SUNDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 2022

In Line with CBN’s Directive, Banks Expose Clients with Suspicious Dollar Transactions Aggregate money supply rises to N44.56tn Festus Akanbi In line with the resolve of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to halt a regime of arbitrage in the foreign exchange market, some Nigerian banks have started

exposing the identities of customers, who allegedly obtained dollars by false pretence, and traded them at a profit in the parallel market.

This is coming as the aggregate broad money supply, M3 Money, which represents the amount of

money circulating in the economy, rose to N44.56 trillion in January, representing a 1.70 per cent growth year-to-date, a report by the CBN, has shown.

Some bank customers have been taking advantage of the lucrative

37 per cent differential between the official and black market exchange rates by obtaining the dollar at the official rate of about N416, only to subsequently sell in the unauthorised market at a more expensive average rate of

about N570.

These customers can beat regulations by presenting false travel documents, prompting the apex bank to direct banks to notify their customers of an impending crackdown on saboteurs in the

forex market.

However, a report by Bloomberg yesterday revealed that some banks have begun to implement the CBN’s directives by publishing Continued on page 6

FG, ASUU to Reconvene for Talks Tuesday…Page 10 Sunday 27 February, 2022 Vol 27. No 9819

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FG Moves to Evacuate Nigerians Trapped in Ukraine to Poland Lists four borders in Ukraine Nigerians can cross to safety Michael Olugbode in Abuja The federal government yesterday said it had made necessary arrangements to evacuate stranded

Nigerians in Ukraine to Poland.

To this end, it has listed four borders in Ukraine where its citizens seeking to leave the country can be evacuated.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, disclosed this yesterday.

She said the borders are Hrebenne-Rawa Ruska, KorczowaKrakowiec, Medyka-Szeginie and Budomierz-Hurszew.

“For Nigerians in Ukraine

trying to cross over to Poland, there are eight borders between Poland and Ukraine; four borders are recommended,” she said.

“Nigeria volunteer groups,

as well as staff of the Nigerian embassy, will be at these borders to help you out. We are going to Continued on page 8

Primaries Now April 4 to June 3 Ahead of Presidential Poll of February 25, 2023 PANDEF, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Middle Belt Forum hail Buhari for signing electoral law

Deji Elumoye and Chuks Okocha in Abuja, Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu and Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Following the signing of the new electoral bill into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday released a new timetable for the 2023 elections, with the conduct of party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them now scheduled for April 4, 2022, to June 3, 2022.

This is coming as the apex Igbo socio-political organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo; Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) have hailed President Buhari for signing the electoral bill.

Under the new timetable for the 2023 general election, INEC has shifted the presidential and National Assembly elections from February 18 to February 25, 2023, while the governorship elections will hold on March 11, 2023.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, INEC Chairman, Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu, said the presidential and National Assembly elections Continued on page 5

PREPARATIONS IN TOP GEAR...

L-R: National Commissioners of Independent National Electoral Commission, Alhaji Abubakar Alkali; Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu; Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu; National Commissioners, Prof. Rhoda Gumus; PHOTO: JULIUS ATOI and Mallam Haruna Mohammed, during the commission’s press conference on the new election timetable and schedule of activities of the 2023 general election in Abuja... yesterday

Purported Endorsement of Consensus Chairman Divides APC Govs…Page 5

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CEMENT ON THEIR MINDS...

L-R: Chairman of Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Mohammed Lawal Bello; Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu; President Muhammadu Buhari; Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI Gambari; and Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Mariam Katagum, when Rabiu led management of BUA Group to the Presidential Villa in Abuja…weekend.

Purported Endorsement of Consensus Chairman Divides APC Governors Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The purported endorsement of a former Governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, as the consensus National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by President Muhammadu Buhari has further divided the governors elected on the platform of the ruling party, THISDAY has learnt.

Those present at the meeting between President Buhari and the

governors of the APC have stated that the issue of adoption of any candidate did not feature at the meeting that lasted for barely 15 minutes.

Sources privy to the meeting, who spoke to THISDAY, said that the meeting had a one-item agenda, which explained its brief nature.

One of the sources close to a chairmanship aspirant from Niger State told THISDAY that Governor Sani Bello told the three

national chaìrmanship aspirants from the state that no name of any aspirant was mentioned when the APC governors met Buhari on Thursday.

The source stated that President Buhari merely accepted the proposed zoning and advised the party's governors to go about it harmoniously to ensure peace and the emergence of a consensus chairman at the National convention slated for March 26.

Another source quoting another

governor from the North-central told THISDAY that the governor stated that: "If the office of the national chairman is zoned to the North-central, then we, the governors should be allowed to decide who among the aspirants from the zone should be adopted as the consensus national chairman.

"It is not fair for a few governors for personal ambitions to foist a name on us without any input from us, "the source quoted the governor as saying.

The source told THISDAY that three governors from the North-west, one governor from the South-west, another governor from the South-east and a minister from the South-south were behind the purported adoption of a consensus candidate.

Two national chairmanship aspirants – a former governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura and Senator Sani Musa had rejected the purported nomination of Senator Adamu,

while another aspirant, Saliu Mustapha said he was yet to hear officially from the party.

Both Al-Makura and Musa had in newspaper advertorial rejected the purported nomination of Adamu.

Efforts to get the Secretary of the National Caretaker Committee of APC, Senator John Akpanudoedehe to clarify the adoption of Adamu as a consensus national chairman proved abortive as he did not pick his calls.

PRIMARIES NOW APRIL 4 TO JUNE 3 AHEAD OF PRESIDENTIAL POLL OF FEBRUARY 25, 2023 would now hold on February 25 next year instead of the earlier announced date of February 18.

"Consequently, the commission has decided to adjust the dates of the 2023 general election to ensure compliance with the provisions of the new law.

"Accordingly, the presidential and National Assembly elections will now hold on Saturday, February 25, 2023, while the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will hold two weeks later on Saturday, March 11, 2023. With this adjustment, the 2023 general election is now 363 days away," he explained.

Yakubu disclosed that under the law, there are critical time-bound activities from the publication of notice of election to the conduct of polls, which form the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for elections.

According to him, some of the critical activities and their dates of implementation are as follows: "Publication of Notice of Election – Monday, February 28, 2022; "Conduct of party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them – Monday, April 4, 2022, to Friday, June 3, 2022.

"Submission of nomination forms to INEC via the online portal for Presidential and National Assembly election – 9.00 am on Friday, June 10, 2022, to 6.00 pm on Friday, June 17, 2022; "Submission of nomination forms to INEC via the online nomination portal for Governorship and State Assembly elections – 9.00 am on Friday, July 1, 2022, to 6.00 pm on Friday, July 15, 2022; "Commencement of campaign by political parties for Presidential

and National Assembly elections -Wednesday, September 28, 2022; commencement of campaign by political parties for governorship and State Assembly elections – Wednesday, October 12, 2022; last day of the campaign by political parties for Presidential and National Assembly elections – midnight on Thursday, February 23, 2023; last day of the campaign by political parties for governorship and State Assembly elections – midnight on Thursday, March 9, 2023," Yakubu further explained.

The INEC chairman stated explained that the Notice of Election would be published in INEC offices in all the states of the Federation as required by law on Monday, February 28, 2022.

Yakubu said that with the coming into force of the Electoral Act 2022, the commission would work assiduously to conclude and publish new Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections that are consistent with the Act. "These Regulations and Guidelines, as well as Manuals issued by the Commission, are all part of the legal regulatory framework for elections.

"Their timely publication will enable all stakeholders in the electoral process to become conversant with their provisions as they prepare for the 2023 general election," he said.

The INEC chairman, who described the new electoral law as historic said that it was because it was the fourth time since the restoration of democracy in Nigeria in May 1999 that the Electoral Act was repealed and re-enacted.

He explained that the 1998 - 1999

elections were administered by transitional decrees until the 2001 Electoral Act was passed into law.

Then, he said, the Act was repealed and re-enacted as the Electoral Act 2002 which was in turn repealed and re-enacted in 2006, 2010 and now we have the 2022 Electoral Act. He said that in 2017, the commission decided to establish fixed dates for general elections in Nigeria, explaining that the decision was based on INEC’s determination to create certainty in the electoral calendar and to enable all stakeholders in the electoral process to prepare adequately for elections.

"By that decision, presidential and National Assembly elections shall hold on the third Saturday of February of each general election year, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections shall follow two weeks later,” he added.

He said the 2023 general election was initially scheduled to commence on February 18, 2023, with the presidential and National Assembly elections, followed by the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections on March 4, 2023.

He, however, pointed out that the Commission could not release the detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the General Election, as it normally would, because of the pending enactment of the Electoral Act 2022.

With the bill now being signed into law, therefore, he said, the Electoral Act 2022, together with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), form the legal basis for conducting all elections in Nigeria.

In particular, he said that the Electoral Act provides strict timelines for the implementation of electoral activities based on the date of the general election.

"One of the significant timelines is the publication of Notice of Election not later than 360 days before the day appointed for holding an election, which has now lapsed," he added.

He reminded stakeholders, especially the political parties, of their responsibility to adhere strictly to the timelines in this Timetable and Schedule of Activities, as well as all other timelines established by the commission.

"It is necessary that all political parties comply with the extant legal framework, ensure proper organisation and management of party primaries and the nomination of qualified candidates to prevent unnecessary litigations and rancour," Yakubu told all shareholders.

Speaking on the capacity of INEC to transmit all elections results in real-time, Yakubu said that from the reports available to the commission and its independent assessment INEC can transmit elections results to all the 774 local government areas and the 120,000 polling wards across the Federation.

On the BVAS, the INEC chaìrman said so far in the six by-elections in Ondo, Imo, Plateau and Cross Rivers states that there were no complaints against its operations He pointed out the commission is not anticipating any extra budget to implement the new electoral law.

PANDEF, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Middle Belt Forum Hail Buhari for

Signing Electoral Law

Meanwhile, the apex Igbo sociopolitical organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo; PANDEF and the MBF have hailed President Buhari for signing the electoral bill.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Alex

Chiedozie Ogbonna, told THISDAY yesterday that it was a welcome development that the president finally signed the bill into law.

He, therefore, challenged the INEC to ensure that nothing jeopardises the credibility of the Continued on page 10

Eight Critical Timelines for the Forthcoming General Elections ˾ ßÌÖÓÍËÞÓÙØ ÙÐ ÙÞÓÍÏ ÙÐ ÖÏÍÞÓÙØ

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

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NEWS

CONSULTATION IN PROGRESS...

Nigeria's Ambassador to Mexico and Chairman of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Our Choice 2023 (BATOC23), Mr. Adejare Bello (left), and Presidential aspirant, All Progressives Congress, Senator Bola Tinubu, during Tinubu’s visit to Osun State monarchs in Osogbo, Osun State…weekend

Seplat Explains Acquisition of ExxonMobil Assets Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Seplat Energy has defended its acquisition of oil assets belonging to Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU), in the face of global resistance to fossil fuels, explaining that it would require returns from fossil fuel investments to push its plan for renewable energy.

THISDAY had exclusively reported that the oil company was set to buy off oil and gas assets belonging to the International Oil Company (IOC) in a deal that could cost up to $1.2 billion, seen as the first since the signing of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA)

by President Muhammadu Buhari last year.

In addition, the Sale and Purchase Agreement will see the company acquire the entire share capital of MPNU, plus up to $300 million contingent consideration, encompassing the acquisition of the entire offshore shallow water business of ExxonMobil in Nigeria.

Speaking during a virtual interaction with journalists, Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Energy, Mr Roger Brown, argued that given the pillars upon which the future of the company is hinged, it would require returns from fossil fuel investments to push its plan for renewable energy.

He added that Seplat already set up a subsidiary called Seplat Energy offshore limited that would be acquiring the business of MPNU. He explained that employees of the selling company as well as all the existing contracts will be maintained, stating that the intention is to continue to run the assets profitably, since, according to him, they are already well managed.

But the Seplat CEO stated that the deal will still have to go through the statutory processes, including the competition commission and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NURPC) as well as obtaining the consent of the minister of petroleum.

He noted that Seplat would continue the “excellent performance” of the Mobil business, adding that the new entity has a slightly different plan in terms of cost-efficiency.

“We do look for cost efficiencies.

Our decision-making time, I think it's faster. Normally as compared to oil majors, that's what independents are there to do.

“And we are looking for operational efficiencies as well

as cost reduction where we can touch on operating cost. We've been successful in doing that in other existing businesses. And again over the last 10 years, we've seen a reduction in costs and losses in Seplat.

“If you look at our strategy, which we laid in July last year, we set it out deliberately on three pillars. We have pillar one, which is our upstream oil and gas, business and pillar two business is the midstream gas business, going down into gas power. “ We made a decision before to look at the power opportunities and then our new energy, the bridge into renewable energy. That strategy has not changed.

“But when we look at that strategy, if you look at the world today, the world today is going towards lower carbon, sort of

wealthier countries in the world moving towards net-zero targets," he posited.

Describing gas as a transition fuel, Roger explained that the federal government was right when it declared a decade of gas recently.

He explained that the upstream gas will supply the company’s midstream business in terms of oil, arguing that prices are likely to go into the much-expected supercycle given the lack of investment and the geopolitical tensions. “ It’s important to efficiently get it (oil) out of the ground and then sell it and get these dollars to reinvest back into Nigeria to ensure that we're addressing other businesses.

“So without the oil today, you don't have money to ensure you have a transition. And therefore, this transaction, what it does do is a

big production. Its production will double what Seplat has today. So this short cycle production allows us to monetise it, and reinvest in other businesses,” he noted.

He expressed confidence that contrary to the belief in certain quarters, fossil fuels will not go into extinction shortly, adding that stakeholders were beginning to realise that in the long run, any attempt to leave fossil fuels behind will lead to higher fuel prices.

Oil Prices Recede After Week’s Peak of $105 Per Barrel

Meanwhile, crude oil prices slipped yesterday, the last day of transaction for the week, after it went on overdrive a day earlier on the back of the Russia-Ukraine face-off.

The crude oil price had surged

above $105 per barrel for the first time since 2014 after Russia attacked sites across Ukraine.

The situation signalled the worsening of an already tightening global supply market.

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), an international group of oil producers, was already struggling to meet its production target before the latest threat.

Russia is the world's third-largest oil producer and second-largest oil exporter and any impact on its production could markedly affect the market.

It is also the largest provider of natural gas to Europe, providing over 35 per cent of its supply.

Brent was up about six per cent on the day, paring gains after surging as much as 9.2 per cent to $105.79 a barrel after President

Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops into Ukraine.

The United States benchmark, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) also briefly topped $100 a barrel before easing off of gains.

But on the last day of trading, the April Brent crude futures contract was down $1.06, or 1.1 per cent, at $98.02 per barrel in the afternoon after climbing as high as $101.99 per barrel. The active May contract shed 64 cents, or 0.7 per cent, to $94.78.

In addition, the West Texas Intermediate (WTI), United States crude, was down 31 cents, or 0.3 per cent, to $92.50 a barrel, after hitting a session high of $95.64.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine had caused prices to surge, with the assault seen as the biggest attack on a European state since World War Two.

IN LINE WITH CBN’S DIRECTIVE, BANKS EXPOSE CLIENTS WITH SUSPICIOUS DOLLAR TRANSACTIONS the names of clients found to have filed suspicious claims for forex transactions on their websites last week.

For instance, Zenith Bank Plc, the nation’s biggest lender by market value, has published 987 names of customers engaging in the illegal practice on its website, Fidelity Bank Plc identified 83 customers; First City Monument Bank Plc listed eight names so far, while Wema Bank published one name. The list of banks that complied also included the United Bank for Africa Plc. The apex bank had directed banks to identify such customers and ensure they refund the hard currency. The regulator first alerted banks of the ongoing practice last year.

The CBN had said: “Consequently, further to the various measures already put in place, all banks are hereby directed to publish on their websites the names and BVN of defaulting customers who present fake travel documents or cancel their tickets and fail to return the purchased PTA/BTA within two weeks as stipulated in the customer declaration form signed by them.”

Some deposit money banks acting on the directive of the CBN had sent notices to their customers warning that identities and Bank Verification Number (BVN) of those who contravene the apex bank’s new forex policy on overseas personal and business travels

would be published.

The CBN had also directed that travellers who buy foreign exchange from banks for travel purposes but fail to embark on the trip after two weeks of their scheduled travel date must return the forex to the banks.

The banks in their notices also pointed out consequences for those customers who engage in fraudulent and unethical practices with regards to the purchase of Personal Travel Allowances (PTA) and Business Travel Allowances (BTA).

In its notice to customers, one of the Tier 1 banks had said: “We have been directed by the Central Bank of Nigeria to inform all our customers that unethical practices to circumvent the new CBN policy on the sale of forex, such as the presentation of false travel documents, visas, and the cancellation of flight tickets, after purchasing personal travel allowance and business travel allowance, will no longer be tolerated.

“Defaulting customers who present fraudulent travel credentials or cancel their tickets and fail to refund the purchased PTA and BTA within two weeks, as stated in the signed customer declaration form, will have their identities and bank verification numbers published.

“We aim to implement this policy immediately as an organisation that is fully compliant with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s rules and regulations.

“Our bank is committed to partnering with the CBN to ensure a transparent, efficient and stable FX Market that meets the needs of all legitimate users.”

Aggregate Money Supply Rises to N44.56tn in January

Meanwhile, the aggregate broad money supply, M3 Money, which represents the amount of money circulating in the economy, rose to N44.56 trillion in January, representing a 1.70 per cent growth year-to-date, a report by the CBN, has shown.

A recently released Depository Corporations Survey by the apex bank, quoted by Cowry Asset Management Limited, showed that the growth was driven by a 1.46 per cent increase in M2 to N44.46 trillion and a sharp increase in CBN bills to N107.38 billion, from N100 million in the preceding month) amid efforts to rein in surplus liquidity.

M2 is a measure of the money supply that includes cash, checking deposits, and is easily convertible near money However, analysts from Cowry Asset Management Limited noted that the growth in central bank bills also came with its cost implications, as well as increased indebtedness of the apex bank.

According to the latest edition of Cowry Financial Markets Review, Outlook & Recommended Stocks, growth in Broad Money supply

was on the back of increases in Quasi Money (consisting of time deposits, near-maturing securities, foreign currencies, etc) and Narrow Money or M1 Money (comprising demand deposits and currency outside banks) by 0.34 per cent and 3.03 per cent to N25.74 trillion and N18.72 trillion, respectively.

“Increases in quasi money may not be unconnected to, among other things, growing appetite of pension funds administrators to place retirement savings with commercial banks at relatively attractive interest rates. “As reported in the February 11, 2022 edition of our CWR, we observed that money moved out of T-bills securities to Local Money Market Securities (LMMS), especially bank placements,” the report stated.

It noted that the total funds invested in this investment category rose by 20.04 per cent to N2.03 trillion in December 2021 (lifting its share of the total assets to 15.09 per cent), from N1.69 trillion in December 2020 (or 13.71 per cent of total assets).

The CBN document was quoted as saying that that Reserve Money rose by 2.36 per cent to N13.61 trillion as bank reserves with the Central Bank increased by 3.51 per cent to N10.32 trillion (partly in tandem with increased deposits at the banks), to partly offset by a 5.52 per cent decline in currency outside banks to N2.78 trillion.

On the asset side, Net Domestic Credit grew by 2.49 per cent to

N49.73 trillion as Credit to the Private Sector upped by 0.73 per cent to N35.45 trillion while Credit to the Government increased by 7.13 per cent to N14.28 trillion.

However, Net Foreign Assets moderated by 1.79 per cent amid pressures on Nigeria’s foreign sector.

Meanwhile, Cowry Assets analysts have warned that the rise in the Narrow Money without a faster rise in GDP may result in higher inflation in 2022.

It noted that in 2021, the velocity of Narrow Money moderated to 10.16 times from 11.49 times in the preceding year even though Narrow Money rose by 14 per cent over the period, saying the productivity of the country needs a lot of improvement going forward.

The report warned that the escalation of hostilities between Russia and Ukraine and the attendant instability in the global oil market will exert pressure on the nation’s external reserves.

It said: “Meanwhile, in the wake of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, we are concerned that Nigeria would not optimally benefit from any ensuing rise in crude oil prices due to its suboptimal crude oil production. This would increase pressure on the external reserves as well as exchange rates as oil dollar revenues, its primary foreign currency earner, would struggle to meet the higher cost of imported refined products in addition to other imports.”

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NEWS

REWARDING LOYALTY...

L-R: Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Hans Essaadi; National Volume Champion, Mr. Kenneth Maduakor; Chairman of NB Plc, Chief Kolawole Jamodu; Best National Transporter, Mr. Andre Bresler; PHOTO: KINGSLEY ADEBOYE and Sales Director, NB Plc, Mr. Uche Unigwe, during the 2021 Nigerian Breweries Distributors’ Awards in Abuja... recently

16 Feared Dead as Cultists Invade Burial Ceremony in Anambra Community David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Suspected members of a secret cult yesterday invaded a burial ceremony in Ebenebe in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing no fewer than 16 persons.

The gunmen also desecrated the corpse of a suspected leader of a cult group, named Ozo, which was being prepared for burial.

THISDAY gathered that while the corpse of Ozo was lyingin-state in his compound, the suspected cultists arrived at the scene and shot at the mourners while others scampered to safety.

A resident of the community told THISDAY that: "My sister was supposed to be at the burial.

She and her friends had already prepared to leave Awka for Ebenebe, but the vehicle they booked to take them disappointed them.

"She and her friends were so unhappy, and they decided to

go in search of another vehicle that can take them. It was in the course of going to the burial that they received a phone call that everybody at the burial had been dispersed by some gunmen.

"She also got a video from

the scene, which showed several persons lying in the pool of their own blood dead, while the corpse was desecrated, with its coffin lying far apart, while the corpse was sprawled on the ground."

Anambra State Police com-

mand has confirmed the incident, saying that it was a case of cult rivalry.

The spokesman of the state police command, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, who spoke to THISDAY said: "Yes, this morning (Satur-

day), there was an incident at Ebenebe. A burial was going on, when some people suspected to be cultists invaded the area and started shooting.

"I do not have details of casualties now, but I will keep

Stock Market Investors Gain N19.48bn in One Week Festus Akanbi

Investors on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, traded a turnover of 1.668 billion shares worth N19.481 billion in 25,979 deals during the week ended, February 25, THISDAY gathered.

This is in contrast to 1.713 billion shares valued at N30.764 billion that exchanged hands in 24,767 deals on February 18.

According to NGX on its Website, the Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 1.120 billion shares valued at N10.889

billion traded in 13,514 deals.

The figure contributed 67.13 per cent and 55.89 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The Conglomerates Industry followed with 242.945 million shares worth N395.228 million in 1,418 deals.

The third place was the Consumer Goods Industry, with a turnover of 80.368 million shares worth N1.958 billion in 3,876 deals.

Trading in the top three equities namely Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, United Capital Plc and Zenith Bank Plc (measured

by volume) accounted for 491.673 million shares worth N5.411billion in 4,277 deals.

It also contributed 29.48 per cent and 27.78 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

Meanwhile, the equities market of the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) on Friday appreciated by N30 billion, following the gains recorded by 21 companies and 17 losers.

Specifically, the market capitalisation closed for trading at N25.507 trillion, compared with N25.477 trillion on Thursday; an increase

of N30 billion, representing 0.12 per cent.

Also, the NGX All-Share Index appreciated by 0.12 per cent, increasing to 47, 328.04 basis points, from 42,272.04 basis points recorded on Thursday.

On sector performances, Banking and Consumer Goods indices closed positive, growing by 0.25 per cent and 0.15 per cent respectively.

The NGX Industrial Goods dropped by 0.02 per cent while the oil and gas sector closed flat.

The market breadth index was positive with 21 gainers against

FG MOVES TO EVACUATE NIGERIANS TRAPPED IN UKRAINE TO POLAND provide contact details of these Nigerians that will be there to help you out and the convergence point.

“If you are in Ukraine and you are not in a place directly affected, it is advisable that you stay where you are.

“There are forms you can fill; they are people to call. All information would be provided on our website: nidcom.gov.ng.

So, go to that website for further details and we will continue to update you,” she added.

Dabiri-Erewa said Nigerians in Poland can contact the following phone lines for assistance: +48 739400001, 729467341, +48729560 416, +48508182948, +48729690481 and +2348033372086.

Also, the Embassy of Nigeria in Warsaw, Poland, in a public notice, said officials and volunteers would be at the Polish-Ukrainian borders to pick up Nigerians.

In Ukraine, the Nigerian Embassy in Kyiv advised all Nigerians resident in Ukraine and environs, including students, and their relations in Nigeria to contact the Embassy in Kyiv for matters about enquiries, consular and

you informed once the picture becomes clear.

"For now, the commissioner of police, CP Echeng has dispatched tactical squads comprising various units to the area to maintain calm," he said.

welfare requests and emergencies.

In Poland, the Embassy advised Nigerians crossing over to Poland to present 02-953, Kosiarzy 22B, 02-956 Warszawa as the destination address to the border officials.

The public notice reads: “In light of the recent happenings in Ukraine. Please be advised that all Nigerians crossing over to Poland would have us waiting for them.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria is making necessary arrangements for the evacuation of those stranded in Ukraine through the Embassy in Warsaw, Poland.

“Please present this as your destination address with the Border controls 02-953, Kosiarzy 22B, 02-956 Warszawa.

“The Nigerian Embassy staff and volunteers will be at the Polish-Ukrainian borders with buses and vans to pick up Nigerians from the crossing border points.

In Ukraine, the Nigerian Embassy in Kyiv advised all Nigerians resident in Ukraine and environs, including students, and their relations in Nigeria to contact the Embassy in Kyiv for matters

about enquiries, consular and welfare requests and emergencies.

It added that officials of the Embassy could be reached on: +380632353417; +380631954965; +380442597767; +380442581854; +380442599942; and/or Nigeriaconsul@gmail.com; as well as Nigeriakiev@yahoo.com.

The statement further advised Nigerians to take their individual and collective safety and security very seriously; avoid unnecessary travels within the country; especially to identified hotspots in Eastern Ukraine, and ensure that they carry requisite identification at all times.

The Embassy, however, promised to make periodic announcements as the need arises.

Months of tension between Russia and Ukraine took another dimension on Thursday when Vladimir Putin, president of Russia, ordered troops into Ukraine.

On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at least 137 Ukrainian soldiers and civilians have been killed since the Russian invasion began.

The death toll has reportedly risen to 198 with over 1,000 said

to have been wounded.

Death Toll Hits 198, over 1,000 Wounded

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government has said 198 civilians have been killed in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

The Minister of Health, Viktor Liashko, who made the disclosure yesterday, said three children were among those who died — according to Ukrinform, the country’s news agency.

He said 1,115 people were wounded, including 33 children.

“According to operational data, we have 198 dead at the hands of the gunpowder, including three children, 1,115 injured, 33 of which were children,” he said.

“Military defends the country with weapons in their hands, weapons of doctors are selfless labour. No one has been home for three days, and it won’t be soon. But we are ready and giving away. Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the ZSU.” What was initially diplomatic tension between the two countries escalated when the Russian

President, Vladimir Putin, announced the start of a special military operation in Donbas on Thursday.

Russian troops pressed towards Ukraine’s capital on Saturday — after a night of explosions and street fighting sent Kyiv residents seeking shelter underground, and some piling up at borders to escape the war.

Even though Russia claims its attack on Ukraine targets only soldiers, civilians have been killed In a video on social media, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed that all the 27 European leaders he asked for help refused to fight with Ukraine.

But Zelenskyy had earlier refused an offer from the US government to evacuate, insisting he would stay.

“The fight is here,” Zelenskyy said.

Martial law has been imposed throughout Ukraine, with Zelenskyy signing a decree on general mobilisation.

“We’ll give weapons to anyone ready to defend the country,” he said.

17 losers.

Etranzact Plc led the gainer’s chart on Friday, closing with 9.92 per cent to close at N2.66, followed by Royal Exchange Plc which grew by 9.65 per cent to close at N1.25.

RTbriscoe increased by 9.30 per cent to close at N0.94 per share, while Niger Insurance gained 7.69 per cent to close at N0.28.

Cornerstone added 7.69 per cent to close at N0.70.

On the losers’ chart, Cutix led with a drop of 8.47 per cent to close at N2.70, followed by NEM insurance which depreciated by five per cent to close at N3.80.

Veritaskap down by 4.35 per cent to close at N0.22 as Wapic Insurance dropped by four per cent to close at N0.48.

In addition, UPDC shed 3.70 per cent to close on Friday at N1.04.

In terms of activity levels, total volume and value decreased by 26per cents and 29per cents respectively, as investors exchanged about 253 million units of shares worth N2.75 billion in 4266 deals.

FCMB was the most actively traded stock with about 50 million units of shares worth about N152 million, followed by Transcorp which traded stock about 36.9 million units of share worth about N45.58 million.

According to analysts at InvestmentOne research; “The equities market closed in the green territory today due to the gains recorded in the Banking and Consumer Goods sectors.

“Going forward, we expect investors’ sentiments to be swayed by the search for real positive returns and developments in the interest rate space.

“We reiterate that this may be a great period to pick up some quality names with a medium to the long-term investment horizon.”

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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

NEWS

Don’t Blame CBN, Hold Nigerians Responsible for Forex Scarcity, Says Lemo Ugo Aliogo The Chairman of Titan Trust Bank, Mr Tunde Lemo, has stated that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should not be blamed for the insufficiency of forex in the country.

He noted that though the CBN has to tinker with the forex policy to pay the federal government’s debt, he insisted that Nigerians should be held responsible.

He argued that "because what determines the exchange rate of your currency is what you can offer to the world; so, if the demand for Nigeria product is very low compared to what we intend to import, definitely your currency will continue to take a plunge no matter what the CBN does.”

Lemo, who stated this yesterday in Lagos during the first reunion party for ex-colleagues of Wema Bank, explained that he supports the advice of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that there is a need to have a more market-friendly system of foreign exchange management.

“If CBN can do a bit of that, then we will see liquidity coming into the forex arena, but then Nigerians should be blamed for the depreciation of the naira because Nigerians have a high taste for ostentatious commodities imported from overseas,” he added.

Lemo commended the federal government for the role it played in helping the economy to exit recession within 15 months, adding that the banking industry has continued to add value to businesses because of its resilience spirit.

He hinted that the banking industry has been able to revitalise the economy notwithstanding the financial crisis of 2007 and 2008 and as well the challenges of COVID-19

witnessed in 2020.

He further explained that the economy did not take a plunge during the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that it was as if the banking industry foresaw the coming of the pandemic.

“Every bank today has migrated all its products to the digital platform and so whether COVID-19 pandemic is restricting you or not, banking business through the digital

platform remains unaffected, and this was why we were to improve our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the first quarter and stood at 3.9,” he said.

According to him, “the GDP will continue to grow even though last quarter GDP performance was as a result of the lower base effect.

The GDP will moderate in the first quarter and it will move up later especially this year which is before

the election year. During an election year, we tend to see more inflation which will increase the GDP, there will be a lot of economic activities and it will be inflationary, so that is what I see on the horizon.

Meanwhile, speaking on the recent acquisition of Union Bank

by Titan Bank, he said: "The co-shareholders of Titan Trust Bank saw a unique opportunity in Union Bank; the bank has a

legacy issue as a plus; the bank value is so much. The bank is a 104-year-old bank. The Union Bank’s presence is significant in the business environment. Titan Trust Bank has been looking at it, despite their age, they are the number one trade bank today. When you talk about trade financing, Titan Trust is number one and they saw an opportunity in Union Bank that can leverage our technology.

Titan Trust is a bank that leverages fintech in deploying its services, which is why you don't see our footprints all over the country and we thought by combining all that strength with the contemporary strength with the brand value of Union Bank we can make an impression in Nigeria by rapidly deploying modern banking to every nook and cranny. So, it is going to be a major synergy.”

CONSULTING FORMER BOSS...

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo (left), and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, during Atiku’s visit to his former boss in Abeokuta…yesterday

FG, ASUU to Reconvene for Talks Tuesday Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The federal government’s negotiating team will meet again with the striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Tuesday.

The meeting, which is a followup to an earlier one held last week, will report the progress made in the implementation of the agreement reached with the

union.

President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, who spoke to THISDAY on telephone last night, said the union was in receipt of a notice on the reconvening of the reconciliatory meeting fixed for Tuesday.

When asked to comment on the progress made in negotiations since the declaration of the onemonth roll-over strike, Osodeke

said that nothing has happened.

"We have not heard anything from government since the last meeting. No one has reached out to us, except the notice that we will be reconvening on Tuesday for talks," he said.

Reacting to the statement credited to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, that it would not be expedient for government to embark on

PRIMARIES NOW APRIL 4 TO JUNE 3 AHEAD OF PRESIDENTIAL POLL OF FEBRUARY 25, 2023 2023 general election.

“The president had assured Nigerians that he will leave an improved electoral system by the time he serves out his tenure and we are glad that today, we now have an Electoral Act that substantially captures the key ingredients of a working, responsible and responsive democracy.

“The President and National Assembly members have done their parts; it is now left for INEC to deliver. Let them know clearly that there’s no room for excuses any longer,” he said.

The Ohanaeze spokesman however declared that the law would not completely remove malpractices from the nation’s electoral system, explaining that the political actors would always seek ways of circumventing the system in their desperation for power.

“We’ve always had laws and the politicians know about that. One clear thing is that the malpractices are induced by the political elites.

They will always find ways of achieving their plans. We are however hopeful that the situation will be appreciably reduced,” he added.

On its part, PANDEF has also applauded President Buhari for signing into law the Electoral Act

Amendment Bill.

The Forum, in a formal reaction by the spokesman, Hon. Ken Robinson, also called on the INEC to ensure the full implementation of the new electoral law.

Describing the president's assent to the bill as a welcome development after all the dillydally, Robinson said the action was perhaps the best thing President Buhari has done in terms of strengthening the nation's democratic process.

"President Buhari and the National Assembly both deserve commendation. The ball is now in the court of the electoral commission to ensure that the Act is implemented to the letter in the entire electoral process, with adherence to every detail, in all parts of the country," he said.

President of the MBF, Dr Bitrus Pogu, has also congratulated President Buhari for signing the Electoral Act into law, describing it as a welcome development.

He said Nigerians yearned to have a process that would translate to a transparent election that every Nigerian would trust.

The page however said it was not yet over, pointing out that INEC would need to do more to complement what the President has done, and ensure a credible

election.

“We welcome and congratulate Mr President for signing the Electoral Act into law.

“Having signed, the job is not over yet, because we would want a two-stage transmission of results.

First, INEC must ensure that in an election, the figures of accredited voters are first transmitted from the polling unit before the result of the election. This is to ensure that the figures of election results do not exceed the figures of accredited voters.

“If that is not done, we are back to square one. The riggers out there will manipulate the system by writing the results at the polling units and asking the electoral officers to transmit what they have written. But if the accredited voters’ figures are transmitted first, that will be difficult because the figure’s results cannot be bloated above the accredited voters’ figures.

“Stage two is for the election results to be transmitted from the polling unit; these results must tally with figures of accredited voters in that polling unit.

So, we are calling on the National Assembly and INEC to ensure that this two-stage process is adhered to, to have a transparent and credible election.”

wholesome salary review for the university lecturers, the ASUU president said that the federal government was not sincere.

