SUNDAY 10TH APRIL 2022

L-R: Mrs. Elizabeth Igo; former President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki; Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; Groom, Daniel Odeh Igo; Bride and daughter of Governor Okowa, Maxine Ewere Okowa; Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu; Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, at the wedding reception of Okowa’s daughter, Ewere, to Daniel Igo, at the International Conference Centre in Abuja…yesterday

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Ahead of His Declaration for 2023 Presidency, Osinbajo Meets APC Govs Today Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Former Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Dakuku Peterside (second left); Minister of Transportation, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (middle); and former Rivers State Commissioner for Energy, Dr. Dawari George (right), racing round the track to greet the mammoth crowd of Amaechi's supporters, during his declaration to contest the 2023 presidential election at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt…yesterday

Ahead of his declaration for presidency in 2023, which is likely expected this week, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will meet with the 22 governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) under Continued on page 10

Southern PDP Governors Insist on Zoning Presidential Ticket to South Reject 37-man committee’s report

South-east presidential aspirants unite, demand ticket for zone

Chuks Okocha in Abuja Southern governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have rejected the report of the 37-man committee that recommended that the presidential ticket of the main opposition party should be thrown open to all the 14 presidential aspirants that purchased the presidential nomination form.

This is coming as the four PDP

presidential aspirants from the South-east yesterday resolved to work together for the emergence of the party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election from the zone.

The 37-man PDP committee headed by Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State had last week recommended to the National Executive Committee Continued on page 6

RAIN FROM GLOBACOM… Grid Collapses: FG to Fast-track NAIRA L-R: Retail and Consumer Sales Chief, Globacom, Mr. David Maji; Triple prize winner and Managing Director of Zeph Associates, Mr. Tochukwu Nwosu; and Juju Maestro, Chief Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, aka King Sunny Ade, during the presentation of prize Acquisition of SCADA System... money to Nwosu at Globacom’s Dealer Appreciation Gala in Lagos...weekend Page 6

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CELEBRATING LOVE… L-R: Groom’s father and Chairman, Eleganza Group, Chief Rasaq Akanni Okoya; his wife and Vice Chairman, Eleganza Industries, Mrs. Folashade Okoya; Bride’s mother, Mrs. Easther Isoken Otone; New couple, Mr. Jubril Adedoyin Okoya, his wife, Sera; Bride’s father, Chief Mathew Otone; Alhaja Kubrat Okoya; and Alhaji Tajjuden Okoya, during introduction and engagement between Jubril and Sera held in Lagos…yesterday MUBO PETERS

Grid Collapses: FG to Fast-track Acquisition of SCADA System Blames vandalism for nationwide blackout Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The federal government yesterday confirmed the collapse of the national power grid, saying that it would fast-track the purchase and installation of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to curb the rate of grid failures.

It also blamed the current nationwide blackout on the damage done by suspected vandals to one of its facilities in the Niger Delta.

The SCADA system is a software used to monitor and control an electrical grid system based on the information it collects from the substations within that system.

The federal government had failed in its repeated promises to invest in the technology to improve the efficiency.

Following the federal government’s failure to acquire the SCADA, the supply system has been unable to provide remote coverage and relay of interconnected network communication to enable Distribution Companies (Discos) have real-time access to monitor and control their distribution infrastructure.

THISDAY gathered that many Discos still use the analogue system of detecting faults within their networks.

However, SCADA would assist in monitoring/controlling existing injection and distribution substations.

It would further reduce downtime, help in faults location, track and restore the system in cases of collapses, increase revenue generation as well as reduce Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses.

Since this year, the national power grid has collapsed about five times, throwing several Nigerian cities including, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) into darkness.

Many of the Discos had announced a system breakdown on Friday after prolonged hours

of outage experienced in some parts of the country.

A similar grid collapse occurred twice in March 2022 at a time the country was in a severe fuel crisis as well as in January and February this year. The latest system collapse occurred twice within a few hours.

The grid, which is being managed by the governmentowned Transmission Company

of Nigeria (TCN) has continued to suffer system collapse over the years amid a lack of spinning reserve that is meant to forestall such occurrences.

A statement issued yesterday by the Minister of Power, Mr. Abubakar Aliyu, signed on his behalf by his Special Adviser, Media, Isa Sanusi, noted that the stakeholders were working round the clock to ensure that

normalcy is restored as soon as possible.

Aliyu added that power has already been restored in several parts of the country since the latest incident, noting that it was carrying out reforms to ensure that such power failures are reduced to the minimum.

“We wish to notify the general public of the incidence of a system collapse which occurred at 1830

Presidency: Buhari Has No Plan for Another Medical Trip to London Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Presidency has declared that President Muhammadu Buhari has no immediate plan to embark on another medical trip to London, the United Kingdom.

The social media was flooded with the news of yet another trip

to London by President Buhari, just a month after he visited the country for a two-week medical session with his doctors.

But in a Tweet yesterday, the Personal Assistant to the President on Digital and New Media, Bashir Ahmad, debunked the rumour, saying President Buhari was in Abuja

and not planning any trip to London.

"The news going round that President Muhammadu Buhari has embarked on a 20-day vacation trip to London is FAKE. The President is in Abuja and he is not planning to embark on any trip to London," Ahmad explained.

hours on April 8, 2022 resulting in power outages in many parts of the country.

“While a detailed investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the recurring grid failure is currently ongoing by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and System Operator (the operator of the national grid), the process of restoring supply is ongoing with some sections of the national grid already energised and supply restored to consumers.

“We wish to assure Nigerians that the federal government is working assiduously to deliver on the much-needed reforms and investments, including SCADA, that are critical to improving the capacity and reliability of the national grid.

“This is in line with the Mr. President's directives on closing infrastructure deficits in critical sectors of the Nigerian economy,” the minister explained.

Meanwhile, the federal government has again blamed the current nationwide blackout

on the damage done by suspected vandals to one of its facilities in the Niger Delta.

It stated that the vandalism of the transmission tower in Odukpani Ikot- Ekpene resulted in the substantial loss of power generation.

"Further to our earlier press release, we wish to apprise the general public that the immediate cause of national blackout (system collapse) was an act of vandalism on a transmission tower on the Odukpani Ikot Ekpene 330kV double circuit transmission line.

"This resulted in a sudden loss of about 400MW of generation.

This consequently led to a cascade of plant shutdown across the country.

"We wish to notify the public that power on the grid is being restored sequentially by the system operator as other on-grid power plants are being dispatched to cover the lost generation capacity from the Calabar power plant owned by the Niger Power Holding Company Ltd.," the minister noted.

SOUTHERN PDP GOVERNORS INSIST ON ZONING PRESIDENTIAL TICKET TO SOUTH (NEC) of the party that the presidential ticket should be thrown open to all the geopolitical zones.

But rising from a mèeting held late Friday night, the southern governors of the party led by their chairman, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State insisted on the common position adopted by the 17 southern governors that the presidential candidates of all the political parties should come from the South.

Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting, Ikpeazu said: "Our position is that first, we are committed to the unity of our party and we have worked hard to make sure that this party remains strong and viable vehicle to rescue Nigeria come 2023.

"Be that as it may, we want to draw your attention to the fact that we have agreed as Southern Governors in Lagos and also in Delta that this party has to respect

the zoning principle as enshrined in our Constitution, and to that effect, we feel that the best thing to do is zone the presidency to the South, and we stand on that position.

"We have not seen any reason to change our position, because the party was founded on the basis of equity and justice. And we also think that equity and justice is an important pillar that will ultimately stabilise our politics towards our journey in rescuing Nigeria. This is our position and that is why we have met today.”

Fielding questions from reporters, the Abia State governor wondered why some people would think that zoning would not give PDP victory in 2023 presidential election.

Reacting to reports that the zoning committee had recommended that the presidential ticket open, Ikpeazu, who stated that the governors would not rely

on speculations, told journalists that: “Let me tell you something; if you want to take a position of policy, you don’t look at problems in their face and take decision.

You take a decision and remain firm on that decision. We think what this country is lacking today is our ability to dispense equity and justice. It may be difficult, it may a bitter pill but we need to stand with the truth.”

He reiterated the position of the 17 southern governors that the presidency should be zoned to the South for equity, fairness and justice.

Other governors that attended the meeting include: Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom, Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.

Governors Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and Godwin Obseki of Edo State were absent at the

meeting that took place at the Akwa Ibom State Government House.

The aspirants that have purchased the PDP presidential forms are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki; Wike; former President of the Senate, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State; Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State; Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal; former Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State; Mr. Mohammed Hayatudeen and Mr. Dele Momodu. Others are a United States-based medical doctor, Nwachukwu Anakwenze; a pharmacist, Sam Ohuabunwa and a politician from Imo State, Mrs. Oliver Tareila Diana.

South-east Presidential Aspirants

Unite, Demand Ticket for Zone Meanwhile, the four PDP presidential aspirants from the South-east have resolved to work together for the emergence of the PDP candidate in the 2023 presidential election from the zone.

The presidential aspirants include: Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Peter Obi, Sam Ohuabunwa and Nwachukwu Anakwenze.

Rising from a meeting that lasted for over three hours in Abuja, yesterday, the aspirants also resolved to ensure that the presidential candidate of the main opposition party emerges from the zone.

In a communique read by Anyim, the aspirants promised to consult with other zones in the spirit of fairness and equity

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STRATEGIC MEETING… L-R: Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu); Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); Douye Diri (Bayelsa); and Seyi Makinde (Oyo), after a meeting of some southern governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party at the Akwa Ibom Governor’s Lodge in Abuja…weekend

IMF: Increased Diversity of Creditors Raises Coordination Challenges for Nigeria, Others Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has declared that increased diversity of creditors raises coordination challenges for Nigeria and other indebted poor countries.

