SUNDAY 2ND JANUARY 2020

Immigrant Visa Ban: Buhari Sets Up C’ttee to Address US Security Concerns Restriction does not affect non-immigrant applicants You’re to blame, PDP tells Buhari, APC Chuks Okocha and Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday constituted a committee to examine

and provide an update on the restriction of issuance of immigrant visas to Nigerians by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Friday.

The committee, headed by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, among others, has the mandate "to study and address the updated US requirements," on the

development.

But the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has blamed the government of President Muhammadu Buhari and the

leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the ban, saying it was a function of their bad choices.

The US on Friday placed Nigeria and five other

countries on temporary travel restrictions for immigrant applicants over security matters.

Continued on page 8

Coronavirus: Nigeria Issues Surveilance Case Definitions… Page 5 Sunday 2 February, 2020 Vol 25. No 9064

www.thisdaylive.com TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N400

N

PDP Accuses APC of Moves to Influence S’Court on Imo Implores apex court to preserve integrity Uzodinma: Go and prepare for 2023

Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Amby Uneze in Owerri Less than 48 hours after filling a review of the judgment

sacking its candidate, Emeka Ihedioha as the governor of Imo State at the Supreme Court, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party

(PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of moves to sway the apex court to jettison demands by Nigerians for a

sincere review of the allegedly defective judgment on the Imo governorship election.

The PDP, which sternly cautioned the APC to stop

its blackmail and lobbying of the judiciary, however urged the Supreme Court to seize the opportunity of the review to right the wrong and not

persevere in error.

But the new governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Continued on page 5

Senate: With 85% VAT Revenue, States Have No Excuse Not to Pay Minimum Wage Sen. Adeola: N’Assembly has identified ways to block leakages to support budget implementation Why govt can’t stop fuel subsidy for now We are going to full privatisation of the power sector Chuks Okocha in Abuja Determined to make the 30,000 Minimum Wage a reality, the federal government has already conceded between 80 and 85 per cent of revenues accruable from Value Added Tax (VAT) to states to enable them meet their wage obligation.

This was contained in the Finance Bill, recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, leaving the remaining 15 per cent to the federal government.

With this development, however, no state of the federation could claim inability to pay the minimum wage, because the new VAT law has been sculpted to ease the payment of the minimum

wage.

In addition, the National Assembly said it has identified over 300 revenue-generating agencies that would enhance the implementation of the 2020 budget, even as it has suggested ways to block leakages that could affect the budget implementation.

Senate Committee Chairman on Finance, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, who hinted at this development, while speaking to select journalists at the weekend, also agreed that there was a need to address the issue of fuel subsidy, but said there was need to first put the refineries to work before removing the Continued on page 5

CAMARADERIE...

Minority Caucus Crisis: House May BON L-R: France Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Jerome Pasquier; APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; and France Consulto Nigeria, Mrs. Laurence Monmayrant, when the French envoys visited Asiwaju at his Bourdillon residence, Ikoyi, Suspend Chinda, Others... Page 8 General Lagos...yesterday

2

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2020 •T H I S D AY

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2020 • T H I S D AY

3

4

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2020 •T H I S D AY

5

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

PAGE FIVE

Coronavirus: Nigeria Issues Surveilance Case Definitions

Tobi Soniyi

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has called on hospitals to contact it If they have a patient that matches any of its case definition of Coronavirus to arrange for sample collection and testing.

A surveillance case definitions for coronavirus disease issued by the centre urged any hospitals with such a patient to 07032864444.

A surveillance case definition is a set of uniform criteria used to define a disease for public health surveillance. Surveillance case definitions are not intended to be used by healthcare providers for making a clinical diagnosis or determining how to meet an individual patient's health needs.

The centre is asking hospitals to immediate call the above number if they have any of the three category of cases involving

Coronavirus.

The three category of cases as stated by the centre are suspected case, probable case and confirmed case.

Under suspected case, NCDC said that any hospital that has a patient with acute respiratory illness, (including severe patients who has been hospitalised) presenting with fever, cough, difficulty breathing and who within 14 days before onset of illness has any one of the following exposures "History of travel to

China 14 days prior to symptoms onset or close contact with a confirmed case of nCoV infection or exposure to healthcare facility in a country where hospital associated nCoV infections have been reported, to immediately call the dedicated line.

According to the centre a probable case involves a suspect case for whom testing for 2019-nCoV is inconclusive or for whom testing was positive on a pan-coronavirus assay.

Under confirmed case, the centre enjoined any hospital that has a patient with laboratory confirmation of 2019nCov* infection with or without signs and symptoms to call the number.

Reports say the coronavirus outbreak has killed at least 259 people in China and infected close to 12,000 people globally, as it continues to spread beyond China.

The virus has already been confirmed in more

than a dozen countries and territories since it was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December.

CNN reports that countries were ending planes to evacuate their citizens from the infection zone, and imposing travel bans or restrictions on travelers from China.

It also said that nearly 60 million people were under lockdown in Chinese cities as international researchers race to develop a vaccine and halt its spread.

SENATE: WITH 85% VAT REVENUE, STATES HAVE NO EXCUSE NOT TO PAY MINIMUM WAGE fuel subsidy.

"The aspect of the Finance Bill that deals with VAT was amended to favour the states, because about 80 to 85 per cent of the revenue accruing to government from the value added tax will go to the states while the federal government will have just 15 per cent.

"The VAT is meant to assist governors to meet their wage bill. Any governor who wants to play with such money at this point in time is at his peril, because there is the burden of paying the salary.

“What we have done with the VAT increment is to assist the states meet their obligations to the workers. It is only the federal government that has enough money to pay its workers at the moment.

About 20 governors have been able to negotiate with their workers and agreed to pay the minimum wage

while about 16 are still outstanding,” he stated.

Explaining that the VAT exemptions as contained in the Finance Act has protected the common man enough as far as the increment of VAT is concerned, Adeola stated that although the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and other groups had also started raising alarms, they are also protecting their businesses.

Adeolu, therefore, urged those complaining about the VAT to come out with the data on the effect of VAT increment on the lives of Nigerians, adding that government would not allow any firm to take advantage of the masses in the implementation of the VAT increase.

On the effect of Electricity tariff hike, he said, "I think the federal government will do something about it, when the implementation starts. We are going to full

privatisation of the power sector, starting with the distribution of meters.

“We are working towards the transmission too to ensure that we fully deregulate the power sector to save Nigerians from poor supply and estimated billings. As much as we are deregulating, we should embrace pay as you go with everybody having a prepaid metre."

The senator claimed that the National Assembly had identified over three hundred revenue-generating agencies and that the federal government already had a plan to monitor the affairs of the agencies with a view to blocking leakages.

"We will be working very closely with all the revenue generating agencies. As at the last count, we had over 300 of these revenuegenerating agencies, which we will be working with.

They constitute part of

what comes to the federal government.

“We will be working with them to ensure that there is a strict compliance with the relevant laws of the land especially, the Fiscal Responsibility Act. We will ensure that the targets of the revenue generating agencies in the budget are achieved.

"We will also look into other non-oil revenues. From time to time, we will engage the Ministry of Finance and get firsthand information on how our revenues have faired. All over the world, there is no budget that performs 100 per cent.

“A budget is an ambitious target. By the time we start performing up to 80 per cent, I don’t think that will be bad. We will ensure that a lot is done in the area of releases for capital projects.

"We will ensure that the people have the basic amenities through the provision of infrastructure

across the country. This will also reduce the issue of uncompleted projects," he explained.

He explained that it was for this reason that the budget was returned to the 12-month calendar cycle, with the amendment of the Public Procurement Act and all other laws that could help drive development and the performance of the budget.

On the issue of fuel subsidy, the senate committee chair on finance said, "I agree that we need to find a way by which we can tackle this issue of fuel subsidy. I can imagine if the money used in paying for the fuel subsidy can be withdrawn and used in implementing the budget.

"You should also understand the constraints that are there. We need to put our refineries to work. They need to be functioning before we can consider removing the fuel subsidy. If we proceed and carry out any urgent or

immediate removal, we will be bringing untold hardship to Nigerians".

Adeolu, however, said the current administration was doing everything within the ambit of the law to ensure that the refineries were functional and also not performing below capacity like it is currently the case.

"There is one under construction in Warri, Delta State. We have the Dangote Refinery in Lagos too. As soon as these refineries become functional, they will reduce the current subsidy that we pay on fuel or removing it in its entirety.

"There are some proactive measures the government must put in place before the total removal of fuel subsidy.

We are working towards that.

We are hoping that before this current administration comes to an end, we will have refineries that are truly functional," Adeolu explained.

resorted to blackmailing the judiciary and seeking ways to divert public attention from the issue at stake".

The Party therefore urged the Supreme Court to be courageous in conducting the review as a duty it owes to redeem the image of the judiciary as well as save the nation from impeding political and constitutional crisis.

Meanwhile, Uzodinma, who admonished the leadership and members of the PDP to prepare for the 2023 election rather than protest over split milk, said the 2019 Imo State governorship election cases had ended with the judgment of the Supreme Court and that PDP should see the finality of the case.

This was as the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Chiji Collins, has disclosed that the APC now has 26 of the 27 members of the state legislature.

Uzodinma, who spoke through his deputy, Prof Placid Njoku, yesterday in Owerri, during a solidarity rally by supporters of APC, said all the cases pertaining to the 2019 gubernatorial elections in the state had ended on January 14, 2020 with the unanimous judgment of the seven justices of the Supreme Court.

“Elections are over and the court cases and litigations ended on January 14, 2020 with the apex court judgment,

which retrieved our stolen mandate from Peoples Democratic party and Emeka Ihedioha and so that issue has ended.

“The seven Justices of the apex court in a unanimous judgment settled every matter concerning the 2019 Imo State governorship matter and the issue has been settled by God. So, the Peoples Democratic Party and their rented crowd should stop disturbing the peace of the state.

“Ihedioha and his Peoples Democratic Party have another opportunity of contesting and losing again in 2023, because this government is for eight years. Already, what we have done in two weeks has surpassed what the Ihedioha government had done in eight months.”

Njoku maintained that Imo state was happy with the coming of Uzodinma, who has reconnected the state with the national power grid, with the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Speaker, Chiji, said the declaration of Uzodinma has brought a breath of fresh air as the state Assembly has regained its independence, which he alleged was usurped

by Ihedioha.

He claimed that the gale of defection that had swept through the state legislature was because members wanted to work with Governor

Uzodinma.

“This is the first time that the state legislature has been truly independent in taking care of their needs.

Immediately Senator Hope Uzodinma emerged as the governor, there was confusion in the House of Assembly and before you know it, nine members defected to APC. “At the second sitting of the House, another eight also defected to APC. Today, we have 26 out of 27 members already in the APC, because everyone wants to work with Senator Hope Uzodinma as the governor of the state. This shows the kind of person he is,” he stated.

Also, Chairman of the APC in the state, Chief Marcellinus Nlemigbo, warned the PDP and their supporters to stop disturbing the peace of the state and wait for their time again.

“The Peoples Democratic Party should stop disturbing the peace of the state and wait for their time. When the Tribunal and Appeal court declared him winner, we did not protest. So they should stop heating up the state.

“Imo people are happy with Governor Hope Uzodinma, because he is the real driver and not a bus conductor, who stole his master’s car key. God has already blessed Imo with the coming of Hope,” he said.

PDP ACCUSES APC OF MOVES TO INFLUENCE S’COURT ON IMO Uzodinma, has advised the PDP and its sacked candidate, Ihedioha to stop wasting time about the current mandate but start an early preparation for the 2023 governorship election in the state.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP berated APC leaders particularly, its embattled National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, for attacking Nigerians and blackmailing the judiciary with distortions, manipulations and misrepresentations of facts aimed at diverting attention as well as cowing the Supreme Court from delivering justice in the impending review.

"It is worrisome that the national chairman of a political party will be making a public boast of a daylight political robbery and parading those, who don't mean well for the future of Imo State.

"While the PDP notes that it is a waste of time to join issues with Adams Oshiomhole in his blackmail and misinformation, our party affirms that our demand remains incontestable as the Supreme Court itself had in the past reversed its judgment after realising defects and subversion of justice in its judgment. The case of Johnson vs Lawanson (1971) 7 NSCC 82 is a clear precedence.

"We, in the PDP believe in

the finality of the judgment of the Supreme Court. But we also believe that the Honorable Justices of the Supreme Court possess inherent right and powers to right every wrong that may be discovered in its judgment arising, as it were, from human errors such as happened in the Imo State judgment," PDP said.

The party said it was confident that the apex court would not be persuaded by the ill motivated campaigns of blackmail launched by the Chairman of the APC from seizing the initiative presented by the application of Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and the PDP to delete this unjust page from the annals of clean records of justice.

"Our Party and Nigerians belief will restore and strengthen the confidence of every well-meaning Nigerian in the judiciary as the beacon of justice, vanguard of the rule, democratic principles, the sanctity of the electoral process and universal suffrage as well as the last hope of the common man always represented by a virile opposition which the PDP represents".

The opposition party however maintained that it envisaged a review of the judgment would benefit all in many ways.

"Aligning the result of the election with the total

accredited votes, which form the benchmark for all results in every electoral contest by correcting the ugly and unprecedented situation, where the result as laid down by the Supreme Court is more than the total accredited votes.

"It will also correct the illogicality of having two governorship candidates for the APC in the same election as the apex Court had earlier ruled that Uche Nwosu was the validly nominated candidate of the APC and not Senator Hope Uzodinma declared by the Court as the winner of the same election on the platform of the same APC. “The Supreme Court had also disqualified Uche Nwosu, the candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) from the election for having acquired the governorship ticket of two political parties: the APC and the AA," it stated.

It therefore reiterated that a review of the Imo governorship was inevitable, because by virtue of the earlier judgment, not only was Uzodimma not a candidate, the judgment also nullified all votes credited to APC and AA as they did not have candidates in the election.

PDP said it was aware that the APC was mortally afraid of the review, because they knew justice would be served.

"This is why the APC has

6

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2020 •T H I S D AY

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2020 • T H I S D AY

7

8

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

NEWS

Minority Caucus Crisis: House May Suspend Chinda, Others PDP warns Gbajabiamila to steer clear of bloc Chuks Okocha and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Indications have emerged that the Minority Caucus leader in the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, and other members of his group may be suspend indefinitely by the leadership of the House. THISDAY learnt that the planned suspension might not be unconnected with the conclusion of an investigation by the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

Other members of the caucus of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) likely to be suspended alongside Chinda are Hon. Chukwuma Onyeama, Hon. Ajibola Muraino, and Hon. Yakubu Barde.

But PDP yesterday cautioned the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to stop meddling in the internal affairs of the party in the House. The warning, contained in a statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, followed Gbajabiamila’s alleged interference in the choice of the party’s caucus leaders in the lower chamber. The intervention was said to have resulted in intimidation and threats of sanction against the party’s caucus leadership, headed

by Chinda.

The House had mandated the committee led by Hon. Kolawole Lawal to investigate the circumstances under which the lawmakers paraded themselves as leaders of PDP caucus in the green chamber.

The decision to probe the matter was consequent upon the adoption of a motion by Hon. Ben Igbakpa, who alleged that the quartet were falsely parading themselves as leaders of his party, thus, violating the standing rules and orders of

the chamber.

Chinda and members of his group had also co-signed three press statements as PDP’s caucus leaders in the House prior to the investigation.

Though, the report is expected to be laid before the House in the coming weeks by the committee, investigation reveals that the decision to suspend the lawmakers stems from pressure on the Speaker by interested parties, which allegedly include some governors. It is gathered that the stage is set for the suspension, as the committee has put together its report, with the recommendation of suspending the legislators.

A lawmaker, who pleaded anonymity, lamented that the development could heat up the polity. According to him, "This ugly development, if allowed to sail through, will heat up the polity and create the impression that there's more than meets the eye on this issue. The situation is getting uglier.

“I heard that they are seeking their suspension and I don't understand why. The party in question has come out to state that it gave the authority to head its caucus in the House, why does the Speaker or anyone for that matter have a problem with that?

"The suspension simply shows there's probably more to the whole issue than meets the eye."

Another lawmaker, who also didn’t want his name mentioned, explained that the report of the committee had already been predicted from the day the matter was brought to the floor.

He stated, “The committee on ethics has already come up with its report and, as most of us predicted from the day Hon. Igbakpa brought that motion calling for an investigation. We

knew the aim was to suspend Chinda and that is exactly what the committee is recommending.

All that is left to be done is for the committee chairman to lay the report and for the House to consider and adopt it."

Recall that the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, and National Secretary, Senator Umar Tsauri, wrote a letter dated June 21, 2019 to the Speaker of the House of Representatives appointing Chinda, Onyeama, Muraino, and Barde as leaders of the minority caucus. However, in a joint letter to the Speaker dated July 2, 2019, over 100 of the 147 opposition members averred that they had elected Ndudi Elumelu, Toby Okechukwu, Gideon Gwani, and Adesegun Adekoya as Minority Leader, Deputy Minority Leader, Minority Whip, and Deputy Minority Whip, respectively, pursuant to Order 7 Rule 8 of the House.

In response, the House ordered an investigation to know why Chinda and other members of his group had been functioning as the leaders of the caucus in the House. But PDP issued a statement through its National Publicity Secretary, Ologbondiyan, insisting that Chinda and the three others remained the Caucus Leaders of the party, pending the resolution of the issues. The statement also said Elumelu and five others remained suspended.

According to the statement, “The suspension placed on some PDP members who connived with others to supplant the party decision with regards to the party’s position in the House is subsisting and has not been lifted. The suspended members of the party cannot therefore conduct any business of the party at whatever level until disciplinary measures have been concluded.

“The National Working

Committee (NWC) in its wisdom, and consistent with its position on the matter, which has not changed, directed that the affairs of the PDP Caucus of the House of Representatives be organised and managed by: Hon. Kingsley Chinda, Hon. Yakubu Barde, Hon. Chukwuka Onyema and Hon. Muraina Ajibola."

In its statement yesterday, PDP told Gbajabiamila that as a party, it reserved the right to form a parliamentary caucus as well as choose the leaders of the group.

PDP said whereas members from minority parties decided on the minority leadership, a party and its members had the right to form a caucus and select leaders of such caucus without interference from the leadership of the House or members of other political parties in the legislature. The party reiterated that it had directed that the affairs of the PDP caucus should

be organised and managed by Chinda, Barde, Onyema, and Ajibola, stating that this position has not changed.

“Our party, therefore, calls on the Speaker to respect our choice of leadership for the PDP Caucus in the House of Representatives,” the statement said. It added, “Our choice has not in any way contravened any rules or pose any threats to the statutory running of the House of Representatives.

"Mr. Speaker should, therefore, steer clear and bury the thoughts of punishing the loyal members of our party just because they are obedient to the decisions of the PDP." The statement also said the Speaker of the House of Representatives should rather focus on giving the House of Representatives the muchneeded direction to proffer solutions to the myriads of economic and security challenges confronting Nigeria.

MON AMI...

L-R: Political Counsellor, Embassy of France, Claude ABILY; France Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Jérôme Pasquier; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; and Counsellor for Agriculture, Embassy of France, Sonia Darracq; during a visit to the governor in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

IMMIGRANT VISA BAN: BUHARI SETS UP C’TTEE TO ADDRESS US SECURITY CONCERNS A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the committee would work with the government of the United States, International Police (INTERPOL) and other relevant stakeholders with a view to ensuring that "all updates are properly implemented."

He also explained that the restriction placed on Nigeria by the United States bordered only on issuance of immigrant visas to Nigerians willing to relocate to the United States and would take effect from February 21, 2020.

According to the statement, the restriction did not affect issuance of visas to Nigerians visiting the United States for official, medical, business, tourism, and student travel purposes.

The statement also said the DHS had explained that restricting the issuance of immigrant visas to Nigerians was dictated by the necessity to review and update the methodology adopted by the US on assessment of compliance with certain security criteria by foreign governments.

The statement, which added that Nigeria remained committed to its mutual and diplomatic relations with the United States and other international allies particularly, on issues bordering on global security, added that the decision by the US had culminated in the move to enhance the procedure for information sharing between Nigeria and America.

The statement read: "On 31st January 2020, the United States (U.S) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced temporary travel restrictions on six (6) countries including Nigeria.

"For Nigeria, the restriction is the suspension of the issuance of “immigrant visas” to Nigerian passport holders only.

This suspension shall come into effect on 21st February 2020.

The suspension does not apply to other U.S visas such as those for official, business, tourism and student travel.

"The DHS states the suspension of ‘immigrant visas’ became necessary following a review and update of the methodology (performance metrics) adopted by the U.S Government to

assess compliance of certain security criteria by foreign governments. This resulted in certain enhancements on how information is shared between Nigeria and the U.S. "Nigeria remains committed to maintaining productive relations with the United States and its international allies especially, on matters of global security.

“Accordingly, President Muhammadu Buhari has established a committee, to be chaired by the Hon. Minister of Interior, to study and address the updated U.S. requirements.

"The committee will work with the U.S Government, INTERPOL and other stakeholders to ensure all updates are properly implemented."

However, blaming Buhari and the APC for the development, the PDP described the sanction as yet another huge misfortune brought by the Buhari Presidency and the APC, which have continued to wreck the nation with its compromised handling of security issues, in addition to escalated bloodletting and human rights violation under

their watch.

PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, lamented that the travel ban would have grave consequences on economic, educational, and healthcare opportunities as well as hurt family and social ties, while further putting pressure on the overall national economy.

But more depressing, the PDP said was the fact that the APC and the Buhari Presidency had been reversing diplomatic gains achieved by previous administrations while gradually pitting the nation against other countries of the world with its poor record on security, corruption and human right issues.

"Our party is worried that our nation that, have become a global destination and investment hub under the PDP, is now being pushed back to a pariah status under the incompetent and divisive APC, as reports from other members of the international community, including credible international organisations, have continued to raise concerns on security and human right issues under the Buhari administration.

"Only recently, our nation was rated as third country with the highest level of terrorism in 2019 after Iran and Afghanistan, in the Global Terrorism Index rating by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP)," the PDP statement stated.

This, PDP said was in addition to the damning reports by reputable organisations like the Amnesty International (AI), Transparency International (TI), European Union (EU), United States Department of State among others, which in various independent reports, raised grave issues of escalated corruption, violation of human rights, disregard to rule of law, abuse of processes, election rigging and poor handling of security issues under the APC "The APC administration has failed to rejig its security high command despite the calls

by Nigerians, in the face of worsening security challenges and mass killings in our country under their charge.

"It is also worrisome that the APC-led administration had failed to take a decisive step to apprehend and prosecute perpetrators of acts of terrorism including the mass killings

in Benue, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Taraba, Kogi, Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, Kaduna, Ekiti, Kogi and other parts of the country under the current administration."

The PDP restated that such failures by the APC had continued to bolster insurgents, bandits and kidnappers to continue to launch deadly attacks on Nigerians.

Besides, it said the APC has failed to account for hoodlums and political mercenaries it imported from neighboring countries to assist in unleashing violence on Nigerians during the heavily rigged 2019 general election.

The PDP, therefore, urged the National Assembly not to relent in its efforts to take decisive action on security, as the travel ban was a wake-up call on Nigerian leaders and all critical stakeholders to address the issues at stake.

But the party has also appealed to the United States to ensure that the ban did not hurt innocent Nigerians already bearing the brunt of the poor handling of security in the country under the APC administration.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ FEBRUARY 2,2020

9

SUNDAY COMMENT

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

DEALING WITH THE SECURITY CHALLENGE The authorities must come up with a solution to the country’s deteriorating security problems

T

he latest report of the Conflict Armament Research (CAR) that some of the weapons used in the conflicts between farmers and herders in Nigeria were traced to “stockpiles of Nigerian defence and security forces” highlights the grave danger facing our country. According to the report by the global conflict research group, 148 different weapons were discovered and analysed, and those manufactured in Nigeria are the second most prevalent among them. This is another wake-up call for President Muhammadu Buhari on the urgent need to rejig the national security apparatus at a time most Nigerians are losing faith in the capacity of the state to restore law and order.

Indeed, the unrelenting assaults by sundry cartels of criminals that have awakened the primordial consciousness of several people in different regions of the country point to the grim danger that stares the nation in the face. It is also a vote of no confidence in the current security architecture that has often been accused of acting in ways that suggest lack of neutrality and commitment. More worrisome is that the CAR report could be interpreted in that light, with questions asked as to which groups are being supplied these arms in an increasingly divided nation.

On Monday, President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan advocated a restructuring of the security design in a bid to successfully tackle the general insecurity in the country.

“The legislature and executive must be forthright in the fight against insecurity in the country as there are so many happenings destabilising communities. Apparently, the system is not working effectively and efficiently and we have to do something,” he said. Several of his colleagues,

The unrelenting assaults by sundry cartels of criminals that have awakened the primordial consciousness of several people in different regions of the country point to the grim danger that stares the nation in the face

Letters to the Editor

including members of the House of Representatives, have expressed similar sentiments in recent days.

W

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

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

hile the Nigeria Police Force is constitutionally charged with the responsibility for internal security, the country has had to resort to the deployment of soldiers to restore law and order in majority of the states. Drafting soldiers to the streets for law enforcement - a duty for which they are ill-equipped - has also led to a situation in which they now behave like policemen by extorting motorists on the highway. On 6th January, the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, was enraged when he visited the MaiduguriDamaturu highway where thousands of travellers were stranded because soldiers had barricaded the road and were collecting from passengers N1,000 per person in lieu of national ID Card.

It is noteworthy that the same military which ended the Nigerian civil war in 30 months, and later led ECOMOG to end civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone has been stranded by a ragtag collective of untrained sectarian zealots for more than a decade. Quite clearly, something is wrong in terms of doctrine, training, morale, strategic orientation and more crucially, leadership. Yet, despite strong indications that senior military officers and the fighting troops have lost trust in the current service chiefs, President Muhammadu Buhari has refused to make changes. This has only compounded the problem.

We have stated on this page on several occasions that the policy put in place to defeat the insurgency has become ineffective and it is draining the army of the goodwill of most Nigerians. For the past one year, Boko Haram terrorists and their Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) counterparts have, through daring raids, attacks and seizures, put a lie to the much-touted view that the war against insurgency is ‘technically over’. In fact, the insurgents have exacerbated their asymmetrical warfare and executed successful attacks, and in the process killed hundreds of civilians and military personnel.

It ought to concern President Buhari that confidence in the security agencies is declining at a time when public confidence is rapidly shifting to sectional and regional security arrangements. This is a direct threat to our national cohesion. The hope that President Buhari, a former combatant, could restore security in the nation is being continuously eroded. The challenge now is for the president to quickly rejig the existing security apparatus to address the current circumstances. The urgent imperative is for the president to realise that a government that cannot guarantee the security of life and property for citizens and residents in a country has failed.

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 Wins Words in Oxford

I

n 1066, the Normans led by the then Prince William the Conqueror then known as the Duke of Normandy invaded English around the December period.

The Duke who was very close to the then King Edward the confessor claimed that the latter promised him the throne of England. He went to say that King Harold usurped the throne and that he had to take what was rightfully his. William won the battle which left Harold dead. On Christmas Day that same year, he was crowned King of England.

King William was a French man and the English language as a result had many borrowed words from the French language. The language of the court was French with English being relegated to the status of Pidgin which was spoken among the lowest class in the societal strata.

The cultural nationalism became

fervent under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I also known as the Virgin Queen. The Spanish Armada was defeated in the famous battle of 1588 and the English Navy under the leadership of Sir Francis Drake who famously sailed round the world as the first man to do so started acquiring colonial territories from all parts of the world. The likes of William Shakespeare who blossomed during that period are arguably the largest contributor to the language and it replaced French as the language of the court. The once condemned language was massively exported around the world with the English empire being the world’s largest.

With the passage of time, these conquered countries began to infuse their own local dialects with the English language. This practice known as coinage was not acceptable to the ‘Masters’ of the

language and it was condemned as ‘Bad English.’

It is gratifying to note that the current Oxford English Dictionary has infused about 29 Nigerian words in the latest issue of its dictionary.

Words like ‘Buka’, ‘Put to bed’, ‘Barbing Salon’, ‘Agric’, ‘Chop’, ‘Danfo’, ‘Chop Chop’, ‘To eat money’, ‘Ember months’, ‘Gist’, ‘Flag-off’, ‘Guber’,’ Kannywood’, ‘K-leg’, ‘Mama Put’, Next tomorrow’, ‘Qualitative’, ‘Rub minds’, ‘Sef’, ‘Send-forth’, ‘Severally’, ‘Tokunbo’, ‘Zoning.’

This shows that Nigeria despite her challenges is of interest to the owners of the language and can only be ignored at the peril of the erstwhile colonial masters. This is really good news as Nigerian English is now finally being exported all over the world. An age-long aphorism in the ‘Giant of Africa’ goes thus: ‘Nigeria no dey carry last.’

This is shown in the recent recognition by the world renowned dictionary.

Professor Chinua Achebe made an assertion shortly after independence that he wasn’t going to write in the vernacular but use the English language to suit himself and his readers. His assertions have now become reality as the tag ‘Nigerian English’ is fast becoming diffused.

The status of Pidgin English language may soon be elevated to the status of an international language given the propensity for Nigerians to travel and they are arguably the largest Africans resident in the Diaspora. The United Kingdom is fast becoming a multicultural melting point and may be pressured by the exigencies to accept Nigerian pidgin as a global tongue.

This recent dictionary inclusion will make the owners of the language take more than a passing interest in Nigerian English since they now have to grapple with new words that they have never heard about before.

It will be fun if one goes to the UK and asks a passerby for where he can get the nearest Okada. A famished Nigerian will ask his or her colleague where he can find a Buka. The surprised look on the face of the colleague will give a lot of content to the likes of Basket mouth and Bovi to dish out some rib cracking jokes. Power has indeed been shifted through the strength of globalization.

We hope that more Nigerian lexicons can make its way into the foreign dictionaries especially Oxford which has pioneered this bold move. There is indeed something cheer about after the gloom of reading about the scandals by a few misguided citizens in the Diaspora.

The commencement of this new decade has brought about some good tidings. It will only get better with the passage of time.

––Tony Ademiluyi, Lagos

10

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ͱ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

NEWS

Acting News Editor ÌÙãÏÑË ÕÓØÝËØ×Ó E-mail: ÑÌÙãÏÑ˲ËÕÓØÝËØ×Ó̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙט͸΀͸΀͹΁΀;ͽ΁͸ ̙Ý×Ý ÙØÖã̚

Oshiomhole Wants FG to Declare Emergency in Edo, Says Govt Bomb explosion rocks residence of APC chief · Condemns political violence, use of explosives Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Edo State Government yesterday alleged that the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole had been creating tension and unrest in the state to force the authorities to declare a state of emergency.

The state government also

condemned the use of explosives and other dangerous weapons at the weekend by some political actors in parts of the state to cause mayhem, endangering the lives of law-abiding citizens of the state in the process.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie made the allegation yesterday in response to the bomb explosion that occurred at the

private residence of a chieftain of the party, Chief Francis Inegbeneki in Benin City.

The attackers struck at about 3:00 a.m. with two grenades that resulted in major damage to his building and a motor vehicle parked in the compound located off Ihama road in the Government Reservation Area, Benin City, capital.

But Inegbeneki disclosed at a rally held at Opoji, Esan Central

Local Government Area (LGA) to receive PDP defectors from the five LGAs that no one was hurt in the bomb attack.

Responding to the bomb attack, the statement said the shameful resort to violence “is the next move by Oshiomhole and his cohorts in the Edo Peoples Movement (EPM) to create tension in the state with the intent of forcing the authorities to declare a State of Emergency in Edo State.”

WE SHARE YOUR GRIEF...

L-R: Widow of former Chief of Naval Staff, Mrs. Margaret Koshoni and Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok- Ete Ibas, commiserating with the family of the late former CNS, Vice Admiral Patrick Koshoni who passed on recently in Lagos... yesterday.

Kaduna Records Another Case of Lassa Fever John Shiklam in Kaduna The Kaduna State Government yesterday disclosed that it recorded another confirmed case of Lassa fever, viral haemorrhagic infection in the state.

The Commissioner of Health, Dr. Amina Baloni confirmed the new case in a statement about one week after the state recorded the first incident in Chikun Local Government Area.

Baloni said the new victim of the disease in the state was a 34 years old man from Kajuru Local Government Area who had been taken to the Infectious Disease Control Centre (IDCC).

The commissioner also said the state had recorded a total of 23 cases of the disease so far, adding that 15 test results were negative while six cases were pending.

While assuring that the situation was under control in the state, Baloni urged the people to ensure strict adherence to personal hygiene in order to avoid contracting the disease.

“The new confirmed case is a 34 year old male from

Kajuru Local Government Area. He is being managed at the IDCC. This brings the number of confirmed cases to two in Kaduna State, as the first victim died last Sunday and had since been buried.

“A total number of 40 people who had been in contact with the cases are being monitored and none has shown any symptoms.

However, contact listing and follow-up as well as active case search are ongoing.

“The general public is advised to continue to maintain a high level of personal hygiene and environmental sanitation and ensure that all cases of fevers are tested for malaria before treatment.”

The commissioner added that the state government had complied with the recent advisory on the Corona Virus Disease issued by the Minister of Health, Mr. Osagie Ehanire.

“Specifically, the minister advised that Nigerians should limit non- essential travel to China, while those arriving from such countries with no visible symptoms are to self- isolate for two weeks after their arrival.

“In addition, arriving travellers also have a duty to report any incidents of passengers falling sick during flights. symptoms of Corona Virus Disease are sneezing, coughing and difficulties in breathing.

“People are advised to report to the nearest health facility if any of these symptoms are noticed immediately,” the commissioner said.

He advised members of the public “to wash hands regularly with soap under running water, cover the mouth and nose properly with handkerchief and tissue paper, when sneezing or cough into the elbow where handkerchief is not available. ‘’Other protective measures are avoiding selfmedication and report to the nearest health facility when experiencing any of the mentioned symptoms.

“Health workers are also to observe standard infection prevention and control measures while attending to patients. They should also endeavour to take their travel history.”

The statement added that the state government was committed to the peace and safety of Edo people, thereby warning those intent on exacerbating tensions in the state to steer clear.

The statement read: “It has come to our notice that explosives and other dangerous weapons were used by some politicians in parts of the state to cause mayhem, endangering the lives of law-abiding citizens of the state in the process.

“The Edo State Government denounces the resort to such desperate and dangerous means for political reasons. This is reprehensible and most condemnable.

It runs against the creed of our people to conduct their affairs in a peaceful manner; worse still, employing destructive means in politics is alien to Edo people.

“Intelligence reports available to us indicate that this is the next move by the suspended National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and his cohorts in the Edo Peoples Movement (EPM) to create tension in the state with the intent of forcing the authorities to declare a State of Emergency in Edo State.”

The statement urged the Presidency and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to call Oshiomhole to order so that the destructive descent to violence does not erode the good legacies that have been built over the years by the APC in Edo State.

Inegbeneki, who was not at home at the time of the incident, said: “I got that information with rude shock. I am short of words, it must have been politically motivated.

“After this successful rally to receive our brothers and sisters coming to join us in

APC, I am going to Benin to assess the damage,” the party chieftain said.

Wondering why politics should be taken “this far”, Inegbeneki recalled that only recently the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki had threatened to deal with those opposed to him.

For those beating drums of war, the party chieftain warned that they should be prepared to dance to the music.

Inegbeneki said the governor and his deputy were complicit in the bomb attack on his resident, thereby calling President Muhammadu Buhari to rescue the people of the state.

He said politics should be about lobbying and not forcing, urging the governor and his deputy “to lobby APC members instead of using force. We have said it loud and clear. We are not going to support Obaseki for a second term.”

Also speaking on the attack, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu described the attackers as cowards.

He said: “This morning, they went to Inegbeneki’s house in Benin to throw hand bomb. They threw the first one it did not detonate. They threw the second one, which exploded.

“Thank God there was nobody inside the house. If somebody had died, I don’t know what they would have said. We have been keeping quiet not because we are afraid, but because we own the house.

“Obaseki said he would destroy the Edo APC. But we would not allow him because he who owns a property will not allow it to be destroyed,” Ize-Iyamu said.

Omo-Agege Must Face Perjury Allegations, Coalition Insists Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja A coalition of civil society and youth groups yesterday insisted that the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege must face forgery and perjury allegations.

The convener of the coalition, Mr. Danesi Prince said this at a news conference in Abuja, lamenting that the coalition was attacked and induced “to ensure that it recants its position. But we have never succumbed.”

The coalition had informed the public, the Senate, the judiciary and the media of what it considered unpatriotic and corrupt intention and act to hide critical information on the circumstances that saw the emergence of Omo-Agege as a senator and later as the Deputy President of the Senate.

The coalition had also protested at the headquarters of the Department of State Security (DSS), where it said forgery and perjury allegation against OmoAgege was in contravention of the 1999 constitution as amended.

At the news conference, Prince said: “Let it be emphasised that all the petitions we put out on the matter are still in effect. We have never at any point withdrawn any of our petitions.

“It is further expedient that we make strong clarifications on the court judgment clearing him of the allegations of conviction in the United States of America. Our reaction to the issues forms the crux of this press briefing.

“Let it be empirically clear that we have not yet gone to the court to seek any judgment against Omo-Agege as our legal team is currently working on the briefs and we will so approach the court appropriately.

“We are not in any way associated with the individual or group that went to court against the senator as the group went unarmed with the necessary facts and documents.

“We hesitated in approaching the court because we expected the Nigeria Senate to address the issues as we have written

them with accompanying evidences regarding this issue,” the convener explained.

He said it was unfortunate that the senate had denied the receipt of its letter and petition on the allegations of “criminal record and act” tagged to Omo-Agege.

He said the coalition submitted a formal petition to the Office of the Senate President on January 17 for the Senate to act upon, saying the issues as contained in the petition go beyond the boundaries of the judgment of the FCT High Court in Bwari as the integrity of the leadership of the National Assembly is being called to question.

He, therefore, called on the senate to go ahead and act on the petition, adding that it can re-submit it if the Senate claims to have lost the former.

He said the coalition had observed that the senator was making every effort to escape the harmer of the law by using an alien group to go to court without any evidence or proper brief of arguments.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ Ͱ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

11

NEWS Uzoh Insists Ifeanyi Ubah’s Certificate Forged, as More Questions Trail Certified Copy of NECO Result Akinwale Akintunde Nigerians haven’t heard the last of the tussle for Anambra South Senatorial seat between incumbent Senator Ifeanyi Ubah of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) and his challenger, Dr. Obinna Uzoh of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Uzor has insisted that the National Examination Council (NECO) school certificate tendered by Ubah to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is forged, even though the examination body affirmed the authenticity of the

politician’s certificate after his earlier sack by a Federal High Court in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Uzoh had filed a pre-election suit challenging the nomination of Ubah (first defendant) by his party, YPP (second defendant), for the Anambra Senatorial District Election. He alleged that Ubah presented a forged NECO certificate to INEC. Justice Bello Kawu of the Abuja high court sitting in Kubwa in his judgement nullified Ubah’s election as the senator representing Anambra

Bandits Kill Victim, Demand N20m to Release Her Children

AIT correspondent in Kaduna robbed John Shiklam in Kaduna After seven days in captivity, the wife of a Kaduna based medical doctor, Dr. Philip Ataga, who was abducted by gunmen, has been reported killed by her captors.

In a similar incident yesterday, armed robbers attacked Kaduna State Correspondent, Africa Independent Television (AIT), Mr. Raymond Gandu and carted away his belongings.

Before the medical doctor was killed, the bandits had demanded a ransom of N150 million for the release of the deceased and her two children.

Ataga and her two children were abducted on January 24, when gunmen invaded Juji community, near Sabon Tasha, Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State and broke into their home.

A member of the vigilante group in the community was killed during the incident.

A source close to the family yesterday said the bandits killed Ataga, dumped her corpse and called her husband and directed him to pick the corpse at a particular location.

The source said: “Her corpse was picked and deposited at the mortuary at the Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital, Kaduna. Having killed

the wife, bandits are now asking for N20 million ransom for the release the children.”

The killing of the vigilante member and the abduction of Mrs. Ataga and her children was trailed by mass protest on Saturday January 25, when youths in the area, blocked the busy Kachia road, demanding an end to the persistent invasion of their community and abductions by gunmen.

When contacted, Yakubu Sabo, spokesman of the Kaduna state police command, said he was not aware that Mrs. Ataga had been murdered.

“I have not received such information, but I will find out from the officers handling the investigations and get back” Sabo said. At the time of filing this report, he was yet to get back.

Confirming the armed attack on his residence in a WhatsApp message, Gandu noted that the armed gang invaded his Angwan Maigero residence, a suburb within Kaduna metropolis in the early hours of Saturday.

He also confirmed that the armed gang robbed two other houses within his neighbourhood during the operation, which according to him, lasted for about 30 minutes.

Activist Seeks Understanding on Okada, Tricycle Restrictions The President of Campaign for Dignity in Governance (CDG), Mr. Razaq Olokoba yesterday asked Lagos resident to show understanding with the government on the restrictions placed on commercial motorcycles and tricycles from certain major highways and bridges in Lagos State.

Olokoba, in a statement said the restriction law was not new but revival of an existing law that is still subsisting in the state, saying the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is just enforcing the law for the good of the people.

He urged the affected people, especially the operators not to see the enforcement of the law now as

a punishment by the government, saying they should consider the safety of lives of the people whose welfare is the responsibility of any responsible and responsive government.

He lamented the number of accidents involving those two means of transportation in the state and the resultant effects that has led to death and in several cases amputation of limps, which has rendered a lot of victims permanently disabled in life.

He stated that it is an open fact that both cycles under discussion have been turned to vehicles of operation by some unscrupulous elements in the community for acts of criminality.

South for allegedly using a forged NECO certificate to contest the senatorial election that held in the state on February 23, 2019. The court ordered INEC to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Ubah and issue a fresh Certificate of Return to Uzoh, who came second in the election, as the senator-elect for the district.

