SUNDAY 15TH AUGUST 2021

Sanusi: Nigeria’s 35-year Economic Gains Wiped Out in Five Years Kicks against spending public funds on pilgrimages Says one can’t be a conformist in abnormal society Kukah: Northern Nigeria a huge crime scene Blames political leaders for destroying region Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and John Shiklam in Kaduna Former Governor of the

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and immediate past Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has maintained that

all the economic gains made

by Nigeria in the last 35 years were wiped out between 2014 and 2019 when ill-advised

decisions were taken by the managers of the country’s resources.

Sanusi, who is the leader of

the Tijjaniyya Islamic sect in Nigeria, was a guest, along with the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew

Kukah, in an online forum organised on Thursday night Continued on page 8

WHO Ranks Nigeria Fourth Best in COVID-19 Response Globally… Page 8 Sunday 15 August, 2021 Vol 26. No 9624

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In Final Onslaught, Military to Deploy Fighter Jets in North-east, North-west Families of 22 ex-ISIS members, 79 others return from Libya Ejiofor Alike in Lagos and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja In what seems like the

final onslaught against the insurgents and bandits, the military high command has concluded plans to deploy

the recently purchased A-29 Super Tucano fighter Jets in the North-east and North-west, THISDAY has learnt.

This is coming as the federal government has repatriated 101 stranded Nigerians from Libya, including 22 family

members of the slain members of the terrorist group, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Investigation however

revealed that the new jets delivered by the United States Continued on page 6

Ahead of Sept 1 Target, More Southern States Enact Anti-Open Grazing Bills Delta, A’Ibom, Rivers, Enugu send bills to state assemblies Osun, Bayelsa, Ondo sign legislations Law operational in Ogun, Abia, Oyo, Ekiti, Ebonyi Anambra, C’River, Imo, Edo, Lagos dilly-dally Our Correspondents To curb the constant killing of farmers and destruction of farmlands by herdsmen, more southern states have enacted the anti-open grazing bill ahead of the September 1, 2021 target set by the 17 southern governors for the states in the region to enact the legislation, THISDAY’s investigation has revealed.

The 17 governors of the southern states had in a meeting held in Lagos on July 5, 2021, urged the 17 states in the region to ensure that the legislation against open grazing of cattle is put in place on or before September 1.

Following the governors’ resolution, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Enugu state governments have sent the bills to their respective state houses of assembly, while the Continued on page 5

CONDOLENCES...

L-R: Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; and his wife, Bamidele, at the service to receive the remains of the late father of the governor, Dr. Emmanuel Abiodun, in Ikeja...weekend

Buhari Orders Manhunt for Killers of 22 in Jos Violence… Page 6

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FREEDOM AT LAST...

L-R: Returnee abducted Chibok schoolgirl, Hassana Adamu with her two children; Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum; and Commander, 26 Task Force Brigade, Operation Hadin Kai, Col. DR Dantani, when Hassana and her children were handed over to the governor in Gwoza…yesterday

Another Chibok Schoolgirl Returns with Two Children Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri Another abducted Chibok schoolgirl has emerged with two children, seven years after Boko Haram kidnapped her alongside over 200 others.

Hassana Adamu was one of over 200 schoolgirls abducted at Government Secondary School in Chibok on April 14, 2014, by Boko Haram insurgents.

A few days ago, Ruth Pogu and a man said to be

her husband had presented themselves to the Nigerian Army on July 28, 2021, at a location in Bama.

Ruth equally emerged with two children.

In the latest case, Hassana was received by Borno State

Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, yesterday in Gwoza, after she had presented herself to the Nigerian Army.

She and her two children were handed over to Zulum by the Commander, 26 Taskforce Brigade, Col. DR Dantani.

The governor was in Gwoza to give humanitarian aid to the people of the town, which was once the headquarters of the Boko Haram caliphate.

The governor left Gwoza to Bama, one of the renowned

commercial and historical towns of Borno, where he equally undertook humanitarian activities.

The governor was a few days ago in Borno North where he spent five days for humanitarian interventions.

Ekiti State government had also enacted anti-open grazing law titled: “Prohibition of Cattle and Other Ruminants Grazing Law 2016”.

Ogun State Government had also signed anti-open grazing bill into law in 2016.

Meanwhile, despite the resolution of the southern governors, Anambra, Cross River, Imo, Edo, and Lagos states were yet to submit any anti-open grazing bill to their lawmakers.

In Lagos State, THISDAY gathered that the state ministry of justice was still preparing the bill.

A source at the ministry told THISDAY at the weekend that the state would not meet the September 1 target set by the southern governors.

The investigation also revealed that the Imo State government has not sent such a bill to the House of Assembly.

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Declan Emelumba had referred THISDAY to the state House of Assembly, noting that it was the House of Assembly that should speak on the matter.

However, several calls were put to the House Chairman on Information, Hon. Johnson Duru, representing Ideato South constituency, was not answered as he merely replied “can I call you later,” which he did not fulfill as at the weekend.

THISDAY gathered that herdsmen have destroyed crops during open grazing in Irette, Avu, Obinze in Owerri West LGA; and Emekuku, Agbala, Amakohia/Akwakuma in Owerri North LGA. Communities in Obowo, Okigwe, Mbaise, and other

local government areas, are also affected by open grazing.

Cross River State Government has also ignored the southern governors’ demand despite a resolution by the state lawmakers urging the state government to reject open grazing because it was against an established environmental law of the state.

The Speaker of the House, Hon. Eteng Jonah William had told THISDAY that “the resolution subsists and the lawmakers remain opposed to open grazing.”

Despite the reported cases of attacks on farmers and destruction of farmlands by herdsmen in Anambra State, the state government was yet to initiate a bill to ban open grazing.

Herdsmen had reportedly stormed farm settlements known as Agweopia Camp, Iyiogbu Camp, and Iyinkolo, in Anambra West Local Government Area of the state, and beheaded scores.

The rampaging herdsmen had also killed farmers and raped women in Ayamelum, Awka North, Ogbaru, Ihiala, Orumba, and Anambra East.

In Edo State, the state House of Assembly said it already had a private bill against open grazing, which was kept in abeyance because of its sensitive nature.

The lawmakers said they were waiting for Governor Godwin Obaseki’s Executive Bill against open grazing to fine-tune it.

“The private bill was Kept in View (KIV) because we want to conduct a public hearing”, Edo State Speaker, Hon. Marcus Onobu had told THISDAY.

AHEAD OF SEPT 1 TARGET, MORE SOUTHERN STATES ENACT ANTI-OPEN GRAZING BILLS Osun State House of Assembly on Thursday passed the bill into law.

Ondo State House of Assembly had passed the bill into law three days before the governors’ meeting, while Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, had in March 2021, signed the bill into law.

Before the resolution of the governors, the anti-open grazing law was already operational in Ogun, Abia, Oyo, Ekiti, and Ebonyi states.

However, Anambra, Cross River, Imo, Edo, and Lagos states were yet to initiate the bill, 17 days to the September 1 target set by the southern governors.

In line with the resolution of the governors, the Delta State House of Assembly had on Monday, July 26, 2021, held a public hearing on a bill for the regulation of livestock breeding, rearing, and marketing, which will prohibit open grazing in the state.

The well-attended public hearing, held at the Assembly Complex Press Centre in Asaba, was organised by the assembly’s joint committees on Special Bills, Agriculture, and Natural Resources.

Chairman of the Joint Committees and the Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Pat Ajudua, had specifically requested memoranda from stakeholders, including the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources; Director of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture; the Nigeria Police Force; Department of State Services (DSS); Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC);

Board of Internal Revenue; Cattle Dealers and Breeders Association; Butchers Union of Nigeria; farmers associations and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) also submitted memoranda on the ‘Delta State Livestock Breeding, Rearing and Marketing Regulation Bill’.

The bill had earlier passed the second reading on the floor of the state house of assembly on July 14, shortly after passing the first reading.

The resolution of the southern governors has also prompted Akwa Ibom State to initiate a bill titled: ‘Acquisition of Ranches, Grazing and Administration of Livestock Regulatory Bill, 2021.’

This anti-open grazing bill, which was sponsored by the lawmaker representing Mkpat Enin State Constituency, Hon. Victor Ekwere, and co-sponsored by 12 other legislators, has already scaled the first reading on the floor of the house.

The bill to outlaw open grazing of cattle in Enugu State also last Thursday passed the second reading at the state house of assembly, following the southern governors’ resolution.

The lawmakers have directed the joint House committees on Agriculture, Judiciary, and Security to conduct a public hearing on the bill.

Speaker of the assembly, Hon. Edward Ubosi said the bill would give farmers the confidence to return to their farms.

Also, in line with the resolution of the southern governors, the Rivers State

House of Assembly had received correspondence from Governor Nyesom Wike to enact a law banning open grazing and rearing of livestock in the state.

Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani had at plenary read the letter on the executive bill, which was addressed to him by the governor.

The bill is titled, ‘Enactment of Rivers State Public Prohibition of Open Rearing and Grazing of Livestock and Ranching Administration Bill 2021.’

Wike, in the letter, said the bill followed a unanimous decision taken by the Southern Governors’ Forum recently to ban open grazing in the South.

Also in line with the demand of the southern governors, the Osun State House of Assembly last Thursday passed a bill to regulate animal grazing and establishments of cattle ranches and other related matters.

The Speaker, of the state house of assembly, Hon. Timothy Owoeye, at plenary, noted that the bill passed into law would prevent the destruction of farms, crops by open rearing and grazing of livestock.

Owoeye added that the bill would also prevent killings, and sexual molestation, as well as protect the environment from degradation and pollution caused by open rearing and grazing of livestock.

The Ondo State House of Assembly had three days before the governors’ July 5 meeting in Lagos, passed into law the anti-open grazing bill, in a bid to regulate the activities of herdsmen and the rearing of livestock in the state.

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, had last March signed into law the state’s ‘Livestock Breeding and Marketing Regulation Bill, 2021’, banning open grazing of livestock in the state.

Diri assented to the bill shortly after its passage by the 24-member House of Assembly.

Before the meeting of the southern governors, the antiopen grazing law was already operational in Abia, Oyo, Ekiti, Ebonyi, and Ogun states.

In Abia State, the Control of Nomadic Cattle Rearing and Prohibition of Grazing Routes/ Reserves Bill 2016 was passed into law by the State House of Assembly in June 2018.

However, the state government had publicly expressed its frustration with the federal security agencies’ failure or even outright refusal to enforce the anti-open grazing law.

In Oyo State, the state House of Assembly had in October 2019 passed a bill titled: ‘Oyo State Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law,’ which was signed into law by Governor Seyi Makinde.

Before the setting up of the Amotekun Corps, the state government had also lamented that security agencies with the power to enforce it were under the control of the federal government.

Ebonyi State government had also enacted the law on Anti-open grazing in 2018.

But the legislation: “Law No. 010 of 2018: Ebonyi State Miscellaneous Offences Law, 2018,” has not been fully implemented and this has resulted in the constant killing of farmers by herders in the state.

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Buhari Orders Manhunt for Killers of 22 in Jos Violence Akeredolu urges calm as Ondo-bound passengers affected Deji Elumoye in Abuja, Seriki Adinoyi in Jos and James Sowole in Akure President Muhammadu Buhari has directed security agencies to fish out the killers of 22 travellers coming from a religious event in Bauchi State, who passed through Jos, the Plateau State capital.

The Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has also asked the people of the state not to take laws into their hands over the reported killing of some Ondo Statebound passengers in the fresh violence that erupted yesterday in Jos, Plateau State capital.

Akeredolu, who gave the warning in a statement issued yesterday, noted that an unconfirmed number of deaths were reportedly recorded while some were severely injured in the said attack.

The advice by the governor came as the Plateau State Police Command confirmed that 22 persons were killed while 17 others were injured following the fresh violence that erupted along Rukuba road axis of Jos. While regretting the reported death of the 22 travellers with several others injured during the ambush, Buhari has directed the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the gruesome murder and bring them to justice.

Buhari, in a statement issued last night by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, declared that Plateau State has been one of the states affected by herder-farmer clashes, which have, in a significant way, been curtailed following the intense peace-building efforts of the administration of Governor Simon Lalong.

He said: "However, to be clear, this is not an agriculturalist-on-pastoralist confrontation – but rather a direct, brazen and wickedly motivated attack on members of a community exercising their rights to travel freely and to follow the faith of their choosing.

"With the evident preparedness of their attackers, it is clear this was

a well-conceived and prearranged assault on a known target, location and religious persuasion of the travellers; not an opportunist ambush.

"The Presidency offers condolences to the families of the victims and continues to liaise closely with the local authorities - including security, the police, and governmental agencies”.

According to Buhari, these kinds of attacks on Nigerians are unacceptable, heinous, and stand in complete contradiction to the teachings of the great religions of the nation.

The Presidency, Buhari stated, aligned with both Christians and Muslims to condemn the latest attack and expects while insisting that justice is swiftly but fairly delivered to the perpetrators.

The President specifically said: "Make no mistake about it: in line with my commitment to protect all Nigerians, I have ordered our security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of this gruesome massacre of innocent travellers and bring them to justice".

The Presidency has also commended the ongoing efforts by the governors of Plateau, Bauchi, and Ondo states; the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Sa'ad Abubakar III; and Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi as well as a number of notable Christian and Muslim leaders as they intensified efforts to calm down the situation.

Though the violence has been quelled by security agents drafted from the state police command and Special Task Force (STF) on security, Jos residents were still in palpable panic.

The Irigwe youths had repeatedly announced that they were conveying the remains of their members killed in the recent attacks for burial in Bassa yesterday morning.

They had set out in a convoy for the burial as announced when violence broke out along the way at Rukuba road.

As they were conveying the corpses, they met some vans conveying some Muslims they suspected to be Fulani along their way.

The Muslims claimed they were commuters from Bauchi, but the angry youths challenged them, insisting that the Rukuba road does not cconnect with Bauchi highway.

They suspected that the Fulani were planning to attack them at the burial ground.

The Irigwe youths allegedly attacked the commuters, injured some and killed others before the security agents could reach the spot.

The violence had escalated before it was arrested by the soldiers.

Reacting to the fresh violence, the governor of Plateau State, Hon. Simon Lalong, had condemned the killings, especially as it involved innocent commuters.

Lalong has also directed security agencies to swiftly identify and arrest the perpetrators.

In a statement signed by his Director of Press, Mr. Simon Macham, the governor

warned trouble makers bent on fomenting trouble in the state to desist as the government will not allow any form of lawlessness to disrupt the peace of the state.

Lalong said that attacks on innocent citizens no matter their backgrounds will never be tolerated in the state, adding that those who are found to be behind such attacks will be dealt with decisively to serve as deterrence and restore public order.

The governor commended security agencies for their immediate response leading to the arrest of some suspects and the restoration of calm to the area.

He also commiserated with the families of those affected, and assured all law-abiding citizens that security has been beefed up around the area as well as the entire metropolis to forestall further breach of the peace.

Lalong urged the citizens

to remain vigilant and be security conscious in reporting suspicious persons and behaviour within their domains to enable law enforcement agencies respond appropriately.

He also directed the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Danladi Atu, to visit the areas and ascertain the situation as well as ensure that those injured receive adequate medical attention.

Meanwhile, a statement by the state police command confirmed that 22 persons were killed, while 17 others were injured in the attack.

The statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Gabriel Ogaba, read: “On 14/08/2021 at about 0928hours, the Plateau State Police Command received a distress call that a group of attackers suspected to be Irigwe youths and their sympathisers along Rukuba

Road of Jos North Local Government Area attacked a convoy of five buses with Muslim faithful who were coming back from the Annual Zikr prayer in Bauchi State and heading to Ikare in Ondo State.

“Unfortunately, 22 persons were killed and 14 injured in the attack.

“Upon receipt of the report, a team of police personnel, the military and other sister agencies were immediately mobilised to the scene where seven victims were rescued and six suspects arrested.

“The Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, Mr. Edward Egbuka, along with the GOC, 3 Division, Major General Ibrahim Ali, also visited the scene and ordered a discreet investigation to fish out other perpetrators of this barbaric act at large.

Continued on page 10

I SHARE YOUR GRIEF...

Mother of the deceased, Mrs. Gani Fawehinmi (left) and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, when the vice president paid a condolence visit to the Fawehinmi family over the death of Mohammed Fawehinmi, at their residence in Lagos… yesterday

IN FINAL ONSLAUGHT, MILITARY TO DEPLOY FIGHTER JETS IN NORTH-EAST, NORTH-WEST will be inducted on August 30, 2021 before their deployment for military operations.

THISDAY gathered that following the surrender of over 1,000 insurgents, plans are afoot to deploy the fighter planes and more troops in a final military offensive that is expected to bring the war to end.

The six fighter jets, part of the 12 A-29 Super Tucano fighter planes ordered by the federal government, are designated for air interdiction while the remaining six, yet to be delivered, are for Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

"The Tucanos will be deployed soon to strengthen ongoing operations, which are expected to conclude the war.

More troops are also going to be deployed.

"The Tucano jets will bring their capabilities, precision strikes and other arsenals of the military", a competent source told THISDAY. It was further gathered that

the attack planes would be deployed after the induction ceremony billed for August 30.

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to be the special guest of honour.

The A-29 Super Tucano aircraft is armed with two wing-mounted 12.7mm machine guns with a rate of fire of 1,100 rounds a minute.

It is also capable of carrying general-purpose bombs and guided air-to-air and air-toground missiles.

"A-29s are turboprop planes armed with one 20mm cannon below the fuselage able to shoot 650 rounds per minute, one 12.7mm machine gun (FN Herstal) under each wing and up to four 7.62mm Dillion Aero M134 Miniguns able to shoot up to 3,000 rounds per minute,” the military source said.

Super Tucanos are also equipped with 70mm rockets, air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-9L Sidewinder, airto-ground weapons such as the AGM-65 Maverick and

precision-guided bombs.

It can also be used as a laser rangefinder and laser-guided weapon.

THISDAY gathered that the aircraft is used by air forces of 15 countries.

Its integrated weapons and laser-firing technology enables the platform to lay down suppressive fire in support of advancing infantry and also pinpoint targets for precision strikes.

It also enables a wide sphere of operational possibilities to include counterinsurgency and great power challenges.

The pilot is protected with Kevlar armour and provided with a zero/zero ejection seat.

The clamshell canopy, hinged at the front and rear and electrically activated, is fitted with a de-icing system and features a windshield capable of withstanding, at 300k, the impact of a 4lb (1.81kg) bird.

A Northrop Grumman (aircraft manufacturing company) onboard oxygen

generation system (OBOGS) is installed.

When contacted on the deployment of the attack aircraft, Spokesman of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said there was no specific date for the deployment of attack planes.

"We have no specific date for the deployment", he said It would be recalled that the Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Farouk Yahaya, last week declared that the military was poised for a final rout of insurgents in the North-east.

His declaration followed the surrender of 1,000 insurgents and their families to troops in the North-east.

One of the missing Chibok schoolgirls, a man she married in captivity, and her two children were also part of the families of those who surrendered to troops.

A statement issued by Army Spokesman, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, said

the army chief affirmed the determination of the military to rout terrorists in the Northeast.

"Law-abiding people of North-east Nigeria are assured of the Chief of Army Staff's determination to finally rout the Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province criminals from their hideouts.

"The good people of the North- east are also encouraged to continue to avail the troops with actionable information that will enhance the execution of the ongoing counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations in the region", it said.

In another development, the federal government has repatriated 101 stranded Nigerians from Libya, including 22 family members of the slain members of the terrorist group, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The repatriated Nigerians arrived in Abuja, on Friday, according to a statement issued yesterday by the Head

of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abdur-Rahman Balogun, titled, ‘FG facilitates return of 101 stranded Nigerians.’

The returnees were received by officials of Ministry of Foreign Affairs; NIDCOM; Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC); National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA); Department of State Services (DSS); Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Port Health.

The statement read, “The stranded Nigerians include the 22 family members of suspected former members of ISIS that were killed in Libya as well as their children.

“All evacuees came with Negative PCR test for Covid19, and landed at exactly 10.15 pm at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport GAT wing, aboard Air Force C130,” the statement explained.

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WHO Ranks Nigeria Fourth Best in COVID-19 Response Globally Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The World Health Organisation (WHO) has ranked Nigeria’s COVID-19 response as the fourth-best in the world.

WHO Country Representative, Dr. Walter Mulombo, spoke at an event on the arrival of the first consignment of 177,600 doses of the Johnson and Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine in Abuja.

At least 1,173,132 doses of the vaccine, part of the 29.8 million doses procured by the federal government through the African Export-Import Bank, will arrive this month.

Mulombo said: “We are witnessing the symbolic arrival of 177,600 Johnson & Johnson vaccines, another landmark event in Nigeria’s response to COVID-19 pandemic; widely acclaimed by many as one of the most successful so far in the world.

“Nigeria was ranked fourth among the top ten most successful responses to COVID-19.

“WHO had on many occasions, commended the government, including the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC), Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) and National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), for the successful completion of the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out with the vaccination of the frontline workers and other priority groups who are at high risk of COVID-19.

“Nigeria’s preparation for the second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination, involving more resources and logistics, is highly commendable.

“These vaccines are safe and effective and will be

the game-changer; but for the foreseeable future, we must continue wearing masks, physically distance and avoid crowds.

“J&J vaccine is highly effective against the Delta variant and against severe disease, hospitalisation and death from COVID-19.”

NPHCDA Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, said the 177,600 doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccine are part of the 29,850,000 doses procured from the African Union (AU) through the African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT) platform.

“The balance of the vaccines will be delivered over the coming months. But we are glad to hear that before the end of August, the total quantity of vaccines that we will be receiving is 1,173,132.

“We have the capacity and capability to store and distribute this vaccine to the point of administration, as we have working freezers in all 36 States plus the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“The Johnson and Johnson vaccine is stored at temperatures of +2 to +8 degree Celsius, which is the temperature in which most of our routine immunisation vaccines are stored.

“Because it is a one-dose effective vaccine, these doses will be focused on those who are in the hard-to-reach areas, that is, the riverine areas, desert communities, security compromised areas and also the elderly.

“This is because these are people who may find it difficult to leave their homes to the health facilities for the second dose after taking the first one.”

He said the government was committed to a safe and equitable vaccination of all eligible persons in the country.

“The availability of different vaccine brands in the country does not mean that some people are being selected for higher quality vaccines while others are targeted for low-quality vaccines.

“All the COVID-19 vaccines approved by the WHO and the NAFDAC are safe and can deliver adequate protection against COVID-19,” he said.

UNICEF Country Representative, Peter Hawkins,

stressed that with the procurement of 28.9 million doses of Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, and the fact that Nigeria will receive more AstraZeneca vaccines next week, there is an urgent need to encourage people to take the jabs.

“I urged religious and traditional leaders to encourage their people to take the vaccine,” he said.

AFREXIM Bank Chief Operating Officer, Anglophone West Africa, Mr Abdolaye Kone, added: “All AU member states through the AVATT set

up in November 2020…will have access to 220 million doses of Johnson and Johnson single shot COVID-19 vaccine with the potential to order an additional 180 million doses.

“The Johnson and Johnson vaccine rollout began in August 2021 with Togo being the first African country to receive the shipment…The target is to deliver almost 50 million vaccines before the end of December 2021. By January 2022, the number of vaccines being released will be in excess of 25 million per month.”

Country Representative of the Africa CDC, Dr. Amadu Cisse, said the African Export-Import Bank made the vaccines possible through a $2 billion financing facility.

He said: “The Johnson and Johnson vaccine was chosen because as a singleshot vaccine, it is easier and cheaper to administer; the vaccine has a long shelf-life and favourable storage conditions, and is partly manufactured on the African continent, with fillfinish activities taking place in South Africa.”

TETE-A-TETE...

Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar (left), and his Sokoto State counterpart, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, during the wedding Fatiha of the son of Alhaji Ahmed Rufai Mohammed, Ibrahim and the daughter of the Jarman Sokoto, Alhaji Ummaru Kwabo, Zainab, at the Annu Mosque, Abuja …weekend

SANUSI: NIGERIA’S 35-YEAR ECONOMIC GAINS WIPED OUT IN FIVE YEARS by the Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association of Nigeria.

The association is led by a former Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. Frank Nweke (Jnr).

The former Emir of Kano, who is also addressed as Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi also said yesterday in Kaduna at a colloquium marking his 60th birthday that no one can afford to be a conformist in an abnormal society.

Sanusi, at the Harvard Kennedy School event, argued that incompetence has no religion, ethnicity or gender, but remains a purely personal attribute.

He stated that religion has been elevated to an unnecessary place of importance in the country, which it does not deserve, noting that the development has continued to be a part of the distraction from the real problems besetting the country.

The leader of the Tijaniyyah Sufi sect in Nigeria stressed that by the end of this year, Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will be worse than it was in 1980, pointing out that spending up to 90 per cent of the country’s revenues on debt servicing was unsustainable.

“You look at the World Bank economic quality indicators and you will be shocked at what you are seeing. If we take Nigeria's GDP per capita on a PPP (Purchasing Power Parity) basis, in 1980 it was $2,180 and by 2014, it was $3,099, which increased it by 50 per cent.

“Between 2014 and 2019, this number fell to $2,229.

At this rate, by this year or next year, Nigeria's GDP per capita on a PPP basis will be back to where it was in 1980.

“We have not moved. We wiped out in five years all the progress made in the preceding 35 years. That is the kind of conversation we should have which we are not having. And what are the key drivers of this: you've got rising population growth, slow GDP growth, higher rates of inflation, and devaluation of the currency,” he said.

He stated that rather than focus on religion and other inanities, Nigerians should interrogate the incumbent government on its social policies, how demographic movements can be controlled, and how to fix the issues underlying a lot of Nigeria’s challenges.

He maintained that rather than being a religious issue, the rapid increase in population

has made “farmlands become houses”, while “grazing routes have become farms”, explaining that the conflict between herdsmen and farmers is over resources and not ethnicity or religion.

According to him, while the population of Nigeria has been increasing at over three per cent per annum since independence, the jostle for scarce resources has been worsened by desertification, environmental degradation, erosion, pollution, the disappearance of water resources in the Chad Basin, and the Niger Benue.

The Chancellor of the Kaduna State University opined that Nigeria was only aligning with Reverend Thomas Malthus' economic theory which states that when the population increases with a limited supply of land, it will get to a point where diminishing marginal productivity and pestilence and war will follow.

“If you continue seeing this as Muslim versus Christian, Fulani versus chiefs or whatever, you miss the point, which is that we need to watch our growing population, how to make investments to grow the economy to support the population and how to provide the economic sustainability

that will protect the purchasing power of people,” he added.

Sanusi posited that the narrative should be how to have a good and efficient government, which he said, Nigeria seems to lack.

He said that the practice of Sharia has become political, stressing that hands had been cut off, yet decades later, stealing and other crimes had not stopped, while it appears that only the poor Muslim bears the brunt.

Sanusi argued that the monies that are spent on Islamic pilgrimages every year by the government, especially on those who could afford it over the years were enough to educate a huge chunk of the population of the north.

He declared that a government that pursues wrong economic policies will get the wrong economic outcomes.

He added: “For decades in this country, we have wasted our resources. Look at the fuel subsidy, which I’ve been talking about since 2011.

We take trillions and trillions of naira and tell people we are giving them cheap fuel.

“At the end of the day, we have bankrupted ourselves.

You’ve set up an economic system where today 90 per cent of government revenue

goes to debt servicing and we’re still borrowing. We are spending trillions on fuel subsidy. And then we get the central bank to print trillions because we cannot pay salaries if we do not print the money.

And as the money is printed, we create inflation and then we create devaluation.

“And then we find that we have to pay more on subsidy because today if you remove the fuel subsidy, you’ve got to pay about N400 per litre of petrol product and we are an oil-producing country.

“If we had removed this subsidy when we said we should remove it, even if it was in 2015, we will not be here. So, this is not about Buhari (Muhammadu) being a Muslim or Osinbajo (Yemi) being a Christian. This is about what are the economic policies that are being pursued? Are the policies that will create jobs, economic growth, or are they policies that will moderate population growth or lead to prosperity?”

He noted that having been trained as a Catholic at the young age of eight and there was no attempt to convert him and being exposed to that environment at the age by people who “showered me with love,” it was impossible to have a narrow world view,

given his life experiences.

“If the president, for example, acts in a particular way, that is the president; that is the individual that he is and he's not acting in the name of Islam or the name of the north, or the name of religion, if he's a northerner or Muslim.

“And even if, for example, you have a president who uses the machinery of government to promote the interests of one segment of the political elite, religious or ethnicity, that is that person doing it, not just something informed by their religion.

“If you, for example, are in government and you promote corruption or injustice or inequity, even if you say you are a Muslim or Christian, are those particular attitudes the reflection of your faith, or are they just a reflection of your incompetence or your weaknesses as an individual, or your moral failings as a person?” he queried.

He argued that the poor Muslim farmer in Zamfara State is today not better off because he has a Muslim minister, adding also that the poor Christian farmer in Kafanchan, is not better off because he has a Christian Continued on page 10

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͹ͽ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

NEWS

Yobe PDP Governorship Candidate Disowns Suit against Buni Chuks Okocha in Abuja The controversy over the two positions being held by the governor of Yobe State and National Caretaker Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mai Mala Buni, as governor and party chairman took another dimension yesterday as one of the litigants in the court case against the governor, Ambassador Umaru Iliya Damagum, has disowned the suit.

The suit filed at Federal High Court in Abuja is seeking the removal of Buni as the governor of Yobe State and the swearing-in of Damagun, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s gubernatorial candidate in Yobe State in the 2019 general election, as his replacement.

Speaking to THISDAY yesterday, Damagum said, "I was not consulted by my party, the PDP in Yobe State, or national secretariat before they went to court.

"The whole thing is strange.

It came to me as a surprise.

I am not part of it.

“I am not aware of this suit.

I have not instructed anybody

to go to court on my behalf.

I have not instructed anyone to go and sue on my behalf.

"My party did not consult me or tell me that they are going to court," he added.

THISDAY gathered that the governor was taken to court by a faction of the APC, who had earlier taken the Yobe State governor to the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), accusing him of false declaration of his assets.

It was further gathered that it was the forces in the APC that have moved against the Yobe State governor in a desperate bid to sack him.

THISDAY gathered that it was the group that accused him of false declaration of assets.

They have told the court that he cannot hold two offices together as governor and chairman of the APC caretaker committee Buni, stating that it is against the letters of Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The Yobe State Governor was appointed the chairman of the caretaker committee in June 2020, when the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Adams Oshiomhole was sacked.

EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME...

Enugu State Governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (left), and the Director-General, Udi/Ezeagu Progressive Alliance (UEPA), Chief Onyebuchi Ani, during the ward executives’ inauguration and empowerment programme of the socio-political organisation, held at Christ The King Parish, Ngwo Uno, Udi Local Government Area…yesterday

BUHARI ORDERS MANHUNT FOR KILLERS OF 22 IN JOS VIOLENCE “The CP warned that those that perpetrated this dastardly act and others that incited it, will be made to face the full wrath of the law. The command urges the public to remain calm and to furnish the police with useful information that will aid the investigation.”

The statement added that normalcy has returned to the area.

Also confirming the violence, the military Special Task Force (STF) aka Operation Safe Haven said: “Troops of Operation Safe Haven earlier today 14 August 2021 swiftly responded to distress calls that suspected hoodlums blocked Jos North Junction along Rukuba road in Jos North LGA of Plateau State and attacked some commuters.

Troops immediately mobilised to the scene and restored

normalcy.

“Some persons including innocent commuters lost their lives in the unfortunate incident while others with varying degree of injuries have been evacuated to a medical facility for care. Their condition is being closely monitored.”

The statement signed by the spokesman of the STF, Major Ishaku Takwa, added: “Twelve suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the incident and troops are on the trail of others who took part in perpetrating the heinous act. Those arrested are currently in custody for interrogation.

“The Commander Operation Safe Haven, Major General Ibrahim Ali, appealed to the people to volunteer credible information that would lead to the arrest of other suspects

currently at large. General Ali also appealed for calm and urged law-abiding citizens to continue with their lawful activities without any fear of intimidation. Meanwhile, security patrols have been stepped-up in Jos Metropolis to maintain peace and security.”

The peace of the state has been dented with a series of skirmishes in recent times, leading to several deaths and destruction of properties, especially in Bassa and Riyom Local Government Areas.

The governor has repeatedly warned that violent merchants won’t be allowed to have their way in the state.

Meanwhile, the lawmaker representing Plateau North senatorial zone at the National Assembly, Senator Istifanus Gyang has condemned yesterday’s killings in Jos North, describing it as barbaric.

In a statement by his Media aid, Mr. Musa Ashoms, the lawmaker said he got the report of skirmishes along Rukuba Road Jos with rude shock, warning that such heinous acts must stop.

He called on the law enforcement agencies to swiftly apprehend and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Reacting to the incident, the Ondo State Governor, Akeredolu, has asked the people of the state not to take laws into their hands over the reported killing of some Ondo State-bound passengers in the Jos mayhem.

He added that true identity of victims would soon be unravelled.

The governor said from report he received from Governor Lalong, the incident was a case of mistaken identity.

He added that true identity

of victims would soon be unravelled.

The Ondo governor said according to preliminary reports, the passengers took a route where crisis between Muslims and northern Christians had ensued for some time, stressing that they may have been possibly, mistaken for the aggressors.

He said either of the two feuding groups in the area could be responsible in this regard.

He thereby called for calm among the people of the state, urging that nobody should take law into their hands.

The governor, particularly, urged the people to refrain from any hasty colouration of the unfortunate incident.

He said: “I have spoken with my brother Governor in Plateau, and he has assured me that the situation is under

control. I want to plead with our people to remain calm.

"From the report I gathered, it is clear some were killed while many others who are injured have been taken to the hospital for medical attention.

“Let me again, make it clear that I was informed by my colleague that it was indeed, a case of mistaken identity.

I want to assure our people living in Plateau State that they are not targets of any religion or ethnic crisis.

"While assuring that justice will be served, I want to plead again that we do not take law into our hands. Let us remain calm.

“I also want to commiserate with the family of all those who have lost their lives in this unfortunate incident. We mourn the departed and feel the pains of their loved ones."

weapon, and also in northern Nigeria it has become a weapon for mobilisation.

“Tragically, again, as I said, the politicians have mobilised their people based on religion, and they have never been able to deliver.

We don't need to look any further.

“The tragedy in Zamfara and the whole of the core 11 or 12 northern states, the fact that the north itself has become a crime scene, and that by extension spilled over to the rest of Nigeria (confirms this).

“So, just to say very clearly that the political elite in northern Nigeria and their counterparts elsewhere appreciate the fact that the consistent manipulation of religion is largely responsible for the unravelling of the country as we have today,” he emphasised Kukah said that the

northern political elite has always used the Sharia debate from 1979 as one way of stalling debates on the future of the country, culminating in all the states of northern Nigeria adopting Sharia law.

“It is now important for us, given the tragic situation we're in now, we can return to the scene of the crime, and the scene of the crime is that you have an elite that does not commit to religion, but purely commitment to power, using religion, raising the hopes of ordinary people, whether they are Christians or Muslims, to the possibility that they will be represented and compensated.

“The south and other parts of Nigeria are making more rational choices to support welfare. The northern elite seems to believe that everything has to be done by the federal government,” he said.

SANUSI: NIGERIA’S 35-YEAR ECONOMIC GAINS WIPED OUT IN FIVE YEARS minister from his area.

“For the poor people in this country, whether they're Muslim or Christian, what is it that unifies them; it is hunger, poverty, unemployment, insecurity, infant mortality, maternal mortality, and those things do not know religion,” he posited.

Sanusi, who also spoke at a separate event in Kaduna to mark his 60th birthday, stated that no one could afford to be a conformist in an abnormal society.

He also stated that nobody can ignore the fact that things are not working in Nigeria.

Sanusi said he had paid the price for speaking out about the issues, stressing however that “Nigerians are the ones paying the real price.”

He said the price Nigerians are paying for, “is the price you see in increased poverty; it is a price you see in insecurity, in a high

rate of inflation, in loss of values of our currency, in the numbers around malnutrition, unemployment, out of school children, maternal mortality and infant mortality”.

He said for the past two years, he had not been talking much, not because he was afraid of speaking, but because all the things he spoke about had come.

“When you are in a society that is so abnormal, you cannot afford to be a conformist, because if you all conform, things will not change,” he said.

“Many years ago, when I was screaming about the billions being spent on fuel subsidy; I remember there was an attempt to attack my house in Kano; then I was in the CBN. Where are we today?

We are face-to-face with the reality -that fuel subsidy is unsustainable.”

According to him, those

calling him “controversial or calling me an enemy or critic, will not make those facts go away. So, anywhere we go, we must face these facts.”

Sanusi said at 60, he is not happy, “because 60 years ago when I was born, the United States government advisory was telling investors that Nigeria has a better economic future than Japan. Today where are we and where is Japan?” he queried.

Also speaking at the Harvard Kennedy School event, Kukah argued that the problems in the north have been further worsened by the elite who manipulate the people through religion and see development as solely the function of government.

“Somehow, the unresolved issues of ethnicity and religion have now come back to haunt us. And I perfectly agree with the fact that if we

were never in this situation, none of these should matter.

And they shouldn't.

“But we are so far away from those ideals and those realities. Power has been used to close opportunities for national integration because those in power have given the impression through the processes that got them to power, that certain identities are important.

He maintained that the governing elite and even public intellectuals have been unable to create a roadmap by which diversity can be properly managed so that the people can come to terms with the fact that diversity is an opportunity, not a liability.

“This is largely because we are never able to address the issues of finding the ingredients for national integration. The result is that religion has become a

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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 ˾ AUGUST 15, 2021

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EDITORIAL

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

VAT JUDGEMENT AND THE RESTRUCTURING DEBATE The ruling of the court in Port Harcourt holds lessons for all

W

hile While other states are lamenting their woes and waiting for the federal government to devolve powers to them, Rivers State chose a different approach that has proved to be very productive.

In declaring that only states and not the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) were the rightful authorities to collect Value-Added Tax (VAT) and Personal Income Tax (PIT), the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has demonstrated that we can use the instrumentality of the law to right many of the wrongs in our federal structure.

The federal government is at liberty to appeal the judgement and it has indicated its willingness to do so. But it is difficult to fault the reasoning of the learned judge. The constitution defines the powers of each tier of government.

What has The ultimate lesson happened from Port Harcourt is over the years is that the that the states need federal government to be creative enough has continued to arrogate to itself to seek judicial powers that should interpretations, and be exercised by states our courts should also and sometimes even local governments. be bold to intervene Incidentally, the issues raised in the in a manner that suit filed by the strengthens our Attorney General for Rivers State against federalism the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Attorney General of the Federation had been critically examined by the five states controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Southwest. They reached the same conclusion as Rivers State but chose not to challenge the matter in court, apparently for political reasons.

The power-hungry federal government has almost turned the country into a unitary state. Apart from upholding the constitution, the judgement is also in line with what obtains in other countries

Letters to the Editor

that operate a federal system. There are other provisions of the constitution that if purposefully interpreted will strengthen our federalism.

However, the judgement has also thrown up some issues. Most tax experts believe that its implementation would have far reaching implications, including for Small and Mediumsized Enterprises (SMEs) that may have to contend with multiple tax authorities for VAT purposes. In difficult times that we live in, government, at all levels, should make deliberate efforts to minimise or indeed eliminate incidences of multiple taxations. That it will render many states practically bankrupt is no reason to continue with what is unsustainable. eanwhile, we have always argued that it is patently wrong that the federal government should impose VAT on the same goods and services upon which state authorities charge ‘state tax’ and vice versa, especially in hotels, restaurants, and eateries. This perhaps explains why VAT has for long been a contentious issue. Many, for instance, query the rationale of sharing the proceeds of VAT generated from the sales of alcohol with some northern states that have not only placed a ban on its consumption but willfully destroy the products. This anomaly speaks to inequity in the current structure.