With a total public debt of N39.566 trillion ($95.77 billion) as at December 2021, Nigeria is exposed to a significant number of local and external creditors.

In a blogpost captioned, "Restructuring Debt of Poorer Nations Requires More Efficient Coordination,” the IMF stated that low-income countries face fewer debt challenges today than they did 25 years ago, attributing this in particular to the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries' (HIPCs) initiative, which slashed unmanageable debt burdens across subSaharan Africa and other regions.

It observed that although the ratios are lower than in the mid-1990s, debt has been creeping up for the past decade, adding that the changing composition of creditors will make restructuring more complex.

Of the about $39 billion external debt as at December 31, 2021, Nigeria is indebted to bilateral creditors such as China Eximbank, JICA (Japan), AFD of France, GIZ (Germany) and Eximbank of India.

On the multilateral side, Nigeria is indebted to the World Bank Group, including the International Development Association (IDA) and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).

It also owes the African Development Bank (AfDB); Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, European Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

The country’s external debt obligations also extend to Eurobonds and Diaspora Bond.

The IMF believes that the increasing diversity of creditors poses complex restructuring and more complex challenges for Nigeria and other heavily indebted countries.

In the blogpost, the global

lender noted that an improved common framework for debt treatment could clear a path through an increasingly complex creditor landscape.

According to the IMF, in past decades, Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) countries borrowed mainly from Paris Club official creditor nations and private banks, alongside multilateral institutions, adding that today, China and private bondholders play a much larger lending role.

The IMF stated: "The share of DSSI countries’ external debt owed to Paris Club creditors fell from 28 per cent in 2006 to 11 per cent in 2020. Over the same period, the share owed to China rose from 2 per cent to 18 per cent and the share of Eurobonds sold to private creditors increased from three per cent to 11 per cent.

"The situation differs significantly across countries, however. Averages conceal a diversity of debt composition, from the shares of bilateral, multilateral and private creditors, to the composition of official bilateral creditors themselves.

"China is now the largest official bilateral creditor in more than half of DSSI countries, including when counting all 22 Paris Club creditors as a single pool. China would therefore play a key role in most DSSI countries’ debt restructurings that would involve official bilateral creditors.

"While the diversity of creditor compositions calls for greater attention to country specificities, appropriate coordination mechanisms will be key in all cases."

According to the IMF, putting in place mechanisms that ensure coordination and confidence among creditors and debtors has become urgent, adding that improvements to the G20 Common Framework could play an important role by ensuring broad participation of creditors with fairer burden sharing.

"Experience so far shows that greater clarity on restructuring steps, earlier engagement of official creditors with the debtor and with private creditors, a standstill in debt service payments during negotiations, and specifying the mechanics

of comparability of treatment is still needed," the multilateral institution said.

Although Nigeria is one of the 73 eligible countries under the DSSI mooted by the IMF and the World Bank for the G20 nations to defer the debt service obligations of poor countries in the wake

of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country opted out of the initiative.

The World Bank had explained that although some countries were eligible for the DSSI, they had chosen not to participate for a number of reasons.

Some of the reasons included

conveying wrong signals to bondholders and other private creditors, among others.

“Some DSSI-eligible countries have thus far elected not to participate. Currently, 27 DSSIeligible countries, 37 per cent of eligible countries, are not participating in the initiative for a variety of reasons.

"Some fear participation may convey the wrong signal to bondholders and other private creditors while others note the amount of eligible bilateral debt service was negligible, and savings do not justify the administrative expenses incurred by the deferral,” the World Bank had stated.

AHEAD OF HIS DECLARATION FOR 2023 PRESIDENCY, OSINBAJO MEETS APC GOVS TODAY the aegis of Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) in Abuja today.

The meeting, THISDAY learnt, is part of his consultations with critical stakeholders ahead of his declaration to contest for the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the ruling APC, which he is expected to announce this week.

This is coming as the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, yesterday declared his ambition to contest the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the APC. Presidency sources told THISDAY that Osinbajo’s meeting with the APC governors would hold at the Akinola Aguda official residence of the Vice President located within the precincts of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The meeting billed for 7p.m. will also serve as fast breaking for the governors as adherents of Christianity and Islam, the two major religions, are currently observing fasting as prescribed in the Holy Books.

THISDAY learnt that the vice president would use the forum to intimate the APC governors led

by Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State of his intention to contest for the APC’s presidential ticket in the forthcoming presidential primaries of the party.

According to the sources, the meeting with the governors is a continuation of series of consultations being held by Osinbajo with critical stakeholders in the ruling party about his desire to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2023.

The presidency sources also told THISDAY that all is set for the vice president to publicly declare his intention to contest for the APC ticket this week.

THISDAY gathered that the ceremony will take place in Abuja with governors, federal and state legislators, ministers and other APC top shots already invited for the grand ceremony which may take place either on Monday or Tuesday.

Amaechi Declares for Presidency, Vows to Fight Insecurity, Promote Country’s Unity, Stability Meanwhile, after months of speculations over his political ambition, the Minister of Transportation, Amaechi yesterday declared his ambition to contest the 2023 presidential election.

Amaechi, who made the declaration in what was initially tagged a “thanksgiving service” at the sprawling Adokie Amesiemieka Sports Stadium at Igwuruta area of Rivers State, vowed to fight insecurity and promote the stability and unity of the country if elected president in 2023.

In his speech titled: 'Forward with Courage,' delivered at the special thanksgiving organised by the APC in Rivers State, the presidential aspirant said he arrived at the decision to contest for the highest level of leadership in the country after intensive consultations.

Amaechi noted that he has served the country for about 23 years in different capacities, ranging from being a Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Governor of the state and presently, Minister of Transportation.

He said he is enriched with the governance system and understands the meaning of good leadership, adding that he would contribute to the development of the nation.

Amaechi acknowledged that the insecurity and other challenges facing Nigeria may be global problem, and vowed to tackle these challenges.

He noted that the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has done well in building a better Nigeria, and promised to do more by improving the economy of the nation and complementing on the existing projects of the federal government.

The minister said that his

aspiration is not about fulfilling any personal ambition but a moral duty to serve the country.

"I stand before you today to declare my intention and submit my application to serve as your next president. My aspiration is not about fulfilling any personal ambition. I am contesting for the office because I believe that it is my moral duty to give what I can in the service of my country.

"To sustain and intensify present efforts at solving our national problems, our democracy must ensure the emergence of a leadership that is equipped with broad experience in governance to ensure stability and continuity.

To sustain our democracy and preserve our unity, we need a steady hand and a passion for success in a nation that remains united to pursue prosperity for all Nigerians.

"It is this combination of experience and patriotic passion that I bring to the table. I have been in the political arena for 23 years. I have served at every level of government - local, state, and federal. I have served both as a political appointee and an elected official. I have served both as an executive - as Governor of Rivers State and as a legislator - as Speaker of the State House of Assembly.

"The current administration under the able leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has planted many such trees in Nigeria’s future. We have invested billions in infrastructure, human capital development and made reforms that will pay off over time in terms of socio-economic growth and stability. We have invested heavily in projects and initiatives that will secure a brighter, better future for Nigeria.

"Today, I stand as an aspirant to the position of President because of that same passion for people; that same drive for results. More than ever before, I am burning with the zeal to make a decisive difference in the lives of all Nigerians.

"I pledge my heart, mind and soul to the task of building a Nigeria in which every child can go to school, every young person can find work or support to start a business, every citizen can travel safely around the country and sleep at night knowing that law and order prevails and every Nigerian feels included, heard, and respected.

“I have never been the type who folds his arms and complains about inadequacies I see around me. I have always jumped in with both feet to do whatever I can to help, to try and bring relief to those suffering, to work to make things right where I see wrong. If you elect me as your President, I promise to play my part to the best of my ability. Every day I will rise and go to work for you. I will never forget the fact that I am there to serve you," the minister explained.

In their various goodwill messages, a former National Chairman of APC, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole; Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Hon. Simon Lalong; Deputy Speaker of House of Representative, Hon. Idris Wase; federal ministers and other leaders of the ruling party at the event lauded the minister for taking the step to run for presidency.

Speaking earlier, Lalong said that the North was very comfortable with Amaechi, adding that he was shocked to see the crowd that attended the event, having been told that there was no APC in Rivers State.

On his part, Oshiomhole commended Amaechi for the unity and reconciliation in Rivers APC, and called for stronger bond among party members.

Oshiomhole said: "Let me appreciate the man who has invited us for the thanksgiving and for the reconciliation of the party in the state. I want to appreciate the Minister of Transportation Chibuike Amaechi, who has extended his invitation.

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How Exploded Vessel, Trinity Spirit’s Owners Accumulated over $200m Debts Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja with agency report

The owners of an oil production and storage ship, Trinity Spirit, had a history of financial problems, amounting to over $200 million, before the vessel blew up in Nigerian waters two months ago, a Bloomberg report has revealed.

Although the headship of the company, Shebah Exploration and Production Company, had admitted that the business was “in receivership,” the new investigation has now unravelled how the firm accumulated the humongous debts that led to its eventual collapse.

In its last update, the company had said that three persons out of a possible 10 on board survived the fire, noting that a total of five bodies had been found on or around the vessel.

The vessel caught fire on February 2, burned for more than 24 hours and left a stain of crude stretching for miles across the Atlantic Ocean.

While the cause of the accident has not yet been determined, the Ministry of Environment estimated that up to 60,000 barrels of oil were on board the ship at the time of the blaze.

According the report, which documented a trail of the ship, creditors have filed lawsuits against the company operating the vessel, in at least three countries, accusing the firm of defaulting on multiple financial agreements.

These include two bank loans for a combined $220 million and a contract for the management of the vessel itself, according to court documents and corporate statements.