But Ubah approached the court to set aside the judgement on grounds that he was neither given fair hearing nor served with the court process and hearing notice in the suit before the court delivered its judgement against him.

Following his application for a stay of execution, Kawu, on December 4, restrained the Senate President from swearing-in Uzoh, pending the hearing and determination of the motion challenging the verdict.

The court equally ordered all the parties, including INEC, to maintain the status quo until it decided the merit in Ubah’s contention.

On January 17, the judge ruled that Ubah’s application to vacate the judgement lacked merit and dismissed it.

But NECO wrote to the YPP leadership asserting that the NECO certificate issued to Ubah in 2003 was genuine.

However, Uzoh maintained that a closer look at the NECO certificate, which Ubah had submitted to INEC and the one NECO validated showed that the certificates were different.

While insisting that the NECO school certificate tendered by Ubah was forged, the PDP candidate said “to begin with, the serial

numbers are different. The initial certificate Ifeanyi Ubah submitted to INEC has serial no 303865920 while the NECO certified copy is 303565920. Curiously, the certificates have different signatures, logos and even font.

“A comparison of these two documents glaringly shows differences in signatures, stamp, logo, typeset font and so on. If we take the NECO certificate released by the examination body as Ifeanyi Ubah’s certificate, then the initial one he submitted to INEC was, indeed, forged as declared by the Abuja High Court.”

In his response to the questions posed by Uzoh, Ubah told THISDAY, “Let them certify it and go to court and sue NECO. “They are spreading photoshopped letter. Write to NECO or

INEC. That’s photocopy effect. Tell them to swear affidavit to that effect or go to NECO and ask.

“They said it was forged earlier, now NECO said it was okay and they are using INEC photocopied copy to deceive people. Why not go to INEC and get them to certify the one they are using to deceive people.

“They should wait for their waterloo in due time. Also you can approach INEC through foil to verify. Why are they afraid to approach NECO with their ‘fact’?

They should swear affidavit and present it to the public like I did.”

Meanwhile, Ubah has vowed to approach the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgement of the Abuja high court based on the validation of his certificate by NECO.

END TO OKADA OPERATION? Scores of commercial motorcycle operators relocating from Lekki , Lagos as a result of the restriction on their operation ... yesterday KOLA OLASUPO

Three Deaf Persons Die in Autocrash in Ekiti Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Three hearing-impaired persons, who were staff members of the Special School for the Blind and Deaf in Ikoro Ekiti, Ijero Local Government area of Ekiti State, yesterday lost their lives in a road accident.

Eyewitness accounts confirmed the incident, disclosing that many passengers of the vehicle sustained varying degrees of injury in the fatal accident.

One of the eyewitness accounts disclosed that the accident occurred in Aramoko Ekiti, saying the accident occurred as a result of brake failure.

After the vehicle developed brake failure, the account said the driver could no longer control the vehicle, which ran into deplorable portion and somersaulted.

Another eyewitness account said all passengers numbering 18, who were all staff members of the special school, were travelling to Odo Owa Ekiti to attend a burial ceremony on the invitation of their principal.

The account said: “Those who sustained severe injuries had been referred to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti while the deceased have been deposited in the morgue of Ijero Ekiti General Hospital”.

He named the deceased to include Oladiji Bunmi, Yemisi Adelodun and Bosede Azeez.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Office, Ekiti Command, Mr Sunday Abutu, confirmed that the accident was caused by brake failure.

He added that the level of fatality reached that level due to inability to get those who could rescue them in time.

He said: “The accident was a sole one, it involved only one vehicle and the occupants were going for a ceremony. Those wounded are presently being treated in the hospital.

“But majority of the survivors sustained minor injuries and they are getting well while the driver is in our custody,” the command’s spokesman said.

Abiodun Reels out Regeneration Plan for Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode Kayode Fasua in Abeokuta Ogun State Governor, Mr. Dapo Abiodun at the weekend disclosed the plan of his administration to regenerate Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu and Ilaro, noting that the cities are very old and due for regeneration.

He disclosed this at a meeting with the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Jerome Pasquier at the Government House, Abeokuta on Friday, noting that the urban regeneration plan would cater for unborn generations.

Abiodun said his administration “is looking at regenerating some of our old cities. Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu and Ilaro are very old cities. We have resolved to look at how to regenerate them, particularly in a sustainable fashion.

“While doing that, we will not compromise the future. We are trying to make the cities

sustainable for today while keeping in mind that we must factor in the future yet unborn,” the governor explained.

He said the new cities would have efficient waste management, adequate means of controlling the environment, clean energy and water supply when completed.

He also rolled out various interventions his administration had carried out in the health, education and infrastructural sectors.

The governor explained that the public schools, hospitals and roads were wearing new look, saying more infrastructure and basic amenities would be provided to accommodate the spill over from Lagos State.

On the state’s investment potentials, Abiodun said the state “has the land mass of over 16,000 square kilometres. A large portion is suitable for all-year cultivation of food and cash crops.

12

F ͺ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

INTERNATIONAL Dynamicsof Nigerian-British RelationsinthePost-Brexit Era: The Challenge of New Anglo-French Rivalry

‘P

ost-Brexit Era’ is a concept that is subject to different interpretations. First, it can refer to the first referendum, held in 1975, to determine whether or not Britain should continue to sustain its membership of the then European Economic Community (EEC) or should simply withdraw its membership. Since Brexit is about withdrawing from the EEC, or politics of withdrawal, brexiteering era can be argued to have begun in 1975 and we can rightly talk about the first post-referendum withdrawal era.

Secondly, the word Brexit is believed to have been coined from Grexit (withdrawal of Greece from the Eurozone) by Mr. Peter Wilding to mean Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union. As noted in May 2012, Peter Wilding warned that ‘unless a clear view is pushed that Britain must lead in Europe at the very least to achieve the completion of the single market.

Then the portmanteau for Greek Euro exit might be followed by another sad word, Brexit.’ This is the origin of the coinage. If we are to reckon with the time of birth and first use of the word, post-Brexit era can be rightly argued to begin after May 2012.

Thirdly, and more importantly, post-Brexit era can still refer to the period following the time of second referendum on Brexit on 23rd June 2016, when there was majority voting in favour of withdrawal from the European Union. There were 17,410742 votes, representing 51.89% in favour of Brexit, while 16,141,241 (48.11%) voted in favour of remaining in the Union.

Fourthly and again more specifically, the post-Brexit era can also begin after Britain invoked Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty on 29 March 2017. Article 50 of the EU Treaty provides that ‘any Member State may decide to withdraw from the Union in accordance with its own constitutional requirements.’ And perhaps most importantly, since Britain was unable to meet ‘its own constitutional requirements,’ and room has to be given by the European Union for ‘flextension’, that is, the initial deadline for withdrawal was extended on 28 October, 2019 for a further three months from October 31, 2019 until January 31, 2020, the post-Brexit era could not have begun before January 31, 2020.

The extension until January 31, 2020 was considered to avoid a situation of Brexit without a deal with the Union.

With these conceptual clarifications, our choice here is the use of post-Brexit era to refer to the period of ‘flextension’ and thereafter, that is, with effect from February 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 and thereafter. In therefore explaining the likely dynamics of the relationship, it is useful to note that, when the British joined the then European Economic Community (EEC) in January 1973, it was with much difficulty and expectation of either trial or give it a trial. By then, Great Britain refused to go along with the idea of the 25 March 1957 Rome Treaty that gave birth to the EEC. Because of the then British attitude, France, in particular, not only frustrated Britain’s interest in the early 1960s to join the EEC, but also made life difficult for the former colonies of Britain to become associate members of the EEC. While France ensured the inclusion of Articles 131-136, which provided for the associate membership of the former colonies of France, Nigeria’s interest in becoming an associate member of the EEC was frustrated by General Charles de Gaulle, who also ensured that Britain’s membership was not allowed until he left power. The way President de Gaulle treated Britain angered a good number of the British to the extent that it created both proponents and opponents of Britain’s membership of the EEC. The division surrounding Britain’s membership was to the extent that a plebiscite had to be organised on June 5,1975, just about two years after adhesion to the Rome Treaty. The plebiscite was to determine whether or not Britain should continue to sustain its membership of the Community. By large margins, not to say by luck, the proponents of membership won with 17,378,581 votes (67.23%) compared to 8,470,073 (32.77%) scored by the proponents of withdrawal. However, the truth remains that hostility against UK membership of the EEC, later European Community (EC) and currently European Union (EU) continued to grow gradually until 2016 when majority of the British felt that enough was really enough and another plebiscite had to be organised on whether or not to withdraw from

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

Johnson the EEC. Again, like it was difficult to join, it has also been more difficult to withdraw. While the opposition to UK membership of the EEC as at the time of joining came essentially from France (all the other five original members of the EEC were in favour), the new opposition as from 2016 essentially came from within the British Parliament. It was a House divided against itself. The division led to the resignation of two British Prime Ministers: Theresa May and David Cameron. The current Prime Minister, Boris Johnson had to take the risk of organising an early election which his party luckily won and which now gives him a new source of strength to brexit and negotiate with the EU leaders with or without a deal. The D-Day for the withdrawal was last Friday, January 31, 2020 at 11 pm GMT. Britain’s intention to withdraw has been made manifest on January 31. It is now history. However, the withdrawal cannot be made complete until the end of 2020 because of the need to still iron out some critical issues, especially concerning the modalities of relationship between Britain and the EU as a body corporate and as Member States of the EU. Our major concern here is not the post-Brexit ties between the EU and Britain but the ties between Britain and Nigeria in the post-Brexit era. In other words, what are the likely dynamics of the relationship?

Will it be better a relationship with Britain out of the EU? More interestingly, what are the likely scenarios of the relationship?

Current Dynamics

Currently, Nigeria’s foreign relations are guided by varying factors and according to countries and issues involved. Grosso modo, all Nigeria’s bilateral relations, even the plurilateral ones, are often described as warm. The warmth, however, needs to be put in context. No matter how warm Nigeria’s relationship with France may be, for instance, it is always largely driven by caution and suspicion, simply because of the factor of Nigeria’s ties of geo-political contiguity with the Francophone neighbours and geo-political ties of propinquity with France.

Nigeria’s ties with the United States are largely influenced

In essence,Nigeria’s relationship with the United Kingdom has the potential to be largely driven by economic and security considerations.At the economic level,three factors are noteworthy: the Diaspora Nigerians in the UK in light of the current activities of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission,InnovationPartnershipswithAfrica,andtradedevelopment.Atthelevelofsecurity, cooperation cannot but require UK assistance to Nigeria, in light of the increasing threats to national unity,largely prompted by Government’s inability to meaningfully address the Boko Haram insurgency,the malaise of the Fulani herdsmen’s recidivist attacks on farmers,and the increasing attacks on and brutal killing of Christians to no avail in Nigeria, all of which can precipitate a second civil war.In fact,the future of the relationship cannot but trigger crisis and conflict of interest when the environment of the relationship becomes unnecessarily insecure.

In other words, crisis and cooperation cannot but remain another important dynamic of the relationship in the post-Brexit era and one major element of the crisis cannot but also be a resurgent rivalry between France and Britain in Nigeria

by the many American-trained public officials, still serving and retired in Nigeria. The relationship is more vertical than horizontal in manifestations. Relationship with China is driven by the belief in ‘Give China a Trial’ or ‘a trial may convince you.’

Many people believe that the traditional partners of Nigeria are generally exploiters. It is believed that since Nigeria acceded to national sovereignty in 1960 and development assistance has always been given to Nigeria, the observation is that, the more the development assistance, the lesser the development, or the poorer the people, and the more corrupt the polity becomes.

Hence the belief is that, even if the Chinese are to become a new generation of colonisers, they still appear to have a better attitudinal disposition with their foreign policy of win-win, generally proposed to Africa.

As regards ties with Britain, the dynamics are more complex.

They range from colonial, to neo-colonial factors, particularly the Commonwealth values, which are more or less of mutual deceit or hide and seek game. There is no manifestation of concrete wealth that is common to the Members of the Commonwealth, beyond the claims of shared values of democracy and conditionality-driven development assistance.

Apart from the many agreements already signed by the two countries, there are also the influence of civil society organisations and business groups, such as Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce, British Council, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (UK Branch) and Chevening scholarship recipients.

The attitudinal disposition of the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, is also an important dynamic. He is favourably disposed to the Western world as an elected president. Records have shown that the United States largely funded his election campaigns. The rapprochement between the UK and the US is quite warm. It can therefore be expected that both Britain and the US are likely to continue to influence Nigeria under President Buhari.

In more concrete terms, trade is an important segment of Nigeria-British relations. Cooperation in the area of defence and security, cultural and scientific, economic and political, are equally significant. All these considerations are most likely to remain part of the determinants of Anglo-Nigerian relations in the Post-Brexit era. Other major determinants of the relationship are derivable from the type of deal that will be achieved by Britain in the eleven-month transition period, beginning from February 1, 2020.

But whatever is the deal, some critical issues have to be addressed. Trade remains number one, and particularly the issue of backstop and special customs arrangement. The European Union wants a withdrawal deal with the British in which there would be no border posts or barriers between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in the post-Brexit era. This was part of the negotiations with Theresa May as Prime Minister. Boris Johnson who succeeded her rejected the factor of backstop and came up with the suggestion of a new customs arrangement for Northern Ireland.

Immigration is a second issue. It is essentially about labour mobility, which, in the eyes of many British, has become an irritant. It is believed that the level of immigration inflow is too high and that the cost of labour from central and eastern Europe is quite cheaper, thus undermining employment opportunities and pay for British workers. Brexit, as a policy strategy, is partly aimed at addressing this problem.

There are still other issues of an intra-European character which include access to fishing waters, licensing and regulation of medicines, electricity and gas supplies, data sharing and security, aviation standard and security, law enforcement, and more importantly, the rights of EU citizens in the United kingdom and British citizens in the EU Member States. In this regard, for instance, all British companies currently operating in EU countries are required to register within the framework of the EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification Number), without which they may not be able to operate in the post-Brexit era.

The EORI is an European Union identification number that must be possessed by businesses and people seeking to trade with the European Union. Trading requires the application of tariffs as distinct from VAT. The number is to be inserted on customs declarations of the businesses concerned. At least, 72,000 businesses are on record to have applied for EORI numbers.

Above all issues is the question of British indebtedness to the EU. The debt has been estimated at over £30 billion pound sterling. Negotiations on the modalities of payment cannot but be a matter of priority in the next eleven months. For instance, in 2018 alone, Britain’s gross contribution to the EU was put at £20 billion but ‘this amount was never actually transferred to the EU.’ Besides, the EU Commission has made it clear that any trade agreement between the EU and Britain cannot be linked to payment of financial settlements.

Whereas Mr. Dominic Raab, noted in September 2018, when he was still Brexit Secretary, that Britain would not pay the financial settlement to the EU in a no-deal scenario. This means that payment is subject to reaching a deal. Whatever deal Britain is likely to reach with the EU cannot but also have implications for Nigeria-Britain relations in the post-Brexit era.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2020 • T H I S D AY

13

14

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ FEBRUARY 2,2020

OPINION Nigeria and Transparency International The gains in transparency and increased data on governance are not well accounted for, argues Matthew Ayibakuro

T

ransparency International has just released its annual Corruption Perceptions Index for 2019.

There are no surprises on Nigeria’s position on the global Index. For 2019, the country is ranked 146 out of 180 countries, with a dismal score of 26 out 100. This is in keeping with the trend over the last decade where Nigeria has consistently scored in the mid-twenties out of a total score of 100. Despite repeated restatement of commitment by government and broader stakeholders to address corruption in the country, this report indicates that the situation is actually getting worse.

Amore in-depth analysis of the report shows that Nigeria’s score of 26 is way below the global average of 43 and the average score for the sub-SaharanAfrica region, which stands at 32 for 2019. Amore disturbing fact is that, within the WestAfrican sub-region, Nigeria is ranked higher than only one country – Guinea Bissau with a score of 18 – on the Index. In the context of sub-SaharanAfrica, Nigeria is ranked 32 out of 49 countries. This is very concerning at a time when the President, Muhammadu Buhari, is theAfrican Union’s designatedAnti-Corruption Champion.

Whilst these dismal results might not be shocking to many, it is important to contextualise them to understand the factors that explain the extant state of corruption in Nigeria and why little progress has been made in addressing the problem generally over the last couple of decades.

One area where Nigeria has made considerable progress in recent times is in the introduction of mechanisms to improve transparency in governance. Nigeria joined the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in 2016 and has since introduced considerable reforms in furtherance of transparency in key areas such as access to information, anticorruption and asset disclosure, citizen engagement and empowerment. This is in addition to other existing mechanisms such as the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and innovative budget tracking platforms created by civil society organisations and government agencies.

The problem however is that the large amount of data produced through these transparency initiatives have led to little accountability, especially with respect to perpetrators of political and grand corruption. Even though 2019 came to an end with the conviction of the former governor ofAbia State, Orji Uzor Kalu – it is possible that this event was not taken into consideration in gathering data for the CPI considering how late in the year it took place – many high profile cases of corruption remain unresolved or were withdrawn during the year.

At the end of 2019, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced that it had secured no fewer than 890 convictions in 2019 and recovered over N200 billion. However, it is not surprising that this did not affect the perception of corruption in the country. Most of these cases are for cybercrimes, internet fraud and bureaucratic corruption, rather than the high-profile cases of political and grand corruption.

Secondly, the role of political interference and instrumentalisation of anticorruption efforts in Nigeria has been a long-standing problem.

Unfortunately, this trend has persisted through various administrations since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 and the commencement of the current regime of anticorruption. Nigerians have witnessed numerous instances where anticorruption institutions such as the EFCC have commenced or withdrawn prosecutions of corrupt public officials in accordance with political expedience and events.

Considering the CPI measures the perception of corruption in a country, it is not difficult to see why events like that puts the state of corruption in Nigeria and anticorruption efforts in a bad light.

As much as anyone else, Nigerians know how much corruption affects every aspect of society. Corruption cannot therefore be addressed in isolation without adherence to the rule of law and sound democratic practice. The many events that took place in the course of 2019 that challenged the rule law and the state of democracy in Nigeria were, of themselves, a demonstration of corruption, albeit not of the economic kind. These include the repeated refusals of law enforcement agencies to obey court orders to release detainees such as the activist Omoyele Sowore and the former National SecurityAdviser, Sambo Dasuki.

The 2019 general elections also saw unprecedented levels of vote buying and electoral fraud that were a taint on Nigeria’s democracy.

Considering political financing and electoral integrity were some of the themes highlighted by Transparency International in its report, the Nigerian government needs to take steps to improve on the electoral process in subsequent elections to enhance its ranking on indices such as

Corruption cannot be addressed in isolation without adherence to the rule of law and sound democratic practice

that of Transparency International.

For as long as the CPI has existed, governments have always supported or criticized their ranking on the Index depending whether they improved or deteriorated respectively. There are admittedly long-standing issues with the fact that the index measures perception rather than the reality of corruption in countries. Other issues include the sources from which scores are aggregated which appear over-concentrated on economic indicators and actors rather than reflecting a more robust view of citizens who experience corruption.

Over the years, Transparency International has refined its methodology to address some of these concerns and continue to do so.

Notwithstanding, the results of the CPI correlates with other studies on the state of corruption and anticorruption. For instance, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)’s report of its second survey on corruption as experienced by Nigerians and released in December 2019 showed that about 30 per cent of Nigerians who had contact with public officials paid a bribe or were asked to do so. Furthermore, the report showed that, in terms of frequency, Nigerian bribe-payers paid an average of one bribe every two months to access public services, meaning that about 117 million bribes are paid every year in Nigeria. Evidence like this provides little basis to challenge the results of the CPI. Going forward, it is obvious that more action is required to address Nigeria’s corruption challenge. Instead of criticising the results of its ranking by Transparency International, government and other stakeholders must be more strategic and take pragmatic steps to deal with the problem.Agood starting point would be to ensure that the gains in transparency and increased data on governance lead to more accountability: the corrupt must be punished and victims of corruption provided with remediation.

Also, Nigeria needs to communicate its success stories – where they occur - in the fight against corruption to the outside world more effectively. In this regard, there is need for synergy amongst the anticorruption agencies and other stakeholders saddled with the task of prosecuting offenders and providing recovered proceeds to victims of corruption.

Moreover, the over-fixation on fighting corruption has borne little fruits over the years. Our experience in Nigeria – as much as elsewhere – shows that achieving economic development, respect for the rule of law and a strong democratic ethos might be just as important or even more important that a politically charged and instrumentalised “fight against corruption.”

––Dr. Ayibakuro is Senior Research and Social Norms Advisor, ANEEJ.

Brand Positioning Strategy For Nigeria Ehi Braimah urges focus on Nigeria’s competitive advantage in the agriculture sector

W

hen my article, ‘How to build a great brand’ was published recently, I received an email from an unlikeliest source. It came from Al Ries – one of the world’s best known marketing strategists - all the way from Atlanta, Georgia, United States, after reading the article in TheCable. Al is 93 years old and he began his working career at General Electric (GE) before venturing into advertising in New York. That was decades ago but in 1994, Al and her daughter Laura founded Ries & Ries Consulting and moved to Atlanta from where they have travelled to over 60 countries teaching the basic principles of marketing. It is therefore not surprising that they consult with Fortune 500 companies on brand strategy with significant results.

In my article, I cited two books written by Al and Laura Ries and he was thankful for the acknowledgement. Since then, Al and I have been exchanging emails discussing “positioning”, a concept dear to his heart that he developed in 1972 – 48 years ago - when he was in New York. Al and his associate, Jack Trout, wrote a series of three articles on the new concept which was published back then in Advertising Age. The “positioning” idea shook the advertising world to its very foundation and changed forever the practice of advertising; in fact, “positioning” was voted by Advertising Age as ‘one of the 75 most important advertising ideas of the past 75 years’ at the time. In 2016, Al was inducted into the Marketing Hall of Fame by the American Marketing Association (AMA) to crown an outstanding and illustrious marketing career.

Al not only became famous as a pioneer of the “positioning” concept, he’s also the best-selling author (or co-author) of 11 books he wrote five of those books with his daughter Laura - which have sold more than three million copies worldwide. One of the books is, ‘Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind’ which he co-authored with Jack Trout. So what is “positioning”? According to Al, “Marketing was originally thought of as communications, but successful brands are those that find an open hole in the mind in a specific category and then become the first to fill the hole with their brand name”.

Whereas advertising tended to focus on creativity, positioning focused on the mind of prospects and the key to successful positioning was for your brand to be number one in the mind.

How do you get into the mind? Al says it is by attacking on a

narrow front – by focusing on one thing! It is the surest way of building a strong equity for a brand that becomes valuable for a long time.

The positioning strategy means organisations must narrow their focus because you cannot be too many things to too many people at the same time – it can confuse your target audience; you must be known for something. Al says a combination of strategy and tactics – in that order – are needed to win the battle for the mind, adding that the objective of a marketing programme is to get into the mind. In positioning, the category is the basis for establishing a brand leader in that category. For example, when we talk of internet searches (category), Google (brand) readily comes to mind as the brand leader or if you mention electric cars (category), Tesla (brand) is number one in the mind. “These brands are going to be successful for almost forever because they were the first to occupy the number spot in the mind,” Al says.

In Nigeria, we can cite similar examples of brands that are leaders in their respective categories because they focused on one thing. These categories include financial services, payment solutions, publishing, food and beverage, broadcasting, fashion and lifestyle, hospitality, marketing communications, education, music and entertainment, ICT, consulting, engineering and construction, telecoms, agriculture, air travel, road transportation, healthcare, real estate, and so on. Please note that each of these categories can be further subdivided into additional categories where a brand can also become number one in the mind. In fact, Al says brands should seek to create their own categories and lead in those categories by being competitor oriented, and not customer oriented.

Most organisations make the mistake of extending the line for the ‘same brand’ instead of ‘creating different brands in different categories’. The danger of line extension is that a brand is “cannibalised” to give life to new variants in the same category. Two or more brands with similar identity cannot compete in the same space – the brand image suffers a crisis of identity. Ultimately, the extensions lose their credentials, appeal, authority and equity because the positioning strategy was disregarded – the secret is to focus on a single position in a separate category. From my emails with Al, he revealed that Apple -- known for their innovative

products globally -- avoided this trap by creating different lifestyle brands that became winners in their respective categories. The iPod was launched in 2001; the iPhone in 2007 and the iPad in 2010. According to Al, each new brand was helped by the success of the previous ones – it means timing is important.

In the process, Apple became the most-valuable company in the world, worth $1.25 trillion on the stock market.

Brands are one reason why the per-capita gross domestic product of America is about $60,000 as compared to Nigeria’s $2,000. A global consulting firm, Interbrand, issues an annual list of the 100 most-valuable brands in the world. The country with the largest number of “most-valuable brands” is America with 49 of the 100 brands. In one email, Al sent me a 64 -page power-point strategy document which was the outcome of an extensive research study on developing a global brand position for Nigeria.

Nigeria is the largest country in Africa with a population of about 200 million but Al says Nigeria has another important characteristic -- Nigeria has a larger percentage of arable land (33%) than any other country in Africa. The percentages of arable land are as follows: the world (21%), Europe (35%), America (19%), Africa (7%) and Nigeria (33%). On the other hand, Africa has the lowest percentage of arable land of any of the five major continents: Europe, North America, South America, Africa and Asia, and this explain why Nigeria is often called The Breadbasket of Africa. In my earlier article, I hinted that Nigeria can be known to the rest of the world as the Food Basket of Africa. Al replied in an email and said he agreed with me.

“Nigeria could easily become economically more successful by exporting food to almost every country in Africa -- but not generic food because it is difficult to make money selling generic products. A country's position is not based on a marketing programme but on global brands that reflect some overall idea”, says Al. For example, Germany is known for automobiles, not because the country ran an automobile marketing campaign, but because of the global success of Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW and Volkswagen.

––Braimah is a public relations and marketing strategist based in Lagos.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ FEBRUARY 2,2020

15

LETTERS Democracy and Representation

F

ew days ago, during the swearing in ceremony of newly elected members of the house of representatives, Nigerians were treated to a burlesque staged by the distinguished majority leader of the House - Hon Alhassan Ado Garba popularly known as Alhassan Doguwa, an All Progressives Congress(APC) member representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency of Kano State.

With alarming self-assurance, and a casual disregard for the feelings of those whose sensibilities may be offended, Hon. Ado-Doguwa rose on the floor of the hallowed chamber to introduce his self-described respectable four wives- who were equally on the floor.

Not done, Ado Doguwa reminded his colleagues of his fecund exploits as the father of a whopping 27 kids, fathered respectively by his four respectable wives - who seem proud and happy about their station in life.

It is difficult not to be consumed by nostalgia when one considers the unfortunate fact that Doguwa’s version of parliamentary spectacle is a mediocre variant of the high-minded, even though comical one staged by the politically famous Hon Patrick Obahiagbon from Edo State.

We should keep in mind that Doguwa’s

I

Hon. Alhassan Ado Garba (a.k.a. Alhassan Doguwa) spectacle is staged around a time when a privileged, snobbish and entitled polygamist counseled his constituents against the danger of polygamy and its associated social outcome within the context of crushing poverty.

Vulgar, distasteful, and degenerate as an enlightened segment of the Nigerian public may consider Doguwa’s boast on the floor of the house, we must concede that his personality structure, taste and lifestyle is truly representative of the people for whom he stands proxy in the hallowed chamber. To the extent that democracy is about representation, no true democrat who is alive to the loftiest ideal of democracy should feel offended by the presence of a man of Doguwa’s character in the house.

Representation is the contested relationship at the heart of democracy.

Often times, the people want to see themselves in their leader and representatives. They want to be represented by someone who represents their yearnings and aspiration, if not their daily struggle for survival. Their leader must represent their subjective conception

of a life of pride and dignity. A preponderance of those who are offended

by Doguwa’s boast will agree that his Doguwa/ Tudun Wada Federal Constituency of Kano State is populated by constituents with similar personality structure, taste and lifestyle. For those people polygamy is a legitimate way of life with its own cultural merits. Their collective sentiments about child rearing are singularly pro-life. Pro-choice values and the matrimonial behavior they encourage are social suspect in that corner of the country, hence, the relatively large amount of children in the average family.

The debate about the sociological merit of Alhassan Doguwa’s behavior within the context of our development aspiration as a nation is tangential to its representative merits.

It is the belief of this writer that polygamy and its associated social outcomes cannot survive the process of robust industrialization and the

clinical description of the coronavirus resembles that of the common cold up here in Northern Nigeria (suffice to point out here that, so far, the common cold has been generally non-lethal).

The recurring ailments I have come to dread most are malaria and the common cold; before I adopted unorthodox prophylactic measures that ensure that I keep these duo illnesses at bay, either of malaria or the common cold infestation in me brings me down for a couple of days and I get to lose man-hours that I sorely needed in my daily pursuits.

For the malaria-attack profile, these days I usually hit bottles of Guinness stout at the onset when I am feeling unwell (instead of opting for chloroquine-based medications) and this therapy has worked really well for me; this quinine-heavy Guinness stout therapy, sometimes done informally while

nous energy and sense of social humiliation into violence or any availing criminal venture.

It is a very condescending act of class snobbery for privileged Northerners to lecture their innocent subjects on the perils of rampant polygamy, and the consequent unsustainably large family size.

The legitimacy of the institution of polygamy is sustained in the North through patronage by the elites.

The North must confront the truth that, the institution of polygamy is inimical to our collective development aspiration as a nation; a good number of the vices that plagues the nation have their antecedents in that primordial matrimonial institution. This is why Doguwa’s boast in the hallowed chamber of the house must be regarded as utterly irresponsible even though representative.

––Awoyemi Olumide, awoyemiolumide04@ gmail.com

Nigeria’s New Tribes of Marlians and Movements

T

he year 2019 was a watershed moment in Nigeria’s history as it marked 20 years of interrupted democratic rule.

However, beyond the elections, series of events held the attention of Nigerian citizens at various moments as the elections faded into memory.

In the months and weeks leading to the election, the

political class, especially the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar in the 2019 General Elections built communities of supporters and a wide fan base, more popularly called ‘Buharists’ and ‘Atikulated’ respectively.

Despite the importance of the elections, the most notable

Checking The Spread of Coronavirus

n science, if one draws a rational conclusion from series of observations that were not drawn up by planned and formal experimentations, then those valid conclusions drawn up thereof are rooted in empirical observations.

Empericity transcends all facets of human endeavours, the sciences or the arts. Now, the way it is with the Coronavirus outbreak over there in China, one can correlate empiricity in mortality amongst the elderly who were already suffering from some other respiratory ailments; however, infestation is usually across all age grades. It is in its spread and mode of dispersion that the coronavirus interests me.

Essentially, the spread of the coronavirus is principally airborne and secondary transmission can reasonably be facilitated by contacts involving exchange of mucus, and in this respect the aspects and

modernization it fosters.

A polygamous way of life is inherently incompatible with our emerging liberal capitalist democratic existence. It fosters socially unsustainable inequality that may equally lead to political instability if the sociological brake-down is allowed to fester. Scholars of diverse persuasion have contended that in a society where everybody is legitimately granted the luxury of polygamy, the relatively well-off accumulate a disproportionate number of females thereby leaving their relatively poorer male “mateless.” In such a society, the average female has all the incentive to assume the status of the 20th wife of a relatively rich and older man than be the first, and probably only wife of a relatively poor man. As a result, younger and relatively poorer males may lose in the mating game. Unable to marry or better still unable to foster a happy married life due to lack, they channel their libidi-

socialising, could be carried out in frequency spurts that a chloroquinebased therapy should not be done.

For the common cold-attack profile and its concomitant sneezes and runny nose that I live in dread of, and one for which the risk of contraction is so great in the hygieno-phobic public spaces of Minna, I resort to smoking. Uh, for real, you’d want to say?

I reckoned that exposure to virus with “cold” designation should be fixed by a “heat” source and, surprisingly, it works for me. But, smoking, uh?

I had comforting statistics to help face this late-onset habit. Barack Obama smoked eight sticks of cigarettes daily while he was POTUS and his annual health-check result was always outstanding.

In the science and arts of smoking, one could opt for the Bill Clinton Mode that basically involves puffing to create a thermal flux in the

oral space without the accompanying inhalation that is not good for the lungs in the long run.

Recall that Bill Clinton was POTUS, too. Thus far, these past couple of years, I have been spared the inconvenience of spells of drawn-out episodes of sneezing and accompanying runny nose to hold me up for days. Also, when I feel I have been exposed to unsafe ambience where a person has not stifled fits of sneezes, off I go to my bathroom at the earliest convenience to create that “thermal flux” in my oral space as a first-step and as a very, very cheap prophylaxis. Could this “very, very cheap prophylaxis” technique help push back the spread of the coronavirus in people who are not already suffering from some other respiratory ailments?

––Sunday Adole Jonah, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State.

movements in 2019 did not occur in the political arena.

They happened in the music or entertainment industry.

The rise of the artiste Naira Marley’s fan base called the “Marlians” is probably the most notable ‘new community’ and citizen or fan movement in the country, probably closely followed

by Big Brother Naija Tacha and her Titans fan base or the increasing consciousAlte Movement in the music industry.

Since his arrest for seeking support for internetrelated advance fee fraud, also known as ‘Yahoo Yahoo’ Nigerian rapper Azeez Fashola who is popularly known as Naira Marley has become a phenomenon not just in Nigeria, but around the world.

He also became a social media darling since his arrest, albeit a controversial one.

After his career breakthrough in 2019, the tag name given to his fan base “Marlians” became a household name.

Citizens who identify as Marlians are springing up in homes, schools and offices (rumor has it that 80% of my colleagues are Marlians) across the country. Marlians have remained united in their love and support for Naira Marley, will move mountains in support of their ‘Supreme Leader’ and the ideology they share.

Naira Marley uses music which plays a central role in communicating the needs and interests of the public.

Music is a transcendent force that shapes culture and allows musicians’ access to the grassroots, political elites, and the mass public. An exami-

nation of the ‘Buharists’ and ‘Atikulated’ campaigns reveals that none of the candidates were able to leverage on music or seek endorsements from these emerging movements.

An estimated 4.5 – 5 million Nigerians turn 18 (the constitutional age of electoral franchise) each year.

This translates to between 18 – 20 million potential ‘new voters’ from the 2019 General Elections to the 2023 General Elections. This age cohort is popularly known as Generation Z (or Gen Z), the demographic born between 1996 and 2010. The eldest member of Generation Z — is just 24, and yet the group’s dominance is already being felt (suspiciously many Gen Z’s are also Marlians or part of the growing Alte movement as well).

Members of Gen Z are true digital natives: from earliest youth, they have been exposed to the internet, to social networks, and to mobile systems.

Political parties and civil society organizations can no longer afford to ignore these new tribes either in seeking to increase their political education or their engagement with the state. Similar new tribes (not individual organizations, but by movements) have over the past years engineered sweeping social change.

While these new tribes might speak a different ‘language’ from the traditional forms of engagement, we cannot afford to lose these new tribes and the lessons we can learn from engaging with them.

––Ibrahim Faruk, Program Manager, Yiaga Africa’s Governance and Development Program.

16

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2020 •T H I S D AY

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2020 • T H I S D AY

17

18

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ EBRUARY 2,2020

BUSINESS

WEEK

Edited by Kunle Aderinokun E-mail: kunle.aderinokun@thisdaylive.com

Elumelu, Rabiu, Other Top CEOs Set for AfriCapitalism Debate

Kunle Aderinokun

Sometime in March this year, the top chief executives of African private sector institutions will convene on Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire to discuss the role of capitalism in their operations.

According to a statement

by Africa CEO Forum, organisers of the event, with the role of capitalism sparking intense debate around the world and as the need to “do good” becomes increasingly pressing in Africa, 1,800 leading decisionmakers from industry, finance and politics will come together in Abidjan to boost the impact of African companies.

It is expected that for two days that the event will hold, the Africa CEO Forum 2020 will drive public-private dialogue forward by providing a platform where economic leaders and public-sector representatives can discuss key sectoral challenges. The forum is also designed to stimulate,

as it does year after year, significant transactions in favour of the regional and panAfrican growth of the private sector and the development of the continent in general.

Confirmed to participate at the international forum, which is in its eighth year, are Philippe Le Houérou, CEO of IFC; Abdulsamad Rabiu, Executive Chairman of BUA Group; Alain Law Min, CEO of Mauritius Commercial Bank; Amadou Hott, Minister of Economy of Senegal; Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holding; Mohamed Mohsen, CEO of Arab Contractors; Albert Yuma, Chairman of Gécamines; Diane Karusisi, CEO of Bank of Kigali; Jean Kacou Diagou, Chairman of NSIA; Toyin Sanni, CEO of Emerging Africa Group; Sérgio Pimenta, VP Africa and Middle-East of IFC; Richard Bielle, Chairman of the Management Board of CFAO; Others are: Mohamed

El Kettani, CEO of Attijariwafa Bank; Colin Mukete, CEO of Spectrum Group; Kuseni Dlamini, Chairman of Massmart; Jean-Pierre Dalais, Group Chief Executive of Ciel Ltd; Rita Maria Zniber, CEO of Diana Holding; Manuel Mota, CEO of Mota-Engil; Anne Rigail, CEO of Air France; Austin Avuru, CEO of Seplat; Zouhair Bennani, CEO of Label’Vie; Abdoulaye Magassouba, Minister of Mines & Geology of Guinea; Sacha Poignonnec, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Jumia; Peter Matlare, Deputy CEO of Absa Group; Peter Njonjo, CEO

of Twiga Foods; Hassanein Hiridjee, CEO of Axian Group ; Karim Lofti Senhadji, CEO of OCP Africa and Alioune Ndiaye, CEO Middle-East and Africa of Orange.

The statement noted that, “Growing inequality, the advent of climate risk, technological revolutions and resurgent protectionism: at a time when these four major disruptions are turning the global private sector upside down and pointing to capitalism’s fundamental transformation worldwide, the leaders of Africa’s economy and largest companies have been slow to participate in the

topical discussion surrounding “capitalism and the common good” “.

“Nonetheless, there is another side to the story of African business: on the continent, more than anywhere, the private sector is demonstrating that “doing business” and “doing good” can be one and the same. There, telecom providers are promoting financial inclusion, investors are developing distributed solar energy facilities, and agribusiness is prioritising on-site supply and processing: such examples of “business for good” are gradually becoming commonplace

in Africa,” it added.

The statement explained: “Given this issue critical to Africa’s development and following on the Africa CEO Forum 2018, which covered the impact of digital technology, and the Africa CEO Forum 2019, which covered the best approach to take to ensure the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area, this new edition of the largest gathering of the African private sector is set to bring together 1,800 participants around the theme of the role major companies have in society.

Reacting to CRR Raise, Equities Market Sheds N404.5 bn The Nigerian equities market went on a losing streak during the week, which ended on Friday, as bearish sentiment prevailed across the five trading sessions.

This, analysts believe, was mainly driven by investors’ reaction to the recent jack-up of the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) of commercial banks to 27per cent from 22.5per cent by the CBN, in its effort to pressure down the current rising inflation rate.

This development, which is expected to impact negatively the bottom line of commercial banks triggered sell-off on most banking stocks in the course of the week. As a result, the NSE-ASI and NSE-Market Capitalisation value declined by 2.65 per cent w/w to close for this week at 28,843.53 absolute points and N14.86 trillion respectively as against 29,628.84 absolute points and N15.26

trillion the previous Friday.This in nominal term translates to a week-on-week loss of N404.50 billion in Market Capitalisation value. Two sector closed positive on week-on-week basis, led by Insurance (+0.90per cent), and Consumer Goods (+0.09per cent) while Banking (-5.17per cent), Industrial Goods (-2.83per cent), and Oil & Gas (-1.14per cent) sector closed negatively.

LINKASSURE emerged top gainers this week; appreciating by 18.75per cent w/w, while ETERNA shed 23.81 per cent w/w to emerge top loser.

Overall, a total turnover of 1.56 billion shares worth N26.07 billion in 21,444 deals were traded this week by investors on the floor of the Nigerian exchange in contrast to a total 1.23 billion shares valued at N22.71 billion that exchanged hands last week in 21,098 deals.

Sahara Group: Gender Equality, Key to Promoting Sustainable Devt Bamidele Famoofo Ensuringequalaccesstoresources and opportunities regardless of gender is essential to promoting sustainable development across the globe.

Director, Governance and Sustainability, Sahara Group, Pearl Uzokwe, who spoke in Paris at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Private Finance for Sustainable Development Conference, said galvanising private finance alongside other sources of finance for gender equality was not only urgent, but critical for sustained wealth creation, especially in developing countries.

Uzokwe said Sahara Group had consistently led the cause of equal access and opportunities in the private sector through support

for gender related projects and policies that support employment and growth within the organisation which is free of any gender-based considerations. “SaharaGroupispassionateaboutthe issue of gender equality and we continue to promote and invest in projects that empower men and women to pursue economic prosperity. We are also entrenching gender diversity at the board level of the organisation in line with global trends in corporate governance,” she said.

Noting the need for women empowerment as a precursor to achieving gender equality, Uzokwe said governments and businesses need to be “more deliberate and committed” in their support for activities that will connect girls and women to transformative economic opportunities.

L-R: Secretary General, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Angel Gurria, receiving the “Sahara GreenLife” jute bag from Director, Governance and Sustainability, Sahara Group, Pearl Uzokwe, at the OECD’s Private Finance for Sustainable Development Conference in Paris, France

Calls, Data Costs Rise as VAT Implementation Begins As implementation of the 7.5 per cent VAT, which was increased from 5 per cent, becomes effective yesterday, February 1, 2020, telecoms subscribers have started paying for data and calls accordingly.

This was confirmed by The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), which issued a statement to notify the subscribers across all the networks of implementation

of the VAT increase effective February 1. The statement was signed by its Chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo and Head of Operations, Gbolahan Awonuga.

