SUNDAY 3RD APRIL 2022

Buhari, Osinbajo, Obasanjo, Gbajabiamila, Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun, Gambari, Dangote Salute Mama Otedola at 90 Gboyega Akinsanmi President Muhammadu Buhari; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Speaker of the

House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila have congratulated Lady Christine Doja Otedola, mother of billionairephilanthropist, Mr. Femi Otedola, on her 90th birthday.

Also, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari as well as the President of the Dangote

Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, also paid glowing tributes to the former First Lady of Lagos State.

They all saluted the nonagenarian in different letters written to her on her 90th birthday

obtained on Friday.

Buhari, in a congratulatory letter he personally signed, joined all Nigerians and the people of Lagos State in congratulating mama Otedola on her 90th birthday.

"I note your selfless service and charitable works to the people of Lagos State when you served as First Lady between 1992 and Continued on page 10

National Theatre Attracting FDIs, Ready November, Says Emefiele... Page 10 Sunday 3 April, 2022 Vol 27. No 9854

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PDP in Dilemma over Zoning, 37-member Committee Still Divided, Meets Tuesday Nine southerners, five northerners pick presidential nomination forms

Chuks Okocha in Abuja Ahead of Tuesday’s meeting of the 37-man committee set up by the Peoples Democratic Party

(PDP) to decide on the zoning of the 2023 presidential ticket, the party is in a dilemma over the zoning with the members of the committee also divided,

THISDAY has learnt.

THISDAY gathered that the issue of zoning is likely to make or mar the main opposition party’s chances of winning

the election as the northern and southern leaders of the party head for a collision over the matter.

The party, in a desperate

bid to find a solution to the issue of zoning, had set up a 37-man committee headed by the governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ortom to work out

an amicable resolution.

THISDAY gathered that the committee met last week Continued on page 5

184 Train Passengers Unaccounted for as NRC Confirms Safety of 170 Others Relatives report 21 passengers missing IG patrols AbujaKaduna highway, deploys tactical squads, drones Military eliminates 100 terrorists in Zamfara, Kaduna, Borno Kingsley Nwezh, Kasim Sumaina in Abuja and DavidChyddy Eleke in Awka No fewer than 184 passengers of the ill-fated Kaduna-bound train attacked by terrorists last Monday are still unaccounted for as the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), yesterday confirmed the safety of 170 passengers.

The corporation also stated that the train had only 362 validated passengers aboard, according to the Train Manifest, even though it said that the train has a capacity of 840 seats.

With eight passengers confirmed dead officially while 170 were declared safe, a total of 184 passengers were still

unaccounted for, according to the official records.

NRC did not clarify if the 26 injured passengers were among the 170 declared safe.

In a show of force, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Usman Baba, yesterday patrolled the entire 163 kilometre-stretch of the Abuja-Kaduna expressway for on-the-spot assessment of the security challenges in the area and to personally supervise the operational deployment of officers drawn from the police tactical squads to ensure the safety of travellers along the route.

Also in an apparent response Continued on page 8

LADY DOJA OTEDOLA @90…

Lady Christine Doja Otedola is 90 years old today. To mark the event, she built a church which will be dedicated by the Catholic Archbishop of Metropolitan See of Lagos, Most Rev Alfred Adewale Martins in Epe today

Soyinka: Omisore’s Election as APC National Secretary Has Crippled Probe of Bola Ige’s Murder... Page 8

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INSPECTING A SIGNATURE PROJECT… L-R: Non-Executive Director, NSIA, Sir Babatunde E. Sobamowo; Chairman, Board of Directors, NSIA, Mr. Farouk Gumel; Non-Executive Director, NSIA, Mr. Kabir S. Oniyangi; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, NSIA, Mr. Uche Orji; and Non-Executive Director, NSIA, Mr. Ikemefuna L. Isiekwena, during the inspection of the Second Niger Bridge Project…yesterday

Ahmed: FG Saved N48bn from Second Niger Bridge Project Kunle Aderinokun The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, has indicated that the federal government saved about N48 billion from the Second Niger Bridge project, which contract was valued at N205 billion, but executed at N157 billion.

Ahmed also said the federal

government created about 20,000 jobs as a result of the project, which has been described as iconic and central to the economic prosperity of the South-eastern region of the country.

The finance minister spoke yesterday during an inspection of the Second Niger Bridge project with the Managing Director of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment

Authority (NSIA), Mr. Uche Orji.

“Today is a very significant day in the construction circle of the second Niger bridge, this is one of the most iconic projects in the country costed at an initial contract cost of N205 billion.

“Today, we have been able to fund this project with N157 billion and I’m here to see where all this money is going to. And

also, the significance of today is that the two ends of the bridge are being put together and this is the final phase of the work in truly competing the project and the finishing work of the bridge.

“So technically, I can report to Mr. President that I have seen where all the N157 billion has gone to. This is a project that is

very dear to the President and it is designed to uplift the lives and livelihood of the people of the South-East and other parts of the country and we do hope that when this project comes on stream, it will ease traffic, will enhance commercial activities and improve the lives of the people of the state,” the minister explained.

The minister disclosed the

Ramadan: Osinbajo, Atiku, Lawan, Gbajabiamila, Others Seek Prayers for Peace, Security Chuks Okocha and Udora Orizu in Abuja Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and his deputy, Hon. Idris Wase, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and his Ekiti State counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, have called on Nigerians, particularly the Muslim Ummah, to pray for peace, security in Nigeria, as they enter the Holy Month of Ramadan.

They made the call while congratulating Muslim faithful in Nigeria and around the world on the sighting of the crescent of the Holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant (Media), Mr. Laolu Akande, the vice president stated: “As another new moon ushers in the blessed month of Ramadan, I wish to felicitate with the Muslim community on yet another opportunity to witness this holy month of devotion, sacrifice, compassion, generosity and selflessness.

“This is a time for personal deep reflection and service to community. I urge you to be guided by the lessons of Ramadan, while renewing your spiritual connection, to offer prayers for peace and continued prosperity in our nation. May God accept all your acts of sacrifice and piety.”

Also in a statement issued yesterday by his media office, Atiku noted that the news of the commencement of Ramadan

fasting, starting on April 2, 2022, is an opportunity for Nigerians to, once again, seek the blessings and favours of the Almighty Allah in praying for solutions to the problems that affect us as individuals and as a nation.

“It is with great joy that I congratulate Muslims in Nigeria and the world over on the sighting of the Ramadan crescent, which signifies the commencement of compulsory month-long fasting.

“Going by the challenges that confront us as a country, this holy month presents us with another divine opportunity to seek the mercies and blessings of Allah upon our respective lives and our country as a whole.

“I will therefore call on Muslims to take utmost advantage of this holy month as we continue to promote peace and prosperity in the fatherland towards making

us one people with a one future and citizens of one prosperous country.”

On his part, Lawan enjoined Muslims to use the opportunity of the Ramadan to pray for Nigeria, knowing that Allah answers the prayers of the faithful.

The Senate president added that the essence of Ramadan is even more significant as Nigerian seek solutions and divine guidance out of the challenges that are currently facing the country.

“It is a period of spiritual reflection, abstinence, sacrifice and supplications to the Almighty Allah,” Lawan said.

On his part, Gbajabiamila noted that the Holy month of Ramadan comes with a lot of blessings, but also entailed a lot of sacrifices, including total abstinence from indulgences.

In a statement by his Special

Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Lanre Lasisi, Gbajabiamila urged Muslims to use the period to pray for peace and unity in the country.

He called on the faithful to observe Ramadan fasting in accordance with Islamic injunctions and wished them a successful month of Ramadan.

Similarly, the Deputy Speaker, of the House of Representatives Hon. Idris Wase has enjoined Muslims Ummah to use the Ramadan period to show more love to the their neighbours and other vulnerable members of the society.

Wase urged the rich to show compassion and extend hands of support to the less privileged Governor Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, described Ramadan as “the glory of all

months in the Islamic calendar”, adding that Ramadan fast is one of the five pillars of Islam that Muslims must strictly adhere to in line with the injunction of the Almighty Allah.

The governor noted that Ramadan offers an opportunity to draw closer to Allah and deepen relationship with him.

He therefore urged Muslims to use the period to pray for peace to reign in all the troubled spots in the country and in nations of the world.

He also urged them to use the Ramadan season to pray for peace and prosperity in Ekiti State, especially the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

He said through prayer and cooperation of the people, the state would witness a peaceful election and smooth transition of power to the eventual winner.

project created up to 20,000 jobs.

Ahmed described the second Niger Bridge as a very significant project for the federal government.

She expressed satisfaction on the pace and quality of the job done by both the NSIA and Julius Berger.

On the funding structure of the project, Orji noted that the second Niger Bridge was one of the three projects being funded from the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund.

The other two projects, according to him, are the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road project and the Lagos-Ibadan express road project.

Orji explained that: “The PIDF is a special fund set up by PMB managed by the NSIA. The NSIA brought some of its own capital and the capital provided by the federal government and the capital from returned loot from Sani Abacha.

“So, when you said PPP, it is the NSIA and the partnership of the federal government and NSIA is the one coordinating the fund from investors.

“So, as it stands now, it is purely the NSIA and the federal government that is the face of the project today.

“The NSIA is an investment institution owned by all the states, the federal and local government and other shareholders of the NSIA. So, that is the nature of the project.

“In terms of other people that will invest in the project, they will come under the NSIA coordination.”

PDP IN DILEMMA OVER ZONING, 37-MEMBER COMMITTEE STILL DIVIDED, MEETS TUESDAY without reaching any consensus on the zoning of the presidential ticket.

A member of the committee from the North told THISDAY yesterday that the northern members of the committee would insist on throwing the ticket open when the committee meets on Tuesday this week on the matter.

The source disclosed that the northern and southern members of the committee were sharply divided over the issue.

He also disclosed that the committee was under pressure from the northern leaders of the party to throw the ticket

open to all the six geopolitical zones, despite the clamour by their southern counterparts for the ticket to be zoned to the South.

"Morally, it is difficult to zone the presidential ticket now because all the aspirants from the zones have bought presidential forms. It would have been better to zone it months ago, not now that all the aspirants have bought forms. So, in the circumstances, therefore, our recommendation may be that the ticket should be thrown open for all. You don't allow people to purchase forms and zone them out. If you resolve

to refund their money for the purchase of forms, how will you refund their energy and other resources invested in the exercise," the source queried?

So far, five aspirants from the North - former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki; Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and the Bauchi State governor, Senator Bala Mohammed and Mohammad Hayatu-Deen have already purchased forms to vie for the party’s presidential ticket.

For the South, nine aspirants have equally picked their

presidential aspiration forms.

They are Governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, and Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State; Mr Dele Momodu; former President of the Senate, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; Nwachukwu Anakwenze; former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi; Mr Sam Ohuabunwa; and Oliver Terila Diana, the only female aspirant.

The southern governors elected on the platform of PDP have continued to demand the zoning of the presidential ticket of the party to the South, while presidential aspirants from the North are not ready to back down.

The South-south governors are more vociferous in the clamour for the ticket.

The governors, at a meeting in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, last week had restated their demand for the ticket to be micro-zoned to the South-south.

Speaking after the Uyo meeting, Wike had described the zone as the “pillar” holding the PDP. For this reason, he said the South-south should be given the chance to produce the party’s 2023 presidential candidate.

The task before the Ortom-led zoning committee is no doubt an arduous one.

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NOBLE PASTOR AT 61…

L-R: Founder, Arise Women Foundation, Mrs. Siju Iluyomade; the Celebrant, Pastor Ituah Olajide Ighodalo; Chairman of the occasion, former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Mrs. Ifeyinwa Ighodalo; and Keynote Speaker/Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, at the Second International Christian Leadership Colloquium and 61st birthday in SUNDAY ADIGUN honour of Pastor Ighodalo in Lagos…yesterday

Soyinka: Omisore’s Election as APC National Secretary Has Crippled Probe of Bola Ige’s Murder Gboyega Akinsanmi Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, yesterday faulted the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to elect Senator Iyiola Omisore, as its National Secretary.

Soyinka described Omisore as “one of the prime suspects” in the murder of a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige. In a statement released yesterday, the Nobel laureate said Omisore’s election has “hamstrung” the investigation into Ige’s death.

The Nobel laureate wondered why President Muhammadu Buhari anointed Omisore as the party’s scribe after he (the president) responded to his demand to re-open Ige’s unresolved murder at the 20th anniversary of the tragic incident.

He raised diverse questions on Buhari’s commitment to resolving the murder case after he had ordered the InspectorGeneral of Police, Alkali Baba to re-open the case files and resume the investigation.

Ige, also a former governor of old Oyo State, was gruesomely murdered on December 23, 2001, by yet-to-be-identified assailants in his Solemilia Court located at No 8, Akinlabi Sanda Close, Bodija in Ibadan, Oyo State.

His murder triggered the sudden death of his wife, Justice Atinuke Ige. Omisore, the then Deputy Governor of Osun State, was fingered in the murder of the late AGF as the prime suspect, having been entangled in the protracted internal crisis that plagued the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD).

Ige, Omisore and his former principal, Chief Bisi Akande, were deeply involved in the party’s crisis.

Ige’s assassination was linked to an altercation that happened at the palace of Ooni of Ife, the late Oba Sijuwade Okunade during the conferment of chieftaincy title on some personalities.

In December 2002, Omisore was impeached as the Deputy Governor of Osun State over breach of oath of office and other

offences.

After his impeachment, Omisore was arrested and detained over Ige’s murder but he repeatedly denied any involvement.

He was however, discharged and acquitted in June 2004 by an Ibadan High Court, which cited "contradictions and inconsistencies" as well as insufficient evidence in the prosecution's case.

Omisore, a former senator, was adopted as the APC National Secretary at the party’s last national convention in Abuja.

Lamenting what he described as an unusual turn of events, Soyinka, in his statement yesterday, said these events had raised questions because the ruling party had just elected as its National Secretary one of the prime suspects of the most notorious of the nation’s unsolved murders.

He said: “Not for a moment does one suggest that mere accusation, even trial, presumes guilt. More than a mere verdict is involved in any trial, however.

“The process of arriving at that ultimate destination – justice – is integral to the very concept of democracy and equality under the law. That process is one of the structures of civic education.

“Unresolved till today were quite some untidy, even suspect aspects of the investigation, prosecution and trials, aspects, which revealed improper cell co-habitation by suspects under custody.

“That this led necessarily to recantations of earlier depositions is not thereby proven, but the fact remains that such U-turns did take place. One was so brazen that it induced a heart attack that proved fatal to the victim’s wife, another Justice – Mrs Atinuke Ige. “That the prime suspect was privileged in some improper ways went beyond mere allegation.

Political interventions, including pressure on the judiciary during bail hearings, cannot be denied. A judge under such pressure kept a diary with accusations, pages of which he consigned to friends for safekeeping.”

Explaining what Omisore’s emergence means to re-opening

Ige’s murder case, Soyinka said the resumption of an investigation into the murder case was already hamstrung and disrobed of credibility with the emergence of a prime suspect in the case as the National Secretary of the ruling APC. With Omisore’s emergence as the APC National Secretary, Soyinka rhetorically asked: “Is the Inspector-General of Police equipped to confront political obstacles in a resumption of investigation?

“Is there any guarantee that the result will see the light of day? How suspect, ab initio,

will be the conclusions, given the present political ordering?

To this layman, that investigative revisit is already hamstrung and disrobed of credibility.

“I think the nation should simply relieve President Buhari of his pledge. I am certain the Inspector-General of Police will be equally relieved and can now turn his mind and energy to the national accustomed posture – business as usual.”

Soyinka wondered what happened to Buhari’s pledge to re-open an enquiry into the country’s spate of political murders in response to his demand at the

20th anniversary of Ige’s murder.

He lamented that barely three months had passed since the 20th anniversary of Ige’s murder - an occasion, which according to him, was used to remind the president of a subsisting election pledge.

He said: “That pledge was to re-open the files on the spate of unsolved political assassinations that had plagued the nation in recent decades. Prominent among those cases was that of the Minister of Justice, murdered on his way to take up a prestigious position with the United Nations.

“Presidential response was swift. Buhari ordered the

Inspector-General of Police to re-open those files and resume investigations. The nation has patiently awaited even a hint of work in progress.

“Most, I am certain, expect no less than a revaluation of prior investigative efforts. None, to my knowledge, has attempted to rush the Chief of Police and his team into judgment.

“We all take solace in the knowledge that the wheels of justice grind slowly, but they arrive. Eventually,” Soyinka said in his statement doubting the president’s pledge to resolve Ige’s murder.

184 TRAIN PASSENGERS UNACCOUNTED FOR AS NRC CONFIRMS SAFETY OF 170 OTHERS to the frustrations expressed

by Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State and the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed rockets, bombs, and fighter jets in simultaneous airstrikes to eliminate over 100 terrorists in Zamfara, Kaduna and Borno states.

In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its Managing Director/CEO, Mr Fidet Okhiria, the NRC disclosed that 21 passengers were reported missing by the relatives who made calls to the corporation.

Okhiria said yesterday’s update on the incident was necessary to prevent the circulation of falsehood or misleading information to the general public.

"For the records, there were 11 coaches on the train worked

by Loco 2502, which is made up of four SPA Coaches with 56 sitting capacity per coach and 7 SP Coaches with 88 sitting capacity per coach.

"Thus, the total seat capacity of the train is 840 seats. You may also recall that the Train Manifest contained 362 validated passengers aboard the train," he added.

The NRC boss hinted that the corporation, in continuation of its concerted effort through repeated calls, has been able to confirm the safety of "170 passengers, while 21 passengers are reported missing by the

relatives who made calls to us."

He further said that the corporation was seriously collaborating with the security agents, who had already swung into action, in line with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari to do everything possible to rescue all those that are still missing.

He noted that: "The corporation is also not resting on its oars as she has heavily moved human and material resources to the accident site to make sure that train services resumed without further delays in other to reduce the stress that our passengers are currently going through.

"In practical terms, a highpowered restoration team, led by directors has been working round the clock to re-rail the coaches affected by the bomb blast."

He added: "There is a coordinated two-pronged simultaneous restoration approach. While Loco 2702 with re-railment and restoration materials departed Idu Station, Abuja to the bomb blast site, another team with Loco 2502 departed Rigasa Station, Kaduna with re-railment and restoration materials to the same site.

"I am happy to inform you that as at the close of work on the 1st of April 2022, Coaches SP00004, SP00009, SP00012, SP00013 have all been re-railed and safely taken to our Rigasa

Station in Kaduna. Restoration of track for the full resumption of normal train services will continue today 2nd April 2022."

Continuing, he said that arrangements had equally been put in place for increased security along the track and onboard the train to prevent the recurrence of the unfortunate incident.

IG Patrols AbujaKaduna Highway, Deploys Tactical Squads, Drones In a related development, the IG, Baba, yesterday patrolled the entire 163 kilometrestretch of the Abuja-Kaduna expressway for on-the-spot assessment of the security challenges in the area and to personally supervise the operational deployment of officers drawn from the police tactical squads to ensure the safety of travellers along the route.

A statement issued by Force Headquarters stated that in the course of the patrol, the IG mapped out some salient and strategic points along the expressway, which were immediately fortified with the deployment of operatives drawn from the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Forces (SF), Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and the Special Tactical Squad (STS), as well as

air wing operatives in charge of unmanned aerial vehicles of the Nigeria Police.

During the patrol, the IG visited personnel of the armed forces and police deployed at Rijana to secure the technical crew of the NRC undertaking repair works at the damaged train coaches and rail line in the axis to boost their morale and assess the state of their post.

"The Inspector-General of Police assures that with the strategic and operational deployment of officers along the route, normalcy would once again be restored while he tasked members of the public on active intelligence sharing with law enforcement agencies for effective policing of all spaces," the statement said.

Military Eliminates 100 Terrorists in Zamfara, Kaduna, Borno Moved by the frustrations expressed by Governor ElRufai of Kaduna State and the Minister of Transportation, Amaechi, the NAF has deployed rockets, bombs, and fighter jets in simultaneous airstrikes to eliminate over 100 terrorists in Zamfara, Kaduna and Borno states.

Following the bombing of the Kaduna-bound commercial train, el-Rufai had threatened that the governors would invite Continued on page 12

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National Theatre Attracting FDIs, Ready November, Says Emefiele Nume Ekeghe Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, yesterday said the Bankers’ Committee’s efforts to renovate and emplace a modern National Arts Theatre were yielding fruits as the monument as well as the creative industry were already attracting the interest of foreign investors.

Emefiele made this revelation yesterday during an assessment tour of the National Arts Theatre facility.

With him were the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-

Olu; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare; Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Access Bank Plc, Mr Herbert Wigwe; and the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCo), Mr Segun Agbaje, as well as other stakeholders.

“I'm extremely elated to be here this afternoon on the occasion of the second inspection of this very big project. But again, we will not stop thanking Mr President, because it is his

COVID-19: FG Scraps Post-arrival PCR Test for Fully Vaccinated Travellers Sunday Ehigiator The federal government has scrapped post-arrival PCR COVID tests for fully vaccinated travellers entering Nigeria.

This was contained in a revised travel protocol the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 released at the weekend.

The committee under the chairmanship of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, said fully vaccinated passengers are required to show evidence of “verifiable” vaccination certificate and permit to travel certificate.

Mustapha said passengers who are not able to show evidence of full vaccination would be treated as unvaccinated or partially vaccinated under the new protocol.

He said the new measures “will be effective from April 4.

In-bound passengers to Nigeria who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are no longer required to carry out COVID-19 PCR test before boarding Nigeria-bound flights.”

“Fully vaccinated passengers arriving Nigeria will not also be required to carry out post-arrival PCR test or a rapid antigen test upon arriving Nigeria.

“Children below the age of 18 years will be accorded the same privileges as persons who are fully vaccinated; “In-bound passengers who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated for COVID-19 shall take a COVID-19 PCR test 48 hours before departure and undergo days 2 and 7 post-arrival PCR tests at their own cost.

“Travellers who are fully vaccinated are not required to observe the mandatory seven-day quarantine nor undertake the day two and day seven post-arrival PCR tests.”

The PSC advised passengers travelling out of Nigeria to have evidence of full vaccination; comply with the COVID-19 guidelines and testing requirements of their destination or transit countries before embarking on the journey.

“Passengers who do not have evidence of full vaccination must perform a COVID-19 PCR test not more than two days (48 hours) before boarding,” it said.

“Travellers must bring along an electronic or hard copy of their negative COVID-19 PCR test for presentation at the departure airport and upon arrival in Nigeria.

“On arrival in Nigeria, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers are to show up at the laboratory/sample collection centres chosen by them while filling the NITP on the 2nd and 7th day of arrival.

“Samples will be taken, and a COVID-19 PCR test done. The selected private laboratory will send a reminder text message, email, or phone call to the traveller a day before the appointment date.

“Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated persons who test negative for COVID-19 after seven days of self-isolation/ quarantine will be allowed to exit self-isolation on receipt of their result, but if tested positive, will be treated according to measures instituted by the government.”

vision that we must provide some space for our youths in Nigeria, through the creative industry.

“What we are trying to do here is to do a total rejuvenation of Lagos State, by really redeveloping this masterpiece right at the centre of Lagos that will be linked with the rail to ensure this project works. For the avoidance of doubt, this project is costing the Bankers’ Committee, by the last estimate, about $100 million, and I must say that, yes, $100 million or more will be invested in this project, but it is going to be business where the monies will be realised again.

“I am happy that foreign investors are already showing interest and I want to place it on record that, we have received enquiries from investors in the United States, who have said that they are interested in taking a look at not just the National Arts Theatre, but also the creative opportunities that we are developing around here. So,

I must say that this is exciting for us at the Bankers Committee and also at the Central Bank of Nigeria,” he said.

Speaking on the completion of the project, Emefiele noted: “Our target is that by the special grace of God, Mr President will commission the new National Arts Theatre by November. And we are hoping also on the day he commissions the new National Art Theatre; he is also going to lay the foundation for the four verticals - the music, the movie, IT as well as the fashion hub.”

According to him, “by the time president is about bowing out by May next year, he would come again and now re-commission not just the national asset, but the entire edifice comprising the four vertical hubs so that there will be immense business opportunities, enough of tourism, enough of creative sector businesses that will be generated, not just for Nigeria but particularly for our youths who have shown a lot of creative talents and we think

we need to use this opportunity to harness it.

“I'm getting excited because we are hoping that sometime by the end of this year, there will be some programmes and global activities will be hosted in this complex. We would be talking to ArtX gallery and hopefully, by this year we can bring the ArtX exhibition into this complex because we know that

by November, this place will be ready so that we can begin to bring this place back to us again and then put life into the tourism life in Nigeria and particularly in Lagos State,” he added” On his part, the Minister of Information, Culture, Mohammed, promised that the National Theatre would be inaugurated

by President Buhari in November to open the venue for reputable international events, guaranteeing that the full completion would happen before the president’s tenure elapses.

"It seems very hopeful now that the new National Theatre will

host the United Nations, World Health Organisation sometime in November this year and also some other global events. From what you see, you may not appreciate half of what has gone on. I think we have crossed the Rubicon and by the time we come back in two months we will all see that a lot of work had been buried under,” he added.

On his part, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Dare said he was “excited about this and we look forward to November when it will be completed.”

Also commenting, Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu said: “What all of this is about is creating that enabling environment. This whole project will not do everything.

There is still going to be a whole lot more in the years ahead that people still need to do. But we are breaking all of the barriers, breaking all of the challenges that we have and we are writing this sector, we are writing their names in gold.”

CONGRATULATIONS… L-R: Head, SME Policy Development Corporate Governance, Commonwealth University and London Graduate School, Prof. David Doyle; former Cross River State First Lady, Mrs. Onari Duke; and Head, Leadership, Project Management and Real Estate Management, Dr. Bassam Hameid, of the same institution, during the conferment of an honorary Doctorate on Mrs. Duke in London… recently

BUHARI, OSINBAJO, OBASANJO, GBAJABIAMILA, SANWO-OLU, ABIODUN, GAMBARI, DANGOTE SALUTE MAMA OTEDOLA AT 90 1993 and years after this period.

"In celebrating this milestone, I also recognise the many contributions you have made to the people of Epe most recently the building and dedication of St. Peter's Catholic Church.

"I wish you many more years in good health. Happy birthday," Buhari added.

On his part, Osinbajo in a letter he also signed personally, wrote, "Dolapo and I are honoured to wish our dear mother a happy 90th birthday. " The vice president praised the Lord God almighty for the privilege and His grace by which mama Otedola, " now fulfill your long-expressed heart's desire and vow to build a benefiting edifice, the St. Peter's Catholic Church auditorium in Odoragunshin, Epe, for the worship of our Lord and continued propagation of the gospel."

Osinbajo wrote further: "God has been faithful indeed and we bless His holy name that you not only accomplished this, but

are alive and well to witness its official dedication.

"Your remarkable life of service to others through philanthropy has most certainly been imbibed by your children and grandchildren whose reputation for promoting charitable causes is also well known."

The vice president also prayed for strength and wisdom for her.

Similarly, Obasanjo conveyed the heartiest congratulations on behalf of his family as well as the people of Lagos State.

The former president pointed out that the life of the nonagenarian, "has been a source of blessing and tremendous inspiration to many generations of Nigerians who came in contact with you, especially the womenfolk."

He added: "You are an exemplary patriot and the record of your steady, constant and beneficial influence as a dependable and worthy role model to the entire womenfolk and younger generations has

been astonishingly remarkable.

"We therefore join you in thanking God for such a life spent in touching so many other lives positively."

Gbajabiamila in a letter he personally signed, also wished Mama Otedola a happy birthday and continued good health, joy and peace, just as he prayed that God's grace upon her life would never wane.

To Sanwo-Olu, the attainment of the milestone age by mama was a testament to the great grace of God upon her life, adding that it also provides an opportunity for the state government and good people of Lagos to restate how appreciative they are of her selfless service and contribution to the development of the state.

"The fruits of ageing and greying with grace are characteristics of your being and signpost to a fulfilled life.

It is therefore a great honour for me to convey this sincere wish for continued good health and prosperity to a great matriarch

whose successes as a wife and mother are evidenced in personal achievements of her illustrious children and grandchildren," Sanwo-Olu added in a letter he signed personally.

Furthermore, the Lagos State governor noted that the dividends of the humanity of the former Lagos First Lady bore a perfect testimonial in her children's lives, "more especially Femi Otedola, one of the most successful entrepreneurs of his generation."

"It is therefore not out of place to be celebrated by your children by birth and your children by adoption'" Sanwo-Olu added.

In the same vein, Abiodun stated that Mama Otedola’s life remains an uncommon bouquet of divine benevolence and grace as well as a testimony to thr awesomeness of the Almighty God. "Your graceful attainment of an advanced age of 90, in good health and sound mind, is a rare favour that is desired by many.

"But the significance of this

occasion is beyond the number, the landscape is dotted with many impacts you have brought to bear on the society," Ogun State governor added.

Gambari equally congratulated the former First Lady of Lagos on her attainment of the blessed age of four scores and ten.

“I join your friends, family and many admirers all across the length and breadth of our dear country and around the world in celebrating this auspicious moment. Yours has truly been a life steeped in strong faith, a strong devotion to humanity and service to your community.

“It is my prayer that the Almighty keeps you in good health so our society continues to benefit from your vast experience and deep compassion, especially in these trying times when voices like yours are needed to serve as a soothing and calming influence,” Gambari wrote in a letter.

Dangote, in a congratulatory letter he also signed, quoted Mark Twain, a renowned

American writer and publisher to have stated that, "Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."

According to the Africa's richest man, "For those of us who have been privileged to ever have contact with Lady Christine Doja Otedola, these words are in sinking tandem with her uncommon empathy and unique care for others."

Dangote added: "For Lady Doja who is celebrating the grand landmark age of 90, her remarkable qualities stood her in good stead during her years as First Lady of Lagos State, where she held court with refined assurance principled dignity in service to the admiration of all.

"As she attains the age of 90, I will like to join other well-wishers to congratulate Lady Doja Otedola and wish her a happy landmark birthday, greater wisdom, immeasurable peace, abundant health and many more years of fulfillment in her dedication to God.”

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Terrorism: No Unregistered SIM Cards on Operators’ Network, Telcos Insist Say kidnappers using victims’ phones to contact families for ransom Emma Okonji Following concerns raised over the use of phones to negotiate ransom by terrorists despite the NIN-SIM registration, telecoms operators (Telcos) have said there were no unregistered SIM cards on the network of any service provider in the country, insisting that all registered SIM cards can be traced to their users and owners for any security reasons.

The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr Gbenga Adebayo, clarified concerns that kidnappers who recently invaded the AbujaKaduna train and kidnapped

several persons, still used mobile phones with registered SIM cards to contact the families of their victims.

While responding to the issue, Adebayo told THISDAY that telecoms operators have the data of all registered SIM cards, insisting that the owners could be traced alongside the geo-location of the mobile phone.

He, however, explained that it could be difficult to trace the kidnappers of the Abuja-Kaduna railway train attack who still used mobile phones with registered SIM cards to contact the families of their victims for ransom because the kidnappers used the mobile phones of their victims

to make the calls.

“Telecoms operators can trace the geo-location of the phone, from where calls are made with the particular phone and provide the information to security agents for prompt action,” he said.

“Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State recently said the state government knew where the kidnappers were hiding, and this information about the whereabouts of kidnappers is coming from the Information released to security agents by telecoms operators,” Adebayo added.

Adebayo further said: “I need to make it clear to Nigerians that there are no known unregistered

SIM cards that are still on the network of any telecoms service provider because all networks have been cleaned up and all unregistered and improperly registered SIM cards have been deactivated from the networks, during the registration and linkage of the National Identification Number (NIN) with the Subscriber Identification Module (SIM), which ended on March 31, 2022. This was according to the orders given to telecoms operators, by the industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). So, based on this, there is no SIM card that is registered with the network of any telecoms

service provider that cannot to traced to the user and owner.”

It is a legal requirement on the part of the telecoms service providers to keep details of all telecoms subscribers, through their registered SIM cards.

Telecoms operators had pleaded with the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ibrahim Pantami, who had in the past extended the deadline for NIN-SIM registration several times, before the last deadline that ended on March 31, 2022.

“We pleaded for an extension because we wanted to make sure that all Nigerians were registered and their NIN linked to their

PRE-RAMADAM LECTURE… L-R: Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola; former Solicitor General, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN); Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat; Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi; and state Grand Chief Imam, Sheikh. Sulaiman Abou Nolla, at a Pre-Ramadan lecture held at the Lagos House, Ikeja…yesterday

184 TRAIN PASSENGERS UNACCOUNTED FOR AS NRC CONFIRMS SAFETY OF 170 OTHERS mercenaries to deal with the insecurity in the North-west if the security agencies failed to bomb the locations of the terrorists, which he said were known by the government.

On his part, Amaechi suggested that the government may engage NAF to escort trains.

THISDAY, however, gathered that fighter planes operating under the air component of Operations Hadin Kai, Hadarin Daji and Thunders Strike, struck terrorist locations in the North-east and North-west killing scores of terrorists in the three locations.

Security sources told THISDAY that after days of intelligence gathering in the North-east, it was concluded that terrorists’ activities in the Tumbuns near Bukar Meram and Kollaram had heightened as terrorists had converted the location into an important rendezvous point for ISWAP fighters.

Bukar Meram is a known prominent ISWAP enclave in Lake Chad.

According to the sources, further intelligence revealed that a large stockpile of weapons was concealed in the two locations in anticipation of

terrorists’ offensive operations.

The sources confirmed that Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) were conducted on March 28, 2022, where significant activities and gathering of different sets of terrorist fighters were observed at Bukar Meran while ISWAP activities were seen about 2 kilometres South of Kollaram.

"This further confirmed the locations as hideouts for terrorists. Therefore, there was the need to conduct air interdiction at Bukar Meram and South of Kollaram to neutralise terrorists and soften the ground for Nigerian Army troops to exploit.

"Subsequently, NAF aircraft were authorised to attack the locations. In coordination with other platforms, bombs and rockets were simultaneously dropped on the targets, while surviving and fleeing terrorists were mobbed up," a military source told THISDAY. It was learnt that similar successful strikes were also recorded by the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji when a fighter jet dispatched on Armed Recce sighted over 50 terrorists on motorcycles converging under the cover of huge vegetation

at Sangeko Forest, in Maru Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State.

"The terrorists upon sighting the aircraft immediately dispersed in confusion. It was however too late as the fighter jets took decisive turns in engaging the terrorists with cannons in successive passes, leading to the decimation of the miscreants and destruction of their motorcycles.

"Credible feedback from locals at Sangeko disclosed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties as their significant number were neutralised while the few survivors escaped with various degrees of injuries", the source said.

In Kaduna State, overnight ISR conducted between 30 and 31 March 2022, at Kusasu revealed four motorcycles departing the location to a slightly forested area Southwards of Kusasu.

"Within the same location, several other motorcycles were observed moving in pairs at random from one place to another. Since the coordinates tallied with previous intelligence earlier received that the location is a hibernating point for

terrorists, NAF aircraft engaged the most viable spot which was observed to have the most significant human and motorcycle activities.

"After the impacts of the strikes, about 33 terrorists’ bodies were counted, while others dispersed in various directions. The groups were trailed for a while to determine their final resting points in preparation for another possible strike.

However, they all fizzled out making them non-viable targets", he said.

The NAF Spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the three operations, saying the objectives of the sustained simultaneous kinetic air operations were "aimed at ramping up the pressure on terrorists’ elements in the North-east and North-west to ensure that relative peace is achieved".

He also appealed to Nigerians to continue to assist troops with useful information as regards the activities of terrorist elements around their communities, just as he reassured them that the NAF and other security agencies were working round the clock to checkmate their activities.

SIM card,” Adebayo said.

Giving details of the role of telecoms operators in addressing national security issues, Adebayo said telecoms operators have a critical role to play in national security matters by providing the necessary information about those using registered SIM cards to make calls to the family of their victims to negotiate for ransom.

He, however, said information available to them showed that those phones with registered SIM cards used to negotiate with families of victims for ransom, were owned by the victims.

He added that the geo-location of the phones could be traced because the SIM card in the phone is registered to a network, with all the details of the owners stored on the network.

“It is therefore difficult to trace and arrest the kidnappers who use the victim’s phones with registered SIM cards to make calls. What we can do as the operator is to trace the geo-location of the phone and provide such information to security agents,” Adebayo said.

He urged security agents to utilise information provided by telecoms operators, in tracking kidnappers in their geo-locations, adding that all the information and support that the security agents need to do their job effectively have been provided by telecoms operators.

“As a Nigerian, I will advise that security agents should do their best to make good use of information provided by telecoms operators on how to trace SIM cards to their users and owners.

They should be able to use the information to track terrorists and bandits who perpetrate evil like kidnapping, using the mobile phone,” Adebayo said.

He, however, commended the security agents for doing a good job in the area of security.

Adebayo said things were getting better in the past months in terms of security and policing, before the recent Abuja-Kaduna train attack.

Sylva: Why Nigeria will Continue to Explore Fossil Fuels Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Mr Timipre Sylva, has said that despite the global opposition to the exploitation of hydrocarbons, the country will not jettison her God-given resources.

Speaking at the 2022 Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum (OLEF) themed: 'Global Energy Transition: Implications on Future Investments in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry,' organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), the minister stressed that although Nigeria is not against cleaner fuels, its approach will be gradual.

Insisting that Nigeria’s goal should be energy sufficient to put an end to the ravaging energy poverty in the country, the minister added that this was required to drive economic growth as well as provide affordable, reliable and sustainable energy resources.

According to him, while there are strong positives from the move toward renewables, it would be unfair to expect that Nigeria as well as other energy-deficient countries should be stampeded into the mix.

The minister warned that the risk of limited international financing

could even jeopardise Nigeria’s energy transition and roadmap to attaining net-zero as government and corporate bodies continue to discourage investment in fossil fuels.

The minister stated that adequate financial resources and effective policies designed to encourage investments in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria were required to enable the country to meet the increasing energy demand.

“Nigeria should harness all the available energy resources to assure, not only availability and accessibility but also affordability and sustainability, to meet its energy demand, which will increase by leaps and bounds in coming years, to sustain economic growth in the face of increasing population.

“Oil will also continue to be much needed, especially for the development of our lagging petrochemical industry. This vital and abundant resource can also be made cleaner and environment-friendly using appropriate technology. “That notwithstanding, Nigeria still aims at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent by 2030 through anti-gas flaring regulations and working closely with oil and gas companies,” the minister said.

