SUNDAY 6TH MARCH 2022

Emefiele: InfraCo to Begin Talks with FG, Lagos, on Expansion of Lekki-Epe Road Infrastructure Says Lagos Free Zone to decongest Apapa,Tincan Island ports Insists CBN ready to support investors Nume Ekeghe The Governor of the Central Bank

of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has promised to engage the Infrastructure Corporation

of Nigeria Limited (InfraCo), relevant agencies of the federal and Lagos State governments,

as well as the private sector for the development of road infrastructure in the Lagos Free

Zone to support the growing industrial activities at the LekkiEpe axis.

He said this became expedient Continued on page 6

Kyari Stands Down Keynote in US Summit in Order to Fix Fuel Scarcity... Page 5 Sunday 6 March, 2022 Vol 27. No 9826

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Despite Commitments to Buhari, House Moves to Block Deletion of a Section of Electoral Act Festus Akanbi in Lagos There are strong indications that the leadership of the House of Representatives has initiated back channel moves to block the deletion

of Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022, despite the commitments made to President Muhammadu Buhari by the federal lawmakers in an executive-legislative deal in order to avoid a presidential

veto of the Electoral Act, THISDAY investigation has revealed.

Before Buhari signed the bill into law on February 25, 2022, he was said to have reached an agreement

with both the Senate and the House of Representatives for the lawmakers to expunge the controversial Section 84(12) in the Act which deprived federal appointees their constitutional rights to vote and be voted

for ahead of primary elections of political parties.

The section states: “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 nomination of candidates for any election.”

THISDAY gathered that after Buhari signed the new law, the Speaker of the House, Continued on page 8

Obasanjo: Most Presidential Aspirants Should Be in Jail If EFCC, ICPC Did Their Jobs Says no region should claim monopoly of leadership Former president a study in patriotism, leadership, courage, says Buhari Jonathan, Okowa, Adesina, PDP, northern govs felicitate with Obasanjo Ejiofor Alike in Lagos, Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha in Abuja in Abuja and James Sowole in Abeokuta Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday said most of the politicians aspiring to be Nigeria’s president in 2023 should be in jail had the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) performed their jobs efficiently and effectively, and supported by the judiciary.

Obasanjo stated this during an international symposium to mark his 85th birthday held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The former president, who Continued on page 5

85 HEARTY CHEERS… L-R: Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; celebrant, former President Olusegun Obasanjo; his wife, Bola; and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during the 85th birthday celebration of Obasanjo at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja…yesterday

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EMINENT WOMEN… L-R: British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms Catriona Laing; Supervising Editor, CNN Africa, Stephanie Busari; Chairman of the Board, Ecobank, Bola Adesola; Nigerian movie director, Bolanle Austen-Peters; Founder, Women At Risk International Foundation, Dr. Kemi Da Silva-Ibru; President, Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Mrs. Toyin Saraki; and German Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Birgitt Ory, at the inaugural International Women’s Day Awards Gala 2022 in Lagos…weekend

Kyari Stands Down Keynote in US Summit in Order to Fix Fuel Scarcity NNPC intensifies monitoring of product distribution to end queues Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, will miss his engagement at this year’s energy summit, tagged: ‘CERAWeek’ in the United States, billed to start tomorrow.

NNPC also yesterday stepped up efforts to end the ongoing petrol scarcity with a product evacuation and distribution monitoring visit to two of the major petroleum products terminals in Lagos.

A source, who spoke with THISDAY last night, said that the NNPC head, who was expected to deliver the keynote address at the event, which will be attended by tens of other speakers, including the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, had decided to stay back in the country because of unresolved issues in the oil sector.

Kyari’s absence from the meeting, the Cambridge Energy Research Associate (CERA), taking place in Houston, Texas, it was learnt, is mainly due to the current fuel supply crisis in the country which has persisted for weeks.

Also billed to speak at the yearly event organised by market intelligence firm, S&P Global/IHS Markit, are the US Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm; SecretaryGeneral of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Dr Sanusi Barkindo, among others.

Kyari was billed to speak on the topic: ‘Strategies for Low-carbon Future: Separate Perspectives from a National Oil Company.’

For 40 years, CERAWeek, according to the organisers, has been providing an integrated framework for understanding what’s ahead for global energy markets, geopolitics, and technology.

Kyari was said to have told

his associates that given the mood of the nation, it would be inappropriate to leave the country at this time when the supply of adequate petrol had become problematic.

Despite NNPC’s efforts to bridge the supply gap, long fuel queues have continued to dot several filling stations across the country.

Meanwhile, the company yesterday stepped up efforts to end the ongoing petrol scarcity with a product evacuation and distribution monitoring visit to two of the major petroleum products terminals in Lagos.

The NNPC monitoring team led by the Managing Director of Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC)

Limited, a subsidiary of the state oil company, Mr Isiyaku Abdullahi, visited the Apapa depots of TotalEnergies Marketing Company Plc and the depots of Pinnacle Oil & Gas Limited located at the Lekki Free Trade Zone, both in Lagos.

The PPMC boss told journalists while at Pinnacle

that in a bid to sustain continuous petrol supply and distribution nationwide, the NNPC was expecting a cargo bearing about 80 million litres of petrol to berth at Pinnacle depot in a matter of hours as of yesterday.

Abdullahi said yesterday's movement to Lagos depots was to ensure compliance

with the directive of the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Kyari, who he said, had mandated that there must be a steady and uninterrupted distribution of petrol across the country to relieve the pains of Nigerians from the current fuel scarcity, especially in Lagos, Abuja and other major cities.

OBASANJO: MOST PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANTS SHOULD BE IN JAIL IF EFCC, ICPC DID THEIR JOBS stopped short of calling for power rotation in the country, disclosed that it was the power rotation policy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that made it inadvisable for a southern candidate to succeed him after his eight years in office as president in 2007.

Obasanjo also argued that for the purpose of equity and integrity, no region or zone should claim to have monopoly of Nigerians that can lead the country along the path of nationbuilding.

This is coming as President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday rejoiced with the former president on the occasion of his 85th birthday anniversary, describing him as a study in patriotism, leadership, and courage.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan; Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; Northern Governors’ Forum, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina have also congratulated Obasanjo, as he clocked 85 years.

Obasanjo’s international symposium, with the theme: ‘Leadership and Africa Narrative in Development and Progress of Africa,’ was attended by eminent personalities, including former President of the Republic of Benin, Mr. Nicephore Soglo; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheik Shakbook bin Nahyan; President of the Republic of Rwanda, President Paul Kaigama, who delivered the keynote address and the

Director-General of World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who also delivered a speech.

Speaking during the event, Obasanjo also declared that he had not endorsed any presidential aspirant for 2023.

He also debunked reports that he was sponsoring three people from the South for the presidency in 2023.

“Since 1999, we have changed from one political party or another we have maneuvered and manipulated to the point that election results are no longer reflections of the will of the people and we seemed to be progressively going back rather than going forward politically, economically, and socially.

“We have activities without requiring actions and personnel to move us forward. If we continue in the same pattern of recycling, sweet-word campaigning, maneuvering without the substance of integrity, honesty, patriotism, commitment, outreach, courage, understanding of what makes a nation and what makes for development, we will soon have to say goodbye to Nigeria as a nation.

“I cast a cursory look at some of the people running around and those for whom people are running around. If EFCC and ICPC will have done their jobs properly and been supported adequately by the judiciary, most of them would be in jail. Any person who has no integrity in small things cannot have integrity in big things.

“As the quadrennial madness builds a head of steam and the

runners and riders crisscross the nation in the quest for nomination as the party flag bearer to the highest office in the land, I read and hear about endorsement and statements in support of candidates that I frankly have not made and forming next political parties that I can never get involved in. I was told that social media credited to me the names of three people from the south that I am sponsoring for the presidency in 2023.

“My friend, Professor Ango Abdullah, who brought this to my knowledge, remarked that he did not believe that I made such a statement because it was out of my character. I have neither named names nor stated my position. In a situation like the one we are in, I will not rush into naming names without necessary consultations and well-defined principles and criteria. We need to be clear about what Nigeria needs today and why Nigeria needs it. Only then can we answer the question of how that will inform us of the criteria and characteristics for determining who,”Obasanjo added.

The former president also restated the need for peaceful co-existence in Nigeria.

He argued that fixing Nigeria must begin on the principles of nation-building, not necessarily on emotion, ethnicity, or religion.

Obasanjo disclosed that it was the power rotation policy of the PDP that made it inadvisable for a southern candidate to succeed him after his eight years in office as President in 2007.

“I have always maintained that if we look hard widely and fairly

and we bring objectivity, national interest and patriotism to bear and which must be spiced with equity, integrity, performance, then no region or zone should claim to have monopoly of Nigerians that can lead us along the path of nation-building on the basis of justice, fast economic development, inclusive growth, shared value and our rightful place in the global division of labour and decision making process. If we are going fault finding, zonally or regionally, no region or zone can claim absolute innocence. And federal character is a very important and perfect instrument of nation-building in our Constitution,” he explained.

He suggested that all presidential aspirants must be “properly x-rayed and profiled from birth and Nigerians must be educated to be able to make a choice that will be in the national interest and propel Nigeria forward”.

“Such a person will have to lead what remains of the nation to courageously continue on the path of nation-building as a national team leader, no matter on what platform he or she assumes leadership. No one can do it alone. We must, however, stop sacrificing character, track records, and performance on the altar of ethnic, regional, or religious jingoism. As the watchman counts on daybreak, so too do I count on Nigerians and Nigeria to bring forth that person,” Obasanjo explained.

Former President a Study in Patriotism,

Leadership, Courage, Says Buhari Meanwhile, President Buhari, yesterday rejoiced with Obasanjo on the occasion of his 85th birthday anniversary, describing him as a study in patriotism, leadership, and courage.

The president, in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Mr. Femi Adesina, on behalf of the federal government and Nigerians in general, felicitated Obasanjo on his birthday and joined family, friends, and associates in celebrating the joyous occasion.

According to the statement, President Buhari believed the former Head of State, 1976 -1979 and former President of Nigeria, 1999-2007, is a study in patriotism, leadership, and courage, leading the country to democratic government in 1979, and taking over the reins of power as elected President in 1999.

Buhari affirmed that Obasanjo’s influence continues to resonate beyond the country, extending to the international community and multilateral institutions.

“As a former military and civilian leader, with a strong network nationally and internationally, President Buhari extolled the wisdom, insight, and versatility that Chief Obasanjo brings to bear on things, reflecting his experience, diligence, and versatility,” the statement said.

On his 85th birthday, Buhari joined family members in Continued on page 64

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HONOUR TO A JURIST… L-R: Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Raymond Ozoemena; Supreme Court judge, Justice Chima Centus Nweze; Enugu State Governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and the Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Dr. Samuel Nwatu, when the governor inaugurated a moot court named after Justice Nweze, at the university…weekend

Zoning of 2023 Presidency Divides PDP Govs, Federal Lawmakers APC moves to vacate restraining order against national convention Chuks Okocha in Abuja The zoning of the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 presidential election has divided the governors and National Assembly members elected on the platform of the main opposition party, THISDAY has learnt.

This is coming as the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commenced the process of vacating an order of the FCT High Court issued on November 18, 2021, restraining the ruling party from holding its national convention.

THISDAY gathered that despite the popular clamour for power to shift to the South, some PDP governors and federal lawmakers have queued behind some northern presidential aspirants, who have refused to back down.

Many of the governors and National Assembly members have however insisted on the implementation of the resolution of the 17 southern governors for the presidential ticket of the party to be zoned to the South.

The PDP, it was learnt, is in a big dilemma over the report headed by the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed over how the presidential candidate will emerge as the northern presidential aspirants are not backing down.

While the APC has taken a bold step towards the emergence of its presidential candidate from the South, there is confusion in the PDP over the fate of the Governor Mohammed-led committee that reviewed the 2019 general election, that threw the emergence of the presidential ticket of the party to all the zones of the federation.

As the clamour for the emergence of the next president from the South gathers momentum, some PDP members in the House of Representatives hosted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to a meeting, where they openly endorsed Atiku, underscoring the division within the main opposition party.

The meeting was attended by almost all PDP members in the House of Representatives, who eulogised Atiku in their separate remarks, insisting that he was the only aspirant that can salvage the country and address the security situation.

One of the federal lawmakers from Osun State, Hon. Wale Oke, moved a motion that his colleagues should adopt Atiku

as the presidential aspirant irrespective of the clamour for power shift to the South After the unanimous adoption of the motion by Oke, THISDAY spoke to some of the federal lawmakers on why they would be singing a different tune from their governors from the South.

Some of them told THISDAY that their governors were aware of their meeting with Atiku.

According to one of the lawmakers from the South-east, "the two governors of the PDP in the South-east are aware of today's meeting. We cannot be doing anything outside their knowledge. They know what we are doing.

"Let me tell you, I cannot do anything without the consent of my governor. Some of the governors are playing politics with power shifts.

They lobby secretly to be the vice-presidential candidate of a northern candidate,” one of the lawmakers said.

Another lawmaker from the South-south said that his government was also aware of the meeting where they adopted Atiku.

He said: "My brother, I am in the same political camp with my governor and we are conscious of what we are doing.

"Yes, power shift to the South is ideal, but who do we adopt from the South- east. Power is never given and therefore, you must fight for it. Who in the South- east is doing that. Former governor Peter Obi said that he will contest when the PDP zones the office to the South-east.

“So far, only the former Secretary to the Government of Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, and Mr. Sam Ohuabunwa have openly declared for the office of the president.

"Only the former senate president, Anyim is raising his voice to become the presidential candidate. Where are the others?

Do they have the financial strength to meet any of the aspirants from the APC?" he queried.

THISDAY, however, gathered that South-south governors and a South-west governor are the arrowheads of the PDP governors clamouring for power shift to the South.

When the Governor Bala Mohammed-led committee recommended that the ticket should be thrown open to all the geopolitical zones, the National

Working Committee (NWC) of the party led by the former National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus had promised to set up a technical committee to review the report, which the party never did.

The party’s promise to review the report followed the agitation that the ticket should be given to a southern candidate.

The new members of the party’s NWC led by Senator Iyorchia Ayu are also silent over the Mohammed committee’s report as if it does not exist.

A member of the House of Representatives told THISDAY that the division caused by the zoning issue was getting out of

hand.

He said the new guidelines and timetable released by INEC, which stipulate that presidential candidates of political parties must emerge between April and June this year has compounded the confusion in the PDP. "This is March and Easter is fast approaching. When is the party going to discuss Bala Mohammed’s report?

“If the party is serious with power shift, the Bala Mohammed’s report should be brought to the fore burner for discussion,” he said.

He said the zoning of the presidency has polarised the PDP governors and federal lawmakers

because of their political interests.

APC Moves to Vacate Restraining Order against National Convention Before Meanwhile, APC has commenced the process of vacating an order of the FCT High Court restraining it from holding its national convention.

An FCT High Court presided

by Justice Bello Kawu had on November 18, 2021, issued an order restraining the party from holding its national convention.

The court ordered that the APC and the Governor Mai Mala

Buni-led caretaker committee can only conduct the convention after the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

The suit, which joined APC and the Buni-led CECPC as defendants, was filed by Hon. Salisu Umoru, a member of the APC. A source within the Convention Committee, told THISDAY yesterday that: "We are aware of the court order. It came to our notice last week. Efforts are being made to vacate the order between now and the convention date (March 26).

"We are a law-abiding party.

Since it is a court order, we will vacate it,” the source said.

EMEFIELE: INFRACO TO BEGIN TALKS WITH FG, LAGOS, ON EXPANSION OF LEKKI-EPE ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE given the growth of industries in and around the Free Trade Zone, notably, Dangote Refineries and Tolaram Group, which have attracted economic activities and created heavy traffic in the area.

Emefiele spoke yesterday, during a tour of Tolaram Group’s industries, which occupied 850,000 acres of land with industrial investment pegged at $2.1 billion within the Lagos Free Zone.

According to him, InfraCo, in aiding the road construction, would decongest the environs of the Lagos Free Zone with the active collaboration with the federal and Lagos State governments.

Specifically, he said the commencement of the Lagos Free Zone will help overcome the Apapa-Tincan Island port congestion.

Emefiele also said that the apex bank would partner the federal and state governments to see how InfraCo could ensure cargo evacuation from the port area, describing it as a big issue.

He said the CBN had raised about N23 billion to fund road infrastructure, to facilitate smooth evacuation of cargo out of the port.

“The entire idea is that with this Lagos Free Zone Port, we should be able to see a total decongestion of Apapa and Tin Can Island Port purely from the standpoint that it would take the traffic away from Apapa.

“And we are also afraid that with the single road that we have, which is the Lagos-Epe-Lekki road, which is already congested with traffic, the situation is going to worsen, even with Dangote Refinery. Yes, it is something that

we are seeing and I, coming here today and I've been to Dangote Refinery several times and I know how long it takes to drive by road.

“So, what I'm trying to say is that we have realised the problem.

InfraCo, luckily, is chaired by the CBN; the InfraCo board has been formally constituted; there is a CEO in InfraCo and as soon as we leave this meeting, I will be calling on InfraCo to begin the engagement. I will also be involved in engaging the Lagos state government, as well as the federal government through the Federal Ministry of Works to see what can be done on evacuating out of Lagos, but also how we decongest the traffic for people living around this axis.

“I want to give assurance that this is something that would be dealt with. This would be middle to a long-term plan,” he said.

The CBN governor encouraged entrepreneurs and business owners to key into apex bank’s various interventions, stating that the CBN was keen on promoting industrialisation with long-term single-digit loans.

“For any entrepreneur that wishes to do business in Nigeria we will provide both Naira funding and will always advise that particularly if your revenue stream is in naira, I will not advise taking dollar loans. Take cheap Naira loans at single-digit interest rates with two years moratorium. I don't think that you would ever find this again. I always encourage people to take advantage of it because it's available as we want to drive industrialisation in Nigeria and get a manufacturing business back alive again.

“We would support not only the Tolaram Group or the Dangote’s or the BUAs; once you mean well and you want to do business in Nigeria, we would give you all the support you need,” he explained.

Emefiele noted that the Tolaram Group had made immediate plans to evacuate their products through the port to Ikorodu, Festac, and Warri to trucks, which for the immediate time don’t have road congestion impact. According to him, road expansion is a muchneeded investment that would also aid export.

He said: “We are happy that this port infrastructure is here, it would have to deal with our problem of ease of doing business.

Part of our problems about ease of doing business or in this case, ease of export, is that we find Nigerians want to export, they can export their goods out of Lagos Tin Can or Lagos Apapa port.

People prefer to drive by road to transport their products and goods to neighbouring countries and ship them out of those countries and the implication is that Nigeria loses the benefit of being called exported from Nigeria.”

“I believe with this port and we are going to be engaging them, I’m happy the Customs and the Nigerian Ports Authority are involved; we would seek to also work with the Lagos Free Zone by having a dedicated export desk that would make it easy for goods to be exported out of this port. That is a very essential thing that we need to deal with because again, talking in a very selfish mode, we need foreign exchange. If we export,

we earn foreign exchange, and I am going to start working with them to ensure that we designate the Lagos Free Zone as an export zone,” he added.

On how much CBN has supported the group, Emefiele said: “Certainly, over N100 billion has gone from CBN intervention under CRR or through agriculture credit route to the Tolaram Group.

Don't forget that this project is about $2 billion, which is about N1 trillion, and N100 billion is just 10 per cent. So, we have sowed a seed as well. At least N1 trillion has gone into this project and we have done about N100 billion, which is just around 10 per cent,” he stated.

The CBN governor further said that the bank would ensure it did everything possible to make the environment friendly for companies and businesses to thrive.

“So, we’re looking into how to make sure that the policy regulations are reviewed; we have our concerns about how free trade zones operate either tax exemptions or duty free exemptions and the rest of them.

“We would like to work with you to see how we would create a clear demarcation that separates companies that operate as free trade zones or operating in free trade zone from those that will not operate as free trade zone.

“Whereas you will also find that a company may want to operate as a free trade zone and at the same time operate the other way. So, we need to demarcate how this will work, such that it will not result in loss of revenue,” he said.

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Saudi Arabia Lifts Ban on Direct Flights from Nigeria, 16 Others Michael Olugbode in Abuja The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has lifted the ban on direct flights from Nigeria and 16 other countries imposed on these largely African nations on December 8, 2021, in response to the discovery of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in South Africa.

It lifted the ban on these countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mozambique.

Others include Malawi, Mauritius, Zambia, Madagascar, Angola, Seychelles, the United Republic of Comoros, Ethiopia, and Afghanistan.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has also scrapped most of the COVID-19 restrictions and has ended social distancing in the two Holy Mosques and all mosques in the Kingdom, but has continued to enforce the wearing of facemasks.

Saudi Arabia said it no longer requires travellers to undergo mandatory COVID-19 quarantine upon arrival to the Kingdom and passengers would also no longer need to provide a PCR test upon their arrival.

The Kingdom has also lifted the outdoor mask and

social distancing mandates.

These were contained in the Saudi Gazette Report in the verified Twitter account of the Kingdom where it stated, “Saudi Arabia ended on Saturday most of the coronavirus restrictions in the country, including the following social distance and wearing masks outdoors.

“It will also end social distancing in the two Holy Mosques and all the mosques in the Kingdom but worshippers still have to wear masks. It is not mandatory to wear masks at open places but is required to wear masks indoors.

It also stated: “The new decisions announced by an official source at the Ministry of Interior will come into force starting from Saturday, March 5, 2022. It also suspended social distancing measures at all closed and open spaces, activities, and events.

“Also the country will no longer require travellers to undergo mandatory COVID-19 quarantine upon arrival to the Kingdom.

Passengers will also no longer need to provide a PCR test upon their arrival.”

The Kingdom said that all arrivals to the Kingdom on visit visas of all kinds are required to get the insurance

that covers the costs of treatment from coronavirus infection.

“The Kingdom lifted

the suspension of direct flights and arrival to the Kingdom from the following countries: South

Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini and Mozambique, Malawi, Mauritius, Zambia,

Madagascar, Angola, Seychelles, United Republic of Comoros, Ethiopia, and Afghanistan.”

APC Chairmanship Race: Al-Makura Rejects Buhari’s Choice, Solicits Support in Ondo Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja A chairmanship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Tanko AlMakura has rejected President Muhammadu Buhari’s reported endorsement of Senator Abdullahi Adamu for the national chairmanship position of the ruling party.

Both Adamu and AlMakura are former governors of Nasarawa State and incumbent senators.

Al-Makura yesterday visited the Chairman of the South-west Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to seek support.

The former governor and members of his campaign organisation were received by the governor at the Government House, Akure.

The former governor said he visited the state to inform Akeredolu of his aspiration because he is the conscience of the APC “due to his sincerity and courage”.

“We are here with members of my campaign council to see you as one of the leaders of this country. As one of those who believe in true democracy. As one of those who has championed the inner mind of the people when it comes to justice, fairness and just cause.

“We feel you have a role to play in determining and shaping how this party (APC) is put together, especially in this critical time of transition. We must ensure the continuity of the gains we have had from President Muhammadu Buhari.

“This is the motivating factor that has made me

throw my hat in the ring to consider contesting the office of the National chairman.

We must give this party a principle , a good policy and raise the hope of our people. There is something that gives me comfort when I think about APC. It’s a party I am faithful to, to a fault.

Never in the history of this country have different parties come together and work together and put harmonious and United focus to drive the process of unity in the country.

“President Buhari has held that tenaciously and made that the resolve and the sanctity of his administration.

It has added value and we will just sustain it. We are here to solicit your support and cooperation.” Al-Makura submitted.

He earlier hailed Akeredolu for changing the face of Ondo State within five years, stressing that the Governor has added values to the sunshine state.

Responding, Akeredolu thanked Al-Makura for the visit, while describing him as a competent and committed member of the ruling party.

Akeredolu said the APC must establish a core value which the party must be known for, adding that there must be general understanding among leaders and stakeholders of the party.

“You have said many things and one thing that came out is APC value. We must be able to establish our value else we are wasting our time. What are our core values? Do we have democratic values?" he queried.

PLEDGING LOYALTY… Group Managing Director, Adron Homes and Properties and Aare Apesinola of Ibadan land, Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing (left), and Olubadan of Ibadanland-designate, Chief Lekan Balogun, during EmmanuelKing's courtesy visit in commemoration of Adron Homes' 10th anniversary in Ibadan...weekend

DESPITE COMMITMENTS TO BUHARI, HOUSE MOVES TO BLOCK DELETION OF A SECTION OF ELECTORAL ACT Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila is bowing to pressure from some presidential aspirants to block it.

It was however learnt that the Senate is considering the president’s request to delete the unconstitutional clause.

A member of the House of Representatives, who is opposed to the moves by his colleagues to block it, told THISDAY that the agreement reached between Buhari and the House leadership was a standard agreement that was meant to be kept.

“When an agreement is reached, it should be kept.

Before the president signed the Electoral Act, they agreed to delete that clause, but politics has now entered it. The House leadership is bowing to pressure from presidential aspirants.

“We heard that Gbajabiamila wants to be Governor of Lagos State. So, they don’t want to delete the controversial section from the Act. So, while the Senate is considering deleting it, the House may block it,” he explained.

While assenting to the Electoral Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the president had highlighted sections of the new law that would revolutionalise the electoral system in the country

but expressed reservations about Section 84 (12).

In the covering letter to the National Assembly, where he conveyed his reservations about the new law and also asked the lawmakers to delete the unconstitutional section, Buhari drew their attention to the provisions of Section 84(12), which, according to him, constitutes a “defect” that conflicts with extant constitutional provisions.

The president wrote, “I write concerning the recent assent to the Electoral Act (Amendment) 2022, and to draw your kind attention to some salient issues contained in the Act and to seek your immediate legislative action thereon.

“I have carefully studied the content of the recently assented Electoral Act (Amendment), 2022; I must admit that there are positive provisions that could revolutionise election process in Nigeria, particularly through the introduction of new technological innovations that will, in turn, guarantee the constitutional rights of citizens to vote and to do so effectively.

“The recently assented Electoral Act has improved and engendered clarity, effectiveness, and transparency of the election process, as well as reduced to the

barest minimum incidences of acrimony arising from dissatisfied candidates and political parties.

“I, therefore, commend the legislative wisdom of the National Assembly which is in line with our policy to bequeath Nigerians and posterity, a landmark legal framework that paves the way for a credible electoral process that we would all be proud of.”

Buhari added, “I, however, will want to kindly draw your attention to the provisions of Section 84(12) of the Act, which I believe, constitutes a fundamental defect as it is in direct conflict with extant Constitutional provisions.

“Section 84 (12) of the Act constitutes a disenfranchisement of serving political office holders from voting or being voted for at conventions or congresses of any political party, for the nomination of candidates for any election in cases where it holds earlier than 30 days to the election.

“This provision has introduced qualification and disqualification criteria that are ultra vires the Constitution by way of importing blanket restriction and disqualification to serving political office holders of which they are constitutionally accorded

protection.

“The practical application of Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act, (Amendment) 2022, is to subject serving political office holders to inhibitions and restrictions referred to under Sections 40 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“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, as provided in Section 66(1)(f) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), among others.

“Hence, it will be stretching matters beyond the constitutional limit to import extraneous restrictions into the Constitution on account of the practical application of Section 84(12) of the Act where political parties’ conventions and congresses were to hold earlier than 30 days to the election.”

Buhari stated, “Arising from the foregoing, I request the National Assembly to consider immediate amendments that will bring the Act in conformity with the Constitution by way of deleting Section 84(12) accordingly.”

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EDITORIAL

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

THE MENACE OF CHILD SOLDIERS

Breaking the mould is possible when the authorities prioritise child protection in addition to incentivised education

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hile marking the International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers recently, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) disclosed that over 8,000 Nigerian boys and girls have been recruited as child soldiers since 2009 by various armed groups. Since we agree with the UN agency that this situation is “unacceptable and unconscionable”, authorities in Nigeria must prioritise child protection and welfare policies through incentivised and compulsory basic education. As a matter of urgency, children must be removed from conflict zones while there should be sustained campaigns to sensitise the public on this growing malaise.

In the past decade, UNICEF has been strident that non-state armed groups are using Nigerian children as combatants and non-combatants, while committing other grave violations against them. In 2016 alone, according to the agency, some 2,122 children were deployed for military purposes in the country. Some children as young as seven have been deployed particularly for suicide attacks.

In the 2019 attacks on Konduga town in Borno State where at least 30 persons died in the triple suicide attacks, children were the human weapons.

Ever since the beginning of insurgency in Nigeria, children have always been targeted by Boko Haram whose operatives have at different times abducted schoolgirls. Male children have also fallen into their traps. Boko Haram, the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other terror networks, including the bandits who operate from the Northwest zone of the country, target children because of their vulnerability. Driven mostly by poverty and lack of access to basic education and opportunities for self-development, many male children also volunteer for conscription. These children are susceptible to indoctrination and manipulation and less conscious of the danger of

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As a matter of urgency, children must be removed from conflict zones while there should be sustained campaigns to sensitise the public on this growing malaise

Letters to the Editor

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their choice. They are used not only to kill but also in many instances as spies, messengers, and sex slaves.

The UNICEF chief field officer in Borno, Phuong Nguyen, said the insurgency has claimed thousands of lives and disrupted livelihoods and access to essential services for children and their families in the Northeast. While Governor Babagana Zulum claims that some foreign interests are sponsoring the Boko Haram terrorist group to recruit children as fighters, he also admitted that high unemployment rate, poverty, poor social infrastructure, fuel these recruitments.

In January, Zulum signed the Borno State Child Protection Bill into law, making it the 29th state to domesticate the Child Rights Act. But addressing the problem would take more than domesticating a law. A chaotic society accentuates human vulnerabilities, particularly among under-age people. he surge of child soldiers in a country with almost half its population living below the poverty line is predictable. Therefore, the situation in the northeast does not come as a surprise because of the dislocation of the various aspects of life in the region. Education, for instance, which ought to have productively engaged the kids, has suffered greatly because of the predatory activities of terrorists. What should alarm us, even more, is how successive governments, especially in the north, have fared poorly in protecting at-risk children, many of whom are now roaming the streets with no prospects for education.

Meanwhile, conscripting children into these armed groups is not only a gross abuse of their innocence, but also a systematic destruction of the present and future of the country. Already, armed conflict situations have created children who are separated from their families, unprotected, starved, and exposed to violence as their only means of survival. Besides the mental and physical torture, exposing children to armed conflict increases their risk of morbidity and mortality.

To worsen matters, hundreds of thousands of children are dying every day because of indirect effects of conflict – including malnutrition, disease, inadequate healthcare, and poor sanitation.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in its blueprint for 2030 provides a universal plan to secure a better future for children.

The 16th goal is dedicated to peace, justice, and strong institutions. To fulfil that mandate, authorities in Nigeria and all relevant stakeholders must work to save our children from being handed guns as their only means of survival.

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

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.

IFEANYI UGWUANYI'S GIANT STRIDES FOR JUSTICE

n Nigeria, there are many who believe that justice can be bought and sold at the right price. The grievance many Nigerians nurse in this wise is further aggravated by the fact that in a country where 91 million people stutter below the poverty line, only the rich, and in most cases those enriched by Nigeria`s rampant corruption, can compete on the level where justice is as cheap as chips, at the right price.

