SUNDAY 16TH FEBRUARY 2020

BPE Insists Non-cost Reflective Tariff Hurting Electricity Sector Says MDAs heavily indebted to the power companies Canvasses robust institutional framework to be led by VP Obinna Chima The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has reiterated that a cost reflective tariff structure must be developed

and implemented to solve the perennial electricity problem in the country and make the sector financially viable. BPE said the electricity market had been haemorrhaging badly

needed money due to lack of cost reflective tariff. It said heavy debts by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government were also hampering the growth

of the power sector.

Those assertions were contained in a recent report, titled, “Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) Reform: Processes, Challenges

and the Way Forward,” which the BPE presented to the National Economic Council (NEC) Ad-hoc Committee on the Power Sector, a copy of which was obtained by

THISDAY at the weekend.

BPE pointed out in the report that the federal government’s inability to follow through its Continued on page 5

Bandits Kill 30 in Fresh Attacks on Katsina Communities…Page 5 Sunday 16 February, 2020 Vol 25. No 9078

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No Respite for Diri Yet as Alaibe’s Petition Ups Ante Dickson mulls senate ambition PDP may drag Degi-Eremienyo to court for perjury Chuks Okocha in Abuja Despite being sworn in on Friday as governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri would have no respite from

the political controversy that surrounded his inauguration, THISDAY has learnt..

The Supreme Court had on Thursday awarded the governorship to PDP, which

had Diri as candidate in the November 16 governorship poll in the state. The apex court’s decision denied Chief David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress (APC),

who had been declared winner of the election and governorelect by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the post.

But the decision has also

opened a new opportunity for those who lost out in the contentious primary that produced Diri as PDP candidate. The petition against Diri’s emergence as

PDP candidate by a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ndutimi Continued on page 5

Insecurity: Presidency Cautions Opposition over Planned Protest Stop the blackmail, PDP fires back Chuks Okocha and Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja An alleged plan to stage public protests tomorrow on the state of insecurity in the country has drawn a swift condemnation from the presidency. The protest is also said to be aimed against the continued retention of service chiefs by President Muhammadu Buhari. This is causing concerns about the politicisation of the military and command appointments, with the president’s spokesman accusing the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of sponsoring the march.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, claimed in a statement yesterday that the Presidency received reports that the opposition had hired 2,000 men and women to embarrass the Buhari government through street protests on Monday, February 17.

But PDP fired back last Continued on page 5

OPPOSITION UNITED BY BURIAL...

L–R: Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel; Vice President ,Yemi Osinbajo; Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi; Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed; and Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, in Akwa Ibom State yesterday for the burial ceremony of the father of Gov. Udom, Late Elder Gabriel Emmanuel.

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Bandits Kill 30 in Fresh Attacks on Katsina Communities

Our villages now under siege, residents lament Police pledge to fish out perpetrators

Francis Sardauna in Katsina No fewer than 30 persons have been killed in a fresh attack launched by suspected armed bandits in Tsauwa and Dankar villages of Batsari Local Government Areas, Katsina State.

According to residents of

the villages, the suspected bandits, numbering about 50 on motorcycles launched the fresh onslaught on the villages at about 6:45pm, which rendered many of them homeless.

They claimed that the attack on the villages forced hundreds of residents to flee

their ancestral homes to Batsari, the headquarters of Batsari local government area.

While the bandits met stiff resistance in Dankar from the security operatives and residents, the residents claimed that they had a field day in Tsauwa where they sacked the villages,

destroyed and looted shops and rustled an unspecified numbers of cattle.

The state governor, Alhaji Aminu Masari had granted amnesty to bandits after a tour to Fulani settlements and strong enclaves of the bandits in Rugu Forest on September 4-9, 2019

during which the bandits and forest commanders denounced banditry and accepted peace.

Other governors of states in the North-west had adopted the peace initiative after a peace summit the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu convened in Katsina.

The initiative had culminated in discussions with representatives of the bandits from the affected States of Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, Kaduna and Zamfara States.

from his campaign organisation, said the electoral process was “flawed” and “manipulated” and that he was “brazenly robbed of victory”.

He filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Yenogoa, seeking the cancellation of the result of the primary. PDP, Diri, and INEC were among the defendants in the suit.

The suit filed pursuant to Order 3(9) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, seeks answers to questions bordering on obvious non-adherence to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act 2010, the PDP Constitution and Election Guidelines, by the Bayelsa State chapter of the party in the conduct of the Ward Congresses, inclusion of local government council officials

in the delegates list, and the procedure for inclusion of three ad-hoc delegates.

“Citing specific sections of relevant laws and guidelines, Alaibe is asking the court to examine the entire processes that resulted in the primaries and rule in his favour in the light of violations committed in a desperate move to impose a pre-determined, hand-picked candidate on the people out of 21 aspirants,” said the statement, which was signed by the administrative secretary of the campaign organisation, Seiyefa Brisibe.

It was later gathered from insiders that PDP was determined to have Alaibe replace Diri in the Senate, since both are from the same senatorial district, while Dickson seemed set to replace the deputy

governor. But one of the sources said Alaibe was yet to make his position known.

But as it appeared, PDP might have resolved to take Degi-Eremienyo to court following alleged forgery in his academic qualifications, which was why the Supreme Court invalidated his candidacy and, by extension, Lyon’s. The PDP is said to be pursuing a case of perjury against him.

Meanwhile, all is set for the Supreme Court to hear on Tuesday the application for a review of its judgement on the Imo State governorship election, brought by Ihedioha.

Ihedioha is seeking his return as the duly elected governor of Imo State. His application, though not unprecedented, is the last resort and its outcome would be final.

Publicity Secretary of PDP Kola Ologbondiyan said the Buhari Presidency was only trying to divert attention by blackmailing the media and opposition. It said the government had lost the capacity to face Nigerians because of its failure to deal with those behind acts of insurgency, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and escalated violence under its watch.

PDP stated, "It is clear to all, including even the Buhari Presidency, that Nigerians, across board, have been in protest against the Buhari-led APC administration and needed nobody to mobilise them to publicly exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights any day to register their discontentment against a failed administration that has continued to live on propaganda, excuses and denials."

The opposition party reiterated its demand that the security high command should be rejigged to inject new blood that would help to effectively tackle the security challenges. Many, including the

two chambers of the National Assembly, have canvassed this position.

PDP said, "Accusing the opposition and threatening the media are, therefore, diversionary and apparently aimed to validate alleged plots by agents of governments to clamp down on innocent Nigerians, the media, and members of the civil society to suppress and foist a siege mentality on Nigerians."

The party said the accusation was part of a ploy by the Buhari Presidency to intimidate PDP into abandoning its demand that the Buhari administration should be alive to its responsibility of securing the country or step aside for more competent hands.

"Our party holds that instead of resorting to fabrications, blackmail and threats, a responsive and concerned administration should rather listen to the people, stop its blackmail, propaganda, denials and excuses; take urgent steps to rejig its security architecture and end the escalated bloodletting under its watch," PDP maintained.

is to be chaired by the Vice President and made up of heads of relevant ministries and agencies.”

BPE explained that the role of the committee would be to monitor and coordinate the deliverables in the power sector, adding that it would also eliminate obstacles and bottlenecks in the attainment of agreed targets.

The first assignment of the committee, BPE said, would be to ensure the power sector recovery plan approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) was diligently and vigorously implemented.

“The power sector plan clearly defined policy actions, operational and financial interventions meant to restore the financial viability of the power sector bedevilled by liquidity crisis,” it stated,

explaining, “The issues raised are germane to the socioeconomic development of this country. Without resolving the power crisis, Nigeria will remain underdeveloped, with no major educational, industrial or agricultural development.”

The bureau said, “All hands must be on deck working in the same direction to implement the power sector recovery plan approved by the FEC. Nigeria can solve the power deficit challenges under the current leadership. For that to happen, political leadership at the highest level must make the required bold and ambitious moves.

“After all, New Delhi from where we adapted our distribution companies’ privatisation model went through same pains we are going through today.”

Continued on page 9

NO RESPITE FOR DIRI YET AS ALAIBE’S PETITION UPS ANTE Alaibe, is still pending at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

In a related development, the immediate past governor of the state, Hon. Seriake Dickson, is said to be positioning himself to replace the newly sworn in deputy governor, Lawrence Ehrudjakpor, in the Senate.

Dickson and Ehrudjakpor are from the same senatorial district.

This is as PDP is alleged to have concluded plans to charge with perjury the APC deputy governorship candidate, Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, whose alleged certificate forgery cost his party an election it had overwhelmingly won. PDP would be pressing for the enforcement of the Supreme Court judgement against Degi-Eremienyo.

In another development, the Supreme Court will on Tuesday

hear the application for a review of its judgement on the Imo State governorship election filed by sacked Emeka Ihedioha.

Sources close to Alaibe told THISDAY that he still had his case against the emergence of Diri as PDP candidate in the September 3, 2019 governorship primary of the party. Alaibe’s grouse was that PDP allowed local government chairmen and councillors to vote during the primary elections, when the party’s guidelines did not allow elected chairmen and councillors elected within 90 days to the election to vote during the governorship primaries.

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, who was at the time in acting capacity, had approved the request by Alaibe for the transfer of his suit against

Diri to Abuja.

The presiding judge of the Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Justice Jane Inyang, while announcing her decision to accede to the directive of Muhammad, said the decision was based on the request by Alaibe, dated September 27, 2019 and received by her court on October 10, 2019.

Inyang said Alaibe’s letter did not question the credibility of the Federal High Court but expressed security concern in the state. She had, therefore, declared, “I hereby transfer the case.”

Diri, a senator backed by Dickson, had won the primary election. Diri scored 561 votes to defeat Alaibe, who came second with 365 votes.

Before going to court after the primaries, Alaibe, in a statement

INSECURITY: PRESIDENCY CAUTIONS OPPOSITION OVER PLANNED PROTEST night, saying the government should face its self-inflicted ordeal. It advised the administration to address the collective concerns of Nigerians over its poor handling of security issues, instead of seeking to blackmail the opposition and the media.

However, contending that the protests were meant to mislead and incite the public against the service chiefs, Shehu said PDP had planned a repeat of its recent protest march against the government and the Supreme Court at foreign embassies.

He said the plan was to create the impression that Nigerians supported the idea that the opposition sought to promote.

The statement read, “The Presidency wishes to caution a section of the political class against misleading the public and inciting protests against the heads of military institutions.

This has become necessary in view of received reports that about 2, 000 men and women have been hired to demonstrate against Nigeria's service chiefs

on Monday.

“This imminent gathering is the latest in a series of demonstrations orchestrated by the opposition to embarrass the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. As part of this overall scheme, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with its belligerent politics, has been marching from one embassy to the other in protest against the Buhari administration and the nation’s highest court of justice, the Supreme Court.

"They are keen to give the impression that Nigerians are in support of them as they take to the streets, and they will go to any length to promote this false narrative."

He also alleged that the booing of the president in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Wednesday by residents, when Buhari made a stopover in the city to commiserate with the government and people of the state over the killing of 30 travellers in Auno, near Maiduguri, was part of the agenda.

Shehu alleged that those

who booed Buhari in the town on Wednesday were hired by members of the opposition, whom he accused of promoting the news with the intention of embarrassing the president.

He further alleged that some politicians, who had benefitted from Boko Haram insurgency were mobilising people financially to be part of the protests.

The statement said regarding the protest, "The recent incident in Maiduguri, Borno State, where an overwhelmingly cheering crowd gathered to welcome President Buhari, while a handful were recorded booing him, is a part of this elaborate scheme. It is misleading, as some analysts have tried to do, to read this as verdict against President Buhari, who emerged winner with 94 per cent of the votes cast in the presidential election in the state in February last year.

"This was clearly a hired few, but the news was promoted by the opposition, who had, of course, positioned themselves to record the booing – all just to embarrass the President.

We urge the media to remain unbiased and discerning in their reporting, instead of becoming unwitting tools in the hands of the opposition.

"A group of politicians and beneficiaries of the Boko Haram insurgency are right now paying for people to join their planned protest against our country's service chiefs, and they will no doubt seek the media's collaboration on this as usual.

"But there is news and there is promoted content – two very different things – one of which should never make the headlines as these recent fake protests have done."

But PDP warned the Presidency to desist from blackmailing the opposition and the media. It said threats and allegations by the Buhari government that the opposition was behind the looming protest were derisory, self-indicting, diversionary, and showed the confusion that pervaded the Buhari Presidency in the face of discontentment by Nigerians.

A statement by National

BPE INSISTS NON-COST REFLECTIVE TARIFF HURTING ELECTRICITY SECTOR commitments had affected the Performance Agreements (PAs), frowning on the refusal of parties to adhere to commitments made before the handover.

The bureau recommended the creation of a robust institutional framework that would be ad-hoc in nature, made up of critical actors, and chaired by the Vice President, as a first step towards resolution of the power crisis.

THISDAY had reported recently that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) was working towards the implementation of a costreflective tariff in the electricity sector.

In the report, BPE said its analysis had revealed that the power sector would require funding to the tune of $7.6 billion

over a five-year period, stressing that there is a correlation between energy consumption and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita.

It listed other major challenges facing the sector to include withdrawal of the transitional subsidy support and dumping of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)-backed Nigeria Electricity Market Stabilisation Facility (NEMSF) on the balance sheet of the Distribution Companies (Discos).

BPE also cited the major shift in Nigeria’s macroeconomic indicators (exchange rate, inflation) and lack of stable regulatory environment as factors hurting the electricity sector. It expressed dismay at the grave shortfall in power generation in the country, which averaged about 3,500 megawatts in the past 10 years, and the

liquidity crisis in the sector. The agency lamented that Discos collected only about 30 per cent of market requirements.

BPE said regulatory inconsistency over the years had weighed down the sector.

According to the agency, “There is transmission system constraints, where the network can only wheel about 5,000 MW in reality. An independent analysis by Siemens indicated that the existing ‘last mile’ distribution capacity in the operation is about twice as high as the peak supply delivered

by TCN to the respective distribution.

“There is also lack of proper coordination of the public sector agencies involved in the power sector and the refusal of parties to adhere strictly to commitments made before handover.”

The bureau said there was an urgent need for implementation of the power sector recovery plan.

It said, “The challenges to the power sector are as old as Nigeria. To solve them, the political leadership must be committed, have sincerity of purpose and the will to take hard decisions.

“The Nigeria goal is to provide universal access to power for Nigerians by 2030.

To achieve that, we must have a roadmap and a policy that will attract private sector investment, human capital and an institutional framework to reach set goals.

“The first step in resolving the power logjam is the need to create a robust institutional framework that is ad-hoc in nature and made up of critical actors. The committee

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FEBRUARY 16, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

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SUNDAY COMMENT

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

INEC AND PARTY DEREGISTRATION INEC is right to set limits: the fewer the parties, the better for democratic choice

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hile it is good to have a liberal law that, at least on the surface, encourages popular participation, it is also important for all the relevant stakeholders, including those in the media, civil society and National Assembly to understand the full implications of having dozens of political parties on the ballot in an environment such as ours. Beyond the logistical nightmare of administering such elections without creating room for endless litigations that we have witnessed over the years, a largely illiterate electorate will find Democratic choice it difficult making informed choices in even among the a situation where too most enlightened many parties and candidates are on the electorate tends to be binary: either ballot. many apples or oranges. ofAlthough these political But even under parties that represent no more than the a multi-party personal interests arrangement, a of their promotmaximum upper ers have indicated limit that is going to court, it is important that they be robust enough to checkmated. What has accommodate all clear in Nigeria ideological options become today is the increasing makes more sense desperation for power not necessarily to advance public good but rather to target the enormous spoils of office that are attached to political positions at all levels of governance. It is this same reason that drives the establishment of political parties that have, for all practical purposes, become business ventures.

It is in light of the foregoing that we endorse the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister 74 political parties, based on Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Nigeria, according to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, had 91 political parties before the 2019 general election with another one registered by court order after the election, making a total of 92 political parties. He added that the last alteration to the 1999 Constitution in 2018 specifically empowers INEC to

Letters to the Editor

deregister political parties on the following grounds: Breach of any of the requirements for registration as a political party; failure to win at least 25% of the votes cast in one state of the federation in a presidential election or 25% of the votes cast in one local government area in a governorship election and failure to win at least one ward in a chairmanship election, one seat in the National or State Assembly election or one seat in a councillorship election.

T

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

he right of people to form parties and have them registered does not reduce the obligation of INEC to regulate the criteria for retaining their registration. Even if people have the right to form political parties, proliferation is counterproductive to our democracy. For one, these new parties (like the old ones) are not built around any ideology or interest group and from past experience, they are unlikely to exert any remarkable influence good enough to win elections.

That then explains why the nation must recover its senses.

While the parties have a right to exist, INEC has just exercised its obligation to regulate in line with extant rules. The commission has compelling reasons to do so. For years, INEC has been burdened with repeat elections that are needless and that trend has only multiplied as the number of political parties and candidates grew. Under what is termed “unlawful exclusion”, elections can be - and are often - nullified on several grounds, including a wrong spelling of names, even if such candidates were electoral no-hopers. In terms of logistics and cost to INEC, managing close to 100 parties is a nightmare.

For the sake of growing our democracy therefore, the fewer the parties, the better for democratic choice. It is for INEC to prescribe a new, more restrictive set of criteria for party registration. These will need to be written into a revised electoral law so that those deregistered after an election do not, on the eve of another, seek and secure fresh registrations.

As we have argued in the past, there is a fundamental reason why the best democracies gravitates around two major parties. Democratic choice even among the most enlightened electorate tends to be binary: either apples or oranges. But even under a multi-party arrangement, a maximum upper limit that is robust enough to accommodate all ideological options makes more sense. Core belief, national presence, spread of membership and basic infrastructure and not the whims of individuals should guide party registration.

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

Nigeria And The Challenge of Climate Change

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umbers are eternally fixed. Two is two and five is five. Two is not five and five is not two.

Their combinations often produce infinite results.

Two plus two cannot be 22 and five plus five cannot be 55. When five plus five begins to be 55, we will not need a rocket scientist to know that the numbers are going crazy, and pulling the world along with it in a relentless seizure. Yet, isn’t it real that our world as we know it is already spinning out of control right before our eyes? Isn’t it real that the numbers are not adding up and their infinite factors are experiencing challenges today?

Let’s talk about our environment. About a decade ago, the world learnt from scientific data that we were already at a

tipping point of climate change.

Part of recommendations from scientists to mitigate the unpleasant prospects of climate change was for global climate action plan aimed at a gradual disengagement from reliance on fossil fuels and to replace it with a lifestyle based on renewable energies. So that the numbers may add up eventually, research into reducing reliance on fossil fuels is ongoing, and if the news is not fake, Europe and the Americas will soon begin to run their cars on batteries, water and other renewable energies.

All of this is a product of ongoing diurnal and nocturnal research and activism taking place across key cities, seeking to situate the issues and raise the level of awareness and preparedness if the apocalypse

hits.

Our earth is burning up.

Australia has been up in flames, sea levels are rising and five plus five is becoming 55. In the light of these global occurrences, does Nigeria see the big picture and her place in it? Is anyone, any policymaker, formulator or executor actually feeling today’s unusual heat, something we all inoculate ourselves from, with our air-conditioned spaces – our rooms, our cars and our offices? Has anyone in authority, after the ban on the okada or kekenapeps actually taken a walk around and felt the direct heat on top of the heads of Nigerians?

But I guess not, and we suppose this goes a long way to vindicate those seeking to change the narrative around

the concept of ‘Climate Change’ to a ‘climate challenge’. We note that our nonchalance and our irregular pose concerning issues related to the climate challenge surely baffles the rest of the world. How are the numbers ever going to add up for a country earning fantastic monies from that same commodity the world holds responsible for climate change, yet fails to invest in or take a strong position on issues related to renewable energy?

And of course it is not hard to say that Europe is eager to claim ownership of the climate campaigns because of our lukewarm attitude on the issues.

In nearly all the meetings that have taken place at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), Nigeria has been laid back and happy to let South Africa and Kenya take the lead, and

to let Uganda be cropped from climate change photos. Ours has basically been aloofness taken to odd levels and based on the specious argument that it is the West that precipitated the climate issues and should handle it.

In Nigeria in the year 2019, the rains fell almost non-stop at the coastal cities, and right up till Christmas. If we say this is normal, we may want to find out why it is as hot now in the coastal cities in Nigeria in 2020 as in some parts in Nigeria like Borno, Sokoto and Kebbi, known to have relatively high temperatures at this time of the year. Why has Nigeria’s voice not been heard over the years as a key player on climate issues?

––Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku, deputy executive director, Civil Empowerment & Rule of Law Support Initiative.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͯʹ˜ 2020

NEWS

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

APC Asks INEC to Conduct Fresh Governorship Election in Bayelsa Tobi Soniyi The All Progressives Congress has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh governorship election in Bayelsa State.

The party in a letter to the commission said the swearing-in of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party as governor was unconstitutional as he did not meet the mandatory constitutional requirement.

The national chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, who wrote the letter said the party accepted the supremacy of the Supreme Court nullification of its governorship candidate’s victory, but argued that the sworn-in

candidate, Duoye Diri, also failed to meet the mandatory requirement to become the governor.

The letter, which was forwarded to the national chairman of INEC, was titled,’ Judgement in Appeal No: SC.1/2020 between Peoples

LET US KEEP FAITH ...

L-R: Former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi ; former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and wife, Patience Jonathan at the burial of Mr. Gabriel Emmanuel, Governor Udom Emmanuel’s father at Onna Akwa Ibom, yesterday

Democratic Party Request for conduct of fresh governorship election in Bayelsa State’.

The party argued that the apex court judgement did not void the votes that the APC polled at the election and the implication of this is that the votes of the party must be reckoned with.

The letter reads: ‘’Kindly recall that the Governorship election in Bayelsa State was conducted on the 16th November, 2019 and our great party, the All Progressives Congress, duly participated at the said election. You will also recall that the All Progressives Congress emerged victorious at the election leading to our Lyon David Pereworinimi being declared and returned as winner of the election,’’ the letter reads. ‘’Our attention has been drawn to the judgement of the Supreme Court delivered on 14th February 2020 in the pre-election appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and its governorship as well as deputy governorship,’’ Mr Oshiomhole ‘‘In the said judgement of the Supreme Court, the candidature of our governorship and deputy governorship candidates were nullified and the commission was ordered to issue fresh certificate of

returns with the highest number of votes and with the required geographical spread. ‘’It is however to be noted that the Supreme Court did not void the votes that our party polled at the election and the implication of this is that the votes of the All Progressives Congress must be reckoned with in determining whether any other candidate polled majority of lawful votes cast in one-quarter of at least two thirds majority of the state. ‘‘We have reviewed the judgement of the Supreme Court and we are of the firm opinion that the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party cannot be issued certificate of return and or sworn in as the Governor and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State respectively. ‘‘We are aware of that section 179(1)(b) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria mandatorily requires a candidate for an election to the office of governor of a state to have not less than one quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two thirds of all the local government areas in the state before the candidate can be deemed to have been duly elected as the Governor of the State.

Ogun Community Accuses Methodist Mission of Obtaining its Land By Fraud Tobi Soniyi The Efure community, in Offin Sagamu has filed a suit against Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Association Limited seeking to set aside a ninety nine year lease of 54 acres of land on the ground that Methodist misled it into signing the lease agreement.

In the suit filed by Mr Babatunde Oshilaja before the Ogun State High Court sitting in Sagamu on behalf Samuel Banjo, Emmanuel Oladunni Adelesi, Kolawole Odugbesi for themselves as members and representatives of Efure Community Offin, Sagamu,

the plaintiffs asked the court to nullify the Deed of Lease dated March 15, 1931 on 53.94 acres of land kept at Ogun state land registry, Abeokuta alleging that Wesley Methodist Missionary Trust Association Limited was unknown to law.

Other defendants in the suit are; the Registrar of Titles, Ogun State; the Incorporated Trustees of the Methodist Church; Nigeria Sagamu Local Government; Vigilante Security Organisation; Oladega Ajelana, Wasiu Asanko and Mrs. Abosede Dauda(members of Kajola Saw Millers); Wasiu Jebe, Alhaja Ganiyat Adebayo, Tunbosun

Okubote, Yaya Okesola, Bolanle Adeboga and the Gospel Sabbatarian the True Church of God. When the matter came up on Wednesday, the trial judge, Justice Justice Olatunde Oyajinmi adjourned it to April 2, 2020 for hearing following the request of counsel to Wesley Methodist Missionary Trust Association limited, Bonajo Badejo (SAN).

Badejo had informed the court that the 1st and 3rd defendants had filed an amended memorandum of appearance brought under order 9, rule 1(1) of the Ogun state high court rules and same had not been served on the claimants.

Bandits Kill 30 in Fresh Attacks on Katsina Communities Five months after the Katsina State Government granted amnesty to repentant bandits, residents of the state had claimed that the peace accord had collapsed citing renewed armed attacks and nefarious activities in the state.

THISDAY visited the affected communities amidst tight security, observing that the hoodlums burnt most of the victims beyond recognition and left many in critical condition following gunshot injuries they sustained.

Reports revealed that those massacred by the assailants “are mostly women, children and the elderly people who could not run during the invasion, as those who survived the attack were leaving the villages.”

Speaking on the attack, the Ward Head of Tsauwa, Salisu Lawal confirmed the attack, saying the bandits invaded the

area when they were observing Magrib (Muslim 7 O’clock prayer).

He said: “We were observing Magrib when the bandits riding on motorcycles laid siege on our village and started shooting sporadically. They killed 23, injured some people and rustled many of our cattle including sheep and goats.

“The unfortunate thing is that we informed the security agents of the bandits’ plan to invade our village but no action was taken by them until after attack.

We are calling on government to come to our rescue.”

He lamented that villages in Batsari local government are under siege by armed bandits whom he said were launching attacks on daily basis in the areas.

Addressing journalists in Tsauwa village, the Commissioner of Police, Sanusi Buba

said the bandits killed 30 persons in Tsauwa and Dankar villages.

He said the bandits “killed 21 people in Tsauwa village and nine at Dankar. When I got the information, myself in conjunction with the army, we mobilised our officers and laid siege on the communities.

“You can see the terrain is very far and there is no network but that notwithstanding we were able to come and engage them to some extents they get scared and left.

“Before our men could come, the bandits set some houses ablaze in a selected manner. I don’t know what informed this ungodly act.

Whatever may be the reason, it is bad and sad”.

The state police chief, however, vowed to fish out the perpetrators of the attack, saying the state government had contributed immensely in tackling bloodletting in the state.

The plaintiffs have also asked the court to declare Wesley Methodist Missionary Trust Association Limited as a none juristic personality that did not exist in law.

They also asked the court to determine whether Methodist Missionary Trust Association limited has legal status as an incorporated limited company in Nigeria.

The claimants in their 36-page Motion on Notice stated that only legal persons were capable of possessing legal rights and duties and since Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Trust Association limited was not a legal person registered under the Nigerian law as at March 15, 1931 or thereafter it could not acquire an interest in the leasehold land.

The community added that that Methodist Missionary Trust

Association limited has no legal status as it was not an incorporated limited company, hence there was no execution of the Deed of Lease on the disputed land.

The claimants stated that as at March 15, 1931 the Wesley Missionary Trust Association Limited was not known to law was therefore not legally capable of exercising the powers and functions of an incorporated company including the power to hold the leasehold land.

They maintained that Wesley Missionary Trust Association Limited failed to comply with general conditions laid down in the Companies’ Ordinance of 1912, or the Companies Act of 1948 and failed to obtain registration and incorporation as a limited liability company. Besides, the claimants noted that by the provision of Section 54(1) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) every

foreign company which before or after the commencement of CAMA was incorporated outside Nigeria and having the intention of carrying on business in Nigeria shall take all steps necessary to obtain incorporation as a separate entity in Nigeria.

They averred that Wesley Missionary Trust Association Limited not being a registered limited liability company as expressed in it name as at March 15, 1931 lacked requisite legal capacity required to enter into leasehold contract.

The claimants added that the domicile origin of Wesley Missionary Trust Association is United Kingdom where it was liable to tax laws but illegally carrying out on business in Nigeria without obtaining registration/incorporation under Nigerian Company statutory legislation.

Okowa: Military Personnel Accompanied Bandits who Killed Eight Persons in Delta Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has said that military personnel accompanied suspected bandits who wreaked havoc on some communities in the state last week.

Gunmen had attacked Avwon, Agadama, Ohoror and other communities in Uwheru Kingdom, Ughelli North local government areas of the state on Thursday.

The attacks led to the deaths of at least eight persons while several others sustained injuries.

Okowa, who described the attacks as mindless, called on security agencies to bring the perpetrators to book.

“The unwarranted attacks and killing of innocent locals in Avwon, Agadama and Ohoror communities of Uwheru Kingdom in Ughelli North Local Government Area and the wickedness of suspected herdsmen alleged to be aided and abetted by unidentified military personnel are mindless,” Okowa said.

“I, however, appeal to the affected communities to remain calm and peaceful. I commiserate with the communities and families on the unfortunate loss of their loved ones.

“I have directed the Commis-

sioner of Police and the Brigade Commander, 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, to rise to the occasion and bring the culprits to justice.

“As a state, our people have been very receptive to herdsmen and other visitors, but our hospitality and welcoming disposition should not be taken as an act of cowardice.

“The state government will continue to encourage peaceful and harmonious relations between Deltans and their visitors but will not watch outsiders attack and kill our people any longer.”

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NEWS In New Video, Shekau Threatens Communication Minister, Journalists

Says Buhari is in big trouble Christian group urges FG to seek foreign assistance Kayode Fasua in Abeokuta The leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau has issued a threat to the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Mr. Isa Pantami.

However, Christian leaders under the aegis of International Christian Conscience Initiative (ICCI) have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to cast aside national ego and enlist the support of the western powers in fighting terrorism in the North-east.

The insurgent leader threated the minister in a new video, directing his men to go after Pantami for threatening to block the communication lines of the sect members.

In the video he released Thursday, Shekau also threatened journalists, warning them to be cautious about how they report the activities of his group.

Specifically, he reminded the minister that his group killed a famous Kano cleric in 2007, saying a similar fate could befall Pantami if he did not repent.

He said: “This video message is specifically released because of one man, who thinks he is knowledgeable. I want him to archive this message and continue referring to it till his death comes.

From today onward, you will continue to live in sorrow, because I, Shekau, say so.

“This warning is for Isa Panatami. Don’t think simply because you preach in English or because you are called a doctor, it means you have knowledge of Islam. You know nothing.

“Today, you have become a minister, and you are feeling you can achieve your selfish ends.

You must know that speaking English has nothing to do with Islam.

“You said you are going to block phone lines and other means of communication, to frustrate the activities of Boko Haram, right? But you must understand that we don’t depend on such to take out our messages.

“Our messengers are like the angels of God. How dare you attempt to stop the works we are doing for the creator of the heavens and earth, simply because you have become a slave to the white world and the country. We pity you if you do not repent.

“I swear to God, you are nothing. Initially, we have not begrudged with you, but now you have become a slave to the infidels; repent now and become a good Muslim. If you do not comply from now on, death will come to you, Isa Ali Pantami.

“I call on my members in Africa, in Nigeria to rise and do the needful. Let them know that what we did to Sheik Jafar is just the tip of the iceberg. Anywhere you see Isa Ali Pantami, don’t spare him.

“Isa Ali Pantami you are nothing; even Jafar tried the same thing but we dealt with him; talk less of you that is nothing in Islamic practice. And from today on, you would not have rest of mind because you have dared God.” Shekau taunted President Muhammadu Buhari, making reference to how he was booed when he visited Maiduguri earlier in the week.

He said: “And you, President Buhari, you said you are almost 80 years old and you are busy going about, and now your people have started booing, right? You just wait for your angels of death,” he said.

“Simply because some persons told you that they have killed our commanders, so now you are emboldened and you want to kill Shekau, right? Who is Shekau, a small person to you?

“But you are now in trouble Mr. Buhari; you are in big trouble.

I am still here, that little boy that has defied the leaders of the world. I am still around, you just wait, it will soon be over before we all meet in the hereafter.”

In a communiqué it issued after a two-day meeting in Abeokuta, the Christian group

said it was clear that the armed forces were overwhelmed and required foreign reinforcements in containing aggressions from Boko Haram and the Islamic State’s West African Province (ISWAP) terrorist groups.

The communiqué, which was signed by the group’s President, Prof. Olakunle Macaulay and Secretary, Rev. Moses Ajayi expressed outrage at the killings and wanton destruction of properties in Maiduguri, Borno State last week, despite government’s assurances that the insurgents had been kept at bay.

The communiqué lamented the incapacitation of the federal government to stop the incessant

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri yesterday visited former President Goodluck Jonathan in his Yenagoa home immediately after his inauguration was part of his plan to calm frayed nerves in the state.

Diri who acknowledged that there was too much anger and bitterness in the state especially resulting from the November 16 governorship election, explained that his resolve was to ensure that all stakeholders are carried along in the governance of Bayelsa.

He said his visit to the former president was the first step in the reconciliatory process, noting that he would soon be visiting elders and leaders of the state in furtherance of his effort to unite the state.

Diri’s emergence in the PDP primaries had created a wedge between Jonathan, who supported Mr Timi Alaibe, on the one hand and Diri and former Governor

Seriake Dickson on the other.

After the private meeting with Jonathan, Diri described Jonathan as a father and a mentor who deserved to be treated as such.

He said: “It wasn’t a formal meeting, but we have come to see our father and our mentor to pledge our allegiance to the former president. Recall that while he was governor, I was Commissioner for Sports. We have had a very long relationship before now.

“Our state has too much of bitterness and acrimony. We have to show love. We have to reconcile. We need to cement relationships. We have to rebuild relationships. That’s what myself and my deputy visited the former president.

“We need an agenda that will bring Bayelsa’s people together; unite them as one people who will pursue the development of Bayelsa as one people, whether in PDP, APC or any other political party,” he said.

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Hausa Christian Fellowship, and Tekan Fellowship of Churches concerning the insecurity of lives and properties of Nigera’s innocent citizens.

“We therefore, advise the President to change all the service chiefs whose periods have expired and have run out of military strategies to combat Boko Haram terrorists, and provide adequate weapons for the soldiers at the warfronts.”

The communiqué also called for the disbandment of the Nigeria Inter-religious Council (NIREC), averring that it had outlived its usefulness; “having maintained a loud silence in the face of persistent cases of religious intolerance

and other acts of injustice”.

Aside, it endorsed the establishment of the Southwest security outfit code-named ‘Operation Amotekun, noting that since the federal government could not ensure the safety of lives and properties, the constituent states were in order to wade in.

“If the federal government that has a responsibility to protect lives and properties cannot discharge the function effectively, then the states should act.

“The truth is that, the federal government has failed to stem the tide of kidnapping and raping that lately stalked the southwestern territory of the country.

MAKING PROGRESS. . .

L-R: Project Director, 2nd Niger Bridge, Julius Berger Nigeria Limited, Mr. Friedrich Wieser and Minister of Works & Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), during the inspection of the progress of work on the 2nd Niger Bridge in Anambra and Delta States ... recently

Bayelsa Gov Visits Jonathan, Seeks Reconciliation with Elders Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

killings of innocent people, especially Christians; abduction and raping of women, and the forced conversion of people to Islam.

Given these ugly trends, the communiqué urged the governments of the United Kingdom (UK), the United States of America (USA), France and Spain, to help stop these inhuman activities of the dreaded group called Boko Haram.

Besides, the communiqué urged the President “not to hesitate to remove service chiefs whose periods have either expired or who have run out of military strategies.

“Nigeria’s Christian leaders support the position of the

He added that he was also at the former President’s house to tap from his vast knowledge of the state, having been a governor and leader of the entire country.

He said: “We have been elected as governors not only of PDP, but of Bayelsa state. Therefore, every political party, everybody in Bayelsa will feel a stake and we have to tap do the knowledge of those who have been in governance.

“We will not stop with the former President Jonathan, but we will still go to other leaders and elders of Bayelsa state to make sure we are in one accord,” the governor explained.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council has condemned Friday’s attack on Radio Bayelsa by suspected members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the state in reaction to the judgment of the Supreme Court.

In a statement by its Council Chairman, Samuel Numonengi

Akande Not on Akeredolu’s Payroll, APC Clarifies The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday dismissed claims that its former National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande was on the payroll of Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, thereby a vote of confidence him The APC disclosed that it would henceforth discipline any person or a group of persons, who disrespect party leaders, in line with the provisions of its constitution, warning against making unfounded allegations.

The party’s National Vice Chairman, Southwest, Mr. Bankole Oluwajana gave the warning in a statement, condemning attempts by some members of the party in Ondo State to discredit the former governor of Osun State.

The APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole had inaugurated a 12-,man National Reconciliation Committee after the rejection of a ten-man committee it constituted in December 2019 to pacify the warring factions across different parts of the federation.

With the appointment of Akande as the chairman of

the committee, the Ondo APC Unity Forum had consequently rejected Akande’s choice in a communiqué, alleging that some members were interested parties and could not be judges in their own case.

Specifically, the group had alleged that Akande was part of the committee that met in Akure, Ondo State in July 2019, when it was agreed that the party executive in the state be dissolved, but up till this moment, the governor had been blocking the dissolution It had claimed that the dissolution that was jointly agreed on in the presence of Akande; APC National Leader, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu; former Ogun State Governor, Chief Segun Osoba; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; former APC National Vice Chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure and his successor, Oluwajana.

Faulting the allegations of the Ondo APC Unity Group yesterday, Oluwajana noted that Akande was never on the payroll of Akeredolu, describ-

ing the allegations as frivolous, uncharitable and unfounded.

He said the APC leadership was shocked and hugely embarrassed that “a supposed member of APC can publicly cast aspersions and throw muds at Akande whose greatest asset is his unblemished name and untainted integrity.

“This can only come from a member who joined APC midway and had not been indoctrinated to the ethos and tradition of the progressives, especially in the South West, where we hold our leaders in high esteem.”

Oluwajana urged all APC members to commit themselves “to the ideals of our party among which is the utmost respect to our leaders at all times.”

He said the party leadership “will visit any member, who disparages APC leaders with severe sanctions and the full weight of APC Constitution on discipline will be brought to bear on such individuals or group of persons, however highly placed.

APC is not a lawless party.

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NEWS

US Declares Another Nigerian Wanted for $10m Scam A 33-year-old Nigerian, Nnamdi Nwosu, has been declared wanted by two US government agencies, the Department of Justice and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for a $10million business email compromise scam, for which six other Nigerians had been jailed.

Nwosu, who lives in Houston Texas is wanted on charges of conspiracy to launder money instruments and one count of passport fraud. He remains a fugitive, for now, according to the Department of Justice.

ICE has called for information

about Nwosu’s whereabouts through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form.

One of Nwosu’s gang members, Bameyi Kelvin Omale, 32 yearsold and also a Houston resident was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison on Wednesday and also ordered to pay $5,378,292.03 for his role in a money laundering scheme.

Omale was arrested in May of last year along with other Texas Nigerian nationals involved in the scheme to launder millions of dollars derived from busi-

ness email compromise (BEC) schemes.

Three others – Chinonso Agbaji, a 30-year-old Houston resident, Igho Calaba, a 26-year-old Austin resident and Chibuzor Stanley Uba, a 31-year-old resident of San Antonio – pleaded guilty to the same charge. Last month, Agbaji was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison; Uba to 36 months in federal prison; and Calaba to 30 months in federal prison.

Two others involved in the scheme were also sentenced.

In February 2019, 28-year-old

Joseph Odibobhahemen of Austin pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy.

In December 2018, 32-year-old Nosa Onaghise of Austin pleaded guilty to one count of passport fraud in furtherance of the money laundering conspiracy.

Odibobhahemen was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $1,639,419.57.

Onaghise is scheduled to be sentenced next week, reported KVUE, an affiliate of ABC. According to the indictment, the money was largely derived from BEC schemes perpetrated against

U.S. and foreign victims. The scheme began sometime before Nov. 2016. More than $10 million was allegedly sent by victims to accounts controlled by the defendants, who were able to take in excess of $3 million before the fraudulent transfers were stopped by law enforcement of financial institutions.

The indictment said that the conspirators acquired or controlled dozens of bank accounts opened in the U.S., including in Austin, utilising fraudulent identification documents, including fake passports.

The indictment said that once the funds were procured and deposited into these fake accounts, the defendants worked quickly to withdraw or transfer the money.

The indictment alleged that some of the conspirators also received funds sent by the victims of romance fraud.

Money laundering conspiracy calls for up to 20 years in federal prison upon conviction, while passport fraud calls for up to 10 years in federal prison upon conviction.

Despite Court Judgment, Burial of Business Mogul, Lulu-Briggs, not in Sight

Kogi Vows to Take Fight to Kidnappers Den

Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

The Kogi State Government yesterday disclosed that it would partner the security agencies in the state curb the rising tide of Kidnapping and other criminality.

The state government also noted that it would take the fight to the den of the kidnappers terrorising the unsuspecting residents and travellers across the state.

The state governor, Mr. Yahaya Bello disclosed this at the special valedictory session organised in honour of Late Justice Tom Shaibu Yakubu who was laid go rest in Enjema, Ankpa Local Government Area, Lokoja Friday.

Bello said the state government would not fold it arms “to allow criminal elements in any disguise to take over the highways to perpetrate evils.

Their activities has become

The burial of late oil magnate and business mogul, Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs may not be in sight yet despite the decision of the Supreme Court of Ghana which ruled that his remains should be released for burial in line with judgment of lower courts.

Addressing a meeting yesterday, son of the deceased, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs accused his father’s widow, Mrs. Sienye Lulu-Briggs of flouting the directives of the supreme court and Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu for the release of the remains of the late philanthropist.

The family alleged that the widow filed a fresh suit at the High Court of Ghana, asking Enterprise Funeral Homes, not to release the remains of the elder statesman to them.

Dumo said: “Our father, the late Paramount Ruler of Oruwari War Canoe House died on December 27, 2018.

Until this day, we have not been able to bury him and the simple season is that we do not have his mortal remains.

“This matter has been subject of several litigations brought by his widow against his sons and myself, the Chief of the house that his remains should not be given to us.

“There have been several interventions and the latest intervention we had was the one from no less a person than the Inspector-General of Police. That intervention

was on February 4.

“The condition of the intervention is that all legal hurdles should be withdrawn. That Dumo is the Chief Mourner and Head of the Lulu-Briggs family. That the remains should be released to him by custom so that we can come together to give the late Paramount Head of the Oruwari House a befitting burial.

“He was a great philanthropist. His works are known across the globe. The federal government was very concerned. The Inspector-General also expressed concerns that he has not been buried till this day. To pave way for this was to withdraw all the cases in Ghana.

“An inquest is ongoing.

Whatever the outcome of the inquest is, the Nigerian Police will be informed and they will make their opinion on the inquest. However, let the body be released so that he will be given a befitting burial and we all accepted, including Mrs. Sienye Lulu-Briggs, who was also present at the meeting with her legal team.

“No action was taken by her to withdraw any of those suits until February 11 when the Supreme Court of Ghana dismissed her application challenging the judgement of a lower court that the body of our father be released to the family by custom led by Dumo.

“When the petition was dismissed by the Supreme Court, we thought that would be final.

We thought that everybody would be happy and at least,

we can bring the mortal remains of our father and give him a befitting burial.

“Also, the autopsy report that she wanted to file in the High Court and we wanted it filed at the Coroner’s Court, the Supreme Court said it should be filed at the High Court.

“The inquest in Ghana would have nothing to do with the burial. Inquests continue long after deceased persons had been buried. So, it would have nothing to do with it. The IGP’s instruction was that we should withdraw all the suits that had been filed at the Courts.

“Curiously as Mrs. Sienye Lulu-Briggs was cerebrating and calling press conferences in Port Harcourt; that she been vindicated and that she will call for a family meeting, she didn’t tell the public that the same day the Supreme Court struck out her case, challenging the decision to release the mortal remains to the family, she filed a fresh case against the express directive of the Inspector-General of Police.

“She went to the High Court in Ghana asking the funeral home not to release the body to us. It is obvious that somebody is being economical with the truth.

“Today, we don’t have the mortal remains of our father after the express decision of the Inspector-General of Police and after the express decision of the Supreme Court of Ghana.”

But the widow, Sienye, has reacted saying that Dumo was only deceiving the people by playing up his stance in order to continue the delay in the burying of the late sage.

ITF Empowers 300 NISDP Trainees in Nasarawa Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) yesterday empowered about 300 trainees, who graduated from the National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP) in Nasarawa State with start-up packs.

The beneficiaries were trained in beauty care, catering and event management, solar energy installation, domestic electrification, welding and fabrication.

Addressing the beneficiaries at the of the 2019 NISDP in Nasarawa State, the Director General of ITF, Mr. Joseph Ari said since inception, the NISDP had equipped over 200,000

Nigerians nation wide.

The director-general, who was represented by the Director of Field Services, Adesola Taiwo, said over 2,000 youths were trained in Nasarawa State with skills for employability and entrepreneurship.