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BUSINESS As Bakers Succumb to FX Volatility, Hike in Diesel Price

Editor: Festus Akanbi

08038588469 Email:festus.akanbi@thisdaylive.com

7KH FXUUHQW FULVHV LQ HQHUJ\ DQG IRUHLJQ H[FKDQJH PDUNHWV DUH WKUHDWHQLQJ WR SXVK 1LJHULDQ EUHDG PDNHUV OLNH VRPH RWKHU PHPEHUV RI WKH PDQXIDFWXULQJ FRPPXQLW\ RXW RI EXVLQHVV DPLGVW WKH IHGHUDO government’s assurance to halt the dangerous trend, writes Festus Akanbi

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 3, 2022

18

MARITIME

Impact of Piracy War on Shipping Charges As the nation’s maritime authorities continue to consolidate the gains of relative peace on the nation’s waterways, Francis Ugwoke, in this report, reviews various action plans put in place to stem the tide of piracy and other forms of criminality in the Nigerian maritime sector Global Commendations :LWK WKH JRRG UHVXOWV FRPLQJ IURP WKH HͿRUWV RI 1LJHULD LQ ÀJKWLQJ SLUDF\ ZLWKLQ DQG LQ WKH GoG, the international maritime community has been happy about this development and also full of commendation for Nigeria. Both the United Nations and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) have not hidden their job over this development even as they call for VXVWDLQHG HͿRUWV ,Q -DQXDU\ WKLV \HDU WKH ([HFXWLYH 'LUHFWRU RI WKH 8QLWHG 1DWLRQV 2΀FH on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Ghada Fathi :DOL FRPPHQGHG 1LJHULD IRU WKLV HͿRUW Speaking in New York, he pointed out that the collaboration between Nigeria and UNODC has been very positive, adding that this has been shownbytheGlobalMaritimeCrimeProgramme and the Strategic Vision for Africa launched in 2021. This, Wali said has made other international organisations extend helping hands in the war against piracy instead of leaving it for the regional organisations alone. The apex global maritime regulatory body, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) had also in June last year commended Nigeria for the Deep Blue project.

IMO said it was pleased with Nigeria’s leading role in securing the GoG. The agency said it will continue to support Nigeria and the region LQ UHVSHFW RI WKLV HͿRUW 7KH 6HFUHWDU\ *HQHUDO of IMO, Kitack Lim said Nigeria has indeed PDGH LPSRUWDQW FRQWULEXWLRQV LQ WKH ÀJKW against piracy both within and in the GoG.

A cargo-laden ship

F

or decades, Nigerian shippers and to a large extent,African shippers, have been blackmailed by multinational shipping lines under the platform of conference liners over security issues in the sub-region.

It could be either general issues of insecurity arising from tension during general elections or piracy, armed robbery on territorial waters and Gulf of Guinea (GoG). It could also be a surcharge over congestions in the ports.

About four years ago, the shipping service providers were at it with some surcharges on imports destined for Nigeria and other West African sub-region. Some of the surcharges came under the titles of peak season surcharge (PSS); extra risk insurance (ERI)/carrier security fee (CSF) surcharge; congestion surcharge (CS); freight tax surcharge (FTS); operations cost recovery (OCR); low sulphur surcharge (LSS); B.A.F (bunker adjustment surcharge) and C.A.F. (currency adjustment surcharge).

As the ports economic regulator, the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) had fought against this, describing some of the surcharges as unapplicable in Nigeria. The council had mobilised members of the United African Shippers Council (UASC) against the surcharges. The UASC had, in turn, mobilised other members against the surcharges at an international summit inAbuja.At that global event were key members of the Global Shippers Forum (GSF). After listening to the protests from Nigeria and other West African countries, the GSF had invited members of UASC to another meeting in London where members of conference liners were also invited. Nigeria and other UASC members had attended the meeting where the issue was presented. Surprisingly, at the meeting conference liners had denied some of the charges as the handiwork of their shipping agents at resident ports/countries.

The NSC and other African countries had confrontedtheseshippingagentswhohadtosome level retrace their steps on some of the surcharges.

But that was not the end of the problem as the multinational shipping agents less than two years later again came up with some of the charges which they blamed on piracy on Nigerian waters and GoG, among others.

They had pointed out that most of the ships coming to the sub-region had to engage armed guards on board, an arrangement they argued meant huge costs on the voyage. Sometime in 2020, the peak period charges of between $1000

and $1,500 were collected on 20-foot containers or equivalent units. This was an over 400 per cent rise from the $200 freight charge per TEU at the peak period.

Among the multinational agencies then alOHJHGO\ ÀQJHUHG LQ WKH VXUFKDUJHV ZHUH &RVFR Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, Hapag Lloyd and Evergreen shipping. The ports economic regulator had fought this before the issue was rested.

6X΀FH LW WR VD\ WKDW LW ZDV DW WKLV VWDJH WKDW WKH 206/ /LPLWHG D SULYDWH VHFXULW\ RXWÀW providing security for ships coming to Nigeria took advantage of the scenario. The company introduced a security arrangement for ships coming to Nigeria as the issue of piracy heightened.

The company was collecting between $2,500 and $1,500.00 from ships on daily basis at Secure Anchorage Area (SAA). This went on until the government intervened and cancelled the contract. During this period, Nigerian shippers were compelled to pay more as the shipowners had to charge more to be able to recover the cost of engaging armed guards on board on payment to stay at SAA. Deep Blue Project Side by side with the controversial SAA security arrangement then was the Deep Blue project by NIMASA. The emphasis on the project, among others, is to provide security on the nation’s waters as well as the GoG. Under the deep blue project, the federal government has invested heavily through NIMASA. Among the infrastructure provided for the deep blue project include 16 armoured vehicles for coastal patrol, two special mission vessels, 17 fast interceptor boats, two special mission aircraft for surveillance of Nigeria’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), three special mission helicopters for search and rescue operations and four unmanned aerial vehicles.

The job of the mission vessels is to monitor shipping activities on the waters. The vessels are expected to remain at sea for 35 days to monitor illegal activities, including the dumping of toxic ZDVWHV LOOHJDO ÀVKLQJ VPXJJOLQJ DQG RLO EXQNHUing. President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier signed the SPOMO Bill targeted at checking piracy in Nigeria and GoG. At the formal launch of the project in Lagos last year Buhari said he was optimistic that the deep blue project will address all forms of maritime crime. He said the issue of piracy in the West African sub-region required synergy

among nations of GoG was to safeguard the ZDWHUZD\V $FFRUGLQJ WR KLP ¶¶, DP FRQÀGHQW that the project, which provides a robust maritime security architecture, will enhance maritime domain awareness capability and improve law enforcement action, particularly in the prosecution of suspects under the SPOMO Act which I VLJQHG LQWR ODZ LQ -XQH ¶¶7KLV ÁDJ RͿ LV DQ important step in the continuing shift in strategic action about regional maritime security. ‘‘It will serve as a benchmark for member states in the Gulf of Guinea and other relevant stakeholders to further develop innovative strategies and align HͿRUWV ZLWK WKH VXEVLVWLQJ IUDPHZRUN WR LPSURYH maritime security in the region. With shipping accounting for over 80per cent of transport requirements of the global economy, concerted HͿRUWV DQG LQQRYDWLYH DFWLRQV DUH UHTXLUHG WR address attendant security challenges”.

Impact The impact of the deep blue project has been tremendous going by the global reports on piracy.

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) in its report for last year released early this year pointed to an “overall reduction in reported incidents in 2021 in other countries and GoG. The report said there was a decrease from 81 reported incidents in 2020 to 34 in 2021.

Part of the report reads, “The IMB commends the robust actions of the international navies and regional authorities in the Gulf of Guinea which appears to have positively contributed to the drop in reported incidents and ensuring continued safety to crews and trade,”, according to IMB Director, Michael Howlett. He added, “While the IMB applauds these actions it further calls on the coastal states of the Gulf of Guinea to increase their collaboration and physical presence in their waters to ensure a long term and sustainable solution to address the crime of piracy and armed robbery in the region” The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh had in reaction to the impact of the measures against piracy and other forms of armed robbery on waters said, “NIMASAhas SXW LQ WUHPHQGRXV HͿRUWV WR PLWLJDWH WKH WLGH of maritime insecurity in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea through several maritime domain DZDUHQHVV LQWHUYHQWLRQV DQG FROODERUDWLYH HͿRUWV “The implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code has steadily impacted on the level of security in the nation’s port areas and facilities.”

Why War Against Piracy is Succeeding In February this year, the NIMASA DG, Jamoh, explained why the war against piracy has been a huge success. He pointed out colODERUDWLYH HͿRUWV EHWZHHQ KLV DJHQF\ DQG RWKHU security agencies. As of February statistics released by the IMB showed a further drop in piracy incidents in the GoG by 58 per cent from 81 in 2020 to 34 in 2021. He said this ZDV EHFDXVH RI GHOLEHUDWH FROODERUDWLYH HͿRUWV involving NIMASA, Nigerian Navy and other stakeholders in the West African sub-region.

He said his agency will remain unrelenting in the war against piracy. (;HFW RQ 6KLSSLQJ &KDUJHV For Nigerian shippers, it is indeed good news that the war against piracy is succeeding.

To shippers, this no doubt has its positive side RQ LQWHUQDWLRQDO WUDGH DV LW DͿHFWV 1LJHULDQV and the rest of the West African sub-region. A shipper and maritime lawyer, Mr Emmanuel Ofomata while expressing delight that the deep blue project has hit pirates hard said the war should be sustained for a more far-reaching HͿHFW 2IRPDWD SRLQWHG RXW WKH QHJDWLYH HͿHFW RI the menace of pirates on Nigerian waters and GoG, adding that Nigeria stands to gain with the deep blue project successes. “Continued reduction in the activities of sea robbers or pirates will promote Nigeria’s international trade as well as those of the West African sub-region. It will be good news for the international trading community, particularly the conference liners who have over the years spent so much providing armed guards on ships for each voyage. It would also mean that multinational shipping agents will have no reason to raise all sorts of shipping surcharges. But above all is that Nigeria FDQ FKDOOHQJH HͿHFWLYHO\ VKLSSLQJ OLQHV introducing arbitrary charges who would always blame it on either piracy or for other reasons”.

Ofomata while commending the NI0$6$ '* IRU DOO WKH HͿRUWV VR IDU DGYLVHG that he should continue to partner with all the relevant stakeholders for a sustained ÀJKW DJDLQVW SLUDF\ +H VDLG ´SLUDF\ LV D global issue and Nigeria should continue to reach out to all international stakeholders IRU FROODERUDWLRQ LQ WKH ÀJKW :KDW ZH KDYH witnessed in the GoG is not something that Nigeria and other West African sub-region should handle alone, the cooperation of other friendly countries should be sought so that pirates are completely driven out of business in the GoG. The positive impact to international shipping cannot be over-emphasised”.

19

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 3, 2022

ECONOMY

Changing Narratives on Small Scale Businesses in Nigeria $V WKH WZLQ SUREOHP RI SRYHUW\ DQG VFRXUJH RI XQHPSOR\PHQW GULYHV PDQ\ \RXWKV to embrace entrepreneurship via participation in the Micro, Small, and Medium Scale (QWHUSULVHV ZKLFK KDYH IDLOHG WR OLIW SHRSOH RXW RI SRYHUW\ HFRQRPLF DQDO\VWV DUH GLYLGHG on the issues contributing to business failure in Nigeria, reports Festus Akanbi

A

s Nigerians get set for another season of political campaigns in preparation for next year’s elections, economic analysts predicted that as usual, prospective public ofÀFH VHHNHUV ZRXOG EXLOG FRQYHUVDWLRQV RQ economic prosperity around Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

This is because, apart from contributing to the nation’s export earnings and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), MSMEs have proven to be a major job provider for the teeming youths.

According to the Chairman, Proshare 1LJHULD /LPLWHG 0U 2OXIHPL $ZR\HPL 060(V RWKHUZLVH VLPSO\ FDOOHG VPDOO businesses can be described as the engine RI JURZWK LQ PDQ\ HFRQRPLHV 'UDZLQJ LQVSLUDWLRQV IURP WKH ZRUN RI D popular American author and founder of Michael E. Gerber Companies, a business VNLOOV WUDLQLQJ FRPSDQ\ 0LFKDHO *HUEHU $ZR\HPL OLVWHG UHDVRQV WKDW XVXDOO\ FDXVH the collapse of small businesses to include ODFN RI PDQDJHPHQW V\VWHPV ODFN RI YLVLRQ SXUSRVH RU SULQFLSOHV ODFN RI ÀQDQFLDO SODQQLQJ DQG UHYLHZ RYHU GHSHQGHQFH RQ VSHFLÀF LQGLYLGXDOV LQ WKH EXVLQHVV DQG SRRU PDUNHW segmentation and/or strategy.

Others are failing to establish and/or FRPPXQLFDWH FRPSDQ\ JRDOV FRPSHWLWLRQ RU ODFN RI PDUNHW NQRZOHGJH LQDGHTXDWH FDSLWDOLVDWLRQ DEVHQFH RI D VWDQGDUG TXDOLW\ SURJUDPPH DQG RZQHUV FRQFHQWUDWLQJ RQ WKH WHFKQLFDO UDWKHU WKDQ WKH VWUDWHJLF ZRUN DW KDQG $OO WKH WHQ IDFWRUV DUH TXLWH HYLGHQW among Nigeria’s small businesses.

Why Businesses Fail +RZHYHU IURP WKH H[SHULHQFHV RI VPDOO scale business promoters in Nigeria, business IDLOXUHV DUH PDMRUO\ FDXVHG E\ ODFN RI DFFHVV WR DGHTXDWH ÀQDQFLQJ SRRU DQG DOPRVW QRQ existent infrastructure, double taxation, and unreliable policies of the government, among others.

According to Mr. Stephen Ogunshola, D PDQDJHU ZLWK D VPDOO VFDOH ÀVK IDUP LQ Olambe, Ogun State, most of the initial gains ZKLFK FRXOG KDYH EHHQ SORZHG EDFN LQWR the business are being diverted to other XVHV ZKLFK LQFOXGH WKH SURYLVLRQ RI EDVLF LQIUDVWUXFWXUH OLNH SRZHU JHQHUDWLRQ +H told THISDAY that he spends an average RI 1 HYHU\ ZHHN WR SRZHU KLV WZR JHQHUDWRUV ZKLFK KH XVHV WR UXQ KLV SXPSLQJ machines. +H ODPHQWHG WKDW EDQNV DUH QRW UHDG\ WR DVVLVW VPDOO VFDOH EXVLQHVV RSHUDWRUV OLNH KLP ZKLOH DOO KLV HͿRUWV WR EHQHÀW IURP WKH &HQWUDO %DQN RI 1LJHULD·V DVVLVWDQFH GLGQ·W yield any positive results. $QRWKHU LVVXH WKDW FDPH XS ZDV WKH constant harassment by local government R΀FLDOV ´:H SD\ DOO PDQQHUV RI WKH OHY\ EXW ZH GRQ·W HQMR\ DQ\WKLQJ :H ÀQG LW GLIÀFXOW WR FRQYH\ RXU SURGXFWV WR WKH PDUNHW because commercial vehicles are avoiding /DPEH $NXWH URDGV $IWHU DOO WKH 2JXQ 6WDWH government has abandoned us.

THISDAY reports that the issue of bad URDGV DQG XQVWDEOH SRZHU VXSSO\ LV D FRPmon denominator across the various states, D GHYHORSPHQW ZKLFK KDV FRQWLQXHG WR IRUP small businesses to close shops. $ZR\HPL H[SODLQHG ´6LQFH PRVW VPDOO EXVLQHVVHV DUH WRR ZHDN WR SURYLGH DQ DOWHUQDWLYH SRZHU VRXUFH WKH HSLOHSWLF HOHFWULFLW\ supply situation in Nigeria has drastically reduced capacity utilisation, causing (in DGGLWLRQ GDPDJH ORVV RI HTXLSPHQW DQG ultimately the total demise of many small

A garment making factory

EXVLQHVVHV )RU WKH IHZ WKDW KDYH FRQWLQXHG WR ZHDWKHU WKH SRZHUIXO storm, their high cost of production has resulted in the loss of product price competitiveness. Generally VSHDNLQJ 1LJHULD LV NQRZQ DV D high-cost origin and this explains ZK\ WKH FRXQWU\ LV QRW GRLQJ ZHOO LQ WKH H[SRUW PDUNHW ² EH LW RI JRRGV or services.”

Another issue raised by the 3URVKDUH &KDLUPDQ ZDV WKH ODFN RI FOXVWHU SDUNV LQ 1LJHULD D GHYHORSPHQW WKDW PDNHV LW QHFHVVDU\ IRU VPDOO VFDOH EXVLQHVVPHQ WR ORRN for space for their operations. ´$SDUW IURP WKH SRRU URDG conditions, alternative means of transportation are either literarily non-existent (e.g. rail) or beyond the reach of small businesses (e.g. air transportation). Closely related WR WKH SRZHU DQG WUDQVSRUWDWLRQ ERWWOHQHFN LV WKH ODFN RI D GHGLFDWHG ZRUNVSDFH IRU VPDOO EXVLQHVVHV There are literarily non-existent FOXVWHU SDUNV LQ 1LJHULD 9LUWXDOO\ every small business promoter has to secure its location at usurious FRVWV IURP VK\ORFN ODQGORUGV ZKR WKURXJK VXGGHQ DQG IUHTXHQW UHQW DOWHUDWLRQV FDQ EULQJ ÁRXULVKLQJ VPDOO businesses to sudden grief. In the DEVHQFH RI DQ\ FRPSHQVDWRU\ HͿRUW IRU WKHVH LQDGHTXDFLHV LW EHFRPHV TXLWH HDV\ WR VHH ZK\ WKH PRUWDOLW\ rate of small businesses in Nigeria LV TXLWH KLJK µ KH VDLG +RZHYHU 1DWLRQDO 3UHVLGHQW $VVRFLDWLRQ RI 6PDOO %XVLQHVV 2ZQHUV of Nigeria (ASBON), Femi Egbesola ZDV UHFHQWO\ TXRWHG DV VD\LQJ WKDW the inconsistency of government SROLFLHV QRW KDYLQJ WKH ULJKW VNLOOV LQVX΀FLHQW DFFHVV WR IXQGLQJ KLJK cost of registering business are the major reasons for the failure rate of

Nigerian start-ups. ´*RYHUQPHQW SROLFLHV DUH QRW VWDEOH DQG this has been limiting the success rate of start-up businesses. The high poverty rate LQ 1LJHULD DOVR PDNHV PDQ\ VWDUW XSV QRW JR IRU WKH ULJKW EXVLQHVVHV DQG ULJKW VNLOOV ´)XUWKHUPRUH WKH ZHDN HFRQRP\ RI 1LJHULD KDV PDGH LW GL΀FXOW WR DFFHVV IXQGLQJ and the infrastructure to help business has not been enough. Also, the government has QRW JLYHQ VRIW LQFHQWLYHV OLNH WD[ KROLGD\V reliefs, and intervention loans to businesses,” Egbesola further said.

False Sense of Economic Liberty +RZHYHU GHVSLWH DOO WKH P\WKV ZRYHQ around small and medium scale enterprises, analysts are beginning to dismantle the old narratives that presented small-scale HFRQRPLF LQLWLDWLYHV DV WKH VXUHVW DQVZHU to poverty and youth unemployment.

In his submission, Chief Executive Officer, Global Analytics Consulting Limited, Dr. Tope Fasua, dismantled the myths around SMEs as a fallacy, claiming that H[SHULHQFH KDV VKRZQ WKDW WKH VPDOO VFDOH businesses merely provide a false sense of economic liberty to their patrons in Nigeria and beyond. ´7KH LGHD WKDW WKH FRQWLQXRXV HQFRXUDJHment of Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs), is a sure bet approach to economic development is false, foolish, XQVFLHQWLÀF IUDXGXOHQW ZDVWHIXO PHGLRFUH OD]\ DQG GHOHWHULRXV RI RXU HͿRUW DW DFKLHYing economic development,” he submitted.

Fasua argued further that the concept of VPDOO VFDOH EXVLQHVV KDVQ·W ZRUNHG IRU DV ORQJ DV ZH KDYH EHHQ LPSOHPHQWLQJ LW ´,W KDV QRW ZRUNHG DQ\ZKHUH DQG FRXOG QHYHU ZRUN $W EHVW LW OXOOV XV WR VOHHS PLQLDWXULVHV RXU GUHDPV NHHSV XV SHUPDQHQWO\ DW D SRLQW ZKHUH ZH FRXOG QHYHU FRPSHWH ZLWK ODUJHU ZHOO HVWDEOLVKHG RQHV NHHSV XV KRRNHG RQO\ on importation economics, helps to retain our ZRHIXO XQHPSOR\PHQW LQGLFHV DQG HQGV XS frustrating our youths out of their minds.”

The economist pointed out that it has not EHHQ HDV\ IRU \RXWKV ZKR VWDUWHG DV 60(V SURPRWHUV WR EUHDN HYHQ VD\LQJ PRVW RI those pushing out the ideas of MSMEs are not entrepreneurs but politicians. +H VDLG ´&KHFN WKH RGGV« RXW RI \RXWKV ZKR EHFRPH KDOI EDNHG LPSRUW GHSHQGHQW HQWUHSUHQHXUV RQO\ RQH RU WZR ZLOO EH DEOH WR EXLOG WR VXVWDLQDEOH OHYHOV LQ ÀYH \HDUV 0RVW ZLOO FUDVK RXW RU OLYH RQ the fringes of poverty all their lives. Funny though, that most of those pushing these LGHDV ² JRYHUQPHQW SHRSOH DQG SROLWLFLDQV ² are not entrepreneurs themselves and if they DUH WKH\ VWDUWHG ZLWK PRQLHV WKH\ JRW IURP EHLQJ JRYHUQPHQW R΀FLDOV RU SROLWLFLDQV WR FUHDWH D IDoDGH DQG PDNH LOO JRWWHQ ZHDOWK OHVV UHFRJQLVDEOH 2WKHUZLVH ZH VKRXOG KDYH DVNHG D SHUVRQ OLNH 5DXI $UHJEHVROD ZKR DV D PLQLVWHU WROG JUDGXDWLQJ VWXGHQWV RI 2VXQ 6WDWH QRW WR ERWKHU ORRNLQJ IRU ZRUN KRZ KH PDGH KLV PRQH\ , WKLQN LW LV D FDOORXV strategy.” )DVXD VDLG PRVW SHRSOH PLVWDNH 60(V IRU JRRGV LPSRUWDWLRQ D GHYHORSPHQW ZKLFK he said positions Nigeria as an importdependent nation. ´7KH VWUDWHJ\ RI UHO\LQJ RQ 60(V WR OLIW DQG transform Sub-Sahara African economies is a very much failed one already. Our SMEs cannot do better than sell imported goods.

Almost all of them have neither the patience, SHUVHYHUDQFH WLPH UHVRXUFHV ÀQDQFH SHUsonnel, structure, and indeed inspiration, to EH LQQRYDWLYH LQ D ZD\ WKDW FDQ LQFK EODFN $IULFD FORVHU WR UHODWLYH VHOI VX΀FLHQF\ RU even help in solving our existential problem. $QG DQ\RQH ZKR FRQWLQXHV WR SXVK WKDW VWUDWHJ\ VKRXOG XQGHUVWDQG WKDW ZH DUH PHUHO\ PDUNHWV IRU IRUHLJQ LPSRUWHUV IURP &KLQD DQG :HVWHUQ QDWLRQV E\ SURPRWLQJ MSMEs. ,W LV KRSHG WKDW JRYHUQPHQW ZLOO ÀQG DQ escape route to salvage the MSMEs as a ZD\ RI DGGUHVVLQJ WKH SUREOHP RI \RXWK unemployment and the attendant surge in crime rates in the country.

20

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 3, 2022

INTERVIEW Emmanuel Ajufo: OAAN is Not in Support of LASAA’s Planned Concession of Federal Roads Emmanuel Ajufo is the current President of the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN). In this interview with Adedayo Adejobi, he speaks on the Lagos State’s concession of federal roads and the role of LASAA in the scheme, exploitation by the signage agencies in GLͿHUHQW VWDWHV WKH LPSOLFDWLRQV RI H[FHVVLYH ELOOLQJ RQ EXVLQHVVHV DQG KRZ $3&21·V VWDQGDUG operating practice guidelines will bring calm and order to the industry. Excerpts:

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here is an issue of concession of federal roads in Lagos State. What is the plan of the association to mitigate the attendant risks, or are you happy with that?

The moment we got to hear about the concession, we told the LASAA that the concession is not the best option. It’s not the same as what happened in the Lekki corridor. On the Lekki corridor, they built roads, and when they opened up, they wanted to recoup the monies spent. But, we don’t see why there should be a concession of these seven roads, apart from the federal roads being developed.

If it is about making more money, what they need to do is to call to discuss. Our members working in Lagos also employ the citizens of Lagos State, and any opportunity they have been used to develop themselves so they can employ more people. We are not in support of the concession.

We have spoken to LASAA and men of goodwill to prevail on them. We hope that one of these days, we will have the opportunity to meet with the Governor. But he can only talk to us if he listens to our side before he can appreciate where we are coming from.

We are not in support of the concession. &RQFHVVLRQ ZLOO EULQJ PRQRSRO\ DQG PRQRSRO\ is not good for the economy.

It would seem as if LASAA is going ahead with its move to concession the roads despite the caveat published by the Federal Ministry of Works, who are the owners of most of the roads. What alternatives are open to OAAN? I hope they won’t go on this route, I hope so. As an association, we have our Plan B. I hope that it won’t get to that stage.

You are not considering legal tussle, are you?

No, we are not planning to go to court on WKLV :H DUH JRLQJ WR FRXUW RQ D GLͿHUHQW WKLQJ maybe if you ask me why we are going to court, I will tell you why we are going to court but not on this issue. :H KDYH GLͿHUHQW OHYHOV RI UHODWLRQVKLS before we get to the executive governor.

After the Managing Director, we want to see the commissioner for the environment who VXSHUYLVHV KLV R΀FH EXW ZH DUH DOVR WDONLQJ WR PHQ RI LQÁXHQFH ZKR FDQ PDNH XV PHHW the governor. Ultimately, we want to see the governor.

5HFHQWO\ ZH ZHUH ZLWK WKH /DJRV &KDPEHU RI &RPPHUFH DQG ,QGXVWU\ /&&, LV WKH /DJRV 6WDWH &KDPEHU RI &RPPHUFH DQG ,QGXVWU\ We are a member of that body, they have also talked to us and they agree that regulation is QRW EXVLQHVV :H DUH XVLQJ WKH /&&, WR FDQYDVV our situation.

Anything that happens to us ultimately happens to commerce. We cannot just go to court, at least not on the issue of the concession. Where we are is to use persuasion and let them see our fate.

We also have a committee in place so that we can get to a stage to meet with the commissioner and the governor. We also do not think that regulation is our business.

Is the experience with LASAA replicated across other states?

Some are very understanding. Ogun State is very friendly, and that’s why we did our Annual General Meeting there. The governor

parties in each state. Like in Delta for instance they have an equivalent of LASAA They have DELSAAand the local government is not afraid to collect their money because they know their rights. Outdoor agencies pay directly to local government in Delta.

So, the way we also have our fear of challenging the government, and that probably is the reason local governments are afraid to challenge the government because if you challenge the government they can remove you. But I think that if you have a stubborn chairman, we can challenge that.

In the last years of your Presidency at 2$$1 ZKDW KDYH \RX GRQH GL;HUHQWO\" If you called for a boycott before, nobody would listen to you. Today, it was tough enough for LASAA MD to call us. If it was not tough, they won’t call us.

Also, we met this issue of debt, which led us into developing our Standard Operating Practice (SOP). After the SOP has been done, WKH $3&21 5HJLVWUDU ZLOO VLJQ WKHQ ZH KDYH our industry SOP. With the SOP, the issue of debt will be taken care of because, if you signed a contract with us it is now binding by law to pay. Today we don’t know when we are going to be paid, they will tell you stories upon stories. :KHQ , ÀQLVK P\ WHQXUH DV 3UHVLGHQW , will like to be remembered as someone who challenged the status quo for the good of our members.

Ajufo jufo

sponsored the last AGM we had.

We have a good relationship with Ogun, Oyo, and Anambra states. Lagos is not the source of all that we have but because of the law, that is why we agreed to sort out Lagos.

Even at that, we have seen some friendly agencies who have seen our situation and are helping us.

We have not reached the destination but we are on the road.

Is it that proliferated government signage regulatory agencies don’t know their mandate? The level of position somersaults, policy inconsistency, over-regulation brings to fore many questions.

Yes and No. I think it was George Nouah when he was MD LASAA, who followed us to the United States of America to study how regulation is done because we don’t have a problem with regulation. I still tell my members that regulation is good for us. Some of us could remember how we were practising before the regulation came.

But the business aspect of the regulation is what we quarrel with. I don’t see anywhere where regulatory agencies get to do business.

We also have practitioners who develop a wonderful proposal to the state governments’, saying, If you just put me there I will generate millions of naira’. Of course, if any governor sees that kind of proposal, he will jump at it.

A lot of the governors do not know what we do. They use us for politics, and beyond that, they do not know our worth.

How do you see the OAAN of the future, especially with the advent of technology in advertising?

We can’t pretend that innovation is the way forward and I’m proud of our members. There LV QRWKLQJ \RX ÀQG LQ RWKHU SDUWV RI WKH ZRUOG that is not in Nigeria today.

Today, the digital box and the other outdoor advertising apertures are very expensive in So, when the person with the proposal Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja. In other says he can make money and the governor places, it is not rampant. So, it will take some cannot see that money, that is where the time before other cities can begin to feel like issue comes. That is why the Ogun State Lagos. Because today the advertising structure, man looked at us and treated us favourably. ZH KDYH WKH $%&' ]RQH 2Q DUWLÀFLDO LQWHOOLJHQFH ZH VKRXOG WDNH What is the role of APCON in the ongo- the positive part of the technology that comes ing impasse? and we should also apply ourselves.

Advertising Practitioners Association of Going forward, we will institute a scheme 1LJHULD $3&21 LV VXSSRVHG WR UHJXODWH to reward agencies who are more ethical and content, regulate practitioners’ structure. honest contracts.

Before the signage agency came, you recall that it was the local government that we’re What were the highlights of your concluded doing it. They were supposed to do control Annual General Meeting? of structures but then before you practice The AGM was essential to look at our conadvertising you should be recognised by stitution and then use the opportunity to also $3&21 $3&21 LV VXSSRVHG WR FHUWLI\ review certain things that are happening to advertisements to make sure that it is not us in the industry. communicating anything wrong.

We’ve had our constitution for about ten But, there is a new law that should come years and the challenges that we’re having RXW ZKHQ LW FRPHV RXW LW ZLOO JLYH $3&21 today were not there. So, we needed another PRUH SRZHU :H QHHG WR NQRZ ZKDW $3&21 constitution that will lead us to face the present can do, State and Federal mandates, and the challenges and for what to come in the future. limitations of the state regulatory agencies. It also allowed us to look at some other issues.

It is not too clear. After that law comes out, The recent one is the planned concession of there will be clarity. the roads in Lagos. We the executives can only lead based on what our members want It is very unconstitutional for the local us to do. government to concede its powers to State A leader cannot stand alone. If we do not Government. What will be your recom- have the backing of the members, we cannot mendation to review this constitution? do so much. We asked our members how they ,W LV QRW IRU XV WR EHJLQ WR ÀJKW IRU ORFDO felt about it, and they provided the direction government. The local government is sup- that we should go. Issues on the constitution, SRVHG WR ÀJKW IRU LWV ULJKWV , WKLQN WKDW WKH progress made were also at the front burner. way to resolve it is when you have multiple It was a good one and everyone was happy.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R APRIL 2, 2022

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EVENTS

A

moment full of unlimited joy when Dr. Akinsefunmi Akintunji celebrated his 70th birthday with a cocktail in Lagos. Photographs below show some personalities that attended the occasion PHOTO:ABAYOMI AKINYELE

Celebrant, Dr. Akinsefunmi Akintunji and his wife, Caroline

L-R: Jegun Olu Egun of Ile-Oluji Kingdom, Oba (Dr) Oluwole Olufaderin Adetimehin and Olori Olubunmi Adetimehin

L-R: Mr. Akinfolami Akintunji; Mrs Yewande Ogunye; and Mr. Alex Akintunji

L-R: Mr. Akinfolami Akintunji; Mrs Yewande Ogunye; and Mr. Alex Akintunji

L-R: Chief Folagesin Akinnawo; and Chief Tunde Onakoya

L-R: Professor Ropo Sekoni and his wife, Banke

L-R: Kemi Akinterinwa; and Kehinde Akinrowo

L-R: Dr. Gbenga Ogunkoya; Dr. Femi Ogunbekun; and Dr. Ladi Awosika

L-R: Mr. Kolawole Olasupo; and Tex Egbedi of Texen

L-R: Engr. Olu Ibidapo; Dr. Segun Sofolahan; and Dr. Ladun Ibidapo

L-R: Chief Orunto Akintoye and Ayi Orunto Morisade Akintoye

L-R: Chief Akinsola Akinfemiwa; and Chief Adeleye Adepoju

L-R: Alhaji Ore Salako; and Yacob Coobman

L-R: Mrs Dele Olufon, her husband, Wole; and Mr. Aduroja, SAN

Engr. Sam Adegboyega and his wife, Stella

L-R: Mr. Amos Akintunji; Mrs Mercy Ogunye; and Mr. Benson Akintunji

L-R: Mr. Femi Talabi; Mrs. Dolapo Daramola; and Mrs Remi Akinterinwa

L-R: Pastor Mrs. Funmi Etti; Mr. Ayo Obilana and his wife, Toyin

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APRIL 3, 2022 • 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

WEALTH CAPSULE 9

Successful Wealth Building Requires Precedent Acquisition Of Basic Financial Knowledge Illiteracy, both in words and numbers, is the foundation of financial struggle. If people are having difficulties financially, there is something they cannot read, either in numbers or in words. Something is misunderstood. The rich are rich because they are more literate in different areas than people who struggle financially. So if you want to be rich and maintain your wealth, it’s is important to be financially literate, in words as well as in numbers - Robert Kiyosaki My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children - Hosea 4:6 Like all learning, financial education is a process that should begin at an early age and continue throughout life. This cumulative process builds the skills necessary for making critical financial decisions that affect one’s ability to attain the assets, such as education, property, and savings, that improve economic well-being – Alan Greenspan

D

uring a telephone conversation with my Billionaire Friend, we agreed on the need to meet to review how far we have gone with the conversation series, especially as he had said that the articles Artist Impression of my Billionaire Friend that had been published so far dealt only with the foundation for building wealth. He said we needed to move to the next phase of the seven pillars for building enduring wealth. We agreed on the time, and at the appointed time, I was in his house. We met in a little open shed with another individual already seated. My Friend was in short knickers with a bowler’s hat, and I could sense he was generally happy.

He later introduced the young man as one of his protégés who had done extremely well for himself and had just visited on a courtesy call. In a few minutes, the guy was gone, and we started our review talk in earnest. We reviewed the reactions from readers, and we agreed that the series was making a necessary impact.

On the overview, he said what he was sharing with me would cover what he described as the Seven Pillars of Wealth.

This, according to him, would enable us to move methodically and in sequence. Here are the seven pillars as explained by my Billionaire Friend.

PILLAR # 1: UNDERSTANDING THE ESSENCE OF WEALTH BUILDING Here we deal with explaining why it is important to understand the essence of wealth-building endeavours. As it has been explained in some of the articles published so far, the reason God would give an individual the power to be wealthy is for him to be God’s treasurer and trustee, intelligently distributing the wealth he has accumulated to worthy causes. If a wealth builder fails to understand this essence, his wealth-building endeavours would have no meaning. So, understanding the real purpose for building wealth is critical for those who want to be part of the series we have started.

PILLAR 2: IDENTIFYING AND ELIMINATING LIMITING BELIEFS AND MINDSETS THAT COULD HINDER WEALTH-BUILDING ENDEAVOURS This involves identifying and dealing with some limiting beliefs and mindsets that need to be identified and eliminated before real wealth-building can start. We have treated this under some of the articles we have published so far.

PILLAR 3: CREATING WEALTH/MAKING MONEY Under this, we shall be focusing on the pathways to creating wealth which could take different approaches/routes: creating wealth by working for others, investing, and partnering with employers. The message here is that there is no single route to building wealth. You can build wealth as an employee, as a self-employed person, as a business owner with wealth-creating systems firmly in place, or as an investor who can operate from any prism once he understands the dynamics of what it takes to be an investor.

PILLAR 4: MANAGING WEALTH/MONEY Under this, we shall be dealing with all aspects of wealthbuilding that focus on the intelligent deployment of the wealth we have already created with the understanding that if this is done properly, more wealth can be created.

PILLAR 5: MULTIPLYING WEALTH/MONEY Under this, we shall be looking at how to increase the velocity of wealth creation by creating assignments and messages for wealth that enable it to produce income that is beyond direct personal efforts. Here we shall be discussing how to send your money on profitable assignments with the ultimate aim of getting it to produce passive incomes. We shall be dealing with strategies for making this happen.

“In general, financial knowledge is very necessary for not only building but also sustaining the wealth built by wealth-builders with a view to improving the financial situations of their investments and contributing to the development and growth of their families, society, nation, and the world”

PILLAR 6: MAKING WEALTH/MONEY TO LAST Under this, we shall be looking at all aspects of wealth creation that make it self-perpetuating. Real wealth is created when it is perpetuated beyond the generation that created the wealth, up to the fourth generation or even more.

PILLAR 7: MAKING WEALTH/MONEY TO COUNT Here we shall be dealing with understanding the real reason for God allowing us the power to build wealth.

We are blessed essentially to be a blessing. When we are sufficiently detached from the outcome of the wealth we are creating, we have succeeded in partnering with the Higher Power to ensure the proper distribution of wealth.

Under this, we shall be dealing with personal and corporate philanthropies and the strategies for creating impactful ones.

We both agreed that we had covered sufficient topics under both pillars 1 and 2, and we needed to move to the next pillar: creating wealth. By the time we finished the overview, it was already getting late, so my Billionaire Friend suggested I should send my proposed topic to him on WhatsApp with the signpost questions as usual, and he would make a voice note on the subject of the week. Without wasting time, once I got home, I sent this suggested topic: “HE WHO DESIRES TO BUILD LASTING WEALTH MUST FIRST SEEK TO ACQUIRE FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE”.

I also included 10 signpost questions to guide his treatment of the subject.