To the extent that there are no easy ways out of the hole in which we have found ourselves as a nation, the tax authorities must come up with clever ideas to address declining revenues. Real efforts must be made to expand the tax base while keeping the rates low. Our tax regime should meet the twin requirements of efficiency and equity, while adequate sensitisation and incentives should be provided to ensure voluntary compliance. And perhaps most important, the tax authorities must simplify the process of payments to meet with global best practices while tax expenditure must be transparently governed. The bottom-line is that many people would gladly pay their taxes if “their money” is seen to be appropriately spent.

The ultimate lesson from Port Harcourt is that the states need to be creative enough to seek judicial interpretations, and our courts should also be bold to intervene in a manner that strengthens our federalism.

It is because our courts have shirked their responsibility that many now resort to self-help in their engagement with fellow citizens or their dealings with the country. But Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam has shown that as imperfect as it may seem, our federalism can work. We only need an independent judiciary manned by courageous judges.

M

S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR DAVIDSON IRIEKPEN DEPUTY EDITORS FESTUS AKANBI, EJIOFOR ALIKE MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

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

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (950- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

MALA BUNI AND THE FUTURE OF APC

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he governing All Progressives Congress (APC) was on the brink – and some analysts were euphorically writing off the party. Some even claimed the party might be in its last days.

But a rescue – that appears like a miracle - came with dissolution of the National Working Committee (NCW) and the swearing in of a National Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Committee under the leadership of Hon. Mai Mala Buni, who is also the executive governor of Yobe State. The caretaker committee under the leadership of Gov. Buni had regained the party and made it stronger and more appealing. As a politician in the real sense of the word, Gov. Buni was able to put the party back on track by first ad-

dressing all the grievances that, in the first place, brought it to its knees. As a political strategist Gov. Buni apart from resolving all the conflicts in the party, he also gained the confidence of all stakeholders who trusted his political skills, open mindedness, and crisis resolution tactics. The result delivered by Mai Buni was the reason why the party and its stakeholders gave him the nod to go on until he concluded his assignment.

The recent concerns about the legality of the leadership of Gov. Buni, following the Supreme Court ruling on Ondo election, has been clarified and the books show there is no any legal implications for the party, as he continued to take the party to a point of strength. The vote of confidence passed by the APC Progressives Governors’ Forum

on Gov. Buni-lead national caretaker committee and its assignment is yet another proof that Buni is on the right path; legally and politically. It is also proof that APC is on the path to a better future.

In February, the party’ caretaker leadership conducted party membership revalidation and registration successfully across the country. The all-important exercise was smooth and shows how appealing the party is becoming to Nigerians. New members registered and those who are already members of the party renewed their membership. The caretaker committee under the leadership of Mai Buni did not start this project until after wider consultation took place – especially with all the party stakeholders. Every activity carried out by the caretaker

committee towards restoring the party has the endorsement of all party stakeholders and was backed by the rules and regulations of the party.

His commitment to real reconciliation meant that before starting his current assignment Governor Buni went around Nigeria and met with all the party’s key stakeholders. During one of such visits in July 2020, one of the party’s stakeholders Chief Bisi Akande, while receiving the caretaker committee, at his country home, expressed confidence and support to the committee and the work it is doing to reconcile and address all outstanding party grievances.

Every step the Buni-led caretaker committee is taking is constitutional — including the membership registration and validation exercise, as well as the just concluded congresses. All actions of the caretaker committee were approved by the party’s highest decision-making body; the National

Executive Council (NEC). Every step taken by the Governor Buni-led caretaker committee received support of all the party’s stakeholders.

So far, the caretaker committee under Buni is still taking the path of reconciliation. This path brings back into the party’s fold bigwigs who left the party ahead of 2015 general elections. Most of such big names left the party out of feeling of unfair treatment. Getting them back into the party is a concrete achievement.

Above all, more governors have defected to APC to the extent that, some think, the main opposition party is facing an existential crisis.

The party had also gained more political bigwigs from across Nigeria through defection. All these are signs that the party is rebuilding confidence and will never go back to its recent past of chaos.

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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 ˾ AUGUST 15, 2021

OPINION

LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC The welfare of the people should always come first, writes Rajendra Aneja

T

he current pandemic has exposed the gap between political leadership and management skills, amongst many heads of state.

Covid-19 has afflicted 203 million people globally and has caused 4.3 million deaths.

The global economy stands crippled. Over 200 million people will be rendered jobless across the world according to United Nations.

An additional 115 million could sink into extreme poverty according to World Bank.

President Trump refused to take Covid-19 seriously for many months. He refused to wear a mask. He was at constant loggerheads with Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Chief Medical Advisor to the President, on the management of the pandemic. He even stopped funding the World Health Organisation (WHO). Many leaders were concerned about ensuing elections. They devoted more time to their campaigns than managing Covid-19. They refused to lockdown many crowded cities, afraid to cripple the economies. They did not want unemployment or low rates of growth before the elections. The result was that Covid-19 took a tenacious grip.

The callous approach to the disease took its toll.

President Joe Biden immediately focused on managing the pandemic, on a war footing. He declared selective lockdowns, encouraged vaccine producers and launched the vaccination drives on a war footing. He even evoked wartime laws, to foster production of vaccines and medical equipment. His initiatives helped to control the spread of the disease.

The UK Prime Minister Mr. Boris Johnson also followed Mr. Trump’s lead and refused lockdowns in the initial stages, which aggravated the situation.

The management of Covid-19 in India has also been wanting. The national lockdown was declared in March 202o, with just hours’ notice. Every restaurant, shop, office and factory was shut. People did not have enough provisions at home. They had no time to withdraw moneys from their banks. They were simply marooned in their homes. Single citizens, who depended on restaurants, did not know where to eat their meals.

The richer citizens could improvise solutions to their problems. However, the poorer citizens suffered the most.

Around a 100 million migratory workers in the towns, lost their jobs. They had no incomes or food. Since the trains and buses had stopped, they trudged walking to their homes in the villages. Many of them marched around 500 kilometers to reach homes. Some died on these exhausting, inhuman walks. Governments could have

just pressed 100,000 buses to help the workers to reach their homes.

The management of the vaccination program in India, is also tardy due to errors in forecasting, planning and execution. Victory over the pandemic was declared repeatedly by the leaders, even as citizens were dying due to shortage of beds, ICUs and even simple oxygen. No efforts were made to boost vaccine production throughout 2020. The harsh fact is that just about 8.3 percent of the Indian population has been fully vaccinated in the last seven months. India is desperately short of vaccines. The country may have to wait till the third quarter of next year to vaccinate 80 percent of its population. Countries who are banking on exports of vaccines from India, will agonize. They may seek succor elsewhere.

Leadership of countries is a massive responsibility.

Leadership is a mandate. It is not an end in itself or an opportunity for self-glorification. There are some fundamental ethics and tenets that leaders should follow.

First, leaders should tell the truth to the people. They should keep themselves abreast of developments in a crisis, like the current pandemic and keep their people fully briefed. They should not lie or sugar-coat.

Second, the welfare of the people should always come first. Their own personal and party agenda, like elections should be subjugated to the wellbeing of their people.

Elections come and go. Political jobs like presidentship and prime ministerships also come and go. However, human lives that are lost, are lost forever. They leave gaping holes in families and lives of loved ones.

Third, leaders should acquire management skills. A person can be an astute politician. However, that does not

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make him an able manager. Whilst doing a programme at the Harvard Kennedy school of Government, I was surprised to note that a former Prime Minister of Tanzania had studied there. Presidents and Prime ministers have political skills. They should acquire management skills if they wish to manage their countries sensibly.

Fourth, leaders must delegate, especially in large countries. No leader, however smart, can manage all the portfolios like finance, health, trade, agriculture, etc., by himself. It would be foolish, to try to do so. Leadership involves selecting competent deputies and empowering them to work diligently.

Fifth, leaders should avoid authoritarianism and coercion. Some leaders just cannot handle any criticism.

They even deploy the investigative agencies to smother any dissent.

Sixth, leaders must always stand tall, in an emergency.

When everything is falling apart, the leader must take charge. He cannot disappear in a crisis.

Seventh, a leader must never gloat. Many leaders have indulged in grandstanding on the basis on incomplete information, merely to bask in public glory. Chestthumping and finger-wagging is not leadership. People are not suckers. They see through.

Eighth, leaders should know that they too will wither away. No leader is bigger than the country and its[RKA1] people. Leadership positions are like temporary visas.

If a leader behaves with dignity and integrity, he is well remembered. Otherwise, people just wait for him to fade away.

Ninth, leadership is a full-time job. The right to sleep, is non-existent, when you lead. Lamentably many leaders across the world slumber, as people agonise in this pandemic. Nevertheless, all the people cannot be fooled, all the time. Finally, leaders must talk less, deliver more.

Eventually, a person judges his government, by the quality and quantity of food on his dinner plate every night.

And, dinner plates across the world, are getting barer in this pandemic.

A crisis really tests leaders. The current pandemic across countries, teaches us that we need to choose our leaders more judiciously in the future.

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NIGERIA: THINGS ARE NOT GETTING BETTER Khalifa Musa Muhammad writes that the government has not lived up to its promises of securing the nation

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herefore, the earlier we know things are not getting better the better for us, so that we can sit down and find means and ways of solving our problems” -Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto The epigraph and title of this article are both from the statement of the Sultan of Sokoto during the third Conference of the Da’awah Coordination Council of Nigeria (DCCN) in Gombe State. The statement is not full of fire and fury but it signifies something.

We have a lot of ills afflicting this country and the earlier we start solving the problems the better. Today, the main issue on the front burner is insecurity. Who would have thought that by now Nigerians would still be lamenting about insecurity?

Every government is saddled with the responsibility of providing security and welfare to its citizens. The problems of insecurity we are facing today predate this administration. The root causes of the problem have been allowed to fester for so long.

What we are witnessing is the manifestation of the hydra-headed monster. As an opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), relentlessly campaigned on riding Nigeria of its security challenges.

Nigerians saw APC as a party that will bring back a safe and secure Nigeria. Having a Major General who fought in the civil war and rose to be head of state as a standard bearer was an icing on the cake for the APC. In the pre-APC years (2009-2015), the main issue of insecurity was insurgency. Boko Haram had a field day attacking, bombing and occupying cities and villages across northern Nigeria. The most affected area was the north eastern part of Nigeria. Other cities of Kaduna, Kano, Abuja and Jos were not spared of the dehumanizing act of terror.

The APC capitalized on this and campaigned on insecurity within and outside Nigeria. The party looked so determined. At his Inaugural Speech in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari was unequivocal in stating that nothing can be achieved by basing the Command and Control Centre of the military in Abuja.

Buhari relocated it to the city that has been most ravaged by Boko Haram: Maiduguri. This was seen as a good move and Nigerians were pleased to see that its new government has swung into

action. The insurgents were dealt with head-on and more Chibok girls were released. At some point Boko Haram was considered as technically defeated – they could only execute asymmetric attacks. All these were for a brief stint before insecurity wore a new look.

Fast forward to 2021, the reign of terror is no longer insurgency. What scares Nigerians most is not bombing but something now considered more dreadful: kidnapping. Out of the blue, highways, urban centres and rural communities are no longer safe especially in northern Nigeria. We used to hear the stories of kidnapping in Nollywood movies or from the Niger Delta area where expatriates mostly working with oil multinational corporations are kidnapped with ransom demanded in dollars.

Now, the kidnappers spare neither the rich nor the poor.

According to Daily Trust, in the last four years 113 traditional monarchs had been kidnapped. No wonder, the revered Sultan is forced to lower his amawali (the part of the turban that covers the mouth, signifying that traditional rulers are to talk less) and talk. According to SBM Intelligence, in the first half of 2021 a total of 2,371 people have been kidnapped and N10 billion demanded in ransom.

Students are vulnerable and farmers are susceptible; there are no sacred cows. Already, there are more than 13 million children who are out-of-school and majority are in northern Nigeria. The kidnappers have successfully taken students hostage; making education more difficult and discouraging. In Kaduna and Kano States the governments have been forced to shut down schools so as to prevent the carting away of poor innocent children at will by the kidnappers. Farmers are forced to pay the perpetrators some money before they embark on farming. Failure to do so will result in destruction of the plants or kidnapping of the farmers. This poses a threat to food security and zero hunger which is the second Sustainable Development Goal.

The insecurity we are facing today has ripple effect on our economy which is one of the cardinal promises of the APC.

Insecurity disrupts economic activities, leading to the closing down of enterprises and loss of jobs; reduction in productivity and decline in taxes amongst others. The insecurity has eaten deep and confidence needs to be restored in our people. As a matter of urgency the APC government should expedite action on the creation of state police. So that people familiar with the terrain will be the first point of call during suppression of criminal activities.

The government should also support the move made by Sheikh Gumi. The cleric took it upon himself to reach out to the people suspected to be the perpetrators of crimes.

Gumi has reiterated that the people are willing to lay down their arms if the government can furnish them with basic amenities. What this means is that government should do the needful and give them a sense of belonging. History has shown that people who feel marginalized resort to violence even though violence has been less successful in resolving conflicts. Violence should be discouraged at all costs and not be given any room.

The case we are facing today is a food for thought.

How come an APC government is still battling with insecurity? They seemed to have had it all in their heads. A party that was so determined and brimming with courage and confidence to nip insecurity in the bud, a party massively supported

by Nigerians. How come APC did not anticipate that insecurity could wear a new garb? The APC has done creditably well in some areas, but kidnapping as a thorn in the flesh.

It is noteworthy to mention that when you fail to plan you plan to fail. The next set of individuals wanting to form government should prepare very well. Nigerians are getting wiser and having more desire to get involved and pay close attention to what is happening. Nigerians are pained to see that the country has not realised its full potential. Day by day, Nigerians are becoming impatient and intolerant of incompetence.

t .VIBNNBE XSPUF GSPN ,BEVOB

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ AUGUST 15, 2021

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LETTERS

TOKYO OLYMPICS: TEAM NIGERIA – WHAT NOW? The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games have come and gone, with discussions as to how Team Nigeria’s outing was not exactly an advertisement for building and enhancing the country’s sports prowess.

Nigeria’s poor performance at the event was just not the subject of exaggerated assessment in newspapers and across the airwaves.

Indeed, it was a case of expectations outgrowing abilities, as the campaign lurched through multiple crises due to organizational dysfunction, veering from farce, failure, unrest and, above all, a sense of grueling institutional muddle.

The symphony of problems that greeted team Nigeria’s performance were clearly laid out: disqualification of 10 athletes, following the failure of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to register the correct number of out of competition doping tests as required by the Athletics Integrity Unit; protests staged by the disqualified athletes at the Olympic village; and the Nigerian team members wearing mismatched sportswear at the opening ceremony.

The situation clearly impacted on Nigeria’s performance which was parlous in the extreme. Although the duo of Ese Brume and Blessing Oborududu provided some succor by winning Nigeria’s only medals, the distant 74th position of Nigeria on the medal table is dismal for a country that fizzes with sporting talents.

Yet, it took a cocktail of ingredients to bring about this sorry state of affairs.

First up is the long running leadership squabble within the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), the governing body for the sport of athletics in Nigeria. The row, which broke out between the AFN and the supervisory sports ministry after a faction of the AFN impeached the president, led to the vice president taking over as the acting president. This culminated in the impeached president’s faction declaring ‘autonomy’ from the ministry at a rival congress in 2019.

The situation was further compounded when the impeached president sought legal redress at the Federal High Court, where he was affirmed as the bona fide president of the AFN. Efforts by the World Athletics body to steady the ship through mediation proved elusive.

The crisis, sadly, produced two separate presidents and boards of the federation at the June 14, 2021 election.

There are also issues relating to inconsistency in the formulation and application of sports policy; inadequate funding; and absence of a clear sports development philosophy. This is in addition to the late dispensation of funds, where available, as well as lack of maintenance culture, corruption, inadequate preparation, lack of state of the art facilities, limited competitions at the grassroots and national levels, lack of an active base in educational institutions, incompetent sports administrators, etc.

Sports are, clearly, a vital component of socio-economic development. It is a medium to advance social cohesion

and sustainable development.

Yet, the whole system stinks, and the stench will persist until the administration of sports is modified in its present form and are reopened under a new ownership – the athletes.

So what now?

The AFN is still plagued by in-fighting and factions that splinter and regroup.

Yet, it needs to be realized that while the battle for supremacy may be muscular in its approach, its aim is blind and self-injurious. Great administrations, it is noted, are based on a coalition (using the word in a social and geographical sense, rather than party political sense) of support. Efforts would, therefore, need to be made to deploy alternative dispute resolution and other dispute resolution mechanisms to resolve the AFN crisis, and make the interests of Nigerian athletes and the country a top priority.

Nigeria would also need to re-evaluate its approach to National Sports Policy, with a view to entrenching it on firmer grounds. Although there is the National Sports Policy of 1989 and 2009, their implementation moonshot never left the launchpad.

There would therefore be the need to formulate a long-term development sports model at all levels of government by initiating programmes aimed at identifying and developing talents through a national elite development programme.

Such move would include grassroots sports development; schools sports development; organization of age group competitions; creation of a national sports funding plan for athletes; organizing relay and national camps; maintenance of sports facilities; sports insurance and welfare, amongst others.

The issue of funding is also in the mix, given its impediments to the systematic development of sports performance in Nigeria. While there has always been the pledge to carry out a radical review of sports funding, they have only been able to produce watered down plans that fall shy of what is required. There is, therefore, the need for the

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solidly competing favourably against long-existing and high paying ventures in other climes. Some young Nigerian achievers are equally hitting topmost-levels with what, ordinarily, could be waved off as irrelevant side hustles.

It is further clear and highly commendable that some of these young Nigerian limit-breakers are not only pulling and exclusively reserving the spotlight for themselves, they are seriously grooming other young ones to continue to water their progress.

Remarkably, these thrilling narratives are becoming more visible in Nigeria’s integrated marketing communications space.

The practitioners, mostly youngsters, are not just making tremendous contributions to the growth of the industry; they are positively disrupting and developing the nation’s broader business and political landscape. O To Ge was widely considered as one of the most successful media campaigns during the 2019 general polls. The ingenious campaign concept was reportedly designed and perfectly executed by a

relatively known advertising agency managed by some young Nigerians. Daniel Obi, writing in businessday. ng, recalls “O to ge” is set to be another social phenomenon that leads a people to defining socio-political awareness and defining decision.”

Several young Nigerian marketing communications experts are equally pulling favourable recognitions and headlines outside the country with their innovative works. As usual, some of them were among those honoured for their pacesetting ideas as well as listed in the recently published Forbes Africa annual 30 under 30. Interestingly, the list was released at a time when many businesses were brought to a complete standstill by the ravaging Covid-19 pandemic.

It is further evident that several young Nigerian marketing communicators are moving beyond creating cool and engaging contents as well as helping brands in strengthening their market positions. They are clearly proving that businesses can perfectly use marketing campaigns in dousing sovereignty-threatening

does not have an established structure or performance culture in such events. There would therefore be the need, moving forward, for capacity building by including those events in local competitions, such as the National Sports Festival, State Sports Festivals, National Youth Games, Nigerian University Games, etc.

The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games has exposed, in glaring relief, the unhealthy state of affairs of sports administration and development in Nigeria. These, therefore, are difficult times, but not the time to flinch or stick to the status quo. This is, indeed, an opportunity to move the dial and change the narrative from the ashes of uncertainty and despair to stability and hope.

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APGA AND THE APPEAL COURT RULING

T

he Court of Appeal sitting in Kano, on Tuesday, ended the leadership squabble in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), when it quashed the verdict of the Jigawa State High Court that had affirmed Jude Okeke as the national chairman of the party against Victor Oye, who was duly elected in May 2019 for a second term of four years.

The appellate court justices, in their judgement, unanimously disagreed with the

WAY OUT FOR A NATION IN DISTRESS ooking at the increasing challenges bedeviling Nigeria, there is no sense, denying the fact that a cloud of uncertainty hung around her continuous existence as an independent state. Unemployment rate, for instance, is estimated to be 33%, this year, with youth unemployment and underemployment specifically pegged at 42% and 21% respectively.

Regrettably, the country’s hard-won democracy which obviously is still at a developing stage is equally seriously threatened. The threat, experts observed, is mostly fuelled by actions and pronouncements by the incumbent leadership and other state’s actors. “On the 3rd of June, the Nigerian government via a series of tweets, passed messages that could only be translated as genocidal,” Elvis Kachi, wrote, recently.

However, in the midst of the severe socio-economic and democracy threats, highly promising and youthful talents abound in Nigeria. The country proudly boasts of young barrier-breakers whose ideas and businesses are

enthronement of a coherent and less piecemeal funding model, with a view to addressing the sport funding gap in the country.

There would therefore be the need to look beyond the regular budgetary funding and explore other sustainable funding sources including the National Lottery Trust Fund, as obtains in other climes such as the United Kingdom, South Africa and Jamaica.

Nigeria would therefore need to borrow a leaf from such global trend, given its significant contribution to the improvement of sports in those countries. Adequate accountability measures would also need to be put in place to ensure that the funds are not mismanaged.

Finally, Olympic sports are evolving, with the emergence of some historically European and North American disciplines, including sailing, canoeing, dressage, amongst others. Nigeria, presently,

issues. In the highly competitive beer sector, for instance, various players are seriously rekindling strong patriotism in the citizens, moving beyond profit-making. International Breweries is promoting its beer brand and at the same time, helping the younger generation keeping in touch with their culture and tradition through the recently launched Echefula. The campaign, in Igbo dialect, means “Never Forget Your Identity.” Nwakaibeya, a short film, was reportedly unveiled by Guinness Nigeria to promote its beer brand as well as showcase the rich and colourful heritage of Nigerians from the East. Nigerian Breweries further used 508 crates of one of its beer brands in recreating the popular Niger Bridge as well as deepening relationships with its consumers. Sadly, these young achievers are making these groundbreaking leaps at a time when Nigeria is clearly mired in crisis. Certain policies of the government, obviously, remained the major roadblock to business progress. t 4VOEBZ 0EJBLB -BHPT

lower court, which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to acknowledge Okeke’s faction, pronouncing that it had no territorial jurisdiction to entertain the case in the first place. Led by Justice Haruna Tsammani, they reportedly declared Okeke and his group as “meddlesome interlopers” and asked the electoral body not to accord recognition to their faction.

In laying claims to APGA leadership, Oye and Okeke had conducted separate primaries for the Anambra State governorship election holding on November 6, 2021. While the Oye camp produced Professor Charles Soludo, erstwhile Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, as the party’s candidate, Hon. Chukwuma Umeoji, a serving member of House of Representatives, emerged from the Okeke’s group.

The Okeke group sprang up recently in June this year and announced the purported suspension of Oye and Edozie Njoku, who has been parading himself as APGA national chairman since Oye's re-election over two years ago. Okeke claimed to be APGA’s acting national chairman after the so-called suspension of Oye and Njoku. He travelled all the way to Jigawa to secure a bizarre judgement to validate his claim. INEC, on account of that judgement, accepted and published the name of Umeoji as the recognized candidate of APGA. Njoku had also conducted his own primary in which he crowned himself APGA candidate for the Anambra guber election. His application seeking for leave to appeal the Jigawa High Court ruling in favour of Okeke was struck out by the appellate court in Kano.

By the dismissal of Njoku’s

application, the battle at the Kano Appeal Court was left between Okeke and Oye whose request to appeal the Jigawa court verdict was granted.

With the pronouncement of the Kano Division of the Court of Appeal, observers believe there should be no contention any more as to who is APGA’s authentic national chairman that INEC should relate with for the purpose of the forthcoming Anambra guber election.

Analysts see the appellate court judgement as a clear and outright affirmation of Oye’s leadership and Soludo’s candidacy for the party in the gubernatorial poll.

In his reaction to the ruling of the Appeal Court, Senator Victor Umeh, former national chairman of APGA, said the legal war instituted against Oye’s leadership was merely designed to cause needless distraction to Soludo’s campaign. Umeh, a master strategist, who is indisputably a force to reckon with in Anambra politics, averred that APGA had never wavered about the authenticity of Oye’s leadership. "We were convinced that the High Court judgment of Burnin Kudu in Jigawa State should have been a nullity, but some people including the INEC used it to torment us. Not only has the judiciary redeemed itself, it has also shown that it is the hope of the people. Nothing in that judgement (of Jigawa High Court) should be allowed to be alive. The judges of the Court of Appeal were thorough and there was no flaw,” he said, adding, "With this judgement, we have now rebounded. Previously we had said Soludo will contest and it has come to pass. He is our candidate and the person that the party nominated."

t .JDIBFM +FHFEF "CVKB

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SUNDAY AUGUST 15, 2021 • T H I S D AY

SUNDAY AUGUST 15, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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SUNDAY AUGUST 15, 2021 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 15, 2021

BUSINESS

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Editor: Festus Akanbi 08038588469 Email:festus.akanbi@thisdaylive.com

Will Shell’s Divestment of Assets Brighten Future of Nigeria’s Deepwater Projects?

With Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo)·s increasing divestment of onshore assets, Ejiofor Alike writes that the company should focus on development of new deepwater acreages to regain its leadership position in oͿshore assets and boost Nigeria·s crude oil production from deep oͿshore projects

S

hell had pioneered deepwater exploration and development in Nigeria, when its deepwater arm, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) launched its 225,000 barrels per day capacity Bonga )loating Production Storage 2΁oading ()PS2) vessel in November 2005.

The development of the Bonga deepwater oilÀeld had increased Nigeria·s oil production by 10 per cent at the time and stimulated the growth of relevant support industry.

The development cost to Àrst oil for Bonga was $3.6 billion.

Located in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 118, formerly Oil Prospecting Lease (OPL) 212, the 60 sTuare Nilometre Àeld is situated in water depths of more than 1,000 metres.

The Bonga concession was awarded in 1993 during the Àrst round of bidding for Nigeria·s deepwater frontier acreage.

It is operated by SNEPCo (55 per cent) on behalf of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) under a Production Sharing Contract (PSC).

In OPL 212, SNEPCo has a Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) with Esso (20 per cent), NAE Nigerian Agip Exploration Ltd (12.5 per cent). and Elf Petroleum Nigeria Limited (12.5 per cent).

Production facilities in the project had comprised one of the world·s largest )PSO vessels and deepwater subsea infrastructure.

The Àeld·s initial 16 subsea oil producing and water injection wells were connected to the two million barrel storage capacity FPSO by production Áowlines, risers and control umbilicals.

Being the Àrst deepwater development in Nigeria, Bonga had scored Àrsts in many fronts.

The construction of Bonga FPSO was the Àrst time inconel clad Steel Catenary 5isers was used on an FPSO anywhere in the world.

It was also in Bonga tht the Àrst, largest and most technologically advanced polyester moored deepwater buoy was built in Nigeria.

Shell had also achieved many other technological feats with Bonga.

While Samsung Heavy Industries had constructed the 300,000 tonnes FPSO hull in South Korea, AMEC built and integrated the 22,000 tonnes oil processing topsides facilities.

The FPSO vessel·s capacity has since been upgraded in recent years, allowing SNEPCo to expand the Àeld with further drilling of wells in Bonga Phases 2 and 3, and through a subsea tie-back that unlocked the nearby Bonga North West Àeld, expected at peak production to contribute 40,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) to the Bonga development.

Bonga Phase 3 is an expansion of the Bonga Main development, with peak production expected to be some 50,000 barrels of oil equivalent.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Shell had also recently signed an agreement with partners in the OML 118 licence, to unlock over $10 billion in investments.

Shell Lags Behind in Deepwater Projects Despite pioneering the development of deepwater projects in Nigeria, Shell did not consolidate its leadership position and has since been overtaken by other IOCs. Apart from the development and expansion of Bonga, the oil giant has not launched any other new deepwater project since Bonga came on stream in 2005.

While ExxonMobil had developed Erha in 2006, Chevron had developed Agbami in 2008.

To its credit, Total had also developed Akpo in 2009 and Egina in 2018.

The many Àrsts recorded by Total and its

$900 million.

Seplat paid $259.4 million for OML 53 and an additional $132 million to acquire a 22.5 per cent stake in OML 55 from Belemaoil while Amni acquired OML 52.

Since then, the IOCs, particularly Shell has announced a string of other divestments of onshore assets, a development that has been misinterpreted as part of its plan to pull out from Nigeria.

Shell, Total and Agip had also in early this year sold stake in OML 17 to Tony Elumelu·s TNOG for $533 million

Managing Director of SNEPCo, Mrs. Elohor Aiboni

contractor, Samsung Heavy Industries, in the development of Egina have since dwarfed the records set by Shell in Bonga.

Apart from being the largest FPSO in Nigeria, the Egina FPSO is the largest FPSO built anywhere in the world by the Total Group.

Chevron and ExxonMobil had also in 2012 announced the production of Àrst oil from their joint deepwater, 8san oͿshore development project.

Chevron controls 30 per cent stake in the project, while Total E&P Nigeria Limited is the operator on behalf of the NNPC with 20 per cent stakeholding.

While Esso E&P Nigeria (OͿshore East) Limited controls 30 per cent, while Nexen Petroleum Nigeria Limited has 20 per cent stake.

String of Divestments of Onshore Assets While SNEPCo did not embark on aggressive exploration and development of oͿshore assets after its record-breaking achievements in Bonga in 2005, its sister company, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) had in 2010 opened the Áoodgates of assets sale by the international oil companies (IOCs) when it announced the transfer of its 30 per cent interest in Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 4, 38 and 41 to Seplat Petroleum Development Company.

Total with 10 per cent and Eni with Àve per cent subsequently sold their stakes in the three leases to Seplat, thus raising the operator·s equity to 45 per cent, while NNPC retained 55 per cent, which it later transferred to its producing arm, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).

The gale of divestments of onshore assets continued in 2011 when Neconde Energy paid $585 million to Shell, Total and Eni to acquire their 45 per cent stake in OML 42. Shoreline Energy 5esources paid $850 million to Shell and its partners for their 45 per cent stake in OML 30; Eland Oil paid $154 million for Shell, Total and Eni·s 45 per cent stake in OML 40; ND Western paid $600 million for the gas-rich OML 34; while First Hydrocarbon Nigeria, partly owned

by Afren paid $98 million to acquire Shell·s 30 per cent interest in OML 26.

Also First E & P paid $300 million to Shell and partners for 45 per cent stake in OML 71 and 72. Under the divestment by Shell, Total and Agip, Erotron Consortium paid $1.2 billion for 45 per cent stake in OML 18; Pan Ocean paid $900 million for OML 24; while Creststar Consortium paid initial deposit of $100 million of the $500 million bid price for OML 25 before the NNPC came forward to exercise its right of Àrst refusal, an action that was challenged in the court by the Canadian Àrm-backed consortium.

The Aiteo-led consortium paid $2.562 billion to Shell, Total and Agip for OML 29 and the Nembe Creek Trunkline.

Chevron, which has 40 per cent stake in the joint venture with the NNPC, was not left out in the string of divestments of onshore and shallow water assets by the IOCs as it also sold its 40 per cent stake in OML 83 and 85 to First E & P for $68 million.

The company also sold its 40 per cent stake in OMLs 52, 53 and 55 to Seplat Petroleum; Belemaoil and Amni Petroleum.

However, the bid value for OMLs 52 and 55 was not made public but the entire transaction was said to be worth about

Increasing Nigeria’s Crude Oil Output from Deep O;shore Projects With the IOC·s divestment of onshore assets, the companies should focus on deepwater projects, which are far more secured from militant attacks and oil thieves than onshore and shallow water assets.

The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has removed the uncertainty in the operating environment and enthrone clearer terms for operations in the deep water.

Having handed over the assets more prone to attacks to indigenous players who are better positioned to engage the restive host communities, the oil majors should invest heavily in exploration and production of oil in the more proliÀc deepwater to boost Nigeria·s production.

With their proliÀc nature, oͿshore projects will help Nigeria·s quest to attain daily production level of four million barrels and also meet the country·s targeted 40 billion barrels of oil reserves.

To this end, the Àrst female Managing Director of SNEPCo, Mrs. Elohor Aiboni should focus on the exploration and development of oͿshore assets to regain the company·s leadership position in the deep oͿshore acreages and increase Nigeria·s oil production.

Elohor was the Àrst female to lead the Shell exploration company in the more than six decades of Shell·s operations in Nigeria.

She succeeded Mr. Bayo Ojulari, who retired on July 31 after Àve years as SNEPCO MD, having served the Shell group for more than 30 years.

Shortly before her recent appointment, the company had reiterated its plan to divest from its onshore and shallow waters operations to concentrate on deep oͿshore business.

Elohor, who is on a familiar terrain, was until her new appointment, the Bonga Asset Manager responsible for overseeing end-toend production delivery for Nigeria·s pioneer deepwater FPSO vessel, Bonga, which had produced over 900 million barrels of oil since the beginning of its operations in 2005.

Prior to her role as Bonga Asset Manager, Elohor had led production delivery for shallow oͿshore as Asset Manager for Sea Eagle FPSO in Nigeria·s Niger Delta.

While the previous SNEPCo MDs - Chima Ibeneche, Chike Onyejekwe, Tony Attah and Ojulari had played their part successfully in the development, production and expansion of the Bonga oilÀeld, Elohor should focus on new deepwater projects to regain the company·s glory in pioneering oͿshore technology so as to also help Nigeria attain her set targets in the oil and gas industry.

“We take pride in our intention of being one of the most diverse and inclusive organisations in the world, and focus on further improving inclusion and representation in critical areas, including gender,µ Shell·s Senior 9ice President for Nigeria, Marno de Jong, was quoted as saying, on Elohor·s appointment.

Elohor was at a time the Business Adviser to the Executive 9ice President for Shell Sub-Saharan Africa, and had also managed third-party interface across several Shell assets in Nigeria and Kazakhstan.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 15, 2021

FINANCE

Peterside

Dozie

Adeola

Ovia

Arah

Omoyeni

Apamgbo

Oduoza

Otti

Tilije

Banking Czars Making Waves with ‘Plan B’

The Nigerian banking industry has passed through diͿerent phases, especially in the 21st Century, in response to the changing dynamics of the Nigerian economy. Therefore, as the industry continues to produce diͿerent sets of chief executives who hand over batons of leadership to their successors, in compliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s policy of good corporate governance, Festus Akanbi, in this report, beams his searchlight on some former Bank MDs and their survival strategies after their tenures

T

he evolution of banking operations in Nigeria, which occurred during the colonial period was a child of necessity.

It started with the establishment of colonial banks, with the primary aim of meeting the commercial needs of the Colonial Government.

Beginning from the establishment of the African Banking Corporation, and the Bank of British West Africa, now First Bank of Nigeria in 1892, (which served as precursors to banks like Barclays Bank and the British and French Bank for Commerce and Industry, which metamorphosed into the United Bank forAfrica), banking in Nigeria has continued to play a very important role in the nation’s economy.

As the industry continued to wax strong, banks became evenly distributed across the country, with the attendant challenges.

Banking became hugely proÀtable and the industry began to attract the best brains from the nation’s higher institutions and competing sectors of the Nigerian economy.

However, many former bank MDs resigned voluntarily to pursue other dreams.

Today, the list of bank chiefs doing well in other lines of business is long. These banking icons include names like Atedo Peterside, Pascal Dozie, Fola Adeola, Jim Ovia, Tony Elumelu, Bisi Onasanya, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Akinsola Akinfemiwa and Adebola Adesola.

OthersareEmekaEmuwa,TundeLemo,Nebolisa Arah, Peter Amangbo, Bisi Omoyeni, Tokunbo Abiru, Kehinde Durosimi-Etti, Fidelis Tilije, Alex Otti, Isa Yuguda, Philip Oduoza, Uzoma Dozie.

Atedo Peterside Atedo Peterside, an investment banker, and economist is the founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Anap Business Jets Limited (Anap Jets), and the Atedo N. A. Peterside Foundation (Anap Foundation). At age 33, he founded the Investment Banking & Trust Company Limited (IBTC) in February 1989 and presided as the CEO till 2007.

The new entity- IBTC Chartered Bank, on September

24, 2007, merged with Stanbic Bank Nigeria Ltd to become Stanbic IBTC with Peterside elected as Chairman. He announced his resignation on 21 March 2017.

He is currently the Chairman ofAnap Jets Limited, which commenced business on January 1, 2015.

He also sits on the boards of both The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited and Standard Bank Group Limited. He is also the Chairman of ART X Collective Limited and Endeavor High Impact Entrepreneurship Ltd/Gte, a non-proÀt organisation that provides mentorship and support to scale-up companies. Peterside also serves on the African Advisory Board of the Prince’s Trust International.

Pascal Dozie Pascal Gabriel Dozie is the founder of Diamond Bank and the chairman of Pan-Atlantic University.

In 1971 after his return to Nigeria, from the United Kingdom, where he worked at the National Economic Development O΀ce, he launched his Àrst company -African Development Consulting Group (ADCG), which brought about Diamond Bank. In 1985, Dozie applied for a banking licence to help traders in South-Eastern Nigeria, who were faced with issues of banking. This brought about the birth of Diamond Bank. He was CEO of Diamond Bank from 1991 to 2006.

Dozie was also a one-time President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. He currently owns shares in MTN Group and was Chairman of the company. He later resigned as the chairman and was succeeded by the former NCC boss, Ernest Ndukwe.

Fola Adeola Fola Adeola became a Chartered Accountant in 1980 following his training with Deloitte, Haskins, and Sells, and D.O. DaÀnone & Company (both Chartered Accountants).

In 1990, he (together with late Tayo Aderinokun) established Guaranty Trust Bank, which he served as Managing Director and Chief Executive O΀cer from 1990 to July 2002.

He voluntarily retired from the bank in 2002, after 12 years, handing over to his deputy, Tayo

Aderinokun. Since then, he has served as the chairman of UTC, ARM, Lotus Capital, Eterna Oil, CardinalStone Partners Limited, Tafsan Breweries (board member), and Credit Registry Services.

Today, Adeola is the chairman of Main One Cable Company Limited. He is also Chairman of the National Pension Commission. He chaired the Lagos State Disaster Relief Committee, which was set up following January 27, 2002, Lagos armoury explosion. He tried his luck in politics when he became the Vice-Presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) serving as running mate to former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission chairman (EFCC) Nuhu Ribadu in the 2011 presidential elections. He was a member of the Governing Council of Lagos State University and a council member of Olabisi Onabanjo University.

Jim Ovia Jim Ovia was the founder and chief executive of ZenithBankuntil2010whenhebecamethechairman.

Ovia hates to be idle. This explains the increasing size of his business portfolio even while he is still holding forth as Chairman of Zenith Bank.

Ovia was the founder Visafone Communications Limited and the chairman of both the Nigerian Software Development Initiative (NSDI) and the National Information TechnologyAdvisory Council (NITAC). He is a member of the Honourary International Investor Council as well as the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI). He is the Chairman of Cyberspace Network Limited.

He is a member of the Governing Council of Lagos State University, Lagos, and a member of the Board of Trustees, Redeemer’s University For Nations, Lagos. He was a member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (1999 – 2007) and served on the board of American International School, Lagos (2001 -2003).

