SUNDAY 30TH JANUARY 2022

NNPC Pays $452.5m Cash Call Arrears to IOCs in One Year $3.54bn joint venture debts offset since 2016 $1.143bn still outstanding Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) paid an additional cash call arrears of $452,535,270 to its joint venture (JV) partners between November 2020

and November 2021, bringing to $3.54 billion the total debts it paid to the international oil companies (IOCs) since 2016, THISDAY has learnt.

New data from the national oil company indicated that among the

five International Oil Companies (IOCs) being owed the backlog, Mobil Nigeria Producing and Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) had been fully settled as of November 31, 2021.

The figures gleaned from

the NNPC's presentation to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) for January 2022, revealed that the two oil majors got a total of $833.7 million and $1.097 billion, respectively, since the arrears repayments

started in 2016.

However, a THISDAY analysis of the data showed that the NNPC still has an outstanding balance of $1.143 billion, according to the latest data, out of the negotiated total debt of $4.689 billion with

the Joint Venture (JV) partners over five years ago.

Aside from Mobil and Chevron, other oil majors that are being owed arrears by the NNPC include Continued on page 6

Nigeria’s Forex Inflow Hits $55.5bn in Seven Months…Page 6 Sunday 30 January, 2022 Vol 27. No 9791

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APC Caretaker Committee Meets This Week to Decide Zoning of Offices Welfare of average Nigerian paramount to ruling party, says Osinbajo Deji Elumoye and Chuks Okocha in Abuja Barring any unforeseen circumstance, the National Caretaker

Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by the Yobe State Governor, Mallam Mai Mala Buni, will meet

this week on the zoning of all the party offices, ahead of the party’s February 26 national convention, THISDAY has learnt.

This is coming as the Vice

President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has disclosed that the ruling party would remain committed to the welfare of the common man.

A member of the CECPC told

THISDAY at the weekend that the caretaker committee would also set up a zoning committee to address the issue of the zoning of the party’s elective positions.

According to him, the zoning committee will consider equity and justice before coming up with its Continued on page 8

Outrage over Plot in PDP to Shun Power Shift to South Plan to throw presidential ticket open, ridiculous, says PANDEF Middle Belt Forum vows to mobilise against any northern presidential candidate Be ready to collapse, Ohanaeze Ndigbo tells main opposition party

Deji Elumoye in Abuja, Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu and Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Condemnations have trailed the alleged plan by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to shun the clamour for power shift from the North to the South in 2023.

While the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has vowed to mobilise against any political party that fields a northerner as its presidential candidate, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo has stated that PDP’s plan to throw the presidential ticket open would lead to the eventual collapse of the opposition party.

On its part, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has described PDP’s move as ridiculous.

National Publicity Secretary of the main opposition party, Mr Debo Ologunagba, had reportedly declared that the party would not stop northern presidential aspirants from contesting, adding that the party would leave the Continued on page 5

PAYING HOMAGE...

L-R: Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum; President of Dangote Industries, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika; Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi; Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Alkali Usman Baba, at the Shehu of Borno’s Palace…yesterday.

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A NEW FEATHER ON HIS CAP...

L-R: Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba; his wife, Catherine; Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Hybred Aliru Momoh; Edo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Phillip Shaibu; Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; and Accountant General of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, at the installation of Agba as the Oduma of Auchi in Auchi, Edo State…yesterday

Save Us from Total Annihilation By Terrorists, Chibok Indigenes Beg Buhari Say 407 persons killed, 332 abducted Michael Olugbode in Abuja The people of Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State have cried out to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Borno State government to adequately protect them from Boko Haram incursions, alleging that 407 indigenes were killed while 332 others were abducted in 72 attacks by the terrorists.

The indigenes also decried the neglect of their area by the government, which has left them vulnerable to attacks.

Chibok came into the international limelight on April 14, 2014, when Boko Haram fighters invaded a school in their community and abducted over 270 schoolgirls.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja yesterday, Kibaku Area Development Association (KADA), an association of people from Chibok Local Government Area, lamented that since the terrorists launched the attacks over a decade ago, their area has been attacked more than 72 times, with over 407 persons killed.

The group also lamented that

over 332 persons have been abducted in the council, with more than 20 churches, several houses and businesses burnt, vehicles stolen and grains barns burnt or destroyed by the terrorist group.

Speaking at the press conference, the National President of KADA, Mr Dauda Iliya, said: “We are on behalf of the entire Chibok community, using this medium to once again call on President Buhari to rescue Chibok community, an ethnic nationality, from total annihilation by the Boko

Haram terrorists. This is because since the mass abduction of our 276 daughters in April 2014, wherein 57 escaped (on their own) we still have 110 of them unaccounted for.

“The parents and the community have continued to be subjected to persistent and sustained attacks, killings, abductions, maiming, arsons and other myriads of criminality without adequate government protection. Chibok has been from all intents and purposes abandoned to its own devices by all layers of government in Nigeria.

Entrench Ethnic, Religious Tolerance, Osinbajo Tasks Traditional Rulers Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has tasked traditional rulers in Nigeria to entrench religious and ethnic tolerance in their domains to foster peace and unity in the country.

Osinbajo gave the charge yesterday in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State at the conferment of chieftaincy title of Oduma (Lion) of Auchi on the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba by the Otaru of Auchi, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aliru Momoh, Ikelebe III. The vice president noted that he did his compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Auchi in 1979, which symbolises what Nigeria should be by accommodating all irrespective of ethnic or religious background.

He cited the case of Agba, who is from Uzanu in Etsako East but found a home in Auchi at the age of two.

He said: “The Auchi Kingdom has its rich and special history and a celebrated innovation and enterprise of its sons and daughters has brought development and prominence to this kingdom and Edo State. It is remarkable and worthy of praise that in the great Auchi Kingdom adherence of both major religions in Nigeria - Islam and Christianity have lived and continued to live harmoniously together for centuries, sharing a common bond as members of this community and even of the same biological families.

“Auchi is therefore in a real sense, not just the microcosm of Nigeria, but also an exemplification of our finest values of mutuality and community.

“Our country needs men and women who see and understand that our ethnic diversities are not a point of difference - men and women who understand that all people regardless of ethnicity and faith deserve to be treated equally fairly and justly and this is where the significance of the traditional institution comes to be because they are regarded and rightly so, as the custodians of these values and embodied and the highest and noblest ideals of the people,” Osinbajo explained.

On his part, the minister said the conferment was an appreciation and encouragement for him to

continue to offer more services to humanity.

He commended the Edo State Government for continuing 10 erosion control programmes across the state, which he said were started when he was the Edo Commissioner for Environment under the administration of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

The minister appealed that the Benin Water Storm Project, which they also started should not be abandoned.

Among dignitaries at the colourful event were the Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed; her

Transportation counterpart, Mr Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr Festus Keyamo; Minister of State for Power, Mr Abubakar Aliyu; and the Minister of Youths and Sports, Mr Sunday Dare.

Also in attendance were the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of the state, Oshiomhole; and the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu who represented the state governor.

Some traditional rulers led by the representative of the Oba of Benin also attended the event.

“Right from late 2012 up to this time, the statistics of the state of damage and destruction of lives and property inflicted on the community presents a worrisome and pathetic picture,” he explained The Chibok community alleged that: “From late 2018 to date, the frequency of attacks and level of destruction have escalated and are simply alarming. Just this year (2022) alone, Kautikari (the second largest town in the Chibok area) was attacked on January 14 with five girls abducted, three persons killed, many houses and churches burnt, etc. In sustaining their carnage, Piyemi, another big town in the Chibok area, was attacked on January 20 with 19 persons (mostly girls) abducted and one person, the vigilante leader, beheaded!”

According to the indigenes’ spokesman, the town was practically razed down with virtually all the recently harvested agricultural produce completely burnt down and/or looted.

“Chibok is predominantly an agrarian community and the whole year's harvests have been lost to these sustained and targeted attacks posing serious food security concerns in the community.

“We call on all well-meaning Nigerians and Mr President in particular, to rise to the occasion

and urgently save our people from total annihilation and starvation,” he said.

They also called on the state government to synergise with security forces in confronting the menace to end the sustained carnage on the people of Chibok and facilitate the return of the remaining 110 of their daughters abducted in 2014 and numerous others subsequently abducted at different times.

They also called for the immediate setting up of IDP Camps in Chibok town and the provision of Chibok with a skills acquisition centre to avoid imminent hunger/ starvation.

They also requested the federal government to order the deployment of more military personnel to Chibok to halt the continuous attacks on the community.

The Chibok indigenes also pleaded with the Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum to do more in organising and helping the people of the area in securing the state in general and Chibok in particular from attacks.

They condoled with the Nigerian Army for the loss of gallant soldiers including the very brave Brigadier General BK Zirkushu who lost their lives in Askira, while protecting the people against the invading terrorists on November 13, 2021.

is for the party to throw its ticket open. This is very unfortunate,” he said.

The Ohanaeze spokesman further noted that the Igbo nation will sustain its agitation until such a time when the whole world will come to the reality that we must have the presidency.

“Today, we have so many of our people who have declared their intention to seek the presidency of the country come 2023, that’s to show you how ready we are,” he said.

Ogbonnia however warned that should the PDP refuse to change its decision and reserve the ticket for only candidates from the South-east, it must be ready to face a requiem.

“This will certainly be the end of PDP. They still have the opportunity of doing the needful. If they fail to do the right thing, it will be the end of the party. From 1999 till

date, the other two legs of the tripod have had the presidency, the Hausas, the Yorubas have had their fair share, Even the South-south have had their share and yet the Igbos are treated with levity,” he added.

Also reacting, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has described as ridiculous the move by the main opposition party to jettison zoning and throw open the 2023 presidential race to all interested aspirants.

The group also said it would watch and see how far the party can go with the arrangement.

PANDEF’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Ken Robinson, made the position of the group known in an interview with THISDAY yesterday.

“Suffice to say, it's a ridiculous decision. We have sufficiently made our position known on this matter. We'll wait to see how it will go," he added.

OUTRAGE OVER PLOT IN PDP TO SHUN POWER SHIFT TO SOUTH presidential ticket open to all the geopolitical zones.

Reacting to this development, the President of Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr Bitrus Pogu, told THISDAY that the Northern region has no moral right to contest next year’s presidential election after the eight years of President Mohammadu Buhari.

He vowed that the Middle Belt and South regions would mobilise against any political party that selects a northerner as its presidential candidate.

"The PDP statement, I understand was from the Publicity Secretary of the party.

The final statement will come from its National Chairman after a National Working Committee (NWC) or National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

"I believe the PDP will see the reason why it should not present a northern candidate, knowing also that the Middle Belt Forum

and the South strongly advocate the mobilisation of their members to work against any political party that selects a northerner as a presidential candidate.

"We need to address our security and development issues, and the North does not have the moral right to the presidency after eight years of President Buhari,” he explained.

Be Ready for a Requiem, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Tells Main Opposition Party

On its part, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo yesterday described PDP’s plan to throw its presidential ticket open as the most unfortunate decision that if not quickly reversed would lead to the eventual collapse of the opposition party.

The National Publicity Secretary of the organisation, Chief Alex Chiedozie Ogbonnia in an inter-

view with THISDAY said it was sad that the party had refused to reciprocate the kind gesture of the people of the South-east over the years.

While describing the current agitation for the emergence of the next president from the South-east zone as one based on equity, Ogbonnia said the organisation remained unfazed in its agitation.

“I must tell you that we feel so bad that a party that has enjoyed tremendous support of the Igbos would come out boldly to throw the presidency open not minding our very just and fair agitation.

“From 1999 till date, we have continued to support the PDP. In 1999, despite what the party did to our leader, Dr Alex Ekwueme, we still supported Obasanjo. In 2007, we supported Yar’Adua, sustained the support for Jonathan. And today, the best way to pay us back

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HONOUR TO ROYALTY...

L-R: Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; the new Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulkadir Gaya; Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III, during the coronation ceremony of the new Emir of Gaya in Kano… yesterday

PSC Vows Not to Surrender Constables’ Recruitment Mandate to Police Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has vowed that it would not surrender to the Nigeria Police Force its constitutional mandate to recruit police constables, which had been affirmed by the Court of Appeal.

Workers of the commission had embarked on a three-day warning

strike, accusing the Chairman, Mr Musuliu Smith of conniving with the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Usman Baba, to prevent the commission from performing its constitutional role.

But in a statement issued yesterday, the commission alleged that the police authorities used the favourable judgment of the Federal High Court to take over

Nigeria’s Forex Inflow Hits $55.5bn in Seven Months Festus Akanbi

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disclosed that Nigeria recorded a foreign exchange inflow of $55.5billion within a seven-month period.

It attributed the forex inflow to increased non-oil receipts and proceeds from Eurobonds, among other factors.

The CBN’s economic reports, which made the disclosure, said Nigeria earned $18.3billion in the second quarter of 2021, $30.2billion in the third quarter, and $7billion in October.

The apex bank said foreign exchange inflow to the economy improved in the third quarter due to increased non-oil receipts.

“Foreign exchange inflow into the economy rose significantly by 65.0 per cent to $30.20 billion, compared with $18.3 billion in the preceding period. The development was driven by the 158.4 per cent and 13.4 per cent increased inflow through the CBN and the autonomous sources, respectively.

“Foreign exchange inflow through the bank at $16.83 billion increased significantly above the $6.51 billion in the preceding quarter due to additional SDR allocation and proceeds from the Eurobond sales. A disaggregation showed that non-oil receipts increased to $14.97 billion, compared with the $4.60 billion in the preceding

quarter.

“However, receipts from oilrelated sources fell by 2.7 per cent to $1.86 billion, relative to the value in the second quarter of 2021. Foreign exchange inflow through autonomous sources was $13.37 billion, compared with $11.79 billion in the preceding period, as a result of improved inflow from invisible purchases and non-oil export receipts,” the CBN report explained.

The CBN said aggregate foreign exchange inflow into the economy was $7 billion in October, compared with $13.38 billion in September.

“The difference between the levels in October and the preceding month was mainly accounted for by the debt proceeds of Eurobonds, which boosted receipts in September 2021.

“However, foreign exchange outflow through the economy increased by 32.3 per cent to $4.31 billion in October 2021.

Outflow through the bank increased by 45.6 per cent, relative to September (mainly third-party MDA transfers and interbank sales).

“On the other hand, autonomous outflow declined by 7.2 per cent to $0.76 billion, on account of the decrease in invisible imports. Consequently, the economy recorded a net inflow of $2.69 billion in the review period,” the report added.

the 2020 recruitment exercise.

It however insisted that the order had been overturned in its favour, stressing that it would not abdicate its constitutional responsibility.

The PSC stated this in reaction to the protest and shut down of its headquarters by workers protesting the takeover of the ongoing recruitment by the police.

The workers under the Joint Service Union had also embarked on a three-day strike to express their frustration over the alleged moves by the commission to render them redundant following the takeover of the recruitment exercise.

The PSC spokesman, Mr

Ikechukwu Ani, in the statement, titled, ‘Re: Workers protest police recruitment, shut down PSC,’ explained that the issues raised by the workers, including delayed staff promotion and annual training, were being addressed by the commission.

He acknowledged the rights of the workers to embark on strike but condemned the forceful locking of the offices.

“It is necessary to state unequivocally that the recruitment of police officers from the rank of constables to Cadet Inspectors and Cadet ASPs is and remains the constitutional responsibility of the commission and this was also affirmed not long ago by a

judgment of the Federal Court of Appeal “The management of the commission has no intention to abdicate this constitutional responsibility. At no time did management willingly surrender the commission’s mandate to the Nigeria Police Force. This, it will never contemplate.’’

Ani disclosed that the PSC had a few weeks ago addressed the staff on the matter and had also followed up with a discussion with the Inspector-General of Police to explain issues arising from the conduct of the 2021 recruitment process.

“The management is currently taking up the recent announce-

ment by the police, of screening dates for the 2021 constables recruitment, and will ensure that the constitutional responsibilities of the commission are not hijacked.

"Management will insist on keeping to existing clearly defined roles for all parties including the PSC, NPF, Federal Character Commission and state governments. The commission will drive the 2021 constable recruitment in line with constitutional provisions,’’ Ani explained.

On the 2021 staff promotion, the PSC said it would approve the recommendation of its Standing Committee on Establishment at the next plenary.

NNPC PAYS $452.5M CASH CALL ARREARS TO IOCS IN ONE YEAR Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Total Energies and Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC).

While the SPDC has been paid $680.6 million so far, with an outstanding $691.9 million out of the initial $1.37 billion owed, Total as of November 31, 2021, had been paid $411.73 million with a balance of $199.2 million, out of total debt of $610.97 million.

Furthermore, with an initial debt of $774.6 million owed NAOC, payment to date made to the oil company was $522.6 million, with an outstanding of $252 million.

The NNPC, in 2016, signed a cash call repayment agreement with its JV partners to defray cashcall arrears within five years after many years of its indebtedness to its partners.

Before then it had consistently for years failed to meet its indebtedness to the IOCs, a situation the operators said caused loss of new investments in the oil and gas sector.

At the time, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources had negotiated a discount with the IOCs, comprising SPDC, Total, Mobil, Chevron and Agip from about $5.1 billion down to $4.68 billion and had since then continued to reduce the debt payments in instalments.

The NNPC further explained that in the case of SPDC,

repayment was from the price balance distribution on Project Santolina; while in the case of CNL, repayment was from price balance distribution on Projects Cheetah and Falcon.

“NNPC has fully repaid its cash call arrears to MPN and all incremental barrels have reverted to base,” the company said.

The cash call arrangements, under which NNPC had to pay for its 55 per cent to 60 per cent share of investment in the upstream joint ventures, had been in place for over 40 years before it was restructured.

Recently, President Muhammadu Buhari had declared that the reforms initiated by his administration in 2015 when he took office, including the JV renegotiations, succeeded in saving the oil and gas industry in the country from total collapse.

Buhari noted that, for instance, the payments of huge cash call backlog owed the country’s JV partners took off a huge burden from the NNPC, saying that the current transparency drive in the national oil company was a product of those critical restructurings.

The president lamented that the sector which accounts for a huge source of foreign exchange for Nigeria, was in dire straits when he took over.

“When we were elected into

office in 2015, the industry was in a very dire situation worsened by a backlog of Joint Venture (JV) Cash Call arrears.

“The industry needed reforms to attract more investments and attract the needed revenue to support the nation's economic growth.

“As a new administration, we needed to act fast to address the declining prospects of the industry and aggressively drive economic recovery and improve the country,” Buhari had said.

Aside from the cash call presentation before the joint committee, the NNPC in its data further explained that it would deduct N127 billion during next month’s FAAC, for what it termed under-recovery.

But the N127 billion February projected petrol subsidy payment (for January) is far less than the N270 billion netted off the company’s revenue in December 2021, accounting for the highest under-recovery paid yet.

“The November 2021 value shortfall recovery on the importation of PMS (petrol) amounted to N270,831,143,856.56.

The recovery consists of the November 2021 value shortfall of N220.110.853.427.56, plus the outstanding value shortfall recovery of N50,720,290,429.00 for October 2021.

“The estimated value shortfall

of N127.035,585.354.25 is to be recovered from January 2022 proceed due for sharing at the February 2022 FAAC meeting,” it stated.

According to the information, the overall NNPC crude lifting of 8.31 million barrels (export & domestic crude) in November 2021 recorded a 7.78 per cent increase relative to the 7.71 barrels lifted in October 2021.

THISDAY had reported that Nigeria recorded an average production of 1.27 million barrels per day in November/December, while crude oil and gas export revenue received in December 2021 amounted to $5.13 million and $40.14 million respectively.

Nigeria LNG feedstock gas receipt was $113.39 million, including receipts of $51.85 million which slipped to December that ought to have been received in November 2021.

For other receipts, the NNPC data showed that the sum of $62.35 million, being miscellaneous receipts, gas fees, as well as interest income was received in December 2021.

In addition, the sum of N352,518.463,538.25 was the gross domestic crude oil and gas revenue for December, while strategic holding cost and pipeline repairs amounted to N3,976,516,985.27 even as product losses amounted to N3,307,613,578.863.

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HONOUR TO NEWEST COUPLE...

L-R: Father of the bride groom, Alhaji Aminu Nasidi; former President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki; and the Sarkin Dawaki Babba Mai Tuta, Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, walking to the venue of the wedding Fatiha of Ishaq Aminu Nasidi and Zainab Mukhtar Maidabino, in Kano…yesterday

Fashola Denies Ranking Nigeria above US in Infrastructure Development, Blames PDP Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has denied placing Nigeria above the United States in terms of infrastructural development.

Fashola was recently quoted widely in the media as having said that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had surpassed his American counterpart, Mr. Joe Biden in the expansion of the country’s infrastructural base.

“I can assure you that the present All Progressives Congress (APC) administration of President Buhari has achieved what even the US government is trying to do, in terms of infrastructure.

“As at December 2021, we had completed 941 kilometres of roads across all states and geopolitical zones,” Fashola had reportedly said.

But in a statement issued yesterday by his Special Adviser on Communications, Mr. Hakeem Bello, the minister clarified the statement, alleging that it was “mischievously” attributed to him.

The minister also blamed the “main opposition” in the country for being behind the development, noting that it was a precursor to what to expect as the 2023 election approaches.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which lost the 2015 presidential poll to the APC, is regarded as the country’s main opposition to the ruling party.

Bello stated that the minister gave further explanation while responding to a journalist’s question on the issue during an inspection tour of the ongoing rehabilitation of the Abuja- Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway Sections I to III. "The first point to make is that I didn't say that Nigeria's infrastructure was better than America's infrastructure because certainly anybody who knows what he is doing will know that America is a much richer nation, their infrastructure is well ahead of Nigeria.

"What I was talking about at the presentation with the APC Youth Ministerial Conference was about the challenges of infrastructure and that it is universal. Every country

commits to infrastructure as a legitimate way to create work, to grow the economy and distribute wealth as we have seen here.

"That’s the first point I was making, and that in a democracy you always need the parliament to authorise what you spend on infrastructure and so I was making the comparison that Buhari has been able to get his parliament to authorise his spending.

“And that is why we were even able to gather here (at the Special Ministerial Conversational Conference). But that the American government is struggling to get authorisation from their own parliament to start what we are already doing. I didn’t say our infrastructure is better than theirs," he added.

According to the minister, the “deliberate misreporting” of his clear statement of fact and the almost “spontaneous orchestration” of reactions based on the “misrepresentation” on the social media should send a clear warning to right- thinking and well-meaning Nigerians about the type of campaign, which

the main opposition wants to run towards the 2023 election.

“It’s a campaign of lies and misinformation. The main opposition has a very uncomfortable relationship with the truth; so, they are going to run a campaign of lies and disinformation; so, we must be ready for it,” he added.

He explained that the “prog-

ress” the Buhari government has been making was making the opposition uncomfortable, pointing out that it was meant to disprove that work is going on all across the country.

“They can't disprove that infrastructure is being developed; so, they are going to look for every way to distort and misinform

the public," he said .

The minister vowed that he would remain undaunted by the “unwarranted attacks based on misinformation”, adding that he took time to make the clarification in the course of the inspection tour to intimate Nigerians with the alleged plan by the main opposition party.

Bandits Kill Two Villagers in Niger, Abduct over 100 Others Laleye Dipo in Minna Two people have been killed while over 100 others have been kidnapped from Tungan Bako and Kawo communities in the Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

THISDAY gathered that the armed men again struck in the two communities on Thursday night.

The incident took place when the gunmen riding on about 30

motorcycles and with AK-47 rifles stormed the town.

Those killed, according to eyewitnesses, were trying to escape from the assault by the gunmen but were caught in the crossfire.

A pregnant woman and her two children were among those kidnapped but the eyewitness said the woman was later released while her two children were taken away.

According to the report, the two communities have now been deserted, following the attack by

the gunmen.

One of the community leaders, who spoke to THISDAY on condition of anonymity, said the bandits had made contacts with some relatives of their victims, demanding a total ransom of N70 million.

THISDAY learnt that men of the Joint Security Task Force have been deployed to the troubled communities.

Efforts to get the police to confirm the incident was abortive.

“It is the role this Professional Forum must take on to itself.

And what it entails aside from that logical objective of the forum; what it entails is defining in writing in various ways what our party stands for.”

Acknowledging the significance of the APC Professionals Forum in the scheme of things, the vice president urged the Forum to play more important roles in shaping the party’s ideology.

He said: “There are many people that say well, we have not done this, we have not done that. There are so many ways of looking at it, but the truth of the matter is that the party was committed and is seen across the country as a party of the common man, which is why I think the role of the Professionals Forum is particularly important because we are trying to shape the ideology of the party".

He stressed that professionals are integral to ensuring the party stays focused on the wellbeing of Nigerians and its ideals, as stated in the Constitution and manifesto, respectively.

According to him, “if the professionals cannot do that, then our party becomes all comers, anything

goes so long as we have a platform to run for political office. But I think that we, especially professionals, have a unique advantage.

“We have many who have run their businesses, who have professional organisations or who have excelled in their professions and we know that the only way to do things properly is if we can press on without relenting.”

Osinbajo further hoped that the APC Professionals Forum will also carry the hopes and expectations of millions of the party’s supporters nationwide.

He also believed that the Forum, made up of professional elites, will be of great benefit to the party and Nigeria because of its leadership and quality of professionals on its board of trustees and as members, who he noted “are not just politicians, but people who have distinguished themselves” in their respective fields.

“I think our party will rely a great deal on this forum and I hope and pray that the Forum will realise all of its objectives, including the extra ones that our party must place upon you, especially at this time in the life and history of our dear country,” he said.

APC CARETAKER COMMITTEE MEETS THIS WEEK TO DECIDE ZONING OF OFFICES position on zoning.

The CECPC member, who urged members of the party to ignore all former reports of zoning, also described such reports as fake.

He said that the expected zoning committee would be guided by justice and fairness by ensuring that all zones and states are fairly represented.

When asked whether the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the APC would be summoned to approve the zoning arrangement before implementation, he said the Buni-led committee would play the dual role of the NWC and NEC of the party.

"We are a child of circumstance.

We are playing two roles in one.

CECPC is playing the role of both the working committee and the NEC. "There won't be any NEC meeting, but we are working with the governors of the party and others to ensure that everything about the convention is set on course and that there will be no trouble. We shall deliver a smooth and transparent convention.

"After our meeting this week, every doubting person will keep quiet. At the end of the day, because

there is no NEC, the report of the zoning committee will be sent to the President who is the leader of the party and the governors for their perusal and advice and we are set to go for the February 26 date," he explained.

However, one of the chairmanship aspirants, Mr Saliu Mustapha has insisted that the North-central geopolitical zone should produce the next national chairman of the APC. “It is for balancing and equity.

We are the bridge linking the North and South," he said.

Welfare of Average Nigerian Paramount to Ruling Party, Says Osinbajo

Meanwhile, Vice President Osinbajo has disclosed that the ruling APC would remain committed to the welfare of the common man.

He attributed this to the party being that of the people and the resolve of the APC to continually ensure that the common man benefits maximally from the government.

Osinbajo, according to a statement issued yesterday by his Media Assistant, Mr Laolu Akande, made this disclosure when he played host to a delegation of the APC

Professionals Forum at the State House, Abuja.

According to him: “This is a party of the common man, a party of the people, a party that takes as its cradle, the importance of ensuring that the common man benefits maximally from the government which is why we have the big programmes like the Social Investment Programmes, the largest of its kind in the continent and several of such other programmes that emphasise how serious we take the lot of the common man".

Reminiscing on the party's formation about nine years ago, the VP noted that APC has made an impact and it is determined to improve the well-being of Nigerians.

He added that the party is also where many young people are, stressing that “we are the ruling party in Africa’s largest democracy, which by itself is a phenomenal achievement for such a young party.

“But you’ll find that in the particular ideological direction of our party, it’s one that was clear to the founders of the party, the initial persons and groups that came together to form the party and they came from different parties, but it was to present a left of centre,

a social democratic alternative to the ruling party.”

Osinbajo further stated that the APC is determined to ensure the country’s further growth and development, noting that the party carries with it, the hopes and expectations of millions of Nigerians.

“The party is not a mere platform for running for political office, it carries with it the hopes and expectations of millions of Nigerians and we must make it a place where they are comfortable, a place where they feel this belongs to us. We can even put our resources into it; it is not just for politicians; it is for us all."

Osinbajo said leaders and politicians are there to serve the people and give them reasons to believe in a better country.

“Our people, the Nigerian people, need hope; they need to be able to believe in the politicians; they need to be able to believe in their leaders and if the leaders are within the political party, that political party must have an ideology that is attractive to them, that makes them feel wanted, that makes them feel cared for and I think that role is so crucial.

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

NEWS

I Received 19 Threats for Undertaking Banking Revolution, Says Soludo Alex Enumah in Abuja A former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof.

Charles Soludo, has narrated how he received several death threats when he undertook some reforms in the banking sector.

Soludo, who is the governorelect of Anambra State, said he received 19 written threats, including physical attacks for undertaking the banking revolution.

Soludo served as Governor of CBN from 2004 to 2009.

He disclosed this yesterday as a guest speaker at the first graduation day of students of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG), founded by a former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, in Abuja.

Soludo noted that disrupting the existing social order was dangerous, saying beneficiaries of the current order are powerful enough to organise and viciously fight back to protect their privileges.

According to him, with the objective to retain power within the context of short electoral cycles, politicians are afraid to undertake the necessary disruptive changes to guarantee long-term safety and prosperity for all.

He said: “Oil is on its way out, but dismantling the decades-old debilitating institutions and politics around it won’t be a tea party.

Nigeria is now at a fiscal cliff with a crunching solvency challenge.

“Youth unemployment, insecurity, poverty, inflation, etc threaten the social fabric.

Migrating to a post-oil world of the 4th Industrial revolution and sustainable prosperity will require massive disruptive transformations and restoration of a productive social contract.

“Such disruptions will come at great costs, and could indeed be dangerous. It is not far to imagine what could befall serious disruptors. In Nigeria, we remember what happened to Murtala Muhammed, and the history books are replete with

hundreds of examples of the inherent risks.

“At a personal level, undertaking the banking revolution in Nigeria came with 19 written threats to me and my family, including physical attacks. Disrupting the existing social order is dangerous. Beneficiaries of the current order are powerful enough to organise and viciously fight back to protect their privileges.

“On the contrary, the masses who are the ultimate beneficiaries are not organised enough to act as a bulwark against the special interests. As things stand currently, we are standing between the rock and the hard place. With the objec-

tive to retain power within the context of short electoral cycles, politicians are afraid to undertake the necessary disruptive changes to guarantee long-term safety and prosperity for all.

“On the other hand, the existing trends are totally unsustainable and the system is living on borrowed times. Everyone is sleepwalking to the hard place and praying that somehow a miracle will happen along the way.

“So, who is ready to put his head on the line to lead such productive but dangerous disruptions? Are the SPPG graduates ready for the assignment? I assume that you can’t wait to get to work,

to apply your knowledge for a new Nigeria. Am I right? You have my prayers! As I pray for your success, let me throw up a few random nuggets to chew on your way.”

According to him, politics has become big business, adding that appointment or election into public office is seen largely as an opportunity to ‘eat’ rather than a call to selfless service.

Soludo lamented that less than one percent elite have a stranglehold on the public purse, sprinkling occasional crumbs to the citizens as ‘dividends He said: “Politics has become big business. Appointment or

election into public office is seen largely as an opportunity to ‘eat’ rather than a call to selfless service.

There is an army of rich (big men) who have never worked or done any productive work in their lives and believe that it is their right to expect something for nothing.

“The tiny less than one per cent elite have a stranglehold on the public purse, sprinkling occasional crumbs to the citizens as ‘dividends of democracy. The citizens themselves either out of helplessness or acquiescence join the party, expecting the politicians to dole out pittance out of the public treasury as charity.

“The citizens actually clap for

such phantom ‘charity.’ Politicians who refuse to do so are deemed as ‘stingy’ or ‘wicked,’ and the circus goes on. With a rent system, a culture of freebies emerged, and most people don’t expect to pay for anything, including taxes, electricity, water, petrol, etc.

“A classic feature of the political environment is that corruption has become part of the ‘culture,’ with little incentive for honesty.

Honesty is scorned as wickedness, foolishness, or mere pretense, and those who dare to be different have a steep price to pay. So, who among you is ready, to be honest and scorned by society?” he queried.

ROYAL VISIT...

L-R: Olori Omoyemi Aniyi; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and the Obaleo of Erinmope Ekiti, Oba Sunday Aikuirawo Aniyi, during the monarch’s courtesy visit to the Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti…weekend

Nigeria Records 32 Deaths, 170 Cases of Lassa Fever in Three Weeks Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja At least 32 people have died of Lassa fever since the beginning of the New Year, according to data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

In a situation report obtained

by Channels Television yesterday, the agency disclosed that the nation reported a total of new 170 confirmed cases within the period.

“Cumulatively from week 1 to week 3, 2022, 32 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.8 per cent, which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2021 (25 per cent),” said the report which is the third to be released by the NCDC this year.

Lassa virus is transmitted to man by infected multi-mammate rats and humans become infected from direct contact with the urine and faeces of the rat carrying the virus.

It is an acute viral illness and a viral haemorrhagic fever contracted by touching soiled objects, eating contaminated food, or exposure to open cuts or sores.

Secondary transmission from person to person can also occur as a result of exposure to the virus in the blood, tissue, urine, faeces or other bodily secretions of an infected patient.