A few minutes after, he replied thus: Ayo: Please can I shorten our week’s topic to: SUCCESSFUL WEALTH BUILDING REQUIRES PRECEDENT ACQUISITION OF BASIC FINANCIAL KNOWLEDGE. We agreed it was good to go, and he promised to send his voice note on the subject to me the following day. And he did. But what followed after the voice notes were transcribed took our conversation to a very sensitive area. From my experience as a financial journalist, I have observed that many people tune off completely when you are sharing anything technical; they would want you to break things down or come to their level, as some would put it. So I sent this note to my Billionaire Friend, along with the draft of the transcribed voice notes: “Greetings, sir. Please find above the transcription of

your voice notes. To carry the readers along, I suggest you use examples and, where possible, definitions and/ or explanations of some of the technical expressions used.

“It may also be a good idea to take one or two per session and expand the ones in focus with practical examples to illustrate. We can also use stories. My observation over the years is that a lot of people are scared of financial information.

My thoughts, sir. Otherwise, a very powerful educational series.”

In less than 10 minutes, my Billionaire Friend fired back with this: “Ayo: This chosen topic is very technical ooo. I have used as simple a language as possible. I will try to satisfy you as much as possible. Sulphuric acid is H2SO4, and Hydrochloric acid is HCL, Potassium Sulphate is PSO4.

Do you have a way to make these chemical equations as simple as you desire?”

We spoke extensively over the phone, discussing this particular subject. I just sat down where I was to ponder on the essence of what he was saying. He argued that wealth-building has its register, and those who desire to play there must acquire the language of the trade just as you cannot fly a plane if you do not go to the aviation school to learn the craft.

Eventually, I sent this note back to him: “Don’t worry, sir. Just do your best. That is why this is a partnership project. I will employ my journalism skills to put sweets around the whole concept. God will help us.

Hydrochloric acid remains HCL!.”

Interestingly after sending that note to him, I could not but continue to ponder on the validity of the point he was trying to pass across. As I sat there still pondering, in a flash, I just recollected how I started a career in journalism and the training process that I had to undergo.

I obtained my first degree in Political Science, and later my master’s in the same discipline. My aspiration was to obtain a PhD so that I could end up as a graduate assistant.

But while in my final year at the University of Ife, preparing for my last semester exams, a mysterious event happened that made it impossible for me to graduate. I was the best part-four student in the department, but for that mysterious event, I had to repeat the final class: I could not graduate with my classmates (I have shared this in my book, THE MILLIONAIRES’ CAPSULES). To put it mildly, I was devastated.

While I was alone on campus, I had to meditate and pray to God, for I did not know what to do. Before that experience, I had developed a consuming passion for Newswatch Magazine, especially their in-depth style of writing reports. While I was on campus waiting to do my reseat exam, I decided to write a few articles which were published by The Sketch and National Concord newspapers.

I was very excited. I wrote in my diary that I would like to be a journalist.

Eventually, for my National Youth Service (NYSC), I was posted to serve at a secondary school in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. While at the school, I set up a press club, and one of the activities was reading the news at the assembly every Wednesday morning. It was so popular that people around the school would sometimes be gathered to listen to the news. An idea occurred to me to launch the press club. I did, and I was able to draw to the place journalists I had always admired. Yanju Adegbite of Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) and Soji Akinrinade of Newswatch were both there. In a way I could not explain, I found myself dropping my academic ambition and switching to starting a career as a journalist. Eventually, I was given a job at National Concord as a proofreader. I chose that to enable me to acquire the necessary training in journalism . It was while at National Concord that I enrolled at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos State for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism, where I got the Director’s Prize for the Overall All-round Best Student at the end of the programme.

By divine intervention, when I moved to African Concord Magazine, the then editor, Mr Bayo Onanuga (now Managing Director and Editor-in-chief of The News), persuaded me to join the business desk. I protested, suggesting he should

“We both agreed that while we would try to simplify things, we must alert our readers that those who truly want to build wealth must be willing to invest in training on basic financial literacy”

post me to their political desk. He made me understand that the only place he could place me was the business desk, especially since the guy covering the business desk was on leave. I had to accept his offer but with a lot of trepidation. I was truly scared. To compound the matter, the first assignment he gave me was to cover the stock market at the Nigerian Stock Exchange. When I got to the floor of the exchange the following day, I was completely lost as the stockbrokers were shouting at the top of their voices, “offering and bidding”, a language that was completely strange to me.

It was a Monday, and I needed to file my report on Wednesday. I figured a disaster was lurking since I did not understand what took place on the exchange, talkless of filling a story. Eventually, I devised an agenda. I walked up to a stockbroker by the name of Dele Lateef. He was working with Marriot Securities at that time. I explained my dilemma to him, and good enough, he responded positively, and he asked me to follow him to his office, where he explained everything in the daily official list to me. We became friends, and I became a regular visitor to his office. Eventually, I filled in a story. Even though it was not used, my editor saw potential in me and asked me to repeat my visits to the exchange. I decided to give it all it would take. My first story was eventually published after about four months of amateur reporting. At that point, there was no going back. I started to buy and read financial newspapers. I also subscribed to a journal called Arbitrage Stock Guide, published by Dr Olasenni Akintola Bello, a former commissioner for Finance in Ogun State.

One day while in the office, a lady with the United States information service, who had just been posted to Nigeria to find out how to enhance capacity for financial reporting in the country, invited me for a breakfast discussion. I guess she was impressed because not long after our meeting, she facilitated my trip to the United States of America on the International Visitors Programme, where I joined 12 other journalists from 12 other countries where we were taken around seven states on a tour of different media establishments in the US. Three years later, I won a Reuters Award, which took me to their office in London, where, for three weeks, we were exposed to deep training on how to simplify financial reporting. On my return, I joined Financial Standard as the founding CEO. I needed to implement the skill I had just been exposed to. I deliberately recruited a few journalists who had no financial background. While Joseph Ode, an economist, was the editor, I got Simon Kolawole, publisher of the Cable, who was a graduate of Mass Communication, to be his deputy. Another reporter we recruited was Samuel Ibiyemi, now Publisher of News Direct, who was a recruit in the army with no journalism background. Before we started, we organised a one-week training on how to interpret financial information. Publishing financial stories in an easily digestible format was one of the features that made Financial Standard popular.

Recalling this story, it occurred to me that my Billionaire Friend was right. There was no way I could have gone far in financial reporting without those training programmes I went through.

I put a call through to my Billionaire Friend, and I shared my experience with him: His response WHY SHOULD A PERSON ACQUIRE FINANCIAL KNOWLEDGE? “That’s what I was trying to put across. Those who desire to build wealth in the way we are presenting it must do what is required to acquire the language of the trade. As wealth builders, we are guided by the simple English adage that says: do not go near water unless you have learned to swim. In wealth building, we must be guided by basic knowledge of finance and seek to commence our wealth building process, with some good financial literacy, to develop the ability to understand and effectively use financial skills for wealth building.

“Knowledge of financial skills considerably helps to build and sustain wealth. This includes understanding the basic elements of budgeting, credit management, financial management, insurance, credit/interest management, the intricate issues of risk and return trade-offs with investments, understanding the time value of money and the analysis of return and opportunity costs. It involves a good understanding of how to handle cash better and be able to manoeuvre in between the currencies of different nations while engaged in the process of possible international transactions during wealth building. It also includes preparing and better positioning for wealth builders’ banking interactions and, as of prime importance, avoiding making poor financial judgements and decisions during the process of building and sustaining wealth by wealth builders”.

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

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T H I S D AY SUNDAYSunday APRIL33,April, 20222022 Vol 27. No 9854 TR

See page 27 KADUNA KILLINGS AND A SILENCED NATION AYO OYOZE BAJE writes that the security lapses are troubling See page 28 NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY: CHASING THE RED HERRING The country is on another merry go round, reckons JOHN SEGUN ODEYEMI See page 53 GENDER BILL AND PARLIAMENTARY CONUNDRUM SAMUEL AKPOBOME OROVWUJE argues the need to address underrepresentation of women in public spaces See page 54 EDITORIAL KADUNA AND THE CRISIS OF NATIONAL SECURITY See page 26

& RE A S O

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

2023: BETWEEN OSINBAJO AND TINUBU Nigerians deserve the benefit of choosing the next President from a wide array of candidates, writes ETIM ETIM

UT H

At the rate we are going, Nigeria may soon become inhabitable for leaders and the led, writes ANTHONY OLUBUNMI OKOGIE

CHASING SHADOWS AND CALLING IT POLITICS Two things happened on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 which show what Nigerians are capable of accomplishing. On that day, President Muhammadu Buhari was in Lagos to open the Dangote Fertilizer Plant.

Said to be the largest in Africa, that plant is an example of what we can accomplish in Nigeria. With the right attitude, Nigerians can and have accomplished great things.

With a business-friendly environment created and secured by government, there will be investments. With investments, the poverty index in Nigeria will be lower, and the level of insecurity too.

From the fertilizer plant at Ibeju Lekki, the President went to open the new international terminal at the Lagos Airport. Travelling through Nigerian airports has become an embarrassing nightmare. Will this new WHUPLQDO PDNH D GLͿHUHQFH" 1RUWK VRXWK east and west, Nigeria has potential tourist attractions that can provide millions of jobs for our desperate and disappointed youths.

But who wants to visit a country whose dilapidated airports are like ovens, where it takes up to three hours to pass through LPPLJUDWLRQ DQG UHWULHYH \RXU OXJJDJH" Who wants to be tourist in a country whose DLUSRUWV DUH QRW XVHU IULHQGO\" The fact that the airport terminal was constructed by the Chinese is also a point RQ ZKLFK WR UHÁHFW :K\ LV LW WKDW 1LJHULD cannot construct an airport terminal ZLWKRXW WKH DVVLVWDQFH RI &KLQD" :H KDYH architects. We have engineers. What stops us from designing and constructing an airport WHUPLQDO" :H OLYH LQ D FOLPDWH RI WKHIW RI Nigeria’s wealth by some members of the ruling elite who stash the money away in foreign lands, places where the airports alone say positive things about the people.

While the huge fertilizer plant and the new airport terminal were being commissioned by the President, there were and there still are pending matters. We are EHJLQQLQJ WR IHHO WKH HͿHFWV RI PRQWKV RI LQVHFXULW\ LQ VFDUFLW\ RI IRRGVWXͿ )RU D ORQJ time, government simply failed to secure the country. Where farmers can no longer farm because of bandits, insurgents and kidnappers, it is only a matter of time before famine sets in.

At the time a new international airport terminal was being opened, air fares for GRPHVWLF ÁLJKWV KDYH VN\URFNHWHG E\ RYHU 7KH DYLDWLRQ VHFWRU LV EDGO\ DͿHFWHG by turbulence in the energy market. Airlines are unable to procure funds to buy aviation fuel. Flights are rescheduled, often cancelled.

There are stories of passengers who spent GD\V DW WKH DLUSRUW ZLWKRXW Á\LQJ DQG ZKR in utter disappointment, had to travel by road. But the roads are bad, they are unsafe.

Kidnappers are on the prowl, armed robbers on the rampage.

Electricity supply continues to be a major headache in Nigeria. We thought we could use our standby generators. But now, cost of

diesel has gone beyond the capacity of even banks. Banks, radio and television stations have had to reduce the number of hours they operate. Telecom masts are, for the most part, run on diesel. The cost of diesel has DͿHFWHG RXU DELOLW\ WR PDNH FDOOV 0RWRULVWV spend hours queueing for fuel, and there are times they must pay before they are allowed to join the queue.

Education is the engine room of development in any nation. But here, Nigeria’s government-owned universities are on lockdown. Yet, they want to be ranked among the best in the world. To add to this bad news is more bad news in the education sector.

On March 24, 2022, just two days after the commissioning of the fertiliser plant and the international airport terminal, at the launch of the Nigerian Learning Platform in Abuja, the United Nations Children’s

We are beginning to feel the effects of months of insecurity in scarcity of foodstuff. For a long time, government simply failed to secure the country. Where farmers can no longer farm because of bandits, insurgents and kidnappers, it is only a matter of time before famine sets in

Fund announced that 9.7 million Nigerian children run the risk of never returning to school. If the present is distressing, the future seems to be bleak.

While these depressive indices stare us in the face, the eyes of Nigeria’s political elite are turned to the 2023 elections. All manners of meetings, open and clandestine, are being held. Very soon, the campaign train will leave the station. But, will our politicians run developmental issues-driven campaigns, or will they indulge in frivolities DQG FKDUDFWHU DVVDVVLQDWLRQ" 7KHLU REMHFWLYH is not how to address developmental issues but how to attain power. They want to become President of a country they have KHOSHG WR GHVWUR\ %XW ZLOO WKH\ UHEXLOG" To attain their objective, bags of rice will be shared, drums of cooking oil will be poured, bundles of dollar bills will be sprayed at campaign venues, empty promises will be made to presumedly gullible voters, and, at WKH HQG RI LW DOO FUHGLEOH DQG H΀FLHQW OHDGHUV will be scarce.

This country is shutting down fast. This LV WKH IDFW :KR ZLOO EDLO XV RXW RI LW" %XW our politicians are merely obsessed with power. There are very important issues in need of urgent attention. Yet, these are being ignored in the pursuit of power for the sake of power, in politics without morality.

The issue of a so-called federal constitution that legitimises the abduction of Nigeria and Nigerians by the political elite is a matter to be urgently addressed. It is a moral obligation to make it an issue in the 2023 elections. To fail to assume this obligation is to expose ourselves and future generations of Nigerians to unending bickering. But rather than face this issue, what matters to our politicians are their party conventions and presidential candidates. My heart EOHHGV IRU 1LJHULD ² LQGHHG ZLWKHU 1LJHULD" Our beloved country is bleeding to death.

7KH KDHPRUUKDJH KDV EHHQ LQÁLFWHG E\ Machiavellian politics, the pastime of many members of the elite. This is the time to sit down and be honest with ourselves and with one another. This country is not going to improve with the egotism of our politicians.

The heat is becoming increasingly unbearable, and it would be foolish to run after shadows and call it politics. At the rate we are going, this country may soon become inhabitable for leaders and the led.

Our young people are already looking for WKHLU HVFDSH URXWHV 7KRVH ZKR FDQQRW ÀQG an escape route are resorting to crime and violence. Where then will our politicians run ZKHQ LW EHFRPHV WRR KRW" $QG HYHQ LI WKH\ UXQ ZLOO WKH\ EH DEOH WR KLGH" ,I WKH\ KLGH from human beings, can they hide from the MXGJPHQW RI WKH $OPLJKW\"

His Eminence, Cardinal Okogie is formerly Archbishop Emeritus of Lagos in the Roman Catholic Church

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T H I S D AY SUNDAY APRIL 3, 2022

Nigerians deserve the benefit of choosing the next President from a wide array of candidates, writes ETIM ETIM

AYO OYOZE BAJE writes that the security lapses are troubling

2023: BETWEEN OSINBAJO AND TINUBU I have read many articles and commentaries suggesting that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo should drop his presidential ambition in deference to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

They argue that since it was Tinubu that gave 2VLQEDMR KLV ÀUVW SROLWLFDO DSSRLQWPHQW DV IDU EDFN DV DQ 2VLQEDMR FKDOOHQJH ZLOO EH WDQWDPRXQW WR ¶·ELWLQJ WKH ÀQJHU WKDW IHG KLP·· ,Q RWKHU ZRUGV WKH DUJXPHQW JRHV since Tinubu, as Lagos governor, appointed Osinbajo Attorney General and Commissioner IRU -XVWLFH LQ DQG SRVVLEO\ SOD\HG D UROH LQ KLV HPHUJHQFH DV WKH 93 LQ 2VLQEDMR owes Tinubu eternal gratitude and so should

VP for many reasons. His support base has been growing steadily across board. It would therefore be an unpardonable act of cowardice for the VP to chicken out of the race just to please Tinubu. Nigerians would be too disappointed in the VP. Three, our country is in a very critical socioeconomic circumstances now; an unusual moment that requires the best of us to step up and lead the nation. Osinbajo is a competent, committed and dedicated public servant reputed as the engine room of this administration. He can stand anywhere in the world, comfortable with other world

drop out of the race. This argument is specious, deceptive and myopic. It ignores the urgency of the moment and panders to emotions and traditions. The idea is a clever and disingenuous ploy by the Tinubu campaign to discourage the VP from the race and pave the way for Tinubu as the sole APC candidate. Nigerians deserve WKH EHQHÀW RI FKRRVLQJ WKH QH[W 3UHVLGHQW IURP a wide array of candidates. Nobody should be bullied or railroaded out of the contest; not WKLV 93 ZKR LV ZHOO SODFHG WR RͿHU VRXQG DQG competent leadership.

There are many reasons why Prof Osinbajo should ignore the taunts from the Tinubu camp, and go ahead to pursue his ambition. One, Yemi Osinbajo is the most favoured of all the presidential aspirants in both parties. Although he had served in the Tinubu administration as a

leaders, business chieftains, the young and the old, on any platform, to discuss any topic.

He is savvy with new technology and always ready with solutions for all problems. The VP easily connects with Nigerians and exudes compassion and empathy. He will make a great leader in times like this.

Four, Tinubu cuts a picture of a politician overwhelmed with a sense of entitlement. For him, the presidency should be handed over to him as a trophy for his achievements. His LQFHVVDQW UHIHUHQFH WR ¶·P\ OLIH ORQJ DPELWLRQ·· is an irritation and a clear dissonance with how PRGHUQ GD\ OHDGHUV VSHDN +DYLQJ ¶SRFNHWHG· Lagos in the last 23 years, Tinubu now wants the whole country. But Nigeria is bigger than any one man, no matter how powerful he might be. Five, it is obvious that the former Lagos governor is not in the best of health. We all know the baggage he carries and the habits he indulges in. Nigeria will be a laughing stock before the rest of the world if APC puts him up as its presidential candidate. I mean, in spite of our challenges, we are better than that.

6L[ 1LJHULD LV ORQJ XVHG WR DOWHUQDWLQJ LWV leader between a Muslim from the North and &KULVWLDQ IURP WKH 6RXWK ,W PDNHV IRU EDODQFH stability and inclusiveness. Breaking this long tradition may dislocate our national harmony and violate our diversity. After eight years of Buhari presidency, the natural successor is a 6RXWKHUQ &KULVWLDQ Finally, it seems that the clamour for the VP to withdraw from the race for Tinubu is embedded in the Yoruba cultural milieu in which a younger person must prostrate before DQ HOGHU DQG OLH WKHUH XQWLO KH·V WROG WR JHW XS I get that. I respect our cultures and some of our rich traditions. They add colour to our lives DQG JLYH XV RXU LGHQWLW\ DV WKH ZRUOG·V PRVW populous black nation. But in the matter of the IDWH RI 1LJHULD LQ WKH VW FHQWXU\ D QDWLRQ RI over 200 million people with over 250 ethnic groups and a vibrant and youthful population ZH FDQQRW DͿRUG WR VXEMHFW RXU GHVWLQ\ WR the whims of a kingmaker. The Presidency is QRW D UHZDUG IRU DQ\ERG\·V SDVW HͿRUWV RU D WURSK\ IRU KLV HDUOLHU YLFWRULHV 7KH 2΀FH RI WKH President is the highest position in the land and it symbolises our pride, prestige and stature.

7KDW R΀FH VKRXOG EH UHVHUYHG IRU WKH EHVW RI us who has never been tainted by any dirt or stain.

The Office of the President is the highest position in the land and it symbolises our pride, prestige and stature.

That office should be reserved for the best of us who has never been tainted by any dirt or stain commissioner, he is not under eternal servitude or peonage to the former governor. Public VHUYLFH LV QRW D IDYRXU WR WKH VHUYLQJ R΀FLDO ,W LV D FLYLF GXW\ RU D VDFULÀFH 2VLQEDMR VHUYHG creditably well in Lagos. He is not under any bondage to Tinubu. Far from it. Rather, Asiwaju and his supporters should acknowledge 2VLQEDMR·V VWDWXV DV WKH QDWLRQ·V QXPEHU WZR FLWL]HQ DQG DFFRUG KLP WKH UHVSHFW WKH R΀FH deserves. If anybody needs to withdraw for another, I believe that it is actually the Asiwaju who should step down and encourage the VP in the race. Tinubu should be proud that his former commissioner has continued to give a good account of himself as our Vice President, and he is a formidable contender in the presidential race. It takes a leader to raise another leader, so states the Law of Reproduction in management science.

Two, in the last one year or so, Nigerians from all walks of life, political inclinations and HWKQLF D΀OLDWLRQV KDYH EHHQ URXWLQJ IRU WKH

Etim is a Journalist

KADUNA KILLINGS AND A SILENCED NATION ¶·7KHLU IHHW UXQ WR HYLO DQG WKH\ PDNH KDVWH to shed innocent blood.

Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are ,Q WKHLU SDWKV·· ,VDLDK YHUVH The recent heartless, bloodletting attacks of WHUURULVWV RQ WKH $EXMD .DGXQD UDLO OLQH DQG WUDLQ WZLFH ZLWKLQ KRXUV LQ DGGLWLRQ WR WKH .DGXQD DLUSRUW KDYH EURXJKW WR PLQG P\ RSLQLRQ HVVD\ WLWOHG ¶6RXWKHUQ .DGXQD .LOOLQJV DQG 2XU )UDJLOH 8QLW\· ,W ZDV SXEOLVKHG RQ -DQXDU\ 7KH DLP WKHQ ZDV WR GUDZ the needed attention of the powers that be,

that more was being said than done in reining in the rampaging monster of killer herdsmen on innocent citizens. That was precisely so in VHYHUDO 6RWKHUQ .DGXQD YLOODJHV VXFK DV *DG %L\X $JZDQ $MR DV ZHOO DV =DQJR .DWDI -HPD·D DQG .DXUD ORFDO FRXQFLOV DV SHUSHWUDWHG IURP $XJXVW RI WKH SUHYLRXV \HDU Back then, after series of mindless mayhem and attacks on 53 villages, with the razing GRZQ RI FKXUFKHV KRXVHV OHDYLQJ LQQRFHQW OLYHV ZDVWHG DQG SHRSOH LQMXUHG WKH state governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai publicly claimed that he had paid an undisclosed ransom to some of the suspected killers, so as to sheathe their swords! You can read that again. And perhaps, get to understand why we are where we are, as a nation with scarce regards for the sanctity of human life. The gnawing pain here is that the life of the killers is being promoted as more important than those of their voiceless victims.

(YHU VLQFH WKH VLWXDWLRQ KDV JRWWHQ PRUH sordid, more scary and more shameless; in both scope and size. For instance, on March 25, 2022 about 50 people were allegedly killed with an undisclosed number of the victims abducted when bandits (let us call them terrorists) swooped on nine communities in Giwa local council of the troubled state. They also burnt houses and vehicles, motorcycles and rustled RYHU FRZV DFFRUGLQJ WR D PHPEHU RI D vigilante group in Dillalai area of the council. $GG WKHVH WRUULG WDOHV WR WKH FRQÀUPDWLRQ E\ WKH .DGXQD 6WDWH JRYHUQPHQW RI WKH UHFRYHU\ RI FRUSVHV LQFOXGLQJ WKDW RI WZR PLOLWDU\ personnel from the scene of another attack in RWKHU DUHDV VXFK DV 7VRQJH $JEDQ .DWDQJD DQG .DGDUNR DOO LQ .DXUD ORFDO JRYHUQPHQW area and it should be patently clear to discerning minds that Nigeria is gravitating towards a failed state! ,I DV H[SUHVVO\ VWDWHG LQ 6HFWLRQ VXE VHFWLRQ E RI WKH &RQVWLWXWLRQ DV Amended) that the primary purpose of government is to guarantee security of the

citizens and their property, as well as to provide for their welfare and the empirical evidences on ground is the gross failure of both, there is cause for serious concern for our common safety.

Or, how else can we explain the recent attack by some 200 gunmen on ‘runway ÀYH· RI .DGXQD DLUSRUW DV FRQÀUPHG

by Federal Airports Authorities? They were said to have got there from a nearby forest! Does that mean that the military has knowledge of where they are located but has not taken proactive action long before now? But that is just one of the several questions troubling the minds of peaceORYLQJ 1LJHULDQV LQ .DGXQD 6WDWH DQG beyond.

How for instance, do we explain the IDFW WKDW .DGXQD ZKLFK LV WKH HSLFHQWUH RI many military institutions and formations, including the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) was again in the news for the wrong reasons? What a paradox! According to the Nigerian Railway Corporation 15& HLJKW SHRSOH ZHUH FRQÀUPHG GHDG and 26 injured, out of the 362 validated passengers. They were allegedly sent WR WKHLU HDUO\ JUDYHV E\ $. ZLHOGLQJ terrorists who stormed the train! Amongst the victims was Musa Lawal Ozigi, who was until his untimely demise the General 6HFUHWDU\ RI WKH 7UDGH 8QLRQ &RQJUHVV RI 1LJHULD 78& :KDW D VDIH FRXQWU\ WR OLYH in, if you can understand the explanations of Alhaji Lai Muhammed, the Minister of Information and Culture.

With all these anomalies playing WKHPVHOYHV RXW RQ WKH ÀHOGV RI PRUDOLW\ security, politics, inter-tribal relations and infrastructural development should we be more concerned about the messy political gambits to grab and retain power come 2023, or to have a safer nation? The answer should be obvious to those who still have an iota of love for, or any allegiance to the quasi-nation called Nigeria. As clearly pointed out in my earlier essay, this is the time to face the facts and answer the critical questions.

How do we justify the insulting policy of amnesty for blood-thirsty criminals? Why is the government treating them as if their lives are more precious than the thousands of fellow citizens whose precious lives they have wantonly wasted? Who is arming the terrorists with hi-tech and top-notch weapons of war? For what reason is the IHGHUDO JRYHUQPHQW ÀQGLQJ LW GL΀FXOW WR deal decisively with the alleged sponsors of terrorism here in the country when their counterparts have been judged and jailed LQ WKH 8QLWHG $UDE (PLUDWH 8$( " Only credible answers to these troubling TXHVWLRQV ZRXOG JR D ORQJ ZD\ WR ÀQGLQJ lasting solutions to the collective injustice against the Nigerian state. From the killing spree of the innocent citizens of Benue plains and valleys, through the farmlands of Plateau, Adamawa, across to Zamfara, 6RNRWR GRZQ WR ,PR $QDPEUD (GR WR 2QGR IHUWLOH ÀHOGV WKH YRLFHV RI WKH EORRG of innocent Nigerians spilled have cried unto God, as it was between Abel and Cain!

Baje writes from Lagos

353

T H I S D AY SUNDAY APRIL 3, 2022

The country is on another merry go round, reckons JOHN SEGUN ODEYEMI

NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY: CHASING THE RED HERRING High-octane energy is revving up in the backrooms where cabals, oligarchs, feudalists and evil geniuses gather to prescribe, for and on behalf of the people, the names of cronies to occupy the center stage of political power in the land. We have been here several times, and from the last debacle, we are coming full circle again. The modern-day Nigerian citizen, when it comes to the political process, are at best Pavlovian; conditioned to act, shocked by electricity, rewarded or punished. The conditioning does not

breed any meta-narrative, rather it keeps the mind subjugated, idealized to the level of obscurantism found only among LPEHFLOHV ,Q P\ UHDGLQJ RI WKH FDODPLW\ we call a nation, and its political processes, can, at its very best be described as staring into the abyss of self-destruction, yet convivially jubilating and winking at madness… Jesus wept!

Taking as an example, the buzz around those usual major players who are expected to declare their interest in UXQQLQJ IRU WKH KLJKHVW RIÀFH LQ WKH ODQG and names being touted by adherents, DÀFLRQDGRV RI PDG PHQ DQG ZDONLQJ corpses, it is more than compelling for me to say that as a people, it comes down to a mental subjugation to the point of amnesia. Or, some form of cultural masochism where the hapless’ survival is dependent on the continued hedonism of his ‘Massa Sir.’ Whichever way, in which the rational and critical mind attempts an exploration of the Nigerian political process, it results only in a conundrum.

One’s entire senses are assaulted by the maladroit putridity of the players and the system they have put in place.

A few years ago, when the entire nation started the misadventure of the current administration, only a very few of us raised alarm at what was so conspicuous that it was criminal not to have seen it. Among kith and kin, we were called alarmists, SHVVLPLVWV HYHQ HQHPLHV RI SURJUHVV , watched in utter dismay, as some of my family and friends, noteworthy intellectual and person a l c re d i b l e p e d i g re e j o i n e d t h e b a n d w a g o n of the maddening mobs to sing W K H V R Q J R I D F R P L Q J 0 H V V L D K , w o n d e re d a t t h e t i m e , w h e t h e r it has something to do with the f o o d w e e a t , t h e a i r w e b reathe or it is as a result of natural sociological conditioning that turns a people into mediocre, unable to engage issues critically, especially, as they are issues that directly impacts their welfare and that of their dependants.

2023 is around the corner, the nation is at it again; the usual moribund reasoning and ‘parambulating’

which characterizes the nation’s elections are being mobilized. Sadly, done by young, educated, engaged Nigerians who ought to be seeking new paths. These same people, ZKR SURÀW IURP WKH ORRWLQJ RI WKH QDWLRQDO treasury, are the lackeys who promote the same old players purporting the promise of moving to “Another Level!” We have seen it repeatedly. Why we continue to elevate, praise and eulogize those we know do not, by any shred of the imagination, have the goodwill of the citizens at heart, more than EDIÁHV PH :K\ GR ZH HOHFW SHRSOH LQWR RIÀFH SHRSOH ZKR DUH FOHDUO\ QRW JRLQJ WR invest in your interest? We see it in their medical tourisms when our hospitals are in a shambles. We see where they buy houses and properties. We know they are above the law, but EFCC, the Police and special branch can make and create cases against you of which you will only survive after settlement, not minding if you are guilty or not. The disparity in what our politicians earn as allowances alone in a month compared to any civil servant at any level ought to urge us to righteous anger; but not Nigerians.

Let the truth be told, as a nation and as a people, we are too intellectually lazy, WRR JLYHQ WR SURÁLJDF\ DQG GHEDXFKHU\ to even want to try to challenge the status quo. Democracy will never work in Nigeria as long as we allow these same miscreants carry on perpetuating, and replacing themselves in the political cadre. Without injecting new vision, neointellectual class and patriots willing to VWDUW DIUHVK E\ SXWWLQJ WKH SHRSOH ÀUVW ZH shall then keep on deluding ourselves that we have a nation. The failure of democracy in Nigeria is ab-initio; the failure of the founding fathers of independence to tweak democracy to soothe our sociocultural temperaments. We have never had a democracy, and never will, until we ÀQG HLWKHU QHZ YLVLRQ RU QHZ SDWKZD\V Candidly, to move Nigeria forward, the nation must be ready for a few years of absolute tyranny.

A strong leader who will literally put a yoke around our collective necks, rule with an iron feast as it has been done in China, Cuba, Japan, Singapore, etc. This is not new to anyone, we, as a people, acquiesced to a system that does not work. We hope and pray for a turn around when we do absolutely nothing to reclaim the nation from the blood-sucking politicians who hold the nation in a vice and stranglehold.

We must be willing to punish graft with annihilation and public shame other than celebrate corruption. We must adjudicate for a rule of law which goes beyond and above persons or created institutions.

There is a necessity to separate religion from common will, and jettison the quota system for capacity and ability. As a people, we idealize, debate, analyze issues and it ends at that point. When do we move from theorizing to praxis? Sadly, Nigerians have chosen to chase the red herring consciously and unwilling to face facts, this is equal to running the fool’s errand.

Rev. Fr. Odeyemi is Fellow, Xavier University, Department of Theology, ,QVWLWXWH IRU %ODFN &DWKROLF 6WXGLHV

Rev. Fr. Odeyemi is Fellow, Xavier University, Department of Theology, Institute for Black Catholic Studies

GENDER BILL AND PARLIAMENTARY CONUNDRUM Samuel Akpobome Orovwuje argues the need to address under-representation of women in public spaces Over the last decade, countries and JRYHUQPHQWV KDYH PDGH VLJQLÀFDQW progress in mainstreaming gender, including parliamentary representation and inclusion.

Regrettably, the National Assembly in Nigeria is not aware of its responsibility regarding gender mainstreaming beyond the symbolic effort of ticking the box for women leaders at the political party level. The failure to meet the 35% minimum threshold for ZRPHQ LQ DSSRLQWLYH DQG HOHFWLYH RIÀFH DV spelt out in the 2006 National Gender Policy, is provokingly worrisome.

This article examines the growing tensions between Nigeria’s womenfolk and the National Assembly in part due to the UHMHFWLRQ RI ÀYH YLWDO JHQGHU ELOOV WKDW DGGUHVV the issues of gender parity and inclusion, and it interrogates the perpetuation of patriarchy as well as the hypocritical approach to gender laws by parliamentarians. The article concludes that the under-representation of women in public space must be addressed by stakeholders in order to evolve a new nation.

The demands by the womenfolk are essentially about negotiating gender equity from international and regional human rights perspectives, particularly the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

The bills to be altered in the constitution that were regrettably rejected by the Ninth National Assembly include numbers 35, 36, 37, 38 and 68, respectively: Bill to Provide for Special Seat for Women in the National Assembly, Bill to Expand the Scope of Citizenship by Registration, Bill to Provide IRU $IÀUPDWLYH $FWLRQ IRU :RPHQ LQ 3ROLWLFDO Party Administration, Bill to Provide Criteria IRU 4XDOLÀFDWLRQ WR EH DQ ,QGLJHQH RI D 6WDWH in Nigeria, and Bill to Give Women a Quota in the Federal and state executives councils or Ministerial and Commissionership Seats, respectively.

The Ninth National Assembly’s rejection of these bills has raised a touchy debate on the nexus between patriarchy, identity, culture, tradition, religion and the cross-cutting issues of feminism, gender essentialism and nationbuilding. Gender and feminist advocacy is about more women assuming positions of LQÁXHQFH DQG SRZHU &ULWLFDO VWDNHKROGHUV and civil society groups must create an inclusive space, initiate programmes and lobby the National Assembly to dismantle the embedded hierarchies in political institutions, state structures and the objectionable systems that continue to undervalue, dishonour and emasculate women in nation-building efforts.

Sadly, culture and negative norms of discrimination and misapplication of religious beliefs continue to bias and hinder existential policies that support women.

More often than not, women’s economic contributions are under–valued and they suffer discriminatory practices, including OHVVHU SD\ LQ WKH ZRUNSODFH ,QGHHG WKH National Assembly must revise itself by reconsidering the gender-sensitive bills.

Unmistakably, the major contests of feminism and gender advocacy go beyond obscuring women’s importance and distracting attention from their political existence; it is more about the sad impulses

RI VH[XDO REMHFWLÀFDWLRQ FRPPRGLÀFDWLRQ and feminization of poverty. What is important in my view of women’s struggles is the improvement of access to national livelihood assets. Service delivery to all - including women, the elderly, the poor, people with disabilities and others excluded from the development equation - is germane to the overall wellbeing and GHYHORSPHQW RI WKH FRXQWU\ ,W LV WKH YRLFH DQG LQÁXHQFH IRU PLQGVHW HQJLQHHULQJ for more public policy and leadership commitment that creates equality, equity and social inclusion.

Evidence-based statistics show that women are under-represented in many sectors. According to the British Council, 21% of women in the non-agricultural labour force (2012) and 79% of Nigeria’s rural labour force are female (Oxfam, 2019), while 1.5 million children aged 6-14 (8.1%) in Nigeria are not in school. The number of out-of-school children, depending on WKH GDWD IURP 81,&() DQG WKH 1DWLRQDO Bureau of Statistics (NBS), is between 10.5 and 13.5 million. Furthermore, according to the World Economic Forum (2019), Nigeria ranked 139thout of 149 countries by the Global Gender Gap in the Political (PSRZHUPHQW ,QGH[ ,W LV LQVWUXFWLYH WR QRWH WKDW WKH unpredictability in the treatment of women and girls-related bills is contrary to the spirit and letter of international human rights laws and conventions, which uphold the rights of women DJDLQVW GLVFULPLQDWLRQ ,W DOVR SRLQWV WR a more treacherous problem of religious DQG FXOWXUDO KHJHPRQ\ ,QGHHG ZRPHQ·V gender advocacy and protest are about rethinking existential power relations, access, opportunity and control, in line with global best practices, particularly in empowering women and closing the gap in the world of work. These are the key drivers and enablers for achieving the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. ,QWHUHVWLQJO\ VXSSRUWLQJ WKH JLUO FKLOG and raising the boy-child to be gender aware and responsive and giving voice to victims of physical and sexual violence are critical to realising gender equality and equity. Further, the feminization of poverty, which is a negative narrative that mirrors women as wearing the face of poverty in national discourse, and SURÀOLQJ PXVW EH LQWHUURJDWHG WR FKDQJH the language of discrimination.

Regrettably, the current 5% and 10% of women representation in parliament and the cabinet, respectively, are grossly inadequate in a situation where women account for over 45% of the voting public.

Therefore, we must dismantle these hierarchies of power and invest more in women, the girl-child and the boy-child with a view to creating safer spaces that stimulate national identity and cohesion.

Orovwuje is Founder, Humanitarian Care for Displaced Persons, Lagos.

He can be reached viaOrovwuje50@ gmail.com

4 54

T H I S D AY SUNDAY APRIL 3, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

KADUNA AND THE CRISIS OF NATIONAL SECURITY There should be sustained investment in border security, especially along the northern axis

W

herever you turn in Nigeria today, the news is grim. But it is getting grimmer LQ .DGXQD WKH PRVW IRUWLÀHG VWDWH LQ the country, and foremost capital of the North. Last Thursday, emotions ran high in the House of Representatives, dominated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Apparently exasperated by recent tragedies, some members proposed that the National Assembly be shut to force President Muhammadu Buhari to take issues of protecting life and property more seriously. Perhaps no contribution captured the national mood better than that of Nasir Ahmed. “This madness has to stop,” he said. “You travel by road, you are kidnapped. You go by train, you are kidnapped.

Last week, an airport was attacked by bandits.

You sit at home, you are kidnapped. You send your children to school, they are kidnapped. A few weeks ago, somebody was kidnapped in a hospital. You can be kidnapped right in this chamber.”

Kaduna State has for long been a theatre of violence, battered by a combination of insurgency, banditry, DQG HQGOHVV VHFWDULDQ FRQÁLFWV %XW WKH PDGQHVV LV not restricted to the state. Indeed, attacks by bandits have been a common occurrence especially in remote FRPPXQLWLHV LQ ÀYH RWKHU 1RUWKZHVW VWDWHV RI .HEEL Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina as well as Niger State in the Northcentral. According to Governor Nasir el-Rufai, some 1192 persons were killed by bandits and other violent attacks across Kaduna State in 2021 while 3,346 were kidnapped. Even the elite National Defence Academy (NDA) was not spared by the bandits who LQYDGHG NLOOHG WZR DUP\ R΀FHUV DQG VHL]HG RQH 2QO\ ODVW ZHHN GR]HQV RI LQQRFHQW SHRSOH ZHUH NLOOHG ZKLOH many others were abducted when terrorists invaded about nine communities in Giwa local council of the state.