Nigeria`s grind to this day when confidence in its judiciary is at an all-time low has been slow but steady. It has barely faltered and the signs are that it will not be halted soon.

Every institution that depends on people can only be as good as the people staffing it or in the unlikely event that expectations are exceeded, slightly just better.

This invariably means that no

matter how well the legal or physical structures establishing any institution are, when the people who staff it lack intellect but especially integrity, not much can be achieved. In many ways, this is the story of the Nigerian judiciary.

With practically every round of appointment made to the judiciary in Nigeria, the names are predictable. Those that make the list are often those who already have people currently serving in the judiciary or those who once served in the judiciary, or those who know one influential politician or another.

This is the drill these days when competence and especially rectitude take the back seat.

Thus, the stories always swirl, especially in beer parlours and pepper soup joints where tongues easily come loose, about just how easy it is to call

certain numbers and net certain verdicts for the right prices.

Whether this happens with regularity or not is secondary to the devastating effect the perception that it does has on justice delivery in Nigeria. This is because justice is rooted in confidence.

Under a federal government that has only thinly disguised its desire to muzzle the judiciary and state governors who do everything to control the judiciary in their states, Nigerians hardly ever know what to believe when the elephants of the executive and judiciary tangle. A classic case was in 2019 when former Chief Justice of Nigeria Mr. Walter Onnoghen was swept out of office in a whirlwind jamboree that found ample theatre in the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

While the judiciary has un-

derperformed save for some startling moments of judicial clarity, the system has lavishly contributed in setting up the judiciary to fail. A country where the funds meant for the judiciary which should be independent and impartial are leashed to the executive can expect Nigeria`s notoriously manipulative politicians to seek to control such a key constituent of the country`s administration by withholding funds. This has largely been the case, and so at the end of the day, the judiciary in many parts of Nigeria find themselves struggling to serve justice to Nigerians.

In crumbling courtrooms where lice compete with lizards for space under sweltering conditions, the falcon of justice often cannot hear its falconer. It is against this backdrop that it is heartening that the Enugu State Governor Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi recently inaugurated 34 model customary court buildings newly constructed by his administration

across the 17 local government areas of the state.

Paying glowing tributes to the governor for what he described as one of the governor`s unprecedented infrastructural interventions in the state judiciary, an elated Mr. George Nnamani, the President Customary Court of Appeal, Enugu State said that “The 34 model courts were erected two per local government area to give a new lease of life and relevance to the Customary Courts in line with international best practices.”

This is no doubt impressive. This laudable project by the administration of Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi would prove such a boost, not just for the state judiciary but also the government`s rural development policy.

– Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@ gmail.com Read the full article online - 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 6, 2022

OPINION

NIGERIA NEEDS A COURAGEOUS DEMOCRAT

Nigeria must go for a President with courage to take tough decisions, writes Abu Quassim

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oliticians are announcing their candidacy for the 2023 presidential elections against the unsettling backdrop of military coups across the continent. Burkina Faso, the latest to fall to military rule, has joined a club that has been growing at an alarming rate. Military leaders have overturned democratic governments in Mali, Chad, Guinea, and Sudan over the last 18 months. Nigeria seems literally surrounded by the spectre of military governments.

The contexts, causes, and consequences for these events are obviously diverse. However, they hold a central lesson for democracies and democratic participants; if you don’t deliver for the people you are supposed to represent then there may be nobody to save you if the despots seek to exploit the situation.

I do not intend to sound alarmist for Nigeria, and I believe that there are many encouraging signs for the resilience of our democracy. We have a long history of fighting for democracy, and I believe it is now deeply ingrained in our culture as a normative value that cannot easily be ignored. Our democratic system provides people with multiple opportunities to hold leaders accountable from state legislatures and governorships to the National Assembly and Presidency. And we have established a healthy track record of the peaceful transfer of power between civilians and from incumbent to opposition parties.

However, nothing should ever be taken for granted, from our democratic essence to the very existence of our country within its borders. Because whilst there is inherent strength in our democracy, there are widening cracks in its foundation. People are suffering to an unimaginable

degree. A sluggish economy where jobs are scarce and prices are high is leading desperate young men towards crime in a vicious cycle that suppresses hopes for economic recovery.

The upcoming election is a far better opportunity for course correction than replacing Muhammadu Buhari, himself a former military dictator, with another military dictator.

But the overwhelming clamour for change should make anyone aspiring to be president, and the party delegates who select them, sit up straight and listen to the people.

Democracy is not just about committing to electoral timetables and going through the motions. Democracy needs to offer the people a real choice and the promise of meaningful change in their own lives. Party delegates’ decisions of who to select as candidates will have lasting impacts on the state of our nation.

The people don’t want delegates to select their candidate based on back room deals and horse-trading. They want delegates to select a candidate that represents the people.

President Buhari will be 80 years old when he finally gives

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up the presidency whereas the average age in Nigeria is only 18. The Presidency should not be reserved for whoever has spent the longest climbing up the greasy political pole.

It should be reserved for someone who is in touch with the people and understands what it means to live at the bottom of the ladder. It should be someone who understands how the world is changing and knows how to bring about change. When Nigeria has a president who doesn’t understand the modern digital economy and bans twitter, losing the country an estimated $26 billion, people will understandably lose confidence in the democratic process.

But the only thing that could make people lose faith in democracy faster than when democracy doesn’t deliver for them is when democratically elected leaders don’t respect democracy themselves. The earlier shameful episode when President Buhari failed to assent an Electoral Act (amendment) Bill that had been passed by both chambers of a legislature his party controls should not be repeated. The next president should be willing to entrench democratic norms and practices further, rather than ride the presidency for their own personal interests.

We are Africa’s largest democracy, and we will be the world’s second largest democracy in 2050 when we overtake the US. We must ensure that we remain a thriving democracy by that point. The best chance we have is for party delegates to select a democratic person with courage to take tough decisions, the one who is in touch with and can deliver for the people.

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NIGERIANS: A PEOPLE NOT WORTH COUNTING? $IJEJ "OTFMN 0EJOLBMV argues that a government that does not count its living will not care to account for its dead

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democracy counts and accounts for three things. First, the people; second the votes and third, the people’s money. For the first, we conduct a census. The second is done through elections; while the third is the focus of public accounts. Through legitimacy conferred by counting the votes, government acquires the mandate to administer the money on behalf and in favour of the people.

The drama in Nigeria has historically been in the counting of votes, which happens every four years but the real story is that Nigeria has never been able to count its people and this is not about to change anytime soon. To understand why Nigeria’s elections are historically rigged, it is essential to unravel why and how the country has been congenitally incapable of counting its people.

Nigeria’s constitution authorizes only the federal government to undertake a census. For this purpose, Section 6 of the National Population Commission Act empowers the Commission, also known as the N-Pop-C, to “undertake the enumeration of the population of Nigeria periodically, through censuses, sample surveys or otherwise” and to “establish and maintain a machinery for continuous and universal registration of births and deaths, throughout the Federation.” The Commission last issued official census figures for the country 16 years ago in 2006. It’s still unable to register most births in Nigeria. The problem is not necessarily that Nigeria has been unable to count its people for over one and a half decades. It is actually that the country has never been able to count its people at all.

Pre-colonial headcounts were limited; colonial headcounts were dubious and post-colonial headcounts have been mostly farcical. Let’s begin with the first.

Headcounts in Nigeria predate the Amalgamation of 1914.

In pre-colonial Nigeria, there were six attempts at counting in and around the Colony of Lagos beginning in 1866.

Subsequent headcounts followed in 1871, 1881, and 1891. The 1901 count was the first effort “to make estimates for Nigeria as a whole.” The merger of the Colony of Lagos with the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria, was followed by yet another estimated count in 1911, which was described as “very defective” to the extent that “the British administrators in charge admitted that the census figures were only preliminary and of little value for comparative purposes.”

If the estimates for the pre-colonial period were inadequate at best, the ones undertaken during colonial rule were decidedly dubious. Colonial headcounts were mostly for military conscription, taxation or subsidizing the costs of imperial rule. The subjects usually found ways to resist them. As a result, colonial headcounts were always short. They achieved one thing though: they created demographic baselines that have – for good or ill- shaped the gradients of presumed demographic growth.

The 1921 Census was the first to take place following the Amalgamation but it “yielded inaccurate data owing to the

difficulties arising from the hearty dislike which many tribes feel towards enumeration, and to the shortage of European staff due to World War I.” The next census 10 years later in 1931 occurred in the shadow of the Great Depression globally and a locust invasion in the “Bornu, Kano, Zaria, Sokoto and Adamawa Provinces”, essentially covering all of what is currently north-east and north-west Nigeria. In the East, the popular unrest led by the women against extension of tax measures in Aba, Onitsha and Owerri in 1929-1930 precluded any counts. In the end, active counting was confined only to Lagos, Egba, Ibadan and Owo divisions in the West and some 201 villages in Northern Nigeria.

The upshot, as Samuel Aluko later recalls, was that “[T] he Government Statistician commented that there was good reason to suppose the census figures to be 'slightly defective in the Northern Provinces and much in defect in the Southern Provinces'. He estimated that the figures were probably understated by about five per cent in the Northern Provinces, ten per cent in Lagos and in the Abeokuta, Benin, Cameroons, Ijebu, Ogoja, Ondo, Oyo, and Warri Provinces of Southern Nigeria, and fifteen to twenty per cent in the Onitsha, Owerri, and Calabar Provinces of Eastern Nigeria.”

Two things are clear so far from this narrative. First, until 1931, censuses in Nigeria “were largely inaccurate as they did not meet all the accepted characteristics of a census.”

Second, the 1931 census established an undercount in south-east Nigeria, which has persisted nearly one century after.

In 1941, the 2nd World War precluded any headcount in Nigeria. The next headcount took place over four years from 1950 to 1953 and firmly established the politicization of headcounts in Nigerian history. The count for Lagos took place between 1950 and 1951, followed by that for the Northern Region in May to July 1952. The Western Region (including the Mid-West) followed in December 1952 to January 1953. The count for the East did not occur until May to August 1953. While the counting was still to be concluded, however, the colonial authorities allocated representation for the 1953 elections, granting 50% of the seats in the federal parliament to the Northern Region.

From resistance, therefore, different parts of the country moved to co-opt and corrupt the census.

Since Independence, Nigeria’s headcounts have degenerated from dubious into farce. The first postcolonial headcount was in 1962. About this, the Chief Federal Census Officer claimed that ‘the figures recorded throughout the greater part of Eastern Nigeria during the present census are false and have been inflated. The figures for the five divisions of Awka, Brass, Degema, Eket, and Opobo, which have recorded increases of over I00 and I20 per cent, can certainly be rejected out of hand.' In respect of the Western Region, the Chief Census Officer reported that 'of the 62 census districts ... provisional total figures are

available for only five, due, in my view, to weakness in the census organisation in the Region.”

This was a reference to the fact that the census took place in the shadow of the state of emergency in the West declared by the then federal government and popularly resisted in the region. Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim, then Federal Minister of Economic Development said, “it is useless to give out any figures to the public under the present circumstances . . . The fact is that there have been inaccuracies and under no circumstances will I release false figures. I shall do my duty and if in the end we cannot arrive at any reasonably accurate figures, as the Census Officer has suggested, there can be no alternative but to do the whole thing again.”

True to Waziri Ibrahim’s word, the census was redone in 1963 but by common consent, “the 1963 census figures were arrived at by negotiations rather than by enumeration.” Ten years later, in 1973, “the provisional figures were produced but the whole process broke down at the final evaluation stage because of charges and counter-charges of deliberate falsification of data to gain economic, political, and/or ethnic advantage. Moreover, the provisional figures, when compared with projected figure from 1963 census, resulted in negative growth rates in some sections of the country. In the end, that census was also suppressed after the enumeration stage and so no data were published.”

Ostensibly, between 1953 and 1963, “Lagos achieved an annual rate of growth of 9.5 %, Western Nigeria, 7.5 %; Eastern Nigeria 5.3 %; Northern Nigeria 5.I %; and Midwestern Nigeria 5%.” The assumed population growth rate from 1963 to 1976 was 2.5% and, since 1977, 3.2%. By 2020, population was still said to be growing at 3.2%. However, In the 27 years from 1963 to 1991, the population supposedly grew by 32.9 million, from 55.6 million to 88.5 million, a growth of 59.1%, representing an annual growth rate of 2.1%, a far cry from the supposed rate of 3.2%. By the last census 15 years later in 2006, the annual population growth rate emerged as 2.8%.

In 108 years since the Amalgamation, there have been only six headcounts in Nigeria, three under colonial rule and three more since it ended. The 1991 census occurred 27 years after that of 1963. The 2006 count took place 15 years after 1991. It is already 16 years since the 2006 headcount and there will be none before the country votes in 2023. The results of the 1962 and 1973 headcounts were suppressed.

Democracy may depend on numbers but Nigeria’s numbers are hardly good for democracy. That may say something about Nigeria’s version of democracy. Even more, a government that does not count its living will not care to account for its dead.

A lawyer and teacher, Odinkalu can be reached at chidi.odinkalu@tufts.edu

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ FEBRUARY 6, 2022

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LETTERS

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resident Muhammadu Buhari can be inscrutable.

Difficult to predict and divine. You cannot tell what he is thinking. And like the old general that he is, he has perfected the art of not telling it all and choosing his words carefully like a cat on tightropes.

In an interview with Channels Television in January 2022, the old fox kept his mystery and had everyone guessing. When asked who his preferred 2023 presidential candidate was, the artful general said: “I don’t have any favourite for 2023 and if I do, I won’t reveal his identity because if I do, he may be eliminated before the election. I better keep it secret.’’

Since this “tactical manoeuvring’’, many presidential aspirants have been courting the president’s attention and seeking to establish themselves in the national consciousness as his sanctified pick.

Who is Buhari’s consecrated presidential choice? Is it Bola Tinubu, former Lagos State governor and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC)? Well, one thing is certain – we may not know Buhari’s preference, but we do know those who will not go through his beatification. In January, Tinubu visited Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

He later announced that day that he had informed the president of his intention to run for presidential office in 2023 --- and the pyrotechnics began.

Some regard Tinubu’s “ambush’’, considering how, where and why he declared his

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WHO IS BUHARI’S 2023 CANDIDATE? presidential bid, as a desperate move. It is common knowledge that Tinubu and the president, including members of the recondite cabal, have not had a sunny relationship. It is alleged that Tinubu who contributed principally to the success of the APC in 2015 was given the heave-ho soon after the president and ‘’his men’’ came to power.

Remi Tinubu, the former Lagos governor’s wife, is one of those who have taken this allegation to town.

She said Tinubu was ‘’trashed’’ after helping the APC win the presidential election in 2015. Her words: “I was hurt [by] what they did to my husband after the campaign.

He didn’t say a thing.

We were running three campaigns in my house, and for him to be trashed like that….”

Those privy to palace gossip say Buhari is not ‘’comfortable’’ with Tinubu based on principles. Buhari is of the conservative stock, but Tinubu is the wheelerdealer politician who understands the art of the deal. If Tinubu was good enough to help bring the current administration to power, why is he not fit to be supported by the same hand he held up?

The declaration of Tinubu’s presidential bid at the presidential villa was not necessarily to seek the permission of Buhari, but to call his bluff and soldier on with ambition. It was a case of ‘’I know you do not want me to succeed you, but hey, I am getting on with my ambition anyway’’.

Is Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo Buhari’s presidential favourite?

It will be too hasty to say, but the chronicle

of relationship between the two puts a doubt to the question.

In September 2019, Buhari took drastic steps to whittle down the power and influence of Osinbajo. The vice-president had reportedly offended ‘’members of the conclave’’ when he sacked Lawal Daura as the director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS) following the siege on the National Assembly by the DSS in 2018. The vice-president was also alleged to have taken some unsanctioned decisions and actions.

In a presidential memo, as reported by TheCable, the president asked Osinbajo to, henceforth, seek presidential approvals for agencies under his supervision. This was not the case during Buhari’s first term in office. Osinbajo is the chairman of the governing boards of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Boundary Commission (NBC) and the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA).

He is also the chairman of the board of

directors of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), a limited liability company owned by the three tiers of government.

The directive was for the vice-president to follow due process in

a minister, he had plethora of articles some of which were on ASUU strikes and the solutions.

However, one would expect him to implement those solutions when he was made the Minister of Education. But no, he's been adding salt to the injury of Nigerian students who are always at the receiving end.

Since Adamu Adamu became the Minister of Education, the Academic Staff Union of Uni-

versities (ASUU) has gone on strike more than five times. This is very disheartening and does not befit our educational system. Students who applied for four years courses now spend five years on campus. Students who applied for five years courses now spend six years.

What about the students who lost their lives while returning to their parents because ASUU was on strike?

Mallam Adamu

does Buhari trust him enough to put the laurel wreath on his head?

Is Buhari’s presidential favourite Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation; David Umahi, governor of Ebonyi state; Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi State, or Chris Ngige, minister of labour? Only the retired general can tell – a clairvoyant will find it hard to decipher this mystery even from the president’s famous ‘’body language’’.

The fact is whoever Buhari “sanctifies’’ will get the support of the north – which holds the ace in elections in Nigeria.

Who is Buhari’s 2023 presidential candidate?

– Fredrick Nwabufo is a writer and journalist

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES AND HEALTH REPORT I live in Nigeria but I know Barack Obama’s blood pressure. I live in Nigeria but I have no details on the health of my leaders. It is absolutely shocking that Nigerians have not paid attention to the issue of health of its public servants.

More shocking is the fact that we claim to copy our democracy from America. But while Americans get a health declaration of its Presidential candidate, we get none here. I must reiterate, this is not to spite or berate anyone’s health but it must be echoed that people

ADAMU ADAMU: PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH

am not interested in the NANS President, Comrade Asefon Sunday's uncouth and uncivil activism. Instead, I will like to comment on the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu who hasn't been living up to expectations, and not practising what he preached on the altar of our newspapers.

Before Mallam Adamu Adamu, a columnist and accountant became

seeking approvals for contract awards, annual reports, annual accounts, power to borrow, and power to make regulations, among other key functions. Buhari also appointed the Economic Advisory Council (EAC) and disbanded the Economic Management Team led by Osinbajo.

Not sparing any effort in this blitz, the president removed NEMA and the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) from the office of the vice-president and put them under a newly-created ministry of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development, headed by Sadiya Umar Farouq.

However, Osinbajo took the president’s decision well – without acting out or gunning for a dogfight. But

Adamu has failed as a Minister of Education. And if I were him, I won't mind the money that come with the office. I'll humbly resign and allow the person that can manage the ministry to take over. Of what use is a man who writes extensively on the solutions to a problem and fails when he's called upon to implement his touted solutions?

– Aremu Lukman Umor, Ilorin

have a right to know.

They have the right to make their decisions after a medical report is submitted

by Presidential candidates. We have had too much issues with absenteeism in our presidency; it is always the case of a medical visit while the nation is on fire.

I am sure we can’t forget in a hurry the debacle with President Umaru Yar’Adua and the constitutional quandary emanating from that experience.

A lot of people have argued that health is a personal thing and I respect such arguments, but I must admit once you decide to serve the nation, your health report must be made public. I will never ask for the health record of a private individual, it’s akin to stupidity. But with the new Presidential campaign season in full swing, with aspirations and projections, it is only fair for Nigerians to be fully aware of what we are dealing with health-wise. It is incumbent on the people, to enunciate the need for a medical report submission, because the people always bear the brunt of medical conditions of our leaders.

Imagine how much

of public funds have gone into health challenges of our leaders, while the state clinic hardly works. It must be said for good measure and fairness a complete health report will help to avert such dangers.

There is no problem in being sick, it is only fair to let the people know. There have been world leaders that had health issues and it didn’t affect their work. Theresa May had been managing diabetes for years she takes four Insulin injections daily; JFK had a chronic back pain; President Roosevelt suffered Polio; Tony Blair suffered supraventricular tachycardia; Gordon Brown suffered problems with his eyes - he sustained injuries from childhood; Chernenko suffered emphysema and heart failure - he was a smoker since the age of 9; Fidel Castro suffered diverticulitis; the list is endless but at least the people know the problem. What is the health condition of our leaders and intending politicians?

The people have to know.

– Rufai Oseni, rufaioseni@gmail. com

16

SUNDAY MARCH 6, 2022 • T H I S D AY

17

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 6, 2022

BUSINESS

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

VAT: Hotel Owners, FIRS Head for Showdown The directive by the Lagos chapter of the Incorporated Trustees of the Hotel Owners and Managers Association to its members to reject a request by the Federal Inland Revenue Services or its agents for collection of Value Added Tax from their businesses has again reignited the endless battle against VAT in the country, writes Festus Akanbi

L

ast week, the Lagos chapter of the Incorporated Trustees of the Hotel Owners and Managers Association (HOMA) directed its members to treat with disdain any request made by the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) or its agents for collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) from their businesses.

The HOMA, which is made up of hotels, restaurants, fast food outlets, night clubs, and related hospitality outÀts, said it had been resisting since , eͿorts of the FIRS to levy VAT on the businessesofitsmemberscontrarytothejudgment of a Federal High Court in Lagos, that declared such levy as illegal, null and void.

HOMA’s position contained in a statement by the association’s President and Director General, Mr. S.O. Alabi and Mr. Adeniyi Ologun respectively titled: “Valued Added Tax Automation: Looming Apparent Injustice on Our Members,” noted that the association had been having a running battle with the FIRS in the last four years in regards to the validity of VAT. It stated: “Hence, in the suit Àled by our association at the Federal High Court in suit number FHC/L/CS/360/2018, the registered trustees of HOMAL Vs AG Lagos State and FIRS, the issue of the validity of VAT or Sales Tax was brought before the court. In the said suit, the Federal High Court nulliÀed the application of VAT in the hospitality sector. However, an appeal was Àled by the FIRS, and subsequently, a stay of execution was granted pending the outcome of the appeal Àled.”

How It Started Recall that delivering judgment in a suit seeking torestraintheAttorneyGeneralofLagosStatefrom enforcing the Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption (Fiscalisation) Regulations Law (HORC), 2017, Justice Rilwanu Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Lagos had in 2019 barred the FIRS from enforcing VAT provisions on goods and services consumed in hotels, restaurants and event centres in Lagos State.

In the suit, HOMA had argued that VAT Act has covered the Àeld. It, therefore, asked the court to declare that by Section 7, of the VAT Act, the second defendant (FIRS) was the only lawful and constitutional agency charged with the administration and management of consumption tax generally and particularly in Lagos State.

The Registered Trustees of HOMAhad Àled an originatingsummonsaskingthecourttodetermine “Whether the VAT Act regulating imposition of tax on consumption of goods and services has not covered the Àeld on taxation of goods and services consumed in hotels, event centres, and restaurant in Lagos State.

It also asked the court to determine whether,

by Section 7 of the VATAct, the second defendant (FIRS) is not the only lawful and constitutional agency charged with the administration and management of consumption tax generally and particularly in Lagos State.

In delivering the judgment, the judge dismissed thesuitandheldthatitwaslackinginmerit,adding that the plaintiͿ was obliged to comply with the HORCLaw2009andtheHORCRegulations2017.

The court also raised two issues by herself; On whether the Federal High Court had the jurisdiction to pronounce on the constitutionality of VAT, the court resolved that it has jurisdiction.

Aikawa also held that the issue of the powers of the minister to amend the schedule to the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act was not in dispute before the court and so no pronouncement could be made on it.

The court in dismissing the originating

Sheraton Hotels

in the state to respect the decision of the court on the Lagos State Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant (Fiscalisation) Regulations 2017.

A branch office of FIRS

summons, as lacking merit and resolving the questions and reliefs sought in favour of the Àrst defendant, held: “That consumption tax is not stated in either the exclusive and concurrent legislative list, in the Constitution of Nigeria, therefore, the absence on the concurrent and exclusive lists, puts consumption tax on the residual list, which is within the legislative competence and powers of state governments.

“That VAT Act can’t cover the Àeld over what the federal government has no power to legislate upon, under the constitution, therefore the determinant factor in the issue of covering the Àeld, is whether there is the power to make the Law. The provisions of the VAT Act relating to consumption tax are inconsistent with the Nigerian constitution.

“The Minister of Finance has corrected the anomaly, by including consumption tax in the list of taxes collectible by the state government, therefore,theresponsibilityforcollectingconsumption tax lies on the state government.

“The provisions of Sections 1, 2, 4, 5 & 12 of VAT Act are in breach of the 1999 Constitution

and the plaintiͿs are obliged to comply with the HORCLaw2009andtheHORCRegulations2017.

“FIRSarebarredfromenforcingVATprovisions as it relates to a consumption tax on goods and services consumed in hotels, restaurants, and event centres in Lagos State, ” the judgment read.

DissatisÀed with the decision, the FIRS proceeded to the Court of Appeal with an appeal and subsequently secured a stay of execution pending the outcome of the appeal Àled.

Jumping the Gun HOMA lamented that the FIRS instead of ensuring prompt prosecution of the appeal, and knowing that the court had given it the go-ahead to pay consumption tax on goods and services consumed in hotels, restaurants, and event centres to Lagos State by the HORC Law 2009 and the HORCRegulations2017,appointedMessrsMetro Limited to handle the installation of VAT collection software package on our members’ businesses, which would amount to double taxation.

Recall that after the judgment of the Federal High Court, the Lagos State Government urged all hotels, restaurants, and events centres operators

Judicial Backing TheDirector,PublicAͿairs,LagosStateMinistry of Justice, Mr. Kayode Oyekanmi, who signed the statement, explained that the court dismissed the claim of the plaintiͿs that “since the VAT by FIRS contains provisions relating to the consumption, it had ¶covered the Àeld’ and as such, no state law can impose any similar tax.”

“The judgment stated that Lagos State is the only constitutional and lawful body permitted to assess, impose and collect tax from customers for goods and services consumed in hotels, restaurants, and event centres in the state. The court granted an order of perpetual injunction to restrain the Federal Inland Revenue Service from collecting tax from customers for goods and services consumed in hotels, restaurants, and event centres in Lagos State.

“All hotels, restaurants, and events centres managers and operators are hereby enjoined to henceforthcomplywiththeprovisionsoftheHotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Tax Law and regulations of Lagos State as declared in the judgment of the Federal High Court,” Oyekanmi said.

HOMA’s Directive to Members This perhaps is why HOMA has directed its memberstoignoreFIRS’directive,addingthatany attempt to deploy automated tax administration technology to capture taxes that the court had adjudged not to be legally entitled to collect, will be an aberration and therefore, null and void.

Its statement last week read: “Hence, in the suit Àled by our association at the Federal High Court in suit number FHC/L/CS/360/2018, the registered trustees of HOMA Vs AG Lagos State and FIRS, the issue of the validity of VAT or Sales Tax was brought before the court. In the said suit, the Federal High Court nulliÀed the application of VAT in the hospitality sector.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 6, 2022

18

CAPITAL MARKET

NGX: Engineering Economic Development, Creating Wealth Kayode Tokede writes on the role of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) in engineering economic development for wealth creation

I

t is often said that the overall growth of an economy depends on how efÀciently the stock market performs in its locative functions of capital. This is because when the stock market mobilises savings, it simultaneously allocates a larger portion of the same to Àrms with relatively high prospects as indicated by their returns and level of risk.

The signiÀcance of this function is that capital resources are channelled by the mechanism of the forces of demand and supply to those Àrms with relatively high and increasing productivity thus enhancing economic expansion and growth.

Hence, the stock market is regarded as a vital component for economic growth and development as it enables both corporations and the government to raise long-term capital, which allows them to Ànance new projects and expand other operations.

It is worthy to note that NGX – subsidiary of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), formerly called The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) – facilitated capital raising in 2021 of over N7.13tn across asset classes for both public and private corporations.

There has been a steady increase in new issues since 1996 where new issues were valued at N5.85 billion in 1996 but they rose by about 532 per cent to N37.198 billion in 2001. This improved to N61.284 billion in 2002, N180.079 billion in 2003, while the years 2004 and 2005 accounted for N195.418 billion and N552.782 billion respectively before it crossed the trillion naira mark to hit N1.935 trillion in 2007 when the market was at its peak.

Nigeria’s Securities Market Renaissance It is safe to say that the nation’s bourse has undergone a serious renaissance in quite a decade in the legal structure, trading system, clearing, settlement and delivery system, the quantum of listed companies and securities, corporate governance and upward trend in the deployment of technology.

Following regulatory approvals from the Securities and Exchange Commission and CorporateAͿairs Commission, NSE announced its demutualisation in March 2021 giving rise to NGX Group Plc and its three subsidiaries – NGX, the operating Exchange; NGX Regulation Limited (NGX RegCo), the independent regulatory arm; and NGX Real Estate Limited (NGX RelCo), the real estate company. Precisely, on May 17, 2021, the exchange virtually unveiled its new structure tagged “Stock Africa Is Made Of” to amplify NGX Group’s positioning and commitment to the African Ànancial markets as a leading capital market infrastructure provider, connecting Nigeria, Africa and the world, as well as spotlight the growth potential of the African continent.

Market Activities Since demutualisation, NGX has recorded major market activities across asset classes.

Notable among these transactions is Emzor Pharmaceuticals’ N13.7 billion 5-Year Series 1 Fixed rate Senior Unsecured Bond listed exclusively on NGX in April 2021 and is the Àrst public instrument issued by the company.

Also notable is BUA Cement’s debut listing of an N115 billion Bond issue, the largest of many corporate debt issuances in the history of the Nigerian capital market; the listing by the introduction of NGX Group on the main board of NGX; and the public oͿer of MTN Nigeria’s shares to both institutional and retail participants.

On the trading side, the NGX All Share Index (ASI) settled at 42,262.85 basis points with a Year-to-Date return of 4.9per cent as of 24 December 2021, and it is expected that the year will close in the green. Being a multi-asset Exchange, NGX also recorded gains in other asset classes, with the total market capitalisation

NGX building, Lagos

being N42.05trillon as of the same date.

In the Àxed income space, capitalisation grew 12.81% from N17.50trillion in 2020 to 19.74trillion in 2021 as a result of increased listing activity from the Federal Government and Nigerian corporates.

Furthermore, the value of the securities lending market rose to N513.10million in 2021 up from N95.18million 2020. The breakdown of the companies that pledged the shares shows as =enith Bank Plc with 77.33 million shares, MTNN with 8.89 million shares, Dangote Sugar with 43 million shares, GTCO with 31.09 million shares and UBA pledging about 45 million shares.

Market Engagement As part of its eͿorts to drive strategic growth in the Nigerian Capital market and provide a vibrant Exchange for corporates across all industries, NGX brought together a cast of leading industry experts to dimension the digital transformation of the Ànancial services space with a keen focus on the Nigerian capital market at its inaugural NGX TechNovation Conference. The virtual event was themed, Technology, Platforms and Markets Speaking during the conference, the Chief Executive OfÀcer, NGX, Mr Temi Popoola, CFA noted, “We are committed to developing innovative solutions that drive, not just internal efÀciency at the exchange but that support wider eͿorts by various stakeholders at ensuring a full digitalisation of the Nigerian capital markets. As such, we are extending our platform competencies in line with our strategic aspirations while leveraging best in class digital innovation to deliver value to our stakeholders and markets.”