It started when a prominent businessman and President of Shebah, Dr. Ambrosie Bryant Orjiako, acted as the personal guarantor of a $150 million loan taken by the company in mid-2012 from the African Export-Import (Afrexim) Bank and two Nigerian lenders to fund a drilling programme on the firm’s oil licence.

Shebah leased the vessel from one of its shareholders named Allenne Ltd., a company registered in the British Virgin Islands of which Orjiako was a director, according to court filings.

Orjiako is best-known as a founder of Seplat Energy Plc, which has grown since 2009 into Nigeria’s largest independent oil producer and in February agreed to pay $1.3 billion for Exxon Mobil Corp.’s shallow water assets in the country.

According to Bloomberg, Seplat has no involvement

with the Trinity Spirit or any of Shebah’s legal disputes, Orjiako said by email, declining to comment on any matters that are still in court.

He referred questions regarding the vessel to Shebah Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ikemefuna Okafor, who didn’t respond to emails or calls. Orjiako announced in November that he would step down as Seplat’s Chairman in May. Shebah stopped paying down the Afreximbank loan after meeting a single $6.1 million instalment, according to a lawsuit filed by the lenders in the UK against the company, Allenne and Orjiako.

In February 2016, a judge ruled that the banks were entitled to

$143.9 million, which remains unpaid and has doubled with interest, Afreximbank said in a statement. The banks “continue to consider their options for recovery,” Afreximbank said through its law firm, Baker McKenzie.

Orjiako, 61, had argued that delays by Afreximbank in releasing the funding led to drilling contractors either withdrawing or withholding their services, according to a defence he submitted to the London court in September 2015. A UK judge dismissed an appeal by Shebah and Orjiako against the decision in mid-2017.

Shebah in 2004 acquired a 40 per cent interest in a permit known as Oil Mining Lease

(OML) 108 from ConocoPhillips as Allenne purchased the Trinity Spirit from the Houston-based producer. Shebah agreed to bear all costs in return for 80 per cent of income from the block.

Output levels wouldn’t return to Conoco’s 20,000 barrels a day from the licence, with no production recorded since 2017, according to data published by Nigeria’s state-owned energy company.

The government announced in 2019 that it was revoking the permit, without giving reasons.

A spokesman for the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the news medium said, didn’t respond to questions about whether the licence was ever withdrawn.

Shebah is also under pressure from other creditors. A federal high court in Lagos last year granted Zenith Bank Plc, one of Nigeria’s largest lenders, an injunction preventing selected companies from dealing with Shebah’s assets in a dispute around a $70 million loan provided in 2014 to Orjiako’s firm. Zenith said it doesn’t comment on matters that are in court.

A Houston-based oil services company, Alliance Marine Services, alleged it terminated a contract to manage the Trinity Spirit after Shebah accumulated arrears of $5 million, according to a case filed in a US federal court in 2009.

The plaintiff said it had also

initiated arbitration proceedings in the UK to try recover the money. AMS voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit several months after commencing it and it’s not clear whether the dispute was resolved. Bloomberg was unable to reach AMS. Shebah and two other companies connected to Orjiako were ordered by a UK court in 2020 to pay a Greek shipping company $4.3 million after the trio defaulted on a 2017 agreement to charter a tanker.

In 2019, a federal high court approved the appointment of a receiver by the state’s debt recovery agency, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), to manage Shebah.

WELL DONE FOR THE GOOD JOB… L-R: Wife of Olu of Warri Kingdom, Olori Atuwatse III; Ms. Roselyn Ehanire, Justice Esther Edigin (rtd); Mr. Andrew Amadasun, when the Benin Branch members of Federal Government College Warri Old Students’ Association (FEGOCOWOSA), presented a gift to Olori, during inauguration ceremony of Solar Light to FGC in honour of the late Capt. Hosa Okunbo in Warri, Delta State... recently

Five Feared Killed as Herdsmen Attack Edo Community Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The agrarian community of Odiguetue in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State was in turmoil on Thursday, as armed herdsmen attacked the village, killing at least five people, and leaving several others with various injuries.

It was learnt that the herdsmen, who had about a month ago, attacked security personnel in the locality and set ablaze a patrol van, came back on Thursday morning to unleash mayhem on the locals, who had been resisting an attempt by the herders to feed their cows with their farm

produce.

Narrating their ordeal to journalists, a community leaders, Lt. Commander Anthony Ogie (rtd), said: “For some time now, the herdsmen have been harassing us. You can't go to the farm anymore because of them. Last week, around 7pm, they came close to the houses, shooting but when the people came out, they went back to the bush.

“Then on Thursday, people were on their farms when the herdsmen came and killed three people. That was in the morning.

Later in the evening, they came again and killed two more but this time on the expressway. There

is a police check point on the highway. The police saw them but didn’t do anything.

“Anytime the herdsmen come, we usually call the police and soldiers, who will come but will not go into the bush where these herdsmen have their camps; even when the villagers volunteer to lead the security men. Odiguetue is a peaceful community. How can you do this to a people who are peaceful and who go about their normal businesses?” Ogie queried.

Also speaking, another community leader, Elder John Osagiede, said that he got the information that the village was

going to be attacked and tried to reach the authorities to no avail.

“When I got information that the herdsmen were going to attack Odiguetue, I tried to reach the deputy governor but I couldn’t. Then I got in touch with an honourable, who promised to reach the AIG. The herdsmen have been tormenting the villagers.

They uproot their cassava and feed the tubers to their cows.

“On Thursday, they (herdsmen) came and killed three people.

One of the victims, when thy used gun and cutlass on him and it did not work, they rammed stick into his mouth. Later, they went and killed another people.

Five people have been killed so far. This is what they have been doing to us for a long time now,” Osagiede explained.

Also on his part, a University of Benin retiree, Mr. Joseph Obuele, disclosed that “When the incident happened on Thursday, we informed the police”.

Obueke added: "I left the village yesterday (Friday) and I am on my way back there now (Saturday evening). It was on Thursday that the herdsmen came and killed three people on their farms. Some other casualties were recorded in the neighbouring village - some three kilometres from Odiguetue.

2023: Despite Racing against Time, APC Pledges to Roll out Timetable Soon Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja In spite of the delay in rolling out a timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 general election, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that there was no cause for alarm because everything was under control.

The party, however, explained that while it would not give a specific timeline when the schedule of activities would be released, it would be released soon.

Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last week issued a fresh warning to political parties against undermining

its guidelines on the 2023 elections.

It lamented that since it announced the changes in the dates for the country’s general election in February and rolled out its schedule of activities, only two out of the 14 activities in its timetable have so far been executed.

“Where a political party fails to comply with the provisions of the Act in the conduct of its primaries, its candidate shall not be included in the election for the particular position in issue.

“As required by law, the commission shall monitor the primaries of each political party that provides the

required legal notice in line with Sections 82 (1) and (5) of the Electoral Act. Failure of a political party to notify the Commission of any convention or congress convened for the purpose of nominating candidates for any of the elective offices specified in the Act shall render the convention or congress invalid," INEC had said.

However, in line with the INEC's directive, the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) commenced the sales of Nomination and Expression of Interest forms on March 17 and would end on April 17, 2022.

But, speaking to THISDAY

in a telephone interview yesterday, the National Publicity Secretary of APC, Mr. Felix Morka, said while the party might not have a lot of time, it has everything under control.

He stated: "There is nothing delaying the party - nothing at all. After the last National Working Committee (NEC) meeting, I did make some comments to say that the matter was still under discussion; we have our procedures, we are not done; we will be done soon and as soon as we are done, that information will be released to the media. That is still the position."

Asked if the party was

not running against time considering INEC timetable, Morka explained that while he cannot give a specific timeline when the schedule of activities would be released, he said it would be released soon.

He added: "We have it under control. Yes, not a whole lot of time, but we have it under control. But in a very short while you will get the information that you seek "I can't say, I can't give a timeline, it is not entirely up to me. As you remarked, you just mentioned that the schedule we have doesn't give us a whole lot of time."

However, a proposed schedule of activities that was

trending on social media last week which the party refuted, showed that the ruling party would commence the sale of forms for the various election positions on April 22 and end on May 7.

The proposed timetable also indicated that submission of completed forms for various positions will take place between May 9 and 18, while the screening of aspirants is scheduled to hold between May 22 and May 29.

It also revealed that the screening appeals will hold between May 23; while the primary election will take place between May 17 and 30 May, 2022.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 10, 2022

BUSINESS

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

Again, CBN Leads Campaign against Unlicensed Financial Operators 'HWHUPLQHG WR LQVXODWH 1LJHULDQV IURP WKH RQVODXJKW RI LOOHJDO ÀQDQFLDO RSHUDWRUV ZKRVH DFWLYLWLHV DUH VSUHDGLQJ OLNH ZLOGÀUH LQ UHFHQW WLPHV WKH &HQWUDO %DQN RI 1LJHULD ZLWK VXSSRUW IURP WKH (FRQRPLF DQG )LQDQFLDO &ULPHV &RPPLVVLRQ DQG WKH 6HFXULWLHV DQG ([FKDQJH &RPPLVVLRQ LV OHDGLQJ D FRRUGLQDWHG VHQVLWLVDWLRQ FDPSDLJQ DJDLQVW WKH DFWLYLWLHV RI WKH VFDPPHUV UHSRUWV Festus Akanbi

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or the second time within 30 days, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), last week cautioned Nigerians against the activities of unlicensed ÀQDQFLDO RSHUDWRUV ,)2V ZKR OXUH DQG GHIUDXG XQVXVSHFWLQJ PHPEHUV RI WKH SXEOLF ZLWK XQUHDOLVWLF returns on investments.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 10, 2022

18

TRANSPORT

The Lekki toll gate

As Controversy Trails Planned Reopening of Lekki Toll Gate

taken its people for granted. He maintained that the decision of the government to give people 14 days period of grace before compelling people to start paying tolls showed the government had already made up its mind and was merely taking its time.

