SUNDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2019

CBN, Banks Introduce New Measure to Boost Financial Inclusion Repair work at National Theatre gulps N25bn, to commence January Obinna Chima As part of efforts to enhance financial inclusion in the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and

banks, under the aegis of the Bankers’ Committee, have concluded plans to simplify the requirements for the Bank Verification Number (BVN) for certain types of transactions.

CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, disclosed this yesterday, while briefing journalists at the end of a two-day annual Bankers’ Committee retreat at Ogere,

Ogun State.

The retreat had the theme, “Delivering Inclusive Growth: Leveraging Digital Finance”.

A BVN is a biometric identification system

implemented by the CBN to curb illegal banking transactions in Nigeria. It is a security measure aimed at reducing fraud in the banking system.

The new move would result in the creation of what the CBN Governor described as “BVN Lite,” which would Continued on page 5

Aid Workers’ Killing: Buhari Vows to Defeat Evil in the Land... Page 8 Sunday 15 December, 2019 Vol 24. No 9015

www.thisdaylive.com TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N400

N

EFCC Marks Kalu’s Properties, Serves Sun Newspaper Notice of Sealing Sun Management kicks, says no legal basis for action Tobi Soniyi in Lagos and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),

yesterday, marked properties belonging to a former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, including The Sun Newspaper, which it partially sealed

off, serving notice to the management of impending and complete sealing of the premises.

A statement by the

commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, stated that the marking was to ensure that “the properties were not

dissipated, following the December 5, 2019 order of Justice Muhammed Idris sitting at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos that

Kalu’s company, Slok Nigeria Limited, be wound up and all assets forfeited to the Federal Continued on page 5

Obaseki, Oshiomhole Feud Tears Ruling Party Apart 2023 presidential ambitions fueling dispute Edo governor commends Buhari’s visa on arrival policy Adibe Emenyonu The seemingly intractable feud between the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and his estranged predecessor and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole is raging and fast tearing apart the ruling party as members loyal to both gladiators have extended the tenor of the warfare through their hardline posturing.

Many believe the war has been taken over by 2023 presidential politics as gladiators seek to capture party's national structure ahead of the titanic battle.

Although attempts to remove Oshiomhole as APC chairman failed during the last

National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, when the “Any Other Business” on the agenda was shelved on the orders of the president, Muhammadu Buhari, there are strong indications that opponents of the chairman, backed by Obaseki and his supporters, are angling for an emergency NEC meeting to be held before the end of the year to finally effect Oshiomhole's removal. But there is a slim chance of this happening, since the chairman and his National Working Committee (NWC) have to call such a meeting which is unlikely in the current circumstance.

But in spite of his intense political battle, Obaseki has commended the commitment Continued on page 5

IN HONOUR OF YUSUFU BALA-USMAN...

L-R: Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Ms. Hadiza Bala-Usman, receives a post-humous honourary doctorate degree award by Federal University of Kashere, Gombe, to her father, late Prof. Yusufu Bala-Usman, from Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Alhassan Mohammed Gani...recently

16th December 2019 11a.m.

Oando Filling Station, New Benin Market, Benin City

BENIN

2

SUNDAY DECEMBER 15, 2019 •T H I S D AY

SUNDAY DECEMBER 15, 2019 • T H I S D AY

3

4

SUNDAY DECEMBER 15, 2019 •T H I S D AY

5

ÍšÍ˝Ëœ ͺ͸͚Π˞ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

PAGE FIVE CBN, BANKS INTRODUCE NEW MEASURE TO BOOST FINANCIAL INCLUSION require fewer information to enrol customers that hitherto were excluded because of certain stringent requirements.

However, under the BVN Lite, Emefiele pointed out that the amount of transactions to be carried out by such persons would be limited.

He said, “BVN as it is today, we have close to 40 million people enrolled on the platform.

We think that because of the benefits of the BVN today to bank customers and, indeed, to the economy, there is need to move to what is called BVN 2.0. “What it entails is to reclassify and segregate transactions that can be held by BVN. For instance, we have two classifications. The existence BVN requirement that we have in the system has almost about 18 lines of information that are required, and where your 10 prints and fingers are taken to ensure that all transactions that you take are within the banking system. “We have decided to classify that as BVN classic and BVN premium. But we agreed that there should also be a system where people who are today financially excluded can now be financially included. Here, we are talking about creating another segment called BVN Lite. “Here, minimal information about the person will be held.

What is means is that if you are classified a BVN Lite, then

there is a limit to the kind of transactions you can conduct in the banking sector, maybe in terms of deposit or loans.�

Emefiele stressed that the focus was to ensure that more persons, especially the rural dwellers, were financially included and able to conduct basic banking services. “For our brethren in local communities, we think that by being allocated the BVN Lite, they would be automatically migrated into the banking system,� he stated. “Some of our brethren that are doing the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme or the Social Investment Programme, we believe we can use the BVN Lite as an arrangement, so that everybody can be financially included and can conduct banking transactions. What is important is that we can have a view of total number of people in the financially included,� he added.

He said members of the Bankers' Committee also discussed the need for banks to continue to invest in tools that would prevent the financial system from cyber attacks.

"The committee also discussed the need to digitise the tax collection system. That is where the world is going to and we need to embrace it," the CBN governor said.

Commenting on the move by the Bankers' Committee to revamp the National Theatre

at Lagos, Emefiele said the committee had gotten a presidential approval to give the facility a facelift. He disclosed that repair work at the National Theatre would commence next month, just as he assured workers that their jobs would not be affected.

Emefiele put the estimated amount to be spent on renovation of the National Theatre at N25 billion, saying the committee would thereafter intervene at the national theatres in Kano, Rivers and Enugu states.

According to him, "We are just trying to redevelop the National

Theatre and build around it, these four hubs – IT, fashion, music and Nollywood – that would help create economic activities around the National Art Theatre, and then present it as an opportunity to create jobs for people, particularly our youths.

"We must create jobs for our youths. A larger number of our people are youths and if they are jobless, how can they live a life? These people have certain innate skills endowed

by God. What we just trying to say is for them to unleash these skills."

BANKERS' RETREAT...

L-R: CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emiefele, presenting an award to Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, after delivering a welcome address at the Annual Banker's Committee Retreat that was held at Resort Center, Ogere...Friday

OBASEKI, OSHIOMHOLE FEUD TEARS RULING PARTY APART of Buhari to implementing the 'visa on arrival' policy for all Africans visiting Nigeria, saying it was a move that would encourage Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country.

But the last is yet to be heard of the feud between Obaseki and Oshiomhole, a situation that was accentuated recently by the formal declaration of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Edo State, whose rally was nearly vitiated with the denial of a permit by the police on account of a statewide ban on rally.

THISDAY gathered that the last NEC had been planned to be the last day of Oshiomhole in office as APC chairman as governors and their allies in the executive had perfected his removal, an agenda said to have been placed under AOB before it was killed through a sudden motion for adjournment, which was sailed through especially, with Oshiomhole allowed to direct affairs at the meeting, a situation permitted by Buhari, who was the chairman.

Although a prominent source within the APC said another reason the planned removal of

Oshiomhole was deliberately allowed to fail was, because after some of them studied the mood at the NEC, it was clear opponents of the chairman had not properly perfected their strategy and if allowed to run through, it could divide the party at the time, because Oshiomhole too was ready with a majority of his field supporters allowed into the NEC. According to the source, “Edo was not discussed at the meeting with president. It was purely about the state of the party and the leadership of Oshiomhole. However, a majority of the members made it clear he should. None actually spoke in his favour as everyone agreed that the party was in trouble with him in leadership. “But later, a few others from Lagos, Osun and Borno felt he should be given a chance to reform himself to which many argued that his temperament and character were not suited for a political party leadership. “The president, although, said Adams was his choice after feeling dissatisfied with Oyegun’s leadership, he was however full of regrets about how things had turned out and felt whatever it takes to put the

party back on its feet should be done and done in accordance with the rule of law and the party constitution�.

Another source said also described the NEC attendance as an embarrassment to Oshiomhole and a vote of no confidence on his leadership, because “every single person purportedly suspended was at the caucus and NEC. He tried to stop them from attending by sending messages to them that they were not invited, but overwhelmingly, the view of everyone was that he was usurping the power of NEC. “In fact, the president pointedly asked him how he could even talk about suspension, when some of the people affected had taken the party to court, and the party did not set up a body to investigate anti-party activities but to reconcile warring parties,� he noted.

However, unsatisfied with the outcome of the last NEC, the anti-Oshiomhole group was said to have begun to collect signatures of inclined members, governors especially, preparatory to the emergency NEC that is being proposed before the end of the year, because according to them, the Oshiomhole leadership must end with 2019.

One of the sources privy to the

latest development, hinted that one of the reasons Oshiomhole’s planned removal failed the last time was also as a result of the choice of his replacement, which they had not agreed to even when their removal plan was in top gear.

The source informed THISDAY that even on the day of the NEC, the anti-Oshiomhole group had not agreed on any particular candidate, because of conflicting interests and the fear of replacing him with an even worse candidate.

But that concern, the source said, seemed to have been taken care of now as the group had agreed on a certain candidate he declined to disclose and which he claimed had been approved from the top, ahead of the emergency NEC. Even at that, there are concerns that moles in the rank of the anti-Oshiomhole might give them away and prepare Oshiomhole for the emergency NEC. That notwithstanding, the source said, “Oshiomhole’s exit is a concluded decision. When and how it would take place, are what they are yet to ascertain.�

Obaseki on his part is mobilising some state chairmen of the party alongside governors to move against Oshiomhole.

While Oshiomhole is said to still enjoy tremendous support from a broad spectrum of the party.

At the moment however, the feud between the godfather and his godson is now essentially out of their hands and it's being driven by those positioning for 2023 election and who gets what in the party. Tinubu and some prominent party leaders who see his continuous stay as an advantage to their ambition in 2023, while Fayemi and others are allegedly said to be mobilising to have a new executive in place also in furtherance of their likely presidential ambition.

Meanwhile, Obaseki, while endorsing Buhari’s visa on arrival policy at a session with journalists at the Benin Airport after a trip with the president to Egypt, said the initiative, which is a trend among many countries on the continent, would encourage movement of persons, businesses and other transactions.

Obaseki had accompanied Buhari on a 2-day official visit to Egypt for the Aswan Forum, which focused on conflict, peace and development in Africa and also looked at the devastating effect of insurgency in Nigeria's Northeast as well as how peace building and development of the affected areas could be achieved.

"The conference was on conflict, peace and development in Africa. The issue discussed is on insurgency and its effect in the Northeast of Nigeria. How it has affected development focusing on the way to resume peace building and development in the affected areas.

"The commitment of the President to receive visitors into Nigeria issuing them visa on arrival is a welcome development as it would encourage foreign direct investment. It is the trend today as Kenya has embraced the policy and many nationalists get visa on arrival in Kenya. “It helps facilitate businesses and transaction on the continent of Africa, knowing that we need a lot of private sector investment, particularly foreign direct investment. Our concern is the issue of human trafficking and irregular migration, which lead to displacement of people. “The conference gave us the opportunity to discuss resettlement and what to do to address as well as reduce the incident of people wanting to leave home. I had the opportunity to discuss with Mr. President on how to help the state to deal with the issue of human trafficking and irregular migration," he added.

testified on behalf of themselves during the trial.

The parties, during the proceedings on Tuesday, October 22, 2019, adopted their final written addresses.

In his final submission, the prosecution counsel, Jacobs, urged the judge to jail the defendants, because the prosecution had proved the allegations against them.

Jacobs also urged the court to wind up the company as provided by the Law and all its assets forfeited to the federal government.

However, the defence counsel urged the court to “dismiss the charges, acquit and discharge� their clients.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Idris found the defendants guilty on all counts and held that the prosecution had established its case against the defendants.

The Judge further held that “the case was conclusively

investigated, as the prosecution conducted thorough investigations.�

Justice Idris, therefore, convicted and sentenced the first defendant, Kalu to five years imprisonment on counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11; three years on counts 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33; 12 years on counts 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38 and five years on count 39.

The second defendant was convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment on counts 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32 and 10 years on counts 34, 37, 38 and 39.

Justice Idris further held that, “In respect of the third convict, Slok Nigeria Limited, an order is hereby made that the company shall hereupon and without further assurances, but for this order, be wound up and all its assets and properties forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.�

EFCC MARKS KALU’S PROPERTIES: SERVES SUN NEWSPAPER NOTICE OF SEALING Government.�

But the management of Sun Newspapers, owned by Kalu, has kicked against the action

by EFCC, saying there was no legal basis for what it did.

Sun, in a statement, said three EFCC officials, with four heavily armed policemen came to its office located on 2, Coscharis Street, Kirikiri Industrial Layout, Apapa, Lagos on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at about 10.00am and put up a notice for staff and the general public to keep off the premises. “The EFCC officials, who came in a white Toyota bus with registration number, ABUJA BWR-644GA, wrote on The Sun's fence, ‘EFCC, keep off.’ They also advised our staff to collect their personal belongings from the office as they will come back to seal the premises completely.�

Arguing that it did not understand the legal basis for the EFCC action, the Sun Management said, “It is on

record that there is a pending appeal at the Supreme Court with Suit No: SC/546/2018 wherein The Sun Publishing Limited appealed against the judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal on the interim forfeiture order made against it by a Federal High Court in 2007 based on ex-parte proceeding. “The Notice of Appeal and Motion for Stay of Execution were duly served on EFCC by the bailiffs of the Court,� it explained.

The Sun also stated that EFCC, vide a letter written by its counsel, dated May 22, 2018 and duly received by one Caleb Peter on behalf of Rotimi Jacobs & Co. was further put on notice of the pending appeal at the Supreme Court and advised to stay action in the matter pending the hearing of the motion for stay of execution and the appeal. “Again, it is instructive to state that The Sun Publishing

Limited was not a party to the case of EFCC vs. Orji Uzor Kalu & 2 Others, so we do not see why the Judgment in that case should lead to attempt to seal The Sun Publishing Limited premises,� the newspaper said.

The newspaper also reminded the EFCC that both Kalu and Slok Nig Limited had since appealed the judgment delivered

by Justice Idris and that a hearing date had been given. “We wish to reiterate that The Sun Publishing Limited is an ongoing corporate limited liability company and its shares are owned by various individuals distinct from Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. “Therefore, the recent judgment against Senator Orji Uzor Kalu should not be used to disturb the operations of the company and the proprietary rights of its innocent shareholders until the matters are dispensed with at the Supreme Court.

“In view of the foregoing, we call and appeal to the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice to urgently intervene and advise EFCC appropriately on the legal consequences of its actions.�

Kalu, who is the Senator representing Abia North in the National Assembly, was arraigned alongside his company, Slok Nigeria Limited and Udeh Udeogu, Director of Finance and Accounts at the Abia State Government House, over an amended 39-count charge bordering on conspiring and diverting the sum of N7.65bn from the coffers of the state.

The defendants however pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them by the EFCC, leading to their full trial.

In the course of the trial, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, called 19 witnesses and tendered several documents that were admitted in evidence by the court. But the defendants

6

SUNDAY DECEMBER 15, 2019 •T H I S D AY

SUNDAY DECEMBER 15, 2019 • T H I S D AY

7

8

ÍšÍ˝Ëœ ͺ͸͚Π˞ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

NEWS

CAN to CJN: More Sharia Contents in Constitution, Provocative, Unacceptable Demands sack of CJN because he’s biased Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has described as provocative and unacceptable, the recent advocacy for more sharia contents in the constitution by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammed.

CAN, which immediately demanded Muhammed’s removal, because he was religiously compromised and no longer trustworthy in the dispensation of justice, also pointed out that the president’s tilted appointment in favour of a certain religion was indicative of alleged Islamisation agenda of the administration.

A statement by the CAN President, His Eminence, Rev Dr. Samson Ayokunle, issued

by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant (Media & Communications) to the CAN

President, stated that it was eagerly awaiting the rebuttal of the CJN on "the unfortunate and unguarded utterances that can provoke a religious crisis in the country".

The statement read in part: "Our attention has been drawn to the advocacy of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammed for the amendment of the Constitution with a view to adding more Sharia contents. “Justice Muhammed reportedly made the call while declaring open the 20th Annual Judges Conference at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria Faculty of Law's Moot Court. “We have not seen the full text of the paper presented and we learnt the Chief Justice was represented at the event.

So, it is difficult to know if the speech was that of the Chief Justice or his representative.

"We don't believe that such a reckless and provocative

statement could be made by the number one judicial officer in the country. How could the CJN say ‘We as Muslims have the numbers to amend the constitution’?

It is not possible. It is either he was misquoted outright or quoted out of context."

Speaking more pungently, CAN stated: “Asking for constitutional amendment with a view to adding more to the Sharia contents is ill-timed, provocative and unacceptable. Was the Chief Justice of Nigeria put there deliberately for the promotion of Islamic matters or to be unbiased and fair judge for all irrespective of religion? It appears from this statement (if he made it) that he was put there for Islamisation agenda.

"Those in government are warned not to use the cheap popularity or acceptance they seek to set two religious practitioners against each other.

"This type of statement, if true, is enough for the President of the country to initiate the removal of this Chief Justice from office.

He is religiously biased and partisan. We have no more confidence in him.

And we once again reiterate our advocacy for religious balanced in the appointments that are being made by the President.

"Lopsided appointments are direct contradictions to some portions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

These include but not limited to Sections 10, 13 (3-4), 15 (2) (d) and (4). It is widely believed that no country survives two civil wars. Our leaders should be mindful of the complexities of the people they are leading. “There have been Presidents, who are Christians. During their time, there was never a time they promoted their religion at

the expense of others. Our leaders should stop paying lip service to the unity and peace of the country," the statement noted.

CAN, therefore, warned against anything that could drag the country into another incident similar to the 1966 conflagration, adding that both the government and the governed must rise up to the challenges.

Wondering what would be the fate of Christians at the CJN court if he could be so openly partisan and parochial, CAN expressed reservations over the apparent silence by both the leadership of the presidency and the National Assembly on the CJN outburst.

"Do we take it that what he said is the official position of this regime on inter-faith relations? Why has no one in leadership, either, the Executive or Legislative arm of government taken

him up on it? The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is eagerly awaiting the rebuttal of the Chief Justice of Nigeria on the unfortunate and unguarded utterances that can provoke a religious crisis in the country.�

According to CAN, its leaders had previously met with President Buhari, where they made it clear that the lopsided appointments of his government in favour of a religion and a section of the country was unacceptable.

It said although President Buhari promised to look into the observation with a view to addressing it, what is being witnessed now, it maintained, showed that not much has been done to correct the imbalance.

CAN further said the statement credited to the Chief Justice appeared to confirm fears that "appointments are done towards a religious end of Islamisation."

Aid Workers’ Killing: Buhari Vows to Defeat Evil in the Land UN outraged by ISWAP's action, as INGOs want others in captivity freed Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja and Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri President Muhammadu Buhari has said despite the seeming reign of terror by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Northeast part of the country, his administration has resolved to beat evil to its game, no matter how long it takes.

The president, who spoke

against the backdrop of Friday’s killing of four staffers of a French Non Governmental Organisation, Action Against Hunger, by ISWAP’s splinter group, however, condemned the action of the terrorist group and advised it to lay down its arms in exchange for a better life.

Similarly, the United Nations also outraged by the development has described the killing as a sad day for

Okogie: Nigeria Back to Military Era A former Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Cardinal Anthony Okogie has said Nigeria is back to the era of military dictatorship.

In a statement on Friday, Okogie said Nigeria’s leaders were distant from the citizens, and that the country needed leaders who listen to the cries of the people and who would not be afraid of dissenting opinions.

He also condemned the frequent disobedience of court by the current administration, and said leaders must be reminded that “they cannot enforce laws if they cannot obey the law�. “If the executive disobeys court rulings, and if it intimidates and humiliates the judiciary, then we are back to the era when a military junta made laws and interpreted them without any regard for fundamental human rights,� the cardinal said.

He said for democracy to work, those elected to represent the people must have

a listening ear, and must not usurp the powers to accuse and convict at the same time. “In a democracy, those who govern are chosen by the people to represent the people.

And if they are to represent the people, they must listen to the people. Not only do true democrats listen, they also are not afraid of dissenting opinions,� he said. “They do not arrogate to themselves the power to accuse, arrest, prosecute and convict. But can we candidly say we have democrats at the helm of affairs in this country at this point in time? “How can we claim to live in a democracy when presidential spokespersons tell us the presidency is always right?�

Okogie also decried the worsening insecurity in the country, and said Nigeria has returned to a “sinful past� when citizens could be abducted and locked up in detention without trial “under the pretext of acting in the interest of national security�.

the people and government of Nigeria, particularly the humanitarian community supporting the aid works.

On its part, however, the International Non Governmental Organisation has appealed to all relevant authorities to ensure that every humanitarian worker held captive in Northeast was released as soon as possible.

The aid workers were abducted by the group near Damasak, Borno State, in July, and had been held captive, despite efforts to secure their release, till their reported execution.

The four men were among the six aid workers that were abducted on July 18, when their convoy came under attack near Damasak, in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State.

They were working on a health project implemented

by Action Against Hunger.

One of the drivers was killed during the attack and another was reportedly executed on September 24.

Buhari, in a statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, flayed ISWAP for executing the four male aide workers and committing the female colleague amongst them to life slavery.

While maintaining that the defeat of evil by good was inevitable, the president called the seeming triumph by the terrorist group a pyrrhic victory, even as he commiserated with the family and loved ones of the aid workers, whom he said offered themselves to serve humanity at grave risks.

According to the statement by the president, “Evil will always be defeated by good

at the end of the day,� adding that, “whatever seeming victory evil records eventually rebounds on the evildoer. We are resolved to beat evil in this land, and we remain unrelenting till we achieve it.�

He however restated his advice to the insurgents to lay down their arms and re-join decent humanity.

Also, condemning the development, the UN in a statement by its Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, condemned the announced execution of the aid workers by armed groups in Borno State on December 13. “I am deeply saddened and outraged by the news of the tragic killing of four aid workers, who were held captive by armed groups for almost five months. My thoughts go to their families, friends and colleagues, who are enduring unspeakable pain and hardship. “I plead for the immediate release of Grace Taku, the only woman, who was in the ACF team, and whose whereabouts remain unknown. I also call for the immediate release of Alice Loksha, a nurse and a mother, who was abducted during an attack in Rann in March 2018.�

The UN humanitarian coordinator however said, “This is another sad day for the people of Nigeria and the humanitarian community supporting them. These colleagues were devoting their lives to helping the most vulnerable communities in Borno State. Despite the risks, they were driven by the values of solidarity and humanity.�

He explained that the UN and its NGO partners in Nigeria were working to bring vital assistance to over seven million people in the crisis-affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, regretting that they had increasingly remained the target of violent attacks.

Seven aid workers had been killed since the beginning of this year, and they were among the 26 UN and NGO workers that had lost their lives in the conflict since 2011. “Violence against humanitarian actors jeopardises access to much needed assistance for people affected by the armed conflict,� Kallon lamented.

He renewed the call for all armed actors to respect the principles of humanity, neutrality, independence and impartiality, which guide humanitarian assistance, and ensure the protection of aid workers.

The Paris-based aid group, Action Against Hunger, had in a statement on Friday said one of its staff and two drivers were among those killed. “The armed group responsible for the kidnapping of humanitarian workers on July 18, have murdered four hostages,� the group said in a statement that did not identify the victims.

Another of the hostages was killed in September.

The aid workers and three Ministry of Health personnel were kidnapped while delivering humanitarian aid to vulnerable people near the town of Damasak in the restive Northeast zone.

Meanwhile, the international NGO community has asked all

relevant authorities to ensure that every humanitarian worker held captive in Northeast Nigeria were released.

A statement by the Nigerian wing of the International Non Governmental Organisations (INGO), said they stood in solidarity with their colleagues of Action Against Hunger (AAH-ACF).

"We are deeply saddened and condemn the recent killing of four humanitarian workers, previously abducted along the MaiduguriDamasak road on 18 July 2019.

"We are calling on all relevant stakeholders to ensure that Grace Taku, the last AAH-ACF staff remaining in captivity and all other humanitarians currently held are immediately released.

"Over ten years of conflict has deeply affected the population in North-east Nigeria. Today, more than seven million people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

"At least 20 aid workers have been killed in Northeast Nigeria since the beginning of the large-scale humanitarian response in 2016. Attacks against humanitarian aid workers cut off the population from much needed life-saving services. “All parties to the armed conflict must respect their safe and unhindered access to all the people in need of assistance. Aid workers are not targets. “Our thoughts and condolences are with their families, friends and colleagues," the statement stated.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 15, 2019 • T H I S D AY

9

10

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ DECEMBER 15, 2019

SUNDAY COMMENT

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

THE VISA ON ARRIVAL POLICY President Buhari should engage Nigerians before taking vital decisions that will affect them

U

nder pressure from an estimated population of some 200 million citizens, and without any structure in place, the federal government has decided that visitors from all African countries can now enter Nigeria without the requirement of applying for visa in advance. According to the announcement made from President Muhammadu Buhari’s official tweeter handle while in Egypt, Nigeria will give all African travellers visas on arrival from January 2020. “Nigeria is committed to supporting the free movement of Africans in Africa… At the Aswan Forum in Egypt, I announced that, in January 2020, we will commence issuance of visas at the point of entry into Nigeria, to all persons holding passports of African countries,” the statement said.

To be sure, there are some good grounds for this decision. As things stand today, out of Africa's 54 countries, the five considered to have the best ‘visa openness’ policies are Rwanda, Ghana, Seychelles, Benin Republic and Senegal. With Nigeria ranked at number 30, and South Africa, at number 36 in 2019, it is obvious we are not doing well on that score. Within the context of the aspiration for the economic and eventual political integration of the continent, there are merits in the policy option.

However, we should be clear in separating the issues - the merits of the policy and the manner of its implementation. The immediate problem is with the latter on which pertinent questions arise. What is so urgent about the policy that there are only two weeks between announcement and implementation? Since we are neither a tourist destination nor an employment and labour attraction, what skills do African visitors have to bring to our country? Why was the policy not subjected to any debate in the country before it was announced abroad in a such a cavalier

manner? Should we aim to undo the colonial boundaries or strengthen the nation states as units for continental integration?

Against the background that one of the reasons often touted for the closure of land borders with neighbouring countries is national security, how does this sudden policy align with that decision which is yet to be rescinded?

T

here are also several challenges to consider.

Nigeria does not have the resources to support an influx of African immigrants at a period our country ranks very high on the global poverty index. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocol on free movement of persons within 15 countries in the sub-region has its challenges. It is an open secret that the Nigeria Immigration Service and the security agencies lack the capacity to track and trace those who are granted visas into the country to ensure they

What is so urgent about the policy that there are only two weeks between announcement and implementation?

Letters to the Editor

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

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

do not overstay.

Without building such capacity, what this policy will ensure is that all manner of people will enter and vanish into the crowd in a country where locations, maps and addresses are fluid and far flung with the result that even legitimate residents are hard to trace.

We are concerned because the federal government has not provided a reasoned rationale for this policy that has not been debated anywhere; not even at the National Assembly. It is therefore very disrespectful of Nigerians, to put it mildly, that the president would just fly to a conference in Egypt and make such a serious announcement. It may sound expedient to want to align policies and practices with other African nations. It is however foolhardy to dabble into such policies without subjecting them to rigorous analysis against the dismal backdrop of our economic and national security circumstances.

Whatever may be the merit of the idea of Visa on arrival for African travellers, the real problem is the manner this administration has handled this very important policy decision. As witnessed recently with the controversial ill-fated RUGA policy, President Buhari must avoid smuggling in hasty policies that suggest less than altruistic motives in a badly divided polity.

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.

CYLINDER EXPLOSIONS IN NIGERIA

S

everal years ago, African women built primitive hearths in the form of a u-shaped brick wall to cook without matches; if you didn’t keep the home fire continually burning and use a large metal lid to cover the embers of the fire at night you woke up to find the ashes cold like a dog nose. What it means was that you might need to walk miles to borrow fire from your neighbors the next morning.

Today, cooking gas has gained wide acceptability among womenfolk because of its energy efficiency, precise temperature control, immediate heating and cooling, lower operating cost and the ability to work without power. But our kitchens have become the den of deaths due to explosions of cooking gas cylinders.

Many Nigerians, including women and children have lost their lives through explosions. The story of

a seven-year-old girl and a stroke patient who were severely burnt after a cylinder exploded at Ogunmokun Street in Mushin reminds one of pathetic cases of gas explosions.

Another disturbing incident was at Sara, Jigawa State in 2018 where three siblings died dreadfully when a gas exploded, leaving others with varying degree of injuries. These could be a discouraging factor for people to embrace the usage of cooking gas in Nigeria, particularly in the rural areas where people still cook their meals over open fires.

The pertinent question is: why would a cylinder explode? There are a lot of factors that have been identified by experts ranging from importation of fake cylinders, expired cylinders and lack of proper training on the use of cooking gas.

According to Mrs. Nkechi Obi, a former National Coordinator of the

Women in LPG Group, bringing fake cylinders into the country “is like bringing explosives into homes, which can be deadly.’’

The monster called corruption is responsible for those cylinders that found their way to Nigeria without certification. What do we say about the officials that cleared such goods?

I was listening to “Morning Cross Fire’’ on 99.3 FM last week with a team of experts invited to educate the masses on the disturbing trend of cooking gas. They itemized some steps which include: how to use cooking gas, safety precautions to be observed in cylinder handling, what to do if there is raging fire and checks for leakages and cylinder maintenance, among other safety precautions.

What do we do if there is a raging fire at home? “The first attempt is to check if there is chance to switch

off the verve, if it is not possible, the victim should run for his life like an antelope pursued by a lion and evacuate everybody in the house.’’

Having a fire blanket in the house is another good way to douse the fire at the embryo stage. A fire blanket is a very helpful safety device which is used to put off small fires.

Fire thrives on three elements: heat, oxygen and fuel and a fire blanket work is to cut off the oxygen supply. It can be got at the safety fire shop of fire service offices nationwide.

Other precautions outlined by the experts include putting the gas cylinder outside the kitchen. Ventilation is very important.

According to the experts protecting your cooking gas from sun or rain will make it last long. Other gas experts describe liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as a colourless, odourless liquid which readily evaporates into a gas. By and large an odourant has been added to it to help detect leaks, but

how many people smell it before the disaster happens?

The gas professionals further added that LPG may leak as a gas or a liquid; if the liquid leaks it will quickly evaporate and form a fairly plume of gas which will drop to the ground as it is heavier than air. LPG vapors can run like a horse along the ground and can collect in drains or basements. When the gas meets a source of ignition it causes burn or explodes.

Similarly, an expert in cooking gas emphasizes on the illegal fillings of cylinders which he said also cause accidents. He said consumer should always check his hose manually by getting soap with water to rob on the hose. If it is leaking, you will observe some bubbles.

Olusanya Anjorin, Lagos.

(See concluding part on www. thisdaylive.com)

SUNDAY DECEMBER 15, 2019 • T H I S D AY

11

12

SUNDAY DECEMBER 15, 2019 •T H I S D AY

DECEMBER 15, 2019 Ëž T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

13

NEWS Ijaw Council Tackles Wike for Threatening to Dethrone Kalabari Monarch

Acting News Editor Gboyega Akinsanmi E-mail: gboyega.akinsanmi@thisdaylive.com,08081986590 (sms only)

‡ -XVWLÀHV 'LFNVRQ¡V YLVLW GHPDQG DSRORJ\

Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) yesterday faulted Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike for threatening to dethrone the Amayanabo of Kalabari, Theophilus Princewill because Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson visited the monarch without

informing Wike.

The council, the highest Ijaw youth organisation worldwide, therefore justified Dickson’s visit to Kalabari Kingdom, Rivers State, asked Wike to apologise to the Ijaw nation for disrespecting the monarch.

It demanded the apology in a statement by its President,

Oweilaemi Pereotubo, asking the Rivers governor to stop the politicisation of a mere visit and apologise to the king.

There had been an altercation between both governors after Wike Wednesday accused Dickson of planning to cause crisis in the state due to his decision to visit the Amayanabo of Kalabari, King

Theophilus Princewill without his approval.

Consequently, Wike threatened to sanction the 90-year-old monarch if such a case was reported against him in the future, saying he exercised restraint by not sacking the Amayanabo at the time.

The Bayelsa State Government has not officially responded to

IN PEOPLE’S SERVICE...

L-R: Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture & Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun; Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu

Akanmu Adetunji and Chief Executive oďŹƒcer, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe during the unveiling of the ultramodern service centre in Ibadan‌ Friday

Wike’s warning to the monarch.

However, Dickson’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Fidelis Soriwei on his Facebook page said that his principal tried to get in touch with Wike and his handlers but was ignored.

He wondered why the matter was just being raised when the incident happened since April, noting that as the leader of the Ijaw nation, Dickson reserved every right to visit his people when over 40 of them were killed in February during the general elections.

In its statement, the council said Wike’s threat “to remove the revered Amayanabo of Kalabari over Dickson’s private visit to the kingdom was not only an insult to the entire Ijaw nation but also a sacrilege to its sacred traditional institution. “Wike has over-stepped his bound for daring to insult and ridicule the Ijaw nation in such a despicable manner. Dickson as a law abiding citizen of Nigeria is free to move to anywhere in the country. “He does not need to seek permission from anybody including the Rivers State governor to go on a private visit to his fellow Ijaw people. Similarly, Bayelsa State being the only homogeneous Ijaw State, its governor is the number one political leader in Ijaw land. “As a leader of Ijaw nation by reason of his position as governor, Dickson or any other person oc-

cupying that exalted office can visit any Ijaw kingdom or community for the promotion of our oneness as Ijaw people and to build our national cohesion� the IYC argued.

The council noted that in the course of promoting Ijaw unity, Dickson on assumption of office in 2012 appointed Ijaw people from the six states where Ijaws are Aborigines into his government.

The same trend continues till date.

Why will such a person who has been playing leadership role to Ijaw people should not be visiting the Ijaw communities? “Dickson has been paying visits to Ijaw clans in Akwa-Ibom, Rivers, Delta, Edo and Ondo States. The governors of these states know that Ijaw people anywhere in the world see Dickson as governor to all Ijaw people. “The monarch too did not commit any offence by receiving the governor who is the highest ranking Ijaw politician today. Wike should not create an unnecessary tension in his state. The Kalabari King did the right thing to have received the Bayelsa State governor. “The Amayanabo has not committed any offence to incur Wike’s wrath. Wike should rather apologise to Ijaw people, especially the Kalabari Kingdom for reducing the clan to such disrepute with his disdainful threat of eviction. The Ijaw nation will not allow her respected traditional institutions to be insulted with such impudence.�

Persons with Disability Lament Buhari’s Failure to Protect Them Kayode Fasua in Abeokuta

The Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD), at the weekend, lamented the delay in the implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill 2018 signed into law last April by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The association, however, praised Prophet T.B Joshua, the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), noting that his church had committed so much, in support of the less-privileged.

The Head of Persons Living with Disability in Ogun State, Mr. Abacha Adebesin expressed concern at a session with THISDAY yesterday, challenging the governments at all levels “to stop using charity approach to attend to our issues.�

The group also appraised the outgoing 2019, saying nothing much had been done by government at all levels to alleviate the suffering of the physically-challenged persons. “We are happy that the President signed the bill for the

persons living with disability into law last April but we are still to see the law in action; indeed, we want to be given our dues and equal rights as Nigerian citizens.�

President Buhari had signed The Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill 2018 into law last April.

The new law, among others, stipulates a five-year transitional period for modifying public buildings, structures, and automobiles, to make them accessible and usable for people with disabilities.

The law also provides for the establishment of a National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, to be responsible for ensuring that physically challenged persons have access to housing, education and healthcare.

But lamenting the plight of his colleagues, Adebesin, who is also the supervisor for persons with disability at the Justice, Development and Peace Commission in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, urged the President to ensure that the new law does not end up as a

lip service. “While we appreciate President Buhari for signing the bill to protect our interest into law, we would want him to take a step further by making tangible budgetary allocations for the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, to enable it implement its mandate for the physically challenged. “All over the country, most people living with disabilities are not being employed, but the Peace and Development Commission has now waded in through my department; that for

every employment, at least one must go to a disabled person,� he stressed.

However, Adebesin applauded Prophet T.B Joshua, whom he described as a man of God who has passion for helping others and giving dignity to the less-privileged, especially the physically challenged ones. “He has done so much for the physically challenged persons in this country that we have lost count. He has been consistent in giving scholarship to our members, besides other forms of assistance.

Nigerians Dying of Hunger, Invest More Akeredolu: We Won’t Sacrifice Tradition in Agriculture, SAN Tells Buhari For Political Expediency Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Kunle Kalejaye has said that Nigerians are dying of hunger and wants President Muhammadu Buhari to genuinely invest in agriculture to alleviate poverty.

He expressed theconcernatthe2019 Christmas Carols of the Nine Lesson he organised at the Florentina Event Center, Bashorun in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Unlessthefederalgovernmentquickly arrested the situation through agriculture revolution, the senior advocate noted that the situation might get out of hand soon and damage the country’s image among the comity of nations.

At the carol, Kalejaye said that an incident he witnessed recently

prompted his call on Buhari to act on time.