NGX went on to host the Àrst-ever NGX Capital Markets Conference in Abuja where it called for increased collaboration among key players in the nation’s economy towards driving productive investments that would accelerate an elevated and digitized capital

market. Themed the “The Future Ready Capital Markets; Innovating for Nigeria’s Sustainable Recovery” the Conference, brought together leading policymakers, Ànancial experts, business leaders, investors, international development partners and regulators, led by the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN. Sustainability at NGX NGX displayed its commitment to sustainability and fostering the growth of sustainable Ànancial products, which integrate the Ànancial risks and opportunities associated with climate change and other environmental challenges through several programmes.

First, NGX collaborated with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to launch the Nigeria2Equal Peer-Learning Platform and the Àrst-of-its-kind Gender Gap Assessment Report, themed, Gender Equality in Nigeria’s Private Sector. The launch of the Peer-Learning Platform and Gender Gap Assessment Report are key milestones of the collaboration between NGX and IFC for the Nigeria2Equal programme. The two- and half-year programme aims to reduce gender gaps in Nigeria’s private sector through research and sharing of best practice case studies as part of a Peer Learning Platform, as well as Àrm-level advisory support to help companies implement gender action plans.

Also in collaboration with IFC, NGX hosted the Sustainable Finance Training 2021 where it was revealed that the value of Nigeria’s green bonds market has grown to N55.52 billion within 2017 and 2021.

New Products and Services In keeping with its strategic aspirations to democratize Ànance through technology, drive listings growth, improve customer experience and attract new sources of liquidity, NGX has embarked on several

market development activities in 2021.

Notable among these is the release of the enhanced version of the NGX mobile app, XMobile. The app – which was Àrst launched in 2019 in its Beta state – is a dynamic and user-friendly mobile app, designed to enhance investors’ participation in the Nigerian capital market. Now accessible in the Google Play Store and Apple iOS Store, X-Mobile provides market participants, especially retail investors, with convenient, faster and real-time access to information about NGX, its listed securities and Trading License Holders.

Furthermore, NGX partnered with MTN Nigeria and other capital market stakeholders to deliver the Àrst-ever end-to-end digital oͿer in the Nigerian capital market. Through technology, NGX was able to facilitate the simple and quick purchase of securities on any mobile device in under three minutes. Certainly, this is a unique opportunity for wealth creation for millions of Nigerians through the capital market and the market anticipates the use of forward-thinking technology for even more ground-breaking transactions.

SigniÀcant strides have also been made as NGX inches closer to the launch of Exchange Traded Derivatives in the market. The Exchange began its journey to launching ETDs in 2014 with a feasibility study which showed that the Nigerian capital market is indeed ready for the more sophisticated investment products ETDs will introduce. Since then, several milestones have been achieved including the ‘Approvalin-principle’ from the Securities and Exchange Commission making NGCLthe premier Central Counterparty Clearing House (CCP) in Nigeria.

Conclusion It has been an exciting launch into the NGX era and the market has certainly begun to reap the beneÀts of the demutualisation. It would be recalled that The Exchange celebrated 60 years of trading in 2021 and it is evident that the next 60 years and beyond will be built on innovation and agility.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 6, 2022

19

ENERGY

NNPC Safeguards Nigeria’s Oil Assets Through Pre-emptive Rights The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited in a bid to safeguard the country’s oil and gas assets as well as guaranteeing energy security for the country has intensiÀed eͿorts at exercising its preemptive rights on some of the assets with its Joint Venture partners, Ifeanyi Onuba writes

B

y deÀnition, a preemptive right gives an existing shareholder the opportunity to buy a proportional interest of any future issuance of common stock to help maintain their initial percentage ownership position in the company. It is often provided to existing shareholders of a corporation to protect them from involuntary and undesired dilution of their ownership stake.

It is a contractual clause that gives the right to majority owners who want to protect their stake in the company when and if additional shares are issued.

Preemptive rights also protect a shareholder from losing voting power as more shares are issued and the company’s ownership becomes diluted. Since the shareholder is getting an insider’s price for shares in the new issue, there can also be a strong proÀt incentive.

There are certain beneÀts that accrue as a result of the inclusion of this right. The main beneÀt is that it allows the partners to a joint venture maintain control of the venture, which is achieved by being able to control participation by new venture partners. Parties to a joint venture should have the ability to prevent a new comer to the venture from participating if it does not meet certain requirements.

Factors such as the requisite Ànancial and technical capacity, and sometimes non-tangible considerations like business philosophy, goodwill and past relationship may amount to considerations that existing parties deem necessary in order to be eͿective.

Following from the above, the inclusion of a preemptive clause in oil and gas operating agreements is, from the perspective of the indigenous oil companies in Nigeria, favourable to the extent that it retains the operations and control of oil blocks in the hands of indigenous oil companies, increasing their prominence in the oil and gas sector.

Existing licensees also have the advantage of being able to monitor wealth transfer in the venture and it prevents a split transfer of interest, which may aͿect the voting pattern and make it more di΀cult to make decisions.

After labouring on an oil Àeld, it is believed that parties to a joint venture view this right as an opportunity to increase their stake in the joint venture and also to increase their beneÀt. This is only fair.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited in a bid to safeguard the country’s oil and gas assets as well as guaranteeing energy security for the country has intensiÀed eͿorts at exercising its preemptive rights on some of the assets with its Joint Venture partners.

This is to ensure that the NNPC sustains a prosperous business environment for Nigeria and enable the National Oil Company pay more attention to abandonment and relinquishment costs; severance of operator staͿ; and third-party contract liabilities among others.

Onshore decommissioning involves capping oil wells, clean-up and taking out all production and pipeline risers that are sustained by the platform, removing the platform and getting rid of it in a junk storage area or manufacturing yard.

Within the last decade, the Nigerian upstream sector had witnessed signiÀcant transactions involving the sale of interests in oil licenses.

Some of these transactions were concluded in the time of high oil prices and in some instances involved asset transfers from International Oil Companies with long years of carrying on exploration and production activities in Nigeria, to smaller indigenous companies with limited experience in the upstream sector.

In August last year, Shell divested about 30

Kyari

per cent of its stake in Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited subsidiary.

Just few days ago, Seplat Energy Plc announced an agreement to acquire the entire share capital of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited from Exxon Mobil Corporation, Delaware for 1.28bn.

The transaction entails the acquisition of ExxonMobil Nigeria’s entire oͿshore shallow water business.

According to the deal, ExxonMobil Nigeria’s shallow water business is an established, high-quality operation with a highly skilled local operating team and a track record of safe operations.

Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria and ExxonMobil are presently faced with huge remediation costs over their failure to properly decommission and cap oil and gas assets across the Niger Delta, especially the ones sold to Nigerians in recent divesture programmes.

The situation has created severe environmental risks and pollution to host communities in the oil-rich Niger Delta.

The recent case of Aiteo’s Nembe wellhead blowout, has also brought to the fore the need to enforce the relevant laws and to ensure that the multinationals that sold the assets to the Nigerian companies pay remediation charges.

Curiously, many of the oil and gas assets sold to Nigerians, mostly by the International Oil Companies, are rarely decommissioned or properly abandoned, a development that clearly breaches existing laws regulating the industry.

This is a clear violation of some of the international conventions guiding decommissioning operations which include the Geneva Convention on the continental shelf, 1958; United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 1982; and Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and other Matters, 1972.

But despite extant regulations and the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), there was rarely any adherence to full decommissioning for the infrastructure that had been sold by multinational oil companies. It is also evident that there might be no such arrangements for those for which buyers were being sought.

According to Section 232, (1) of the new Petroleum Industry Act, “The decommissioning and abandonment of petroleum wells, installations, structures, utilities, plants and pipelines for petroleum operations on land and oͿshore shall be conducted in accordance with good international petroleum industry practice.”

In Section, 233 (1), the new law stated, “Each lessee and licensee shall set up, maintain and manage a decommissioning fund held by a Ànancial institution that is not an a΀liate of the lessee or licensee, in the form of an escrow account accessible by the commission.

“The decommissioning and abandonment fund shall exclusively be used to pay for decommissioning and abandonment costs. Where a lessee or a licensee fails to comply with the decommissioning and abandonment plan, the decommissioning

and abandonment fund shall be accessed by the commission to pay for the performance by a third party.”

On the wave of divestment of international Oil Companies from Nigeria’s upstream sector, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mele Kyari last Monday told participants at the Àfth edition of the Nigerian International Energy Summit that while the country understands the right of companies to freely divest, it is however, critical to ensure that the right thing is done so as to avoid disruption.

He further said that issues and obligations related to abandonment and decommissioning must be fully addressed and discharged in line with global best practices, regulations, convention, and law He said, “Companies that are divesting, they are leaving our country literarily and that’s the way to put it. But they are not leaving because opportunities are not here, these companies are shifting their portfolios where they can add value and not just that but where they can add to the journey of net carbon zero emission.

“We understand this very perfectly. But also, we cannot aͿord to realize that this country must beneÀt from the realities of today. We will work with our partners, we understand the necessity for their investments, we do know that there are issues, we understand that this must take place, but also it must be done in such a way that we are able to deal with issues around abandonment and decommissioning.

“We will also make sure that whatever arrangement that is put in place, will show that we are also alive to the energy transition journey that we have embarked on.”

Currently, the NNPC is adopting various strategies towards the attainment of a carbon-neutral economy, while ensuring that the industry remains viable and competitive.

To achieve this, the PIAremains a key enabler in the Nigerian energy sector that clearly delineates various stakeholders’ roles to enhance value realization in the sector.

Under the strategic agenda of the NNPC Ltd, three criteria will drive the reshaping of the asset portfolio of the National Oil Company.

The three criteria are high performance for the asset, gas potential of such an asset and the acquisition of an asset with minimal vulnerability.

In the new energy transition world and post PIA, the NNPC needs to reshape and optimise it’s portfolio to ensure it can deliver value to shareholders and stakeholders In order to reshape its portfolio, the NNPC must acquire assets that have high performance, low vulnerability and huge gas potential.

This is because high performance assets with robust reserves with potential for growth and high performance operators will be a key priority that NNPC must consider in reshaping it’s portfolio.

Gas is the new oil and it is expected to drive the strategy in reshaping and optimising the NNPC portfolio.

At a time when the NNPC is targeting to become the Àfth largest gas producing company in the world, the National Oil Company must prioritize acquisition of assets rich in gas especially assets ready for blowdown.

The NNPC is currently deepening natural gas utilisation to reduce energy poverty through the National Gas Expansion Programme and intensifying the use of petrochemicals.

The National Company is also making concerted eͿorts in the gas sector through various projects such as NLNG Train 7, AKK, OB3, ELPS and others.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

20

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

CONVERSATION WITH MY BILLIONAIRE FRIEND ayo.arowolo@thisdaylive.com 08086447494 (SMS only) PERSONAL FINANCE SAVINGS BUDGETING COMMODITIES

AYO AROWOLO

GOLD

INVESTING

The Essence of Wealth is More Important than Wealth Itself (1) Everything in nature has a purpose and that purpose is methodically fulfilled. Have you, for instance, observed the total interdependence of everything in nature? The earth grows the plants. The plants feed the animal. The animal feeds the man. The man dies and returns to the earth to fertilise it. Ask yourself, are you fulfilling your life’s purpose in the larger scheme of things?

Every day and in every way, nature beckons you to share, to love and to live in simple harmony with it – Agbalagbi.

Verily, verily I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it dies, it bringeth forth much fruit – John 12:24.

And he said, “ So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth for fruit of itself; first the blade, and then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come – Mark 4: 26-29.

A

s indicated in the last article, I was left alone for another 45 minutes under a tree in my Billionaire Friend’s garden while he walked away to round off the meeting with his visiting friend. This week, the theme of our discussion is: THE ESSENCE OF WEALTH BUILDING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WEALTH ITSELF. My Billionaire Friend and I had run the week’s edition through our usual process: we agreed on the subject; we had checked all the points if they aligned; on my end, I had passed the article through our usual editing process and I reckoned that everything was good to go. Just as I was trying to reconfirm a few points from my Billionaire Friend, a conversation occurred that altered everything we had agreed to push.

We had both agreed to dedicate the week’s edition to honour a few local and foreign entrepreneurs whom we thought had risked so many things to create entities that are now serving humanity beyond themselves.

I was persuaded that my Billionaire Friend deserves to be on that honours roll. And so I Whatsapped this note to him: “Greetings sir. You may wish to enhance the portion dealing with your philanthropic endeavours bearing in mind that if we reveal too much, it might give you away”.

In less than 10 minutes he fired back: “We agreed to remain anonymous. To discuss my philanthropic endeavours would unmask me. Please spare me”.

This was a pleasant surprise to me even though I had envisaged something like that given what we mutually agreed to observe when we started this conversation series which is in its 5th session apart from the introductory session.

I agreed and thanked him for this gesture especially given the fact that he spends so much time generating his part of the series which by the way is the most important raw material. Even after our WhatsApp chat, he still spent considerable time reviewing his thoughts on the subject. He sent this to me with a tinge of humour though: “AYO, this took me 8 solid hours. I cannot keep my other appointments for today. Anyway please re-edit.

I am now free from “Bondage”.

I sent this to him: ”Deep appreciation. God and men will honour you.

Even though my Billionaire Friend has kept to our initial agreement of remaining anonymous throughout, I have decided on my own to dedicate this edition to him and other rare individuals who, either as entrepreneurs or investors have chosen to yield themselves as God’s ambassadors, helping to share His abundant resources through their endeavours to other individuals around the world.

They are individuals we can stylishly call the 7th Day God’s ministers, individuals who have answered God’s call. After the sixth-day creation process, God rested on the 7th day and turned the management of what he had created to mankind, people who are willing to show up. You may not see God physically or directly, but in virtually all fields of endeavours, you would encounter individuals who have heeded this great call and decided to be God’s ambassadors, creating great enterprises that serve humanity beyond their personal needs. These individuals have endured hardships, shame, reproaches, hardness, complex challenges and difficulties and stayed on duty nonetheless to serve the rest of us.

John D. Rockefeller

Oprah Winfrey

“You may not see God physically or directly, but in virtually all fields of endeavours, you would encounter individuals who have heeded this great call and decided to be God’s ambassadors, creating great enterprises that serve humanity beyond their personal needs.

These individuals have endured hardships, shame, reproaches, hardness, complex challenges and difficulties and stayed on duty nonetheless to serve the rest of us.”

Yemisi Shyllon

“Many people pray that God should bless them the same way he has blessed Adeboye. Adeboye has heard this and has always counselled that the appropriate prayers should be O LORD PASS ME THROUGH WHAT ADEBOYE PASSED THROUGH TO BECOME THIS SUCCESSFUL” Pastor E. A. Adeboye

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede & Herbert Wigwe

The title of today’s conversation remains the same, but we shall be sharing the first part, which was entirely my creation while we wait till the next edition to share the original article myself and my Billionaire Friend had agreed to release.

STOP PRESS My Billionaire Friend and I are eager to know how the thoughts we have shared to date have impacted you. We want to learn how you are using them and we also want to learn first-hand what you would want us to include. So we will appreciate it if you could just stop reading now and send a note to us explaining how the series has blessed you and what you want us to improve on or include. Send your feedback directly to: ayo.arowolo@thisdaylive. com. We have surprise gifts for the first 20 people that would send us feedback.

I need to explain a concept my Billionaire Friend used a couple of weeks ago when we were starting off the series. He said very casually though: “Ayo, you know what; you and I are both ministers as far as this assignment is concerned”.

Ministers? I did not even respond. As a Christian, I had thought that when you say someone is a minister, you are referring to a pastor, or a General Overseer or

Tony Elumelu

even coming closer home to a secular interpretation, someone who is serving in a government. But after some thought, I decided to check out the meaning of the word, ‘minister’. What I found intrigued me but I found this very apt and fitting.

“A minister is like a servant, that is anyone who serves the interest of another. In this sense a minister and servant are interchangeable So if a minister is someone who serves the interest of another person, we are all God’s ministers in our respective fields of endeavours as long as we use our endeavours to serve God and others.

This first part of the series is dedicated to a few of God’s ministers who have remained on duty as his ambassadors regardless of the difficulties they may have encountered on the way. Because of the constrain of space, we shall consider only 12: seven in this edition and others in the next edition.

As I sat in my Billionaire Friend’s garden that cool afternoon, my imaginative faculties were fully activated. I was just wondering what was the process that produced the tree I was observing. How did they all become trees? Did they just drop? How did they produce fruits that other people now come to pluck?

If some of the entrepreneurs we are honouring in this edition are God’s special ambassadors creating

Prince Nduka Obaigbena

entities that are helping people around the world, how did they become so successful at doing so?

Are they a special breed of individuals who were endowed with special DNA to be successful? How come only a few such people decided to stand in the gap for the invisible God, who has always been ever ready to smuggle himself to the world through any willing individual? Then my mind went to what Jesus said in the two quotations above and the one by Andrew Gromyko, who under the trade name, AGBALAGBI has been churning thought-provoking philosophical but life-applicable nuggets on different platforms.

Then I also reasoned how Singapore, a former British trading post, rose to global acclaim as the epitome of development owing to its transformation from a third world to a first world country in less than 40 years. I also thought about how in the cheer for the Asian success, it is easy to miss the fact that eggs were broken in the making of the omelette.

There are reports about the restriction of human rights and citizens enduring harsh economic policies.

Having among the world’s highest income per capita, many believe the sacrifices of Singaporeans paid off.

Read the full article at https://www.thisdaylive.com

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SUNDAY MARCH 6, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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WEEKLY PULL-OUT

6.3.2022

Bimbo Daramola

His Genuine Love for Nigerian Youths Bold, daring and energetic, former legislator and convener of the Nigeria Skits Industry Festival and Awards (NSIFA), Bimbo Daramola, in this encounter with Vanessa Obioha reveals a compassionate side of him as exhibited by his love for Nigerian youths and everything they stand for ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/victoria.olaode@thisdaylive.com.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ FEBRUARY 6, 2022

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COVER

I Thank God for Having Teachers as Parents

D

o not call him a politician!

Even though he has worked in the corridors of power; from chronicling former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s transition from prison to Aso Rock, to representing Ekiti North Federal Constituency, from 2011 to 2015, Bimbo Daramola does not easily associate himself with the coveted description.

Ironically, he still engages in politics.

His aversion, as he explains it to me on a sunny afternoon, stems from the perception surrounding it.

“I believe very strongly that societies are built by different people. And I don’t think it makes a lot of sense to outrightly cede the society to politics and politicians, particularly when it will come across, if you contextualise it very properly, that politicians are falling short on the estimation of the Nigerian people. An average Nigerian does not believe that politicians have done well by them. They feel that politicians are opportunists, ambitious and take advantage of them.”

As much as this perception holds sway in society today, Daramola sees warpage in that discernment. According to him, there are morally corrupt professionals in other fields who are not politicians but since bad politicians seem to be in the majority, that reputation is like a badge.

Tall with an athletic build and a face framed with a white beard, Daramola’s disposition is bold and daring. He asserts this fact, citing his Facebook posts as a thorn-in-the-flesh of many corrupt ones.

During his legislative days, he was known for his audacious stance on some national issues. For instance, he moved a motion titled ‘Emerging Threats to Nigeria’s Internal Security and the Need for the Establishment of Department of Homeland Security,’ to address the menace of security challenges facing Nigeria. Looking at the spate of insecurity in the country today, Daramola admits that sometimes, he feels a sense of déjà vu as some of his concerns are playing out.

As a young man, he played football, but now his sporting activities are somehow limited. He also wanted to be a medical doctor but could not stand the sight of people in pain. He describes himself as a very sensitive person.

“At the centre of my being is the fact that I’m conscious about what happens to the next man. If a man is in pain, I feel his pain and this is one of the reasons I got into politics in the first place. So, I set out to do everything that will cushion the pain of others.”

He continues: “That was why my first choice of study was medicine. I remember that every time we went to the hospital those days if I see people crying, I cry. I’m still very emotional.”

He recalls a recent event in Zambia where he met with young people and broke down after learning of their plight.

“I know some of them cannot afford school fees and it reminded me of how unfair life could be.”

This passionate side of him has endeared him to younger ones. He confidently thumps his chest that to date, he is the most friendly politician to the youths in his state.

“Except the naysayers, in Ekiti today, everybody knows that I’m the widest acceptable currency among young people. They play with me a lot.”

His love for young people is woven into his brand.

“If you ‘profile’ me today, the ultimate defining index of my brand is my love for young people,” he says.

Daramola’s understanding of the youths is profound. He is aware of the sense of hopelessness they exude concerning national issues.

“The greatest worry that they have is they think they don’t have a nation anymore. They’ve seen over time that the country is slipping through their fingers.

And every time some of us who are a little bit on the elderly side begin to talk about the good old days, the question on the lips of young people is when will they be able to say that? When are their own good old days going to come?”

Beyond these fears, Daramola is also aware of some of the shortcomings of the youths.

“Today we’ve raised a generation of young people who are in a hurry. What defines them is brevity, convenience, and quick turnaround time. You could almost say that they are laid back and all of that, but the truth of the matter is that you cannot divorce the realities of social media from what has become of these young people. A lot of them live off their mobile devices.

You can’t expect a man or a young boy who’s been raised in an information age to behave like a stoneage man. It won’t happen. It is the same way that their values are going to be very different poles apart. I believe very strongly that what we need to do is to bend double.

“I wrote something about the late Sylvester Oromoni and the lessons that we need to learn so that he won’t become another statistic. Let us go to play where these kids play. Every one of them has a mobile device, why don’t we have a toll free line where they can call and report cases of bullying,” he argues.

The way Daramola sees it, raising young ones today should be a shared responsibility.

However, he believes that entertainment can be used effectively to address these challenges.

“In those days, how many parents would allow their children to shoot skits or even become a musician? But today, we now know what these guys are doing with themselves. And so now they’ve become role models and inspiration to so many people.

And so, nobody wants to go the way of you have to read about this to inculcate this.”

His uncanny knack to celebrate young people led him to launch the Nigeria Skits Industry Festival and Awards (NSIFA).

The event seeks to recognise and celebrate skit makers who entertain a staggering online followership with their skits. It is the first of a kind to hold in Nigeria.

Daramola discloses that he did not set out to start NSIFA but was intrigued after realising that many of his friends with high pedigree are fans of skit makers.

“I was like any regular person who watches skits on their mobile devices. The whole idea started the day I realised that a super-rich friend of mine watches skits.

I was surprised because he is a medical doctor with a busy schedule and yet he finds time to watch skits. So I began to connect that there are so many influential people who derive value from these young ones.

“For instance, when we went to see the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, he revealed that Lasisi Elenu was his favourite. So, if we enjoy their skits in our private moments, why don’t we come out and celebrate them? Why are we not giving them worthy value and recognition so that they can inspire and encourage others?” he asked rhetorically.

Gradually, he began to toy with the idea, meeting with industry greats to

Daramola

rub minds on the plausibility of the idea.

He got resounding feedback and within months- set the ball rolling. Although the ceremony was initially scheduled for late last year, the untimely passing of a key member of his team led to a postponement. It is believed that the ceremony will be held in the first quarter of 2022.

Daramola’s ultimate goal for skit makers is to help them achieve a better status beyond internet sensation, a term he vehemently opposes.

“These guys have been branded as internet sensations and the likes which are somehow derogatory. Not too many people have given it to them that for them to be able to shoot skits and generate between 2.3 and 7.9 million followers, it means they are talented, creative, dedicated, resilient and determined.

That must be celebrated first before now coming to the end of the spectrum to say they are influencers or content creators.

Yes, I agree they are content creators and influencers but how much influence can you actually give to anybody through skits?”

He argues that such profiling

discourages corporate brands from identifying with skit makers.

Brands don’t want to identify with masturbatory experiences. They want to associate with an enduring coital experience. No brand wants to do something fleeting because they have brand values, and they want to interpret their brands in the context of who the ambassador is.”

The bigger picture according to him is to have the President of Nigeria decorate a skit maker for their contributions to the economy, to the lives of Nigerians in the society.

It’s been more than four years since he left the House of Representatives and Daramola is not shy to say he missed being a legislator.

He however wished the current legislators could do better.

“The seventh house did a lot for this country. We sat on a Sunday, not only for the significant value of that, but the sense of dedication and patriotism that we had,” he says.

Although he didn’t get to study medicine or become a football star, the graduate of Geology is grateful for having teachers as parents. The moral values they instilled in him have made him the man he is today.

“My parents were teachers. And that was how I cut my teeth with the values that I espouse today; the values of industry, determination, being forthright or speaking truth to power, paying the price even when it hurts and doing the right thing. I thank God for the opportunity to have teachers as my parents,” he concludes.

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GLITZ TRIBUTE

Adeboye and the Faith of Fate Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, pays glowing tribute to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, who clocked 80 years on March 2

Pastor Adeboye

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s Ukraine and Russia battle to change the dynamics of world power, history was made on March 2, 2022, when the life and times of a single individual reached a defining peak.

Assuredly, the history of modern day Nigeria will not be complete without the exploits of certain persons, in the way that God has ordained them to affect the fortunes of this great country. Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, celebrated a milestone in his journey of life when he clocked 80 years on March 2. For a person with such modest and humble beginning to rise to the height of universal influence speaks of the combination of divine power and human vision.

Growing up in the then remote village of Ifewara in present-day Osun State of Nigeria, Adeboye may have become a successful farmer, husband of many wives and may be the king of his domain, which is nothing bad. From the stories narrated by Adeboye himself, God propelled his mother to push him into the path of greatness, against all odds. His life history has become a compelling memoir that cannot be summarised in any single piece of this nature so I will only dwell on some of the salient events through which he has positively affected individuals across the globe and humanity in general.

It is common to read of the challenging background of great men and women indeed and it is no fiction to say that Adeboye’s life journeys surpass human understanding. I will tell you from a distance. Adeboye grew up in a rural community, where farming was combined with education. His mother was greatly inspired by the exploits of foreign and local missionaries and she created the picture of greatness for her little boy, with all the trappings of the polygamous environment in which he was being raised. In a society dominated by occultism, witchcraft and traditional African religion, it would take God Himself to rescue Adeboye from the mouth of lions. Barely able to afford the cost of school uniforms, Adeboye would kickstart an educational journey that took him trekking for the first 18 years of his life without shoes and borrowing kits for his secondary school graduation. By dint of hard work, ruggedness and display of excellence, Adeboye secured a scholarship to study at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and would later move on to the University of Lagos, where

he became established as a renowned scholar.

Traversing the length and breadth of Nigeria in pursuit of knowledge, Adeboye would himself later commence moulding the destinies of young men and women through teaching and mentorship programmes, in order to eke out a living. His life ambition was to become the youngest ViceChancellor of a university, until some personal challenges of life drove him to The Redeemed Christian Church of God, under the tutelage and mentorship of Pa Josiah Akindayomi, who took him through the rudiments of faith through the practice of holiness, aggressive evangelism and effectual prayers.

Given his miraculous escape from his locality, his travails in the various schools he attended and his academic exploits at Unilag, it was a puzzle of some sort that Adeboye had returned to another local assembly in the remote part of Ebute-Metta in Lagos Nigeria, where he laboured day and night with a largely illiterate crowd, to build what today has become one of the fastest growing establishments in human history. Upon the death of Akindayomi his mentor, the mantle fell on Adeboye in 1981 to pilot the affairs of RCCG, as its General Overseer. He set up a vision for the church, made himself a sacrificial lamb for its growth and expansion, surrendered his meagre income for the work of the church, sold his car, gave up all his assets along with those of his wife, to build the church as a universal brand. Given the enormity of the challenges, the nature of the vision and mission that he outlined for the RCCG, Adeboye had to resign from his secular assignments to face the work of mission, full time. He was deliberate in his plans, in growing young men and women to become godly ambassadors and people of global influence. He relocated from Lagos to a jungle along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, dwelling with his wife and family amongst giant snakes and other wild animals, in what then looked like a forest of a thousand demons. With divine backing and a personal sense of purpose, Adeboye deployed his teaching experiences to set up schools, to train individuals and thus opened up the church for partnership with like-minded believers.

The RCCG now boasts of Nursery and Primary Schools all over the world, countless secondary schools spread across many nations, several colleges and the Redeemer’s University, which ranked the best private university in Nigeria in 2021 and the second best educational institution. Adeboye also set up the Redeemed Bible College, Leadership Training Institutes, the Redeemed School of Disciples, the Redeemed School of Missions and

other institutions, for the training of believers to become deeply rooted in faith and the work of ministry. There is also the Redeemed Maternity Centre, which is a philanthropic health facility for pregnant women in and outside the church, a modern Health Centre at the Redemption Camp and a Health Village, under construction. Adeboye has since extended his philanthropy to government hospitals, through the provision of modern equipment and facilities. The church also has a Corporate Social Responsibility department, which has grown to be a platform for the training and empowerment of the less privileged through vocational and entrepreneurship programmes. That local organization that he inherited in 1981 has now spread across more than 196 nations of the world, providing employment for several people and creating platforms for people to reach their potential.

Adeboye has transformed the jungle of those years into a full blown modern city, boasting of banks, schools and a sprawling housing estate, where people develop homes and families in a godly environment.

The RCCG camp is presently powered through an independent power plant which supplies electricity to camp dwellers and the neighbourhood, a functional modern dam, effective security, environmental sanitation and a peaceful and friendly atmosphere. Adeboye has affected the nation and the world at large, in diverse ways, in building people of influence, through self development, godly backing and a life of discipline and personal sacrifice.

His love for Nigeria is not in doubt, through constant prayers in what has become his annual month-long prayer and fasting. In recent times, Adeboye’s voice has been loud on matters concerning insecurity, democracy and good governance.

In February 2020, Adeboye declared a Walk for Peace, as a peaceful protest against insecurity and to put pressure on the government to defend the welfare and security of the citizens. He led his congregation on a peaceful march from the RCCG headquarters in Ebute-Metta, carrying placards with various inscriptions on the need to end violence and insecurity in the nation. His voice resonated with those of the youths during the #EndSARS protest. I had personal encounters with Adeboye, in discovering his person and his faith.

While working as a young lawyer in Gani Fawehinmi Chambers, I had cause to enjoy the support of my mentor and coach then, which seemed (mark the word) to stand me out as one of his favourites. Then one day, a colleague of mine in the Chambers approached me, to share with him the secret of my closeness to Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN. According to my colleague, he had observed that I was exempted from the usual stormy sessions that other lawyers had with Gani and he was sure that I must have some other ways through which I’d been influencing the man. In simple terms, he wanted me to share the secret of the native charm that I was deploying to curry favour from Gani all the time. We both laughed and joked about it but when I got home later that night, that encounter set me thinking, very deeply. I had heard so many weird stories about lawyers, when growing up; how they are the leaders of very demonic occult groups, secret societies and such other hidden organisations. My first experience in legal practice was with Gani and he was always fighting with the powers that be, both in the legal profession and at the national level. Gani had no personal friends, he didn’t belong to any organization, he had no secrets at all, as we were always with him everywhere he went, mostly to prosecute or defend cases for his clients or in one prison or the other. I was so consumed with work in the Chambers that I had completely forgotten about all those scary tales that I had heard about lawyers, but this encounter with my colleague brought them back.