He said: “This phase of the programme which closing ceremony is taking place today (yesterday), over 11,000 Nigerians were equipped with skills in nine trades.

“In Nasarawa State, 300 youths were trained in Autogelle and Beauty Care, Catering and Event Management, Solar Energy Installation, Domestic Electrification, Welding and Fabrication.”

“Our commitment to skills acquisition is premised on the

fact that it remains the most viable and sustainable solution to rising unemployment and poverty that have continued to defy the best efforts of government and non-governmental approaches.”

Ari, however, noted that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had made tremendous effort to create jobs.

“Today, across the length and breadth of the country we see visible evidence of federal government efforts to get Nigerians engaged in meaningful economic ventures through various social investment programmes being implemented by the ITF and other organizations with similar mandate.”

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

worrisome.

“We are combat ready to take the fight to the den of the kidnappers. I will not negotiate with any criminal. Rather, I will do everything possible to ensure that criminal elements are flushed out of the state.”

He stated that the present administration was determined “to provide security of lives and property of the citizens of the state, threatening that any one caught in the act would decisively dealt with and also be made to face the wrath of the law.”

At the session, a former student leader, Mr. Dare Zaccheaus lauded the governor for his efforts “to make Kogi State safe for the citizens and travellers plying the highways across the state.”

He called the governor to engage the service of vigilance group, noting that the officers of the State Police Command

“are currently sabotaging the efforts of the government in combating crimes.”

He lamented that he had the privilege to travel to Kabba from Lokoja on daily basis, stressing that one hardly see the presence of the men of the Nigerian Police Command on the highway.

He noted that the only police check point in Odo Ape “has become a point where men of the Kogi Police Command have arranged to constantly collect N50 without recourse to the insecurity situation that warranted their deployment to man the roads.

“The flashpoints along Lokoja-Kabba road have been deliberately abandoned all in an attempt to frustrate the state governments Security Efforts”, he pointed out He, therefore, urged the state government “to deploy, as a matter of urgency, the men

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OPINION Tackling The Security Conundrum It is beyond the enforcement of law and order, argues Charles Onunaiju

T

he growing calls to establish unorthodox security measures to contain the worsening security situation in the country implies that the current security challenges in the country flow majorly from the lapses in the enforcement of law and order.

The South West state governments acting purportedly in the best security interests of the people of the region have set up a security outfit tagged “Amotekun”, launched with fanfare with regional command in Ibadan. A section of some elements in the North has launched a similar security outfit.

Most likely, other zones in the country would follow the pattern of establishing regional security outfits to protect lives and property within their domain. All these regional security initiatives are purported to fill the gap in the enforcement of law and order, with the ultimate aim to guarantee lives and property of citizens.

Beyond the drive for regional security initiatives, calls have gone out for government to remodel its security framework, though, according to the perspectives of its proponents, this would only consist in the shake-up of the top echelon of the country’s formal key security institutions.

In addition, loud calls have also gone out for community policing, a major vocabulary in the current raging discourse on the country’s security challenges, but which, if soberly deconstructed, amount to very little in substance, because it is difficult to imagine what the over hyped community police can do, that the current federal police is not doing in the local domains.

However, the assumptions behind the vociferous calls for all manner of unorthodox security initiatives to fill the gaps in the purported failings in law and order enforcement is seriously deficient and even misleading to the understanding of the current existential security challenges in the country.

Firstly, a social order perverted by structural exclusion with an entrenched road block to social mobility is condemned to structural disorder in which law enforcement can be nothing but barely rudimentary.

The pool of untapped manpower ignored and left to boil over deepens the crisis of structural social exclusion with the consequence of a growing reserve of the discontents, standing perilously and tendentiously on the free flowing slope to crime and other anti-social vices. Actually no army in the world or any other security organization, including a hundred regional

security outfits can arrest the inexorable drift to the sliding slope to crimes, including insurgencies.

The truth is that assorted strata and formation of the Nigerian elite most vociferous in the current alarm of the national security quagmire are culpable in its making. With a huge sense of entitlement, they have taken out and still take out from the total social pool, disproportional share of the commonwealth with little consideration for any mechanism for replenishing and multiplying the stock, the only guarantee for an enduring social order. The embarrassing state of the current security imbroglio in the country cannot be blamed alone on the failure of existing national security institutions to cope with the incremental breakdown in law and order and the uncanny impunity with which marauders and other anti-social elements breach security. The desperate calls and even rush to set up regional security outfits testify to the misguided national penchant to treat outcomes instead of fundamental causes.

And more importantly, it suits the culpable elite and their narrative that the spate of insecurity is only a failure of the country’s security institutions to muscularly enforce law and order. Their notorious avarice and corruption that have dried up critical investments in strategic sectors that is germane to an inclusive social order is the fundamental cause in the upsurge in crime, banditry and kidnapping.

Traditional rulers that accept public funds to such personal conveniences like guest houses outside their domains, charted aircraft for routine local runs, religious leaders that scoop huge revenues from tithes and other offerings and pour it into prestigious auditoriums, property speculations, luxurious private aircraft and politicians that yank away unconscionable sums from the national pool to fund their next elections and other out of this world luxuries,

The pool of untapped manpower ignored and left to boil over deepens the crisis of structural social exclusion with the consequence of a growing reserve of the discontents, standing perilously on the free flowing slope to crime and other anti-social vices

along with bureaucratic parasites who lay siege at the public service arena to the nation’s dwindling resources are variously and collectively culpable to the current spate of insecurity.

The unconscionable consumables procured with public funds for personal convenience deprive vital investments in critical sectors that would generate employment and create a valuechain that can considerably reduce the number of our youthful population, most vulnerable to crime and other anti-social vices.

Additionally, the new national craze of wedding, naming and birthday parties to hold in Dubai should interest the tax authorities, where at least 10% of the total spending on such parties should be plunged into the social insurance pool to fund investments in employment-generating schemes.

Muscularly enforcing law and order to reduce the spate of the current insecurity is admirable but is certainly not enough.

The various levels of government, especially the state and local governments must take measures like establishing skill acquisition centers, entrepreneurial training centers, farm settlements, small scale industrial processing plants to engage the burgeoning pool of idle manpower that naturally mutate and drift to crimes and other anti-social vices, without constructive engagement to positive endeavors. Huge financial outlay that would be channeled to regional security outfits can usefully be deployed to critical investment in skill acquisition and establishing secondary industrial processing plants, which would in turn create value chains that could turn potential criminals to prospective entrepreneurs.

National security cannot only consist merely in the enforcement of law and order, but also in the conscious and deliberate cultivation of an inclusive socio-economic order, where equal opportunities are elaborately offered to all citizens to usefully engage their individual talents and abilities. In fact law and order is more efficiently enforced where majority of citizens are freely privy to a social consensus and voluntarily networked to its defence, unlike the tall order in law enforcement where unwilling majority is being bullied and dragged to acquiesce to a social contraption.

Also recent calls to sack the hierarchy of the security institutions, especially the military will bring little or no value to the security situation. While there may be other serious reasons to sack the service chiefs, the assumptions that their sack would be the magic wand that will improve security is only a conjecture.

––Onunaiju is research director of an Abuja-based Think Tank.

COVID 19: Preventable, Controllable, Curable China will prevail over the epidemic and emerge stronger, writes Zhou Pingjian

A

t the moment, the prevention and control of the COVID 19 outbreak is the top priority of the Chinese government. As President Xi Jinping stressed on February 12 at the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, the epidemic control and prevention are now at their toughest and most critical period, and the country must spare no effort to continue with key tasks against the contagion. China has leveraged its institutional strengths and started an allout, nationwide people’s war against the novel coronavirus epidemic. The government has taken the most thorough and rigorous measures, many of which have far exceeded what WHO and International Health Regulations required. Such efforts have seen some positive, hard won results. There have been some positive developments in the contagion situation.

Since February 1, cured cases began to outnumber deaths. As of February 13, a total of 6723 persons had been discharged from hospital after recovery. The oldest among the cured is 91. Since February 3, newly reported confirmed cases have been declining day by day outside Hubei, the province with Wuhan as its capital, from 890 cases that day to 731 cases (February 4), 707 cases (February 5), 696 cases (February 6), 558 cases (February 7), 509 cases (February 8), 444 cases (February 9), 381 cases (February 10), 377 cases (February 11), 312 cases (February 12), 267 cases (February 13).

The figures show that the COVID-19 epidemic is indeed preventable, controllable and curable. We need to put things in perspective so as to have an objective and accurate analysis of the situation. As of February 13, the mortality rate of COVID-19 in the Chinese mainland is 2.16% (1380 deaths out of 63851 confirmed cases), and the mortality rate in Chinese provinces and cities other than Wuhan is merely 0.95% (264 deaths out of 27860 confirmed cases), even lower than that of ordinary pneumonia. The mortality rate outside Hubei province is 0.52% (62 deaths out of 11865 confirmed cases).

In contrast, the H1N1 flu of 2009 had a mortality rate of 17.4%, the mortality rate of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) of 2012 was 34.4%, the mortality rate of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) of 2013 was 10.91%, and the mortality rate of Ebola of 2014 was 40.4%. The mortality rate of the Lassa fever, as

Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire said on February 12, had dropped to 15% from 30% a couple of years ago. And, according to a recent United States CDC estimation, from October 1, 2019, through February 1, 2020, in the US there had been 22-31 million flu illnesses, 10-15 million flu medical visits, 210-370 thousand flu hospitalizations, and at least 12-30 thousand flu deaths.

The epicenter of the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic is Wuhan, Hubei province. What happens in Wuhan or Hubei should be interpreted as it is. Stereotyping the story of Wuhan or Hubei and applying it to all China or the whole world cannot be more misleading. Take the confirmed cases. As of February 13, a total of 63851 cases had been reported in the Chinese mainland.

Among them, 51986 cases were in Hubei (81.42%), 35991 cases were in Wuhan (56.37%, and 69.23% of the total cases in Hubei).

And the number of provinces like Hubei in the Chinese mainland? 31. The number of city peers of Wuhan in Hubei province? 16. In Xizang, or Tibet, now no COVID-19 cases at all.

Only one patient had been confirmed and he walked out of hospital after full recovery.

As the Director General of WHO, Dr. Tedros stresses, “This is the time for facts, not fear. This is the time for science, not rumors. This is the time for solidarity, not stigma.” All the responses to the epidemic should be based on science instead of fear. It is understandable that some countries have taken necessary and appropriate prevention measures. But we disapprove of measures out of proportion. As WHO insists, there is no pandemic yet and there is no reason for measures that unnecessarily interfere with international travel and trade. WHO doesn’t recommend and actually oppose limiting trade and movement.

Guided by the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, China is fulfilling its responsibility for the life and health of its own people and for global public health. China’s effective response has averted the further spread of the virus in the world. Worldwide, the COVID-19 cases of infections is far less than 1% of the case count in China, while the H1N1 flu outbreak spread to 214 regions and countries. China will work more closely with the international community to contain the epidemic in a spirit of openness and transparency and safeguard global public health security. We encourage other countries to follow and act on WHO’s travel and health recommendations. China

will continue to take good care of foreign nationals in China like its own. We will stay in close communication with Nigeria and provide updates on latest developments, protect the life and health of the Nigerian nationals in China, thereby safeguarding the health and safety of people in both countries.

Foreign nationals are safe in China. According to the professional evaluation of WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros, the safest way for foreign nationals in Wuhan is to stay put and ensure effective self-protection. He has cautioned against hasty movement as it will add more uncertainties. Now confirmed cases have been detected among some foreign evacuees, which increase the risk of further spread. This is what has happened.

We still suggest that countries to follow WHO recommendations and educate their nationals to ensure sound protection in accordance to local health regulations. The majority of the countries including Nigeria understand the opinion of the Chinese government. They have full confidence in and support China’s control efforts. China highly appreciates the deep trust.

The Chinese are a resilient nation that has emerged stronger from numerous trials and tribulations. The bigger the difficulties and challenges China faces, the more cohesion and fighting spirit the Chinese nation demonstrates. With its people united as one under the leadership of the CPC, with China’s institutional strength in mobilizing resources for major undertakings, with strong material and technological capacities and with rich experience, China has the confidence, capacity and determination to not only win a full victory against the epidemic but also meet its economic and social development goals. The fundamentals of China’s long-term economic development remain unchanged and the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic is short lived. China will surely prevail over this epidemic and emerge stronger and more prosperous.

The health sector is an important area in China-Africa cooperation. China has sent medical teams of altogether 21,000 members to Africa and has treated 220 million African patients.

They are deeply respected by local people as some Chinese doctors even sacrificed their lives in this cause.

––Dr. Pingjian is Ambassador of China to Nigeria.

(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 16, 2020

15

LETTERS

M

My Dream for Ebonyi State

y ‘A Manifesto I never wrote’ published on this tabloid on 15th Dec 2018, was an imaginative flash of wishful thinking about a preferred future for Ebonyi State, conceived in outline business case-status of a full business case-federation. While acknowledging the SWOT analysis of the current affairs of the state, my dream for Ebonyi was that of a secure, stable and prosperous state, with sustainable economic opportunities and prudent social inclusion.

Published in two parts on this same newspaper in April 2017, my dream was a synopsis under Pharaoh, of Joseph who a dream got into prison, out of which a dream got him. But while in prison he was not a part of open society and having no friends or enemies therefore, could govern without fear or favour.

Pharaoh, whose dream Joseph interpreted, in translation of the vision, was so intrigued by his sophistication, such that he decreed that only in the throne shall Joseph be lower than him. So, while Pharaoh remained king, Joseph the son of Israel, became a busy civilian prime minister working behind the scenes, as the skeletal-spine of authoritarian structure and configuration of power, of organs embodied in a state-ship built with gopher...

I went on to posit the head as man, date of whom is the ship, his woman and that if a man can paint a fascinating picture, his date would dis-embark from a grand prix vehicle to take a walk with him to

Umahi destiny.

The vision of ‘My Dream for Ebonyi State’, in ‘A Manifesto I Never Wrote’, was invariably a strategic trajectory of public policy in onomatopoeia, idioms and metaphors. The manifesto was therefore not elaborate but was detailed enough to include, private-sector partnership in delivery of independent power plant, inter-locking pave-ways, cattle ranch, poultry, fish ponds, full-value chain rice mills, table salt plant, cement factory, waste-recycling plant, Semitic farm settlement, social intervention with business service providers, international standard artisan scheme with City and Guilds UK and Full-bright scholarships with ivy-league foreign institutions.

A manifesto is usually a

detailed expression of intent to govern, constituted on downreaching partisan ideology and personal convictions, it is therefore unlikely to close-out a SMART-brief in any single newspaper article. My treatise therefore represented thoughtout-lines of hypothesis, for a test in questions, and answers to be found in expression of my intent to the fullest extent.

But discerning readers of those articles have inundated me with questions as to why urban re-modelling should appear to have occupied the defining leit motif of my postulations.

To begin with, in possibly addressing such curiosities or interests, one is of the conviction that if the people and rulers of the United Arab Emirate (UAE), should be swapped

with those of Lagos State for instance, within a space of four years, an exchange of phenomenon in city-statehood would have considerably obtained. It would therefore appear that, fantastic inspiration, human dignity, cultural ennoblement, societal civilization and public order would be expedient, though superior infrastructure performance is necessary, for a world class city-state to evolve.

It therefore becomes a truth we can hold to be self-evident, that though built, to keep the city would require a cultivated middle class of citizens who would make the right choices in control of their own existence.

It equally becomes implicit that urbanization and civilization can be mutually exclusive.

This must be so, hence, the proletariat are known to live in slums around central business districts, while aristocrats dwell in rural settings of spacious homes at urban commuter zones. While the intention of my ‘manifesto’ was therefore to bring government more into the social space, lower the cost of living and re-invent a middle class of Ebonyi citizens, the motive was for a re-modelled Abakiliki to fabulously inspire a people own self-respect, fascinate ideal socialization and mobilize virtuous energy towards a euphoric dream.

It would nevertheless be difficult, if not impossible in fact and in law, for such a fundamental transmutation of Abakiliki town-ship as presently constituted. So to verify the experiment, we would need to set up a control in which all other factors, except the variant

3D Drone Mapping as Tool in Litigation

T

echnological advancement in the field of aerodynamics has triggered the invention of drones.

Drone mapping is the use of drones to carry out precise 3-dimensional mapping of areas (especially areas in dispute or areas that are inaccessible) that could be used in preparing a litigation survey plan. A litigation survey plan is a pictorial representation of the claims of parties with reference to features and boundaries of the land in dispute based on a chosen scale and specific measurements. Images and other information acquired by the drone are analyzed and presented as a litigation survey plan using a Geographic Information System (GIS) software.

When preparing a litigation survey plan, the surveyor knows it is essential to show features that will fortify the evidence. These features could be old existing features or real time captured features.

In most cases superposing or charting of one feature over another by the surveyor is highly recommended. This is done in order to establish a proper relationship in his evidence as presented in a litigation survey plan. This

could be achieved to a very sound accuracy by employing drones to capture the aerial view of the land in dispute.

Thereafter, a critical analysis and representation of the information acquired are accomplished using a GIS platform.

In most land dispute cases for the safety of the surveyor, it might not be best interest to physically carry out surveys and measurements on ground. Especially if the surveyor is not accompanied by security operatives but he could adhere to remotely acquired information about the land through drone mapping.

Drone mapping is built on the integration of Global Positioning System (GPS) and 3D aerial drone capture to produce a digital boundary map (includes also digital elevation model, tree canopy height model, contours, etc.) referenced to a geographic coordinate and drawn to scale, employing a sound cartographic skill.

This is usually done by surveyors trained on drone piloting and GIS analysis. The use of drones for mapping removes the risk of physical assault on the surveyor and his team members while they

are conducting their surveys on ground.

During the course of land dispute cases, litigation survey plans are admissible in court as evidence with respect to the identity of a land. A piece of land is usually identified by its features and boundary beacons. These features include rivers, mountains, hills, grasslands, ditches, trees, center of roads and other physical features. Quite a few parcels of land under contention have their property survey plans prepared earlier.

A 3D digital map acquired in real-time by a drone plays a vital role in representing all these features, subsequently the features are plotted by a surveyor and drafted into a survey plan. However, as Edward Ejiofor Ezeanaka rightly puts it: “At times, there may be features of evidential importance whose minute size may not be captured or identified by a drone. Then ideally a proper ground truthing must be done to represent these key features in the survey plan”. When there are features that could not be captured by the drone, the surveyor is required to make an extra effort to capture these small details and show them accordingly in the litigation

survey plan.

In most litigation survey plans, the third dimensional attributes and contours are rarely represented. While they could form an undisputable point if rightly presented in the litigation survey plans, survey beacons serve as a boundary indicator and has a penal effect if tampered with.

To this effect if the third dimensional attribute (orthometric height value or contour value) is attached to these beacons in the litigation survey plan, it could serve as an addition to validate the position of the survey beacons whenever it has been fiddled with.

Following the reasoning that boundary beacons could be moved off from its original position, the actual topography of land is always maintained.

It will be to a greater advantage if topographic survey plans are incorporated as one of the registrable land instrument for acquisition of certificate of occupancy and certificate of ownership.

What else could form a better representation of the landed property than an actual replica of its topography on paper?

––Ekene Okoroafor J., Enugu.

being tested are kept identical.

The control urban specimen, a bourgeois estate of the state, to be known as Greater Abakiliki Feasibility Demonstration District, shall be a restricted area, ingress and egress of which shall not be without let or hinderance, in exclusive rendition that can neither be affordable to down-graded value chain nor can surrender to petty-market forces.

There shall be within the precinct, significant Caucasian mingle with natives in a hybriding-scheme of valuecross pollination as well as foreign municipal and cultural exchange programmes with the UAE and Singapore, to verify implementation strategies and mechanisms, understudy human and infrastructural capacity building approaches, observe and document processes as well as physical and administrative infrastructure, all in strategicsecurity partnership with Israeli Mossad Aliyah Bet. The city shall be our national pride, heralded by a mini Champ Ellyse of superlative thoroughfare- tarmac, bounded on both sides with expansive tract of grassland dotted by trees, flowers and shrubs, adorned with a bunting of flags, uninterruptible streetlighting, full-signages, milestones and standard culverts.

It shall be a small layout for discriminate public allotment, of main-roads, collector-streets

and green-spaces, named after iconic such as Mansa Musa Horse Race Course, Amilcar Cabral Boulevard, Kamuzu Banda Crescent, Ordorbro Drive, Dan Fodio Polo Park, Yoweri Museveni Bye-pass, Benjamin Netanyahu Golf Course, Starehe Boys Scout Lane, Chike Obi Mathematical Research Institute, John Momoh Strategic Retreat Camp, Nduka Obaigbena Inter-governmental & Conflict Resolution Academy, Queen Moremi Heroines Arcade, Gbazue Agu gbazue agu Round-about, Mai Shombe Close, Owei Lakemfa Drive...

But to ensure that the community roads lead to nowhere, the city shall be conceived in intellectual hubby and resource personality.

So in addition to the foregoing we shall be looking at a full bright scholarship business academy with academic halls and faculties dedicated to Aliko, Fajemirokun and Sir Louis Ojukwu, a monastery and seminary to be known as Aladin Hall, a multi-lingual center, full-detail public library, a newspaper press, a consortium of conference managers, dedicated solar energy farm and wind energy mill, waterworks, underground reticulation of pipe-bourne water and fuel-gas, a super-deluxe hotel, a mega-helipad, hydroponic gardens and so on.

––Eleje Willy, Lagos.

Good Governance: Our Collective Responsibility

"J

ust as the children of a slave are slaves, so the children of a serf are serfs."

Looking inwardly to the above quote, one will know that building a nation is a collective responsibility of the citizens therein. What you are today will define what your children would be in the future. You may, however, not be there to witness the developments. It takes collective interest to build a nation, a robust economy and a sustainable environment, free of terrorism of any form.

Nigeria as an entity has been battling with a series of known calamities ranging from insurgency, unemployment to corruption. The nation since independence has been struggling with unstable power supply and bad roads while Nigerians are trying to select the best among the sheaf of our politicians in an electoral process that has long been archaic.

Nothing can work here as a nation until we think and rethink; trace and retrace our steps. We cannot continue to be wicked to ourselves and clamouring for a better change.

We praise singing our politicians, drumming support for them for personal interests and we turn ourselves to a group of fan boys.

Good governance is the only way to go for a nation that would want to compete among best nations of the world.

Nigerians are the ones to charge for good governance as poverty

doesn't have a political party. If you are poor, you will remain poor, unless you demand good governance and for investment in schools, hospitals and other infrastructure. It won't be good to remain poor while the politicians you support become richer and their kids study abroad.

Political affiliations should not prevail over the call for good governance as politics is different from governance. In Nigeria, we are experiencing 'brain drain'.

Our best brains are leaving to European countries – this is to say, professionals, technicians, high-level administrators and skilled workers are exiting their homes in search for greener pasture, leaving Nigeria as an undeveloped nation.

Nigeria's problems are not beyond Nigerians, as I was told in a forum days ago that nothing can solve this nation's hiccups. I was objective-minded and stood my ground that if we charge ourselves individually, I don't see reason while good governance is hard to achieve.

Let's start by knowing our civil rights and responsibilities – payment of taxes at when due, obeying traffic rules, not giving and accept bribes, fair judgement, voting out corrupt politicians, to mention but few.

If actually, we are ready to walk the path of greatness in this nation, we should forget the ideology of private citizens; all hands must be on the deck.

–– Abdwahab Tajudeen, abdwahabtajudeen@gmail. com.

16

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2020 â&#x20AC;¢T H I S D AY

Happy

Birthday

PRINCE DR. CHRIS ODINAKA IGWE (CEO-MAINLAND OIL)

On behalf of the Board, the Management, and Staff of Dozzy Group, we wish to congratulate you on this special milestone event in your life. A gold fish they say have no hiding place, your life has been that of goodness, philanthropy and dedication to all.

We therefore wish you many more years of good health, happiness and success in all your businesses.

May your days be long and merry!!!

Ad multos annos.

Signed:

Dr. (Sir) Dan & Lady Ada Chukwudozie

OIL & GAS LTD

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2020 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

17

18

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2020 â&#x20AC;¢T H I S D AY

19

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2020 â&#x20AC;˘ T H I S D AY

Hearty 60 Bithday th

Senator John

H

AZUTA-MBATA ISTORY is commonly referred to as the aggregate of personal tales of great men and women who lived during the epoch under review.

There is no way the full story of the take-off of the fourth republic of our dear country will be written without acknowledging the uncommon courage and self-sacrifice of a number of noble actors like you.

As a colleague while you represented Rivers East at the Senate, I proudly attest to your deep patriotism and commitment to building bridges across ethnic, religious and partisan divides - attributes sorely needed today to preserve our national fabric.

On the occasion of your 60th birthday, I wish you many more years of robust health and prosperity in the service of the country and mankind in general.

Cheers to Senate President Pro Tempore!

Signed:

Senator Musa and Oluyemisi Adede

20

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

INTERNATIONAL Operation Àmòtékùn and the Foreign Policy Dimensions:The Push Genesis and the Pull Exegesis

W

hen the French people came up with a saying that ‘ordre et contre ordre égalent désordre,’ that is, ‘order and counter order amount to disorder,’ they have many intrinsic issues in mind. The first is that there are, at least, two competing authorities, or two groups of people, one saying yes, and the other saying no.

For an individual or groups of individuals to go for ‘yes’ and another individual and group of individuals holding on to ‘no’ is nothing more than an expression of psychology of human differences.

The second intrinsic issue is the assumption that the proponents of an order will stick to their position, while the proponents of a counter-order will also not renege. This is consistent with a popular musical suggestion by a reggae maestro, Jimmy Cliff, that ‘let your “yeah/yes” be “yeah/yes,” and your “no” be “no” now.’ It is on this basis that any two competing stakeholders are expected to remain adamant and that it is believed that the ultimate end of such adamant position cannot but also result in disorder. This logic is quite tenable.

However, the truth, and this brings us to a third intrinsic issue, is that an order and counter-order cannot result into a situation of disorder if there had not been an encounter. It is the nature of the encounter, the degradation from crisis to conflict, that largely and polemologically, explains the disorderly situation as a resultant. Put differently, order and counter order must first amount to an encounter before resulting into disorder. If there is an encounter, and it is not well managed, the outcome cannot but be a situation of disorder. If it is promptly and well managed, the outcome may not be disorderly. In polemology, a misunderstanding or a dispute necessarily begins with a crisis, which is often addressed with diplomatic methods. When diplomatic efforts fail, the crisis degenerates into conflict, and thus requiring the use of force. When the application of the use of force becomes a desideratum, then a disorderly situation cannot but be expected.

Consequently, the third insinuation in the French saying assumes that there will not be an encounter, and if there is to be one, the likelihood of its being managed well is, at best, remote.

It is within the framework of this reasoning, that there is inability to manage well a crisis, that an attempt is made in this column to explain Operation Àmòtékùn, not in the context of order and counter-order, but in terms of pull and push dynamics, and then seek to explicate the foreign policy implications. Emphasis is on the push factors. In other words, Operation Àmòtékùn, as a security mechanism, is a desideratum, prompted by fears of possible aggression and the need to contain the aggression in the spirit of legitimate self-defence, especially that it is believed that the Federal Government appears to be taking the issue of insecurity with kid gloves.

Lasisi Olagunju, explains it better on January 13, 2020 thus: ‘two weeks ago, suspected Fulani herdsmen killed many in a village in Kogi State. The President issued a condolence statement, condemning the killings and the reprisal killings.

Last week, unknown gunmen murdered many in Plateau State.

The President issued a condolence statement, condemning the killings and the reprisal killings. Instead of having their arms in slings, the Yoruba, with Àmòtékùn, have decided to fold and carry them on their heads.’

This is why we cannot discuss or present Operation Àmòtékùn as an expression of counter-order, because there was no Federal Government order to which the sponsors of Operation Àmòtékùn can be said to be responding. The sponsors were only responding to non-governmental threats, emanating largely from private Fulani herdsmen terrorists. Operation Àmòtékùn has to be presented differently and understood in its appropriate context.

In this regard, what are the push factors that led to the establishment of the operation? Can there be push, without the pull, factors? In terms of foreign policy considerations, how are the British most likely to respond to this development, especially in light of the fact that some notable British colonialists are reported to have regretted their roles in the foundation-laying of Nigeria.

Let us first discuss the push and pull factors before delving into

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

Buhari the foreign policy dimensions.

Operation Àmòtékùn and Push Factors

There are three categories of push factors: profound, lubricating and coincidental. In terms of profound factors, different arguments have been offered. A school of thought has it that every Nigerian has the right to move around the country as he or she may desire, and therefore, Operation Àmòtékùn is an anti-north or anti-Fulani mechanism, in light of their rejection in the South West by the Yoruba people. It is argued that the Fulani herdsmen can settle down in any place of their choice in Nigeria, in consonance with the Constitution of the land.

Another school of thought says it is a new strategy to kickstart the restructuring of Nigeria. The Yoruba people have been in the forefront of the advocates of restructuring of the polity.

The Federal Government has not shown any willingness to understand, not to talk about accepting to have it examined.

Restructuring agenda has been quite controversial. In the eyes of this school, Operation Àmòtékùn is a pretext for rekindling the agitation for restructuring in a different platform. The Government should therefore not take the operation lightly.

Government should not allow the existence of the operation.

The Government itself is against the operation.

A third school still posits that it is a hidden agenda for the making of an Oduduwa Republic. Junaid Muhammad and Balarabe Musa, both of them Second Republic politicians, are some of the leaders of this school. Without doubt, many people have wrongly argued that the ultimate objective of the calls for restructuring is to enable the division of the country. They wrongly equate restructuring with re-partitioning of Nigeria, but the leading proponents of restructuring of Nigeria have argued to the contrary. They have noted that restructuring is aimed at reviewing issues on the exclusive list in the Constitution, and essentially, to give a true meaning to federalism, as well as create a basis for competitive good governance at the level of the constitutive States of Nigeria.

Consequently, the calls for restructuring should be differenti-

The Northern elite does not want any other region of the country to be united against it.

The unity of theYoruba on Operation Àmòtékùn is therefore a threat, because it introduces unknown variables in Nigeria’s political equations. How should the Northern elite respond to the newYoruba solidarity? More fearfully,what is the future of the Northern elite in light of archival revelations by some British colonialists that election and census figures were rigged in favour of the North in 1952-1953 and 1959.Besides,why the relations at this time of Nigeria’s history?Will the revelations not strengthen inter-ethnic animosity,while the problem remains?

If the population of the North was never what it was said to be and Government does not appear to show interest in signing the electoral bill into law, possibly because of the fear that it might enable the unveiling of the truth about the demographic cover up, as it was the case in 1993 election, the results of which were annulled, can there be peace and security on the foundation of falsehood? There is a very serious foreign policy challenge, especially in how Nigeria’s Foreign Service Officers will be required to defend the untruth in the near future

ated from calls for an independent Oduduwa Republic. It is on record that, before the Fulani herdsmen-farmers saga began, the Oodua People’s Congress has called for an Oduduwa Republic, if the Yoruba people of the South West would not be given fairness and justice in the political governance of Nigeria. In light of this, the interpretation of this school of thought is that Operation Àmòtékùn is nothing more than a concretisation of an agenda for Yoruba separation.

Whatever the merits or demerits of the various arguments, they are, at best, secondary profound factors, because it cannot be rightly submitted that Operation Àmòtékùn is designed to be hostile to the north or specifically to the Fulani compatriots.

The main truth and main profound factor is the fact that Fulani herdsmen, for various reasons known and unknown, want to forcefully settle down on titled lands in the South-West, the manifestations of which have led to killing of owners of titled land, raping of women, kidnapping of notable Yoruba leaders.

The Yoruba people of the South West are simply and vehemently opposed to that manu militari agenda. This is the main source of the dispute.

For instance, Chief Olu Falae, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, was kidnapped in his farm in Akure and seriously brutalised. He had to pay a ransom to the tune of millions of naira, after many days of incarceration in order to secure his release. Another disturbing case is that of the daughter of another notable Yoruba man, the leader of Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti. His daughter, Mrs. Olufunke Olakunrin was killed in Ore in July 2019. Perhaps more disturbingly, the outcome of investigations into the matter are yet to be made public. Why? According to Pa Fashoranti, on January 16, 2020, Government had stopped investigation into the gruesome murder of Mrs. Olakunrin. Why should the Government stop the investigation? The killing is one problem. The stoppage of investigation into the killing is another problem. What type of message is Government sending to the Yoruba people by stopping investigations into the cri me?

And most disturbingly, apart from the frequent cases of kidnapping and armed banditry, there is the report that there are not less than 1,123 exclusively Fulani cells in various parts of the thick forests in the South-West. The cells were identified, thanks to intelligence findings and satellite monitoring. It is from these cells that attacks on innocent people are said to be prepared. This is why the victims have always been attacked in never-expected places and therefore, are always cut unawares. This is one of the main rationales for the making of Operation Àmòtékùn, which was designed to respond to the criminality of the herdsmen and not to the Fulani herdsmen in person. For anyone to interpret Operation Àmòtékùn, as anti-Fulani people, rather than as a security outfit to frontally combat the 1,123 Fulani cells, which constitute a direct provocation of war on the Yoruba people, is not only dealing with the matter out of context, but also begging the issue.

Explained differently, this column strongly believes that no one is against any Fulani as a Nigerian or as a herdsman. The hostility against the Fulani is only in the context of their forceful acquisition of land for herding. Operation Àmòtékùn is an act to prevent the effective illegal occupation of Yoruba titled land by the Fulani herdsmen. It is to protect the legitimate, titled owners of the land. Thus, Operation Àmòtékùn is nothing more than an expression of legitimate self-defence under public international law, and this brings us to the lubricating and coincidental factors, which further strengthen the rationales for Operation Àmòtékùn.

Lubricating and Coincidental Factors

The lubricating factors are also the catalytic factors, especially following the launching of the operation on Thursday, January 9, 2020. The lubricating factors further strengthen the resolve to sustain the operation, and, in fact, with a new determination never to go back on the operation as a project. The first factor of lubrication is the attitudinal disposition of the Federal Government to complaints of insecurity in the region. Government easily responds with sympathy, but without showing any visible, concrete commitment in the fight against the crimes.

What is particularly most unfortunate is questionably the mania of Government’s reactions to complaints of insecurity.

For instance, The Government says ‘the setting up of the paramilitary organisation, called Àmòtékùn is illegal and runs contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian law...’ Agreed, but why is the Federal Government, with the same Constitution of the land not able to secure the country? The Constitution can only be relevant and applicable in normal and secure environment. It makes no sense to ask people to obey the law when they are under the fire attacks of bandits who do not even have any respect for whatever law, including the Constitution.

The Northern Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN) says Operation Àmòtékùn is the ‘military wing of the Oodua Peoples Congress. In the words of the National President of the NYCN, Alhaji Isah Abubakar, ‘Àmòtékùn in the South-West is OPC military wing in disguise and in the same league with the proscribed IPOB. The President must not allow the unconstitutionality to prevail...

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹;˜ 2020

BUSINESS

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

Hadiza Bala-Usman: The Bold Reformer And Her Mission The reforms embarked upon the Managing Director of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), Ms. Hadiza BalaUsman, since her assumption of office, has left no one in doubt about her resolve to right the wrongs of the past, block all avenues of leakages and save more money for the government. She has gone about her job with patriotic fervor and relentless determination, unmoved by pressures to reverse course and undaunted by blackmail or influence peddling to arm-twist her. And no challenge is too much for her to face and surmount; the powerful casualties of her reforms litter the landscape of Nigeria. But for the full backing of President Muhammadu Buhari, it is doubtful if she would have been able to go this far. Her recent intervention to save SHIN’s fabrication and integration yard for which it borrowed $270 million to build, is the latest in a long list of her bold and audacious actions to sanitize her sector and ensure compliance to standards. Some of her actions that have ruffled powerful feathers include the cancellation of INTELS’ monopoly of oil and gas cargo and forcing it to full compliance to TSA on Service Boat Revenue collection, the cancellation of the SAA fees, Calabar dredging contract scam, etc., were all targeted to rein in impunity and lawlessness by powerful private interests. Usman has burnt down their ‘untouchable’ aura, restored investors’ confidence in the system and forced them to adhere to the rule of law.

This is against the backdrop of calls on government for clarity on policy direction, enforcement of contracts and removal of bottlenecks around project execution especially as it has to do with government and its inconsistencies in policies to attract and retain foreign direct investment in Nigeria, Eromosele Abiodun reports

A

ccording to a United Nations report released last year, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Nigeria,Africa’s top oil producer, plunged by 43 percent to $2 billion. However, foreign investment in sub-Saharan Africa rose by 13 percent last year to $32 billion, bucking a global downward trend and reversing two years of decline, the UN report noted.

Also, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania all saw increases in FDI inflows. Foreign investment in Uganda jumped 67 percent to a record $1.3 billion, boosted by the oil and gas development of a consortium that includes France’sTotal, CNOOC of China and London-listed Tullow Oil. Apart from Nigeria’s foreign exchange policy, government policy clarity, public adherence to the rule of law and enforcement of contracts by the government are important to attract FDI. “FDI is long term and investors need to make decisions today for the future,so they will not commit funds to a country that is highly unpredictable and where policies are inconsistent,”said investment expert and Managing Director of Planet Capital, Chidi Agbapu.

Agbapu added that the bottlenecks around project execution especially as it has to do with government and its inconsistencies in policies would be a major challenge and drawback for FDI attraction into Nigeria,“recall that HSBC and UBS both closed representative offices in Nigeria recently”.

This brings to the fore the contractual dispute between Samsung Heavy Industry Nigeria (SHIN), the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base (LADOL) and the intervention by the Nigerian PortsAuthority (NPA) to restore investor confidence.Apart from her intervention in the SHI LADOL imbroglio,the Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala-Usman, took bold steps regarding the Calabar Channel dredging contract scam,INTELS Pilotage contract, and OMS LIMITED’s SAA fees amongst others.

Not many heads of government agencies can muster the courage to do the right thing even at the risk of losing their jobs. Without any doubt, her intervention to protect SHI, who invested a whopping $270 million to build a fabrication yard, just to deliver the much talked about $16 billion Egina FPSO project, will go a long way to assure foreign investors that Nigeria adheres to the rule of law. Bala-Usman has always frowned on companies and contractors taking undue ad-

board control of Agura Hotel through restoring NPA’s majority shareholding.

“Termination of BUA Terminal over nonadherence to development plan on reconstructing quays, which were to have been done 90 days following the concession in 2006, but was not done nine years later in 2016 at which point the concession was cancelled,cancelation of the Secure Anchorage Area. An anchorage managed by a private company providing security at a cost to vessels calling at the Lagos ports.”

Hadiza Bala-Usman

vantage of the federal government and foreigners.

On assumption of office, she made it clear that investments by foreigners will be protected and the government must realize the needed revenue from those investments.Also, following an outcry by some players in the industry, chiefly among them, LADOL, over what they called monopoly

by INTELS, her promise was that the sector will be fully liberalized and that was what happened.The following are some of the landmark achievements by the NPA under Bala-Usman: Cancellation of INTELS’s monopoly on Oil and Gas Cargo,ensured that INTELS is fully compliant toTreasury Single

Leading by Example Just last week, the NPA sanctioned LADOL for violating the terms of the land lease atTarkwa Bay, near Light House Beach in Lagos.

This, it stated, was part of the efforts to boost accountability and ensure transparency, which is the fulcrum of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, as well as boost the confidence of local and foreign investors in Nigeria’s operating environment.

LADOL, it was learnt, profited at the expense of the federal government by sub-leasing 11.2426 hectares of land out of the total 121 hectares leased to it at the outrageous amount of money without recourse to NPA. The firm was alleged to have collected $45 million (N16.2 billion) from Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria Limited (SHIN) for the 11.2426 hectares of land for which it paid only $524,105 (N37.73 million) to NPA. Documents exclusively obtained byTHISDAY revealed that whereas the NPA charged GRML a rent of $104,821.95 per year for five years on 11.2426 hectares for the head lessee, GRML charged the sub-lessee (SHI) $9 million per year for five years for the same portion of land, collecting a total of $45million.

LADOL, the NPA revealed, did not invest its Account (TSA) on Service Boat revenue collection, own money in the fabrication yard that delivered terminating the JV with Calabar Channel Management and Niger Global Ltd for non-compliance Egina.“Contrary to what they made the public with due process and requesting refund of $15 believe, LADOL used part of the $45 million paid million payment made do the company for lack of to it as sub-lessee fee by Samsung, for which it evidence of dredging claimed to have been done. paid the federal government a paltry $504,000 for Others are“Confrontation with DAPMA over five years to purchase 30 percent equity in the insisting that payment on harbour dues for vessels fabrication yard.”

When contacted, LADOL’s Public Relations importing PMS are made in-line with guideline for Officer, Mr. Kunle Kalejaiye, said he was not aurates of products sourced from West African Coast and those from outside the coast, a revenue of N13 thorized to speak on the matter, which he said is billion was made in 2019, following the directive currently in court.

The documents showed that GRML was on of full compliance, taking over management and January 1, 2003, initially granted a 21-year lease

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹;˜ 2020

BUSINESS Hadiza Bala-Usman: The Bold Reformer and Her Mission

Chairman, OMSL, Capt. Hosa Okunbo

over 80 hectares of land atTarkwa Bay by the NPA. Another lease of an adjoining 34 hectares was subsequently granted, bringing the lease area to 114 hectares.

From the recent survey,THISDAY gathered that the total lease area is now 121 hectares.

In a letter dated November 22, 2013, GRML applied to NPA to sublease 11.246 hectares out of the 121 hectares (nine percent) to MCI-SHI FZE for the purpose of expanding facilities at LADOL Offshore Support Facility in readiness to handle the integration of the Egina FPSO onshore in Nigeria for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Total Upstream Nigeria.

The letter also stated that expanding the facility would generate 55,000 jobs within and outside LADOL, save billions of dollars from being spent outside Nigeria and make the country the West Africa hub for oil and gas engineering.

In consideration of the huge investment that was to be made by SHIN, GRML, in the letter pleaded with the NPA to consider and approve the sub-lease expeditiously so that SHIN would not cancel the project and use its existing facility in Goje, South Korea for the entire Egina project.

The NPA obliged in a letter dated March 12, 2014, and conditional approval for the sub-lease was conveyed.

Competent sources at the NPA, however, told THISDAY that the NPA suspected foul play when GRML failed to furnish it with the sub-lease agreement between it and SHIN throughout the tenor of the sub-lease, so as to conceal the actual amount it collected from SHIN. The sources toldTHISDAY that LADOL eventually furnished NPA with the sub-lease agreement only in August 2019 following a highly toned letter from the NPA, dated June 18, 2019.

THISDAY also gathered that another sub-lease agreement between the parties, which was dated September 13,2013,was terminated because NPA’s approval was not sought as provided in the head lease agreement.

Apart from allegedly profiting at the expense of the federal government by collecting outrageous amount from SHIN and paying far less to the NPA, documents also showed that LADOL, through GRML had also entered into another sub-lease agreement with an American company called Africoat Nigeria Limited, without any recourse to the NPA contrary to the provision of the head lessee agreement with NPA. A letter to the managing director of NPA by the General Manager,Land andAssetsAdministration, dated November 14, 2019, notified the NPA boss that there was evidence to show that GRML granted at least a sub-lease to SHI-MCI in September 13, 2013 without any recourse whatsoever to the NPA. The letter,which was obtained byTHISDAY,also stated that there was no justification whatsoever for GRML to charge the sub-lessee an astronomical $9 million per year over the sub-leased area for which it paid a rent of only $104,821.95 per year to the NPA, thus making huge profit at the expense of the federal government.

NPA’s action,it was gathered,was to save SHIN’s

LADOL MD, Dr. Amy Jadesimi

fabrication and integration yard for which it borrowed $270 million to build and restore investor confidence that had been badly shaken by the attempt to push it out of the facility it built after investing such a huge amount on the said facility.

Some stakeholders have however hailed the NPA for its bold decision, describing it as reassuring at a time investors were skipping the country for other destinations on the African continent.

Based on the alleged infractions committed

by LADOL, the letter advised the NPA boss to terminate LADOL’s land lease atTarkwa Bay, near Light House Beach, Lagos for violating the terms of the agreement.

THISDAY gathered that following this recommendation, the NPA revoked the land lease agreement with GRML in a letter dated November 14, 2019 and granted it a fresh lease under new terms, which excludes the 11.2426 hectares that constitute the premises of the fabrication and integration yard.

Also, the NPA in a bid to restore investor confidence in the country leased the 11.2426 hectares that constitute the premises of the fabrication and integration yard to SHIN at $219,700.00 per year.

Some lawyers who spoke toTHISDAY on condition of annoymity however stated that LADOL was merely been smart by taking advantage of opportunity. “I don’t think they committed any offence by getting something at a cheaper rate and leasing it out for a huge profit margin.They saw a business opportunity and when for it however not notifing NPA of the full details of the lease is a different matter altogether”.

