban before he was appointed minister by the President, he is understandably under fire. These are weighty issues on account of which many Nigerians are canvassing his resignation or outright sack by the President.

The minister later admitted making the controversial statements but claimed immaturity and explained that his views on such groups have changed. He also said he was being targeted for attack by people uncomfortable with his policies as the communication minister.

On Thursday, the presidency weighed in, declaring support for the embattled communications minister.

In his statement on Thursday, presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu said, the Buhari administration “stands behind Minister Pantami and all Nigerian citizens to ensure they receive fair treatment, fair prices, and fair protection in ICT services.” He also said the

administration would commence an investigation into allegations that some businesses were behind the attacks on the minister.

Pantami’s Salafist ideology, the core of his extreme preaching back then – which he claims he has repented from – can hardly be swept under the carpet. Hear him: “Oh God, give victory to the Taliban and to al-Qaeda…

This jihad is an obligation for every single believer, especially, in Nigeria.”

In another, he reportedly endorsed the killing of “unbelievers.”

According to Wikipedia, the minister, whom Buhari entrusts with the biometric data of Nigerians, trained under extremist Islamist scholars in Saudi Arabia, including Muhammad Ibn Uthaymin, whose extremist views include opposition to women driving in that country.

Traditionally, ministerial picks undergo two levels of screening before induction – first by the DSS and then the Senate. Could it have meant that both winnowing processes failed to detect fatal flaws in Pantami’s background? For the Ahmed Lawan-led Senate, this is unflattering.

Worse, at press time, no corrective action is being contemplated from that chamber.

According to Ex DSS Director, Dennis Amachere, there is no information that escapes the DSS. “When I was working there, we keep a catalogue of anybody of interest that comes up to limelight in this country.

“During the vetting process, for anybody to be appointed a minister or commissioner or anything, your name is sent to the DSS for vetting. They check your background. We get a lot from open source intelligence and I can tell you that in Pantami’s case, we have it.

But there is a political angle to it. When somebody is being appointed, if the security agencies see that there is something wrong with his name, they will send it to the appointing agency.

“The appointing agency will now decide amongst other variables either religious variable, federal character balancing variable, or political variable and say that, ‘Oh, yes, we know that this guy has this and that but let’s appoint him. So, the political decision is not taken by the SSS.” Perhaps not unexpectedly, the DSS has disowned its former Director’s position.

At the most sensitive, troubled and uncertain period in the nation’s history, deepening the existing distrust and widening the ethno-religious fault-lines are hardly the way to go. A Pantami sack would have sent an important symbolic message.

Predictably, Buhari failed the test.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

Does Pantami’s Atonement Count for Nothing?

I Pantami

s Pantami’s Atonement Not Enough?

Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, has been in the thick of storm in the last few days. Perhaps, it’s his turn for political fire baptism. Unfortunately, he appears caught up in one of the most obnoxious parts of the storm: sentiments to religious fundamentalism and affiliation to terrorism. Yet, these are nothing the average Nigerian would easily gloss over or forgive at a period insecurity is unceasing and at an all-time high.

Even then, these were choices Pantami admitted to have made in sheer ignorance and at a time he didn’t know any better. He’d since come out to confess and own up to them – more like atone for his rather poor choices – even though the shock of the revelation had initially thrown him off balance and unable to put himself

together.

But poor choices are not peculiar to any class of people.

Besides, they provide opportunity to start all over again – bigger and better – if not more intelligently. Just may be the Pantami experience would help prevent many others from treading the path of perdition and start to rethink humanity without unduly misinterpreting and misapplying religious doctrines.

Like everyone else, Pantami deserves another chance to retell his story, this time from a better standpoint, using the window of time of his otherwise poor choices to change many lives that are in religious bondage through sermons and engagements that do not typify Islam – a religion of peace – in any form or shape. He’s merited the chance for a new beginning and should be allowed to either use it well or bungle it.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 25, 2021

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BRIEFINGNOTES

The late President at the war front

Déby: Plurilateral Implications of His Death and Politics The death, last week, of the President of Chad, Idriss Débré Itno, was not without nuances of politics, but even more, are its imports for the region, writes Bola A. Akinterinwa

C

had is officially a Francophone and an Arabophone country, officially referred to as République du Tchad. Its system of government is a presidential republic in which there is a dominant political party. It is a multi-religious society with the Muslims accounting for about 53%; the Catholics, 20%; Protestant,14%; and animists, 7%; as at ten years ago.

In terms of topography, Chad is a wooded savannah, desertic in the South, part of the Sahara in the North, while its southern rivers flow into the Lake Chad. And more important, Chad is geo-politically located in central North Africa, and therefore, land-locked, with its neighbours located in four different regions of Africa as defined in Articles 1 (d) and 1(e) of the 1991 Abuja Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community.

Put differently, Chad is bordered by Libya towards the North (North Africa region); by Niger, Nigeria and Cameroon towards the West (West Africa region); by Central Africa Republic towards the South (Central Africa region); and by Sudan towards

the East (East Africa region).

And perhaps most importantly, even though Chad has a total area of 1,284,000 sq km, of which the land area is 1,259,200 sq. km, only 3% of it is arable. Many countries, like Mali and Chad, are territorially bigger than Nigeria, but Nigeria has the biggest arable land in the whole of Africa. Chad is, however, strategically well-endowed with many natural resources: oil, uranium, kaolin, natron, etc.

It is against the foregoing background that the exegesis of the international politics and implications of the death of Idriss Débré Itno in Chad should be done and understood. The mere fact of being land-locked and located at the epicentre of four different regions of Africa also requires the Government of Chad to cope with the challenges from four different directions. Additionally, the fact of many ethnic groups (Sara, 28%; Arab, 12%; MayoKebbi, 12%; Kanem-Bornou, 9%, etc) necessarily also implies internal struggle for power, fairness and justice in the allocation of national resources.

From the religious perspective, political instability and insecu-

rity in Chad have been of major concern. Political instability in the country dates back to 1966, otherwise only six years after the country’s independence on August 11, 1960. It was as from 1966 that the Northern Muslim rebels began to fight the animists, the French troops, and the Christian government in the South, with several ceasefires and peace pacts done, but most of which have been to no avail. In fact, political governance in Chad has been very repressive under President Itno, against which there has also been vehement opposition.

Dynamics of Instability and Insecurity The first dynamic of political instability and insecurity in Chad is not only that the Chadian military is divided against itself, thus compelling President Itno to be very cautious and to be suspicious of his military, but also the existence of many groups of insurgents in the country. In this regard, the Muslim rebels should be differentiated from the Libyan-based rebels fighting the government.

This means that Itno had to fight in different battle fields either

NOTES FOR FILE

Judicial Autonomy Long Overdue

Judicial officers protesting the non-implementation of their financial autonomy

Last week’s strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), clamouring for judicial independence was a decision taken rather too late. For whatever reasons, the leadership of the judiciary as an arm of government appeared too laidback, perhaps, because it could always sort itself out when the chips are down. But that does not guarantee the place of the other layers of the all-critical institution and their wellbeing.

In a democracy and even dictatorship, the place of the judiciary is immutable. It is the reason the principle of separation of power frowns at the overbearing tendency of any of the other arms of government, prescribing their respective independence, albeit in collective interest.

But Nigeria’s federal system appears to have encouraged the Executive to capture the judiciary and enslave it, so it could only serve at the pleasure of its power.

Although the legislature was in this corner before it sought and largely secured its freedom, save for a few states that chose to look away from what’s right and proper, Judiciary’s time finally came last week.

With Nigerian governors agreeing to concede its most deserving independence to it, the judiciary might be on its way to self-rediscovery. Battered and reduced to a shadow of itself, the judiciary had remained in the unenviable shadow of the Executive at all levels for too long with a rather devastating implication on performance. But with a new life beckoning at it, this liberation from Executive’s grip is long overdue.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 25, 2021

BRIEFINGNOTES t %²#: 1-63*-"5&3"- *.1-*$"5*0/4 0' )*4 %&"5) "/% 10-*5*$4 t simultaneously or one after every attack from whatever direction.

In many of the battles to defend the independence and territorial integrity of Chad, President Itno had to lead from the front, not necessarily because of the need to provide leadership by example, but essentially because of his mistrust for the military.

Second, the ghosts of the people Itno had killed appear to have hunted him to the time of his death. Hissène Habré ousted Goukouni Oueddei in June 1982. Goukouni Oueddei was compelled to flee the country for safety. Hissène Habré himself was removed in another coup d’état by the Itno-led Mouvement patriotique du salut (Patriotic Salvation Movement). The Movement was founded on March 11, 1990 by Itno, who enjoyed the active support of Muammar Gaddafi of Libya in ousting Hissène Habré.

The Movement has been the ruling political party since 1990.

As noted earlier, the governance of Chad has been repressive by force of necessity: difficulty in differentiating between terrorist threats and agitations for social security needs. There is the added problem of opposition to the presence of foreign powers in the country.

Third, there is the challenge of Libya’s claim of sovereignty over the Aouzou strip by the time Itno came to power. The territorial dispute with Libya was the first foundation of the irritant in Chado-Libyan relationship, even if Itno was assisted by Libya to gain power. As considered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya filed in the Registry a notification of an agreement that was concluded with Chad, on August 31, 1990, in Algiers.