What is so special about that toll gate in Lagos?

Ogunlana said, alleging that all the claims of budgeting for that road are highly exaggerated. ´7KH\ KDYH SHUIHFWHG WKH ÀJXUHV DQG QR RQH understands the calculation. That they even have the temerity to consider the opening of that toll gate without implementing any aspects of WKH ZKLWH SDSHUV ,W PHDQV WKH\ DUH GHVSHUDWH to ride roughshod,” he said. able to cope with their lives.” +H YRZHG WKDW SUR GHPRFUDF\ JURXSV ZLOO Oladehinde said the decision of the govern ment was not to punish people but to create an vehemently oppose the reopening of the toll enabling environment for more jobs through plaza, insisting that one doesn’t have to be a lawyer to understand constitutionalism. private sector participation.

7KH /HNNL /LQN %ULGJH WKH /HNNL WROO JDWH DF ,Q KLV DGGUHVV WKH 0DQDJLQJ 'LUHFWRU CEO of LCC, Mr. Yomi Omomuwasan, said cording to him, is seen by the people as objects of the resumption of operations was necessary exploitation. “The government will be reopening for the company not to default on its payment an old wound if it goes ahead with the planned of local and international loans, as well as to reopening of the toll gate especially when none of the recommendations of the judicial panel of cater to the welfare of its workers.

He said LCC had also introduced new LQTXLULHV KDYH EHHQ LPSOHPHQWHG µ KH VXEPLWWHG %HVLGHV WKH DFWLYLVWV ZKR DUH SURWHVWLQJ WKH technology and innovations to move the toll reopening of the toll plaza, many observers plaza seamlessly and faster for commuters.

KDYH ZRQGHUHG DERXW WKH FRQWLQXHG MXVWLÀFDWLRQ Opposition However, the residents did not seem to buy for the toll gate when the state neither LCC the arguments of the government’s representa nor the state government has added a single tives at the parley, as they, in turn, sought the kilometre to the road. ´)RU PH , GRQ·W NQRZ WKH FRQWLQXHG MXVWLÀFD understanding of the state government for a stay of action on the reopening of the toll gate. tion for the toll gate when for over seven years, Some of the residents complained of the neither the LCC nor the state government has prevailing harsh economic condition which added a single kilometre to the road. When you they feared might aggravate the situation and WUDYHO RQ WKH /HNNL (SH 5RDG DIWHU $MDK WKH URDG lead to a further breakdown of law and order. is in deplorable condition with potholes and no As temper rises, the Committee for the streetlights. Yet they collect tolls on the road. ´5HPHPEHU WKDW ZH ZHUH SURPLVHG WKDW 'HIHQFH RI +XPDQ 5LJKWV &'+5 KDV FRQ demned the planned reopening of the Lekki toll they will rehabilitate the road further down, gate, threatening a protest if the government if not to Epe but after Ajah, what do we see, continues with the plan. Speaking at a press bad portions of the road,” said Adenike Fasua.

The tollgate was shut down following the conference, Chairman of the human rights JURXS .HKLQGH $GHR\H 6HFUHWDU\ %HOOR GHDGO\ (QG6$56 SURWHVWV ZKLFK VDZ PHQ Muftau, and another member, Ayo Ademiluyi, RI WKH 1LJHULDQ $UP\ RSHQ ÀUH RQ XQDUPHG described as insensitive, the current moves protesters at the toll plaza.

7KH QHDUE\ /HNNL ,NR\L /LQN %ULGJH DOVR by the Lagos State Government to reopen the operated by LCC, was similarly shut down Lekki Toll Gate for business.

Analysts said although it is unfortunate that after the incident.

The company, however, announced on Mon the operators of the toll gate, the LCC have incurred some debts over the closure of the day that it would resume activities link bridge toll gate for 18 months, the state government RQ $SULO %XW WKH /HNNL WROOJDWH UHPDLQV VKXW As it is, the onus lies with the Lagos State would have exercised restraints in its bid to government to guarantee peace in the state, as reopen the gate.

DQDO\VWV ZRQGHUHG ZK\ LW LV GL΀FXOW WR VXVSHQG the controversial tolling for now in the interest Taking People for Granted A legal practitioner, Mr. Adesina Ogunlana of peace, after all the Lagos State government said a sensitive government wouldn’t have owns 75 per cent share of the LCC.

,Q LWV ELG WR UHRSHQ WKH /HNNL 7ROO *DWH WKH /DJRV 6WDWH JRYHUQPHQW KHOG consultations with residents and other stakeholders where it sought their understanding. However, a groundswell of mobilisation of the residents by KXPDQ ULJKWV DFWLYLVWV DJDLQVW WKH UHRSHQLQJ PD\ RSHQ DQ ROG VRUH ZLWK IDU UHDFKLQJ HFRQRPLF DQG VHFXULW\ FRQVHTXHQFHV UHSRUWV Festus Akanbi

E

ighteen months after the bloody encounter between a detachment of troops from the Nigerian Army and some youths protesting a reign of terror unleashed on the nation E\ VRPH R΀FLDOV RI WKH QRZ GLVEDQGHG 6SHFLDO $QWL 5REEHU\ 6TXDG 6$56 at the Lekki Toll Gate, a new wave of tension appears to be brewing in Lagos following the move by the state government to reopen the toll gate amid strident protests from residents of Lekki area of Lagos against the move.

7KH QRZ IDPRXV /HNNL 7ROO *DWH VKRRWLQJ DQG the attendant widespread violence forced the state government to direct the Lekki Concession &RPSDQ\ /&& WR VXVSHQG WROOLQJ DFWLYLWLHV WR VWDYH RͿ IXUWKHU SURWHVW IURP WKH DJJULHYHG members of the public.

However, the state government announced SODQV WR UHRSHQ WKH /HNNL ,NR\L /LQN %ULGJH Toll Plaza and it pegged the planned opening for April 1.

7KH VWDWH·V &RPPLVVLRQHU IRU ,QIRUPDWLRQ Gbenga Omotoso, said operators of the facility had huge debts to pay.

Omotoso puts the debts at N11.6 billion to local lenders and about $31.1 million to foreign lenders. He also announced that about 500 work HUV ZLWK IDPLOLHV WR IHHG KDG EHHQ DͿHFWHG E\ the closure.

Negotiations &RQVHTXHQWO\ WKH VWDWH JRYHUQPHQW XUJHG the people of the state, especially the residents of /HNNL DQG ,NR\L WR VKRZ XQGHUVWDQGLQJ DKHDG RI WKH SODQQHG UHRSHQLQJ RI WKH /HNNL ,NR\L /LQN %ULGJH 7ROO 3OD]D E\ WKH /&& For a better understanding of the position of the state government, Omotoso and his counterparts in the transport ministry, Dr. Fredericks Oladehinde, as well as home af IDLUV $QRÀ (OHJXVKL ODLG WKH PDWWHU EHIRUH the residents during a stakeholders’ meeting held last week at the Lekki Coliseum in Lekki

3KDVH , /DJRV The meeting, which was held to engage key residents on LCC’s plan to reopen the /HNNL ,NR\L /LQN %ULGJH 7ROO 3OD]D ZDV attended by President of Lekki Estates 5HVLGHQWV DQG 6WDNHKROGHUV $VVRFLDWLRQ /(56$ 2ORURJXQ -DPHV (PDGR\H human rights activists, the media and several other residents of Lekki, among others.

They assured the residents that the state government would look into all WKH UHTXHVWV DQG UHFRPPHQGDWLRQV made by the stakeholders and respond appropriately.

Omotoso enjoined the residents to show understanding of the govern ment’s decision and to also respect the decision of the LCC to reopen the /HNNL ,NR\L /LQN %ULGJH 7ROO 3OD]D LQ April, a decision which some analysts described as a test run to the reopening of the Lekki toll gate.

“Also, there are about 500 workers at LCC, about 90 per cent of them have been idle for the past 18 months and they KDYH IDPLOLHV WR IHHG WKH\ KDYH IULHQGV and relations to attend to. So, for the company to want to return now, and like , VDLG SHRSOH KDYH VKRZQ WUHPHQGRXV understanding,” the commissioner said.

He alleged that people who have resisted the reopening of the Lekki toll gate are residents outside the country.

“They send messages from thousands of miles away asking people not to go there and pay a toll while saying all manners of unprintable things about the tollgate and others,” he said.

He added that if the company stays DZD\ IURP WROO ´, GR QRW NQRZ KRZ LW LV JRLQJ WR SD\ LWV GHEWV , GR QRW NQRZ KRZ about 500 workers, most of them young men who are just starting their families, , GRQ·W NQRZ KRZ WKH\ DUH JRLQJ WR EH

19

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 10, 2022

ENERGY

Kyari’s Efforts to End Crude Oil Theft

Last Tuesday, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroluem Company Limited, Mr. Mele Kyari, made a wake-up call on the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, National Association of Road Transport Owners and other stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to join the fight to tackle crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region, Ugo Aliogo writes

A

s part of efforts to tackle the massive crude oil theft in Nigeria, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mele Kyari, last week sought the support of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and other stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to tackle crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

If anything, the clarion call made by Kyari to oil and gas industry stakeholders at the ÀIWK TXDGUHQQLDO GHOHJDWHV· FRQIHUHQFH LQ Asaba, Delta State with the theme of the conference was, “Just Energy Transition: )RU RLO DQG JDV ZRUNHUV· VRFLDO ZHOIDUH DQG security,” should be taken very seriously.

