SUNDAY 11TH JULY 2021

Kanu-Agabi Leads PDP’s Legal Team in Bid to Oust Matawalle, Others Gusau agog as PDP supporters welcome deputy governor Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Innocent Onuminya in Zamfara Following last week’s defection of Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle from the

main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the National Working Committee (NWC) of the former has approved a legal team led by a former

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Godwin Kanu-Agabi, to challenge the defection.

But a massive crowd of PDP supporters yesterday treated Zamfara State Deputy

Governor Mahdi Gusau, who remained in the party, to a tumultuous welcome in the state capital, Gusau.

The legal action, THISDAY gathered, was not limited to Matawalle, as it would also

challenge the legality of the defection of members of the national and state assemblies from Zamfara State.

Kanu-Agabi would lead a team of lawyers, including Senior Advocates of Nigeria

(SAN), when the suit challenging the defections would be filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja this week.

A PDP source said, "A Continued on page 8

Negotiate Your Way to Power, Imoke, Saraki, Others Charge Nigerian Youths… Page 5 Sunday 11 July, 2021 Vol 26. No 9589

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APC Writes INEC, Demands Indefinite Postponement of Party Congresses Earlier date wasn't sacrosanct, says Akpanudoedehe Tinubu, other presidential hopefuls now in suspense Chuks Okocha and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The much-awaited congresses of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), earlier

scheduled to commence July 10, may not hold, as the leadership of the party has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) demanding the

immediate postponement of the exercise In the letter dated July 6, 2021, with reference number APC/NHDQ/ INEC/19/021/39, and

addressed to Chairman of the electoral body, the ruling party did not state any reason for the indefinite postponement of the congresses.

But National Secretary

of APC, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, said the party did not intend a postponement of the congresses but to cure legal landmines since the earlier

date was not sacrosanct.

Unfortunately, by the development, the 2023 permutations by one of the Continued on page 5

Diplomatic Community Meets, Writes N’Assembly over Draft Electoral Law Urges caution, need to deepen democracy Lawmaker alleges 20 illegal insertions to rig 2023 election Chuks Okocha and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja A recent alleged attempt to tamper with the country's draft electoral law might have attracted the attention of the diplomatic community, which met last week with the leadership of the National Assembly and followed up with a private letter appealing to the lawmakers to do all within their powers to deepen democracy through the current effort at amending the Electoral Act. This development followed an uproar generated by reports that there was an attempt by a section of the National Assembly leadership to smuggle certain clauses into the draft electoral law banning Continued on page 6

ENTER AURA HOSPITALITY...

L-R: President/CEO, Transcorp Plc, Mrs. Owen Omogiafo; Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN; Group Chairman, Transcorp Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu, CON; Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo; Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila; and Managing Director/CEO, Transcorp Hotels Plc, Mrs. Dupe Olusola, at the inauguration of Aura, by Transcorp Hotels, Abuja ...recently

Buhari Orders Military to Go After Bandits in Zamfara, Kaduna States... Page 8

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Negotiate Your Way to Power, Imoke, Saraki, Others Charge Nigerian Youths As Wike blasts Secondus, says he lacks character and quality of a leader Rivers gov, Oshiomhole engage in verbal brickbats Emameh Gabriel in Abuja Ahead of 2023, a former Governor Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, has charged Nigeria youths to leverage their influence and negotiate their way into power.

This is as River State Governor, Nyesom Wike went hard on the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, describing him as a serial liar and one that could not be taken for his words.

Imoke made the call yesterday in his opening remarks at his 60th birthday and 10th anniversary of his foundation, Bridge Leadership Foundation (TBLF) as well as 11th Career Day Conference of the foundation.

He said despite the influence the Nigeria youths commanded both in and outside of the social media, they have not been able to annex such influence to break into what he described as the 'boardroom' so as to provide a fertile ground for them to influence policies in the polity.

He identified the failure of the youths to set out their objectives before going into politics as one of the reasons they have been constantly sidelined by the current generation of leaders in the country.

He noted that social media seemed to be the place, where the young people thought they had influence but added it was not enough, given the fact that government across Africa always had certain influence over the operation of social media.

He advised that the current crop of leaders in the country would not be ready to shift except and unless the youths broke their ways in and be actively involved in politics.

He, however, reminded them that just as 2023 was around the corner, it provided them another ample opportunity to get into the business of political leadership. He said they must be audacious to make the change they yearned for.

He noted that it was not

enough to be "a member of an organisation but to also be a member of the board, because that is where things happen, unless you are in the board, you will remain where you are.

"Whenever you think you have such a power of influence for any activity, it must be for a purpose. It must be towards an objective. And until you become part of that decision-making process, your effort will remain just an effort.

"Next time, before you finish your influences, make sure you negotiate your way into the boardroom. When you get to the boardroom, there you can influence policy. Until you get into the boardroom, you can

never influence change! You can make all the noise, you can have all the activity, you can have all the followers, but, you will not change the policy.

"This is the time for a new generation to get into the boardroom, it is time for a new generation to appreciate the importance of being audacious.

No one, not anyone of us in front, or anyone there is going to shift! No one is going to shift by you saying, please make space for me, I am young, it is my time.

“Nobody gave me space. At 30, nobody gave me space. It was hard work. But, the good fortune was that I wanted to be in the boardroom. The generation that we are talking

to, 2023 provides you with an opportunity to be in the boardroom, provides you with an opportunity to take control and to take charge. But, it's a lot of work. Are you ready to deliver? Are you ready to do what it takes?

"The time has come for you to make those decisions”, he said recounting how one of the keynote speakers, Nelson Chamisa, an opposition leader in Zimbabwe challenged the government in Zimbabwe, and to the surprise of everyone else, he got 45% of the popular vote in the election. It was unprecedented and the most recent is Bobi Wine, a Ugandan politician, who challenged the status quo.

Other dignitaries at the event also took their turns to extol the virtues of the former Cross River State governor, saying he laid the foundation, where the next generation of leaders would emerge from.

Saraki, while speaking, described Imoke as a man of character and commended him for the feat the foundation had attained in the last decade.

The former senate president said character was what makes a good leader not age even as he charged the youth to be actively involved in politics and to also leverage their population advantage to change the leadership narrative in the country.

He said: "One of the important

things is to build people with character. Character to be able to know what you stand for.

Having an ambition is not a bad thing, because it is the ambition that will drive you to become a leader.

"The youths must be ready to use their voting strength to make the change. They must not only engage in complaining but be fully involved. Please, be bold, be focused and be audacious”, he added.

The PDP national chairman, Secondus, in his tribute, thanked the organisers of the event for using the occasion of Imoke’s 60th birthday to organise a platform for national leadership dialogue aimed at transforming the country.

IMOKE AT 60...

Former Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke (left) and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal during Imoke’s 60th birthday anniversary celebration in Abuja yesterday

APC WRITES INEC, DEMANDS INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT OF PARTY CONGRESSES national leaders of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as well as other contenders, may have been put in suspense.

The letter, which was signed

by National Chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Mai Mala Buni, and Akpanudoedehe, stated that the postponement served as a formal notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 85 of the Electoral Act (2010), as amended.

The letter read, "We refer to our letter reference number APC/NHDQ/INEC/19/012/20 dated 10th June, 2021 on the above subject and wish to inform the Commission that the party has rescheduled its Congresses and National Convention to a later date, which will be communicated to you.

"This serves as a formal notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 85 of the Electoral Act (2010) as amended. While hoping to

receive your cooperation, please accept the assurances of my highest esteem."

The timetable and schedule of activities released by the party’s Director of Organisation, Professor Al-Mustapha Medaner, showed that the congresses would commence with the sale of nomination forms for the ward congress between July 1 and July 7. The party also fixed the inauguration of Ward/Local Government Area Congress Screening/Screening Appeal Committees for July 10, 2021; Ward Congress was billed for July 24, local government congress was slated for August 14, and the state congress was to hold on the September 18, 2021.

THISDAY investigation revealed that the inability of the national secretariat of the party to distribute the nomination forms for all the congresses to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) led to the postponement.

While the party has started

taking delivery of the materials for the congresses in batches, as of the close of work on Friday, no state had taken possession of the nomination forms for any of the congresses.

The APC national secretary said, “The above document in circulation did not intend a postponement of the ccongresses. How it leaked from INEC is strange. It is to cure the legal landmine occasioned

by Section 85 of the Electoral Act on the issuance of 21 days notice to INEC, bearing in mind that the earlier date we released was not sacrosanct.”

Apart from logistics challenges that caused delay in the distribution of the forms, some states were still in crisis over membership registration and as a result, some members were allegedly denied registration. It was against this background that the leadership of the party, last week, approved the continuation of the party's membership registration

revalidation and update exercise in Imo, Kwara, Ogun, and Rivers states.

Akpanudoedehe had in a statement said the approval followed the recommendation of the membership registration appeals committee.

He said, "With this approval, the membership registration, revalidation and register update exercise in the four states will continue for two weeks.

"Those who have not been registered in these states can purchase forms for congresses, party office elections and convention. For congresses in Rivers State, all those who have purchased forms in the past will be allowed to participate in the congresses on the presentation of the bank teller as proof of payment.”

The national secretary warned, "Any attempt to deprive intending registrants would be dealt with accordingly in line with the provisions of the APC constitution and guidelines

for the exercise."

A group, Concerned APC Stakeholders, while reacting, decried the postponement as another scheme by the committee to perpetuate itself in office. The spokesperson of the group, Mr. Abdulahi Dauda, said the excuse they heard was that materials were being printed. But he alleged that the chairman did not carry other members of the caretaker committee along when the timetable for the congresses was issued.

Dauda stated, "The postponement is another scheme to perpetually remain in office, even though they are occupying such offices illegally.

The excuse we heard was that the materials were being printed and the chairman did not carry along other members of the caretaker committee in issuing the last statement as regards the congresses through Director of Organisation.

"We are reliably informed that CTC will meet next Tuesday to

issue a statement on the new date. However, Buni and co should tread softly and not lead the party to destruction due to greed and inordinate ambition."

Meanwhile, the indefinite postponement has not only altered calculations in the camps of presidential hopefuls, but also the national chairmanship aspirants, like Saliu Mustapha, George Akume, Al Makura, and Abduallahi Adamu.

The postponement, according to political analysts, may have put the permutations of potential presidential contenders in suspense. Among those who had been drumming for an early convention are the many supporters of the presidential aspiration of Tinubu, who see the election of new principal officers of the party as a first step in their bid for the presidential ticket.

The development is bound to unsettle the TIinubu camp as it has thrown their projections into confusion.

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THE LSE ALUMNI...

L-R: 2019 Presidential Candidate and former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu; Chairman, National Human Rights and former Minister of Women and Social Affairs, Salamatu Suleiman, UK High Commissioner in Nigeria, Catriona Laing; former Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, and Special Adviser to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Dapo Oyewole, at the inaugural London School of Economics (LSE) Alumni Talks held at the residence of the UK High Commissioner in Abuja..recently

EFCC Files 800 Fraud Cases Since Judiciary Strike Zeros in on nightclubs owned, patronised by fraudsters

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed 800 fraud cases since the end of the industrial action embarked upon by judiciary workers.

This comes as the antigraft agency is set to focus attention on nightclubs in Lagos operated and patronised by fraudsters, where, in some cases, N5 million is paid for table a night.

THISDAY checks show that the agency filed over 800 cases

immediately judiciary workers called off their strike some weeks ago.

The cases include Internet fraud, email compromise, romance scams, ponzi schemes, and property fraud.

Others are contract scams, embezzlement of public funds and cases bordering on criminal conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence.

The agency had, recently, arrested over 1,502 young Nigerians alleged to be involved in Internet scam, some of whom have been

charged to court and convicted while others are still standing trial.

"We have filed over 800 cases of fraud since judiciary workers called off strike," a source at the commission said.

Meanwhile, the anti-graft agency is focusing attention on nightclubs in Lagos operated and patronised by fraudsters.

THISDAY gathered that some of the club owners and their patrons were alleged internet scammers and money launderers, who

use such clubs as decoy for their nefarious activities.

Some of the clubs are said to charge between N2 million and 5 million for a table per night.

A source with knowledge of the operations said, "Major nightclubs in Lagos charge from N2 million to N5 million for a table per night. Many of the owners of these clubs are actually involved in 419 fraud, credit card scams, drugs etc, using the bars and clubs as cover to disguise sources of their

ill-gotten money.

"Many of those spending money lavishly in the clubs are also involved in 419.

These days young ladies are also getting involved in the illicit business. Young ladies these days see them as their favourite choice of guys to date even when they know they are fraudsters. Morals are practically gone. One wonders if this is the generation that Nigeria will be handed over to," the source lamented.

Chairman of EFCC Abdulrasheed Bawa had

in a recent interview with THISDAY lamented the involvement of youths in cybercrime.

He said it was a national emergency bothering the leadership of the commission.

Bawa said, "If there is one thing that I am worried about it is the issue of cybercrime and it is with mixed feelings and reactions and they have tagged me the hope of the youth and here we are, the people in my constituency are the ones involved in Internet crime.

DIPLOMATIC COMMUNITY MEETS, WRITES N’ASSEMBLY OVER DRAFT ELECTORAL LAW electronic transfer of election results, even though the same section agreed to an electronic voting system.

A meeting between the National Assembly leadership and a group of five foreign envoys, including the European Union, led by the United Kingdom held last week. The foreign missions expressed concerns over the electoral law review and urged the lawmakers to do their best to ensure that the gains of the over two decades of democratic experience were not wasted.

To further register their concern and the readiness to assist in the democratic process, the diplomatic community, allegedly, followed up with a letter, where some of the concerns expressed at the meeting were put in black and white.

According to National Assembly sources privy to the meeting as well as the letter, the countries, included the United Kingdom, France, United States, and the European Union. They noted that they did not intend to interfere with Nigeria’s electoral system, but were genuinely concerned about the possibility of losing the gains of the past.

While urging the National Assembly leadership to bequeath to the country a

legacy of strong and sound electoral system, they contended that it was not in the interest of the country and their foreign allies to lag behind in the collective effort to entrench a solid culture of democracy.

Specifically, the EU was said to have noted at the meeting that the support they give to Nigeria over the years was to ensure the entrenchment of a lasting democratic culture. It cited such support to include logistics and trainings.

The EU explained that the idea was to deepen the country's democratic process and not shut it down, adding that the amendment process is expected to advance the electoral system.

Meanwhile, there have been different theories on those likely to be behind the attempt to tamper with the electoral law, just as the move has already begun to divide the political class, including the lawmakers.

Many federal legislators have denied knowledge of the illegal insertion of anti-people clauses.

But fingers are being pointed at the leadership of the National Assembly. Many of National Assembly members are believed to be readying to seek election in other capacities in 2023.

Supporters of a popular politician in the South-west are

also believed to be divided over the matter, making the issue one of the most sensitive political concerns at the moment.

Sources hinted that while some politicians believed that the electronic transfer of results could undercut their chances in the election, there were those who held the view that it was the only way to put their traducers in check since the road to 2023 appears to be rough lready.

Another party source, who was opposed to the controversial insertions, said the excuses being pushed against electronic transfer of results did not hold water.

This, he said, was because if network was the issue, INEC had since assured that where the network failed and voting had been done, the results would automatically download once network came on.

Contending that electronic transfer of results would be the best thing to happen to the country's electoral system, the source maintained that Nigeria would be better off dealing with the failure of the initiative than sticking with the analogue mode of transferring election results, which is generally believed to be prone to manipulation.

Lawmaker Alleges 20 Illegal Insertions to

Rig 2023 Election A member of the House of Representatives from Benue State, Hon. Mark Terseer Gbillah, alleged that the Senate made 20 illegal insertions into the 2021 Electoral Bill under consideration in the National Assembly. Gbillah said the insertions were part of a larger scheme to rig the 2023 general election.

The lawmaker who was chairman of the House committee involved in the harmonisation of the bill, and who was deputy chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), also condemned the three per cent allocation to oil producing communities by the Senate in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), describing it as "unfortunate and ridiculous".

He rejected the 30 per cent clause in the PIB for "frontier exploration", which he said was an invitation to corruption and remained unacceptable.

Speaking on Arise TV, Gbillah insisted that the Senate inserted 20 clauses that were not originally part of the Electoral Bill in the Senate version after harmonisation by the two chambers.

Gbillah stated, "Let me go to the issue of Electoral Act. Chairman of the committee in the house mentioned and

told our colleagues that she was not aware of any changes for the initial harmonised act of both chambers.

"Obviously, there is an insertion. I can confirm that about 20 clauses have been inserted and it is alleged that it was inserted from the senate version. I want to say that we are at a point in the country, where you should not be playing politics with this issue in this country.

"I wonder why people think that they are going to stay in power in perpetuity. Tomorrow, it will be somebody else; we need to leave a legacy for our country. We need to leave a legacy for our nation. The world is moving forward and we are still deliberating on electronic transmission, when it is something that is a forgone issue in other nations.

"We in the opposition are insisting that the issue of electronic transmission is sacrosanct and we suspect that those insertions were intentional, premeditated so that this Electoral Act will be contentious and won't be passed so that in the upcoming elections, the ability to rig and manipulate the result of the election will be possible.

"This is unfortunate. This is something we are going to

resist. We call on Nigerians to rise up, for this is the time, when they should take responsibility for the people they have elected to represent them. The servants cannot dictate to the owners.

“Nigerians, you need to rise up and make your voices heard and some of us are there to support your position and to pursue what is best for this country."

On the three per cent allocation to the oil producing communities and 30 per cent provision for frontier exploration in the PIB, to which Niger Delta governors and stakeholders have objected, Gbillah said, "The issue of PIB percentages, these are all issues we believe need to be looked at. We are not immediately affected by the production now but the Benue trough is one of the initial siting of oil. We believe in equity and we believe in justice, the people of the Niger Delta have been saddled with this issue for several decades.

"The environment has been destroyed. Three per cent is inadequate and the senate even made it much worse, which in my opinion is unfortunate and ridiculous.

The 30 per cent for frontier exploration is unacceptable.

It is not money that can be accounted for."

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Buhari Orders Military to Go After Bandits in Zamfara, Kaduna States Tells them to respond to the killings in language they understand Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has responded to the recurring incidents of banditry killings in both Kaduna and Zamfara States saying the military and other security agencies should go after the bandits and crush them.

The President, in a release Saturday by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, condemned repeated bandit killings in Zamfara and Kaduna States, urging the nation’s military to respond to the worrying situation in a language that the bandits understand.

He expressed the nation’s sorrow over the loss of lives, urging security agencies to do everything possible to prevent the recurrence of attacks with impunity.

President Buhari noted that the military and other security agencies are now working on new methods and policies that are yielding good results in many of the troubled parts of the country and called for a crushing

response to the killing of innocent citizens in the rural communities.

He also averred that the nation, its military and the entire population needs to summon the courage required to defeat the bandits and terrorists.

The President condemned some politicians making utterances on security, merely seeking applause, advising them to join the ongoing genuine efforts aimed at finding lasting solutions to the challenges confronting the nation.

The bandits in recent times had upped their activities with increased attacks and killings of villagers in Kaduna and Zamfara States.

On Thursday night, no fewer than 42 farmers were killed by bandits in Faru, Maradan local government area of Zamfara state, where the state Governor Bello Matawalle hails from.

The affected communities are Tsauni, Gudan-Baushi, Gudan-Adamu, Wari and Guda-Maidawa.

PEACE AND SECURITY FOR THE NATION...

Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Rev. Father Matthew Kukah (left), discussing with the Chairman, Nigeria Governors’Forum (NGF) and Ekiti state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, during the inauguration of NGF maiden Peace and Inclusive Security Initiative in Abuja ...recently

FG Sets Up 10-Man Panel to Resolve Kaduna Govt, NLC Dispute Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The federal government has inaugurated a 10-man committee to resolve the dispute between the Kaduna State government and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC). The government charged the committee to ensure the return of industrial peace to Kaduna in the shortest time possible in line with the expectation of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The committee has 21 days to complete its work and report back to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The peace committee was to have been inaugurated over month ago but the state government withdrew from the talks after accusing the NLC of precipitating an

illegal protest that disrupted activities in the state.

A statement issued by Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr. Charles Akpan, on Saturday said the minister, Senator Chris Ngige, had inaugurated a new committee headed

by Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr. Peter Yemira Tarfa, to try to resolve the labour dispute.

The committee has Secretary to Kaduna State Government, Balarabe Lawal, and Deputy National President of NLC, Najim Hashim, as co-chairmen, while Director, Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs. Omoabi

Akpan, will serve as secretary.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Ngige recalled that the federal government had stopped the strike initiated by the NLC in Kaduna State in May, with the parties signing a Memorandum of Understanding to restore peace, noting that intervening circumstances made the reconstitution of the committee inevitable.

According to him, the committee was expected to resolve all the issues in dispute between the Kaduna State government and NLC. The minister acknowledged that the issues in contention bordered essentially on trade dispute. He charged the expanded committee to resolve the issues holistically and be guided by the 1999 Constitution as well as labour

laws of the federation.

Ngige explained that downsizing or rightsizing of workforce in any organisation, government or private sector, was a redundancy issue, which must be subjected to the principles spelt out in the Trade Disputes Act, Laws of the Federation 2004 Cap L1.

He stated, “The law says in Section 20 (A) that ‘in the event of redundancy, every employer shall inform the trade unions or representatives of workers concerned of the reasons for or the extent of their anticipated redundancy.’

“Section B equally states that the principles of last in, first out shall be adopted in the discharge of the category of workers affected, subject to all factors of relative merit, including skill, ability and

any reliability.

“So, in applying this, we must subject it to the relativity of merit, skill, ability and reliability. If somebody has a forged certificate, he should be asked to go because he didn’t merit the job in the first instance.

“If you go to a nursing home and find somebody working in the ward with a Bachelor’s degree in History, he stands disqualified, because he doesn’t have the skill in the first place. He has to go.

So, these are the qualifications that must be noted in this principle of last in, first out. It is not absolute. It has exceptions and qualifications.”

The minister noted that the employer had the right to reduce staff strength of his organisation but was bound by law to negotiate redundancy payment to

any discharged worker. He further stated that there was nothing wrong with Kaduna State government stopping the expenditure of 96 per cent of its earnings on personnel cost in order to save enough for capital projects, but that it should be done within the ambit of the law.

Ngige informed the committee of Buhari’s expectation of speedy return of industrial harmony in Kaduna State.

Speaking also, Lawal gave assurances of the state government for the restoration of industrial harmony, adding that Kaduna is not at war with labour.

In his remarks, President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, assured the committee of labour's commitment to the resolution of the impasse in Kaduna State.

and PDP caretaker committee members.

Addressing the party faithful at his residence, Gusau enjoined them to remain calm, stressing that the defection of the governor would not affect the chances of the party in future elections. He maintained that as the highest political office holder in the party, he had become the leader of the party in the state.

The deputy governor explained that he would do everything possible to reposition the party in the state, even as he solicited the cooperation of members of the party.

"As you all know, the recent political happening in the state, as the leader of the party, I would not relent in my effort in rebuilding the party,” he stated.

He commiserated with the people of the state especially,

the people of Maradun Local Government Area, where gunmen suspected to be bandits killed about 49 people last Thursday. The deputy governor condemned the killing, calling the act barbaric and inhumane.

A PDP caretaker committee member and former publicity secretary of the party, Alhaji Faruku Ahmad Gusau, who spoke to THISDAY said, the large crowd that came out in solidarity with the party showed that PDP was on ground in the state. He stated that no amount of intimidation would make them defect to APC, saying people should watch, as PDP would soon bounce back in the state.

The former publicity secretary dispelled insinuations that all the state House of Assembly members had moved to APC with the governor.

KANU-AGABI LEADS PDP’S LEGAL TEAM IN BID TO OUST MATAWALLE, OTHERS combined reading of Section 221 of the 1999 Constitution and the pronouncements of the Supreme Court in Faleke v. INEC (2016) are clear in holding that it is the political party that stands for election, that votes scored in election belong to the political party, and that the candidate nominated to contest at an election by his party acts only as the agent of his party."

Section 221 of the 1999 Constitution states, "No association, other than a political party, shall canvass for votes for any candidate at any election or contribute to the funds of any political party or to the election expenses of any candidate at an election."

The legal team would also be relying on Sections 179 and 181 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended,

and their implications and status in law, taking into account the Supreme Court judgement of June 2019 that brought in Matawella as the Zamfara State governor.

PDP would seek the interpretation of the entire Section 68 of the constitution as regards members of the National and State assemblies, who also defected from PDP to the APC with Matawalle.

Section 68 states, "(1) A member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if “(a) He becomes a member of another legislative house. “(b) Any other circumstances arise that, if he were not a member of the Senate or the House of Representatives, would cause him to be disqualified for election as a member…

“(e) Save as otherwise prescribed by this Constitution, he becomes a member of a commission or other body established by this Constitution or by any other law… “(f) Without just cause he is absent from meetings of the House of which he is a member for a period amounting in the aggregate to more than one-third of the total number of days during which the House meets in any one year; “(g) Being a person whose election to the House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected; Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member

or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored.”

While some senior lawyers insist that no law prevents an elected governor from leaving for another party, some argue that the governor should relinquish his mandate on account of the platform with which he came into office.

Meanwhile, PDP supporters, who came out in large numbers to welcome Gusau, carried placards with the inscriptions, such as: “APC is prohibited for us, we remain in PDP,” "With Mahdi new Zamfara is possible,” “Zamfara is PDP, PDP is Zamfara.”

The PDP supporters blocked the Tsafe-Funtua road.

Those who accompanied the deputy governor included his father, Gen Aliyu Gusau,

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NEWS

Adesina: Nigeria Must Manage Diversity to Attain Greatness Says 38.5% of youths in the country are unemployed, lacking skills, economic opportunities Tobi Soniyi President of the African Development Bank, Dr Akinwumi Adesina has said that Nigeria will only attain greatness if it manages its diversity properly.

Speaking, on Saturday, at the convocation lecture he delivered at the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, Adamawa state capital, Adesina said Nigerians deserve wealth, not poverty, adding that the nation must learn how to manage its diversity for prosperity.

He said that the nation's diversity is at present being mismanaged and suggested the way out, citing the Singapore example.

According to him: "Our diversity is not our problem.

Diversity is our strength.

"But when mismanaged, diversity becomes divergence.

Rather than unite, we become splintered, with each entity

believing that, somehow, it is better without the other.

We must manage diversity for collective good."

Adesina said, any society where meritocracy is subjugated to aristocracy, ethnocracy or religiocracy eventually tends towards mediocrity.

He said: "Nigeria must learn from this experience and forge a new way of engaging among its diverse ethnic groups and religions.

"Nigeria must start managing its diversity for prosperity. We must drive for national cohesion, not ethnic nationalities."

He said the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was a very good idea because it allowed graduates from tertiary institutions to have one year of national service, largely (ideally) outside of their places of origin.

However, he stated that the real test of “national service” was that it often revealed

the lack of diversity.

According to him, after one year of service the NYSC graduates are often not able to gain employment in governments where they served, simply because they are not indigenes of those States.

"That in itself, is an irony!"

He added.

He said: "The young graduates are strangers in their own country. A country they pledged to serve. opportunity is denied just because they were not born in those states! Even if they were born in those states, they are told to return to the States of their origin.

Yet, their origin is Nigeria, not their States!"

He also called on leaders to address reasons for agitations by listening to the agitators. "We must address the fundamental reasons for agitations, by listening, understanding, removing prejudices, and allowing for open, national dialogues,

without preconditions, but with one goal: build one cohesive, united, fair, just and equitable nation for all, not for a few or for any section of the nation or religion.

"A nation, unified by a sense of commonwealth, not a collage of ethnic nationalism. A nation driven my meritocracy, not ethnocracy, religiocracy or aristocracy."

He also decried the present level of poverty in Nigeria saying this is unacceptable considering the country’s abundant natural resources.

The AfDB President stated that 38.5% of youths in the country are unemployed, “lacking skills, economic opportunities, discouraged, angry and restless, as they look at a future that does not give them hope”. He therefore called on the government to prioritise investments in the youth.

"I speak to you today as

a Nigerian. As I have quite often said, I will live as a Nigerian, die as a Nigerian, and on the resurrection morning, I will ask God for permission to rise as a Nigerian, with the greenwhite-green flag in my hand!” Adesina said.

“Nigeria is blessed with incredibly rich diversity: of people, of cultures, of religions, of mineral resources, oil, and gas, amazingly rich biodiversity, that should make us the envy of the world. We are blessed with abundantly diverse agro-ecologies, that should also make us a land of bountiful harvests with capacity to feed Africa.

“We are a religious nation, so we should understand that God loves diversity. The diversity of rich and brilliant colours that we see in our forests, oceans, seas, and in flora and fauna, reflect the beauty of the Creator."

Therefore, our diversity is

not our problem. Diversity is our strength. But when mismanaged, diversity becomes divergence. Rather than unite, we become splintered, with each entity believing that, somehow, it is better without the other.

We must manage diversity for collective good.

“Nigerians deserve wealth, not poverty. For all the abundant wealth of natural resources, Nigeria’s poverty situation is unacceptable.

Today, sadly, there are way too many poor people in Nigeria. The Government is implementing bold social programs to reduce the number of poor, through interventionist programs, but the fact of the matter is poverty is not just about money.”

Adesina further said there should not be a Nigeria for the rich and another Nigeria for the poor, adding that every citizen has the right to a decent life.

AFRICAN ENTERPRISE INITIATIVE...

L-R: Founder Flying Doctors (member of the Board of Advisors African Enterprise Initiative), Dr. Ola Brown; Founder and Executive Chairman African Enterprise Initiative, Dr. Nicky Okoye; Minister of Industries, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Director of Investment Promotion, Ministry of Industries Trade and Investment, Mrs. Abibola Arodudu; directors of the FMITI, and other members of the Board of Advisors for African Enterprise Initiative

FG Inaugurates Advisory Board for African Enterprise Initiative Obinna Chima Minister of Industries, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adeniyi Adebayo, yesterday, inaugurated the Nigerian Board of Advisors for the African Enterprise Initiative.

According to a statement, the Board inaugurated recently include Dr. Nicky Okoye, who is the founder and Executive Chairman of the African Enterprise Initiative.

Others are Chairman of MRS Group, Mr. Sayyu Dantata; Chairman of Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Charles Momoh; Chairman/Chief Executive, Sahara Power Group, Kola Adesina; former Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and

Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside; cofounder, Star Crest, Fifi Ejindu; Founder of Flying Doctors, Dr. Ola Brown; and Director, Investment FMITI, Olukemi Arodudu.

Chief Executive Officer of SMEDAN, Managing Director of Bank of Industry, Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, and Country Director for the African Development Bank are also members of the board.

The statement explained that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the implementation of the African Enterprise Initiative was signed

by Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industries,

Trade and Investment and Okoye.

Adebayo was also quoted to have said, “We are proud to partner the Nicky Okoye Foundation to implement the African Enterprise Initiative, which has major impact implications for Nigeria’s youth employment situation as well as for growth in the capacity of Nigerian businesses.

“We are grateful that Dr Nicky Okoye and the Foundation chose to start the implementation of the African Enterprise Initiative with Nigeria and we believe that Nigeria’s extensive population of entrepreneurs will benefit from this initiative.”

On his part, Okoye said, “We designed the African Enterprise

Initiative as a strategic response to need for inclusion in the global market value chain for all Nigerian and African enterprises. In an effort to drive that inclusion we have identified the key resources and requirements our African businesses will need, including access to capital, skills, market penetration, and seamless platforms to do cross board transactions.

“We have developed these interventions and streamlined them in an easy to understand format, which is supported by technology, capital and expertise. Our strategic partnership with the Federal Ministry of Industries, Trade and Investment is a monumental pillar of the

African Enterprise Initiative and we are extremely fortunate that the federal government has identified value in what we are doing.”

The African Enterprise Initiative was designed to provide the capacity, drive, funding and platform required for Nigerian enterprises operating at all levels, especially, the micro, small and medium businesses, to penetrate global markets, expand their product and service offering base as well as attract investment capital from local and international sources.

The statement added, “A major intervention of the African Enterprise Initiative is a strategic intervention designed for Nigerians at the

grassroots and for the nation’s community based entrepreneurs and micro enterprises. These micro community enterprises will have the direct access to African Enterprise Initiative’s community enterprise clinics, which will be sited in over 500 many communities across Nigeria.

“The African Enterprise Initiative will also create strategic platforms and interventions for the sustainable growth of Nigerian enterprises across the board working closely with the Ministry of Industries, Trade and Investment, local and foreign development partners, state governments and other Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

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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 ˾ JULY 11, 2021

OPINION TB JOSHUA: THE MAN WHO BELIEVED IN ETERNAL MORNINGS

Sola Ojewusi pays tribute to Temitope Balogun Joshua, a pastor and philanthropist

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ell, finally, I have enough strength and fortitude to write this tribute in honour of my friend, mentor and benevolent supporter, TB. Joshua. I must confess it's been so difficult for me to come to terms with the rude shock of a passing so monumental. It took me this long because the sledgehammer of his passing on the heart, the psyche was just unimaginable. I just didn't have enough presence of mind to put the right words on paper. Or how do you begin to write in the past tense, the life of a man you spoke with few days earlier and who never showed any inkling of the sad epiphany that the end in this mortal terrain was near? How do you string together enough words to tell the world that this man they knew was more than the man they knew? How do you recall the wonderful times when a man's humanity truly shone like millions of watts of light?

TB Joshua was a man of astonishing mould, a non-pareil specimen of God's deft creative hands. He was the cornucopia of man's true rise from grass to grace. He was a guy who defied unimaginable poverty to carve a niche for himself, choosing the path of service. From what seemed like a crude, rustic beginning, this man surprised us by rising through the doldrums of obscurity to the high pedestals of international renown. He was our Number one religious tourism ambassador. From the far reaches of the world, pilgrims came in droves in search of compassion and redemption. Through him, our nation Nigeria, in spite of the sham caused by political maladventure, became the bride of millions of citizens of the world who craved to see the very land that produced such a man.

You may not like his style of Christianity but you can never deny his place as a true pride of our nation. At least he made the world believe that something good can come from this hapless land! TB Joshua's ministry was that of God's compassion and His unimaginable love. He made charity look so effortless and selfless-giving a way of life. His passion for the downtrodden and underprivileged warmed our hearts.

TB Joshua's door was open to the High and Mighty just as it was always ajar for the ordinary folks in the streets. He dined with the physically challenged, transforming their lives in many amazing ways. The elderly had a dream life with TB Joshua. His memorable trips to the homes of the aged and dying, giving them joy brought tears of joy to our eyes.

His snuggling up to the leppers and mendicants of Oko-Oba settlements remain unsurpassed by his contemporaries. His eyegoggling display of practical Christianity and the power of grace and Chris-like redemption amazed even the worst of sceptics.

Even those who were not of the Christian faith were awed by his acts of faith and love. According to one Suleiman Alhassan on Facebook, "Not minding my religious background, I had always loved his commitment and dedication to the service of God and humanity. He lived for others and though died in his prime, he recreated himself in a lot of people through his selflessness. I use this opportunity to condole the family and indeed his multitude of members across the world. May he find eternal peace with the Lord. Amen."

Popular TV man Babajide Kolade- Otitoju could not contain his respect for Joshua. He wrote: "Prophet TB Joshua. You will be sorely missed for your philanthropy. My last two bibles were gifts from your humble self. RIP." Another observer of this unique life, Adisa Oluwasegunfunmi Edwards wrote, "We lost a real and rare gem. Ìgbà táa bá kú tán là dère (We only become idolised after we've gone). May his gentle soul continue to rest peacefully well."

These were just a few heartfelt tributes in a deluge of effusive commendations from the nation and the world's high and mighty and the millions of ordinary folks on our universal streets. According to a man who lived around the precincts of

You may not like his style of Christianity but you can never deny his place as a true pride of our nation. At least he made the world believe that something good can come from this hapless land! TB Joshua's ministry was that of God's compassion and His unimaginable love. He made charity look so effortless and selflessgiving a way of life. His passion for the downtrodden and underprivileged warmed our hearts.

the church headquarters in Lagos, one of the thousands of Joshua's neighbours who had over the years been beneficiaries of a man's amazing love, "We are all orphans with this singular death."

TB Joshua was a man of huge and practical faith. He was a prophet who believed that as God's children, in spite of the drudgery and vagaries of life, we must live in eternal mornings. That was why there is never afternoon nor evening when you're greeted or welcomed to the church. So it should not surprise you when you visit at twilight and you are welcomed with the greeting, "Good Morning."

This at first was unclear to me personally. Why would these people keep greeting me "Good morning in the afternoon"?

In time, deep reflection on this symbolic gesture made it all plain to me! With Joshua, life was always a new opportunity, a fresh day in the hollow of God's hands. He never believed in the dusks, the dark parts of existence. He wanted the world to know that in faith, man will never have to wallow in the harsh realities of life's afternoons or the dampening happenings of dusk. To him, a Christian's life deserved to be spent in the freshness, the calm and the soothing dews of perpetual mornings.

When he was hit by tragedy and those he considered his children died, he expected his nation, his own people to understand, to commiserate even when they tried to unravel the truth. He was like a voice crying in the wilderness. The prophet's homeland refused to come forward with the love the prophet deserved. What message has his Maker now sent to us as a nation? Is it not something like, "Since you do not value this immeasurable gift, let me as well bring him back into my bosom of true love."

Despite his immense acts of unimaginable love, many despised him, many pilloried him, many excoriated him but he was unperturbed. He never replied his critics directly as far as I know. He carried on with the act of faith, carrying his own cross with admirable calm and equanimity. He ignored his own human frailty while his devoted his body and soul to the welfare of others. Even when he hurt, he never showed it publicly.

He immersed himself in the deluge of his mission, soothing, helping, healing and making the burden of others his own.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

HOW TO KILL A NATION BY DESTROYING ITS NATIONALITIES Nigeria should tell its story with maturity and honesty, writes Francis Adewale “The greatest threat to freedom is the absence of criticism”- Professor Wole Soyinka.

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ometimes what others say about their experience rings home to me. I was particularly disillusioned about events happening in our dear country Nigeria when I read David Brooks most recent column in the New York Times and to my utter surprise and consternation, I found a lot of parallels between what he wrote about America and the ongoing troubles in Nigeria. He wrote, “Great nations thrive by constantly refreshing two great reservoirs of knowledge. The first contains the knowledge from the stories we tell about ourselves. This is the knowledge of who we are as a people, how we got here, what long conflicts bind us together, what we find admirable and dishonourable, what kind of world we hope to build together. This kind of knowledge is not merely factual knowledge. It is a moral framework from which to see the world.

Homer taught the ancient Greeks how to perceive their reality.

Exodus teaches the Jews how to interpret their struggles and their journey.

For America, the dominant story has been filled with resonant characters — Irving Berlin and Woody Guthrie, Aaron Burr and Cesar Chavez, Sojourner Truth and Robert Gould Shaw.

For Nigeria, the Yorubas see their world through Oduduwa and Obatala who created the world and started from Ife, and thence to Oyo-Ile, Benin, etc. Oduduwa was the first divine king of the Yoruba people, and Obatala fashioned the first human beings out of clay. It is said the Yoruba people believe that their civilization began at Ile-Ife where the gods descended to earth. The Yorubas believe all civilizations can trace their roots to a quarter at Ile-Ife, the spiritual but not necessarily the political capital of the World. The stories Yorubas tell themselves help them cope with tragedy, such as the sacking of arguably the most advanced political city-state south of Sahara- Katanga and the internecine wars spurned thereafter.

Therefore, the Yorubas honour elders and traditions, understand tragedy and see the need for a strategic long-term view of things compared to Pyrrhic victory.

In the Igbo creation myth, the God, Chineke, created man with part of Himself. Here, the God, Igwe, and the Goddess, Ala, (both

components of the creator God, Chineke) met and formed human beings, male, and female. This is the root of Igbo individualism, if your chi is bound up in the Supreme Being, why should you bow to another chi?

According to the Bayajidda legend, the Hausa states were founded by the sons and grandsons of Bayajidda, a prince whose origin differs by tradition but official canon records him as the person who married Daurama, the last Kabara of Daura and heralded the end of the matriarchal monarchs that had erstwhile ruled the Hausa people. According to the most famous version of the story, the story of the Hausa states started with a prince from Baghdad called "Abu Yazid". When he got to Daura, he went to the house of an old woman and asked her to give him water, but she told him the predicament of the land, how the only well in Daura called kusugu was inhabited by a snake called Sarki, who allowed citizens of Daura to fetch water only on Fridays. Since "Sarki" is the Hausa word for "King", this may have been a metaphor for a powerful figure. Bayajidda killed Sarki and because of what he had done the queen married him for his bravery. After his marriage to the queen, the people started to call him Bayajidda which means "he didn't understand (the language) before. This myth helps the Hausas to seamlessly accept their Fulani conquerors in the 19th century and assimilate them.

The Fulani have a picturesque creation myth. The Fulani live and die by dairy farming. Not surprisingly, therefore, they believe that the world began as a great globule of milk. Then the god Doondari descended, and from the milk he created stone.