As stipulated in the agreement, in the event of impossibility of political settlement of the dispute, the misunderstanding should be referred to the court for adjudication. It was on this basis that Chad, on 3rd September, 1990, filed an Application instituting proceedings against Libya on the basis of the Franco-Libyan Treaty of Friendship and Good Neighbourliness of 10 August, 1955 and on the basis of the Algiers Agreement of 31 August, 1990 between Chad and Libya.

Following the filing of Memorials and Counter-Memorials at the ICJ, as well as the oral proceedings held in June and July 1993, the issue for determination by the ICJ was whether there was an existing international frontier or border between Chad and Libya.

While Libya claimed that there was no existing boundary ‘on the basis of a coalescence of rights and titles of the indigenous inhabitants, the Senoussi Order, the Ottoman empire, Italy and Libya itself,’ Chad, on the contrary, posited that there was an existing boundary on the basis of a Treaty of Friendship and Good Neighbourliness concluded by France and Libya on 10 August, 1955, or alternatively, on French effectivités, either in relation to, or independently of, the provisions of earlier treaties.’

The ICJ delivered its judgment on 3rd February, 1994 in favour of Chad, largely considering that there was a boundary and that it is defined by the Treaty of Friendship and Good Neighbourliness of 10 August 1955 between France and Libya. As a result, Libya took the bad end of the stick and has not always meant well for the country. This partly explains the terrorist activities often launched from the territory of Libya, especially, from the Tibesti mountains, which are aimed at undermining political stability in Chad.

But without a scintilla of gainsaying, since Itno came to power in 1990, and even with a new constitution approved in March 1996, which enabled a multi-party presidential election in June and July in that year, Chad has largely remained a terra cognita for insurgency, which has also been largely driven by political chicanery.

For instance, President Itno won his third-term in office on May 3, 2006 in an election boycotted by the major opposition parties. In other words, since 2006, there has been contestation of election organisation and results. After the first two-terms, the election victory of Itno has always remained a dividing question in Chad.

His Death and Implications On Monday, 19 April, 2021 President Itno was reportedly killed in a frontline battle with the Front-for-Change-andConcord-in-Chad insurgents, a group of dissident army officers formed in 2016 and fighting for democracy. Did he die as a result of bullet wounds in the battle field? Was he killed by an insider in the battle field, because the Chadian military is on record to be divided against itself?

As it is believed that there are boko haramists in the Government of Nigeria, so also were anti-Idriss Déby Itno in government.

Besides, there are also many groups of insurgents in Chad.

The more notable ones are the Libyan-based terrorist group and the Islamic fundamentalists group. With this factor, it is very difficult to identify, who was responsible for the killing of the president. What is quite obvious is that there is a military struggle at various levels to have the political power of control.

The insurgents are looking for power and the military under President Itno are also struggling to remain in power. It is from this perspective that the many issues involved and their implications should be explained.

First is the issue of unconstitutional change of government in Africa. It is considered as a crime. As provided in Article 28A of the Malabo Protocol, a legal basis of the African Criminal Court, a crime of unconstitutional change of government comprises ‘a putsch or coup d’état against a democratically-elected government; an intervention by mercenaries to replace a democraticallyelected government; any replacement of a democratically-elected government by use of armed dissidents or rebels or through political assassination; any refusal by an incumbent government to relinquish power to the winning party or candidate after free,

Mahamat Itno...the acting president

Late President Deby

fair and regular elections; any amendment or revision of the Constitution or legal instruments, which is an infringement on the principles of democratic change of government or is inconsistent with the Constitution; and any substantial modification to the electoral laws in the last six months before the elections without the consent of the majority of the political actors’ (vide J. Shola Omotola, Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa: What Implications for Democratic Consolidation, Nordiska Afrika Institutet, Uppsala, 2011, for analysis of the extent to which the crime of unconstitutional change of government can be considered as a supranational crime).

Not only does the Chadian Constitution requires that the Speaker of the House of Representatives stands in for a transitional period of forty days, the African Union also does not condone unconstitutional change of Government in whatever ramification in Africa.

From the crime of unconstitutional change of government discussed above, there is no disputing the fact that the demise of President Itno was a coup, especially, that his son, Mahamat, was imposed by the interim military council to serve as President of Chad. This development has the potential to further deepen the situation of insecurity, in spite of the fact that the late president survived two coups d’état in 2006 and 2008.

Second, the naming of Mahamat as successor of his father gives the impression that the Chadian presidential system is being turned into a monarchical system. President Itno was accused before he died that he had changed the rule of law to the rule of man, especially, following the amendment of the Constitution in 2006, which removed the limitation to the number of presidential tenures from the Constitution. By implication, he was enabled to contest and remain in power for as long as he wanted.

Most unfortunately, in his absence, his son cannot be a legitimate beneficiary of his election victory. It is quite true that President Itno won five earlier presidential elections in 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016. However, another truth is that there were complaints of irregularities and opposition boycotts during the said elections.

Therefore, the likelihood of Mahamat Déby being able to rule effectively in Chad is remote, not simply because his father took over power at the age of 37 and he too is repeating history by also taking over power at 37 years of age, but particularly, because the army is divided and he is from the minority group.

This leads to the third point.

It should be recalled that President Itno was a Zaghawa from the Muslim ethnic group in Eastern Chad and also concentrated in the Sudanese State of North Darfur. The Saghawa people, though are a minority group in Chad, played active roles along with their kith and kin in Sudan in the insurrection against the central Government of Sudan in 2001.

In fact, the Saghawa are the main backbone of the Chadian military and economy under the late president, who initially did not support the Saghawa insurrection in Sudan, but for reasons of force majeure, had to later accept them in Chad and also strained relationship with Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya, who enabled his ousting of Hissène Habré in 1990.

The implication in this case is that the killing of President Itno and the imposition of his son are an attempt to sustain the rule of the minority to the detriment of the interests of the majority ethnic groups. This is one major reason for the unending attempts to overthrow the late president. The situational reality

in Chad as at today is that the opposition to Mahamat Déby has increased to near consensus.

Fourth, the French proverbial saying that ‘’ordre et contre ordre égalent désordre, that is, ‘order and counter order amount to disorder,’ is likely to come into play in Chad. On the one hand, France advised that efforts should be quickly made to ensure a return to democratic rule, but, on the other hand, France has also come up with the justification as to why Mahamat Déby has to be in power.

It has been argued that ‘logically, it should be the speaker of the House, Haroun Kabadi, but he refused because of the exceptional security reasons that were needed to ensure the stability of this country.’ To borrow the idea of the French Foreign Minister, Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, the Chadian military were right to have adopted Mahamat as Head of State and not the Speaker.

France may be rightly wrong in this case. France is right to the extent that, if the Speaker who is constitutionally required to accept the responsibility of leadership reneges, there has to be an alternative. The wrongness of the French position is at the level of the choice of alternative: why the choice of Mahamat Déby and not that of another Army General?

The plain truth is that the regional coordinating centre of France’s anti-terrorism struggle is in Chad. President Itno and his son, Mahamat are major useful instruments in the hands of France, who the Elysée/Matignon Government in Paris cannot afford the luxury to ignore. The challenge for France is how to maintain a balance in the error of terrorist insurgency in Chad: it is an error to promote the crime of unconstitutional change of government to the detriment of non-compliance with the constitutional requirement that the Speaker should succeed the late president.

At the plurilateral level, the demise of President Itno requires a coordinated reaction beyond unnecessary songs of praise for him. The challenge newly created is very daunting: heightened terrorism-driven jihad. The challenge requires greater border surveillance by all the neighbouring countries of Chad to prevent the influx of the insurgents into their countries. The challenge also requires a comprehensive encirclement by air of the whole operational areas of the insurgents in Chad and Nigeria simultaneously by the military forces of the ECOWAS and the ECCAS. Specifically in Nigeria, while the Government is thinking of guiding and mainstreaming the Chadian saga within the framework of the ECCAS, ECOWAS and the AU, the Boko Haram has reiterated its intention to establish an Islamic Caliphate in Northern Nigeria, beginning from the North East. Perhaps more disturbingly, as revealed with the attacks on Geidam in Yobe State, last Friday, 23rd April, 2021, all those Nigerians, who refuse to accept their agenda of Islamisation have been told to expect more and greater attacks on them. The terrorist order is now ‘accept Muslim Caliphate or get killed.’

One leeway to consider in not simply addressing insecurity in Chad, but particularly also in Nigeria, is to first provide good leadership in the fight against the boko haramists in Nigeria, before offering to guide and mainstream regional strategies, the capacity for which Nigeria does not have.

Nigeria cannot be protecting sympathisers of terrorism at home, on the one hand, and also preaching the sermon of better than thou in the struggle against terror in international relations, on the other. Nigeria’s quest to guide and mainstream the saga in Chad is, at best, a resultant from poverty of ideas. Let charity begin from home first.

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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 25, 2021

CICERO/REPORT

How PDP Congresses May Shape Its Chances in 2023 In the post-Peoples Democratic Party zonal congresses, the choices of the respective zones will play a part in how they stand within the 2023 equation, writes Chuks Okocha

T

he tenure of office of the present National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is expected to come to an end towards November or December this year. And in preparation for a national convention to elect new national officers to run the affairs of the party, it approved the conduct of its zonal congresses in the six geo-political zones commencing March 6, 2021.