However, the most bestial of these recent violent acts that drew both the ire and tears of Nigerians across all divides was last Monday’s attack by terrorists on a train bound for Kaduna from Abuja. At least eight people died immediately from the attack while several others sustained

gunshot injuries. We hope the authorities will work VSHHGLO\ WR HQVXUH WKH UHOHDVH RI GR]HQV RI SDVVHQJHUV WKDW were abducted. Meanwhile, two days earlier, these same audacious bandits had attacked the Kaduna International $LUSRUW GLVUXSWHG ÁLJKWV DQG NLOOHG D VHFXULW\ JXDUG The attack on the airport Runway Five provides more evidence of the danger facing the country even in spaces that are supposed to have a higher level of security than the norm. It also underscores both the increasing helplessness of those in charge of security. The announcement that “a combined team of anti-banditry military personnel’ and FAAN’s Crime Investigation Unit swung into action WR DUUHVW WKH VLWXDWLRQµ RͿHUV QR FRPIRUW HVSHFLDOO\ WR the family of the victim of the incident and other traumatised passengers.

While it has become tradition to hail the postincident gallantry of security personnel, the lusty PR cannot make up for the losses and destruction or assuage the increasing concern of distraught Nigerians regarding the worsening security situation. &OHDUO\ VRPHWKLQJ PXVW EH GRQH $V D ÀUVW VWHS a comprehensive review of the current security infrastructure and strategies in all airports in the country, local and international, should be conducted to determine the status and plug loopholes. Besides, there is an urgent need to review the counter terrorism strategy in the Northwest. Knowing how potent the threat is, the military must deploy robust intelligence underpinned by rapid use of technology to keep ahead of the bandits and change the present tendency of always reacting to attacks. However, we must commend our military for their gallantry and the VDFULÀFHV HVSHFLDOO\ ZKHQ WKH UROH RI LQWHUQDO VHFXULW\ IRU which they are now saddled is basically that of the police.

2YHUDOO WKHUH LV DQ XUJHQW QHHG IRU D FRQWDLQPHQW strategy to deny these criminals access to weapons and ammunition from external sources, as well as movements in and out of the Nigerian territory. We can only achieve this through sustained investment in border security, especially along the northern axis. It is an expensive YHQWXUH ZLWK ORZ VKRUW WHUP HͿHFW EXW D KLJK ORQJ WHUP action to securing the country from dare-devil criminal gangs.

There is an urgent need to review the counter terrorism strategy in the Northwest. Knowing how potent the threat is, the military must deploy robust intelligence underpinned by rapid use of technology to keep ahead of the bandits T H I S D AY 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 D AY 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

Letters to the Editor Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-300 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 (750- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with photograph, email address and phone numbers of the writer.

LETTERS CELEBRATING LADY DOJA OTEDOLA AT 90 Until she was stopped for security reasons, the First Lady of Lagos 6WDWH GXULQJ WKH VHFRQG FLYLOLDQ UHJLPH 0UV 'RMD 2WHGROD DW RYHU WKH DJH RI ZLOO MRJ IRU DERXW WZR KRXUV HYHU\ GD\ IURP KHU 2G RUDJXVKLQ town residence to Epe accompanied by her dogs.

Her stoppage from observing her daily exercise outside her home however could not disturb her morning press - up exercise every day and other athletic exercises in her large compound.

7DOO EODFN DQG EHDXWLIXO ZLWK WKH DWKOHWLF ÀJXUH /DG\ 'RMD 2WHGROD had been the favourites of undergraduates at the University of Lagos in the seventies and eighties for the smooth running of the cafeteria.

This Chief Caterer with fantastic culinary skills was nicknamed ´0DPD (΀FLHQF\µ IRU WKH G\QDPLF ZD\ VKH UDQ WKH FDIHWHULD ,W ZDV DOVR WKLV G\QDPLVP DQG SDVVLRQ WKDW 0UV 'RMD 2WHGROD ZKR was born on April 3, 1932 and is 90 years today, brought to the Government House in Lagos State from January 1992 to November 1993, when she was the wife of the Executive Governor and Chairperson, Better Life for Rural Dwellers.

7KH ZLIH RI ODWH 6LU 0LFKDHO $JERODGH 2WHGROD VHFRQG FLYLOLDQ *RYernor of Lagos State had been managing a large poultry and piggery farm in Epe before her husband became the helmsman in the State of Aquatic Splendour, so it was a very easy task for her to mobilise, train

and engage rural women in farming, trading and crafts.

To her credit, hundreds of women were not only gainfully employed but became employers of labour.

All the aides of her husband, including Commissioners, Special AdYLVHUV 3HUVRQDO 6WDͿ 3HUPDQHQW 6HFUHWDULHV DQG RWKHUV ZKR HLWKHU KDG a working relationship or social relationship enjoyed her motherly love, charm and culinary skill. A fantastic hostess, there was never a dull moment with Mama.

Before her advent in government, she had been an asset and a great mobiliser for her husband during the politicking days, especially the FDPSDLJQ SHULRGV ZKHQ 0LFKDHO 2WHGROD &DPSDLJQ 2UJDQLVDWLRQ 02&2 ZDV IRUPHG She traversed every nook and cranny in Lagos State to campaign for WKH 1DWLRQDO 5HSXEOLFDQ &RQYHQWLRQ 15& SROLWLFDO SDUW\ ZKHUH 6LU 2Wedola eventually emerged the gubernatorial candidate and later won the election with a landslide.

About a decade before her husband became the Governor of Lagos 6WDWH VKH KDG EHHQ D SULPH VXSSRUWHU RI 6LU 0LFKDHO 2WHGROD VFKRODUship scheme for indigent students in Lagos State, a project that produced a lot of university graduates and professionals who might have been denied of furthering their education beyond primary school leaving cer-

WLÀFDWH OHYHO $ YHU\ PRGHVW ZRPDQ VKH GHWHVWHG D ÁDPER\DQW OLIH DV )LUVW /DG\ and rather than be demoralised that the Military through a coup - detat that brought late General Sani Abacha to power, truncated her husband’s four year tenure as elected Governor, she warmly welcomed Sir 2WHGROD EDFN WR 2GRUDJXVKLQ ZLWK GDQFH DQG GUXPV DIWHU RQH \HDU DQG HOHYHQ PRQWKV LQ R΀FH VD\LQJ KH KDV VHUYHG PHULWRULRXVO\ ZLWK KLV LQtegrity intact.

A devout Christian of Catholic denomination along with her husband who was a Knight of Saint Sylvester, it was her dream to build a House for God and the philanthropist has been able to achieve this at the age of 90.

7KH ODUJH PRGHUQ FKXUFK 6DLQW 3HWHU·V &DWKROLF &KXUFK 2GRUDJXVKin will be dedicated today, Sunday, April 3, 2022.to mark her 90th birthday. +HUH LV ZLVKLQJ WKH PRWKHU RI EXVLQHVV PRJXO )HPL 2WHGROD $\R 2OX WKH WZLQV ODGLHV DQG SOHQW\ RI ´DGRSWHG FKLOGUHQµ LQFOXGLQJ WKLV writer a very happy 90th birthday.

Sina Ogunbambo was Chief Press Secretary to Governor Michael Otedola in Lagos State

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

3.4.2022

Lady Doja Otedola @90 The Quintessential Erstwhile First Lady of Lagos Away from the glamour of public service, the Matriarch of the Otedola family, teacher and wife of the former Lagos State governor, Lady Doja Otedola leads a quiet and spiritual life. Having tapped from her childhood spent largely in mission schools and Catholicism, she desired a quiet life and found it much after retirement. Memories of years gone by still ignite some sparks in her eyes as she recounts parts of her life story that have shaped the past nine decades. Bayo Akinloye writes ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/victoria.olaode@thisdaylive.com.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 3, 2022

COVER

I am Contented, My Happiness Knows No Bounds

Lady Otedola

P

oise. Passion. Faith. Fulfillment.

Those four words here are not the limit of her summation. She embodies humanity, simplicity and humility. There is more to her than meets the eye.

She epitomises the existential elements of being human, with an illustrious life of giving, sacrificing and giving more — her eyes beam, undimmed by the frailty of old age and vicissitudes of life.

Decked in beautiful lace, blue beaded jewels in her ears, around her neck and wrist, and matching shawls, the Otedola matriarch beams with fulfillment and accomplishment.

She illuminates the essence of a woman of substance with her resplendent smile and sun-filled face. With nine decades of existence, life seems to further unfold for Lady Christine Doja Otedola as she marks her nonagintennial.

Born on April 3, 1932, into a good Christian home, her late father, Emmanuel Onakomaiya, was from Ogbogbo, Ijebu, while her mother, Rachael Onakomaiya (nee Okubote), was from Oru, Ijebu. Her mother died on July 4, 1935 when she was just three years old. Her upbringing became the responsibility of the entire family: her father, grandmother, uncles and aunties. Her mother’s younger sister, the late Adedoyin Ogunmefun (nee Odubote), who remained

in Ogbogbo to take care of her until she got married.

Her first call at school was at Baptist School, Ogbogbo. She and another pupil (Mrs Mosun Adesanya) were the only two girls in a class full of boys.

“The boys were full of antics and pranks, molesting us and giving us tough times. We resisted them vehemently,” she recalls.

She later attended the Baptist Girls School and Baptist Teacher’s Training College, both in Idi-Aba, Abeokuta.

“I was very anxious to further my education. When the opportunity came, I travelled to Great Britain,” she adds.

“I was admitted into the famous Regent Street Polytechnic, London, where I obtained a certificate in Catering, thus becoming a professional caterer.”

She met her husband, former Lagos governor, Sir Michael Agbolade Otedola.

They got married after six years of courtship.

She was baptised as a Catholic in July 1958 at St. Dominic’s Priory, Southampton Road, London.

“The Irish fathers and reverend sisters who prepared me for baptism were so nice and friendly. They made me imbibe Catholicism hook, line and sinker. I am very grateful to them. Her marriage was richly blessed with many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren,” she says.

Her first job was teaching in a few Baptist schools in Ijebu-Ode. In 1965, she was employed as the chief caterer in the Catering Department of the University of Lagos. It was a fascinating experience.

“I displayed my commitment to excellence and professionalism in my service to the university, and this earned me the nickname ‘Madam Efficiency’ by students and staff alike,” says Lady Doja.

“I retired from the university in 1982 in line with my earlier plan to leave the paid job when I reached the age of 50 years.”

There was another part of her life she found intriguing.

“I cannot but mention my experience as a governor’s wife. My husband ventured into politics in the early 1990s.

To me, the outcome was a mixture of the good, the bad and the ugly,” she narrates. “On the good side, it was an opportunity for contributing my quota to the development of my state, Lagos, in particular, and the country at large. I travelled to all the nooks and crannies of Lagos while at the same time crisscrossing the country. I interacted with many people from all walks of life, positively impacting their lives.”

She adds, “On the bad and ugly sides, politics denied me my freedom as well as my quiet and simple way of life. No wonder I took to the dance floor when the military took over power after only two years of our abode at Marina’s Governor’s Lodge. On to Odoragushin, we went!”

Her devotion to the church is evident in many church activities. She was a member of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) at St. Anthony’s Church, Gbaja, Surulere, Lagos. The late Monsignor Michael Olusesan was the parish priest then. She was also the chairman of the All Purposes Committee of the same church for four years, during which she organised the Annual Parish Harvest.

“I was also an active member of Ladies of Lumumba and president of Christian Mothers for years at St. Anthony’s, Gbaja. When the late Mrs Francisca Awolaja from Falomo Parish was the national president representing the Lagos Archdiocese, I was the vice president at the national level too,” she recalls.

“In addition to this, I remain to date, the patroness of the Catholic Frontliners Society of Saints Sebastian Cathedral Ijebu-Ode. At St. Peter’s Odoragushin, I was the choir mistress for years. I contributed to the spiritual and physical growth of St. Peter’s. Other churches were not left out. A good example was St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Itawo. At St. Peters, celebrating my birthday for some time now has brought something new.”

When she was 85 years old, she erected the Grotto in honour of Mother Mary, “my heavenly mother.”

“It was dedicated by Archbishop Alaba Job and the late Bishop Albert Ayinde Fasina. On May 19, 2020, the foundation of the new church was laid by Monsignor Philip Hoteyin, along with others,” she explains. Lady Doja, former First Lady of Lagos, single-handedly financed the construction of the newly completed ultramodern auditorium for St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Odoragunshin, a complex to be dedicated and inaugurated as a place of worship today April 3.

“What next my Lord? You are my power. You are my strength. You are my light. You are my goodness. I have succeeded. I am contented: my happiness knows no bounds,” she points out. Her old wine can still taste better and sweeter.

A quintessential mother, she understands the value of her children in her life. With longevity, she has seen her children, her children’s children and the children of her children’s children. Her family is her joy and her world. It became her bounden duty to use the scriptures to nurture and tutor her offspring with deep reflection on Proverbs 22:6 (Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it).

“To my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, you have been wonderful to me. I am proud of each one of you,” the grateful nonagenarian says. “You have contributed, in no small measure, to my self-fulfilment. Thank you all.”

Lady Doja remains a communal individual with a deep-seated respect for the traditional institutions, especially in Epe. For many parts of her life, she has found solace in the tranquil Epe, and she knows where to turn in retrospection.

“My Obas and rulers in Epe Division, I have been one with you for the peaceful coexistence of all the people in our area. We thank God for the relative peace in all our communities,” says Lady Doja Otedola.

From far and wide, from captains of industries to political juggernauts, accolades have poured in on Lady Doja Otedola.

“I join all Nigerians and the people of Lagos State in congratulating you on your 90th birthday. I note your selfless service and charitable works to the people of Lagos state when you served as First Lady between 1992 and 1993 and years after this period,” notes Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari. “In celebrating this milestone, I also recognise the many contributions you have made to the people of Epe, most recently the building and dedication of St. Peter’s Catholic Church.

I wish you many more years in good health.

Happy birthday!”

He is not alone in that thought.

“Dolapo and I are honoured to wish our dear mother a happy 90th birthday. We praise the Lord God almighty for the privilege and His grace by which you now fulfil your longexpressed heart’s desire and vow to build a befitting edifice, the St. Peter’s Catholic Church auditorium in Odoragunshin, Epe, for the worship of our Lord and continued propagation of the gospel,” states Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in his congratulatory message. “Your remarkable life of service to others through philanthropy has most certainly been imbibed by your children and grandchildren, whose reputation for promoting charitable causes is also well known.”

Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, in his message, notes that Lady Doja’s life “has been a source of blessing and tremendous inspiration to many generations of Nigerians who came in contact with you, especially the womenfolk.” Obasanjo adds, “You are an exemplary patriot, and the record of your steady, consistent and beneficial influence as a dependable and worthy role model to the entire womenfolk and younger generations has been astonishingly remarkable. We, therefore, join you in thanking God for such a life spent in touching so many other lives positively.”

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, says: “It is noteworthy that on this occasion of Mama’s 90th birthday, we are also dedicating the ultramodern auditorium for St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Odoragunshin...I wish Mama a very happy birthday. I wish her continued good health, joy and peace.”

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos shares a similar sentiment.

“The attainment of this milestone age is a testament to the great grace of God upon your life...It is on record that during your tenure as first lady, you brought motherhood to the Government House and extended your parenting passion to all personal staff assigned both to you and your husband, the late Sir Michael Otedola,” the Lagos governor. “On behalf of my family, the good government and the people of Lagos State, I congratulate you, ma, and wish you more fruitful years in sound health.”

Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote says, “As she attains the age of 90, I would like to join other well-wishers to congratulate Lady Doja Otedola and wish her a happy birthday, great wisdom, immeasurable peace, abundant health and many more years of fulfilment in her dedication to God.” In his congratulatory message, President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Prof.

Ibrahim Gambari, described Lady Doja as a woman with vast experience and deep compassion. Gambari believes that as a nonagenarian, Lady Doja’s life could still be used in the service of humanity.

“It is my prayer that the Almighty keeps you in good health, so our society continues to benefit from your vast experience and deep compassion,” says Gambari, “especially in these trying times when voices like yours are needed to serve as a soothing and calming influence. Congratulations and happy birthday.”

Lady Doja’s life has been remarkable, “steeped in strong faith, a strong devotion to humanity and service to your community.”

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GLITZ PERSONALITY

FESO OYEBADE

Ditching Classroom for Stage Fesogbade Adegoroye Oyebade, artistically known as Feso Oyebade is a former university lecturer, inspirational humourist and a highly talented and skillful master of ceremonies. Oyebade has successfully anchored more than 100 events at home and abroad. He has featured as a standup comedian in some of the biggest shows across the globe which include: Lagos Laughs, Spirit of Saco in Lagos, Crack Ya Ribs in London and Manchester, Just Joking in London and Just Laughing in Colchester, to mention a few. In this interview, the Ekiti State-born multi-faceted performing artiste tells Funke Olaode why he dumped classroom to ply his trade on the stage.

H

is is a self-discovery. His creativity, artistry and ingenuity to toe his path in the world of arts found him early. His acting skills were first discovered early in the nursery school he attended by Rev. Oladele, the proprietor of the school. Then, he would be assigned some poems to memorize and read at the Assembly to other pupils.

“I played key roles in all dramatic activities in primary school from the first year to the last year,’’ he recounted. “Also, in secondary school, I was a member of the dramatic society and won an award in my last year in school for my brilliant performance on stage. The award which was Christ School Merit Awardee (CSMA) was only given to distinguished alumni.

I presume I was the first student to be so honoured with the award.”

As Oyebade grew older, his little mind began to tilt towards studying law which his parents considered to be more befitting than theatre arts.

“While filling my JAMB form, I picked Law as my first choice and Theatre Arts second. The Professor who processed my admission in Lagos State University (LASU) told the admission officer that his candidate wanted Theatre Arts. It was when I went to thank him for his help that he asked me if I could really dance because of my interest in Theatre. I then told him it was law I wanted to study, he looked at my file on his table and said ‘I didn’t know Law was your first choice, you would have made law with your score’. He then encouraged me to go and do Theatre Arts.’

But were his parents disappointed because of his choice? “Not really. My parents were very supportive during my undergraduate, they even came to LASU to witness a play I produced in my final year.”

Oyebade, a Prince from Ogotun-Ekiti in Ekiti State was born on June 10, 1986 to the current traditional ruler Ologotun of Ogotun- Ekiti, Oba Oyebade. After his early years at Dele Foundation Nursery School, Ita-Ogbolu, Ondo State and Christ’s School, AdoEkiti, he proceeded to Lagos State University, Ojo, where he bagged a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts with a 2nd Class Upper Division, graduating in 2009.

In his quest for knowledge, in 2013, he headed to the prestigious University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom for Master of Arts degree in Film Studies. He possesses a certificate in comedy writing and performance from Wivenhoe Funny Farm, Wivenhoe, United Kingdom and a certificate in basic presentation from The Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria Training School, Ikeja. He is also an alumnus of the premier Christian Drama Institute in Nigeria: the Mount Zion Institute of Christian Drama, Ile-Ife Nigeria where he bagged an advance certificate in Christian Drama Arts.

He is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Media Arts in Federal University of Oye, Ekiti State. Oyebade has over nine years of professional events MC Experience,

Oyebade

over twenty-five stage and screen credits as actor, producer and director. He lectured for five years in a University in Ekiti State before he resigned to pursue a full-time career in the comedy scene.

With mentors such as Dr. Sogo, SACO, Richmond Osuji and Joyce Daniels who influenced him greatly, he also draws lots of inspiration from the forerunners of standup comedy such as Alibaba, Teju Babyface Oyelakin and Gbenga Adeyinka whom he sees as role models.

Oyebade didn’t embrace stan-up comedy immediately as he went into lecturing. But after three years in the classroom, he bid the

university goodbye. “I was doing well as a lecturer but the condition of service was becoming unbearable. At a time, we were owed several months of salaries which made feeding challenging and there were no events in Ekiti. I had to move to Lagos. My dad had his strong reservations but my mum believed there was no point working and not getting paid.

“There was this heavy burden in me that I had to leave, it took me more than a year after discussing with my Head of Department before I actually resigned.

Hunger was not only the motivation

for quitting academics. I had to leave because of my family as well. My wife and daughter live in Lagos and the shuttling between Ekiti and Lagos was becoming unbearable for me.

Today, my wife is thankful that at least I am traveling from Lagos and my trip do not last more than three days unlike when I was a University lecturer outside Lagos that I could be gone for three weeks at a stretch.”

With a bleak future staring in his face and the world of uncertainty that comedy presents, Oyebade believes in himself and ability that he would succeed. “There is this innate conviction that I will definitely succeed in the world of ‘emceeing’ and comedy. Counsel from my mentors also gave me the conviction that with hard work and perseverance I can excel in this new career path,’’ he said.

As he moves up the ladder as a stand-up comedian and MC, Oyebade still faces a lot of challenges or frustrations and but he has never given up on himself. “Giving up is like giving up on God who gave me the talent.

Everything great takes time to grow. I know my roots have to go deep to support the size of the fruit that God wants to grow in my life. I understand that the deeper the root, the wider the shoot. “ Nevertheless, Oyebade admits he has also had his ups and downs. “The challenges in this profession are enormous. Contract is a primary challenge. Some clients would not just want to honour contract. A job has been contracted to an MC and deposit has been made to confirm booking. Out of the blue, few days to the event, MC gets a call for refund because another MC has been gotten for the event. The MC may not work on that date because other clients interested in the date have been told that the date is not available.”

Oyebade has been plying his trade on stage over the last nine years, he wouldn’t say he has found his breakthrough yet.

“Breakthrough? I am still Trusting God for breakthrough, I can only say I’m beginning to break forth, the brand is getting visibility and I appreciate all past and present clients for trusting me with their events. If the General Overseer of RCCG Daddy Adeboye says he has not started with all the achievements, then I’m just at the level of ‘bre’ no ‘kin’ yet not to talk of breakthrough.”

And his staying power? “My staying power has been God and the tremendous support I enjoy from the home front. My wife and mum believe so much in me. My mum would always call to pray for me and encourage me. She tells me all the time not to be too impatient and should look on to God alone in my pursuit of success.”

An avid reader, Oyebade who relaxes by reading and watching comic video films has a few tips for upcoming ones like him.

According to him, humility is key. “Budding MCs should not think they have arrived because of their bank account and popularity.

Budding MCs must cultivate the habit of reading, I have six books in my library on the subject of ‘emceeing’ and four others on jokes.

To also stay on top, we must give back to the society and help as many people to climb the ladder of success.”

As an MC, I have learnt that every call is a high calling when it is highly pursued and to hide my hunger when negotiating with clients.”

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GLITZ ENTERTAINMENT Stories by Vanessa Obioha Recurring feedback from the recently-concluded iREP International Documentary Film Festival was how the opening and closing documentary films felt like a movie.

The films did not toe the familiar path of interviews with the subjects but rather follow the actions of the characters without interference. This allowed the audience to draw their own conclusions based on the actions witnessed.

The opening film ‘President’ by the Danish filmmaker Camilla Nielsson had its camera on the political turmoil of the 2018 national elections in Zimbabwe following the ousting of the country’s longest autocratic ruler, Robert Mugabe from power.

His removal was supposed to signal a political shift to democracy but as depicted in Nielsson’s 2021 film, the road to democracy was still a thorny one.

The main character of Nielsson’s gripping film was the 40-year-old charismatic activist lawyer Nelson Chamisa whose campaign message of transformational change on the economic and political landscapes resonated more with Zimbabweans than that of Emmerson Mnangagwa of the ruling party, Zanu-PF. Nielsson captured these moments delicately. From the rallies, and the inside campaign meetings at Chamisa’s party MDC headquarters to the polling booths. All of this signalled victory for Chamisa when compared to the sparse population at Mnangagwa’s rallies.

Yet, the hope of a transparent election was dashed as the election results were delayed leading to protests. Fearing a revolution, the army was brought in and ended up shooting and harassing civilians. The horrific scenes were remindful of the #EndSARS campaign two years ago that suggested protesters were shot at by soldiers.

Although Nielsson and her crew could not capture all the assaults on civilians, the impact was nonetheless conclusive.

As the film progressed, the fragility of democracy in the battered country became obvious. Attempts by Chamisa and his team of lawyers to question the credibility of the election results which favoured Mnangagwa continuously met a giant brick wall.

However, as much as ‘President’ ended with the inauguration of Mnangagwa as the new president of the African nation, Chamisa’s audacity and resilience resonated with the audience more.

Moumouni Sanou’s film ‘Night Nursery’ which closed the festival offered a different lens through which to view sex workers. Filmed in the county town of Bobo-Dioulasso, near Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou, Sanou’s film followed the lives of two sex workers Odile and Farida, who depend on the services of Ms. Coda, an elderly lady who has been caring for children whose mothers earn their living on the streets at night. Like ‘President’, ‘Night Nursery’ humanised the lives of the flesh hawkers. The camera brought an intimate look to their lives, from the housework, the innocent children, banters and of course the amusing tales of the women’s experiences with their various clients. For instance, in one scene, one of them narrated to her colleagues how his client always wanted him to knock his head to attain sexual pleasure.

While both films resonated with the theme of the festival ‘Unfiltered: African Stories. Stories from Africa’, they reflected the thoughts of the documentary filmmaker Cheryl Uys-Allie who quoted Michael Moore’s advice in her

A Renaissance for Documentary at iREP 2022

A scene from Night Nursery screened at iREP 2022

Will Afrobeats Shine at the Grammys Tonight?

Chamisa in ‘President’, screened at iREP 2022

Sound Sultan’s New Album Slated for Summer Release

Late Sound Sultan.

A few months to the first anniversary of the passing of the beloved music icon, Olanrewaju Fasasi, popularly known as Sound Sultan, Now Muzik and Naija Ninja

address at the festival: ”Do not make a documentary, make a movie.”

Uys-Allie referred to Moore’s documentary film ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ which grossed USD100 million, the highest for any documentary. She attributed the success of the documentary film to Moore’s ingenious version of infotainment.

“I believe if we can get that right we can shift documentary to the mainstream. With OTT and VOD platforms making documentaries increasingly accessible, …it is a time of renaissance for documentary, and yes we do need to adapt our model to make documentaries that entertain our audiences.”

Indeed, mobile technology is changing the form and structure of documentaries. With the introduction of microdocs which are produced via mobile phones, filmmakers used to long format documentaries are adapting to the changes.

However, Uys-Allie added a caveat.

“The essential differentiator remains that documentary is fact, not fiction.”

“Documentary must merge history and individual stories through the lens of a Collective ‘I’ that gives voice to the voiceless – the documentary filmmaker speaking on behalf of this ‘collective’,” she said, quoting the Cameroonian documentary filmmaker Jean-Marie Teno.

“We need to acknowledge we are subjective. We are not journalists. We are not simply reporting the facts. We have an agenda. Telling our story is making sense of the chaos around us and sharing what we’ve learnt with our audience. Emotional responses by the filmmaker and characters in our films are not constructed. They are honest.

The power of documentary is transformative,” she added.

This year’s iREP returned to physical gathering since the pandemic started. It was in partnership with the African World Documentary Film Festival and over 60 films were screened virtually to audiences across the world. The four-day festival also featured conversations, training, workshops, mentorship sessions and producers’ roundtable among others.

announced the summer release of his eagerly anticipated ninth studio offering titled ‘Reality Cheque’.

The project, a creative collaboration with award-winning producer ID Cabasa, over 70 per cent of the album had been recorded before Sound Sultan’s sad passing on July 11, 2021.

Heralded by the lead single “Friends”, the EP is the first in a series of projects to be executed by Now Muzik in collaboration with Naija Ninja and Sound Sultan Foundation for the Sound Sultan estate.

Meanwhile, Now Muzik confirms it has been granted Right of Attorney by the Fasasi family to manage the assets and legacy of the multi-faceted entertainment icon fondly referred to as the 8th Wonda. Preparatory work has commenced in key areas of Sound Sultan’s interest including music, theatre, television, film, fashion, basketball, live events. A Sound Sultan Prize for Social Impact is also being instituted.

“The confidence reposed on Now Muzik to handle the business and legacy of this exceptional entertainer and Nigerian by the estate is a compliment of the highest order and we are determined to deliver on their expectations,” said Now Mizuk Founder/CEO, Efe Omorogbe.

The late singer’s brother Baba Dee added: “Sultan’s legacy continues and we appreciate the opportunity to further the work he did while he was here with us; not just in making the fans happy, but also in impacting positively on young Nigerians; and the creative community from music to film and sports.”

The EP will contain six tracks and is to be released in early July under the Naija Ninja imprint. Track and featured artist list will be released in May.

Made, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tems and Femi Kuti

All eyes are on the Nigerian artists who are nominated for The 64th Grammys taking place tonight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the United States. In the history of the Grammys, this is the first time that most Nigerian acts are nominated.

Afrobeat musician Femi Kuti and his son Made, are nominated in the two categories that celebrate influential music from around the globe: Best Global Music Album and Best Global Music Performance. Femi fetched a nomination for his ‘Pa Pa Pa’ in the Best Global Music Performance category but shares the spotlight with his son in the Best Global Music Album category for their album ‘Legacy+’.

Landing his first solo nomination in the Grammys is Wizkid and his protégé Tems. Both are nominated in the Best Global Music Performance category for their successful hit ‘Essence’. Wizkid’s album ‘Made in Lagos’ is contending in the Best Global Music Album.

Burna Boy who won his first Grammy last year is sharing the spotlight with Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo in the Best Global Music Performance category too.

The Nigerian nominees in each of the categories are competing with music acts from America, Pakistan, Ghana and the Republic of Benin.

Given Wizkid’s large following, many will be rooting for the Afrobeats act to come home with the gramophone statuette. But a win for the Kutis will further cement their legacy as the progeny of the Afrobeat pioneer, the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Although he made history when he won last year, another win for Burna Boy, even though shared, will speak volumes of his musical prowess.

A win for any of the nominees will be a win for Afrobeats, the popular Nigerian music genre that continues to put the country in a global spotlight.

The 64th Grammy awards was earlier scheduled for January 31 but due to the Omicron variant was postponed to tonight. Music acts billed to perform include John Legend, Jon Batiste, Billie Eilish, and Carrie Underwood among others.

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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 APRIL 3, 2022

INTERNATIONAL Conscious Insincerity and Dirty Politics as Root Causes of Nigeria’s Deepening Insecurity: Quo Vadis?

P

olitical governance in Nigeria is largely and shamefully predicated on chicanery and conscious insincerity of purpose. This not only makes the playing of politics in Nigeria very dirty, but also the deepening of the recidivist insecurity the conscious insincerity has created in the polity. In the same manner that terrorism beganwiththesendingofletterandparcelbombsand developing to the level of kidnapping of diplomatic agents, hijacking and skyjacking of planes, as well as to guerrilla terrorism, insecurity in Nigeriaalsostartedonalighterscale:frombokoharamistcomplaintsand agitation, through boko haramist insurrection, to herdsmen invasion, armed banditry, and most unfortunately today, to criminal bombing of private houses of law-abiding citizens, railways, trains in motion and airports. Nigeria, Quo Vadis?

Insecurity can exist because of force majeure, especially in the economy following unintended policy miscalculations or due to environmental impact. Political insecurity can arise due to mismanagement of crises and conflicts.These situations can be pardonable to an extent, considering that man is not perfect, and mistakes are allowed in human governance. However, when insecurity is a resultant from conscious insincerity, and very transparent dirty politics, when it is a reflection of don’t care attitude, and the imposition of governance by manu militari, all Nigerians must rise up to the challenges by thinking deeplyonhowtocontainthedeepeningoftheproblem,andultimately nipping it in the bud.

Our remit is that, for as long as insincerity remains a pillar of political governance, for as long as the quadrilateral pillars of suspicions and allegations are not addressed promptly, Nigeria has the great potential to disintegrate very violently.The quadrilateral pillars are allegation of President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB)’s Fulanisation agenda; allegation of PMB’s Islamic agenda; allegation of PMB’s promotion of Fulani hegemony in Nigeria; and the taking with kid gloves of the postulation of the late Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, that there will never be any enduring peace in Nigeria until Nigeria is partitioned into Muslim North and Christian South.

Many questions are raised at the level of Gaddafi’s postulation: what informed the postulation? Is the objective of the Boko Haram not essentially Islamic? When the Boko Haram insurrection began and the insurrectionists were able to acquire some communities, why did they put their Islamic flags? Why did they proclaim them independent states? Is the purpose for introducing armed banditry in the Northwest different from seeking an Islamic North? Is it really the Northern Nigerians that are seeking the partitioning of Nigeria or there are unseen extra-Nigerian and extra-African hands? Are all Nigerians not also guilty of this debacle?

ManifestationsofInsincerity One proclamation made at the Stakeholders Conference on“Nigeria’s Foreign Policy and Strategy: Responses to the Dynamics on the Domestic and Global Environments in the 21st Century,”organized by theNationalInstituteforPolicyandStrategicStudiesandheldfrom29th November to 2nd December, 2016 at the Ladi Kwali Conference Hall of the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, is that‘Nigeria should focus on building a solid and reliable national security base that guarantees the country’s significant roles and relevance in the West African sub-region and at the international levels’(vide paragraph xxi of the Proclamation).

Two points are noteworthy in the proclamation: intrinsic recognition of lack of solid and reliable national security base, and non-sustainability of Nigeria’s roles and relevance in international relations, beginning from her immediate neighbourhood. It is in recognition of these lapses that the proclamation was made. More important, another proclamation is that‘a Special Unit be created in the Ministry to further address the global but rapidly evolving menace of terrorism, cyber security and transnational organized crimes and keep abreast of the germane issues’(vide paragraph ix).

The essence of the two proclamations is that Nigeria’s foreign policy elite did recognize the multidimensional aspects of national insecurity and therefore came up with suggestions on how to deal with the problems. Has the building of a solid and reliable national security base been addressed? Has a Special Unit been created in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address the menace of terrorism and transnational organized crimes?

On Sunday, January 8, 2012, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan noted during a church service at the National Ecumenical Centre, organized as part of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebra-

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Buhari tions that there were Boko Haram agents in his government, National Assembly and even in the security agencies. Premium Times has reported that, in Jonathan’s eyes,‘Boko Haram threat was becoming worse that the Nigerian civil war in which over a million people were killed.’Additionally, President Jonathan said ‘during the civil war, we knew, and we could even predict where the enemy was coming from…You can even know the route they are coming from; you can even know what calibre of weapon they will use and so on’ (vide Premium Times, ‘Boko Haram has Infiltrated My Government,’January 8, 2012). Most unfortunately, however, the same cannot be said of the Boko Haramists.

The challenge is not the infiltration of boko haramists in government per se, but why it has been difficult to fish out the agents, or why they are condoned in government? PMB himself once told Nigerians before his election in 2015 that he would make Nigeria ungovernable if he was not elected. Now with his election, how do we explain the non-governability of Nigeria? Why is boko haramism insuppressible? Is government not protecting its enemies?

AnotherobservationisthatwheneverPMBgivesanordertothe Service Chiefs to deal with Boko Haram criminals, the following day or thereafter, the criminals would respond with more critical attacks and killings. Why is every military strategic calculation or agenda always known to the Boko Haram? Why are Nigerian patriotic soldiers always ambushed and killed?

AmbassadorAminuWali,formerForeignMinisterunderPresident Goodluck Jonathan, said in a press interview that the Boko Haram insurgency started getting worse after PMB took over power in May 2015. In his words, ‘as far as Boko Haram is concerned, I can boldly say, by the time we left government, we had brought down Boko haram to a standstill. if you recall, when the election

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Eighthly, and finally, Governments in Nigeria must stop preaching the gospel of Godliness, national unity, territorial integrity, and anti-corruption, on the one hand, when, on the other hand, they do not believe in the same gospel. Doing so is expression of conscious dishonesty, deliberate insincerity, and very dirty politics. It is very ridiculous to see Nigerians claiming to be people of God, praying for showers of divine blessings, while they also consciously condone injustice, unfairness, reckless ritual killings, and, in fact, are keeping quiet on genocidal crimes. And yet, with their attitude, they still expect God to perform wonders in Nigeria’s life. Most unfortunately, God is interested in sinners that not only repent but also refrain from further engagement in their initial iniquities. Consequently, it is not only politico-economic and institutional restructuring that is most urgently needed to save Nigeria from self-destruction, but greater emphasis must also be placed on me-tooism or the attitude of Nigerians. Even though Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has argued in her book that fighting corruption is dangerous, the truth remains that, without first removing the root causes of insecurity, Nigeria, either in terms of Muslim North or Christian South, cannot be in peace

was postponed for four weeks, it was because of insecurity. At that time, our operation in the Northeast was succeeding. We brought Boko Haram where we want them; that is why there was no single polling unit in the Northeast where elections did not take place.’More important, Ambassador Wali further noted that ‘it was after we had left that a lot of things started to get bad again. Goodluck Jonathan’s government did a lot to stop Boko Haram’(See Nasir Ayitogo’s report, Premium Times, September 23, 2020 How do we explain the issue of boko haramism getting bad again under PMB? If we admit of the explanation of Ambassador Wali that whentheelectionwaspostponed,theBornoStategovernmentwasalso reportedtohavebeensabotagingtheeffortsofthecentralgovernment, why wouldn’t any logical reason not also assume that a lot of things that went bad under PMB are not because of conscious sabotage?

Why will Boko Haram agents in the Public Service not seek to sabotage aany effort at neutralizing the Boko Haram? Is there any evidence of declaration of total war on Boko Haram agents in the Public Service? d Apart from boko haramism, how do we explain the reported case of aan aircraft frequently landing in Zamfara State to airlift gold in a forest where there is no official tarmac or access road? Illegal mining is reportw edly taking place in the forest. Government knows the spokespersons e of the Boko Haram and Boko Haram’s operational locations. Why are o Nigerian leaders therefore preaching the sermon of security when N tthey are actually aiding and abetting insecurity?