He said that if President Muhammadu Buhari was "able to approve salary increases for the Nigerian Police and primary

and secondary school teachers as well as the Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), for government then there is no reason why it will be difficult to do same for the lecturers".

Osodeke also expressed concern over the non-approval

of the ASUU's proposed salary payment platform, University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), accusing the federal government of deliberately frustrating the efforts to enthrone best practices in the administration of universities in the country.

Defiant Atiku Visits Obasanjo, Says He’s Confident about Winning PDP Ticket James Sowole in Abeokuta Despite the clamour for power to shift to the South after President Muhammadu Buhari’s two terms of eight years, former VicePresident, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has said he is confident that he will win the 2023 presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Atiku stated this yesterday when visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, Ogun State to seek support for his presidential aspiration.

Atiku arrived at the Hilton Towers of Obasanjo at exactly 10:10 am and was received by the former president.

Though the details of the visit were not made known to journalists as the two leaders met behind closed doors, sources close to the former president said Atiku came to seek Obasanjo’s support for his presidential ambition.

The main challenger of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential election on the platform of the PDP has defied the clamour for power rotation and has been going around the country, consulting with political heavyweights on his undeclared ambition to occupy the much-coveted seat

in Aso Rock in 2023.

During an interview with journalists after holding a closed-door meeting with his former boss, Atiku challenged youths in the country to also compete with elders for elective office in 2023, including the office of the president.

The former vice president's statement, came just as youth groups under the aegis of Southern Youth Alliance (SOYA), at a news conference in Abeokuta asked him to break his silence and declare in the affirmative, to contest for the nation's presidency.

The youth group, which was joined by some PDP members at the Ogun State party secretariat, said they were not comfortable with the seeming silence or reluctance of Atiku in declaring his intention to contest the presidential election.

When asked about his mission to the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Complex and the call that youth should be given chance, Atiku said: “I came to see my boss but remained silent on what was discussed during about an hour-long meeting.

"I came to meet my boss. We will let you know when I declared, we will give a formal announcement.

"Have I ever failed to get the

ticket? Let the youths compete with the elders. It is competition.

It is a democracy," Atiku said.

Atiku later proceeded to the palace of Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, in Ake, Abeokuta where he reminisced on his relationship with the people of Ogun State and Egbaland in particular.

Atiku did not disclose his political ambition at the palace but the revered monarch prayed that God will grant him his heart desires.

Armed with placards of various inscriptions highlighting qualities of Atiku, the youth group yesterday asked him to come out clearly about his ambition.

Some of the placards read: "Southern Youth Say Atiku Run Run Run;’ ‘Atiku Will Create Jobs for Youth;’ ‘Atiku Will Fix Economy If Elected;’ ‘Age Has Nothing to Do With Competence;’ ‘Atiku Has Competence and Character among others.’

Addressing journalists at the event, the SOYA President, Comrade Ridwan Ismaheel, said the challenge before Nigeria as a nation, requires a search for a leader who, from his antecedents, is fit for the precarious situation that the country has found itself.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ FEBRUARY 27, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

BEYOND THE 2022 ELECTORAL ACT

The new act will help restore the confidence of Nigerians in the ballot box. But there are other serious tests

M

uch to the relief of an anxious nation and the international community, President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday signed into law the Electoral Act Repeal and Reenactment Bill. With relevant provisions to guarantee credible and peaceful electoral process, we welcome this development. As a follow-up, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday adjusted its timetable for the 2023 general election. Under the law, according to INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, “there are critical time-bound activities from the publication of Notice of Election to the Conduct of Polls which form the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for elections.”

Now that INEC has released the timetable, all stakeholders must work to ensure that the rules and regulations governing the election are upheld. The political parties particularly have a responsibility of ensuring that internal democracy is upheld and that every candidate for the forthcoming general election emerges on merit after a transparent process devoid of any form of manipulation.

That is the only way to grow democracy in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, The success of the there 2023 general election is great optimism will depend not only that the law will help on the enabling law to restore the confidence of but also the conduct Nigerians in of INEC officials. the ballot box.

Apart from Given the political Section 50, history of the country, which now gives legal electoral reforms will backing for electronic be meaningless if transmission of results, they are not driven by election Section 29 (1) provides that transparent umpire political parties that is accountable to must submit their lists of the people candidates not less than 180 days (six months) before the general election. This will offer INEC adequate time to prepare, while also allowing political parties, aspirants, and the courts to settle all disputes arising from primary elections. This will in

Letters to the Editor

A

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

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

turn lessen INEC’s logistical challenges.

Other significant breakthroughs include the empowerment of INEC to review results declared under duress, release of funds for a general election by at least a year to the election, determination of over-voting by tribunals based on total number of accredited voters instead of the number of registered voters, legal backing for smart card readers and other voter accreditation technologies, conduct of primary by political parties to replace candidates that died during an election, early start of campaigns, and provision to cater for people with disabilities and special needs.

However, in signing the bill into law, President Buhari raised strong objections to Section 84, which requires persons holding political offices as ministers, commissioners, special advisers, among others, to resign their appointment to be eligible to participate in the electoral process, whether as candidates or as delegates. We fail to understand the basis of the presidential objection. The clause in contention has been in operation by practice for long.

Governors have always compelled political appointees interested in elective offices to resign long before primaries. Many ministers have also had to resign to contest for elective offices. Besides, section 84 (12) is substantially not different from the old section 87 (8) of the 2012 Electoral Act that has been in operation for the past 12 years. ince the conduct of free and fair elections starts with providing a level playing ground for all contestants, we believe that the National Assembly made this provision in the Electoral Act to ensure that no one enjoys undue advantage over others. For instance, a retinue of aides already gives a president or governor seeking re-election undue advantage over other contestants. Such an important provision should therefore not be sacrificed because of the narrow and selfish interest of a few influential persons in government. When they review that clause, we hope the decision of the federal lawmakers will be guided only by the National Interest.

Overall, we commend the National Assembly and President Buhari for the electoral act 2022, but we make haste to add that an improved electoral system does not only rest on laws. It is good that INEC and many stakeholders have invested a lot of time and energy in getting the electoral act passed. But the success of the 2023 general election will depend not only on the enabling law but also the conduct of INEC officials. Given the political history of the country, electoral reforms will be meaningless if they are not driven by transparent umpire that is accountable to the people, and not the government in power.

S

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.

CHILDREN AND INSECURITY IN SCHOOLS

s far as words can weave comfort, the word ‘school’ is a master. Everything about it speaks not just of a place but a process through which ignorance is defanged and the power that knowledge breeds assimilated for empowerment.

From time immemorial, the power that education gives in enabling those subservient to its instruction to take charge of their minds for good is without parallels. Thus, quality education has always shown its enduring validity as one of man`s most precious gifts. It is the reason why any society seeking genuine advancement must be ready to fortify the structures that support its schooling and school systems.

In Nigeria, for many parents, the moment a child is weaned, thoughts and actions begin to coalesce about how to send them

to school. Many children end up beginning school even if many are forced to discontinue along the way.

For those that continue, they invariably find a shining path to the future that is at least devoid of the pangs of illiteracy. For those that discontinue along the line, they find something to hold on to even when they can no longer go to school.

So, for many children, school is about safety, sustainable knowledge and the invaluable opportunity to access opportunities that aid their development in all ramifications as well as opening to them the path to a brighter future.

Recently, however, it has become extremely disturbing that in Nigeria, many pupils and students can no longer feel safe when they go to school and while they are in school. That this

grievous problem afflicts schools at all levels of the education system forebodes a future that is frightening.

The reasons for the uncertainty that now plagues schools in Nigeria are many and the danger rises both from within and outside the schools. Firstly, there is insecurity.

In 2014, Boko Haram terrorists stormed a secondary school for girls in Chibok, Borno State and made away with hundreds of girls. More than seven years have gone by and some of the girls are yet to return home to their heartbroken families.

When the intrepid terrorists saw that the response of the Giant of Africa to the abductions in Chibok was tepid at best, they struck another school in Dapchi, Yobe State and helped themselves to the number of students they wanted. The pattern has since been repeated in many hapless

schools across Nigeria`s North to bring education to its knees in a region that was educationally disadvantaged even before Boko Haram reared its ugly head. The terrorists have also ensured that countless schools in the region have been razed and the educational trajectory of many innocent children twisted forever.

If it was just Boko Haram, it would have been devastating enough, but bandits which have come to pose equally grave security challenges to Nigeria have recently refined the art storming schools and kidnapping students. Sometime last year, over a hundred students of a school in Tegina, Niger State spent close to three months in the den of bandits. They were only released after their terrified families paid millions of naira in ransom.

The pattern has since been reprised in schools in Kaduna State to further complicate a full- blooded crisis of education.

Recently, another form of threat,

this time, rising from within schools themselves has engaged the attention of Nigerians. From Abuja to Lagos, parents send their kids to schools only to have corpses inexplicably returned to them. Toddlers are flogged to their deaths by frustrated teachers who are predictably poorly remunerated and would rather be elsewhere.

Even in institutions of higher learning, decrepit structures give way to send students plunging to their deaths even as ASUU embarks on another of its routine strikes while citing the treachery of the government of the day.

In the Federal Capital Territory, pupils of some public primary schools have been at home for close to a month as a strike sees precious time bleeding away. The signs are indeed ominous.

– Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@ gmail.com Read the full article online - www. thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 27, 2022

Edited by: Ejiofor Alike

The Week in Review...

The Week in Review...

At Last, Buhari Signs Electoral Act APendPent Bill into LaZ President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday signed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2022 into law.

Buhari signed the Bill at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of the House of

Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, were present to witness the signing of the Bill.

In his address, President Buhari said in line with established tradition, he received inputs from relevant ministries, departments and agencies of government after careful and thorough reviews of the Bill and its implications to democratic

processes in Nigeria.

He said, “It is gratifying to note that the current Bill comes with a great deal of improvement from the previous Electoral Bill 2021. There are salient and praiseworthy provisions that could positively revolutionise elections in Nigeria through the introduction of new technological innovations. These

innovations would guarantee the constitutional rights of citizens to vote and to do so eͿectively.

“The Bill would also improve and engender clarity, eͿectiveness and transparency of the election process, as well as reduce to the barest minimum incidences of acrimony arising from dissatisÀed candidates and political parties.

ASSeal Court AͿrPs Farouk LaZan’s Conviction The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Thursday, reduced the jail term of a former House of Representatives member, Farouk Lawan, from seven to Àve years, following his appeal of the earlier sentence.

Lawan was convicted by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on June 22, 2021, on three counts of soliciting bribes, agreeing to accept bribes and accepting the sum of $500,000 bribe from a businessman, Femi Otedola.

Justice Angela Otaluka of the High Court of the FCT sentenced Lawan, who represented the Bagwai and Shanono Federal Constituency of Kano State, to seven years on count one, seven years on count two, and Àve years on count three.

Nigeria, Iraq Oppose OPEC Output Hike It also emerged on Tuesday that Nigeria and Iraq said the strategy employed by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, OPEC+, to gradually raise oil production was enough to balance the market.

Both countries insisted that there was no need for OPEC to be more aggressive, despite crude oil surge this year to almost $100 a barrel.

The 23-nation alliance, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, would meet on March 2 to decide the next line of action in terms of the amount of oil it expected members to pump in April.

Bloomberg quoted Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, as maintaining that the international cartel would not need to take any unplanned barrels to the market, stressing that the current plan perfectly serves the market as it is.

.idnap .ingpin Evans, TZo Others Get Life Sentence

YOU ARE WELCOME TO KADUNA… Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai (left), and the National Chairmanship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, during his consultative visit to the governor at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna…yesterday

Finally, Russia Invades Ukraine

Queen Elizabeth Tests Positive to COVID-19

A major event of last week was the invasion of Ukraine by Russia on Thursday. True to promise, Russia unleashed attacks, pumping barrage of air strikes on major cities of the neighboring Ukraine, which was once in the Soviet Union with Russia and others. Global outrage soon followed the Russian attacks on the Ukraininan major cities and infrastructure, with the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), among others, describing it as an unprovoked aggression, and imposing a series of sanctions on Russia. Russian media had quoted President Vladimir Putin as saying he had given approval for the operation in the Donbas region of Ukraine, where Moscow earlier recognised rebel-held territories in Luhansk and Donetsk, and said they had asked for “help”.

Another major highlight of the week was news from the Buckingham Palace on Sunday that Queen Elizabeth II tested positive for COVID-19 after experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms.

But the palace despite the unfortunate development, the 95-year-old monarch would carry on working.

The palace said the queen would continue with “light” duties at Windsor Castle over the coming week.

“She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines,” the Associated Press quoted the palace to have said in a statement.

People in the UK who test positive for COVID-19 are required to self-isolate for at least Àve days, though the British government had said it plans to lift that requirement for England in the coming week.

After Losing for 50 Years, Oil Industry Retains $8bn

I Won’t Exceed 2023, Says Buhari

It was also reported on Monday that from a whopping $380 billion loss in capital flight due to the absence of an enabling law for retention of capital in the oil and gas industry, Nigeria currently has an annual in-country retention of $8 billion under the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act. Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Simbi Wabote, stated this in Lagos during a meeting with editors.

Wabote revealed that about two million jobs were also lost during the 50 years that the country’s oil and industry operated without a capital retention law. But he said at least 50,000 jobs had so far been created with the implementation of the NOGICD Act. Over the past 11 years, Wabote stated that the level of Nigerian content in the oil industry, which was about five per cent before the enactment of the act in 2010, had increased to 26 per cent in 2016 and 42 per cent as at December 2021.

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Lafia, Nasarawa State, said he had sworn by the Holy Quran and cannot go beyond two terms in office. He noted that leaders who take the oath of office, swearing with the Holy Book must be careful not to abuse the trust of leadership placed on them by the people and God. Buhari, who was on a two-day state visit to Nasarawa, said this during a courtesy visit to the palace of Emir of Lafia, Sidi Muhammad 1, reaffirmed that he had no intention to stay beyond the constitutionally-recognised two terms of office as president.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement he signed and titled, ‘President Buhari: leaders who swear by the Holy Book must not abuse public office.’

The statement quoted Buhari as saying that traditional ruler was on a terminal appointment but constitutionally, elected public office holders were not.

Again, APC Moves Convention, to March 26 The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday resolved to hold its national convention on March 26, a month away from the February 26 it initially proposed for the convention. This was contained in a leaked letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), referenced APC/NHDQ/INEC/019/22/21, which the ruling party said superseded its earlier

national convention notice. The latest notice also replaced an earlier letter to INEC informing it of APC’s decision to hold its zonal congresses on March 26.

But the party was silent on the zoning of offices, a major concern for stakeholders, which was believed to have contributed to the seeming dithering over the convention.

A former Director General of Progressive

Governors’ Forum (PGF), Dr. Salihu Lukman, alleged that the chairman of APC’s Caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni; his Kogi State counterpart, Yahaya Bello; Governor of Imo State Hope Uzodimma; and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State were the ones frustrating the national convention plan.

Justice Hakeem Oshodi of an Ikeja High Court has sentenced kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, a k a.

Evans, and two others to life imprisonment for conspiracy and kidnapping of a businessman, Donatus Duru.

Justice Oshodi found Evans and others guilty of a two-count charge of kidnapping the Managing Director of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Limited, Donatus Dunu.

Others sentenced to life inprisonment alongside Evans are Uche Amadi, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu.

The judge held that the prosecution had succeeded in proving the charge against the three convicts beyond reasonable doubt.

He concluded that the evidence tendered before the court especially the video evidence collaborated the guilt of the convicts Justice Oshodi however discharged and acquitted Ogechi Uchechukwu and two former soldiers of the Nigerian Army, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Aduba for lack of su΀cient evidence linking them to the crime.

Appeal Court Voids Sack of Justice Gladys Olotu of Federal High Court The Court of Appeal in Abuja Friday voided the compulsory retirement of Justice Gladys Olotu of the Federal High Court, who was indicted by the National Judicial Council (NJC) for dereliction of duty.

In a unanimous judgment on Friday, a three-member panel of the court, led by Justice Peter Ige, held among others, that the process leading to Justice Olotu’s removal was Áawed.

Justice Danlami Senchi, who read the lead judgment, held that since the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) did not recommend that Justice Olotu be compulsorily retired, the recommendation made by the NJC to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in that regard was unlawful, null and void.

Justice Senchi noted that since the FJSC is constitutional empowered to recommend lawyers for appointment as federal judges, its recommendation is also necessary before such a judge could be relieved of his or her appointment.

ECOWAS Rejects Mali’s Five-year Transition Proposal Similarly, on Tuesday, Nigeria’s former President and Chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Council of the Wise (CoW), Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has said the sub-region would not accept the five-year transition period proposed by the military government in Mali because it is too long.

Jonathan, who is also ECOWAS Chief Mediator on the Mali crisis, said military regimes had become an aberration in the sub-region and could no longer be tolerated.

He spoke in Lagos during a press conference at the end of a two-day strategic retreat of the ECOWAS Council of the Wise.

Jonathan stressed that the proposal for a five-year transition period for the military regime by the Malian parliament was unacceptable because the time was not only too long, but also untenable.

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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 27, 2022

OPINION

TRAJECTORY OF THE 2022 ELECTORAL ACT

Pressure from interest groups and the desire to leave a good legacy persuaded the president into signing the bill, writes Yusuph Olaniyonu

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he decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to eventually give his assent to the new Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2022 ends the 12-year journey of the old law under which three general elections and many other isolated polls have been conducted.

Since after the 2011 elections, there had been agitations for the electoral law to be improved upon and amended to enable it accommodate the use of technology and improve the electoral process. However, the conduct of the 2015 general elections in which the then Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, and his team took a bold decision by issuing regulations that introduced the card reader as a way of ensuring only persons who registered and were issued authentic voters’ card voted, made the change of the law inevitable.

Apart from the fact that the innovation that was adopted in the conduct of the 2015 polls reduced manipulation, it led to the unprecedented emergence of the opposition as the winner. However, at the courts, the use of card readers and other innovations introduced by the INEC was roundly rejected as they have no legal backing. In fact, in the case of Nyesom Wike vs Dakuku Peterside, the Supreme Court in its lead judgment read by Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed (JSC, as he then was) and delivered on February 12, 2016, ruled that “As held by this court, the INEC Guidelines and Manual cannot be elevated above the provisions of the Electoral Act to eliminate manual accreditation of voters.

This will remain so until INEC takes steps to have the necessary amendments made to bring the usage of the card reader within the ambit of the substantial Electoral Act”.

It was therefore not surprising that the Eighth Senate under the leadership of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki in its Legislative Agenda drafted and approved at its advent in 2015 included the reform of the electoral process as part of the issues it wanted to tackle. That Senate also proposed that it would amend the Electoral Act long before the next general elections so as not to get it mired in the partisan controversies and scheming that characterize the election period.

Thus, on March 30, 2017, the Eighth Senate passed the New Electoral Act and sent it to the House of Representatives for concurrence. Also, five days after the passage of the law, April 4th, 2017, the Senate President, Saraki, paid a visit to the Presidential Villa to brief President Buhari on the proposed law and its provisions. He told members of the Press Corps in the Villa about his mission that day. Two days after Saraki’s visit to Buhari, he received in his office the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu who came to

express appreciation to the Senate for the changes made to the existing law.

Meanwhile, the passed bill, among others, provided a timeline for the submission of the names of candidates by political parties, limited campaign expenses, and addressed problems related to the omission of a candidate’s name or party logo on the ballot paper. It also approved electronic transmission of results, legalized the use of card readers, and set a new standard for the conduct of direct and indirect primaries by parties.

However, the bill got delayed in the House of Representatives and was only returned to the Senate in February 2018 with a controversial provision on the order of polls in which the Presidential election would come last. When on February 14th, 2018, the Senate considered the bill as returned to it by the House, the chamber erupted in commotion. A group of senators believed the order of elections was targeted at Buhari and vowed to bring the institution down rather than allow the new bill passed.

The bill was still passed and sent to the President for assent but was rejected on three grounds. The President said the provision on the order of elections was a usurpation of INEC constitutional responsibility, that amendment to section 135 of the principal Act to two crucial grounds upon which an election may be challenged by candidates should be deleted because it unduly limits the rights of candidates and that the provision on Sections 152 (3) and 25 of the principal Act may raise the issue of competence of INEC to conduct local government polls.

On June 7th, 2018, the Senate dropped all the sections Buhari complained about and after achieving concurrence with the House of Representatives, the new bill was forwarded to the President on July 2, 2018. The President demurred again.

His Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Sen. Ita Enang attributed the refusal to drafting errors that remained

We have a new Electoral Act and one can only hope this will herald a regime of free, fair, peaceful, and credible elections and electoral process where the votes of the people will count, the majority will have their way and the minority will have their say

unaddressed following the prior revision to the bill.

On October 23, 2018, the third version was passed in which 38 clauses of the existing laws had been amended and all the issues raised by Buhari were addressed and it was forwarded to the President on November 17, 2018.

The President denied the bill his assent. His reason this time was as follows: “ Passing a Bill this far into the election process for the 2019 polls, which commenced under the 2010 Electoral Act, could create some uncertainty about the applicable legislation to govern the process” and that “any real or apparent changes to the rules this close to the election may provide an opportunity for discussion and confusion in respect of which law is governing the electoral process”. He added that the bill should be considered for future elections after 2019.

That ended the attempts by the Eighth National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act. The ball shifted to the court of the Ninth Assembly. The National Assembly last November passed a new bill to the President. The bill was on all fours with the one passed by the Eighth National Assembly, except the addition of a provision that direct primaries should be the only means of selecting candidates for elections by political parties. The President on December 21, 2021, again rejected the bill based on the provision on direct primaries.

The new bill passed on to the President on January 31st, 2022 corrected the issue of direct primaries and rather added the indirect and consensus means of selecting candidates as alternatives. However, the House of Representatives again introduced another controversial provision in which it proposes that all political appointees seeking to contest elective offices should resign long before declaring their interest. The provision led to some close aides of the President and governors moving against the bill and urging the President not to sign it into law.

While all these presidential rejections were going on, civil society groups, youth organisations, and human rights groups continued to mount agitations, open rallies, and protests to pressurise the President into signing the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill 2020 into law.

The combination of the campaigns by these groups, the move by the political parties, and the desire to leave a good legacy must have persuaded the President into signing the law. Now, we have a new Electoral Act and one can only hope this will herald a regime of free, fair, peaceful, and credible elections and electoral process where the votes of the People will count, the majority will have their way and the minority will have their say.

– Olaniyonu writes from Abuja

TRIBALISM, THE CHURCH AND CHALLENGES OF NATION-BUILDING Christian leaders must focus on building a united church in Nigeria, writes Chika Esiobu

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n the days before His crucifixion, Jesus Christ said one final, lengthy, heartfelt prayer to God the Father, asking for unity among those who would be called his followers for generations to come. In the Gospel of John, Chapter 17 verses 21, just before he went to the Garden of Gethsemane, from where he was taken to the Cross, Jesus prayed that all those who believe in Him may be one in Him and the Father, so that the world may believe and be convinced that God has sent Him, Jesus Christ, as the savior of the world. This prayer reveals that the responsibility of the world to believe that Jesus can save and make all things beautiful and perfect, as it was in the Garden of Eden, depends on the unity of the body of Christ.

Essentially, therefore, the fact that the Nigerian state has not experienced the beauty, progress, and peace, so desperately desired is because Christians in Nigeria are not united. Nigerians have not seen and reaped the benefits of Christ-like leadership in the nation because of the disunity that exists in the church.

The disunity in the body of Christ in Nigeria takes on various manifestations such as sectarianism, tribalism, sectionalism, elitism, sexism, to mention a few. This article will focus on tribalism and its divisive effects on the national polity. We shall portray, through Scriptures and other necessary examples, the truth that Nigeria as a country cannot move forward economically, socially, politically, or otherwise until Christian leaders work with the Holy Spirit to purge their hearts of tribalism, while enjoining their followers to do the same.

In taking the prayer for unity further in John 17:21, Jesus cried out to the Father in agony in verses 22 and 23 that He, Jesus, had given believers all the glory and honor that God had given to him to help them. According to the prayer, the glory and honor that Jesus transferred to believers was not for them to use to create wealth, not to work miracles, not to heal the sick, but to use and

become united. This is deep and profound. The most important thing for the church, which Jesus saw in his last moments and prayed to God about, was not political power, money, or social status. It was unity.

Jesus categorically stated that the only way the world could experience the beauty of Christianity and be impacted by the saving message of Jesus Christ would be if Christians stayed united.

The greatness of God, the glory, the power and the prestige which Jesus received from the Father, He handed over to the church to use in becoming "perfectly united" so that the world may know and recognize that God sent Him, Jesus Christ, and that God loves the world.

As it stands today, however, Christians have allowed tribalism to rip them apart, and our nation, Nigeria, is ripping apart as a result. Nigeria’s enduring social, economic, and political situation is not to be traced to the leadership of the nation, nor is it traceable to the social-psychological dynamics of the citizens. Nigeria's problems can be traced back to a divided church, a group that is angry, blames each other, and doesn't want to learn from each other or help each other.

Nigeria will be transformed and Nigerians will recognize the love of God for the country when Christians in the nation stop being suspicious and hateful towards other ethnicities. If the body of Christ, which is the light of the nation, does not lead the way in making this change, Nigeria will continue to stagnate.

Nigeria’s progress is not in the hands of God, it is in the hands of Christians, learning to love one another, to forgive, to support, build and believe in the best intentions of one another across ethnic boundaries. Nigerian Christians must realize that God has given them all the glory and honor to make Nigeria a great nation. However, Nigeria’s glory will not manifest until believers of different ethnicities learn to see the good in each other, regardless of what we have been made to believe about

each other.

The Devil, the father of lies, has blinded the eyes of Nigeria’s Christians to continue to focus on the real, perceived, and magnified weaknesses and faults of other ethnic groups. He has blinded our eyes to the fact that the Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Tiv, Fulani, and other people we share the Nigerian space with are made in God’s image and likeness. And if they are made in God’s image and likeness, it means they are essentially good. The opposite of evil is truth, as the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13:6, that Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

The archenemy of Christ has also filled different ethnicities with pride, such that Nigeria’s Christians will often compare their ethnicities with others and proudly pull down the other ethnic group while placing their own ethnic group above. God hates pride. It was pride that resulted in the demotion and dethronement of Lucifer Christian leaders in Nigeria must now focus attention on building a united church in Nigeria. A united church does not necessarily mean the absence of ethnic groups and denominations, not at all. A united church means a church that focuses on the Cross in unity. A Yoruba member recognizes a Hausa or Igbo member as a fellow believer and extends the fullness of Christ to that person. A united church is free of judgments, criticisms, condemnations, unforgiveness, and dismissal of others based on In the search for advancement, Nigeria’s greatest need is not economic, it is not political, nor is it social; Nigeria’s greatest need is the unity of the body of Christ. All other advancement yardsticks will be obtained for the country as a result of this.

– Dr. Esiobu @drchikaesiobu www.chikaforafrica.com

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ FEBRUARY 27, 2022

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LETTERS

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EU-AU: BEYOND AID IN NATION-BUILDING

ast week African and European leaders gathered in Brussel, Belgium for the 6th EUAfrica summit. The twoday meeting ended with commitment from leaders from both continents on areas of mutual cooperation and assistance on core strategic areas like health, infrastructure, poverty reduction and climate change.

A joint statement released by the leaders of the two continents at the end of the programme said: “Aware of unprecedented and mounting common challenges and opportunities, the leaders of the EU and AU commit to a Joint Vision for a renewed Partnership to build a common future, as closest partners and neighbours.

“Two Unions, a joint vision. We agree that the aim of the Joint Vision is to consolidate a renewed partnership for solidarity, security, peace and sustainable and sustained economic development and prosperity for our citizens and for our future generations, bringing together our people, regions and organisations.”

The opening paragraphs of the statement read.

The outcome of the summit from the joint statement elicited some excitement from Africa leaders and its citizens, as EU leaders pledged €150 billion for the Global

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Gateway package. The Global Gateway analysts say it is expected to stand as an apposition to China’s $1.3 trillion global infrastructure investment program otherwise known as the Belt and Road Initiative.

The Global Gateway is meant to fund infrastructure in Africa and add up to investment in the continent in order to address some of the economic challenges in Africa. The Global Gateway will also help promote democratic norms and values as well as help in the advocacy of green energy and climate change.

The summit also committed €100m to support the African Medicines Agency for a period of five years. Also, €450 million was earmarked for vaccines to Africa, while €500 million from the European Investment Bank was pledged to strengthen health systems and €425 million to speed up the pace of vaccination in Africa. There was also the commitment from leaders of EU and AU “to engage constructively towards a comprehensive WTO response to the pandemic" including "trade" and "intellectual property related aspects".

For the average African citizen, outcomes of the summit is a big win for Africans, provided EU leaders deliver on their promises. However, the point must be made

that Africa’s hope for survival and sustainable development does not lie in initiatives of this nature alone.

The sordid development realities in Africa is a testimony that aid does not transform nations, at best foreign aid; loans and grants can only serve as a relief and reprieve to the challenges of the people.

Nation-building is intrinsic and our leaders must look within and work with solidarity towards achieving a sustainable future.

African leaders should review the parasitic approach to diplomacy, whereby they engage their outside counterparts with long list of wish lists and demands. They must work hard to build their nations, improve their statecraft and be deliberate about good governance.

The Africa continent

is sufficiently blessed with human and natural resources and the hope for its growth lies in leaders’ readiness to harness the continent’s vast resources towards self-sufficiency and sustainable development.

Africa leaders should look inward and search for sustainable solutions to the continent’s problems.

Many African nations are failing, some have failed while others are at the verge of collapsing.

This ugly reality should bother our leaders, if not for anything, at least for the simple fact that the continent cannot continue to be the sick child of the world.

Signing bilateral agree-

conglomerates, the A-Z Petroleum has keyed into the vision and emerged as a Nigerian brand with tentacles in many African countries. This is commendable considering that a totally indigenous company established by Chief Chika Okafor in the early 80’s has today become a reference point in terms of industry standards, and rooted in rendering services to Nigerians with their numerous oil-related products to all parts of the country and beyond. The company’s activities indeed deserve an applause in view of the thousands of jobs they have created for Nigerians, and for using their brand to showcase and promote Nigeria’s image abroad.

With a continuous rise in the company’s revenue over the years based on prudent management, DATAPRO noted in their report that the company’s revenue rose by 8% while the gross profit margin improved from 13% in 2019 and 15% in 2020.

A-Z Petroleum Products Ltd also maintains a significant market share in three out of the country’s six geo-political zones.

These laudable achievements can be credited to the company’s experienced management team led by its chairman, Chief Okafor, as well as its sound financial standing.

As Nigeria grapples with

her numerous economic and political challenges, it a thing of joy that the country can still boast of companies with such resilience as A-Z Petroleum Products Ltd which has continued to act as a partner with the federal and state governments in finding lasting solutions to the myriad of problems especially in creating jobs and lubricating the country’s economy with their variety of products.

This method of looking inward rather than outright importation of petroleum products has helped greatly in conserving the scarce foreign exchange and thereby reducing capital flight.

With its numerous attainments as one of Nigeria’s leading companies, A-Z Petroleum is helping to accomplish the Buhari administration’s desire to see Nigerian entities grow into global brands by maintaining globally-acceptable standards.

In the case of A-Z Petroleum Products Ltd they have gone a step further by incorporating corporate social responsibility in their corporate vision and this is being implemented holistically in their subsidiaries.

Therefore for Nigeria to make economic progress the federal and state governments, as well as ministries, departments and agencies must support companies with zeal to invest at home and are socially-responsible.

When this approach is

in solidarity and rid the continent from the map of miseries – poverty, insecurity and failures.

To achieve this, African leaders need to take seriously the issue of regional integration - reduce all barriers and impediments affecting intra-Africa trade.

Improved Intra-African trade will accelerate economic growth and increase production and create new opportunities for Africans.

There is also the need to strengthen multilateral organisations, so that they can deliver public goods to citizens across nations.

–Wealth Dickson Ominabo, Communications Officer at the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation

NATO, PUTIN AND BOMBING OF SERBIA

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hough I have not met Vladimir Putin in person, if I ever get to meet him I’d ask him if the images that came out of the Bill Clinton-led bombing campaign against Serbia in the 1990s unnerved and unsettled him as much as they did to me. Poignant of these images were pictures of bombed-out Orthodox church building in ruins. Though I’m Roman Catholic, I wondered what kind of message the US was sending to Christendom by leading an all-out campaign without the backing of the UN to bomb

IN PRAISE OF A-Z PETROLEUM

n an era when issues surrounding the Nigerian business environment, and the lifeline of the country’s economy-oil is beset with many challenges and the vagaries of Covid-19 and drop in oil sector activities, Nigeria’s leading petroleum products conglomerate, A-Z Petroleum Products Ltd is making giant strides as recently acknowledged by a reputable technologydriven credit rating agency, DATAPRO. In their recently published report, the agency stated that after a scientific analysis the A-Z Petroleum Products Ltd scored a longterm rating of ‘’BBB’’ with a stable outlook for the year 2022/2023.

The implication of this evaluation is that despite the inclement business climate and environment Nigeria can still boast of a company that maintains stability with slight risk, financial strength, operating performance and high business profile, in comparison to the global standard of rating as established by DATAPRO. The rating is also based on the company’s financial performance, capitalisation, asset utility, corporate governance, risk factors, and favourable operational and regulatory environment.

Suffice it say that in line with the vision of the federal government to see Nigerian companies grow into global

ments with developed nations will not translate to peace and development. Development comes through political accountability, which include quality leadership, economic frugality and constitutionalism.

The pathway to attaining inclusive growth and progress as captured in the African Union’s Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want lies in an integrated approach towards nation building - this calls for the prioritisation of human security, democratisation and investment in education, science and technology.

The responsibility before Africa leaders today is to see how they can work

adopted, it will serve as a morale booster to enable them continue to contribute to the socio-political development of the country. It is no longer fashionable for Nigeria as a country with about 200 million population and almost 40% of active youth population to continue to rely on foreign entities to solve our domestic problems or supply our needs.

Gladly, President Buhari has demonstrated goodwill and shown determination towards ensuring that Nigerian companies don’t lag behind. In fact his administration has gone ahead to concrete realisation of this vision by putting in place such economic programmes and policies that are being driven by the ease of doing business enactment which has tremendously helped to reduce the bureaucracy and red-tapism that hitherto hampered smooth business transactions in the country.

The ‘’BBB’’ rating of A-Z Petroleum Products Ltd should therefore serve as a wake-up call on other companies not to capitulate in the face of challenges associated with doing business in Nigeria. The company has shown a worthy example that with focus, determination and responsible leadership it is possible to navigate through the murky waters of business.