According to the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party slated the submission of nomination forms, including aspirants for National Ex-Officio on or before February 25, 2021.

The forms for the various offices were to be submitted to the directorate of mobilisation and Organising.With this brief announcement, the stage was set for the elections of zonal offices in the six geopolitical zones of the country.

The elections of zonal officers are important, because it would foretell two things: the way the wind will blow in the emergence of national officers at the National convention and also the emergence of the presidential candidate of the party later in 2022.

So, all hands are usually on deck and it usually comes with pomp and celebration as well as political manuovering.This explained why in some of the geopolitical zone, it is like the winner takes all or a do or die affair.

TheSouthwestZonalCongress The Southwest was where real elections took place.The election was a true test of supremacy between the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde and a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose. Both chieftains of the party supported different candidates. Fayose and Makinde had been at loggerheads over the leadership of the party in the zone.

While Makinde supported and sponsored Mr.Taofeek Arapaja, a former Oyo State deputy governor, Fayose backed Mr. Eddy Olafeso, a former governorship aspirant in Ondo State and the immediate past chairman of the party in the zone.

The feud between Makinde and Fayose prevented the party from reaching a consensus on the zonal congress.The PDP NWC also intervened several times to ensure a consensus candidate for the chairmanship position, but to no avail At last, the party had to move the congress from Ibadan to Osogbo, where a total of 743 delegates elected officials of the Southwest zonal congress election to elect officials to run the affairs of the party in the zone for the next four years. Due to the intensity of the acrimony, the party set several machineries in motion to ensure a free and fair zonal congress.

Each state had its delegate portion with Oyo State having total of 171 delegates, while Ogun had 114 delegates, Osun had 130 delegates, Ekiti had 115 delegates and Lagos, 101 delegates.

The party also named the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom as the chairman of the Southwest PDP zonal congress.

Other members were Senator Sandy Onoh, Ogun Ofome Otemabore and Ireruoke Edward who served as members, while Senator Samuel Anyanwu was secretary of the committee. The party equally appointed an election appeal committee headed by Chief Okey Ezenwa, who wouldserve as Chairman, while Clement Okaredir would serve as member. Roland Najomoh would serve as secretary of the committee. Altogether, 743 delegates voted in the election and Aparaja defeated Olafeso, amidst controversy of rigging and malpractices.

The outcome of the election was strategic for the PDP as it stopped a former governor of Lagos State, BolaTinubu from hijacking the PDP machinery for his presidential ambition through proxies.

HowItPlayedOutinNorthWest The North West zonal congress took place on April 10, 2021.

The zonal congress was crucial for the two known presidential aspirants from the zone: the governor of Sokoto State, Aminu WaziriTambawul and a former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwanso. Anyone that has control of the zonal executive definitely inches towards realising his presidential ambition, if the ticket is zoned that way.

But the congress was disturbed by hoodlums, allegedly from the camp of one of the presidential aspirants. Delegates were already casting their ballots in the zonal congress held at the InternationalTrade Fair Complex, n Kaduna State before the hoodlums stuck.

The Congress ended abruptly. Scores of party faithful had stormed the venue of the exercise, which was attended by some PDP chieftains.Tambuwal, and a former National Caretaker Chairman of the party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, were among those present while Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, was absent.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, in embrace after a temporary truce was brokered between the two during the Southwest congresse The congress was disrupted by thugs midway into the voting process.While the violence lasted, ballot papers and other voting materials were destroyed – a situation that forced most of the party chieftains to hurriedly leave the venue for fear of being caught in the attack.

Fingers were later pointed to delegates from Kano over who would emerge as the PDP chairman in the zone.

However, to avoid vacuum, the PDP NWC, last week, announced the constitution of a Northwest Caretaker Committee.

This was as a result of the inability of the zone to elect its leaders.

The party, in a statement by Kola Ologbondiyan, National Publicity Secretary, said the NWC acted on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and pursuant to Section 29(2)(b) of the PDP constitution (2017 as amended) constituted the North West Zonal Caretaker Committee to pilot the affairs of the party in the zone.

The North West Caretaker Committee has Dr. Aminu Abdullahi as Chairman, while Alhaji Sani Baba, Hon. Ali Madaki, Hon. Ibrahim Lawal Dankaba, Hon. Umaru Maye, Alhaji Akibu Dalhatu aremembers.

Others are A’isha Ibrahim Madina, who will serve as member and Women Leader; HamzaYunusa,member and youth Leader and Alhaji Baba Kasim Ibrahim is to serve as secretary.

The party said the Caretaker Committee would be charged with the responsibility of running the affairs of the party in the zone, as stipulated in Section 21(2)(a-b) of the Party Constitution, until a new Executive Committee is elected.The appointment is for a period not exceeding 40 days, the statement stated.

Before the disruption of the congress, Gwarzo was said to enjoy the support of a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aminu Wali, who is the leader of a faction of the PDP in Kano. On the other hand,Yusuf is said to be fronted by Kwankwaso, who leads another faction of the party in the state.

Some of the delegates from both factions in Kano, Aminu Abdulsalam, Hamza Safiyanu, andYusuf Bello, described the disruption of the congress as shameful and undemocratic.

FromtheNorthCentral The PDP has elected 23 officials to run the affairs of the party in the North Central zone for the next four years. It was by consensus Announcing the outcome of the election on Saturday in Makurdi, Benue State, the Electoral Committee Chairman, Dr CletusTyokaa, said all the outgone zonal officials were returned unopposed.He noted that a total of 906 delegates were expected at the congress but only 820 were accredited and voted.

He named those who returned unopposed as: Zonal Chairman, MrTheophilus Shan, Zonal Secretary, Mr MauriceTsav, ZonalTreasurer, Emmanuel Ibrahim, Publicity Secretary, Mr Mohamed Suleiman and 21 others.

The congress was attended by all the leaders from the zone including a former senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki and his predecessor for eight years, David Mark.The only governor

from the zone, Samuel Ortom tasked the new officials on fairness, justice and equity in the discharge of their mandate.

Ortom also disclosed that the party in the zone had resolved to end‘godfatherism’, imposition of candidates and avoid the mistakes of 2015 and 2019 that gave APC victory. He commendedstakeholders within the zone for exhibiting a high-level of maturity throughout the processes that led to the election.

In his speech, Mark said Nigerians and indeed the people of North Central had learnt their lessons by voting the APC, saying at a time, all the six sovernors and senators in the zone were elected under the platform of the PDP. He therefore urged the people to do more to reclaim their lost positions.

Saraki, who is also the Chairman, PDP Reconciliatory Committee said, it was time for the NorthCentral to recover its mandates in the remaining five states and that it was time for the zone to provide the much-needed leadership that Nigerians yearned for by winning back all six states in the zone.

He further appealed to the APC to stop disturbing their governors and allow them to concentrate on the good works that they were doing across their states.

Former governor of Niger State, Mr. Babangida Aliyu, said the party must create a peaceful atmosphere to endear it to Nigerians ahead of the 2023 general election.

In his acceptance speech, PDP North Central Zonal Chairman, Shan, commended the party faithful, especially, their leaders, for finding them worthy to serve another term and pledged not to disappoint the trust reposed in them.

All the elected officials were sworn in by the Benue State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr Michael Gusa.

South-south Embraces Consensus It was a consensus affair.The zonal vice chairman, Dan Orbih was re-elected He emerged as the PDP national vice chairman, South-south. Orbih was returned unopposed at the congress held at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, after polling 960 votes out of the 964 votes cast.

Though the election was by consensus, only delegates from Cross River State boycotted the zonal congress.This was due to crisis the state governor, Ben Ayade is facing in the party, which had factionalised the party in the state.

In his acceptance speech, Orbih pledged to reposition the party and make it stronger ahead of 2023. He assured the members that the new executive would not betray the trust and faith reposed in them by the delegates.

The PeculiarSoutheast Zone It was also a consensus affair in the Southeast.The leader of the PDP in the zone and Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, led party delegates to the zonal congress to elect Chief Ali Odefa as the NationalVice Chairman (South East) of the PDP, who was returned unopposed.

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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 ˾ RIL 25, 2021

Addax: As Buhari Restores Sanctity of Contractual Agreements Ismaila Shittu

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o build virile, sustainable national institutions, uphold due process in diverse arenas and grow the nation’s economy, the sanctity of contracts must be respected. This is the pathway through which Nigeria can be taken seriously by international investors the country cherishes, as well as by other nations.

An awareness of this necessity clearly must have informed President Muhammadu Buhari’s enlightened intervention to reverse the misapplication of authority and miscarriage of justice in the matter of needless revocation of oil leases operated by Addax Petroleum Exploration Nigeria Ltd. Addax Petroleum was established in 1994 and since August 2009 has been a subsidiary of the Sinopec Group, one of the largest oil and gas producers in China, the biggest oil refiner in Asia and the third largest worldwide.

On Friday, April 23 2021, President Buhari handed down an executive approval for restoration of the leases on OMLs 123, 124, 126 and 137 to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which is in Production Sharing Contract (PSC) with Addax Petroleum. The leases belonging to the federation were revoked on March 30, 2021.