In due course, the stone created iron, the iron created fire, the fire created water and the water created air. When this chain reaction was complete and the five elements were in place, Doondari came down a second time and shaped the elements into people.

But the people proved to be proud. So Doondari created blindness, and blindness defeated the people. When blindness itself became proud, Doondari created sleep, and sleep defeated blindness. And when sleep, in turn, became too proud, Doondari created worry. And worry defeated sleep. Worry.

Like breathing and eating, it is something that all humans do.

The Fulani will have their word for it. But they will never tell you what that word is, rather they as nomadic people will use other people’s terms and do things in the same way as people in their host community permit. They blend in easily even though

they are constantly transitory in outlook. This myth explains why they value property and ownership far above all others, including human lives.

I draw on these small examples to illustrate the divergent perceptions of reality among the over 300 ethnic groups in Nigeria. Ordinarily, such disparities should not work against the creation and formation of a nation, as we see in the USA if they must face a common enemy together, be it, colonialism, war, plagues, or common religion.

Nigeria however got its independence from Britain without fighting a single battle. The original plan is for each of the major regions to move for independence at its or her own pace.

In the United States of America, the revolutionary wars, as a national experience invited all Americans to share what Walt Whitman calls the passion to contain “the whole vast carnival of stories, to see themselves in its themes and to feel themselves within this story”. This is further accentuated by the commonality in the Declaration of Independence - the quest for freedom, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.

This emotional and moral knowledge gives Americans a sense of identity, a sense of ideals to live up to and an appreciation of the values that matter most to its people — equality or prosperity or freedom. Even though blacks and Native Americans were excluded. This shared knowledge helped Americans fighting slavery, colonialism, Jim Crow laws, the right to vote, housing, employment, the right to bear arms as members of a militia and other economic and human rights. Through this, they discover a shared destiny and shared affection for one another. It is a lot easier to rally around a George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr who can draw on this ethos to demand a higher elevation of liberty, prosperity, and a call to a “better angel of our nature.”

Compare that to Nigeria, where joint emotional and moral knowledge is lacking. And an appeal for the education of citizens by Chief Obafemi Awolowo can easily be demagogued by saying he only wants to emphasize the advantages gained by his race being among the first to be exposed to Western education.

–Adewale is Attorney at Law, Spokane,Wa, USA Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

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

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LETTERS

GOVERNOR AHMADU FINTIRI’S MISTAKES

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overnor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri is committing costly political mistakes.

He has centered the Adamawa socio-political-economy around himself. Adamawa is basically a civil service state - salaries, wages, contracts and patronage are the oils that lubricate the social and economic order of the state. Gov. Fintiri knows more than anybody, but he chooses to look the other way. Or he has underestimated the political implications of such stands on his desire to get a second term as governor.

Political patronage is very essential in a participatory democracy. In fact, the reward system is a must in politics. Throughout the world of democracy - support, loyalty and allegiance are rewarded!

Fintiri’s poor reward system led him to losing some critical stakeholders in the Adamawa PDP including a sitting Senator Abbo Ishaku, former governor Bala Ngilari, Senator Bent Grace, and many others. One important thing that Fintiri and his team failed to realize is that they haven't attracted

to the PDP people of similar status which the PDP has lost to the APC. This is a political disaster approaching.

On the economic side, most of Adamawa businessmen and women that supported Fintiri have not been compensated commensurate with the support they gave him. People like Tukur Madagli, Musa Garba, Yunusa Belel, Shiek Arabu, Jauro Turaki, Koinranga Jada, Alh Maiwada, etc. Many of them deserted former Governor Bindow Umaru Jibrilla for Fintiri, but in his classical style, Fintiri has not given them new contracts, nor paid them for their previous work; in fact, for some of them, Fintiri attempted to revoke the contracts awarded to them during Bindow’s reign. It is good to note that these people left Bindow, not because Bindow wronged them or they wronged him, it was in their spirit of loyalty to the former vice president Atiku Abubakar, Waziri Adamawa In the entire Adamawa PDP, it would be very difficult to pinpoint a PDP stakeholder,

GOVERNOR AHMADU

financial supporter or a voting bloc that has benefited from the Finitiri government a contract worth N50 million. It is only a former member of the House of Reps from 'walla' that is said to be enjoying

some good contracts.

Mind you, the said person, contested for the House of Reps in the 2019 elections on the platform of the APC. Most of, or all Adamawa State government contracts are handled by people

ABIODUN AND THE ABANDONED AGBADO IJOKO-ROADS

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hen that English poet and literary critic, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, in his poem titled “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” said: “Water, water everywhere, / Nor any drop to drink”, he must have had Agbado-Ijoko and its environs in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State on his mind. To make Coleridge’s line aptly complete, I’ll add: “dungeons, potholes everywhere/No good roads to travel upon”.

As humans, the road has always fascinated our species.

It is the outlet out there. No country, no government, no club, no school operates without the road. So, it is little wonder that development is nothing without it.

Agbado-Ijoko road will embarrass you.

I presuppose that

should be the most deplorable road in Ogun State. If you actually bought your car with your hardearned money, while struggling through that road, you would be livid till you get to your destination. That is even the manageably passable part of it as commuters have abandoned the government roads for the improvised rat-run within streets. An eyesore.

To Agbado-Ijoko and its environs, development is a taboo as midwifed by the terrible state of the roads that lead to and within the area.

Both the present and the past governments have turned Agbado, Ope-Ilu, Oluwo, Itoki, Lemode, Abule, Robiyan, Ibaragun, Orudu, OgbaIyo, Arepo, Gas Line, Lisa, Adiyan, Giwa, Oke-Aro, Matogun, Osere, Lambe, Abule-Ekun, Tipper, Oniyanrin, Akute,

Ajuwon, Alagbole, Ojodu and Agbado Crossing amongst other places to a Government Rejected Area (GRA) in the last 20 years.

The dungeons we have as roads in this axis have been like that since the last days of Olusegun Osoba in office. Daniel inherited it. Amosun neglected it. And Dapo Abiodun has yet to attend to it. These deplorable roads have negatively affected many communities with over a million people. Businesses have collapsed, houses have been abandoned and as a result of the influx of motorcycle riders— since vehicles couldn’t ply the roads— criminal activities are on the increase in the area.

Since the construction of durable roads, bridges and culverts in every part of a state as well as the rehabilitation and maintenance of exist-

ing roads enhance the economic development of a state; and that Prince Dapo Abiodun on his emergence as the Governor of Ogun State noted that infrastructural development is the first among the five developmental pillars his administration popularly known as ISEYA, I hope and appeal to Prince Abiodun to come the rescue of the residents of the aforementioned so that they can also testify to the dividends of democracy.

This is an area that forms a large chunk of the second biggest local government in Ogun State— Ifo Local council. Massive number of votes would always emanate from this area.

They deserve good road networks too!

Folorunso Fatai, Oluwo-O peilu, Agbado Station, Ogun State

outside Adamawa.

One interesting scenario is the Numan Federation - despite its massive vote to Fintiri, the bloc has become a mere spectator. Its son, the deputy governor still lives in his personal house of which the road to the house is still unpaved; his office running cost has been slashed from N35 million to N8million. Furthermore, stakeholders like Joel Madaki, PDP Chairman Barr. A,T Shehu, may be said to be unhappy. In fact, Joel Madagali has retired to Bagale; of recent, he has not attended any of the functions Fintiri organized.

Former Governor Boni Haruna who provided his political structures and fully participated in street campaigns for Fintiri, has not been given the due recognition, in fact, his legal entitlements have not been paidFintiri has not given Boni even the slot of a messenger in his government. One stakeholder appointed as a ‘Board Chairman’ got the shock of his life after collecting his first salary of N34,000.

One may not be wrong to say many of Fintiri’s political appointees are in state of 'Allah Sarki’.

There are reports that many MDA’s under the SSG have been transferred to the office of the Chief Of Staff. Clearly, that's under the direct

control of His Excellency. Some observers are of the view that, Fintiri is a man that doesn’t adore sharing power.

Most members of the Atiku political family have grudges with Fintiri. In fact, ABTI Printing Press, one of the most modern printing houses in the northeast has not been given a printing job even for market receipts. As a politician that went through the mills, Atiku has sensed the danger and an imminent internal rebellion against Fintiri and future elections.

So, that is the main reason Atiku is still in Yola to mend fences, reconcile differences and correct Fintiri’s third-rate politics. It was even said, Atiku will stay in Yola even after Sallah celebrations and AUN convocation just to correct political blunders and repair damaged relationships.

Political leaders have at their disposal a great deal of patronage. Whether we like it or not, democracy has many elements of the ‘spoils system’. Fintiri must learn the act of balancing policies and politics - he should take the path of reconciliation and employ the spirit of give and take in his political style.

He must use ‘today’ in the spirit of his ‘tomorrow’.

Zayyad I Muhammad, Abuja

JAPAN AND 2021 OLYMPICS

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here is a philosophical question, "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?" and this could be extended to "If no one goes to the Olympics did they happen?"

The Japanese Government has finally decided that there will be no crowds at the 2021 Olympics which seems a wise and quite expected decision. What will really be different?

The athletes will still be able to compete unless there are positive cases and then events will stop and eventually maybe the competition will stop. There will still

be winners and some records will probably be broken but at what risk to the athlete and official's health?

Perhaps it would be better to put a line through 2021 and come back in 2024 for the safety of everyone although given how a number of countries are handling the COVID virus that might be 2028 or 2032.

The world has bigger problems than who will win the 100m race and the Usain Bolt record isn't likely to be beaten for a long time.

Sit at home, watch it in safety and cheer through your masks.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

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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 ˾ JULY 11, 2021

EDITORIAL

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

THE JACOB ZUMA PRECEDENT

The trial of former President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, holds lessons for the continent

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ormer South African President, Mr Jacob Zuma, has proceeded to prison. This follows a verdict by the Constitutional Court sentencing him to a 15-month jail term. Zuma is facing an avalanche of charges for corruption and abuse of office allegedly committed during his tenure as president. But that is not why he is currently in jail. He is incarcerated for contempt of court, which is routine in most African countries.

Although Zuma appealed the judgment, the court insisted that he must first obey the imprisonment verdict.

Irrespective of the eventual outcome of this case and Zuma’s appeal, what is important is the significance of the verdict itself and the imprisonment of Zuma for governance and accountability. The prevalent culture of African politics has been the reign of the ‘big man’ president. In the unwritten code of this culture of leadership, the president is regarded and treated as one above the law. Most often he takes liberties with public resources, flouts the rules of public conduct, tramples on the rights of the very people he is elected to serve and generally lives above what ought to be the guiding principle of all democratic dispensations.

The rule of the outlaw as king is perhaps the best description of the rule of law in much of the continent. In turn, African judiciaries have failed to rise to the imperatives of the rule of law and their own independence in terms of the judgments they deliver when consequential politically exposed persons are on trial. In most countries within the continent, cases that call the integrity of political leaders to question receive cynical treatments from judges who have tended to see their tenures

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There is a sense in which Zuma can be seen as being on trial not just for his own failings but also for the African continent

Letters to the Editor

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as extensions of the reign of the political executives that appoint or nominate them for such appointments. he general impression around the rest of the world is that African democracy operates without regard for the rule of law when it comes to issues of accountability by those who lead. At best, there are two sets of laws in much of Africa: one for the ruler and the other for the rest of the citizenry.

This is more so when it comes to matters relating to corruption and public accountability. The African ‘big man’ president has operated with an unlimited sense of entitlement to public resources and the national wealth. The president and his family freely help themselves to the resources of the state without any fear of consequences.

This is a cultural carryover from ancient African feudal dispensations which should have no place in modern democracies where sovereign power resides in republican ethos.

The Zuma case may not have been concluded. The charges of corruption against him in various courts are yet to be heard just as investigations on some of the issues are ongoing. He is yet to file his defenses in a number of these cases.

But the allegations of diversion of public resources to private ends hung heavy on Zuma’s personal reputation and political legacy. Also, the African National Congress (ANC) is under pressure to salvage its hard won and long-standing reputation from the burden of Zuma’s less than dignifying record.

In contrast to what the South African court has done with the Zuma case, a combination of weak and compromised institutions – cutting across the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary – have allowed the culture of corruption to thrive in Nigeria, a culture which has badly damaged the country’s reputation. Most of the overpaid politicians and public officials have continued to fleece the very people they are supposed to protect and yet walk the streets free. Because the judiciary is weak and heavily compromised, there are hardly consequences for bad behaviour.

There is a sense in which Zuma can be seen as being on trial not just for his own failings but also for the African continent. At the end, his plight may yet serve as an abiding precedent of the obligations of the rule of law as the irreducible definer of standards for the conducts of all those who must serve their nations at the apex of political power.

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

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THE PARTITIONING OF NIGERIA AHEAD OF 2023

varice and prejudice drove European conquistadors to carve up much of Africa like cake.

With the gradual end of the transatlantic slave trade spurred by the industrial revolution in Europe, the trespassers, possessed by capitalist fiends, sought sources of raw materials for their industries and markets for their manufactured products.

These encroachers considered Africa as “terra nullius’’ – a vast land belonging to no one --, so they struck, usurping natural boundaries and turning brothers into strangers. All for greed, prejudice and arrogance.

But nothing changed after the European raiders left Africa.

Only the skin colour and facial features of the oppressors

varied. Colonialism by aliens gave way for colonialism by natives; black-on-black oppression.

In Nigeria’s case, the worst form of colonialism steeped in prebendalism, carnivory, nepotism, tribalism, corruption and predation took root. Nigeria’s political class are a hybridised version of the European colonial masters.

It is about two years to the next general election in 2023, and already there is chaos, confusion and caustic rhetoric brought on by politics of conquest. It is always about the cake for the Nigerian political class -- how to carve it up and serve it among themselves; who to get what and what portion.

It is never about how to make life better for citizens. Nigeria abandoned the development

plans of the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. In fact, we do not have concretised development plans anymore, but we always have plans and budgets for elections.

It has been said that Nigerian politicians plan for the next election instead of staying in the present and working for the people. It is always about the next election for them. It is all about how to acquire power, abuse it and retain it.

On Monday, governors of the southern region met and issued a communiqué after the conclave. I must say, the official communication contained fine points like -- ‘’the forum rejects the proposed 3% and support the 5% share of the oil revenue to the host community as recommended by the house of representatives’’ as regards the recently passed

Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). It is against sensibility that ewes which make the best milk should not eat more of the finest grass. To stave off possible agitations in the future, it is only reasonable that the Niger Delta region from where the bulk of our revenue comes from is accorded this advantage.

In general, the intention of the governors may be noble, considering that it is for the preservation of their region. But where does the manifest polarisation of Nigeria into north and south by political leaders leave the country? Regional agenda has become centralised against the goal of the collective. There is a pursuit of self in negation of the whole. The chasm between the north and the south is widened by the operations of political leaders.

The resolution of the governors that – ‘’the forum reiterates its commitment to the politics of equity,

fairness and unanimously agrees that the presidency of Nigeria be rotated between southern and northern Nigeria and resolved that the next president of Nigeria should emerge from the southern region’’ – could be unnerving for people who are not from the south.

I think matters of this character require national consensus not a regional gang-up. It requires statesmanship.

Most political leaders in the north have openly expressed support for a power shift to the south in 2023. Nasir el-Rufai, Kaduna governor; Babagana Zulum, Borno governor, and Abdullahi Ganduje, Kano governor, are some of the leaders who have said the next Fredrick Nwabufo, fredricknwabufo@yahoo.com Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

SUNDAY JULY 11, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 11, 2021

THE ALTERNATIVE

with RenoOmokri

Fajuyi as a Bridge Between Yoruba and Igbo

I

nmycolumnlastweek,Ipublishedapiece,titled‘DestroyingAge-Old Myths AboutTheYoruba’, in which I described the heroic sacrifice made by the late Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi as apocryphal.

Apocryphal simply means a historical event that cannot be proven.

I was referring to the refusal by Colonel Fajuyi to abandon the then Head of State, Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, choosing instead to be loyal to him until death, even though he was given the option to remain behind at the Military Governor’s residence, which would have spared his life.

I have since discovered that I was wrong, and I apologise to the family of the late great Colonel Fajuyi. The account of his death is not apocryphal.

There were witnesses and I have since verified the authenticity of the account of his death from an eyewitness and another remote witness.

The events were confirmed by a former minister, who also happened to be a soldier in the Nigerian Army when that incident happened. He was there and saw it and confirmed it.

Also, a former President, who was himself involved in pulling Nigeria away from the brink confirmed it.

Colonel Fajuyi pleaded for the life of his guest, Major General Ironsi, and when his pleadings fell on deaf ears, he insisted that if Ironsi would be killed, then it would be over his dead body.

The rest is too gruesome to recount here, and out of respect for his family, I will stop here.

Colonel Fajuyi was a hero like no other. The only person who has shown a similar loyalty in Nigeria’s history is former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was the best friend of Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, and who stood by his friend, in life and death.

After Nzeogwu’s death (the circumstances of his death are still hazy and shrouded in controversy) at the age of 30 on July 29, 1967, his friend, Olusegun Obasanjo, cared for his family, and assisted his siblings with their education, and became like a son to his mother.

(Let me here note that Nzeogwu’s death was spiritual, and dare I say mystical, because it occurred on the first anniversary of the July 29, 1966 Northern counter coup. Why is this significant? It is significant because on that day, Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi was killed as a direct result of Nzeogwu and Ifeajuna’s actions of January 15, 1966. Ifeajuna himself would later be executed in Biafra on September 25, 1967. If you attended primary school in Nigeria between 1960 and 1990, you may perhaps have used an exercise book known as the OLYMPIC 2B Exercise Book. The man who was drawn on the front cover of that exercise book is Emmanuel Ifeajuna.

The drawing is of his Gold-winning High Jump at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, in Vancouver, Canada).

At great risk to his political future, Chief Obasanjo wrote a biography of his late friend simply titled, Nzeogwu, which was published in 1987.

That book caused an uproar in the North because of the way and manner Obasanjo eulogised the man who killed the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Ahmadu Bello, believed to be Northern Nigeria’s greatest and favourite son.

Obasanjo did not have to do it. None of Nzeogwu’s military colleagues from Eastern Nigeria did it. But he did. And in the preamble to the book, he admitted that he knew he was attracting enmity to himself, but that

Fajuyi he would take it as the price he had to pay for honouring his late friend’s memory.

As a matter of fact, thousands of copies of the book were bought by Northern groups and taken to the University of Zaria (now known as the Ahmadu Bello University), where they were burned in a ceremony eerily reminiscent of the Nazi Book Burnings organised by Josef Goebbels.

As they were burning the books, the mixed group of students, faculty members and clerics were insulting Obasanjo, calling him in English and Hausa “arne”, ‘’traitor’,’ ‘’conspirator’’ and ‘’ungrateful person’.’

The anger and indignation caused by the book was so widespread. There were riots, and the Niger State Government (the then military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, a great admirer of Ahmadu Bello was from Niger state), revoked the Certificate of Occupancy to a 5,000-hectare piece of land that had previously been allocated to Obasanjo Farms Nigeria Limited.

The furore caused by the event made the book an Instant bestseller, and I read it as a thirteen-year-old boy. It attracted the foreign press, and the New York Times did a special feature on the troubles caused by the book in a piece entitled, ‘Of Fig Leaves, Art and Other Disputes; Nigeria: Strife Stirred By Best Seller’.

That New York Times piece is still available online. I urge my readers to read it.

It was speculated that Obasanjo’s political career was over, because of his book on Nzeogwu. Some even went as far as saying that he lost

THE PUBLIC SPHERE with Chido Nwakanma

the race to be the Secretary General of the United Nations to Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt in 1992, because the Babangida administration was not really keen on his candidature for what they felt was his stab in the back of the North with the book, Nzeogwu.

Babangida might not personally have retained his bitterness five years after the book. However, there were elements in the North that nursed their bitterness up until then, and even beyond. Some still nurse that grudge till date.

So, it riles me when some persons accuse the Yoruba of being betrayers.

Which person, living or dead, has shown as much love, loyalty and commitment to Nzeogwu, at such great personal cost to himself, as Obasanjo?

It is one thing to show loyalty to the living. At least, you can expect your loyalty to be rewarded. However, to show loyalty to the dead is almost unheard of. It is most chivalrous and altruistic, precisely because it cannot be rewarded. It is a virtue worth commending and emulating.

Obasanjo again displayed this trait, when he showed his loyalty to his late friend, Shehu Musa Yar’adua, by almost single-handedly making his younger brother, Umaru Musa Yar’adua, his successor.

Umaru Musa Yar’adua, had already concluded plans to retire to a tertiary institution as a chemistry teacher, when Obasanjo plucked him out almost from obscurity. He did not have the clout, finances, or alpha personality required to dominate the political landscape of 2007. As a matter of fact, Obasanjo campaigned for him in more states than he himself campaigned.

Many people do not know this, but Obasanjo appointed Nzeogwu’s brother as one of his Special Assistants when he returned as Nigeria’s elected President in 1999. He also appointed the son of another January 15, 1966 coup plotter as his Special Assistant (I am honour-bound not to mention the name of his father).

Not done, Obasanjo then appointed Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, the son of the late Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, as Minister of Defence in 2006. That was one of the most difficult ministerial appointments in Nigeria’s history, because certain persons felt it was an insult to their injury.

And that, perhaps, was why Obasanjo only appointed him as minister in his second term. If he did it in his first term, he might not have won a second term.

Before then, Obasanjo made him an Ambassador. Can you imagine the flak Obasanjo got from the North? Obasanjo did not have to do it.

As a matter of fact, Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi was actually another eyewitness to the events of July 29, 1966. He was with his father at Colonel Fajuyi’s residence. He was hidden for his safety, but he knows what happened.

And he is still alive today.

After Fajuyi was killed, his successor as Military Governor of the Western Region, Adeyinka Adebayo, became almost like a surrogate father to the late Aguiyi-Ironsi’s daughter, Louisa Aguiyi-Ironsi, who grew up partly with his own children.

Young people of Southeastern origin should not think that the Yoruba are their enemies, or that they are perpetual cowards, ‘sabo’, and betrayers.

It is not true.

The only way we can ensure a level playing ground for all Nigerians is by having a common Southern front. When we have Southern solidarity, then we will have Southern equality with the North.

@ChidoNigeria https://www.facebook.com/chido.nwakanma

The Role of the Writer in Political Reform

F

ind your voice!

Nigeria is in the throes of change. Change was the mantra of the ruling party as it swept into office in 2015. Since then, change has buffeted it and the country from various directions, mainly in the areas where it promised to deliver positives.

These are the economy, security and the state of the nation.

Nigerians have experienced negative changes in all three areas. Nigerians now clamour for reform, beginning with the structural foundation of the country.

The writer is an intellectual or anyone who deals in and with ideas.”An intellectual is a person who engages in critical thinking, research, and reflection about the reality of society, who may also propose solutions for the normative problems of society, and thus gains authority as a public intellectual” – Wikipedia Writers fit into this schema. For political engagement, we adopt a broad definition of the writer as an intellectual.

Noam Chomsky asserts, “It is the responsibility of intellectuals to speak the truth and expose lies.” Chomsky says that faced with apparent lies, outrages and oppression, “intellectuals should follow the path of integrity wherever it may lead” His umbrella for intellectuals takes in”journalists, academics, artists, even clergy.”

Good writers have well-defined vision and mission statements though primarily unstated. It often includes participation in the conversations about the past, present and future of their countries. It is a primary reason for writing.

Even the Christian Holy Book recognises the role of the writer in visioning. Seven instances will do.

1.

Habakkuk 2:2. Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it” 2.

Romans 15:4 “For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.”

3.

Revelation 1:19. Therefore, write down the things you have seen, and the things that are, and the things that will happen after this.

4.

Deuteronomy 27:8. And you shall write distinctly upon these stones all the words of this la”.

The story outlives us all, both writer and reader. Chinua Achebe famously stated that the writer’s role is to teach and provide guidance for the people. “...only the story...can continue beyond the war and the warrior. It is the story that outlives the sound of war drums and the exploits of brave fighters. It is the story... that saves our progeny from blundering like blind beggars into the spikes of the cactus fence. The story is our escort; without it, we are blind.

Does the blind man own his escort? No, neither do we the story; rather, it is the story that owns us and directs us. --Chinua Achebe, Anthills of the Savannah (1987) The writer is a teacher, mentor and mobiliser. He plays a critical and significant role in the brave new world of communication on multiple platforms. UNESCO in 1980 listed several functions of communication. They align with the part of the writer.

These functions of communication are information., socialisation, motivation, debate and discussion. Others are education, cultural promotion, entertainment and integration.

Socialisation provides a common fund of knowledge that enables people to operate as influential members of the society they live in, fostering social cohesion and awareness, thereby permitting active involvement in public life. Through debate and discussion, the media enable the provision and exchange of facts to facilitate an agreement or clarify differing viewpoints on general issues; the supply of relevant evidence needed to foster greater widespread interest and involvement in all local, national and international matters of common concern. The Integration function refers to providing all persons, groups, and nations access to the various messages they need to know and understand each other and appreciate others’ living conditions,

viewpoints, and aspirations.

The many communication tasks speak to its significance in the modern world, made more so by the diversity of platforms and players feeding the pool.

Communication is central and contributory to the effective functioning of communities and nation-states.

The quality and qualify of information people share directly affects their well-being. Communication counts in peace and war. Sean McBride, Canadian and president of the International Commission for the Study of Communication Problems, envisioned the scope of communication. He stated, “As communication is so central to all social, economic and political activity at community, national and international levels, I would paraphrase H. G. Wells and say human history becomes more and more a race between communication and catastrophe. Full use of communication in all its varied strands is vital to ensure that humanity has more than a history, that our children are ensured a future.”

Experts and lay citizens alike point to the tone, content and quantity of information between and against the Hutus and Tutus as contributory to the Rwandan genocide. Nigeria is going through a period of passionate disagreements among citizens representing different persuasions. Writers are in the mix.

In the past, the call would be on editors to up their gatekeeping function. The barriers have lowered because of the diversity of platforms, and now almost everyone creates and distributes content.

Therefore, the call is to everyone who creates or shares content on all the media of this age: WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, GooglePlus, print, radio, television. Exercise circumspection as you write on the trending issues. Do not join the mob spreading fake news or propaganda. The scientist Isaac Newton reportedly stated, “Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy”.

The writers and editors of Nigeria must craft content that makes the point for each side without making enemies.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 11, 2021

BUSINESS

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

One of host communities in Niger Delta d ... oil spill and wallowing in squalour

Bedeviling PIB with Obnoxious Provisions Finally, the much-awaited Petroleum Industry Bill was passed by the two chambers of the National Assembly, recently. Of the 319 clauses and eight schedules that make up the bill, the ones concerning the host communities and the frontier development of oil have sparked national conversation, threatening to stir up a storm should reservations arising therefrom are not addressed before President Muhammadu Buhari’s assent. For them, giving three per cent, rather than the 10 per cent demanded, to host communities, stretching the definition to oil infrastructure transit communities and using other people’s oil profit to grope for oil in unlikely or impossible places, bring to remembrance some of the on-going open grazing controversy in the country. Chris Paul reports

A

fter a clause-by-clause consideration of a report by the Joint Committee on Downstream Petroleum Sector, Petroleum Resources (Upstream), and Gas on the PIB, two decades of failed attempts later, the Senate passed the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), two Thursdays ago.

By this passage, the upper chamber approved the commercialisation of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and scrapping of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) and Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), while it okayed 30 per cent of proÀts accruing from oil and gas operations by the NNPC Limited for the exploration of oil in the frontier basins.

The bill also set aside three per cent of the operating expenditure of oil companies for the development of host communities.

Consisting of Àve distinct chapters, which

include governance and institutions; administration; host communities development; petroleum industry Àscal framework; and miscellaneous provisions, the PIB has a total of 319 clauses and eight schedules.

In the NASS approved bill, Clause 53 empowers Petroleum Resources Minister to incorporate the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as a limited liability company to be known as NNPC Limited, six months after the commencement of the Act. At incorporation of NNPC Limited, the minister is mandated, under this clause, to interface with the minister of Ànance to determine the number and nominal value of the shares to be allotted. This forms the initial paid-up share capital of NNPC Limited.

Ownership of all shares in NNPC Limited is to be vested in the government at incorporation and held by the ministry of Ànance incorporated on behalf of the government.

Funding mechanism of 30 per cent of NNPC Limited·s oil and gas proÀt in the production sharing, proÀt sharing, and risk service

contracts to fund the exploration of frontier basins, also got the nod of the red chamber.

Estimated at $500 million annually, the Senate approved 3 per cent of operating expenditure of oil companies (OPEX), to be paid as contribution to the host community development fund.

The bill also include Clause 4 which seeks the establishment of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission to provide technical regulatory functions that would enforce, administer and implement laws, regulations and policies relating to upstream petroleum operations.

The approved bill makes provision for the establishment of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, which shall be responsible for the technical and commercial regulation of midstream and downstream petroleum operations in the petroleum industry in Nigeria.

To ensure that all monies received from gas Áaring are channeled for the purpose of environmental remediation and relief of the

host communities as against the development of infrastructure in midstream gas operations; the recommendation of the Joint Committee was amended in Clause 52(7d).

Uproar greeted the Senate-approved 3 per cent equity for host communities; as Senators were split on the right per cent of oil proÀts to be accrued to the Host Communities Trust; before the bill was passed.

In the executive bill, the Presidency had forwarded the proposed 2.5 per cent operational cost-share for the host communities to both chambers of the National Assembly last year.

Though opposed during the public hearings in February by leaders of the oil-producing communities, in the proposal, the Senate joint committee that worked on the bill, recommended 5 per cent; which, according to the committee, was to ensure adequate development of the host communities and reduction in the cost of production.

Predictably, the sensitivity of this host communities’ clause caused some tension in the red chamber when the Senate passed

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 11, 2021

BUSINESS Bedeviling PIB with Obnoxious Provisions an amendment to Section 240 of the bill on the sources of funding for the fund, slashing the percentage to 3 per cent.

Senators from the Niger Delta did not take this lying down as they immediately rose against the amendment.

Proposing an amendment for the retention of the provision of Àve per cent in the report, Senator James Manager (PDP, Delta), said, “This particular thing that is before us is something that is very bitter for us to swallow, a very bitter pill for us to swallow.”

While Manager’s appeal was rejected, Senator George Sekibo (PDP, Rivers) called for a division to challenge the ruling of Lawan; after the Senate President ruled on the 3 per cent.

Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, intervened and prevailed on Sekibo to withdraw his motion, pleading that if it allowed division to happen, the Senate would be heading to the state of Armageddon.

Conceding that calling for division is the right of every lawmaker, he pleaded with Sekibo to allow the Senate progress with the bill.

Evidently overwhelmed, Sekibo agreed, but appealed that the percentage should be increased. Another contentious aspect of the bill is the joint committee’s recommendation on Frontier Basins.

In recognition of the need for Nigeria to explore and develop the Nigeria’s frontier exploration, the joint committee’s move was designed to take advantage of foreseeable threats to the funding of fossil fuel projects across the world; due to speedy shift to alternative energy sources.

This frontier basins funding idea, is as unattractive as the 3 or 5 per cent host communities fund is put o΀sh to the Niger Delta region representatives, who believe this passed PIB is an unacceptable rape of the rights of the real oil producing communities in Nigeria.

To them, this move is reminiscent of the dreaded ranching or Rural Grazing Areas (RUGA) policy the federal government is creating to protect and pamper the herdsmen, who are predominantly Northerners of the Fulani extraction.

Necessitating a reassertion of the anti- open grazing Law in the Southern part of Nigeria, the Southern governors converged on Lagos, towards the end of last week, to respond to President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to Ànd grazing routes for cow herders, in his now historic Arise Television interview.

Their rationale is anchored, logically, on the fact that herding of cows is a personal business; just as any other trade and should be treated as such.

In other words, the Southern governors reckoned that open grazing of cows is done at the expense of other people’s sweat.

Allowing the herders to roam the streets and farms, unhinged, will impact negatively on people’s farms and eventually lead to hunger.

Claims by some members of the Northern intelligentsia, alluding to the fact that the North owns all the land space across the South for their cattle to graze on, were false.

Asking helpless farmers to surrender their land to intrusive, disruptive and destructive herders, (‘since only the living can argue about Land,’ as a Presidential Aide once said) is interpreted by Southern governors, as a joke taken too far.

So, seeking to allow 30 per cent of industry proÀts to prospect for oil in places that show no possible oil is similar to demanding for the building of RUGA settlement across the South.

While the redeÀnition of host communities, to include communities that have oil and gas infrastructure like pipes etc. running through their land, reÁects the assertion in President Buhari‘s recent cow grazing route directive.

For the Southern governors and their people, Buhari’s insistence on turning the South into a grazing route for herders who are largely Northerners of Fulani extraction, is seen in the light of the President’s penchant for using his powers to twist the law just to favour his own kinsmen; in this case, giving the itinerant herdsmen same right as indigenes across territories in Southern part of Nigeria.

The growing insecurity, occasioned for the most part by invading criminal herdsmen, who kill farmers, rape their wives while their cows destroy farms is the cause of the resistance

Buhari

Sylva

Ahmed

Gbajabiamila

by the Southern governors against perceived forceful takeover of Lands in the South by the Fulanis.

But what is the rationale behind setting up such a huge chunk of proÀt made in the business by other people only to possibly waste it looking for oil where it is not likely to Ànd a drop. In practical terms, it means that if after spending over $10 billion for industry operations for the year and generate a proÀt of, say, $20 billion, it means $6 billion will be dedicated to Ànance oil explorations in Frontier Basins. Meanwhile, non-oil producing communities will share a negligible 3 per cent with oil communities because both are impacted ab initio.

The resistance by Niger Delta lawmakers against the obviously defective part of the bill is a reÁection of the Niger Delta people’s sentiment against these critical clauses in the bill.

As the two chambers prepare to transmit the bill to Buhari for his assent this week, opposition to the bill has begun to mount as Niger Delta youths and groups have started expressing their rejection of the bill.

Speaking at a media brieÀng in Abuja on Monday, National Leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, rejected the recently passed PIB, describing its provisions as unjust, satanic and provocative.

Clark said the bill as passed was part of a larger plot to continue the subjugation of the people of the Niger Delta by international oil companies (IOCs) and their northern collaborators.

SpeciÀcally noting the provision of 30 per cent of proÀts for further frontier oil exploration in the North, Clark called to question claims by the current regime that it was working towards an economy away from oil.

Represented at the press conference by PANDEF’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Robinson, Clark said the IOCs faced a di΀cult operational environment if the bill was not revisited and the concerns of the people of the region properly addressed.

Also rejecting the bill is a coalition of Rivers State oil and gas host communities, in a statement, the group said the bill fails to address

the aspirations of the communities; adding that the PIB, which oͿers the host communities three per cent equity participation, was unacceptable and described it as a mischievous piece of legislation.

Rather than the PIB to stand alone, the host communities advocated that the bill should be merged with the Solid Minerals Act to better tackle their plights as they were denied the right to their natural resources.

In a statement issued in Port Harcourt, the Chairman of the coalition, Barituka Loanyie, said the PIB would end up compounding them rather than solving the problems in the oil and gas sector.

“Having critically studied the Petroleum Industry Bill, 2021 recently passed into law by the National Assembly, we, the Coalition of Rivers Oil and Gas Host Communities reject it for the reason that it fails to address the lingering issues of the oil and gas host communities.

“The bill, rather than solve germane issues in the oil and gas sector, ends up compounding them.

“We want to state without equivocation that the law is a mischievous piece of legislation and a far cry from the yearnings of oil and gas host communities, which only ends up providing a legal framework for corruption and portends a sinister ploy to continue with the unhealthy practice of denying host communities the right to their God-given resources,” he said He added that the provisions of the PIB were surreptitiously making every community that had a pipeline underneath them, oil and gas host community, stressing that the Solid Minerals Act, which governs the solid minerals sector, had better protection for the communities in extraction sites, hence would better serve the oil producing communities.

For the Ijaw nation, no less than 10 per cent, which the oil-bearing communities demanded during the public hearings on the PIB, would be acceptable.

Rejecting the three and Àve per cent allocated to the host communities in the PIB, the President, Ijaw National Congress, Prof Benjamin Okaba, described the proposed three

and Àve per cent as a Greek gift, stressing that the slashing of host communities’ percentage was ridiculously painful.

Making the position of the Ijaw people known on Monday during a press conference in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, he contended that the Ijaw nation deserved fair treatment as it had suͿered long years of environmental pollution and injustice despite producing the wealth that had sustained the health of Nigeria.

He also posited that increasing the percentage for more petroleum reserves in the “frontier basin” to 30 per cent as well as redeÀning the meaning of host communities to include communities where oil pipelines pass through were disgusting and provocative.

“We reject in its entirety the three per cent and Àve per cent provisions as compensation; the redeÀnition of host communities and other provisions, including the allocation of 30 per cent of our oil resources to grope in the dark in the name of exploitation, a paradox of extreme kind that is not in symphony with common sense, equity and good conscience,” Okaba said.

He urged President Buhari to refrain from appending his signature to the PIB until the National Assembly prescribed 10 per cent.

Unlike the 13 per cent, which was constitutionally committed to the oil states as derivation royalties, this three per cent will be deducted from the annual operational expenses, OP-EX, of the oil companies and allocated to the Host Communities Development Trust, (HCDT).

The passage of this bill by the 9th National Assembly, makes it the second time in 20 years, the PIB has been passed by the Nigerian federal legislature.

Passed as the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill ( PIG-B), in 2018, President Buhari refused to sign it into law citing constitutional issues. Political and sectional interests have been the major reasons for the long tenure of the Bill at the NASS. For decades, Nigeria has been denied billions of dollars in new investments and income coming to Africa annually; due to the absence of an enabling law that meets the contemporary needs of the oil industry in a competitive world market.

If this bill becomes law, it is hoped that many of these issues will be addressed; including the unbundling of NNPC, and the protocols laid out to tackle gas Áaring and other environmental consequences of production.

If faithfully implemented, this long awaited legal framework, for the Nigerian oil and gas industry, will prove revolutionary.

Before it proceeds on its July 25 recess, the legislators are determined to transmit the bill to Buhari. Preparatory to that, the usual conference committee was constituted last week to harmonise the diͿerent versions and they are likely to submit their report early this week.

Spokesman for the Senate, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, said, “The National Assembly will carry out necessary legislative actions on the bill.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare, commended the Senate for passing the much-delayed PIB. In a statement, Omoworare said that passing the bill after several eͿorts by the previous assemblies was a testament that the executive and the legislature could really work together without compromising party position and individual perspective, in the most positive manner with a view to actualising the common goal and communal good for Nigerians.

Speaking after the adoption of the clauses, House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, commended his colleagues, saying, “Even with this feat of landmark legislation, we are going on a high note.”

In his remarks, Senate President Ahmad Lawan said the 9th Assembly had achieved one of its fundamental legislative agenda, emphasising that, “The demons (of PIB) have been defeated in this chamber. We have passed the bill.”

Given the growing opposition by the Niger Delta people against the passage of the PIB, which he presided over, the demons he defeated in the chambers may wear the agitation regalia and return to NASS with a renewed vigour, if the concerns raised are not decisively tackled before Buhari appends his signature to the bill.

21

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 11, 2021

TOURISM

Ibom Xmas Village as New Face of Nigeria’s Tourism Okon Bassey writes on the focus and excitement as the Akwa Ibom State Government hosted the annual general meeting of the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators

T

he potentials of the annual Akwa Ibom Christmas Village came into focus as tour operators from all over Nigeria and beyond recently converged at the prestigious and serene Ibom Icon Resort, at the historical Nwaniba village, on the outskirts of Uyo for the annual general meeting of the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP).

The meeting, which brought together proven professionals in the industry from within and outside the country, saw potentials unveiled, challenges x-rayed, targets set, promises and assurances extracted, advice given, and dancing skills showcased. Places of interest toured and diverse local cuisine enjoyed as the tour operators savoured the serene and beautiful environment and climate of Akwa Ibom. It set the stage for intellectual and enriching discourse on the way forward for tourism to take its rightful place in the country’s economy and the West African sub-region as a whole. It had as its theme: “Restarting Tourism in Nigeria: A New Template.”

While declaring the conference open, the chief host, Governor Udom Emmanuel, tasked the participants to adopt new strategies in promoting tourism in Nigeria. The governor expressed delight with the new level of commitment and zeal, in recent times, by the tour operators and other stakeholders in promoting tourism in the country, saying the new lease of life in the sector, if sustained, could generate huge revenue for both practitioners and the government.

He said the people’s hospitality remained infectious while recent developments in transport, social, and tourism infrastructure despite dwindling revenue was a deliberate strategy to open the state to the world. The state, according to Emmanuel, is blessed with more than scores of cuisines. At the same time, natural tourist sites, including the residence of Mary Slessor, the blue river, the longest coastline in Nigeria. At the same time, the annual Christmas Carol and Christmas Village have become a must event in the calendars of lovers of tourism.

He pledged the assistance and partnership of the state government to NATOP but urged them to adopt measures that would project their services and attract goodwill to the country.