– Chukwudi Enekwechi, Kwechis19@yahoo.com

the infrastructures and the cultural heritage of a somewhat poor Christian country (here, Mr. Clinton should do well to come to Nigeria this moment and learn from Muhammadu Buhari’s carrot-and more carrot approach to dealing with the deadly Boko Haram). Mind you all, Vladimir Putin is a “solid born-again” Orthodox Christian. In wanting “to stop the Serbs,” the Americans unwittingly brought to the fore the unsettling situation that drove Slobodan Milosevic to act in the first place, which is, “why would proud Slavs allowed themselves to be so easily conquered by the nomadic dark-skinned, big-nosed Mohammedan Turks (who remembers the Khaleesi and the wildling plots from ‘Game of Thrones?’) for 500 years and thence proceed to adopt the religion of the occupying Turks as their own?” Essentially, this was the rallying question that brought about the Bosnian, Kosovar, and others related issues of the Balkans. Thus, the bombing of Orthodox church buildings by America to “liberate Bosniacs” only served to further rub salt on a raw wound. Now, how did the Bosniacs and their ilk “repay” America? First, the USS Cole incidence of 2000 and, wham! next, the September 11th 2001 “Armageddon” on America’s homeland. Was Putin bemused by these events?

I’d love to interview him in person to get his views out in the open in the light of the current Ukraine debacle. Thus, y’see, just one man, Osama bin Laden, shifted American’s foreign policy thrust away from Ukraine for some two decades (thus ensuring that Ukraine was slow to modernize its military to bring it in line with NATO’s requirement for admission into this military pact in double-quick time) thereby leaving Ukraine relatively weak on the military front to become easy prey for Russia takeover in 2022. In the years since September 11th 2001, NATO, albeit the West, has been unapolo-

getically bleeding-heart liberal and multiculturalist, upturning demographic statistics in predominantly Christian countries, opening up its doors ever wider, removing barriers to Mohammedan migration, menacing Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and a lot of small countries that desire to preserve their Christian heritage, and of course, demonising the “Big One” (that is, Russia) for “gross human rights abuses” blah, blah, blah.

What Putin sensed (again, I’d love to do that interview), in all likelihood, is that, with wads of petro-dollars from the Middle East and Muslim Asia lining the pockets of Western “democratic lobbyists” these ones will be baying for Russia’s blood on account of Chechnya and those aforementioned “gross human rights abuses.”

Vladimir Putin deduced he’d identified a huge chink in the armour of the West and Putin had to act fast on Ukraine. Now, see how Putin forces are blazing through Ukraine and divvying up that country. Putin will be encouraged to push further beyond Ukraine and would be tempted to create “protective corridors” around Serbia and Armenia. Whilst Putin is fighting to preserve the soul of European Christianity, the likes of Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron and their ilk in the Scandinavian region, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere are taking-in millions upon millions of souls that will bring their societies crashing down. Already, in France, right-wingers are calling for readiness for a pending civil war to be fought on religious-difference grounds whilst Mr. Macron just naively laugh them to scorn and laugh off their fears.

The French military, rightwing veterans who are so concerned for France cannot stand the near-constant stabbings and killing of French men and women by “ersatz French people” anymore.

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

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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 27, 2022

BUSINESS

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

GDP: Nurturing the Low Hanging Fruits in 2022 As the public and private sector operators begin to dissect the latest GDP Àgures recently released by the National Bureau of Statistics, analysts from the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) believe that giving special attention to some resilient sectors that deÀed all odds to post impressive Àgures for 2021, will move the Nigerian economy to a positive trajectory in 2022, reports Festus Akanbi

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It was cheering news for Nigeria’s business and economic community that the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew year-to-year by 3.4 per cent in 2021 with an estimated value of N72.39 trillion in real terms, representing an uptick from the 1.92% contraction recorded in the previous year.

The Àgure is the Àrst annual growth above three per cent since President Muhammadu Buhari won the 2015 election. In 2014, the economy grew 6.3 per cent.

According to the report, the GDP also posted a strong recovery of 3.98 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2021 — but lower than the 4.03 per cent in the third quarter economic analysts believed that given the daunting challenges before the current administration and the reality of the next year’s election, it will be in the nation’s interest for the government to build on the marginal improvement in the Àgures churned out by the statistical agency. This was the position of the Chief Executive O΀cer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr Muda Yusuf.

He noted that the Àgure surpassed projections of both the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank of 2.6 per cent and 2.7 per cent respectively.

The CPPE boss attributed the positive growth to a strong base eͿect and the easing of shocks of the pandemic on the economy.

Given the modest appreciation of their performances, analysts believed special attention should be placed on some sectors of the economy, with the belief that with additional push, these sectors could make a signiÀcant impact on Nigeria’s economic performance going further.

The aͿected sectors, according to CPPE include, the agricultural sector, food and beverage manufacturing sub-sector, cement sub-sector, chemicals and pharmaceuticals subsector, vehicle assembly plants, trade sector, rail transport and pipelines, air transport, road transport, maritime sector, ICT sector, Ànancial institutions and insurance sector.

Low Hanging Fruits Agricultural Sector In the Àgures released for the 2021 economic performance, the agricultural sector expanded by 2.13%. The CPE report said although it was a positive performance, growth in the sector remained subdued by the intractable insecurity in many parts of the country, especially in farming communities. This phenomenon, it noted, continues to inhibit agricultural productivity.

The report also observed that technology application in agriculture remains weak and impacts productivity.

“Traditional farming methods are still largely dominant. Transportation and logistics continue to aggravate output costs in the sector.

The various intervention funds have had a measured impact on productivity because of security and structural factors,” the report stated. Therefore, there is an urgent need to ensure the immediate resolution of all security issues in the country to enable farmers and investors in the agricultural sector to return to the farm.

FoodandBeverageManufacturingSub-sector The report explains that this segment of the manufacturing sector is one of the most resilient as it records a 5.73% performance

It’s time for harvest...

generous tariͿ concessions of SKD and CKD. There is a strong lobby to promote the patronage of locally assembled vehicles.

The sector also grapples with challenges of access to forex and the exchange rate depreciation because of its high import dependence.

Analysts believe that with a little more push this year, it could emerge a money-spinner with the attendant gains to the national economy.

Nigerian railway..

Àgure in 2021.

The beauty of this sector is the fact that it is driven by a strong backward integration business model. CPPE’s report noted that a signiÀcant part of the raw materials is sourced domestically and that the sector leverages the large domestic market and population. It is therefore believed that giving the food and beverage manufacturing sub-sector some considerations will improve general performance.

Cement Sub-sector The cement sub-sector, which recorded 6.64% growth in 2021 is characterised by a strong backward integration strategy with its main raw materials being sourced locally which is limestone. The sector also leverages a large domestic market

and favourable tariͿ protection.

Today, the industry structure is oligopolistic and it’s impacted by the recovery of the real estate and construction sectors.

Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Sub-sector With an 8.13% rise in performance in the period under review, the sector beneÀted from a robust stimulus at the onset of the pandemic.

It also leveraged the country’s large population and domestic market.

There is favourable tariͿ protection for most of the products in the sector.

However, the sector growth was subdued by the challenges of forex liquidity issues and currency depreciation.

Vehicle Assembly Plants This sector grew by 2.3% on the back of Àscal policy measures of government. There are

Trade Sector With eighth growth, the trade sector is one of the biggest sectors in the economy contributing 16 per cent to the GDP. It boasts of a large employer of labour next only to agriculture and according to YusuͿ, the sector’s growth was driven by the restoration of the global supply chain which was earlier disrupted by the pandemic.

According to the CPPE document, the resilience of the informal sector also played a role in the growth as the sector is largely driven by the informal sector. The sector is also supported by the large market and growing population.

Rail Transport and Pipelines This sector recorded one of the highest growths which were 36.95 per cent.

It recorded high patronage of the functioning component of the rail system, especially between Abuja-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan.

Owing to concerns about insecurity and kidnapping on the road.

The impact is limited because only a small part of the country is currently covered. However, the pipeline component of this sub-sector has not made any signiÀcant contribution because of the issues of the vandalisation of pipelines.

Air Transport Air transport, which post 19.7% performance in 2021, is one of the sectors that experienced the worst shocks inÁicted by the pandemic, but now recording one of the fastest recoveries.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 27, 2022

18

ECONOMY

Nasarawa: Creating New Investment Frontier Over $500 million investments, both domestic and foreign, have so far been attracted into key sectors of Nasarawa State since the coming of Governor Abdullahi Sule into o΀ce, writes Igbawase Ukumba

T

here is no doubt that within the past three years, a lot has happened in Nasarawa State, especially in the area of investment promotion.

Most of the achievements so far have been traced to the take-oͿ of the Nasarawa State Investment Development Agency (NASIDA), which operated as a ‘One Stop Shop’. It was a special purpose vehicle used by Governor Abdullahi Sule to improve the state economy through increased private sector participation.

Coming with the mindset of revitalising the state’s economy, the governor decided to set up a framework upon which the desired sustainable development was to be built. He also created an enabling environment and invited the private sector operators, who are the better managers of risk, capital and businesses, to come into the state and do business.

Speaking at a press conference in LaÀa to mark the Àrst anniversary of the NASIDA, the Managing Director of the agency, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, said setting up a framework upon which any sustainable development must be built by Governor Sule was not just a Nasarawa model, but it was the most sustainable way of developing economies all over the world.

The NASIDA MD said: “The creation of NASIDA is a deliberate eͿort by Governor Sule to create an enabling climate for businesses to operate in Nasarawa State and encourage more investments; both domestic and foreign investments into the state. It is also a critical step towards ensuring that a sustainable institution is created for the state now and in the future.

“NASIDA has the mandate to initiate, promote, facilitate and coordinate investment in the state through greenÀeld, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), privatisation, concession, commercialisation of the state-owned assets and other related Sule matters. The agency oversees the management of the state’s infrastructure fund as well as thematic holding companies for participating in the private sector-led investment.”

Executive O΀cer disclosed.

He explained further that the structure gave NASIDA a He added that Nasarawa State was ranked among Nigeria’s leading role in the rapid transformation of the state’s economic top three investment destinations by the Nigeria Investment outlook. This, according to him is achieved through investment Promotion Council (NIPC) in the Àrst and second quarter of 2021; promotion and facilitation as well as through promotion in the thus attracting investments of an estimated $500 million within business environment to stimulate growth and sustainability the last two years from Azman, Olam and Dangote companies. of small businesses in the state.

According to him, ongoing joint venture development projects “The agency also warehouses the Governor’s Delivery Unit include Karu Retail and Recreational Mall with Shoprite as (GDU) leading a host of sectors’ speciÀc programmes targeted at the Anchor Tenant in the Muhammadu Buhari International improving the e΀ciency of government activities in the state. It Market; Cassava Processing Park set-up including a cassava is a hybrid agency which has expanded mandate that cut across processing plant, to deliver multiple cassava derivatives and investment promotion facilitations, Public-Private Partnerships a Meter Manufacturing Plant in LaÀa. and the delivery of the Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy; “Others are Nasarawa Agricultural Commodity Company for also known as the Abdullahi Sule Plan,” Abdullahi maintained. an agriculture value chain development for rice, sesame, soya, There is no doubt that for Nasarawa State to have achieved and ginger; Nasarawa Technology Village development which that peak of investment attraction, it must have experienced takes the shape of a live, work, play innovative housing and a great deal of private sector participation. Therefore, private ICT Hub and Nasarawa Transport Company project involving investment is extremely important and represented a key a Nasarawa Transport Company, to ease transportation in the component of the state’s development aspirations. state,” the NASIDA CEO concluded.

It is very important to note that over the past three years of According to plans, Diamond Stripes, a major player in the the tenure of Governor Abdullahi Sule, his administration has transport industry will take control and manage the N1.9billion closed signiÀcantly 13 Public-Private Partnerships projects. This Karu Mega Bus Terminal, as well as the N1.2billion LaÀa Mega was even as the administration also implemented over eight Bus Terminal. The company was expected to run the two facilities signiÀcant business environment initiatives, the NASIDA Chief in collaboration with key stakeholders in the transport business,

such as the National Union of Road Transport Owners and the National Union of Road Transport Workers, among others.

Speaking shortly after the signing of the agreements, Governor Sule said the agreements were in fulÀlment of the desire of his administration to introduce innovations in the business of governance.

“We came with a dream to do things diͿerently and I think this is one of those things. We have now completed the terminus. An excited Governor Sule explained that it has become necessary to concession the terminus to a private company because it has been proven severally that government is not a good manager of business enterprises.

“It is only through such arrangement that government can be able to get returns on its investment and to be able to channel the proceeds towards other development initiatives,” Sule said.

Similarly, the governor had inaugurated the construction of the N30 billion Nasarawa Technology Village inAso Pada, Karu Local Government Area of the state. The Technology Village project which is comprised of 1,962 housing units estate, technology hub and other facilities is being executed in collaboration with an indigenous Àrm, ABS Blueprint Consortium, under a PPP arrangement.

When performing the groundbreaking for the project, Sule said it was in line with his administration’s development roadmap in the area of housing, technology, employment and industrialisation.

He, therefore, expressed delight with the project being executed by an indigenous consortium, saying it was in line with his administration’s vision of the development of the people and the state. The governor, however, explained that the project was fully funded by the private partners in the consortium.

The 1,962 units Technology Village would comprise 668 units of three-bedroom Áats, 558 units of two-bedroom Áats, 376 units of two-bedroom bungalows, and 360 units of three-bedroom bungalows. The village would also have a technology hub with o΀ces for local and international IT companies for training of more than 2,000 students annually as software engineers, who would be helped to outsource jobs globally that could earn them as high as $3,000 monthly.

Other features of the technology hub include an ICT campus with shared virtual workspaces and an estate-wide broadband coverage through Àbre optic cabling. The village would as well have a 5MW independent gas power plant, primary and secondary school, health clinic, Àre station, police post, shopping centre among others.

Given the cost of the project, the Managing Director of ABS Blueprint Consortium handling construction of the ediÀce, Mr Mohammed Yamusa, disclosed that the cost of the housing component of the project alone was N22 billion, while the other features, including the independent power plant, would gulp about N8 billion.

In a nutshell, the development of the Nasarawa Technology Village was in furtherance of Sule’s economic development strategy for the state as stated by the CEO of NASIDA. “The goal is to leverage the proximity of the state to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to create diͿerent technology clusters and to develop a technology-driven economy. This a deliberate eͿort to make Nasarawa State a top investment destination not only in the country but in Africa,” the NASIDACEO maintained.

GDP: Nurturing the Low Hanging Fruits in 2022 The sector beneÀtted from the easing of lockdown and the easing of travel restrictions domestically and globally. The sector remains pressured by the high cost of aviation fuel and stiÁing regulatory compliance costs. The sector contributes 0.09% to GDP. ICT Sector With a 7.28% growth in 2021, the sector is one of the fastest-growing as digital technology gains increasing traction.

The growth is driven partly by the young demographics, a youth population of about 60% in Nigeria and the fact that many sectors are leveraging ICT for growth.

Financial Institutions Justifying the 10.53% growth of Ànancial institutions in 2021, the CPPE explained that recovery of economic activities naturally reÁect in the performance of Ànancial institutions as Ànancial institutions are central to many transactions in the economy. According to the report, increasing Àscal deÀcit and associated government borrowing increase investment opportunities in government securities espe-

A cement plant

Cadbury Nigeria Plc

A locally manufactured vehicle

cially treasury bills and government bonds by Ànancial institutions and their customers.

ing however that the impact on the growth of insurance is still subdued because of the weak insurance penetration.

It is hoped that as the electoral campaign period looms, all relevant agencies of government will begin to build on the modest success recorded by these sectors of the economy. And

according to Yusuf “While we welcome the positive growth numbers, we reckon that there is still a great deal of work to be done to translate the growth to improved welfare and prosperity of small businesses.

“This will require a mix of Àscal, monetary and social policy interventions.”

Insurance Sector With 6.24% growth, the report noted that economic growth recovery naturally reÁects in increased insurance transactions, explain-

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 27, 2022

19

AVIATION

As Airline Passengers Protest Spike in Fares Last week, most domestic airlines increased their base fare to over N50,000 in response to an increase in the price of aviation fuel and other factors. As airline passengers protest the sudden increase, Chinedu Eze looks at the economic consequences of the development and the sustainability of domestic air transportation in Nigeria

L

ast week, most of the Nigerian airlines raised their airfares by over 100 per cent, from about N23,000 to over N50,000.

Although the increase has sparked oͿ protests among airline passengers, airline operators however argued that the action they took would guarantee their survival in the face of the high cost of operation given the fact that they operate in a harsh environment with obsolete and inadequate infrastructure at the airports. They complained that they have to contend with poor landing aides, scarcity and high cost of aviation fuel and also the scarcity of foreign exchange.

Many Nigerians believe the new fares are not realistic because the airlines did not take cognisance of pleting personal income and the general degeneration of the economy, but the airlines countered that it is the prevailing economic situation that forced them to make the last-ditch eͿort at survival by raising the fares to at least recover their costs of operation.

Price Hike Last week, many Nigerians who bought one-way tickets at the cost ranging between N30,000 and N35,000 got the shock of their lives when they wanted to buy a return ticket to their destinations a few days later. The base fare had increased from about N23,000 to N50,000.

Some people who could brace it chose to travel by road; others who felt it was not safe for them coughed out the high fares in order to buy Áight tickets.

By Sunday last week, it became evident that airlines had increased their fares by 100 per cent, except Green Africa, which also increased fares but less than N50,000 base fare. As of Tuesday last week, Green Africa Airways sold AbujaLagos tickets for about N19,500 and return was about N18,500 but tickets advertised on its site for February 25 Áights were at a cost between N35,000 to N38,000. The airline, which styles itself as a low-cost carrier, has a maximum acceptable luggage of 7kg and it charges N500 for every additional kg.

The airlines told THISDAY that the major reason they increased fares was the sudden increase in the cost of aviation fuel, which rose suddenly from N400 per litre to N420-N480 per litre, depending on which part of the country the product is being sold.

The airlines said they were jolted by the new prices, especially when there was no prior notiÀcation. The airlines also argued that while the sale of tickets is a continuum, the price in the cost of aviation is sudden so airlines lose money because they sell tickets at the cost of the old prices of the product and airlift the passengers at the new cost of the product so they make losses.

They also said that if marketers give them prior notice of even two weeks, they would be able to sell at the cost that would reÁect the increase in the prices of aviation fuel.

THISDAY also learnt that as long as Naira weakens against dollars and other foreign currencies, the price of aviation fuel would continue to rise until when the country begins to reÀne the product locally or when the naira gains value against foreign currencies.

Product Scarcity Another dilemma faced by airlines is that aviation fuel is scarce. Industry pundits are asking: was the product made scarce by the marketers to justify the increase in airfares because airlines even after paying for the product have to wait for it to be brought to the airport by the bowsers.

On Tuesday a major airline extended Áight time from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm on itsAbuja-Lagos Áight because it could not refuel its aircraft in time. Passengers who had critical appointments to meet in Lagos raved and raged without succour. One of them who spoke to THISDAY said, “What was most annoying is that they waited a few minutes to departure time before they announced the change in time. Why are they doing this? Why are they frustrating passengers?

Some passengers during a flight

These people are heartless!”

THISDAY learnt that about three weeks ago, the product was scarce in all the airports in the country and this contributed to some of the delayed Áights which some airlines experienced at that period.

“The government needs to arrest the situation before it goes out of hand,” said the image-maker of one of the airlines who spoke to THISDAY. Defending the increase in airfares, a spokesman of one of the major domestic airlines told THISDAY that the new fares were a response to the increase in the price of aviation fuel, the increase in the cost of handling rates by aviation handling companies and also the increase in the exchange rate.

The o΀cial said that airlines had to increase fares to survive, insisting that without the increase most of the airlines would not continue to operate in the next three months, adding that until now, airlines have been subsidising the base fare.

“We are battling with poor infrastructure, high exchange rate, high prices of aviation fuel, even scarcity of the product and increase in the price of handling by aviation handling companies. We are feeling the economic pinch together. We should put the blame where it should be and these are forex, aviation fuel, which are the biggest reasons for the hike,” the spokesman said.

Depreciation of the Naira On February 9, 2022, as a precursor to what was to come, the CEO of United Nigeria Airlines, Dr Obiora Okonkwo, during a press conference in Lagos with aviation correspondents to mark the Àrst anniversary of the airline, warned that airfares must have to increase to meet operating costs of airlines; otherwise, airlines would begin to go under.

He recalled how things had suddenly changed last year.

“The Àrst-ever Áight we operated, we paid for the Àrst litre of aviation fuel (Jet A1) at N190 per litre. Within this one year as of today (February 9, 2022), aviation fuel is N400 per litre. The Àrst ticket we sold, the base price, was N23, 000 when aviation fuel was N190 per litre. The Àrst foreign exchange transaction we had one year ago at the ofÀcial rate was N340 per dollar. Today if it is available, it is N450 per dollar, when it is not available; the alternative market rate is N570 per dollar. This time last year when we operated the alternative market was about N370 per dollar, the o΀cial market was N340.

Alternative Travel Options Incensed by the increase in airfares, the Senate on Tuesday called on the federal government to, as a matter of urgency, declare a State of Emergency on the nation’s federal roads.

It also urged the federal government to immediately oͿset its indebtedness to FERMA to enable the agency to carry out its primary responsibility of rehabilitating federal roads, especially in the face of the astronomical increase in airfares.

This followed a point of order raised to draw its attention to the increase in airfare and the fact that most of the roads are broken and need rehabilitation Rising under Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders, Senator Gershom Bassey, lamented that local airfares in Nigeria have risen by 63 per cent in response to a spike in the price of aviation fuel and the attendant cost of operation.

According to him, the rise in airfare has pegged the minimum Economy Class ticket at around N80, 000 (N50, 000) for travellers

The question many Nigerians are asking is whether the price hike will improve the services of the airlines

buying one-hour, one-way economy tickets. He expressed worry that the increase in airfares would increase the pressure on the neglected and dilapidated Nigerian roads and further worsen their state.

No Fixed Fares Industry expert and Managing Director of Flights and Logistics Solutions Limited, Amos Akpan, has argued that airlines do not Àx fares but fares Áuctuate according to demand for seats.

He observed that it is wrong to say that airlines Àxed fares because if airlines’ online sites still advertise fares that are less than N50,000.

“There was no known Àxed Àgure as airfare for a one hour Áight within Nigeria by operators.

Fares usually Áuctuate according to seasons for diͿerent operators. You could Ànd yourself on a Áight where the passenger sitting beside you paid N45,000 whereas you paid N12,000 for example, for that same Áight.

He said that so many factors are considered in pricing seats and cargo space on Áights. So also does the unit price diͿer according to those factors.

“The operator must know the breakeven Àgures for its routes and aircraft type. This will be the critical input in Àxing the price per seat.

I have paid 50,000 on a - way economy ticket in 2021 within Nigeria, so this is not new to me. Domestic airlines need a holistic strategic approach not just an increase in airfare,” he said.

Many industry stakeholders said they are looking up to the government to intervene because air transport is a catalyst to any economy; so either government intervenes by making forex available to airlines at a lower rate or Ànd a way aviation fuel could be produced locally, which would be a long term intervention.

The question many Nigerians are asking is whether the price hike will improve the services of the airlines.

“Will the price hike improve their services?

This is because a lot of these airlines know how to treat Nigerians shabbily. They delay a lot without taking their passengers into consideration. They cancel Áight at will and generally exhibit nonchalance and insensitivity in their operations. Will the hike in price curb all these? Will Nigerians get value for their money?

This is what I am looking forward to see, going forward,” said a frequent Áyer who did not want her name mentioned.

20

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 27, 2022

FOR THE RECORD

Schedule of Activities for 2023 General Election Mahmood Yakubu

A

s you are aware, yesterday, Friday 25th February 2022, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria signed the Electoral Bill 2022 into law. This is historic being the fourth time since the restoration of democracy in Nigeria in May 1999 that the Electoral Act was repealed and re-enacted. The 1998 - 1999 elections were administered by transitional decrees until the 2001 Electoral Act was passed into law. Then, the Act was repealed and re-enacted as the Electoral Act 2002 which was in turn repealed and re-enacted in 2006, 2010 and now we have the 2022 Electoral Act. You may recall that in 2017, the Commission decided to establish fixed dates for General Elections in Nigeria. This decision was based on our determination to create certainty in the electoral calendar and to enable all stakeholders in the electoral process (the electoral commission, political parties and candidates, security agencies, observers, the media etc.) to prepare adequately for elections.

By that decision, Presidential and National Assembly elections shall hold on the third Saturday of the month of February of each General Election year, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections shall follow two weeks later. Consequently, the 2023 General Election was scheduled to commence on 18th February 2023 with the Presidential and National Assembly elections, followed by the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on the 4th of March 2023. However, the Commission could not release the detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the General Election, as it normally would, because of the pending enactment of the Electoral Act 2022. The Bill has now been signed into law.

Therefore, the Electoral Act 2022, together with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), form the legal basis for conducting all elections in Nigeria. In particular, the Electoral Act provides strict timelines for the implementation of electoral activities based on the date of the General Election. One of the significant timelines is the publication of Notice of Election not later than 360 days before the day appointed for holding an election which has now lapsed for the 2023 General Election.

Consequently, the Commission has decided to adjust the dates of the 2023 General Election to ensure compliance with the provisions of the new law.

Accordingly, the Presidential and National Assembly elections will now hold on Saturday 25th February 2023 while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold two weeks later on Saturday 11th March 2023. With this adjustment, the 2023 General Election is now 363 days away.

Under the law, there are critical timebound activities from the publication of Notice of Election to the Conduct of Polls which form the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for elections.

Some of the critical activities and their dates of implementation are as follows: i. Publication of Notice of Election – Monday 28th February 2022. ii. Conduct of party primaries, in-

Yakubu

cluding the resolution of disputes arising from them – Monday 4th April 2022 to Friday 3rd June 2022. iii. Submission of nomination forms to INEC via the online portal for Presidential and National Assembly election – 9.00am on Friday 10th June 2022 to 6.00pm on Friday 17th June 2022. iv. Submission of nomination forms to INEC via the online nomination portal for Governorship and State Assembly elections 9.00am on Friday 1st July 2022 to 6.00pm on Friday 15th July 2022. v. Commencement of Campaign by political parties for Presidential and National Assembly election – Wednesday 28th September 2022.

vi. Commencement of Campaign by political parties for Governorship and State Assembly elections – Wednesday 12th October 2022. vii. Last day of campaign by political parties for Presidential and National Assembly elections – midnight on Thursday 23rd February 2023. viii. Last day of campaign by political parties for Governorship and State Assembly elections – midnight on Thursday 9th March 2023.

The detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election will be circulated to the media at the end of this briefing. Soft copies will

also be uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms immediately. In addition, the Notice of Election will be published in our offices in all the States of the Federation as required by law on Monday 28th February 2022.

With the coming into force of the Electoral Act 2022, the Commission will work assiduously to conclude and publish new Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections that are consistent with the Act. These Regulations and Guidelines as well as Manuals issued by the Commission are all part of the legal regulatory framework for elections. Their timely publication will enable all stakeholders in the electoral process to become conversant with their provisions as they prepare for the 2023 General Election.

On this note, I wish to remind stakeholders, especially the political parties, of their responsibility to adhere strictly to the timelines in this Timetable and Schedule of Activities, as well as all other timelines established by the Commission. It is necessary that all political parties comply with the extant legal framework, ensure proper organisation and management of party primaries and the nomination of qualified candidates in order to prevent unnecessary litigations and rancour.

I thank you for attending this conference and God bless.

Being excerpts from the statement by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC , Professor Mahmood Yakubu, on the release of the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 general election at the INEC Headquarters, Abuja, on Saturday February 26, 2022.

FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

21

CONVERSATION WITH MY BILLIONAIRE FRIEND ayo.arowolo@thisdaylive.com 0808 644 7474 (SMS only) PERSONAL FINANCE SAVINGS BUDGETING COMMODITIES

AYO AROWOLO

GOLD

INVESTING

Pathway to Personal Wealth: Discover, Exploit and Create Successful Brands Out of Gaps in Human Needs Nothing matters more than knowing God’s purposes for your life, and nothing compensates for not knowing them- not success, wealth, fame, or pleasure. Without a purpose, life is motion without meaning, activity without direction, and events without reason. Without a purpose, life is trivial, petty, and pointless –Rick Warren Then God said, “Let us make a man like ourselves to be the master of all life upon the earth and in the skies and in the seas.” So God made man like his Maker. Like God did God make man; Man and maid did he make them. And God blessed them and told them, “Multiply and fill the earth and subdue it; you are masters of the fish and birds and all the animals –(Gen: 1:26-28) There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like a mistake that proceeds from the ruler: foolishness is set in many exalted places while the rich sit in humble places. I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land – (Eccl10:5) The greatest challenge you will ever face is that of expanding your mind. It is like crossing the great frontier. You must be willing to be a pioneer, to enter uncharted territory, to face the unknown, to conquer your own doubts and fears. But here is the good news. If you can change your thinking, you can change your life - John Maxwell

M

y Billionaire Friend had warned me ahead of our meeting that he would be having visitors, almost at the same time our conversation should be taking place.

Expectedly, when I got to his compound after observing our usual security protocol, his executive gardener took me to a place under a fruit-bearing tree in my Friend’s garden. There were two wooden chairs, one side table, and a bottle of water, waiting for me.

My Friend was aware I was in. He was discussing with five guests including two white guys. I recognised one of the other three guests; he used to own some franchises of M. Biggs. For about 30 minutes before my Friend joined me, I decided to pay close attention to everything in the garden. I could see different species of birds, snails, two large fish ponds, a tortoise cave, hens and a few animals.

As I was observing the scenery, my mind wandered back to the Bible’s description of the Garden of Eden.

Adam was said to have named all the living things.

Strangely, my Friend also named every single species of animal. I could hear birds chirping, fish troubling the water, see cock and a hen making love; I also saw some artificial dams constructed to water different sides of the garden while the executive gardener was busy tending to some flowers. It was quite interesting. I muted my mind as my Friend sauntered to the side of the garden where I was sitting and the conversation started.

“Sorry, my boss. I told you I was going to be having visitors. Two of them are my friends who just decided to bring their ambassador friends to my place. They feel at home here just as you are at home.”

We reviewed the questions from the readers as usual and we had no problem in agreeing on the subject for the day: PATHWAY TO PERSONAL WEALTH: DISCOVER, EXPLOIT AND CREATE SUCCESSFUL BRANDS OUT OF OPPORTUNITY GAPS IN HUMAN NEEDS. “Let us get started. Ready?”

Yes sir! I am more than ready. I have been excited about today since you hinted you were going to be sharing a wealth-building secret that many wealth hunters fail to activate. I really want to learn.

“Very well then. You know I won’t hold anything back from you because I know you would also transmit the message to your readers.”

“This week’s discussion is about searching and discovering, existing opportunity gaps in human needs and creating successful brands to exploit and satisfy such discovered opportunity gaps in human needs, for building wealth. Put differently, wealth is thus created through discovering commonly hidden but existing gaps within human unsatisfied needs, exploiting the opportunity around those unsatisfied gaps and creating successful brands out of the products and services that are discovered from the search for unsatisfied human needs around us”.

“There are no exceptions to this wealth-building rule; it does not matter where you are from, your religion, your complexion. Once you comply with the rule, you will become wealthy beyond your imagination. This is the same principle successful people you read about, practise; the Billionaires that yearly make Forbes’ list, employ to build phenomenal Wealth”.

“These are people that have been able to discover one unsatisfied human need and have exploited and built brands, products and services that have been able to satisfy this particular need. People don’t understand that wealth-building opportunities show up daily around them in the forms of problems, challenges and complex human difficulties, but instead of praying to God to show

Artist impression of my Billionaire Friend

“I have travelled widely and I have seen brilliant individuals from different African countries, professors, surgeons, pedestrians , journalists, bankers driving cabs, washing dead bodies, doing all manner of crazy things abroad in the name of looking for Wealth. Such people cannot be truly happy no matter the impressions they give you.

They have uprooted themselves from where God planted them to be solutions providers, stars, employers of labour and gone to increase the wealth of other countries with their brains”

Bill Gates

Buffet

Musk

Dangote

them the wisdom to solve the human problems around them, they hop from one country to another looking for wealth-building opportunities that exist in abundance in their homeland. How tragic!”

“Sometimes I wish that many who sold their God-given businesses and travelled to the so-called advanced countries to become second class citizens were able to lay hands on the Rushel Conwell classic, THE ACRES OF DIAMONDS. They would have discovered that in the backyards they abandoned, there were acres of diamond waiting to be mined.

I have travelled widely and I have seen brilliant individuals from different African countries, professors, surgeons, pedestrians, journalists, bankers driving cabs, washing dead bodies, doing all manner of crazy things abroad in the name of looking for wealth.

Such people cannot be truly happy no matter the impressions they give you. They have uprooted themselves from where God planted them to be solutions providers, stars, employers of labour and gone to increase the wealth of other countries with their brains”.

“It is the height of insanity when a professor leaves his country to become executive assistant abroad to a white guy that has no school certificate and to nationals of other countries who cannot even communicate well. This calls for weeping.

When a country allows its best brains to risk their lives through seas, mountains, deserts and other dangerous routes to foreign countries to become second class citizens in countries built by human beings like them, rest assured that this is a tragedy of monumental proportion”.

THEY ARE EVERYWHERE…ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO REALISE THEIR TRUE WORTH AND COMMIT THEMSELVES TO PUSH THE ENVELOPES For the reason of space, we shall limit our examples of globally acknowledged wealthy people to only five individuals: Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Warren Buffet, Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola. These five wealthy people searched for and discovered unsatisfied human needs, successfully exploited, created and built their brands with products and services which are satisfying hitherto unsatisfied human needs.

BILL GATES Let us start with Bill Gates. Bill Gates is a 66-year-old American, with a wealth of about $130 billion. He built his wealth from creating his Microsoft successful brand after discovering and developing his uniquely successful software which has become the generic fulcrum of world information technology. Bill Gates built wealth by founding his software developing company, along with his partner Paul Allen and building his globally successful software brand to exploit and satisfy a huge undiscovered but idly waiting to

Otedola

“For reason of space we shall limit our examples of globally acknowledged wealthy people to only five individuals: Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Warren Buffet, Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola, amongst many such others. These five wealthy people, searched for and discovered unsatisfied human needs, successfully exploited, created and built their brands with products and services which are satisfying hitherto unsatisfied human needs”

“It is the height of insanity when a professor leaves his country to become executive assistant abroad to a white guy that has no school certificate and to nationals of other countries who cannot even communicate well. This calls for weeping.When a country allows its best brains to risk their lives through seas, mountains, deserts and other dangerous routes to foreign countries to become second class citizens in countries built by human beings like them, rest assured that this is a tragedy of monumental proportion” be explored opportunity gap of human need in information technology. He built his fortune as the chief executive, chairman and chief architect of the Microsoft Corporation, which IT brand, blazed the trail in information technology of our world. He has since 2014, stepped down from being chairman and chief executive of Microsoft and gone into investing in corporations, with warehousing his investments in Cascade Investment LLC. ELON MUSK Another example is Elon Reeve Musk, who is exploiting the huge opportunity gap in rockets, spacecraft and electric vehicle technology. He started by first creating his X.com and PayPal brands. He then sold his PayPal brand to eBay, which fortune, provided the major fulcrum for his humongous wealth. He is currently exploiting and creating brands to satisfy the wealth-generating opportunity gaps, in human inevitable future needs for electric cars and rockets for exploring the earth’s outer space. His electric cars are the pioneer of electric cars in the world.