Mallam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, confirmed the development in a statement in Abuja on Friday. According to Shehu, the Buhari restoration of the OMLs to Addax Petrleum was in line with the current administration’s commitment to the rule of law, fairness billion had been invested in the contract but that Addax Petroleum and enabling a stable business climate for investment. He stressed called it off over an issue that was totally unrelated to the project. that the development reaffirmed the commitment of the Buhari It alleged that the action put over 3000 Nigerians out of work, the administration to the rule of law and sanctity of contracts and committee said. Talk of giving a dog a bad name. quoted the President as directing DPR to retract the letter of revocaShortly, like an entity working towards a set agenda, the DPR tion of the leases. inaugurated a team to evaluate the “revoked assets” of Addax More, the President also directed NNPC to utilize contractual Petroleum Exploration Nigeria Ltd. DPR’s spokesperson, Paul provisions to resolve issues in line with the extant provisions of the Osu told Nigerians that, “DPR had recently revoked the four assets Production Sharing Contract arrangement between NNPC and of Addax Petroleum Exploration Nigeria Ltd., namely OMLs 123, Addax.

124, 126 and 137 due to the non-development of the assets by the The Presidential aide’s words: “The restoration of the blocks to company.”

NNPC will boost the organisation’s portfolio, thereby making the He further stated that a team of experts will evaluate the current corporation to, in the long run, boost its crude oil production and in status (As-is) of the revoked assets, including liabilities post turn increase the revenue it generates to the Federation Account.” revocation, in order to facilitate takeover of the assets by the new More specifically, the Nigerian government, through the DPR, operators - Kaztech/Slavic Consortium. New operators? But had erroneously revoked the four OMLs, alleging the company’s the whole contrived game fell through with the President’s swift inability to comply with targets. Two weeks ago, a committee intervention. set by President Buhari to investigate Addax submitted a report, What were the key issues involved in the apparent conflict wrongly accusing the petroleum company of “economic waste.” between the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), an entity The committee led by a former Senator, Magnus Abe, said $1 under the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and

Addax Petroleum?

Tracking back, the NNPC/Ashland Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) on OMLs 123/124 (formerly OPL 98) and 126/137 (Former OPL 118) were signed in 1973 and terminated after 25 years of operation. Thereafter NNPC signed another PSC with Addax Petroleum in 1998, on the same OMLs which were guided by the Petroleum Act and premised on OMLs 123 and 124 considered as one Contract Area and OMLs 126 and 137 considered as one Contract Area.

OMLs 123, 124, 126 and 137 are highly prolific assets with oil reserves of over 450 million barrels of oil and 5 trillion standard cubic feet of gas. OMLs 123, 124 and 126 are currently producing while OML 137 is a green field. Specifically, Clause 19 of the Production Sharing Contract clearly spells out the ground for the Termination of the PSC by the Concessionaire (NNPC) and this is predicated on any of the following four premises: Addax defaults in the performance material obligation; Addax assigns its rights and interests under the contract without written notice and prior written consent of NNPC; Addax is adjudged insolvent bankrupt or to has made restitution to its creditors by a Court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria; or that Addax liquidates or terminates its corporate existence.

It is vitally important to note that the PSC is a contract between the Concessionaire (NNPC) and the Contractor (Addax) and that clearly the regulator (DPR) is nowhere a party. But curiously in this case, the DPR exceeded its regulatory jurisdiction to terminate the contract The key essentials of contract stipulate having two willing parties, meeting of minds between the parties and existence of consideration. Given the circumstances of the entire revocation, it is not illogical to clearly see that the regulator clearly erred and overstepped its bounds by not only terminating the contract between Addax and NNPC but also concocted a nonexistent contract between NNPC and KEL/SPR Were the flawed revocation allowed to stand the government would have shot itself in the foot by this poor disposition towards contractual matters. But good a thing, clearly the President was far better informed on the issues at play. This is especially so, as already Nigeria has a poor reputation with respect to adherence to the rule of law and sanctity of contracts which the circumspect President Buhari administration has been making effort to correct.

Export of petroleum is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy and the major source of revenue for the country. The sector also contributes over 80 and 70% of export earnings and total government revenue, respectively.

––Shittu, a public policy analyst, writes from Abuja.

(Readers should see full article on www.thisdaylive.com)

Chigoziem Dike

I

n many ways, the Nigerian film and creative industry is what it is today because of the dogged dedication of many stakeholders and purveyors of the film and television art in Nigeria. On more than one occasion, Nigeria has set a pace or beaten some impressive record in film art, and this would have been unachievable without the investment of Africa’s leading entertainment company and beloved storyteller, MultiChoice.

In 2018, MultiChoice debuted their flagship Creating Shared Value programme, the Multichoice Talent Factory (MTF) and that revolutionalised the way many Nigerian creatives saw their art Back in the day, preserving and documenting history through storytelling was the exclusive job of bards and historians. Today, our best storytellers are filmmakers, who create the motion pictures that we all enjoy. This is why MultiChoice as an organisation places special focus on training the new generation of filmmakers to keep the art alive and continue the task of spinning excellent, original African stories that document our histories and cultures the way we as a people want.

Under the leadership of master filmmaker and cinematographer, Femi Odugbemi, the MultiChoice Talent Factory has given 40 young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 26 salient tools to become whiz storytellers.

Attempting to further list the merits of the talent factory may prove unnecessary since it is well known that the initiative was structured for

youngsters who are passionate about telling authentic African stories. To actualise this vision, the MTF initiative successfully delivers three touchpoints within the training year, which are the MTF Academy, Masterclasses and the MTF Portal.

In practical terms, MultiChoice, through its aptly named talent factory, invests in talents by not just telling or teaching them about filmmaking and quality storytelling, but by involving them in day-to-day successful productions that viewers all over the world pay to see. This means that they are fully involved in MTF’s immersive programme where they get an opportunity to intern on all MultiChoice’s original productions.

This is in line with Benjamin Franklin’s popular quote that says “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”

In addition to the students being provided with skills to develop their talent, connect with industry professionals and tell authentic African stories, the comprehensive curriculum comprises theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in cinematography, editing, audio production and storytelling. Also, the MTF Portal, a digital hub conceived as the premier destination for Africa’s creative industries, profiles and connects them all with more talents and opportunities outside of the country and region. It would be remembered that by the second year of its existence (2019), the one-year scholarship programme successfully partnered with the New York Film Academy and has since set the standard with even more illustrious partnerships with prestigious institutions and organisations like Pan-Atlantic University (PAU) and the internationally-acclaimed Dolby, Jasco

Broadcast Solutions and Nihilent.

Following the academy’s inaugural graduation in 2019, MTF successfully ingrained their mission to boost the quality of local film and television programming.

Certainly, on a roll, the tsunami of the COVID-19 pandemic was not enough to cause a lasting setback for MTF. Instead, it created a new opportunity for the talent factory to evolve, reevaluate, adapt to the new scenario and tell even more compelling African stories through the Nigerian narratives that emerged in the heat of the pandemic season.

At the recent virtual graduation ceremony for the MTF Academy Class of 2020, which held on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, Chief Executive Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe, revealed that 2020 was undoubtedly tough due to COVID-19 but the ability of all 20 students to quickly adapt and transition from physical to virtual learning speaks to the world-class nature of the academy’s course.

“The MultiChoice Talent Factory is very close to my heart. It speaks to who we are as Nigerians, natural-born storytellers. Today we are here to celebrate the second cohort who were dealt a heavy blow by the COVID-19 pandemic but the challenge seems to have brought on even greater opportunities,” Ugbe stated.

While Ugbe analysed the challenges the academy faced, including the fact that the course was extended from 12 months to 18 months due to the pandemic, one cannot sweep aside the fact that there were many benefits for the students.

Asides the fact that the additional time translated to the graduands walking away with not one but two qualifications, making them even

more sought-after as they re-enter their respective local film and TV sectors as highly qualified industry professionals, the extra certification is a qualification from the prestigious New York Film Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (NYFA).

The 2020 graduands had equally completed an intensive three-week online NYFAcourse on the production of micro-documentaries, Public Service Announcements (PSAs), music videos and also worked with the United Nations on the global #PledgeToPause campaign, which automatically equals exposure for the young creatives to global networks.

Other benefits accrued in spite of the COVID year include an NYFAeight-week scholarship in the United States of America for the top-performing graduate; Nihilent Technologies eight-week scriptwriting internship on an animation; and Jasco Broadcast Solutions AVID media composer licence to the most-promising film video editor; Jasco Broadcast Solution AVID Pro Tools license to the most-promising sound engineer.

This is without forgetting the four-week MNet internship in South Africa, and the CEO Award for Innovation which the trio of Mr Eric Kafui Okyerefo, Ms Chioma Paul-Dike and Mr Avuiroevarie Igho Arusi won for building Ekho media, a streaming platform for short films and content creators. They also got $1000 each and a structured 1-year mentoring session with the CEO. ––Dike a Public Affairs analyst, writes from Abuja.

(Readers should see full article on www. thisdaylive.com)

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 25, 2021

FOCUS

Is Ubah the Candidate to Beat in Anambra?