He said: “What I witnessed at a party about two weeks ago made me sad. I had never witnessed such in my life. I saw young people struggling over leftover foods that they were not only consuming, but that they were packing to give to their parents at home. “This is very sad. I sincerely believe that the only solution is for government to invest more in agriculture. With this, more foods will be available to feed our people and more jobs will be provided and thereby reduce the alarming rate of unemployment among our people, particularly among our youth�, he said.

Also, the senior advocate urged the federal government to embark

on aggressive agriculture drive, declaring support for the closure of the land borders.

He said Buhari’s government “has done well by closing all the borders. There is no need for us as a nation consuming what we cannot produce. With this action, it will also help in development of our agriculture and agribusiness which will eventually improve our economy.�

He called on Nigerians to always pray for the country and be closer to God during this Xmas celebration, urging the people to celebrate the season moderately in line with their financial capacity, rather than borrowing, coveting others or engaging in criminal activities to satisfy their lust.

James Sowole in Akure

The Ondo State governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu yesterday said the people’s tradition would not be violated for political expediency.

The governor, who promised that he would continue to support all practices and traditional norms reiterated his administration’s commitment to non-interference in any transparent process of selection of traditional rulers in the state.

The governor stated this at Owo while presenting the staff of office to the new Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III. The event was graced by royal

fathers from towns from within and outsude the state.

They included Oba Ogunwusi Enitan, Ooni of Ife, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, Deji of Akure, Oba Victor Kiladejo, Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Olubaka of Oka-Akoko, Oba Adebori Adeleye and other prominent traditional rulers in the state.

While thanking the Omo-Olowos and the kingmakers for a rancourfree selection process, Akeredolu said the wide acceptance enjoyed by the Olowo ensures unanimity of purpose and unforced collaboration among the people.

He said: �The spontaneous expression of joy, affectionate jubilation and fraternal camara-

derie, which enveloped the whole kingdom, on the announcement of the choice by all the Omo- Olowo, compelled approval. “The new Olowo, a comely, calm, principled, honest and unassuming personality, has become the veritable tool employed by both terrestrial and celestial powers to unite our people. It has never been this good.“ Receiving the staff of office Oba Ogunoye who was installed as Olowo on August 23 following the demise of Oba Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi, urged youth to venture into agriculture as well as Information Communication Technology (ICT), stressing that the future lies with the two-sector.

14

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ DECEMBER 15, 2019

OPINION SHRINKING CIVIC SPACE AND HUMAN RIGHTS Free speech is a necessary tool in the fight against corruption, writes Tracy Keshi

T

he Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, 5 November, re-introduced the bill, “Protection from internet Falsehood and Manipulations Bill 2019,” a proposed law that will regulate the use of social media in the country.

The bill prohibits statements on social media considered likely to be prejudicial to the “security of Nigeria”, and “diminishing public confidence in the government”.

The lawmaker who led the debate on the bill at the plenary session of Wednesday, 20 November 2019, Sen. Mohammad Sani Musa, explained that the bill sought to address the threat and mitigate the risk associated with information via internet networks by monitoring abuse and deliberate misconduct. However, the bill contains certain provisions that overly restrict the use of social media, violates the law protecting freedom of speech, creates ambiguous criminal offences that allow authorities prosecute anyone who criticizes the government.

The freedom to information and expression, right of assembly and association, inclusion, human rights and citizens’ participation in public decision making is fundamental to the functionality of a developing society and a vital prerequisite for accountable governance and social justice.

The emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari for the second time after the 2019 general election may have brought with it a renewed hope of strength to overcome the numerous problems the country is currently facing. Citizens believed his administration will commit to advancing the civic space and enable citizens engagement in a democratic way.

Unfortunately, the right to freedom of expres-

sion has suffered abysmally with the organs of state charged with ensuring rule of law opposing voices of credible critics of bad governance and encouraging impunity and continued attacks on the fundamental human rights of citizens. An example is the arrest of Agba Jalingo, the publisher of Cross River Watch who has been charged with treason for his writing and social media posts about the CrossRiver Governor, Benedict Ayade.

A worrisome trend of shrinking civic space has emerged and created a system that denies citizens their basic human rights to freely express themselves and to hold their government accountable.

The freedom of expression as enshrined in Section 39 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) is a necessary tool in the fight against corruption. President Buhari has made

The role of social media is critical in promoting good governance and limiting corruption as it raises public awareness about corruption, its causes and consequences as well as a platform where citizens report incidence of corruption

tackling corruption his administration’s key priority and the best way to end corruption is by respecting the constitutional right to freedom of speech. Any administration that participates in organised human rights abuses and civil society crackdowns pose serious danger to national peace and security.

When a government increasingly controls and restricts freedoms, it shrinks the civic space for effective citizens’ engagement and block meaningful participation of citizens in democratic governance and weakening the social contract between government and their citizens. This will likely make violence an alternative to addressing grievances.

According to statistics, 29.3 million Nigerians majorly young people use social media across the country. The role of social media is critical in promoting good governance and limiting corruption as it raises public awareness about corruption, its causes and consequences as well as a platform where citizens report incidence of corruption. The use of social media has exposed corrupt officials, and prompted investigations by official bodies.

In commemorating the International Anticorruption and Human Rights we are calling on Nigerian lawmakers to ensure the laws protecting human rights are properly enforced and rights of everyone to peaceful criticism of the government without fear of reprisal, censorship, or legal sanctions. I am also urging civil society organisation, media and every anticorruption actor to stand #unitedagainstcorruption.

Keshi is a program officer with YIAGA AFRICA and actively involved with #BounceCorruption and #Upright4Nigeria Campaign.

EMIGRATION OF SKILLED WORKFORCE McDonald Onyema argues that the economic impact of migration is mixed

M

igration is one of the variables shaping economic activities across the globe. While the justification for migration may not be questioned, there is no harm in being curious about its impact on economies.

Inevitably, like most other phenomenon, there are losers and gainers in this era of global migratory shifts. As Europe and other developed nations of the West, welcome millions of solicited and unsolicited immigrants, the developing nations of West and sub-Sahara Africa are telling a different tale. Available reports suggest that international migration from Africa has increased significantly to about 67% between 2000 and 2017. Conventional factors such as unemployment, wars and the search for improved livelihood as well as the many other socio-economic issues plaguing developing nations remain the major drivers of this growing trend. Historically, migration within Africa is as old as the story of man. The invasion of the African soil by the whites and the perception that Africa was a cheap labour source for the plantations cropping up all over the old Europe, fueled early international migration from Africa. The story of migration from the land area now known as Nigeria is not too different either.

Fast forward to the early 1950s, and late 1960s, there was a positive tilt in Nigeria’s migration story given that migrations within this period was informed by the need to acquire foreign education. The movement of people was mutual as the Westerners also found in Nigeria, a horizon of prospects. However, the post-civil war era announced the receding echoes of the nation’s greatness which worsened in the 1990s and with it also came the desperate exit of people as citizens, driven by hardship, lack and uncertainties, sought for ways to leave the country.

The Sahara-desert became the exit route for many, and Nigerians, in desperation resorted to the suicidal Cross-Sahara trips into European nations. Nigeria may not have felt the impact of this exodus at that point in time given that these were majorly its crop of unskilled population. While one cannot ignore the exits, the attention it drew was more of a statistical activity than a real economic conversation.

However, the trends are changing. Young Nigerians seem to have adopted a new Nigerian dream which is to leave the country at all means, possible. Western nations, having come to the realization that it has become increasingly difficult to stop illegal immigration, have shifted from immigration deterrence, via border control and harsh immigration policies to a more relaxed, more structured and strategic programmes targeted at attracting the best of immigrants.

Although illegal migration persists, Nigeria’s educated, and comfortable middle class have responded to the call by Western countries to further advance the Western economies. This is being driven through various well-planned immigration programs deployed by these countries. This ranges from the Canadian Express Entry Programme,

the Australia Skilled Migration Programme, the Italia Start Up Visa, to the STEM programme recently introduced by the UK government. The terminologies and the approach for the various programmes may differ, however the objective of plucking off willing experts from less attractive economies to more comfortable and advanced economies remain same.

Nigeria, as usual has become a willing victim. In a time and season when hopelessness hangs in the air like the ancient sword of Damocles and the leadership is at best, uninspiring, one will not question the motivation for the mass exit of the nation’s brightest.

For a country whose economy is mostly private-sector driven, with the bulk of government agencies, acting as obese economic liabilities, this may be its worst moments, as the manpower fabrics of private organisations are being stretched to limits. This exodus is not discipline specific and no sector is spared. A clear example is the reported declaration by the Lagos State Teaching Hospital that it is lacking the relevant staff strength to keep up with its patients. This is not surprising, given that as at 2016, about 5000 Nigerian doctors were registered and practicing in the UK. Further, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) reported that out of a total of 72,000 doctors captured in the nation’s database, 35000 are currently practicing outside the country. While the situation is unarguably pathetic, the story from the health sector is not too different from the experience in the financial service industry. The audit firms in the country are in a fresh struggle with audit firms in Europe, who in the wake of the Brexit move, now find Nigerian auditors attractive and have lured them over with juicier contracts, saner environments and a more humane system. The banking sector too is not spared, neither is the education sector immune to this mass migration of trained and qualified individuals. The struggle to manage staff turnover has gone beyond the conventional contest between local employers trying to offer better packages and perks to attract or build employee loyalty. There is a demand for more, which cannot be met by the Nigerian work environment. The current competition for brains, is being led by government of nations, supported by willing employers. This has ushered in an era where conscious organisations are doing their best to create work cultures and environments beyond the norm, knowing that the competition is global. In the pursuit to meet this standard, importance has been placed on trainings, salary reviews and staff development. In the days ahead, it is expected that companies will report increasing payroll cost in addition to the already high cost of production in the country.

Nigeria has a progressive tax structure, capped at 24% under its Personal Income Tax system. Under this system, the PAYE deducted per individual, at the various tax bands increases as the income of

the employee increases. Given that the target migrants are mostly midlevel to senior level employees, there may be a significant drop in the PAYE remittances to individual states of the federation.

For instance, a midlevel or a senior employee with a monthly gross salary of N450,000 will contribute more to the tax coffers of the government than an entry level or junior staff with a gross monthly salary of N150,000. One can argue that the exit of the senior employees will create room for replacements by the new employees joining the workforce. However, the new entrants will still be at the lower cadre of the tax band and will not buffer the impact that the exiting migrants will have on the tax records of the relevant states.

The exit of the higher earners will also affect the purchasing power of individuals as well as goods being purchased per time.

Revenue from VAT may reduce with declining purchasing power of consumers. Q3 2019 reported a drop in the VAT collected. Whilst stakeholders continue to speculate on the reason for the decreased VAT collection, it may not be totally unconnected with the exits of Nigeria’s moderate to high income earners.

The exit of professionals with the experience to drive the nation’s critical sectors may usher in a slow but sure human resource crisis mode. Nigeria may no doubt be facing a second bout of brain drain. People with less qualification and experience may be left to drive critical processes. The learning curve increases, same with the inefficiencies that come with straightening a curve. While the demerits of the mass exodus of Nigeria’s able and young raises a lot of concerns, it is pertinent to state that it is not all dark and cloudy.

Migration no doubt has its positives. There is no gainsaying that it has created more room for new minds to break into the Nigerian labour force. While available statistics suggest that the nation’s unemployment rate is critical, there is no doubt that it would have been worse if everyone has been stuck here with no opportunity for new people to enter the labour force.

A 2019 report placed Nigeria’s diaspora inflow for 2018 at US$23.63 billion. This represents about 6.1% of Nigeria’s GDP and 7.4 times higher than net development inflows from foreign aids.

It is expected that this figure will continue to grow given that majority of the Nigerian migrants are gainfully employed and will have the capacity to remit funds home.

For a nation in severe need of leadership, rebranding and a total change of attitude to life, it will no doubt be a plus if a significant number of its citizens can experience the workings of saner climes with the hope that in the years to come, this would trigger a

––Onyema, a tax and business consultan, wrote from Lagos.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ DECEMBER 15, 2019

15

LETTERS THE RISE AND RISE OF CHIMAMANDAADICHIE

W

hat was the fuss about Purple Hibiscus?’ That was the question I asked myself when I first read the debut novel of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. What was so spectacular about it that made her win numerous prizes? I enjoyed the book but I felt it fell short of the high standards I set for it given the large hype that it enjoyed which established her on the literary scene.

A renowned literary critic who would prefer to be anonymous opined that she was beautiful, photogenic and well spoken – all these qualities made her a perfect fit for the large American market who wanted to have an African poster girl instead of a home-grown clone.

Another female critic whom I read said it was because of her feminism stance that made her a favourite of the western market as feminism was the new normal in their clime.

I couldn’t agree less. I

Adichie read her next work: ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ with the mind of a literary critic and could see the large elements of feminism running through it which made her a darling of the foreign bookmakers. The same elements were also

prominent in her collection of short stories: ‘The thing around your neck.’ With the exception of ‘Americanah’, I have read all her works and I agree that the feminist ideology which binds millions of women around the world was

the trick she used to gain international prominence at a very young age. She is currently Nigeria’s biggest literary export and the only one who can boast of us living solely on her oeuvres without the temptation of picking up a nine to five to pay the numerous bills.

She has evolved from a novelist or fiction writer to a great public speaker and her speeches have received millions of views around the globe. Her famous Ted Talk ‘We should all be feminists’ is still the rave years after it was first made. She is the first black to give the commencement address at the world’s best Harvard University and dabbled into music when she and Beyonce produced a song together. Her book ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ has been made into a box office hit movie which starred the world famous Chinweite Ejiofor OBE. All of her works have received numerous awards and to use the Nigerian parlance ‘She has arrived as a writer.’

She has also courted controversies due to her feminist stance and one case that comes to mind is when she criticized former US First Lady, Secretary of State and two-time Presidential aspirant for first addressing herself as a wife in her twitter biography. Adichie opined that most men don’t use husband to first address themselves so why should the female sex do the same? Clinton was said to have taken it down and her feminist fans applauded her to the high heavens that she was indeed a global force to be reckoned with. Her critics contended that she had gone too far and there was nothing wrong in being addressed as a wife which was noble and something many females looked forward to being.

Time Magazine named her as one of the most 100 influential people in the world last year, cementing her reputation as a writer with international clout.

The United Nations recently gave her the

BUHARI’S FOREIGN LOANS: MATTERS ARISING

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari sought for legislative approval for external loans during the Eighth Senate but was turned down. Amongst them was US$29.96billion loan which according to the object, was to fund critical infrastructure.

The Senate bawled that loans cannot be an option at all.

Superficially, the Senate was right in part on account of daily mega inflows to the economy.

Inarguably, the country is sufficiently rich to be self-reliant for most capital projects, all things being equal.

On the other hand, the Senate stumbled knowing that the major drain pipe in the country is the Senate and its counterpart, House of Representatives. The funds allocated to these two chambers are sufficient to fund robust infrastructure across the nation with ease. From record, Nigeria’s lawmakers are among the highest paid in the world and with outrageous allowances. To review these anomalies, we should possibly scrap one of the chambers, either the Senate or the lower chamber.

On the foreign loans, first and foremost, it is imperative to distinguish between loans for recurrent expenditure or sustenance and that of infrastructure development.

The former is an index of economic recession. On the other hand, most developed countries do not fund capital projects from money in the treasury but long-term infrastructure loans. To put the burden on funds in the treasury can slow down developments and negatively affect other operations.

The most important

factor that must be necessarily considered while opting for infrastructure loans is the machinery; secure-and-stable revenue for possible repayments. Noticeably, President Buhari’s government has created secure revenue for the nation. Amongst them are the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Value Added Tax (VAT), other internallygenerated revenues that are active. Above all, leakages in the economy have been substantially blocked which makes government to get more incomes unlike before.

Beyond doubt, Nigeria has low tax moral – apathy on payment of taxes due to high level of corruption among the ruling class. For example, it was revealed by the Research Director of the Fiscal Policy Roundtable of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Tayo Oyedele at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Secretariat, Abuja recently that more than 81% of taxable adults and businesses in Nigeria do not pay their income tax. According to him, only 20 million out of nearly 200 million people do.

Suffice to say that the ruling class must vitally restore peoples’ confidence by good leadership. For instance, during the tenure of Babatunde Fashola (SAN) as Lagos State governor, many residents enthusiastically paid taxes on account of visible transformations in the state.

After his exit, perceptively, the narratives changed.

Hence, adequate revenue through taxes may not be a realistic option at the moment.

The second option is concessionary technique whereby companies bid and execute projects with trade agreement;

to manage infrastructure for a specified period for the purpose of recouping invested capital. Incidentally, concession of sensitive infrastructure may not augur well for the masses presently due to poverty level albeit a unique conventional template.

Any government that has a secure revenue system and the capacity to repay can comfortably opt for loans for infrastructural development.

This is because the loans can be prudently tied to the secure inflows for settlements.

There would be issues where a government has no secure means of reimbursement but liberally securing loans, which is indicative of bad governance as witnessed in the past when governments owlishly relied only on crude oil.

From the record, the 2016-2018 External Borrowing Plan targeted 39 projects spread across the country which include the East-West Road; Mambilla Hydro Power Station; Standard gauge Ibadan-Kano Rail line; Calabar-PH-Aba-MakurdiBauchi-Maiduguri Rail Line; 2,500KM Power Transmission Lines and Power Transformers across Nigeria; total overhauling of Ajaokuta Steel Company and Dualization of Lokoja-Okene-Auchi-Benin Road. Thus, the loan apart from being secured is tied to infrastructure unlike the previous loan regimen.

President Buhari has presented the $29.96billion loan request to the Ninth Senate for approval. Instructively, lawmakers must, above all, be guided by objectivity and public interests rather than unnecessary show of power. The sensible action is to evaluate the capacity

of the government vis-à-vis repayment by its protected revenue machinery in place and not fear of being labelled rubberstamped legislature.

Economically, it is naïve to scream over loans without first considering the object and capacity of the borrower.

Without making use of loan facility, the country will spend much time in planning without executions. Democracy is a time-frame system, therefore, if an administration must rely solely on available funds in the treasury, nothing substantial may be achieved in a four- year an administration is billed to last.

In other words, it is immaterial the volume of loans as long as there is a secure repayment mechanism and the objects are germane.

Such arrangement will equally reduce corruption as inflows will be directed to repayment schedules. Interestingly, the constitution clothed the

A

lawmakers with oversight functions which empower them to supervise executive’s activities. Hence, there’s no cause for alarm. To decline loan request for infrastructural development simply for apprehension of misappropriation is gullible.

The grumble is comparable to a woman scared of pregnancy to avoid giving birth to a bad child when it is her duty as a mother to mould the child to become useful. An executive arm cannot misappropriate funds where the lawmakers that exercise oversight functions are active, awake and responsible. Besides, President Buhari as the team leader is arguably, not characterized by such character of dishonesty, greed and imprudence.

Carl Umegboro, public affairs analyst and Associate, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

prestigious Global Leadership Awards. Some past recipients of it include the former UN SecretaryGeneral, Kofi Annan, former US President Barack Obama, former talk show hostess, Oprah Winfrey, amongst others.

This is good news as its coming at a time when the nefarious activities of a few scammers is giving the nation a bad name among the comity of nations.

She is the first Nigerian to win it which makes us, whether at home or in the diaspora, extremely happy and proud. At a time when the story of ‘Invictus Obi’ and Allen Onyema of Air Peace broke out where they were accused of large scale international fraud, her award is a soothing balm to honest and hardworking Nigerians as a testament that indeed hard work or should I say smart work pays a great deal.

For Nigerian feminists, it is a double first to their ever growing constituency as she is also the first female to win the highly coveted award.

I have never met her before but a friend who did as a participant in a creative writing workshop she facilitated attested to her warm and down to earth nature. He was amazed that she had no airs around her despite her intimidating achievements.

Some critics especially feminists have started touting her as the next Nigerian to win the Nobel Prize for literature. Some opine that it should be a back door compensation for Professor Chinua Achebe who didn’t win it as his adopted literary daughter.

We don’t know whether the Swedish Nobel Committee will find her attractive for their prestigious prize yet, but you never know as anything can happen in the world of prizes.

Tony Ademiluyi, Lagos.

Not A Good Sign

s the year comes to an end Santa reappears and visits shopping centers for photos and pleas from thousands of children lying about how well they have behaved this year.

Situation normal.

The Santa seat is in the middle of the shopping centre ready for his arrival but there is a sign saying he won't be

there Friday the 13th.

I doubt that Santa is superstitious or out on the town so he must have gone north to update the naughty-nice lists.

Situation a bit odd.

Another sign states "This Santa Set is under constant video surveillance", presumably to stop any unauthorized late night stolen photo opportunities.

Situation a bit sad.

It's just a small shopping centre filled mostly with

seniors drinking coffee slowly and little else. The spirit of Christmas is attached to the walls and halls although the Santa Set signs diminish it.

There is a time for coming together and celebrating the best life brings to everyone around the world but the signs are not good. Let's work on it or Santa might have to take this season off.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia .

16

SUNDAY DECEMBER 15, 2019 •T H I S D AY

SUNDAY DECEMBER 15, 2019 • T H I S D AY

17

18

D ÍšÍ˝Ëœ ͺ͸͚Π˞ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

INTERNATIONAL

Incroyable Mais Vrai: International Dimensions of andIssuesintheDSSRe-arrestofOmoyeleSowore

O

ne major problem in the political governance of Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari is that, more often than not, government acts before thinking deeply in the making of very critical policy decisions. Even when it tries to think deeply, it hardly considers the foreign policy dimensions and implications. Many foreign policy observers in Nigeria also often look at foreign policy as an offshoot of the domestic setting and hardly as foreign policy as a possible resultant of the external environment.

The truth is that the foreign policy of any serious country, that is worth its name and has the protection of its people and national interest at heart, cannot but be a reflection of both the domestic and external settings. In Nigeria, however, Government often presents Nigeria to the global community as if it is an island unto itself where the rule of interdependence does not apply. In this regard, most unfortunately, it is when policy decisions become a serious, controversial, public issue that arguments are given in defence of government’s decision, but which often compound Government’s problem, rather than solving it. It is also then that Government would think of having a mirror to look at, look at itself and then set up panels of inquiry to investigate the anomaly after much damage would have been done. Not carrying out in-depth analyses of possible consequences of policy decisions can only damage the image of Government and particularly that of Mr. President.

Put differently, the image of the Government of Nigeria and that of PMB has been seriously tainted with the mania of re-arrest of Mr. Omoyele Sowore, a journalist and social activist, who organised the #revolution now and for which he was arrested and accused of treasonable felony by the Department of State Services (DSS) on August 3, 2019. He was charged to court and the DSS secured approval to detain him for ninety days. At the expiration of the approval, the DSS sought court approval for further detention but was not granted. Mr. Sowore’s lawyers, led by Mr. Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, applied to the court for the bail of his client after 124 days of incaceration. It was granted but the DSS refused to comply with the court order.

The DSS gave different excuses that only damaged its image: the defence lawyers were not available to do the necessary for his bail; DSS officers to deal with the matter of bail were not in the office, etc.

In fact, within the context of Mr. Sowore’s re-arrest, the DSS argued that it had produced Mr. Sowore in court in obedience to the court order. This is most unfortunate an argument. It is very insulting to the discerning minds of Nigerians. Were there no previous court orders directing that Mr. Sowore be released? If there were, why did the DSS refuse to comply with the earlier court orders? Why did the DSS wait until a 24-hour ultimatum was given to it before it dawned on it to accept the need to comply? Was it not in light of the non-compliance with the earlier court order that an ultimatum was given? Even if we accept that the DSS wanted to obey, how do we explain the rearrest within the precincts of the court without a prior warrant of arrest? Policy makers and government agents appear to be more of PMB’s problems and, of course, the major impediments to good governance in Nigeria. Let us illustrate this observation with some of the most recent cases and pronouncements of some government spokespersons.

Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu

Let me make two preliminary points here: Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu are competent professionals on their own right. It is partly in light of the recognition of their competence that they must have been considered for their positions. The problem, however, is that they often go beyond the limitations of their professional competence to make statements that are very irritating to other competent professionals in other disciplines.

They unnecessarily arrogate to themselves the competence in other disciplines, which they should not have done. This is also why PMB’s attitudinal disposition is always perceived negatively and why PMB is at logger heads with the general public. The truth is that Femi Adesina, as a professional journalist, should be differentiated from Femi Adesina, as a political appointee. This brings us to the second preliminary point.

Femi Adesina is a Special Adviser while Shehu Garba is a Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity.

A Special Assistant, junior or senior, is different from a Special

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

Sowore Adviser. In the Nigerian Public Service, the position of a Special Adviser is very political and is more associated with policy advice, which can be taken or rejected. Besides, a Special Adviser is necessarily an outsider, coming out of the Public Service.

On the contrary, a Special Assistant comes from within Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government (MDA).

When I was first appointed as Special Adviser to the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, attention was drawn to the fact that the institution I came from, The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, was under the supervisory authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Consequently, my designation was changed from Special Adviser to that of ‘Special Assistant.’ The office of a Special Assistant is less political, but more technocratic. Both Special Assistant and Special Adviser can have the same educational qualifications and even common experience, their official functions are still different. The functions of an adviser are as requested, while those of an Assistant are as directed.

The implication of this is quite clear: a Special Assistant is to assist the Honourable Minister or his principal to achieve whatever objective he is officially pursing. If there is any advice to be given, it must only be for the purposes of attainment of government’s set objectives. In this regard, a Special Assistant is necessarily an assistant to his principal and an implementation agent of policy. A Special Adviser is not. This is how Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu should be seen and differentiated in terms of their official functions. Perhaps more interestingly, at the level of the presidency, a Special Adviser is at times considered to have the ranking of a Cabinet member.

In this regard, Shehu Garba often makes policy pronouncement in the mania of a Special Adviser, even if such a pronouncement is authorised. The problem here is that the two spokespersons make conflicting statements on the same issue at times, which raises the question of coordination. It is against this background that statements made by the two of them in defence of PMB should be explicated and understood in terms

Nigeria is not thinking deeply before acting.As the French people say, it is‘incroyable mais vrai, that is‘unbelievable, but true.’International conspiracy against the Buhari administration is gradually mounting, for giving the impression that it does not care about the rule of law ďŹ rst. Consequently, in the event Government makes the mistake of not reaching an entente with the civil society organisations on their demand and public protests have to begin,the situation of the protests cannot but have the potential to be more serious than what obtains in Algeria, Hong Kong,Venezuela, etc. In fact, people are most likely to take advantage of the many complaints of nepotism, anti-rule of law sentiments, situation of insecurity, etc, to lead Nigeria into an unwanted disintegration.

Thinking before acting is therefore a desideratum in the handling of the Omoyele Sowore saga

of Government’s lack of in-depth considerations before making public pronouncements.

The first case is that of the editorial policy of The Punch Newspapers which want to address PMB as Major General and not as President. The thinking of The Punch Editorial Board is that PMB does not appear anymore to be governing as a democrat and as an elected President of Nigeria, and, therefore, believes that the title of a president can no longer be appropriate.

The same argument is advanced in the refusal to use ‘administration,’ but ‘regime,’ for his government.

As explained in the editorial, ‘as a symbolic demonstration of our protest against autocracy and military-style repression, Punch (all our print newspapers: The Punch, Saturday Punch, Sunday Punch, Punch Sports Extra and digital platforms, most especially, Punchng.com, will henceforth prefix Buhari’s name with his rank as a military dictator in the 80s, Major General, and refer to his administration as a regime, until they purge themselves of their insufferable contempt for the rule of law.’ What is noteworthy about this quoted editorial policy is that, it is a reactive protest, a protest against perceived PMB’s contempt for the rule of law. The protest is to last until a stop is put to the contempt. The form of the protest is not to make the general public see in PMB a democrat, but a violator of democratic etiquette and a promoter of manu militari governance. And more interestingly, the protest is said to be symbolic, meaning that there may still be an aggravation of the protest.

The response of Femi Adesina and Shehu Garba on December 11 and 12, 2019 respectively did not attempt to respond to the issues raised by The Punch editorial. As argued by Femi Adesina, there is ‘nothing untoward in it (editorial). It is a rank the President attained by dint of hard work before he retired from the Nigerian Army. And today, constitutionally, he is also Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. All over the world, just as in our country, a large number of retired military officers are now democrats. It does not make those who did not pass through military service better than them.’ More significantly, Femi Adesina has it that ‘rather than being pejorative, addressing President Buhari by his military rank is another testimony to free speech and freedom of the press, which this administration (regime, if anyone prefers: it is a matter of semantics) has pledged to uphold and preserve.’ It is quite clear in this statement that Femi Adesina is only begging the issue. First, is it press freedom or free speech that is at stake?

Is the issue that PMB did not merit his military rank as a Major General? The Punch, it should be noted, is angered by the contempt of court orders by the PMB government. This is the litigious issue.

Secondly, if The Punch says it will henceforth use PMB’s military title, it is also an acknowledgment of the fact that PMB merited his military title and not a denial of it. The beauty of the policy stand of The Punch, which many people have not come into grips with, is crystal clear: PMB as a Major General in a military dispensation was simply ruling by decrees, under which the military are required to obey the last order. He was simply a military dictator. A Major General in a democratic setting, on the contrary, is required to remove completely his toga of dictatorship in order to qualify to be called a democrat.

This is why every military leader, who managed to get elected, always prefers to remove his or her military toga and opt to be called simply as President. General Olusegun Obasanjo did it. General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida did not like his military title.He asked to be addressed as President. Contrary to the pretension of Shehu Garba on this issue (vide infra), Nigerian academics drew attention to the anomaly and corrected it by adding the epithet, ‘military’ before his ‘President.’ In other words, General Babangida was never a President but a military President of Nigeria.

This brings us to the more serious aspect of Femi Adesina’s statement: consideration of ‘regime’ and ‘administration’ as the same in international political governance. It is quite wrong to suggest that there is no fundamental difference between a regime and an administration, even when the two words are considered in their ordinary, non-technical sense. In the science of politics and international law and relations, regime is, grosso modo, used for dictatorial governments while the use of administration is reserved for elected governments. Etymologically considered, and usage since the time of their origins, the difference between the two words has always remained clear. It is therefore simplistic and embarrassing to talk about semantics in the same way the Governor of Kaduna, Mallam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, argued that interference and intervention are the same.

In fact, the intervention of Shehu Garba only worsened the defence attempt being put in place by the two spokesperson with unnecessary insinuations, not to say unsubstantiated allegations that have the potential to backfire and put PMB on the corridor of another controversy. According to Shehu Garba, The Punch ‘has sinister motives for its current curious editorial judgment. Its personal hatred for and animus towards President Buhari should not be allowed to becloud its good judgment.’ (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

19

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ ͚ͽ, 2019

BUSINESS

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

Driving Economic Growth with Monetary Policy and Devt Finance The interplay between development finance and monetary policy cannot be undermined, if any economy hopes to record meaningful growth. This was the assertion of economic experts, who gathered recently at Owerri, Imo State, to x-ray the efforts of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in driving growth. Bamidele Famoofo reports the agricultural value chain.’’ For instance, it is the CBN’s game-changing intervention in the rice value chain in Kebbi and other rice-producing states across the country that increased local rice production from 2.5 million tonnes in 2015 to 5.8 million tonnes in 2017 as well as cotton intervention with the flag-off of input distribution to 150,000 cotton farmers, cultivating 150,000 hectares in 23 States of the Federation.

The CBN, not resting on its oars, said it is currently paying additional attention to cassava because the commodity has many different uses along the value chain. It claimed the value chain has enormous potential for employing over 2 million people in Nigeria The Director, Monetary Policy Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Moses Tule, said the Act established the CBN also empowers the bank to engage in developmental functions to ensure economic stability.

He said some of the outcomes of the combined match of monetary and development finance policies of the CBN in Nigeria was the 2.28 per cent GDP growth recorded in Q3 2019.

He noted that improvement in the “doing businessindicators�cameasaresultoftheintroduction of the transparent I&E FX Window, which boosted investor’sconfidenceandeasedmarketsentiments also buoyed our doing business indicator. “Restriction on certain items led to spectacular improvements in domestic production of most of these items. Local manufacturers are reporting major boosts to their revenue and profit due to the policy,’’ he said.

EmeďŹ ele

Development Finance

“G

alvanising Development Finance and MonetaryPolicy for Growth is relevant, considering the evolving interconnectednessbetweendevelopmentfinance and monetary policy, not only in Nigeria, but in other economies across the world.’’ That was the opening remark of Deputy Governor, (Corporate Services),CentralBankofNigeria,EdwardAdamu, atatwo-dayseminarforFinancialCorrespondents and Business Editors that held recently in Owerri, ImoState,tox-raytheinterplaybetweenmonetary policy and development finance to drive growth in the economy.

Adamu, who represented the Governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele, spoke about efforts by the Bank to stimulate economic growth through its various strategic interventions, saying, ‘’it is pertinenttonotethatattheCentralBankofNigeria (CBN), our approach to stimulating economic development is three-pronged, centered on Agriculture, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and infrastructure.�

It is perhaps common knowledge that the CBN has transcended her core mandate of maintaining monetary, price and financial system stability, to undertake developmental initiatives with a view to spurring economic growth and job creation.

Justifying the bank’s decision, he said efforts at these development finance initiatives have

helped to accelerate the actualisation of the federal government’s economic diversification programme. ‘’Diversifying our economic base presents a more sustainable and stable option,’’ Adamu noted. ‘’It is our conviction that focusing our developmental efforts on sectors with inherent potential for growth, employment and accretion to foreign reserves,wouldenhancethefortuneoftheNigerian economy,’’ he added.

Since the emergence of Emefiele as CBN governor in 2014, the Bank increased its lending to the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, through targeted intervention schemes such as theAnchor Borrowers’ Programme, Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme and the Real Sector Support Facility. In particular, CBN sought to improve domestic supply of four commodities (rice,fish,sugar,andwheat),whichconsumeabout N1.3 trillion annually in our nation’s import bill.

The Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), which was launched in November 2015 was designedtobuildpartnershipsbetweensmallholder farmers and reliable large-scale agro-processors, withaviewtoincreasingagriculturaloutput,while improving access to credit for farmers. According to Adamu, the targeted focus on the agricultural and manufacturing sectors was driven by the vast opportunities for growth in these sectors given Nigeria’s high population. ‘’The sectors have the ability to absorb the growing pool of eligible workers in our effort to meet local demand and save critical foreign reserves,’’ he argued.

Explaining the role of effective implementa-

tion of monetary policy for growth, he said, ‘’Our recent experience with recession attests to the value of effective implementation of monetary policy. Though we adopted unconventional or heterodox monetary policies, they were however, well thought through and have been yielding significant gains for the Nigerian economy. Noticeably, the GDP recovery in the third quarter of 2017, which has been sustained for nine successive quarters after five consecutive quarters of negative growth.’’ The Central Bank’s unconventional monetary policy initiatives have been premised on ensuring credit delivery to critical sectors of the economy.

This has informed the directive to deposit money banks to maintain a minimum loan to deposit ratio (LDR) of 65 per cent by the end of December 2019. The bank is also creating the necessary ecosystem to inculcate a better credit culture among Nigerians.

Part of the gains of the efforts of the bank is significant reductions in the nation’s annual imports bill, and increased non-oil exports. Its development finance interventions have helped to bolster agricultural production by removing obstacles faced by small holder farmers. ‘’We have also improved access to markets for farmers by facilitating greater partnership with agro-processors and industrial firms in the sourcing of raw materials. So far, the programme has supported more than 1.5million farmers across all the 36 states of Nigeria, in cultivating 16 different commodities over 1.4 million hectares of farmland. It has also supported the creation of over 2.5m jobs across

Other Comments Renowned Economist, Prof. Ken Ife, said that but for the bold interventions of the CBN in the economy, it would have collapsed. His words: ‘’Recession could have gone as bad as -9percent by now.’’ Ife argued that the commodities, which the CBN removed from its FX funding list, was goodastheydon’tcontributeanythingmeaningful to GDP growth. Rather, he said, the action taken to proscribe the funding of the importation of those 41 goods item with scarce FX, had helped to boost local production.

Labour leader, Mr. IsaAremu, said the Central Bank for the first time, under the supervision of Emefiele, made sincere move to revive the comatose textile industry through creation of value chain from cotton farmers to production (industry). He revealed that the bank has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with labour for Nigerians to patronise locally made textile materials. He said many of the textile companies closed down will be revived if the agreement is fully implemented. Aremu hinted that reviving the textile industry as planned by the CBN will boost the nation’s economy by about $3.4billion annually.

Commissioner for Finance, Imo State, Prof.

Uche Uwaleke, who chaired a technical session at the seminar, said the CBN had proven that it was the most proactive institution that is driving growth in Nigeria. He stated that the 2.28 percent growth in GDP achieved by the country in third quarter of 2019 was directly attributable to the development finance interventions and monetary policy prowess of the CBN. Issues/Challenges The modest achievements of the Central Bank in driving economic growth through effective monetary policy implementation and development finance notwithstanding, there are hurdles to cross for realise expected growth. One of them, according Tule, is overcoming the challenge of poor coordination between the fiscal and monetary authorities as successful implementation of monetary policy is highly vulnerable to setbacks.

He argued that the coordination between monetary and fiscal policy can no longer be ignored if the economy is to function at its optimal capacity.