That night, I thought of many options; whether it was possible indeed, as my colleague had suggested, that some lawyers were patronising shrines and other traditional methods, in the course of their practice. And here I was, jumping all over Nigeria, along with Gani, confronting the military and other

establishments, without a single alligator pepper! I weighed my options; whether to seek some strange powers, as I grew along in this very fearsome profession. From what I had learnt growing up, these powers come in grades. Suppose I procured my own power, is it possible for me to be subjected to some more superior power from other lawyers along the line? How do I get to possess the most superior power that would take me to the peak and get me to square up with just any other lawyer in court? There and then I was reminded that my grandfather was a Reverend, very renowned for battling with evil powers in our locality. My father himself was a very powerful apostle, with his own church, where I grew up as a Cherub and trumpeter. What then do I have to do with strange powers? If it is true that there is a God that is greater than all, then His own power must be superior to all other powers. In my room in Ebute-Metta, I became acquainted with the ministry of RCCG church through its loudspeaker, but I took it all as some kind of nuisance then. Now in this confused state, I traced the loudspeaker on one particular Sunday and ended up in RCCG headquarters, without any invitation. That particular Sunday, Adeboye preached on a topic titled “Be Ye Separate”, dwelling on the need to steer clear of evil forces and powers. He addressed the confusion in my mind, so I became even more curious and then started attending the Sunday services because of his penetrating messages. Looking back now, it must have been some kind of divine orchestration as not long thereafter, I became separated from my mentor unprepared and I had to stand on my own.

Another friend and mentor, Bamidele Aturu, was my next port of call, as he too had just set up his law firm, having left Itse Sagay & Co. Aturu took me through the journey of his personal encounter with Adeboye through the Holy Ghost Service at the Redemption Camp and he invited me to join him and his wife to attend. As the service progressed that night in July 2000, Aturu asked me to be attentive as some messages would start coming from Adeboye. Suddenly, Adeboye announced that there was a young man attending the service for the very first time, who was confused about his career and life journey but God is assuring him that He would build him up, set him up and take him to the greatest level in his career. I couldn’t help but cry, as tears from my eyes soaked the notebook upon which I was writing. Aturu who sat next to me held me and spoke words of comfort and we both agreed to take our faith further and deeper. I eventually set up Adegboruwa & Co and became part and parcel of RCCG, going through its foundational classes and sitting under the mentorship of Adeboye and his other disciples. By 2002, I had moved my practice from my house in Onike, Yaba, to Lapal House, with a well-equipped library and flourishing legal practice. But all this was interrupted on June 3, 2002, when a strange fire enveloped Lapal House and consumed many offices, including my Chambers, such that I had nothing to ever show that I was once a lawyer. It was a Monday, so I relocated back to my house.

I however decided to attend Bible Study in the church and to take out time to pray. I met Adeboye in church, who took the Bible Study on the topic “Divine Champion” and spoke about how Samson lost his power and regained it. In a private meeting with him later that night, he took me through the challenges of life and how God is able to see me through with courage, faith and determination. The rest, as they say, is history. Together with my youth corps lawyer then, Mr. Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN, we went round the courts, retrieving processes and building new files, as if nothing had happened.

In January 2017, I had another encounter with Adeboye, this time in his house at the Redemption Camp and after about thirty minutes of our interaction, he made his now famous declarations, this time concerning my elevation to the Inner Bar. It was a very tough process but God was in it to accomplish it, eventually. What is the relevance of Adeboye to our national development, you may ask? The RCCG camp is akin to a local government in a way, wherein a man, driven by vision, integrity, personal sacrifice, self-determination and faith in God, has been able to build an empire, has built men and women of influence and is affecting millions more, positively. He is a living example of true leadership, developing infrastructures to support his vision, providing the basic amenities of life for his people and mentoring them to attain the very best in their chosen careers. Nigerians do not demand to share the loot with their political leaders who fancy that crude method as the best way to lead, no. Our people all over the nation are in dire need of functional hospitals, good roads, schools, security, portable water, etc. This is the phenomenon in the person of Adeboye, as a living example of how a leader, through his faith, has defined his own fate progressively and in that way affected (and still affecting) the fate of many others, positively. Happy 80th birthday, Daddy GO. I join many other Nigerians and your admirers all over the world, to wish you many more years of service to God and humanity. In your lifetime, Nigeria shall be delivered.

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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 ˾ MARCH 6, 2022

GLITZ ENTERTAINMENT Stories by Vanessa Obioha

The Headies Flips the Script with a Flurry of Announcements

When the Headies holds this year, it will be in a different environment and will record a few changes. At least, this much was gleaned when the organisers gathered music executives, artists and influencers at the Grand Ballroom of Eko Hotels and Suites recently.

The event was tagged the ‘Big Announcement’ and the heightened anticipation leading to the D-day achieved the desired effect. Of course, many knew that whatever announcement to be made will revolve around the Headies but the direction was still top secret. Therefore, when Nancy Isime, the host invited Ayo Animashaun, the convener of the awards formerly known as the Hip Hop Awards to make the big announcement, not a few waited with bated breath.

First, Animashaun disclosed that the awards will be held in the United States. It will mark the first time the awards is moved base to the international scene since its inception in 2006. Now in its 15th edition, Animashaun told his audience that he deemed it appropriate to take the awards to the city of Atlanta, Georgia, US. Given that Nigerian music is the toast of the world with many artists breaking musical ceilings once perceived as daunting, what better way to celebrate our culture than taking it down to where the big players operate.

In a way, this is a smart move by the organisers given that the Headies allure seems to have faded in recent times.

When the awards first launched, it was the biggest music reward system in the country. Not only did it shine the lights on artists but gave them a sort of validation. But as controversies began to trail the awards coupled with music superstar absences, many feared that the end was near. But Animashaun, a firm believer in the music industry and the talents that abound, would not bow to pressure. Each edition sees him coming back with more determination.

With this announcement, Animashaun rewrote the Headies script to give it better positioning. The move to America is also in collaboration with the US Consulate which continues to strengthen its bilateral relationship with Nigeria through the arts and entertainment.

While the Headies’ new location, Cobbs Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta appeared to be the icing on the cake, Isime told the audience that a bigger Wande Coal won the 2008 Headies Next Rated

announcement was yet to be made. Could it be the new talent hunt show Mic Check spearheaded by Eshio Joseph that seeks to make instant music superstars? Or the addition of new categories that will recognise music executives and songwriters? Or perhaps it was the addition of a fashion element to the awards? Or could it be the introduction of a music conference that will have music executives on a roundtable discussion or the inclusion of a music festival? Definitely not the Headies Academy which has been existing for a while now.

Alas, the bigger announcement was that the Next Rated, a category that recognises artists with the potential to ‘blow’ — like they say in local parlance — and reward them with a car gift is getting a makeover. For the 15th edition of the awards, the Next Rated will be going home with a Bentley.

“We noticed over the years that the winners in this category often give the cars to their managers. We want them to be able to ride the car which is why this year, the winner will be going home with the Bentley 2022 model,” said Animashaun.

Going by the cheers and applause that filled the room, this category may be the most contested.

It is expected that the new script will be tightly woven to give the audience a musical climax. How these changes will pan out is left to be seen on July 2, 2022, when the Headies holds.

The Temple Company Appoints Yemisi Faleye to Head Legal and Business Development

Accolades for AMAA’s Founder, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe

Anyiam-Osigwe

The convener of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), Peace Anyiam-Osigwe is recognised as one of the pillars of Africa’s film industry. Since 2005, when the first AMAA was held, the award platform has helped in creating avenues for filmmakers to distribute and gain recognition for their works at major global film festivals.

A filmmaker with experience in film festivals and distribution, Anyiam-Osigwe believes that there is a lot of collaboration among African filmmakers who are passionate about pushing the narrative in African cinema. Her work has not gone unnoticed. Anyiam-Osigwe who also doubles as the first female President of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) is lauded for her numerous contributions to the continent film industry.

Recently, encomiums were showered on her by AMP’s executives.

The 25-year-old association, according to Vice President Queen Blessing and Financial Secretary Tony Chukwuma, has witnessed more growth and achievements under Anyiam-Osigwe in just two years.

“She is the first female president of AMP and has done very well in positioning the association to achieve more. We were able to keep more platforms for our producers to sell their works. We are working on buying a property for the association to have its own permanent office. We have established more state chapters for the association. We have done capacity building in different states where our chapters are located to make sure our producers have the right scales to make better movies,” said Blessing.

For Chukwuma, Anyiam-Osigwe is a proactive leader who does not think of herself but the welfare of members. He rolled out the various feats the association has achieved since the AMAAconvener took the reins. They include online registration of members, a cooperative scheme, establishment of new chapters in Enugu, Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom and rebranding of the association’s logo.

A common acknowledgement by both executives is that AMAA continues to play a role in growing film industries across Africa. This, they said, is a testament to Anyiam-Osigwe’s brilliance.

Ayra Starr Spices up MTN Nigeria’s Brand Refresh with Peppiness Rising Nigerian singer Oyinkansola Sarah, popularly known as Ayra Starr received a standing ovation after delivering an outstanding performance at the official announcement of MTN Brand Refresh that was held recently.

The Mavin princess achieved this accolade after she emerged on stage to give a live rendition of a medley of her songs: ‘Away’, ‘Beggie Beggie’, and ‘Bloody Samaritan’.

Talented and bursting with youthful exuberance, her performance was reflective of MTN’s plans to accommodate the younger generation’s tech need as it transforms from a telco to a tech company. These changes appear in its new logo — a second brand overhaul in its history — and summarise its Ambition 2025, a three-year strategic plan to become the leading digital solution for Africa’s progress.

According to the Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, MTN is committed to continuously creating value for all its stakeholders. The new logo contextualizes the company’s identity as a digital citizen that is open to change, young at heart, and progressive.

Star-studded, the event had the likes of Uti Nwachukwu, former On-Air personality Gbemi Olateru, radio personality, VJ Adams in attendance.

Ayra Starr

Yemisi Faleye

Renowned entertainment lawyer Yemisi Faleye has been appointed by The Temple Company as Head of Legal and Business Development. In a statement, the full-service creative company said that the A&R Executive boasts an impressive résumé.

Faleye held a similar role at the renowned law firm, Dentons ACAS-Law and has over the years provided premium legal advice and representation to individuals and organisations in the creative industries in Nigeria, which include film, music, theatre, art, television, radio, publishing and digital media.

She has worked with a litany of celebrity clients across the entertainment industry like Kizz Daniel, Cuppy, Simi, Vector, Toke Makinwa, Sola Sobowale to name a few.

Speaking about her new opportunity, Faleye expressed her enthusiasm to be part of a team of creative industry professionals pushing the boundaries of African excellence to the world.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for me to scale what I enjoy doing most. Temple Company’s huge reputation as a big industry player goes without saying. I’m happy to contribute to the legacy and help take it to new heights.”

Asides from entertainment law, Faleye’s core competence includes a robust experience in areas such as Intellectual Property, Immigration and Company Secretarial matters in Nigeria.

Chocolate City Music to Unveil New Artists Projects Renowned record label and entertainment company Chocolate City Music has announced a series of releases and events lined up for March. As has been its tradition, this month will see the company led by Abuchi Peter Ugwu, and Aibee Abidoye who acts as the Executive Vice-President unveil new artists and music projects.

Chocolate City Music prides itself as one of the pillars of hip-hop music in Nigeria, having produced three generations of hip-hop artists including the popular rapper M.I. Abaga.

The entertainment giant has over the years consistently put out projects that in particular ways shaped and impacted the African music space.

Even as Nigerian music attains unmatchable feats in the global scene, Chocolate City Music is positioning itself for the next wave of music artists that will shine as a beacon to the world.

SUNDAY MARCH 6, 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 ˾ MARCH 6, 2022

HighLife

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

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

Second Chance: 13 Years After, Kunle Tejuoso’s Widow, Bunmi, Remarries Jide Agbesanwa

Otedola

Femi Otedola: Midas with a Heart of Gold The Chinese tell long stories about people who are dragons among men and women. They seem to fit within the natural human spectrum, but also appear to have shadows that stretch far into the future, into the hearts of other people, into legend. For Femi Otedola, even this description is a bit narrow considering the effort he spends on helping others. To his peers and the few in Nigeria who he might consider his superiors, Otedola is a brilliant man of business. To those tiers upon tiers inferior to him on the economic ladder, Otedola is a dragon among men.

First, Otedola the man of business. Among the hundreds of real billionaires of Nigerian descent, Otedola is a member of the topmost tier in terms of talents and accomplishments.

Included in his profile of business innovations and acquisitions are Forte Oil PLC, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, Geregu Power PLC, and several others. Each of these is worth more than the ordinary mind can bear. But that is not all.

Otedola’s business ventures have no particular scope.

The man has as many fingers in oil and power as he does in shipping, real estate, and finance. But the main bite of all the accolades due to Otedola come from his generosity.

You might debate whether Otedola is the wealthiest or the smartest business person and investor in Nigeria. However, nobody stands on the stage with him when the debate is about philanthropy. Otedola has given enough to claim a country of people who regard him as their benefactor. This is not limited to notable people like Christian Chukwu the Super Eagles footballer or Majek Fashek the Reggae man. Understandably, there are thousands of ‘unknowns’ who are not likely to ever forget the generous man that is Otedola.

Really, Otedola is the King Midas of the present age, except that both his finger and heart are already cast in gold.

The life of a widow is not an easy one.

The difficulties can be overwhelming for the average person, but with life and hope come endless possibilities. And so it is for Bunmi Tejuoso (formerly Ajisafe). After spending more than a decade in the shadows of widowhood, the light of new love has shone on her again, and the veils of matrimony are all around her.

The friends and relatives of the widow of the late Prince Kunle Tejuosho, the son of Oba Adedapo Tejuosho, the Osile Oke Ona Egba, are pumping their fists in the air in excitement.

This is because the bells of marriage have once again rung for Bunmi. Many people cast their hearts away in the event of death, but Bunmi has found another reason to live on, be strong, and shine with all the lights of life and beauty.

Her marriage to the lucky groom, Jide Agbesanwa, took place on Thursday, February 24, 2022. Both the bride and groom

glowed with that characteristic radiance of people in love. Even a passerby would have been able to tell that they complemented each other very well and were prepared to go the long haul.

This is a blessing for Bunmi considering that she could not travel the distance of her first marriage since her husband, Prince Tejuosho, passed away in 2009 at 38. He left behind the lovely wife he had met, immediately fallen in love with, and wedded when she was still only a student at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Over the years, Bunmi has also had to cater to the three children she had with her deceased husband.

Nevertheless, with the new jingles of matrimony is a renewed chance at life. Also, considering that Bunmi’s light in the form of her philanthropic foundation, Tree of Life, never faltered in her widowhood, one can only expect a bursting forth in the future.

These are the days of legend in Nigeria’s political arena. It is also the day of one of the leading political figures of our time, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, nicknamed the Lion of Bourdillon, the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom, Machiavelli, and many other flattering titles.

As he prepares to celebrate his 70th birthday in grand style, one is reminded of a lion that is cleaning its paws with its tongue, ready to roar and shake the jungle and scare off every other entity nearby.

There are men and there are men.

This is one way to describe the position of Tinubu in the hearts of many. Even before he declared his presidential ambition, observers knew that he would have a say in the 2023 presidential elections. But it was during last year’s colloquium, a yearly event organised to celebrate Tinubu’s birthday, that his ambition was first made public.

During that event in Kano which happened to be the 12th Colloquium, Tinubu played host to the most notable personalities in the country.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was there, and

Bola Ahmed Tinubu: How Nigeria’s Machiavelli Plans to Celebrate His 70th

Tinubu

The newlywed, Jide and Bunmi Agbesanwa

so were Senate President Ahmed Lawan, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, state governors, federal ministers, and even the President of Liberia, George Weah.

At the birthday parties of other people, glasses clink and feet dance. At Tinubu’s birthday parties, legacies are passed. Lectures and seminars dominate the day to the extent that some guests forget that they are at a birthday party not a symposium on sustainable growth and development. But that is Tinubu in brief: someone who is always looking forward, looking for ways to make things easier and better.

As things currently are, insiders have reported that Tinubu’s 70th birthday celebration will not pale in comparison with the former ones. Instead, the gathering of dignitaries will possibly exceed what the assigned event centre can carry. Yet, that is just a bit of the weight of the man whose existence is a powerful reminder of the inequality of people and ambitions.

For ABC Orjiako, Good Times are Here At this point, someone ought to have said something along the lines of “great men seldom keep themselves free from slander.” It would be the perfect introduction to a story about the rise and fall of Dr. Bryant (ABC) Orjiako, the man who has been on both sides of the fence of nationwide popularity and acrimony.

But things are once again looking up for the SEPLAT co-founder.

The board of directors at SEPLAT and the staff at various levels are undoubtedly having the best time of their corporate lives at the moment. It is a celebratory feeling all around due to the company’s recent acquisition of the entire share capital of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU) from Exxon Mobil Corporation, Delaware. And they only had to pay $1.28 billion for this acquisition which immediately put the company at the top of the food chain in the energy-producing industry in Nigeria.

As the co-founder of SEPLAT, this is great

news for Orjiako. Although things get a bit awkward whenever his name is mentioned in public, it must be said that the setting sun that represents Orjiako’s public image has changed its course and begun reversing.

For those still lost regarding how Orjiako fell from grace in the first place, there are two foremost labels: the Malabu scandal and his tango of indebtedness to Zenith Bank.

In the first place, Orjiako’s name was mentioned in the list of high-class Nigerians who played a role in selling off a lucrative oil field to someone else and sharing some of the proceeds in the shadows. The latter is nothing new in the Nigerian wealthy circle narratives: man owes bank too much, and the bank goes to court.

However, things are different now.

Although the troubles of the past forced him to relinquish his SEPLAT chairmanship position, as some analysts have claimed, all is well again with both Orjiako and his company.

Olalekan Adebiyi: The Unparalleled Exploits of Construction Giant Behind Laralek Ultimate

Adebiyi

When it comes to an industry like construction, one must admit that there is no one correct way or method. The industry borders on the arts and sciences but is one of the most practical of profitable sectors in Nigeria. Thus, it is no surprise that Olalekan Adebiyi, the brain behind LaraLek Ultimate Constructions Limited, is doing far more than his peers in the same industry.

Historians who attempt to trace the spark and brilliance of the company that has come to be the number one construction company in Nigeria’s South-west region will find that it began with a humble man, Adebiyi. They will also be astonished to find that Adebiyi’s status might have exploded to cover the West African patch, but the man remains modest and unassuming. Even so, nobody will deny that Adebiyi’s mark is all over the road construction projects from

Orjiako

Lagos to Ogun, Oyo to Osun, and Ekiti to Ondo states.

But it all started in Lagos when Adebiyi worked hand-in-hand with former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. Similar to the present, Lagos bubbled amongst its peers on account of its well-constructed roads. However, the end of Ambode’s reign did not douse the flames that are Adebiyi’s reputation for good work.

At present, some analysts report Adebiyi as having taken over the entirety of the South-west and gradually stretching towards its environs. This is understandable especially since the Ogun State government tested Adebiyi’s LaraLek Constructions with many road projects and found the company to be A-Grade.

Truly, to have Adebiyi working on any road project in any state in Nigeria is a done deal. This is the reputation that is cast in gold, a reputation for the best work possible, in record time and warranting zero regrets.

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HIGHLIFE

Is Bukola Odeleye Namedropping?

Otunba Olusegun Runsewe: The Peacemaker Say what you will about great men, one must always consider the fact that there are exceptions to the rule of John Acton that they are almost always bad men. We know for a fact that individuals like Otunba Olusegun Runsewe are beacons of hope because of their greatness. And from time to time, their acts of goodness provoke the people around them to be just as good and just as great.

For those in the know, the residents of Journalists Estate, Phase One, Arepo, Ogun State, have been having issues with the palace citizens of the Olu of Arepo, Oba Solomon Atanda Oyebi. The issue nearly devolved into a full-blown war on many occasions, but there was always someone who mediated and saved the Journalists Estate residents from the king’s cudgels and party from the journalists’ pen.

Recently, the DG of the National Council

for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Runsewe, decided to wade into the issue and bring it to a close. Accompanied by the President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, and the Chairman of the NUJ Lagos Council, Adeleye Ajayi, Runsewe mediated for peace. Considering the aftermath and the smiles on the faces of the formerly contending parties, Runsewe’s gambit appears to have paid off.

The matter of the journalists versus the monarch reportedly has to do with the renaming of a road or something of that nature. The main point is that neither the journalists nor the king’s party which the journalists insisted consisted of thugs and the residents of Ebute under the name Beachland Estate Residents Association (BERA)) wanted to back off. Until Runsewe arrived at the scene.

Runsewe

It is obvious now that Runsewe is not only a genius at getting outsiders to pay attention to Nigeria’s historical and cultural uniqueness. He is also a peacemaker who has the best interests, physical and mental health included, of all and sundry in his heart.

A Peek into the World of Kola Aina: Things You May Not Know About Him Kola Aina, a name that is nowhere near as spectacular as the person bearing it. When it comes to formal entrepreneurship and the kind of investments that get investors into business schools as teachers, Nigerians generally lag a bit. But no more! And that is due to the achievements of people like Aina.

Aina is one of Nigeria’s foremost tech entrepreneurs, a category of individuals who are as committed to growth and expansion in the tech industry as they are to growing the Nigerian economy.

However, Aina’s contributions so far are peerless and reaching a level where he may be named one of the paragons responsible for bringing so much attention to the tech industry.

Aina’s pit-to-palace story is oddly common.

He was an excellent student of Electronics Engineering Technology at Savannah State University. He concluded his programme in 2004 and basically handed over his degree certificate to his father. Afterwards, he focused on his own thing.

As Aina preferred business to screws, engines, and electricity, his exit from Savannah was almost immediately followed up with an MBA programme at Bowling Green State University. There, Aina was a blazing sun, brilliant enough to become the President of the MBA Students Association, take over several other prestigious positions.

All of these—and more—polished Aina with enough experience to make his foray into the world of business, starting with being a financial analyst at Fifth Third Bank in Ohio, USA, in 2005, and going on to raise funds for business he believed in.

Aina has long transcended these positions. Today, his marks are noticeably visible in industries and sectors of national repute, including capital, technology, media, agriculture, infrastructure, publishing, and real estate.

Indeed, Aina is a patron saint of determining success and accomplishments.

His is a path worth emulating.

Aina

Media Trials: Nimota Akanbi in the News for Wrong Reasons

Akanbi Adeola

It is very easy to tickle Nigerians and stoke their sentiment. What is difficult is

getting all of them angry at you without a benefit of doubt. This is a fact that has suddenly become very obvious to Nimota Akanbi, the Chairman of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) and former Nigerian Ambassador of Nigeria to the Netherlands.

Based on the goings-on on social media at the time of writing this article, for all the rage directed at her, Akanbi may very well clothe herself in red, wear horns, and walk around with a long pitchfork or scythe. All of this is because of a video that showed her at an event with a policeman standing behind her and holding a tray of food for her.

According to reports, the policeman in the video, Yahaya Abubakar, humbly accompanied Akanbi to a turbaning ceremony in Ilorin, Kwara State. However, between guarding her and protecting her from unwanted well-wishers or Commons who randomly approach well-known

Uncommons at parties, the policeman also played the role of a steward. And he did it perfectly.

Unfortunately, neither the public nor the Nigerian Police was particularly charmed by the policeman’s demure look or position. However, much of the subsequent wrath was directed at Akanbi.

Currently, the Nigerian Police has reportedly summoned the police officer in the video and promised the public to stamp out such nasty occurrences. After all, police officers have their roles to play in society, and these roles do not include washing the cars of celebrities, playing gatemen at events, or even helping to drive a state governor to a function. And yet, here we are.

So, yes, Akanbi is not likely to have it easy in the weeks to come. Nigerians do not exactly take lightly what is generally construed as an abuse of power.

Godfatherism is an interesting concept. On the one hand, it lets an individual reach higher and further than they ordinarily would. On the other hand, it depicts the individual as incompetent to some degree.

At least, this is something that people are accusing Bukola Odeleye (the man known as Beedel) of.

When people talk about Odeleye, they usually speak of him in terms of his brilliance, excellent management skills, and how far he has brought his company, Beedel Constructions.

However, despite what others might consider peerless talent and overreaching management of the resources at his command, there are a few individuals who have something less flattering to say about Odeleye.

The word on the street is that Odeleye has begun to rely a bit too much on his godfather, Seyi Makinde, the executive Governor of Oyo State. This is despite Odeleye being highly regarded as the protégé of Honorable Shina Peller, the member of the Federal House of Representatives representing the Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/ Kajola Federal Constituency in Oyo. The implications of the casual accusation against Odeleye are significant. Before now, the consensus was that the young man had a potential that threatened even those super successful businessmen of the older generation, not to mention his peers. However, with talk of his name dropping, Odeleye has become one of the young geniuses labelled as relying on the prestige of other people to establish himself.

So, will the glory that appeared to have been raised from the ground up by Odeleye suddenly belong to Makinde and Peller—but Makinde mostly?

The young people who follow Odeleye would hope not.

Anyway, such is life. It is a blessing of many lifetimes to have someone else paving the road. However annoying it is to other people, Odeleye knows Makinde and everybody should know it

Banking Amazons: Between Adaora Umeoji and Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe Powerful people are similar. Every powerless person is so in their own way.

Maybe this is how Russian writer Leo Tolstoy should have started his popular novel, ‘Anna Karenina’. That novel also had some women who claimed the limelight for their own amusement and with their own skill. Such is the case with Nigeria’s corporate Amazons: Adaora Umeoji of Zenith Bank and Nneka OnyealiIkpe of Fidelity Bank.

When comparing the two women, one can only conclude that corporate women are in no way lesser than their male counterparts.

This is especially the case when they refuse to go along with the monorail of mediocrity.

For both Umeoji and Onyeali-Ikpe, the main competition is no longer other people.

Instead, at the level they are at now, they can only compete with and surpass themselves.

Apart from their names and physical characteristics, the biggest difference between Umeoji and Onyeali-Ikpe is

Umeoji

Onyeali-Ikpe

that the latter is the MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank while the former is the Deputy MD of Zenith Bank. But these titles might as

well turn to smoke since both of them are really at the apex of decision-making at their respective banks. In other words, Umeoji’s seemingly subordinate position is not subordinate at all. Instead, as reports claim, the woman’s influence far outweighs the influence of some of the higher-ranked officials at Zenith Bank.

Sheer grit, the brilliance of mind, and the vastness of networks and alliances are the defining factors of Umeoji and Onyeali-Ikpe. Both of them have more than two decades of banking experience under their belts and have vested interests in the sustainable development of Anambra State.

Maybe it is the glittering chain of sterling educational qualifications or the determined profile of their corporate selves, but Umeoji and Onyeali-Ikpe cut the image of true Amazonian paragons with the banking industry as their satchels.

Odeleye

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LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

Ogiame Atuwatse III: I Am Coming You know I have never seen anything so colourful just yet. The Olu of Warri’s coronation caught my attention in such a way that I still cannot explain. His good looks, beautiful wife depicted a Disney fairy tale. It was beautiful, expansive and deeply romantic.

The part that killed me, was when he was asked to pick a sword that would delineate his reign and give him his name. He was blindfolded and he chose one sword. Ohhhhhhh, mbok I died. I screamed, tears dropping from my eyes. I said waaaatisssssdisssss!!!! It was indeed so beautiful. Duchess was just looking at me like – what is wrong with this one, his sugar level must have gone up again, mad man.

Anyways, when I now met His Excellency, Chief James Ibori, I mentioned this and told him I would like to do a play on the Iwere people - my new people. He smiled

and said, “When you are ready, let me know.”

So that was how I reached out to the famous writer and director, William Benson and said, “Do me a very powerful Iwere script, we must celebrate this majestic culture.”

The next day, I approached Evans Jakpa-Johns while at lunch at Ken Etete’s office – that is where we all eat free food every day. We are plenty o – Orphans o. Evans, Lami, Dipo and Alaba. We will be pretending that we are discussing business. Na lie, na the food o.

Anyway, that was how prominent businessman and the one they call the Gas King- Julius Rone entered the matter and the whole thing just changed o. Within seconds, he had reached the Olu and instantly we got a date for a courtesy call.

Finally, The Duke will meet the Olu of Warri. Mbok I have been screaming o, running around stark naked in utter disbelief. So, me, I will now meet this

incredibly beautiful couple. A king who has brought in a lot of colour and panache to the throne of his forefathers.

Mbok, I have ordered a completely new Ibibio apparel complete with walking stick and have hired six virgins that will hold my wrapper as I walk majestically towards the Olu trying to do like the legendary Okotie Eboh.

The only problem is that when I wear Ibibio wrapper, I don’t usually wear undies so that the breeze can blow me well. Should I do the same here? Please can any Itsekiri man call and advise me, would I be expected to bow or kneel so I know what to do o, cos it will not be funny if I am not wearing anything under and they say I should bow and expose the ‘ibibio crown’ jewels ooo. I don’t want anybody to come and banish me o. We need to do this play o. Kai. They say I am crazy.

NANS: PRESIDENTIAL NIGHTMARE I was just looking at this video and one man that says he is the National President of NANS was just shouting.

I don’t think he had his bath sef that day. He was just spewing saliva that I made a conscious effort to measure the distance between himself and our great Education Minister before he come and kill that one with bacteria.

I begin to ask myself what kind of representative is this one. Is this one a student? Doesn’t he understand the need for decorum? This is my problem with all these aluta continua people.

To them everything is a performance.

He was thrown into the spotlight; it is what his people will be thinking that is in his mind and not the enormity of the situation that we are facing.

He will be saying in his mind, “let me spark well so that my followers will know that I craze.” It is the Sowore mentality. A very rubbish mentality that has led students nowhere and has made them not to be taken seriously by successive governments.

So, you have the unique opportunity to meet with the minister and you cannot calm down, marshal out your

points and deliver them with respect and accuracy. No. You just go there with a smelly mouth and be shouting on national television and making weak statements. What is going on?

The minister try sef. If na me, na slap.

So, because I am minister one young boy that I can born will be shouting on me on national television? I will just stand-up, slap him and walk away.

Let’s go there. Shebi it is only walk out, minister walk out. That one sef was just doing one kind, like someone that has not had sex in years. Me, as soon as he starts, I don shut am down. What is that?

Please the situation with our educational system is very serious and we need deep thinking and credible representatives on both sides as we try to meander our way out of the mess.

For me, let’s sell all the universities.

It’s over, government has killed them, all they can do is a post-mortem. Sell everything now!!!

Egbon was all over the place, I think during the UBA Chairman’s night, and I simply just loved everything about him and that clip. From the way he arrived like James Bond, his suits which killed me, his dance and the way he simplified power allowing his colleagues feel free was simply marvelous.

At some point, I come dey fear that the pants will tear, you know they come very tight. But the quality of the suit will not even allow that to happen.