The report also indicated that a total of 759 suspected cases of the disease were reported across 37 local government areas of 12 states.

Of the figure, the NCDC said 74 per cent were recorded in three states of Edo (28 per cent), Ondo

(28 per cent), and Bauchi (23 per cent).

In the third week of the year covering January 17 to 23, the NCDC said 294 suspected cases of Lassa fever were reported across 23 local government areas of nine states.

Seventy-four of the suspected cases were confirmed while 11 new infected patients lost the fight to the disease.

The confirmed cases were reported from Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Oyo, Ebonyi, Benue, Katsina, Kaduna, and Taraba States, and

now new health worker was infected in the course of the week.

“The predominant age-group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 80 years, Median Age: 30 years),” the report added. “The male to female ratio for confirmed cases is 1 : 0.9. The number of

suspected cases has increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2021.

“National Lassa fever multipartner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) continues to coordinate the response activities at all levels.”

MTN Nigeria’s Full-year Revenue Hits N1.7tn Company’s income from data surges Festus Akanbi MTN Nigeria Communications Plc (MTNN) has declared a turnover of N1.7 trillion for full-year 2021, a milestone that analysts believe will consolidate its position as Nigeria’s biggest listed company by revenue.

The MTN Group said it attained the new height after the number of its active data users surged by 1.7 million to 34.3 million, helping income from data sales increase by 55.3 per cent to N516 billion.

According to its audited financial results for the year ended December 31, 2021, the company is proposing a final dividend of N8.57 per 2 kobo ordinary shares for the period.

For the year under review, profit before tax stood at N436.7 billion, up by 46.1 per cent from the preceding year’s figure, while profit after tax accelerated 45.5 per cent to N298.7 billion, just as earnings per share printed N14.67 as against N10.08 recorded in the corresponding period of last year.

“During the year, our total contribution to the Government through direct and indirect taxes was N669.2 billion, up 83.4 per cent, representing approximately 40 per cent of our total revenue,” said the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Karl Toriola.

MTNN cited an extension of its coverage areas for 4G services in October 2021, through December as the catalyst for

the higher earnings from data.

Relative to its figure for 2020, revenue for last year grew by 22.9 per cent.

Last November, the wireless carrier secured a permit from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to start a payment service bank, and that will give it the latitude to offer many of the services performed by commercial banks, the notable exceptions being disallowance from granting credit and offering foreign exchange functions.

MTNN conducted its initial public offering in December, when it put up 575 million shares for sale to investors, about two and a half years after it was listed by introduction on the Nigerian Exchange.

Nigeria is the biggest market of the MTN Group, responsible for about one-third of its revenue.

The company also clarified that the proposed dividend is subject to appropriate withholding tax, with a qualification date of April 6, 2022.

According to reports, the dividend which amounts to N174.44 billion would be disbursed electronically on Thursday, April 28, 2022, to ordinary shareholders whose names appear on the Register of Members as of Thursday, April 7, 2022, and who have completed the e-dividend registration and mandated their Registrar to pay their dividends directly into their

bank accounts.

MTN Nigeria Plc has 20,354,513,050 outstanding shares and a market capitalisation of N3.87 trillion. The company’s shares closed trading on January 28, 2022, at N190 per share.

The telecommunications company was quoted as saying that this final dividend sums up the total dividend to N13.12 kobo, having paid N4.55 kobo on the 20th of August 2021.

Through the first two weeks of December 2021, MTN Nigeria made a public offering to sell 575 million ordinary shares to Nigerians at the price of N169 per share, in what was referred to as another first for the company in the Nigerian market.

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EDITORIAL

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

BURKINA FASO AND THE COUP BUG

Leaders in West Africa must do more to stem the new wave of coups in the subregion

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he military takeover of government in Burkina Faso is the culmination of months of political unrest in the country. The ousted and detained President Roch Kaboré had been confronted with frequent protests on the streets of Ouagadougou following worsening economic and living conditions. In addition, the populace and the political opposition had voiced dissatisfaction with his handling of both the economy and jihadist insurgency in parts of the country. These were the effective backdrop to this latest of West Africa’s resurgence of military dictatorship.

It is indeed very instructive that the putsch in Burkina Faso is coming on the heels of similar military coups in Mali, Guinea, Chad, and Sudan. In all these countries, the developments that toppled the democratic governments are virtually similar. Popular uprising fuelled by increasingly harsh economic conditions have been exacerbated by partisan squabbles among politicians. This has played into the hands of ambitious military officers waiting in the wings. In each of these cases also, the coup makers are descendants of earlier military adventurers in power. A tradition of politicised military establishment has left generations of officers who see the presidential palace as an alternative habitat to the barrack. A country withIn Mali, Guinea, Chad out entrenched civil demoand now Burkina cratic instituFaso, insurgencies tions and in which critical have caused severe agencies of national secueconomic hardship rity have been privatised by by constricting poagricultural land space successive litical regimes itself and forcing population lends to frequent movements and severe upheavals of power. humanitarian crisis The more frightening feature of these recent political disruptions is the recurrence of Jihadist insurgency in the Sahel as a factor among the excuses of coup makers. This is what should concern authorities within the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) and particularly Nigeria. Except perhaps in Sudan where the coup resulted from long standing

Letters to the Editor

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t a tournament that promised so much so early in the year, the Super Eagles were finally but unexpectedly sent packing by the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia, their wings clipped by a familiar North African foe whose shaky tournament form and ranks depleted by COVID-19 were supposed to provide easy pickings for Nigerian team, the only team to boast a hundred percent record in the group stage.

The Carthage Eagles were already a goal to the good before Alex Iwobi put in an apocalyptic shift from the bench to have himself sent off within minutes of coming on. His expulsion left Nigeria with a mountain to climb. There is no doubt that Nigeria will rue a missed opportunity that grew even bigger when defending champions Algeria and Ghana crashed out of the tournament at the group stages.

Many Nigerians may only see

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

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internal political quarrels, insurgency has featured as a reason for the military takeover in Mali, Guinea, Chad and now Burkina Faso.

Jihadist elements have mounted unrelenting military pressure on the governments of all these countries and in some cases infiltrated the armed and security forces.

In a sense, the recent rapid changes of government in West Africa may appear like indirect ‘victories’ for the jihadist forces bent on destabilising the sub-region except that the military regimes are coming to power with agenda that differ from the global agenda of the jihadist movement. In Mali, Guinea, Chad and now Burkina Faso, insurgencies have caused severe economic hardship by constricting agricultural land space and forcing population movements and severe humanitarian crisis. These have been exacerbated by climate change and the southward expansion of the Sahara Desert.

However, one disturbing feature of the recent coups is an indication that in most African countries, democracy remains so fragile that the people do not put up any fight when these military opportunists seize power. In fact, there have been jubilations in some cases.

Partisan squabbles among self-serving politicians tend to spiral into wild protests in the streets inhabited by economically vulnerable populations. These ‘people of the streets’ and their economic travails become ready tinder for the opponents of the party in power. Civil unrest over bad conditions graduates into political capital for politicised military officers. When those in power abuse the trust of their people under such combustible climate, the rest is predictable.

With violent banditry in the Northwest combining with a never-ending insurgency in the Northeast, the federal government must be concerned about the wave of recent coups in the subregion.

It ought also to concern the United Nations that democracy and global stability is under clear and present danger in West Africa. ECOWAS is even more severely tasked by these coups. Closures of land and air corridors by countries that lack the mechanism to enforce embargoes and sanctions can only pass as laughable reflexes. A network of cross border illegal traders and semiofficial channels serve the needs of gangster regimes that are intent on clinging to power at all costs. Defiance of regional diplomatic sanctions becomes routine.

The military regimes dig in and entrench themselves. Democracy suffers deadly setbacks and Africa once again retreats on all indices of global development.

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.

NIGERIA AND THE COST OF COMPLACENCY the disaster the debacle that played out in Garoua but there is no doubt that with the benefit of hindsight it was months in the making. When Gernot Rohr the German manager who had led the Super Eagles to a respectable third place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt two years ago, during which they claimed the scalps of their conquerors in Garoua, was sacked just weeks before the tournament and Mr. Eguavoen given the reins, the writing appeared on the wall.

In 2006, Mr. Eguavoen himself had led a team which included the immortal duo of Jay-Jay Okocha and Kanu Nwankwo, and the prodigiously gifted Mikel Obi, to a third place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations. But in sacking Gernot Rohr and calling on Mr. Eguavoen in Nigeria`s hour of need, the NFF chose a relic of the old days betraying in the process the sheer depth of its confused thinking.

Many sports loving Nigerians

who genuinely love their national teams in spite of the pull of European football have no doubt that the invidious corruption which corrodes many a Nigerian institution has found its way into the administration of sports in Nigeria, gaining a foothold and firmly gaining root. There have been sordid allegations to confirm that many of those who have been in charge of the administration of sports over the years have taken the opportunity given them to serve the country to feather their own nests.

The defeat by Tunisia was especially gut-wrenching as while the Super Eagles had posted a perfect record in the group stage, the Tunisians lurched from farce to defeat in their first group game against Mali when the Zambian referee inexplicably blew the final whistle twice before the end of 90 minutes, before suffering a last-gasp defeat to West African minnows Gambia in the last group game.

Their camp was also ravaged by Covid-19 yet they recovered from all the setbacks to deal the Super Eagles a jarring blow.

Indeed it, leaves a nasty taste in the mouth that once again Nigeria has fallen short in the continental competition under totally inauspicious circumstances.

The German coach who had steadily if unremarkably steadied the ship when he was at the helm of affairs was sacked and replaced by two coaches sourced from obscurity. While one was charged with overseeing Nigeria`s AFCON charge, the other was put in an observer role to monitor proceedings before taking full charge at the end of AFCON. Now, he can begin his reign.

Ghana looms threateningly on the horizon in World Cup Qualifiers which Nigeria absolutely has to win.

The Black Stars left Cameroon with their light severely dimmed after dusting up a solitary draw and two defeats, including against debutants Comoros. But there can be no doubt, that when they find themselves against Nigeria their eternal foe,

they will be revitalized by the sheer atmosphere that an ancient West African rivalry conjures.

Experts have long called for a cleaning of the Augean stables that sports administration in Nigeria has become. It was not long ago that the country`s dirty laundry was aired in faraway Japan by disgruntled athletes during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

There is no gainsaying that a country that aspires to reach the pinnacle of sports in the world must aspire to keep shameful episodes away from its camp.

Excelling in sports cannot happen when mediocres are allowed to turn sports administration in the country to a circus of mediocrity, nepotism and cronyism. While Nigerians make crude jokes of the call placed by the presidency to the Super Eagles shortly before the cataclysmic defeat to Tunisia, the mood of the country must move from anger to action in elevating sports in the country.

– Kene Obiezu, Abuja

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OPINION

FAREWELL, ERNEST SHONEKAN

J.K. Randle pays tribute to Ernest Shonekan, statesman and head of the Interim Government

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hen General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida [IBB] became Nigeria’s President and Head of State on 27th August 1985, a group of his friends came together under the Chairmanship of Chief Ernest Shonekan to offer advice or counsel on a range of issues then bedevilling the Nigerian economy and

society.

The members were as follows: Chief (Dr.) E.A.O. Shonekan -Chairman/Chief Executive, UAC of Nigeria Plc; Alhaji A.O.G. Otiti Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria; Chief Olusegun Oshunkeye -MD/CEO, Nestle Nigeria Plc; Bashorun J.K. Randle KPMG; Senator Kofo Akerele-Bucknor National Assembly; Chief Maan Lababidi Chairman, Crown Flour Mills Limited; Captain Wole Buknor Nigerian Navy; Chief Joe Obuseh Nigerian Security Organisation. The ninth member was a Brigadier in the Nigerian Army. He later became the Chief of Army Staff and subsequently National Security Adviser.

We provided selfless advice across a broad range of issues – deficit in public trust; the floundering economy; the lingering/festering political crisis; the crumbling financial system; simmering ethnic/religious rivalries; and safety of lives and property as well as health; education and infrastructural challenges. We urged the government to fix the four oil refineries and launch mass transit in Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt and Abuja.

We were also concerned about the jobless and the homeless. Hence, we pushed for agriculture as the salvation.

The message we consistently delivered was that the liberalisation of the economy and the empowerment of the private sector were of paramount importance and compelling urgency. Additionally, we championed the cause of Small and Medium sized enterprises [SME’s] as the backbone of the economy.

Nobody was paid for his/her services regardless of the long hours (sometimes stretching late into the night). It was a period of glorious service to our beloved nation and all of us (without exception) foreclosed

on political appointments – as Ministers, Ambassadors, Chairmen of juicy government parastatals etc., or financial rewards such as oil blocks, banking licences; import licences; allocation of foreign exchange; contract award, etc. We served because we were called to serve at a time when the nation was in peril. Hence, we strove to reconnect our beloved nation, Nigeria with civilization. We derived inspiration from the stirring command of the old National Anthem: “Though tribe and tongue may differ….”

Our mission was to galvanize entrepreneurship as the counterforce to our pathetic dependence on oil. Our nation’s mono-economy was clearly unsustainable.

For me, it was quite a revelation when late Senator Onyeabo Obi repeatedly alleged that I had been promoting IBB as the next Head of State through “The Gold Medal Lectures”. Furthermore, Colonel Dotun Gbadebo (now His Royal Highness Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukenu IV, Alake of Egbaland) who had served as Principal Staff Officer to Major-General Tunde Idiagbon, Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters confirmed recently without mincing words that had the Babangida coup d’etat failed, I would have been roped in!!

The gospel truth is that the Gold Medal Lectures were meant to bring both government officials and the captains of Industry and Commerce together to deliberate on economic and financial matters. Period.

However, to further compound matters, shortly before the coup d’etat I was the Guest Speaker at the Chief of Army Staff Conference in Minna, Niger State at the invitation of then Major-General Babangida, Chief of Army Staff. Colonel

We urged the government to fix the four oil refineries and launch mass transit in Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt and Abuja.

We were also concerned about the jobless and the homeless. Hence, we pushed for agriculture as the salvation

David Mark, Governor of Niger State was the Chief Host with late Brigadier-General Anthony Ukpo as the Master of Ceremonies. The only other civilians who attended were Chief M.K.O. Abiola and Professor Isawa Elaigwu of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. I had no inkling that a coup was in the offing. Maybe Chief Abiola and/ or Professor Elaigwu were in the know! It turned out that the conference was only a smokescreen or decoy.

It was when then Brigadier Joshua Dongoyaro followed

by General Sani Abacha announced IBB as the new Head of State – at Bonny Camp Military Cantonment, Victoria Island that I recognised the faces that were prominent around the new Commander-In-Chief, General Ibrahim Babangida. They were all there in Minna – Colonel Raji Rasaki; Major Abdulmumuni Aminu, General Sani Abacha, Brigadier Aliyu Mohammed (head of military intelligence), Navy Commander Murtala Nyako, Lt-Col Ahmed Abdullahi (Minister of Communications), Lt-Col Tanko Ayuba (commanding officer – Nigerian army signal corps), Lt-Col John Shagaya (commanding officer – 9th mechanised brigade, Ikeja), Brigadier-General Anthony Ukpo, Major Abubakar Umar (Administrator of the Federal Housing Authority).

That was when the penny dropped. In the course of delivering my lecture, I had placed myself in mortal danger. Major-General Ibrahim Babangida was 44 years old and I was approaching my 42nd birthday.

The Almighty has been uncommonly faithful.

Chief Shonekan demonstrated outstanding leadership which left no room for conflict of interest; for reputational damage or doubtful integrity. We played no part in his emergence as the Chairman of the Transition Committee or Head of the Interim Government; or the events that ensued thereafter.

Now that the Chief has departed, may his soul find peace in the bosom of the Almighty who we beseech to grant Mrs Margaret Shonekan and the family the fortitude to bear the painful loss of their beloved patriarch. Hail to the Chief!

– Bashorun Randle, FCA, OFR

ELECTIONS: PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE Non-partisan leaders should start deliberations on how to make Nigeria work, writes Tola Adeniyi

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he selfish and self-centred Niger ian political leadership and their short-sighted collaborators are gearing up for the rituals and rigours of elections regardless of the humongous unresolved maladies in the land.

It is needless recounting or listing the plagues in the unfortunate country called Nigeria because they are well known to both natives and the international community. Nigeria has become the joke of the world while her citizens are derided and pitied the world over. Nonetheless, the politicians who have for long held the country and the ordinary citizens by the jugular are busy plotting who and who would be the Chief Executives of their poverty-stricken states or the debt-ridden country itself.

Quite frankly one is at sea as to why any seriousminded citizens of a country would allow themselves to be treated like cows being driven with a stick. They should be asking themselves and their political adventurers what happened to the elections held four years ago, the elections held eight years ago and so on and so forth. The more elections held, the more impoverished the citizens have become while the merchant-politicians are getting richer, wealthier and more disdainful of the citizens who surrendered power to them.

In any case we are not running a democracy. What we have is a militarized archaic tyrannical dictatorship at all levels where unelected, handpicked officials run the show. Attorney General Abubakar Malami does whatever tickles his fancy. The Minister of Defence, National Security Adviser, Comptroller General of Customs and his counterpart at Immigration are laws unto themselves. We run a crude form of ‘plutogarchy’ a combination of oligarchy and plutocracy where the Moneybags and the Musclemen are the lords of the Manor.

State Governors have no say in the security of their states. The Inspector-General of Police, handpicked by the President is by far superior to the elected Governor.

Almost 90% of the entire country is under military jackboot in defiance of any law known to democratic practice anywhere in the world. Military chiefs amuse themselves with zany tags of ‘Operation Python’, Operation Cobra’, Operation Big Breast’, ‘Operation Bottomley’, ‘Operation Blue Murder ’ leaving death and destruction in their wake.

The entire National Assembly and state Assemblies have not been able to bring back State and Local government Police as was entrenched before the Military threw our democracy into the dustbin.

People brought forward to be voted for are products of the whims and caprices of godfathers, godmothers, godsons and goddaughters! In most, if not all cases, the so-called candidates are not known to the electorate. Why should a people be deceiving themselves that they are in a democracy?

Rather than fix the choking problems of insecurity and its terrorizing allies, the agonizing challenge of master-servant political structure that has bedevilled the country, the challenge of two distinct countries in one country, the challenge of mono-culture economy, the challenge of irreconcilable ethnicity, religious intolerance and the huge gap between the haves and have-nots, heartless politicians are busy window dressing an edifice about to collapse.

What the politicians and their closet beneficiaries have been doing over the years is to go cap-in-hand to Abuja, collect hand-outs and share the loot, even before returning to their various state capitals and bring the remnants to pay part of salaries and pensions. What is the essence of elections in states that cannot pay salaries? Or states whose educational, health and transportation infrastructure have collapsed.

Millions of school-age children are out of school, millions of tertiary institution graduates are roaming the streets, hundreds are committing suicide, marriages are collapsing, Churches, Mosques and traditional places of worship are gleefully exploiting the poor masses and our cherished values have taken flight, and yet what concerns politicians is to carry on their trade, their investments, their self-glorification without care.

What the country should be doing right now is for non-partisan leaders to summon courage and begin deliberations on how to collapse the unviable states, allow indigenous people that want their Sovereignty to do so without further delay, recognize the reality that the geo-political contraption called Nigeria has never worked, it is not working and can NEVER work, except in self-denial.

No country which lives in self-deceit, in selfdenial and pursues an arrogant self-serving policy of master-servant relations can survive let alone make progress.

We cannot be conducting elections that lead to nowhere. We are merely postponing the evil day.

It makes sense if dwellers in an about-to-collapse building hurriedly pack their bag and baggage and leave in one piece than to wait for the cracked building to collapse on their heads.

Nigeria as it stands today on her wobbling feet serves only the politicians, their collaborators and the blinded who scavenge the crumbs. These are the only people who want the country to remain the way it is.

This piece is not [intended as] an indictment on anybody or any government. We have long passed the stage of blame-game. No mischief maker should consider this honest assessment as a call for secession or self-determination. Those are outworn nomenclatures. It has long been established that Nigeria is not one country. Several political leaders have said so over and over again. It has also long been established that some sections of the country by their separatist laws, customs, and institutions have seceded without admitting it.

This country should save the little breath left in her nostrils by stopping wastage of her diminishing resources on bogus elections that achieve nothing for the citizens.

It should be added that the youths of Nigeria whose present is in serious jeopardy, and their future seriously mortgaged should find their voice and cry out. Their salvation is not in Yahoo-yahoo or the so-called moneymaking rituals. They should ask their elders to guide them with the heroic records of their predecessors...the youths of yesteryears and the feat they performed in challenging the status-quo.

The youths should not allow themselves to be used as canon-fodder. Tell politicians who need thugs to employ their own children, give hemp and guns to their own children.

– Chief Adeniyi, former Chairman/MD/EditorIn-Chief, Daily Times Conglomerate writes from Bobagunwa Lodge, Ago-Iwoye

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾JANUARY 30, 2022

15

LETTERS

P

WHY ONU SHOULD SUCCEED BUHARI

resident Muhammadu Buhari has about 17 months to complete his second tenure and cease to be the President of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as enshrined in the Constitution.

The journey on who will succeed him has begun in earnest. There have been some declarations by aspirants from all the political parties to succeed the outgoing president. The All Progressives Congress (APC) is the ruling party. The party is doing everything humanly and legally possible to ensure that it retains the presidency of Nigeria after President Buhari.

President Buhari is from the North, particularly Northwest. The North has produced more heads of state and elected presidents than the South since the independence of Nigeria. Therefore, equity, fairness and justice demand that the presidency should come to the south after President Buhari’s eight years in office.

In the South, especially since 1999, the southwest had produced a civilian president in the person of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for eight years. The same southwest will be producing a vice president for eight years in the person of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

by 2023. The Southsouth produced President Goodluck Jonathan who was a vice president and president for a cumulative eight years.

The Southeast is the only geopolitical region that has never produced either a vice president or a president. Fairness, equity and justice demand that the Southeast should be given the chance to field presidential candidates by all the political parties in Nigeria for 2023.

Against this background, who should fly the flag of APC from the Southeast? Three major political parties viz; the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) merged together and founded APC in 2013.

President Buhari came from the CPC bloc. Vice President Osinbajo came from the ACN bloc. The three past chairmen of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole all emerged from the ACN bloc. The defunct ANPP bloc is the only one yet to be fully accommodated in the tripartite arrangement that gave birth to APC. Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu was the national chairman of the defunct ANPP at the time of the merger. Dr Onu was a foundation member of the All Peoples Party (APP) that eventually metamorphosed to

ANPP. Ogbonnaya Onu won the presidential primaries of the then APP in 1998 and he became its presidential candidate. Chief Olu Falae was the candidate of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD) while Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Dr Ogbonnaya Onu had to relinquish his prized presidential ticket and ambition in order to assuage the feeling of the Southwest which demanded for the presidency of Nigeria as a result of the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won

by Chief M.K.O Abiola.

This is the time for the Southwest to reciprocate gesture from the Igbos and sacrifice for the Southeast in the best interest of equity and unity of Nigeria.

Dr Onu listened to

the voice of reason and forfeited his cherished presidential candidacy to Chief Olu Falae who contested on the platform of AD/APP merger. Ogbonnaya Onu is the first civilian governor of old Abia State. It is a given or a certainty that President Buhari would be succeeded by a former governor or a former political office holder with requisite managerial acumen and experience. Among all those jostling to take over from President Buhari, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu is the most qualified to succeed him in 2023. Ogbonnaya Onu became a governor of a state before all of them.

He had held many elective and appointive positions as governor, national chairman of ANPP, and now as a

BOLA TINUBU’S QUEST FOR THE PRESIDENCY

T

he 2023 battle will be very interesting.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commenced a very difficult but exciting journey – his quest to be President of Nigeria in 2023. Tinubu would face four big obstacles - firstly, his faith.

Secondly, the choice of a running mate.

Thirdly, the rugged politics the PDP would play - the PDP may field a northern presidential candidate, and put the APC on the defensive. And, fourth, how the north would vote relative to Amotekun and antiFulani sentiments in the southwest. And, fifth, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo supporters are on the move - solely focused on the presidency with confidence.

Tinubu, a Muslim from the Southwest, might have a free sail at home because of the complex nature of the socio-political settings of the southwest. But to appeal to other zones in the country, he will be in a quandary in respect of his choice of a running mate. If he picks a Christian from the north, the bulk of APC support in the north - the Muslim north, will look the other way. If he picks a Muslim from the north, the whole country will certainly be against a presidential Muslim-Muslim ticket. However, if the PDP picks its presidential candidate from the north, he may get some ‘relief’ in the South.

Operation Amotekun and Sunday Igboho’s

January 2021 one-week ultimatum to Fulani herdsmen to vacate the southwest - ‘I don’t believe in one Nigeria’ will be another weapon that will be used against Tinubu in the north.

Tinubu's war chest is enormous, his political tactics are shrewd, his political structure is solid, widespread, and well-organized. They recently 'bombarded' the north and scared their opponents. Tinubu is a good candidate but has a big dilemma as mentioned above.

On the other hand, the 2023 presidential election battle will be very interesting – like this writer has always maintained, PDP will be on the offensive, while the ruling APC will be on the defensive. The flag bearers of either political party

will also have many political hurdles to cross.

Most people expect the 2023 presidential election finale to be an Atiku Vs a Tinubu game. Atiku Vs Tinubu will be an interesting big game. Two similar people with similar public perception; similar game style and I know you, you know me scenario will come to play. The two have well-established political structures that can easily scare an opponent. They pay their own bills - so, the contest would be 100 percent politics - even the choice of the running mates. It will be a fascinating zerosum game. Both have similar advantages and disadvantages.

– Zayyad I. Muhammad, Abuja

minister amongst others.

However, he remains about the only politician with no stain of corruption in his garment. Dr Ogbonnaya Onu is a consistent and principled politician. Apart from President Buhari, he is about the only politician in Nigeria who has never decamped to any other Political Party, especially the PDP since the advent of the Fourth Republic democratic dispensation.

Many of those scheming to take over from President Buhari were members of the PDP in the past, they are unprincipled politicians who will decamp to any party in power at the federal level.

Dr Ogbonnaya Onu endured hardship and deprivation from 1999 until 2015 when APC took over government at the federal level. He never contemplated decamping to the PDP to feather his political nest. That is principle.

Dr Onu is a first class chemical engineer. He is a Ph.D holder and would have become an emeritus professor if he had chosen to be in the academic field. He is the most educated among all the aspirants from APC and other political parties. He is a very humble and God-fearing man.

Above all he has the experience, political sagacity, comportment and temperament to preside over the affairs of Nigeria.

Therefore, there is a need for the APC apparatchiks to revisit his 1998 presidential candidacy because Nigeria needs him now more than ever before for sacrificing his ambition at the time to unite the country. President Buhari will bequeath the best legacy if he can pick an Igboman, particularly Dr Ogonnaya Onu to succeed him. The feeling of marginalization by the people of Southeast will be taken care of once and for all if Dr Onu succeeds President Buhari.

The worst thing that President Buhari would do is to hand over Nigeria’s future and patrimony to a deeply corrupt politician as his successor. Some of these individuals angling to be the next President of Nigeria will be more powerful and stronger than Nigeria itself if they are given the opportunity. The country needs a humble and meek fellow as president. That man is Dr Ogbonnaya Onu. – Ifeanyi Maduako, Owerri

UNDERSTANDING THE SUBSIDY DEBATE The subsidy debate has continued after the government rescinded its decision to remove subsidy. Prior to this time petrol was heavily subsidized but the subsidy bill keeps increasing.

The Minister of Finance recently requested N3 trillion for subsidy in 2022.

That comes down to N270 billion monthly. Last year it was N1.15 trillion. The argument is on Nigeria’s consumption of over 100 million litres monthly.

About five years ago, it was 50 million litres monthly. Nigerians are asking: why the sudden jump in consumption without a corresponding rise in GDP? A lot of watchers say we are subsidizing theft as most of the petrol lifted is sold in neighboring countries to get arbitrage.

While the border closure was on Nigerians petrol consumption was greatly reduced. This is to show that corruption goes on across the borders. In Nigeria we have 11.8 million cars. Let’s assume each car buys 100 litres

monthly. That would give a daily consumption of 40 million litres and add another 10 million litres for domestic consumption - like generators and the likes.

The argument of labour is always about building refineries and keeping the subsidy to prevent hardship but some argue: how long can we continue?

With the N3 trillion subsidy cost, our budget has increased to N20 trillion with a deficit of N10 trillion and a targeted revenue of N10 trillion.

Some say the subsidy decision is political and the incumbent government is continuing the subsidy just to keep them in a good stead with the people as elect ion approac hes.

As time goes on the logical reasoning is that subsidy must go, and we must have a holistic conversation on the energy mix of Nigeria.

– Rufai Oseni, rufaioseni@gmail.com

16

SUNDAY JANUARY 30, 2022 • T H I S D AY

17

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 30, 2022

BUSINESS Gainers and Losers of FG’s Volte-Face on Subsidy Removal Editor: Festus Akanbi

08038588469 Email:festus.akanbi@thisdaylive.com

While it is true that the federal government’s policy on fuel subsidy removal severally advertised to begin in July this year has been put in abeyance, it is also true that reactions to this policy reversal have left on its trails feelings of victory for gainers and confusion for losers. Festus Akanbi here captures the mood of policy watchers

I

t wasn’t a coincidence that reactions to the federal government’s policy reversal on fuel subsidy have come in torrents in the past few days. (conomic aͿairs commentators said the timing of the government’s capitulation to political pressure on subsidy payment, on petrol, came with a shock that will linger for a very long time.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja to announce the resolve of the federal government to jettison its earlier plan to remove subsidy on petroleum products from July, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, said there is still heightened inÁation and that the removal of subsidy would further worsen the situation and impose more di΀culties on the citi]enry.

Ahmed explained, “Provision was made in the 2022 budget for subsidy payment from January till June. That suggested that from July, there would be no subsidy.

“The provision was made a sequel to the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which indicated that all petroleum products would be deregulated.

“Sequel to the passage of the PIA, we went back to amend the Àscal framework to incorporate the subsidy removal. However, after the budget was passed, we had consultations with some stakeholders and it became clear that the timing was problematic.

“We discovered that practically, there is still heightened inÁation and that the removal of subsidy would further worsen the situation and impose more di΀culties on the citi]enry.

“Mr President does not want to do that.

What we are now doing is to continue with the ongoing discussions and consultations in terms of putting in place some measures.”

The Winners President Muhammadu Buhari Analysts believe that no matter how one looks at the government’s decision to swallow its pride on the issue of subsidy removal, the president has won the heart of the masses and the labour force. It was like a well-orchestrated drama. At the height of the organised labour’s intransigence over the subsidy issue, there was panic in the land as the attendant spike in the cost of living stared the people in the face. The recent press interview of the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawani, dissociating President Buhari from any plan to remove fuel subsidy was therefore described as a public relations masterstroke. The eventual declaration by the Minister of Finance that President Buhari does not want Nigerians to suͿer, hence the suspension of the implementation of subsidy removal, came as the icing of the cake. This is why a school of thought argued that the policy reversal was largely inspired by political consideration to the beneÀt of the President and his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Analysts said with the election campaigns starting in a few months, the opposition would have used the implementation of the subsidy removal and the attendant pains to the people as one of the policies to use to roast the president and his party during campaigns. This was the point captured by the Chief Executive, Centre of the Promotion of Private Enterprise, (CPPE), Dr Muda Yusuf in his reaction to the new development.

He said, “The capitulation on the subsidy removal did not come as a surprise. There were too many odds against the move. There were obvious concerns about the potential political cost to the government and the ruling party.

There were worries about the social cost given

and their collaborators will continue to smile to the banks for the next one and half years.”

President Buhari

Aliyu Wabba

Zainab Ahmed

Timipre Sylva

the excruciating poverty in the country.

There was also the waning goodwill required by the government to enlist the support of the people.”

The Labour Unions Given the sustained media attacks against the federal government by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress on the planned subsidy removal, there is no doubt that the decision of the government to backpedal on the policy is a big win for the leadership of the labour union, especially the NLC. Analysts said the NLC President, Aliyu Wabba, who has been consistently confronting the government on policies deemed obnoxious, did a good job in rallying his members in battling the government to a standstill. Labour industry analysts likened Wabba’s popularity to that of the former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole in his heys days as the NLC President.

The Nigeria workers who had panicked over the anticipated high cost of living can now have a respite, at least till the end of the current administration since the planned subsidy removal has been put in abeyance.

Fuel Smugglers One of the arguments in support of subsidy removal was the high incidents of smuggling of petroleum products across the Nigerian borders. Daily reports are replete with stories of several fuel tankers crossing the various borders with subsidised fuel at a greater cost to the Nigerian Ànances. The planned subsidy removal had raised the prospect of an end to the economic loss. However, the policy reversal has given the perpetrators of this crime more time to bleed the Nigerian economy.

According to YusuͿ, “The petroleum products smugglers, beneÀciaries of the Àscal leakages in the fuel subsidy ecosystem

The Losers Governments’ Finances The cost of subsidising fuel in the next 18 months will weigh in on the nation’s resources.

This was how CPPE’s chief put it. “The economic cost of the capitulation is equally weighty. The truth is that you cannot eat your cake and have it. We should expect the cost of funding the subsidy to be much higher this year because of the surge in crude oil price. If the oil price remains high for most of the year, the subsidy cost could go as high as N2.5 trillion or even more by the end of the year. This would surely aͿect funding for critical infrastructures such as roads, railways, healthcare education, and even security.