WARREN BUFFETT Again we have people like Warren Buffett. Warren Buffett is a very old man of about 90 years of age but he still kicking in the investment world. He is called the oracle of Omaha. Buffett is the chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway. He started by exploiting the opportunity gap in textile manufacturing and building his successful brand. He thereafter veered into investing in blue-chip companies through courageously differing prevailing investment trends. He thus built his wealth by exploiting the unique opportunity in his sound trend analysis of the financial position of corporate entities and investing in well-chosen stocks, against differing prevailing investment trends.

ALIKO DANGOTE Coming home to Nigeria, there were decades when cement manufacturing in Nigeria was monopolised by West African Portland Cement and hugely augmented by imports. Indeed some of us still recollect the time when our ports were blocked and we had some major blockade of our Lagos, Apapa port, with ships loaded with imported cement for Nigeria. It took the dexterity of late Colonel Benjamin Adekunle, to decongest our Apapa port.

Aliko Dangote saw the huge unsatisfied opportunity gap in the local production of cement in Nigeria and went into creating a successful brand of his, locally producing cement, eliminating cement importation by Nigeria and expanding his brand into some 13 other African countries. His brand is also currently exploiting the unsatisfied opportunity gaps in food, sugar, tomato paste and very soon, refined petroleum. Dangote has thus built his wealth of about $12 billion from exploiting and satisfying the unsatisfied needs of Nigerians and other African cement with a successful brand.

FEMI OTEDOLA Femi Otedola discovered and exploited the unsatisfied opportunity gap with his brand in the supply of diesel and has since built wealth around this and expanded into corporate equity investments. Femi Otedola is another example that wealth can be created and built from discovering, exploiting and creating successful brands by satisfying existing unexploited opportunity gaps in human needs around us. Indeed, Nigeria is a country with numerous unsatisfied opportunity gaps, which are waiting to be exploited for satisfying burning needs.

Nigerians need to take advantage of these yearning unsatisfied needs around them.

Read the full article at https://www.thisdaylive. com/index.php/2022/02/27/pathway-to-personalwealth-discover-exploit-and-create-successfulbrands-out-of-gaps-in-human-needs/

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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • T H I S D AY

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • T H I S D AY

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

27.2.2022

H

HAKEEM SHAGAYA

A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK Progressive, smart, and forward-looking, Hakeem Shagaya, the Managing Director/CEO of Asolar Systems Nigeria Limited belongs to the class of 21st century business revolutionists. His reputation as one with an unmatched grasp on business precedes him. Despite being privileged, Shagaya turned his back early on a life of over-indulgence. A progressive mind who believes in continuous development and touching lives, he partners the London School of Economics on mentorship and development in Nigeria with focus on universities. The Kwara-born suave businessman tells Funke Olaode about his foray into business, philanthropy and mentorship.

is name is synonymous with sophistication and panache, rooted in his influential background. Born with a silver spoon, Hakeem Shagaya, the Managing Director/CEO of Asolar Systems Nigeria Limited has a rich pedigree from both maternal and paternal lineages. His paternal grandfather, Alhaji Shagaya was one of wealthiest men of his time, commanding respect in the oil and gas as well as the real estate sector.

Hakeem Shagaya is one of the offsprings of an enterprising, dynamic and industrious woman, revered as one of the richest women in Africa, Bola Shagaya. But for younger Shagaya, inheriting a name which immediately identifies you with people who have already made their paths, and the never ending association, is not something one has a choice about. Over the years, he has carved out a life that is true to himself, and forged a career away from his accomplished parents without comparisons, proving his undeniable talents. His remarkable exploits in both private and public sectors is an attestation to the fact that he is not famous only by association, but as a hardworking man. Shagaya has his mind set on exploring his potential in all sectors of the economy buoyed by the advice and support of his successful mother and those of his siblings.

A result-driven Chief Executive Officer with over 12 years’ experience in remarkable business growth and an unparalleled revenue increase of over 60 per cent in five years, Shagaya is a highly energetic executive and visionary with excellent leadership in every aspect of life.

A well-grounded individual who walked his way through the ladder of wherever that he finds himself. His solid educational pursuits have also helped him to navigate every facet of his career endeavours. He was at the elitist Adesoye College, Offa, Kwara State between 19931999 for his Secondary school education before moving to Taunton, Somerset UK for his A-Level. His quest for education took him to the King’s College in 2000-2002 where he bagged a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Management and Business Studies. Between 2002-2005 he was at University of Sheffield for his masters in Management of Science, Technology and Innovation. And University of Manchester Business School in 2007-2008.

And prior to his present position as Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Asolar Systems Nigeria Limited, he was and still is the CEO/Managing Director, Karmod Nigeria Limited from June 2014 till date.

There, he has effectively managed a team of over 40 employees in three locations across the country with a $500,000 annual operating budget. He is Non-Executive Board at Caverton Helicopters since 2017, Executive Director -Afrihealth Solutions Ltd since 2020, Non-Executive Director, Unity Bank PLC, October 2014-2019. In 2006, he was General Manager, Bolmus Group Nigeria Limited. Between 20052006, he completed his NYSC programme at the Head of Office - Mastercard Unit, United Bank for Africa (UBA) where he supported the service centre by catering to customer needs and providing solutions via mail and phone. Involved in the product development and organisation of new MasterCard products for different market segments.

Cosmopolitan in nature but simple in attitude, the suave Kwara-born business magnate often appears simple with no airs about him. He says simplicity is a

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

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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 27, 2022

COVER My Upbringing Played a Big Part in How I See the World, and How I Do My Business.

Shagaya

reflection of his personality. “I like to be very simple. I think I like the word ‘simplexity’, the complexity of being simple. I suppose you can say I am a simple person.”

Shagaya is proud of his family and his Ilorin heritage. His childhood journey began in Ilorin before moving to Lagos.

“I come from a family of five boys.

My both parents are from Ilorin. My mother’s maiden name is Salman, both my parents are from Ilorin and both my father and mother’s family houses are on the same road. So I am a very traditional Ilorin man. I was raised literally by my grandparents. I grew up around my grandparents in my early days. I had my primary and secondary education in Kwara and only came on holidays to Lagos. When I was a little boy I was in America with my mum, then in early ages I lived with my grandmother. I learnt a lot of things in my early days through my grandmother. I learnt the discipline from my grandmother.”

Grew up among four brothers and raised by their mother, but the interesting thing is that his life of opulence and affluence didn’t start today. His paternal grandfather, Alhaji Shagaya was actually a very wealthy Shagaya in the 80s and early 90s.

“My paternal grandfather was an industrialist, and he had a company called Double Kola and he also had a chain of oil and gas as well as real estate.

I remember when I was at Ilorin at a very young age, on a weekend, that is when I knew Ranger Rover, it had air

conditioning on the roof. The driver would bring it to pick all the grandchildren to the big daddy’s house. We used to call him big daddy. And my mother, Hajia Bola Shagaya is the one that carries on that success he had in entrepreneurship.”

Talking glowingly about his mother who has impacted his life and that of his siblings positively, Shagaya described her as a ‘dynamic woman with a very bold foresight at a very, very early age.’ His mother took to technology at a very early age when it hardly intrigued people in her line of trade.

“She wanted to be in the photographic business and gain imagery to Nigeria and control her market. And she had offices in all the states of the federation under Konica.I can tell you she is 110 per cent the biggest part in all our lives. My other brothers are doing so well in their careers. My house is always bubbling with ideas, collaboration, working together. Definitely, my upbringing played a big part in how I see the world and how I do business.”

Rising from a lineage of successful people can sometimes create a burden of expectation which he admits is a blessing.

“That privilege also puts you on your toes.

My personality is that I run my own race. I don’t particularly try to compete but I also realise that it is important to tick the boxes of society in terms of financial success or things like that. But should I say to us the children of the privileged, we have a double responsibility because if you look historically in Nigeria, the children of the privileged of two decades, three decades ago are not privileged any longer, or very few are privileged. The Yoruba people will say ‘ti won ba bie wa tun ara bi.’ Atunbi nile aye. It means you must start from where your privilege stops.

So, we never had any attachment because we

are always entrusted with increasing our own wealth. I suppose there is pressure but that pressure is not out of nowhere, if you have been given too much, to whom much is given much is expected. If I have been exposed to some of the best schools and things in the world, I have a huge responsibility in Nigeria to spur ideas, to spur development to create solutions for our society and not just from a capitalist perspective but also from a nationalist, from a continental African perspective. To show that mentally you have the capacity to build.

So, there is a bigger responsibility to people like us.”

Shagaya currently sits atop profitable ventures ranging from energy to housing and more. As an innovative person, he wants to explore, breaking boundaries, touching and impacting lives. For this, he is constantly on the move.

“Like I told you, I am more interested in the experience of what impact one makes to society while we are here. But my background makes me know that there are ways to make life without being obsessive, work alone, so I delegate a lot. I start a company and when they are operational and profitable, I put management in place and I want to create something new. And when I finish building that, I move on again.

I spend time giving back to the public sector to help create policies that would either improve life for people in Nigeria or more efficient ways of doing different things on the continent. We have a company in Uganda and Kenya; we are going to open up in another West African country this year. I try not to be limited by geographical limitations or stifled by just doing one business and going to the office every day.

And this is my driving force really.”

A restless creative and talented businessman, he has also made a foray into energy making his mark through Asolar Energy. Asolar is an indigenous company that was established in 2016. It has played a critical role in the energy value chain by providing affordable energy to beneficiaries who are beyond the grid at the last mile or those underserved in peri-urban areas.

His Asolar energy closed the year 2021 with a bang. Initially predominant in the north, it has expanded its tentacles to Lagos with its local assembly plant, saving money, providing jobs for teeming Nigerians. Presently managing over 250,000 Nigerians with 48,000 households, he explains the core reason for expanding the business further into the energy sector.

“My background is in management, science and technology. As far back as when I was at the university, I had found a passion for renewable energy. For many years, even in my house in Abuja, I have been almost off-the-grid for six years. I have watched how the renewable energy space has grown internationally and how the pricing has been coming down over the years. And I see a multi-creation innovation that is as big as what telecom did to the Nigerian market. I invested early and I think it is the future sector for energy. I believe that the decentralisation of power is the future of Nigerian or African power, the same way telecom decentralisation of NITEL created MTN and co. That is why I went into energy.”

Asolar is prominent in the rural areas. He gave the reasons. “Most Nigerians don’t want to go to the rural areas. They are a forgotten population of the country and people assume that they are poor but the reality is if you make the effort to go, you will realise that they are not poor but they lack that absence of technology to improve their lives. In the early 2000, people were saying Africa is poor, they could not use mobile phones because mobile phones will be too expensive. But what ended up happening is that the average African ended up having two mobile phones.

So, it was never a case of they were poor, it was just a case of there had not been that intervention of technology to be put in the hand of Africans. I had a passion for the rural areas. Apart from the fact that I feel more joy giving African villages that have existed for generations without light, I feel more joy giving them light. I feel a lot more satisfaction being able to fly over African villages in the night and look down and see light. That is part of my motivation, to go to the rural areas. I can tell you it is a lot more difficult than being in town, but I am a patient person, I believe that we will invest more as a company.

And because of track record of excellence, the government, policy makers, and World

Bank and other people are coming to align with us to help us to even grow better. We are very excited because right now there is a growth in demand. In fact, a lot of people want systems with TVs and fans in rural areas more than anything else, they want to have a television. It is amazing what we see. People are so desperate to have televisions in villages because Asolar works everywhere in Nigeria.

So imagine a village man that has never seen light before and all of a sudden, he can watch Startimes tomorrow morning. So, I suppose our good intention has paid off.”

Shagaya as a leader has successfully created other leaders within his organisations and has equally mentored youths to aspire for great things.

“I have a lot of people that work with me and my staff strength is about 65 or 70. Many have worked with me for up to seven years, I watch them grow and some of them have started their own companies. As of last year, I have started making more effort to actually mentor more people. I was at the University of Ilorin two weeks ago for a youth leadership and mentorship programme; an interactive session. We do a lot of charity work as well.

My family has a Salman Shagaya Foundation, a Kwara-oriented foundation which focuses on youth empowerment, women empowerment and also helping the elderly. Recently, I am working with the London School of Economics on a mentorship and entrepreneurship development programme in Nigeria. We launched in October last year. And this is mainly working with Universities to try and have a way to mentor the young people that are coming out of school, on what to expect, post-graduation and how to set up companies and things like that. Those are the efforts we are making and I want to do a lot more of it.”

An upwardly inclined young entrepreneur, both public and private sectors have continued to benefit from his talents. Though not politically ambitious, he is willing to yield to the clarion call when the need arises.

“For me, I believe in continuous improvement. Everyday, there is always the desire to be better. I am actually getting bored of being in the private sector already. I want to go back into government. I think we all need to be on national development. This is not for me to tell you that I have any political ambition.

I am actually not running for public office.

I love politics but I am extremely politically opinionated and inclined but I am not a public office seeker. I am more of a policy maker in terms of institutional reorganisation, fiscal policy development, and national orientation policy development. Right now, I sit on the presidential committee on technology transfer and I am the head of strategy and planning.

Our role is to redevelop the Nigerian Science and engineering future by working with universities and international companies and local companies to create technology companies that are of Nigerian nature. It is an assignment that I am very humbled by because I was invited by certain people that felt I had something to offer,” he gushed.

Shagaya has been married for nine years to his wife, Amina whom he met at a friend’s gathering. Was it love at first sight?

“I think so. My wife has always been a huge part of my success too. My wife is a medical doctor, she graduated from Imperial College, London. She is now getting involved in more medical policy and development of life in hospitals.”

Shagaya as a corporate man is a lover of traditional attire who rarely wears suits. “I actually don’t think I have any suit, I am just a very proud African. I think our outfits are a lot more comfortable. I like my neck to be free, even when I am abroad. That is how I dress and I actually find that they complement the outfit more than we do.

I have always been like that couple with the fact that I am an Ilorin man. Growing up, all my uncles, my dad and grandparents, you cannot wear cloth without a cap. And the cap I wear is traditional with our family. My father wears the African cap and that is the only cap I wear.`` He wouldn’t call himself a designer freak although he has his own unique style.

“I like certain things but I would not say I am a designer freak. I like things that are comfortable and simple; you can see it on most of my outfits. I like trainers a lot, so I collect them. I also love good automobiles too.”

For him, his early life lessons revolved around youthful exuberance.

He is a very private person and often wakes up early.

“It is good to have a good routine and I think that actually helped me a lot. Apart from that, I am still learning life lessons.”

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ FEBRUARY 27, 2022

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GLITZ TRIBUTE

MICHAEL AJOGWU

A Senior Advocate Par Excellence

Drums were rolled out at the weekend to celebrate one of the most eminent lawyers to come from the South-east, Dr. Michael Ezugwu Ajogwu SAN, who wore the octogenarian hat. Vanessa Obioha chronicles the lifetime achievements of a man whose exploits in the courtrooms where his advocacy roles are illuminated and his knowledge of the legal field are stored in tomes to the political sector where he is revered for his insightful views.

I

t was a well-attended colloquium; lawyers, traditional rulers, political actors eminent businessmen and women, all gathered at the Justice I. A. Umezuluike Auditorium, Enugu State High Court last Friday to celebrate Dr. Michael Ezugwu Ajogwu who clocked 80 years With the theme: ‘Law and Social Justice: The Need for a Rethink’, the occasion also witnessed the presentation of the book: ‘Footprints in the Path of Law’, to celebrate the octogenarian’s over 50 years of law practice. As expected, encomiums were poured in torrents with many of those present at the event, eulogising the huge contributions of the eminent octogenarian to law practice in Nigeria, human and community developments.

For the better part of his life, Ajogwu has spent it on advocacy.

His portrayal as a leader, who regularly defends the rights of the underprivileged is underscored by his legal, political, and diplomatic skills and positions. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria of over two decades has a wealth of experience that spans constitutional law and other areas of law.

Born on February 26, 1942, to the late Ozor and LoloAjogwu Ozuligbo inAbbi, UzoUwani Local GovernmentArea in Enugu State, his leadership qualities and philanthropic heart were noticeable from a very young age.

Amongst his peers, he distinguished himself, as a leader during the colonial times, interested in ensuring equality, the dignity of the human person and the welfare of everyone who interacted with him.

Having lost three years of academic work to the civil war,Ajogwu obtained his law degree from the University of Nigeria Nsukka in 1972 and was admitted into the Nigerian Bar in 1973. He returned to the Faculty of Law of the University of Nigeria to obtain a master’s degree in law. He graduated top of his class and was invited by the faculty to register as the first applicant and student for a postgraduate (LL.M) in law at the University. The quintessential SAN raised the bar of academic excellence to a new level by adding to his PhD in law, a second PhD, in the field of Political Science from the University of Nigeria.

Ajogwu began his career in the mid1970s, serving as a Legal Adviser in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing under Brigadier Olusegun Obasanjo (as he then was), who was at the time, the Federal Commissioner for Works and Housing. In the course of his duties, he used his position to fight for the rights of many, including workplace diversity and equal treatment of all, particularly the easterners, coming from a post-civil war environment. He also served as a Director of Public Prosecutions at the Federal Ministry of Justice and Legal Adviser to the Federal Government of Nigeria on Customs, Excise Duties and Revenue matters covering the entire northern states of Nigeria.

By 1983, Ajogwu veered into politics.

He contested and was elected to represent

Ajogwu

the then Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area in the House of Representatives. He is considered a political father in Nsukka Cultural Zone, Uzo-Uwani LGA, Igbo-Ano Development Area and their component communities which include Abbi. He has succeeded in the arduous task of balancing on different occasions, his interests in these various levels of government fairly and equitably. He worked hard to never compromise the quality of trust and the expectation of impartiality that society has placed on him as a leader.

Within two months after his electoral victory, when the military coup of December 1983 dismantled the Second Republic government of President Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Ajogwu established a law firm in Nsukka. The law firm became a treasure trove of law books and tomes of legal reference materials to which young lawyers had recourse in the preparation of their cases in court. His law firm played a major role in mentoring and training several lawyers who are now distinguished members of the Bench and Bar. His law office played a big

role in nurturing and sharpening the legal teeth of quite many lawyers who eventually grew up to attain great heights, both at the Bar and on the Bench, like giants in the profession.

Those who passed through the guiding hands of Dr Ajogwu SAN as their Principal include the Justice Centus C. Nweze of the Supreme Court, Justice Raphael Agbo of the Court of Appeal. Others include Justice F C Nwizu (rtd) of the High Court of Anambra State, Justice Ray Ozoemena, current Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Fidelis Ngwu of blessed memory, Justice CVC Ezeugwu, and Justice Vera Ajogwu, all of the High Court of Enugu State, Chief M.E. Eze, currently Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Enugu State, Chief O.N. Abugu, Mrs. C. Onah and Mrs. Amanoritsewor (nee Iwobi) and many others.

Ajogwu’s law firm experienced exponential growth and established several branches in different states with

its headquarters in Enugu. He also played a major role in establishing a state-of-the-art Bar Center, which was eventually named after him. He served as Attorney General of Enugu State in 1999 and was a member of the Constituent Assembly for the draft of a Constitution for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1979. He attained the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in the year 2000 and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb).

The learned Senior Advocate also taught Law of Evidence on a part-time basis at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology and served on its Governing Council. He authored the books ‘Command Federalism under the Nigerian Constitution’, and ‘Federalism and National Unity in Nigeria’ and has published numerous law articles in peer-reviewed local and international journals. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC).

Ajogwu’s achievements and spirit of excellence in his profession and academics were not lost on his children. His family comprises various distinguished professionals who have attained high levels of recognition in their respective professions including a professor of law, a professor of medicine, lawyers, a geologist, an oil well engineer, pharmacist, IT specialists, etc. His achievements equally became something that challenged many who looked up to him as a role model to aspire to and attain greater heights in their various fields of endeavour.

A lover of culture, promoter of Christianity, and a champion of political and infrastructural development is equally seen in his children.

Like himself, all his seven sons, are initiates of the prestigious Ozor title which is the highest cultural class to which every culturally minded man in Abbi would wish to belong.

No doubt, Ajogwu is the greatest contributor to the political and infrastructural development of Abbi town and environs.

He and his family are also, indisputably, the greatest promoters of both the Catholic and the Anglican denominations of Christianity in Abbi. He was very instrumental in the establishment of the Catholic Parish in Abbi.

The support of the entire Ajogwu family to the parish has been unprecedented. They have and continue to make significant contributions to the parish such as donating a house to be used as a temporary abode of the parish priest for years and donating a piece of land for the building of the permanent parish house.

Indeed, his greatest achievement is the position he holds as the leader of the Ajogwu family. He is a loving husband, father to many related to him by blood or marriage, and to a host of individuals, who have interacted with him. He never fails to offer words of wisdom and advice when interacting with people.

His life continues to impact numerous people, both in Nigeria and abroad and this was reflected when he clocked 80 as encomiums rained on him. To many, he will always be cherished and inspire them to be better citizens.

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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 27, 2022

GLITZ ENTERTAINMENT

Bash Serves An Intriguing Twist With Lustful Preexistence’ Music maestro, Bash, recently unveiled his debut album titled ‘Lustful Preexistence’. Buttered with Afro-RnB melodies, the album rejigs the love experience with a poetic swipe at sensual and romantic love.

With ‘Lustful Preexistence’, Bash boldly brings out his forte of poetic lyricism, and mid-tempo alto, spinning the records clean with danceable, euphoric groove.

Within the opening track, ‘One Time’, Bash pontificates on romantic love and physical intimacy with his lover stretching the melodies with sensual-soaked imagery. He revs the momentum with the chord-heavy RnB-funk fusion, ‘She Bad’, peaking with x-rated imagery in tracks such as ‘Good Head’ while balancing the sexual tension, with a dose of romantic love expressions in the song ‘Mami’.

Bash flexes his vocal range, and flows, giving off a very vibey project

on this album. With masterful pacing, the project breathes with the right volume of soothing melodies and danceable bops. It also shines for its artsy representation of a very mundane, cliched subject, reflecting a stellar artiste and repertoire (A&R) and creative direction. Cohesively, ‘Lustful Preexistence’ flexes as both a sex playlist and a very artistic body of work. Intimately, it connects, it relates, and it inspires thought. The storytelling, sonic direction and tracklisting also give it a rather warming, inviting vibe, boosting its replay value generally.

On this album, Bash bashes out all negative energy, typically associated with sensual records, treating the playlist as a treatise on slow, burning, passionate love, as opposed to the egoistic, sexist concept of romantic love. The record glows, for all its musical strong points – depth, lyricism and vocalization.

And with Bash, everything goes a notch higher.

New Game Show, Come Play Naija, Premieres on Africa Magic

L-R: Head of Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Tope Oshunkeye; Executive Head, Content, and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice Nigeria, Busola Tejumola; and Media personality/African Magic show host, Hero Daniels, at the launch of the new Africa Magic game show, Come Play Naija in Lagos...

Thursday.

At this year’s Durban FilmMart, emerging documentary makers will stand a chance to access the new international documentary fund by the Whickers. The bursary award, previously limited to India and East Asia, will be accessible for the development of new projects at the Durban FilmMart. The first scheme, aimed at helping those in regions of the world where access to film development money is limited, has been running at Docedge Kolkata for three years. It has led to award-winning films such as ‘Children of The Mist’, which won a director’s award for newcomer Diem Ha Le. Editorial consultant for The Whickers Jane Mote said: “The Whickers is so excited to be deepening its relationship with DFM and offering a chance to African filmmakers from across the continent to win some early support to develop their projects. We are looking forward to helping the amazing work DFM does to nurture the next generation of documentary filmmakers.”

This new fund will be available to all participants in Durban FilmMart from the Talents Durban programme to the main market. This bursary was announced the week after 2020 Whickers’ winner, South Sudanese filmmaker Akuol De Mabior premiered her first feature documentary ‘No Simple Way Home’ at Berlinale 2022.

“The Whickers Bursary is a valuable contribution to the financial support system for filmmaking in Africa, and we are thrilled to welcome this new partnership. The Whickers support will provide crucial momentum at a key stage of the birthing process of an African documentary.

Adjudicated by jurists appointed by The Whickers, the £3,000 bursary, will be selected from projects participating in the DFM 2022 programme,” added, General Manager of the Durban FilmMart Institute, Magdalene Reddy The award will kick off this year at the 13th Durban FilmMart taking place on the 22nd – 26th July.

Bash

On Thursday, March 3, 2022, a new game show ‘Come Play Naija’ will premiere on Africa Magic Showcase, Urban and Family channels on DStv and GOtv. An original content from Africa Magic, ‘Come Play Naija’ is a 60-minute game show format that involves two teams competing against each other for a chance to win millions of Naira and other surprise prizes such as a brand-new car.

The show is divided into five segments with different games Trivia games, Obstacle Course 1, Obstacle Course 2, Obstacle Course 3, and Spin the Wheel. Each segment will require one or more team members to participate in the games that are valued from N400,000 to N2,000,000.

The show, hosted by media personality Hero Daniels, will air Thursdays and Fridays while viewers can take part in a home play edition on the Saturday live show to win cash prizes weekly. This Home Play is exclusive to active DStv and GOtv subscribers.

Executive Head, Content and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice Nigeria, Busola Tejumola, described the new show as an entertainment package that will further affirm Africa Magic’s position as a leading local entertainment provider, ranging from reality shows to movies, drama series, and now family game shows.

“We are very excited about our latest show which happens to be a first-of-its-kind family game show in Nigeria. We know how much our viewers enjoyed the Big Brother Naija Friday Night games, so we decided to create a show where they get to participate in light-hearted, fun, entertaining, and fast-paced games to win amazing prizes. We urge our DStv and GOtv subscribers and new customers to tune in when the show premieres in March,” said Tejumola.

The Whickers to Launch Documen tary Funding Award at DFM 2022

From left, Sam Soko (producer of No Simple Way Home) and Akuol de Mabior (Director of No SImple Way Home and 2020 Whicker Award Winner) at the World Premiere, Berlinale 2022. Image courtesy of The Whickers.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ FEBRUARY 27, 2022

HighLife

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

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

Former First Bank MD, Bisi Onasanya, Making the Difference with The Address Homes

Kachikwu

Joker as Dumebi Kachikwu Joins Presidential Race?

The coming 2023 presidential election in Nigeria has called into question several individuals who others claim have no business in the political sphere. Despite the seeming lightness of the situation, some of the names that have been mentioned as ‘willing to bear the burden of presidency’ have sent informed observers shivering. And then there’s someone like Dumebi Kachikwu.

Every Nigerian has the right to run for the presidential office, but there are certain individuals whose ambition to do so will send Nigerians running away from the country entirely. This is a somewhat humorous situation with Kachikwu, a proud media mogul and businessman who is adjusting his belt to join the presidential race. But is this all in jest or is the Chairman of Roots Television Nigeria truly considering a run for Muhammadu Buhari’s mantle?

The rumours of a possible presidential contestant with the name of Kachikwu started when the man released an eight-minute video on YouTube which was titled ‘It is time to serve.’ In it, Kachikwu talked about how the current administration has not handled the issues of security and economy well enough. On that basis, he implied that there is a need for someone to heed the summons of service, as it is presented in Isaiah 6:8.

While Kachikwu did not explicitly declare an interest as a flag bearer in the upcoming presidential election, the message in his YouTube video cannot be any clearer. It is time to serve, he says. However, with his current doings with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), whether this service will be in Aso Rock or somewhere else remains to be seen.

For those unaware of Kachikwu’s tango with the EFCC, it is all about an allegation levelled against him by Ndudi Elumelu of Nigeria’s House of Representatives. The entire narrative revolved around N750 million that Kachikwu allegedly demanded and received from Elumelu due to the latter’s intention to run for Delta State’s governorship seat back in 2015.

The allegation led to Kachikwu taking a long break from the public, so this rumour of him joining the presidential contest is the latest big thing from him after that event.

The best business people are simply the best business people. They are the best at what they do because of who they are. This is the case with almost every successful individual at the apex of Nigeria’s corporate block. Take the former Group MD and CEO of First Bank, Bisi Onasanya, for example. After making a jewel of the banking institution, he strode into the industry of property development, acquisition, and sale, and the industry has not been the same because of him.

According to sources, Onasanya’s brainchild, The Address Homes, has started a new variety of waves that is currently sweeping across the real estate segment of Lagos State’s economy. This is after the management of The Address Homes announced on February 14, 2022, that they have added two new housing brand schemes into the Nigerian home market and these brands will sit in Lagos of all states.

Based on the info received from The Address Homes management, the two brands are expected to start a different kind of residential housing style. This style reportedly integrates what is known to be the most contemporary architectural configurations with a luxurious gloss. Expectedly, the brands will consist of very cosy homes which are as comfortable as they are exclusive.

Onasanya’s novel brands have been named Luxuria and Dan & Dan Apartments. Each of them is characterised by jaw-dividing features such as 4 bedroom-maisonettes that are 500 square meters in width and penthouses that are twice that size. On the other hand, Dan & Dan Apartments is a waterfront mini-estate with 27 units of fully serviced apartments. There are more outstanding features in both brand schemes than this article can list.

One can only say that Onasanya is an incredible businessman, visionary, and

We are yet to step into March but the world has already begun celebrating one of the men in Nigeria for whose sake the month is so distinguished. Who can this be but Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, the world-famous General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)? Pastor Adeboye will be turning 80 this year. Even so, like the man Caleb from Jewish history, Adeboye remains strong and full of life.

People are turning their houses inside out to find something to honour Daddy GO, as Adeboye is so fondly called. As a response to his upcoming birthday, cities and nations around the world are mobilising their citizens to raise their hands in prayer and thanksgiving for Adeboye’s life of dedication to God and service to man. At 80, Adeboye has touched more lives locally and internationally than nearly all of his peers in ministry. If this is not worth blessing God over, what is?

According to reports, Lagosians are

Man with Special Grace: The World Celebrate Pastor Adeboye at 80th Birthday

What Oyo people are saying about Adebayo Adelabu is evidence that the citizens of any Nigerian state have a list of boxes that gubernatorial aspirants are supposed to check. When they don’t check these boxes, they tend to fail to impress the people which is tantamount to wasting a lot of resources, effort, and time to return to the starting point.

Adelabu, to the informed, is one of the most popular aspirants preparing for Governor Seyi Makinde’s seat. Due to his being the former Deputy Governor of Operations at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Adelabu has some experience regarding how to manage people and earn their trust and loyalty. But people have started talking about his leading flaw which is surprisingly tightfistedness.

It is a bit odd that Adelabu has been accused of being very stingy. After all, the man has worked with some of the most prestigious organisations on this side of the world, including PricewaterhouseCoopers and Standard Chartered Bank. When one is exposed to international standards of peer-to-peer relations and agency culture, one tends to

Adeboye

thorough. In a handful of years, he has taken over an industry formerly indoctrinated with mediocrity and low standards. With Onasanya’s The Address Homes, it is obvious that the new has come. especially primed towards hosting Adeboye. The RCCG flock, particularly, are laying down their palm fronds, as it were, in recognition of Daddy GO’s life and achievements. Even though the birthday is March 2, planning committees have been abuzz since the start of 2022, which tells you how seriously everybody is taking the celebration.

We can argue the equality of human beings all we want, but there is no debating the fact that some have gone further than others. Adeboye is such a one when it comes to pastoral ministry. Due to his vision and submission to God’s work, RCCG branches are reported to be more than 14 million around the world and in more nations than some of us know to exist.

So, there is a reason Pastor Adeboye is called a man of special grace. And at 80, that grace continues to billow forth, bringing comfort and peace to the hearts of people around the world.

What Oyo People are Saying About Adebayo Adelabu admit certain behaviours. So, did Adelabu learn to be parsimonious after working with these companies, or was it there long before?

The truth is that only those who are very close to Adelabu know this.

Nevertheless, some people consider it a very bad thing that Adelabu is conscious of his money and will take a bit of time to consider before spending a penny on anything.

These are the people who are familiar with the inner workings of grassroots politics in Nigeria. They are also the ones convinced that Adelabu will never get his wish of becoming Oyo Governor until he opens his fist.

Overall, Adelabu has much going for him.

Even his critics admit that he is very popular with the common people. Nevertheless, it might help if he turns a new leaf with regard to his frugality.

More Heads May Roll in Udom Cabinet over Governor’s Choice of Who Takes over from Him and Why Many of His Team are Not Happy with His Choice

Emmanuel

Onasanya

Politics in Nigeria is not like politics elsewhere.

The players elsewhere may have single heads and double agendas but their commitment to personal interest does not come close to what is obtainable in the Nigerian court. And so it is that the government of Akwa Ibom led by Governor Udom Emmanuel is not having it easy quelling the doubts that have arisen due to the matter of governorship succession and senatorial zoning.

The greatest and most recent evidence of the crisis within Akwa Ibom’s inner circle of authority figures is the sack of the state’s Chief of Staff, Ephraim Inyang-Eyen. The strange element in Inyang-Eyen’s sack is not that he ought to have been fine until Governor Emmanuel vacates the governorship seat. Instead, the strange thing is that Inyang-Eyen had his years of service cut short so that the government could, as explained in the letter served him, “... maintain economic

Adelabu

development of the state in peace.”

The letter delivered by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to Inyang-Eyen went on to wish him well in future endeavours with nothing sort of approval from Governor Emmanuel. But is it all a case of sacrificing one for the welfare of many? Many would disagree.

Inyang-Eyen has been faulted by many for attempting to run against the grain. This he did when he declared his intention to join the senatorial election for Akwa Ibom South.

However, the seat had already been zoned to a different local government area within the district. But why did Inyang-Eyen insist on this even though he knows about the zoning policy?

Political analysts have reported that InyangEyen was not at all happy with Governor Emmanuel’s choice of who will take over from him, Umo Eno, the current Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources in Akwa Ibom.

Whereas Inyang-Eyen was not the only political stakeholder irked by Governor Emmanuel’s choice, he has expressed his dissatisfaction most radically. And lost his head in the process according to pundits.

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HIGHLIFE

Mike Adenuga: The Silent Giver Who Never Stops Giving There is a kind of human being that is rare: they are boundlessly powerful but they keep quiet about it. And even when they divest themselves of this power by lending a hand to others, they still keep their generosity to themselves. This is Dr. Mike Adenuga in brief.

Even after influencing so many lives with his distinct philanthropy, the Globacom Chairman remains one of the most silent figures in Nigeria’s history of wealthy people.

It is no secret that Adenuga is one of the richest men. With a large host of businesses bearing his name and brand, it would have been odd if he wasn’t one of the pillars of wealth in Africa. Despite this fact, Adenuga is soughtafter by many who want to document his long list of generous donations and contributions to the underprivileged in Nigeria. Yet, because of the paucity of this information, one would believe—falsely—that Adenuga isn’t doing

much on this front.

Adenuga indeed hides in the shadows compared to his peers. But it is not true that his philanthropy is any less than theirs. One might even argue that it is Adenuga who has the true spirit of generosity seeing as he keeps mum about it.

To put things in perspective, consider the Mike Adenuga Foundation. This is a multinational agency that is committed to helping Africans out of the mire of destitution and purposelessness. With the agency’s many initiatives, lots and lots of Africans have grown beyond the limitations of their old situations.