Calabar Channel Scam Revelation It is not just the intervention in the SHINLADOL imbroglio that the NPA under Bala Usman has saved the federal government. On assumption of office, Bala-Usman discovered that dredging of waterways to ensure smooth flow of shipping traffic through the many water channels into the Nigerian seaports became a drain pipe and huge business for a few corrupt officials of the authority and its contractors. A case in point involves the dredging of three water channels for which the NPA spent a whopping $3 billion (N1.09 trillion) between 2006 and 2011, for questionable jobs allegedly done and invoiced.

Following the revelation, courts in Switzerland convicted a Swiss company over a $20 million dredging bribery scam, which named three top former officials of the NPA as being involved in the deal.

In addition,there was the payment of $13 million for the dredging of the Calabar Channel, which some petitioners alleged were questionable.

The contract for the maintenance of the Calabar Channel was eventually terminated by the NPA, following rifts over the questionable $13 million invoice and another $21 million invoice, which the Calabar Channels Management (CCM) had lodged for further payment.

The scandal also involved a former senator from the South-east, who chaired one of the senate committees, now a governor.

In the Swiss courts, the Swiss company was sentenced to a fine of one million Swiss Francs and asked to refund 36 million Swiss Francs being illegal profit after it was indicted for allegedly making illicit payments to a former managing director of NPA; former acting managing director and former executive director as well as a former executive assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s Special Adviser on Technical Matters.

According to reports former top officials of NPA, between 2006 and 2011 allegedly collectively received $2.6 million in kickbacks.

A status document on the contract presented

by Hadiza Bala Usman showed that after failing to dredge the channel, Global Engineering was seeking payment of about $22 million as balance for the contract.The total contract sum was about N26 billion.

The NPA said the JointVenture agreement with Global Engineering on the dredging of the Calabar Channel was wrong adding,“The consultant clearly advised against the establishment of a channel management company for the Calabar Navigation Channel at that time.This was because the volume of ship traffic was low and did not justify a joint venture agreement, which is normally funded from ship dues.”

The documents revealed that NPA had advertised the dredging for bidding, but the process was abandoned, while the contract worth over N26 billion was awarded to Niger Global Engineering Company through the joint venture agreement.

OMS’s SAA Fees Cancelled Who will ever believe that a private company can carve out a portion of Nigeria’s territorial waters and name it,‘Secure Anchorage Area’and charge foreign shipping companies huge fees in dollars for protection?That and some other anomaly was the order of the day at the NPA before Bala-Usman came on board. That is however now history as the NPA last year notified the Nigerian Navy of its decision to dismantle the Secure Anchorage Area, operated on behalf of the Navy by a private company, OMSL Limited.

The NPA said it was concerned by threat to national security and the cost of doing business at the country’s seaport.

NPA insisted that the security of the country’s waterways was the statutory responsibility of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Marine Police, and Nigerian Navy, which must all ensure a safe and secure Nigeria territorial waters.

A Secure Anchorage Area is an area outside the Lagos port that the Nigerian Navy, with a private company, has defined as a secure place where vessels can anchor safely from the threat of pirate attack.

THISDAY investigation reveals that vessels are charged $2,500 for the first day at the anchorage and $1,500 for subsequent days.

Numbers obtained by THISDAY also reveal that it takes between 28 and 30 days for a vessel to exit the anchorage. According to vessel traffic numbers obtained from the NPA, 1,666 vessels

called at the Lagos ports alone in a quarter and a minimum of 55 per cent of vessels that call at the Lagos port stays at the SAA. This means that OMSL Limited, owned by a prominent politician and member of the ruling party,APC,on behalf of the Nigerian Navy,collects, averagely,$133.28 million (N47.98 billion) annually.

It has been collecting this fee since 2014.

Worried by this, the Minister ofTransportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, had directed the NPA to write a letter to the Chief of Naval Staff to request that the Navy stopped the operation of the facility. The NPA, in the letter, stated that the revenue generated from the operation at a charge of $1,500 per vessel per day from 2014 to date was neither remitted to it nor the federal government.

NPA argued that the patrol boat, NNS Dorina P101, as mother vessel, and the interceptor vessels, NNS Agede P258 and NNS Torie P259, were all purchased by it for the Nigerian Navy to patrol the anchorage and not to be designated for use at a facility that has no relationship with it.

End of Monopoly If there is any company that stakeholders believe was untouchable, that company was INTELS Nigeria Limited.All that changed when the reformminded Bala-Usman came on board.The company did not go down without a fight though, it took Bala-Usman a considerable time to get INTELS to comply withTSA alone due to litigations.However, after about two years of bickering, the NPA late last year, terminated its boats pilotage monitoring and supervision agreement with INTELS Nigeria Limited. INTELS is a leading integrated logistics and facilities services provider in the maritime and oil and gas logistics sectors of the economy.

In a letter dated March 29,2019,addressed to the managing director of INTELS,which was obtained byTHISDAY, NPA said the decision to revoke the contract was taken in line with Article 8 (C) of its agreement with INTELS, dated February 11, 2011.

The letter signed by NPA’s assistant general manager, Legal Services, read in part,“We refer to the agreement dated 11th February, 2011 and 24th August,2018 between the NPA and INTELS Nigeria Limited for the monitoring and supervision of oil industry related activities in the compulsory pilotage districts of the authority (service boat operator).

“The NPA (the principal) hereby serves on you INTELS Nigeria Limited, (the managing agent) notice of termination in line with article 8 (C) of its agreement with INTELS, dated 11th February, 2011, which said notice shall expire three months from the date of this notice of termination.”

In a letter dated March 27, 2019, addressed to the NPA MD, Hadiza Bala-Usman, NPA’s Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mohammed Bello-Koko, had accused INTELS of non-compliance with the presidential directive and circular on implementation ofTreasury Single Account (TSA) and Article 4.1 of the executed supplemental agreement by refusing to remit the sum of $145, 849,309.33 being outstanding service boat revenue generated from November 1, 2017 to October 31, 2018.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹;˜ 2020

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

MakingRecoveredLoots Work for Nigeria The Nigerian government recently reached an agreement with the U.S and Jersey governments for the return of more than $300m in funds connected to a former head of state, General Sani Abacha, who ruled Nigeria between 1993 and 1998. How the monies will be spent to benefit the Nigerian people was a major point of the agreement. Nosa James-Igbinadolor reports

The Late Abacha

C

orruption in Nigeria is massive. PwC Nigeria estimates that “corruption in Nigeria could cost up to 37 per cent of GDP by 2030, if it’s not dealt with immediately. This cost is equated to around $1,000 per person in 2014 and nearly $2,000 per person by 2030”.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) posits that “close to US $400 billion was stolen between 1960 and 1999. Sani Abacha alone is estimated to have stolen the equivalent of 2 - 3 per cent of the country’s GDP for every year that he was President”.

According to the Carnegie Endowment for Peace, “Nigerians themselves view their country as one of the world’s most corrupt; it perennially ranks in the bottom quartile of Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index.

“The scale and scope of bribery in Nigeria is massive: in 2016 alone, Nigerian officials collected an estimated 82.3 million bribes totalling $4.6 billion, according to a recent study based on a nationwide survey.”

It was the legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola, who aptly noted that, “since his death in 1998, the late General Sani Abacha has remained in the news not only for the documented brutality of his regime, but also the seemingly never-ending efforts to repatriate funds alleged to have been stolen during his administration.”

On February 4, 2020, Nigeria reached an agreement with the United States of America and the British crown dependency of Jersey to repatriate more than $300million in funds connected to former Nigerian military ruler General Sani Abacha, who ruled Nigeria between 1993 and 1998. It is estimated that he stole as much as $5billion of public money during that time, doing vast harm to the Nigerian people. He was never charged with corruption during his life,

and the nation has been fighting for years to recover the money.

Nigeria has been working with governments around the world in recent years on an asset recovery scheme to help repatriate its stolen funds to boost its finances. The government did not state how much in total it believes Abacha stole.

As of 2013, Nigeria had recovered about $1.3billion of Abacha’s money from various European jurisdictions, with more than a third of that from Switzerland. The Swiss government in 2017 said it would return to Nigeria about $321million in assets seized from Abacha’s family via a deal signed with the World Bank.

The United States insisted that the return of the funds will come with certain conditions regarding how they would be utilised. As announced, the funds must be tied to three major projects spread across the country’s recognised regions, namely; Lagos-Ibadan Express Road, Abuja-Kano Road, 2nd Niger Bridge (Eastern Region). According to reports, the agreement of the return of the fund was preceded by negotiations touching on those, who would manage the funds and a monitoring process for the administration of the funds. The agreement between the three entities further included the condition that, the projects on which the funds will be expended will be administered by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and independently audited.

The State Department statement had noted that, “the agreement establishes a framework based on fruitful co-operation, trust and respect so that the forfeited funds can be repatriated to benefit the people of Nigeria, from whom they had been taken. The use of the funds will be subject to monitoring and reporting obligations.”

The United States and Nigeria’s other allies have every reason to be worried with respect to how repatriated funds are utilised.

The repatriation of this set of funds to the Buhari administration in itself countervails Buhari’s

publicly pronounced view that General Abacha never stole from the country. In June 2008, Buhari, who had just lost election as presidential candidate of theAll Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) denied that General SaniAbacha under whom he served as chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund looted the treasury. “Ten years without the late Abacha, the said allegations remain silent because there are no facts. All the allegations levelled against the personality of the late Gen Sani Abacha will remain allegations. It is 10 years now, things should be over by now,” Buhari had said He had further posited at the time, that rather than maligning Abacha, the late ruler deserved to be praised for initiating developmental ideas that moved the country forward.

Achieftain of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said it was a shame in the first instance that Buhari who once told Nigerians that Abacha did not steal was now discussing with America how to repatriate to the country money looted by the late former head of state.

“Nigeria’s level of corruption has been exposed to the entire world and that is the reasonAmerica is giving us conditions. This government could not even explain to Nigerians how the money it claimed to have recovered since 2015 has been spent. There is no transparency in this government.”

Under Buhari, returnedAbacha loots have been expended in a manner devoid of accountability and scrupulousness.

Maryam Uwais, the Special Adviser to the President on Social Investments, had last year, said that the federal government had been channelling the recovered Abacha loot and the International Development Association / World Bank credit towards programmes and policies designed to address the plight of poor and vulnerable Nigerians. The Presidential aide said from August 2018 to the October payment

cycle, the total amount disbursed from theAbacha loot was $76,538,530 and $27,099,028 from the IDA credit. Uwais, who said the funds, which were specifically being disbursed to beneficiaries of the National Cash Transfer Programme, a component of the National Social Investment Programme, noted that the gesture was positively changing the fortune of many Nigerians.

Former Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose had in 2019 accused the Buhari administration of “re-looting” the Abacha funds under the Trader Moni scheme. Fayose had pondered if it was not funny that the same Buhari who insisted that the late Abacha never stole was the one taking pride in his government use of Trader Moni scheme to allegedly re-loot the $322 million recovered from the loot, he (Abacha) stashed in Switzerland. “If not that the ‘Trader Moni’ scheme was to re-loot the recovered Abacha loot, the proper way was for beneficiaries to be captured biometrically and the N10,000 paid into their bank accounts instead of the vice president going to the market to share cash.

“Most importantly, there is nowhere that the vice president will travel to outside Abuja that he won’t spend up to N25 million on his allowances, maintenance of presidential jet and the allowances of his retinue of aides, including security men.

“Therefore, of what economic sense is going to say Kano to share the N10,000 cash to 1,000 people? Isn’t spending N25 million to share N10 million same as being penny wise pound foolish?

“How will the disbursements be audited since there is no record? Why not just take inventory of the beneficiaries, capture them biometrically and pay the money into their accounts so that no one will be able to collect the money twice and in future, the beneficiaries can be traced?”

Repatriation of stolen monies avails the federal government additional resources for development activities. The challenge is to ensure efficient, accountable and transparent use of such assets, given the continued prevalence of corruption at various levels of government in the country as well as the incapacity and lack of political will by the government to deal with the expansive issues of corruption.

Transparency allows for better utilisation of recovered assets, and better targeting of resources into sectors that have potential to benefit the victims of corruption, who happen to be mostly the poor. Lack of effective follow-up mechanisms would lead to the inappropriate allocation of resources into sectors that have little effect on alleviating poverty such as the current government’s National Social Investment Programmes (NSIP), which has gulped over N500 billion with no touchable outcome in terms of achieving its target of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty. On the contrary, the number of people that live below extreme poverty level in the country has jumped up to 94,470,535 people, making it the World Capital of Poverty.

The insistence by the U.S and Jersey governments on the preciseness and thoroughness of the projects that the most recent batch of repatriated funds would be expended on, no doubt shows a clear disaffection with how looted funds had been utilised in the past. It portrays a determination by both governments to ensure that the benefits of the looted assets get to the Nigerian people. It clearly shows a more empathetic interest in the well-being of Nigerians, that successive governments including the Buhari administration have not shown.

As Afe Babalola noted: “Ours is a country with a history of monumental waste of public resources on projects which have either not seen the light of day or have failed to provide any benefit to the populace. The most monumental of these would be the Ajaokuta Steel Project, which at the last count had gulped $8 billion of public funds.”

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹;˜ 2020

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BUSINESS/ENERGY

A gas plant

How Natural Gas Can Fuel Nigeria’s Industrial Revolution Given the overarching importance and intrinsic value of gas resources to Nigeria’s economy and industrialisation as well as the wellbeing of the people, Kunle Aderinokun writes on the need for the federal government to pay more attention to the development of gas industry, necessary to nurture the fuel of the future, and be free from the vagary of oil, the liquid fuel, which is even less profitable

I

n 2017, the US Energy Information Administration released a report confirming the presence of an estimated 7,923 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of total world reserves of natural gas beneath the earth’s surface.

Approximately 80 per cent of this valued resource is located in 10 countries of which Russia tops the list with an estimated 1,680 tcf, about one-fourth of the total. Global gas demand has risen significantly over the past decade. This growing demand is highest in Asia, which consumes about onethird of global supplies. China’s gas demand makes up the largest within Asia and is driven by the country’s coal-to-gas substitution policy targeted at addressing environmental concerns arising from carbon emissions. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), natural gas is expected to overtake coal as the world’s second-largest energy source by 2030.

Nigeria holds the ninth-largest proven gas reserves in the world with reserves estimated at 190 tcf as of December 2018. Earlier, in October 2018, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources estimated the country’s reserves-to-production ratio (which measures the remaining amount of a non-renewable resource expressed in time) at 46 years for oil and 102 years for gas. Nigeria is actually “a gas province with some oil”. The gas produced in the country has primarily been for LNG export, reinjection for oil recovery and domestic utilisation by power and gas-based industries, with the balance flared.

Yet, natural gas is the fuel of the future as it is abundant, more cost-effective than liquid fuels, safer and environmentally friendly; lighter than air, odourless, colourless and contains the least carbon among fossil fuels. This methane-rich fuel has proven to be one of the fastest paths to industrialisation, and there is evidence of a correlation between GDP growth and gas consumption by productive sectors of the economy.

Before the widespread utilisation of gas, the only sources of energy were liquid fuels (mostly by-products of crude oil), and in Nigeria, predominantly automotive gas oil (AGO), low pour fuel oil (LPFO) and premium motor spirit (PMS). For industrial production, AGO and LPFO were the fuels of choice. These fuels, however, are plagued by issues such as scarcity, labour strikes, pilferage, port delays, refinery shutdowns, and unpredictable product pricing, especially for deregulated fuels. Many of these issues are intensified by the linkage to crude oil and, very recently, at the height of the all-time high crude oil prices at over $100 per barrel, prices of liquid fuels were unsustainable and partly responsible for the shutdown of some manufacturing facilities.

Then came gas, the cheaper and much cleaner alternative with an entirely domestic value chain.

The advent of gas solved the issues associated with liquid fuels including reliability, price predictability, and local abundance, and as the manufacturing industry gradually embraced the methane-rich fuel, the industry has become more profitable and productive overall. Thus, we can assert that: gas is a solution to fuel pilferage; gas is a reliable energy source; gas is a cleaner alternative; and gas is the enabler for increased profit. As a relative solution to fuel pilferage, the incidence of fuel theft is relatively non-existent with natural gas. Natural gas, which is mostly transported via underground pipelines is not prone to such pilfering. Gas usually must meet a specific quality threshold to be transported via pipeline, and thus only pipeline-quality gas is transported to last-mile users. In contrast, liquid fuels are mostly transported via trucks and so usually untraceable and difficult to track in the event of theft. In addition to incidences of theft are the issues of spillages that result in the pollution of farmlands, water bodies, and overall environmental degradation. The associated costs of cleanups further acerbate

this issue. There is also the problem of product adulteration where stolen fuel is mixed with foreign substances and resold to unsuspecting users. This results in equipment breakdown, human fatality, catastrophic failures and in the long run, litigations.

The application of natural gas completely solves all of this. While pilferage is unlikely, incidental leaks on gas pipelines are relatively easier to detect and can be easily managed by proper ventilation of the facilities since gas is lighter than air after leakage is arrested.

Gas is a reliable energy source. It is locally sourced and the entire gas value chain – from upstream production to transportation and final delivery to last-mile users – is domestic. In contrast, liquid fuels are susceptible to a myriad of issues that make them unreliable. Port delays, labour strikes, the underperformance of refineries, etc. make it difficult to predict when products will be available. Also, because liquid fuels are mostly imported, the lack of foreign exchange currencies impacts the availability, and a lack of predictability will usually make it difficult for manufacturers to plan operations and be efficient. With liquid fuels, the issue of end product stock-outs is prevalent because manufacturers are not able to effectively manage inventory.

This ultimately results in loss of sales, customers and market share.

Save for the few militancy attacks; for many years, there have not been any gas supply interruptions. Natural gas, therefore, comes to the rescue, making it easier for companies to effectively manage production schedules with minimal interruptions and ultimately run very efficient and predictable operations.

As a viable cleaner alternative, natural gas is environmentally friendly, odourless, colourless and produces only water vapour and small amounts of carbon dioxide during combustion. Combustion of liquid fuels typically produces 2-3 times more carbon dioxide,

thus polluting the atmosphere and accelerating global warming.Also, liquid fuels produce other harmful substances such as soot, SOx and NOx and sometimes deadly carbon-monoxide due to incomplete combustion. All these affect the health and productivity of staff of manufacturing organisations as well as present them in a bad light as contributors to environmental pollution.

Consequently,organisationswithsuchrecordmay find it difficult to attract financing. Staff attrition and absenteeism may also be high leading to unstable operations.

Natural gas equipment also tends to require less maintenance and last longer, thereby reducing overall total cost of ownership.

In enabling increased profit, natural gas is generally about 30 to 40 per cent cheaper than most liquid fuels.

Also, while the initial Capex requirements for gas equipment may be higher, they generally have lower maintenance costs and therefore, a lower total cost of ownership compared to liquid fuels.

Such low costs also stem from the fact that there are no spills, effluents or soot with gas equipment and by implication no costly requirements for cleanup, lower staff medical bills given that employees are not exposed to inhaling dangerous gases and so on as is prevalent with liquid fuels.

Against this backdrop, the government must focus its efforts on creating an enabling environment for the development of the gas industry.

Natural gas provides a strong base for industrial development and thus developing the sector will position the country for unprecedented growth while creating an alternative source of public revenues. A critical enabling factor for the development of the sector is “pricing”, and significant efforts must be directed at promoting a framework that attracts quality private capital.

The framework must be such that it balances the need to guarantee investors a reasonable return on investment alongside the need to deepen domestic gas utilisation.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹;˜ 2020

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

From CFA Franc to Eco: Just a Name Change?

The news of a new currency adoption by some ECOWAS States has been the trending issue in the past few weeks and has also provoked market observers and investors to ask questions: What is Eco? Is it a good idea? Will the adoption happen eventually? Why are the parties divided? What is the impact? Bamidele Famoofo reports the pros and cons of the change and its implications on investment in the ECOWAS bloc

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otably, the adoption of the CFA franc by the French-speaking West African countries has its good and bad aspects. Proponents observed that the shared currency has stabilised prices within the zone (inflation rate averaged 6 per cent in 50 years compared to +20 per cent in Nigeria and Ghana), fostered trade with Europe, neutralised FX uncertainties, and eased repatriation of funds. On the contrary, the opposers tagged it as a colonial relic, pegged to the euro and guaranteed by France, robbing users of their monetary autonomy. This is supported by the fact that the European Central Bank (ECB) technically dictates the direction of rates and a French delegate is a voting member of the periodic monetary policy meeting. Furthermore, despite its adoption, intra-regional trade, real sector lending, industrialisation and income growth remain at a sub-optimal level.

Convergence Plan The WestAfrican Monetary Zone (WAMZ) is a set-upofNon-WAEMUECOWASmemberstates.

The union comprises six member states - five English-speaking (Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, Liberia,andSierraLeone)andoneFrench-speaking (Guinea) countries. Notably, the core objective of the formation of WAMZ was a plan to work towards creating a single currency region, similar to the eurozone, in West Africa for all ECOWAS member states. Particularly, the adoption of the single currency, “Eco” was designed to begin with WAMZ member states pioneering the adoption and then a second phase involving WAEMU members transitioning from CFA Franc to Eco. Toachievetheabove,theWestAfricanMonetary Institute (WAMI) was set up in 2001 - to help WAMZ members prepare for the adoption of the currency. The currency adoption was initially slated for 2003, but was postponed severally to 2005, 2010, 2015 and now slated for 2020. In the past, the factors that have caused the adoption of the currency to be postponed include the absence of a macroeconomic convergence of the member states, the 2008/2009 global financial crisis, and failure of the states to meet the specified criteria.

Why the Divergence?

Contrary to the initial ECOWAS plan for WAMZ members to pioneer the adoption of the Eco, the Ivorian President, Alassane Ouattara, announced late in December 2019, that the WAEMU members have agreed to rename the CFA Franc to Eco while maintaining the Euro peg. This, however, resulted in some form of push back by the WAMZ members, who had initially set 2020 as a date for commencement of the single currency market.

The reasons highlighted by WAMZ members included the fact that no consultation was made with all members of ECOWAS before the announcement. Also, the significant influence of France in the transition from CFA Franc to Eco, rather than ECOWAS created a cause for concern, due to fears of an extended influence to non-WAEMU countries, if adopted by all ECOWAS states.

Theoretically, the success of any form of money is dependent on the general acceptability. Accordingly, the recent division between the two sub-blocs might further frustrate the adoption of Eco across the ECOWAS States. In addition, other criticisms of the WAEMU transition from CFAFranc to Eco include the fact that apart from a name change, most of the features of the Eco as proposed by the Ivorian president remains broadly similar to that of the CFA Franc.

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

Failure of Convergence Four primary criteria out of the 10 stated that shouldbeachievedbeforecountriescanbeadopted into the Eco-zone include;Asingle-digit inflation rate at the end of each year, a fiscal deficit of no more than 4 per cent of the GDP, a central bank deficit-financing of no more than 10 per cent of the previous year’s tax revenues, gross external reserves that can give import cover for a minimum of three months.

An analysis of the ECOWAS states shows that while WAEMU seemed to be within the threshold of the primary criteria, due to the history of a shared currency, language and legal system, most WAMZ states are not fit enough to be a part of a joint currency.

According to the African Development Bank, the 2020 deadline for the single currency adoption will most likely be postponed again. This is not farfetched, judging from the facts surrounding the adoption of Eco and the state of the economies of the ECOWAS. The adoption of a single currency will mean that each participating country will have to surrender their monetary autonomy to the regionalmonetarybody,amidhugemisalignment with fiscal policy.As a result, Ghana backtracked its initial intention to join the new Eco zone.

“From all indications, we doubt the readiness of most of the non-WAEMU ECOWAS members to surrender their monetary autonomy, amid rising debt profile among many of these countries, especially in Nigeria and Ghana, the largest among the pack. Also, the issues of the convergence criteria are a concern as noted above.

Accordingly, Nigeria is pushing for an extension of the adoption deadline, insisting that the time is not yet right,” financial experts at United Capital Research said.

“However, we think the WAEMU member states are set to go ahead and adopt the eco as a first step for the ECOWAS region. As observed earlier, the union is in a better position in terms

of economic convergence due to their shared history of a common currency. Also, most of the proposed changes between the CFA Franc and Eco, suggest that the process is nothing more than a name change,” United Capital research added: While the pushback between the WAMZ and WAEMU might be a hindrance to the progress of the adoption of Eco, it is believed that the contentious issues can be easily resolved, via a clearance from ECOWAS. “Accordingly, we think the adoption of the Eco by the WAEMU member countries is considerably likely in 2020.

This position is buttressed by the unrelenting calls by different interest groups within the Frenchspeaking bloc to jettison the CFA franc.’’

WAEMUAdoption of Eco and Implications AnalystsareoftheviewthattheWAEMUmember countries are better positioned to transition from the CFAFranc to Eco. This is predicated on their shared history of common currency, which has kept inflation rate low, exchange rate relatively stable and boosted economic activities among the member states. However, the transition from CFAFranc to Eco is unlikely to have a far-reaching implication on these economies.

For the ECOWAS bloc, the transition from CFA Franc to Eco by the WAEMU bloc does not have a significant immediate effect on trade or economy of the countries in the bloc, except the convergence plan of the WAMZ is taken seriously and achieved in the near future, so that the whole of ECOWAS can enjoy the benefits of a single currency.

For the widerAfrican continent, while there has been excitement surrounding the possible impact of the launch of the Eco on the implementation of AFCTFA, the current circumstances do not provide any cause for celebration as the situation remains relatively the same.

For instance, pegging the WAEMU version of the Eco to the Euro will keep volatility minimal and pressure on inflation muted.Also, France will

remain very influential via its right to nominate a member of the MPC, which is not different from what is currently obtainable. Perhaps the only change will be that the bloc can now print and mint its currency within the region rather than in France.

This will give the regional central bank some degree of autonomy to control money supply with implication for inflation and increases in debt. However, this is subject to the approval of the members of the monetary policy committee.

“Overall, our view is that WAEMU states are likely to transit from CFA Franc to a new shared currency by July 2020, but the nomenclature may notbetheEco,giventhattransitingfromCFAFranc to Eco will require a clearance from the Nigeria-led ECOWAS. Nigeria’s position, which is that the time for the adoption of the Eco is not right, is a clear indication that transiting from CFA Franc to Eco by WAEMU members as proposed by the Ivorian President may not fly, suggesting that a transition to a shared currency with a different name other than the Eco might be the last resort.”

Key Parties ECOWAS and WAEMU are major parties to the deal. The former is a regional, political and economic union of 15 countries located in West Africa. The union was established to promote economic integration across the region. However, ECOWAS is further divided into sub-regional blocs including WAMZ and WAEMU members States as well as Cabo Verde.

On the other hand, WAEMU region is both a common currency and customs union of former Frenchcolonies(Benin,BurkinaFaso,Côted’Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo) and a former Portuguese colony (Guinea-Bissau) in WestAfrica.

Beyond a shared currency, the CFAFranc, which is pegged to the Euro, WAEMU member states also have a shared language and legal system due to their shared history of colonisation by France.

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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2020 â&#x20AC;¢T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹;˜ 2020

TRAVEL

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

New Cruise Ship Set for Big Impact in Lagos Demola Ojo

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itting pretty on the banks of the Lagos Lagoon inVictoria Island is a huge, brand new cruise ship, Eugene 1. Constructed in 2017 and brought to Nigeria after a 45-day voyage from Turkey as the first in the stable of Hi-Impact Cruise, the $700,000 watercraft is a beauty to behold, inside and out.

Hi-Impact Cruise is another arm of Solutions Media, a company which started business in 2011 and has distinguished itself over the years in the entertainment and tourism sector.

Following the success of Hi-Impact Planet, an amusement park on the outskirts of Lagos, Hi-Impact Cruise is another opportunity for Solutions Media to prove its mettle in a venture that hardly anyone has dared to undertake in these climes.

Set for launch in the coming weeks, HiImpact Cruise will do four-hour voyages along Lagos waters. Boasting a capacity of up to 1000 depending on the sitting arrangement, the three-tiered ship with a penthouse, is perfect for private parties, including weddings, which is a big industry in Nigeria’s commercial and entertainment capital.

Speaking recently during a tour of the ship’s facilities at the newly-constructed lounge where passengers mingle before boarding, chairman of Solutions Media, Prince Adeyanju Lipede, said the company is offering Nigerian fun lovers the opportunity to enjoy in Lagos what they travel outside the country for, thus helping to save foreign exchange.

He did a brief recount of his company’s exploits before intimating those gathered on what Eugene 1 has to offer.“We have been in entertainment. We have done it in Nigeria and we have done it outside Nigeria. Now we have come back.

“In 2013, we singlehandedly handled The Experience in terms of audio and lights. We still have the best equipment in that area.

Even in visuals, the company has the most expensive set of equipment, both light and video cameras, including a studio which is for animation.”

He also talked about Hi-Impact for Creative Kids and the amusement park.

“We impactfully influence any sector of the economy that we find ourselves in which is entertainment and tourism.

“We have a company registered in Dubai.

We had the biggest and the most successful African entertainment show called Dance Afrique which other people are now trying to emulate and follow.

“We then went to London and repeated that twice at the SSE Arena. We were the first Africans to be allowed to use the place and we did it successfully.”

The international experience has come in handy he said.

Prince Lipede wants to make sure Nigerians don’t have to travel for a cruise experience.“We are making sure that all the facilities that would make you comfortable are inside here.

“There will be lots of entertainment; there will be good food, nice ambience, fully air-conditioned inside. It has enough banquet sitting capacity. It is between 500 to 700 hundred persons depending on the sitting arrangement.

“If we are doing cinema sitting, it will take up to 1100. It is going to cruise only four hours every weekend or any time that we have a cruise and we move around to see Lagos.”

Bringing Eugene 1 to Nigeria is in line with the federal and state governments’ vision to enhancing tourism as a means of generating revenue, he continued.“Basically, we’re also beautifying Lagos.”

Eugene 1 on the Lagos Lagoon

Despite a few hitches, Prince Lipede has been encouraged by the Nigerian authorities, even though the venture and how it should be regulated is new to one or two agencies.

“I must put it on record that NIWA has been very good. NIMASA too has been very good even though we’ve had to help them because there was no template for them to follow. LASWA also has been supportive of recent.”

But Lipede reveals that there are still stumbling blocks to be surmounted for Eugene 1 to commence business.

“When the government talks about tourism, there must be some kind of re-

bate or incentives, especially because the government sees tourism as a means of diversifying the economy. But the support is not coming.”

He is especially discouraged by the attitude of the Nigerian Customs who seem to be the agency in the way of full operation.

“We pay duty. Is this the same yacht as Otedola’s own? Why tell us to pay the same duty or surcharge? That is ridiculous. It’s high time we call our people to order so they don’t discourage people doing business.

“This is not a hired boat. This is a Nigerian boat owned by a Nigerian without any foreign investment. Do you know the number of Nigerians that will work there?

In our company today, we have more than 200 graduates,”he revealed.

By and large, Lipede sees a bright future for his company’s new venture and expects loads of patronage.“A lot of the expatriates in Lagos have this where they come from.

Now they will get to experience something just as good in Lagos.”

The patronage won’t be limited to within Nigeria, he believes.“When we were getting this boat, we wanted to make sure it would be something people outside of Nigeria will come to the country to experience.”

All that’s left now is for final details to be sorted, Hi-Impact Cruise to officially open and for Eugene 1 to cast off.

Delta Commits $1 Billion to Sustainable Air Travel Demola Ojo

Starting March 1, 2020, Delta Air Lines is committing $1 billion over the next 10 years on its journey to mitigate all emissions from its global business, going forward.

This announcement comes as Delta paid $1.6 billion in profit sharing to employees on Valentine’s Day, and reflects its long-standing approach to placing a high value on supporting all stakeholders and communities worldwide.

The Valentine’s Day announcement coincided with the unveiling of a special “thank you” plane featuring the names of the airline’s 90,000-plus employees on its livery.

The announcement means Delta is the first airline to make a commitment of that scale as it plans to become the world’s first carbon-neutral airline.

The aviation industry accounts for roughly 2% of global carbon dioxide emissions and has set out a plan to achieve carbon-neutral growth from 2020, even as air travel is forecast to accelerate.

Facing increasing demands from customers, individual airlines like Delta have taken additional steps to mitigate their carbon

impact with measures ranging from eliminating single-use plastics to investing in biofuels and purchasing more fuel-efficient aircraft.

“There’s no challenge we face that is in greater need of innovation than environmental sustainability, and we know there is no single solution. We are digging deep into the issues, examining every corner of our business, engaging experts, building coalitions, fostering partnerships and driving innovation,” said Ed Bastian, Delta’s CEO. The airline will invest in driving innovation, advancing clean air travel technologies, accelerating the reduction of carbon emissions and waste, and establishing new projects to mitigate the balance of emissions.

“There is no substitute for the power that travel has to connect people, which our world needs today more than ever before.

As we connect customers around the globe, it is our responsibility to deliver on our promise to bring people together and ensure the utmost care for our environment,” said Bastian.

“The time is now to accelerate our investments and establish an ambitious commitment that the entire Delta team will deliver.”

Delta’s approach to tackling carbon reduc-

tion and sustainability reflects the focus and rigor it has become known for, and that it used to build a financially secure airline.

Bastian said. “We are on a journey, and though we don’t have all the answers today, we know that our scale, along with investments of time, talent and resources will bring meaningful impact to the planet and ensure the sustainability of our business for decades to come.”

Delta’s carbon footprint is its largest environmental impact, with 98 per cent of emissions coming from its aircraft. This year will see a number of milestones that demonstrate Delta’s progress and commitment, and that Delta will share broadly as each of them launch.

Powered by its 90,000 people around the world, Delta is the US global airline leader in products, services, innovation, reliability and customer experience.

From being the first and only US airline to voluntarily cap greenhouse gas emissions at 2012 levels, to adding more than 80 new aircraft in 2019 in an effort to renew its fleet with aircraft that are 25 per cent more fuel efficient than the aircraft they are replacing, Delta has been undertaking a multi-year effort to achieve more sustainable air travel.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹;˜ 2020

BUSINESS INTERVIEW ADEFUNKE ADEYEMI Air Connectivity Can Contribute Billions of Dollar to GDPs in Africa The Regional Director for Advocacy and Strategic Relations of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for Africa, Ms. Adefunke Adeyemi, is an expert in the aviation industry. She has invested about 15 years in the sector, focusing on bringing value and international standards to the industry within the region, and helping to transform lives and the business environment through her work and initiatives. Adeyemi, who was 31 years old when she was appointed the head of legal and company secretary of Virgin Nigeria Airways in 2005, became head of operations of IATA in English-speaking West Africa in 2008. She rose through the ranks to assume her current position in the association, covering 54 countries of Africa. In this interview with Idowu Sowunmi, Adeyemi speaks about her life, work and views on encouraging and empowering more women to take leadership positions in African aviation industry and other sectors

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s the Regional Director forAdvocacy and Strategic Relations of IATA for Africa, what is the focus of your work?

I am passionate about aviation and its immenseimpactonsocio-economicdevelopment.Mycurrentroleinvolvesengagingwith a wide range of stakeholders – governments, policy makers, influencers, business and private sector, and even the wider public – to promote the value of aviation and ensure the sustainability of an industry that connects and enriches the world.

Aviation has truly transformed the world as we know it today with its ability to connect people, places, goods and services, cultures, interests and so on, across the world. Aviation industry has created more than 65.5 million jobs worldwide, implying that on an average aviation jobs are 4.4 times more productive than other jobs. By opening markets and enabling knowledge transfer and other catalytic effects, aviation industry has also made jobs in other sectors more productive. Globally, each aviation job generates $108,700 in gross value added (GVA), including the global GDP supported by 5.6 million other on-airport (retail, car rental, government agencies such as customs and immigration, freight forwarders, some catering); 2.7 million airlines (flight and cabin crews, executives, ground services, check-in, training and maintenance staff); 1.2 million civil aerospace (engineers and designers of civil aircraft, engines and components); and 233,000 air navigation service providers (air traffic controllers, executives).

Aviation industry has also made more than $2.7 trillion global economic impact (including direct, indirect, induced and tourism catalytic), accounting for 35 per cent of world trade by value. The industry facilitates businesses, investments, trade, social interactions, discovery and adventure and humanitarian services across the world, thereby making it a key catalyst for socio-economic growth and development. In countries like Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Rwanda that have made aviation part of their national strategic development and planning, aviation-related activities help accounted for between 12-30 per cent of the GDPs of those countries. With continued support to the industry through an enabling regulatory or policy framework and better collaboration, these figures could be substantially improved and spread around most countries in Africa.

In spite of all the benefits that aviation brings, in many parts of the world and in this region, aviation is still seen as a luxury and so many times it is treated as a source of revenue to fund other government expenditures. Aviation, for the most part of Africa, is burdened by high costs due to heavy taxes and charges or ill-conceived regulations and policies. We work very closely with regulators, governments and other industry associations to promote the benefits of the industry and to encourage enabling regulation or policies. More recently, the drop in commodity prices also adversely affected the industry across the entire region. It is an industry that has many challenges, but also has many opportunities.

With your position, how have you been encouraging Africa to invest in the aviation industry and use it to address the challenges surrounding air connectivity in the continent?

One of the key projects I have been privileged to work on over the past five years is on enhancing intra-African connectivity. Africa is not very well connected in terms of air services. In many cases, the only way to get to countries in Africa is to travel for days or through other continents. The lack of robust connectivity is making Africa to lose out on immense socio-economic benefits and growth opportunities. In 2014, in collaboration with some of our regional partners across Africa, we commissioned a study, which provides an indication of how Africa can experience a significant and positive

Adeyemi

renaissance through enhanced air connectivity. The study looked at 12 countries across Africa and quantified the numerous benefits that would accrue to those countries, their sub-regions and Africa as a whole if they were to fully open their skies to connect with each other. It showed that full air connectivity across those 12 countries would generate an additional $1.3 billion in GDP, over 150,000 new jobs and numerous other socio-economic benefits in just those 12 countries. Imagine what this could mean if all 54 countries in Africa open up to each other. It would be a game changer! Air connectivity can generate billions of dollar in GDP and create millions new jobs and numerous socio-economic benefits in Africa.

What gives you these audacious hopes?

We are beginning to see some positive changes. Following the launch of the SingleAfricanAir Transport Market in 2018, theAfrican

Continental Free Trade Area last year and clear implementation Action Plans by all relevant stakeholders driven by the African Civil Aviation Commission and the African Union, I remain optimistic with the belief that in the near future,Africa’s connectivity challenges will become a thing of the past. To ensure intra-African connectivity, 32 African countries have signed up to the Single African Air Transport Market and for the African Continental Free Trade Area, 52 African countries have signed up. I believe Africa is closer to the Promised Land.

Of course, given the current state of connectivity in Africa, this campaign has become personally interesting for me, because I have to travel for days just to give a one-hour presentation in some parts of Africa. I’m sure anyone, who has ever had to travel a lot across Africa can relate with this experience. Some think I’m a dreamer for trying to change the status quo, but a friend once said one cannot have

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͞Ë&#x153; 2020

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Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aviation is Burdened by Heavy Taxes Unrealistic Regulations and Policies a vision without a dream. A vision also becomes reality through setting clear goals, planning and execution. I desire a fully connected Africa. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m fully committed to this vision and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure millions of others are too. So Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m calling on all my fellow dreamers out there. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s join hands together to promote the prosperity ofAfrica through aviation.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m also passionate about Africa and its development. I want to see Africa take its rightful place in the global arena and aviation can help tremendously here. Africa is a continent of over 1.2 billion people with a huge geographical spread that is largely land locked. The continent needs a fully integrated multi-modal transport system supported by road and rail networks, but since these are not yet in existence in many parts ofAfrica, aviation is a viable method to move people, goods and services across the region.

You are a woman in senior leadership position in IATA and aviation in Africa and the world. What are your views on the idea of encouraging and empowering more women into leadership positions across the aviation value chain in Africa?

I believe in women and in women as leaders.

We have so much to offer. For starters, aviation has traditionally been a male-dominated industry with the majority of women, who work in the sector working as cabin crew or in ground services. There are very few women in top or senior leadership positions within the sector and they account for about three per cent of airline CEOs in the world! Some of the top 10 highest paying jobs are in aviation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; pilots and flight engineers but women only represent about seven per cent of this group globally. Interestingly, women now account for about 50 per cent of global business travel. The issue of Women Empowerment and Gender balance continues to dominate the global discourseacrossmanyindustriesandgovernments and aviation is not exempted. The first ever Global Aviation Gender Summit was held inAugust 2018 and was very enlightening as it showcased some very important factors that contribute to low female participation in leadership and technical roles, such as social conditioning, culture, stereotyping and unconscious bias amongst many others.

Are you saying women should be put into any leadership position just like that or use quota system?

Mymessagehereisnotabouttokenismorwomen playing the gender card, rather to focus on how to support and encourage women to aim high and attainthehighestlevelsofleadershipandachievement in spite of the challenges and contributory factors.

It is about ensuring that through the combination of what I call the 4Cs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Confidence, Competence, Capital and Charisma, women in and outside of aviation in Africa and the world over can achieve their dreams and reach the top in the corporate and business environments. What are the 4Cs? Confidence is about self-belief, professionalism and positive comportment. In order to reach the top and to achieve anything worthwhile, you must first believe that you can. As women, we need to build up our confidence, so we can seize opportunities in the industry as they arise. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be 100 per cent qualified for a role before we apply for it, which is the tendency of women.

Competence is about hard work, credibility and integrity. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to do everything you do to the best of your ability and develop competencies that are transferrable and scalable. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also essential to work hard and be smart, letting your work and winning personality be your calling cards. This gets you noticed, no matter what role youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in and will help you on your journey to the top. Capital in this context is mainly about self-development, creating a niche and cultivating your personal brand. Be known for good work, quality, dependability and so on and it will get you far. Finally, Charisma speaks for itself. Being pleasant, compelling, likeable and charming are not weaknesses, but rather strengths that will help propel everyone on their respective journeys.

So, how much of this has IATA embraced?

IATAis being proactive about this issue, realising that there was a need to encourage our female workforce to become their best selves and to reach for greater heights. We recently launched our 25 by 2025 campaign, designed to ensure that IATA, airlines and companies in the air transport ecosystem have at least 25 per cent of women in senior leadership positions by 2025. There have also been other initiatives, starting with women in leadership and a diversity and inclusion programme, both of which I was privileged to head in the region until 2016. We also helped with building confidence among our female workforce through what we

Competence, Capital and Charisma. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be daunted by anything. Believe you are already a leader while recognising the value in collaboration and team work. Identify your mentors and sponsors and grow with them. Nothing is impossible.

Impossible is nothing!

Adeyemi

called Gravitas training, mentoring through a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Big Sister Little Sisterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; programme and inviting successful women and men from across the region to share their life, work or business experiences to motivate our female workforce at various forums and events. We also launched a new Women in Aviation Leadership Diploma in 2018 and I was privileged to have delivered the first two modules on the programme in Johannesburg in 2018 and Lagos in 2019. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to encourage all Nigerian and African airline executives to nominate their female workforce to attend. The next cohort will be in Kigali, Rwanda in March 2020.

I also believe that both men and women have a roletoplayinnotjustmentoring,butalsosponsoring talented individuals and helping them achieve their goals. There is a lot of mentoring going on, but sponsoring is especially important though not quite as prevalent. Sponsoring is where a senior or leader in any field or industry takes you under their wing and provides you with opportunities that you may never otherwise have or to take a chance on you.

I believe this is what the UN HeForShe initiative tries to capture, ensuring that men who have been successfulinvariousfieldsactivelydevelopwomen.

This is actually one of the key contributory factors in the lives of many successful people and should be strongly encouraged.

As a woman who holds a position such as this, have you ever faced, or are there any challenge you face in your workplace being a woman in this position in Africa such as being regarded as the weaker sex or ďŹ lling a quota?

The argument of women being the weaker sex is long gone. We have women leaders in aviation and also inAfrica. TheAfrican Union Commissioner is woman. The Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is a woman.

The former Secretary-General of African Civil Aviation Commission (AfCAC) is a woman. We have amazing women airline CEOs in RwandAir, Air Botswana and Mango, director-generals of civil aviationauthoritiesandotherleadingwomenacross the value chain. Outside of the industry, we have amazing women chief executives, chair persons and business owners abounding in every sector in Nigeria and across the continent. So, the glass ceiling has been broken globally and inAfrica. The issue is we need more! IATAas an organisation has also taken key steps to empower women, including me; women are in several key positions of leadership and responsibility. So, while the barriers are slowly, but surely being broken, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still a long

way to go. There should be more women at the top of management and in strategic jobs, not just because we are women, but because we create and add significant value. Having said that, one does face a few challenges, mainly culture, perception and mindset. The most important thing though is doing what you need to do with competence and confidence using your capital and charisma, and you will be respected and well regarded, not just merely tolerated. This has been my experience.