Tony Elumelu Tony Elumelu is an economist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is the chairman of United Bank for Africa, Heirs Holdings, the Transcorp, and the founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Elumelu started his career in Union Bank as a Youth Corp member in 1985. Twenty years later, he acquired Standard Trust Bank (in 2005), and United Bank for Africa (UBA) was acquired afterward.

Having retired from UBA along with few other bank CEOs in the wake of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s new tenure system for bank chiefs in 2010, Elumelu, who later returned to UBA as its group chairman, founded Heirs Holdings, which invests in the Ànancial services, energy, real estate and hospitality, agribusiness, and healthcare sectors. In the same year, he established the Tony Elumelu Foundation, an Africa-based and African-funded philanthropic organisation.

Bisi Onasanya Bisi Onasanya is a former Group Managing Director and Chief Executive O΀cer of First Bank of Nigeria Limited. He was, before this appointment, the Managing Director/Chief Executive O΀cer of First Pension Custodian, and he began his career with Arthur Young, an American audit Àrm.

Onasanya retired as Group Managing Director/ CEO, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, on December 31, 2015. He is currently the Chairman/CEO of his real estate business, Address Homes Limited, a leading real estate company engaged in the acquisition, development, and management of luxurious contemporary homes across Nigeria.

One of its Àrst assignments is to manage some of the best locations and properties on Banana Island in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi Sanusi Lamido Sanusi began his banking career when he was hired by Icon Limited (a subsidiary of Barings Bank and Morgan Guaranty Trust) as a merchant banker before later becoming head of Ànancial services and manager of the o΀ce in Kano. He left the bank in 1991, when he travelled to Sudan, to pursue studies in Arabic and Islamic studies at the International University of Africa in Khartoum. In 1997, he returned to Nigeria and joined the United Bank for Africa.

In 2005, he joined the board of the First Bank

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 15, 2021

21

FINANCE Banking Czars Making Waves with ‘Plan B’ Plc and in January 2009, he became the chief executive o΀cer. He became the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria in 2009, during the global Ànancial crisis.

On 8 June 2014, Sanusi a grandson of former Emir Muhammadu Sanusi I, emerged as the new Emir of Kano.

However, under a chain of controversial circumstances, he was dethroned

by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje On 9 March 2020.

One day after his dethronement, Sanusi received two appointments from Governor Nasir El-Rufai in Kaduna State; he was appointed Vice Chairman of the Board of Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency and Chancellor of the Kaduna State University.

Akinsola Akinfemiwa Renowned banker and former Managing Director of Skye Bank, Akinsola Akinfemiwa, is also the Chairman of Heritage Bank. He was one of the leading bank chiefs who successfully navigated their institutions through the energysapping consolidation programme of the CBN in 2005. He started with a bank called IMBE, then moved on to Chartered Bank. From Chartered Bank, he went on to become the CEO of Prudent Merchant Bank that became Prudent Bank and then became Skye Bank.

Though he quit the industry following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s guidelines in 2011, he returned in 2013 to become the chairman, Heritage Bank.

Akinfemiwa is the Chairman, AAG Management Resources Limited.

He sits on the board of various other companies, including Genesis Electricity and Petroleum Products International Limited. He was also the Vice-Chairman of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

Adebola Adesola She is the Senior Vice-Chairman at Standard Chartered Bank Group where she was previously the CEO of Standard Chartered Bank for Nigeria and West Africa. In 1990, she started her practice as a banker with Citibank, Nigeria. There she served for nine years until 1999 when she moved to First Bank of Nigeria to become Managing Director in charge of corporate banking. However, she resigned Àve years later.

In 2010, she joined the Standard Chartered Bank Group, where she rose to become the chief executive in 2013.

Apart from her activities in the banking industry, she was Chairperson, United NationsGlobalCompact–Member,2018, United Nations - Director, 2015, Nigeria National Competitiveness Council - Executive Member, 2013 Lagos Business School Alumni Association (LBSAA) Vice President, Fate Foundation – and Board Member, Women in Business and Management (WIMBIZ), among numerous other engagements.

Emeka Emuwa Mr. Emuwa previously occupied the position of Chairman for Union Homes Savings & Loans Plc, Country O΀cer at Citigroup, Inc. and Managing Director at Citibank Nigeria Ltd, (a subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc.), CEO, Group Managing Director & Director at Union Bank of NigeriaPlc,ChairmanofNigeriaPortugal Friendship & Business Association and ChairmanatJuniorAchievementNigeria.

Emeka Emuwa joined Union Bank after 25 years at Citibank, where he rose through the ranks from Management Associate in 1986 to Managing Director, Citibank Nigeria Ltd, and Citi Country O΀cer, Nigeria. He has been oͿ the radar since his exit from Union Bank in March 2021.

Tunde Lemo Lemo served as managing director of Wema Bank Plc, and in 2003, became the deputy governor of operations and directoroftheCentralBankofNigeria.On January2,2004,Lemobecamethedirector and chairman of the Abuja Securities & Commodity Exchange Plc. He was a non-executive director ofAfrica Finance Corporation since 16 May 2007.

Abiru

Durosimi-Etti

Yuguda

Dozie

Adesola

Aig-Imoukhuede

Akinfemiwa

Onasanya

Elumelu

Sanusi

Emuwa

Lemo

On October 6, 2017, President Muhammadu Buhari approved his appointment as the new chairman of the Federal Emergency Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA). He eͿectively became a chairman of the agency in July 2018 joined by six new members of the board and a new managing director.

He is the chairman of Titan Bank and Flutterwave and sits on many other boards.

house. He has garnered over two decades of banking experience spanning various departments of the bank.

He is now the Chairman, Board of Trustee of the Áedgling bank, Globus Bank, which has since commenced full banking operations in Lagos with the plans of opening branches in other parts of the country to compete favourably with other banks in the visibly volatile banking industry.

election of Ikpeazu as Governor. In 2019, he again recontested and was successful.

Otti is a member of the editorial board of THISDAY, and writes a fortnightly column, every other Monday, titled “Outside The Boxµ.

Nebolisa Arah He joined the former International Merchant Bank (Nigeria) Ltd in 1981 as a credit analyst. Later, he was appointed the pioneer Managing Director/Chief Executive O΀cer of Fidelity Bank. He managed the Bank from 1988 to 2003.

He was Àve and a half years later picked for CBN’s rescue operation in Afribank, where he was appointed MD. And a few weeks after, he was in addition, appointed by the Federal Government as a member of the Governing Board of the CBN. He has since retired from those o΀ces but has also got more and more appointments.

Phillip Oduoza With 30 years of banking experience in major Ànancial institutions, Phillips Oduoza is the founder and chairman of the board of Nova Merchant Bank Limited. Before promoting Nova, he recently retired as the global CEO of UBA Group. He has served on the board of several companies, such as Diamond Bank Plc, Interswitch Plc, Value card Plc, Nigeria Interbank Settlement System, Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Financial Markets, and Dealers 4uotations (FMD4), and numerous others.

Merchant Bank Limited (an A΀liate of Bank of Boston). Out of the 27 years career span in banking and other Ànancial services, 16 of these years were spent in top leadership positions as the Managing Director and Chief Executive O΀cer of three diͿerent banks in Nigeria, Midas Bank in 1995, Eko International Bank in 2002, and Skye Bank in 2010 and each time leaving on his own volition. In 2014, Durosimi-Etti, with few others set up Variant Advisory Services. Although he has been very quiet, he rolled out a book, “FrontierCapitalMarketsandInvestment Banking Principles and Practice from Nigeria,µ which he co-authored with Temitope Oshikoya. He was recently appointed on the board of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

Bisi Omoyeni Former Group Managing Director of Wema Bank, Bisi Omoyemi is a man of many parts.

The former bank MD, who was a deputy governor to Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, returned to Wema Bank as a chief executive and returned to politics after his exit from Wema. He contested the governorship seat in the 2018 elections on the platform of the Mega Party of Nigeria (MPN) but lost to Kayode Fayemi of theAll Progressives Congress (APC). This year, he was in the news when he announced his return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Peter Apamgbo PeterAmangbo, who ran Zenith Bank as a Managing Director/Chief Executive between 2013 and 2019, started his career in 1989 as an auditor with PriceWater-

Alex Otti Otti is an economist, banker, investor, philanthropist, and politician. He is the former Group Managing Director of Diamond Bank Plc. He began his banking career in 1989 with the Nigerian International Bank and worked with many other banks including UBA Group. In 2001, he joined First Bank Plc from where he moved to Diamond Bank as a Group ManagingDirector/ChiefExecutiveuntil he voluntarily retired in 2014.

Otti was a gubernatorial candidate of Abia State on the platform of the All Progressives GrandAlliance (APGA). On 31 December 2015, the Court of Appeal which sat in Owerri removed Okezie Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party as governor of Abia State and declared Otti of APGA the winner of the April 11 and April 25 governorship elections in the state. However, on February 3, 2016, the Supreme Court reversed the verdict of the Court of Appeal and a΀rmed the

Fidelis Tilije Fidelis Tilije was a former Managing director/Chief Executive of Fortunes International Bank Plc, one of the banks which lost their licences in 2006, following the CBN banking sector consolidation, midwifed by Prof Chukwuma Soludo.

Tilije, joined politics and was the running mate to Chief Great Ogboru in 2006, again in January 2011 and Ànally in April, 2011. He was later appointed Commissioner for Water Resources by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State Tokunbo Abiru Tokunbo worked for 10 years at Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB). He then proceeded to First Bank Nigeria, where he worked for 14 years. In 2011, he was appointed as Lagos State Commissioner for Finance but resigned in 2013, to take up an executive role in First Bank Nigeria Ltd. He served as a Non-Executive Director between 2013 to 2016 in diͿerent companies like Airtel Mobile Networks Limited, FBN Capital Limited (Now FBN Merchant Bank Limited), and FBN Bank Sierra Leone Limited.

In 2018, he became the founding Chief Executive of Polaris Bank. On August 24, 2020, Abiru resigned from Polaris Bank to contest the Lagos East Senatorial election on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) which he won. Currently, he is a Senator of the Federal Republic.

Kehinde Durosimi-Etti Durosinmi-Etti has over three decades of management and leadership experience as a chartered accountant and banker. After a stint in audit practice; he started his banking career in 1987 when he joined the Nigerian-American

Isa Yuguda He was Managing Director & Chief Executive of NAL Merchant Bank (1999 - June 2000). In June 2000, Yuguda was appointed Minister of State for Transport in the government of President Olusegun Obasanjo. He was moved to the Ministry of Aviation (May 2003 - June 2005). He was Àrst elected Governor of Bauchi State in April 2007, on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). In April 2009, he changed allegiance from the ANPP to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Yaguda was re-elected governor on 28 April 2011.

Uzoma Dozie Uzoma Dozie (born November 2, 1969) is a banker, tech investor, and Ànancial inclusion advocate. He was the GMD and CEO of Diamond Bank from 2014 and successfully implemented a merger with Access Bank Plc in 2018.

He is the CEO and Founder of Sparkle, a Ànancial technology community and ecosystem.As an advocate of technology, Uzoma is passionate about connecting individuals and businesses with digital solutions to improve their Ànancial business and lifestyle activities.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 15, 2021

22

FINANCE

Gauging the Forex Market It’s over two weeks that the Central Bank of Nigeria suspended forex allocation to bureau de change operators and adopted weekly supply to commercial banks with a view to rescuing the value of the naira and maintaining its integrity. Gauging the forex market, using customer experience, shows how the apex bank has fared in pursuing the desired goals and objectives for the system. Kunle Aderinokun reports

A

ftermorethantwoweeksof Central Bank of Nigeria’s decision to suspend forex allocation to bureau de change (BDC) operators, customers have been patronising commercial banks to satisfy their

forex needs.

As soon as the apex bank cut oͿ supply to the BDCs, it released $200 million to the commercial banks and has continued to serve them forex liquidity, weekly. This was part of eͿorts to meet dollar demand for legitimate end users in the country.

Already, the banks now armed with the CBN’s mandate to accept cash deposits of foreign exchange from their customers, have taken up more responsibilities to open forex desks in their branches nationwide, to serve end-users.

However, as activities revved up, some of the banks have started Áouting the forex rules by actively conniving with unscrupulous customers to defraud the system. This set of customers and banks have been warned to desist from such nefarious act or risk stiͿ sanction by the banking regulator.

Rising from the 357th Bankers Committee meeting, which was held virtually last Thursday, bank CEOs, who reported the unwholesome practices by some customers, noted that they would adopt digital means to detect fraud in the forex system.

Managing Director of First City Monument Bank (FCMB),Yemisi Edun, and Group Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), Segun Agbaje, spoke on behalf of the banks.

The customers, who had cause to visit the banking hall to secure forex for their various needs under the new forex regime, have a mixed bag of tales to share.

Narrating his experience as a bank customer, Chief Executive O΀cer, Global Analytics Derivatives, Mr. Tope Fasua, said: “All banks have implemented the policy to create FX tellers and initially queues have disappeared. I was in a bank on Monday and I saw people paying dollars in their DOM accounts which is a sign of conÀdence in the system.”

Another bank customer, who craved anonymity, said, “As one who uses forex so much for my business, because I import gold and other jewellery, this CBN suspension of forex to the BDCs has only made it di΀cult for me to access dollars and at a reasonable rate. Since the suspension, the price has gone up as we can see; from the N420 I used to get to N515-N520 today. That is not fair!

“The CBN policy has only been able to alarm the market and made the dollar far more expensive than it was before the new directive.

“So, what is the beneÀt now" You go to the banks and they tell you they don’t have dollars, but if you don’t mind, they can arrange some other options for you; which always end up with the Mallam on the street selling dollar.

“With the BDCs, the business was always direct, easier and cheaper plus the fact that you can get it at any time. They have their o΀ces and they are registered with an association they call ABCON or something like that.

“So, if I have an issue with any of their members, I know who to hold and where to go without all that red tape and plenty grammar the banks used to speak when you come to complain to them. Why can’t the CBN just work with that body to solve the problem"” Besides, a Lagos-based businessman, Mr. Jide Thomas, who is a bank customer, said, the CBN should work with the BDCs group to eͿectively regulate their activities and reÀne their operations by drawing up guidelines for them to follow.

Thomas suggested that the apex bank empowers the forex traders’ body to discipline erring members, while it can also descend on the association, if their members commit infractions that threaten to damage the system. According to him, suspending allocation to the BDCs is not

Bankers Committee says it will begin a crackdown on fraudulent forex demands in banks

the solution. Working with the BDCs association to curb their excesses is the way to go.

The decision by the CBN to suspend allocations to bureau de change (BDC) operators was a welcome development to some while it came as a rude shock to others. Howsoever it is taken or whichever way it is viewed, the CBN’s intended consequence is to save the naira, the national currency, even though, just like every decision, there are unintended consequences.

The Central Bank cited various regulatory infractions and other unwholesome practices, as part of the reasons for discontinuing the forex sale to the BDCs Following the decision, which was announced by its Governor, Mr. Godwin EmeÀele, and the apex bank noted it would no longer process or issue new licences for BDC operations, pointing out that all licences being currently processed regardless of the stage of processing had been suspended. He said the CBN would channel weekly allocations, meant for BDCs to commercial banks.

According to the apex bank, these measures were taken to enable it more eͿectively and efÀciently carry out its mandates and guarantee preservation of the shared commonwealth and the hard-earned Ànancial system stability for the beneÀt of Nigerians.

Twenty four hours after the announcement, the naira-dollar exchange rate at the parallel market climbed up to N525/$1from N495/$1, as result of the panic created by the policy change. But that was not to last long as the naira thereafter gained with the greenback exchanging for N510.

Pressure, however, continued to mount on the naira as demands from manufacturers and forex end-users were sustained.

As soon as the CBN made public its decision, the BDC operators assured their customers and the general public that they were still in business.

The BDCs that operate under an umbrella body calledAssociation of Bureau de Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), said in a statement that they were still providing foreign exchange services.

ABCON, which gave the assurance through its President, Dr. Aminu Gwadabe, stressed the recent CBN pronouncement did not stop BDCs from providing foreign exchange services

as allowed by their operating licences and also in their operating guidelines.

CBN has since been supplying commercial banks forex. Stemming from CBN’s intervention, the value of the naira improved, but the national currency has continued to be under pressure as it lost N5 last Tuesday at the parallel market as the dollar, which exchanged for N505 moved up N510 in the face of rising volatility.

While analysts believed the CBN was right in taking the decision, a section of them said the new policy direction left much to be desired.

An economic analyst and Professor of Capital Market at Nassarawa State University, Ke΀, Prof Uche Uwaleke, believed the forex rate at the parallel market would drop in the long term as long as CBN ensures forex liquidity at the o΀cial end of the market. He stressed that juxtaposed with other expected development, CBN’s capacity to intervene in the forex market would be reinforced.

Uwaleke, who is a former commissioner for Ànance, expressed the belief that, “As a matter of fact, the downward journey of the parallel market rate has commenced. Currently, the volatility in that market can be blamed on activities of speculators who are betting that the CBN may not be able to match the level of forex demand now re-directed to Commercial Banks.

“But I think they will be disappointed given gradual accretion to external reserves noticed recently, especially since the suspension took eͿect, the plan by the FG to issue Eurobonds in the International capital market and prospects of crude oil price staying strong in the near-tomedium term.”

A retired CBN director, who was in charge of commercial banking, Mr. Abiodun Sopitan, believed, the CBN should work with the BDCs association and manage their aͿairs by monitoring their activities through ensuring the BDCs do proper documentation.

In his view, Fasua said, “Since the policy decision the market has calmed a bit. Naira has strengthened to about N510 to the dollar from N525 with promises for more cooling down as the policy takes hold.”

He, however, pointed out that, “BDC operators are coming together to contemplate the future

and organise themselves for mergers where necessary,” adding, “The ‘Mallams ‘ on the road as we know them are doing business as usual because the banks cannot match their speed of service delivery and the drive thru advantage.”

“Also very signiÀcantly, some bank MDs have expressed conÀdence in the policy and projected further strengthening of the naira. Mr. Rewane, one of Nigeria’s top economists also complemented this yesterday (Wednesday). So the future looks bright.All invisible trade transactions are currently being seamlessly met,” he also said.

But the former CBN Deputy Governor, Dr. Obadiah MailaÀa, has a diͿerent opinion. To him, the new CBN forex policy may worsen the value of the naira. Besides, he cautioned the apex bank against trusting the commercial banks with dollars.

“If we are not careful, that decision will actually worsen the naira value because normally you could walk into any BDCs, anywhere and within Àve minutes, they will attend to you, but the banks, you have to drive to your nearest bank, you have to queue most of the time.

“The CBN has not told us the rate; the banks will want to make a proÀt over the o΀cial rate, we don’t know whether they will make a decent proÀt or they will proÀteer,” he said, pointing out that, “Bankers were the biggest experts in round-tripping. Old habits, I don’t think they change. Leopards are very unlikely to change their spots.”

MailaÀa also advised the CBN not to trust the banks with the forex allocations meant for the customers. “How can you totally trust these commercial banks because most of them will want to corner the dollar for themselves and whatever is left, then they can now share with the market at a rate they want" He added: “On the naira, it is not just the underlying economic fundamentals that matters like interest rate, inÁation and so on, these things matter and the level of debt aͿect it, but there are the non-quantiÀable elements like violence, instability, rural banditry and terrorism, those things undermine the productive capacity of the economy. They also destroy social capital, the trust that holds the community together to do businesses together.”

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 15, 2021

23

WOMEN ENTERPRENEURS UZONGOZI ADEFISAYO

Instability, Rise in Dollar Value Killing Our Business Uzongozi Adefisayo is a legal practitioner from Onicha-Olona, Delta State, who has made significant impact in the lives of over 150 individuals in the perfume oil industry. She has always loved to smell good for less and that led her to discover designer perfume oils, which she started applying even long before the business idea came. It all started in 2018, when she needed to raise some money urgently for her mum, and being short on cash, she decided to carry her own personal stash of perfume oils (12pcs of 3ml) to work to sell since her colleagues had always complimented how good she smelt and often asked how she was able to afford such amazing scents. She was able to raise the money she needed and even more that day and that was when the D’ParfumGirl was born. Uzo’s journey into the perfume oil industry has been filled with many twists and turns, especially because she never thought she would succeed as an entrepreneur, having failed at it before but due to her passion and love for smelling good and having people smell good, she eventually went fully into the perfume oil industry and established D’ParfumGirl. In this interview with Oyinlola Sale, Uzongozi J. Keshi-Adefisayo tells us how, as a legal practitioner, she ventured into perfume oil business.

Y

ourentrepreneurialjourneyisveryinteresting, did you ever think you would thread on this path after you became a lawyer?

Honestly, I never thought I would be able to sell anything, not to talk of running a full business online. When I was in the university, my mum got some shoes and clothes for me to sell and I ended up wearing most of them and giving out the rest because I couldn’t sell them as I was shy, and even the ones who managed to buy never paid me, but I guess my journey into the entrepreneurial world was made easy because of two major factors.

The Àrst being that ever since I can remember, I have always loved good scents, both for body and environment, but everyone knows that getting good and lasting fragrances does not come cheap not to talk of designer types plus I have a very sensitive nose so the option of “aboki perfumes” was totally out of the question and so even though growing up I didn’t have the money to buy the really expensive perfumes, but I always made sure I got the best of what I could aͿord at any given time.

I remember back in secondary school when I saved up and Ànally bought myself the coveted Tony Montana roll on perfume, I was so proud and felt like a mystery ninja anytime I wore it because it smelled just as amazing as the powder but lasted very well and people complimented me and thought I carried the powder around.

This was why when I was introduced to perfume oils and not just any type but designer perfume oil type that smelled exactly like the bottled fragrances and performed even better, I couldn’t believe my luck.

Secondly, I don’t see myself as an entrepreneur rather, I am simply doing what I love and making a living out of it plus being actively in the legal space and a business owner has enabled me to avoid certain pitfalls that may otherwise have discouraged me.

I also run the business with my two sisters (Chioma & Ifeanyi Keshi). In fact, it was Chioma who came up with our business name (the perfume girl) and Ifeanyi who suggested it to be French (la Àlle au parfum, you know since Paris is the hub of a lot of things particularly fragrances) but we opted to just making only ‘Perfume’ French and I opted for the spelling to be the way it is now for that deÀnitive distinction. Hence our unique name D’ParfumGirl. So, running the business with my sisters with each of us infusing our various professional knowledge into it, has led us to where we are now.

How has your Company, D’ParfumGirl become a game changer in the perfume oil industry in Nigeria?

D’ParfumGirl is a game changer because one of my core aims is to ensure that everyone smells amazingly good and we do this by oͿering our clients 100 undiluted and of top-quality perfume oils at aͿordable rates. I always say that the diͿerence in our oils is also clear and most importantly the quality and uniqueness of the services we oͿer alongside. So apart from the guarantee of getting the best, long-lasting oils in the market, we also oͿer fragrance consultations and best part of all is that it is free.

All you have to do is take our fragrance quiz which is available on our website you get three personalised fragrance recommendations that you’ll love. If a client wants a more personalised consultation session, we charge a token for this service which is overall deducted from the total cost of your purchase.

This has uniquely set us apart in the perfume oil industry and our clientele keeps growing because of the trust and special feeling that comes with shopping from us. We also advocate strongly

Which is why we have very aͿordable wholesale deals that have been designed to give our wholesalers maximum proÀts without the hassle of sourcing, packing and best part is that they have access to our top-quality oils and won’t have to go through the trial-and-error phase which many businesses that start from ground up pass through, because they don’t have anyone to guide and point them in the right direction.

I remember one time, I got an incorrect batch of one of our bestselling fragrances (baccarat rouge type) and I did not realise this, not until my client who had been waiting for it complained.

I immediately arranged for the correct scent and replaced the one she had got but the damage had already been done. I ended losing money because this was peak season (December) which made things more costly and my client, till date did not return even after repeated follow ups.

So, starting with us deÀnitely helps you avoid this. I am happy to say that last year 2020 we helped over 20 newbies in diͿerent parts of the country start oͿ their perfume oil businesses. They are all standing out in their various locations now.

Take us through the economic impact of the perfume oil industry in Nigeria?

Just like every other business in Nigeria irrespective of the industry, the impact of Covid, most especially, has been negatively huge and the instability and consistent hike in the cost of dollar has not helped at all as this is what we majorly trade in.

So basically, a lot of businesses have been forced to scale down and turn to complementary products to stay in the business, while some have outrightly dropped out because it becomes increasingly di΀cult to continue to bring in the perfume oils due to the almost 100 hike in cost and still maintain their selling prices.

Ad fi Adefisayo

on using our unique oils as gift items as you never forget the person who makes you smell amazing, just like I am sure you won’t be forgetting us in a hurry.

Perfume oil has become the latest trend, how did this happen overnight?

Well, the truth is that perfume oils have been around for a long time, I mean I started using perfume oils two years before we began business in 2018, it was just heavily guarded but thanks to social media and the need to create avenues for multiple streams of income, it has now become the “IT” thing.

However, the main reason why perfume oils have become such a huge hit is because of the fact that compared to the bottled fragrances, it gives so much more value for way less cost and people tend to choose the option that favours the pocket most.

The thing is that in order to get that more I am speaking about; you must take care to go for the undiluted top-grade quality.

Now, tell us how to set up a proÀtable perfume oil business?

Setting up a proÀtable perfume oil business begins with three easy steps. Step one: have a sizeable amount to purchase, step two: source for a credible supplier of oils, bottles, labels and all the other materials required, step three: tell people about the oils.

However, as easy as these steps are, meeting and making them are all together a diͿerent matter. Not everyone, particularly with the way the economy is now, has a sizeable amount just lying around and even if you did, getting a credible source of supply is not a walk in the park.

What are some of the challenges you have faced so far in building D’ParfumGirl?

Well, I’ll say the challenges every business in Nigeria, most especially, is facing, which includes the constant hike and instability in the foreign exchange rate but the challenges we’ve faced speciÀcally since we’ve been in business is having our brand known which is normal in such a saturated market such as ours.

Another challenge is shortage of funds for capital expenditures especially when we Àrst started. I believe that once we attain a certain of visibility, many things will fall into place.

Now with the present state of the Nigerian economy, how have you managed to strike a balance with the price of other perfume oils in the market?

We have managed to not only stay in business but to maintain our costs and quality while only minimally reÁecting the hike in our costs is largely owed to the trust our clients have in us and the quality of our products and we are grateful for this.

Last , while most businesses were recording a nosedive in their proÀts, we recorded a 10 – 15 increase in ours and looking at the way last year was and the fact that our business is not only small but an online business, I’ll say that was a major win for us.

So, we owe it all to God Àrst and our clients.

Are some of the perfumes you sell made in Nigeria, do we have hope in the made in Nigeria brands?

Sadly no, but that is because we don’t sell bottled perfumes but perfume oils and the factories that produce these oils aren’t domiciled in Nigeria and because we are major wholesalers and retailers, we’ve partnered with them to get our supply directly from the factory at best rates.

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SUNDAY AUGUST 15, 2021 • T H I S D AY

SUNDAY AUGUST 15, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 15, 2021

26

THE EXECUTIVE IDOWU OBASA

FG Should Make Economic Climate Very Friendlyfor Pharmaceutical Production Chairman, Biomedical Pharmaceutical, Idowu Osuolale Obasa, is a frontliner in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry. Taking on the reins of the pharmaceutical company five years and counting, his establishment has since broken new grounds in the areas of research, medical innovative devices, 14 infusion products and 22 affordable life-saving. He speaks to Adedayo Adejobi about his incursion into pharmaceutical manufacturing, the industry, economy, how foreign exchange hampers raw assessing materials, celebrating 40 years of the pharmaceutical manufacturing and why technology is the future of medicine. Excerpts:

Y

ou are a trained accountant, what led you to set up a pharmaceutical company?

As an accountant by training, one is endowed with certain skills which prepare one to operate in any business environment. Quite frankly, training and experience over the years prepared me for what I’m doing now. I’m an entrepreneur and not a pharmacist. My training as an accountant assisted me in becoming an entrepreneur, more even if I had trained as something else.

An accountant can work in any environment and still excel because he has the rudiments and basic tools that he needs. Once you have the entrepreneurial zeal, you will succeed. I know a lot of doctors who run furniture factories.

Being an accountant has made it easier for me to become an entrepreneur. It’s not strange that I am in this business.

You could have been in any other business.

Why an intricate industry?

I didn’t have any particular interest in pharmaceuticals, however being in it, I Ànd that I am now interested in making a diͿerence in the kind of things that we do. We are interested in research and development, and in making our drugs available to as many people as possible. We look at aͿordable drugs. We are also interested in turning out drugs that would have been ordinarily imported.

Biomedical is the Àrst Nigerian pharmaceutical company to produce intravenous drips in Nigeria.

Before then, it was being imported. But Dr Faruq Abdulaziz, who started the company decided to do the same as a solely Nigerian company. I admire such a thing. And when we took over from him, we said we would break as many new grounds as possible, hence, we set we set up a Àrst class research and development function that looks at various possibilities. I’m very interested in kidney-related diseases and today, Biomedical is the only Nigerian company producing a device called Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD). This device allows people to do self- dialysis on their own.

A lot of people die in Nigeria today because they lack access to dialysis which could be due to money, or the fact that there are not even enough dialysis centres.

We have the facilities to produce the device because we researched it. The research was initiated by a professor who had approached us to back his research interest, but this was part of the job of our research and development function who uses research professors interested. The research took over Àve years and today it’s in the market. It gives us some satisfaction that we are able to contribute to knowledge and solve a problem. Now, we insist, that we are a zero-tolerant company in terms of quality control. That we can get many drugs to as many Nigerians as possible without necessarily cutting their throats- it is important to us. We are conscious of the fact a lot of Nigerians lack access to quality medication. We have a corporate social responsibility,

Obasa

and our Àrst responsibility is to ensure that we don’t produce sub-standard drugs. We produce life-saving drugs and ensure they are not sub-standard in any way. We also ensure that we are as aͿordable as possible, and we think we are just starting.

How would you rate the economic climate as it a;ects your industry?

Unfortunately, the economic climate is very unfriendly, because for as long as we are very heavily dependent on imports, the foreign exchange situation ought to be deliberately encouraging to manufacturers. In general, and in particular reference to pharmaceutical production.

There are all sorts of things we can also manufacture that are not directly life-saving.

Very special support and concessions ought to be given to us because of the nature of what is being produced. It’s ridiculous to know that if government does this kind of thing, it’s lip service.

Customs wants to charge us the same things they charge any importer that’s not related to pharmaceutical products.

How do you help the poor? Is it not by ensuring that things are produced as cheap a rate as possible? If they charge the same import duties as they would charge cars, it is ridiculous. But that’s what happens.

And then you wonder whether they don’t understand that encouraging imports related to education, health, medicine, and pharmaceuticals- is that they are killing businesses. Perhaps they don’t know, or

they know and they don’t care.

What kind of drugs do you produce?

Until recently, we were producing just 14 infusion products. Since we took over in 2015, we were determined to get the company to be one that produces all sorts of products. We are producing 22 syrups and we will add eight more. Even as we just started syrups less than six months ago, we are already thinking of expanding the facility because of the demand. This was facilitated by a huge loan from the Bank of Industry, and we’ve kept faith with them since we took the loan.

What’s the workforce like?

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 15, 2021

27

THE EXECUTIVE FG Should Make Economic Climate Very Friendly The workforce is not large. The machines do most things. But we have over 120 staͿ.

Asides from many other businesses you run, how do you manage sitting atop boards of various businesses?

I’m just a facilitator and a strategic thinker for the businesses, so I don’t really consider myself a busy person because I understand delegation. Without trying to be immodest, I have been properly schooled in corporate governance, enough to be able to know that structures and procedures, if properly in place, anyone sitting at the top doesn’t need to sweat as one digging a trench. All you need to do is create an internal control system that works, right processes and structure, and then allow those things to work. With information technology, the internet and zoom, my Ipad is my o΀ce. I can work away from the o΀ce for six months.

I don’t need to directly implement anything.

If you have a good appraisal system and you allow it to work, you will have a healthy Àrm.

We even have a whistleblower arrangement in our companies, and people can independently blow whistle through our auditors and it will come to the attention of the board. No staͿ needs to come to me to complain. If there is a su΀cient reason to complain, I’ll get it through that channel. I’m a systems person.

In the last few years of running the pharmaceutical business, what would consider the challenges?

Because we need raw materials and they are largely imported, raw materials and foreign exchange are the major things. Knowledge is available, but getting raw materials to get the factory working is always a challenge. Even when you think you have resolved it, somebody will come. Today, we are having problems with where our suppliers from China should use Tin Can Island orApapa Port, and a lot of them don’t want Apapa port, because the raw materials can be there for three months. On account of an administrative decision somewhere back by government power, has seen us resume our normal options. It means we reduce our ability to supply. If they are going to take such decisions, the coronary is to improve the Apapa Port. If you have two ports, people should be able to use them. How well is the place coordinated?

How functional is it? Sometimes, bureaucratic bottlenecks are created and aͿect us. If we run fewer shifts, there is no way it wouldn’t aͿect the workers and government revenue.

In manufacturing, we face challenges diͿerent from the ones faced in services.

What solutions would you recommend in addressing the aforementioned?

The government should get their acts together regard the foreign exchange situation.

They seem not to understand what they want to do regarding foreign exchange. For us as manufacturers, we are more interested in how to get raw materials to keep the factory running. Government should also look at special concessions and privileges. Pharmaceuticals is one of the most important at this time.

We want to celebrate our 40 years anniversary by de-worming 400,000 school kids all over the country- that for us is Corporate social responsibility. But, we want the government to appreciate such kinds of gestures and replicate by giving us an enabling environment.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has broken the monopoly of Bureau De Change (BDC) Operators, and liberalised foreign exchange by giving the money to banks to disburse. What is your assessment of this policy?

We welcome it because we would not have made any money if we depended on Bureau De Change, but the eͿect of the announcement is yet to be felt, but we are hoping. The fault doesn’t lie with the banks. The problems start with the Central Bank of Nigeria and not the banks. Our banks struggle to get us as customers and they want us to do well so they can make their proÀts from us. The banks have also been complaining just as we have been complaining. The Central Bank of Nigeria has to wake up to its responsibilities. You cannot run the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) the way you run a commercial bank. The Central Bank of Nigeria is a regulated body, and everything depends on them. Any pronouncements will send all sorts of signals down the industry.

Have you considered backward integration- say production of your raw materials?

We are not capable of all our raw materials.

Glycemic Index and Why It’s an Important Factor in Meal Planning

Obasa

Most of our pharmaceutical materials are simply imported and not from the same country. All kinds of chemicals come from various countries.

There are three major raw materials we use in the infusion factory- chemicals, pouches, and water. We produce 14 infusions produce and each one has diͿerent chemicals. Most of them are imported. We produce our water. We were producing our pouches locally, but we found out that it was much cheaper to import than to produce locally. The equipment is still there in the factory. Even those using bottles, still import the granules.

In a very hostile environment, Biomedical is 40 years. How have you meandered the storm? What are the plans to celebrate the milestone?

It calls for celebrations. I’m sure before we took over, it’s been good. I took over in 2015. I can speak more eloquently about that period.

I can say that before then, maybe there were a few problems in the area of Ànance, but since we took over, we have somehow managed to stablise the company. We have also established a reputation for good quality and we say that very proudly. Our determination is we are not going to relent in maintaining the reputation.

We have tried to introduce very good corporate governance structures and culture, and we are trying to make ourselves an employer of good reference within the industry where people will be proud to work and associate with us.

I think we are on cause in doing that. We’ve put together a good number of professionals.

Who know their onions and they are Àred up and determined to get the company to great heights. It’s been a good ride since we took over.

We would like to consider the launching of our syrup collection as part of our celebration, especially for a company that was known so many years as a producer if infusions now producing syrups. The syrups are doing well in the market. We also want to indicate that we are going into other forms of products, especially tablets.

We will be launching our Corporate Social Responsibility programme, which is the deworming exercise for 400,000 children across the country. That’s our little way of giving back to society, and to mark the fortieth anniversary.

In almost two years and counting, the world has and is still dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. As a major play, a major role in the health sector Are you looking in the direction of vaccine production?

Our immediate response was to produce hand sanitisers and hygiene products when National Agency for Food and Drug Admin-

istration and Control (NAFDAC) encouraged us to do that. For us, it’s a tall order, but we are certainly collaborating with some foreign organisations to have a hand in that, if not in terms of production, but in terms of importation.

We have opened discussions, but you know I’m not at liberty to reveal details. We have thought about it and are persuaded that we don’t have the facilities. We hope to have the facilities in the near future to do that.

What other areas of medicine is BioMedical looking to break new grounds?

I was going to say poverty, but seriously, some years ago, I read that about 61% of our ailments and medical problems we face belong in the category of normal malaria, typhoid, hypertension and tuberculosis. If you look around, the drugs that help to control those ailments are readily available but are not cheap enough. I have had to go to India for surgery before, and I realised that what they did in India was to look for the best of the most aͿordable drugs. I found for instance at that time, while my six months of drugs were costing me about say over 100,000, the drugs I brought back after my surgery were costing not more than 20,000 for six months. And they were eͿective drugs.

I’m still using some of them till today because they are very aͿordable. Even though I have changed one or two of them when I travelled to the United States of America. As the Doctors there explained, there are so many people and so much poverty, so they must look for drugs people can aͿord. Availability of drugs at prices that don’t have to kill people, is a matter of concern to me. That spells access for me.

Beyond that, Biomedical is interested in researching further into Kidney related Issues so that we can begin to produce drugs. It is one of the areas people just die, as they don’t have the right kind of attention.

In the next 20 years, where do you see Biomedical?

I see Biomedical Pharmaceutical having established itself as a household name and a company that produces basic aͿordable and life-saving drugs.

The future of Medicine is technology.

How do you see the Pharmaceutical industry integrating Telemedicine?

It’s inevitable. The future of Medicine is technology. Isaac Asimov started the Robot series. In 1958, he wrote I-robot. If in 1958, someone had that kind of imagination and wrote a science Àction novel that saw robots serving people normally, then it’s clear where the world is going now. The future of telemedicine is the future of medicine.

The glycemic index was designed for diabetics in the early 1980s as a ranking system for carbohydrates based on their immediate impact on the blood glucose levels.

It measures how quickly or slowly a food is digested, absorbed and ultimately used for energy on a scale of 0 to 100.

A score of 55 or lower is considered low GI while 75 to 100 high.

Foods low on the index have the smallest effect on blood sugar and helps you feel fuller for longer because they take longer to digest and the sugar they contain is released slowly into the bloodstream helping you keep your blood sugars more stable.

High GI foods are typically low in fiber and you’ll likely be hungry again soon after eating them because your body breaks them down quickly to be used for energy or stored for later use as fat.

Some high fiber foods happen to have a high glycemic index too, like the special K breakfast cereal.

Although they have a high fiber content they also happen to be in the high glycemic index range.

The reason for this is the processing and that’s why we cannot only rely on the fiber content of food to determine whether it is a good choice for us because breakfast cereals in general tend to be highly processed.

So should you entirely avoid foods that have a high glycemic index? No, because life would be boring otherwise.

You do not have to avoid all foods that are high glycemic index but I’ll advice not to take them in isolation.

The best way is to have it as part of a meal. Count it as part of the carbohydrates in your meal, choose some lower GI foods at that meal to compensate so this way the proteins and fats at the meal will work together to lower the rise of blood glucose level after having eaten the high GI food.

Of course eating it everyday weather you have diabetes or not is not necessarily considered part of a healthy diet.

All foods can fit in your diet, it’s ultimately the portion size and the frequency that you’re going to be having it that matters.