Bros was in his element and I was so excited that he not only looked happy but his people were also well carried along.

Mr. Elumelu has over the years emerged an icon in the field of impact. I am sure he himself will be thanking his God that the banking career where he had built a super enviable positioning was temporarily halted the way it was, because it signposted the evolution of one of the most strategic careers in impact in the whole of Africa. Mr. Elumelu using his Tony Elumelu Foundation, continues to engage, guide and inspire young Africans with practical and quantitative initiatives,

better positioning them for massive growth. Through the foundation, Mr. Elumelu has truly put the future of Africa in the hands of these youths and this is why I call him the Bionic Man. Cool.

Elumelu

Taiwo

Ogiame Atuwatse lll

TONY ELUMELU: THE BIONIC MAN I sha like this man’s swag. If you have not seen the clip going round, call me and let me send it to you. My

Abubakar:

ATIKU ABUBAKAR: TIME TO GO HOME Not only Wike was annoyed by that interview grandfather Atiku gave recently. The arrogance was irritatingly annoying. That he has never failed to get the PDP ticket?

While that one was the one that made Wike purge, my own is the one that he said about the youths.

The condescending manner he uttered that statement showed his clear disregard for that segment of the population, making rubbish of all of his past postulations towards the youths and their aspirations.

Mr. Atiku’s ‘sell by date’ is long gone.

We were just ‘managing’ him because of the weak field PDP used to throw up every election cycle. This time the case is different. PDP now has stronger, younger and more engaging candidates that we can all queue behind.

El-Rufai

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LOUD WHISPERS Bukola Saraki is my man in PDP anytime. He is younger, affable, more sophisticated and would better project Nigeria’s image. Makinde can enter the ring abeg, his good looks will calm every nerve. I will rather vote for my ‘big head’ in Akwa Ibom than vote for Atiku again.

We are tired of the same old songs – marrying from every tribe and throwing ‘you know what’ around to be selected and now, he is yabbing and taunting youths just like that.

PLEASE GO. IT’S ENOUGH, LET US SEE ROAD ABEG. WE DON TIRE. THANK YOU, DADDY. Nasir El- Rufai: Lagos under ‘Attack’ I am a sucker for well-curated and expertly delivered barbs. It reduces tension in the polity and allows us to laugh at each other. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was the king of the impromptu barbs. He used to spice his speeches with them and would even throw them around as he entered a venue and people would be laughing.

A very powerful political tool if you ask me.

So, my Excellency now throws one at Lagos. He says he wonders how we cope with the Lagos traffic and that Lagosians should just be given a pass to Heaven, since they have already been in hell in Lagos. Mbok, laugh nearly killed me.

Bros is so right. The other day, I was rushing for a date. The yellow woman said she was on Awolowo Road in Ikoyi and that if I didn’t make it in 30 minutes, I should forget it. The kiss was hungering me and Duchess was in Ikorodu at a wedding – the cat was not at home o- I looked at my time, 4.30pm, I dey Yaba and Google map estimated 15 minutes. I fire the car.

My people, I got to the end of Awolowo Road, the Military Hospital end at exactly 4.45pm. By 8.30pm I was still at the junction that goes to Obalende, another man don give the yellow Sisi lift home o. Sad thing, I couldn’t turn back, I just sat down there playing El- Rufai barb not knowing if I should cry or laugh.

Lagos na wa.

CADBURY REACHES OUT So last week, I fired a premeditated and well calculated missile towards the confectionary giant, Cadbury on the back of their poor result. I was pitiless as I compared the result with what my friend Mudi was making at Anthony village.

Apparently, the missile reached a lot of places including some very sensitive ones. Wetin concern me, me don talk my own go chop afang o.

Anyways, Fred reached out. Sense man, he first started with “Edgar, kai I like what you are doing in the creative industry o. An investment banker doing all of these. Kai, it’s impressive.”

Na today, me that I am a great ‘whiner’ this one want to use my head.

He continued, “You went to UI?” I said yes and he started with UI gist. My Afang was getting cold.

After the long gist started to wear me down, he finally went down to the reason for the call, “We have gone through a lot and are finally getting ourselves on track. We are putting some very strong initiatives in place that should give us back market leadership in no time – my words. So basically, cut us some slack.”

Cadbury is a company that a lot of Nigerians love. That same day, I brought up the topic at our usual lunch at Ken Etete’s and we all agreed that Cadbury was iconic as our generation grew up on them. I drank Bournvita at school and used it with Nido to do ‘mixture’ while at Command. We even used to use it as currency there too.

So it is not in our interest to ‘kill’ it. It must reemerge and we all must come together to work with the present management in moving these figures

from where they are back to where they truly belong.

Let’s first start by reducing the management and administrative cost, whatever that involves, and then let’s look at the distribution and logistics cost. I know the relationship between manufacturing in this country and our economy is like that of a fireman and fire and as such cannot be easy, we just have to continue pushing. So, my brother Fred, leave the UI gist, we are together. Anything you want from me, just let me know. We are together.

Cadbury will come back. God bless all 600 of you, you are on the cusp of history. Make it happen. You have our prayers.

UKRAINE PASTOR: SEALED LIPS You notice that I have not mentioned his name abi? It is because Duchess has warned me. I had gone to do a whatsapp post – my whatsapp is lethal- where I had abused the ‘Yoruba’ pastor who not only ran away from Ukraine abandoning his flock but still shot a video in safety saying that he was on the hit list and was Putin’s personal enemy for 20

years and that is why he had to run leaving his members at risk. He also told us very clearly that all of his people were hiding in a bunker under his house thereby exposing their lives.

Me, I did not call his name here o. In fact, I did not tell you anything before Duchess go and put too much salt in my Afang and give me stroke. She warned me o. That members of her fellowship called her that, “if I keep yabbing anointed men of God, that I will enter Jehovah’s hit list.”

My people a man wey dey Putin list, at least he can enter train and go and hide in a brothel in Poland. Where will I go and hide if I enter Jehovah hit list?

Me, I am not saying anything o. I did not even mention the pastor’s name in this write up o. But let me just point this out. What kind of a ‘mumu’ pastor will tell this kind of a lie to justify a cowardly escape instead of standing there and be the last man to leave after ensuring everybody’s safety. Can’t he see the President of Ukraine wearing green t-shirt and standing firm with an impressive resolve to lay down his life?

This one wear yellow t-shirt like gay from San Francisco dey send video.

DJ CUPPY: I KNOW THE FEELING You know I once proposed to her and she ignored me. She did not only ignore me, she did not even as much as give me ‘isho’ which is the worst thing you can do to a man.

Anyways, I immediately moved her to ‘sister zone’. So, when I saw the write up with the caption, ‘sometimes I feel I am not good to be here,’ I was touched.

Sister, you are more than good for anywhere let alone Oxford University.

You have the strength, the motivation of a thousand mules and a lot of us here are hailing you and pushing for you in our prayers.

I know the feeling. When I failed Form Four three times and I was kicked out of school, my father took me to go and learn mechanic in Shomolu. After some days buying Amala and Ewedu for Baba Raimi and all his girlfriends, I went back to my father and said, “Please sir, I don’t want to be a mechanic again, I want to go back to school.”

He agreed and sent me to ‘Igbobi 2’ now Angus Memorial High School.

I got there with the lowest self-esteem and with no desire or drive. I wasn’t sure of myself having failed out of Command and doing mechanic for a bit. I didn’t feel I belonged and certainly felt like I didn’t have the intellectual ability to make it in school.

Then I met this light skinned girl. Her name

DJ Cuppy

was Bose; very beautiful but could not speak English. I was among the few who could speak English so we went into a deal.

She will allow me hug her three times daily and I will teach her English. The hugs, my sister, motivated me to be going to school o.

When she hug me ehn, I will put my head on her chest and she will hold me and all my problems will disappear o.

That was how I became a teacher for her o. She was such a hungry student.

She wanted to learn everything that the teachers were not doing for her as she needed personalised tutoring. I taught her Chemistry, Arts, Biology everything and the hugs increased to five a day. By WAEC, I don dey peck for cheeks o.

So, I had to read and be attentive in class so that I could teach my student well, which also improved me. When WAEC came, I came out with three A and Three C and she came out with 5 C. She came to thank me with a big hug and a big kiss on the lips, I nearly died.

But seriously, I took her to one side and thanked her and told her my story and she almost cried. So, lo ro kan, my dear Cuppy, find strength in anything. Could be your dog, your music, your family, even me, and go ahead and fulfil your destiny. You are a blessed child and this generation will be the greatest with superstars like you. God bless you.

Kai. I am in trouble o. Mbok, can someone intercede for me? Will I be added to the hit list for this write-up? Is it enough to condemn me?

Fear is catching me o. Let me quickly close the laptop so that Duchess will not see what I just wrote. I know some enemy will send the column to her now. Please na.

Segun Awolowo: Massive Appreciation “SEGUN AWOLOWO, EHH TI LO NI.” That is the usual way my Egbon speaks to me. He believes that since I am the Duke of Shomolu, I must understand Yoruba. Me sef I will say in broken Ijebu mixed with Egun, “ mi o ti lo sir.”

“Aghhhhh, we have approved your money o. You should go and see the Dubai Expo so that your eyes will open.”

My Lord with whatever federal government parastatal has done wonders for me by sending me on an all expense trip to Dubai for the World Expo, God will bless all of you. So, as you are reading this, I am wandering around the beautiful City of Dubai looking for where I can get Afang to eat while also trying to be Atiku’s inlaw. The women here are something else o. In fact, despite the full cover you will still be seeing the shape, the olive oil skin and the cascading hair.

Mbok, let me stop before they behead me o. After that, Abike Dabiri will just carry NTA go greet Duchess and say, he was a patriot.

I intend to visit the Nigerian pavilion, engage with the visitors and speak very passionately about Nigeria to only female visitors. The males can talk to the official Nigerian representatives.

When I come back, I will give all of you the gist, make I first clear COVID test. Please anybody know where I can get Afang in Dubai please reach me immediately before I collapse o.

NAIL ARCADE: AN ELEGANT STORY If you have not entered the huge premises of the very popular Nail Arcade somewhere in Lekki, just go there and take picture. The place is so elegant and looks like those places in exotic parts of the world.

I sauntered in for a brief meeting with the proprietress Temitola Taiwo.

Tolani as she is called is an extremely beautiful and elegant entrepreneur who started out in one small shack in UNILAG and today has built an empire through sheer hard work and an uncanny never say die spirit. Her Nail Studio is the go-to place for all categories of people from the high and mighty to the ‘normal’ people.

I love these kinds of stories. These are the stories that make Nigeria great.

Not the other ‘yama yama’ ones that we like to bandy about. This is truly a great but still evolving story. Well-done ma AMAEZE NDUKWE: ANOTHER POWERFUL STORY Amaeze was a corporate man but wasn’t feeling fulfilled. Extremely brilliant and hardworking, he resigned his job and jumped into the ‘hard’ world of spare parts dealing. Opened a shop inside the Trade Fair complex, rolled up his sleeves, hunkered down and pushed very aggressively.

Today, his Kamsiparts Automotive Limited is truly a market leader.

Their online distribution platform – kamsiparts.com has garnered respectable market leadership.

Recently, they were signed by the largest distribution partners for South Africa with South African Charging Battery Giants – Tecmate International.

Ample reward for hard work and strong belief in Nigeria. Well-done bro. Me, I will be shouting your story everywhere so that others can see that Nigeria can still deliver for those who believe. God bless you.

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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 ˾ MARCH 6, 2022

Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

Ex-Speaker, Dimeji Bankole at Political Crossroads Once upon a time, Hon. Dimeji Sabur Bankole, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, was a heavyweight in Nigeria’s political scene. Bankole, who represented the Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, was well-loved by all the members of the House of Representatives hence his emergence as the Speaker at the young age of 37.

Without a doubt, one couldn’t be luckier than that. In fact, to say he wielded so much power is, to put it mildly. But since he failed to make it back to the House in 2011, he has been struggling to gain political relevance again.

In 2015, he contested for the number one job of his state, Ogun State on the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), but the party leaders in the state saw him as a paperweight who could not win even his ward and, therefore, anointed Gboyega Nasir Isiaka as the party’s flag-bearer.

That finally pushed the nail down his political coffin and his ambition of ruling the state was met with a kiss of death.

But like a typical unrepentant optimist, he still allowed political hangers-on and sycophants to convince him, as he once again threw his cap into the ring for the 2019 governorship election in the state.

In retrospect, only the former Speaker can explain why he staked everything to contest for the governorship election then. As political pundits opined, he should have known that he is no longer a force to be reckoned with in the political circle of Ogun; hence, he should have saved his sweat and money for his comfort.

It was gathered that when he signified interest in the governorship race, the former Speaker of the Green Chamber became the anvil of criticisms in the political circle, as many in the state understood that he is no longer relevant, politically. He contested under a relatively unknown political party in the state, Action Democratic Party (ADP).

He was said to have spent so much money to realise his ambition. But to his chagrin, he scored less than 10,000 votes in the entire state.

Sadly, his inability to clinch the number one job in the state even made him a subject of ridicule in some quarters. To save his political career from total collapse, he defected to the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). Unfortunately, the defection, according to some, has not yielded any positive development, as he is yet to find his footing in the scheme of things, politically.

Some others even argued that Bankole is at a crossroads at the moment.

Ex-Kwara First Lady, Toyin Saraki’s Homily Forget her pedigree as the daughter of a Yoruba aristocrat and wife of a former Kwara State governor and immediate past President of the Senate, Toyin Saraki is one woman who will continue to remain relevant in our society for her brilliance and intellectual contributions to issues.

Many will be amazed that three years after her family left the corridors of power, her relevance has not waned; rather, she has continued to soar.

The Founder-President of Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) has never for once gotten tired of rendering humanitarian assistance to her immediate society.

Also, she has continued to galvanise global partnerships and champion causes that attract global attention. Last week, the beautiful and slim-built mother of four received applause on social media when she expressed her frank opinion about some of the vices around the world: inequalities and discrimination.

In a post, she penned these beautiful lines: “There is an urgent need to take action to end

the inequalities and discrimination that persist around the world. As thousands of Nigerian and African students flee the war in Ukraine, there is a growing concern that nonEuropeans have faced acts of discrimination and violence as they seek safety “Today on Zero Discrimination Day, we must raise our voices together to advocate for the right of everyone to live a full and productive life - with dignity. Now, more than ever, our world needs the dialogue of peace, inclusivity and compassion. This global movement for unity to combat discrimination must turn into tangible action.

“Every human life is precious and deserves the same treatment and right to safe passage, regardless of their skin colour.”

She further drummed support for Africans, saying, “We cannot turn our back on Africans who are being treated as third country and economic migrants, rather than what they are: refugees displaced by war.

Everyone has the right to life, freedom, and safety.”

Ladi Adebutu Joins the Diamond Club For some time now, he has been involved in political activities in the country as well as deeply involved in philanthropic gestures.

Curiously, Ladi Adebutu, in the eyes of his political adversaries, comes across as someone who is living off his rich parentage.

However, what his critics would probably not tell you is that he is not just from a wealthy background, but he has also carved a niche for himself in business.

It is a fact that he owns several business concerns, one of which is the largest and biggest pig industry in Nigeria and, by extension, West Africa.

Though the former member of the House of Representatives suffered a distasteful experience in the 2019 governorship election in Ogun State, the milk of kindness in him has refused to run dry.

Society Watch gathered that the billionaire

Adebutu

Saraki

businessman, rather than being deterred by vitriolic attacks on his person, has shown an uncommon spirit of sportsmanship by not turning his back against his people.

Perhaps, this explains why so many celebrated him for his wonted fellowfeeling, good-naturedness and altruistic disposition, last week, when he turned 60, amidst pomp and circumstance. The party, which was held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, was witnessed by top political figures, businessmen as well as several popular socialites. But the birthday celebration was beyond merriment.

A source revealed that before the grand finale of the birthday ceremony, the son of billionaire lotto merchant, Sir Kessington Adebutu, showcased his magnanimity by donating several items to all the three senatorial districts of the state.

It was also disclosed that the former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun plans to hold a birthday thanksgiving today at the Celestial Church of Christ, Sagamu.

Style Icon, Princess Fifi Ejindu, Plans Another Earth-shaking Birthday Party

Ejindu

It will not be out of place to say that billionaire businesswoman and architect, Princess Offiong Ekanem Ejindu, knows the ABC of doing business in and outside the country.

Princess Fifi Ejindu, as she is popularly referred to by friends and loved ones, is blessed with the proverbial Midas touch, as everything she touches turns into gold.

An architect of repute, Ejindu, who is the first African woman to be awarded a BA degree in Architecture at the prestigious Pratt Institute, commands respect whenever she steps out. No celebrity reporter that knows his or her onion would miss her appearance at an event. It is simply unacceptable.

The very intelligent, well-educated and strikingly beautiful is highly connected and oozes style and class.

Sometime in 2012, this super-angelic cosmopolitan woman held a fairy tale birthday party in the world’s only sevenstar hotel at the Burj Al Arab. It was the first

known Nigerian party at the hotel at that time.

It was another beautiful moment that further showcased that she holds the ace when it comes to style and sophistication.

It was an earth-shaking party, even her ‘enemies’ admitted that she is indeed the master of the game. To date, the party is still on the lips of those who were privileged to have witnessed it then.

Before the Dubai party, the Princess had staged one of the most prestigious weddings by any Nigerian in London, 2001 at the prestigious Cathedral in West London and the iconic Dorchester Hotel, venue for the reception.

Interestingly, again, the beautiful style icon is ready to pull another Hollywood-style party for her 60th birthday in May. Hold your breath! The details are yet to be made public, it was gathered that the birthday party will be held on one of the most beautiful beaches in Central American countries. Surely, this will dwarf previous parties.

High-flying Journalist, Janet Afolabi’s Heart of Gratitude

Bankole

Gratitude, in the words of Henry Ward Beecher, an American clergyman, is the fairest blossom that springs from the soul.

These moving words must have goaded the CNN award-winning journalist and Queen of the Apomu Kingdom in Osun State, Olori Janet Afolabi when she decided to join the league of authors with her debut book titled “The Masters Who Trained Me”.In the book, the seasoned journalist sets out to remember those who took her on the journey of learning to become a master and successful journalist.

She thus penned the new book as an acknowledgement of excellence of the works of the famous Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese, Yakubu Mohammed, Soji Akinrinade, Nosa Igiebor and Dare Babarinsa - all mentors who guided, trained and tutored her till she decided that their efforts deserve to be documented for posterity.

Afolabi’s six-chapter new book was unveiled last week at the Alapomu Palace Hall in Apomu, Osun, as part of the activities to mark the second coronation anniversary of her husband and the Alapomu of Apomu, His Royal Majesty Oba Kayode Adenekan Afolabi.

Afolabi said she wrote the book to “honour these renowned journalists who trained, drilled and moulded me into someone with valuable skills. They gave me a media platform to operate, explore and express myself. They gave me wings to fly in the winds of journalism travails and triumphs. I want to appreciate them while they are alive. I am expressing my gratitude by giving them a gift that will live after them.”

While presenting the book, Gbenga Adefaye, General Manager/Editor-In-Chief of Vanguard Newspapers, described it as an important gift that should last till eternity.

Afolabi

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 24 2012

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

6.3.2022

LARI WILLIAMS

TWILIGHT OF A THEATRE TITAN The allure of the cultural climax experienced at FESTAC '77 kept the accomplished actor, poet, and theatre director, Lari Williams' feet on Nigerian soil until his death at the age of 81, says Yinka Olatunbosun

“I

camehomeontheinvitation of the Nigerian government for FESTAC ‘77 and I have not left since then,” Lari Williams once said during an interview.

Nigeria was indeed the place to be in 1977, when it hosted the second World Festival of Black and African Arts and Culture. Described as the cultural climax of the Pan-African movement, it attracted musicians, dancers, fashion designers, artists and writers from no fewer than 70 countries. The month-long event was Olympic-styled, consuming an equivalent of billions of dollars in today’s money. The spirit of love and hope rented the air and Lari Williams decided to remain in Nigeria to teach drama at the National Theatre, then a world-class 5000-capacity ediÀce which reportedly took 12 years of planning.

Williams would soon discover the façade of a good life he had plunged himself into. In 1983, he joined the political party The Movement of The People as the vice presidential candidate to Fela Anikulapo-Kuti who was its presidential aspirant. They wanted a change; they fought against corruption.

Before his foray into politics, he had established himself as a journalist, theatre artist and a poet. He was educated at CMS Grammar School, Lagos and was the Àrst actor to ever perform on top of Zuma Rock in Abuja FCT, 1,200 feet high, where he performed his late friend, Maman Vatsa’s poem “The Bird that Sings in the Rain.”

He studied journalism at the London School of Journalism, Park Lane. He proceeded to Morley College to study English, where he developed interest in drama. He proceeded to study drama at Mountview Theatre School, London. In order to become a professional actor, Lari went to Stratford E15 Acting School, England.

“But what I found out there is that really, drama is not a thing to teach in the university,” he mused. “Drama should have its place abroad in places like England and even America. They have drama schools, some they call acting schools.”

While in England he set up a group named Calabash Artists, but later on, he moved to the University of Iowa in America. He forged a strong network with Nigerian artists in the diaspora and later featured seasoned actors such as Olu Jacobs, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Dele Jegede in his play ‘Kolanut Junction.’ On the Nigerian television scene, he made his mark starring in soaps like the Village Headmaster, Ripples and Mirror in the Sun. As a playwright, some of Williams’ published works include plays like Black Current, Storm Baby, Kolanut Junction and Heartlines. He was the Àrst to bring the dreaded Lagos Island masquerade ‘Egun Lapampa’ on stage in his play production titled ‘Awero.’

As one who loved to train younger actors, he established his troupe Lari Williams Play House in Lagos and later in Calabar, which was a theatre of ‘edutainment’ specialising in music, poems, dance and acting.

Williams was also very fascinated by drums and played gangan, bata, omele as well as the talking drum. He was described by his Àrst son, Femi, as a ‘perfectionist’ in his professional

Late Lari Williams

life which explained why he didn’t care too much about material beneÀts.

He ran the column in the Vanguard Newspapers called Stage & Screens for over 28 years. During his lifetime, Williams received a prestigious national honour as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic in 2008.

Williams was the inaugural president of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and had a career that spanned over Àve decades and a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award and a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).

Sadly, in 2015, his health deteriorated. He was suͿering from low vision. He could have amassed some wealth for himself while in public service but he didn’t. While calling for help from the public, he told journalists what they already know about many of these legends who had returned home during the time of FESTAC ’77 on the federal government’s invitation.

“We served this country and helped to build the entertainment sector that a lot of people are beneÀtting from today, but there is nothing for people like me to show for it.

Most of us are left unsung, because of the kind of structure that is being run, we should be having beneÀts like the civil servants.

In other climes, artists live on government subventions and are structured in such a way that they earn from their creative works.

“The present government should be very

careful in whom it will appoint as ministers, that it will send to the arts sector. We need hands-on individuals to be made ministers.

Government needs to have time for the creative sector so that it can have a voice, arts has been an unfortunate ministry. It is well-structured, then we can stop dying poor.”

After his outcry, a non-governmental organization named The Purple Ribbon Care Foundation came to his aid by securing a two-bedroom apartment for the actor who had reportedly lived in his o΀ce for three years. The foundation would later reveal that a N2m donation was made to the charity cause by the founder of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, Apostle Johnson Suleiman. Williams was able to secure a two-bedroom Áat with N700,000.

Much later, the actor received a two yearlecturing contract with the University of Calabar (UNICAL) to teach drama and acting, particularly speech and acting technique. After a brief illness, he died in his hometown, Ikom, Cross-River.

His death has sent some ripples into the creative community in Nigeria and the diaspora. Reacting to the sad news, the National President, Actors Guild of Nigeria, Ejezie Emeka Rollas paid a tribute to the die-hard professional.

'He stood apart from whatever vantage position we knew him, as someone special.

Chief Lari Williams’ death is a colossal loss to Africa’s creative industry.

“This is indeed a grieving moment for the creative industry as we mourn the passing of a creative icon," he stated in a press release.

Shaibu Husseini who enjoyed mentorship from Williams described him as a consummate dramatist. "I think we have just lost a legend that can be described as a consummate dramatist.

He was a writer, actor, poet, performance poet, and a drummer,” he said. “He was everything around the performance space. He lived his life as a dramatist and died as a dramatist. He was very passionate about the arts. My Àrst encounter with him was in the 90s when I came to Lagos from Ssosa. He was performing a role in Mirror in the Sun followed The Lari Playhouse.

"I followed him up and I started documenting him. When Jahman was an editor, he was able to give us four pages for us to run an interview with him. I think It was when he clocked 60. It was before the digital era. I had kept in touch with him since that time and even before the time and the news of his death shocked me.

"Last week, he still called me to help him get a column that he wrote for Vanguard about 30 years ago. He wanted to run the column on another medium. He didn’t sound like he was ill. I knew he had moved to his hometown.

I got the news when I called his number for feedback and someone picked me to say he had passed on. We have lost a true legend.”

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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SUNDAY MARCH 6, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 6, 2022

CICERO

Editor: Ejiofor Alike SMS: 08066066268 email:ejiofor.alike@thisdaylive.com

IN THE ARENA

Will the Constitution Review Voyage Now Berth?

On Tuesday, March 1, 2022, both chambers of the National Assembly voted separately on the amendment bills to the 1999 Constitution. Louis Achi examines the unfinished costly and ‘interminable’ voyage

A

mendments allow American laws and policies to be refined rather than replaced outrightly. This is usually done through the ratification of relevant proposed amendments as they affect state or federal laws.

In Nigeria, the federal legislators last Tuesday used e-voting and not the voice-vote method often employed for the passing of bills and motions to vote on 68 constitution amendment bills. The use of e-voting was to meet the requirements of sections 9(2) and (3) of the constitution, which outline the procedure for altering its provisions.

This approach was to ensure the total number of Senators or House of Representatives members in attendance did not fall below the minimum number required to adopt a proposed clause. It also ensured that any proposal that was passed met the two-third majority approval criterion.

Section 9(2) of the Constitution requires two-third votes of each chamber of the National Assembly, while Section 9(3) imposes a higher requirement of a four-fifth majority where the amendments involve boundary adjustments, creation of new states, new local government areas, fundamental rights, or the mode for altering the constitution.

However, both chambers of the federal legislature will still have to set up a conference committee to harmonise the differences in the proposed amendments. This is because the two chambers are required to pass constitution amendment bills in identical format. If both chambers are not able to harmonise the differences, the bills will be returned to the respective chambers of the National Assembly for fresh voting.

After harmonisation, the bills are then transmitted to the state houses of assembly by the Clerk of the National Assembly for their concurrence. According to the Sections 9(2) and (3), two-thirds of all the State Houses of Assembly need to approve the bills. It simply means that the approval of 24 states will be required for each amendment to be ratified.

When two-thirds of the state assemblies approve each clause by simple majority, they are

Omo-Agege returned to the National Assembly. According to Section 58 of the constitution, bills also require the assent of the president.

Could this quirky constitution amendment marathon have been responsible for several botched efforts at revising the nation’s preeminent guide book? A snapshot of the peculiar voyage is instructive.

Since pre-independence, the nation has had series of constitutions, which include the colonial-era constitutions (1914-1960), Independence Constitution (1960), Republican Constitution (1963), Second Republic Constitution (1979-1983), aborted Third Republic Constitution (1992-1993) and the Fourth Republic Constitution (1999 to date).

Since the Fourth Republic berthed in 1999, there have been attempts by various assemblies to amend the constitution. Efforts by the legislature were characterised by proposals that kept resurfacing, despite costing humungous

billions of naira. Notwithstanding these hefty expenditures, several attempts made by the National Assembly to amend some provisions of the 1999 Constitution, were unsuccessful.

The first effort at amending the 1999 Constitution under the Chairmanship of former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Mantu and House Deputy Speaker, Hon. Austin Opara in the fifth National Assembly was a farce.

The exercise failed due to the alleged third term agenda of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The project ran into quicksand when the legislators discovered that a clause to elongate the tenure of the then President was allegedly embedded in the document. The bill was thrown out.

The second attempt to review the constitution in the sixth Assembly, under the chairmanship of the then Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu was only partially successful

as just few sections were amended. The sections included the financial autonomy of the National Assembly, which gave it the power to draw its funds directly from the Federation Account, otherwise known as the first-line charge.

The third attempt, in the constitutional review exercise in the seventh Assembly was also partially successful. The National Assembly attempted to strip the President of the power to sign the constitution amendments, which is required for them to become law. It was however a failed attempt. The then President Goodluck Jonathan argued that the legislature overreached itself in seeking to abridge presidential power, especially the power to “check and balance” the lawmakers.

Under former Senate President, Dr..Bukola Saraki, the fourth attempt was made by the eighth Assembly.

Available records showed that about 33 bills for constitutional review were available for review by the lawmakers, with 28 of them passed by the House. Out of this number, 17 got concurrence from the Senate, while four were passed with differences.

Seventeen bills were sent to the State Houses of Assembly for concurrence, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. But 12 of these came back to the House ratified, while five, including the bill on Local Government Autonomy (surprisingly), were rejected by the State Houses of Assembly, having failed to receive the approval of two-thirds of the state lawmakers. Unfortunately, only five of these bills were signed as part of the constitutional amendment by the president.

Currently, with both chambers of the National Assembly last week voting separately on 68 amendment bills to the 1999 Constitution, with notable controversies and progressive positions captured, many bruised Nigerians are apparently daring to hope that the promise of the ninth National Assembly to give them a new lease of life may come true.

By stoutly rejecting pension for her principal officers, throwing out immunity for the Senate President/Deputy; the Speaker/Deputy and CJN; moving several key governance areas from the Exclusive to the Concurrent list and several more positives, there is indeed a ray of hope.

However, the journey is still far.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

Tinubu: A Youth Leader and Fixer!

Tinubu

A former Lagos State governor and 2023 presidential hopeful, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has not ceased to entertain the country, as he continues to consult in respect of his presidential bid. He has also consistently suffered bashing, in some instances, deserving. But, above all, he has remained unbending, resolute and consistent in the march towards 2023, despite misgivings from ‘haters’.

Recently, on Friday, February 25, 2022, to be specific, Tinubu visited the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, in Osun State, Jimoh Olanipekun, to inform him of his political ambition and there and then, declared himself as a youth, attracting a chorus response: “youth leader” from those around. Before this, he had also asked some youths during a visit to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, to pave the

way for the older generation to emerge president before clogging the space.

At the weekend, Tinubu, while addressing a council of traditional rulers in Ekiti State, presided over by its chairman, the Onisan of Isan Ekiti, Oba Gabriel Adejumo, said, “We have struggled for democracy and today, we have democracy, but we are not stable yet.

There is insecurity, hopelessness, lack of education, and suffering in the land.”

It was against this ugly situation that the former Lagos governor, said he joined the presidential race to fix things. He did not forget to add, however, that the nation should have moved beyond the state it is now but for leadership, which is what he is asking to be given the opportunity to offer.