20

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ ͚ͽ, 2019

BUSINESS/PENSION

Expanding Coverage of Pension Industry Recently, the National Pension Commission (PenCom) held a workshop in Benin City to brainstorm on and address issues in the pension industry. On the front burners was the way forward in the expansion of coverage of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). Amby Uneze reports

I

t was a gathering of some key journalists including business editors and senior correspondents of major news media houses as well as the civil society recently in Benin City, Edo State, for PenCom’s 2019 Journalists’ Workshop. The one-day event also gave another opportunity for the National Pension Commission to assemble specialists in the pension industry to talk about the operations and new methods of CPS, so that more Nigerians can key into the lifebenefiting scheme. A very important aspect of the workshop was the introduction of the new trends in digital data collection of pension contributors as well as the role of social media in reporting pension matters.

As interactive and contributory as the conference was, it also provided a veritable platform for journalists to find answers on some grey areas concerning the pension industry which the PenCom as the nation’s regulatory body on matters of pension scheme were readily available to explain.

In a keynote address by the Acting Director General of PenCom, Hajiya Aisha Dahir-Umar, she expressed satisfaction on the interest journalists have in pension matters, which according to her, clearly underscores their commitments to gain and consolidate requisite knowledge of the pension industry thereby promoting a professional reportage of activities relating to pensions in Nigeria. She was particularly pleased to note that the commission and the media have collaborated effectively over the years to advance public awareness on the tenets of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). “Distinguished journalists, the Nigerian media continues to exert significant influence in public discourse. It is therefore, in recognition of this critical role that the commission considers it imperative to continually interact and apprise media practitioners with developments in the pension industry, while availing them with further insight on some of the commission’s major activities that are aimed at the overall enhancement of the CPS in Nigeria. I am glad to inform you that we have remained focused on concluding some of the pension industry’s transformational initiatives which the commission has been pursuing,� she noted.

According to Dahiru-Umar, as a prelude to highlighting the topical issues of this workshop, it is appropriate to apprise you of some developments on the implementation of the CPS. As at September 2019, the number of registered contributors under the CPS has grown to 8.85 million while pension fund assets have grown to N9.58 trillion. This growth indeed justifies our emphasis on the safety of pension funds as the bedrock of sustaining the CPS and assures all stakeholders that the pension reform remains steadily on course. These modest milestones notwithstanding, she added, the commission and pension operators were committed to actualising the growth potentials of the pension industry. “The theme of this workshop; “Expanding Coverage of the Pension Industry�

Dahir-Umar

describes the Commission’s current strategic focus, which aims to expand access to pension via the CPS, as a veritable tool for economic development. This aligns with the pension reform objective of old age poverty reduction and improvement in the welfare and general standard of living. The quest to expand coverage of pension is being pursued through some transformational initiatives especially the Micro Pension Plan. “The sessions at this workshop will therefore commence with a presentation on the Micro Pension Plan (MPP). As you are aware, the MPP, which was launched in March, 2019 by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, is targeted at the informal sector and self-employed who are not mandatorily covered under the CPS. It is noteworthy that the MPP was designed with significant flexibility in recognition of the peculiarities of the targeted population. It is our expectation that the media practitioners would utilise the opportunity of this workshop to understand the essence and workings of the Micro Pension Plan and amplify same in their reportage for the overall benefit of Nigerians. “There would also be a presentation on the Enhanced Contributor Registration System (ECRS). The ECRS is an in-house developed ICT application, which was deployed in June 2019 to enhance the integrity of the contributors’ database. It has also been integrated with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) database to help authenticate the uniqueness of individuals seeking to register under the CPS. The ECRS provides a platform

for the registration of Micro Pension Plan Participants and is a major step towards the introduction of the transfer window, which will enable contributors change to the PFAs of their choice, in line with Section 13 of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014. “The sessions would be rounded off with a thought-provoking presentation on the role of social media in business and financial reporting. This topic is particularly pertinent given the increasing role of social media as a tool of mass information dissemination. The rising influence of social media in Nigeria is not without its challenges especially the proliferation of unverified non-factual news platforms that often churn out content which results in untoward consequences. The session should, therefore, stimulate a robust discussion on new media best practices and the essence of adequate due diligence prior to amplifying social media news items. This is more important in reportage on pension issues given its sensitivity especially to retirees. The commission would continue to provide necessary clarifications to you whenever required in order to ensure that pension matters are factually reported�, Dahir-Umar stated.

In a paper titled “Driving micro pension’s growth in Nigeria�, Mr. Abisola Onigbogi of ARM Pensions said the United Nations has estimated that by 2050 about two billion of the world’s population will be over 60 years old, and 80 percent of this part of the world population will be living in developing countries.

He noted that ageing therefore presents significant challenges for governments

around the world and with an estimated 1.4 billion of the world’s population expected to be over 60 years by 2030, primarily driven by developing countries, there is likely to be increased governmental spending on the provision of health care and other age-related requirements.

Onigbogi maintained that with this expected growth in the number of people either retired or close to retirement, providing an adequate pension system in each country is becoming extremely important, adding “It is even more pertinent due to rising government pension deficits, volatile economic conditions and rising life expectancies.�

He outlined Nigerian overview as the country’s adult population (18 years and above) is estimated at 99.6 million and of this adult population: 63.1 million (63.3 percent) are based in rural areas, 49.9 million (50.1 percent) are women, 56.7 million (56.9 percent) are 35 years and younger, 20.2 million (20.4 percent) have no formal education, and 39.5 million (39.7 percent) have bank accounts with average household size of 5.2 and income earners per household of 1.6.

On compliance with the CPS, Head, States Operations Department of PenCom, Mr. Babatunde O. Phillips, said adoption of the CPS by states was done by the National Council of States at its meeting in July 2006 where it unanimously adopted the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) for states and local governments of the federation.

It stated that all states of the federation were required to enact their various laws on the CPS and so far, 25 states have enacted pension laws on CPS, nine states and the FCT have commenced implementation and remitting both employer and employee pension contributions, five States have employees retiring under the CPS and drawing pensions, four states have enacted laws on the DBS, while one maintained DBS and seven states are at the bill stage.

He observed that enactment of law on CPS by states had been facing some challenges. The right of states to enact their own pension laws (pension not on FG exclusive list) had been a clog in the wheel of progress as some states delay in enactment of their laws and/or enacts laws at variance with PRA 2014 and CPS principles Such challenges include: the lack of political will by some state governors as this had been a hindrance to the implementation of the CPS by states as the decision more or less depends on the states’ chief executive; the lack/inadequate funding of the CPS in some states that had implemented the scheme had negatively impacted the smooth implementation of the scheme; knowledge gap - resistance to the implementation of the scheme by state officials and labour unions due to poor understanding of the scheme has delayed the adoption of the scheme by some states, and partial implementation – deduction and remittances of only employee portion, deduction and non/incomplete remittances etc. by some states had led to wide dissatisfaction and resistance of the CPS.

21

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ ͚ͽ, 2019

BUSINESS/ENERGY for focus on how to fix systematic procedural issues that keep knotty issues from reoccurring and not just fixation on money issues only.

Promoting Engagement and Inclusiveness RemTrack app will not only focus on bringing closures to remediation issues, it also provides a platform for engagement of all stakeholders, citizens, journalists and any interested party in making the extractive sector work for the benefit of all Nigerians.

This point was highlighted by Mr. Kolawole Banwo, chairman of the Civil Society Steering Committee of NEITI, at the public presentation of the app. “RemTrack tool would enhance easy engagement by all and make accurate information readily available for use at any time,� he said.

R-L: Executive Secretary, NEITI,Mr. Waziri Adio; Chairman of CSSC, NEITI, Mr. Kolawole Banwo; Executive Director, OrderPaper Advocacy Initiative, Mr. Oke Epia; Mr. Mike Uzoigwe of FOSTER, and Director of Communication and Advocacy of NEITI, Mr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, at the launch of the RemTrack app...recently

With RemTrack, Remedial Issues in Oil & Gas Sector’ll be Addressed Peter Uzoho

F

or decades, the extractive sector in Nigeria, especially the oil and gas industry, has been a major concern to Nigerians due to lack of transparency in its operations.

It was notorious for serial default in the fulfilment of obligations by statutory partners and other stakeholders and generally regarded as a cesspool of corruption that is closely shielded from the prying eyes of the public.

The oil and gas sector contends with lingering problems that border on regulatory gaps, corruption, waste and inefficiency, capacity shortfalls, and critical revenue gaps that adversely impact the socio-economic conditions of Nigerians.

Nigeria’s fiscal and economic conditions have worsened in spite of spiraling oil earnings in the last decade before the dip in recent years resulting in inequality, poverty.

However, with the establishment of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), the secrecy that the sector was hitherto shrouded in has been unravelled by the agency’s annual review and audit reports in activities in the extractive sector.

The agency produces reports, which examine physical, financial, process audits of the oil and gas sector and the monies the extractive companies pay to the government with what government declares it receives.

Since Nigeria signed on to EITI membership, NEITI has carried out respective audit reports focusing on oil, gas and solid minerals. Findings from the reports show that Nigeria in the last 10 years lost at least US$2.6 billion in the sector as a result of corruption.

These audits also highlight remedial issues for reconciliation, which if addressed, will enable citizens enjoy maximum benefits from the rich resource endowments

of Nigeria, but unfortunately, attaining closures on these issues prove to be a daunting challenge and exposed a vacuum for advocacy, collaboration and enforcements, where possible.

In recognition of the need to organise, further simplify and scale up engagements around the issue of remediation, OrderPaper conceived the creation of a mobile application to enable and empower stakeholders and interested citizens to effectively track the process, report progress and outcomes through a multi-stakeholder data validation and sharing framework and that effort culminated in what is being known today as RemTrack app.

This was done in collaboration with the Civil Society Steering Committee (CSSC) of NEITI. The RemTrack app relies heavily on technology as a veritable tool for organising data and stimulating constructive engagement of stakeholders around governance and development.

This approach is the first globally. Nowhere in the world has this innovation been introduced to enhance tracking of remedial issues in the oil and gas sector. It organises issues of remediation into simple easy-to-use data and provides room for interactions and engagements on the go.

It is also a bank where relevant data and updated information on NEITI audit reports, pending remediation issues, progress and outcomes of reconciliation, process of remediation and covered entities can be accessed.

Major Milestone The public unveiling of the RemTrack app took place in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 in an event that attracted stakeholders from the oil and gas industry, government regulatory agencies, civil society players, and media practitioners, among others.

Obviously impressed by the quality of the app, Mr. Waziri Adio, Executive Secretary of NEITI, at the event, disclosed that RemTrack will immensely add value to the work of

his organisation and called on citizens of Nigeria to take advantage of the platform for healthy and constructive engagements.

He said while delivering a keynote address before the unveiling of the app, that it was a major milestone in attempts to fix remediation issues arising from his agency’s reports.

He corroborated the claim by the developers of the app that RemTrack has come to simplify the process of tracking issues and implementation of recommendations arising from periodic reports of the agency, and more importantly, to involve all stakeholders, whether players in the sector, journalists, civil society organisations and all citizens, who have mobile devices, in the process of remediation. “This is a major milestone for the Civil Society Steering Committee but also for us at the level of NEITI and also for the country as other people have mentioned,� he said, adding that “this is something that all Nigerians should take credit for, especially the people who midwifed the process.�

He also added that the app, but is more than just an app because of its quest for transparent and accountable governance of Nigeria’s extractive resources. “The app is called RemTrack for a reason, it is remediation tracker and as mentioned before, remediation is a critical part of our work. We do three things; we do reporting, which is publishing the audits, we do dissemination because there is no need just publishing so if we do the audits we have to disseminate it to critical stakeholders and beyond that, we so what is known as remediation,� Adio remarked.

Urging Nigerians to engage the app so that its benefits can be unlocked for the overall benefit of the country, he added: “This signifies the quest to leverage on technology to solve problems. It is a very sensible and smart thing to do in the age that we live in. We live in an age that is the age of technology so, if we don’t take advantage of it, we are just shooting ourselves in the leg.�

The executive secretary, however, called

Accountability Tool The mobile application can be deployed to monitoring accruals to the Federation Account from the extractive sector and withdrawals from same, thereby easing the work of agencies responsible for tracking such activities.

This point was buttressed by the representative of Nigeria’s Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Mr. Babatunde Odu, at the RemTrack app’s inuaguration Expressing delight about the RemTrack app because of its potential to aid the commission to effectively carry out its functions, he stated, “The core mandate of my organisation is to monitor accruals into the federation account and disbursement from the same account to the three tiers of government, adding that this is an app that will provide essential information to even ordinary Nigerians on what exactly is going on or being generated in the oil and gas and extractive industries. It will go a long way in enhancing our operations in RMFAC.�

Unbiased Dataset of Knowledge One feature the app does not have is biased information for witch-hunt or deriding of anybody or stakeholder.

It is solely a simplified database for promoting transparency and accountability in order to reposition the extractives for optimal performance.

Executive director of OrderPaper Advocacy Initiative, Mr Oke Epia, captured this aptly when he explained during his opening remarks at the unveiling of the app, “We have not designed it as a tool to deride or witch-hunt anybody or stakeholder. Rather, we are putting in the hands of citizens, a simplified dataset of knowledge and germane information on the state of Nigeria’s extractive industry as contained in the annual audits of NEITI. “All that we have is all that we have been given by the transparency watchdog and nothing more. This is therefore to assure you that the integrity and sanctity of data contained in the app have met highest possible standards of co-creation and authorisation. We are careful to place in the hands of citizens a verified and validated tool that promises only healthy, factual and evidence-based engagements we all will be happy about at the end of the day. “Like we have in our ConsTrack mobile app for civic engagements in budget and public projects tracking, the RemTrack app boasts of the highest standards of content verification and validation which have gone through layers of vetting across value chains.�

Call for Citizens’ Participation Like stakeholders have noted, RemTrack can only be as successful as the engagement it receives from its users.

The app, which is available on android and apple mobile phones and other hand-held devices, all offers a new vista for individual and group investigation and calls for action.

22

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ ͚ͽ, 2019

THE EXECUTIVE

Chiedu Ugbo

CHIEDU UGBO

Apart from Transmission and Gas Constraints, Revenue Shortfall is Power Sector’s Biggest Challenge The quantum of power that a nation has determines its growth potentials. For a country like Nigeria that has grappled with power outages for decades despite the billions of dollars invested in the sector, transmission remains a problem. However, the appointment of Mr. Chiedu Ugbo as Managing Director of Niger-Delta Power Holding Company (as acting and later substantive) was received with excitement. Ugbo is not just a passive energy industry player, he understands Nigeria’s energy ecosystem, reports Adedayo Adejobi

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ ͚ͽ, 2019

23

Electricity Transmission Companies Determine Power Generation

A

n Illustrious Career in Energy Sector In terms of experience, exposure and education, Chiedu Ugbo, the Managing Director of Niger-Delta Power Holding Company, is streets ahead of his peers when it comes to the in-depth understanding of Nigeria’s energy sector.

Though a trained lawyer who also earned his Master’s in Law from the University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1991, Ugbo’s incursion into the energy sector began in 1999 with a review of the Lagos Enron Independent Power Project (IPP), which later moved to AES, one of the world’s leading power companies.

He was practising at George Ikoli & Okagbue when the brief to consult for the defunct National Electric Power Authority came. At that time, NEPA was a monopoly. In 1999, there was an amendment to the law, which allowed the private sector - the independent power producers to generate power.

Ugbosaid,“WenegotiatedseveralPPAs(Power Purchase Agreement) for IPPs like Ibom Power, Agip (Okpai) and Shell Afam VI (Power Plant in Rivers State) among others.�

By 2005, Ugboh was involved with the Bureau of Public Enterprises to provide external counsel support under a DFID-funded Senior Legal Support project, which was at the heart of the electric power sector reform and several other reforms. He reckoned that any lawyer that fancies working in a specialised industry, the best thing to do is to study the industry well.

He said, “I have taken non-law related courses.

In 2006, I went to study the basics of electricity in Canada; I was at the Canadian Energy Research Institute where I studied the fundamentals of electricity industry restructuring, which gave me sufficient insights and knowledge of the electricity supply industry. “That helped when I was embedded at BPE by the UK/DFID. I was there between 2005 and 2009. So, we were dealing with the issues coming out of the reform. Incidentally, the project manager of the power sector reform at the time, Mr. Chudi Ojukwu, is also a lawyer; he came from law school as a lecturer with a strong interest in electric power sector reforms. He did a good job. So, right now, one has historical, institutional and of course, professional experience, as well.�

Round Peg in Round Hole By 2010, there was a renewed interest in privatization, but he had returned to his private practice at Benchmac & Ince, a law firm he co-founded with a colleague in 2003. “I had gone off to do the port concession of Sierra Leone in Freetown. So when I came back, the then-new DG of the BPE, Ms. Bolanle Onagoruwa, got me a DFID contract again when they wanted to start the full privatisation. So, I stayed to anchor the legal. But before then, I had joined a consortium to bid for transaction advisory services for the privatisation. So when the consortium won and wanted to start the project, I had to move over to the consortium as part of the privatisation transaction advisory legal team. “I coordinated the legal workstream which was a multi-discipline team consisting of financial and investment advisers, technical advisers and other relevant professionals; but I did this while interfacing with Herbert Smith Freehills (an international law firm in London and other parts of the world). We did that all through the time the privatisation exercise lasted. I was also subsequently invited by Nexant of USAto work with them in providing technical support to the BPE under the USAID Fund in the privatisation of Omotosho 1 and Olorunsogo 1 PHCN power plants. “These two plants were built under a Chinese loan that they needed to convert to equity. So we had to advise on the privatization with purchase consideration largely paid by debt-to-equity conversion; I worked with Nexant of USA on the very successful transaction and those plants are now run by Pacific Energy. The power plants are both in grid commercial operations,� Ugbo recalled.

Thereafter, he was invited to support the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc, otherwise known as NBET still under the USAID funding. The NBET, set up by the federal government during the reforms as a credit enhancement measure, came in handy in the realisation that distribution would not be creditworthy considering that there was the need to quickly increase generation.

So, NBET, set up to help mobilise investment

owned by everybody. The challenge might come where, for instance, you need a finance person and the qualified person might not come from the state that has the quota. State A may have a qualified person but it has used up its quota while the person who applied from that state with quota may not qualify in the vacant field, so you have to restart the search. But then, I always tell my colleagues that the federal character is meant to give everybody a sense of belonging, and it is good to forge that sense of unity too,�

Ugbo admitted.

Chiedu Ugbo

in generation, Ugbo asserted, was put in the middle so that lenders will see governmentbacked off-takers that will encourage them to put money into generation. Thus, NBET signed the power purchase agreements (PPA) with the PHCN successor generation companies - they signed PPAwith the Omotosho I and Olorunsogo I power companies and for a new IPP-Azura in Benin. Several solar PPAs currently awaiting completion were also negotiated. “I assisted in the processes under the USAID Africa Infrastructure Program and subsequently under the USAID Power Africa Transaction and Reform Program,� Ugbo stated.

When the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari assumed power in 2015, Ugbo was invited to join the Advisory Power Team in the Office of the Vice-President and subsequently made a senior special assistant to the President on Power Privatisation. He doubled as acting head of theAdvisory Power Team until June 2016 when he was appointed as the acting managing director of the Niger-Delta Power Holding Company Limited. ByAugust 25, 2016, he became the substantive director. And since then, he said, “God has been helping us.�

A Career Trajectory in Private, Public Sector For someone who was used to the structured environment of the private sector, transitioning to the public service was, however, seamless for Ugbo. He has been able to navigate the landmines of public service with aplomb and ĂŠlan.

He explained, “The difference in the environment is just the bureaucracy associated with the public sector. The NDPHC was set up as a fast-track company to do electric power projects.

It is a private limited liability company to be governed by the rules of company law but it must also bear in mind that it is owned 100 per cent by the governments of the Federation: the Federal Government holds 47 per cent of the shares, states holding for themselves and the local governments in their territories hold 53per cent. “So, the money belongs to Nigeria and the shares are held by Nigerian governments. What that tells you is that you must balance speed with the process. You are supposed to run very fast

but again, you must not ignore the bureaucracy that comes with public service, which is meant for accountability. You must go through the processes. You must go through the Bureau of Public Procurement in your procurements; you must get all the necessary approvals for your activities.�

NDPHC’s Astute Team, Board Ugbo disclosed that the challenges of running the NDPHC have been dealt with head-long as a result of having a wonderful, selfless management team of reliable go-getters. “When you have Engr. Ife Oyedele and Babayo Shehu in your team and you are passionate about results, running an agency like the NDPHC becomes seamless to a large extent. So, I will attribute the achievements so far recorded to the formidable management team we have in place,� he said.

Ugbo also acknowledged the importance of the board which has made his job easier with their efficiency and responsiveness. The board comprises bureaucrats and political leaders: six governors, each representing the geo-political zones; and four ministers, including the nation’s attorney general, ministers of finance, power, petroleum resources; and the Vice President.

He said, “The board sits every month because I have to bring my procurement activities requiring board approvals in accordance with the procurement rules - the CEO does not have the sole authority to approve every procurement. He has a limited threshold beyond which tenders’ board approval is required up to a particular limit and, thereafter, the approval of the company’s board. “Remember, our activities involve operation and maintenance of electric power stations and construction of transmission and distribution stations often involving procurement of expensive equipment which must necessarily go to BPP for ‘no objection’ and the necessary authorities for approvals. So, even though you want to get things done as fast as a private company would, creating that balance is key.�

However, there is the challenging situation of the Federal Character rule. “You just have to ensure that you carry everybody along, especially in the NDPHC that is

Nigeria’s History of Epileptic Power Supply Nigeria, according to Ugbo, has 10 power generation projects - eight are already connected to the grid, which will give about 4000mw installed capacity.Associated with the generation projects, he said, are gas transportation infrastructure projects ensuring that gas flows to the station, which he also said have been completed. As of today, he disclosed, the nation does an average of 700mw out of 4000mw because of transmission limitations.

Ugbo added, “Transmission is what determines the generation. Unlike other products, electricity generated is not what you can store and keep somewhere. You have to generate at about the same time the distribution companies are ready for them. If not, the transmission system will collapse. Transmission determines whether we should generate or not. When a certain amount of megawatt is generated, it has to be transmitted. “The constraint has to do with the transmission lines based on off-take from distribution companies. Transmission controls us to generate or not; it will not call you up in the morning to generate or call every one hour to either come down or go up, it is a whole process. The argument is that there is no demand and by that, I mean bulk demand at the distribution end.

And the argument is impacting on generation companies. So, you can see why I said about the average of 700mw compared to 4000mw installed capacity.�

Speaking about the situation, he said, “We have about 2000mw in the western axis from Olorunsogo in Ogun State to Omotosho in Ondo State to Benin to Sapele to Geregu. I need about 400mmscf (abbreviation for million standard cubic feet, a common measure for volume of gas) of gas to run them but only have been able to mobilise 100mmscf, which is barely enough to run 400mw out of 2000mw in the West. “But in our power plant in the East, we have excess gas. We have full gas for Calabar and Alaoji power plants. We have full gas for Gbarain Power Plant. These are the three operational ones in the East. So our transmission constraint is well over our gas constraint; but there is a gas constraint, no doubt.�

He said that a 60 mmscf gas agreement has just been signed with Chevron Nigeria for the Olorunsogo Power Plant among other contracts in that regard. “But there’s the gas challenge and the evacuation challenge while the biggest challenge in the industry is the revenue shortfall. Picture it this way: we have 4000MW, we don’t get dispatched; we don’t get more than 700MW daily because there’s no enough evacuation capability due to distribution constraints. “Even that 700mw we do,� said Ugbo, “when we put in our invoice, we get paid an average of 25 per cent monthly because NBET remits exactly the percentage they get from the distribution companies who claim that what NBET charges are way above what they approve for them to collect from customers. That is the tariff shortfall.

But in addition to that, there is also what they call the market shortfall, which is what distribution companies on their own are not able to meet, so these are the challenges.�

To get around the challenges again, the former Minister of Power, Babatunde Fashola, did what is called ‘Eligible Customer Declaration’ under the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, which allows the NDPHC to seek high net-worth consumers and supply directly to them and collect their money, which he said is helping to improve revenue.

Ugbo noted further, “We are also working with distribution companies to mitigate that and to also do end-to-end‌like from our power plant to the end-users. We are looking at the arrangement with our power plant in Ogun State. We hope to work with the Lagos State Government to start with certain areas on how to supply 24/7 electricity end to end where all the issues are cleared; and supply directly, get the payment directly. But we must carry the distribution companies along.â€?

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ ͚ͽ, 2019

24

TRAVEL

Edited by: Demola Ojo email:Demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Indulging in Sharm el Sheikh Some destinations have the sea, others the desert, and some like Sharm el Sheikh have both.

Demola Ojo was at Egypt’s famous Red Sea resort city...

T

he one-hour flight from Cairo to Sharm el Sheikh arrives just beforemidnightbutthecommute to the hotel from the airport awakens the senses as thoughts of sleep quickly evaporated.

Lit palm trees line the streets and colourful neon lights flash on buildings, indicating thriving nightlife. House music wafts through the early morning air. This is a town that doesn’t sleep.

The nightlife in Sharm El Sheikh is modern and developed with excellent security, ensuring that both leisure and commerce continue into the wee hours of the morning.

While you expect bars, restaurants and nightclubs to stay open late, it is a pleasant surprise to find souvenir, handicraft, essential oil stores and many more open round the clock. They sell at cheaper prices than in Cairo too.

The routine in Sharm is beach by day, party at night, repeat. Sharm’s geographical location is a big factor that drives this lifestyle. It is on Egypt’s eastern coastline along the Red Sea, part of a stretch named the Red Sea Riviera.

The city is on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula and is the administrative hub of Egypt’s South Sinai Governorate, which includes the mountainous interior of St. Catherine and Mount Sinai.

Sinai is the land bridge between Africa and Asia and Mount Sinai – also known as Mount Moses - is one of the most religiously significant places for Abrahamic faiths.

Sharm’s major industry is tourism, owing to its dramatic landscape, year-round dry climate with long hot summers and warm winters as well as long stretches of beautiful beaches and abundant natural and archaeological points of interest.

October to March is the best time to visit, with typicaltemperaturesbetween18to23°CinJanuary.

Environmental zoning laws currently limit the height of buildings in Sharm to avoid obscuring the natural beauty of the surroundings.

Sharm is the leading choice for many Europeans in the winter months, especially Italians and Russians. There are loads of Italian restaurants and clubs in addition to the numerous international hotels and resorts.

The tourist economy of this Sinai Peninsula city has grown quite rapidly over the last few decades, resulting in first-class resorts and posh nightlife.

All-Inclusive Resorts A large number of staff working at the Aurora Oriental hotel - where a group of tour operators from Nigeria and I stayed – were from Italy or Russia. They wore slightly different uniforms to be identified as one or the other.

TheAurora is just one of the dozens of resorts in Sharm. They offer well-manicured lawns, swimming pools, spas, sun, sea, sand, palm trees, water sports and in some cases, golf course.

TheAurora is expansive with two massive outdoor pools along a walkway that snakes through beautiful greenery and leads to a pristine private beach and the crystal clear waters of the Red Sea. Just like most resorts in Sharm, the Aurora is an all-inclusive resort. This is especially convenient for customers who save up for a vacation and pay for tours that cover everything: flights, lodging, three meals daily, snacks in-between meals and soft drinks.

Depending on the package (and the tag you wear during your stay), alcoholic drinks, nonmotorized water sports and other activities are included in the price as well.

Water Sports It only took a minute or two at the beach before an Egyptian staff of ‘Sea World’ came across to the table where three of us sat. We didn’t want to be distracted, so we told him to drop the flyer and we’ll reach him. We weren’t so sure why he was insistent on explaining to us until later; it was in Italian!

The waters of the Red Sea at Sharm are clear and calm for most of the year and have become popular for various water sports, particularly recreational scuba diving and snorkelling.

View of Red Sea and Sinai mountains from the Sharm Marina hotel

Diverse marine life and hundreds of Red Sea coral reef sites make Sharm El Sheikh a magnet for divers from around the world. It provides some of the most stunning underwater scenery and warm water, making this an ideal place to dive.

The temperature of the Red Sea in the region ranges from 21 to 28 °C over the course of the year, which is music to the ears.

Other popular activities include windsurfing, kitesurfing, para-sailing, boating, and canoeing.

There is great scope for scientific tourism with diversity in marine life.

On the day the tour operators in the group went out on a facility inspection, I stayed back to write. In need of inspiration, I set out for the beach. This time, it didn’t take much convincing for me to hire a speedboat and set out to one of the coral reefs 10 minutes away.

The boat trip itself is an experience to be savoured, with the hills of Sinai forming a stunning backdrop. It is especially jaw-dropping at sunset.

Swimming with colourful fish at the coral reefs is an activity families will enjoy with shallow spots to wade in water.

For a mind-blowing experience though, a trip to Tiran Island – another 10 to 15 minutes away - is recommended. Here, dolphins are frequently sighted and lucky tourists have had the opportunity to spend some time in water with them while snorkelling or diving. It is another reason Sharm is regarded as one of the best diving destinations in the world.

Desert Safari Sharm’s attraction isn’t limited to the warm, clear waters of the Red Sea. The desert and the peaks of Sinai offer diverse and exciting activities: paragliding, canyon excursions, horse riding, camel riding and desert safari with rhino buggies or quad bikes.

Our group went on a quad bike adventure that started just past sunset, around 5pm in Sharm at this time of the year. It was a surprise and we got there too late to take sunset pictures but twilight is scenic still.

About 15 bikes kicking up dust headed into the hills at dusk. After about 30 minutes of off-road riding, we made a stop to shout “LA-GOS� just to hear the mountain echo it.

The next stop was dinner with Bedouins after being treated to entertainment, including belly dancing. Two hours later, we were headed back to the hotel covered in dust but reliving an exhilarating experience.

Photos: Firoj Alam

Beach at Aurora Oriental

There are quad bike adventures into the scenic mountains of the Sinai Peninsula

25

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ ͚ͽ, 2019

TRAVEL

Tropical Danfo at Eko Hotel lobby

Tropical Christmas Wonderland Kicks off with Light-up Ceremony Stories by Demola Ojo

I

mages of Christmas are usually of Santa Claus on a sleigh pulled by reindeer through snow. But in Lagos, it’s warm in December, the perfect setting for a tropical Christmas experience.

The Eko Hotels & Suites is ‘owning’ the tropical Christmas narrative, with a series of events themed Tropical Christmas Wonderland. It kicks-off today with a light-up ceremony but regular visitors to the hotel would have noticed changes as preparations started in earnest weeks ago.

An early indication of the Victoria Islandbased hotel’s plan to organize one of the liveliest and most colourful events this festive season is the Christmas-themed Danfo parked in the hotel’s lobby. The Danfo is the iconic yellow bus that Lagos is known for.

It continues with the yellow theme as a brand new mural welcoming guests adorns the lobby.

According to the hotel’s Director of Marketing, Iyadunni Gbadebo, “The Tropical Christmas Wonderland is a premier Christmas event created by the management of the hotel to raise the stakes in the Nigeria hospitality industry.�

Today’s light-up ceremony will be followed by a line-up of fun events for the rest of the month. The events are designed for individuals and families to relive classic Christmas memories and create new magical ones infused with the one-of-a -kind hospitality that Eko Hotel offers. “In the last four years, we organized smaller scale Christmas holidays, but this year, for the first time, your family will relive the true essence of Christmas as was narrated to you as a child,� Gbadebo said. “Our four hotels including Eko Signature, Eko Suites, Eko Hotel and Eko Gardens will offer families three- or five-day all-inclusive packages to a place where even parents read about in storybooks when they were young.�

From December 21 to 31, Eko Hotels

will metamorphose into a colourful and adventurous destination. The highlights of the planned activities include ladies night, indoor and outdoor games arena, in-house cinema experience, and 24-hour creche service.

Christmas Eve will be a day for guests to enjoy a thrilling Santa procession with nutcrackers and elves, and fabulous barbecue buffet dinner.

On Christmas Day, the Kuramo sports cafĂŠ will host families and friends to choice meals drawn from different continents. The Christmas costume concert in the evening promises pleasant surprises.

Boxing Day will feature a high life and palm wine themed night and an exquisite dinner buffet experience while New Year’s Eve features midnight fireworks that usher guests into 2020. “If you are looking for a truly special place, then come to Eko Hotels and experience our unique lodging experience and outstanding one-of-a-kind food, beverage and entertainment offerings,� Gbadebo concluded.

Radisson Anchorage Celebrates Blu Christmas with Free Night The Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel in Victoria IslandLagosisofferingguestsmouth-wateringdeals for a month starting today. Between December 15 and January 12, 2020, the hotel is giving a third night free if a guest stays for two consecutive nights.

According to the hotel’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Wellington Mpofu, this is just one of the many ways the hotel is giving to its guests in the spirit of Christmas.

Anotherdealisforthoseplanningevents,whereby if you rent a meeting space for 50 people and buy three bottles of champagne, you can bring in your other drinks for free.

There are surprises in wait for the kids during Christmas and New Year brunch, with face and picture painting, movies, games, bouncing castle and presents.

The Radisson Blu Anchorage is a modern hotel with an urban vibe in the centre of VI. It is in close proximity to many of the city’s leading nightlife spots, while also offering tantalising views of the Five Cowrie Creek, an inlet of the Lagos Lagoon.

During weekends, guests can relax at the Surface Bar for sundowners, then dinner before setting out for the night if they choose to.

An added advantage of the Radisson BluAnchorage is the hotel jetty, which enables guests to go on cruises to nearby islands like Tarkwa Bay and Ilashe among others.

Radisson Blu Anchorage poolside and jetty

The Emirates Christmas meal for younger travellers

Emirates to Serve 500,000 Christmas Meals Emirates Airlines says it will have served 500,000 Christmas meals on its flights by the end of December, along with festive treats for younger passengers and premium customers.

The carrier started offering its Christmas menu from December 9, with the festive fare running until December 31.

The menu will be served on routes toAustralia, New Zealand, the UK, Europe, the US, South Africa and the Philippines.

Economy passengers will be offered turkey slices with mashed potato, green peas, baby carrots and cranberry jus liĂŠ, followed by milk chocolate mousse topped with a festive chocolate button.

Meanwhile business and first class customers can opt for roasted turkey breast and apricot stuffing, roast potatoes with creamy brussels sprouts with turkey bacon and cranberry jus liĂŠ, followed by a Santa inspired chocolate cake or a chocolate gingerbread cake.

PremiumtravellersonEmirates’A380routeswill also be able to visit the onboard lounge to sample treats including Santa’s SpicedAmarula cocktails, mince pies, gingerbread snowman cookies and cranberry, coconut and white chocolate truffles.

In first class the goodie basket will be given a festive twist to include Butlers chocolate and orange bars, gingerbread popcorn, Lakrids salted caramel liquorice and chocolate, and roast turkey and stuffing flavoured crisps.

Finally younger economy passengers will get a chocolate snowman cookie with their lunch or dinner, and children in first class will be offered hot chocolate with marshmallows and star-shaped cookies.

All of Emirates’ 41 lounges will also serve Christmas dishes between December 15 and 31, including roast turkey and stollen cake.

In addition the carrier’s seven lounges at Dubai International will offer a selection of special ice cream flavours including gingerbread and coconut caramel flavours.

The airline says it will also add a range of Christmas classics to its IFE systems, including The Polar Express, Elf, Home Alone, Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and It’s a Wonderful Life.

26

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ ͚ͽ, 2019

BUSINESS INTERVIEW PROMISE AMAHA We Can Use Agriculture to Reset Nigeria’s Story In the unique case of Promise Amaha, the President of Young Farmers Network, geology’s loss became agriculture’s gain. In this interview with Stanley Nkwazema, Amaha believes that Nigeria’s agricultural sector can create not only jobs but wealth

W

hy did you leave geology for agriculture?

It has been very interesting because it clearly shows that sometimes you are not what you study. We know how taking those decisions - especially at Bachelor’s level is influenced by parents. They didn’t really consider what we were passionate about but wanted us to do what they felt was going to strengthen the family both economically and ensure societal relevance. But beyond that you can also not detach the relationship of geology from agriculture because geology simply said is the study of the earth, of soil and one of the critical components of agriculture is the soil itself.

So there is a lot of inter-relatedness and there are a lot of relationships that geology prepares you to understand when you decide to go into agriculture. The transition was not very difficult. It was something I found very interesting, of course, I had to become the black sheep of the family for a while but now I am living my best life ever since then. It has been trying but what I have come to realize for the past decade trying to understand and practice agriculture is that the challenge is in that mindset called agriculture.

Agriculture to me is a mindset; what is the attraction is called agribusiness. In my own school of thought, I defined agriculture as a tradition, something that refers to culture, the culture of food.

When you talk about agribusiness, it now takes you down the whole gamut of wealth creation, job creation, opportunities creation, the endless possibilities within the agricultural space. I have gone beyond talking about the value chain because of my understanding. I am now communicating value-added services and that is why in the latter part of this conversation you will find out the core concept of the Young Farmers Network which I envisioned and founded.

How did you get into agriculture proper after school?

After school, it was turbulent because it was a decision between trying to make ends meet and finding a direction. At that point agriculture was not going to put food on the table; it was not going to sustain you. You had to find a job, prepare your CV and wait for Tuesday The Guardian newspapers to see job openings so that you can apply. I had it at the back of my mind that agriculture is something I would like to do later but I needed to hustle first.