According to ALTON, purchases of telecommunication products and services will be affected by the implementation of the VAT increase.

The umbrella body of telcos said the VAT increase would reflect on the charges of phone

calls, text messages and data for internet in Nigeria.

“Further to the assent of the Finance Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari, which reviewed the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 5 per cent to 7.5 per cent, ALTON wishes to notify consumers that our members will begin applying the new VAT rate on all purchased telecommunication products and services with effect from 1st of February 2020,” statement

noted.

ALTON gave the assurance its members will adhere to tariff transparency and quality service delivery in implementing the VAT increase.

President Muhammadu Buhari recently signed into law the finance bill, which was designed to support its implementation and to create a truly enabling environment for business and investment by the private sector.

SystemSpecs Unveils New Corporate Identity SystemSpecs, a leading provider of innovative financial technology and human capital management solutions in Africa, has unveiled a new corporate identity to reposition its brand to fully maximise its potentials, explore greater fields of business possibilities, and rapidly enhance the delivery of topnotch technology solutions and services to diverse market segments in Nigeria and across Africa.

The firm disclosed this yesterday during a media unveiling at its new headquarters in Lagos to herald the new season of its business operations. In line with its strategic direction for the future, the firm unveiled its new

corporate identity, reflected in its new logo and also announced the release of Paylink by Remita, a new product which empowers individuals, businesses and non-profits, especially those that seek to optimise social media as a one-stop shop, to receive payments by simply sharing a link.

Speakingontheessenceofthe brand fresh, Managing Director of SystemSpecs, Mr. John Obaro, said: “Easily recognisable for the development and provision of top-class software technology solutions and services, we desire that our name resonates with all our stakeholders—customers, partners, investors, talent,

aggregators, regulators, among others—anywhere on the globe as the home of inspired people, innovative solutions, excellent customer service and integrity.”

Obaro added that while SystemSpecs’ corporate brand identity would be refreshed to advantageously position the brand to harness the limitless opportunities of the future, the firm’s “values of ethics and integrity in business, true friendship withourcustomers,openfamilybased relationships at work, respect for our neighborhood and our people, and diligence in our work that we may stand before kings” would remain the same.

SystemSpecs’ new corporate identity is reflected in its logo which is distinctive in design and colouration, and depicts the brand’s promise to stakeholders.

“The unambiguous black colour in which our company name is written represents solid character and traces our origin back home as an indigenously Nigerian and African company. For us, our Nigerian and African origins remain a driving force as we project our country and continent as veritable sources of innovative technology that can rival any from other parts of the world,” Obaro said.

19

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ˜ 2020

BUSINESS

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

CBN’s ABP Boosting Tomato Production Ior (conomic 'iYHrsiÀcation Having achieved a mileage in rice production, the Anchor Borrowers Programme, an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria, is shifting focus on tomato production. The adventure into tomato production is intended to increase job creation and ascertain food security in the country, even as capacity of small scale farmers is enhanced. Bamidele Famoofo reports

T

he Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),arguably,hasemerged tobecomethemostsuccessful ofallgovernmentintervention programmes in recent times.

CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, launched the programme in 2015, being one of the intervention programmes for sustainable economic growth.

The apex bank had set aside a portion of the N220billionMicro,SmallandMediumEnterprises DevelopmentFundtofinanceagriculturalprojects atasingle-digitinterestrateofninepercent.Chiefly among the aims was to create economic linkages between over 600,000 smallholder farmers and reputable large-scale processors with a view to increasing agricultural output and significantly improving capacity utilisation of integrated mills.

As at 2019, according to the central bank, over 200,000 smallholder farmers from 29 states of the federation are already benefitting from the N43.92 billion released directly from it and 13 other participating financial institutions to fund the agricultural programme.

President Muhammadu Buhari agreed with the CBN that the initiative is working as planned.

He said 2.5 million direct jobs had been created through implementation of the programme as at 2018. Buhari added that about one million more indirect jobs are believably created also. “A total number of 862,069 farmers cultivating about 835,239 hectares of land, cultivating 16 different commodities including rice, wheat, maize, cotton, soya-beans, poultry, cassava and groundnuts, tomato, in addition to fish farming had already benefited from the programme.”

On the scorecard of ABP, over seven million 50kg bags of fertilizer have been produced from 11 blending plants with a capacity of 2.1 million metric tonnes. “We have saved $150 million in foreign exchange and N60 billion in subsidy.

Fertilizer prices have dropped from N13, 000 per 50kg bag to N5, 500,” Buhari had disclosed while pointing to some of the achievements of the ABP. According to the federal government, the gap between the levels of local rice production and domestic consumption has been reduced within a space of three years.

Confident that rice production in Nigeria is getting to a sustainable level, Minister ofAgriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono, said the country would begin to export its brand of rice within the next two years.

Nanono made the revelation during a working visit of the Nestle Nigeria Plc in Lagos, recently.

His words: “If we maintain the momentum in the next two years, we may export rice to other countries. I was worried in terms of the production of rice, but what I have found out is that most rice producers have stocked rice for the next six months. This means that before the stock is finished, dry season rice will be harvested, and before that finishes, the rainy season will come back,” he said.

As at today, according to the minister, Nigeria canboastsof11ricemillingplantswiththecapacity to produce between 180 tonnes to 350 tonnes of rice per day.

“In a few months, another mill with a capacity to produce 400 tonnes of rice per day is going to be opened, with another upcoming 34 smaller mills; then, we have clusters in different areas,” Nanono added.

And now, another revolution, similar to what was recorded in the production of rice has started in Nigeria as the CBN has made good its promise to support massive tomato production in commercial quantity in the country.

A tomato plantation

Already, tomato processing plants have started springing up in parts of the country that would soonmakeNigeriaself-sufficientinthecommodity.

Very recently, Emefiele said the CBN has mobilised and validated 140,848 tomato farmers for ABP. Thegovernormadethedisclosureatthegroundbreaking ceremony of Tomato Jos at Kangimi community in Kaduna recently.

Tomato Jos is an American-owned company aimed at transforming smallholder farmers from subsistence growers into commercial producers.

The company has 500 hectares of land with potential to cultivate tomato of 400 hectares and it is expected to begin production in 2021.

Emefiele said the beneficial farmers were selected from various Tomato FarmersAssociations across 25 states in the country.

Heexplainedthatthefarmerswouldbelinkedto proximalprocessors,whereapplicable,orfinanced to produce fresh fruits for direct consumption, which constituted the largest use of tomato in the country.

“We are also partnering with other big players in the tomato value chain like Dangote Tomato Processing Limited, Sonia Foods, GB Foods, Vegefresh Company Limited and a host of others,” he said.

The main reason why central bank is focusing on tomato production, according to Emefiele, “is to ensure that Nigeria becomes self-sufficient in tomato and our processing companies, functioning at full capacity and employing millions of Nigerian youths.’’

The Dangote business group is not left out in the mission of making Nigeria self-sufficient in food production, especially tomato production.

Recently too, Dangote Tomatoes Processing

Limited, owned by the younger brother ofAfrica’s richest man, Sani Dangote, unveiled a N2.8 billion greenhouse nursery in Kano to supply the best quality tomato seedlings to Nigerian farmers.

Speaking on the project, Sani Dangote said the nursery was designed to use the automated Pat Moose planting technology, the first of its kind in Nigeria and has the capacity to process 350 million tonnes of hybrid tomato seedlings per season enabling the planting of 12,000 hectares of tomato farm. The pat moose process takes three weeks before proceeding to the next stage reducing the whole process of growing tomatoes to just 3 months.

He noted that Nigeria consumes about 2.3 million tonnes of tomatoes annually and with the establishment of the nursery, “we have created capacity to triple tomato production, attaining self-sufficiency in tomato production as well as potentially exporting surplus to neighbouring countries.

According to Dangote, the nursery is designed to produce the highest quality tomato seedling available meaning that the farmers can grow the highest yield tomatoes. Currently, the yields produced by Nigerian farmers are less than the global standard. As a result, farmers will be able to earn more income from selling higher volumes of harvests each season.

“Nigeria is on a trajectory to becoming selfsufficientinrice,tomatoesandpoultryproduction.

This means that millions of jobs will be created for her citizens,” he explained.

Apart from Tomato Jos and Dangote tomato, another N2 billion tomato processing plant and farm are already in place in Kaduna State, courtesy theCBN’sagriculturalsupportAnchorBorrowers’ Programme.

The plant has the capacity to mill 30 tonnes of fresh tomatoes a day.

Director, Corporate Affairs department of GBfoods, Dr. Teddy Ngu, said the company owns about 100 hectares, while the farm area is about 30 hectares. About 16 hectares have been cultivated, while the plan is to plant the entire area. “We plant in phases so that we can harvest in phases,” he stated, explaining that the idea is to keep the factory running continuously. “In the long run, we are going to move to 3,000 hectares,” he added.

The ban on 44 items from accessing forex from official windows, and deliberate standardisation of agricultural products in Nigeria largely through the support of theAnchor Borrowers’ scheme has long started making significant impacts on both home and external fronts. For example, the fourth quarter (Q4 2018) report on Nigeria’s provisional Balance of Payments (BoP) estimates that was released a few days ago indicates a significant improvement as the country recorded a surplus of $2.80 million, compared to the huge deficit of $4.542 billion recorded the preceding quarter.

It had also recorded a surplus of $6.180 billion in the corresponding period of 2017, according to a “Brief on Balance of Payments Statistics for Fourth Quarter 2018,” released by the central bank. Abalance of payments surplus meant that Nigeria exported more than it imported during the period under review. What that means is that Nigeria is up again to play its role in global trade.

The African continent imports $40 billion of food annually despite having 65 per cent of the world’s arable land. The public-private model on-going in Nigeria could be adopted by other African countries to also attain self-sufficiency in food production.

20

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ˜ 2020

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

CRR as Viable Option to Guarantee Price, Economic Stability James Emejo writes that by raising the cash reserve ratio (CRR) of deposit money banks (DMBs by five per cent, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may have finally found its way around rising inflation, which poses a threat to macroeconomic stability

W

orried by the benign effect of the continuing rise in inflation in the economy in recent months, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had, in a surprise reaction, raised the CRR by 500 basis points to 27.5 per cent from the current 22.5 per cent.

Following the deliberations resulting from the two-day meetings of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), the first in the year, the CBN further resolved to hold the monetary policy rate (MPR), which gauges interest rate at current level of 13.5 per cent as well as the liquidity ratio at 30 per cent.

The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele argued that the apex bank had acted to fulfil its key mandate of ensuring price stability, adding that the CRR hike had become inevitable considering the magnitude of excess liquidity expected in the system due to the anticipated effect of the value added tax (VAT), which was recently increased by the federal government from 5 per cent to 7.5 per cent and which takes effect by February 2020.

He had further expressed worry over the anticipated medium-term liquidity surfeit from maturing OMO bills held by local private and institutional investors, which could all together add as much as N12 trillion to existing liquidity in the system.

The headline index had defied the CBN’s interventions in recent times and continued to pose a challenge to the economy. The CBN which has the mandate to stabilise prices, had set an inflation target of about six per cent to nine per cent in its current five-year roadmap.

Inflationhadassumedadownwarddirection in recent consecutive months when it dropped in January 2019 to 11.37 per cent from 11.44 per cent in December in 2018.

The headline index further reduced to 11.31 per cent in February and 11.25 per cent in March but resorted to the upward trajectory in April when it climbed to 11.37 per cent- and further to 11.40 per cent in May- before falling to 11.22 per cent in June, 11.08 per cent in July, 11.02 per cent in August before returning to 11.24 per cent in September, 11.61 per cent in October and 11.85 per cent in November and now 11.98 per cent in December.

The rise further dampens the prospects for lower interest rate regime in the economy as well as reduction in the cost of borrowing.

The MPR- the rate at which the apex bank lends to commercial banks- is currently at 13.5 per cent.

However, some analysts while lauding the CBN for taking proactive measures to stem inflation, expressed concern that fighting inflation by tweaking the CRR might erode the gains so far achieved in the improvement of credit flow to the private sector and further compound inflation.

An economist, Mr. Odilim Enwegbara said raising the CRR could further exert pressure on borrowing and as well compound inflation.

Enwegbara stated:“If you increase cash reserve ratio, you are automatically reducing liquidity availability. By this action you are reducing the lending ratio to the real sector.”

“Of course, liquidity crunch only compounds a country’s economic problems, especially a country that is in need of promoting investment, jobs and prosperity that lifts millions of its citizens out of poverty. That is why as high cash reserve ratio puts more pressure on interest rates, it automatically

Emefiele

pushes inflation up.

“So, rather than achieving the main reason for mopping, which is to reduce inflation, high cost of borrowing increases inflation.

This defeats the earlier monetary policy goal.”

Chief Executive, Financial Derivatives Company, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, in his summation of the MPC decisions, however regarded the CBN’s hiking of CRR as a smart economic and proactive intervention to forestall a looming crisis.

But he said that move could as well as send the banks scampering for deposits because their liquidity will be greatly eroded by the policy adding that they could also adjust lending rates in response to the CRR hike.

However, Emefiele, while reassuring that the MPC had already taken all the concerns raised by analysts into consideration believed the increase in CRR “would not constrain lending the way we’ve already started seeing lending grow in the economy.”

Emefiele added, You will all recall that in January 2017, inflation peaked at 18.7 per cent and the monetary policy realising that price and monetary feasibility remains its core mandate certainly could not say idle and allow inflation to continue to rise, particularly above 12 per cent where we think it is growth retarding.

“So monetary policy took those decisions to be very aggressive through tightening and using all forms of monetary policy instruments available to the bank to drive down inflation.

“Luckily we were able to do this from 18.72 per cent in January 2017 to about 11 per cent.

For some period, inflation remained ticking downward at 11 per cent but suddenly from around August last year, we began to see an

uptick in inflation again, ticking up to about 11.98 per cent, which is the rate that we saw it in December 2019.”

The CBN governor further explained, “In reviewing inflation, monetary policy committee felt that because inflation was already getting to the level that it considers a threshold beyond, which it becomes growth retarding, monetary policy felt compelled that we need to begin to look at what can be done to reverse the trend of this rising inflation and prices and hence, the committee felt in its wisdom, realising that there’s a lot of liquidity in the market, particularly also coming from not only the fiscal that is also sending to fund the budget, but also the fact that some actors have been excluded from the OMO and also insisting that OMO, particularly for the local individuals and corporate individuals would not be allowed any longer.

“The committee felt that there would be a lot of liquidity in the market and there was a need for the bank to do something to mop excess liquidity to a level that it considers optimal to be able to run the economy in a way that the level of excess liquidity does not become injurious to the economy. That is the reason the committee felt look, let’s adopt the blunt process of taking this liquidity out by increasing the CRR from 22.5 per cent to 27.5 per cent.”

He said the MPC had further mandated the apex bank to remain committed and focused on the fact that deposit money banks must be compelled to continue to grant loans to the private sector of the economy nevertheless.

Continuing, Emefiele noted: “You would have all observed that as a result of the policy of loan deposit ratio, we have seen loans grow

from N15.5 trillion June 2019 to N17.6 trillion in December 2019- that is a N2 trillion growth and in the course of reading the communique, I made it very clear the various sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, retail and all sectors that benefited from this initiative.

“The committee felt that whereas we are trying to remove the excess liquidity from the market, so as to operate within an optimal level of liquidity that is needed for the economy: that the CBN should continue to push on the loan deposit ratio since that was already giving us the kind of results that we expect.”

He said: “So, it’s like let’s keep doing what you’re doing but do not remove your eyes from the ball regarding the excess liquidity and what needed to be done to take this liquidity out so this economy can run in an optimal way that does not create inflationary pressures and by extension exchange rate pressures on the economy.”

According to the CBN boss, the committee noted the persistent increase in the inflation rate, which stood at 11.98 per cent in December 2019.

It also noted that the inflation was driven by both monetary and structural factors. Having addressed the monetary factors, the headroom for further monetary policy measures has become constrained, being supported by empirical evidence which suggests that inflation above 12.00 per cent is inimical to output growth in the Nigerian economy.

“He stated: MPC thus called on the fiscal authorities to speedily address legacy structural impediments giving rise to upward-trending price developments. Amongst these, the committee identified infrastructure deficit and the long-standing clashes between herdsmen and farmers, which are constraining domestic production and contributing substantially to the rise in food inflation. The MPC, therefore, urged the federal government to relentlessly seek innovative ways of addressing security challenges across the country in order to boost aggregate food supply.

“The committee further noted the contribution of imported food and other tradeables to the rise in price levels but emphasised the opportunity to ramp up production of domestic substitutes supported by the Bank’s development finance initiatives, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing sectors.

“The committee noted the improvement in the financial soundness indicators, growth in assets of the banking system and the gradual switch in the composition of DMB assets from investments in government securities to growth in credit portfolio. It, however, noted that lending rates at the retail segment of the market had remained fairly sticky downwards as deposit rates had declined substantially. It also noted that in some cases, DMBs were not encouraging term deposits in their portfolios and therefore, emphasised the bank’s commitment towards the implementation of the loan-to-deposit ratio (LDR) policy.

“On fiscal operations, the committee applauded the government for the recent signing of the 2020 Finance Bill which opens a new vista of opportunities in public financial management. The MPC, however, cautioned that public debt was rising faster than both domestic and external revenue, noting the need to tread cautiously in interpreting the debt to GDP ratio. The committee also noted the rising burden of debt services and urged the fiscal authorities to strongly consider building buffers by not sharing all the proceeds from the Federation Account at the monthly FAAC meetings to avert a macroeconomic downturn, in the event of an oil price shock.”

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ˜ 2020

21

BUSINESS INTERVIEW NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA

How Nigeria Can Eradicate Poverty At the recently concluded 50th World Economic Forum, which held in Davos, Switzerland, two-time finance minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, gave the federal government the requisite recipe that will enable Nigeria, which has been named the poverty capital of the world, lift its teeming population out of the scourge. Okonjo-Iweala, who granted Arise News an interview on the sidelines of the WEF, also spoke on her recent THISDAY Award of ‘Minister of the Decade’, stewardship as minister, Nigeria’s increasing debt profile and public-private sector partnership. Kunle Aderinokun brings the excerpts:

C

ongratulations on your recent award fromTHISDAY to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the newspaper.Minister of the Decade. Do you ever look back at your stints twice as minister and wonder if there is something you could have done differently?

growing in sectors that create jobs. We have to do more in Agriculture, services, creative industries and technology which employ a lot of young people. Our young people are really clever at trying to create jobs for themselves and support entrepreneurship like many of our philanthropists are doing. So it is growing in quality sectors.

With respect to revenue, I think we need to absolutelydomore.Whenwewereingovernment, we had to push harder to improve our revenue and we tried to do that. Nigeria has to increase revenue like other countries. We started it, and so I think we have to continue to do that.

I am very grateful and honoured for the award and I thank Nigerian people for choosing me and THISDAY for the award. There are always things that one could have done differently.

Not everything went perfectly. I think I would have spent even more time to explain policies to people- because when Nigerian people know that policies are serving them, they would come and support. I think a lot of people are seeing the good work that was done under the two administrations I served now, but it’s as if in retrospect, they are seeing this was a good work.

Perhaps if we had spent more time explaining to them… I thought I spent bit of time explaining to them, but more could have been done.

I think the second thing would have been to lock down a few more things down in legislation than we did, to make sure that they stay and work for the good of the country. But beyond that I’m just grateful to Nigerians they have been so loving and supportive of me. So thank you.

China and India are said to have made significant progress in the eradication of poverty in recent years, whilst in Nigeria, poverty has increased and gaining traction.

Many Nigerians are worried.What did China and India do to succeed in this regard and why can’t Nigeria emulate that which we have seen work?

A cursory look at the Davos summit, one you are not new to. Would you say it’s been a bit more action-oriented compared to that the ones you have participated in the past?

Generally, globally there is a bit of pessimism, uncertainty and worry in the air. So you sense some of that here in Davos. But you also sense the need to act. The theme and focus of what is going on has to do with the sustainable development goals that the world has agreed on, and some vital elements like climate change. There, I see a lot of coming together and a lot of working together on the part of top CEOs who are here. Many of them are making pledges on sustainability on what they’ll do to get to zero carbon emissions by 2050 and how they’ll align their businesses, so it’s not only about profit by about people and delivering for people. So I see that as a positive sign. I think what we need to do absolutely in developing countries and in Nigeria and Africa , is to harness that to make sure that this wave means that they invest in our countries and help us create jobs because we are really concerned about is how to create jobs for our youths and our people. So, if people are concerned, let them invest in us.

Many say the GAVI model provides a template of standard in public-private sector partnership that accelerates progress in basic healthcare service for the vulnerable especially in developing economies. Can you tell us more about this model?

I think GAVI is a success story and that is why I’m so proud to be chair of the board. Everybody here is talking about it because this is the 20th anniversary and it’s one of those stories everyone, our country, the developing countries can all claim a success as well as the private sector and civil society because GAVI works in partnership.

It believes you cannot deliver either in access to vaccines to children in developing countries unless you partner with the private sector so

Okonjo-Iweala

that vaccines can be made more affordable and innovate in the supply chain. You cannot succeed unless the developing countries themselves take charge of their destiny eventually. GAVI wants to work itself out of a job and we graduated 15 countries and 10 on the way, so there are also part of it. The other part is raising the resources. So right now, GAVI has immunised 760 million children since inception 20 years ago and it has saved 13 million lives. 64 per cent of GAVI’s resources are spent in Africa. It’s really working for our country. We are trying to raise $7.4 billion for the next five years and I’m happy to say we are getting a lot of support and success.

Nigeria needs faster per capital economic growth for over seven per cent to dent poverty and suffering of millions. Is this a problem of population control or more of gaps in monetary and fiscal policies?

AsaformerfinanceministerI’mnolongerthere, so I try to enjoy the work I’m doing elsewhere globally so I don’t comment too much. But I think we can say that we need to step up on the continent of Africa as a whole and as a country in Nigeria, because Nigeria, South Africa and Angola are more than 50 per cent of Saharan Africa’s GDP and therefore they bear the very big burden of responsibility that they have to grow and perform not just for themselves, but to carry the rest of the continent. But luckily

we have very good examples on the continent.

We’ve got eight countries that are among the 15 fastest growing countries in the world. We’ve got Ethiopia, Senegal, Rwanda, Ghana, Cote D’Ivore and Tanzania to name a few. And it shows that if we do the right policies and push on some reforms we can indeed grow. Nigeria has the potential to do that. It’s not only about population control; it’s about exploiting the potential we have in the many sectors in the economy and trying to grow faster. No matter what we do, we have to grow. If we do not grow at a faster pace, we will continue to accumulate larger numbers of poor people. Right now, we are experiencing negative per capita growth and we need to turn that around and have a positive growth. So we should just work harder and make sure we do it because it’s good for our young people and the whole continent.

Drawing from you experience as a former minister, does Nigeria have a debt problem or a revenue problem? And what is your take on the increasing debt profile which some have described as alarming?

On the issue of growth, I’ve always said as finance Minister that growth is not sufficient so I’m not trying to imply that if you are just growing that solves all the problem. To grow is to have quality growth, which is what we were trying to push when I was in government. That is

China is phenomenal in eradicating poverty.

India has now done so well, so most of the poverty problem has shifted to our continent. I think it goes back to the things that I’ve said. You have to invest in those things that help to create jobs.

You also need to invest in human development, physical infrastructure, human infrastructure, education and health. Education has to be the type of skills that are need to make people think about creating jobs for themselves and others, not just the skills that make people look for jobs. Those days of looking for people to create jobs are gone.

If you go to China, the level of entrepreneurship is very high and they’ve invested a lot in education of the right type and quality so that those two things combined make a huge difference.

One aspect of what China did was investing in infrastructure of all kinds, because once you lay that foundation of infrastructure for your industries, small and medium scale enterprises, then that makes things much easier. Those are some of the things we need to do to concentrate on creating jobs.

On our debt issue, we just need to make sure that we have the capacity to service. It’s not only debt to GDP ratio we have to watch, but revenue to GDP.And most of these things I’m saying apply to most of our countries on theAfrican continent.

I’m always an optimist about my continent and my country. Being an optimist means we have to work hard, because if we don’t do those things that are necessary we will not move. I believe so much in our young people and their abilities to move things, so I’m looking to them.

In your book, you wrote of your many battles against corruption. What is your advice to many Nigerians in public office facing resistance as a result of a corrupt ecosystem?

Far be it from me to say I’m the fountain of wisdom. I captured my experience or what I went through; it was a pretty traumatic time. It didn’t just end while I was in office, it continued even after. But we thank God. My message is not really for people in office, it’s for young people, who are trying to make their way and who we depend on to lift the country to the next level.

It’s for them to know that you should have principles, stick to doing the right thing, have principles, values (because values matter) and lift your head up high. If you have brains you don’t have to be corrupt.

22

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ˜ 2020

BUSINESS INTERVIEW JOHN OBARO

SystemSpecs Has Capacity to Show that the Future is Africa Today, Nigeria’s financial technology and human capital management solutions powerhouse, SystemSpecs, enters a new phase in its corporate history. In this interview with Eromosele Abiodun, the company’s Managing Director, John Obaro, highlights what constitutes the new era of the institution, including its revamped brand identity, the launch of new products into the market

W

e are aware that this is a season of new beginnings at SystemSpecs.

Can you elucidate on what this means and how it pertains to the long-term goals of the company?

Indeed, it is. We are currently in a special year of the Gregorian calendar and the date we have selected to launch the new SystemSpecs—02/02/2020—is also symbolic in that it is a mirror date. Amirror date because the first four digits are a mirror of the last four and as such it occurs once in a millennium. The peculiar nature of the date coincides with the special activities that form the crux of our operations at SystemSpecs, hence we decided to formally announce our vision for the next millennium on such a unique date. It truly is a time of new beginnings as SystemSpecs is 28 years into its existence and the time has undeniably come for a refresh. It is for this reason that we are announcing a new era in the history of the company marked with a revamped brand identity, new products and neoteric corporate head office.

What was the underlying reason behind this new phase of the corporate existence of the company, including the decision to rejig its corporate identity and strategy?

As I earlier mentioned, this year represents our 28th year of existence, which is a long time in the technology field. We are also probably the oldest software company in Nigeria today and have witnessed the entry and exit of many a company, but by the grace of God, we are waxing stronger. Despite our successes, we are convinced it is time to refresh and that there is no better time than now to do so.

In addition, we came into this environment (Obalende) at a time when the environment was quiet, but owing to the upshoot in population and commercial activities, it has become noisy and the time has come to relocate. The move to our new office is not only a physical change of address, but also a strategic business decision that includes the revamping of our identity.

Remarkably, our corporate logo has withstood the test of time despite that of our products were altered over time. However, we are now resolute in our belief that the logo requires changing, and we also want to take advantage of the date by introducing new products into the market.

Our new head office is also situated at a strategic location in metropolitan Lagos that brings us closer to critical stakeholders such as clients, partners and suppliers.

The new corporate identity appears distinctive in its design and colouration, what does it symbolise?

The new identity is made up of two colours, three dots and the inscription of our name. Black signifies boldness and unambiguity in what we represent as a brand. It represents strength, integrity and a core value – dependence on God. It is also a beautiful colour and implies our heritage which we are proud of. Green, on the other hand, is the symbol of life and growth. The three dots atop the inscription of our name signify the progression of the company. The first represents our country Nigeria with the others signifying our movement to the entire African market and the rest of the world. The incremental sizes in shape, illustrates the types of metamorphic processes that we seek to catalyse in the domains of our business which are Nigeria, Africa and the world. In all, they represent the past, present and future of SystemSpecs.

Why change an identity that has become engraved in the minds of stakeholders?

The logo has been with us for 28 years, but we have decided that it is time to refresh and give a new meaning to the brand. We have decided to reflect the historical progression of the company in our identity and add a contemporary feel that shows our youthful renewal from the inside and to connect with our new generation of customers and partners.

We debated at several times in the past if to change the logo or maintain it, however changes were made to those of our products.

The change is also in line with our view of sustenance and longevity as a firm as we believe the sum of our activities on the second of February will remain with us for a long time.

Obaro

How has SystemSpecs maintained its industry leadership over the course of its 28-year existence?

Over time, we have been enamoured by the big picture and not short-term gains, which is usually money for most. This has greatly impacted our drive towards building a brand. The intention from the start was to build a company that would outlive us, and, with God, we have grown gradually but consistently while maintaining focus on software even at a time when software was largely unknown in this part of the world.

In fact, 28 years ago, computers themselves were hardly known in this region, so it was difficult selling computer hardware let alone software that cannot be seen or held. Nevertheless, we remained resolute in our beliefs and now people have come to understand the value of software.

Furthermore, we promote family-centric values at SystemSpecs and as a result we have had members of staff who bought into the corporate philosophy and went over and beyond in supporting the dream. On account of the environment we have fostered for years, we have some members of staff who still view the company as home years after moving on from it. Just recently, SystemSpecs alumnus, who leads a team at IBM Canada visited the country for the sole purpose of training on new trends. The relationships we maintain with members of staff is so good that some of these trainings are

pro-bono.

We can proudly state that SystemSpecs has its footprints, with regards to ex-staff, in all the leading companies globally such as Google, Microsoft, Apple and the likes.

How has SystemSpecs coped with client demands down the years vis-à-vis technological advancements?

Clients have played no small role in our innovations over time.

We listen to their feedback and requirements, regardless of how it is passed across, while re-engineering our products to meet their needs and making it more attractive such that when we meet newer prospects, our products would be the industry’s gold standard.

Over the course of 28 years, SystemSpecs has successfully operated in Nigeria and other African markets, what would you attribute the secret of the company’s success to and what can stakeholders expect from the firm this year and the future?

Throughout the course of our existence, our growth has been organic, without the involvement of external investors or financial leverage. However, at the current stage of our growth, we probably may consider other models that enable us fully capitalise on the assets and intellectual property built over the years.

We are in prime position to take on the world, inspired by our

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşËœ 2020

23

Enabling Environment Can Make Young Talents Not to Leave Nigeria history of firsts across the globe in terms of some of our innovations. For instance, in the year 2000, we ran a ‘’self-service’’ campaign for our product, HumanManager, which centred around the inventive nature of the product. At the time, our peers around the world provided server-based solutions but we switched things up by delivering self-service functionalityonthewebtoenableemployeesdirectly manage their HR activities. Quite unfortunately, we did not scale at a commensurate level to our first.

Anotherexampleofunprecedentedinnovationis Remita. Remita is about 15 years old this year. Two years ago, I read of one of the biggest global banks celebrating a bank-account aggregation - a feature which is one of the features that has been present in Remita from inception. Besides that, we have innovated many of the features global competitors are just now celebrating. On the flipside, it is also possible that our innovation in this regard was borne out of our peculiar needs as Nigerians; there probably was no need for such innovation from our international counterparts, hence the delay to achieve certain things. The average Nigerian, for instance, has multiple bank accounts which means they own numerous applications on their phones for financial transactions thereby creating a clutter of apps. What we have done with Remita, is to provide a one-stop solution that allows seamless integrationwithallbanksononescreen,whichtakes away the burden of having multiple applications while affording convenience for the user. Now, we have organisations both in Nigeria and across the globe developing similar solutions and presenting them as novel, whereas we have been doing the same thing for years now. In this new phase of our business, we shall be deliberate in projecting our innovations and intellectual assets to the world to show what great technology solutions come out of Nigeria.

It goes without saying that staff are the lifeblood of any organisation,how enthusiastic are they to be a part of the new era of the ďŹ rm? Also, how can the country forestall the burgeoning problem of brain drain?

A good number of our initiatives today were pushedbottomtop.Ahugeportionofourworkforce joined as a result of their desire to be part of the company’s journey while yearning to make their marks. We also have the older generation in our workforce, some who have been with us from the start and will be here for a long time due to the purpose of the brand. There is a fine mix of the old and young at SystemSpecs, a fusion of maturity that accompanies experience and vibrancy of youth. The feeling is that the company is set for the foreseeable future.

With regards to brain drain, we must officially recognise what I call the “Canada threat’’ and strategically combat it. A lot of our young ones find the lure of foreign countries irresistible and organisations across the country are incapable of halting the emigration as some of the reasons adduced are justifiable. So, what we try to do at SystemSpecs is to make the most of the situation by maintaining cordial relationships with our people no matter where they go.

Nigeriaasacountryneedstorecognisethisexodus of our brilliant young people and develop a strategy to forestall the worrying trend. We might be unable to completely stop the outward movement of talent, but we can make it less attractive by creating an enabling environment for them to thrive. Most of our young ones ideally prefer working in Nigeria duetotheweatherandawesomesocialnetworkand support systems, however owing to the unending insecurity challenges, weak judiciary and economic downturn, working in the country continues to become extremely unattractive for these bright talents who are in high demand elsewhere. The quality of education on offer nationwide must also be significantly improved. A great number of our graduates from tertiary institutions are not immediately employable and we must buck the trend.

Whereas, there is gain in being an exporter of skilled labour; this should not be at the detriment of the country. Our policy should be focused on exporting labour when there is a market oversaturation and not out of necessity. That way, we can convert the need of the West into a good business opportunity for us as a country.

Over the course of 28 years, SystemSpecs has successfully operated in Nigeria and other African markets, what would you attribute the secret of the company’s success to and what can stakeholders expect from the ďŹ rm this year and the future?

Nigerians can be fully confident in our position as a technology powerhouse that can hold its own anywhere in the world. Over the years, we have

a wrong placement or an omission of a full stop may have grave consequences. Quality cannot be overstated, and we do our utmost to ensure that it is an integral component of our activities. Many players do not agree with our policy on quality, but it is indubitable in our operations.

Another differentiator for us, with the help of God, is our policy to be painstaking and resist the lure to cut corners. When we discover during our interactions with potential customers/buyers that they do not operate ethically, we would rather pull out of the deal than have our image sullied. This has come at a cost to us, but we have always been able to weather the storm.

Has the company ever undergone such a change as it is now?

We have undergone several changes but not on this scale. This time, we are reinventing our brand identity, restructuring our business, relocating our corporateheadofficeandintroducingsevenproducts into the market.

Obaro

constantly developed high-quality products and services and this year will be no different. Currently, wehavenolessthansevenproductsintheoffingthat wouldbelaunchedthisyeartodifferentsectorsofthe economy. These products would be geared towards addressing a variety of market needs. The first of the product is Paylink with its launch coinciding with our corporate identity unveil on the second of February 2020. Subsequently, we shall introduce to the market another product targeted strictly at bills payment, - a product that will challenge Remita in a figurative manner. A major misconception held by the public is that SystemSpecs is Remita, but Remita is but a subset of our business. Therefore, we want stakeholders to witness the technological prowess of the SystemSpecs brand and appreciate it even more. In all, we have product launches, scheduled for the rest of the year

In what ways will the company operate differently on account of the corporate restructuring you mentioned?

SystemSpecs in now a new entity on account of the corporate restructuring. What we have now are four distinct strategic business units (SBUs) focused on different segments of the local and international markets but still under the umbrella SystemSpecs brand. The first SBU is Infrastructure and Payment Gateway, which undertakes the provision of critical connectivity between us and other ecosystem players such as banks, payment processors and other service providers. In our bid to operate in a more strategic manner, we carved out this function as a separate business unit in order to provide this service directly to the market. The unit possesses Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that are designed to serve us and even competitors because we already have an efficient network with a number of service providers. We are committed to extending theseAPIs and other similar backend services directly to merchants, aggregators and by extension individuals and businesses in need of such services.

Another of our divisions is the vertical markets which is saddled with the responsibility of providing customer-centric applications like Remita and Paylink. The division is responsible for all our corporate or retail customer-focused financial payment products.

Additionally, our third SBU is focused on providing human capital solutions and services. This division is responsible for managing all our payroll and human resources management products and services, which we were primarily known for before the rapid popularity of Remita. Surprisingly, not many people tend to remember this side of our history as a result of Remita’s growth. This division will work with organisations of all sizes to relieve them of the task of managing their people, which we would do leveraging technology, so they can be freed to focus solely on their businesses.

Finally, our fourth SBU is the Public Sector and Special Projects Division. As you know, our Remita serves as the payment gateway into the Nigerian government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA) while we also have our footprints in about

22 states nationwide. Hence, we constituted this business unit to strategically manage this aspect of our business. We believe this approach will help people better understand the SystemSpecs brand, thereby quashing the notion that the company is all about TSAand enable them understand that TSAis under the jurisdiction of just one of the company’s four SBUs.

Was the decision to revamp the corporate strategy and brand identity of SystemSpecs mandated by key stakeholders or borne out of the need to fully explore certain market potential?

Both factors contributed to the decision. We are constantly on the lookout for market needs that can be satisfied, analysing the needs of customers and drawing inspiration from the overarching vision of the company. Just as I earlier mentioned, people were starting to think of SystemSpecs in relation just to TSA, which was becoming unfair to customers who predate TSA and go as far back as two decades. TSA has its positives and negatives, but we decided that the time has come for it and other related businesses to be unbundled as a stand-alone unit and thus the uncoupling of the business into four distinct market segments.

Do you as a technology company come up with products that will transcend your immediate realities and what has kept you in business for 28 years while others failed?

Two pivotal components to the survival of any company are its vision and unique selling propositions. I have always admired and applauded businesses who go against the grain to well and truly create innovative technologies.

A huge portion of players in the indigenous technology space are more focused on emulating others rather than creating ingenious things.

You will be astonished to know the number of companies that went after PSSP licenses with the belief they would be the new TSAgateway, without understanding the market nor thinking through what value they can add. Nevertheless, companies like Coral Pay have decided to innovate. There is ample space for innovation in the software space and we pride ourselves in being innovators. Over the years, we have developed numerous products and services by being able to think ahead of others.

Being innovative is a prerequisite these days to staying competitive in the technology and even other fields, otherwise you run the risk of going out of business in no time. From research you would realise that some players entered the market with hits and fizzled out in no time. But at SystemSpecs, we prefer to maintain a slow but steady growth and keep innovating. That, we believe, is the strategy for long-term sustainability.

Again, due of the deep longing for players to make tremendous cash in the shortest possible time, attention to details is ignored. However, we have an unending commitment to meticulousness.

Quality, like they say, matters and a lot of companies have failed down the years as a result of their lack of paying attention to quality. Software is such that

What is SystemSpecs’ winning formula?

As previously mentioned, staff relationship and quality are indispensable in the quest to be successful in business. We respect our relationship with customers and being able to build qualitative relationships is one of our strengths at SystemSpecs.

Incidentally, one of our staff retired after 25 years of service with us and on the first of January this year, she started a consulting practice which she invited just 20 people to its launch. To my delight, I saw a client of over 20 years and his wife present as guests as well. This feat was achieved on account of the kind of relationship that we maintain with clients.

In addition to that, investing in members of staff hasalsoworkedinourfavour.OurChiefTechnology Officer, Dr. Emmanuel Eze, for instance, joined as a corps member, progressed through the company before travelling out for his Ph.D.; today, he sits on our board as an executive director. And there are many others who have built solid careers in SystemSpecs, enjoying what they are doing and are already in the leadership pipeline. Therefore, with the sound minds at our disposal and the help of God, we have excelled in our industry.

Can you describe the journey, including partnerships and takeovers, attaining the status the company currently possesses?

The journey started 29 years ago, when I was considering leaving the banking industry after 10 years of service, and with the mounting desire to try something new, the seeds of what we call SystemSpecs today was planted. We started out partnering with Systems Union which was then a UK-based firm that was later taken over by a USbased company and renamed Infor. We represented them in Nigeria on the sales and deployment of Sun Systems, an accounting software which remains one of the most popular software in the world. This partnership continued for 25 years until we felt the need to fully devote our resources to our own home-grown brands.

Whilethepartnershipwasongoing,wedeveloped ourproductscalledSpecPay,SpecManandSpecPen, which we eventually merged into HumanManager.

Therefrom, we developed Remita which people now think is all we do; however, I still have strong feelings for HumanManager.

Remita has become a very big project and we believe one of the reasons people think we are all about government is because they cannot readily relate with some of the features Remita offers. We are now de-layering some of the features of Remita to make them easily identifiable. The unique selling propositions of some fintech companies today are already just subsets of Remita. Hence, we are decoupling features and strategically positioning them for target markets.

A product like our new Paylink, for instance, is designed to enable micro businesses work more efficiently. For these businesses, they can receive payments using Paylink rather than sharing their account details. Regardless of how the payer intends paying – USSD, internet banking, debit & credit card or over the counter, the vendor receives the fund with full payer details as may be desired by the merchant.

What is your vision for the company by the time it celebrates its golden jubilee?

By God’s grace, we have a structure today that runs independently of me, and we currently have four executive directors, by so doing, we have a strong management team capable of overseeing the running of the business. The only reason I am still here is because I enjoy what I do and when I think it is time to move, I have no fear that the transition would be seamless and the system would continue to run effectively.

24

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ˜ 2020

BUSINESS INTERVIEW UCHE UWALEKE Supreme Court Verdict, Big Blow to Imo Economy Renowned professor of finance and capital market, Uche Uwaleke, was until recently, the Imo State Commissioner for Finance in the administration of former Governor Emeka Ihedioha. In this interview with Ndubuisi Francis, Uwaleke submits that the January 14 Supreme Court judgment which ousted the governor has grave consequences on the state’s economy

W

hat’s your reaction to the recent judgment of the Supreme Court, which abruptly truncated the administration of Hon. Emeka Ihedioha in which you were serving as the commissioner for finance?

It was quite shocking to put it mildly. No right-thinking, well-meaning Imolite, and I dare say, Nigerian saw it coming especially after the Election Petition Tribunal and the lower courts had done justice in the matter.

I am a bit surprised when you say that no one expected the judgment to go against the former governor. But Fr. Mbaka, a few days before, made a prophecy to this effect that enjoyed wide publicity.