Almost none of the beneficiaries of the initiatives of the Mike Adenuga Foundation can be described as underprivileged anymore due to Adenuga’s teach-them-to-fish ideology.

Yet, Adenuga also actively helps people out of life’s difficulties. These are the individuals

Adenuga

who cannot work and feed themselves.

And then some are ill to whom Adenuga’s largesse has been upended time and again.

Truly, when it comes to philanthropy, Adenuga stands in a class all by himself.

His attitude to giving to strangers is rare and enviable.

From Outdoor Advertising to Real Estate: How Seyi Tinubu is Playing Big in Lagos Real Estate Innovativeness is one of those things that is rarely inherited. As creative as Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential aspirant and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is, his expertise has always lain in politics.

His son, Seyi Tinubu, is a different story. Seyi continues to make a name for himself as one of the more all-inclusive geniuses in Nigeria. Despite having dominated the advertising industry in recent times, Seyi is making waves in real estate.

You would be wrong to think that Seyi is only good at media and digital marketing. The son of the Lion of Bourdillon has overshadowed his peers on more business fronts. Even as the CEO/Chairman of Loatsad Promomedia, Seyi has proficiently taken charge of services that border on telecommunications, energy, banking and finance, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, education, government, and real estate.

Recently, the main thrust of Seyi’s business persona has been real estate. The industry

Tinubu

seems to be taking more and more of Seyi’s time and the harvest of achievements is just stupendous. According to those in the know, Seyi has begun using the business connections he formed more than a few years ago in Lagos State to make good on his realty dreams.

Currently, Seyi has reportedly taken admirable steps towards popularising luxury buildings in different Lagos neighbourhoods. Old Ikoyi, for example, purportedly has the highest number of luxury apartments with Seyi’s print of excellence clearly branded on them. But that is only Old Ikoyi, not the other parts of Lagos that Seyi has taken for his property business.

Very few people can spread their influence to multiple, one might even say divergent, businesses and still come out alright. Seyi is one of such people and he has managed to create harmony between his advertising ventures and real estate. Then again, his ingenuity is well recorded, so the expansion of Seyi’s businesses should come as no surprise to the informed.

As Nigerians Celebrate Victoria A. Samson for Her Good Deeds to the Nation

Samson

Who says that women hold the lamp of greatness any lower than their male Adeola counterparts?

Whoever still holds this view ought to remove their glasses, wipe them, and take a look again at women like Mrs. Victoria A. Samson, the Managing Director of BOVAS

& Company Limited. At a time when her peers are scrambling over ill-conceived profits, Mama BOVAS - as she is called - continues to hold on to her business principles.

It is nobody’s fault that fuel stations in Nigeria are selling a litre for between N250 and N400. (Well, it is somebody’s fault but there’s nothing to be gained from pointing fingers.)

Some of the fairer fuel stations all over Nigeria are selling at around N250 to N300 per litre. But the ones looking to build sandcastles of wealth and affluence after are selling for at least N350 per litre. From our investigation, the only fuel station in Nigeria still selling at N162 is BOVAS, an exception for which Nigerians are grateful.

It can be seen that Mama BOVAS’s fuel stations are more concerned with the financial situation and satisfaction of their customers than they are with the perverse windfall.

Nigerians have reported that these fuel stations never sell above the pump price, never hoard fuel, and refuse to adjust the selling

pump meter, which are curiously the new elements of selling tradition in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

Due to her insistence on the standard price of fuel, Mrs. Samson has won the spoken admiration of Nigerians in and outside the country. This is especially considering the ridiculous volume of profit that her peers are making as they lean on the economy’s instability and milk Nigerians dry.

But one cannot say that Mrs. Samson is naive and does not know how to make money when the opportunity presents itself. In truth, she has been in the oil and gas industry for almost three decades. In fact, she was the first Nigerian to win the Texaco Latin America West Africa (LAWA) Award for Best Overall Dealer in 1990 for the highest sales in both regions combined. Moreover, her ownership of a company that has 119 service stations nationwide says something about her business acumen.

Those who believe in karma are laughing at the expense of the Minister of Interior and former Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. After his successor, Gboyega Oyetola, won the governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) a few days ago against his wish, Aregbesola seems to have aged a few extra years. And now, individuals who had their ambitions thrown back at their faces by Aregbesola are having the time of their lives.

The state’s contest for who will represent the APC at the governorship stage ended with a bang. The incumbent Governor, Oyetola, shut the doors on the face of Aregbesola’s candidate, Moshood Adeoti, with his 222,169 votes. Adeoti who came second in the race got only 12,921 which is approximately six per cent of Oyetola’s count.

In other words, Oyetola is worth at least 17 Adeotis in the eyes of the APC members in Osun.

But if beating Adeoti so convincingly is no different from beating Aregbesola just as ruthlessly, what else is there to say about Aregbesola’s influence in his state?

Oyetola’s supporters are not the only people having a field day at Aregbesola’s expense.

There are also supporters of former Lagos Governor Akinwunmi Ambode who cannot help but snigger at Aregbesola for having the loss of a governorship seat boomerang to him.

For those not in on the gist, when Ambode lost the opportunity to win even the primary election even though he was Lagos State Governor at the time, Aregbesola was reported as one of those responsible.

The minister’s alleged beef with Ambode was due to the latter supposedly disrespecting him at some point. And the only way Aregbesola knew to return the disrespect was to engineer Ambode’s fall from power. That’s how the story goes.

Now that Aregbesola’s gambit with Adeoti has fallen through the cracks, Ambode’s supporters are allegedly grinning from ear to ear at the seeming fairness of everything.

Real Reasons Pastor Sam Adeyemi Relocated to the US Life is too precious to be spent fighting other people. This is a lesson that people should learn and learn quickly. From every indication, notable author, public speaker, and Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Center, Sam Adeyemi, knows this lesson well.

Those claiming to be in the know have reported that Adeyemi’s understanding of this lesson is the primary reason he is no longer in Nigeria but in the United States where dreams come true and governments aren’t petty.

October 20, 2020, will likely be recorded in Nigeria’s history books as a day that saw the heart of Nigeria crack.

While there is still no consensus regarding whether military persons shot and killed unarmed youths who were on a peaceful protest or not, the fact that there is even a debate on the possibility of this is alarming.

But that day was remembered in 2021 by many prominent Nigerians including Pastor Adeyemi.

Adeyemi

For someone who is actively involved in efforts to stimulate the potential of young Nigerians, it was not at all strange to see

Pastor Adeyemi supporting the #EndSARS movement in 2020 or remembering the October-20 incident. However, his support has allegedly cost him more than he is willing to admit to his followers. As such, reports claim that he relocated to the US to have peace of mind. It is no secret that certain individuals attempted to have Pastor Adeyemi, among others, convicted for supporting the youths that took part in the #EndSARS protest.

Although the case was thrown out of court for his absolute absurdity, scars were left on the mind of the Daystar pastor. And these scars motivated him to leave the country for ‘the owners.’ Or so the reports claim.

In truth, Pastor Adeyemi is still very committed to helping Nigerians grow out of mediocrity and thoughtlessness. He is just doing it out of - rather than within - the country. After all, a virtuous person can sacrifice their own life, but only mad people would let someone else assault their families.

And Pastor Adeyemi is no mad man.

Aregbesola

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LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

Bankole Aluko: Recollections

Late Aluko

GOV UDOM EMMANUEL: OF WITCHES AND WIZARDS Every Akwa Ibom just like Asterix and Obelix the Gaul cartoon characters who believe that the sky will fall over their heads at any point- believe that witches and wizards ordain their daily existence.

This is why every Akwa Ibom person has pastors, prophets, seers, and all that industry built around him. My father had a whole community.

Our governor is not different as he has publicly proclaimed that witches and wizards have taken him to court making him delay the completion of the huge and wasteful Ecumenical Centre.

If it takes witches and wizards to let our governor know that the government really has no business in building a church let alone the huge ‘rubbish’ that he was building, then maybe we should give national honours to these witches o. They are positive-minded witches.

There is a reason why serious-minded people delineate religion from state. It is the hypnotic nature of religion, blurring logic and facts. So, when we rely on ‘God’ to choose a successor or on ‘Abasi’ to drive the business of governance we find ourselves in the unenviable position Udom has found himself today – heralding a

Emmanuel

The female lawyers got more explanation – hi, I am the Duke of Shomolu and if you turn to page four of this brochure, you will see my very beautiful tribute to Bankole. We were very close, I taught him to ride and in fact contributed to his first bike when we were together in Shomolu. Please, can I have your number so I can tell you more about this very wonderful man, especially his King’s College days….?

The number of female lawyers’ phone numbers I got that day should begin to make Olumide Akpata, the influential NBA President, to be afraid of me o, because I can shake his administration o.

From what I gleaned, Bankole was a beautiful soul- enigmatic and iconic. He did things passionately and exhibited the brilliance and sweetness of an ephemeral mind. But much more importantly was his love for humanity and wonderful attitude towards family, friends and society.

It is no wonder Aluko and Oyebode 20 years after have immortalised him with annual events and this glamourous, well-planned anniversary session.

When I got back to my office, I called my partner, Lami the Ogbomoso prince and showed him the brochure with a promise that I would do better for him.

God will continue to keep Bankole’s soul and bless and strengthen those he left behind and reward them for always keeping his memory warm. Wonderful.

That is the title I gave my tribute. I had been approached by the very brilliant Reginald Udom, Managing Partner at Aluko and Oyebode to write a tribute for the late Bankole Aluko, SAN who was the founding Partner of the huge firm. His 20th year anniversary was approaching and they needed a very brilliant writer to pen a moving and very touching tribute that would do honour to the massive legacy of the iconic ‘Banky.’

Apparently, they had looked across the spectrum. Wole Soyinka is above 80, Chinua Achebe is long gone and Cyprian Ekwensi??? What other option do they have for a writer in that mold but the Duke of Shomolu o. Be laughing there, shebi, when I win the Pulitzer prize, all of you will stand up.

The project was quite exciting for me as it opened me up to a slew of very brilliant and accomplished people.

Bankole was an icon; he attracted the most brilliant and sincere people into a grouping of super achievers who have also kept the relationship tight for over 30 years.

I spoke to people like Asue and Ituah Ighodalo, my Egbon, the very erudite and distinguished Gbenga Oyebode.

I sha like to listen to him speak- very deliberate and incisive. I will just be listening and the thing will be doing me like I am eating Afang. Kai, some

people are brilliant o. Otunba, Mordi who were Bankole’s foot soldiers in litigation also gave me great insight and then I spoke with his siblings, Toyin and Yele who were very sweet especially Yele whose narration I simply loved and cherished.

Then I spoke with his wife, the ever sweet and matronly Abiodun who spoke very passionately about their ‘friendship’.

I like her. Her sincerity and care for humanity shone through. Her strength and resolve to remain a lightning rod in society despite life’s headwind inspired me.

Then the day for the anniversary came o. I walked into the hall with my head in the sky. Shakara wants to kill me o. Come and see lawyers – big, small, SANs, Charge and Bail everybody was there o.

I saw Donald Duke, saw Asue Ighodalo and my brother Olumide Aju SAN that one has never bought any of my tickets - I just dey look am, I never ready for am. Also saw my brother Bode Olanipekun SAN- we are doing ‘Sardauna’ together in October.

The Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN was expected and the hall was distinguished. But a lot of people didn’t know I had written the tribute, so I stood up carrying a copy of the brochure and started to open the page to show them that I was the one who wrote this thing.

castrated legacy.

Today, Akwa Ibom is a sad shadow of itself. People are wallowing in abject poverty; the place is littered with abandoned projects and there is nothing to evidence eight years of this government.

To now cap this, we will be saddled with a successor who ‘God’ chose and as a result has been perpetually on his knees, thanking and submitting himself to every pastor he can find in Akwa Ibom.

Well, what can the rest of us do, but to also run to our own pastors to counter the Udom’s pastors in a bid to confuse the God of Akwa Ibom so that he can steer clear and allow people to choose their true leaders.

Finally, na witch and wizard go choose our next governor as we dey go like this. Na wa.

have now found ourselves.

As a medical doctor, he is prone to quantitative analysis and finite sequencing and scenario planning and won’t just make vacuous statements like my uncle Lai. He was said to have gone ahead to mention the countries we would have ended up. He mentioned Cameroon, Niger. This is where I disagree. Me, I would never have gone to these countries o.

I would have headed to Swaziland or is Ngige saying that he does not see pictures of those naked damsels that their King is always parading or that he doesn’t know that there is a law there that we can marry four women or go to jail?

See, come to think of it sef, I am now regretting this wonderful Buhari government because I would have preferred to be a refugee in Swaziland than this one where I am enjoying the best of life and the greatest standard of living these past few years than I have ever.

Please my brother, is it not better to be a refugee than this one we are seeing.

Mbok, let me keep quiet before they go and stop me at the train station.

My brother Ngige, I totally agree with you o, we are just an ungrateful bunch.

Well-done.

CADBURY NIGERIA: WHAT IS GOING ON? I saw your recent report where you are reporting profits that Mudi cannot report. For such a huge iconic brand, these financial reports are depressing.

N830million in profits? What is that?

Even my Mallam, who is selling tea down the road at Fola Agoro, if he pushes hard enough, he will do better.

Explanation that distributive and sales cost doubling revenue and administrative costs at over N400million is just to say the least funny.

What is really going on? It looks like since the legendary Christopher Kolade and Onosode left, the place has not been able to get its bearing right. The tsunami that came with Bunmi Oni seems to have left it crippled.

A confectionary firm, playing in a market that has over 60% of its population within its prospect enclave and behaving like this? Then something is definitely wrong with the leadership.

The shareholders must set up and demand explanations or simply just clear the place and get serious people to come and run it. Even my in-law, MaryAnn is doing better turnovers’ at Ikeja market from two sheds.

Cadbury, please don’t disgrace me. It was

Oba Lawal

Fani-Kayode

CHRIS NGIGE: I TOTALLY AGREE Me, I sha like this baba. Didn’t I pity this one when he was abducted and tied inside one toilet that time. I prayed and begged God to get him out of that forced quarantine.

He was freed and rose to become a very strategic player in our system. As a reward, he has told us that we would have all been refugees if not for the messianic regime we

Ngige

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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 27, 2022

LOUD WHISPERS your shares I used to pay my younger brother’s school fees at the University of Sokoto in the 90s. If na now, the boy would have been kicked out of school and become the first Ibibio ‘meshai’. Cadbury oooooooo!!!!!!!!!

OBA ABDULWASIU OMOGBOLAHAN LAWAL: A REFRESHING TWIST By now, you would have known that my new play is on Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the legendary former Governor of Lagos State and influential elder statesman. The title of the play is Babakekere and it’s coming up this Easter.

So when I am in this I-dey-look-for-money mode, nobody is safe o. I will just be running around like a mad man. Nobody and no institution is safe.

Anyways, that is how the hustle took me to Iruland. Like every Lagosian, the stories around and about Iruland has been part of my existence for the past 10 years. I sha used to drive past the palace and be wondering about the land, its traditions, the stories, its peoples and just how lucky they have been by their share location which puts them atop very prime real estate if not the most lucrative in black Africa.

Anyway, there I stood in front of His Majesty Oba Adegbolahan Lawal the reigning Oniru of Iru. What first struck me was his youthfulness and good looks.

Now, I have met so many Obas and before you enter, you would be briefed on the protocol. Some, you start to crawl from the car park till you get to the throne, others you lie flat on your belly with kola-nut on your head, lest you be turned into a lizard.

This one, no one told us anything, they just announced us and we entered. I didn’t know if I should prostrate, or crawl or kneel or sit on the bare floor.

Kabiyesi smiled at our discomfort and offered us a seat. He was calm, regal and majestic. I liked him. He was in white, very neat and gentlemanly.

He welcomed us and asked us to speak.

We spoke. You trust me na. I talk o and then my partner Tolu spoke about Lagos.

Kabiyesi opened up, telling us about his sojourn from Ijora to Ogudu on ‘missionary journeys’ in his heydays.

He looked so beautifully seated that royalty con begin to hungry me. There was no stuffiness that comes with these kinds of positions. No airs, a kind of regal humility that made you calm but you knew there were boundaries that you wouldn’t cross.

Kai, me I was liking everything about this ‘kabiyesi’. His palace was beautiful, not obscenely decorated but sweetly apportioned in all white. Glamorous with huge space allowing you a certain kind of freedom to express yourself. No sculptures or figurines that will give you nightmares at night. No semi-naked people with calabash and red rope on their heads with fire coming out of their anus chanting weird songs.

This was a serene and very beautiful palace. Its ambience gave out a whiff of Atlantic solace. I even almost slept off at the beautiful waiting room.

Kabiyesi himself showed depth in our discussions and showed his strong faith in Islam by giving suggestions on how we will accommodate Muslims during the play who would be in the middle of the holy month during the time.

As we exited, we stood by our cars wondering at what just happened to us.

That was a beautiful experience o, I want to go back, I don’t want to go back to Shomolu o.

I loved this experience and would not mind to have a longer session with kabiyesi where we can discuss deeper things. This was truly a King. I tell you.

SAM AIBONI: THE PEOPLES REPRESENTATIVE Sam is brilliant. He is ex-Shell and he wants to go to the House of Representative on the platform of the PDP. Sam is part of the growing army of restive Nigerians who find themselves between the ages of 45 and 55 and who see this 2023 as the last chance for them to make a disruptive change in the

system.

Tired of the seeming doldrums that is governance at all levels in this country, this demographic has started pushing towards power. Some are gunning for the Presidency others are gunning for the chambers while some others are looking at the states at all levels of governance.

Aiboni is a strategic member of this army. Originally from Edo, he wants to represent a part of Lagos and has collected his nomination form and his posters are already out.

I engaged him recently. He is my friend, associate and my lawyer. As we descended the staircase at the Lagos High Court during the week after a tedious session in mediation, I ask him – Sam, I hear say you dey come out and you do not tell major influencers like me. How you want win election without all the light-skinned women voting for you for your constituency? He knelt down and begged me. He had to otherwise once I give instruction, that is the end of that dream.

I looked at him and took pity on him because his elder brother, Tosan, was there and had played a very strong role during the mediation session, making them not to handcuff me.

So, I say Sam, ‘No worry, I will support you, you are a good man but you have to reduce your belle so you go fit dodge for house if ‘Gbaja’ want use maze stone you.’

I strongly believe in his candidacy and would work very seriously behind the scenes for his emergence.

The plan is to ramp up oversight functions at the level of the legislature. If we cannot take the Presidency because we cannot fight dirty – you gerrit? If you don’t gerrit, forget abourrit- lets populate the legislature with cognate professionals who will ask questions and provide credible oversight.

Sam, let’s do this. Well-done.

FEMI FANI-KAYODE: THE LION ROARS Shebi somebody said oga was a twominute man and that Oga was not up to it in the other room. Me, I have never believed that one cos of Oga’s pedigree in these matters which have been well chronicled.

Anyways, I am hearing that Oga is expecting a set of twins from the very beautiful Nerita. My people, I have spoken to her before, the voice that comes with that beauty is enough to make the Lion Roar from Apapa and we hear in Shomolu.

Well, my sources have never failed me. So, guys, looks like we may be hearing cries of

SENATOR FLORENCE ITA-GIWA: BELATED BIRTHDAY GREETINGS For those of you who do not know, Mummy’s Echoes of Calabar is my watering hole.

The Afang there is from heaven.

I tell you; it is as if Angel Gabriel used to come down and coordinate the cooking.

The thing used to taste like heaven. The way the snail will be swimming inside the thing and then just as you savor the sweet taste of the Afang, the periwinkle will dance its way into your tongue and then you feel the sweetness of the fresh taste of the Okasi go down your throat the way a beautiful virgin slides under you in Brazil.

I used to just eat there and sleep off on the comfortable chairs that litter the place.

Anyways, it was Ekanmi’s birthday during the week and she was busy in the trenches somewhere in Calabar coordinating some political moves. She is still very active

Ita-Giwa

having moved from PDP to APC retaining her very influential position in national politics.

Still ravishingly beautiful with the gait of a sweet Efik mermaid, Ekanmi carries her age with panache and confidence and this is why she remains one of Nigeria’s eternal beauties.

Before you people abuse me, I am working for my Afang. I have a 20% discount so make I hail mummy to see if we can achieve 30% because my house rent dey go inside that Afang o.

Mummy, God will keep you for Nigeria and you will continue to be a beacon of hope for this generation and those to come as your legacy continues to be chronicled and archived.

Oya, the hailing suppose deliver me na. Who should I call at Echoes to take care of me ooooo.

I don try. Happy birthday mummy of life.

new babies in no distant time. Remember, I told you first o. Kai. TUFACE IDIBIA: FIFTY MILLION NAIRA A TRAITOR I was sleeping peacefully when all of a sudden, a ragged newspaper was thrust in my face. I woke up; it was the Duchess and she looked like she had just caught me again. Kai, I jumped up and ran for my phone, did she burst my password.

As a veteran, the first rule of survival in these matters is to first ascertain exactly what she knows and never start explaining anything until you are very sure what she knows.

So, I wake up and try emotional blackmail, ‘Adiagha, my BP spiked. It’s 170/120. I don’t know what is happening o. That did not work o. She shouted, ‘Tuface gave Annie N50million to beg her for all the disgrace and women he has been carrying.

You, I have asked for common N100,000 and you have been telling me stories and you have more women than Tuface, BP kill you there.

I grabbed the paper. Where Tuface get N50million? African Queen wey he sing na ‘70years’ ago o. Kai, I say Duchess calm down, this is not real N50million, na crypto currency. Na breeze. She shows me the alert and I weak.

Please, if you don’t give me N100,000 today forget eating in this house, talk less of seeing my thighs. I had just come out of a two-week suspension. Which kind wahala be this? What is even wrong with this bald headed Otukpo man o?

Thankfully, I can borrow money from Access Bank. They have this app that will give you money in minutes. I apply the thing give me N270,000. I send N200,000 to Duchess with a text. I am not Tuface but this is real cash not crypto go and buy yourself meat pie and come here, I am waiting. I also told her that I was making an advance payment for when she will catch me next month.

But seriously, what is even wrong with this Tuface guy? Even if he wants to give his wife N50million can’t he beg her not to make it public because of the concomitant effect of the action on our women and their immediate response to our men? If Access bank hadn’t come to my aid, what would have happened to my continuous flow of Afang?

This Tuface or whatever he is calling himself these days is a traitor. Why would he pay ransom, didn’t he know that we follow El-Rufai mantra of not negotiating with terrorists?

With this kind of ransom payment, how will we stamp out this thing in our system?

Now every woman will be expecting some kind of monetary restitution anytime we step out.

Someone should flog this Tuface. A traitor I have never seen since Judas Iscariot. I am so angry. Kai. AKIN KEKERE-EKUN: LET ME JUST SAY THIS I have a list of five Nigerians that I respect, fear and adore. These five can and do influence me. I respect their opinions, seek for them and implement them once I get them.

People come and go on that list, but Mr. ‘Keks’ is permanent on the list. He had been there since 1994. I respect his interjections, advice and engagements.

He picks his words and lays down the advice with strong logic and experience and most times coming from such a distinguished personality, I just drop the phone with goose pimples all over my body, asking myself ‘Do I really deserve this?’

He doesn’t like publicity and would absolutely not like this but do I care? I must say thank you sir, I must say God bless you, those two-minute phone calls situate me and richly bless me. Thank you so much sir.

He will say, ‘Edgar, you cannot say that.

Don’t you know you have a voice? Edgar, Pick your words, do not be in a hurry to comment, people are waiting for you to speak, speak guardedly. Edgar, never take sides until you hear from everybody, there are always two sides.

Keep it coming sir, I dey compile am so I will release am for book and sell. Kai, I don run oooo. God bless you sir.

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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 27, 2022

Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

Standing Ovation Celebrating Billionaire Digital for Nigerian Envoy, Entrepreneur, Leo Stan Ekeh at 66 Maureen Tamuno When the Nigeria-Jamaica Joint Commission event was held in 2014, many of the participants had looked forward to witnessing it the following year. But for some inexplicable reasons, it turned out to be wishful thinking, as the event was put in limbo for the next eight years. While the long wait lasted, no one was sure if the event would ever hold again.

Thankfully, the appointment of Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, Maureen Tamuno, who seems to have a magic wand of sorts, has changed the narrative and renewed hopes in the stakeholders. In fulfilment of her promises, upon her appointment, she recently brought back the good memories of the event between February 22 and 24, 2022, in Abuja.

Leading the delegation of Jamaica’s leaders was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jamaica, Kamina Johnson-Smith, who could not help but pour encomiums on Tamuno for her hard work as well as uncommon diplomatic and interpersonal skills. Johnson-Smith described Tamuno as a patriotic Nigerian with a large heart for the world, who knows her job in and out.

The meeting aimed to strengthen the historical and cultural linkages as well as solidify new partnerships between both countries. It was a significant step towards advancing several agreements in entertainment, air services, tourism, while also enhancing trade between the countries.

Tamuno, who was born to the family of Elder/Mrs. Clement Chepaka of Alawari in Agbabiri in Okirika Local Government Area, has featured prominently in several areas of our national life with impressive records.

No doubt, her confirmation in 2021 by the Senate as one of the non-career ambassadors was applauded by many. It is a fact that she is gradually establishing herself as one of the best envoys the country has produced in recent times.

Apart from showcasing Nigeria’s cultural heritage and tradition to the world, she is also strengthening its diplomatic and bilateral relationship with Jamaica and the Caribbean in general.

Often when her name crops up in public discourse, she is always acknowledged as brilliant, given her intimidating credentials: she holds a degree in Management Studies from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi; a Post- Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Management; Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing and PhD in Strategic Marketing and Consumer Behaviour.

Beyond these enviable academic qualifications, Tamuno, who is currently a member of the Board of Nigeria Railway Corporation, has been recognised for her humanitarian efforts through her Lady Maureen Tamuno Foundation, a nongovernmental organisation for the care of widows, orphans and the down-trodden in the society.

The story of technology and e-commerce in Nigeria and the African continent will be incomplete without a mention of the many pioneering roles the Chairman of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, has played in this domain. His journey of over three decades in this sector is one of the exciting qualities that set him apart from other players.

Interestingly, the serial digital entrepreneur has earned a name for himself through his visionary contributions to Africa’s ICT space.

In January 2018, Nigeria’s business climate was shaken to its very foundation when the Zinox Group, through his deftness and patriotic zeal, outbid some international brands, including a particular sector leader in the e-commerce market to acquire the then-ailing Konga. It was a piece of news whose echoes reverberated around the corridors of the global business world.

But curiously, the networth of Ekeh, who was recently honoured as the Forbes Best

of Africa Leading Tech Icon, is certainly underrated in Nigeria, perhaps for his humility and simplicity - this is unlike many of his counterparts who flaunt their wealth unnecessarily.

For a man with such huge accomplishments, many would have expected him to paint the town red when he celebrated his 66th birthday last Tuesday.

But rather than rolling out the drums in celebration of the occasion, he was away in the United Kingdom doing what he knows how to do best: discussing business deals.

However, this does not mean that he is not appreciative of God’s blessings in his life.

He only detests carnival-like celebrations on such occasions.

On the day, he was said to have been literally bombarded with a torrent of birthday messages and outpour of encomiums from friends, well-wishers, fans as well as admirers.

Ekeh

Flying Like an Eagle, Sijibomi Ogundele Spreads Across the Continent It takes a master vision to create a masterpiece.

For the luxury estate expert, Sijibomi Ogundele, creating a masterpiece has never been a problem.

In his seven years of operations, the boss of Sujimoto Construction has dwarfed many of his counterparts, as he has changed the narratives in the nation’s real estate sector.

Yet, he has not stopped dreaming! He continues to fly higher to the chagrin of many.

Just as he has been making fortunes from the real estate company, Sijibomi, who is also a lawyer, is unrelenting and on his way to becoming the richest property merchant in the country.

A few years ago, Ogundele had envisioned the possibility of establishing a real estate firm that would be a household name in the country. So, when the opportunity presented itself, he grabbed it with both arms.

At the time when most of his mates did not know how to navigate the labyrinthine ways to reach their goals in life, Ogundele had already planned his future in his head.

Kolade

Ogundele

For good reasons, the Iyalaje of Oodua, Toyin Kolade has always been in the news.

Though she doesn’t go out of her way to seek cheap publicity, she is a delight, any day, to newshounds.

If she is not in the news for her service to humanity, her celebration of Yoruba culture, as well as its tradition, would be news for celebrity reporters who know their onions.

In fact, Society Watch gathered that since she was bestowed as the Iyalaje Oodua in July 2021, by the respected monarch, Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi her profile which is already on the rise has shot to the sky astronomically. The much-coveted title further established her as a woman of substance.

Many would not forget in a hurry that the party was tagged as one of the most colourful parties in the year 2021. It was attended by the hotshots and the crème de la crème. It was one event that has further established the boss of Fisolak Global Resources from across the globe, a philanthropist par excellence, as a ‘Woman of the people’, given the large turnout of personalities. Since then, she has carried herself with much self-worth and confidence.

While she has also become a beautiful bride that many are now courting, a source

His is that of a grass-to-grace story; a bumpy journey to success.

When he initially set out, those who were ignorant of his ambition and plans were said to have condemned him with their actions and inactions. But he was unperturbed because he had a clear vision of what he wanted to do in life. With great zest and determination, he reached for the moon, knowing that if his grasp missed its cusp, his hands might land on the stars. And his hands did land on the stars!

The undisputed luxury real estate maestro and developer of the iconic Giuliano building and the much-talked-about LucreziaBySujimoto tower in Banana Island, is slowly becoming the Dangote of his generation. The under 40-entrepreneur who emerged from Agege to become a businessman that is rubbing shoulders with other high flying businessmen and a name to reckon with when it comes to luxury real estate in Nigeria.

revealed that the Osun State business mogul has also become a force to reckon with among celebrities in the country, particularly in the South-west.

By all standards, Kolade is a successful businesswoman and socialite of note. She has her hands in many pies: oil and gas, interior decor, real estate, maritime and hospitality, among others.

A woman of means, she commands deep respect from young and old, especially in the political, social and business circles.

More importantly, she is also in tune with the modern trends in the fashion world.

Call her a show- stopper and you will only be stating the obvious.

Kolade joined the millionaire club at a relatively young age of 21, having learnt the ABC of doing business from her mother. With so much confidence, hope and clear vision, she laid the foundation of her business empire some years back. Today, Iyalaje, as she is famously called, is a success who has continued to inspire several others. No doubt, it takes a woman of guts as Kolade to thrive in the ever-unpredictable business climate in Nigeria.

Applause for Saliu Mustapha for His Philanthropy

Tamuno

Last August, Mallam Saliu Mustapha was announced the fourth Turaki of Ilorin, Kwara State. The appointment, quite expectedly, was greeted with thunderous applause and accolades from around the country and beyond. The reason is not far-fetched. He has obviously registered himself in the consciousness of the people as a patriot and philanthropist of note in the past years.

Though Mustapha is an accomplished businessman and a politician, he is more known for his impactful philanthropy.

Like the previous holders of the Turaki title, there is no project or programme undertaken in Ilorin in the last few years without his meaningful

Mustapha

input. But unlike some lousy politicians in the town, Mustapha, who is in his 40s, is said to have impacted so many lives in Ilorin without needless hype. It is also a fact that he has continuously contributed financially towards the running of the Ilorin Central Jumat Mosque.

A source revealed to Society Watch that his good deeds were chiefly considered in his selection for the Turaki title.

Society Watch also gathered that Mustapha, despite not being in the power loop, has been spending at least N60 million annually on scholarships for indigent students in and outside the town since 2008.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 24 2012

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

27.2.2022

LIKE BEACONS OF LIGHT, THE ANNUAL HARMATTAN WORKSHOPS ANIMATE AGBARHA-OTOR The 14-acre Harmattan Workshop venue in Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, is home to both tangible and intangible treasures, Okechukwu Uwaezuoke discovers

T

win shafts of light seemingly appeared out of nowhere, magically illuminating the deepening darkness. A swarm of children, chattering excitedly and trailed by a lone adult, rushed forward towards this previously unseen spectacle. This was what the renowned artist Bruce Onobrakpeya had predicted to the newest arrival at the Harmattan Workshop camp earlier that evening.

Talking about the illuminated works, they are actually two stained-glass altarpieces, which were originally produced by the late YusuͿ Adebayo Cameron Grillo for the All-Saints’ Anglican Church, along Montgomery Road in the Lagos mainland neighbourhood of Yaba. Professor Onobrakpeya, who attended church with his wife, recalled with a hint of nostalgia how these artworks used to help him concentrate during the hours of worship.

“They created an appropriate atmosphere for worship,” he added.

But then, Fate seemed to have decreed that their permanent abode would henceforth be in the Delta State town of Agbarha-Otor, the host community of the Harmattan Workshop.

Hence, when sometime in 2019, not so long before the COVID-19 lockdowns in March and April 2020, he learnt that the altarpieces were about to be pulled down because water was passing through some of the apertures to inundate the altar area, he approached the church authorities with an oͿer to acquire them for a token.

After moving the altarpieces, or what was left of them, to his studios in Lagos's Papa Ajao neighbourhood, it occurred to him that they could be restored to their original form.

So, for about a year and a half, he assembled them like a jigsaw puzzle with the help of his assistants, using a photograph of the original.

Along the way, some of the missing pieces were replaced with ersatz pieces.

The idea of engaging with the works without necessarily installing them in a real house spawned another during the restoration process: illuminating them from within. This was inspired by what he did with his early plastocast works. Subsequently, six-foot-apart beams were built into which the works were inserted. “[This was how] we reenacted the story that the works originally told,” the patriarch, who will turn 90 on August 30, explained.

Thus, two weeks before the workshop's 2018 edition, the altarpieces were installed in their new home at the Harmattan Workshop venue in Agbarha-Otor. Grillo died in August of last year, while the foundation for the beams was being dug. As a result, the installation served as an appropriate memorial to him.

In a nutshell, this is how the Harmattan Workshop venue looks. It sits on 7.5 acres of land and includes a massive four-story workshop building designed by Onobrakpeya's Zaria Art Society comrade Demas Nwoko, a verandah-like dining and meeting hall with a library and a kitchen attached, a large building that houses the Bruce Onobrakpeya Museum as well as some living quarters, and a cluster of residential houses with wood-clad walls. A newly acquired 6.5-acre parcel expands the property beyond a macadamised thoroughfare.

Flashback to 1961. Onobrakpeya had enrolled in the painting class at the Nigerian College

Cameroonian ceramicist Nathalie Kassi Djakou discusses her work with Bruce Onobrakpeya and members of the Nigerian Field Society

A drone shot of the BOF building and the rest of the workshop venue of Arts, Science and Technology (NCAST) in Zaria as a third-year student, despite the advice of one of his teachers, Mr Taylor, who felt he should study graphics. Three years later, in 1964, after attending two workshops in Ibadan and Osogbo organised by Germanborn editor, writer, and scholar Ulli Beier, he realised he should have specialised on printmaking. Thus, the workshops served as a sort of remedial course for him, leading him away from painting and into printmaking.

But something else struck him: the presence of artists such as Duro Ladipo, Twins Seven-Seven, and Susanne Wenger altered Osogbo's artistic atmosphere and inÁuenced the people's attitude toward art. This was the point at which he resolved that if he had the resources, he would recreate the workshop experience in Agbarha-Otor.