But agriculture did not want to wait for later because even on my salaried job, agriculture got me into trouble. The first job I got in Lagos, I was suspended and later had to resign because of agriculture. Quick story: Back in time, I went to Goodies Supermarket on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, to pick a few groceries during the weekend and I saw the honey shelf. All I could see there was the foreign honey all going for very expensive prices and I remembered that where I come from in the East, these are things we saw the process of harvesting.

Where precisely?

In Nsukka, Enugu State. I grew up in the university environment in Nsukka. I went to university primary school and I went to the University of Nigeria too. The relationship was very strong and when you talk about honey production in Nigeria, it is the eastern part of Nigeria that has dominance in honey production.

Curiosity led me to know that. I quickly asked my mum about the availability of our local honey. She said, ‘Yes, it is available if you want it I can waybill 25 litres for you via Ifesinachi (courier service) for you since you want to start drinking it and you can pick it the following day at Jibowu.’ I now met the Lebanese guy who was the manager of Goodies Supermarket and asked him ‘If I give you an option of pure natural African honey to adorn your shelves, will you give me a good display?’ He told me no problem as long as the packaging is clean as you can see the quality of goods displayed in the place and he is particular about what people take in.

I got my first 25 litres from my mom and used my friend’s father’s car park opposite the Ikoyi Club as a bottling place. I went to Ilupeju and bought pet bottles and quickly did a local production facility. I remember my label then was called BG’s.

I went to Obalende and got the printing guys to get me a clean label. Used the filters to filter the honey, bottle it, put my BG’s label, had a pack of 24 in a carton. The next time I was in Goodies Supermarket I told the Lebanese guy I am ready to supply. He said he liked my passion and was excited and would let me have a go at this but will only pay me when my product is sold. No upfront payments. He told the storekeeper to give me a decent shelf space and that was it.

Four days later, the Lebanese manager called me and said the honey was sold out and demand had increased and we need to have a go at this. Interestingly the elite that came to shop at Goodies had a different experience from the local honey and foreign ones

Promise Amaha

and the way my labels were colourfully made. They liked the whole idea and they wanted to try it out. In four days, my stock of 24 bottles was gone and there was pressure. The manager now agreed to give me credit upfront to augment my stuff and increase the numbers. That’s how I became a honey merchant.

The process of waiting for the waybill, from 50 litres to 100 litres and above to arrive and you know Lagos to coordinate my work; I missed work a few days and came late a few days.

From suspension, I requested to resign. That’s how agriculture pulled me back into the mix. But the story I want to pull out from this particular experience is that it was obvious from my first 24 bottles that I had made more than my salary for the month in four days. That was what gave me the confidence and conviction to even resign beyond passion.

Farming, usually, isn’t attractive to Nigerian youths. It’s seen as an old people’s job. Why? That has actually been the bane of agricultural productivity in Nigeria. But it is interesting to know that regardless of the youth apathy to agriculture it is still the highest employer of labour. We have almost 90% of smallholders responsible for production in Nigeria. That was the inspiration behind setting up the Young Farmers Network. I will tell you a quick story again. Being a very active child in primary school we had the young farmers club, same for secondary school. One of the exciting things was experiencing the assignments.

They would tell you to go and plant a bean or corn seed and you would eagerly wait for it to shoot. Some nights I will peep to see... ‘God, I want to see when you bring this thing out’. That experience actually strengthened my interest in agriculture and I was excited about going forward. But after secondary school being anything in the young farmers club became unattractive because at that point all you think about is how to succeed in life; how to choose your career and other stuff. If that excitement was sustained from the first time, we were exposed to it, it would have kept most of us in the agricultural space.

Part of the things we are doing differently in the young farmers’ network is to revive and reactivate the young farmers’ clubs from nursery to primary and secondary schools and even into tertiary institutions and until they get to the labour market. We are trying to run a system like what you have with the Rotary Club where you have the ‘interactor’. The ‘interactor’ becomes a ‘rotaractor’. The ‘rotaractor’ becomes a Rotarian. That way you can keep the enthusiasm going.

I did a baseline survey two years ago before setting up the Young Farmers Network and I went to Shendam in Plateau State, to work with the young farmers in Shendam. That is how I started my farm there in the rice farm season to see how they work. I thought I was a superman so they cut all the harvested rice and were threshing manually because they did not have mechanical harvesters. They couldn’t even afford mechanical harvesters. I took the stick to help them beat it. By the third strike, I almost gave up the ghost it was such a hectic experience. My palms were full of blisters already. That is not the experience any young person wants to be identified with.

Simply stated it is that culture which is still the tradition that has not evolved which has kept young people from doing that.

Imagine the fun of harvesting with harvesters, imagine mechanization in agriculture. Imagine incorporating value-added services beyond the value chain in agriculture. That is where the attraction is. Interestingly, we are beginning to have positive responses since we inferred we have not even rolled out officially our membership but over 60,000 people have found their way into the network. We have not even declared formally that we are hiring. What we are saying is that anybody can be a member of the network because, in my experience, agriculture connects every other person.

So, I asked a simple question: For the livestock farmer that raises poultry, are you the one that built your poultry pen? No? Okay the guy that farms rice that has to hire a tractor, are you the guy that manufactures your tractor or also services them if they go bad even if you own them? No. So there is a serious connection between agriculture/agribusiness. It is multi-disciplinary stuff.

What we did was to create an ecosystem that will allow every value-added service that is connected to the value chain. Now we have a value chain from primary production to post-harvest management. Each of those value chains has what we call valueadded services.

The way to make it exciting for young people is to create a merger between the people providing value-added services and the people creating a value chain and it becomes a family where everyone plays a role. It becomes exciting and everybody is making a top dollar because everybody is making money across the chain. If you are a medical doctor, you don’t need to unlearn your discipline and you don’t also need to relearn a particular agribusiness. Some of them come to me saying “I want to be a young farmer� I usually ask what their drive is; the passion or the money. The question will help me position them. We had a conference call with Hello Tractor yesterday. Hello Tractor is a young Nigerian that has become so successful and famous. What did he do differently? He created a technology that is an app for tractor hiring that manages both tractor owners and the people they lease tractors. It has been such a successful business model.

Where is he based?

Yesterday, when I spoke with him he was in Kenya. But he has a strong Nigeria base. ANigerian but because of the model and the audience created all over the world they are seeking his services because he makes the engagement in agriculture accessible. The three things you watch out for in an agricultural business to make it successful are the three A’s: affordability, availability, and accessibility. Those three are critical things you need to make sure are involved in agricultural business before it becomes more attractive.

He did not stop there. He also embeds GPS technologies in all the tractors. When young people know that this kind of technology is in the mix, it excites them. We are in the 21st century and also approaching the fourth industrial revolution.

How do you handle your local product demand with the borders closed?

I am writing an article titled, ‘The Nigerian Border Closure: The End of an Era of Deception’. What has happened in this sector is that a lot of deception has been bandied around by people who have no business in agriculture; who are actually government players and politicians. Unfortunately, some years back some politicians came up to say that Nigeria has met self-sufficiency in rice production. It’s on record. I am not blackmailing anybody.

Because I am actively engaged in this thing, I know that this is a very poor political statement to make. The reason why he could pass such a statement was that such leaks like the border were still very porous. So you could augment the inflow and bag it in local bags and then push into the market.

So it did not make any sense. But now a strong president with a strong political will has decided interestingly to shut down the borders and we’re all applauding it. The News Agency of Nigeria interviewed me and I told them it is a good move to shut down the borders but the most critical thing is now to start creating an enabling environment to be able to shore up the consequence of shutting the borders.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 15, 2019 • T H I S D AY

27

28

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž ÍŻÍłËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

FOCUS

Vanessa Obioha writes that the American superstar reminded Nigerians of how blessed they are during her less than 72-hour stay in Nigeria

Cardi B

AMERICAN RAPPERS CARDI B’S MIND-BLOWING 72-HOURS IN NIGERIA

B

y this time last weekend, Cardi B has already left Nigeria after delivering a show-stopping performance at the Livespot X Festival.

The music festival which took place at the sandy beach of Eko Atlantic, Lagos on December 7 was the climax of her three-day visit to Nigeria.

Of all the international superstars advertised to be in the

country this festive period, Cardi was the loudest. Not necessarily because of the continuous reel of messages displayed on various media platforms. The singer, actress and media personality genuinely showed interest in visiting the most populous nation in Africa. Being the first time she is visiting the continent, Cardi made sure every moment counted.

From the moment she boarded a private jet to Nigeria, Cardi (whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis AlmĂĄnzar)

gave a taste of what she had in store for Nigeria. She posted a video on her Instagram page dancing to a remix of Davido’s ‘Fall’. The video was the first hint that Nigerians got about the yet-tobe-released remix. Within minutes, the video went viral. Nigerians dwelled on the singer’s, who was formerly a stripper, dance moves.

They hoped that they will get a lasting performance at the concert.

Settling into her new environment was easier for the rapper than most anticipated.

Known for her sassy and forthright attitude, Cardi didn’t go the uppity way of most celebrities.

Rather, she interacted with Nigerians as if she had known them all her life. She requested to eat the famous Jollof rice.

Apparently, the ‘Bodak Yellow’ rapper must have heard about the tasty meal that in recent times, has garnered much popularity on social media and eager to explore it. She took to Instagram to tell her over 55 million fans that she wanted to eat the meal. “Alright this 7 o’clock in the morning. I want to go to the (expletive) hood. I want to see the real Nigeria. I don’t want to eat the hotel food, I want like real Nigerian food, all that fish, all that Nigerian Jollof rice, all that, all that,� she said before launching into a freestyle song to express her desire.

Later that day, while vibing to Nigerian latest Grammy nominee, Burna Boy’s ‘Ye’, the rapper christened herself ‘Chioma B’, replacing Cardi with the Igbo name. The inspiration behind her choice is unknown as most international celebrities often pick Yoruba names. Perhaps, she was inspired by Davido’s beau, Chioma. Nigerians, however, nicknamed her daughter Kulture,

29

DECEMBER 15, 2019 ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

FOCUS

Cardi B And Lessons of American Rapper’s Stay in Nigeria

Cardi B at a Motherless Baby Home in Lekki

‘Ayo’.

The Grammy winner later had the opportunity to explore Lagos as she wanted. She visited a strip club in Lagos with Nigerian rapper, Jidenna, where she could be seen spraying cash to the strippers who were overly excited to be with her. Then, she drove through Ajose Adeogun/Eko Hotel Roundabout where she was so stunned at the dazzling Christmas decor by Zenith Bank along the axis such that she took some few images on the spot.

Cardi spent time at the Cubana Club in Victoria Island, one of the premium night clubs in Lagos where again she partied and danced with her fans.

In the usual Livespot 360 Creative Agency tradition, the rapper visited a motherless babies’ home in Lekki before her performance at the concert. Cardi was reported to have shopped tremendously for the children.

From toiletries to food supplies, she and her crew stocked the vehicle with everything it could carry. The moment was apparently dear to her as she took to the Instagram to share the experience, writing: “Gotta thank the ladies and gentlemen that nurtured these kids that need just a little bit

“I like this country. You get everything you like in this country. If you looking for tourism, like going to the beach as a couple with your wife or husband, they have that. If you are looking for culture, want to see how people are living and how people make a living, they have that of more love and protection and gear them up for a better place, destiny, and future. People like y’all matter.”

When she finally performed at the Livespot X Festival, it was a musical ecstasy for the teeming crowd that had gathered there. She stunned in a hairstyle that boldly displayed the green and white colours of Nigeria. Her dress also followed the same pattern. The mono-sleeved green dress that came with a corset bodice allowed her fans to enjoy a fantastic view of her rear side as she twerked and whined her waist to pulsating beats and claps.

Though Cardi spent less than 72 hours in the country, her ‘patriotic’ fervor reminded Nigerians that not everyone views the nation from a corruption lens.

She celebrated every aspect of Nigeria’s culture. From the food to the music, to the hustle, she showed Nigerians what it means to be a Nigerian and how to enjoy being a Nigerian. In one of her videos, she explained why she loved the country.

“I like this country. You get everything you like in this country. If you looking for tourism, like going to the beach

as a couple with your wife or husband, they have that. If you are looking for culture, want to see how people are living and how people make a living, they have that. It reminds me of the Caribbean Island with a touch of New York and everybody is busy. The streets are always crowded,” she said.

To further cement her love for the country, she took to her Instagram page and shared images of her performance on stage with the caption, ‘Missing Nigeria’, two days after her departure.

Arguably, Cardi is one celebrity that has displayed love for Nigeria unabashedly.

The rapper didn’t allow the negative stories about the country to cloud her judgment, rather she chose to celebrate the people and their lifestyle.

Though she may not fit the ideal superstar in the eyes of moralists what cannot be denied is that Cardi B, the Grammy award- winner loves Nigeria and Nigerians shouldn’t love their own fatherland less, notwithstanding the shortcomings of their leaders.

30

˜ ˞ DECEMBER 15, 2019

MARKET NEWS

FMDQ, Dangote Cement, Tanscorp, Zenith Bank, Others Win Capital Market Awards Goddy Egene

Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) Corporation of Nigeria(Transcorp Capital Market awards, for coming Plc). The awards, which were Six companies listed on the out tops in their respective sectors. based on empirical data, saw Nigerian Stock Exchange Also, FMDQ Securities Exchange Dangote Cement Plc emerge as (NSE) were recognised for their won an award for sustaining the the most profitable company on outstanding performances in debt capital market development. the NSE in 2018.

The companies are: Dangote Zenith Bank Plc won the award the 2018 financial year despite the challenging operating Cement Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, for the most profitable bank while environment. The companies Access Bank Plc, Nestle Nigeria Nestle Nigeria Plc was recognised were recognised with the Plc, Seplat Petroleum Development as the most profitable company Capital Market Correspondents Company Plc,and Transnational in the consumer goods sector.

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. investment vehicle that allows both small and Investors with similar objectives buy units of the large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their that willl generate their desired return. investments. The assets are divided into shares that An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, GUIDE TO DATA: etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 12shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the Dec-2019, unless otherwise stated.

Seplat Petroleum Development the winners, one the Patrons Company emerged as the most of CAMCAN and Managing profitable company in the oil Director, APT Securities and Funds and gas sector. Access Bank Plc Limited, , Mallam Garba Kurfi, went home with the award of lauded the listed firms and the the lowest non-performing loans, FMDQ Securities Exchange Plc while Transnational Corporation for their outstanding performances of Nigeria Plc emerged the most in development of Nigeria’s improved company in the economy. conglomerates sector.

According to him, the Presenting the awards to companies deserved the awards 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.

considering their commitments and resilience despite the tough operating environment. The awardees expressed their gratitude to the association and promised to continue to strive to sustain their performance.

According to CAMCAN, the companies were rewarded using various measurable criteria based on empirical data.

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 143.31 146.14 -8.63% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 11.31% Nigeria International Debt Fund 310.53 310.53 17.74% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.90 0.90 6.51% ACAP Income Funds 0.77 0.77 34.95% 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 11.37% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.43 2.47 9.56% 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 14.97 15.42 -9.76% ARM Discovery Fund 341.34 351.63 -4.29% ARM Ethical Fund 29.06 29.94 2.91% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.54% 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 94.83 95.49 -6.29% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 10.34% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 1.91 1.91 15.37% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 0.12 0.10 11.70% Paramount Equity Fund 12.37 12.48 4.76% Women's Investment Fund 109.59 110.58 5.97% 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 10.43% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 97.40 98.08 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 98.83 99.67 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.34% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.94 0.94 9.48% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.39 1.39 23.69% 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 10.30% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 8.87% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,203.98 1,209.89 20.60% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,279.48 1,280.66 19.63% FBN Balanced Fund 143.16 144.20 0.27% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 10.72% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 118.88 119.21 9.25% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 119.45 119.77 10.02% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 127.16 128.81 -15.23% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.77% Legacy Debt Fund 3.64 3.64 12.17% Legacy Equity Fund 1.09 1.11 -10.91% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.08 1.08 4.89% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,061.15 3,094.50 2.61% Coral Income Fund 3,077.13 3,077.13 12.27% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 11.74% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.85% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 116.25 116.85 7.60% 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 10.00 10.00 11.88%

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 10.35% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.18 2.20 0.86% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 11.10% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 142.42 142.57 13.98% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD ďŹ ncon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.17 1.19 6.37% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,119.55 1,119.55 12.30% 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 9.39 9.48 -11.83% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 9.07% 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 1.30 1.32 5.39% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.23 12.30 9.32% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.75% PACAM Equity Fund 1.01 1.02 PACAM EuroBond Fund 102.45 104.48 SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 133.11 134.40 18.91% 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 1.03 1.03 13.14% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,505.23 2,516.57 8.19% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.17 210.17 12.90% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.86 0.87 -8.95% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.52 273.61 12.70% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 152.61 154.32 -6.45% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 10.11% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,611.66 7,692.75 -10.39% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.16 1.16 6.74% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 101.99 101.99 0.00% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.17 1.18 0.63% United Capital Bond Fund 1.68 1.68 15.98% United Capital Equity Fund 0.68 0.69 -5.19% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.40% United Capital Eurobond Fund 111.40 111.4045 8.07% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.07 1.07 6.06% 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 10.30 10.39 -9.02% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.72 11.87 -6.45% Zenith Income Fund 22.81 22.81 12.82% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.43%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

5.40 118.57 53.38

-44.85% 6.66% 3.17%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

8.34 89.75 70.82

8.44 91.69 72.16

-16.13% -20.71% -17.48%

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

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

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.43 5.36 11.79 10.41 168.56

3.47 5.44 11.89 10.61 170.56

-14.07% -29.51% -19.26% -15.63% 26.31%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

108.40

17.40%

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

15.12.2019

OLAJUMOKE ADENOWO

Architect, Polymath ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/funkola2000@gmail.com

32

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž ÍŻÍłËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

COVER

I Draw Inspiration from My Heritage to Understand the Future Olajumoke Adenowo’s gaze tells something unique about her. Her graceful gait signposts her dedication, cerebration. Recently, the award-winning architect was appointed a visiting professor at the Technical University of Munich. Her lectures in Munich were well-received. Her hosts at TUM - home to Germany’s leading architecture programme - chose to delve deeper into the subject matter she broached in her lectures and decided on a groundbreaking visit to Nigeria, Demola Ojo writes

D

ressed in a Burgundy aso-oke jacket and a white shirt over black trousers, Olajumoke Adenowo stands tall in the atrium of AD Studio, an architectural masterpiece she designed. On this occasion, she commences with a presentation, ‘A Contemporary Nigerian Architecture of Global Relevance’, and after an enlightening and engaging session on her work as a reflection of this quest, she moderates a panel of architects and artists; Oliver Enwonwu of Ben Enwonwu Foundation, Muhtar Bakare of Kachifo and Isaac Emokpae.

It was the beginning of what was to be a first-hand taste of Nigerian architecture, art, and culture for the visiting faculty and students from the Technical University of Munich.

Adenowo commands the attention of the audience of about 20, projecting her voice perfectly, engaging them wittily and authoritatively. It is a diverse assemblage of young and old, African and European, artists and investors.

It is an intimate gathering of select thought leaders: Prof Olatunji Oloruntimehin, a professor of history and erstwhile president of the Nigerian Academy of Letters; Dietrich Erben, Chair of Art History, Theory of Architecture and Design at TUM; Dr. Sarah Hegenbart of TUM; Arno Waschk, an opera singer and artist from Berlin; Mobola Adeniji, Vice

Adenowo

President Nigerian Institute of Architects; Obi Nwogugu of Capital Alliance; Tola Odeyemi, Head of Policy for Uber West Africa; practising architects as well as students of architecture from TUM. “It is an unprecedented visit because the faculty came over.

Prof. Erben is one of the foremost art historians in Germany,�

Adenowo says. “They are interested in Nigeria and in my work because they are interested in the global south.

They believe that they have experienced what the north has to offer and also the Orient, but Africa offers a new horizon.�

Part of this exploration includes going to see other works

by Adenowo, a famed architect with more than 70 designs in her portfolio spanning Nigerian and multi-national companies including Coca-Cola, L’Oreal, Access Bank, GT Bank and many more.

The delegation also visited other sites of architectural and artistic interest in Lagos, then went to her alma mater, the University Of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), where Adenowo graduated with distinction.

They were warmly received by OAU’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ogunbodede, the Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Design and Management, Prof Olubola Babalola, the Head of Department, Prof Jayeoba and Prof Bayo Amole.

The OAU campus is considered one of the most beautiful in Africa and was designed by award-winning Bauhaus trained architect, Arieh Sharon. Adenowo won the keenly contested competition to design a new senate building for the university.

Growing up within the university campus and later studying there helped shape Adenowo’s approach to contextually apposite, globally relevant architecture and convinced her that her future was

57

DECEMBER 15, 2019 ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

COVER

My Ethos, Pathos And Logos in designing buildings.

But it was all sparked by an experience she had as a toddler.

“When I was three years old, my parents took me on a European tour. We went to Paris and the Palais de Versailles. To my young mind the experience was indelible,” she recollects. From that moment, she knew she wanted to be an architect.

It says a lot about Adenowo that she has vivid memories of Versailles at three. “I remember the gifts from my second birthday,” she insists. She was a precocious kid, one who later enrolled in the university at the tender age of 14 and earned her BSc with honours at 19.

As an undergraduate, she won the prize for Best Student Design and later worked on the Federal Ministry of Finance project in Abuja at the age of 23.

In 1994, at the age of 25, she founded AD Consulting, her own boutique architecture, and interior design firm. She has gone on to win multiple awards in her chosen field.

Adenowo has been described as the face of architecture in Nigeria and CNN tagged her ‘Africa’s Starchitect’. But she is a lot more than an architect. She is a public speaker, radio host, and author.

She was recognized as the New African Business Woman of the year in 2015 and is one of Africa’s most powerful women in business.

In 1999, she founded Awesome Treasures Foundation, philanthropy recognized by the United Nations and affiliated with the Edmond De Rothschild Family Philanthropy Platform.

“We have global summits from Nigeria to Accra, New York, and London. We are raising transformational leaders, helping people find their purpose and deploying their purpose to impact their communities and the globe.

“For instance, one of our initiatives - an annual leadership summer camp for about 150 inner-city children - has been running for nine years.”

The syndicated radio program on leadership called ‘Voice of Change’ which she hosts every week is also in its ninth year.

At the AD Studio, the conscious attempt at being as Nigeriancentric as possible is evident.

The music is by Fela and Asa, the artworks – illuminated by natural light streaming in through the atrium and elegant fenestration - are by Nigerian artists Isaac Emokpae, Alex Nwokolo, Diseye Tantua, and photographer Emmanuel Oyeleke.

Drinks served on this occasion are Zobo, Palmwine cocktail, and Chapman. Snacks include Lagos Island-inspired Gurudi, Kokoro, coconut candy and puff puff, which was an unparalleled hit with the visitors.

Guinea fowl, Asun, Jollof rice, and spicy plantain, seafood with Ofada rice, tomato suya pasta and suya beef short ribs, prawns and akara with lemon and ogi dip, chicken balls, honey bean porridge and more are all part of the culinary excursion of South Western Nigeria.

The origin of each dish is explained in detail by Chef Eros (of Ile Eros) especially for

Adenowo and her guests at the atrium of the AD studio

...during a presentation

the benefit of the German guests, ensuring that their visit isn’t just about architecture but rather a total cultural immersion.

The guests are presented with aso-oke (a centuries-old, handmade, loom-woven cloth), as their personal pieces of Yoruba heritage.

Adenowo elaborates on the choice of keepsakes. “Aso-oke designs are based on fractals, a mathematical phenomenon occurring in nature and indigenous to African design which has only, relatively recently, become a subject of study in the global north following the first observation of the phenomenon

by German mathematician George Canton in 1877.

“It is iconic to me and symbolic of my mission because it is a body of scientific knowledge possessed and deployed for centuries by Africans, which is seen in our design, arts and crafts, city planning and more, exclusive only to Africa.

“It is a corpus of cognition and intelligence existing totally independent of formal western training which is of universal and global interest to the global north and presents to the north, fresh insights.“ For Adenowo, the vision is clear.

“My work is to evolve architecture rooted in my Nigerian heritage, which the global north can respect, learn from, derive value and fresh insights from,” she explains.

“I’ve made it my mission to propagate a Nigerian architecture, a contemporary one of global relevance. One that is rooted in its heritage, but global in its relevance and perspective. That is my quest.”

The AD Studio is a reflection of this quest. “The 70 buildings I’ve done over the past 25 years reflect my ethos, my pathos, my logos, my rationale, my emotions, my convictions, my value system.

“It (AD Studio) reflects what

my unique architecture is.

Understanding the principles behind the part gives an insight into the matrix of my work. The way my creations interact with light, the fact that my buildings go beyond three dimensions to a fourth dimension, which is time.

“It reflects my approach which is to draw from my heritage to understand the future. I’m rooted in my heritage, I’m global in my frame of reference,” she says.

Her eyes light up with passion as she speaks of architecture, Nigerian culture, and the African continent. Her genuine desire to see the continent celebrated for its contribution to global architecture is noteworthy, as she continues to engage the international design community as Africa’s starchitect.

58

SUNDAY DECEMBER 15, 2019 •T H I S D AY

DECEMBER 15, 2019 ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

59

High Life Wole Aboderin Living It Up

Aboderin

A

favourite maxim of the young in the days of liberal media expression is that the youths are the leaders of the future. But they do not often say this without a cynical snort, owing to the fact that Nigerian youths have not exactly been apprenticed today, let alone expect some magical grasp of leadership in the coming days. But, some of the young men and women in positions of public administration and power are showing that the will to serve and serve well is not something that is usually taught; and these guys – hopefully before they leave the agegroup category – will make enough waves to drown out the cynicism.

Wole Aboderin is one of these young men and women in the service of the nation. A budding politician, chartered estate surveyor, and valuer, as well as an IT management expert, Aboderin, could have diverted his skills and time to bae and belly and made quite a handsome and enduring reputation with a large following. But his patriotism bound him to public service, leaving him to scamp after every opportunity to better the lives of the youths within his sphere of influence.

Perhaps, it is this unique set of skills and charitable heart and motive that landed him the job of special assistant on Non-Governmental Organisations, a position that doubtless allows him to work his magic of administration and management with increased capacity. This became an obvious fact when the First Lady, Dr. Aisha Buhari, expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for the approval of Aboderin and five other aides to her office.

Aside from his political, surveyor and IT identity, Aboderin is also a loyalist, describing himself as a proud Buharist whose faith and confidence in Buhari has never had cause to stumble.

Being an APC member from Oyo State, his sentiments are somewhat understandable. However, Aboderin’s admiration for the president overshadows those of his companions especially because he (Aboderin) had been campaigning for the Buhari Dream since 2007.

While it may be said that Aboderin’s gamble has paid off, there is no doubt that he is doing his utmost best to satisfy all the requirements of his office. In fact, news from reliable quarters is that he is doing a very good job, bring his wit to bear and exhausting resources here and there to make manifest all that he was appointed for.

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

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

Maryam Uwais Celebrates Three Scores in Style If there is one thing that separates humanity from the rest of all that is living and is sentient in this earth, it is that there is no height that man will not reach for his friend or someone he loves, admires or respects. Of course, there is no other sentient being who can bear malice in his bones, but that’s a different game altogether.

Man’s affection and compassion for man can lead him to outstanding heights of kindness, more so than usual when the person in question is one with tendencies and temperaments fit for admiration and respect.

Maryam Uwais is evidently one of those people whose tendencies and temperaments are fit for admiration and respect. This is probably why the staff at her ministry surprised the minister in her house and in large numbers all just to wish her a happy birthday, deliver heartfelt gifts and unaffected words of admiration and love, and generally lunch her into an awesome day.

Maryam Uwais is one of the topriding women in Nigerian administrative circles. Her unique style of the industry prompted her to occupy one of the most envied positions in the seats of society, against high-end odds: as special adviser to the President on Social Investment Programmes (SIPs), a position that allows her to convey the goodies and cakes of the Nigerian republic to its expectant people.

Although many are aware of her marriage to Nigeria’s former Chief Justice Muhammad Uwais, it is fact that she has a shine of her own before the limelight of SIPs. In fact, Madam Uwais was a capable and dexterous Abuja-based legal practitioner and activist before she was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Her work experience also includes being a non-executive director and member of board of directors of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc; founder of the Isa Wali Empowerment Initiative for the healthcare, education, and empowerment of women

Uwais

and children; and different public and private parastatals and outfits which have not only changed the lives of beneficiaries but also signal the handiwork and charity of Madam Uwais.

Perhaps the testament of her worth that needs no justification or defence is the

presence of the Vice President, Yemi Osibajo, who chaired the event of the birthday gettogether that was thrown in her honour.

With N-Power stipends coming in early this month of the year, there is a group of Nigerians who genuinely wish Madam Uwais long life and prosperity.

Does Obaseki Want to be Like His Grandfather?

Obaseki

The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies.

Many people know the story of the British punitive action of 1897 that razed the powerful and prosperous Benin Kingdom to the ground, looted its palace, killed an untold number, and sent Oba Ovonramwen on exile to Calabar, where he finally died.

What many don’t know is the role Agho Ogbeide (later Obaseki) played by helping the British administer Benin in the Oba’s absence.

Agho was a friend and business associate to Oba Ovonramwen from when he was crown prince. When he ascended the throne, Ovonramwen created an influential chieftaincy title for his friend; the Obaseki of Benin. Ovonramwen also married his daughter to Obaseki and gifted him 100 slaves.

But when the British struck and exiled Ovonramwen, Obaseki turned his back on his friend, teamed up with the invaders, and acted as Oba of Benin between 1897 and 1914 as the paramount chief in Benin.

Ovonramwen’s first son took over after his death in 1914 as Eweka II. But the British broke with tradition by appointing Obaseki the Iyase of Benin (Chief Adviser to the Oba). Consequently, a power struggle ensued, with the Iyase

overshadowing the Oba. Fast forward 100+ years and history is repeating itself. When Adams Oshiomhole anointed Agho Obaseki’s grandson, Godwin Obaseki , his successor as Governor of Edo State, he never imagined he would be betrayed by Obaseki in barely three years.

But he was warned!

The elders in Benin steeped in history opposed Oshiomhole, fearing he was about to resurrect the ghost of the past, but he insisted on his friend, assuring the palace that what is in the past is the past.

Alas! Oshiomhole has been shocked by the viciousness of Obaseki’s attacks.

Anyone he suspects of close to Oshiomole is hounded out of government and made irrelevant.

Indeed, Obaseki is following the path of his grandfather in the despicable act of betrayal. Now, how will Oshiomhole explain to the elders that he unleashed this man on them? Oshiomhole is fighting to maintain some influence in a state he once governed. But is using the full power of his office to it its limit to show Oshiomhole how far he is willing to go.

What ever becomes the outcome, those who warned Oshiomhole about Obaseki will be silently saying “we told you so.”

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍŻÍłËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

60

HIGHLIFE Who is After Seyi Tinubu? ‌He’s Not Behind Removal of LASAA Boss

Mixed Feelings for Senator Abiola Ajimobi at 70 After all is said and done, power is only a wild thing at the hands of people, having neither a good character nor a terribly bad temperament. Whichever way it is seen, power accords a certain shine to whoever possesses it. Like a wave, however, its presence may lead its lord over the hills and mountains one moment, and shatter him on the rocks in the very next moment.

And so it is left to the bearer to pick himself up by sagging trousers and trudge back to a decent place in society.

The 69th birthday celebration of former governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, is almost upon us. While it is doubtless worthy of jubilation, cheers, and all-round geniality, it also invites sobering thoughts on the truth and depth of birthday wishes that will be poured out on him, seeing as he is no longer the ‘constituted authority’.

Onlookers are certain that there will be a noticeable reduction in the gifts and honourable mentions that usually attend It is easy to imagine that the world is a rigid rectangle without the heart and humanity with which life often expresses itself. A good deed today may just be what the world needs to breathe again tomorrow, and goodness is never without its rewards – however long-lived time appears to be.

This is the case with Nigerian top lady, billionaire extraordinaire and friend of people great and small, Hajia Bola Shagaya. The business giant is the beau ideal to dissuade cynics and pessimists of the age-long belief that power corrupts and great men are almost always bad men. And many would have remained in the dark regarding the large heart and the undefinable depth of goodness in the possession of Hajia Shagaya without the intervention of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Recall that sometime in October the upper echelons of the Lagos society responded to the birthday summons of Hajia Shagaya, a bodacious and highoctane soiree that galvanized attendees and revived them to the opulence and resplendence of minty matriarchy.

However, a few members of the expired Nigerian presidency were absent, among which was Chief Obasanjo.

According to sources, the former head of the state travelled overseas while the bash was going on.

Lesser men would send across a gift or two, but Chief Obasanjo is no mean man, and he demonstrated that fact by throwing

the event of Ajimobi’s birthday. This is particularly because the event has garnered interest at all levels in the last eight years.

Now that Ajimobi no longer enjoys the largesse from taxpayers’ swear, will the old camaraderie of true friendship protect the celebrations from falling into the abyss of a likely indifference?

Amidst all this, the former governor along with other power-fitted personalities like the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Dr. Mike Adenuga, wife of Ondo State Governor, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, and several incumbent governors and former ones, was honoured with the Tribune’s Platinum Award as part of the 70th anniversary of the Tribune Newspaper. Needless to say, newspapers – being pillars and custodians of truth – are a credible and reliable source of information, which signals that candour expressed in the award: a plaque of truth for a person of truth.

During his time as governor, Ajimobi transformed the Oyo State capital, Ibadan,

Ajimobi

into a modern city with pliable roads and free healthcare – not excluding the establishment of the Technical University, the first of its kind in Nigeria.

Evidently, the man has done well.

The coming days – a few days hence, in fact – will tell the strength and endurance of his work.

Party Continues As Obasanjo Hosts Soiree for Bola Shagaya

Shagaya

another birthday party for the ageless matriarch. This one too – held at the Clear Essence California Spa and Wellness Resort, Ikoyi – was attended by very close friends

Royal Rumble‌Battle for Oniru Throne Gets Messier, Heirs Fight Dirty

Aremo Segun Oniru and Ajasa

Thrones are an emblem of power, leadership, and authority. When a royal throne is occupied, it generally implies that the heart of its people are united and the lofty ideals of collective peace and communal progress are at hand. Inadvertently, when the throne is unoccupied, every conceivable utopia is a distant and foreign country, peace crawls safely back into ‘those good old days’, and progress is only of the individual – leaving nothing for the community.

Through no fault of their own, the people of Iruland in Lagos State have lost the leadership of their kingdom, leaving no

T

royal bottom to grace the royal stool. Whilst the worst outcome of a democratic election in Nigeria is a corrupt, self-serving government that endures for eight years – max, traditional elections require more deliberation, finesse and lots and lots of mortal and divine will; terrible outcomes include traditional rulers who tend to outlive regimes altogether.

Three ruling Houses are reportedly recognized to be entitled to the Oniru Royal Throne: the Abisogun, the Akiogun, and the Ogunyemi Houses. These Houses are inherently charged with the duty and responsibility of providing credible, reliable

and relatives.

The former president who has in recent times made known his distaste for loud and needlessly extravagant binges surprised attendees at every turn, first by being a buoyant host, and afterward by delivering an unaffected speech that left several attendees of the bash affected.

According to Chief Obasanjo, Hajia Shagaya is a genuine chum who has stood by him and his family throughout his rollercoaster years as a political felon and then political boss. Most important, she had not abandoned his late darling, Stella Obasanjo, while he was in confinement, nor when he lost Lady Stella. Instead, Hajia Shagaya has assumed the role of a mother to Stella’s son, Muyiwa, going so far as to underwrite the expenses for his wedding. Yet, she did not ask for single favour as remuneration all the time chief was the president.

In response, the elated Hajia Shagaya expressed gratitude for the honour done her and tasked everyone present to use serving hearts rather than scheming heads; that goodness is, after all, a golden goose. And it is. and honourable candidacy, out of which – after a careful, thoughtful and guided electoral process – emerges the King. Nowhere is it speculated that the electoral process imitates a bazaar, with published audacity and private odium commingling under the currents of expectant jubilation. But it is what it is.

The most apparent study of this sprints from very recent developments within the Abisogun ruling House.

Ordinarily, there is an approved rotation to be observed in what House the Oba emerges from – a prudent system that relegates the pressure of elections within a House rather than between Houses. With this system in place, the Abisogun House are next in line to produce a fitful candidate after the demise of Oba Idowu Abiodun Oniru. This is why the leaves of drama are growing wide and fresh within the Abisogun House.

A communique was released by members of the house which signalled that Prince Hakeem Ajasa, a chief superintendent of police, had been selected for the throne. Before the kettle had grown warm, however, another communique was published from a different section of the house. The latter dismissed the selection of the said candidate, labelled the process as ‘kangaroo’, and indicted the supposed king-to-be of harassment and intimidation.

The house divided against itself must stand for the sake of the royal stool, or unrest will prevail in Iruland.

he elephant is a very interesting animal. Outside of its admirable size and enviable – and fabled – capacity for long-term memory, the actions of a single elephant tend to concuss even the idle worm.

But elephants are seldom reported to be temperamental, given to bouts of jealousy, envy or rage. Imagine the outcomes when men – temperamental men who are given to bouts of jealousy, envy, and rage – grow to a political size like that of an elephant.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is probably the most inuential and powerful politician in Nigeria. The shadows he casts testify to the fact that he is a political mammoth where the largest political masters around are only budding elephants. His weight in the Nigerian political arena is simply too colossal for criticism, too deep for dismissal, too astute for affectations.