How do you think we can address the skills gap and ageing workforce in African aviation?

Africa has a very ageing workforce. For example, the average age of a flight engineer in Africa is about 60 years old! This is on a continent where the average age of the total population is 19! In addition, Africa has one of the fastest projected passenger growth numbers for the next 20 years.

These figures tell us that there will be an increased demand for aviation services, with the necessary workforce that can support these projections.

The declining number of aviation professionals inAfrica due to age, retirement and skill flight create opportunities for women and youth to move in, given that they are a vital part of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s human resources. This means there should be no limits to women and youth in Nigeria and across the continent embracing aviation as a career choice and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very passionate about this. We need to channel and encourage girls into S.T.E.M (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) so we build up the pipeline for technical skills in aviation like flight engineers, pilots, aerospace engineers etc.

However, having a career in aviation is not only about becoming a pilot or flight engineer, as awesome as these jobs are. There are so many other areas to consider that need skilled workforce to sustain them. General management, air traffic controllers, environmentalists,engineers,technicians,IT,aircraft manufacturing, mechanics, designers, lawyers, airport development, the list goes on. We expect the industry to continue to grow and that growth can only be supported by a skilled workforce in all these areas. Aviation can form a new career path for thousands and millions in Nigeria and across Africa, especially in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world where many new career avenues have opened up and are being actively embraced in society.

What advice would you give to women who want to be leaders in the aviation or any other industry?

You can do it! Focus on the 4Cs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Confidence,

Tell us some more about you.What are your interests and hobbies?

You must already have guessed that travelling is one of my interests and passions. I always wanted to travel;IguessIgotthatfrommyfatherwhotravelled the world over his academic pursuits. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m blessed to have a job that allows me to combine some of the things I love dearly all in one â&#x20AC;&#x201C; advocacy and travel!

Travelling opens the mind because it makes you realise that thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great big world out there, with differentpeoples,cultures,customsandexperiences.

It keeps you centred, knowing that you are only one out of billions! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been wonderful to have had the opportunity to see a lot of the world and its sheer splendor; and I look forward to seeing a lot more. I love life and its simple pleasures â&#x20AC;&#x201C; great company, food and wine, books, music. I collect beautiful and creative objects, art and fashions. I love my family and friends and enjoy spending time with them, although given how much I travel, one of the downsides is that I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see them enough anymore: you lose touch with your base, your network.After a while, people forget to ask you to meet up or for events on the assumption that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not around.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always kept active through various sports and I havebeenrunningandswimmingforyears.Ijoined a running club few years ago, the Road Warriors, an awesome group of professionals who live an amazing lifestyle through being conscious of their health while still having a fun and enlightened life.

Our motto is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Eat Right, Run More, Inspire.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; I now run full marathons, thanks to this group, the last one being the Lagos Marathon which was tough but I got through it! Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m also involved in volunteer and charity work, recently with an initiative called Forty for Good, in collaboration with a friend, bringing together a group of people who all turned 40 in 2014, to contribute towards selected causes in cash or kind throughout the year. We supported the disabled elderly, children in need, childless widows and fertility.Also, we provide support in advocacy and project implementation for government and companies, in addition to setting up a non-profit organisation focusing on female empowerment.

What can you tell us about your upbringing?

My parents are my heroes. They made a huge impact on my life. While we had a strict upbringing, the values they taught us have stayed with me and I appreciate them so much more every passing day.

Their unconditional love, wise counsel, generosity of spirit and belief in me have really pushed me and got me through life, especially in tough times.

Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re my greatest champions. My father was an academic,renownedEmeritusProfessorAdedokun Adeyemi of blessed memory, Professor of Criminal Law, Criminology and Human Rights at University of Lagos for almost 50 years, and my mother an entrepreneur and woman of business now a pastor and is fully sold out to God. I am from a family of six, but we lost our brother in 2018. I thank all of us are doing well in our different areas of human endeavours. I grew up on a university campus around like-minded people, it was a real community with everyone knowing you, your parents and contributing to your personal development. We were encouraged to read widely, be curious and to be ourselves. My parents had an open-doorpolicyso,throughoutourtimeoncampus and outside of it, we always had family, friends and even strangers passing through. That taught me about generosity, tolerance and being open. It was interesting growing up in such a combined but cohesive household. Life on campus was charmed.

But it was a different ball game when we moved off campus in 2005.

We realised that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d been living in a kind of utopia! It seemed every household was its own local government, having to provide for basic utilities like power, water and security. It was an interesting experience indeed but we got used to this fast like almost everyone!

What is your ďŹ nal word?

Let me take this opportunity to pay tribute to the millions of working women out there. Women, who work, either as home-makers or running their own businesses or working with different organisations to achieve their dreams and to help support their families, friends and communities.

You are all simply awesome. We all contribute so much to the world in our own way. Whatever it is you do, take pride in it, strive to be the best you can be and make your mark on this world. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m proud to be one of you.

30

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹;˜ 2020

BUSINESS PERSONALITY ADEKUNLE ABISOLA

The Key to Successful Export Business is Quality of Commodity Mrs. Adekunle Taiwo Abisola is a young businesswoman with a passion for what she believes in. she calls herself ‘serialpreneur’ because she has hand on many pies: exportation, travel and tours, leadership training and youth development. Abisola is the chief executive officer of Super Brand Dynasty International Limited, which is into exportation and training. In this chat with Samuel Ajayi, she explains what is needed to have a foothold in the exportation business and why Nigerians need to ensure quality assurance in order to meet international standards

C

an you tell us a little about yourself?

courage to pull out of that place where you earn your salary, either your boss makes profit or not, to start on your own and depend on your own efforts, then you realise you are in for the big challenge. One key point I have to tell any intending entrepreneur is that you must be able to market your own brand. Many people say they hate marketing job. But until you are able to market for someone else, you won’t be able to market yourself. Another issue is that of finance. When I started in 2016, I had to raise N500,000 to get a paper that spoke about the trade we wanted to get into.

We practise large scale charcoal exportation.

And to do a container of charcoal under this government, we need about N1.3m. Yet, then it was about N700,000 to N800,000. Even sellers have increased their charges. Transportation then that used to be N170,000 is now N500,000.

Port documentation that used to be N110,000 is now N230,000. Yet we are still in this business.

As a beginner, we encourage you to start with your own money. If you have to get loan, it will be difficult. What we teach people is also financial education. Even if they don’t have money and they want to use other people’s money, there are some places they can start from. These are the ‘fishes’. And these are your friends and family. They are just for the success of your business and not your profit.

They want you to succeed. No father will borrow his son money and says he wants to kill him because he could not pay back. But if you go to the sharks or whales, then you are in for the big thing. This is because, when fishes bite you, the pain is minimal; but when sharks do, you know what it is about. These sharks are the big financial institutions. To get paid, you also need genuine buyers. The payment plan is 70 per cent when you send bill of laden and they pay 30 per cent after quality analysis.

My name is Adekunle Taiwo Abisola. I am an entrepreneur and a professional offering expertise on international trade, seminars and training, leadership and business development. I have an NGO; which is what I can call it. The name is World Changers Youth Initiative. The group started when I was in the university and it is for groups from different sectors of the society with the aim of influencing their fellow youths towards a positive lifestyle. Right now, we have over 50 volunteers across Africa and because we are in a digital age, we were able to raise these volunteers online in Cameroon, Ghana, Tanzania and Gambia and Nigeria being the headquarters.

You are equally into export business.

Can you tell us about that?

Due to the economic situation, I felt the need to participate in the diversification of the economy. After my university, I worked as a press manager in a printing press. I also worked as a project manager in a construction firm before I decided I wanted to be selling outside the country because there are so many commodities we have in the country that are needed in other countries. And for you to be able to meet up with standard of living in that country, you need to earn in foreign currency.

And by the time you change this country to our own, you can be able to earn a decent living.

I decided to join a company in Kiera where I worked for about two years and I was head of marketing for that international company.

They are into exportation of charcoal. We have it in abundance; especially in places like Oyo State, Abuja and so on. These are baked woods because the way you bake bread is the way you bake charcoal. Because I really wanted to learn, I started as trainee executive before I was promoted as marketing manager before I set up my own outfit, Super Brands Dynasty International Limited, which is into charcoal exportation. Before you start charcoal exportation, you need a buyer from abroad.

You may be wondering why an international buyer needs charcoal. Charcoal has many uses. It used for body cream. If you look at those who bake charcoal in the villages, their bodies are always shinning. Many people though charcoal is used only for cooking. No. It is also used as anti-poisoning ointment. It also has many industrial usages.

Let explain something. You know these dry cell batteries like Duracell. If you open it, you see some black materials inside. This is charcoal. So it is also used to generate power.

So it can do a lot of things. So these countries need it and they also use it to generate heat to warm themselves during winter.

You organise travels and tours too. Can you throw light on that?

I looked at it and wanted to create multiple

Abisola

streams of income and also maximise my space. So I found out that a friend of mine was recently appointed as the CEO of a major travel agency in the country and I asked if I could share my office space with them. And I also became a partner with Wakanow. They are into ticketing in the country anywhere in the country and also into booking of hotels anywhere in the country. Recently, some people were taken to Cape Verde and they had boat cruise and so on. To complete the cycle of international trade, because it involves taking out and bringing in, I decided to start bringing goods from China. I mean goods that were not readily available here. These are shoes and clothes and so on. I also do training for people on how to get buyers from abroad.

You cannot say you want to sell outside the country without getting genuine buyers. Some

of these buyers abroad feel Nigerians have duped their people and some of them see this international trade as opportunity to dupe us back. So we train people to know how to go about these trades without getting duped.

Mrs. Adekunle, can I say you are a Jack of all trades and master of all?

(Laughs) I can say I am a seriapreneur. That is what I can call myself.

How has the operating environment been as a young entrepreneur?

Well, there are many challenges. The first is the courage to start. There is also insecurity. I am not talking of killings of stuff, but careerwise. Many people who are earning salaries feel secured. They feel their bosses are keeping their monies for them. So when you need the

How do you meet your buyers? Is it online?

If you meet online, you are on your own.

Though, you can also meet genuine buyers online. But because I have worked with a company into this before, I was able to get recommendation. No genuine buyer will want to take you as a seller without a letter of recommendation from an existing seller.

Even if you get documents like export license, letter from the Ministry of Environment, field certificate and so on, you still need letter of recommendation from an existing seller.

What are projections for the year?

In this year 2020, we want to increase our capacity. Let us say we have been operating at 70 per cent, we want to do 99 per cent.

We also want to sensitise people to go into international trade. If we are told to go local, we must be able to sell the excess outside the country. We buy beans in the market and with stones in them, we take it home to pick them.

But such cannot cross the border to London. If a white man says he wants beans, it is without stones and whiffles. That is it. So we need to train people on quality and so on.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹;˜ 2020

31

BUSINESS INTERVIEW PEARL UZOKWE

To Save the Economy, FG Must Tackle Drug Abuse among Youths Though Sahara Group is a leading international energy and infrastructure conglomerate, it says doing business goes beyond making profit. Therefore, it has adopted measures to make its business sustainable in over 38 countries across Africa where it is operating. In Nigeria, it has commenced with the annual dedication of February to critical issues deserving global attention. This February, Sahara is focusing on substance abuse and using the #CleanLoveFebcampaign to complement efforts aimed at addressing the monster, gaining so much youth appeal and taking its toll on the nation’s productivity. In this interview with Bamidele Famoofo, Director, Governance and Sustainability at Sahara Group, Mrs. Pearl Uzokwe, said the leading energy conglomerate believes all stakeholders need to declare a state of emergency against substance abuse to address the issue effectively across the globe. Uzokwe also talked about the efforts of the group to promote circular economy in the country, among other issues. Excerpts:

W

hat is driving Sahara Group’s #CleanLoveFeb campaign against substance abuse?

In June 2019, Sahara Group launched its Green Life initiative - an overarchingprogrammecommitted to ensuring the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals by fostering sustainable environments and promoting holistic wellness within and outside Sahara Group. The Green Life Initiative has two distinct focus areas: People (The Green and Clean Programme) and the Environment.

The green and clean programme is focused on identifying the root cause of key social issues in beneficiary communities. Projects to be carried out will be targeted at resolving the causation as it is identified. Substance Abuse Awareness and Rehabilitation is one of the key focus areas under this initiative and we felt that there was no better way to show love in this month of February by tackling this menace of drug abuse here in Nigeria.

According to the latest United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report released in 2019, the global prevalence of drug use is 5.6 per cent. The 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report on illicit drug abuse indicated that the harmful use of alcohol results in 3.3 million deaths each year. It is estimated that 5.2 per cent of the global population between the ages of 15 and 64 years (over 360 million people) used an illicit drug in 2019. In addition, 1.5 per cent of global disease burden result from alcohol and illicit drug addiction, in some countries it is over 5 per cent.

As we work hand in hand with our partners to raise awareness on this menace, Sahara Group, through its corporate citizenship vehicle, Sahara Foundation, is always looking to invest in sustainable initiatives that empower the residents in the various communities where we operate to achieve their aspirations and attain a sense of purpose. Substance abuse is a monster that stifles aspirations and we all need to lend our voices to the campaign.

What are the activities you have earmarked for Sahara’s campaign against substance abuse?

The primary focus of the #CleanLoveFeb campaign is to sensitise the public, particularly young people, to the dangers of substance abuse. We have already started rolling out activities across Sahara Group’s locations in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

These include school activations such as open conversations, essay andchess competitions, awareness walks, press and radio interviews as well as visits to rehabilitation centers. We are hopeful that the #CleanLoveFeb campaign will also call more attention to mental health issues that often emerge from substance abuse. We are working with Dr. Tunde Fadipe, a psychiatrist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) as our lead expert on this campaign.

How can the society support people, especially youths who are going through drug and alcohol related challenges?

Any society that wishes to ensure that its youths are productive membersofsocietymustensurethattheyfindawaytocommunicate with the youths who are drug or alcohol dependent and have them feel that their concerns are being listened to. An issue like drug/ alcohol dependence often requires expert hands to peel through the layers of issues that have led the said individual down that path because without getting to the root cause one would merely be treating the surface wound. Sadly, a lot of youths today are dealing with a myriad of issues in a society that is largely failing them on several fronts and as such, there is a sense of despondency.

That said, being an eternal optimist, Nigeria remains a country with the most resilient souls. Once a little light is shown, that can often be the turning point. By this, I mean the creation of an enabling environment- from the provision of education, to access to power, to access to finance for SME’s and beyond. The youth are ready to work. The society should focus on empowering the various skills that today’s youths are courageously displaying.

well to be tackled holistically starting right from the very top with the government. It is imperative that we allocate resources to ensure that we not only have well-trained medical professional to address this menace, but that the medical infrastructure also exists to rehabilitate and support those who are alcohol and drug dependent. Similarly, our educational institutions will need to be equipped and teachers will need to be trained to ensure that they know what signs to look out for and when to ensure students receive the requisite medical attention required. Workplaces also have a role to play in ensuring that resources are allocated to tackle not just physical ailments, but mental ailments and that more importantly, the workplaces are safe environments to return to, following time taken off for illness to ensure that the stigma is lifted. Awareness and constant reminders will be necessary this change takes place.

How can role models in the society push the zero-substance abuse message in a way that resonates with young and impressionable individuals?

Living by example always resonates loudest. The more role models in society we have showcase their path to success without reliance on alcohol or substance abuse the louder the message will be. Success has great pull and it should be intentionally leveraged to encourage the youth by highlighting the path to success which is often missed in the glare of success highlighted in the various media forms particularly social media. What is often missing is the sheer hard work, grit and resilience required to make it to the top.

Uzokwe

Mental health issues often contribute to substance abuse.

How can this be addressed especially in the workplace?

Globalisation today means that any organisation that wants to remain relevant in the years to come must look at growing trends in workplaces the world over and seek to learn from their success stories. Mental health is an issue that in years gone by would be swept under the carpet particularly in the workplace.

Employers who are successful in retaining their employees and creating work environments to be emulated have very quickly realised the importance of providing for the holistic wellbeing of their employees. Employees spend a significant amount of time on their workplaces. To ensure that you the best out of your employees, the necessary investment must also be done to assist in providing support to employees especially those who are dealing with mental health challenges in various forms. Gone are the days where the mention of mental illness sent employers running for the hills as these days, thankfully, there is far better understanding of mental illness and its management. Like any other illness early diagnosis, treatment and support is necessary for recovery. Corporate citizens would do well to provide for mental care in the same way they do for physical care. Sahara is invested in this and has commenced the provision of standby professional counselling services and support to those in need, nursing corners to support new mothers and prevent post-natal depression, massage services and gyms at various office locations all in a bid to provide for the holistic well being of our employees.

This is an area constantly under review as it needs to be dynamic to ensure it is in tune with the needs of the employees.

Stigma and profiling have been highlighted as some of the drivers of substance abuse. Who should lead the charge against this?

I think everyone has a role to play and this role starts with becoming aware and lending one’s voice against substance abuse.

That said, an issue as significant as substance abuse would do

What projects have been carried out so far under the Sahara Green Life initiative?

In our effort to promote a circular economy, we have commenced an extensive recycling programme at three of our office locations commencing with paper, plastic and aluminum recycling. Our aim is to promote a circular economy aimed at minimising waste and making the most of our resources. For environmental sustainability the recycled waste collected will be converted into fibre, tissue paper and PET pellets for continued use. Recycling operations have commenced in our Ijora, Ikoyi and Abuja offices. Working with our partners Pearl Recycling, we donate our used tyres for upcycling and creative remodeling into sustainable eco-friendly products such as ergonomically designed chairs for schools, which can be used in our host communities. Our interventions also include sustained training for indigenes of the Ijora community to upcycle waste products such as tyres and convert them into furniture, equip them with tools and set them on a path to sustainably train others in the community including students in a manner that helps tackle climate change whilst providing economic empowerment. We also recently launched a recycle hub within the Ijora Oloye community to combat the menace of pollution as the flagship project.

What role can the private sector play in promoting the SDGs? The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 goals set by the United Nations and adopted by Member States as a universal call to action targeted at ending poverty, protecting our environment and ensuring that people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.

The private sector in a country like Nigeria has a pivotal role to play. Presently, approximately 90 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP is contributed to by the private sector. Looking at the failings of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s), which preceded the SDGs, the absence of collaboration with the private sector was one of the reasons for its failure. Seeing the success attained by the private sector in actively empowering and providing a steady source of revenue to the nation and in turn economic prosperity, it is only logical that the strength of the private sector is leveraged alongside that of the several stakeholder participants and harnessed towards the attainment of targeted SDG for greater impact and success.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹;˜ 2020

32

Global Macroeconomic Highlights

Trade Tensions and Geo poli cal ncertain es Weigh on Global Growth The IMF revised its global growth forecast for 2019 further downward to 3.0% in its October 2019 Outlook, the h down ward review from its ini al 3.9% forecast mid 2018 and signi cant below the 3. % recorded in 2018. This indicates that glob al growth in 2019 is expected to be the slowest since the 2008 nancial crisis. The growth performance was driven by a syn chronized slowdown globally, which we a ribute mainly to prolonged trade ten sions between the two largest economies in the world – US and China – and Brexit.

The trade spat disrupted global supply chains, with nega ve implica ons for global manufacturing, trade and invest ments.

Global growth in 2020 is projected by the IMF to improve to 3.4% due largely to an expansion in EMDEs. In AEs, growth is expected to remain unchanged at 1.7% in 2020 mainly on the back of a slowdown in the US to 2.1% despite a mild recovery in growth in the Euro area to 1.4%. The growth forecast for AEs re ects waning scal s mulus in the US, increased proba bility of a ͚hard͛ Brexit and weakening investment sen ment in the EU. Mean while, EMDEs are projected to expand at a faster pace of 4. % in 2020. hile Chi nese growth is expected to further mod erate to 5.8% in 2020, there is a projected outperformance in India at a growth rate of 7.0%. SSA economies are expected to grow faster at 3. %, driven by fast paced growth of 2.5% in Nigeria and 1.1% in South Africa.

Dovish Chorus All the Way In sharp contrast to the narra ve in 2018 where policy normalisa on took center stage, monetary policy direc on in 2019 was largely dovish with global systemical ly important central banks echoing an ͚easing͛ monetary chorus. This was due to trade tensions between the US and China which con nued to impede global manu facturing & trade ac vi es, weaken in vestment con dence and consumer spending. Thus, it became impera ve for monetary authori es to support growth through reduc on in policy rates and the applica on of other unconven onal mon etary easing techniques.

In the US, following the successive cuts, the FOMC indicated the possibility of maintaining rates at the current level for most of 2020. The ECB in the EU indicated that decisions on policy rates would be guided by economic performance. Going into 2020, we expect an easy monetary stance to be sustained in the SSA region.

However, trade and geo poli cal tensions coupled with other developments are expected to in uence monetary policy decisions.

Domes c Macroeconomic Highlights

Real GDP: Be er Prospects but Patchy Recovery In 2019, we an cipated a faster pace of recovery but the economy struggled due

to lack of support from scal and monetary policies. In Q1:2019, growth moderated to 2.1% (vs. 2.4% in Q4:2018). This was sus tained as growth was at at 2.1% in Q2:2019 before rising faster at 2.3% in Q3:2019. The oil sector supported growth in 2019 through a slower contrac on of 1.5% in Q1 (vs. 1. % in Q4:2018) and a signi cant improvement of 7.2% and .5% in Q2 and Q3:2019 respec vely. The non oil sec tor could not sustain its posi ve momentum from 2018 as broad based performance remained weak. Non oil sector growth slowed to 2.5% in Q1 (vs. 2.7% in Q4:2018), 1. % in Q2 but slightly recovered to 1.8% in Q3:2019.

e downgraded our 2019 growth forecast to 2.2% in August from the ini al 2.5% due to weaker than expected performance in the non oil sector in H1:2019. Looking ahead, we forecast real GDP growth to ex pand to 2.4% in 2020, driven by a moderate expansion in the oil and non oil sectors.

In a on utloo : Rising Pressure nderway in 2020 There was mild pressure on consumer pric es for most of 2019 as headline in a on decelerated to a 43 month low of 11.0% in August 2019. This downtrend was driven by slower increases in food prices and con n ued exchange rate stability. However, there was a reversal in trend for most of H2:2019 as in a on rose to 11.9% in November 2019 following the FG͛s sudden decision to close land borders between Nigeria and neighbouring countries. Given the depend ence on neighbouring countries for food imports, food prices surged despite the onset of the harvest season which typically coincides with slower price rises. e es mate F :2019 headline in a on to average 11.4%, down from our updated forecast of 11.5% when the border was shut.

In 2020, new and familiar headwinds to consumer prices abound. The proposed increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) to 7.5% from 5.0%, which we expect to be imple mented in Q1:2020, would result in rising prices. The likely adop on of a new electric ity tari as well as con nued insecurity in the food plan ng Middle Belt also poses downside risks to consumer prices. The expansion in money supply following ag gressive credit growth in the banking sys tem and the new minimum wage could incite price pressures. In our base case, we assume the adop on of new electricity tar i in April 2020, new VAT of 7.5%, sustained land border closure and insecurity in the Middle Belt. In this instance, we project in a on to rise to 12.7%.

External Balance: External Pressures Bite Hard In retrospect, 2018 was a decent year, with only one episode of nega ve current ac count balance recorded in Q3. However, this has gathered pace in 2019 with three consecu ve quarters of nega ve current account balance. The account turned nega ve at 2.5% of GDP in Q1 (vs. 1.0% in Q4:2018) as well as in Q2 and Q3 at 3.2% and 2.2% respec vely. The sharp dip in Q2 was the highest current account de cit rec orded since Q3:2015, driven mainly by a 23. % Q o Q contrac on in transfers.

In 2020, we an cipate sustained pressure on the external posi on of Nigeria. The current account is expected to be under pressure for most of the year as imports would be helped by increased credit and a strong currency.

However, stability in oil produc on and high er oil prices, if sustained, would be a strong bu er. e expect persistent de cit in the services and income accounts although stead ily increasing remi ances would o er some respite.

New Tax Ini a ves Insu cient to Plug Revenue Gap Based on budget assump ons, revenue is projected to rise 20.8% to 8.4tn in 2020. Oil & Gas revenue of 2.8tn is expected to be collected during the year, 25.1% below the previous year following downward revisions to oil price and produc on but s ll a lion share of the total expected revenue at 32.8%. e expect oil revenue to moderately under perform despite the signi cant haircut due to sustained petrol subsidies. e are not op mis c that the border will remain closed for an extended period to reduce petrol leakages to neighbouring countries and prompt lower subsidies spending. Non oil revenue is ex pected to advance 29.9% to 1.8tn, ac coun ng for 21.4% of budgeted revenue. The biggest leap comes from customs & excise du es revenue which is forecasted to almost double to 18. bn. e suspect that this is expected to be driven by higher formal trade following the border closure but the a endant revenue gains are unlikely in our view.

Independent revenues have recently picked up following more measured expecta ons in the 2018 and 2019 budgets. In 2019, this revenue line is es mated to have recorded a 100.0% performance but the forecasted 34.7% increase to 850.0bn in 2020 is ambi ous. The real challenge to achieving FG͛s revenue budget comes from non core reve nue sources including grants & donor fund ing, asset sales, recoveries & nes etc, which have a history of dismal performances. In our view, there could be slight reprieve from the introduc on of stamp duty, which the Budget Ministry forecasted at 200.0bn but the Na onal Assembly more than doubled to 4 3.9bn. Overall, we forecast a revenue performance of 5 .2% in 2020, indica ng a rise in retained revenue to 4.7tn from an es mated 3.9tn in 2019. In turn, debt ser vice to revenue would improve but remain elevated at 51.9%. e expect higher than expected scal de cit to hamper budget im plementa on, which would be partly plugged by monetary nancing from the CBN.

Exchange Rate: Naira Wal ing on Eggshells e expected currency pressures in 2019 ahead of the elec ons and the weak prospect for higher oil prices and capital in ows. How ever, despite three consecu ve quarters of nega ve current account balance, the worst since Q2:2015, the exchange rate was stable for most of 2019. The stability was supported by weekly FX sales by the CBN in the various foreign exchange markets.

In 2020, we believe the dark clouds are gath ering, indica ng further currency pressures and an imminent devalua on. Aside from weak oil prices and capital ows, which

would be the fundamental drivers of currency movements, there has been an aggressive liquidity build up in the economy. The la er is due to an expansion in credit and large amounts of OMO maturi es without high yielding investment outlets. In our view, this could lead to increased demand for imports, which would depress the current account balance. Similarly, there could be higher FX demand as the case for diversifying invest ments into dollar assets is compelling given nega ve real returns domes cally. e expect currency stability in H1:2020 and a 10.0% devalua on to 39 .00 US 1.00 in H2:2020 if capital ows remain weak and oil price falls below US 0.0 bbl.

Monetary Policy Environment in 2020: Will the CBN Abandon nconven onal Measures?

The CBN has lately promoted unorthodox policies but this assumed signi cant dimen sions in 2019. The bi monthly MPC mee ng which had become a symbolic ritual regained prominence in March 2019 a er a 50bps cut in MPR to 13.5%, the rst reduc on since November 2015. This was against our expec ta on of an unchanged rate of 14.0% in 2019.

However, the impact of the rate cut was neg ligible given the irrelevance of the MPR in serving as a signal to market wide interest rate movements. Monetary policy took a di erent turn in H2:2019 as the CBN estab lished a minimum LDR of 0.0% which was later increased to 5.0% to encourage credit expansion in the face of anaemic growth in Q1 and Q2:2019. Furthermore, the CBN re stricted the par cipa on of local corporates and individuals in the OMO market, leading to a sharper modera on in yields due to the narrow depth of the Treasury bills market.

This translated to nega ve real returns fol lowing the sharp rise in in a on to 11.9% as a result of Nigeria͛s land border closure.

In 2020, we expect two dis nct halves but we project the MPR to remain stable at 13.5%. In the rst instance, we believe the CBN would sustain its current policies in H1:2020 despite elevated in a on. However, as we envisage currency pressures which could a ect curren cy stability and in turn the con dence of for eign investors, we expect higher yields in H2:2020. Furthermore, there seems to be no escape as the downside risks to in a on from higher electricity prices could emerge if the proposed tari hike is implemented in April 2020. Hence, In addi on to the likely currency pressures hinted above, we believe high in a onary risks could force the CBN to adopt a ghtening stance in H2:2020.

Nigerian inancial Mar ets

E ui es Mar et Review and utloo ͙ The Bears Had It All! Market momentum was mostly bearish in 2019 as the benchmark index fell to 2 ,842.07 points, sinking deeper with a 14. % loss a er losing 17.8% in 2018. Taking a clue from the poor performance in 2018, the mar ket started 2019 with a loss of 2.8% in anu ary, which worsened down the year. The lack of clear catalysts, sound policy proposals, mixed corporate earnings performance, high xed income yield environment, coupled with the exit of foreign investors and non par cipa on of the deep pocket PFAs le stocks in the doldrums. Although there were

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͞Ë&#x153; 2020

pockets of posi ve s mulants (such as new lis ngs from AIRTEL and MTN, 2019 elec on and fund realloca on on the back of OMO restric ons), these were insu cient to change the narra ve for 2019.

As the bearish sen ment engulfed the local bourse, ac vity level fell with average daily volume and value declining 21.2% and 20.8% to 309.4m units and 3. bn respec vely in F :2019. Foreign par cipa on de clined while domes c par cipa on in the market rose slightly. On the average, do mes c investors accounted for 51.1% of transac ons rela ve to 48.9% from foreign investors, while net value of transac ons from foreign investors was nega ve as ou lows ( 0.48tn) surpassed in ows ( 0.40tn).

In Our 2020 crystal ball suggests a bullish performance in the local market. This prog nosis is against the backdrop of slow global economic growth and dovish monetary policy stance across developed economies.

Locally, this is driven by unorthodox do mes c monetary policy (characterised by a low yield environment), improving clarity on domes c scal policy and an improve ment in corporate earnings performance and corporate ac vi es, including new lis ng and recapitalisa on exercise. Based on the drivers listed above, we foresee three possible scenarios in 2020: Pessimis c Case: 11.8%, Base Case: 13.3% and Op mis c Case: 41.0%.

ixed Income Mar et Review and utloo : The Search for High YieldsÍ&#x2122; A Boon to Emerging Mar et Bonds In 2019, bond yields fell sharply in response majorly to rate cuts by monetary policy authori es in AEs & EMDEs in a bid to s m ulate growth following the economic slow down caused by geopoli cal tensions and trade con icts among world powers. Global central banks cut rates in response to mut ed economic growth and this spurred inves tors to hunt for yields during the year un der review. Stemming from mostly in u enced yields in 2019, the outlook for the global xed income market in 2020 rests majorly on the monetary policy stance of global systemically important central banks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; whether accommoda ve or otherwise.

Like many xed income instruments, emerging market bonds rallied given the accommoda ve monetary policy environ ment, which caused yields to fall even fur ther in developed markets. Based on re ports from the Interna onal Ins tute of Finance (IIF), por olio ows into emerging markets rose precipitously by 59.8% o to US 310.0bn in 2019. In Africa, bond in vestors made a fortune on local and dollar denominated bonds. Sovereign Eurobonds in the region generated over 20.0% in re turns in 2019, more than any other region in the EM while the Sub Saharan African (SSA) Sovereign and Corporate Eurobonds under our coverage gained 10.1% and 14.4% respec vely.

2019 was an even ul year in the Nigerian xed income market. In H1, the xed in come market was bullish despite elec on ji ers in Q1. Average xed income (Treasury bills and sovereign bonds) yields declined from 15.4% at the end of 2018 to

14.1% and 13.9% at the end of Q1 and Q2 respec vely. Notably, there was a wave of CBN regula ons in the la er part of the year which featured restric ons of local corpo rates and retail investors from par cipa ng in OMO auc ons, forcing domes c investors to scramble for the scarce Treasury bills at PMA auc ons. By the end of the year, average yields on Treasury bills and sovereign bonds had reached a 3 year low of 10.0%.

Our predic on of yields movement for 2020 is comprehensive. e believe that the move ment of short term yields will be driven by monetary policy decisions by the apex bank while long term yields will be determined by the ac vi es of long term investors. The seg menta on in the money market, which saw yields on short term instruments decline sharply, is likely to con nue ll the end of Q2:2020. On this basis, we predict a further 100 bps drop in average short term yields for the rst half of 2020. Should the CBN return to status quo in Q3 as predicted, we expect a 250 bps rise in average short term yields for the residual part of the year. Overall, we ex pect a 150bps rise in average short term yields for 2020. For mid and long term in struments, we expect that con nuous in ows

by PFAs, asset management companies and foreign investors in search of high yields will depress average yields by a further 150 bps.

Investment Strategy for ĎŽĎŹĎŽĎŹÍ&#x2122; Increased Searchlight for Value In 2019, monetary policy in developed econo mies was largely accommoda ve, resul ng in lower yields on bonds globally and massive in ows of por olio investments into EMÍ&#x203A;s local and dollar denominated sovereign and corporate debt as investors sought high yields. Meanwhile our expecta on that the bearish sen ment for equi es will be re versed in the year was fu le as the bears dominated for the be er part of the year.

A review of the performance of the por olios that we recommended for 2019 showed that our xed income por olios returned an aver age of 2 .7%. Our Modi ed Dura on Por o lio, with a 37. % return, outperformed the S&P FMDQ Nigeria Sovereign Bond Index which had a return of 34.8%. Similarly, our Smart Eurobond Por olio and Passive Bond Por olio returned 17. % and 25.1% respec vely, above the return on a 10 US Treasury Note at 11.2%. In the equi es space, the overall por olio posted a .2% loss as all the por olios (Banking Quality: 1.5%, Value: 3.2%, Dividend Income: 5.2%, Growth: 1.5%) posted losses. Although the por olios returned losses, all outperformed the market.

Our investment strategy for 2020 is premised on expecta ons of yield vola lity in the local and Eurobonds markets as well as the SSA Eurobonds market. Since yields in these mar kets are likely to remain rela vely higher than global levels and hence a rac ve, we expect signi cant trading ac vi es in these markets in 2020 as investors â&#x20AC;&#x201C; local and foreign â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ex plore pro table opportuni es by riding the yield curve. In the equi es market, we expect a bullish equi es market performance in 2020 and we see room for alpha return given low valua on levels a er two consecu ve years of nega ve performances.

33

Nigeria in the New Decade: Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

Macroeconomic Performance in the 2010s: A Tale of Two Halves The performance of NigeriaÍ&#x203A;s economy in the last decade has been a story of two halves.

The period between 2010 and 2014 was characterised by a much be er performance than the la er half of the decade. Overall, growth expanded at an average of 3.7%, much lower than 7.7% in the preceding dec ade. In early to mid 2010s, growth was resili ent at an average of .1% per annum. This was driven by sustained expansion in the agriculture sector, which was supported by government policies. Manufacturing and services also blossomed due to the stable macroeconomic environment characterised by income growth, low in a on and a stable exchange rate.

However, growth slumped to an average of 1.2% in the la er half of the decade. This was due to a vola le macroeconomic envi ronment, mainly due to the slump in oil pric es and the lack of reforms to reset the path of the economy. Due to the slowdown in growth, per capita income which started the decade at US 2,292 in 2010 peaked at US 2,5 3.9 in 201 before slumping to US 2,39 in 2018. In a on averaged 11.9% over the 2010s. In par cular, there was a low in a on period at an average of 11.0% be tween 2010 and 2014. In the la er half of the decade, this was higher at 12.9%, re ec ng the shortage of food, currency deval ua on and elevated insecurity.

Nigeria in the Next Decade (2020 2029): nwilling Transi on to a Post Carbon Economy e believe the challenges of the past would con nue to haunt the Nigerian economy, especially in the near term. President Buhari has been slow in implemen ng much need ed reforms to put the country on a path to prosperity. Accordingly, over the next four years, we believe the pace of governance and reforms would con nue to be slow. The result would be the con nua on of the low growth cycle (below 3.0%) in which the economy is stuck, making the prospect for higher per capita income levels dim. The new wage increase and the di culty in mobilising taxes would combine to put addi onal pres sure on government nances.

The de could change in the la er half of the decade but the task would be even more arduous. This would depend on the policies of the next President that would be elected in the 2023. If the leadership of the country favours a market approach, restores scal discipline, curbs subsidies, embraces trade, embarks on business environment reforms and raises agriculture produc vity, the pro gress towards economic prosperity could be within reach. Although our op mism is measured, there is s ll me even for Presi dent BuhariÍ&#x203A;s administra on to start laying the founda ons required.

E ui es Mar et: A Decade in RetrospectÍ&#x2122; Be er Sophis ca on but ac lustre Performance Coming from a global recession in 2008, the equi es market commenced the decade amidst great pessimism with the index at 20,839.90 points and 5.0tn capitalisa on.

The recession brought the index down ( 8. %) from a peak of ,371.20 points (March 2008). All through the past decade, equi es performance struggled to stage a comeback. The depth of the market has improved, driven majorly by NSE led reforms and partly CBNÍ&#x203A;s. These policy reforms a racted bigger company lis ngs, increased foreign par cipa on, provided a be er pla orm for trade execu on, enabled price discovery, screened out non compliant issu ers and improved issuer disclosure. Howev er, weak external developments and broad macro economic challenges have kept the equi es market behind an appreciable re covery.

In summary, the market performance over the past decade from a return perspec ve is somewhat unimpressive given the 28.9% gain in Naira terms while in Dollar terms this a lot worse, losing 47.2%. Understandably, this re ects the various currency issues the economy has been through over the period.

In the context of rela ve peer performance, the Nigerian equi es market performance was also unimpressive, losing the most (47.2%) within the N11, SSA and the advance market peers.

The New Decade: The Worst Days are Behind The new decade promises to be be er based on the on going reset in the economy and consolida on of reforms across key sec tors. From the poli cal angle, the strength and maturity of NigeriaÍ&#x203A;s democracy is not in doubt. e expect the poli cal scene to get increasingly organised with cleaner and san er electoral systems over the next decade. e see a Nigeria where elec ons are con ducted electronically, given the increased penetra on of technology in every facet of government. The equi es market should draw posi ve sen ments from this. The pre sent administra on, is doing so much to alter the Nigerian narra ve which should form a bedrock and yards ck for governance and performance measurement over the next ten years. e expect to see deliberate and increasing a empt to shi the na onÍ&#x203A;s economic base away from the oil sector to the non oil. The posi ve knock on e ect of power sector reforms and capital infrastructure upgrades in healthcare, educa on and manufacturing will signi cantly impact on how companies make money over the next decade. Over the next decade, the banking sector is expected to see stricter regula on. This is to provide a solid banking base that can support the ex pansion in the industry and the economy in terms of credit supply and macroeconomic stability.

ƾůůÄ&#x17E;Ä&#x161; ĨĆ&#x152;Žž Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; Ä&#x17E;Ç&#x2020;Ä&#x17E;Ä?ĆľĆ&#x;Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E; Ć?ƾžžÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ç&#x2021; ŽĨ Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; ĨĆ&#x152;Ĺ?ĹśÇ&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E;Ć?Ć&#x161; ĎŽĎŹĎ­Ďľ ZÄ&#x17E;Ç&#x20AC;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;Ç Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; ĎŽĎŹĎŽĎŹ KĆľĆ&#x161;ůŽŽŏ ZÄ&#x17E;Ć&#x2030;Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;Ć&#x161; Ć&#x;Ć&#x161;ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ä&#x161; Í&#x17E;EĹ?Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x201A; Ĺ?Ĺś Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; EÄ&#x17E;Ç Ä&#x17E;Ä?Ä&#x201A;Ä&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Í&#x2014; EĹ˝Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ĺ?ĹśĹ? sÄ&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161;ĆľĆ&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161;Í&#x2022; EĹ˝Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ĺ?ĹśĹ? 'Ä&#x201A;Ĺ?ĹśÄ&#x17E;Ä&#x161;Í&#x2DC;Í&#x; Download the full report via Ĺ&#x161;ĆŠĆ&#x2030;Ć?Í&#x2014;ÍŹÍŹ Ä?Ĺ?Ć&#x161;Í&#x2DC;ĹŻÇ&#x2021;ÍŹĎŽĆľD Ć&#x161;DĹŠ or visit re search.afrinvestor.com

Ë&#x153; Ëž FEBRUARY 16, 2020

34

MARKET NEWS

UPDC Shops for N15.962bn Fresh Capital from Existing Shareholders Goddy Egene UAC Nigeria Property Development Company Plc on Monday began the process of raising about N15.962 billion from existing shareholders as part of its recapitalisation and restructuring efforts.

The company, which in its unaudited 2019 full year financial results, reported loss of N16.275 billion, is raising the fresh capital through a rights issue of 15.962 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N1.00 per share.

UAC of Nigeria (UACN)Plc,

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sharesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on the

which is the parent firm of UPDC last year announced a collective consideration of strategic initiatives involving a recapitalisation and restructuring of UPDC. UACN had explained that it was in the process of a strategic review, evaluating its performance

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 13Feb-2020, unless otherwise stated.

and its subsidiaries. The objective is to achieve sustainable positive financial performance from its existing operations and enable management focus on businesses that align with its strategy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In reviewing UPDC, the board weighed the long-term opportunities

in the Nigerian real estate sector against the fundamental differences between the cashflow profile and capital needs of UPDC versus other entities in UACâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s portfolio.

Following its review, the board concluded that it would be in the best interest of respective

stakeholders of UACN and UPDC if UACNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s equity interest in UPDC is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;unbundledâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; such that UACN no longer holds any shares in UPDC and UPDC operates as a standalone legal entity, free to source appropriately structured capital,â&#x20AC;? the company said.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 153.69 157.17 4.56% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 2.95% Nigeria International Debt Fund 319.39 319.39 2.46% 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 7.60% ACAP Income Funds 0.76 0.76 33.91% 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 7.17% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.47 2.52 0.41% 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 6.23% Anchoria Equity Fund 104.17 104.54 2.15% 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 15.78 16.26 3.02% ARM Discovery Fund 354.23 364.91 2.54% ARM Ethical Fund 30.15 31.06 3.67% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.19% 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 99.97 100.67 4.05% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 NA 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 N/A N/A N/A Paramount Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Women's Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.60% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 104.66 105.23 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 114.36 115.03 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 5.04% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 4.90% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,184.24 1,186.18 1.90% 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 1,322.89 1,324.03 2.46% FBN Balanced Fund 150.93 152.11 2.80% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.57% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 120.27 120.60 0.86% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 120.93 121.26 0.92% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 127.89 129.53 -1.72% 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 8.42% Legacy Debt Fund 3.69 3.69 0.88% Legacy Equity Fund 1.14 1.16 1.07% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.09 1.09 0.50% 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 3,114.98 3,149.30 4.42% Coral Income Fund 3,180.11 3,180.11 16.00% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 7.93% 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 4.94% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 118.92 119.44 10.34%

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 6.43% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.27 2.30 5.38% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 9.82% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 140.71 141.24 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 1.19 1.21 1.87% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,113.83 1,113.83 1.42% 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 1.40 1.43 14.66% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.54 12.64 10.99% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 7.06% PACAM Equity Fund 1.14 1.15 PACAM EuroBond Fund 105.67 107.59 SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 131.01 134.95 8.97% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.01 1.01 1.28% 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 3.51% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 0.81% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 3.93% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 1.24% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 3.17% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.19% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 3.56% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.16 1.16 0.77% 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 1.21 1.23 0.43% United Capital Bond Fund 1.76 1.76 1.33% United Capital Equity Fund 0.70 0.72 -0.29% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.97% United Capital Eurobond Fund 112.83 112.83 0.86% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.09 1.10 0.67% 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 10.50 10.66 2.37% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.69 11.84 0.78% Zenith Income Fund 23.02 23.02 3.57% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.19%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

3.45 119.99 52.31

-64.35% 0.75% 0.50%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.26 96.85 75.14

9.36 98.93 76.56

6.28% 4.74% 1.94%

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

3.72 5.08 12.99 11.71 175.55

3.76 5.16 13.09 11.91 177.55

4.66% -13.89% 6.90% 12.59% -6.40%

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 managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website and FMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2020 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

35

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

16.2.2020

TIME AFTER TIME: 10 CELEBRITIES WHOSE MARRIAGES HAVE STOOD THE TEST ASSISTANTEDITOROLUFUNKEOLAODE/funkola2000@gmail.com

61

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͯʹ˜ 2020

COVER

10 Nigerian Celebrities Couple in Ever-green Marriage Through the fire to the limit, they have risked it all to stay true to their marital union. At a time when marriages are short-lived, some celebrity couples have proved true to their marital vows.

Vanessa Obioha writes about them Ituah and Ibidunni Ighodalo: Always Together

T

oday marks the 13th anniversary of the Ighodalos and in the usual tradition of Ibidunni, the beauty and brain behind Elizabeth R Events, she will shower praises to the man who walked her down the aisle 13 years ago. It is not uncommon to see posts eulogising her husband on her Instagram page. She never misses an opportunity to share mementos of them together or inspire her over 70,000 followers with their journey of love. But she doesn’t do this in an ostentatious way. It is her own way of telling the world that she got a man who got her back.