This is because the theft of crude oil has EHHQ KDYLQJ D QHJDWLYH HͿHFW RQ WKH UHYHQXH of the federal government, which has denied the country the much-needed fund to boost economic development.

Apart from revenue loss, the issue of oil theft is currently threatening not just the 113&·V TXHVW IRU HQHUJ\ VHFXULW\ IRU WKH FRXQWU\ LW LV DOVR KDYLQJ D GHELOLWDWLQJ HͿHFW RQ 1LJHULD·V UHYHQXH HDUQLQJV A report released last month during a meeting on crude oil theft between the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and Oil Producers Trade Section, as well as the Independent Petroleum Producers Group, showed that between January 2021 and February 2022, Nigeria lost $3.2billion to crude oil theft. %DVHG RQ WKH &HQWUDO %DQN RI 1LJHULD R΀FLDO exchange rate, the amount lost to crude oil theft translates to N1.32trillion.

The report revealed that oil theft rose VLJQLÀFDQWO\ EHWZHHQ DQG ZLWK over 90 per cent of total crude produced at the Bonny Terminal stolen in January 2022.

The criminal act is facilitated by unscrupulous elements from security forces, militia organisations, local indigenes and experienced employees of the multinational oil corporations who use a variety of methods WR PDQLSXODWH ORRW DQG GHVWUR\ WKH QDWLRQ·V economic potential.

The diversion of crude is a chain of business for many people. From the point of exploration where thousands of the product is cornered to unknown destinations, to multiple UHFHLSWLQJ RI XQLPSRUWHG QXPEHU RI UHÀQHG petrol by some marketers, to diversion of the subsidized petrol to neighbouring countries IRU KLJK SURÀWHHULQJ RLO UDFNHWHHULQJ WKULYHV for the cartel.

Currently, Nigeria is struggling to meet its 1.8 million barrels per day oil production TXRWD DV DSSURYHG E\ WKH 2UJDQLVDWLRQ RI Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

This is evident in what the country has been produced in the last few years where it manages to produce between 1.3 and 1.4 million barrels per day.

The cacophony of voices bewailing the FRPSOHWH GHWHULRUDWLRQ RI WKH FRXQWU\·V RLO and gas industry has increased in the last few weeks. Ordinarily reticent and conservative players in the industry have spoken up vehemently about the weight of losses they carry.

From the angry to the helpless, some of the players in the sector have expressed their despondency at the intractable crisis in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

For instance, Governor of the Central %DQN RI 1LJHULD &%1 *RGZLQ (PHÀHOH who spoke at the end of the 284th monetary

Kyari

policy committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja, stated that this has had a huge impact on the economy.

Describing the situation as unprecedented, he stated that the occurrence has had a debilitating HͿHFW RQ JRYHUQPHQW UHYHQXH DQG accretion to reserves, adding that the global prices have gone up and are compounded by the shortage of supply of petroleum products.

Billionaire businessman, Tony (OXPHOX KDG HTXDOO\ VWDWHG WKDW the reason why the country had been unable to meet its oil producWLRQ TXRWD ZDV QRW EHFDXVH RI ORZ investment but theft.

Elumelu had said, “How can we be losing over 95 per cent of oil production to thieves? Look at the Bonny Terminal that should be receiving over 200,000 barrels of crude oil daily, instead it receives less than 3,000 barrels, leading the operator at Shell to declare force majeure.”

Also, the former Chief Executive 2΀FHU RI 6HSODW (QHUJ\ 3OF $XVWLQ Avuru, stated last week that up to 80 per cent of oil pumped in Nigeria, particularly in the East, was stolen.

Since continuity is the soul of modern businesses, it has become imperative that all stakeholders in the oil and gas industry must join the NNPC to ensure that it is not put of business by the activities of pipeline vandals.

Inasmuch as crude oil theft remains a major challenge facing the NNPC and the federal government, a lot RI FROODERUDWLYH HͿRUWV ZRXOG EH needed to address the issue.

While a government delegation recently visited the Niger Delta region three weeks ago for an onthe-spot assessment of the damage done by vandals, a military operation

followed immediately to smoke vandals out of the creeks.

Currently, the Nigerian Navy is carrying out serious military operations in the Niger Delta to ensure that oil and gas assets are protected.

With the current operation of the Navy in the Niger Delta region, there are hopes that the issue of pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft will be brought under control within the next two to three weeks.

But beyond the military action, there is need to also have the support of Nigerians in ensuring that the business of crude oil theft does not thrive again.

Kyari underscored the importance of this at the conference when he called on NARTO DQG 183(1* WR MRLQ LQ WKLV ÀJKW VR WKDW the activities of vandals do not bring the oil and gas sector to its knees.

He said, “You can see the short trouble that we have and what it has caused all of us. But more than this comrades, our locally industries is terribly challenged and you may be aware, we have seen vandal activities around our areas of operations not just in the Niger Delta but across other corridors of product supply.

“Activities of oil thieves that has gotten to D OLPLW WKDW ZH KDYHQ·W VHHQ EHIRUH DOPRVW bringing down this industry to its knees today.

“As we speak now, our production total is less than 1.5 million barrels per day. This no GRXEW ZLOO DͿHFW WKH LQYHVWLQJ FRPSDQLHV they will not have the resources to continue to invest and therefore making more and more sustainable employment to become a challenge, no doubt about it.

“That is why all of us must practically come together to see how we can contend it. There is so much going on now. We are leading a process to ensure that we intervene in the security matter.

“We want to ensure that everybody is involved so that ultimately we are able to get back this industry or other wise this industry

will collapse in our hands and if it does, we will not be talking about employment and this is the reality we are facing today.

“You are very critical in stopping some of the situations today because when people steal products and they convert them to diesel, they will use your trucks to bring them into the country.

“And you can play a very prominent role to stop some of these transactions going on and I really implore all of us to come on the desk so that this industry can survive.

“We are partners and workers in the industry and NNPC is here to protect and preserve every institution that is helping this industry to grow and survive.” .\DUL·V PHVVDJH WR 1$572 DQG 183(1* to assist in curbing oil theft and pipeline vandalism is very strategic.

In addition to stealing oil from the pipelines, oil theft also occurs during the transportation of the crude oil product to the oil terminals for export.

As stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, the support of NUPENG and NARTO is vital in sustaining the fight against crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

For instance, NARTO is the umbrella organization of all commercial vehicles owners in Nigeria engaged in the haulage of Petroleum Products, General Cargoes, and movement of passengers, within the Country and the entire West-Africa subregion.

If the NNPC can secure the support of NARTO to join the fight against crude oil WKHIW LW ZLOO KHOS WR UHGXFH WKH TXDQWLW\ RI crude oil being stolen. This is because with DGHTXDWH EDFNJURXQG FKHFNV LW ZRXOG EH GL΀FXOW IRU HFRQRPLF VDERWHXUV WR PRYH stolen crude from the location where the pipeline was vandalised to the point where the oil would be sold.

Apart from operators in the oil and gas industry, the oil-producing communities must also play a vital role in supporting security along the oil infrastructure.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 10, 2022

20

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21

APRIL 10, 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

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INVESTING

Q&A SESSION WITH MY BILLIONAIRE FRIEND (1)

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ased on feedback from readers, we shall be featuring a Q&A session where readers get to ask my Billionaire Friends questions. All questions should be titled QUESTIONS FOR MY BILLIONAIRE FRIEND, which should be sent to ayo.arowoolo@thisdaylive.com. You can also text your questions to 08086447494. They will be treated the same way as the ones sent via email.

We are, therefore, happy to present to you the first set of questions from readers and my Billionaire Friend’s responses to them. Kindly read to the end.

“The best scientists and explorers have the attributes of kids! They ask questions and have a sense of wonder.

They have curiosity. ‘Who, what, where, why, when and how!’ They never stop asking questions, and I never stop asking questions, just like a five year old.” – Sylvia Earle “I think that probably the most important thing about our education was that it taught us to question even those things we thought we knew.” – Thabo Mbeki “A prudent question is one-half of wisdom.” – Francis Bacon “Question everything. Every stripe, every star, every word spoken. Everything.” – Ernest Gaines “My investment of time, as an educator, in my judgment, is best served teaching people how to think about the world around them. Teach them how to pose a question.

How to judge whether one thing is true versus the other.”

– Neil deGrasse Tyson

QUESTION 1: HOW DO I CREATE THE SPARE TIME TO BUILD WEALTH? In one of your sessions, you suggested that we could successfully build wealth while working for others.

This looks exciting to me, but my challenge is time.

Most employers load you with so much work that there will be no space to breathe, leaving no time for moonlight. How then would it be possible for one to create time to create one’s other sources of income?

I have been asked this question often, and it amuses me how people complain that they do not have the time to build their own future. My reaction to such people is that they have not properly structured their lives to focus on important issues. I will back this up with practical examples.

One of my junior associates, who worked closely with me in 1984 while I was on a board in an executive capacity, was fascinated by how good I was with multitasking - pursued my academic and professional goals while in active work.

He had been silently observing and wondering about how I was such a success in multi-tasking. One morning, he walked up to me, requesting me to assist in mentoring him. He stated very clearly what he wanted to achieve in life. I gladly accepted to mentor him because I saw in him some strong determination, commitment and focus to succeed through academics. He started by obtaining a university diploma from the Lagos State University on a part-time basis. He thereafter proceeded to study on the same part-time basis at the same university and graduated with an honours degree in Law. He resigned, using his accumulated savings to study for one year at the law school, only in Lagos at that time. Thereafter, he went ahead to obtain his master’s degree in Law while sustaining himself and his newly acquired nuclear family with some short-time legal practice. Currently, he has built a house in Lagos and his village, sponsored his three kids to graduation from the university and is busy pursuing his PhD and legal practice. He was thus successfully mentored to pursue and fulfill his dreams.