“Some states would struggle to pay salaries, especially states that are heavily dependent on federal allocation. Some may have to lay oͿ some of their workforce. Many will struggle to meet their Ànancial obligations as subnational.”

According to Chief Economist and Head of Research, Middle East & Africa, Standard Chartered Bank, “With the adoption of a considerably more expansionary Àscal stance in 2022, the absence of fuel-subsidy related savings will have important implications for the Àscal outlook. The risk now is that the budget deÀcit may balloon even further if a speciÀc provision for the di΀cult-to-forecast fuel subsidy is included as an extra provision in the budget. More pro-growth expenditure may have to be forgone as a result. In addition, the design of the subsidy means that if oil prices rise further on geopolitical risk, then Nigeria’s spending on the subsidy will also rise in de facto terms, with little control over the scale of the subsidy itself. The policy may become more deeply regressive, with little evident economic beneÀt. “ She warned that macroeconomic risks would become elevated as Àscal deÀcit and borrowing signiÀcantly surpasses projections in the 2022 budget.

“The CBN may have to continue to cover Ànancing gaps through ways and means. This, of course, has serious inÁationary implications.

The macroeconomic outcomes would adversely impact the exchange rate, leading to further depreciation of the currency.

“Meanwhile, prospective investors in the downstream oil sector would withhold their investments until the policy environment becomes conducive. Additionally, a major conÀdence crisis has been created around the petroleum industry Act as a result of this capitulation. These are the price we would have to pay as a country for the policy reversal.”

Fuel Marketers The new dispensation, no doubt, has closed the door against some oil markets, which have to rely on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation as a sole importer. This was the position of the National Operations Controller, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, (IPMAN) in an interview with our correspondent.

Ministers of Finance, Petroleum Resources Critics of the government’s latest posture on fuel subsidy wondered where the Minister of Finance and her counterpart in the Petroleum Ministry would put their faces on the policy somersault.

These two government o΀cials led the campaign against subsidy removal. The Ànance minister even announced some palliatives that would cushion the eͿect of the subsidy removal initially planned for the Àrst half of the year.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 30, 2022

18

BUSINESS LAW

Time for Malami to Resolve BPE-ALSCON Dispute With the last week’s decision of the Court of Appeal ordering the arrest and imprisonment of the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr Alex Okoh, stakeholders are urging Abubakar Malami as the nation’s chief law o΀cer to compel the agency to execute the various courts’ decisions by handing over the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria to BFIGroup, Alex Enumah writes

F

or refusing to obey the judgment of the Supreme Court and transfer the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) to BFIGroup, the Court of Appeal in Abuja last week ordered the arrest and imprisonment of the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr Alex Okoh.

In a unanimous ruling, Justices StephenAdah, A. Mustapha and .enneth Amadi a΀rmed the judgment of Justice Anwuri Chikere of the Federal High Court which had ordered the imprisonment of Okoh.

The justices held that Okoh has been in criminal contempt of court for refusing to execute the orders of the Supreme Court. They added that he must be remanded in prison for a minimum of 30 days “until he purges himself of the contemptuous acts of disobedience of the orders of the Supreme Court.”

ALSCON, located at IkotAbasi inAkwa Ibom State, has been the subject of an ownership struggle between UC RUSAL and a NigeriaAmerican consortium, BFIGroup since the federal government privatised the Àrm in 200 .

SpeciÀcally, following the privatisation process, which culminated in the Ànal bid for ALSCON held on June 1 , 200 , BFIG had emerged as the preferred bidder, But to the surprise of everyone, BPE cancelled the outcome of the bid in controversial circumstances.

The trouble, however, started when BFIG emerged as the preferred bidder for ALSCON after a Russian company, UC RUSAL, was disqualiÀed by the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) for violating the bid guidelines. But the BPE later disqualiÀed BFIG too, allegedly for failing to meet the deadline for the payment of 1 million, being 10 per cent of the 10 million oͿer for the plant. Instead, the Bureau re-invited UC RUSAL for fresh negotiations, despite the earlier disqualiÀcation of the company by the NCP. BFIG responded by approaching the court to declare a legal dispute, which dragged for more than eight years till the Supreme Court in a unanimous ruling on July , 2012, declared as illegal, null and void the handing over of ALSCON to UC RUSAL by BPE based on the agreement reached at their negotiations in 200 .

The apex court held that BFIG was the rightful winner of the bid for the ALSCON held in 200 .

It consequently upheld the appeal by BFIG against the decision of BPE to disqualify it as the preferred bidder for ALSCON after winning with a superior 10million oͿer.

A unanimous judgment read by Justice John Fabiyi said that because the company had fulÀlled all conditions stipulated in the bid guidelines issued by the BPE and the NCP before the commencement of the process to privatise the aluminium plant, including the payment of a $1million cash bid bond, and was cleared to stand for the bid, which it won, it had a subsisting and valid contract that is binding.

It, therefore, directed that BFIG be recognised immediately as the authentic winner of the bid for the plant.

The court asked BPE to invite BFIG and conclude negotiations they began in 200 to establish a mutually agreed share purchase agreement for execution. The order of the court also included a perpetual injunction restraining BPE and its agents from unilaterally terminating the contract to BFIG. THISDAY gathered that rather than inviting BFIG to open negotiations based on the order of the apex court, BPE issued a controversial oͿer letter dated January 2 , 2013, entitled “OͿer to Purchase 77.5% shares of the aluminium shelter company of Nigeria, ALSCON,” whatever that meant.

The letter was accompanied by a 16-page Share Purchase Agreement (SPA), dated May 20, 200 , for execution by BFIG, rather than the 58-page agreement transmitted to it (BFIG) on October 8, 2012, for review and approval.

Alscon building

That agreement had captured detailed issues jointly negotiated with UC RUSAL in 200 and later executed by the Russians on February 3, 2006, after ALSCON was transferred to them

by BPE. BFIG, on receiving the letter, wrote to BPE seeking clariÀcations on the discrepancy on the unilateral “invitation to acquire aluminium shelter,” instead of the aluminium smelter it did bid for and was declared the preferred bidder.

However, rather than comply with the Supreme Court order, BPE, as it did in 200 , again revoked the oͿer, ignoring the discrepancies in the oͿer letter and SPA, which BFIG had sought clariÀcations to on more than one occasion.

The revocation of the oͿer had compelled BFIG to return to the court to seek the enforcement of the ruling in 2013. But, BPE joined UC RUSAL to oppose the application. However, the court in its ruling in September 201 directed BPE to “fully enforce and give eͿect to the meaning and intendment of the judgment of the Supreme Court of July 6, 2012,” a resolution that was again ignored.

Still not satisÀed, the Russians through Dayson Holdings applied on behalf of UC RUSAL in November 2015 to demand the Supreme Court to, not only review its July 6, 2012 judgment, but also set it aside altogether, and conÀrm it as the owner of ALSCON. The court on July 11, 2016, in a unanimous judgment, by a Àve-member panel led by Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour, rejected the request as incompetent and without merit and consequently dismissed same.

Despite the Supreme Court ruling, the ownership of ALSCON has not changed. Even at a point, the House of Representatives Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation had sought to intervene in the matter. At the end of a public hearing on the non-implementation of the Supreme Court ruling, it urged BPE to comply with the rule of law and take steps to take control of ALSCON from UC RUSAL. Still, nothing happened.

Even the Court of Appeal in a judgment delivered on January 11, 201 , by Justice Abdu Aboki had rea΀rmed previous rulings that ordered BPE to enforce the 2012 Supreme Court ruling on the ALSCON crisis. SpeciÀcally, the Appeal Court directed BPE to “provide the mutually agreed SPA (Exhibit BPE1) for execution by the parties.”

The SPA, the judge said, would “enable BFIG to pay the agreed 10 per cent of $ 10million (about $ 1million) within 15 working days from

the date of the execution of the Share Purchase Agreement by the agreement dated May 20, 200 .

“The balance of 0 per cent of the bid price shall be paid within 0 calendar days as ordered by the Supreme Court,” he said in his judgment.

Despite multiple court rulings, the privatisation agency has refused to respect the apex court’s order and transfer ownership of the Àrm to BFIG. In April 201 , BFIG initiated contempt proceedings against the BPE and Okoh at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In her ruling, Justice Anwuri Chikere held that the continued refusal to obey the Supreme Court order by BPE and Okoh was a fundamental violation of the rule of law, “which portrays the government as lawless.”

The judge, consequently, ordered that Okoh be remanded in prison for at least 30 days until he purges himself of the continued disobedience of the court and further contemptuous conduct.

But, following an appeal No. CA/ A/117/M/201 , Àled before the Appeal Court, a panel of three, consisting of Justice S. J. Adah, Justice R. M. Abdullahi and Justice M. B. Idris in, on December 2 , 201 , directed a stay of execution of the order pending the hearing and determination of the motion Àxed for January 20, 2020.

After extensively examining the case, the appellate court on January 20, 2022, upheld the judgment of Justice Chikere ordering the arrest and imprisonment of Okoh.

In a unanimous ruling, the court held that the BPE DG needs to be kept away until he purges himself of the contemptuous acts of disobedience of the orders of the Supreme Court.

Even though President Muhammadu Buhari government knows that the dispute predates the administration, it is believed that the number of judgments, ruling and orders so far delivered on the case during the lifetime of his administration and the refusal to comply with them, certainly speak volumes about his stance on the rule of law.

In reacting to the latest ruling of the Appeal Court, while the BFIGroup hailed the judgment, saying it is committed to the rule of law in the country, the BPE DG, Okoh, said it is part of a grand scheme by group to possess government asset through inordinate avenue. Consequently, Okoh has dared the court, vowing “not to be intimidated into doing the wrong thing.”

He said rather than him and BPE being sent to jail, BFIGroup and its promoters should.

“The judgment of the Supreme Court was very

clear. We (BPE) gave them (BFIgroup) the SPA (share purchase agreement) as per the Supreme Court ruling. They signed it, thereby accepting the terms, but did not make the payment of 10% ($ 1m) as stated by the Supreme Court.

“They even misled the Central Bank of Nigeria into believing that a payment was made which was never received. This is a grand scheme to possess an asset of the government through inordinate avenue.

“Why can’t they just pay the money and take the asset. This should be very simple. Pay and take the asset if there are no other sinister or ignoble motives. This is quite unfortunate,” Okoh said in a WhatsApp message to MEDIATRACNET on Friday.

Insisting on his innocence in handling the transaction, Okoh said ”I will continue to discharge my duties to the government and my nation with all sense of duty and integrity.

“I was appointed in April 2017 and was not even in o΀ce when the transaction was done.

And so I have no interest whatsoever than to be true to my conscience and protect the interest of the Federal Republic of Nigeria faithfully,” he added.

Okoh said since the Supreme Court ruling was very speciÀc on payment of $ 10million bid price, the real contempt would have been to do otherwise and give BFIGroup an SPA for $250 million. I will not be intimidated into doing the wrong thing,” he said.

With the latest judgment of the Court of Appeal, stakeholders in the justice sector are urging theAttorney-General of Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, in his capacity as the chief law o΀cer of the country, to compel the BPE to obey the decisions of the Supreme Court in the interest of justice and fairness; the same way he swiftly compelled the Lagos State Government to obey the judgment of the apex court in the legal battle between Magodo Estate residents and landlords’ association recently which was delivered same year with the BFIG vs BPE case.

“Since the judgment of the Supreme Court in the BFIG vs BPE case was delivered the same year with the Magodo case (2012), the AGF, Malami has to also ensure that the BPE is told in clear terms that it cannot continue to be above the law of the land. He equally needs to let the BPE know that it cannot continue to ridicule the courts by not obeying their decisions as this would mean sending a dangerous message to government agencies,” said a lawyer who did not want his name mentioned.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 30, 2022

AVIATION staͿ when and where there are no sufÀcient background checks on them before employment; there are others who have b been disengaged but whose ID cards and ODC have not been retrieved from them and they somehow gain access to the security controlled areas; there are issues of workers or contractors who are not adequately processed for access into to security controlled areas, etc.

“There is much access into the security controlled areas that need to be fortiÀed, outside the 23km perimeter fence, especially around the cargo terminals, the general aviation operation terminals, etc.”, Ojikutu said.

An aircraft belonging to Arik Air

Tackling Security Breaches, Insider Threats at Lagos Airport Last week reports indicated that Arik Air aircraft parked at the ramp of the domestic terminal of Lagos airport was accessed and critical equipment removed. Chinedu Eze looks at the security apparatus of the airport, insider security threats, and what concerned authorities are doing to forestall such incidents from happening again

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any Nigerians were shocked when the report went virile on social media that Arik Air’s leased aircraft, a Boeing 737-700 with registration number, EI-ULN parked at the ramp of the Murtala Muhammed Domestic Airport (MMA2) was tampered with and critical equipment removed by persons initially suspected to have breached security and accessed the airside of the airport.

But the latest investigations lean on the fact that what happened might have been an insider job, which the aviation industry refers to as an insider threat.

What was taken from the aircraft were Flight Management System (FMS), Pilot Static Cover, and other sensitive aircraft parts.

A Áight management system is a fundamental component of a modern airliner’s avionics. An FMS is a specialised computer system that automates a wide variety of in-Áight tasks, reducing the workload on the Áight crew to the point that modern civilian aircraft no longer carry Áight engineers or navigators.

As it is now, it has not been conÀrmed whether the parts were taken away as stolen or were taken away to damage the aircraft so that it would not Áy again. Industry observers said it might be the latter because aircraft parts are not like vehicle parts, which can be bought in the open market.

Every aircraft part has a date and usage proÀle so the aircraft was forced into AOG (aircraft on ground) by the theft and hence the suspicion of sabotage.

Investigation THISDAY learnt that immediately after

the incident, the Aviation Security of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in collaboration with the management of MMA2, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) set up a body to investigate what happened.

The investigation team found that Arik Air Chief Security O΀cer (SCO) reported the incident to FAAN in the mid-day of January 20, 2022, and explained that the Arik Air aircraft with registration number EI-ULN was parked at MMA2 ramp at 4:30 pm the previous day.

The report stated that on commencement of operation the following day at 6:10am, the pilot in chief, Captain James Johan Lowhoy noticed that the aircraft had been tampered with, as the door was found open and following checks it was revealed that the aircraft FMS had been removed.

The source also disclosed that the Arik Air aircraft engineer in charge of the aircraft said that at about 4:30 pm on January 19, after the pilot and cabin crew had left the aircraft, the engineers carried out routine checks on the aircraft, which lasted for about one and half hours and when they left, the aircraft was still parked at the apron.

THISDAY also gathered that the aircraft engineers were still at the engineering room when the Arik Air catering personnel came to them at about 8:40 pm and informed them that they wanted to service the aircraft.

“One of the aircraft engineers went with the catering personnel who serviced the airplane, which took about 10 minutes.

When the catering personnel left, the engineer closed the airplane and did not go back to the aircraft,” the source said.

THISDAY learnt that while all these activities were going on, all the personnel involved were Arik staͿ; there was no outsider involved.

A team of crime investigation and intelligence was reported to have stated that there was no Arik aircraft security guard under or at the foot of the aircraft on January 19 and through to the following day.

The team was able to conÀrm that in the last 10 months Arik Air did not have an aircraft security guard both at the General Aviation Terminal (MMA1) and MMA2, the two domestic facilities where they park some of their aircraft.

The investigation also revealed that the Arik catering van left the aircraft at about 9pm and the Arik Airbus left the aircraft at about 11pm, at the period the theft was suspected to have taken.

Insider Threat An insider threat is a malicious threat to an organisation that comes from people within the organisation, such as employees, former employees, contractors or business associates, who have inside information concerning the organisation’s security practices, data and computer systems.

In the aviation industry, personnel who work at sensitive areas of the airport or the airlines are proÀled regularly and are even monitored to know what they do outside work and the kind of relationships they keep.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the removal of equipment in the aircraft was not done by outsiders but by those who work or claim to work for Arik Air. Industry security consultant and CEO of Centurion Securities, Group Capt. John Ojikutu (rtd), once observed that a major security challenge is an insider threat in which aviation security o΀cials could be recruited by terrorists to carry out maximum damage at airport facilities.

“Insiders threats can come from airport

Further investigation.

THISDAY also learnt that the agency engaged the services of the Nigerian Forensic Experts from Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, led by Mr. Salihu Jaji to investigate the theft and they arrived by 1pm on January 22, 2022, at the MMA2 terminal and took samples of Àngerprints found at the scene of the crime (the aircraft) for forensic analysis and necessary action.

Reactions to the incident have dwelt on the capacity of the security apparatus at the MMA2 terminal to eͿectively cover the facility and its environs.

But a source at MMA2 told THISDAY that the terminal has adequate security personnel and in addition, the apron and all the terminal area is covered by CCTV, “But no eyebrow was raised because all the persons that came to the aircraft were Arik Air staͿ and they had their On-Duty Card; so since it was internal something the terminal security did not suspect anything.

They were wearing their ODC; they were not unauthorised persons.”

Sabotage THISDAY investigation revealed that Arik Air management wants to distance itself from the incident because it is the job of security operatives and it did not happen at its premises or the hangar but at the apron of MMA2. An inside airline source told THISDAY that they suspect sabotage, disclosing that two aircraft leased to the company had suͿered suspicious damage.

It was gathered from a staͿ of Arik Air that on October 1 last year another leased aircraft by Arik Air with registration number EI-GVW was damaged at the ramp in the night, where a water bowser rammed into the aircraft.

On October 14, 2021, the aircraft was ferried out to an MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul)) in Turkey for further repairs after some works were done on the aircraft by Aero Contractors Maintenance to enable it to Áy.

But the o΀cial was asking what should be the purpose for the damage.

Ojikutu noted that as “we would expect FAAN to provide security for the airports under the National Civil Aviation Security Programmes (NCASP) so also has the NCASP provided that airlines and the allied services too should provide security programmes for their operations and services. These security programmes should have been approved by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) before the commencement of operations of the airlines and services providers. “NCAA and not FAAN should carry out checks, inspections or audit of the types of security provided by the airlines at its parking area to Ànd out if there had been lapses or neglect in the approved security programme to enable a review. However, if there had been cooperation in the management of the airline’s security with FAAN or any other agents that too should be examined, reviewed, or recommendations made by the NCAA for a review. Don’t rule out cannibalisations of the aircraft parts for competing airlines using the same aircraft type by insider threats. It happened before in the 90s between the domestic private operators,” he said.

Informed sources told THISDAY that after the incident FAAN Aviation Security (AVSEC) top o΀cials wanted to know whether the theft was due to a security breach, which enabled outsiders to access the airport and to the sterile area, which is airside, but as they continued with their investigation, they became increasingly convinced that what happened was an insider job.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 30 , 2022

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CONVERSATION WITH MY BILLIONAIRE FRIEND ayo.arowolo@thisdaylive.com PERSONAL FINANCE SAVINGS

08086447494 (SMS only) BUDGETING COMMODITIES

AYO AROWOLO

GOLD

INVESTING

Building of Wealth Starts from Your Mind “I think that much of the advice given to youths about saving money is wrong. I never saved a cent until I was forty years old. I invested in myself – in the study, mastering my tools, and preparation. Many a man who is putting a few dollars a week into the bank would do much better to put it into himself.”

– Henry Ford. hat day was like every other Until my Billionaire- friend placed a call to me, while I was wrapping up at work.

“My boss (that is what he calls me), is it possible that we see any time this week? I want to discuss some issues with you. Kindly give me a 24-hour notice any time you have decided to honour me with your presence.”

Saturday is fine with me. Is it fine with you, sir?

“It is fine with my boss” What time, sir?

“I am in all day. Just alert me when you are about to take off.”- And the call ended.

Perhaps billionaires don’t talk too much because I doubt our conversation lasted up to one minute.

The truth is, ever since he called, everything began to move so fast, apart from Lagos- the traffic that no man could accurately schedule. It annoyingly teaches every man, patience. Saturday came in like Christmas.

I was agitated. My billionaire friend, gave me no clue why he wanted to see me, and it felt urgent, like he was about to share a mind-blowing story with me.

Yes, every journalist love stories.

The first time I met my Billionaire friend, the calendar read 1989. He was then, in a conversation with one of my friends. Back then, I was a cub reporter, oscillating between writing, editing and re-editing. One thing led to another, and the conversation spilt to my corner.

We got talking, and we have built a solid relationship, ever since.

When I got to his home, he had some visitors. He reached out for me, to give him ten minutes, and he stayed true to his words. I guess enlightened billionaires are men of their words. I sat in silence till his fine voice broke the serenity: “Yes, my boss, thank you for honouring my invitation.

I have two concerns about you that I want us to discuss, but I had just not been able to get around to doing so. My first and main concern is this; we have known each other for over three decades, and there is possibly nothing I am doing that is secret to you. I want to ask a simple question: ‘Is it that your profession prevents you from building a personal wealth or you are not just interested?’”

The question shocked me. Who does not like to build Wealth? However, my reply was pious.

I am a journalist. We are trained to observe what people do and make news and features out of such.

“And that prevents you from building some savings and investments, in the process of your reporting on others?”

Not exactly, sir.

“I understand you are a pastor, but I’m curious.

Does your religion forbid you from building Wealth, or is it meant only for sinners?”

By no means, sir. I am not a pastor. I am not even

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Artist impression of my Billionaire Friend close to a deacon, just simply Ayo Arowolo. But more accurately, in our church parlance, you could call me Brother Ayo. “That brother one is beyond me. Let me stick to the one I know. You are my boss.” – his voice was lighter. I felt it was the perfect opportunity to move the spotlight on him.

Sir, I am just wondering why you would be calling me your boss? You have all the money and the things money can buy, for your family’s reasonable comfort.

“Well, you are a journalist of repute. I like your writing style, and would have liked being able to write like you.”

Let everyone abide by his calling. And we will all be fine.

“Okay, my boss. So tell me, why are you not interested in building up savings and investments to create some wealth for yourself?”

I never said that. It might be a wrong impression.

I like to make money. It’s just that combining that with this journalism practice could be cumbersome.

The economy is not even encouraging. All the possible economic indicators are not promising at all. Inflation has been on the increase, never looking back. The external reserve has dropped.

Government is borrowing left, right and centre,

“Enlightened wealth hunters do not talk the way you talk. What is my business with whether the government is borrowing or not?

Only people with a poverty mindset analyse things like that…”

and it does not appear to make sense to me to want to build Wealth here.

“I am surprised you are talking this way.

Enlightened wealth hunters do not talk the way you talk. What is my business with whether the government is borrowing or not? Only people with a poverty mindset analyse things like that.

Let me break it down for you.

He continued, “This government has just got a budget of N17.136 trillion approved by the two arms of the National Assembly. Of that amount, N3.8 billion (22.2% of Budget) would be spent on debt servicing, which is already more than 3% that is recommended by the Fiscal Responsibility Acts of 2007. Again N6.9 trillion would be spent on recurrent expenditure. Which means that, that amount would be set aside to pay the salaries of civil servants; pay estacode to them when they travel; their health insurance is also tied to that.

About N5.4 trillion is expected to be used to create and improve federal public infrastructure, build roads, bridges and things like that”.

“This is the way informed wealth hunters, interpret the same scenario you are complaining about. They would scan the budget, analyse all the funds flowing out of government into private pockets, and figure out how to lawfully and morally create their toll gates to magnetise part of the money. The entire government operation is based on funds inflows and outflows. I would worry about how a part of government operational funding, would come into our pockets. The government is doing its own, and we should be doing our own. The private sector creates economic and investment vehicles, from which it attracts part of government operational expenditure”.

“In 2015, when a dollar was ranging between N195- N214, ten of my savings and investment building friends, came to this place and wanted me to give them tips on where to invest in the coming years. I gave them just one tip: that they should move 80 per cent of their cash savings into foreign currency denominated assets and leave the remaining 20 % for their sustainance cash flow needs. Which was exactly what I did after analysing the then government economic, fiscal and monetary policies and their long term effect. Honestly, it was a no brainer. It was clear then that the only direction the naira would go was down because we were not (and are still not investing in some feasible good number of high value added products, to earn foreign exchange with our continued sole reliance for Forex, on unprocessed crude oil ). I calculated that the naira might hit about N600 to a dollar.

Most of this my friends heeded my advice.

And they are all happy to have done so. That is how, wealth builders think. They don’t sit back and rant about governments not doing this and not doing that. They want to always look at how they can benefit from governments declared policies”.

Whoa! – I gasped. He sounded so strategic

and intentional.

“Let me still ask my innocent question: are you averse to building wealth?”

Not in the least, sir.

“Good! Let us have a deal. You would come around once a week. I will share with you one wealth-building tip per session. You would promise that you would attempt to put them into practice. And you would also tell your readers to do same. I will take your questions. They can ask me questions on any investment building issue or topic through you as long as it has to do with wealth building, over time. We will cover Personal Finance, Investment Tips, Savings, Budgeting, Financial Planning, Commodities such as gold, and anything that helps you increase your knowledge about building Wealth” .

“Do we have a deal?”

Yes, by all means, sir.

“However, there is one rule: if I see that you do not make some efforts to apply what I share, we will stop the weekly conversation. What I say to one, I say to all. What I say to you, I say to your readers as well.”

All right, no problem.

“I will see you next week with our first investment capsule. I look forward to welcoming you.”

Thank you very much, sir.

“Okay, my boss.”

I left his home puzzled. Little did I know it was the beginning of my journey into building, savings, investments and systematically accumulating Wealth.

I can’t wait to share with you the lessons I would be learning.

Let us catch-up next week.

Yours moneywisely.

FROM INSIGHT TO ACTION Take some time to analyse how you have been thinking and talking about money matters. Doing this would reveal where your money problem is located Read the review of My Book of the week (7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey) to learn how you can recalibrate your mindset List just one action you would take this week as a result of reading this investment tip and reading the book of the week Share your insight with me for review PS: Any reader who wants to share his or her insight on the assignment with my Billionaire friend should send such to ayo. arowolo@thisdaylive.com; and I will share with him.

FROM MY BILLIONAIRE FRIEND’S BOOK SHELF

7 Habits of Highly Effective People INTRODUCTION hen faced with defining crises in life and business, most people would rather go for a “microwave“approach that offers quick and soothing reliefs but merely addresses the issue on the burner at the peripheral and leaves the real problem unresolved. In his seminal and groundbreaking book: “7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, Stephen R. Covey suggests a more enduring approach to solving any and every crisis, in life, in business and in a career that people might confront at one point or the other: confront the problem headlong through decisions (often tough) that flows from within you.

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HABIT 1: BE PROACTIVE Being proactive is more than taking the initiative; it means taking full responsibility for every in your life (negative, positive, past, present and future).

The moment you shift the responsibility for what is happening to you to others, you have missed it.

Covey established that no one owes you anything.

Your current circumstance is a product of your past decisions, and to change it, you need to refine your decision making. No one can make you unhappy unless you choose to be unhappy. Everything you would ever need to solve any problem that confronts you is within you or within your reach. You need to develop the capacity to think through every challenge by drawing on the internal forces available to you. The more you do this, the better you are to develop your proactive muscles. Here are a few truths about the first habit: 1.

Stimulus vs Response: There is a gap between every event that happens to you (stimulus) and your reaction to such event (response). Inside

7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE

that gap is the only freedom you have to turn things around. When someone abuses you, for instance, rather than reacting immediately, the most intelligent thing would be to pause and process your decisions. That ability to pause brings the power which you should exercise all the time.

2.

Circle of Concern vs Circle of Influence: One way to demonstrate proactivity is to refuse to focus on your current challenges, which in any case, you have no control over. Rather, you should be solution-driven by focusing on what you can do to solve any of the problems that are within your control. Keep solving them one after the other until your concerns over them disappear.

When you focus on your problems, you help to magnify them until they become so big that you cannot see any ray of hope around you. This is a dangerous zone to be, for, at that point, you would be enveloped by a negative aura that can sometimes lead to foolish decisions. But when you are solution-driven, you constantly increase your circle of influence

HABIT 2: BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND One core foundation for personal effectiveness is to envision the result of your decisions. When you can see the end clearly from the beginning, you are likely to come up with hypothetical solutions to problems you are likely to meet on the road. You are better off than someone who just plunges into things without knowing where they would end. Things are created twice: first in your mind and then outside. Unless you can see the big picture with your mind eyes, you are likely to get your life messed up, for you would be tossed here and there by events. You would end up becoming a “victim of circumstance” rather than being a “creator of circumstances”. They once asked the late founder of IBM Computers why his company was so successful, and here is the abridged version of his response.

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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WEEKLY PULL-OUT

30.1.2022

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TAYO BALOGUN A SPORTS ADMINISTRATOR WHO COULD HAVE BEEN A SOLDIER A few media personalities command respect like him. He remains iconic as one of Nigeria’s broadcaster extraordinaires - a godfather of screen. Tayo Balogun belongs to the golden generation of Nigerian television veterans. His in-depth analysis of the round leather game often draws sports enthusiasts to his tent. For 45 years, he dominated the screen with his firm voice. Versatile and innovative, his position as the anchor of the popular Bournvita Sports Classic brought him fame and fortune. Recently, Balogun turned 70 years old. Funke Olaode explores the life of Nigeria’s latest septuagenarian on and off the screen.

ill date, legendary Tayo Balogun is regarded as one of Nigeria’s celebrated sports/ radio administrators and finest Nigerian columnist. He displayed his varied talents for 45 years and became a household name to sports enthusiasts. He charmed the sports world with his firm voice on and off the camera; for his world revolves around sports. For several years, he was with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) where he shone brilliantly.

Balogun has tried his hands on several beats while at NTA and other establishments.

As a versatile person, his brilliance preceded him. For this, he took on leadership responsibility at a very young age.

Arriving at his home in Ogba, Ikeja Lagos home, Balogun cut the image of a casual figure in his native ‘Atiku’ attire. Looking sharp and robust, he is aging gracefully.

He was in great spirit as he settled down in his cozy office within his household. He looked happier following a successful career spanning 45 years and also attaining the age of 70. But admitted jokingly that ‘he is not that excited’ turning 70 because it reminds him he is not getting younger.

“I have never been so excited being 70 because it reminds me that I am getting older.

Now at 70, I see the responsibility to be more forthcoming with the truth. I know that our society is one in which the truth is missing in every aspect of our lives. At the level of my life, I see the responsibility of having the privilege of speaking your mind and not caring whose ox is gored,” he said.

Balogun was born in Lagos on December 21, 1951 at No. 152, Clifford Street, Alagomeji Area in front of Alagomeji Railway Station, now Murtala Muhammed Way, Ebute Metta.

Recalling his younger days growing up in the Lagos of ‘old’ where life was peaceful, he called it ‘fun.’

“I enjoyed growing up. It was fun. We were living in Alagomeji. I was originally schooling in Ladi Lak on Akinwunmi Street.

We walked from Alagomeji to Ladi Lak and walked back. We played on the way to school and played on the way back. We had fun, we stayed in front of the house looking at the vehicles passing by and sometimes had tales by moonlight, played cowboy and Indian plays. And then of course we would go to play football. I still remembered some of my friends that l grew up with.

“I wish we could replicate it now, because in those days when my mother was going to look for me, she would say: ‘Please assist me in looking for Tayo at the railway compound’ where we play football or where we play table tennis. It is either of those two places or sometimes, she won’t even have to send anybody to Evans Square but I will always be around. We just grew up in a way that we never knew we were growing up and we had fun,” he recalled.

Balogun’s father worked at Nigerian Railways which was known then as Loco (locomotive). “He was a technician, and in charge of maintaining and repairing. And he learnt everything he knew about the job on the job. My mum in the sweet sense of the word could pass as a housewife. And of course you know most housewives will have one or two things they are doing by the side.

She was into petty trading.”

Balogun began his early education in 1958 at age of seven and in his first test as a pupil, he came first. And this came with its reward.

“Having come first in my test my father made sure that any time that I am pretending to be reading, nobody touches me. He will just tell them, ‘Don’t you see he is reading his book?’ So, I came first in my early years, all through my primary, secondary and even in the university. With modesty I was a brilliant

ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/victoria.olaode@thisdaylive.com.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾JANUARY 30, 2022

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COVER

How Providence, Destiny and Fate Pushed Me into Broadcasting child.”

As a child, his brilliant performance in school often earned him a visit to the cinema, a gift from his father. “Anytime I did well in my examinations, my father will take me to the cinema. He will guarantee me four cinemas during the week. We used to go to a casino or Odeon which was around Yaba. So, he was always taking me to the movies and in those days he liked Indian films. So I liked Indian films and I got fascinated to live on the screen. It didn’t quite mean anything to me back then as a child.”

Having excelled at his Common Entrance Examinations in Lagos, his uncle persuaded his father to send him to St. Augustine College, Kabba, Kwara State which was founded in 1958. According to his uncle, it was one of the best schools in Kwara State then.

“In his own assessment, he said the students behaved perfectly like gentlemen and gentle boys. They attract morals, they have a dance school, they have all these social activity programmes.”

At St. Augustine College, Kabba, Balogun became a champion that broke the jinx in 1971 when he did his West African Examination Council (WAEC).

He became the first student in the history of that school to score a distinction (A1) in English Language. With a sense of pride and accomplishment, Balogun recalled that defining moment of over five decades ago.