The story of the Ighodalos is an inspiring one for newlyweds or couples going through challenges.

Their love story is one plotted around rejection. Ighodalo was formerly married to Lucy AnnSummer during his sojourn in the United States of America. Then, he had not assumed the role of a clergyman.

As a carefree man who cared little about salvation, he was the ladies man (and still is). Armed with the right looks, he made many damsels hearts’ flutter. So it was not a surprise that he would capture the heart of Summer.

Their union had all the trappings of true love but when a rough wind blew, their ship couldn’t survive the storm.

Ighodalo’s decision to return to Nigeria automatically ended the marriage as both couldn’t sustain their relationships over the long distance.

Notwithstanding, Ighodalo found love again when he met the former lux beauty queen Ibidunni. His union with her however cost him a family. After being remarried for two-and-a-half years, Ighodalo was asked to leave the Christ Church Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God that he was famed to have nurtured. The news of his sack made headlines.

But all of that is in the past as he and his heartthrob are tending their own flock of worshippers at Trinity House.

The beauty of their union is how they have stayed glued and true to each other despite the challenges they have faced, particularly struggle with fertility. The Ighodalos have in no way worn their problems on their sleeves, instead, they lift each other up (and also others) through words of encouragement and love. Their home is one full of laughter and joy of their

children which is visible in the lovely posts Ibidunni shares on her Instagram page. In her words, she and her beau are two hearts beating as one, two heads but one thought, two bodies but one soul!

Richard and Jumobi Mofe-Damijo: Still Loving If you ask the prince of the silver screen Richard Mofe-Damijo about his marital life, his prompt response will likely be “19 years no be beans.”

Indeed, not all couples in Nollywood can boast of such lasting relationships.

Formerly married to May Ellen Ezekiel, who unfortunately passed on in 1996, Mofe-Damijo found love again in the arms of the former presenter on Raypower 101.5FM and AIT, Jumobi Adegbesan. Those who worked closely with the latter would easily recall her dreams to be a Mrs. Mofe-Damijo one day. With love, anything is possible.

It was only a matter of time before Cupid brought their hearts together and the rest, they say is history. The lovebirds are happily married and are still growing strong every day.

Though Jumobi chooses to work from behind the screen, her husband seizes every opportunity to celebrate her on Instagram. If he is not sharing their cute pout photos, he is probably telling his Instagram family how blessed he is to such a ray of sunshine in his life.

Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva: Always Evergreen Their love story has been told over and over again but we are never tired of hearing it. We love good old love stories like veteran actors Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva to remind us that neither career nor age differences can quench the flames of true love. They command such respect that whenever there is a list of successful marriages in Nollywood, their names will inevitably be on top of that list.

The love story goes that Jacobs met Silva at an Independence Day celebration and he fell in love with her immediately. The story is as simple as that. Yet, the couple are seen as exemplary figures to emulate when it comes to celebrity marriage. On Instagram, Silva calls her husband Sir J and never fails to comment on his good looks. Although Jacobs’ Instagram feed boasts few posts, you can bet that half of the posts celebrate his wife and her career. Perhaps, the magic of their love is how they treat each other professionally both online and offline.

Soni and Betty Irabor

Ituah and Ibidunni Ighodalo

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FEBRUARY 16, 2020 ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

COVER 10 NIGERIAN CELEBRITIES COUPLE IN EVER-GREEN MARRIAGE

Dare and Deola Alade

status, the couple always dish out relationship ideas to anyone who cares to listen. Not too long ago, they were featured on a TV commercial by seasoning brand Maggi where they displayed their culinary skills. The couple married in 2001 and have three children.

Isaac and Nneka Moses: Stuck to Each Other You may be forgiven if you thought Nneka and Isaac Moses were siblings.

The two lovebirds are always seen together. Whether on screen presenting their award-winning travel show Goge Africa, or off screen attending events, they are always together like Siamese twins. The couple who met on the set of a movie in 1996 are rare examples of couples who have good working relationships. Their love was put to test after more than a decade of marriage, they had no child. However, in 2012, the couple finally welcomed a child. The couple tied the knots in 1997.

Tunde and Wunmi Obe

Yinka and Temitope Ayefele: Always Believing It is often said that when life gives you lemons, make lemonades.

Musician and media entrepreneur Yinka Ayefele has done exactly that since a ghastly accident that affected his spinal cord confined him to a wheelchair over two decades ago. But beyond his accident, Ayefele is blessed with a beautiful and kind-hearted woman who refused to abandon him at the nadir of his life. Temitope who met Ayefele before his accident chose to stand by him through the thick and thin, even when the possibility of having children was almost nonexistent. Yet, they endured, encouraging each other, staying true to their commitment to be together for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. Their home was finally filled with the laughter of babies last year when Temitope delivered triplets. The joy of the couple knew no bounds. At first, they were scared of losing the babies who were born prematurely. However, the children survived and the couple have become a point of reference for those who are experiencing childlessness and waiting for their own bundles of joy.

Soni and Betty Irabor: Perfect Imperfections This year, media personalities Soni and Betty Irabor will be marking their 37th wedding anniversary.

Their enviable union is one that understands that marriage is a learning experience; that no matter how much you have spent with someone, there are still new things to learn about the person.

Their magic is sustained by the mutual understanding that none of them is perfect.

Soni and Betty married in July 1983 and are blessed with two children. Working in the media industry, the couple are very protective of their privacy except in rare occasions where Betty showers her ‘champ’ or ‘le boo’, depending on the mood with love notes. Whether you believe it or not, the couple are very optimistic that they will mark their 70th anniversary in health and in mind.

Dare and Deola Alade: Friends Forever When news of the marriage filtered in over a decade ago, not a few wondered if the union would last.

Charles and Diane Oputa: Crazy in Love They are not your conventional couples. Charles Oputa, the entertainer and activist who is known as CharlyBoy or Area Fada is not one that is easily pressured into following societal norms.

His eccentricity has always stood him out. Finding a soulmate that understands his personality is truly a blessing to Oputa. Lady Diane fits into the role perfectly, accommodating his beauties and flaws. Though they have been living together for 40 years without an official wedding ceremony, Oputa finally walked his beautiful bride who had successfully tamed his libertine nature down the aisle in 2018. Lady Diane has three children for Oputa but extends her motherly duties to nine other children Oputa had with different women.

Yinka Ayefele and his wife and children

This is partly due to the seeming age difference between the couple. Deola is said to be eight years older than Dare. Despite the unnecessary fears and speculations, the couple keeps waxing stronger in love each new day. They support each other in their shared vision to curate topnotch events in the showbiz sector through their company Livespot 360.The two have maturely stayed away from public sentiments, guiding each other with so much love and respect that it is hard to see the age difference between them.

In an interview, Dare revealed that it is friendship that has kept them together as a couple and business partners. The couple will mark their 14th anniversary

this year.

Fela and Tara Durotoye: Sweet and Spicy Recently, Fela Durotoye took to his Instagram page to announce a webinar for singles titled, ‘Before Saying I Do: Secrets to Enjoying Marriage’.

It is not unlikely that Durotoye who participated in the last presidential election and is a suave motivational speaker will hold such a seminar having had an enviable marriage with lawyer and make-up artist guru Tara. Both couples are often seen as the ideal couple due to their synergy visibly seen by all. They are not shy about sharing their experiences with their fans on social media. From their humble beginnings to their elevated

Tunde and Wunmi Obe: Partners in Crime These two entertainers were fans’ favourites at the now rested Charly Boy Show. Their chemistry on screen was very infectious and this is equally seen off the screen. When Tunde and Wunmi met over three decades ago, they had more than one thing in common. They were both musicians, lost their respective fathers and were undergraduates. Their passion for music and entertainment ignited a spark that has stood the test of time. Ten years later after they met, the couple became husband and wife. In 2018, the couple celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in an elegant occasion and released a remix of ‘Without Your Love’, one of the couple’s hit singles from their 2014 album ‘T.W.O. Plus’.

63

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 16, 2020

FEATURE

Tackling the Cancer Scourge with Better Equipment The high fatality rate regarding cancer in Nigeria was a subject of discussion at an oncology summit in Lagos. Addressing the dearth in quality equipment is the topmost solution, writes Ugo Aliogo

L

ast week in Lagos, stakeholders in Nigeria’s health sector met in Lagos to discuss the state of cancer treatment in Nigeria and how best to improve survival rates going forward.

Tagged the Varian Oncology Summit, it was held at the instance of Varian Medical Systems in conjunction with TANIT Medical Engineering.

The summit was an opportunity for Varian to introduce the latest developments in cancer care to health practitioners and also for stakeholders across the value chain to discuss and develop possible approaches to efficiently deploy quality treatment across Nigeria.

Varian is the world leader in radiation oncology solutions encompassing hardware and software, while TANIT is its local partner in Nigeria helping to interface with local practitioners and managing projects.

Chief among these projects is the Public Private Partnership between the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Varian and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital that birthed the cancer building art LUTH. The cancer centre at LUTH is equipped by Varian.

One of the recurring themes during the summit which was held at the Eko Hotel and Suites is the need for more medical linear accelerators (LINAC) if Nigeria is to contain the rising cases of cancer in the country.

Speaking with journalists just before the summit commenced in earnest, the Regional Sales Manager West and East Africa for Varian, Ansu Dukuray, said his organization is focusing on Nigeria because of the death rate. “we want to bring the right attention to cancer in Nigeria because so many people are dying of cancer every day.”

The statistics show that 100,000 people are diagnosed with cancer yearly in Nigeria with an alarming 80,000 succumbing to the disease.

It was agreed that a major reason is lack of treatment due to a dearth of medical equipment. According to the experts, while 200 LINAC machines are needed for a country of Nigeria’s population, only six are available, with three of them operated

by Varian at LUTH. A LINAC is the device most commonly used for external beam radiation treatments for patients with cancer. It delivers high-energy x-rays or electrons to the region of the patient’s tumor.

“In Nigeria, today, we need 200 LINACS to adequately address the treatment of cancer. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), you need one LINAC per one million people. We are engaging the public and private sector to beef up the capacity across the country,” Dukuray said on the sidelines of the summit.

Speaking on the progress made at the cancer centre in LUTH he continued, “Today patients are treated there. That was not the case before now.

“When you look at healthcare projects in the past, you have a lot of white elephant projects where equipment are acquired and they are kept there without any maintenance contract so they work for the first six months after which the equipment is not doing anything for the patient.”

He further noted that the organization is engaging locally, adding that in partnership with TANIT, “we have trained engineers in Nigeria to start operating the equipment at LUTH. So what it means is that we don’t have to wait for engineers to come from the US to operate the facility.”

He continued that Varian has the responsibility to make sure the machines work for the next 10 years. “We are changing the narrative. LUTH is a start.”

Dukaray debunked the narrative that LINACs don’t work in Africa as he said that no LINAC in LUTH has ever stopped working.

“They are 95 to 98 per cent of the time in treatment of patients,” he said, this despite the electricity challenges in the country.

“The technology is second to none anywhere in the world.

The only reason anyone will decide to travel out (for treatment) is because of the backlog (of patients) because we don’t have enough equipment.”

He also revealed that Varian is building capacity in Nigeria with a training centre. “We are engaging public and private partners to help build capacity. We feel Nigeria is very important.

The training centre will train Nigerians and other countries can come to Nigeria to build capacity. We are building the pillars.”

In his remarks, the CEO of TANIT, Anthony Nader, said the organisation has helped shape the project in LUTH from feasibility to business planning and construction.

Nader revealed that the cancer building at LUTH was funded by the NSIA while the equipment was funded by Varian.

One of the LINACS at LUTH

Special Assistant to the President on Health Dr. Kamal Muhammed represented the First Lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari

CEO Tanit Medical Engineering Anthony Nader (right) and others during the site visit to LUTH

“The cancer centre project in LUTH is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative project done in collaboration with LUTH and the NSIA. The role of TANIT was the execution of the project. We are glad to leverage on this project. The project was done and delivered in record time.”

TANIT has established a training centre at LUTH to train Nigerians on the using the latest equipment available.

“We hope to use the experience and knowledge gained to expand to other hospitals across Nigeria and ensure that we have the same success stories because the country needs much more of these initiatives.”

Speaking during the summit, Consultant Clinical Oncologist

at LUTH, Prof. Francis Durosinmi-Etti said there’s still a lot to do to catch up with the rest of the world. Durosinmi-Etti also noted that the increase in cancer cases could be a result of people becoming more aware of the disease.

He continued that the prevalence of the disease could be attributed to a number of factors included the environment being increasingly polluted. “The amount of fumes we have is enough to cause cancer.” A poor diet and excessive alcohol are other risk factors he said.

Nigeria may seem to be lagging behind in the fight against cancer but with projects like the cancer center in LUTH, longoverdue succor is coming the way of patients, albeit slowly.

64

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͯʹ˜ 2020

GLITZ FOCUS

C

Chika Ike Out with New Movie ‘Small Chops’ Having acted in over 300 movies and authored the book, ‘Boss Up’, after returning from the prestigious Harvard Business School, Nollywood screen diva, and serial entrepreneur, Chika Ike has up her ante with her latest movie, ‘Small Chops’. The motive is to break stereotypes, sexual abuse, perception and conscious bias against women in society, writes Funke Olaode

Ike

hika Ike has an angelic figure that keeps headturning. Tall, slim and fair skin. Ike as one of Nollywood divas has been a constant face in the Nigerian film industry. She first shot into the limelight in 2005 when she starred in her first movie, ‘Sweet Love’.

But she has since moved on dabbling into this and that, breaking many boundaries. From Ronik International School where she had her primary education to St. Francis Catholic School in Egbe, Lagos and later the University of Lagos where she studied human kinetics and health education, it seems brighter future had awaited her.

From being an ordinary girl next door, she has gradually embraced celebrity status becoming an entrepreneur, fashion brand owner and real estate developer and lately an author of well-applauded book, Boss Up, which was written shortly after returning from Harvard Business School, thereby becoming one of a few actresses in Nigeria to attend prestigious American Ivy League university. Her reality TV show, African Diva, set up with the aims of empowering African women has continued to make an impact, enriching the lives of young women.

Her Chika Ike Foundation established over a decade ago has continued to give a new lease of life to street children.

But there is always a propelling force driving her vision, determination.

It is a personal conviction. She has become an inspiration to young girls who look up to her that if you can dream it, you can achieve it.

Her foray into the world of makebelieve began in secondary school where she would stand in front of the class narrating the past soap operas and movies to her classmates. But her talents were kept under wrap from parents who saw the entertainment industry then for never to do well or dropouts. She has since made a success out of her endeavours and ready to conquer more terrains. Or better put, she has conquered the movie industry in Nigeria having starred in over 300 movies.

Last week Sunday, the Ekwulobia Anambra State-born actor was in the news for good reason. This time, she has up her ante, with her movie, ‘Small Chops’ which paraded A list actors as cast. The private screening of the movie which took place at the Filmhouse Cinema in Lekki Phase 1 saw a huge number of celebrities and fans as they trooped out in large numbers to catch a glimpse of her latest venture.

Walking majestically into the waiting arms of the media on the red carpet, Chika Ike glowed. Decked in a red evening gown with a silver cape and a touch of feathers, she was a cynosure of all eyes.

The Movie stars Nollywood superstars like Eucharia Anunobi, Nkem Owoh, Rachael Okonkwo, Hafiz Oyetoro (Saka), Toyin Abraham, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Chika Ike herself, and a British actor Max Cavenham.

The recently-released teaser shows the actress and producer playing the role of a sexy dancer. Small Chops,

65

˾ ͯʹ˜˜ 2020 ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

GLITZ FOCUS brought to the Nigerian audience by Flipscript Entertainment and Filmone Entertainment, hits the cinema on Friday, January 31.

Throwing more light on what the movie is all about, Chika Ike said, “Small Chops follows the story of Nikita, an afro dancer at a bar who catches the attention of Casper, an uptight business mogul. Casper pays for a weekend of private entertainment, and things don’t go as planned because of Nikita’s self-esteem and Casper’s totalitarian attitude. This causes sparks to fly. At the time they let their guards down, the sparks turn to fireworks.

Continuing, “Small chops mean side chicks, side boyfriends. It means everything. Small Chops is like an appetizer before the main meal. I used that term to describe side chick which is not the main meal. The main meal is a big deal. It was used several times in the movie. So the movie is about Nikita, a lead character which was played by me. A young lady who has been through a lot in life, dealing with so many issues. In this movie, so many things were addressed. We addressed sexual abuse, conscious bias, perception and prejudice in this modern society. It is a movie with a subject matter and a spice of entertainment. It is going to last in the cinema because you are going to crack your ribs and at the same time learn something in small chops.”

Speaking further, Ike said, “We have always faced conscious bias in the industry and all over the world as a woman and as a person. I want to talk about it. I have not faced any sexual abuse or harassment as an actress.

I just want to talk about perception and what others have gone through.

The conversation about it is already ongoing about women.”

Although the narratives are ongoing, Ike believes voicing it out may not totally eradicate the notion but will reduce it and make more women empowered and respected. “We felt it was a time to tell this story about perception in Nigeria. If you are a stripper or dancer everyone thinks you are a prostitute but this is not true. And everyone has a story. Nikita is an afro dancer and we are trying to break all stereotypes that the fact that someone has chosen a particular profession that she has a passion for such fellow shouldn’t be castigated.”

It is a star-studded movie no doubt and the choice of the actors of this award-winning movie is classic as it parades ‘A’ lists actors who have made a mark in the entertainment industry. She explained, “I picked them as experienced actors who have put in their best in the film industry in their actions and in terms of character delivery. I also consulted with my distributors and my team before finalized on the characters that would deliver the script the way we wanted it to be delivered. Again, we wanted different tribes and they all played different roles. That is what inspired the actors in the movie.”

Directed by the United Statesbased Nigerian movie director, Robert Peters, who came directly to the film location in Lagos for four weeks non-stop production. The content, the production, and the sound remind

Chika Ike (middle) sandwitched by Small Chop movie cast

you of ‘A’ list movies produced in Nollywood. Everything about the movie is breathtaking.

Explaining the effort that went into it, Ike said it is not just an ordinary movie, but it is a movie produced having an international audience in mind. “It took the entire crew a whole full month to produce but the post-production took a whole year because we have to edit in Nigeria, then take it to America for colour correction and sound.”

How has the screen diva been able to wear two caps as an executive producer and a lead character? Were there challenges? “I have acted in several movies and this is my second cinema job, the first production was Miss Teacher. I have produced a TV job, a DVD job but this is the biggest.

In terms of quality of production, in

terms of input, in terms, principle photography, post-production, PR and everything and the funding is higher than any of my projects I have ever done in my entire career. It was edited in Atlanta, the US and most of the postproduction was done in Atlanta.

“I am grateful to my co-producer, Serah-Donald-Onyeachor for being there and support the production. I don’t know how I would have been able to do it, being a producer, actor, and the lead character and also being an executive producer and producer. So she came in and we have always worked together in the past and this is one biggest project. She came, supported me to give this project the best.”

And the challenges? “There were lots of challenges because this is a selffunded project in terms of production.

We don’t have sponsors. It was challenging but it went well. The end is worth it because people love it already.”

As her fans and Nigerians set out to enjoy one of the best of Nollywood acts across the cinemas, Ike said, aside from being a producer, the takeaway about ‘Small Chops’ is love, family, relationship and above all, breaking prejudice. “For me, the take away is the traumatic effect of sexual abuse has on the victims.

It goes deep. Also, it is to correct an age-long perception of women because you can’t see someone in a particular career path and quickly label the fellow a prostitute.”

She is also of high expectation and hopes that her fans will love the movie and embrace the message that they try to pass across.

66

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2020 â&#x20AC;¢T H I S D AY

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FEBRUARY 16, 2020˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

67

High Life Corpporrate Wellneess Coach, Ariin Adenniyii Losees Mom m

T

he Christian Book of Common Prayer has a lot to say about death, dying and burial. Of this lot, the statement that is used the most is that “Man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery”.

Needless to say, some folks endure more misery than others, but everybody experiences the passage into the final domain of sleep.

The latest of folks to experience this interminable sleep is the mother of Arinola Adeniyi, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Venivici, Mrs. Esther Mogbejuloritse Adeniyi.

As relatives, friends and colleagues are extending their condolences, onlookers are celebrating a life well lived, and one that had properly extinguished most – if not all – of its destined lights.

At the age of 90, there is no need pointing out that Mama Adeniyi lived longer than most. And, from the degree of condolences being received by the Adeniyi family, a great fraction of that life was spent serving other people, impressing upon them the true human identity of compassion, love and devotion.

Madam Arinola Adeniyi alone is a legacy that speaks to the quality of life that Mama Adeniyi lived.

With Madam Arinola’s endeavours in the corporate health and fitness, and the laudable aspiration to enrich the mind, cultivate the body, and nourish the soul to ensure that members and elements of the corporate world enjoy a healthy work-life balance, little else needs to be added to this point.

As regarding Mama’s burial arrangements, a Wake will hold on 27 February 2020, at All Saints Church Hall, Jericho, Ibadan, by 5pm. Attendees are expected to wear baby blue. For the funeral service, the same grounds will be used, but on Friday the 28th of February, 2020, by 9am – attendees are to be attired in shades of pink.

Recall that it is almost exactly 4 years since Madam Adeniyi lost her father, Pa Ebenezer Ekundayo Adeniyi. lived UP TO 80, but enjoyed the same respect, honour and esteem as befitting the father of the visionary behind the Venivici, which is regarded in its own right as one of the best spas in the country.

Adeniyi

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

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

At last, Patience Jonathan, Aisha Buhari Sheathe Sword It is natural for the wives of past government leaders, presidents for instance, to disagree with one another.

Really, it is the most natural thing.

Why laugh and rib your life with the woman whose husband sent yours packing out of the presidential villa leaving your family as unemployed as imaginable? No! A clever former anything knows to hide behind long silences and sponsored jabs at the victor. And Nigerians are very, very clever folks.

As with most everything else, Nigerians are notorious for breaking tradition, and in this game of formers and presents, the habit holds. The recent evidence of this was the meeting of former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan with current First Lady, Dr. Aisha Bihari at the House of Power in Aso Rock. A cordial and laudable meet, if ever there was one.

Being the one astride the proverbial power horse, Dr. Aisha Buhari played the guest role rather well, accommodating Dame Patience Jonathan for a few hours, chaperoning the latter as they enjoyed the sights and memorabilia of Aso Villa, and generally had a good time.

According to the post on Twitter by Dr. Aisha Buhari, the duo discussed

matters relating to the role and participation of women in politics and governance, girl-child education and other issues that have a bearing on the place of the woman in the Nigerian family unit, community, and nation at large. Dame Patience is also said to have shared their personal experiences with Dr. Aisha Buhari, doubtlessly intending to arm her with her own arsenal of conversance with people, policies and power.

At the end of the day, both women had had a good time, relieved a nerve or two, and firmly – if unwittingly – dispersed rumours of a cold war between them. Dr. Aisha Buhari even stated that she looks forward to more of such visitations.

Recall that the spark was publicly kindled after the memorial event held in honour of the late Maryam Babangida, wife and First Lady of military President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida; an event that had more than seven former First Ladies in attendance.

The coming months might therefore bear witness to more visitations from former First Ladies (former First Lady, Mrs. Turai Yar’Adua visited a few days ago too), a welcome development indeed.

Jonathan

Buhari

Prof Zulum’s Midas Touch is Redefining Politics And Governance in Borno

Zulum

Borno State has earned a fearsome reputation a degree of obloquy that threatens to overshadow the North-Eastern commonwealth of peace-seeking folks, a great number of whose lives the religious-tribal ongoing insurgency has reduced to hiding in

shadows. It is almost easy to take a sweeping gaze of the State and assume that the heart of darkness resides therein, and never see the pulsing nuclei of light that are gently pushing at the darkness.

Professor Banagana Umara Zulum is gradually restoring the distinct identity and dignity of the ancient Borno people, playing politics and governance with a practiced hand. A champion of the hoi polloi and a man held in high esteem by the gentry, Professor Zulum’s leadership style integrates the foremost experiences of his humble beginnings as well as the crests of the Ivory Tower.

From the peasant boy who reportedly trekked 7km daily to school, to the taxi driver who combined the taxing conditions of the academe with the strained provision of food and fur, to the University Don and Executive Governor, Prof. Zulum’s providential experience of the nadir and zenith of life has equipped him with sympathetic eyes and sedulous hands.

Having spent only a year as governor of Borno State, Prof. Zulum has already raised the bar on what

it means to represent the people, lead them, and earn their respect. Talk about a leader who has jumped down from his high horse and taken to treading the muddy paths with common folks. Talk about a leader who is interested enough in the workaday lives of schoolteachers that he raises her status and lines her purse with a little extra.

At the local and national level, Prof. Zulum’s dedication and approach to governance continues to wrench back the erratic attention of onlookers to the selling points of Borno State, straining to the bones to amputate the ugly limbs of terrorism and nuisance that are themselves striving to take the state for themselves.

An integrated, inclusive statecraft from a man who is widely held in veteran eyes as a newcomer in the political roadhouse, Prof.

Zulum’s is commendable and desirable. While he continues to lighten to burnished gold the dimmed glories of ancient Borno, common sense dictates that his peers emulate him, endeavouring at least to reproduce his Midastouch achievements.

Aminu Babangida Under Pressure to Settle Down?

What do you say to a young man who has refused to get married? How do you convince him that having stroked the capstones of aspiration and ambition, there is little else to do but slow down, relax, and get a wife for oneself? For once, one might even wish that the stalwart disposition that has driven his towering successes would retire to the back burner of his temperament; but no, he said. Perhaps he would have the expectant Nigerian society rewind their tapes and enjoy his parents’ romance instead, leaving him alone.

Aminu Babangida. Here’s one with the enduring prestige of nobility. Here’s one whose roots and fruits are equally esteemed, none outclassing the other. Here’s one whose business and enterprise distinguish him as one of the brightest minds in the industry and society, charm and civility duty accounted for. Unfortunately, for many a lady and relative, here’s also one who has refused the knots of wedlock, preferring instead to wear his bachelorhood as an expedient muffler. (Shout out to the still-persisting ladies

and relatives.)

If there is one thing that Aminu Babangida, son of former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, is known for, it is he is smart, a characteristic which has seen him man the chariots of Unity Bank as if chairmanship is a native heirloom. If there is another thing Aminu Babangida is known for, it is the hintedat resolution to remain unmarried. So, here is this incredibly handsome, banking genius and master of bachelorhood.

While the ladies and relatives are asking what the deal is, media hobbits are speculating on the rationale behind the delay. Obviously, given his background and breadth of personal effects, it cannot be that he does not wish to allow the enjoyment of the celebrated wedding rice. He is also a fine-looking young man, so it cannot be looks. Hmm. A riddle of riddles.

In any case, the gist is that headaches are going around in the family as a result of Aminu’s membership card of singleness. Relatives, close

Babangida

and distant, it is said, are pressing him to go out there and get a girl and have a few more Babangida princes and princesses running up and down. So far, these missions have failed. Still, there’s no telling what winds the coming months will bring; there just might be an exotic lady prepping to claim his hand.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͯʹ˜ 2020

68

HIGHLIFE

Between Hakeem Muri-Okunola and Folly Coker

Winds and reigns and rapport, everything eventually comes to an end.

Sometimes, the question to mind is not when the curtain drops, but how it drops. With the friendship of Hakeem Muri-Okunola and Folorunsho Folarin Coker allegedly on its last legs, there is a call to savour what remains.

The paths of Hakeem Muri-Okunola (HMO, for short) and Folorunso Folarin Coker (Folly Coker, for short) cannot have been more different. And yet to have both of these trails converge at the same terminal, as top dogs in their respective ministries, is something of a wonder. The friendship might be an indication of this convergence, even an indication to how they got up top. But how did this friendship come about in the first place?

To those in the know, HMO and Folly Coker have always been tight.

In fact, before they were fully heralded into the Nigerian gentry, they were both allegedly already chummy. That was before the trinity with a certain royal boss, and much before they started plucking from the ancient tree that is politics.

At any rate, HMO and Folly Coker have both distinguished themselves as gentlemen and peers, together and apart. HMO, for example, is one of the most revered personalities in the Lagos

Muri-Okunola

government – partly on account of being the Lagos State Head of Service. In fact, he

has unwittingly earned himself the title of being one of the most powerful men in the cabinet of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. On a side note, a few birds have tweeted that this is so, as there is a fairy godfather watching over HMO. Folly Coker, on the other hand, also sits on the administrative High Table.

A politician through and through, Coker’s career has seen him through assistant positions, Special Advisory stations, even Commissioner status. At the moment, he is the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), a post he has excelled at.

Aside from being serving members of the government, HMO and Folly Coker also have a fairy godfather in common, a man of timbre and a man of calibre, who has always watched out for the duo.

With this friendship reportedly taking a dunk, what is there to do but appreciate what was and anticipate what is to be? Thankfully, the alleged dimmed camaraderie did not emerge as a result of a tussle or disagreement – although tweeting birds report an imbalance in status; both men, it seems – if the gist is to be believed – have moved on and keep a respective distance from each other.

Kawu, Swallow Your Bitter Pill Better late than never, the saying goes. It may have taken several months but finally, President Muhammadu Buhari has suspended with immediate effect, the Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Modibbo Kawu.

Remember Kawu had been recommended for suspension September last year after months of investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) over corruption and intent to defraud the federal government.

However Kawu did not only retain his seat, but exacted revenge, not least against his deputy and other staff of NBC who dared to testify against him in court. Following the indefinite suspension given to former Director General, by the President, his deputy, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba whom he redeployed and effectively demoted has been directed to take over as the most senior director of the commission, who is In a letter signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Culture, Deaconess Grace Isu Gekpe. Prof. Idacahaba was asked

to oversee the operations of the commission, pending when a substantial Director General would be appointed It went against the ethics of justice that Kawu would sit atop the affairs of the NBC while he facing trial for criminal wrong doing. However, he has now been sent packing.

The ICPC on May 2, 2019 arraigned Kawu and two others, Dipo Onifade and Lucky Omoluwa, over alleged N2.5 billion fraud. The trio, who are being prosecuted on 12-count charges, allegedly conspired with each other to use the position of Kawu to confer a corrupt advantage on Omoluwa, his friend and associate.

Kawu allegedly asked Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, to approve payment of N2.5 billion to Pinnacle Communications Ltd owned by Omoluwa as “Seed Grant” under the Digital Switch-Over Programme of the federal government.

Mohammed had told anti-graft investigators that he approved the payment based on expert advice he received from the NBC. The anti-graft agency charged Kawu for allegedly “deceiving”

Kawu

Mohammed to sign the deal.

Kawu should face his trial squarely and prove his innocence, until then he should swallow the bitter pill of suspension, which turns out to be worse than what he meted out to his deputy and others.

A Peek into the World of Sifax Boss, Taiwo Afolabi

Afolabi

What is going on in the world of the powerful, influential and incorrigibly wealthy? New cars, new apartments in palmtree countries, even New Year resolutions, their lives and lifestyles are extensively different from those of the common folk.

While a long-necked onlooker might never get to give flesh to his deepest fantasies of fortune and affluence, a dive into these high

lives inspires as much as it counsels.

The life of Taiwo Afolabi, for example, is one of such. Understanding the lifestyle, companions and choices of Mr. Afolabi are the first step to confirming the maxim that money answers all things, and that unrepentant determination – coupled with a drive to reach the stars – is the way to accrue this money; there’s also the bit about things that money cannot buy, e.g. Mr. Afolabi’s devotion to his family and friends. In a minute, first, a peek at the boss himself.

For those in the know, Dr. Taiwo Olayinka Afolabi is the CEO of SIFAX Group, a multinational conglomerate that is well invested in industries ranging from Maritime, Aviation, Haulage, Logistics, Oil & Gas and Hospitality, and much more.

The man is a power player, a philanthropist, speaker and seasoned consultant – to mention a few of his passions. He has doubtless built new wall spaces to accommodate awards from all corners of the world’s business sectors, but commits himself to domestic undertakings as well as foreign assignments.

There’s his wife, and now the scope is his inside life. Folasade Afolabi, the

celebrated backbone of Taiwo Afolabi. A CEO in her own right (as she runs Folas Fabrics, the popular fabric establishment in Lagos), Madam Folasade allows her husband to hug all the limelight, content to be the engine running in the background. A high society lady, if ever there was one; she is graceful, sanguine and a contemplative personality.

Then there is the Kehinde Afolabi, another arm of Taiwo Afolabi’s life – excluding his beloved children. This is the twin brother who is more more outgoing, and the life of the party in their relationship. Being the louder voice, Kehinde’s socialisation has always been matched against Taiwo’s business savvy – which is not to say that the former isn’t a success. One time, it was even reported that he (Kehinde) mans the multimillion-naira hotel, Kenny Dallaa, in Ilupeju, Lagos – which speaks of a business intelligence often indulged.

With both beloved wife and beloved brother, Taiwo Afolabi ably straddles the line between home and work, and the successes continue to pile up.

Ayodeji Alayande Takes Business to Next Level

Alayande

D

iligence, it is said, is the mother of good fortune.

In the age of motored things, hard thought and harder work are not the most celebrated virtues of business management. Thankfully, their rewards remain the same: admiration, recognition and lots of cash. These qualities, as well as their consequent benefits, are but a few of the selling points of Ayodeji Alayande’s I.RASA ventures.

Only two years ago, Ayodeji Alayande established the first threads of his fabrics and textile business, the I.RASA. According to him, I.RASA was the culmination of long hours of thinking and retirement from the conventional eight-to-five whitecollar occupation in London. Less than 24 months into his venture, I.RASA is becoming a household name and already expanding to accommodate increasing clientele.

On February, 2020, a new division of the I.RASA venture was opened at the Ikeja City Mall, Lagos. That the event attracted the likes of ex-BBN housemate, Seyi Awolowo, actor Bolanle Ninalowo, media consultants, Damola Layade, Wale Agbaje, Tolu Oluwo, Segun Ogundipe and numerous hobbits of the fashion industry is a testament to I.RASA’s Afrocentric distinctiveness and Alayande’s business potential.

I.RASA is different from the typical fabric yard or tailoring workshop in that it affords its clientele access to a cache of ready-to-wear clothing, rather than the ordinary fabric. In more ways than one, the company is a crusade against the traditional sales of fabric and the customary delay to be expected from tailors and clothing designers. Instead, the trend allows customers to select from arrays of already-finished ankaras, with styles ranging from old-fashioned to modern, conservative to radical, eye-turning to neck-breaking, and more and more. From ready-to-wear labels, bags, caps, accessories for men, women and kids, name it, it’s available.

It is therefore not unreasonable that the event celebrating the new I.RASA branch was broadcast far and wide, with an attendant fashion show, sales, music and partying, and networking.

The new front of expansion does not deviate from the original business identity, except to show that Alayande is not resting, but intent on bringing Ankara and Nigerian native clothing styles and clothing technique to the forepart of fashion.

One might say that Alayande and his I.RASA are stitching the old traditions of fabric, fashion and business with new lines; and every new branch is a thread closer to corporate fashion utopia.

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HIGHLIFE

Who Will Settle Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, Kemi Nelson’s Tiff?

Birthday celebrations are such practical and useful things. Not only does the celebrant get to enjoy the company, admiration and good-natured envy of guests, but there’s always the likelihood of having one or two chairs left vacant by an incensed relative, friend or associate; all of which account for many an entertaining, energetic evening.

One of the recent events which had the up-and-ups of Nigerian gentry in attendance was the birthday celebration of Kemi Nelson, the former Commissioner for Women Affairs. Such folks of worthy note as Speaker of Lagos House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and Lola Akande, were present, amongst other notable dignitaries.

However, as with those present, those absent were just as notable. The high-society personality that leaps to mind – who was conspicuously absent – is none other than APC Lagos Women Leader, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas. There’s the question to consider about whether she was invited in the first place, but that speculation must be left to insiders.

While Jumoke Okoya-Thomas and Kemi Nelson have been itemized in recent time as topping the list of friends who

just don’t see eye to eye anymore, this latest stint merely scratches an old injury, one that the political duchesses allegedly have no intention of tending, or even concealing.

Those who are more interested in the reported feud than the average onlooker have labelled this absence of Jumoke Okoya-Thomas as retaliation for Kemi Nelson’s shunning of the 5th year remembrance of Chief Molade OkoyaThomas, Jumoke’s father, which was held just a few days back in Lagos. An eye for an eye, and absence for absence, it seems.

Recall that the alleged source of the feud is the seat of leadership of the women of Lagos State APC, which Kemi Nelson is currently occupying.

According to sources, Jumoke OkoyaThomas was passed over, and the Women Leader position was instead given to Kemi Nelson. Before this time, it has been hinted, the women were close companions – friends even.

To make matters sourer, Kemi Nelson allegedly refused to give up the position during the last election – an action which was reportedly unanticipated by Jumoke Okoya-Thomas. As a result, jabs and

Calm Down, No Power Tussle Between Obafemi Hamzat and Tayo Ayinde

Okoya-Thomas

barbs have been allegedly thrown from one party to the other, to the point that supporters have been reportedly injured in subsequent episodes of the quarrel, and properties have been destroyed.

Talk about the rot of dead friendship in the swamp of political power.

Omolara Afolaranmi at 40: 12 Baskets Boss Micheal Afolaranmi Hosts Classy Party for Wife

Afolaranmi

The days are smiling on young folks who are doing amazing things in the world. These days, it is not unusual to see a thirty-something year-old boss man doing his thing in Nigeria, unveiling

new branches of a successful enterprise and generally making relatives and friends proud.

This is the same emotion that was elicited by Omolara Afolaranmi, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of 12 Baskets Foods Limited, as she slid into her 40th year on February the 12th, an event that was celebrated in style by her hubby, Michael Afolaranmi.

Few folks have the brilliance and energy to balance work life and love life, but Michael Afolaranmi showed himself to be one of these.

This is evidenced by the fact that the classy party held in honour of his wife, Omolara, was a surprise party. Absentees can imagine the delight and girlish excitement such a move educed from the celebrant. (Oga Michael is a sneaky hubby, it seems.)

Held at the prestigious Adam & Eve Hall at Isaac John Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, the party was a riot of buoyant sentiments, with guests and well-wishers trooping in to lay a soft peck here, a promising handshake there, and a word or two of festive merit. Nothing beats being surrounded by folks who love and admire one

in equal measure.

Because the dress code for the party was white on jeans, the ambience was one of a warm, close-knit gathering – peachy enough to indicate high bearing and test, and yet simple enough to allow for genuine expressions. And Lady Omolara lent her glow to the party, leaving folks profiteers of laughter, merriment and fun.

Michael Afolaranmi was the perfect host, as he entertained both his celebrant wife and their guests with food, wine and music. In many ways, attendees will not soon forget that date as they will have marked their calendars for next year.

Of course, the memorable event is a testimony to the genius and diligence of Michael Afolaranmi, the same genius and diligence that founded 12 Baskets, the fingerfood company that provides innovative finger-foods ‘small chops’ catering, cocktail drinks and support services across the citie of Nigeria, and even has arms in South Africa and Ghana.

Folake Ani-Mumuney: Imprints of a Corporate Amazon Quiet achievers are popping up all over the place. In Nigeria alone, the number of successful folks from industries and sectors traditional and neoteric are enough to insight entrepreneurial communities. But most of these hatchlings require models that they must look up to, folks whose sparks continue to give radiance and hope to the vista of the corporate world. Among these models of merit is Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, the Global Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Holdings.

To start with, Mrs. Ani-Mumuney has an interesting heritage: her father is the late Dr. Francis Owosina, the genius acknowledged with developing the modernized general and specialized orthopaedic and emergency services department of National Orthopaedic Hospital.

Expectedly, Mrs. AniMumuney’s achievements show that the apple fell at the foot of the tree.

Before she became the First Bank sparkle that she is today, Mrs. Ani-Mumuney was responsible for managing the interaction of about 59 countries while she worked with British Airways. Her successes on this front attracted the sharp eyes of business

and investment boss, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, whose interests impressed her to ascend to the position of chief marketing and communication officer. It was from this post that she slid into the First Bank establishment, to give extra shine to its gloss.

Since her j oining First Bank, Mrs. AniMumuney has contributed a great deal to the successes that have been recorded. Countless awards have been laid at her feet, including the 2019 Lifetime Achievement award sponsored by Marketing World Awards. That particular event, which was held in Ghana, observed Mrs. Ani-Mumuney’s divine way with marketing and value addition, the degree of which is seldom seen in banking.

Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney is the perfect runway model for enterprising individuals who have a knack for endless learning and the rare gift of application and improvisation.

A woman whose tireless labours have aided her in breaking the traditions of the male-dominated banking industry, Mrs. Ani-Mumuney’s achievements have not only elevated her status, but also that of First Bank, along with every other establishment she is invested in. A corporate Amazon, that woman, with an unnatural bent for the corporate engine.

Ani-Mumuney

Obafemi Hamzat and Tayo Ayinde, two names that are invested with political power in Lagos State and its environs, and have been speculated to collide in the halls of power – with one name attempting to drown out the other.

Of course, the bearers have nothing less than cordial towards each other, which begs the question: how is it that their names have been played against each other from time to time, with the implied underlining of a power tussle?

To attentive Lagosians, Obafemi Hamzat occupies the enviable position of Deputy Governor of Lagos State. Dr. Hamzat was formally educated at various levels, to which he possesses a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering, a graduate degree in Agricultural Engineering, and PhD in System Process Engineering at Cranfield University, England. A fine education.

His career path has seen him thrive in consultancy and strategy establishments, before he eventually delved into politics. From being the Commissioner for Science and Technology to being Deputy Governor, Dr. Hamzat has proved himself a competent chap with a predilection for consistency and measurable development.

Tayo Ayinde, in his own corner, was also born in ’64 in Ikeja, Lagos.

His formal education was impressive enough to earn him a reputable station in the State Security Service (SSS), where he served for 16 years. Thereafter, he was Chief Security Detail to Bola Ahmed Tinubu when he (Tinubu) was the Lagos State Governor.

Fully embracing politics, Ayinde has since flown the APC flag and currently holds one of the high-table positions in the Lagos State government, as chief of staff. As a side note, his was the first appointment which came a few hours afterGovernor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu assumed office.

So, on one hand the Deputy Governor; on another, the Chief of Staff. The two positions afford both Hamzat and Ayinde countless excuses to butt heads and flex political muscles. This anticipated tension has been so long awaited that there is an alleged power tussle stewing in the recesses of Lagos State governance between the two.

Be that as it may, both men have made it a point to dissuade such rumours, elevating instead a united government front. That, regardless of what media bees disperse, is the official report.

Hamzat

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Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

Gerald Anozobo Keeping Sealed Lips over New Business Plan

Aregbesola, Banire’s Unresolved Feud Until recently, both the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, and Muiz Banire, a former Chairman of the Board of Directors, Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, could be said to have a lot of things in common.

Apart from the fact that they are both chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, they were once top cabinet members of the former Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration in Lagos. While Banire was the commissioner of transportation, Aregbesola was Commissioner for works.

But today, both men no longer see eye to eye, and the reason for the enmity is not far -fetched.

A source disclosed that Aregebesola parted ways with Banire, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, owing to his perceived disloyalty to Tinubu and,

Aregbesola

by extension, the party.

Many will recall how Banire had kicked against some of Asiwaju Tinubu’s decisions, and also

frowned on his godfatherism.

In fact, he reportedly lambasted his former boss in the build-up to the 2019 governorship election.

This got many of Tinubu’s loyalists angry. It was so bad that it nearly caused him the AMCON chairmanship position.

Although he has since been forgiven by Tinubu, some of his loyalists still have an axe to grind with him.

Society Watch gathered that, when Banire lost his mother, Alhaja Sarat Banire in 2019, Tinubu paid him a condolence visit at his GRA Ikeja residence.

But Aregbesola, who lives a stone’s throw from Banire, reportedly refused to pay him a condolence visit or called him on the phone to commiserate with him. ‘’That is how bad the enmity is, “ a source noted.

Ex-Customs Topshot, Ibrahim Mera, Not Giving Up on Governorship Ambition

Anazobo

Successful businessman, Gerald Anozobo comes across as a restless soul.

He is constantly driven by an ambition to rule his world.

As far as he is concerned, opportunities abide everywhere, except for those who have set some limitations for themselves.

So, he has not stopped dreaming beautiful dreams Having stamped his authority on the real estate industry, Anozobo, who is also into pharmaceuticals, is set to spread his tentacles, expand his business empire and further grow his businesses beyond the shores of Nigeria.

The businessman, who is also the founder and grand patron of KUTH Foundation, is starting a new business that will redefine the business climate in Nigeria According a source, the business, which he is floating in partnership with reputable companies overseas, is expected to bring in many unemployed persons into the labour market when it takes off.

Although the source did not to divulge details of the business, it was, gathered that Anozobo just returned from abroad, where he had gone to finalise the last phase of theventure with his foreign partners.