Fast forward 11 years to 1975, when he attended the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in the United States. It is located on the coast of the Deer Isles in Maine and is commonly referred to as “Haystack.” He began to plan how to make hisAgbarha-Otor dream a reality in this informal education

A drone shot of the workshop venue setting.

With his savings, he was able to purchase the Àrst 7.5 acres in Agbarha-Otor in 1984, four years after retiring from formal teaching. The main gallery building's foundation, designed by Demas Nwoko, was dug in 1990.

The building was still under construction when the Àrst Harmattan Workshop edition began in 1998. The residential buildings with wood-clad walls were constructed using reclaimed wood from the construction site. “While Osogbo inspired me to start the workshop, Haystack inspired me about how it should look,” the 2006 UNESCO Living Human Treasure Award recipient explained.

Meanwhile, at the workshop, a typical day begins around 5 a.m., when one of the participants invites his Christian “brothers and sisters” to morning prayers in the dining hall. Shortly after, some of the participants go on a cross-country jog, followed by stretches led by BarrettAkpokabayen, an old regular at the workshop. Participants disperse to their numerous workstations in the vast workshop gallery building after breakfast. Lunch is served between working hours, and special

lectures that last late into the night, frequently graced by the presence of Chief (Mrs) Wanda Ibru, the wife of Lagos-based business mogul Olorogun (Dr.) Oskar Christopher Eyovbirere Ibru, conclude the day's activities.

The brief visit of a handful of members of the Nigerian Field Society, a nationwide organisation founded in 1930 with branches spread across several cities in Nigeria, was perhaps the highpoint of this year's edition, the 24th in the series. The visitors were shown around the grounds and taken through various workshop sessions such as painting, multimedia, textiles, and ceramics during this whistle-stop tour. They had a brief interaction with the Cameroonianborn facilitator, Nathalie Kassi Djakou, at the ceramics stand.

This edition, like the previous ones, provided an excellent learning opportunity for the workshop's 98 participants. Ikechukwu Ajibo, a Lagos-based artist who was exposed to a wide range of materials during the workshop, was delighted to meet new people and learn and share ideas during the interactive evening lectures. "From the onset, it has had a signiÀcant impact on my artistic career," he disclosed.

Another Lagos-based artist, Sotonye Jumbo, simply called it “an interesting place to be as an artist,” while Timilehin Fayokun, a.k.a.

Bourdilon, a Lagos-based cinematographer, described it as “a great learning centre and a place to network.”

Indeed, this annual workshop, which has attracted studio artists, art students, and lecturers from all over Nigeria as well as from outside the country since its inception, provides an informal learning environment.

Onobrakpeya hopes for a day when there will be enough funding to keep the workshop venue open all year. Already, with an impressive alumni list that includes such luminaries as Professor Peju Layiwola and Olu Amoda, the annual workshop has a bright future ahead of it.

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 27, 2022

ARTS & REVIEW\\ART-LOGUE

PRIMED FOR SUCCESS, MICHAEL IGWE STOMPS ONTO THE GLOBAL STAGE All eyes are on the young emerging Nigerian artist, Michael Igwe, who was featured as the only artist in Rele Gallery-powered first-ever Nigerian presence in Art Basel. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke reports

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hat has to be a human Àgure in the painting. At the moment, it doesn't appear to matter if it’s male or female.

It is virtually crouching in a foetal posture, clutching a white pillow Àrmly as if for dear life. Even when this Àgure is depicted as suspended vertically in a muddy-brown blank backdrop, the viewer can't help but imagine it prostrate. This could be because the artist, Michael Igwe, has, in any case, summed it all up when he titled this 2021 acrylic on canvas work, “Sleeping Anguished Boy by the Corner.”

If the title seems a little too straightforward, it is more ofahintthattheartist’smindisburstingattheseams with ideas than a nod to the zeitgeist’s penchant for verbosity. Much like the spectral Àgures in his painting, the ideas appear to have been distilled from the murky memories of his recent past. These almost-abstract Àgures with blanked-out details could be viewed as smudges of the artist's internal perceptions of previous impressions. “My projects are assembled from these Áuctuating thoughts which present both human’s struggle with strength Michael Igwe beside his work and insecurities simultaneously, using traditional media and alternative materials such as papers text, human body, not only as a necessary medium or imagetransfer,iconsaswellassplattersandscratches vessel for earthly experience but also as a vehicle that further beam [the] light on my character’s of expression in the artist's personal meditations condition,” the 2018 University of Benin graduate on what it means to be constrained in a transient of Àne arts disclosed in his artist statement. inhospitable space. According to the artist, this is Thus, “Sleeping Anguished Boy by the Corner,” alsoaspaceinwhichtheonlyconstantisuncertainty. along with the artist's other four paintings – “Like He felt uneasy about having to patiently endure Water for Chocolate”, “Graphic”, “I Have Become the anguish of waiting in this space, where he Him”and“Twenty-SevenYearsStrong”–comprise was literally boxed into a corner. In any case, he the Rele Gallery's oͿerings atArt Basel OVR: 2021, ended up in this place as a result of a previous which is titled Beyond Extremes and alludes, albeit decision to which, at that point in time, he was still tangentially, to the artist's personal experience. In subject. “Waiting is the most di΀cult thing to do,” a recent WhatsApp video session, he validated he admitted during the video chat, while stressing his interviewer's assumptions that his paintings that it implies not knowing what to expect next. reÁected components of his real-life experiences. As the exhibition title hints, it is all about the More speciÀcally, Between Extremes examines the desolate feeling of being trapped between two

options, unable to move backwards or forwards.

And the paintings, even when they are products of external inÁuences, are also eloquent expressions of the artist’s thought process.

So, does he consider himself a victim of some sort?

No, not quite. Faced with the consequences of his previous decisions, which triggered creation’s inexorable reciprocal actions, he resigned himself to a dull acceptance of it all. Somehow, he senses that these Ànal eͿects of his decisions must not be seen as unjust. He was, he narrated, orphaned at the age of 12 and he found himself early in life entangled in paths that led to experiences that matured him inwardly. Hence, he tends to see the more positive aspect of growing up without his parents. This inÁuenced his outlook on life, a circumstance he likens to praying for oneself because no one else will. As a result, one matures swiftly and acquires such athletic attributes as endurance and inner stability.About his upbringing, he said, “It's always very abstract when I talk about it, but the works themselves bear the imprints of those years.”

Apparently, the neighbourhood in Port Harcourt where he grew up was not the kind of place where a child with true childlike qualities would have wanted to spend a long time. TheAkwa Ibom State native recalled, “You always seemed to be chasing something, or the realities of this environment seemed to be chasing you. It made movement consistentandÁuid,slippery,unsure,anduncertain at times.”

Even if it wasn't the kind of neighbourhood where anyone would want to raise their children, it didn't qualify as a slum or Àt into a particular type of neighbourhood. “There was just something about it and the people who were discovered there that I couldn't put my Ànger on. It's almost as if the ne'er-do-wells chose to live there. As a kid, I didn't like the fact that all you saw were drunks. The school and the church were the only places that

A RARE SOURCE OF INSPIRATION Joseph Ushie

Art Basel OVR: 2021 ended on Saturday, February 12.

ERESIA-EKE’S UNCOVERS HIS ¶100 POEMS IN 25 WORDS’ Yinka Olatunbosun

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he excitement that greeted the publication of Audacious Journalism by Anietie Usen, a world-class journalist and technocrat, in October 2018, did not suggest there would be room for another publication, soon after the 706-page book. The much acclaimed Audacious Journalism was the summation of the author’s thrilling writings as a meteoric and multiple award-winning journalist.

It was, and is still, a collector’s item, and many had concluded that the book was a parting gift from the gifted writer, who had already veered successfully into other Àelds of endeavours.

However, when I perused the present book, Village Boy, the Àrst thought that came to my mind was the famous statement by Helmut Schmidt, the former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, that: “The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement.”

Village Boy is therefore a solid competitor, if not an improvement on Audacious Journalism.

If Audacious Journalism was a must-read for journalists, writers and academics, one outstanding quality of Village Boy is that it is a sweet book for all generations, for all climes and for all seekers of information and knowledge about typical African societies and lifestyles in the 1960s and 1970s. This is a book of record, which brings back in a rather humorous and refreshing way, the fading memories of my generation. It is bound to amaze the younger generation, now in schools and various spheres of life.

Strikingly, Village Boy is not just a combination of true-life stories and experiences of underprivileged children, with its instructive underpinnings for readers of all ages. It is also a purposeful guide to the incredible yore, when life was simpler and a deep sense of community orientation and interdependence was overwhelming. It is written as facts of life, sandwiched, as it were, with native wisdom and the thrilling Àction

were diͿerent.”

As a result, his works are likely to be inÁuenced by hisexperiencesovertheaforementionedyears.Even when the paintings aren't about him, they tend to embody something with which the viewer may identify.And style? He didn’t choose it. It so to speak thrust itself upon him. His wordless musings on “very speciÀc individuals, places, personal events, and memories” resolve into shapes that embody and express their core meanings.

“While I use a variety of materials and processes in each project, my approach is consistent,” he writes further in his artist statement. “Although there may not always be material similarities between the diͿerent projects, they are linked by recurring formal concerns and through the subject matter.

Thesubjectmatterofeachbodyofworkdetermines the material and forms of the work and research.

By merging these multilayered narratives, the artist makes paintings that reÁect the people he encounters and the general public, yet they are essentially self-portraits.”

Meanwhile, the artist, who was designated one of the ÀverisingartiststowatchinArtBaselOVR:2021

by Emily Mcdermott, a Berlin-based writer and editor, has come a long way since he Àrst showed an interest in art as a child. Later, one Emeka Ifediora, who taught as part of his National Youth Service Corps programme in his secondary school, steered towards choosing art as a course of study. Not long after graduation, a Rele Gallery-organised boot camp inAdo-Ekiti for the Young Contemporaries exhibition initiated him into the secrets he was never taught in art school.

Now based in Lagos, the 28-year-old is a full-time studio artist working constantly on projects and exhibitions.

B

that African folklores and fables are famous for. To this extent, this book is simultaneously a fact and a Àction, or what modern literature now recognises as faction.

The correspondences cover existence both in the purely rural African villages and the period of transition from the rural setting to the western ways of life. Indeed, the portrayal of rural life in a typical African setting as depicted here in this book deserves a deeper study from many perspectives, as the veritable path and part of the African Renaissance. It would serve both in recovering the typical African mode of survival as well as an agent of uniÀcation among the peoples of the continent in view of the cultural communalities it will help to discover.

The storyline in Village Boy is built around Akan, a fragile but curious village boy who, having tragically lost his father at the tender age of two in an automobile accident in Lagos, is relocated to Afaha Akpan Ekpo village (Afaha for short), where he comes, not just into the warm care and protection of his grandmother, but harsh realities of poverty. Unlike Lagos, where he was born, Afaha is a world without clocks or wristwatches, and where encounters with ghosts are perhaps real; and the world of lizards, owls, toads, frogs, monkeys, and other neighbours of the wild, is in close communion with that of humans.

revity has always been his style of writing long before it became a necessity in our contemporary writing culture. Kudo Eresia-Eke, an acclaimed writer and former General Manager of External Relations of Nigeria LNG disclosed this while introducing his new collection of poetry, titled 25 Words Of Gold to a handful of journalists in Lagos. The book, which is a compilation of 100 poems, treats issues about life, love, faith and power as well as other life-changing messages.

According to the poet, it was a personal choice to make his poems brief, simple and accessible to all for impact. “What you see in the 25 Words of Gold is a reÁection of discipline, that rigour to have the ability to say things simply and brieÁy so that you can reach almost everybody and there is none that is read that will not give you something to take away so that you have value for your time,” he said.

The author also challenged the notion that di΀cult writings are more appealing to the elites. With his new piece, the trained communicator hopes to change the narrative.

"Through my training, there a few things I learnt. The prominent one is: ‘if you really know anything, you know it well. Then you should be able to say it brieÁy and simply.'

That has informed my entire outlook on life.

If I am not able to say something brieÁy and simply then I need to work a little bit harder, I need to understand it better.”

All genres of literature, he added, have suffered a setback, especially poetry with the new generation of readers. With the disruption caused by technology, many readers prefer less di΀cult writings. Then there is the advent ofsocialmediaapplications,whichhastailored people to discipline themselves into writing things brieÁy.

Eresia-Eke "In today’s world, Àrst a lot of people are not reading and, secondly, they are having di΀culty even trying to follow a di΀cult reading: reading that requires you having to consult an encyclopedia or dictionary before you make progress.

"For some reasons, poets believe that the more esoteric, di΀cult and the high the proÀle, the more of an appeal it has to the elite to enjoy it.

But I am an African, being an African I know that poetry is not for some people, poetry is for everybody. If you ever grow up in the village, the songs that we sang and folklore that we relateto,everythingwasdoneinsuchamanner that even a little child will understand. They are usually brief and not too lengthy.

“It’s that tradition of African folklore form of poetry and today’s reading culture, the fact that everyone is in a hurry, that informed and trained me to believe that if you ever knew anythingwell,thenyoushouldhavetheability tosayitsimplyandbrieÁy.Thosethoughtsand constraints gave birth to what I hope will be a continuous stream of 25 words as poems.”

The author, therefore, encouraged young poets to write in plain simple words, and not to imitate poems that are conveyed in an inaccessible language.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 27, 2022

CICERO

Editor: Ejiofor Alike SMS: 08066066268 email:ejiofor.alike@thisdaylive.com

IN THE ARENA

Electoral Law: As Buhari Acquits Self, Nigerians Await INEC, Others Now that President Muhammadu Buhari has finally signed the landmark Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law, the ball is in the court of the Independent National Electoral Commission, judiciary, politicians and support agencies to play by the rules to deliver free and fair elections in 2023, Louis Achi writes

T

he integrity of Nigeria’s constitutional democracy and sustenance of her political stability fundamentally rely on viable electoral governance laws. It’s against this backdrop that the signing into law of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari represents a key milestone of his almost eight-year tenure.

The president assented to the bill on Friday, at a brief ceremony held at the Council Chamber of the Aso Villa in Abuja. The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, were all present to witness the ceremony.

The signing of the bill came barely a week to the expiration of the window the president had to take a decision on the proposed legislation, as required by the Nigerian Constitution.

Speaking during the event, an obviously elated Buhari declared: “It is gratifying to note that the current Bill comes with a great deal of improvement from the previous Electoral Bill 2021.

There are salient and praiseworthy provisions that could positively revolutionise elections in Nigeria through the introduction of new technological innovations. These innovations would guarantee the constitutional rights of citizens to vote and to do so effectively.

“The Bill would also improve and engender clarity, effectiveness and transparency of the election process, as well as reduce to the barest minimum incidences of acrimony arising from dissatisfied candidates and political parties.

“These commendable efforts are in line with our policy to bequeath posterity and landmark legal framework that paves the way for credible and sound electoral process that we would all be proud of.”

Though the reformation of Nigeria’s electoral system is not really a new project, its necessity has been significantly accentuated by certain developments since the Fourth Republic was birthed in 1999. The fact that the majority of poll

Buhari results since the nation returned to civil rule 22 years ago cannot be said to have reflected the wishes of the majority makes electoral governance reforms imperative.

This imperative applies equally to both the upstream arena which addresses legislative modifications and the downstream which focuses on judicial interpretation of the laws.

It would be recalled that President Buhari withheld appending his signature to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2021, because the National Assembly had prescribed direct primaries as the only process of producing candidates for general election. Many stakeholders had strongly felt that if the federal legislative body had acted from a position of strong conviction, it could have constitutionally vetoed the president and passed the amended bill into law. Apparently, it did not.

Before signing the bill under reference into law, the president had sought an amendment by

asking the National Assembly to delete Clause 84(12). The clause reads, “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”

According to Buhari, the clause constituted disenfranchisement of serving political office holders from voting or being voted for at conventions or congresses of any political party, for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election in cases where it holds earlier than 30 days to the national election.

The section, he said, had introduced qualification and disqualification criteria that breached the constitution by way of importing blanket restriction and disqualification to serving political office holders of which they are constitutionally accorded protection.

His words: “The practical application of section 84(12) of the Electoral Bill, 2022 will, if assented

to, by operation of law, subject serving political office holders to inhibitions and restrictions referred to under section 40 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution.

“It is imperative to note that the only constitutional expectation placed on serving political office holders that qualify, by extension as public officers within the context of the constitution is resignation, withdrawal or retirement at least 30 days before the date of the election.

“It will be stretching things beyond the constitutional limit to import extraneous restriction into the constitution on account of the practical application of section 84(12) of the bill where political parties’ conventions and congresses were to hold earlier than 30 days to the election.”

The federal lawmakers in January, had to transmit the reworked version of the bill to the president for assent, after he had rejected it five times - citing the high cost of election, insecurity, drafting errors and proximity to the date of elections.

With the bill becoming active law, all attention has now shifted to the nation’s electoral management agency, the INEC, to do the needful going forward. All the restrictions and legal hitches that hitherto hobbled its operations are largely cleared.

It’s then little wonder that former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has described the presidential assent as a quantum leap for the nation’s democracy. According to him, “Certainly, we didn’t get all we pushed for in the new law, but it is nevertheless a quantum leap for our electoral system and I congratulate all, who played a part in it.

“With the electronic transmission of election results, early primary elections, and adequate time for INEC to prepare for elections, among other breakthroughs, our elections will never be the same again and more Nigerians will be encouraged to exercise their franchise, knowing that their votes will now count.”

Nigerians expect politicians, the judiciary, relevant security agencies, the media, civil society and others to give appropriate life to the new electoral management law by rising above board and supporting genuine efforts to ensure the credibility of the nation’s polls going forward.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

One Day in Zamfara History

Matawalle

It is no longer news that the former Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mahadi Aliyu Gusau, has been removed from office. What is news however, is the speed with which the state government conducted the events that led to his ouster and the installation of a new deputy governor, Senator Hassan Mohammed Nasiha Gusau.

For a state bedeviled by serious security challenges, where many are being killed almost on a daily basis, many feel that if Governor Bello Matawalle had taken the same steps to tackle the security challenges confronting the state, the people would have been better for it.

For instance, on the same day that the

state House of Assembly received the report of the panel that investigated the former deputy governor, it redrafted the Order Paper in order to deliberate, consider and adopt the report; voted for his removal; received a letter from the governor nominating a new deputy governor; redrafted the Order Paper to reflect invitation of the deputy governornominee for screening; questioned and grilled the deputy governor-nominee; called for the Committee of the Whole and later back to the plenary to screen and confirm his nomination.

Same day too, the Clerk of the assembly wrote the resolution and transmitted to the governor, and upon receipt of the resolution,

the governor wrote to the state Chief Judge, Justice Kulu Aliyu, inviting her to swear-in the new deputy governor; the chief judge honoured the invitation and administered the oath of office to the new deputy governor; the new deputy governor resigned as a senator; assumed office as the fifth deputy governor of the state.

But ironically, when it comes to security issues where lives and property would be protected, the same officials will either be foot-dragging or say that they do not have the constitutional powers to act.

This is one of the ironies in the country.

When it come to playing politics, there is the will but not so in performance.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 27, 2022

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BRIEFINGNOTES Gusau, Another Victim of Govs’ Reckless Abuse of Power The removal of the Zamfara State Deputy Governor, Mahadi Aliyu Gusau, by the state House of Assembly has further exposed the overbearing influence of governors on the state legislatures and the futility of deputy governors’ attempts to assert their political independence, Ejiofor Alike writes

A

fter months of battling the state Deputy Governor, Mahadi Ali Gusau, the Zamfara State House of Assembly eventually sacked him from office last Wednesday. For the sacked deputy governor, resignation should have been a more dignified option than allowing a pliable House of Assembly to sack him from office. But like his colleagues that had suffered the same fate in the hands of their governors in the past, Gusau stood his ground, with the false hope that democracy and judiciary would save him from executive recklessness.

The decision to remove Gusau was taken barely three hours after the assembly received the report of the investigative panel constituted by the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Kulu Aliyu to probe the allegations levelled against him by the lawmakers.

THISDAY gathered that though 18 members were required to sack the deputy governor out of the 24 members of the assembly, the 20 members who sat on Wednesday during the plenary, sacked him.

The Chairman of the Investigative Panel set up to probe him, Justice Haladu Tanko, said the committee demonstrated professional excellence and due diligence in the conduct of the assignment.

Responding, the Speaker of the assembly, Nasiru Magarya, commended the chairman and members of the committee for the job and promised to look clause by clause at the report in accordance with section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). He said the investigative panel found the deputy governor guilty of the charges against him.

As soon as the process was completed, without wasting any time, Governor Bello Matawalle immediately appointed Senator Hassan Gusau as the new deputy governor of the state. Until his appointment, Hassan was the senator representing Zamfara Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly.

Gusau’s disagreement with Matatwalle arose after he refused to join the governor to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Following his decision not to join the governor in his new party, the state legislature, just like other state lawmakers across the country, who are in the pockets of their governors, accused him of misappropriation of funds, gross misconduct, abuse of office, among other things.

The governor, his deputy and members of the state assembly had assumed offices on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after the Supreme Court disqualified candidates of the APC, who had been declared winners in the 2019 elections for not conducting primary election.

But last year, the governor defected to the APC and took along with him, members of the State Executive Council and the state assembly. However, Gusau, who apparently failed to learn from the experience of other sacked deputy governors dared his boss and refused to defect to the APC. Some political analysts, who had admired Gusau’s courage, believed that both the state legislature and the judiciary would assert their independence and save him from any trump-up charges the governor’s allies in the state assembly would prefer against him.

Others believed that the governor would respect the deputy governor’s father who is a renowned statesman and would not dare move against his son.

But in a show of loyalty to the governor in the wake of the

Gusau political differences between him and Gusau, the state lawmakers had last year threatened to remove the deputy governor over alleged misconduct.

They accused him of holding a political rally amidst killings in the state. But the former deputy governor denied any wrongdoing.

Sensing that the state lawmakers were determined to remove him from office, the deputy governor approached a Federal High Court in Abuja to restrain the lawmakers and the state Chief Judge from constituting a panel to hear the allegations levelled against him.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, who heard the matter in July 2021, restrained the lawmakers and the Chief Judge of the state from taking steps to sack him by giving an order directing parties to maintain status quo.

However, no sooner than Gusau heaved a sigh of relief than the state assembly started a fresh move to remove him. The latest move was started early this month when they served him notice of removal. They later asked the Chief Judge to constitute an investigative panel to verify the allegations against the deputy governor.

The lawmakers, through the Chairman, House Standing Committee, Shamsudeen Basko, said Gusau was accused of three offences: Abuse of office, criminal self-enrichment using public funds and failure to discharge official duties; abuse of office, including Constitutional breach of sections 190 and 193 (1), (2) (a) (b)(c), of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended); criminal self-enrichment using public funds; includes criminal diversion of state funds, conspiracy to defraud the state

and approval of dubious retirement in his office; and failure to discharge constitutional duties, giving rise to insubordination.

Basko had boasted that nobody would be able to stop the removal of the embattled former deputy governor from office.

In the light of the fresh moves against him, Gusau and the PDP urged the court to revive its order issued in July last year to halt the fresh proceedings. At the hearing last Monday, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Emmanuel Ukala, appealed to the judge to make a definite pronouncement for the maintanance of the status quo.

In the alternative, the lawyer urged the court to direct Mike Ozekhome (SAN), counsel for Matawalle, and lawyers to other defendants – the Chief Judge of the state and the Speaker of the state assembly – to give an undertaking for maintenance of status quo.

But, in his response, Ozekhome told the court that Ukala only served him the amended originating summons, the motion to revive the status quo, as well as a motion for interlocutory injunction just on Friday, February 11, 2022.

He argued that he was entitled to seven days each to respond to both motions and 30 days to respond to the amended originating summons.

He also argued that the status quo order granted in July 2021 had since expired after 14 days going by the rules of the Federal High Court.

Ozekhome said further that he would not give an undertaking which would have the effect of preventing the Zamfara State House of Assembly from carrying out its constitutional functions, including impeachment.

In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that it was premature to hear the application for maintenance of status quo and the other processes.

He advised both lawyers that whatever applications or grievances they might have should be taken to the next hearing date.

The judge therefore granted Ozekhome seven days each to respond to the two applications and 21 days to respond to the main suit.

The court also granted Ukala time to file his responses and consequently fixed March 10 for definite hearing in the suit.

Even though the judge did not specifically give the restraining order, he warned that no party should take any action during the pendency of the matter.

Despite the warning of the judge, the assembly last Wednesday quickly moved to sack Gusau.

The sack of Gusau clearly shows what deputy governors suffer in the hands of the principals, pliable Houses of Assembly and a helpless judiciary. Once a governor is not happy with his deputy, the next thing is to unleash the state House of Assembly on him or her through impeachment proceedings. Even the courts cannot save the deputy governor because most of the governors and state Houses of Assembly treat judicial pronouncements with contempt.

With Gusau’s removal, the Zamfara State lawmakers have ambushed Justice Ekwo and render his future pronouncement on the matter a mere academic exercise. At best, the courts will nullify Gusau’s sack by the time the tenure of their joint ticket has expired.

That was the best judgment other former deputy governors secured in the past.

Many analysts have blamed Gusau for his travails. They posited that since he did not defect with Governor Matawalle to the APC, he should have known the consequences and honourably resign.

NOTES FOR FILE

South-east Govs’ Silence in the Face of Insurgency

Baba

With the incessant killing of innocent citizens and security agents in the South-east, the region is no doubt heading to a full blown insurgency.

Despite this tragedy that has befallen the South-east, the governors and other political leaders of this region have continued to play the ostrich, with some of them claiming in the media that their states are most peaceful.

The South-east governors have failed their people in the area of providing security.The excuse that they are not in control of security agencies is unacceptable.

A few days ago, attacks on a cattle market in Abia State left no fewer than seven people dead. At the same time, police stations and checkpoints from Enugu to Anambra to Ebonyi to Imo, all recorded attacks with many casualties.

A few days ago, Justice Rita Pemu of the Court of Appeal, Owerri escaped death by the whiskers in the hands of these gunmen.

Last week, a renowned industrialist from Nnewi in Anambra State, Chief Gab Ofoma had his life cut short by these beasts. As Enugu was celebrating its most peaceful state toga, no fewer than five people were said to have been killed in NkanuWest Local Government Area during an ordinary local government election in the state.

On a daily basis, the social media records different experiences of innocent people in the hands of gunmen.

The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) had since ordered the suspension of Monday’s sit-at-home directive.The group has also denied being responsible for the series of attacks and the enforcement of the

non-existent sit-at-home.

But the governors who planted their loyalists in all the wards and local government areas as chairmen and councillors, have failed to deploy these grassroots leaders to unravel the perpetrators of these heinous crimes.

It is a shame to the governors that schools no longer open on Mondays in the South-east.

Even most police stations, particularly those outside the major cities have surrendered to these gunmen as their officers and men are no longer visible on Mondays.

This handshake has since gone beyond the elbow and the political leaders should stop their fixation on inordinate ambitions in 2023.The people that elected them deserve to live and their businesses deserve to be protected.

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CICERO/ISSSUES

Atiku

Atiku’s Citizenship Suit as Academic Exercise Though the Federal High Court merely struck out the suit challenging the citizenship of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on technical grounds, analysts argue that facts before the court suggest that the suit was just an academic exercise, Alex Enumah writes

I

t was a huge relief for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar when a Federal High Court in Abuja last week struck out the suit challenging his citizenship of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Delivering judgment in a suit filed by a nongovernmental organisation, Incorporated Trustees of Egalitarian Mission for Africa (EMA), in 2019, to challenge Atiku’s eligibility to contest for president, Justice Inyang Ekwo struck out the suit for lacking merit. He described the plaintiff as a “busy body,” who had no locus standi to query the citizenship of the former vice president.

In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/177, the plaintiff had challenged Atiku’s eligibility to run for president on the premise that he is not a Nigerian citizen by birth. It argued that considering the provisions of sections 25 (1) & (2) and 131(a) of the constitution and the circumstances surrounding his birth, the former vice president cannot contest for the top office.

But in striking out the suit, Justice Ekwo held that the NGO, having been registered under Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) with special functions, cannot jump into public interest litigation that is not part of its objectives. He cautioned NGOs to refrain from filing frivolous applications targeted at harassing politicallyinclined Nigerians.

He concluded that since the plaintiff was bereft of locus standi, the court lacked the requisite jurisdiction to entertain the case.

EMA had joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), as co-defendants in the suit.

At the court session, Atiku’s counsel, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), prayed the court to dismiss

the suit. He argued that the matter was already stale as it was tied to the 2019 election, in which his client contested election, challenged the poll and lost.

Aligning himself with Jegede, Adedamola Falokun, PDP’s counsel, said he had also filed a notice of preliminary objection.

“I stand in alignment with the learned SAN that this matter is stale.They filed this before the 2019 election that the first defendant (Atiku) should not be cleared.

“The first defendant had been cleared. He contested and lost in the election. And you are still talking about 2019 when we are in 2021 and in a few days, we will be in 2022,” he said.

He urged the court to dismiss the suit in its entirety and award punitive costs against the plaintiff.

However, the plaintiff’s counsel, Akinola Oladimeji, said the suit is not a pre-election matter but to determine Atiku’s citizenship.

He insisted that even though Atiku was said to have been born in Nigeria, he was not a Nigerian.

“For the purposes of clarity, a pre-election matter is filed by an aspirant in an election.The plaintiff is not an aspirant. It is only seeking an interpretation into the questions raised,” he said On his part, Malami, in an affidavit to support the suit, said Atiku was not a Nigerian citizen by birth and therefore, not eligible to run for president in Nigeria.

But the Adamawa State Government, whose prayer was granted to join the suit, insisted that Atiku is a citizen of Nigeria, and therefore, eligible to run for the office of the president.

The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Afraimu Jingi, through

his lawyer, LD Nzadon, said the suit also threatened the right of not just the former vice president to contest the office of president, but that of the citizens of Nigeria of Adamawa State origin in 12 out of the 21 local government areas in the state.

According to him, “to disenfranchise the citizens of the 12 local government areas of Adamawa State in relation to the office of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is to discriminate against them contrary to Section 42(1)(a), (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“The government and people of Adamawa State have a greater interest in this suit than the 4th respondent (AGF),” Nzadon told the court.

Atiku was born in Jada in the present Adamawa State. He had all his education in Nigerian schools and served in the Nigerian Customs Service for 20 years, until he retired.

He was presidential aspirant of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 1992, was elected governor of Adamawa State in 1999, before he was nominated and elected vice president for eight years.

In 2007 and 2011, he contested for the presidency and lost to Presidents Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, respectively.

For all the over 70 years he has lived in Nigeria, no one ever raised or questioned his citizenship until 2019 when the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) raised the issue as a response to his petition at the Presidential ElectionTribunal to challenge the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

APC was said to have feared that Atiku had a watertight petition and evidence to remove Buhari from office.

The party, in its response, claimed that the

former vice president was not a citizen of Nigeria by birth and he ought not to have been allowed to contest the election.

This later prompted EMA to file a suit at the Federal High Court to challenge Atiku’s citizenship and eligibility to contest elections in Nigeria.

Observers believe that Atiku’s case has a resemblance with the Shugaba DarmanVs federal government, which happened in the 1980s.

Precisely on January 24, 1980, in the heydays of the administration of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in Second Republic, operatives of the Nigerian Immigration Service, acting on an order from the then Minister of Internal Affairs, Bello Maitama, arrested and summarily deported the Borno State House of Assembly Majority Leader, Alhaji Abdurahman Shugaba Darman to Chad Republic on the pretext that the government had discovered that he was not a Nigerian but a Chadian.

Darman was a politician of note and very charismatic; a man who attracted large crowds at political rallies due to his oratory and stout criticism of the NPN’s administration. He was also a grassroots man and stalwart of the opposition Great Nigerian Peoples Party (GNPP) and seen as the de facto governor, due to his influence in the government.The old Borno State was the stronghold of the GNPP while the federal government was controlled by NPN. While Darman was in a Chadian village, his political party, the GNPP instituted a legal action, challenging his illegal deportation. In its claim, the federal government brought an old woman who claimed to be the mother of Darman.The woman testified that she was the biological mother of Darman and wept profusely, claiming that she wanted her lost son back to his fatherland of Chad.

But Darman denied ever knowing the woman, insisting that his mother was alive and lived in Maiduguri and was a well-known person.

In the end, the court revoked Darman’s deportation order and even awarded him the sum of N350,000 damages.The government also lost the appeals in both the Court of Appeal in Kaduna and the Supreme Court.

To properly understand the instant case, Atiku was born November 25, 1946, before Nigeria’s Independence in 1960 in Jada town in Ganye Local Government Area of Adamawa State.This area was never part of Nigeria legally until the February 1961 plebiscite in which the people of the then Northern Cameroon voted to join Nigeria.

Atiku’s father was from JadaVillage of the old Northern Cameroon.

After the plebiscite that made Northern Cameroon part of Nigeria in 1961, all the people of Northern Cameroon, whether born before or after 1960, were seen as Nigerians and all the communities therein became indigenous to Nigeria.Therefore, the legal implication of the 1961 plebiscite is that all communities of the “British Cameroon” are deemed to be communities indigenous to Nigeria. In fact, the people in Northern Cameroon were not part of the Republic of Cameroon, but they belonged to a geographical territory controlled by the British Colonial masters.

The question many observers are asking is: Can someone born before independence outside Nigeria in a community not indigenous to Nigeria become a Nigerian by birth? NO! But Atiku’s case is different.

To further buttress the argument canvassed above, Section 10 of the 1963 Constitution is to the effect that those who became Nigerians by virtue of the February 1961 plebiscite are deemed to be citizens of Nigeria by birth and their communities are indigenous to Nigeria.

Mr. Festus Ogun of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, argued that if votes from Atiku’s areas can be counted as valid in elections, and if those areas are recognised by the Constitution under Section 3 and revenue can be generated from that same area, then it is mind-boggling how anyone from there cannot contest in an election.

“From the above, it requires little or no imagination to detect that Atiku and in fact, anyone from the communities that joined Nigeria by plebiscite in 1961 are citizens of Nigeria by birth. This means that they are eligible to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under Section 131(a) of the 1999 Constitution and any political office, whatsoever, without any hindrance once other constitutional requirements are met.

“An attempt to twist history for the satisfaction of political prejudices should not be allowed to stand. If the votes of those “affected” areas can be counted as valid in elections, if those areas are recognised by the Constitution under Section 3, if revenue can be generated from that same area, why then should they be treated as aliens in their country?” he asked.

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CICERO/REPORT

Buni

Ayu

Will APC’s Zoning of Presidency to South Rattle PDP? The move by the All Progressives Congress to zone its presidency to the South may have thrown the Peoples Democratic Party off-balance, Adedayo Akinwale writes

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fter months of dilly-dallying, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has decided to brace the odds by fixing March 26, 2022 as the new date for its national convention. The March 26 date was agreed after several postponements following the intense horse-trading, ahead of 2023 general election.

The APC governors reached the agreement after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa where he gave his consent for the party to use the consensus arrangement to elect new party executives.

The Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai told journalists after the meeting that the ruling party had agreed on a zoning formula that would swap offices previously held between North and South. By this arrangement, all offices that were occupied by northerners in the last NWC will go to the South, and vice versa, in the coming dispensation.

“We have agreed on a zoning formula for all the six geo-political zones. Essentially, northern zone will have the positions the south has had in the last NWC, and vice versa. It is a very simple, equitable, and fair formula. We will now go back and consult at the zonal level and look at the positions that are available and the process of the convention preparation we started in earnest. So, by the grace of God, on the 26th of March, we would have done our national convention,” the Kaduna governor explained.

It was against this background that political observers believed that it was an indication that the ruling party had zoned its presidential ticket to the southern part of the country.

Interestingly, the APC appears to be playing a rather smarter card, given the current mood of the nation for power to shift to the southern

Nigeria.

This is why political observers are of the opinion that the decision might have put the opposition PDP in a state of confusion.

The main opposition party which had initially followed the same route by zoning its chairmanship to the North, later derailed and contemplated throwing its presidential ticket open.

PDP’s current moves will obviously put the north at advantage.

However, the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has declared that the zoning of the presidency to the South by the ruling party does not pose any threat to the main opposition party.

But a chieftain of the APC and the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, argued that the governor got it wrong on all fronts. He said the governor’s disposition shows the lack of dynamism in the political thinking of PDP He pointed out that the opposition party had shown that it was incapable of upstaging APC, especially when the unity and prosperity of Nigeria is not uppermost in their calculations.

Okechukwu stated: “Methinks if the statement credited to him is correct, His Excellency, Bala Mohammed and by extension PDP, is simply being opportunistic by saying that APC’s zoning of Presidency to the South is not a threat to the PDP, because if we put it to the North, it will give us more electoral victory.

That’s ethnic chauvinism, simple.

“The Bauchi State governor and PDP seem to forget that Nigerians are fair-minded and uphold justice and equity in their voting preferences. That was why the late Moshood Abiola of Social Democratic Party (SDP),

defeated Alhaji Bashir Tofa in his Kano State home in 1993. In 2023, Nigerians are going to repeat that feat by acknowledging President Muhammadu Buhari and APC’s decision to do the right things for national unity peace and progress.”

Okechukwu emphasised that the doctrine of swap of offices between the north and the south was a masterstroke by Mr. President for the good of the APC and Nigerians.

“It is not only a threat to our sister political party, the PDP, but also signals their imminent defeat. My friend (governor’s) reaction seems inspired by a sense of defeatism and a phobia for the APC. After just seven years in opposition, PDP has retained its character of deception, duplicity, selfishness, promise and fail; otherwise how can a rational political party flagrantly and unscrupulously breach its constitution, which expressly ingrained zoning?” he queried.

The VON DG expressed confidence that Nigerians cannot forget in a hurry how PDP nurtured Nigeria towards becoming the World Poverty Capital, gross unemployment and palpable insecurity by their squander mania and share-the-money syndrome which became its slogan.

“Or do we forget the less than transparent sale of national assets and State-owned Enterprises, where the sordid agreements like that of DISCOs are more or less tailored by tenant for the federal government, who is supposed to be the landlord.

The tenancy-tailored agreements had made it impossible to unbundle the non-performing DISCOs and free Nigerians from the yoke. That is the darkness we cannot easily overcome.

One flatly disagrees with those who say that

APC and PDP are the same, because whereas our great party invested in critical infrastructure, PDP shared Nigeria’s money for temporary happiness, he said.

On his part, a political analyst, Mr. Jide Ojo told THISDAY that APC would be digging its own grave if it decides to retain the power in the north. He was of the opinion that for the sake of equity, fairness and justice that the presidency should go to the south.

He stated: “That (zoning) it is in tandem with equity, justice and fairness. We all know that since 1999, especially since the advent of the fourth republic, there is an unwritten rule, a gentleman’s agreement to rotate power between the north and the south. So, even when APC was dilly-dally and was not forthcoming about the power shift to the south, I knew they will be digging their own burial ground if they should allow power to be retained in the north.

“Recall that the whole argument that led to the defeat of Goodluck Jonathan was the fact that he pledged to do one term which is to do the second term of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and people like Babangida Aliyu, the Governor of Niger State actually challenged him not to seek re-election after his 2011- 2015 term.

“So, the issue is about equity justice and fairness or what we could call inclusive governance. I think this will just make the PDP to behave itself because any attempt to do otherwise - throw the game open to all comers, or maybe do a micro zoning to North-east in order to favour Atiku Abubakar will be counter-productive. So, I think it is just for the purpose of that that I see the swapping of all political offices between North and South as Mallam El-Rufai said yesterday or thereabouts.”

While many are of the view that the decision of the APC to go South will attract sympathy votes across party lines from electorate in the region, it remains to be seen if PDP will still throw it ticket open.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 27, 2022

INTERNATIONAL Africa and the Russo-Ukrainian Imbroglio: Lessons Beyond Mediating Revellers and NATO Travellers Afield

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rom the perspective of polemology, the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian imbroglio is the first inter-state war since the end of World War II. The crises and conflicts that have arisen since 1945 have been intra-state.

Therefore, the international community has been able to beat its chest that it has prevented transnational war thanks to the United Nations Charter.

However, with the Russo-Ukrainian saga, there is now a serious threat to the maintenance of international peace and security. This is mainly because of the conflicting interests of the self-appointed mediating revellers.

The conflicting interests are getting beyond what global governance can easily control. In fact, the international questions that are being intrinsically raised are many and complex. They include the right of self-preservation of the warring parties; secession of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine; political sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine as guaranteed by the 1994 Budapest Memorandum; controversy over Ukraine’s membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO); imposition by the European Union (EU) and NATO of sanctions on Russia, sanctions that only serve as a catalyst in the deepening of the misunderstanding; conflicting positions of United Nations Security Council’s Permanent Members on the imbroglio; threats of use of nuclear weapons; and most importantly, the new dimensions of the struggle against unconstitutional change of government in international relations.

Until now, the issue of zero tolerance for unconstitutional change of government is believed to be majorly an African problem. It is generally in Africa that coups d’état take place and that the people also support or encourage coup making when their elected leaders become democratic dictators. Put differently, intrinsic in the Russian-Ukrainian dispute is the objective of regime change.

The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, is seen by Russia to be anti-Russia and who should therefore not be allowed to lead Ukraine. It is no surprise therefore that Russia has told the Ukrainian parliament to remove President Zelensky, who was elected in 2019, apparently as one of the conditions for peace making.

The request is undoubtedly a manifestation of unconstitutional change of Government. The main target of coups and an invasion is regime change. Both Russia and the former Soviet Union, on the one hand, and the United States and its NATO allies, on the other, are on record to have invaded other sovereign states. The imbroglio should therefore not be taken as a case in which the steam is accusing the kettle. It is against this background that Africa and the Russo-Ukrainian conflict is reviewed.

Polemology of the Disorder Polemologically, the imbroglio has prompted the emergence of mediating revellers and NATO travellers afield, both taking sanctions against Russia, but to which Russia does not bother to give any serious attention. In this case, what really is the centrifugal problem? Why is the Russian-Ukrainian saga becoming a major dynamic of a new Cold War? What are the likely scenarios of the imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine? What is the place of international politics in the resolution of the conflict? How will Africa, and particularly the ECOWAS region, be impacted upon by the Russian invasion and by international politics? And perhaps more importantly, how can Nigeria escape the domino effect of the saga in terms of the rule of self-determination and secession in all their ramifications? Who really is the agent provocateur of the crisis and conflict: Russia or the NATO? Can Ukraine be held responsible for the invasion, especially for expecting outsiders to come and help Ukrainians to fight Russia? What prevents holding the Zelensky-led government accountability for the long delay in addressing the concerns of Russia? Put differently, why is President Zelensky addressing the Russian concerns with kid gloves? Why is Ukraine now prepared to discuss the concerns of Russia following invasion? And perhaps more importantly, how can Nigeria escape the domino effect of the saga in terms of the principle of self-determination and secession? It is useful to remember here that the struggle for secession is strong in the Southeast of Nigeria while the agitation for self-determination in the Yoruba Southwest has been taken to some international instances for possible mediation.

Consequently, the Russo-Ukraine imbroglio is not simply a problem between Russia and Ukraine as two separate sovereign states,

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

Onyema but particularly an issue between the proponents of democracy under which the right of self-determination is being claimed, on the one hand, and the proponents of the right of secession in Ukraine, on the other. In this regard, the self-determination school to which Ukraine and the NATO allies all belong, posit that it is the prerogative right of Ukraine to determine its own destiny, to determine whether it will join the NATO. The secessionist school, primarily comprising Russia and the two secessionist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, is laying historical claims to the regions and non-acceptability of Ukraine’s membership of the NATO. This is the background to the order and counter-order that have now amounted to disorder.

The international politics of the imbroglio is quite interesting. The United States and its allies, Britain and France have their veto powers potentially to be used in favour of the Ukrainian government, while Russia and China are pitching their tents behind the opposition and secessionist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. This situation has the potential to fast track the emergence of a new Cold War. The profound causal factors of the invasion are mainly three: historical claims to Ukraine, conscious disregard for sanctity of agreements, and conflict between two democratic principles (right of self-determination versus the right of secession). As regards claims to Ukraine, it is made clear in the 65-minute speech made shortly before the recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine as independent sovereign states of People’s Republic of Donetsk and People’s Republic of Luhansk by Russian President Vladimir Putin last week Monday, February 20, that contemporary Ukraine was ab initio entirely created by Bolshevik Russia. On this basis, President Putin accused the Ukrainian authorities of carrying out genocide against four million Russophones in Ukraine.

In the thinking of Russia, Ukraine should not be used by any foreign country against the people of Russia. It is within this context

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The essence of the foregoing is to underscore the point of unfairness and injustice which has become a major dynamic of insecurity and mésentente in international governance. Africa, particularly the ECOWAS region of West Africa may be the next theatre of the new East-West Cold War for one main reason. The stakeholders in the RussianUkrainian imbroglio are majorly the nuclear and veto wielding powers of the developed world. France which has been holding fort for the NATO in Africa has been gradually withdrawing its troops from Africa, not necessarily by choice by a manu militari decision of some Francophone countries. Mali, for example, believes that France has outlived her usefulness in the Sahelian region, that France has not been able to contain jihadist terrorism in the region, and has therefore invited Russian mercenaries to replace the French. The vacuum created by the French departure is being filled by Russians. Thus, in the foreseeable future Russianisation of West Africa cannot be ruled out, and for Africa, and particularly Nigeria that does not always have policies of preventive containment of threats to national and continental security, lessons should be drawn from what is currently going on Ukraine.

that the Russian opposition to Ukraine’s intended membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) should be understood as another profound causal factor of the invasion. Ukraine desires to accede to the NATO agreement, but contrarily to the wishes of Russia which thinks that the nearness of NATO to its international borders cannot but constitute a major threat to its national security survival.

Ukraine holds a different viewpoint, and strongly believes rightly or wrongly that, as an independent sovereign state, it necessarily has the right of self-determination, and the right to determine its own destiny. In other words, whether to belong to the NATO, whether to be associated with Russia cannot but be its own exclusive responsibility. Most unfortunately, however, this right to self-determination appears to have been myopically applied by seeking partisanship with the NATO while neglecting the regional implications for the neighbours of Ukraine.

The other rationale for the Russian invasion is the conscious disregard for sanctity of agreements, and conflict between two democratic principles (right of self-determination versus the right of secession). Russia was made to understand that NATO influence will not be allowed to extend to the newly established sovereign states that were created following the dismantlement of the former Soviet Union. James Baker, the US Secretary of State is on record to have told Mikhail Gorbachev that ‘la jurisdiction militaire actuelle de l’OTAN ne s’étendra pas d’un pouce vers l’est.’

Gorbachev was specifically assured of this in expectation of his acceptance of the then proposed integration of a unified Germany into the NATO system.

More important, there was also the 1993 President Bill Clinton proposal which has been to no avail. President Clinton proposed a new international structure, which was called ‘Partnership for Peace’ for the purposes of ensuring European security without the involvement of the NATO. But contrary to the spirit of this ‘Partnership for Peace’, many countries, as from 1997, were invited to join the NATO: Hungary, Poland and Czechoslovakia Republic etc were invited in 1997 and they joined the NATO in 1999.

What is noteworthy in this case is that Mikhail Gorbachev and Russian president, Eltsine Boris, facilitated the dismantlement of the USSR in the expectation that Russia would not only be integrated into the European security network in the long run, but also that the United States would likely take advantage of the openness of the Soviet Union to the world to expand NATO’s membership, thus implying the need for caution.

Without doubt, Ukraine is one of the new constellations of States and has nuclear capacity and capability based on its former association with the former Soviet Union, one major reason for Russia’s non-preparedness to allow Ukraine to join the NATO. However, the NATO is on record to have admitted some of the new countries to membership of the NATO contrary to the agreement reached with Russia.

While the US-led NATO countries have infringed on the agreement, Russia has not done any better. The Russian case is more irritating than that of the NATO. In 2014 for instance, Russia annexed Crimea contrary to the 1994 Budapest Memorandum which provides for the maintenance of the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Annexation of Crimea and supporting and giving recognition to the secession of Donetsk and Luhansk is necessarily militating against the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Consequently, Russia is as guilty, if not more than, as the NATO countries.

Beyond Revellers and Travellers Afield Mediators of the Russian-Ukrainian imbroglio are revelling and travelling afield. As many stakeholders are against aggression and invasion, many cannot but also revel because of the opportunity provided to test new weapons and sell them. Come to think of it seriously, if there is no market for new weapons how would the weapon manufacturers survive? Crises and conflicts are also part of human life and will continue to exist for as long as there will be human beings. Consequently, light arms, ammunitions, heavy weapons etc, cannot but remain a desideratum. But there will still be need to go beyond revelling for humanity’s sake.

Explained differently, the Russian and Ukrainian saga can provoke a global war if care is not taken. In terms of power comparison and future scenarios of the invasion, an escalation should be expected because Russia believes it has been unnecessarily pushed to the wall and is therefore prepared for the worst scenarios. In reaction, the NATO countries have only succeeded in pushing Ukraine to intransigence, without any indication of wanting to send troops to Ukraine to assist. They only are interested in taking sanctionary measures and providing some weapons, which we all know cannot influence Russia. Ukraine does not have the military might of Russia. And true enough too, the extent to which the EU can harass Russia militarily is also very limited.

In this regard, there is no disputing the fact that Russia as of May 2021 has the highest number of nuclear weapons with 6,257 warheads. The United States is placed second with 5,550 warheads, meaning that Russia had 707 warheads more than the United States. China is placed third with only 350 warheads and France in the fourth place with 290 warheads. With United Kingdom’s 225, Pakistan’s 165, India’s 160, Israel’s 90 and North Korea’s 45, the total warheads deployed, stockpiled, retired, or awaiting disarmament, the world is playing host to a total of 13,100 warheads.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 27 2022

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ENGAGEMENTS

with ChidiAmuta e-mail:chidi.amuta@gmail.com

The PDP at Crossroads

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igeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is currently hanging on an existential cross of its own. After nearly eight years in the power wilderness, the party faces the 2023 election season with an uncertain fate and a quirky future.

Will it resurrect from its present state of deprived animation or descend into permanent disrepair and ultimate extinction?

Quite remarkably, the party has persisted commendably even in a power deprived state.

In 2019, it put up an impressive showing of strength that rattled the incumbent APC. That impressive performance was a testimonial to the party’s institutional memory and widespread membership spread across the country. While few people with knowledge of Nigeria’s political landscape expected the PDP to defeat the incumbent APC in 2019, the fairly impressive showing of the party was a strong confirmation of the logic that like all major world democracies, Nigeria is ultimately in a better place as a two party democracy. Binary choices tend to make democracies more participatory with simplified options.

Nonetheless, the PDP is currently not in the best of shapes as a party. It may not be as fractious as the ruling APC but the party is in desperate disrepair. It is hard to tell now what the original enablers and activators of the party think of its current state. Ibrahim Babangida, Olusegun Obasanjo and Aliyu Gusau must all be in utter consternation and even embarrassment at what they intended as a grand scheme for national political survival. After four decades of a military dictatorship in which they all had a hand, the PDP was their mechanism for continued relevance in the task of national redemption.

Dr. Alex Ekwueme, the civilian pillar of that effort, if he was alive today, would have shared the current disquiet among the generals. The dream has almost turned into a nightmare of amputated wishes.

The original template was that of a unifying political umbrella for all shades of interests and opinions across the nation. It was designed to forge a sense of oneness in the nation after many decades under military rule. Its founding membership was first informed by a need to reverse the effects of decades of autocratic rule and regimental psychology in the nation.

A broad spectrum of political luminaries from across all our divides gave the PDP its initial appeal and strength. It was a mechanism for a mature and liberal national consensus among political equals. They pooled their strengths to rebuild the foundations of a free democratic Nigeria.

The PDP was above all designed as an instrument of national stability through the restoration of the supremacy of civil authority and bring back international respectability after a pariah status under Mr. Abacha’s bloody tyranny.

At this critical run up season to 2023, the survival of the PDP and its prospects of a rebound lie in reconnecting its grassroots support base with a credible party leadership. Of the two major political parties, the PDP still has the longer institutional memory on how to be a party as party, a party in government and a party in power. Founded at the historic moment of an end to military rule, it was a mechanism for the recovery of the instinct for freedom and democracy among a populace that had become inured to the prolonged loss of instinctual freedom. The party’s hour of birth was a traumatic moment in national history, one that called for great national healing after a string of tragedies.

The June 12 annulment had taken place and hurt the nation deeply. Abiola had died in government custody, an unnecessary death that set the nation against itself. Sani Abacha’s bloody autocracy had crashed with his befitting lowly expiration.

Military rule had exhausted both its legitimacy and validity. But the democratic inevitability was itself riddled with minefields of uncertainty. The civil populace was too traumatized to believe in any new set of leaders irrespective of their costume after decades of debilitating autocracy.

The populace was even more frightened by the string of national tragedies and misfortunes. This is the effective backdrop to the birth of the PDP. As an emerging political idea it needed to become a brand quickly. And every political brand prepping to contest for power needs a

Ayu mascot. The founders saw Obasanjo, newly released from Abacha’s Gulag, as that mascot.

He was a retired soldier who had tasted civilian life. He had acquired reasonable international stature and respectability. He had been jailed and framed by the Abacha dictatorship and so understood the value of freedom and the cost of living under a dictatorship.

As the head of state who presided over an earlier transition in 1989, Obasanjo had bowed to the democratic verdict of the electorate which gave the presidency to Alhaji Shehu Shagari instead of his kinsman, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

He had received the surrender documents of the defunct Biafra at the end of the civil war in 1970 without cleansing the Igbos. So, he had earned the respect and confidence of all major sections of the country and could therefore be entrusted with the task of leading the new charge of national healing and return to reasonable civility.

In 1999, Obasanjo was for the PDP what Buhari became for the APC by 2014, a galvanizing force and a brand ambassador. In the 1999 elections, Obasanjo was the logical choice against the other major contenders. General Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu and Mr. Olu Falae had more ethnic and provincial appeals than the more nationalist and broad based Obasanjo.

Ideologically, the PDP was and founded as a right wing all inclusive nationalist platform.

Although an all comers amorphous platform, it was business friendly and liberal in its inclusiveness of all shades of opinion in the nation. Its founders and leading lights were unabashed military industrial capitalists supported by major captains of business and industry. At best, their models for Nigeria’s development under the party were South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia and possibly Singapore. Obasanjo was enamored of these models.

As a party in power, the PDP was personified by Mr. Obasanjo’s ebullient approach to democracy.

He respected party supremacy for as long as the party leadership was willing to do his bidding. Otherwise, he changed the leadership of the party at will, leaving no one in doubt about his Medieval conception of the party and the state. The president was the party and the state all rolled into one. He plotted to take out party chairmen and Senate presidents with a regularity that assured his hold on apex power while leaving the party and the National Assembly in a state of constant instability and flux. In this crude concept of power and supremacy, Obasanjo was the only constant.

As the party in government, the PDP under

Obasanjo ensured a reasonable level of security of lives and property. Armed challenges to the authority of the state were beginning to be evident but where they occurred, they were ferociously beaten back. In Odi, Shagamu and Zaki Biam, the authority of the state was decisive and ferocious in a manner that may have put the human rights reputation of the new government in question.

But insurgents knew exactly who was in charge and where the red line was drawn. Where state governments allowed national security to suffer in favour of local political convenience, President Obasanjo was equally decisive in pressing the powers of the constitution into effect. He declared states of emergency in Plateau and Ekiti states respectively.

In spite if his personal bullish octogenarian exuberance and frequent authoritarian flights, President Obasanjo was an effective leader and led the PDP to rise to a remarkably high level of control of the polity and the economy. He had a clear focus on national policies. He secured a near debt free status for the country by seriously engaging the international merchants of debt.

He was anxious to integrate Nigeria into the international financial system by consolidating its banks, digitalizing our payment system and extending banking services and the benefits of the stock market to the previously excluded. Obasanjo tasked Nigeria’s corporate captains to rise to the challenge of international competitiveness by aiming to take over the commanding heights of the economy.

He set his eyes on South Korea as a development model. He wanted to empower a few big corporations, like South Korea’s cherbols , by granting them monopolies on hospitality, telecommunications, cement manufacturing and banking.

The Transcorp Group came into existence. To a great extent, Mr. Obasanjo facilitated the rise of Nigeria’s present generation of corporate oligarchs. Under him, there were clearly identifiable growth sectors: telecommunications, oil and gas, banking and finance sectors witnessed phenomenal growth.

The PDP’s handling of the politics of transition of power to the next elected successor was made problematic by Mr. Obasanjo’s personalization of the party, and the presidency. He tried to succeed himself through the infamous Third Term plot which was mercilessly beaten back by vigilant Nigerian political hawks. His choice of late Umaru MusaYar’dua and his pairing with Goodluck Jonathan from the Niger Delta was a mix of personal and strategic considerations.The best way for a strong leader to retain a towering

stature and grand legacy is to be succeeded by weaker leaders. The fortunes of the PDP were to be decisively altered by Mr. Yar’adua’s infirmity and early death. Jonathan’s effete presidency further weakened the party and culminated in the breakaway of a faction to form the New PDP. On the way out of the Villa, Obasanjo re-wrote the party constitution, giving himself a lifelong role as perennial Board of Trustees chairman and ‘father of the party’. All that unraveled as soon as he left Aso Villa.

As an opposition party in the last nearly eight years, the PDP has been woeful. It has mistaken opposition for political waywardness. It has mistaken abuse for criticism, name calling for dissent, and policy emptiness and guesswork for informed alternatives. As a political party, its rhetoric has been a steady descent into a free hurling of motor park insults at the ruling party instead of serious engagements on core national issues.

Ordinarily, the informed public expects more from a serious opposition party. As a habitual opposition leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo led parties that were known for proffering credible and informed alternative policy positions than the governments in power. His opposition parties had more credible statistics on aspect of national life than the governments in power. For every shortfall that an Awolowo opposition party criticized, they had a ready alternative position.

But in almost eight years as an opposition party, the PDP has not come up with any informed alternative positions on anything be it the national budgets, defense and security spending, the costing of railway and road contracts or even the national debt. Worse still, the PDP group in the National Assembly has not been known to vote in a manner that has compelled the ruling APC legislators or the executive branch to seriously seek a bipartisan consensus on any legislation.

Instead, key PDP members and legislators have routinely decamped from their party to the ruling APC. Today, the national consensus that birthed the PDP as a national platform has dissipated. The broad concept of horizontal leadership that gave it initial stability has been replaced by something dangerous.The PDP has been effectively hijacked by a handful of autocratic adolescent governors.

The driving fuel of the party has shifted from a consensus of a respected broad based leadership to a ‘cash and carry’ syndrome.

Largely, the party leadership selection process has become an open Arab street bazaar in which the preferred candidate of the highest bidder governor assumes leadership only to be tossed aside if and when his leadership threatens the interests of the paymaster. The biggest spender takes it all. The entire purpose and mission of the party has been reduced to a relentless haggling over which ethnic faction or position on the political compass will be allocated the presidential ticket for 2023. In this atmosphere, it has become necessary, to pose an existential question on the plight of the PDP. Simply put, can the PDP in its present degraded shape survive the shock of a possible defeat in 2023?

The current rating of the party even in the estimation of its founders was captured recently in Abeokuta. The new leadership of the party led by my good friend Dr. Iyiorcha Ayu. The new executive had gone to impress upon former president Obasanjo the need for him to identify with the party after years of public disassociation. It was an unrelenting Obasanjo who looked the delegates in the face and reiterated his final exit from partisan politics. This has left the party at the mercy of its new masters and the uncertainties of a vastly altered national political terrain.

Today, the PDP is at an existential crossroads with its fate hanging from a noose. It is now virtually a political joint stock company with majority shares held by one or two moneyed governors. Its power lever is being controlled by a triumvirate of gubernatorial oligarchs led

by Mr. Wike of Rivers State, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and perhaps Mr. Makinde of Oyo State. The perpetual presidential aspiration of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and some upstart governors of northern states is tempting the party into stormy waters by jettisoning the zoning principle in its founding DNA. At a time when the (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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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 20, 2022

NEWS

News Editor: Gboyega Akinsanmi E-mail: gboyega.akinsanmi@thisdaylive.com,08152359253

NDLEA Raids Lagos Island Drug Den, Arrests Kingpin, Six Others Michael Olugbode in Abuja The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has

smashed the notorious Patey Lagos Island drug haven cartel in Lagos State, arresting a major drug kingpin, Mrs. Sherifat Kehinde

Chidoka, Ex-Minister, Says Electoral Law Needs Third-party Certification Ayodeji Ake Former Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka, has said the new Electoral Act Ammendment Bill into law signed by President Muhammadu Buhari needs a third party certification to confirm its processes to record success in the coming 2023 general election.

Speaking on Good Morning Show on Arise TV yesterday, Chidoka said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) needed to advertise and contract a third party, an independent company that will test the electoral technology processes introduced by the commission to ensure it could perform the general election task ahead He lamented the new technology failed in some parts of the Anambra state during the last gubernatorial election, which may be a risk to the forthcoming general election if not properly tested and certified.

He said: “We are going into an electronic election which is critical and hasn’t been tested. INEC has introduced a bimodal voter’s accreditation process. I have read about it online I discovered INEC built the technology with their technology engineer. This technology failed us in Anambra because it was partly successful but I am worried about the transparency of the system.

“The electoral bill should have taken a change in the new process whereby the technology that has been introduced will be reviewed by a third party for a certification system for the technology. A third party, which has to be an independent party that will certify that with the technology, INEC is capable of conducting an election nationwide.”

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain expressed disappointment in Buhari for taking seven years to sign the electoral amendment bill into law.

Madu, Nigerian-born Lawyer, Cleared of Misconduct, Redeployed A Nigerian-born former Minister of Justice and Solicitor-General of Alberta, a province in Western Canada, Kaycee Madu, has been cleared of wrongdoing.

Madu was, in January, asked to step aside from his ministerial position pending the outcome of a probe. At the conclusion of the probe, he has however, been redeployed to the Ministry of Labour and Immigration as Minister.

The investigation was launched after he reportedly called the police chief over a traffic offence ticket.

Madu, who was appointed minister in August 2020, was pulled over on March 10, 2021, and fined $300 for flouting the country’s traffic and safety regulations. He was said to have been on his phone in a school zone.

He then reportedly called Edmonton’s police chief, Dale McFee, and discussed the ticket with him.

But at the weekend, Madu was cleared of misconduct and transferred to the ministry of labour and immigration.

The Premier of Alberta, Jason

Kenny, said Madu will now lead “important reforms to the Alberta advantage immigration programme” as labour minister.

“The report concludes that Minister Madu did not interfere in the administration of justice, but that the phone call could create a reasonable perception of interference,” the premier said in a statement.

“It is clear from the report that his motivation in making the call was not to reverse the ticket, but to raise broader concerns, particularly related to racial profiling.

“Nevertheless, as Ms. Kent concludes, ‘being angry, wanting assurances that he was not racially profiled are all understandable reactions, given the context of the phone call. It does not absolve the Minister from responsibility, but it is an explanation that deserves recognition.” “Given her findings, and the unique role of the office of the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, I have concluded that it would be appropriate for Minister Madu to step aside from that position.

Nigeria Distilleries Upbeat on Building Great Marks 60th Anniversary Nigeria Distilleries Limited, the nation’s indigenous producer of spirit and wine, has marked its 60th anniversary, to appreciate its customers and stakeholders, expressing strong drive to build brilliant African and global brands that inspire greatness.

The exclusive gathering was attended by high-profile Nigerians, including Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; Olota of Ota, Oba Adeyemi

Obalanlege; Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, Mrs. Kikelomo Longe; amongst other key players in the industry.

Obasanjo reminisced on the ethos of Chief Ayo Rosiji and expressed his joy at the continuity of his legacy, “Chief Rosiji was a true Nigerian, patriotic and entrepreneurial. He exuded a love for the country that was almost unmatched. I see this in NDL and believe it will continue to deliver excellently.”

Lawal.

A statement on Saturday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, said Lawal was arrested along with six other suspects by operatives of NDLEA, who also recovered 5,862 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs including Loud and Codeine in a raid yesterday.

Babafemi said following credible intelligence and follow-up surveillance on illicit drug dealing

in Osho, Gambari, and Beecroft Streets, Patey Area of Lagos Island, anti-narcotics officers stormed the Gambari street base of the drug kingpin where they arrested her and six of her accomplices at 9:30am yesterday.

He said other members of the cartel operating in the axis, however, mobilised hoodlums, who attacked the operatives with stones, bottles and guns in a bid to prevent the officers from

arresting other kingpins marked for arrest as well as taking the suspects already nabbed and drug exhibits away.

Babafemi disclosed that the operatives were able to tactically defend themselves, took the suspects and exhibits away.

He revealed that suspects in custody with Mrs. Lawal are Ahmed Yisau; Solomon Alape; Olayemi Akinola; Salami Qudus; Bakare Rafiu;

Rose Samson; Yusuf Rofiat, and Chukwudi Egon.

Meanwhile, in his reaction to the development, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the officers and men of the Lagos Command of the agency for thesuccessfuloperation.

He, however, warned those being used by drug cartels to obstruct or attack anti-narcotics officers in the course of doing their work to desist or face dire consequences.

DISCUSSING POWER REFORMS… L-R: Co-Founder, Vroom Africa, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem; President, EuroCham Nigeria, Mary Ojulari; Managing Director, WNT Capitas, Dr. Abimbola Agboluaje; and Vice-President, EuroCham Nigeria, Simon Melchior, at the EuroCham Nigeria Stakeholders Conference on Power Sector Reforms in Lagos…recently

IG Appoints New DIG Operations, Redeploys AIGs Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Usman Baba, yesterday ordered the appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Mr. Bala Zama Senchi, as Acting DIG Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja and DIG representing North-West geo-political zone.

A statement issued by Force Headquarters said the IG also ordered the redeployment of

AIG Aji Ali Janga, AIG Bala Ciroma, and AIG Ndatsu Aliyu Mohammed to their new positions as AIG Police Mobile Force (PMF), AIG Federal Operations (FEDOPS), and AIG Zone 7 Abuja, respectively.

It said the posting/redeployment of the senior officers was due to the recent vacuum created by the retirement of DIG Zaki Ahmed, the DIG representing the North-west geo-political zone and immediate past DIG

in-charge of Operations, and AIG John Abang, AIG PMF, after the completion of their statutory years of service.

The new Deputy InspectorGeneral of Police, Operations, Ag. DIG Bala Zama Senchi, a consummate police officer, holds a BA in History.

The Kebbi State-born cop has held many command positions including the Commissioner of Police, Police Staff College, Jos and Jigawa Police Command.

Until his recent promotion/ posting, he was the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Community Policing, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

AIG Ali Aji Janga, who takes over the mantle of leadership of the Police Mobile Force, holds a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Maiduguri.

A of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), AIG Ali Janga has attended several professional courses/workshops.

PDP to Challenge Impeachment of Zamfara Deputy Gov in Court The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has disclosed that it is working on plans to challenge the impeachment of the former Zamfara State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mahdi Aliyu Gusau, by the state House of Assembly.

The party stated this in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba in Abuja.

Ologunagba said the impeachment by the assembly was illegal and as such a nullity.

“The PDP is reviewing the

actions in Zamfara in this violent assault on the Rule of Law and will take appropriate actions necessary.

“In any case, the PDP and the people of Zamfara State will not allow the impunity being foisted on the state to stand and appropriate legal action is being taken in that regard.

“Fortunately, our party has implicit confidence in the judiciary, which has in the past demonstrated its capacity and ability to defend the Constitution and the Rule of

Law,” he said.

The state House of Assembly had on February 22, impeached Gusau from office.

This followed the adoption of a motion by Majority Leader, Faruku Dosara (APC -Maradun 1) at plenary in Gusau.

The motion came shortly after the House adopted the report of Justice Haladu Tanko Panel, which investigated alleged cross misconduct and abuse of office against the deputy governor.

Speaker Nasiru Muazu, who presided over the sitting, directed the Mr. Clerk Saidu Anka, to conduct a voice vote on the impeachment and 22 out of the 22 lawmakers present, voted in favour and the deputy governor was pronounced impeached.

Gov. Bello Matawalle and Gusau assumed office under the platform of PDP, but the governor defected to All Progressives Congress (APC) on June 28, 2021. Their relationship became sour after Aliyu decided to remain in PDP.

Isa Bayero Gives Air Peace Ultimatum to Apologise to Emir Ibrahim Shuaib in Kano Isa Bayero, cousin of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, has given Air Peace airline a 72hour ultimatum to offer an apology for allegedly ‘disrespecting’ the Emir, Aminu Ado-Bayero, and causing a delay to his flight.

Bayero had written a petition to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), seeking punitive actions against Air

Peace Airline for what he tagged “disrespect to the emir and the people of Kano State.”

But Air Peace denied the allegation.

The airline’s Chief Operating Officer, Toyin Olajide, argued that Air Peace held the Emir of Kano in the highest regards and contrary to the insinuation that the Emir was disrespected, the airline indeed protected the image of the traditional ruler

“by not succumbing to what Isa Bayero wanted us to do.”

In a latest development, Bayero, who is the chief protocol officer for the Emir, said: “I am giving an ultimatum of 72 hours for Air Peace to tender an apology to the emir, first in a national daily and secondly to come down in person to the emir. We would not hesitate to go extra miles to correct the ‘misnormal’.

“The action of Air Peace is sentimental and unprofessional and we can go any length to defend and protect any act of insensitivity against our prestigious traditional institution.

“That insult is not heaped on the Emir alone but on the good people of Kano and folding our hands on this could trigger something worse and more ridiculous.

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NEWSXTRA FG Committed to Partnering Private Sector to Build Strong Economy, Says Buhari John Shiklam in Kaduna President Muhammadu Buhari has said his administration is commitment to partnering private sector in achieving its vision of a strong and resilient economy.

Buhari stated this yesterday while declaring opened the 43rd edition of the Kaduna International Trade Fair, organised by the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce Industries, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA).