For instance, the Minister of Mines and Steel development, Alhaji Bawa Bwari once noted that ‘in three years 18 tonnes of gold worth B $1.16 bn had been frittered from the country.’Additionally, based on $ tthe official N305 to the dollar, the Minister said ‘N353 bn worth had been shared illegally without any impact on the country’s GDP by b iillegal miners and smugglers Many questions come to mind in this case: if the right of mining exclusively belongs to the Federal Government, how do we explain the e ffact that it is not the Federal Government that is in control of mining in ZamfaraState?WhyisthePMB’sFederalGovernmentactivelyinterested Z iin illegal oil activities in the Niger Delta but remains an observer or not iin control of gold mining in Zamfara State? Many people have asked why illegal miners of solid minerals are untouchable in the North and w oil bunkers in the South are severely dealt with. o ‘TheAdvocate,’adiscussionprogrammebytheRHOL(videShowmax. ccom), not only noted in its discussion on‘Zamfara and Illegal Mining of Gold’theFederalGovernment’s‘deliberateignorance,’butalsodescribed G tthe Federal Government as ‘criminally irresponsible’ in the handling of the matter. Why a double standard approach? It is argued that a o few privileged northerners benefit from the illegal mining and not the generality of the poor people. Why is the handling of the same situation of illegality different in the South? Is this not hypocrisy at the highest level?

Perhaps more hypocritically, the Government of Zamfara State has said there is no airstrip in its state, or such forest alluded to, and that the topography of the region does not allow for such. However, many Nigerians have come into the open to criticize both the Federal Government and the Zamfara State government of illegal gold mining in the state.The Zamfara government has not denied the issue of illegal mining of gold but is only contesting the issue of an airstrip.Whatever is the case, the Federal Government is on record to have declared Zamfara a no-fly zone to stop the allegations of ‘gold for arms swap’ by armed bandits (vide Daily Trust of Wednesday, 3rd March, 2021).

If there had not been illegal flights to Zamfara, there would not have been a basis for declaring a no fly-zone by the Federal Government.

General Theophilus Danjuma has accused the Nigerian military of aiding the herdsmen in killing innocent farmers. He even told his people to take up arms and prepare to defend themselves in the face of government’scomplicityandremissness.Besides,PMBopenlypromotes nepotism despite the principle of Federal Character legally provided for. In Nigeria, politics is for money-making and not for service. People who have served or are retirees and pensioners, not only seek election for four years, but are also seeking another special pension. In fact, political appointees want to remain in office while seeking to be voted for while using public resources for their private agenda.The list of acts of hypocrisy is long and unacceptable.

Nigeria:WitherGoestThou?

In articulating the way for a Nigeria that will be free from political chicanery and self-destruction, it must first be accepted that Nigeria is truly challenged by threats of disintegration. Secondly, even though PMB is not only the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria by virtue of his election as President, but he is also a General of the Nigerian Army. However, he does not appear to have the capacity to overrun the armed bandits and insurrectionists who also appear to be externally sponsored, bearing in mind the high level of sophistication of their weapons and funding.

Put differently, Nigeria may not simply be fighting the Boko Haram terror but is also fighting unseen external forces. Without whiff of doubt, PMB appears to have done his best, but his best has not been good enough to stabilize the country, especially considering the mounting agitation for self-determination and changing styles of terrorist attacks in the country. Terrorist attacks on a military barrack, at an international airport, on a moving train, etc., are occurrences that cannot be meaningfully contained if truly PMB has an Islamic and Fulanisation agenda, that he is pursuing pari passu with toga of irrationalities and nepotism. National insecurity should be specially considered, and the solutions cannot but be also drastic.

Read 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 ˾ APRIL 3, 2022

HighLife

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

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

Well-Deserving: TIME Magazine Honours Tony Elumelu

Adefisoye

Tajudeen Adefisoye: From Idanre to the World Tajudeen Adeyemi Adefisoye is a name that is well-known all over Nigeria now. The bearer is a young and charismatic go-getter, a champion among champions.

After wading into tough political waters, he dragged everybody along, insistent on delivering the dividends of democracy to his people in Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, Ondo State, Nigeria. Even now, Adefisoye is a spark that is burning for others to know that some things are still very possible.

It used to be said that young people ruled Nigeria once. However, that is history.

Contemporary society would find it a gruelling task to recall that age that is still thought to be golden.

Thus, Adefisoye’s presence in Nigeria’s House of Representatives is that bud of hope that many Nigerians look to as capable of revitalising that old and golden era.

Say what you will about the efficiency of the House of Representatives, you still have to admit that characters like Adefisoye make it an exciting floor. With his many innovative and disruptive ideas over the years, the man alternatively known as Small Alhaji has done more than his bit to push towards sustainable growth and development all around.

Drawing from his experiences as a businessman and philanthropist, he has roared time and time again, bringing with it the echoing shadows of happy possibilities.

Who is more proud of Adefisoye than his birthplace—Idanre? In talking about him as the youngest House of Reps member in Nigeria’s history, everybody mentions the fact that his hometown is not some faraway place of divinity, but Idanre.

Today, those legendary hills of Idanre are making an appearance all over the world, all thanks to Adefisoye’s good name and work over the years. There is more to come, surely. Having joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) banner, Adefisoye is bound to shake Nigeria. After all, when he came to light, he did so on the wings of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), a party that is not among the top three in the country.

Now that he has a stage, what will Adefisoye accomplish? Time will bear witness.

If there is one person in the corporate sector that Nigerian youths should aspire to be like, it should be Tony Elumelu. Elumelu has been the torch-bearer of torch-bearers in the business and economic development world. With his singular efforts, Africa has witnessed a complete revitalisation of its youthful strength. Consequently, if Elumelu does not gain global renown, it would be an injustice Knowing this, TIME Magazine recently honoured Elumelu with a TIME100 Impact Award. The event which was held in Dubai, saw Elumelu receive his award to the thunderous applause of the audience. If that event had been held where progressive African youths can all attend, there would be no chance for Elumelu to express his thanks since the applause would go on and on.

But Elumelu was allowed to say his piece in Dubai during the prestigious event. And he took the time out to hail “hardworking young men and

women in Africa, who aspire to help their families and their communities.”

That is a great man for you, using every opportunity to empower other people. What other model of corporate growth and development does a young African need when Elumelu is around to cheer them on?

For those that only hear about happenings after decades have passed, there is no other living individual of Nigerian origin who has empowered more African youths than Elumelu. In the last five years, Elumelu has given out $5,000 each to about 15,000 African entrepreneurs through his Tony Elumelu Foundation. And many of those beneficiaries have not betrayed his trust. Instead, innovation after innovation has emerged on the African continent.

If it is only for what he does for the African continent, Elumelu deserves another award after TIME Magazine’s. And yet a hundred more.

Elumelu

Senator Teslim Folarin Takes over APC in Oyo

Folarin

Death brings many things to a close, dreams, aspirations, and a will to fix up the ailments of this aged world. Nevertheless, with every death is new life, and the show must go on. Senator Teslim Folarin is one person who sees the need for the living to go on living. And so, after the death of his old pal, the former Oyo State Governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, Folarin is believed to have become the de facto leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo. Oyo politics has always been intriguing due to its strong but subtle insistence on political lineages. That is why it was so difficult for anybody to rise to the occasion when Abiola Ajimobi, former governor of the state and main voice in the APC, passed on. His lack of a successor threw the party off for a while. But Alao-Akala and Folarin were present to make things a bit more colourful, particularly with their competition to continue from where

Ajimobi stopped.

With the death of Alao-Akala, the number of people with a political pedigree to rival Folarin in Oyo can be numbered on one hand. As such, there are reports everywhere that he has become the uncontested leader of the APC in the state.

These reports were particularly taken seriously during the recent convention as it was Folarin that essentially called the shots. But that is not all.

More reports have begun to flow in regarding the direction of Folarin’s political career. It is alleged that now that he has the power to make and break in the APC Oyo quarters, the gubernatorial ticket is his for the taking.

And why not? The last time he competed for the governorship seat was in 2014 and he lost to Ajimobi. Now, there is no Ajimobi and no Alao-Akala in Oyo APC - only Folarin.

Bayo Adelabu is Gradually Losing Out in Oyo APC. How Feasible is His Game-Plan to Become the Next Governor?

If there is one thing that the current nature and dynamics of politics in Nigeria would show to the willing historian, it would be that nothing is set in stone. The popular statesperson of yesterday can be washed down the drain tomorrow. And so it seems that the popular Oyo State gubernatorial aspirant and former Deputy Governor of Operations of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Adebayo Adelabu, is gradually losing out in the state’s chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

It has been some time since Adelabu’s face covered the front pages of newspapers across Nigeria. The man appeared to have been biding his time and waiting for the best opportunity to spring his trap and catch the governorship seat. Recent events have onlookers convinced that Adelabu might indeed join the race, but he won’t be catching anything gubernatorial, except the loss that many others before him have experienced.

The aforementioned conviction has to do with the sparse representation he had during the recent National APC

Convention. While others had delegates in droves, Adelabu reportedly had no one. The question that some kindhearted people are consequently asking is how Adelabu expects to contest against an incumbent governor, one as clever as Seyi Makinde for that matter, and win.

But Adelabu may have something in the works that might allow him to level the playing field in the coming Oyo gubernatorial elections.

After all, he has been getting close to some of the powerbrokers in the state, including the circle of the late former Governor of Oyo, Abiola Ajimobi. Eyebrows were even raised when Adelabu shared the dancefloor with Ajimobi’s widow, Lady Florence.

So, all may not be lost for Adelabu.

However, it sure looks like there is no place for him in the APC in Oyo. Moreover, isn’t Senator Teslim Folarin at the helm of affairs in the state’s party office now? And isn’t Folarin rumoured to be interested in the governorship seat?

All in all, it is not at all looking good for Adelabu.

Adelabu

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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 ˾ APRIL 3, 2022

HIGHLIFE The Chinese have a saying: the swallow can never understand the thoughts and ways of the great swan. This is the same conclusion that we must come to about the founder and Chairman of 12Baskets Foods Ltd., Michael Afolaranmi. Recently, the man celebrated his birthday alongside his daughters and used that opportunity to appreciate some of the hands that have helped to make the meal of life extra delicious for him.

Eyes were popping recently at the glamorous event that saw the triple celebrations hosted by Afolaranmi. The event which was held at the Classique event centre, Ikeja, Lagos, was organised to celebrate his birthday, the birthday of his twin daughters, Darasimi and Darafunmi, as well as the 19th year of operation of his finger foods company, 12Baskets Foods Ltd. While the joy of Afolaranmi’s daughters radiated out into the universe (they turned 4), there was a group of people whose joy went even further. These were the loyal and hardworking staff of 12Baskets Foods Ltd. In due appreciation for all their good work over the years, Afolaranmi treated them to the applause of the business czars that attended the event. Then, he gave them brand new cars.

Appreciation Times: Michael Afolaranmi, Chief Executive 2IÀFHU RI %DVNHWV )RRGV *LYHV RXW &DUV RQ +LV %LUWKGD\ We would be putting it mildly if we say that the 12Baskets Foods winning team were overjoyed at Afolaranmi’s gesture. They were over the moon and far into the galaxy before the night was over. But that is the natural consequence of diligence and having a boss as appreciative as Afolaranmi.

Afolaranmi’s charm is well documented.

Despite being a successful businessman and leading figure in the industry now, he still carries himself with a humility that belies his stature. Maybe this is why he has a staff team that is willing to go the extra mile for him. Maybe this is why his business continues to expand, seemingly unaware that it has left the boundaries of its indigenous country!

But this is Afolaranmi being himself and the kickbacks from his efforts are evident in his company’s expansion. For both of these, the staff team of 12Baskets Foods is no doubt grateful.

0LNH 'DGD 6SUHDGLQJ /RYH $FURVV $IULFD 7KURXJK 0XVLF 2022 is already a big year for music artists in Nigeria as well as lovers of the art. Big stars in the form of unstoppable vocalists and songwriters are popping all over the place. And while it would seem like this is merely a good year for Nigerian music, the informed among us know that all of this boost in the popularity of Nigerian music all over Africa and across the globe is the work of certain people. One of them is Mike Dada, the President and Executive Producer of the prestigious All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).

To the uninitiated, all that AFRIMA does is give awards to the best acts, artists, and albums in the African music industry. However, AFRIMA is an institution that was founded to promote the African musical heritage.

It uses a wide network to fine-tune the professional capacities of African artists and uses its extensive resources to drive every other creative industry on the African continent. The end of this is to promote unity in Africa and

Dada

Afolaranmi

among Africans using easily binding elements, ergo, music.

This is why the work of Dada cannot be summarised under an award-delivering category. Instead, he is better defined as a public relations person and a professional marketer for the empowerment of Africans via music.

Dada’s work at AFRIMA has greatly improved the music industry in Africa. Due to the stringent standards that the institution has set, notable African music is no longer the willy nilly compilation of bitter sounds and words that people throw at each other in the name of music. Instead, artists have been moulded into producing their best work and delivering that work on an African stage where it would be better appreciated and provoke the understanding of a shared African heritage.

So far, Dada’s mission at AFRIMA has borne great fruits. Going by the plans he has expressed in recent times for the music industry, more fruits are budding.

Money is a very, very, very useful instrument. How many individual and corporate dreams have failed to come to fruition because of the lack of money? And so the initiated know that humanity may not go so far as to worship money, but the regard we have for the very concept is high up there with the regard we have for the nourishing sun. Nobody knows this fact better than the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Bisi Kolawole.

Those close to the thick of things in Kolawole’s camp have started to whisper stories of the man’s inability to sustain the entirety of his campaign portfolio due to a shortage of funds.

The reports claim that Kolawole’s number one supporter, who doubles as his godfather, Ayo Fayose, may not be willing to empty his treasuries to assist Kolawole in this endeavour.

This might even be a test for the PDP candidate to see whether or not he can fend for himself.

But the pressure cannot be healthy for any sane person. After all, Fayose’s chief political rival in Ekiti, the incumbent Governor Kayode Fayemi, is not using the same method to polish

Who will Save Bisi Kolawole’s Governorship Ambition as Paucity of Funds Affects His Programmes?

The National Convention for the All Progressives Congress (APC) has come and gone and brought with it new changes. Some of the top personalities of the party have been ‘encouraged’ to take the backseat while others have been placed close enough to the pilot to steer the plane from time to time.

Senator Iyiola Omisore is one of the latter and appears to be on the rise from now on.

The APC national convention saw a multitude of the party’s powerbrokers ready to cut each other’s throats for the top positions. These very experienced powerbrokers engaged in a match of wits and influenced and shuffled the cards of leadership to place this person in this position and that person in that. Omisore, for all the unfavourable tidings about him this past year, came out on top.

Based on the decision of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu emerged as the National Chairman and Omisore

1HZ Z / /HDVVH R RQ / /LIH IRUU Senato or Iy yiolla Omiisorre

his preferred candidate, Biodun Oyebanji. He (Fayemi) has given Oyebanji the master key to his network and net worth. Thus, Kolawole has that to consider irrespective of his personal feelings at this point. Moreover, as analysts have theorised, this might be his last chance to get into the inner rooms of Ekiti’s administrative house. Failure to get in this time might keep him forever on the political outskirts.

These things, however, are never as concrete as they appear. Consider, for example, the fact that Kolawole seemingly had an easy time getting the PDP ticket. Fayose had much to do with his victory over former Governor Olusegun Oni. Nevertheless, a godfather can only do so much. In comparison, money can do so much more—or so we believe.

Whatever the case, Kolawole is allegedly in dire need of campaign funds.

Omisore

Kolawole

was confirmed as the National Secretary. And while this selection appears to be willy nilly, the informed among us are doubtless aware that Omisore came from the very bottom of the pot to reign supreme.

Many people have switched political parties in recent times. Their intention is clear, and that is to join the winning party and earn themselves some spots for the future. Omisore was the same a bit over a year ago. Look where that got him—the number two position in the APC. But that is more a reflection of Omisore’s prestige rather than luck or extremely precise political calculations.

Before his new position, there were still murmurs of Omisore’s last tango with several scary Nigerian institutions.

In short, this is a new lease on life for the Osun man. With such leases, the future is generally full of endless opportunities. And so it is for Omisore.

Will Masari Support Inuwa for Governor?

The Northern region is not known for any complicated succession system. Nevertheless, what is a tradition meant for if not to be broken? At least, that is what it is starting to look like in Katsina State with the eyes of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa, set unflinchingly to the seat of Governor Aminu Bello Masari.

But will the latter throw his weight behind his SSG of two terms?

More and more people of substance and influence have begun to nod at the gubernatorial ambition of Katsina SSG, the indefatigable Inuwa. According to some of these, there is no better person to continue the legacy of Governor Masari than someone who stayed by his side for the entire eight years he was in power.

While some of these comments have undoubtedly shifted the mechanisms of Katsina politics in Inuwa’s favour, they are not enough to win him the seat come 2023.

However, one person that may be able to smoothen the path for Inuwa is the very governor he is set to succeed, Masari.

Despite how politics is run in Nigeria, the north can be expected to uphold its interests first. This is the reason behind its unity anytime the presidential contest comes along.

But within the northern house, tensions exist over who will take over from whom. But no such tensions are known to exist between Inuwa and his boss, Masari.

This fact places Inuwa miles ahead of other prospective aspirants for the Katsina top chair, including Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, Dikko Radda, Farouk Lawal Jobe, Sadiq Yar’adua, Mannir Yakubu Umar Abdulahi Tata, and Senator Abu Ibrahim.

But nothing is set in stone as of now.

Nevertheless, things are looking good for Inuwa with Masari potentially holding him by the hand to introduce him to the people. Then again, that is what happened in Anambra, and look how that turned out for the outgoing governor.

Inuwa

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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 ˾ APRIL 3, 2022

LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

Wale Babalakin: Easy Like Sunday Morning I know some people will not know the meaning of this headline now o. It was Lionel Richie that sang that song, ‘Easy Like Sunday Morning’. You know how calm and easy-going Sunday morning can be. That was how I met Dr Babalakin when I was ushered into his expansive office during the week.

My Lord Chike and I had gone in for a meeting and the first surprise was my very first crush in this life- the ever beautiful and elegant Modupe Nee Oduwole. If you guys see how this lady used to be fine in school you will understand why I failed and got kicked out.

While still maintaining her ever glow, I found her working very closely with Babalakin. She was very professional as she ushered us in and we met the

highly respected individual in that state of mind – Easy Like Sunday Morning.

He looked really calm, still very handsome with a touch of gray hair, with deep and penetrative eyes.

He welcomed us and we started talking about our business but I had lost interest in the business and could not wait to talk to him about University of Lagos, ASUU and the recent takeover of the Government College Ibadan by the alumni of which he is a major leader.

He kept looking at me as Chike spoke about our real business. I guessed as kindred spirits he could sense my unease as I tried to erupt with a volley of questions.

Immediately Chike finished, I blasted: “Can I ask about UNILAG?” The easiness left and he engaged us very

robustly. His position on the matter is the same as mine.

For us to solve this problem, there has to be a push back by the government.

Government must pull back and allow for a ‘deregulation’ of the sector. This would bring in the much-needed probity and transparency needed to shore up the quality of education.

On GCI, the old boys, according to him, have thrown in a lot of funds to remodel the school and upgrade it in a bid to make it a real model of qualitative education in the country.

As we walked away, I began to wonder why didn’t we really understand him?

Why was I afraid of him in the first place? Why all the controversies? This man means well especially on education, they should allow him abeg.

Babalakin

MAGNUS ONYIBE: THEY HAVE STOLEN IT It was with excitement that my very erudite brother reached out during the week.

“Edgar, where can we drop my latest book for you?”

I gave him the address and pronto, the book arrived.

I was amazed. Hard cover? Who still does hard cover in this ‘Buharinomics’?

It was beautiful with a classy feel about it. The title was something like – ‘How to Choose a Nigerian President: A Citizen’s Guide’ I opened the book and fell in love with it immediately. The first chapter was amazingly engaging and full. Magnus really understands our polity and with his dying need to chronicle, this just makes me extremely excited.

That was how I asked my dutiful Eche, a very handsome lad, to take a picture with the book so I could blast it to my followers on social media. Eche, after 30 minutes of different poses including one with my head twisted in a contortionist move — these millennials will not kill someone, we got the very best posture.

And just like that, the book was stolen.

My people, the book lost o. We have been looking for it for the past three days. Nothing o. I don’t know whether to be happy or sad; happy that the book was so engaging that someone felt the need to steal it or sad that my own book ‘Anonymous Nipples’ with pictures of different naked women remains complete 20 copies in the same place

without anybody trying to steal it.

Is the thief saying that Magnus is a better writer than me? What is this rubbish na. He should have at least stolen a copy of my own so that this Magnus will not now be thinking that he can write more than me.

If you see how this thing was paining me, you would think someone stole the Duchess from me.

Please Mr. Thief, better come back and thief my own book. I have kept 20 copies in the same place with the doors open. Come and thief o and give me rest of mind. Which kain trouble be this sef?

bring out will be a major target for Wike.

But even he himself will need to cross the PDP huddle contesting against Ancestor Atiku, Bukola Saraki and others. He will need much more than funny wits and Rivers money to win this one.

I saw a report recently saying that he has put together a team of 21 SANs to defend any PDP member contesting and feel the need for judicial intervention.

But wait, is anybody doing anything about campaign funding? Is the state money now the same thing as campaign funds? This is a question we will discuss much later as we get closer.

For now, let me just say that Wike comes with his strength because his understanding of ‘agbero’ politics is really needed to oust APC but after then nko? I am hungry. Let me go and eat and come.

in excitement when all I want to do is cry.

If I have ever seen a pipe dream, na this one. A man who is not known outside of Uyo. A man who has not grown in stature beyond the Akwa Ibom zone; a man that has not taken any meaningful position in national politics and issues; a man not known in Damaturu or Ekiti. Not even in Abia his next-door neighbour will now want to go and be wasting our money in a self-delusional run for Presidency.

My advice is for him to first go and collect the multibillion Naira Hostel Akan Udofia built for the Akwa Ibom State University, pay bursary to every Akwa Ibom Student and use the change to buy citizenship in Dominican Republic. He needs a long rest. Mbok nyag itie sung.

UDOM EMMANUEL: I SEE YOU COMING My governor has released posters with him wearing a face mask. Mbok, make he dey wear face mask dey come o so we don’t recognise him as he walks towards a declaration.

You see, if what these beautifully made posters are correct – Udom for Presidency, what I will say is “ even this one jump in? We don suffer for this country.”

I will not allow myself to be beclouded by the excitement that will come with him making history. If I am correct, he is the first Akwa Ibom man to contest for the position to now turn back and shout

LANRE OLUSOLA: COACH OF THE YEAR The jury is out. They have asked for people all over the world to vote for the Online Coach who has done the most globally in the areas of growth plans, business strategies, constructive feedback and personalised advice to accelerate business and individual growth and revenue.

My people, that Lanre has been iconic in this space can be attested to in the number of businesses he has been part of from incubation to stability. His calm mien when engaging in personalised counselling puts him heads above his

Onyibe:

Wigwe

NYESOM WIKE: I AM WEAK Last week’s presidential declaration by gravel-voice Governor of Rivers State Nyesom Wike, hit with a thud. It didn’t take too many observers by surprise because judging from his positioning, status in the PDP, it would have been a loud bang if he did not declare.

This, in my view, will increase the entertainment value of the whole process as Wike is a genius when it comes to jabs. I am crazy about his jabs and the fearlessness with which he delivers them, hitting the jackpot almost at every point.

Do you remember the one he gave one big traditional ruler in Rivers? See as this one siddon here with big big title, na small boy o… I wanted to die.

I cannot even wait for how he will take on Tinubu if he emerges. I really pity APC because whatever candidate they

Emmanuel:

Olusola

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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 ˾ APRIL 3, 2022

LOUD WHISPERS peers.

His influence can be seen by the thousands who have benefited from his expertise. He has grown so many ‘coachlets’ that you can safely say, he is the grandfather of space. He deserves the accolade.

FEMI OTEDOLA: HEAR OUR PRAYERS This diesel matter almost make me homeless. As the price of the thing was jumping in Malthusian proportions and income shrinking in NLC proportions, some of us could no longer afford the essential commodity.

One baba for my side wanted to make mouth. “I will donate diesel to you guys,” he gleefully announced on the estate’s WhatsApp group. Everybody start to hail am like the MC Oluomo of our estate.

Then the Buhari Magic started to happen. The man made the pledge at N400. By the time the WhatsApp message was read by all, the thing had jumped to N560. The baba startsd to sweat. I am sure his wife would have given him the Bianca treatment.

He sent a message to the admin saying: “Can I send the old price and you guys add the rest?”

We said “No sir. Be a man of your words.”

By the time the reply hit him, the thing don reach N600. He starts to run helter skelter. Which kain ‘alakoba’, he must have said to himself. By the time he fulfilled his pledge, the thing had hit N700, on its way to N800. Till he dies, he will not make that kind of pledge again.

The power situation now compounds the problem, making diesel the next thing to Jehovah Jireh after his Son and the Holy Prophet. Inflation hit expectedly and even runs girls quadrupled their prices.

The price index in that space went up by 3,000% so a one-hour jaunt that used to be N5,000 now moved to 25,000 and N40,000 per night up from N10,000.

Condoms moved from N300 to N2,500 and this is what is really causing the anger in the land, not all the factories that have had to close down or the hospitals who could not run their operations. It is the huge increase in price of ‘ishalabunta’.

So, to my Egbon the Right Hon. Femi Otedola I run to. Remember he used to be the diesel king. He had sent me a clip of the interview on Channels TV that he had given on the issue and what struck me was when he said that we all know the landing price of this product and as such these pricings can never be the case in a natural and transparent system.

Long story short, some people are using our balls to do Suya. So I did the next best thing at that point, “Baba mbok, leave Gelato ice-cream for a second and come back and save us from these pirates. Come and rescue the sector.”

He didn’t answer me for three days o and one morning he sent an emoji showing him lying on the floor with his hands in the air.

Lord, if you know something or have the solution come back to your throne o, ye King of the Diesel. You need to come back before these girls start charging my annual rent for 30 minutes of service o.

You know at our age the duration of the action is getting shorter and the price cannot be going in an inverse direction.

That is not good economics, ask Prof Soludo. Please Lord, heed our call.

OBA ABDULWASIU OMOGBOLAHAN LAWAL: ACCEPT MY CONDOLENCES The Oniru of Iruland has announced the sad loss of his dear mother Olori Muinat Olabisi Abeni Ajasa Lawal-Akapo.

It was announced that the late Olori passed on Wednesday.

I met Kabiyesi recently and was gleefully impressed at the engagement we had. His grasp of various issues bordering on tradition and culture really got to me as a strong advocate of the continued preservation of our traditions and culture.

Kabiyesi let me seize this opportunity to send to you, your family and the entire people of your wonderful Iru

land condolences on this passing. Allah will grant you the fortitude to bear this obviously huge loss and also give you the strength to condole your family and subjects. Take care Kabiyesi.

ACCESS BANK: A WORTHY ANNIVERSARY When the expected announcement of the new structure was made, it was well received by the markets and other stakeholders. The seeming seamless transition was world-class and devoid of the underground rancour that has witnessed some other players.

Then they announced the new Board both at the Holdco level and at the subsidiary level, throwing up about 15 subsidiaries. Remarkable individuals tapped to engage. Quite impressive.

My only issue is, why their aim is to be Africa’s ‘most respected bank’ that is ambiguous and evasive, almost fearful because there is no basis for measurement of ‘most respected’. They should not be afraid, come out and say we want to be Africa’s biggest financial institution in Revenue or Deposits or something we can count and hold.

You have the people, you operate in the biggest market in Africa and you have the lion heart judging from where you came from to where you are today to

emerge Africa’s biggest by deposits or financial size and begin to compete with the world’s biggest.

Well-done guys, we will continue to applaud and support in our own little way. Congrats to the team and to my friends inside there especially the beautiful brown-skinned customer care sweetie that used to be at the Awolowo Road, Ikoyi Branch. It’s because of you we are still there o, no be all these big men with bald head o. I don run ooo.

TOKE MAKINWA: PLEASE DON’T GO If you are a regular reader of this column, you will notice that I have proclaimed my mad love for this lady many times o. She will just be ignoring me and be doing as if she does not know that I am trying to chase her. That was how she interviewed me the other day on radio for one of my plays and I was just looking at her skin. These ones used to bathe with alabaster oil o.

Well, people have been saying they are running away from Nigeria that the wahala is too much and the suffering and violence is something that they cannot comprehend. Me, I used to beg them to go so we can have space to rebuild this country.

Mbok, anybody that want to go can go. In fact, government should set up

ANNIE IDIBIA: A TERRIBLE AMBASSADOR Mbok, there is no other way to say it. This my sister’s appearance in a Netflix Original series called Wealthy Africans or something like that is worse than terrible.

Me, I do not know how and why they even greenlighted her appearance. People have been screaming and shouting that they should remove her for not being too representative of Nigerians. First, the kind of wealth they are bandying on that programme, Annie never see am for her life o. Second, her composure all reeks of a huge inferiority complex affecting her delivery and her style.

Her content is also really suspect, throwing up her family

Idibia

as she struggles to justify her inclusion but ending up exposing them to international ridicule.

I almost cried when after a fight as she walked away, the lady said “is that a marriage?”

Who allows this kind of smearing on her image? Who pulls her family into such a mud pit and who pulls Nigeria into this madness?

I will not even mention that Egungwu they call Swanky. That one will make me puke if I even think one second about him.

Imagine such a caricature.

Please, if 2Baba no get the power, someone from Eket should please beg their daughter to come back. It is enough mbok. ‘Akem’ as we say in our language. E don do. Kai.

another ministry called the Ministry of Exit Affairs for Abike Dabiri to run. That one has been looking for that kind of job for a while now. We are too much in the country, so let some of us go.

Philippines, Mexico and the rest have national policies that allow their citizens to carry dem wahala and go. It’s time we did the same. All these Reno Omokiri type people, they should mbok just leave us with our wahala.

Anyways, it is not Toke type people, I am talking about o. I have seen a report saying that Toke on the back of this gruesome train bombing was reported to have said, she will leave Nigeria.

Mbok, I am begging you not to go anywhere o. But instead come to Nsit Ibom in Akwa Ibom State where I can take proper care of you. Put you in a fattening room, get our mothers to rub your skin with fresh palm oil and give you delicious Afang and Ekpang Nkukwo so that your beauty will continue to luxuriate.

Leave Nigeria problem for Buhari and Amaechi, na dem know why things be like this na. Abi if Kaduna houses almost all of the military paraphernalia and it is now under siege, is it my darling Toke Makinwa that will come and solve the problem?

My dear, please whenever you are ready let me know. Ibom Air is on standby.

God bless you.

LEKKI TOLL GATE: LET THE TOLL BEGIN You see, the problem is lack of transparency in the way the government handles public policy. The lack of adequate communications and the ‘bend bend’ way they do things usually puts them in this situation where rumours and outright fallacy lead the public positioning on things So, this Lekki toll gate is an example.

There is nothing we have not heard. It is Tinubu that owns it, after all his son has the giant billboards on the thing. It is Tinubu’s grandfather that sold the land to Lagos and as a result he has seized it and is collecting billions daily and it was just one of the bullion vans that came to his house that day.

You see, emotive reasons for engaging government is the bane of public- private engagement in social engineering.

From what I have gleaned, the LekkiEpe Expressway was a novel public and private sector infrastructure deal that was said to have been funded on the back of projected cash flows from a tolled expressway.

This is the way it is done all over the world. But because of the ‘kurukere’ ways in which we do our things, the government has not been totally above board in its execution and engagement, hence the loophole that has led to public skepticism and angst.

So now you can imagine how the government’s funding partners will be feeling. You can imagine the drain from government’s pockets as they struggle to meet up with the payments from a zero-collection point all because the government did not carry the public along. So the public would be right to feel that there is something not totally straight in the matter.

This should be a major lesson to government at all levels as they engage the public and when I become a Senator in 2027, the area of oversight will be my foothold.

This is what I am telling all these ‘kobo kobo’ presidential candidates that instead of pushing for the presidency, join me in the Senate. Let’s strengthen oversight, monitoring and execution and you will see the end of these things.

Even if it is to be shouting and be crying alone, we can achieve a lot and you will see how things will get better. But will they listen? No amount of restructuring, rewriting the constitution will save us if we don’t have effective and credible leadership.

So the people of Lekki, I don’t blame you guys for rejecting this toll gate but also kindly consider the private funds tied in the thing. It cannot be easy for them o.

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Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

Aisha Achimugu Shatters the Glass Ceiling

Achimugu

Before this era in Africa, women were considered unimportant, except in the kitchen and the bedroom. They were seen only as properties to be kept for home use: mothers, wives and caregivers. But this is changing so fast.

Some of these women are becoming liberated. Some have made their debut in various fields of endeavour and are very successful.

Today, some are being celebrated worldwide.

One of such women is Hajia Aisha Achimugu. She is a renowned businesswoman and a socialite. She is the MD/CEO of Felak Concepts Limited, a company with interests in consultancy services related to health, equipment procurement, training and capacity building. She’s also a director in Altex Engineering Oil & Gas Limited.

Achimugu made her mark in maritime and transportation engineering. She is the first woman transaction advisor/consultant to develop a seaport (Ibaka Seaport) in Nigeria.

The billionaire business magnate sees education as the indisputable weapon for attaining dreams. She believes that every child, especially the girl child, should be given a chance in life in order to realise her dreams. Life, without education, she adds, dims the prospects for a successful life.

The mother of three is never weary of broadening her knowledge in skills and knowledge. She is conscious of the fact that knowledge remains the podium when it comes to business.

To succeed, she embraces humility in learning new trends to soar above her contenders. Unlike many other industrialists, this lady of rare gem with the heart of gold is a towering giant in the business world.

She takes inspiration from her belief that sees African women as capable of demonstrating commendable resourcefulness and diligence in building their business enterprises.

Femi Otedola Celebrates Mother at 90 A mother’s love, it is said, is unconditional and never-ending. It is always there to fill our hearts when we need it. So, any responsible child owes his or her mother particularly a lot in life. Indeed, a child’s indebtedness to his mother for her unending and selfless sacrifice is simply eternal.

If there is any famous name in society who has proven his unconditional love for his mother, it is a billionaire businessman and the Executive Chairman of Geregu Power PLC, Femi Otedola. The business mogul, over the years, has showcased to the world his unending love for his dear mother, Lady Adedoja Otedola.

It is uncertain if anyone could imagine what could be going on in the mind of the business mogul, as he celebrates his dear mother who joined the nonagenarian club today.

No doubt, Otedola owes his 90-year-old mother a lot in life. For him, watching his mother and the matriarch of the family age gracefully gives him immeasurable joy.

As a result, the high-flying businessman

That the Adamawa State-born former Vice President and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant for 2023, Atiku Abubakar, has been linked to five beautiful women - Titi, Fatima, Ruqqayat, Ladi, and Jennifer, otherwise known as Jamila, is not in doubts.

But of these women, only Hajia Titi Abubakar and Jennifer are most talked about, particularly after the former VP had sacked Fatima, Ruqqayat and Ladi.

A source disclosed to Society Watch that until recently Jennifer was the most loved and the apple of his eyes, a situation that reportedly troubled Titi. It was further revealed that Atiku practically kept Titi aside, while he enjoyed romantic moments with Jennifer, who also reciprocated by supporting him during his bid for the 2019 presidential election. They had both relocated to Dubai, which served as their romantic hideaway, while Titi was left in the cold here in Nigeria.

Many were, however, shocked when Jennifer went to the press recently to spill the beans and washed their dirty linen in public and narrated how she was badly treated by her supposed lover boy. She said she had asked Atiku for divorce since 2021.

She added that contrary to rumours, the

would fete his close friends, business associates, celebrities, politicians and high-net-worth individuals across different walks of life, who have been invited to celebrate his mother at Saint Patrick’s Senior Secondary School Odaragunshin Epe, Lagos State today.

A source disclosed that she had vowed to complete the auditorium of Saint Peter’s Catholic Church auditorium before she hit the nonagenarian.

So, part of the birthday celebrations of the woman who was the First Lady of Lagos State in 1992 when her late husband, Sir Michael Otedola, was governor of Lagos State, would be the dedication of the auditorium today.

It is no exaggeration if one refers to Otedola as the biggest philanthropist in Nigeria today.

Without a doubt, if the history of the biggest philanthropists in Africa were to be documented, the billionaire’s name would definitely gain prominence. Giving without looking back is a hobby to the man also known as the citizen of the world.

Otedola

Titi Atiku Abubakar Goes Ecstatic

Abubakar

union had hit the rocks after a disagreement over her continued stay in the United Kingdom with their children. We gathered that since his marriage to Jennifer crashed, Titi has once again wormed herself back to her husband’s heart.

He is said to be showering her with love, which they both enjoyed while they were younger.

Consequently, the light-skinned mother of four is ecstatic over this development, as they now travel around the country together for political consultations towards his 2023 presidential ambition.

While Atiku served as the number two man under President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007, Titi had dazzled the social scene with their presence. She was also very powerful among the wives of the state governors. Her pet project, The Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF) was equally popular.

Yiaga Africa’s Samson Itodo Breaks New Ground with New Appointment For Samson Itodo, the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, eagles will be eagles and bantams will be bantams, regardless of the change of weather.

Ever since he came to national and global consciousness with his gospel of constitutional and electoral governance, civic engagement and public accountability, the Master’s degree holder in Law has continued to astound many with his deliverables, impacts and visionary leadership, especially among youths.

Last week, the highly influential not-forprofit independent organisation, Kofi Annan Foundation, zoomed its lens towards the direction of Itodo and appointed him as a member of its prestigious Board of Directors.

“I am particularly happy to welcome Samson to the Board of the Foundation,”

said the Chair of the Board, Elhadj As Sy, a former Secretary-General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Itodo, who has a far-reaching and credible reputation among prominent personalities in the corridors of power, was the brains behind the Not Too Young To Run movement that led to the reduction of age limits for running for public office in Nigeria.

The development expert, who recently earned a Masters of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, was appointed a member of the Board of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) in 2020.

With him, the defining qualification is brilliance and focus. He has continued to raise the bar of youth advocacy, using the tools of social networks, civic engagement and inclusive collaboration.

Two years ago, he was appointed by the Gates Foundation as a Goalkeeper and honoured by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) Washington DC as the 2018 Rising Democracy leader in Africa.

He has won state recognition in the UK, Sweden and South Africa, where he holds a fellowship in the prestigious Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership programme, as well as the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town.

Sijibomi Ogundele, a Property Top Player with a Difference Without a doubt, the boss of Sujimoto Construction, Sijibomi Ogundele, has proven his worth; he is not your regular businessman. With his in-depth understanding of the behavioural theory of human beings, the real estate giant has taken the real estate business several notches higher.His philosophy of understanding the importance of his employees and their contribution to the growth of his businesses have combined to make him one of the leading and glittering lights in the real estate sector within the shortest time possible.