I am not too sure any of us in government took that prediction seriously chiefly because we couldn’t fathom how that was possible given the facts of the case which are now in the public domain. With due respect to the hallowed institution, I think that that ruling by the apex court, as attested to by many a learned gentleman, defied logic, is incomprehensible and at variance with good conscience and natural justice. I am aware a number of pastors made predictions concerning Imo State but you would be distracted as a government the moment you begin to pay attention to every prediction concerning your state.

We understand that an application has been made to the Supreme Court to review the case, are you optimistic about the outcome of such a review considering that the apex court’s decision is supposed to be final?

I am positive the outcome of the review will set the records straight and establish the right judicial precedent. Quite frankly, on what constitutes justice, I think there is a minimum standard: it should not only be dispensed but be seen to be served. This cannot be said of the Supreme Court judgment that removed the Governor of Imo State. The basis for this assertion is already in the public space which is why the ordinary Nigerian, whether in Sokoto or Calabar, Maiduguri or Lagos would readily tell you it was a clear case of miscarriage of Justice.

And I can tell you that a majority of Nigerians, including the international community, anxiously await the outcome of the review which they hope will redress the injustice done to the good people of Imo State, capable of reversing the gains already made by the Ihedioha administration especially in the area of the economy which has suffered incalculable damage since the Supreme Court judgment.

Incalculable damage in what sense?

In many respects of course. I doubt if there is any genuine investor that will be thinking of Imo State given what has just happened.

So in a sense, investors’ confidence in the state economy is now dampened with adverse consequences on jobs creation and IGR effort. Only a few days before January 14, 2020, the day the Supreme Court made that pronouncement, the state hosted an economic summit followed by a very successful summit of Imo citizens in the Diaspora the day after. Not a few Imo professionals and entrepreneurs residing abroad made firm commitments to invest in the state especially in the area of human capital development that is talking about education and health.

With the present level of uncertainty in Imo State and the general unconducive business environment occasioned by this unfortunate ouster of a governor who, through sheer hard work, has gained the confidence of development partners, I doubt if Afrexim Bank will still be interested in committing about N70 billion in a mega project in the state, a deal which Hon Emeka Ihedioha had signed and sealed with the potential to open up investment opportunities in industrial parks, cargo terminal, entertainment city among others. As a matter of fact, I was putting finishing touches to a concept paper for an investor interested in establishing a commodities exchange in Imo State when I was hit by the sad news.

So, whichever way you look at it, it bears repeating that the judgment is a big blow on the economy of the state.

But don’t you think the adverse effect will only be temporary as the state economy is expected to pick up as soon as the new government settles in and begins to implement its own policies and programmes?

We hear the former governor did not hand over days after Hope Uzodinma was sworn in as the new governor.

How true is this?

It is not true. If you read the statement released by Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha immediately after the Supreme Court ruling, you would have seen where he directed all his appointees to turn in their handover notes without any delay. In it, he even directed the Secretary to the Imo State Government to coordinate the process. It is remarkable to note that this was coming from a gentleman who received no hand over notes from his predecessor but who, out of respect for the institutions of democracy and despite circumstances many consider abnormal, directed his appointees to cooperate with the new administration in the state in order to ensure a smooth transition in the overall interest of the state. I have since complied with this directive.

Uwaleke

You can take this to the bank: So long as this injustice goes unredressed; so long will real economic development elude the state and the reason is not far-fetched. Dividends of democracy can only be dispensed by a government put in place by the popular will of the people.

So on the contrary, the negative effect will be long-lasting. Hon Emeka Ihedioha has done so much in a few months in office that a sudden reversal portends grave danger for the people of the state. From my vintage position as the Finance Commissioner, I can tell you that the state was on the path of becoming one of the top three developed economies in Nigeria riding on very transparent structures. Now this trajectory is about to be altered.

It may interest you to know that one of the first things the governor did on assumption of office was to issue an Executive Order 005 which brought into place the Treasury Single Account with its attendant benefits, including blocking revenue leakages.

This rubbed off positively on internally generated revenue which exceeded N1 billion as of December last year. The successes recorded in our IGR effort, with a focus on widening the tax net including through the deployment of ICT to capture the informal sector, is significant against the backdrop of over-reliance on Federation Account. As a matter of fact, total recurrent spending swallows nearly the entire N4.5 billion average monthly net Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) revenue to the state, leaving little or nothing for capital projects.

Faced with this situation, every kobo had to count. Value for money was the administration’s watchword while enthroning due process. We carried out pensioners’ verification prior to the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme and commenced the biometric capture of all civil servants in order to clean up our payroll.Thesemeasureshelpedourfinancesandsoenabledgenuine pensioners and workers to receive their pay as and when due.

At the same time, infrastructure received attention with many road projects, including critical federal roads, going on simultaneously and we also met our counterpart funding obligations with respect to World Bank projects in the state. The Economic team was also working out alternative and innovative funding sources for capital projects including leveraging opportunities in the area of public private partnerships in respect of which we were already considering a number of proposals.

Expectedly, these modest efforts at transparency, accountability and economic development didn’t go unnoticed. Recall that a few weeks ago, the National Bureau of Statistics rated Imo State as the least corrupt state in Nigeria while the reputable BusinessDay Newspaper ranked Imo as the fastest growing economy.

Can you provide an insight into the contents of your own handover notes with respect to your accomplishments and what you expect your successor to do in the spirit of continuity?

First of all, talking about my successor, I have strong faith in our judiciary and I am confident our revered Justices of the Supreme Court will sooner than later carry out a review of the case with a view to correcting anomalies and reinstating the people’s choice, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, as the Governor of Imo State. When this happens by the grace of God and His Excellency’s kind consideration, I hope to return to Owerri to help bring to fruition the many initiatives we started, especially in the area of instituting public financial reforms. So, I am most likely going to succeed myself, if you permit that statement.

Having said that, at the State Ministry of Finance, we were neckdeep into the implementation of a World Bank initiative known as the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) programme for results in which every state in Nigeria stands to get as much as USD18 million by way of grant from the World Bank. It is instructive to note that since the inception of the programme, Imo State has not qualified for the grant owing to non -compliance with the SFTAS requirements many of which are actually what I consider low-hanging fruits. So we took it up as a challenge and have been working faithfully on each of the nine Disbursement-Linked Indicators. For instance, we had developed and uploaded on the State’s website a Cash Management Strategy and Domestic Arrears Clearance Framework in line with SFTAS requirements. By the same token, we had completed work on the Treasury Single Account Operations Manual and were awaiting its launch by the governor before the end of January 2020. Also, the biometric capture of all civil servants in the state was in progress. We were in the process of repositioning the office of the Accountant General which before our assumption of office lacked the capacity to function effectively including preparing final accounts of the state in line with best practice. To this end, we had concluded arrangements to train relevant staff of my ministry on International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). Part of SFTAS requires that we publish IPSAS-compliant audited financial statements before the end of February 2020 and that we were set to do.

We set up an Efficiency Unit in the Ministry of Finance akin to what you have at the federal level with the primary aim of reducing recurrent expenditure, ensure value for money and plug leakages working closely with the State Bureau for Procurement and Price Intelligence which ensures due process in the award of contracts. This Unit is expected to swing into action with the implementation of the 2020 Imo State budget, which is the first by the Ihedioha administration and a product of a participatory process.

Furthermore, in recognition of the need to get a firm handle on the huge debt problem of the State inherited from previous governments, we began developing a medium-term debt management strategy and with help from the Debt Management Office Abuja upgraded the Loans desk in the Ministry of Finance to a Debt Management Department with full complement of qualified staff.

All these are consistent with the World Bank programme on transparency and accountability. As the Chairman of the SFTAS Steering Committee in the State, I can tell you that Imo State was poised to meet all the conditions. Given what has happened, I cannot guarantee that these initiatives will be carried through especially as new people who are not conversant with the programme are now on the driving seat.

25

Ͱ˜ Ͱͮͺ͸ ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

SPECIALREPORT

Hon. Minister of Works & Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola,SAN(2nd left), Director, Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation,Engr. Yemi Oguntominiyi (left), Federal Controller of Works, Niger State, Engr. Iheanacho Felix Umeh(right), the Managing Director, GR Building and Construction Nigeria Ltd,Mr Neeraj Kumar Vaidya (2nd right) and others during the Hon. Minister’s inspection of Ongoing Construction work using Rigid Pavement on Agaie- Katcha- Barro Road on Day One of his inspection tour of Highway Projects in Niger State...recently

A 36-Hour Tour of Nigeria’s Largest State with Relentless Fashola As part of a nationwide inspection of Nigerian roads, works and housing minister Babatunde Fashola last week embarked on a two-day assessment of five ongoing highway projects in Niger State.

Demola Ojo reports

Y

ou can tell that works and housing minister, Babtunde Fashola, is irritated by the description of Nigerian roads as “deplorable” by some commentators. “I don’t know where we got it from,” he said as the tour bus moved smoothly along Abuja-Kaduna expressway on its way to Dikko junction, Niger State.

“I’ve checked the meaning of the word and I think you should. But I want you to observe. We’ve been driving for 32 minutes now. Have we entered any pothole?” he asked his co-travellers. The answer was a unanimous no.

He nodded in affirmation. “You will drive eighty to a hundred kilometres and you will get to a section that has failed. And if you navigate that section, you will continue your journey.”

These are failures of previous decades and will therefore take some time to be remedied, he stated.

About an hour earlier, officials of the federal ministry of works and housing along with select media personnel across print and TV gathered at the headquarters of the ministry the morning of Monday, January 27, in preparation for the trip.

A few minutes past nine, the former Lagos State governor arrived and got into a coaster bus, signalling the commencement of the planned two-day tour of Niger State, Nigeria’s largest by area.

The tour was to assess the state of the roads in Niger, which as the minister revealed, are strategic to Nigeria’s national development plan. They are important in linking the southwest to the north-central part of the country, and the north-central to the northwest.

Niger hosts several NNPC depots for distribution of fuel across the country, has a river port in Baro, and three dams that generate electricity.

Prior to the journey, an aide to the governor had mentally prepared this writer on the gruelling schedule to be expected. Fashola had embarked on

similar inspections during the first term of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, when he traversed the six geo-political zones of the country to take stock of the state of roads across thirty six states.

On this occasion, he wanted to see firsthand the progress made in five ongoing projects: The dualisation of Suleja-Minna Road (Phase I and II); the reconstruction of Bida Lapai-Lambata road; the rehabilitation of Agaie-KatchaBaro road; the dualisation of Jebba-Mokwa-Bokani Junction road in Kwara and Niger states; and the rehabilitation of New Bussa – Kaiama road, which also connects Niger and Kwara.

Setting the Pace

“Good morning everyone,” the minister said as the bus eased out of the ministry of works headquarters. “Driver, maximum of 100 kilometres per hour,” he instructed.

The bus had 18 passengers including the director, highways construction and rehabilitation, Yemi Oguntominiyi, some aides of the minister, a few journalists and a photographer. Joining later at Dikko junction was the federal controller of works/engineer ’s representative in Niger State, Engr. Felix Umeh.

A row of seats at the back had coolers with food and drinks, an indication that this would be a continuous drive barring inspection stops and refuelling.

On the minister ’s convoy was a lead vehicle (no blaring sirens), another bus conveying TV crews, an SUV and a pickup with security personnel. A Federal Road Safety Corps pickup joined as we crossed into Niger State.

The party proceeded in silence for much of the drive outside Abuja. until the minister turned on his seat to chat with the journalists seated behind him.

“If you don’t understand what we are dealing with, it will be difficult for you to tell the people what’s really happening.

“I would want you to pay more attention to other things apart from the road, Continued on Pages 26-27

26

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ FEBRUARY 2, 2020

SPECIALREPORT CONSTRUCTION RESPONSIBLE FOR UPSURGE IN MINING

Continued from Page 25

Personnel of Messrs Salini Nigeria Ltd at work during the inspection of the ongoing dualisation of Suleja – Minna Road, Phase I in Niger State by Fashola...recently like the economy of road construction. People don’t understand why it takes so long to build a road.”

First he explained the organisational structure of the ministry. In each state, there is a controller, who reports to a zonal director, who then reports to him.

“When I hear people say ‘go and tour all the roads,’ I just laugh. It betrays complete ignorance of the size of the undertaking, and even the necessity for it, because somebody is employed in each state to do that job.”

But that hasn’t stopped Fashola from taking on the challenge, with the federal government responsible for 32,000 kilometres of roads.

He continues, “To be sure, I have done that tour.

I travelled the 36 states. I did 12 hours every day in these buses when I took office, to go and see what I was appointed to manage. I’ve seen it. And every month, I get reports on every road.”

Economic Benefits

As the journey proceeded, the education shifted to the economic benefits of road construction.

From Nigeria’s quarterly GDP reports, there has been an upsurge in mining, a sector that has picked up in the last four years. This is due mainly to construction undertaken by the works ministry, as well as the ministry of transportation which is in charge of rail.

“The Apapa-Oshodi expressway under construction by Dangote is a cement concrete road, but you still need laterite to build the base. It was about halfway done when we went on inspection on the 28th of December. But as at that day, 5,000 trucks of laterite had been used. That’s a 32 kilometre road.

“So imagine Lagos-Ibadan expressway which is 118 kilometres, Abuja to Kano which is 360 kilometres... so you understand how much mining is going on,” Fashola said.

The benefits also extend to manufacturing and labour. One of the first questions Fashola asked at each construction site was the number of people employed.

“The first place to feel recession is the service sector and it is the last sector to pick up. That sector is now picking up,” he revealed.

He explained that construction companies don’t stockpile cement, iron rods and other materials.

They order after they have been paid. That’s when the mine owner starts to mine. It is then transported to site.

“So when you hear some of us in government say that the economy is heading in the right direction, it’s because we know this. It won’t happen in one night,” Fashola insisted.

Citing the US and the UK as examples, he reiterated that serious governments across the world commit first to infrastructure, “...because it’s the key driver. Once you build, you employ people.”

Another reason for the slow pace in the execution of projects is the issue of compensation.

Oftentimes, newly constructed roads have to pass through somebody’s land. Some of the claims are outrageous though.

Fashola, (middle), Oguntominiyi (4th right), Commissioner for Works & Infrastructure, Niger State, Engr. Ibrahim Muhammad Panti, Chairman, Gurara Local Government Area Council, Hon. Yusuf Waili (2nd right) and journalists being briefed by Umeh (7th left), on the harmful effects of parking trucks and in the process dumping petroleum products on highways during the inspection of Suleja – Minna Road, Phase I “Until you resolve some of these issues, you can’t do anything. These are the things we deal with almost on a daily basis,” Fashola explained.

Fashola is obviously concerned about complaints from the public regarding the state of roads. He is particular about what he believes is the dissonance between perception and reality, and would rather a more optimistic outlook as work gathers pace.

From all indications though, his task is not getting any easier.

Paucity of Funds

It was apparent after visits to different sites and listening to the contractors that funding of these projects is a major issue. The contractors kept appealing for money to execute. The contractor at New Bussa, Gilmor Engineering, has actually moved to site without being paid, with the minister promising that he would get the money out.

Fashola explained as we set out to check another project. “The concerns of Nigeria over borrowing are legitimate concerns. However, it is necessary for infrastructure. Nigeria is not yet the prosperous country that it’s on its way to be.”

According to Fashola, many countries have been affected by a global economic downtown, but some have been able to deal with it better because of the state of their infrastructure.

“A country’s wealth is also measured by the

quality of its infrastructure,” he explained.

Paolo Canpanella, the project manager of Salini Nigeria Ltd, the contractor responsible for the Suleja-Minna dualisation project, didn’t take long to appeal for funds when the minister stopped by to inspect.

“We’re in the dry season so we have to push harder,” he said. On the whole, N32 billion has been budgeted for the project. “If we get it approved, we finish in three years. We know this road is important and we want to finish it fast,” he said.

He mentioned a few other challenges. “We have logistical challenges with the locals.” This had to do with compensation. He also complained about truck drivers.

“We have hundreds of trucks breaking down. On Saturday, it took me 30 minutes to get here. Today, it took me just five, obviously because you are here.”

Back in the bus, Fashola spoke further on the destruction of roads by trucks.

“Failures of the roads could be due to weather, but most especially it is abuse. Vehicles are being overloaded beyond the 46 tonne limit. Some people are doing 90 tonnes. That’s law enforcement. That’s not under us.

“We need weighbridges and we’re working on that. But we think it’s more effective to enforce at the point of loading; the ports and the petrol stations.”

27

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ FEBRUARY 2, 2020

SPECIALREPORT ERRANT TRUCKS DESTROYING FEDERAL ROADS The commissioner for works, Niger State, Engr Ibrahim Panti, who was also part of the inspection party, assured that the menace of truck drivers will be curbed. “I have spoken to the local government chairman and he has assured there will be alternative parking for them.”

As the inspection proceeded further, the minister encountered firsthand just how much of a problem the trucks pose. There were sections of newly laid asphalt that were already being degraded as they reacted to petroleum products leaking from the parked trucks.

He stopped to address the truck drivers personally, letting them know the damage they were doing. He got the commissioner of works to interpret, while also listening to some of their complaints.

“I give one week for the truck drivers to leave this place or we get law enforcement to move them,” Fashola said. He made sure to enlighten the drivers how they stand to gain when the road is done.

A few of them were unruly. “Do you want us to stop the road? You can’t be violating the law and start giving us conditions. You move first, then we can address any issues you may have.” Immediately, there was calm.

It is safe to say that parts of the trip passed through bad patches of road. In some cases, they were long stretches. For Fashola though, it is important not to lose sight of the good in the face of the bad.

“When persons of influence and authority say things, a lot of people don’t even check, but take it as truth. Perhaps, they don’t know how it affects national consciousness.”

Continuing he said, “News is no longer local but international. If an investor wants to put money somewhere, will he put his money in a country that says ‘nothing is working’ or one that says ‘we’re working on it?’ This is about fairly and accurately reporting our country.”

Continued from Page 26

Fashola, (left), Director, Oguntominiyi(right), Panti, (2nd right) and Waili(2ndleft))

Boundless Energy, Optimism

An observation during the site inspections is the enthusiasm Fashola brings to his work, which is matched by his stamina and athleticism. He bounded in and out of the bus with ease and walked at a brisk pace, with almost everyone else struggling to catch up.

He also knows the environment well, and acted as tour guide on numerous occasions, pointing out places of interest and sharing from his fount of knowledge.

In the previous dispensation, he was also minister of power, and tours such as these incorporated visits to power infrastructure.

“This state has three power plants: Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro, and a new one at Zungeru is being built, all because of the River Niger.”

Fashola is just as fascinated by agriculture, and spoke extensively about the seemingly unending rice fields flanking the expressway. He is optimistic about Nigeria’s potential and wants more people to share and act on that optimism.

As we zoomed through the countryside, he peered out of the window. ”These are yam farms.

That is mango just growing in the wild. See cashew... People don’t understand how blessed this country is. By the time this agriculture thing catches fire, it will be bigger than Nollywood and music combined, internationally.”

At a point, he asked the convoy to stop for the drone videographer to take panoramic footage from above.

He also took pictures intermittently with his phone as the journey trudged on, morning giving way to afternoon and then nightfall. And still the trip continued, with only one stop to refuel.

An inescapable observation was just how many trucks ply these roads. At the risk of exaggeration, the truck to car ratio seemed to be around seven to three.

Looking into the future, the minister sees brighter days ahead. The strides being made in the transportation sector where numerous rail projects are taking shape will have a knock-on effect on the lifespan of Nigerian roads, as they would be relieved of the burden of bearing cargo.

By the time we got to New Bussa where we were to spend the night, it was well past nine at night.

More than 12 hours on the road, both good and bad.

The minister was still a bundle of energy, engaging in conversation, and painting a picture of a soon to be prosperous country when things are finally in place. In his estimation, it is important to know that progress is being made, slowly but surely.

The second day followed a similar pattern to the first, only this time there was a national housing

Personnel of CGC Nigeria Ltd at work during the inspection of the ongoing dualsation of Jebba – Mokwa - Bokani Road in Niger State

site inspection in Minna.

Before his ministerial assignment, Fashola had been to a few states across the country primarily because of his law practice and also to play football, a favourite pastime. On some other occasions, it was for political rallies. Most of those trips were by air, with the final leg by road. “...But nothing as extensive as what we did in 2016, driving 12 hours every day through the 36 states. They’ve been eye-opening, interactive and they better shaped my understanding of the assets that Nigeria has; its people, topography and diversity.

“We’ve done repeat spot tours after that. Some of these states I’ve visited three to four times, but every state at least once. At that time, apart from roads, we also toured housing projects and power assets monthly. It’s a continuing educative process,” he said.

The focus of many Nigerians is however on the roads. Truth be told, the numbers don’t paint a good picture. Going through a brief of the projects we toured, many have very low completion percentages. Some have used up the projected time and are no closer to being completed.

Phase One of the Suleja-Lambatta-Minna has the highest completion rate of 74 per cent but it was awarded in 2010 and was supposed to be completed in 2013. The New Bussa-Kaima road is barely one per cent.

Meanwhile, the allocations for each project in the

2020 budget fall well below the payments recommended. It all points to projects that will take years to complete if funding is not improved.

Unfortunately for Fashola, there is the erroneous belief among many citizens that Nigeria is a rich country but the truth is, it is struggling to fund its infrastructure.

It is admirable that the minister displays an optimistic outlook in the face of his daunting task. If the projects in Niger are indicative of what is going on around the country, a lot of patience would be needed to see the fruits of his labour.

There is a caveat though: the plans are in place, the ball set rolling and the contractors on ground are working within the limits of the funds made available. With increased funding, work will gather pace.

It is no wonder then, that Fashola – probably more than any other minister - sees the need for borrowing to fund the country’s infrastructural projects.

Thirty-six hours after we set out on this tour, we finally approached the take-off point in Abuja, well past nine on Tuesday night.

Fashola bade farewell, bounded out of the bus and changed cars, as he switched focus to preparing for the next day’s Federal Executive Council meeting, while leaving his co-travellers wondering where he draws his reserves of energy – and optimism - from.

28

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşËœ 2020

50'$8 (%25$28 2

Budget Implementa on: Beyond the Miracle o FG͛s Special Accounts

2 Budget Implementa on: Beyond the Miracle o FG͛s Special Accounts

In the light of recently released data by the CBN (Q4:2019 quarterly report), we turn our a en on to the scal perfor mance of Nigeria in 2019. While we note that the data provided by CBN are provi sional, history shows that actual numbers do not signi cantly deviate from the Bank͛s es mates. The CBN͛s report shows that federally collected revenues, which is shared among the FG, States and Local governments, rose 7.3% y/y to 10.2tn in 2019. While this represents only a marginal boost on the surface, there is no ceable progress when reve nue is deconstructed.

il revenue con nues to struggle, con trac ng 0.2% to 5.5tn with a reduced share of total revenue at 54.2% from 58.2% in 2018. We suspect that the 10.0% contrac on in oil prices to US$64.0/bbl. in 2019 more than o set the 5.1% expansion in oil produc on to 2.0mb/d as well as the performance from other sources. Meanwhile, non oil reve nue expanded 17.7% to 4.7tn, with a higher share of revenue at 45.8%. Alt hough this suggests that the govern ment͛s revenue drive is on track, we be lieve this may be a ributed to con nu

ous economic recovery. The strong perfor mance was broad based across core reve nue lines, as Corporate Income Tax (CIT) rose 14.5% to 1.6tn, Value added Tax (VAT) expanded slightly by 7.2% to 1.2tn while customs and excise du es grew fast est at 18.7% to 837.4bn.

Seeing Behind the Mask

Moving on to the performance of FG͛s 2019 budget, we no ce that implementa on was stronger than expected despite a huge rev enue shor all. The CBN reported total ex penditure of 9.4tn, the highest on record, although total revenue of 4.8tn underper formed budget by 31.4%. The implica on was a record high de cit of 4.6tn, against the budget of 1.9tn. We have reasons to doubt the expenditure es mate given that the Budget ce put spending at 5.8tn as at Q3:2019.

However, we note that CBN͛s revenue es mates have always tracked actual numbers.

As at Q3:2019, the Budget Ministry report ed that the retained revenue of the FG was 3.0tn while revenue from special ac counts contributed an addi onal 1.3tn for a total revenue of 4.3tn, indica ng that CBN͛s pro ected de cit may be far o the mark. What makes up special accounts is unclear but we are certain that this does not include primary revenue sources as the CBN es mated revenue at 3.2tn as at

Q3:2019.

ur revenue es mate for 2019 is 4.2tn with a scal de cit of 3.4tn. As the FG raised only 802.8bn in the debt market in 2019 to fund its budget, we believe the CBN͛s sus tained mone sa on of the de cit drove budget implementa on. The latest available data show that the CBN overdra s to the FG stood at 8.5tn as at November 2019 from 5.4tn as at year end 2018.

In line with our recently published 2020 out look, we believe the revenue challenges of the FG would persist in the near term. The reprieve expected from the increase in VAT rate to 7.5% from 5.0% would only be mar ginal given the FG͛s paltry share of 15.0%.

Similarly, current evidence does not support the claim that land border closure would result in a signi cant revenue boost. Alt hough revenue from special accounts provid ed a cosme c li in 2019, the sustainability of such an account is in doubt. Accordingly, we expect revenue collec on to proceed at a moderate pace in 2020. The mone sa on of de cit by the CBN, although likely to be sus tained, con nues to contravene the CBN Act (2007) with poten ally serious implica ons for the economy if its growth con nues at the current pace.

Glo al E ui es Market: Widespread Carnage as ÍžCorona irusÍ&#x; Ra les Markets

The outbreak of ÍžCoronavirusÍ&#x; in Wuhan, China and the aggressive pace of infec ons, with reported cases in over 15 countries, unse led global markets this week. Market reac on was driven by the poten ally cata strophic impact the virus could have on glob al economic ac vi es and company earnings, especially in China. Elsewhere, as risks to the global economy remain elevated, central banks in advanced economies maintained a dovish stance in recent mee ngs. The US Fed kept policy rate unchanged at the range of 1.50% to 1.75%, ci ng growth concerns and below target in a on. Indeed, recent data con rm that the US economy expanded slower at 2.1% in Q4 and 2.3% in 2019 from 2.9% in 2018. Similarly, the Bank of England (B E) le its benchmark rate steady at 0.75% despite the exit from the EU today. The U is likely to face an extended period of uncer tainty going forward as it seeks to establish new trade rela ons with the EU and the rest of the world.

In view of the above, performance across the developed markets under our coverage was largely bearish this week. The US S 500 and NASDAQ indices waned 0.4% apiece w/w following nega ve reac on to mixed corpo rate earnings and slowing economic growth.

France͛s CAC 40 and Germany͛s ET A DA indices lost 3.0% and 3.5% w/w respec vely while U ͛s FTSE All Share index declined 3.2%

# " 50'$/(04$. (2)12/$0&( (42,&3 )12 # 0'(7 2,&( 2,&( 2(6,153 +$0*( 522(04 522(04

+$0*( 2,&( 0'(7 41 !(,*+4,0* 2,&( # +$0*( $4(

,&-(2

#

,6,0'(0' $20,0*3 #,(.' #,(.'

! -+)4-% 20071-'%6-215

-46)/ *4-'%

7%4%16; !4756 %1.

:

:

$)1-6, %1.

:

:

)56/) -+)4-%

:

:

%1+26) )0)16

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

'')55 %1.

"1-6)( %1. *24 *4-'%

2/(-1+5 /'

7

7

:

:

-+)4-%1 4)9)4-)5

:

:

%*%4+) *4-'%

:

:

! )642/)70 )8)/230)16

:

:

6%1&-' ! 2/(-1+5

:

:

:

:

/274 -//5 2* -+)4-% 16)41%6-21%/ 4)9)4-)5

:

'2&%1. !4%151%6-21%/ 1'

:

:

-()/-6; %1.

:

:

:

:

.207 -/ %/0

:

:

%1+26)

:

:

:

:

:

7+%4 )*-1)4;

"1-/)8)4 -+)4-%

7-11)55 -+)4-%

:

:

:

:

" 2* -+)4-%

:

:

$ 755215 -+)4-%

:

7562(-%1 %1( //-)( 1574%1')

:

:

!4%151%6-21%/ 243 2* -+)4-%

4273 /'

6)4/-1+ %1.

:

:

"1-21 %1. 2* -+)4-%

:

:

!26%/ -+)4-%

:

:

%1(2

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

4)5'2

//-)( 1(7564-)5

7/-75 )4+)4 -+)4-%

246) -/

)0)16 2 246,)41 -+)4-%

#)0% %1.

:

:

:

:

216-1)16%/ )-1574%1') )6% /%55

!4%15'243 26)/5 /'

:

:

:

:

29

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşËœ 2020

breadth (advance/decline ra o) weakened to price: 367.48) saw the most buy interest w/w following Brexit. Similarly, apanÍ›s 0.4x as 16 ckers gained against 44 that de with an addi onal subscrip on worth Nikkei 225 and Hong ongÍ›s Hang Seng clined. LINKASSURE ( 18.8%), NEIMETH US$216.0m, taking its total value to indices lost 2.6% and 5.9% w/w respec ve ( 17.0%) and VITAFOAM ( 10.0%) led the US$695.3m. n the other hand, the UL ly as the outbreak of ÍžCoronavirusÍ&#x; slowed gainers while ETERNA ( 23.8%), HONEY- 2020 futures (contract price: 365.67) was economic ac vi es.

FLOUR ( 17.8%) and ABCTRANS ( 17.1%) led the least subscribed, with a marginal sub

the decliners. We believe that the market scrip on of US$1.0m, to close the week at In the B ICS market, the narra ve was would con nue this downtrend especially as US$247.1m. similar as all indices ended in the red terri earnings released this week has been largely tory w/w except China͛s Shanghai Compo mixed and insu cient to boost investor con In the coming week, we expect the apex site index which remained at following dence. bank to sustain interven on in the forex the Lunar New ear break. ussia͛s TS

market, thus we an cipate that naira would and Bra il͛s Ibovespa indices lost the most, Foreign Exchange Market: Naira Remains trade at a similar band. down 4.4% and 3.7% w/w respec vely.

Calm across FX Windows

India͛s BSE Sens and South Africa͛s FTSE/

Money Market: T Bills Rates Trend Lower SE All Share indices were not spared, de n Wednesday, the governor of the apex clining 2.1% and 1.9% w/w respec vely as bank of Nigeria, Godwin Eme ele reacted to This week, the BB and VN rates opened weak corporate earnings a ected inves analystsÍ› opinion about the possible devalua torsÍ› appe te. the week at 9.4% and 10.5% respec vely, on of the naira happening soon. He stated higher than 3.7% and 4.3% recorded in the

that the devalua on of the local currency is previous week as system liquidity fell from The African markets tracked also recorded not going to happen any me soon. Howev weak performance w/w, save Egypt͛s EG 1.0tn to 222.6bn. n Wednesday, the er, the foreign reserve balance fell 0.4% to 30 index which gained 1.4% w/w following BB and VN rate climbed to 13.5% and US$38.1bn.

Saudi Arabia͛s Telecom acquisi on of a 14.2% respec vely from 8.4% and 9.3% (on Also, despite the absence of the CBN͛s inter 55.0% stake in Vodafone Egypt. Nigeria s Tuesday) but fell on Thursday to 4.2% and ven on in the foreign exchange market this 5.5% as system liquidity rose to 1.1tn. Fi ASI and enya͛s NSE 20 indices pared 2.7% week, naira remained calm across board. At nally, on Friday, BB and VN rate ad and 1.6% w/w respec vely while Ghana͛s the CBN o cial window, naira weakened vanced to close the week at 14.0% and GSE Composite index lost 1.1% w/w follow slightly by 5 kobo w/w a er it opened at 15.3% respec vely, as system liquidity de ing weak earnings. Also, Mauri us 306.95/US$1.00 and closed at 307.00/ clined to 510.8bn.

SEMDE and Morocco͛s Casablanca MASI US$1.00. At the parallel market however, indices ended southwards w/w, down 1.0% naira gained 1.00, closing at 360.00/ and 0.9% respec vely. n Wednesday, the CBN at the primary mar US$1.00. Meanwhile at the I E window, ket auc on ( MA) issued 91 day ( er:

naira lost 1.22 w/w a er it opened at Across the Asian and Middle East markets 28.0bn Subscrip on: 53.2bn Sale: 362.75/US$1.00 to close at 363.97/ under our coverage, performance was sur 49.8bn), 182 day ( er: 33.7bn Sub US$1.00. Ac vity level at the I E Window scrip on: 57.8bn Sale: 54.6bn) and 364 prisingly bullish as all indices trended advanced as total turnover rose 5.9% w/w to day northward w/w. Thailand͛s SET index led ( er: 167.9bn Subscrip on: close at US$966.2m. the gainers, up 3.7% W o W. Similarly, 152.7bn Sale: 125.2bn) instruments at a

Turkey͛s BIST 100 index gained 2.0% w/w marginal rate of 3.5%, 4.5% and 6.5% re Following the maturity of the AN 2020 Fu while Saudi Arabia͛s Tadawul ASI, Qatar͛s spec vely compared with previous rates of tures worth US$1.6bn, the total value of F DSM 220 and UAE͛s AD General indices 2.95%, 3.95% and 5.09%. The 91 day and Futures fell US$913.0m w/w to US$9.5bn, 182 day instruments were oversubscribed at rose 1.7% apiece w/w. although there was an introduc on of the 1.9x and 1.7x while the 364 day instrument

FEB 2021 instrument worth US$26.9m. was undersubscribed at 0.9x. n Thursday, Domes c E ui es Market: Local Bourse Meanwhile, the AN 2021 futures (contract following the in ow from M maturi es Closes in the RedÍ™ ASI Sheds 2.7% w/w

The momentum in the local bourse weak

ened this week with the market recording

its rst weekly loss for the year following

ve consecu ve days of losses. Conse

quently, the benchmark index fell 2.7% to !# $ $ $( # !( # !( %

# close at 28,843.53 points. As a result, TD

!! # # ( ( (

%

return declined to 7.5% while market capi talisa on reduced by 404.5bn to 14.8tn. ! ! ! ( ! ( ! (

%

Ac vity level improved as average volume

% #( # $( # $( # ! " and value traded rose 26.2% and 13.6% !

!% ! % ( ( ( # " $ respec vely to 312.2m units and 5.2bn.

% ( $( $( In terms of volume, ZENITH (150.3m units), "

GUARANTY (141.9m units) and UBA #

"" ! $ "( $( $(

"

(75.2m units) led the chart while MTNN $

%# % # $( ( ( %

( 6.1bn), GUARANTY ( 4.3bn) and ZENITH %

!! ! ! $( " $( " $( ! # #

( 3.2bn) led by value.

! ( ! ( ! ( "

erformance across sectors was bearish as 4 of 6 indices declined w/w. The Insurance

and Consumer Goods indices gained 0.9%

and 0.1% respec vely due to buying inter

est in LINKASSURE ( 18.8%), NEM ( 9.1%),

VITAFOAM ( 10.0%) and CHAMPION

! $( ( (

( 7.8%). Conversely, price declines in FBNH

%# $ # $( ( ( $

( 10.3%), STANBIC ( 10.0%), WAPCO (

# ( ( ( $ #

12.9%) and CA ( 9.1%) compelled the

$ % !! ! "( !( !( " !

sharpest losses in Banking and Industrial Goods indices. Similarly, the AF ICT and !

! # !! !( $( $(

il Gas indices pared 2.5% and 1.1% " ! ! # ! %( ( ( ! # # respec vely on the back of sell pressure # ! ! $! $( % #( % #( !

in MTNN ( 4.3%), ETERNA ( 23.8%) and $

# $( %( %( $ "

!

TOTAL ( 8.5%).

%

" !! # ( " !( " !( "

!

Investor sen ment as measured by market

$ ! ! ( " #( " #( ! !

#

worth 495.0bn, the CBN conducted M auc on worth 200.0bn to mop up excess liquidity in the system. As a result of strong er appe te for higher yields, there was no sale on the short term instrument. Howbeit, the 180 day ( er: 10.bn Subscrip on: 20.14bn Sale: 20.14bn) and 364 day ( er: 180.bn Subscrip on: 458.01bn Sale: 190.15bn) instruments were over subscribed by 2.0x and 2.5x with marginal rates of 11.6% and 13.0% respec vely.

In the treasury bills secondary market, the performance was bullish as average yield across benchmark tenors trended lower, down 7bps w/w to close at 3.8%. During the week, average yields across instruments were rela vely stable as local investors took a cau ous approach due to depressed T bills yields and the announcement of an M auc on by the CBN. The 364 day in strument en oyed the most buying interest as yields declined 30bps to 4.2% while the 91 and 182 day instruments rose 3bps and 5bps to 3.4% and 3.7% respec vely.

In the coming week, we expect the CBN to sustain its M auc on given that M maturi es worth N338.5bn will further boost system liquidity levels. Also, we envis age that elevated system liquidity levels would drive rates lower in the secondary T Bills market.

Bond Market: The Bulls Sustain Dominance

This week, performance in the secondary market was posi ve as average yield declined 31bps w/w to 9.9%. n Mon day, yields rose as investors responded to last͛s week increment of Cash eserve a o (C ) to 27.5% by the M C. However, the sen ment was shrugged o in subsequent trading sessions as investors resumed inter est on high yield bonds. Across tenors, the short term bonds witnessed the most buy interest w/w, shedding 175bps in yields while the mid end notes and long dated bonds trailed, shedding 39bps and 17bps w/ w respec vely as investors locked in excess funds from M maturi es worth c. 495.0bn.

At the SSA Eurobond market, the perfor mance was at. The South Africa 2020 and epublic of Ghana 2026 instruments con n ue to en oy high demand, shedding 88bps and 15bps respec vely. Similarly, the Nigeri an 2022 and Ghanaian 2023 instruments trailed, shedding 12bps and 15bps respec vely.

For the African Corporate Eurobonds that we track, the story is comparable as yields declined 2bps w/w. The ES M H LDINGS 2025 and FFICE CHE IFIEN DES H 2044 instruments led the pack with yields declin ing 31bps and 9bps w/w respec vely. FIDEL IT BAN LC 2022 and UBA LC 2022 trailed, shedding 1bps apiece. We expect a sustained bullish run in the coming week at the African Eurobonds space on the back of policy easing by central banks in ad vanced economies.

˜ ˞ FEBRUARY 2, 2020

30

MARKET NEWS

NSE Intensifies Investor Education with Derivatives and ETFs Workshops Goddy Egene

has evolved significantly over generation opportunities. The the years catering to different financial landscape has, however, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) segments of the market. Through presented new opportunities is to increase engagement with a mix of equities, exchange traded with investors seeking out more stakeholders, especially as it relates funds(ETFs), mutual funds and diversified asset classes that provide to the relatively newer segments fixed income securities, the stability, predictability and strong of the market such as derivatives capital market has supported the investment returns. growth of the Nigerian economy And responding to the need for trading and securities lending.

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

Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their that willl generate their desired return. investments. The assets are divided into shares that An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, GUIDE TO DATA: etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 30shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the Jan-2020, unless otherwise stated.

the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) efforts is the upcoming derivatives of NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, has trading workshop for capital market said the exchange will increase operators scheduled to hold on investor education to encourage Tuesday February 4, in Lagos. participation, noting that “with “The workshop with the better understanding of the market, theme,“Understanding the we are confident participation will Regulatory Landscape for a improve.�

Thriving Derivatives Market According to him, one of such in Nigeria� is in line with the Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

exchange’s ongoing effort to launch a thriving derivatives market that meets best global practice. Sequel to the release of the derivatives and clearing rules by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), this workshop will present insights on how to properly navigate this market,� he said.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.90 0.91 7.08% ACAP Income Funds 0.76 0.76 33.76% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.89% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.48 2.53 0.65% info@anchoriaam.com ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 6.48% Anchoria Equity Fund 107.87 108.28 5.50% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.18 1.18 3.38% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 16.32 16.81 6.56% ARM Discovery Fund 363.15 374.10 5.12% ARM Ethical Fund 30.59 31.51 5.16% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.81% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 102.27 102.99 6.45% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.26% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 0.09 0.07 8.66% Paramount Equity Fund 13.08 13.27 4.32% Women's Investment Fund 116.16 117.24 5.23% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.54% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 106.84 107.48 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 116.99 117.78 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 5.68% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 6.04% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,183.03 1,185.05 1.80% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,318.48 1,319.62 2.12% FBN Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.37% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 119.70 119.98 0.39% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 120.42 120.69 0.49% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.31% Legacy Debt Fund 3.68 3.68 0.60% Legacy Equity Fund 1.18 1.21 4.65% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.09 1.09 0.34% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,163.04 3,200.79 6.07% Coral Income Fund 3,101.30 3,101.30 13.14% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 8.45% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.52% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 119.54 119.98 11.16%

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.34% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.27 2.30 5.47% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 11.45% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 140.73 141.23 12.77% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD ďŹ ncon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.23 1.25 5.23% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,109.01 1,109.01 0.98% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM EuroBond Fund N/A N/A N/A SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 139.96 141.34 10.43% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 139.96 141.34 10.43% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,521.35 2,532.80 4.31% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 0.56% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 6.18% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 1.00% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 4.89% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.66% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 6.19% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.16 1.16 0.58% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 118.18 118.18 0.00% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.18 1.20 1.63% United Capital Bond Fund 1.69 1.69 15.58% United Capital Equity Fund 0.69 0.70 -3.63% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.06% United Capital Eurobond Fund 111.58 111.58 8.05% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.08 1.08 6.79% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 10.84 11.00 5.63% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.09 12.24 4.20% Zenith Income Fund 22.97 22.97 3.35% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.22%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

3.40 118.84 52.31

-64.85% -0.08% 0.50%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.87 101.06 78.44

9.97 103.23 79.88

13.35% 9.29% 6.38%

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

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

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.76 5.56 13.54 12.21 178.38

3.80 5.64 13.64 12.41 180.38

5.95% -5.95% 11.29% 17.36% -5.00%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

108.69

17.60%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

2.02.2020

TITILOPE SONUGA EMBRACING MOTHERHOOD, ELECTRIFYING THE STAGE ASSISTANTEDITOROLUFUNKEOLAODE/funkola2000@gmail.com

32

FEBRUARY 2, 2020˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

COVER

TITILOPE SONUGA

Inside the Head of ‘Ada The Country’ Playwright Vanessa Obioha’s encounter with the award-winning poet, spoken word artist, and actor, Titilope Sonuga, who recently added a feather to her cap by penning the critically-acclaimed musical, ‘Ada The Country’, reveals a woman with a grand design to capture and titivate the imagination

I

“I noticed,” says Sonuga, “a lot of production tends to lean towards women and all the bad things that happened to them. Those things are true and they do exist but I wanted to have balance by having touches of humour and hope.