Even though the Anambra State governorship is still far ahead, Ifeanyi Ubah, senator and businessman, has continued to position himself as the candidate to beat in the election, writes Tobi Soniyi

W

hen it comes to politics, no state in Nigeria is more active than Anambra. As a matter of fact, the nation’s case law, with regards to political issues, is replete with judgments on disputes emanating from the state.

No one should, therefore, be surprised that at the last count, there are not less than thirty aspirants jostling to take over from Chief Willie Obiano as the governor of Anambra.

Some of the aspirants have intimidating credentials. Others are over-qualified for the job.There are those who think it is their entitlement.

However, there is this one aspirant that

everyone is scared of. He is Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah. A dark horse in the race. Anyone who underestimates him does so at his own risk.

All politics is local. No one understands this better than Ubah.This explains why he easily defeated the All Progressives Grand Alliance, the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress in the Anambra South Senatorial District Election. He contested under a relatively unknown political party, the Young Progressives Party and won.

Unlike the others, Ubah did not wait for election time before reaching out to the people. He appears to have earned the people’s trust by being there for them in their hours of need.This explains the massive followers he enjoys among the grassroots.These are the people, who would defy the elements

to cast their votes on election day.They are dependable.

Nothing unites Nigerians like sports. Ubah understands this quite well. He founded the Ifeanyi Ubah Football Club and built the Ifeanyi Ubah Football Club Stadium, the first of its kind in the country.

This offers opportunities for Nigerians, not just Anambra people to change their lives for the better.The football club not only provides opportunity for talented youth across the country and even abroad, to pursue their professional careers in football, the stadium provides jobs for a teeming number of people to eke out a living, in addition to indirect jobs created through the facility on a daily basis, especially, whenever a football tournament is being hosted at the stadium.

Ubah

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NEWS Dogara: Nigeria Becoming Ungoverned Space

News Editor: Gboyega Akinsanmi E-mail: ÑÌÙãÏÑ˲ËÕÓØÝËØ×Ó̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙט͸΀͹ͽͺͻͽ΁ͺͽͻ

Expresses concern about post-2023 elections Urges leaders to unite against insecurity James Sowole in Akure

A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara yesterday warned that ungoverned spaces were becoming prevalent in Nigeria with the growing inability of the federal government to exert coercive power or at best maintain sporadic presence in different parts of the federation.

Dogara gave the warning at the 10th convocation of Achievers University, Owo City, Ondo State, noting that Nigeria “is at war against itself.”

Dogara, the Chancellor of the university, also expressed grave concern for the 2023 general elections even as he challenged political leaders to look beyond 2023, work together against divisive tendencies and rescue the country from the precipice of collapse.

At the convocation, the former speaker lamented the seemingly intractable security challenges in the country, warning that no part of the country was secured again.

While he decried the spate of insecurity in different geo-political zones constituting the federation, Dogara asked President Muhammadu Buhari “to stop playing the ostrich or pretend that all is well with us and our country.”

Dogara said the Southwest and the Southeast, the two geopolitical zones that were once considered safe, “are fast becoming Nigeria’s new zones of instability.

“Added to this is the long list of other protracted conflicts, including but not limited to Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast that has left scores of people dead and millions displaced.

“We now have daily cases of banditry in the Northwest; piracy; organised crime in the South-south and farmer herder clashes in much of the rest of the country,” he said with concern for the future of the country.

Dogara noted that the problem of ungoverned spaces “is prevalent in Nigeria where the government has lost the capacity to exert coercive power or at best maintains sporadic or weak presence.

“We now leave vast forested landscapes across the country for terrorists, bandits and sundry criminal cartels to use as sanctuaries and establish operational bases.”

He said there was a strong correlation between insecurity and 33.33% unemployment rate, epileptic economic growth, overwhelmed security agencies coupled with weak institutional capacity within the security agencies; extreme inequality cum poverty and citizens alienation from the government.

Dogara cited the Global Terrorism Index (GTI), which ranked Nigeria the third-most terrorised country in the world based on the report released on November 27, 2020, With this painted scenario, he said: “We can no longer play the

ostrich or pretend that all is well with us and our country. We must say it as it is Nigeria is at war with itself.

“It is like all roads lead to Golgotha. The dam has broken and we have reached an inflection point. These are events that must change the way we think and act in order to walk Nigeria back from the precipice,” Dogara spoke with grave concern.

He noted that something “has

been fundamentally wrong with Nigeria which we have failed to cure,” saying experts had linked insecurity in the country “to government’s failure or lack of capacity to deliver public services or basic needs of the people.”

He explained that this lapse “creates a pool of frustrated people who are easily ignited by any event to be violent.

Also, inequality in appointment

and distribution of public utilities create a perception of marginalisation by a section of the people, especially the youth, who have a sense of disaffection and/or resentment.”

He, thus, said the inability of the nation’s security forces “to tackle insecurity led to the proliferation of vigilante and zonal security outfits. Historically, the challenge with these outfits is that they have not worked.

“As it has always been the case in so many communities and nations that promote those outfits, they will soon degenerate into lucrative criminal cartels themselves.

“Lack of training will result in extra-judicial killings. Some of us who have welcomed them as saviours will sooner than later start condemning them for their brinkmanship and lack of transparency.

WELCOME TO PROMISE LAND . .

L-R: General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye with Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel receiving Adeboye at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, Akwa Ibom ... yesterday Edoho B. Utuk

Malaria Killed More Than COVID-19 in 2020, WHO Reveals Daji Sani in Yola

With a margin of 264,463 fatalities, Malaria killed more people in Africa in 2020 than COVID-19, World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed.

While malaria often caused by parasites transmitted to people through the bites of infected female mosquitoes claimed 384,000 lives in 2020, COVID-19, a highly infectious disease, killed 119,537.

WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti disclosed the figures of malaria’s fatalities in 2020 in Yola,

Adamawa State capital yesterday, saying every malaria case “is preventable, and every malaria death is unacceptable.”

In 2019, according to Moeti, the WHO African Region accounted for 94% of both the 229 million malaria cases and 409,000 malaria deaths reported globally.

This is despite the great progress made in malaria response in the region.

She said between 2000 and 2019, malaria incidence declined by 29% and deaths by 60%.

More than 1.2 billion cases and 7.1 million deaths were averted in the region.

“Cabo Verde has maintained zero malaria status since 2018, Algeria was certified malaria free in 2019, and Botswana, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Ghana, Namibia and South Africa achieved the 2020 milestones of reducing malaria incidence and deaths by 40% compared to 2015.”

She, however, stated that 36 of the 44 malaria-endemic countries in the region did not achieve these milestones.

“Overall, the region was off track by 37% and 25% for the incidence and deaths milestones respectively. While

Sanwo-Olu Discloses New Plan to End Apapa Gridlock Segun James

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the weekend disclosed that high-level conversation was ongoing to resolve diverse complications responsible for traffic congestion in Apapa and its environs.

Sanwo-Olu, also, said the state government was committed to providing a friendly business environment for investors, citing what the state had been doing to provide strategic infrastructure within the state to aid business activities.

He gave this assurance at a meeting with the President of European Business Organisation (EBO) Nigeria, Mr. Adefolu Majekodunmi and his executives at

Lagos House, Marina on Friday.

Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the state government “is having a lot of high level conversations to solve issues surrounding Apapa gridlock, especially issues relating to the ports in the area.”

He challenged the EBO to look at the opportunity in the Lekki Free Trade Zone area, saying part of the medium and long term solutions to Apapa gridlock, is to have another port outside Apapa and decongest tank farms in the area.

He further disclosed that the Lekki port “will commence operations next year. I will advise you as EBO to look at the opportunity in the Lekki Free Trade Zone area.

“There are two free zones in Lekki – Lekki Free Trade Zone

and Lagos Free Zone. A lot of companies are already in the zones. We are putting a lot of infrastructure there; internal and external roads are coming up there, power and other things are also coming up there,” he said.

He added that his administration was committed to continually partner and deepen relationships with international investors and developmental partners to harness the opportunity in skills acquisition, training and investments.

He, therefore, implored the EBO to support the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, which is a deep intervention model to support and produce entrepreneurs in digital, agriculture, creative and construction industries.

malaria incidence in the region dropped by 9% to 10% every five years between 2000 and 2015, in the last five years, this has slowed to less than 2%.

“Every year that we let malaria spread, health and development suffers.”

“Malaria is responsible for an average annual reduction of 1.3% in Africa’s economic growth.

Malaria-related absenteeism and productivity losses cost Nigeria, for example, an estimated US$ 1.1 billion every year.

“In 2003, malaria cost Uganda an estimated gross domestic product equivalent to US$ 11

million. In Kenya, approximately 170 million working days and 11% of primary school days are lost to malaria each year.

Moeti said to change this situation, more needs to be done to help at-risk populations hence encouraged testing, vaccination and insecticide-treated bed net (ITN) for all especially pregnant women and children The regional director also revealed that there were new challenges on the horizon, such as increasing vector insecticide resistance in the region.

She explained that this could compromise the effectiveness

of interventions like ITNs and indoor-residual spraying adding that resistance of malaria parasites to some medicines could also make this disease very difficult to treat.

“Genetic mutations of the malaria parasite (pfhrp2/3 gene deletions) were recently detected in the Horn of Africa and these could potentially increase falsenegative malaria tests.