“I was the first person to have A1 in the English Language. That was because I started reading newspapers early. Of course, our teachers encouraged us too.

My father would bring his Daily Express. I will take it and then I will look at it and see A, N, T, and I will say ant. And from there I started getting it.”

Prior to his academic landmark at WAEC, Balogun had always seen himself as a gifted child. “I was conscious of the fact that I was gifted. As I was growing up, I took up some extracurricular activities, I became a footballer. When I went to Saint Augustine, I was the head boy, I was the school goalkeeper, I was the president of the debating and literary society, I was the person in charge of the photography club, and so I was involved in so many things.

So I knew from the word go that I have to spread my time and know what time to allocate to studies. I read one and a half hours every day from day one until the examination time.”

Balogun’s journey into broadcasting was accidental or sheer providence.

His dream after secondary school was to go into the army and he applied to the Nigerian Defence Academy.

Having boycotted the Higher School Certificate (HSC), he opted for both NDA examinations and University of Ife concessional examinations. Passing both in flying colours, his next step was a detour: his stellar performance in English literature altered his career trajectory.

“When I was in secondary school because I was basically regarded as an all-rounder, at that time the governor of Kwara State, the late Bamigboye wanted us to embrace science subjects. Despite the fact that I know that I was gifted, there is no novel that I have not read. I read just about anything. I still went ahead to do Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Additional Mathematics, that was what I offered in my secondary school. But as soon as I dropped my pen for my WAEC, I knew that I was not going to go to HSC. So I rejected going to HSC and I said I was going to change course and read English.

“While my mates were going for HSC, I went to my sister in Kaduna where I spent the next two years reading for some ‘O’ level papers to be able to get to the university.”

After that, he applied for NDA and passed both at the same time, sat for the concessional entrance examination of UNIFE and passed. “I wanted to be a soldier; I really loved being a soldier. But I chose UNIFE.” At Ife, his failure to do Literature in English would have truncated his ambition of studying English Language. “I was about to be registered at Ife when they discovered that I did not have Literature and I didn’t offer Literature in WAEC. It was a very confusing situation but God was with me. A 3-man panel was raised

Balogun

and one of them on the panel looked at my results and said ‘this young man scored 76 marks in Literature in English in our own exam, but he didn’t do it WAEC. But he had A1 in English, so why are we stopping him from reading English?

By scoring 76 in our own exam it shows that he is as good as anybody that we would admit to study English.’ That was why I was allowed to study English.”

Fired by the comment of the panel member and determination to succeed, Balogun plunged himself into UNIFE and immersed himself into what it would offer. He changed the face of campus journalism.

“I did not like the way the campus papers were going because it was always negative. Girls were wrongly presented and usually came out with things that were not true. So a group of us tried to change the face of campus journalism.

We took it to a higher level. We delved into societal issues. We formed some serious newspapers – The Black Struggle. We also have X-ray, which were serious minded newspapers which talked about ills in society, governance and inadequacies in government. Also, with the help of the Press Council, we insisted that we are not going to defame any girl or man. It became something that was very popular. We had what you call a vibrant press club. Sam Ohabunwa was one of us. He was actually my vice-president when I was the president of the press club. We set out to change the face of campus journalism and I think we tried.”

Balogun graduated from Ife in 1976 and carried his vibrant flame of journalism outside Ife. Again, providence played a key role.

“I was going to go and teach during my NYSC. When the posting came out, they said I was given a posting to People’s Girls Grammar School in Ibadan. So, I took a piece of paper and a pen and I went to the chief inspector who is everybody’s friend. And I said, ‘Madam, sign that if I impregnate any girl, I will not be held responsible. She looked at me and said, ‘What did you just say? I repeated myself. She said I will be held responsible. She said, in order words, I don’t want to go there? So, she asked

where I wanted to go. And I said anywhere.

Sketch, NTA Ibadan. Eventually I was posted to WNTV Ibadan, now NTA. This was in 1976.”

Balogun joined WNTV in 1976 and for the next 18 years, he traversed different beats under his boss, Biodun Sotunbi. Balogun tried to learn from the establishment at NTA. How would he describe his first day on camera?

“We had a lot of training before you go on air for any programme. My immediate boss then was Biodun Sotunbi. He was handling ‘Speak Out.’ He would always tell me to understudy him until I perfect the act. To go on air wasn’t automatic during my days. So, it is not like now when people jump on air and call themselves analysts.”

Balogun had an eventful career at NTA anchoring programmes, meeting who’s who. “I was successful. I was meeting the right people, I was enjoying whatever I was doing. I had opportunities to meet everybody that is anybody in Ibadan. I was close to Bola Ige, close to Victor Olunloyo, Akinjide, close to Akinloye, close to almost all the movers and shakers and it falls on both sides, both UPN and NPN.” But his move to the NTA Sports in Ibadan by his manager to take over from Fabio Olanipekun who was moved to Lagos changed everything.

Before NTA Sports, Balogun had worked in different sections within the organization such as current affairs, investigative section, personality interviews etc. He admitted it was NTA Sports that opened his window into his world. “I went into NTA Sports and I discovered one thing that before I got into sports towards 1979 and 1980, I was doing political programmes, I was doing some important television programmes that brought me in contact with the likes of MKO Abiola who were the movers and shakers. But when I got into sports it was a different ball game. It was like all the mails I

received during my days as a reporter, political correspondent, an On Air Personality (OAP), if you put them together, it falls insignificant from the recognition I got in sports. I handled the sports unit for so many years and travelled to over 20 countries.”

Dedicated to duty and committed to his employer but as an upwardly mobile young man, Balogun tried to accelerate his income and at some point tried to veer off camera for a greener pasture in corporate establishments such as NTC as a corporate relations manager and Leyland Nigeria Limited in Ibadan, an assembly plant that assembles Range Rovers.

He always came tops in the interview. But destiny has always played a fast one on him as those opportunities often slipped away.

Resilient and focused, opportunities may elude him in corporate establishments but didn’t allow his spirit to be dampened. After 18 years at NTA which kick-started in Ibadan, Lagos and later Kwara State, he threw in the towel by resigning his appointment.

“It was like running two homes. My family then was in Lagos and I was based in Kwara. I resigned my appointment in 1993.”

A visionary man, Balogun rebranded and decided to focus his energy elsewhere within the same profession. It was during the second phase of his career that he had a breakthrough.

“I was contracted by Whitewood Production headed by late Osayande Osunde to anchor Bournvita Sports Classic sponsored by Cadbury. It was a ‘heavy pay’. All the money I earned for 18 years was not up to what he was paying me for six months. So, I thank God that whatever I would have earned earlier on in NTA God compensated me.”

The Bournvita Sports Classic debuted and was syndicated in 20 Television Stations across the country. This time, Balogun relied on a variety of factors including his days at NTA and contacts made on the job to succeed. This of course gave the show a lot of visibility and within a few weeks, it became the talk of the town. This he did by mixing personality with sporting activities by focusing on a specific set of people.

“At Bournvita Sports Classic, I saw Nigeria.

There is nowhere that I have not been to because the late Osunde would insist that we must bring out people who have made their mark playing for this country. People who have made us laugh, people who have given us joy.

I got to know so many people who have made their mark, like Dejo Fayemi, Henshaw, the family of Teslim Balogun etc.”

Committed to his callings, Balogun soared on the show for two years and by the time it ended, he was in high demand. The legendary this time veered off the screen for good. He was invited by the owner of MITV as a Consultant/ Chief Operating Officer to start Star FM. Balogun brought his wealth of experience to bear in his new assignment. And again, he delivered.

With the benefit of hindsight, Balogun can give a few pointers on what it takes to be a successful broadcaster.

“A sense of adventure, a desire to know. I always want to be the first to know. In all the programmes I have handled and all the people I have mentored, I have always told them to be the first to know. Be the first to broadcast any information that is accurate. You should not allow anybody to beat you to any scoop. And in this particular case, your loyalty is to your viewers for television. And you want to give the best that you can give.”

Balogun has been married for over four decades to his university heartthrob, Subuola Tayo Balogun whom he met in his final year at Ife. “I met my wife in Ife. I was in my final year when we met. We were in the same department sort of because I read English and she read English Education. Like most marriages, we have our shortcomings. We have our minuses but somehow we have managed to stick to each other. She is a very kind woman and very supportive all the way.”

As he attains the age of 70, Balogun is not tired as he continues to be an inspiration and willing to be of help to the upcoming ones. Giving tips on life lessons he said life is beautiful.

“We just must open our eyes to see the beauty in it. We wrap ourselves in so many don’ts: don’t do this, don’t do that. It is crazy the way we allow peopl e to impose on us, to tell us this is the way to run your life. They tell you don’t eat this, don’t drink this. We must learn on the inner mind, your body tells you what you want, it tells you what you need. I want a situation where we look at life in a more pleasant way because it is not about don’ts.”

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾JANUARY 30 2022

GLITZ FOCUS

A Luxury Piece Steals the Spotlight at The Yacht Hotel

The Yacht Hotel

By Vanessa Obioha

S

tepping into the serene reception of the luxe Yacht Hotel in the Lekki axis of Lagos State, one is drawn to the laser cut art donning one of the walls. To an ordinary eye, this elevated form of art can just be another interior design but ‘Grace of the Yacht’ as it is aptly named is more than just another piece of art.

The laser-cut piece is shaped like a yacht, depicting the symbol of the boutique hotel. With a rusty finish, the steel sheet has a thickness of 20mm and is delicately cut in such a way that the back of the piece is not bulky but flat. It stands tall at 250cm with a width of 360cm. The interior lighting of the piece adds to the aesthetics, especially in the dark and gives a detailed look of the laser symbols.

Specifically customised for the hotel, ‘Grace of the Yacht’ unarguably is the most expensive art ever owned by a hotel in Lagos, and its price is equivalent to a luxury car. It is designed by

Guangzhou Steel Master Building Materials Co. Ltd., China, the same company that designed the golden panels of Burj Arab’s elevator walls in Dubai.

As a very delicate process of cutting precise patterns into wood, metal, plastic or any other materials, laser cutting is an evolving trend that is turning art into luxury. But due to the engineering process involved, it is becoming a marvel to scientists as well. Like Eyitayo Fakehinde, the owner of the luxury boutique hotel puts it “the art and science of laser cut art sparks an intellectual debate.”

Not a few guests have stopped to stare at the artwork, marvelling at the intricacies of its design.

“One of the guests, an aeronautical engineer, could not stop staring at the piece. Indeed, it creates the impression of making the impossible possible.”

This in a way reflects the goals of the hotel which opened in 2020 but was derailed by the coronavirus pandemic. However, when it officially opened last year, it was to well-heeled guests who basked in the tranquility and class of the ambience.

The Yacht Hotel prides itself as a hotel that offers conservative class

and luxury. It is no wonder then that Fakehinde was immediately attracted to the ‘Grace of the Yacht’ when the design was sent to him.

It looks abstract and ordinary to an untrained eye.

“When you look at the hotel from the outside, it’s so ordinary until you step inside that you start seeing the luxury inside. We are conservative, strong with so much beauty inside. When you are coming to The Yacht, you are coming to enjoy a classy experience,” he said.

This is not unexpected from the optician cum hospitality mogul who is transforming the waterfront of Lekki. He is the owner of the popular Sailors Lounge and possesses an uncanny knack for hosting the most stylish events on water. Like Sailors Lounge, Fakehinde who is fondly referred to as Captain is adding more panache to the seafront with The Yacht Hotel. Designed like a yacht, it boasts 25 rooms with sea and city views, a spa and restaurants. However, its most sought-after service is its exquisite helipad lounge for members of its prestigious club The Admirals. Reserved for people with value and intellect, the club has a limited

membership of 100.

“Screening procedure for membership is very high,” he stated. “Membership is not based on money but clout. Everything about us is more of an intellectual base. We have just 25 rooms because we don’t want to be seen as a commercial hotel. We attract people that understand what class is.”

In his view, class represents wealth, maturity, style and intellectual capacity.

Calling the science infused artwork a hidden treasure, Fakehinde revealed that he named the piece after his mother because of the qualities she represented.

It took about 90 days to get the work completed and it was finally delivered to him in 2019.

With most hotels turning into a major art hub, The Yacht Hotel which also boasts an art gallery is considering having a quarterly art exhibition. During its opening ceremony last year, it featured artworks from Omolayo Gallery.

Perhaps, ‘Grace of the Yacht’ will attract more high net income earners with a penchant for a luxury experience and intellectual exchange.

SUNDAY JANUARY 30, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾JANUARY 30 2022

HighLife

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

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

Friendship Made in Heaven: Amazing Amity Between Africa’s Richest Man, Aliko Dangote and Nigeria’s Biggest Philanthropist, Femi Otedola

Elumelu

Tony Elumelu: No Slowing Down for the Pride of Africa Few of Nigeria’s most influential men of industry have the sort of connection Tony Elumelu has with the country’s striving youths. With his mix of good-natured humour, social media presence, and suave sense of fashion, Elumelu has the kind of charm that people find appealing.

The humane side of the Heirs Holding boss does not conflict with his corporate personality. So, the same young people who are pulled in by his natural charm are also the biggest beneficiaries of his corporate responsibility quota. It is this comfortable blend of work and fun that makes him a celebrity figure, which is a rather uncommon status for people in his profession.

Tony Elumelu and his foundation have catalysed one of the biggest entrepreneurship revolutions the country has ever seen. Founded in 2010, the nonprofit organisation has empowered over 7,500 African entrepreneurs across 54 African countries.

Chances are that your favourite SME was established with a grant from the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF). That Elumelu’s efforts are strategically targeted at maximizing the potential of Nigeria’s youths means that some of the nation’s brightest minds are naturally drawn to projects associated with him.

Elumelu operates his foundation on the model of what he calls Africapitalism, a philanthropic attitude in which the general welfare is prioritized, as opposed to philanthropy for its own sake. For him, it is about “... the intersection of making profit and doing good, and not waiting to finish one before you do the other.”

It is not far-fetched to say that every organisation with Elumelu’s ownership or partnership signature group is highly likely one of the most pan-African establishments in the entire continent. The name of the bank whose board he chairs, the United Bank for Africa (UBA), tells part of the story of Elumelu’s associative greatness.

But the full story continues to be told, and as the man himself turns 59, many African entrepreneurs hope that it remains a long-lasting story.

Dangote

Otedola

Friendship can be found in many places including the lowest places and amongst the elite. Regardless of how high and mighty or small people may appear, friendship is the glue that holds humanity together. This is true even for the long-term relationship between the CEO of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote,

and billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola. For men whose private decisions influence national economies, this friendship should not initially strike as uncommon.

Dangote and Otedola control businesses with similar holdings in oil, energy, construction, real estate, and agriculture. To

those who don’t know about their businessoriented relationship, it is surprising that Dangote can spearhead an integrated refinery complex worth $18 billion, the first of its kind in Nigeria, without a business backbone.

Otedola is renowned for his unwavering respect for the older man, Dangote. The latter also celebrates Otedola’s successes and offers unlimited mentorship and guidance for business. It’s amazing to see tycoons who’ve plunged their feet deep into Nigeria’s lucrative sectors, sipping tea together and celebrating each other’s achievements. This is the ideal friendship goal—billionaires who share a strong bond despite a remarkable 11-year age difference.

The billionaire duo is notable for combining forces whenever they wish to stage a major national surprise: whether it is hosting Anthony Joshua, attending award nights, financially supporting Nigeria’s Super Eagles, or planning getaway trips to chill. Their friendship sets the stage for budding entrepreneurs to see how businesses can thrive better on friendships and not necessarily stiff competition.

The 2009 Chevron feud must have shown them the significance of friendship in a business partnership and united them more than ever.

Dangote and Otedola amity validate the fact that even between Africa’s richest barons, there can be something nearly divine—such as a friendship made in heaven.

Poor Infrastructure in Abia: Governor Ikpeazu’s Failed Regime Power is a responsibility, so an individual vested with any form of power is expected to deliver essential services. After all, they didn’t put a gun to the individual’s head and ask them to make promises as compensation for their (the people’s) trust. Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State is a case study about power and responsibility. This is despite democracy being conventionally and politically espoused to serve the masses of a given state. It is now a bastardized system of governance in Abia.

Since the swearing-in of Ikpeazu in 2015 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the citizens of Abia have been growing more and more concerned about his political ineptitude.

Who can blame them considering the poor infrastructural condition of the state, from the omnipresence of bad roads to the unpaid salaries of workers and pensioners.

In a report released by Nation Online, a group of Abia technocrats, professionals, and businessmen under the aegis of Abia Freedom

Alliance stated that “As much as we know that the pains of working on an empty stomach and returning home at the end of every month to a dejected family can be quite excruciating, it pains us to acknowledge that apart from those owed months of accumulated salaries and pensions arrears by the most inconsiderate government in our history, the fate of other Abians not connected to the ‘blood tonic’ pipe in Umuahia is no better.”

According to another statement reported

by Business Traffic, the coordinator of SouthSouth Emerging Leaders Forum (SELF), Dr. Preye Wilson, also lamented that the issue of the deplorable condition of Abia is “... on the lips of Abia people who daily lament the lack of progress in the development…

All these statements and complaints evidence the under-performance of the Abia Governor. They also show the need for the restoration of the lost glory of the State and the reestablishment of its stronghold and

While many billionaire heirs spend their time squandering the frills and thrills of their fathers’ estates, Nurudeen Kyari, late Mallam Abba Kyari’s son, devises ingenious means to make a name for himself and establish his own business empire. No doubt, money chants its ornate poetry in Kyari’s treasure chest perhaps because he took the money shot - Cha ching!

- time and over again, with the stamina of a warrior, and the agility of the quintessential marksman.

The son of the late former Chief of Staff (CoS) to President Buhari, Nurudeen, owns a rice mill. Like his father, he is evidently restrained and unostentatious but those who know him attest to his brilliance and enviable sagacity. Apart from being financially solid, Nurudeen is one of the young men pulling the agro-business strings in Abuja and the

Nurudeen Abba-Kyari Becomes Billionaire Rice Merchant entire north with his hi-tech rice mill valued at a staggering N10 billion.

It would be recalled that three years into his father’s reign as Chief of Staff, Nurudeen established Virco (Velox Integrated Rice Company) Group, an agribusiness firm focused on the rice value chain in Nigeria. The company operates a four-tonne per hour rice processing plant in an industrial cluster in the Federal Capital Territory. It describes its flagship brand, Azyro Rice, as “one of the finest quality rice grains in the Nigerian rice market which grains are stone, chemical and dirt-free, and easy to cook with a result that is firm and non-sticky.”

Virco commenced operations with Azyro Rice production and distribution in February 2018 being milled by a third party until the

Between Yakubu Dogara and Bala Mohammed

Dogara

Yakubu Dogara has issued a response to claims that he masterminded the attacks on the Emirs of Bauchi and Dass by a mob. The attacks occurred on December 31 during the 21st anniversary of Baba Peter Gonto.

The former Speaker of the House of Representatives had been suspended of his title as Jakadan Bauchi by the Bauchi Emirate Council over the controversy, and he took out time to try and clear his name. According to him, he is being targeted by the Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed.

In a statement released on Tuesday by his media aide, Turaki Hassan, Dogara said, “Yesterday, January 24, 2022, the Bauchi Emirate Council purportedly announced my suspension as Jakadan Bauchi.

“As of today, I am yet to be served with any letter of suspension and more tenuously, I was never informed that there was an allegation of wrongdoing against me pending before the Emirate Council, I wouldn’t join issues with the Emirate Council because of the respect I have

Ikpeazu

position in Nigeria. Or what is the benefit and importance of having a government if the efforts of the citizenry are undervalued and depreciated?

establishment of its mill in September 2019.

Sources say this would not have been possible without his late father’s influence and financial support.

Aside from its parboiled rice, the company is also involved in agri-business consultancy, the sale of black rice, a by-product of the rice milling process, which is separated during the milling and selection process for its slightly darker appearance that makes it unsuitable for the final packaging; and it also offers third party milling to clients who desire to mill their paddy in its rice mill facility in Abuja. A statement on the company’s website describes Virco as the ‘now and future of rice production and distribution in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.’ for both His Royal Highness and the Emirate Council.”

He concluded: “It is all part of a smear campaign to portray me as insensitive and convict me in the court of public opinion for the political gains of some desperate characters.”

There had been claims from Bauchi’s branch of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the anniversary was being organised as a partisan affair to promote Mohammed’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government.

There is no certain way to know how much of these sentiments played into the chaos on the D-Day, but what we have now seems to be a stand-off between two of the state’s most prominent figures: Governor Mohammed and Former Speaker Dogara. The question on the minds of observers now is, who stands down first?

Given that both men claim to have the interests of Bauchi State at heart, the most advisable proposition would be to reach a compromise that ensures that the situation does not escalate to more violence than what happened at Gonto’s anniversary.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾JANUARY 30 2022

HIGHLIFE

What’s Up with Babatunde Fowler?

New Year Resolution as Belema Oil Founder, Tein Jack-Rich Goes Calm The majority of high-profile Nigerians are chased out of public life and view because they or someone close to them sniffed, swiped, or stole public funds. This is not the case with Belema Oil founder, Tein Jack-Rich. His motivation for going under the radar is likely the rumours that have only begun to die down regarding his alleged romance with a Nollywood actress.

To say that the last few months have been a trial for the oil magnate is an understatement.

The man was first allegedly accused of having swindled the entire country of several billions of Naira. But the accusations did not cause too much of a ripple. Not long after, something else did, something worth significantly fewer Naira—a Prado SUV. How the rumours started is something that has to be left to the mystics of social media

and gossip. What is certain is that folks woke up one morning and found that Nollywood actress, Destiny Etiko, had purchased a fine ride for herself—a Prado SUV. Then came the twist: Jack-Rich was roped into the matter as being the sponsor of this new ride. Then the twist took on a dramatic finish: Jack-Rich was not identified as a no-benefit sponsor to Etiko but as a paramour.

The first response of Jack-Rich did not accomplish much except to fan the flames. It was his wife’s reaction—which was to post a photo depicting her happy self, happy husband, and happy union—that doused the fires a bit.

These events and several others like them might have set the tone for the disappearance of Jack-Rich from public view. And so the man has gone low profile with the likely intention of letting all the fires die down before coming back up for air.

Jack-Rich

Perilous Slide: How Top Socialites Take Psychotropic Substances Despite the apparent dangers of drug abuse, too many Nigerian youths have lost their lives by pushing dope into their veins instead of hope into their brains.

In the past, junk was the ideal product. The ultimate merchandise. No sales talk is necessary.

The client would crawl through a sewer and beg to buy. But nowadays, users enjoy an endless array of psychotropic substances including SK, Ecstasy, Heroin, Loud, and Cocaine.

The dam is already bursting at the seams and if left unattended to, the flood will sweep away so many ambitious youths, hapless young ladies, and impressionable silver spoon kids. This is no doomsday prophecy.

Among Lagos Island’s in-crowd, for instance, the jet-set and the nouveau riche have taken to a dangerous habit; marijuana and its other derivatives have suddenly lost the allure they used to hold for many. Now, the use of ‘loud,’ cocaine, that powerfully addictive narcotic with the tendency to rid its user of all inhibitions, is the order of the day. Many Lagos clubs now serve and spike their drinks with the white powder to the pleasure

of their mostly filthy rich clientele.

Whatever the price, by whatever name, cocaine is becoming the all-Nigerian drug. No longer is it a sinful secret of the moneyed elite, nor merely an elusive glitter of decadence in raffish society circles, as it seemed in decades past. Today, in part precisely because it is such an emblem of wealth and status, coke is the drug of choice for perhaps millions of solid, conventional, and often upwardly mobile citizens — lawyers, businessmen, students, government bureaucrats, politicians, policemen, secretaries, bankers, mechanics, real estate brokers, waitresses.

Largely unchecked by law enforcement, a veritable blizzard of white powder is blowing through the coastal city of Lagos, and it is causing significant social and economic shifts no less than a disturbing drug problem.

Aside from cocaine, other psychotropic substances have gained widespread appeal among thousands of youths enslaved to a hankering for SK, Ecstasy, Meth, Loud, to mention a few.

Once it gets into their system, they become less inhibited and more vulnerable to crime.

Chidinma Adaora, the controversial side chick and 300 level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, who got arrested for allegedly stabbing her billionaire boyfriend, Super TV boss, Usifo Ataga, to death, was reportedly high on hard drugs while committing the crime.

Despite Chidinma’s subsequent retraction of her earlier confession to the crime, her predicament and the blow-back generated in the aftermath of her crime hasn’t served as a deterrence to several young ladies and guys who still take to the use of hard drugs.

Celebrities, married and single ladies continue to indulge in the reckless use of psychotropic substances. Further findings revealed that many of them use hard drugs as aphrodisiacs and stimulants to artistry in desperate and ordinary moments of their lives.

The consequences, of course, are always better imagined.

A Spectacular Goodbye: Youngest House of Representatives 0HPEHU +RQ 7DMXGHHQ $GHÀVR\H %XULHV *UDQGIDWKHU LQ 6W\OH

Adefisoye

The member representing Idanre/Ifedore federal constituency of Ondo State, Hon. Tajudeen Adeyemi Adefisoye, can no longer lavish all the pleasures of the world upon his loving grandfather. This is because the latter has sadly ascended to the congregation of the Adeola immortals.

With hearts still beating with the love he instilled and a mind full of his timeless teachings, Adefisoye (otherwise known as Small Alhaji) can only do the next best thing: to

send Baba off in grand style.

Anyone who thought that there was a scarcity of stardust in most of the events that took place last Friday would find that the who’s who in Nigeria’s political space were concentrated in one place—the final burial celebration of Adefisoye’s grandfather, Chief Obajulaye Johnson Akinwale-Akinte. The event held at Idanre, Ondo, had scores of top politicians and entertainers that came to pay their respects to the memory of a respected colleague’s grandfather.

Being a visionary Nigerian politician, businessman, and philanthropist, Founder and President of Small Alhaji Youth Foundation (an NGO aimed at Youth development in Ondo), Adefisoye did not allow such an event to become a metaphor for dullness. He certainly would not want his grandfather to scold him from the afterlife. Hence, he went the extra mile to

organize a carnival-like funeral. The venue was decorated with accoutrements that wouldn’t look out of place at a Royal banquet.

Classic and continental dishes exchanged hands and disappeared into stomachs. Wines and imported bottles of Champagnes flowed down throats in an unending stream like tributaries into River Niger. The musical entertainment kept everyone on their toes, singing and swaying to the beats. As the host, Adefisoye was the picture of courtesy as he went around making sure everyone was having a good time.

Truly, even as he battles to live through the pain of losing a pillar of support, Adefisoye remains a formidable character for a lot of people who have taken him as a mentor and role model.

In Western climes, the old are gathered together inside accommodations referred to as retirement homes. There is a similar pattern with retired political figures or public servants in Nigeria—except that the locations of such ‘retirement homes’ remain a mystery until they choose to emerge.

It looks as if Babatunde Fowler, the former Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), is settling into his retirement home, the anonymous cocoon that past Nigerian public figures flit into whenever they are replaced or vacationing. For Fowler, the first motivation (which is replacement) is valid. Considering that there hasn’t been any news of his comeback to some other high-ranking office (as is the custom), it would seem that Fowler is truly settling into inconspicuousness.

2020 recorded so few noteworthy mentions of Fowler. The only time the accomplished taxman was particularly featured on headlines was when he was invited for close-quarters questioning by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This was likely the first time since Fowler endured the interrogations of the anti-graft agency since he left the apex FIRS seat.

According to reports, even that meeting had little to do with his time as FIRS boss. On the other hand, EFCC officials were allegedly more interested in his time as CEO/ Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue (between 2005 to 2014). There was supposedly a Five Billion Naira enquiry that Fowler was privy to, and therefore significantly assisted the EFCC in clearing the air. And then back to his invisible spaceship Fowler went.

Some folks maintain that it was nobody’s fault but Fowler’s own that he had to leave his position for his successor, Mohammed Nami - after all, it was he who somehow fell short of his superiors’ expectations. Nevertheless, it is commendable that he isn’t out causing trouble. A lesser man would defame those he perceives as adversarial every opportunity he gets.

Glad Tidings… Omolara Adebiyi Set to Open HighPoint Event Centre in Lagos A new date has been fixed for the opening of the latest super event centre in Lagos: HighPoint.

With Thursday, February 3, 2022, confirmed as the D-day, the opening of the HighPoint Event Center will be nothing but spectacularly grand.

The brains behind HighPoint, Mrs. Omolara Adebiyi intends to give the guests something to think and talk about as 2022 unfolds. Thus, with her status as HighPoint CEO, her colourful achievements will be matched with the vibrant event in which her relatives, friends, business associates, and admirers can clink a glass or two in her honour.

Lest the public assumes that HighPoint is like every other event centre in Lagos, a trip to the heart-beat of Lagos, Alausa in Ikeja should wind down any such erroneous assumption.

Omolara established HighPoint over an enormous stretch of land that is estimated at 10,000 square meters. Inside this superb piece of real estate are features that can send the mind into a trance. These include two fitly framed floors that can accommodate a total of 3,000 individuals, For the capacity, the Banquet floor is

Adebiyi

1000, while the theatre floor is 2000.

HighPoint’s VIP lounge is something else that stretches the natural limits of the eye. The 18 single-bed rooms can only be described as Dubai-level luxurious. And how does one describe the two-bedroom suites for lodging and accommodation or the 500-vehicle car park with its air-tight security? Indeed, HighPoint as a masterpiece is set to change the face of event centres in the city of aquatic splendour. It is a testament of class, pristine and exquisitely polished.

The building emphasises without much effort the sheer tastefulness of the owner. The attention to detail that characterizes the structure is excellent.

Irrefutably, both the interior and exterior decor were carefully chosen and planned with flawless finesse.

All of these will be showcased to the event guests. The lucky guests are expected to delightedly help Omolara inaugurate the next-level edifice, laying the foundation for future copies from peers.

Fowler

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾JANUARY 30 2022

LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

Donald Duke: A Fake Duke

Duke

AFCON: BLAME BUHARI NOT I think someone should warn this Reno.

It is enough. The yabis of our president is too much mbok. It is getting too far and I am not enjoying it again. So, because Baba called the boys, that was why we were defeated?

There is nothing further from the truth.

The main reason why they lost that match is because me, I watched it. I never watched our matches make I no go kill myself as I dey struggle with BP. But as I was hearing the giant strides that they were doing in the early rounds, I started getting interested. I started feeling like watching the match but my patriotism was pulling me back. I have not watched a match that our people have won in the last five years. My count is 100 per cent loss.

That was how I now walked into my living room and saw that we were already one goal down. Kai, I should have just continued to the kitchen where Duchess had kept a warm plate of Afang brimming with all sorts inside.

Dr. Nwabuoko had said, I should cut down on the swallow and do the Afang without oil. This was my first attempt at it and was kind of very suspect but that was how the devil made me sit-down to watch the match o.

By now, you must have heard that I carried some big people to go spend the weekend with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

It was fun o. The library is a complete package. From the serene Green Legacy Hotel to the Museum, where you will find a huge helicopter, the car Baba drove home when he was leaving the government this last time and the Landcruiser he was said to have been driven in when General Sani Abacha came to pick him up. In fact, we were told that the same Landcruiser came to pick him up at the airport when God finally saved his neck.

The library itself was well curated with over 60 years of Nigerian history well-kept and chronologically well arranged. Baba even brought back his Presidential desk where we all took turns to sit and take pictures.

Well, the highlight of the visit was the session we had pre-arranged to have with Baba. All 60 of us, came to Abeokuta on a Leadership Strategy session, to look at the polity, engage Baba and see how we can be better informed as we begin to spread

out in a bid of reclaiming this country end to end.

That is how we were ready for the session by 3pm and we did not see Baba. I had suspected that something was about to happen. As I walked towards the venue of the session, I saw a huge crowd of people in ‘dirty’ white. Asked, who are all these people and why are their clothes so dirty.

They say that they are PDP people who came to see Baba. But why are their clothes so dirty? How will we vote for them like this? Wetin concern me.

That was how I now got a call from Vitalis. Vitalis is Baba’s main man. He said, “Edgar come up and see what is going on so you see what we are facing. These people just came in unannounced.”

I replied: “Vitalis, I don’t know what you are talking about o. Bring Baba come down here now, because these people that have paid to come for this session, are thinking that I have used their head o, before they will now go and tear my cloth. Vitalis still insisted that I should “just come.”

Immediately I entered the room, I saw

all the PDP big guns o. From their Chairman Ayu, to Mimiko, to Peter Obi and my brother Donald Duke. They filled up the room and were eating.

So, I went straight to the only PDP man I know, His Excellency the great Donald Duke and said, “Morning my Lord.” He looked up from his bowl of food and smiled and said those immortal words, ‘Fake Duke’.

I laughed. I like him. He is a great man.

One of the rare ones in our clime. Visionary, principled and firm. Still very good looking with a calm mien. The beautiful ones never get the chance.

At that moment, Baba called out my name, “Edgar, are you ready for me?” I said “Baba since o’’ and he said let’s go.

He left and joined me.

While we were in the session with Baba, the news filtered out that he had just rejected their overture of coming back to PDP and I was wondering, why after receiving that kind of rejection, they could still wait and eat. What is wrong with this PDP people sef. Food?

The next thing, I saw red card on one boy with dreadlock. I don’t even know his name but I saw that he was wearing our jersey. I wondered which kind wahala be this. The next minute, I saw our boys running around like headless chickens, in confusion as if they were running from a riot in Oshodi market.