National President of NATOP, Bilkisu Abdul, who paid glowing tributes to NATOP former president, Fatima Garbati, expressed sadness over the loss of revenue to the tourism sector occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. But she was happy that the tour business has gradually returned, with Akwa Ibom being one of the star destinations for tour operators.

“Domestic tourism started to come back to life towards the end of last year. I am glad to note that Akwa Ibom became one of the star destinations for tour operators. They came for the Christmas village events in December and observed that it was a great success. They found your state rich in attractions. As we begin to breathe back life into tourism, insecurity and high airline ticket prices became a big problem.

“Those two evils of tourism are one of the reasons we have chosen Akwa Ibom as our destination of choice for our AGM 2021. Akwa Ibom State is secure and has the infrastructure that we need to thrive. It has one of the best resorts in Nigeria, has an airline and an airport. Our coming to Akwa Ibom State is not accidental.

NATOP uses its AGM to promote domestic destinations, and all our past destinations of choice have become viable locations for tourism.

“In 2016, we were in Calabar, Cross River for our AGM. In 2017, we moved to Lagos. In 2018 we were in Jos, Plateau. In 2019, we went to Ile-Ife. We did not hold AGM in 2020 as we did not think virtual conferences yield value for

unity park

tourism. We must do what we preach. If people don’t move, there is no tourism, so we move people. As we come to Uyo, our members will obey all the approved COVID-19 protocols, and we hope to enjoy the bounties that Akwa Ibom oͿers. On behalf of NATOP, I thank Akwa Ibom for hosting us. Our coming will put Akwa Ibom Tourism on the global map,” the president declared.

A keynote speaker at the AGM, Group Managing Director of Decision Group, Akanimo UdoÀa, said tourism could generate more than crude oil and gas for the country with improved commitment and institutional attention. He added that many countries not blessed with natural resources have thrived and prospered through tourism. UdoÀa maintained that tourism represents one of the world’s leading service sectors that generates sustainable revenue and is a major wealth and job creator.

“You will be pleased to hear that a country like Thailand, which is a developing country, ranks as the 4th highest earner for tourism in the world, earning a whopping $60 billion a year from tourism. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia is the 19th most visited country in the world, with as many as 15 million people visiting yearly. Most of the tourism in Saudi Arabia largely involves religious pilgrimage, and it generates $12 billion per year. Now remember that Saudi Arabia ranks as the second-largest proven petroleum reserves in the world and the source of most of its revenue, yet it pays a lot of attention to other sectors, including tourism which is less than two per cent.

“I believe that irrespective of this small slice of the pie of their total revenue, we can all agree that $12 billion revenue from tourism on a yearly basis is still a signiÀcant amount of money. Bringing it closer home, Sao Time and Principe is a very small island oͿ the coast of Cameroun and Equatorial Guinea with about 200,000 people. It generates a revenue of roughly $66 million (17% of its revenue) from tourism.

The Gambia makes about $116 million per year from tourism, and that accounts for about 20% of their GDP,” he disclosed.

Also speaking as a guest speaker, a former Minister of Tourism in Ghana, Catherine Afeku, and using the Ghana experience, urged theAkwa Ibom government to utilise the opportunity

of the Christmas Village and the Bridge of No Return to attract more tourists, as well as welcome back descendants of Nigeria, lost to the Atlantic Slave Trade.

Afeku further urged government and practitioners to focus on domestic tourism, lobby for tourism incentives, adopt a policy of right of abode for relatives in the Diaspora, repackage tourism sites and patronise Made-in-Nigeria products and services.

“Domestic tourism is very essential because it is the real catalyst for change. The Right ofAbode Policy is also key as it provides opportunities to migrate back our lost relatives who we lost to the slave trade. Also, try to repackage things that have to do with the sea because sea adventure is of interest to the young ones. In this regard, boat regattas and cruise ships could also attract tourists here because you also have a peaceful environment,” she added.

Commissioner for Tourism Orman Esin, applauded NATOP for choosing Akwa Ibom and expressed hope that the conference would usher in a new lease of a partnership between the state and tour operators.

Esin pointed out that the state pioneered several aspects of tourism in Nigeria and is home to the earliest missionaries. He added that with the longest coastline in Nigeria, a fertile land rich in tourism, an international airport, and one of the best golf resorts in West Africa, the state is well-positioned to take tourism to the next level in Nigeria.

“Akwa Ibom, the real deal, we have the options for all types of tourism in Nigeria. We have the biggest hotel property in West Africa, with consistent growth over the years. We knew that bringing the Naija7Wonders group to our state in December for the Christmas Village will bring us the attention we needed. We are your partners and will grow tourism together. The governor has a vision of a modern state and has deliberately engineered the development of industries and improved the existing infrastructure.

“Cuisine, infrastructure, scenery, people, and buildings are the hallmarks of Akwa Ibom. We are a very secure place not by accident, but by the determination, focus, and will of the state government.

The governor is an industrialist, and the state will beneÀt from energising the tourism

stakeholders to come and enjoy the synergy of our facilities. Akwa Ibom is your best choice for tourism in Nigeria.”

The commissioner commended NAPTOP for their partnership and commitment to showcasing the country’s tourism potentials and expressed hope that the conference would develop a new template for running tourism in Nigeria.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, represented by the Permanent Secretary Ifeoma Anyanwutaku, in a goodwill message, urged NATOP to rediscover the country’s damaged tourism reputation and urged them to increase international partnerships adopting international best practices for networking.

Mohammed called for increased participation from the private sector, while urging stakeholders to work towards packaging the investment and tourism potentials by repositioning the country’s image. The minister assured of the readiness and commitment of the ministry in implementing necessary policies that would grow and strengthen the sector.

Chairman, NATOP Board of Trustees andActing President of FTAN Nkeruwem Onung, in his goodwill message, canvassed for a separate ministry to exploit and develop the country’s full tourism potentials. Onung commended the state government for its continued interest in tourism and hoped that tourism in the state would boost the conference’s end.

In a vote of thanks, the Vice President of NATOP, Ime Udoh, said the choice of Akwa Ibom State as a destination for the AGM was very apt and glad that the state government stood up to support the meeting.

She noted that Akwa Ibom was strategically positioned as a destination and urged the state government to do more to boost tourism drive and become more eͿective and e΀cient as a destination of choice. According to her, the tour operator connects the destination with tourists and the channel through which each destination is being promoted.

Other goodwill messages were received from the Lagos State Government, the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism(NIHOTOUR), National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC).

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 11, 2021

ENERGY

‘Better’ Phenomenon Driving Sustainable Performance at Egbin Power It’s the Àrst of its kind at Egbin Power Plc. A clear demonstration of what happens to businesses when the thinking at the top is reimagined. You could touch the excitement and taste the joy of employees. It’s the celebration of excellence and appreciation of the men and women who run the 1,320MW thermal power plant. It’s the ‘Betters’, the Áagship reward and recognition platform for Egbin Power employees. Kunle Aderinokun reports

T

heterm‘Better’isthemantra for work philosophy at Egbin Power, the largest privately run thermal plant in sub-Sahara Africa.

It propels employees to work towards being better consistently, resiliently, and innovatively. So, no Egbin employee is satisÀed with hitting the mark; every success becomes a springboard for achieving something better.

Monday, June 14, 2021 was Egbin employees’ day in the sun, the climax of the Performance Improvement Celebration (PIC). The celebration was glorious, with lots of laughter, great food, drinks, music, and gifts. Yes, the gifts The diͿerent categories had a tinge of fun with captions like “The Honorary Engineer”, “Egbin Star Faculty”, “FireÀghterAward”, “CatalystAward”, “Power Angel”, and “Smooth Operator”, among others.

Egbin’s reward and recognition scheme, among others, also has the E-Áex wallet, a platform where employees can earn instant rewards in tokens that can be converted to cash, by participating in key projects.

The on-going transformation at Egbin Power post privatisation has led to consistent performance, with the plant hitting peak generation of 970MW this year. During a recent visit to the facility, Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari, said the turnaround of the plant was indicative of the quality of expertise and huge investment injected into the plant since its take-over by Sahara Group.

“It’s an immense privilege to be here and see the progress atAfrica’s biggest thermal plant. Not surprised by the obvious quality of operational activities and the value addition since takeover by the Sahara Group,” Kyari said after a tour of the facility.

And how has Egbin been able to up and sustain the ante of achievements? “We extract value from an endless pursuit of better. When you are the largest thermal power plant in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, better becomes the most appropriate response to ensuring seamless and e΀cient power generation. We have seen our better mantra transform operations and performance, while we keep committing ourselves to being better,” explained Temitope Shonubi, Chairman, Egbin Power Plc. According to Shonubi, “Egbin has 1,320MW capacity. As of the time we took over, the plant was generating 300MW which is abysmal 22 percent. As of today, our generation capacity has surged, and we are doing 89 percent. We hit generation peak of 970MW this year despite challenges many thanks to expertise and dedication of our employees and support of our stakeholders. We are delighted at the tireless commitment of our employees to our vision of lighting up Nigeria and ultimately, Africa.”

Better Egbin. Better Power Generation. Better Environmental Sustainability. Better Healthy Lifestyle. Better Carbon Footprint. These are phrases that have become imprinted in the hearts of Egbin Power employees. They also wear the words as garlands, a constant reminder of the overarching better phenomenon. Then of course, there‘s the robust Better Reward and Better Recognition policy, indicating the commitment of the business to celebrating better in a transparent and sustainable manner.

The highpoint of the ‘Betters’ was the moment when “Egbin’s Number One” for 2020 was unveiled. The hall went quiet as everyone waited

L-R: Chairman, Egbin Power Plc, Temitope Shonubi, Winner, Best Egbin Power Employee in 2020, Abiola Sodiq Aribilola and Group Managing Director, Sahara Power Group, Kola Adesina at the Betters event for employee reward and recognition at Egbin Power Plc

The other picture shows Abiola showing off his prize

with bated breath. It had been a keen contest involving the top 10 employees in 2020. The winner,Abiola SodiqAribilola of the Mechanical Maintenance Department, was on the seventh heaven after he heard his name. The audience went wild and thereafter, Abiola drove oͿ from the event in a brand-new 2020 Hyundai Accent saloon car.

“This is way beyond what I believed was up for grabs when it emerged that I was among the top 10 employees. I can barely contain my excitement and just want to salute the management for empowering and rewarding us as we continue in our quest for better. I also owe the entire team a debt of gratitude as it’s always about everyone working together to get the job done at Egbin,” said the elated Aribilola.

HR experts say eͿective employee reward and recognition policies as the one at Egbin Power contribute immensely to the improve-

ment of organisational values, while enhancing employee work ethic, team productivity, and customer experience. “Reward and recognition have gone beyond cash. For us at Egbin, we have a holistic approach that also includes peer-to-peer recognition which gives employees a strong in the determination of how employees are recognized and celebrated. This enhances positive reinforcement in Egbin, making our employees happier, more collaborative and better,” said Funmi Adeniji, Chief Human Resources O΀cer at Egbin Power.

With an installed capacity of 1,320MW, Egbin is easily Africa’s largest privately run thermal plant. The omens of an empowered and collaborative workforce portend great tidings for Egbin as the organization prepares for its Phase II expansion plan projected to add between 1,750 megawatts (MW) and 1,900MW to Nigeria’s power generation pool.

“The project will add impetus to Sahara Group’s unwavering commitment to reducing gas Áaring and ensuring that we play a leading role in reducing carbon emissions and enhancing the global carbon footprint. Ultimately, we would have a state-of-the-art facility that is generating clean energy sustainably and paving the way for seamless energy transition in Nigeria and beyond,” Shonubi said.

He added: “With environmental sustainability and e΀ciency in place, we expect the project to drive reduction in cost of generating power and facilitate corresponding positive impact on accessibility and aͿordability. It will also present an opportunity to expand our reach by pushing the power to neighboring countries via the West Africa Power Pool.”

Another aspect worthy of note is Egbin’s commitment to promoting global environmental sustainability. The company introduced 150 bicycles, electric buggies and scooters to facilitate clean commuting by employees, healthy living, and enhanced productivity. It also operates a closed-circuit water system which conserves energy and water, a process that has helped preserve trillions of liters of fresh water over the years.

The company said the plan is to ramp this up to 500 bicycles and additional 200 electric scooters in line with Sahara Group’s climate action campaign.

This is in addition to ongoing green operations/policies, tree planting, monthly walk-towork exercises, and sundry multiple stakeholder collaboration.

The excitement at the ‘Betters’ was so much that employees were already looking forward to the 2021 edition and what the prize would be for “Egbin’s Number One”.

Ultimately, the prize for Nigeria would be sustained power generation, and hopefully, as the transmission and distribution leg of the power value chain improve, uninterrupted, accessible and aͿordable power supply.

23

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 11, 2021

DEVELOPMENT

Avoiding Pitfalls in Negotiated Agreements Recent developments that have put Nigeria in a precarious situation, with billions of dollars lost to some unscrupulous foreign businessmen with the active connivance of criminal elements in Nigeria, has necessitated the importance of arming relevant government o΀cials, representing the country in international trade and contract agreements with requisite negotiating skills to avoid pitfalls, associated with a number of bogus foreign deals. Kunle Aderinokun reports

I

n 2010, P&ID entered a 20-year gas contract with Nigeria under the terms of building and operating a plant to reÀne natural gas into “lean gas” in Calabar, Cross River State. Gas was being Áared in the Niger Delta region of the country and the federal government thought it wise to have a company convert some of the wasted and poisonous gas into electricity in the face of Nigeria’s perennial power woes.

The contract also stated that the government would install the necessary pipelines and infrastructure and receive the lean gas free of charge to power Nigeria’s fragile national grid.

However, the contract was never executed and the contractor (P&ID) dragged the Nigerian government to court in 2012, alleging breach of contract.

In August of 2019, P&ID won its case against Nigeria. Initially awarded for $6.6billion, the contract sum later rose to $9.6bn due to accrued interest since 2013.

According to the New York Times, government o΀cials said the contract was signed while late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was critically ill and Goodluck Jonathan was Acting President.

However, former President Goodluck Jonathan had denied any knowledge of the contract.

Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said the contract had been signed with no clear terms and conditions and that it “was engineered to fail” and defraud the country.

The President Muhammadu Buhari Administration, which took over from the Jonathan government, said the contract was fraudulent from inception and those involved, including Nigerians who signed it, did so to defraud the country.

Nigeria has been entangled in legal suits in the last couple of years due to poorly negotiated contract agreements, which have resulted in illicit Ànancial Áows and loss of revenue for the country.

Although commercial agreements have aided development of nations, experts have also argued that poorly negotiated contract agreements are bane of economic growth and development. They lead to losses rather than anticipated economic development.

Worried by the lack of understanding of contract agreement negotiations by government o΀cials, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related OͿences Commission (ICPC) and Inter-Agency Committee for Stopping Illicit Financial Flows from Nigeria held a two-day physical and virtual capacity building for middle level negotiators drawn from the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government.

The training was to improve the terms of engagement and mitigate illicit Ànancial Áows by negotiators on behalf of the federal government.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, who addressed the negotiators on the Àrst-day of the training programme, expressed the hope that the capacity building would be the start of a structured regular programme of training for negotiators in the areas of investment, trade, environment, natural resources and taxation agreements.

He said, “I expect further down the line that negotiators of other similar agreements Ànancial, air services, shipping, Àshing rights and such like will also be included in the programme.

“Our objective must be to build a corps of crack negotiators and subject matter experts in international economic agreements and indeed to develop what should emerge as a national style of negotiations.”

Referencing instances of agreements that brought about undesirable outcomes for countries, the Vice President noted that the Simandou Iron Ore contract in Guinea, the Bilateral Investment Treaty in Pakistan, and

Vice President, Yemi Osibajo

the StrategicAlliance Contract in Nigeria, among others, point to the fact that “poorly negotiated contracts or framework agreements can lead to serious Ànancial losses for countries.”

He explained that, one of the most signiÀcant sources of economic loss for a country is the consequence of poorly negotiated agreements.

Osinbajo noted that “every negotiator must realize he or she is putting the entire nation’s economic prospects on the table every time they negotiate.

“My position is that depending on the size of some of these contracts, and their implications, external counsels who are subject matter experts, should be involved at all stages of the negotiations.”

In preparation for the Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP 26), the vice president urged that negotiators from Nigeria and other developing countries must be focused on issues of a ‘just transition’ to the net-zero emission target, including ensuring that gas projects continue to be funded by international Ànancial institutions.

According to him, “a topical issue in terms of negotiations is the preparation for the Climate Change Conference of Parties taking place in the United Kingdom towards the end of this year.

“I expect that the approach that will be taken as we count down to that event will be to compose an interdisciplinary team of experts and negotiators that can engage meaningfully in the talks.”

Osinbajo charged participants at the workshop to come up with new draft guidelines for negotiating contract agreements which should be submitted to the federal government for consideration.

He said, “There is need for this workshop to come up with new draft guidelines for negotiating contract agreements to be presented to the government for consideration. The guidelines will set out steps and processes for negotiating investment, trade and other contract agreements for Nigeria.”

Osinbajo attributed corruption, compromise

ICPC Chairman - Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye

and lack of transparency for poor contract negotiations and implementation in Nigeria, noting that these have resulted in huge loss of revenue through illicit Ànancial Áows from Nigeria.

“It is not just poor negotiation; poor monitoring and implementation of contract agreements have dire consequences for the country. Corruption, compromise and lack of transparency are key factors in poorly drafted contract agreements,” he stated.

He urged the participants at the capacity building to pay more attention to the dispute resolution clauses which, according to him, are often skewed against the country.

Osinbajo commended the Inter-Agency Committee for Stopping Illicit Financial Flows from Nigeria and the ICPC for organising the training programme for negotiators.

The Chairman of ICPC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, revealed that fresh draft guidelines for negotiating contract agreements will be prepared by the Inter-Agency Committee for Stopping Illicit Financial Flows from Nigeria and presented to the O΀ce of the Attorney General of the Federation and the Federal Government.

In his presentation at the capacity building titled “Guidelines for Negotiating International Agreements for Economic Development”, Owasanoye emphasised the need for the OfÀce of Attorney General to be the depository of all contract agreements signed by the country and ministries, departments and agencies of government.

According to him, “At the moment, there is no mandatory depository obligation of all major agreements by MDAs. The O΀ce of Attorney General of the Federation ought to be the o΀cial depository for all agreements.”

The ICPC boss called for the establishment of foreign agreements registry/oversight functions for the O΀ce of Attorney General of the Federation and the National Assembly, saying this will reduce problems of opacity of contract agreements.

He underscored the importance of negotiation of (commercial) agreements and economic development.

“Poorly negotiated/implemented agreements stultify development. More importantly they lead to losses rather than anticipated economic development. Therefore, there is a strong nexus between negotiation of agreements and attaining the aspiration to develop.

“The negotiation process is therefore important to development. Often times, negotiators mistakenly assume that beneÀcial agreements can be concluded mainly by diplomatic, political, compassionate, human rights or other non-legal considerations alone,” he added.

The Chairman of Inter-Agency Committee for Stopping Illicit Financial Flows from Nigeria, Dr. Adeyemi Dipeolu, identiÀed poorly negotiated and hidden contracts as one of the most identiÀable ways through which illicit Ànancial Áows happen.

He noted that the training was necessary to develop a crop of Nigerian o΀cials skilled in international negotiations in general and with specialisation in key thematic areas.

“This workshop is being organised to help the Nigerian negotiating o΀cials cope with international obligations. We want to develop core people who will make sure that agreements signed for the country and government do not lead to illicit Ànancial Áows,” he remarked.

OͿering practical tips for successful negotiations, Dipeolu accentuated the need for preparation through assembling a strong inter-disciplinary team, knowing negotiating objectives and obtaining a negotiating mandate.

He also advised the participants at the workshop to focus on dispute settlement matters during negotiation of contract agreements.

“It is very important that you pay close attention to the clauses on dispute settlement matters.

The agreements must comply with Nigeria’s legal requirements,” said Dipeolu, who is also the SpecialAdviser to the President on Economic Matters (O΀ce of the Vice President).

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 11, 2021

24

BUSINESS OUTSIDER

Marketing is Not a Guessing Game Tunji Adegbite

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s marketing ever a guessing game, and did companies get successful out of sheer luck?

A deceptively simple part of every business, marketing is in its simplest form all the activities targeted at converting individuals and/or businesses into customers and driving profit. Marketing involves the research, product development, promotion and pricing strategies required to position products and services in the marketplace and motivate target audiences to make a purchase.

Marketing is what distinguishes product A from B and is the secret sauce of successful businesses.

Whether your business has existed for years or just recently started, finding the most effective marketing strategies is critical small and large. From the market stalls in Idumota, Onitsha or Kano to the sleekest boardrooms, all businesses depend on marketing. While the market person might ring a physical bell in an attempt to sway passing customers, large corporations also ring bells using marketing materials. Marketing requires careful planning and strategy to ensure appeal to the intended target audience. The most successful marketing campaigns do not just happen - they are planned down an inch.

Marketing is not one size, one community fits all: once only a one-way conversation, marketing continues to evolve and be redefined to fit the current generation. The average consumer is now defined by personal characteristics and their ‘digital tribes’ in our increasingly hyperconnected world. Local context matters - the nuance of who and where, is essential in crafting a successful marketing campaign.

When Nike releases an advert, it deploys quality visual imagery and inspirational messaging to capturing audience attention in most western countries, yet that same method sparked outrage in Japan.

The future Ask any marketing or brand enthusiast, the most popular marketing theme is the 4P model – Product, Price, Promotion, and Place. However, this ubiquitous marketing formula has evolved and no longer obtains in its original form.

Product – focus is no longer on the actual product but the entire product ecosystem and content Price – focus is now on revenue models. The goal is to price the ecosystem and not just the product or service.

Promotion – focus is now on Engagement, to gain deep insights about customer motivation and behaviour, and not just about consumer and trade promos.

Place – focus is now on accessing customers and customer relationships everywhere as access has been democratised.

Here are some known tactics that have aided 21st Century marketing scene: Content Generation To focus and convert customers with precision, content-driven marketing addressing potential needs and concerns from the target audience is assured to bring in leads. More often than not, companies churn out content that is not focused on their respective target audience and runs, losing their attention. Research statistics indicate that content marketing costs 62% less than traditional marketing and generates three times as many leads. For example, content creation on TikTok, a social media application has generated buzz.

Age of Social Capital and Sustainable Marketing In the age of sustainable marketing, customers, especially Millennials and Gen Z, are significantly paying attention to brands that are well informed on the societal problems and issues in the world. This goes with personal commerce, where customers co-curate their experiences with brands to reflect their preferences over a given period.

In this instance, businesses are expected to serve and engage with what they believe in, which may range from traditional to liberal views. Brands build effective sustainability marketing when they speak the customer ’s language and have actions that solve a particular social problem.

For instance, Ghanaian skincare brand, Nokware, appeals to customers with its natural products and sustainable packaging.

Technology and Automation Less than two decades ago, businesses focused their marketing efforts on cold calls, billboards, newspapers, and tv adverts with stringent workflows and processes. However, now with the emergence of technology, there are multiple marketing and automation software helping companies to reach their goals and scale across multiple platforms with ease. It has inevitably made it effortless to respond to customers, take orders and maintain connections. To support content schedules and customer relationships, brands now have the power to schedule their posts ahead of time, automating initial inquiry responses on WhatsApp, Instagram, or email, etc. For instance, the Nigerian hair company, Natural Hair Wigs, uses an automated email workflow as one of its revenue-generating channels.

Social Media and Conversation Social media a great tool for sparking and building on conversations; it begins with content marketing and the right choice of social media platform to facilitate the exchange. People are innately social beings who crave connection and interaction. Social media has been that link enabling businesses to leverage personas and humanize their brands to their target audience. To humanize the brand is to act just like a friend to the consumer, one they are familiar with and find relatable.

Hence, instead of always selling on these platforms, the goal should be to build community by driving conversations with

current consumer trends, educating, showing behind-the-scenes moments using appealing images and videos, and setting the brand up in the consumer ’s mind as the preferred choice. We see a perfect example on platforms such as Twitter, where brands such as Cowry wise or Piggyvest leverage trends and share jokes with the consumers.

Community Engagement A community is a group of people connected by a single cause or attribute. Some elements link people together. A growth strategy as a marketer is to create a community around a business or a particular product. Community engagement builds loyalty as it feeds directly into the needs of the consumer.

The conversation is not a oneway street with the consumer as they are in tune with the happenings and works of the business.

For instance, Disney has a strong community within the entertainment industry.

All these strategies enable a business to reach customers more precisely and effectively. It answers the question of marketing not being a guessing game if the focus is right on the customer ecosystem and their needs.

$GHJELWH LV D WKRXJKW OHDGHU in Strategy and Supply Chain, who has worked with leading organisations like PwC and an IOC. He also founded Naspire, a business research platform using African business insights to help entrepreneurs and professionals succeed. He can be reached via tunji@naspire.com.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 11, 2021

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WOMEN ENTERPRENEURS

MARYGOLD ADIEME

Fakery is Not Synonymous to Jewelry Business Alone Marygold Ologun Adieme is the chief executive o΀cer of Marygold Global Concept, a jewelry business that started small, but has grown phenomenally. A holder of master’s degree in psychology from University of Lagos, Adieme started her career in the banking industry and after working for eight years, decided to set up Marygold Global Concept. In this Interview with Oyinlola Sale, Adieme reveals the prospects and challenges of jewelry business in Nigeria

A

fter eight years in the banking sector, you went ahead to establish Marygold Global Concept, now tell us the story behind it?

My going into business was by accident. I had to get into business when I could not get a ministry job because the banking job was tasking and with little or no time for my home, my husband suggested that I quit.

I was introduced into this jewelry business by a friend called Juliet. A childhood friend of mine who saw my potential that I will be a very good business woman Compare and contrast the jewelry business in Nigeria and abroad..

The jewelry business in Nigeria is not bad at all. Nigeria being a social country especially in the Yoruba setting.

I am one of the pioneers that brought costume jewelry business into limelight when the price of real gold sky rocketed.

and maintain our customers throughout the years that we have been in business.

Satisfying our clients has been our goal. We have maintained customer satisfaction and we also do after sale service. I go from one place to another in search of quality, unique and uncommon jewelries. Most of our jewelries are near to gold and most people don’t believe it’s not real gold, because we copy real gold. The only diͿerence is that it has no karat. In terms of durability, we are number one. Our customers can testify to it.

In this your business journey, was WKHUH D WLPH WKDW ZDV VR GLͿFXOW WKDW you felt like giving up?

There are times that I really thought of giving up. Most customers like to buy on credit. Sometimes your money will be tied down for a while because you are waiting for customers to pay up. We all know that credit kills business.

There are also times when customers are rude just because you remind them to pay up their debt. But what do I do? I just have to be patient. Being in business is not an easy task. We sometimes had to source for money somehow to restock before the monies outside will begin to come in.

Business in Nigeria is not really easy, the average Nigerian wants to buy on credit.

In fact they tend to patronise someone who agrees to sell on credit.

Especially products like mine. But when it comes to payment, that’s when the issue will start especially when they have no money.

However, the jewelry business, I must confess, is a very lucrative business. It has to do with a lot of dedication, time, taste and style.

What does it take to set up a jewelry business like Marygold Global Concept, is it capital intensive?

Jewelry business is capital intensive but you can start small like I did when I Àrst started.

In the Jewelry Industry, many entrepreneurs have complained about LQÀOWUDWLRQ RI IDNH SURGXFWV ZKDW FDQ be done to reduce it in the market?

There are so many fake products.

It’s not jewelry alone. Even in terms of clothes, bags to name a few. The only way to get going is to keep buying from a good source. Once you are sure of the source and where you can get real and genuine, stick with it.

You are very busy woman with responsibilities of managing your business and the home, so tell us about how a typical day starts for you?

I start my day with prayers. The beauty of being on your own as a business woman is that you have your time to yourself. You can plan your day and manage your time to your satisfaction.

Raising funds for a business is not easy, so how did you manage to ÀQDQFH WKLV EXVLQHVV LQ LWV HDUO\ GD\V" Financing the business in the early stage was not easy at all. I started with the little savings I had and my husband supported me as well. In addition to that I was getting stock from my customer and paying after sales. Yes Once your suppliers trust you and see that you are consistent, they give you stocks to sell above your money. I didn’t go into Loan at all.

Starting up a business comes with fear of uncertainty, so tell us what were some of your biggest fears, when

Adieme

you started this business?

In starting a new business, there is always fear of the unknown if will it work or not. Someone like me that was coming from the banking sector, it was a big challenge for me.

I was shy initially about what will people will think about me, as a banker now selling jewelries. I had no shop. I was going from salon to salon, o΀ce to o΀ce showcasing my jewelries. I had my junior sister with me then and she gave me the boost. Before you know it, I was making money.

Running a business in Nigeria is ÀOOHG ZLWK FKDOOHQJHV VR WHOO XV VRPH of the challenges you are encountering?

Well, there are challenges in every business. I have had issues with people owing and Ànding it di΀cult to pay.

Especially when we had a lot of clients in the banking sector and were laid oͿ their jobs. Many of them could not pay me and went away with my money. I

As an entrepreneur in Nigeria, in what way can the government make lost a lot of money then. There are some your business thrive?

Government can create an enabling customers who buy on credit and don’t environment for small scale business to pay up on the agreed time. It’s really grow, If they can provide good ameninot easy when you deal with women ties like light, good roads , Áexible loan especially in business. and also let money be in circulation. If It’s also a very vast business. When the standard of living is raised, people you talk about jewelry business, you are talking about: wrist watches, rings, will live well and also be able to want to look good. neck and ear sets, chains, bangles, acIn a country where food is expensive, cessories in general. Keeping track and it’s only those that have fed well that counting is always very di΀cult. Sales they can think of buying jewelries and representative will cheat, steal and acclothes to look good. countability is always not sure. Sometimes you feel like running mad when The journey in business can be dealing with these people. Especially quite unpredictable, but as an entrewhen you are not always in the shop.

Aside from sales reps, some customers preneur you must be visionary, so do shop lifting. All these are part of the where do you hope to see Marygold Global Concept in the next 5 years? problems one faces in business.

Marygold global concept has come Now, what makes Marygold Global a long way and we have also been known internationally. My plan is to Concept unique from other Jewelry and accessories brands out there in the open shops abroad, so that all over the world, Marygold will be a household market? name. Our slogan is “ Marygold: lookMarygold Global is unique in the ing good is our business”. sense that we have been able to keep

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

PERSPECTIVE Regulatory Guidelines For Cattle Ranching and Grazing Reserves in Nigeria Stephen Bello

without human assistance or human intervention. The size of a grazing reserve can vary from about one square lashes between farmers and herders kilometre, to about 25 square kilometres (ie 5Km by 5Km). in Nigeria has become a recurring Reserves normally have multiple tenants and are usually incidence and the rate seems to be in established by government. theincreaseinrecenttimes.Itappears Other provisions of the law must include the following: the word FORGIVENESS is not in the Effective date of the law, those responsible for enforcing the dictionary of both parties hence the almostviciouscycleofattacksandcoun- law, appropriate courts for tryingoffenders, what constitutes ter-attacks.Thispromptedthehistoric an offence and penalty for the offence, who has authority meeting of southern governors in Asaba recently. It is a to grant land for ranches (Governor or LGA Chairman), pointertothegravityoftheproblemandthedesperation tenure duration, tenure renewal, rights privileges of cattle byeverybodytofindapermanentandlastingsolutionto farmers, offences that may lead to land revocation, need theproblem.Thegovernorstookadecisiontobanopen to pay token land rent (amount in regulation), need for a grazing in their states, this is in tandem with an earlier secured fence for ranches, method of demarcating and Northern governors’declaration that open grazing has protecting grazing reserves, minimum distance between a outlived its usefulness.That is an indication of a de facto ranch and nearest human settlement, right of government consensus. However the federal government, accord- to inspect ranches and reserves etc. A department in the ing to the President’s aids, has preference for GRAZING Ministry of Agriculture or an independent parastatal that will RESERVES,eventhoughwedidnothearitfromthehorses’ register, monitor, regulate the ranches or grazing reserves. mouth.Well,whetheritisRANCHINGorgrazingreserve, Professional lawyers will know additional issues that should theimportantthingisthatbothpartieshavenowagreed be addressed by the law.

Enacting a law is the first step in the process, however, that this is the beginning of the end for open grazing in Nigeria.Thetwomethodscanco-existseamlesslyinthe laws should be supported with subsidiary regulations. countryanditisnowamatterofpreferencebyindividuals Regulations help to achieve two purposes; they help or groups. A state may even decide that both ranching to avoid misinterpretation and misapplication of parent andgrazingreservecanco-existsidebyside.AstheHausa laws enacted by parliament. Secondly, they contain and disseminate lighter conditions and rules which may require saying goes‘kowa da nasa, ai ba fada’.

Definitely, there is light at the end of the tunnel. If frequent changes. Today because of historical antecedents, this matter is finally resolved in the next few months, legacy issues and unpleasant precedence, most villagers Muhammadu Buhari will forever be remembered as the and rural land owners are reluctant to lease their land to President in whose time the problem of herders-farmers non-natives. Their fear is that the land may be turned into clash was finally resolved; just as Olusegun Obasanjo is a settlement and after two or three generations the settlers today being remembered as the president that gave may claim ownership of the land or appoint a king- bale, eze or sarki. In some cases they may even agitate for Nigerians telephones.

My main aim in this write up is to suggest the various their own local government area. Such cases have led legal instruments and regulatory provisions that should to serious communal clashes and a thorn in the flesh of be put in place in order to actualise this historic consensus National Boundary Commission. To avoid such fears, I am and agreement on how to resolve our common problem. recommending provisions in the subsidiary regulationand I have been involved in regulation for several years and I safeguards, that will pre-empt such developments and give the land-owner and communities assurance that they know the importance of these things.

Most countries in the world try to rear cattle in areas will not forfeit their land nor will the land be turned to an where it is most efficient to do so. I remember my geography illegal satellite village. Hence the regulation should contain lessons in Kufena College, Zaria in the 60’s, two of such the following provisions: 1. No residential building should be erected on a ranch places are the Prairies in the American Midwest and the Pampas of Argentina. America employs two methods of or grazing reserve. All employees of the ranch or reserve cattle breeding; an enclosed ranch in which the cows don’t should live in the surrounding villages or cities and transport move around but are supplied with special animal feeds themselves to the ranches when reporting for duty. Gate consisting mainly of maize and soya beans. In a recent houses and security post can however be built to provide documentary on DSTV I saw a ranch in the Kentucky State shelter for the security personnel in case of inclement in which 50,000 cows were kept in an enclosed area of weather. Government regulatory agency for ranching about 5 acres or so, real high density breeding.The method will have the right to demolish any structure that violates used in Texas is very different, because of availability of this condition and repeated breach of this condition will land and low population density, ranches there consist constitute a ground for revocation of land permit for the of open grasslands five kilometers in length. Cowboys on ranch or expulsion from the grazing reserve.

2. Structures erected as cattle sheds or milking areas can horses drive the cows in open fields where they feed on natural grass and no arable farming is allowed in such only have permanent wall that are not more than 1 meter areas. This method is also used in Argentina, Australia in height, that is in addition to the roof supporting pillars.

Such structures will be subject to approval by the regulatory and Scottish highlands in UK. My suggestion is that Nigeria should adopt both methods authority. Stores or cattle sheds made of temporary of cattle farming. Where land is scarce, enclosed ranches architectural material such as tents, canopy or prefab supplied with animal feeds should be used and where may be allowed subject to approval and on condition there is surplus land, open grazing with natural raw grass that they will not be turned into accommodation for can be used. This flexibility will enable a compromise to human beings.

3. All ranches must have a fence along their perimeter be achieved and also accommodate all shades of opinion and preferences. Where there is a will, there is always a way. strong enough to prevent cattle from breaking through Let us now look at the various legal and regulatory and straying into residential areas or surrounding farmlands. issues that should be addressed in order ensure successful Also all grazing reserves should be demarcated by an implementation of the compromise solutions proposed untarred road around its perimeter and planted with suitable vegetation that can stop cattle from straying above.

In his recent comment, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria outside the grazing reserve. An earth moat or a trench advised that all 36 State Houses of Assembly in the 36 can also be used for the demarcation. All roads crossing states must enact a law to back up the policy regarding the grazing reserve boundary must have manned security the phasing out of open grazing in their respective states. gates to check unauthorised exit by cows or unauthorised Thereafter they should specify the approved method of entry by cattle rustlers 4. A buffer zone of 50 meters round should separate cattle rearing that can be used either ranches or open grazing or both. Below are my suggestions on certain a ranch from the nearest residential area or farmland. The issues that must be addressed by these laws among others. perimeter road will act as buffer for grazing reserves.The Definition of terminologies: The Act must fully define all road must not be used as a public highway.

5 Prior to a land revocation order, the cattle rancher or major terminologies used in order to avoid ambiguities.

For example the words ranch and open grazing must be tenant in a grazing reserve must first be informed about well defined in order not to confuse the two. A ranch any breach of regulatory conditions and given opportunity is an enclosed cattle breeding industry in which the to remedy the breach. Failure to make changes after two animals don’t move around to source food and water reminders within a three-month interval, will lead to a for themselves, but are fed by human beings with specially revocation notice. This is to protect the investor against prepared animal feeds, or natural green grass or hay(dry arbitrary revocation orders as a result of political bias or grass). The size of a ranch can vary from one acre of land other frivolous reasons.

6 All land leases for cattle breeding must be supported to 3 or 4 acres. The maximum size of a ranch must be by a standard contract that guarantees protection for the specified in the Act. A grazing reserve is a cattle breeding industrial location in land owner and the cattle farmer alike. The above laws which the animals are allowed to move around and source should apply to both lease-hold and free-hold premises food and water for themselves from natural vegetation use for cattle farming.

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ECONOMIC/FINANCIAL ASPECTSOFCATTLEBREEDING Now that conditions for smooth acquisition of land for cattle farming is understood, we can now turn our attention to another critical success factor, which is finance. There is always a cost associated with every law or regulation that requires compliance. Therefore, those who make laws or draft regulations must put the cost of compliance into consideration when enacting laws. From an economic point of view, cattle farming is a world-wide multi-billion dollar industry. There are approximately 1.5 Billion cattle in the world, out of which about 12 million are in Nigeria according to Statista.com. In comparison there are 3 billion pigs and 6 billion chickens world wide. India with 305 million cows has the highest number of cows in the world, followed by Brazil, China, USA and Argentina in that order.

Five countries, New Zealand, Argentina, Australia, Brazil and Uraguay have more cattle than human beings. About 25 per cent of the grains produced in United States are used for feeding animals. Animal farms also occupy about 30 per cent of world agricultural land. A cow requires about 30 gallons of water to produce 1 (one) gallon of milk. A cow needs to eat at least 15 kilograms of grass in order to produce 1(one) kilo of meat. So a lot of resources are required for cattle breeding and these include land, food and water.

A cattle ranch or grazing reserve will require a borehole with stand-by generator or a water tanker to transport water from the nearest water source to the ranch or reserve. A water pipeline may be the best solution for a grazing reserve covering an area of say 10 square kilometres. The vicinity of lakes, dams or medium-size rivers are good locations for cattle farming in order to minimize cost of production.

Cattle ranchers will have to buy food for their animals or set up subsidiary grass-producing farms to supply food to their cattle. In Sudan, a large portion of which is desert, farmers grow a protein-rich grass called Alfa Alfa along the banks of River Nile and transport it to cattle ranches in other parts of the country.

Consequently, transition from open grazing to ranching or grazing reserves will involve an initially high capital outlay and a moderate increase in running cost. Thereare three major implications of these requirements: (1) Cattle farmers will need to raise finance to implement the new arrangement (2) They will need some time to raise funds, acquire land and put necessary infrastructures in place in order to comply with the ban on open grazing. A time frame of 6 months to 18 months might be required. However the time frame can be shortened to 3 to 6 months if Central Bank and state governments raise special intervention funds (single digit loans) to accelerate the process. Kano state has promised land to cattle farmers wishing to invest in the state. Other states can provide incentives to attract those who want to invest in cattle ranching as that will boost the economy of the state through employment creation and other direct economic benefits. Those with large herds can sell part of their cattle stock to raise fund for the infrastructure they require. The above factors must be put into consideration as the various houses of assembly begin to put the necessary laws in place to end open grazing in Nigeria (3) At the end of the transition, changes to the price of cattle or meat will be inevitable. In the immediate term, the price of cow or meat will increase, so consumers of meat must be ready to pay more for the meat they consume.

An average cow that costs 150,000 Naira today may rise to 180,000 or more because of the higher cost of inputs.

On the other hand, if ranching is well managed and efficiency increases in the cattle industry, the long term effect is that prices will fall below present rates. Nigeria can in the near future begin to export meat to other countries. Infact, Brazil exports 12 Billion dollars worth of meat to Russia every year. Nigeria can achieve the same feat in a few years.