Perhaps, Tinubu, has forgotten too that he has to

inherit both the liability and asset of the outgoing government of Muhammadu Buhari, not only for being a member of the ruling party, but importantly, because of the roles he allegedly played in installing a government that has bequeathed “insecurity, hopelessness, lack of education, and suffering” on the people.

He can’t choose to exhibit “convenient amnesia” by boasting to build on the “legacy” of Buhari in one breath and espousing to fix the ills of the country, which the government can’t fix, in another, forgetting deliberately, that the Buhari administration, a government he helped to install is responsible for the ills he has identified, yet, without alluding to any efforts he made to assist the government in first fixing those ills. Certainly, the days ahead are interesting!

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 6, 2022

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BRIEFINGNOTES Adamu Reaps the Fruits of Loyalty A former governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Abdullahi Adamu’s unflinching loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari, which had manifested in his sustained pro-Buhari sentiments and fierce criticisms of Dr. Bukola Sarakiled leadership of the eighth Senate may have led to his reported endorsement by the president as the consensus candidate for the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Ejiofor Alike reports

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member of the National Assembly representing Nasarawa West senatorial district, Senator Abdullahi Adamu’s loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari had manifested significantly at the height of the no-love-lost relationship between the Dr. Bukola Saraki-led leadership of the eighth Senate and Buhari’s presidency.

At the peak of the frosty relationship between the pro-Saraki senators and the presidency, the senator representing Nasarawa West senatorial district, became so consistent in attacking Saraki and his allies that the then Senate President had to describe him as “the attack dog of the executive.”

Adamu, alongside Saraki, was among the PDP senators who joined the APC after breaking away from the PDP to form nPDP before the 2015 general election.

After joining the APC, Adamu became the leader of those described as the pro-Presidency wing of the nPDP bloc in the ruling party.

When his former colleagues in the PDP were complaining bitterly of marginalisation by the Buhari administration, Adamu had defended Buhari, insisting that the members of the nPDP had never had it so good.

He further insisted that the Buhari administration had been very fair in his dealings with all members of the legacy parties that merged to form the APC. The former Nasarawa State governor had also argued that there was nowhere any government in the world would carry everybody along 100 per cent or satisfy the interests of the entire members of the party in power.

It is on record that Adamu consistently berated other members of the defunct nPDP in APC, who held anti-Buhari sentiments.

The then Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development under the Saraki-led eighth Senate became unsparing in his attack on Saraki as soon as the then Senate President rejoined the PDP with his allies.

In his war against Saraki, Adamu had an ally in his colleague representing Delta Central senatorial district of Delta State, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, who has since been rewarded for his loyalty with the position of Deputy Senate President.

Adamu and Omo-Agege took the issue between Saraki and the Presidency so personal that the then Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institution, Senator Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim had to raise the alarm that the two senators believed that attacking Saraki was the best means to escape from the long arm of the law.

Rafiu alleged in a statement that the two lawmakers were using the attacks to be in the

Adamu good books of their handlers in the presidency.

He reportedly stated that Adamu formed the group he called Parliamentary Support Group (PSG) when his pending case of corruption as governor of Nasarawa State being handled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was about to be taken to court.

In the case of Omo-Agege, Rafiu had stated that the Delta senator believed that by abusing the leadership of the Senate, he would be guaranteed the ticket of the APC by his handlers in the presidency.

“The same way he abuses people in Abuja, he does same thing in his home state and that is why he is the one dividing the party in Delta State. He is definitely a divisive character,” Rafiu reportedly alleged.

For his unalloyed loyalty to the President, Omo-Agege, not only got the APC senatorial ticket but also the position of the Deputy Senate President.

With the search for the consensus candidate

of the APC, speculations are rife that now is the payback time for Adamu.

When Saraki rejoined the PDP, Adamu accused him of veering off the path carved out by his father, the late Senator Olusola Saraki.

“He had a duty to his father to keep the flag of the family flying but the way he is going, I do not think he is doing that,” Adamu reportedly said in an interview with journalists in Abuja.

His earlier criticism of Saraki had attracted a harsh response from the then Senate President.

Saraki had earlier declared that “he (Adamu) feels the best way to play his self-survival game and ingratiate himself to the government in order to save his skin is for him to be seen to be fighting Saraki, even if that would require him to tell brazen lies and peddle mischief in his old age”.

Saraki had also called Adamu the “attack dog of the executive,” and a liar, among other things.

The former Kwara State governor was

responding to Adamu’s alleged claim that he (Saraki) had called the then Senator Dino Melaye of Kogi West senatorial district, a clown.

Adamu had allegedly told a national daily (not THISDAY) that the Senate president referred to Melaye, seen as one of Saraki’s staunchest allies, as a clown.

“He said to me ‘no, forget Dino is a clown.’That’s what Saraki said to me,” Adamu reportedly said.

But in a statement signed on his behalf by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki stated that: “I have deliberately ignored the antics of Senator Abdullahi Adamu, especially his constant media attack on me and the Senate since the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) dusted his file on alleged case of corruption and also went ahead to arraign his son in court “So far, I had refrained from responding in kind out of respect for his age. However, it seems he has misread my maturity and respect for docility.

He feels the best way to play his self-survival game and ingratiate himself to the government in order to save his skin is for him to be seen to be fighting Saraki, even if that would require him to tell brazen lies and peddle mischief in his old age.”

Saraki denied referring to Melaye as a clown, insisting that he knew from available records that Melaye had so far outshined and performed better than Adamu in terms of the number of bills sponsored, motion raised and contributions to debate on the floor.

However, responding to the allegation by Saraki and his allies that his sudden support for Buhari was the result of the case he and his son had with EFCC, the Keffi-born lawmaker had declared that Saraki lied, arguing that his case with the anti-graft agency was closed on June 28, 2015.

The ex-Nasarawa State governor said he had no case in court in any part of the country, and challenged Saraki to go and verify if he had any case in any court in Nigeria.

Adamu also accused Saraki of plotting to succeed Buhari when the president was sick and undergoing treatment in London in 2017.

Indeed, Adamu made sure that those who attacked Buhari during Saraki’s leadership of the Senate suffered bruises.

With Buhari’s track record of rewarding loyalty, it is therefore not surprising that Adamu’s name has surfaced as the president’s anointed consensus candidate for the national chairman of the ruling party. Is this a payback time for the Nasarawa senator? Is the reported endorsement real or a hoax?

There is also the allegation that he may have been endorsed by the presidency to help tackle and checkmate a particular presidential candidate.

What ever the reason for the endorsement of the former Nasarawa State governor, the unfolding events of the next few weeks will tell.

NOTES FOR FILE

Adamu’s Lack of Empathy for Students

Adamu Adamu

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, last week failed one of the basic qualities of a good leader by demonstrating insensitivity and lack of empathy when he met with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

The students, who were demanding an immediate end to the ongoing strike by ASUU had stopped at the National Assembly, demanding to speak with the leadership of the Assembly but the security operatives on the ground shut the gate against them.

The protesting students then decided to take their protest to the Ministry of Education and demanded to speak with the minister, a request that was granted At the meeting with the minister, President of NANS, Sunday Ashefon, demanded an immediate

end to the ongoing strike and attributed the minister’s insensitivity to the plight of the students to fact that his children were schooling abroad.

But the visibly angry minister said he was disappointed with the NANS leadership, adding that the government had done what was expected of it since the commencement of the strike.

“I must begin by telling you that I am very disappointed if this is the way you want to put your case across to us,” he said.

He then staged a walk-out of the meeting.

The protesting students shut the gates of the ministry for hours to deny the minister and workers of the ministry entry and exit. They marched round the building chanting songs such as “Adamu must go”.

Despite the combative nature of the students ,

many had expected the minister to show understanding. But this was not the case.

While many were not surprised at the minister’s action since it is part of the characteristics of officials of the Muhammadu Buhari’s government, others were however shocked that it came from Adamu who claimed to have the solutions to the challenges in the education sector when he was a newspaper columnist.

Few years down the line, and under his watch, the sector is in a complete mess and frequently buffeted by strike. Simply because he was challenged for having his children school abroad while Nigerian students are made to receive a raw deal at home, he walked out on them. Empathy is one essential attribute of leadership. Sadly, it is in short supply among the Nigerian leaders.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 6, 2022

CICERO/REPORT

APAPA GRIDLOCK:

It’s Never Been the Bad Roads After All Of all, the notorious Apapa gridlock has never really been about the bad roads. Olawale Olaleye reports

W

ithout a doubt, the deplorable portions of any class of roads in any part of the society, have never been a plus for development, even if such roads do not play host to frequent users or experience heavy

regular traffic.

But the Apapa gridlock had been mixed up in the assumption that the deplorable roads within and connecting the city, have been the reason the ugly traffic situation associated with that part of Lagos State, seemed intractable. It seems that’s a lie, even though the bad sections of the different roads linking Apapa, were a contributory factor.

Last Monday, February 28, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, undertook a routine inspection of the stretch of the road from the Apapa ports, where the project commenced through to the other sections still under constructions. He also had brief stops along the stretch, where other different kinds of related or complimentary landscaping constructions were equally ongoing.

From Fashola’s itinerary, the inspection started from Liverpool road through Creek Road, to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), back on the Creek Road to the Port-Novo Creek bridge and then, the stretch to Tincan Island, all the way to the Beachland junction.

The entire stretch is partitioned into sections for ease of construction. Section one is from the Ports in Apapa to Beachland, while Section two takes off from Beachland to Cele busstop. The third section is from Cele to Anthony, and then, the fourth and final leg of the partitioning runs from Anthony to the toll gate, which is also under renovation.

However, of all the sections, which are all about 98 per cent done, only the section two is still lagging behind and just between 8 and 10 completion, because it was decided late to give it the same concrete construction as the rest of the sections. This, also, is because, when the Muhammadu Buhari administration came in, that was the only motorable section and well asphalted section of the road.

But the government soon discovered that the quality was purely cosmetic and might end up being the weakest link to the new enduring effort.

A decision was later taken in 2020 to bring it up to par, while contractor moved to site late in 2021.

Thus, after inspecting an ongoing landscaping work under the Port-Novo bridge by Liverpool roundabout, an idea Fashola said was conceived to protect the asset (bridge), which had come under abuse from squatters, who did everything under the bridge, including trading, cooking, setting up open fire and by implication, weakening the strength of the bridge, the convoy moved inwards Tincan.

Ordinarily, the minister said, such an effort was purely a municipal responsibility, but, perhaps, because of the cost implications or inability to seize the initiative by those concerned, the federal government would not sit by and watch its asset go down on account of the ignorance or irresponsibility of others. Sustaining the effort was another debate the minister would rather defer since there might be a need to involve the local government afterwards.

He moved from there to also inspect the Tincan Island truck transit park, just by the Port-Novo bridge. The contractors here had some concerns, which the minister immediately cleared were carryovers from the previous administration, but had been doing everything possible to address. Of course, the contractors concurred. Fashola would rather not have such conversation there but ensured work was ongoing, at the minimum.

At Tincan, the minister stopped by to see the

Fashola addressing the media on his entourage during the inspection at the Mile 2 end of the section two of the construction proposed location for the expansion of the truck park, where not much had begun, essentially for some administrative niggles, from which Fashola demanded a situation report.

Not far from there was another ongoing landscaping work by the Beachland bridge, which apart from beautifying the environment, also served to protect the assets and keep the atmosphere sane.

Arriving the Berger bridge, where there is also another landscaping work, the minister met with the leadership of the auto dealers there, apparently to catch up with an ongoing discussion. Apparently, the dealers had been asked to relocate from the place as their presence was unsightly, in addition to the risks it constituted to them as well as addressing image concerns. But the auto dealers, who were excited at the presence of the minister and bantered with him repeatedly, didn’t make the engagement any difficult.

They told the minister they had now come to the conclusion that it was time to go and would be willing to partner the ministry in the relocation exercise, although they needed to sit with the government properly and fashion out the modus operandi. The minister requested for the size of the entire area to see, where would be suitable for relocation.

He also asked if it was okay to break them into two in case there was no one place that could accommodate all of them, to which they consented.

That seemed fruitful and the minister went on to inspect the section two of the Apapa/ Oshodi expressway, which is fast taking shape but still at its early stages. He seemed impressed with the pace and nature of work that was ongoing. He engaged the contractors, who briefed him and still assured him that the completion time remained as agreed. He complained about the drainages that have been clogged with refuse, occasioned by the bad habits of residents and other people.

That, of course, necessitated an interaction with the media at the Mile 2 end of the Section two of the road and immediately released the journalists to proceed to their respective

offices, before heading to Eric Moore in Surulere, to inspect a residential estate.

In all, the takeaways from the about five hours inspection exercise were a legion, particularly, the significance of the almost completed road construction vis the unceasing truck menace, whose drivers have elected to make the roads – a common asset of all – their abode.

Fashola, of course, was unhappy with the situation and the deliberate recalcitrance of the truck drivers to decimate the roads again after fixing it and pumping into it, a lot of money. He went on to identify some of the factors responsible to include the poorly executed privatisation exercise, which he reckoned must be reviewed.

He also agreed that the country had outgrown the current ports and so, the need for new ones was no longer debatable. He thought the enforcement of rules must also be taken seriously such that would end illegal trading on the roads and roadsides, ensuring law and order on the roads.

The truth is that a lot of the people and the institutions are benefitting from the illegality, because those illegal ventures were in many respects, servicing the ports and by extension, generating revenues for many, including the banks, whose POS services are top on the list of those constituting nuisance around the ports facilities.

Now, the roads are fixed and fixed to last a certain number of years. But with the trucks parking on the roads, the initial life span might be threatened, hence, the need for all to see the fight against truck drivers’ abuse of the roads as personal. And this is despite the alternatives provided by the government. They find it cheaper constituting nuisance on the roads and becoming menace to other road users as against following rules.

Although these are at most the attitudinal dispositions of third world countries, an aspiring developing nation like Nigeria cannot continue to live in the past with cave age habits and expect to catch up with requisite growth and development. How does anyone

reconcile the fact that after spending billions to fix the roads, trucks, which are the going concerns of private individuals, would still be threat to the common interest of all?

It goes without saying that the campaign, “Change Starts With You” applies here without equivocation. The time for everyone to see these common assets as what they all need to protect as against allowing some self-serving individuals to appropriate and vitiate them, is now. The fact is that the truck owners are into business and not serving the country and people for free.

Besides, support facilities have been provided to help the business of truck owners run smooth.

What, therefore, is the fixation about destroying these common assets? The new construction might be concrete and stone-based, it’s a matter of time before the reckless abuse by truck owners starts to tear it down, creating another cycle of road menace, as well as compounding the situation in the ports and environs.

The solutions, clearly, are within some of those suggested earlier by the minister. They include reviewing the ports concession agreement, expanding the ports, enforcing law and order, and by extension, forbidding illegal trading on the roads, not only within the ports vicinity but in other places, where such are not permitted by law.

Ironically, that’s not an assignment for governments at all levels and their agents alone, but responsible citizenship – focused on protecting common assets and setting examples of good citizenship – also comes to play here; understanding and ensuring that the change that everyone seeks in actualising the Nigeria of their dreams, begins with everyone.

Let it be stated, for the record, that public assets, which come at great costs to both the government and the citizenry, in terms of funding and the discomfort suffered during construction, cannot be left at the mercy of exploitative vandals, while running their personal businesses. The people must, therefore, rise in unison against such willful vandalism of collective assets and show readiness to always protect what is theirs.

The government has done its part and still not resting on its oars, the baton, of course, is now passed on to the people.

64

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

NEWS

OILY AFFAIR… L-R: Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva; Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mr. Mele Kyari; Chief Executive Officer, OVH Energy Marketing, Mr. KINGSLEY ADEBOYE Huub Stokman, during an exhibition at the 2022 Nigeria International Energy Summit in Abuja… recently

Sanctions Imposed on Russia Equivalent to Declaration of War, Says Putin Nigerians, others protest discrimination as nearly 1.37m flee Ukraine Chuks Okocha in Abuja Russian President, Mr. Vladimir Putin, yesterday stated that the sanctions imposed on his country by western countries over the invasion of Ukraine were like a declaration of war.

His comment came a few hours after the Ministry of Defence said yesterday that it had resumed “offensive actions” in Ukraine after announcing a ceasefire earlier in the day to allow residents of two besieged cities to evacuate.

No fewer than 100,000 Nigerians and other Africans have signed a petition on the discrimination against blacks who are attempting to flee Ukraine over the invasion of the Eastern European country

by Russia.

Speaking to flight attendants at an Aeroflot training centre near Moscow, Putin insisted he only wanted to “demilitarise” and “de-Nazify” Ukraine.

“These sanctions are methods of fighting against Russia,” he said.

“These sanctions that you can see are equivalent to declaring a war – but thankfully it has not come to an actual war but we understand what these threats are about.”

Putin also warned that any attempt to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine would be seen as “participation in the armed conflict”.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine had asked the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) for a no-flight-zone over Ukraine

in order to protect the country from Russian missiles but the appeal was rejected.

NATO had said taking such an action could result in a “fullfledged war in Europe involving many more countries”.

Since the start of the invasion of Ukraine, a series of sanctions have been imposed on Russia by the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and the European Union.

Some of the sanctions include blocking certain Russian banks’ access to the SWIFT payment system and freezing the foreign assets of the country’s central bank.

Three of the country’s wealthy individuals were sanctioned by the UK while the Council of Europe also suspended Russia from the continent’s human

rights organisation.

In addition, FIFA and UEFA also suspended Russian clubs and national teams from all competitions.

Samsung, Paypal, Zara, Apple, and Mercedes-Benz have all announced the suspension of their operations in the country.

Meanwhile, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) revealed that it counted about 1,368,864 refugees on its dedicated website at noon yesterday, almost 160,000 more than the previous count on Friday.

Russian defence ministry also announced the resumption of offensive after a ceasefire yesterday.

“Due to the unwillingness of the Ukrainian side to influence nationalists or extend the regime

OBASANJO: MOST PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANTS SHOULD BE IN JAIL IF EFCC, ICPC DID THEIR JOBS thanking God for the life, health, and alertness of the former leader, praying for grace and more strength as he serves the country, Africa, and the world.

Former President Jonathan has also felicitated Obasanjo, describing him as a leader with a good reputation in statesmanship.

In a message of goodwill released by his spokesman, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, which Jonathan signed, the former president noted that Obasanjo’s legacies “have continued to endure many years after you left office as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

“I join your family and friends to celebrate you as you mark your birthday this year. You are an accomplished leader, with a sterling reputation in statesmanship and a peacemaker in Nigeria and across Africa.

“Your legacies in Nigeria and Africa have continued to endure many years after you left office as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Your Excellency, you are a beacon of hope to many leaders and a source of inspiration to people from all walks of life,” Jonathan explained.

On its part, the Northern Governors Forum has also felicitated Obasanjo on his 85th

birthday.

Chairman of the forum and Plateau State Governor, Mr. Simon Bako Lalong, in a statement, described Obasanjo as a nationalist and passionate leader whose patriotism is paramount in all his engagements.

Lalong, in a statement by his spokesman, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, wished him many more years of good health and God’s protection, urging him never to relent in lending his voice towards a greater Nigeria.

He said the former president has never hidden his belief in the unity, oneness, and indivisibility of Nigeria.

Also, Delta State Governor, Okowa, has congratulated Obasanjo.

Okowa in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, yesterday in Asaba, said Nigeria benefited immensely from the former president’s leadership at various times as several tangible key infrastructure and, economic reforms, were hallmarks of his leadership.

He commended the former president for always lending his voice on national issues and for his patriotic and unrelenting service to the country and humanity.

He described the octogenarian

as an epitome of nationalism and statesmanship and lauded him for his sustained contributions to peace and unity in Nigeria.

The PDP also yesterday congratulated Obasanjo, as he attained the age of 85 years.

The PDP in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba described Obasanjo as an exceptionally patriotic leader, courageous statesman, insightful administrator, and global personality who continues to play pivotal roles towards the security, unity, stability, and development of the nation, Nigeria, Africa and indeed the world at large.

The statement noted that Obasanjo, under the PDPled administration, ran an all-inclusive, transparent, and development-oriented government, entrenched democratic practice, revamped the productive sectors, set up anti-corruption institutions, and steadied the nation on the path of economic prosperity in line with the vision and manifesto of the PDP. "Under the Obasanjo-led PDP administration, our nation paid off our foreign debt, instilled good governance to effectively empower Nigerians and stimulate rapid growth in critical

sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, education, power, oil and gas, healthcare, housing, banking and finance, telecommunication among others, and made our nation a global investment destination,” PDP explained.

On his part, President of the AfDB, Adesina, in a goodwill message issued yesterday, described Obasanjo’s contributions to Nigeria, Africa, and the world as exemplary.

“On behalf of myself, my wife, Grace, and the entire family of the African Development Bank, I am writing to wish you a very happy 85th birthday.

“Your selflessness toward causes in Africa as well as global issues, has always shown that your heart and passion are to drive transformation and seek solutions to pressing development challenges facing Africa and developing nations.

“Anyone that knows you would immediately wonder how someone at your age can work several times harder than people who are half your age. Your passion and commitment to the younger generation are further exemplified by your always finding time and resources to encourage and support the youth, especially in agriculture.

of silence, offensive actions have been resumed at 18:00 Moscow time (1500 GMT),” Russian Defence Ministry spokesman, Igor Konashenkov said in a video briefing.

Russia had earlier yesterday announced a ceasefire and said it opened humanitarian corridors for the exit of civilians from the strategic port town of Mariupol and neighbouring Volnovakha.

Konashenkov said that “not a single civilian” was able to exit via the humanitarian corridors.

“The population of these cities is held by nationalist formations as a human shield,” Konashenkov added.

He said “nationalist battalions” used the ceasefire to “regroup and reinforce their positions”.

Officials in Mariupol, surrounded by Russian forces, said yesterday that they were delaying an evacuation of the civilian population, accusing Moscow’s troops of breaking a ceasefire.

Authorities and the UN expect the flow of refugees to intensify as the Russian army continues to advance into Ukraine, with fierce fighting still taking place around the capital Kyiv.

“1.3 million people have now fled Ukraine to seek safety.

Unless there is an immediate end to the conflict, millions more are likely to be forced to flee,” the UNHCR said in a tweet on Saturday.

According to the UN, four million people may seek to leave the country to escape the war.

Before the conflict, Ukraine had more than 37 million people in areas controlled by Kyiv — which does not include Russian-annexed Crimea or separatist-controlled areas.

Poland, which has championed the cause of Ukrainian refugees and where US Secretary of State, Mr. Antony Blinken arrived yesterday for talks with the country’s top officials, is hosting by far the largest number of refugees arriving since the start of the Russian invasion.

No fewer than 100,000 Nigerians and other Africans have signed a petition on the discriminatio+n against blacks who are attempting to flee

Ukraine over the invasion of the Eastern European country

by Russia.

The online petition, which was initiated by a civil society organisation, Concerned Nigerians, was titled ‘Stop discriminating, provide safe passages for Africans and People of Colour out of Ukraine.’

The petition, published by a global advocacy body, Change.

Org, is to the Council of the European Union, European Commission, African Union, and the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The UNHCR had not updated the number of refugees in Moldova on Saturday, which stood at 103,254 on Friday, or 7.5 percent of the total.

The head of the UN refugee agency, Filippo Grandi, was in Moldova on Friday, in the eastern town of Palanca where refugees are arriving.

“Today at Palanca I saw thousands and thousands of people streaming across Ukraine’s border crossing with Moldova. Thousands of stories of separation, anguish, and loss. A difficult day, but much respect for the many dedicated Moldovan officials and people helping the refugees,” Grandi said in a tweet on Friday evening.

According to the UNHCR, some of the refugees are continuing on to Romania or Hungary, often to reunite with family.

Some 101,529 people have fled Ukraine and taken refuge in Slovakia, 7.4 percent of the total, according to the UNHCR. In Romania, the UNHCR counts 63,192 refugees, about 4.6 percent of the total.

Two camps have been set up, one in Sighetu Marmatiei and the other in Siret.

UNHCR also said that 133,876 people, around one in 10, had continued on to other European countries after crossing the Ukrainian border.

The number of people taking refuge in Russia remained unchanged at around 53,000, or 3.9 per cent of the total.

Nigeria has so far evacuated 807 of its citizens from war-raged Ukraine as at Saturday.

65

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 6, 2022

INTERNATIONAL Deepening Russo-Ukrainian War and Nigeria’s Bad Diplomacy: Seeking Peace by War Alignment

T

he invasion of Ukraine by Russia, contrary to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 68/62 of 27 March 2014 on Territorial Integrity of Ukraine, not only raises questions on Russian fears about the possible use of Ukraine to threaten the national security of Russia, but also on why Russia has opted to defend its own national security to the detriment of whatever is the position of international law.The UNGA Resolution affirmed ‘its commitment to the sovereignty, political independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.’Based on this affirmation, the Resolution called upon ‘States, international organisations and specialized agencies not to recognise any alteration of the status of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol on the basis of the above-mentioned referendum and to refrain from any action or dealing that might be interpreted as recognizing any such altered status.’

Apart from this resolution, which invalidates the referendum of 16 March 2014 held in Crimea because it was not authorized by the legitimate government of Ukraine, there is also the UNGA resolution 2625 (XXV) of October 1970 which established some principles of International Law on Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States and provides that ‘the territory of a State shall not be the object of acquisition by another State resulting from the threat or use of force, and that any attempt aimed at the partial or total disruption of the national unity and territorial integrity of a State or country or at its political independence is incompatible with the purposes and principles of the Charter.’

These resolutions meant very little or nothing to Russia which underscores her national security. Russian strategic focus is to prevent the establishment of any NATO military base in any of the former Soviet States, particularly Ukraine. And foreign policy wise, Russia wants a Russo-American joint strategy in managing global insecurity while the United States is wrapped up in the glory of its superiority, it does not want joint leadership, and is vehemently opposed to anyone having the capacity to challenge its global leadership.

This conflict in foreign policy positions of the two countries explains why the United States has been consciously expanding the membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) contrary to bilateral agreements reached with Russia and why Russia has also reactively been opposed to such an agenda. Russia is vehemently opposed to the nearness of NATO operations in its contiguous environment. It is opposed to Ukraine’s membership of NATO. This is the main background to the dispute and the ongoing war in Ukraine. The war is first between Russia and NATO before it is war between Russia and Ukraine.This is what Nigeria’s foreign policy has ignored, why it is reckless and raises how bad the President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) administration is managing Nigeria’s foreign policy and its implications for Nigeria’s relationship with Russia.

Policy Attitude and Recklessness The first expression of the recklessness is in the attitudinal disposition of government officials. Without scintilla of doubt, Nigeria’s foreign policy has always been poorly managed, particularly under PMB. At best, it has been reactive, and the reactive measures have not always pointed to adequate protection of the national interest.

It has generally been more of saying very nice things that are only self-defeating and creating new problems over which the PMB administration has control but is very remiss about. One immediate example is the attitude toward the Russian-Ukrainian war.

The poor management of Nigeria’s foreign policy was first showcased at the level of the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omoyuli. Premium Times reported on March 1, 2022, the case of a journalist who was seeking information on whether the visit of the Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, to Kenya would affect the evacuation of Nigerians in Ukraine. The journalist telephoned Francisca Omoyuli for a possible answer, but Francisca Omoyuli advised the journalist to ‘kindly see the interview granted today to the NTA Good Morning (Nigeria) by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.’

The journalist complied but‘attempts to listen to the interview on NTA’s YouTube Channel was inaudible,’The Premium Times further reported.The journalist called the MFA spokesperson again to inform about the audio challenge. Most unfortunately, the journalist was

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

Onyema simply asked if she, the journalist, was accredited to the MFA. No further discussion took place thereafter. No information was given on whether Foreign Minister Onyeama’s visit to Kenya would affect the evacuation of Nigerians from Ukraine. Whereas the inquiry by the journalist was made because of the serious concerns raised by the public.

In this regard, what prevented the spokesperson from re-explaining what her Permanent Secretary had said on the NTA Good Morning Nigeria show? Was it that Francisco did not understand what the Permanent Secretary had said? What prevented the spokesperson from helping the Permanent Secretary further and defending the PMB government? Why must the provision of information be given only to accredited journalists? Even if the spokesperson is only authorized to disseminate approved information, why must a spokesperson not be diplomatic enough to avoid offending an information seeker? After all, the question to which a response is being sought is purely academic. It does not require any classified information but reflection. In any case, the general bad attitudinal disposition of the Foreign Ministry is manifested in many ways.

Secondly, it is useful to compare the hostile attitudinal disposition of the Foreign Ministry with the persuading attitude of the NiDCOM (Nigeria Diaspora Commission), headed by Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa.The Foreign Minister, Onyema and Dabiri-Erewa were part of the Nigerian official delegation to the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), held in Kenya. Many Nigerians expected that PMB and his Foreign Minister would be more concerned about the plight of stranded Nigerians in Ukraine, rather than going to Kenya. It was against this background that an inquiry was instigated to find out what explanations there might be to give the public.

The answer given by Abike Dabiri-Erewa speaks volumes:‘we are all working as we speak. There is an inter-agency team made up of

“

Grosso modo, Nigeria’s relationship with both Russia and Ukraine is what should be promoted and not promoting friendship with one to the detriment of the other. Nigeria’s call for Russian withdrawal of troops from Ukraine cannot but have serious implications for bilateral understanding. Already, a new Russian policy suspending the funding of foreign projects has been adopted and Nigeria’s Ajaokuta Steel industry cannot but be affected. In fact, there is a video in circulation in which Vladimir Putin told the world in Russian language that Russia would deal appropriately with Nigeria. As it is, Nigeria has more to gain from Russia than from Ukraine, bearing in mind the strategic importance of a quickly completed Ajaokuta Rolling Mill. The Russo-Ukraine conflict is one case that requires not only taking decision based on sovereign national interest but also not at all being partisan. Nigeria’s partisan alignment with Ukraine cannot bring peace but only deepen it. International politics as conducted and managed today is largely driven by unfairness, injustice, and impunity. Nigeria does not need to add salt into existing injury

Permanent Secretary of the MFA, NEMA, NiDCOM, NIA, Immigration, coordinating the evacuation expected to begin tomorrow.

All Nigerians who have successfully crossed to Poland, Romania, Hungary, etc. have been received and catered for by our Missions.’

More significantly, Dabiri-Erewa said that the Foreign Minister and the Nigerian Ambassador to Poland ‘are doing everything to resolve the non-admittance of particularly African migrants at the Ukraine/Polish border and as announced by the Minister, evacuation begins tomorrow,’(Wednesday, 2nd March, 2022). From this statement, it is the NiDCOM that is apparently giving hope to Nigerians, that is providing intelligible explanations. When compared to the Foreign Ministry, the position of the NiDCOM, as represented by its Chief Executive, is persuading and convincing. The position of the Foreign Ministry is very noisome and reckless, very uninspiring, and unpatriotic.