The Nigerian confusion was palpable on the field. Everybody running ‘helter skelter’. No leadership, no cohesion, no strategy. Just fire brigade. Make we go score, make them no win, what Yoruba people call- Jati -Jati.

Mbok, referee blew the final whistle and cleared the rubbish, make I go eat my Afang abeg.

Now we are now shouting Buhari.

Please let’s leave the Daddy alone as he prepares for a glorious exit after over 40 years of wonderful service to the fatherland. Reno be warned.

Widowed about 20 years ago, she decided not to go the normal path of wearing sackcloth and be shouting all over the place seeking pity and support.

She refused to position herself in the normal and expected mold thereby positioning herself in vulnerable servitude to the randiness that comes with the terrain via the Pharisees and Sadducees who litter our society.

She braved up and built a beautiful banking career. Working with such giltedged firms like GTBank and Access Bank where she rose to executive cadre.

But that is not the story o.

Maryann, one day after gleaning tremendous experience from banking, went into the Ikeja drink market and collected one small shop and started selling drinks. Me, I will go there and be laughing at her because she stuck out like a sore thumb.

I would tease her: “why would you ‘carry big Prado Jeep come siddon for market with illiterate people dey sell biggie?” She would reply, laughing “Edgar, leave me o.”

So, from that one small shop, she has built one of the biggest drinks franchises in the whole of Lagos, emerging one of the biggest wholesale distributors of all the major brands. Her smile is

now something else. She has trudged, worked, pushed, huffed and puffed and today, she sits on top of a huge empire with a big smile.

I thought I should tell her story to inspire others, to celebrate her and to keep saying to her that we are really very proud of her accomplishments.

Ikenna will be smiling wherever he is now and be saying, that is my girl. Welldone.

MARYANN EZECHUKWU: A LESSON IN COURAGE Please let me crave your indulgence to send a huge shout out to this beautiful lady. Maryann Ezechukwu is a picture of elegant resilience and I am sure there are millions of women like her littered all over our nation, it’s just that this is the one I know.

ABDULRAHMAN ABDULRAZAQ: SILENT MUSINGS It just dawned on me that I have never really looked towards this our Excellency. I think I saw someone that looked like him at the Ibori party but his simplicity made me not give him a second look.

Then I saw a write up that showed that 56% of his cabinet was female and that struck me. That was novel especially in that part of the country and it made me begin to dig a little bit deeper. He has built a tech driven ICU, the first I hear in the North-central Zone. He has put in place a social audit programme which enables civic groups to audit and access government projects. This and other such initiatives started ‘piking’ my interest in his administration and the

Okposo

Buhari Ezechukwu

AbdulRazaq

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾JANUARY 30 2022

LOUD WHISPERS man himself.

Prior to this, all I engaged with was his running battle with the ‘great’ Lai Mohammed for control of party structures in the state and the huge fight with the Sarakis on land matters and the obviously earth shaking ‘oto ge’ movement which brought him into power.

This may just be a very poorly sold success story in governance, we may not know. But let’s look deeper, we may just find something deeper. Hmmm.

UNILAG: CAVEAT EMPTOR As an alumnus, I cannot see something and keep quiet. Yes, I attended UNILAG for my Masters in Political Science and the fact that I hardly went to class no mean that I am not a bonafide member of that community.

Someone sent me a post circulated among students of a post graduate class, supposedly from the class governor. Let me reproduce it verbatim so you see the ‘one chance’ we are in this country.

“There is something very valuable I have to share with you. I understand CITIZEN KAYODE EHIZODE this because I graduated from UNILAG Today has been a day of celebrating and I feel I should expand the good special Nigerians and none come better movement to you. It is good to read and than Citizen Kayode. Let me tell you pass but it is often said that ‘Na person guys the gist. wey know the way, na him know the So we all live in one small estate in Yaba book’. on the border of Shomolu. A community “I will like to bring up the exam package of just 40 units with all ethnic divisions where you will have an alternative to represented. We also have governing rewrite your exam with the solution structures and a constitution that guides given to you after you might have relationships and maintains law and order. tried your best in the exam hall. I will We have elections and vote in exco who illustrate this better if you can call or stays for a tenure. when we see physical. It will indeed The exco I met was draconian. Led by a help you to graduate well. This package CBN staff, he ruled with an iron fist. Well, even helps you if you won’t be around maybe because they were pioneering during the exam time. This is how it and had to be stiff to put in place a works: workable infrastructure that will lead us “Appearance – Accounting and Finance going forward. So, for that I forgive the N60,000 each, other courses N50,000 intransigence and abuse of power that each. None appearance N270,000. came with that.

Removal of picture from portal to be As is usual the case in things like this, they replaced with the picture of the person lost a second term. I personally had sworn to take the exam and removing it and that I will do everything within my powers putting your picture again another not to see them back. The harshness had reached unbearable limits.

A more amenable team was elected and they went about reducing tension and putting in place a more open and responsive environment where decisions were taken by consensus and open voting.

We had murdered sleep as the past exco with their supporters led by some retired personnel went into opposition, Her beauty and innocence were throwing clogs at every decision. all the weapons she had to fight It all recently came to a head, when the off this beast. But alas those were exco decided to install CCTV cameras primal weapons against the in the estate to strengthen security. The deviousness and wickedness of minority who by this time had stopped a full-grown monster with bile coming for meetings pushed against it. in his mouth. He just had to take In frustration, the exco went ahead her body and send her soul to with the decision and as a result could heaven. He violated her, killed her not meet other obligations, specifically and still had the guts to go pay a could not meet the servicing of the giant condolence visit. generators that gave us power.

It is no wonder that we all have We had just 13 days before they lost our sense of due process. His would be shut down and the estate lynching has been advocated. His would go into complete darkness. immediate execution has been The minority stood their ground, pushed and it is very hard as I they will not pay and we can all write not to agree. suffer.

Stalemate. What do we do? Why would a tiny group do this? Why would they go against the majority position in a democracy like this?

These are well read, supposedly well enlightened individuals complete with lawyers, oil and gas people, bankers and retired top military personnel.

The next morning, we saw a post on the estate group. Citizen Kayode had offered to pay the over N700,000 bill. He wanted no refund, he just wanted peace. I cried.

Kayode is prematurely retired. So, he is giving us this money from reserve and this made me cry all the more. What manner of man. He has always been very gentle, godlike, not overtly religious but just a good man.

I respect him and like him. He makes me feel less of a man. He is heads above the rest of us for so willingly making this kind of huge sacrifice not because he has the money, but to prove a point that – consensus, true love and peace is just what we need in this life.

For the coconut heads, I leave them to their misery. Kayode is a man worthy of emulation.

N60,000.”

My people, you see why when you are doing an interview, you will see Second Class Upper graduate and he will be speaking English like Bassey Okon.

Vice Chancellor, up to you or should we kuku just call EFCC because from this, it is very obvious that your staff are deep in this mess. Rubbish.

SAMMIE OKPOSO: COWARDLY WARRI MAN Just as I was about to fire, I saw that he had brought down the post in which he was apologising to his wife and the rest of us for something that was not only so sweet but was said to have done it so well that the thing resulted to ‘bele’.

When I first saw the post where he was allegedly apologising, I laughed. This thing we dey all do am na. When you put yourself in a box that is not your own, that is how you will be getting this kind thing.

You know who you are. You know that once you see ‘something’ you must chook, you say you be pastor or whatever and then it happens and then you say you apologise.

Me, I don’t apologise anything to anybody o. Once they catch me, I claim victim straight. I agree, I did it but immediately say, I am weak and cannot control myself and I need therapy. It works. I tell you. You guys should try it.

The deliberateness of the whole thing makes the apology a sick joke. You plan it, you fly to US, you take am for dinner, you stroll to the house, enter

HANIFA ABUBAKAR: MY BABY, MY CHILD Is he saying that as he was about to plunge the knife, her beautiful eyes did not plead with him? What manner of beast. What manner of virulently sick individual. This act is so physically far from me but so emotionally intimate that I have not been able to sleep as her beauty, her bravery and her childlike innocence continue to haunt me. All she wanted was to be taught, to be guided, to be brought up so she can contribute and also be a mother but in the process, she died. Kill him.

Simple.

nifa.

Late Ha

the bedroom, open your cloth, kiss am, talk to am, she do small shakara, you persuade, you toast, you promise am gift, you kiss and then you start work.

Finish the first one, you start again, the same motions and then after, you take your bath and enter plane come back Lagos.

You are caught, you come dey do like Bill Clinton dey issue statement of apology. Apology kill you there.

I don’t know why you dropped the post; I sure hope someone has spoken some sense to you. What does your apology do to the lady who is claiming that you impregnated her? Is she now some dreaded disease with no personality or dignity? Is it because she listened to you and was persuaded by your sweet nothings, she should now suffer the indignity of this your ‘stupid’ apology?

Be a man. Say, “guys sometime in the US, I met a very beautiful woman and got carried away. I made love to her and she got pregnant. I am in the process of working this out with my dear wife with a view to seeking a mutually accepted middle of the road solution to this quagmire.

In this regard, I would crave the understanding of the general public as we push through this obviously difficult time.”

That is what you should have sent out, not that cowardly thing you first posted. Thank God you have dropped it.

My brother claim victim. It works. Me, I am a perpetual victim.

PREMIER HOSPITAL: THE MORNING AFTER I was at ground zero yesterday on a private visit to the Premier Hospital in Victoria Island. This was truly the premier facility for private health care delivery in the country. Well located within the hubris of commercial highbrow Nigeria. Once proud and grabbed its position at the top and moved beautifully and arrogantly like a young virgin in the eye of many a randy suitor.

Then she passed. Public anger hit like a tsunami and all hell was broke loose Today, I see restrained caution as I walk into its still beautiful and neat compound. I had come for a private visit to one of its promoters and I knew this wasn’t going to be easy.

As I was ushered in, the phone rang. Watching her calmly talk to a patient, assuring him of support and care made me want to look closer because of the level of professionalism and humanity that I saw in that voice was engaging.

As she drops the phone, she says, “Edgar the public never sees this side.”

I agree.

She continued: “We were all here, we tried our best but this had to happen. They want to go for our jugular led by an old adversary who was fueled by ancient bile.”

This was 30 years of her life. Thirty years of providing top notch health care delivery services in a polity that was stifling creativity and initiative in not only that sector but in almost all areas.

I liked her. Beneath that seeming delicateness was the steely resolve to wade through this and reemerge.

Her sincerity shining through, her openness and her quick need to explain it all to me even as a mere stranger all showed me the encompassing structure that is Premier, the same Premier that is now struggling for its life in the midst of the most turbulent turbulence it has ever faced.

But as I walked away, something tells me that this is indeed the very beginning of a solid rebirth. I feel it but let me run away first because I really am afraid of hospitals.

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Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

Renowned Politician Jubril Adewale Tinubu: An Unsung Gender Equality Advocate the Group Chief Executive of Oando energy solutions provider appointed two Abiola Ogundokun’s Milk Plc,That Adewale Tinubu started as a lawyer is not in seasoned professional women to its board of doubt, nor is his reputation as one of the leading Directors: Mrs. Ronke Sokefun and Mrs. Nana lights in the oil and gas business in contention.

Fatima Mede. of Kindness However, his advocacy role in gender equality is Sokefun, an alumnus of Oando, has over 35 High Chief Abiola Ogundokun is not a stranger to Nigeria’s political setting. The Osun State-born octogenarian is an old horse in the system, having been in the game for over four decades and still strong.

He is definitely not a pushover; he knows his onions in the nation’s political climate and he has a network of friends that cuts across all walks of life. Even though he is not occupying any political post, he is a force to be reckoned with in the country as he is well connected and commands lots of influence.

Little wonder, his residences in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan and his hometown in Iwo are a Mecca of sorts, as many politicians, as well as aspiring politicians, consult him to drink from his fountain of political knowledge and experiences. However, what has been underreported about the political titan is his milk of kindness.

Society Watch gathered that he has been at the forefront of philanthropy for so many years and many have benefited immensely from this. A source revealed that he reaches out to those in need through his Foundation The man, who was also a chieftain of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) started the Foundation in 1976 when he was the councillor in Ward 1, Iwo Local Government of the old Oyo and has contributed meaningfully to the education and political lives of many people.

The annual event has catered for millions of people in the past as still counting.

The Foundation built the administrative building of Iwo East LCDA and took up the extension of the Iwo Central Mosque. He also defrays the hospital bills of some patients and sponsors many on pilgrimage to Mecca and contributes to the building of Iwo palace.

According to Ogundokun, some politicians in the zone rose to high positions through nominations from the Foundation Recently, the Foundation feted over 200 less privileged in Iwo, Osun. The empowerment was witnessed by many eminent personalities across the state, including the State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, who was represented by his Director-General, Campaign Organisation Israel Famurewa, among others.

Ogundokun was a pioneer staff of Western Nigeria Broadcasting Service (WNBS). He later worked in the New Nigerian Newspapers. He joined politics as a Youth Leader of the New Nigerian Democratic Party. He later contested and got elected as a Councillor in Iwo Local Government in 1976 before becoming a member of the Constituent Assembly in 1978.

In 1979, he became the National Publicity Secretary of the ruling NPN and was appointed a member of the Board of Daily Times Newspapers.

At the advent of the third republic, he was a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). But when the Republic was truncated by the late General Sani Abacha, he again became a member of the Constitution Review Committee. In 1999, he joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and was a member of the Osun State tactical committee that midwifed the election of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola as Governor in 2003 before he quit partisan politics in 2010 when Rauf Aregbesola emerged as Governor.

He was drawn back into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as a result of the needed experience that he has acquired over years by some elite.

Ogundokun

known to only a few.

In recent times, discourses on leadership and management with a special interest in gender diversity in leadership positions across organisations have been amplified across the globe. While the African continent comes third after the United States and Europe, and first amongst other emerging regions in terms of women representation in boardrooms of top listed companies, some sectors are doing better than others.

Interestingly, Tinubu is often referenced quite impressively during such discussions.

The billionaire businessman, in the past, had spoken in defence of women as well as the grudging refusal to empower women with leadership responsibilities.

As proof that he is walking the talk, Tinubu’s leadership at Oando is currently seeing a surge in the number of women at its top echelon. A review of Oando’s culture shows that it’s conscious of the imbalance within the sector; and as such has always prioritised two things: strengthening indigenous capacity and ensuring gender parity wherever possible. Today, 43 per cent of the

Tinubu

company’s workforce is female, compared to 22 per cent across the industry. Of this, 33 per cent of executive-level employees are female, with the hope that its female representation on its board continues to grow.

A few weeks ago, the leading indigenous

years of work experience. In 2002, she moved to the Oando Group, where within a few years she rose to the position of Chief Legal Officer.

During this period, she also sat on the Board of the telecom’s giant – Celtel/Zain (now Airtel) as an alternate Director. She served in this position until 2011 when she was called to the public service in Ogun State and proceeded to serve as a two-term commissioner holding diverse portfolios under Senator Ibikunle Amosun’s two-term administration as Ogun State Governor.

On the other hand, Mede has served as a Federal Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, where she coordinated the formulation of the Nigerian Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC).

No doubt, Tinubu is a shining star in the nation’s business climate. His business drive is worthy of emulation by entrepreneurs and prospects, especially in Nigeria’s inclement business environment. The Lagos State-born business magnate has represented everything good and progressive in business for many years.

Kofoworola Adebutu: A Force on Her Own Right

Adebutu

Surely, Kofoworola Adebutu, the pretty wife of billionaire and Chairman of Premier Lotto, Sir Kessington Adebukola Adebutu, is one of those women who want people to put some respect on their names. Though a notable member of the privileged class of Nigerian billionaires’ wives, Kofoworola cannot be tagged with the sweeping brush of the “Trophy Wife” title. This is because she is strong-willed.

Besides, her quest for independence and living her passion has led her to set up a store, Koftop Luxury, a top shop that offers distinctive luxury merchandise, including high-end fabrics and shoes. She is undoubtedly becoming a force in her own right. She is also

on the path to establishing herself as a solid business personality, following the opening of her mega mall on Fola Osibo Street, Lekki Phase1, Lagos, last week. The imposing mall named ‘DualFol’ after her twins’ sons, Folarin and Folami, was declared open by the Ogun State First Lady, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun.

Of course, 45-year-old Kofoworola, a 2001 Accountancy graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, had her husband, Odole Oodua Adebutu, throw his weight behind her.

She also had most of her stepsons led by Ladi Adebutu around to rally support as well as many of her friends, including Folashade Okoya, Erelu Tola Osifeso, Alhaja Kuburat Shitta-Bey and Mrs Jokotade Adeusi.

OUI Owner Ramon Adegoke Adedoyin, Left in the Cold Until recently, Chief Ramon Adegoke Adedoyin, founder of the Oduduwa University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, commanded a lot of respect.

The renowned educationist is also a socialite, who is very popular in Ile-Ife, where he hails from, as well as other states across the Southwest part of the country.

If Adegoke, who has now been suspended as the Maaye of Ile-Ife, is not talking about his various institutions of learning, which includes a polytechnic, he is making profound contributions to the development of the education sector in the country, and also trying to lift the needy around him.

Strangely, not a few see him as someone who loves to hug the limelight and remain in the news always. But sadly, he has been in the news for the wrong reason in the past months, a development he never bargained for.

For him, the journey on this road of infamy began on November 5, 2021, when the news of his alleged involvement in the murder of Timothy Adegoke, a post-graduate student of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, who had

lodged in his hotel, Hilton Hotel, Ile-Ife broke late last year.

In the wake of the uproar that followed the alleged dastardly act, Adedoyin and six of his staff were arrested by the Osun State Police Command for investigation. A source revealed that some of his friends initially did not appreciate the enormity of the criminal charges against him, believing that they could help him out and get him off the hook. ‘’At the outset of the trial, he had wrongfully thought that he could escape justice owing to his influence in the society. They stood up for him and also vouched that the Ife Prince is not capable of hurting a fly. They threw their weight behind him, pressed the necessary boutons and ran from pillar to post so he could escape the wrath of the law. But little did they envisage that the matter would go beyond their wildest expectations,” the source disclosed.

The more he tries to wriggle out of the case, the more he gets entangled; while all his friends have deserted him and have since been left in the cold.

Adedoyin

Somodale Olufunke Dosunmu, Nigerian UK-based Culinary Expert While some Nigerians abroad keep tarnishing the image of the country with shady businesses, Somodale Olufunke Dosunmu is representing her fatherland with great pride. The London-based lady, who is the brains behind the popular SKD Event Planning Services, has disclosed that though she did not study food-related courses, her great culinary skill is a natural talent.

Shomzys, as she is fondly called, disclosed that she had only turned her hobby that grew while she was an undergraduate of Physical Health Education at Lagos State University, into a money-making venture. She also recalled that while she was in the university, she was catering to neighbours and friends for free when she was living with her parents.

Dosunmu, who talked about budgeting and finance as some of the challenges she faced on the job, added that only people who understand the intricacies of culinary business appreciate the enormity of work involved.

Dosunmu

“A lot still feel we are expensive, but we are not,” she stated.

Dosunmu, who obtained her Master’s degree from the University of Ibadan, left for the United Kingdom in 2003.

Subsequently, she continued with the same vigour where she also got the certification for Food Safety in Catering from the Institute of Hospitality.

In 2015, she bagged Early Years Postgraduate Studies at Middlesex University.

Interestingly, catering is not her only business, as SKD also engages in gift items, souvenirs, African fabrics predominantly made in Nigeria and a bit of import and export business for clients who have their events within and outside the UK. At the moment, her popularity is spreading beyond the UK across Europe, where she engages in food and catering services. Even though she works at NHS part-time, she has carved a niche for herself in the business and got a sizable number of projects lined up in the new year.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 24 2012

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

30.1.2022

NOW, SARAH SANNI SETS HER SIGHTS ON THE ART OF THE MATTER…

With her recently opened art hub in Lagos's affluent Lekki neighbourhood, Sarah Sanni is intent on taking her art practice to a new level. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke reports.

S

mack in the middle of a serene, mostly residential area of the upmarket Lekki Phase One neighbourhood, the Cera Cerni’s Art Hub is unobtrusively nestled someplace along a curving, crescent-like lane oͿ Adewole Kuku Street, named Akintunde Adeyemi Street. The art hub, a brainchild and self-funded project of Cera Cerni – a Lagos-based mural and aerosol art Nigerian company, which specialises in all aspects of interior and exterior wall designs – had been in the works for a while.

Talking about the company, it is led by Sarah Adenike Sanni, a self-taught muralist who is undoubtedly Nigeria's most wellknown and sought-after female mural/ aerosol artist. The 2010 University of Benin computer science graduate, who is known for her iconic, public and private murals, has always wished for a space dedicated to art education. To that end, she used the proceeds from her inspiring mural and art services to make this project a reality.

Long before the project's eventual completion and seven-day launch from Friday, December 3 to Thursday, December 9, she had always thought that Lagos needed regularly-scheduled, moderately-priced, locally-located art instruction classes, available at various times of the day. “Existing venues,” she argues, “are either unable to serve a larger market segment, are membership groups, or are sideline businesses. The people of Lagos need more art instructional opportunities, especially ones focused and tailored to the interests, skill levels and time availabilities of diͿerent cadres of people.”

Furthermore, she believes that a megacity like Lagos could beneÀt from more recreational opportunities to relieve its residents from the energy-draining pace of its bustling life. This explains why the Cera Cerni’s Art Hub, despite being conceived as an art skills acquisition centre and an exhibition gallery, also positions itself as a go-to site for recreational painting and pottery sessions, which are free to the public all day.

Several street campaigns and media events had preceded its seven-day debut.

And the fact that it began with an event called VIRAL: Technology Enabling Art is a nod to how much it has beneÀted from technology-based social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. This, she adds, is “aside from the fact that we apply ourselves diligently to our craft, we can comfortably link our growth with the enablement of these platforms to reach a wider range of customers, who later engaged our services.”

In addition to the seven permanent employees who handle day-to-day operations, the hub employs Àve ad hoc workers. As the visitor wends his way through the impressive facilities, he discovers a wonderland of round-the-clock recreational painting with Ànger foods and a glass of choice drinks on oͿer, as well as a dedicated recreational pottery session oͿering a unique hands-on experience. There are also skill-acquisition services, which include art instruction lessons at three levels of proÀciency as well as bespoke and on-request-only pottery classes. Sanni describes art instruction as

A view of the arthub's exterior

A corner of the arthub displaying vintage gadgets and vinyl records

Sarah Sanni

One of the rooms in the arthub

“infused with business and commercialisation training to equip students with tools for a successful career in art.”

For established artists looking to rent an ideal workspace to produce their artworks, the hub provides "Hot Easel" as one of its services. Then, on the upper Áoor of its duplex building, there is a dedicated exhibition space for artists and art-related businesses.

Still on the subject of renting spaces, other guests who aren't necessarily organising art events can rent spaces within the venue for small gatherings and bespoke events.

Meanwhile, the hub's mini-bar and restaurant are open to all paying clients regardless of whether or not they are participating in any of the hub's events.

Despite its posh position in Lagos, it attracts customers from the city's diverse demographics, which include both indigent and a΁uent children, young adults, corpo-

rate executives and retirees, as well as Lagos residents and visitors.

With sights set on becoming Nigeria’s leading art appreciation space, the Cera Cerni’s Art Hub bases its operational philosophy on the belief that “everyone has a modicum of creativity resident in them” and therefore is committed to providing a platform for both the expression and appreciation of this creativity in “an inspiring artistic and relaxing environment.”

Consequently, the supply of commercially viable art instruction services, the provision of viable income-generating alternatives for art enthusiasts, and the enhancement of employability and commercial preparedness of art students in Nigeria are listed among its goals and objectives. There is also the possibility of providing alternative recreation options for the teeming local youth population.

Back to its founder, Sanni, who long ago decided on a whim to forego the security of a salaried job in favour of the uncertainty of self-employment, she has come a long way in her full-time vocation that sees her transforming walls with delightful murals and gra΀ti and is known to have so far executed over 400 mural installations within and outside Nigeria to the satisfaction of her corporate, professional, and individual clientele. Top brands in Nigeria, including well-known corporations in the beverage, construction, telecoms, hospitality, education, food confectionery, and service industries, have commissioned her 2D and 3D paintings, abstract paintings, hyper-realistic paintings, and gra΀ti projects.

The hub, which was conceived in 2020 and opened in December 2021, is merely the latest in a long line of her inventive initiatives in the creative economy.

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 30, 2022

ARTS & REVIEW\\MUSIC REVIEW

ZAZOO AND A LYRICIST’S LANGUAGE HURDLE Yinka Olatunbosun

A

fter the likes of Da Grin, Ruggedman, Mode 9, Elajoe, Naeto C, Illbliss, MI, Olamide, Reminisce and a handful of other rappers left the centre-stage, there was a “minute of silence” on lyricism in Nigerian popular music. Beatmakers were feasting on their art and possibly, good pay while increasing the global popularity for Afrobeats.

Lyricism has been the style of artists who are poetic and this is an uncommon gift.

Majority of Nigeria’s fastest-selling music of the moment have poor, incongruent lyrics. It makes more sense to dance to these songs than to print out the lyrics and read. Yet, many of these artists are quick to boast during interviews about their spontaneity in creating the songs without writing on a sheet of paper. R.Kelly is a songwriter but he can’t read or write. Songwriting is not just a mechanical eͿort that involves the pen and paper; it can just as well be an oral composition.

That settled, let’s take a curious look at this sensational lyricist, Portable. Known for his hit track featuring Olamide and Poco Lee, “Zazoo Zeh,” Portable is trailing the paths of Olamide, 9ice and Phyno in using his indigenous language to sell his lyrics. A street dancer cum singer, Portable’s popularity is rising at the same level as the criticism against his use of Yoruba or so it seems. When it comes to sports and music, Nigerians loathe anything that can foist disunity. Ask Shatta Wale.

So, when the Zazoo fever hit the Lagos audience during the Livespot X Festival last December, the protest moved from passing comments to a near online outrage.

Portable Non-Yoruba speakers knew there was an insane energy with the song but the fact that it is from a Nigerian artist and they still couldn’t fathom the words was a turn-oͿ. It’s quite ironic that the same Nigerians who 'vibed' to Master KG’s “Jerusalema” and “Ameno (Dorime)” by ERA would be vexed by Portable’s Zazoo. There is only one explanation for it: Portable is a humorous character on and oͿ stage. He calls Zazoo “a movement” or “a moving train.” Certainly, nobody wants to get left behind. So, it goes without saying that when a non-Yoruba speaker is excluded from

understanding the lyrics, and the joke is lost on him – his response is anger – a mild one.

But the criticism against Zazoo zeh is not an isolated case. Afrobeats as a genre faces similar criticism in the global market. The body of works in the genre, just like Zazoo zeh is loaded with slangs, innuendos and indigenous languages like Yoruba and pidgin English. Language has never been a barrier to mainstream popularity in the global market. Enrique Iglesias’ Bailamos was sung in Spanish and English, that is Spanglish, but it hit number one spot on the Billboard hot 100.

COLONIAL ARCHIVE: AMBIVALENCE, IDENTITY, AND ART EXHIBITION Chikaogwu Kanu

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he exhibition [Re:]Entanglements: Colonial Collections in Decolonial Times marks the culmination of a ground-breaking research project that has been revisiting the legacies of a series of colonial surveys in Nigeria.

[Re:]Entanglements,whichopenedlastyearonJune22 and runs untilApril 17 at the University of Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, is the latest in a number of project exhibitions, including shows in Nsukka, Benin City and Lagos.

The research project has been led by Professor Paul Basu of SOAS University of London alongside Dr George Agbo of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Professor Basu and his team have been retracing the journeys made by Britain’s Àrst “Government Anthropologist”, Northcote Thomas, between 1909 and1913inwhatwasthentheProtectorateofSouthern Nigeria.Duringthesetours,Thomasandhisassistants took thousands of photographs, made hundreds of sound recordings and amassed large collections of artefacts and botanical specimens.

For the Àrst time in over a century, the project team has been re-engaging with these materials, and returning copies of the photographs and sound recordings to the communities in Nigeria whose heritage they document.As well as working with community members, the project has involved multiple collaborations with Nigerian artists, musicians and storytellers, who have responded to the collections through their creative practice. The [Re:]Entanglements exhibition brings this contemporary work into conversation with the historical photographs and artefacts on display.

Despite its arresting aesthetics, [Re:]Entanglements is not a celebratory exhibition.At its heart, it is an inquiry into the colonial context of Thomas’s anthropological surveys,andconcernedwiththestatusoftheirarchival legacies in the present. Both explicitly in the exhibition texts, but also through the contemporary creative responses, questions are continually posed: What is this" How and why was it collected" What does it tell us about colonialism then and the prospects of decolonisation now" Objects have been selected for display that speak of the violence of past injustices and the possibility of

Olokun pot repair. One installation features a decorated clay pot, bearing the Àgure of the deity Olokun. The pot was purchased by Thomas in Benin City in 1909, but was shattered while being shipped to Britain. It has been repaired especially for the exhibition using innovative conservation techniques, but in a manner that does not hide the trauma it has experienced. It is displayed along with the shards of other broken pots collected

by Thomas, and with a newly commissioned brass replica, made using the traditional cire perdue method

by Mark Ihama in Benin City’s famous Igun Street.

Juxtaposed with theAkh’Olokun display, is a remarkable installation by the Nsukka-based ceramicist Ozioma Onuzulike. Here we are confronted with a heap of fragmented Àred-clay faces and other body parts. Like the shattered remains of pots collected by the colonial anthropologist, Onuzulike’s fractured bodies bring to mind the pain endured by generations ofAfricans, through slavery, colonial oppression and continuing inequalities. In an accompanying Àlm of Onuzulike making the work, the artist elaborates on this sense of Africa as a continent broken into pieces.

Incidentally, on each of the text panels accompanying the installations there are links to related online resources, so even if one cannot visit the exhibition in person, one can experience it remotely.

Oneofthemostcontroversialinstallationsintheexhibition is a massed display of some of the thousands of “physical type” portraits made by Thomas. These are full-face and proÀle photographs of individuals from diͿerent locations included in the surveys. The photographs were part of a dubious anthropological project to map “tribal” diͿerences. They evoke the violence of the “colonial gaze”, seemingly reducing people to nameless specimens to be collected and compared.

This reading of the photographs is complicated, however. Firstly, the display is accompanied by a Àlm calledFaces|VoicesinwhichWestAfricanparticipants are interviewed about what they perceive in these portraits. Where one respondent sees a victim of colonial oppression, another sees pride and resilience.

This challenges the idea that the photographs can be reduced to any singular meaning.

Secondly, we learn that Thomas recorded the names of many of those he photographed and that the [Re:] Entanglements researchers have been able to identify many of their descendants as they have retraced the anthropologist’s itineraries. Photographs taken as part of a colonial project have given community members the opportunity of ‘meeting’ their ancestors for the Àrst time. In these encounters, the coloniality of the images falls away, and the photographs are received with joy and cherished as precious relics.

Many of the portraits taken in Igbo-speaking areas show men with facial scariÀcation marks known as ichi. Like so many traditional arts, the practice of ichi scariÀcation came to an end as a result of colonial inÁuence. The paradox is that the colonial authorities were rigorous in documenting the worlds that they were also responsible for destroying. Those documents – including Thomas’s photographs of ichi scariÀcation – are now vitally important resources for recovering our own cultural heritage and are being been embraced as such by communities, artists and academics.

In our decolonial times, to curate an exhibition that is ostensibly concerned with the archives of a series of colonial surveys would seem to be an anachronous and risky venture. Thanks to the curatorial ingenuity of Paul Basu, and the contributions of his many collaborators, whose voices, perspectives and creative interrogations are incorporated into the exhibition, [Re:]Entanglements demonstrates why this history is so relevant and important today.

Rather than delivering a lecture, Basu uses artefacts, archive images, audio-visual media, and contemporary artworks to pose di΀cult questions, to provoke thought and to invite the visitor’s own responses.

Colonialism had a devastating impact on our culture.

The prospect of re-entangling ourselves in that history maynotbeenticing.Yet,as[Re:]Entanglementsshows, we can revisit its archival legacies in the present, and Ànd there something valuable for our future.

Kanu, a PhD student of art hisory at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, writes from Lagos.

Luis Fonsi’s Despacito secured three Grammy nominations with pure Spanish lyrics and even held the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100, a feat that was reached only by Los del Rio’s ‘Macarena.’ Many music fans on comment sections across social media platforms often claim to have discovered Afrobeats at their local clubs in Europe and even North America.

In Africa, which is the hotbed of Afrofusion, the warm reception for Nigeria’s brand ofAfrobeats is phenomenal. Irrespective of the language in which it is rendered, the music sparks chain reactions in clubs and performance venues. So, why should the Abeokuta-born Portable be apologetic for creating his music in his primary language of expression" That is his voice.

What’s more intriguing than to spark curiosity with a language or expression that is in another language" Look at the example of Fireboy DMLin the hit song ‘Peru.’ Before the grammy-winning singer-songwriter, Ed Sheeran jumped on the remix in English language, Peru was already attracting questions and chuckles. Countless Peruvians were asking, “What is he singing about Peru" Is he singing about us"” and similar questions. Peru was originally produced in English, Pidgin-English and Yoruba which is why many global music fans are curious to hear the rest of the lyrics.