In conclusion, it is clear that the economic benefits of ending open grazing in Nigeria far outweigh the extra cost to be incurred in setting up ranches and grazing reserves. The plan, if fully implemented, will increase crop farming 5 fold as more farmers will be able to go back to the farm without the fear of AK47. Also food prizes will drop to half or even one quarter of current prices as at June, 2021.

Apart from the lives of herders and farmers that will be saved since clashes between them will be eliminated. Cattle rustling will reduce drastically or even disappear altogether.

Also cattle farmers will benefit from increase in meat and milk production and higher income and wealth. Each State Government and Aso Rock should pursue their preferred solution to the overall benefits of the nation.

Long live Nigeria – StephenBellowasAg.EVCNigerianCommunications Commission..

How Crash Dieting Messes up Your Metabolism

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crash diet is typically a lowcalorie diet where you eat very restrictively for a short period of time.

They can be very tempting because of the promised quick fix for a long term problem with popular ones like the juice diet and military diet leaving you with an all or nothing approach to eating.

While these diets may help you lose a significant amount of weight in time for that wedding, vacation or photoshoot, the results are generally short-lived and can have a negative impact on your body.

When you cut your calories drastically and quickly, your body may respond by losing weight but most of these will be water weight.

Your brain is going to send your body the signal that you are starving, because your body’s number one priority is to keep you alive and as far as it’s concerned, you’re stuck on a deserted island eating way less calories than you need for your weight.

It responds by slowing down your metabolic rate. This process is called metabolic adaptation.

Depending on how much body fat you had when you started, it may take only days or weeks or even months for this metabolic slow down to happen but when it happens you are going to plateau because your body is desperately holding on to the fat that you have left for energy stores.

Scientist Kevin Hall carried out a study on contestants from The Biggest Loser Season 8 show.

This study documented the long-term weight loss results of contestants for over six years and found that 13 of the 14 contestants did regain most if not all of the weight that they lost on the show.

The rate at which their metabolic rate slowed was high, with nearly all the contestants having a slower metabolism at the end of the study than they did before the show because the method used was very extreme; significant calorie reductions from their previous intake and over exercising.

Yes, the only way to lose weight is to be in a calorie deficit but the more drastic you cut these calories, the more quickly your metabolism will decrease.

You’re better off with a slower progression.

Give yourself more time with realistic weight loss goals by: 1. Reducing alcohol intake 2. Reducing sugary and processed foods 3. Including more lean protein in your diet 4. Increasing dietary soluble fibre 5. Including some form of weight training in your exercise program. You can start with body weight or resistance bands workout. This will help with increasing your resting metabolic rate (energy you burn in a state of rest).

One of the most important ways to lose weight safely and maintain your metabolism while doing so is to make sure to have enough lean proteins in your diet. Proteins are the building blocks for muscles so if you lose weight by cutting your calories drastically without enough protein you don’t have the building blocks to keep your muscle mass. Thus you’ll lose fat but you’ll also be losing substantial amounts of muscle, slowing down your metabolic rate.

It is imperative that you build your calories back up slowly when you’re done with cutting and getting into more of a maintenance phase over the course of a couple of weeks, depending on how restrictive the diet you were on, because if you all of a sudden jump from 1200 calories a day to 2500 calories in the course of a couple of days, you’ll experience fat loss rebound, gaining all the weight you lost and most likely more ending up being worse off than you started.

–– Odunuga is a certified fitness trainer and is the founder of Easyfit, a brand that aims to simplify the obscurity that people have about fitness. You can follow @Easyfitng on instagram for fitness tips, motivation and healthy recipes and reach her at Easyfitng@gmail.com.

SUNDAY JULY 11, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 11, 2021

MARKET NEWS 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

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 08Jul-2021, unless otherwise stated.

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 156.46 158.02 -3.28% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 4.76% Nigeria International Debt Fund 320.39 320.39 -20.59% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 111.22 111.22 -0.78% 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 7.02% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.26 3.43 -3.95% info@anchoriaam.com 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 19.64 20.23 8.28% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 425.78 438.62 6.35% ARM Ethical Fund 38.19 39.34 13.29% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) N/A N/A N/A ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.96 0.97 -8.11% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.09% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 1.97 1.97 -16.16% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.07 2.11 -14.49% mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund N/A N/A N/A CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.85% Paramount Equity Fund 16.62 16.94 3.97% Women's Investment Fund 136.77 138.36 2.78% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.89% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 117.23 118.00 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 107.12 107.12 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 4.87% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.18 1.20 -1.48% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.36 1.36 -14.44% 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 3.11% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 3.21% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,146.68 1,159.58 -0.57% 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 1,385.31 1,385.31 11.10% FBN Balanced Fund 190.42 191.74 1.46% FBN Halal Fund 111.01 111.01 8.17% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.20% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Money Market Fund Legacy Debt Fund Legacy Equity Fund Legacy USD Bond Fund FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

125.97 157.50

125.97 3.52% 159.66 4.18% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com

Bid Price 1.00 3.95 1.59 1.18

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 4.30% 3.95 2.11% 1.62 4.06% 1.18 3.69% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price N/A N/A N/A

Offer Price N/A N/A N/A

Yield / T-Rtn N/A N/A N/A

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 7.14% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.88 2.95 1.01% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 151.17 151.45 -2.78% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.27 1.32 1.21% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.09 1.09 0.06% 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 1.41 1.43 3.47% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,152.70 1,152.70 4.32% 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 11.45 11.4992 9.34% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 7.89% 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 1.67 1.70 7.12% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.51 11.56 -5.16% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 3.80% PACAM Equity Fund 1.65 1.66 4.30% PACAM EuroBond Fund 111.41 113.07 1.34% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 131.37 133.68 4.23% 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 1.01 1.01 3.41% 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 3,262.16 3,294.15 1.53% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 231.11 231.11 2.78% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.21 1.23 3.39% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 303.80 303.80 3.10% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 220.55 223.82 1.05% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.49% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,300.27 10,446.22 -1.85% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.26 1.26 2.85% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 114.69 114.69 3.25% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 102.10 102.10 UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Wealth for Women Fund N/A N/A N/A United capital Sukuk Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 12.89 13.00 8.63% Zenith Ethical Fund 14.18 14.31 16.07% Zenith Income Fund 24.16 24.16 0.76% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.44%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

124.09 51.54

2.77% -1.64%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

13.21 126.19 99.41 17.97 18.42

13.31 129.22 101.52 18.07 18.52

-0.05% 4.90% 0.16%

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 MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

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

3.96 5.95 17.41 1.00 19.19 151.57

4.00 6.03 17.51 1.00 19.39 153.57

4.73% 4.55% 7.29% 4.79% -6.44% -30.82%

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.

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

11.7.2021

JEWEL OF THE DELTA: TRIUMPHS OF SHOLAYE JEREMI AT 43

Oil magnate Sholaye Jeremi’s story is a great lesson for self-starters everywhere because it debunks many prejudices and stereotypes that unfairly hold much back. He’s dispelled the idea that kids from very humble backgrounds somehow couldn’t hack it into high society— and that being from a humble background is somehow at odds with being an aristocrat. He has covered many grounds and has stories of conquests to line up at an age when many of his contemporaries are still struggling to find their feet. Contrary to what you might read, Jeremi is no overnight sensation. He achieved success the old-fashioned way: he earned it. He worked hard and stayed humble. He lives the right way; he plays the right way. His story tells you that if you show grit, discipline and integrity, you too can get an opportunity to overcome the odds, writes LANRE ALFRED. ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/funkola2000@gmail.com

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͯ​ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

COVER

What I Have Going For Me is the Determination to Succeed

Y

es, he would have been a good broadcaster because of his occidental drawl, but somehow, the gods’ windmills set a different path for him.

What, however, the media profession missed in him, he is giving to oil and gas. Sholaye Jeremi is hardly the type of billionaire whose affluence is clutched in baubles. His ascension to the billionaires’ club was no trick of fate. Neither was it a mirage mired in tufts of fleeting vanities and buzzwords. He is indeed worth every ounce of invincibility, and financial acclaim accorded him. Unlike many of his peers, his rise to eminence was as much a product of unrelenting will and his astounding ability to pirouette himself from obscurity to entrepreneurial acclaim by the bootstraps.

As far as business ideas and innovations are concerned, he turns nothing down except the collar of his shirt.

Jeremi clocked 43 last Monday.

There were no surprises that he did not roll out the drums in celebration as he is widely known as self-effacing. Many reckoned that despite there not being a birthday party, it must have been a day for the businessman to look back at his life of service and sacrifice and realise that every day deserves celebrations because of his trajectory and telling impact on humanity through his businesses.

At 43, Jeremi reminds us that we can all resist the excuses that guard us against giving love. Whatever power we have, whatever our wealth and attainments, we attain humaneness and immortality, perhaps, by lifting others up, especially those who are less privileged than we are. Little wonder he reached out to the underprivileged in the city with gifts and food on the day of his birthday.

Interestingly, however, like all great men with substance and self-worth, Sholaye Jeremi has evolved into a very savvy entrepreneur and acclaimed visionary, but none of that influences his estimation of his competence and self-worth as he affects a humble poise.

His unique lack of vanity inspires a lot of his contemporaries and underlings to consider that they could also conduct themselves humbly and unpretentiously. This rare attribute also excites cosy presumptions that he is the type of dude you can sit next to on a plane and start a conversation with on any issue, even if you are just meeting. This is not only impressive, but it’s also important.

Jeremi’s favourite chess piece is probably not the mighty queen but the humble pawn.

Perhaps because he knows that it can become anything when the pawn crosses to the other side, except the king, little wonder he treats his associates, friends and random acquaintances with the utmost regard. Inperson, he’s endearing; he carries himself with an assuredness that could be mistaken for pride yet he is unmistakably humble.

Jeremi parades a persona that is shorn of conceit. In fact, very few of Nigeria’s affluent can achieve every great feat in their youth, as he did, and remain quiet and self-effacing, like an avatar of the Himalayan thrust.

He attains great feats with unusual finesse and yet carries on with no false air of modesty.

While his peer is busy pushing status and their immense bulk in a desperate dash for socioeconomic and political acclaim, Jeremi affects tact and humility without ostentation or pretence.

The dark and handsome dude understands that regardless of your background, if you stick to your goals and vie, undaunted, against the odds, eventually you will attain success and ultimately become a better version of yourself.

Indeed, unlike most of his peers who are too busy poking their noses in the murky politics and intrigues of their respective states and even neighbouring territories, he simply focuses on his enterprise and applies himself to it conscientiously and with a towering sense of personal and professional business ethics.

Sources close to him revealed that he abhors the smudge and perils of cut-throat politics. This is why his businesses are never mired in dirt or fraudulence of any kind.

According to Jeremi, “Attaining the age of 43 means different things to different people; to me, it is that stage of human life when inventories are taken to engender improvements where necessary and giving thanks for God for his unflinching faithfulness to His promises. When I looked back and tried to take stock of what life has offered me, I could not but just praise God. Yes, I had my challenges

Jeremi

growing up, but it is to God’s credit that I am where I am today.” Also self-assured that he always does “what my heart desires. I am not in competition with anybody who is wealthier.

I only do things to satisfy my conscience. I don’t do things to impress people. I only do what is required of me. I don’t have any political ambition; I will never delve into politics. I’m not a politician. I’ve never aspired to be one. I have always believed that if you belong to a particular constituency, hold on tight to that. I believe that wherever I find myself today has been ordained by God”. I’m doing pretty well where I am now. If I intend to move to some other background, it may not work for me. Politics has never interested me. There many other ways through which one can contribute to humanity without participating in politics. I’m not one of those who like blowing one trumpet because whatever one does for charity is between one and God. I can tell you that I’m engaged in a lot of humanitarian services.”

Jeremi nurtures a robust interest in the humane. He was never brought up to savour bluster by finding pleasure in what is so commonly condemned neither was he given to pessimism at an early age. He chooses only to see the sunny spokes behind the darkest pall.

Left to him, a modern traveller could spend his time peacefully admiring the world’s picturesque scenes and the good among men instead of feeling mortified by the wild, grotesque inclinations of the world and the grind of mankind’s fledgling inhumanity. Thus he eschews impatience and quick-fix solutions to society’s fledgling problems. He does not turn a blind eye to the needy. Rather he pays good mind to their needs. In this respect, his generosity proclaims him.

Yes, Sholaye is indeed generous at heart.

He embarks on a humanitarian odyssey like a kind of poet and painter whose imagination is unclipped. He paints picturesque scenes in lives severely marred by squalor; he encrusts bleakness in shiny varnish and, as he is able, he seeks to mend small damaged lives here and there.”I have a lot of compassion in me to help people. As you grow and as God blesses you, the more you realize that your needs are actually very little. Far more of what you make actually goes out to other people because your needs and your life are too small to be the purpose of your life”.

Curiously, however, at the high-octane 60th birthday of the legendary actor Richard Mofe, Jeremi donated a whooping N20 million to support his new book, RMD, Portrait Of A Warri Boy. Described as one of the largest individual donations that night. Of course, those who have heard are shrieking in shock and surprise. Left to Jeremi, he would have donated as he is wont to without any noise.

His candid cadences, touch with just the

faintest whiff of reticence, amplifying his graceful modesty and ability to navigate the tricky slopes of toil, acclaim, and humane ethics - whether in the cut-throat world of commerce or social politics, he meanders the fiddly inclines with the grace of a saint.

Jeremi is the epitome of humility, which he described as the greatest lesson life has taught him. “I’m extremely humbled by the fact that everything I have actually acquired at this stage came to me through the blessings of God”.

What does money mean to Sholaye Jeremi?

“Money means nothing to me, you are only a custodian of money if you are rich, and you are only wealthy if you are able to touch people’s lives, people who are in need. I see money as a means to an end.” He succinctly puts. Many things may not be known about Jeremi, but one indisputable fact about this man is his penchant for exotic cars as he parades them in different classes and colours. To him, “Automobiles are manufactured for people to be driven, and I’m human. If I see anything I like and that I can afford it, I go for it.” Is there is any object of desire that Jeremi cannot afford? He went philosophical, “Well, I think human nature cannot stop wanting until we are dead. So, we are continually seeking everything. But I have the spirit of contentment. I don’t get myself bothered with inordinate ambitions.”

He must have some words for the aspiring youths who are in dire need of mentorship, “I always advise them that they cannot sleep and wake up millionaires. They must be focused, determined, and also have a fear of God. Fear of God in the sense that times are tough, but they should also look at themselves as a potential success. If you believe in whatever goals you set for yourself, you can achieve them. There is no two-way to it; you cannot go to steal. If you steal, you get caught, obviously. You have shortened your goals because you are going to be arrested and possibly put in jail. Look at some good values from people. Whoever your mentor or role model is, he also has certain qualities that you extract from such people. I never stole, and I would never steal. But what I have going for me is the determination to succeed. Honestly, I had my hard times, but one thing I never did was put myself in trouble.

I don’t like to be associated with bad things like “the police have held that guy. Look at the embarrassment he brought to his family or his friends”. I learnt to be contented with whatever little I have. So, in my personal capacity, I’m doing my bit, but all hands must be on deck to address the country’s unfortunate high level of employment. The standard of our education must be refashioned in such a way that an average graduate must not only be employable but also be driven by entrepreneurship. It is high time we paid greater attention to these issues.”

It is a popular saying that money can buy the best of things but not style. For Sholaye Jeremi, he comes naturally as a man of style and taste. He really is a picture-perfect fashion buff with his classy wristwatches, shoes, and suits, especially from Tom Ford. With cute looks garnished with inexhaustible megabucks, he is an endearing and pleasing sight to the female folks. How does he handle advances from some of the daring admirers? “One cannot do away with such things, but I know when to draw the lines. I don’t entertain them. I only listen, and if they delve into something that is not part of what we are discussing, I always politely cut them off”.

In pursuit of fortune and acclaim, Jeremi understood that a rolling stone gathers no moss, but it gets rid of the rough corners and takes on a lovely polish. Guided by this mindset, he established himself and carved his niche in the cutthroat world of entrepreneurship.

There is no gainsaying the world of business is like a dangerous coast riddled with storms. But despite its turbulent tides, Jeremi, like a sea-hardened sailor, navigates through the gales armed with stubborn resolve and unyielding spirit. Today, that relentless spirit has paid off. It has guided him through the bittersweet, cut-throat world of global commerce till he emerged unscathed and undaunted in spirit and resolve, like a champion.

Having seen the world change around people who were unprepared for its transformation, the dark-hued dude, at a very young age, pitched his flag in the tumultuous terrain and battle zone of global commerce. But while many of his rivals and contemporaries fixated on making money from the confusion characteristic of the business zone, he chose to help clarify the confusion and sanitize the terrain through an ethical and humane entrepreneurial culture.

Commerce is far too precious and fundamental to be left to the wiles and exploits of villainous characters; hence he believes that the doctrine of altruism and love must be preached as a counteraction to the doctrine of mercantilism cut-throat competition and greed that has overtime become the norm in business circuits. 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.

Interestingly, however, luxury excites Jeremi. It animates him hence his awareness as a connoisseur, enthusiast, and collector of luxury and grand designs. It is, therefore, a function of style and a taste for the grandeur that he ornaments his life and every aspect of his homestead to reflect his innate passion for the classy and rarefied. If universal rules could teach poise and panache, it would no longer be poise or panache. Every middling fellow with deep pockets or otherwise may adorn themselves with the twin traits of sophistication and elite breeding.

Nonetheless, there is no gainsaying he possesses admirable poise and panache; a man of venerable taste in fashion effortlessly depicts style as an outward and inward sign of grace and character. Jeremi has got the money habit and an enduring flair for the modish and timeless, in repute and proportion.

Unlike several billionaires of his ilk, he is neither tormented nor overwhelmed by his love for the classy and urbane. Such habit and love are practicable at a steep price, and he rises to the measure and monetary worth of his taste for high fashion and art.

Very few people perhaps are aware of his weakness for everything stunning and posh. He never dithers from acquiring the finest luxury money can buy, and as you read, his picturesque abode gives shelter to the most expensive automobile, interior, and exterior decor, to mention a few of his enviable acquisitions. His love of cars transcends the trope of obsession or ordinary fleeting fascination.

Add that to his love for branded and elite Italian and English couture, and you have a perfect portrait of a man at home and at peace with his inner grandeur. A cursory peep into his closet reveals an array of top designer brands and timepieces reflective of his taste for the finest luxury. Bespoke suits tailored by Italy and Savile Row’s best, complemented with classic male accessories, reveal a fine eye for detail and embodiment of class by the self-made billionaire. You may call him an Adonis or a dandy for his drop-dead dress sense and expensive taste in designer apparel, especially Tom Ford and Saville Row suits.

COVER 2 A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

11.7.2021

T

OLUWABUNMI AMAO THE NIGERIAN WOMAN PRESERVING CULTURE, HERITAGE AND HISTORY From presiding over her father’s conglomerate in Ibadan, where she excelled and forming her own furniture company where she dazzled households/royal palaces with her jaw-dropping architectural pieces, and her exceptional performances in the public sector as Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism to the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo, Oluwabunmi Ayobami Amao, the first daughter of Ibadan business magnate, Chief Bode Amao is gradually leaving her legacy and name on the sands of time. Currently, the Director-General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), Amao, tells Funke Olaode why she is passionate about preserving the culture, history and heritage of Nigeria.

he newly installed Queen Idia Mask in front of the sprawling old colonial building that once housed Lord Luggard Office on Broad Street, Lagos, is gradually becoming a work of art that illuminates the entire neighbourhood at night. The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) is known as one of those government agencies, but the narrative is changing as one of the most cherished archives where culture and monuments that define us as a people can be found.

Inside the edifice are artefacts, historical statues, photographs and momentous from the famous FESTAC ’77, where 59 countries from different continents were represented.

Hon. Oluwabunmi Amao, a woman with a Midas touch who has excelled both in the private and public sector, is in charge.

Since she came on board 11 months ago as CBAAC helmswoman, Amao’s ingenuity, craft, creativity, and brilliance are reflected in this federal government agency. Her experience as a seasoned businesswoman and her public exposure while serving as Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism to the late Governor of Oyo State, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, came in handy in piloting the affairs of this agency to an enviable position.

Looking regal in her forest green traditional attire, Amao has a solid footing, having been born by the Ibadan successful business mogul, Chief Bode Amao.

“I am the first daughter of Chief Bode Amao, the Asiwaju of Ibadan land. I was born in Kano. But when I was nine months, my grandmother took me to Ibadan. So I grew up with my grandmother in Ibadan.

She died when I was eight years old. So I had to go back to Kano to join my parents. But my stay in the North was short-lived because my parents later moved to Lagos.”

Born on March 4th, 1960, Amao began her educational pursuit at St. Peters Primary School, Aremo, Ibadan, after which she proceeded to Reagan Memorial Girls Primary School, Onike, Yaba, Lagos.

She finished her secondary education at Christ Apostolic Grammar School, IperuRemo, Ogun State. A well-educated and grounded woman, she moved to Halidon House School Stoke Poges, Surrey, England for her ‘A’ Level, after which she gained admission into Richmond College, Surrey, where she bagged a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Finance. That Amao is brilliant is an understatement. Her brilliance and academic prowess would later earn her a Master’s degree in Business Management and Finance at International University Europe, Sandiego, California. Prior to that, she had spent her summer schools at Syracuse University and California State University, Fullerton. After her sojourn in Europe and America, Amao returned to Nigeria and served her mandatory NYSC at the Ministry of Urban Planning and Land Matters, Lagos, in 1983.

Having a father with a deep pocket is good, but creating a niche through hard work is key in Amao’s career trajectory. Armed with degrees from reputable institutions abroad and with determination to succeed as a young girl climbing the ladder of success, she plunged herself into her father’s conglomerate. At the young age of 24 in 1984, she began her career as a Finance Manager of Joas Electrical Industries Limited a position she held until she was promoted to the position of Group Managing Director of JOAS Group of companies overseeing companies under JOAS Group such as Joas Electrical Industries Limited, Joas Trading, Joas Furniture Ltd, Bode Foam Industry Ltd and Atlantic carpet managing close to over

ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/funkola2000@gmail.com

56

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͯ​ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

COVER 2

Inside the World of CBAAC’s New Chief

2,000 people.

Then how was it like growing under the tutelage of a wealthy father? “My father is a disciplinarian. He will tell you that look. I came from a poor background.

All that I have achieved today is through my hard work. So you cannot now be gallivanting around that you are the daughter of Chief Bode Amao you have to work for yourself. This is my own money.”

Having gathered enough experience under a disciplined and successful father, after 10 years, Amao set out to become her own boss. She floated House of Furniture and Designs Ltd, an outfit in which outstanding crafts spread to the households of rich and royalty, palaces, government offices with jaw-dropping architectural masterpieces.

A very successful businesswoman and entrepreneur, Amao’s hard work, diligence and ability to turn things around positively haven’t gone unnoticed. In 2011, she was appointed Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism under the Senator Ajimobi led administration, a position she held for three years before being appointed as Special Adviser on Establishment and Training and later Trade and Investment in 2015.

Under her watch, Oyo Culture and Tourism sector experienced turn around winning awards. “Before my appointment, culture and tourism have never received any recognition. But before

Amao

I left the place, we brought in five awards during a festival competition held among 36 states. What actually gave us the award was the masquerade, the best dressed, which has never happened before. Because it is only Cross River, Rivers, and one other state that used to collect this award, it was when Chief Edem Duke was the minister.”

With desire to serve her people, Amao contested for the House of Representatives representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency in 2015. Her party APC still recognized her contributions, and she was appointed the DG of CBAAC on the 26th of August 2021.

On her assumption of office, something came to Amao’s mind. As somebody with vast experience in different capacities in various fields, she wanted to project the agency’s image to the front burner.

“The first thing I did was to read the act under which the agency was established. Former DGs of the agency were from the academic community, and CBAAC only resonates in the academic arena. We are the custodian of all the materials of the 59 Black and African countries; dancing, singing etc. And this came to the front burner during FESTAC 1977. CBAAC is an embodiment of everything you need to know about festivals or cultural activities. I read the act, and I decided to follow what it is written in that act. We did something recently, Day of African Child. Day of African Child is supposed to be during the time of

Soweto when the children decided to go on a rampage that they are not going to school (Apartheid). And to me, that had gone, even in Soweto now they are going to school. So I now used the opportunity to bring out African culture and food for children. The theme was ‘African Culture fit in For the Upbringing of African Child.’ It went so well that people were now calling us that they want us to start talking about it.

“We realised that most parents, especially the Yorubas, believe that if they don’t start their children with English, they won’t know how to speak English. So our culture, especially the Yoruba one, is eroding. The Hausa people up till now they train their children in Hausa. And those children, when they speak English, is flawless. The same thing with the Igbo people. So that is what we now did, even some people came to meet me and said they are guilty of it too. The point is that we must not allow our culture to be destroyed. So it was a successful occasion that it was well publicised.”

It has been 11 months since Amao became the DG. One can literarily say she hit the ground running with various innovations and activities to bring the agency to national and international recognitions. “Preparations are ongoing to celebrate FESTAC 77 at 45 next year. We met the African Union, and we are going to Ethiopia for it. We are doing it in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Culture and

Tourism. We have started writing to Embassies, and we have also written to UNESCO. It is going to be a big thing which will hold for three days in Abuja. We are going to involve not just the African countries in the African continent.

We are also going to engage the Western world for them to buy into what we are doing.

“And as a country, we will provide an avenue for reflections on what has happened in the past and also provide a platform for the assessment of the African unity, Africa arts and culture and how it integrates the country as a whole. So these are some of the programmes that we are going to do.

“Also, the international conference falls within the theme of the African Union. We are doing that in the Gambia. I don’t know if you are aware that the year 2021 has been declared by the Africa Union as the day for African Art Heritage and Culture. It is a year-long event, so we are going to plan our own differently.

So we will engage all the agencies responsible for the management of culture in Africa, some of which might be in Mali, Cameroon, Ghana, and the rest. You know we have organisations such as centre for other traditions. We are the ones hosting it sometime this year. We are also doing another lecture on how to create our products and market right from the local point of production to export.

Speaking further, she said, “We are going to call seasoned people in the fashion industry to tell us how they package their dresses and send them to the outside world. So people who are starting from the grassroots will benefit from the wealthy experience of people who are already rooted in what they do. These people have created a niche for themselves in marketing Nigeria’s creative products to the outside world.

I believe these cultural activities that we do and which the centre represents by virtue of the decree, is one of the important instruments for cultural diplomacy that is being employed by the country now in terms of image-making, in terms of reaching out to the diaspora.”

Amao, as a woman of substance and workaholic, is obvious in various leadership roles she has held both in private and public capacities. But she is still sceptical that women’s representation in both politics and the private sector is very low. “We are still advocating about that. I joined the 100 Women Lobby Group. I was then the South West coordinator. We are still advocating, and we are still talking, because there are many women out there that are really better than men. And you know, because the way women are created is unique, so we want to do a lot. We want to make an impact in the country. There is something about women that I cannot discuss because most of the women I am very close to that I relate with, for instance, Minister of Finance, Hajia Zainab Ahmed, is a workaholic. And there are other women out there. My big sister, who turned 70 recently, Erelu Olusola Obada, is my mentor any day.

Aunty Shola, too, doesn’t know how to sleep.

Once she is sleeping, she is shaking her legs that the husband will now have to steady it. And when we are going somewhere, she walks briskly, and we will be running after her. She has done so well that anybody that is close to her will know that God has created this woman specially.

“I remembered one day I was listening to the house of representative or the senate, and one got up and said please, I am begging you in the name of God, and in the name of Allah, don’t give women more than what you can give them they will take over from us. If you give them one mile, they will go five miles. That is the way they are. We must not do it. He was advocating that they should not give women space.

Some men know that if their wives take over something, they will now be like secondclass citizens. They don’t like it, and it is a natural thing, and it is a global thing. There are women out there who have done well and still doing marvellously well. What we need as a woman is a support and an enabling environment to blossom.”

As the interview came to a close, Amao reflected on her 11 months in office and what the future holds.

“I am here to make an impact. And with my supportive staff members, we are moving forward. The day is still young, but in the end, I want people to say that in my time, she changed the whole system to this and to that. There are nine agencies, and CBAAC is being placed on number eight while we should be on number one because we comprise everything. Now everybody has been calling me that we are making an impact because I use my art to see what and what could be done. I am not only for Nigeria but for the whole world, and everywhere there is the black race.”

SUNDAY JULY 11, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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GLITZ FOCUS

For Moghalu-Oguadinma, the Boy-child Matters Too A

By Vanessa Obioha

dvocacy for the girl-child is prevalent in many societies today. From education to protection, the girl-child, seen as a vulnerable member of society, is often at the forefront of advocacy. This is not entirely a bad thing as most girls have been victims of violence and privation, irrespective of the hue.

However, it exposes an imbalance in the way child issues are treated based on gender. A vulnerable girl-child is likely to get a quicker response compared to the boychild. The implication of this is that the boychild is neglected, and societies are flooded with boys who become irresponsible or susceptible to crimes.

Against this backdrop, Nkiru MoghaluOguadinma gathered stakeholders to launch the Boy-child Transformation Centre (BTC) recently in Ikoyi. It is an intervention platform that provides a positive, permanent shift in the quality of life of the boy-child. For the single mother of three boys, author and business strategist, the male child is not getting adequate attention in society.

“Evidence shows more women and girls have received attention and consideration as they are seen as more vulnerable to abuse, attacks and as well as less privileged. What this world order fails to grasp is the fact that the boy-child has the same or even worse challenges as the girls. A neglected boy-child generally grows up to be a bigger danger to society than the girl-child.”

She buttressed her points by providing statistics of prison admissions in Nigeria, which showed that the male gender commits the top 10 crimes for most prison admissions.

“Eighty per cent of suicide cases occur with men due to social pressure to be a man and be strong. The use of drugs and narcotics is 70 per cent more with boys than girls. And school dropout is gradually increasing with boys. The boy-child also offers various forms of abuse including rape, which is also sadly on the rise.”

Moghalu-Oguadinma’s advocacy for the boy-child stems from a desire to see responsible male children in society.

“I have three amazing boys that I’m raising and every day, I look at the world around us, and I’m worried. Worried about children that I’m seeing, and videos of what is going on within our society. I get worried about kidnapping, rape, cultism, banditry attack. These are people’s children that have suddenly turned into something else. I’m a mother, I’m very concerned in the first instance, and then as a human being as well.”

Her parents, she said, instilled core moral values in her, which has helped shape her narrative of life and thus prepare her for the role she is taking in transforming the boy-child in society.

“What is actually missing in all these talks about crimes in society is the aspect of mind shifts. Everything starts with the mind. And I’m saying, how can I also contribute my own quota, because again, if you’re saying you’re living a purposeful life, these are all the things that you need to think through.”

Her thoughts were echoed by former Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency,

Moghalu-Oguadinma

Dakuku Peterside, who deconstructed myths surrounding the male child preference in most African homes and called for better role models for the boy child in his keynote address.

The Senior Special Assistant on Education to the Lagos State Governor, Adetola Salau, emphasised the need for character development of the boy-child in the educational curriculum while also highlighting the importance of having the right mindset and working in harmony with both genders in society.

While Moghalu-Oguadinma’s utmost concern about the male child is for him to overcome peer pressure and do what is right, she is also pushing for the United Nations to make provisions for the boy-child in its policies and programmes. Already, an

International Day of the Boy Child is being observed around the world today every year on May 16.

The convener plans to have 100 children go through the BTC every year.

Her target audience is boys between the ages of five and 18 who will be groomed in the core values of personal identity, role model, integrity, mutual respect, empathy and self-worth by mentors and coaches.

“Let’s begin to nurture these ones appropriately, so they don’t end up on the streets just like others. It is easier to win over a child than to repair broken men. If we all contribute our own quota in this direction, we can help to salvage what we are seeing right now, within the society,” she noted.

The boys are grouped in different stages to address their needs adequately.

For instance, for boys aged five to 10, the focus will include developing identity and character; and understanding personal and cultural values.

Moghalu-Oguadinma will be working with foundations that focus on children, government parastatals, community schools, churches and corporate organisations. There are also plans to work with organisations around Nigeria to realise her vision to train a generation of boys driven by conscience, empathy and living a purposeful life.

“The most important thing we preach is conscience because when a child has conscience and empathy, he will not become violent or indulge in other vices,” she concluded.

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GLITZ PERSONALITY

Ugo Udezue: For the Love of Basketball and Fashion He’s been rich, broke, played basketball, and now runs a sportswear fashion brand, AFA Sports Apparel, among the global brands that will be outfitting a team at the Olympic Games in Japan this month. A former NBA agent, Ugo Udezue is telling the African story in a positive light through fashion and sports, writes Vanessa Obioha

O

f the two tall white buildings in the quiet street of Kafayat Abdulrazaq in Lekki, the AFA Sports Apparel building was more distinguished. Its iconic logo was emblazoned on it and if one looked closer, one would see the company’s name on one of the gate pillars.

Inside the white coloured building are a maze of offices and a showroom. The walls are also coloured white with some parts adorned with murals depicting the company’s vision and the slogan ‘This is Ours’. In one of the offices sat Ugo Udezue, a former National Basketball Association (NBA) agent and founder of the sportswear fashion line.

Metaphorically, he is as tall as the building, towering at almost seven feet. Even though he hasn’t played basketball actively for a long while due to a knee injury, his physique is as intimidating as one who is constantly on the basketball court.

One does not need a soothsayer to discern that he is the pilot of AFA. His business-like demeanour signalled that: he answers questions straightforwardly without blinking, though his voice is deep and gentle.

Occasionally, his lips break into a smile that eventually becomes a hearty laugh — a short bubbling sound — showing a playful and approachable side of him.

His office is also painted white. On its walls are paintings and a mood board where his ideas are articulated before translated into finished products. A cloth hanger stand displaying the latest collection of AFA sits idly on one side of the office.

If anyone had shown Udezue a picture of him today five years ago, he would probably laugh out loud, shrug them off as if they are on drugs. Why would he want to leave his dream job as a top NBA agent in America for an uncertain future in Nigeria? There was no plausible reason to take such a radical step. Alas! He did! And now, he campaigns to other Nigerians living abroad to make a similar move. In one of his Instagram posts early this year, he wrote about the big leap and encouraged others who are struggling to decide without buttering it.

“Even in despair, there are opportunities here. Good things don’t happen in times of prosperity, it is in despair. That’s when you make a change,” he said.Explaining his post further, he said, “Everything is not for everybody. Living in the U.S. creates some kind of comfort and stability in so many ways.

But for me, I started the business very early.

I’ve accomplished some of the goals I set. I’m also aware that the most important thing in life is the legacy you leave behind. It’s not about the money you make, or the people you meet, because all of that will pass.

“Legacy is more important to me. I have been in sports for most of my life. Once I saw this opportunity to make something different, it got me excited, and we wanted to build something special that would be around, that could feed families, create an entity that will be around years after we leave this earth. If you look at most major corporations in Nigeria today, after the people who found them are gone, the wealth and legacy dissipate, and their families have to start from scratch. Why don’t we have the Cadburys and Heinekens that outlive one generation? Most Nigerian businesses end in one generation.”

The zeal to make a legacy for himself made him shy away from his father’s production business. In fact, he admitted that he hates anything production because of the

hassles his late father went through. Part of his ambition may also be attributed to his state of origin, Anambra. An indigene of Nnewi, he is proud of the enterprising nature of his people.

“It’s in my blood,” he said confidently.

Being a ‘returnee’, navigating the Nigerian landscape could be hectic, but not for Udezue, who was teachable and discarded the superiority mentality usually donned by most returnees.

“I could learn from my driver or my cleaner.

So I learned quickly, I just watch, learn and adapt. That’s the key to my survival here. I don’t try to change the narrative. I don’t come here thinking like an American, you will fail. Once I get on that plane heading to Nigeria, I take off my American mindset and put on my Nigerian mindset,” he said, laughing heartily.

Udezue’s core objective when he returned was to start a basketball league in Nigeria. In a way, to build a basketball league that would rival the NBA. He started the African Basketball League with six teams in 2017 and rebranded it into the 10-team Continental Basketball League in six African countries. Through his efforts, the NBA Africa was born, and recently, he was appointed the chairman of the Anambra Basketball Association. A former basketball player, Udezue was part of the Nigerian junior national team in 1996. Of his siblings, he is the only one in the sports field.

“I come from a family where everyone is either a doctor or an engineer,” he said.

He got a scholarship to study in America and play basketball at Riverdale Baptist School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. There, he made a name for himself until a knee injury halted his advances. While the graduate of Communications is known for his contributions to basketball in Africa, he is becoming increasingly popular for his sportswear fashion line, AFA which stands for ‘Africa for Africa.’

AFA was born out of necessity to kit his basketball players. At first, he reached out to the popular sportswear brand Nike to produce kits that are suitable for Nigerians but was turned down. The rejection launched AFA. “At the beginning, it was just about creating something relevant,” he explained.

“We had no experience whatsoever in any kind of retail, inventory, warehouse. The only strengths we had were marketing and communication, so we have to learn very quickly. We didn’t know what would come out of it. We didn’t know the kind of investment to take. We just keep pushing day by day.”

Today, AFA is a leading sportswear brand in Nigeria. It joins other global brands that will outfit a team at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, later this month. It will be kitting Nigeria’s Women’s National Basketball Team, D’Tigress. It has collaborated with other basketball teams such as the Benin Basketball Federation and the Nigerian Volleyball team.

Looking back to almost four years ago when AFA Sports was birthed, Udezue clarified that the direction to make it a major fashion line evolved at some point.

“Our goal wasn’t just making money. It was to create a vehicle that was sustainable and could create jobs. Every time I travel, I see international brands like Nike and Coca Cola but you really don’t see any product that is from Africa. It evokes some kind of emotions in you when you see that. So our goal from day one was to create something beautiful and different.

Something that can give hope to people that this can be done here too.”

An avid reader, Udezue armed himself with a lot of books before he kicked off his fashion business. He read several books on fashion retail and branding, including a book on the history of

Udezue

Nike, and carried out a feasibility study.

“The first place I went was the Palms Shopping Mall in Lekki, and I sat in front of the Nike store for two days, spending five hours a day. I watched what people were buying and not buying. I noticed a lot of people were going to the food courts more than the stores,” he explained.

He would later go to the Trade Fair International Market along the Lagos/ Badagry expressway and visit the popular shoe market in Aba, Abia State, just to see how things are done organically. His next trip was to China, where he visited factories and shared his vision with the operators. Not until last year did he begin production in Nigeria.

Three months before the pandemic shut down the world, Udezue had the nagging thought to begin production in Nigeria. Again, he began studying the production process. He reached an agreement with his board members and kicked off production.

“Three months later, COVID hit.

Nobody could import. We were the only people that could supply. That’s when the brand became popular. Everyone that was in sports was at home working out.

If I didn’t do that, we would have gone under.”

He may not be an Elijah, but his prescient nature has helped him make the right decisions in business, and to an extent, nudged him back home. He revealed that the inspiration to create AFA — from the logo, the name to the direction — came to him in a dream.

“I didn’t see all these things because I was the smartest person or I foresaw COVID. Even the Olympics deal, I didn’t look for it. There is always something that connects everybody in this business.

I would be absolutely foolish to think there’s no bigger play here.”

Beyond sports, AFA is a popular brand among entertainers. Unlike other brands

that pay celebrities to market their products, Udezue found celebrities patronising AFA. “They are just passionate about our story.”He is currently working on a new collection Afrileisure.

“We are trying to turn traditional African wear into athleisure—something you can just wear to a club, meeting or gym and still look comfortable. We use colours that are rich but minimalistic. We want to have our own concept of athleisure.”

The collection includes a kaftan-like athleisure outfit and funky, traditional caps.

Sometimes, it amazes Udezue how one gets to a certain age and discovers new talents. He’s been rich, broke, played basketball, and now runs a Pan-African fashion line. Yet, in all of these, he is modest, refusing to take the crown for all the hard work.

“I’m just the pilot. This vision has never been about Ugo Udezue. I see AFA in five years becoming a vehicle that tells a story through its products—telling the African story the right way—conveying messages of togetherness and that things can be done. We are not just married to one country in Africa. We want to tell our story in a very positive light, where every country in Africa wears AFA and lives are impacted. We want to make AFA a vehicle of African empowerment.”

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HighLife Which Way, Lai Mohammed?

Mohammed

Adversaries within and enemies without—this is the knot that Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, is facing. After showing himself to be a bulwark, particularly in the Buhari-led administration, cracks are beginning to emerge in the minister’s foundations, cracks that are forming from within.

Kwara APC is currently undergoing a shift in leadership with Lai Mohammed and Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq contending to emerge on top of the situation.

Whereas the governor has many supporters, including Kwara senators, the minister has only himself to count on.

While there might have been altercations here and there, this is the first time Lai Mohammed is going all out to reclaim the APC chairmanship in Kwara from Governor Abdulrazaq.

From the minister’s point of view, this is the natural course of action in the face of what he considers betrayal by the governor.

The crack in the wall became apparent when Minister Mohammed claimed that he, along with some friends and associates, had single-handedly funded the elections that won Governor Abdulrazaq his gubernatorial position, as well as that of the lawmakers.