Even low GI foods can spike your blood glucose levels if you consume them in large portions.

Conditions like insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes are the long term consequences of eating foods that spike up your blood glucose levels.

For every diagnosed type 2 diabetic there are about two to three undiagnosed PRE diabetics waiting in the wings to become diabetics so even if you’ve not been diagnosed it’ll only be sensible to reduce the chances by making healthier choices.

A quick google search can help you identify which foods are high or low on the glycemic index scale.

Think of food as intelligence/information that influences your physiology long term.

–– 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.

28

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • AUGUST 15, 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 12Aug-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 156.49 157.89 -3.32% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 4.73% Nigeria International Debt Fund 316.29 316.29 -21.60% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 110.81 110.81 -1.14% 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 7.68% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.27 3.43 -3.82% 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 100.00 100.00 7.77% Anchoria Equity Fund 141.41 143.03 6.31% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.11 1.11 -16.48% 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 19.71 20.30 8.67% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 431.74 444.75 7.83% ARM Ethical Fund 38.23 39.38 13.41% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.09 1.09 -1.06% ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.97 0.97 -7.65% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.01% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 105.66 105.66 3.88% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,016.85 1,016.85 1.69% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.01 2.01 -10.83% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.13 2.17 -8.81% CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.01 1.01 2.32% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.05% Paramount Equity Fund 16.60 16.91 3.81% Women's Investment Fund 136.81 138.40 2.81% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.15% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 118.73 119.50 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 107.87 107.87 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 8.39% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 7.10% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,139.50 1,155.01 -1.06% 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 1,401.21 1,401.21 11.38% FBN Balanced Fund 191.88 193.25 2.24% FBN Halal Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.60% 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

126.61 158.27

126.61 3.64% 160.50 4.69% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com

Bid Price 1.00 3.96 1.60 1.18

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 5.61% 3.96 2.40% 1.63 4.78% 1.18 4.14% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price 3,716.17 3,358.16 100.00

Offer Price 3,769.63 3,358.16 100.00

Yield / T-Rtn -0.77% 2.50% 3.71%

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 7.66% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.72 2.78 -4.78% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 152.18 152.46 -2.13% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.28 1.32 1.73% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.10 1.10 0.86% 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 1.42 1.44 4.17% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,143.11 1,143.11 5.29% 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 11.47 11.54 9.62% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 7.64% 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 1.66 1.69 7.17% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.51 11.57 -5.09% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 5.75% PACAM Equity Fund 1.64 1.66 3.91% PACAM EuroBond Fund 112.70 114.51 2.58% 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 131.42 134.00 11.21% 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 1.05 1.05 10.12% 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 3,279.49 3,314.49 2.11% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 232.21 232.21 3.27% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.22 1.24 4.24% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 305.65 305.65 3.73% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 224.44 227.78 2.84% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.16% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,359.74 10,510.96 -1.26% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.27 1.27 3.36% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 115.23 115.23 3.74% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 102.94 102.94 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 1.30 1.32 1.63% United Capital Bond Fund 1.91 1.91 4.08% United Capital Equity Fund 0.87 0.89 9.31% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.75% United Capital Eurobond Fund 119.59 119.59 4.49% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.05 1.07 3.51% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.06 1.06 5.91% 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 12.93 13.04 8.94% Zenith Ethical Fund 14.23 14.36 16.53% Zenith Income Fund 24.27 24.27 1.21% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.26%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

125.18 51.80

10.79% 2.67%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

13.44

13.54

1.71%

122.55 97.15 17.92 18.12

125.61 99.28 18.02 18.22

1.92% -2.08%

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

3.92 5.90 17.56 1.00 19.32 153.77

3.96 5.98 17.66 1.00 19.52 155.77

3.72% 3.71% 8.18% 6.31% -5.81% -29.91%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.40

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

15.8.2021

H

AHMADU SHEHU FROM HERDSMAN TO BECOMING A PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH AND LITERATURE His fragile looks and simple disposition belie his intellectual prowess. An articulate scholar, he makes analyses very irresistible. His bedazzled audience often pay rapt attention as he accentuates his presentation with well-timed gesticulation. Dr. Ahmadu Shehu is a leading scholar and a man of many firsts. In 2019, the Adamawa native, a product of nomadic education became the first nomad pupil in Nigeria to obtain a doctorate degree from the University of Warsaw, Poland. Prior to that, he had obtained a First Class degree from the University of Maiduguri where he studied Linguistics.

Whilst currently serving as an Assistant Professor of English and Literature at the American University of Nigeria, Yola, Adamawa State, Dr. Shehu’s academic strides attest to the saying- albeit cliché-that tomorrow belongs to those who dream big. Funke Olaode reports.

is appearance contradicts his intellectual prowess: fragile, smallish and soft spoken. It is hard to reconcile his nomadic background with his current status given the negative stereotypes that prevail in the North-east narratives. Dr. Ahmadu Shehu has shattered the glass ceilings by breaking the norm through consistency and zeal to emerge as an academic giant of international repute.

As a child, Shehu has always been a smart kid under the watchful eyes of his parents who were herdsmen. Enrolled at school at the age of six in 1991, he has remained committed to learning and personal development.

Recently, Dr. Ahmadu Shehu was among the panelists at the 13th Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture Series held in Lagos. With the overarching theme ‘Remaking Nigeria: Towards a Secure and Valuable Union,’ the event was a roll call of brilliant speakers. Still, Dr. Shehu stood out-delivering his part with the sub-theme ‘Towards a Community Based Model for Basic Education.’ Imbued with eloquence and confidence, he won the hearts of his audience with the power of his spoken words.

Born on October 1st, 1985 to a nomadic family at Mamukan village in Jada local government area of Adamawa state, Shehu embraced a semi-nomadic life.

As a pioneering pupil at the nomadic primary school, Mamukan, he divided his early childhood years between school in the morning and cattle rearing in the afternoon, under the watchful eyes of his parents. Recounting his childhood years, he said: “Well, as many people would have known by now, I am that typical Mbororo (i.e. nomad kid) who was born and bred in a semi-nomadic settlement and went through nomadic education. My family was established in cattle herding, and later Islamic scholarship. Coming from a polygamous family, I grew up in a large compound with dozens of siblings and extended family.”

His first day at school was like a torture- he and his brother took to their heels and ran to the bush to avoid being enrolled at the school. After much cajoling, he returned home. The next day, his father enrolled him and his brother in school. Out of over 100 pupils enrolled at the first batch, only six completed primary school.

“We started under the shade of a mango tree which is still standing right in that location. I remember vividly how we fought to sit on the outer roots of the tree and how our teachers struggled to keep the black board leaning on the trunk of the tree. After a year, we were moved to the family shade (called rumpa in Hausa) as class two while the newly enrolled retained the tree shade.

In his attempt to get a permanent site for the school, my father had to be in the courts for over six years, as neighbouring clans and ethnic groups claimed ownership of each piece of land allocated by the Local Education Authority,’’ he recounted.

To douse the tension, the school was moved to his father’s farm- not far away from home. The community provided temporary shades made out of grasses.

A week later, an adversary set those shelters on fire at night forcing his parents to relocate the school back to the family premises.

“The school was three years old already with three class. Now, there was need for another space. The first set was then moved to a nearby tree just next to the mosque while the two other classes retained the two

ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/funkola2000@gmail.com

1THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͯͳ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

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COVER

Amazing Story of Ahmadu Shehu, the First Nomad Pupil in Nigeria to Earn a PhD other locations. By the time we got to class six, our parents had won a verdict at the area court to settle the school on a rocky location few meters away from the village. Most people argued that the location was too rocky and would therefore not be good for that purpose.

Our parents accepted the gift from God and built a round-hut as our first classroom. I finished primary school in 1996 on a white stone I picked as my sit, right in that round, open hut, of course without a desk.”

Dr. Shehu admitted that his childhood ambition was to be a lawyer because of his father who suffered constant harassments, intimidation, stereotypes, extortions and blackmail.

But he has no regret for pitching his tent with teaching. The communities were in dire need of homegrown teachers.

“The idea was to provide sufficiently reliable workforce for nomadic schools, which were not attractive to the mainstream teacher’s. Nobody wanted to go to the bush to teach nomadic kids.

So, it was a sort of explicitly workable alternative.”

Shehu shone through with his intelligence and commitment to his studies. In 1998, he was selected among the 30 nomadic children to be trained as nomadic teachers at the Federal College of Education, Yola, a programme sponsored by the British Department for International Development (DFID).

Within the period of two years, he had completed the National Teachers Institute’s curriculum, graduating with the Grade II Certificate in 1999/2000.

“This programme was indeed my defining moment,’’ he continued.

“I believe I couldn’t have gone this far had I not gotten that opportunity.

That programme basically changed everything in my future trajectory.’’

He was in the first set of nomadic primary school Mamukan, and the first set of DFID’s nomadic teachers training programme. He is equally the first nomadic student in Nigeria to obtain a Ph.D., just as he is the first in his primary, secondary and NCE classes to obtain a University degree, and the first of his university mates to obtain a Ph.D. By hard work and excellence, Dr. Shehu has always graduated on top of his class: First position at Primary School; the best student at NCE; a First Class degree - winning many prizes, including Professor Jibril Aminu’s Best Student in Fulfulde, Professor C.M.B. Brann’s Best Student in Sociolinguistics, among others.

Although he had wanted to be a lawyer, he made a detour after attending Federal College of Education, Yola.

Subsequently, he chose linguistics at the University level.

“I remember how furious my elder brother was when he saw me choosing Linguistics/Fulfulde studies. His first comment was; what do you achieve in studying your own language. ‘When I earned my Ph.D. I sent him the certificate with the following caption: ‘you earn this when you love your culture and people.’

At postgraduate level, Dr. Shehu earned Distinction at Master’s degree, and the highest possible CGPA of 5.0/5.0 for his Ph.D. Still, he doesn’t think too highly of himself.

“Well, every child is gifted. It is only incumbent on the society to discover their specialties, peculiarities of their gifts and talents. As far as I am concerned, I am just another ordinary Nigerian doing his best to do the right thing. Although I have never been the second in any set or class, I do not think that I am more gifted than my mates or colleagues. It is just what it is: blessing from God, not just for me, but for everyone,” he said.

A trailblazer, his brilliant performance at the Northern-East ivory tower earned him admission and funding for a Master’s Degree at the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, graduating once again, with an excellent grade.

Shehu’s diligence, brilliance and studious approach to studies continued to open doors of opportunities. He would later gain admissions with competitive international Ph.D. scholarships at reputable universities,

I believe I couldn’t have gone this far had I not gotten that opportunity. That programme basically changed everything in my future trajectory.’’

Shehu...tending to his herds

including the University of Florida at Gainesville, USA, and the University of Warsaw, Poland. He chose the latter for his Doctoral studies, which he completed within a record two years, with numerous publications by top ranking publishers and international conferences around the world. He was only 33.

During his doctoral studies, he clinched numerous scholarships at various universities including the University of Hamburg, Germany; University of Cologne, Germany and the University of Vienna, Austria, where he taught courses, presented guest lectures and research reports. Having worked in a research project on African languages, Shehu’s doctoral dissertation was assessed as a breakthrough in the Cognitive Linguistics study of African languages in general. He later offered to join the American University of Nigeria as an assistant professor.

He is always willing to give back and for three years, he returned to teach at his alma mater and other nomadic schools. Within these thirteen years, he had taught and inspired nomadic kids who have now distinguished themselves in their various fields, including medicine, engineering, education, etc.

An author of many articles in reputable local and international journals, Shehu has contributed to prominent publications by highly ranked publishers, including John Benjamins and Brill. He was one of the editors of the first Qur’an in Fulfulde, a Co-editor of Algaita Journal of Nigerian Languages, Coeditor of the ‘mouth’ volume within the Body and Mind project. Dr. Shehu is also a research partner in numerous European funded projects.

“I am excited to have covered these miles.

I understand what it means to sail through to where I am today. That leaves me with nothing other than being deeply thankful to Allah, and being sincerely grateful to my country, parents and all the people that believed in my potentials and contributed to this journey. Very exciting. Struggling between herding and two distinct forms of Islamic and western system of schooling. There were no boring times. No idle moments.”

Patriotic and committed, despite many opportunities abroad, Dr. Shehu still returned to fatherland. For him, there is no pasture greener than Nigeria.

“That is why we have a green flag. This country gave me and most of its citizens what the so-called western or developed countries fail to give their citizens. For the love of Nigeria, for the future of Nigerians and for the greatness of Africa, I cannot hoard the skills I obtained just for myself and probably the comfort of my family.”

He added that he would never be comfortable anywhere in the world with the knowledge that he could help change things in Nigeria – no matter how little.

“Without Nigeria working for the majority of our children no sensible Nigerian will be happy wherever he might be. I also figured out that this task cannot be done on the internet or social media platform, from some sort of a safe haven abroad. I preferred to be on the ground and contribute my quota,’’ he said.

Notwithstanding his education, he still considers himself as a herdsman.

“I am still and will always be a herdsman,’’ he said with laughter. “The Nigerian stereotypes, enabled by the very media that was supposed to be the tool of our unity and the third estate of our democracy, is one of the biggest problems this country has seen since independence. We have always said we have never been this divided. But have we asked why? That is because we have been fed lies, propaganda and unhealthy narratives by our political elites through the disorderly, never retrospective media space. Herding is one of the oldest human endeavors and herders are the providers of the most beloved species for consumption. How being this became a problem in Nigeria is scary.”

Regarding the on-going herdsmen issues ravaging the country, he defended his ilk, arguing that herders contribute

largely to the nation’s economy, arguably the largest contributor to the nation’s GDP and the largest employer of labor. But he sounded some notes of caution.

“These people need to have whatever privilege that a Nigerian citizen can have, because it is both their constitutional rights and contributory privileges. As to the evil narrative that paints one of the largest, and in fact, the most relevant Nigerian population as “evil”, I say it must stop if we are to avoid the dangerous road to Kigali. We cannot have a genocide that will consume millions of people just because some elements want to drive sympathy through ethnic political chauvinism to gain or retain power and political favors.

Nigerians shall collectively say NO to these senseless killings in a way that doesn’t give them in for political manipulations.”

He agreed that times have changed; therefore, there should be new ways of thinking that will make clear the reality that open grazing is no longer practicable, not just in Nigeria, but across the world.

“We are not the only country with open field herders. However, all serious governments have been looking for sustainable solutions for their various demographics. Nigeria cannot be an exception. In fact, many decades– almost a century – ago, the colonial rulers foresaw this problem and developed grazing reserves that were basically enough to transform the livestock sector. Then why are we still here arguing farmers’/herders crises? That is because we have not been serious with policy implementation. And that is the problem that must be solved,” he argued.

At less than 40, Dr. Shehu still has many more fulfilling years ahead of him. However, over his academic pursuits and life trajectory, he has continued to wax strong as this Adamawa native long time ambition is to remain relevant as an academic imparting knowledge and giving back to the society. He founded two non-governmental organizations that focus on education for under-privileged children and conflict resolution in Nigeria.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 15, 2021

GLITZ PERSONALITY

OMO OBA TSOLA EMIKO

From Entrepreneurship to Palace as 21st Olu of Warri With just a few days to the coronation of Omo Oba Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko as the 21st Olu of Warri, precisely on Saturday, August 21, the entire ancient town has been gripped with excitement and joy. Reason being that the new monarch would be coming on board as the youngest ever to mount the throne of his forefathers. Sylvester Idowu chronicles his life to the throne

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s Omo Oba Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko, prepares for his coronation as the 21st Olu of Warri on August 21, 2021, the entire ancient town has been gripped with excitement and joy. The new monarch is said to be the youngest ever to mount the throne of his forefathers, since the demise of the immediate past king.

The youthful 36-year-old Tsola Emiko comes as a blessing to the kingdom and a harbinger of good things to the Itsekiris. It will surely be a season of good tidings and glamour as the new king will be officially coronated in a ceremony at Ode-Itsekiri, which promises to be a spectacle. Many distinguished first-class traditional rulers and dignitaries across the country are expected to grace the monumental occasion.

His Background...

Son of the 19th Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atunwase II, the Olu-designate, Prince Tsola Emiko, was born and bred under the stewardship of the respected Ginuwa Royal House of the Itsekiris and underwent training in the walk of Princes by his late father.

As the new Olu, providence has not only vested in him these responsibilities, his academic exploit, as well as his accomplishments as a business man has also placed him in a pole position to ensure an enduring legacy in Itsekiri land.

Omo Oba Emiko received his early education at the NNPC Primary School, Warri before proceeding to Adesoye College, Offa, Kwara State, for his secondary education between 1995 and 2001.

Not satisfied with only a postprimary education, the young prince then proceeded to the Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America from where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree between 2002 and 2006.

He majored in International Studies & Political Science, even as History & Economics were his subsidiary areas of specialisation.

In 2007, the young prince returned to Case Western Reserve University from where he obtained a Master of Science in Management.

He returned to Nigeria in 2008 for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and served in the Public Affairs Department of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS).

Between 2009 and 2010, he worked as an officer at the Shell Nigeria Closed Pension Fund Administrator (SNCFPA) and Sahara Energy between 2010 and 2012 as a Government Relations Officer.

Olu-designate as an Entrepreneur...

With his exposure and education overseas, Omo Oba Emiko has been able to galvanise himself into the corporate and business world thus making him ready to face the business and industrialized world.

Industrious Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko sits atop many companies and business concerns like Noble Nigeria Ltd., Coral Curator Ltd; and he is a Director at the Ocean Marine Security Ltd., Gulf of Guinea Ltd and Vessellink Nigeria Ltd. With his rich educational background, the youthful Olu, a trailblazer, known for many positive acts to many people, would superintend over a population of more than one million people.

His coming on the throne is expected to attract many developments and progress to the town, as he will deploy his experience as a businessman on all fronts. This is definitely a testimony of a round peg in a round hole as the world gets set to witness the mother of all coronations in the South-South region of the country

Journey to the Throne...

In appreciation of his modernist world-view, entrepreneurial savvy and deep commitment to the ancient customs and traditions of the people of Itsekiri, the kingmakers of the respected Itsekiri kingdom proclaim Prince Tsola Emiko as the next Olu of Warri with the coronation slated for August 21, 2021.

In the morning of May 27, 2021, Itsekiri nation and the world was told about the emergence of a new Olu of Warri-designate, Tsola Emiko by the Acting Chairman of the Olu Advisory Council and Iyatsere of Warri kingdom, Chief Johnson Amataserunlege at a press conference held at Olu Palace.

While unveiling the brand new monarch, Chief Amataserunlege said Omo Oba Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko will be crowned on Saturday, August 21 at Ode-Itsekiri, the ancestral home of the Itsekiris in Warri South Local Government area of Delta State.

The Acting Chairman of the Olu Advisory Council, Chief Amatserunleghe disclosed that the Omoba’s choice came after a “rigorous process, which included a painstaking search within and amongst the descendants of the last three Olu’s, as required by tradition, custom and extant laws as well as several consultation and eventual confirmation by the Ifa oracle”.

Chief Amatserunleghe, who is also the chairman of the Warri Council of Chiefs, formally announced the final rites of passage for the late king, His

Tsola Emiko

Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli, which lasted for 14 days.

The Chairman of Warri Council of Chiefs therefore disclosed that on behalf of the Warri Council of kingmakers that Omo Oba Tsola Emiko will be crowned and formally installed as the 21st Olu of Warri kingdom on August 21 this year.

“It is my singular honour to declare to you on behalf of the Warri Council of kingmakers, that Omoba Tsola Emiko will be crowned and formally installed as the 21st Olu of Warri on Saturday, the 21st day of August 2021, by the grace of God,” he stated.

The Iyatsere of Warri kingdom thanked all Itsekiri sons and daughters, especially the people in diaspora who stood and have remained steadfast in their desire for

a peaceful transition, in line with their wishes and those of the Gods of the land.

His reign is not expected to fall short of the developmental stride and transformation that the 28 years reign of his father, Ogiame Atuwatse II, brought to Warri.

Described as a serial entrepreneur, Emiko is expected to bridge the gap of unemployment amongst the youths of the kingdom through his wealth of experience.

From his background, he is expected to provide the leadership that will ensure an enduring peace between his people and oil majors that the Itsekiri nation play host to.

He is expected to cement the relationship of the kingdom with the state government as well as the federal government in order to attract developmental projects as well as ensure the completion of abandoned projects in the area.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 15, 2021

GLITZ FOCUS

The Next Titan: How HB Turns Young Entrepreneurs into Business Magnates As the search for The Next Titan Season 8 kicks off, Funke Olaode chronicles how the Reality TV show, eight year-long, has continued to be the driving force in changing the economic landscape of Nigeria and how the unwavering support of the financial giant and lead sponsor of the show, Heritage Bank propels greenhorns into becoming successful entrepreneurs.

L-R: Chris Parkes, Mide Akinlaja, Tonye Cole, Joshua Idiong, Lilian Olubi, Kyari Bukar and Chief Marketing Officer, Heritage Bank Plc., Fela Ibidapo presenting a cheque of N10milion to Season Seven Winner Idiong at the grand finale last year

“I believe strongly in the Nigerian youth and their capacity to make a lasting impact on the nation’s future. The Next Titan provides a unique platform for Nigerian youths to showcase one of the talents we have that is grossly underappreciated which is our entrepreneurial spirit.”

A cross section of past winners: L-R: (bottom) Kennedy Iyeh, Iroghama Ogbeifun, Davies Okeowo and (right top) Ogechukwu Obah, Joshua Idiong, Marvis Marshall and Amife Oluwa Yakubu

For the past eight years, a reality TV show tagged the Next Titan has continued to redefine the economic landscape of Nigeria for young entrepreneurs. Within 10 weeks at the show on every season, the audience have seen them metamorphosed from greenhorns into business icons. There’s no doubt that Africa boasts of some of the fastest growing economies in the world. And Nigeria is at the centre of economic discourse for its huge population and potential for investment. Hence, the possibilities of unearthing innovation, creativity, talents and uncovering the next super innovators and successful entrepreneurs are endless.

In Nigeria, The Next Titan is one entrepreneurial reality show that is consistently dedicated to unleashing and nurturing potential in the contestants. The show which has the backing of Heritage Bank promotes team work and personal effort and how these can determine the contestants’ lot at the show.

Created to fill the gap and eliminate the deficiencies in knowledge of young entrepreneurs and idea owners, the contestants are trained to become change agents with the required skillset to produce socially-viable products and services. The show empowers young entrepreneurs with the required support and resources that will ensure that their businesses and ideas can scale and drive sustainable change in their local communities and the country at large.

In the past eight years, The Next Titan has hosted tens of thousands of entrepreneurs beginning with nationwide auditions. Today, all the past winners have built businesses that have now created jobs for other young Nigerians. It is inspiring to hear that two of its past winners won Forbes

under 30 Entrepreneurs in Africa in 2019 and 2020. During an interactive session with selected journalists recently, the organisers announced that the show is about to develop the next group of entrepreneurs who will make significant impact on the socio-economic development of the nation.

According to the Executive Producer, Mide Akinlaja, “The Next Titan Nigeria is not only about the winners on TV, but more importantly about multitude of aspiring entrepreneurs and young Nigerians who by watching the show can feel challenged and develop change of minds and thereafter decide to turn their potential into wealth of the country.’’

Akinlaja’s view was corroborated by one of the Judges and Chairman, CPMS Africa, Chris Parkes. “The Next Titan plays a vital role in the development of Nigeria by demonstrating and practically inspiring with the skills needed to get the youths off the street and into business.

It is believed that that the feedback interactions with the contestants on the show during the boardroom session are not only beneficial to the contestants but also to the generality of viewers,” he added.

Of significance is the reality TV show’s impact on the lives of many contestants who did not win the competition but have gone ahead to convert the business lessons learnt on the show into sustainable businesses.

Lilian Olubi, a Judge on the show and CEO of EFG Hermes Nigeria said: “As a firm believer in SMEs being the engine house of any economy, I find The Next Titan Nigeria to be an extremely enriching yet entertaining programme; by scouting for entrepreneurs, grooming them through rigorous tasks and boardroom process, and eventually funding a winner’s idea in my opinion is a big contribution to the socio-

economic development of our country Nigeria.’’

In his remarks, the founder of Sahara Group, who is also a Judge on the show, Tonye Cole, said: “I believe strongly in the Nigerian youth and their capacity to make a lasting impact on the nation’s future. The Next Titan provides a unique platform for Nigerian youths to showcase one of the talents we have that is grossly under-appreciated which is our entrepreneurial spirit.”

Cole added that the show harnesses entrepreneurial spirit to a level that fosters competitiveness and showcases the rewards that go with paying attention to one’s dream and pursuing it with a focus and determination to succeed.

As business successful gurus lent their voices, they are of the views that Nigeria as a nation needs to focus on laudable projects like this so as to reach the teeming youths who have the option of pursuing illicit lifestyle, particularly in light of recent events. Nigeria needs to put more emphasis on entrepreneurially focused and laudable initiatives such as The Next Titan, that saddles its recipients with skills on how to be useful to themselves and the society at large thereby leading to reduction of poverty, and generation of income and economic diversification which will help reduce overdependence on government and oil revenue, hence leading to economic growth and development.

While reflecting on some of the previous winners of The Next Titan, Iroghama Ogbeifun, Founder, HAIRVEN Limited, and the Season One winner revealed that she has created jobs for over 50 persons not only that, her smart business acumen and brilliance had complemented the training she received at the show which prepared her for her current role as the Managing Director/CEO of Starzs Investments Company Limited based in Port Harcourt.

“The show changed a lot of things about me, as so many impossible tasks were made possible within 72 hours on the live show. Over the last eight years, I have replicated the experiences gathered in my business endeavours,” she said.

Other winners who are successful in their different sectors are Davies Okeowo, Founder, Entrepreneur Hills; Marvis Marshal Idio, who is in the unique business idea of turning trash into furniture; Kennedy Iyeh, the Founder, BlueLeaf Farms; Oge Obah, a skin care entrepreneur; Amifeoluwa Yakubu, a garment manufacturer; and Joshua Idiong who emerged as the Season 7 winner and went home with ten Million Naira Grand Prize.

Joshua founded Josult Oil, a company that specialises in palm oil processing. He has been able to produce palm oil through a more efficient method and provides job.

However, other participants on the show who did not win have been able to turn their business lessons on the show into successful ventures. These are so numerous to mention. For instance, Ronald Ajiboye, a first-class Graduate of a Russian University has groomed his business idea of drone making; Victoria Mamza, Founder of Wangarau Foods who has today created jobs for a lot of people; Chichi Eriobu, the founder of Ukwa Foods; Tinuade Olanrewaju, a successful entrepreneur and founder of PhysioCraft with branches in Abuja and Lagos.

The board of judges of the show are seasoned entrepreneurs and captains of industry, such as Kyari Bukar former Chairman, NESG; Tonye Cole, Founder, Sahara Energy Group; Chris Parkes, Founder of CPMS Africa; and CEO, EFG Hermes Nigeria, Lilian Olubi. They have over the years devoted their time to providing mentorship, inspiration and guidance to the teeming youth who have been on the show and millions of viewers.

As entrepreneurship continues to be a means of economic development and job creation for youth across the world, The Next Titan critically reveals insights into the divergent cultural factors that influence the entrepreneurial journey in Nigeria, thereby helping the contestants to create the concluding point to some patterns and qualities that promote entrepreneurial success.

The show is open to entrepreneurs across Nigeria, both new start-ups and existing ones.

While celebrating the success stories of the contestants and their various businesses, the organisers felt it is equally important to also celebrate the unflinching support of the major sponsor of the show, Heritage Bank Plc which has over the years remained committed to the show helping young entrepreneurs, a testimony to the bank’s creed of being “Your timeless Wealth partner”. Other partners include SIFAX Group, Haven Homes amongst others.

Rounding off the interactive session, Mide Akinlaja said the 2021 Season 8 Special edition tagged, “THE UNCAGED” seeks to address the unique challenges arising from the pandemic, lifting millions out of poverty and creating sustainable jobs across the country. The Season 8 is in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports under its youth development initiative, “Nigeria Youth Investment Fund.”

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 15, 2021

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GLITZ FOCUS

Ufuomaee: Spinning Romantic Tales from a Christian Yarn She grew up watching fairy tales films but now as an accomplished author, Ufuoma Emerhor-Ashogbon, popularly known as Ufuomaee is presenting romance tales through a Christian lens without being a cliché, writes Vanessa Obioha

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s a child, Ufuomaee was not an avid reader. Her sister, rather she said, was the bookworm.

Even though her mother bought her books from well-known authors such as Emma Blair, the pen name of the late Scottish writer Iain Blair, and Enid Blyton, she didn’t develop a reading culture till her teen years when she started blogging.

“The funny thing is that I started reading books more when I started writing them,” she said in a recent interview.

However, she was drawn to stories captured in films. Her favourites were Disney films. Disney films are known for their fairy tales. Think of ‘Cinderella’, ‘Enchanted’, ‘Tangled’ and ‘The Princess and the Frog’. These are stories that often give a biased interpretation of reality. Romantic tales sometimes follow this route; girl meets boy, overcome challenges and then they live happily ever after. These kinds of stories are prevalent in films, music and books.

When Ufuomaee born Ufuoma Emerhor-Ashogbon discovered her love for telling stories as a teenager, romantic tales were her favourites.

She wrote a couple of stories and poetry in that genre, although they were unpublished. But by the time she encountered the Christian faith in 2012 and started blogging, her writing assumed a different hue albeit within the romance genre. Ufuomaee began writing articles that addressed common issues Christian believers face, with particular attention given to romance and relationships. In 2016, she started writing story series on her blog Grace and Truth, and thus began her journey to becoming a selfpublished author of over two dozen works such as ‘The Church Girl’.

But how does one portray romance in a Christian way without being cliché?

“I try to be as real as possible, inspiring, yet addressing issues that people face in their marriages, in society, and their faith. Fairy tales are nice, but people need something real that they can relate to, and I feel my stories are much more inspiring because of their realism,” she explained.

Her latest project is a trilogy: ‘The Naive Wife’. Ufuomaee takes her readers through the journey of Rachel, a young female broadcaster and her marital choice. The first of the series is ‘Rachel’s Choice’, followed by ‘Rachel’s Diary’, and ‘Rachel’s Hope’.

‘The Naive Wife’ is the first trilogy from the author and tackled real-life issues premised on love, faith and marriage.

“The original idea was to write a complete story, but I wanted to submit it for a competition so, because of time, I had to break it into parts. I decided it would need three parts,” she said.

Ufuomaee

“I relied on an outline to write each part of the trilogy, though I often threw out the outline as my characters began to own their actions; I am sure this is something other writers will understand. The outline gave me a plan but as I began to write, inspiration led me to different places.

Some characters did not like my plan, so they said or did things that made the story develop in a different way,” she added.

God, she revealed, was part of her creative process. “I always ask Him to intervene, to direct, to inspire me as I write, and He does so unfailingly.”

In ‘Rachel’s Choice’, Ufuomaee explored the difficulty most singles face when seeking their significant other. She portrays Rachel as a character struggling with her faith and emotions.

“Singles face a lot of uncertainty, pressure, personal confusion and spiritual turbulence. Marriage is presented to them through coloured glasses that makes them anxious for it, without being prepared for it. Many of them don’t know how to hear God and rely on their spiritual leaders for this

guidance.

“And then there are sexual desires and that emotional longing to connect with someone romantically.

They get into relationships for fun or fear of loneliness, and from there, they can make the mistake of marrying someone they had no business being with in the first place,” she expounded.

Nowadays, Ufuomaee argued, people go into relationships for different reasons and romance is not on the top of the list.

“In the past, while many marriages were arranged to keep the wealth in certain families or build alliances, these days, women and men exercise more choice over who they marry and when. And many are choosing to marry later, especially now that engaging in premarital sex isn’t such a big deal. So, things have definitely changed, and the terrain is muddier and wisdom is needed more than ever.”

She further explained that couples also have their traps.

“Couples face the challenge of not actually being one; not being united in their faith, their vision, their mindset, or their love. One

person may have married for love and another for a completely different reason. Even when there are differences between couples, as they say, opposites attract, after all, there are things that they must be united on. The Bible says: ‘Can two walk together lest they agree?’

“One of the most important things is their faith and sincerity to commit to making the marriage work. If you marry someone who is unserious with their faith, while you are passionate, you are going to have problems. And if you marry someone who flirts with temptation and does not see a need to cherish you and protect your marriage, you are also going to have a shipwreck.

But if you agree on this matter, you will have the strength and courage to wage the other battles marriage brings with it.”

In writing ‘The Naive Wife’, Ufuomaee encountered different obstacles but the most daunting of all was the message.

“It’s not your usual Christian book.

I was breaking the mould by trying to write about an issue people often shy away from. And so, I was nervous about it, I doubted myself often, I doubted if I could make the ending Biblically sound, yet inspiring. But God came through for me and gave me a message, right at the end,” she said.

While her lead character Rachel was challenging, she found Ejike, one of the characters in the trilogy most taxing.

“He behaved out of character in Rachel’s Diary, and he had a conflict of faith in Rachel’s Hope. He is so real, but someone might say he is not a strong Christian because he is so flawed. But like he said in Rachel’s Hope, ‘I am a man who is nothing without the grace of God.’ For this reason, I think many of us can relate to his character.”

Beyond writing, Ufuomaee helps other authors edit and publish their own works through Ufuomaee Business Solutions, an online technological, creative, and administrative service provider, aiding SMEs and creatives.

Through this platform, she also offers website design and management services. Ufuomaee is also a humanitarian, supporting those less privileged through her charitable works at Fair Life Africa Foundation, a not-forprofit organisation she co-founded in January 2011.

“Before I came home from studying in the UK, I asked myself what I would do if I did not need money and maybe had a whole lot of it. I dreamt that I would have a special happy place for children who were homeless or otherwise destitute to live, go to school, have access to health care and a happy community. I returned home, a graduate of Social Work, and I wanted to work with a charity, but my father suggested that I could simply start one. So I drafted a proposal for the Care Continuity Challenge Initiative for Street Children, and it became the first initiative of Fair Life Africa, which was named by my father,” she explained.

Although she doesn’t read as much as she loves nowadays — “blame it on motherhood” she said — she has quite a few on her reading list. They include ‘Your Money and You by Kikelomo Kuponiyi; ‘Sex is not the Strategy’ which she edited for Chidinma Onuoha, ‘Purple Bananas’

by Ikemba Johnson, which she proofread; ‘Be-You-Ti-Ful’ by Bodam Taiwo, ‘The Red Lines Trilogy’ by Timi Waters.

‘The Naive Wife’ trilogy will be formally launched this month.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 15, 2021

GLITZ ENTERTAINMENT

BBNaija S6: Will Saskay Survive Her First Nomination?

Vanessa Obioha The BBNaija ‘Shine Ya Eye’ housemates held their first full nomination on Monday and nominated Saga, Nini, Emmanuel, Arin, Tega and Princess for possible evictions.

Pere, the Head of House for the week however used his veto power to save Saga and replaced Saskay.

This will be the first time the nominees are feeling the pressure of possible eviction as the first nomination that took place in the house had only the wild cards Pere and Maria nominating for that week. Their nominations saw Yerins, Niyi and Beatrice leave the game while four new housemates were introduced. They are Kayvee, Queen, JMK and Michael.

The newbies were exempted from the week’s nomination process.

With Pere replacing Saga with Saskay, the 21-year-old model and designer from Adamawa State found herself in the same boat with other nominees. Interestingly, only Pere and Boma nominated Saskay during the nomination session.

Boma revealed that he nominated her because of her mental health, particularly after she fainted following the Saturday night party. Pere on the other hand said he didn’t consider her a strong player.

Fans of the show however believe that the pattern of the voting shows a war between the young and old. In this case, Princess and Tega versus Arin, Peace and Nini. This much was confirmed by Boma, WhiteMoney and JayPaul in their diary sessions.

The only housemates that weren’t nominated by anyone were Cross, Jackie B, Liquorose, Sammie, and Yousef.

Saskay and Cross on the dance floor

Known for her rapping skills, tonight’s eviction live show will test Saskay’s popularity. However, fans of the show are detecting a possible ship between her and Cross. Saskay who turned down Yousef’s advances said she is likely to pick Cross next week as her deputy if she wins the Head of House as she is tired of her male admirers’ knack of telling others first about their intentions.

Saskay turned out not to be the only housemate who had her eyes on Cross. Angel has also revealed that she is sexually attracted to the male housemate. Fans wonder, given their

Dig gnitariees Storm m th he Pala ace off Ooni of Ife fo or Prem mierre of Neew Golldbeerg--spo onsorred Seriies, ‘Mo oremi’

L-R: Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi with former First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Funsho Amosun at the premiere of Moremi.

Recently, the Ooni of Ife Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi played host to several dignitaries from the South-west for the premiere of the new Goldberg-sponsored series, ‘Moremi.’

Wife of the former Ogun State Governor, Folusho Amosun, alongside royal fathers like the Alatorin of Atorin Ijesha, Oba Omololu Afilaka, and Nollywood celebrities Antar Laniyan, Laide Bakare were among the faces spotted at the premiere.

Produced by Davinci Filmworx, the ‘Moremi’ series details the life of Queen Moremi Ajasoro, the brave

US Deep pen ns Ties with h Nigeerian n Creeativess Thro ough h IV VLP The United States Consulate recently announced that 20 emerging, mid-career Nigerian fashion designers have been selected to participate in the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP), the premier professional exchange programme of the US Department of State.

In a statement, the Consulate said that the project which will be held virtually will offer a professional and cultural exchange opportunity on topics including current trends and successful business practices in the US fashion industry and the practicalities of marketing and promoting African

warrior queen of Ife who delivered the kingdom of Ife from the oppression and attacks from the Ugbo people in the 12th Century.

Speaking on the sponsorship, the Brand Manager, Goldberg Lager Beer, Oluyemi Ekundayo, stated that, “Deeply rooted in culture, Goldberg brand is proud to support and celebrate tradition and culture, Moremi captures the values of the average Yoruba person and we are proud to celebrate these values.”

The 26-episode series is set to make its debut on Netflix and Showmax.

designs in the US. “With growing artistic, sports, film, and music ties between Nigeria and the United States, the goal of this IVLP project is to further deepen Nigerian and American ties by adding fashion as another area of growing connectivity between our two countries,” said the US Consulate Public Affairs Officer Stephen Ibelli.

“We are excited to provide fashion designers from Nigeria with this unique opportunity to connect with their US counterparts. This is part of our strategic outreach to Nigeria’s creative industry, by strengthening economic ties through culture and fashion.”

The virtual IVLP project titled, ‘Promoting Economic Growth and Trade in the Fashion Industry’, explained Ibelli, seeks to promote economic growth and trade in the fashion industry by empowering local fashion designers to not only thrive in Nigeria’s fashion industry but also to prepare for the global fashion marketplace.

disposition towards relationships in the house, if their ship will sail.

Also, Kayvee, the new guy whom Angel kissed during a Truth and Dare game that saw Sammie revealing the greeneyed monster, was considered a love interest by fans, but the thought didn’t last long.

The ship that finally sailed after much dallying was Maria and Pere such that Maria picked up a fight with one of the new housemates Queen. During a discussion, Queen expressed her understanding of Pere’s personality which Maria did not take likely, considering that she was new to the house while Queen felt disrespected.

The relationship between Pere and Maria seemed to have been solidified after Pere picked her as his deputy although there were times Pere expressed rue over his decision.