We also wanted to create avenues to communicate the narrative a little bit

Sonuga

Photo: Victor Adewale

t’s the last day of ‘Ada the Country’ musical and theatre goers were trickling in. The regular tickets were sold out and only those who could afford the VIP or VVIP had access to the musical which started showing on January 2. The last-minute rush was unexpected. For the three days, the musical showed at Agip Recital Hall of MUSON Centre, the hall was almost full. But on this last day, the hall was spilling with both first-timers and avid fans of theatre.

Somewhere in that packed hall sat Titilope Sonuga, the award-winning poet, spoken word artist, and actor who penned the musical. It was her first attempt at playwrighting. Her previous works were usually spoken word performances, an art she is famous for.

But sitting down there in the midst of the audience, watching the actors on stage bring her words to life in a galvanic performance, listening to the audience’s gamut of emotions was an overwhelming experience.

“It was wild, just to see the response to words and scenarios that once only existed in my head. Usually, I am on stage performing, far away from the audience. This was the first time I was side by side with them, quietly watching along with them. To hear them laugh, to see them cry, or nod in agreement, is truly one of the greatest gifts of my career,” she says.

‘Ada the Country’ is a musical produced by Doyenne Circle and directed by Kemi Lala Akindoju who also coproduced. The musical is centred on a young grieving woman who lost her child in an inferno. Riddled with guilt and grief, she sought the comforting arms of her mother, leaving behind her husband. The journey back home is a reawakening for her as she questions the norms that hinder women from following their passion.

But the beauty of Sonuga’s play is the supporting characters who played friends and relatives to the lead character. They were women and popular thespians who in consoling their friends found an avenue to share their own stories.

The concept for the musical was first conceived by the production company Doyenne Circle. They wanted a play with the title and would cut across generations of women but had no idea how to go about it. Then Akindoju spun a great idea about the casting and the rest was left to Sonuga to bring to life.

“I started picturing these women on my mind and what they would like to say. What was urgent and important to them, and how to bridge different generations of women wanting to tell their own stories and each of these stories being valid and true. We decided to roll out the story and share ideas with each other and that’s how we developed the script,” Sonuga explains as she stood outside the venue after the first showing on the last day.

She was repeatedly stopped by fans during the interview who wanted to laud her efforts. She graciously accepted their compliments and even posed with those who wanted photographs.

In writing the musical, Sonuga was careful not to lean too much in the sorrow of the titular character played by Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw. She tried to strike a balance with the plot and characters.

“I noticed,” says Sonuga, “a lot of production tends to lean towards women and all the bad things that happened to them. Those things are true and they do exist but I wanted to have balance by having touches of humour and hope. We also wanted to create avenues to communicate the narrative a little bit.

57

FEBRUARY 2, 2020 ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

COVER

The Nigerian Poet Bringing Words to Life “So you will see characters like Kemi (played by Akindoju) who starts off one way and then transition to another thing in the script. That is, giving the characters dualities.

I wanted to show imperfections of women, friendship, motherhood and for all of those things to still be true and relevant.”

Initially advertised as an allfemale cast, a singular male character was later introduced to the musical.

Sonuga tried not to follow the hypermasculinity casting that are copious in most productions. Rather, she focused on the weakness of her male character, portraying him as one who is soft and confident in his actions.

She adds, “In portraying the male character as a soft man who generally seemed to know what he is doing, gave us room to explore what that means for a man and the discomfort in observing a man who is so soft and leans on his mother. He exists in the world and people will easily recognize him.”

Exploring those characters required Sonuga to reach for emotional depths. She revealed that she threw in everything, from being a daughter to a mother.

“My mother had four girls,” she recounts.

“My experience as a mother who just had her own child, my conversations with other women and friends. There is nothing you saw on that stage that hasn’t happened to me or somebody that I know. Some of those monologues are real-life experiences that are consolidated on the pages. Yes, I have to go to some places, asked some questions and try to be fearless.

The accolades she received for the play is still pouring. When she was called on stage to take a bow, a thundering applause greeted her.

She’s been getting a lot of feedback since the show began.

“The response to the play has been truly incredible and extremely encouraging,” Sonuga admits.

“It is always an honour to know that people see themselves in the play and respond so strongly to it. For a lot of people, no matter their age, gender, or background, they were able to find a piece of truth, a character to connect with and find a new way of looking at a particular issue. That is the ultimate compliment, that it mattered to people.”

She considered the musical which had other thespians like Joke Silva, Patience Ozokwor, Bimbo Akintola, Oludara Egerton-Shygnle, Ade Laoye and Chioma ‘Chigul’ Omeruah in lead characters, a success.

“The success of the series, the fact that each show was sold out, the kinds of conversations it sparked is a testament to the fact that people are hungry for good art, and elevated narratives,” Sonuga reveals. “The project showed that the right combination of marketing, productions, acting and story will bring people to theatres time and time again. Some people mentioned that it was their first time coming out to see a play in Nigeria. That’s powerful.”

But with these accolades, Sonuga sometimes feared if she could still write another piece. She said the feeling of apprehension is common among creatives. However, she tries

Sonuga

It is always an honour to know that people see themselves in the play and respond so strongly to it. For a lot of people, no matter their age, gender, or background, they were able to find a piece of truth, a character to connect with and find a new way of looking at a particular issue.

That is the ultimate compliment, that it mattered to people as much as possible to create her next work in isolation so as not to be

influenced by the feedback from her previous works. It is not easy for her

lifestyle, she confessed.

The hallmarks of Sonuga’s works are the life that springs from the words. They are lines that portray humanity in the purest form, radiating with beauty as each word delves deeper into the meaning of human existence. It is seen in the rhythmic flow of the monologues in the musical. She described each character’s ordeal with intensity and precision, eliciting emotions that run deep.

Trained as a civil engineer, Sonuga had a keen interest in poetry. At first, she struggled with it but with time, it became apparent that it was a providence-preferred path for her.

Her first shot to fame was in 2011 when she won the Canadian Authors Association Emerging Writer Award.

The following year saw her grabbing headlines with her win in the Maya Angelou Poetry Contest. Having spent most of her life in Canada, coming back home, she became the first Nigerian poet to perform at a presidential inauguration during President Muhammadu Buhari’s first inauguration ceremony in May 2015.

At that ceremony, she performed a piece titled, ‘We Are Ready’.

It was only a matter of time before she assumed the titanic fame as one of Nigeria’s prominent poets and spoken word artists, having penned her own one-man stage performances. There was ‘Becoming’ which she performed in 2015. She was also among the spoken word artists who were featured at the Heritage Bank TV commercial in 2017.

Her poem ‘I Am’ was one of the fans favourites. Apart from poetry, she fetched a role in Ndani’s TV hit television series, ‘Gidi Up’.

Marriage came calling in 2016 and the artist recently embraced motherhood.

She says, “Someone said something to me recently about motherhood that I felt was very profound. She said ‘just as you are watching your children grow up, they are also watching you.’

I think about that all the time; that my child is watching a child. That gives me great relief to know that I’m going to mess up, I’m going to be imperfect as my mother was. But the best I can do for him is to try to grow up as fast as possible.”

As part of her plan to spend more time with her child, she deliberately went off social media. But more importantly, staying offline is a creative experiment. She put it this way: “Social media is a bit noisy but it is also very useful. A lot of people know me and my works through social media. For this year, I gave myself a creative mandate, it is a new way of life that I’m experimenting with,” Sonuga acknowledges.

“Trying to see where I can spend those extra few moments of my daily life. I have a little child which requires devotion and I could spend those moments with him and remove myself from the feedback. This is like an addict suffering because this is the season when there are most buzz online and the temptation to find out what is going on.

“At the same time, I’m also trying to find out what will happen to my work if I allow it to exist and not affected by the feedback online. So I can comfortably create the next thing without the fear of it not being as good as the last one.”

58

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R ˾ Ͱ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

ENTERTAINMENT

Nails Steal the Show at 2020 Grammys Red Carpet

Rosalia

Billie Eilish nails

By Vanessa Obioha Celebrities who attended the 62nd Grammy Awards which took place on Sunday, January 26 had more than their clothes in mind on the red carpet. They also sought to make statements with nail accessories. From the 18-year-old Billie Eilish who took home the Best New Artiste, Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Pop Vocal Album to Lizzo, the singer-rapper, the red carpet was a spectacle of nails.

Billie Eilish Gucci-Themed Nails Eilish stepped into the Grammy red carpet sporting Gucci-themed nails designed by Emi Kudo. The green nails had the designer trademark on it and complimented the elaborate green Gucci ensemble she wore and her dyed green and black hair. In an Instagram post, Kudo, who has also worked with actress Kate Beckinsale said she painted the custom-made nail tips a night before the awards and blended gel colours to achieve the dark forest hue of the nails.

Lizzo Crystal Nails For Lizzo, who had eight nominations, her nails were in crystals. The affxed diamondlike, teardrop-shaped crystals were hanging off each finger and complimented the strapless, slit-leg white Versace gown. The nail artist Eri Ishizu decorated Lizzo’s tips with glitter-eights in honor of the singer receiving eight Grammy nominations. The nails were

glossed over with Christian Louboutin polish.

The ‘Truth Hurts’ singer was on many fashion critics best dressed celebrity list of the evening.

Out of the eight nominations she received, she took home three awards: Best Pop Solo Performance, Best Traditional R&B Performance and Best Urban Contemporary Album.

Rosalia Long Swarovski Talons Rosalia’s nails were hardly missed on the red carpet. It was conspicuously displayed by the Spanish singer who won the Grammy award for Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album. The elaborate, extra-long, Swarovski-covered creations were designed by manicurist Yvett G who told her followers on Instagram that she had to complete them in a moving car.

Priyanka Chopra Nail Tribute to Kobe Bryant In memory of the American basketball legend Kobe Bryant who died in a helicopter crash hours before the Grammys 2020 broadcast, Indian famous star and wife to Nick Jonas, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, wrote the deceased jersey number 24 on one of her beautifully coloured french nails.

Rosalia nails

Lizzo

FEBRUARY 2, 2020˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

59

High Life

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

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

Happy Palindromic Day, 02/02/2020 Today is an especially exciting day. It is the second date in 1000 years that can be written the same way both backwards and forwards.

02/02/2020. Its called a “palindromic” day.

The first was 01/01/1010.

The next one will occur in 1,010 years on 03/03/3030. No one can witness two palindromic days, not even Methuselah.

All of us alive tomorrow are privileged to witness this special day.

Give a special thanks to

God for the privilege.

Hallelujah!

Happy palindromic day to all fellow sojourners.

Make sure you influence your world positively while you are here.

AMEN!

Years after Husband’s Demise, Grace Olowofeyeku, Sells off Family Business, ASCON OIL Mimiko

D

eath, John Donne, writes; one short sleep past, we wake eternally, and death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die. These words ring a hopeful tone in the heart and relieve the burden of sorrow and wicked enterprise of blue devils. Until that final conquest, humanity must endure the campaign of death.

At the moment, there is probably no other person whose heart burns for the final dismissal of death than former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko. He it is who has lost two souls to the passage of death, and within the space of a few weeks: his mother and his friend.

Alhaja Muinat Mimiko died at the ripe old age of 88 in her home in Ondo. Her death was confirmed

by Mr. Eni Akinsola, the media aide to the former governor. Mama Mimiko is reported to have died in her sleep and at the residence of Dr. Mimiko. A fierce and upstanding member of her community, from all accounts, Mama Mimiko is also reported as being a titleholder in both traditional and religious circles. Her death, consequently, scours the familiar heart.

The other intimate of Dr. Mimiko who is currently in the company of death is Elder Soji Bello, the man whose friendship with the former governor is reported to have eclipsed four decades. SOJ, as he was monikered, lived in recent time with Mimiko’s royalty and rank.

Known all-round during the Mimiko years as friend of the Governor, SOJ was the Mecca of political entreaty and favour harvests. A native of Ikere Ekiti, SOJ was a banker who rallied to politics. He is reported to have passed away as a result of sickness aged 64.

According to those in the know, these winked lights of Dr. Mimiko will yet bring radiance and colour to the good people of Ondo State come February 2020.

The burial of Mama Mimiko, slated for the 20th of the month, promises to engage the presence of social and political up-and-ups – who will be there to honour the Mimikos.

The burial rites of SOJ will also hold in February 12 with a night of tribute starting service at the International Event Centre, Dome, Akure, Ondo State.

In life and death, these precious ones drew eyes and hearts.

The unfettered caress of time on every individual is expressed in many ways, the most distinguishable of these expressions being change. New wrinkles, new passions, new resignations; it almost never ends. To grapple with circumstances is to be equal parts brave and balmy. And yet, not to grapple at the same time is considered prudent but fantastical. A decade and a half year after her husband walked off into the gentle night, Madam Grace Olowofeyeku resigns from grappling with his brainchild.

ASCON OIL is one of the indigenous oil firms in Nigeria with a solid reputation since the late 80s. With operations taking flight from Kano and full engagement with the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry, the company obtained the rights to operate as an independent marketer of petroleum products around ‘88, with the signing of the NNPC/PPMC bulk purchase agreement. Since then, the company has spread out with deep roots and strong branches across the Northern belt (particularly Kaduna, Gombe and Maiduguri), the oil-rich South (Port Harcourt and Warri, especially), and even the FCT. A company that is the wrinkle of

Barrister George Enenmoh – who died in the Bellview Airlines crash of ‘05 – and a traditional family venture, innovation and value creation is its watchword. It has even been monologued as a practical peoplefirm, with professional leadership and management underneath its soft core. An editorial enterprise to be sure, this crafted dream must now be realised by alien hands.

Mrs. Grace Olowofeyeku, the widow of the founder of ASCON OIL – its Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer – has allegedly sold off the company.

The rationale for this alleged close out revolves around the tough, hard-to-pierce condition of the Nigerian jungle-market.

Only very recently, Madam Grace was reported as expressing dissatisfaction with the engines of commerce and enterprise in Nigeria. She indicated machinations of governmental agencies and the rickety oil industry as instrumental to businesses grinding down. To be, apparently, would see her management of ASCON OIL end in similar fashion. Not to be, that was her answer.

As an aside, Madam Grace is now married to Bankole Olowofoyeku, also a staff of ASCON Oil. Furthermore, the progeny of the late George Enekid are allegedly not unhappy with ASCON’s change of leadership.

Olowofeyeku

Road to 2023 Presidency: How Feasible is Tinubu’s Game Plan?

Hon. Shina Abiola peller, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and HRM Saheed Elegushi

Ahead of the 2023 presidential elections, fingers are already pointing towards the fit, fierce and fortunate of the aspiring lot. This lot includes several notable individuals, some of which have already tried their hands at grasping the mantle, only to have it slip past greasy palms. Of all those being primed to star as lead protagonist in the show, none has

experienced more traction than APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Since the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari assumed power stakeholders and political analysts have been casting sidelong glances at Tinubu. It, apparently, seemed good to them to consider him the most practical follow-up to Buhari’s administration. Whether this deduction is in hope or in horror remains a buttoned-down mystery. As does Tinubu’s intentions, truth be told.

First week of the new year, Tinubu visited the president at the State House, Abuja. That single visit has long since set bulletins on fire with ink, with abstract interpretations coming to light. According to reports, Tinubu did indeed comment on the rumoured intention to join the game in 2023, only to point out to a consequent restless owing to such speculations. Zoning, he was reported as stating, is a subject too premature to discuss.

Why worry when you can wait, he appears to

imply.

It is interesting to note that Tinubu’s visit came soon after Pastor Tunde Bakare, Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church (formerly Latter Rain Assembly) encouraged President Buhari to have and develop a sound succession plan. Folks who have noticed this coincidence are wondering if Tinubu is smugly wearing his ambition underneath all that humility.

In any case, there is really no justifiable deterrent keeping Tinubu from applying for the job. The opposite is true, in fact. He has age, experience, party power, and a cool, unrifled demeanour on his side. If there is any gainsaying, it is to point out that he is already too powerful and answers only to less than a handful of more deep-rooted individuals.

In other news, the alleged scheme by some second-term governors to prevent Tinubu from joining the race remains largely ineffective.

Neither plot nor plea has been able to unhand Tinubu of his intentions, except to deepen that enigmatic expression.

Sade Adenuga’s Life Of Charm And Grandeur Yes, add beauty to her dazzling intellect and you have the perfect epitome of the quintessential alpha female. Little wonder Folasade Adenuga effortlessly records amazing feats, to the delight of her equally brilliant father. Any mention of the name ‘Adenuga’ brings to mind the cheery face and deep pockets of Globacom boss and Ijebuborn billionaire, Dr. Michael Adenuga. However, although the name has been applied the longest to the business and investment genius, all that might soon change as his scions are coming into their own and proving once and for all that the Adenuga apples do not fall far from the Adenuga tree. Cue in, Sade Adenuga.

Sade Adenuga is the youngest daughter of Mike Adenuga. An obvious darling of the

house, Sade has always been recognised to be as charming as her father, and beautiful as her mother, Titi Adenuga, and a bestie of her sister, Bella Adenuga-Disu. Take for instance, the time she graduated with Honours from a university in the UK with a Law degree: not only were her mother and sister present, but she also got a Range Rover as a present from her father.

But, with recent sightings and dealings, it would appear that Sade inherited more than just charm and beauty from her celebrated parents. The gift of industry, management and administration might be parts of the ensemble in the Adenuga blood that Sade has added to her own innate talents and gifts. And to add to that, she’s got awesome lawyering skills.

Adenuga

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ͱ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

60

HIGHLIFE

Tunde Ayeni, Others in Trouble over Alleged ₦6.5bn Fraud The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has earned itself a reputation at home and abroad of being matchlessly merciless, untiringly tolerating, and rather disposed to pursue matters with harsh determination. And the latest set of individuals to be caught in its nets is no less reputable than the last – and will definitely not be the last.

Included in this group in EFCC’s eagle eyes are former Chairman of Skye Bank, Mr. Tunde Ayeni; former executive governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada; retired Air Vice Marshal Salihu Atawodi, and about four others – and a serving governor who shall not be named. These have knots – to the staccato tune of 6.5 billion – to unbind before the moneypolice agency.

It has been alleged that the N6.5 billion fraud was masterfully executed by the terminated members of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Security (PICOMSS), a committee headed by Atawodi. Here, 4.9 billion of the 6.5 is allegedly nesting in PICOMMS accounts, under the guise of fictional projects. The remaining alleged

Ayeni

N1.6 billion has been distributed among the serving governor – who allegedly

headed the distribution of the larger pie of about N1.5 – and others.

The case of the governor is curious.

He, it is said, pioneered the whole heist, leaving the others out to dry when he was elected into office. ExGovernor Idris Wada’s inclusion is tied to a N500 million payment – out of a N2 billion+ exaggerated project – allegedly received by Mrs. Winifred Atawodi (family members are included too).

With Tunde Ayeni, Xanatos Company Limited – which he is linked with – enjoyed the disbursement of funds from PICOMMS, funds that yielded unreasonably vast profits to Xanatos and the others of its ilk.

AVM Atawodi – second to the serving governor – is getting most of the attention, however. The allegations have him sharing the funds – and EFCC’s glare – with the wife and kids.

At the moment, bank accounts have been closed, lands and properties have been seized, and folks are in danger of spending a decade or two holidaying in Kirikiri – that’s how some media eyes and mouths would have it.

The Men After Akeredolu’s Job One of the advantages of the gladiators of old Greece is that open wars between reigning powers were quelled promptly and decisively. Time was in the old days when one man could fight another openly and be praised for it. Things are different now and democracy has lent its character to state affairs, giving leadership the responsibility to earn the approval of the common folk. This fact is even more evident in Ondo State today where, just ahead of the 2020 gubernatorial elections, no less than 20 individuals have offered to jostle for the governorship seat.

At present, the governor of Ondo State is none other than Mr. Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, repping the All Progressives Party (APC), who took over from Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party. This is he whom about 20 stalwart individuals have volunteered to replace, and so more than anybody else in the Nigerian league of sitting governors, probably, Akeredolu is on the front lines, under fire, and prepping for further surprises from adversaries within and without.

Nothing surprising about this onslaught from Akeredolu’s brothers and sisters. On the one hand, there is the position of First

State Citizen to consider, a mouth-watering, belly-swelling, hair-greying calling to serve the good people of Ondo State. So, nothing personal; it’s just politics.

Some of the materialized and most notable of the Sunshine State gladiators for the governorship seat – flanking Governor Akeredolu himself – include Senator Ajayi Boroffice (APC), Olusola Oke (APC), Olusegun Abraham (APC), Sola Ebiseni (PDP), Moyosola Niran Oladunni (APC), Barrister Bode Ayorinde (PDP), Isaac Kekemeke (APC), and Eyitayo Jegede (PDP).

As an aside, Ondo State has always had a change of party leadership, as if the good folks of the State are sampling the ideologies of its most prominent political parties. From Adefararti’s AD, to Agagu’s PDP, to Mimiko’s Labour Party, and now Akeredolu’s APC. Another interesting bit to note is that the first two governors were only permitted the Seat for one term, and Mimiko was the first to chair the Sunshine State Seat for two terms. Two single steps, one double step, the foxtrot of Ondo State governorship.

Does the suspended step of 2021-25 belong to Akeredolu, or one of the volunteering aspirants?

All things are bright and beautiful for the Tinubu clan, for occasions great and small.

Celebrations and confident expectations are holding sway over all else as the members of the household of the very powerful national leader of the All Progressives Party (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, are busy carting away the blessings of the year 2020. To say that there is much more in store for the House of Tinubu is to call a spoon a promising spade.

Only last year, Mrs. Olubunmi Sola Oshonaike, the biological mother of Tinubu’s fetching son, Seyi Tinubu, celebrated her 60th birthday with the bursting social muscles of her son. The event, held at the Vintage Point Event Centre, seemed to be intentionally short of political weightlifters, having only the closest of the closest attending. Needless to point out, it was still a blast as Seyi celebrated his mother in earnest. That was in November, last year.

This year’s first blessing revolves around Seyi himself, or rather, within his enchanting wife, Layal, with whom he shares a most rubicund and desirable love life and marriage. Layal is heavily pregnant and folks who have already rattled their divination beads promise that Layal will convey the bundle of joy – who will be the second, after 2-year old Noella, in their five years of marriage – into the world before the

Another Good News in the Offing for Tinubus

Akeredolu

Seyi, Tinubu and Daughter in-law

middle of the year. Joy to the world!

The promising new babe is set to descend on a juicy field of fortune as Daddy Seyi is presently the CEO & President of Loatsad Promomedia and the founder of Noella Foundation. Mummy Layal isn’t doing bad for herself either, as she is the proud owner of Tots Toys, an enterprise that attentive Lagos parents are very aware of.

Seyi and Layal are already past their typical awkward face of matrimony and have already evolved into tight buddies.

A court wedding at the Oba of Lagos palace, and a white wedding at Villa Erba, Lake Como, Italy, the expecting parents were evidently made for each other, and the new babe is going to be loved to the heavens – much the same way as Noella is.

What Next for Akinwunmi Ambode?

Ambode

I

f ever there is reservation on the flux of power in the field of politics, a momentary once-over of history is a fitting remedy.

A man whose frosty gaze in recent years melted the hearts of his subjects might today tumble into a hall of the notably influential and only earn blank gazes. Grace to grass, grass to grace, grass to wild bush, it little matters; mutability is lord.

From the topmost cabin of Lagos power to plying the undercurrents of erratic life, it would seem as if the former Executive Governor of the Centre of Excellence has passed into the quieter demesne of Nigerian politics – the same space inhabited by the untried green, and the tired brown of political ambition. But nothing speaks more about the future of man that his past.

Akinwunmi Ambode came from Epe area of Lagos, brandishing a fiery wit and a kind of staccato charisma that soon distinguished him in civil service. From being the acting auditor general for Local Government, Lagos State, to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, the same brisk personality soon had him in the focus of Lagosians, even as he marshalled the goodwill of the artistic class to himself and earned a reputation as an upbeat, up-tempo, in-on-it governor.

Typical of the gubernatorial fraternity, Ambode swelled his dossier while commissioning basic infrastructure, transportation, security, and every other framework for social development. That is hardly a summary of his time as governor, however, as he soon allegedly secured the rivalry of the influential minority, of whom Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is worthy of note.

The buzz on media waves at the moment is that Ambode continues to roam the world, moving from one place to another. However, this is not a journey ride as he has not been allowed to rest easy, not even – a media bee had buzzed – to enjoy the bits of Lagos delicacy carted away.

Lagos State Assembly, for one, has volunteered to keep his unseated buttocks roasting and unlikely to experience respite.

In any case, the trending gist on Ambode is that he is flitting from Dubai to London, leaving interested onlookers and stakeholders to wonder about him. It remains to be seen whether he will sew up the fracture with Tinubu and climb back up, bringing to mind the curiously similar case of Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ͱ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

61

HIGHLIFE

Good Gesture...As Nnamdi Okonkwo Appreciates Staff and Customers with High-Octane Party The best things in life are the little gestures shared among people. It never hurts to appreciate diligence and productivity – a lesson small business outfits must imbibe, but Nnamdi Okonkwo, the Managing Director and CEO of Fidelity Bank has made a quick study of. Treating his staff and customers a high-octane party with their favourite Nollywood stars, Mr. Okonkwo has flown the banner of genuine leadership beautifully.

The event hosted by their very own MD/ CEO was nothing like the highbrow power meet that the staff of Fidelity bank are prone to see from the other side of a display screen. It was a warm gathering with the soft glow of the limelight focused entirely and permanently on the staff. A ceremony that will doubtless keep them on their toes in gratitude throughout this New Year, it was furnished for excitement, appreciation and a testament to the integrity that Fidelity Bank is renowned for.

Nollywood darlings, Kate Henshaw and Ebuka Obi-Uchendu played the charming hosts, thrilling their spirited audience with the same presence, grace and style which have kept them afloat in film and society. Also present were music jagabans (Kcee, Niniola, Timaya and Flavour), as well as one of the best funny bones of the Nigerian comedy industry (Bovi).

That honour alone spoke to the hearts of Fidelity Bank staff and customers. It also speaks to the meticulous and integrative spirit of the bank, bringing elements of the vast industrial market.

The highlight of the evening had Mr. Okonkwo icing the too-sweet ambience of the

Nnamdi and Uche Okonkwo

Eko Convention Centre – where the event was held – with an earnest and true-to-scale speech. Mr. Okonkwo dutifully crunched the numbers of the various achievements of the bank in recent years, and generously tied these numerous wins to the staff and customers of Fidelity Bank.

Awards were also given out to distinguished individuals, such as the Best in Fidelity Helping Hand Project, Best Staff in Customer Service (Martins Izuogbe), and Field Marshal (Adebayo

Ogunbiyi).

To show that Mr. Okonkwo did not take his staff lightly, dignitaries and the upand-ups of Nigerian society were present, including Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Oba Saheed Elegushi, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and several others.

With this move, Fidelity Bank has repaired torn clouds and sat on the heavens of banking industry, content to be an institution with honour and respect for staff and customers alike.

What is Segun Adebutu Celebrating?

Segun Adebutu, the Chairman of Petrolex Oil and Gas and son of lottery icon, Kesington Adebutu, popularly known as Baba Ijebu, was sighted around town on Tuesday evening up till Wednesday morning in a celebratory mood.

The oil magnate was seen feting with suspected business partners and some members of his staff at a popular Lounge called “The W” in Falomo.

While we could not readily find out what Adebutu, who is also an executive director in Premier Lotto, was celebrating, we had reported exclusively on Sunday, January 26, 2020, that he is working on something big “which he is keeping very close to his chest”. Whether this is the reported deal or not will be revealed with time.

Segun Adebutu is a Nigerian business tycoon with interests in oil and gas, mining, lottery, construction, power and entertainment. His company Petrolex Oil and Gas currently has the largest petroleum product depot in sub-Saharan Africa at Ibefun, Ogun State.

Adebutu

Lottery War of the Unkindest Type: Buruji Kashamu Vs. Kessington Adebutu (Western Lotto Vs. Premier Lotto)

Adebutu

The industry in the Nigerian economy which is currently garnering attention from within and contesting first place with the oil and gas industry is the betting industry. With outfits of all sizes and reputations, the betting industry will in all likelihood overtake both the oil industry and other profit-packing

industries in the Nigerian economy – if the battling rams of EFCC, with inside help, does not first take it out.

Buruji Kashamu and Kessington Adebutu are names synonymous with seemingly interminable affluence. Both Senator Kashamu and Chief Adebutu are accomplished handlers in the betting industry, pioneers even, principalities to be sure.

Chief Kessington Adebutu holds the intrepid position of being the first to ply the trade, for which he is known far and wide as Baba Ijebu, a sacred title that even pensioning citizens have had their hearts beat to. It has now passed into legend how he and his late friend, Chief Solomon “gbengbeleku” Ayoku initiated the whole game – he, commandeering the straight betting, and the friend, staking Casino business. Premier Lottery, his enduring wrinkle, remains at the top in the betting industry.

Senator Buruji Kashamu, on the other hand, has his hands in politics. The proud

owner of many enterprises, including Best Western Hotel opposite the Bar Beach in Victoria Island, his betting company – Western Lottery – is only one of several money-delivering avenues.

A rivalry has not joined the mix with Senator Kashamu throwing the first observed haymaker. He allegedly tipped EFCC on tax frauds and economic sabotage running along the lines of 5 billion naira. Included in Kashamu’s allegations against Premier Lottery is a reported violation of Western Lotto’s Ghana Games patents infringement. Curiously, the same Ghana Games hold the reputation of being responsible for about 60/70% of the revenue generated from lottery games in Nigeria.

As ripple effects of this rivalry, other firms in the betting club are threatening to form a special coalition to fight the “anti-industry practices” triggered by Mr Kashamu.

Abike Dabiri: Proving Her Mettle Nigerian women home and abroad are undoubtedly cheering their own, urging stumped teenage girls to look up to the personage of diaspora affairs, and might have even taken to naming a child or two after her. Abike Dabiri is her name, and she wears the competence of a thousand men as her cape, with a reputation that has taken to the skies.

When Abike Dabiri-Erewa (full name Abike Kafayat Oluwatoyin Dabiri-Erewa) was appointed in 2015 as the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, she was expected to juice up that division of transnational liaison with the same élan vital with which she had retained her position as the Chair of the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs since 2003. Typical of any other woman of high wit and wisdom, she exceeded all expectations.

The ageless peregrine falcon has in recent times announced her presence in the social and political scene with a rallying success. The most recent of this is the disclosure she made on the release of Omolola Ajayi – who was trafficked to Lebanon under the curious guise that she was going to teach English language. Miss. Ajayi and others like her are almost certainly grateful for the intervention and quick work of Madam Dabiri-Erewa.

Never one to jostle for rights and privilege, Madam Dabiri-Erewa’s career path has taken her across notable personalities and industries, notably the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) where she anchored the weekly newsline programme. She distinguished herself by single-mindedly tacking matters relating to impoverishment and social justice. After 15 years, she decided politics was a handier contrivance for change, and tried for the House of Rep – a landslide win for her.

Madam Dabiri-Erewa has been credited with several passed bills, including one of noble intentions which ensures that Nigerians with physical disabilities are fully integrated into the society and economy and protected from discrimination.

Protector of the disabled, voice of the impoverished, and a leader of boundless capacity, Abire DabiriErewa has proved her mettle and inspired Nigerian folks, old and young, male and female, to take an interest in the affairs of the society and state.

Dabiri

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ͱ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

ʹͰ

Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

Cool FM’s Amin Mousalli, Allon Nelken, Others for Ethnic Business Awards Come February 14, Nigeria-based foreigners who are contributing to the nation’s economy in terms of visible investments and employment generation will be honoured and celebrated at an event tagged, ‘Ethnic Business Awards’, at the prestigious Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

These ones who have chosen Nigeria as home, according to the organizers, will be honoured in different categories such as Ethnic Man of The Year, Woman of The Year, Entrepreneur of The Year, CSR Brand, Beauty Brand, Financial Institution, among others.

According to the organizers, international business tycoons, Alli Mousalli of Cool FM, Allon Nelken, (Mega Plaza), Benoy Berry (Contec Group), Robert Tung (Wempco), Mann Lababidi of Crown Flour Mills have been nominated in the Ethnic Man of the Year category.

Also, the likes of Diana Chan (GAC Motors), Kavita Chellaram (ArtHouse Contemporary) and Caterina Bortolussi of Kinabuti Fashions have been nominated in the Ethnic Woman of the Year category.

Other interesting categories are the Ethnic Financial Institutions, where the likes of Stanbic IBTC, Standard Chartered, and Citi Bank are being nominated.

The Ethnic Business Awards is aimed at recognizing and appreciating the outstanding contributions of foreign businesses, organizations, individuals, and communities to corporate Nigeria.

“This is like thinking outside the box. The awards ceremony is designed to reward and encourage innovations and excellence among Nigeria-based foreigners in an enterprise,” the organizers said.

Inspired by the growing population of foreign investors, organizations, individuals and migrants communities who have impressed with remarkable inputs into the growth of the Nigerian economy, the Ethnic Business Awards [EBA] seeks to reward the best practices in commerce, international diplomacy, and excellence across other industries.

The EBA pays very special attention to promising and established foreign companies, missions, communities, organizations and individuals of sterling qualities.

Mousalli,

Late Felix Ibru’s Children Fight Dirty Over Property

Ibru

The late Olorogun Felix Ibru, the first democratically-elected governor of Delta State, had worked hard to give his family a lasting wealth and legacy.

But the wealth bequeathed to the children, Society Watch gathered, is said to be the cause of enmity among them.

How? Two children of the deceased, Oyovwevotu Felix Ibru and Amrotorigbeya Elaine Ibru, are said to have instituted a court case against other siblings over the running of their father’s company, Ibru Prefabs Limited, before a federal high court in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The petitioners, it was gathered, alleged that one of their siblings, Dr. Aidido Paul Ibru, was running the estate of their late father in a manner which is unfairly prejudicial and discriminatory to their interest.

A source said, “Dr. Aidido Paul Ibru, on his own, assumed the administration, control and management of the estate left by their late father without obtaining the consent or authority of the Court, and the other siblings.

“Consequently, on May 10, 2017, a matter with Suit No. LD/25P/2017 between the petitioners, Mrs. Onojoma Yvette Oniwinde, Dr. Aidido Paul Ibru, Ms. Sheri Sonia Ibru,

For ageless and stylish woman, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, it is time, once again, to climb the mountaintop and thank her creator as she turns 74 on February 19.

Indeed, there have been frenetic preparations for the forthcoming 74th birthday celebrations of the former special assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

This is totally understandable going by what the woman of substance represents, especially in both the business and political worlds.

For those who know the high-flying celebrity very well, she doesn’t do her things in half measure. Hence, it is believed that the event, which comes up on February 22, will definitely be a gathering of the high and mighty in the society.

A source told Society Watch that the elegant and sophisticated woman would not leave any stone unturned to make the birthday celebration, which is scheduled to hold at her upscale Echoes of Calabar Restaurant, Akin Olugbade, Victoria Island, Lagos, memorable.

The source revealed further that the woman, famously known as Mama Bakassi, is expected to travel briefly to Lebanon to keep a date with her designer for the superlative and octane party that is expected to draw a large assemblage of dignitaries from across the country.

Mr. Olotu Ibru and the Probate Registrar of High Court of Lagos State, at the Lagos State High Court, claiming that the court should order that Dr. Aidido as executor of the Estate of the late Olorugun Felix Ibru is obliged to file account supported by relevant receipts and vouchers showing his dealings with the Estate since the death of Ologun Ibru on the 12th day of March 2016 up till this moment and such account to be lodged with the Probate Registrar of the court for scrutiny within three months from the date of judgement.

“They are also seeking an order disgorging/restituting all profits or gains accrued over the assets of Estate of the late senator; an order of perpetual injunction restraining Dr. Aidido either by himself, privies, agents or representatives howsoever described from interfering or intermeddling with any asset, including real properties in the Estate of the late Olorugun Felix Ibru; an order of perpetual injunction restraining him whether acting by himself, agents or privies, whomsoever, howsoever, from taking possession or in any way disturbing the peaceful enjoyment by Mr. Matilda Ibru of the premises known as 35, Remi Fani-

Kayode Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos; an order that account be taken of all assets in the Estate of the deceased and an interest on the sum awarded at 21% per annum until final liquidation of the judgement sum.”

He alleged further that, following the death of their father, who was the only shareholder of the company, Aidido, who has no shares and is not a director of the company, has purported and continued to purport to exercise control over the affairs of the company without regard to the their interest, and those of the other heirs to the estate of the late politician.

The source added that Aidido was also accused of operating the various accounts of the company in spite of several oral and written warnings to him that he should stop doing so until Letters of Administration are obtained in respect of the estate.

Similarly, Aidido was accused of applying the funds of the company in respect of his personal needs.

However, another source disclosed that though Aidido had not filed any response to the suit filed before the court, he stated, in a counter-affidavit to a suit before a Lagos high court, that as the first son of his father, he would not destroy the laudable legacy built and left by his father.

The source said the friction started almost immediately their father passed on and they had to determine his final resting place.

“They decided not to attend the funeral and burial of their father on his property at Agharha -Otor. The action is seen as abominations and taboo and flagrant disobedience to the custom, tradition, and culture of the Urhobo people, of which their father was a proud one.

“So they cannot be beneficiaries of the estate of the late father given their wilful refusal to bury him and pay him last respects. They were not side-lined but rather have been informed that before any discussion about the late Olorogun Felix Ibru estate can take place, the matter about reproaching their father by refusing to bury him must be resolved.”

He said Aidido’s running the affairs of his late father’s company involved other siblings, who either involved in the burial of their father or had since come around to accepting that their refusal to bury him was an abominable and reproachable act against Olorogun Felix Ibru.

“He has been focused on ensuring that any debt owed by the estate is paid, that burial plans are executed proficiently, the mausoleum site developed, applying for a letter of administration and estate road map actualized,” he added.

Ita-Giwa Plans Big for 74th Birthday

Ita-Giwa

63

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ͱ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

SOCIETY WATCH

More Honour for Elumelu

Elumelu

Tony Elumelu, a former CEO of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), is no stranger to

awards.

He has been honoured with several

distinguished awards at home and abroad since his emergence in the country as an inspiring economist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.

It was, therefore, not surprising when he emerged ThisDay Philanthropist of the Decade at an event to mark the 25th anniversary of the sour-away ThisDay Newspapers penultimate week.

When his name was announced at the well-attended event, which held at the Eko Hotel and Suites Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, not a few nodded in agreement with the organizers for honoring a man who has dedicated his entire time to humanity.

Though he was not physically present to receive the award as he was in the company of President Muhammadu Buhari at the UK-Africa Investment Summit, it was received on his behalf with a standing ovation and deafening applause by the audience.

No doubt, he is an inspiration and a role model to many. Arising from his modest beginnings, Tony Elumelu has ascended the pinnacle of banking in Nigeria.

Elumelu has significant investments in the energy, hospitality, agribusiness, healthcare, and real estate sectors, and his net worth is estimated to be in the region of $700 million.

About a decade ago, precisely July 2010, he founded the now internationally recognized Tony Elumelu Foundation, TEF, after retiring as CEO, United Bank For Africa, UBA, with the singular mission of driving Africa’s economic development by enhancing the competitiveness of the African private sector.

The foundation today has empowered young African men and women in all 54 countries across the continent.

Some years ago, he pledged the sum of $100 million to empower 1,000 entrepreneurs at $10 million per annum over a period of 10 years.

Pastor Paul Adefarasin’s Wife’s Romantic Side If you could ask a few people to profile Paul Adefarasin’s wife, Ifeanyi, they would most probably tell you that she is the copastor of The House On The Rock.

Some of the respondents will go further to say that she is also the founder of Woman To Woman Ministry, which is committed to social reformation, education, provision of healthcare and relief work amongst the downtrodden and underprivileged in Nigeria and West Africa.

When you dig further, you will be pleasantly told that the beautiful woman, who was a banker before she received the call to work in the vineyard of God, has been a blessing to her husband in his calling too and has contributed in great measure to the growth of the church.

But last Monday, she showed the hitherto unreported side of her as a poet. Indeed, the poet in her came to the fore when she penned some very powerful words on the occasion of

Nothing says “adept” like an individual who is efficient at multiple vocations, hobbies and lifestyle. Dressing, especially, is an area that has always testified to an editorial personality – particularly with the greater percentage of men, who would rather throw on what is clean rather than be attired in trending, second-peek enabling garbs.

Thankfully, there are a few of those who have managed it rather well, lending colour and style to a demanding profession or vocation.

The Executive Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa is a case in study. Hailed as one of the most stylish of the 36 governors of the Nigerian federation, Governor Okowa has never disappointed when it comes to dressing. With a predilection for red caps, he has doubtlessly entered into history books possibly as the most distinguished Governor of his time.

Aside the red caps, one other enduring feature of Okowa’s public wardrobe is the traditional attire that he never seems to run out of. Never caught unfresh or unfitting, this traditional clothing style has always lent a down-

her husband’s birthday.