The amiable luxury estate giant learnt the secrets early by living a life guarded by the witty saying of Anne M. Mulcahy, which says, “Employees are a company’s greatest asset they’re your competitive advantage. You want to attract and retain the best; provide them with encouragement, stimulus, and make them feel that they are an integral part of the company’s mission.”

Making this time-tested saying his watchword and guiding principle has imbued him with the rare understanding of the business

environment and to act in the best interest of all always.

And with the hardship in the country and around the world which has resulted in doubledigit inflation, Ogundele has introduced a stimulus package for his staff to make their lives easier and better to cushion the difficulties they are going through.

“They are an integral part of the company and our business. Their personal happiness is significant to the growth and expansion of Sujimoto so we need to look after their needs at all times”, the businessman said.

Meanwhile, it is no longer news that the property merchant has continued to blaze the trail and he is not resting on his oars anytime soon. He is someone that believes the sky is his starting point.

It was revealed that the shrewd business magnate is spreading his tentacles with his foray into the entertainment sector. Also, it was disclosed that Homewin, his new property company, would be launched in May. He has also made moves into water production, betting

Ogundele

and other sectors of the economy. Clearly, the astute businessman is becoming a Jack of all trades and a master of all.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 24 2012

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

3.4.2022

WITH A RECENT CELEBRATION OF TWO FEMALE ART LUMINARIES, NIKE ART CENTRE UPS THE ANTE… The basis for the celebrations of female artists and their works should transcend mundane comparisons with the efforts of their male counterparts and focus on their more sublime content, says Okechukwu Uwaezuoke

A

steadily growing attendance at the Nike Art Centre’s last-Sundayof-the-month Spotlight Art and Artists Review programme lets on to the fact that it is gradually catching on with the Lagos art community.

Of course, this may also have something to do with the charisma of the latest featured duo, Peju Layiwola and Peju Alatise, who are among Nigeria’s leading female contemporary artists.

When the Lekki-based art gallery decided, in January this year, to distil its barrage of visual impressions into curated monthly art exhibitions, the awareness of the novel HQGHDYRXU GLG QRW VHHP DW ÀUVW WR KDYH extended beyond the circle of its habitués.

Nonetheless, that initial edition, which was a solo exhibition featuring the works of Tolu $OLNL PXVW KDYH EHHQ VX΀FLHQWO\ ZHOO UHceived to encourage its continuation. Indeed, this must have gone a long way towards EROVWHULQJ WKH RUJDQLVHUV· FRQÀGHQFH LQ IRUJing ahead and featuring the duo, Stephen Osuchukwu and Augustine Obayuwana, in the subsequent exhibition in February.

Conceived to feature seven-day solo or two-man exhibitions that begin on the last Sunday of every month, this high-octane idea is being realised through a collaboration between the Nike Art Centre and the Ategun Art Foundation. The point of it all, according to the gallery’s proprietress, Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye, is to highlight the potential of the talent-glutted local art scene.

Back to Spotlight Art and Artists Review’s most recent edition. It is no coincidence that the joint exhibition, which concluded on Saturday, April 2, featured female artists.

This, Davies-Okundaye explained, was a nod to the fact that March was dedicated to celebrating women's accomplishments.

Speaking of accomplishments, both Peju Layiwola and Peju Alatise have consistently held their own as the local art scene’s poster girls and trailblazers. While Layiwola, an art history professor, rose to the top of the academic ladder as the head of the University of Lagos’s Department of Creative Arts, her younger namesake, who is an interdisciplinary artist and architect, has written two novels.

Both women have, in addition, indelibly engraved their names in the cognoscenti’s FRQVFLRXVQHVV ZLWK WKHLU FDUHHU GHÀQLQJ exhibitions. For instance, take Layiwola, who is the daughter of an Edo princess. Her 2010 solo exhibition, Benin1897.com: Art and the Restitution Question, held in Lagos and Ibadan, and the 2014 collaborative art project, titled Whose Centenary? and held in Benin City, burnished her public advocacy credentials for the return of the artefacts stolen from Benin during the British punitive expedition of 1897.

As for Alatise, who has almost become legendary for her experimental multidisciplinary works, her 3-D work "Flying Girls" was featured during the 2017 Venice Bien-

A view of the exhibition hall

Another close-up of works at the recent edition nale, in which she participated as one of the artists at Nigeria’s debut pavilion.

The 47-year-old artist, who is a fellow of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African Art, also won the prestigious FNB Art Prize that year and was later selected to feature at the 2020 Venice Architecture Biennale.

Back to Layiwola. Her exploits on the international stage are no less impressive. Besides winning the African Multiple Cluster of Excellence at the University of Bayreuth, Germany in 2020, she was also a Tyson Scholar at the Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, the USA in 2019, a Distinguished Visiting Scholar at the University of Arkansas from 2019 to 2020, and was nominated as the State of Arkansas 2020 Ambassador

A close-up on some of the works at the recent exhibition of Goodwill. Having previously received the Terra Foundation Grant for American Art in 2018, the CAA-Getty Alumni Grant in 2018 and nominated to the US International Leadership Programme (IVLP) in 2011, she also partnered with The Bronx Museum of the Arts on the Hillary Clinton US State Department SmARTpower programme in 2012, won the US Lagos State Consulate Grant and was awarded a Goethe Resident Artist grant (KNW) in Düsseldorf in 2017 and the US Alumni Exchange Award 2018.

While featuring these two female art luminaries with such impressive antecedents LQHYLWDEO\ UDLVHV WKH DÀFLRQDGRV· H[SHFWDtions of the subsequent exhibitions, it also inevitably puts the organisers in a spot when it comes to the selection of artists for the April and subsequent editions.

Of course, the whole point of the exhibition transcends the personal accomplishments of these women and directs the viewers’ attention to the works, whose salient messages trailed them as they sauntered about the gallery.

Indeed, the monthlong celebration of womanhood, which seemed to be the theme song of the month of March, ought to transcend such mundane considerations that seek to measure the success of the fairer sex against that of its male counterpart. Because VKH LV FDOOHG WR IXOÀO KLJKHU GXWLHV VKH LV HQdowed with inherent qualities that stand her in good stead to soar towards undreamt-of heights and thus uplift her surroundings.

This naturally implies that she is already standing at that duty post assigned to her by her Creator.

Thus, the woman, as an artist, is able to gain access to higher spheres from which VKH FRQVFLRXVO\ UHFHLYHV DQ LQÁX[ RI KLJKHU thoughts as a result of a specially endowed nature that has been adapted to this function. This should serve as the foundation for all celebrations of female artists' works. And this includes the exhibition, which was held on Tuesday, March 8 by the Korean Cultural Centre in Abuja in collaboration with Nike Art Gallery and the Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEAAN).

Speaking of that exhibition, which was held to commemorate International Women’s Day, the impact of the over 400 artworks by 24 female artists on the over 500 guests in attendance should have reverberated beyond the cultural scene.

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 3, 2022

ARTS & REVIEW\\ BOOK REVIEW

LABOURING UNDER THE PANGS ON WIDOWHOOD Bukar Usman The Trial and Other Stories, by Ifeoma Okoye, African Heritage Press New York, Lagos (2005)

T

he book The Trial and Other Stories written by Ifeoma Okoye contained 9 stories about widowhood in Igbo land. Much of the settings are in Enugu,EnuguStatewheretheauthor is based. Other places mainly in Igbo land include Onitsha, Abakaliki and Owerri and several villages. Outside Igbo land the settings include Lagos, Kano, Ibadan and Calabar.

7KH ÀUVW VWRU\ 6RXO +HDOHUV LV DERXW D ZRPDQ who resides in Lagos but had her two children VFKRROLQJ DW 2ZHUUL 2QH ZDV DJHG ÀYH DQG KDOI while the other was 4. Her husband was a civil engineer at Kano when his business collapsed.

Though the woman was a graduate she was jobless. A friend of hers found her a job in a bank in /DJRV 6KH GHÀHG KHU KXVEDQG DQG OHIW ZLWK WKH children to take up the job. The husband who refused to follow them died suddenly from stroke.

His relations accused the woman of the death of her husband by abandoning him in Kano. To punish her, they took away the children from her, put them in custody of the husband’s elder sister at Owerri where they were put in school.

She was warned not to visit them. She could not DͿRUG WR REH\ WKH LQVWUXFWLRQ 7KH FKLOGUHQ DUH KHU soul healers and was prepared to die for them.

The widow went to Owerri to fetch her children.

6KH KLUHG D WD[L WR GULYH WKHP WR (QXJX IRU D ÁLJKW to Lagos. Upon getting to the school, after closing hours, she grabbed them. They protested because they could hardly recognize her. The taxi driver threatened to take her and the children to the police station on suspicion of her being a kidnapper. She showed the taxi driver the family picture and narrated her plight. It was then the taxi driver cooperated and they headed to Enugu.

The second story titled Between Women is about a woman who was an orphan and a widow. Her ÀYH DQG KDOI \HDU ROG GDXJKWHU OLYHG ZLWK KHU mother-in-law in a village in Ebonyi State while she took a job at Enugu as a domestic servant and had not seen her daughter for nearly two years.

She had wanted to bring the daughter to Enugu but the wife of her employer would not agree. She asked for permission several times to go and visit the daughter, but the wife of the employer who proved to be insensitive to her plight would not DJUHH 7KH ZLGRZ FRXOG QRW DͿRUG WR OHDYH WKH job even though she was paid a pittance.

One day as she attends to errands in the house and carries out her house chores, the eggs she was frying for the family breakfast got burnt.Annoyed at that, the wife of the employer threw a knife at KHU LQÁLFWLQJ D GHHS FXW RQ KHU H\HEURZ 7KH WKUHH children of her employer became her only source of joy as well as constant reminder to her daughter.

The widow learnt from her aunt who lives in Enugu that her daughter was on admission in hospital atAbakaliki. She once again requested for permission to visit the daughter and was denied.

At last, she bolted away leaving her job for good because her daughter gave meaning to her life.

Strange Disease is the title of the third story in which a widow’s brother-in-law insisted on marrying her. She did not want to but was afraid to tell him because he might harm her and her two teenage children. The man was persistent in going to her house and pressing to know her answer. A 75-year-old widow advised her against the marULDJH 7KH PDQ·V ÀUVW ZLIH KDG DOVR ZDUQHG KHU RQ several occasions not to snatch her husband. As a way out, she pretended that she had a strange venereal disease and stripped naked before the man to prove her point. It was at that stage that the brother-in-law left her for good.

The Voiceless Victim is the fourth story in the book.

It concerns an 18-year-old widow with a baby and a toddler who was quarreling with a middle-aged woman for space to beg. The middle-aged woman reluctantly accommodated her upon intervention by a spectator who mediated. Afemale passerby watched the quarrel. After the settlement, she

BOOK REVIEW was approached by the teenage beggar for money to buy food for her children. The woman angrily shunned her saying she VKRXOG JR DQG ÀQG D MRE 6RPHWLPH DIWHU the teenage beggar traced the passerby’s R΀FH WR IXUWKHU SOHDG ZLWK KHU WR ÀQG D job for her. She said her husband died the previous year and that she married because her mother needed the bride price to treat her father who was critically ill for years. She was two months pregnant when her husband died. The husband’s illness had taken all his savings. His burial was funded with loans which were yet to be paid. She was a victim of child marriage, child widowhood and of world imbalances. Her hopelessness was SLWLIXO KHQFH WKH ZRPDQ UHVROYHG WR ÀQG job for her after giving her some money for transport and few days meal.

7KH 7ULDO LV WKH ÀIWK VWRU\ WKDW DOVR GRXEOHV DV the title of the book. It is a story about a widow in a village who was put on trial by a team of thirty women made up of her husband’s relations. Her brother-in-law who did not DSSURYH RI KHU PDUULDJH LQ WKH ÀUVW LQVWDQFH DQG ÀQDQFLDOO\ GHSHQGHQW RQ KHU KXVEDQG had accused her of poisoning her husband.

Hence, the traditional trial which if proven she would die within 28 days of the trial. Her mother advised her to undergo the trial or else she and her relations would be ostracized by the whole town and condemned her as a husband killer.

She was determined to prove her innocence.

To do that, she had to stand up against her brother- in-law. In her defence, she said that she was away from home when the husband died. His friend was visiting him when he suddenly vomited blood and died before reaching hospital. She further said that according to the doctor he had stomach ulcer which might have arisen after his loss of job.

As the trial went on in spite of her explanations, the brother-in-law washed her dead husband’s hands in a bowl of water and she was asked to drink it to prove her innocence.

She thought of anything to stop the trial.

She noticed the brother-in-law dipped his IRUH ÀQJHU LQWR WKH ERZO RI ZDWHU 6KH KDG previously been warned to be on the lookout forsuchhappening.Inacountermove,sheaccusedthebrother-in-lawofputtingsomething into the water and therefore refused to drink.

Instead, she insisted that the brother-in-law PXVW ÀUVW GULQN WKH ZDWHU +H UHIXVHG 6RPH of the kindred supported the brother-in-law while others supported her.As the disagreement ensued, church members turned up for the burial. The impending trial abruptly came to an end. She was discharged and the burial proceeded. The brother-in-law left with great disappointment threatening he would harm her and make sure she did not inherit his brother’s properties.

Story six, The New Business Woman narrates the challenges of a woman whose husband was a motor spare part dealer at Enugu before he died of hepatitis. She resolved to continue running the business even though she doesn’t know how and the business was virtually a male dominated business. She had lost her job as a typist in a company which had closed business. That was two years before the husband’s death. She had three children to cater for. She knew the business ZDV SURÀWDEOH DQG ZDV GHWHUPLQHG QRW WR dispose of the shop.

She solicited the assistance of a kind neighboring spare parts dealer who agreed to put her through. The kind man said that the husband was a good man. Hence, he ZRXOG QRW IROG KLV DUPV WR VHH KLV HͿRUW JR to waste. The woman was thereby relieved of her anxieties as she was determined to

The Trial and Other Stories - Cover Design shame her detractors who wanted her to dispose of the shop.

From Wife to Concubine, the seventh story, is a narrative of a widow whose brother-in-law ZDV D IRUPHU SROLFH R΀FHU DQG OLYHV LQ D YLOODJH in Anambra State. He wanted to dispossess his EURWKHU·V ZLIH RI D EORFN RI ÁDWV LQ 2QLWVKD 6KH resolved to do all she could to prevent him from taking the matter to court where he was most likely to have his way because of his connections.

Moreover, she had discovered that her marriage FHUWLÀFDWH DQG RWKHU LPSRUWDQW GRFXPHQWV WKDW would support her claims had disappeared from her room at Onitsha where she lived with her husband before he died. She suspected the brother-in-law to have removed the documents immediately after her husband’s death. She could QRW JHW D FRS\ RI WKH PDUULDJH FHUWLÀFDWH EHFDXVH ÀUH KDG JXWWHG SDUW RI WKH UHJLVWU\ Aside from being subjected to dehumanizing widowhood rites, her brother-in-law went about telling people that she after all was not legally married to his brother and that she was only a concubine.

6KH WROG KHU LQ ODZ WKDW WKH EORFN RI ÁDWV ZDV KHUV and reminded him that it was he and her husband who pleaded that she registers the property in the husband’s name so as not to embarrass him among his friends as it was also odd for a man to live in a wife’s home. In spite of her explanations, the brother-in-law gave her and her children three months to vacate the property. An idea then occurred to her. She confronted the brother-in-law saying that she had all along been harboring a secret about the circumstances of the death of her husband’s cousin who it was alleged had accidentally shot himself on a farm in dispute. The secret was that the brother-in-law was implicated in the death being the one who went to the farm with a gun. She threatened to reveal the secret XQOHVV WKH EURWKHU LQ ODZ OHIW WKH ÁDW IRU KHU DQG UHWXUQHG KHU PDUULDJH FHUWLÀFDWH $V WKH EURWKHU in-law did not want the secret revealed, he posted WR KHU WKH PDUULDJH FHUWLÀFDWH DQG QRWKLQJ PRUH was said about her ownership of the property.

Second Chance being the eighth story is the case of a widow with her two children. The widow went to see her husband’s paternal uncle at Enugu to intimate him of her plan to remarry a widower who had three children. The husband’s uncle did

not object to the marriage but said that she was not going to take the children along. The woman said she can’t leave the children who were only ÀYH DQG WKUHH \HDU ROG 7KH KXVEDQG·V XQFOH said that she should go and think about it as they may have to take the children away from her, if need be, by force in compliance with tradition.

She was in a dilemma as to whether to marry and leave the children or remain alone in poverty.

When she proceeded to the prospective husband’s house, she found that of the three children, two were warm towards her contrary to her anxiety.

She decided to accept the marriage. Thereafter, the man revealed that he had been transferred to Ibadan where they would all move and he would take care of her children as their father while she takes care of his children as their mother.

Daughter for Sale is the title of the last and nineth story of the book. It involves a widow who was concerned about ill-treatment she was receiving from her brother-in-law. It was the same type of treatment her mother had received in the hands of her father. Her father had sold his 4 young daughters, one after the other, to those who could pay highest bride price. It came to her turn when her father gave her out for marriage at the age of 6KH ORVW KHU ÀUVW VRQ ZKR ZDV DQG WKH VHFRQG who was 21. She was left with two daughters.

The brother-in-law married out one of the daughters and got a handsome bride price. According to tradition, she did not know the amount as a woman was not supposed to know. Another man was coming for the second daughter and she would not know what was being paid. She decided that it would no longer happen. She would allow only a token amount or nothing at all so that the brother-in-law would get nothing.

The brother-in-law gathered the extended family led by an 80-year-old man to plead with her. She maintained her ground and had her way.

The fate of widows and their children in Igbo land depicted in the stories as it concerns inheritance and the traditional rites widows are made to pass through, is somewhat pitiful and horrifying.

While some of the practices might have served the society in the past, they evidently require a serious review in modern times.

'U %XNDU 8VPDQ IRUPHU SHUPDQHQW VHFUHWDU\ LQ WKH SUHVLGHQF\ $EXMD

69

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 3, 2022

CICERO

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

IN THE ARENA

Time to Take out the Terrorists With the revelation by Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, that the location of terrorists is public knowledge and that the Department of State Services usually monitors their telephone lines, it is high time the federal government brought their criminality to an end, Louis Achi writes

O

n Monday, March 28, 2022, terrorists attacked a Kaduna-bound train with about 970 passengers after blowing up its tracks with Improvised Explosive Devices (EIDs), killing about eight, wounding many, abducting scores, while several others were unaccounted for. The government, whose primary responsibility is to protect lives and property, looked utterly clueless and helpless in the face of this attack, which lasted for about two hours.

The Monday night attack came after repeated warnings by the intelligence service about the movement of bandits with a mission to attack the train service and other facilities.

Aside from the failure of the security forces to halt the planned attack, it was gleaned that the Kaduna State Security Council and the leadership of the 1 Division Nigerian Army headquarters had also separately requested the Nigeria Railways Corporation (NRC) to suspend the late-hour shuttle between the two cities, an advisory that was however ignored.

The Managing Director of the NRC, Mr. Fidet Okhiria confirmed that the NRC was written to stop the evening train. “They wrote to us that they suspected that they wanted to attack the train but that was in December/January. But we looked at it and said if there is something like that, they should find a solution to it and stopping the train is not the solution.

“And we don’t run night train. The last train leaves in the evening. We believe if we stop the running of trains, it means the terrorists have won,” he said.

It is worth noting that shortly before the Kaduna train attack, a very vicious and one of the most daring attacks occurred when bandits invaded the Kaduna International Airport on March 26, killing an official and scaling up fear in the country.

Before then, over 60 persons were reported to have been killed and hundreds of houses destroyed in Kaduna State alone by these terrorists who are constantly and frequently on rampage without challenge.

Significantly too much politics and too little governance appear to have taken the back seat in the face of these successive depredations. Every time attacks occur, all that Nigeri-

Terorrist s

google.com

ans are served is rhetoric - ‘hunt them down’ - which sadly does not usually translate to specific result until next attacks occur. Yet so much has been spent on equipment with no result.

Twenty-four hours after the terrorists’ attack, President Muhammadu Buhari described the incident as a matter of grave concern, instructing the military and other security agencies to immediately swing to action. The president specifically told the service chiefs and other heads of security outfits to immediately hunt them down the terrorists. This sounds like a familiar homily.

According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the president also instructed the NRC to repair the bombed section of the rail track and resume operations along the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor immediately. The President reportedly issued the instructions after being briefed by the service chiefs and other heads of security agencies, on the findings from the site of the attack.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, hours after the damning attack made a shocking revelation that the military knew the location of the bandits wreaking havoc in the state, but refused to bomb their hideouts.

“We have enough intelligence for us to take action. The Air Force undertakes enough ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance); and the DSS has informants all over the place.

“We know what they (terrorists) are planning. We get the reports. The problem is for the agencies to take action. Don’t wait until they attack before you respond. The Army should go after their enclaves to wipe them out. Let the Air Force bomb them.

“Before, they were categorised as bandits and if you bombed them, you would have issues with human rights organisations and international criminal courts and so on. But, now that they have been declared terrorists by the court, they can be legally killed without any consequences from international human rights organisations.”

The governor insisted that the camps and phone numbers of the terrorists were known by the military agencies, stressing that Kaduna State was currently in a state of war.

“We know where their camps are, we know where they are; the SSS have their phone numbers, they listen to them, and they give me the report. We know what they are planning. We shouldn’t be waiting for them to attack; why can’t we go after them?”

El-Rufai asked.

The governor said the bandit areas should be declared a warzone, adding that he was ready to allow a few innocent people to lose their lives in the process “We are in a state of war; this place should be declared a warzone. The Army, Air Force, and the police should go in there and kill them. Will there be innocent casualties? Yes! In every war situation, there are casualties,” he added.

The governor also corroborated the claim that the NRC was warned to stop night operation but it refused.

El-Rufai stated, “We have written to the Nigerian Railway Corporation twice to stop the evening service. The last train from Kaduna to Abuja should leave by 4pm so that it will get to Abuja in daylight,” he added.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami had on November 25, 2021 obtained a judgment designating all gunmen in the North-west as terrorists. This was said to be a condition by the United States government for the deployment of the aircraft outside of the North-east. However, some sources confirm that the Super Tucano had not yet been deployed in the Northwest for reasons best known to the security agencies.

El-Rufai’s alarmingly candid position has strengthened the suspicion that the country’s insecurity was deliberately allowed to fester to provide unending business opportunities for some actors in government.

To erase this suspicion, Buhari should act now by ordering the bombing of all the locations of these terrorists across the North-west as recommended by el-Rufai. Buhari should save Nigeria this unending embarrassment by terrorists, who do not even possess superior firepower than the security forces. According to former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka, “from Aso Villa in Maitama Abuja, Army HQ, Police HQ, DSS HQ to Gidan Dan Baki on the Kaduna-Abuja road is 114km. “Bandits control a road one hour away from the seat of power in Abuja and it is okay? We need a president that will smoke them out and restore national unity against evil.”

Will President Buhari strike a blow for posterity by dramatically altering his security forces’ poor engagement strategy against the terrorists who are working in overdrive to rubbish his legacies? It is a choice he has to make.

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

The Limit of Politics

Amaechi

It’s okay for the nation to continue to mourn Monday’s mindless attack on a Kaduna-bound train, which left some eightpeopledead,manyinjuredandscoresstillunaccounted foraftertheywerekidnapped,whatisnotokayisforsome inanefewtostillfindanindecentopeningtoplaypoliticswith anincidentthatshouldhaveunitedthenationandforceda more effective solution.

First,theinsinuationwasthattheMinisterofTransportation, RotimiAmaechi,wasmoreconcernedabouttheinvestment lossesfromthebombattackthantheliveswasted,andsoon after,theseidlejobbersfurtherpeddledtherumourthatthe minister had requested of Nigerians to contribute money so they could assist with the bills of those, who made it to thehospital.Neitherofthese,however,hasbeenprovento be correct.

On the one hand, the minister, indeed, made a promise,

when he visited the military hospital that the transport ministrywoulddefraysomeofthecostsofthetreatments ofsurvivorsbysendingdownsomecash,sincethehospital treatedeveryonewithoutaskingformoneyandlaterwent on to state that the attack could have been prevented had the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved his request foralittleoverthreebillionnairatofixsomesecuritydetectiondevices,whichwouldhaveaidedinnotonlymonitoring criminalactivitiesaroundthetracks,butalsopromptedthem in acting proactively.

But the politics that was later introduced by those, who felt attacked by this revelation has further exposed their hypocrisy, as exemplified in the manner they leaked the said FEC memo, just to justify why the request was turned down. Unfortunately, the leaked memo, which contained the alleged reasons for turning down the request further

gave them away.

Thetruth,accordingtoreliablesources,isthattheFECdid notquerytheBureauofPublicProcurement(BPP)overthe lucky company, neither was there any debate about when thecompanywasregistered,becauseitwasnotpartofthe conditionsprecedent.Therefore,theprocurementprocess was not part of the debate. But theVice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who presided over the particular FEC meeting, suddenly raised the issue of device brand, which was completely extraneous in the debate context.

Ratherthanputthebrandissueasideandgiveapprovalinthe meantime,sinceitwasofnoconsequence,Osinbajodeclined andallegedblackmailafterhewasforewarnedhisdecision couldresultinlossoflives,becausecredibleintelligencehad hinted that the tracks might be attacked since people had abandoned the roads for the safer transportation mode.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 3, 2022

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BRIEFINGNOTES Amaechi and the Burden of Unsecured Rail Lines Following last Monday’s terror attack on the Kaduna-bound train, the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, had revealed that the incident, which led to the loss of several lives and equipment could have been averted if the government had released N3 billion for the acquisition of digital security and crime prevention equipment requested by him. Ejiofor Alike reports that the attacks by terrorists will erode the huge gains recorded by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in the execution of rail projects if adequate investment is not made to secure these facilities

O

ne major achievement of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is the provision of about $5 billion railinfrastructuretoaddressthe transportationchallengesinthe country. Since assumption of office, the president had completed three major rail projects inherited from the previous administrations.

The projects include: Abuja Metro Rail, the $1.2billion Abuja-Kaduna Rail, and the 327km Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri Rail.

The military government started the ItakpeAjaokuta-Warri Rail since 1987 and it took the commitment of the present administration to reviveitwith$200millionandcompleteitin2020.

The federal government is also vigorously implementing the $2billion 156km Lagos-Ibadan StandardGaugeRailwaywithanextensiontoLagos Port.PresidentBuharihadinJune2021inaugurated thefacilitywiththeline currentlyinoperation,while work is still ongoing in a section of it.

BuiltbytheChinaCivilEngineeringConstruction Corporation (CCECC) at a cost of $1.5 billion, the double-track standard gauge has 10 sub-stations between Lagos and Ibadan.

ThisadministrationhadearlierinFebruary2021 heldtheground-breakingceremonyforthe$2billion internationally-fundedraillineconnectingNorthern Nigeria to the neighbouring Niger Republic.

Also the government had in March 2021 performed the ground-breaking for the $3billion railway project that would link Eastern Nigeria from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri. This Eastern Narrow Gauge Railway project has a construction timeof36monthsandisestimatedatabout1,000 kilometres.Nigeriangovernmentisobligatedtopay only 15 per cent counterpart funding.The success recorded by this administration in the rail sector had made the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed to declare last Monday that Nigerians can travel safely by rail.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, Mohammed reportedly said: “We are proud that in our time, Nigerians are once again able to travel by rail, this time in total comfort and safety.”

“Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna, Warri-ItakpeAjaokutaandAbujaMetrolineareshiningexamples ofourrailrevolution.Andwearejustgettingstarted.

We have the rehabilitation of the Port HarcourtMaiduguri Eastern Narrow Gauge Railway project

Amaechi that cuts through Rivers, Imo, Anambra, Benue, Enugu,Ebonyi,Gombe,Yobe,AdamawaandBorno states, and the Bonny Deep Sea and Railway Industrial Park.

“We have the Kano-Maradi standard gauge line that passes through some economic hubs ofthecountry,includingKazaure,Daura,Katsina anduptothebordertownofJibiyaandthecityof MaradiinNigerRepublic,”theministerhadfurther explained.However,thehugeinvestmentsbeing made in the rail sector are being destroyed by terroristsandvandals,whohavebeendestroying rail lines and trains and stealing rail slippers.

For instance, in October 2021, the Nasarawa StatecommandoftheNigeriaSecurityandCivil DefenceCorps(NSCDC)interceptedaheavy-duty truck, which was conveying no fewer than 970 railway slippers to an unknown destination.The highincidentsofvandalismofrailinfrastructure had made the Minister of Transportation, Mr. RotimiAmaechi,tocallformanslaughtercharge

againstanyonecaughtvandalisingrailwayfacilities.Terroristshavealsosubjectedraillines,trains andpassengerstopersistedattacks,threatening to erode the gains recorded in the sector.

Barelysixhoursaftertheinformationminister celebrated this administration’s achievements in the rail sector, dare-devil terrorists attacked Abuja-Kaduna train, killed scores of passengers and abducted several others. It was feared that as many as 200 passengers might have been kidnapped during Monday’s raid on the Kaduna-bound train. Amaechi confirmed that eight passengers were killed in the attack, 26 injured, while several others were unaccounted for.With no adequate security to protect the rail infrastructureandpassengers,Monday’sincident was not the first attack on rail facilities. It was, however, the first major attack.

The most unfortunate angle to the incident was the revelation by Amaechi that a N3 billion investment on security facilities could have

averted the tragedy that led to loss of several lives and over N3 billion worth of equipment.

Briefing journalists after visiting the scene of the attack on Tuesday, Amaechi disclosed that he had warned about possible attacks on the rail line and tracks that could lead to loss of lives and property before the incident. The minister noted thathehadrequestedfornecessarydigitalsecurity andcrimepreventionequipmentthatcouldforestall such disaster, but his request was not approved.

He expressed dissatisfaction with the incident, which he claimed, could have been averted with relevant digital security equipment in place.

“We knew what the problem would be. We knew we needed to have digital security equipment. We applied for it because if we had those equipment, you will see nobody on that track. And I warned that lives will be lost. Now, lives are lost -eight persons dead, 25 persons in the hospital.

“We don’t know how many persons have been kidnapped. And the cost of that equipment is just N3 billion. The cost of what we have lost is more than N3 billion.

“We have lost tracks; we have lost locomotives and coaches. We have lost human beings. And the equipment is just N3 billion. To fix all the things on that track now, will cost us more than N3 billion. And now even the things we said give us approval to buy – at the time we asked for it, dollar was N400, now it is N500. When you come with sincerity to government and your colleagues and people are stopping you, it is annoying,” the minister lamented.

It is very unfortunate that Nigeria lost such number of lives and over N3 billion worth of equipment because of the federal government’s failure to secure the rail infrastructure with N3 billion security facilities.Though President Buhari has directed the immediate conclusion of all the processesfortheimplementationoftheintegrated security surveillance and monitoring solution for the Abuja-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan railway lines, must the federal government always wait for lives to be lost before taking deliberate steps to secure lives and property?

Amaechi is one of the few performing ministers in President Buhari’s cabinet but his revelation was a serious indictment of the government.

With the increasing state of insecurity across thecountry,theNigeriangovernmentshouldmatch the huge gains it made in building rail infrastructure withadequateinvestmentstosecurethevulnerable facilities and passengers.

NOTES FOR FILE

Frequent Disregard of National Assembly’s Summons

Gbajabiamila

It has now become a pastime for heads of federal governmentagenciestoignoreinvitationsextendedto thembytheNationalAssembly.Lastweek,membersof theHouseofRepresentativesexpresseddissatisfaction with the attitude of heads of agencies invited over the recent attack on a train in Kaduna.

ThelowerlegislativechamberhadinvitedtheNational SecurityAdviser(NSA),MajorGeneralBabaganaMonguno (rtd);MinisterofDefence,MajorGeneralBashirMagashi (rtd);ChiefofAirStaff,AriMarshallIsiakaAmao;DirectorGeneral,DepartmentofStateServices(DSS),YusufBichi; Inspector-GeneralofPolice(IG),UsmanBaba;Minister ofAviation,HadiSirikaandMinisterofTransportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi.

AlsoinvitedweretheDirector-General,NigerianCivil

AviationAuthority;ManagingDirector,FederalAirports AuthorityofNigeria(FAAN);ManagingDirector,Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and General Manager, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

However,atthemeetinglastWednesday,someofthe public officials were absent, while others merely sent in their representatives.

TheDeputySpeakeroftheHouse,IdrisWase,expressed displeasureoverthenon-appearanceoftheinvitedpublic officials and declined to allow their representatives to makepresentations.Itisalwayssadthateachtimethe NationalAssemblyinvitesheadsoffederalgovernment agencies,theyturnitdown.Itnotonlyshowstheirtotal disregardanddisrespectfortheparliament.Ifonemay ask,whataretheyafraidofthateachtimetheyareinvited?

What many of the heads of these agencies do not know is that, the parliament is the house of the people and their appearance is an opportunity for them to tell Nigerians what they are doing with the positions given to them. It could also be a forum to learn more.

No matter the assignment they are handling, the parliament requires a listening ear. In any case, what are these officials doing anyway? Nothing! Despite all theythinktheyaredoing,areNigeriansseeinganygood result?The answer is No! All they see almost on a daily basis are more attacks, deaths, sorrow and miseries.

TheNationalAssemblyneedstobeseriouswithitself bystampingitsauthorityandensuringthatanytimeany headofanagencyrefusestohonouranyinviteheorshe is seriously sanctioned.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 3, 2022

CICERO/ISSSUES

Challenges Ahead of Adamu-led APC Leadership As the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, settles down for his huge tasks, his capacity to steer the affairs of a party with many entrenched and conflicting interests, will be tested before and during the party primaries, Iyobosa Uwugiaren writes

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gainst all hash and rash predictions by some political observers about the national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party elected its national officers recently after a protracted delay.

The result of the murky process that led to the convention reflected President Muhammadu Buhari’s earlier submission that his party would disappoint the opposition parties, which have predicted that the ruling party will be enmeshed in serious crisis after its national convention.

Glorifying those behind the success of the convention, the presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, said that the product of the convention was a victory for Buhari who had ensured ‘’unity across all party positions, as well as a victory for Nigerians and the electorate’’ who can now be assured of a smooth succession to new leadership in 2023.

Shehu explained that the convention’s outcome demystified “fake news” of division in the party when the hard reality of unity, cohesion, and indeed personal warmth between members of the party’s leaders – incoming and outgoing – was evident for all to see.

“Of course, the blame for this mind-set ought rightly to go to the opposition who in all these years had done the work to only divide the country, leading to all manner of separatist agitations.

“But this is not the wish, nor is it in the character of the citizens, as was clear for everyone to see at the Eagle Square’’, the presidential spokesman said.

He argued that when opposition’s ‘’fake news of disunity’’ was undone by the facts, some in the opposition could not help themselves but take to the newspapers and the airwaves to find another way to shore up their reputations; that some of the APC’s new leadership were once in the opposition.

Shehu asked, “Do the Scriptures not teach us of the virtue of sinners who repent and change their ways? What the scriptures say less is of sinners who repent, change their tune, and then choose to re-sin in full public view by returning to their former ways.

“Given that most important leaders of the opposition PDP first left the party before they returned to it, we might expect the media to ensure criticism of them is damning and absolute. It is incredulous that anyone would consider them trustworthy or acceptable candidates for any public office.’’

Buhari, who congratulated the Adamu-led 78-member National Executive Committee of the APC that emerged at the convention in Abuja, said that the unity of members put on display, puts the party on a firmer footing for victory in next year general elections.

“The APC Convention sets the scene for an APC victory in the presidential and general elections next year. It is a victory over naysayers, who believed the party was divided but are now disappointed,” President Buhari was quoted to have said in a statement by Shehu.

However, amidst celebration and selfpraising by Buhari and other leaders of the party, political analysts have continued to postulate that the ruling party’s convention – where majority of the party members were denied the rights to elect their officials, hugely negated the principles of ‘’participatory democracy’’ - in which party members are provided power to make political decisions.

The argument is that the arbitrary sole

Adamu decision of the president and a few governors throughout the process - in determining who gets what at the national convention, lacked legitimacy in any democratic space.

Indeed, knowledgeable political scientists have consistently argued that the temperament of any political party is that the majority carries the vote.

This allows others to make input; and gives room for internal democracy. And the sound argument is that leaving the definitive decision concerning the affairs of the ruling party in the hands of the president and a few governors, gives a precarious sign that the APC, after all, does not care about about democracy.

The choice of the APC’s national officers at the last national convention was through consensus decided solely by President Buhari and the state governors elected on the platform of the ruling party.

Indeed, many aspirants, who picked forms to contest various positions spent their hard-earned resources and visited many states during their campaigns, were eventually forced, intimidated and blackmailed to set down for the ‘’unity list’’ – containing favoured candidates.

And at the end of the exercise, the preferred candidates were announced as winners of the ‘’election,’’ with pockets of

protest by the aggrieved aspirants.

However, with the national convention now over, many party loyalists believe that the stage is now set for the APC primaries later in the year, when the party’s new flag bearers will emerge. ‘’Now that the national convention has been concluded and a new party executives are in place, our focus is now on the task of putting up a unified and formidable structure ahead of the 2023 election.

“We believe that this has to be the first step in ensuring that our party counters the threat posed by the PDP and continue our winning streak at the centre, which began in 2015’’, Buhari recently tasked the newly elected executives.

But analysts and political observers have suggested that the outcome of the convention is a sign of what is to come during the presidential primaries. In other words, the prediction is that the presidential flagbearer will also be picked through consensus , a decision that will, again, be left in the hands of a few leaders of the party.

The newly elected National Chairman of the APC, Senator Adamu, recently received his staff of office from the outgoing Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) Chairman and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, an indication that the party may have settled

down for the challenges ahead of the 2023 general election.

Buni, in his handing over speech, commended APC’s new national and zonal executives as well as Buhari, who, according to him, provided the needed leadership and atmosphere for a ‘’rancour-free convention.’’

The governor of Yobe State, who had come under harsh criticism in the weeks before the convention, explained how his efforts in the last few months helped to reposition the party. He acknowledged there were still a lot to do to consolidate on the success recorded by the party under him.

“First, to sustain the gains and coming at a time when this party will soon start its nomination process, obviously the tasks before you are enormous.

“We have done our best from the registration, to the congresses, the ward, local government, state and up to the convention.

But that cannot be without problems here and there. By and large, we have succeeded’’, Buni stated.