Probably the lackadaisical attitude of the Foreign Ministry may not be limited to itself. Last week, the National Association of Nigerian Students went to present their concerns to the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, in Abuja. After listening to the NANS president who led the delegation, the Minister said only one good point was made by the students, which was the need to involve the students in the quest for solutions to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike. Having said that, the education minister stood up and left in arrogance. The students said they would embark on strikes that would be more serious than EndSARS strikes if their concerns are not addressed. The Minister could not think of the need to begin to disarm the students through persuasion, explanation of challenges confronting the Government, but only thought that the students were rude to him. Is the Government not rude to the striking lecturers by always taking with kid gloves agreements it voluntarily signed with lecturers? Non-performance of duties can warrant reactive rudeness. To prevent rudeness is to be always upright. Hiding under rudeness for non-performance is nothing more than a cover up. No nation can survive based on arrogant attitudinal incompetence. The Education Minister’s attitude is another manifestation of recklessness.

A third expression of foreign policy recklessness is the advice of Nigeria that Russia should withdraw its troops from Ukraine. This advice is most unfortunate because if Russia has defied UNGA resolutions on the Russian-Ukraine dispute, why should Nigeria expect that her own advice will mean anything to Russia? UN statements on the dispute have been generally rhetorical. The dispute is fundamentally between Russia and its allies, on the one hand, and the NATO countries, on the other hand. Nigeria cannot have greater influence than the UNGA in more meaningfully addressing the Ukrainian saga.

Unfortunately, too, Nigeria does not have any diplomatic history, tradition, or legacy to learn from. Government does not even bother to seek to sustain the Nigerian diplomatic tradition of the early 1960s and 1970s when Nigeria was the cynosure of all foreign policy eyes in international relations. Epicharmus once told us in his Fabuloe Incertoe, that‘the wise man must be wise before, not after, the event.’

Without exaggeration, Nigeria does not learn before and does not learn after any event. Even though Lord Tennyson Alfred has also observed that‘knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers,’there is no foreign policy wisdom in Nigeria that has the potential to linger or to be protective of the Nigerian national interest.

There was the time Professor Bolaji Akinwande Akinyemi came up with the ideas of a Black Bomb, a Concert of Medium Powers, and a foreign Policy Doctrine. The policy doctrine especially requires a country to consult with Nigeria before any partisan support is given.

Today, even if we want to put Nigeria’s call for Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine within the context of the need to fulfill UN obligations, the implications for national interest must still be first considered. Nigeria’s foreign policy position vis-à-vis the RussianUkrainian dispute clearly depicts a self-inflicting punishment invited by the Government on the Nigerian people.

Nigeria’s Peace by War Alignment Foreign Minister Onyeama was quoted as saying on 25 February 2022, during his meeting with envoys of the G-7 countries in Abuja, Nigeria that‘peace and diplomacy … be prioritized by both sides,’ and that ‘we support every effort being made to stop the aggression,’and that ‘Russian troops (should) return to Russia.’Mr. Onyeama implied that Russia is the aggressor in his statement, and therefore the international responsibility of Russia should be called to question. The statement is strategically myopic because a polemological analysis of any conflict requires investigating not simply the immediate causal factors, but particularly the profound and remote causes, the coincidental and accidental factors. Nigeria’s foreign and strategic calculations, most unfortunately, have completely ignored these factors.

Asking that both countries should give priority to peace and diplomacy is good and welcome an interventional advice. However, to further advise that Russia should withdraw its troops from Ukraine is unnecessarily very partisan. This is not the first time of Russian invasion. The United States, with the active support of its NATO Allies, is also on record to have invaded many countries in the past.

Both the United States and Russia, as successor to the former Soviet Union, are internationally guilty of aggression of many Member States of the United Nations. If Nigeria opted to keep quiet when the United States and its allies were aggressing other countries, why is Nigeria raising eyebrows now?

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 6, 2022

66

ENGAGEMENTS

with ChidiAmuta e-mail:chidi.amuta@gmail.com

What If Putin Flips?

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efore our very eyes and at an unexpected moment, a horror movie may be unfolding. Last Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, warned that a Third World War between Russia and NATO is possible and that it would be a nuclear war. On the same day, Russian artillery fire set off a blaze at a Ukrainian nuclear facility, the largest in Europe. Luckily, before dawn on Friday, Ukrainian fire fighters had put out the fire. Still on the same day, French President Emmanuel Macron after a telephone conversation with Putin cautioned that: ”the worst is yet to come.” Later in the day, it was a visibly jittery and troubled Putin that addressed Russians and the world to affirm that the invasion of Ukraine was going well according to his plan.

Instructively, the broadcast was interrupted twice as Putin stood up in front of global television to adjust his ill-fitting jacket, all the time shying from eye contact with the audience in spite of a teleprompter ahead of him.

The fog of the Ukrainian war could produce a more frightening outcome than the familiar tragedies of war. Vladimir Putin may mutate into a real dangerous foe not only for Ukraine but for the rest of humanity. Russia is being incrementally isolated. Crippling sanctions on all fronts threaten to strangulate Russia’s enclave economy. More directly, for the first time, Putin’s personal wealth and those of his support cast of oligarchs spread all over the world has been targeted by sanctions

by Europe and the United States.

Under the impact of the volley of sanctions, Russia’s economy is likely to begin to tank in less than 90 days. Financial services are beginning to feel the impact. The Russian Central Bank has adjusted interest rates up from 9% to over 20%. Key Russian banks have been excluded from the strategic international SWIFT network.

That literally locks them out of the international banking and transactional super market. Putin has prohibited Russians from making international transfers. It is predicted that life could become quite hard for ordinary Russians in the next couple of weeks.

Already anti war protests in Russia have been on the increase since the beginning of hostilities with Ukraine, leading to the arrest and detention of over 6000 Russians. If you add this number to the multitude being held in various detention centres for previous protests, it becomes hard to fathom how much repressive capacity Vladimir Putin possesses. Meanwhile, elite dissent is growing as a large group of Russian intellectuals last week issued a forceful statement against the Ukraine invasion. From anti war protests, Russia’s already bulging political opposition could swell into hardship riots as product shortages hit shop shelves. The pressure on Putin’s hold on power could swell to breaking point. Unfortunately, Russia’s democratic institutions are fragile and revolve around Mr. Putin’s stranglehold on power. In the event of increased popular domestic pressure, the threat on Putin’s hold on power could unravel and plunge Russia into something too frightening to name.

Meanwhile, the advance of Russian columns into the Ukrainian capital and other cities is being frustrated and stalled by the patriotic resistance of ordinary Ukrainians. After over one week of an invasion originally programmed to last no more than a few days, the world ought to be concerned about the cumulative effects of these frustrations on the psychology of Mr. Putin, an unrepentant autocrat and repressive tyrant. Intelligence investigations into the state of Mr. Putin’s present state of mind may be closer to what the moment demands.

There are enough reasons why Mr. Putin could become more dangerous to us all. An unpredictable autocrat presiding over a nuclear super power is not exactly a pleasant playmate. An autocrat who is easily the richest man in the world can acquire the mindset of a God figure with the power of life and death over the rest of humanity.

An ex- KGB officer with an inscrutable face and shadowy family life may not worry much about the familiar moral qualms of regular mortals about human lives and ultimate tragedy. Worse still, a man with a permanent nostalgia for the defunct great USSR and the days of Cold War sabre rattling can pursue his obsession at the expense of others if events keep pushing him to the brinks of sanity.

Putin When such a man is encircled, his country isolated, his military rendered ineffectual and his private fortunes threatened, it is uncertain how far he can go in seeking revenge against those he sees as his traducers. Throughout history, the mind of a typical autocratic demagogue has been an area of darkness, full of uncanny possibilities.

On hindsight, I shudder to think of what could have become of the world if Hitler had access to the codes of a nuclear weapons system. In the isolated seclusion of his bunker, he ordered some of the most massive military assaults that humanity has known during the Second World War. The body count meant nothing to him.

But here we are today with Mr. Putin, a real autocrat with a record of serial murders of his opponents. He is in control of the world’s second largest arsenal of lethal and nuclear weapons. How far could he go to hurt the rest of the world just to assuage his injured ego? How far will Putin go just to prove to the world that he is not necessarily weak and will not go down in humiliation? Could Vladimir become demented by frustrations of his territorial ambitions in Ukraine and beyond as to do the kind of irrational things that similar figures have done in history?

Russia as an isolated rogue state is not the best prospect in a world dominated by aspiring democracies. Over 85% of the nations of the world are now democracies or aspiring democracies. In that world, an illiberal democracy or fringe autocracy such as Russia is not your favourite next door neighbor. Worse still, a nuclear super power presided over by an unstable dictator with an injured ego and threatened financial fortunes is a nightmare that could blow up in our faces.

Already, Mr. Putin has placed his most strategic military units including his nuclear command, at alert and in an active disposition. Lethal weapons banned by the Geneva Convention have already been reportedly put to use in only a few days of the Ukraine invasion.

The best way out of this possible nightmare is to show Mr. Putin clearly marked exit points to escape from the consequences of his disastrous judgment. Clearly, he miscalculated his chances in the Ukraine mission. He probably underestimated the extent to which Ukrainians detest and even hate the Russians. You cannot sustain a massive military campaign in a terrain where the occupying force is so despised. Also, Mr. Putin never estimated the groundswell of international opposition that his invasion of Ukraine would attract. More tragically, he probably did not calculate the character of Russia’s post war relations with the European states and former

Soviet republics that Russia has to live with in perpetuity.

Every war ends in peace. The best prosecutors of wars are also the most creative seekers of peace. Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are an encouraging sign. But Mr. Putin would rather negotiate with Ukraine as a conqueror hence his armoured columns are proceeding into central Ukraine just as his peace delegation meets with Ukrainian officials. It is doubtful if the two parallel lines will meet somewhere in a bombed out Ukraine. Putin would probably find more satisfaction if the West is an open guarantor of the dubious peace he is seeking through the backdoor.

The West can help Mr. Putin find a convenient exit point out of the cage he has built around himself. But the interest of a more enduring world peace is not served by the present attitude and rhetoric of the US and the West. It is a good thing to marshal a global coalition against a menacing adversary of the international rule- based order.

It is also in order to contain a belligerent autocrat who tramples on the sovereignty of less powerful nations. It is quite understandable to pile up crushing sanctions to bend such a determined aggressor. Adversarial propaganda and guided lies such as we are witnessing from both sides on all media platforms is a legitimate part of the tradition of warfare. The Ukrainians who are at the receiving end of this assault know where the truth of this war really lies.

But the premature triumphalism ofWashington and the West is wrongheaded and could produce a more dangerous Putin. We must not forget; the object of this war is not the humiliation of Russia or Putin even though Mr. Putin provoked it. The object of the war is the protection of the sovereign integrity of independent states from the aggression and deliberate belligerence of more powerful nations. It is of course in the enlightened self -interest of the US and the West to contain Russian influence and Putin’s territorial ambitions. But in the end, the world still needs a powerful stable Russia as a bulwark against the excesses of the West just as much as we need a wealthy Europe and the US to demonstrate the relative advantages of liberal democracy and the power of the free market.

For those who are desirous or anxious about how this war will end, there are a few certainties.

First, Russia can neither crush nor annihilate Ukraine. Second, Russia will not be able to prevail against a coalition of the US, NATO and the rest of the free world. Third, the coalition of pro-Ukrainian forces will not be able to defeat Rus-

sia and exclude it from the international system. A humiliated Russia is an unlikely historical oddity.

The risk that Mr. Putin could flip on the side of ultimate evil and catastrophe is not the only unintended consequence of this war. Other more foreseen and anticipated outcomes of war have come out in full display in less than a week of the invasion. Civilian deaths have topped 700 and still counting. Russian combatant deaths are climbing by the day. Infrastructure is being systematically destroyed. Psychologically, Ukrainians have become united more than ever under a banner of patriotic national resistance and defense. Russia is the unsavoury aggressor while Putin is the irredeemable villain.

An unplanned refugee crisis and humanitarian disaster is in the making. Close to a million Ukrainians and others have streamed across the borders into neighbouring states. Foreign nationals resident in Ukraine have also been affected too.

Between Putin and Zelensky, a familiar paradigm of good versus evil has emerged. A former comedy star who once acted a comic president and then became an actual president has in his heroic stance against Russian aggression turned out a real national hero and war time president.

Irrespective of how this war ends, president Zelensky has secured his place in world history as a Ukrainian hero and wartime leader of global stature.

Making a villain out of Putin requires little effort. Mr. Putin has not surprised anyone. A fierce autocrat with an insensitive bearing and inscrutable visage is the material out of which history moulds villains. Hitler, Stalin, Mussolin etc. But in acting out his predictable role, Mr. Putin may be on the way to destroying whatever legacy he may have created in three decades of power and leadership over Russia.

On the diplomatic front, the world has united against Russia’s aggression. A barrage of United Nations resolutions in condemnation of Russia has lined up two thirds of the member states behind Ukraine. It is significant that votes against Russia’s role in Ukraine have cut across familiar boundaries. All Third World countries especially African countries that used to take a more sympathetic view of Russia have voted to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Communist era ideological solidarity is dead; long live the ideology of the market place and liberal democracy. Hungary and Turkey, known allies of Russia, have also broken ranks. The prospects of a more isolated Russia have become real, clear and present.

Worse still, Europe and the United States have slammed a quick avalanche of punishing and crushing sanctions on Russia, Putin and his support cast of oligarchs both at home and in diaspora.

An estimated $650 billion in Russia’s external reserves has been sterilized. The Moscow Stock Exchange was closed for most of last week. For the first time, sanctions have targeted Mr. Putin and his top Kremlin crew. Cash, choice real estate, luxury private jets, yachts and other assets of Russian oligarchs, friends and associates of Mr. Putin are being confiscated all over the West.

Before we are all carried away in the nasty exchange of sanctions and reprisals, we must not forget the cardinal rules of international relations that lie at the root of this conflict. They are the principles of the sanctity of the sovereign territorial integrity of nations no matter how weak or strong, big or small. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a flagrant violation of this principle. Its deliberate carving up of Ukrainian territory by recognizing the breakaway regions as sovereign republics is a deepening of this annoying original violation.

On the other hand, there is the countervailing principle of Spheres of Influence. Under that convention, Russia has a right to see Ukraine as part of its sphere of influence for historical and strategic reeasons. Recognotion of that sphere of influence does not permit Russia to invade Ukraine; it only allows it to act in a manner to protect that sphere. While Ukraine may have a sovereign right to join or associate with the European Union, its right to join NATO, which is a military alliance, is hindered by the convention of spheres of influence. Everything in the history of Russia and the independence of Ukraine dictates that matters of military alliance and security between the two states ought to be negotiated and agreed upon without the necessity of war.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MARCH 6, 2022

67

GLITZ TRIBUTE

Onukaba Adinoyi-Ojo

Missing the Maskless Masquerade Five Years After Tunde Olusunle

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t was four days to his 57th birthday.

Exactly five years ago on Sunday, March 5, 2017, however, Onukaba Adinoyi-Ojo, one of Nigeria’s finest, most innovative and most resourceful journalists of all time, died in continually befuddling circumstances. He had attended the 80th birthday celebration of his erstwhile benefactor and boss, Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s pioneer president in the current democratic milieu in Abeokuta, earlier that day. He was being chauffeured back to his base in Abuja, by a kinsman and friend, Adas Sadiq, a chartered accountant. The evening was speedily creeping in, dusk decisively outwitting the day in the horizon. He had attuned his mind to night stop in Akure or Okene, his hometown, a situation which diminished every thought of a long haul to the country’s capital city on Nigeria’s capricious roads, where he set out from, two days earlier.

According to accounts, Onukaba and his friend, ran into a roadblock mounted by armed robbers, around Ilara Mokin community, on the Ilesha-Akure road, about 10 minutes away from the Ondo State capital, that evening. Seeing that commuters were fleeing their vehicles and seeking refuge in the vegetation on either side of the road, he followed suit with Sadiq. They took cover in various sections of the bush in the melee.

A vehicle which reportedly escaped from the immediate jurisdiction of the daredevil criminals, lost control and skidded into Onukaba’s haven, killing him instantly. Probably oblivious he had killed someone, or still jittery that he was still within the span of the robbers he had just outwitted, the driver dragged his car from the scene and fled. It was a police team which, typically, arrived after the fact, that discovered his body in the *agbada* he wore on that day.

Onukaba Adinoyi-Ojo’s reputation went far ahead of him, before our eventual meeting, in the buildup to Obasanjo’s ascension to the presidency, late 1998. He had built the reputation of a fearless, fiery, dogged and prolific journalist, an inspiration to would-be professionals. His reports, mostly from the aviation beat, domiciled primarily at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA), Lagos, bore a novel vibrancy. They got featured prominently in the newspaper he worked for, The Guardian. It was on this beat he first met Obasanjo back in 1984, and they subsequently struck a father-son kind of relationship. Onukaba, who departed Nigeria for further education in 1989, had obtained a masters degree in journalism and a doctorate in performance studies in New York University, (NYU). He had kept in touch with Obasanjo over the years.

In furtherance of this pre-existing relationship with Obasanjo, Onukaba returned to Nigeria late 1998 to lend a helping hand, in the publicity directorate of the campaign infrastructure. The division was very ably led by Onyema Ugochukwu, one of Nigeria’s iconic media professionals. I was already the campaign press secretary to Obasanjo, accompanying him everywhere he went on the political trail and coordinating my small media team to ensure comprehensive and timely reportage of events. Onukaba was seamlessly integrated into the publicity directorate and that was our first encounter. We hit it off straightaway.

I was curious about Onukaba’s doctoral thesis, which he explained to me, focused on masked masquerade performances in Ebiraland. Having watched some masquerade engagements, notably the echane and ekuechi festivals in Okene the heartland of the Ebira, I spontaneously coined a nickname for him, “masquerade!” This was my trademark for addressing him till the very end. A number of our mutual friends adopted my coinage.

Late Adinoyi-Ojo

Whenever I told my wife I needed to see masquerade, she knew who it was.

Onukaba equally had a subsisting relationship with Atiku Abubakar, who was selected as Obasanjo’s running mate ahead of the presidential election of February 1999.

The same year he first engaged Obasanjo in 1984 at the Lagos airport, he equally met Atiku who was the area administrator of the Nigerian Customs, with his office at the Lagos airport. They got on well in the line of duty and became good friends. Fortuitously therefore, Onukaba had two “foster fathers” in the emerging political structure.

Following the inauguration of the Obasanjo/Atiku presidency, May 29, 1999, Onukaba was appointed Special Assistant on Media to the Vice President.

The administrative template established by the new administration was somewhat convoluted. It provided that appointees were first and foremost, personnel of the President, before deployment variously, to offices, agencies and departments. A curious component of this arrangement was that the President could reassign or fire officials across the board in his government. After a few months in office therefore, Obasanjo redeployed Onukaba to Lagos as Managing Director of the Daily Times of Nigeria, (DTN).

He returned to Abuja in May 2003, upon the inauguration of Obasanjo and Atiku for a second term. This time, he was designated Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Vice President on Media. Barely two years on the job, Onukaba was sacked by Obasanjo, for an innocuous press statement.

Onukaba had attempted to absolve Atiku from complicity in a purported bid for the erstwhile residence of the vice president in Lagos, under the monetisation and sale of government properties’ programme of the administration, in the line of duty, an undertaking Obasanjo construed as insubordination.

On the heels of this development, Onukaba’s mother-in-law, Anna Ebikere Ogirri, who heard the news of his exit from office in Benin City where she lived, got into a commuter vehicle, destined for Abuja to support her son-in-law and her daughter,

Rachael his wife, who was pregnant.

The date was April 5, 2005. She never make it. She died in an accident. A concerned Atiku, encouraged Onukaba to take a break with his young family which had earlier produced Asuku his little son, and proceed to the United States for a while.

Atiku placed Onukaba on a generous monthly stipend within that span. And the restless writer he was, Onukaba used the opportunity to firm up the manuscripts of a biography he was writing on Atiku. It was later published as: “Atiku: The Story of Atiku Abubakar.” Ebikere, named after her late grandmother, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, within the period.

While he was away, the governmentowned property Onukaba lived in, was reallocated and his properties almost thrown to the streets. I speedily rallied friends around to salvage his belongings, which we transferred to a property I had just developed at the time.

August 29, 2009, Rachael Akiomuado Ogirri Onukaba his wife, tragically died of cerebral malaria at 32.

A thoroughly flustered, despondent, bewildered and despairing Onukaba, soldiered on bravely for six years before marrying Memunat Aliyu-Onukaba, at a quiet ceremony attended by just a handful of we his close friends, in Kaduna. The union produced Onyeche, the baby of the family.

Amidst the general lachrymose and pervading gloom which attended Onukaba’s demise, Atiku established an “Adinoyi-Ojo Onukaba Endowment Fund,” to support the young family. At the fundraiser in Abuja, May 2, 2017, about N13 million was aggregated in cash and promissory notes. Atiku made the single largest contribution of N10 million. A Board of Trustees, chaired by this writer, which includes select family members and intimate friends of Onukaba, was emplaced. Side by side with this effort, Taiwo Obe, a longstanding friend of Onukaba, rallied friends and colleagues on the Lagos stretch, to poll resources for the family.

Happily, Onukaba’s family is wearing a brave face and trying to cope without their father. In the absence of both biological parents for Asuku and Ebikere, Memunat their stepmother is filling the gap, as well as she can. Onukaba’s siblings, notably Audu, have also been supportive. Frugal management of the Endowment Fund, ensured that Asuku and Ebikere continued their educational progression in one of the topmost private secondary schools in Abuja.

They completed their Senior Secondary School Education, (SSCE), in flying colours in that institution without being dislocated from an environment they had acclimatised in over time.

August 24, 2019, Atiku from his abode in Dubai, fulfilled his pledge, two years earlier, to grant fully-funded scholarships to any of Onukaba’s children desirous of studying at the American University of Nigeria, (AUN), in Yola, owned by him. Asuku Onukaba who turned 19 recently, is in his third year studying Software Engineering, in the institution. Ebikere has been taken up by her maternal uncles, Festus and Kenneth Ogirri, who both live in Houston.

Because she’s just 16, she’s been enrolled in a community college, pending her transfer to the university, when she is of age. Ebikere’s aunt, Ethel Ogirri-Omeye, lives next door in Canada, with her family. Last year, the proprietor of the “Cradle To Harvard” schools in Abuja, Phrank Shaibu, awarded a full scholarship to Onyeche, now five years old.

Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, a kinsman of the late Onukaba Adinoyi-Ojo, visited Onukaba’s family house in Ihima, Okene, during the Muslim three-day prayer for the departed, in March 2017. He promised to buy a property in Abuja for his family, when he learnt Onukaba lived in rented accommodation at the time of his demise. He noted that this contrasted with his looming public profile.

Bello directed his chief of staff at the time, Edward Onoja, who is now his deputy, to set up a meeting to this effect, between him and officials of the Endowment Fund, on the subject. Five years after, the meeting has not happened. Bello’s finance commissioner, Ashiru Idris, recently committed to reopening the matter with the Kogi State governor, to push it to a successful denouement, when I brought the issue to his attention.

Onukaba Adinoyi-Ojo, the masquerade who never donned a mask, continues to be missed by many. He was a gentleman par excellence, cerebral, imaginative, forthright, unsuited for Nigeria’s political madness and rapacious rat race. I reminded him in our several debates, that he was not cut out for a country like ours, which continues to confound the world with its self-inflicted ordered disorder, and disorderly order. I would tell him that a certain measure of “agbero” DNA, is needed to navigate the Nigerian conundrum, which I equated with Daniel Fagunwa’s 1938 novel in Yoruba, translated to English as “The Forest of a Thousand Daemons,” by Wole Soyinka.

I always insisted he was better a professor and knowledge producer in a Western country, where he would thrive as the journalist, playwright, biographer, scholar and arts connoisseur he was.

To be sure, his authorial production which includes eight published and performed plays and four biographies, among others, would be the envy of many professors today. At the time of his departure, he was collaborating with Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, a former chairman of the Federal Internal Revenue Service (FIRS), on a landmark publication on Nigeria’s multifarious ethnicities, which had many respected intellectuals and professionals as contributors. The first volume was all but ready before he left.

It’s been five years on and we miss Onukaba, every day.

Olusunle, PhD, poet, journalist, author and scholar, is a Member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, (NGE).

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MARCH 6, 2022

68

NEWS

News Editor: Gboyega Akinsanmi E-mail: gboyega.akinsanmi@thisdaylive.com,08152359253

Don’t Play Politics with Kano-Kaduna Rail Project, Amaechi Tells CCECC Summons contractors to Abuja Kasim Sumaina in Kano The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday gave a stern warning to China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC), the major contractor handling the ongoing Kano-Kaduna rail project for deliberately slowing down the

pace of work, thereby playing politics with the project.

Amaechi added that he was going to report the company to Mr. President and Nigerians in general to know exactly what is delaying the project set for commissioning by 2023.

The minister, while speaking to the press on the sidelines shortly

after inspecting facilities on the rail corridor, said: “CCECC is playing politics with the project.”

According to him, “The speed is extremely slow. They are supposed to have over 2,000 equipment on this project, they have just 541 so far.

“They claimed that over 300 are in Kaduna. We have sent a team to check.

But even if you add that, you will still have just over 800. Just over 800

equipment compared to 2,000 means something is wrong somewhere.

“I think the CCECC is beginning to play politics. They should move away from politics and focus on construction. And I think they need to complete the Kaduna-Kano rail as planned. I won’t say more than this until we meet with CCECC on Wednesday.”

Speaking further, Amaechi said:

“I know they will claim that we haven’t funded them, but part of their responsibility in the contract is for them to look for the money.

“CCECC hasn’t given us money.

Chinese haven’t given us money. So they can’t afford to delay it because is their responsibility to look for the money.”

He added: “That’s what the CCECC must do. But I will ad-

dress the press and Nigerians on Wednesday after we meet with CCECC. If there is no difference, I will tell the country what’s going on.

“I think what they are doing is delay the project for this government to come to end,” he stressed.

He maintain that the report from the project consultant show the project is just about five percent completed, which is unacceptable.

ARISE TV’s Laila Johnson-Salami Wins Int’l Award ARISE NEWS Channel’s Correspondent, Ms Laila Johnson-Salami, has won the inaugural International Women’s Day Awards Gala 2022.

Johnson-Salami, who was nominated in the Media and Journalism category, was selected alongside Founder and CEO of Ebony Life, Ms. Mo Abudu, and Chair of the Nigeria Chapter of Women in Film and Television, Ms Ajoke Silva.

The Awards Gala is organised by the British High Commission, the European Union Delegation and the Embassies of France, Germany and the United States of America in partnership with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment

of Women (UN Women) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Laila Johnson-Salami was described by the awards committee as “A rising star in media and journalism (who) is changing the narrative around gender equality, youth empowerment, climate action and social inclusion, one conversation at a time.”

The inaugural International Women’s Day Awards Gala 2022 is an event, which celebrates and recognises champions in promoting women’s leadership and gender equality in Nigeria whilst providing inspiration for accelerated actions towards this mandate.

Kalu, Rochas Meet over 2023 Presidency Sunday Aborisade in Abuja Two presidential aspirants from the South-east geopolitical zone, in the ruling All Progressives Congress, Senators Orji Uzor Kalu and Rochas Okorocha, met yesterday to discuss permutations towards the 2023 presidential elections and the fate of the Igbo in the poll.

Sources close to the two former governors said the duo, who are former governors of Abia and Imo states respectively, discussed

extensively behind closed doors.

THISDAY learnt Okorocha had prior to the meeting, visited Kalu, who is also the Senate Chief Whip, at hisAso-Villa residence. They were said to have exchanged pleasantries after which they departed Kalu’s residence to have lunch in the city centre, where they both held discussions.

Shortly after the dialogue, Okorocha decked in blue native attire escorted Kalu, who also wore grey coloured Polo T shirt and black coloured trouser pants, to his car.

‘Qatari Investment in Nigeria to Hit N500bn ‘ The Qatari government has said it has stepped up efforts to

boost investment in Nigeria with expectations to hit about N500 billion this year.

Ali Al-Hajri, ambassador of the state of Qatar to Nigeria, disclosed this on Friday at the Qatar-Nigeria Economic Forum in Abuja.

He said public and private investors from Qatar were looking forward to finding more opportunities between the two countries in trade and technology transfer.

“We are expecting that the Qatari Investment in Nigeria would reach

by the end of this year more than N500 billion ($1 billion),” he said.

According to him, through the forum — sponsored by Qatar Development Bank (QDB) — Qataris and Nigerians would find potential opportunities to build bridges of cooperation and partnerships in economic, cultural, and trade fields.

“This forum plays a role in creating a platform for all participants which reflects the wise leadership represented by the Emir of Qatar, Tamim Al Thani, and President Muhammad Buhari to deepen the bilateral relations,” Al-Hajri added.

SUPPORTING FINANCIAL SYSTEM… L-R: Pro-Chancellor, Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, Dr. Bode Ayorinde; Executive Commissioner/Legal and Enforcement, Securities and Exchange Commission, Mr. Reginald Karawusa; Registrar/Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Mr. Seye Awojobi; President, CIBN, Dr. Bayo Olugbemi; and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at the official inauguration of Bankers House in Abuja…weekend Julius Atoi

EU, GIZ Donate IT Equipment to ECOWAS Michael Olugbode in Abuja The European Union (EU) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the German government’s foreign aid agency, have handed over IT equipment to the ECOWAS Commission to ensure effective service delivery at the West African regional body.

This was part of technical assistance aimed at making ECOWAS meet international best practice standard in order to access financial and other supports from the EU

and other world donor agencies and foreign governments.

The EU and GIZ donated the equipment to the Commission on Friday in Abuja at the official launch of the EU funded Institutional Support to ECOWAS (ISE) programme, which is aimed at enhancing the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of the EU aid in West Africa.

Speaking at the programme held at the ECOWAS Training Centre in Abuja, the Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mrs. Cecile Tassin-

Pelzer,, said that the programme was developed to train internal personnel who will in turn train staff of the Commission.

She explained that the internal trainers will support in conducting regular training for old and new staff of ECOWAS institution.

She said: “It is my pleasure to welcome you to the formal launch of the EU funded Institutional Support to ECOWAS Programme.

“A 4.85 million Euro Programme also co-funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic

cooperation and Development and implemented by the GIZ. “Today, we shall be handing over equipment purchased under the programme to support the training center and celebrate the graduation of the center’s first set on internal ECOWAS Trainers.

“The Institutional Support Programme which we are launching today was developed as a follow-up to previous programmes to strengthen the Public Finance Management and Institutional Reforms initiated by ECOWAS.

Poverty Ravaging Northern Nigeria, Katsina Emir Cries out Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Emir of Katsina and Chairman Katsina State traditional council of chiefs, Dr. Abdulmuminin Kabir Usman, has lamented the spate of poverty in Northern Nigeria, saying the country’s poverty is domiciled in the region.

The traditional ruler stated this in Katsina when he received

in audience the members of the Arewa Organisations Movement for Asiwaju led by Senator Abu Ibrahim at his palace.

According to him, “I was in Lagos some two to three weeks ago, the first since 1967 and I have seen how Lagos commercial activities are transformed and I concluded that all the nation’s wealth is in Lagos state.

“But when you come back

here, the whole poverty of Nigeria is in the Northern part of the country. I say my mind even if is going to be a problem.

And I bear it even if it turns out to be a problem.