Consequently, as the information minister concluded the matter, APC had entered ‘one chance’ by having Abdulrazaq as governor. Unfortunately, these remarks did not sit well with some Kwara lawmakers.

According to reports, Senators Ibrahim Oloriegbe (from Kwara Central), Lola Ashiru (from Kwara South) and Umar Sadiq (from Kwara North) were the first to decry Minister Mohammed’s opinions, noting that the APC funded the 2019 elections under the judicious supervision of the governor.

They also reportedly expressed their support for the governor, stating that he is the true APC chief in Kwara, not the minister.

While the 69-year-old man is losing grip of APC in Kwara, PDP members have used this opportunity to punch holes in Lai Mohammed’s armour. They described the minister’s ‘one chance’ comment as the perfect summary of the APC-led administration. By so doing, the PDP used the gap in his heft in Kwara to cut down the APC. In other words, things are not looking good for the minister.

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

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

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Ex-First Bank MD Bisi Onasanya Making Waves with Address Homes It was Countee Cullen that wrote these revolutionary words: “Some are teethed on a silver spoon with the stars hung up for a rattle. I cut my teeth like a black raccoon for implements of battle.” This is Cullen describing how former First Bank MD Bisi Onasanya ended up on the path of good money, breaking the law of entropy by raising his wealth a few metres after six years away from the First Bank apex position.

Where do MDs go when they retire? Bisi Onasanya was one of those that necessitated this question when he retired from the position of Group MD and CEO of First Bank in 2015.

Onasanya had been a regular at the bank for more than two decades and spent the last six years as the number one man. And so he left and news bearers reported that he had decided to settle on the docks of Real Estate.

From the latest reports coming in, Bisi Onasanya has begun to let a bit of his deep pocketedness leak out. Folks have reported seeing some of the finest, most expensive, and jaw-wrenching vehicles in the garage of his Banana Island mansion. By all accounts,

Onasanya’s venture in real estate is yielding sumptuous fruits.

Onasanya’s company, Address Homes Limited, has been hailed as one of the more successful property development outfits in recent times. What is incredible about the company is not that it can manage some of the best locations and properties on Banana Island in Ikoyi, Lagos, but also that it is Bisi Onasanya, a retired banker, that is the brains behind it. Doesn’t this suggest that Onasanya is as much a super realtor as he was a super banker?

Regardless, Onasanya’s wealth is gradually approaching the calibre of conglomerate CEOs in Nigeria. Before anyone knows it, this man with an Ijebu pedigree might just overtake some of the big names on the Nigerian (and even African) lists of funds and fortune.

Then again, who doesn’t know that Bisi Onasanya is a meticulous planner? If his meritorious stay in First Bank is not enough indication, surely his Address Homes Limited is enough proof.

Onasanya

Timi Alaibe: I Don’t Know Brenda Ataga

Alaibe

Timi Alaibe, former MD of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has reiterated that he knows nothing about Brenda Ataga, the widow of the late Michael Usifo Ataga, founder and CEO of Super TV. This is not surprising considering the coverage that the ill-contrived story enjoyed in the past two weeks.

The narrative started with a blogger who— without evidence—dramatically cast Timi Alaibe as the villain in Ataga’s family matters.

Said blogger reported that Alaibe was courting Brenda Ataga and that the latter was wellknown in Alaibe’s circle as his ‘official mistress’.

Deliberately or otherwise, the blogger cast aspersions on the markedly spotless reputation of Alaibe and dragged him out for denunciation.

Alaibe’s swift and strong rebuttal shutdown any doubt that may have been created by the insane fabrication: “My initial reaction was to ignore this nonsense. But in the past 24 hours, I have been bombarded with telephone calls and messages from friends within and outside the country. Why? In the early hours of Saturday night, someone had sent me an anonymous, demonic-sounding social media post linking me with the wife of Michael Usifo Ataga, the late chief executive officer of Super TV.“The insane, unknown writer of the unthinkable falsehood stated that Ataga’s wife left the husband to be my mistress; and that the late Ataga had physically confronted me; and that the woman is a household name among my friends. The writer added that the woman is also my “official mistress” in “social circle and class.” He went ahead to state that I already have a child from the woman whose DNA matches mine.“I do not understand why a human being with blood in his veins would sit down and conceive such

destructive lies just to rubbish not only my person, but to smear the integrity of the woman in question. Up till this moment, I do not know the woman called Mrs. Brenda Ataga; not to talk of having any relationship with her. I wonder why the husband to someone I have never met would confront me about his wife; or how a woman I do not even know would have a child for me! This is utter rubbish because I have never had any business with this woman or the late husband at whatever level. That is the truth as God knows it.

“I am warning whoever is behind this devildriven, destructive agenda to stop it. Don’t ever think you are hidden. God is watching you. Circulating ruinous falsehood in the social media about innocent persons just to rope them into a crime or dent their image will do you no good. I challenge the person behind this tarbrush to make public any verifiable evidence to corroborate this falsehood. My conscience is clear.”

However, THISDAY Newspaper also reported the story, attempting to convey that something mischievous was currently underway and possibly creeping towards tarnishing the good name of the former NDDC MD. Unfortunately, the attempt was unsuccessful since the narrative was reported in a tone that comes across as equally vilifying.

Movers and Shakers of Society Plan Superb 75th Birthday for Cardinal James Odunmbaku A well-placed man is often a well-liked man. Since Dr James Omolaja Odunmbaku began publicly labouring for the well-being of Lagosians and the prosperity of Lagos State, folks have found one way or another to eulogise him. But those that know that Cardinal Odunmbaku has been in the thick of things long before the Fourth Republic hail him as one of the most prestigious political figures in the country. As the man prepares to clock 75, the top shots of the Nigerian society are already holding meetings to see his name written across the sky.

August 3, 2021, is going to be one of those days in Lagos history where ink pots dry out.

Why is this? Because words will fail to capture the rattling that the city will experience in the name of Dr James Omolaja Odunmbaku’s 75th Birthday. If reports are to be believed, certain super political figures will be leaving their self-imposed seclusion ahead of the 2023 presidential election to pay homage to the clergyman who reigns supreme in political circles.

Nicknamed Baba Eto, Dr Odunmbaku is one of the strongmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly in Lagos State.

A close friend and colleague of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, legend states that the clergyman was already in the thick of political things as far back as the 1993 presidential election. In fact, his nickname, Baba Eto, is said to have been bequeathed by the late MKO Abiola himself when he appointed Odunmbaku as a special adviser on grassroots mobilisation.

But the Odunmbaku political conquests are not only in the far past. Those in the know recognise him as one of the main power brokers in Lagos. He, it is reported, held the hands of former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and then the latter rose to gubernatorial heights. Odunmbaku reportedly anointed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during Ambode’s tenure, declaring him as the successor. Only those who knew Odunmbaku’s abilities believed him. Who is on the Lagos State governorship seat now?

So, it is not altogether surprising that Lagos city will play host to the movers and shakers of Nigeria as they arrive to pay homage to Cardinal Odunmbaku on his 75th birthday. He deserves the accolades.

Odunmbaku

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HIGHLIFE

Florence Ajimobi for Senate?

Ajimobi

One of the many ways by which modern democracy is different from the heritage-style system of African government is that lines of succession bear little resemblance to blood relationships. This is both a positive

and a negative, depending on the kind of leader leaving office. How does this play to the favour of Madam Florence Ajimobi? Will the senatorial robe fit her as well as it did her late husband? Oh yes, says the latest rumours from Oyo. Since former Governor Abiola Ajimobi passed on, rumour mongers have found one way or another to drag his wife onto public eyes.

Whether the intentions are pure or otherwise is still a matter of debate at this point, but the possible results of these endeavours leave one pondering.

Certain political figures in Oyo are reportedly pushing Florence Ajimobi towards Senatorial politics.

According to those in the know, these figures are playing to the emotions of those still fiercely loyal to the late governor and asking that his widow take his place as Oyo South senator, possibly at the end of the tenure of the present senator, Mohammed Kola Balogun.

The reports also have it that the political figures intend to have Florence Ajimobi continuing where her late husband stopped. Anyone with a bit of sense would understand that if this report is true, then these folks intend to cast Madam Florence as Senator Abiola Ajimobi. Returned, someone who can sneeze and the rest of Abiola’s All Progressives Congress (APC) rattles with vibrations.

Then again, some folks have expressed extreme dissatisfaction with the kinds of rumours that Nigerians can cook up. This particular one, they say, is too ridiculous. After all, Madam Florence is not a native of Oyo, not to mention Oyo South Senatorial District. But then again, the Nigerian Constitution sorts of allows it. Even so, does the APC? Do the people?

Assuming that the rumour is true and Madam Ajimobi accepts the prodding, this will be history. If the rumours are just that, rumours, well, that’s just another day in Nigeria, isn’t it?

Gbenga Elegbeleye Becomes Rallying Point in Ondo Great men are always relevant men and vice versa. This is a construction of Lord Acton’s famous words, but it is no less true. A few notable characters in Nigerian politics have proved this, the most recent being Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye, former directorgeneral of the National Sports Commission.

It might surprise many that Gbenga Elegbeleye is still very active in Ondo politics in the present. While some of his peers have decided to take up regular vacations at choice locations elsewhere in the world, Elegbeleye has maintained his decision to stay in Ondo, serving his people in the best way he knows how—politics.

From a national perspective, Elegbeleye’s best contributions came during his time as National Sports Commission DG (2013 to 2015). The achievements of Nigerians during this period are clear to all. Nevertheless, his folks back in Ondo State have never forgotten that he started from Akoko North East as its youngest chairman and that his legacies in that role are still

Elegbeleye

celebrated today.

Indeed, Gbenga Elegbeleye’s historical profile sets him up as tailored for politics. Born in Ikare, Akoko North East area, Elegbeleye spent his formative years in Ondo until 1983 when he had

to secure a Bachelor of Arts degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Afterwards, Elegebeye earned his Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Ado-Ekiti and has been in public office ever since.

As the chairman of Akoko North East LGA, Ondo Waste Management Authority, House of Reps member for Akoko North East/North West Federal Constituency, member of the Ministerial Committee on the Reform of Football Administration in Nigeria, and DG of National Sports Commission, Elegebeye has been nothing less than effective and exemplary.

And yet, after so long, the man has refused to leave his people to the inexperienced and dishonest.

Thus, Elegebeye has remained in the thick of things since leaving the sports commission in 2015. He is still a very influential, well-connected, and wellliked character in his constituency and state.

Glad Tidings! As Timipre Sylvia Celebrates Another Beautiful Year In a turn of events, the kind that is rarely seen in Nigerian political space, the elite and grassroots alike have taken to celebrating with loud cheers the 57th birthday of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Marlin Sylva. A man who has won the hearts of his people, Sylva’s birthday is one of the few days in any year that even political rivals agree on something.

This year’s celebrations are no different. Folks have already begun to send their goodwill messages to the former Bayelsa governor, Timipre Sylva. All of a sudden, folks are making it a point of duty to chant “For he’s a jolly good fellow” in the most sonorous of melodies. For those who follow political matters less resolutely, Timipre Sylva has been in the centre of national administration since 2004.

During this time, the Bayelsan was the special assistant to the Minister of State

for Petroleum Resources. In 2007, Sylva succeeded Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (who went on to be President) as the governor of Bayelsa. Unsurprisingly, Sylva’s ascension to gubernatorial heights was met with opposition on many fronts, but that did not deter him.

Sylva’s persistent spirit and candidness have endeared him to many people. Thus, it was not surprising that President Buhari appointed him petroleum minister and met little resistance.

So good is Timipre Sylva with the majority of power brokers in the country that the South-South Emerging Leaders’ Forum (SELF) has reportedly noted that it is to Sylva’s credit that the long-awaited Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) (which is targeted at transforming everything related to petroleum resources in the country to sustainable exponents of economic growth and development) was passed by the

Sylvia

National Assembly.

This is evidenced by the fact that the passing of the bill came a few days before the minister’s birthday as if to cement his exploits in the Ministry. Indeed, what better way to measure one’s worth than the accolades from friends and rivals?

Okonkwo

Who’s After Nnamdi Okonkwo?

The tree might wish for peace, the ancient Chinese people said, but the wind is not likely to let her have it. This fits the recent Nnamdi Okonkwo situation almost perfectly.

After what seems like a long vacation for the celebrated former Fidelity Bank MD/CEO, troublemakers have featured him in a new rumour. But this is not the usual laugh-it-off scandal, but the kind that can extinguish a legacy.

Only the most pessimistic of minds could have imagined it, but it happened: Nnamdi Okonkwo was alleged to have become the subject of a deepening probe authorised by the Board of Directors of Fidelity Bank. The rumour further noted that the probe was proceeding rather well and could get the former MD behind bars if he is unable to get a good lawyer to represent him in court.

Of course, anyone that knows the depth of Okonkwo’s loyalty to Fidelity Bank would have eventually found the rumours a bit too fantastic, even at these excitable times. It would be those who know little of Okonkwo’s exploits, his devotion, and long-standing contributions to the growth and development of the bank that might spend a moment or two pondering the details of the allegation.

Nevertheless, the current management of Fidelity Bank has responded in the strictest way possible to the rumours. In very clear terms, the press release stated that the allegation is “entirely false, malicious and should be discountenanced.” What is a better defence than this?

Moreover, not too long ago, it was again rumoured that Okonkwo would join the gubernatorial race in Anambra State, flying the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) flag. How that narrative came to be is beyond logic and fact. So maybe this gist about a probe is from the same source. But why?

Who is intent on fiddling with the public image of Nnamdi Okonkwo? Who is after a man so well thought of?

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LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

Igbo Marginalisation – Myth or Reality?

You know, say I don’t know how to mind my business. Igbo people have been crying marginalization. I am not Igbo, and the only link to Igbo is the woman wey born for me and even that one sef, is half-Edo. That is how I went to write an article and publish in Ripples taking a firm stance against their position. Come and see abuse.

These people abuse me o especially two Igbo boys. Nothing they didn’t call me in this life. Kai, the thing pain me o and is still paining me. What did I say o? I only said this their complaint that everybody is complaining the same in this country o. That you can only be marginalised if you say you are and that Igbo people must understand how to engage in the power play and that it is all about building alliances through concrete negotiations and compromises.

I ended up by saying that Igbo have

got very strategic appointments and held high positions, including the number two position in both civilian and military administrations. Mbok, what exactly did I say wrong that these boys come finish me like this? You see why Lai ban Twitter.

The abuse was too much. I swear if I had power, I would have proscribed that Ripples online platform. Even as I write, the thing is paining me. Let me quote one of them: “People should not take the fool writing this junk seriously because looking at his face alone will tell you everything you need to know about him and a very corrupt and hungry, lazy attention seeker.” Me, me o, this boy finish like this. If you see the way this thing is paining me, you will not imagine.

I swear if I catch this boy, even if he turn to cat, I will wring his neck. He no even look at the issues in the very powerful article na to call me ugly and lazy. Please

shebi they have ban twitter when will they extend it to blog o?

This boy has yabbed me finish. He has finished me o. Mbok, from now onwards, I no put my mouth again, if Igbo people want to go they can go o. It is not my problem again abeg. Mbok, me, lazy attention seeker, me, a whole Duke of Shomolu, Elder of the Present Truth Ministry and only one who can cheat on Duchess and live to tell the story na him this boy finish like this?

Sad thing is that it is not only him o. The comments reach 15. I come dey beg the Editor big-headed Sam to pull down the comments he know answer me o. Please Igbo nation listen carefully.

I am no longer interested in your matter.

Anything you want to do, please do, just leave Cossy Orjiakor, Genevieve Nnaji and one or two other beauties when you are leaving. Mbok, I tire. See abuse.

TOKYO OLYMPICS – COLOSSAL WASTE OF TIME I used to wonder why we used to waste our time and be going for these huge international tournaments when our sports people used to just go for sightseeing and tourism.

The economic situation in this country now cannot handle this jamboree in the name of sports. It’s even more concerning now that the issue of COVID is prevalent. Somehow somehow, God has let this one pass over us.

Be like say someone carry a giant red mark and surround the whole of Nigeria the way they did it in the Bible to the Children of Israel such that when the plague came, he pass them over.

This Covid thing just could not take firm root here and now we now want to go and look for trouble by sending people who will just go there and carry last in everything and possibly bring delta variant here to come and kill us.

They say the first batch has gone and na rowing—rowing o. My people rowing, apart from the fishermen I used to see in Ilaje for Bariga, I have not heard or seen Nigerians show any sign of interest in that thing that is what we are sending people that we should have sent to farms to go and do in Tokyo where they have declared a state of emergency cos of Covid. At times, I used to sha wonder if it is cotton wool that is in the head of our leaders and decision makers.

Come and slap me here if we win one medal in this jamboree. In fact, if we win one I will go celibate for one day and you know what that means. One day I will go celibate if we win one medal. Waste of time.

ABUBAKAR MALAMI – A DISGRACE? Still on this matter of abuse and insults: we have read that one Nigerian in the diaspora who has managed to become something up there has just called our greatest justice minister ever a disgrace to the rule of law.

My position here is not whether the man deserves this new title or not. Please, don’t ask me any mumu questions. Last I checked, I don’t know how to change to a cat. The point is that this man has yabbed our Oga and I am happy our Oga has given back. You see me, I am not one for turning the other cheek when I am stoned. I will stone back o.

In fact, if you throw one I will throw five. Malami should not just end with that statement where he has called the man eccentric and weird in response. He should pull his village into the matter, his housemaid and his cat. He should go all out.

If he cannot do it well, he should come and recruit me because that statement he released is tepid and not up to the standard required.

I am an expert in this kind roforofo. Go and ask Osa when he call me mumu on Duke summit. I abuse him o. He almost start to cry. I describe his big head, skinny legs, and the fact that he lost an election in Magodo to abuse him. He send people to come and beg.

I abuse him for three days non-stop.

While we are still abusing, we must also forget the things that led to the abuse o.

That is how abuse dey sweet na, no logic, no sense, just emotive salvos that go at the personalities and not addressing the issues.

Issues like were any international laws contravened in this move, is it true that the Kenyan government has denied any involvement amongst others and if so, what are the true implications to the rule of law and international conventions protecting human rights and all that big English.

Let’s forget that one first, doesn’t matter.

The most important thing now is how to get this Nigerian-Canadian’s nude picture and release on Twitter even though we here in Nigeria will not see it, our cousins in the diaspora will see it. So that he will shut up.

How can he call our Oga disgrace? It is his buttocks that are a disgrace.

Secondus Malami

UCHE SECONDUS – KINDLY RESIGN This is not something anybody should be telling this bobo. The way his people are crossing over like a distressed bank suffering from a run should make him begin to consider leaving. It is not until they tell him before he will start packing.

The man is presiding over a sinking boat.

A boat bereft of any ideology or strategy to pull back the emigration.

I have met him before. I met him in Abuja and I will not say with whom or where before he come slap me. The truth is that he did not strike me as a gentleman of depth. I didn’t see the charisma to lead a serious opposition against a sitting and very aggressive government. This was just a jolly good fellow who was swigging the very best of wine and just having fun.

Look, Nigeria needs credible opposition.

Not the Sowore type but a strong platform like the PDP with the reach and sagacity to give the APC a fight for the betterment of democracy. So presiding over a boat that everybody is bailing out is not my idea of credible opposition. You will need to step out let’s see if we can get a much more rounded leadership or better still, you too can decamp, nothing else will surprise me in this Nigeria.

Anything can happen after all Ojukwu wrote a book about Bianca when the whole world was waiting for his own side of the civil war story. So your

Akpabio

Obiozor

decampment to APC or even NYSC will not be new. Please just go so that PDP can clear its eye. We do not want an unopposed president in 2023. We need a president who will suffer to get there to know not to take us for granted.

GODSWILL AKPABIO AND NDDC’S UNCOMMON CRISIS If you understand the politics of the South-South, especially as it concerns the NDDC, you will understand why this appointment of mercurial Godswill Akpabio as Minister of Niger Delta could be seen as a perfect definition of a square peg in no hole. The Commission was ostensibly set up to intervene in the socio-economic development of the region.

It was set up as a result of very serious agitation for development in the region.

But ever since, na all sorts of journeymen have been running the place, turning it into a cesspool of corruption and avarice.

So in trying to clean it up, it is not a huge politician as this one that should even be involved.

Mr Akpabio is ‘interested’. Still variedly ambitious, still engaged in the divisive politics of the region, there is no way this would not be turned into a veritable war chest in a Hobbesian quest for a return to relevance.

We need at the NDDC a detached and very experienced technocrat or professional with a very strong understanding of the socioeconomic terrain.

We never get it. When we miss it at the position of leadership, we will be shouting marginalization, Fulani, Buhari and finally, we will end with a stupid cry of separation as

Abubakar

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LOUD WHISPERS if when we finally separate, we will not carry all these uncommon leaders with us. Let’s get serious, please.

RMD’S WONDROUS BIRTHDAY PARTY I had prepared for this party since o. I had warned my brother Mudi that I must get the invite o. I know that one will be fearing now, since I went to Azuka’s party and wrote a piece on how the waitresses were looking finer than the female guests because of over make-up and defective plastic surgery.

That is how the write-up went virile, and they started to abuse me o. One of them even abused my just buried mama. That was low. So I yab you say you look like Kano mannequin, the next thing na my dear mama you see to abuse. It’s ok. There is God. Anyways, I assured Mudi that this time, I will not write anything. But no be me. I must write o.

As I appear at the Federal Palace Hotel, I see my brother Mai Atafo running with bag like he dey run to catch molue. I follow him run just in case ‘they are coming’. But he was running to go and dress the man of the moment. So Mudi, Tade and talented photographer Kelechi Amadi Obi and myself now waited for Mai to go and give RMD his undies.

That is how RMD came out o. The man is fine. I tell you. Come and see the jacket Mai sew for him - mad. He come wear red socks.

The perfume sef almost give me covid as I couldn’t breathe. Oh boy this man truly has God’s blessing. That is how we all moved in the train to the hall. Come and see the whole of Lagos. I saw everybody o. Taiwo-Ajai Lycett, Soni and Betty Irabor, Ramsey Noah, Olumide Akpata, Dele Momodu. My Oga Chike Ogeah. too many people o.

The ladies were all fine o. They were all fine o. the make-up was perfect. The dresses were perfect. Everything was ok. The tummies were well tucked in, the push-up bras did their work, and everybody looked sweet. I hope I talk am well o. The place was perfect.

Sitting sweet, sound was from heaven and the food was divine. RMD enjoyed his day.

He was 60, and Lagos came out to celebrate him. I even saw his pretty wife, Jumobi, who looked like the Marriot – seven stars. Happy birthday, bro.

AIR VICE-MARSHAL OMBU – A SWEET REUNION That is how I was running from LASTMA in Lekki when the call came. I didn’t know who was calling, and I was shouting at my driver to reverse as the LASTMA people were looking like chasing us. We have not entered the one-way yet o. We were just about to when we saw the ‘bobos’, so we decided to reverse and run.

That is how my phone started ringing, and someone had told me that LASTMA has gone digital, so that was me thinking that they have already caught me in their control office and were calling me not even to attempt to cross the border and that I should surrender. So with trembling hands, I picked.

Is this Edgar Joseph? The voice was commanding and authoritarian. It was a voice that was used to giving instructions. I was proud and afraid at the same time. If this was LASTMA, they have really progressed, and I was afraid that they could send a cruise missile from Alausa to take me out o.

So I answered humbly, ‘yes sir, it is me’, and the voice screamed - Duke of Shomoluuuuuuuuuuuu. I relaxed and said if na LASTMA, we go negotiate am. I answered my lord. Who you be. He said, Air Vice Marshal Ombu. I say na wa o.

AVM na LASTMA oga now o. This country anything can happen o. He say, where can I buy all you books. I am an avid reader of your column, send me the bookshop address.

I need all your books. I check my account balance na N6,234. I say, mbok where you dey, I dey bring all of them to you immediately plus manuscript of the one wey I never even write.

He say, I dey Lagos and that is how I walked into the premises of the great man. I liked him instantly. Good looking and suave. Very gentle and likeable. Nothing around him suggestive of the gruff and ‘can’t you fear me’ mien of most military officers and he did not speak to me in the ‘language I would understand’. He called his beautiful wife out. Come and see who is in our house o, the Duke of Shomolu. She was gracious. She commended the column and also said she

Tolofari

wanted to read more.

We talked about this, and that, and I listened. I always listen when elders who have had a front-row seat speak. I listened o, and he educated me about life and his career. I was engaged and almost didn’t want to go. Then he apologized for not giving me Afang. Apology not accepted.

You cannot summon the Duke and now not give him Afang come dey offer am Cognac.

I drink am sha and I enjoy am but would have preferred Afang. Anyways, that was an experience. I enjoyed myself. Great man. God bless you, sir.

GREENSPRINGS SCHOOLS – MORE POWER TO YOUR ELBOW! They have just gotten 8 of their teachers certified with the HP- IDEA thingy. This is the certification you get for digital education

GOVERNOR SANWO-OLU – KINDLY ACCEPT MY CHALLENGE I suddenly had a brainwave and called Makinde Adeniran, the hard-working writer/director of my new play, Awo. I said, Makinde, what if we have Governor Sanwo-Olu play a cameo in the play.

It will be historic, and it will strongly project the capacity of the industry in job creation, youth empowerment, amongst others.

Makinde say he too lean to be Awo and he head small pass Awo own. I say wetin they do you na. That na His Excellency you dey talk about o. He say but the stature no fit. I say that is why you no get money. No be him go play Awo, he go do cameo. He go appear as himself and go come at the tail end of the Play and give a strong message of exhortation to the youth on imbibing the ethics and values that made Awo, Awo. Makinde shout o. Duke you be genius. I say siddon there. You never see anything.

The next thing, I write one powerful letter to Sanwo-Olu carry go him office. I drop am for the place them dey submit letter

Sanwo-Olu

with one Prince. Prince say Duke, you still dey this waka. I say I must pay school fees na. Since Fashola time, I don dey write letter to Lagos State Government and I must say it clearly that the Lagos State Government has been quite phenomenal in supporting not only me but the industry as a whole.

Even this one, they have given me Glover Hall built in 1887 and recently refurbished for use for free oo. Three Parastatals are supporting phenomenally but all that one no do me o, na until His Excellency climb stage. So your Excellency, don’t fear. Agree.

We will rehearse with you well. We will give you experienced actors so that they will guide you gently and nudge you towards giving us an Oscar-deserving performance. If you agree, I will give you better Afang to eat under the tree in front of my house. Honour reserved only for war heroes. So what say you, don’t disgrace me o? Just agree abeg. It will be historic. Thank you.

from the international conglomerate HP. They are the first in Africa and the Middle East to have that.

You see, this school is one of the striking examples of how Nigerians can build sustainable institutions steeped in excellence.

While the rest of us are out there crying and complaining about the nation, a few are building.

My children attend Greensprings, all of them and I must say that I will continue to thank Duchess for making that decision and sticking by it. When she first came up with the idea, I look the school fees per term, almost double my monthly salary at that time. I say leave am, make we go somewhere. She say no. I say why, she say na wetin she want. I say is it you that is going to school. Mbok we no do. She say she will wait for one year instead of going to another school. That is how she went to register my first son o, my first seed in lesson so that I can save enough to go to this school.

Na him I say let me go and even see this school. My people when I spent a whole day there, I knew that I had to give my children this platform. I spoke with the founder Mrs Koiki and came out of that session with a remarkable admiration of what she was trying to do. They even have one maths teacher. His name is Mr Mudasiru. The man is gifted, I swear. My son came out with the best result in Art in the whole of West Africa. Cambridge gave him an award. Chantal came out with 90% and is doing a powerful medical programme in the UK. Not only me o. The place and many others like that all over the country will form the core and the basis for the rejuvenation of leadership in this country. Well done Greensprings. Well done to the team, especially the bursar who used to give me a payment plan and credit.

Well done, guys.

FUBARATOLOFARI- ACCEPTMYCONDOLENCE Fubara is a two-time commissioner in Rivers and my chief strategist in my failed attempt at taking over the Command Secondary School Alumni Association. He recently lost his very beautiful mum and had her interred in their homestead in Rivers.

I could not make it but sent in my greetings and well wishes. The Tolofaris, especially Rosemary, were a staple in my growing up years in Secondary School, hence this special message to them. God will give you guys the grace to bear this irreparable loss but be consoled that she has gone home and she will be roommates with my mum. God bless you guys.

WHO WANTS THE DUKE OF SHOMOLU DEAD? Duke, you have to be careful about the days around your birthday. That was mummy Sara, grandmother to my beautiful daughter Annette. I have dreamt three times this month that you were poisoned, but I have prayed and cancelled it.

I say mummy, let me send for afang for you be like say na him dey cause all these illusions wey you dey get. I forgot about it and went my way. The next day, I sent out a broadcast on it, making a mockery of the whole thing. Then my friend Samson called, ‘Edgar, please take this as real. We have seen the vision in my church, and we have been in prayers for you. You will not die. Arghh.

As I was trying to understand Samson, another childhood friend Lukman called, saying, Edgar, if you had not broadcast this, I wouldn’t have talked about it. You know how you people look down on white garment churches, well the vision had come in last week that you will be poisoned and my prayer warriors have been at work.

By this time, I don even die. I could not feel my erection. I just collapse for chair. Mbok, who want to poison me o? Me, an orphan. My mama just die. I have five children and looking to take a new wife anytime from now. My other wife just die. Mbok who have I offended?

Fear catch me o. People start to give advice.

Stop eating afang, stop having sex, this world is wicked, stop eating at your regular places.

Wear mask. Maybe na Duchess want kill you, maybe na your mama wey dey miss you. All sorts.

Me, I am begging the person or the people.

We have plenty bandits and kidnappers, go try and poison those ones. Mbok, leave me alone o. Na school fees be my problem o, nothing else. I dey beg o. kai. Only in Nigeria. Pray for me.

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Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

War Lingers on in FRA Williams’ Family

Adeleke

Again, Dancing Senator Demola Adeleke Eyes Osun Governorship

He was famously known as Timi the Law. Until he passed on in 2005, the late Fredrick Rotimi-Williams was regarded as the biggest lawyer in the country for his brilliance and intelligence.

Beyond his intimidating frame, he was also a delight to watch in courtrooms; you could not but be enthralled by his articulation and aplomb. He was graceful in his fine grasp of legal intricacies, erudition of the law.

Indeed, he was as complete in substantive law as he was in court processes and rules, an attribute which made him floor his otherwise brilliant ‘learned colleagues ‘ on the opposing side. He was more than an icon; he was an idol in the legal system that many worshipped.

He was fulfilled, and he left a lasting legacy in his chosen profession. But if the deceased legal luminary, who was one of the first Queen Counsel, QC in Nigeria, could look back and see how sharply divided his family is over his estates, he would definitely turn in

Williams

details regarding the loan. Ladi alleged that Folarin might have used part of the unconstituted estate of their late father (which he is not beneficiary to) to secure the loan to which he is now indebted.

Accomplished Banker Tony Elumelu Breaks New Ground

A

mbition is enthusiasm with a purpose, says American-born artist and writer Frank Tyger. No doubt, if the list of lucky politicians in the country is to be compiled, Senator Ademola Adeleke’s name will enjoy a prominent mention. He found himself in the murky waters of Nigeria’s politics after the death of his brother, Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, who was a senator representing Osun West Senatorial District.

He embraced the game with his full chest, gusto, and confidence, and in no time, he became a known face, as he won a by-election to the Senate to replace his late brother.

He is not new to the game, considering the fact that his late father, Ayoola Adeleke, who was the Balogun of Ede in his time, was also a Senator in the Second Republic.

His victory into the upper chamber launched him into the limelight, and he became a very popular one at that, especially for his never-seen-before dance that earned him the sobriquet ‘Dancing Senator.’ However, his adventures in politics started becoming uninspiring in less than two years at the Senate, when he became more ambitious and threw his hat into the ring for the number one job of Osun State.

But he got what he did not bargain for. In fact, little did he imagine that Senator Iyiola Omisore would someday become a spoke in the wheel of his political ambition. Omisore, who had earlier played a major role in the election of Adeleke into the upper chamber of the National Assembly, later became a clog in the wheel of his governorship ambition.

This situation paved the way for Gboyega Oyetola of APC, becoming the winner in the end.

his grave. In the past 16 years, there has reportedly been no love lost among his four children.

At the moment, they are said to have formed different camps and are also engaging in backbiting, name-calling, mudslinging, and throwing tantrums.

Worse still, they have continued to drag one another to court while also petitioning the anti-graft agency, EFCC, and the police.

Society watch gathered that the crisis is taking a new dimension as the eldest son of the legal icon, Chief Oladipupo Williams, has dragged the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria AMCON before a Federal High Court to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the indebtedness of his brother, Folarin and two others in relation to the estate of their late father.

He is urging the court to direct and compel AMCON to make available to him copies of documents contained in the file of his brother, Folarin, and two others, Lambo Jumoke Oguntuga, and Kemi Sheri Williams, concerning the N2,303,470,835.43 in which they stand indebted and any other

Elumelu

Tony Elumelu, Chairman of United Bank for Africa, is an accomplished banker and economist. Elumelu, a serial entrepreneur, has continually broken new grounds to the admiration of all.

He has established himself as one of the Greg Uanseru, President and CEO of Greg Continental Agency (GCA) Energy Limited, sits atop a number of investments in Nigeria.

He is acknowledged to be a kind man who has chosen charity as his hobby. He does not wish to be respected for his wealth but for the grace to impact the lives of the people around him. While he believes in giving to the cause of humanity, that it is far better and more gratifying to make a difference in the lives of the poor.

And he has been giving and giving without looking back and blinking an eyelid.

Society Watch gathered that he believes life is meaningful only when it is lived in service to humanity. Over the years, the serial entrepreneur has always been guided by this philosophy. He does not wish to be respected for his wealth but for the grace to impact the lives of the people around him.

He is a good Christian who strictly believes and follows in the words of God in the Bible, especially 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 that says: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your

top five multi-sectoral big players on the continent’s economy. His name resonates loud in other sectors such as hospitality, power, oil and gas, health, and real estate in the country. Though he has managed to juggle all of these with astounding results, he is still angling to break new grounds.

Years ago, when he set out to invest in the Nigerian insurance landscape, not a few agreed that the sector would never remain the same again. Some of the existing operators reportedly became jittery, knowing full well that Elumelu does not do his own things in half measures. Many had to go back to the drawing board for the obvious reason that whatever he touches turns into gold. Recently, he caused a ripple in the sector with the formal launch of two firms: Heirs Insurance and Heirs Life.

While Heirs Insurance offers a full range of insurance services, covering accidents, fires, health, investment, life, and pensions, Heirs Life offers premiums in case of death.

Interestingly, not only was Elumelu involved in the pre-and post-execution of the strategy leading to the launch, he personally supervised the construction of the 7-floor corporate headquarters of the two companies, as he was reportedly sighted on numerous occasions at the facility to ensure it was built to specification and also ready for the official launch. Unlike some others who see investing during a crisis as a gamble of sorts, Elumelu, who loves to lead by example, knows how taking a bold risk can be rewarding.

When he led a small group of investors to take over a small, financially distressed commercial bank, he strived for excellence.

He beat his chest that he must not fail, and he didn’t. A few years after, the bank became one of the top five banks in Nigeria, metamorphosing into UBA. UBA has subsidiaries in 20 African countries, the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

Oil Giant, Greg Uanseru’s Uncommon Philanthropic Gestures

Uanseru

heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful

giver.”

It will be recalled that, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was one of the first to lift the burdens off some underprivileged Nigerians as he distributed palliatives and other relief materials to them. His decision saved many lives and inspired his peers to do the same.

He did all of this without making a noise, believing that “When helping the needy, keep the camera out home.” For him, turning 62 on July 26 will be a big deal. But unlike many in his class who would roll out the drums and paint the town red, the businessman will be awarding some indigent students scholarships while also assisting some less privileged ones around him with money and food items.

His life in its entirety is a compelling study in determination, focus, and ambition. His humble beginning makes him a great inspiration to many in society.

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

ENGAGEMENTS

An AK-47 in Every Hand

A

gun in many illegal hands is the readiest metaphor for a state consumed by insecurity. The consequence is something even more unnerving and sinister. It is the democratization of the ability to kill through uncontrolled access to arms. Indiscriminate death in the hands of random assailants is perhaps the closest you get to anarchy. Those with guns kill those who do not or frighten them into parting with their freedom and possessions. The accompanying uncertainty of life and the spread of fear describes a state of nature which lovers of Thomas Hobbes love to cite in all mangled forms. That is the usual place of anarchy where life is brutish, nasty and short. The trouble with the state of nature is not that it describes the absence of order but that it also confirms either the absence of a state or the collapse or desperate failure of an existing state. It presupposes the absence of a leviathan or the emasculation of an existing leviathan as deus absenticus, the king who is not there.

A legalized liberal possession of guns can be a mechanism for the balancing of the right to defend oneself and one’s possessions with freedom from fear of harm and danger from others. In a state where the right to bear arms is legalized, the potential to do harm to others is balanced by the fear that harm could come to one from others as well. The knowledge that everyone possesses the lethal weapon to do us maximum harm and even inflict death is considered a deterrence to trouble makers. It is the reciprocity of violence. The United States remains the world’s most conspicuous showpiece of this dastardly logic. It defines the essence of democratic freedom as the right to kill thy neighbor or the corresponding possibility to that he will kill you.

But see the madness that America’s liberal gun laws have produced.

All too frequent shootings in schools, work places, homes, streets and public spaces.

Because it is a constitutional right and one which has become enmeshed in special interests, politics and big money, America is in the vice grip of guns. An estimated 393 million guns in private citizen hands for a population of 328.2 million citizens is the highest per capita gun possession rate in the world. America has more guns than citizens.

The US military has a total population of 1.4 million which means that on a per capita basis, the military is outgunned by the citizenry.

The state only overwhelms its possible non state challengers through a monopoly of weapons of mass killing and evisceration-bombs, war planes, missiles, a nuclear arsenal and aircraft carriers.

Nigeria’s current epidemic of insecurity has brought illegal possession of guns into public view. Our everyday experience is now suffused in guns, just as our daily news feeds are drenched in the blood of those killed by guns. The combined death toll in the hands of all violent actors has made Nigeria one of the most dangerous places in the world. People are being killed daily on an industrial scale by sundry actors ranging from armed robbers, bandits, militant secessionists, fundamentalist zealots, terrorists to badly trained policemen and soldiers. There is ground for genuine concern. The more illegal arms that have entered into circulation, the higher the death toll and the more widespread the atmosphere of fear and insecurity.

The proliferation and easy access to small and light arms has of late attracted the attention of both government and the elite. Widespread insecurity has thrust the necessity for some form of arms control into public prominence. The available statistics are cause for serious concern, Mr. Abdulsalam Abubakar, former head of state and Chairman of the National Peace Committee recently disclosed the extent of arms proliferation in the country in a report by his committee. The report indicated that there are over 6 million (6,145,000 to be exact) guns in the hands of private citizens. The current total population of Nigeria’s armed and security forces is about 300,000 with 89,000 reservists. If you add the police, civil defense, customs and other departments officially allowed to bear arms, we do not have more than 500,000 legal arms in the holding of the state. This simply means that the state and its security forces are outgunned by a high deficit ratio.

So far in recent times, an estimated 80,000 deaths have occurred mostly from gun violence. More than 3 million people have been internally displaced as a result of armed insecurity in the country. According to the 2019 report of the Global Terrorism Index, Nigeria was rated as the most terrorized country in the world. By 2020, we had graduated to the third position in terms of terrorism deaths. seem to have graduated to the top position in terms of terrorism deaths. The ranking in terms of percentage of terrorism deaths in 2019 was as follows: Nigeria (9%), Iraq (4%), Somalia(4%), Syria (4%). The uniqueness of Nigeria in this club is that the others are countries that have fought officially acknowledged wars. The Nigerian government insists we are in peace time.

As multiple wars against insurgency, banditry, secessionist pressure and banditry are ranging simultaneously, it is hard to estimate how much effort is being made to control the free flow of arms within Nigeria. Recently, the federal government announced the setting up of a new outfit to control the proliferation of illegal arms in the country.

The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons has General A.M Dikko as Chairman. This is an apex agency in the office of the National Security Adviser to research and monitor the movement of these weapons across borders in Africa. Its adequacy outside a comprehensive revision and enforcement all existing gun laws in the country remains doubtful.

The imbalance between the arms in private hands and what is available to the security forces lies at the root of our current insecurity.

It implies that the state is outgunned by other gun wielders especially non-state actors who have only one target: the state and its security personnel. Of the multiple light arms flowing freely in Nigeria, the Ak-47 has become the prime symbol of the current insecurity. It has

Monguno

become important because the popularity copious presence of the AK-47 marks a movement of illegal gun possession from small arms to the territory of military grade assault weapons. Most of the AK 47s in circulation are in the hands of either organized or free lance non- state actors. The colonialists who created Nigeria had the maxim gun. The bands of rascals who want to dismember the country have the AK-47.