“The Anopheles stephensi mosquito, an urban malaria vector, has invaded the Horn of Africa in recent years, with the potential to cause devastating outbreaks in cities and towns.

I Regret Persuading Obasanjo to Establish NDDC, Says Oyofo Kayode Fasua Senator Kassim Oyofo has expressed regrets that he was instrumental to the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Oyofo, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was a member of the fourth and fifth National Assembly.

He expressed these concerns during an interview with THISDAY at the weekend.

He said he was astonished, discovering that the commission, now a cesspit of corruption, had killed the dream of its founding fathers.

He said that he regretted initiating the move in the first place.

At the senate, the septuagenarian served on the Senate Committee on the Environment as Vice Chairman and was at different times a member of Senate Committees on Petroleum, Solid Minerals, Police Affairs, Commerce and Niger Delta At the session with THISDAY, Oyofo noted that he prevailed upon the former president “to establish the NDDC. It is the only Act since 1960 that was passed by veto. If you understand what that means: 95 votes to two.

“When I look back today, I always regret that I supported the passage of the NDDC Act. I should have agreed with Obasanjo not to bring the amendments I put into the Act, because the whole thing is now a cesspit of corruption.”

According to him, all the grand

aims intended for improved living conditions for the Niger Delta people, through the formation of the NDDC, have been thrown overboard by a succession of corrupt leaders at the commission.

“People like the former President of the Senate, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo (of blessed memory), who made it possible for us to pass the Act would be in his grave to see the corruption that had taken over the commission.

“I have never gone there to take anything from them. I do not want anything from them.

We had hoped they would, at least, improve the lot of their people. Contrary to its mandate, the NDDC is now a cesspit of corruption. The worst corruption that you can imagine takes place there.”

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NEWSXTRA

Copy Jonathan’s Model to End Banditry, Gumi Urges Buhari Says poor education funding fueling insecurity Accuses interest groups of targeting Nigeria Oluchi Chibuzor

An Islamic leader, Sheik Ahmad Gumi has blamed the rising spate of banditry, kidnapping and insecurity nationwide on the failure of governments at all levels to fund the education sector in line with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Gumi, however, challenged the federal government to embrace former President Jonathan Goodluck’s approach to security challenges by educating young Fulanis that resorted to criminalities due to poverty and unemployment.

Gumi made this recommendation at a virtual policy dialogue organised by the Nigerian Global Affairs Council (NIGAC), a digital media-driven and evidence-based think-tank focusing on governance and public policy.

NiGAC’s national virtual policy dialogue affords Nigerians and

its leaders the opportunity to examine critical issues affecting national development.

During the dialogue, the Islamic leader urged Nigeria to see security challenges as a social problem, which according to him, could not be solved by military prowess.

He explained that it was time for sociologists, criminologists and psychologists in the country to come together and understand how to resolve the menace.

He, however, attributed insecurity in the country to poor funding of the education sector in breach of the 26% budget allocation that the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recommended for every country.

He, also, said: “Nigeria is a target of many different international interest groups. For us who have been in the military, we go to the bush; we do exercises in the bush, you never get attacked and in

fact you do not fear Fulani men.

“So, what has suddenly changed? These are the questions I think sociologists, criminologists and psychologists should all put their heads together and see a way out. But it is not by force that we can subdue these people. I do not see that.”

On how to solve the problem, the cleric advocated the need “to improve funding in the education sector of the country. The standard by the United Nations is that education should have about 15 to 20 percent of the budget.

“In Nigeria, it is about nine to 10%. We are not spending much

on education and human capital development at large. We have entirely forgotten the Human Development Index (HDI). That is exactly what we are suffering from.

“This kidnapping and banditry you see is committed by people who are stack illiterate. They are not educated at all. Most of them

have never been to schools. They know nothing. They are always on drugs.

“And there are so many in numbers. If you want to cure it you have to solve it as a social problem not as a military problem, the military cannot solve it,” the Islamic leader explained.

European American Varsity Honours Bello, Mba, Harvey Tobi Soniyi

Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has been conferred with a Honorary Doctorate Degree by the European American University, Commonwealth of Dominican Republic.

A statement made available by the Head of West African Operations of the university, Dr Mrs Josephine Egbuta said Bello was conferred with Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Sector Accounting and Finance while Charles Mba was honoured with an award of a Doctorate Degree of Science (D.Sc) in Properties Development and Real Estates Management.

However, the founder & Group Managing Director Ziloc Construction Ltd & Zelo Homes Ltd,Igboanugo Ugochukwu Harvey was honoured with the award of Doctor of Science (D.Sc. Hons) in Property Management and Estate Development.

Egbuta said Mba and Harvey nomination did not come as a surprise to the school, adding

that it was long overdue.

Before now, Mba has been a recipient of so many awards including the Nigerian Entrepreneurs Award of Excellence; The Dignity of Man Award from the University of Nigeria Alumni Association, Lagos Branch; the Africa Prize for Leadership Excellence as The Property Development Personality of the year 2017; The Award of Outstanding Leadership Recognition & Inspirational Leadership, Excellence Award in West Africa by the Chartered Institute of Public Resources Management & Politics, Ghana on the 10th day of March, 2020 and among others.

The European American University also revealed that other prominent distinguished Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in national politics, service to humanity and demonstration of good leadership would be giving the opportunity to join Bello, Mba and Igboanugo on the award stage.

Private Sector Key to Our Devt Plan, Says Lagos Segun James

The Lagos State Government has disclosed a plan to partner the private sector for a sustainable economy to make the state a model in the world.

He revealed that there were ongoing plans to formulate incentive policies that would encourage the sector to adopt viable business practices, increase resource use and reduce cost as the world shifts focus to circular economy.

The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Sam Egube made this disclosure at the weekend during a virtual stakeholders’ workshop.

The workshop was organised by organised by the Institute of Directors, (IoD) in collaboration with Afrikairos, Circular Economy Innovation Partnership (CEIP) and Growing Business Foundation (GBF) under the theme, Operationalizing Sustainability and Circular

Economy Egube revealed that the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration was committed to the state transitioning to a circular economy being incorporated in the state’s 30-year development plan to make Lagos a model in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.

He said: “It is of great essence that our collective effort towards a sustainable society can be measured, monitored and evaluated in a way that is acceptable and aligns with global best practice.

“Lagos State will consider enabling policies that will enhance incentives for the private sector to report sustainability and circular economy as we need to hold each other accountable, both government and private sector, whereby material data, and data integrity, is key to tracking, monitoring and improving performance.”

GOOD NIGHT, PA NWEZE . . .

R-L: Enugu State Governor, Mr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Senator Ayogu Eze; his wife, Nkechi; Paulinus Eze and Ikechukwu Eze, during the funeral rites of their late father, Eya Nweze in Umuida, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, Enugu … yesterday.

Look Beyond Religion to Elect Next President, Fayemi Tells Nigerians Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi at the weekend urged Nigerians to look beyond religious divides and sentiments to elect the next president in 2023.

Fayemi, also Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), warned against giving ethnic colouration to crimes just as he urged Nigerians irrespective of their religious and ethnic backgrounds to join hands to defeat evil merchants.

He gave this advice while

delivering the convocation lecture at the graduation of Good Shepherd Major Catholic Seminary, Kafanchan, Kaduna State on Friday.

The lecture was titled “The Church, Politics and Future Elections.”

At the attendance were seminarians, the graduates, political figures and religious leaders including the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev Mathew Hassan Kukah among others.

Speaking at the lecture, Fayemi

said the church “has important roles to play as the nation inches towards another cycle of elections in 2023 in mobilising the laity, women and youth organisations for effective political participation that will lead to the choice of quality and God fearing leaders.”

He said while it would be nice to have a Christian emerge as the next President, Christians should not be beclouded by religious sentiments in exercising their franchise in the 2023 polls but should organise platforms to

interrogate candidates seeking their votes to ascertain their suitability.

He added: “While it is nice to see one of us being the president in 2023, it is important to look beyond the religious profession of the gladiators or even their ethnic or geopolitical origin.

“The church should develop a charter of concerns, which must be as inclusive as possible and engage the candidates in direct conversations and debates.

We’ll Take over N’Delta in 2023, Omo-Agege Boasts Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege yesterday boasted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would take control of not just Delta State but the South-South geopolitical zone in 2023.

Omo-Agege added that he had no doubt that the dominance of politics in Delta State and SouthSouth by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would come to an end at the general election in 2023.

Omo-Agege said this at Illah

while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after inspecting the ongoing rehabilitation work on the Asaba-Illah Road, an important federal highway linking Delta and Edo states through Asaba and Illah but which has been in deplorable condition.

He undertook the inspection of the road, including the main bridge across the Anwai River, in company of Senator Peter Nwaoboshi and his Chief of Staff, Dr Otive Igbuzor as well as several leaders of the APC in Delta North Senatorial District.

According to him, the factors

that will decide which direction the political pendulum would swing in 2023 would be dictated by the real level impact the political actors make on the lives of the people in different ways.

He explained his strategy in politics, which he said was development-based and peoplefocussed.

He said he would swing the loyalty of the majority of voters in the area “to the APC by “putting aside partisanship” and cooperating with relevant stakeholders to deliver visible dividends of democracy.