“I don’t speak from my mouth, I speak from my heart.

Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) says we should say the truth and if we can’t we should keep quiet”.

Earlier, the leader of the delega-

tion, Senator Abu Ibrahim, told the emir that Tinubu is capable of addressing the challenges afflicting Nigerians when elected as president of the country comes 2023.

He explained that the delegation was at the emir’s palace to solicit for his blessings, support and advices on how to actualised the dream of the Arewa Organisations Movement for Asiwaju.

Ortom Consults Kinsmen, Gets Nod to Contest Senate Seat

Further Postponement of APC Convention Has Dire Consequences, Say Stakeholders

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Ahead of 2023 politics, Governor Samuel Ortom has cleared speculations to his rumoured senatorial ambition as he formally sought the blessings of his kinsmen to contest the Benue North West senatorial seat.

According to a statement by his media aide, Nathaniel Ikyur, made available to THISDAY, the governor at a meeting with his Nzorov kinsmen comprising traditional rulers and other leaders on Saturday, March 5th,

2022 told them that he is now convinced to contest the Zone B Senate seat on the platform of the People’sDemocratic Party (PDP).

District head of Nzorov, Chief Gwatse Akaahena who spoke on behalf of traditional and political leaders gave their nod and affirmed their support for the governor to go ahead and run for the senate seat.

The traditional ruler said they were in full support of their son to not only contest and win the senate seat, but also conquer higher offices.

Some stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have raised the alarm that any further postponement of the party’s convention would impact the party negatively.

In a separate press statements at the weekend, the All Progressives Congress Convention Mandate Group and APC Young Legislators Forum asked that all party members should support the zoning formula already put in place.

Separate statements signed

by Mustapha Usman, the Chairman/ Convener of All Progressives Congress Convention Mandate Group and Hon. Kasimu Maigari, Chairman Forum of the Young Legislators Forum said President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to zone the Chairmanship of the party to North Central ahead of the party’s national convention come March 26 was in good light that should be supported by all.

Usman said: “The consensus reached during a meeting

with APC governors at the State House on Tuesday to zone the Chairmanship of the party to North Central and the consequent endorsement of Senator Abdullahi Adamu is, no doubt, a right step that would guarantee the success of the APC. “The endorsement of Senator Abdullahi Adamu by the President was carefully done with the idea of reinforcing the party to clinch victory in the forthcoming general elections. The APC has come to say. We all must

be under the obligation to help in championing this cause - the cause of ensuring that the party clinches victory at the polls and remains invincible.”

Usman added that: “Going through the dossier of Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, one may be forced to surmise that the technocrat has all it takes to steer the affairs of the party at the national level. Astute as he is, Adamu had at various times when he held notable positions within and outside his state demonstrated high

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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 ˾ MARCH 6, 2022

NEWSXTRA N53.3tn Banking Sector Contribution Excites Osinbajo Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has lauded the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) for its contribution to the growth of the Nigerian banking sector and the private sector.

Speaking at the commissioning of the new Bankers’ House in Abuja, Osinbajo noted that the banking industry contributed about N53.3 trillion to the country’s economy in 2020.

The Head, Corporate Communication and External Relations of CIBN, Nelson Olagundoye, released a statement to this effect yesterday.

The vice-president added that the industry also contributed N37.8 trillion in 2018, N42.7 trillion in 2019 and N53.3 trillion in 2020.

“The CIBN’s role in the private sector cannot be overstated.

In laying the parameters for professional and ethical conduct, healthy competition, and continuous professional development, it has helped to guide the evolution of a banking industry that has grown to become the envy of the continent,” Osinbajo said.

He said that the country has six unicorns, tech companies valued at over $ 1 billion, noting that all the companies “started after 2015, and have grown between two recessions”.

“In 2021 African tech startups raised over $4 billion in funding, with over 564 startups across the continent solving critical problems in almost every sector.

Nigeria accounted for 35 percent of this,” he added.

“This is why we put such great premium on the resourcefulness and strength

of our private sector.”

CIBN president, Bayo Olugbemi, said the new edifice was a fulfiLlment of a dream long conceived.

He said when the seat of government moved to Abuja in 1991, the institute became desirous of establishing its presence at the FCT. “Since then, several attempts were made at acquiring land or landed properties in the FCT, but the efforts were frustrated by disputes on the various

properties, especially those statutorily allocated to the Institute,” he said.

“Not discouraged by these challenges, the Institute doggedly forged ahead in its quest for a presence in the FCT. The result of the various initiatives that were engaged is what culminated in the purchase and development of the edifice we are commissioning this morning.”

According to him, the new Banker’s House would include

the CIBN national secretariat Abuja office and the permanent secretariat of the Alliance of African Institute of Bankers (AAIOB).

He said the building would feature a learning/incubation hub, a banking hall, a multipurpose hall and a training facility sponsored by Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).

“Spaces are available for branding, and I want to call on the banks and other corporate bodies to pick up available

spaces to project their brands,” he said.

In his intervention, the Chairman, Bankers’ House implementation committee and Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Tony Elumelu, said that the inauguration of the building was a “dream come true”.

According to the statement, Elumelu, represented by Emmanuel Nnorom, chief executive officer, Heirs Holdings, paid N25 million for the branding of UBA hall in the building.

Devastated Delta Oil Community Begins Protest Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba The people of Iwhrekan, an oil and gas producing community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, have threatened massive protest over what they termed long years of neglect by oil companies operating in the locality.

They said that they have run out of patience and appealed to the federal and state governments to come to the aid of the people and rescue them from health, economic and social challenges due to environmental degradation, including pollution of water bodies and farmlands resulting from oil exploitation.

The Iwhrekan people stated this at one-day ‘Community Diagnostic Dialogue’ held in the community hall at the weekend, organized by Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), which vowed to partner negatively

impacted communities to address environment injustice.

Speaking on behalf of Iwhrekan community, Elder Victor Onokere, said that although they are host community to ND Western (formerly SPDC) with the first and second phases of the multi-billion dollar Utorogu Gas Plant, the people have nothing to show for it than destroyed fishing water, farmlands, houses and all manner of health challenges.

He said that the oil and gas companies have apparently been taking the community for granted because Iwherekan has been too quiet as a peace loving community.

Onokere said, “We are calling on the ND Western, they are the people in charge, all these companies we have mentioned today, they are working with them. There are contractors working under ND Western. We will stage a protest for the whole world to hear us, to know what we are suffering here.

New Police Dress Code Illegal, Says Adegboruwa A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has faulted the new dress code approved for policewomen by the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Usman Baba Alkali.

In his view, the IG appeared to have used the new dress code to enforce religion, which contravened the constitution. On Friday, Acting Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, announced in a statement that the “new and improved” dress code would now allow female police officers to wear stud earrings.

Adejobi said the female police officers would also be permitted to wear headscarves under their berets or peak caps while in uniform.

He said the dress code was unveiled during the IG’s meeting with strategic police managers on Thursday. “The police have a workforce from every local govern-

ment in the country with different ethnic and religious backgrounds.

“This, therefore, brings the need to guarantee inclusion, gender mainstreaming, ethnic and religious diversity in the workplace for optimum output and professionalism.

“This has informed the improvement for effective global workforce diversity management.

“Other countries that have adopted the same dress code include Canada, the United States of America, Sweden, Turkey, Australia and the United Kingdom,” he said.

But Adegboruwa, in a statement on Saturday, said the change was illegal and must be reversed immediately.

The activist-lawyer said: “On March 4, 2022, the Inspector-General of Police purported to unveil a new dress code for the Nigeria Police Force, especially female officers, who are to be allowed to wear coverings or hijab, etc.

Burial Date for Oluremi Obembe The family of the late Archbishop Joseph Olanrewaju Obembe and the leadership of El-Shaddai Bible Churches have announced the transition to glory of Bishop (Mrs.) Oluremi Obembe, who was called to glory on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.

ServiceofSongsholdson Thursday, March 10, 2022, by 4.00pm at the

El-Shaddai Bible Church, Great Grace Cathedral, POW1 Corporation Drive, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Funeral service holds on Friday, March 11, 2022, between 10.00am-12noon. Interment follows immediately at El-Shaddai Bible Church, Breakthrough Cathedral, 70-72, Ogudu RoadOjota Lagos.

FARE THE WELL FATHER …

L-R: Son of the deceased, Mr. Wale Ojo; Widow, Mrs. Theresa Ojo; Sons of the deceased, Mr. Niyi Ojo; and Mr. Muyiwa Ojo, at the funeral service for Pa Joseph Adeleye Ojo at the All Souls’ Church, Bodija, Ibadan... Friday ETOP UKUTT

Lagos Seals Event Centre Where Petrol was Shared as Souvenir Officials of the Lagos Safety Commission and the Rapid Response Squad sealed Havillah Event Centre, Oniru, for contravening public safety rules for allowing sharing of the petroleum product in jerry cans.

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor of Lagos State on New Media,

Jubril Gawat, said the Lagos State Police Commissioner has ordered the arrest of those involved.

“There is no doubt that this action is dangerous and can lead to loss of lives and property,” Lagos State Commissioner for Information Gbenga Omotoso said in a statement earlier on

Saturday.

Omotoso said sharing petrol as a souvenir is blatantly against all safety measures in such places.

“The Lagos State Government, through the Safety Commission, is investigating this matter and will ensure that all parties to this reprehensible

action are made to account for it.

“The safety of lives and property of Lagosians and visitors remains a top priority to the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration. We, therefore, advise that actions that can lead to loss of lives and property be avoided.”

Gowon: How Successive Govts Slowed Nigeria’s Development Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja A former Military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, has lamented the deficit of rapid development in Nigeria, disclosing that the failure of successive governments to implement the 1975-1980 National Development was responsible for the country’s snail-paced development.

Gowon, the longest-serving leader of the federation, added that the failure of successive governments to adhere to the beautiful work of the dedicated Nigerian military officers led by Gen. Damkat Bali denied Nigeria the benefit of coordinated

development for a great nation.

He expressed this concern during the public presentation of a book in Abuja Friday, pointing out that, if successive governments had not abandoned the national development plan, Nigeria would have developed far beyond what it is today.

Written by the widow of the late general, Mrs. Esther Bali, the book was titled “General Domkat Yah Bali (GCON) as Ponzhi Tarok Designate: a Contextual Analysis of the Imbroglio.”

The book presentation was attended by the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, a

former Minister of Sports and Youths Development, Solomon Dalung and the founder of the Abuja-based King Adebayo Film and Theatre Arts Network Television, Prince Adewole Adebayo, among others.

Speaking at the presentation, Gowon lamented Nigeria’s slow development, maintaining that if successive governments in Nigeria “had maintained the prescription in the development plan and stuck to it, Nigeria would have been a great nation, far better that it has attained.

He said: “If only the development plan that we had at that time, 1975 - 1980, was implemented,

Nigeria would have witnessed rapid development. If they had carried it through, it would have made all the difference.”

Gowon said the level of loyalty “to the state by officers at the time and commitment to service was one he owed greatly to his subordinates, including Bali “All these achievements, we can say, I really owe it to General Bali and all those young officers in those days though, young as they were, they shouldered those responsibilities far, far above their age and experience.”

CDIAL Holds Panel Session on DigitiSing Indigenous Languages at 2022 Social Media Week The Centre for DigitiSation of Indigenous Languages (CDIAL) on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, held a panel session at the 2022 social media week with the theme “Localising Digital, Digitising Local: making the case for Indigenous Language Policy.”

The event, which took place at the NXT Tech stage innovation pavilion, had experts offering insights into the potential benefits of localized digital platforms to African citizens and businesses, from startups to large corporations,

especially in the creative, healthcare, financial and agricultural sectors.

Speaking during the panel session, the founder of CDIAL, Yinka Iyinolakan, said that education is essential and having the right Indigenous language policy can help a significant proportion of the Nigerian population gain access to quality education even without them being able to speak the English Language. He stated that there was a need for Nigeria to own its languages and culture by embracing digitalization to aid

the provision of infrastructure and get the right products and information into the right hands.

Furthermore, Mr Iyinolakan reiterated the importance of collaboration, stating that everybody has a role in ensuring that opportunities are expanded to people who don’t speak English. “The government needs to be involved in the digitization of indigenous languages. It is important to note that policy reforms are a long process, but the people make up the government. They can, through

effective collaboration, ensure that Indigenous language policy is instituted and implemented,” Mr Iyinolakan stated. He also noted that the average Urban resident Nigerian speaks at least three languages, and for an indigenous language policy, all languages must be recognised through inclusiveness.

Furthermore, Iyinolakan noted the importance of embracing digitisation through the use of Machine language that can help solve education, financial and security problems.

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SUNDAY MARCH 6, 2022 • T H I S D AY

71

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 6, 2022

BOOK REVIEW

8QÀQLVKHG *UHDWQHVV Dr. Joe Abah

T

here is a depth of disillusionment and frustration with Nigeria’s perennial inability to fulÀll its true potential that has led many to a pessimistic and defeatist response to national issues.

New ideas and initiatives are often viewed with cynicism and the preemptive evaluative judgment of “It will never work” is passed on new initiatives before they even commence.

Unfortunately, the pessimist is often right, and it doesn’t work. When an intention is announced to tackle a problem, many commentators say “Talk is cheap! I know it won’t be implemented.” When people start giving testimonies that things appear to be changing, the refrain is often “That is not enough! Is this what we should be celebrating now when others are sending probes to Mars? Anyway, I know it won’t be sustained.” And when eventually the optimist points out that the new initiative has actually been working successfully for a while now, the next statement is “That is not our problem now.”

Even the greatest optimist cannot fault this pessimistic and defeatist view because it has been forged by very many examples, over very many years, of poorly designed initiatives, lack of intellectual rigour, poor preparation, poor implementation, endemic corruption, lack of ambition, policy somersaults and lack of sustainability. How then does an optimist oͿer a compelling and credible, solution-focused, alternative narrative without denying the challenges in the environment or the unenviable track record of failure? It is not often that a book review includes a review of the book’s Foreword but, in discussing this tension between justiÀed pessimism and informed optimism, the Foreword by Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, succinctly and intelligently sets the context for the whole book.

Although Dr Kayode Fayemi’s book is a collection of essays, there is a coherent narrative thread running through the whole book. In the words of the author, “the book oͿers the perspectives of a Àrm believer in a Nigerian national agenda of unity, freedom, justice, and equity.” Those perspectives are oͿered in the knowledge that national development is not necessarily a linear process or a one-oͿ activity that if you just undertook you wouldn’t need to make any other eͿort. My boss, Jim Boomgard, the President and CEO of DAI once said: “There is no ‘silver bullet’ in development, no single sector or region or discrete problem that if we just got right, everything else would fall into place. Development is a messy combination of systemic problems that play out in unique contexts all over the world. Failures typically outnumber successes (and often blur into one another) and the emphasis must always be on learning.”

The Àrst chapter, which shares the same title as the book, tackles the question as to whether we need strategic demolition to remake a nation. It recognises that there is a wide range of opinions as to how Nigeria can be remade, ranging from decentralisation to devolution and even to agitations for outright secession. Fayemi lists several challenges bedevilling Nigeria’s nationhood, including overcentralisation of power, a revenue sharing formula skewed in favour of the federal government, and a predominantly youthful population that have only ever heard tales of a Nigeria that once lived up to its part of a social contract, but have never actually witnessed it.

Several people blame our inability to fulÀll our potential on what some term “the mistake of 1914” but Fayemi argues that calling Nigeria’s amalgamation a mistake would itself be a mistake, because the peoples that now make up Nigeria have interacted and traded with each other before the map that we now have was drawn. The United States, the richest, most powerful nation in the world, is similarly an amalgamation of several peoples, some of which had their own Áags and deÀned territories before that amalgamation.

He, also, rightly in my view, questions those that blame all our problems on colonialism and posits that “Though now operated by Nigerians, the post-colonial state has been as alien and as predatory as its colonial predecessor.”

Fayemi posits that leaders must take responsibility and move away from the interminable blame game that tries to shift responsibility to others, including colonialists. The Kenyan Nobel Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai supports this view when she said: “Fifty years down the road, we ought to be doing things diͿerently.

You cannot blame corruption in Africa on colonialism.

You cannot blame colonialism for the excessive lifestyles that African leaders assume. You cannot blame it for the mismanagement of the economy or the fact that we have not invested in education. Yes, colonialism was terrible, but we out to be moving away from that by now.”

Fayemi asserts that whatever defects Nigeria currently has can be corrected without having to collapse the whole structure. He oͿers his perspective on why Nigeria has not fulÀlled its undeniable potential when he says “It appears to me however that the fundamental

challenge is that all along, we have been placing the cart before the proverbial horse. Before we can think of development, we must Àrst solve the problems of nation- building, because you cannot develop what you do not have.” He argues that there is a need to recompose the Nigerian state and make it derive its legitimacy from the people. This theme of restructuring reverberates throughout the book. While many have taken the term ‘restructuring’ to mean diͿerent things, he simply describes it as a way to reimagine our country to make it work eͿectively for everyone.

As we go into the political season, the focus of many Nigerians will be on which persons or groups will gain power and control over the rest of us. As we focus, rightly, on extending the longest continuous period of democratic rule that our country has ever had, let us also be mindful of the Jean Jacques Rousseau quote that says: “Before examining the act by which a nation elects a king, it would be proper to examine the act by which a nation becomes a nation; for this act, being necessarily anterior to the other, is the real foundation of the society.”

As Dr Fayemi said, we can correct the defects we have without having to collapse the whole structure.

However, the need to reformulate our union will not go away and must be addressed if we are to move forward.

Governance problems are unique, in that, left unattended, they only ever get worse, never better.

To examine the act by which Nigeria becomes a nation, it is my opinion that we need to set in motion a process that culminates in producing for us a totally new Constitution. That process must start with a patriotic dialogue about the kind of country we want. Although our current Constitution is said to have been modelled on the Constitution of the United States of America, the American Constitution has a certain endogenous legitimacy that the 1999 Constitution lacks: it was not handed to the American people by a military regime.

The opening lines of the U.S. Constitution says: “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union... do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” It is imperative that Nigerians have an honest dialogue that leads to a more perfect union. The fact that “We the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” did not actually “give to ourselves the Constitution” constitutes a fatal Áaw that cannot be cured by constitutional amendment. We need a new Constitution.

The book’s second chapter continues with the theme of restructuring. It argues for a restructuring of the politico-administrative system to allow for a greater degree of decentralised and devolved power that births a more workable federal arrangement. It also proposes the adoption of certain justiciable rights, similar to the American Bill of Rights which formed the Àrst 10 amendments to the Constitution of the United States.

The chapter also highlights the need for a national dialogue as a precursor to restructuring.

The third chapter is on the fascinating topic of ‘Intellectuals in Politics.’ Fayemi lays the foundation to the chapter by making references to the concept of the philosopher-king espoused by ancient Greek philosophers like Socrates, Pluto and Aristotle. He takes the position that “You need the enlightenment of the intellectuals and the raw talent of the grassroots politicians to be able to coagulate a workable political practice that serves the nation.” Coming to this realisation must have been a chastening experience for Fayemi, given that he lost his Àrst re-election bid as Governor to the now infamous “stomach infrastructure” phenomenon. After eventually winning his re-election in 2018, I had privately asked him to reÁect on his experience. With characteristic intellectual honesty, he said “Our administration was said to be too bookish.” However, he saw his re-election as a rejection of the short-termism and immediate gratiÀcation that came with ‘stomach infrastructure.’ While clearly not being a fan of ‘stomach infrastructure’, he did admit that every politician must acknowledge the place of populism and that “substance matters but symbols cannot be ignored.”

This is a realisation that any intellectual with political ambition will do well to bear in mind, particularly as the last decade has seen a global wave of populism and a disdain for intellectualism. The author makes clear that he is not suggesting that every intellectual goes into partisan politics but proposes that our politics requires “a new breed of enlightened, thoughtful, knowledgeable politicians with integrity and character, who are courageous, broadminded, balanced and are capable of living beyond their close circle to set a new path to our national rediscovery.”

Fayemi’s reÁections on the issue of intellectuals in politics continues into the fourth chapter in the book where he tackles the recurring theme of restructuring and autonomy, drawing on lessons from the life of one of Nigeria’s founding fathers, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Here, Fayemi, reiterates the point that a nation’s theory of development can only be derived from the consensus that has been forged on key national questions on issues such as identity, religion, participation, justice and the overall management of diversity.

Perhaps no intellectual in politics has been able to connect with the masses in the way that Mallam Aminu Kano did. His political philosophy was emancipatory politics, focused on the need to improve the lives of the ‘Talakawa’ (the ordinary citizen) through ideas, ideology and education, rather than through ‘stomach infrastructure.’

In framing the quest for national integration around the life of Mallam Aminu Kano in Chapter 5, Fayemi focuses on another theme on which there is a consistent thread throughout the book: the need for exemplary leadership.

One is reminded of the Chinua Achebe quote from the book ‘The Trouble with Nigeria’ that “The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example which are the hallmarks of true leadership.”

Leadership matters. Exemplary leadership matters more, as it is the connective tissue that binds the leader, including the intellectual-in-politics, to the ordinary citizen.

Chapter 6 emphasises the need for the media in Nigeria to continue to draw on its long tradition of promoting the imperatives of unity in diversity and democratic rule; and Chapter 7 tackles the thorny issue of the role of religion in elections.

Chapter 8 reÁects on turning the adversity occasioned

by Covid to opportunity. The lockdown in 2020 brought into very stark focus the fact that there are virtually no safety nets for artisans and people who can only earn their daily bread by setting forth each day. Fayemi saw the Covid crisis as an inÁexion point that we must take advantage of to realign our country’s long-term priorities and reset our development agenda.

Chapter 9 focuses on national security challenges and recognises that, apart from the physical insecurity occasioned by ethno-religious violence, militancy and insurgency, there is also a pervading feeling of a lack of safety in the populace. This has been compounded by widespread kidnapping, drug-fuelled crimes, internet fraud, child tra΀cking and the rising wave of ritual killings in the quest to get rich quick. Fayemi draws on his deep knowledge and experience of the security sector to oͿer ideas about tackling many of these issues.

In Chapter 10, Fayemi returns to the issue of restructuring, in reviewing 20 years of democratisation in Nigeria.

As an activist that was at the forefront of the struggle for a return to democratic rule, his assessment of successes and failures makes very interesting reading.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

Sunday March 6, 2022

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Adegboruwa to IG “The religion of public officers, including members of the security agencies, should be a private matter to them. The inspector-general of police is not competent to use the platform of his office to enforce religion” – Senior lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), faulting the approval of a new dress code allowing female officers in the Nigeria Police Force to wear hijab.

WAZIRIADIO POSTSCRIPT

Dissecting and Interrogating Electoral Act 2022

T

wo events kindled Nigeria’s alwaysactive political space last week. On 25th February, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Electoral Bill 2022 into law. The following day, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced new dates for party primaries and the 2023 general election. Both developments dispersed the dark cloud hovering around the law and the dates for next year’s crucial elections, and are thus commendable. Now that the Electoral Act 2022 is in place and the electoral management body has rolled out the timetable, some dissection and interrogation are in order.

To start with, the new electoral law has important provisions that should strengthen the hands of INEC, reduce the room for electoral mischief, expand participation and, all things being equal, enable the conduct of free, fair and credible elections next year and beyond. Yiaga Africa, a youth-led group that spearheaded advocacy for the new law, has published a nifty list of the top ten provisions of the law.

These provisions include early release of fund to INEC, electronic transmission of results, incorporation of the need of people living with disability, early conduct of primaries and commencement of campaigns, definition of over-voting, clarity on substitution of dead candidates, power of the electoral body to review results declared under duress, and the neutrality of INEC officials.

These are significant provisions that seek to address some of the observed lapses in our elections. The new law is a major improvement on the repealed Electoral Act 2010. This is forward motion, and that is how things should be: new laws or amendments to older ones should clarify grey areas, address emerging issues and introduce innovations. All those involved in this drawn process—the federal legislators, INEC, civic groups, the media and the president—deserve special praises.

Some of these consequential provisions are worth situating properly, and questioning even.

A major provision of the Act is that money meant for conduct of elections should be released to INEC early. Section 3 (3) of the Act states: “The election funds due to the Commission for any general election are to be released to the Commission not later than one year before the next general election.” This provision is designed to ensure that INEC can plan and undertake necessary procurements for the elections in advance. Not having money on time can constrain the capacity of the electoral management body to have adequate electoral materials and to deliver them on time. So, this is a good and practical provision.

By the new law, money for the 2023 general election should have been released to INEC in full (not in tranches) before or by 25 February 2022. It is not clear if this has been done. Given that the president signed the Act that same day and INEC announced the new timetable on 26th February, it is understandable if there is a slight delay. But the law is the law, and since the president has not sought an amendment to this aspect of the law, it has to be complied with. The N305 billion appropriated to INEC is some tidy sum in hard times but it is tiny in the grand scheme of things (less than 2% of the N17.12 trillion appropriated for the Federal Government for 2022). It is important to not disobey a duly passed law or to give the electoral umpire any excuse.

Buhari There are some other provisions that also have the potential of increasing the agency, the neutrality and the credibility of the election management body. Some of these include: Section 8(5) which frowns at and criminalises members of political parties seeking appointment in or being appointed to work in INEC; Section 47(2) which provides a legal basis for electronic accreditation of voters; Section 50(2) which allows INEC to determine means of transmitting election results; Section 51(2) which permits the returning officer to cancel results where total votes cast exceed the number of accredited voters; and Section 65(1) which grants INEC the power to review results declared under duress.

Some of these provisions are in response to some litigations or the games that politicians routinely play. While they may not be the cure-all that some people project them to be, some of these new provisions are potential game-changers.

Remarkably, the new electoral law mandates early conduct of primaries and early commencement of campaigns. Section 29 (1) of the Act stipulates that political parties must submit the lists of their candidates not later than 180 days to the election while Section 94 (1) states that political parties can commence campaigns 150 days to polling day. In line with the Act, INEC has announced the following timelines: parties must conduct their primaries between 4th April and 3rd June; parties must submit the lists of their candidates for federal elections between 10th and 17th of June and for state elections between 1st and 15th of July; and parties can start campaigns for federal elections on 28th September and for state elections on 12th October.

To be sure, a good case can be made for having candidates on time and for adequate time for the elections. For one, it makes for clarity. Second, it gives enough room for the resolution of pre-election issues which form the bulk of litigations around our elections.

Third, it provides the needed flexibility to address regular and unforeseen exigencies in election management. And most important, it affords INEC adequate time to plan for and handle the huge logistics undertaking

of organising elections in a challenging environment such as ours.

But there is always a trade-off. An obvious one is that the cost and burden of campaigning for elections will increase. The amount needed to campaign for two to three months may not be what is needed to campaign for five months. With primaries likely concluded in May and official campaigns starting in September/October, the real (as opposed to the official) campaign period may actually be nine months. Well, the political parties and the candidates will learn to pace themselves. But this extended campaign period will further disadvantage those with lean resources and possibly advantage those with access to public resources or those in a position to dispense patronage.

This leads to my most critical issue with early primaries/campaigns provisions: the potential impact on governance. With the timetable out, political actors and even the larger populace are more focused on politics and elections. Even critical policy decisions will be made with politics in mind. Clearly, politics is a key consideration in kicking deregulation down the road. It is reasonable to expect that governance, never really a priority for most in the public space anyway, will now be consigned to the shadows. Effectively, the next one year can be written off as the year of politics. It is tempting to think that the elected and appointed officials who are not running for elections will not be distracted and will focus fully on their briefs. Sadly, most of those in this category will be consumed with either installing their successors or positioning themselves for relevance or appointment in the next government. And for President Buhari, the lame-duck period arrived too early. A time that ordinarily should be used for focus intensely on unfinished businesses is likely to be a time of high distraction, even within his government.

On the surface, the disputed Section 84(12) of the Act was partially designed to address this challenge. And with candidates emerging almost nine months to elections, it makes a lot of sense to ask political appointees who have interest in running for office to step aside on time. When appointees have to contest in primaries (which involve some campaigning) and run campaigns for the main elections for a long period, it stands to reason that there will be conflict of interest, unfair advantage and divided attention, all at the expense of the public. This needs to be addressed, but not in the manner stated in Section 84(12).

I believe President Buhari is right in objecting to that section because I think it in is conflict with the constitution. Section 18(12) of the Act disqualifies political appointees from voting or being voted for when parties choose their candidates. In his letter to the National Assembly, President Buhari said this provision violates sections 40 and 42 of the constitution, which deal with the right to association and freedom from discrimination.

He said the disputed section discriminates against political appointees because it imposes additional requirements on them beyond the ones already in the constitution. I think this is a valid point on constitutional grounds.

What the president didn’t state explicitly is that Section 66(f), Section 137(g) and Section 182(g) of the 1999 Constitution state that those

who are employed in the civil service and public service of the Federation or of any state cannot contest for office if they have not “resigned, withdrawn or retired from the employment at least thirty days before the date of election.” Political appointees are not civil servants but they are public officials.

Section 318 (1) of the constitution defines both civil service and public service. It is clear the latter covers political appointees, especially with this provision: “public service of a state means the service of the state in any capacity in respect of the government.”

I have also read references to a 2018 ruling of the Court of Appeal in Ojonye v. Onu and others claiming that political appointees are not public servants. The ruling was that local government chairmen, like presidents and governors, do not have to resign to contest elections. The ruling is not about those appointed as ministers/commissioners, heads of agencies or corporations or advisers/assistants.

A bit of background is also useful here.

There was actually a version of 84(12) in the previous law. Section 87 (8) of the Electoral Act 2010 stipulates that: “A political appointee at any level shall not be an automatic voting delegate at the convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of nomination of candidates for any election, except where such a political appointee is also an officer of a political party.” This section was designed to stop presidents and governors from giving themselves undue advantage over their competitors by making their plethora of aides and appointees delegates in party primaries. It didn’t say that appointees could not contest in primaries.

I don’t think the drafters of the constitution envisaged that candidates would emerge nine months before elections. The entire election window used to be 90 days. So that section of the constitution needs to be adjusted to new realities. But you can’t amend a constitution with a law. You either amend the constitution or you find other ways of tackling the problem. I think the National Assembly should accede to the president’s request by deleting that provision or by keeping the version in the 2010 Act. However, given the cost of divided attention ultimately to the public, the president and the governors will do well to ask appointees interested in running for office to tender their resignations or just let them go. It makes moral, practical and legal sense.

It is possible that some might have been misled by the advocacy around the electoral act that it is the panacea to all electoral ills. It is not. The law can only be an enabler, even if it is a perfect law, and there is no perfect law. Many other things need to happen for the next general election to be a remarkable improvement on the previous ones and to accurately reflect the preference of the voters.

The president needs to see free, fair and credible election as a major legacy and he should ensure that money is promptly released to INEC, that state apparatuses are not pressed to political advantage, and that there is adequate security for the elections. Potentially more empowered, INEC needs to put up its best act. The judiciary must step up to the plate too. And political actors (including the electorate) must be willing to play within the rules of the game and be ready to accept the outcome, whether favourable or not. At the end of the day, it is what the various stakeholders do, and not just the law, that will be make the most difference in 2023.

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