By the time he died on 23rd December 2013 at the age of 97, the inventor of the AK-47, Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov, a patriotic communist military officer was astonished at the multiple roles the rifle had played in world history. From its inception in 1947 to its present universal application as the world’s number one killer equipment, the AK-47 has played a central role in the largest number of political changes in the world.

Its advantages of versatility, easy of use, low maintenance requirement and resilience have placed this weapon in the forefront. It has a life span of 40-50 years on the average. To date, an estimated 100 million AK-47s have been manufactured. Even if we adopt the morbid statistics of crediting each AK-47 with only a modest 3 deaths, we are still left with a frightful killing machine. This gun is easily the most democratized weapon only followed by the Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

The AK -47 has become the weapon that democratized death as a consequence of either conflict or deliberate misdeeds. We can only guess how many people they have killed in the last 50 years. There is a cruel sense in which the AK-47 has also become a factor of population control through warfare and the democratization of violence and death.

Whether this is good or bad, I do not know. A weapon that has been used to decentralize and privatize violence and death deserves, if nothing else, appropriate acknowledgment in the weapons hall of fame.

Because of its popularity as a weapon of choice for causes as far diverse as civil wars, insurrections, rebellions, revolutions to organized crime and frontier wars, global demand for AK-47s has remained huge.

Consequently, manufacturing franchises for AK-47s have spread far and wide. China has become a net exporter of AK-47s. One curious irony of this globalization of killingby AK-47s is captured by the period of Russian occupation of Afghanistan. The assault weapon of the Russian military war was the original Russian made AK-47. But the Mujahedeen fighting them were armed and supported by the United States. They also carried AK-47s but made in China. The Mujahedeen’s AK-47s were paid for by the CIA and shipped into Afghanistan by the United States to fight the Russians!

Elsewhere and at different times, the AK-47 has been pressed into the service of diverse political causes. It has been a tool in the hands of nationalist armies in Vietnam and in the Iran versus Iraq war. It has served as the standard assault rifle of national armies from the former Soviet Union to the armies of the former East Bloc countries. The rifle has powered revolutions and insurgencies as with the Sandinistas just as it has served as an instrument for the promotion of freedom as in the anti colonial wars in Africa especially in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Angola.

African coup makers found it a veritable instrument for the disruption of order, the sowing of confusion, the disruption of democracy and the limitation of freedom and inauguration of autocratic regimes.

Because of the AK-47’s light weight and ease of operation, it has been a facilitator in an unfortunate iteration of unconventional warfare especially in the Third World especially in the 20th century. This is the emergence of the unfortunate phenomenon of the child soldier. This has reopened the debate on the morality of war and the consequential matter of the liberalization of killing, making it more of a sport than a consequence of the historical necessity of warfare.

The AK-47 weapon has also facilitated the development of microwave military formations under instantaneous commands leading to the emergence of war lords as entrepreneurs of war and merchants of violence. Rewind to the emergence of figures like Charles Taylor in Liberia and Mohammed Farah Aideed of the “Black Hawk Down” fame in Somalia.

Where fiery eyed revolutionaries have dissipated their fervor and

disappeared, their stockpiles of AK-47s have fallen into the hands of black market dealers and itinerant rebels with dubious causes. The anarchies in Libya, Syria and Yemen have yielded a trove of weapons that have fallen into the hands of jihadists and fundamentalist terrorists in Mali, Chad, Niger and Nigeria and the entire Sahel region.

Coming specifically back to Nigeria, the AK-47 has become the weapon of choice for all manner of non- state rebels with murky causes ranging from Niger Delta militants to Boko Haram terrorists who needed to train their converts on the go. In some Nigerian contexts, the AK-47 has served as an instrument in the service of the quest for equity and justice. Militants of the various Niger Delta militias pressed the weapon to great advantage in countless kidnapping and oil and gas installation disruptions that drew world attention to the plight of the region and earned it lucrative economic and political dividends.

In the hands of armed Fulani herdsmen, the AK-47 has emerged as the prime weapon for the re-drawing of the political map of the nation under President Buhari. The transformation of herdsmen into armed militants has indirectly put power in the hands of previously itinerant and inconsequential group. Through the conscious promotion of the emergence of the Fulani as a political faction in modern Nigeria, armed Fulani gunmen masquerading as herdsmen have systematically infiltrated ungoverned spaces in most parts of the country in a pattern that is hardly accidental. Fulani gunmen and their AK-47s have placed matters in the public agenda that were hitherto unheard of.

We are now debating open grazing, grazing routes, cattle settlements etc. Innocuous interest groups like Miyetti Allah have germinated into public prominence.

All over the country, possession of the AK-47 has given birth to new categories of troublemakers thus expanding the vocabulary of criminality in Nigeria. We now have bandits, unknown gunmen, vigilantes, civilian JTF, hoodlums, cultists in addition to the familiar armed robbers and armed smugglers at the borders.

In the hands of political thugs and mob contractors, the AK-47 has become instrumental in pressuring electoral outcomes in favour of the most armed and vicious highest bidders in the bazaar for political thugs who deploy violence and intimidation to determine the outcomes of elections. The more creative political entrepreneurs have been known to invest in the importation of military and police uniforms in addition AK-47s to equip their own private armies for election purposes. To this extent, this rifle has been a tool in either the derogation of democracy or its promotion in the hands of security forces deployed to protect the ballot or safeguard voting venues and ballot collation centres.

In the hands of the new crop of separatists and secessionists, the AK-47 is the ready tool for disturbing the peace in order to draw attention to worthy causes either drowned by the passage of time or the oversight of arrogant incumbency. The militants of IPOB and ESN are reported to sport several AK-47s in their exploits. In posing direct challenges to national sovereignty and unity, the AK-47 has created new political theatres.

The state security contingent that invaded Mr. Sunday Igboho’s Ibadan fortress recently listed some AK-47s among the trove of evidence they found. The military and police garrisoning of the entire South East has yielded many prisoners of war including alleged IPOB and ESN operatives. In the police video footages that have emerged form the south east operation, I saw a frightening one. It was the image of a fierce young man said to be another IPOB ‘commander’. This ‘commander’ had two AK-47s with independent magazines welded together to form the most monstrous killing machine that I have ever seen.

In some unusual settings, AK-47s have become part of the costume and dressing of professional troublemakers who want to be identified as nothing more than gunmen, bandits or ethnic militants.

I recall when the Katsina state governor posed for a photo op with some bandit leaders and security commanders after signing an MOU with bandits that were terrorizing his state. The bandit leader’s regalia included an Ak-47 which he proudly slung over his shoulder while masking his face before the camera as the governor and army and police commanders grinned sheepishly.

The most significant symbolism of the AK-47 in today’s Nigeria is its emergence as a business tool. It is now a curious capital expenditure item in the business of terror for profit. There is no direct relationship between the unit cost of an old AK-47 ( usually between 650,000 to 1 million Naira in the black market) and the return on the investment. It is the principal tool for Kidnapping for ransom, transactional abductions, armed robbery, piracy and transactional militancy. The spate of armed extortions is indicative of the profitability of the macabre trade. The rate of return on investment defies the laws of capitalist profitability.

Kidnappers and bandits receive ransoms in millions of dollars or hundreds of millions of Naira. This weapon has become a very short cut to recognition and stupendous wealth for persons who may have no formal education or training in any trade. Their identity is the dictum: “I shoot, therefore I am”.

The logic seems to be that if you want to be a billionaire, get some AK-47s, arm some young unemployed lads and go in search of soft targets- schools, wealthy individuals, groups of travellers on the highways or carefully chosen high value targets. Ransoms are either paid in dollar cash or through bank transfers; banks do not discriminate about sources of money.

In the generous spread of AK-47 possession in Nigeria, a different problem has been created. An unwritten law in Nigeria is that once a tool of profitable trade is found, its use spreads quickly. The AK-47 has found its way into the realms of national greed, politics and profit. This trinity is hard to dislodge. Those who must end the current insecurity must therefore prepare for a long nasty engagement. Mexico here comes your African equivalent.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 24 2012

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

11.07.2021

JACQUELINE SUOWARI’S FETISH FOR THE HIDDEN SELF In an ongoing solo exhibition in an Abuja-based gallery, the leading female ballpoint pen artist Jacqueline Suowari extends her exploration of the subtleties of the human body language while examining the conflict between the public persona and the masked inner self. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke reports

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reening herself before a mirror, a respectably dressed youngish lady contemplates her reflection. Now, whatcouldshepossiblyhaveincommonwithherreflectedscantily-clad alter ego? It is obvious: she is being tuggedatfromoneendbyanaspect ofherlife,whichshewouldrathernot expose to public view. It is this aspect of her life that the artist Jacqueline Suowari labels the“inside life” in an apparent nod to the slang popularised by the NigerianmusicianNairaMarleyinhissong“Soapy”.As for the mixed-media painting, produced like others with ballpoint pen, ink, acrylic, gold leaf and cloth on archival paper, she titles it“Red Room Dialogue”.

And it helps that there is an accompanying poem guiding the viewer’s musings as he contemplates the painting.

Perhaps,therearealsoparallels–albeittangential– to be drawn between the painting’s title and the Swedish novelist August Strindberg’s 1879 novel The Red Room, which the critic Edvard Brandes said:“makes the reader want to join the fight against hypocrisy and reaction.”

Indeed, isn’t Suowari’s solo exhibition, which is titled Now I Wear Myself…, all about interrogating “selfhood”? More specifically, the exhibition – which opened at the Retro Africa Gallery in Asokoro, Abuja on Friday, June 25 and ends onTuesday, August 31 – is all about a tug of war playing out between the public persona and the hard-to-repress“inside life”.

But then, it is hard to tell where the line between hypocrisy and the striving for the aspirational self should be drawn.

Who, for instance, would see a woman of good breeding in the apparent seductress – almost set for an outing – in another mixed-media painting, titled“Red Bottoms for the Culture”? Her immodest dressing, which leaves little to the imagination, not only proclaims her as being shamelessly enslaved to fashionbutalsoassuperficial.Yet,theviewerdiscerns behind her the trappings of cultural consciousness and intellectual depth.

Or, what about the lady in the painting“Inside Life”, who is apparently engaged in a staring contest with herlessflamboyantandbejewelledotherself?Thisisa painting,inwhichtheartistassurestheviewerthatshe is“exploring the layers of multiple personalities in an individual, the seen and unseen, the communicated andtherelegated.”Herallusionto“multiplepersonalities”– perhaps, a euphemism for sham existence – is the rallying point of the exhibition’s 12 paintings, a video installation (titled “Of Lines and Layers”), a sculptural installation (titled“Body of Truth”) and a performance. “When last did you stop to think of your multiple personalities, and welcome them to the table?”she asks.“This is your person and it’s your choice which of them you show the world. We all have an inside life. Let he who is without sin be the first to cast a stone.”

In any case, most, who habitually arrogate to themselves the right to pass judgement even over things they do not understand, wouldn’t hesitate to gleefully cast the first stone. They are, of course, not oblivious to the aphorism that the cowl does not make the monk. But then, their blinkered worldview doesn’t recognise other traits through which monks can be identified.

Suowari also references the recent mass revolt in Nigeria’s major cities against police brutality and extra-judicial killings, tagged #EndSARS. The SARS – an acronym for the Special Anti-Robbery Squad – operatives have been known to base most of their arrestsonstereotyping.Hence,theprotestingyoung

A view of the exhibition showing paintings and an installation Nigerians remonstrated against being harassed for such apparently trivial things as having tattoos or sporting dreadlocks. Suowari decries these excesses of the law-enforcement officers, who profile people fortheir“brightcolours,tattoos,piercings,braidedhair, fully grown beards or beautifully worn dreadlocks”.

But she fails to delineate the limits of the expression of individual freedoms.

Sadly, nothing much better could have been expected in a scenario, where perceptions have been narrowed due to man’s voluntary yielding to base vibrations. Because the inner disposition or inclination towards the ignoble beclouds the vision of a human being, he cannot possibly act in a right or responsible way. With his descent from his pedestal as an intuitive being to the level of a “soulless”automaton, he is predisposed to judging

by the externals. Thus, dogma – be it of the social, cultural or religious kind – has become an ersatz version of a suppressed intuitive life.

Then,theartistchallengesthepatronisingliberalist assumption that women, who are required by their faithtodonhijabs,aremiserable.Intheaccompanying poem to the painting, titled“Now or No-wear”, she asks:“…How can you tell that a person is covered/ Is it because they cover only what you can imagine/ Like a fruit covering it seeds/ How can you tell a need or the lack of it/ For creeds and deeds past/How can you separate now from nowhere.”

AquickflashbacktotheUniversityofPortHarcourt fineartanddesigngraduate’slast-knownsoloexhibition held at the Adrienne Art Center for Performing Arts in Miami, USA. That exhibition, titled Jacqueline Suowari: Body

Language, which held from November 29, 2019, to February 9, 2020, saw the artist reading between the lines of human expressions. More precisely, she is inspired by the subliminal, rather than the obvious, human expressions. In a society, where virtually everyone dons a mask as though in a fancy dress ball, she scours beneath the surface to access these expressions.

“As a people, we constantly struggle with self, the idea of who we really are, the masking of personality, thefearofjudgementandvulnerability,”sheargues.“In a bid to find comfort outside ourselves, we MASK.We mask emotions, expressions, actions and reactions.

We embrace what is not and mask what is. Layers and layers of be-ing, buried under a mask with the intention to stay acceptable and approachable.We enjoy the benefits of masking, of being seen and yet unseen, settling for the illusion of acceptance.”

Whileinvestigatingthestereotypes,shereexamines theconceptof“whatshouldbe”againstthebackdrop of“what is”. As she puts it in a statement, published in her exhibition catalogue, “I am challenging the narrative of self as a singular entity and embracing the duality of the expressions and manifestations of self. Thereby, I am creating an alternate reality of be-ing and of culture, one that is ignored but reflects what really is prevalent while stretching the notion of perception and acceptance.”

But, how does one“wear oneself”in a globalised world, where the lines between the cultural differences are blurring daily? Suowari appropriates ancient cultural symbols (Nsibidi inscriptions, Nok, Benin, Ife masks and sculptures) and contemporary local sartorial elements (Dutch wax and lace fabrics to reconstitute) to reconstitute what she calls“new imagistic forms of self-identification.”

Urging her audience to embrace the many facets themselves“as one would a badge of honour”, the award-winning artist, who has participated in several group exhibitions both in Nigeria and the US, roots for an unbridled expression of one’s freedom.

Yet, it has been established that the removal of externalconstraintsanddeterrentstothefreeexercise of the will does not necessarily make a society free.

BOOKS

With Eyes Riveted On $100,000, 11 Vie For The Nigeria Prize For Literature

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ctivitiesswirlingaroundthisyear’sedition ofThe Nigeria Literature Prize (sponsored by NLNG) have started revving up with its advisory board’s recentannouncementofashortlist of11.Thisshortlist–whichnotafew literary enthusiasts would rather call a longlist – was drawn from 202 entries in contention for this year’s – 2021 – edition of the prize. Another shortlist of three, from which a possible winner could emerged, is expected to be announced in September, a statement signed by the NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development Eyono Fatayi-Williams reminded the literary community.

The prize, which rotates annually among four broad literary categories – namely, prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature – is worth $100,000, which will be awarded by the advisory boardinOctober.ItrunsconcurrentlywiththeNigeria Prize for Literary Criticism (also sponsored by NLNG), which is valued at N1 million.Talking about the latter, four entries for it were received in 2020. Meanwhile, thecurrentshortlistof11,whichwaspresentedbythe chairman of the prize’s judging panel the University

of Ibadan’s professor of Literature in English Toyin Jegede, consists of the following books: Delusion of Patriots by ObianujuV. Chukwuorji, Give Us Each Day by Samuel Monye, Imminent River by Anaele Ihuoma, In the Name of Our Father by Olukorede S. Yishau, Mountain of Yesterday by Tony Nwaka, NeglectedbyLucyChiamakaOkwuma,TheColoursof HatredbyObinnaUdenwa,TheGirlwithTheLouding Voice by Abi Dare,The Return of Half- Something by Chukwudi Eze, The Son of The House by Cheluchi Onyemelukwe-OnuobiaandYourChurchMyShrine

by Law Ikay Ezeh.

The other judges, besides Professor Jegede, are Professor Tanimu Abubakar and Dr Solomon Azumurana.While Professor Abubakar is a professor of literature in the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria’s Faculty of Arts, Dr Azumurana is a senior lecturer in the University of Lagos’s Department of English.

On the just-announced shortlist, the judges lauded the entries as fresh approaches to looking at issues, using new and exciting narrative strategies, techniquesandwell-writtenorganicplotstopresent topical discussions in realistic ways.

They enthused about what they deemed a visible improvement in writing skills, while commending the NLNG for giving writers the platform to blossom and experiment. Also commending the shortlist,

Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo the advisory board’s chairperson, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo disclosed that there was a unanimous agreement among the board members that it was an excellent one. Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo also commended the judges for doing a thorough job, which chimes with the watchword of the prize: excellence, and added that the onus was on the advisory board to continue in the tradition that was handed to them by the past board.

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 11, 2021

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ARTS & REVIEW\\MOVIES

SHADESOFATRAGICHERO Yinka Olatunbosun

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beat freak would certainly move to the signature drums that often precedes the music of the original bad boy of Apala music, Ayinla Omowura. Also known by the moniker Anigilaje, he was a successful musician who lived a troubled and flamboyant life in his Abeokuta roots. Born in Itoko, Ayinla built a music empire and battled for supremacy on and off the stage all his life.

In 2021, which incidentally makes it 41 years since Ayinla’s death, the ace cinematographer and cultural activist, Tunde Kelani presents a biopic that spotlights the climatic point of Ayinla’s music career titled‘Ayinla.’Starring Lateef Adedimeji in the lead role alongside Kunle Afolayan, Debo Adebayo the internet skit sensation otherwise known as Mr. Macaroni, Omowunmi Dada, Bimbo Manuel, Ade Laoye, the movie was TK’s first full-length movie since 2015.

Sponsored by a first-generation bank, the movie tells the story of a tragic hero-Ayinla- with a tragic flaw, short-temper. Through the plot development, Ayinla is revealed as an uneducated but extremely talented musician, whose music transcended the boundaries of Egbaland to become one of the most-sought after artists in Nigeria of the period.

Signed by EMI Records, the stage was set for his first international tour in London. His manager, Bayowa (Debo Adebayo) developed into a villain when conflict ensued between him and Ayinla. A tinge of romance was brought to the plot as Ayinla’s personal was peeled in layers-revealing a generous spirit with philandering exploits.

Ayinla’s shows were often marked by violence and thug invasion which is all-too familiar to the fans of hip-hop music. No doubt, artists’rivalry is rife in popular music and Apala scene of the 70s and 80s was not an exception. For the Egbas and the Yoruba folks in general, Apala represents what rap is to Queens (NewYork)- a cultural staple. Although most of artists’rivalry ended up as studio beef songs, some artists take it beyond the artistic to the sanguinary.

As an artist, Ayinla was a subject of interest to the media as portrayed in the characters of Jaiye and other journalists depicted in the movie who attempted to interview and report on his life and music. The movie also demonstrates the essential roles that culture journalists play in documenting artists and why painstaking research is key to getting the job done. Ayinla the outlaw was also captured in the visual narrative as the focus was on his antics with the masquerade, alcohol, drugs, amulet and the metaphysical came into view. His love for the good life could be gleaned from his moments at the pub and with his women.

The most incredible feat for the movie director was to pick an actor that could interprete the Ayinla persona almost to perfection. Adedimeji took on the character and owned it. His costumes and

A scene from the biopic accessories also synced into the way he internalised the role. He had the right stage presence at the rehearsal and performance scenes and spoke with the distinct Egba accent which added some comical flavour to his delivery of the lines.

This is perhaps Oladimeji’s best acting yet and he’d better start drafting acceptance speeches for awards that the role would likely fetch him. Quite unmissable is the sound quality and editing of the movie. One couldn’t expect anything less from the director of classic movies such as O leku, Thunderbolt, Saworo Ide, Ti Oluwa Nile, Koseegbe, Dazzling Mirage, Agogo Ewo amongst others.

Although Kelani is not a newcomer to period dramas, one of the greatest challenges for the filmmaker was to recreate a story of four decades ago with historical integrity. Costume was a huge challenge for the extras in the movie as some of them were sporting lace fabric designs of the 90s and 2000s.

A female dancer even wore an‘oleku’(short sleeved buba) made of ankara that was stoned around the neckline, which was a fad just a few years ago. This is a clear indication for the vacuum of period costumes merchandise in the Nigerian movie industry.

Rated 15, Ayinla biopic threw up themes of shattered dreams and fatality with potent lessons for young artists who often get into brawls and rivalry.

Surprisingly, his music has survived through the decades and many cinema audiences echoed the lyrics of some of his hits such as‘Owo Tuntun,’‘Owo Udoji’and other songs that are considered as sociopolitical commentaries that are still relevant today.

For whatever reasons, the scene many seemed to be waiting for was where the elated Ayinla declared, “Serve them Round.’’Nigerian movie scene needs more music biopic to bridge the gap between the academic and practice.

DANCE

Rasheed Ibrahim: Dancing into Limelight Yinka Olatunbosun

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ariga, a suburb in Lagos, may have becomesynonymouswithextreme poverty, but many talents had emerged from that community to change the narrative for the lessprivileged. Some creatives have found their daily agonies as raw materials for their creative productions. Olamide, 9ice, Lil Kesh and Segun Adefila are some of the biggest names in popular culture that had emerged from Bariga.

Fortheatre,Adefilahaddonesomuchforgrass-root talent development with his production company, Crown Troupe of Africa. With many international productions recorded for over two decades, Adefila had groomed some protégés for the arts. One of them is Rasheed Ibrahim, an award-winning dancer, choreographerandtheartisticdirector,IjolomoDance Company.

HebegandancingattheageofsevenwhenCrown Troupe as a group was rehearsing in the compound wherehegrewup.“Ihadtheprivilegeofwatchingmost ofthererehearsals,andinmylittlecornerIwouldlock up myself in my mom’s room and begin to practice what I have watched them do while rehearsing,”he reminisces.“One day, while I was practising, I was so lostanddidn'tnoticethatSegunAdefilawaswatching me and all of a sudden, I heard my name‘Rasheed.’

I was shocked. I stopped immediately and all I could remember that day was that he asked, ‘Would you love dancing? Immediately, I said yes and that was how the journey started.”

Asachild,hehadencounteredsomeworksofHubert Ogunde, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Bob Marley, ProfWole Soyinka and how these artists had used their diverse art forms as social commentaries. He decided to do the same with dance.

“Iusemydanceintellingstories,”hecontinued.“Idon't just dance for dancing’s sake. In creating my dance, I always and won't forget always that my main target audiencearetwonamelytheblindandthedeaf.Since the blind cannot see but can hear, I use sounds and music in making the blind understand what my story is. For the deaf-who cannot hear but can see-I use my bodylanguageinmakinghimorherunderstandwhat I'mgoingthroughatthatparticularmomentonstage with my movements.”

Ibrahim believes strongly in the power of dance to tell meaningful stories just as acting and singing.

Althoughheadmittedthatdanceisyettogettheright kind of appreciation that it deserves, he is optimistic about the altitude that dance at a professional level is, will certainly be topped to meet global standards.

“Withtime,wewillgettherightrecognition.Wehave our own Adedayo Liadi, Kaffy, MrVictor Erebifa Phullu, AbelUtuedor,SegunAdefila,MrsYesideDosumuLawal and many more who deserves much more,”he said.

He took his first dance piece titled ‘Ayeraye’ to

Ibrahim during a performance Corpse e Gestes and touredYaoundé and Douala in Cameroon. He was the Assistant Choreographer and lead dancer at the 5th All Africa Music Award in Accra, Ghana.Recently,hewonthefirstprizeattheCovid-19 League Challenge Dance Competition.

RasheedIbrahimwidelyknownasIjolomowhohas emerged as one of the four winners of Movement,

Bariga Edition. A dance tour of Lagos State where expressivedanceisthemediumusedtoaddressvices against humanity in Lagos State and for Nigeria as in general sponsored by theTNN platform. Other international events where he had performed include the Maida International Dance Festival, AFRIMA concert, TrufestaInternationalDanceFestivalandAgogoFestival.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 11, 2021

GAVEL

Editor: Olawale Olaleye SMS:08116759819 email:wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com

Electoral Act Amendment Bill Debate Continues A recent attempt to sanitise the country’s electoral process suͿered a setback last week over reported plan by some elements in the National Assemby to remove electronic transmission of results from the Electoral Act amendment Bill due for consideration by the National Assembly this week. Adedayo Akinwale reports

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t came as a rude shock, when news Àltered in that electronic transmission of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been expunged from the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021 billed for consideration by the two chambers of the National Assembly this week. The Section was believed to have been “smuggled” into the Bill as it was never part of the provisions agreed to by the stakeholders and the Senate Committee on INEC during their various engagements.

The Bill, which ordinarily should have been passed last week was not considered at all by the two chambers due to the negative reaction generated by the smuggled section that prohibits electronic transmission of results.

The development also forced advocates of electronic transmission of results to protest to the National Assembly against the clandestine move by those against transparent Electoral process in the country.

Section 50 (2) of the Electoral Act Bill, which is presently before the National Assembly makes no provision for INEC to transmit results of any election electronically. It is believed that the electronic transmission of results would go a long way in curbing rigging and manipulation of electoral outcomes.

The Section states: “Voting at an election under this Bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission, which may include electronic voting, provided that the Commission shall not transmit results of elections by electronic means.”

How House Member Reacted The member representing Donga/Takum/ Ussa and Yantu federal constituency of Taraba State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Rimande Shawulu described as worrisome, the strange clauses that were allegedly inserted into the Electoral Act amendment Bill.

The lawmaker, who expressed his concern while featuring on ‘Good Morning Show’ on ARISE News Channel, a broadcast arm of Leaders & Company, parent company of THISDAY newspapers, said members were not aware of the report, because it had not been distributed to them.

Shawulu said: “In this case, we have not received the report of the committee on Electoral matters. They have not been distributed to members of the House, the information we have is the same information that the public has.

“What is published in the social media is what we can refer to and some of the issues raised in the social media are very worrying especially, with regards to the questions of how the result will be transmitted to the collation centres.”

Shawulu recalled that INEC had informed the House and boasted that it had practiced or attempted to experiment in some of the oͿ-season elections and it reported that they were successful. He added that the electoral body believed that such innovation would help clean up the electoral system.

“Unfortunately, what we’ve been hearing in the last 72 hours is very worrying, especially, the fact that an insertion is alleged to have been put into the report that results shall not be transmitted electronically. That is actually worrying. I have read a few posts by members of the committee on INEC on Electoral matters, who said it is an insertion; that they are not aware of such a decision,” Shawulu noted.

The lawmaker revealed that he has seen some members of the committee expressing disappointment over the alleged insertion, stressing that some members have written posts that he has seen and insisted that the decision they took did not include the ban on electronic transmission of results.

He lamented that it was unfortunate that the country was going back on the electoral reforms that have brought the country this far.

“I dare say that if these attacks on democ-

Buhari, Lawan and Gbajabiamila racy continue, you are going to see increased demand for secession, you are going to see increased banditary, you are going to see increased disappointment of people in the political leadership and things that are happening. And you will see people trying to now use self-help to help themselves. I don’t think that this is the legacy President Muhammadu Buhari will want to leave for the people of this country,” he said.

Shawulu stated categorically that the President needs to call his men to order so that the country would have an electoral system that reÁects the wishes of the people at the various levels.

He called on Nigerians to rise up and insist that the electoral reforms that were started by the Jonathan administration and the reform that the present leadership of INEC had said it was embarking on are respected.

The lawmaker noted that Nigerians were asked to register their phone numbers to make things work seamlessly, saying, “why would you tell people to register their sim cards and you will not want to use an electronic system for the election, why are we using double standards?”

At plenary last Tuesday, Hon. Ugonna Ozurigbo, who is a member of the House Committee on Electoral Matters raised a point of order under Order 6 rule 2, being a matter of privilege before the House. There have been a lot of comments about the House and what the green chamber has done on the new Electoral Bill that has not been submitted on the Áoor of the House.

He said: “I don’t know how this speculation going round came about. But my constituents have called my attention to it and citing what has been going around. They have said that the new electoral bill we are working on which has not been submitted to the House, that we carefully amended Section 50(2) and inserted a provision to prohibit INEC from transmitting election results electronically from the polling unit.

“I have been part of the process of this new law and there was never a time that we were involved in such. I don’t think this issue should be swept under the carpet. We should look at it and investigate it and know where this wrong information is coming from. My privilege has been infringed on and I will have something

to tell my people if this House will do all it takes to ensure that is addressed.”

From the Speaker’s Stable Responding, Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, said while his privilege was noted, he didn’t want to, or make it a habit to speak to a report that has not been submitted to the House.

According to him, “We have procedures which are time tested. The Committee has been given an assignment, they will do their work and they will present their report to the Áoor and the House as a whole will vote on that report clause by clause. I will not comment on things we read on the pages of newspapers but because of the cacophony of voices and because you have raised that matter and just to allay fears, let me say that I do not believe there is any alteration.

“Only the authentic report of the Committee, as has always been, will be tabled before the House. Nothing more, nothing less. I have asked the Chairman of the Committee and she is not aware of such and so, it remains in the realm of speculation. We will wait till the Committee submits its report and like I said, that will be done before we close on the 14th.”

Southern House Members Kick DissatisÀed with Speaker’s response, the House members from the 17 Southern states, described the attempt to tamper with the Electoral Act to remove electronic transmission of results as a malicious and unpatriotic act aimed to emasculate the electoral system, undermine democracy and destabilise the country.

Chairman of the House Southern Caucus, Hon. Victor Nwokolo in a statement said the alleged attempt to remove electronic transmission of results could not be condoned or justiÀed under any guise whatsoever.

It stated: “Furthermore, against the backdrop of our commitment towards free, fair, credible and transparent elections, the members of the House of Representatives from the South also backs our governors in rejecting the moves to outlaw the electronic transmission of election result in the Electoral Act, as well as the conÀrmation of exclusive jurisdiction in preelection matters on the Federal High Court.

“The attempt to tamper with the Electoral

Act to remove electronic transmission of result is, therefore,a malicious and unpatriotic act aimed to emasculate our electoral system, undermine our democracy and destabilise our dear country, and such cannot be condoned or justiÀed under any guise whatsoever.”

The lawmakers were of the views that electronic transmission of results directly from the polling unit is a Àrm step towards the elimination of result collation related malpractices, including alteration of Àgures, mutilation of documents, snatching and diversion of ballot materials on transit to collation centers, among others PDP N’Assembly Caucus SStrategises The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the National Assembly has assured its members that it was already taking very strong and uncompromising steps to ensure that the provision guaranteeing the electronic transmission of results was not tampered with in any form whatsoever.

It frowned at the clandestine moves to manipulate and alter the Electoral Act by removing the electronic transmission results from the law, stressing that it was an attempt to subvert democratic process, institutionalised rigging, bastardise and frustrate genuine eͿorts towards credible elections in our country.

The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Eyinmaya Abaribe, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu and other members of the caucus, who addressed journalists in Abuja described the plan to tamper with a critical component of transparency and credibility of the electoral process as unpatriotic and mischievous.

The caucus said: “After due consideration and extensive deliberations on political and security situation in the country, the Joint PDP National Assembly unanimously upholds the resolution of the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF) in vehemently rejecting the clandestine moves to manipulate and alter the Electoral Act to remove the electronic transmission results from the law “Electronic transmission of results is the only way to eliminate malpractice and manipulations associated with manual collation of results, including alteration, switching and disappearance of election materials while on transit to various collation centers.”

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CICERO

Editor:Olawale Olaleye mail:wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08116759819

IN THE ARENA

Who’s Afraid of Electronic Results Transmission?

Transforming the electoral system apparently remains a Sisyphean task with some federal lawmakers ‘smuggling’ a clause into the Electoral Act Amendment Bill specifically barring electronic transmission of election results by INEC. Achi Louis writes

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aming the electoral management system continues. Since the end of the Cold War, democratic elections have become almost a universal trend. Yet, in many countries, where elections are held, freedom and democracy are actually in retreat. Intended as mechanisms for the peaceful arbitration of political rivalries, they rather often become flashpoints for political violence.

At the core of these paradoxes are elections without integrity. All too often, elections serve merely to give autocratic regimes a coating of legitimacy. But fundamentally, elections without integrity cannot provide the winners with legitimacy, the losers with security and the public with confidence in their leaders and institutions.

In Nigeria, this trend represents something of a mixed bag as the evolution of a progressive, democratic state tentatively unfolds.

The country has a long, unflattering history of inconclusive elections foreshadowed by election malpractices like multiple voting, thuggery, stolen ballots, results tampering and personnel intimidation.

Currently, the emerging controversy over alleged doctoring at the national parliament of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which sought to incorporate modern technology in results transmission, amongst others, mirrors one of such paradoxes in the nation’s electoral management journey.

As the Senate prepares to pass the Electoral Act amendment bill, the abrupt emergence of a strange Section 50(2), which completely outlaws transmission of votes by electronic means, is not unexpectedly generating tension among lawmakers.

Clause 50 (2) of the Bill states that: “Voting at an election under this Bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission (INEC), which may include electronic voting, PROVIDED that the Commission shall not transmit results of elections by electronic means.”

Some members of the Kabiru Gaya-led committee have described the provision, which Lawan was clearly smuggled in as strange.

The proposed use of more technology by the nation’s electoral umpire in the electoral process has been extolled by both government and diverse stakeholders as an important avenue towards enhancing transparent and credible polls.

This proposal was initially made in 2019 before the general election. However, its assent was delayed by President Muhammadu Buhari, who claimed the possibility of associated disruptions since it was already so close to an election. Last year, INEC started working with the National Assembly to reboot the process.

However, on the verge of passing the amended Bill submitted by the Upper Chamber’s Committee on INEC last week, some new additions that differed from the 2019 Bill were detected.

The specific barring of electronic transmission of results

raised red flags. Curiously, while permitting electronic voting, it foreclosed electronic diffusion of results.

The brains behind this adroit of quirky clandestine move are certainly not rookie parliamentarians. Their intent is also clearly not salutary to the yearnings of Nigerians for free, fair and transparent elections. Worse, they maybe fronting for crooked big fish, who believe their fate cannot be supported by transparent elections.

Then, there are hardly any consequences for such rankling legislative malfeasance.

With emplaced electronic collation/transmission of results, fewer people have the ability to influence results. Elections can be monitored from anywhere, removing the sole

responsibility of credibility from the presiding officer and allowing him even less opportunity to doctor results. In effect, this defeats the known practice of sharing money to electoral officials at polling points to permit malpractices.

In politicians’ bid to win at all cost, they have understood the manual method totally and intimately know how to doctor the system. The new electronic system will certainly kill-off all those exploitable chinks.

But the apparent lack of sincerity on the part of lawmakers breeds mistrust. For instance, in a bland delivery that made Russia’s Putin look a callow teenager, Reps Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila denied with a straight face that an alteration clause was smuggled into the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. This was his reaction to a point on matters of privilege by Hon. Ugouna Ozurigbo (APC-Imo), at Tuesday’s plenary in Abuja.

Ozurigbo had stated he received information that the House Committee on Electoral Matters, chaired by Hon. Aisha Duku (APC-Gombe) had altered the bill.

The Speaker held that the speculation was unfounded. His words: “I really don’t want to speak on a report that has not yet been submitted to the House. I have asked the chairman of the committee and she said that nothing of such has been done” He said that the committee had been given an assignment that would be submitted to the House once the job is finished and more specifically that the report would be laid before the House proceeds on its recess on July 14.

If there are compelling reasons to bar electronic transmission of results, the federal lawmakers ought to have articulated and communicated it in a very clear way.

True, Nigeria’s internet penetration is still low in many regions as the NCC confirmed that Nigerian broadband penetrations still stand at 39.6%, well below average.

Also currently, it is uncertain what kind of transmission technology INEC wants to deploy. Ghana and South Africa use ballot-based voting processes and already transmit their election results electronically.

It could be recalled that INEC had adopted the electronic transmission of results in some previous elections to the admiration of many stakeholders, particularly in the September 2020 Edo State governorship polls.

The National Assembly should reflect on Clause 50(2) in the version of the draft bill agreed to by the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on INEC and Electoral Matters. The version states that, “Voting at an election and transmission of result under this Bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission (INEC).”

Meanwhile, for head-scratching masses, it’s morning yet on creation day!

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

Has APC Learnt Anything from Zamfara?

Matawalle

The current state of play in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Zamfara State, is an unfortunate one. It does appear the political actors in the state have learnt nothing so far. Despite losing it all to political rascality and brigandage in the 2019 general election, it seems the party has yet to learn anything, because it is about to start another round of political misadventure that may yet again consume it.

Since Governor Bello Muhammed Matawalle defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), things have not been the same again in the APC. Other members of the party like former governor Abdul-Aziz Yari and Senator Kabir Marafa would not buy the idea that the party leadership in the state be conceded to the new entrant, albeit a governor.

Of a truth, how does the party reward loyalty to

members, when it places outsiders over and above its own, who had stayed through thick and thin with it? If anything, especially, that the APC considered Zamfara one of its strongholds, the most sensible thing would have been to defeat Matawalle at the polls, and deny him a re-election. That way, loyalty would be what every member of the party consider sacrosanct.

But with the suspension of Marafa for objecting to making Matawalle their leader, the Mai Mala Buni leadership of the party has also not exhibited discretion in the handling of a rather sensitive situation. If he thought that the other members would just keep quiet and say yes to his pronouncing Matawalle their leader as if he was a lord of the manor, then, he probably lacks requisite emotional intelligence to lead the party. For now, things are not looking good for the APC in the state, despite increasing in size and number.

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BRIEFINGNOTES Adeosun: Contextualising the Certificate Issues While former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, is busy celebrating a Federal High Court’s judgment over her non-particiaption in the National Youth Service Corps scheme, what she does not want anybody to remind her is the allegation of forgery of the “exemption certificate” still hanging around her neck. Davidson Iriekpen writes

F

ormer Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, was in the news last week, when a Federal High Court in Abuja, ruled that she did not need the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate to up a ministerial appointment in the country.

Delivering judgment in a suit she instituted against Abubkar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Justice Taiwo Taiwo held that Adeosun was not qualified to participate in the NYSC scheme, when she graduated from a London university at 22 years, because she was then a British citizen. She further held that, as at when she formally returned to Nigeria, and became a Nigerian citizen, at over 30 years old, she was no longer eligible to present herself for the NYSC scheme.

Adeosun came into political prominence in 2011, when she was appointed Commissioner for Finance in Ogun State by the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration.

During her tenure, she was said to have redefined the financial fortune of the state. After President Muhammadu Buhari won election in 2015, she was recommended, and appointed Minister for Finance.

Adesoun was having a good run in office until sometime in July 2018, when it was reported that she skipped the mandatory NYSC scheme and procured a forged certificate purporting to have exempted her from the one-year mandatory exercise.

Following intense pressure for her to be sacked and prosecuted for forgery, she tendered her resignation letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on September 14, 2018, admitting that she realised that the NYSC certificate she had presented to be appointed as minister “was not genuine.” She admitted presenting the same fraudulent certificate for her earlier appointment as Commissioner for Finance of Ogun State in 2011.

Excerpts from her letter to the president read: “Let me commence by thanking you profusely for the honour and privilege of serving under your inspirational leadership. It has been a truly rewarding experience to learn from you and to observe at close quarters your integrity and sense of duty.

“I have, today, become privy to the findings of the investigation into the allegation made in an online medium that the Certificate of Exemption from National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) that I had presented was not genuine.

This has come as a shock to me and I believe that in line with this administration’s focus on integrity, I must do the honourable thing and resign.

“Your Excellency, kindly permit me to outline some of the background to this matter. I was born and raised in the United Kingdom, indeed my parental family home remains in London. My visits to Nigeria up until the age of thirty-four (34) were holidays, with visas obtained in my UK passport.

“I obtained my first Nigerian passport at the age of thirty-four (34) and when I relocated there was debate as to whether NYSC law applied to me. Upon enquiry as to my status relating to NYSC, I was informed that due to my residency history and having exceeded the age of thirty (30), I was exempted from the requirement to serve. Until recent events, that remained my understanding.

“On the basis of that advice and with the guidance and assistance of those, I thought were trusted associates, NYSC were approached for documentary proof of status. I then received the certificate in question. Having never worked in NYSC, visited the premises, been privy to nor familiar with their operations, I had no reason to suspect that the

appointment was not illegal, neither was it unconstitutional, even without presenting the NYSC certificate.

Justice Taiwo concluded that Adeosun having graduated from the University of East London in 1989 at the age of 22, her participation in the NYSC scheme and the possession of its discharge certificate were not a yardstick for qualification for appointment as a minister or to stand election as a member of the House of Representatives.

Immedately after the judgment, Adeosun in a statement, said she had been vindicated by the court, adding that she had a traumatic spell on the certificate forgery allegation against her. The former minister said the judgment was not only a personal victory for her but for all Nigerians in the Diaspora. She said she would take further steps at the appropriate time to protect her reputation.