Enter Seyi Tinubu.

If the name is not an obvious hint – there aren’t that many Tinubus swimming around in the shark-infested waters of Nigerian high society – Seyi is the son of Bola Tinubu. A lawyer trained in the US and gradually becoming an elephant in his own right in the advertising industry, Seyi Tinubu is anything but a scion following after his father’s shadow. If anything, he appears to be the sort of silent business champ who walks the path of fame only because he must. This is not en route the path to political majesty.

Naturally, quite a number of people are convinced that Seyi is still his father’s son and walking the path to politics, whatever he does. This has led to shadow friends and comrades whose purpose is to curry favour, perchance the gauntlet of power will beneďŹ t them in the long run. In simple words, Oga Seyi is a political force and his will is a factor.

The latest of these suppositions is the case of the sack of Mobolaji Sanusi, the former MD of LASAA – an advertising outďŹ t instituted by Bola Tinubu.

Although Sanusi’s tenure supposedly expired sometime in September, several folks are convinced that Seyi had a hand in his eventual dismissal. Motive?

Soured friendship.

The rumours of Seyi’s hand in the ďŹ ring of Sanusi remains unveriďŹ ed. One arm of the informed public supports the claim, choosing to believe that Seyi is able and therefore responsible; another arm wonders how an individual who himself is an active member of LASAA would involve himself in so obvious a stunt. Allegations continue to be thrown back and forth, while Seyi – and his father, Tinubu – continue to go about their individual business.

Tinubu

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍŻÍłËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

61

HIGHLIFE

Save the Last Dance: Senator $GHPROD $GHOHNH *RHV /RZ 3URĂ€OH Wisdom works in different capacities and to different ends in love and war. Usually, a necessary companion for love, being wise does not necessarily guarantee anything in love.

But that’s okay, nothing guarantees anything in matters of love. The point, however, is that wisdom is a necessary companion in war and gives excellent advice: fight on, she says, or rest a bit.

Senator Ademola Adeleke, obviously an old acquaintance of wisdom, has heeded her advice and taken the quiet path.

Adeleke is notable for a great many things. He is a politician, businessman, and administrator. Although he is best known for his political gymnastics, his business acumen is also quite remarkable. In fact, it is indexed that the former lawmaker worked with Quicksilver Courier Company in Atlanta, Georgia, US, as a service contractor around the 1980s. After that, he joined Origin International LLC, a flavours and fragrance manufacturing company where he was vice president.

More recently, he was the group executive director at Pacific Holdings Limited from 2001 to 2016. While none of this is a mean feat, Senator Adeleke’s ingenuity was most notable

Adeleke

in politics.

Senator Adeleke started his political career as far back as 2001. However, he did not make waves in the political Red Sea

until 2017 when he contested the Osun West by-election and parted that sea to emerge as the winner under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The political drums of Senator Adeleke did not stop beating after his victory at the 2017 senatorial elections. But they came to an uncertain crescendo in 2018 he publicized his intentions to join the Osun State governorship race. Apparently a shrewd and foreseeing man (he had abandoned APC for PDP just in time), he emerged winner again, this time bearing the governorship flag for the PDP. After a lot of hand-grabbing, muscle ripping and dancing (literally, many times), Senator Adeleke lost the seat to his opponent, Adegboyega Oyetola. Afterward, he lost his senatorial seat to Senator Aderele Adeyemi Oriolowo.

Having jumped through all these hurdles and emerged with no small scars but alive, it seems the former lawmaker has decided to go low profile for a while. A low profile might mean hibernation to lick battle wounds or retirement to a mancave to emerge stronger later. Whichever it is for Ademola Adeleke, time will tell.

Fowler’s Future at FIRS Finally Falls Through

Fowler

It is the conclusion of an incredible year for a whole lot of Nigerians. From the lowest lackey to the biggest boss, there were unanticipated adjustments throughout the year that doubtless rocked the status quo. Some of these changes came at the

beginning of the year, and others in the middle. For folks like Babatunde Fowler, the changes have come and brought with them a determinate end.

Before December 9, 2019, Fowler was the uncontested boss of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the commission charged with generating revenue from taxes and keeping working Nigerians on their toes. The Friendly Neighbourhood Taxman has hugged limelight in recent times but never like this, perhaps for the very last time as a tax master. Like numerous instances of the transitions of power, the FIRS mantle has fallen – rather than passed – to another.

Former FIRS boss Fowler is obviously an old hand in the taxation business. Many sources have reported that it was the dexterity with which he handled the Lagos State tax system – transforming it from grey to golden – that landed him the job of FIRS executive chairmanship. In his case, as in many others, the world is witnessing, the gist is that talent and achievement had

ridden over qualification and experience.

As a consequence of his assiduous work over the four-year term, the expectation of many supporters and Fowler was that he’d head and lead the next regime. But President Muhammadu Buhari had a bit to append to that aspiration: No. Allegedly, just a few hours before the end of his tenure, Fowler wrote to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and presented himself for reappointment, to ‘consolidate and build’ on recorded achievements. Surprisingly, the President promptly approved the idea of a new FIRS regime and management, only with a cornerstone exception: the replacement of Fowler with Mohammed M. Nami, a seasoned, professional and experienced tax consultant.

Reports are flying around that the replacement of Fowler is on the heels of tidings that he had failed to meet budget targets in recent years.

Taking the cue, Fowler bowed out gracefully and gratefully, leaving the country to look towards the new FIRS boss with great expectations.

Aftermath of Maersk MD’s Wife’s Death: Ikoyi Residents Beef Up Security Homo sum, humani nihili a me alienum puto. In English, that is loosely translated as ‘I am a human being, nothing human is/can be alien to me’. The Greek maxim penned by Terence implies that one human being should not judge another human being as different from himself, that the same humanity within one man is the same humanity within another. Therefore, whether in good or evil, victories or losses, birth or death, humanity must be recognized as a shared burden.

Although sounding true, the wisdom in those words breaks down in the face of emotion. For example, rarely anyone would have declared their shared humanity with the assailants who rent apart the family of Gildas Tohouo, the managing director of a major shipping company, Maersk.

The family, before the incident, comprised of the Cameroonian Tohouo, his Hungarian wife, Bernadett Kurucz, and their three kids. After the incident, all that survived included a criticallyinjured Mr. Tohouo and his three kids, the wife having already surrendered to the cold hands of death.

The incident itself is a thing of wonder.

The story is that the family were attacked

by two suspects, Olamide Goke and Ade Akanbi, who were afterward found with the knife reportedly used to attack the couple. According to knowledgeable sources, the motive behind the attack was theft: the suspects simply wanted to rob and decided to stab both husband and wife multiple times until the wife succumbed to her injuries and died.

At the moment, Mr. Tohouo is still in the hospital – according to the management at Maersk – in a critical but somewhat stable state. Nothing is said about the state of his mind, as one cannot imagine the grief and sorrow he must be experiencing.

The incident has shaken the Ikoyi neighbourhood to its core – the residence of the MD and where the operation took place. Residents have awoken to the threat of insecurity, and have resorted to sleeping with an eye closed and the other open in apprehension. This is justified because Ikoyi is famed for its high-end occupants and it took two local felons to unravel all that security.

Needless to say, security has been beefed up, but that – doubtless – does nothing to assure residents to close that opened, apprehensive eye.

Maersk

Jim Ovia’s Good Example

Ovia

John Keats was absolutely right in declaring that a thing of beauty is a joy forever; its loveliness increases. It will never pass into nothingness. This is exactly what Zenith Bank Nigeria is doing, rubbing shoulders with creators of enduring beauty far and wide and giving Nigerians something to lay claim to like their own, a thing of beauty and joy forever.

Many a bank claims to be a OHDGLQJ EDQN LQ WKH 1LJHULDQ ÀQDQFLDO system. What they usually refer to is excellent customer service, seemingly endless coffers of cash, incontestable leadership and practical visions for the foreseeable future. In other words, these banks almost never step out of the line of their sphere, but rather remain to compete over which bank is better at what the very institution is meant to do. No more. Jim Ovia has overridden that cherished comfortable position and laid out a new pasture for development and competition: exterior decorations.

Ajose Adeogun street of Victoria Island in Lagos was set on a literal glow when Zenith Bank decided to play a little with decorations. The result of that decision has repainted the canvas of the illustrious bank with new colours, while simultaneously reshaping the image of Nigeria in the eyes of exogenous acquaintances.

Recall that Lagos was supposed to play genial host to the foreign hip hop sensation, Cardi B. The atmosphere around was one of anxiety, fright, and shy hope. This was mostly because unlike the noisemakers that generally come around for self-advertising, there was a possibility that Cardi B was going to place Nigeria on the social map as a happening place, paving way for prospects of tourism. If it went awry, no hole would be deep enough to hide the beloved nation in.

Surprisingly, Cardi B squealed with delight upon seeing the decorations that had been put up by Zenith Bank.

Her elation was such that that single decision by Zenith Bank smoothed her tour in Nigeria so that Cardi B was only full of praises as she enjoyed the various ins and outs of Lagos.

Jim Ovia has not only set a precedent by his actions but also proved that the landscape of tourism is subject to a sharp, sensitive-totime mind. Banking, landscaping and exterior design and then advertising and tourism, one man, one bank.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍŻÍłËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

62

Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

Geregu Power Chairman, Femi Otedola Gives Again

Idowu

Aircom Nigeria Boss, Yemi Idowu’s Giant Strides His name may not ring a bell like other businessmen around, but Yemi Idowu plays big in the real estate sector. The billionaire is described as one of the biggest real estate players in the Lekki-Ajah axis, especially as he is credited for developing Friends Colony, Northern Foreshore, Milveston Court and Bourdillon Courts, among others.

Idowu, who is also into energy, sports, automobiles and oil and gas, also sits on the governing council of the Bank Directors Association of Nigeria; serves as Chairman Leyland Busan Motor Company and a Director of the Lagos Junior League.

The son of the late Ibadanborn industrialist, Nathaniel Idowu, is also the director of Eba Odan Commercial & Industrial, a holding and investment company with shares in various companies including Banks, Industries and Trading establishments, sits on the Board of several other companies, including Sterling Bank Plc. As far back as 2002, Idowu, who is the chairman of Nathaniel Boys Football Club, has been involved in funding the extension of Chevron Drive, all the way to Northern Foreshore Estate.

In 2010, Idowu was also ’—œÂ?›ž–Ž—Â?ÂŠÂ•ČąÂ’Â—ČąÄ™Â—ÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂ’Â—Â?Čą the development of Oba Akinloye Way , which extends from the Femi Okunnu/ Mobil/SPG road all the way to the UAC Pinnock Beach Estate.

The CEO of Aircom Nigeria Limited is one businessman Â Â‘Â˜ČąÂŒÂŠÂ—ČąÂ•Â’Â?ÂŽÂ›ÂŠÂ•Â•Â˘ČąÂœÂ—Â’Ä›ČąÂ?›ŽŠÂ?Čą opportunities from afar; Â‘ÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂŽÇ°ČąÂ‘ÂŽČąÂ—Â˜Â ČąÂ‘ÂŠÂœČąÂ‘Â’ÂœČąÄ™Â—Â?ÂŽÂ›ÂœČą in many pies.

Since billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, shattered all records in charity in Nigeria with a humongous donation of N5 billion to the Save the Children Foundation, many are still discussing the gesture with interest. To some, this humanitarian gesture sounds so “unbelievable�. To others, it is a publicity stunt.

But what is incontrovertible is that people who express these views do not see the truth in Francis Bacon’s saying that “though charity may begin at home, it shouldn’t end there.�

Otedola, in giving to the cause of humanity, believes it is far better and more gratifying to make a difference in the lives of the poor He, “God has been so kind to me in life. “I feel highly privileged. “The only way I can show my gratitude to Him is to use my resources to support those who are underprivileged. This I intend to do for the rest of my life. “In a world full of conflicts, diseases, calamities and inequality we all need to show the milk of human kindness, to reach out and comfort the sick and give a helping hand to the weak. A lot of people think when they die, they take their money with them, we’ll see. “In my journey of life, I have taken the risk, I’ve done the chase, I’ve enjoyed the thrill and I have achieved success and recognition. What next? You give it back!�

A source told Society Watch that many are not aware that the executive chairman of Geregu

Otedola

Power Plc is one businessman “who does not owe any bank a dime as of today. “So, it is quite easy for him to invest his money in humanity without blinking an eye.�

This year alone, he has donated millions of naira to charity, apart from other donations made to former Green Eagles player, Christian Chukwu, Majek Fashek, Nollywood actor, Sadiq Daba, among others.

Perhaps, this explains why he was announced last week as the biggest individual donor to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) for 2019.

Speaking at the event tagged, “Transformational Security� in Lagos, the state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu , commended him for consistently intervening to improve the society.

The LSSTF has been in existence for 12 years and was set up with the aim of reducing the critical deficiencies in equipment, training and logistics of security agencies operating in Lagos. Donors such as Otedola represent a private version of the legislative process – a deliberative process that selects goals, set values and allocates resources.

It is also interesting that Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote once described Otedola, his best friend, as someone who by his selfless giving and living has transcended the level of merely being a rich man. He is certainly a wealthy man and it is from that treasure trove which is far beyond money that he is impacting and will continue to do so.

Chris Ubah’s Quest for Political Relevance

Uba

Are you a good scriptwriter?

If yes, you may be interested in knitting a story around the political life of Chris Ubah , and you can be assured it will make a box office success. Once upon a time, he was highly regarded as a gladiator whose words were law in the political scene of Anambra state. In fact, when he sneezed, many caught cold.

If in doubt, ask the former governor of the state, Chris Ngige, who was reportedly “punished� for disregarding his orders.

But political watchers believe he has now lost all his powers. How? He began to suffer political setback when he lost the last senatorial election to Ifeanyi Uba. With the loss, his political career

collapsed before his eyes, and he is fast becoming a yesterday man.

However, Society Watch gathered that ex-member of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s kitchen cabinet is fighting hard to rescue his career from total collapse.

A source revealed that the billionaire who was once a godfather to many top politicians in the state has made his intention known to get the number one job of the state.

He is said to be consulting far and wide to receive blessings of many for the state’s 2021 governorship election.

Although the source revealed that there would be a mountain of hurdles for him to cross, he is banking on his war chest to scale through.

63

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍŻÍłËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

SOCIETY WATCH

Sheathe Your Sword! Aremo Adesegun Oniru is the Next King!

Royalty is sweet! The luxury of a modern palace is irresistibly tempting. So also fame is coveted by all and sundry. If you agreed with this postulation, you may not need to cudgel your brains so much to unravel the mystery behind the drum of war currently being beaten over the choice of the new Oniru of Iruland in Lagos state.

However, Society Watch gathered that there appears to have been a breakthrough in the search for the monarch as the heads of Akiogun Ruling House, community leaders, elders and youths of Iruland have picked as former Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure Development in the state, Prince Aremo Adesegun Abiodun Oniru, as the next Oniru of Iruland.

Heads of Akiogun Ruling House, community leaders (baales) of some settlements in Iruland, including Baale of Ilabare, Chief Ahmed Basorun, Baales of Oko Kuku, Ipewun, Osolu, Alakoto, Mosafejo, Falomo, Abule Ode amongst others unanimously agreed that Prince Adesegun Oniru should be installed as the next Oniru of Iruland.

As gathered the brilliant and brainy former commissioner was selected last week following the traditional rite performed by elders of the Iruland which was in his favour.

Prince Adesegun Oniru, an engineer and administrator was born on March 11, 1965. He attended Kafy Cross School, Lagos, St. Berriaden Private School, Ibara, Abeokuta, Hall School, Sussex, England, and Stafford House Tutorial College, England.

Adesegun Oniru also attended Waltham Forest College, U.K in 1989 and University of Westminster, U.K in 1991.

He was the Managing Director of Lagos State Waterfront and Tourism Development Corporation between 2003 and 2005, and Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure to Lagos State Governor in 2005.

Oniru

He served as the Commissioner for Housing in Lagos State and later Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure Development in the state between 2007 and 2011.

It would be recalled that there had been disagreements amongst the various ruling houses in Iruland shortly after the demise of Oba Abiodun Oniru.

Just last week, a ruling house in the area, Abisogun Family described a report in a section of the media that the former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to ex-governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, Mr. Hakeem Ajasa, had been picked as the next Oniru of Iruland in Lagos State as fake news.

According to the family, the selection

of Ajasa, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) as the next Oniru of Iruland, must have been via a kangaroo election and thus not known to the entire family.

The family said in a public notice titled: “Fake News By A Section of Abisogun Ruling House� that the “public and all interested parties are put on notice of the kangaroo selection of a person unknown to the entire Oniru Family to rule over their land and fill the currently vacant Oniru Chieftaincy stool.�

The family, who described themselves as Cheated Members of Abisogun Ruling House, alleged in the notice that was released to the media on Friday that from time immemorial, no member of any royal family could imposes himself on the community.

However, almost immediately the group made the public announcement, another group within the family kicked, saying the former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to ex-governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, had not been picked as the next Oniru of Iruland in Lagos State.

The selection of Ajasa, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) as the next Oniru of Iruland, was described as a product of kangaroo selection.

The family said in a public notice titled: “Fake News By A Section of Abisogun Ruling House� that the “public and all interested parties are put on notice of the kangaroo selection of a person unknown to the entire Oniru Family to rule over their land and fill the currently vacant Oniru Chieftaincy stool.�

The family, who described themselves as ‘Cheated Members of Abisogun Ruling House’, alleged in the statement released to the media recently that from time immemorial, no member of any royal family could impose himself on the community.

In fact, it was alleged that Ajasa might have employed coercion to realise his desire.

While some aggrieved members of the Abisogun Royal House alleged that there was never any consensus to pick the top cop, some maintained that Ajasa, being a policeman, “had harassed, intimidated and threatened other members of his ruling house.�

Billionaire Businessman, Samuel Adedoyin, Celebrates Again, Kwara State-born billionaire and Chairman of Doyin Group, Prince Samuel Adedoyin, had cause to celebrate when he turned 84 recently.

The billionaire businessman, aware that he is aging, carefully used the occasion to express his heartfelt gratitude to God for keeping him alive to celebrate another birthday.

And, indeed, his palatial mansion was literally filled to the brim, as he played host to a number of eminent personalities who shared in his joy on the

occasion.

Society Watch gathered that what was meant to be a close-knit affair ended up in the exact opposite direction at his Ligali Ayorinde, Victoria Island palatial home, venue of the birthday party.

Among the dignitaries at the event were his long-time friends, Alhaji Razak Okoya; Sade Okoya; Wosilat Okoya; Property Merchant, Olu Okeowo and his wife, Adejoke; Olugbon of Orile Igbon, HRM Oba Francis Olushola Alao, who is Prince Adedoyin’s son-in-law; Aremo Segun Osoba.

Adedoyin

Christ Embassy Church Pastor, Oyakhilome’s Newfound Lifestyle To those who know him very well, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy Church is a flamboyant and stylish man of God. Besides, he loves to engage in the celebration of life and his birthday celebrations are always carnival-like.

However, this seems to have stopped since his beautiful wife, Anita, left him years ago.

Things have since changed with the popular pastor as he seems to have become more modest and quiet. His new-found lifestyle came to the fore again recently when he marked his 56th birthday low-key.

It was a simple occasion devoid of the usual loud noise and flamboyant celebrations.

In 2014, the world received with shock the news that Anita had filed for a divorce, accusing her pastor-husband of indulging in illicit affairs with female members of the church. This was after months of rumours suggesting that all was not well with the marriage.

In the following months, their marital crisis got messier as both Anita and Oyakhilome’s lawyers issued statements that suggested the damage to the relationship was irreparable.

US-based Nigerian Businessman, Kenny Adebayo, in Good Mood

Adebayo

At the moment, US-based Nigerian businessman and head honcho of Global Ultra Logistics, LCC, Kenny Adebayo, is in a joyous mood. His reason for being in this happy mood is not unconnected to his son, Babatunde Paul Adebayo, who obtained a Master’s degree in Mental Health from the Westminster University London last Tuesday. It was gathered that the high-flying businessman alongside his wife were delighted and proud of their 25-yearold who obtained his first degree

in Psychology from Coventry University, England.

For many who didn’t know, Adebayo is one of many Nigerians making the country proud in the diaspora.

When he ventured into business some years back, the New Jerseybased businessman had a clear vision of what he wanted to do: to own a leading logistics company.

At that time, he was driven by passion, a situation that made him resign his paid job to start life as an employer of labour.

Oyakhilome

64

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž ÍŻÍłËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

The Omoyele Sowore Drama – A Coward’s View Since they have closed the borders, with nowhere to go and hide and write this one, I have decided to write this one under the bed in one of the female hostels that litter Lagos. I have asked my ‘person’ not to allow anybody know that the Duke is under her bed making her swear by the gods of the Ibibio that she will not Delilah me when the people in black come for me with their infamous chock hold. By the way, from what I saw in that video of Sowore in court, it shows that we have all been watching too much American wresting. From the way they were locking Sowore’s neck and giving him chok hold and flying drop kicks. Na wa. Anyway, this is my position. The man is irrelevant, the man is nothing more than just a student union activist – he even dresses like one. The man no get structure and borrows NANS’ structure to execute and less than 50,000 Nigerians voted for him at the last elections. So this government’s rabid

infatuation with this person is beginning to look like a badly- scripted Mexican soap opera. So the man says he wants to do a revolution. Mbok, we are seeing revolution daily in this country o. From motor parks, to bedroom and from kitchen to church.

Revolution in Nigeria na ten and ten pence.

Anyways, the man call out him own and even bring a failed musician whose only claim to fame was being beaten up by an American rapper. They give date of their revolution and that morning were totally ignored. Nobody answered them, even them children go school and them wife and ‘whores’ go work that day. So in desperation, the man carry paint and start to paint bridge for Maryland and wammmmmm, DSS arrest am. I almost die from shock. This DSS people na wa. Total irritant, una come waste all that resources, carry well-trained spider men and unleash almost the kind operation that CIA used to do to pursue better targets

like Osama. Na this Sowore wey me sef I can beat na him come command this kind attention? Ok, you say he want to overthrow government you take am to court. Court give am bail, you say no. The man sef, cannot meet the conditions. The man go beg for variation, they give am. You say nobody to release am to. Adeyanju, that tall yellow ‘irritant’ sef carry him long neck go, una drive am. Finally judge give 24 hours to release am, una release am. Just as the man begin to savour the sweet Abuja breeze what did we see?

American wrestling. My brother, as I write under this bed, it is in confusion.

Because I really do not get it. There must be more to this than both sides are telling us. Sowore and DSS should please come and tell us exactly what is going on and save us from all this drama. I tell you because in my books, this Sowore no deserve all this attention.

GARBA SHEHU – THREAD SOFTLY My brother I hear you have seen my new book -aaarrghhh. I hope you enjoyed reading it. Well, I am seeing one press release with your name inside. I don’t know if it is real but people are swearing by it that the First Lady is kicking your backside. Since I have not seen it on any serious mainstream platform and with the Hate Speech bill being processed, I will rather err on the side of caution by ignoring that report. But then again, my mischievous self would not just let this one be. Three times I have written this piece and three times, I have cancelled but here I am again. My brother if it is true that the First Lady is up against you, then not a good place to be o, because you will not be there when your matter is being decided o. You know how powerful these people can be, once they go on strike and shut the door to the other room nothing anybody can do o. The whole Nigerian Army withdrawn from Sambisa Forest and all the retired generals brought back including OBJ and IBB cannot help your matter if this is true o. Let me tell you one story. I used to have a driver – useless boy. Every time I made move, Duchess will hear. I will ask him, he will swear on his first-born head that it is not him.

But Duchess was hearing about my moves including the time one boyfriend slap me because he saw me in his girlfriend’s church.

Na Cchurch I go o. The one that pained me the most was the time I fell inside gutter at Admiralty

in Lekki when a 26-year-old send a then 48-year-old to go get her pizza. I swear my brother that is the kind of power they have. So I told the Duchess that I was sacking the boy, that he scratched my car and that he farted too much in the car. Duchess say never, that the boy will be my driver till he die. I tell you. I say I must sack him, she say ‘try it’. Long story short, I could not sack him o and the boy come dey enjoy my house pass me. Come and see the meat they used to give him. So I started teaching all my ‘colleagues’ Ibibio so that the yeye boy will not be understanding and be gisting Duchess. That is the kind of power you are facing. This one will knock you o just go and beg.

I tell you because if this is true, those who send you cannot stand this fire o. Just buy lace or perfume and let’s go and say sorry o, I really do hope this story is fake and that press release is someone’s idea of a Christmas joke. “MAJOR GENERAL� MUHAMMADU BUHARI – WHAT THE FUSS IS ABOUT? Nigerians get time. So one newspaper decide to start calling our President with his former rank for whatever reason and the whole country is going up in flames? Mbok, was the man not a Major General? Me I know that time na. He even visit our school - Command Secondary School Ipaja in full uniform. Yes, it was Tanko who told me when I wanted to contest the presidency of our 11,000 great alumni and the

boys were abusing and insulting me. After one very bad bout, I threatened to slap somebody. In fact, I climb table and dive at the mumu who was calling me names.

After, Tanko caught me mid-air and calmed me down, he said these same words I want to tell Major General – sorry democrat Muhammadu Buhari and his two spokesmen. He said, ‘Edgar a leader is a dustbin, people dump all sorts of rubbish and you must take it’. I look the mallam, ‘what is this one saying’. That boy just called me a ‘thief’ and I need to show him that it is his father that is the thief. In fact, forget the presidency, I must show this boy.

But Tanko insisted and pinned me to the wall and kept telling me that I need the patience of a nursing mother to get through this. So my lord especially Democrat Garba and Democrat Adesina – these ones no even get Boy Scout rank talkless of army - you both need to calm down, abeg. There is too much fight everywhere. If people decide to call the man general nko?

Is he not a general? Abi don’t they say it is general for life and how would that nomenclature bring down the cost of rice or give people back their jobs? We should all, just calm down abeg too much strife.

After all Jonathan was called Dr. Jonathan throughout because he was a doctor and since when has it become shameful or someone to be upset about being called a general of the Nigerian Army except there are things we are not seeing?

Please, to solve this particular

problem, let us obey court orderspromote true democracy, strengthen its processes and institutions and then see if the prefix general will be this painful.

After all General Eisenhower of the United States was one of the greatest presidents of that country and he was known as general till tomorrow or am I missing something? I just tire. Give us food abeg.

BARRISTER OSINBAJO – IT CAN’T BE EASY In these days that we are vexing because of the nomenclatures before our names, let me kuku look for this one trouble. Lawyer Osinbajo – please don’t let laugh kill me this night. Lawyer Osinbajo must really be ruing the day he accepted to run for this job. Here we have a man that has built a beautiful career on the rule of law, justice and fair play. A man that has upheld these values as he trudged, creating one of the most enviable careers in the country.

Not only that, married into one of the most prestigious families whose ancestors struggled all of his life to uphold the rule of law to now come and find himself in this kind wahala? I can just imagine how daddy after a hard day at work and taking his shower with soap all over his body. Just as he was about to bend down and scrub his toes because mummy would have shouted ‘Yemi better wash those feet well, you don’t like washing them and also scrub your backside, make sure the soap gets in between the cracks’. The

Buhari

Osibajo

Amaechi

Shehu

Sowore

65

DECEMBER 15, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

LOUD WHISPERS one is the latest in a series and no walls or top of the range security initiatives can really protect the rich if there is no deliberate attempt at wealth redistribution through the provisions of all-encompassing policies. Once again, I remain truly sorry for using this sad news to push this agenda but it is our truth.

news report will just flash and pronto, see Sowore engaged in a struggle for his life. His neck being strangled by only God knows who and lawyers with flowing gowns surrounding him and screaming all within the hallowed halls of the court. He would have run out of the bathroom with no towel, soap in his eyes and sponge - you know that one they call ‘kankan’ that they sell in Shomolu market with black soap to stare at the TV not believing his eyes. He would have just stood there looking like an Egyptian mummy and just shaking his head and be saying ‘which one is this one again’. Mummy Dolapo will just go to him and hug him and say, ‘ Yemi, je ka lo le”. I pity the Vice President, it cannot be easy, I tell you. It cannot be easy.

ROTIMI AMAECHI – I AM DISAPPOINTED My brother be like say you fall my hand small o. Remember that time when the traders in Germany attacked our brother Ekweremadu, you had come out to say that you can take care of yourself and that you pity anybody that try himself. I remember that I even wrote a piece warning the traders to steer clear of you o. Now the ‘misguided’ people came and we no see any action o. kai, it was police that came and all the action we saw was tweet.

Kai, me I was expecting action.

But he be like say na because na for Spain and you did not go with your karate suit. The next time, they should give you notice so that when you are packing you carry your kits. They should also not come to you in any European country because those ones will not understand the mayhem that would be unleashed and will be shouting fundamental human rights. They should come at you in the following countries – Bolivia, Afghanistan and Libya then they will see the real Rotimi. The Bruce Lee of our time. The way you will jump up and be screaming like snake in the monkey shadow and with one kick, 16 traders will just faint and stand up and run towards their containers to hide, they will not try a whole minister of the Federal Republic again. Abi do they think you buy the bald head for market? I just pity these people.

Mbok in all these, they should not go near Akpabio o, because there would be uncommon carnage. Na here I siddon.

THE MAERSK MURDER – ONE KILLING TOO MANY We have received the news of the attack in the highbrow Ikoyi enclave with shock and dismay.

The beautiful family was attacked by some persons like we have been told and thankfully they have been apprehended. I am sorry to attempt to ‘play politics’ with this sad occurrence but this reminds me of a conversation I had with Mr. Femi Otedola just before he donated the whooping N5 billion to the children of the North East. He had said that if something is not done, the elites were in danger because of the growing poverty around us.

Now we are seeing how domestics are attacking their bosses. Young investment banker was robbed

Adamu

Tayo

Anthony Joshua – Weldone My Brother When that Mexican beat you the last time, I knew where you got it wrong. You had forgotten to do some rituals. So I wasn’t worried this second time because we here in Shomolu had done same on your behalf. The way you did your face when that ‘blurb’ beat you was not good at all o. So I vowed never to allow that happen. So when the date of the new fight was announced, I pushed aside my dislike for you as a result of all that ice cream you have been licking with my Cuppy because this is a national assignment and we must leave all that side first. We went into action.

We got 43 virgins, fully clothed o and gave them one garden egg each with white candles and they were chanting – Joshua, Joshua and they walked from Onipanu down to Abiodun Street and ended at Apata bus top all in Shomolu. At that point, I was there to receive them with a giant portrait of your opponent naked. We poured oil in his eyes to blind him and put soldier ant in his pants to distract him. At the end of the rituals we knew you would win the fight.

Well done my brother, you truly deserve this victory. Well done, we really need some good news in this country.

Joshua

and killed in his Gbagada home by his security man. The rich Ondo chief was killed by his security man when his wife went to the

bank. Former minister of finance was robbed of his valuables by his cook. Many big women have lost millions in jewellery to maids. This

BABCOCK VICE -CHANCELLOR – I DON’T AGREE SIR I have seen a report concerning the vice.chancellor of this school and have not stopped laughing.

While commenting on the viral sex scandal tape that involved their student who they had hurriedly expelled, he was quoted to have said that ‘taking it in the mouth was dirty’. Well, this was in response to what he must have seen on the video.

Almost everybody in Nigeria saw that video and mostly reacted negatively but also almost all were not happy when the school overreached itself by expelling the ‘misguided’ youth. But my people today it’s not to add to the poor girl’s misery but to immediately show some kind of understanding at the narrow- minded views of these ‘eggheads’ leading to the conclusions that they must have reached in trying to seek closure on the scandal. First the act is not dirty and cannot be defined as such in any form of imagination.

This talk especially in a national paper like this and being read on a Sunday when we all would have come back from the church is kind of funny. So I will not go into details until I have the opportunity of meeting the great professor. It appears that the Prof and his whole team need some enlightening on the newer things of the world. This enlightenment would lead them to better understanding of the new world thereby saving them from the embarrassment they heaped on themselves with the archaic laws they run a whole university with.

No sir, the act is far from dirty, my lord. It is a clean and honourable act that millions enjoy and have come to accept. Me, I enjoy it well o. Let’s talk, there are a lot of things I can teach you.

TAYO SULEJA – HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIR Chief Tayo is my friend. One day he called me after reading this column and told me just how much he enjoys reading the column. He continued by telling me everyday ever since that first day one year ago how he met Journalist Femi Adesina and a whole lot of great Journalists and columnists. He says he loves journalists and has been reading newspapers since 1978.

His uncanny remembrance of dates and events are quite admirable. He is 70 this week and I felt I should just say happy birthday to Engineer Tayo Suleja – Please Suleja is not his real name o. He was given the name because he lived there for a long time before relocating to Mushin which is a stone’s throw from Shomolu . Today I wish him very well. I know with this one now he will call me again and start telling me about Femi Adesina and the rest. What else can I do but to listen to my daddy? Happy birthday sir.

66

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž ÍŻÍłËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

Ex-Edo House of Assembly Aspirant Recounts Ordeal in Hands of Police Chiamaka Ozulumba

I

n recent times, there has been a push for the amendment of laws regulating the conduct of policemen due to allegations of brutality, harassment, and illegal stop-and-search operations levelled against the Nigeria Police Force.

The latest victim of an alleged case of police brutality was Mr. Augustus Ikhine, one-time Edo State House of Assembly aspirant during the 2018 general election.

According to him, the incident happened on Monday 9, 2019 at about 4:32 pm, along Works Road off Oba Akinjobi Way, Ikeja GRA, Lagos. “I was coming from Apapa and entered Works road through Oba Akinjobi way while trying to access Abeokuta Express Way,� Ikhine recounted. “There was serious traffic and I was trying to make a U-turn on Works Road back to Akinjobi when a bike carrying two men ran into my side door and fell. I immediately came out of my car to assess the situation and help the two men.�

He continued: “I rushed to the bike rider profusely apologizing and checking for injuries before I quickly darted to the passenger still lying on the road and shouting that I wanted to kill him. When the bike rider whom I later discovered to be Samuel Aluko a police corporal pulled me from the back and landed a punch directly on my left eye. “I was completely dazed and turned to question him, when the other passenger, Chuks, a superintendent of police recording the scene on his phone kept saying: ‘This is how you people kill policemen’ and a scuffle ensued with him bearing the brunt of the altercation, my clothes were torn by both men with my car key and phones seized.�

Ikhine told THISDAY further: “Unknown to me, the two men were plain-clothed policemen, who told him that he would be seriously dealt with for causing the accident and even threatened him saying, ‘You are very lucky this happened during the day. If this happened at night your case would have been different.’ “I was taken to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Intelligence Response Team, South/West Office Ikeja, Lagos against my will, where I was compelled to write a statement, maintaining my stand that I did nothing wrong. “I was subjected to inhumane treatment with my request for urgent medical attention blatantly ignored by officers on duty and still without my phones. It was when CSP Philip Rieninwa, the coordinator of the IGP Intelligence Response Team came that the overall attitude of the policemen present subdued but the atmosphere was still tense.�

He added, “But Chuks and Samuel were still raving and threatening to deal with me in the presence of the CSP, who was profusely apologizing on his colleagues’ behalf. He ordered them to take me to Police College Hospital, Ikeja for First Aid treatment. “When we got to the hospital, the policemen started making claims of various degrees of injuries with Corporal Samuel Aluko who claimed to have broken his leg after the fall from the bike, springing up to accost a friend of mine who followed us to the hospital. They underwent routine medical checkups with referrals given to him due to the severity of the head and eye trauma he sustained from the scuffle with the total medical bill, N3000, paid by CSP Philip.�

Narrating his ordeal further, Ikhine noted: “When we got back to the office, my phones and the car key were given back to me at the insistence of CSP Philip

Ikhine

at about 11:40 pm, with numerous missed calls from his wife and friends who didn’t know his whereabouts for almost eight hours. The policemen were still making

threats, ‘that even if their oga lets me go, they will still deal with me’. I was escorted by the CSP who was still pleading on their behalf to let the matter die down but I

refused. “The next day being Tuesday, I went to the Nigerian Airforce Hospital (NAF), Ikeja where I spent six hours at the NAF Eye Clinic undergoing ocular Bscan and X-ray orbit test. I was later referred to MeCure Hospital Oshodi, Lagos for the ocular Bscan when it couldn’t be done at the main NAF Hospital.�

Ikhine, who was traumatized by the assault, said his fundamental human rights were violated and would seek justice, pointing out that he suffers from severe headache, pain in the eye, a bruised neck and a swollen upper lip.

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

THE UNYIELDING SPIRIT OF RHEMA HABIB PAGE 68

15.12.2019

INTERROGATING THE IDENTITY QUESTION A view of the exhibition (details)

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ DECEMBER 15, 2019

68

ARTS & REVIEW\\EXHIBITION

INTERROGATINGTHE IDENTITYQUESTION With a new body of works, Germany-based Nigerian-born artist, Emeka Udemba explores the issue of racial identity and how it expresses itself in unpleasant forms such as prejudice. But, the roots of this lingering problem extends deeper than the obvious, writes Okechukwu Uwaezuoke

"M

y works reflect on the construction of subjectivity of the ‘other’ and how this is influenced by information around us,” Emeka Udemba explains. “They embody my ongoing exploration with painting, photography, performance, video, and installation to address issues of my own identity and a sense of place in the world. While moving between realities, my works explore the theme ‘identity’ in an expansive form to interrogate issues of geographical, cultural and social belonging.”