The Head of House leadership skill was a trending topic this week. A former US soldier, Pere told the housemates that his reign will not tolerate any disrespect, thereby fetching nicknames from fans such as the notorious Uganda ruler Idi Amin. However, his banning of WhiteMoney from the kitchen didn’t settle well with viewers.

Apparently, Pere and his deputy Maria consider WhiteMoney’s cooking as a strategy to avoid nomination.

As the days went by, it was evident that there was no love lost between the two. Pere, WhiteMoney and Maria were among the top five trending housemates for the week according to the social media analytics monitored by ID Africa.

Unfortunately, none of the nominees made the list, giving the impression that their journey may come to an end tonight.

Amaze Unlocks Monetisation for African Celebrities and Fans A new social networking application Amaze, that connects talents and their fanbase is looking to take Africa by storm. The tech start-up which has secured the backing of A-list investors such as The Temple Company, I&I VC, famous record producer Don Jazzy; Bisola Aiyeola and others, unlocks new monetisation opportunities for talents across Africa.

Amaze sets new expectations for the African entertainment industry, as it pools together a vast and highly diversified pool of talents across music, sports, art, TV and radio, politics, business and religion. With the debut of Amaze, Africa is potentially looking at the largest talent base on a singular platform ever to date.

According to Ebun Feyisetan, Product Manager, Amaze, the vision is to create a platform where talents can connect personally with each of their fans and give fans unprecedented access to the talents they admire most.

“We believe that we can help eliminate the parasocial relationships that currently exist between both parties and create truly magical moments.” Feyisetan also added that Amaze breaks the barrier where celebrity endorsements are restricted to businesses with the deepest pockets. “With Amaze, we are looking to break that barrier and introduce a new pattern where MSMEs can get the ease of access to brand endorsements from high-ranking celebrities.”

Concerning the earning potential of the platform, Amaze estimates gross revenue of over N100 billion within the first 18 months of launch. With America’s “Cameo” as a solid proof-ofconcept and Amaze’s access to a vast network of African talents across key verticals, the app is positioned to scale African talents and make impossible moments possible for their loyal fanbase across the world.

Don Jazzy among celebrities backing Amaze app

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 15, 2021

59

GLITZ TRIBUTE

Ode to Peter Odili’s Impactful Life at 73 For an outstanding reformer, resilient politician, and towering General, the former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili’s life, legacy, and 73rd birthday today; is one hinged on grace, peace, humanity, the audacity of belief, fortitude, dedication, and compassion, writes Adedayo Adejobi

T

he date of birth of this great man is very symbolic. He was born on 15th August 1948 in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, to Chief Philip Celestine and Princess Janet Okwei Odili, who may never have imagined the great heights their sone was destined to attain.

His birth is a special date for outstanding leaders endowed with general skills, especially leadership and interpersonal effectiveness.

From the day Peter Odili was enrolled in St. Michael’s School, Oguta II and Sacred Heart School, Onitsha, between 1953 and 1960, to the time he passed through the famous Christ the King College in Onitsha and the prestigious University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, where he studied Medicine, one thing was evident- he was destined for greatness.

In Chinese tradition, 73 is a symbol of the Moon, happiness, and energy. It is the number of humanitarianism, tolerance, and intuition. But it’s more than just that. The number 73 represents includes tolerance, philanthropy, and intuition- all these, Peter Odili embodies with grace, style, and panache.

The Spiritual significance of 73 years which relates to faith and fortune, is a blend of energies and qualities of spiritual awakening, enlightenment, confidence, inspiration, growth, expansion, principles of increase, encouragement, harmony, discernment, inner-wisdom and innerknowing, determination, and persistence of purpose, understanding, and perfection.

As the former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, clocks 73 today, a powerfully spiritual number, the stars align with him and this is an indication that he is set to reach a new intuition, insight, faith, trust, the realm of peace, clarity, and love within, as he reflects on his life journey with the love and support of the angels, Archangels and Ascended Masters.

For him, this is definitely not the best of times to celebrate or mark birthday, having recently lost his elder brother, Chief Fidelis Odili, to the cold hands of death. Buried penultimate Saturday, the devastation of the loss is still very fresh for him to bear. Family sources revealed that the former goveror was very close to his brother that if the two of them could live forever together for life, why not.

Considering his unassuming mien, and self-effacing nature, ideally, Peter Odili, would wish his birthday went unnoticed, but the world doesn’t forget one of its most important leaders and one of its finest human beings.

Not given to vain-glory, his impressive consummate professional accomplishments, political clout, and humanitarian proclivities, history recognises him as a champion for human dignity and freedom, for peace and reconciliation. Indeed, he is a man of uncommon grace and compassion, for whom abandoning bitterness and embracing adversaries is not just a political strategy but a way of life.

It is very instructive to underscore the goodness, clemency, and generosity that have spelled his life in these 73 years.

On the role call of good men, Peter Odili is indeed is very outstanding, and he brings Christian clemency and brotherly charity to a profound appreciation and significance.

Odili Across private and public spheres of influence, he makes himself the soothing balm to people’s pain.

In many and several ways, he identifies with the appalling sufferings of the needy.

His activities proclaim and echo what the love of God and neighbour provokes.

Blessed with an impeccable and industrious amazon as a wife, Her Lordship, Justice Mary Ukeago Odili, a Justice of the Supreme Court with whom he wedded at a very young age and blessed with four children, the former Governor found a soulmate, companion, friend, helpmate, and collaborator.

He is a leader that strongly proves that charity begins at home. His peaceful marriage of more than five decades to his lovely wife of inestimable value is a testimony to his effective deployment of the general skills of leadership and interpersonal effectiveness maritally.

Indeed, Odili has ample reasons to be happy. His life has been strewn with God’s abundant grace and mercies. The years he has spent on earth have been eventful and full of achievements that many, including his peers, only dream of.

His strong passion for a life of fulfillment to humanity is best captured by

his legendary philanthropic imprints, the countless number of persons he helped; the school fees he has paid; the hospital bills and house rents he assists in paying; the land, the many community disputes he helped resolve and the broken homes he salvaged, are mere minuscule glimpses of his philanthropy. His legacies demonstrate the fact he is a man of foresight, unusual commitment, and love of good deeds.

Peter Odili’s exemplary success in almost all spheres is a confirmation that he is a natural leader, no wonder he’s been quiet for a while, yet remained politically relevant and dependable despite the fact he sparingly interferes with politics and governance of Rivers State.

What differentiates him from many other political leaders is that before, during, and after politics, he is always with his people. As a politician, he remains one of the very few detribalised Nigerian politicians who play and practice politics of ideology and national rebirth.

Completing his mandatory internship at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin, he moved on to be a Resident Staff Physician, Medical Consultation Centre, Port Harcourt, between 1979 and 1980.

In 1980, he took on the challenge of establishing his private medical practice, PAMO Clinics 1980, serving as its Resident Clinician-in-Charge between 1980 and 1982.

Unrelenting and eager to add some lustre to his academic laurels, he went in pursuit of a specialist programme at the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom. It was an opportunity for him to hone his skills, and so he grabbed it.

Acquiring the requisite knowledge, his proficiency in Medicine made him a hotcake in Port Harcourt, around the country, and beyond.

Seest thou a man diligent in his works, he shall stand before kings and not mere men. His expertise in the medical field, saw him emerge as the personal nominee of the former President of the United States of America, Bill Clinton, to a 10-member roundtable committee charged with the responsibility of formulating the methodology for addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis in the workplace in Africa.

Medicine, being a means to an end and not his final destination, his versatility showed he couldn’t be pigeon-holed.

He strongly believed his experience and leadership qualities must be deployed in serving his people. Public service, for him, was the best way to prove that he can replicate his knowledge of medicine in the field of politics and governance.

In 1988/89, Odili was elected member and leader of Rivers State Delegates to the Constituent Assembly and was elected to the National Constitutional Conference, where he served as the Chairman of the Conference Committee on State Creation.

In 1992, he was elected as the Deputy Governor of Rivers State. At the peak of the struggle for the laying of the foundation for the Fourth Republic, Odili first served as National Vice Chairman (South-south) Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN), and later as National Secretary. He was Founder and Leader of Rivers Platform, 1998; Founder and Leader, Restoration Team as well as the State Leader of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); elected Executive Governor of Rivers State in 1999 and served two terms. It was in that capacity that he took the country by storm and became a reference point in the nation’s political calculations. He was at various times the National Chairman, PDP Fund Raising Committee (2000); and Chairman, Presidential Committee on Housing and Urban Renewal (2001).

To date, even his ardent critics concede to the fact that his stint in office yielded stellar accomplishments that have till date remained a yardstick for measuring performance in that resource-rich state.

Before him, substantial parts of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, were not connected to the national grid.

The National Independent Power Project (NIPP) which later became a federal fad had Odili, in his capacity as governor of Rivers State, as one of its pioneers.

Before him, also, Government House, the seat of the Governor, was no better than a guest house and that’s being charitable.

He built a grand and befitting edifice that remains a major architectural landmark.

Some landmark projects and policies of his administration are there today as Odili’s legacy of excellence in governance.

One positive part of the Odili phenomenon is his kindness and largewarmheartedness as well as mentoring successors. Last year, in contributing to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, he donated Reverse TranscriptasePolymerase Chain Reaction, Reagents, and Busters for RT-PCR COVID-19 Test, to the state government for use at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, whilst he also announced the donation of PCR Test Machine and three thousand test kits and reagents by Pamo Clinics and Hospitals to enhance the fight against the virus. Through sheer hard work and diligence, he is actualising his destiny as a leader, a philanthropist of note and a devout Christian, who impacts lives, lifts many families out of poverty. Time and posterity will not fail to recognise his enduring service to humanity.

When history speaks of the very best examples of humanity, it will speak of Peter Odili. His life is dedicated to the greater good. He holds strong beliefs and does not give up on his dreams. He is a driving force for change and cares for the well-being of others. The world today celebrates his fortitude, dedication, and compassion.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 15, 2021

HighLife

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

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

Nana Otedola is 51 New Lease of Life for Babatunde Fowler at 65

Otedola

A few days ago, we published the news about the new age of Nana Otedola, the ravishing wife of billionaire and philanthropist, Femi Otedola, as well as the merriments that were supposed to accompany the celebration of that new age.

There were two slips in the narrative: one, that the ageless madam is 55 years old, and two, that she has Ghanaian blood flowing through her veins. These bits of information are false.

Upon enquiry, we have confirmed that Nana Otedola is neither 55 years old or of mixed heritage. Instead, she is 51 and a fullblooded Nigerian. In other words, the second pillar of the Otedola family is even younger than most people estimated, and completely one of us.

These errors are bound to happen in cases where the celebrants in question are ageless, with nothing but grace and charm in every recollection of them.

So, no, Nana Otedola is neither 55 years old nor of mixed heritage. She is only a step into her golden years and a Nigerian without a bit of Ghanaian blood.

Eight Years of Bliss for Chima Anyaso and Wife As Frank Sinatra told the world in a song, love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage. For entrepreneur, politician and hotelier, Chima Anyaso, both the horse and carriage has brought him indescribable bliss these past eight years. And yet, like old wine, the years to come can only be sweeter still.

As Chima Anyaso is wont to do at this time of the year, his social media handles are splashed with pictures of that day in August of 2013 when his lovely wife, Adanna, said yes to him. A few days ago was the right anniversary of their happy married life, and Chima did not let anybody forget it.

According to his post this year, Chima is looking forward to another 100 years with Adanna, a clear indication of the heights of bliss that he is exposed to, thanks to the missus.

Due to his slightly gap-toothed smile, one might consider Chima Anyaso as he is now as a runway model. The man was built for the ladies to admire. Fortunately for everybody concerned, only one lady has managed to keep his attention and heart, that is Adanna.

Those who do not know much of the backstory assume that Adanna came first and has the position of first love in Anyaso’s life.

The fact, as reports have it, is that the charming hotelier has taken shelter under the shade of marriage, twice, and was shoved back out into singleness. That is until Adanna came into the picture, taking the pieces of his heart and grafting them into her own.

.Chima Anyaso and wife, Adanna

Babatunde Fowler, a name that has become synonymous with taxes and revenue in Nigeria, has been a recurrent figure amongst Nigeria’s high fliers in recent times. OnAugust 12, he clocked 65. Having walked through the valley of the shadow of all kinds of threats to freedom and dignity, the man remains a regal character eager for the next corporate adventure.

Fowler is one of those Nigerians that have experienced it all. From the heights of acclaim to the depths of rejection, the man has lived through a bit more than one with his status is usually exposed to. But one can only conclude regarding Fowler that even at 65, his spirit is neither dimmed nor daunted.

Many people only know that Fowler was the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) between 2015 and 2019. Others know that before this time, he was the CEO of the Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue since 2005. However, there is more to the man than these.

Born in Lagos, Fowler grew up under the

tutelage of his parents and a prestigious lineage of academics. Being quick-witted, he runs with genius minds like the Vice President’s, Yemi Osinbajo. Nevertheless, Fowler made his path: attended Igbobi College in Lagos, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the United States of America, and earned himself a BSc in Economics and a minor in Political Science. Thereafter, he obtained a second BSc at the California State University, Los Angeles, and then an MBA at the California State University, Dominguez Hills.

These paved a path of boundless potential for him.

Asides his sound academic background, he has distinguished himself on the platter of tax-revenue. His knowledge of banking came in handy. Still, it is with taxes and revenues that Fowler came to be known as an exceptional character. Unfortunately, he could not remain FIRS Chairman for another four years after the first tenure. Notwithstanding, his new gig with the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) of the African Union (AU) is as good a promotion as any.

Fowler

The Big Stain on Seyi Makinde’s Sterling Two Years in Office The rains this year do not appear to be letting up. The threat of flood in many Nigerian areas is chasing snakes and rats out of their holes. Interestingly, this is the case in Oyo State based on reports that can only be described as heart-rending and a cause for alarm since it has severe implications for the government of Governor Seyi Makinde and the lives of his Oyo people.

According to the report, Makinde has played the role of an inconsiderate taskmaster and village chief to every jot and tittle. This pertains to the issue of the Ibadan Flood Management Project (IUFMP) which was supposed to help alleviate the incidence and effects of flood in Ibadan and Oyo State.

IUFMP, a project funded by World Bank, was established during the era of the past Oyo Governor, the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi. Before the tenure ran out, Ajimobi’s government reportedly completed 25% of the deal, identifying areas of high flood risk and preparing/protecting residents with regards to these risks, as well as overseeing the

Makinde

dispensation of the project funds.

As Ajimobi’s government could not

continue past its due date, Makinde’s government took up the project and allegedly made a mess of everything. According to the report, the first step that Makinde and his team took towards the completion of the project was the inflation of the project cost. Next, they allegedly changed the names of the recommended contractors, filling up the list with Makinde’s people.

Although World Bank has reportedly been notified regarding these changes, Makinde’s government has allegedly remained adamant in the face of these reports, insisting on having their own way and essentially risking the lives of the common people over a morsel of bread.

So as the rains continue to fall, the erratic hearts of the people in areas that have been flooded before can be heard above the pitterpatter. Unless something is done, it is almost certain that lives and properties will be lost.

Stamp of His Honour: As Ekeh Makes Forbes List

Ekeh

If it was a stage announcement, the applause that would have trailed Leonard Stanley Ekeh’s recent recognition by Forbes could possibly

One of the most interesting distinctions between great men and the crowd is ambition.

Some of the greatest men that ever lived brightened their generations with the colours of their unyielding passions and aspirations. It need not be said that Honourable Shina Peller, representative of the Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/ Iwajowa Federal Constituency in Oyo State in the House of Representatives, is one of such persons.

One of the juiciest bits of gossip in the second half of 2021 is the report that Hon. Shina Peller has trained his eyes on a Senate position and will stop at nothing to clinch it. The rumour, although of vague origin, is already gaining traction among the movers and shakers of Nigerian politics, particularly in Oyo State and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the folks who have ardently followed the political career of Peller since 2018, the ball is in nobody’s court but his

rouse a person from coma. Considering the intense competition for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, the fact that Ekeh was able to surpass his peers to become the ultimate apex on the African front says much about his genius, passion and achievements.

Forbes recently released a new list naming the most outstanding individuals on the African continent who have made enough waves to stand above their peers. Leo Stan Ekeh emerged as the Number One man on this point, earning him the award of Best of Africa Leading Tech Icon.

According to Forbes, Ekeh’s award is based on his being the brains behind what may be considered the most integrated ICT group in Africa, with branched supremacy in four of the seven continents of the globe. Furthermore, Ekeh’s prestige for pioneering e-Commerce, Desktop Publishing and Computer Graphics, Wireless Cloud and WiMAX, Zinox, digital dispensing pumps for fuel and gas stations, the

turnaround of biometric elections amongst others earned him Forbes’ interest and recognition.

One can only say that Ekeh is doing well. His sheet is marked with highly rated accomplishments: he established Task System Limited in 1989 (for computer graphics and publishing); Zinox in 2001 (for IT and systems security infrastructure); Buyright Africa Dotcom Limited in 2008 (for establishing reliable bridges with international finance groups, and the introduction of communication technologies, process and productivity); Konga in 2018 (which Ekeh acquired and improved upon its online retail operations); the aforementioned design for biometric elections in Nigeria, and many more.

One of the reasons Ekeh is a favourite among young Nigerians, especially tech-heads, is the fact that he started from the bottom and worked his way up. That is an inspiring narrative on its own. This award from Forbes is simply the icing on the cake, a stamp of his honour.

Another Step Higher...

Hon. Shina Peller Set for the Senate own. Peller, they say, is not one to put his hands on the plough and then turn back. No! It is forward and onwards for him. Thus, there is every likelihood that this report, if it is true, will eventually pave the way for Peller’s senatorial ambition.

To be sure, Peller has never been an eyesore.

Whether agreeing to or challenging the motions of the day at the floor of the House of Reps, the man’s swagger is irresistible, reaching to the speculative realm of magic. Then again, folks say that his father, Professor Moshood Abiola Peller, was something of a magician. So maybe

Peller

Peller has learnt to incorporate the art with his politics? Maybe so.

Needless to say, many eyes are just as trained on Peller now as the report insists that Peller’s eyes are trained on the Senate position.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 15, 2021

HIGHLIFE

Alleged Trouble in Home Front...As Wife Drags Rotimi Babalola to Court

Rotimi Babalola with estranged wife, Adediwura.

The catchy tune of Kenny Rogers’ song, Lucille, is one and only. The song tells the story of a family torn apart as the woman leaves the man with four hungry children and crops in their field. This is the same narrative that

is reportedly playing out in the home of Dr Rotimi Babalola, a top executive at Chevron Nigeria Limited.

One of the most trending reports at the moment has it that there is trouble in what used to be considered the paradise home of Rotimi Babalola, the Chief Medical Director of Chevron Nigeria Limited. According to the report, Babalola’s wife, Mrs Adediwura Adebukola Babalola has dragged him to court in what may be considered the latest episode of divorce.

Unlike Rogers’ song where there is only an instance of confrontation, Mrs Babalola has allegedly accused her husband of unruly behaviour, nothing less than what one might expect of an uncultured person.

She reportedly claimed that Dr Babalola has abandoned their matrimonial home to herself and their only child, and only comes around to cart away valuables, such as fridges, freezer, gas cooker, generator and solar panels.

Mrs Babalola also allegedly claimed that her husband has gotten physical with her on more than one occasion, inflicting both obvious and emotional injuries. Moreover, she alleged that it has gotten to the point where it may be labelled full-blown cruelty and wickedness, not the brief skirmishes that some households pass through on their matrimonial journey.

Based on all these, Mrs Babalola is reportedly requesting a divorce, along with several conditions. For one, she allegedly wants custody of their only child, a young girl. Secondly, she is said to be insisting on her husband returning everything he has removed from the house since January of 2021.

Moreover, she requested the court to enforce a restraining order against him to protect herself and her daughter, while he submits monthly alimony of 1,000,000, among other things.

Happy Times...Saraki Reunites With Sister, Gbemi at Mum’s Birthday Sibling rivalry is not something others are qualified to comment on. The fact is that said siblings will either continue to resist each other or settle their differences whenever they feel like it, and there is very little anybody can do about it. This is the case with the Sarakis of Kwara State. The latest report on this front is that they have buried the hatchet, thanks to their mutual celebration of the original Saraki matriarch, their mother.

Except one has a younger or older sibling, one might never understand why Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki and his younger sister, Senator Gbemisola Saraki are almost always at loggerheads. There is no mystery to it: siblings fight all the time. Of course, with the Sarakis, it is a question of scale and something of a political undertone so it cannot be considered altogether usual. This is why folks are sighing with relief upon their reconciliation at their mother’s birthday celebration.

According to those who were on ground to celebrate the Saraki matriarch, Chief Mrs Florence Morenike Saraki, both the former

Senate President and his Minister for State sister were standing to the left and right sides of the celebrant. Evidently, as their mother clocked 86, the siblings had no other choice but to let go of past slights and focus on showing love to their mother. From the photographed faces of the remaining family members of the Saraki house, this reconciliation is a big deal and something the relatives might have been praying towards.

Those who know a bit about their histories are aware of the fact that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, is likely to have taken the first step against his sister when he chose to stand behind a different gubernatorial candidate in 2011, even though his sister intended to be his successor. Ever since, the siblings have traded snide remarks and unflattering comments at each other, clear evidence of a fracture in the relationship.

Now, however, that things are all fine between the siblings, it is time to focus on bigger issues, e.g., the report that the former Senate President intends to join the presidential race of 2023.

Saraki

Idowu Lamidi Bags Another Honour

Lamidi

Great things come to those who wait.

Greater things come to those who work while waiting. There is no debating it: Idowu Lamidi, the MD/CEO of Dollar Group is getting bits and pieces of greater things to come.

According to a recent report, Lamidi

has received an honorary degree, a Doctor of Science in Building and Construction Project Management, from the European American University. This happened only a few days ago in Lagos, but has cemented Lamidi’s status as a star on the rise, one likely to glow far brighter than those that came before.

Based on the notes from the university, the honorary degree is not a flattering gesture but something that Lamidi has earned after all his work with serial building constructions.

This has raised the bar in the Nigerian construction industry and promoted the spirit of entrepreneurship in the sector. Moreover, Lamidi’s Dollar Construction company appears to recognise no barriers or limitations as it takes on projects that have been marked off as impossible.

The spiciest fact about Lamidi’s new title is how it is coming only a handful of days after City People Magazine recognised his company as the Fastest Growing Construction Company

in Nigeria. A man like this, at a time like this, is either divinely fortunate or extremely smart. Or both, as it appears to be the case for Idowu Lamidi. Then again, considering how both Ibadan city and Abuja are dotted with a variety of lovely homes and estates, it is evident that Lamidi is deserving of every recognition and award.

Of course, for those in Ibadan and the rest of Oyo State, Lamidi is one of their own, the reason for the siting of the Dollar Estate in Ibadan, the Alafara project in Oyo and other projects in Epe. Nevertheless, now that even outsiders are privy to the truth of Lamidi’s genius, it is only a matter of time before contracts begin pouring in from outside Nigeria.

At such a young age, Idowu Lamidi has already accomplished much in construction and business. For a man like this, the sky is only a limit to be surpassed. And he will do just that in time.

Kabir Jibola Fagbemi...A Chip Off the Old Block Legacy and prestige are difficult to maintain.

One who must successfully step into the shoes of his father better pray that his father’s feet are not gigantic or that his own feet are. In the case of Kabir Jibola Fagbemi, his late father’s feet were gigantic, but his are not a bit lesser.

Folks still marvel over the fact that Kabir Jibola Fagbemi, the son and successor of Alhaji Fatai Gbemisola, continues to raise the prestige of Fatgbems Petroleum Company Limited nine years after the death of the Founder. One might even say that Mr Kabir has pushed past expectations and now stands at the apex with his father’s peers beside or behind him.

As he is one of those folks who prefer the backstage to the limelight, very few are aware of the fact that it is Kabir Jibola who is still behind the motions of the company.

As folks have notarised, Jibola has so far exceeded all expectations, fighting against

business entropy, and gradually grooming Fatgbems Petroleum Company Limited into a leading brand in Nigeria’s very competitive oil and gas sector.

He tore off a side of the curtains when he invited the most capable characters in the sector to the unveiling of the company’s new logo and the ultramodern service station at the start of the year.

However, for those with gazes in deeper places, Kabir Jibola is one of the figures that fought for folks in areas devastated by petroleum product usage.

By every indication, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. This is evident by the fact that Jibola has not only furthered his father’s visions for the company but also improved them, integrating his ideas into the gig and creating a resonance with all things brilliant, effective and demanding of a front seat on the oil and gas block.

Fagbemi

Ayeni

Death of Captain Hosa: Tunde Ayeni Mourns Death quenches all fires, whether they be the fires of human hatred, human love or human life.

After contending against each other in the recent past, the death of Captain Idahosa Okunbo has served as the final binding to the old ties between the deceased and his erstwhile bosom friend, the former Skye Bank Chairman, Olatunde Ayeni.

The death of Captain Idahosa Okunbo, Captain Hosa, as he was fondly called, came as a shock to many. According to the reports regarding his demise, Captain Hosa fought to break out from under the yoke of cancer. In fact, there are rumours that the medical personnel in charge of his treatment thought that he would pass away in March of 2021, never expecting that Captain Hosa would hold on to life for four extra months, only passing away a few days ago at the age of 63.

One of those who felt the passing of the late billionaire, businessman and Chairman of Ocean Marine Solutions Limited was his old friend, Tunde Ayeni, with whom he shared a close friendship early on and disagreed with over business matters at the sunset hours of his life. This is the Tunde Ayeni who was amongst the first to publicly mourn Captain Hosa, hallowing the fine qualities of the deceased and noting that although their friendship had many ups and downs, it is only human to disagree.

Folks would recall that the fracture in the Hosa-Ayeni alliance became obvious when Ayeni left Ocean Marine Solutions (OMS), the company of Hosa. He was said to have sold off his stake in the company which reportedly came to about 35% of the whole thing. Then came reports in mid 2020 that Ayeni was preparing to get another billion for the shares he sold off.

The narrative gets very complicated from that point, but what is clear is that the incident became the straw that broke the camel’s back, and each went his own way. Now that death has tumbled into the situation, everything has ended. Ayeni mourns and remembers his old friend.

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LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

Babangida – The Ides of June

Babangida

ROSELINE ESHIETT – I WILL SHOUT This is my Aunty o. Long lost Aunty. She was married to my mother’s late cousin, Uncle Nath Eshiett, whose sister is the influential Mayen Adetiba who gave me my first job as a stockbroker at Unex Securities Limited.

Well, Aunty has just been announced the Group Head of Oil something at the NNPC. This appointment makes her the second most powerful person in the institution and the custodian of our crude sales. The first female and first Akwa Ibom person to be so deservedly appointed.

I hear His Excellency Executive Governor of our state. Mr. Emmanuel Udom, has already sent his congratulatory message.

This is quite remarkable not only for its historic significance but also for its obvious merit-based positioning because Mrs Eshiett is a very brilliant technocrat that brings to the table significant zest and value.

I spoke with her during the week and she was coy. “Edgar, mbok leave me o!” she exclaimed. “I don’t know what you are talking about, please don’t go and broadcast anything o. Nothing official o.”

I was just looking at her with one eye.

She does not know that my sources never fail. It is not today that I started this amebo work.

Anyways, congratulations, Ekanmi. God will protect you and strengthen you as you give service to our nation and when you are ready, come let’s share a beautiful plate of you know what.

YEWANDE SADIKU – WHAT DID SHE DO? Talking of following people to war blindly, na im be this. I have read the news of her nine-hour interrogation at the EFCC with stupendous confidence.

Eshiett

It was one skinny light-skinned soldier that said, ‘I can follow Babangida to war alone’. Me sef, I used to say I can follow Babangida — not to war o, but to the nearest female hostel. Yes, I was that crazy about the handsome and dashing Babangida while at the University of Ibadan.

I followed his every word and observed him very closely. While at the Political Science department of the famous school, we used to have engagements - intellectual ones o, not all these beer parlour ones that we see everywhere on social media. It was during my close watch of the man fondly called IBB that I discovered that he would not hand over.

I was in the toilet that morning. Those days, the toilet at the Independence Hall of University of Ibadan can give you Ebola. It was filled to the brim and blocked. So, you will have to dress like a masked villain; cover your head with a wet towel so that the stench will not kill you. Then you will climb the bowl and squat on top of it.

It was an experience. I should write a book about it. My brother, it was horrendous. Please

Indy Hall Alumni no vex that I am doing this, it is for national good. Na IBB cause am.

Anyways, that is how I was engaging while taking care that the dump did not splash and hit my bum, when the revelation came to me. IBB was annulling June 12, the freest and fairest of them all. I jumped out of the loo, ran naked from the place towards the rooms screaming “He won’t! He won’t! He won’t!”

Intellectuals gathered. James Etonirun, Bode Sojobi, Maxwell and some I cannot remember all in various states of undress to listen to the IBB acolyte. I told them clearly that the dribbles were all intended to stymie the process and cause enough confusion so that the annulment would be a major relief. Well at the end, they said, I was hungry and someone offered me bread and beans.

Well that one has passed. The deed has been done, we have gone there, seen it and wore the jeans like jilted women say it. Today, it has been argued that our problems escalated from that point and that Nigeria died on that day.

IBB has spoken recently and as usual he

has been pilloried and abused by all sorts. Well, for me, I tried to listen to the interview but missed it and then I tried to read it in THISDAY Newspaper. But it was too long, I leave am.

Then I saw a summary and picked out two salient points: Baba said the next president should be in his 60s, be cerebral and have a national outlook.

Please who can argue with that one abeg after wetin we dey see now? We no even know wetin dey lead us now, whether na ancestor or reincarnation of Melchizedek. Abeg, it’s time we looked for virility, youth, energy. Even if he no get sense, he can be joining Big Brother House and we will be having fun.

The second thing he said was that with what he is seeing now, that during his time, they were saints. Me, to comment on that one, so that people who are afraid of him and cannot carry black mask to go after him will now come and nack me in Shomolu.

Please leave me o, Duchess have refused to cook Afang this weekend and if I go marry housemaid now, feminists will start chasing me. The world is unfair.

This is a brilliant Nigerian. An astute one and one that has built a remarkable career in investment banking with no stain. It is not now that she will come and be thieving. Never! I stand here resolute and very confident that nothing will come out of all these.

Yewande is a brain. She is principled and has left a record of distinguished service in everything she has touched. The only thing you can accuse her of and I know she will fail will be her seeming naivety of things in Nigeria. She is not street smart. She is what we call ‘Ajebutter’. So they would have thrown a banana peel on the ground for her to march.

This is not new; this is how we eat up our children and wait for change to drop from the sky. How will this situation encourage other superstars to contribute?

Yewande hold your head high up. We are here praying and in total supplication for divine intervention. It is well, we will not cry or be shamed.

carried myself to see the place o.

My people, the room they gave me was all white. The décor is simply inviting and sinfully alluring. I opened my mouth in awe. Is this what this Igbo man dropped for Lagos?

The luxury, the panache, the service all adding up to a wonderful experience.

My people, when I climb the bed, sleep carry me go o. The sumptuous duvet, the sheets, the suppleness of the mattress, I sleep forget the work wey I suppose do o.

I wake up around 4a.m., look around me and shout. Collins ‘Madiba’ Chikeluba don make me miss o. I tap ‘them’ say make una wake up. We have work to do.

No be sleep we come sleep here o.

The Madiba is an experience one should have. Highly recommended. Well-done my Lord. Well-done.

contributing especially with his work at the Export Promotion Council where he is head honcho.

This is just to send a distant greeting to him and to say, keep it up sir. We are watching o. We are praying for you and we say well-done.

COLLINS CHIKELUBA – THE IGBO ‘MANDELA’ You may wonder why I’m calling this fine gentleman, Igbo Mandela. It is simple o! The man just built an exquisite hospitality outfit in the Lekki area, IkateElegushi to be precise, and named it The Madiba.

You see, my brother Collins is so enamoured by the late South African great that he names his businesses after him.

The Madiba is exotic. It is charming and it is very exclusive. He told me “Duke, you should see this place.” That is how I

SEGUN AWOLOWO – ADMIRATION FROM AFAR Growing up in the 90s and the newspaper freak that I was then, I used to read a lot about this gentleman. He is the grandson of the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Then, he was headline news and I used to sha read and follow up on him. Then it so happened that we now lived on the same Modupe Street in Fola Agoro, Shomolu. I no dey greet am o, he no even know that I live there. I used to just walk past and see him, either washing his car or reading the newspaper. Me, I will just mind my business and waka pass.

Anyways, he has done so well for himself, keeping a steady and relevant positioning in the scheme of things in this country.

Carefully avoiding politics but still

Sadiku

Awolowo

DR TAIWO AFOLABI – A DIFFERENT KIND OF MINDSET I need everybody to read this write up very well. You see, we are now a nation of pessimists. We have mostly given up and taken seats in the audience to be critiquing, lamenting and crying at just how bad things are. We are now worse than the doomsayers. We believe very strongly that nothing can come out again, that we should just sell ourselves into slavery. That it is over.

The other day, a very prominent journalist who should know better sent out a picture of his boarding pass in handwriting as another evidence that it is over. That the country is finished and the hordes of Philistines latched on to that and kept pushing the very negative perspective of this great country.

Now listen. Our problem is not that of leadership. Our problem is that of followership. What we have is yeye, spoon-fed and spoilt followers who are looking for superhumans as leaders. The kind that will come down and save them and help them get printed boarding passes. We are all a nation of mumu. Yes, come and beat me, we are all a nation of mumu.

Now, I sit down with Dr Afolabi and I ask him one question. Just one question. “Why do you have this kind of confidence in Nigeria that you continue to make investments with long gestation periods in this economy? Your Marriott

Afolabi

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 15, 2021

LOUD WHISPERS Hotel, I hear, has a turnaround time of about 10 years or more.”

He looked at me squarely into my eyes and said, “Duke of Shomolu, I believe in this country. I love Nigeria and will continue to do whatever I need to do to make the country strong.”

I almost wept as I looked at this man. Is this not a man? Is this not a Nigerian like the rest of us? Why is he still standing when the rest of us are busy running to Canada to go and wash toilets?

We are what we make of us. Nigeria is the people. It is not the leaders; it is the people, damn it! We don’t come out to vote and then we expect change. We don’t even try to build platforms and yet, we expect jobs to be created.

Dr. Afolabi says it is not the government’s job to create jobs but to create an enabling environment for jobs to be created and sustained by the private sector.

When I said this during the #EndSARS riots, didn’t they abuse my mother, didn’t they ask my side chick to stop providing services? One mumu went on twitter and called me a bastard.

That is where we find ourselves as a nation. With the level of adult illiteracy, what do you expect but a mumufied population.

Well I have ranted enough. Those who know will know and those who don’t know will never know. As for me and my family, this is my country and with mindsets like that of Dr Afolabi, we will rebuild this country, the rest of you can run away. Go! HENRY IMASHEKA – GOD BE WITH YOU I have been touched to send you this message. I really do not know why but since the last time we spoke, I felt a very strong need to say a word of prayers to you sir.

You have been an inspiration to a whole grouping of young bankers and financial experts. You have traversed the financial landscape with the dexterity of a financial genius.

Some of us have watched you from afar and have learnt from your doggedness, your brilliance and your resilience.

Sitting across you on negotiation tables has been a lesson in self-discovery.

The last time we had a meeting, I was trying to pitch an investment opportunity in a giant mall to you. You smiled, looked at me and said, “Edgar, do you know that we built the first modern mall experience in the country and from there it was a long journey towards the financial mechanics of such a huge investment.?” Mbok, it was like you were giving me well prepared Afang to eat. I lapped it up like a starved slave.

My Lord, God says I should say you are ok. I hardly pray, but I will pray for you today. You will be strong; you will stay to continue to impact the young ones. You will continue to fulfil your purpose in this life. Your work has not started, you will not be cut short. You will continue to be a lightning rod to the rest of us.

Kai. Hungry don catch me. Lord H.I. mbok, make I go chop; I don dey feel dizzy. All these prayers wan make me faint o.

FEMI OTEDOLA – DUKE OF KNIGHTSBRIDGE Mbok, make we laugh small. So every Sunday, me and a former member of the House of Representatives, Chief Ere, run a fellowship on the back of my new Book ‘Anonymous Nipples’. We discuss sex and relationships. That is how one woman at the fellowship asked Chief Ere a question. She said “As a polygamist, how do you satisfy your wives?”

Trust Chief Ere. By the time he finished, polygamy hungry all of us. That was how as I was deeply inside the fellowship as Convener and General Overseer, I just saw a chat from the highly respected and influential Lord Femi Otedola.

I just dropped my duties for fellowship.

They can be talking about polygamy, polyandry and using cucumber abeg, better person don reach out.

“Good evening, My Lord,” I greeted him in the WhatsApp chat.

CAPTAIN HOSA – HEAVEN’S GAIN It was my sister, Angela Ebagua, who said, ‘Edgar you must meet Captain Hosa, na only him for the whole of Benin that can help you”. By this time, I had already heard the name several times. Uncle Soni Irabor had mentioned it, people at the Governor’s office had mentioned it. Even my brother Erico wey dey live near the Benin Moat had mentioned it and it dawned on me then I must catch Captain.

I was preparing for my Play ‘Emotan’. It had just been announced the official Play of NAFEST but with no budget. The profile had gone up with the budget making my sponsorship drive much more tedious.

And everywhere I went, they all said na Captain Hosa you need. Once he meet you the matter don finish. The man no dey joke with Bini Culture.

My people, I pursue Capt Hosa with the help of my sister all to no avail. I met everybody around him, even his beautiful

daughter but to see am face to face?

Impossibility.

But in all that chase, the man Hosa was revealed to me. People said some very good things about him. His love for his people, love for the common man, love for Edo State. Culture and arts. His TV station and his single-handed pursuit to revamp the cultural space. So you can see why his passing has not only caught my attention but has thrown the whole cultural and arts community into a dark gloom.

A great man has passed. I still remember on one of my trips to Benin, Eric would drive me to his house and say, “See Captain house, if you can just meet am, everything don solve.”

Sadly, I never got to meet him. We did a wonderful Show in Benin but I still continued the chase and still never got to see him till he passed.

God keep him.

if they were Usain Bolt legs.

“Tomorrow at 7pm.”

My lips screamed ‘God bless you’.

I quickly replied that he should state the venue and I would appear like all those Rent-a-Ghost guys. I threw the phone away after our chat and rummaged through my wardrobe, looking for something to wear to see the great FO, as they fondly call him.

The man dey wear white. I must wear white. I look for anything that Mudi has sewn for me in that colour. But the Mudi style wey I get na the one I wear to Charly Boy 70th. If I wear that one, security for ‘our’ mansion will not let me enter.

That is how I come see something sweet and beautiful to wear. I rushed down to the phone to see if My Lord had sent the address.

Voila! He has sent the address o. I see the green thing for WhatsApp showing that I had a message from him. I shout, “Duchess, please I am going to see Otedola tomorrow. I don,’t want to eat breakfast, no carry that yeye Atama spoil my belle. We are going to eat Italian food o.”

That was how I opened the message, I saw, “Come to Knightsbridge.”

Piss catch me. Knightsbridge?

“Sir, I dey Shomolu…”

AYODEJI TOBUN – MAESTRO BEHIND THE LENS This lanky young man is very talented.

You should see him behind the lens. I first encountered him in Uyo when he came to cover our play ‘Ibiom’ for MTN Foundation.

His dexterity and professionalism captured me. They say the beautiful ones are not yet born; it is a lie. They are born.

They have been born and Ayo is one of them.