While the former minister is rejoicing over the judicial reprieve, perhaps, what she did not know is that the issue she took to court was not her eligibility or for the NYSC scheme, but the presentation of a forged ememption certificate.

Observers feel that she is rejoicing, because the AGF and police have refused to prosecute her for forgery. They held that her suit was a smart ploy to avoid prosecution.

They faulted the AGF and the police, whose responsibility it is to file criminal charges against the former minister for forgery, and are rather indifferent in prosecuting her. They argued that if she was promptly charged, her suit would have been unnecessary.

Moreso as the NYSC scheme is compulsory for all Nigerians, who graduate from universities or equivalent institutions at less than 30 years of age.

In addition to being a requirement for government and private sector jobs in Nigeria, the enabling law prescribes Adeosun punishment for anyone, who absconds from the scheme or forges its certificates. Eligible Nigerians, who skip the service are liable to be sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and/ certificate was anything but genuine. or N2,000 fine, according to Section 13 of the NYSC law.

“Indeed, I presented that certificate at the 2011 Ogun Section 13 (3) of the law also prescribes three-year jail State House of Assembly and in 2015 for Directorate of term or option of N5,000 fine for anyone, who contravenes State Services (DSS) clearance as well as to the National provision of the law as Mrs Adeosun has done. Subsection 4 Assembly for screening. Be that as it may, as someone totally committed to a culture of probity and accountability of the same section also criminalises giving false information or illegally obtaining the agency’s certificate. It provides for I have decided to resign with effect from Friday, 14th up to three-year jail term for such offenders.

September, 2018.”

While a cross section of Nigerians, who do not understand Instead of being immediately arrested and prosecuted the case before the court have been criticising the judiciary, based on her confession, since ignorance of the law is not an excuse from prosecution, nothing was done to her until the courts on a number of occasions have ruled that they are not Father Christmas, and as such, cannot decide on she, through her lawyers, filed a suit marked, FHC/ABJ/ issues not brought before them. In the instant case, it was CS/303/2021 against the AGF. Among her four prayers in the suit was “a declaration that clear that the case brought before the court was a civil matter and not criminal. Instead, all attention should be the plaintiff, being a United Kingdom citizen as at 1989, focused on the AGF, who has been shielding Adesoun from when she graduated from the University of East London, criminal prosecution.

London, United Kingdom at the age of 22 years, was Another issue, does the judgment obtained by the former ineligible to participate in the NYSC scheme, established by minister last week exonerate her from prosection? The the National Youth Service Corps Act, CAP N8, LFN, 2004.” answer, to many, is no. To them, the onus lies on the AGF. Justice Taiwo, in granting the four prayers requested by In the build-up to the 2019 general election, the ruling Adeosun, also noted that the plaintiff was not supposed to All Progressives Congress (APC) disqualified the Minister of present herself for the NYSC scheme, because under the Communications, Adebayo Shittu, from participating in the 1979 Constitution, which was in force at the time of her Oyo State governorship primary, following another expose graduation, she was not a Nigerian citizen and that she that showed that he too skipped the NYSC. became a Nigerian citizen, when she was above 30 years, A suit he subsequently filed to challenge his disqualificawhich was beyond the age of participation in the scheme. tion was struck out by the Federal High Court in Ibadan He held that since the 1979 Constitution, which was in on technical grounds in April 2019. Justice P. I. Ajoku, who force at the time she graduated did not recognise dual heard the case, because the plaintff did comply with the citizenship, Adeosun could not have engaged in the NYSC Constitution, which only gives him 14 days to file his suit scheme, because she was then a British citizen. after the action has commenced.

The judge added that since the extant Constitution did Shittu skipped the NYSC but unlike Adeosun did not not require the plaintiff to present an NYSC discharge forge a certificate to get his ministerial appointment. certificate to be appointed a minister, her ministerial

NOTES FOR FILE

Do You Believe El-Rufai?

El-Rufai

Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, last week, said at 62, he was too old to aspire to be Nigeria’s president. His statement came amid speculations that he might have sent a subliminal message to some people in the political space, believed to be eyeing the presidency, too.

Well, knowing El-Rufai, he couldn’t have truly made such a statement in vacuum.

He must have targeted an individual or individuals. But, if for all

it’s worth, the statement was truly harmless and fortuitous, then, do you believe El-Rufai could have just given up on his presidential dream like that?

For many, it’s hard to believe that the Northwestern governor, whom many have always known to be eyeing the presidency to come up with such a position that takes him out of the equation.

Again, to be fair to El-Rufai, he has been consistent on the matters of the presidency come 2023.

Not only does he think it’s the turn of the south, he has been speaking in its support.

Generally, with the state of the nation, a much younger fellow, with energy and focus, who understands the issues, highly cosmopolitan and able to network, is the ideal successor to President Muhammadu Buhari.

It is, however, not essentially about the number in terms of age, but one who comfortably ticks the boxes.

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CICERO/ONTHEWATCH

Sanwo-Olu...fingers crossed!

Lagos 2023: The Amber Light Flashes In 2023, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s re-election, is the issue. Olawale Olaleye writes

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here are speculations that the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide SanwoOlu, might be stopped from seeking re-election. It’s not false. But, this time, it’s not going to be a walkover for the “architects” of this otherwise venal and destructive politics.

Some of the factors that will determine the tide of events in Lagos in 2023 will not make it easy for fascism. It’s going to be a different ball game, this time. After all, Edo’s recent governorship run, has taught all that possibilities are limitless in politics.

Quite naturally, Lagos, in the 2023 elections, promises an interesting spectacle. It always does.

Since the nation’s return to civil rule in 1999, Lagos has never abdicated its place for another in terms of pacesetting – politically and development-wise.

As the commercial nerve centre of the country, former capital city and Nigeria’s most viable state – economically – it is not by mere coincidental reference that Lagos is monikered the “Centre of Excellence”; it earned it. Lagos is truly mega in all considerations.

This is also why its politics is nothing compared to any other. Lethally civil and treacherously exciting, it always leaves behind many takeaways and in the end, gives soothing bruises. With a perfected winning template – somewhat – that has survived over two decades, the tendency to brag and claim control by the operators of her politics and self-styled leadership, may not be misplaced. They, too, earned it.

Not even with the multitude of supporters that have come to accept their fate in terms of whatever the leadership dishes out to them as political direction. Lagos, as it is today, is politically regimented with diehard discipleship.

They’d rather pander to what they often refer to as the ‘bigger picture’ even if and when their interests might have been canceled out of the

new but obviously manipulated projections. The culture is Darwinian and a cycle typified by schooled corruption. Welcome to Eko for show!

To activate this thriving template in 2007, choosing a successor was Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s biggest challenge as he prepared to leave office.

He was governor of the state between 1999 and 2007. But he chose to gamble and that gamble, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), who was then his chief of staff, paid off.

Suffice it to say that Tinubu is not a very tolerant politician, not even the dissenting views of persons considered subservient could move him. This, perhaps, can explain why in the period he served as governor, ended up with three deputies: Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, Otunba Femi Pedro and Prince Abiodun Ogunleye.

While the need to dominate the political turf, control the levers of power and continue to decide a successor of choice could have been partly responsible for why Tinubu fought and outran three deputies, all of his successors have always had a difficulty returning for a second term, also on the same account.

Fashola, interestingly, scaled the re-election hurdle.

Although the current minister of works and housing refused to meddle in the politics of the state at the time he was governor, he managed relationships

with other equally critical interests in the state very well whilst minding the business of governance and administration, strictly.

Thus, the attempt to undo his rise and stop his re-election failed on the strength of the groundswell of supports he had secured over time. He has since remained the face of progressive politics in terms of performance and the understanding of governance issues. Unfortunately, Fashola’s successor, Akinwunmi Ambode, another gamble

by Tinubu, was not as lucky. Ambode’s inability to properly manage extant relationships and failing to use smart back-channels, were his major undoing as he thought having Tinubu alone was all that was needed to survive the minefield of the politics of re-election.

But Tinubu, expectedly, caved-in to the pressure of his long ignored followers, who moved against the former governor and showed Ambode the way out. Ambode remains the one sitting governor in this part of the country not allowed the opportunity of seeking re-election and not that he failed to return at the polls.

Again, to replace Ambode, Tinubu, yet gambled and dragged into the race, the current governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, a man, who seized the momentum of Ambode’s missteps to come into office – boasting sweeping goodwill amid promises

They’d rather pander to what they often refer to as the ‘bigger picture’ even if and when their interests might have been canceled out of the new but obviously manipulated projections. The culture is Darwinian and a cycle typified by schooled corruption. Welcome to Eko for show!

to douse then growing discontents.

With a well-off profile, fit enough for the job and paired with another sound mind, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu came into office and landed into multiple crises of governance, leadership and administration. As though he had been prepped for the job, Sanwo-Olu has continued to handle the job well to the best of his ability – currently posting above average results.

It goes without saying that Sanwo-Olu cannot finish the work of the developments of the state.

But, the fact cannot also be denied that he is doing as much as possible within the timeframe and resources available, with the hope that a re-election might help to consolidate.

And boom, the amber light flashed.

The speculation is rife now and no longer a big deal amongst the political elite of the state that Sanwo-Olu might be served the Ambode treatment. First, he was said to have agreed to an understanding that he would only serve a term.

Whether or not that is true, the speculation is now a matter of public discourse.

Second, being a Christian, he is said to have been ‘hired’ to serve out the second term of the Christian slot, which Ambode was denied.

Unfortunately, that excuse belies logic in all its forms. While it is true that they are both Christians, Sanwo-Olu, from Lagos Central, cannot – politically and strategically – complete the tenure of Ambode, who represented Lagos East.

And third, his returning to office is being seen as likely to unsettle the plan to allegedly drag Tinubu’s son, Seyi, into the political terrain in a capacity not clear or defined yet. This supposition has also gone on for a while and it appears all things are beginning to work together for the conspiracy theory to excel and as well, materialise.

However, if there had been doubts that there were plans to stop Sanwo-Olu in 2023, two developments – deliberate political machinations though – have successfully funneled authenticity into the suspicions.

One, to prevent anyone in the core of the party leadership from speaking against whatever decisions Tinubu takes at the end of the day, especially, with respect to his son, Tinubu has allegedly ‘fixed’ at least one child of all the members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC). So, when the time comes, no one in the all-important group would be able to speak in that direction.

Political morality has been compromised, first off.

Two and very noteworthy, the treatment meted out to Sanwo-Olu in the recently held local government primary elections was a clear and unmistaken message that stated: “I’m done with you”. Not one local government chairmanship slot was conceded to a sitting governor. This is aside muscling other major interests in the party.

The only chairmanship slot initially yielded to the governor out of the 57 was later retrieved from him and handed to someone believed to have come from Kwara State. Yet, his son, Seyi, was said to have cornered over 10 of the slots across the state.

This is beside other indignations the governor was alleged to have endured in order not to be distracted from his current mandate, knowing that his name is at stake and would ultimately take responsibility.

As it is now, the amber light is on and except the monolithic leadership of Lagos politics is able to interpret the signs very well and tread cautiously this time, there’s nothing about the much touted political template in the state that is irreversible. It may be delusional to assume so. Indeed, there may not be enough ‘loyal foot soldiers’ to prosecute the Lagos 2023 battle.

The idea that anyone, even though constitutionally entitled to a re-election, who allegedly agreed to an ‘ungodly’ understanding to serve just a term in the state, must uphold same, would be addressed by the public, when the time comes.

And, of course, it would be subjected to both legal and constitutional interrogations with all the tenets of democracy thrown up for a fair debate.

Importantly, too, if the rumoured presidential bid of Tinubu is true, then, the amber light directly flashes in his face. It is yet to be seen how he’d set his house on fire and at the same time, continues to chase a bigger dream on the same turf. The contradictions, without a doubt, speak to his capacity to have a rethink and review the subsisting equation. This will enable him make the smartest choice in the circumstances.

But, to deny the fact that the amber light is on and flashes steady, is to continue to live a devastating lie, not even when Mr. Olajide Adeniran, a much younger, energetic and formidable member of their party, is an irrepressible option waiting to happen. To dismiss and underestimate Adeniran’s political machine is to toy with an obvious danger lurking in the corner of Lagos politics in 2023.

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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 ˾ JULY 11, 2021

CICERO/REPORT

When Sule Spoke In Labour’s Language After three weeks of hesitation, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, finally succumbed to pressure from the Organised, writes Igbawase Ukumba

Signing the MoU at the Government House, Lafia

T

he strike by the Nasarawa State workers, which lasted over two weeks was supposed to have commenced since June 7, 2021. It was, however, delayed by labour due to intervention by traditional rulers in the state.

But the Organised Labour said it was left with no other option than to speak the language the state government understood better, which was strike.

Thus, on June 15, 2021, the labour movement mobilised its members and began an indefinite strike in the state after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting. Addressing journalists after the meeting, Nasarawa State chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Yusuf Iya, said the industrial action became imparative due to failure on the part of government to meet workers’ demands after two months ultimatum.

The NLC chairman listed some of the demands of workers to include partial implementation of minimum wage without recourse to due process of collective bargaining and lack of implementation of promotions since 2008. Others were lack of annual increments, lack of training, lack of confirmation of appointments of casual workers, some of whom, according to Iya’s claim, “have been working for more than 10 years’, among others.

Iya said: “Some of the problems lingered for a long period of time, but the government has failed to give priority toward addressing them. We have given the present administration more than two years grace to address our challenges, but the government has been paying lip service.”

But the Nasarawa State government, during an emergency expanded State Executive Council meeting to review the ongoing strike by the Organized Labour held at the Government House, Lafia, recently said, it would not be distracted from its commit-

ment to embark on meaningful projects in the state.

In a statement issued by chairman of the Nasarawa State Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Musa Dangana, the State Executive Council invoked the ‘No-work-no-pay rule’, stressing that salaries for the month of June, 2021 would be paid based on attendance registers placed at various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

“Government noted with dismay the position of the labour unions that government should use available resources to implement promotions and pay salaries only, rather than executing viable projects that have bearing on the lives of the citizens,” the statement said.

The statement further called on MDAs to submit valid attendance registers for the month of June, 2021 to the office of the Head of Civil Service, through their permanent secretaries or Chief Executive Officers, and enjoined willing workers to resume their duties.

Curiously, however, Governor Sule could not continue with his fight with the Organized Labour due largely to pressure from traditional rulers of the state, and succumbed to their pressure after more overtwo weeks of hesitation.

Based on this, the Nasarawa NLC chairman congratulated his fellow workers of the state in the Organized Labour Bulletin No.8 issued on July 5, 2021: “We congratulate you for the victory recorded today. This marks yet another milestone and value addition in the history of labour movement in the state. Comrades, we thank you for your understanding and the commitment you have shown before and during the strike.

“Arising from the discussions between the Organized Labour and the government, and the interventions of some prominent stakeholders in state, most especially, the Emir of Lafia, the Andoma of Doma, Emir of Azara and Osu Ojiri for opening the page of

negotiation, and Hon Aliyu Ahmed Wadada for the finishing touches, the following were achieved: (I) No longer ‘No work No pay rule’. This is to say that June 2021 salary will be paid in full. (ii) All promotions at hand up to 2017 shall be implemented in the month of August 2021. (iii) Last tranche of the August 2016 salary arrears shall be paid.”

To that extent, labour has signed an agreement with the state government to bring to an end the over two weeks industrial action embarked by workers to press in their demands.

Announcing a truce with government during a meeting in the Goverment House, Lafia, the state NLC chairman expressed gratitude to see to the end of the impasse that saw workers down tools for over two weeks. He said by agreeing to sign the new agreement, Governor Sule has proven that he waas a man of integrity who adhered to due diligence in all his undertakings.

Iya emphasised that the period of the industrial action embarked by workers in the state has alsoserved to confirm Sule’s level of commitment, passion and enthusiasm for workers of Nasarawa State.

He prayed for cordial relationship between government and the Labour to continue, stressing that labour would continue to partner his administration to the end.

Sule, too, was grateful to leaders of Labour for giving him a window of opportunity to enable him sign the agreement bringing to an end the over two weeks strike by civil servants.

“The suggestions you have given also made me to believe that you also meant well for the state, because if you have not given me the window of opportunity to be able to pay you, I won’t have signed. The value addition that I am looking for from the organised labour is for the civil service to work with my administration so that Nasarawa State can become independent of reliance on federation account to survive,”

Sule told the labour leaders.

The governor reiterated that, Nasarawa has the capacity and prospect of being able to stand on its feet, but that such could only happen when the workers show commitment.

Outlining the details of the agreement between the state government and Labour, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdukarim Abubakar Kana, said key among the resolutions reached in the agreement were that all pending promotions/annual increments at hand for workers under government employ, that were due and pursuant to the report of the committee for implementation of outstanding promotions up to 2017, should be implemented with effect from August 2021.

He said all pending promotions from 2018 to date be processed and implemented for all those that qualified in line with the public service rules of Nasarawa State.

Kana elaborated: “On the issue of minimum wage, it was resolved that having commenced the payment for workers on levels 1-6, discussions and consequential adjustment for level 7 and above will continue through the standing committee on implementation of minimum wage. Regarding the August 2016 salary arrears, it was agreed that payment of the last trenche of the outstanding August 2016 salary arrears be paid immediately.

“Part of the agreement was that no worker shall be victimised on account of his or her participation in the industrial action, with the Organised Labour agreeing not to also victimize any worker that abstained from the strike. It was equally agreed that government will introduce a development levy in the state for all category of earners, to enhance revenue for the next 12 months to enable government meets up with its commitments and existing obligations.”

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

73

CICERO/INTERVIEW

Peter Akpatason

Akpatason: PIB Debate was Tainted with Sentiments The Deputy Majority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Peter Akpatason, amongst other issues, explained how the federal lawmakers arrived at the 5% operating expenditure granted to the Host Communities in the PIB. He spoke to Udora Orizu. Excerpts:

T

he National Leader of Pan-Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Clark has rejected some provisions in the recently passed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), particularly the 3 and 5 per cent operating expenditure granted to the Host Communities by the Senate and House of Representatives. In your opinion, do you think the 5% is good enough?

It’s not good enough but that was the best we could get at that particular time.

The reason is that legislation is a game of numbers, to get anything in the legislation you need a number and it requires persuasion and all that. And number, even when you add the Southeast and Southwest, it’s not up to the number of our colleagues in the north, so, the PIB at some point assumed a sectional dimension, the debate was more less tainted with the sentiments of north, south, east, west and all of that which is very terrible thing.

Things shouldn’t happen that way. We should actually be looking at things irrespective of ethnic and sectional consideration.

Unfortunately, it happens from time to time, it’s not limited to Nigeria only. So, at that point we had to start negotiating and in the House, we were able to arrive at five per cent, while senate arrived at 3. I’m not pleased with the 5 per cent but that was what we could get at that time.

Southern governors are currently clamouring for Southern Presidency in 2023. Do you see thatpossibility?

Yes, it’s possible but it’s not going to be easy, and the way to go about it is to apply diplomacy,because politics is a game of numbers and we need the number and so we need to be persuasive about it. So, I believe it’s possible but I don’t think it’s going to be easy.

What’s your take on the accusations that the federal government is not pursuing bandits with the same energy it’s using to clampdown on secessionist agitators?

Yes I support that the government should clampdown on every element that is undermining the security of this country but in doing that there must be objectivity. What’s good for Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho is also good for ISWAP and Boko Haram.

Boko Haram and ISWAP have assumed a very monstrous dimension, it did not start yesterday, they have been there for a long time and has spread their tentacles and reach far beyond what’s happening elsewhere.

So, combatting those two terrorists organisation would be more challenging than a fresh agitation. My point is that it has become more difficult, because of the spread and amount of network that they have developed over the years but the government being a responsible government at this point must develop stronger capacity to combat Boko Haram and ISWAP. You sponsored the construction of a 200 metres link road in your constituency in Igarra, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State. There’s a video trending, accusing you of facilitating a substandard project, what do you have to say about this?

Well, in respect to the video. The Project in question is a project that I facilitated in the 2020 budget. It’s a one kilometer road job, the first phase was in the 2020 budget and the completion stage is in 2021 budget. The Job was domiciled in the rural development department of ministry of agriculture and rural development. They awarded the contract to one royal jeff Nigeria limited.

The first phase of the contract was awarded sometime in the year. The second phase was also awarded to the same contractor. And

Akpatason after completion of those stages, it will go to the third stage, I think that’s the stage that’s ongoing currently.

We had opportunity of doing inspection in the first and second phases that happened much earlier. The third phase just commenced a while ago, I have not been on ground to do the inspection at this stage. I was surprised when I saw the video a few days ago, the gentleman never spoke with me about it and nobody ever did. So, when I saw that immediately I tried to reach out to my staff on ground, who went there and eventually produced a preliminary report for me.

When I got to the office being the first day after I saw the video, I wrote a letter to the rural development department of the ministry of agriculture to furnish me with details of the contract and also for them to do on the spot assessment of what’s going on to establish whether actually the job is shoddily done or not, so that if they find any such thing appropriate sanctions can be meted out to whoever is culpable. So, that’s it so far. I’m expecting their feedback today, hopefully.

By the time we get their feedback, we will now swing into action properly. But in the meantime, the preliminary reporting got from my team in Akoko Edo clearly contradicts the report that was presented in that video.

The job is ongoing at the time he made this video, the workers were right there working, work was ongoing when he met them, raised the issue of not having iron rods in a certain parts of the job that was ongoing. Sincerely speaking, I don’t have the details about the base of quantity, which indicates what should be where and all of that I only obtained those documents now. I checked the report of my people and what it indicated is that the portion of the drainage showed to the world

is actually not part of the work given to the contractor.

However, the contractor was actually involved in doing it as part of the support to the community based on the request of the community people, who have come out to confirm that yes they requested for that.

Reason being that the length of work he was given to do, ended at a point where the water will not easily flow into the right channel, the stream that is close to that place. They felt that if the additional work is not done then they will be having a challenge with that drainage and the contractor agreed with them to support the community to do that job.

What I will say clearly is that if I were in a contractor’s position if I choose to give assistance to support the community, I will do the same quality that’s contained in my BOQ. If what he did is different from that, then, I won’t be happy with him. We are going to analyze that. The report I have for my people is a shoulder of the road not the road itself and those materials are waste materials.

Basically, that is it but I appreciate the fact that somebody in the community was able to come out to draw attention to what it considered to be poor work, irrespective of the drama. I’m pleased that somebody is doing something.

To inspect a project everyone must be involved. The agency that awards projects must inspect projects, the community that are benefiting from the project must inspect the project.

The office of the legislator or whoever the person is must inspect project. It’s the reason why I appreciate the fact that the young man could go there and look at what is happening.

However, we will do everything possible

to make sure that if the contractor is doing anything short of the provisions of the BOQ, he will be made to pay for it. Just now I’m told that he has not been paid a dime for the job.

He hasn’t been paid at all, he has done first and second phases, it’s the third one that’s ongoing which means he can’t run away. So, there’s no need for drama. Also, I’m currently doing up to 5 road construction projects in my constituency. I have a mini stadium ongoing, event center like a civic center with 500 capacity, very massive project, people have inspected and they praised the quality of work that’s going on in that place. So, I have never been fingered in any substandard work.

As for ‘Unu ese Bridge’, as the signage suggests, the job is ‘Construction of Unu ese Bridge’ which I facilitated into Budget 2020 in fulfilment of my campaign promise to Ojirami Afe (Afekunu) people. The job is domiciled in Benin Owena Rivers Basin Development Authority, in the Ministry of Water Resources.

In the course of inspection, my home team drew my attention to the fact that contractor was only grading the access road leading to the bridge, while no work was going on at main bridge.

I immediately intimated the head of the agency and requested that the contractor be made to focus on the bridge construction work as specified in the Appropriation Act. After consultation with his team, the MD informed me that ‘construction work’ was not in the first phase of their BEME. At this point, since 2021 Budgeting exercise was over, we both agreed that he has to address the people of the community for them to understand the situation and the remedies being sought.

He actually went and had a dialogue with the community. You may have to contact the agency for further details.

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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 ˾ JULY 11, 2021

SUNDAY INTERVIEW

Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu:

Iwuanyanwu: An Igbo President May Not Solve Southeast’s Agitation In this interview with Chuks Okocha, prominent Southeast politician from Imo State, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu spoke on topical issues. Excerpts:

H

ow will you describe your journey into politics?

I became a politician by accident, because by profession, I am an engineer and scientist. It is a profession I love so much, that elevated me and even gave me money. What happened was that when the then military president, Ibrahim Babangida, lifted ban on political activities, many of the old Igbo politicians were still banned and there was nobody to represent the Igbo. Ekwueme was among the foremost Igbo politicians that people hoped Shehu Shagari would hand over to him in line with what was mutually agreed.

But Ekwueme was among those Babangida banned. I was the only person people considered to have the resources, credibility and the reach to be able to carry the political mantle of the Igbo race. That was how I actually came into politics and when the ban on political activities was lifted, I was more or less compelled then to join political association. I must also say that I have tremendous support from the Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa and across every ethnic nationalities in the country.

The Igbo leaders at that time, the leadership of Ohanaeze spearheaded by the trio of Jerome Udoji, Francis Ibiam and Prof Nwabueze, took me to Nnamdi Azikiwe, the greatest political figure of Igbo extraction then, for endorsement. Most prominent traditional rulers were also part of the delegation to kick-start that my entry into politics. Our political association metamorphosed into a political party, the NRC, and because I was planning to run for the presidency, I didn’t contest the position of the party’s national chairmanship. Tom Ikimi eventually emerged the chairman.

I contested the primaries under the then popular Option A4, but Adamu Ciroma emerged the party’s candidate despite my winning substantially in some states. We finally agreed that I will be the running mate to Ciroma, but surprisingly, the presidency made announcement banning all of us. It practically threw us out of the party, creating room for Bashir Tofa to emerge our party’s presidential candidate.

After the election, Abiola’s SDP won.

But we resolved that instead of instituting legal action, we are going to support Abiola even though we know that there were irregularities like in every election. Since we are very keen to get democracy back, we agreed to support whoever wins. However, the election was annulled. I still contested for president a number of times, totalling three. I can tell you that politics is like infectious madness, once you start, you won’t know when to stop. My final attempt to contest president was in 1999 under the platform of APP. The Igbo have strong aspirants in both APP and PDP with names like Alex Ekwueme and myself, but then the military hierarchy had made up their minds that the presidency must go to Yoruba land to compensate them for the Abiola June 12 debacle.

There was, however, no Yoruba candidate in our party strong enough to win the ticket. They pleaded with me, but I told them that I won’t surrender the ticket to anybody.

They manoeuvred the system and brought Ogbonnaya Onu. I don’t know what they told him, but it was shocking how somebody who lost the governorship ticket in Ebonyi State to Sam Egwu could become the presidential candidate of our party. We have not even voted when they announced him winner. I left Kaduna, the venue of our primaries disappointed and finally joined the PDP. I have remained with the PDP ever since.

Interestingly, while Onu was still jubilant and hopeful that he was going to run, they replaced him with Olu Falae as the party’s candidate. He was really disappointed too.

Will it be right to say that you met your target going into politics?

No. I did not meet my target and I don’t feel fulfilled as such, because I did not win any election to actualise my dream of making the country a better place. Nigeria is nowhere a better society.

It seems the country is even worse today than what it was then. I am not a happy man, because

brain in journalism with Henry Odukumaya as the first Managing Director of Champions newspaper.

In most cases, especially, in engineering, I employed expatriates, when I could not get Nigerians to manage. I know that how to run business is basically having good staff. I appointed board of directors,who may not be equity holders in the company, but I remunerate them very well and gave them some bonus share sometimes.

This method made me to prosper and most times, I could be sleeping and people will be happily working for me, because they know that they are working for themselves too.

What do you consider your biggest regret in life?

This is a very deep question that I may not answer in haste. I cannot actually point at anything I will single out as my biggest regret, but I can say that the saddest period of my life was when I lost my wife, Lady Uduora Iwuanyanwu. She was a very good woman and my girlfriend in the university.

We courted for six years before we got married. We were married for over 40 years before she died. I was shattered and devastated. However, when I prayed God to give me another comforter, He gave my present wife, Nonye, who has proved to be very good. She has a very adorable son I gave the name Emmanuel having seen all my reflexes in him.

How do you want to be remembered?

Iwuanyanwu there is no change. In fact, this is not the Nigeria of my dream.

Why have you not left the PDP to join the APC? I have been in the PDP since 1999. Today, I am the oldest person on the Board of Trustees of the PDP and I am also the oldest person in the NEC of the PDP. I am 79 years going to 80 years next year.

At the moment, I am the chairman, Elders Council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and by that position, I should be non-partisan. So, even if I leave the PDP today, I am not going to join any other party because firstly, I am too old at 80 to run for any election.

I won’t accept any political appointment and I can only do the job of Ohanaeze or other responsibility within my community and state as well. I won’t join any party now, but I will be very happy if our people will address certain issues concerning the youths in politics. At the appropriate time, I will give advice to younger politicians on what I think they should do to make politics a huge success.

Is Igbo presidency feasible in 2023?

The truth about Igbo presidency is that younger generation of Igbo are losing their self-esteem. They feel that something is wrong, because it is not only the challenge of presidency that they are facing. One of my sons had asked me why the Southeast should have five states while other geographical zones have six? I had difficulty answering that question and it is the embarrassment we constantly get from the young generation of Igbo. This is among the things I believe our political leaders can handle and there will be no problem if they are handled. There must be ethnic balancing especially, in Nigeria with multi-ethnic and religious group to ensure that everybody feels accommodated. Igbo presidency is not all that matters. In fact, you will be surprised that the Igbo president may not even be the person to solve the various agitations from the region.

After all, the northern part of Nigeria has produced presidency more than other regions but it does not reflect much in the development of the area. The fact is that if anybody tells you that Igbo presidency will do miracle in the Southeast or Igboland, the person must be lying. He is going to work with the constitution and all eyes will be on him. The only good thing in Igbo presidency is that it is

going to be a psychological boost for the younger generation, feeling that they too can assume the highest position in the land. It will be against their current feelings that they cannot aspire for the position of presidency once you are an Igbo person.

That is what we must try to avoid.

What is the biggest lesson you learnt in politics?

I learnt so many lessons in politics. Even though I did not win in the previous attempts I made, I will not say that my journey into politics was a waste. It was a very useful enterprise I ventured into. Without my involvement in political activities, I will not have had the kind of influence I have today.

I enjoy enormous influence across all parts of the country. I am very highly respected, regarded and equally appreciated by the youths across the country.

I have been honoured three times by the federal government, because they know and worked with me. I am a very detribalised person and have been able to work very well with persons from different tribes and religions. I am one person that can work and produce result across barrier of ethnicity and religion. I will encourage anybody, who can go into politics, because it is a good venture regardless of whether you win or loss. I don’t regret going into politics even though it is very expensive and costs me so much money.

What is the way forward to the insecurity in the Southeast?

I don’t actually want to talk about that now, because it is very complex. I believe that the situation will soon be brought under control.

What is the secret of your successes in multifaceted areas like politics, sports, airline, publishing and engineering?

It boils down to leadership, because I found that out early in my life. I started with class prefect,because I was very humble and quiet. I was also academically very bright, which attracted me to many of my teachers. I believe more in actions than words.

More importantly, I learnt how to use the best hands to achieve results. I went for the best hands when I established my airline. I paid them well and allowed them to run the business. When I went into publishing, I did the same, employing best

I want to be remembered for what I have done to give happiness to humanity and improve the world. My greatest ambition is to make the world better than I met it and I have been able to do that. I feel completely fulfilled and accomplished.

I am not a very rich person, but I have been able to have enough to carry out my philanthropic work. I have trained over 5,000 persons in higher institutions. I have been able to build structures in many schools, universities, medical institutions, churches and many more.

I made substantial contributions in the building of the Anglican cathedral in Owerri and single-handedly built the one in my dioceses, where I spent over N1 billion. I built a blood bank in Imo State when there was nowhere to get blood many years ago and the ones sourced elsewhere were affecting the people.

The good news is that the federal government has taken it over and expanded it.

Another thing that gives me joy is the Imo Airport.

It was my brainchild because I conceived the idea and presented it to then military administrator, General Ike Nwachukwu, a man with amazing leadership qualities.

The government did not have money to build it, but he was able to galvanise the Imo communities comprising the present day Abia, Imo and some parts of Ebonyi States that started to build the airport. It was largely built by community contribution. After creating Abia, I had to give out $2 million in the name of Owerri zone, when the project ran into a hitch. I had to transfer $2 million from my account in New York to be able to make it up. That time, Naira was stronger than Dollar. My interest in airline business was just to make Imo Airport to function.

They had refused to open it after completion. They insisted that we had to get an airline.

I had a private jet I usually use to shuttle Nigeria and my offices in New York and London, but not an airline. I had to procure four Aircraft that I started the Oriental Airline with just to facilitate the opening of the Imo Airport. Graham Douglas, the then Aviation Minister helped me to secure the operating licence.

My entry attracted the like of Okada, Kabo, among others. It was not profitable initially until later. When they all joined I had to stop the airline business, because I was not actually interested in it, but I just floated it to make sure Imo Airport becomes operational. I also feel fulfilled that I started Champion newspaper.

What was the turning point in your life?

Well, the turning point of my life was when I was able to execute some contracts as an engineer. I did lots of things like designing of bridges, I also established companies into production, but essentially, engineering actually gave me a lot of my money.

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NEWS

News Editor: Gboyega Akinsanmi E-mail: ÑÌÙãÏÑ˲ËÕÓØÝËØ×Ó̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙט͸΀͹ͽͺͻͽ΁ͺͽͻ

Probe AMCON, Sterling Bank for Unethical Practices, Firm Tells Buhari T S

A property development company Grant Properties Limited, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to cause a probe into an alleged collusion between Sterling Bank Plc and Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, (AMCON) in the dissipation of the company’s assets to satisfy a facility obtained by the company.

The company said it had secured a loan from a consortium of four banks, including Sterling Bank, Skye Bank, Unity Bank and Wema Bank, to finance the development of an estate, Victory Park Estate, in Lekki, Lagos.

It said the facility was secured via the shares in its subsidiary, Knight Rook Limited, which only asset of about 46 hectares of land in Victory Park Estate.

A similar petition was written to the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Both letters, which are duly acknowledged receipt by the Presidency and the CBN, were obtained by our correspondent.

The petitions were signed by Chief Olajide Awosedo (now late) who was then the chairman of the company.

In the petition, entitled: Insider Abuse, Collusion and Fraud: Petition Against Sterling Bank Plc, Mr Yemi Adeola, Mr Yemi Idowu, Ms Justina Lewa & Asset Management Corporation, Awosedo asked

the president to intervene to redress the injustice meted out to him and his company.

He also called on the CBN to review the action taken by the bank.

The petitioner said: “We would, however, like the CBN to investigate the legal and ethical issues raised in the insider abuse, collusion and illegal sale of a customer’s assets by Sterling Bank to its directors.”

The company stated that the judgement of a Lagos High Court had established the illegality of their actions, which broke the AMCON Act, the Securities and Exchange Commission laws, Banking laws and all the ethics of the banking profession.

Among other demands, it asked the CBN to cause a thorough investigation of the insider trading and collusion

by Sterling Bank and its top management, Yemi Adeola, Yemi Idowu and Ms Justina Lewa; Compel Sterling Bank to return the 10 hectares of land which Yemi Adeola and Yemi Idowu illegally sold to themselves, to AMCON as part of the collateral. This, itself was in line with the judgement of a Lagos High Court which nullified that sale.

The company also asked the CBN to compel AMCON to recover the 10 hectares of land as its collateral, and apply it toward the N8.5 billion debt obligation.

It said: “AMCON should commission a valuation of the property and take the portion of it which satisfies the obligation, and then return the remainder to us.

“After the obligation is satisfied, AMCON should be asked to issue a letter of release, and return our Knight Rook shares and other properties held

by AMCON and the Receiver Manager to us,” it said.

The company said Sterling

Bank management in order to ensure that the court verdict the company won was not executed engaged in an intricate web of mind-game, bringing in the AMCON to set obstacles for the company in order to arm-twist it to abandon its judgement it won at the Lagos High Court.

In the petition to the CBN, he asked the apex bank to investigate the dealings of Mr Yemi Adeola and co-conspirators in Sterling Bank and AMCON and

ultimately ensure that the ethics of the banking profession is upheld and not be dragged into the mud because of the greed of some individuals in the industry.

The petitioner recalled that at some point in 2009, the project was stalled due to liquidity challenges in the banks, “and they were no longer able to provide funds to continue the development.”

He said: “When AMCON

was established in 2011, the banks transferred the loan to the corporation, but Sterling Bank retained the Knight Rook shares and used the same to trade illegally.

“We discovered that Sterling Plc did not transfer all of our collateral to AMCON, instead it diverted 10 hectares of the land, which it secretly sold to its Director, Mr Yemi Idowu, a rival real estate developer.”

FROM CAPTIVITYTO CONSOLATION . .

L-R: President of the African Development Bank (AFDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina; one of the Chibok girls who escaped Boko Haram captivity in 2014, Miss. Mary Katambi and a former Vice-President and Founder of American University of Nigeria (AUN), Atiku Abubakar at Katambi’s graduation from the institution in Yola, Adamawa State… yesterday

Wife of Slain Super TV CEO Demands N1bn Over Libelous Reports U A

Brenda Ataga, wife of the slain Super TV CEO, Mr. Usifo Ataga has asked the management of Naijaloaded Blog for a sum of N1 billion as compensation for the publication of libelous and malicious reports against her person.

Brenda, also, asked the online platform to pull down the report from the website and retract the damaging report through its medium and other online news outlets.

She made these demands in a letter dated June 28 and

addressed to the Managing Director of the online medium, Mr. Makinde Azeez through her counsel, Chief Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan (SAN).

Ataga, also a director in Super Network Limited, was recently found dead in a pool of blood at a short service apartment at Lekki Phase 1, Lagos state shortly after his family declared him missing.

Subsequently, the Lagos State Police Command arrested a 21-year-old undergraduate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Chidinma Ojukwu for allegedly killing the late

CEO. The command had also claimed that the suspect was caught with a blood-soaked cloth worn on the day of the incident and confessed to stabbing the deceased with a kitchen knife after a struggle.

Chidinma, at a parade at the police command in Ikeja, had confessed that she and Ataga were “having fun” when an argument broke out and she stabbed him twice.

But in its report published on June 26, Naijaloaded had fingered Brenda in the murder of her husband, citing her relationship

with the suspect through Brenda’s boyfriend.

In her letter of claim, however, Brenda described the report published by the online platform as a callous, malicious and mindless attack on the personality of their client.

The lawyer stated that the publication described his client as a conniving criminal that was part of the plans that killed her husband, father of her children, a most heinous cunning act.

The letter, which described the report as false, hinted that it labelled Mrs Ataga who is a wife, mother and highly placed

official of the Nigerian government as a loose woman and a flirt, carrying on extra marital affairs with another Mr. Izu. The letter demanded that the story be immediately pulled down from the website of Naijaloaded online, while calling for a complete retraction of the damaging story, to be carried first in online platform news blogs and other online news outlets.

The letter read in part: “A properly worded unreserved apology for the libel published in your news blog, two national television stations including Channels Television Network and three

National newspapers including The Punch newspaper.

“That you pay the sum of N1, 000, 000, 000 (One Billion Naira) through our office to our client as pecuniary compensation for your reckless and mindless injury to her vide the published defamatory materials aforesaid.

“If at the end of 14 days from the date of this letter, any of the listed demands still stands unfulfilled, we would proceed on our full instructions to initiate steps to bring the full consequences of your recklessness in the aforementioned publications to you.

FG Engages 46 Independent Monitors for Social Investment Programme in Imo T S

In a bid to monitor the ongoing National Social Investment Programme in Imo state, the federal government has distributed engagement letters and tablets to forty six trained Independent Monitors for the supervision of the program.

The event, which was held at the office of Sustainable Development Goals SDGs and Humanitarian Affairs, Owerri, mid-week, witnessed the presentation of the tablets and the letters to the moni-

tors who turned out in their numbers to be captured.

Speaking during the event, the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiq Umar Farouq, represented by the director of programs, Mr Raphael Obi Oraeluno urged the monitors to do the work with utmost diligence and commitment because the programme is centred on the life of the poor and vulnerable members of the society.

Obi noted that the ministry

wanted to know how impactful the program would be and whether there would be desired results in the various social investment programmes and where it was not, what the problem was and how it could be resolved.

He said: “So we expect the independent monitors to do their work diligently.”

He noted that the work was not transferable to third party because participants would receive monthly stipends and the ministry was not ready to get anything less than the

expected standard.

The director stated further that the programme covered four social investment programmes namely Home Grown School Feeding Programme, Conditional cash transfer , Government Enterprising and Empowerment programme and the N- power adding that the tablets would be assigned to supervise each of the programmes in his or her localities and would be given details on how the monitoring should be done.

Governor Hope Uzodimma

who was represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr C.C. Osuala urged the monitors to see themselves as being used for the betterment of the society and should do it with the fear of God. He said that corruption and other social vices “will not be tolerated. The more genuine people are captured, the more poverty will be reduced.”

Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Imo state on SDGs and Humanitarian services, who doubles as the focal person in Imo State

N- SIP, Princess Christina Ude expressed her joy on behalf of her office for the distribution of the engagement letters and tablets to the trained Independent Monitors.

She explained that the national social investment programme was targeted at reducing poverty in Nigeria.

She stated that the engagement of the independent monitors for a period of one year was one of the programmes the ministry employed to ensure that these programmes achieve their desired results.

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NEWSXTRA

Matawalle’s Defection Won’t Affect PDP in Future Elections, Says Zamfara Deputy Gov Adedayo Akinwale The Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Mahdi Aliyu Gusau yesterday told a teeming number of his supporters during a solidarity rally that the defection of his principal, Dr. Bello Matawalle would not affect the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the future elections.

Gusau, son of a former National Security Adviser, General Aliyu Gusau and currently the youngest deputy governor in the country, also disclosed that he would not defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with Matawalle, who officially

left the PDP on June 29.

He gave this assurance during a solidarity rally organised in support of the People Democratic party (PDP) in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital yesterday and attended by thousands of party members from 14 local government areas (LGAs) across the state.

At the solidarity rally, party faithfuls across the state held placards with inscriptions: “With Mahdi, new Zamfara is possible; Zamfara is PDP and PDP is Zamfara.”

The rally, which kicked off at about 11:00 a.m., caused traffic

congestion in the state capital with commuters held in gridlocks for hours due to the large number of party supporters that trooped in for the solidarity march.

The deputy governor was accompanied by his father, General Aliyu Gusau, members of the PDP Caretaker Committee and

some members of the State House of Assembly.

Addressing the party faithfuls yesterday, Mahdi disclosed that the defection of Matawalle would not in any way affect the chances of the PDP in future elections.

Mahdi assured the party supporters that as the highest

political office holder in the party, he would mobilise grassroots support to bring the PDP back to the seat of power.

The deputy governor added that he would work with all party leaders at the ward, local government, state and national levels to reposition

the PDP ahead of the 2023 elections.

He, therefore, urged every leader and member of Zamfara PDP “to cooperate with him to reposition the party. With Matawalle’s Defection, I am now the leader of the PDP in Zamfara State

Bauchi Police Torture Man, 33, to Death Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi A team of police operatives attached to the Yelwa Division and some vigilantes has allegedly tortured a 33-year-old man, Dauda Danladi to death in Bauchi State.

But the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abiodun Sylvester Alabi has ordered an investigation to ascertain the actual circumstances surrounding the death of the 33-year-old man.

THISDAY learnt Danladi was arrested in front of his shop located in Yelwa Kagadama, a suburb of Bauchi metropolis at about 9pm on Thursday and was taken to the Yelwa Division.

At the police division, according to different eyewitnesses, Danladi was allegedly tortured to death.

An eyewitness, Sheba Babangida, told THISDAY that when the police and the vigilante came, they started arresting people from the snooker spot belonging to the deceased.

She said: “We were doing our business. We even chatted with him. He went into his shop and later came out. Some officers came and started arresting youths in the area.

“When they arrested him in front of his shop, we pleaded with them to release him but they refused and forcefully took him into the car they came with.

That was around 9pm.

“The next day, I could not go to the station because I was not feeling too well. But someone told me that the man that was arrested last night is dead. I also confirmed from one man selling meat close to where our shop is and he said it was true.”

She added that as soon as she heard it, she looked for his house and went there and confirmed that it was true.

Another eyewitness, Liatu Nuhu, also said security operatives came in their vehicle at about 9:00 p.m and arrested some persons in the area including the deceased.

When they arrested the deceased, according to the eyewitness, we tried to prevail on them to release him. But they turned down our pleading.

Nuhu said: “I was doing my business when, suddenly, the police and some vigilante came, more than 10 of them and started arresting people.

Buni Meets Kwara Senators, Pledges to Resolves Crisis Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Chairman of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Mr Mai Mala Buni yesterday met with Senators representing Kwara State as part of an effort to restore peace in the state chapter of the party.

Buni, in a statement issued by his Director General, Press and Media Affairs, Mr. Mamman Mohammed said the national leadership of the party would continue to support unity and progress of APC in the state.

He said: “As you are aware,

the caretaker committee is repositioning the party, reconciling differing opinions to build a strong and united membership that will improve the fortunes of the party.”

Buni assured members of the party that the leadership had great respect for due process, discipline and all programmes that would contribute to making the party strong.

The three senators are: Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe (Kwara Central), Senator Oyelola Ashiru (Kwara South) and Sen. Sadiq Suleiman Umar (Kwara North).

The senators said that they would continue to promote unity in the party.

PROMOTING FOOD SECURITY. . .

L-R: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Soybean Breeder, Dr. Abush Abebe; Director-General, Premier Agribusiness Academy/ Project Director, Soy Excellence Centre, Toromade Francis; Registrar/CEO, Nigerian Institute of Animal Science, Prof. Eustace Iyayi; Maize Associate Scientist, IITA, Dr. Meseka Silvestro, after a meeting to train poultry farmers on maize and soybean production as a backward integration strategy to reduce poultry products cost and ensure regular availability in Ibadan, Oyo State…recently

Adichie Explains Alienation from Catholicism, Alleges Harassment of Women Funmi Ogundare Award-winning novelist, Chimamanda Adichie has explained why she separated herself from Catholicism even as she alleged the church harasses women.

Adichie revealed this in an article titled, “Dreaming as a Single Family” published in the latest edition of the L’osservatore Romano weekly bulletin, released on Friday.

Adichie had, in January 2021, explained why she stopped attending Catholic churches in Nigeria. She had also criticised the community’s activities as being “too much about money,

fundraising, and thanksgiving”.

In her latest piece, however, Adichie wrote: “I was raised Catholic, on the campus of the University of Nigeria. We attended a love-filled church run by the Spiritan congregation.

“As a teenager, I wore my Catholic identity like a favorite dress, joyfully and reverently. I was a self-styled Catholic apologist, arguing passionately with the Protestant children in defense of such subjects as the Blessed Virgin Mary, tradition, and transubstantiation.”

The award-winning writer, who is popularly known for her feminist views, attributed her first sign of alienation to the treatment

of females in the church.

“Years later, something changed. My pious passion withered. I remember my first moment of recoil from the church, when a gentle and devout couple was banned from communion because their daughter had married an Anglican.

“It felt to me not only uncharitable, but unnecessarily so, as did other subsequent incidents, such as poor people who were refused burials because they owed money to the church.

“This happened in my ancestral hometown, in a provincial parish far from the university campus where I grew up. But after the

Spiritans left, an uncharitable chill also descended on my university church,” she said.

Adichie claimed women were often harassed and made to feel uncomfortable.

She said: “Women of all ages were often harassed, men baring their entry into the church unless they wrapped themselves in shawls to hide their shoulders and arms (which apparently would cause men in the church to sin).

“Entire homilies were dedicated to the wiles and evils of women.

How unsettling to sit through Mass feeling as though one, simply by being born female, had become inherently guilty of a crime.

FG Rejects Flour Mills, Flutterwave’s Applications for Tax Holiday Oluchi Chibuzor

The federal government has declined applications from 10 companies seeking pioneer status under the industrial development Income Tax Relief Act (IDITRA).

This is according to the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) report on Pioneer Status Incentive (PSI) applications for the first quarter of 2021 (Q1 2021).

The PSI is a tax holiday that grants qualifying industries and products relief from payment of corporate income tax for an initial period of three years, extendable for one or two additional years.

According to NIPC, the pioneer industries eligible for

this tax incentive are agriculture, mining and quarrying, manufacturing, electricity and gas supply, waste management, construction, trade, information and communication, professional services, financials, and administrative services.

The companies whose applications were declined include Fountain Manufacturing Company (soap), Echostone Development Nigeria (real estate), Al-Hamsad Rice Mill (rice milling), Benchmark Constructions (real estate), Super Packaging Limited (woven sacks).

Others are Royal Foam Products Nigeria (mattress), ENGIE Fenix Nigeria (solar), Flour Mills of Nigeria (grain products), Envoy Hotel (hotel), and Flutterwave Technology

Solutions (online payment).

The report said Echostone’s application was rejected due to a contract project not allowed under IDITRA; while Benchmark Constrictions did not comply with the documentary requirement for PSI approval.

Royal Foam and Flour Mills applications were rejected because it was not eligible under IDITRA (expansion project); and Fountain Manufacturing and Super Packaging Limited was because its activities are not in the PSI list.

Meanwhile, Al-Hamsad Rice Mill, ENGIE Fenix, Envoy Hotel, and Flutterwave applications were time barred.

The federal government granted tax holidays to six companies, which are Pan

African Towers, African Foundries, Aarti Rolling Mills, Princess Medi-Clinics Nigeria, Medlog Logistics, and Tiamin Rice.

These firms had invested N45.5 million into the economy as at March 31, 2021.

According to the report, 17 companies had their applications approved-in principle, meaning these firms are subject to the payment of application fees and will only take effect (application) after the payment of such fees.

The report further disclosed that there are 33 current PSI beneficiaries, including Dangote Sinotrucks West Africa and Honeywell Flour Mills; while the applications of 132 companies are pending.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͯ​ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

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NEWSXTRA YPP Asks Court to Nullify PDP, APC’s Primaries in Anambra Alex Enumah in Abuja The Young Progressives Party (YPP) has asked a Federal High Court, Awka, to determine the validity of primaries the All Progressive Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) con-

ducted to nominate candidates for the next elections.

The party made the demand in two separate suits with numbers FHC/AWK/ C5/53/21 and FHC/AWK/ C5/52/21 filed before the court on Friday.

YPP through its counsel,

Donald DeNwigwe (SAN) said in view of Rule 4.5.1 and 4.5.2 of the guidelines for the Conduct of Political Parties Primaries 2018, the court should determine if the PDP’s purported primary was valid following the party’s failure to submit its delegates list 7

days before the date of the primaries.

Citing various court judgments, the plaintiff is asking the court to among others determine if INEC was right not to have barred the PDP from holding the purported primary on June 26 that

Women Charge N’Assembly to Enshrine Affirmative Action in Constitution Tobi Soniyi Women have called on the National Assembly to incorporate affirmative action in the ongoing review of the constitution by reserving certain forty percent of elective offices at the national, state and council levels for women.

They also called on political parties to include in their constitutions provisions to field women for forty percent of elective offices for which they are sponsoring candidates.

The women noted that for too long, the governments at all levels and the leadership of political parties had paid lip service to getting more women into elective and decision-making offices.

The time, they argued, had come to take concrete steps to achieve these laudable objectives.

The women canvassed these positions at a one-day feminist

consultative meeting with stakeholders towards increasing the number of elected women in political leadership across all level by 2023 in Nigeria, in Abuja.

The meeting was organised by the Nigerian Feminist Forum (NFF) and sponsored by the Ford Foundation.

The meeting was attended by the Labour Party, People’s Redemption Party, Action Alliance, Alliance People’s Movement, InterParty Advisory Council (IPAC), Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, Young Progressives Parry and the African Democratic Congress among others.

In a communique issued at the end of the meeting participants noted that except affirmative action was backed up with legislation, getting more women into decision making and elective offices would remain a dream.

They noted that political parties were not doing enough to help

get more women into elective offices and that unless these parties are compelled by laws, they are not going to do it.

They stated that the political process is skewed in favour of men and called on the National Assembly to intervene by enacting legislation to guarantee women more elective offices. ]They also called on women to come out en masse and participate in politics. According to them, statistics from the Independent National Electoral Commission had shown that men voted more than women during the last general election.

They also called on women to speak out on issues affecting them and should stop the practice of allowing men to decide issues affecting them.

The women called on INEC to deregister political parties that fail to implement provisions on women participation.

They also called for the creation of an electoral offence

commission to prosecute perpetrators of electoral violence against women They called on the government to prosecute people who misappropriate funds and use the institution of state to manipulate processes to further their personal interests.

The Nigerian Feminist Forum is a biennial public policy forum that brings together self-identifying feminists, who through feminist principles challenge the system of power, promoting the learning and teaching of feminist principles and universality of women’s rights.

NFF positions Nigerian feminists at the cutting edge of a movement that demands courage, commitment, strength and analytical skill, in order to make the needed critical analysis that will become a key element in a new politics for Nigeria.

produced Valentine Ozigbo as the party’s flag bearer for the state’s 2021 governorship election and from further participation in the process of nomination of candidates for the aforementioned election.

The YPP also asked the court to determine whether INEC in view of the commission’s Monitoring Committee Report on the aforementioned PDP primary and the decision in APC V. Marafa (2020) 6 NWLR (Pt. 1721), can chose when to enforce provisions of the Electoral Act, Rule 4.5.1 and 4.5.2 of the guidelines for the Conduct of Political Parties Primaries 2018 which require parties to submit their delegate lists to the commission 7 days before their primaries.

The party asked the court to determine whether INEC being a public regulatory body for political parties, is right not to have declared the purported primary conducted on June 26 by the PDP as a nullity for being in violation of the judgment of the FCT High Court in Suit No. FCT/HC/BW/CV/160/2021 between Akaeze Ugochukwu Vincent and the Peoples Democratic Party.

In the case of the APC, the plaintiff wants the court to determine whether the purported primary conducted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) on June 26, 2021 which produced Senator Andy Uba

as the party’s flag bearer is void or otherwise.

It wants the court to further determine the validity of the aforementioned primary in view of Section 285 (14)(c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Section 87(1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) and Guidelines for the Conduct of Party Primaries as provided by INEC and the commission’s Monitoring Committee Report on the purported primary conducted by the APC. Also in the suit, the YPP in view of the Supreme Court decision in APC V. Marafa (2020) 6 NWLR (Pt. 1721), Section 285 (14)(c) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Section 87 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Party Primaries, and the Report of INEC Monitoring Committee on the aforementioned primary, asked the court to determine if INEC is right not to have barred the APC from further participation in the process for nomination of candidates for the November 6th Anambra State Gubernatorial Election following the failure of the party to conduct primary election for the election of candidate between June 10 and July 1 time frame given by the commission for conduct of primaries.

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NEWSXTRA Southern Govs’ Call for Power Shift Can Cause Nigeria’s Break Up, Warns PSC Faults deadline to states on anti-grazing law Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

A support group of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Presidential Support Committee (PSC) yesterday warned that the demand of the Southern

Governors Forum for power shift in 2023 could lead to the breakup of Nigeria.

The committee, also, faulted the decision of the forum at its last meeting in Lagos State to make the violation of the anti-

grazing law an offence attracting jail sentence.

The Director, Media and Publicity of the group, Dr. Kailani Mohammad, served the warning over the weekend after the inauguration of PSC national

officers in Abuja.

At the inauguration, Mohammad said the North would not be compelled to yield to the demand by the southern governors because the North has the advantage of a voting bloc.

CONGRATULATIONS. . .

Wife of the graduand, Mrs. Ifeoluwa Alabi; Head, Corporate Communications, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Segun Alabi; a former Vice Chancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education, Prof. Olusegun Awonusi and a Guest, Mr. Aremu Oduntan, at the conferment of Doctor of Philosophy Degree in English: Language Use and Communication on Alabi during the 51st convocation of the institution... recently ETOP UKUTT

Twitter Ban: ECOWAS Court Names RFK Human Rights Amicus Curiae Tobi Soniyi

The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Court) has granted the application of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights to intervene as amicus curiae in the case challenging the decision of the Nigerian government to indefinitely ban the use of Twitter in the country.

The #Twitterban case filed

by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) originates from the order dictated on June 4 by the Nigerian Government banning access to Twitter from the country.

The lawsuit seeks, among other reliefs, an order of the court directing the Nigerian government and its agents to revoke, withdraw,

and/or rescind its suspension or potential indefinite ban of Twitter and/or any other social media service provider in Nigeria.

In addition, SERAP sought and obtained an interim order restraining Nigerian authorities from arresting Nigerians circumventing the Twitter ban by the use of Virtual Personal Network (VPN).

As a party to several regional and international treaties which guarantee the right to freedom of expression, Nigeria is obligated to protect and respect this human right.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), just like the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR), establishes that the right to freedom of expression

“includes freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers … and through any media.”

In addition, human rights mechanisms in Africa, Europe, and the Americas have asserted that rights that exist offline must be protected online.

RFK Human Rights’ amicus curiae brief addresses these international and regional standards on the right to freedom of expression online and offline; the scope of States’ obligations to protect the rights and right to use encryption technology such as VPN. “There is international consensus that internet platforms are media for expression and international human rights law protecting free expression offline applies to online expression,” said

Ikechukwu Uzoma, staff attorney at RFK Human Rights.

He added: “In addition, there is growing consensus that the use of technology such as VPN for encryption and anonymity is protected under international law especially given the trend of reprisal all over the world.”

In addition to freedom of expression, Twitter and other social media platforms play a crucial role in the full enjoyment of the right to freedom of association and assembly in Nigeria.

The #ENDSARS campaign for accountability and reforms in the Nigerian Police Force was largely organized and sustained online.

The current Twitter ban was put into effect a few days before the June 12 democracy protest for good governance in Nigeria.

“We don’t see how the governors should be confronting the President. Look at their insistence that power should shift to the south in 2023. We are also Nigerians and we have the bulk of the votes in the North.

“It is a matter of give and take; it is not an issue of making it a must. If they are saying it is a must- it means they are looking for something- like breaking up the country. That is just a simple analogy,” the publicity director said.

He likened the second governors’ summit as a gang up against the President, saying their resolution was not in tandem with democratic norms.

“For setting a deadline to stop open grazing even when President Muhammadu Buhari has made a statement in that regard, is an open confrontation against the President.

It is not a wise political decision.

“It is disturbing that elected officials would come out with an ultimatum in defiance of the opinion of a sitting President in a matter that could have been

settled by a caucus within the Governor’s Forum or at the party level.

“To resort to a direct confrontation with the President is unfortunate. Unfortunately, our politicians have deviated from the very foundation of unity of our founding fathers,” he said.

He warned that the threat by the governors to promulgate the anti-grazing law by September 1, 2021 will result in a clash of interest between the federal government and the state governments.

The PSC also expressed dismay with some commentary on the arrest and prosecution of the leader of the proscribed Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu for treason and jumping of bail. The group urged the public to allow the law to take its full course without any prejudice as the matter is now before the court.

The body also demanded that Kanu be given a fair hearing in line with the principles of the Rule of Law. The presidential support com-

Dominican Preachers Unveils 100% Scholarship for Indigent Children Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja The Dominican preachers under the aegis of Society for Vocation Support (SVS) have established a college in Abuja to help indigent children and out-of-school children with 100% scholarship.

Prior Provincial, Dominican Province of St Joseph the Worker (Nigeria and Ghana), Rev. Richard Ogedegbe unveiled this initiative in Abuja yesterday alongside the Coordinator of the Dominican College, Fr. Stephen Ogbe.

At the unveiling yesterday, Ogedegbe said the SVS would give indigent children 100,% scholarship to out-ofschool children to attend the Dominican College, Abuja He said: “It is our own way of reducing the number of out of school children. Our desire is to use Dominican College,Anini, Kwali,Abuja as a platform to further bridge the education gap between children from economically stable backgrounds and those whose families are economically disadvantaged.

To this end, the cleric disclosed that the society had established the Indigent

Scholarship Trust Fund (ISTF), to take care of as many out of school children as possible.

He said: “The order of preachers seeks every opportunity to advance the case of holistic development and formation of the human person in any way possible.

Establishing and running academic institutions is one of our domains of achieving this.”

Also at the unveiling, Ogbe said the ISTF “is to assist poor kids get free education. The Dominican Society came up with the college in order to give free education to all indigent children who may never be able to afford private schools.

“The Dominican society is right at the forefront of trying to see that many of our children are educated.

We are flagging out today the Indigent Scholarship Trust Fund.

“The number of children we are going to pick will depend on how much people are willing to help.

People can decide to adopt children, if you adopt a child all we need from you is to contact us and we will tell you what it takes to keep the child in school.

Ogunlowo Passes on at 91

Lagos Panel Admits Autopsy Reports on 99 #EndSARS Victims

Pa. Adebayo Ogunlowo, an astute administrator and Anglican priest, has passed on at 91.

Ogunlowo’s passage was contained in a statement Media Consultant to the family, Mr. Aramide Tola-Noibi issued at the weekend.

The statement said Ogunlowo passed on peacefully on May 29, leaving children and adorable grandchildren behind.

Born on April 30, 1930, the statement said Ogunlowo started his elementary education at the St. Peter’s Anglican School, Oluponna in 1938 and gained admission to Ibadan Boys High School in 1945.

It said: “Ogunlowo crossed to Remo Secondary School, Sagamu and lastly to the C.M.S Grammar School, Lagos where he obtained his Senior Cambridge (Oversea) School Certificate in December 1953.

“He started work in 1954 at the

Segun James

Ogunlowo

then Western Region Ministry of Education, Ibadan as a Clerical Officer and was posted to the Provincial Education Office in Abeokuta.

“He was later posted to the Planning Office, Ilaro in Egbado where he along with other officers worked tirelessly to prosecute the free Primary School Education Scheme then newly introduced by the then Premier of the Western Region, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Lagos State Judicial Panel on Restitution for Victims of SARS and the Lekki Tollgate Incident yesterday admitted in evidence autopsy reports of 99 persons reportedly killed in Lagos during the 2020 #EndSARS protests.

The Chief Pathologist of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Prof. John Obafunwa submitted the reports following an order on June 5 for the post mortem results of all the 99 corpses to be made available.

The evidence, which the chief pathologist tendered at the sitting of the panel yesterday, was contained in two nylon bags- blue and white. After the evidence tendered before the panel, there was no objection from any parties at the panel.

Subsequently, the Chairman of

the panel, Justice Doris Okuwobi, admitted the documents in evidence after the counsel to some #EndSARS protesters, Yinka Olumide-Fusika, moved for the documents to be admitted.

Okuwobi adjourned further sitting to July 13.

During the cross-examination, Olumide-Fusika noted that Obafunwa disclosed that the bodies were recovered from different parts of Lagos at the time.

“I want to prove to this panel that the claim that only three dead bodies were brought in from Lekki is not true,” Olumide-Fusika said at the sitting of the panel.

Obafunwa, a professor of Medicine and the Head of the Department of Morbid Anatomy at the Lagos University College of Medicine had claimed that at least 99 persons were killed during the #EndSARS protests.

The pathologist added that three persons were killed in Lekki when soldiers opened fire on unarmed protesters at the toll plaza on October 20, 2020.

The remaining bodies were received from other parts of the state including Surulere, Ikorodu, Ajah, Fagba, among others, Mr Obafunwa said.

On October 20, military officers arrived at the Lekki Toll Gate in Toyota Hilux vans and shot at peaceful protesters that converged on the tollgate waving the Nigerian green-and-white flag and reciting the national anthem The youths were protesting police brutality and asking for reforms in governance.

The army, which initially denied shooting at the protesters, later admitted that its men carried live bullets that night but only to tackle armed hoodlums who

had hijacked the protests.

Ahmed Taiwo, Commander of the 81 Division, Military Intelligence Brigade, Victoria Island, had told the panel of Inquiry into the Lekki Tollgate incident that the army went to the tollgate “with both blank and live ammunition”.

The official also fell short of saying his men fired live shots at Nigerians on their way “to clear the Lekki, Eti-Osa corridor”.

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79

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 11, 2021

SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by: Duro Ikhazuagbe email:Duro.Ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

EURO 2020 FINAL...EURO 2020 FINAL...EURO 2020 FINAL...

Italy Not Afraid of Playing England at Wembley, Says Bonucci Duro Ikhazuagbe with agency report

D

espite facing England’s partisan crowd in today’s Euro 2020 Championships Ànals at the Wembley Stadium tonight, Italian defender, Leonardo Bonucci, has insisted that the Azzurri will not be afraid to play the Three Lions at the Wembley Stadium tonight.

The 34-year-old, alongside 37-year-old captain Georgio Chiellini, has excelled in the Azzurri backline throughout this tournament and is preparing to play in his second Euros showpiece event.

Italy were heavily beaten 4-0 by Spain in the Euro 2012 Ànal, however Bonucci is “very conÀdent” that this result will not be repeated at Wembley.

“We will be playing at their home but we are not afraid of that. We are looking forward to going to Wembley on Sunday, even though we will have a mostly English crowd,” Bonucci told the Evening Standard

yesterday.

“But being there will be additional motivation for us because we want to achieve something historical and will do everything we can to play a great match, then we will see what the Ànal result will be.”

Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but have since improved immensely under former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini, and head into tonight’s Ànal unbeaten in their last 33 international matches.

Meanwhile, Harry Kane is hoping England will be Euro 2020 top guns in Sunday’s final against Italy after receiving a message of support from Hollywood actor Tom Cruise. England captain Kane will lead his country in their first major final for 55 years.

Ahead of the historic showdown at Wembley, Kane revealed Gareth Southgate’s squad had an unexpected call from “Top Gun” and “Mission Impossible” star Cruise, who was in London on Saturday for the Wimbledon women’s Ànal.

“Obviously we have had explayers and people get in touch,”

Italy’s Captain, Georgio Chiellini (left) and Harry Kane will go to war tonight for the most coveted prize in European football

Kane told the BBC. “We actually had Tom Cruise get in touch yesterday evening, you get everyone who loves football.”

“We were fortunate enough to

have a watch of one of his Àlms so I think he was over here in the UK and he just dialled in and FaceTimed us just to wish us the best as a group so that was nice of him,” Kane added.

“I’m not sure if he will be there at the Ànal or not but football is such a big part of the world and it’s nice to have that support from all diͿerent types of businesses.”

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President of the Nigeria Football Federation and FIFA Council Member, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick was in ecstasy at Hertfordshire, England yesterday as he watched the Àrst training session of Nigeria midÀeld ace, Oghenekaro Etebo who recently joined English Premiership side Watford FC from Turkey’s Galatasaray.

Hard-tackling Etebo has been a key Àgure in the Super Eagles’ set-up since impressing at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, where the U23 boys won Team Nigeria’s only medal at the games – a bronze.

Hefeaturedprominentlyinthequalifying campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, as well as played at Russia 2018 and also featured in the qualifying race and Ànals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Etebo was also inÁuential in the squad that won the ticket to the 2021 AFCON. “Watford FC is gradually becoming

a Super Eagles’ camp,” said a beaming Pinnick as he met with Club’s Technical Director, Cristiano Giaretta. “I told Mr Giaretta that we have six players at Watford FC now and three of them are regular Super Eagles teamers and therefore, we need to forge a stronger relationship with the club.

“WatfordisreturningtothePremiership in the coming season, so it is a good feeling all around,” stressed the NFF Boss.

Apart from Etebo, there are also at WatfordFCSuperEagles’deputyskipperWilliam Troost-Ekong, forward Emmanuel Dennis, former junior internationals Isaac Success and Tom Dele-Bashiru, and littleknown Dapo Mebude.

Between 2014 and 2017, former Super Eagles’ star Jude Odion Ighalo (top scorer at the 2019AFCON) pulled up some trees at Watford FC, scoring a total of 36 goals in 90 matches in all for the Hornets.

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Pinnick (Third left) with the Nigerian contingent at Watford...at the weekend

%DUW\ %HDW 3OLVNRYD WR :LQ KHU 0DLGHQ :LPEOHGRQ 7LWOH Djokovic to play Berrettini in men’s final today Ashleigh Barty won her maiden Wimbledon title as she beat Karolina Pliskova in a nervy Ànal to become the Àrst Australian women’s champion for 41 years.

Barty won the Àrst 14 points to take early charge in a 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 win on the 50th anniversary of idol Evonne Goolagong Cawley’s maiden win here.

“This is incredible,” said Barty, who dropped to her haunches in tears.

“It took me a long time to verbalise, to dare to dream it and say it.”

After climbing up into the stands to hug her team, she told the Centre Court crowd: “I didn’t sleep a lot last night. I was thinking of all the

Ashleigh Barty

what-ifs. I hope I made Evonne proud.

“I have to thank every single person in this stadium. You’ve made my dream so special.”

Both women were making their debut in the Ànal of the grass-court Grand Slam - the Àrst time since 1977 that had happened - and that may go some way to explaining the rollercoaster nature of the match, which felt at times more like a battle of the minds.

After Barty’s Áying start, Czech Pliskova settled in the second set, rediscovering her big serve before errors crept back in the third.

Barty had the chance to serve out victory in the 12th game of the second set but she was broken as Pliskova forced a tie-break, which the Czech won when the Australian doublefaulted.

Barty took an early break in the third, which proved decisive as she added the Wimbledon trophy to the French Open title she won in 2019.

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic has said that it “would mean everything” to win a sixth Wimbledon title which would equal Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s all-time record of 20 Grand Slam men’s triumphs today.

Serbia’s Djokovic, 34, faces Italy’s Matteo Berrettini on Centre Court at 14:00 BST today. Seventh seed Berrettini, 25, is playing in his Àrst Grand Slam Ànal.

“He’s in great form. He’s serving big, playing big,” said Djokovic, who is the two-time defending champion.

The leadership of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) is optimistic that the D’Tigers jerseys at the seaport in Lagos will be cleared before the commencement of the Olympics.

Reacting to a recent media report, the federation’s President, Musa Kida said that all hands are on deck over the clearance of the kits from its sponsor-Peak.

“The Federal Ministry of Sports is aware of the situation and they have stepped in and are in discussions with the relevant bodies.”

“I can assure you that the Minister of Youth and Sports, Honourable Sunday Dare is in discussion with the Ministry of the Finance who is in charge of such waiver on Customs duties.”

“The NBBF is an agency of the government and it is expected that such a fee would not be a source of worry for us because if you look at what they are asking for and our Ànancial capacity, there is no way we can raise such money on our own.”

For the federation, the jersey the team is going to wear at the games should not be a primary source of worry as he advised fans to focus more on the preparations and funding of the Olympics teams.

“Nigerians should focus on what the federation, coaching staͿ and the players are doing right to get ready for the Olympics.”

He promised that the NBBF will not spare eͿorts to ensure best performance ever of the Nigerian basketball teams at any Olympics.

TR

Sunday July 11, 2021

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– Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, President, African Development Bank Group delivering a lecture at the American University of Nigeria.

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If Nigeria Finally Breaks up…

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Nigeria, a country of roughly 250 ethnic groups arbitrarily coupled together by the British colonialists in 1914, is mired in an “existential crisis”, probably like never before. Apart from the north, it seems every other part wants out. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has long declared its intention to pull Nd’Igbo out of the Nigerian “zoo”. Chief Sunday Igboho, increasingly referred to as Yoruba rights activist, is fronting the agitation for the Republic of Oduduwa.

Some Niger Delta militants recently announced the resumption of hostilities. The details are not yet out, but the region, whose oil is critical to government revenue, has its own ideas.

Is it finally time for the country to break up? I have never hidden where I stand: I believe in one Nigeria. It is not because I am such a wonderful patriot. No. But I have gone round Nigeria and interacted intensely with ordinary Nigerians. I have always come to the conclusion that we are not sworn enemies. Rather, we are victims of elite manipulation and political mismanagement. I have always concluded that we can live and prosper together “in peace and unity” if the political and economic conditions are right. But my opinion is just one out of 200 million. It is a drop in the ocean. I have now reached a stage in my life that I don’t care again. Whatever we settle for, life goes on.

But how many countries would Nigeria split into? Nobody has mandated me to work it out, yet it gives me a headache whenever I think about it. On paper, given the ongoing campaign that “the north is dragging us backward”, we should ordinarily suppose that Nigeria would break into two: the Democratic Republic of Southern Nigeria and the Republic of Northern Nigeria. I went for this preliminary assumption because the south seems united against the north. Many people also assume Nigeria to be simply north and south.

Power rotation is often about north and south.

There is also a prevailing international typecasting of Nigeria as “Muslim north and Christian south”.

Down south, the Democratic Republic of Southern Nigeria, DRSN for short, will have two dominant ethnic groups: Igbo and Yoruba. The DRSN minorities may accuse them of feeding fat on their oil — the same accusation the north faces perennially. As things stand, oil is still the biggest contributor to the national purse. Most of the economic calamities that befell Nigeria recently stemmed from falling oil revenue. Will DRSN leaders grant “fiscal federalism” to the oil-rich states? If so, the non-oil states may face a crippling fiscal crisis and lapse into the beggar-thy-neighbour mode, but they should all be fine “las las” (if you don’t understand Nigerian English, that’s “in the final analysis”).

Hold on. Yoruba and Igbo living together in same country? What was I thinking? Ndi Ofe Nmanu vs Omo Ajokutamamumi. It will be a Rumble in the Jungle. They only seem united in taking on the Hausa-Fulani. With Nigeria broken up and no Hausa-Fulani to fight, I don’t see Igbo and Yoruba sleeping on the same bed. They may be smiling and hugging for the cameras, but they mistrust each other with passion. Igbo will regularly accuse Yoruba of chickening out and betraying them in 1967 by not declaring Republic of Oduduwa. Yoruba will fight back and ask Igbo to leave Lagos, else they will be thrown into the Lagoon. Igbo will retort: “No way, we built Lagos!

We own Lagos!”

No, I wouldn’t put Igbo and Yoruba together in DRSN. That would be too risky. It would only increase my headache. More so, the Niger Delta may become suspicious of both of them. If Yoruba and Igbo complained about being dominated by

Buhari Hausa-Fulani in the defunct Federal Republic of Nigeria, so would the Ijaw, Urhobo, Edo and Ibibio, among other smaller groups, complain of being dominated by Yoruba/Igbo oligarchy in DRSN. It was not that difficult to get the southern minorities to back out of Biafra in 1967. It was as simple as telling them the Igbo were only after their resources and that they would become second-class citizens.

It worked like magic. I think DRSN will be not one country.

It is, therefore, more convenient for me to see the south breaking into three: Republic of Oduduwa for Yoruba, Republic of Biafra for Igbo and Republic of Niger Delta for the oil-producing region. At the beginning of the Republic of Oduduwa, I can see some fiscal crisis. As things are, only Lagos state pays salaries and pensions and still executes projects without much sweat, apart from taking a lot of debt. The state will have to be its brothers’ and sisters’ keepers by helping other O’dua states with the wage bill. Remember that the Niger Delta oil money will be gone. Even Ondo state that is “oil-rich” still struggles to pay its bills. Lagos state will become the Niger Delta of Oduduwa Republic.

Let me explain with statistics. According to the boffins at StatiSense who analysed data provided by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), all the six south-west states internally generated a total revenue of N516.01 billion in 2020. Out of this, Lagos alone generated N418.99 billion, representing 81.2 percent. That is, for every N100 generated in the south-west, Lagos contributed N81. Without Lagos, the entire internally generated revenue (IGR) of the south-west was N97.02bn. If not for federation allocations, no south-west state would still be alive today. From the NBS data on IGR, most states are fiscally challenged and only a handful can survive without the oil revenue.

Does that mean Lagosians will resent other O’dua states as “parasites on our IGR”? An Ondo man once grumbled to me that Chief Obafemi Awolowo used their cocoa revenue to develop Ibadan, and that Ondo was marginalised. Will political violence, the type we see regularly in Ibadan and Lagos, disappear in O’dua Republic? Will there be cries of marginalisation? Currently, Oke Ogun people say they are denied Oyo governorship; Yewa people say they can’t produce an Ogun governor; same with Awori in Lagos; and the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) says south-west Muslims are marginalised, particularly in Ondo and Ekiti states. But O’dua Republic will be fine “las las”.

Should we expect a Biafra where everything will be based on merit and where no part will complain of marginalisation? Will there be quotas for educationally disadvantaged Biafran communities or will it be the battle of the fittest, where only the fittest of the fittest shall survive and stay alive?

Will there be “federal character”, so that a Biafran president of Wawa extraction does not fill his cabinet with Wawa appointees? Will “merit” be tempered with power rotation so that Anambra does not produce Biafran presidents non-stop using their big voting population? Will the Ezza/Effium communities in Ebonyi finally stop killing each other? Never mind, Biafra will be fine “las las”.

Will the Republic of Niger Delta be the most prosperous of the post-Nigerian entities, with billions of petrodollars cementing their progress after years of “exploitation” and “oppression” by the Nigerian nation? Have their leaders done commendably well with 13 per cent derivation? If yes, imagine what they can do with 100 per cent! Will the over 50 ethnic groups become united and peaceful in the absence of the Nigerian “parasites”? Will the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), which has received over $50 billion since inception, finally go nuclear? Some say more money has not produced more development in the region — but the Republic of Niger Delta will be fine “las las”.

Meanwhile, the popular assumption down south is that the north is one. When President Muhammadu Buhari named Mr Boss Mustapha as SGF in 2017, someone shouted: “Yet another Fulani Muslim!” He didn’t know that Mustapha is neither Fulani nor Muslim. Actually, some of those tagged Fulani in Buhari’s government are not. There are close to 200 ethnic groups up north.

Since religion is the strongest identity over there, a single Republic of Northern Nigeria may not be fit for purpose. We may need two northern countries to achieve a semblance of homogeneity: the Islamic Republic of Northern Nigeria (IRNN) and the Middle Belt Christian Republic of Nigeria (MBCRN).

Will the Islamic Republic of Northern Nigeria — where cholera can be described as a punishment for adultery and mannequins classified as symbols of immorality — finally find peace in the bosom of the Lord? Will IRNN end the crushing poverty and abject underdevelopment dotting its landscape?

Will the millions of out-of-school children and thousands of communities drinking from dirty river and getting afflicted with water-borne diseases finally find fulfilment in a Muslims-only country?

Will Shi’ites and Sunnis sheathe the sword and embrace each other? Will Boko Haram finally accept fellow Muslims as true Muslims and stop killing them? In that case, IRNN will be fine “las las”.

“Middle Belt” is the euphemism for Christian north, so I automatically assume they will need their own country. But why do I think it would be a geographical nightmare to create a country for the Christians spread across Kebbi, Kaduna, Borno, Gombe, Niger, Bauchi, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba and Adamawa? You can’t even draw the northern Christian map on paper! But if we manage to separate the Christians from the Muslims and create a country for them, I suspect there will still be cries of marginalisation

by Idoma in Benue and scores of ethnic groups in Plateau, Kaduna, Niger and Nasarawa. But the cumbersome multi-ethnic MBCRN will be fine “las las”.

There are times I wish we could perform an experiment: break up Nigeria for 10 years and see how the new countries will be run. If it works, we can then kiss Nigeria goodbye. But here is my biggest headache: if Nigeria finally breaks up, will every Igbo relocate to Biafra, Yoruba to O’dua Republic and Hausa-Fulani to IRNN? Nigerians live in other countries such as Republic of Benin and Ghana, so I am afraid ex-Nigerians will still live and work in other regions of the defunct Nigeria. In that case, they will still have to learn to live together and tolerate one another.

Above all, good governance will still be critical to development. And conflicts will not end — they will only take new shapes.

And Four Other Things…

PUMMELLING PIB How did a penalty kick land across the touchline and end up as throw-in? I don’t know. Since 2000 when President Obasanjo set up the Emmanuel Egbogah-led Oil and Gas Implementation Committee (OGIC), we had been trying to reform the governing laws of the oil sector. This gave birth to the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) in 2008. This bill was not passed into law — until now. The 9th National Assembly has finally done it, but an inept communication strategy may have turned victory into defeat. Most of the negative comments on PIB are profoundly misleading and even mischievous. Flaws can always be corrected, of course, but the government is not communicating. Poor.

CHOLERA COUNTRY As at the last count, cholera has claimed over 300 lives, mostly in northern Nigeria.

Cholera is a disease of the poor who live under unsanitary conditions and lack clean water. While the northern politicians and leaders remain obsessed with holding on to political power, ordinary northerners remain in the firm grip of poverty and disease, with no end in sight. What should power translate to in the end? But what do we even say about Delta and Bayelsa, two of Nigeria’s richest states, where cholera cases are also being recorded? I hope that one day, Nigerians will come to the consensus that our real problem is not someone’s ethnic group or constitution but inept leadership. Tragic.

NO LAURELS There has been some furore over the nomination of Mrs Lauretta Onochie, the sharp-tongued presidential aide, as an INEC national commissioner. The main objection is that she’s an APC member, which violates Section 156 of the 1999 Constitution. Although she said she has resigned her membership, the little detail that got away, for me, is that until Section 156 was amended in 2010, you actually had to be a member of a political party to qualify for INEC commissionership. That was obviously not the intention of the framers, but the wording was so clumsy there could be no other interpretation. That is why constitutions are living documents and amendable. Thankfully.

FAUX PAS The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Plc has graciously allocated N7.62 billion to the “senate” in its 2021 budget. I’m not kidding. Normally, those things are not brazenly listed in the budgets. There is a way the billions for “senate”, “house of reps” and “ministers” are hidden under projects that may never be executed. Now, I don’t know if to commend NBET for their transparent honesty or scold them for embarrassing our distinguished senators and subjecting them to public ridicule. By the way, NBET has been unable to settle the bills of power generating companies, who in turn owe gas companies, but it plans to buy transformers for villages — which is none of its business.

Naija!

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