Much like a shadow, Udemba’s identity as a migrant still stalks him. Not even the artist’s over two-decades sojourn in Germany – after he had left his native Nigeria – seems long enough to efface this fact. Oftentimes, his foreignness would creep upon him at a time he least expects it, albeit through nuanced allusions to his racial identity.

Of course, not that other persons of colour like him fared any differently. Nor are the allusions always that subtle. Indeed, the assumption that people of their kind cannot be German has lingered for too long. Take the case of the German-born Theodor Wonja Michael, the mixed-race actor, and author who died on October 19 at the age of 94, for instance. He had suffered racist taunts throughout his long and eventful life. Countless were the times he recalled being asked where he came from. He would then always reply that he was a Berliner, much to the surprise and irritation of his interlocutors.

Back to Udemba’s works. Something about his paintings is somewhat unsettling to the sensibilities of a discerning viewer.

Through the apparent haze of random collages of newspaper and magazine cuttings, forms of male children of black African descent assert themselves. Yet, this contrived visual bedlam seems to suggest this sense of dislocation and, at the same time, adaptation; then offers a glimmer of possibilities even with an apparent manipulation of information. This recently patented collage technique of his is a metaphorical allusion to what he calls “the vibrancy of hybrid cultures and relativity”.

These compositions, he further explains, “reference layers of meanings; race, gender, history, memory, time and beauty”. To him, these interactions between colours, transparencies, words, and textures are like “calculated accidents”, whose “outcomes are sometimes better or worse than I foresee”.

In his recent installations (which are well complemented by his photographs and performances), the viewers discern his selfstaged images with colourful pointed conical headgears, which evoke the trademark costumes of the White supremacist group Ku-Klux-Klan. But, Udemba would rather that these works be seen as his way of interrogating “issues of societal hierarchy, stereotype, diversity, tolerance, inclusion, and respect”.

“While these interventions echo diverse references and imaginations,” he notes, “they also open platforms to engage critically with each other on some sensitive issues about how we deal with one another within the global and local community.”

The foggy delusions of political correctness nourish the rather simplistic and naive expectations of the sudden disappearance of colour lines in a racially-diverse world. Indeed, the tendency to be unpleasant or even aggressive to people of other races

I Am Not You series by Emeka Udemba cannot be wished away with freeflow of cant. As an artist, who straddles two worlds – his native Nigeria and his new home, Germany – Udemba is afforded a privileged glimpse of two societies with their good and bad sides.

His legendary fascination for, and adherence to, the postmodern canons of aesthetics lends wings to his creative flights of fancy and puts him in good stead to engage these issues bordering on racial relations. Yet, the obvious tenuous grasp of these core issues – evident in the incoherence of the randomly pasted collages – can only profer superficial solutions.

Now, it must be noted that a racially-diverse world is not an arbitrary happenstance and fits into the natural order of things.

Then, the fact that people of like nature tend to unite according to the dictates of the natural law makes the mystery of racial consciousness more comprehensible. Conflicts arising out of the

interactions between the races has a lot more to do with individual tendencies than the colour of their skin. Undeniably, it takes evil in one person to recognize evil in another.

Besides, a malevolent person of one race, who imputes evil motives on the actions of people of another race draws his suspicions from out of himself. Otherwise, he would never be able to recognize it in them. Of course, a pattern of behaviour associated over the time with a particular race may develop from a past misdeed of a person or group of persons of that race. This results in aversion for them.

An inward change of attitude or sustained virtuous conduct of a people will always attract the people of their kind, who share the same values as them. As for the malevolent ones among the migrant community, they would stick out like sore thumbs in this community and could easily be expelled as outcasts.

Even where there are racial similarities between the people of two countries, there are no guarantees against prejudice. UNESCO has observed how xenophobia and racism tend to overlap in their manifestations even when their root causes differ. An example is the xenophobic attacks in South Africa against African migrants, which since 1994, have resulted in several fatalities. Another is the Nigerian government’s expulsion of illegal immigrants, most of whom were Ghanaians, in 1983.

Of course, the natural law of the attraction of similar species has also been noticed among the people of the same race living in the same country. In such cases, it is often a case of an ethnic group feeling superior to another or it may be a conflict of interests between two or more groups. Ultimately, a global problem of fear or hatred for what is perceived foreign assumes a local dimension adapted to its peculiarities.

There are the same suspicions of the others of different ethnic identity, which sometimes swells into the desire to eliminate them to safeguard their host communities’ purity or identity.

This explains the inter-ethnic strifes in Nigeria between the Fulani herdsmen and local farmers of different ethnic stocks, between groups like the Tivs and the Jukuns and the sporadic clashes between communities sharing the same ethnic identities.

It is in the nature of things for homogeneous groups to seek itself preservation by avoiding mixing with other races. For, indeed, every race has the potential to mature and grow strong through its efforts at self-ennoblement. The distortion of the instinct for self-preservation, which need not be unpleasant or life-threatening, is the fault of man alone.

–––Udemba’s solo exhibition on this theme concluded last week in Lagos.

MUSIC

THE UNYIELDING SPIRIT OF RHEMA HABIB Solomon Obi

U

nyielding means not willing to change or be persuaded. In Rhema Habib’s case, it implies that the resolute to never give up.

The 28-year-old Edo State-born singer and entrepreneur is using her craft to tell her story and inspire people around.

Born as the fourth child of Amos and Grace Habib, she had from the early age of 6 been corralled to music, joining the church choir, at one point becoming part of children talent competitions and singing at every given opportunity. Singing became her way of speaking and expressing herself. It slowly began to take deep root in her.

According to her, growing up was not all rosy.

But then, she had all she wanted. She had both her primary and secondary school education in Kaduna State. It was during her secondary school education that she had her first experience with tragedy.This was when she lost her father to the cold hands of death – a very trying time for her and her family. Eventually, they were

able to bounce back and she was able to gain admission into the University of Abuja.

In her words, this was when she began to have problems in her life. First, she gained admission to study medicine but had to change in her second year to microbiology due to accreditation issues.This was a big blow to her, as studying her dream course was no longer possible.This affected her psychologically. But then, what could else could she have done under the circumstances?

Somehow, the course change seemed to offer her the much-needed reprieve. But, even this did last long.

In her third year, she discovered that had a series of carryovers from her previous course that she had no idea existed before.This was devastating for her and she began to lose the will to continue her education. “I felt terrible going to school and I was just going to school to fulfil all righteousness,” she recalls. “It took the grace of God to see me through these challenges.”

She eventually graduated and proceded for her National Youth Service programme in Osun State in 2015. It was then that she decided to reinvent herself and take up music professionally. Luckily for her, the vocation put her in good stead during this youth service year. “I tell people they can be more, no matter how many times you fail,” she says. “It only means that you made a mistake and failure is not a person, it is an event and you can bounce back better and stronger.”

Though she professionally began her career in 2015, it did not take off until last year, 2018.This was when she released her first official single “Hello, How AreYou?”.This according to her was a product of the “depression wave” that swept through her last year. She felt the need for her to express all she felt because she faced serious depression and came close to committing suicide. “People are going through a lot.When I sing, I feel it is the best advice I get to give myself.

I sing to inspire myself and when you minister to yourself it is real.”

She quickly adds that she will drop two more singles this year. “People are facing a lot and one of the easiest ways to help is through music. As a musician, it is a privilege to minister to the souls of men and you have to feed them with motivational and edifying songs.”

Apart from music, the Edo State beauty is an entrepreneur and businesswoman. She is a distributor of food items, provisions and more.

A business she started last year which to a very large extent has been successful and very profitable for her and her family.

She advised upcoming artists to be consistent, as a way to stay on track and remain relevant. She added that they should by no means try to be like anyone else but themselves. “It is little drops of

Habib water that make a big ocean.”

She, therefore, advises the general public never to give up, as every bad situation they may encounter could just be only temporary and heralding betters days ahead.

––Obi writes from Abuja

SUNDAY DECEMBER 15, 2019 • T H I S D AY

69

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ DECEMBER 15, 2019

70

INFOGRAPH

ADVERTISEMENT

Ƨ v⌨Ãv ŒƒœˆŒÃŮŬŭŵ

# UVCVG KP 5QWVJ 5QWVJ 0KIGTKC KP VJG EQTG 0KIGT &GNVC TGIKQP

'KIJV NQECN IQXGTPOGPVU YKVJ ;GPCIQC UGTXKPI CU KVU ECRKVCN

2QRWNCVKQP OKNNKQP

9KNN GNGEV KVU IQXGTPQT CPF FGOQETCVKE IQXGTPQT QP VJG QH 0QXGODGT

VJ

VJ

VJ

OS S $*: : O

$WFIGV

:Ůŵŵ‚®

+PVGTPCN )GPGTCVGF 4GXGPWG

'ZVGTPCN &GDV CU CV ,WPG

+PVGTPCN &GDV CU CV ,WPG

(GFGTCN #EEQWPVU #NNQECVKQP ,WPG

:ŭůƛŲ ‚®

DžűŲ­

:ŭůů‚®

:ŭŬƛŴ‚®

5QWTEG (GFGTCVKQP #EEQWPV #NNQECVKQP %QOOKVVGG (##%

ŮŬŭű %?_ L:?LO(*I 4 S*?: L OV4SO I I

4 S*?: $ SO

ŭůŰƜŵŵŴ

ŲűŰƜŰŵů

ŴŲƜŴűŮ

ŮůŮƜŭŲų

8QVGU

5GTKCMG &KEMUQP

I

6QVCN XQVGU ECUV

8QVGU

6KOKRTG 5[NXKC

I 9

ŭƜűųŮ

ŲƜŲŰų

ŮƜŬŵŴ

ůűǦ

/QUGU 5KCUKC

8QVGU

?ȚŒÀÃ

8QVGU

ŵŮůƜŭŴŮ

LŒ—œÃȌÀŒˆ ۳ȌÀÃ

4GIKUVGTGF XQVGTU

Űű

I³¨œÈœƒv¨ ½vÀȜŒÃ

ŭƜŴŬŰ

I³¨¨œ®— V®œÈÃ

ŰŮŰƜůŵŮ

ŰŵŴƜųŵŬ

–Œ­v¨Œ

­v¨Œ

4GLGEVGF XQVGU

ůůƜŴųŰ

8QVGT 6WTPQWV

V®ƒ³¨¨ŒƒÈŒˆ I_ Ã

ŴŴŵƜůŬŴ

³¨¨ŒƒÈŒˆ I_ à Ț

và vÈ ůŬ OŒ½ÈŒ­‚ŒÀƜ ŮŬŭŵ

S( *OOV O

*KUVQT[ QH GNGEVQTCN XKQNGPEG

+PUGEWTKV[ CPF JKIJ ETKOG TCVG

7PGORNQ[OGPV TCVG CV

1KN URKNNCIG CPF RQNNWVKQP

ăĂċćŃ

-KFPCR QH 5COUQP CPF /QUGU 5KCUKC U OQVJGT VYKEG

#2% DQ[EQVV QH VJG LWUV EQPENWFGF %JCKTOCP CPF %QWPEKNQT GNGEVKQPU KP .)#U YJKEJ ICXG 2&2 C NCPFUNKFG XKEVQT[

*KIJ TCVG QH QKN DWPMGTKPI

5JWVFQYP QH VJG UVCVG QYPGF TCFKQ UVCVKQP ũ4CFKQ $C[GNUCŪ FWG VQ C ƒTG QWVDTGCM

i1FBDF DBO CF FYQFOTJWF CVU JU JT DPOTJEFSBCMZ DIFBQFS UIBO TUSJGF w 5JNJ %BLPMP "SUJTUF &J& 3471 "NCBTTBEPS

6RXUFH (L( 5HVHDUFK 1DWLRQDO %XUHDX RI 6WDWLVWLFV 1%6 ,QGHSHQGHQW 1DWLRQDO (OHFWRUDO &RPPLVVLRQ ,1(&

71

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ DECEMBER 15, 2019

CICERO

Editor:Olawale Olaleye Email:wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08116759819

IN THE ARENA

Pondering the State of the Nation Nigeria, at this time, needs serious reflections, going forward. Olawale Olaleye writes

A

n editorial by a prominent national daily (not THISDAY) had stirred a serious national debate in the course of last week.

This was to the extent that the newspaper concluded that given the current state of the nation, President Muhammadu Buhari, had not only taken the nation back to his obnoxious days as a military head of state in the 80s, that he would henceforth be referred to as a general since his alleged democratic transmutation was incongruent with his disposition in power.

What’s more? The newspaper also claimed it would cease to refer to his government as an administration but a regime, which is typical with military junta.

Unfortunately, the responses from the president’s media team would further expose the disconnect, not only between the seat of power and the people, but also the seeming disunity in the presidency, following the two responses from the two media heads in the Villa. That, also, on its part painted a critical team without plan, strategy and or coordination.

Generally, and it is without prejudice, an average Nigerian would admit that the country is in a state of disrepair. From rights abuse to increasing insecurity and hard-biting economy, everything is not well with the current regime. What’s however not clear with a majority of the people is if these things were deliberate moves to suppress the people or sheer happenstance that’s only overwhelmed Buhari and Osinbajo at a townhall meeting tagged The Candidates ahead of the 2019 elections the leadership.

Talk about the crackdown on journalists and the intimidation of the civil society, the signs that these present a teleological link between elections and democracy. The take up the gauntlet and be challenged to change the tide are ominous. What about allegations of illegal detentions notion that once you have elections, all else will follow that is destruction-inclined. of people by the secret agents, which are not known to the is no doubt a pipe dream that is now obvious to all and The penchant by security operatives to go after critics people, even by chance? These developments do not raise even now, there is nothing irreversible about democracy in of this government, depicts a rather inane agency, which hope of a better tomorrow but heightened concerns about Nigeria. panders to frivolities at the risk of more challenging and the destination the country is headed under the current “It’s also why our theory of change must not assume serious situations otherwise the fight against insurgency, leadership of General Buhari. that democracy is a destination with a clear road-map. The armed robbery, kidnapping, ritual killing and cultism When these things are placed side-by-side other wordeepening of other factors like the economic wellbeing amongst others are still very much alive. ries like the unabated insecurity, growing ethnic agitation, of the citizens, ultimately, developing and strengthening It also suggests that the talk about hate speech and which had caused serious divisions amongst the Nigerian the political culture or the civic community that can stand social media regulations are just an extension of the plan to people, then the reality of the danger that lurks in the between populism and dogma are the most critical success subdue the civil society and inadvertently create a moncorner cannot be lost on anyone regardless of which side factors.” strous regime, perhaps, worse than the military jackboot. the individual stands.

But Fayemi delivered the message more pungently, All that is currently going on does nothing but threatens Instructively, after 20 years of democracy, Nigeria does when he stated: “Clearly, the Election management body the gains of the nation’s democratic experiment. not seem to have developed the shock absorber for the is improving in the technical aspects of its operations but This, of course, is not about party affiliations or ethnic kind of impunity being exhibited by the political class. elections are not simply technocratic, they are inherently and religious superiority warfare but about the survival of Nothing, therefore, can be taken for granted even when political.

Nigeria through her hitherto wobbly democratic journey everyone is hoping and praying that democracy survives “It is about who gains power, who loses power and – a journey that must not allow for sentimental cultural at each turn. a lot happens in that cocktail. But we all should also be biases – which often confers undue advantage on some This much was addressed in a speech delivered by the worried with what we do with power, once gained. So, and puts the others down.

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi at the Blavatnik democracy is more than just the ability to choose one’s Truth be said, failure to see the problems for what they School of Government, Oxford University, last week, leaders.” are and embrace the desirability to address them signals when he warned that there was nothing irreversible about His concerns are as niggling as those of other patriots, a much bigger disaster that could undermine the gains Nigeria’s democracy if the current actors did not exercise whether or not in office, the very reason the current of the last 20 years of the return to civil rule. The options caution. happenings in the country must not be glossed over. Men before the nation appear somewhat biblical in nature – of “What we established in 1999 is the right to choose and women of conscience and goodwill must admit that life and death. So, the current political actors are advised to our leaders via the ballot. What we must not do is assume danger currently stares the nation in the face and must choose life so Nigeria could live.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

A Sawore

Sowore: From Zero to Hero

lthough the federal government has finally responded to the global outrage that followed the recent court invasion in the bid to re-arrest Mr. Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate and publisher of Sahara Reporters, an online newspaper, interrogating how Nigeria arrived at that juncture is equally important.

It is disturbing that in the thick of needless desperation, the federal government and its agenciescouldnotmanageSoworeandeitherby omissionorcommission,naivelylionisedaman, who could barely muster 20 thousand votes at the poll but has now become a major crisis

on their hands. Sowore now gets mentioned in foreign media almost on a daily basis, so much that United States senators and congress members openly advance his cause.

While Sowore’s poor treatment and alleged inhuman handling raise suspicion about the standpoint of the government, allegation that the president, General Muhamadu Buhari, was not aware of the actions of the DSS raises a much bigger worry. It’s a worry about control and leadership, which should stimulate agitations about the state of the nation.

There have also been theories about why Sowore might have become a person of interest to the security agents as propounded by the

presidency. But this is beyond the fact that he called for revolution. There’s definitely more that neither Sowore nor the state agents are saying, which of course has further hardened him.

He is in a place now, where nothing more can further break him.

This is why security must be circumspect in their handling of him. They mismanaged the whole situation ab initio, lionised him and now, they require wisdom going forward, particularly, by showing respect for the rule of law. And with the case now taken over by the AGF, perhaps, Nigerians will begin to see some sanity in its handling.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ DECEMBER 15, 2019

72

BRIEFINGNOTES GandujeVendetta against Emir Sanusi Latest developments have shown that there’s more to the political crisis currently plaguing the Kano Emirate. Ibrahim Shuaibu writes

T

he lingering crisis that resulted in the creation of additional emirates by the Kano State Government has changed dimension with the state government insisting that the creation of new first class Emirates in the state, which followed due process has come to stay. It also said it was part of efforts to reform obsolete laws guiding the existence of the traditional institution to tally with existing reality.

The state government said for a traditional institution to stand the test of time and move in pace with global standard, it would have to be fine-tuned and restructured in such a way that it could help in accelerating the development and socio-economic reality of the people.

The Kano Emirate, headed by Malam Muhammad Sanusi II, has challenged the state government for the creation of the four additional emirates as an attempt to destroy the heritage of the traditional institutions, which spans thousands of years.

At the first stage, the state government created four new emirates, which the High Court later nullified on the ground that the petition was presented to the Assembly by a private person not a member of the House.

The government had immediately reacted to the campaign by those opposed to the creation of additional emirates with respect to the interim injunction served by a Kano High Court.

A statement by the commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, stated that the court order did not affect the existence of the new Emirates. He said the propaganda was the evil machination of those opposed to the creation of the new emirates and would be disappointed, when the court rules on a substantive judgment.

The state government further assured its supporters that the ruling would be in favour of the state government given that due process followed in the exercise and therefore urged the people to remain calm and be law-abiding while the court decided.

The state executive council had after the court judg- Buhari and Osinbajo at a townhall meeting tagged The Candidates ahead of the 2019 elections ment nullifying the four emirates, endorsed the establishAliko Koki has thus been nominated as a member of the Council ment of the four new Emirates namely Rano, Gaya, Bichi and Karaye court cases filled by the emirate would be defeated, automatically. under this category. The secretary is to be appointed by the Council Ganduje said the measure was due to the powers conferred and forwarded the list to the state Assembly for necessary action. of Chiefs. in Sections 4 (2) (g) and Section 5((1) (2) of the Kano State Emirate The state government argued that some of the Emirates even Section 5(1), (2) of the law provides that the Chairmanship of the Councils Law 2019. pre-dated Kano in ancient times, while the effort to revive them State Council of Chiefs shall be rotational among the Five (5) Emirs Among other members of the State Council of Chiefs are all during the Second Republic was short-lived. of the Emirates and the sequence of which is to be determined by the other Four First Class Emirs of Bichi, Rano, Karaye and Gaya, Alhaji While the Council discussed the decade long clamour for the Aminu Ado Bayero, Alhaji Dr Tafida Abubakar (Autan Bawo), Alhaji Governor and the Chairman shall serve for a period of two (2) years establishment of additional Emirates in the state with a view to only.

Dr Ibrahim Abubakar II and Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulkadir, who are bringing more development to the people of the new Emirates, the The appointment of Emir Muhammad Sanusi II was with effect exercise was also informed by the need to bring traditional institution also automatic members of the Council, as enshrined in the State from Monday, the 9th Day of December 2019. It was also directed Emirate Council Law. closer to the people in addition to facilitating speedy development that the chairman would immediately summon the inaugural “Also Section 4(2) gives other members as Secretary to the and security in the state. meeting of the Council in accordance with the provisions of the Law. State Government, Commissioner for Local Government five (5) It further indicated that the introduction of the free and comThe letter of appointment urges all members to utilise the Chairmen of Local Government Councils one each from the Local pulsory education at basic and secondary levels requires the active opportunity to serve the people in the state and to strengthen the Government Council, where the Emir’s palace is situated. Others participation of the community especially, the traditional institutions Emirates and the traditional system of administration in the State according to this Section comprise at least Ten (10) Kingmakers, 2 for its successful implementation. by advising the state government particularly, on matters of security. each from the Five (5) Emirates mentioned under Section 3(1) of the It informed that the Emirate Council Bill 2019 was amended The state government also attacked those condemning the creation Law, Chief Imam of each Emirate,” the statement said. in the public interest following a Kano High Court action that Other members are representatives of the Business Community of the additional emirates, stating that the group, which membership nullified the law on the ground that the petition was presented to the is more of an opposition, is trying to, at all cost, depict that old heritage from each emirate to be appointed by the Governor. The appointees Assembly by a private person and not a member of the House. is being destroyed but could not say exactly how. But the question are Alhaji Dalhat Al-Hamsad and Alhaji Auwalu Abdullahi Rano.

Curiously, in another bewildering twist, Governor Abdullahi everyone is asking is, how will history situate Governor Ganduje? Is The Law also stipulates, as members of the State Council Umar Ganduje of the state, last week, appointed the embattled Kano it as someone, who engendered development through the creation Emir, Muhammad Sanusi II as the Chairman, Council of Traditional of Chiefs, a representative of Security Agencies, the Police, State of four additional emirates or destroyed the hundreds of years of Security Service and Civil Defence Corps, and not more than two rulers in the state. This action by the state government created traditional legacy? Whatever it is, the jury is still out.

(2) other members to be appointed by the Governor. Alhaji Nasiru another controversy, which if the emir accepted the position, the

NOTES FOR FILE

Aisha Buhari, Please, Slow Down

Aisha

The tendency for one to want to sympathise with the First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari as against applauding her bravery is high. She is actually in a place of pity, clearly.

The first lady, who has consistently come out to point out the ills in her husband’s government to the awe of a majority of the people, is definitely not a happy woman.

She is not happy, not because there isn’t money to spend or power to exercise, but because she wants more and is being deprived of certain privileges believed to have been enjoyed by her predecessors in terms of control. And because of what seemed like she no longer have the ears of her husband, she’s also had to deal with intense humiliation from relatives, who ordinarily should stand at a distance, when talking to her, age aside.

But then, she also appears to be fast losing her tolerance and capacity to manage different tendencies as the homemaker of her husband’s now expanded family, and this is not looking good for her any longer. She is beginning to sound like a broken record – a woman, who wants to have it all to herself, and desires to be heard all alone. That isn’t good enough for one, who is expected to cut the image of a ‘Mother-in-Israel’.

If today, you complained about Mr. A, and your husband pandered to your sentiment and yanked him off.

Tomorrow, it’s the turn of Mr. B and your husband did as you wished, because he loved you and the day after tomorrow, you took on Mr. C, because you reckoned he’d crossed certain boundaries, before you know it, no one would be left with your husband again.

It is not even proper, madam, to call out your husband’s aides. They are not responsible to you. They do not owe their loyalty to you. It is also not in your place to publicly disparage supposedly ‘hostile’ family members. These are directly within the purview of your husband. Ironically, you are doing what you’ve been accusing others of, by assuming control of situations outside your stations.

This is why you have a responsibility and it is a must, to manage all tendencies, both at the political and the family levels, because it’s in your place to do so. And guess what, madam? It would make the job easier for your husband. Don’t compound his headache any further. He’s had his plate full already and the least you can do at this time is to ease his pains with your alluring presence and soothing utterances. So, madam, please, calm down!

73

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ DECEMBER 15, 2019

CICERO/REPORT

Lagos Assembly? It Dares Not! For obvious reasons, the Lagos State House of Assembly is not one to tamper with the pension law for former governors, writes Segun James

T

oday, in the country, everybody is complaining about the dysfunction in the system, a government divided against itself, political office holders who are consumed by greed and a people exasperated by a political leadership that is distant from the reality of things in the country.

It was in the midst of this apprehension that the Zamfara House of Assembly did the impossible. It abolished a law that allowed the payment of pension and other allowances to former governors and their deputies in the state. The development is coming days after a former governor, Abdul’aziz Yari, in a leaked letter to the state government, requested his N10 million ‘monthly upkeep’, which he said had not been paid for some months.

Following the demand, which drew the ire of the people, the House of Assembly abolished the law authorising the payment of pensions to these categories of former officials.

Presenting the bill before the assembly, Leader of the House, Faruk Dosara, urged his colleagues to consider the ‘complete repeal’ of the law “which provides the jamboree payment for the former political leaders of the state at the detriment of the retired civil servants, who have not been paid their entitlements over the years.” According to the lawmaker, these categories of past leaders “are collecting over N700 million annually” which he said the present economy could not afford.

All over the world, political people are guided by facts, reality and crunchy scrutiny of situations before questions are asked and answers given.

For example, like what is your economic plan? What is your development goal for infrastructure, education and roads? And will a project deliver a reasonable return on investment?

It is such questions as these that prompted the call for the stoppage of outrageous pensions for ex-political office holders, especially former governors of the state.

One of such politicians is the Zamfara State Governor, Matawalle, who believes that political leadership goes beyond selfish interest as exhibited by many former political office holders who demanded from the states the impossible.

Flashback to Lagos in 2007

Just before he handed over to his successor, Governor Bola Governor Sanwo-Olu and Speaker Obasa.

Ahmed Tinubu got the state House of Assembly to enact a law package for former governors and public officeholders. giving him and his deputy juicy pensions.

But to most Lagosians, the position of the Assembly is not The Lagos Pension Law stipulates that former holders of the surprising, as they have no authority of their own in such a number one political office in the state will enjoy the following matter in the first place. benefits for life: Two houses, one in Lagos and another in Abuja.

According to Alhaji Kunle Akangbe, it would be most risky (Property experts estimate houses in the two cities to cost about for any of the legislator to propose the stoppage of Governor N500million and N700milion, respectively). It also includes Tinubu’s pension. But can a state House of Assembly enact medical treatment abroad, cars, drivers and domestic staff pension law in Nigeria? This is the question, according to Dr. amongst others.

Olufemi Abifarin and J.O. Olatoke, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

In the eight years that he was governor, Tinubu had three Pension means regular payments made by the state to the deputies, although only two of them are currently entitled to disabled, widowed or by a former employer to an employee pensions. The third former deputy governor, who was imafter long service or a periodical payment made especially, by peached like the second, didn’t have the impeachment reversed. government, company or an employer in consideration of past services.

Fast Forward 2019 According to them, can a state can enact a pension law to This was the situation when the LAHA dismissed the call grant pension and gratuities to an ex-governor and if not what stopping the payment of pensions to former governors and their happens to the pensions so far collected by the ex-governors deputies. The House made it clear, that it would not repeal the state’s pension law permitting former governors and other public under the various states’ pension laws?

“Only the federal government or National Assembly can office holders the right to receive huge pensions from the state make law on pension in Nigeria, therefore the various states’ coffers.

Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Mr. laws on pension and gratuity to Ex-Governors should be declared null and void.

Tunde Braimoh, said Lagos Assembly would not go the way of the Zamfara Assembly, which repealed pension law for its former governors.

Understanding the Financial Obligation The inability of most state governments to meet their financial obligations on various fronts and embark on development Court Ruling That Changes the Game projects as promised during their respective electoral campaigns A Federal High Court in Lagos had ordered the federal have been linked to the huge resources being used to service the government to recover pensions collected by former governors pension of former governors and deputy governors of some of now serving as ministers and members of the National Asthe affected states. Indeed, the payment of pensions and jumbo sembly.

The court also directed the Attorney General of the Federation, perquisites to the former state helmsmen and their deputies has Mr. Abubakar Malami, to challenge the legality of states’ pension incapacitated their successors in the fulfillment of such obligations as to payment of workers’ salary. laws permitting former governors and other ex-public officials Some of the states affected are Akwa Ibom, Gombe, Sokoto to receive huge pensions while drawing normal salaries and Lagos, Rivers, Kano, Kwara, Edo and Zamfara States. allowances in their new political offices.

Findings showed that the nine states that are involved in the Braimoh faulted, however, the court ruling, noting that as long payment of huge pension benefits to their former state execuas the law did not contravene the Constitution, state assemblies tives, are paying a whopping N776,163,584,000 every year to have the right to make laws for the benefit of the society in cater to the pension demands. which they operate. According to him, separation of powers as The amounts listed exclude allowances approved to cater enshrined in the Constitution empowers the legislature to make to such miscellaneous benefits as housing, accommodation, laws, the executive to implement and the judiciary to interpret vehicles, furniture, leisure and allocations to the ex-governors’ the laws. domestic staff, among others.

“The Supreme Court had made it clear several times that no In Akwa Ibom, a former governor is entitled to a new official arm of government can repeal the constitutional provisions of car and utility vehicle, changeable every four years; one personal another arm of government.” aide and provision of adequate security; a cook, chauffeurs and Braimoh said he was not aware of any law that restricts security guards for the governor at a sum not exceeding N5 state assemblies from making laws for the provision of welfare

million per month.

A former governor of Lagos is entitled to a house in Lagos and Abuja, six new cars every three years and 300 per cent of the incumbent governor’s annual salary for furniture allowance Concerns have been raised that the beneficiaries of the largesse succeeded, during their tenures, in getting the legislature to pass into law would sustain the standard of living they enjoyed while they were in power.

The Dangers Ahead

Taxpayers and observers are already expressing fears that if the present continues, it would affect development. Other benefits in the package are six brand new cars, replaceable every three years; furniture allowance of 300 per cent of annual salary to be paid every two years, and close to N2.5 million as pension monthly, amounting to about N30 million annually.

Under that law, a former governor of the state will also enjoy security details, free medical services, which also takes care of his immediate family.

Other benefits which a former governor of the state is also entitled to include 10 per cent house maintenance allowance, 30 per cent car maintenance allowance, 10 per cent entertainment allowance, 20 per cent utility allowance and an unspecified number of domestic staff.

Worried by these outrageous benefits, concerned Lagos residents and democracy activists are now kicking. They described the provision of the Pension Law as insensitive and a way of exploiting the people and the state for the benefit of former leaders. Following public outcry, LAHA has said it is planning to reduce the state’s pension law. Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa disclosed this, when he said the decision would help save taxpayers money.

“This House is amending the Public Office Holder (Payment of Pension) Law. The amendment is titled, Public Office Holders (Payment of Pensions) Amendment Bill, 2016. The bill has been read the first time and awaiting second reading. The intendment of this bill is to save taxpayers’ money while addressing the cost implication of some parts of the law.

“For instance, the law allows a former governor and the deputy to have a house each in Lagos and Abuja, while both governor and the deputy are also entitled to six and five vehicles respectively. “But with the amendment, both the governor and the deputy will be limited to a house in Lagos where they served, as well as have three and two vehicles respectively.

“At the same time, the amendment seeks to accord due recognition to the legislature by allowing the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker to benefit in the pension.”

74

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ DECEMBER 15, 2019

CICERO/REPORT

Fayemi (middle) and other participants at the conference

Speaking Truth to Power from Abroad A conference on Nigeria’s 20 years of democracy held at the Blavatnik School of Government, and organised by the African Studies Centre, Oxford University, raised some serious concerns about the vulnerability of the nation’s democracy, even after four transitions, reports Olawale Olaleye

T

he current occupant of the Rhodes Chair in Race Relations at the African Studies Center, University of Oxford, Professor Wale Adebanwi sure knew how to attract the right people for any particular cause.

This too was not different. It was Nigeria’s 20 years of democracy held at the Blavatnik School of Government of the prestigious

university.

The list of guests was no doubt, rich and both politically and academically intimidating. There was Professor Larry Diamond of the Stanford University, USA, the keynote speaker; former Vice Chancellor Igbinedion University, Eghosa Osagie; director of the Center for Democracy and Development Abuja, Dr. Jubrin Ibrahim; Prof. Peter Lewis of John Hopkins University, USA; Adigun Agbaje of the University of Ibadan and Okechukwu Ibeanu of INEC. Also in attendance were a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Aliyu Modibbo Umar, who is also a Visiting Fellow at Oxford University; Zainab Usman of the World Bank; former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kingsley Moghalu; a former aide to President Olusegun Obasanjo, Professor Akin Osuntokun; Prof. Ebenezer Obadare of the University of Kansas, USA; Publisher of the Ovation Magazine, Bashorun Dele Momodu and Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, amongst others.

The conference was in two sessions. There was a morning leg that was kicked off extensively by Professor Diamond, before other speakers took their turns to speak.

There was an interlude dedicated to colleagues at the university, who had passed on and it provided some sober moments. The other leg, however, which caught the fancy of a majority of Nigerians present, was the evening session, which featured Governors Kayode Kayemi of Ekiti State and Aminu Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State.

Interestingly, the choice and combination of Fayemi

and Tambuwal was also curious. This is because while Fayemi is the Chairman of Nigeria’s Governors Forum (NGF), Tambuwal is his deputy. Even more interesting is that, whenever the talk about 2023 presidency comes up, whether true or not, names of these two always come up.

Thus, either way, the choice of both talents was not a bad one especially, that as governors, the two are active players in the nation’s current experience. While Fayemi had been governor before a break that took him on a ministerial adventure and returned to office as governor four years after, Tambuwal was speaker of the House of Representatives before he decided to have the governorship experience.

Combined, they each could boast of over 10 years of active participation in the nation’s twenty years of democracy. This is arguing their position as political office holders otherwise they have been around and active all along the nation’s democratic voyage but in different capacities.

Finally, when the evening session came, the hall was stark ready – filled to the brim. Fayemi was the first to speak as Tambuwal was caught in a typical Lagos traffic in faraway United Kingdom. He joined midway, long after Fayemi had spoken.

Boasting a rare candour, Fayemi chose the platform to speak truth to power, albeit in Oxford, the United Kingdom, about the nation’s democracy. With detailed, comprehensive and academic recollection of the journey so far, Fayemi feared nothing about Nigeria’s democracy was irreversible and therefore warned of consequences if caution was not observed.

“What we established in 1999 is the right to choose our leaders via the ballot. What we must not do is assume a teleological link between elections and democracy. The notion that once you have elections, all else will follow is no doubt a pipe dream that is now obvious to all and even now, there is nothing irreversible about democracy in Nigeria.”

Deliberately, knowing the import of that particular line, Fayemi too paused, observed the pulse of his audience in a smooth communication flow and clearly, the message sank, and then, he soldiered on. “It’s also why our theory of change must not assume that democracy is a destination with a clear road-map. The deepening of other factors like the economic wellbeing of the citizens, ultimately, developing and strengthening the political culture or the civic community that can stand between populism and dogma is the most critical success factor,”he said.

Contending that, “A cursory look at our current electoral journey in the last two decades clearly point to elements of consolidation and deepening of our democracy,” Fayemi maintained that “other aspects of the journey raise serious concern.

“For example, in 2015, we crossed a major turning point with the first alternation of power since 1999. Political science literature regards this as a clear evidence of democratic consolidation.

“In that same election, the opposition – APC – won election in two thirds of the 36 governorship elections, wrestling power from PDP in no fewer than 12 states. In fact, PDP only managed to retain only two governorships in the entire northern region of 19 states – Gombe and Taraba.

“By 2019, although the APC retained the Presidency, it had lost six critical governorships in Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Imo, Oyo and Zamfara States and nearly lost the most populous state – Kano – which went into a re-run and only gained Kwara and Gombe. In the 29 states, where elections held in 2019, APC won 15 and PDP won 14, a much closer contest than the picture often painted.”

Making a subtle case for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he noted that, “Clearly, the Election management body is improving in the technical aspects of its operations but elections are not simply technocratic; they are inherently political.

“It is about who gains power, who loses power and a

75

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ DECEMBER 15, 2019

CICERO/REPORT t SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER FROM ABROAD t

Continued from Page 74

Tambuwal and Fayemi laugh at a joke from Moghalu during his commentary on the lectures lot happens in that cocktail. But we all should also be worried with what we do with power, once gained. So, democracy is more than just the ability to choose one’s leaders.”

He was of the opinion that the current phase of the nation’s democratic struggle was not just about maintaining the sanctity of the ballot, but also holding those elected accountable and stimulating civic engagement in the public realm, in a way that democratises ownership and improves the quality of life of the people.

“We must banish the idea that governance is something performed by a team of gifted performers or strong men, while the rest of the citizens are spectators or complainers.