The second example that I would cite has to do with my upgrading the quality of personnel which I inherited as chairman of a board, overseeing two major organisations.

At resumption as chairman, I had to introduce the policy that workers seeking to attain management positions must, of necessity, be in possession of university first degrees. The policy was greeted with massive protests by workers of the two organisations. After consultation with all stakeholders, I got my board to introduce the policy of study leave with pay for all personnel who seek to obtain university degrees. Many have, over the years, since benefited from this revolutionary policy. It benefited the personnel of the two organisations, their states and Nigeria in general. One in particular, who originally strongly led the protest by the workers, later took up the challenge.

He thereafter proceeded to obtain his first degree, two master’s degrees and a PhD while utilising that policy. As of today, he is the executive director-general of a national parastatal after retiring as a permanent secretary in his state government service.

As a third example, I gainfully used my evening/night times to obtain a post-graduate degree and pass professional examinations in the pursuit of my knowledge-seeking and wealth-building commitment and goals. Most times, in the evenings and at weekends, even as an executive director, member and chairman of some boards, I had

Artist Impression of my Billionaire Friend

I have been asked this question severally, and it amuses me how people complain that they do not have the time to build their own future. My reaction to such people is that they have not properly structured their lives to focus on important issues to be reading lying on the floor of my offices, to read with some of my colleagues who shared common goals with me. Today, many of them have also successfully achieved their different goals. The question then is: Did God create additional time for them? The answer is capital NO. Indeed, while their colleagues were watching football, drinking and partying away their time and lives, these individuals were investing their time effectively to acquire the knowledge and literacy for building wealth.

Humans can achieve a lot if they can effectively and judiciously prioritise spending their scarce time acquiring knowledge and building wealth for themselves, family and nation. The key to this is multi-tasking. When and if we establish clear and compelling goals, we can successfully achieve numerous goals simultaneously while also excelling in them. That has been my experience.

While I was studying for a second degree in one of our nation’s top universities, I had to combine being the chairman of the board of two giant entities with over 300 personnel and being an executive director of another company, travelling extensively as my job required, and was also supervising my property investment projects.

Interestingly, I still ended up with the best result at the end of that degree program.

Looking back now, I remember how I would go for lectures immediately after office work and while using every available hour, on weekdays, weekends and nights times, to study. One thing that also helped me was that I encouraged others with the same degree and professional examination goals to read and study with me. Of importance is that I did not allow any of these personal developmental goals to affect my responsibilities to my employers. The point I am making here is that a lot depends on how effectively you multi-task, focus, and manage your time. I recommend reading “the tyranny of the urgent” - a short essay on prioritising and maximising time.

QUESTION 2: CAN’T I BUILD WEALTH WITHOUT ACQUIRING FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE? You stated in one of your previous conversations that to successfully build wealth, one must acquire

basic financial knowledge and literacy. I am just wondering why this should be a pre-requisite. I have observed individuals with wealth but who did not acquire precedent knowledge. Could you please clarify this?

First, I need to get you to understand that there is a wide difference between being rich and being wealthy.

If you have a lot of cash at your disposal, regardless of how you accumulated it, you would be tagged rich, especially in the African context. But in this series, we are focusing on those who build wealth with integrity, reputation and hard work and who are involved with the acquisition of financial literacy.

Secondly, I would like to suggest that when people pursue the acquisition of knowledge, they, in return, increase the options available to them to build wealth.

With basic knowledge of the many investments that the uninformed may consider risky, the informed would usually find good investment options to fetch you good returns.

In my case, since I knew I would participate actively and heavily in investments in stocks, I found the time to acquire the necessary knowledge for good investments in the stock market. The precedent knowledge acquired became very handy in helping to upgrade my know-how for good selection of stocks in the market. At the initial stage of this investment, I had to rely on the available stocks from implementing the then federal government policy on indigenisation. At that time, such indigenisation policy was implemented by government fiat: shares held by foreigners in Nigeria were transferred to Nigerian indigenes.

I used to read newspapers a lot in my young undergraduate days, from there I was able to gather lots of useful information for analysing our economic situation. My perception, then, was that the stock market would grow and that the value of the shares would greatly increase. Hence, I started buying small volumes of shares.

But as time passed on, things were not shaping up as expected. Many of the top Nigerian executives who took control of companies in Nigeria from foreigners ended up abusing their privileged positions. They jettisoned basic corporate governance rules strictly adhered to by the expatriates who handed them over to them.

With time as my investment in this area grew, I had to further upgrade my investment knowledge. I needed to apply the basic skills and investment understanding to my investment in shares. I began to use both trend and fundamental analysis for my investment decision in the stock market. Trend analysis allows you to look at market trends in any stock and their regression lines to determine their future growth potential and whether one should invest in them or not.

Fundamental analysis, on the other hand, enables one to analyse the audited financial accounts of companies, with a view to determining the real values of their shares, vis-a-vis their market values. Where some favourable net values are obtained, the stock market investors using fundamental analysis, take advantage to invest in such stocks for good future returns. Negative obtained net market to real value of stocks, as obtained from the fundamental analysis, does not usually attract a buy of such stocks by stock market investors. Without some basic knowledge such as this, it would not have been easy for me to strongly invest in the stock market the way that I did over many years. I would still have had to heavily rely on my stockbrokers to take decisions on my behalf.

QUESTION 3: CAN I BUILD WEALTH WITHOUT BEING ACTIVELY INVOLVED? I have read all your conversations from the start to the current one. I found them to be interesting.

In them, you often assert that one can build wealth while working for others. I assume that it would take too much time and personal attention to be able to do that successfully. Could you, therefore, kindly throw more light on this?

Again, this issue still boils down to acquiring a basic investment or financial knowledge. It is not in all cases where you have to be physically involved. I built up my real estate investment portfolio while still in active employment after acquiring relevant knowledge in that area. The knowledge acquired opened up some opportunities, which I may not have noticed but for my

I gainfully used my evening/night times to obtain a post-graduate degree and pass professional examinations in the pursuit of my knowledge seeking and wealth-building commitment and goals. Most times, in the evenings and at weekends, even as an executive director, member and chairman of some boards, I had to be reading lying on the floor of my offices, to read with some of my colleagues who shared common goals with me

basic acquired knowledge in that area of investment. I also had to rely on the expertise of others to realise decent incomes without leaving my desk. All these happened within a short period.

A year later, a World Cup event of a particular game was announced to take place in Manchester City in the UK. As soon as the announcement was made, and before the games, I made a forecast about some significant increase in the value of properties in Manchester City. I then sought out and contacted a Nigerian real estate value company with business interests in Manchester to purchase five properties for me. The five properties purchased were between £12,500 to £15,000 each. I then spent £5,000 to refurbish all the properties and rented them out to tenants for income streams. I sold each of them for £100,000 net, without leaving Nigeria and without appropriating my employers’ time. I repeated this same experience in South Africa after the World Cup was announced to be hosted, thereby investing in Sandton City, Johannesburg.

All in all, you can build wealth even while sleeping. A lot depends on your investment knowledge and know-how.

QUESTION 4: HOW DO I MAKE THE BEST A MENTORING RELATIONSHIP? I read from you that it is necessary to have a mentor if one truly wants to build wealth and succeed in life. I am currently targeting a particular individual to be my mentor. Could you be kind enough to advise me about getting the best out of mentoring relationships? Again, of the various people that you have mentored what factors would you say separate those who made success of the relationship and those who could not?

Good question!

I also wondered why I would expose some group of individuals to the same set of success principles, with some of them going ahead to do great things while others would just bungle the entire mentoring process.

Here are my findings: Top on the list is that we must recognise that each individual has their different personal ambitions. They know exactly what they want and only need someone to guide them. Some mentees do not need much motivation; they just go ahead to apply every bit of information shared with them.

Two, all my mentees who have succeeded have listening ears. They do not assume that they know it all already.

They would grab as much of what you are sharing as possible.

Third, successful mentees have the inherent zeal to succeed. They are mostly self-motivated and ready to devise whatever it takes to succeed.

Fourth is what I call inner intelligence. They are mostly clever and have the drive to succeed. When you share one idea with them, they are already thinking of what to add together to make it work.

Fifth, they are loyal to their mentors. You can not believe that some of my mentees who have just walked away with no words of appreciation after gaining one or two things They do not know how to say THANK YOU. A few of them who have made my mentoring successful have been loyal. These always remember what happened and who gave them a helping hand.

The sixth and final one is determination, inner drive, and persistence. Those who have made the success of my mentoring relationship have exhibited these characteristics.

They are on their feet in and out of season. When they fail, they consider it feedback and get right back on their feet and soldier on. Those are my observations. If you want to make the best of your relationships with your mentor, you must have most of these attributes mentioned above.

QUESTION 5: DO YOU HAVE A MENTORING SCHOOL I CAN ENROL IN? Sir, do you have a mentoring school where one can be guided on how to put into practice all these powerful nuggets you share weekly?

Taking action is my greatest challenge, and I believe that getting someone to back me up could help. Please consider me if you have one.

You are already being mentored by the nuggets we share in the weekly sessions. One quick advice I would give is that you should look for an accountability partner, someone who is going in the same direction as you and work together to challenge yourself. I believe this would help a lot.

We resume our conversation next week.

See you next week!

Yours money wisely. ayo.arowolo@thisdaylive.com 08086447494 PS: Remember: all questions titled: QUESTIONS FOR MY BILLIONAIRE FRIEND should be sent to ayo.arowolo@thisdaylive.com. You can also test your questions to 08086447494. They will be treated the same way as the ones sent via email

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T H I S D AY MONDAYSunday MARCH 14, 2022 10 April, 2022 Vol 27. No 9861.