The team at Integrated Broadcasting Solutions and Technologies (IBST) remains one of the most remarkable in the space. You know my mission now is to continue to celebrate positive Nigerian stories like that Olympian who was washing his only jersey. Good story.

Here is wishing Ayo and his team at IBST well even as they continue to buck the trend by telling our stories very positively.

The late Hosa Okunbo

Otedola

“The Duke of Shomolu, how are you?”

“I am fine o. You?” He replied that he was fine too. Then he wrote: “Duke, this our meeting is taking

Chikeluba

too long o, I want to finally get to meet you.”

My heart. You should see the way my fingers typed “Ah Lord, I am here o,” as

SAHEETO – THE SMALL CHOPS MAN I used to work in Habib Bank and my Managing Director there was Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun. I used to attend a lot of Owambe parties and I will be seeing this dark hardworking young man running around distributing small chops all over the place. Didn’t know his name but used to sha enjoy his small chops. Then one day, Erelu was organising something for a friend and she kept saying, let’s get that Kekere-Ekun guy to do small chops.

I looked up from the bed. I was waiting for Erelu to come and do her thing. I was ready o and eager. But she was there organising a party on the phone.

I said “Baby come quick na, this thing will go down o.” She just looked at me and said, “Ajanaku wait na, what is your hurry, if we don’t do today, we will do tomorrow.”

That time, my title was Ajanaku. I was not Duke then before you people will now go and be thinking it is the big head Ajanaku in Duke Summit she was referring to. Then she said, ‘“Kekere Ekun.”

I replied “‘Are you mad? Is it our MD that will come and serve small chops in your party? Me, I am not coming o. This woman you will kill somebody o. Don’t you know that we are doing under geee and nobody is supposed to know that me and you are doing something.”

She laughed that her beautiful laugh. Ohhh!

Erelu, kai.

“Ajanaku you will not kill me o. Kekere-Ekun is Saheeto, the small chops guy.”

I relaxed. Then she came to the bed...ohhhhh Erelu! Kai. I will not talk jo.

I finally get to meet the man himself two nights ago. Nice guy and I told him I had heard a lot about him from Erelu and all the Owambe parties I have attended in Lagos.

He was gracious He just smiled and said “Good evening, sir.”

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Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

Mustapha Indimi’s New Role Mustapha Indimi is indeed a chip off the old block. He has shown traits of a child destined to rule his world from his growing up years. Of course, it is a fact that he has been literally propped by his ever-supportive father, Mohammed Indimi, a billionaire businessman who turned 74 recently.

Over the years, the younger Indimi has displayed some exemplary wizardry skills, which have earned him the trust of his father.

The member of Energy Institute and Society of Petroleum Engineers loves to enjoy the good things of life.

Before he married his wife, Fatima, a few years ago, he was the toast of every hot single spinster in town owing to his gentlemanly nature, oratory prowess and intelligence.

The Master’s degree holder in Petroleum Production Engineering from the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland started his career with Afren, where he worked as a Planning, Projects and Operations Manager in Houston Area.

As part of his quest for more knowledge, he later attended an advanced managerial training course for industry executives at Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona and Colorado School of Mines.

At some point in his career, he worked in his father’s oil company, Oriental Energy Resource Limited in 2015, where he held the position of Executive Director in charge of technical. While he acted in that capacity for years, he infused his exposure, finesse and Midas touch to help sustain the company in its operations.

Five years later, the company announced Indimi’s promotion to replace Mr Ignatus Ifedayo as the Managing Director of Oriental Energy.

According to sources, staff of the company have continued to express their joy over the development.

“He is a near perfectionist.

He is a jolly good fellow who is concerned about the welfare and working conditions of every staff member. He is approachable, kind, compassionate and has a loving personality. Everybody is ready to work with him, “ a source said.

Former First Lady, Turai Yar’Adua Resurfaces While she was the First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs. Turai Yar’Adua, wife of the late President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, was highly influential and loved by all within the villa.

She was also at the forefront of the struggle against gender-based violence, cancer and drug abuse, among other social vices as well as being loved for having a soft spot for special children through her pet project.

After the death and burial of her husband in 2010, she exited the villa and recoiled back into her cocoon. For years, she was off the social radar.

Her multi-billion Naira pet project, the International Cancer Centre, located around the Airport road Abuja on 7.3 hectares

of land to curb the deadly cancer ailment, which was funded by the private and public partnership, was also left to rot away without continuity. But following an outcry from people who saw the level of wastage, the edifice was later allocated for agricultural purposes.

For her good deeds, Yar’Adua, a graduate of Language from the Ahmadu Bello University, was celebrated on the occasion of her 64th recently.

Instead of throwing a big birthday soiree, she opted to organise a prayer to thank God for making her see yet another year on earth at her residence. She was seen wearing a smiling face and looking much younger than her age. She cracked jokes and played with her grandchildren, as they all had a family time out.

Yar’Adua Turai-Yaradua

Monica Maduekwe, ‘Amazon of Renewable Energy in Africa’

Maduekwe

For the African continent to develop and match its enormous potentialities, it is imperative that they shore up their energy needs in an efficient manner to meet present and future requirements. Experts opine that part of the strategies will be formulating an energy module that is both affordable and renewable.

Interestingly, a few stakeholders in the energy sector are not just thinking, but working hard in this regard. One of such is Monica Maduekwe, fondly called the ‘Amazon of renewable energy in Africa’.

Educated at the University of Dundee, Maduekwe is a sustainable energy specialist with vast experience in renewable energy, energy efficiency, gender mainstreaming, resource mobilisation and project development; tasks that are buoyed by working as a programme officer at the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) for close to 10 years.

At ECREEE, she developed the ECREEE Resource Mobilisation Strategy, with a fund mobilisation target of $654million as well as

several technical projects to mobilise funding for ECREEE and the private sector, including female entrepreneurs.

To further entrench her sustainable energy module in Africa, Maduekwe and Franck Adjagba founded PUTTRU, a business facilitation platform that digitally connects African energy companies to financiers from all over the world, thereby easing the challenges of bringing investable businesses and serious financiers together.

PUTTRU recently unveiled a report, ‘Three Must-Haves For Energy Projects To Attract Investment in Africa’, as a means of sensitising stakeholders of the enormous investment opportunities available to projects and innovations in the African energy sector.

The report, which is a crystallisation of one-on-one conversations with stakeholders in the energy industry and the funding institutions, serves as a guidebook for investors and energy project developers on how to design projects that meet funding viability.

Kwara State First Lady, Olufolake Abdulrazaq, Glowing at 54 Kwara State First Lady, Olufolake Abdulrazaq, is an embodiment of poise, allure, aura, finesse and sartorial elegance.

She is indeed a classy woman who loves elegant style and cosmopolitan looks.

Apart from shopping for her outfits at the best boutiques across the world, she also gives time to her skin and beauty routine, hence her youthful looks.

The former Minister/Head, Consular Education and Welfare Section, Nigeria High Commission, London is soft at heart.

For this, she has created the Ajike People Support Centre, an NGO for the uplift of the needy.

Over the years, she has always been

a strong campaigner committed to tackling issues threatening the progress, safety and development of women, youths and the needy.

She has also used the platform to facilitate the provision of shelter to victims of gender-based violence, sexual abuse and rape who have no access to support and counselling.

On August 2, the mother of three celebrated her 54th birthday almost without any fanfare.

Sources said she also used the occasion of her birthday to touch the lives of the needy by giving out valuables, after which she had a private dinner celebration with her husband and children.

Abdulrazaq

Accolades as Fayemi’s Adviser, Margaret Fagboyo, is Honoured

Indimi

It’s a period of celebration and recognition for resourceful Margaret Fagboyo, Special Adviser to Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi on Development Partnerships and SDGs, as she was recently conferred with the prestigious honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) in Public Administration of the Charisma University, British West Indies.

Fagboyo, whose portfolio of excellent and rich experiences, particularly in international development, gender mainstreaming, and institutional partnerships, has ensured that her credential is revered in both public and private sectors,

and guaranteed her a front row in the gathering of intellectuals.

The ever amiable and dynamic Fagboyo, prior to her current role with the Ekiti State government, had almost two decades impeccable career in the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), an arm of the British Government department responsible for development and poverty reduction efforts in Nigeria, where she served at a time as the Acting Head of Office and Regional Coordinator for the Southwest, South-south, and South-east regions in Nigeria.

Fagboyo

SUNDAY AUGUST 15, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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INTERNATIONAL Nigeria-Indonesia Diplomatic Row: Beyond the Alleged Egregious Act of International Delinquency

I

n a press release number MFA/PR/2021/22 of Tuesday, August 10, 2021, signed by the spokesperson of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Mrs. Esther Sunsuwa, the MFA said it had received a comprehensive report on the mistreatment by the Indonesian government agents of a Nigerian diplomat, Mr. Abdulraman Ibrahim, in Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. The MFA, not only noted that it had‘previously summoned the Indonesian Ambassador to the Ministry to express outrage and to protest strongly,’but also that‘the Nigerian government condemns in the strongest terms what is in effect an egregious act of international delinquency by Indonesian State actors against an accredited representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with absolutely no justification and against international law.’In protest against the dastardly act, the Nigerian government has demanded‘appropriate sanctions against the relevant officials and has recalled its Ambassador in Indonesia for consultations, including a review of bilateral relations.’

Even though Mrs. Sunsuwa said government‘reaffirms its resolve to protect the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians wherever they are in the world and calls for calm as consultations continue,’ the truth remains that Nigeria does not have a consistent policy of protection of Nigerians worldwide beyond rhetorical pronouncements, like the one just issued by the MFA spokesperson. For instance, what does the request for‘appropriate sanctions against the relevant officials’mean? What makes a sanction appropriate? If the government of Indonesia sets up a panel of inquiry and even if the suspects are brought to the law court, what influence has the Government of Nigeria in ensuring a true implementation of the sanctionary measures? In Nigeria, for example, what has the Buhari administration done to sanction the similar egregious acts of Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria?

Again, what does re-calling Nigeria’s‘Ambassador in Indonesia for consultations, including a review of bilateral relations’mean in terms of justice for the victim of aggression? This statement is, at best, very ambiguous. The purpose of recalling can be for consultations, but how do we interpret a review of relationship in this regard? Does Nigeria want to sever diplomatic ties? Is there any principle of reciprocity in Nigeria’s foreign policy calculus that is to be applied? What does Nigeria want following imminent expression of apology by the Indonesian government?

Indonesia-Nigeria Relations One major dynamic of Nigeria’s relationship with Indonesia is perception, particularly from the perspective of Indonesia. Many Nigerians are currently in the Indonesian cells and this factor has not, and cannot, make both the Government and people of Indonesia to see Nigerians in good light. When the very patriotic Chief Ojo Maduekwe (CFR) led an official delegation to Indonesia to plead for the commutation of the death sentence on eighteen Nigerians awaiting to be executed, the Jakarta government did not bother to seek any understanding of Nigeria’s plea, arguing that the law of Indonesia is applicable to everyone resident in the country.

More significantly, the Jakarta government said Indonesians who were similarly convicted for the same drug offences were to be executed. Thus, while the Indonesian government sympathizes with the Nigerian delegation and the laws of Nigeria, there is nothing like sympathy for any drug offender in Indonesia. The perception in Indonesia is that anything can go and be accepted in Nigeria, but certainly not in Indonesia. The problem in this case is the question of international law and diplomatic practice.

Indonesia is a signatory to the 18 April 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations that entered into force on 24 April, 1964.

Indonesia is also a signatory to the 24 April 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, which entered into force on 19 March, 1967. Indonesia has not respected the obligations on diplomatic protection, contracted by her accession to the Convention on 04 June, 1982. Why is this so? Why the brutalization of a Nigerian, be he a diplomat or not? Perception may be a dynamic.

What type of perception of Nigeria can anyone expect from Indonesians if, on the ranking of the World’s Health Systems by the World Health Organisation, Indonesia is placed in the 92nd position, while Nigeria is ranked the 187th and is only better than the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic which are ranked respectively as 188th and 189th in Africa? There is no way an Indonesian will not hold a better-thanthou attitude when Nigeria and Indonesia are compared. France and Italy have the first and second best World Health Systems.

Besides what type of image does Nigeria give to the interna-

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

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Onyeama tional community, particularly to the Indonesians in this case, if the Government of Nigeria is on record to be arresting and detaining protesters in Nigeria? What type of international image should Nigeria be expected to have if the Government of Nigeria offered N100 billion to herdsmen in order to stop kidnapping, when the herdsmen have been internationally identified in the World Terrorist Index as the fourth most dangerous and deadly terrorist group in the world?

In fact, the Government of Nigeria, led by the Minister of Interior, Abdulraman Dambazzau, held a meeting with the herdsmen, under the umbrella of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, in Kebbi. With the payment of N100bn, out of the N160bn requested by the Miyetti Allah, why has kidnapping not been stopped but has increased on the contrary, even if the ECOWAS reportedly prescribed the strategy of making such payments?

This situation cannot but send wrong signals out to observers of Nigerian politics.

Indeed, Nigeria’s poverty rate is 40.1% on the basis of an estimated population of 211.4m people as at 2021, compared to Indonesia’s 10.1% poverty rate and population of 276,361,783 people as at 2021. Indonesia is not only a newly industrialised country, considered as the 15th largest economy in the world by nominal GDP and the 7th largest in terms of GDP (PPP), but also a member of the G-20 of which Nigeria is not. Indonesia has a 6.5% unemployment rate as at 2021, compared to Nigeria’s 32.5%. The HDI is 0.718 for Indonesia, which is high, while it is 0.534% for Nigeria, which is adjudged low. Nigeria has an import, and therefore a consumption dependent economy, while Indonesia has an export dependent, a production, economy.

From the foregoing, there is no disputing the possibility of an Indonesian government’s attitudinal arrogance vis-a-vis Nigeria.

This possible governmental arrogance can be easily imbibed by the people of Indonesia and government officials. This is one way of first interpreting the very dastardly mania of mistreating the Nigerian diplomat in Jarkata.

In the area of economico-diplomatic ties, both countries established diplomatic relations in 1965 and signed an Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement in 2001. Exchange of official visits has been noteworthy. Former President Abdurrahman

Whatever is the case, not until Nigeria adopts a foreign policy that is driven by self-respect and principles of reciprocity, there will always be new cases of egregious act of international delinquency. The conduct and management of Nigeria’s foreign policy has always been done in a valley of shame and chicanery, which explains in part, the negative perceptions of Nigerians at home and abroad and also why such egregious acts of international delinquency always occur. From xenophobia and Nigerianophobia in South Africa to Ghana’s assault on Nigeria’s Embassy, and now to Indonesia’s diplomatic delinquency, when will these acts be stopped? The dignity of Mr. Ibrahim has been soiled. It has now become a desideratum to prevent sacrificing the honour of being a Nigerian at the altar of diplomatic rhetoric, because no amount of financial compensation by Indonesia can be adequate for the type of enslavement and savagery to which Mr. Ibrahim has been subjected. Nigeria must go beyond acknowledgement of the increasing egregious acts of international delinquency. Anything short of downgrading or closure of the diplomatic missions of both countries is unacceptable. Nigerians must always be treated with due regard, decency, and punished for their offences where necessary on the basis of rule of law. Never on the basis of jungle justice!

Wahid visited Nigeria in 2001. President Olusegun Obasanjo visited Indonesia in 2001, 2005 and 2006. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono not only met with Nigeria’s President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua at the United Nations in 2007, but also visited Nigeria in 2013 with an entourage of 99 businessmen.

In February 2013, both countries signed agreements on airlines and aircraft maintenance. The contracts were done between the Garuda Maintenance Facility Aeroasia of Indonesia and Nigeria’s Kabo Air, Silverback Africa, Hak Air, Max Air and Service Air Limited.

Additionally, Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Corruption Eradication Commission of Indonesia (KPK) did an MoU in March 2007. Members of the National Infrastructure Science and Engineering Agency of Nigeria (NASENI) were given training in HYCON in Bandung on the basis of the signed agreements.

Nigeria is Indonesia’s second biggest trading partner in Africa after South Africa, accounting for about 21.66% of Indonesia’s total trade with Africa. There are fifteen Indonesian businesses in Nigeria, including Sayap Mas Utama, Kalbe Farma and Dufil or the household Indomie, which has remained a popular brand of Indofood, which established a factory in Nigeria in 1995 and which has remained the biggest instant noodles manufacturing plant in Africa.

What is particularly noteworthy about the diplomatic ties between the two countries is that Nigeria is actually the hub-nub of Indonesia’s diplomacy in West and Central Africa, as the Embassy of Indonesia in Abuja also has a concurrent accreditation to many countries: Ghana, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Benin, Togo, Niger, Sao Tome and Principe, and the ECOWAS in the West African region; and Cameroon, Congo, Gabon in the Central African region.

The essence of the foregoing is to underscore the importance of Nigeria in Indonesia’s economic diplomacy in Africa. Indonesia Embassy in Nigeria was the first to be established in sub-Saharan Africa in 1965. Nigeria did not open an embassy in Jakarta until 1976. Consequently, if a Nigerian diplomat has been brutalized in Indonesia in the mania of George Lloyd in the United States and the Government of Nigeria is talking about a possible review of her relations with Indonesia, it is not the bilateral relations that would suffer the most, but Indonesia’s plurilateral relations in Africa.

In this regard, should the honour of being a Nigerian be sacrificed on the altar of bilateral or plurilateral ties? With a possible closure of diplomatic missions, Indonesia’s Embassy in Abuja will not be able to coordinate her interests in the West and Central African regions. Nigeria does not have notable investments in Indonesia. Although both countries proposed to sign a Preferential Trade Agreement in 2017 and the relationship is said to be in good shape, the reality of the ties at the individual level of government agents in Indonesia does not point to a truly cordial relationship.

The mistreatment of a Nigerian diplomat by Indonesian immigration agents was most obnoxious, very barbaric and unfriendly. It showed xenophobia and racism of the first order. The response to it should therefore go beyond rhetorical statements, mere expression of official apologies, and demands for punishment for the suspects. The international responsibility of Indonesia has to be officially raised.

Diplomatic Law and Indonesia’s Responsibility International diplomatic relations are governed by the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which is a resultant from the United Nations Conference on Diplomatic Intercourse and Immunities. The Consular Relations are regulated by the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

The 1961 Vienna Convention provides for what can be described as absolute protection, in terms of inviolability of officially recognized accredited diplomats in a receiving State and also in terms of non-payment of official taxes in the host State. For instance, in Article 23 of the diplomatic convention,‘the sending State and the Head of the Mission shall be exempt from all national, regional, or municipal dues and taxes in respect of the premises of the mission, whether owned or leased, other than such as represent payment for specific services rendered.’

The essence of this provision is that if and when accredited diplomats are engaged in procuring materials for their mission corporately or individually, the provision applies. If a Nigerian diplomat is arrested by immigration agents, and he is not supposed to be arrested as a diplomat, what is expected of the Indonesian government agents is to quickly release the diplomat on self-identification, because Article 24 not only stipulates that‘’the archives and documents of the mission shall be inviolable at any time and wherever they may be,’Article 25 also compels the receiving State to‘accord full facilities for the performance of the functions of the mission.’What does this mean or imply?

Article 24 is noteworthy because it says wherever the archives and documents of a diplomatic mission‘may be.’Put differently, any of the accredited diplomatic staff can be in possession of a diplomatic document when going to office or going back home. A diplomatic bag carrier can be in transit. In this type of situation, such archives and documents are inviolable whatever the circumstance.

In the context of the Nigerian diplomat, he might have refused to be checked if he had official documents on him. Article 25 is similarly noteworthy because the receiving State is also obligated to facilitate the performance of the functions of diplomatic missions.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 24 2012

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

15.08.2021

FOR THE NIGERIA LITERATURE PRIZE’S CONTENDERS, A ‘HEROES’ PARTY’…

From a pandemic-induced break, the CORA-Nigeria Literature Prize’s Book Party returns physically, full of promise for a more vibrant literary scene. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke writes

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o, finally, the Book Party – Nigeria’s literary community’s one-of-kind platform for the glamourisation of reading culture – has re-emerged from its pandemic-enforced retreat! This was last Sunday, August 8, at Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos. For a literary community, which had to settle for its Zoom edition on October 8, last year, this was something worth cheering about.

About that last year’s virtual edition, the Committee for Relevant Arts’secretary-general, Toyin Akinosho explained that it“was meant to be a symbolic gathering, [and] to make the statement that the Virus would not defeat the pursuit of a noble cause such as the Nigeria Prize for Literature.”

This, therefore, was why the 12th edition of the event – first held at the former Goethe-Institut’s seaside premises in Victoria Island in 2010 – continued its tradition of lionising the literary prize’s potential laureates. It became the Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA) -The Nigeria Prize for Literature partnership’s child of necessity after a review of the prize’s initial five years (from 2004 to 2009) had exposed the rents in its glitzy raiment.

“Sympathisers of the award argued that the NLNG Ltd, through NPL, could not alone wipe out the entrenched challenges of the Nigerian literary landscape,”Akinosho recalled.

Since then, the Book Party has remained an annual event, which according to the Nigeria LNG Limited’s General Manager, External Relations, Eyono Fatayi-Williams“has assumed a life of its own in the administration of the prize, as it showcases to Nigerians the top eleven books for each competition year.”

While the event’s last pre-pandemic physical edition, held in 2019 at the MUSON Centre in Lagos Island, was a celebration of the shortlisted writers for children’s literature, this year’s featured the shortlisted for prose fiction. It is, after all, now common knowledge among the prize’s cognoscenti that the organisers play musical chairs annually with the four literary genres: prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature.

This means that right from its inception in 2004, the prize’s spotlight has been shifting from one of these genres to the other.

Unfortunately, the last year’s intrusion of the pandemic slightly altered the prize’s rotating schedule. Thus, the organisers were forced to shift their planned spotlight on prose fiction to this year, since according to Mrs Fatayi-Williams, “the restrictions occasioned by the pandemic … hampered submission of entries within the allowed window.”

This explains why the following 11 books on the initial shortlist are prose fiction works: Delusion of Patriots by Obianuju V. Chukwuorji, Give Us Each Day by Samuel Monye, Imminent River by Anaele Ihuoma, In the Name of Our Father by Olukorede S. Yisha, Mountain of Yesterday by Tony Nwaka, Neglected by Lucy Chiamaka Okwuma, The Colours of Hatred by Obinna Udenwa, The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare, The Return of Half- Something, by Chukwudi Eze, The Son of The House by Cheluchi Onyemelukwe-Onuobia and Your Church My Shrine by Law Ikay Ezeh.

With these 11 eyes on the prize, it would be so easy to forget why the prize – which today remains the continent’s most prestigious – was instituted in the first place. Who wouldn’t after all be enamoured by its winner-takes-all cash value

The discussion panel featuring the contestants and moderated by Fatai Oseni

Eyono Fatayi-Williams addressing the guests at the event worth $100,000?“The prize money makes the competition to be as keen as some of the most prestigious Lit prizes on the planet, but what writers want, primarily, is to distinguish themselves with magical writing and gain a wide audience in the event,”argued Akinosho, thus making a strong case for the relevance of the Book Party.

Offering what Mrs Fatayi-Williams called“a cursory insight into the quality of works selected by the panel of judges”, the real highlights of the Book Party are the reading of excerpts from the shortlisted books by renowned screen and stage actors and a discussion panel featuring the contestants, which was moderated by Arise TV’s Rufai Oseni, who is an author of nine books. All the other activities – including the buffet dinner, light entertainment and speeches – were only

tangential.

It is indeed an event, which according to the NLNG’s Manager, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, Dr Sophia Horsfall,“brought to life the value of literature to our reading community – enlightenment, entertainment, and education.”

Through its annual consistency, the event, which is one of the several organised by CORA to preface its annual Lagos Book and Art Festival, not only gradually engraves itself in the literary community’s consciousness, but also wins more adherents to the book cause.

Back to the prize, the 11 contestants only made up an initial shortlist, which many in the literary circles would rather call a longlist. It was culled from 202 entries in contention for this year’s – 2021 – edition of the NLNG-sponsored prize. Expected

sometime in September is another shortlist of three contestants, from which a winner could emerge.“Could”, because the prize has on three non-consecutive years – 2004, 2009 and 2015 – surprised the literati with no-winner verdicts.

The Nigeria Prize for Literature – which has been increased from $20,000 to $30,000 in 2006, and to $50,000 in 2008, before it was eventually increased to $100,000 in 2011 – has nonetheless so far produced such eminent winners as Gabriel Okara (co-winner, 2005, poetry) for The Dreamer, His Vision; Professor Ezenwa Ohaeto, for his volume of poetry, Chants of a Minstrel (co-winner, 2005, poetry) and Ahmed Yerima (2005, drama) for his classic, Hard Ground. The other winners are Mabel Segun (co-winner, 2007, children’s literature) for her collection of short plays Reader’s Theatre; Professor Akachi AdimoraEzeigbo (co-winner, 2007, children’s literature) with her book, My Cousin Sammy; Kaine Agary with her book, Yellow Yellow (2008, prose); Esiaba Irobi (2010, drama) who won the prize posthumously with his book Cemetery Road; Adeleke Adeyemi (2011, children’s literature) with his book The Missing Clock; Chika Unigwe (2012, prose), with her novel, On Black Sister’s Street; Tade Ipadeola (2013, poetry) with his collection of poems, The Sahara Testaments; Professor Sam Ukala (2014, drama) with his play, Iredi War; Abubakar Adam Ibrahim with his novel Season of Crimson Blossoms (2016, prose); Ikeogu Oke with his collection of poetry, The Heresiad; (2017, poetry); Soji Cole with his play, Embers (2018, drama); and Jude Idada with his book, Boom, Boom (2019, Children Literature).

In any case, it is expected that by October, the Professor Toyin Jegede-led judging panel should announce the prize’s overall winner alongside the Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism (also sponsored

by NLNG), which is valued at N1 million.

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 15, 2021

ARTS & REVIEW\\MOVIES

THINGSFALLAPARTANDTHEAIROF NOSTALGIA,CULTURALRESTITUTION

DRAMA

Yinka Olatunbosun

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he fifty years’anniversary of the post-civil war film Things Fall Apart (1971) was like a premiere in itself at the Nigerian Film Corporation Ikoyi – a former colonial film unit – where it was screened for the first time in Nigeria on July 31 at the Festival of Forgotten Films in Lagos. Members of the diplomatic community, culture enthusiasts and film buffs converged on the newly-renovated cinema hall to see the film co-produced by Francis Oladele, a pioneering film maker who produced the first indigenous film in Nigeria- Kongi’s Harvest (1969) which was a film adaptation of Prof. Wole Soyinka’s play of the same title.

Directed by Hans Jürgen Pohland, Things Fall Apart parades the Lagos-born Gambian-Senegalese actor Johnny Sekka (Obi Okonkwo) and Ugandan Princess, one of the first lawyers in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, Elizabeth of Toro (Clara Okeke) in the lead roles. Also known as“Bullfrog in the Sun,” this film adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s classics blends elements from both Things Fall Apart and another of Achebe’s novels, No Longer at Ease. The Festival of Forgotten Films was an initiative of the Lagos Film Society in collaboration with Modern Art Film Archive based in Germany. Shot in Nigeria, the film was never screened in Nigeria. It rediscovered by the Deutsche Kinemathek in Berlin and curated

by Didi Cheeka. Things Fall Apart had its premiere in Atlanta, USA in 1974 and was screened several times in Germany.

Obi, a UK trained journalist returns to Nigeria with his girlfriend, Clara who just completed her nursing school as well. There was nostalgia in the air as the Nigerian Airways aircraft touched down at the Murtala Mohammmed International Airport in Lagos to an atmosphere of funfair in warm reception of Okonkwo. Obi and Clara’s love story goes sour when tradition prevailed over their romance. Clara was born into the Osu caste- a clan considered as outcast in the ancient practice in Igboland. But Obi reassures Clara repeatedly of his love and promised her marriage. However, Obi’s mother’s dying wish was never to witness Obi get married to Clara. Obi decides to honour the tradition by dishonouring the woman he professed to love, even while she is pregnant for him.

Obi’s fiery passion for justice and fight against corruption puts him at loggerheads with the authorities and he is whisked away, tortured and estranged from his family. The film ends with the agony of betrayal and pain on Clara’s face as her son meets the father for the first time.

In the audience was the producer’s son, Lanre Oladele and the co-founder, Freedom Park, Iyabo Aboaba who played the supporting role of Bisi, a 23-year-old sassy lady in the film. The flood of memories evoked by the film was limitless. The audience was reminded of the period where Nigeria had a national carrier and when public transportation was still desirable for new arrivals in Nigeria. Today, Lagos is congested; with noise and air pollution occasioned by lung damaging gaseous emissions from poorly maintained commercial vehicles.

Even in the absence of drone technology, the 1971 flick has some fantastic aerial and establishing shots.

Although it was gathered that some part of the films had been lost, 90% was retrieved and the economy of the storyline is still intact. Although earlier critics frowned on the portrayal of violence as a rehash of the past civil war in Nigeria, it was a movie necessary for the period and a historical testimony to the

Edgar

Duke of Shomolu Productions makes New Appointments Yinka Olatunbosun A scene from the movie

Another scene from the movie post-colonial effort of African cinema to establish and lubricate cross-cultural relations.

Still photography from the fifty-year old movie are paraded at Tinubu Square in an open-air exhibition in collaboration with LagosPhoto Festival. The outdoor exhibition which has been the cynosure of passers-by runs till September 4. LagosPhoto Festival with its motto Rapid Response Restitu¬tion backed this exhibition which shows the photographs of the legendary writer Chinua Achebe on set, the 1899 in Lagos born actor Orlando Martins – Nigeria’first international film star – in his last role as Obierika alongside the lead and supporting actors aforementioned.

The Curator, Festival of Forgotten Films, Didi Cheeka gave the audience an insight into the background for the film screening and the festival.

“A few years back, a number of us who are film makers and film critics wanted to create a space where we can stream films that are not specifically Nollywood or commercial movies,”he said.“We wanted to create space for filmmakers who were not making commercial films. We also want to show not just films from Nigeria but we also wanted to show European cinemas.

“We were curious as to what is contained in this building that we have inherited. We decide to walk around a little bit and just behind the building, we found hundreds and hundreds of cans of films. We wondered who allowed the films to go bad. Imagine that you are a film student or a film scholar, maybe you want to make a documentary or you want to do a research, where do you go to look for these films?

They don’t exist anywhere. You ask the film maker and he doesn’t have a copy.

The remaining part of Ola Balogun films are still kept in his freezer in his house. This is the tragedy of film makers and celluloids films in Nigeria. We need a place to keep them so that researchers can access.”

Citing his personal example as a film student, he was taught about film movements such as the German expressionists movie; the movies of Charlie Chaplin, Italian, American and French movies with archival materials. Unfortunately, the archives of many Nigerian old celluloid films had been destroyed or poorly maintained.

“It is not accidental that this is taking place now.

In Berlin and across Europe, there is a debate about restitution. It is good to have conversations about artefacts but we should also ask about some of the movies that were made by Nigerian film makers before the era of Nollywood. Ladi Ladipo died a few weeks ago and hardly got any mention in the newspapers considering who he was and his contribution to the movie industry.”

Oyinbo Marieke Palmeira, co-founder of Modern Art Film Archive commended the effort of his Nigerian counterparts in reliving this history of film making in Nigeria. “Over 70 pictures were exhibited from the picture archives of the movie taken through the location of the movie, from over 2000 pieces found,” he said. “I was so impressed not only by the art works but the process of detailed curating done in this project.

It offered us the chance to go into a dialogue with the past experiences over a shooting of a movie like this that had almost been forgotten for fifty years. Today, we have another chance. We came together to see this movie which is an adaptation of this iconic novel from Nigeria this is also the reason why the German foreign office supports this project of archiving and digitalisation of these films. The preservation of our cultural heritage is so important because once it is forgotten, then we have no chance of seeing them anymore and we then lose our roots.”

O

n the heels of two very exciting productions, Awo and Aremu, wave making Theatre Production firm, The Duke of Shomolu Productions Limited have announced two new and strategic

appointments.

Mrs Mofoluwake Oriyomi Edgar has been appointed Managing Director / CEO while Mr Ifeanyi Eziukwu has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of the outfits.

In a press release, the fast-rising outfit announced these appointments in its bid to strengthen its capacity, build structures and institutionalise its processes as it looks towards deepening its engagements with its various stakeholder groups while pushing for sustainable market leadership.

Before this new appointment, Mrs Mofoluwake Edgar was the Executive Director in charge of technical for the outfit. She superintends all of the firm’s productions including the highly successful ‘Isale Eko’ Franchise and also ‘Emotan’ the official play of the National festival for Arts and Culture held in Benin, 2019.

A graduate of modern European languages from the University of Lagos and an alumnus of the Lagos Business School, Mrs Edgar has taken part in various productions before retiring backstage to handle the technical parts of very large Productions including the massive double decker joint productions of Awo and Aremu.

Ifeanyi Eziukwu is also a graduate of economics from the University of Lagos.

He has worked on several productions including serving as Logistics Manager, Production Manager on over 20 major productions including some very key ones under the playwright-director, Wole Oguntokun. Ifeanyi is the Founder of Just Theatre House and a member of both the National Association of Theatre Art Practitioners and the Guild of Theatre Directors.

FILMS

FOR THE LOVE OF DANCE…

T

Dance for love

he documentary titled,“For the Love of Dance’’is set to be screened on August 29 at the Simi Johnson Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. An Enhance 360 production, it explores different perspectives on issues of development, industry and growth of dance in Nigeria over the past 20 years through the eyes of leading dance professionals.

Its first private screening had in attendance Mr. Steve James, the former president Guild of

Nigerian Dancers (GOND), Adedayo Laide (Ijodee Arts), Sarah Boulos Chair, Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN) and master dance and choreographer, Qudus Onikeku, who is the founder, Qdance Centre, Lagos.

Wajo is a multi-faceted dance focused project targeting dancers and lovers of towards celebrating the diversity of Nigerian and African dance cultures before the global audience. Wajo started in April 2013 as a monthly dance event at the Freedom Park and has since developed into a full-fledged dance project.

Wale Johnson, the programmes manager, Wajo

said“with projects like this, the dance scene will become more sustainable because Wajo intends to push dance materials to bigger platforms local and international, where dance will compete equally with other art forms.”During the pandemic, Wajo created an online conversation on instagram called ‘Dancenotes’where several top industry players discussed the effects of Covid-19 and sustainability during the lockdown.

“We also invited professionals from diverse fields to shed light on key issues that affect dance businesses, issues like insurance, branding, intellectual property, health to mention a few,”he added.

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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 ˾ AUGUST 15, 2021

CICERO

Editor: Ejiofor Alike SMS: 08066066268 email:ejiofor.alike@thisdaylive.com

IN THE ARENA

B’Haram/ISWAP: After Surrender, Kiss and Make-up?

Under intense, bloody, costly offensives by Nigerian military, over 1,000 Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa terrorists recently surrendered. How will devastated, bloodied Nigerians get justice and closure? Asks Louis Achi

A

pparently pulverised by the sustained military air strikes and artillery bombardments, over 1,000 battle-fatigued, leaderless and demoralised Boko Haram fighters and their families recently surrendered to the Nigerian security forces.

In May, the terrorist group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, a reputed cat with nine lives, reportedly blew himself up to avoid capture by members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) who had surrounded his base in Sambisa Forest in the North-east zone.

The repentant Boko Haram members, according to a statement by an elated army, included the group’s chief bomb expert known as Musa Adamu a.k.a Mala Musa Abuja, and his second-incommand, Usman Adamu a.k.a Abu Darda.

However, while the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, has asked other insurgents to abandon their illegal cause and also surrender to troops, the development has naturally spawned considerable concerns amongst Nigerians following the release of pictures of repentant terrorists being extended kind treatments, including provision of clothes, beverages and drinks by the Nigerian Army.

But the Nigerian Army Headquarters was quick to counter such budding perceptions and while debunking suggestive online reports, clarified that there was no plan to free two Boko Haram commanders arrested recently.

Such reports are triggering seething anger from many Nigerians who believe there should be harsh consequences for terrorists who have decimated, orphaned and widowed countless innocent citizens.

For example, a justifiably embittered widow of Lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim Sakaba who was killed by Boko Haram terrorists, Oluwaseun, has berated the Nigerian Army for allegedly ‘commending’ the 1,081 terrorists and their families that surrendered in Bama, Borno State.

Photos shared on the Army’s Social Media page showed the surrendered terrorists displaying several placards with different inscriptions, including “Nigerians, please forgive us.” “Surrender and live,” “Surrender and be free,” among others.

The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 OPHK, Brigadier General Abdulwahab Eyitayo, had also said “their decision to drop their arms and come out is highly commendable, enjoining them to advise other terrorists to surrender and “embrace the new life of peace and rehabilitation.”

The surrendered terrorists and their families totalling 335 fighters, 746 adult women, and children were subsequently given new clothes “and assorted food items, groceries and toiletries.” They would reportedly be rehabilitated and reintegrated into the society in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari government’s programme of reintegrating ‘repentant’ terrorists

General Faruk Yahaya in the Northeast.

It could be recalled that a report last year by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) had stated that the terror group had killed not less than 350,000 people since 2009. The programme of rehabilitating the insurgents has continued to draw intense criticisms from many Nigerians.

A sorrowful Oluwaseun, widow of Colonel Sakaba, while reacting to the pictures and the comments in a post on her Instagram page, lambasted the Nigerian Army, wondering why the terrorists should be forgiven after their atrocities. She also accused the army of pretence and not paying the dues of her late husband.

Reacting to her allegations, the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said in a statement that the Nigerian Army was not interested in joining issues with anyone with respect to the enormous sacrifices made daily by its gallant troops.

He, however, said it was expedient to address the

weighty allegations credited to the widow.

The statement said the army acknowledged the emotional agony associated with loosing loved ones, stressing that it cannot be quantified by any unit of measure.

It noted that the death of Col. Ibrahim Sakaba, like those of other officers and soldiers who paid the supreme price in the war against terrorism in the North-east, was painful to the Nigerian Army.

“Therefore, it will be totally a mischief and an assault on the psyche of our troops, who are relentlessly fighting, to begin to insinuate any plot against one of our own.

“And what is the plot here? That troops were led by their commander for an operational engagement is not a plot, as any one may want to insinuate. Rather, it was a clear military mission with clear objective.

“It is however disheartening that this gallant officer and some of his men paid the supreme price in the operation and we pray fervently for the repose of their souls,” the statement explained.

The army also denied her claim that her husband’s entitlements had not been paid.

According to the statement, Master Samuel Ibrahim Sakaba, the son of Mrs Seun Sakaba is the Next of Kin (NOK) to the late Senior Officer and the only child.

The army noted that all entitlements meant to be paid by the NA have been paid to him through Mrs. Oluwaseun Sakaba.

The statement was silent on the widow’s position that the terrorists should not be forgiven after all the atrocities they had committed.

Sakaba was one of the 44 soldiers killed by the insurgents during an attack on 157 Task Force Battalion in Metele, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State in November 2018. After his death, he was hailed by colleagues for his exemplary leadership.

Former presidential aide Reno Omokri also condemned release of the photographs, noting that, “The administration shared photos of so-called repentant Boko Haram terrorists and asked Nigerians to forgive them…while seeking to prosecute Sunday Igboho for protecting the same innocent Nigerians.”

In further clarification, the army has stressed that all the surrendered terrorists would be received, processed and passed on to the relevant agencies of government for further assessment in line with extant provisions.