“During the days of military rule, some soldiers declared with more than a touch of hubris that politics is much too important to be left to politicians. By this they meant that the military had the right to be political players since politicians had generally proven inept. Ultimately, the military proved to be no better at politics and governance themselves. But there is a fundamental truth to the saying that politics is too important to be left to politicians.

“It is about redefining politics itself, transforming it from a rarefied craft reserved for a select few professional politicians, to the protocols and relationships that undergird personal, communal and social wellbeing. In other words, politics is the management of human relationships, interactions and aspirations in the service of the common good.

“It is not something mysterious that only ‘politicians’ do; it is how citizens operate. Politics is a civic responsibility.

It is how we engage with each other. The pursuit of good governance means that politicians can no longer be left to their own devices.

“Seen in this light, the mutual estrangement of government and civil society will end. The civil society will continue to express the communal instinct to regulate power but the chronic antagonism that poisons relations between the state and civil society will be replaced by mutual

respect and positive tension.

“Civic engagement means that the state can access a much larger pool of wisdom and knowledge made available by a new rapport with civil society. In return, participatory governance will become much more practicable across all levels of governance,” he stated. Summarising the 20 years journey, Fayemi contended that,“In addressing the question of successes and failures of our democracy in the last two decades, my reflections this morning really centres around understanding the relationship between fighting against and fighting for.

“While much of what we did during the years in the democracy struggle was constructed as a struggle against unaccountable power, it was also a struggle for accountable power – a struggle for life, for liberty and for the pursuit of happiness – as the American credo would have it.

“Our resistance at the barricades was consequently not only to stop power from violating the commonwealth and the people’s will, but also one geared towards putting it in the service of the common good to create a life more abundant.

“The context and process of that journey to democratisation is, however, as important as the eventual outcome. Whether we agree about the successes and challenges, I believe our discussion this evening should not simply be one of transition from military rule to a political society, but the extent to which we are able to achieve full citizens’ participation in our democracy.”

He maintained that the discussion for that evening should also focus on the making of leaders and citizens in a good society, adding that, without the active citizen participation, the legitimacy of the political institutions would continue to decline.

“For this reason, I believe strongly that political leaders – be they politicians or activists – should worry because their ability to lead effectively is being seriously undermined by the desertion of the average citizens from the public space, deepening our crisis of legitimacy and empowering alternatives to democracy especially, populist demagoguery.

“Yet, this lack of legitimacy cuts both

ways: when we the people withdraw our trust in leaders or discountenance politicians, we make our democratic institutions less effective and risk making ourselves ungovernable. In spite of the progress made so far in Nigeria, this risk cannot be over-emphasised.”

His Sokoto State counterpart, Tambuwal, who was also a special guest, however, spoke extensively about institutions, which he identified as the biggest flaw in the nation’s 20 years of democratic journey. He said the lack of institutions that could be trusted and dependable had eroded the gains of democracy since the return to civil in 1999. Reflecting on his personal experience, said it was only by building strong democratic institutions as against strong individuals would democracy be sustained in Nigeria.

He also chipped in that in spite of two decades of unbroken democracy in Nigeria, elections in which Nigerians could vote and be voted for had never been free and fair.

“I refer to institutions, I refer to the only base on which we, like any other truly democratic society, can build upon and the cover under which we, like any other truly democratic process, can get protection from the whims, madness or even cleverness of any single individual, who might have his or her own interests or flaws.

“Institutions, not individual protect collective interest and grow the Commonwealth in a fair, legal and lasting way.

The best individual can do is to help build institutions. The lack of institutions that one can truly trust and fully depend on, perhaps, is the biggest flaw of our 20 years of democracy.

“I can tell you that building systems that take all voices into consideration is hard work and it can be frustrating. Believing in democracy means taking time to persuade and build consensus rather than seeing those who disagree as enemies to be overpowered.

“It means agreeing to accept the will of the majority, when your side does not win.

The temptation to circumvent the process through violence will always be with us and must be fought.

“I am however optimistic, because of my experience first as a lawyer, later as a legislator and then as a governor has given me the rare opportunity to mix with people from all areas and persuasions of Nigeria and part of what this experience has shown me is that we have people that can build institutions.”

According to the former Speaker, “We have peoples that understand the importance of strong and legitimate institutions that can work for all. The other importance that my experience has shown me is thanks to my mental curious and physical travels to meet Nigerians across Nigeria and indeed outside Nigeria is that our fears, our desires and aspirations as a people are more similar than some want us to believe.”

He, therefore, called for the exclusion of partisan politics from tertiary institutions, saying, “l am of the opinion that spaces of learning should be areas immune from partisan politics and I also feel that discussions in these places never be based on or motivated by pure partisan affiliations.

“It is my view that a university or any other citadel or institution of learning should be dedicated to, and should accommodate only rigorous rational reflections that can illuminate minds of all to the betterment of the society.”

Not unexpectedly, the commentary and question and answer session was the icing on the cake. Drawn between jokes amongst guests, who played up their friendship and familiarity, the conclusion was that the nation’s democracy even at 20 was still a work-in-progress and as such, all hands must be on deck to keep the sanctity of an effort that didn’t come cheap.

Another thing that was evident even in the countenance of everyone present was the desire to have a decent society, that an average Nigeria could be proud of and call his or her own.

But like other conferences and similar events, which propounded ideas on how to move the nation forward, the fear that greeted this occasion was if anything would be taken away and applied for practical purposes in the journey to an egalitarian society? But that’s yet to be seen. Perhaps, it’s also too early for results.

76

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ DECEMBER 15, 2019

FROMTHECOURT

Appeal Court and a Judicial Somersault Can a Court of Appeal with the same panel of judges contradict its judgment, and override the decision of the Supreme Court on the same case? Davidson Iriekpen Asks

C

an the same panel of the Court of Appeal contradict its judgment, and override the decision of the Supreme Court in the same case?

This is the question a member of the House of Representatives representing Lere Federal Constituency, Kaduna State, Suleiman Aliyu Lere, wants both President of the Court Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, to answer.

Lere had participated in the primary election conducted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Lere Federal Constituency of Kaduna State on October 7, 2019. After the election, he emerged winner.

The APC, however, submitted the name of one Ahmed Mohammed Munir to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its candidate for the federal constituency.

Aggrieved with the decision, Lere went to the Kaduna State High Court, where he filed a suit to challenge the APC and INEC’s decision. The state High Court declined jurisdiction on the grounds that the dispute was an internal party affair.

Not satisfied, the lawmaker proceeded to the Court of Appeal, which first assumed jurisdiction. Two days to the 2019 general election, precisely on February 21, 2019, the appellate court in a unanimous judgment, ordered INEC to recognise, accept and treat him as the candidate of the APC for Lere Federal Constituency in the election.

The court added that it was not lawful for the APC to recognise and forward the name of any candidate other than the appellant (Lere) to INEC as its candidate for Lere Federal Constituency.

It further held that it was unlawful for the APC to change the result of the primary election in which the appellant emerged winner and was so declared by the party.

It equally restrained the 2nd respondent in the appeal, Ahmed M. Munir, from parading himself as the candidate of the party for the federal constituency in the 2019 general election, and awarded a cost of N500,000 each against the APC Bulkachuwa and Munir in favour of the appellant.

Gambo Abundaga, gave a unanimous judgment and held At the end of the general election, which held on that Suleiman Lere was a necessary party and his joinder February 23, 2019, the APC scored 64,442 votes to emerge application in the petition was essential to the proper victorious while PDP came second with 29,709 votes. adjudication of the matter before the tribunal.

But Munir and the APC appealed the decision at the At pages 19 to 20 of the judgment of the Court of ApSupreme Court. On May 10, 2019, the apex court in its peal delivered on July 26, 2019 in Appeal No: CA/K/EPT/ judgment, upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal that NA/4/2019 between Suleiman Lere Vs. Rabiu Muhammad Suleiman Lere was the candidate of the APC. Lawal, the Appeal Court according to Justice Hussaini held The court concurred with the order of the Court of thus: Appeal asking INEC to recognise, accept Suleiman Lere as “It is important to note that the judgment of the Court of the candidate of the APC for Lere Federal Constituency at Appeal under reference was delivered a day or two before the 2019 general elections cannot be faulted. the general election took place. The general election was Consequent upon the decision of the Supreme Court, held on February 23, 2019. The Court of Appeal judgment the INEC issued a certificate of return, which was hitherto was delivered on the February 21, 2019. It goes without withheld pending the judgment of the Supreme Court saying, flowing from the decision above that as at the 23rd dated May 14, 2019 to Suleiman Lere.

February 2019, when the general election was held or took While the pre-election dispute was being resolved at place. the Supreme Court, the PDP and its candidate, Lawal “The 3rd respondent that is (Ahmed Muhammed Munir) Muhammed Rabi’ufiled, filed a petition before the National was not the candidate of the APC rather the appellant, and State Houses of Assembly Tribunal in Kaduna, Suleiman Lere, was that candidate. The 5th respondent challenging the outcome of the general election.

(INEC) was, by the reason of the judgment of this court They, however, did not join the lawful candidate of the put on notice to accept, recognise and treat the appellant APC, Suleiman Aliyu Lere as a respondent in the petition, herein as the candidate of the APC.” instead they joined Ahmed Munir who as at the time of The court concluded that based on the reasons above, filing the petition, was not only a disqualified candidate, Suleiman Lere participated in the general election of 2019 and had also been restrained by the courts from parading and contested for Lere Federal Constituency.” himself as the APC candidate.

The court further held: “Like the plaintiff in the case of Even though the main grounds of the petition before Amaechi Vs. INEC (Supra), the appellant herein was an the tribunal was premised on nomination and candidature aspirant in the primary election organised by his party, of Munir vis-à-vis his disqualification by the Court of where he secured the highest number of votes, but unlike Appeal, the petitioners vehemently opposed a motion filed in the case of Amaechi Vs. INEC (Supra) the appellant before the tribunal seeking to join Suleiman Lere, who was herein was a candidate in the general election held on the recognised by the electorate and presumed by law to be February 23, 2019, where the APC and indeed, it was the the APC candidate, as a necessary party in the petition. appellant that won in that election, for the seat of Lere In its ruling delivered on June 1, 2019, the tribunal Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. agreed with the petitioners and rejected the application “By reason of the appellant being the candidate, he seeking to join Suleiman Lere as the 4th respondent and a participated in the general election held on the February necessary party to the petition.

23, 2019 and thus had fulfilled all the requirements set by Upon Lere’s interlocutory appeal to the Court of Appeal, section 285 (13) of the Constitution (as amended) in terms a full panel of the court presided over by Justice Hussein of his participation.”

Mukhtar, with Justices Obietonbara O. Daniel Kalio, Saidu The same Court of Appeal in Appeal No: CA/K/EPT/ Tanko Hussaini, Oludotun A. Adefope-Okojie and James

NA/12/2019 between Mohammed Shamsuddeen Bello Vs. Suraja Idris Kanawa presided over by the same Justice Hussein Mukhtar and comprising of Saidu Tanko Hussaini and Oludotun A. Adefope-Okojie delivered a judgment on October 25, 2019, relied on the judgment of the full penal of the court in Appeal No: CA/K/EPT/NA/4/2019 between Suleiman Lere Vs. Hon. Rabiu Muhammad Lawal & Others in holding that Mohammed Shamsuddeen Bello participated and won the election into Takai/Sumaila Federal Constituency.

The court in the judgment held: “This court had earlier in the judgment delivered on 19th June 2019 which affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court, held that the appellant herein is indeed the candidate of the APC in the general election. I take judicial notice of all those decisions.

“The appellant has by reason of one decision of the apex court in appeal No SC 813/2019 been the candidate, who participated and contested in the general election, had met the requirements set out in section 285 (13) of the electoral act. See the decision of this court in Engr. Suleiman Aliyu Lere vs Rabi’u Muhammad Lawal and 4 others. (Unreported) appeal no CA/K/EPT/NA/4/2019) delivered on the 20th July 2019.

“Victory secured by the appellant at the Supreme Court Vide SC 812/2019 and SC 813/2019 (supra) cannot be wished away as empty or barren victory rather, the victory by him is substantial and tangible and the Court, including this court have a duty under section 287 (1) (2) of the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), to enforce the judgment of the Apex Court.”

However, in a dramatic somersault, the same Court of Appeal presided over by the same Justice Hussein Mukhtar in CA/K/EPT/ NA/19/2019 set aside the decision of the Supreme Court on the basis of which the APC issued a Certificate of Return to Suleiman Lere and also set aside the decision of the full court of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No: CA/K/ EPT/NA/4/2019.

The court in Appeal No: CA/K/EPT/NA/19/2019 with the same panel, reversed itself, saying that the APC which it hitherto adjudged to have sponsored a candidate and won the election for Lere Federal Constituency, did not now have a valid candidate in the February 23, 2019 general election. It consequently sacked Lere from House.

The decision has therefore raised many eyebrows. In the Nigerian judicial system, the principle of stare decisis, which provides the necessary certainty in the administration of justice, has long been established and entrenched.

By the provision of section 287 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the decisions of the Supreme Court shall be enforced in any part of Nigeria by all authorities and persons and by courts with subordinate jurisdiction to the Supreme Court.

Observers are wondering that the Supreme Court, having made a determination that Suleiman Lere was the candidate of the APC for Lere Federal Constituency and the full panel of the Court of Appeal having determined that he fully participated and won election for Lere Federal Constituency, where did the same panel derive the temerity to detract and deviate from the decision of the Supreme Court and the full panel of the Court of Appeal?

Many are completely at a loss to see the same court with the same justices delivering conflicting decisions on the same subject matter, wondering if the decisions of the Court of Appeal in CA/K/40/2019, CA/K/EPT/ NA/4/2019, CA/K/EPT/NA/12/2019 and CA/K/EPT/ NA/19/2019 were justified?

Lere has therefore called for self-appraisal and review of the conflicting decisions by the Court of Appeal in the matter. He also called on the National Assembly and the Supreme Court to intervene in the case in order to save the judiciary from being thrown into utter confusion and embarrassment.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍŻÍłËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

77

EVENT

Glitz Meets Glamour at Smile Project Appreciation Dinner, Award Night

‘Surulere’ crooner performing at the eventProject Smile 7 0, Henry Ijeoma and guest of hoour, Hajia Bola Shagaya at the event

L-R- Dr. Amy Traore-Shumbusho, winner, Project Smile 7 0, Henry Ijeoma and guest of hoour, Hajia Bola Shagaya at the event

L-R: Dr. Yinka Lesi, Dr. Desola Asade and Prof. Ranti daCosta

Funke Olaode

T

he invitation card reads: “Clients are the soul of every business and Smile 360 is no exception. As long as we love what we do, without you, there is no Smile 360. Our clients are much more than just clients, you are family and our clinic is home to all of us.�

It continues: “In appreciation of your loyalty and as custom to us at Smile 360, we want to celebrate you in a meaningful way.�

On December 4, all roads led to Eko Hotel Grand Ball Room when a foremost dental clinic in Nigeria, Smile 360 with its head office on Cameron Road, Ikoyi Lagos held a ‘Special Appreciation Dinner and Project Smile Session 7 Awards’. The hall was filled to the brim with dignitaries like Hajia Bola Shagaya, reputable personalities, and professionals in attendance.

Project Smile is a complimentary smile makeover initiative of Smile 360 for Nigerian

youths who have suffered lost opportunities and are stigmatized due to the case of flawed dentition. Smile 360 believes in the restoration of Smiles and happiness on the faces of people and this we hope to achieve through Project Smile.

The initiative is in its seventh session and Project Smile 7.0 kicked off on September 16, 2019, with a call to entries which lasted eight weeks. During the period, 226 candidates each with a narrative of how costly dental flaw has deprived them of opportunities, entered for a chance to win the prize of a ‘Smile’ makeover in the bid to transform their dental configuration and realize the dream of a great smile.

Speaking further on the motive behind the project, the managing director of Smile 360 Dental Clinic, Dr. Amy Traore-Shumbusho, said the motive is to create a smile that would help people to look attractive and confident.

She said, “Smiling can reduce your blood pressure, smiling can increase your immune system, smiling increases your happiness.

Imagine the power we have but why are we not smiling. We are here today to talk about Project Smile. It began a few years ago when I realized how powerful a smile is and even more there are people out there who don’t have a smile or don’t have teeth to smile. “Then I talked to myself why is anyone would not be able to smile, why would anyone not be able to live his/her life to the fullness. So the project was conceptualized based on this observation. And I just saw it as an opportunity to give young adult, young Nigerians who cannot avoid paying my services an opportunity to smile and be themselves. This is our own way of giving back.�

Since the project started, over 20 Nigerians have been given a new lease of life. “It has not been easy,� said Dr. TraoreShumbusho. “Initially, we started with one

candidate and the dentistry treatment process took us two years. By the following year, we were able to sponsor three more with the help of corporate organizations. The following year four more people were selected for treatment through the help of people who contributed to their lives.

Project smile is doing great and we can do more.

We want you to witness the power of a smile and how a simple smile can transform the life of someone. We have past candidates who have finished their treatments and have their lives transformed.�

However, she added, “Today, we are celebrating the seventh edition of Project Smile. And in this edition, we have 226 applicants, which shows how project smile has become popular. The process is transparent and simple. When we get a picture of an applicant with a story of how a makeover will transform their lives, the most touching story will be selected. From 226 applicants they were scaled down to 12. And from those 12, four applicants were selected and they are here today. We want you to join us in deciding out of these four candidates deserve to win the big prize. So we decided to pick two people.�

Corroborating Traore-Shumbusho, the Director, Project Smile, Dr. Apara said: “Smile can indeed transform life. But when you hear a story such as ‘l’ve lost my selfesteem.’ ‘I can’t get married just because I can’t smile.’ So Project Smile is a project that helps increase one’s smile. This is our seventh session. So far we have had over 500 people that have applied. Because it is a new project we are taking it gradually as we try to grow the lives of people, try to empower people by giving back the power of smile back to them.�

Among the four candidates, Henry Ijeoma emerged the winner, the first runner-up was Sesan Dales. Though Tomilola Bada and Opeyemi Fasuyi did not win, they were lucky as they were both adopted for treatment by anonymous individuals.

Past candidate Sharon whose dream of becoming a model was nearly shattered gave kudos to Dr. Amy and her team for restoring her dreams. “I didn’t know that my smile was bad until I stumbled on Project Smile Session 4. The experience has been awesome. I thank you for changing my life.�

The night of glitz and glamour came to an end with a musical performance by ‘Surulere’ crooner, Dr. Sid.

78

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍŻÍłËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

EVENT

(L-R) Charles O’Tudor, Principal Consultant, ADSTRAT Branding Management Consortium; Bolanle Ajibade, Head of Training/Assistant Director (Training), Industrial Training Fund; Joseph Yobo, ExSuper Eagles International/Captain; Harrison Okiri, Singer/Songwriter; Bekeme Masade, Chief Executive, CSR-in-Action/Convener, Sustainability in the Extractive Industries (SITEI) Conference, and Meka Olowola, Chairperson, Organising Committee, endorsing the CSR-in-Action developed Community Engagement Standards at the SITEI Conference in Lagos

Extractive Sector Stakeholders Harp on Engagement at CSR-in-Action Conference

S

takeholders in Nigeria’s extractive industries have said there is a need for extensive community engagement to resolve “interminable� issues facing the sectors.

At the 8th Sustainability in the Extractive (SITEI) conference, organised by CSR-inAction, stakeholders were offered a platform to articulate their perspectives on the operations of the industries and subsequently, agree on a blueprint for sustainable development based on the adoption of the innovative Community Engagement Standards (CES).

According to a statement by CSR-inAction, Nigeria has a history of conflict in its extractive industries resulting from the antagonism between host communities and companies.

The eighth SITEI conference themed, ‘Community Engagement: A Panacea for Peace in Extractive Operations’, discussed various issues challenging the sector, reaching a unanimous decision that deeper consideration should be paid to the subject for the long-term growth of the country.

Key stakeholders such as the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, through the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Olalere Odusote, advocated for the adoption of Nigeria’s first extractive industries engagement framework, the CES developed by CSR-in-Action and funded by the Facility for Oil Sector Transformation and Reform (FOSTER II).

Odusote said, “We encourage the private sector to adopt the community engagement standards as it provides a

base for engagement for everyone and it makes for an absence of confusion.�

Continuing, he noted, “It is incontrovertible that the exploitation of high-value natural resources has always been cited as a key factor in sparking violent conflicts across the world. By so doing, host communities should be involved in community projects from inception and it will be in our best interest for our extractive industries to be catalysts for economic growth and development. Hence, the CES is a standardized tool for engaging communities in order to prevent conflict among stakeholders.�

Similarly, the convener of the conference, Bekeme Masade-Olowola, said in her address: “Marginalisation is a major cause of oil theft. Therefore, host community members need to be satisfactorily compensated, so they can take charge of securing the communities/pipelines with the knowledge that any insecurity might adversely affect them. Sensitization and employment of youth within the communities will help take their focus away from the immediate gains and understand the effects of their actions on the land. “With the adoption of the CES, businesses will enjoy higher profitability through theft and vandalization reduction. In relation to the government, the CES will provide cohesion in government accountability and enhance equitable development of host communities.�

In his welcome address, the chair of CSR-in-Action Advocacy and former vice-chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Wale Omole, harped on the need for a rejigged status quo with special emphasis on community

inclusion. “There is the outright or indirect exclusion of communities perceived to be less important in critical development dialogues.

Consequently, the CES aims to address defects in the social structure of the propensity for resource-induced insecurity and conflicts, and to enhance stakeholder participation in decision-making,� Omole stated.

The conference’s panel discussions featuring Joseph Yobo, Omawumi Megbele, Harrison ‘Harrysong’ Okiri, and Celestine Akpobari, shared various perspectives on the sector and proffered solutions to the challenges facing it with inclusion being a major theme.

In her contribution, the Programme Officer, Ford Foundation, Eva Kouka said: “Persistent and continued engagement is imperative for the entire duration of operations in the sectors. Hence, it is critical to have a standard that evaluates the process with roles clearly spelt out to all stakeholders.�

In the same vein, the Head, Legal Resources, Environmental Rights Action, Chima Williams, said: “We can create more jobs when companies know that their host communities are committed to protecting their assets and facilities in their environment. The CES looked at ownership from the perspective of inclusiveness because companies cannot leave out the host communities from the business.�

The conference also witnessed the inaugural Community

Engagement and Human Rights Awards (CAHR Awards) in the extractive industries.

Birthed by CSR-in-Action in conjunction with Growing Business Foundation, with support from Global Rights, the CAHR Awards recognized exceptional individuals and companies in six categories.

The award categories were named after illustrious Nigerians.

Accordingly, the descendants of those individuals were present at the venue to hand over the awards to recipients.

Popular human rights advocate and Twitter influencer, Segun ‘Segalink’ Awosanya, emerged winner of the Funmilayo RansomeKuti Human Rights Award (individual) while Unilever Plc emerged corporate winner of the same award.

Likewise, Nigeria LNG Limited scooped the Hajiya Gambo Sawaba Community Impact Award, while Nigerian Agip Oil Company was the recipient of the MKO Abiola Community Engagement Award.

The last two categories, the Apostle Hayford Alile Humanitarian Award and the Josephine NkedilimBertram Ekenanye Equal Rights Award were bestowed upon Aliko Dangote and Mrs. Yemisi RansomeKuti, respectively. Aigboje AigImoukhuede was voted winner of the Ahmadu Bello Award for Leadership.

A seventh category, the Ken SaroWiwa Award for Environmental Management, was not given to any company due to the lack of nominees in that category. Winners emerged following an online voting system and a rigorous screening exercise.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 15, 2019 • T H I S D AY

79

80

SUNDAY DECEMBER 15, 2019 •T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ ͚ͽ, 2019

GAVEL

81

Editor: Olawale Olaleye SMS:08116759819 email:wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com

Distraught National Assembly Moves to Probe Court Invasion The National Assembly, last week, unanimously resolved to probe a recent invasion of the Federal High Court, Abuja, by operatives of the Department of State Security, during the re-arrest of Mr. Omoyele Sowore, as part of efforts to protect the sanctity of the court. Deji Elumoye and Adedayo Akinwale report

National Assembly complex

T

he cliche, an injury to one is an injury to all, appeared to have come to play last week as the legislative arm of government rose in unison to protect the sanctity of the temple of justice following the invasion of the Federal High Court in Abuja by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) while trying to re-arrest Mr. Omowole Sowore, an activist and politician, penultimate Friday.

Although it took the upper legislative chamber almost one week to react to the reported infractions on the part of the secret police, the House of Representatives was however quick to respond to the matter earlier.

At the Senate, the issue was not raised until last Thursday, the last day of sitting, when the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Legal matters, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, summoned courage and raised the issue via Order 43 of the Senate Standing Rules.

The Order 43, which is titled Personal Explanation of the Senate Standing Orders 2015 (As Amended) states that “By the indulgence of the Senate and the leave of the President of the Senate, a Senatormaymakeapersonalexplanationalthough there will be no question before the Senate; but no controversial matter may be brought forward nor may debate arise upon the explanation. The terms of the proposed statement shall be submitted in detail to the President of the Senate, when his leave to make it is sought�.

Relying on this Order and with the express leave of the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, Senator Bamidele expressed deep concern about theallegedinvasionofthecourtbysecretpolicemen and would want the Red chamber to investigate the matter. “I rise to draw the attention of this Senate to a matter that has been in public domain and especially as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, the reported invasion of the court room again by alleged officials of the Department of State

Security. It is one issue that has raised a lot of concern in different quarters in Nigeria. “The leadership and members of the judiciary areparticularlyconcernedaboutthisdevelopment, because they believe like the rest of us do, that the courtroom is meant to be a sanctuary but for us at the Senate, we cannot begin to take a position or analyze the issues based on conclusion without facts that we consider incontrovertible. Yet, much as we cannot just jump into conclusions, it is also a fact that we cannot pretend not to know that Nigerians are concerned about this development. “The reason I have chosen to come under Order 43 is so that I will not generate any controversy or even make the Senate to begin to debate or engage in a debate over an issue in respect of which like I said earlier, we still need to have incontrovertible facts and evidence. “In view of this, I just want to say that as elected representatives of the people in whom Nigerians including the judiciary must find their voice, that we mandate our Committee on National Security and Intelligence to interface with the relevant security agencies, look into this matter, investigate what happened and report back to the Senate on this matter.�

Responding, Lawan was quick to say: “Distinguished colleagues, you know Order 43 does not allow for any debate and since this is a matter that affects the judiciary, we rather mandate your committee to find out what happened. So, I would suggest that our committee on judiciary investigates, finds out what actually happened and then report back to us in one week.�

On its part, the House did not allow the noise associated with the alleged invasion of the High Court inAbuja by agents of DSS to subside before adding its voice to it upon resumption of plenary last Tuesday.

It expressed dismay over the exhibition of thuggery, brute force, and disregard for the rule of law by yet-to-be identified persons within the precinct of the Federal High court, where the Convener of #RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore was arrested.

The House therefore ordered thorough investigation into the matter following the adoption of a motion brought under urgent national importance moved by the Minority Leader, Hon Ndudi Elumelu.

According to him, sections 4,5 and 6 of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended) guarantees the separation of powers and the independence of every arm of government, noting that a situation, where one arm of government was seen to be overpowering another in the course of dispensing her duties, would definitely spell doom for the separation of powers as enshrined in the Constitution. “The House notes with dismay, the exhibition of thuggery, brute force, lawlessness, contempt and disregard for the rule of law by yet-to-be identified persons within the precinct of the Federal high court, Abuja on the 6th day of December, 2019.�

He stressed that the videos emerging in public domain showed the unidentified person trying to bundle Sowore and Bakare out of the courtroom, while Sowore’s supporters were resisting them, a development he described as an abuse to the sanctity of the courtroom.

The legislator expressed concern that men of the civil society claimed that the unidentified masked men were agents of the DSS, while the Service had denied through its spokesman, Peter Afunanya, that its personnel were never involved in the incident. “Worried that the actions of these unidentified persons that disrupted judicial proceedings on the 6th day of December 2019, and made the presiding judge to abandon her duty post, because of safety concerns. This is a complete desecration of the temple of justice and such an action should be completely discouraged,� he added.

Elumelu noted that if the action was not properly put to check, the National Assembly might one day be invaded and the relevant security agencies would claim not knowing who the offenders were.

He stressed that physically assaulting Sowore and Bakare by the yet-to-be identified persons inside the courtroom was the highest act of sacri-

lege against the judicial arm of government and a complete disrespect to the rule of law.

TheHousethereaftermandated“thecommittees on National Security and Intelligence, Judiciary and Human Rights respectively to investigate the event and report back to the House within two weeks.�

Also, last week, the face-off between the Electricity Workers Union and the Ministry of Power over non-implementation of agreements between the two parties received the attention of the Green Chamber.

The leadership of the House has therefore promised to ensure the implementation of the agreement between the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), the Bureau of Public Enterprises and the Ministry of Power to address the grievances that led to a strike action by the Union last week.

The House also promised to ensure that members of the union were henceforth treated right by the government to avoid the strike action they embarked upon last Wednesday, which paralysed economic activities in the country.

Due to the urgency of the matter and in a bid to intervene and find a lasting solution, the House cut short last Thursday’s plenary and immediately went into a closed-door meeting with all the concerned parties.

At the meeting between the leadership of the House and the Minister of Labour, Senator Chris Ngige, the Minister of State for Power, Mr. Goddy Jedy-Agba, officials of BPE and leadership of the NUEE, Gbajabiamila appealed to the union to exercise higher tolerance before embarking on strike as their action could affect lives negatively.

Although the agreement was signed at a meeting held between the ministry of power and the NUEE, the leadership of the House said it should be included as a witness to it so that it would ensure that all issues agreed on were implemented. “From all indications, this matter will be resolved permanently. This matter was discussed on the floor of the House yesterday (Wednesday), and we decided that it will be addressed by the leadership, not by any committee, not because the committee doesn’t have competence, but because of the seriousness. “This issue has unintended consequences on Nigerians. Within the hours you were on strike, a lot of things may have happened. But they may not be reported. Let me plead with the electricity workers that your power of tolerance should be higher than any of us, because your work and what you do or fail to do can affect lives. “You should be able to sacrifice more. We want to make that agreement a tripartite agreement and include the House of Representatives as part of it.

We want to be part of the agreement as witnesses so that you can hold us accountable. That way, we’ll ensure that the government meets its part,� the Speaker said.

Gbajabiamila further pleaded with the leadership of the electricity workers to henceforth communicate to the House whenever there are issues that could lead them to embark on strike. He also said the House would look at the possibility of amending the Labour law so that the ministry of labour could be given powers to sanction erring employers of labour. “We’ll see how you can work with committees on power and labour to see how we can amend the labour law to suit the issues you canvassed.�

Minister of Labour had earlier told the House leadership that he was disturbed by the strike and that the union did not duly notify his ministry about its planned action. “I want to register my great displeasure at what has happened. This is because electricity is an essential service after the hospital. In fact, if you shut down electricity, you will end up killing people. It was unfortunate that they had to go on strike without involving us much on the issue.

I didn’t find it funny that the whole economy was thrown into a gargantuan loss,� Ngige said.

82

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍŻÍł Ëœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

with demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Ă‹Ă?Ăž ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ëœ ÞåÙ Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ ĂŒĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă–Ă™Ă?Ăž ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă”Ă™ĂŒĂ?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă“ĂœĂ?Ăž Ă‹ĂŽĂŁ Ă‹Ă?Ă•Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă“ĂŽĂ? ÞÙ Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“Ăž Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă”Ă™ĂŒËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă? Ă‹ Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ™Ăœ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă‘Ă?Ăž ÚËÓÎ Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜ Ă“Ă? Ă’Ă? ĂŽĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă˜ËŞĂž ĂŽĂ™ Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă”Ă™ĂŒË&#x;

I

n response to a question posed in this column last week, the Senate has confirmed that its convicted chief whip, Orji Kalu, will continue to receive salaries and all other entitlements while in prison.

This, despite the fact he will not be performing any legislative function from prison. According to a Senate spokesperson, Kalu’s seat has not been declared vacant so he is entitled to his pay. (He is earning a pension too as former Abia governor).

This recalls the case of former Plateau Governor Joseph Dariye, who received in excess of N170 million and a severance package

despite serving time for corruption.

While the public is looking at the moral angle, the Senate says it is bound by laws. Which invariably means the law should be changed, right? Guess who the lawmakers are.

Meanwhile, the chairmen of two prominent federal agencies were replaced within a day of each other. Babatunde Fowler of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Muiz Banire of the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) – both of whom are protÊgÊs of APC leader Bola Tinubu – have been replaced by Ma uhammad Nami and Edward Adamu respectively. Make of that

DECEMBER 15 , 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

83

SOCIALMEDIABITS what you will.

For a large number of the population though, the Department of State Security (DSS) boss, Yusuf Bichi, should also be out of job following the agency’s invasion of a court to re-arrest publisher and activist, Omoyele Sowore. Bichi is sitting pretty though, which probably means he’s doing a good job.

On the other hand, First Lady Aisha Buhari thinks the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, should lose his job because he has “invaded her privacy and destroyed her family.”

She accused Shehu of a number of atrocities through a statement she circulated on her social media platforms. Observers were quick to remind her that with regulation of the social media space which she supports, she probably wouldn’t be able to make such allegations without consequences.

Shehu and fellow media aide, Debo Adesina, earned their pay last

week after scrambling to manage the reaction trailing The Punch Newspaper’s decision to refer to President Muhammadu Buhari by his military title Major General (rtd) and his administration as a regime, “until they purge themselves of their insufferable contempt for the rule of law.”

The Punch’s decision instigated a conversation on the “dark days” of the mid 1980s when human rights and press freedom were trampled on by the regime of the then “dictator”.

Dark days are what the Power Holding Company of Nigeria threatened to inflict on Nigerians by going on strike, which they later called off.

The not-so-funny joke on social media is that only a few will notice if they do go on strike, since there’s hardly any light anyway. However, it depends on where you live really, as social media will let you know. It gives voice to those who have light and those who don’t.

84

DECEMBER 15, 2019 ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

THEALTERNATIVE

with RenoOmokri

WhyIamSoExcitedAbout BorisJohnson’sLandslideVictory

S

ome people ask why I have left General Buhari to focus on #RenosNuggets. Well, for 4 years I have been counselling Buhari and he has not improved. If I cannot improve the leader, then I am challenged to improve the followers for the future, hence my nuggets. It is just like a farm. If a farmer has spent 4 years nurturing a tree that refuses to grow and yield fruit, then the economical thing to do is to abandon it and plant new trees. General Buhari is like cement that has hardened. It can no longer be moulded and I do not believe in wasting my efforts.

Having said that, let me say that I appreciate what Punch Newspapers just did. But they should give credit to whom it is due. On May 31, 2019, I was the first person to call on all democrats to refer to Muhammadu Buhari as General Buhari, rather than President Buhari in a full page advertisement in national dailies which cost me over a million Naira.

But moving on from that, let me register my pleasure with the landslide victory Boris Johnson and the Conservatives recorded after the December 12, 2019 snap UK election. What a way to end 2019!

This election victory is a foretaste of the Donald Trump victory I hope to celebrate in November, 2020, God sparing my life and his. Given the choice of winning the lottery and Trump winning in 2020, I will elect to have a Trump victory.

Why am I so excited about Boris Johnson’s victory? Well, because the most fulfilling thing I did in 2019 is going to Mount Everest, because of the #FreeLeahSharibu movement. I remember that day. It was a spiritual experience and filled me with hope that Leah will return to home. But what made me so full of hope was the meeting I had with Boris Johnson before going on that trip on Wednesday April 3, 2019. He promised to assist the Free Leah Sharibu effort.

His resounding victory this past Wednesday thus gives me hope that Leah’s case will be once again on the front burner, even when the government in her own home country will soon have her forgotten.

Leah Sharibu is a survivor. She is alive and she inspires me. Leah is like water. She survives ! When it is too hot, water survive as steam. When it cools down, it returns as water. When it is too cold, water survives as ice. When the warmth returns, it return as water. Leah outlasts her circumstances by being tougher than those circumstances. She is as fluid as water. Scripture is often described as the Water of the Word. The reason being that God’s Word will always survive irrespective of what men do to it.

And when you consume the word of God, you will also survive and outlast your circumstances!

If General Muhammadu Buhari thinks that I will give up on Leah Sharibu, then he does not know me. If I will name one single character trait that is responsible for the small success I have, I would say it is loyalty. My grandfather was an Olu of Warri, but that royalty has not gotten me as much mileage as loyalty. Loyalty ALWAYS stands you out! True Newly elected PM Boris Johnson with Reno Omori stuck in General Buhari’s throat, and the only way he can get relief story. In 2012, a once powerful man was angry with me because from the bone is by giving relief to Leah’s parents. Until then, there he felt I had taken his opponents’ side in a feud. Meanwhile, his is no retreat and no surrender from me Reno Omokri! opponent (a former Presidential spokesman) stopped talking to And to Pastor Yemi Osinbajo, it is so sad that you are in the me because he felt I had taken the man’s side. When they settled, corridors of power while this is happening and you chose to keep they found out that though I worked with both of them, I did not quiet. Have you forgotten the words of Christ or should I remind discuss any of them with the other party. I learnt that from Christ. you?

God did not give Christ a name above all names because He is “I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you intelligent. He gave Him that name because He is loyal, Philipcared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’”-Matthew 25:36 pians 2:8-9 (NIV).