The necessity of activating Yoruba hubs in all countries where Nigeria has cultural presence is fast approaching an emergency status. There is a growing audience forAfrobeats from Nigeria and global music fans are no longer interested in just dancing to the beats; they want to be immersed in these songs that Nigerians in diaspora have eͿectively turned into addictive street anthems.

POETRY

ODE TO OUR WOMEN! OUR AFRICAN WOMEN!!!

Chimaroke Nnamani Oyoyo Nnem Nne Oma A mother's love who can Ànd" A mother after cooking is satiated by the aroma!

A mother with pangs of hunger still breastfeeds!

A mother during the fever nights stays awake rubbing "Enu aku"" A mother mounts daily nights of dirges!!

I still remember in my ears my mother's "ima evu" when the late Chike Ogbodo (Ugo's dad) was conscripted for war!!

I still remember mea mater Elizabeth bringing strangers to serve lunch and water!

I still remember the babies including Nwakonam (Okpogu's sister) that were brought daily when we stayed over in the village. How she over fed them!!

I remember my grandma Abigail mashing together left over akpu foofoo with days old ewa soup defying hygiene. I watched with palpable fear as she put the concoction together.

Coming down hungry as a Medical intern, I ate for her love. She watched, serenaded me and her Adam's apple moved in synchrony with every Morsel I swallowed. It was only after a full stomach on my way back to Enugu that I will remember with trepidation the hygiene havoc wrecked. But grandma Abigail's love prevailed!

I remember my grandma Abigail who never smiled. Her face etched with lines of life's trauma and concatenation. Each line of wrinkle representing the vagaries of African harsh motherhood. All the trajectory of folds and crevices on her face melting in eternal bliss and ethereal smile as she received the Methodist Church Ezinne Award. First time I saw Mama Abigail Owoeji Nnamani smile in public.

As a gynecologist/ obstetrician and maternal fetal medicine specialist, made a living taking care of worried women, a brother of great sisters, as a father of many princesses and husband (though not too successful at that) issues of women mark my world. Their story is mine to own and elicits more emotion from me than any other.

Ma k' Odiba.

By Chimaroke Nnamani, MD, FACOG, D.Sc

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 30, 2022

CICERO

Editor: Ejiofor Alike SMS: 08066066268 email:ejiofor.alike@thisdaylive.com

IN THE ARENA

All Eyes on Buhari over Electoral Bill

After President Muhammadu Buhari’s fifth denial of assent to the electoral reform bill since 2018, will he finally sign the recently reworked and harmonised Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2021, Louis Achi asks

G

iven its fundamental importance, both to the integrity of Nigeria’s constitutional democracy and sustenance of political stability, persistent discourse on recalibration of the nation’s electoral governance laws can never be hackneyed.

Though reformation of Nigeria’s electoral system is not really a new sing-song, its necessity has been significantly accentuated by strange developments since the Fourth Republic was birthed in 1999. The fact that the majority of poll results since the nation returned to civil rule 22 years ago cannot be said to have reflected the wishes of the majority makes electoral reforms imperative.

This imperative applies equally both to the upstream arena which addresses legislative modifications and the downstream which focuses on judicial interpretation of the laws.

This is because what may seem a ventilation of their private grievances or pursuit of personal aggrandisement by litigants actually transcends electoral disputes which are not mere civil claims. The disputes and claims possess a deeper significance that either validates or rubbishes the nation’s claims to genuine democracy.

The foregoing speaks to the current public anxiety and ripples trailing the harmonisation by the two legislative chambers of the reammended Electoral Act Bill following their resumption after the Yuletide break. This is because prior successive legislative efforts on recalibration of the nation’s electoral governance laws, particularly under the Buhari administration, had come to naught.

It would be recalled that President Buhari withheld appending his signature to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2021, because the federal lawmakers had prescribed direct primaries as the only process of producing candidates for general election. Many stakeholders had strongly felt that if the federal legislative assembly had acted from a position of strong conviction, it could have constitutionally vetoed the president and

Buhari

passed the amended Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2021, into law.

Trailing the presidential denial of assent to the Bill, the Senate and House of Representatives approved different versions in the Bill. While the former provided in the re-amended Bill for direct, indirect primaries or consensus as the procedure for the nomination of candidates by political parties for various elective positions, the House of Representatives only provided direct and indirect mode.

Essentially, the bill under reference addresses a swathe of electoral management issues affecting the country’s electoral system and the accommodation of technological innovations to ensure free and fair elections.

Beyond the brouhaha surrounding the lawmakers initial decision to hobble INEC’s adoption of electronic transmission of election results, now rescinded, the sticking point this time around is the legislators’ prescription of direct primaries as the sole mode of picking party flag-bearers.

Incidentally, the move by the lawmakers to change the primary mode of electing political

candidates from indirect to direct generated controversy among stakeholders who perceived it as breaching the independence and internal democracy of political parties.

It was against this backdrop that the Bill passed earlier by the legislators on November 18, 2021, was snubbed by the President in December.

Back from their Yuletide holiday and kicking-off the 2022 legislative session, the lawmakers promptly revisited the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2021, which the President had rejected.

While the two legislative chambers reamended Clause 84(2) and expunged the imposition of the ‘controversial’ sole direct primaries on parties as procedure for nomination of candidates to contest elections, they were divided on accommodation of the consensus option.

While the Senate included direct, indirect and consensus options, the lower chamber which also amended Clause 84(2) in the bill, only approved direct and indirect primaries as procedure for the nomination of candidates by political parties for the various

elective positions.

It also approved the recommended Clause 84(3) that, “a political party that adopts the direct primaries procedure shall ensure that all aspirants are given equal opportunity of being voted for by members of the party and shall adopt the procedure outlined below: (a) In the case of Presidential Primaries, all registered members of the party are to vote for aspirants of their choice at a designated centre at each ward of the federation.”

The Clause provides further that, “similar procedure as in (a) above, shall be adopted for Gubernatorial, Senatorial, Federal and State Constituencies.”

The Senate added that, “Special Conventions should be held to ratify the candidate with the highest number of votes at designated centers at the National, State, Senatorial, Federal and State Constituencies.”

Clause 84(4) further provides that, “a political party that adopts the system of indirect primaries for the choice of its candidate shall adopt the procedure outlined below; (a) In the case of nominations to the position of presidential candidate, a political party shall, (i) hold special presidential convention at a designated centre in the Federal Capital Territory or any other place within the federation that is agreed to by the National Executive Committee of the party.”

At press time, a niggling dimension has surfaced from the House’s angle concerning the steps that the consensus mode must reflect. The new tweak is that all aspirants participating in a consensus option-specific primary must submit a written position supporting the candidate. Some sources say this was the sole handwork of the House’s Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

In the penumbra of a general election, will Buhari get off his high horse and give assent so that 2023 polls will benefit from an updated and modernised electoral management template? Any further delays will evoke memories of what happened in 2018 when successive denials of assent to the Bill dragged till he told Nigerians that the 2019 general election was too near for him to sign the electoral bill into law. Not again!

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

Is Tinubu Resting?

Tinubu

Days after wrapping up, perhaps, the first round of his consultations on his presidential aspiration, a former governor of Lagos State and one of the national leaders of the ruling APC, Senator Bola Tinubu, has reportedly jetted off to a yet-to-be disclosed destination to observe some deserving rest.

Though his media aide said he went abroad for consultations, others have said it is not true.

Although some sources privy to his leaving the country, had said he left for London, Tinubu could not even wait to be part of the inauguration of a major support move-

ment, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (ABAT), conceived by the Lagos-based Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), in furtherance of his presidential bid.

Apart from visiting President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he first hinted of his intention to run in 2023 and later, former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), Tinubu had also visited a couple of northern states like Katsina and Niger, to commiserate with them over the unceasing incidences of insecurity. He also seized the momentum to sell his candidacy. That’s all.

However, there’s something about the

human anatomy – you can’t cheat it. This is more so when age and health are playing critically defining roles in the life of any individual at a particular point in time.

There are speculations by his opponents that the former Lagos State governor is tired physically and mentally, and no longer fit for the demands of the office of the president. They cited what they described as ugly signs of age and the alleged deteriorating health.

Did Tinubu travel out for health reasons or just to take deserving rest? Events of the next few months will give a clearer picture.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 30, 2022

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BRIEFINGNOTES Can Soludo Sustain His Planned Governance Model in Anambra?

With the terms of reference to his 80-man transition committee and his plan not to spend a kobo of taxpayers’ money on his inauguration, Anambra State Governor-elect, Prof. Charles Soludo has unveiled a governance model characterised by prudent management of resources, support for local brands, as well as absence of fanfare and jamborees. Ejiofor Alike writes that Soludo’s model may be an uphill task to implement in a political system that is sustained by dispensing patronage to political party chieftains and other ‘extra-constitutional players’

T

he setting up of an 80-man transition committee by the Anambra State governor-elect, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, earlier this month, had initially set tongues wagging.

Many commentators who did not wait for the terms of reference of the committee, had hastily described it as a conduit to waste the state’s resources Soludo had released the list of the 80-member committee two months ahead of his swearing in scheduled for March 17, 2022.

In a statement issued by the governor-elect’s media aide, Mr. Joe Anatume, the committee would liaise with a team set up by the state government to ensure seamless transition from Governor Willie Obiano’s administration to a Soludo-led administration.

According to the statement, a former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, is Chairman of the committee, while Prof. Benedict Oramah; Prof.

Pat Utomi and Osita Chidoka would play crucial roles in the transition arrangement.

However, without waiting for the terms of reference of the committee, some commentators had raised genuine concerns on the financial implications of running a committee of such prominent Nigerians.

But speaking while inaugurating the committee, Soludo allayed these fears, saying: “Some commentators have observed that the number of the transition committee is large in their estimation, even without seeing the terms of reference, or the task, or that the members are offering their time and talent without remuneration as it were.

“Some were already computing the amount of money that each of you would be paid. If Anambra accepts to pay or remunerate the calibre of people here, I’m sure even a World Bank facility would not help us,” he explained.

The Anambra State governor-elect also declared that there won’t be fanfare during his inauguration.

He revealed that he had adopted an open governance model that would guarantee transparency and accountability, stressing further that his administration would not waste the state’s resources on jamborees.

The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) told the committee that he would move from the inauguration venue to his office and from there to the slums in Onitsha and environs, particularly Okpoko community, which

Soludo he planned to clean up.

“I will be heading to Okpoko immediately after the inauguration. I will put in eight hours of work immediately after the inauguration. Don’t expect fanfare because it won’t take place,” he reportedly said.

Soludo also gave a strong indication that non-indigenes could be appointed into his cabinet, when he said: “If a Pakistani will give us 24 hours of electricity, I will bring him and make him Commissioner for Utilities. What the people care about is the services they get and not necessarily who did it. We want to get good results here.

What matters is the result. Accountability is a must here”.

Also in a separate speech when he visited the 80-member committee on Wednesday, Soludo insisted that there would be no ceremony to mark his inauguration, stressing further that no amount would be spent on it.

“I have made a wish that not even one kobo of Anambra people’s money will be spent on that swearing-in ceremony. It is a wish, and I mean it. What are we spending money on? Just few people coming to the inauguration and witnessing it, then I will open office and get down to work

immediately.

“I do not wish any event, dancers or players and all that,” he told the committee.

“Not even 10 kobo will be spent. So, the people who are saying N20 million has been budgeted should go and tell us where they will get that money. It is going to be work, work, work, and that is what we epitomise,” he added.

To further cut costs of governance, promote domestic brands and boost the local economy, the governor-elect had also revealed that his official vehicles when he assumes office would be those manufactured by the Innoson Vehicle Motors (IVM) He also said it was not a coincidence that he had been wearing local fabrics known as Akwete, insisting that it was part of his intention to support local brands and to make a statement with it.

He said: “My akwete dress is not just dress, it’s a statement. I want to make a statement with it. You know, in the entire south-east, this is the only textile thing alive, and it’s handmade, by the women of akwaete in Abia State.

“Igbo land is one and we must protect it. We want to bring back the zeal of patronising our own.

I have said it even during campaigns, and I meant it, that if I win, the official car of the governor of Anambra State will be Innoson Vehicle.”

On the terms of reference of the committee, he had earlier revealed that: “First is to ascertain, certify the state of affairs, the short to medium term deliverables of the vision 2070. To propose actionable agenda for the next administration, three to assist with talent hunt to populate the Anambra change data bank.”

With his avowed determination to implement the recommendations of the 80-man committee of eminent Nigerians, patronise local brands, boost local economy, cut costs of governance through prudent management of the state’s resources, and hire capable hands from outside the state to run his administration, Soludo has demonstrated his appetite to write the name of Anambra State on the global map.

If sustained, Soludo’s governance model will transform the state and restore the lost glory of Nnewi and Onitsha as industrial hubs.

But Nigerians have seen leaders and aspiring leaders, who unveiled similar laudable agenda and dumped it in a trash bin when they assumed office.

Can Soludo muster the political will to implement the recommendations of these 80 prominent Nigerians without hurting Anambra political leaders?

In the Nigeria’s political system, which is sustained by dispensing patronage to political party chieftains, community leaders and other extra-constitutional forces, can Soludo sustain his agenda without head-on collision with these hawks?

Can his administration survive if he sustains his political will to patronise Innocent Motors and other local brands and deny political leaders the lucrative contracts of importing vehicles for his government?

In a state endowed with abundant human resources, can Soludo appoint cabinet members from outside Anambra State without backlash, no matter how well he means for the state?

The governor-elect had alluded to these concerns when he said: “While we will continue to be sensitive to politics, in a democracy, that is expected, we also know that the teeming millions just want public service to work and do not care who delivers them.”

However, post-March 17, 2022 events will reveal Soludo’s determination or otherwise to match words with actions and implement this laudable but very tough agenda.

NOTES FOR FILE

Adesina, It’s Time to Shush!

Adesina

Perhaps, it is only Mr. Femi Adesina, President Muhammadu Buhari’s media aide, who does not know his role in the government of the day, that has enlisted more enemies for the administration as well as heaped more credibility burden on the president.

He not only calls critical Nigerians names at will, he calls their bluff regularly as though being called to accountability is a sin. Adesina looks too much like his utterances and is unable to detach himself from the reality that power is transient.That this is coming from a journalist with name recognition makes his case even the more tragic.

Speaking recently about subsidy on a national television, Adesina said because some people

were opposed to the removal of the cankerworm and greatest official corruption pretext of all time, then, the alternative would be more borrowings so that government could have sufficient money to take care of other needs, including infrastructure development.

Now, Adesina is shifting the blame of his boss’ inability to make hard choices on the people opposed to the removal of subsidy.To think his principal had always been opposed to the idea of retaining subsidy and even accused previous administration of stealing humongous amount of money that could have been diverted to other productive uses, makes his latter days submission sheer hypocrisy.

Thankfully, the days of the Buhari administration

are numbered and technically, with the extension of the removal date, the president has deferred the task to the incoming administration and this, without sidestepping the issues, has exposed the inability of the government to do anything, let alone take difficult decisions.

Adesina would do well by learning to keep quiet. Enough of the damage so far done to the government and the president. It would cost him nothing to maintain some dignified silence for the rest of his days in office.That he would be the first media aide to any president to have spent eight straight years by 2023, is the reason his ignoble and unpatriotic interventions are disenchanting and unpardonable.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 30, 2022

CICERO/REPORT

Amaechi, Brewed With Trust For all he’s done – for Daura, Katsina and Nigeria – the Daura Emirate has adopted and soon turbaning as the Dan Amanar Daura – the trusted son of Daura – the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi. Olawale Olaleye writes

W

hen the allegation filtered out, that some persons had tried to stall the installation of the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, as the Dan Amanar Daura – the trusted son of Daura – or at the minimum, change the date, it did not come to many as surprise.

In fact, it would have been otherwise curious if no such attempt was made.

The title is big; the timing is auspicious and the leverage – although audacious – is just for the taking, especially, by the politically sophisticated.

Amaechi is a core politician with a well-off career on the turf. Politics is all that he’s known all his life and he understands the game well enough.

But, he is also wired differently. He not only plays politics with a degree of decency – always minding what the society thinks – his biggest asset as a politician is, trust.

This is also why he struggles forgiving any form of betrayal of trust. And when he eventually does, perhaps, because his faith demands that he lets go, such a character may never come close to him again. For trust betrayal, Amaechi would damn the consequences of his choices and move on.

Whichever dimension his political sojourn might have so far assumed, trust has remained his greatest asset as well as equity so put into partnership, including in personal relationships or even his private life. He’s not an angel neither is he in infallible, but, consciously, he has set a respectable standard for himself, not excluding all forms of interactions.

Interestingly, he is not a title-freak, and would rather walk through a multitude unnoticed. But this one title isn’t regular or a free-for-all either.

Thus, embracing it – beyond its political pulls – shares largely with his ever constant creed: Trust!

Therefore, on Saturday, February 5, the town of Daura, Daura Local Government, Katsina State, would see the kind of crowd it probably last saw during the 2019 electioneering, when it shall witness the turbaning of this Alist minister, as the Dan Amanar Daura, by the Emir of the Daura Emirate, Umar Farouk Umar.

Daura is a town and Local Government Area in Katsina State, a north-western state. It is the spiritual home of the Hausa people. The Daura Emirate is referred to as one of the “seven true Hausa states” because it was, ruled by the descendants of Bayajidda’s sons with Daurama and Magira. It is also the hometown of President Muhammadu Buhari.

To that extent, the turbaning of Amaechi as the trusted son of Daura, in obvious appreciation of his many contributions to the development of Daura and indeed, the whole of Katsina State, being a major stakeholder in the entity called Nigeria, cannot sufficiently capture the role of the minister in the emergence of the Muhammadu Buhari presidency – from the very beginning.

Although history has yet to capture all of the contributions of this Ikwerreborn politician in how the Buhari candidacy was consolidated and his victory, cemented, a show of appreciation such as this, could however, go a long way in proving to Amaechi that

Amaechi

good deeds hardly go unnoticed by also truly good people.

Today, Daura plays host to many development initiatives, including the University of Transportation, donated to the Nigerian Government by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

Also, to Amaechi’s credit, is the resuscitation of the rail sector that has been moribund for over three decades, ensuring that the US$1.959 billion KanoMaradi Standard Gauge Railway line passed through the president’s hometown,Daura.

Amaechi did not just earn Buhari’s trust – the trust that had been tested at different times, especially, by those who were somewhat uncomfortable with his relationship with the president. It goes without saying, therefore, that emerging

Buhari’s Campaign DG on two occasions, was a reward for trust.

Again, manning a ministry as huge as that of transport, is arguably a function of trust. On different accounts, the trust between these two had been cemented and untoward insinuations quietly canceled out.

Like Buhari, trust is important to these two.

Amaechi, of course, has had his fair share of the knocks from power game. But with the trust between him and Buhari, he has continued to trudge on unscathed. Amaechi clearly understands both the rudimentary and critical rules in the corridor of power and had since survived the many traps set in his path, soldiering on in expectation of the best.

Those trying to establish a nexus between the title and its timing

Brewed with trust, this devout family man and father of three other men, has paid his dues in politics, leadership, development advocacy and patriotism to fatherland. He is neither a cherub nor a paranormal creature, but Amaechi boasts a certain level of decency and trust that would never make him cross certain lines – no matter the pressure – in dealing with others

in relation to the president’s body language might still have to do more scientific digging into what 2023 may look like. Amaechi has not indicated interest in the nation’s number one job, but his body language looks like he would eventually let the cat out of the bag, when the floor is formally declared open.

After all, if he did not throw his hat in the ring for the nation’s presidency, what would he be doing by 2023?

Aside commanding the competence, experience and capacity for the job, this may also seem like a dream come true, especially, since everyone showing interest is also not better than him in any way – given all the boxes of considerations.

But if trust, dependability and honesty in leadership are some of the factors that would guarantee the election of the next president of Nigeria, Amaechi is amongst the first five Nigerians – the two major parties combined – eligible for that office, in addition to eligibility, capacity and competence.

Brewed with trust, this devout family man and father of three other men, has paid his dues in politics, leadership, development advocacy and patriotism to fatherland. He is neither a cherub nor a paranormal creature, but Amaechi boasts a certain level of decency and trust that would never make him cross certain lines – no matter the pressure – in dealing with others.

To the Dan Amanar Daura, this is one deserving title you have elected to honour in your many years of call to service, and indeed, it is worthy of the attention being accorded it from all and sundry.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 30, 2022

CICERO/REPORT

Where is Ebonyi’s Charter of Equity?

Benjamin Nworie takes a critical look at the zoning arrangement for the governorship position in Ebonyi State and the state’s purported Charter of Equity, as the 2023 elections draw closer

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n every general election in Ebonyi State, especially the governorship election, justice and equity have always been a loud gospel preached in the state.

But the Charter of Equity usually preached has never worked or respected. It was merely designed as a moral burden to ensure justice and equity to all the zones of the state.

The Charter of Equity was never written or discussed or agreed. It was a convention harboured only in the minds of the promoters. And even if there was, all the zones have abused it. It was even rumoured that when the choice of state capital was being debated by Ebonyi founding fathers, it was reportedly agreed that the old Abakaliki zone would house the state capital, while the first governor should come from old Ohaozara or Afikpo zone. Yet it never worked. Even after elections, no one surrendered to Charter of Equity.

The political gladiators in the state have contended that if the Charter of Equity had suffered perennial setbacks in the state, it would not be implemented in 2023. The argument is that since the three zones in the state have completed their turns of eight years each, any of the three zones has justifiable reasons to produce the next governor in 2023.

Since 1999, which of course, was the first time Ebonyi State witnessed election after its creation in 1996, stakeholders and political gladiators have never discussed or agreed to any Charter of Equity.

There was no clear-cut agreement on the emergence of the first civilian governor, Dr. Sam Egwu from Ebonyi North. At a point, it was argued that Ebonyi Central, specifically, Ezza clan was supposed to produce the first governor. However, the military administration at the transition period truncated the plan, which led to the emergence of Egwu from the Ebonyi North.

When Egwu completed his tenure, aspirants from all the zones trooped out again to contest as there was no Charter of Equity.

The aspirants had argued that even if there was any agreement, it should not undermine the Constitution of Nigeria, which guarantees the right of individuals to vote and be voted for.

So, the struggle has been between the supremacy of the Constitution and the imaginary Charter of Equity.

Egwu’s successor, Chief Martin Elechi cannot also accept that he was a product of Charter of Equity and he never believed in it. However, Elechi procured the concept of Charter of Equity. But he had repeatedly acknowledged that it was never written anywhere, when he wanted the former Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu as his preferred choice from Ebonyi South. At the initial stage of politicking, the former governor was too serious with the defence of his Charter of Equity, just to sell his choice.

But when the chips were down and the aspirations of his preferred choice hit the rocks, Elechi abandoned the Charter of Equity and went ahead to anoint another aspirant from Ebonyi North. Anyway, Elechi’s predicament was obvious and he decided to pay back the alleged ‘injustice” meted against him by the PDP. In 2015, when Elechi’s Ebonyi South

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Agenda flopped based on Charter of Equity mission, he knew the only way to retaliate, having been smoked out of the PDP, was to divert his structures to the candidate of another political party, Mr. Edward Nkwegu of Ebonyi North on the ticket of the Labour Party.

It was at that time that it became glaring that the Charter of Equity was a fraudulent political strategy.

Some political leaders alleged that Charter of Equity was a selfish agenda by political gladiators.

Those who were not completely convinced to support Governor David Umahi of the then PDP, started to shift ground in his favour.

Ebonyi people especially those from Ebonyi South saw Elechi’s role as betrayal because if he had genuinely believed in his Charter of Equity, he should have adopted a southerner for the governorship ticket of the Labour Party.

As the 2023 governorship

election draws near, some of the political actors have re-awaken the antics of Charter of Equity. Egwu and Elechi are insisting that power should shift to Ebonyi North in respect to the Charter of Equity.

However, it’s quite understandable. Egwu who was the initiator of single term for the National Assembly members has been allegedly fine-tuning all possible strategies to return for the third term as a senator in 2023. This can only be possible if Izzi clan, which shares the same senatorial zone with him, is able to secure the governorship position. So, Egwu’s position on power shift to the North was self-serving. Without this, his third term ambition is a history.

However, Izzi people had reportedly vowed that Egwu would not return to the Senate no matter whose ox is gored. Against all odds, Egwu has flouted the agreement he purportedly made on single term

for Ebonyi North senators. In Ebonyi North, the people of Ebonyi council area are crying over marginalisation and exclusion when the other three council areas had respectively had their turns.

It is also believed that Elechi, on his part, has the interest of his in-laws at heart. Whenever he pushes for Ebonyi North, Elechi has the Izzi agenda to his chest. Not minding his deficiencies, it is still not clear to many what Elechi has seen in Edward Nkwegu that the former governor wants him to rule Ebonyi State by all means.

Many candidates have indicated interest to run the governorship election in the leading political parties.

Many factors are being considered.

Many questions are on the lips of the people of the state.

Who will go for us? Who will consolidate on the infrastructural strides of the Umahi’s administration and who will correct any inadequacy of the present administration? Who will unite the state more and who will bear the burdens of the people?

To an extent, the Ebonyi governorship election may not be political parties’ affair. Voters may be interested in individual capacities not minding whether he is in APC or PDP. There are a lot of uncertainties and tension in the polity.

Already, the populous people of Ezza clan in Ebonyi Central have unanimously agreed to support any political party that gives their son the governorship ticket. The choice of an Ezza man has become much acceptable among the other zones in the state. As the eldest son in the state, it’s believed in some quarters that an Ezza man will unify the state more than another person or clan.

Part of their submissions, however, is that even if Ebonyi Central or North takes the governorship ticket, none of the zone will feel marginalised; after all, one zone may still take over after eight years.

In the PDP, some of stalwarts have indicated interest to contest. From the Ebonyi Central zone is Senator Obinna Ogba; member representing Ishielu/Ezza North Federal Constituency, Hon. Anayo Edwin Nwonu and some few others have declared their interest. From Ebonyi North zone are Hon. Sylvester Ogbaga, fourth time member of House of Representatives; member of House of Representatives, Hon. Chukwuma Nwazunku; and Chief Fidelis Nwankwo.

In the APC, Senator Julius Ucha from Ebonyi Central is a leading aspirant.

The likes of the Speaker Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Ogbonna Nwifuru and Hon. Elias Mbam are notable contestants from Ebonyi North.

The die is cast and the people are waiting for the outcome of party primaries. It is expected that there may be mutual defection to APC and PDP in the months ahead. Those whom Umahi had declared as “rumour mongers and gossipers” may finally excuse themselves from the present government if they wish. Those who are still proving “stubborn” to join APC with the governor may also be lured with automatic tickets to leave PDP. There will be a lot of betrayals, disappointments and uncertainties after all. They will always claim that it’s an outgoing administration and it is the survival of the fittest.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 30 , 2022

INTERNATIONAL Francophone Africa’s Survival without France: Beyond De-Frenchification, Russianisation and Coupsd’État

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The notion of Francophone Africa or Francophonie is not simply about French speakingness. It is a strong belief that all French language speakers in Africa and elsewheredoshareacommonhistoryanddestiny.Itwas this belief that served as the foundation of the French Community that was put in place in 1958 by General Charles de Gaulle, the President of the French Republic.

In this regard, former dependent French colonies and territories were encouraged to accept changes in continuity, that is, change from a dependent status to that of an independent, sovereign state, but still within the framework of the rule of assimilation.

All Francophone countries in Africa accepted the de Gaulle agenda except for Guinea Conakry, which expectedly would be variously sanctioned thereafter.

Based on the erroneous belief that Francophone African people are also French, France’s foreign policy laid the foundation of a special and privileged relationship with the French Community. For instance, a Ministry of Cooperation, as distinct from the Quai D’Orsay (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) was established to deal exclusively with the Francophone countries while the Foreign Ministry deals with all other countries of the world.

For various reasons, the French government later discovered the meaninglessness of sustaining two Ministries on foreign affairs and therefore merged the two under the Quai d’Orsay.The merger is a first unconscious pointer to the de-emphasis in importance of French speakingnessinFranco-Africanrelations.Themergerorthede-emphasis did not however imply reduction in aid to the Francophones, but the de-emphasis continued to be manifested differently. For instance, at the 1990 Franco-African summit held in La Baule, France, French development aid was subjected to acceptance of democratization by any would-be recipient.

This meant that there would no longer be the factor of automaticity.

The issue of the CFA franc was not to be affected. French Central Bank continued, up till today, to play host to Francophone foreign reserves and investment deposits. As a matter of fact, a new generation of Francophone Africans are now asking for de-Frenchification, that is, reduction in French presence in their countries. One major rationale has been the issue of jihadist terrorism in the Sahel and the inability of France to contain it, despite French military presence in the region.

One reason often given for the increasing coups in Africa, particularly in Francophone countries, is the problem of insecurity. The jihadist terrorists are increasingly attacking and killing people in many villages.

Even in Nigeria, an Anglophone country, people believe that France is aiding and abetting Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. Nigerians protested at the French Embassy in Abuja in this regard.This perception is similarly held by some Francophones because decades of French military presence in the Sahel have not solved the problem of Al-Qaeda in the Sahel. But will the agitation for African Renaissance, de-Frenchification, through coups d’état do?

AfricanRenaissanceandCoupsd’État Apart from the strong French militaro-political presence in Francophone Africa, the struggle for African renaissance is necessarily against the French agenda.The conception of African Renaissance by Cheikh Anta Diop in 1946 was mainly aimed at overcoming development challenges in Africa by seeking cultural, scientific, and economic renewal. In the words of Anta Diop, a Senegalese pan-Africanist,‘the development of our indigenous languages is the prerequisite for a real African Renaissance.’ Put differently, France has an agenda of promoting the French language and civilisation internationally and this cannot but be in conflict with the promotion of African languages.

In 1997, the South African President,Thabo Mbeki, revisited the idea of African Renaissance and identified social cohesion, democracy, economic rebuilding, and growth, as well as the establishment of Africa as a major player in geo-political affairs (vide the African Union Echo, A Special Edition for the 20th AU Summit, Number 05, January 27, 2013, p.2).

To fast-track African Renaissance, the African Renaissance Institute wasestablishedinGaborone,Botswana.Towhatextenthasthestruggle for African Renaissance prevented foreign influences and interventions in Africa? To what extent has African Renaissance prevented jihadist terrorism and bad governance in Africa? And perhaps, more disturbingly, how do we explain the fact that both the African Union and the ECOWAS policies of non-acceptance of forceful change of government in Africa are increasingly being disregarded by many countries? Why is it that the recent coups d’état are taking place in Francophone African countries?

In the past one and a half years, there have been one failed coup and four successful coups d’état in Francophone countries, and particularly in West Africa. The first and the failed coup was that of Republic of

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Macron Niger, which took place on 31 Wednesday, 31 March 2021 at about 3 am, West African time. The failed coup was championed by Air Force Unit leader, Captain Sani Saley Gouroura. As noted by Cyril Payen of the France 24, ‘heavy weapon fire was heard for half an hour in the area of the Presidential Palace. But the Presidential Guard repelled this attack, and the situation seems to have come under control.’Some of the coupists were arrested but many others, including the ringleader, Sani Saley Gourouza, are still at large.

Four points are noteworthy about the attempted coup. First, Niger Republic had been under military dictatorship for 23 years before returning to civilian rule in 2011.The country had had four coups d’état before then: 1974, 1996, 1999 and 2010. It took about 22 years, from 1974 to 1996, before the second coup took place and only 3 years before the third coup occurred. No room was given to democracy to thrive at all until 2011. In fact, the failed coup occurred two days before the scheduled inauguration of an elected president, Mohammed Bazoum, on April 2, 2021. Interpretatively, the coup attempt was meant to prevent the inauguration, but why?

The answer brings us to the second point. There had never been any transfer of power from a civilian government to another civilian administration since 1960 when Niger acceded to national sovereignty.

When the presidential election results were officially announced on 23rd February 2021, Mr. Mohammed Bazoum, a former Minister of Interior scored 55.75% of the votes, while former President, Mahamané Ousmane polled 44.25% of the votes. Mr. Ousmané alleged electoral fraud, claiming that he scored 50.3%. Could or should the former president have vexed his anger through coup making?

Thirdly,whilethegovernmentspokesmancondemnedthecoupsand described it as‘cowardly and retrograde act which seeks to jeopardize the democracy and the rule of law to which our country is resolutely committed,’ Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari described the coupas‘naïveandold-fashioned.’Asgoodandaptastheseobservations were, they completely missed the fact of existing ethnic tensions in the country which were largely due to governmental politics of nepotism.

Olayinka Ajala of the Leeds Beckett University has it that the largest ethnic group is constituted by the Hausa (56%), followed by the Zarma-

From the foregoing, the likelihood of Francophone Africa surviving without France is remote for now. France is not likely to accept Russianisation of her zone of influence, Francophone Africa. There are two emerging Cold Wars: Sino-American and Franco-Russian.

China’s emerging superpower status and its serious contentions with the United States will attract Russian support, as the United States and its allies cannot but give active support to France within the NATO framework. Whether the volume of international aid currently given by western allies to the new dictators can be equaled by Russia or China and whether the sanctions taken by the ECOWAS against the military juntas will be enough to bring about good governance and stop the deepening jihadist terrorism remain mute questions. In essence, ECOWAS and African Union leaders cannot be preaching the gospel of non-forceful change of government while condoning bad governance and ignoring the wishes of the people under the pretext of constitutional democracy, which should not be in the interest of only elected presidents, but also in that of the people who elected the presidents. Consequently, the policy of unconstitutional governments should be redefined to reflect the peoples’ interests. The matter goes beyond de-Frenchification, Russianisation and coups d’état. Africa must not be the theatre of a new Cold War.