He admonished that a bigger and larger political party like APC with ‘’over 41 million memberships’’, will always agree and disagree at some points, adding that human management - the ability to manage the situation, is what will be needed to keep the party ‘’together and stronger again, and again.’’

Apparently ready to hit the ground running, Adamu hinted that his first task in office is to strategise with his team, both at national and zonal levels, on how to win the 2023 general election.

He admitted that in spite of the fruitful outcome of the convention, enormous tasks remained ahead.

According to him, ‘‘I want to say on behalf of the new NWC that it is not going to be an easy time for us. We have a major event that is going to test the water, but how stable are we as a party now that the general election is coming?

“For me, by the time we start working, our main task will be how we handle the elections as a party. How will we win the general election? People are talking, saying the APC does not have an incumbent on the ticket.

“We will have the honour and the integrity and the legacy of the current president on the ticket. We will work day and night. We have less than 12 months to face the general election. So, everybody should buckle up.”

Adamu vowed to preserve the “APC’s winning streak’’; while appealing for openness and cooperation from the NWC and other leadership structures of the party. “Don’t begrudge me. If there is any issue, let me know”, he appealed to members of the NWC. Like many party’s members, the Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, said that Adamu’s emergence as the new national chairman of the APC, was a testimony to the tremendous respect that he enjoys across the polity for his integrity, experience and leadership capacity.

“The unanimous affirmation of Senator Adamu’s candidature at the convention is a testimony to the tremendous respect that he enjoys across the polity for his integrity, experience and leadership capacity.

“I share this common belief in his suitability for piloting the affairs of our great party from this very important juncture’’, Lawan stated.

However, Adamu’s capacity for his new role will be tested before and during the party primaries, and ultimately during the general election.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 3, 2022

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CICERO/REPORT

Enugu 2023: How Zoning, Rotation will Jeopardise Ekweremadu’s Chances The contentious issues of zoning and rotation have dominated political discourse in Enugu State since former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, declared his intention to run for the governorship seat of the state come 2023. Vanessa Obioha writes that the ghost of zoning haunts him

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ormer Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, recently declared his intention to run for the governorship seat of the state come 2023. The five-time senator who represents Enugu West in the Senate, while disclosing his reason and passion for wanting to contest for the seat after attaining exalted heights nationally and internationally, stated that, “Enugu State gave me huge opportunities to serve as pioneer Council Chairman of Aninri Local Government Area, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Secretary to the State Government, five-term senator, three-term Deputy President of the Senate, Deputy Speaker and Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament. I have served on a number of important committees and in several global positions.”

Continuing, he added that, “In the course of this journey, I have met world leaders, business leaders, and made friends in both private and public sectors of the national and global economies. I have had the opportunity to understand how states and nations are transformed. A good example is a city like Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), which was a desert, but has now become the world’s most digitalised city and a global investment hub. I have an insight into the economic transformation taking place in Rwanda,” he explained.

Pledging to deliver good governance bedrock on the restoration of faith in government through delivering on his manifesto and promises; transformation of the civil service, judiciary and parliament, making them technology-driven; improvement of welfare, efficiency and respectability of the public service; duel corruption, improve and enhance revenue generation and use, and run an all-inclusive government that sees all as equals.

Ekweremadu unveiled his eight-point work plan under the following broad themes ”Water, Road Development, Education, Youth and Women Empowerment, Security, Health Sector Reforms, Opportunities provision, Employment and Economy, Energy Sufficiency; and Housing and Urban Renewals.

Recalling his efforts and antecedents as a senator in the light of the exploits and limitations recorded, Ekweremadu averred that “As a senator, I worked hard to put forward necessary bills and motions on constitutional amendments, security, education, economy, health and electoral reform, that have impacted and are still impacting positively on the wellbeing of our people. I have initiated life-changing projects in our communities, beyond my constituency, in the very important areas of water, road, educational infrastructure, health, power, and many more.

The former Deputy Senate President and PDP chieftain, followed his announcement with the naming Hon. Ogboo Asogwa, a former state lawmaker, as his campaign Coordinator for the 2023 governorship race in Enugu.

However, there are those who feel that Ekweremadu has to contend with the issue of rotational system entered orally by the founding fathers of Enugu State.

Having been a five-time senator, threetime Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate as well as former Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, others believe that Ekweremadu’s political height should have been channelled towards realising the presidency of South-east extraction rather than his governorship dream. His governorship dream is seen by many as an inordinate ambition and a step that may torpedo the

Ekweremadu tranquility of governorship rotation principle which has been acknowledged by all political stakeholders in the state.

Enugu State is made up of three senatorial zones – Enugu North, Enugu East and Enugu West, where Ekweremadu hails from.

Enugu East produced the governor in the person of Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani from 1999 – 2007; Enugu West ruled from 2007 to 2015 under former Governor Sullivan Chime; while Enugu North will complete its turn in 2023 under Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

So, under the seamless rotation principle endorsed by all the stakeholders except Ekweremadu, it should be the turn of Enugu East in 2023.

But for those who have been following Ekweremadu’s political trajectory, indeed, this is not the first time he contested for the gubernatorial seat. In 2007, he showed interest but Governor Chimaroke Nnamani picked Sullivan Chime as his successor.

He also kicked vehemently in 2015 when ex-governor Chime and other stakeholders zoned the governorship seat to Enugu North senatorial zone.

Many political observers in the state

believe that his current clamour for the governorship seat is fuelled by the fears that he will be politically irrelevant by 2031 when it will be the turn of his zone – Enugu West.

Others believe that he wants to use it to negotiate for another term in the Senate.

Since he made his ambition public, the contentious issues of zoning and rotation have dominated political discourse in the state, and it seems to be haunting his chances. And sensing the controversy he has created, the Aninri LGA- born senator, during a consultation with the media in Enugu recently, insisted that there was no fixed zoning policy in the state.

He posited that zoning existed only in the minds of persons out to make capital of the situation. He argued that Enugu State is composed of four sub-ethnic groups in the old administrative divisions of Agbaja (Udi), Awgu, Nkanu (Enugu), and Nsukka.

He claimed that there was no zoning and rotation arrangement for the governorship seat. He accused proponents of zoning of having candidates in mind, and challenged them to name the place where such a decision was taken

and by who.

He noted that he has never been part of zoning because he doesn’t intend to be a zonal governor, adding that what was important is to provide good governance to the Enugu people.

According to him, there’s no zoning discussion in the state because Chimaroke Nnamani was not a product of zoning pointing out that “I was the campaign director during his election and at no point did we discuss zoning. Sullivan Chime wasn’t a product of zoning. During the emergence of the incumbent governor, there was no discussion of zoning; it was based on equity and justice for Nsukka to produce the governor.”

Continuing, the three-term deputy president of the Senate said it’s “political treachery” when politicians talk about zoning because they’re simply projecting their personal interest. He noted that Enugu East Senatorial zone has produced three governors, whereas Enugu North senatorial zone had produced two governors while Enugu West Senatorial zone produced only one governor in the person of Sullivan Chime, from the Agbaja (Udi) bloc of Enugu West, leaving the Awgu (Greater Awgu) area in the cold.

But some groups have disagreed with him, and insisted that zoning arrangement was discussed in the past by the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

They also produced a document on zoning, which was signed by him and other stakeholders when Chime was the governor in 2013.

For instance, two groups in the PDP, Equity and Integrity Assembly (EIA) and Enugu West Leaders, under the umbrella of Ife Emelumma, at news conferences in Enugu, urged Ekweremadu to maintain his 2013 commitment in support of a rotational zoning arrangement, “to ensure continuous peace in our the state.”

Spokesman for the Enugu West Leaders, Senator Ben Collins Ndu, who displayed a document showing the meeting where zoning was discussed at a PDP caucus in 2013, said the state caucus agreed on the rotation of the governorship position. He said the agreement was signed by over 50 stakeholders, including Ekweremadu.

Ndu said the motion for the zoning and rotation of the governorship position was moved by a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Dubem Onyia and seconded by himself after an amendment by Chief Charles Egumgbe.

“The motion was adopted and signed by more than 50 participants that included, among others, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Ekweremadu, Eugene Odo and Vitta Abba,” he said.

Even a former governor of the state, Nnamani, has faulted Ekweremadu’s ambition.

Nnamani had in a statement commended what he claimed to be a “principled stand” of some critical stakeholders in the state “affirming the zoning principle as well as the turn of Enugu East zone to produce the next governor.”

“This position of Enugu elders may have put paid to the governorship ambition of the former deputy president of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, from Enugu West Senatorial Zone,” Nnamani was quoted to have said.

To pro-Ekweremadu’s campaigners, merit should be used for the election of Ugwuanyi’s successor. They argued that the rotational system has not been adhered to ab initio.

How far Ekweremadu will go in pursuit of his ambition will be determined by the events of the next few weeks.

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CICERO/FEATURE

*URXSV 0DNH &DVH IRU (PHÀHOH By the day, more groups are uniting by common reverence for the inspirational leadership of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, and feeling that none of the other contenders can tie his shoelace in a free and fair contest, Lanre Alfred writes

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here is no gainsaying the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele embodies fiscal genius and commands prodigious idolatry in the same breath.

He manifests, for instance, as the restorative - albeit punitive - manus of economic governance. More generous reviews of his service adjudge him as the proverbial force powering the windmill of Nigerian commerce and industry.

In his role as CBN governor, Emefiele emerges as the unflappable fixer. He fixes both social and political economies.

He belongs to the class of men that are regarded as the salt of the earth; with him at the helm of affairs, the CBN has evolved into something more than a burnt cauldron.

It is no longer the stagnant pool of toxic and regressive banking culture.

On his watch, commercial banking has evolved to perform more progressive roles; banks have learnt to abide by the rules and compete without venom, and erstwhile subverting forex operators have been cut to size. Not only has he introduced progressive reforms and innovations into the banking industry, but he also serves the role of a guardian and model leader.

Bolstered by his resolve to excel and sanitise the nation’s banking sector, his unyielding spirit has paid off. It has seen Nigeria through the teething and oft tumultuous stages of pandemic-induced distress to a more promising clime.

There are but very few administrators like Emefiele. To this end, concerned patriots believe he could commit his brilliance and vibrant magnetism to transcend banking and economics, and fix Nigeria.

He is that super candidate whose outward and innate appeal transcends tribe, age, gender, and cultic cabals; ultimately, he embodies sterling genius and administrative depth, thus furnishing a dynamic lens through which to view progressive economics and professional excellence.

Any political party worth its salt is always on the lookout for converts. But no one in the political space today brings the level of missionary zeal to the task that Godwin Emefiele does. From the south-west, southeast, south-south, northwest to northeast, groups of patriots have been cheerfully and passionately clearing a path for Emefiele’s candidacy in the 2023 presidential elections, in the likeliest and unlikeliest precincts.

Though he has not publicly declared an interest in the 2023 presidential election, the prospective candidacy of Emefiele, Governor of CBN, continues to excite and attract new converts.

The CBN chief’s candidacy has been garnering traction and support from different demographics across the country and beyond.

No doubt, heroes and comets have been reverenced for the same reason Emefiele is enjoying political idolatry. At the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s national convention in Abuja, the clouds parted as the heavens heaved to vet Emefiele’s candidacy for the party’s presidential ticket, en route to the 2023 elections.

For incontestable reasons, the incumbent Governor, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) stands the best chance of giving the APC victory in the forthcoming elections, if he is given the party’s presidential ticket.

This much was discernible in the massive support and campaign for an Emefiele presidential ticket at the recently concluded APC national convention at the Eagle Square, in Abuja.

At the event, lovers of the CBN governor from all walks of life and ethnicity campaigned openly, demanding that APC gives him the mandate to represent the party in the 2023 presidential elections.

The venue of the event was flooded with

campaign posters of Emefiele while Arewa, Yoruba, Igbo, Tiv, Nupe, Urhobo, Itsekiri groups, to mention a few, passionately campaign for the CBN governor, tenacious in their belief that he is the next best thing to happen to Nigeria’s economic and political space in a long while.

Most emphatic and inspiring were

their sustained chants thus dominating the APC convention, and making it an epic vote of confidence in the abilities of Emefiele to lead Nigeria.

Many of Emefiele’s key qualities are encapsulated in that key moment: his matchless genius, sterling service, soft voice, melodic accent, fierce determination, outstanding intuition, intimate knowledge

of banking and economics, and calling a spade a spade without putting any of his cards on the table.

Emefiele hasn’t won APC’s presidential ticket yet, but he has won many battles. He is among the most astute of technocrats, the best among Nigeria’s public office leaders.

By many quantitative metrics, Emefiele may pass as the most unconventional Nigerian politician who would assume the presidential office. He epitomises a rare phenomenon seizing the political arena, less by his devices and more by the initiative of individuals and groups eager to put Nigeria’s leadership in the hands of the best man for the job.

The pro-Emefiele force is currently running the most unconventional of campaigns, blowing like a whirlwind to seize rallies, on the strength of the grit, brilliance, and patriotism displayed by Emefiele in the performance of his duty as Nigeria’s chief banker and economist. He is the man entrusted with the financial well-being of Nigeria and the protection of her living standards.

And Emefiele has certainly shown that he is the best man for the job; the message was clear at the APC convention at the Eagle Square, in Abuja: No longer would mediocrity pervade Nigeria’s presidential office.

On Emefiele’s watch, Nigeria would prosper and attain monumental glories.

Interestingly, however, soon after the Emefiele Support Group (ESG), announced through its Director of Communication, Benigha Ejimba, last Wednesday that it had raised N67 million of its N100 million target, to buy the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2023 presidential nomination form for the CBN governor, a new group under the aegis of Nigerian Professionals in the Diaspora for Emefiele 2023 issued a statement urging the CBN governor to declare his intention to vie for the nation’s highest office, assuring him of their support. Members of the group vowed that they would pull all the stops to actualise Emefiele’s presidential dream, even if it entailed jetting back to Nigeria to get their PVCs to be eligible to vote.

The statement, signed by Dr Adeyemi Johnson, a Detroit, Michigan-based Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, declared: “We, as professionals, cutting across different professions in the United States and Canada, came together to unanimously lend our voices and names to the groundswell of clamour for Mr Godwin Emefiele, the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, to contest for the presidential seat and continue with the good works of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Nigeria needs a healthy, visionary, broadminded, detribalised, and proactive person with a global outlook on the reforms needed to catalyse the Nigerian economy, averred the group, adding that Emefiele is the best candidate for the job.

“With his dexterous handling of the CBN, and by extension, the Nigerian economy, even during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recession, Emefiele has proven to be competent and well-acquitted to steer the affairs of Nigeria. Those saying that he has no political experience are those profiting from the rot in the Nigerian political firmament. Nigeria does not necessarily need a conventional politician with the attendant heavy baggage to get it right and stake a claim for her rightful position in Africa and the world,” according to the group.

Another professional group, the Nigerian Patriotic Quest (NPQ), has also declared its support for the CBN governor, urging him to contest Nigeria’s presidency in the 2023 general elections.

Indeed, Emefiele is that proverbial icon who emerges to captivate us thus providing a realistic snapshot of who we are and where we are, and the changing times in which we live.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 3, 2022

GAVEL

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

Disquiet in House over Worsening Insecurity Udora Orizu writes that the recent terror attacks have created unease in the National Assembly as members of the House of Representatives last week criticised the federal government and security agencies for failing to secure lives and property

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he House of Representatives at the plenary last week expressed disappointment in the security agencies and federal government for failing in its constitutional mandate of protectionoflivesandproperty.

Over the years, the security situation in the country has continued to degenerate, and it seems the security agencies are overwhelmed.

On March 25, 2022, there was a horrific attack at the Kaduna International Airport where terrorists occupied the runway, hijacked the airport’s flight system and confronted military. The evil attack culminated in the death of a security guard of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

About 48 hours later, armed persons attacked a Kaduna-bound train carrying hundreds of passengers. While eight were killed, as many as 200 passengers were reportedly kidnapped during the dare-devil raid. These recent attacks have called to question the capacity of the security agencies, especially the police, military and the Department of State Services (DSS) to secure lives and property.

The issue of insecurity has always been the crux of discussion on the floor of both the Senate and House of Representatives. Every legislative day, thelawmakerswilltreatasecurity-relatedmotions or bills.They ensure prompt appropriation of funds in the annual budget for the security agencies.

They have also made several efforts to help the federal government in its fight against insecurity.

One of such efforts was the security summit it held last year, with recommendations sent to the presidency for implementation. However despite all these, insecurity in the country is getting worse.

With the recent attacks, as expected, the lawmakers all through plenaries last week debated the horrific issue and sought for ways to stem the tide of insecurity. At its sitting last Tuesday, the lawmakers while adopting a motion of urgent national importance on the airport attack, sponsored by the Chairman Committee on Aviation, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, resolved to invite the National Security Adviser (NSA) Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd), Minister of Defence Bashir Magashi, Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi, Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Isiaka Amao and Inspector General of Police Usman Baba.

They also invited other relevant heads of agencies including, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Managing Railway Corporation and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

However on the scheduled date for the meeting, the lawmakers fumed at the absence of the government officials and heads of agencies.

The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Idris Wase in his remarks said the meeting is a matter of urgent importance, because Nigerians no longer have recipe in terms of means of movement, ease of communication and many lives have been lost.

Bemoaning the absence of the officials, he said the meeting cannot be continued and should be rescheduled.

Hiswords,“SowecannotproceedandIamsaying with a heavy heart that no matter the assignment that our generals are handling I believe the parliament requires a listening ear. This is the House of the people. I am saddened, I am not happy. I am expressing my disappointment. I do not know if you have any tangible excuse. Because in all the agencies none have the respect to have one chief executive here. It means then maybe we are considered to be jokers but we are not jokers. We are not.”

While insisting that the government officials and heads of agencies should be present at the meeting and not send representatives, the Deputy Speaker opined that if there’s synergy in operation

House during plenary by security agencies, this attacks wouldn’t have happened.

He thereafter asked the representatives to go back, and ruled that the meeting should be rescheduled.

The next legislative day, again the lawmakers expressed serious concerns over the worsening insecurity in the country, lamenting that nowhere is safe.

The lawmakers’ lamentations came on heels of recent attacks by bandits on Kaduna Airport, train and killing of about 150 people in Giwa Local Government Area of the state.

At the plenary, the lawmakers while debating a motion of urgent national importance on the killingsinGiwa,tookturnstofaultsecurityagencies and the federal government for their failure to end the senseless killings by terrorists and other criminal elements.

Thesponsor,Hon.ShehuBalarabe(APC,Kaduna) hadwhilemovinghismotionlamentedthatthelocal government has been ravaged with the series of attacks by armed bandits who indulge in killings, kidnapping, raping, robbery and destruction of properties.

He said that between March 24 and 28, 2022, these armed bandits unleashed on those communities where they invaded over 117 people have been killed and some corpses are still yet to be recovered, more than 136 people were abducted and over 10,463 people have been displaced from their homes.

Contributing,Hon.DachungBagos(PDP,Plateau) called for suspension of funds appropriated for security agencies until they account for what they have achieved with what has been released to them over the years.

TheMajorityLeader,Hon.AlhassanAdo-Doguwa (APC, Kano) alluded that the federal government has failed to live up to the expectations of the citizens with the everyday massacre being experienced in the country.

Doguwathereforesuggestedthatcitizensshould be allowed to bear arms to defend themselves.

He said, “I arise to speak in the capacity of the Majority Leader who of course is the Ambassador of government on this floor. When you have a government in place, the major responsibility of that government, especially a democratic one which was elected by the people is to ensure safety of lives and property of the innocent citizens. Mr Speaker when things like this continue on daily basis those of us who are representatives of the government we become speechless. We become speechless here to defend actions by government.

This is an elected government, under a popular democracy but we continue day in, day out killings, massacre, armed robbery all over; left, right and centre. Government in this case has to rise up to its responsibility, call a spade, a spade.

“On account of this institutional failure, regimental failure on the part of our security agencies because you have just no cause to raise excuse, funding is provided, here we are now as an institution, we have now send invitation, come and meet with the people of Nigeria, come and interface with us. With all sense of responsibility, I think Nigerians should this moment should be allowed to also take arms; Nigerians must be allowed to take up arms in defence of their innocent souls.”

Also, Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno) was of the view that security matter in Nigeria has become a cash cow business, accusing security agencies of profiting from it.

He said, “In 2021 we budgeted N460 billion for the Nigerian army alone, only N29 billion was for capital expenditure, the remaining was for recurrent expenditure. In 2022, we budgeted N571 billion for the Nigerian army alone, only 37 billion is capital expenditure, the remaining were recurrent expenditure. Mr speaker the truth of the matter is security in Nigeria has become a cash cow business. I am not willing to go without taking my own and he is not willing to go with taking his own and the other person is not willing to leave

until when he got his own.

“It is a cash cow business, they don’t it to finish.

Becausetheywillrealizethateverybody’sattention was diverted towards north-east. Okay let them release north-east to some extent and go to northwest after north-west they move to south-west.

Before you realize what is happening, the whole country is gutted with security challenges”.

On his part, Hon. Nasiru Ali Ahmed (APC, Kano) called for the sack or resignation of National Security Adviser (NSA) Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd) for failing to curb insecurity in the country. He recalled that the service chiefs were sacked, IG of police changed, adding that no one is indispensable.

The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Idris Wase who presided over the session, recalled that despite President Muhammadu Buhari changing service chiefs, nothing has changed to stem the tide of insecurity in the country.

Wase while blaming the judiciary for not prosecuting arrested culprits, assured that the parliament will continue their investigative duties and anyone found wanting will not be spared.

He thereafter suggested that activities for the day be suspended and prayers offered in solidarity with lives lost to insecurity across the country.

According to him, “If we are having this issue in Kaduna where there’s NDA, where else could be safe? In a few days we have lost over 150 people in one location. We should observe a minute silence.

It is my utmost opinion that a lot needs to be done to improve to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.

We should offer special prayer.”

In a related development, the Chairman House CommitteeonDefence,Hon.BabajimiBenson(APC, Lagos) toldTHISDAYthat his committee and other security committees of the House will engage with the heads of the various services with a view to thoroughly and effectively analysing the incident (and other similar occurrences), proffering and implementing lasting and sustainable solutions.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 3, 2022

with ChidiAmuta e-mail:chidi.amuta@gmail.com

ENGAGEMENTS

Politics in a Crime Scene

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resident Buhari has just etched one enduring legacy on our political landscape. He rescued his ruling party from a near death experience and saved it from a possible catastrophic end. A much troubled party convention eventually took place. Here was a party that was afflicted with a cocktail of terminal ailments. A dysfunctional national executive was saved by a wobbly caretaker contraption led by a governor who is arguably a functional illiterate.

The caretaker arrangement was itself perennially tormented by a slew of lawsuits from every direction, peer group rivalries and mistrust. In the run up to the scheduled and rescheduled party convention, a political coup by a conclave of ambitious governors almost toppled governor Buni’s interim tug boat. Mr. Buhari discharged himself from his doctors and scrambled the presidential jet from its London parking position and ran home. With only a few days left to the convention date, Buhari performed the feat of saving the fractious party and its troubled convention. The rest is history.

But that history is fraught with contradictions and headaches that will soon return to torment us all. As far as party internal democracy goes, the just concluded APC convention raises more questions than Buhari tried to answer. The approach of a ‘consensus’ list of candidates was literally from the pre-history of party politics itself. Perhaps Buhari had run out of options and had a difficult choice to make. Like the military general that he once was, his objective was one: to save the party to fight another day.

If he left the field open for normal electoral democratic processes, the badly factionalised party would go up in flames.The outcome would have been a disastrous cacophony of petitions, protestsandlawsuitsthatwouldmakenonsense of the electoral timetable already issued by INEC. If badly handled, it could endanger the transition to a new elected government and Buhari would go down as the one under whose watch the nation’s democratic edifice came crashing down. Using presidential power or blackmail to foist an executive of his own choosing was the next best thing. Of course he had a vested interest in the matter as well.

He needed to marry the need to save the party with his own vested interest. The result is what we have before us, a short circuiting of process to achieve a desirable political objective.

The matter of ‘consensus’ as a political concept is neither new, strange nor illegitimate.

Ordinarily, in a political situation, a consensus of interests and views can be deployed to arrive at a resolution of a conflict or potential political conflict. What is however most common is a consensus of viewpoints, tendencies or a consensus on issues.The Buhari APC consensus was neither a consensus on issues nor of perceivable interests. It was a consensus on personal preferences for individual candidates and the interests they represent, not on any issues or ideas whatsoever. It was a feudal autocratic imposition, an allocation and sharing of positions based purely on personal or group interest. It of course falls into Buhari’s essentially monarchical model of conservative leadership. The recourse to this coarse ‘consensus’ is typical of his long standing preference for dictatorial solutions and his impatience with the niceties of process and democracy. His choice of party Chairman was therefore predictably a fellow old breed conservative. What he is likely to do with Mr. Abdullahi Adamu in the days ahead will yet unfold. But the gubernatorial and other gladiators in the party are lying in ambush in the run up to the presidential nominations.

The president as the leader of the party dictated the prospective chairman and foisted his choice on the party. He left the rest of the positions for the pickings by a possible consensus of governors and other interest groups in the party. The mild initial resistance petered off and the presidential fiat prevailed, but only for now. The grimmer fight for the presidential ticket of the party lies ahead. But the efficacy of the cobbled ‘consensus’ lies in its Machiavellian essence. The end was the survival of the party. The party is first and foremost a national political institution and deserves to be saved from itself. No dispute on that. The means was

Buhari the deployment of presidential absolutism to achieve that end.

This may have worked for the preservation of the ruling party. But the subsequent exchanges between the two major parties has been the familiar free exchange of street brawl insults and beer parlor abuses. The opposition PDP has issued endless statements about the internal incoherence of the ruling party, about the APC’s responsibility for the present national malaise and its now familiar track record of bad governance and disastrous overall performance on the job. In turn, the APC has responded to its adversary as if the last seven years never happened.

The relentless blame game on the PDP’s record of corruption and incompetence has been resurrected by the ruling party.

None of the two major parties has told us what the issues presently are and how each of them hopes to address them to make this place a happier place instead of the crime scene that it is. They are both behaving as though no new issues and questions have arisen in the last seven years.

In the interim, the nation over which the political contest is about to be waged has degenerated into a veritable crime scene. The usual endless recriminations about endemic corruption continues. The virtual collapse of nearly all institutions of nationhood continues. The abysmal level of governance and the collapse of whatever values there once were continues unabated. The economic conditions of most ordinary people have gone from worse to hopeless. Endemic violence and the prevalence of crimes of social and psychological degeneration continues on a scale hitherto unknown. Between the utterances and conducts of officialdom and the realities of the lives of ordinary people, there seems to be an unbridgeable chasm. The incredible has become commonplace while the horrendous is the new normal. The specific matters of inflation, collapse of basic healthcare, unsafe highways and neighbourhoods, power system collapse, bad schools and

decaying courts have not managed to catch the attention of the new wave of political aspirants or manage to infiltrate their rhetoric.

But right from the APC convention ground, the national crime scene was on full display.

Incidentally this hellish scene is the decisive canvas for this political succession season.

The organisation of the APC convention was a rehearsal in anarchy.The accreditation process took the better of a whole day. Access control into Eagle Square was a display in commotion.

Hoodlums competed freely with security agencies for control of the environment. As a result, the access points were effectively breached. Hoodlums and apprentice gangsters took over the seats reserved for delegates well before the accredited delegates arrived the venue. Even the VIP entry points were under the control of these agents from hell.

There were more pick-pockets than pockets to pick. And since most of the party posts to be filled by the convention were already predetermined by compulsory ‘consensus’, it did not matter that the voting process at the Convention could not be hindered by the hoodlum takeover. The organised commotion went very ‘well’!

Two days later, a much anticipated World Cup qualifier football match between Ghana and Nigeria took place at Abuja’s Moshood Abiola National Stadium. The match played to an over capacity stadium with literally all governmentVIPS in attendance. Nigeria lost to the visiting Ghanaian team. All hell broke loose as football fans transformed into a riotous mob of dangerous hoodlums. In the ensuing stampede, at least two Football Association officials were reportedly killed. The mob went ahead to freely vandalise the structures and fittings at the stadium which had been refurbished at a heavy cost by industrialist Aliko Dangote as corporate social responsibility.

The invasion of the APC convention grounds by undesirable elements and the spontaneous mob riots at the Abuja stadium are mere indicators of the collapse of order in the larger society. The political aspirants of this succession season will have to contend with a near total collapse of social order in nearly every part of the country. The real fear going forward is the management of the mobs at

the impending political campaign rallies all over the country.

More consequentially, two days after the APC convention, all hell was let loose along the Abuja-Kaduna rail link. A horde of terrorists used IEDs to blow up part of the railroad linking Abuja, the national capital, with the strategic military city of Kaduna. The terrorists, reported to be in their hundreds, vandalized and ransacked the train coaches and carted off a yet unknown number of passengers. Nine of the passengers have so far been confirmed dead while an undetermined number ranging from 50 to 100 have been declared missing. Over 50 persons are lying in hospitals in Kaduna and its environs with varying degrees of injuries.

Shortly after that incident, the terrorists struck another train station along the same route and wreaked havoc on public real estate ad assets. An unconfirmed report a few days afterwards indicated that the terrorists briefly laid siege on the Kaduna-Abuja highways, a favorite operational resort of the terrorists.

In an earlier more daring attack a week before the railroad incident, again hordes of terrorists attacked the Kaduna airport. One person was killed while many were injured. Flight operations at the airport have since been suspended as aircraft on the ground could no longer take off.

This was in the same week that most of the nearby state of Niger was literally declared an emergency destination following increased terrorist activities in many local government areas.

Taken together, the incidents along the Kaduna-Niger-Abuja axis indicate a concerted strategic assault on the sovereignty of the nation. Anyone who has studied the methods of organised jihadists in other parts of the world would understand why this axis holds a special attraction for Nigeria’s expanding terrorist jihadists. The ultimate objective may be Abuja, to cut it off from the rest of the militarily strategic surrounding centres and perhaps invade it as the symbol of Nigeria’s sovereignty. If our security chieftains have not yet perceived this strategic intent, then we are all in trouble. A close look at theTaliban’s encirclement of Kabul before he final fall should be instructive to our security and intelligence experts.The same thing happened in Mali in 2013 where the jihadist were marching on Bamako which was halted by the arrival of the French intervention force.

In the immediate aftermath of these dire strategic assaults in an area bordering the national capital, all we have seen of our security chiefs and service chiefs so far is an on the scene pageant of brass, swagger sticks and epaulets.

And of course the familiar empty threats of grandiloquent generals whose most illustrious battles are waged in over decorated offices in Abuja. It is quite instructive that while one of the ministers was visiting the location of the recent train terrorist attack, another band of terrorists were reportedly operating nearby, completely indifferent to the nearby presence of government and the state!

In all of this, we are entering a season of political fanfare in a nation that is a virtual crime scene. Our politicians are rehearsing to play politics as usual in a nation hemmed in on all sides by credible threats to national continuation. The very survival of the state is being contested by armed vicious forces of anarchy. Those who derailed the train on Kaduna-Abuja route are not mere bandits looking for loose change. They may make demands for financial ransom but only to swell the coffers of ISWAP to fund the next assault. A stout defense of our national sovereignty is not just about scrambling the jets and indiscriminately bombing rural settlements who have no spokespersons that can demand their human rights in English. The challenge on hand requires rigorous intelligence and precise targeting.

The politics of this national crime scene has defined the calibre of president that this nation now requires. It is the democrat as a fierce and fearless hero with courage and uncompromising nationalistic commitment.

The politics of this hour has to convert this crime scene into a place of safety, order and prosperity for all. The politics of this season is not for the infirm or the faint hearted. It is an invitation to genuine and tested heroes.

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NEWS

News Editor: Gboyega Akinsanmi E-mail: gboyega.akinsanmi@thisdaylive.com,08152359253

Makinde Asks Lawmakers to Embrace Resource Control, State Police Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde yesterday asked state and federal lawmakers to embrace the quest of some states for resource control and state police, saying the debate had become imperative irrespective of their political affiliations.

He argued that EndSARS protests, rise of terrorism and various agitations that rocked the federation “are all reasons

for the legislature to embrace some neglected conversations around constitutional amendments.”

He made this remark yesterday at the Conference of Presiding Officers of Nigeria Legislature held at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Speaking on resource control, Makinde said there “is an ongoing national conversation about equity and fairness. We

have seen the press release figures that show that it is just a few states that are contributing to the Value Added Tax, which everyone is sharing.

“We have long talked about the states that are producing the oil that we all are sharing proceeds from. Everyone has seen how some states do not even make an effort to raise their IGR because they are

comfortable with receiving federal allocations from work done by others.

“But now that the receipts are dwindling, even those states are waking up to the conversation and asking if they can keep what they make. Can there be a better time to discuss resource control? Constitutional amendments are a must.

They are a big reason we

have the legislative arm of government. As time passes, new generations are born, and new conversations emerge. We must, as a people, be ready to move with the times. This is the only way to move forward.

“I hope you can raise these thorny issues that have eluded those who came before you.

You may not be able to resolve them, but you would at least

acknowledge that there is an elephant in the room. This is an important first step.”

While maintaining that democratic governance must ensure equitable service delivery, Makinde said: “It is high time the legislatures in the country engaged in a robust debate on the twin issues of resource control and state police.

Again, IED Kills Three Soldiers in Kaduna John Shiklam in Kaduna At least three soldiers have been killed when terrorists suspected to be bandits planted an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) off the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway yesterday.

The troops deployed at Gwagwa village were going for an operation when their vehicle stepped on IED planted by the terrorists.

According to military sources, while two soldiers died on the spot, another one died later due to excess bleeding from his injury.

This comes barely a week

after terrorists ambushed troops along Abuja-Kaduna Expressway and killed seven soldiers.

The incident occurred the same day terrorists bombed Abuja-Kaduna train, killing about persons and abducted several passengers.

As at press time, the Director, Defence Information, Major General Jimmy Akpor, did not respond to enquiries by our correspondent.

Also, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Benard Onyeuko, did not respond to messages to confirm or refute the story.

Buhari Rejoices with Ebenezer Obey at 80 Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with music superstar and Evangelist, Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi, as he marks his 80th birthday on April 3.

The president, in a release issued yesterday by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, paid tribute to the musician, who used his art and skills to fly Nigeria’s flag round the world, bringing joy and merriment to people with his sonorous voice, and didactic songs, for over six decades.

Buhari remarked that though he is from Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, Obey’s music has been a blessing not only to the entire Southwest but he has garnered tremendous recognition and adulation nationally and internationally.

He has used his music to champion Government programmes such as: #Change of lane in 1972 (Keep Right), # Change to the Naira (Naira/ Kobo) and # Operation Feed

the Nation, among many others.

The president noted that the musician/ preacher has sung on virtually every area of human endeavour and activity with countless gold discs and many platinum discs to his credit, leading to being honoured with the prestigious award of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2001.

Buhari lauded the fact that on July 7, 2014, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State conferred on Chief Commander Obey the status of Professor of Music, as a visiting lecturer in the Department of English and Performing Arts of the University.

Successfully blending the secular and spiritual, the President urged the younger generation to borrow a leaf from the musician, who was formally ordained into the ministry on his 50th birthday on the 3rd of April, 1992.

Fasakin: I’m Still UNILORIN Alumni National President National President, UNILORIN Alumni Association, Dr. Stephen Fasakin has insisted that he is still the presiding leader of the association despite pending cases in court on the dissolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC).

In a statement he released yesterday, Fasakin accused the association’s past presidents of brazen impunity and resort to self-help by calling for congress in contravention of the constitution of the association.

He said: “Has theAlumni Association’s constitution been amended?

That is a big question begging for an answer from the past presidents.

“Perhaps, these people are above

the constitution of the association or they are conferred with certain powers, unknown to the rest of us that can make them suspend the Constitution.

“They need to confirm their position on those questions, really,” Fasakin said in a statement personally signed yesterday.

He recalled that some members of the NEC had approached the Kwara State High Court for the interpretation of certain provisions of the association’s constitution on the power of Prof.

Durosaro to preside over NEC meeting, suspension of the NEC at the meeting, constitutionality of three committees constituted at the meeting and the power of NEC to ratify recommendations of the committee.

READY FOR 2023 …

National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso (left) and the National Auditor, Mr. Ladipo Johnson during the party’s national convention held at the Polo Club, Gwarinpa, Abuja ... weekend

Fayemi, Fayose’s Allies Defect to Oni’s SDP to Rescue Ekiti Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Allies of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and his immediate predecessor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose have been defecting from All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in drove to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), multiple sources have said.

The allies, according to the sources, are defecting to

the SDP in support of the governorship aspiration of the state’s former governor, Mr. Segun Oni who lost the contest to clinch the governorship ticket of the PDP in February.

Among others, Fayose’s former Chief of Staff, Chief Dipo Anisilowo; former Commissioner for Works, Mr. Kayode Oso and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Owoseni Ajayi

yesterday joined the drove of political leaders defecting to support Oni’s governorship aspiration.

Likewise, Fayemi’s Senior Special Assistant on Electoral Matters, Olaiya Kupolati and his former Senior Special Assistant on Internal Security, Deji Adesokan last week decamped to the SDP ahead of the June 18 governorship election.

Meanwhile, sources told THISDAY that some APC

chieftains and members “are still masquerading as party loyalists, with their hands on the plough in the SDP to help Oni win the poll as a third force that is alien to the politics of Ekiti.

Speaking with THISDAY in Ado Ekiti yesterday, the Publicity Secretary of a pro-Oni campaign organisation, Ekiti Build Back Better, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, said the gale of defections further amplified the Oni’s acceptability in Ekiti.

Internet Fraud Discouraging Foreign Investors from Nigeria, EFCC Laments Emma Okonji and Becky Uba Umenyili The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the weekend lamented the rate of cybercrime in Nigeria, saying it had contributed significantly to discouraging foreign investors from doing business in Nigeria due to fear of being duped.

Consequently, the anti-graft agency challenged the youths to avoid all negative vices, including cybercrime.

EFCC Zonal Commander, Lagos Zone, Mr. Ahmed Ghali expressed this concern while speaking against drug abuse and Internet fraud at a youth seminar, organised by the Catholic Women Organisation of the Archdiocese of Lagos.

The zonal commander, represented by a Commanding Officer at EFCC, Mr. Ayo Oyewale, said the current rate of internet fraud “is gearing towards the ratio of one culprit in every family and the perpetrators are becoming more

daring and undaunted in their criminal schemes.”

He further noted that cybercrime had been heightened in recent times by the development of more Internet services that seek to cater for the e-technological needs of the society.

He said computer fraud, phone hacking and theft of credit cards had been on the rise, warning youths and everyone “to beware of those who wish to use their accounts to

transact business, because reports have proven that mist of such proxy-related businesses are fraudulent.”