“It must be known that the Nigerian Army will never encourage any act of lawlessness or extra-judicial killings. Accordingly, all surrendered terrorists will be received, processed and passed on to the relevant agencies of government for further assessment in line with extant provisions,” the army said.

It maintained that the force, being a professional military organisation, would continue to act in accordance with the dictates of the Nigerian Constitution, as well as international best practices.

Under international humanitarian law, it is prohibited to make the object of attack a person who has surrendered. Dissecting this subject matter of surrender necessarily spawns several posers.

Under what circumstances is the act of surrender effective under international humanitarian law?

What is the template for surrendering during warfare? How could survivors of brutal, bloody terrorism get justice and closure?

It could be argued that its crystallisation as a law of war is derivable from the lack of military necessity to directly target persons who have placed themselves outside the theatre of armed conflict, and that such conduct is unacceptable from a humanitarian perspective.

Does this scenario extend an automatic shield from justice to the repentant Boko Haram terrorists? Meanwhile, for dislocated, deprived, and embittered Nigerian masses warehoused in poorly maintained and provisioned IDP camps across the country, it’s morning yet on creation day.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

Presidential Visit or Presidential Message?

Tinubu

In news judgment, President Muhammadu Buhari’s Thursday visit to one of the national leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, would definitely not pass for oddity. But, again, it was not a regular news angle. Evidently!

That a sitting president visited an ailing member of his party is curious especially, when several other members fall sick every time. Even when he recently lost his Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, he neither visited the widow nor attended his burial, which was less than some 10 minutesdrive from the villa. Then, you should know the visit to Tinubu was a subliminal message.

Before the Thursday visit by the president, two loyalists of Tinubu: the Lagos State

Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. James Faleke, had visited him in London and told the world afterwards that the APC leader was fine, dismissing speculations about his health.

However, Buhari’s unscheduled visit has first damaged that lie. Nothing could have been hurriedly put together in pretence, as the picture taken showed Tinubu with a walk stick and obviously convalescing.

That, of course, was a direct message to his rumoured presidential bid.

Second, the oft-pummelling of Buhari as indulging in medical tourism by what has come to be known as the“South-west media”has been extended to Tinubu, an

aspiring presidential hopeful with an insight into what should be expected if he became president. That’s a northern game, you’d say – well-scripted and carefully executed with the viral circulation of the pictures.

Third and most importantly, there are indications that those controlling the levers of power in the government are determined to take over whatever is left of the party from Tinubu during the remaining local government and state congresses as well as the national convention. Thus, if and when that eventually happens, the photo-ops from that“message visit”was meant to dispel insinuations of a feud between them.

It’s game over already… It was clearly a message visit!

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BRIEFINGNOTES Secondus: Has ‘Father Christmas’ Extracted His Pound of Flesh?

With the decision of the governors and Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party to cut short the tenure of the National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, by two months, Ejiofor Alike reports that a certain ‘Father Christmas,’ who was after his job, may have extracted his own pound of flesh

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The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has in the last few months faced the greatest battle of his political life.

Despite the spirited efforts made by him and his powerful backers to serve out his tenure, which will end with the party’s national convention on December 9, 2021, certain hawks in the main opposition party still succeeded in cutting it short by two months.

PDP has been battling over the last few months to survive as an opposition party and be able to face the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023 general election.

The fortunes of the party began to dwindle when the Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi opened the floodgate of defections by governors and National Assembly members from the PDP to the APC. However, despite these ominous signs, Secondus and his National Working Committee (NWC) had pretended that all was well with the party.

Even when the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, openly called Secondus a liar, the party chairman still restrained himself from joining issues with the governor, who was believed to have sponsored him to that position.

Wike had publicly called Secondus a liar in Abuja during the 60th birthday celebration of former governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke.

He reportedly said: “If he (Secondus) had shown leadership in Cross River, our party would not have had the problem we have today.

“The National Chairman said we need good leadership in the country, but if you don’t show good leadership, the party cannot produce good leaders. That is the truth of the matter.

“We talk about character. What is leadership?

Leadership is about character, boldness, selflessness and audacity.

“As a leader, you must have character. Not to speak white in the morning and you speak black in the evening. Is that leadership? What are we telling our youths? We are talking about the future of this country.”

But in a response to the attack on Secondus, the Special Assistant to the PDP National Chairman, Mr. Ike Abonyi, said in a statement “no amount of provocation will make the national chairman take issues with any leader of the party talk less a state governor.”

“To do that is to remove the toga of a leader of the party. The impact of such response from the national chairman on the party will be worse than silence.”

However, it was not long before Secondus was almost choked by the suffocation caused by the resignation of the seven national deputies of the

Secondus party.

As he was gasping for breath, he cried out publicly for the first time, alleging that a certain “Father Christmas” was using gifts to lure party stakeholders in an attempt to hijack its structures.

Though he did not name the ‘Father Christmas’ whom he accused of deploying all manner of resources to destroy him and birth a caretaker committee, accusing fingers were pointed at his benefactor, Wike.

A statement issued by his media aide, Abonyi had alleged that: “The media office of the National Chairman is privy to intelligence that the strong party chieftain bent on hijacking the party structure for destruction is still on the loose with the main agenda of denting the image of Prince Uche Secondus the National Chairman”.

“We, therefore, wish to alert the general public

particularly media houses and party stakeholders to look out for strange deployment of luring gifts from this destructive ‘Father Christmas’ all aimed at having a grip on the soul of our party by having a caretaker Committee.”

“What continues to shock many party observers is the real reason behind the desperation of this man to get at the National Chairman and the quantum of public funds being expended to achieve this illicit goal a few months to the National Convention.”

“Prince Secondus through the media office, however, wishes to assure all critical stakeholders of our great party that every reasonable step is being taken to ensure that the image and status of the party is not injured by all these needless noise and scheming by desperadoes.”

As the crisis persisted, the party’s BoT and

the governors had resisted the moves to oust Secondus, insisting that all actions of the party must be in line with its constitution.

Wike had allegedly used the opportunity of the BoT meeting to recall how he funded the party when other governors and party chieftains abandoned it.

It was however not certain how such generosity should result to an attempt to force Secondus out of office.

Secondus had also publicly vowed that he would not resign because there was no cause for him to do so. But despite the efforts of the governors and the BoT to douse tension and allow him to complete his tenure, the “needless noise and scheming by desperadoes” could not abate.

In other to give Secondus a soft landing, the party leadership agreed to allow the Secondus-led NWC to continue in office till the next national convention.

But the PDP had to appease the hawks by bringing the national convention forward from December to October, and also resolving that Secondus and other NWC members would not seek re-election.

Though it was said that the decision by the Secondus-led NWC to jettison re-election at the national convention was a gentleman’s understanding out of their freewill, such agreement was unconstitutional and a denial of their rights to seek re-election.

When the governors came out initially with this recommendation, it was opposed by some members who pointed out the illegality of such a move.

However, the NWC members were later cowed into submission to make it look as a gentleman’s understanding.

But the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, had dismissed any such agreement, saying “the party wishes to clarify that no decision was taken to bar any member of the NWC from exercising his or her rights under the constitution of the PDP to contest in the forthcoming National Convention of the party.”

However, his position had been dismissed as a volte face by other members of the party privy to the agreement.

For now, it is not certain if this agreement of abridging their tenure and denying them the opportunity to seek re-election will not be challenged legally before the October convention.

What is certain is that ‘Father Christmas’ and his group have extracted their own pound of flesh and any attempt to challenge this illegality and injustice against the Secondus-led NWC will plunge the PDP into deeper crisis, and further deplete its fortunes ahead of 2023 elections.

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Bitter Lessons from Jakarta In a video that went viral last week, a Nigerian diplomat, later identified as Abdulraham Ibrahim, was subjected to the most life-threatening, dehumanising and degrading treatment in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The Indonesian Immigration officials were seen pressing Ibrahim’s neck hard as if they wanted him dead, while he struggled and screamed “I can’t breathe,”“My neck hurts”.

However, the Indonesian envoy, Dr. Usra Hendra Harahap has told Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, that Ibrahim, who was almost strangled to death, was unruly and elbowed one of them.

Harahap said the immigration officers from South Jakarta Immigration Office were carrying out surveillance on foreigners when they asked Ibrahim

for identification, but Ibrahim refused to identify himself or tender his passport.

“Mr. Ibrahim was not willing to show his passport and said to the officer, ‘you will know who really, I am and be careful on that. Instead of showing his identity card, Mr. Ibrahim was angry and said, ‘Just arrest me and you will regret to know who really I am...’

“The officer said, ‘We will not detain you further sir, if you can show us your identity card.’Then Mr. Ibrahim said, ‘Where is your car, I’ll come to your office.’

“On the way to the immigration office in South Jakarta, several incidents happened. Mr. Ibrahim elbowed the immigration officer, Mr. Laode Hauzan Baidi, who was sitting next to him until Mr. Laode’s lip was bleeding. “This led to other officers restrain-

ing him from attacking another officer during the trip,” the envoy added.

However, the account of the Indonesian envoy that Ibrahim turned violent inside a car he had requested for and voluntarily entered, did not add up.

Ibrahim could not have suddenly turned violent because there was no way he could successfully defeat the officers in a physical combat.

But what is certain is that Nigerian government officials and influential citizens, who are highly connected do not obey laws in Nigeria.

Until Nigerian top officials start subjecting themselves to Nigerian laws like ordinary citizens, this kind of account by the Indonesian envoy against Ibrahim will continue to enjoy a measure of credibility.

Onyeama

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Can APC Govs’ Support for Buni Vitiate Impact of S’Court Judgment?

Despite the recent pronouncement of the Supreme Court on the Ondo State governorship election, the APC governors have reaffirmed their support for the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led caretaker committee to conduct local government and state congresses, as well as the national convention of the party Ejiofor Alike and Adedayo Akinwale write that it is not yet certain if this solidarity by the governors will vitiate the impact of this judgment on the legality of the committee

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he recent judgment of the recent Supreme Court on the Ondo State governorship election which affirmed the election of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, also raised question mark on the legality of the National Caretaker Committee of the party led by Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni.

However, with the latest show of solidarity by the APC governors for the committee, the caretaker committee has remained unshaken and unwavering in its commitment to proceed with its remaining assignments.

The apex court in its judgment, which affirmed the victory of Akeredolu, had left many senior lawyers and chieftains of the APC with the speculation that the ruling party would have lost the state to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had the opposition party’s governorship candidate, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), joined Buni in the suit.

The three-man minority judgment led

by Justice Mary Odili, argued that the apex court should sack Akeredolu because Buni, who acted on behalf of the party to write his nomination letter to INEC, ought not to have held the positions of governor and party chairman at the same time.

But the majority judgment delivered

by Justice Emmanuel Agim, upheld Akeredolu’s victory, contending that since all the issues revolved around Buni, he should have been joined for the argument on the sack of Akeredolu to be valid.

To compound the confusion and speculations in the APC, the majority judgment was silent on the holding of chairmanship and governorship positions concurrently by Buni.

However, in a reaction to the judgment, Jegede had told PDP members that his petition would have been dismissed by the Election Petition Tribunal, if he had joined Buni, who he said enjoys immunity as a governor.

Lingering Controversy over the Apex Court Judgment Undoubtedly, the court judgment has generated tension within the ruling party and created avenues for some aggrieved members who are hitherto not comfortable with the caretaker committee to get back at the leadership of the party.

Despite the assurances given by a member of the legal team of APC, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) that the position of Buni as the chairman was not injurious to the party Congresses and the forthcoming Anambra governorship election, there have been a cacophony of voices calling on the Chairman of the Caretaker committee to resign his position before plunging the ruling party into further crisis.

Akintola’s explanations have failed to convince the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), and a former National Legal Adviser of the APC, Mr. Babatunde Ogala (SAN), as these two senior lawyers have argued that Buni’s committee remains illegal.

Two presidential aides, Senators Babafemi Ojudu and Ita Enang, have also argued that the minority judgment appeared to have swept the carpet of legality off the caretaker committee rendering it illegal, null, void and of no legal capacity to undertake any action on behalf of and in the name of the party.

party’s legal team for the proper and lawful guidance.

It was against this background that APC governors reaffirmed their support for the Caretaker Committee to proceed to conduct Local Government, State Congresses and National Convention, in line with the mandate of the National Executive Committee (NEC).

The position of the governors was contained in a communique signed by Bagudu, following the Forum’s meeting held last Sunday in Abuja.

“Accordingly, Forum reaffirmed its support for the Caretaker Committee to proceed to conduct Local Government, State Congresses and National Convention, in line with the mandate of the National Executive Committee,” the communiqué further added.

Buni Also in a statement issued on Thursday and titled: ‘APC and Impunity of Arrogant of Power,’ a former National Legal Adviser of the APC, Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), also alluded to the perceived illegality of the committee and argued that it would “be reasonable to defer further steps premised on the questionable validity of the caretaker committee.”

“The failure to do so, most likely, will result ultimately in wasteful congresses and resources in all ramifications,” he added.

He further argued that since the official judgment was yet to be read by all the commentators, the opinions expressed on the implication of the apex court’s judgment remained premature and speculative.

But Buni, had while inaugurating Appeal Committees on the recently-conducted Ward Congresses on Wednesday in Abuja, hit back at the critics of his committee, describing their comments as both malicious and self-serving.

The Yobe State governor said the comments from some persons, who should have known better was just to play on the gullibility of the public.

The Yobe governor, who was represented by the party’s National Secretary, Senator John Akpanudoedehe said, “In the past few days, the media space has been filled with commentaries on the Supreme Court judgment in Jegede v. Akeredolu, with persons, who should know better, coming out with very malicious and self-serving opinions, just to play on the gullibility of the public, while forgetting that our party is made up of very intelligent, sound and intellectually proficient persons, who have seen beneath their grandstanding.

“The majority judgment of the Supreme Court has strengthened the position of the CECPC and our Chairman. The minority judgment serves only for academic purposes, nothing more.”

Buni noted that the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), who is the chief law officer of

the federation, had said the committee was on firm ground and advised that it should proceed with the processes of the congresses.

APC Govs Throw Weight Behind Buni In their own interpretation of the judgment, APC governors under the aegis of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) said the Supreme Court judgment had rather validated the party’s national caretaker committee.

The Chairman of the Forum and Kebbi State Governor Abubakar, Atiku Bagudu, had in a statement said a lot of the analyses and interpretations of the judgment were made out of mischief. The Forum insisted that the apex court judgment had dealt conclusively with the legality of the APC Caretaker Committee, its composition and all its decisions.

It said: “The Supreme Court upheld further the ruling of the Court of Appeal that ‘it is evident that the said Governor Mai Mala Buni was appointed only in an acting capacity temporarily to temporarily carry out and fill in the seat of the National Chairman of the party pending the elections of new members’. The holding of the Court of Appeal was not appealed against by the appellants, that is, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election in Ondo State and the PDP. “According to the Supreme Court, ‘by not appealing against this holding, the parties herein accept it as correct, conclusive and binding upon them.”

The governors further argued that the judgment had also settled the legality of the committee.

It said the court had correctly ruled that in line with Section 13.3 of the APC Constitution, the caretaker committee was constituted by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the APC to act as the National Working Committee (NWC). This ruling, it said, was consistent with the legal advice available to APC in creating the committee and we commend the

PDP Asks Court to Sack Buni as Governor Despite the support by the APC governors and the claim in some quarters that the written judgment released by the Supreme Court has vindicated Buni, the troubles of the Yobe State governor and his committee seem not to be over yet as the PDP has gone back to court demanding that Buni should be sacked as governor.

The main opposition party has asked the Federal High Court, Abuja, to remove Buni as Yobe State governor on the grounds that he violated the Nigeria’s constitution when he accepted to be Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC. Plaintiffs in the suit are the PDP, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum and Baba Abba Aji; while Buni, Idi Barde Gubana, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are the first to fourth defendants.

The suit filed on behalf of the PDP by Mr. Emeka Etiaba (SAN), also asked the court to interpret the July 28 judgment of the Supreme Court on the Ondo election.

The fresh suit is seeking “a Declaration that the defendant breached the clear provisions of Section 183 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) when as the governor of Yobe State he accepted 3rd defendant’s appointment as the Caretaker Committee Chairman and proceeded to occupy the office; “a Declaration that the defendant who is the governor of Yobe State and the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the 3rd defendant has ceased to hold the office of the governor of Yobe State, having regard to the clear provisions of Section 183 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended); “a Declaration that having regard to the judgment of the Supreme Court in Eyitayo Jegede and Anor and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Appeal No: SC/448/202I delivered on the 28th day of July, 2021, the first defendant who is the governor of Yobe State and the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the 3rd defendant has ceased to hold the office of the governor of Yobe State.

“An Order directing the Chief Judge of Yobe State or any other relevant judge in his absence to immediately swear in the 2nd and 3rd plaintiffs as governor and deputy governor of Yobe State, the offices having become vacant.”

Until this court case runs its full course, Buni’s troubles are not over yet, despite the support of the APC governors.

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Panacea for PDP’s Legacy of Crises The Peoples Democratic Party’s constitutional hierarchy needs to assert itself against internal pressure groups that constantly generate tension in the party, writes Bolaji Adebiyi

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n the last few weeks, the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was a major highlight of the news media for all the wrong reasons.

Its cousin, the All Progressives Congress (APC), was not obscured also. Beyond the klieg lights of being the ruling party, the APC has been in a deep existential crisis which promises to sound its death knell.

If many would be happy about the crisis in the APC for its potential to take away their sorrows in 2023, not a few would be disappointed that the PDP that appears the most realistic alternative to the ruling party has fallen into distress - an avoidable distress, some would say. Although it now has a reprieve following the resolution of the crisis last week, the party would still have to go through the implementation process, which could throw up its own challenges.

The resolution that Uche Secondus, the national chairman, and his colleagues in the national working committee should be allowed to serve out their term but be barred from running for a second term is already regarded as an unconstitutionality that might be difficult to enforce. The fact that the tenure of the Secondus-led National Working Committee was cut short by two months has worsened this illegality. But time will tell. For now, there is calm after the storm.

Close watchers of the PDP would have noticed that storm is the middle name of the party. Since its inception in 1998, no national chairman has served out his term.

The founding chairman, Chief Solomon Lar, who led it to win its first general election in 1999, was immediately eased out shortly after the polls won by President Olusegun Obasanjo. Although the PDP constitution provides for a four-year tenure, which means Obasanjo would have had at most two chairmen during his eight years at helms of affairs, the party had four: Lar, Chief Barnabas Gemade, Chief Audu Ogbe and Col. Ahmadu Ali (rtd).

Emerging from a long period of military rule, with an ex-general and an ex-customs

top brass as the drivers of the incipient democratic order, it was obvious that anyone who had an independent mind and wanted to assert the authority of the party over the politicians in power and government was not bound to last. And so, the likes of Gemade and Ogbe, who attempted to assert the authority of the party over Obasanjo’s brazen quest to dominate the party’s structure, were bound to be shown the door. The door was indeed opened for them to check out.

The trend continued post-Obasanjo but with a new variant of the power struggle. The coming of President Umaru Yar’Adua, a former governor, who succeeded Obasanjo in 2007, saw the rise in the power of governors as a major power bloc in the party. With Yar’Adua ceding political management to his deputy, Goodluck Jonathan, the states’ chief executives under the leadership of an ambitious and deft politician like Dr. Bukola Saraki of Kwara State, found their groove that was completely subdued under Obasanjo and began to call the shots. If Jonathan was too weak as a vice president to curb them, he would soon find his rhythm the moment he became president. Too politically aloof, and later bugged down by health issues, Yar’Adua virtually left the governors to determine the party’s structure with Chief Vincent Ogbulafor emerging as the first post-Obasanjo chairman. He was soon to run into problems.

In the power struggle that attended the ailment of Yar’Adua, positions were taken between the tendency that preserved presidential power on behalf of the president and those who wanted the reins of office vested in Jonathan as the vice president. As the civil society groups agitated for power to be handed over to Jonathan, the PDP governors led by Saraki held power and the party. They had the support of Ogbulafor. Everything went their way until Yar’Adua died

the rest. With that balance of power within the party hierarchy it was obvious that it was a matter of time before the chairman would be shunted aside. That did not take long in coming. In less than a year and a half, Tukur began to have problems with his colleagues on the national working committee. Accused of high-handedness and overreaching himself, all his colleagues signed a vote of no confidence in him.

Jonathan might have tried to help him but faced by ceaseless pressure from the governors, the president buckled and consented to the chairman’s removal.

Adamu Muazu, a former governor of Bauchi State, was brought in to complete Bamanga’s tenure.

Muazu’s immediate challenge was how to manage the increasing dominance of the governors over party hierarchy, particularly the rising revolt of some governors of the North who were opposed to the second term ambition of Jonathan.

Eventually five of them left, leaving the party weak and porous. The outcome was its defeat at the presidential election in 2015 by the nascent opposing APC that fielded a fourth time contestant, Muhammadu Buhari.

With the party’s defeat in the presidential election and without a president in office, the reins of party leadership fell on the governors, who did not waste time to force Muazu out of office ahead of his term.

In all of these turbulent years, one party member that saw it all was Secondus. A former state chairman, national organising secretary and deputy national chairman, it was without doubt that when Nyesom and Jonathan became president. With Wike, his Rivers State governor, sponsored the swing in the balance of power, him as national chairman in 2017 against Ogbulafor’s position became untenable the run of play, he was bidding for a job as Jonathan would not risk leaving in a terrain that he was familiar with. But a the awesome party machinery in the presidential election, and three years after, hands of his political foes who had his godfather rose up in arms, mobilising tried to prevent him from mounting his fellow governors against him. What the saddle. went wrong?

Jonathan forced Ogbulafor out and Wike argued that Secondus had run the engaged Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, a PDP aground and needed to be changed former national secretary, as chairman. to save the party. His evidence was the But Nwodo could not complete the exodus of some governors and key party term of Ogbulafor. His original sin was members to the ruling APC. Not a few his attempt to assert the independence analysts of the party’s usually complex of the party by seeking its financial internal politics think that this accusation freedom. In obedience to the party’s flies in the face of Secondus’ records. constitution, Nwodo moved to digiEmerging chairman after two years of talise membership registration, asking rancour, Secondus led the PDP to the 2015 members and intending members to presidential election. First to his credit go online to register for a fee. That was the presidential primaries in Port move was to fetch the PDP N10 billion Harcourt that were adjudged transparannually. With this war chest he would ent. Then he managed a post-primaries be able to assert the authority of the fallout that saw all the aspirants rallying party since it would be financially behind the party’s candidate, Atiku strong enough to fund its activities.

Abubakar. Many PDP stalwarts believe The governors did not like this and till date that the party actually won that they moved against it. Meanwhile, election but was rigged out. If that claim he got entangled in the local politics is disputable, a clear fact is that the party of his state and despite presidential increased his haul of governors from 13 intervention asking him to leave the to 17 under his watch. state for his governor, Sullivan Chime, And he had been able to keep the he persisted. A couple of court cases party together all these years until his sprang up in Enugu. One of them godfather’s revolt began a year ago or threatened Jonathan’s nomination for so. the presidential ticket of the party for Sure, three governors and some federal the 2011 general election. It was at the legislators have left the party in the last presidential nomination convention few months. But could Secondus be ground in Abuja in September 2010 blamed for that? that Nwodo was shown the door and Interestingly, in spite of Wike’s preswas replaced by his deputy, Mohamsure, his colleagues resisted him. The mad Bello. argument that a weak chairman had After earning a fresh term in 2011, to leave four months to the end of his Jonathan fought a hard battle with tenure to save the party was obviously a the party’s governors to install his own hard sell. But the fundamental issue the chairman. At the 2011 National Conparty needs to deal with, say analysts, is vention, Bamanga Tukur, a Jonathan the need for the formal party hierarchy ally and former governor of the old enshrined in its constitution to assert Gongola State, emerged the chairman, itself and resist its extra-constitutional the only nominee of the president in pressure groups. Secondus and his NWC the NWC of over 10 members. The gov- may just have started this and the way to ernors muzzled their way to pick up lessen the constant tension in the party is for his successor to consummate it.

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2023 and Saraki’s Irresistible Charm Former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has never hidden his ambition to be president of Nigeria and his eyes remain on the ball. In this report, Segun James looks at the politics of a man, who has suddenly become an issue in the match towards 2023

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wo years after Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki left office as the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he is still an issue in the nation’s body polity, more so as he assumed a prominent place in the leadership of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Since leaving office, he has not only been a rallying point for the party, he has also spent his time reconciling the fractured party and getting it ready for the 2023 general election.

Synergy may not be an ideal word in politics, yet, accepted political management theory holds that, there are a few ways for a party to boost its value, most especially among states controlled by it. This has been the work of Saraki in the last few months.

However, there’s a reason for Saraki’s efforts. Kit is not just because he has his eyes on the presidency in 2023, but really, what’s an ambition without a viable platform? In addition, he believes the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has performed badly in the last six years, hence the need to go for a competent and capable hand that can lead the nation out of the doldrums.

He is neither from the core north nor from the south. He comes from the middle belt, a part of the country that has also been agitating that the presidency should be zoned to them. He believes he would be a unifier in a nation that is torn between ethnic and religious divides. He has been going round the country, promising, albeit on behalf of the party, to make a country suffering collapse of confidence to stand tall again.

Until Saraki was being harassed by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for alleged financial crimes committed as governor of Kwara State from 2007 to 2015, that it became known to many that he might have been marked for decimation.

Although the EFCC has denied arresting him over allegations of fraud and money laundering, but his invitation was evidently suspect. EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren said contrary to reports, the former governor of Kwara simply honoured the invitation of the commission, stressing that he was not arrested.

“It is true he was invited, and he responded but there are no details at the moment,” said Uwujaren Saraki was said to have been arrested in Abuja shortly after attending a wedding ceremony of the daughter of one of his loyalists and the Third Republic Kwara State governor, Senator Shaaba Lafiagi.

A statement by his Media Office, signed

by Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, also confirmed that Saraki was invited to clarify issues that the commission raised with him, but was never arrested.

“Following the order of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on the Fundamental Human Rights case filed by Saraki during the period of the former Chairman of the EFCC, which precluded the commission from investigating him until the matter is dispensed with, the commission at the last hearing on July 14, 2021, pleaded with the judge that the order was preventing them from doing their job.

“Following this complaint, Saraki, as a responsible citizen, on his own volition approached the commission that at the earliest convenient date, he was willing to visit the commission’s office and clarify all issues they might want to raise with him.

“He, therefore, visited the commission’s office this afternoon and answered some questions. He is back home. He was not arrested. Saraki also assured the commis-

Saraki sion that he has nothing to hide and will always make himself available to clear all issues that may require his attention.”

If there was one thing that the former President of the United States of America, Mr. Donald Trump has, it is to intuitively see the future opposition. It was this that made him ask the Ukrainian government to investigate and discredit a yet to be nominated Joe Biden as the candidate of the opposition Democratic Party.

It was this intuition that also made him say, even before the 2020 election that, “I will not concede if I lose as it would be deemed corrupt.”

Both scenarios became true. Today, in Nigeria, a similar scenario is playing out. The attempt to discredit potential opposition candidates by the ruling APC is the name of the game.

Saraki is no stranger to controversy.

The former president of the senate was one of the five governors that crossed the Rubicon by defecting from the PDP to the newly formed congregation of political parties, the APC in 2013, a move that led to the loss of power by the PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan to APC’s Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

Not long after that, he had another reason to return to his PDP. The move, this time, did not achieve the dramatic effect of the first.

Exceptional times call for exceptional measures. This appears to be the situation in the Nigerian polity.

Yes, politics has begun in earnest and the race for 2023 is hotting up; and Saraki is one of the people on the front line.

Over the past decades, Saraki has been a recurring decimal in the

political scene of Nigeria. Either as governor of Kwara State or President of the Senate, he had consciously stayed politically relevant since 1999, building bridges across the different divides.

For Saraki, taking the road less travelled has often led to better results, even though very controversial. But one that is often overlooked: crisscrossing from the PDP to the APC and back is no big deal.

Scion of the enigmatic Ilorin political leader, Dr. Olusola Saraki, Bukola took his first tottering steps in politics at the coming of the 4th Republic and within a few years, stepped out of his father’s shadows and established himself as a leader and force to be reckoned with.

However, the surprising thing about Saraki’s invitation by the EFCC for alleged corruption charges committed while in office as governor was not the allegation, but the timing.

Saraki is today one of the leading contenders for the presidential ticket of the opposition PDP, even though none has openly declared for the nation’s number seat. Given his antecedent as a political strategist, the belief in some quarters is that the invitation was a warning sign of things to come.

The story of Saraki is the tale of a man that has been able to defy the odds at every turn. Until the “Otògé” movement in Kwara, which uprooted his stranglehold on the state’spolitics, Saraki, like his father, had been able to negotiate himself into the national consciousness and reckoning.

But the Otògé movement, which changed the dynamics in the state politics, uprooted Saraki and his

loyalists from the state’s political system, has turned out positive. Barely two years later, Saraki is not just back into the reckoning, he is the in-thing, a situation that is giving the state governor sleepless nights.

A few years ago, PDP’s political hegemony in Nigeria was unassailable, but today, all of that is history. No thanks to Saraki and others, who left the party. But now that he is back to the fold, could he repeat the magic of 2013? That remains one of the salient questions as the race towards 2023 inches closer.

In politics, culture splits wildly. Politics encourages one another to cross-carpet along the political divide without regard to ideological difference.

The going forth and back by Saraki and a former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has been a source of concern for some of the electorate, who have keyed into their ideologies.

But, surely, there is a similarity between the PDP and the APC, which in fact, is the reason for the seeming confusion over the ideal choice among the voting Nigerians. It is the lack of ideology between both parties.

Every crisis is a challenge and an opportunity. Yesterday’s solutions are often unsuitable for today’s victory.

Since Saraki’s reconciliation committee started working, the PDP seemed tohave gotten its groove back. The party is not only on its way back from the edge of extinction but from all indications, it may end up giving the APC a run for its money and vanished goodwill.

With Nigerians fed up with the almost eight years of the APC and President Buhari, there is certainly hope for the opposition party; and Saraki seems to be one of the “great white hopes” that could drive the process. But will he and the PDP succeed?

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ENGAGEMENTS

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

At 80, Some Babangida Moments Chidi Amuta

(Excerpts from an Unfinished Memoir) ormer military President Ibrahim Babangida turns 80 in a matter of days. That is a clear 28 years after he left office and returned to his Minna ancestral base.

As he, his family and compatriots reflect on his trajectory through life so far and his service to Nigeria, Babangida is more likely to be engaged in reflections on his place in national history over and above the flourish of personal celebration.

For the man who many Nigerians prefer to call IBB, todayisnotadestinationbutamilestoneinapersonal journey.That journey is a long trek of fortitude in the face of daunting travails. It is a pilgrimage powered by unusual personal strength and resilience in the face of trials that test the will of heroes. The Babangida story is an epic in providence and the courage of one visionary individual who stepped forward and dared to make his vision of Nigeria ours as well.

Orphaned at 14 and raised in the benevolent surrogacy of a caring uncle, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida grew up to make a career in a profession that embraces the certainty of death in the pursuit of the life of others. Soldiering is a profession where men and women are trained to race towards danger and death while others flee in the opposite direction.

Babangida prevailed in his dangerous chosen career and rose to the pinnacle of his profession as a manager of violence. From the crucible of uncertain fate,Babangidaalsorosetoassumenationalleadership in a moment of desperate need.

With a calm resolve and stoic control forged in the furnace of war, the man came to bestride the Nigerian firmament for eight eventful years. His every step in power carried the imprint and surefootedness of a practiced player in the theatre of power. In the process of leading one of the world’s most engaging nations, Babangida faced up to the challenge of leadership with unusual courage, authentic creativity and admirable sagacity.

For a man who has always insisted on the ultimate verdict of history, Babangida led Nigeria from the front, courageously embarking on some of the most difficult and controversial reform measures in our national history so far. It is fair to say that unlike most other military leaders in our history, Babangida came to power with a detailed roadmap and precise compass. His essential vision was that of a different, futuristic and modern Nigeria.

He envisioned a free market economy, a stable liberal democratic polity and a fair society of free citizens in a republican state. Above all, he envisioned a diverse national community in which every citizen would be judged not by the language he spoke or the direction of his origin but by the content of their character and contribution to the commonwealth.

It is a nation in which each citizen would have a fair shot at available opportunities for a better life.

In Babangida’s Nigeria, the strength of our diversity was explored and strengthened. Believing that our nation building was interrupted by the first military coup in 1966, Babangida combined aspects of nation building with the task of day-to- day governance. In the process, he came close to putting into practice Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s concept of diarchy, a seamless combination of military rule and guided civilian democratic governance. Diarchy would transit into full democracy on the basis of a two party polity with clear options for democratic choice. This was the essence of the Babangida mission and its guiding vision.

He brought to this ambitious multiple mandate a personal charisma and style that were unique. In Babangida, Nigeria experienced for the first time the leader as a brand. He reigned and ruled simultaneously. His personal magnetism and the lure of his personal aura and electricity endeared him to most of the populace.

But the Nigerian public was not always unanimous in their embrace of him and his policies. In a sense, Babangida was the ultimate Machiavellian Prince, loved and hated in almost equal measure by those he came to rule. Power with charisma earned him committed devotees as well as powerful adversaries within the military and among the civilian political elite. Controversy and political crises were the fruits of the tension his mission and style generated.

However, despite loud reservations about some of his policies and defining politics, his appeal and pull have endured even after almost three decades out of office. That appeal has mostly overwhelmed Babangida’smanyhumanpitfallsandflawsasahistori-

F

Babaginda cal personage. He has remained a mythic personage, a deity with countless devotees but without a shrine.

He is an object of political and social pilgrimage for both politicians and ordinary Nigerians across creed, region, and generation.

Whatever maybe the eventual verdict of history on the life and times of this man of many seasons, Babangida remains firm in his beliefs about Nigeria.

For him, Nigerian is both an ideal and a lived reality. His belief in the unity and prospects of Nigeria remain unshaken. He wants it on record that when the nation called him to duty, he answered with the honest intent and firm resolve of a true patriot and nationalist.

Nothing in his life experience or his term of service has shaken his belief in the unity of Nigeria and the manifest destiny of our nation. For him, Nigeria has no other choice than to be great among nations.

Till this moment, Babangida insists that true leadership can delegate authority but must always bear ultimate responsibility for actions taken under the leader’s watch.

But in the process of leading Nigeria through difficult times and treacherous choices, Babangida committed the errors to which his time and place in history entitled him. Because the differences he sought to make in our national progress were decisive in many positive ways, future generations of Nigerians are likely to look up from their history books to acknowledge one thing: IBB was here.

The fair-minded are likely to acknowledge Babangida’s essential empathy and humanism. IBB felt our pain, shared our hopes, fired our aspirations and envisioned a better place where we could all be proud to call home. But he also caused us concern at trying moments while navigating us away from the edges of the precipices of national history. As he often said of the Great Zik, the central issue in Nigeria’s days of military rule would likely remain Babangida and his rule.

It is in the nature of historic tragedy that Babangida stopped short of landing us safely at the promised political shore. Yet he took the economy to an irreversible market place, 30 years ahead of his time, Babangida took us into a two party polity that is now ourreality.Admittedly,hiscontributionstoournational journey come loaded with lessons and precedents from which our future can draw inspiration towards better outcomes. In Babangida therefore, history and tragedy meet and mix on the canvass of the Nigerian landscape.

No leader can ask for a greater place in the hall of national memory…

For over three decades, I have related with this great Nigerian and illustrious African statesman. Our paths crossed as friends with him in office, in power and back as an ordinary private citizen. I have seen him closely at work, in power, in crisis, at moments of difficult decisions and under the fire of intense public scrutiny and criticism.

I recall here in excerpts from my forthcoming memoirs –A Life in Pieces- bits and pieces of some of my lived moments in close proximity with this unusual and remarkable soldier, humanist, leader and friend.

I trekked nearly 1,000 kilometers to honour Babangida’s first summons. My journey to Dodan Barracks was a journey across frontiers of place, time and station. From my village beginnings in Umuguru to the epicenter of national power was indeed a long trek…

The President’s ADC, a smart and polite young military officer, ushered me into a dimly lit reception roomandnicelyapologized:“Ogawillseeyoushortly”.

An earlier visitor, General Sani Abacha, soon emerged from his brief meeting with the President to reclaim his short service staff from the ADC who had nicely taken it from him as a security measure before he went upstairs to see the President!...

While I was waiting anxiously to be ushered into his presence, my mind raced through my journey to this moment and place.The footpaths of Umuguru village nearly 1000 kilometers away… The flooded bush paths on my daily trek to the roofless village school…The cruel lashes of the arithmetic teacher’s cane for not memorizing the multiplication table and reciting same quickly enough on prompt…The endless wait at the roadside on empty stomach just to catchaglimpseofthefatnewmenofpowerrushingto replacethewhitemenontheeveofindependence…

From the anonymity of my harsh beginnings to this moment of notice at the apex of power...Why? The only offence I had committed to earn a summons to Dodan Barracks was a series of newspaper articles. One titled“Thesis on Liberia”, suggested that Nigeria should project its power inWest Africa to save Liberia from the destruction of a civil war…There had been an earlier one titled: ”Ibrahim Gorbachev” in which I had drawn a parallel between the visionary reformsofBabangidaandthewidereformssweeping the former Soviet Union under Mikhail Gorbachev…

It turns out that the President had read both and wanted to meet me…Once upon a time in this place, Presidents used to read and understand newspaper articles!...

It is 7am on a normal week day in Dodan Barracks.

The fortress of power wakes up to its duality. This place is the source of political authority. It is also the command center of the nation’s military…It wears both caps with palpable unease….

The president’s morning briefing meeting with his personal staff takes off with precise punctuality.

Aheadofeveryoneelse,thepresidentisalreadyseated at the head of the conference table.. All those whose roles govern his daily life are here: Chief of Protocol, Press Secretary, Principal Secretary, Chief Security Officer, Principal Staff Officer, Military Intelligence Officer etc. are here …. Routine matters of schedule are quickly dispensed with. Then a quick review of the press and media. It turns out that ahead of these

early morning meetings, the president has read all major front page stories and influential columnists.

He has also listened to the BBC,Voice of America and CNN. Reuters and AFP are on most screens in and around his residence and office….

Someone draws his attention to a blistering article

by General Obasanjo.Very critical of the government on the Structural Adjustment Programme and the need for government to don a more humane face. The anger around the table is palpable. Nail Obasanjo! Tame Obasanjo!! Contain this trouble maker!!! Babangida retains his calmness even in the wildest torment and torrent. People want him to assume a more hostile posture towards his critics, especially Obasanjo…

He proceeds instead to lecture us. Obasanjo was not only a professional boss but something of apersonalmentortohim…Whenothersopposedhis membership of the Supreme Military Council under Murtala Muhammed on grounds of his young age, it wasObasanjowhoweighedinandinsistedonhim…

When he was admitted to go to Staff College, there was about to be a moratorium on officers going to Staff College abroad. Again Obasanjo insisted that an exception be made for him since his admission predatedtheestablishmentoftheNigerianCommand and Staff college. He recalled a few other personal good turns by Obasanjo and concluded that without Obasanjo, he would not reach the present heights.

All dissent was silenced….

At lunch in Abuja at the bungalow guest house provided by General Gado Nasko, then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Babangida and I were joined only by his ADC, then Colonel Nuhu Bamali.