Songhai with 22% and theTuareg with 8%.What is noteworthy is that ‘successive military governments have taken various steps to stifle discussion about ethnicity in a bid to prevent it from dominating the polity.’The grievance is to the extent that theTuareg once threatened to secede.

Fourthly,themilitarywasverydividedandasOlayinkarightlypointed out again, ‘the most common criticism is that the army is negatively affected by appointments that are made along ethnic lines rather than for professional reasons.’The additional point of interest is that neither the African Union nor the ECOWAS leaders attended to the various complaints before the coup.The declared concern of the African leaders was no forceful change of government.

The coup in Guinea is similarly disturbing. It took place on 5 September 2021 and led to the removal of President Alpha Condé, who was elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2015. And true, Guinea had been under dictatorship since 1958. Even though President Condé tried to improve the economy, his efforts had very little impact on the people, especially with the petrol price increases from 9,000 to 11,000 Guinean francs in August 2021; increased funding of presidential services and National Assembly but cutting off some support for the security forces (police and the military); and increased price of 250 gm of loaf of bread from 1,500 to 2,000 Guinean francs.

Condé made matters worse when he dreamt of a third term in office, and he organized a review of the Constitution in 2020.The public demonstrations that started in 2019 and continued in 2020 did not stop Condé’s repression of the opposition. It was brutality galore, a situation that prompted France to take its distance from Guinean affairs, but which also created a vacuum for China and Russia to fill.

What is useful to note is that the coup occurred at about 8.00 a.m. local time (GMT), and thatColonel Mamady Doumbouya announced the dissolution of government, suspension of the Constitution and shutting land and air borders. He proposed an 18-month transition period.Thesemeasurespromptedlargecrowdstocomeouttowelcome the coup. Military coups are prohibited by African leaders, but the African peoples hailed them.

This situation is not different from what obtains in Mali and Burkina Faso. Mali had two coups, or what has been described as‘coup within coup’within one year. The first coup opposed the French-supported government of Ibrahim Keïta Boubou Cissé and the Assimi Goïta-led National Committee for the Salvation of the People elements of the MalianArmedForces.Malianshadbeenprotestinggovernmentpolicies (June 5 Movement or the Rally of Patriotic Force), but to no avail. The military took advantage of it and sacked the government on August 18, 2020.The second coup began on the night of May 24, 2021, when the Vice President, Assimi Goïta, captured President Bah N’daw and enthroned himself as President.

Burkina Faso played host to the most recent coup on 23 January 2022 which ousted President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, the coup leader, Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, suspended the Constitution, dissolved the National Assembly, and closed land and air borders, for reasons of insecurity and inability of the president to unite the country.

Again, the coup enjoyed popular support. In this regard, both the African Union and the ECOWAS, as well as the international community have condemned the various coups, but the peoples supported them.

Thus, quo vadis?

BeyondDe-FrenchificationandCoupsd’État Somepreliminaryobservationsaboutthevariouscoupsarenoteworthy.The first is that they are all taking place in Francophone countries and one after another.Why is it so?Why the anti-French sentiments at this juncture of the Franco-African relationships? The Francophones have argued that they still love the French people but are only against Frenchgovernment’spolicies.WhyareFrenchgovernment’spoliciesnow more antagonizing to the extent that the Francophones do not want the French anymore? Can the Francophones de-Frenchify themselves?

Secondly,thetimingissignificant.Thecoupsarecominginsuccession.

The ratio decidendi for all the coups are the same and they bother on bad governance, governmental insensitivity, and political repression, all of which have compelled the people to seek redress on the streets.

Thirdly,theincreasingnumberofcoupsnotonlyraisesmanyquestions on the ability of the African Union and the ECOWAS to enforce their declaration on the need for good governance and non-acceptability of forceful change of government, but also raises questions about development assistance. The current economic diplomacy is that development aid can only be given to countries where democracy is the system of governance. Dictators are not eligible. This is the principle established at the end of the Franco-African summit held in La Baule, France in 1990.The economic powers have all bought into this recommendation and can be expected that they will unite their efforts to sanction the new dictators. But to what extent?

Fourthly, a new East-West Cold War appears to be in the making simply because the vacuum being created with the possible exit of France is being filled by Russia. In both Mali and Burkina Faso, the governmentshavecalledonRussiatoassisttheminthestruggleagainst the jihadist terrorists.Terrorist attacks in the two countries have become very recidivist. Confidence that the French are prepared to ward off the international terrorists is no longer there.What is most likely to happen, especially that the French do not want to be in collaboration with the Russians in fighting terrorism in her special sphere of influence, is that the Francophone countries cannot but become a new terra cognita for proxy battles between Russia, China and possibly North Korea, on the one hand, and France and her allies, on the other. The battle grounds will suffer the most.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 30, 2022

INTERVIEW $/ 0$.85$

:K\ , DP 0RVW 4XDOLÀHG WR %H $3& 1DWLRQDO &KDLUPDQ Former Governor of Nasarawa State, Tanko Al-Makura, is one of the aspirants contesting for the national chairmanship of the All Progressives Congress. In this interview with ,\RERVD 8ZXJXDUHQ, Al-Makura who is also the Senator representing Nasarawa South in the National Assembly reveals why he is in a vantage position to clinch the position in the party’s February national convention

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W ODVW WKH $3& KDV À[HG WKH QDWLRQDO FRQYHQWLRQ RI WKH SDUW\ IRU )HEUXDU\ $V RQH RI WKH OHDGLQJ DVSLUDQWV IRU WKH SRVLWLRQ RI QDWLRQDO FKDLUPDQ WHOO XV KRZ SUHSDUHG DUH \RX" I am prepared. I am prepared because this is a party that I was opportune to be at the very beginning amongst people who by providence came together with our leaders to Ànd a common ground where we will consolidate the gains of our nationhood. I say this because never in the history of this country have we had an opportunity where every part of this country came together, despite our diͿerent tendencies to agree to work together as one united team - to ensure national unity and national cohesion. So with that opportunity to salvage this country, I feel at this point, when such eͿorts have yielded a lot of fruits, are good to go to the next level and we are faced with challenges of transition, I am the right person. This is because the symbol of unity, the symbol of that success is on its way out in the next one and a half years. That is why I am motivated to partake in gunning for the o΀ce of the national chairman if only to sustain the legacies and also to ensure the indivisibility of that cohesion as one people, one destiny. So, I am fully prepared and I am highly motivated by these values that we have been able to put in place since 2013, and I will not stop at anything in ensuring that I expand the scope of my campaign and convince party stalwarts of the desirability of my leading the party to the next level.

In the last few weeks or months, you’ve been going around the country, soliciting support for your aspiration. Tell us the feedback you are getting from your party members across the country.

The feedback has been very successful. I was excited two weeks ago when within one week, diͿerent platforms, diͿerent categories of people, diͿerent strata of our party’s supporters came to show their support and commitment for my candidacy. When I sat down and looked at the calibre and the nature of these groups I found myself being part and parcel of all the constituencies that came. The youths came, the women came; some of my former colleagues - governors were also with me. Some legislators and some party administrators that I knew since the days of the National Republican Convention (NRC) and before, all come for solidarity. Given this conglomeration of diͿerent constituencies coming to show their support for me, it does appear that my chances are very bright. /RRNLQJ DW WKH GL;HUHQW HQWUHQFKHG LQWHUHVWV ZLWKLQ WKH SDUW\ HVSHFLDOO\ WKRVH ZKR DUH DVSLULQJ WR EH SUHVLGHQW RI 1LJHULD XQGHU WKH SODWIRUP RI WKH $3& ZKLFK ZLOO SOD\ RXW LQ GHWHUPLQLQJ WKH OHDGHUVKLS RI WKH SDUW\ LQ WKH QH[W FRQYHQWLRQ GR \RX VHH $3& JRLQJ WR WKH FRQYHQWLRQ DV D XQLWHG SDUW\" You don’t expect anything less. A party that is so robust, a party that prides itself with over 40 million members, you should expect that diͿerent aspiration, diͿerent interests will certainly emerge and that is the beauty of politics.

Everybody should be allowed to express his wishes, his aspirations, his ambitions because

Al-Makura

it is allowed by the party’s constitution and the Nigeria constitution. There’s nothing unusual about all these things; but what is important is how we manage these diͿerences; how we manage these tendencies towards ensuring a very successful convention. I believe that some of these leaders who are showing interest in some of these prime positions within the party, eminently deserve them and the ultimate decision is by the people. So I think that their show of interest or their aspirations are very healthy and that shows how people have conÀdence in the party. I look at it positively and I believe that with the kind of leadership that we have symbolised by the values of President Muhammadu Buhari and the eͿorts of the caretaker committee in ensuring we have a successful convention, I believe all those interests, ambitions and expectations of our leaders from various positions, will be properly handled in a manner that at the end of the convention, we will come out stronger. $SDUW IURP DVSLULQJ WR OHDG KLV SDUW\ \RX DUH RQH RI WKH IRXQGHUV RI WKLV SDUW\ <RX KDYH EHHQ JRYHUQRU IRU HLJKW \HDUV VHQDWRU DQG QRZ \RX DUH DVSLULQJ IRU WKH QXPEHU RQH SRVLWLRQ RI WKH SDUW\ +DYH \RX SHRSOH VHWWOHG ZKHUH WKH QDWLRQDO FKDLUPDQVKLS ZLOO EH ]RQHG WR DV DQ LQVLGHU" I am an insider; but also an outsider. If I were not aspiring to be the national chairman of this great party, I would have called myself an insider, but for the mere fact that I’m waiting for the people to decide, I’ve decided to stay aloof and await the decisions of our leaders.

The governors, the caretaker committee and all critical stakeholders will come out with what they consider to be the best guidelines to ensure a very successful convention. As it is now I don’t have any authoritative information as regards the zoning of any of the positions to any zone. So, as far as I’m concerned, I am contesting because I feel I should throw my hat in the ring to add value to the party. But I also expect people from diͿerent parts of the country to gun for it because the party has not made any categorical statement about zoning the position of the national chairman to any zone. Virtually all of us that are contesting, from the North-east, to central, to the North-west or every other zone, will wait for the party to decide if it is zoning it or it is an open contest.

Whichever one, I’m available. ,Q VSHFLÀF WHUPV FRXOG \RX WHOO XV ZKDW \RX DUH EULQJLQJ WR WKH WDEOH DV WKH QDWLRQDO FKDLUPDQ RI $3&" I don’t want to regale you with some of my antecedents and competencies regarding the party and administrative pedigree. Without being immodest, I can say without any contradiction that what I’m bringing to the table is my years of experience in various aspects of party administration and public service. If you take a look at party administration I’ve been a youth leader of NPN way back in the Second Republic.

I have been a state secretary of NRC way back in 1990. Given these experiences, I believe as far as party administration is concerned, I’ve cut my teeth both at the youth level, at the state

level and as one that has been part and parcel of the National Executive Council (NEC) since the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and the NRC. I believe those antecedents will add value to party administration. With regards to my experience as governor, it has brought me close to party stalwarts, critical stakeholders and has made me partake in a lot of interfaces with the party, even at the national level. I believe this can be brought to bear and ensure that there’s a seamless administration, especially when it has to do with some of my colleagues - governors because they will see me as one who is on the same page with them. I believe this will ease the transformation of the party to the next level and also given my experience at the Senate it has brought me close to the parliament and parliamentarians, the legislators. And given that experience, I believe that if I become national chairman it will ease the relationship and synergy between the party and members of the National Assembly. These are statutory positions, but if you go to certain other endeavours, like the womenfolk, I believe I’ll be bringing a tremendous amount of support from the women because for those who knew about my stewardship in Nasarawa State, I am among the few governors in the federation that in one fell swoop, appointed Àve women commissioners out of 17. So, I can consider the womenfolk as my constituency.

On a lighter mood, I am a person living with a disability. I have a hearing impairment and I believe the constituency of people living with disability will Ànd in me someone that is part

67

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 30, 2022

INTERVIEW Al-Makura: Why I am Most 4ualiÀed to Be APC National Chairman and parcel of them and someone that knows about how they feel, how they want things done and I believe I will attract a tremendous amount of conÀdence from them. If you put all these constituencies together, I think it is a fait accompli that I will be able to reach out to diͿerent endeavours within the party.

late about negative prophecies. As for me, the more the merrier. This party is sophisticated, it’s cosmopolitan, it’s widespread and you should expect some kind of combustion. It’s natural because psychologists say no two persons are the same. We should expect many more ambitious ideas and aspirations. I believe given the size of the party, we should not develop goose pimples by the diͿerent ways people are scheming or working hard to attain any position.

As for the second leg of the question, I am very optimistic that we will surprise Nigerians.

That at the end of the convention, the party will become stronger, more united and more conÀdent and by the grace of God, the winning streak we had in 2019, will more than double. I believe we have responsible leadership in our party. We derive our inspiration from the steadfastness of Mr President and I believe that we will have a very successful convention because we will be fair, do justice. The leaders will give a level playing Àeld. This I believe, if adhered to, and the guidance of the president who is known for his values, and attributes, I believe the convention will be rancour-free, successful and will be the beginning of the winning streak that this party will attain in 2023.

Other people are aspiring to be the national chairman of the party, some of them have been governors before, some of them have been VHQDWRUV :KDW PDNHV \RX GL;HUHQW DQG ZKDW makes you unique from other contestants?

I do not know any of these contestants that have this robust pedigree that cuts across different areas of endeavours in the past whose experience could add a tremendous amount of value to the administration of the party. That is what makes me diͿerent and another thing is the pride of place that I was opportune by providence to be among the few governors that worked with our leaders to ensure that the merger succeeded. I believe with my experience in 2013 in that merger exercise, I will be able to know who and who played a major role or who and who made a lot of major sacriÀces and be able to appreciate the eͿorts and contributions of everyone right from the time the party started from the scratch to this point in time. If you look at the long period that I have been with the party, it allowed me to know across the board, the contributions, the sacriÀces and the eͿorts that have been made from every part of this country, from the beginning of the merger to this point in time.

There may not be one with such exhaustive pedigree with regards to party development as I have. With due respect, I don’t want to be immodest and I do not want to say what qualiÀes me more than others, but I think these are some of the issues if you want this party to operate seamlessly.

6RPH SHRSOH RXW WKHUH VHH \RX DV WKH ÀUVW political son of Muhammadu Buhari, having been elected as governor under the defunct CPC that was founded by Buhari. Does that count?

It’s for the people to say, but if I have to describe how I have come along from the beginning, I cannot but agree with you that with what I’ve been able to attain at this point, I can safely say that I am the Àrst political son of President Muhammadu Buhari. You see, when CPC came, it was not a party that was known. It was just a new creation and it was the idea of Muhammadu Buhari and that was how we created the CPC. At that time, only people who believed in the values of Mr President joined. There were so many parties.

Well, I refused to partake in the primaries of the PDP because I felt that it will be an injustice.

I didn’t participate in the primaries in 2010. I did not Ànd any party more comfortable in terms of ideology, philosophy and values that Àt my individuality than CPC and one of the most deciding factors was the personality of Buhari himself. His disposition, his values, his sincerity of purpose in his political journey. So, when I joined the party, there wasn’t anything for me to learn from, to say okay, I have been a governor in the CPC, let’s see what we could do to ensure that this thing continues. Everything was created about that very time. The symbol that guided what we did were the constitution of the party and the president himself. And it was with that situation that I was able to uproot the government of the PDP in Nasarawa State that had lasted for about 10 years on the platform of the CPC. And that was the Àrst institution the CPC has been able to establish across the country, so you won’t be wrong if you say I’m the Àrst political son of President Muhammadu Buhari because I was able to succeed with the help of other members to win the governorship position in Nasarawa State which became the institution that became the criteria and condition for participating in the merger.

One of the reasons that the president rejected the Electoral Amendment Act was because KH ZDQWHG WKHP WR LQVHUW GL;HUHQW RSWLRQV Direct, indirect and consensus. Now that the National Assembly has done that, what is your view on that? Are you comfortable with the three options?

Very much so. You see, I was not surprised with the decision of Mr President because he’s someone I’ve known for a very long time and I know he is the person that is passionate, committed and sincere about the rule of law. He is committed to social justice, he has all these attributes in ensuring fairness to everyone.

Al-Makura

Maybe the one that will come and everybody will jump and hail has not even come. So, let’s give everybody the opportunity to come forward and declare and then we can find who fits the bill as far as our party is concerned When those proposals were made, I had known President Buhari’s passion for fairness, I knew he will do what he has done. Why" Because in my relationship with him, he has tried to give everyone his due. So, to only stick to direct primary, this I knew will not jell well with his mindset, with the ideas, with the values of Mr President, because if he did that, agreeing only to one option, it means he’s precluding other people who would have loved other options.And given his disposition of being fair to everybody, he did not disappoint. All he said was to allow the party to choose whichever option they want to choose. He’s one democrat you cannot Ànd fault with because he goes with the logical conclusion in every decision he takes to ensure that he doesn’t trample on anybody’s democratic or political rights. As far as I’m concerned, I’m comfortable with all the options, whichever one suits any of the parties, so be it. That is what I call true democracy.

But there are some insiders within your party, who believe that the real target is that consensus option. That will give the president the possibility to impose candidates on the party. What is your view on that?

Has the party chosen consensus as to the mode of selection" No, it has not. I think that this is speculative and as far as I’m concerned, the party has not said this is their mode of selection approved or what are the criteria for selection.

Until that is done, I think to be fair to the party, the caretaker committee, let’s wait till we get to the bridge, then we will cross it.

QRZ EHFDXVH RI WKH GL;HUHQW SROLWLFDO LQWHUHVWV There is Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Rotimi Amaechi and others.

Even the president himself. Which camp do you belong to?

Would you expect me as an aspiring chairman to pitch a tent even before the convention" That will be dangerous. Two, there are many more aspirants who are supposed to come. How can I pitch my tent with any group when a lot is yet to come. The time is not auspicious yet to think about who will be the presidential candidate or not because we are yet to conduct the convention to select party leadership. And you have to move from the known to the unknown. It is only after the party’s convention that we have the national working committee in place, that we can start to talk about presidential aspirations. But it is their constitutional right, their democratic right and I believe given the size of the party, there will be many more presidential aspirants that will come, so let’s wait and see.

Maybe the one that will come and everybody will jump and hail has not even come. So, let’s allow everybody to come forward and declare and then we can Ànd who Àts the bill as far as our party is concerned.

Some believe that given the desperation of some aspirants for the presidency if care is not taken, the party will be torn apart before the convention. As someone who has managed parties, who has been governor, what will be your advice to the interim committee, so that this national convention does not tear the party apart?

7KHUH DUH GL;HUHQW FDPSV ZLWKLQ WKH SDUW\ I am not a prophet of doom. People just specu-

Some people believe that President Buhari is the rallying point of the APC. Do you think APC will survive beyond Buhari in 2023?

That is why those of us that are his political sons, who have been shaped by his ideas and steadfastness want to be part of the system that will ensure a smooth transition. I believe that those qualities of the president have been imbibed by many political leaders in this country; ministers, governors, senators members of the House of Representatives. If today the president goes, I believe he has left a substantial amount of chaperoning that we can safely say that those values that he has worked hard to establish within the political space will be sustained and if possible improved upon. And I want to assure you that most of the people that you will Ànd as leaders of the party among any of these politicians have great passion, admirations respect for Mr President and with that, some of us are sure that even after he leaves, we will be guided by those values, those attributes. By 2023, even if Buhari would have transited, he will be right within the system. This is because by the special grace of God, some of them he gave positions will be within the scheme of things and it will be like Buhari has gone, Buhari has come back.

There are ongoing agitations that after eight years of President Buhari, within the political arrangement of your party, the presidency should go to the South, even though your party has not decided which zone should have it or decided on any zoning position. What is your view on the position that the presidency should go to the South?

People should not crucify people who have these views. People can have views that are personal and with certain reasons, but as far as I am concerned, the party constitution does not talk about zoning, whether north or south or whatever. If you are talking about convention or experience or what has gone by, one can look at the reasons for selection for a presidential position. It might be guided by it because from 1999, it started in the south, in 2007 it came to the North, two years after, it went to the South, four years after it came to the North. That is the reading, but it may just be natural, induced or facilitated. So, for me, as far as the constitution does not make any categorical statement, even if I have a personal view, I will not be able to express it because I am an aspirant to the national chairmanship of the party and whatever the party decides, in line with its constitution is what I will align with.

Do you see the opposition parties, especially the PDP as a threat to your party in the 2023 election?

I do not see the PDP as any threat with due respect. They are the party that has been fast nose-diving right from the time we took over from them in 2015 because you can see that even as early as just last year, very prominent stakeholders, public o΀cials that occupy very important positions in the PDP were trooping to theAPC. TheAPC is daily gaining ground. How do you have any fear about a party that is losing membership almost daily" Secondly, we are doing the best we can as an incumbent government to facilitate the dividends of democracy in various forms. I think everything is going positively for us to trounce the PDP in 2023. We have all the signs that come 2023, the number of losses PDP suͿered in 2019 will nearly double in 2023.

68

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 30, 2022

with ChidiAmuta e-mail:chidi.amuta@gmail.com

ENGAGEMENTS

Burkina Faso: Nonsense in the Neighbourhood

A

t the height of his revolutionary fervour, Captain Thomas Sankara, embodied the youthful allure of the African coup maker as messiah and hero. Sankara had the additional assets of a fiery Marxist rhetoric and youthful good looks. His dashing ‘can do all things’ charisma contrasted with the dour, calculating mien of his trusted friend and deputy, Blaise Compaore.

A journalist reportedly once asked Sankara at a public event if he was afraid he could be toppled in a counter coup by his military colleagues. He cast a glance to his right hand side where Compaore was seated and replied: “If it is led by Blaise, I don’t stand a chance…” A few weeks later, Sankara was assassinated on the streets of the capital on his wayto visithismotherinacommonneighbourhood.

He was driving himself in a simple tiny Renault 5. The coup and assassination was led by Blaise Compaore who later transformed into a civilian politician and ruled Burkina Faso for the next 27 years. He was later ousted by a popular uprising and chased into exile in Cote d’Ivoire from where he still influences the politics of Burkina Faso.

With a capital whose name sounds more like a staccato of frenzied African witch drum beats, the Sahelian nation of Burkina Faso, formerly Upper Volta before being renamed by Sankara, has just hosted yet another military coup. This ended two days of speculation about the security uncertainty in the country. The military had earlier admitted arresting and detaining the President, Roch Kabore. This followed an earlier eruption of sporadic gunfire in the vicinity of the President’s residence. The soldiers had also neutralised the military formations in and around the capital Ouagadougou. The coup followed days of unrest and popular protests in major urban centres around the country.

These protests had continued frequently in the streets of the capital Ouagadougou and major urban centres following worsening economic and living conditions. In addition, the populace and the political opposition had long voiced open dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of both the economy and the Islamic jihadist insurgency and terrorism in parts of the country.

It would be recalled that jihadist terrorists had staged a bloody bomb attack on the cappuccino restaurant at the Splendid Hotel in the heart of Ouagdougou on 15th January, 2016. Again on 4th October, 2019, jihadist terrorists bombed a bus conveying Canadian miners in Madouji, killing over 37 miners. This is the effective backdrop to the latest of West Africa’s resurgence of the culture of military coups.

The formal announcement on Monday night of a military coup in Burkina Faso has not quite come as a surprise to keen watchers. Both the recent internal political wrangling in the country and similar developments in neighboring countries were enough signals that the democratic government in Burkina Faso was creaking under severe pressure and could cave in any time. The country shared the ailments of its recently fallen neighbor in Mali, Chad and Guinea.

As part of the build up of political pressure before the coup, there was an ongoing trial of the former president, Blaise Compaore and his associatesovertheirroleinthe1987assassination of Thomas Sankara. This had heightened political disaffection in the country. Some observers believe that pro-Compaore elements in the military did not take kindly to his trial in absentia and may have signed on to the anti-Kabore political movement.

Opposition politicians in the country had also allegedly rekindled the Sankara trials in order to douse the mounting pressure by former president Compaore’s supporters to bring him back from exile into power.These extant political motivations could only have added to the current atmosphere of unrest over worsening conditions as well as the fierce urgency of the jihadist insurgency ravaging parts of the country.

On closer look, the Burkina Faso coup is only another episode in what looks more like a viral resurgence of West Africa’s coup culture. As it is, this coup once again places West Africa and the entire Sahel literally under the gun sights of military adventurists. In an earlier clime, coups had swept through Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone in a tidal wave of infectious instability. No one is certain what the current Sahelian sweep portends for the rest of the sub region.

Lieutenant Colonel Damiba Instructively, the putsch in Burkina Faso is coming on the heels of similar recent ones in Mali, Guinea, Chad and even Sudan. In all these countries, the developments that toppled the democratic governments are virtually the same.

Popular uprising fuelled by increasingly harsh economic conditions have been exacerbated by partisan squabbles among rival ambitious politicians and factions. In all the countries, these developments have played into the hands of ambitious and politicized military officers waiting in the wings.

In all the cases, intense civil unrest has reflected worsening economic and general living conditions. This has put intense pressure on political disagreements among parties in democracies that are already made fragile by lack of institutional stability and consolidation.

Politicianspredictablytakeadvantageofcurrent popular disquiet to unsettle their opponents who are in power.

In each of these cases also, the military coup makers have tended to be professional descendants of earlier military adventurers. In much of West Africa, a tradition of politicised military officers and establishments has left generations of officers who see the presidential palace and its incipient luxury as a ready and available alternative habitat to the Spartan bareness of life in the barracks. In other words, West Africa has a latent military oligarchy in the barracks with a lingering appetite for power, privilege and authority.

Countries without entrenched civil democratic traditions and institutions and in which the institutions of national security have been ‘privatized’ to serve successive political regimes lend themselves to frequent upheavals of power.

National security becomes regime security and normal political disagreements become veritable threats to national security.

It is however quite significant and frightening that a constant new feature of these recent coups is the recurrence of Jihadist insurgency as a factor in the political instability in the various countries. In Mali, Guinea, Chad and now Burkina Faso, the toppled government’s handling of the jihadist insurgency has been prominent among the reasons cited by popular protesters and coup authors. Except perhaps in Sudan where the coup was mostly the result of long standing internal political quarrels, the jihadist threat to West African countries has featured as a reason for the military takeover. Jihadist elements have mounted unrelenting military pressure on the governments of all these countries and in some cases infiltrated the armed and security forces where they could not defeat them. In some cases, jihadist affiliation has become a short cut to political relevance as prominent jihadist leaders have formed or joined political parties or aggressive factions.

Quite consequentially, the jihadist rampage of terror and insurgency throughout the Sahel has caused severe economic hardship. In that case, they have also become a factor in the economic and social pressures that produce and feature n the civil protests in the most affected countries.

It has constricted agricultural land space and forced the rural population of farmers and herders to migrate to more arable and fertile spaces southwards. Humanitarian disasters havebecomeendemicwiththeattendanthunger, displacements and other vulnerabilities. These have been exacerbated by climate change and the southward expansion of the Sahara desert.

In a sense, therefore, the recent rapid unconstitutional changes of government in West Africa may appear like indirect ‘victories’ for the jihadist forces bent on destabilising the sub region. It is uncertain if the military juntas that are coming to power in these countries share the sectarian fundamentalist inspiration of the jihadists. It is unclear also if the political elite of most West African states understand the larger strategic meaning of jihadist expansion in the region.

A further disturbing feature of the recent epidemic of coups inWest Africa is a clear indication that in most African countries, democracy is still a fragile force. A good number of African countries tend to limit their understanding of democracy to the formation of multiple parties, the conduct of periodic elections and the freedom to form governments and appropriate state power. Scant attention is paid to the entrenchment of the institutions of democracy such as a security force that is doctrinally subordinate to civilian authority, an independent judiciary led by honest judges, a free press and the guarantee of basic freedoms to citizens.

Thus, partisan disagreements among politicians tend to spiral into wild protests in streets inhabited by economically vulnerable populations. These ‘people of the streets’ and their economic travails become ready tinder for ambitious political opponents of the incumbent party. Popular unrest over bad governance and worsening conditions graduates into political capital for ambitious opposition politicians and over politicized military officers. The rest is predictable.

The developments in West Africa ought to concern the United Nations and the international community. The critical point is that democracy as a system of rule based governance is under serious threat in a whole continental sub-region.

In a world where populist autocrats have recently come to power to trample on normal democratic rights and norms, this is a dangerous trend.

Democracy and global stability are clearly under clear and present threat and danger in West Africa.

We cannot underestimate the threat which regional upheaval and anarchy pose to world peace and global order. The rise of Islamic jihadism in parts of the Middle East in the period after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States led to the emergence of terrorism and instability in most parts of the Middle East. Wars have since broken out in Iraq, Syria, Libya and Yemen. Arms proliferation, humanitarian disasters and the further spread of violent doctrines and theologies have yielded the spread of illegal weapons to unguarded places of the world.There has followed a mass export of jihadism to the Sahel and other vulnerable zones of the world.

The possibility of West Africa becoming the breeding ground of a new wave of military regimes in Africa is now imminent. The world can ill afford an over populated lawless Africa ruled by military despotswithrulebooksthattheywritethemselves.

With the world’s largest population of youth and an epidemic of poverty, authoritarian rule is the least desirable option for Africa. The spread of jihadist terror in Africa is already enough strategic headache for those concerned about global peace.

ECOWAS is even more severely tasked by these coups. Reflexive closures of land and air corridors can no longer deter determined autocrats. Rogue regimes have a habit of surviving better in adversity and under sanctions. ECOWAS itself consists of countries that lack the muscle and mechanism to enforce embargoes and sanctions. Determined military despots can only laugh off the reflex diplomatic theatre of bans, border closures, threats, sanctions and routine exclusions. The region has a long established network of cross border black market rackets and semi official channels.

These illegitimate channels serve the needs of gangster regimes that are intent on clinging to power at all costs. Defiance of regional diplomatic initiatives and sanctions becomes expected routine. The military regimes dig in and entrench themselves. They have mastered the language of the current international mood.

They will pledge respect for human rights, commitment to constitutional rule, plans to restore democracy and constitutional order etc. etc. But in order to be able to stem the tide of undemocratic regime changes, ECOWAS will need to acquire teeth. But who will pay for a new set of military and economic strangulation teeth?

For Nigeria, the recent epidemic of coups inWest Africa ought to be a matter of strategic concern.

First, they are direct assaults on our extant leadership responsibility as a stabilising influence in the ECOWAS region. Beyond sending peace envoys to places with no prospects of peace and trying to cajole determined autocrats to cede power to those they just overthrew, Nigeria’s current leadership role in the troubled spots of West Africa has been rather tepid and effete. Our previous military capacity to compel our desired outcomes in this neighbourhood as in Liberia and Sierra Leone has been dulled by insecurity at home and economic distress. More worrisome is the fact that all the factors that West Africa’s nascent coupists have invoked to justify their adventurism are abundant here as well. In particular, the nuisance of jihadist terror and insurgency has become an endemic headache for Nigeria. Beyond being a strategic diplomatic challenge, therefore, the new wave of coups in West Africa should be a wake up call for a country whose internal security challenges have placed soldiers on the streets of all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Clearly, the coup in Burkina Faso is both unnecessary and unfortunate. A parched land -locked nation of 20.3 million of some of the world’s poorest citizens hardly needs to regress into authoritarianism to settle political differences.

Months after the military adventurists have settled into the pomp and privilege of state power, the protesters and opposition politicians will discover that jihadist insecurity, hunger and poverty do not just disappear simply because a new set of uniformed sheriffs stormed into town.

Ultimately, as in all such disruptions, democracy suffers deadly setbacks and national development takes steps backwards. If this trend takes root in West Africa and spreads further afield again, Africa will once again retreat on all indices of global development. We might as well excuse Africa from the march of human civilization as the rest of the world moves on, indifferent to our self inflicted wounds. Like the rest of West Africa’s recent coup countries, Burkina Faso is not alone.

It is ultimately about global peace and stability.

69

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾JANUARY 30, 2022

NEWS

News Editor: Gboyega Akinsanmi E-mail: gboyega.akinsanmi@thisdaylive.com,08152359253

FG Allocates N500m to Prosecute Boko Haram Suspects Alex Emunahin Abuja

The federal government has allocated a whopping sum of N500 million to prosecute Boko Haram cases and other criminal suspects in the year 2022.

The figure was contained in the breakdown of the Federal Ministry of Justice’s approved 2022 budget, saying over 10,000 suspects are projected to be prosecuted with the money.

Described as a “new” project in the budget, according to budget breakdown, the allocation is to be expended on fresh Boko Haram and other criminal cases filed in court by the ministry.

The federal ministry of justice has a mass trial arrangement with the Federal High Court that enables judges to be deployed to try terrorist suspects at the various military detention facilities holding the suspects in different parts of the country.

Under the arrangement, the logistical challenges of moving a large number of terror suspects

to face trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja or other divisions of the court, is conquered, but there have been local and international concerns about the fairness and thoroughness of the process.