The President who was represented by the Minister of Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo, said the COVID-19 Pandemic, and its attendant effects on crude oil prices, foreign exchange and investment inflows has shown the need to urgently reconsider and modify

the thinking on investments with comparative advantage in order to guarantee Nigeria’s economic security.

He said the need to drive job-intensive economic growth requires that attention be focus on investments with high potential for job creation and reducing the demand for foreign exchange.

According to the President, the federal government was making efforts to build and strengthen key sectors which strengthen Nigeria’s economic security in addition to traditional areas of comparative advantage.

He added that the federal government was focused on resolving the challenges which remains an impediment in the business environment.

“The recent COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant

effects on crude oil prices, foreign exchange and investment inflows have shown that there is need to urgently reconsider and modify the thinking on investment led by comparative advantage only, in order to guarantee Nigeria’s economic security.

“Our need to drive jobintensive economic growth means that we have to enable

Nigeria’s fight against terrorism financing will soon receive a boost following an assessment visit to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) by a team from the United Kingdom Department of Treasury (HMT).

A statement issued by CAC’s Head of Media, Mr. Rasheed Mahe, yesterday inAbuja, gave the indication following an in-country assessment meeting held between the UK Treasury Department and the commission.

According to the statement, the head of the assessment team, Allison Kelly, supported by Ian Collins, said the meeting was aimed at evaluating performance, peer review and generating inputs that would lead to greater efficiency, among others.

Kelly revealed that the team had

held similar meetings with other relevant government agencies with a view to identifying the areas for the HMT’s intervention.

At the meeting, there were separate presentations from some CAC officials, including the Director Compliance, Justin Nidia Biraol, who spoke on the “Use of Legal Persons for Terrorism Financing, The Use of Beneficial Ownership Information to aid Terrorism Financing Investigations.”

The Special Assistant to the Registrar General, Terver Ayua-Jor, also dwelled on “Identifying Beneficial Ownership of Companies Involved or Used in Terrorism Financing”.

The Director Incorporated Trustees, Olutoyin Abe, spoke on the “Registration of NGOs” and the challenges associated with post incorporation.

Michael Olugbode in Abuja African investment banking franchise, Emerging Africa Group(EAG) said it would raise a minimum of N250 billion to finance infrastructure development and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)

While CAC’s Head of ICT, Ambrose Obeta, highlighted some challenges and rolled out areas of possible collaboration and support from the vising HMT team, that would enable the Commission operate at par with its global peers in the area of combating terrorism financing.

In his remark, the Registrar General of the commission, Alhaji Garba Abubakar, expressed delight over the visit which, he said, had huge potential in enhancing, among others, the Commission’s enforcement of compliance related matters.

Represented by the Director of Customer Service, Mrs. Ifeoma Isaac, Abubakar pledged CAC’s support to realising the objective of the meeting, which was a follow up to a workshop earlier held in the UK.

Demolition: Patience Jonathan Seeks Arrest of Ex-SSG Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa Former First Lady and wife of Immediate past President, Dame Patience Jonathan, has sent a protest letter to the Bayelsa State Police Command over the alleged illegal demolition of her property, Aridolf Resort Wellness and Spa located at the Okaka area of the State capital.

The demolitions carried out

by State Government officials was led by the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and the Chairman of the State Physical Planning and Development Board, Gideon Ekeowe.

The former Nigerian First Lady, in her protest letter to the Police, was demanding the arrest of Gideon Ekeowe, over what she alleged as abuse of office, criminal demolition and abuse of Court processes.

It was gathered yesterday that the demand for the arrest of Alabo Ekeowe was provoked by the Friday destruction of the fence of the Hotel without allowing the management of the hotel and the Police respond to the Court order arising from the Motion on Notice instituted by the Physical Planning Board.

Investigation revealed that while

the Court ruled on the Motion on Notice on Monday, the Bayelsa Command which is expected to jointly implement received the copy in the morning of Friday but the officials of the Board demolished at about 3pm on Friday without the police.

The Law establishing the Board stated that such demolition could not be done without the police approval.

It was gathered that though the demolished fence allegedly encroached the legal line in the state Physical Development Plan, the action of the Alabo Ekeowe-led Board is a “violation of court processes and abuse of office.”

Sani Musa Visits Governor El-Rufai in Kaduna In continuation of his consultation with leaders and stakeholders within the party, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, a top aspirant for the National Chairmanship position of the All Progressives Congress (APC), paid a courtesy visit to Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai yesterday, at the Sir. Kashim Ibrahim House.

Musa and members of his campaign team were warmly

received by the host, El-Rufai, and they had a very fruitful deliberation on the need to further reposition the APC as a party with the right leadership, the forthcoming National Convention and on the need for the party to strategise and open for all Nigerians ahead of the 2023 general election and beyond.

Sani Musa told his host the reason for his visit was to seek

for “being one of the most frequently mentioned destinations for investors for implementing innovative ways for investments”.

On his part, the Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai who was represented by the Commissioner, Business, Innovation and Technology, Prof.

Kabiru Mato, commended

KADCCIMA for the annual event which he said, would provide opportunities for companies to showcase their products to boost the state’s economy.

He said the Kaduna state government had been making deliberate efforts in empowering youth and women across the state.

Group to Raise over N250bn for Infrastructure Devt

UK to Support Nigeria’s Efforts at Combatting Terrorism Financing Michael Olugbode in Abuja

investment in areas with high potential for job creation and reducing the demand for foreign exchange.

“While it also serves as an opportunity to change the country narrative to become less vulnerable to incidents, which was not created,” Buhari said.

Buhari commended the Kaduna state government

support and also highlighted his plans for the party, if elected.

In his response El-Rufai commended Musa for his doggedness and integrity, which he believed, were tools for good leadership just as he promised to give him all his support and further advised that he should continue his consultation and reaching out to all the governors and other stakeholders as the convention draws nearer.

in Northern Nigeria in the next two years.

The Executive Vice Chair of the Group, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sanni, disclosed this at the opening of the new Abuja Office Complex of EAG, which will oversee the operation of the investment bank in the entire Northern Nigeria.

Sanni said the North required huge financing especially in infrastructure in order to speed up development in the region.

She said: “There can’t be development or growth without adequate infrastructure, so what we aim to do is to help them raise funds (North) for infrastructure development. As we speak, we have gone on four different exercises to raise funds for road development in Niger state.”

She added that: “So first of all, we offer Northern states and opportunity to raise funds from the capital market, by private bonds and notes for all their

different infrastructure needs.

We are also involved in raising funds for some state-backed initiatives. We also provide Micro and SME finance for these small businesses that ordinarily struggle to raise capital and we have many of them both in the North and the rest of Nigeria and Africa.”

Sanni disclosed that Emerging Africa had set out a target to raise up to $1 billion over a five-year period for businesses in Nigeria and the rest of Africa when it started business, but said the company successfully met the target three and half years into the plan.

The Executive Vice Chair said this encouraged the Group to set a fresh target to raise $4 billion over the next five years for businesses in Africa.

On how the Group raises capital, she explained: “When we target to raise this capital,

what we do is that we matchmake between the surplus segment of the economy and the deficit segment.

We look for partners, local banks, international banks, development finance institutions, similar investment banks like us, institutional investors and wealthy families. We crowd them all in, to invest in segments and sectors that we think can have a catalytic effect for the development of the economy.”

On the infrastructure funding for development of roads in Niger state, Sanni said the Group did a final signing ceremony for a private bond that it raised, to the tune of N13.2 billion.

She disclosed that the funding was raised for a private infrastructure funding company that would then deploy the money to the development of projects within the state.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ FEBRUARY 27, 2022

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NEWSXTRA Ondo By-election: APC Candidate Chased Out of Polling Unit Gunmen attack senator’s convoy in Cross River Fidelis David in Akure There was pandemonium yesterday at Gbogi Isinkan II, Ward 3, Unit 14 of Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in

the Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency by-election, Mayokun Alade, was chased out of his polling unit.

This is coming as the Senator representing Northern Senatorial district of Cross River, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe also escaped death by the whiskers

at Ogoja as armed men shot some vehicles in his convoy during the by-election in Yala/Ogoja Federal Constituency in Cross River State.

The Ondo incident almost marred the election at the polling unit as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accusedAlade of financial inducement.

However, the timely intervention of security agencies and APC leaders who whisked him out of the venue, saved the situation.

Eyewitnesses recounted that the people protested against the APC candidate as he was seen from a distance giving some people money,

Cana-Care Restates Commitment to Transforming Education in Africa Sunday Ehigiator

Cana-Care, an educational programme established in 2021, has restated commitment to transform education in Africa, with its completely new educational experience targeted at students from Grade one to Grade 12 across Africa.

In a recent statement, CanaCare Country Programme Director, Siya Nwator, said the new educational model was already transforming students in other parts of the globe and now, it is time for Nigeria and Africa to experience the same.

“Cana-Care presents to students the singular opportunity to

find their path in their educational journey and inspire them to educational success.”

Siya said Cana-Care will be offering a life-time opportunities through the International Joint School Program, International Summer Camp Education Program, College and University Pathways Program, including School and Professional Improve-

ment Programs.

She urged schools and parents to take advantage of what is to come from the Cana-Care Education Program in 2022.

Similarly, Founder, Cana-Care Education Program, Adebiyi Oke highlighted the core offerings of Cana-Care Education Program as a ‘FAB-ulous’ education service delivery.

allegedly to induce them to vote for him.

Alade, however, debunked the allegation, narrating that “the people spotted me in white and hailed me, trying to hug me. I did not give anybody money to vote for me.”

He claimed that he had voted before he was whisked out of the premises so as not to disrupt the election, expressing optimism that he would win the election due to his developmental agenda for the growth of Akure Kingdom.

Meanwhile, some voters at St. Paul Primary School Oba Ile, ward 9, unit 3, in Akure North Local Government Area, alleged that the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa was distributing money during the election.

Responding, Aiyedatiwa denied the allegation, saying he never moved outside his residential area.In a related development, the Senator representing Northern Senatorial district of Cross River, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe also escaped death by the whiskers yesterday at Ogoja as armed men shot some vehicles in his convoy.

The gun-wielding operatives caused panic at the popular Ndok junction as they drove in a fierce manner in about 10 vehicles, including a coaster bus, Hilux, Sports Utility vehicle, scaring residents of Ogoja.

An eyewitness who pleaded anonymity told THISDAY that the incident happened along Abakpa axis of Ogoja when the gunmen were said to be returning from Mbube West where they had gone to scuttle the election.

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

B AC K PAG E C O N T I N UAT I O N OIL IS $100 AND WE’RE NOT SMILING insult. For one, even the 1.46mbpd we currently produce is not so much to our advantage.

According to NNPC’s financial report for August 2021 (its latest), our share of production from June 2020 to July 2021 was a mere 28 per cent of the total 682.55 million barrels. That came to 129,981,717 barrels for the 12 months. By contrast, we used to get about 40 per cent share when production levels were close to one billion barrels in a year, out of which we had for export and domestic allocation.

Do the math.

Now it gets more interesting. Our share of oil production is divided into two: federation export and domestic crude allocation. It is from federation export we are supposed to earn forex and domestic crude allocation is supposed to make fuel available locally through the refineries. Because NNPC has been saddled with the full responsibility of making fuel available at N165 per litre by all means necessary, domestic crude allocation now takes priority over export. Thus, more than half of Nigeria’s share of oil production is allocated to the NNPC for the dead refineries.

That leaves us with just about 200,000bpd to export on a “good” day. It could be less if oil production is disrupted.

It gets more interesting as NNPC uses the domestic allocation to import petrol under the direct sale direct purchase (DSDP) scheme.

DSDP is the sophisticated name for trade by barter: please give me petroleum products worth $1 billion in exchange for crude oil worth $1 billion. We do this through third parties. It’s like exchanging tubers of yams for wraps of pounded yam. The immediate benefit is that DSDP guarantees steady supply of products — fair enough, since our refineries are not working and will never work, no matter the sweet-coated promises made by every government since 1999. But it has also left too much in the hands of NNPC and

abuse is inevitable. I will explain myself later.

But the story even gets worse. Unable to build our reserves as a result of our low share of production despite high oil prices, we have fallen head over heels for petrol subsidy. It is expected to gulp N3 trillion this year alone. In a country that is spending most of its revenue on debt service, where government is borrowing massively to finance its budget, where many states cannot pay salaries, we spent N210 billion on petrol subsidy in January 2022. Because of this huge bill, NNPC remitted zero revenue from domestic crude to the federation account. All went into subsidy. NNPC had also deducted N270 billion in December 2021 for subsidy.

We will buy sense one day.

Let me summarise what we have discussed so far. One, despite high oil prices, we are not smiling because our export is low as a result of low oil production. We cannot even meet our OPEC quota. Two, our share of current production is miserable. Three, NNPC takes the bulk of Nigeria’s share to exchange for petroleum products with foreign refineries via third parties under DSDP. That means we cannot earn substantial forex income from federation export. Four, domestic allocation is used to subsidise petrol. As a result, revenue to federation account cannot grow. NNPC sometimes remits zero kobo, blaming subsidy, pipeline repairs, crude theft and such like.

Abuse is inherent.

A very critical question in all of this is: why is our daily production so low? Investment in the upstream sector has been falling over the years for various reasons, one of which was the uncertainty around government policy. We dilly-dallied over the petroleum industry bill for so long no rational investor would come and pour billions into a sector they were not sure of the laws they would be operating under. We are now reaping the consequences of this underinvestment. Our

policy makers never seem to care about the consequences of their indecision. We toyed with the PIB for too long. We were playing draughts and Candy Crush while investors were waiting for us.

Buhari eventually signed the PIB into law — and I commend him for this as well as for the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract (DOIBPSC) which, combined, should bring about a better operating environment for the oil industry. But he also suspended one of the most critical aspects of PIA — liberalisation of the downstream sector — because he wants to cater for our beloved petrol subsidy. The suspension has consequences.

If you were an investor, would you not think twice? Nobody invests in a country for God’s sake. We are currently reaping the rewards of our cumulative inaction and indecision. We will pay heavily for this suspension as well.

It is not a curse.

Finally, why is Nigeria’s share of oil production this low? The joint ventures (JVs) with the oil majors, in which we have 55 per cent, used to give us the biggest share — from which we exported and earned cool billions of dollars.

But the oil companies have restrategised. They are moving offshore, utilising the more fiscally rewarding production sharing contracts (PSCs).

Until now, PSCs did not yield much royalty.

Most production attracted zero royalty owing to the thresholds. The law has now been amended.

The “profit oil”, which is Nigeria’s share from PSCs, is usually small in the scheme of things.

The contractor takes most of the profit, having brought both the finance and the expertise.

Lest I forget, there is also the little matter of crude oil theft. From what I am hearing, we may be experiencing the highest level of theft in history. The perverse joint venture between the security agencies and the politicians, operated by militants, is even more profitable now that crude oil prices are high. The international oil

FAYEMI’S THOUGHTFUL TAKE ON THE NATIONAL QUESTION deliver on our mandate, fairness and equity are made our watchwords at all times.

“Our commitment to these values must not simply be minimalist - doing only the barest minimum required of us by the constitution - or token - just for the sake of playing to the gallery - or even rhetorical - through the paying of lip service. Our commitment must be robust, consistent, and demonstrable so that citizens have absolutely no doubt about the important place they occupy in our policy and political priorities. As leaders, we must not only embody the ideals of national unity but also always be seen as their active torch bearers. This way, we can build popular trust in our actions and erase doubts about our intentions.”

Though fully committed to the unity of Nigeria, Fayemi accepts that Nigeria as presently composed suffers from some debilities. His diagnoses include a dysfunctional governance ethos and structural challenges.

“Though now operated by Nigerians, the post-colonial state has been as alien and as predatory as its colonial predecessor,” he says. “The structural deformities of the Nigerian federation have circumscribed many possibilities for our state and our country as a whole. It is very difficult to sustain good governance at the national level in Nigeria because of the structural fatalities that have held her hostage.”

He dismisses clamours for secession and even for the creation of more states. But he supports the call for restructuring. He states: “In my view, restructuring should be less about redrawing the map of Nigeria, more about building an efficient governance system that can deliver the greater good to the greatest number of our people.” He advocates for restructuring in two ways: devolving more responsibilities and allocating more resources to the states. On reallocation of responsibilities, he thinks the exclusive list should be pared down to just national security and defence, macro-economic management, foreign affairs, and customs and excise; that internal security and policing should be bumped to the concurrent list; and for the remaining items in the second schedule of the constitution be devolved to the states. He aligns with the position that 42% of revenues should be allocated to the states, 35% to the Federal Government, and 23% to the LGAs. In essence, he advocates for 65% of statutory allocation to go to the subnational level as opposed to the current 47.32%.

Fayemi made other consequential submissions and prescriptions on new constitution, on elite consensus on vision of society and development, on new approach

Fayemi to fighting insecurity, and the need for engaged citizenship and forward-looking, unifying and people-centred leadership. I align with most of his positions and think they are well thought-out and pragmatic.

But I think some of his prescriptions need further deepening.

I am a big fan of decentralisation because of the logic that the closer the government is to the people the more effective and efficient it is likely to be. But more devolution by itself will not automatically translate to more development, as our experience with local governance has amply demonstrated.

Decentralisation is a necessary but not a sufficient condition. We need to accompany devolution with robust investments in capacity for governance and countervailing accountability measures. There is a major deficit of both at all levels of government today, but their presence is wafer thin at

the sub-national level.

Beyond this, tinkering with how we allocate responsibility and money without addressing and changing the inherited and well entrenched predatory approach to governance that the author talks about is not likely to result in different developmental outcomes at the subnational level (which is where the citizens really live) and in the country at large. Yes, we need some physical restructuring, but we also need a restructuring of the mind about our conception of power, politics and public office. For as long as we conceive of power as an instrument of domination not liberation, and of politics and public office as avenues for taking care of ourselves and those close to us in terms of blood, ethnicity, religion and region, merely re-allocating responsibility and resources will not amount to much.

And lastly, we need to pay serious attention to how to harness the human and natural potentials of our country for national prosperity. The bulk of what ails us all along is material. It is the scarcity of opportunities that complicates diversity and makes differences mobilizable in the first instance. It is implicated in the growing security challenges and the worsening human development indicators. The humbling fact is that we have simply not created an economy big and deep enough for most of our citizens to fully actualise themselves and for them to live the kind of life they have reasons to value. While allocative and distributive justice is important, we need an economy that is twice or thrice its current size. To use a cliché, we need to bake the pie before we can share it. We need to have a much bigger pie instead of just continuing to fixate on how to share an increasingly shrinking one.

I know there is a school of thought, popularised by Kwame Nkrumah, that admonishes seeking first the political kingdom.

I also believe in the primacy of politics. But at this moment in the life of Nigeria, the economy is now the central issue. It will be useful to know Fayemi’s thoughts about how to expand the productive capacities of our people, how to create opportunities for self-actualisation outside of government and politics, how to reduce debts, eliminate wastes and increase government revenues, how to quickly fix and dramatically grow our economy. There is scarcity of this in his very thoughtful and cheerful book. It is understandable that he had not been invited to speak on this important aspect of national life. But it is important he addresses his fecund mind to, and unveils his stand on, this soon.

companies are comfortable moving further offshore because they are safer and more secure there and lose virtually no barrel of crude. In summary, we can easily explain why we are unable to meet OPEC quota: it is a combination of crude oil theft, poor funding of JVs and the high cost of restarting shut production. The chickens have finally come home to roost.

Well, if you thought Nigeria had problems under Jonathan, we were just warming up.

A lot has gone wrong in the areas of policy and politics in the last few years that only a miracle of Lazarus-come-forth proportions can restore Nigeria to the oil fortunes of the Obasanjo-Yar’Adua era. At this rate, we should not expect to return to production levels of 2.5mbpd, or genuine foreign reserves of $60 billion, or ECA flowing with over $20 billion.

High oil prices will not put a lasting smile on our faces. The subsidy bill will continue to mount. The three tiers of government will keep having less revenue to share at FAAC as NNPC keeps deducting “under recovery”.

We are on a long, rough journey.

And Four Other Things…

EL-DORADO SIGNED After all the back-and-forth, President Muhammadu Buhari has finally signed the amended electoral law. According to commentators, analysts and activists, failing to sign the bill was going to put our democracy in danger. It was a plot to rig the 2023 elections, they said. The PDP even said it could lead to violence. The amendment is now law. What a relief. Our democracy is no longer in danger. Rigging has become history. There will be no more vote-buying.

Security agencies will no longer influence the outcome of the elections. Electoral violence is dead and buried. I am so glad to be part of this momentous event in our history. But don’t we just love hyperboles in this country?

Drama.

JABBING HIJAB I need somebody to help me understand this: how does wearing hijab to school disturb anybody’s life? This is an honest question — because I think maybe I am just being naïve.

I see Christian students wearing Deeper Life and Redeemed scarves in schools. They don’t wear earrings. I see Muslim students in advanced societies wearing hijab. All these things never disturb my peace. The recent crisis in Kwara state, where a life was lost in the protest against hijab, is yet another indication that those fanning the embers of avoidable conflicts in our society are still very much active. To my Christian brethren, I ask: what would Jesus do to a student wearing hijab? Think.

PAIN IN UKRAINE Russia’s blitzkrieg on Ukraine has shown, once again, that the UN is not that powerful.

The Big Boys have proved that they can always do whatever wherever whenever. In 2003, the US and its allies bypassed the UN and invaded Iraq in search of chemical and biological weapons that never materialised.

Meanwhile, I was disappointed at the ease with which Russia started brutalising Ukraine on Thursday. Ukraine’s Western allies knew Russia was going to attack. They kept talking tough. They promised Ukraine full support. When Russia said its troops had withdrawn, they said it was a lie. But all Russia got after the invasion were sanctions and more sanctions. Underwhelming.

AND FINALLY… Alhaji Isa Bayero, cousin of the Emir of Kano, has asked the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the aviation regulator, to punish Air Peace for “disrespect”. Why? The airline refused to delay its take-off for the emir who was late for a Lagos-Kano flight. I know that there are a few details that may be missing. One, the emir’s lateness was caused

by Air Peace’s delayed departure from Banjul, Gambia. It was not his fault. Two, I know that Air Peace employees are generally rude. I take it as organisational culture. However, how can you say a flight should be delayed because you are emir? And this becomes the subject of a petition? Nigerian big men actually think they own us. Ridiculous.

71

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 27, 2022

SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by: Duro Ikhazuagbe email:Duro.Ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

Russia v Ukraine: Abramovich Hands off Chelsea Duro Ikhazuagbe

A

s Chelsea and Liverpool go to ‘war’ in the Carabao Cup final today at Wembley to decide who wins the first domestic trophy of 2022, Russian billionaire owner of the Blues, Roman Abramovich, has given trustees of the London side’s charitable foundation stewardship of the Premier League club.

Abramovich, who bought the London club in 2003, said the foundation was in the “best position to look after the interests” of the club.

“I have always viewed my role as a custodian of the club, whose job it is ensuring that we are as successful as we can be today, as well as build for the future, while also playing a positive role in our communities,” the Russian said in a statement.

“I have always taken decisions with the club’s best interest at heart. I remain committed to these values.”

Abramovich and Chelsea did not reveal why he was giving the foundation stewardship.

However, several Russian individuals and entities have been put under sanctions by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson after Moscow launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine by land, air and sea this week.

Abramovich has not faced any sanctions yet.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said Friday that uncertainty over Abramovich’s future was weighing on the club ahead of Sunday’s League Cup final.

Tuchel and Liverpool Manager Jurgen

Romelu Lukaku...may start against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final today Klopp have both been crowned European champions with their respective sides, but neither has won a cup in English football.

Chelsea last won the competition in 2015 but it is a decade since Liverpool got their hands on the prize.

There will also be a different name on the trophy for the first time since 2017.

That is because Manchester City have won the competition for the past four years - beating Chelsea on penalties in the 2019 final - but were knocked out this

...Poland Snub World Cup Qualifier with Russia Poland will not play its soccer World Cup qualifier against Russia next month following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the President of Poland’s Football Association, Cezary Kulesza, and players including captain Robert Lewandowski announced yesterday.

Kulesza said the association was in talks with its Swedish and Czech counterparts regarding playoff matches set for March to fill a slot for the World Cup. “In light of the escalation of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, the Polish national team is not going to play a match against Russian Republic,”Kulesza said on Twitter.

“This is the only right decision. We are in talks with Swedish and Czech association to present

a common position to FIFA.” Russia is scheduled to host Poland in the semi-finals of its strand of the World Cup playoffs on March 24 and, if its team advances, is scheduled to host either Sweden or the Czech Republic on March 29 in the Path B final.

Polish national team players also took to social media to express their support for the move.

“It is not an easy decision, but there are more important things in life than football,”Kamil Glik, Mateusz Klich, Matty Cash and others wrote on Twitter on Saturday.

“Our thoughts are with the Ukrainian nation and our friend from the national team, Tomasz Kedziora, who is still in Kiev with his family.”

Awoniyi on Target as Union Berlin Hammer Mainz Taiwo Awoniyi was on the scorer’s sheet for Union Berlin last night

National team Captain Lewandowski wrote on Twitter:“I can’t imagine playing a match with the Russian National Team in a situation when armed aggression in Ukraine continues.”

“Russian footballers and fans are not responsible for this, but we can’t pretend that nothing is happening.”

Poland and Serie A side Juventus’goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, whose wife was born in Ukraine, didn’t mince his words on Instagram.

“I refuse to play against players who choose to represent the values and principles of Russia,”he said.

“I refuse to take part in a sporting event that legitimates the actions of the Russian government.”

Super Eagles forward, Taiwo Awoniyi, scored a 75th minute goal for Union Berlin to help seal 3-1 victory over visiting Mainz at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei (Berlin) yesterday.

Awoniyi was impressive for the Super Eagles at the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations despite the Nigeria’s early exit from the tournament.

He came on into the game as a late substitute in Saturday’s game after stepping in as replacement for teammate Voglsammer in the 67th minute.

It took highly mobile Awoniyi only eight minutes on the pitch to register his name on the scorers’ sheet.

Berlin had shot into the lead as early as the 7th minute extending the lead in the 56th minute before Awoniyi closed it up with a third goal. Mainz however had a consolation goal in the 8oth minute thanks to Dutchman Delano Burgzorg.

Awoniyi is among players being penciled for the double header World Cup qualifiers between Nigeria and Ghana next month.

season in the fourth round by West Ham. This is the first of four potential trophies Liverpool could win this season, after closing the gap on Premier League leaders City to three points and progressing in the Champions League and FA Cup.

NPFL: Rivers Utd, Heartland Pick Remarkable Wins Promise Etim

Heartland and Rivers United win are the talking points of the six matches of Match-day 15 of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) yesterday.

More remarkable though, is the win in Owerri which saw Heartland continue their run of staying unbeaten in two seasons against Enyimba that is considered more illustrious given the number of laurels in their cabinet.

It also is the fifth game under Manager Erasmus Onuh with two wins and three draws; a result that seem to have arrested their hitherto free fall.

In the match which kicked off behind schedule, Murphy Ndukwu struck in the 57th minute to gift the Naze Millionaires the much desired win and the result lifts Heartland to 17th on the log.

RESULT Remo Dakkada Abia Warriors Rangers Rivers Utd Heartland

2-0 2-1 2-1 0-0 2-0 1-0

Katsina Utd Lobi Stars 3SC Kano Pillars Nasarawa Enyimba

Today Plateau Utd Kwara Utd MFM FC Wikki

v v v v

Akwa Utd Tornadoes Sunshine Gombe Utd

Sunday February 27, 2022

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N400

MISSILE

Irabor to Nigerians

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria have nothing whatsoever to do with anything that has to do with coup. We have learned our lessons over the years and we have come to our conclusion that coups will do us more harm than good.” ––The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, assuring Nigerians that the military is not contemplating sacking the government.

SIMONKOLAWOLE Oil is $100 and We’re Not Smiling SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

G

one are the days when high crude oil prices meant a lot to Nigeria, or should I say Nigerians. It used to mean a massive boost in our foreign reserves. This enabled the country to meet its foreign trade obligations more comfortably — without having to ration forex. We could also boost our excess crude account (ECA), where the difference between the budget price for oil and the actual income is saved for the “rainy day”. And, of course, there would be plenty to share at the monthly meeting of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). Our fortune is so bad today that even if oil sells for $200, there is no guarantee that states would be able to pay salaries. Does it make sense?

Indeed, when was the last time high oil prices really made sense to Nigeria? If we view this in terms of forex reserves, revenues and savings, we have to go all the way back to the eras of Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007) and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (20072010). In Obasanjo’s eight years, oil averaged $44/barrel — the lowest average being $17.9 in 1999 and the highest being $72.52 in 2007.

Production averaged 2m barrels/day, with a height of 2.7mbpd sometime in 2005. Obasanjo paid $12 billion to settle foreign debts and still left us with $43.13 billion in external reserves, $9.43 billion of which was in ECA. The exchange rate, which he met at N80/$,

Timipre Sylva stabilised at N125/$.

Under Yar’Adua, when we also enjoyed relatively high prices with a peak of $147/ barrel and hit a rock-bottom of $31/barrel, reserves went as high as $62 billion — the

highest in our history — while the ECA component surpassed $20 billion. Oil production averaged 2.2mbpd. But exchange rate moved from N125/$ to N146/$ as the CBN tried to manage our reserves in the midst of a major global economic crisis in 2008/09. I remember CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi warning currency speculators they would get their fingers burnt because he was ready to defend the naira. Reserves eventually dropped to $42.38 billion by December 2009 and $32.34 billion

by December 2010.

President Goodluck Jonathan was in the saddle between 2010 and 2015, with the yearly average oil price of $79.47 in 2010; $111.26 in 2011; $111.63 in 2012; $108.56 in 2013; $98.97 in 2014 and $52.32 in 2015. Oil production averaged 2.5mbpd. By the time he left in 2015, the reserves were down to $30 billion, with ECA having just $2 billion — despite high oil prices and high production figures. The exchange rate moved from N146/$ to $197.

The parallel market was touching N220/$, a significant departure from the steady difference of roughly N5 that had prevailed for years.

In the last moments of Jonathan’s presidency, his minister of finance said we borrowed to pay salaries.

But we ain’t seen nothing yet, as Americans say. Under Buhari, oil has averaged $61 per year so far. He met the average of $52.32 in 2015. It went down to $43.47 in 2016, moved to $54.25 in 2017, up again to $71.34 in 2018,

down to $64.30 in 2019, dropped to $41.96 in 2020 (remember COVID-19?), recovered to $70.68 in 2021 and has averaged $86.51 thus far in 2022. For the first time since 2014, oil hit $100 at the commencement of the Russian attacks against Ukraine last week. Given our 2022 budget benchmark of $62, we should be saving about $38 per barrel. We should be smiling to the bank. Our foreign reserves, oil revenue and ECA should be gaining weight.

We are in pains instead.

Why are things this desperate? The shortest answer is that we are not producing enough oil to take advantage of the high prices. Price is high but quantity is low. Since Buhari came to office in 2015, we have consistently been averaging less than 2mbpd. There was even a time we were doing less than 1m barrels/day because of attacks by the Niger Delta Avengers — at a time prices were also low. That is what Fela the legend would call “double wahala for dead body”. Our OPEC quota — intended to shore up oil prices — is currently 1.683mbpd but we did 1.46mbpd in January. The budget is based on a production of 1.88mbpd. Simple math: the budget is already in a peculiar mess.

But, again, that is nothing but a short answer.

There are other issues — some induced under Buhari administration and others before him — which have combined to lace injury with Continued on page 70

WAZIRIADIO POSTSCRIPT

waziri.adio@thisdaylive.com

Fayemi’s Thoughtful Take on the National Question

D

r. Kayode Fayemi, the Governor of Ekiti State and the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, organised a grand event in Abuja on Thursday to unveil his latest book. He has been busy on the lecture circuit lately. He decided to warehouse and showcase some of the major speeches that he had delivered in the shadow of a global pandemic on different topics at different fora across and outside the country in the space of two years.

The book is at once his ruminations on and his prescriptions for the critical challenges standing between Nigeria and what should be her manifest destiny. Titled ‘Unfinished Greatness: Envisioning A New Nigeria,’ the book is a hopeful yet pragmatic intervention on the national question.

Fayemi is well credentialled to take on the heavy preoccupations of the book. He is both a man of thought and action, the archetypal man in the arena that Theodore Roosevelt envisioned, whose face has been ‘marred by dust, sweat and blood.’ Forged in the fire of the academia, media and pro-democracy movement, he has also been tempered on

the anvil of real politics—running for office, tasting both ‘victory and defeat’—and he has had to wrestle with the quotidian prosaicness of governance at subnational and national levels. These multiple engagements have offered him a vantage, front-row experience, and he has done well to offer in return his considered thoughts on how Nigeria can eventually take its deserved place in the sun.

With ten speeches, wrapped in a preface and a postscript, the book covers issues as disparate as national security, foreign policy, COVID19, nation-building, democratisation, decentralisation and the role of the media, religion and intellectuals in public service.

The book’s overriding message, its connecting thread and constant punctuation mark, is a passionate and persuasive argument for one Nigeria. It is tempting to see this as a political pitch in an election season. My reading, however, is that this goes beyond the usual expression of faith. What I hear Fayemi saying clearly is that even with the daunting and mounting challenges, we are better off together as a country but we need to constantly work on perfecting our union by being more inclusive and equitable, by adjusting our administrative structure, by

evolving a new compact and compass, by constantly adapting to new challenges, and by being more engaged as leaders and followers.

In the next few paragraphs, I intend to engage with some of the major ideas and positions that jumped at me from Fayemi’s cerebral offering. His main thesis in this book is the imperative of, as well as the precondition for, national unity. Following late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, one of Nigeria’s founding fathers and himself a quintessential man in the arena, Fayemi sees Nigeria as a motherland (no one gets to choose or change their mothers, he says) and thinks Nigeria’s union is ‘perpetual and indestructible’. He interrogates and denounces the view that the 1914 amalgamation of Nigeria was a mistake. He aligns with the eminent historian Obaro Ikime that the colonialists did not introduce the various nationalities that now make up Nigeria to themselves. “The hands that drew the map may not have been ours, but the map was possible only because we were here in the first place,” Fayemi states.

He believes that Nigeria’s diversity ordinarily should be a source of strength but only if well managed. “The more diverse the cultures within a nation are, the more

resources they have for development,” he says. “In essence, homogeneity is not necessarily a blessing and diversity needs not be a curse.” He readily acknowledges, however, that Nigeria’s march to greatness has been hobbled by a “tendency to stigmatise difference and weaponise diversity” and the regular use of social categorisations as “boundaries for inclusion and exclusion.”

To achieve the much-desired unity in diversity, he calls for “fulsome commitment to equity and justice,” to “vertical and horizontal solidarity,” to making Nigeria work best for all Nigerians and to anchoring the legitimacy of the Nigerian state on the quality of life that the country can provide all her citizens.

Because this is what I think is his main message, I will quote him in some detail here. He submits: “There is no bypassing the hard work that leaders and governments must put in to build, sustain and renew unity…Unity cannot endure where injustice, exclusion, inequity and marginalisation are embedded in the practice of governance.

That is why as leaders, we must always pay attention to ensure that as we work to Continued on page 70

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