OPI NION

127 TR

BATTLE FOR CROSS RIVER’S GOVT HOUSE It is still anybody’s game, reckons GODWIN OBASINJOM

See page 28 BEYOND FORMS AND FRAUDS KENE OBIEZU urges the electorate to be cautious with the kind of people they sponsor into public office See page 53 PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND ZONING The party is on a suicide mission, contends UCHE OFFIAH See page 53 EDITORIAL IPOB ‘SIT AT HOME’: ENDING A DISRUPTIVE PROTEST

See page 54

N

The party’s decision on zoning will likely determine its fate in the next election, writes Joseph Ode

2023 PRESIDENCY: THE WORLD WAITS FOR PDP T

See page 28

& RE A S O

opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

NIGERIA: A COUNTRY IN RUINS CHIEDU UCHE OKOYE writes that the country is endangered

UT H

he world is waiting for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). After months of arguments, altercations, accusations and counter accusations by party faithful, the party set up a Zoning Committee a couple of weeks ago, headed by Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State. The Committee was mandated to determine the zoning of the position of the President of Nigeria to the North or South of the country ahead of the party’s Special National Convention (Presidential primary) scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, May 28 and 29, 2022.

Apart from the need to comply with the party’s constitution which provides for zoning DQG URWDWLRQ RI SDUW\ DQG JRYHUQPHQW RIÀFHV zoning the position of President is aimed at VWUHDPOLQLQJ WKH ÀHOG RI DVSLUDQWV DQG SLFNLQJ D standard bearer from the part of the country that would give the party advantage over its rivals.

The arch-rival and ruling party at the Federal level, the All Progressives Congress (APC) had zoned its Presidential seat to the South and picked its National Chairman from the North.

PDP which had earlier elected its National Chairman from the North was expected to zone the position of President to the South to balance its own weight. Apart from that, zoning the Presidency to the South, according to the proponents of 2023 President of Southern origin, would ensure fairness, equity and justice since President Buhari who would be serving out his maximum two terms of eight years next year is from the North.

But the pro-Northern camp argues that out of PDP’s 16-year rule, 1999 - 2015, the South held sway for 14 years and the North for a paltry two.

To them, to take the Presidency to the South in 2023 would amount to marginalization of the North by the party. They also argue that PDP, as the opposition party, must not necessarily follow the ruling party’s political ‘miscalculation’ by zoning the Presidency to the South with relatively few votes, but should zone it to the North where the bulk of presidential votes are usually harvested from.

There are so many other arguments for and against the North and South which the Ortomled Zoning Committee must have considered in their Tuesday meeting in Abuja. The nation waited in suspense for most of that day to hear which side won. But what came out of the meeting was an anti-climax. The media quoted inside sources as saying the Committee had decided not to zone the position of President; that any aspirant from any part of the country was free to contest. The Committee reportedly based its decision on the limitation of time, saying that any zoning decision ought to be taken six months before the primary election.

The reports went viral in the media.

But the following day, Governor Ortom, in a television interview, denied that his Committee threw the PDP presidential contest open, but insisted that a decision was taken which had been passed to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party for further action. The NEC is expected to either approve the recommendation of the zoning Committee or throw it out and take its own position. What this means is that the nation, particularly the PDP community, is back to square one on the presidential zoning controversy.

In the period leading up to the PDP 1(& PHHWLQJ ZKRVH GDWH LV \HW WR EH À[HG Presidential aspirants from both sides of the GLYLGH ZLOO PDNH IUDQWLF HIIRUWV WR LQÁXHQFH WKH outcome of the NEC meeting. Their supporters will take the zoning argument to the next level; the rival APC will watch with trepidation; the

Nigeria electorate will be getting their PVCs ready for action, while the rest of the world will be enjoying the abracadabra called Nigerian politics.

But as the world awaits PDP’S NEC meeting, it is necessary to repeat what I said in my Open letter to Governor Ortom, Chairman of the PDP Zoning Committee, published widely in the Social Media on the eve of the Committee’s meeting. I said that a decision not to zone at all, that is, to leave the presidency open to contest across geopolitical zones should not be an option. Such a decision would be contrary to the party’s constitution which provides for zoning and rotation of party and government RIÀFHV 0RUHRYHU WKH SDUW\·V HIIRUWV LQ VHWWLQJ up the Zoning Committee would be wasted if all the party can achieve is to come up with a no-zoning resolution. What’s worse, leaving the presidential contest open could lead to a situation whereby the party would produce both its National Chairman and presidential candidate from the North. In the event of this happening, the South would feel marginalized and revolt against the party in the main election.

If other advocates of fairness and justice from the North vote in line with their conscience, it could cause electoral loss for the party.

PDP should shun the temptation to accept the argument that zoning the Presidency to a particular region or geopolitical zone would VWLÁH PHULW RU FRVW WKH SDUW\ YLFWRU\ DW WKH SROOV This argument is self-serving as zoning is not necessarily inconsistent with merit or leadership capability. There is no part of this country today that cannot produce a President who can rescue Nigeria from its current free fall into disaster. In fact, any decision that undermines the feelings, emotions, experiences and yearnings of the majority of the electorate across the country is a sure recipe for electoral failure. Therefore, to be effective in securing electoral victory, the zoning decision must be aimed at gaining advantage over the opposing political parties rather than assuaging intra-party interests. That is why the argument for balancing the 14:2 years ratio between South and North, an intra-party matter, cannot hold water within the context of a pan Nigeria election.

Fairness, equity, justice and inclusiveness must be the bases for the zoning decisions to be taken by the PDP NEC. The party’s mantra, going into the forthcoming general elections, is to Rescue and Rebuild Nigeria from bad and purposeless leadership. The foundation and catalyst for good leadership

is built on a credible electoral process. For PDP, that process begins with the zoning DQG EDODQFLQJ RI NH\ RIÀFHV ZLWKLQ WKH SDUW\ beginning from the congresses through the National Convention and terminating with the general elections. It is, therefore, imperative for the NEC to get it right, the same way the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s Committee did LQ WKH ]RQLQJ RI WKH 1DWLRQDO RIÀFHV RI WKH SDUW\ It was the Ugwuanyi Committee that gave PDP the hitch-free, rancour-free, peaceful, free, fair and credible National Convention which produced the Dr. Iorchia Ayu-led National Working Committee. Until its report is made public, we don’t know yet how its successor, the Governor Ortom-led Zoning Committee, has performed.

As the PDP NEC prepares to take a makeor-mar decision on zoning of the presidency, it should realize that it faces similar daunting tasks at the state level in respect of the Governorship position. How the party handles those cases could determine its fate in the general elections.

Abia and Benue states are typical examples.

In Abia State, Governor Ikpeazu is alleged to be working on a scheme to anoint his kingsman from Ngwa as his successor next year. Dr. Iorchia Ayu, PDP National Chairman, who was in Umuahia, the State capital, last Wednesday, was greeted by a protesting youth group from Abia North who demanded justice from him and the Governor. Ayu reportedly warned Governor Ikpeazu against any action capable of costing PDP electoral victory in the state in the forthcoming election.

The situation in Benue state is even more worrisome. Benue South Senatorial District (Zone C) has never produced the state Governor since the creation of the state 46 years ago. The Governorship position has been alternating between the Tiv-speakng zones A and B after each eight-year election cycle since 1999, leaving the Idoma and Igede-speaking zone C in the cold. In the last two years, Benue South has launched a powerful agitation for the 2023 Governorship seat through a group known as Benue Rebirth Movement (BRM), headed by the respected Avm Monday Morgan (rtd). BRM is insisting on the zoning of the governorship position by all the political parties, especially APC and PDP, to zone C. So far, Benue South has been able to come up with a zonal consensus candidate (Engr. Benson Abounu, the incumbent Deputy Governor). But he has to contend with over 30 other governorship aspirants from Zone A. Dr. Ayu, Governor Ortom and Senator Gabriel Suswam (Zone A) are in the process of pruning the number down to a single aspirant who will square up with Zone C’s Abounu. But Zone C people interprete the emergence of powerful aspirants from zone A and the body language of Tiv leaders to mean an unwillingness on the part of the Tiv to relinquish power. Depending on where APC picks its gubernatorial candidate from, PDP may face some consequences if it fails to nominate its gubernatorial standard bearer from Zone C. Matters of fairness, equity and justice in Benue, Abia and other states as well as at the national level will significantly determine whether Nigerians will give PDP the mandate next year to implement its avowed mission to rescue and rebuild Nigeria.

Ode writes from Makurdi

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NIGERIA: A COUNTRY IN RUINS CHIEDU UCHE OKOYE writes that the country is endangered

The founding fathers of Nigeria such as Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, OsitaAgwuna,Anthony Enahoro, Mokwugo Okoye, and others never envisaged that Nigeria would become a laughing stock and butt of jokes among the comity of nations given her abundant natural and human resources. They thought that successive Nigerian leaders would harness our natural and human resources to build a virile, economically prosperous, technologically - advanced, and a united nation. But their dream as well as vision for a great Nigeria has become a mirage.

But why has Nigeria been retrogressing instead of progressing since October 1, 1960 when the British Union Jack was lowered and Nigeria’s green and white flag hoisted to signify Nigeria’s attainment of political sovereignty? Ethnic animosity, which has existed among the peoples of Nigeria, is one of the causes of Nigeria’s disunity. And our disunity hinders the development of Nigeria.

In the first republic, our politicians, who were acutely conscious of their ethnic origins, promoted ethnic nationalism rather than our national unity. Were the political parties in the first republic not formed along ethnic lines?

The AG was to the Yoruba what the NCNC was to the Igbo people. And NPC existed for the promotion of the northern interests.