I will remain loyal to the cause to Free Leah Sharibu, no matter You cannot just see your entire duty as being General Buhari’s the blackmail from the Buhari Presidency. I have spent a fortune sidekick. Damn the consequences and speak up for God’s people. on this struggle and I have not collected a dime from any instituRemember what Mordechai said to Esther: tion or foundation or even any government. And I am willing to “If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the spend much more. Leah Sharibu is a prisoner of conscience, held Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s

by Boko Haram simply because she refused and still refuses to family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to give up her faith in God through Christ and accept Islam. As long your royal position for such a time as this?”-Esther 4:14. as she is loyal to God, through Christ, I will be loyal to her and Speak up Osinbajo. Speak up! Speak up even if your voice may 1000 General Buhari s cannot stop me from this quest! quaver. Speak up for Leah. Or one day, you yourself may need The power to free Leah Sharibu is with General Buhari. He has others to speak up for you when the cabal has you at your throat. the power to release Boko Haram prisoners in exchange for Leah.

But it may be too late then. So speak up now.

Why does he not want to do it? After all, he has ignored court I thank Boris Johnson for being the first person to model my orders to release several political detainees, yet he has released Free Leah Sharibu T-Shirt, and I remind him again of the promise over a thousand so-called ‘repentant’ Boko Haram members. he made to me that he would put Leah Sharibu’s issue and the Why is Leah’s case such that he will not do a prisoner swap with issue of the constant oppression of Christians in Nigeria, especially Boko Haram to get her freed? in Northern Nigeria, on the front burner. And I call on other world Yet, he keeps flaunting pictures of himself and his daughters. leaders to join in putting pressure on General Buhari and his cabal Does he not know that Nathan Irmiya Sharibu is a policeman to do the needful. who was on official duty, guarding a VIP in Yola, as a member And to those who send me threats and try to blackmail me of the Special Protection Unit of the Nigerian Police Force, while because of the Free Leah Sharibu movement, here is my response Boko Haram was abducting his daughter and 109 other girls? to you: Nathan also wants to take pictures with his daughter Leah.

CHILLAX! Even if I am going to climb down from the top of the General Buhari must bring her back. mountain, where God has placed me, it would be to give others a I will not go away. Leah Sharibu’s matter will be like a fish bone

helping hand by pulling them up. Certainly not to climb down to bark back at a dog that is barking at me because it cannot climb!

I am like David. No matter how many darts Saul shoots at me, I won’t stop ascending to shoot back. I am fearfully and wonderfully made and that my soul knows right well. So hatred just flows off my back, the way water flows off a duck’s back! When the truth HITS home, the snake SPITS venom.

What I Learnt From Anthony Joshua and Andy Murray In 2012, when Anthony Joshua was arrested for drug dealing, the British media called him a ‘Nigerian’. After his first win in 2017, and then again, after his most recent win last week, they referred to him as ‘British’. The first time I knew that Andy Murray was ‘Scottish’ was when he lost. All the times that he won at Wimbledon, he was ‘British’. Learn from Joshua and Murray.

Not everybody that associates with you really loves you. Some people love your SUCCESS, not YOU. Awise man knows the difference. Your ADMIRERS are not your FRIENDS. When what they ADMIRE in you goes, they will also go. AFRIEND does not ADMIRE you. AFRIEND LOVES you. ADMIRATION has EXPIRY DATE. LOVE does not! Marry your FRIEND, not your ADMIRER and your marriage will last

Reno’s Nugget

Cain killed his brother, Abel, over jealousy. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers over jealousy. Esau wanted to kill Jacob over jealousy. It is not only enemies that are jealous of you.

Blood is thicker than water, but jealousy is thicker than blood.

Even Christ warned that ‘a man’s enemies shall be they of his own household.’-Matthew 10:36. So, don’t compete with your brother. Instead, complete him. Don’t give him a reason to be jealous of you. Always show your brother love. When you rise, help him rise so that the situation between the two of you is not so unequal that jealousy becomes an almost inevitable event

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž ÍŻÍłËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡ Ëž

85

NEWS XTRA APC’s Fight against Corruption a Sham, Says Bugaje Segun James

A former National Secretary of defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Dr. Usman Bugaje yesterday said the federal government’s war on corruption “is a sham,� saying Nigeria “is slipping to the precipice as ethnic and religious conflicts continue unabated.�

Bugaje lamented the spate of insecurity in the nation, warning that the leadership did not need a soothsayer to see what is waiting to happen with over 70 per cent of the country’s population in the 16 to 40 years age bracket.

He expressed the view in a

lecture he delivered to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Sarkin Fulani of Lagos, Dr. Mohammed Abubakar Bambado held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos yesterday.

Bugaje, a former political adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo, titled his paper, ‘Nigeria in Turbulent Times: Pathways to peaceful Co-Existence and National Cohesion’.

He said the fight against corruption, to say the least, “is profoundly disappointing, lamenting that the people running the affairs of Nigeria “are accused of big-time corruption.

Malami Emerges UNIDROIT Chair Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has been elected as Chairman of the 78th session of the General Assembly of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT), an international organisation that seeks to harmonise international private laws across 63 member countries. A statement by Malami’s Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, made available to newsmen in Abuja on Friday, said the AGF was chosen by a unanimous vote at the 78th General Assembly Meeting on December 12 in Rome.

His election followed a proposal by South Africa, Egypt, Australia, and Spain that the AGF be elected to chair the Assembly of the state parties, according to the statement. The nomination was unanimously supported by the General Assembly of member states, including United State of America, United Kingdom,

Germany, France and Canada.

Addressing the Assembly for the first time as its Chair, Malami declared his commitment to the enforcement of relevant international conventions on the improvement of membercountries’ private laws. He said Nigeria had been an active member of UNIDROIT since 1964.

Malami described Nigeria as a major global commercial player, saying, the country is “Africa’s largest economy and projected to be among the top 20 economies by 2050�.

He recalled that a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoaka, SAN, was elected for a five-year term (2008-2013) to the UNIDROIT Governing Council.

The minister said with Nigeria’s advancement in the areas of telecommunication and e-commerce, the country had taken greater interest in the emerging global legal architecture being developed

by UNIDROIT.

Promote Disharmony, Face Dethronement, Lalong Threatens Traditional Rulers SerikiAdinoyi inJos

Plateau State Governor, Mr. Simon Lalong has warned that his administration will not hesitate to dethrone any traditional ruler found to be promoting ethno-religious hatred, injustice, disharmony or shielding criminals, adding that such will also be made to face the laws of the land.

He gave the warning at the coronation of new traditional rulers yesterday in Lamingo, Jos North Local Government Area (LGA), where he presented staff of office to Emmanuel Ajik as the Adagwom Izere Jos. Lalong urged all the traditional rulers in the state to remain a veritable partner in development of the state, particularly in peace and security. He explained that his administration decided to follow the wishes and yearnings of the people of Izere whose chiefdom was truncated by the last administration of Governor Jonah Jang.

He charged the Adagwom Izere to rule with the fear of God, justice and compassion as the people would only follow him if they knew that he had their interest at heart.

“As the custodian of the culture and tradition of the Izere people, the governor said: “I expect you to uphold the highest virtues of decency, morality as well as be a unifying factor for all the people residing in your domain. “From this moment, you cease to be just the father of Izere people or of one particular clan, tribe, denomination or religion. You are the father of all that reside in your domain irrespective of where they come from. “ In his response, Ajik lauded Lalong, describing the governor as an emancipator who has kept his campaign promise by restoring their chiefdom, dignity and sense of belonging.

He promised to continue to support the state government and mobilise his subjects to work with the ggovernor in promoting peace and development.

Also, Lalong installed Da Luka Pagyang Pam as the Gwom Ibaas, a third class chief, charging him to see his role as that of a unifier rather than a sectional champion.

The governor noted that his administration believed that the issue of chiefdoms, districts, village and development areas was a constitutional right for citizens.

“With the DSS and EFCC operatives in open street fight, apparently protecting an official accused of corruption, we must be worried not only about losing the war against corruption, but also losing our sense of shame. “With the leader of a ruling party inviting people with corruption cases to join their party and be let off the hook and making good his promise, one would wonder what more is left of this fight. “When persons with pending corruption cases get appointed to cabinet and expeditiously cleared by a Senate that they were part of, we must ask the question, what hope remains for any fight against corruption,� he queried.

Bugaje also lamented the spate of insecurity in the nation, warning

that the leadership did not need a soothsayer to see what is waiting to happen with over 70 per cent of the country’s population in the 16 to 40 years age bracket, most of whom are largely unemployed, Quoting an African-American writer, James Baldwin, Bugaje said the most dangerous person in any society “is someone who has nothing more to lose. It appears that we are busy producing these people in their number daily, making our society more dangerous by the day.�

Bugaje lamented that the level of insecurity “is so high that over 30 of the 36 states of the federation have men of the Nigerian Army deployed to keep the peace. “Even with this, it is not abating, for the insurgency in

the North-East continues to elicit heavy losses of lives and displacement of people daily despite the claims of government security agencies. “The rural banditry in the North-West continues to be the major cause of death and displacement of an unprecedented number of rural communities. “The farmer-herder clashes, ethnic and religious conflicts continue to rage unabated.

Kidnapping has become such a huge industry that it appears to be employing the very uniformed men that are supposed to fight it,� Bugaje explained.

According to him, most of the challenges that nations face come under three issues – how to share the national resources, how to share power and how to

agree on national identity.

He insisted that unless Nigeria “is able to get this right, it will continue to have problems.

Nigeria can and should be able to surmount the challenges of nation-building and national development, just like many of its contemporaries have done. “It should be able to craft peaceful coexistence, national cohesion and national development. What it requires most is appropriate leadership. At the moment, the current leadership recruitment process does not appear to be able to give this kind of leadership. “We, therefore, need to start a new national discourse on how to create that appropriate leadership.

In doing this we need Nigerian elite to lead a debate to create a national consensus.�

CELEBRATING NIGERIA... kiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi and Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal at the Conference on 20 Years of Democracy in Nigeria held at St. Anthony College, Oxford University, United Kingdom‌ recently

NDDC Decries Contract Duplication, Partners Works Ministry

Adedayo Akinwale

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) yesterday lamented duplication of contracts by agencies of the federal and state governments.

Consequently, the commission disclosed that it would collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Works to tackle duplication of contracts between federal agencies and state governments.

The Interim Executive Director of Project, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh lamented the trend at a news conference in Abuja yesterday, noting that the commission was being repackaged to meet its objectives. Ojougboh, a former member of the House of Representatives, lamented that duplication of contracts awarded for road construction was leading to multiple payments for same contract.

He stated: “One of the problems of NDDC is conflicts between other tiers of government. You will go to some states to find out that the NDDC would award a contract, the state government would award the same and the local government would award the same. “You will go to other states,

you will see that NDDC is on the road, the ministry of works is on the same road. We need to know where everybody is so that we do not pay contractors twice for jobs that had been done,� the executive director explained.

Ojougboh also revealed that the commission would soon begin distribution of relief materials to over two million internally displaced persons in the 280 communities completely submerged by flood in the Niger Delta.

He noted that Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Akwa, Ondo, Imo and Abia states were the worst hit, stressing that all the areas below sea level in those places were completely submerged.

He said: “You know the rains just stopped and the floods are receding. Most of the indigenes of the Niger Delta are in internally displaced camps and they will be going home. “They will go back home and find out that their houses have become infested with reptiles and other dangerous animals with their property damaged. We have to resettle them. These are the things the commission is considering right now,� he explained.

Adamu: Only 15 LGAs Are Defecation Free Nationwide Out of the 774 local government areas in the country, only 15 are open defecation free, the Minister of Water Resources, Mr Sulaiman Adamu has said.

Although, the minister did not disclose the names of the local government areas, he however said they are in Cross River , Bauchi, Jigawa , Benue and Osun states.

The minister disclosed this in Abuja while speaking on the activities of his ministry.

President Muhammadu Buhari had issued Executive order 009 mandating the Ministry of Water Resources to coordinate activities towards ensuring an open defecation free Nigeria by 2025.

The order calls on both the states and the federal government to enact legislation against open defecation.

According to him, all ministries departments and agencies would join in the campaign even as he urged states to key into the campaign with commitment.

Adamu explained that 106 sanitation and hygiene facilities had been constructed in the North East, North Central and South West zones while domesticating the production of hydrogen sulphide vials at the national water quality reference laboratory.

He also confirmed that under the

Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) programme, a novel initiative to improve the water supply and sanitation in rural areas which came up as a result of the failure of the country to meet the MDGs since the programme was launched in 2018, 29 states have signed the PEWASH protocol.

The minister while urging the remaining 7 states and the FCT to endorse the protocol warned that henceforth the federal government which had invested N1.6 billion to deliver 537 hand pumps , 111 Solar powered borehole schemes in Kano and 101 solar motorized schemes in Ogun state, would only complement states that had shown and equally expressed commitment in the sector.

On the ministry’s focus for 2020, the minister said that more attention would be focused on the ‘Clean Nigeria; Use the Toilet’ campaign in pursuit of the Executive Order 009 , implementation of the Wash Action Plan and PEWASH programme, completion of inherited projects, enhanced operations of River Basins, implementation of the trimming project, support for transboundary activities and programmes and implementation of the national irrigation programme (2016-2030).

86

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž ÍŻÍłËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

NEWS XTRA Ifeanyi Uba: AMCON Fighting Political War against Capital Oil ‡ Says action renders 1463 Nigerians jobless Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Chairman of Capital Oil and Gas, Senator Ifeanyi Uba yesterday alleged that the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) had continued to present itself as a tool for fighting economic and political wars against his company.

Uba, a senator elected on the platform of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), said that the actions of the regulatory body, had already rendered 1463 Nigerians jobless.

Uba yesterday made the allegation at a session with journalists in

Abuja, lamenting that AMCON “is abusing powers vested on it in trust by the parliament to criminalise commercial disputes.�

At the session, the senator noted that AMCON was fighting economic and political war to intimidate and frustrate his company into liquidation, saying that he was being intimidated to abandon his political party and join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) .

The senator AMCON’s action amounted to overreaching, blackmailing and subduing him whilst exposing

the company (AMCON) to unwarranted media opprobrium.

He explained that his firm’s challenges started from the reclassification of obligor limits by CBN and the aborted deregulation policy of the federal government in 2011 that Capital Oil and Gas invested close to $150 million in acquiring vessels, dredging and others.

In 2012, Uba said the firm was shocked “to realise that AMCON secretly went to the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/ CS/714/2012 and obtained freezing orders and orders to take possession

of Capital Oil and Gas (COG)’s assets including its depot at Ibafo. “We approached the same Federal High Court vide a motion on notice and sought orders to set aside the earlier ex parte orders obtained by AMCON. The court in a ruling set aside the orders obtained by AMCON and noted that the purpose for which AMCON was established was to assist companies to recover and not to drive them to insolvency. “Thereafter, Capital Oil and AMCON held negotiations and executed a terms of settlement, a

restructuring and facility agreement.

These were entered as judgment of the court on June 21, 2013. “The consent judgment stated that the restructured eligible bank assets will be repaid over a nine year period while AMCON was required to inject funds to boost liquidity thereby enabling Capital Oil meet its funding requirements without disposing of key assets.�

Uba noted that the assets of COG were far above its obligations to AMCON, saying the firm had an obligation to provide transferred assets which it believed had a value

of 78.55 billion to AMCON by the consent judgment.

He said that AMCON and COG at all material times agreed that the aggregate market value of the assets given to AMCON was up to N78.55 billion. “However, AMCON had an obligation under the consent judgment to appoint an independent valuer who was to within 90 days from the date of the consent judgment, value the said assets and determine that their forced sale value was up to N78.55 billion.

AMCON never did.�

Turkish Airlines Complies with FG Directive Kasim Sumaina inAbuja

and more comfortable aircraft.

Before it deployed bigger aircraft, the airline had been notorious for its shabby treatment of Nigerian travellers over time, especially when they had to arrive their destinations without their checked-in luggage. This has always given rise to security issues at the airports with protests by affected passengers.

Reacting to the development, Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika described it as commendable, saying that the situation did not need to arise in the first place, with the airline waiting for the strong-arm handling before doing the right thing.

In a statement by the ministry’s Director, Public Affairs, James Odaudu, the minister said no foreign airline operator would henceforth be allowed to treat Nigerian travellers with disdain, warning others to take a cue from the Turkish airlines experience.

L-R: Speaker Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Frank OkIye; Parish Priest St John Vianny Catholic Church, Sapele Road Benin City, Rev. Agbonlahor; the groom, Mr Michael Ovianhon; his bride, Mrs. Pardon Ovianhon (nee Egua) and Mr Horatius Egua, Publisher, The Bridge News, after their wedding in Benin City ‌ yesterday

Following the threat by the nation’s aviation regulators to ban its operations in Nigeria, Turkish Airlines has complied with the federal government’s directive as it flew in into Abuja with a bigger aircraft A330 as against the usual smaller B737.

However, the suspension of the airline from Nigeria air space for treating Nigeria’s disrespectfully has received the commendation from the Director General of National Council for Arts and Culture(NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe.

Officials of the airline, alarmed by the prospect of losing their Nigerian market, held a meeting with the Nigerian authorities to pledge commitment to the conditions given to them in order to continue their operations in the country.

Consequently, the airline showed it commitment to improved service with the deployment of a bigger

CSOs Seek Media, Rights Groups Action on Shrinking Social Space

Wike Regrets Delay in Burial of Oil Mogul, Lulu-Briggs

CONJUGAL BLISS...

Akinwale Akintunde Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have raised the alarm over increasing closing space for their operations in the country, especially in promoting and ensuring civil liberties in Nigeria and adherence to its tenets by government and its agencies.

This is contained in a statement issued by the African Representative, Civil Society Partnership For Development Effectiveness, Dr. Tola Winjobi to mark the 2019 International Human Rights Day. Winjobi, also the National Coordinator, Civil Society Coalition on Sustainable Development, noted that apart from Nigeria which paraded a frightening credential, the global picture of shrinking space for civil society and human rights operation, was generally not encouraging.

As a quick and strategic response to this dangerous trend, he challenged the human rights community and the media “to form a common front and come up with a joint plan to avert a further close of the media and social space and to regain lost space.�

Making reference to what he called Belgrade Call to Action (2019), Winjobi said “Over six billion people are

living in countries where there are serious constraints on civic space: the conditions are closed for civil society in 23 countries; civil society is highly repressed in 35 countries while civil society faces substantial legal and political obstacles in 53 countries. “Civic actors across many sectors are being threatened and persecuted – including those supporting and representing rural communities, indigenous people, journalists, trade unions, women’s rights activists, youth, people living with disabilities, and environmentalists. “Harassment through arbitrary arrest, detention, targeted use of legal and regulatory measures, and restrictions on finances has become common experience among civil society organisations (CSOs) in many countries.�

To arrest this global trend, Winjobi said UN member states have been tasked to take decisive actions to reverse the closing and shrinking space for civil society, to stop the attacks on human rights defenders and the undermining of democratic participation, and to renew the prospects for the full realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Osoba, Editors for Book Presentation on Nigerian Journalism A former Ogun State governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, will chair the public presentation of two new books to mark 160 years of Journalism in Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a statement

by Founder/CEO, Posterity Media, Mr. O’Femi Kolawole.

The statement said Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu would be the Chief Host and Special Guest of Honour at the presentation.

The new books, The Gatekeepers, a biographical work featuring 20 Nigerian editors, columnists and media leaders, and Nigerian Journalism: 160 Years of Advancing Accountability, Promoting the Public Interest and Speaking Truth to Power, published by Posterity Media, will be launched at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, by 11am prompt.

While The Gatekeepers, celebrates the inspiring contributions of editors to democracy and public accountability, Nigerian Journalism, a series of essays and articles by renowned Nigerian journalists and stakeholders, proffers ideas and insights on how to improve Journalism practice in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Some of the editors featured in the books include former MD/ Editor-in-Chief, The Sun, Mr. Mike Awoyinfa; Editor-in-Chief, Gaskia Media Limited, Mr. Dare Babarinsa; Chairman, THISDAY Editorial Board, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi; former editor, The Nation, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso; Editor, Vanguard, Mr. Eze Anaba and Digital Director, THISDAY Newspapers Group, Mr. Tokunbo Adedoja.

Other include Editor, Daily Independent, Mr. Don Okere; Editor, Tribune, Mr. Debo Abdulahi; Publisher/Editorin-Chief, City People, Mr. Seye Kehinde; Editor-in-Chief, YES International Magazine, Mr. Azuh Arinze and Editor, Sunday Telegraph, Mrs. Juliet Bumah.

Kolawole said there would also be a special forum themed “Strengthening the Nigerian Media for Greater Impact� at the presentation. “Despite the tough operating environment Nigerian journalists, editors and media practitioners operate in, they deserve being celebrated for their patriotic service to our country,� Kolawole said.

Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has chided the family of the late philantropist and oil mogul, Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs for the delay in the burial of the scion who died about a year ago.

But while the family members commended the governor for wishing to give the late magnate a state burial, they have continued to trade blames on the delay.

Wike, in a meeting with leaders of Kalabari Kingdom, home of the magnate, said following the protracted family crisis that had delayed the burial of Lulu Briggs for close to one year, the Rivers State Government had offered to bury the late Rivers son.

He said the state government was interested in according the late philanthropist the respect he

deserved.

He said he had held consultations with the family of the late man but that the family had not heeded his pleas for truce.

He said: “I even told them to let the Rivers State Government be responsible for the burial. “Let the State Government take the corpse. Government will hold the corpse and give him a befitting burial. All I want is peace. “ He berated the people who have allowed monetary consideration to influence their direction on Lulu Briggs issue. “If Dumo (the son) calls you for a meeting, you will go, if the woman (the wife) calls you for a meeting, you will go. What kind of system is this? Nobody will say the truth because of money and how much is the money?

Law Firm Holds Annual Lecture A Nigerian Law firm, Hybrid Solicitorsn has said it will hold its 8th annual lecture & luncheon on December 17.

The law firm said this in a statement by its Practice Manager, Victoria Agomuo yesterday.

The statement said the 2019

edition, which will take place at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, would focus on ‘Global Mobility and Taxation of Expatriates in Nigeria’.

The statement noted that the lecture promised to be another exciting learning experience.

87

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ ͚ͽ, 2019

SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by: Demola Ojo email:Demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Liverpool Extend Lead to 10 Points after Watford Win

M

ohamed Salah scored twice yesterday against strugglers Watford as Premier League leaders Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the table to 10 points over nearest challengers Leciester who dropped points with a 1-1 draw with Norwich.

Salah curled the ball into the far corner for the opener before flicking in a late second in the final minute of normal time at Anfield.

Watford missed chances in both halves, while Liverpool’s Sadio Mane had a header ruled out for offside following a review by the video assistant referee (VAR).

Liverpool remain unbeaten in the league this season while Watford are six points - and with a substantial goal difference to overturn - adrift of safety.

The Reds were made to work for their victory though - goalkeeper Alisson making smart saves after the break, while Watford’s Ismaila Sarr also wasted a huge chance.

Salah squandered opportunities of his own too, but Liverpool did enough to pick up their 16th victory of the season.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have made Anfield a fortress and it was clear from the start that they were going to dominate possession and break Watford down.

A long ball over the top from Virgil van Dijk almost set Salah on his way within minutes of the starting whistle and Roberto Firmino could have scored shortly after, pouncing on a loose ball on the edge of the area.

Liverpool finally capitalised with a break with Firmino, Mane and Salah combining for the opener.

Sarr missed a golden opportunity to equalise five minutes later, and Alisson was kept on his toes as he made two smart close-range saves

Nasarawa United to Recruit 10 New Players Igbawase Ukumba in LaďŹ a

Worried by the poor performances being experienced by Nasarawa United FC of LaďŹ a in the current Nigeria Professional Football League ((NPFL) competition, Governor Abdullahi Sule has ordered for recruitment of 10 new players to strengthen the football club.

Nasarawa United FC is at the bottom of the NPFL table with two points, having drawn two matches and lost ďŹ ve in the ongoing 2019/2020 NPFL season.

Chairman of the club, Abdullahi Osanga, revealed that the governor has since given approval to that effect and management of the club was doing everything possible to surmount the club’s present challenges in the NPFL. According to Osanga, “plans have been concluded to sign 10 new players from within and outside the country to strengthen the team as directed by Governor Sule in order to reposition the club for better performances in subsequent matches.�

RESULTS & FIXTURES Liverpool 2–0 Watford Burnley 1–0 Newcastle Chelsea 0–1 Bournemouth Leicester 1–1 Norwich 6KHͿHOG 8QLWHG ² $VWRQ 9LOOD 6RXWKDPSWRQ ² :¡8QLWHG Real Sociedad 2 – 2 Barcelona 0DQ 8QLWHG Y (YHUWRQ SP :ROYHV Y 7RWWHQKDP SP $UVHQDO Y 0DQ &LW\ SP 6HYLOOD Y 9LOODUUHDO SP 9DOHQFLD Y 5HDO 0DGULG SP

Salah took his tally up to nine Premier League goals for the season with a double against Watford

early in the second half.

The Anfield crowd, who were frustrated at times by a lack of intensity and sloppiness, grew anxious as the game wore on - Van Dijk almost

passing the ball into his own net following a mix up with Alisson and Trent Alexander-Arnold being caught out of possession on the right.

But the European champions, who are chasing

a first league title in 30 years, were carrying winning momentum and victory here at Anfield leaves them heading into the new year with a healthy lead at the top of the table.

Arsenal, Man City Desperate for Points Both sides are desperate for points as Arsenal take on Manchester City at the Emirates this afternoon.

The Gunners are yet to announce Unai Emery’s permanent replacement so Freddie Ljungberg will take charge of his fourth game as interim manager and he’s under pressure to get the north Londoners back challenging for the top four.

Arsenal currently sit 9th in the Premier League table but fourth-placed Chelsea lost 1-0 at home to Bournemouth this afternoon so they can close the gap to just four points with a win over Manchester City.

Ljungberg’s Arsenal ended their nine-game winless run with a 3-1 comeback victory at West Ham before progressing as group winners in the Europa League following a 2-2 draw with Standard Liege on Thursday so the Swedish coach will be hoping to build some momentum tomorrow.

However, Arsenal will be up against a Man City side who simply have to win if they are to retain any hopes of defending their title as Liverpool moved 17 points clear with a 2-0 win over Watford yesterday.

Pepe and Aubameyang both scored when Arsenal beat West 3-1 on Monday

Ismael Wins Ikogosi 10km Marathon Victor Ogunje in AAdo Ekiti

Cross River State--born Sadjo Ismael made history by becoming the winner of the maiden edition of Ikogosi 10km Marathon race in Ekiti State yesterday.

He beat over 2,000 other athletes to the ďŹ nish line to win the N1 million prize in an impressive time of 30 mins 40seconds.

Sadjo was trailed by Plateau-bornAdamu Shehu Mu’azu who came second at 31mins 22seconds, while Oyebode Dada Samuel from Osun State came third at 31mins 48seconds.

The State Governor,Dr Kayode Fayemi,who was

the special guest of honour at the event, presented the winners with their prizes and congratulated all the participants for daring to take part in the epoch making event.

Fayemi said his administration would not only invest in the education and human capital development of the youth, but will continue to partner with relevant private sector players in providing them platforms to showcase their God-given talents.

The overall winner, Sadjo smiled home with N1 Million; the ďŹ rst runner up got a prize of N500,000 while the second runner up got N300,000.

The race which was agged off by the State Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi in Aramoko- Ekiti at 9:25am.

There were winners in other categories,including the female elite category where Rose Akuso from Plateau State came ďŹ rst in 36 mins 51 seconds.

She was trailed by David Abiye from Ondo state who came second in 36 mins 59 seconds, while another runner from Plateau State, Oman Sale came third. They also received N1 Million; N500,000 and N300,000 respectively as their prizes.

In the female indigene category, Adewole Hannah Jumoke from Ikere Ekiti came ďŹ rst by reaching the ďŹ nish line in 38 mins 49 seconds.

She got N1million.

She was followed by Sehinde Favour (43mins 32 seconds) and Folorunso Fayokemi (44m,38s),who took the second and third positions respectively.

Sunday December 15, 2019

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N400

MISSILE

Okogie on Disobedience to Court Order “If the executive disobeys court rulings, and if it intimidates and humiliates the judiciary, then we are back to the era when a military junta made laws and interpreted them without any regard for fundamental human rights.” – A former Catholic archbishop of Lagos, Cardinal Anthony Okogie on refusal of government to obey court orders.

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

AMajor General and a President

T

he first time I heard the name, “Major General Muhammadu Buhari”, it was a compliment — as it were. That was on the evening of December 31, 1983.

Early in the morning, we had woken up to martial music, followed by words that stuck to my head: “Fellow countrymen and women, I, Brigadier Sani Abacha of the Nigerian army, address you this morning on behalf of the Nigerian armed forces…” I actually crammed the speech. It was fun. I was very young — a tiny secondary school boy — and quite naïve. My step grandfather explained to me that President Shehu Shagari had just been overthrown and the military had taken over power. I became happier.

Evening time, Major General Muhammadu Buhari appeared on TV and announced himself as the new head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces in a nationwide broadcast. Again, I remember a famous quote from his address: “This generation of Nigerians, and indeed future generations, have no country other than Nigeria. We shall remain here and salvage it together.” Some 31 years later, he would reveal to me that he — and not the speech writer — wrote those particular words.

Patriotism was his passion. What “Major General Muhammadu Buhari” meant to Nigerians in 1983 was a clarion call to discipline and love for fatherland.

One amazing thing about “Major General Muhammadu Buhari” was that he did not promote himself, unlike Gowon and Murtala Muhammed who jumped to the rank of full-star general after taking power. Buhari remained a major general alongside his army chief, Ibrahim Babangida. His second-incommand, Babatunde Idiagbon, was a brigadier. More amazing was that when Idiagbon was promoted to major general, Buhari remained on the same rank. The picture that stuck to my mind was that of a man who cared little about self-aggrandisement.

“Major General Muhammadu Buhari” was, indeed, a lovely compliment — at least before the tide turned against him in 1985.

Let’s now fast-forward to 2019. Buhari is on his second term as a democratically elected president. PUNCH, one of Nigeria’s most respected newspapers, has written a stinging editorial on him, concluding that at the rate his government has been violating the rule of law and human rights, it was no longer going to refer to him as “President Muhammadu Buhari”. The time has come, it said, to revert to “Major General Muhammadu Buhari” — apparently to remind us of the days of dictatorial military rule. In addition, it would no longer refer to his government as a “government” but as a “regime”. That is definitely not intended as a compliment, no matter the spin.

To be sure, we have been battling with serious human rights abuses and assaults on the rule of law since 1999. Under President Olusegun Obasanjo, soldiers levelled up Odi, Bayelsa state, in November 1999, killing everyone in sight. The death toll was estimated at 2,500. The massacre was replicated in Zaki Biam, Benue state, in October 2001. Obasanjo also unilaterally withheld Lagos state council allocations. He gave state backing to illegal impeachment of governors. At a point, the

Buhari

Insider Weekly magazine did a cover story calling him “Abachanjo” — comparing him to Gen Sani Abacha, the dreaded dictator who terrorised Nigeria between 1993 and 1998.

President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s government was not to be left out. In May 2009, soldiers attacked several communities of the Gbaramatu kingdom in Delta state, including Okerenkoko and Oporoza, using helicopters equipped with machine guns.

The death toll was in hundreds. Yar’Adua also ordered the military crackdown on Boko Haram members in July 2009. The toll for the extrajudicial killings in Bauchi and Maiduguri was close to 1,000. This apparently incubated the terrorism. Meanwhile, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and Mallam Nasir el-Rufai fled into exile alleging persecution. Cases were filed against them in court but many of us deduced that it was all politics.

President Goodluck Jonathan, perceived as the most “gentle” of them all, did not smell of roses. Right under his watch, members of the Bring Back Our Girls movement were harassed and tear-gassed in Abuja in operations personally led by Joseph Mbu, the FCT police commissioner at the time. The data offices of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) were ransacked by the DSS. For defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to APC, Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal woke up one day to discover that his security aides had been withdrawn. Soldiers also seized newspaper vans, accusing them of transporting arms for Boko Haram.

Next came President Buhari. In December 2015, hundreds of Shi’ite Muslims were mowed down by soldiers in Kaduna state.

We have also witnessed disobedience of court orders in respect of Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, their leader, Col Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser, and Mr Omoyele Sowore. As I write this, Mr Mohammed Bello Adoke, the former attorney-general of the federation, is being detained by Interpol in Dubai based on a warrant of arrest that has long been vacated.

While the Nigerian government transmitted the warrant to Interpol, it has refused to send the vacation order. This is nothing but an assault on the rule of law.

On the basis of evidence, Buhari is not the worst violator of human rights in this democratic dispensation, but that is beside

the point. This is not a competition. We are discussing the rule of law here, not a pageant where beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

It is about what is right and what is wrong.

Another debate is about what PUNCH can achieve by calling him “major general”. Will that make Buhari instruct the Department of State Services (DSS) to release Sowore (and other detainees) from custody as ordered by the courts? Will calling him “major general” make him mellow or worsen matters by toughening him up? It is too early in the day to conclude.

The truth, of course, is that calling Buhari “major general” carries a subtle message: that he is a military dictator in civilian garments.

We can argue over this for the next 100 years, but if I were Buhari, I would prefer not to be cast as a dictator. I remember Obasanjo did not take kindly to being called “General Obasanjo” by a Ghanaian journalist in 2012.

He quipped: “My friend, I don’t know why you address me as General Obasanjo. In Nigeria where I am the former president, it is my political opponents that address me as General Obasanjo when they want to show me as a dictator. My party calls me Chief Obasanjo. It now depends on which side you belong.”

Therefore, if I were President Buhari, I would sit down and take a critical look at the key issue before me: respecting court orders.

Let’s not forget that the immediate trigger for the “major general” tag was the way the secret police handled Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and convener of the Revolution Now movement. After detaining Sowore for 124 days despite several court orders for his release, DSS operatives rearrested him — without a warrant — at the premises of a federal high court in Abuja. Any way we look at it, the Sowore case has become a massive PR disaster for Buhari. Or, if I may ask, what has Buhari’s government gained from the Sowore fiasco?

PUNCH has been praised and equally attacked for “taking a stand”. I am on professional journalism platforms where journalists and journalism teachers are debating if this violates ethical standards.

For me, though, the issue is not ethics. That is neither here nor there. It can easily become an academic exercise. Some are also saying calling Buhari a “major general” is immaterial since he earned it. Once a general, always a general. But we all know words have connotative and denotative meanings. True, you can decide to turn a tag into something positive just to shame your opponents but, in the end, how you are perceived lasts longer than how you perceive yourself.

My central argument, then, is that rather than spend the whole day debating the importance and implications of calling Buhari “major general”, we need to ram home the point that this government urgently needs a course correction. Even if past democratic administrations urinated on the rule of law and spat at court orders, there cannot be any justification for Buhari to continue along that path. No matter what the security agencies say, disobeying court orders or detaining people without court approval can never be acceptable in a democracy. At the end of the day, enforcement of the rule of law is the last refuge for all of us — no matter whose camp we belong.

And Four Other Things…

HOUNDING HADIZA Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, the MD of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), recently came under attack from hoodlums who waylaid her at the premises of the national assembly.

She had just attended the senate hearing on the troubled secure anchorage contract between the navy and Ocean Marine Solutions Limited (OMSL), owned by the ‘almighty’ Captain Wells Okunbo. The security agencies must investigate those behind the attack. The thugs and their sponsors must not go scot-free — except government wants to leave its courageous officials at the mercy of the powerful guys.

That would be too bad. This attack must be probed and the perpetrators punished.

Imperative.

KALU IN JAIL The sentencing of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to 12 years imprisonment by a federal high court surprised many Nigerians. The case had been on since 2007 and seemed to be heading nowhere. When Kalu crossed over to APC, the assumption was that this cup would pass over him. But it didn’t. There is an impression that needs to be corrected though: Buhari did not jail Kalu. A court of law did. We must commend the EFCC for becoming more diligent in its prosecutions.

Many former governors are now prison tenants — previously unimaginable in a country controlled by buccaneers. Other big politicians on trial must be shivering by now. The wheel of justice! Progress.

BUDGET SPEED The national assembly has done the unprecedented by passing the appropriation bill for the next year before the current year runs out. It has never happened in this democratic dispensation; to the best of my knowledge, neither did it happen in the second republic. President Buhari presented the budget quite early — on October 8 — and it was passed less than two months later. I disagree with the jacking up of the budget by N260 billion as well as the benchmark from $55 to $57 per barrel, but we can at least celebrate this small progress and the fact that we can start implementation from January 1.

Next question: where are we going to get the revenue to fund the budget? Headache.

HARD BORDER Nigeria has closed its land borders with neighbouring countries for months, alleging violations of trading rules and conventions.

Like all policy choices, there will be winners and losers. Government officials are celebrating the fact that local rice farmers will benefit — even though consumers will pay more, at least for now. President Buhari says fuel consumption has reduced by 30 per cent. However, I still maintain my earlier position: that this is unsustainable. One day, no matter how long it is, we will reopen these borders and smuggling will resume at breakneck speed. We are only treating the symptoms. Focus must be shifted to tackling the disease. Vital.

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja .

All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3085, 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com