Prince Ibrahim Mera, a former Deputy Comptroller General, Nigerian Customs Service, is described as a rare breed.

The handsome six-footer is also said to be the second most important person in Argungun, his hometown in Kebbi State.

This is by virtue of his royal title of Ciroman of Argungu (Crown Prince of Argungu) bestowed on him over two decades ago by his father, Alhaji Mohammed Mera , the late Emir of Argungu.

His elder brother, Alhaji Samaila Mera, reigns as the traditional ruler of the ancient emirate.

But beyond this, Mera, a graduate of the University of Lagos and son-inlaw of the deposed Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, was adored and

respected as a consummate and resultoriented officer when he held sway at the Customs.

Following his disengagement from theNCS in a controversial manner, he has been pursuing his age-long ambition: to become the number one citizen of his state. However, this has continued to elude him.

In the build-up to the last governorship election in the state, he had flooded the state with his posters.

Though he had pursued the dream with determination, he failed to secure the All Progressives Congress’ ticket for the governorship election in the state.

It was gathered that the billionaire ex-Customs top shot did not pass the screening organised by the party, thereby foreclosing his ambition of wresting power from the incumbent governor,

Mera

Abubakar Bagudu.

But if you think that the Ciroman Argungu has entombed his dream of ruling the state, you are wrong.

A source disclosed that he again has prepared to give it another try. It was revealed that he had vowed to give it what it takes to achieve his dream come 2023 when the incumbent governor will have served out his constitutional two terms.

Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi’s Elder Sister, Adesola Gives Marriage Another Shot

Adesola Ogunwusi

After her marriage to Pastor Yinka Olojede hit the rock a few years ago, many claimed that Princess Adesola Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye

Enitan Ogunwusi’s elder sister, had shut her heart against love.

But little did her critics realised that she is one of the ardent fans of

the Irish poet and playwright, Oscar Wilde, who said: “Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead.”

Society Watch gathered that, the lady, who is described as the most beautiful of the three sisters of the monarch, has been hit by the proverbial Cupid’s arrow, as she seems to be ready to walk down the aisle with an Italy-based Nigerian businessman identified as Ayoola, who is also from a prominent family in the Southwest The wedding tagged ‘Royal Wedding’ holds on March 8 at an event centre in Victoria Garden City, VGC, Ajah Lagos.

It is expected to be attended by top celebrities, high net-worth businessmen, first-class monarchs as well as government officials and politicians.

A source revealed that the love birds have, for some time, been an item. They are never tired of showing the world how much they love each other; and they usually attend events together.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͯʹ˜ 2020

SOCIETY WATCH

Stars Storm Alex Okosi’s Send-off Lagos Party

Alex-Okosi-Nduka-Obaigbena-and-Dbanj

Again, the magnificent The Wings Tower along Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos came alive on Saturday, February 8, during a send-off party organised in honour of Alex Okosi, the outgoing Executive Vice President and Managing Director of ViacomCBS Networks Africa and BET International.

At the well-attended event, associates and family members of Okosi gathered to celebrate him for his significant contributions in Reimagining Africa and transforming the media and entertainment industry, since he took up the mantle of leadership on the continent 15 years ago.

It will be recalled that from the moment Okosi set foot on MTV Networks in New York as an intern, the then fresh Economics graduate knew he wanted to take the TV station to Africa. And that he did, less than a decade later.

Detailing his journey from an Intern

in 1998 to Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Okosi who is moving to YouTube EMEA to take on a new role said: “What began as a vision and a passion 15 years ago has been realised even beyond my initial expectations when we first pressed play to 2Face’s African Queen in February 2005.

“It’s taken a number of committed and hard-working people over the years to bring this dream to life and I’m immensely grateful for the industry trust and support as we forge forward to achieve the impossible.”

The Nigerian-born United Stateseducated media stalwart went on to chronicle his journey on launching MTV’s 100th channel in Africa to traversing the challenges and highlighting the achievements that have contributed to his Africa Reimagined vision.

Okosi further extended his gratitude to his fellow colleagues, industry friends and

guests for joining in the celebration and send -off, saying “I am truly comforted by knowing that we have a team that can take on the task ahead with vigour and experience to carve a unique space together with you in ViacomCBS and African history.

“You all have the opportunity and power to continue to drive change, to create opportunities for our youths, the industry and our continent.”

Okosi, since launching MTV Base in 2005, has spearheaded the development of the ViacomCBS Networks business on the continent, which now delivers more channels to Africa than any other international network – reaching 100 million viewers in 48 territories across MTV, MTV base, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and BET. He bade ViacomCBS bye after almost two decades of working in different capacities, including BET International at the global company.

Okosi is a graduate of St Michael’s College, Vermont, where he graduated magna cum laude with a double major in Business Administration and Economics; an award winner of the Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2013; an All Africa Business Leader Award Finalist in 2018, and an honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Marketing of Nigeria in 2019.

In attendance at the evening hosted by popular media personality and founder of Thisday and Arise TV, Prince Nduka Obaigbena; were founder, Silverbird Group, Ben Murray-Bruce; Tolu ‘Toolz’ OniruDemuren, ace comedian, Bovi.

Also in attendance were actresses Rita Dominic, Nse Ikpe-Etim; stand-up comedian Basketmouth; singers Flavour, D’banj, 2Baba, Ice Prince, Flavour, Falz, Dr Sid, 9ice, among others.

Ex-Ogun Commissioner, Bukola Olopade Redefining Marathon Race in Nigeria Without a doubt, Bukola Olopade, a former commissioner for Sports in Ogun State, is fast becoming the torchbearer for sports development in the country.

This is on account of the fact that Olopade, who is described as an administrator per excellence, is now behind many winning initiatives in the sporting circle in the country.

Indeed, he has consistently proved his loyalty to his fatherland through various initiatives aimed at improving the economic prosperity of the country.

One of the opportunities he has brought to prominence is the marathon race, which has become a household sporting event in the country.

The flagship Access Lagos marathon, a vision of Olapade, has become a huge platform of empowerment for thousands of participants, particularly the country’s young population.

Besides the health benefits of the marathon race, the sporting event has opened up an array of opportunities for entertainment and tourism in the country.

Known for his brilliance, he has smartly spread the economic opportunities across the country with various marathons in cities like Abeokuta, Remo, and there are plans in the pipeline to take it to Abuja and Delta State.

To his credit, he has been able to draw

Uanseru

If you ask top business strategist and society top lady, Racheal Salehu, CEO, Enlite Global Services, how she has managed and nurtured her passions all these years, in spite of the inclement business environment in the country, she will gladly tell you that impacting people around her with her God-given knowledge has been her driving force.

The University of Lagos graduate of Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography has collaborated with innovative teams in content marketing, creation, execution, measuring and optimizing engaging marketing campaigns, developing strong rapport with sales teams, delivering on marketing Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and company financial targets.

Apart from her love for philanthropy and impacting knowledge, Salehu, who is blessed with a heart of gold, is a strong advocate of business orientation for young and aspiring entrepreneurs through mentorship and business guidelines. In line with this, Salehu will, on February 29, 2020, launch a business symposium tagged “Business Growth Seminar”at the Eko Hotels and Suits, Victoria Island, Lagos.

At the symposium, aspiring entrepreneurs and business startups will be taught and mentored on ways to elevate their organizational performances through skillful restructuring, effective sales boost, sales revenues, impacting unit recognition, productivity, and membership through advanced leadership and implementations.

Society Watch also gathered that the Benue State-born graduate of Entrepreneurial Management from the Pan-Atlantic University will be convening top business strategists and financial czars around the country to teach and mentor small scale business owners, unemployed youths and undergraduates the rudiments of doing business, customer retainership and marketing skills.

Top Banker, Pamela Shodipo Celebrates

Olopade

attention to the goldmine in marathon race, which can serve as a huge revenue earner for the country.

Oil Guru Greg Uanseru Journeying to Greater Heights All over the world, successful businessmen have been known to send forth from the street, and taken to the sea, enduring every bad storm life throws at them, to attain fame and glory.

One of such spectacular individuals is Greg Uanseru, President and CEO, GCA Energy Limited.

The oil mogul, apart from the fact that he was born under the proverbial lucky star, is blessed with the uncommon ability and grace to spot hidden opportunities and take advantage of them before anyone else does.

His is a typical example of a grass-tograce story, having first started working as a cabin crew staff of the now defunct Nigerian Airways.

Enlite Global Boss, Rachael Salehu, Set To Launch Business Symposium

He maintained his position at the airline and progressed to the international routes, where he was exposed to training courses and business opportunities.

By the time he resigned to set up his own company in the 1980s, he had been well equipped with the tools to successfully build his company.

He has always seen opportunities, while others are bogged down by morbid fear of failure, thereby becoming one of Nigeria’s richest oil magnates.

A man gifted with the Midas touch, he never wavered, even when he was being hounded by failure.

Those who know him say he shies away from unnecessary publicity, in spite of his famed success.

For Pamela Shodipo, one of Nigeria’s brilliant female bankers, it was prayers answered, last Tuesday, when she turned 50 in a blaze of glory.

It was a day she and her numerous family members and numerous close friends had looked forward to with indescribable joy.

The presence of heavyweights in the banking sector during the birthday party, according to sources, attested to her enviable feats as a banker.It is a fact that the brilliant female banker of note is one of Nigeria’s high-profile corporate women breaking the glass ceiling in the scheme of things in the financial sector.

With many valuable years of experience at the top echelon of Nigeria’s financial sector, Shodipo has built a strong reputation for excellence.

Her excellent track record as the former Regional Head of Lagos Island of the Untied Bank for Africa (UBA) remains unequalled.

Indeed, her remarkable performance earned her region the ‘highest trade volume’ award for two consecutive years.

Shodipo formerly held the office of one of the most strategic business units in the UBA Group - the 26 Branches in and around Victoria Island, Lekki and Lagos Island areas of Lagos.

Shodipo

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

LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

Farida Waziri’s Scary Story I have been reading snippets of the memoirs of this lady. She was the EFCC Chairman at some point and I believe was kicked out by President Goodluck Jonathan under some hazy circumstances. They are still pushing themselves years after on the issue. Me, I did not know she was anything before the EFCC gambit until her memoirs came out.

You see the snippets that I have read have been scaring me o. Come and see her narration of the phantom coup as it affected Obasanjo, Yar‘ Adua and the rest. The players, the victims, the processes and sheer wickedness can only just make you not only weep for this country but really fear. These people were just so wicked, totally devoid of any form of humanity and were probably driven

by occultic influences or how else can you explain that level of depravity to fellow human beings just because they were ‘thinking’ of doing a coup?

As I read, I found myself unwittingly being drawn into the scene. I saw myself in the position of General Obasanjo and Yar’Adua as they faced a panel of ‘weak’ personalities who had a mandate to deliver certain judgment no matter the situation.

Even madam who is now fancying herself a proposed Noble prize for literature winner and by her own reported admission still stayed on the panel and was part of the conviction and accidental death of people that she herself has now admitted were innocent but kept quiet then. She not only kept quiet but kept quiet all of these years and is only finding

it auspicious to talk now when we have all achieved closure from that sordid past. You see this is why we are beginning to push for robust followership as against leadership.

Leadership has failed us hence the need for followership to be much more forthright in its insistence of quality leadership as against this kind of mumu followership where you are made to commit crimes against humanity and now be coming to write book 100 years after. Madam, thumbs down for you and the rest like you even as I pray for the continued repose for the life of General Yar’Adua and all Nigerians that lost their lives as a result of this kind thing. Mbok, keep your book if I see it, I will use it to sell groundnut for on top bridge. Thank you.

THEODORE ORJI ANDTHE HUMONGOUS SLEAZE Have you seen the report that allegedly indicts this gentleman and his son for fraud to the tune of billions of naira? You know when I saw the report and the share magnitude of the sums involved, one can only deduce that if true, then they were looking at setting up a parallel World Bank. For them, they were not interested in competing with the Nigerian or even African Bank, they were interested in playing at the world stage abi what else can we say? People that were voted in and given a sacred mandate but now turned around to engage in this kind of activity? Although it is still at a report stage and thankfully, there is nothing like immunity so the full arm of the law can be deplored to get to the bottom of this. You know, I have fallen short of asking for the ugly head of this gentleman and the testicles of his son simply because I believe in the rights as enshrined in our constitution that the burden of proof is on the accuser. But that said, this one is looking like he don pass - no smoke without fire. Na wa.

listen to what he had to say. As he spoke that day, he was sweating. You know when you finally at 50 catch a young 20-year-old and want to do Olympic marathon there. You know the way you will be sweating and the veins will be coming out of your neck and your eyes will be bulging that was what I saw that day. Okpara was in labour after the talk, I just tap am for back, I say my brother come make we go find work. This one is dead on arrival. My brother Al-Mustapha, if you read this, I greet you. Make we just let sleeping dogs lie and face other things. Life is really too short, let’s try and enjoy the rest of it. Thank you.

they are planning big things for this girl and not only her but also other people in that situation in that community. They are looking at something much more sustainable and enduring. Me I trust FCMB, they know how to handle these things.

My joy is that with girls like these – the Delta girl who preferred to be flogged instead of being sent out of school for lack of school fees, the future is secure.

SOMETHING ABOUT MY FRIEND, AL-MUSTAPHA He is not my friend o. Na just topic to grab your attention. He can never be my friend. The stories we have heard about him still leave me shaking with fear. The man was something else and he came out of all that to come and contest for election, see the beauty of democracy? If na during him time, I write this kind thing, I would be having my testicles for breakfast literally. But today, we have democracy and we can talk at least almost freely. So every time, we get alert from his former master, he will come out and be talking one kind talk that will be making me to be asking what is going on here. Ohhh Abacha did not steal, Abacha left trillions in the coffers, Abacha is the best thing that ever happened to the country. Yet the alerts will be coming from all parts of the world. Countries we do not have visa to visit, countries you will not see Igbo trader shop and you know those kind country no reach three for all this world. My friend Robert Okpara decided to be his running mate and asked me for support. I actually organised an Afang summit to

FCMB ANDTHE MAGIC ATM MACHINE Like millions, I also saw the image. A very powerful image of a tiny girl squatting by the ATM machine and using the light to do her homework. It was heart rendering and touching.

Immediately my mind went to another such image although this one was on the other spectrum but nonetheless equally as powerful.

The picture of a dying child from famine and a vulture writing to devour it. I am sure you people will now say, Edgar you have come again o. But let me try and link it. So the photographer stand there dey take picture instead to give the pikin food and now the pikin come die and he say him get depression, but he sent the picture out and the picture was one of the major forces that galvanised the world to stand up and fight the famine in Africa. So this one, as the girl was doing her homework people like that photographer were coming and going, collecting their two kobo from the ATM and walking away. I am sure some of them would be laughing at her and others just minded their business. Thankfully someone took her picture and sent it out and the thing hit the conscience of Nigerians. Upon seeing the picture and the logo of FCMB (I used to work there o. I was a big man in the place and be walking up and down and be doing big boy without meeting my target), I call my brother Diran Olojo. Diran na fine man o and na him be the custodian of their image. Diran say we are on top of it.

Great guy and in a few minutes, he called and exclaimed like Galileo, we have found her. I hear

SIR KESSINGTON ADEBUTU – A FOND ENCOUNTER Let me tell you guys one small gist. As a Stockbroker with BGL, I was aggressive. I could sell ice block to Eskimo and still collect his wife if he was not careful. That was how I set my sights on this great Nigerian – Sir Kessington Adebutu. I had heard so much about him and the wonderful institution he had built. According to the baba himself, he had built a stock market for the masses. I never knew the extent of his influence especially in the area of the empowerment of the people until my barber in my small hair salon that I had set up in Bariga resigned after winning N200,000 from the very popular ‘Baba Ijebu’ lottery. A man who was earning N20,000 a month suddenly hit N200,000, he left to set up his own shop becoming his own man. I was proud of him but counted my clippers and made sure they were complete before I allowed him to go. I cannot cry. So I moved in on Baba himself, I pushed and made the calls. Finally, I got a meeting. It was to be at his Surulere office and I think it was me trying to convince him to take a huge stake in the then national bank. This was very long time ago o. I was ushered in and met a very jovial and good looking old man. He was about to take his lunch and if I remember very well, it was Amala and gbegiri. He asked me to join, I respectfully said thank you sir, but kept staring at his ‘Olori’. She was beautiful, light in complexion and very nice. Baba noticing that I was about to fall off a cliff mentioned that even at his age I could not compete. I quickly agree abi would I now be arguing with a giant? He did not bite the hook as he stated that he had accounts with all of the then 53 banks and was not

Orji

Al-Mustapha

Adebutu

Waziri

interested in national bank. As an experienced salesman, you know never to argue with experience and power. I accepted and thanked him for agreeing to meet me and when he asked what my name was and I said ‘Edgar’. He asked if my father was the Eghagha who used to be in ECOWAS. I said my own na post office for Ebute Metta. But luckily the Eghagha was father to my pals Ejiro and Voke and I told him.

He laughed and bade me farewell. As I walked away, I saw my friend and brother Bisi Adebutu.

His own story is for another day, but let me just say he is doing things. This family headed by the huge profiled daddy continues to touch lives.

Every Tuesday, the crowds that besiege their Surulere office as beneficiaries’ of the Foundation continue to grow. The Adebutu’s continue to touch, empower and give hope to the masses. I stand with them this Sunday in true salute to the power of vision. Welldone sir.

VICTOR OLAIYA – ADIEU PAPA Omo Pupa oooooo, Omo Pupa le mi fe….

Ko wa fun mi loyan tutu mu..’ Mbok permit my Yoruba, I know I am supposed to put all those things on top of the words but what do I know?

That was daddy doing that immortal song at his famed stadium hotel beside the National Stadium. It was Bayode, the legends talented banker son who had invited me. Bayode works for one of the major banks and I dey owe dem.

It was his job to chase me and get the funds recovered. Bayode liked me and we became friends. In my bid to escape, I accepted his invite to come see daddy perform. Now the song and indeed daddy was witnessing a renaissance because the great Tu Baba had just done a remix of the song with daddy that was killing the airwaves. So it was a great opportunity to go see the maestro do the song. When he started singing the song, I lost myself especially when he got to the ‘oyon tutu’ my head will just scatter as I imagine the oyan he was referring to. I had fun that day and danced to my heart’s content. Bayode was on the trumpet as he played spiritually. I start to spray am and he was collecting. But fight come out after the whole show. I tell Bayode that he should please use

Olaiya

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LOUD WHISPERS

King

Oshiomhole

part of the money wey I spray use reduce my exposure to him bank. The guy eye change o.

Very professional and astute banker wey no dey mix his work with this kind yama yama. He just bring out the demand letter he wanted to give me the next day and insisted that I sign the acknowledgment there and then. I say see this boy o. Daddy seeing that war want start sent for both of us and Bayode introduced me to him – daddy, this is Edgar, he is owing our bank. I say daddy good evening, I lost my job - Nicholas sack me that is why. Daddy just smile and offer us drink and we sat by his feet listening to his stories.

That night, I felt fulfilled I had met the legend and had drunk his maltina and ran away without paying asking Bayode to add am to the money I dey owe him bank. Today, Nigeria has lost one of its greatest icons. The real showman and a master trumpeter. God will certainly receive his soul with glee and huge blaring of the heavenly trumpets.

God be praised. Please is this the right time to approach Bayode for debt relief? Will it look one kind?

suddenly start to feel like going to the toilet and before you know it, you will purge everything.

But today, it’s all sorts of chemicals laced in pills and capsules and men who are already ladened with blood pressure issues and the sicknesses of the 40-year-old and above like diabetes will just slump on top of the very sweet thing that is a voluptuous curvy woman. For me, I think once you start hearing your woman say things like – hit it, harder, faster, shift my womb, don’t stop,

TOO MANY BAD EGGS AMONG NIGERIAN PASTORS Last week, I wrote something about a great pastor that did not really sit well with some of his followers. Calls were made and received. You see, one of the things about me, is that he no dey hard me to say sorry o. I will quickly say the sorry, you sef go weak. So I say sorry to you sir and all the members who felt so strongly even as I beg them not to carry my name to the Lord in prayers.

All na play ooo. Kai, too touchy. Na joke na.

But anyways as I swear not to go near the holy profession again, something just happen again. A Nigerian pastor in Atlanta in the US was accused of not only sleeping with a member of the church but also tried to sleep with her daughter.

The long-suffering husband/father came to the church to give the pastor the disgrace of his life. Just as we all started thinking maybe it was just a calculated attempt to humiliate the pastor since there was a struggle for church ownership, the video of the pastor stark naked holding his manhood in a very stupid attempt at seducing the young girl emerged. Mbok, I nearly die from anger. A pastor and father himself looking so damn stupid on the video, holding and stroking his manhood and doing things I cannot say on this page - please contact me with your FIRS verified taxpayer’s receipts if you want to see the video. What is even wrong with these pastors, why has the profession fallen to such low levels of disrepute? It is sad, now the profession has been so tarnished that now we all look at them with one kind eye. Different kinds of stories from fraud to sexual crimes and all sorts seem to be their lot. This is sad. My father, two grandfathers were pastors and all these kind things we dey hear and see would never have happened in their time. My immediate younger brother is a pastor proudly preaching the gospel and waiting for the spirit to catch me – he go wait tire. I really pray that the profession be cleansed from within because in these times they remain the last bastion of support and hope for the people. Kai, you should see this video ewwwwwww.

RINGING ALARM BELLS ABOUT SEX ENHANCEMENT DRUGS In the last two weeks, we have been inundated with stories of Nigerian men losing their lives on top of women. Sex enhancement drugs being the cause. You see, these enhancers have been with us since time immemorial. It used to be traditional things, like the ones that those mallams will be carrying around the streets and be asking you if you need. We used to see them a lot in Shomolu then. Those ones used to be herbs and if you take them, the worst they will do for you is that at the point of climbing, you will

Obaseki

Ayokunle

please just stand up, take your bath and go and watch football. Don’t be pressured to perform cos that is what will lead you to going to take all these funny drugs and before you know it, you will be humping your way to hell fire. Me, I know my limit o. Na five minutes and na to rush go eat afang to refuel o. I tell Duchess any attempt to be shouting all that – smash it, break it, faster – I go just return am to him papa house because I cannot come and kill myself and leave my

children. Life is not that hard. Please my brothers, avoid these sex enhancement drugs, take plenty afang, I tell you it works wonders and if it doesn’t work for you, no worry after all, na your mate they win Nobel prize for chemistry , them no dey give Olympic gold for that one. Let’s be careful.

SEGUN AGBAJE – HOW ARE YOU SIR? I have never had the good fortune of meeting you my brother but I continue to see the giant strides you make as you strive to build an enduring institution. The last time I saw you was on a football field inside Lagos at one of the GTB sponsored events. You were seated beside my lord, Albert Okumagba and you were in the very powerful side, buckled trousers with a nice white shirt. The trousers were so beautiful that I fell in love with them instantly. As a man in the public eye, so many things get said about you both positive and negative and you surely cannot avoid that. These stories must come in life and I hope that they do not bother or slow you down. I really do find you highly driven putting you in a strong position of respect in my books.

People in that place no plenty. I am sure as people are reading, they are asking why all this hailing this early

Agbaje

Sunday morning. Be like say he dey find job or he dey find something.

Maybe he want marry him sister.

Nothing of the sort o. Na just to hail a brother that has been quiet for a while. Meanwhile, that is how I was just sitting amongst your former colleagues and this matter of entitlement came up and they were now saying, ‘Duke what can you do”. I ask dem why you dey come to me, don’t you know the road to Keyamo or Falana. He say keyamo do get appointment and Falana is with Sowore. Well I ask am to take it to the Lord in prayers and give am my pastor numbers. He should be ok. But back to very serious issues, let me further commend you on your retail initiatives, the reforms that you have embarked on and the repositioning of the bank from a wholesale banking enterprise to a major retail outlet. Welldone my brother, nothing do you.

DUKE SUMMIT– ‘HE DON BEG ME’ It was Fela Kuti, that late great hornsman who shouted that the Judge that convicted him had come around to beg him. This led to a huge storm, his release and national infamy for the Judge. Well at the Duke Summit this week, me and Osa had a go. The summit is a very robust platform and passion flies at times. So Osa who is a major contributor and myself had a go and strangely the man left the group. Come and see unity in begging. Who say that Nigerians are not united? Members from all geographical locations, religious affiliations and sexual orientation come dey beg me to put him back. I am the Duke of Shomolu, the convener and founder of the Duke Summit and by the grace of God the Afang Summit. They beg o. James, Dapo, Kabiyesi, Tolu, Wole and Demola all were just begging. Even Adamu from the North and Tanko all put mouth.

Come and see how APC and PDP, IPOB and NEF all forgot their differences to beg the lord. All the time they were begging, I was busy with my Afang and Fufu ignoring them. When I was tired, I gave the following conditions for his coming back: he must state very clearly that Buhari is the best President ever, he must state his position on Tinubu’s candidacy and tell me why Donald Duke failed in his own bid. He must also take a stance on the Obaseki/ Oshiomhole wahala and finally he must tell me that I am the mightiest Duke of Shomolu and that he will support my senatorial bid. He met all these conditions and as a leader of integrity, I put him back on the group.

The Duke Summit is a veritable platform that has been set up on whats app to discuss Nigerian politics and its actors. Membership is open to all as long as you accept that the Duke of Shomolu remains the leader with no tenor limit, not to be opposed and must not be criticised or else I remove you immediately.

BAYELSA -THE DEMYSTIFICATION OFTHE LYON KING Kai, this Supreme Court na baba. The way they are just dropping judgements you will think that the learned judges were rap stars. Their timing, delivery and punch lines would make Davido and Wizkid look like amateurs.

Mbok 24 hours to the full crowning of the bald-headed Lyon of Bayelsa, the Supreme Court just dropped the banger. They said like the late Ras Kimono - hold it, stop that breakdancing. This Lyon will not rule over the pride, he has been kicked from the huge jungle and into a tiny Zoo to go and learn to speak better English. Pls pardon me for that small quip, could not resist it.

I hear it was Babylon in Yenogia in the last 24 hours. All hotels were taken over, the PDP flag was kicked down and Bayelsa was going to hear it.No wonder my client had asked me to do congratulatory message for the Lyon and put in four national newspapers. I do the graphics and charged him N150k he say he will pay me N10k. I asked him is this how you people want to rule in Yenogoa. He drop the phone and stopped taking my calls.

I have asked my artiste after this news to change the art work from congratulatory to ‘pele, it is well’. Anyways, it’s democracy Nigerian style playing out and all we can say, is for God to keep us all alive to see how all these will play out.

Meanwhile, I say to the Lyon, do not worry there is a reason for everything. It is well my brother.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R หพ FEBRUARY 16, 2020

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INFOGRAPH

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ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

AND AFROBEATS FACES A COLD WAR PAGE 77

16.02.2020

THE HIGHLIFE MAESTRO, SO LONG VICTOR OLAIYA 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 16, 2020

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ARTS & REVIEW\\TRIBUTE

THE HIGHLIFE MAESTRO, SO LONG VICTOR OLAIYA With the death on Wednesday of Sir Victor Abimbola Olaiya at 89, the curtains have fallen on an era of highlife music, Yinka Olatunbosun writes

S

ir Victor Olaiya’s journey into highlife music began with his abandonment of the offer of a degree programme in civil engineering at Howard University in the US to pursue music.

His parents didn’t find his decision funny. This was especially so since they considered music a mere pastime and not a lucrative career.

His path to stardom was in the 1950s with the likes of Emmanuel Tettey Mensah and Bobby Benson holding sway. First as a trumpeter with Sammy Akpabot’s band and the 11-piece band – the Bobby Benson Jam Session Orchestra which panned out as the platform of growth for many Nigerian Highlife musicians – he later became a maestro with a massive followership.

A revered music critic and the first music manager for Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Benson Idonije recalled in his book, Dis Fela Sef that Olaiya was a dominant figure in Lagos music scene just at Eddie Okonta was in Ibadan. Fela was one of Olaiya's mentees as a young trumpeter who enjoyed his music tutelage with Olaiya's music band, The Cool Cats. Olaiya remained the toast of music fans even in the face of stiff competition from the likes of Roy Chicago, Adeolu Akinsanya, E. T Mensah's Tempos Band and other Ghanaian bands that were signed to Decca West Africa. Olaiya's lyrical compositions were mostly rendered in Yoruba language that conveyed hit songs like “Iye Jamila,” “Sisi Yen", “Omo Pupa" and “So fun mi.” His music contemporaries include Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson, whose music transported the rhythms and melodies of the Abonema people from Rivers State.

As a choice band of the period founded by a true virtuoso, Olaiya's band was chosen to play at the state ball when Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom visited Nigeria in 1956, and later to play at the state balls when Nigeria became independent in 1960 and when Nigeria became a republic in 1963. In addition, Olaiya shared the stage with the American jazz musician, Louis Armstrong.

Perhaps, Sir Victor Olaiya cheated death during the Nigerian civil war era because most of the highlife bands of the period which were of Yoruba extraction were conscripted into the army.

Benson Idonije, further recounted under the subheading, “The Civil War Years" that the political climate of the period took its toll on the cultural landscape with a thinned nightlife. He noted that “Lagos was entirely rid of highlife musicians as a result of the mass exodus” as bands were recruited to entertain Nigerian soldiers at the war fronts. And so was Olaiya's All-star band- a fact that contributed to the wane of highlife music at the period to give rise to other music genres such as juju and Afrobeat.

Olaiya renamed his band as All Stars Band when they performed at the 1963 International Jazz Festival in Czechoslovakia. Olaiya also ran a business that imported and distributed musical instruments and accessories throughout West Africa and established the Stadium Hotel in Surulere. The Founder, JazzVille, a former jazz club in Yaba, Mayowa Majekodunmi, in his tribute, spoke on the impact of Olaiya's music at the period.

“I grew up listening to this wonderful doyen of highlife in the mid 60's, when l came back from England where my dad worked at the Nigerian High Commission,” he recalled. “At

2Baba with Olaiya that time l had a strong and passionate love for all kinds of music from classical to pop and from jazz to highlife. Sir Victor Olaiya was one of my favourites along with other acts like IK Dairo, Dele Ojo, Uwaifo and many more. Olaiya however topped the list. I visited his Stadium Hotel once in a while during my ‘pub crawling’ days and it was always a thrill to see him perform. It always brought back memories of my childhood. It's a sad loss to our music culture indeed.”

Olaiya’s music remained very influential in Nigeria's contemporary music scene as his classic, “Mofe Muyon” is one of the most covered songs in the history of highlife in Nigeria. Art Alade, Lieutenant Shot Gun, Tade Ogidan’s Nollywood All Stars and 2Baba are some of the popular artists with commercially successful remixes of the song renamed, “Baby Jowo” which ranks as one of the best love songs of the century.

His music collaborator and , Innocent Idibia better known as 2Baba also took to the social media to express his grief at the loss of this music giant.

“I am devastated by the news of your passing. Dr. Victor Olaiya – maestro, mentor, legend; Thanks for the beautiful music.

Thanks for the inspiration. Blessed for the honour of sharing a mic and stage with you. Rest in peace baba,” he tweeted.

For the Founder, Lagos International Jazz Festival, Ayoola Shadare, Olaiya's legacy will never be forgotten.

“Olaiya was a living African Music legend,” he said. “Called

the 'evil' genius of highlife music, his passing although sad is a celebration of life. He lived till a ripe old age unusual for people in his line of business. His impact and influence on Nigerian and African music is undeniable. He held and wore his genre highlife like a badge of honour. It’s noteworthy that in the early days a lot of other Nigerian greats like Fela Kuti and Tony Allen played with this Titan. I am happy that we at Inspiro and Naijazz Music were able to celebrate him about seven years ago at his popular Stadium hotel. His legacy is inerasable and Nigeria has indeed lost a mega icon in him but his music remains with us.”

According to the statement issued by Bimbo Esho, the managing director of Evergreen Music Company Ltd, Olaiya took the final bow at the Lagos University Teaching hospital(LUTH), Lagos State at 12noon on Wednesday February 12 at the age of 89.

A seasoned music journalist and a member of the Felabration Organising Committee, Abdul Okwechime, described Olaiya as the last of his generation. “He spanned over generations.

He was irresistible. Even the legendary Fela cut his teeth with his band. That is how awesome he strode the Nigeria music firmament. Mega respect to a great hornsman- an accomplished musician,” he said.

Olaiya had many wives and children including the late actress, Moji Olaiya who died in 2017 in Canada just two months after she gave birth to her second child.

BOOKS

THROUGH THE MISTS OF THE ARCANE Okechukwu Uwaezuoke

The Flamming Sword, by Dilibe Onyeama, Delta Publications (Nigeria) Limite, Enugu, October, 2019

P

enning down The Flaming Sword, for Dilibe Onyeama, turned out not to be a cakewalk afterall. Almost “40 tortuous years” had to flit by before the 548-page could grace the bookstands. And this was a project he had thought he could simply wrap up in just four months after he had started it in 1979 in London! Of course, he had a good reason to think so. The renowned author 28 books, albeit mostly non-fiction works, had prior to embarking on the new venture written such best-selling novels as Juju, Secret Society, Revenge of the Medicine Man, Night Demon and Godfathers of Voodoo, which explored the potency of African magic.

On his latest book, which became his 28th, he recalled having to tear up the manuscript about 20 times and rewriting it countless times

“pruning, cancelling, revising, putting it away repeatedly for months on end, and then reading and re-reading – to a point ... when I fell like abandoning the whole project altogether and burning it out of existence.”

Eventually, The Flaming Sword was published in volume book form in October, 2019. What a relief to witness the denouement of his long-drawnout endeavour! “Before the rights of the book were secured from Transworld by Delta Publications (Nigeria) Limited in 1985, following my return to Nigeria finally in 1981 after a 22-year residence in England, the prospects of a huge book cash bonanza had loomed in London in 1979,” he explained.

He had struck up a friendship with one Mark Barty-King, a London-based America publishing leading light, whose interest in his writings on African magic was more than a passing one. “With my novel Godfathers of Voodoo sold, written and accepted by Transworld, I was toying with the idea of putting together a voluminous blockbuster of a novel that would depart from the racy, down-market popular theme that I had been churning out and address more serious

contemporary issues.”

The whole point, he added, was “to present the potent of African magic in a more credible light for serious study, especially in its deployment for evil purposes to secure material benefits. The stealth and intangibility of juju magic, when deployed in the somewhat ‘rarified’ atmosphere of London as the headquarters of a former great empire with a ready-made culture of refined peace that had no room for undesirables, would triumph with devastating consequences over well-entrenched English scepticism that drew its strength from scientific experiment.”

Thus, the novel is almost exclusively set in London, the last place on earth a reader would expect to encounter such undesirables. Its entire plot pivots on the sexual indiscretions across many off-shore lands of the English aristocrat Colonel John Chapman.

In the first of the novel’s two prologues, the reader is first introduced to the famed ballerina Wendy Salaun, who loses her train ticket and is compelled to request the monetary assistance of an obliging African gentleman, nicknamed Nutty, who was waiting for the train on the platform of an underground station. The author inveigles his grasp of the racist culture of the British establishment with the words: “a gentleman of colour sitting - in a most inappropriate situation of black irony, Wendy thought, - near racist graffiti scrawled with red crayon or lipstick on the wall above his head – NIGGERS AND ASIANS OUT...”

This curious weaving of fate triggers a series of other dramatic developments that let the reader into the dark inner recesses of Wendy's mother Maria’s private life. Her daughter’s encounter with a total black stranger in such fortuitous circumstances has an unsettling effect on this woman, who happens to be a celebrated watercolour artist.

Maria, as the eldest child of the disreputable Colonel Chapman, inherits a vast family fortune that is vigorously challenged with horrendous fatalities. Her incestuous relationship with her cousin Jamie in their youth lifts the lid on her tragic condition as a host for offending spirits.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹;˜ 2020

77

GAVEL

Editor: Olawale Olaleye SMS:08116759819 email:wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com

Interrogating the NDDC N346bn Budget The Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission appeared before the senate last week to defend its budget proposal, reports Deji Elumoye

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he Senate Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) led by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, last Wednesday, played host to the Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission during, which the Acting Managing Director, Dr. Joy Nunieh, presented the Commission’s N346 billion budget estimates for year 2019.

It took some time for the NDDC to be invited over by the Senate committee due to issues associated with identity and legality of the management team.

As at last November, the Senate was still having issues with the management team led by Dr. Nunieh.

In fact, a decision not to have anything to do wit the committee was taken at one of the sittings of the Senate.

The upper legislative chamber had then emphasised that it had no business with the Commission’s illegal management team headed by Nunieh.

It specifically insisted that the 15-member governing board, whose nominations were forwarded to it few weeks back by President Muhammadu Buhari, screened and approved by it, should be the one to relate with.

The Senate stand was sequel to Senate President Ahmad Lawan’s referral of the 2019 budget of NDDC received from President Buhari to its committee on NDDC, headed by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi for consideration.

Specifically, the Senate President, after approval by Senators through voice votes, for the budget to be forwarded to the Committee on NDDC, warned that only the approved board should be recognised for that purpose.

“The Senate Committee on NDDC should ensure that only the 15-man Governing board forwarded to the Senate by Mr. President, screened and approved by us, should be related with as far as the budget of the agency was concerned and other official matters,” he said.

Members of NDDC Governing board recognised by the Senate included former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Odubu as Chairman; Bernard Okumagba from Delta as Managing Director; Otobong Ndem from Akwa Ibom State as Executive Director, Projects; and Maxwell Oko from Bayelsa as Executive Director, Finance and Admin.

It took the Senate three months for its decision on the NDDC interim management team to be reversed based on a formal letter to that effect from President Muhammadu Buhari.

The President had in the letter dated December 23 hinted that a new Board for the NDDC would be constituted soon and sent to the National Assembly for confirmation.

According to the letter, the earlier Board duly confirmed by the Senate will be put on hold to allow the Interim Management Team carry out a forensic audit of the Commission.

The one-page letter read at plenary on January 28, 2020 stated: “I write to intimate the Senate of developments concerning the appointment of the board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

“The Senate may wish to note that after the dissolution of the Board of the NDDC, an Interim Management Team was set up to manage the affairs of the Commission before a new board was composed and sent for Senate confirmation.

“The Senate is invited to note that

NDDC Acting Managing Director, Joy Nunieh while the process of composition and Senate confirmation of the appointment of the Board was ongoing, I had directed that the forensic audit of the Commission be carried out, which is being overseen by the constituted Interim Management Team.

“Based on this, and in order to allow for uninterrupted process of the Forensic investigation, the Board appointment confirmed by the Senate has to be put on hold to allow the Interim Team continue to manage the Commission pending the outcome of the Forensic Audit. Thereafter, a new Board of the Commission will be recomposed for confirmation by the Senate.”

The President’s letter now created room for the Senate to formally relate with IMC of the NDDC, which culminated in last week’s presentation of the Commission’s budget proposals.

Speaking during the Commission’s budget presentation, NDDC Acting Managing Director, Nunieh, revealed that some contractors were awarded contracts before their companies were registered.

She admitted that, there were a lot of misplaced projects in the board’s current budget, saying her board was struggling to correct those anomalies in the budget.

According to her, some of the companies working with NDDC were not registered yet they have fake Interim Payment Certificates (IPC).

Her words: “Some contractors got awarded contracts before their companies were registered. Some of them are not registered. They have so many fake Interim Payment Certificates (IPC).

Godswill Akpabio

Almost everyone you see in Nigeria has an IPC. “Everyone has a photograph of a job that is well-finished. Sometimes, I get the same photos for different projects.

In submitting the list to the governors of the nine states, we have found out duplications”.

She went further to say, “People have collected contracts for the same roads from the state government. They have collected from FERMA and then they come to NDDC and collect the same road project. If I have a friend doing Road A at a place and I know about, I come to NDDC and collect funds for the same road.

“We have also someone who has over 55 IPCs or blocs for the same contract, I think it is in Cross River or Akwa IBom State. That contract has been awarded 55 times. I would like to say that we are particular about the environmental impact assessment. We want to ensure that when NDDC gives to a community to do a project, they should be able to provide proof that the plot of land has been donated to the Commission. Some residents later come to claim a plot of land after a structure has been built.”

She told the committee that the board has been under so much pressure and blackmail to pay contractors even when they have not satisfactorily completed their work. She, however, assured the committee that the board was not going to pay contractors that have not performed.

“We have started verification exercise. A lot of embarrassing things have happened. There is no emergency job that has the stated sum on the award letter. So, they awarded a contract with-

out an actual sum. We have contacted the council of Quantity Surveyors and the likes to look at these projects with our teams that we have put together.”

Nunieh further assured the committee that all documents relating to NDDC’s emergency projects would be made available on Tuesday.

She impressed it on the Committee members that the Commission in all its current activities was strictly being guided by the next level agenda of President Buhari’s administration in terms of transparency and accountability on all projects executed.

On its part, the Senate said it supported the forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) ordered by President Buhari, even as it lauded the on-going forensic auditing being carried out on the accounts of the agency by the executive arm of government Nwaoboshi pointedly stated: “The Senate supports the ongoing forensic auditing going on in NDDC and by extension not against the IMC running the agency now. We are here to consider and approve the agency’s budget proposals for 2019 as forwarded to the Senate by President Muhamnadu Buhari in December last year.

“However, in doing that, we shall be guided by policy thrust of the government on budget proposals, implementation and performances”, he noted.

The senator stressed that in line with submissions made by the President on October 8, 2019, while presenting the 2020 budget, performance status of projects in previous years, would be considered in giving appropriation to any proposal.

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FEBRUARY 16, 2020 ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

THEALTERNATIVE

with RenoOmokri

What Buhari’s Booing in Maiduguri Proves

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o demonstrate the oft-repeated lie that both Generals Buhari and Buratai have been telling the world, to the effect that Boko Haram has been defeated, the Islamic terror group waited for General Buhari to visit Maiduguri, unannounced, and then launched an audacious attack on the Borno state capital, proving that not only have they not been defeated, but that they have the capacity to take the battle to General Buhari’s face.

Let us face the truth. General Buhari is an all-round failure. The economy is worse than he met it. Our human rights are much worse than he met them. And our security is undoubtedly the worst it has ever been since the civil war. The Shagari government that Buhari overthrew performed better!

How can you visit a town and right in your face, Boko Haram attacked the town. Yet, just a week ago (on February 6, 2020), this same General Buhari fantastically said ‘I have fulfilled my promise on Boko Haram’. The man cannot even defend himself from Boko Haram. He was too scared to go to Auno, where the attacks occurred, or to spend the night in Maiduguri.

What has he improved in the country? I challenge Buharists to name one thing that has been enhanced in Nigeria in the last five years besides General Buhari’s health and economic well-being.

The man has no shame whatsoever.

General Buhari claimed that he went on a condolence visit to Maiduguri. But in truth, he did not go on a condolence visit. He went sightseeing. Boko Haram attacked Auno. They did not attack Maiduguri. It was AFTER Buhari visited that Boko Haram decided to show their contempt for him by attacking Maiduguri.

If Buhari wanted to condole, he would have gone to Auno, where the killings occurred. Buhari could not go to Auno, because even he is scared of Boko Haram! That is the point where we are in the country, and nobody should sugarcoat the truth!

I was the person who exclusively released the now-famous video of General Buhari being booed in Maiduguri, which the media has now syndicated. To put this into perspective, former President Jonathan visited Borno 7 times as President. He was NEVER booed.

My question to my readers is this: Do you still believe General Buhari won Borno by 836,496 votes, to Atiku Abubakar’s 71,778 votes during the February 23, 2019 elections? They say no matter how far and fast falsehood has travelled, it must eventually be overtaken by truth! General Buhari rigged the 2019 elections, and on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, in Maiduguri, we saw spontaneous proof of his rigging! The man is not popular in Maiduguri.

And Garba Shehu, the General Buhari’s spokesman, who General Buhari’s wife, Aisha Buhari, has publicly declared as a liar, had continued in his demonic habits by claiming that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party sponsored miscreants to boo General Buhari. Why does Garba tell such childish lies?

General Buhari paid a SURPRISE visit to Maiduguri. Nobody knew he was coming. The media did not know. Many of them were at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport waiting for General Buhari, and only found out on the internet that the man they were waiting to receive in Abuja, was actually in Maiduguri.

The whole country was taken by surprise. Even if the PDP

Buhari wanted to plan such a thing, there was no opportunity to do it.

The truth is that Borno people spontaneously booed General Buhari because the man is not popular there and rigged the election to give himself such fantastically high voter numbers there.

Nigeria, under General Buhari, is in a shambles. It is, according to Bill Gates ‘one of the worst places in the world to be born’.

Because of Buhari, we are the world headquarters for extreme poverty. He said the PDP sponsored his booing in Maiduguri.

Did they also sponsor the World Poverty Clock?

Why is Nigeria performing so abysmally under General Buhari? Two reasons. The first is because he refuses to take responsibility for anything, preferring instead to blame others.

And the second is because of nepotism. He appoints people to sensitive positions based on their tribe and religion.