Bamali opened an envelope with an urgent message for the president. He calmly relays the ‘instruction’ to the President.: “Sir, he wants you to personally ensure that his passport is still current and that his US visa is renewed immediately…”Babangida looks up, beams a smile and retorts,:“That is an order from my boss… You know, I have not stopped being his ADC!...Tell him to consider it done …”The order had come from Hassan Usman Katsina, former Military Governor of the old Northern Nigeria. Babangida was once his ADC… Today, we are working in Abuja…We came to Abuja on one of the President’s many working visits which of late always included a site visit to Aso Rock Villa, then under construction. He had directed that a new and more secure presidential villa be built in place of the State House as designed and located in the Abuja master plan. IBB thought differently.

He was passionate about the new villa as a national monument…

Today was one of those rare moments when he had lunch without a collection of friends and visitors.

It is usually at such moments that IBB would cast his net for alternative viewpoints on a matter he is considering. He would casually throw a matter of policy at you if he thought you had any views that would help his decision making process.

The creation of new states was then his current preoccupation. Delta State was uppermost in the likely category. But the matter of a possible capital for the proposed state remained contentious and unresolved.Heaskedformythoughts.Iwasillprepared for this moment but as an active journalist, I was equipped to hold a conversation on nearly every current issue of national concern...

Warri and Sapele were in contention. The issue wasn’tjustasimplechoiceofanewstatecapital. Itwas the reincarnation of the traditional rivalry between the Urhobos and the Itsekiris. And of course, he did not want to be on either side.

There was a live agitation for an Anioma state coming from the Igbo wing of Delta. For me, Anioma state was more of an economic proposition.

The Anioma people would fare better in Delta with capital in Asaba. There was a lot of strategic economic sense in a state capital in Asaba, across the River Niger bridge from the bustling commercial city of Onitsha.There were other locational advantages of proximity to Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka while Asaba would serve as a calming riverside resort from the rivalries among the delta groups…

As a closing aside, I pointed out that he is the son- in- law of the Asaba people, the kinsfolk of his wife, Maryam. Since he would leave office one day, I reminded him that his in -laws would look at the state capital as a special gift!....

He changed the topic from Delta to the clamour for more states in Igboland where the clamour was for an increase in the number of states beyond Imo and Anambra. I was reluctant to offer any specific suggestions as they would be predictable…

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.

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NEWS

News Editor: Gboyega Akinsanmi E-mail: gboyega.akinsanmi@thisdaylive.com,08152359253

Cross River North: Appeal Court Refuses to Overrule Self on Jarigbe Alex Enumah in Abuja

Respite yesterday finally came the way of the Senator-elect for Cross River North senatorial district, Hon. Agom Jarigbe, following the refusal of the Court of Appeal, Abuja to set aside its earlier declaration of the lawmaker as the winner of the December 5, 2020 by-election for the senatorial district.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja in two separate rulings held that it cannot overrule itself in its own judgment, when it has not been established that there was a slip in the delivery of such a particular judgment.

Two contestants, Chief Joe Agi (SAN) and Senator Stephen Odey had last week in their separate applications invited the Court of Appeal, Abuja to revisit and review the case so as to set aside its earlier judgment by the Calabar Division which declared Jarigbe as the authentic winner of the Cross River North senatorial by-election.

They had claimed that the appellate court erred in its decision when it dismissed their own appeals against the judgment of the National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal and

found merit in Jarigbe’s appeal, and went ahead to order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately issue Jarigbe certificate of return which the electoral umpire “wrongly withdrew” from him.

Ruling in the two applications however, the presiding judge, Justice Monica DongbanMensem, specifically told the applicants that the appellate court lacked the jurisdiction to review and amend its own decision in the Cross River Senatorial district by-election delivered by the Calabar Division of the court.

In a unanimous decision, the five-member panel held that the applicants have not shown any slip for the court to amend its own judgment.

According to the presiding judge, the court has performed its judicial duties under Section 246 of the Constitution and has become ‘functus officio.’

According to the law, the Court of Appeal is the final court for National and State House of Assembly election.

Unlike the governorship and presidential elections, they don’t get up to the Supreme Court.

In the ruling, the panel

observed that the applicants were not sincere in their application and only sought for review because the outcome of the appeal at the Calabar

Division was not favourable to them.

Justice Dongban-Mensem, held that, “the court will not overrule its earlier decision at

the whims and caprices of the parties”.

While insisting that the court has entered judgment in its final appellant jurisdiction, she

held that the applications are an abuse of the court process, adding that the applications ought not to have been filed in the first place.

HOMAGE TO DADDY G.O . . .

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi; General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye and the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, during Hamzat’s visit to Pastor Adeboye at the Redemption Camp, Km 46, Lagos-Ibadan Express Way, Mowe, Ogun State ... Weekend

Security Forces Kill 15 Suspected Bandits in Niger, Rescue APC Chairman Laleye Dipo in Minna

The end came for 15 bandits operating in the Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA), Niger State when security forces neutralised them in a show of military force during the week.

In another operation yesterday, the Niger State Police Command confirmed that it had rescued the abducted Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Zone C, Aminu Bobi, from his abductors.

The security forces neutralised the suspected bandits

almost two weeks after local hunters in the same local government area killed not less than 20 bandits.

A security source told THISDAY that three bandits dressed in police uniform were arrested with several others sustaining gun shot injuries but escaped into the bush.

According to the source, some Informants were arrested and that they were responsible for the divulging of information about the movement of bandits in the area leading to their neutralisation.

The Concerned Shiroro Youth, a coalition of youths in the forefront of seeking an end to insurgency in the LGA, confirmed the neutralisation of the suspected bandits.

The coalition said those arrested “have been handed over to the police for necessary action.”

The coalition said the youths “have resolved to engage the bandits in fierce battle until they leave our area.”

In the meantime, Zonal Chairman, Niger North Senatorial Zone,

All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Aminu Bobi kidnapped about two weeks ago regained his freedom yesterday, The command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed Bobi’s release in a statement issued in Minna.

Abiodun, a Deputy superintendent of police (DSP), said the chairman was rescued on Friday at about 3:30 pm. around Igwama forest, Bobi district of Mariga Local Government Area of the state.

“The victim was rescued

from the forest, debriefed and taken to the General Hospital, Kontagora, for medical attention, while efforts to track down the culprits are being intensified.

“It is also noteworthy to state that on August 7 about 14:30 hours (2:30 pm.), suspected armed men had attacked the victim and his driver, one Nasiru Bobi, on their way to their farm on Ukuru road in Bobi district area of Mariga LGA. “The driver was shot on the leg and abandoned by

the assailants, while the chairman was abducted,” Abiodun said.

According to Abiodun, the command has mobilised a joint police, army and vigilante team to the area for manhunt of the gunmen.

He said that the driver was later rescued and taken to the general hospital, Kontagora, where he received medical treatment.

Abiodun solicited vital information from the residents that would ensure that the students of Mallam Salihu Tanko Islamiyya Tagina were also rescued unhurt.

2023: Group Lobbies Lawan, Governors to Support Osinbajo

Nigerians Now Live in Constant Fear, Kogi Senator Laments

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

The Progressives Consolidation Group (PCG) has started lobbying asked highly placed members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to support Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

PCG, a political support group within the APC, argued that the search for Buhari’s successor in 2023 should not be left to chance or last minute ‘survival of the fittest’ contests.

The group said this in a letter by its National Coordinator, Mr. Ahmed Mohammed and its National Secretary, Dr. Eberechukwu Dibia, saying Osinbajo should be collectively adopted as the right successor.

The letter was dated July 14 and titled, “APC and the Future of Nigeria: Why We Must Get It Right and Consider the Osinbajo Option

in 2023.”

It was addressed to the Senate President, Dr Ahmed Lawan, APC governors, principal officers in the Senate and House of Representatives, members of the APC National Caretaker Committee, former and serving federal legislators and other critical stakeholders.

It said there was need for early preparation to ensure that Osinbajo and some elements within the current administration emerge to deepen APC and President Muhammadu Buhari’s legacies after 2023.

“With history in mind, we, members of the PCG, hereby join our voices with that of many others in appealing that you throw your weight behind our call for consideration of an Osinbajo successor administration after that of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, would have run a full course in 2023.

“We believe - without any

iota of doubt – that giving a worthy element within the system such as Vice President Osinbajo the chance to lead would not only enrich the system; it would certainly be the best assurance of stability and progress for extant developmental objectives.”

The letter appealed to the party chieftains as major stakeholders in the affairs of the party to join hands with other stakeholders in the party to consider Osinbajo as an appropriate person to fly our party’s the presidential flag comes in 2023 It said the task of inspiring party members ‘towards a shared consciousness of insightful search for Buhari’s successor come 2023 should not be left to chance or last minute ‘survival of the fittest’ contests, stressing that Osinbajo should be collectively adopted as the right successor.

The Senator Representing Kogi East in National Assembly, Mr. Jibrin Isah has lamented the high rate of criminality and insecurity in different parts of the federation, saying Nigerians “now live in constant fear.”

Isah expressed this concern while speaking during the Hijrah celebration organised by the National Council of Ulamah, Kogi State Council in Lokoja yesterday.

At the celebration, the senator stressed that the Nigerians “are living in constant fears. There is, therefore, an urgent need now to curb the high spate of criminality and insecurity in the country.”

Isah noted that the activities of faceless bandits, kidnappers and Boko Haram “have posed a lot of challenges to the lives of Nigerians as no one knows who is the next victim.”

He lamented that the National

Council of Ulamah should use the occasion to pray for Nigeria, Kogi State and the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

The federal lawmaker, who chaired the celebration, noted that while he was travelling to the state capital for this programme, the fear of the unknown had pervaded his mind as anything could happen on the way.

He pointed out that the lesson of 1443 Hijrah “is that everyone must go back to the basics and move from evil deeds to God. This will equally solve the leadership problem confronting the country now.

Also at the celebration, the Chairman of Kogi State Council of Ulamah, Sheikh Salman Adam explained that the most important meaning of Hijrah “is to migrate from all evils and be committed to good deeds.”

Adam, also Chief Imam of Ankpa, said: “We ask God to replace our individual and

collective sadness with Joy; sickness with recovery; poverty with wealth; backwardness with progress; hardship with ease; quarrel with reconciliation and above all faithlessness with faithfulness.”

Specifically, the council applauded the state governor for his favourable consideration and disposition to the major religions and their adherents in the state.

According to him, the council shall continue to take cognizance of this fact and partner with the government and all other stakeholders in respect of unity, security, peace and peaceful co-existence in Kogi State.

The highlight of the occasion is the Hijrah Celebration, which include, lecture, children’s march-pass and unveiling of 1443 calendar, while the second segment is the Commissioning of the restructured Council of Ulamah Secretariat at Obasanjo Square Lokoja.

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NEWSXTRA Osun APC Rift Worsens as Aregbesola, Oyetola’s Supporters Clash Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Osun State, yesterday sunk deeper in crisis as the supporters of the state governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola and his immediate predecessor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola clashed at the party secretariat in Osogbo.

While Aregbesola’s faction, The Osun Progressives (TOP)

accused Oyetola of fomenting the fracas, the Osun APC Caretaker Committee blamed its rival faction for what it described as an unwarranted attack on its peace-loving members.

Eyewitness accounts told THISDAY that several members of the rival factions sustained varying degrees of injury during the fracas that threw the state capital into pandemonium.

The accounts claimed that the clash broke out after the two factions met at the secretariat where they had gone to submit petitions over the just concluded ward congress of the party.

A party member, who spoke anonymously after the clash, accused members of Aregbesola’s factors of instigating the clash “or no just reason.

While waiting to have the

IPOB Suspends Sit-at-home Order David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has suspended the weekly sit-at-home exercise it commenced last week in the South-east.

Spokesperson of the group, Emma Powerful, disclosed this in a statement yesterday.

IPOB had declared a weekly sit-at-home exercise to protest the arrest and detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu by the federal government.

The exercise, which commenced on Monday, August 9, was trailed by loss of lives, property as well as huge financial and economic implications for the region.

The region was projected to have lost millions to the exercise, as Monday is usually one of the busiest days for businesses in the region.

In its statement yesterday, however, IPOB said the suspen-

sion of the exercise “is due to a direct order from Kanu to that effect.”

It explained that the leadership of the IPOB “understands the concern being expressed by the global IPOB family on the suspension of the weekly sit-at-home earlier announced by the IPOB Head of Directorate of State of the Indigenous people of Biafra.

“We know that our people embraced this civil action wholeheartedly and without any compulsion.

“The leadership sincerely appreciate the innate desire of Biafrans to sacrifice their time, resources and energy in ensuring that our leader Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is released unconditionally from the illegal custody of the Nigerian state who criminally renditioned him from Kenya to Nigeria.

“The suspension of the sitat-home by the IPOB Head of

Directorate was as a result of a direct order from the leader of this great movement Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“There is no gainsaying the fact that one of the major fundamental guiding principles of IPOB is Command and Control.

“This simply means that all commands from the Supreme leader of the IPOB will be obeyed and implemented to the latter by the Directorate of State of the Indigenous people of Biafra.

“Bearing in mind therefore that this principle has enabled this movement to surpass even the expectations of both Biafrans and non-Biafrans alike, the leadership wish to encourage Biafran to focus on the most pressing issue confronting this great family presently which is ensuring the safety of our leader while still in the illegal custody of the DSS and to secure his unconditional

appeal committee, who arrived late, the party member claimed Aregbesola’s supporters stormed the venue in large numbers and started chasing members.

He added that the way they were attacking people out of the secretariat forced other members of the party to run for safety.

Consequently, according to him, fracas broke between the two factions. Another party member claimed that shortly after the clash, Aregbesola’s supporters returned to the secretariat in good numbers, singing different songs of grievance and protest.

However, a video shared on social media showed the protesters accusing the governor of sponsoring thugs that caused fracas at the party secretariat.

Reacting to the clash yesterday,

Oyetola urged rival members of the party to maintain decorum and give peace a chance, adding that the ongoing appeal process should be allowed to run its full course.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, Oyetola condemned some aggrieved members of the party that caused mayhem at the APC Secretariat in Osogbo, saying no sane society would condone any act of lawlessness.

The governor directed security operatives to take charge of the party secretariat to prevent any further breakdown of law and order.

Oyetola sympathised with individuals who sustained injuries, calling on security operatives to fish out perpetrators and ensure

justice is served.

“I appeal to party members, especially those who have already filed their petitions before the Appeal Committee over the conduct of the last Ward Congress in the State to sheathe their swords and toe the line of peace and the law.

“Since the matter is already before the Appeal Committee, they should allow the process to run its full course. We are known for peace as a people.

We should do all in our power to sustain that recognition in our collective interest,” the governor said. Aregbesola had organised a press conference in Osogbo where they alleged that some people within the party and government were planning to attack leaders of their faction.

Varsity Don Accuses Ekiti, Ondo of Playing Politics with Forestry Laws Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

A Professor of Forestry and Wood Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Prof. Tunde Ajayi yesterday lamented that the state governments had been playing politics with implementation of forest laws.

Ajayi, also, lamented that the approach of the government to the growth of forestry and wood technology had triggered destruction to the country’s potentials in the sub-sector, thereby subjecting people to dangers of global warming,

erosion, and flooding.

He expressed this concern at a session with journalists in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital yesterday, suggesting that initiating right policies on the growth of forestry business can create enormous wealth for the Nigerian citizens and governments.

The erudite scholar insisted that good investments in forest value chain could create wealth through provision of raw materials and finished products for industrial growth, saying these could also engender foreign earnings for

the country.

He said: “There are a lot of gains in the Forest value chain and it can add values to our economy if fully harnessed. In 1982, I produced a particle board using urea formaldehyde as a binder and I was given national recognition.

“The depletion of wood resources and accompanying saw dust gave me the impetus to conduct research on the possibility of using agricultural wastes to produce particle board for flooring, partitioning, furniture and other industrial and household use.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 15, 2021

NEWSXTRA FG Moves to Stop Consultant Doctors from Joining Strike Resident doctors to appear before court tomorrow Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The federal government has taken measures to prevent senior doctors under the auspices of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MEDCAN) from joining the ongoing industrial action by the resident doctors.

The action by the government came just as the striking resident doctors vowed to argue their case at the Industrial Court sitting tomorrow.

THISDAY gathered that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has directed the National Salaries Income and Wages Commission to halt the movement of consultants from CONMESS to CONUAS salary scale.

The move by the minister is seen as a damage control measure to prevail on the senior doctors not to withdraw services on Monday, August 16 (tomorrow) as stated in their ultimatum to the federal government.

However, the resident doctors under the auspices of the National Association Resident Doctors (NARD) have vowed to go on with their two-week-old strike.

Speaking in an interview with THISDAY yesterday, the National President of NARD, Dr. Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, said they were prepared to take up issues at the Industrial Court tomorrow when the matter comes up.

“Yes, we have received a summons on the suit at the Industrial Court and we will go to the court and we are confident that we will get justice in the end. We are not suspending the strike,” he said.

Sources at the Ministry of Labour and Employment told THISDAY that the minister’s directive on salary scale which has been complied with was meant to prevent a total shutdown of the hospitals.

MEDCAN is a group of senior doctors, who are medical consultants that teach

and guide the resident doctors in their professional operation towards becoming specialists and consultants in their area of specialisation.

MEDCAN had on July 26, 2021, issued a 21-day ultimatum to the federal government to correct the unwarranted removal of the consultants from CONMESS to CONUAS salary scale by their employing universities, who had earlier placed them on CONMESS upon appointment about 10 years ago.

The letter which moved them to CONUAS came through a circular by the National Salaries Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to the Accountant General of the Federation (ACGF) with reference No. SWC /5/04/S.410/T86 and dated April 23, 2021.

The letter requested that all medical doctors in the employ of universities who do extra work on clinical teaching of the medical students or pre-clinical teaching of medical students in the colleges of medicine should all be moved from CONMESS to CONUAS salary structure.

This has resulted in the loss of some allowances and even basic pay with the attendant loss of income.

These doctors had a sequel to this, approached the NSIWC for a reversal but met a brick wall.

They then went to court and secured an injunction against the NSIWC and the Accountant General of the Federation.

THISDAY gathered that Ngige waded into the matter on August 6, 2021, to pacify the consultants who are the only ones now offering services in the various hospitals and medical centres to cushion the impact of the resident doctors’ strike.

In a bid to stop the consultants from joining the strike, the Minister last Thursday directed the Chairman of the National Salaries Income and Wages Commission to halt the implementation of the circular

SDGs Office Explains Fund Diversion by Syndicate The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs) has disclosed that it requested the redeployment of its staff members after it discovered breach of safeguard measures in 2019.

This claim was revealed in a statement the Head of Communications, OSSAP-SDGs, Mr. Rotimi Ajayi issued yesterday.

The statement said the attention of Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on

Sustainable Development Goals, OSSAP-SDGs “has been drawn to a ruling of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos ordering the forfeiture of a sum of money allegedly diverted from the office by some former staff.

“The management of OSSAPSDGS will like to state that it requested the redeployment of the staff to their mother agency in 2019 when it was suspected that the safeguard measures put in place by the Office may have been breached in their department.”

Rotatry District Gov. Visits Lagos Central The newly installed District Governor (District 9110, Nigeria) Rotarian Remi Bello has pledged the commitment of the club to maintenance of hygiene in public places as the country goes through the global Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking during his official visit and the commissioning of the star project of Rotary Club of Lagos Central, he reiterated this commitment to make a significant change.

According to him, Rotary club has social missions that are committed to helping people live well by promoting hygiene in all spheres of live.

This is a charge that specifically comes to bear during these challenging times. Bello said his administration was focused on ensuring that the District 9110, which accommodates over 100 Rotary clubs within Lagos and Ogun states, did more in Rotary International’s six focus areas.

in obedience to the court order obtained by these doctors to help conciliation that will be devoid of rancour.

The minister also directed the NSIWC to reverse the instruction to the Accountant General of

the Federation and return the medical consultants’ pay to the status quo in obedience to the court order which stopped both the NSIWC and the office of the Accountant General from implanting that circular.

Ngige also wrote to the Ministry of Finance not to act on the content of the NSIWC letter given the ongoing conciliation and the court case.

According to the source, the minister had expressed

that NSIWC could take such a step of lowering people’s earnings in the period of Covid-19 without even bringing it up to the Presidential Committee of Salaries for their approval or even information.

PUSHING FRONTIERS OF DECENT HOMES …

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai; Director of Estate, Lagos State Ministry of Housing, Mrs. Olayinka Patunola-Ajayi; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Housing, Mr. Wasiu Akewusola and Managing Director, Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC), Mr. Dhikrullai Har-Yusuf during the inspection of LagosHOMS at Ibeshe, Ikorodu Division … Weekend

UNICEF Condemns Death of Three Children in Borno Explosion Michael Olugbode, Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has condemned the death of three children through unexploded device in Borno State, describing the incident as unacceptable.

UNICEF expressed this disappointment in a statement its Country Representative,

Mr. Peter Hawkins issued yesterday.

The incident occurred on Thursday when a disused grenade they were playing with exploded outside the town of Ngala, near the border with Cameroon.

As a result, three children lost their lives, leaving three others in critical conditions, with two other children sustained mild injuries.

In its reaction yesterday, UNICEF said the death of any child through instrument of war “is unacceptable.”

It noted that the avoidable deaths of the children – as young as 12 years – who were playing on Mblu Bridge in Ngala, “is yet another sad reminder that children remain direct and indirect targets of the protracted conflict wracking north-east Nigeria.

“While three children have sadly lost their lives, three others are in critical conditions while two other children sustained mild injuries.

“In 12 years of protracted conflict in the north-east, thousands of children in the region have been killed, maimed, abducted, displaced, and experienced multiple violations of their human rights.

Oyo Hasn’t Learnt from 2015 Fiscal Crisis, APC Chieftain Laments Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Mr. Abisoye Fagade yesterday decried the failure of the state governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde to learn form the fiscal crisis necessitated by global economic meltdown.

Fagade, also the Founder of ‘Oyo Si Maa Dun’ Foundation, said the state was blessed with untapped gold mines waiting to be explored by any government that is ready to improve the economy and quality of lives of the residents

of the state.

He made these remarks while speaking with THISDAY in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital yesterday, lamenting that Makinde and his predecessors to the development of key sectors of the economy of the state.

Fagade pointed out that he thought that the present administration would take a cue from the ugly experience of 2015 when the state government found it extremely difficult to pay workers salaries due to cash crunch necessitated by global economic meltdown.

He said: “Nigeria at that time was badly affected because we had always run a mono-cultural economy which was crude oil sales-dependent.

Meanwhile, some states such as Lagos and Ogun in the South West were able to weather the storm because they could fall back on resources coming from international trade opportunities.

“Overtime, a state like Ogun was able to plan ahead.

Today, it is better for it. Details of how they do it cannot be shared here but I can say it unequivocally that Oyo can also boast of this same op-

portunities. The question is: why has it been difficult for successive administrations to look at this direction?”

He, therefore, observed that the enormity of comparative advantage in agribusiness, cultural tourism, road transport and other sectors of the economy, which Oyo has over Lagos and Ogun States cannot be overemphasized.

Just last week, Fagade explained that he attracted a good population of eminent personalities to Ibadan for the final burial programme of his late mother.

Woman Sues Dickson over Attempt to Acquire Family Property Nseobong Okon-Ekong

A Bayelsan woman, Mrs. Benaebi Tubo Nyananyo has sued a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson, alleging an attempt to forcibly acquire a property, which borders Dickson’s private residence at Nelson Belief Road in the state capital, Yenagoa.

She filed the suit in a High

Court of Bayelsa State sitting in Yenagoa joining the Bayelsa State Government, the Attorney General of the state, the State Police Command and Chief Tubo Nyananyo as co-defendants.

In a statement of claims filed by her counsel, Mr. Felix Okorotie, the woman is seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining

all the defendants from evicting the claimant and her children from the family house located at Nslson Belief Road.

She also wants the declaration of the court that an acquisition by the Bayelsa State Government or any other person for the purpose of expanding the private compound of Dickson is not an overriding

public purpose and therefore illegal and unconstitutional Other claims brought before the court by Mrs Nyananyo is an order setting aside the purported acquisition, (if any) of the family house of the claimant for the sole purpose of expanding the private compound of Dickson, as it is illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ AUGUST 15, 2021

SUNDAYSPORTS

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Edited by: Duro Ikhazuagbe email:Duro.Ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

Dennis Becomes Fourth Nigerian Player to Score on Premiership Debut ǰȱ ȱ ȱĚ¢ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ Duro Ikhazuagbe

S

uper Eagles forward, Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis yesterday became the fourth Nigerian player to score on his debut in the English Premier League.

Dennis has joined the exclusive list of the likes of John Utaka, Osaze Peter Odemwingie and Odion Ighalo as Nigerian players who scored on their first outing in the English Premier League.

The 23-year-old former Belgian Club Brugge striker opened his Premier League account, scoring Watford’s first goal of the new 2021/22 season in the 3-2 defeat of Aston Villa.

Dennis who was in good company, having his Super Eagles team mates, William Troost-Ekong and Oghenekaro Etebo in the Hornets starting line up at the Vicarage Road clash, got on the scorers sheet in the 10th minute when he slotted home after his initial shot was blocked.

He then also provided the assist that set up Senegal forward, Ismaila Sarr, on the 42nd minute to double Watford’s advantage.

After Dennis was later replaced by Juan Hernandez in the 66th minute a rancorous ovation from pleased Hornets fans.

Elsewhere on the first weekend of the new EPL season, Manchester United hammered Leeds 5-1 with Bruno Fernandes scoring a hat-trick and Paul Pogba getting four assists.

The vibrant hosts were on the front foot from the early exchanges, although Leeds largely held their own in the first half and did create some openings of their own before Fernandes’ opener.

Luke Ayling even scored a stunning equaliser early in the second half, but it wasn’t long after that when Fernandes

Emmanuel Dennis (centre) celebrating his English Premier League debut goal with compatriot William Troost-Ekong as Watford defeated Aston Villa 3-2 in the opening weekend of the 2021/22 season

and Pogba turned the heat up, with Mason Greenwood and Fred also getting on the score-sheet.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be pleased with how his team performed, while Marcelo Bielsa will be left to pick Leeds up before their next game.

The story was also a sweet one for Chelsea who also kicked off their new season with a 3-0 drubbing of Crystal

Palace at Stamford Bridge.

Playing without their returnee Belgian goal monger, Romelu Lukaku, Marcos Alonso scores the opener in the 27th with Christian Pulisic making it two on the dot of 40 minutes.

The 22-year-old Trevoh Chalobah who has been at Chelsea since he was eight and made a surprise debut in Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup win over Villarreal

added the third goal in the 58th minute to give the Blues their perfect start to the 2021/22 season.

Nigeria’s duo of Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho were also on the winning lane on the opening weekend as Leicester City defeated Wolves 1-0 at the Foxes Stadium.

Jamie Vardy scored the lone winner in the 41st minute.

Super Eagles’ World Cup Opponent, CAR, Lose Home Ground Femi Solajawith agency report

Following the inability of the Central Africa Republic (CAR) to meet up with the standard set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), one of Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying opponents have been stripped of the honour of playing Super Eagles on her traditional home ground the qualifying round of matches begin next month.

Eagles will now face The Wild Beastson 12 October on a neutral ground, five days after the Qatar 2022 qualifying Match-day 1 clash with the Lone Star of Liberia in Lagos.

Eight African countries were stripped by CAF of their home advantages in next month’s World Cup qualifiers.

Central African Republic is one of the eight countries whose home grounds were deemed unfit to host international matches and will now have to play their home ties elsewhere.

The others are Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Guinea Bissau, Malawi, Mali, Namibia and Niger. Their venues failed inspections by a team from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The decision will come as a particular blow to Burkina Faso, who ceded home advantage for what could be the key tie in Group A when they meet African champions Algeria on 6 September.

Instead of the match to be played in Ouagadougou, the Burkinabes will now have to

travel to Marrakesh in Morocco to host the Algerians.

Several other games will also be played in Morocco with Djibouti facing Niger in another

Group A game in Rabat on 5 September while Mali, who are favourites in Group E, must host Rwanda in Agadir on 31 August according to FIFA schedule. There are 40 teams competing in

10 African groups, with only the group winners to proceed to the home-and-away playoffs next March which will determine five African qualifiers for the finals in Qatar in late 2022.

Kaduna, Kano Battle for Noah Dallaji U-17 BasketballTitle Duro Ikhazuagbe

AscurtainsfallontheNoahDallajiLegacyUnder-17 Basketball Tournament at the indoor sports hall of the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano today, Kaduna have their eyes firmly focused on winning the trophy today when they file out against Kano.

Coach of the Kaduna State team, Sim Morrison insisted at the weekend that having come this far to this stage of the tournament, nothing else will be worth their trip save for the trophy.

“We are ready for Kano, the same way we won our games to be in the final is the way we will shock Kano. It’s not going to be an easy game but I know my boys are up to the task,”Morrison stressed with optimism.

Kaduna on Friday defeated Kebbi in the first semifinals. The lads from the Kada City won all their sets but the last to see off Kebbi (62-70).

However, it remains to be seen how Kano playing before their fanatical home fans will give up without

a fight.

Coach of the Kano team Ibrahim Maku said his boys cannot afford to disappoint their teeming fans in Sunday’s final adding that the only way to pay them back is to win the title.

“WeremainedfocusedevenafterdefeatingPlateau whobeatusearlier.Itwasnoteasytogetthatvictoryto reach this final. We have re-strategized and plugged those areas that made us concede defeat to Plateau.”

He described their fans in Kano as their motivating factor.

“Ourfanshavebeenagreatassettous,supporting and encouraging us this far. We cannot afford to disappoint them in the Sunday’s final.

ThetournamentwhichbeganlastSundayincorporatesabasketballclinicandmentorshipsession,slam dunk contest, as well as music, dance and comedy.

Popular entertainment icon, AY, is the host of the competition, which also have such musical idols as Yemi Alade, Reekado Banks, Dija and Mr. P. slated to perform at today’s closing ceremony.

Team Kano in action against Kebbi in the semi final.

Kano and Kaduna will battle for the Noah Dallaji U-17 Basketball Tournament title today

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Dear God, Let Oil Price Fall to $44

I

f you think this is a satire, then you are taking life too seriously. It is time to start thinking about unusual solutions to Nigeria’s unusual problems. There is no use following the regular route to address our irregular situation. For instance, conventional wisdom says Nigeria needs higher oil prices to address its cyclical budgetary woes caused by its over-reliance on the black gold. We are locked in a situation where high oil prices get us high and lower oil prices take us low. In the past, we were able to build fairly robust reserves and stabilise the naira whenever oil prices went high. Not anymore. A three-year high of $76 in July has not improved our fortune, all things considered.

Something unusual has been happening in recent times that many Nigerians are obviously unaware of or are not paying much attention to. As crude oil prices started going up, the naira started going down. Why? Higher oil prices did not amount to higher inflow of FX into the economy as you would expect. Instead, we have seen the exchange rate in both the official and unofficial markets go against the naira. Along the line, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced that it would no longer fund bureaux de change (BDCs). Although funding BDCs has always been an anomaly on Nigeria’s long list of anomalies, not funding them tells us a bigger story of distress, so to say.

The trouble, as I see it, is that higher oil prices have hurt more than helped Nigeria in recent times. Gone are the days when we enjoyed more comfort when the prices headed for the skies.

These days, the higher the price, the bigger the pain for the government and the citizens. Higher oil prices led to higher petrol prices and higher cost of living for Nigerians, with the impact manifesting in growing poverty. Outside the direct impact on Nigerians, we are also unable to produce the quantity of oil we used to because of the cut in quotas by OPEC+ in an attempt to shore up the prices. From the height of two million barrels per day, we are now constrained to 1.4mbpd or so. Do the math.

But here is the peculiarly Nigerian problem: as crude oil prices rise and the cost of petrol goes up and we continue to subsidise the product in order to, as we claim, “protect the poor”, even the little benefit we are earning from higher oil prices largely goes back into paying for the subsidy, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which is now the sole importer of petrol. This administration came to power accusing previous governments of lying about subsidy, so it had to come up with its own terminology, “under-recovery”, in place of “subsidy”. But it is the same. It doesn’t matter if you say Saul or Paul: it is the same name.

“Paul” in Greek is “Saul” in Hebrew.

NNPC, according to recent reports, has not remitted one dollar to the CBN since mid-April.

Why? The corporation says most of the revenue from oil exports — from where Nigeria gets over 90 percent of its forex inflow — has been ploughed back into financing “under-recovery”.

Let me put it this way: with crude oil going as high as $76, Nigeria did not benefit much because we had to spend the bulk of the gains to finance subsidy and keep petrol price at N162 per litre. NNPC says we are now consuming over 100 million litres per day. Last year, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) put the figure at 38.2 million litres. Don’t ask how consumption tripled within one year. Please don’t.

There is a template answer to the question if you insist on asking: smuggling. Because

Kyari of the price difference with our neighbours (they adjust their pump prices as crude prices change), our default assertion is that most of our imported petrol is smuggled out of the country via land borders. Petrol is about N373/litre in Republic of Benin and N630 in Cameroon. I do not dispute the role of smuggling in the burgeoning consumption figures, but I must allow myself to speculate that we can’t be rustling the difference between 38.2 million litres and 100 million litres out of the country every day.

That is about 60 million daily. That comes to about 2,000 tankers crossing the borders daily.

I do not want to go into insinuations this early morning, so let us take the NNPC figures exactly as we have been served. But Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman, national president of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), recently raised questions about the daily consumption figures. “The system needs to be reorganised,” he said. “I don’t see any reason why you have 200 filling stations in a local government that does not consume more than 45,000 litres. I also don’t see how the depot which normally does programming per day will programme quite a number of trucks to a local government which does not consume more 45,000 litres per day.” Not my words.

Othman’s.

Mallam Mele Kyari, the group managing director of NNPC, gave us a pack of interesting data recently. Hear him out: “If we are to sell at the market today at current exchange rate, we will be selling the product at about N256 to a litre. What we sell today is N162, so the difference is at a cost to the nation… The difference comes back to as much as N140 billion to N150 billion cost to the country monthly. As long as the volume goes up, that money continues to increase and we have two sets of stress to face: stress of supply and stress of foreign exchange for the NNPC… There was a day we loaded out about 103 million litres of PMS across the depots.” He too is at a loss as I am.

I have, therefore, come up with what I think is a peaceful solution to the problem: by praying fervently that crude oil price should drop to $44 per barrel. Since Nigerians are not benefitting from rising oil prices, I now think we should start benefiting from low prices. Crazy? Maybe.

But I will advance three reasons to support my prayers that the time has come for crude prices to plummet again. Someone will be tempted to ask: how did I arrive at $44? That was the price of crude oil as of September 2020 when petrol price was increased to N162 per litre. I

will also be working with the exchange rate in the parallel market which was N450/$ at the time and N500/$ today.

Here we go. One, if oil goes back to $44, there would be no need for “under-recovery” again.

In plain English, we would not be discussing subsidy. NNPC would not be giving us a subsidy bill of between N140 billion and N150 billion monthly. The recent meetings of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) ended in tears as there was no enough money to share.

The steady rise in oil prices did not come with a steady amount in the distributable pool because, as we have said already, NNPC said it had to first recover the cost of bringing the product into the country before sending the balance to the CBN for onward journey to the federation account. At $44, subsidy will be gone.

And this leads to my second prayer point, which may be contradictory and controversial — but I know what I am doing. With oil back at $44, you would expect me to say petrol should also go back to N145 as it was in September 2020. I wouldn’t say that for many reasons. One, transport operators are unlikely to pass the benefit to commuters, so it would be a waste of effort. Two, if we insist on using pricing to curb smuggling (since the thousands of security officials at the land borders cannot see the smugglers’ 2,000 trucks driving past them every day), our petrol will become more expensive than in neighbouring countries who use crude oil prices to determine their own pump prices.

In addition to curbing smuggling through pricing — an admission that our security agencies are too corrupt to tackle the smugglers — we can even start making money from the sale of petrol. How? At N162/litre with oil at $44, we have already moved from subsidy to tax. That means we are now taxing the consumption of petrol. That also means we would be making money from selling petrol rather than spending money to sell it! That is nothing new: that obtains in advanced countries. A litre of petrol is £1.3 (N735.8) in the UK, out of which 57.95 pence (or N323) is tax. The UK government levies 20 per cent VAT on every litre of petrol as well as on the duty. Just saying.

The third point on my prayer list is that if crude oil falls to $44, NNPC will have to start remitting more forex inflow from crude oil sale to the federation. There will be nothing like “under-recovery” again. There will be no talk about smuggling. There will be no subsidy bill of N150 billion per month. That can solve a lot of problems, the least being the ability of states to pay salaries again. The CBN will have to stop “printing money” (by creating loans) to intervene in the fiscal crisis ravaging the three tiers of government. That alone should allow the naira to breathe a little — with reduced pressure from inflation along with some oxygen support from more forex inflow from oil sale.

Is this a satire? I don’t even know again.

My original intention was to point out the peculiar mess in our economic management and how a bad fortune in the oil markets may be a good thing for us, but I am now taking it more seriously than I intended. When an oil-rich country has to hope that crude prices will drop so that public finances and citizens’ welfare can improve, it tells us a lot. It tells us about the warped structure of the economy, about our warped management of the petroleum resources, and about how we are locked inside what looks like a vicious cycle that must be broken. So, seriously speaking, oil dropping to $44/barrel may be a good prayer point — at least for now.

And Four Other Things…

CONTAINING COVID Hajia Hadiza, the 80-year-old widow of former President Shehu Shagari, died on Thursday from COVID complications, according to the family. I want to make two points here. One, I want to implore families who have lost loved ones to the pandemic to make the information public. Hopefully, a few sceptics would repent and join the efforts to fight the disinformation. Two, COVID is still very much around. It is better not to have COVID at all than assume you would survive it. COVID can cause long-lasting damage to internal organs such that even after you have tested negative, the side effects can make other ailments bring you down. Please wear a face mask properly to save lives. Caution.

AMERICAN MISADVENTURE In 2001, the US invaded Afghanistan to dislodge the Taliban government and enthrone democracy by any means necessary, foul or fair. After spending nearly $1 trillion on military operations, losing over 2,000 military personnel, with more than 20,000 injured and close to 40,000 civilians killed — not to talk of the spin-off wars which must include, at least tangentially, the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria that has killed over 30,000 and displaced as many as two million — the US has finally pulled out of Afghanistan, paving the way for the Taliban to fight their way back to power. We are back to square one, plus the irreparable damage and the irreversible waste of lives.

Hindsight?

LIONEL MESSY Lionel Messi broke down in tears last week while announcing that he was parting ways with FC Barcelona of Spain, where he had spent 21 years of his life and won everything winnable. The 34-year-old genius said: “This is really difficult for me after so many years, being here my entire life, I’m not ready for this...” Last year, he announced, without tears, that he wanted to leave Barcelona.

He changed his mind after a stand-off. This year, strict financial rules mean Barcelona can’t afford his renegotiated salary. So after those sad tears on Sunday, he moved over to join PSG in France for a salary of $1 million a week. He’s having a laugh. The Bible says “money answereth all things”. Goal!

ADIEU, MOHAMMED Mohammed Fawehinmi died on Wednesday after reportedly complaining of respiratory difficulties. He was 52. The first son of late Chief Gani Fawehinmi lived with a disability: an expectation to be like his activist father who gave military dictators a good run for their money. Gani was detained in horrible conditions countless times as he campaigned for rule of law and democracy all his adult life. The younger Fawehinmi, who also trained as a lawyer like his father, suffered a life-changing injury in a car crash in 2003 but he still managed to contribute a decent quota to the campaign for good governance in Nigeria from the wheelchair.

His death is so painful but what can we do?

Adieu.

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