“The people are now wiser and more politically aware, he pointed out, saying that they would not be swayed or deceived anymore by lots of empty promises but now want to know how you have impacted their lives and communities or environment positively either as political leaders or government.”

Omo-Agege, however, expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of work on the Asaba-Illah Road, saying he had put in a word to the construction firm on expectations of the people and the Federal Government.

Ekiti Varsity Proscribes Unions, Suspends Academic Activities Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

The Ekiti State University (EKSU) yesterday proscribed all labour unions within the institution due to continuous protests that disrupted academic and non-academic activities in recent time.

The institution, also, suspended all academic activities with immediate effect while all students were directed to return home until its management issued a directive

asking them to resume.

These directives were contained in a statement the Head of EKSU Directorate of Information and Corporate Affairs, Mr. Bode Olofinmuagun issued yesterday in response to industrial conflict rocking the institution.

The unions in the institution had been protesting against the management for alleged nonpayment of salaries and some specific allowances, among others.

Consequently, the protests

triggered a total lockdown of the university, which paralysed academic, non-academic and commercial activities within the academic community.

The university proscribed all the four unions with immediate effect. The unions comprise Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and National

Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

The statement said: “This is as a result of the continuous disruption of lawful activities on campus which have endangered lives and property in the last one week.

“Consequently, to guarantee peace and orderliness on campus, all the four unions – ASUU, SSANU, NAAT and NASU – are hereby proscribed with immediate effect”.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 25, 2021

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SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by: Duro Ikhazuagbe email:Duro.Ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

Troost-Ekong’s Watford Gain Promotion Back to Premier League Duro Ikhazuagbe with agency report

S

uper Eagles central defender, William Troost-Ekong, and his Watford teammates defeated Millwall 1-0 yesterday to seal their promotion back to the Premier League barely nine months after they dropped from the English

topÁight.

Senegalese Ismaila Sarr’s composed 11thminute penalty after the winger was brought down in the box by Billy Mitchell. The win lifts the Hornets to 88 points, Àve behind runaway champions Norwich City as the two automatic promoted teams. Four others are to battle in the playoͿs for the other ticket.

Xisco Munoz’s side are on their best run at at Vicarage Road since 1977 - and registered a club-record 18th home triumph of the campaign.

Sarr made no mistake from the spot, stroking the ball down the middle as Lions keeper Bartosz Bialkowski dived to his left.

Dan Gosling could have made it 2-0 with a header from Tom Cleverley’s free-kick before the Watford goal came under threat, but a 22nd clean sheet of the season secured all three points and prompted celebrations at full-time.

While stability was the cornerstone of Norwich’s success this season, Watford have gone about things in a typically frantic manner.

Hayden Mullins had seen them through to the end of last season in an interim capacity after the dismissal of Nigel Pearson, and Vladimir Ivic was appointed in August to lead the club’s recovery in the Championship.

Abdoulaye Doucoure, Gerard Deulofeu and Roberto Pereyra were among the big names to leave Vicarage Road, though highly sought-after forward Sarr and captain Troy Deeney remained.

But Ivic’s reign lasted just four months and 20 league games, despite the Hornets being Àfth in the table and just four points from the top two.

A falling out with striker Deeney seemed to seal the Serbian’s fate and Munoz replaced him the following day to become the Watford’s Àfth

William Troost-Ekong (left) celebrating Sarr’s lone goal winner against Millwall...yesterday

manager in just over a year.

The 40-year-old Spaniard gaͿer turned previously frequent draws into victories and an already solid defence became even tougher to breach, with Bachmann becoming Àrst-choice keeper and Francisco Sierralta, William Troost-Ekong

and Kiko Femenia all dependable across the back.

Watford have gone from being functional and somewhat uninspiring in the Àrst half of the campaign to showing a real attacking verve - talisman Sarr, Brazilian teenager Joao Pedro and Sweden winger Ken Sema forming a skilful

Rohr Wants Eberechi Eze to Switch to Super Eagles In apparent move to strengthen Super Eagles midÀeld ahead of campaign at the next year’s World Cup in Qatar, Head Coach, Gernot Rohr, has admitted he would want Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze to commit to Nigeria because he is one of the best attacking midÀelders in England.

Eberechi Eze has featured for the England U21s, but he could still switch international allegiance to Nigeria, where his parents are from.

“He is a wonderful player, one of the best oͿensive midÀelders in England. I want to have him, but he can also play for England,” Rohr said in an interview by Elegbete TV. “But the boy has to take the decision, we won’t force him.

“I sent him a message to say we are interested (in him playing for Nigeria), he replied he will think about it.

“What we can do is to explain to him how we work and our objectives,” stressed the Franco-German gaͿer.

Under Rohr, several players have switched allegiance from their adopted European countries to play for Nigeria.

They include Kevin Akpoguma, Maduka Okoye and Cyriel Dessers.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles are to open their 2022 World Cup second round qualifying campaign against the Lone Star of Liberia on June 6 in Lagos.

Rohr admitted at the weekend that he has been keeping tabs on the Liberian team.

“They are a young team, who

PCN Mourns Late Badminton Coach The entire Nigeria Paralympic Committee family has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of one of the country’s medal hopefuls at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, AbdulraÀu Bello who was involved in an auto-crash on Thursday.

Secretary General of the Nigeria Paralympic Committee, Isa Suleiman, who disclosed this, said Bello who is Africa’s number one Para-badminton player, met

his untimely death when the vehicle he was travelling in while returning from Lagos where he went for visa interview at the Spanish Embassy was involved in the accident that claimed his life.

He was to go to Spain for the last round of the Tokyo 2020 Para-badminton qualiÀers slated for May 6, 2021.

Until his death, Bello was the Coach of Para-badminton Association.

President of the Paralympic Committee Nigeria, Brig.

Gen. Emico Eruwa (rtd), said the news of Bello’s death came to him as a rude shock at a time when the PCN board was busy praying and strategising for how Nigeria will have a good outing at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

He described his death as a big loss to the country.

Eruwa who is yet to recover from the shock prayed for the soul of the departed badminton star to Rest In Peace.

Late Abdurafiu Bello

recently lost 1-0 to Egypt and they are very defensive, so it won’t be easy to score against such a team.”

Cape Verde and Central African Republic are the other teams in this group with the overall winners advancing to a Ànal playoͿ to be played on knockout basis against another group winner.

Rohr is expected to draw out a list of 50 players from where he is going to select those to feature in the qualiÀers for Qatar 2022.

three-pronged attack - with the 6-0 demolition of Bristol City in February a particular high point.

How they will fare back in the Premier League next season is anyone’s guess but the chop and change approach of owner Gino Pozzo has once again paid dividends.

Newcastle Deny Liverpool Much-needed Win in Race for Top Four Newcastle substitute Joe Willock scored a dramatic but deserved 95th-minute equaliser to deny Liverpool a much-needed win in their pursuit of Champions League football.

Mohamed Salah’s early goal appeared to have put the champions on track for a vital three points as they chase a top-four Ànish at the end of a disappointing season.

But despite dominating early on, Jurgen Klopp’s side were unable to Ànish the game oͿ and were given a lifeline they failed to take when Callum Wilson’s last-minute equaliser was ruled out for handball.

Steve Bruce’s much-improved visitors kept up the late pressure and were rewarded when Willock Àred in for the third match in a row with the last kick of the game to strengthen their own position at the bottom of the table.

Reds fans must now look on as West Ham and Chelsea - both a point ahead of their sixth-placed side - meet later on Saturday.

It was already a season to forget for Liverpool with a meek title defence and trophyless campaign, even before the oͿ-Àeld distraction of this week’s aborted interest in the European Super League.

There were muted protests against the club’s owners as the team coach arrived at AnÀeld but the players themselves were loudly cheered and the disruption was nothing like that seen at Arsenal on Friday night.

Sunday April 25, 2021

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Dogara on Insecurity

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“We can no longer play the ostrich or pretend that all is well with us and our country. We must say it as it is Nigeria is at war with itself.” – A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara spoke at the 10th convocation of Achievers University, in Owo, Ondo State.

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Pantami in the Eye of the Storm

D

r Isa Ali Pantami, minister of communications and digital economy, has been at the centre of a litany of controversies for two weeks non-stop — an unusually lengthy period in the Nigerian news cycle. A newspaper had reported that Pantami, who is also an Islamic cleric, was on the US terror watch list because of his views on al-Qaeda, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by Western countries. Pantami spiritedly denied the report and demanded a retraction. I guess that in the absence of a compelling evidence to back the report, the newspaper recoiled and apologised.

Pantami’s lawyers smelt blood and decided to go for the jugular, threatening a law suit.

Was that the final trigger for a full-blown crisis? Maybe. The consequences: people dug up more historical evidence of Pantami’s extremist views, on video and audio, and posted on the internet. Although an old video showing him fiercely debating Sheikh Mohammed Yusuf, the slain Boko Haram founder, appeared to exonerate him of being a terror sympathiser, there were other damning recordings in which he called Boko Haram members “fellow Muslims”, praised a slain al-Qaeda leader, celebrated the massacre of “infidels” and expressed strong opposition to people working in a secular government. He has publicly recanted his old views, saying he is a changed man.

But something far more damaging was loading.