“It’s a great honour to share this steward of many graces with the world; you are indeed a man of many parts, all intricately woven together into the fabric of the amazing man I’ve known and loved for more than half of my life, and the one I will love forever and for always.

“I cannot begin to recall to you just how beautiful the facets of you, are to me.

“Your friendly side is especially captivating.

You are dear, loyal and loving to those who are blessed to call you friend. You are always and indeed, a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

“You wear the Minister’s cloth effortlessly.

Self evidently you were born to do so. At all times, you never hesitate to extend yourself as Pastor, Mentor, Teacher and so much more.

“Your commitment to the Church and generations to come is not borne out of compulsion but a ceaseless love for God, His people and for your fellow man. What a gem you are.

Irish Ventures CEO, Chineze Odinammadu’s Rising Profile Chineze Odinammadu, the likable woman behind Irish Ventures, is a beauty expert of repute.

In recognition of her professionalism, Odinammadu, who also owns Irish Medspa and Beauty Homes and Irish interior, was recently awarded ‘Doctor of Medical Aesthetics’.

Described as a strong voice for youth empowerment with a special passion for female financial freedom, the mother of four is widely regarded in the beauty industry on account of her professionalism and great human relation skills.

Over the years, the graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, as well as Lagos State University has proved that women can hit the heights in business and still be successful on the home front.

Chineze’s Irishmed Spa and Beauty Home is said to enjoy patronage by top society women, majorly for the expertise, she displays in corrective skin care.

It also offers the best technology and the latest innovative treatments for all skin types and a wide variety of concerns under the most conducive atmosphere.

Adefarasin

The Other Side of Governor Okowa

Okowa

to-earthness to his already charming and soft personality. Stylish to the

bone, with a confident gait and designs copyrighted to him, the Deltan man walks the line between enviably eccentric and matchlessly magnetic.

His career choices have been about as superb and trendy as his style. A star from the very beginning, Okowa graduated from the University of Ibadan at the age of 22 where he studied Medicine and Surgery. It did not take too long for him to enter private practice as the Director, Victory Medical Centre, Igbanke.

Enrolling in politics, Dr. Okowa rose from the ranks of humble Secretary to the Ika Local Government, to the humble Governor of Delta State that is widely known and beloved today. All in the space of little over two decades.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has proved time and time again that the portfolio of governorship does not include dourlooking attire designed to throw onlookers off – unintentionally and not in a good way, although remarkably effectively.

Dress in style, preferably with homemade design and designers, and there is only

Chineze.

64

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ Ͱ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

Maryam Sanda – A Fervent Plea The scream was blood-cuddling. The judge had just confirmed her worst fears and despite the fast and prayers she was said to have gone through to avert this, the judgement still came. It hit her with a bang and she fell on the floor in the dock, screaming and crying in full supplication to Allah. The correctional officers who have seen this kind of thing play out so many times, moved in professionally to move her out of the court, dragging her and pushing her into a waiting van from where they zoomed her off to the gallows to await her fate. Now this has thrown up once again the debate for the abolishment of the death penalty.

The debate has become very voracious

although in this case, those of us that her praying for a mitigation of the sentence are in very tiny minority as public angst is still flaring at the dastardly act. She was said to have deliberately stabbed her husband to death. For me, I do not believe in the death sentence and that is where I stand.

I am a pacifist and do not believe that a ‘revenge’ killing under the guise of justice will solve anything. I also do not believe that the judicial system should only be punitive but also be restorative. That way we can rebuild, restore and bring sanity to society. I have stated this very clearly in my writings on WhatsApp and I have been abused thoroughly. In fact, my mummy Mrs W whose logic is always impeccable

took time to ‘finish’ me. You see on a good day, I cannot stand her in logical reasoning o, talk less of this topic where I only have emotional dribble to back my position, mummy just took me to the cleaners. By the time she finish with me, I was standing naked o. Well, for me as I no get the brain to argue this point logically, all I can say is to just beg. Death penalty should be abolished for the simple reason that an eye for an eye no dey help anybody. Sad, this case and everybody not just women should learn how to curb violence and embrace dialogue and negotiation. Life is precious, we cannot be just taking life anyhow both stupidly and judicially. Life is life. Thank you.

FEMI ADESINA – IT’S NOT ME My brother, I want to do small amebo to you o. You see, I like you as a person seeing that you have even come for one of my plays so I must protect your interest. If you see the way the people on Duke Summit have been yabbing you, you will pity yourself o. From the ones that say you have big head to the ones that say they do not know what has come over you, kai. If you read some of these things, you will not be able to enter the other room for some time. They say that you have even overtaken Uncle Lai in that area, you know na. That Uncle Lai is going for refresher course to take back his title. They always finish you o. they say it is fear that is doing you, that you are just talking any how so that you will keep your position since there is nothing you are coming back to if anything happen to this job. It is not me that will tell you all that they are saying, in fact please don’t call my name o, I am just giving you hot gist so that you know how to move. If you call my name, I will deny you o. All you need to do, is to pull back and begin to look at your legacy in service because it’s looking like in the last six months, you are working very hard to destroy all that you have built throughout your career. The good thing is that, the people on the Summit still like you, they just feel that too much good food and wine which you never used to take while at Maza Maza must have gone into your head. They are even comparine you with Chukwumerije. Me, I don’t know if you can handle secret, I would have told you more. It’s just that from the way you handle matters like calling Apostle Suleman fake without even cross-checking your facts, making brother Reno take you to the cleaners is making me fear to give you all the gist. I should give you the names of these people on Duke Summit who are yabbing you? You sef think am na?

If I talk am, you sef no go look me one kind? I have to be like Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor na. Me sef dey look my legacy, if you no look your own. My bro, let’s keep our heads held up high. Thank you.

people are maimed, raped, kidnapped and violated. It is not only in the North East o. It is almost everywhere. My lord, please do not be surprised o. The North East as far as I am concerned is at a full-scale war. Real war o, while the rest of the country is under siege.

The underworld has taken over and no one is safe. Daily, mothers, wives, daughters, sons, fathers and brothers weep and gnash their teeth over the loss of one person or the other. My lord, life is short, brutish and laborious. Please do not be surprised because we out here are no longer surprised. We are just waiting like sitting ducks for the next victim. No protection, no succour, no hope.

Please don’t be surprised, it is nothing to be surprised about. I am happy you have said you will work harder in facing the scourge. I believe you, and you have the time. Please sir, let security be your priority. There can be no progress if there is no security. Daddy, come to our aid, your children are being literally killed daily. It is well, make I just end am for here.

Allah will give you the strength to do what you need to do sir. I don keep quiet.

firm. Well done bro.

BUHARI – PLS DON’T BE SURPRISED There is nothing to be surprised about my lord. The insecurity in the land is real and only those secluded from the realities of the land that will be surprised, I tell you. Daily,

APOSTLE SULEMAN – PLEASE KINDLY IGNORE You have been labelled fake. My brother abeg, no vex, kindly just ignore this time.

You know how people can be lashing out of frustration and if you jump into the fray, we would not know the difference. You see the truth is that things are really awry in our country today and instead of us to face the bitter truth, we will be seeking distractions with all these kind talk. Apostle even though me sef, I do not like your positions and in fact what you stand for – don’t go and see vision for me o – the truth is that in some areas you have shown the boldness and patriotism to earn my respect and that of millions of Nigerians. So don’t worry the moniker will not stand as long as you stay away from some of those Nollywood starlets. Not easy abi? Me, I understand but you have to because we need you. People like you are not plenty and this is the time to stand up and provide serious leadership. So my brother, just ignore, don’t reply and just focus. The truth they say will set us all free. We are all fighting for our place in history and those who stand with the people will be counted. At that point, we will know who is fake or not. History can be harsh but

Adesina

Buhari

KOBE BRYANT – A DEATH THAT RATTLED THE WORLD I was at Sagamu. My friend Yemi Banjoko was celebrating his mother-in-law’s 90th.

You know these Owambe parties, everything was flowing and the music was something else. I regaled them with dance steps and was generally having fun when the first news feed hit my phone. Kobe Bryant had been involved in a helicopter crash. I refused to believe since no mainstream media had carried it. I ran straight to the Duke’s summit and true the story was trending there and as usual the debates had started. The Dukes summit on whats app is something else. Some of us were waiting for mainstream media, others had started giving commentaries. I could not continue with the owambe party again as I went to one quiet corner to monitor the news hoping against hope that it was not true. Then the first credible news outlet carried it - Daily mail of UK, my heart broke and finally CNN broke it. Kobe had gone. You see, you would be wondering what concern Shomolu with Kobe. It was his humanity and the way he handled his fame that pulled me into his life.

I started following him during his sexual allegation. The grace and humility with which he had carried himself during that trying time endeared him not only to me but to millions.

Just last month we saw a video of him helping out at an accident scene for good one hour.

Two days before his death, I also watched a news item of him making over 1000% returns on an investment he had made while still on active duty. Kobe will be missed and I pray that God will give not only him but also all those who lost their lives with him soft landing in heaven. My prayers also go to his wife and remaining children and the rest of the world as we go through these trying times. I will try to make the burial. Sad.

Sanda

not careful. So I must have a lifestyle change.

That is exercise, diet and sleep. You know that ‘affect sexual performance’ part na him be the problem. As a young Nigerian man, if I am to risk the BP instead of losing my manhood, I go say make the BP come, we go handle am my people. But anyways, that is how I stayed up risking my BP and manhood to watch the Grammys with the hope that my Boy Burna would emerge. Mbok, I watch the thing till 2am I know see Burna Boy o. I come dey fear.

I strap on the BP machine and was checking every 30 minutes to make sure we were within rage. I also checked my (you know what) intermittently to know that all was still ok there. I cannot come and lose it because of Burna we know relate like that and na only once I meet am for Alibaba show. Any ways by 3am, no Burna, no Grammy I slept off with one hand still strapped to the machine and the other holding firmly my –you know what. That was how Duchess woke me up in the morning on her way to morning service.

She asked what the problem was and I say I was keeping vigil for Burna at the Grammys.

She laughed and almost collapsed. I looked quite stupid but I still check the BP it was 128/88. Duchess refused me to check the other one as she ran away, if I react now, they will say it is domestic violence. So I respect myself and start to look for news on Burna.

The man didn’t win, Angela Kidjoe won.

See as I just risk my manhood for nothing.

Anyways the bobo try. It is not easy to be nominated. The nomination sef is a big thing.

At least he can be telling them at the embassy that he is Grammy nominated and escape the impending travel ban. If you ask me, I think the Federal Government should give all Grammy nominated artists national honours abeg. This Father Mbaka will not come and predict the winner and save me from the trauma o?

BURNA BOY – TAKE HEART You know my doctor says I must have at least 8 hours sleep every night to stave off the high blood pressure which seems to be the folly of many Nigerians above 40. My father was hit by it. In fact, he had the terrible three – BP, diabetes and stroke. So me I have been very wary. My doctor says taking the pills could affect my sexual performance if I’m

ASIWAJU BOLA TINUBU – I WAS IN YOUR HOUSE You know I can be mischievous at times.

That was how after watching my lord Asiwaju Tinubu show respect to the great Chief Obasanjo at Chief Okoya’s birthday party, I decided to carry my search for support for my new play, Aremu, to the Asiwaju. I premised this my move on the fact that in politics there are no permanent friends

Suleman

Burna Boy

65

FEBRUARY 2, 2020˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

LOUD WHISPERS

Kobe Bryant

Tinubu

and enemies. After all despite the fact that OBJ almost strangulated Asiwaju when both were in power, they came together to form a powerful coalition to kick out the bowlerwearing Ijaw man. So to me, this party was a thawing of relations thereby giving me an opportunity to take advantage. That was how I called my senior brother – Tunde Rahman and told him my desire. He advised I dropped a proposal for all it was worth. That is how I went to Bourdillon. I had not been there in a long while. The last time I went there, it was me and Segun Akande that went. So today, I matched in boldly and met with the MOPOL at the gate and announced gleefully, ‘I am the Duke of Shomolu and would like to meet with the Aiswaju’. Mbok the MOPOL look me up and down not knowing how to dismiss me. You could see in his eyes the confusion.

He was not sure if he should just wave me off like an irritant mosquito or use Koboko.

Thankfully, he chose the first option seeing that the koboko would be a waste of taxpayer’s money. He was wrong. Me, that I am a veteran of SAP riots and countless demonstrations at the University of Ibadan? I stand kampe. I say please let them know that the Duke was here and that the Asiwaju had to come out to welcome me. By this time, the policeman don fall for ground with laughter. I could imagine, I stood there with uncombed hair, pants not reaching my ankle, anklet on my right leg and bangles all over my hand. I must have looked like a hippie in his eyes. He say, ‘my brother he be like say na Eko Hotel u dey find’. I say no and then I mentioned the name, ‘I am from Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR’. I show them my letter and my picture with the Owu Spirit.

Even the policeman that was snoring woke up. They all jumped up and throw a salute and the respect begin to ooze. Oh sorry Mr Duke. I correct them Duke of Shomolu.

Now can I go in. They say Asiwaju is not in town. He travelled. Do you want to eat or take something. I say no thank you. They collected the parcel and escorted me to my car, stopping all vehicles including the ones on the other lane wey no get business with me. They opened the door and one crouch so that I can climb him back enter. I gleefully enter and told them as I was about to drive off, ‘please tell Asiwaju that I came and that I will call him. They shouted yes sir and threw a 21 gun salute as I drove off. Yessss. And less than 12 hours, Tunde Rahman called, he had seen the package. Now shakara don end, na beg, ‘ Please Asiwaju, hope you are Ok and nothing is bothering you. It is well daddy. Kai.

is like seeking a solution to the mystery of the Lochness. Na here I dey o. But anyways, that would be addressed later. The conversation as usual was one-sided. I cannot talk o. I used to just shut and listen and learn. That is what you do when you are in such audience. You shut up and learn. After the meeting, I went away fulfilled. That was a true Nigerian. A man who lived well and who enjoys the tranquillity of honest rich living. well-done sir, please draw me closer o. I need to learn. I am still too rough

GBENGA OYEBODE – A PERFECT GENTLEMAN Since I started this my Aremu journey, I have been meeting a different set of Nigerians that I am always used to. Gbenga Oyebode is one of them. A great Nigerian, highly cerebral and one of those people you could go to bed rest assured that this country is in good hands if by any stroke of tiny luck they get to that point. I had met him severally before on my marketing run as an investment banker. I will be taking all sorts of mandates to him but as soon as I sat in front of his desk, I will be tongue-tied. Who will not be when you are sat in front of brainy firepower? This time it was not different. As he walked into his expansive meeting room, he crossed his long legs and I felt like pulling the slippers and auctioning it to buy a retirement home in Miami. ‘Why didn’t I see you at the Thisday Awards’, he asked. He was the 700th person asking me that question. I must tell you till today; the answer

Oyebode

Shodimu

around the edges. I will not mind being your boy for some time. Kai.

would soon see the results of his silent work.

Well my lord, while working silently kindly note that inflation is now double-digit o and unemployment is about 25% of workforce and other indices are also in the red. Be doing invisible man there, you hear.

Anyways, I saw him last Saturday at one place they call Capital Club on Victoria Island. The building was built by my friend Tony Aihie but I hadn’t entered since they finished. So you can imagine my shock and awe when my senior brother Ken Etete invited me for a meeting and I went. My people the fish there is bigger than my head o. That is how I was eating when I saw my friend who works with the BUA group and he said ‘Duke I want you to meet someone’. That someone was Professor Salami who was now doing like he did not recognise me o. Na lie o, he did not want me to ask him why inflation seems to have developed seven heads since his appointment. Well it was a Saturday and I did not want to be thrown from the 16th floor, I just hold my mouth and take picture with the great Prof. That was how the former Managing Director of Bank of Industry Waheed Olagunju jump inside the picture o.

All of them wanting to take picture with Duke of Shomolu while still screaming, don’t yab me on your page o. I am not yabbing you o, so that I can come again next Saturday for that fish na.

PROFESSOR DOYIN SALAMI – THE SILENT WORKER was not going to say anything about this brother till the end of this regime until I saw a quote purportedly from our President.

The quote had said that Doyin was working silently from the background and not on the pages of the newspapers and that we

REGINA ASKIA – I HAD A CRUSH I do not think there was any fullblooded Nigerian male who did not have a crush on this wonder from heaven in the 80s. Mbok, this my sister was extremely beautiful. I still remember her eyes. Those eyes where something else and used to follow me in my dreams.

Those days when my father stumbled on my cache of playboy magazines under my bed and seized them, leaving me lonely with nothing to keep me company during those long dark nights after NEPA had struck, I would just bring up the goddess, Regina Askia and keep her in my head. I would now dream of me and her in my village stream in Nsit Ibom. We would just be playing in the clear waters and be singing some Ibibio folk songs and I would be whispering somethings in her ear and she would smile and whisper back to me and I would be so happy and then I would hug her and she would hug me back and then she would be calling me in a romantic fashion ‘Ini which is the pet name my mummy calls me – Ini I am so happy, I am yours and I would say Adiagha which is the name

Askia

I gave her in the dream – Adiagha I am so happy that out of the 30million people who watch you every Sunday on NTA, you chose me. She would now smile while looking into my eyes with those exquisitely wonderful hazel eyes and say Ini I love ……. Then the sharp knock from my mother on my big head would wake me up just at the point I was about to lock lips turning me into an angel. My mother’s sense of timing was suspect. Today, so many years after, I have rediscovered her and she still looks as beautiful in a much more profound way and I am happy that she is considering working with me on Joromi, my next play after Aremu. I want to cast her as the mermaid who captured Sir Victor Uwaifo.

We are talking, she is open and very interested. She is beautiful and ibi Sofekun now sent me a picture of her taken while she was at Unilag and I wondered, why life is so unfair, bequeathing so much beauty on one person. Adiagha, see you this night by the village stream, please come early o, we must complete the assignment before the knock. Great lady.

YEMI SHODIMU - THE JUJU MAN That is what I call him because of his undying love for Juju music especially the one played by the maestro Ebenezer Obey.

He will be calling me mad man and then I will go to his house just when his wife used to cook Agoyin beans which is every Wednesday at exactly 9am. I will just enter and you should see his face. He will start frowning and the wife will just drop the beans and garri soaked in iced water and sugar. I will not look at his face o. I will just grab the thing and eat the whole thing.

He will now tell his wife to bring another one, she will say it is finished. He will now be looking at me one kind. Can he vex, I am his oga, his Executive Producer if he try rubbish, I will ask them to change his role and give him a slave role. Yemi is fast becoming a legend as he marks his 60th. I love him more than a brother and we have been together for three years churning out some wonderful productions from Isale Eko through Oba Esugbayi and now we are gearing up to deliver Aremu. Yemi is a classic, a true Nigerian story that should be celebrated forever. Happy birthday my brother and God will give you many many more years.

THE MOLUE PHENOMENON If you are conversant with Awolowo road in Ikoyi, you will see a shop with a molue bus sticking out of the wall. The shop is owned by my new friend Azu and I used to wonder what led to that iconic imagery. You cannot miss it even though you would need to be a New York investment banker to be able to buy undies from his shop. Well my own problem is his fixation with molue. Did he drive one before, does he want to own one? Anyways, the gist is that he is opening a new outlet at the Raddison blu Hotel in ikeja. This is massive news because his brand has for sometime now been the major brand for highly discerning people. So taking it to Ikeja means an expansion and deepening of the markets.

Welldone bro

66

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2020 •T H I S D AY

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

02.02.2020

IN DISPOSSESSED,

THE POET BREAKS HIS SILENCE Cover continued on Page 68

Eze

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ FEBRUARY 2,2020

68

ARTS & REVIEW\\BOOKS

IN DISPOSSESSED, THE POET BREAKS HIS SILENCE In his recently launched 121-page book of collection of poetry titled, Dispossessed, James Eze urges his readers to look inwards for the solution to the myriads of problems facing the world.

Okechukwu Uwaezuoke reports

Eze

L

ooking more combatant in his attire – a red baseball cap, black t-shirt, black jeans trouser and black sneakers – than sporty, James Eze settled down for an interview.

Wasn’t that, after all, why he was in Lagos that Friday, January 17 afternoon? Indeed, it was all part of an uninterrupted publicity blitz trailing the recent high-octane public presentation of his poetry collection, dispossessed (that’s right, in lower case) on Saturday, December 14, in the Anambra State capital Awka.

Subtitled, “poetry of innocence, transgression and atonement”, the 121-page book contains 76 poems and derives its title from one of the poems in the collection. Penning down the verses was, for the former literary editor of a Lagos-based tabloid, a channel to finally break his silence. For a long time, much of his experiences in Nigeria, the pains of his people, their anguish and what he calls “dispossession” have been deeply inscribed in his consciousness. Through being nourished in silence, they have gained enough strength to easily lend themselves to verbal expressions.

“So, the time to break the silence finally came and then I am out in the market square singing,” he declared, waxing poetic. “My song is the clarion call ...not only to Nigerians, not only to my fellow countrymen and women but [also] to the world at large. I am asking for more introspection, for more self-examination for us to pay more attention to the things that bind us.

What are those things that make us human?”

On the title poem, dispossessed, he disclosed that it had been persistently gnawing at his conscience for the past 15 years. Looming somewhere in his subconscious mind were the horrors of the Nigerian civil war along with the full-blown genocide that preceded it. “Biafra was inflicted on a people who didn’t want any war.

It must be understood that my people went to war against their will. It was an attempt at self-preservation, not necessarily self-determination.”

Self-determination, he further argued, only became a necessity, because the people of the then Eastern Region of Nigeria were being hunted all over the country and killed like animals. “They decided, OK, since you don’t want us, maybe we should find new land; a place where peace and justice will reign; a place where we can be ourselves without any fear of extermination from our neighbours.”

To the poet, no Nigerian or African, or indeed any human being, of conscience would remain unfeeling when confronted with “the agony of a people that were

murdered in large numbers while the world slept, while the conscious world slept”.

His musings on Biafra dissolved into a critical look at Nigeria. Here was a country, which during its immediate post-independence years, had every reason to look forward to a rosy future. “We had some of the most brilliant leaders,” Eze argued, citing personalities like Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the Sarduana of Sokoto, Ahmadu Bello as examples. “So, we had every reason to succeed as a country. Unfortunately, we did not manage that promise well. So, dispossessed looks into what Nigeria had done with the promise of immediate post-independence. How come that from such a pedestal what we have as leaders in Nigeria today is a far cry from what used to be. Have we made any progress forward or are we regressing into a stage far worse than the pre-independence era in Nigeria?”

Moving on to Africa, the poet agonises over the fact that the continent seemed worse off than Nigeria. He alluded to the presence of China, which he accused of making a bold claim on Africa. He specifically decried the fact that “some countries in eastern part Africa are almost facing a serious threat of being taken over by China because of debt”.

Hence, aspects of the poem “dispossessed” beam the spotlight on Africa, asking how well the continent has managed its affairs and chastising it for allowing a recolonisation in the 21st century. In yet another segment, the focus shifts to the rest of the world, as he asks questions like: What is the condition of the black man in the world today? Where is the black man at home today?

In the fourth segment of Dispossessed, he writes: “We have split the atom and conquered the stars/ but not enough tenderness to mend a broken heart/ the black sin is like a wet dream for racists/ madiba and martin spoke into shut ears/ the world has no need for prophets/ how much is a black life worth?/ we need another emancipation proclamation/ the negro is a victim/ but where is the black man truly at home?/ neither in Africa nor in the diaspora/ racial justice is a homeless cloud/ illusionary like a shadow on the wall/ conquest is the only aphrodisiac of the superpowers/ killing and destroying they lay waste our world/is lady liberty the peaceful face of war?/ has the pursuit of happiness become ruination and sadness?…”

Indeed, the threat of war looms over mankind.

Ironically, the “lady liberty” – an allusion to the Statue of Liberty, which in the poem symbolises the US and mankind’s quest for freedom – continually fans the

embers of this war. Before the unabashed quest for self-interest, peace flees and hides in horror. Prophets emerged from among the people, proclaiming their messages of peace. But, the world paid no attention to them. It is back to the Hobbesian state of nature, where might is right. Still in the poem, the poet says: “we can ignite an inferno and incinerate the world/ but we have no clue how to prevent a mere storm.”

Of course, dispossessed is not just about identifying problems. It also proffers solutions. The reader is urged to search deeper and regain his lost humanity. Eze believes that all Nigerians are dispossessed irrespective of the ethnic group they belong to. “The lot of the average man is the same. All we need is chisel out a workable politics, a humane leadership...A system that puts the human being first, regardless of where he is from.”

Ethnic politics or politics of exclusion, he added, ultimately hurts those who play it. Besides the fact that the system revolves like the musical chair, there is also the danger foisting mediocrity on the people. “Dispossessed is a call for more stern introspection, firmer interrogation. Let’s look inwards.

The solution to our problems is not outwards, they are inwards. We need to tell ourselves the truth.”

Eze hinges his choice of poetry on the fact that he deems it “a potent medium”, not only because of its ability to carry emotion but also because “it delivers its message very quickly, pointedly and poignantly”.

He had written the poems in the entire collection, alongside their titles, in lower case. Explaining why he favours this style, which he traces to E. E. Cummings and his avant-garde experimentation, he said: “I adopted it because it is a telling way to pass along my belief that a life of simplicity, a life without clutter, without the weight of pomposity and arrogance is a life I admire.”

Talking about poetry, his romance with literary genre dated back to his secondary school years. This was when he was first introduced to Gabriel Okara’s “The Call of the River Nun” by his now-deceased English literature teacher, Ikechukwu Odo. Fast-forward to his years as a journalist in Lagos after his graduation from the Enugu State University of Technology, where he had studied mass communication. His meeting with Nduka Otiono and AJ Dagga Tolar, among other kindred spirits, as well as the inspiration from such poetic luminaries as Christopher Okigbo, Thomas Stearns Elliot, William Butler Yeats, Pablo Neruda, Odia Ofeimun, Niyi Osundare and Ezra Pound, became his literary turning point and the nudge he needed to stomp into the world of literary fame.

69

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 2, 2020

THEALTERNATIVE

with RenoOmokri

Garba Shehu and Buhari’s Hypocrisy

W

hen I read Garba Shehu’s threat to Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, over the latter’s call on General Muhammadu Buhari to resign due to the spate of insecurity in the country, I knew there and then that Garba Shehu has no shame, or integrity or any modicum of self-respect left in

him.

It is too bad because what Senator Abaribe said is not different from what General Buhari, his wife Aisha, and their crony, Bola Tinubu, said when former President Jonathan was in office.

I ask Garba, is the sauce for the goose no longer good enough for the gander?

On August 1, 2014, Aisha Buhari, then the wife of Presidential aspirant Muhammadu Buhari, called on then-President Jonathan to resign due to what she claimed was his inability to stop the Boko Haram insurgency. To quote her: “Follow the example of former South Korean Prime Minister, Jung Hong-won, who resigned over his government’s handling of the ferry accident which left more than 300 people dead.”

“As he saw grieving families suffering with the pain of losing their loved ones and the sadness and resentment of the public, he took responsibility as prime Minister; he apologised to his country and resigned because of service to humanity...Jonathan should emulate such a leader, because Nigerians have been dying daily, for the four years, hoping that government is going to do something, but we are tired of this insecurity and increased attacks on innocent people.”

Well, in 2020, the Global Terrorism Index, Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), has declared that Nigeria is more insecure under General Buhari than at any time under former President Jonathan, and that more Nigerians have died in the four years of General Buhari’s rule than died under the five years of former President Jonathan’s administration.

Moreover, whereas Nigeria was rated by the Global Terrorism Index as the fourth most terrorised nation on Earth in 2014, today, we are rated the third most terrorised nation.

So, is it not hypocritical of Garba Shehu to defend General Buhari and blast Senator Abaribe? Is it not sheer duplicity for Aisha Buhari to hold her peace today, while things are worse under her beloved husband?

Again, on November 6, 2014, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, the bullion-van loving Asiwaju Bola Tinu, also called on then-President Jonathan to resign over the insecurity in the country. His exact words were: “In any civilized country Jonathan should resigned.

But if he will not resign, he should wait for our broom, we will sweep them.’’

Today, in the face of a manifestly worse state of insecurity, what has Bola Tinubu said? In fact, things are so bad that his home region has come up with Amotekun,

Shehu since the Buhari government has proved incompetent at protecting them.

What about the big masquerade, General Buhari?

Twice, he asked then-President Jonathan to resign over the insecurity in Nigeria. On May 22, 2013, he made the first call. And then again, on January 2, 2014, he made the second call. Today, the same Buhari is threatening Senator Abaribe for doing what he did!

His exact words on May 22, 2013: “Jonathan should vacate and give way to competent hand to govern the country”.

How these people can continue to prance about Nigeria while hypocritically making a fool of themselves is beyond me.

And when Garba Shehu said, in his attack on Abaribe, that “Abaribe’s party raped the nation and left it collapsing in 2015 and President Buhari is fixing things up all the years he is in office”, I could not help but gasp at Garba’s shamelessness.

This remark is coming exactly a week after Transparency International released its 2020 Corruption Perception Index, which showed that Nigeria is now more corrupt today than at any time under former President Jonathan.

The just-released 2020 Corruption Perception Index shows Nigeria has retrogressed from the progress made under the Jonathan administration, when we made our best progress in 2014, moving to 136, compared with today, when we have slipped ten places backwards to 146.

And it is obvious why. Former President Jonathan would never have travelled to Kano to raise the hand of Umar Ganduje. He would never have made Senator Akpabio a minister. He would not be caught dead with Rotimi Amaechi in his cabinet. Who knows the true identity of the owners of the Ikoyi apartment billions?

What has happened to Aisha Buhari’s ADC who went about extorting billions from people? Why has the case of the Grass Cutter former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal fallen flat?

As I end this piece, let me remind my readers of what Lai Mohammed said when Transparency International released its Corruption Perception Index (CPI) in 2012.

At that time, the prophetically named Lai Mohammed said: “President Jonathan must wake from his slumber and face the reality that corruption is fast eating deep into the soul of Nigeria, having already decimated the body.

He must stop playing the ostrich and lead the way in the fight against corruption before it consumes the country.”

However, when the latest CPI was released last week, the same Lai Mohammed said “we are not fighting corruption because we want to impress any organization.”

And this is a man that said “I have never told a lie in my life”.

The truth is that Nigeria will hardly progress with these characters in office. What we are experiencing are the years of the locust — the years of the cankerworm.

Since 2015, Nigeria has retrogressed in almost every sphere of the human development index. For the year 2015, under former President Jonathan, both the World Economic Forum and CNNMoney projected Nigeria as the fourth and third fastest growing economy in the world respectively. Under General Buhari, we are now the world headquarters for extreme poverty.

Or is it the Global Hunger Index of the International Food Policy Research Institute, which praised Nigeria, under former President Jonathan, for reducing hunger levels by 1.5 points, but has upbraided the Buhari administration for making Nigeria one of the world’s headquarters for hunger.

General Buhari is a curse on the Nigeria nation. And may God judge people like Garba Shehu and Femi Adesina, for adding salt to injury, by trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the people, and selling this abomination as the next-best thing after sliced bread.

When I remember how Garba Shehu criticised Dr. Reuben Abati and I pre-2015, I just chuckle. In future, he will learn not to criticise things of which he does not have any experience.

Reno’s Nuggets:

Japan is proof that success doesn’t come from prayers.

If a country should be poor, that nation is Japan. The smallest African nation has more minerals than them.

Japan is not prayerful. Yet, they are a wealthy nation because of hard and smart work. Ephesians 4:28 says “WORK HARD, so you will have something to GIVE to PEOPLE in NEED”. This principle is the reason why Japan and China, two non-Christian nations, are two of the single-largest individual donors to Africa. They WORK, while Africa PRAYS, and as a result of that Godly principle, they PROSPER while Africa BEGS. God does not bless those who believe in Him. Even demons believe in God. No. God blesses those who OBEY Him. He says WORK and be BLESSED. If pagan nations, like China and Japan, obey Him, God will bless them! #FreeLeahSharibu #RenosNuggets.

POLITY

The Looming Uncommon Transformation of Niger Delta Region Awwal Hayatu Wakili

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari’s appointment of Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio was a carefully thought out phenomena. In his characteristic style, the President started off by setting up a probe dating back to the beginning of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) so that the new team of the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs can transform the region in other to achieve the original aim for the setting up of the government agency.

It was a common belief that the NDDC was a sink hole of corruption where those appointed to man the organisation and achieve government’s objectives busily annexed it as their private estate where they greedily fed fat on what was to be a solution to the Niger Delta’s perennial degradation of land, oil spills and all what not.

The choice of Senator Akpabio the uncommon transformation super star to head the Ministry of Niger Delta was therefore not a surprise. First by joining the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress, APC, in the run up to the last election that

brought Mr President to his second term was deliberate. Senator Akpabio is a Niger Deltan who under the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP government of Akwa Ibom transformed the state into a super state with a first class infrastructure, social and economic welfarism that has today made everyone from that state feel on top of the world.

President Buhari wanted to ensure that the Niger Delta people get the kind of social and economic transformation they definitely deserve, wipe away their tears from development strangulation and equally stop the rot that has squandered the Federal injection of funds in their billions over the years. That is why the presence of Godswill Akpabio in the region will make the difference.

Since his arrival at the Ministry, he has moved around the other states that make up the region, apart from his own Akwa Ibom which he governed for eight years. He has now completed his reconnaissance and is ready to dish out his uncommon transformation. Nigerians eagerly await what Senator Akpabio will do in the Niger Delta and no one is in doubt that he will inject his charisma and the no nonsense approach to economic development to favour the

people of the area.

It will be interesting to see how Senator Godswill Akpabio will manage the N24 billion for his Ministry of Niger Delta in the 2020 budget and the influence he will muster on the NDDC board which has been reconstituted to enable them key into his vision of development in the entire Niger Delta. The NDDC has N88 billion to spend in the 2020 financial year. What appears certain for now is that with this level of allocation, Akpabio may find it difficult to execute his usually gargantuan projects.

At Akwa Ibom he was used to spending around N300 billion and more, which was why he did spectacular things then.

Judging from his performance in Akwa Ibom, he normally usually prefers using leading contractors like Julius Berger to ensure lasting quality works. There is no doubt that he will bring his quality on the development needs of the new assignment to bring the region to a standard expected but the President should be able to find a way of improving the budget of the area, considering that it is the region that lays the golden eggs upon which the federation stands economically.

My admiration for Senator Akpabio centres on his workaholics nature and his love

for quality development of infrastructure.

I was in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital recently and saw at first hand the way he transformed a backward state to a frontline one where he also laid a blue print that his followers are following assiduously even when he had left governance to a younger version of his stylish and uncommon economic transformation. The present governor of the state, Mr Udom Emmanuel has followed the book that Akpabio followed from Governor Attah who handed to him, thus making the state economically sound, despite the sometimes political differences encountered over the past twenty years.

I look forward to touring the entire Niger Delta region at the end of his term as Minister in 2023 to see how his transformation drive has brought good news to the people. I will also heap accolades on the President, Muhammadu Buhari for picking a man who has been able to show that he is a man to depend on for quality development in Nigeria. Who knows where the political winds will direct this great man during the rest of this decade. I am looking forward to a greater future for Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, the strong man of Akwa Ibom state.

–Wakili is an engineer based in Abuja.

70

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ EBRUARY 2,2020

NEWS OF THE

WEEK

Maryam Sanda Sentenced to Death Ms. Maryam Sanda, who stabbed her husband to death was found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging.

The trial judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court held that Maryam stabbed her husband with a kitchen knife with a clear intent to kill, having been charged with a two-count offence by the police in November 2017.

The victim, Bilyaminu Bello, was the son of a former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Haliru Bello.

The conviction has also brought to the fore the argument over the death penalty in Nigeria as punishment for capital offences such as murder, culpable homicide and kidnapping.

Shehu Sani, Adoke Get Bail at Last Justice I. E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday, January 27, 2020, granted bail to Senator Shehu Sani, who was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes ComSanda mission (EFCC) for alleged name-dropping and obtaining a total sum of $25,000 by trick from Alhaji Sani Dauda, (owner of ASD Motors), whom he promised he would stave off a criminal investigations by the EFCC. Sani, who represented Kaduna Central District in the immediate past 8th Senate, is facing a two-count criminal charge.

Similarly, a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) was granted bail by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwagwalada last Thursday.

Adoke was accused of fraud by the EFCC but denied the charge. Justice Idris Kutigi, who gave the ruling, also ordered Adoke to provide one surety that must be resident in Abuja and who must have a landed property in the capital territory.

The second defendant, Abubakar Aliyu, also got bail on the same condition, while the third defendant, Rasky Gbinigie, was granted N10 million bail.

Gbinigie was asked to sign an undertaking not to interfere with the trial or further investigation by the EFCC. It may not yet be freedom for Adoke, who faces another set of charges before a Federal High Court.

Lassa Fever on Rampage as World Panics over Coronavirus As the world battles Coronavirus, the federal government struggles to contain lassa fever.

As at last Tuesday, the country had recorded about 250 cases of Lassa fever nationwide, with 41 deaths.

If news from abroad was anything to go by, Nigeria has to make adequate preparation to ensure that Coronavirus did not get into the country.

According to report, at least 213 people had died and more than 9,692 cases had been confirmed in mainland China, as the virus spreads globally.

The World Health Organisation has identified Nigeria and 12 others as high-risk African countries for the deadly coronavirus.

The other countries are Algeria, Angola, Ivory Coast, DR Lassa fever rats Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

A statement by the body said the identified African nations have direct links or a high volume of travel to China, even as it declared the virus a public health emergency of international concern.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari had approved N71m to ensure that Coronavirus did not spread to the country.

Edited by Tobi Soniyi E-mail: tobi.soniyi@thisdaylive.com

No End in Sight to Oyo LG Crisis There appears to be no end in sight to the face-off between the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and the elected council chiefs he sacked from office. Some of the council chiefs were in the week, allegedly attacked by some thugs.

The sacked chairmen and councillors had on Monday resumed duty after being relieved of their jobs eight months ago by Makinde.

The leadership of the National Union of Local Government Employees had also directed its members to stay at home to avoid being causalities.

Both sides however think that they have a good case. It is also turning into a supremacy battle between the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress.

Makinde

Trump Officially Issues Travel Ban on Nigeria United States President Donald Trump, last week, imposed an immigration visa ban on Nigeria. Eritrea, Myanmar and Kyrgyzstan were also affected in the new ban.

Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Chad Wolf said the new immigration restrictions were designed to “address security concerns in the way the banned countries track their own citizens, share information with the U.S. and cooperate on immigration matters”.

Citizens from Nigeria, Eritrea, Sudan, Tanzania, Kyrgyzstan and Myanmar will now be blocked from obtaining certain types of visas. However, Nigerians would still be able to visit the US as tourists.

But President Muhammadu Buhari has immediately constituted a committee to examine and provide an update on the restriction of issuance of immigrant visas to Nigerians by the United States.

The committee, headed by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, among others, has the mandate “to study and address the updated US requirements,” on the development.

In a related development, the leadership of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party Trump (PDP), has blamed the government of Buhari and the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the ban, saying it was a function of their bad choices.

Lagos Ban on Okada, Keke NAPEP, Takes effect The Lagos State government on Monday banned the popular motorcycles otherwise called Okada and tricycles, including ORide, Gokada and motorbike hailing services in 15 local councils.

The ban took effect yesterday, February 1.

The motorbike hailing services accused the state government of not consulting them before announcing its decision to ban motorcycle taxis. Many of the riders took to the streets to protest against the action.

But in a series of tweets on Friday, the Lagos government said the hailing services were part of the problem, adding that the okada business was not an enduring trade.

Britain Finally Leaves EU Britain formally left the European Union (EU) after 47 years on Friday.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the event as “astonishing moment”, saying his government had “obeyed the people” who voted for Brexit in a 2016 referendum.

In Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel and European Parliament President David Sassoli said Saturday would mark a new dawn for Europe.

In newspapers across Europe, the bloc’s remaining 27 member states said they would “continue to join forces and build a common future.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Brexit was a “deep cut for us all” but underlined that the remaining EU members would continue to do everything necessary to move forward.

It took 1,316 days of political turmoil for the UK to become the first nation to have ever left the European Union.

It ended the careers of two Prime Ministers and left the very future of the United Kingdom in question.

Johnson It has also raised new issues including Scotland’s case for independence.

Okada and Keke Napep causing traffic gridlock on highway

71

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ FEBRUARY 2,2020

CICERO

Editor:Olawale Olaleye Email:wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08116759819

IN THE ARENA

Lagos’ Ban on Okada, Keke NAPEP, Spot-on!

For a safer and more environment-friendly Lagos, the recent ban on commercial motorcycles and tricycles was the way to go, writes Olawale Olaleye

I

t was not surprising that the ban recently placed on commercial motorcycles and tricycles in Lagos State by the government was going to generate intense public interest and a seemingly endless debate. In fact, it was going to be a debate between the rich and the poor of the society and it is the more reason the debate is a sensitive matter.

Announcing the restriction and ban of commercial motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Keke) in six local government areas of the state with effect from yesterday, February 1, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, made this known in Ikeja, while addressing newsmen after the State Security Council meeting.

According to him, “The extant Transport Sector Reform Law 2018 bans the operation of Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) in some local government areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

“They include Apapa LGA and Apapa Iganmu LCDA, Lagos Mainland LG and Yaba LCDA, Surulere LGA, Itire-Ikate and Coker-Aguda LCDAs, Ikeja LGA, Onigbongbo and Ojodu LCDAs, Eti-Osa LGA, Ikoyi-Obalende and Iru/Victoria Island LCDAs, then Lagos Island LGA and Lagos Island East LCDA. The full enforcement begins on February 1, 2020,” the commissioner said.

He explained that the rate of crimes aided by motorcycles (okada) and tricycles (keke) keeps rising, even as they are used as means of getting away by criminals.

“This is the first stage of the state government’s plan to sanitise our roads and protect Lagosians from the negative effects of these illegal modes of transportation. The law is very clear.