Ghali said the EFCC would collaborate with other security agents in the country and the International Police (Interpol) “to monitor and intercept criminal activities, and bring those involved to book.”

He encouraged youths “to feel free to report to the EFCC any suspected fraud to prevent its menace.”

Tom Associates Announces Management Changes In a major management team rejig aimed at repositioning to meet contemporary business challenges, Tom Associates Training, the leading training firm, has announced key management changes.

Leading the new team as the Chief Executive Officer is Temitope Jegede, until now Senior Management and Leadership Consultant at Tom Associates.

In the new dispensation, the firm’s Founder and Chief Consultant, Mr. Abiodun Toki, will take a new position as

Chairman after three decades of remarkable leadership that has seen the firm growing from its little beginnings to a clear and undisputed leader in the line of management training business.

Temitope Jegede, the new man on the driver’s seat is expected to hit the ground running in the task of leading the company to assert its leadership position in the industry and take a bigger share of the market.

The new CEO will be leading his team to compete in a market that is now driven by Information

Technology and the Digital Media and in a business world that has since become a global business village.

Temitope Jegede’s very strong academic antecedents prepared him thoroughly for the challenges of the task ahead. A Bachelor of Science B.Sc. degree holder in Political Science and Economics from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Jegede holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Manpower Economics from the University of Lagos.

The new helmsman later topped this academic attainment with a Master of Arts, M.A, in International Law and Legal Studies from the University of Lagos. He was to later obtain a second Post Graduate Diploma in Transformational Leadership from the Institute for National Transformation.

His unquenchable thirst for knowledge and academic laurels saw him obtaining an MBA from the Lagos Business School, Pan Atlantic University, Lagos.

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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 ˾ APRIL 3, 2022

NEWSXTRA Yahaya Bello Declares for Presidency, Pledges to Tackle Insecurity Chuks Okocha and Emameh Gabriel in Abuja Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello yesterday officially declared his intention to run for president in the 2023 general elections with a promise to tackle the country’s security challenges.

Bello made the declaration at an elaborate ceremony at Eagle Square, Abuja, noting that the 2023 presidential election is vital to the country’s survival.

He also promised that he would have a target of creating at least 20 million millionaires by 2030, saying he would adopt the apprenticeship system, popular in the Southeast in empowering youths in the country in various sectors.

He said he was passionate enough about the country to fight for the privilege of leading it to prosperity, noting that if elected, he would replicate the efforts to

check insecurity and restore peace in Kogi across the country.

According to him, it is imperative that the next president of the country be a young person, noting that he would be 47 in June this year adding that he is mentally and physically fit for the job.

Bello also said the next president must be able to manage the country’s diversity for the people’s benefit, adding that he would emphasise the citizenship of the country over indigeneship if elected into office.

He said: “If he is successful, he would run an administration that would be inclusive of women, youths and every segment of society, adding that Nigerians must be able to live and work anywhere in the country without any issues.

Promising fairness, equity and justice for all, he added that he would ensure that Nigerians are empowered and made to believe

they are not inferior to anyone in the world.

Bello said: “I wish to declare my intention to run for president of Nigeria in the 2023 general elections. I will be doing so under the platform of the All Progressives Congress. I will be running on

the broad political philosophy of progressive activism through social action and political reforms.

“We are so blessed as a nation yet it does not seem so. I am running to restore hope by providing a firm guarantee

of security, unity and progress to all Nigerians. The focus would be proper management of our great diversities so it can be an advantage. We would foster more cooperation and integration among citizens and make progress steadily across

all sectors and indicators.”

Director-General of the Bello Presidential campaign team, Hasfat Abiola-Costello, said it was time for Nigerians to take their destiny in their hands and vote for a president that would ensure they get their due.

Abuja Imam Suspended over Anti-government CELEBRATING IBOM HEROES… The mosque committee of Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja, has suspended its Chief Imam, Sheikh Nuru Khalid, over a sermon he delivered on Friday.

Sheikh Khalid in the sermon flayed the government over its failure to tame the escalating insecurity and killings in the country.

In the sermon, the imam hinted at some measures that the electorate should devise should the authorities fail to protect their lives.

He said, “Nigerian masses should resort to only one term which is – protect our lives, we will come out to vote; let us be killed, we will not come out to vote, since it’s only elections that you people know,” he added.

In a statement, the chairman of the mosque committee, Senator Saidu Muhammed Dansadau sent to BBC Hausa Service, said the committee suspended the embattled imam over his sermon that it deemed ‘inciting public outrage’.

The statement read, “I am informing you that you have been suspended from leading prayers in the Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque from today being April 2nd, 2022 until further notice.

“The decision was taken out of the inciting Friday sermon you delivered on April 1st, 2022; where you advised people not to vote come 2023 general elections unless politicians respond to some critical questions.

Will Smith Resigns from Academy over Oscars Slap Will Smith at the weekend tendered his resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences after he slapped Chris Rock for making a joke about his wife, Jada at the Oscars award.

The actor who has already apologised for his actions, admitting that his behaviour was “unacceptable and inexcusable” and left him “embarrassed” said he will fully accept all consequences for his conduct.

In a statement he issued in response to the Academy, Smith said he was heartbroken because he not only betrayed the trust

of the Academy but deprived other nominees and winners of the award of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. ”The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home.”

‘He further stated that he wants to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film.

Nigerian Innovators Receive 2022 Achievers Award The Lord’s Achievers Awards, an annual award ceremony organised by Nigeria’s finest premium spirit brand, Lord’s London Dry Gin, held its fourth edition on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at the Landmark Event Centre, amidst pomp and ceremony.

The event was established to recognise and celebrate young and exceptional Nigerians between the ages of 25 and 40, who have recorded notable success in their chosen endeavours.

The theme of this year was

“The Bold and Audacious”, spotlighting individuals who have made an impact in their field through bold and daring innovation, placed Nigeria on the map and proven the reward of perseverance and resilience.

The General Manager, Marketing, Grand Oak Limited, Stanley Obi, celebrated the honorees and highlighted how each individual’s work continues to influence and inspire others to contribute to the socio-economic development of the nation.

L-R: Chairman of Watbridge Hotel, Mr Ekong Sampson; the author of Akwa Ibom Heroes, Mr Etim Etim; lecturer, Akwa Ibom Polytechnic, Dr. Udeme Nana; Medical Director, Alma Clinic, Dr. Ita Udosen and Vice Chancellor, Akwa Ibom State University, Prof. Nse Essien at the public presentation of the book in Uyo, Akwa Ibom ... yesterday

Folawiyo Seeks Stay of Execution against AMCON’s Forfeiture of Property Billionaire businessman, Tunde Folawiyo, has approached the Federal High court in Lagos seeking a stay of execution after a judge ordered the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) to take over properties belonging to him.

Folawiyo, in a suit before the court, prayed the judge to restrain AMCON from execution of the judge’s order pending the determination of his suit.

Justice Lewis Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Lagos, on March 24 ordered AMCON to take over some of Folawiyo’s assets over an alleged N727.9 million debt.

AMCON had sought a court order to freeze Folawiyo’s

accounts in 18 banks and the interim forfeiture of his property at Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, Folawiyo was allegedly instrumental to a N522.4 million loan from Spring Bank by Compagnie Generale de Logistique, where he is reportedly a director.

A 2017 suit between AMCON and Compagnie Generale De Logistique & Others led to the judge granting an ex parte order in favour of the former.

The interest payable on the N522.4 million totals the loan to N727.9 million.

Folawiyo argued he was not a party to the 2017 suit and was not served with the judgment on it.

He also argued that he was

not a director of Compagnie Generale De Logistique at the time of the suit and was not involved in the loan transaction with Spring Bank.

Mr Folawiyo said as a result, he is not a “debtor” within the contemplation of Section of 61 of the AMCON Act as to warrant the interim forfeiture of his assets and freezing of his bank accounts on account of the 2017 judgment.

He argued that a combined reading of Sections 49(2),50(2) and 61 of the AMCON Act would show that only current directors of a company fall within the definition of “debtor” as to warrant the freezing

of their assets or accounts.

The business man accused AMCON of failing to disclose his status in Compagnie Generale De Logistique, the principal judgment debtor in the suit.

He also said the ex parte order obtained by AMCON is an abuse of court process, adding that the originating summons it filed is incompetent as it had expired at the time of the grant of the order.

He complained about the impact the order would have on his employees and the reputation of the three-generational family business he has worked hard to maintain and grow over the years.

Uber, Bolt Drivers’ Union in Leadership Tussle Funmi Ogundare E-hailing drivers association, comprising Uber and Bolt drivers, are currently embroiled in leadership tussle as a group has announced the removal from office of its National President, Oluwaseun Shonuga and Secretary, Islamiat Ajani National Publicity Secretary, Professional E-hailing Drivers and Private –owner Association of Nigeria (PEDPAN), Mr

Joseph Adaraniwon announced their removal in a statement yesterday.

According to the statement, Shonuga and Ajani were removed as national president and national secretary, respectively, for alleged conspiracy and actions against the overall objectives and interest of the association.

But in a swift reaction, Shonuga told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that he

remained national president of PEDPAN. Shonuga added that those orchestrating his removal were suspended members who wanted power by all means without following the constitution of the association.

“I remain National president of PEDPAN, those that are now claiming that they are national officers of PEDPAN do not have certificates of office,” he said.

Shonuga said that those behind his character assas-

sination would soon face full wrath of law.

“These people have been threatening me and I have been attacked on two different occasions on this issue. They are the people that want to get popularity by destroying my good work.

“Those people have been disciplined and suspended indefinitely for not following the rule of engagement of our association,” he said.

Declare State of Emergency on Insecurity, NNDI Tells Buhari Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja A new movement under the aegis of the New Nigeria Dream Initiative (NNDI) yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to, as a matter of urgency, declare a state of emergency on the nation’s security.

The group said the problem Nigeria is confronted with at the moment remains bad leadership, poor infrastructural development, lack of social amenities, poor economy, rising crime wave,

among others.

Speaking in Abuja at the unveiling of NNDI, its National Coordinator, Dr Onwubuya Breakforth, condemned the Kaduna-Abuja train attack on Monday night, saying the federal government should take very serious action on the level of insecurity in the country in order to contain the spiralling violence.

Among others, the group is made up of former InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr Mike Okiro, former Spokesman of the Nigerian

Police and Commissioner of Police (rtd), Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu and Reverend Justin Ogwuegbe.

At the unveiling, Breakforth said a state of emergency had become imperative in view of the recent attack on the Abuja-Kaduna bound train where no fewer than eight persons were killed and 26 people injured.

He explained that the president should waste no time declaring a state of emergency on national security, killings, abduction and destruction of properties

had become the order of the day. Few days ago, terrorists attacked our railway and killed eight people.

“The roads are no longer safe. There are no secured means of transportation in the country. The movement of goods and humans in many parts of the country has become a problem.

I would advise the president to declare a state of emergency on national security to enable him to tackle it head on,” Breakforth explained.

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B AC K PAG E C O N T I N UAT I O N FOR THE CHIEF COMMANDER AT 80 artistes claim to be “self-made” and “owe nobody nothing”, Obey paid due homage to jùjú greats that came before him. In ‘Oro Seniwo’, released in 1969, he sang in Yoruba: “Those who came before us/We need to give them their respect/Young people, don’t be arrogant/Arrogance will take you nowhere.”

He went on to pay glowing tributes to IK Dairo, Ernest Olatunde Thomas (better known as Tunde Nightingale), Ayinde Bakare and Adeolu Akinsanya (Baba Eto), mentioning them by name, and including the names of their children — as was his custom.

I also loved the fact the he was a believer in one Nigeria and sang a number of songs promoting peace and unity during and after the Civil War of 1967-1970. He often sang songs that spoke to current affairs. I recall an album he released in 1980, I think, in which he sang “I am proud to be a Nigerian” (in English) and went on to name every state and governor. I was in primary school and it helped my knowledge of Nigeria. He sang about President Shehu Shagari’s “austerity measure” in 1983 which brought much hardship on Nigerians, as well as the 0-1-0 eating formula (no breakfast, no dinner) that came with Gen Ibrahim Babangida’s structural adjustment programme (SAP).

Yoruba artistes are known for praise-singing movers and shakers, particularly the business tycoons and socialites. It was, and still is, a major source of their income — beyond royalties and shows. It was something Obey did very well, even though he did not pioneer it. It served a purpose for him but it also served a purpose for me — it was through his songs that I got to know big names such as MKO Abiola, Alao Arisekola, Bode Osinusi, Victor Odofin, Lanre Badmus and Kuburat Kadijat Bisi Edioseri (“Cash Madam”) while growing up. His tributes to Badmus, Osinusi, Odofin and the Amojes rank among my favourites in the plethora of praise-singing hits that he churned out steadily.

Apparently, he was not always commissioned to sing those praises. For instance, the song for the Amoje family (‘Eje ka re’le Amoje/ Edakun eniso l’Awe’) in 1975 caught them unawares. Olayiwola, one of the sons of Chief Anthony Amoje, told Akinsanmi Ogunsumi, an Obey fan, in 2008: “My dad asked me where I got the money to give Obey to sing my praises when I know that he is a very private person. I said I didn’t give him a kobo. Fortunately for me, I escaped further scolding when Obey also mentioned my dad’s name. My father couldn’t talk again.

He bought a dozen of the album that day.”

Obey was rewarded: he became the family’s

official artiste for their social outings.

Even “Cash Madam” was taken unawares by the song. Edioseri said her real nickname was “Cash Woman” because she was a distributor of major household brands and often took lorryloads of cash to the bank at the close of business. The cashiers started calling her “Cash Woman”. Yusuf Olatunji aka Baba L’Egba, the late sákárà music legend, also sang her praises in ‘Yegede’. He called her “Cash Woman”.

She had saved Baba L’Egba from a certain amputation by picking the hospital bills. But Obey did not know her well enough and called her “Cash Madam” (‘B’ere ba d’ere ebami pe Bisi o k’owajo’) in his evergreen album, ‘Board Members’, released in 1972.

“Cash Madam” stuck forever.

Fair play to Obey: he sang the praises of his band members as well, not just the socialites.

He valued family ties, often mentioning the names of their wives and children. He praised Samson Ogunlade (“Oko Mulikatu, Baba Ejire” — “Mulikatu’s husband, father of twins”), who was the pioneer captain of the International Brothers band which Obey founded in 1964 and renamed InterReformers in 1973; Mutiu “Kekere” Jimoh (“Baba Nurudeen, Oko Fausa”); Oke Aminu (“Baba Dupe”), who died in a bike accident in 1972; Giwa Ojo Arigidi (“Baba Toyin”); Monday John (“Baba Femi”), the Edo-born guitar genius; Gabriel Adedeji (“Oko Wosila”); Vasco Da Gama (“Oko Amoke, Baba Taju”); and so on.

Obey dominated the jùjú circuit in the 1970s, frequently going on foreign tours, releasing hits upon hits, sometimes three in a year. While some were singles (or 45rpm, as they called it), most were full albums (long playing, or LP) with eight tracks. But in the 1980s, Obey had to start sharing the limelight with KSA, who had the edge of being on a global label, UK’s Island Records, had access to the best recording facilities in the world and got better global marketing exposure — all complementing his exceptional vocal talent and wizardry on the lead guitar.

KSA’s ‘Synchro System’ would be nominated for a Grammy in 1982 — the first Nigerian to be so honoured. It was some feat.

Till the early 1990s, Obey stuck to his moral messaging. It was his unique selling point. While this did not engage the youth as much as KSA’s raunchy “samba” tunes and street slangs, Obey was still the top choice of the sober-minded jùjú lovers and those with ecclesiastical sentiments. It was just a matter of time for him to switch completely to gospel music and full-time ministry. It

finally happened on his 50th birthday in 1992 when he was ordained an evangelist by the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa, a pioneer of charismatic Christianity in Nigeria. Obey thereafter founded Decross Gospel Mission.

He was the general overseer until 2018 when he handed over to his son, Folarin.

His entry into music mirrored the personality of his self-assured mother. He famously trekked kilometres to the office of Decca Records on Lagos Island in 1964 and demanded to see the MD, calling himself “a future star”. His audacity and tenacity paid off: after much resistance from the secretary, he met the boss, a Briton named Mr Cress who was so impressed with Obey’s confidence that he personally booked 25 copies of the debut, ‘Ewo Ohun Oju Ri Laye’. This helped the 22-year-old multi-instrumentalist reach, and even surpass, the threshold of a minimum of 500 pre-orders required to sign him on. Need we discuss what happened next?

The future star became a superstar.

He would later partner with Abiola to buy Decca West Africa Ltd from the British owners under the indigenisation programme of the 1970s. You should know Abiola: the man who won the June 12, 1993 presidential election that was annulled, resulting in a protracted political crisis. He was arrested and detained, never to return alive. He and Obey were buddies. Both were Egba — Obey was from Owu, Abiola from Gbagura. Obey sang his praises in a couple of records. Abiola himself was not a stranger to music: as a kid, he sang wéré to wake up fellow Muslims for sahur.

As a teenager, he had a band, making some coins to cater for his family and to also pay for his education.

Obey was a true mentor. When YK Ajao came on the jùjú scene, he sounded like Obey in an attempt to play in his class. But it was not working for him. “We later discovered that we were opening the market further for him even though he was [already] a leading jùjú musician. Owing to that, we were not known. And each time we performed, most people mistook us for Ebenezer Obey,” Ajao told an interviewer years ago. Obey called and counselled him: “YK, I want you to blend your music so that anytime someone hears you on radio, television or stage, he could easily say this is YK playing and not Ebenezer Obey.” Ajao came up with jùjú makossa and began to have a slice of the market.

Maybe Obey counselled Ajao from experience.

When he too started out, he sounded much like IK Dairo. I am ashamed to admit that it took me decades to realise it was Obey that sang ‘Olomi Gbo T’emi’. I thought it

was IK Dairo. Well, it was not in my dad’s collection, so I only heard it on radio. Songs like ‘Gbebe Mi Oluwa’ and ‘Ore Mi Maje Aja’ also misled me into thinking I was listening to IK Dairo without the accordion. It was when I bought a collection of Obey’s works dating to the 1960s that I got to understand that I had been mixing them up. He too had probably realised the similarity and created his own jùjú brand. His trajectory was never the same again. He soared like an eagle.

For all his talent, though, Obey was not the best dancer in town. It might have had something to do with his physique. You were more likely to see him tilt a little to the right and a little to the left on the same spot. He was also not big on the high pitch — there were a few instances his voice actually broke (not everybody can be Michael Jackson or Pharrell Williams, right? Fela’s attempts at high pitch were actually atrocious). What’s more, Obey always preached family values, and I was unable to reconcile that with the fact that he had children out of wedlock. The best of us are still human beings after all.

Something always has to give in the kingdom of stardom. That’s the way life goes.

Can I name my best Obey album? Not really. As a young man, the philosophy at the heart of the album, ‘The Horse, the Man and His Son’, certainly taught me not to care too much about people’s judgment of me.

It was the story of a man and his son who travelled with a donkey. People criticised them all the way — when the man sat on the donkey alone, when it was only his son sitting on the donkey, when both of them sat on it and when neither sat on it. You cannot please everybody. That message helps me deal with acidic criticism till today. But Obey also sang plenty wisdom and made enchanting melodies across many albums that I find it quite hard to point to one as my favourite.

As the “Chief Commander” clocks 80 today, he will surely miss his wife for 48 years.

He married nee Juliana Olaide Olufade in 1963. She died in August 2011, aged 67. His promise to remarry is still pending. Overall, he has lived long and outlived many of his contemporaries. I doubt any member of his first band is still alive. Some died in recent years. John died in London in 2012. The velvet-voiced Arigidi (I just love his distinct harmony), the oldest surviving member, went home in 2019. Jimoh, the talking drummer, died in 2020. Notably, Obey always prayed for long life. It was an unmissable constant in his songs. His prayers were answered. Happy birthday, Oko Juliana, Baba Oluwashina.

And Four Other Things…

RAIL ATTACK I don’t know about you, but the deadly attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train on Monday night did not take me by surprise. The terrorists already served a warning by attacking the train in October 2021, but this was downplayed.

It was a warning shot, so to say. There is a big issue of how to secure the rail but until we are able to root out or contain terrorism itself, we must contain the opportunistic bloodletting.

Ironically, terrorists kill or kidnap villagers every day and we have come to accept it as a way of life. We read the headlines and move on. It takes something unusual, like the attack on the Kaduna train, to get a sense of outrage out of us. Otherwise, we are generally numb.

Depressing.

TWITTER TROLLS At 9.43pm on Monday night, a young medical doctor named Chinelo Nwando tweeted in distress: “I’m in the train. I have been shot!

Please pray for me.” She was on the ill-fated Abuja-Kaduna train. While some sincerely worried for her safety and prayed that she would get help, some Twitter lords who get high saying vile things began trolling her.

Some even questioned the genuineness of the incident. The most heartless tweet should be the one by someone who asked sarcastically: “Are you dead?” By that time, she was dead. I hope the trolls are very proud of themselves now. The blue app seems to encourage a race to the bottom — like, who can say the vilest things? Sickening.

IFE FIASCO The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has been in the news for the wrong reasons as the school tries to appoint a vice chancellor. The next VC must be from Ile-Ife, the “host” community has said, and they have been displaying all kinds of ancient tactics to enforce their demand. In the year 2022, human beings are still wearing charms and carrying calabash as “spiritual” tactics. This is a federal university: owned by Nigeria, not Osun state. This is an institution where scholarship is supposed to be the key, not contracts or appointments. The top candidates are Yoruba, not Fulani or Igbo. I am really anxious to see how Republic of Oodua will turn out when it is founded. Disgraceful.

FEEBLE EAGLES I don’t know what saddened me the most — the failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup or the rampage that ensued after the match, ruining the newly renovated stadium. There is no doubt that we have a bunch of brilliant individual talents. The Black Stars of Ghana were just content to surrender possession to us and see out the match — after all, we were the ones that needed to break them down for the vital goal. We couldn’t find a way. That was the job of the bench. The rampage thereafter tells me something: some people are just waiting for a little disorder anywhere to vent their pent-up frustration. That reminded me too much of the EndSARS riots. Scary.

CHANGING THE APPROACH TO FIGHTING INSECURITY in different hotspots all over the country. Also, the fact that terrorists embed themselves among the populace, go after soft targets, and operate in ungoverned spaces pose challenges. But we have been fighting the terrorists for more than a decade now. So, we should have some valuable experience under our belt, apart from what we can learn from the experiences of others.

At this critical point, we need a more aggressive approach that rides on better intelligence gathering, more swift response to credible intelligence, better coordination between different arms of the security forces, greater deployment of technology, more active tracking and blocking the flow of arms and money, increased mobilisation of all of society to the common threat, and more responsive and empathetic leadership.

Even when terrorists hide in forests or live among the people, it shouldn’t be difficult to track irregular movements. We have security and non-security agencies gathering information and filing reports all over the country. Ordinary citizens and authority figures in the communities can also help in tracking and reporting. But from the recent statement by Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State credible intelligence is not always acted on. Also, villagers do not trust

Chief of the Defence Staff, Lucky Irabor the government enough to share information or trust government to protect them from revenge attacks. Building trust and improving response

time and coordination will thus be critical.

We need to take better advantage of technology both for surveillance and offensive purposes.

It is puzzling that kidnappers are bold enough to use mobile phones to demand ransoms. It is more baffling that the kidnappers and their patrons receive the ransoms with no repercussion despite the array of technology now available and investments made over time. Armed drones tilted the balance in the recent war in Ethiopia, and there is no reason we shouldn’t be exploring that option without the fanfare that accompanied the purchase of some drones by the police last week.

Also, no options should be off the table, including the use of mercenaries. Yes, there is the matter of national pride. But there is nothing to be proud of when our citizens are being slaughtered like goats or are living in constant fear of being kidnapped, raped and killed. There is nothing against national pride in seeking help to protect your citizens. We need to put the terrorist on the backfoot and protect our people by all means necessary.

Some people have insisted on the need to address the root causes and the appeal of terrorism: growing poverty and inequality. It will

be important to increase investments in health and education, to address the growing drug problem, and to create jobs and opportunities for self-actualisation. It is also important to continue with the deradicalization programme.

All these are investments that will yield results in medium to long term. But we need to stop the advance of the terrorists immediately. That cannot wait.

President Muhammadu Buhari needs to take the increasing attacks by terrorists very personal.

His main job, as with any other president, is to secure Nigerians. The train attack underscores the fact that a slide in security undermines some progress in infrastructure as only those who are alive can use the trains, roads, and airports.

One of President Buhari’s strongest appeals in 2015 when he defeated an incumbent president was his military background and his promise to rout the terrorists. With different fronts of insecurity in different parts of the country, that promise has not been fulfilled. In the 14 months remaining in his tenure, the president can still improve security in the country by pushing the security forces hard for better results, and by personally showing empathy in moments of distress.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 3, 2022

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SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by: Duro Ikhazuagbe email:Duro.Ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

Ghana Out to Avenge Loss to Uruguay at S’ Africa 2010 Duro Ikhazuagbe

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lack Stars of Ghana are out to “revenge”after being drawn with Uruguay in the group stages of the 2022 World Cup. Their encounter in Group H, where the Black Stars will also face Portugal and South Korea, will be a repeat of the 2010 World Cup quarter-final.

Ghana were eliminated by Uruguay on penalties in South Africa, having seen Asamoah Gyan miss an extra-time spot-kick after Luis Suarez was sent off for handball.

“We believe that it will be revenge time,”Ghana FA President, Kurt Okra BBC Sport Africa.

“We thought we had clearly won that particular game but for that save from Suarez. It is very interesting for us to pitch against them again, obviously with fond memories (this time).

“It is important that we all set the record straight.”

Striker Suarez, now 35 and at Atletico Madrid after stints with Liverpool and Barcelona, is still playing for two-time World Cup winners Uruguay, but Ghana are unlikely to have any survivors from their side from 12 years ago.

Elsewhere in Friday’s draw, Tunisia were paired with defending champions France and Cameroon were put into the same group as five-time winners Christian Eriksen scored his first goal for Brentford as they closed in on Premier League safety by outclassing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Brentford produced a magnificent display to record their first win over Chelsea since 1939 as they came from behind to stun Thomas Tuchel’s side with three goals in 10 minutes in the second half before adding a fourth late on to humiliate the Champions

League holders.

The Bees enjoyed the better of the first half but were punished for not taking chances when Antonio Rudiger flashed a brilliant 30yard finish past David Raya three minutes after the restart.

Brentford’s response was instant and spectacular as Vitaly Janelt hammered home the equaliser two minutes later before the golden moment in the 54th minute as Bryan Mbeumo squared a pass for Eriksen to score in front of the joyous visiting support.

And Brentford were not finished there, Janelt breaking clear again on the hour to beat Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy before substitute Yoane Wissa completed their glory day in the closing moments.

Brentford are now on 33 points, 11 clear of Watford, who are third from bottom, and can now surely contemplate Premier League football again next season.

FirstBank FC First 11 in a group photograph before the match against Ojodu Champions... last weekend

FirstBank FC Host Collins Edwin FC in Week 3 of NNWL Division One Buoyed by its 1-0 away victory to Ojodu Champions FC in Week 2 of the ongoing Lagos State Football Association 2021/2022 Nationwide League (Division One) season, FirstBank FC is expected to carry on the victory runs when they confronts Collins Edwin FC in Week Three encounter.

Billed for the Nitel Football pitch at Capa Area of Oshodi, the 90-minues encounter is expected to bring out the best from the Elephants Boys.

Star player, Saheed Egbeolowo who has two goals to his credit already this season is expected to lead the attack for the Bankers in the Monday Morning 9-am clash.

A home win against Yobo FC is the season’s opener and the away victory recorded against OjoduChampionslastweekendisalltheElephant neededtomaintaintheirpositioninthecrowded league table.

Though, it’s too early to guess where the league’s trophy would be heading at the end of the season, but analysts are of the opinion that, if FirstBank FC keeps the momentum, they might be competing in the upper cadre next season.

Rivers Utd Draw with Akwa Utd, Offer Plateau Chance to Go Top Promise Etim

Kelechi Iheanacho fired Leicester City into lead yesterday before Fred’s equaliser ensured Manchester United shared honours with the visitors from the King’s Power Stadium...yesterday

PREMIER LEAGUE

Iheanacho on Target as Man Utd Hold Leicester

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igerian international, Kelechi Iheanacho returned to scorers ‘ sheet with Leicester City yesterday but Manchester United’s Brazilian forward Fred denied the Super Eagles forward the benefit of full value for his goal.

The damage could have been even worse for Ralf Rangnick’s men as Leicester were denied a potential winner 10 minutes from time when

referee Andre Marriner was sent to the screen by the video assistant referee, with Marriner overturning James Maddison’s effort for a foul on Raphael Varane in the build-up.

United could count themselves fortunate to get a point.

After a drab opening period, Kelechi Iheanacho scored a superb 63rd-minute opener when he met superb Maddison’s left-wing cross with a fine diving header, which sent the ball back into the far corner.

The Foxes’ advantage lasted just three minutes, with Brazilian midfielder Fred on hand to convert the rebound after Bruno Fernandes’ shot had been pushed into his path by Kasper Schmeichel.

It was a disappointing outcome for the hosts, who are now three points behind fourth-placed Arsenal, having played two games more and with a trip to the Gunners, plus encounters with Liverpool and Chelsea, still to come.

Rivers United extended their lead at the top of the NigerianTop flight table with two points followinga1-1draw away at reigning champions Akwa United at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Saturday.

It’s a result that Plateau United could take advantage of if they win on the road to Sunshine Stars when they play in Ijebu-Ode in the remaining fixtures of Match-day 20 today.

The match heralded the resumption of the proceedings from the mid-season break, as 20 clubs in the league look forward to the business end of the campaign.

Etim Matthew turned provider for Rivers United’s goal of the fixture when he turned Kazie Enyinnaya’s cross into his side’s net in the 17th minute.

Akwa United drew level two minutes after the break when substitute Adeyeye Adeyemi smashed home Etim Matthew’s inch-perfect delivery from the right.

Rivers United would defend with grit to depart with their heads high, amassing four points from a possible six after a 4-1 defeat of the Promise Keepers in the reverse fixture a fortnight ago in Port Harcourt.

Rivers United are two points clear at the top of the log, pending the outcome of the game involving Sunshine Stars and Plateau United on Sunday. A win for Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men could see them leapfrog Rivers United to first place, while a draw will ensure just a point gap between both sides.

Sunday April 4, 2022

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Price: N400

MISSILE

Soyinka to Buhari “The ruling party, headed by the same President, has just elected as its national secretary one of the prime suspects of this most notorious of the nation’s unsolved murders” – Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has faulting the election of Iyiola Omisore as the national secretary of the ruling APC.

SIMONKOLAWOLE For the Chief Commander at 80 SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

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f only Ebenezer Obey’s mum knew!

When her son said he wanted to be a jùjú singer, Madam Abigail Oyindamola protested vehemently. “In our family, we don’t sing people’s praises. Instead, they sing our praises,” the proud Egba woman reportedly told him. Not only did Obey go on to sing people’s praises, his own praises were also sung everywhere as he reinvented jùjú music. But you have to admire the pride and self-assurance of the mother whose first husband had abandoned because of childlessness after 20 years of marriage, who picked up the pieces, went on to marry the carpenter she had engaged to build the roof of her house, and finally had Obey with the “accidental” husband.

I grew up an omnivorous consumer of music, foreign and local. With no Spotify or YouTube, radio and record stores were the sources of free listening. But I had an extra luck: my father had a pile of vinyl records and a turntable.

Years after his death in 1976, my grandmother (God rest her soul) handed them to me as my inheritance. Most of the albums were by Obey, clearly my dad’s favourite artiste. King Sunny Ade (KSA) and Idowu Animashaun, both jùjú stars, accounted for three each. There were a dozen Jim Reeves and plenty other Christian albums (my father was an organist and choir master of the Immanuel Baptist Church, Ilorin).

I acquired other musical tastes from my uncles.

Obey As a little boy, I thought jùjú music was the genre for Christians and fújì for Muslims. Fújì singers often recited the Qur’an. Obey always

sang Christian songs. I enjoyed both genres but had zero knowledge of their origins until much later in life. I particularly like the concise history of the evolution of fújì given by Akorede Babatunde Okunola aka Saidi Osupa. Quoting his father, who also sang fújì, Osupa said fújì’s roots were in kiriboto, etiyeri, seli and wéré.

Instructively, wéré (ajisáàri) was usually sung during Ramadan fasting to wake Muslims up for sahur. Wéré gave birth to awurebe. The late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister transformed awurebe into what he later named “fújì”.

It is striking that almost all fújì artistes are Muslims, with the notable exception of the late Sunny T Adesokan. He branded himself as “Omo nna t’onko fújì” (“an Igbo guy singing fújì”). The branding — helped by his unquestionable talent and ability to create street slangs — worked but the rumour in town was that he had a Yoruba father and an Ikwere mother. There are Christian gospel singers who adopt fújì as the vehicle to express their art, notably Adekunle Fuji, Midnight Crew and Adedoyin Adeotun aka Okiki Jesu Fuji, but it is still understood that they are gospel, not fújì, artistes. Every evidence points to the fact that fújì has its roots in Islam. The jùjú story is significantly different.

Jùjú’s origins are traced to Abdulrafiu Babatunde King, a Muslim, who started playing at Lagos clubs in the 1920s. His band members were known for throwing their instruments into

the air and catching them — a spectacle that drew crowds to their shows. The highlife-influenced genre, heavy on percussions and folklores, became known as “jijú” or “jùjú” — the unedited Yoruba word for “throw throw” (not to be confused with the juju that means magic). Many jùjú greats — Fatai Rolling-Dollar, Ayinde Bakare, YK Ajao and Ahuja Bello — were Muslims.

Yet, as time rolled by, jùjú somehow became dominated by Christian acts, often featuring traditional church hymns and songs.

Obey, born Ebenezer Remilekun Aremu Olasupo Fabiyi, played a defining role in this.

Following in the styles of the legendary IK Dairo and Rolling Dollar, his mentor, Obey would take jùjú to another level, infusing elements such as bass guitar and talking drums — along with guitar solos/interludes — to create a dancefloor flavour he called “jùjú miliki”. In all his melodies, you would not miss this thread: his lyrical content was built on a moral — in fact, Christian — message, burnished and garnished with axioms and prayers. He hardly sexualised women, unlike KSA, his friend and rival. KSA was the king of lewd lyrics. As kids, we could not sing some of KSA’s songs in front of our elders.

Apart from lyrical decency, there were many things I admired in Obey. Unlike the trend these days whereby some successful Continued on page 78

WAZIRIADIO POSTSCRIPT

Changing the Approach to Fighting Insecurity

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he spate of deadly and daring attacks by terrorists and other criminals within the week should evoke more than the usual threats and recriminations. What is needed is an urgent review and a consequential change of our approach to securing life and property in general and for prosecuting the war against terror in particular.

While the sacrifice and the gallantry of the members of our security forces and the peculiarities of asymmetrical warfare must be duly acknowledged, it is difficult to accept that much more cannot be done to keep our country and its citizens safer and more secure, especially with the quantum of resources devoted to security over time.

The current approach is clearly not doing enough to deliver the desired outcome. We need to quickly switch to a much more aggressive and offensive mode. We need to go all out and take the war to the different breeds of terrorists across the land, and not just be content with foiling attacks or scampering to respond to their unceasing assaults.

If anyone needed any evidence of how emboldened the terrorists have become and are likely to get, the series of attacks around Kaduna within a few days is ample enough.

On Saturday, a band of terrorists attacked the Kaduna International Airport, disrupting air

transportation and killing one airport staff.

On Monday, it got grimmer. Another set of terrorists planted explosives on the AbujaKaduna rail tracks and gruesomely shot into the Kaduna-bound night train, leaving eight dead, more than 20 injured and many unaccounted for.

A station on the same rail tracks was allegedly attacked on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, there was a reported attack in Zaria.

With these attacks, including a September 2021 breach of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and an October 2021 failed attempt on a train, Kaduna seems to have been corralled into the frontline of the war on terror. Incidentally, this is a state with high presence of security formations.

The Abuja-Kaduna Road had long been designated as a den of kidnappers, one of the reasons those who could afford it opt for the trains and flights. It should be a serious reason for pause that it is now considered a very risky endeavour to commute by road, rail and air between Abuja and Kaduna, two important and strategic cities.

But before the sad spotlight on Kaduna, there had been a surfeit of incidents of terrorists storming and plundering villages in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and Niger states, abducting, raping and killing our citizens with reckless abandon. Living in rural North West has become a dangerous proposition, with serious implication for food

inflation, poverty and security in the affected communities and beyond.

But maybe because these are mostly poor villagers in some remote places, the unceasing attacks on them hardly generate more than a shrug, even when the body count is in dozens.

The reality however is that if not effectively checked, these criminals will become more emboldened and are likely to move from poor and vulnerable villagers to more prosperous but equally vulnerable city dwellers.

This is one of the reasons why the attacks around Kaduna last week should not only shock and outrage us but instigate a different approach.

The other compelling reason is the continuous spread of insecurity across the country. While there has been some improvement in the war against Boko Haram, peace is yet to fully return to the North East. Zamfara used to be the only state terrorised by those previously categorised as bandits in the North West but the reign of terror has since spilled into other parts of the zone.

The farmer-herder conflicts in the North Central keep resurfacing. Some parts of the South East, especially Imo and Anambra states, keep boiling. Oil theft is rife in the South South.

Ritual killings and kidnappings are frequent in the South West. If the growing insecurity is not seen as an emergency, that in itself should be a serious cause for concern.

When dramatic episodes like last week’s

happen, they are usually followed by some equally dramatic but episodic reactions. We need more than such this time. If a turningpoint is needed, this should be it. This should not be because some lives are more important than others but because the risk that we are all exposed to should be more apparent by now.

The first thing we need is a more pro-active strategy on fighting insecurity. No one expects the security high command to put their war strategy in the public square. But they need to swiftly develop and execute a more offensive, better coordinated and ruthlessly implemented strategy against the different breeds of criminals terrorising our land.

We need to switch from the seeming defensive mode to a more offensive one. We need to start seizing the initiative against the terrorists, not through speeches but through concrete actions.

If necessary, the President should demand a three-month plan for clearing the terrorists out of their hideouts and wiping them out.

He may need to shake up the team and move key personnel around to signal both urgency and need for change.

To be sure, asymmetrical warfare is different from conventional warfare, which is what most of our security personnel are trained in. Our security forces are also stretched thin, as they are deployed Continued on page 78

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