Where is the ethnic and religious balance which is enshrined in the Federal Character Act 34 of 1996? The heads of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary are all Northern Muslim men, as are the heads of the Nigerian Army, NPF, NSA, DSS, NIA, DMI, DIA, NPS, NCS, NIS, and EFCC. That is why Nigeria is in a shambles.

All our institutions are collapsing because General Buhari has enthroned tribalism and religious bigotry in place of merit.

Those calling on General Buhari to sack the service chiefs for failure to perform have no understanding. The service chiefs were not appointed to ensure National Security. They were appointed to ensure Buhari’s regime security and promote a sectional interest.

That is the only reason they have released 1400 so-called ‘repentant’ Boko Haramists. In General Buhari’s eyes, they have been very successful at their jobs. How long can Nigeria continue

like this?

The booing General Buhari got in Maiduguri is just the tip of the iceberg. He is nationally unpopular. The Southwest has rejected him with Amotekun. The North has rejected him with Shege Ka Fa Sa. The Southeast is about to follow suit. Under the PDP, Nigerians could trust the military and police. Under Buhari, they do not!

The man continues to live in a fool’s paradise. Even his wife has come out publicly to declare her disappointment with the way things are going in the country. if the Southwest does not believe in him (and Amotekun proves it), if the North does not believe in him (his booing in Maiduguri proves it), if the Southeast does not believe in him (that is obvious), then who believes in Buhari?

Now, we are reading reports that even the rank and file of the Nigerian military are grumbling over his release of so-called repentant Boko Haramists. I mean, who does that?

Do you blame them? Ask yourself how the parents, widows and orphans of fallen Nigerian soldiers will feel when they watch the killers of their sons, husbands and fathers, being released by a government that promised to defeat Boko Haram in 3 months, on the lousy excuse that the Boko Haramites have now repented?

Not only are they released, but they are also first rehabilitated.

Is there any rehabilitation camp for the widows and orphan children of the soldiers that Boko Haram killed? No! Yet, these widows and orphans will watch as the Buhari administration rehabilitates Boko Haram members who killed their husband and fathers. 1400 of them. Where is the justice in that? The Only Repentant Boko Haram member is a Dead One! This past week, the minister of funeral affairs, AKA, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, attended Daniel Arap Moi’s funeral in Kenya. Both he and General Buhari have NEVER attended the funeral of soldiers killed by Boko Haram.

Yet, they released 1400 so-called ‘repentant’ Boko Haramites.

How would the widows and orphans feel, especially when you consider that according to Governor Zulum of Borno, Boko Haram have made 59,311 children orphans and 59,213 women widows in Borno alone. Yet, General Buhari has not imprisoned even one Boko Haramite. Where is justice in this?

Sadly, General Buhari has touched and ruined almost every aspect of our national life with his leptons fingers. And with the increase of our foreign debt from $7 billion on May 29, 2015, to $25 billion today, we will continue to feel his leprosy long after he has gone.

Reno’s Nuggets

When my father was ill, my sister left her job to stay with him.

My other sister left her business to work shifts with her. None of us boys left our business or work. Yet you foolishly complain that you have only girls? You have hit the jackpot! Each of your daughters is worth 3 sons! Having a daughter prolongs your life. She will not get into as much trouble as your sons. She is less likely to be disobedient. When she leaves your house, she will remember you. If you are too old to live alone, she will move you into her home, matrimonial or not. Go and thank God for having daughters! #FreeLeahSharibu #RenosNuggets

Pa ra ble of A n g els a n d Im be ci l e s Tunde Rahman

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ast Tuesday’s inauguration of the reconstituted National Reconciliation Committee of the governing All Progressives Congress will rank as one of the important moments of the governing party in recent times.

Buffeted by crises across its state chapters, the ceremony seemed to be the start of what would eventually restore sanity to the crisis-ridden APC state chapters. Perhaps to underscore the importance the rank and file attached to the event, the Wuse 2, Abuja headquarters of the party was filled to the brim. Party stalwarts and staff members of the secretariat waited for long hours for the inauguration on a day nature conspired to delay the movement of some of the committee members from their domains to Abuja. Poor weather affected visibility. Consequently, most flights could not commence as scheduled. One of those cut up by the weather problems is the Chairman of the reconciliation committee, Chief Bisi Akande. His flight from Ibadan to Abuja was postponed many times and eventually cancelled owing to the weather problem. But because of his commitment to the party and commitment to attend the inauguration, he had to travel by road to Lagos to catch another flight, eventually arriving in Abuja around 10 pm for the event.

As Interim Chairman of the party, Baba Akande midwifed the APC, nurturing the coalition of progressives from the North and South of the country into a political machine that it is and organising the convention that

produced then General Muhammadu Buhari as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2015 election. Chief Akande had to be tapped again to come and resolve the crisis within the APC. Among other states plagued by intra-party crisis are Oyo, Ondo, Rivers, Zamfara and Edo, which if not amicably resolved could dim the fortunes of APC going forward. At 81, former Osun State governor, Chief Akande’s leadership, administrative and conflict-resolution skills, mental alertness and physical energy are incredible. He parades unusual integrity badly needed for this kind of assignment. Importantly, Baba also has overwhelming faith in the ability and capacity of the party and its stalwarts to continue to deliver for the country. It was because of these excellent qualities- honesty, integrity and the awesome respect he commands across the country- that Baba Akande was given the assignment.

These fine qualities, however, are not in short supply in the 12-man reconciliation committee.

Specifically, the panel parades two governors- one, a second-term governor who APC Chairman Adams Oshiomhole called a ranking governor, that is Niger State’s Abubakar Sani Bello; the other, a first-term governor, from the State of Osun, Alhaji Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola.

There are also two former governors- Alhaji Kashim Shettima from Borno and Umaru Tanko Al-Makura from Nasarawa- both of whom are Senators at present. Oshiomhole dubbed them ‘Governors-Emeritus’. In the committee are Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase; Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi; former candidate of APC in

the last governorship election in Cross River, Senator John Enoh (Secretary), as well as Senator Khairat Abdulrasaq Gwadabe from Kwara and Hon. Binta Garba Marshi from Kaduna among others.

Because of the high quality of the panel put together at the behest of the party’s National Executive Committee and approved by President Muhammadu Buhari and because its integrity could not be impugned in any way, many have openly embraced the panel. Notably, Edo State Government, which has been engaged in a war of attrition with Chairman Oshiomhole and which had earlier rejected the first reconciliation committee, quickly welcomed the panel, saying it was ready to work with it. Edo is one state the committee would have a yeoman’s job to do given the level of degeneration of party cohesion.

Inaugurating the committee, the party’s national chairman charged it with resolving the conflicts and disagreements within the party wherever they find them so that APC could enjoy internal cohesion. The acceptance of the members to serve in the panel, according to Oshiomhole, has renewed the confidence of the leadership that party members are desirous of ensuring peace and tranquility. He said the committee was free to draw up its programmes and activities and co-opt anyone to work with it as it deem fit. Harping on the inevitability of conflict within any given social set up, Oshiomhole said: “It is traditional for progressive parties to have internal contestations, arguments and disagreements. There is nothing wrong with that. If you

have a party where there are no disagreements, then, there must be something wrong.”

Baba Akande, however, put this in a proper context. According to him, it was because APC parades no angels, who are messengers of the Supreme Being, and is also not an association of imbeciles, bereft of the capacity to question or protest decisions considered unfavourable, that conflicts and protestations abound within the party. Because of this, he said there were mechanisms within the party for conflict-mediation and resolution. The former Osun governor said he nursed no fear about the assignment because there are quality people with demonstrable strong capacities who would help him do an excellent job.

Now, what is the general expectation from the Akande-panel? It is that the committee would end up with reconciliation outcomes that will put the party on a solid footing and give its strong acceptability in the troubled states towards the next poll. To engender this end, the panel and all aggrieved parties must be on the same page on the reconciliation moves.

There must be mutual trust and understanding as well as common interest in the sustenance and survival of APC as election-winning and democratic dividends-delivery political machinery. Aggrieved parties must be ready for compromises. They must all keep an open mind to allow a degree of consensus to develop.

––Rahman, Media Adviser to APC National Leader, Asiwaju BolaTinubu, was formerly Editor ofTHISDAY on Sunday newspaper.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ FEBRUARY 16, 2020

CICERO

Editor:Olawale Olaleye Email:wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08116759819

IN THE ARENA

Before the State Surrenders to Armed Criminals The federal government must tighten its noose on insecurity before the state loses the initiative, writes Samuel Ajayi

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n his way back from Ethiopia, where he had gone to attend the Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, President Muhammadu Buhari, headed straight to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The state had just suffered an upsurge in violent attacks from the Boko Haram insurgents and the Islamic State for West Africa, ISWA. Last week, about 30 people, mostly travellers, killed and almost two dozens of vehicles were destroyed by the insurgents in the village of Auno, about 20 kilometres from Maiduguri.

Those killed were burnt to death inside their vehicles, where they had decided to spend the night after the gate of the state capital was shut after the time for closure had lapsed.

During the visit, the President commiserated with the people and government of the state and promised to do all within his powers to curb the menace of insecurity in the country. He, however, charged the leaders of the state to do more to help security agencies fight the Islamic insurgents.

Buhari in Maiduguri, shakes hands with Governor Zulum The President had this to say: “This Boko Haram or whoever they are cannot come “The bandits stormed our village on several up to Maiduguri or its environs to attack without the motorbikes, brandishing AK47 rifles. Immediately they local leadership knowing.” came they started moving round the village shooting The problem is not the fact that the insurgents are sporadically. attacking and killing hapless locals and travellers, the “In the process, they came to our house and set it issue bothering Nigerians is that the state seems to be ablaze, with 11 people inside. All the 11 people were helpless. members of my family. They included three women and In normal societies, the power of coercion and eight children of my three younger brothers,” Mallam deployment of violence seem to be exclusive preserve Bakali explained. of the state. But the Nigerian state seems to have lost Kidnappings and abductions have become the order this power. And that is where the danger lies. of the day in Kaduna State, which is a state that prides Shortly after the President departed Maiduguri to itself as the political headquarters of the North.

Abuja, the village of Jiddari Polo came under attack Also, last week, during the burial of a seminarian, from the Boko Haram insurgents, who forced residents Michael Nnamdi, 18, who was killed by his abductors, of the area to scamper to safety. It was a stark and who had also killed wife of a medical doctor, the Cathoscary testimony of the firepower of the insurgents and lic Bishop of Sokoto Archdiocese, Most Rev. Matthew an indication that even the visit of the President was Kukah, took a heavy swipe at the President, whom he not enough to scare them. accused of nepotism and clannishness.

In Kaduna State, last week, a family of 11 was set Kukah, a man often used to diplomatese and conablaze by bandits, who had turned the state into a killstructive engagement, was livid that the state seems ing field. The burning of the defenceless family memhelpless in tackling growing insecurity in the land. bers happened, when the bandits attacked their village Fulani herdsmen have practically taken over many of Bakali in Fatika District of Giwa Local Government villages in Benue State. And there are fears that their area of the state. activities might affect the nation’s food security. Not These 11 victims were part of a total of 21, who that alone, in Kaduna, Kano and Jigawa States, farmwere killed during the attack, when the houses were ers are complaining that they could barely go to farms set ablaze in the attack described as being “unproagain for fears of being attacked by bandits. voked”.

Large parts of Zamfara State were practically Mallam Sani Bakali, head of the family of the ungovernable in the later part of last year till the victims, told newsmen that the bandits attacked their beginning of this year. On January 17 this year, bandits village with sophisticated weapons. attacked Baban Rafi community in Gummi Local

Government area of the state, killing 14 persons.

As usual, the bandits came on motorbikes and were shooting sporadically, leaving many of the victims to die of stray bullets. A resident of the community said they buried 20 people with many still missing as at then.

The seeming helplessness of the state is not only dangerous in terms of maintaining law and order, it also does not forebode well in terms of individuals and the need to ensure personal security.

Experts are of the opinion that it won’t be long before Nigerians start resorting to self-help in order to secure their lives and properties. And perhaps, this is already happening and it is an indication that the state might be losing it.

Oladele Morakinyo, an online marketer, said most Nigerians do not have confidence in the government to protect them. To him, killings across the country are an indication that bandits and insurgents are not only having an upper hand, security agencies and their agents are overwhelmed.

Perhaps, the setting up of Operation Amotekun by the state governments in the Southwest geopolitical zone could not have come at a better time. The initial hostile disposition to the idea by the federal government has given way to working out of modalities on how to go about the initiative.

With the community policing of the Inspector-General of Police also coming up, perhaps, the state can regain control over the security of lives and properties and the President can do less of condolence visits.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

The Message from Maiduguri

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A screaming banner by protesters in Borno State

or the first time in many of the recent recollections, President Muhammadu Buhari lived up to billings as a leader, when he flew directly to Maiduguri, Borno State from Ethiopia, where he had been on official assignment to commiserate with the people of Auno, who were killed by Boko Haram insurgents.

It seemed, perhaps, that the president felt the pains of the attack this time and chose to act like a quintessential leader, even though he was roundly booed by the people of Borno State, who chanted: “We don’t want Buhari”. No doubt, such a booing would have been impossible a few years ago.

Although the president, typically too, didn’t leave the people with sufficiently kind words, the thrust of the message

from the trip were however two. First, the people hoisted a screaming banner, which read: “With gun, you can kill a terrorist; with education, you can kill terrorism”. That’s self-explanatory.

The other message was the hit on the town soon after the president left town. That particular effrontery by the terrorists bore with it a lot of messages, including but not limited to the fact that they were in charge of the town and could have hit the town whilst the president was there if they so wanted. Those messages are enough to cause a more effective action by the federal government – a well planned and organised response that would further affirm his leadership. Otherwise it might be that the state is being gradually surrendered to armed struggle and the consequence of that is better imagined.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 16, 2020

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BRIEFINGNOTES Father Kukah: Saying It As It Is! President Muhammadu Buhari should take heed of the recent homily by the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, the revered Father Mathew Hassan Kukah during the burial of an 18-year-old seminarian, Michael Nnadi, killed by members of the Boko Haram sect. Shola Oyeyipo writes

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mong very respectable Nigerians whose contributions on national issues have been very instructive and assertive is Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, of the Diocese of Sokoto, in Northern Nigeria.

His Tuesday, February 11 homily at the burial of an 18-year-old seminarian, Michael Nnadi, held at the Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Kaukau, Chikun local government area, Kaduna State, provided another opportunity to draw the ears of the Nigerian leadership to the fact that Nigeria is on the precipice and that necessary actions must be taken to reverse this ugly trend. The 18-year-old Nnadi, was abducted and later killed by members of Boko Haram terrorists-Islamic sect and like others, his killing generated widespread condemnation from around the world, so much so are the points raised by the respected clergy.

Except some in the corridor of power benefiting from the continued insecurity facing Nigeria, no one who wishes Nigeria well is satisfied with its present state of affair particularly, in the aspects of insecurity and poverty.

Nigeria has been plagued with insecurity and evidence abounds to show that with poverty, insecurity will be difficult to curtail and vis-à-vis, when insecurity is unaddressed, poverty becomes rampant.

This is the pathetic story of Nigeria now and many people from different walks of life have spoken out to express disappointment in the President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s inability to reverse the debilitating situation.

But as much as they do, those holding the levers of power easily politicise every criticism against the government or ignore them outright. Truth, however, is that the country is running fast on the reverse gear if these issues generating concern were not urgently addressed.

While he urged Christendom and Nnadi’s family to take solace in the fact that the young boy was glorified at death, Kukah made some salient points that required reflections. He noted that now is a defining moment for Christians and the government.

“This is a solemn moment for the body of Christ. This is for us the moment of decision. This is the moment that separates darkness from light; good from evil. Our nation is like a ship stranded on the high seas, rudderless and with broken navigational aids.

“Today, our years of hypocrisy, duplicity, fabricated integrity, false piety, empty morality, fraud and Pharisaism have caught up with us. Nigeria is on the crossroads and its future hangs precariously in a balance. This is a wakeup call for us. As St. Paul reminds us: The night is far spent, and the day is at hand. Therefore, let us cast away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light (Rom. 13:12). It is time to confront and dispel the clouds of evil that hover over us.

“Nigeria is at a point, where we must call for a verdict. There must be something that a man, nay, a nation should be ready to die for. Sadly, or even tragically, today, Nigeria does not possess that set of goals or values for which any sane citizen is prepared to die for her.

Perhaps, I should correct myself and say that the average office holder is ready to die to protect his office but not for the nation that has given him or her that office. “The Yoruba say that if it takes you 25 years to practice madness, how much time would you have to put it into real life? We have practiced madness for too long.

“Our attempt to build a nation has become like the agony of Sisyphus, who angered the gods and had to endure the frustration of rolling a stone up the mountain. Each time he got near the top, the gods would tip the stone back and he would go back to start all over again. What has befallen our nation?

“Nigeria needs to pause for a moment and think. No one more than the President of Nigeria, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, who was voted for in 2015 on the grounds of his own promises to rout Boko Haram and place the country on an even keel,” he suggested.

The clergy drew inference from an address by President Muhammadu Buhari at the prestigious Policy Think Tank, Chatham House in London, before the 2015 elections, where he said: “I, as a retired General and a former Head of State, have always known about our soldiers. They are capable and they are well trained, patriotic, brave and always ready to do their duty.

“If am elected President, the world will have no reason to worry about Nigeria. Nigeria will return to its stabilising role in West Africa.

We will pay sufficient attention to the welfare of our soldiers in and out of service. We will develop adequate and modern arms and ammunition.

“We will improve intelligence gathering and border patrols to choke Boko Haram’s financial and equipment channels. We will be tough on terrorism and tough on its root causes by initiating a comprehensive economic development and promoting infrastructure

When Kukah meets Buhari development… We will always act on time and not allow problems to irresponsibly fester. And I, Muhammadu Buhari, will always lead from the front.”

One is not sure President Buhari remembers this statement he made and if he does, in his evaluations, would he say he has brought this to bear and that such actions have yielded the expected results.

The answer is capital NO! According to Kukah, while no one doubted the president to walk his talks during campaigns, “No one could have imagined that in winning the presidency, General Buhari would bring nepotism and clannishness into the military and the ancillary security agencies, that his government would be marked by supremacist and divisive policies that would push our country to the brink.

“This president has displayed the greatest degree of insensitivity in managing our country’s rich diversity. He has subordinated the larger interests of the country to the hegemonic interests of his co-religionists and clansmen and women. The impression created now is that, to hold a key and strategic position in Nigeria today, it is more important to be a northern Muslim than a Nigerian.”

This is no lie. Kukah did not say anything new. Every opinionated Nigerian has vehemently protested the palpable ‘northernisation’ of the Nigerian security architecture and the presidency has paid deaf ear to it. And out of distrust in the security agencies, sections of the country are opting to inaugurate their security outfits.

He noted that despite Buhari’s favourable disposition to his northern kinsmen above every other section of the country, the noble religion of Islam has convulsed because it has associated with some of worst fears among the people and that Muslim scholars, traditional rulers and intellectuals have continued to cry out helplessly, asking for their religion and region to be freed from the chokehold of terrorism, poverty and all other vices.

“This is because, in all of this, neither Islam nor the north can identify any real benefits from these years that have been consumed by the locusts that this government has unleashed on our country.

The Fulani, his innocent kinsmen, have become the subject of opprobrium, ridicule, defamation, calumny and obloquy. His north has become one large graveyard, a valley of dry bones, the nastiest and the most brutish part of our dear country.

“Despite running the most nepotistic and narcissistic govern-

ment in known history, there are no answers to the millions of young children on the streets in northern Nigeria, the north still has the worst indices of poverty, insecurity, stunting, squalor and destitution.

His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, and the Emir of Kano are the two most powerful traditional and moral leaders in Islam today.

“None of them is happy and they have said so loud and clear.

The Sultan recently lamented the tragic consequences of power being in the wrong hands. Every day, Muslim clerics are posting tales of lamentation about their fate. Now, the Northern elders, who in 2015 believed that General Buhari had come to redeem the north have now turned against the president.”

Referring to the unresolved abduction of Leah Sharibu and now Michael, all teenagers, who have become Christian martyrs, the Man of God pointed out that the persecution of Christians in northern Nigeria is as old as the modern Nigerian state.

This, he said is done by denying Christians lands for places of worship across most of the northern states, ignoring the systematic destruction of churches all these years, denying Christians adequate recruitment, representation and promotions in the state civil services.

He also alleged that their indigenous children were denied scholarships, marrying Christian women or converting Christians while threatening Muslim women and prospective converts with death, and by these he said, “they make building a harmonious community impossible.”

For people of his faith, Kukah stated that this is a defining moment for Christians and Christianity in Nigeria. He said the Christians must be honest enough to accept that they had taken so much for granted and made so much sacrifice in the name of nation building. “We accepted President Buhari, when he came with General Idiagbon, two Muslims and two northerners. We accepted Abiola and Kingibe, thinking that we had crossed the path of religion, but we were grossly mistaken. When Jonathan became President, and Senator David Mark remained Senate President, while Patricia Ette, was chosen by the Southwest, became a Speaker.

“The Muslim members revolted and forced her resignation with lies and forgery. The same House would shamelessly say that they had no records of her indictment. Today, we are living with a Senate whose entire leadership is in the hands of Muslims.

(Reader should See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

NOTES FOR FILE

Senate President Lawan Jokes Too Much!

Lawan

The President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, set the entire social atmosphere on fire last week, when his comment on the Maryam Sanda death sentence turned out the biggest joke of the week/moment.

Addressing his colleagues during plenary, the Senate President, stated: “Ermmm… A woman, who was alleged to have killed her husband to death.” The poor grammar of a PhD holder has since been the talk of the town with many wondering what went wrong.

Perhaps, it is safe to assume he was joking but that

again, would be joking too much or some joke taken too far. But if the candour with which he spoke could be factored into account, then, it was no joke. Rather, it was a sincere error and unbefitting of his status and office.

It’s important the number three citizen minds his words next time and doesn’t get easily carried away. His gaffe is better situated as a slip that could be glossed over. But the influential social space, as it has come to be known, would not forget anytime soon what transpired on that day.

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CICERO/REPORT

Pruning Down Parties in a Multi-party Democracy The recent deregistration of 74 out of the 92 hitherto existing political parties in the country, sparing only 18 by the Independent National Electoral Commission, has raised concerns about the nation’s multi-party democracy, writes Chuks Okocha

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rdinarily, a multi-party democracy ensures what could be described as a proportional representation at all levels of governance. It is ideal in nature, because it prevents the domination of a single party in any system. Multi-party system is a direct opposite to a monopoly or one party system.

If the government includes an elected Congress or Parliament, then parties might share power according to proportional representation.

Political scientists describe a multi-party system as democracy at its best. In a democratic country like Nigeria, any person or a group has the freedom to form their political party. This practice encourages electoral transparency.

Apart from this, any government in a multi-party system is seen as responsive and accountable to the needs of the people. This is what the practice of a multi-party system represents. This is what separates it from a military oligarchy. But this has come to represent a direct opposite of the actuals in Nigeria.

In the words of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) National Commissioner in charge of Voter Education and Publicity, Festus Okoye of INEC, the preponderance of too many political parties in Nigeria has negative effect in Nigeria’s democratic growth.

This, he reckoned, has necessitated the proliferation of political parties that made the operators to turn them into vessels of commercial ventures.

The registered political parties, therefore, have become veritable tools in the hands of political moneybags and the affluent to further extend their selfish interest, rather than fulfilling the traditional roles of political parties in a democratic setting.

The registration of political parties has thus become a business venture as politicians register as many political parties as possible that the exercise has come to negate the very essence of multi-party democracy.

In Nigeria, during the 2019 general election, there were 92 political parties. This constitutes a threat to the democratic practice itself in the preparation of elections itself.

According to political scientists, if there was any lesson to be learnt from the recently concluded general election in the country, it was the fact that Nigeria did not need as much as 92 political parties.

During the election itself, apart from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), many of the other parties were on the ballot just to make up the number.

In several instances, many of these parties had no candidate for elections while their presidential candidates withdrew few days to the election to adopt another presidential candidate.

In the last presidential election that had a total of 73 candidates, Muhammadu Buhari, candidate of the APC, won 15,191,847 of the total votes cast while his closest opponent, Atiku Abubakar, scored 11,262,978 votes, an astonishing victory margin of 3,928,869 votes.

Felix Nicholas of the Peoples Coalition Party (PCP) came a distant third with a total of 110,196 votes. Others barely scored up to twenty thousand votes or collected money to step down for others in the eleventh hour.

Those who did not withdraw ended up scoring ridiculous number of votes. The display of the last presidential election result could attest to them.

At the end, the question that arose was why billions of public funds were wasted just to accommodate those, who merely exploited the weakness of the law to ‘entertain’ themselves.

In the run up to the 2019 general election, when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, defended the budget of the commission for elections before the National Assembly, he said the cost of conducting elections in the country had risen considerably, because 92 political parties would be on the ballot, a figure he added could rise as the commission still had 140 pending applications for party registration.

At inception of this political dispensation in 1999, Nigeria had just three major parties: Alliance for Democracy (AD), PDP and All People’s Party (APP). This small number of political parties then made it easy for the electorate to vote without being confused as we witnessed in the present

INEC National Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu political dispensation.

With 92 political parties out of which 73 actively participated at the elections, many of the voters were confused on the choice to make.

The question being asked is how did Nigeria come to this? Simple! It was the the Supreme Court judgment in a case filed by the late legal icon and human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN to the effect that, “INEC had no power to make guidelines on how an association can become a political party insofar as the Constitution has covered the field in section 222”, adding that “to restrict the formation of political parties weakens the democratic culture”. This judgment therefore fueled the implosion of mushroom political parties in Nigeria and made a mockery of the multi-party democracy in Nigeria.

Worried by the mockery of multi-party democracy in the country through the unprincipled proliferation of political parties, the National Assembly amended the Electoral Act 2010 to empower INEC to de-register political parties that failed to win any election.

Since political parties were registered pursuant to section 222 of the Constitution, the suits filed by the affected political parties succeeded as the Federal High Court declared the amendment unconstitutional and set it aside Among the grounds are that a party can be de-registered if it breaches any of the requirements for registration and fails to win at least twenty-five per cent of votes cast in one

state of the Federation in a presidential election or one Local Government of the state in a governorship election.

The National Assembly thus took advantage of the 2017 constitutional review to reduce the number of registered political parties in the country. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fourth Alteration, No 9) Act, 2017 enacted on May 4, 2017, has amended section 225 of the 1999 Constitution to empower the Independent National Electoral Commission to de-register political parties.

Sadly, most of the political parties are bereft of ideas, ideology and the very vital ingredients of political parties with regards to philosophy, organisation, structure, motive, spread and capacity to fulfill the role of political parties in Nigeria.

This was why INEC made the bold move to deregister 74 political parties, leaving just 18 out of the existing 92 parties.

Curiously, most the parties that were deregistered don’t have national spread or political structure that could win a single seat, most practically have no manifestoes and even where they exist, end up being a duplication and repetition of another party.

This, no doubt, should be a disturbing development in Nigeria’s political history, because these political vampires were merely exploiting section 222 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) to register parties.

The implications in actual fact should be minimal as there are eighteen functional political parties that Nigerians can use to ventilate actualize their dreams today.

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CICERO/REPORT

Dickson and Diri flash the latter’s certificate of return

Like the Biblical Promised Land, the Bayelsa Story Changes Overnight The balance of power in Bayelsa has shifted yet again after the Supreme Court Judgment invalidating the qualification of the APC governor-elect, David Lyon, in last November’s Bayelsa governorship poll, writes Emmanuel Addeh

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n Thursday, Nigeria’s Apex Court unanimously held that Mr. David Lyon and his deputy, Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo were not qualified ab initio to be declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as governorelect of Bayelsa and deputy respectively.

It effectively changed the Bayelsa political trajectory overnight and automatically rejigged the short-lived existing power equation in the state in which the trio of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Timipre Sylva and Timi Alaibe as well as a handful of others would have re-emerged the new power brokers.

The court judgment, also, literally raised from the dead, the seeming impending political sabbatical of the former governor, Seriake Dickson, whose alleged ambition to control all the levers of power in the state without consideration for the other elitist politicians and leaders led to the defeat of his party in the first place.

It appeared the erstwhile governor was finished politically.

He had been somewhat alienated by his own party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for the same reason that he wasn’t amenable to taking advice or directives in some cases.

His fellow governors, quite a number of them, including the very vocal Governor Nyesom Wike of neighbouring Rivers State, were also not in good terms with him.

This discordance with his colleagues was palpable in no less an event than the official election (selection) of Dickson’s successor as the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, last

month.

In a dramatic event in Abuja while his term hadn’t expired, his colleague governors simply went behind him to conduct the election of his successor in which the person handing over was absent. It wasn’t only disrespectful; it was a sign that all wasn’t well with the party. Sokoto Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, emerged his successor during that event.

Back to the politics of Bayelsa, all the signs were there that Jonathan, Alaibe and a host of other disgruntled leaders were angry with Dickson. In Ogbia, where Jonathan hails from, the APC routed Dickson’s PDP during the poll.

Dickson’s strongmen in the area were either rounded up on the day of the election or put in one form of detention or the other, effectively rendering them ineffective.

A day later, the winner of that election, Lyon was in Jonathan’s house with his godfather and former President’s erstwhile political enemy, Timipre Sylva, ostensibly to thank him for the role he played during the poll.

Soon after, the full APC team was at the former President’s abode as early as 8am to join him in marking his birthday.

Not many had any doubts that indeed, just like his mother, who had earlier endorsed the APC candidate then, the former Nigerian leader had given his nod to APC’s Lyon in the run-up to the poll.

As for Alaibe, who is from the same local government with Diri, who was sworn in in Friday as the fifth governor of Bayelsa, it was obvious that his supporters had massively voted the APC candidate. The APC got more than half of the votes, garnering 8,934 to the PDP candidate’s 15, 360.

In his usual manner, the ex-President allowed his body language to speak for him. In a statement by the Chairman, Chief Benson Odoko, the PDP Elders Forum accused Jonathan of using the Bayelsa poll to negotiate with President Muhammadu Buhari, saying Jonathan kept his distance from the PDP and its members throughout the period of the campaigns leading to the election.

“The forum was shocked when Jonathan and his wife donated the Aridolf Hotel to the APC as the operational contact point for visiting dignitaries of the party and as the venue for the party’s controversial primaries.

“These actions of Jonathan clearly portray him as a betrayer of the PDP, which gave him the platform to occupy the highest positions in the country, Bayelsa State, and millions of the PDP members just to protect his selfish interest.” He said.

Though clearly partisan, Odoko was probably right about the Aridolf issue. Many APC stalwarts were lodged there while the final result was announced at the same hotel owned by the wife of the President, Patience. Was the hotel only doing business? Perhaps!

Dissociating Jonathan and his family, who felt ignored by Dickson from Lyon’s short-lived victory would be an uphill talk. The justification for their action and decision to teach Dickson a lesson, as it were, is also in the public sphere.

Dickson had allegedly declined to incorporate their views and input in the build-up to the poll.

In the meantime, Thursday’s judgment came as a shock to the APC and the governor-in-waiting, Lyon, whose qualification for the election was invalidated by the Supreme Court.

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CICERO/REPORT t LIKE THE BIBLICAL PROMISED LAND, THE BAYELSA STORY CHANGES OVERNIGHT t Continued from Pg. 82

Senator Degi-Eremienyo... the man who killed Lyon’s dream

Diri presenting his certificate of return to Jonathan

Like the biblical Moses, who saw but never stepped his foot on the promised land, news of the apex court’s decision effectively put a halt to the rehearsal for the planned swearingin, in which Lyon along with some security personnel and a retinue of aides were participating at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, when the information filtered in.

The PDP flags in front of the Creek House, Bayelsa’s seat of power, had also been replaced by a slew of APC banners and the stage set for the planned inauguration of Lyon before the news of the disqualification came.

However, it was an instant burst of jubilation at the Government House as the party’s supporters trooped to the seat of power at Onopa, to celebrate with Governor Dickson, who was having a session with his cabinet at the Exco Chambers inside the Government House.

The governor, who was already preparing for a reception at his hometown, Toru-Orua, Sagbama local government, stayed back at the Government House to receive jubilant visitors.

At his official residence, the doors were thrown open for the huge crowd, while the usual security checks were relaxed with an elated governor mixing freely with everyone around.

It was also a mishmash of emotions as expectant APC supporters and loyalists of Lyon were seen still in shock while discussing the ‘unfairness’ of the Supreme Court decision, while the PDP faithful erupted in celebration.

A five-man panel of the apex court presided by Justice Mary Peter-Odili nullified the election of Lyon on the grounds that his deputy, Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo presented false information to INEC in aid of his qualification for the November 16 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

The apex court in the judgment delivered by Justice Ejembi Eko consequently ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to withdraw the certificate of Return issued to Lyon and Degi-Eremienyo.

Justice Eko also ordered that INEC immediately declare the party with the highest number of lawful votes and geographical spread. In a twinkle of an eye, Diri, nay, Dickson’s fortunes had changed. Now, it appears the original plan, which was for the now former governor to go to the senate before the November 16 debacle will materialise.

Diri, who hails from Kolokuma/Opokuma and his deputy, Ehrudjakpor from Dickson’s Sagbama, Bayelsa West, both serving senators will have to leave the senate to give the chance for a new set of elections.

If Dickson contests, which he is likely to, the former governor who has a stronghold there in his senatorial zone, will likely emerge victorious in a free and fair poll. His main challenger in that area would have been Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who has been alienated by the APC for taking Lyon to court after raising concerns about the primaries.

Whether the national leadership of the PDP with which Dickson seems to have fallen out will favour him with the party’s ticket remains to be seen. Bayelsa Central is however open.

The third senatorial District, Bayelsa East may also be up for grabs if like in the governorship, the PDP is able to prove that the APC’s erstwhile deputy governor-elect, Degi-Eremienyo, used contentious academic qualifications for that election.

Now that the Dickson, Diri duo has been restored to the highest level of power wielders in Bayelsa, where does it leave those who were either indifferent or worked assiduously against them? Nothing unprecedented. Diri, the new governor is likely to toe the path of peace.

Indeed, he has started on that note. Immediately after he was issued the certificate of return on Friday, Jonathan’s house was his first port of call. They were seen in several pictures

Former Lagos governor, Bola Tinubu flanked by Lyon and Sylva after Lyon was declared winner of the November election last year

flashing smiles. After all, none of those, who expressed anger against Dickson, mentioned that Diri had done them evil.

Diri has promised to follow-up on his plan to run an all-inclusive government. “I have been sworn in today as your new governor. My advice is that we have to be magnanimous in victory.

“We have to forget the bitterness, and the acrimony, because if we kill ourselves, who are we going to lead? Of course, we are not going to lead animals.

“I, therefore, bring to you a message of love, hope and prosperity for Bayelsa. Let us eschew all the bitterness and acrimony and learn to love ourselves irrespective of political parties”, he said.

Also in an unexpected move, Jonathan felicitated with the new governor, stressing that he was hopeful that Diri would deliver, having been his aide in the past.

“I congratulate His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, who was sworn in today as the 5th Civilian Governor of Bayelsa State, in compliance with the Supreme court verdict of yesterday, 13th February 2020.

“As Governor, the responsibility of building hope and sustaining peace across the state now lies on your shoulders.

I urge you to always bear in mind that you are the Governor of all Bayelsans and to seize this moment of glory to build bridges of unity by entrenching a culture of love, fairness and justice in our polity.

“Your journey to Creek Haven is a divine one, so, I advise you to use the position to do good to humanity and pursue the development of the state in order to write your name in gold. “You have worked with me before as a commissioner, so I am without doubt that you will live up to the expectations of our people. I call on all Bayelsans to be law-abiding,

peaceful and embrace this transition in all sincerity, and work together towards a united and prosperous state,” he said.

But will Dickson remain his brash self? Some lessons in politics are simply humbling. In the last couple of months, he has seen how the mighty could easily become irrelevant in a moment of political misfire. He, too, has promised changes.

“No one should have any fear, no victimisation. It’s all forgiveness and reconciliation. Even when we had issues, we called for restraint and let’s ensure that nobody takes the laws into their hands. We prevented bloodshed and crisis even when 21 persons were killed in Nembe.

“I urge the leaders to keep the peace for the sake of our state. I am aware that people have concerns and some people are angry. I will continue to call for calm and I urge all political leaders to do so. Disagreements are normal. We need to show understanding,” he said.

But not a few persons still believed that despite all that has happened, Dickson, who was accused of alienating all the power centres in Bayelsa and was opposed by very important stakeholders, has many battles ahead.

It is believed that if he will succeed, Diri would have to learn quickly from his mistakes and avoid Dickson’s human and political frailties.

He will need to move swiftly to reconcile all disgruntled stakeholders, including Alaibe, whose case against Diri at the primaries is still a subject of dispute at a Federal High Court.

Risking another electoral war with the allied forces, which conspired to defeat him, albeit temporarily, in last year’s governorship poll would come at a high political cost for Diri.

He probably knows this. Reason he has started already to extend the olive branch to the aggrieved stakeholders. But for how long he can sustain this remains to be seen.

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SUNDAYINTERVIEW Femi Adesina

Adesina

In the Fight Against Graft, Buhari Has No Friend or Foe President Muhammadu Buhari’s senior media aide, Femi Adesina has been under fire lately over a few sensitive and controversial issues. But in defence of his principal, he took time out to address some of the issues. He spoke to Adedayo Adejobi. Excerpts:

A

recent report that Leah Sharibu had been married off to a top Boko Haram commander did go down well with many people. What is President Buhari doing to expedite her release over two years after her abduction?

From the words you have used, the adjectives alarming, disturbing, subject to abuse and all that, I wonder who you have been listening to, because that already shows who you have already been listening to. You have been listening to the agitators, who don’t have the fact and who just came up with conjectures.

Yes, we know if someone is in captivity it can’t be a normal life. But some people are also playing politics with it, because they don’t know how the girl is living.

So, the adjectives you have used may be right and may be wrong.

All I will like to say is that, yes, it is inhuman to keep such a young lady away from her family, but then the way you spoke shows you have been listening to some people, who have been playing politics.

You know that some people have used Leah Sharibu as an avenue to oppose the government; they are people who perpetually oppose the government and Leah

Sharibu is another avenue for them to play opposition, which is unquestionable. It is not good; you don’t use the travail of such a young lady to play opposition politics, and talking of opposition politics, I am not talking of political party.

We know PDP is an opposition party. I am not talking about PDP alone. There are some activists, who have used it to oppose the president and the government. It is conscienceless to use the travail of such a young lady to play politics. To other part of your question: what has the president done?

I will say what has the world done, because Leah Sharibu is a blot on the conscience of the world not just Nigeria now? The world itself, when you say the world is a global village, it’s not just in terms of communication and the rest. It is in terms of our collective humanity.

Then coming home, the president has always said whatever it takes to get the hostages coming home he will do, even including paying.

If payment will do it, he will pay. He said that in his first year of his administration there were some hostages that were released that some ransom was paid. There were some that no ransom was paid. But if you find out that ransom was paid it’s in line with what the president

has said he would do and there were some that a dime was not paid and government said that we didn’t pay for that.

Therefore, every effort has been made and it is still being made to rescue Leah Sharibu. I can tell you on good authority that there is a window of communication between our security forces and those who are holding her, but those who are holding her know that she is a person of interest not just in Nigeria but globally.

They are holding her as a sort of ransom, a shield, bargaining chip/tool. That is why it has been so tough to get her released. But we should never give up hope. I like Alexander Pope and I quote him again “hope beats eternal in the human breast”. Hope must continue to beat in our heart that one day Leah Sharibu will come out anytime.

SERAP has asked President Buhari, VP Osinbajo and governors to declare their assets. With the President’s seeming veiled crusade and body language on corruption, do you think he will set a precedent?

Your choice of word: ‘seeming crusade’ gives you out.

Now the president will do whatever is legal; he will do whatever the law requires of him, and what does the law require? Declare your asset. Has he declared? Yes, he has

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SUNDAY INTERVIEW

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declared. If he will go beyond what the law requires, it would be voluntary, nobody will compel him.

You made some controversial remarks on the Christian Association of Nigeria, and it hasn’t been taken lightly. What prompted you to speak in that tone especially, after the beheading of one of its chairmen?

Yes, CAN fired the first shot. They came in a statement in which they made wild allegations not only wild, but non-rational allegations. Mark my words. I didn’t say irrational because irrational will be a bit abusive, so I said non-rational. They said the federal government is colluding with insurgence to ensure that the battle against insurgency does not end.

They said that the killing of Rev. Andimi, CAN chairman in Michika was a deliberate plot to reduce the number of Christians in the north. I am tempted to say irrational but I am still maintaining that world non-rational, because I should not talk anyhow to certain group of people.

But if those who lead the Christian Association of Nigeria begin to behave in an unchristian manner, then they don’t deserve the honour that they should get. What evidence do they have to have accused the president that way? It’s a hateful mind and the life of Christ is not hateful. Like there is nothing that bears affinity to hatred in Christ, so, if they are following Christ they won’t make such non-rational allegation.

As seen in some of the lopsided appointments, there is the apprehension that the president has serially and masterfully completed the configuration of the entire national security architecture firmly in the hands of the northern Hausa/Fulani alone to the exclusion of other ethnic blocs. Is this also a lie?

It is ignorance. Those who are making these allegations don’t even know who the Fulanis are. If you look at the security apparatus from top to bottom, it’s not likely you have more than two to three Fulani’s there. Chief of Army Staff is not Fulani, Chief of Naval Staff is not Fulani, Chief of Defence Staff is not Fulani, Inspector General of Police is not Fulani, and so what are they saying? They don’t even know who a Fulani is.

They have failed, because they don’t know who a Fulani is. When they talk about fulanisation, their argument is based on a weak premise. The fact that you are from the north does not make you a Fulani. They don’t know that particularly in the north, Fulanis are minorities.

It’s just, because the president is a Fulani, they want to put everything around Fulani, because of a hateful mind. If you have apathy against the president, why are you going to robe a complete ethnic nationality in that infamous garb? Why are you trying to dress them in anti-famous garb? It’s hateful; it’s unfair. So, those who are saying all that do not know what they are saying.

The media think you defend the indefensible, come out to say so much that do not gel with the Southwest, whilst some say you could be non-rational and non-professional in defending your principal.

It’s an opinion, and I don’t agree with all opinions.

When you say the media, I am in the media. The last 35-36 years of my life had been spent in the media. So, I am in the media. When you say in the media, I don’t agree with you. What scientific study have you done?

Maybe you have heard one, two or three people say it.

Do you know how many media people we have in the country? So, you have not even done a scientific study, I don’t agree with you. The media, which is my own constituency that I know, does not hold that opinion.

Do you think in defence of your principal, you have done so with some level of caution?

I can’t assess myself. I can’t judge myself, but all I know is that I do what is required of me to do. What is required of me as special adviser on media and publicity to the president is I should ensure that the country knows what he is doing: churn out information on him on a daily basis what he is doing for the country. I do that.

Then, I should expand on what he is doing; give perspective particularly, to the media so that they understand why this is done and how this is done, then why is it good for the country.

Part of my duties is to defend him when they have said malicious things, hateful things, unkind things, because of carryover of sentiment of the past.

It’s my duty to defend him and that is what happened to CAN. CAN came with a narrative that has long been thrown overboard in the country, because there was a time the then Gen Buhari was de-marketed as antiChristian and then a time came, when even Nigerians, particularly Christians, voted him into office first time and second time.

Now, CAN is still suffering an overhang of that and is coming up with these allegations. It is my duty to defend the president and I do that without fear of failure.

How does your principal feel about the appendage added to his name by way of being called a general especially, in a democracy?

He has personally responded to that in an interview incidentally published in the paper. He said, “I am a General of the Nigerian Army and the rank I didn’t pick it in the street.” That settles it. He is a General, retired one, who served meritoriously.

But the context in which he was called a general was not nice.

It’s their cup of tea. Let them deal with it. But as far as the president is concerned, he is a General, retired one, who served meritoriously.

In these few weeks, Arewa has spoken more

against Amotekun than it has spoken against Boko Haram, what is the president’s take on Amotekun?

It doesn’t matter. I am a Nigerian. Yes, I am a southwesterner, I am proud of it, O’dua ni mi tokan tokan. And besides being a westerner, I am also a Nigerian. I don’t speak for Arewa, I speak for the president, so, Arewa can speak for itself, can defend itself. The southwest can speak for itself, and defend itself.

On the issue of Amotekun, we have heard people, who spoke for the federal government that surpasses it.

You have found that the issue is being sorted out at the instruction of the president to the vice president. He said ‘meet with these governors’ and you see that progress is being made. That shows you that the president is interested in peace and progress of the country.

The media under the President are suppressed, and it speaks to lack of press freedom, disregard for court orders, detention of citizens and the shrinking of the civic space under this government. Are you not worried?

Give me one, two, or three examples in what ways the media have been suppressed, because you have mixed two things together in that question: the general question and the media?