Motorcycles (okada) and tricycles (keke) Sanwo-Olu are banned on all highways, bridges and listed roads.

“Major highways include Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, OworonshokiOshodi Expressway, Lagos-Ikorodu Expressway and Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

“The highways also include Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Funsho Williams Avenue, Agege Motor Road and Eti-Osa Lekki Coastal Road,” he said.

However, the restricted bridges are Iyana-Ipaja bridge, Agege, Dopemu bridge Agege, Airport/Ikeja bridge, Agege Motor road/Oshodi Loop, Oshodi, Mushin/Isolo Link bridge, Dorman Long bridge.

Others are Ojuelegba bridge, National Stadium flyover, Apapa-Iganmu bridge, Apapa-Ijora link bridge, Liverpool bridge, Apapa, Mile 2 bridge-loop, Amuwo-Odofin, Okota (cele)/Ijesha Link bridge, Apakun/Apapa-Oshodi bridge network, Ikorodu Road/Anthony Clover leaf bridge and Trade Fair flyover.

There are also Festac/Amuwo-Odofin link bridge, 2 Flyover Bridges along Alhaji Masha Road, Ojota

Clover leaf bridge, Ogudu bridge, 3rd Mainland Bridge, Maryland flyover, Ikeja General Hospital flyover, Kodesoh bridge, Oba Akran, Ikeja, Opebi link bridge, Sheraton-Opebi bridge, Jibowu/Yaba flyover, Carter Bridge, Lagos and Bariga-Ifako bridge.

Included in this category were Apapa-Oshodi Expressway/Alapere bridge, Bariga/Oworonsoki bridge, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway/Gbagada U-Turn, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, 3rd Mainland/Oworonsoki bridge, Eko Bridge, Apongbon flyover, Cowry bridge (Officers Mess), Mcwen bridge (Bonny Camp), Marina/Ikoyi bridge and Ikoyi/Obalende bridge.

He warned that the law enforcement agents had been directed that with effect from February 1, 2020, that there would be zero tolerance for motorcycles and tricycles in (on) the listed local governments, highways and bridges.

It is not totally misplaced, the position of those uncomfortable with the ban, because of the relief that the use of a motorcycle or tricycle could bring the way of anyone in the thick of weakening traffic that could take hours to ease.

The fact that a typical motorcycle could meander through places and a car or bus could not dare on a normal day is also part of the reasons the ban is not sitting well with some people.

None of these, however, compares to the security and safety risks associated with the use of Okada as they are called, which brings to the table of this debate, the matter of preference and importance in collective interest.

Lately, many strange Okada riders have been noticed to come into Lagos in large numbers and in the middle of the night, accentuating the fears that foreigners might have been flooding the state under the guise of seeking greener pastures and using Okada as their means of survival.

From armed robbers to kidnappers, terrorists, ritual killers and bandits, they all find Okada as their most convenient means of transportation, thus compounding and compromising the security of the state.

Lagos weaned itself of its primitiveness many years ago and in striving towards the goals of a mega city especially, in the areas of transportation, the resort to Okada is definitely not the way to go.

As a model state in all indicators possible, the advent of motorcycles and tricycles was no less a dent on the upscale image of the status and the many promises it boasts amongst other states of the federation.

Therefore, while the argument about engaging the operators of Okada and Keke NAPEP cannot be dismissed outright and which the authorities should consider, albeit on the grounds of magnanimity, the security and safety of Lagos cannot be compromised on whatever grounds. This is why the ban is both timely and instructive.

There’s no one, who had been a victim of the misuse of Okada, whether by way of accident, robbery or rituals, would wish that the menace posed by it be allowed for whatever reasons. Thus, the idea to sanitise Lagos in terms of security and keep its people safe is selfless, well thought-out and instructive at this time.

With increasing insecurity all over Nigeria and the tendency for criminals to spread under the current chase and domination, no government at whatever level needs to be told of the need to brace up and close up every gap that could compromise security.

This is why everyone, who truly means well for Lagos and of course, desires a safe and secure environment must support the latest effort of the government in ensuring sanity and protecting the vast majority of the people. It is better to walk a safe 2-kilometre than travel a dangerous 10 minutes, using the motorcycle or tricycle.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

What’s the Fuss About US Travel Ban?

T Buhari

he United States government, on Friday, placed Nigeria and five other countries on temporary travel restrictions for immigration visa over security matters.

Responding, President Muhammadu Buhari had immediately constituted a committee to examine and provide an update on the restriction.

The committee, headed by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, among others, was mandated “to study and address the updated US requirements,” on the development.

It was only natural, therefore, to interrogate the outrage that had since attended the US action especially, since the category affected is the immigrant visa. Those who seek to travel on the grounds of tourism, medical, business and even students are not affected, at least, with the clarification so far

in the public space. But experts do not see it like that. In fact, experts consider it a layman’s reading or understanding of the development. Experts, however, think it was a message of loss of confidence in the leadership of the affected nations.

Experts also feared that whenever the US takes such action, they do so only when they envisage crisis outbreak in a certain country and as part of their own way of managing the situation by preventing the influx of all manners of people during the crisis in search of asylum of what have you, the restriction is placed in anticipation.

Thus, whilst it’s okay to dismiss the ban as no big deal since it is for those itching to relocate to the US, it’s also instructive to look at the bigger picture as being painted by experts. It could be that the US is actually passing a subliminal message to the leadership of the Nigeria.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 2,2020

72

BRIEFINGNOTES Amotekun: Clearing the Legal Hurdles, Getting the Buy-in With the federal government finally consenting to the idea of Operation Amotekun, the time to address all the grey areas is now, writes Samuel Ajayi

I

t was a marathon meeting between governors of states of the Southwest geo-political zone and the federal government over the Operation Amotekun, a security initiative of the governors aimed at combating insecurity in the zone.

Earlier, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, had claimed the initiative was unconstitutional.

And as expected, this drew a lot of condemnation from the general public, especially from opinion and political leaders from the southern part of the country, who felt the governors who came with the initiative should have been commended by the federal government instead of trying to kill the initiative.

Sources also told THISDAY that President Mohammadu Buhari was not particularly happy with that AGF as he considered his response to the official launch of the security initiative a bit hasty. The AGF has since recanted.

Last week, during a meeting between the governors and the Vice-President in Abuja, the two parties agreed on how the security initiative should proceed with the federal government wanting the structure of the initiative to align with community policing strategy of the federal government.

Laolu Akande, spokesman for the Vice-President, said the meeting was at the instance of the governors, who wanted to meet with the President over the matter. And since the President was not around, the Vice-President presided over the meeting. Akande said the meeting was very fruitful.

“The meeting was fruitful and unanimous resolutions were made on the way forward,” Akande said. “Having regard to the need for all hands to be on deck in addressing the security concerns across the country, it was agreed that the structure of (Operation) Amotekun should also align with the Community Policing strategy of the federal government.

“It was also agreed that necessary legal instruments will be put in place by each of the states to give legal backing to the initiative and address all issues concerning the regulation of the security structure.”

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, who spoke to newsmen on behalf of the governors, confirmed what the spokesperson of the Vice-President said.

Perhaps, the federal government was actually pandering to the feelings of the general public especially, Nigerians in the southern part of the country.

Apparently taking a cue from the statement of the Attorney-General of the Federation, which declared the Operation Amotekun initiative as being unconstitutional, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association has been fanning embers of ethnic discord and practically threatening the governors to discontinue with the initiative or face some imaginary sanctions.

For instance, a supposed spokesperson of the group had declared that the launch of Operation Amotekun could deprive the Southwest from producing the next President in 2023. It was more or less a master-to-servant declaration that ruffled not a few political feathers.

The soft-pedaling on the part of the federal govern-

Akeredolu ment was even the more an indication that it was not indifferent to the obvious determination of the governors to see the initiative through. Sources close to one of the governors told THISDAY that the governor told his aides that he won’t mind losing the governorship rather than backing down on Operation Amotekun.

In the same vein, Governor Akeredolu of Ondo State also declared recently that if Operation Amotekun would cost him second term, he would not mind.

Sources informed THISDAY during the week that attorneys-general and commissioners for justice in the six states of the Southwest have been meeting to finetune the legal frameworks for the takeoff of Operation Amotekun.

“They have started work already,” the source explained. “After the meeting with the federal government and their buy-in secured, the next thing is the legal angle and the attorneys-general of the states have started work on this.”

If there is anything that has made Operation Amotekun more than imperative at this time, it is the incredible upsurge in killings, kidnappings and communal strives across the country.

In fact, statistics show that activities of the Boko Haram insurgents have peaked lately. It started with the recent killing of the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Rev. Lawan Andimi, and a soldier

abducted by the insurgents.

A student of the University of Maiduguri, Ropvil Dalyep, was killed along Maiduguri-Damaturu road on his way to Maiduguri to resume school.

Last week, the Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, promised to immortalise the slain student. In Borno State, the electricity company serving the state capital said the insurgents had cut off electricity supply to the state capital effectively removing the city from the national grid.

On January 23 this year, a popular traditional medicine practitioner, Alhaji Yusuf Oko Oloyun, was brutally murdered in Oyo State while commuting between Oyo and Ejigbo. His killers are yet to be found.

Just last Thursday, January 30, the President called an emergency meeting of service chiefs and other security heads to discuss the security situation in the country. This was after former deputy governor of Abia State, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, had called on the President to resign over the worsening security situation in the country.

And to cap it all, the House of Representatives, recently, threw its weight behind the idea of state or multi-level police system.

And if that should be case, it means Operation Amotekun could not have come at a better time. As people of the Southwest geopolitical zone wait for the legal framework, they can’t wait for the security initiative to take off.

NOTES FOR FILE

Maryam Sanda: Learning the Hard Way

Maryam and Bilyaminu

The High Court, Abuja, on Monday, convicted and sentenced Maryam Sanda to death by hanging for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, in Abuja on November 19, 2017.

Justice Yusuf Halilu, who delivered the judgment, said “every available evidence” had proved that Maryam “fatally” stabbed her husband to death, and as such, reckoned justice could only be delivered through death sentence.

The story was that Maryam saw a naked woman’s picture on Bilyaminu’s phone and waited till he was asleep before stabbing him to death on his chest, in what was no less premeditated.

Of course, there had been divergent views on the

judgment with the majority standing with the death sentence as deterrence to the spate of spousal killings and domestic violence in general.

The take away from this is that there is nothing sacrosanct about marriage. The moment a couple realises it is no longer working, and having explored all avenues of reconciliation, separation, at that point speaks to wisdom, which is profitable in every sense.

Sadly, with the death of Bilyaminu and her execution in view, they have not only left their families with eternal pain, the upbringing of their kid(s) remains at the mercy of whoever is willing to help. There’s so much to learn from that ugly experience but importantly, circumspection is key in all things.

73

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 2,2020

CICERO/REPORT

Wi th U n c e a s i n g In secu rity, Buhari Takes All by Surprise President Muhammadu Buhari’s expression of shock at the level of insecurity in Nigeria actually took everyone by surprise, writes Shola Oyeyipo

I

n the days of President Goodluck Jonathan, the media freely tagged him as a ‘clueless’ leader, and that was in relation to his ability to address some urgent national issues. But, as it is, is President Muhammadu Buhari not better hit by the ‘clueless syndrome’ judging from his recent comment on the state of insecurity in Nigeria?

Last Monday, while expressing shock at the level of insecurity in the North-west and other parts of the country, Buhari was quoted as saying: “I was taken aback by what is happening in the North-west and other parts of the country.”

He was quoted to have said so while addressing a delegation from Niger State in Abuja, and he said further that: “During our campaigns, we knew about the Boko Haram. What is coming now is surprising. It is not ethnicity or religion; rather it is one evil plan against the country.”

Though the president’s handlers are never favourably disposed to any form of criticism against their principal, in evaluating the security situation and analysising government’s responses, the statement credited to President Buhari was nothing short of a leader, who didn’t know what to do or maybe he knew it but had just chosen not to do it, not minding whose ox is gored.

Look at it this way: let’s assume the Nigerian leader is a merchant, who has a large area as big as Nigeria for his business and crimes are perpetrated continuously and he is losing money, property and lives on hourly basis, whereas he has security chiefs, who are equally feeding fat on his business, what would he do?

He would be expected to fire the handlers of his security system and replace them with people, who will introduce new strategies to ensure effective policing of the business. But the exact opposite is what the president has opted for.

While it is commonly said that, ‘you don’t change a winning team’, losing teams are either disbanded or reshuffled until a better team is actualised by coaches, who desire victory or success of the team. But despite his lamentation about the worrying security situation, Buhari would rather retain the service chiefs, whose strategies have not won the country any victory against criminals.

The question, therefore, that President Buhari and his team of praise-singers must answer is: why has he chosen to retain his service chiefs even in the face of deteriorating security situations and why would he come to the open to express such shock, when he has blatantly ignored all advices and opinions that he should experiment with some fresh hands in the capacity of service chiefs?

Notable bodies such the PAN Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, the umbrella body for the Igbo, Ohaneze Ndigbo and well-meaning Nigerians had called on the president that perpetually distorting the hierarchy in the nation’s security architecture by not allowing other qualified officers to peak in their career is a panacea for grumbling and disloyalties within the armed forces and yet President Buhari, in his all-knowing wisdom, extended the tenure of the service chiefs.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, Chief of Naval Staff, and the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar had their tenures extended by the president without justifiable reasons.

But sources claimed the extension was due to what the administration considered as good performances. If that is so, the new shades of insecurity and violence should not be a source of surprise to the Nigerian leader in as much as he considered his security chiefs of excellent performance.

Truth is that the president should not feign ignorance of the fact that Nigerians are not pleased with the security of the nation and no thanks to his service chiefs. The citizenry are living in perpetual state of fear – they can hardly sleep with their two eyes closed; some roads are no-go-areas for Nigerians for fear of kidnappers and armed bandits. In general, the value of lives is worth nothing in the country.

This explains why members of the upper chamber of the National Assembly dedicated four hours of parliamentary time to debate insecurity last Wednesday, during which some of the lawmakers urged the president to dismiss his service chiefs, who have stayed unnecessarily longer while the security situation is still worrisome.

One of the lawmakers, who argued in favour of dismissing the service chiefs, Senator Betty Apiafi (PDP, Rivers) noted that when the service chiefs were appointed, the situation was not as bad as it is presently.

“They have done their bits and their tenure has expired. They are illegally occupying the seat. It will be good for the government to allow the security chiefs to go and bring in new people to add vigour to the fight against security,” she said.

If the presidency explores its feedback mechanism properly, it would have seen that not many Nigerians agreed with the position expressed by President Buhari’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina, that Nigerians had reasons to be grateful as the situation is better than it was before the president assumed office.

“We know what the situation was as at 2015 and we know

Buhari what it is today. Despite the reversals in security, it is still not as bad as it used to be in this country,” he said.

Perhaps, the best way to say it to Adesina and his bosses in the presidency is that they are utterly wrong to assume and or project that the security situation was under check, is by referring them to the decision of the Southwest governors to set up a zonal security outfit, Amotekun, as a way of checkmating the activities of criminals in the zone.

All the six southwest governors except Oyo State are members of the ruling party. Their resolve to set up Amotekun was due to the demand by the people of the region, who feel that the national security outfits are sectional in addressing security issues. Even as the herdsmen unleash mayhem across the country, they seem to enjoy the protection of the security outfits.

In fact, going by Afenifere’s position, President Buhari should not only remove his service chiefs, the body demanded a probe of what happened to the funds the federal government claimed it had spent on security.

Afenifere leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, whose daughter was killed sometime last year by suspected Fulani herdsmen, in a statement read by the body’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, regretted that the service chiefs were already in their retirement years but still kept in service by President Buhari.

While noting that the decision to keep them in service had killed morale in the armed forces as three sets of officers had had their careers stagnated, the Afenifere chieftain stated that: “The sack of the service Chiefs should be followed with a probe of what has happened to defence allocations as we as a people cannot reconcile our extremely vulnerable troops and wailing solders in the forest with the heavy spending the government claimed it has committed to.

“If the federal government was sincere about the true state of insecurity in the country, it won’t be praising itself the way it has done in the President’s new year speech, because Nigerians are still feeling unsafe and live in fear of kidnapping, highway robbery, banditry, and herdsmen attacks.”

Another amusing aspect of President Buhari’s expression of

shock over the new level of insecurity in the country was his seeming insensitivity to the correlation between poverty and insecurity in Nigeria.

The Nigerian can’t be oblivious of the fact that his country has overtaken India as the country with the largest number of people living in extreme poverty, with an estimated 87 million Nigerians, or around half of the country’s population, thought to be living on less than $1.90 a day, based on a projection by the World Poverty Clock and compiled by Brookings Institute.

While debates on the effects of poverty on insecurity are extensive and exhaustive, as a reminder to those in the corridor of power in Nigeria, inference could be drawn from the scholarly work of a PhD student in Political Science Department and Public Administration, Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State.

In the abstract of the thesis by Dr. Adebukola Foluke Osunyikanmi: ‘Interrogating the Influence of Poverty on Insecurity in Nigeria,’ she succinctly captured how poverty interferes with security.

“Those who are poor are prone to diverse problems, which range from condition of helplessness, lack of basic necessities of life, voicelessness in decision making, ill health, lack of access to education, etc. Many Nigerians are in this situation of abject poverty.

“Majority of the people in Nigeria live below the poverty line and cannot afford the basic needs of life that make life worth living.

Thus, in the bid to make ends meet, they engage in nefarious activities that constitute problems not only to the few rich but even to the large army of Nigerians.

“Some of the social ills linked to the prevalence of poverty include: armed robbery, terrorism, militancy, kidnapping, ritual killing, pipeline vandalism, political thuggery, etc., have thus become the harbinger of insecurity in Nigeria all of which have been associated with weak and inefficient government,” Osunyikanmi notes.

Therefore, with the raging poverty, ineffectual service chiefs and his refusal to change them, President Buhari should expect no magic. The people will only begin to protect themselves and there is no better harbinger for anarchy than that.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 2,2020

74

CICERO/FOCUS

ANAMBRA SOUTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT

How Uzoh Outsmarted Ubah in Anambra Election litigation is becoming sophisticated as illustrated by the recent judgment obtained by Dr. Obinna Uzoh against Chief Ifeanyi Ubah on who should represent Anambra South Senatorial District in the Senate, Tobi Soniyi reports

W

hen it comes to election litigation, no state has enriched our jurisprudence as much as Anambra.

Politicians in the state have demonstrated unparalleled confidence in the nation’s judicial system. Rather than take the law into their hands, they have always chosen to fight their cause through the courts. For this, Anambra deserves commendation.

Continuing with this tradition, Dr. Obinna Uzoh of the Peoples Democratic Party, took advantage of a suitCV/3044/2018 filed by a member of the Young Peoples Party, Mr. Anani Chuka, before a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja to launch an audacious bid for the Anambra South Senatorial District.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Chief Ifeanyi Ubah of the Young Peoples Party as the winner of the election into the senatorial district.

In applying to join the case, Uzoh appeared to have done his research very well. He knew he did not stand a chance if he challenged Ubah before the election tribunal. He also did not originate the pre-election case filed by Chuka, though there are unsubstantiated claims that he and Chuka are working hand in glove. Even if they are, it is not illegal to do so.

Uzoh’s calculation paid off when in a judgment delivered on April 11, 2019, the trial judge, Justice Bello Kawu sacked Ubah for allegedly submitting a forged National Examination Council certificate to contest the February 23, 2019, senatorial election.

The judge consequently ordered INEC to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Ubah and directed that a fresh one be issued to Uzoh of the PDP who came second at the election.

Uzoh had argued before the court that Ubah submitted a forged NECO certificate to INEC. According to him, the certified copy from INEC has Serial No 303865920 (note 3038) whereas NECO certified copy has Serial No 303565920 (note 3035).

A comparison of these two certificates, he contended, revealed other differences such as logo, font, signature, etc.

Uzoh said that Ubah submitted the forged NECO certificate to INEC, the same having been cloned.

In an affidavit he deposed to before the trial judge, Uzoh averred, “The first defendant (Ubah) presented a forged and fake NECO result with candidate No: 31474672FC to run for the said general election to the 3rd defendant (INEC). Exhibit B attached. “That to the best of my knowledge, Exhibit B which was the NECO result of June 2003, with candidate No: 31474672FC presented by the 1st defendant to the 3rd defendant as his NECO result is forged and fake result which its original carried Biology, with F9 but the one presented by the 1st defendant to the 3rd defendant did not carry Biology subject, evidence of a fake result. Exhibit B, the NECO logo and signature, etc are different from the ones on original NECO certificate, same having been cloned.”

Based on Uzoh’s arguments, the trial judge found in his favour.

Justice Kawu held, “The deposition in the affidavits evidence was not controverted by the 1st defendant who was given ample opportunity to do so, but refused and neglected to file any process in challenge of the claimant’s claim after being served with all the processes by substituted means and hearing notices having been duly served too.

“The unchallenged facts remained uncontroverted.”

The judge said he was satisfied with the evidence led in the case and held that the NECO certificate submitted by Ubah was fake. The judge also held that the party that nominated Ubah did not hold any primary and consequently, declared his nomination invalid.

Shocked by the FCT High Court’s decision, Ubah, who claimed he had no knowledge of the suit, applied to the judge to set aside the judgment.

However, the court reaffirmed its earlier order sacking him as the senator representing Anambra South. Justice Kawu, in a ruling, declined Ubah’s request to set aside his April 11, 2019’s judgment.

Ubah had filed the application before the court praying for an order setting aside the judgment on the grounds that it occasioned a grave miscarriage of justice against him.

Dr Obinna Uzoh He said he was not served with the court processes or the hearing notice throughout the proceedings leading to the the senator a temporary relief. judgment.

He granted an order of stay of execution restraining the Senate President from swearing in Uzoh, pending the hearing and determination of Ubah’s application.

Temporary Relief The judge also ordered all parties to the suit, including Hoping that Ubah would be able to persuade him to set INEC to maintain the status quo in the meantime. aside his judgment, on December 4, Justice Kawu initially gave

This temporary relief was, however, shortlived. In a January ruling, the judge dismissed the application for lacking in merit.

It also dismissed a motion filed by another claimant to the PDP senatorial ticket, Chief Chris Uba, to be joined as an interested party in the substantive suit.

In dismissing the two applications, the judge stated: “In a

75

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 2,2020

CICERO/FOCUS t "3& 6#") 4 %":4 */ 5)& 4&/"5& /6.#&3&% t

Continued from Pg. 74

nutshell, the preliminary objections of both the claimant and 4th defendant succeed by virtue of section 285(9)-(12) because the application of the 1st and 2nd defendants together with that of the party seeking to be joined were brought after 180 days allowed by the constitution.”

On lack of service, the judge held: ‘There is enough evidence before the court to show that all the processes were served on the 2nd defendant personally and the 1st defendant by substituted means because of the inability of court’s bailiff to access him directly. In fact, several hearing notices were served on the defendants.

“From the record of this honourable court, the second defendant and third defendants acknowledged receipt of the processes served on them with their official stamp and the court bailiff deposed to an affidavit of substituted service on the 1st defendant. It is therefore absurd for the 1st and 2nd defendants to turn around and deny service. In view of that, all the argument of the 1st and 2nd defendants on the issue of service is hereby rejected.”

Ubah Appeals

Dissatisfied with the decision of the judge, Ubah has filed an appeal against the judgement of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Bwari that sacked him as a lawmaker.

Not leaving anything to chance, he also filed an application for a stay of execution of the judgement pending the determination of his appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

A stay of execution is a court order to temporarily suspend the execution of a court judgment or court order.

Ubah described the judgement as a mere distraction, saying that he is still a senator.

He said, “I have appealed against the judge’s refusal to set aside the judgement. I have also filed an injunction for a stay of execution. I have absolute confidence that the court of appeal will do justice and set aside the judgement”.

He also faulted the allegation that he tendered a forged NECO certificate, saying: “That’s photocopy effect. Tell them to swear to an affidavit to that effect or go to NECO and ask.

They said it was forged earlier but NECO said it was OK. They are using INEC photocopy to deceive people. Why can’t they go to INEC for a certified copy? They should wait for their waterloo in due time.”

He challenged his traducers to approach NECO with their fact. “They should depose to an affidavit and present it to the public as I did,” he added.

He also faulted the judgment of the high court on several grounds, claiming the FCT High Court lacked the “territorial jurisdiction” to entertain a matter that arose from Anambra South senatorial election primaries.

The mischief of filing the case against him in Abuja and not in Anambra was to ensure that he and Chris Uba of the PDP were not aware of the proceedings, he said.

Uzoh, however, rejected this argument saying: “Where primary is not held, any state or FCT high court or FHC has jurisdiction to entertain the case. In the case of Lau v PDP (2018) 4 NWLR (Pt. 1608) 60 at 110-111 and 123, the Supreme Court held thus: ‘The law has moved on since the 1999 Constitution vested the Federal High Court with exclusive jurisdiction over any action for a declaration or injunction affecting the validity of any executive or administrative action or decision of the Federal Government or any of its agencies, which includes INEC. The current position of the Electoral Act, the Federal High Court and the High Court of a state or the Federal Capital Territory have concurrent jurisdiction to hear and determine disputes arising from the conduct of a party’s primaries....’”

There is, however, a critical issue that the trial judge appeared to have glossed over. Even though Chuka filed the case on 19 October 2018, well before the National Assembly election was held on 16 February 2019, curiously Uzoh applied to join the suit on 28th March 2019 after the election was held. Whatever reliefs he asked for automatically became post-election matters reserved for election tribunal. This appears to be the basis for the issue raised below by Ubah.

Ubah said that the FCT High Court lacked the jurisdiction to hear and determine a post-election matter already settled at the electoral tribunal and the Court of Appeal that gave him victory against Chris Uba. He expressed shock that contrary to Section 285(13) of the 1999 Constitution, the court granted the wish of Uzoh who was not even a candidate in the February 23 election and did not go through the entire stages of the election as the winner of the election.

Ubah also said that he was not at any time served with any of the court processes thereby infringing on his right to a fair hearing. According to him, you can’t shave someone’s head in his absence.

However, Justice Kawu in his judgment said he was satisfied that all necessary parties were served as shown by the proofs of service.

On the criminal allegation that his NECO certificate was forged, Ubah said the court did not summon any staff of NECO, or any other appropriate authority confirming his NECO certificate as fake, hence “there was no proof beyond a reasonable doubt on the allegation of falsification of NECO certificate”.

He said this “kangaroo tactics” adopted spells doom for the electoral process and justice system if allowed to stand, arguing: “The court also lacks jurisdiction to make far-reaching findings, some of which border on illegality and are contentious as an originating summons was used to commence the suit. Such a suit must be commenced by a writ of summons to allow

Chief Ifeanyi Ubah

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah to call witnesses to testify and rebut the unfounded and malicious allegations made against him. This cannot be done by an affidavit but only by oral evidence as stated by Nigerian law and judicial decisions.”

Supreme Court, the Final Arbiter

As demonstrated by the Supreme Court’s judgment in the case that sacked Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP as governor, litigants are becoming creative in their approach to elections.

This creativity can also be seen in the unfolding battle between Uzoh and Ubah. Who will prevail at last, will ultimately be determined by the Supreme Court. It is a long haul. All the parties must be prepared to go through the whole

hog.

No doubt, issues raised by Ubah in his appeal are quite weighty. He also has in his kitty, the judgment of the Court of Appeal upholding his election.

Besides, he is a long-distance runner. Based on the issues he raised, he stands a very good chance of setting aside the Abuja High Court judgment.

But no one should expect the matter to end soon. It is the Supreme Court that will ultimately resolve this dispute finally.

If the practice in the Senate is sustained by the present leadership of the upper chambers, Ubah will remain in the Senate until the dispute is decided by the Supreme Court. The battle has just started.

76

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2020 •T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ FEBRUARY 2,2020

77

CICERO/INTERVIEW

Njoku: Victor Oye Shot Himself in the Foot Factional National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Allaince, Chief Edozie Njoku, argues that to stop what the Supreme Court did to the All Progressives Congress in Zamfara and the Peoples Democratic Party in Imo, politicians have to stand up for what is right, regardless of party affiliations. He spoke to Tobi Soniyi. Excerpts:

L

just that my answer was blown out of context. There was nothing particular about him as a person.

ast week, members of the Peoples Democratic Party protested against the sack of Emeka Ihedioha as the governor of Imo State by the Supreme Court. What is your reaction to this?

It is very sad to see what happened to the governor. He is my brother. One of the things I have always said is that what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. PDP had been there and benefitted from such things and no one has said anything. So, we should all get up and say something at the same time.

It is not when it favours PDP or APC that we should complain. All of us should know what’s right and what’s wrong and defend it. This idea of praising the court, when it favours you and condemning the court, when it does not favour you, is not the best.

Nigeria is for all of us. Today, you are in opposition, tomorrow you might be in government. So, let’s put the right legislation, the right things in order so that wherever you are, it doesn’t matter, because what is good for the goose is also good for the gander.

In view of the face-off between him and the governor of Anambra State especially, in the last elections in the state, do you think both can actually work together with you again?

I believe that a lot of propaganda goes around in this country and sometimes I really like to hear or see things myself. I have not spoken to the governor or to Peter Obi regarding whether they have any problems with each other. Really, I don’t know. I have never heard them say they have problem.

I don’t know, I don’t know what their problems are. Having a governor as Obiano as a member of APGA is fantastic. Having Peter Obi, a former governor would equally be fantastic, but if they have personal problems, it is for them to sort it out; it is not really an APGA issue.

Do you share the view that the electoral process is flawed?

I think everybody who is involved in politics knows that we really need to look at our electoral process very well and I don’t think it is from lack of planning. It may be from things we have not implemented, so, when the right things are implemented, the electoral process will improve.

Defection from one political party to another continues to threaten the integrity of our democracy. Do you agree?

This is a question for the legislative arm. They have seen what is going on, they are also quite intelligent men and women. They should address the issue with legislation. They should decide the way forward because it cannot continue like this.

Last week, news broke out that you had emerged as the national chairman of APGA after the court vacated the injunctions barring you from parading yourself as chairman. What is the true position?

APGA conducted two parallel conventions, one in Owerri and the other in Awka. If we moved a few steps back, the party agreed to conduct its national convention in Owerri on the 31st of May 2019. This decision was made in 2018. Congresses were held on the 2nd, 3rd and 6th of May. As the results came out on the 9th and 10th of May, it became obvious that the results of the congresses nationwide were completely against Chief Victor Oye, owing to his bad performance in the primaries and elections nationwide.

Oye and his NWC, seeing that they could not be able to get enough delegates to be returned as the national chairman and national officers decided to call another NEC meeting for the 14th of May, an emergency NEC meeting.

They excluded a lot of BoT members like Bianca, Victor Umeh etc, went ahead and called their NEC meeting in the Government House, Awka. Some members of the BoT went to court saying that there was something wrong whereby 25 state chairmen were excluded plus BoT members.

For their meeting to succeed they had to exclude those who were not with them and they decided to organise fresh congresses. Bearing in mind that all the party executives’ tenure nationwide ended on the 15th of May, there was not much they could do with time so they damned the consequences and conducted all their congress out of time on the 19th, 21st and 24 of May being out of time.

Oye filed the case he just asked to be discontinued. In the case, he stated clearly that the tenure of the executives ought to have expired.

But because they felt they had the power, they decided to damn the consequences by holding fresh congresses on the 19th, 21st and 23rd of May. By then, they were out of time.

So what now happened was that they had ab-initio released the names of the election committee members and these election committee members went on to conduct the convention in Owerri with all the right delegates that had emerged from the rightful congresses of the party conducted nationwide.

These rightful delegates conducted the rightful convention elections in Owerri on the 31st of May while Oye and co were doing another one in Awka with the new people they had cooked up from somewhere.

After the 31st of May convention in Owerri, Oye’s tenure should have ended on the 6th but on the 5th, he decided to go and file a case in Abuja and to try and get the court to restrain me with an ex-parte order from carrying out my functions as the national chairman and the party from recognising me as national chairman.

Who won the convention in Owerri?

I won and emerged as the national chairman in the party convention duly held in Owerri, where we had the legitimate delegates. So, what he now did, on that 5th, he went to court and the judge said to him that he wouldn’t give him an ex parte order that I must be put on notice.

What Oye then did was to procure a lawyer for APGA as a defendant, which he had no right to do; he went and got an order for substituted service, whereby the court would have to serve me by substituted means and told them that my place of abode was 41 Libreville Wuse 2, which happens to be the APGA office and which he was still holding on to.

So, all the services went to 41 Libreville. I did not know about it until he had obtained the order of interim Injunction stopping me from parading myself as the national chairman and stopping APGA from recognising me.

Have you also met with Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu?

Yes, we have in most cases but she has not hidden it that she is not very happy with things that Oye did. I don’t think she has any problem, but her real grouse is that Oye is not capable and has not shown the capacity to be the national chairman of our dear party.

Njoku When they were now pushing to get judgment, it leaked out. I then made appearance in court, APGA had already gotten a lawyer and I went without a counsel and luckily the judge said he wanted to hear me and while I was there the judge ordered that I be served with those processes in court, automatically meaning that that singular action of the judge nullified the substituted service, which had supposedly put me on notice earlier.

Oye, seeing and feeling that those injunctions were going to be discharged, jumped into work over the Christmas season and saw that it was impossible for him to go through the back door.

On seeing that these orders were on the verge of being discharged, he told the court that he wanted to discontinue his case. His lawyer got up and said he had filed something two days before the court to discontinue the case.

Now the one million dollar question is why would he, after he came out to accuse me that I was not the national chairman, go and obtain an order of injunction against me that I should not perform my duties as national chairman and then decide to withdraw that case, when he saw he could not substantiate his claim?

After the case had been withdrawn, I automatically became the legitimate national chairman of APGA. So, the party and people can now recognise me as APGA national chairman.

It is very clear, he knew that but also the same way he damned the consequences with the congresses when he decided to take his chances and he took his chances again, he can’t keep taking his chances. He took his chances and they failed him, because justice is on my justice.

Has INEC recognised you as the national chairman of APGA? This thing just happened on Thursday, last week. So, our letters are going on today or tomorrow and so from there, we will then know what INEC has to say.

What about some other stakeholders of the party? Are they aware?

All the other stakeholders of the party, Bianca and the rest, Alex Otti have been against the emergence of Oye. They have always believed justice would prevail.

APGA is in power in only one state – Anambra State. Has the governor also been put on notice?

The governor is the leader of the party, he is our BoT chairman, as Oye said there have been a lot of discussions going on and so I wouldn’t like to open up on discussions that are ongoing.

You were quoted as saying you would work to bring back all other persons who had left the party?

Yes, every single person, who has left the party and that’s my exact word. We will make sure we try to bring them back. I cited Ugo Agbala as an example from Enugu State and then someone asked me about Chekwas Okorie and I said yes definitely, Chekwas because I don’t think the party has treated him fairly.

There has been a lot of news going about Peter Obi and all that, I haven’t had any discussion with him personally. Peter Obi is an old member of APGA, it would be very nice if he came back to the party as an old member and let’s all finish up the work we have started in APGA and I think Peter Obi is quite comfortable where he is in PDP. It

Do you think the other faction is happy with the judgment?

Well, I think that Oye because of the way he joined the party, he feels that being the national chairman of the party is a right – a privilege that should be granted to him by members of the party. If members of the party decided that they don’t want you or decided that they don’t want me to be their national chairman, I should be honourable enough to give up that position.

Whether he is happy or not, he should look at the way things are.

Most people don’t want him, so, why does he want to be there? You can’t force yourself on people. You can’t do that and it is one thing we do in Nigeria; we really try to force ourselves unto the populace, which is very bad.

Many believe that APGA is as good as dead, not too happy with the alliance with the ruling APC. What do you think?

APGA is more or less a sleeping giant and it is unfortunate that Oye was the one who came out to become our national chairman at a time people were also making a decision to rebuild the party. I feel that when people in APGA see that there is, not necessarily just the national chairman but the entire executives because you cannot really blame Oye on its own, no one stood up to him to say no and when you have an executive running the party as a sole administrator, because other people are getting little scraps from here and there, you find out that the right thing is not done.

When the people see that the party is properly run. APGA was not formed just for the Igbo course, it was formed for the marginalised, wherever you find that you needed a platform to express yourself, APGA was the answer and it is still the answer, which we are going to bring back to life.

Isn’t the party subsumed in APC now?

No, it is not subsumed in APC. I don’t have any problem in parties having some sort of merger or understanding but before you do that it must be by the party members themselves, the people have got to be brought into the picture.

A few people at the top just decided that they are going to merge with PDP as was done as well during the Jonathan era and it was said APGA is now supporting PDP and it was also done in Buhari era.

If APGA had to support Jonathan then, it should go down in a convention, down to the last member of the party. At the same time of Buhari, a few people just got up and decided. Even if or when the party decides to have the right impact on the party whether PDP or APC, at least, agents of the party should know and be paid their agent stipend.

Now we have two main political parties, do you think APGA stands a chance in future elections?

Every party stands a chance if it got its fundamentals rights. Even in a business, you have to organise yourself better, when you have no plan, nothing will happen. If you fail to plan, you fail to succeed. So, we hardly plan in APGA at the moment, so we must really go a few steps backward and organise ourselves, build the party again, put the required structures in place without sentiments.

No more you go and pick your driver, or your houseboy to be ward chairman. Now, we should look for the best without sentiments and we will have a party that does primaries and you will see that many people, who would want to join PDP or APC will join APGA, because they know they can go into an election, decide whether they will win or lose.

78

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ EBRUARY 2,2020

Lessons from The Vivil War Yemi Osinbajo

W

e stand in the shadow of one of the darkest chapters of our Nation’s history surrounded by the artefacts and monuments to a terrible conflict.

This is neither the time nor the place for rehashing the polemics of justification and recrimination, and claims and counterclaims about the remote and immediate causes of the war. Many scholarly publications, histories, biographies, and brilliant works of fiction have been devoted to these issues and rightly so.

Yet, a nation must always examine itself and reflect on its journey.

In a democratic society, this means a robust conversation over vigorously contested aspects of history. Such debate remains necessary if only to enhance our self-knowledge.

But perhaps more importantly, to bring closure.

What we all agree on is that the Civil War from 19671970 was a defining national tragedy. A catastrophic conflict that scarred us as a people. Its’ cost in lives was massive, so was the cost in lost opportunities for national advancement.

The spectacle of promising lives cut short in their prime, families ruptured, communities sacked and the environment poisoned by ordinance is one that redounds to our eternal regret.

Yet, we do not remember this seminal event in our history merely to indulge in the futility of regret, we engage in the discipline of remembrance so that we can learn from history and resolve that such horrors will never repeat themselves again on our watch. And we must do so not just this month, our nation’s month of remembrance of our fallen heroes, but every moment of our lives.

Indeed, the greatest tribute we can pay to the memories of those who made the supreme sacrifice for the survival of this union that we call Nigeria today is to ensure that the circumstances that led to the conflict are never re-enacted.

We cannot change the past, but it is within our power to ensure that history does not repeat itself and that we never again confront the awful consequences of abandoning dialogue and letting our darkest impulses drive us.

Sixteen years after the end of the war, Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu was asked if he thought the war resolved the issues for which it was fought. His reply is instructive, he said and I quote, “Wars hardly ever resolve issues. Wars are an aberration. Eventually, the issues still have to be dealt with.” In any event, it is evident that the cost of resolving our differences peacefully through dialogue is far less than trying to do so through war.

Chinua Achebe once described Nigeria as, I quote, “a nation favoured by providence.” I certainly see the hand of providence in our nation’s survival of that conflict. Unlike many other African countries which have known protracted multi-generational strife and perpetual division, our conflict ended after three years and we have suffered no relapse into such fratricide since then.

In the fifty years that have followed since the end of the war, we have invested in national integration, peacebuilding and reconciliation. That has been a less than a perfect task. Our road has not been easy and we have faced many challenges along the way. But these setbacks should not induce hopelessness or despondency but should constantly remind us that the stakes are high because of the incredible dividends of unity for us all.

Again, in the words of Achebe, I quote him again, “there are individuals as well as nations who on account of peculiar gifts and circumstances, are commandeered by history to facilitate mankind’s advancement. Nigeria is such a nation.

The vast human and material wealth with which she is endowed bestows on her a role in Africa and the world, which no one else can assume or fulfill.”

Our historic mission therefore, is not just to build a nation that works for all of us, but to create a successful polity, an economic and social powerhouse capable of powering our continent to prosperity and renown. And yet, nationbuilding is hard work and bringing together the multiplicity of ethnicities, languages and creeds that make up this great land under one banner is an onerous but necessary task.

But the more difficult, but crucial work is that of emphasizing and ensuring, fairness, justice and equity amongst all ethnicities and religions. We must be open to addressing the concerns of all. Within this union, all of us must feel entitled to legitimately aspire to the limits and extents of our dreams and visions in public life and commerce.

For those of us that are old enough to remember the war, we must be mindful of the fact that the majority of Nigerians alive today are too young to have witnessed the Civil War and therefore have no memory of it. The last fifty years belonged to us, but the next fifty years belong to our children and their children and we have a responsibility to unshackle them from the ghosts of ancient grudges and grievances.

As elders, we must ensure that we do not poison the minds of the young with our own prejudices and affect their ability to take advantage of the opportunities available to them in their country. We must also avoid foisting the toga of victimhood and helplessness on the next generation.

The memory of the elders is crucial and supplies us with instructive lessons, but we must enable the vision and the imagination of our youth to flower untainted by the biases of the past.

Moments ago, I toured the War Museum with a group of students from the schools in the State. It was a tremendous learning experience for us. I was struck by how novel the

Osinbajo war stories behind the artefacts were not just to me, but to the students. It was a reminder that while we must acquaint the younger generation with our history, we must also realize that this young generation does not see the world through the same lenses as we did in the 1960s.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie talks about the dangers of a single story and there is certainly a danger in casting Nigeria solely in terms of the narratives of those of us that witnessed the war. The generations born after the Civil War are navigating the adventure of being Nigerian on different terms from their forebears. Let us give them a chance to do better than ourselves.