On Wednesday, a document, said to be minutes of a meeting of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) held at the Bauchi Central Mosque in July 2010 and allegedly chaired by Pantami, resurfaced on the internet. Decisions were said to have been reached to launch a “holy war” against Christians in the north, mainly in Plateau and Kaduna. The most damaging, going by the document, was a purported planned assassination of the then Kaduna governor, Mr Patrick Yakowa, a Christian. Yakowa had just been promoted from deputy governor after Namadi Sambo, the governor, was named vice-president to President Goodluck Jonathan.

Some things were easier for me to understand, even if I didn’t have to agree with them, as the saga unfolded. For starters, being on a terror watch list does not necessarily make you a terrorist: it just means your views and activities are suspicious and more attention should be paid to you. You may be denied visa or entry into the US or subjected to extra search and questioning at the port of entry. An outspoken cleric like Pantami could be on the watch list because of his sermons. It is, however, a different thing to be declared wanted for terrorism. Whichever way, though, there is no evidence that Pantami was on the “watch” or “wanted” list as the reports had authoritatively asserted.

I know that many Muslims initially had sympathies for al-Qaeda, especially over the US-led invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq after the 9/11 attacks, even though most of the attackers were Saudis. Many Muslims believed the US was hostile to their religion and was out to humiliate them and take control of the oil fields. In Kano, there were several protests supporting al-Qaeda and celebrating its founder, Osama bin Laden. The US flag was regularly burnt. Within this context, I wouldn’t be surprised if Pantami, like many other fiery clerics, voiced support for al-Qaeda — and he did not deny this. As time went by, al-Qaeda started killing “fellow Muslims” and the sympathies faded.

Pantami once called Boko Haram members “fellow Muslims”. They were initially a collection of religious zealots with a deeply political message.

Along the way, they began to clash, violently, with the security agencies. Jonathan had to deploy troops in Borno to contain them. I recall that a

Pantami group called Borno Elders and Leaders of Thought issued a statement demanding the withdrawal of the troops because of alleged extrajudicial killings.

When Boko Haram started bombing mosques and killing clerics who disagreed with them, they were no longer seen as “fellow Muslims”. Pantami had also seen them as “fellow Muslims” apparently before they declared him persona non grata.

It also emerged that Pantami used to preach against working in a secular government. This is in line with extremist views. A cleric of his persuasion would prefer a caliphate, governed

by Islamic laws. That he later changed his mind, went to secular schools at an advanced age and even bagged a PhD from Robert Gordon University, Scotland, were indications of a U-turn.

He had tempered his theology and adjusted his worldview. Can extremists really change their views as they mature in life? Should a former al-Qaeda sympathiser be made a minister? Should imams and pastors be given government appointments at all? These are interesting and important topics for public debate.

I was still managing to cope with Pantami saga until I read social media reports on Wednesday that he plotted with JNI, the Islamic body, to kill Yakowa and launch a jihad against Christians in northern Nigeria. I said: “No más!” (the Spanish for “no more”, famously uttered by Roberto Durán in the eighth round of their boxing bout in 1980 after Sugar Ray Leonard II had punched him silly.) You are free to defend your “fellow Muslims” — that is freedom of association. You can call the US “The Great Shaitan” — that is freedom of speech. You can even ask Muslims not to take up appointments in a secular government — that is freedom of thought. But plot to kill Christians? No más!

For me, I had had enough of the Pantami punches. I like making excuses for people, even to my own hurt, but I believed I had given Pantami enough benefit of the doubt. Left to me, President Muhammadu Buhari could no longer keep him in his cabinet — if the allegation was true. Keeping him, in my opinion, would be an irredeemable insult on the sensibilities. These are not the best of times for ethno-religious relations in Nigeria, with allegations flying up and down — and the body language of the president must not tend to lend credence to the conspiracy theories.

Anything short of an appropriate and transparent treatment of the issue would only worsen the delicate matters.

I was expecting a robust position from presidency.

For once, I looked forward to a proper response that would say the allegations would be investigated.

But what did we get? The customary middle finger from Mallam Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman. The statement, which I think was

hasty, ended up as a eulogy to Pantami on his contributions to the GDP! Sure, as alleged by presidency, it could be true that there is a coordinated and well-oiled campaign to “cancel” Pantami. After all, “cancelling” is a full-blown business in Nigeria. Anything is possible. But that is NOT the point. The statement came across as a brazen defence of Pantami rather than an attempt to address the issues.

At this point, I want to add that the notion that every demand for accountability and responsibility from the government is politically motivated is very unfortunate. This is the well-established standard response of nearly every government in our history. In the military era, people were tagged “disgruntled elements” for asking questions and demanding answers. I find it distressing that after nearly 22 years of civil rule, this “disgruntled” mentality persists. Even if the allegations are political, they deserve appropriate responses, don’t they?

Opposition is core to multiparty democracy. It is the responsibility of the government to respond convincingly to the queries, not dismiss them.

The JNI response, which I would say came a little late but is still better than never, dismissed the allegations contained in the document. The body raised a number of questions: in what capacity could Pantami have chaired a JNI meeting when he was not a national or state leader? Why would JNI in only Kaduna, Plateau, Niger and Bauchi states meet and exclude other states? If a plot to assassinate Yakowa was indeed hatched in July 2010, how come he was later elected governor in 2011 in a state where a Muslim-Muslim ticket just sailed through (in 2019)? Now that JNI has stated its own side of the story, I would expect the government to launch an independent investigation.

Before JNI’s response, John Joseph Hayab, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna state chapter, had cautioned the public against believing the document, suggesting that a thorough investigation should be carried out first. “Sensitive documents like the ones purported to be from the JNI meeting in Bauchi should be subjected to thorough security investigation and trials, not tools for social media warfare. The danger of making this a media issue, instead of a legal and security issue that it ought to be, is that we stand to lose the most important point: that of bringing to justice persons accused to have wronged the law,” he had said.

Hayab was an aide to Yakowa, so I find his position quite fascinating. A regular northern Christian leader would have jumped at the allegation and weaponised it. Hayab didn’t. I am inclined to queue behind Hayab in his call for a thorough investigation. If indeed it is a fabrication, that would be a heinous crime. Suggesting that Yakowa was killed because of his religion — meaning the air mishap was orchestrated — can further fuel the religious inferno in the north. There were insinuations when Yakowa died in December 2012 that it was not an accident, so if this document was forged, then the masterminds knew what they were driving at: to further divide an already divided country.

Where do we go from here? One way first: the security agencies must conduct a detailed investigation into the document. It has serious implications for national security. I am not saying other issues about Pantami’s past are not important.

But the “minutes” cannot be treated with levity because it is beyond a ministerial appointment.

It is national security and it is in our interest to get to the bottom of it so that we can come to closure rather than leave things hanging. And if this turns out to be false, then our problems in Nigeria are far bigger than we think. It means some people are so desperate to set this country on fire and would stop at nothing to achieve their aim. Terrifying.

And Four Other Things…

DEATH AT THE DOOR Three students abducted from the Greenfield University, Kaduna state, on Tuesday were found dead on Friday. This is so heart-breaking. This looks too much like how Boko Haram operates and appears to confirm my suspicion that much of the insecurity across the country today can be traced to these terrorists. When we think we have seen the worst of these gutwrenching crimes, another dastardly act is committed by the bestial bandits who have lost every form of humanity in them. The daily bloodshed is just unimaginable. It must be a new thing that bandits would kidnap and kill students without even demanding a ransom. My heart goes out to the bereaved families. Shocking. .

FLOYD OF TEARS On Tuesday, Derek Chauvin — the dismissed police officer who knelt on George Floyd’s neck until he was sure the African-American man was dead — was found guilty of murder and manslaughter by an American jury. I practically shed tears of joy. It was as if Donald Trump had been defeated again (I love seeing that racist lose). For once, a white police officer was found guilty of killing a black person. The not-guilty verdicts routinely delivered by the American jurists had created the impression that the life of a black person did not matter. I can bet that if Floyd was white, Chauvin would not have knelt on his neck, not for nine minutes and 29 seconds, not having handcuffed him. Justice.

DAIRY DIARY While most southern states (and Benue) were busying campaigning against RUGA in 2019, the Ekiti state government announced that it was planning to resuscitate the Ikun Dairy Farm through a PPP. I have been following the progress since then, mainly via the Twitter handle of Mr Akin Oyebode Jnr, the highly cerebral state commissioner for finance, and I am very impressed with the latest update: over 300 cows delivered and 200 more coming — with a capacity to produce 10,000 litres of milk daily. The “military” 1999 constitution was not amended for Ekiti state to take this giant step. There is so much we can achieve in this country if we open our eyes and use our brains well. Focus.

AND FINALLY… Our ever-active federal lawmakers are about to embark on a very long mission: to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the export of a cargo ship of 7,200 refrigerated penises from Nigeria to China, said to have been found in 36 boxes labelled as “plantain” on the ship that harboured at the Shanghai port called Red Market. There is just one problem though: it never happened. It was a joke on World News Daily Report (WNDR), a satirical website “where facts don’t matter”. I’m sorry that the reps will not be able to go to China on this great mission. That is plenty estacode lost.

But I am more worried about the quality of leadership in Nigeria. Disturbing.

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