How about the case of Omoyele Sowore?

Omoyele Sowore himself said he is not a media person but he is an activist. He himself said it that he is not principally a media person; he is an activist. So, the media is an incidental part of his life and the case is in court, so, the less said about it.

How about the other cases like Dasuki?

Is he in the media? You are mixing things together. You said the attack on the press and shrinking of the civic space under this government and then we are bringing an extra media issue.

It’s a three-pronged question, or are you more convenient answering one than the other?

No, because if you are going to talk about Dasuki.

It’s a case in court, so it’s best left alone. When people come with that mind-set that ‘oh it’s an abuse of rule of law, court orders are not being obeyed,’ you ask them to give three examples, they can’t give, so, it shows it’s a mindset.

Nigeria has gained negative attention from the world especially, on grounds of insecurity, ethnoreligious tensions and persecution of Christians. Is the president bothered?

But it’s not true. We live in Nigeria and those who are outside can’t know what is happening in our country more than us. All those things you mentioned there are

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t */ 5)& '*()5 "("*/45 (3"'5 #6)"3* )"4 /0 '3*&/% 03 '0& t Continued from Pg. 85 no religious sentiment, persecution of Christians and I am sure you don’t see it because you can’t give me four to five examples.

So, Andimi is not a government thing, it’s the insurgents, who abducted him and every effort was made to release him. They were even raising money and beginning to talk with the insurgents and the next thing in news was that he was beheaded. How is that the fault of government?

It touches us as it touches anyone. It touches the family, the President, every right thinking Nigerian, but to offload this right at the door step of the government is hate. We don’t need to hate our country, we don’t need to hate our president; we don’t need to hate our government. It’s an ill wind that blows no good.

How did you see the report by Transparency International that corruption has worsened in Nigeria?

It does not reflect the reality in Nigeria. The reality is that corruption is being fought to a standstill in Nigeria.

And the awareness of corruption as evil is more now than and that battle is being fought and convictions are more than ever before. So, if TI comes with that perception index, it is because they don’t understand what is happening in the country.

Nigeria is fighting corruption now more than before and when such a perception index comes, a number of people think it is against government. It is not against government; it is against Nigerian people, indictment. It is for Nigerian people not for government.

A number of them are rejoicing that Buhari has been scored low. No, not Buhari that was scored low, it is the Nigerian people. So, if they say not much progress has been made in the battle against corruption, it is true but it is an indictment of the people, not the cabinet.

But is the fight against corruption not lopsided?

An eternal question we keep answering, yet, we will continue to answer it. But what we know is that you need to have fiddled with the cookie jar before you can be called to question. If you have not done anything wrong, you don’t have to fear but it is those who have run the treasury for a long time particularly, for 16 years, who could also abuse the treasury.

If you have not run the treasury, they can’t come and carry you in your house that you fiddled with it. Therefore, there will necessarily be preponderance towards one side, because they are the one that ran the public coffers for a long time. But one thing that we know is that President Buhari has no friend, no foe, when it comes to anti-corruption. Anybody that has question to answer will answer.

The insinuation that a certain ‘cabal’ runs his government is rife. What do you say?

If you check the papers, the president has said he was the one that went round the country to campaign; he is the one that Nigerians voted for and he is the one sworn into the office to run the government and nobody exercises power on his behalf. So, some people, who want to or are operating on a mindset are the ones who keep repeating that.

If you say all is well, could 200 million Nigerians be so averse to their environment?

It is not Nigerians, because 15 million people voted for him. Nigerians are with him. They are on his side otherwise they wouldn’t have voted him twice. Look at the vote in 2015, look at the vote in 2019; those who are voting for him have even increased, not dwindled.

So, it’s not Nigerians, it’s just a tiny minority. I call them vocal minority, because they have access to the media of mass communication; traditional media, online social media, digital media, they make so much noise and, because of that noise, you would think they are so many but they are tiny.

Both the electoral body and the judiciary are perceived as compromised. Is that also an isolated case?

So those people know more than the Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court is still the apex court in the country and its ruling is the final, unless those people know more than the Supreme Court.

There were allegations that the President was taking a second wife. This must have obviously angered his wife.

In the wake of it, a video surfaced of rancour in the villa.

What really transpired?

Family issues are off limits and I don’t talk about family issues except I have an instruction from the president, who is my principal that says this, or relates this. Beyond that, I don’t talk about family, because you need to respect a man’s family. The highest thing in a man’s possession is probably his family. You don’t begin to interfere or tamper with the man’s family.

On a scale of 1-10, what do you think is the relationship between the president and his deputy?

Yes, see this is coming from the president, ‘My relationship with the VP Osinbajo perfect, says PMB’. Now,

‘Buhari: there is no cabal running my government’ have already been answered by the president himself and he is the man at the centre of it. He has spoken on it, what else can you say that will be superior to what he has said?

As one close to the president, does he listen to you?

The President listens. He is a good listener. When you have something to tell him, he listens. Let me tell you something that happened on the very day I resumed this assignment June 1st 2015. I went to meet him, where he was staying temporarily, when he hadn’t moved into the villa. And when I told him, I had reported, he welcomed me and then he told me, ‘Adesina, one thing I want from you as we work together is the truth, make sure you tell me the truth at all times.’

He said I may argue, because I am a General, so those calling him General, it’s nothing new, because he is a General. He said I may argue, because I am a General but please argue with me and if you have a superior argument with me, I will accept it. That’s the president.

So, if I have something that is very germane. If I don’t see him in the office, I go to see him in the house and I discuss it and he listens.

Do you think, in all honesty, that history will be kind to your principal?

Very kind because the history would not be written by jaundiced people, history will be written by fair and dispassionate people; that is the true record of history.

President Buhari promised to secure the country and he is working towards it. It’s work in progress. I am sure by the end of eight years that he will be exiting you won’t be able to compare the security situation in the country with what he met in 2015.

He promised to revive the economy, by the time he

is exiting after eight years, Nigerian economy will not be where he met it. Already, it is not where he met it, we met an economy that was singularly dependent on petroleum, so, anytime petroleum prices crashed, that economy crashed. He was seeing that in terms of diversification. The economy is diversified particularly, with agriculture.

Solid mineral resources are also coming in and the manufacturing is inching up. At the end of eight years, the economy will not be where the president met it and he also promised us to fight corruption. Already, listen to EFCC, ICPC and there are real achievements and records for him. So, in all the three areas that the president promised, there are successes and he is still working.

What would you say the President has achieved so far and what’s his focus for this term?

You see that during the campaign he still maintained those three things that he campaigned on in 2015. He said we would still maintain our priorities; we’ll secure the country, we will revive the economy, and we will fight corruption. This work started in the first term and his work is continuing now.

A job not done is not done yet, you continue it and that is what is happening in those three areas, which is work-in-progress and I can tell you confidently that by 2023, where we will be by the grace of God can’t be compared to where we were coming from.

Read his letter to Nigerians on January 1 2020. There is a chronicle of what he has achieved and also what he wants to achieve in 2020. But then, there are some people, who have chosen to be wilfully blind. If you put it in front of their faces like this, they’ll say they didn’t see it. Some have been wilfully deaf if you noise it in their ears, they will say we didn’t hear it. Those people we can only say good luck to them but those who know, know.

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NEWS XTRA Wike Asks Oshiomhole to Resign for Failing to Stop Diri’s Inauguration Alleges APC chairman wanted to steal Rivers’ mandate Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike yesterday asked the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole to resign immediately for failing to stop the inauguration of Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Duoye Diri as he boasted.

Wike, also, accused the APC national chairman and his associate of attempting to steal the mandate of Rivers people, though were strongly resisted, thereby resulting in his bitterness towards Rivers State.

He made the call at a session with journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, noting that under no circumstances would the people of Rivers State allow Oshiomhole and his associates rob Rivers State of the people’s mandate.

He said Nigeria “is a country where you see people who do not have character. Today,

they sing a song. Tomorrow, they sing another song. I think Oshiomhole as the APC national chairman is not a character that anybody should associate with.

“First of all, I have never been violent and I will never be violent. However, when you see armed robbers come to your house, will you plead with the armed robbers and say please I beg you leave my house.

“People think that armed robbers are only those who cart away people’s money.

The worst form of armed robbery is when you steal peoples mandate and just like what Oshiomhole is noted for. He thinks because he’s in the ruling party, he can use security to steal the mandate of the people.

“He was taught a lesson, a bitter lesson and I want to repeat, if you come to steal our mandate, the people will respond accordingly. They will oppose your stealing of their

mandate and so Oshiomhole thinks that because he is in the ruling party nobody should say anything or do anything.

“Stealing is not only when you go to rob a bank. The worse form of armed robbery is when you steal the mandate of the people,” Wike said.

Wike described Oshiomhole as a politician without character, noting that the APC national chairman “is always driven by survival instincts.

Oshiomhole cannot lay claim to having canvassed for one man, one vote because he is not practising the philosophy.”

He noted that he stopped attending the National Economic Council because Oshiomhole turned it into a forum to bash former President Goodluck Jonathan, when he had gone to praise Jonathan at Aso Villa for ensuring credible elections.

“When Jonathan made sure the election was free and fair, Oshiomhole came to the villa and thanked Jonathan. When Jonathan left office, one of the reasons I don’t go to NEC meeting is because of Oshiomhole.

“When Jonathan left, there was no day at the NEC meeting Oshiomhole would not bring

Jonathan down. Oshiomhole praised Jonathan for allowing one man one vote. But when the man left, Oshiomhole changed.

That is his character.

“Oshiomhole said he fought godfatherism. At the same time, he wants to install himself as a godfather in Edo state. Why is he fighting Obaseki? It is because the man doesn’t take instruction from him. He preaches what he doesn’t practice.”

Wike said Oshiomhole lacked the powers to challenge the pronouncement of the Supreme Court.

“Oshiomhole has the

audacity to say nobody will be sworn in in Bayelsa state causing crisis in the country and nobody wants to call him to order but for people like us in Rivers State. Because of people like Oshiomhole and his style of leadership, his party lost so many areas they ought not to have lost.

“What made them not to have candidates in Rivers State and Zamfara? It is because of Oshiomhole. Oshiomhole led to the problem they have in Bayelsa. He is not a man of integrity and nobody should take him seriously.”

Shinkafi Writes Embassies, Seeks Revocation of Yari’s Visa Tobi Soniyi The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Zamfara State, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi has written to the embassies of the United States of America (USA) the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union asking them to revoke the visa of the former governor of Zamfara State for allegedly sponsoring militia groups.

In the letter which was also copied to the embassies of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates Shinkafi alleged that Yari had been stoking the embers of violence and inciting his supporters to violence all aimed at destabilizing the new administration in the state.

The letter reads: ”I am writing to demand for the prudential revocation visa of the former Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari for stoking the embers of violence in the state.”

He had earlier called on the Inspector General of Police to arrest and prosecute a former governor of the state Abdulaziz Yari for making statement capable of disrupting the fragile peace in Zamfara.

In the letter to the IGP ,which was also copied to the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Director General of the State Security Services (SSS) and the Office of the National Security Adviser to the President, Shinkafi said Yari should not be allowed to frustrate the efforts being made by the state governor Bello Matawalle to ensure peace reign in Zamfara.

He said: “Following the unguarded and provocative statements made by the former governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji

Abdulaziz Yari wherein he was heard inciting members of his faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to move against the state government.

I hereby demand the immediate arrest and prosecution of Yari for disobeying the subsisting order of the security agencies banning any forms of public gatherings, political parties meetings and associations, rallies, across the state.”

The APGA chieftain reminded the security chiefs that a few years ago the state witnessed series of crimes and unrests including abduction, torture and killing of innocent citizens in the markets, streets with bodies lying on the streets and nobody could stop the jungle justice that went on in the whole of Zamfara State during the tenure of the immediate past administration.

He warned that there was an urgent need to make sure the state did not fall back to that era of lawlessness.

According to him, Yari has been seen publicly calling on his factional APC members not to recognize the administration of His Excellency Bello Muhammad Matawalle as the executive governor of Zamfara State but to see him as a sole administrator.

He said: “Time without number he has rejected the 24th May 2019 judgement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria painting the eminent jurists of the apex court with all kinds of names.”

He alleged without proof that Yari was planning to disrupt the peace accord in the state.

Shinkafi stated that under the Nigerian constitution and the concept of rule of law, no one is above the law warning that Yari should not be allowed to be above the law.

DESERVED HONOUR..

Enugu State Commissioner for Information, Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh (right) receiving the Coal City Youths Development Initiative’s Leadership Excellence Award, on behalf of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, from Hon. Chidi Peters Okorie (left) and the State Chairman, United Progressives Party

Don’t Cede our Land to Other Communities, Auchi Tells Shaibu Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Auchi Cooperative Union in Etsako Local Government Area, Edo State yesterday warned the Deputy Governor, Mr. Philil Shaibu to cede Auchi land to other neighbouring communities in the awaiting boundary adjustment.

The Chairman of the cooperative union, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammed gave the warning in a statement, saying there might be another communal strife similar to what happened in 1982 if the plan succeeded.

Muhammed explained that the Ighodoro Commission of Enquiry had already settled what the deputy governor, who is from Jattu, a community in Etsako West LGA wanted to do.

He explained that the commission settled the boundary issues between Auchi and Ikpeshi, Auchi and Ivbiaro, Auchi and Warrake, Auchi and Agbede and Auchi and Iyakpi contained in a government white paper signed into law on April 7, 1984.

He recalled that the communal conflict of 1982 occurred when the people of Jattu violated the traditional boundaries established in the May 17, 1942 boundary settlement.

Since then, he said peace “has returned to the area until Shaibu, a native of Jattu whose determination is to take vengeance on the Auchi people decided to do otherwise.

“The climax was reached on February 4, 2020 when the people of Warrake moved into Auchi farm land, armed with shot guns, AK47, pump action and cutlasses,” he said.

He alleged that they kidnapped 52 residents and eight workers of Ezo Nigeria Ltd paid to clear land for cultivation under a memorandum of understanding between the Elephant Group, cassava farm cluster farmers in Etsako west LGA and Edo State.

The community leader explained that the police “at Afuze swiftly moved in, freed the hostages and handed them over to Auchi people before violent civil reprisals occur.

“The brain behind the action was not clear until the deputy governor invited representatives of Auchi Warrake and Ivbiaro to his office for a meeting on February 10.”

At the meeting, Muhammed said Shuaibu announced that all Auchi farmland – Okwilokpa,

Osa, Oqwaogbodo, Ogbokpo, Okolufio where the cassava project is currently going on had been ceded to Warrake while Oghodighie now belong to Iyaro community.

He noted that the deputy governor announced that a new map “has been drawn which will be made available soon and that a technical committee set up by him will soon come and erect bacons along river Oile in Auchi as the new boundary.

“Shaibu announced that the current cassava project going on the site already paid for by the Edo State Government should stop and the contractors Ezo Nigeria Ltd should move their equipment out of the site and all Auchi farmers to stop all their farming activities on their traditional farmland.

“While the people of Auchi are patiently waiting for the Philip Shaibu new map and technical committee to come and erect boundary bacons at river Oile as the new boundary, it should be noted that any conflict replica of Ife/Modakeke and Uzanu/Ogbona civil unrest was caused by Shaibu against Auchi.

“Any attempt to change old boundaries fixed by a tribe, a people, a nation is an invitation to mayhem, clashes, chaos, internecine war and therefore an infringement upon the people’s right under the UN charter on fundamental human right of people and nation.

“Any attempt to change the gazetted government white paper of 1984 on demarcation of boundaries between communities of Etsako Local Government (as it then was) is an invitation to civil unrest.

“It will be mischievous for the deputy governor who is a neophyte in his traditional/ political history of his people to attempt to redraw the political geography of his people.

“The public, federal government and stakeholders should be aware of dry tinder box about to be set ablaze by greedy and ambitious politicians,” the chairman explained.

When contacted however, Chief Press Secretary to the deputy governor, Mr. Musa Ebomhiana said: “We shall respond to all your enquiries tomorrow and give you the official position of the state government on the matter.

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ast week, residents of Borno state booed President Muhammadu Buhari as his convoy made its way into Maiduguri. He was greeted with chants of â&#x20AC;&#x153;we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not interested.â&#x20AC;?

It must have come as a shock to him and his handlers, considering this time last year, he won a presidential election there by a landslide.

The disbelief and denial from the Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s camp is real. His media aide, Garba Shehu, dismissed the protesters as hirelings of opposition politicians.

But it should be understandable if the people of Borno are not so enamoured with the President. Just three days before his visit, terrorist group Boko Haram set fire on travellers sleeping in their cars, killing 30 in the process and abducting women and children.

The Federal Government insists the terrorists have been â&#x20AC;&#x153;technically defeatedâ&#x20AC;? but the attacks keep coming. Worse still, â&#x20AC;&#x153;repentantâ&#x20AC;? members of the terrorist group have been released as part of a deradicalisation and rehabilitation program.

According to Babakura Jato, Bornoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commissioner for information, 1,400 have been released in three tranches since Operation Safe Corridor programme was launched.

As you can imagine, some soldiers at the warfront in the north-east have expressed disappointment over the release of hundreds.

Jato clarified that those released were suspects, some were children of Boko Haram members and others were actual Boko Haram members.

He wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give a breakdown of how many in each category because of â&#x20AC;&#x153;security reasonsâ&#x20AC;?.

But the soldiers are not happy that they

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SOCIALMEDIABITS get killed in the line of duty while suspected members of the terrorist group are released.

Which lends credence to the assertion made by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah, that “Nigeria is not worth dying for”.

Avoiding catastrophe is the reason multiple international airlines have steered clear of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos over the past few days. Flights have been directed to Accra among other West African airports as poor landing aids mean planes can’t land in bad weather, which we can safely say has been exacerbated by pollution.

Lagos skies are at present, a dreary grey due to a combination of Harmattan haze and the burning of fossil fuels. A city of approximately 20 million running mainly on diesel and petrol-powered generators cannot but look dull.

Add to this the depressing tweet from the ministry of aviation admitting that it bungled the replacement of the Instrument Landing System and there’s enough reason to be despondent.

In the midst of all these, another minister would want to be trusted with half a billion dollars to turnaround an archaic national broadcaster. According to minister of

information, Lai Mohammed, all he needs is $500 million to turn the NTA into CNN. With the reputation Nigerian public officials have, who’s going to entrust his ministry with that amount?

Of course, Nigerians are so used to their government officials looting large sums of money that they are now desensitised. Last week, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission published a report which showed that the former Abia governor, Theodore Orji, and his son Chinedum, looted N525 billion belonging to the state. Orji is a serving senator, his son is speaker Abia house of assembly. Still serving, no outcry, no problem. Access to huge sums without being accountable is reason why being governor is so important to politicians, and why it must hurt David Lyon so much that the Supreme Court overturned his election as governor of Baylesa barely 24 hours before being sworn in!

Lyon, who boasted of winning the award of governor of the year 2019 without even being governor, was undermined by his deputy who presented a fake certificate.

Which makes one wonder, why present fake certificates when the minimum requirement to be governor is writing O levels exams without having to pass?

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

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Abiodun Lifts Embargo on LG Accounts 8BSOT BHBJOTU FYUPSUJPOBUF UBYFT SBUFT In order to ensure effective administration of the third tier of government in Ogun State, the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has lifted the embargo placed on bank accounts of all the 20 Local Government Areas in the state.

The defreezing of accounts takes effect from Monday February 17, 2020.

Governor Abiodun announced this at the Strategic Session for Transition Committee chairmen and members of all the Local Government Areas in the State.

The workshop with the theme, "Towards a New Local Government System in Ogun Doing Things Differently", was held at the Executive Council Chambers, Goverrnor's Office, Oke-Mosan Abeokuta.

Prince Abiodun who described local government as the closest to the people, said for the people to feel the impact of government, those at the helm of affairs at the council level must embark on masses' oriented projects and be fair in their dealings with them.

He said though they were not elected, the process of their appointment was consensus,as

community and party leaders were involved in their selection as a corollary of the inclusive approach to governance in the state.

This, he noted, underscores his call that they must perform excellently to justify the confidence reposed in them.

"The process through which you were appointed was a consensus oriented one. I did not sit down here at Oke-Mosan and appoint anyone. I allowed your leaders and party faithful sit down in your various local government Councils and present to us those they consider best for them and the people.

"I am proud that the process was successful and that is why following your appointment, there was hardly, if any, complaints or rancour across the length and breadth of this State.

From all intents and purposes, you are truly the representatives of the people of your various local governments and we will accord you that respect", he noted.

The Governor who explained the mantra of his government to the local government

administrators, said the vision was to provide qualitative leadership that would create a conducive environment for public private partnership which was considered fundamental for economic growth and individual prosperity of the people. He urged them to key into this vision and replicate same in their various localities.

Governor Abiodun called on them to take advantage of the geographical location of the State by attracting investments to their local governments, however, charged them to be Inclusive and refrain from taking arbitrary decisions, but that which reflects the collective will and desires of the people.

"You are closest to the grassroots. Be focused and provide qualitative leadership.

When you take decisions, consult your people. Take decisions that reflect the collective will and desires of your people and do not impose taxes and rates that are not known to our laws. It's extortion and I won't encourage that", he advised.

On security, the Goverrnor enjoined them as the Chief

Security Officers of their Local Governments, to ensure adequate security, as they would not achieve any meaningful development without security.

"No investor would invest in crime prone areas", Abiodun added.

He said his administration in the last seven months, had carried out lots of reforms, which include, setting up of the State Investment Promotion Agency (OGUNINVEST), and the State Public Private Partnership Office, aimed at attracting investors and improving ease of doing business in the State.

In the area of infrastructure, he said 38 roads had been rehabilitated across the State, with two newly constructed ones ready for commissioning.

He further disclosed that contract for the construction of the Ijebu-Ode - Epe road which would be completed in twelve months time had also been awarded.

While urging the new LG administrators to replicate the programmmes of the State in their respective areas, he informed that 5,000 units of

houses would be built for low income and middle income earners at affordable cost in Abeokuta, Ilaro, Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu.

He charged them to brace up for the challenges ahead as his administration continues to make strides in agriculture, education, health, human capital development, youth and empowerment generation as well as digitalization, among others.

Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Afolabi Afuape, noted that the retreat was to get the members better informed of government programmes and policies and to expose them to local government administration's peculiar roles for better performance.

In his presentation, the guest speaker, a professor of Local Government and Development Studies at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Mike Adeyeye, explained that local government was an important tier of government but was generally regarded as surbodinate in the development process.

He said though local government was endowed with great potentials which provides the best platform to take people out of poverty, it was however weighed down by weak mechanism of local accountability in terms of stewardship and social impact, low internal revenue base and near-dependence on Federal Allocation.

Prof. Adeyeye posited that to do things differently, local governments needed to engage in State -Local, Local -Local goverment collaborative governance, be fiscally and politically accountable, get people's inputs in project execution, adopt e-governance as well as citizens approach in running their councils.

Speaking in an interview, the Transition Committee Chairman, Odogbolu Local Government Area, Hon.Obafemi Onakoya said the retreat was a right step in the right direction as it would help them have good understanding of the State vision and make them more creative in approaching developmental projects in their various Council areas.

APC and PDP apart from APC’s world-class expertise in propaganda — and I have never seen anything to make me change my mind. Their character and characteristics are strikingly alike.

When the Supreme Court uninstalled PDP’s Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha as the governor of Imo state and replaced him with Uzodinma, the PDP cried blue murder, saying “our democracy is endangered”. APC said justice was well served. Now that the same court has nullified the election of APC’s Lyon as governor of Bayelsa, PDP is happy while the APC is crying “our democracy is endangered”.

It reminds me of when APC was the leading opposition party in the country: the only election that was “free, fair and credible”

was the one they won. If PDP won, they would demand that Prof Attahiru Jega, the INEC chairman at the time, be fired.

Birds of a feather.

Four, there is a debate as to why a governorship candidate should be disqualified on the account of the illegibility of the running mate. Everybody should carry their own can, according to a particular line of argument.

This is tricky. It can be argued that since it is a joint ticket and the requirements are the same, what affects one must affect the other. This is because if a governor dies, resigns or is removed from office, the deputy steps in automatically. Therefore, it makes sense that both of them are treated as two sides of a coin. I do not think we need to change our laws in that regard.

Parties should just make sure their tickets are not contaminated by either candidate.

Five, I like the fact that the Supreme Court did not declare Odiri the governor-elect. It simply said INEC should do the math and conclude its job. This, in my view, is the logical thing to do. This is a departure from the Imo case where it asked INEC to return Uzodinma as governorelect. I still believe that what the Supreme Court should have done was to order INEC to include the 388 result sheets excluded from collation, do the math and complete the job. This would have allowed INEC to check if Uzodinma met the crucial constitutional requirement of spread — failing which there would have been a run-off between him and Ihedioha.

That makes more sense to me.

Finally, it may not seem like it but our democracy has just been strengthened. When the Supreme Court nullified APC’s votes, I was quietly afraid INEC was going to play some funny games to please the ruling party by not declaring PDP as the winner. INEC usually took its cue from Obasanjo in those days.

In fact, it appeared INEC was a chapter of PDP before Jega became its chairman. The party essentially gave directives to INEC which the electoral umpire dutifully obeyed. I was, therefore, expecting something funny from INEC on Friday. I thought they would still be counting APC’s useless votes. But they rose to the occasion and did the right and lawful thing. For me, this is progress.

both in Nigeria and elsewhere he needed to urgently reform not just the Kaduna State public service but the State’s tax regime.

Never fail or fear to reform a system that is not working, another lesson I learnt from El Rufai. Long before the Federal Government launched its Ease of Doing Business Programme, the Kaduna State Government under Mallam Nasir El - Rufai had already gone very far on that score. It could even be said that the success of the efforts of the administration in Kaduna State spurred the Federal Government to launch its own version of the programme.

Expectedly, when Mallam El - Rufai commenced the series of reforms, entrenched interests stood in stout opposition and called him all manner of names and even went as far as inciting the citizenry against him. Like all great leaders, Governor El - Rufai understood that far-reaching reforms, no matter how well intended, would always face stiff opposition. He was therefore resolute and totally undeterred.

Today, the public service in Kaduna State has become lean, driven and purposeful; the tax regime in the State has become the most investmentfriendly taxation system in the country. Among other gains, the reform has given birth to a totally revamped Kaduna State Revenue Board, with the right impetus, personnel and laws to

raise the much needed finances for the State. The result of the reform is out there for all to see: in 2017, the Kaduna State Internally Generated Revenue increased from N11.8billion in 2015 to N26.53billion, then to N30billion by 2018 and by 2019 to over N44 billion.

To win the confidence of private investors, the Kaduna State Tax Codification and Consolidation Law, 2016, centralised and automated tax collection. It also put in place flexible payment system, implementation of presumptive and consumption tax regime and harmonised Local Government Area (LGA) demand notice. Similarly, the new law prohibited cash collection thereby blocking leakages. Indeed, the tax regime in Kaduna State has become so automated that the revenue service now issues electronic tax clearance certificate that can be verified online by third parties.

Owing to the tenacity of Mallam Nasir El - Rufai, Kaduna State has become Nigeria’s number one destination for both local and foreign investors.

They are investing in virtually all sectors including agriculture, mining, petrochemical, bio-fuel and so on.

Conscious of the fact that these huge investments in the State must be complimented with first class infrastructure, Governor Nasir El - Rufai has

since assumption of office in 2015 been investing heavily in massive road projects across the state at the lowest possible costs.

Major roads in the State have become beauties to behold.

In the same regard, massive investments are being made in the building and rehabilitation of schools and hospitals as well as in the provision of pipe-borne water across the State.

Perhaps, Mallam Nasir El Rufai’s greatest asset is loyalty.

Another lesson I have since learnt: be loyal to friends and associates in all circumstances.

My dear friend and elder brother, Mallam Nasir El - Rufai can actually go to war for any trusted friend or associate. I even think his loyalty to friends could sometimes be excessive.

But again, I have come to realize that it is one of his greatest assets.

I am personally a beneficiary of Mallam Nasir El - Rufai’s loyalty. His firm and unwavering backing and the grace of God aided in no small way, my election into the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I shall remain eternally grateful to him for this and much more.

As he clocks 60 today, I pray that Mallam Nasir El - Rufai’s sun continues to shine.

THE BAYELSA BOMBSHELL committees and asked members to submit their credentials, he almost ran mad. He could not believe the number of “honourable members” who came forward with bogus certificates, mostly from foreign institutions. They know they can get away with it.

INEC used to disqualify candidates after screening their credentials until the Supreme Court ruled in favour of VicePresident Atiku Abubakar in 2007.

President Olusegun Obasanjo had desperately tried to disqualify Atiku from contesting in that year’s presidential election after their very public falling-out. He set up the Ignatius Ayua panel, made up of famous names such as Oby Ezekwesili, to indict Atiku.

INEC eagerly used the white paper to carry out the order.

But the Supreme Court ruled that INEC could not disqualify anybody, that only a court could.

The court apparently wanted to clip Obasanjo’s tyranny, but it ended up creating a destructive lacuna. INEC must get back its power.

Three, politicians and political parties must begin to take the nomination process more seriously. That is one big lesson that should stick out from the Bayelsa case. APC did a poor job in its selection of candidates for the 2019 elections. There was hardly any state where the APC conducted itself decently. They ended up not having governorship candidates in Rivers and Zamfara states because of these shenanigans.

I have always believed that there is no difference between

LESSONS FROM NASIR EL-RUFAI, A TRUE CHANGE AGENT, AT 60 the processes of governing a people in a civil, democratic administration should not be shrouded in secrecy. This undue confidentiality, he insists, breeds corruption and impunity. To this end, the Governor has since institutionalized the highest level of probity, transparency and accountability in governing Kaduna State. He introduced the culture of town hall meetings, as a necessary mechanism to constantly feel the pulse of the people of the State with a view to getting regular feed backs that ultimately help shape the policy direction of the Government. This regular interface with the citizenry at town hall meetings has become a platform for the citizens and residents of the State to have access to, and directly participate in the preparation of the State’s annual budget estimates before the estimates are presented to the State’s House of Assembly for further scrutiny and passage into law. This robust public participation in the preparation of the State’s budget often lead to far-reaching adjustments to the initial budgetary estimates of the State. While in some States in Nigeria, the budget as passed by the State Assembly, is often deemed a confidential document that is hardly seen, in Kaduna State however, the people are the actual custodians of the budget.

Being a transformational leader, Mallam Nasir El - Rufai

El-Rufai believes that the core components of government must be run like a business. That is another lesson I learnt from him. For El - Rufai, in running a government, virtually all the rules of the business sector must apply. It could be recalled that shortly after the new administration assumed office in the country in 2015, Nigeria’s economy went into a recession.

Worse still, price of crude oil, the nation’s main source of income, fell drastically in the international market. Federal allocations to the States, expectedly shrunk. In Kaduna State for example, by 2015, federal allocations to the State were not even enough to service the huge monthly wage

bill of the workers in the State’s payroll. Governor El - Rufai is certainly not the type that would throw up his hands in despair.

Rather he set out immediately to create an economy for the State outside allocations from the Federal Government. He pursued series of homegrown options through effective collaboration with key players in the private sector. His efforts paid off handsomely. Today, Kaduna State has become the agricultural and agro-allied business hub of sub-Saharan Africa.

However, Governor El - Rufai was well aware that to win and retain the confidence of key players in the private sector

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹;˜ 2020

SUNDAYSPORTS

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

Serie A:Top ofTable Clash as Lazio Host Inter Kick off: 8:45pm

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oint leaders of the Italian Serie A, Inter Milan, travel to Rome today to face Lazio in what promises to be an exciting game. It is a critical match for both title contenders where the overachieving hosts will look to cement their place as genuine contenders against the visiting favourites.

No words can sufficiently describe how impressive Lazio’s season has been. Not only do tonight’s hosts find themselves just one point from the top of the table, they also lead the league table in goal differential, have the joint best goals conceded (along with visitors Inter), have the second best goal scoring record and have a squad that includes runaway Capocannoniere favorite Ciro Immobile.

Simone Inzaghi’s extended stay on the Lazio bench coupled with the managerial stability brought by president Claudio Lotito and sporting director Igli Tare means that the Biancocelesti are now able to reap the rewards of sticking with a project for a long term.

Inzaghi is in charge of a united squad that is in full comprehension of what he wants of them and that also exhibits a high level of understanding and mutual intuition between the players.

Unlike Atalanta, Lazio’s prowess is not based on an aesthetically pleasing expansive type of football, they seem to be able to grind out their wins by simply doing the basics better and for longer stretches of a match than their opponents do.

Testament to that is their goal scoring heatmap, Lazio have their highest scoring probability in the last ten minutes of a match. They do not switch off. Inter on the other hand seem to exhibit the opposite tendency ever since the new year.

The last two league matches aside, Inter have recently started matches strong only to drop off in the second half and throw away an early lead.

It seems that Antonio Conte and his conditioning staff have realized this and have adjusted match strategies better to be able to ensure there’s enough gas in the tank for the full ninety minutes.

Romelu Lukaku (left) has been banging in the goals for Inter

This match will be a battle of midfield’s. It is arguable that on the pitch, viewers will be treated to watching the best two midfields in the league, and whichever team will be able to win the battle of the middle will probably take away all points.

With a midfield trio of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic,

Luis Alberto and Lucas Lieva, Lazio can strike fear in the hearts of any top European side.

Conte will have to utilize weapons that Inzaghi does not possess if he’s to be able to pressure and pin the hosts back.

Demanding extra mobility from Christian Eriksen between the Lazio midfield and defense

will be one such weapon. Another solution Conte can resort to is the superior pace and experience on the wings that Ashley Young and Victor Moses bring.

Whatever happens, expect this match to be a cracker and a real game of chess between two very capable managers with all to play for.

Barcelona Manage Slim Win Over Getafe Mane is back to his scoring ways

Liverpool Extend Premiership Lead to 25 Points Liverpool’s unstoppable charge towards their first top-flight title in 30 years is“outstanding”, says Jurgen Klopp after his side edged a narrow victory over bottom-of-the-table Norwich.

Sadio Mane came off the bench to score the winner with 12 minutes remaining,expertly taking down skipper Jordan Henderson’s raking pass and smashing in at the near post.

It means Klopp’s men need just five more wins from their remaining 12 games to guarantee their first Premier League title, having dropped just two points all campaign, and lie a mammoth 25 points clear of champions Manchester City.

“The gap is so insane, I don’t really understand it,”Klopp told Sky Sports.“I am not smart enough.

I have not had that before. It is outstanding, so difficult.

“I go back into the changing room and we chat about the things and then I am like‘Oh, but congratulations.We won the game, another three points.’”

Chances were at a premium in a blustery first half, but Liverpool ramped up the pressure in the second period - Canaries goalkeeper Tim Krul making a stunning double save to deny Mohamed Salah’s low shot and Naby Keita’s close-range follow-up.

Barcelona went level on points with La Liga leaders Real Madrid after grinding out a narrow win over Getafe. Allan Nyom appeared to put third-placed Getafe ahead but his goal was ruled out by the video assistant referee for a foul on Samuel Umtiti.

Antoine Griezmann clipped Barca ahead from Lionel Messi’s excellent first-time pass and Sergi Roberto scored their second from Junior Firpo’s cross. But Angel Rodriguez’s volley set up a tense finale.

The 32-year-old, who Barcelona are considering signing in an emergency deal, guided home an expert finish from 18 yards out from Jaime Mata’s cross. That was his eighth goal as a substitute this season.

Getafe almost rescued a point but MarcAndre ter Stegen’s excellent save denied Angel a second.

Under La Liga rules, if a player is out for more than five months, then clubs can apply to sign one player from another La Liga club.

With Ousmane Dembele ruled out for up to six months - and Luis Suarez also sidelined - Barca are looking at several options, including Angel, who has a £7.5m buyout clause.

Messi has now failed to score in four consecutive La Liga appearances for the first time since October 2013 to January 2014 - although he had set up Barca’s previous six league goals before Roberto’s strike.

Real Madrid can re-establish their three-point lead on Sunday when they host Celta Vigo .

L-R: Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, and Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Haruna Yusuf, during Inspection of Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, in Benin City

Dare Urges States to Emulate Obaseki’s Sports Model Impressed by the rapid transformation of sporting facilities in Edo State by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration, the Minister of Sports andYouth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, has urged other states in the country to adopt the governor’s development model.

Speaking to journalists after the inspection of the newly refurbished Youths Indoor Sports Complex in Benin City, the minister said the model will bring about the renaissance required to rejig the nation’s sports development narrative.

Dare, who expressed satisfaction with progress on the project, which is in the final stage of completion, noted that Edo State is prepared for hosting of the 2020 National Sports Festival (NSF), scheduled for next month.

He said,“We are having a partnership with Edo State Government to revamp the indoor sports hall and the place has been fully restored.

“The building, offices and dressing rooms are in shape and I think this type of partnership between federal and state governments will bring about the renaissance we want in our sports development, facility upgrade and management” Earlier,Governor Obaseki said the facility remained a federal government property but would be managed by the state government.

The governor explained that all property built inside the facility by private individuals would be put to use by youths engaged in sporting activities in the region, adding,“We will fence the building; some people have encroached on the land but we will ensure that we fence every property inside the land.”

Deputy Governor, Rt.Hon. Comr. Philip Shaibu reassured that the state was ready to host to National Sports Festival, noting that all sporting facilities in the state have been transformed ahead of the sports meet.

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MISSILE

Wike to Oshomhole

“Oshiomhole has the audacity to say nobody will be sworn in in Bayelsa state causing crisis in the country and nobody wants to call him to order but for people like us in Rivers State. Because of people like Oshiomhole and his style of leadership, his party lost so many areas they ought not to have lost” – Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike berating the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole for his position on Supreme Court' judgment in Bayelsa governorship election.

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The Bayelsa Bombshell

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he Supreme Court has been adding a lot of spice to our politics in recent times, but I did not see the Bayelsa bombshell coming. Less than 24 hours to the swearing-in of APC’s David Lyon as the governor, the court nullified his election because of the credentials of Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, the deputy governor-elect. The two-time senator was accused of providing “false information” and swearing to an affidavit to back his claims in the nomination forms submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Since his candidature was nullified, that also meant Lyon, his principal, suffered the collateral damage. Both of them had to go down together.

The PDP had challenged the Lyon/DegiEremienyo ticket at a federal high court in Abuja before the November 16, 2019 election.

Four days to the D-Day, Justice Inyang Ekwo delivered a judgment disqualifying APC from the election, ruling that there was no connection between the names on Degi-Eremienyo’s various certificates. The submitted first school leaving certificate, West African secondary school certificate, first degree and graduate degree all have different names. The court concluded that this was false information and disqualified him. Since the governorship nomination is

Lyon

invalid without a running mate, it meant APC was not qualified to run in the election.

Degi-Eremienyo appealed, not surprisingly.

Two days to the election, the Court of Appeal granted an injunction suspending the high court judgment in order to allow APC participate in the election. Then on December 23, 2019 — five weeks after the election had been won by the Lyon/Degi-Eremienyo ticket in the traditionally PDP state — the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of APC. Not surprisingly

again, PDP appealed. Nigeria is configured in a way that until a case reaches the Supreme Court, litigation won’t stop. These days, they are even appealing against the apex court! If it were still possible, they would be heading to Privy Council in the UK, the highest court during colonial rule.

In any case, PDP had a good outing in the Supreme Court, which upheld the high court judgment, nullified the votes scored by APC in the election, and asked INEC to do the rest of the job in line with constitutional requirements — unlike in the Imo case when it specifically asked INEC to return Senator Hope Uzodinma of the APC as the winner of the governorship election. The initial question being raised on social media, where most discussions take place nowadays, was that PDP’s Douye Diri could not be declared winner because he did not score one-thirds of votes cast in two-thirds of the state. They forgot that APC’s votes would now count for nothing in the final analysis.

After looking at the whole drama, I have a number of observations, conclusions and recommendations. For one, I am still not sure there is a water-tight case of false information against Degi-Eremienyo. The fact that somebody used different names at different times does not mean the information is false. Was it ascertained that he is, indeed, not the same person? A cousin of mine, now of blessed memory, used

at least five different names in her lifetime.

She woke up one day, dropped her family name, adopted her maternal grandfather’s, changed to her step grandfather’s, then to her husband’s and finally to her father’s first name. She battled rejection all her life.

The lesson here, for me, is that things have to be done properly and in order. Degi-Eremienyo should have sworn to affidavits at each point he changed his name — if that was the real case. In Nigeria, we do things anyhow, believing there would be no consequences.

People even have different dates of birth.

BVN registration has put many Nigerians in trouble. Our “anyhowness” in Nigeria does not have a parallel elsewhere in the world. I want to assume that this is what has come back to bite Degi-Eremienyo. I don’t know how much effort his lawyers made in court to prove that he is the same person. Twitter arguments cannot replace court submissions.

Two, the time has come for the National Assembly to make a law mandating INEC to verify certificates. From what I understand, a vast number of Nigerian politicians are parading fake documents: fake birth certificates, fake school certificates, fake degrees, including PhDs, and fake NYSC discharge certificates. A former speaker of the House of Representatives once told me that when he wanted to constitute Continued on page 92

UBASANI GUEST COLUMNIST

Lessons from Nasir El-Rufai, a True Change Agent, at 60

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s he turns 60 years today, it would have been apt for me to say it is Mallam Nasir El - Rufai’s day. The challenge here is that it would seem out of synch with the persona of the workaholic Governor of Kaduna State. For one, he is not a celebratory person and even more important, Governor Nasir El - Rufai, in spite of his sterling and sometimes unequalled achievements in both the private and public sectors, still feels unfulfilled.

Nevertheless, I join family members, the good people of Kaduna State, teeming friends and associates to celebrate an extraordinary Nigerian, a transformational leader of note, a patriot to the core and a first class performer - the phenomenal Mallam Nasir el Rufai, as he turns 60 years today. It is my prayer that Almighty Allah continues to protect him and imbue him with even greater drive, intellect and good health as he continues to serve not just Kaduna State but our great nation at large.

It is truly difficult to speak or write about someone you are so close to, and share a lot in common. Governor el Rufai and I started out as acquaintances, then we became friends

– during this period, I learnt a lot from him as I accepted wholeheartedly his mentorship.

While he served as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, I witnessed firsthand his raw energy, doggedness, uncommon intellect, clarity of thought and purpose and even-handedness as he set out to restore the Abuja Master Plan. In fact, President Olusegun Obasanjo who appointed him into that position in 2003, later confessed that he head-hunted El - Rufai for the job because he knew that only a ‘mad man’ could sanitise the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) which were then notorious as bastions of corruption, ineptitude and land racketeering.

Assisted by a dedicated team, Mallam Nasir El - Rufai practically reworked Abuja and incredibly restored the Federal Capital Territory’s original master plan. I dare aver that till date, his record as the Minister of the FCT remains indelible and of course unequalled. Working closely with Mallam El - Rufai at the FCT, I marveled at his ability to discharge the onerous task entrusted to him by the President devoid of any iota of sentiment or bias.

Eventually, my relationship with Mallam Nasir El - Rufai transcended friendship: he

became an elder brother and close confidante.

Following his emergence in 2015 as the Governor of Kaduna State, he graciously invited me to work with him to fix our dear state which had been ruined beyond recognition by successive previous administrations. I did not hesitate a bit in taking up this challenge.

For four years I served as Governor Nasir El - Rufai’s Special Adviser on Political and Inter-Governmental Matters. It was a role that gave me a front row view, once again, of the tenacity of El Rufai, even in spite of unprecedented odds. The situation in Kaduna State as at May 2015 when El Rufai took office as Governor was so bad that any ‘normal’ human being would have panicked and given up early in the day. But Mallam El - Rufai was created by Almighty God for tough tasks.

The Governor rolled up his sleeves and got all of us to do same and we all went to work!

It is not my intention to use this short tribute to list the achievements of Mallam Nasir El - Rufai as the Governor of Kaduna State. In any case, the list is even too long for anyone to enumerate. However, I must mention a few exceptional leadership lessons I learnt from Mallam Nasir El - Rufai while I worked as his Special Adviser. The first is Courage. Typical of El - Rufai, our first

task in Kaduna was to dislodge traditionally entrenched interests that were far from being altruistic. Mallam Nasir El - Rufai insists at all times that an effective leader needs courage and must take tough decisions, no matter whose ox is gored, for the greater good of the greatest number of the people.

On assumption of office in 2015, the El - Rufai administration shockingly found out that a huge chunk of the State’s assets, especially land, had been appropriated by persons who served in previous administrations and their cronies. Even school fields and compounds were not spared as private properties were found to have been erected in these places and in some cases, private homes shared spaces with school hostels. Defying petty criticisms and even threats to the life of the Governor and members of his team, the administration proceeded to recover several of these government assets from illegal occupiers and encroachers and eventually restored, reasonably, the master plan of Kaduna State.

I also learnt from Mallam Nasir El Rufai that the imperative of transparency and accountability in governance can never be over emphasized. El - Rufai believes that Continued on page 92

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