Young Nigerians are intermarrying, migrating and co-mingling in the quest for love and livelihood; they are doing business together and forging alliances in civil society and politics across ethnic and religious divides. Social media may be a site of divisive debates, but it is also bringing young Nigerians together in spite of their diversity and helping them to forge a new collective consciousness.

Our children are showing us that it is possible to forge friendships and bonds across ethnic and religious lines that are even stronger than family ties and this in itself evokes the possibilities of unity in diversity.

One of our biggest challenges as a nation is that of providing opportunity and hope for our teeming young population. Our youth are among the most creative, energetic and dynamic on the continent and the Southeast is home to Nigeria’s most entrepreneurial sons and daughters.

Young Nigerians all over the country and in the Southeast in particular, require outlets that will enable them to maximize their potential.

We have listened to the voices of some of our young people in the Southeast expressing their discontent, however, we do not hear a battle cry, but rather a cry for help. We are determined to continue providing them with the tools and resources that will enable them to make the most of their lives. This is the reason for our collaboration with the African Development Bank, AfDB to provide a $500million facility for startups and entrepreneurial loans. This is aside from the N10billion fund set aside by the Bank of Industry for the same purpose.

We are also working with the Central Bank of Nigeria towards the creation of the entrepreneur bank, in addition, a Shared Facility for MSMEs which will be launched at Ugbenike in Anambra State by April 2020 for MSMEs in the shoe production cluster.

Our young people are full of zest, ideas and creative energy and sometimes they get understandably frustrated with the inability of our institutions to keep pace with their vision and dynamism. But we must not let agents of discord weaponize this frustration and turn it into a severe rupture within the country. The opportunities that you need for growth and prosperity are all here in Nigeria and we are working every day both at the national and subnational level and local government level to increase these opportunities.

What our young people need is not self-determination but self-actualization, more opportunities, more support to attain their dreams and visions and we are committed to creating these opportunities.

Within years of the end of the conflict, the Igbos reestablished themselves as the foremost entrepreneurs in our country and are now thriving everywhere across the vast expanse of our land.

The Southeast is Nigeria’s natural industrial hub.

Slowly and steadily, an industrial revolution is gathering momentum here in Abia and in the Southeast as a whole.

From leatherworks and textiles to engineering, the “Madein-Aba” label is emerging as an international brand. I do not say this lightly and without knowledge, I had the privilege of launching the National MSME Clinic at the Aba Polo Club in Abia on the 25th of January 2017 with over 15,000 participants.

Aside from Imo State, all other Southeastern States have hosted the National MSME Clinic with a large attendance of MSMEs. Abia State government won the inaugural award for MSME State of the year in 2018.

Miss Nora Oransoye from Abia State, won the 2019 Outstanding Female MSME of the Year and received a brand new car and prize money.

This zone is already a regional manufacturing hub servicing West and Central Africa. Goods from here are heading to Cameroon, Ghana, Togo, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic and other African countries.

The Igbo apprenticeship system has been cited as the biggest business incubator in the world and the Southeast is the birthplace of Nollywood; our film industry which has achieved global renown on the strength of the creativity and imagination of young Nigerians.

I have given these examples to demonstrate that nations are not built by politicians or their opinions however opinionated they may be, but by men and women in business; the professions and commerce, large, medium and small, who demonstrate their belief in their country by investing their resources and lives in enterprises here in their own country. The reason I have mentioned all these people is that by investing and working here, they have demonstrated more faith in this nation and this nation’s unity.

The businessmen and women, professionals and traders here in the Southeast and across Nigeria are the true nation-builders.

One of our errors in times past has been our inability to appropriate the positive aspects of the Civil War legacy such as the spirit of innovation and self-reliance that inspired technological feats in extreme circumstances even here in this museum. Within that period, our people manufactured weapons and tools for refining crude.

After the war, the Federal Government sought to leverage the technological genius that had come to the fore during the conflict by establishing the Projects Development Institute (PRODA) in Enugu. Unfortunately, over the years, our commitment to the objectives of PRODA has not been as strong as it should be.

However, we are now making up for lost time. Because of our commitment to reviving local manufacturing, Innoson Motors, a company that epitomizes the Nigerian productive genius, is now partnering with the Army to modify some of its equipment, produce armoured fighting vehicles and other military hardware. Innoson is also in partnership with the Air Force towards the manufacture of aircraft parts. I am especially proud to note that the Aba footwear industry is kitting our troops. Four years ago, the military ordered 60, 000 pairs of boots from Aba. I think there is no greater evidence of how firmly we have closed ranks as a people than the fact that industrialists of this region are today equipping our nation’s Armed Forces.

Years ago, Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu said and I quote, ‘The war has at least underlined for all of us, the importance of staying together.” Brothers and sisters, no human relationship is perfect and no nation is received or conceived in ideal circumstances. All polities, no matter how good they look today, are imperfect and only through the labours of their members are they perfected. Like families, nations are made up of people who disagree and at times disagree intensely. The ties that bind us have survived the most intense disagreement we have ever known as a people and it resulted in the Civil War. However, our national anthem enjoins us to “build a nation where peace and justice reign.” Setbacks and adversity are as integral to a nation’s journey as they are to human existence as a whole. But we have also known hope and victory, we should not on account of the disappointments we have suffered, give up on our collective possibilities and on each other.

It is true that we are not where we want to be, but we have not been standing still either, our country is very much, a work in progress. The attainment of peace and justice is not an event, but a process and a journey.

In 2017, this administration paid the accumulated arrears of pensions owed to retired war-affected ex-Biafran Police, who have been pardoned since 2000. This was more than a gesture of good faith, it demonstrates our belief in fairness and justice and our conviction that we can only move forward together.

We must build a country devoid of any form of discrimination and marginalization. This is the ideal to which we must strive. However, we cannot prosecute this struggle with weapons of bigotry and hatred. Our tools for creating the country we want, have to be those of empathy and a willingness to invest effort in understanding each other.

All of us must also be mindful of the sacrifice that unity calls for; it means that those of us in power must understand that the bitterness of the loser when the winner takes it all, will ultimately swallow all including the winner.

Three watchwords matter: fairness, equity and justice.

We must also be mindful of the fact that it is far easier to destroy than to build. It is easier to put asunder than to bring together. It is my firm conviction that we are infinitely stronger and better together. This is not a time to put asunder, it is a time to bring together. We cannot change the past, but we can learn from it and build a better future together.

––Being excepts from an address by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, at a townhall meeting held at the National War Museum, Umuahia, Abia State recently to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the civil war.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ˜ 2020

GAVEL

79

Editor: Olawale Olaleye SMS:08116759819 email:wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com

When N’Assembly Descended on Service Chiefs The rising wave of insecurity in the country attracted the attention of federal lawmakers last week as they took a swipe at the security chiefs over their inability to contain the menace, report Deji Elumoye and Adedayo Akinwale

W

hataday!Thatwasthe best way to capture what transpired last Wednesday, in the two chambers of the National Assembly, when the growing insecurity was subjected to intense debate. The federal legislators were in their best elements as they condemned the inability of government to address the mounting security challenges facing the nation.

A whole day was dedicated to the debate on the nation and the security challenges with the lawmakers taking turns to lampoon the Executive as well as canvassing for the sack of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as well as the three services for being bereft of ideas on how to address the security challenges.

It all started at the Senate, where the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, stated that the embarrassing security situation in the country called for urgent legislative intervention and urged his colleagues to proffer solutions to the problem.

The debate centred on the motion titled, ‘Nigerian Security Challenges: Urgent need to restructure, review and re-organise the current security architecture’ sponsored by Senate Leader, Senator YahayaAbdullahi and 105 others with three minutes time frame given to every Senator to speak.

Leading the debate, Senate leader pointed out the casualty associated with banditry attacks, kidnapping, armed robbery and other security challenges facing the nation and called for urgent intervention by the upper legislative chamber.

By the time the Senate President recognised the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe to speak, the momentum changed and the chamber became agitated, when Abaribe in a no-hold-barred submission called for the resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari over failure to solve the security situation facing the country almost five years after becoming President.

Although Lawan tried to interject, Abaribe was able to marshal his point to the admiration of his colleagues in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Senate Minority Leader, who spoke the minds of the 44 PDP Senators during the debate, said the President should resign forthwith for his inability to nip the security problems in the bud.

He said: “Nigerians did not elect the IG, we did not elect the Chief of Staff, we did not elect the joint chiefs, we did not elect the National Security Adviser. We elected the government of APC in 2015 and re-elected them in 2019.

The reason why we re-elected them was that they continued to tell us that they had the key to security.

“When you want to deal with a matter, you go to the head, so we will go with the government and ask this government to resign, because they can no longer do anything. Yes, the Nigerians voted a government into power and that government even said, if we don’t perform, stone us. We are going with the stones to stone them now, because they are no longer performing”.

Abaribe further stressed that, “When I was coming this morning, I saw the newspaper headline of THISDAY with Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief expressing shock at the level of violent crime in the country. In other words, Mr. President was expressing surprise.

But in accordance with our Rule 53(13) I will not go into that but I will only say, Mr. President, in pidgin English, this surprise surprise me,” he said.

At the end of the debate, the Senate, in its resolution, while urging the Presidency to declare a national security emergency also set up a 17-man ad-hoc committee headed by the Senate Leader, Senator Abdullahi, to engage the security agencies and report back to the Senate within two weeks.

Members of the committee include Senators

Lawan and Gbajabiamila Abaribe, Sabi Abdullahi, Ali Ndume, Aliyu Wammakko, Haliru Jika, Kashim Shettima, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, George Sekibo, Ibrahim Gobir, Suleiman Kwari, Geisham Bassey, Stella Odua, Ibikunle Amosun, Abba Moro, Yusuf Abububakar and Kabiru Gaya.

The terms of reference of the Ad-hoc committee include engaging the National Security Adviser on the implementation modalities of the December, 2019 national security strategies, engaging the National Security Institution to discuss their operational structures, funding, equipment and staff disposition with a view to reviewing the national security architecture “to make it more responsive in tackling the myriad of security challenges facing the nation and the people; and produce a draft implementation modality/blueprint on the ways and means of tackling the current security challenges for the consideration of the Senate”.

It was another ball game entirely in the House of Representatives, as the members demanded the immediate resignation of the Service Chiefs.

The green chamber called on President Buhari to sack them if they failed to resign.

The House reached the resolution following the unanimous adoption of a motion moved by the Chief Whip, Hon Mohammed Monguno, on the need to curb the incessant attacks of the Boko Haram insurgents The lawmakers, who spoke passionately maintained that the Service Chiefs had not been able to address the security challenges confronting the country since July 2015, when they were appointed by the President, adding that they had adopted same strategies that had not yielded any positive result.

Arguing, Monguno lamented that the Boko Haram insurgents who were relegated to the background are now unleashing terror in Borno and Yobe States, adding that recently the insurgents had forced the Nigerian military to close traffic on the Damaturu-Maiduguri Road for some days, noting also that the DamaturuMaiduguri road was the only access from Maiduguri to other parts of Nigeria.

The lawmaker expressed worry that the closure of the road had left travelers stranded and affected business activities in Maiduguri and

is thus causing untold hardship to the people.

He stressed that the closure of the road was an indication that the Boko Haram insurgents had seized the road and attacked communities on that axis.

Monguno said the incessant attacks on the communities along the Damaturu-Maiduguri road axis had forced the residents of the communities to flee to refugee camps in Maiduguri for safety.

Hon Abdurazaq Namdas, while speaking, described the upsurge in attacks by Boko Haram in the North-east and increasing insecurity across the country as worrisome, but opposed the idea of removing all the personnel currently serving in the area, saying their experience was still needed to assist those that will be sent to work there.

He reminded the House that the Nigerian constitution allows the President to invite the military to intervene in internal security of the nation, but stressed the need to retrain and equip the police to properly handle internal security in the country.

On his part, Hon. Francis Waive, said the issue of insecurity in the country had gone beyond the issue of one zone, stressing that every Nigerian should be concerned about what is going on in the country. He noted that the Service Chiefs should ask themselves whether they have performed creditably well and whether they are proud of what they have achieved since their appointment in 2015.

He therefore called on the Service Chiefs to resign, while also calling on the President to take another look at the Service Chiefs with a view to replacing them with fresh hands, who will bring fresh ideas into the security system in the country.

Adding her voice to the debate, Hon Beni Lar, argued that the North Eastern part of the country has gradually been brought to a standstill with the resurgence in activities of Boko Haram.

She said the lawmakers could not sit back and watch as if nothing was happening. She also questioned the intelligence gathering mechanism of the military, which she said appeared to be lacking, adding that Boko Haram seemed to be ahead of the Nigerian military in terms of intelligence gathering.

The Minority Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, in his contribution called for more investment in equipment for the security agencies and stressed that there was no way you can ask policeman to rescue you when he is poorly equipped.

He alleged that some Nigerians are making money out of the system and would not want the insurgency to end, questioning however the capacity and motivation of the security agents to carry on with the fight.

Elumelu noted that the Service Chiefs were not showing good example and had outlived their usefulness, adding that, “The best thing for them to do is to take a bow and go. If you don’t know when to leave, then you will be eased out.” He said Nigerians must be told that some people are feeding fat on the system and that, “People are stealing money and not doing what they are supposed to do”.

After the long debate, the House called on “all the service chiefs to resign immediately, failing which the President should remove them.”

Earlier, before the motion was taken, House Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila decried the spate of insecurity in the country, saying neither the security institutions nor political leaders can afford to hold on too tightly to a status quo whose frustrating limitations are painfully evident, whilst reflexively rejecting innovations that may improve the country’s fortunes if properly implemented.

He noted that all people of conscience mourned the loss of a reverend and a senior member of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Adamawa State, Mr. Lawan Adimi, who was recently executed by the Boko Haram sect.

He however added that in the midst of mourning, their hearts were broken once more by the release of a video depicting the gruesome assassination of Mr. Ropvil Dalep Daciya, a student from Plateau State, who was abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists on his way back to school at the University of Maiduguri.

Gbajabiamila however said to overcome the country’s overwhelming national security challenges required everyone that would be willing to accept new approaches and consider novel ideas.

80

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ Ͱ˜ Ͱ͎Ͱ͎

with DEMOLA OJO

demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Ă‹Ă?Ăž ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ëœ Ă‹ Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă‹Ă?Ă•Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹ ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™Ăœ ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂŽĂ?Ă‹Ă– åÓÞÒ Ă’Ă“Ă? ĂšĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?âÓĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă—Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă–Ë›Ë›Ë›

E

arly last week, the Lagos State government announced a ban on commercial motorcycles and tricycles (popularly known as Okada and Keke Marwa respectively) across six local governments and nine local council development areas.

According to the state’s commissioner for information and strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, the decision was taken after a “robust assessment� between the government and the state security council.

The ban which came into effect yesterday (February 1) polarised opinions among those who think it’s long overdue and those who think these forms of transportation are a necessary evil. It will be interesting to see if this policy is sustainable, especially because the citizens have become dependent on okadas and kekes.

While Lagosians braced themselves for

the withdrawal symptoms that will certainly follow this major decision, Babatunde Fashola, a former governor reputed to have curbed the “okada menace� during his time as governor was criss-crossing Niger State in furtherance of his current assignment.

As works and housing minister, the renowned administrator is - among other things - tasked with fixing failed roads and constructing new ones across the country.

It is no mean feat, especially considering that there isn’t enough money to achieve what Nigerians really desire; a smooth road network across the country.

Then, voila! Abacha money! Fashola, probably more than any other minister, is certainly elated at the prospects, after the Federal Executive Council approved the signing of an agreement with the Island of Jersey and the US for the repatriation of $321m stolen assets recovered from the former military dictator, late Gen. Sani Abacha. The

FEBRUARY 2, 2020˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

81

SOCIALMEDIABITS recovered funds will be expended on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Abuja-Kano road and the 2nd Niger Bridge.

Nigerians on twitter saw the funny side, with Abacha referred to as Nigeria’s “sugar daddy” who always comes through when the country is broke and in need of extra cash.

On the same day FEC approved the “Abacha loot” agreement, senate minority leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, asked President Muhammadu Buhari to resign immediately due to his inability to curtail the alarming security challenges in the country.

As you can imagine, it caused uproar on the floor of the senate and on social media.

Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, called Abaribe foolish. Shehu was quickly reminded - with screenshots – that President Buhari, his wife, APC leader Bola Tinubu among others, had asked former President Goodluck Jonathan to resign for the same reasons.

Shehu should extend the same adjective to them, it was suggested, What’s sauce for the goose...

But according to minister of state for labour and employment, Festus Keyamo, there was no need for a row. According to him, it was a call for the government to do more. “The hullabaloo over the call by the opposition for the resignation of the President is unnecessary,” Keyamo said on twitter, which could be interpreted as a slight dig at Shehu.

A few days later, the Federal Government

was in the good books of youth corpers after it increased their monthly salary from N19,800 to N33,000. But politicians don’t want to be outdone. They want a pay rise too.

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission has said that it has commenced the review of the salaries and emoluments of political office holders to reflect current economic realities. Review means increase right? Or could it mean a reduction? That would be wishful thinking, wouldn’t it?

Still on the subject of politicians, Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki threatened to deal with his predecessor, erstwhile godfather and his party’s National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, if he (Oshiomhole) continued to violate his order banning political rallies in the state. At this rate, they might end up trading blows.

Meanwhile minister of information, Lai Mohammed, boxed himself into a corner when he denied the existence of a social media bill on the floor of the senate, during an interview with state-owned German broadcaster, Deutsche Welle.

“There is no such bill before the House. I can say that with relative authority.”

He was called a liar, on social media.

He probably can’t wait until the bill is passed into law.

82

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2020 •T H I S D AY

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2020 • T H I S D AY

83

84

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2020 •T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ Ͱ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

85

NEWS XTRA

Shehu Sani: EFCC Subjected Me to Lie Detector Test

Says he was forced to declare assets · Condemns blockage of his bank accounts Gboyega Akinsanmi A former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Sani yesterday said his incarceration for 30 days was a clear breach of his fundamental rights, lamenting that he was subjected to lie detector tests.

Sani, President of the Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria, disclosed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Com-

mission (EFCC) forced him to declare assets; subjected him to traumatising interrogations; his banks accounts were blocked and phones seized while being incarcerated.

He faulted the anti-graft fight of President Muhammadu Buhari in a statement he issued yesterday, saying he was incarcerated for 30 days in an underground cell in breach of his fundamental human rights.

After his release from the underground, Sani likened Buhari’s anti-graft war to the manual of a former German Chancellor, Adolf Hitler, a brutal dictator that allegedly oversaw the killing of millions of Jews.

Sani spent 30 days in the custody of the EFCC following his arrest on December 31, 2019.

EFCC accused the former senator of extorting $15,000 from one Sani Dauda in November 20, 2019, promising to give it

to Ibrahim Muhammad, Chief Justice of Nigeria, to influence some pending cases in court.

He was also alleged to have collected another $10,000 from Dauda to bribe the acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

Sani, who was released on Thursday after a court granted him bail, has vehemently denied the allegations.

He said: “My incarceration for 30 days in the jail of EFCC

was unfair, unjust and a clear breach of my fundamental rights and hence stands condemned.

“During my unjust stay in the EFCC cell, I was subjected to traumatising interrogations – my houses and offices were searched.

“They compelled me to declare my assets, they tried to subject me to lie detector tests, my accounts were blocked, and my phone was seized, all in the name of fictional $24,000 or $25, 000 extortion.

“Any Information planted in the media by the EFCC spokesperson while I was in their custody about me is outrightly false and nothing but a bacterial and fungal infested concoctions, typical of their style.

“Our country will continue to be at the bottom strata of

the Transparency International index as long as our anti-graft agencies only use their might and arsenal to crush ants while lacking the courage, the heart, and the liver to confront the snakes, the vultures and the hyenas of the ruling establishment.

“They can frame me, detain me but can’t silence me.

In an ideal democratic state, all agencies of the government are obliged to operate within the dictates and the ambit of the rule of law or the nation leaps into tyranny.

“The rule book of Stalin, The manual of Hitler or road map of Mussolini should not be the guidance and the compass of the nation’s security and anticorruption agencies in their quest to sanitize our country.”

Ex-Militants Regret Accepting Presidential Amnesty Programme Sylvester Idowu in Warri

SAFETY FIRST. . .

Enugu State Governor, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi with the Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Okwudiri Ohaa at the unveiling of five newly procured fire fighting trucks to the state fire service at the the Government House, Enugu... yesterday

Buhari: Opposition to IPPIS Economic Sabotage Laleye Dipo in Minna President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday declared that any opposition to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System IPPIS would be viewed as economic sabotage.

Buhari made the declaration at the 29th convocation of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, noting that the policy was irreversible.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in some federal tertiary Institutions nationwide had opposed the policy, saying the central payroll system violates university autonomy.

Buhari, who was represented

by Minister of Communication, Alhaji Ali Pantami said the country “is currently beset with multifaceted challenges. We are equally adopting a multi prong approach in order to combat them “Our effort is appreciable and success recorded so far is also encouraging. Some of the solutions we have adopted may be painstaking but we are resolute and confident that in the end our country will be a better place for all “Just as we are diversifying our economy tapping into our strings of revenue to revamp our economy, we have also remained resolute in ensuring that we plug the loopholes in

public finance so as to eliminate fraud and retrieve funds which can be used to address challenges such as infrastructural deficit and unemployment “It is for this reason that my administration gave a directive that every employee of the federal government of Nigeria including the federal universities must be enrolled in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information system (IPPIS) “ This decision mindful as its sectoral policy is, is irreversible as such any opposition to this directive is an unwelcome tendency towards economic sabotage” Buhari said the federal government would continue to revamp the education sector to make it deliver quality education to Nigerians, a reason the second largest allocation of N150bn was allocated to the sector in addition to another N272bn to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

At the convocation, Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Bello said those in leadership position to pay adequate attention to the provision of functional education which remains the most reliable foundation for sustainable and societal transformation “As political leaders, nothing apart from security of lives and property should occupy our attention more than education if we are determined to improve the lives of our people”

FCT Police Arrest Five over Corona Virus Hospital Prank Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The FCT Police has arrested five persons for making a prank in the hospital on the corona virus pandemic.

The suspects, four males and a female, were paraded before reporters over the weekend by the spokesman of FCT Police Command DSP Anjuguri Manzah.

Manzah said that the suspects, Peggy Shandi, Abayomi Adedoyin, David Gold Enemigin, Jacob Orji and Priscilla Ajeshola were arrested for acting a script in the Emergency Ward of Wuse General Hospital Abuja that portrayed one of them to be critically ill and was down with the Corona virus.

He said the hospital became suspicious of the persons, when effort made by the medical personnel to administer medical care to the patient was being filmed by the same persons that brought him.

Manzah said on the strength of the complaint from Wuse Hospital management, Police operatives from Wuse Division were deployed to the hospital where the suspects were arrested.

“Though the suspects claimed that they were trying to stage an emergency medical scene, preliminary police investigations revealed that the suspects acted without the consent and approval of the hospital,” Manzah said.

He added that the command

was still carrying out investigation on the issues, adding the suspects will be arraigned in the court upon the conclusion of investigation.

He said they were still working with the hospital to verify if indeed one of the suspects was afflicted with Corona Virus.

One of the nurses on duty on the fateful day, Chinwe Ijeoma, said there was commotion among hospital patients and staff, who took to their heels when a man shouted ‘corona virus!’

“A man raised an alarm which attracted us and scared some patients. We saw a man and lady in the reception. A green substance was foaming in the man’s mouth. Curiously, a cameraman was also recording the scene. Later the man came to my unit and wiped his mouth, saying it was a prank. This got me angry. Other staff joined and called our Managing Director, who reported it to the DPO, who arrested them,” Ijeoma said.

Reacting one of the suspects, Shandi said they acted the script to sensitise the public to the danger of the disease which has killed 250 people mainly in China.

Shandi, who gave the name of their medium as Television Nigeria, insisted they were not criminals.

He also admitted they erred in not seeking the permission from the hospital before dramatising the corona virus script.

Former militants in the Niger Delta yesterday lamented that the original design of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) had been perverted, thus regretting their decision to accept the peace deal brokered in 2009.

The former warlords alleged that the previous and present administrators had abused the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs in the last decade.

The National Coordinator of Ijaws in Oil and Gas, Mr, Ebipams Johnny at a meeting in Warri yesterday, said the amnesty programme “has become a programme for rural women rather than for former militants who laid down their arms in the interest of peace.”

The administration of former President Umaru Yar ’Adua had initiated the programme to end violence in the region.

But after the meeting, the national coordinator lamented the abuse of the original design of the PAP, which he claimed, had been turned into a program for rural women and compromised the peace process in the Niger Delta.

He claimed that many ex-militants “have regretted accepting the PAP on the ground that they are yet to be integrated back to the society; a process which was originally put in place to ensure that the youths are gainfully employed by the IOCs. This was the originating factor to the crisis in 2009.”

He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to replace the Coordinator of the PAP, Prof. Charles Dokubo with a former warlord as Chief

Dennis the Coordinator of the PAP in order to promote enduring and lasting peace in the Niger Delta.

He said appointing Otuaro as the coordinator of the PAP would mean a transformation of the programme.

He stressed as a product of the struggle, he would know what to do to revamp the programme.

He noted that as a body of professionals in the core sector that “drives the entire economy of this nation, Oil and Gas, we are concerned that the evil days will resurface if care is not taken.

Hence, according to Otuaro, we are calling on President Buhari to holistically look at engaging these former militants who are product of the struggle that has to do with Niger Delta.

If appointed that the national coordinator noted that the amnesty programme “will bring lasting peace to the Niger Delta. Otuaro was part of the struggle that brought about the amnesty programme in the Niger Delta. He understands the plight of the people better than the present coordinator.”

“We do not want to be in our platforms and oil rig working in fear. We are calling on Buhari to get the youths of the Niger Delta engaged in the PAP; youths who have been part of the struggle and not some classroom Professor who don’t understand anything about the struggle.

“As a body of professionals in the core sector that drives the entire economy of Nigeria, we are concerned that the evil days will re-surface if care is not taken. President Buhari needs to holistically look at engaging these youths who are product of the struggle in handling the affairs of the Niger Delta.”

86

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2020 •T H I S D AY

87

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşËœ 2020

SUNDAYSPORTS

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

Mourinho, Guardiola Clash Again as City Visit Spurs

T

he pick of this weekend’s Premier League action will take place in London today as Tottenham Hotspur welcome Manchester City.

Spurs are currently sixth in the Premier League table, seven points off fourth-placed Chelsea, while reigning champions City occupy second, some 22 points behind runaway leaders Liverpool.

Adding extra spice to the match is the face-off between age-old rivals Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola.

It has certainly not been plain sailing for Mourinho since the Portuguese replaced Mauricio Pochettino as Tottenham boss in the latter stages of 2019, although the club will feel that they are very much in the argument for fourth position as things stand.

A four-game winless run in the league between December 28 and January 18 saw them lose some ground on the teams around them, but the capital side picked up a huge three points at home to Norwich City on January 22.

As it stands, Spurs are sixth in the Premier League table, level on points with fifth-placed Manchester United and six behind Chelsea (before the weekend), who still sit fourth despite losing eight league matches this term.

Harry Kane’s absence following hamstring surgery has harmed Tottenham, and the club didn’t secure a striker on deadline day despite a host of speculation.

It is a busy period of the season for Mourinho’s side as they face an FA Cup fourth-round replay against Southampton next week before travelling to Aston Villa in the league on February 16. Then comes the first leg of their last-16 Champions League clash against an impressive RB Leipzig side three days later.

Anew striker might not have arrived this month, but Spurs announced the signing of Steven Bergwijn from PSV Eindhoven earlier this week. The 22-year-old has managed five goals and 10 assists in 16 Eredivisie appearances this season and will be involved in some capacity against City.

Spurs are actually winless in their last six Premier League meetings with City, though, and have not

Mourinho (left) and Guardiola will renew their rivalry again

beaten them on home soil since October 2016, which is an indication of the size of their task this weekend.

What’s more, Tottenham have only claimed one point from a possible 18 this season against teams above them in the table heading into this today’s game. They have also kept just two clean sheets in

17 games under Mourinho, which will certainly hand City huge confidence heading into the match.

Mourinho will surely relish the chance to lock horns with Guardiola once again, but the Portuguese will certainly be wary of the type of damage that the champions could inflict in the English capital.

Unless something quite staggering occurs, City will not be retaining the Premier League title. Indeed, they sat 19 points behind leaders Liverpool on the same number of matches, meaning that only a serious collapse from Jurgen Klopp’s side will prevent them from winning the championship.

Liverpool Set Record, Extend Lead to 22 Points

Karim Benzema is the second top scorer in La Liga with 13 goals only one behind Lionel Messi

Liverpool opened up the biggest lead by any team at the end of a day in English topight history with an emphatic victory over Southampton - but manager Jurgen Klopp says his side are“not even close to being perfectâ€?.

The Reds extended their advantage in the Premier League to 22 points over secondplaced Manchester City, with a 4-0 win against Southampton at AnďŹ eld.

They have also equalled City’s record of 20 consecutive Premier League wins at home and only Bill Shankly’s Liverpool team in 1972 had

a longer winning streak on home soil in English top-ight history. “We’re not even close to being perfect. We just look to use our skills in the best possible way.The boys have done that for a while pretty good and that’s why we have these numbers,â€? said Klopp. “We didn’t want a 22-point lead. We wanted 73 points at the end of today.â€?

Four second-half goals gave Liverpool a victory that extends their unbeaten run in the league to 42 games and means they have

Benzema Goal Decides Kenin Wins Australian Open Madrid Derby Karim Benzema scored the only goal as Real beat Atletico in the Madrid derby to go six points clear at the top of La Liga yesterday. The French striker converted Ferland Mendy’s cross from six yards out to give Real a deserved win.

Fifth-placed Atletico, who have not won in five games, were disappointing, although Angel Correa hit the post.

Real could have won by more with halftime substitute Vinicius Jr forcing two saves from Jan Oblak. Gareth Bale was left out of the squad despite being fit.

Zinedine Zidane’s side are now unbeaten in 21 games and have won eight in a row - including a penalty shootout success over Atletico in the Spanish Super Cup. Second-placed Barcelona host Levante on Sunday (20:00 GMT).

American SoďŹ a Kenin fulďŹ lled her potential by winning a ďŹ rst Grand Slam title with victory over Spain’s Garbine Muguruza at the Australian Open yesterday.

Kenin won 4-6 6-2 6-2 against two-time major winner Muguruza in Melbourne.

The 21-year-old was a child prodigy, who started making television appearances from the age of ďŹ ve and hitting with the stars soon after. “My dream has ofďŹ cially come true,â€?said Kenin, the eighth ďŹ rst-time women’s champion in the past 12 Slams. “Dreams come true. If you have a dream then go for it - it will come true.These two weeks have been the best two weeks of my life.â€?

Kenin, who turned 21 in November, is the youngest Australian Open champion since Russian Maria Sharapova in 2008.

The American 14th seed was gifted victory when Muguruza produced a double fault on the second match point - the Spaniard’s third of the game and eighth of the match.

Kenin dropped her racquet to the court and covered

Kenin

her face in shock, before going over to the opposite corner where her dad - and coach - Alex was sitting.

The pair warmly cupped hands before she returned to the court, spinning around and lifting her arms up towards him again in a gesture which summed up her shock.

picked up 100 points from the last 102 available.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored the opener against Southampton just after half time - his second goal in as many league matches - when he drilled the ball low into the bottom corner.

Reds’skipper Jordan Henderson made it 2-0 on the hour mark with a calm ďŹ nish after being set up by Roberto Firmino.

Henderson then played in Mohamed Salah for Liverpool’s third and the Egypt forward added a fourth from close range in the last minute.

The scoreline was harsh on the visitors, who matched Liverpool for much of the ďŹ rst hour with Danny Ings going close in the ďŹ rst half and Shane Long also denied by home keeper Alisson.

It was Southampton’s ďŹ rst away defeat in ďŹ ve games and they fall to 11th place.

RESULTS & FIXTURES Leicester

2–2

Chelsea

Bournemouth

2–1

Aston Villa

Crystal Palace

–1

SheÍżeld 8nited

Liverpool

4–0

Southampton

Newcastle

0–0

Norwich City

Watford

2–

Everton

West Ham

–

Brighton

0an 8nited

0–0

Wolves

Real 0adrid

1–0

Atl 0adrid

-uventus

v

Fiorentina 12 0pm

Burnley

v

Arsenal

Tottenham

v

0an City 0pm

8dinese

v

Inter

4 pm

Barcelona

v

Levante

9pm

pm

Sunday February 2, 2020

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N400

MISSILE

Ex-militants to Buhari “We are calling on President Buhari to get the youths of the Niger Delta engaged in the Presidential Amnesty Programme; youths who have been part of the struggle and not some classroom professors who don't understand anything about the struggle” – Former Niger Delta militnany calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to overhaul the amnesty programme to achieve the objective for which it was created.

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

Insecurity in the Land

M

r Festus Keyamo, minister of state for labour and employment, gave one of the most sensible responses to criticism by an official of the Muhammadu Buhari administration on Friday. Reacting to calls for the president to resign over growing insecurity in the country, Keyamo said: “The hullabaloo over the call by the opposition for the resignation of the President is unnecessary.

It’s the usual singsong of opposition all over the world. They know it’s not going to happen.”

Fair enough. Then he added what I had been longing to hear from a Buhari aide in a long while: “It’s just a way of telling government to do more and we in government should see it in that light.”

Is it me or is there someone else appalled by the way presidential spokespersons and government officials like to talk down on Nigerians? The role of government spokespersons is to communicate with — not talk down on — the citizens. But there seems to be a race to the bottom by presidential spokespersons. Anytime they open their mouths or punch their keyboards, it seems there is a competition to determine who can utter the vilest insults. I believe this militant brand of spokesmanship started in 2010 in the heat of the controversy over “zoning” (power rotation) after President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s death. It has since become the culture and tradition in Aso Rock.

Asking the president to resign is a standard practice in democracies, as Keyamo pointed out, although I disagree with his suggestion that it is only the opposition that does it.

There are non-partisan citizens who also do.

It is very important to make this distinction because while you can take the words of opposition as an attempt to play politics, you cannot treat every critic of the president as an opponent. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP), who started the #BuhariResign call, did not ask President Goodluck Jonathan to resign when Boko Haram was attacking Abuja, Kano and Kaduna at will — so you can say he was making a political statement and I won’t argue over that.

However, there are millions of Nigerians who voted for Buhari because they genuinely believed that as a retired army general, he stood a better chance of winning the war against terror, compared to Jonathan whom many thought was being sabotaged by the military establishment. If those who toiled night and day and stood in long queues to vote Buhari into power are expressing disappointment at his inability to secure the country, I think they earned the right to be angry. I do not think that the reward for their trust should be the broad, acidic tongue-lashing by presidential aides who are unable to distinguish between partisan and non-partisan criticisms.

No matter what anybody says, the truth today is that Nigeria is getting increasingly insecure.

How many people are confident enough to drive on interstate roads? Armed robbers are beginning to look like nice guys, compared to the murderous bandits, kidnappers and terrorists who have taken over the highways.

How many politicians can confidently go to their village without harbouring fears of

Buhari

kidnap? Those who travel by train from Abuja to Kaduna are facing a new huddle: bandits are now waiting for them on arrival. They think they are dodging a bullet by not plying the Abuja-Kaduna highway, but it seems there is no hiding place for anyone anymore.

And while we are at it, Boko Haram has remained unrelenting. They scored a very cheap point recently when they killed Rev Lawan Andimi, a Christian cleric from Adamawa state. This has re-ignited public anger and put the terrorists back on the screen. The bandits and terrorists are all over the north wreaking havoc, killing villagers in the most barbaric way and abducting those they consider to have high kidnap value, including traditional rulers. When you put all these together, you are tempted to think armed robbery is child’s play. The scariest thing is that there appears to be no end in sight. In many villages, Nigerians live in fear, expecting the sound of the next gunshot.

It is not as if we have not recorded any progress in the fight against insecurity. At the rate Boko Haram was advancing in 2013 and 2014, we would have lost at least three states to them long ago. Abuja residents had nasty doses of Boko Haram barbarism with two Nyanya bombings, an attack on the police headquarters and an explosion at Emab Plaza. People were killed or maimed in their hundreds. Kano residents were constantly in fear of attacks that targeted Friday mosques. Kaduna and Niger residents were not spared the traumatic anxiety. No honest person can say the situation is the same today, but, sadly, the insurgents are still striking in the north-east.

Of course, we did not get here overnight.

Banditry in northern Nigeria had been building up for ages. As far back as 1990, I can remember that Col Mohamed Buba Marwa, as military administrator of the old Borno state, set up “Operation Zaki” — the first joint military patrol in the country, I think — to tackle the bandits, who always came to steal, to kill and to destroy. They terrorised travellers on federal highways. Colonel Joseph Akaagerger also set up a similar highway patrol as military administrator of Katsina state in 1998. The word then was that the bandits were foreign rebels who regularly invaded the country to pile up cash. Whatever it was, the seed germinated.

Looking back today, I would say this was

one of the things that prepared the ground for Boko Haram and the widespread banditry in the north as well as other forms of criminality in the country. The criminality mutated and produced different species. It is like the four stages of metamorphosis in holometabolous insects — egg, larva, pupa and imago. We live in a country where unemployment and poverty have been ruining the social fabric and breeding criminals. This is worsened by the weak and compromised security ecosystem — either we are talking about the quality and integrity of the personnel or the state of the equipment.

It is just not fit for purpose.

What is the way forward? I wish I knew.

One thing for sure, though: President Buhari can do a lot better than this, and I am trying to put it nicely. For the life of me, I cannot understand why he has stubbornly retained his team of tired service chiefs, all of whom should be enjoying their retirement benefits by now. Their course mates in military school — from whom they normally enjoy loyalty and support — have retired, leaving them largely disconnected from their subordinates who are apparently demoralised knowing that they cannot aspire to lead the forces before they are retired while their seniors remain in active service. No system can work this way.

Another thing is that when crimes appear to be intractable, it is always wise to suspect possible complicity on the part of the personnel of the security agencies. The very lucrative kidnap industry, for instance, is a form of organised crime with a network of syndicates.

How do you explain a situation where the police mount roadblocks in distances of five kilometres apart and kidnappers still operate in between the roadblocks? It shouldn’t take a genius to figure things out. We have a broken system that permeates every segment and every section of the society — and this is why I think if we don’t overhaul things decisively, it is as good as pouring water into a basket.

Can Buhari do more? Definitely. He promised to secure the country. It is his job to do so, even if he didn’t promise it. Nigerians, both the mighty and the lowly, are fast losing faith in the ability of the state to protect them. The fundamental function of government is to avert anarchy and secure lives and property. I do not suggest that Buhari has been sleeping on the job as many say, but I am very worried that I can’t see the sense of urgency, none that can match the state of insecurity, with several parts of Nigeria regularly coming under attack. The least Buhari can do is overhaul his security team and breathe a new life into it. He should also get help from wherever he can.

Should Buhari resign as demanded by Abaribe? If I am sure Boko Haram, bandits and kidnappers will disappear as soon as he resigns, I will quickly raise up my hand in support. But I don’t see how his resignation will solve any problem. We are dealing with a broken socio-economic and security system that has become an albatross on our neck.

However, we have been spending billions of dollars on security and cannot claim, without flinching, that we have been getting value for money. That shows something is not working. We cannot be boasting that we have “technically” defeated Boko Haram today and still be promising to defeat Boko Haram tomorrow. Something is wrong.

And Four Other Things…

OKADA BAN The Lagos government has banned the operations of commercial motorcyclists and tricyclists in 15 councils and restricted them to certain routes. This, the government said, is for health and safety reasons, in addition to fighting insecurity.

How is this different from the ban imposed

by Governor Babatunde Fashola in 2012?

Is the solution to the okada menace another ban or enforcement of the ban?

How can we stop enriching police officers who have been extorting these guys in enforcing the ban? Actually, banning okada is the easiest part of the job. Tackling the resultant unemployment is another matter.

Prediction: there will be more crimes in Lagos. Inevitable.

NO IMMIGRANTS The US has finally placed a ban on immigrant visas for Nigerians and nationals of six other countries over the failure to comply with its established identity-management and information-sharing criteria. The good news is that the regular visas, such as B1/ B2, are not affected, even if successful applications could become fewer.

Applicants for US immigrant visas have indeed been experiencing restrictions recently. Already, there is a ban on birth tourism — effectively meaning foreign women can no longer travel to the US to give birth to get citizenship for their babies. This will affect most countries.

Those who find a way round it will certainly be penalised some other way. Trumped.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN Prof Ishaq Akintola, director of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), says he has been receiving death threats over his comments on Amotekun. He has been complaining about the “marginalisation” of Muslims “who are in the majority in the south-west”.

Last year, he complained that there were too many Christian governors in the region, and now he has said Amotekun is a “Christian militia”, even insisting that the name of the regional security outfit is from the Bible.

However, no matter how annoying anybody finds his statements (and they could be very annoying), threatening his life is completely unacceptable. Freedom of speech is a constitutional right. Non-negotiable.

BABY FACTORY Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, the member of house of reps from Doguwa/Tudun Wada federal constituency, Kano state, set the social media ablaze on Wednesday when he advertised to the world his four wives and 27 children. “I am still counting,” he boasted, meaning the factory has not been decommissioned. To put things in perspective, Doguwa — a first-class product of mass communication from the Bayero University Kano — has always been in government, either by appointment or election, since he finished his national youth service. He is somebody you can call “indigene of government”. And, oh dear, government is sweet! Parasitism.

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja .

All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3085, 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com