Three phases of the mass trial have been held so far.

The new N500million provision voted for the prosecution of Boko Haram suspects and other criminal cases is different from the over N300million voted for the prosecution of other “ongoing” cases, some of which are also Boko Haram-related.

The “ongoing” cases tagged as ‘Prosecution of prison inmates, maritime/offshore offences, Boko Haram suspects, offenders of government recovered assets, and improving asset recovery and monitoring process’ is to gulp a total of N308,647,164, the budget stated.

Representing about 2.95 per cent of the total N17 billion budget of the ministry, the prosecution of the new Boko Haram cases is the project

with the third-largest allocation among the 12 projects listed in the ministry’s 2022 budget.

It comes directly behind ‘Establishment of a Federal Taskforce and Development of a Federal Contracts Administration System (FCAS) in Nigeria’, with N821million allocation.

The project with the highest allocation, tagged as ‘Intervention fund to support the FGN’s Reform Initiatives at the Disposal of Terrorism Cases, prison reforms and decongestion programme as well as the activation on the national cyber

security coordination centre to support ongoing reform,’ is billed to gulp N5billion.

Nigeria contends with yearslong accumulated terrorism cases with thousands of suspects held in military detention facilities in different parts of the country awaiting trial.

Amnesty International had serially reported deaths of Boko Haram suspects in military detention facilities, as they swell in number over the years without trial.

In December 2020, the human rights organisation

claimed that over 10,000 detainees had died in detention since 2011, a charge the Nigerian Army denied.

Of the thousands of detained Boko Haram suspects, only 800 of them were being prepared for trial as of May 2021, according to an official.

Shielding more light on the cases, a Deputy Director, Chioma Onuegbu s a i d the 800 suspects were a m o n g a b o u t 1 , 0 0 0 t e rrorism suspects whose case files were analysed by prosecutors in her

team.

According to her, out of the 1,000 case files that were reviewed in 2019, 800 had prima facie evidence with which to proceed to trial, while 170 lacked evidence and the suspects in them were recommended for release.

Onuegbu added that charges had been filed at the Federal High Court in 280 of the 800 cases. The charges had been served on the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON), which defends the suspected terrorists, the prosecutor explained further.

EFCC Quizzes Ex-VON DG over N1.3bn Fraud The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday detained the DirectorGeneral of Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu, over a case of alleged conspiracy, abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N1.3 billion.

He was said to have arrived at the headquarters of the anti-graft agency in Abuja at about 1.30pm to honour an invitation but was

detained and interrogated.

“Osita Okechukwu, an All Progressives Congress chieftain, was consequently detained and interrogated about his alleged involvement in the fraud. He is still in custody as we speak,” a source stated.

The EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the invitation of the VON chief executive but declined to provide further details.

Police Arrest Teenagers for Ritual Killing in Ogun James Sowole in Abeokuta The Ogun State Police Command has arrested four young boys for alleged involvement in ritual killing.

The command disclosed this in a statement by its Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abimbola Oyeyemi yesterday.

The statement said the suspects – Wariz Oladehinde (17), Abdul Gafar Lukman (19) and Mustakeem Balogun (20) – were all arrested following information received at Adatan Police Division from the head of the community security guard.

According to the command, the community security guard claimed that the suspects were seen burning

something suspected to be human head in a local pot.

“Upon the information, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Abiodun Salau, quickly led his detectives to the scene, where the three suspects were arrested,” the command said in its statement.

It added that the fourth suspect, Soiu Majekodunmi, who happened to be the boyfriend of the murdered girl, was later arrested after he initially fled.

Soliu was said to be 18 years old.

Upon interrogation, the command disclosed that the arrested suspects confessed that what they were burning in the local pot is the head of the girlfriend of one of them

Ositelu Declares Interest in 2023 Presidency A presidential candidate, Isaac Ositelu has expressed interest in running for president in 2023.

In a statement yesterday, Ositelu said if citizens must be rescued from the “perpetual master-slave stranglehold of the very manipulative politicians”, voter education must be carefully planned and integrated into the electoral mobilisation process.

He, therefore, called on Nigerians to participate actively in the process of

deciding who will emerge as their leader, the presidential candidate of the Accord Party (AP) in the 2019 presidential election.

Ositelu, a businessman, said the current escalating insecurity and economic downturn will be a thing of the past if he is elected president.

He said: “Youths and women should no longer accept willing tools in the hands of incredible politicians whose only interest is to use and dump them,” the statement reads.

HOMAGE TO THE PRESIDENT… L-R: Chairman, Rite Food Biggy Drinks, Chief Suleiman Adegunwa; Chairman, Ogun State Traditional Rulers Council, Oba Babatunde Ajayi; Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun; his predecessor, Chief Olusegun Osoba; and a former Deputy Governor of Ogun State Mrs Salimot Badru after their meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja... weekend

Judge Fixes March to Resume Trial of Woman for Alleged N110m Fraud Wale Igbintade Justice Oluremi Omowunmi Oguntoyinbo of the Federal High Court in Abeokuta has fixed March for the trial of Iwuagwu Onyinyechi who allegedly defrauded a church-based organisation known as MIA Enterprise of N110.

The Ogun State Police Command had arrested the 39-year-old Onyinyechi for allegedly defrauding the church-based organisation while pretending to assist the

organisation raise funds for its charity programme.

Onyinyechi was first arraigned before a judge of the court who has been transferred to Katsina State.

Consequently, Justice Oguntoyinbo who was assigned to handle the case, has set the trial to start afresh on March 1, 2 and 3, 2022.

The arrest of Onyinyechi, according to spokesman for the command, DSP Abimbola

Oyeyemi, followed a petition by lawyer of the organisation, Godswill Ojakovo, to the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State, Ahmed Iliyasu.

Ojakovo, in the petition, according to Oyeyemi, “alleged that his client was defrauded by the suspect through an act of forgery.

“He said the suspect claimed to have received a Local Purchase Order (LPO) from a company known as Location 3 Properties

and appealed to MIA organisation to fund the LPO, consequent upon which N33,118,000 was transferred online to her.

“While the organisation was awaiting the repayment of the above amount, the suspect came with another LPO she purportedly got from Ancillia Catholic Hospital, Iju, and Holifull School, Ikorodu, upon which another N77 million was given to her after showing relevant documents and proofs to back her claims.

IELTS: UK Justifies Imposition Language Tests on Nigerians Funmi Ogundare The United Kingdom yesterday explained why it was mandatory to go through the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to study or work in the UK. In a response to Premium Times inquiry, the UK Home Office said it was important that anyone willing to either work or study in the UK “shows evidence of language competence to integrate

in the country.”

The home office, in its response

by Head of Communications, British High Commission in Nigeria, Dean Hurlock, said the UK uses the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), an international standard for describing language ability, to set level of competence required to integrate in the UK. It said: “We use CEFR (Common European Framework of

Reference) levels to provide a common set of standards, and set them on a route by route basis, taking into account the types of activities and nature of the route.

“CEFR standards are an important common baseline to ensure applicants meet the required language standard,” the home office explained in its response to Premium Times inquiry.

Speaking on the allegation of charging exorbitant fees,

the home office explained that individual test providers set the fees but these must be comparable to what is charged globally.

It said: “Individual test providers set the fees for SELT. UK Visas & Immigration stipulate that the fees providers charge our customers must be comparable to the fees they charge others for the same or similar English language tests.”

Eko, Ikeja Discos Blame Drop in Power Generation for Power Outage Segun James Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) and Ikeja Electric (IE) Plc have attributed the outage currently being experienced by customers under their networks to a drop in power generation.

The Discos made this known in separate statements issued on their social media pages yesterday, regarding the state of power supply to their customers.

EKEDC said the reduction in supply was due to the drop in power generation from an average of 3,700MW to 2,000MW. The Disco said this was caused by gas limitations arising from vandalism, and more recently an issue affecting the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) line from the Egbin Power Plant.

“We apologise for the inconvenience this may have caused and assure you that we are working with

our generation and transmission partners to ensure that stable supply is achieved within the shortest possible time.

“We equally commenced major network rehabilitation and relief projects within our network two weeks ago that will significantly improve our services to our dear customers,” EKEDC said.

Similarly, Ikeja Electric said a power outage is being experienced in certain parts of its network due to

load shedding by TCN as a result of the drop in power generation.

The Disco said the affected areas are Iju, Abule Odu, Egbeda, Oregun, Anifowoshe, Ago, Okota, Oke Afa, Ajao, Amuwo, Ikosi, Mende, Ogudu, Bariga, Oworo, Gbagada and Ilupeju.

“We regret the inconvenience and wish to assure you that our technical team is working with other partners in the electricity value chain to improve the situation.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾JANUARY 30, 2022

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NEWSXTRA

Cancel Outcome of Ekiti APC Primary to Avoid Zamfara Saga, Aspirants Tell CECPC Victor Ogunje The governorship aspirants of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State yesterday faulted the outcome of the just concluded primary election, noting that the credibility of the process was shamefully compromised and manipulated.

Consequently, the aspirants asked the APC Caretaker/Extra-ordinary National Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) to cancel the outcome of the process to avoid what happened in Zamfara State in 2019.

In separate interviews with THISDAY yesterday, the aspirants comprising Senator Dayo Adeyeye, Mr. Kayode Ojo, Mr. Bamidele Faparusi and Hon. Femi Bamisile all rejected the outcome of the

process, claiming that it fell short of minimum democratic standards.

Seven governorship aspirants had controversially withdrawn from the contest on the ground that Ekiti APC in collaboration with the state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi allegedly appointed their political associates to serve as the presiding and returning officers of the primary election.

Contingent upon this allegation, the aspirants had registered their concerns with the 2022 Ekiti State Gubernatorial Primary Election Committee under the chairmanship of Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru, but the committee failed to address their concerns.

Despite their withdrawal from the process, the Badaru com-

mittee conducted the primary election amid allegations of compromise and manipulation by all aspirants except Fayemi’s anointed candidate and the immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji.

The committee eventually

announced Oyebanji the winner of the contest.

Responding to Oyebanji’s emergence yesterday, Adeyeye said the party had compounded the problem, warning that the APC “stand a chance of losing the June 18 poll with the shabby way it

conducted the primary.”

Adeyeye, a pro-Ekiti South advocate, said he never imagined a party that had progressivism as its mantra could accept the outcome of such a primary election.

He warned that such an election would generate furore and

ridicule the party in the eyes of the public, believing that a ruling party “is supposed to be a pacesetter.”

He claimed that the whole process was “a sham. In fact, it was a disgrace to our collective integrity.

How could a party allocate votes to aspirants that had withdrawn from a race?

Ooni Imposes Curfew on Ife as Armed Robbers Invade Community Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has declared restriction of movement from 11p.m. to 5a.m. daily, following a sudden rise in incidents of armed robbery within his domain.

Confirming the development, the Lowa Adimula of Ife, High Chief Abraham Adekola, who is the third in line to Ooni, said the Ooni-in-Council had to put up the measure on behalf of the monarch, to curtail criminality in the town.

Adekola, who said Oba Ogunwusi was in Sokoto on official assignment when the armed robbery incidents started happening, added that the palace chiefs had to act after briefing the royal father in a bid to arrest the situation.

Adekola, who promised that no

one would be molested before or during the curfew, said since the restriction was imposed, there was a drastic reduction in cases of armed robbery in the town.

“It is true; restriction of movement had been imposed in the name of Baba Ooni. He is in Sokoto on an official assignment but after consultation with him, we agreed to impose restrictions from 11p.m. to 5a.m. daily until the situation improves.

“During the restriction, no night party, vigil or movement,” he said, adding that the measure “is is just to check criminality in the town.

“Armed robbers had invaded Ife. They killed and maimed people.

We just have to act to arrest the situation and since we imposed restrictions, the situation has improved.

UNILAG Inaugurates Business School Alumni The Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe and the President of the university’s Alumni association, Dr John Momoh, has charged the members of the newly inaugurated University of Lagos Business School Alumni Association to be worthy ambassadors of the institution.

At the graduation reception of the first cohort of Executive MBA participants, the ULBS Executive Director, Prof. Abraham Osinubi and EMBACoordinator, Dr Simeon Ifere said the graduands were fully equipped with the knowledge and skills required to make an outstanding positive impact in their various organisations and communities.

The pioneer EMBA participants were admitted in September 2019 and completed their coursework and project defence in August 2021.

It was observed that during the pandemic lockdown, class interactions were conducted seamlessly online.

The ULBS was set up as an autonomous unit of the University of Lagos to advance the culture of excellence in business research and training in an environment that is conducive to learning.

The school explores beyond the normal criteria of research universities by promoting research that transcends the realm of academic publications to reach and add value to the Nigerian and global business communities.

Sun Editor’s Wife for Burial Feb 23 The remains of Mrs. Hope Kelechi Nnadi (nee Ejeka), the late wife of Mr Chidi Nnadi, Editor, Sunday of The Sun Newspaper, will be laid to rest on Wednesday, February 23.

The late Mrs Nnadi died in a Lagos hospital at the age of 50 years.

According to the Nnadi family, a service of songs has been scheduled for the deceased for February 22 by

the Mountain of Fire Ministries at the husband’s compound at Umuafom Orogwe, Owerri.

She will be buried at the Nnadi’s ancestral home in Uniform, Orogwe in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State after a funeral service.

She is survived by her husband, Chidi; son, Chisom; and daughter, Oluchi and a host of other relatives.

GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY… L-R: The Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province (Anglican Communion), Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma; his wife, Joyce, Enugu State Governor, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuany; Chairman/Chief Executive, Roban Group, Sir Rob Anwatu; and his wife, Lady Nwanne, during the inauguration of a digital x-ray machine donated to Good Shepherd Specialist Hospital, Enugu … yesterday

Rivers Destroys 27 Illegal Refinery Sites, Arrests Eight Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt Eight persons suspected to be pipeline vandals have been arrested in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, as the operation to end oil bunkering and illegal refining of petroleum products is intensified by the state government.

The suspects were arrested by a special anti-bunkering taskforce set up by the council chairman, Rowland Sekibo to fight illegal oil bunkering in the area.

The team, in different operations led by the chairman, has also destroyed at least 27 illegal Refinery sites in the area in the past one week.

“My advice to them (communities) is that they should just give us information, because the truth is that it is difficult for many communities to fight against the people that indulge in this illegal bunkering, because they are criminals and you can’t take ordinary hands to a gunfight,” Sekibo said.

“But those of us that are

responsible, when we get information, we will go after them.”

The fight against illegal bunkering in Rivers State is being spearheaded by Governor Nyesom Wike.

Wike earlier this month promised a reward of two million naira for identifying illegal refineries.

On Friday, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor led top military officers on a courtesy call to Wike and pledged full military support for the fight

against illegal refineries in the State. Irabor vowed that the fight would be extended to all Niger-Delta states.

Also in Rivers State yesterday, an electricity vandal met his Waterloo in a bid to vandalise dead-over-head lines close to Timber 33kv lines belonging to the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED) Plc. THISDAY learned that the suspect did not go scot- free as he was electrocuted on the spot in Oyigbo Local Government Area, Rivers State.

Don’t Destroy Posters of Opposition Candidates, Bauchi Gov Tells Supporters Segun Awofadeji in Bauch Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, yesterday cautioned his supporters against destroying posters and banners of opposition candidates ahead of the 2023 general election.

He gave the directive at a stakeholders meeting held at old Banquet Hall, Government House, Bauchi, saying his administration would not encourage PDP supporters

to engage in such an ac Rather than destroying their banners and posters, Mohammed said he would encourage members of the opposition parties to join the ruling PDP, citing its landmark legacies of achievements.

He said: “I want to use this stakeholders meeting to advise my supporters not to engage in destroying the posters and banners of other candidates, especially those from

the opposition parties.

“I am happy with the unity that is existing among the leaders and members of our PDP party in Bauchi state and I am happy to say that, with your support, we have made giant strides in the sectors of infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, women and youth empowerment among others.”

He told the party stakeholders that one of the legacies of his administration “is conducting local government elections.” He, there-

fore, appreciated the performance of the local government chairmen in the area of empowering people at the grassroots.

In the area of empowerment in particular, the governor said his administration through its KEEP programme had empowered youth and women in 10 out of the 20 local government areas of the state.

Mohammed called on party members not to use their political ambition to cause rancour in the party.

Clark: I’ll Support Saraki If South Fails to Produce Candidate Leader of Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark has hailed the presidential aspiration of Dr. Bukola Saraki, describing him as “the Best for Nigeria.”

Clark made this remark in Abuja yesterday when the Saraki Contact and Advocacy Council under the leadership of its National Chairman, Prof.

Iyorwuese Hagher informed him about Saraki’s plan to

contest the 2023 presidential election.

During the visit, the group spoke on the need for national cohesion through the emergence of a presidential candidate who, over time, has shown character and competence to deliver on national issues.

In his remarks, Clark emphasised the need to present a credible candidate

who understands the dynamics in every part of Nigeria, citing the fact that Saraki possessed all the qualities.

Clark also noted the sterling performance of Saraki in the eighth Senate, while emphasising that if the southern part of the country failed to produce a consensus candidate, he would support Saraki’s presidential ambition.

He said: “We have been agitating for the presidency to be zoned to the south.

However, if we fail to come up with a consensus candidate in the South, I will have no option but to support Dr. Bukola Saraki.”

The delegation included Senator Solomon Ewuga, Senator Bello Adokwe, Hon. Idem Unyime, Hon Moses Aliyu, and other prominent PDP chieftains.

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

B AC K PAG E C O N T I N UAT I O N DERAILED DEREGULATION AND THE DANGER OF DITHERING 2021 was N1.468 trillion (made up of N970.33 billion from crude oil, N117.31 billion from FG’s share of NLNG dividends, and N381.27 billion from signature bonus and early renewals). Read this slowly: the 2022 estimate for fuel subsidy is almost three times of what the FG earned from the oil sector in 11 months in 2021.

The media have been replete with stories about the national oil company struggling to make remittances to the Federation Account for some months last year. Even with rising oil price, this is not only likely to be more regular there is also the possibility that oil earnings may not even cover the subsidy. With the constraints of OPEC quota, our struggle to even meet that quota, and the spike in oil theft, don’t rule out the possibility of borrowing to fund fuel subsidy.

Budget deficit is likely to expand too.

For context, FG’s aggregate revenue for 11 months in 2021 was N5.51 trillion but the borrowing for that period was N7.05 trillion, amounting to a deficit of 56%. But there is this small detail that N4.20 trillion was spent on debt servicing during that period, which is 76% of FG’s aggregate earnings and 97% of FG’s retained revenues of N4.30 trillion. Spending between 76% and 97% of revenues to service just debts shows that government is borrowing to fund personnel, other overhead items and capital.

Those who don’t get the chills from this might have been lulled by the beguiling talk that Nigeria’s debt-to-GDP ratio is sustainable. At below 35%, our debt-to-GDP ratio compares well with that of Ghana (59%), USA (107%), and Japan (237%). But Nigeria’s revenue-to-GDP is about half of the African average of 18%, meaning we are not leveraging the size of our

Kyari

economy for revenue. And it is worth bearing in mind that debt servicing and debt repayment are made from revenue, not by or from GDP. With expanding subsidy, debts will increase, so will the amount needed to service them. If the FG is in a tight fiscal space, the states

are much worse off, because they do not have as much latitude as the FG. States may not be able to do more than pay just salaries, and the salaries will likely be owed, and retrenchments will not be unlikely. And because of the oversized impact of government, the effects will likely

‘WHO ARE WE GOING TO VOTE FOR?’ their choices at the polling booth. They listen to their influencers. Therefore, as the 2023 elections draw nearer, I want to help us understand the mentality of the Nigerian voter — as I often try to do at election times — in order to moderate our expectations and provide us with analytical tools that may be useful in interpreting why we vote the way we do. How does the mind of the average Nigerian voter work? What facts and factors play the biggest role in shaping voting behaviour?

Nigerian voters, whether or not they are registered members of the political parties, are influenced by four broad interests: one, material; two, ideological; three, primordial; and four, political affinity.

By material interest, I mean “stomach infrastructure”. It pulls a significant crowd in Nigeria. A small bag of rice does a lot of trick. In any poor society, food is a big appetiser for vote sellers. The materialinduced voters are freelancers and are usually only valuable at election times.

They do not harbour any pretence — they are in it for the one-night stand. They should not be confused with loyalists whose material needs are regularly taken care of by their godfathers and political leaders.

The second category is “ideological voters”. There are Nigerian voters who still believe in the ideals of how a society should run. They think that in the whole mess, one party or one candidate is still better than the other. So, while cynics would say “all politicians are the same” or “all parties are alike”, voters of this hue would argue that some are better than the others. They are not explicitly motivated by emotional interests — they do not find it hard to ignore ethnic, religious and regional sentiments in casting their votes. This category is a tiny minority in Nigeria but I think it is fast gaining ground. I have encountered many Nigerians, mostly educated ones, in this category.

Many Nigerian voters are, expectedly, motivated by “primordial” interest — the third category. I use this to cover ethnic, regional or religious emotions. If they have to choose between a candidate from their region/ religion and someone else, they will automatically vote for their ilk. But if no strong candidate of their

kinfolk is on the ballot, they are likely to vote for whoever is “closer” to them — someone likely to serve their interests or who has often identified with them. The fundamental motivation here, therefore, is group interest. This may explain why some communities historically and consistently deliver as many as three quarters of their votes to particular political tendencies.

The fourth “interest” is “political affinity”. In this category, it is not so much about ethnic or religious affiliation, but historical political alliances. In the past, for example, Southern minorities used to vote for the mainstream parties from the north. This affinity is often defined by the political and traditional rulers. If they direct their followers and subjects to vote for someone from another place or party, they will comply. For instance, Kwara state voters used to go anywhere the late Dr Olusola Saraki went. Within 48 hours to the August 1983 governorship election, he reportedly directed his supporters in the NPN to vote for Chief CO Adebayo, the UPN candidate. Adebayo won.

A word of caution here. Sometimes, the godfathers read the room before taking a decision on the direction to go. There are times they call the shots and get away with it. In fact, their followers will come to them and ask: who should we vote for? Other times, they can see the direction their followers want to go and they play along to avoid rebellion. This is not limited to the general election. From party formation — where alliances are revived or shaped — to primary elections — where candidates are picked — the leaders delicately play their cards to keep their flock in line. It is not a mistake that states such as Borno, Lagos and Enugu have always voted along certain patterns.

I have to submit at this point that these categories are not mutually exclusive.

They do overlap at times, depending on the political currents. Primordial interest and political affinity are often conjoined. Both are highly emotional in nature, unlike “stomach infrastructure” and “ideology” that are mostly rational choices. The stomach is fluid and based on “survival”, while ideology is a conviction.

However, “stomach infrastructure” can fail if people’s emotions lie elsewhere.

“Goodies” cannot sway them, no matter how big. In 1999, the south-west voted for

the Alliance for Democracy (AD) because of June 12 emotions. All the bags of rice from the PDP could not sway them.

Ideological interests are, however, mostly fixed and could be rigid. That is why some parties still have members even when it is clear that they will not win a single ward anywhere. It is often argued that Nigerian parties do not have ideologies, that they are in the same boat. This, it is said, makes it easy to defect from PDP to APC and back to PDP. I understand this perspective. In the US, you know what the Democrats and the Republicans stand for. In the UK, you know what the Conservatives and Labour are about. In Nigeria, APC and PDP are look-alikes.

But my definition of ideological voters is not based on partisanship alone. In fact, many ideological voters are blind to party affiliations.

With this at the back of our minds, we should approach 2023 with useful analytical tools. To start with, these interests will play out in the primary elections of the political parties. Party members will look up to their leaders and influencers in choosing who to vote for among the aspirants. Some will be influenced by the stomach infrastructure distributed by the aspirants during the primaries. You are not likely to find too many ideological voters at the primary elections. Rather, those who go to their leaders to ask “who should be vote for” are going to be in the majority. Ideological voters will be more useful during the general election when the candidates are already known.

What am I driving at? Since we have a fair knowledge of the voting behaviour of Nigerians, we should be working harder on the godfathers, influencers and kingmakers to make the right choices as much as we are working on the voters to do the right thing. Our big task as campaigners for good governance is to keep drumming into the ears of the political elite the need to back competent and patriotic candidates in the primaries.

Yes, we should keep asking Nigerians to get their PVCs and vote right, but we should also work seriously on the kingmakers so we can be spoilt for choice at the polls. We can then hope to pressure those elected to deliver the goods. It is a long journey.

filter through to the rest of the economy.

Is this a price worth paying for cheaper fuel that mostly benefits the elite?

The common refrain in government is that this is not a good time to remove fuel subsidy or pursue full deregulation. There is never a good time. But this returns us to the danger of not acting on time. Many opportunities were simply allowed to slide.

The first great moment was when President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office in 2015. This was three years after the fuel protests of 2012 and all the executive and parliamentary investigations and other reports had shown that the fuel subsidy regime was inefficient and susceptible to capture and fraud. The issue had been sufficiently ripened for reform. It was one of the things many people, including in his party, expected him to move on right from Eagle Square.

Also, President Buhari had been elected with so much goodwill that he could have pushed through even the least expected and most painful reform. He also had an extended honeymoon period. On 11th May 2016, the administration increased the price of petrol from N86 to N145 per litre. No palliative was requested and none was extended for this 68% increase. There was not even a whimper of protest, a first in the history of fuel price hikes in the country. That was the second opportunity to go the whole hog. But it was another chance untaken.

Moments of low oil prices were another set of golden opportunities to pursue full deregulation. The initial burden on the consumers, especially the poor, would have been more bearable. Consumers could have enjoyed a long period of low fuel prices and gotten used to the reality that the price of fuel, like the price of other products, can fall and rise. There were moments the price of crude oil ranged between $28 and $58 per barrel between 2016 and 2019. A great window to move the needle on deregulation; another opportunity fluffed.

The last opportunity was in March 2020 when deregulation was approved and when timing wouldn’t have been an issue.

The price of crude oil took a tumble and was even below $20 per barrel at some point. However, we set out tentatively.

The resort to price modulation was a set-up, given the known volatility of oil prices. What government needed to do was remove itself from the business of setting prices and provide a level-playing field for others to compete with NNPC to import fuel. In fact, NNPC should have been freed of the responsibility for product availability so that it could face more important tasks befitting of a national oil company. Government should have confined itself to quality control, anti-trust, and consumer protection.

In addition, the move to deregulation should have been preceded with proper consultations with key stakeholders, and the development and marketing of a credible framework for alleviating the immediate impact of subsidy removal on the poor. Yes, the poor will be negatively impacted by increase in the price of petrol because they spend a disproportionate percentage of their incomes on food and transportation. As part of the preparation for deregulation, government should have designed and frontloaded an alleviation cum exchange programme to directly benefit and uplift the poor especially in areas such as public transportation, public health, and public education.

The deregulation reform, even when stipulated in the PIA, seems to have been pursued half-heartedly all along. With the foretold halt, old arguments against the reform have resurfaced, and its opponents have become more emboldened. Subsidy is not just staying, it is also growing, projected to cost about thrice the amount spent last year. But Nigeria in its present state cannot afford the N3 trillion bill on just one item whose benefits will be mostly cornered by the elite, by smugglers and their allies, and by our neighbouring countries. Even in the best of times, there should be more optimal ways to spend such a staggering sum. And this is just one of the costs of an avoidable delay.

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MBF to PDP “I believe the PDP will see the reason why it should not present a northern candidate, knowing also that the Middle Belt Forum and the South strongly advocate the mobilisation of their members to work against any political party that selects a northerner as a presidential candidate.” ––President of Middle Belt Forum, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, attacking PDP for throwing its presidential contest open.

SIMONKOLAWOLE ‘Who are We Going to Vote for?’

SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

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neighbour sent me a WhatsApp chat last week with a million-dollar question: “Who are we voting for?” It was an awkward question. I have been discussing all the theories about the qualities the next president should have but I have paid little attention to a crucial part of the equation: what determines the voting behaviour of the electorate? Just as my neighbour was asking me who we should vote for, so also do millions of Nigerian voters ask their leaders and influencers the direction to go. But while voters like my neighbour would analyse the choices they have before taking a position, many voters do not engage in such rigour. I intend to discuss why it is so in this article.

I have been monitoring public enlightenment campaigns imploring Nigerians to get their permanent voters’ cards, popularly known as PVC. I love the messaging. “INEC does not count prayer points — get your PVC.” Pray but register to vote. Lovely. “INEC does not count votes on Twitter – get your PVC.” Walk the talk. Fantastic. The beauty of democracy is the power of the people to decide who

Buhari

would pilot their affairs. Unlike military rule and one-party democracies where we have little or no say on who would call the shots, multi-party democracy puts the power in the hands of the voters.

How sweet it is for you to vote freely, for your vote to be counted and for your vote to count!

However, this begs the question: does a PVC in hand translate to making the right choice? This is a question democracy cannot answer convincingly. Having the PVC does not mean you will make an informed decision on election day. It only means you can vote. In my understanding, some candidates win not because they are good but because they are considered better than others. Some win because they have the war chest and election machinery.

Some win because they appeal to big constituencies. Hardly do candidates win elections because they are the best brains a society can offer. In Nigeria, to win an election takes more than paper qualifications and power of poetry.

In a democracy, the majority carries the day. How are we sure the majority will make the right choice? How will the majority know who is going to do well in office? I ask these questions partly because Nigerians have voted for all kinds of leaders since 1999 and are always disillusioned with the governance outcome. Does that mean their collective judgment has always been wrong? Many analysts often say we have bad leaders

because Nigerians sell their votes. Does that mean if they had voted for candidates who did not offer them money, those ones would have done better in office?

Voting right is one thing; performing well in office is a different proposition altogether.

To be clear, I am not here to question the value of democracy. I believe in democracy.

I was born under military rule. I schooled under military rule. I started life under military rule. I have now lived under democracy for 22 unbroken years. I know the one I prefer. But I think we make some flattering assumptions about democracy, particularly about its supposedly in-built capacity to produce good leaders. This assumption often overlooks the deficiencies and deficits of democracy. While elections should put those voted into office on their toes — knowing they stand the risk of being voted out if they disappoint — there are no guarantees of good governance either way.

Back to the question: who should we vote for? That question is what several millions of Nigerian voters ask their influencers at election times, and the answer is what mostly determines Continued on page 71

WAZIRIADIO POSTSCRIPT

waziri.adio@thisdaylive.com

Derailed Deregulation and the Danger of Dithering n 19th March 2020, the government took a step towards the deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.

It slashed the pump price of petrol from N145 to N125 per litre, proclaimed the end of subsidy, and crowed about the eventual take-off of the last mile of the long-desired reform of the still strategic but sputtering oil sector.

But the step was tentative, lacking both conviction and clarity. After initial confusion about whether prices will be set by the market or for the market, the administration settled for a gradualist approach by which government was setting monthly prices for petroleum products ‘based on market fundamentals.’

It should not take much imagination that this approach could only be sustained if the price of crude oil continued to fall.

That, of course, was unrealistic.

Predictably, oil price reverted to its volatile character, and that put the government on the wrong foot. The

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monthly price modulation scheme was quickly abandoned after reductions in modulated prices were displaced by consistent hikes that mirrored movements in crude oil price. Because of that, subsidy (cleverly framed as under-recovery) reappeared, then soared. And deregulation started sliding off the table.

Between 24th and 26th of January 2022, the administration undertook some sequential and consequential reversals.

One, it announced a suspension of the plan to end the skyrocketing fuel subsidy from July this year. Two, it disclosed an intention to seek legislative amendment to one of its most important achievements, the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), to allow an 18-month pause on one of its most significant provisions, the commencement of deregulation. And three, it revealed that the Federal Executive Council had received a N3 trillion bill from the national oil company as the estimate for fuel subsidy for 2022.

These unusual speed and coordination could have been spurred by the desire to avert strikes threatened by labour unions

and social unrests that could follow. They could also have been to avoid the charge of violating both the PIA and the 2022 Appropriation Act. Keeping the peace and maintaining fidelity to laws are always desirable. These two may be about the only upsides from this costly halt.

When the final accounting is done, it is doubtful if the supposed gains will outweigh the real losses. There will be immediate, medium-term, and future costs—mostly avoidable costs—which we will return to shortly. More than anything else, the predictable fate of deregulation underscores the heavy cost of failing to act on time and with conviction. That is all you need to undermine a potentially contentious reform.

Now, to some of the costs of this dithering. For one, the government has made deregulation a more difficult proposition. Those against it have scored an easy victory, which will embolden them to put on stiffer opposition the next time.

Two, if this administration doesn’t conclude on deregulation it will end up passing a heavy and avoidable subsidy burden

to the next administration. Three, it will be difficult to sustain the confidence of investors in future efforts at deregulation, given government’s readiness to succumb to pressure. Four, most of the financial gain that should have accrued to the country from the steady rise of crude oil price will be frittered away on petroleum subsidy. What high oil price giveth, subsidy taketh! As the price of crude oil inches towards $100 per barrel, and this may be crude oil’s last hurray, it seems we are determined not to make it count for much.

And the last, and most important cost, is how the proposed N3 trillion estimate for subsidy will further complicate Nigeria’s dire fiscal state. To start with, the N3 trillion (which will be borne by the Federation and not just the Federal Government) is almost 18% of FG’s 2022 budget of N17.6 trillion. According to the Ministry of Finance, the total revenue earned by the Federal Government from the oil sector from January to November Continued on page 71

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