It should be noted that the January 15, 1966 coup and the July 1966 counter-coup , which disrupted our democratic growth and halted our national development, were caused chiefly by the ethnic distrust , which existed among Nigeria’s ruling political elite. So the political troubles of the 1960s snowballed into the fratricidal Nigeria-Biafra civil war, which caused the ruination of our economy and the destruction of human lives and properties.

Millions of Igbo people were needlessly killed in that war.

But corrupt political leadership and the military incursions into our politics had dealt a severe blow to our country. We still remember how the army of occupation misruled Nigeria from 1966 to 1978, and from 1983 to 1999. General Muhammadu Buhari as the Nigerian Head of State between 1983 and 1985 trampled on our fundamental human rights and enacted draconian and retroactive laws to punish law-breakers. And Gen. Babangida (rtd) gained infamy for institutionalizing corruption in Nigeria and cancelling the June 12, 1993 presidential election, which was the freest and fairest presidential election in our political annals.

His military successor, after Ernest Shonekan, head of the interim government, was shoved aside, was Sani Abacha. Abacha

possessed sanguinary proclivities and unbridled kleptomania. His loot is still being repatriated to Nigeria many years after he had died, a measure of the magnitude of his pillaging of our financial resources.

President Shehu Shagari was Nigeria’s first executive president. Shagari, who led Nigeria in the second republic between 1979 and 1983, was an exemplification of an inept political leader. Under his watch, corruption thrived, and the country was going to the dogs before the beret boys staged a military coup and installed Gen Buhari as Nigeria’s head of state.

It should be noted that since 1999, Nigeria has had uninterrupted democratic governance with one civilian government handing the baton of leadership to another, seamlessly and peacefully. The PDP led Nigeria for 16 unbroken years until APC, which was a merger of some political parties, dislodged it from its perch. Soon, the APC will mark its eight years of political reign.

But has Nigeria fared better in this fourth republic than in other political dispensations?

Have the living conditions of Nigerians improved under President Buhari’s democratic government? The answers to the above questions are categorical no. The fact is that the APC-led government has failed to shore up our economy and create employment opportunities for millions of Nigerians. And in many states of the federation, workers, who are in the employ of state governments, are not paid living wages.

More so, the education sector is so neglected that the quality of education obtainable in public schools has plummeted to the lowest depths. The federal governmentASUU endless face-off aptly depicts the quagmire into which the education sector has sunk. And millions of children of school ages are out of school because their parents cannot afford to keep them in schools. Yet, education is the bedrock of national development.

But more worrisome is the fact that insecurity of lives and property pervades the entire landscape with people being killed on a daily basis by terrorists, Boko Haram insurgents, unknown gunmen, and other deadly non- state actors. Death is so commonplace in Nigeria that victims of terrorist acts do not elicit sympathy from us, anymore. And the federal government’s inability to stem the tide of killings portends grave danger for the sovereignty and integrity of our country.

It is saddening that our political leaders, who cannot tackle the issues threatening to tear Nigeria apart, are jostling to contest for elective posts and making insensitive pronouncements. Not for them is the issue of solving the security challenges besetting Nigeria; not for them is the issue of transforming Nigeria to a technologically and economically advanced country; not for them is the issue of instituting a variant of democratic culture that will ensure that the presidential seat rotate among the six geopolitical zones in the country.

The vision of political apocalypse, which many people have about Nigeria, should be treated as an apocryphal tale at our own peril. The fact is that Nigeria is in great danger of implosion based on the festival of bloodletting. And when millions of unemployed youths are further oppressed and marginalized, they will start to seethe.

The outcome and scenario should better be imagined.

Okoye writes from Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State

It is still anybody’s game, reckons GODWIN OBASINJOM

BATTLE FOR CROSS RIVER’S GOVT HOUSE The jostling is on about who should lead Cross River State in 2023. It is now no longer a question of zoning. It is about who has the ZKHUHZLWKDO WR WDNH WKH ÀQDO JXEHUQDWRULDO prize. The list of aspirants is quite long on both sides of the divide – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

For the PDP, Senator Sandy Onor set the trail by making his declaration in November 2021. “So, I, Sandy Ojang Onor, professor of history, senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the one they call ‘The Original Caterpillar’, formerly declare for the position of governor of Cross River State, come 2023,” he declared.

His declaration sparked a hoopla especially from the Southern Senatorial District, who laid claim to an existing zoning arrangement. His

against the grain and declare his intention to run for the gubernatorial prize.

Going forward it is necessary to state that none of the APC aspirants can be expected to spring a surprise against the PDP behemoth in the state. That the APC was able to pull a win in the recently concluded Yala/Ogoja Federal Constituency elections does not suggest that APC would spring any further surprise in the state. Jude Ngaji can expect to join Alex Egbona in the Federal House and that will be it – two out of eight. The other six constituencies still belong to the PDP. The battle then is within the PDP. None of the aspirants is a pushover. Yet, from intense analysis it is easy to say who will be the best foot forward. We have already mentioned Sandy Onor. But he may not get the prize. Sandy is strong, perhaps, in the Central Senatorial District. Against APC, he may not do so well in the south if he were the PDP candidate. The south wants the prize, so they will support a southerner. APC will give them that candidate. In the North, Onor will be going against the brute force of Benedict Ayade. With Onor as PDP’s candidate, for APC, that will be a goal.

Other PDP aspirants have been hyped as jostling for the gubernatorial seat.

The lady among them is Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo. She may stand a chance if all the Cross River women rally around her. But will they allow their sentiments to override their realities? Perhaps, not.

Then there is Arthur Jarvis Archibong. His claim to fame is his father, former Military Governor, Cross River State, BrigadierGeneral Dan Archibong, and his private university that goes with his name. But he is a political novice and remains doubtful as even getting the Southern vote.

ZDV D GHFODUDWLRQ PDGH ZLWK WKH FRQÀGHQFH Possibly a formidable aspirant is Dan of one with a formidable army. But is Onor’s Asuquo, popularly known as DanSuki, war chest working? Let us remind ourselves. It who represents the Akamkpa/Biase was not too long ago that members of Central Federal Constituency. He is popular Senatorial Caucus of the PDP came up with among the Southern youth but remains a a statement denouncing Onor’s aspirations doubt in the other senatorial districts. and expressing support for the aspirations of This leaves us with Senator Gershom the Southern Senatorial Caucus to have one of Bassey, incumbent senator of the Southern their own.

Senatorial district. He has been in the A statement signed by 37 members of the political sphere for quite a while, since the caucus read: truncated reincarnation of democracy in “The Central Senatorial District has Nigeria in 1993; even though he ran for provided leadership, direction and strength SROLWLFDO RIÀFH IRU WKH ÀUVW WLPH LQ vital for the consistent success of PDP in the where he beat Bassey Otu to take the state and resolved that this role has become seat and again in 2019. Bassey is PDP’s even more imperative given the desire of the strongest candidate in the south. Against people of Cross River State to return PDP to an APC, as a candidate he will take the power in 2023.

Central, given the support of the likes of “The Central Senatorial District supports Liyel Imoke and indeed, Sandy Onor. the principle of zoning and rotation of political In the North, it will be a battle. Even if responsibility in the state, and particularly Ayade’s forces win there, it will be very supports the sustenance of the rotation of the slim. governorship of Cross River State following In Cross River State, incumbency does the already established sequence amongst the not always win. History has it that when various senatorial districts. then Cross River State, Dr. Clement Isong, “That the governorship of Cross River State lost in the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in 2023, following the established sequence primaries in 1982, his attempt to back his of rotation, should be zoned to the Southern predecessor, Chief Udoakaha Esuene as Senatorial District of Cross River State; this the standard bearer for Unity Party of SRVLWLRQ LV WDNHQ LQ WKH XQVKDNHQ FRQÀGHQFH Nigeria (UPN) in the subsequent election that there are members of the party from the ÁRSSHG PLVHUDEO\ 7KH &URVV 5LYHU 6WDWH Southern Senatorial District with capacity, electorate does not suffer fools gladly. competence and commitment to lead the state They are loyal and steadfast in their and restore the developmental strides the choices. Unless Ayade can convince state was hitherto known for.” them strongly, the Cross River State But zoning is no longer an issue. It has electorate would not easily vote an been long accepted, perhaps, for the sake of APC. peace that the race is open to all in the party.

But Gershom Bassey cannot afford to It is now a question of who the PDP will put assume he will get the prize that easily. He forward to match the craftiness and guile must be nominated by his party, the PDP, of the incumbent, Senator Benedict Ayade, ÀUVW 7KDW FDQ RQO\ EH LI WKH SDUW\ FRPHV who runs the APC machinery. By the way, together united and pragmatic. It is the Ayade has declared that power must go safest and logical thing. Any other way will to the south making the ambitions of the be winging it, no matter the war chest. likes of Senator Bassey Otu, Bassey Ndem, Asuquo Ekpenyong and Ben Akak stronger, Obasinjom is a filmmaker and even as we hear that John Owan Eno may go lives in London

353

T H I S D AY SUNDAY APRIL 10, 2022

PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND ZONING

KENE OBIEZU urges the electorate to be cautious with the kind of people they sponsor into public office

BEYOND FORMS AND FRAUDS Nigerians may ceaselessly complain about the rising cost RI JRRGV DQG VHUYLFHV LQÁDWLRQ austerity and crunch times in general terms, but with the 2023 general elections rapidly approaching, funds are suddenly and speedily turning up as war chests are built to belie the national mantra and banter among many Nigerians that ‘there is no money.”

With the politics of 2023 already heating up the polity, the pretenders DQG FRQWHQGHUV WR YDULRXV RIÀFHV DUH already mobilizing their forces to launch a full-scale assault and deliver WKH RIÀFHV WKH\ GHVLUH Nigeria`s two major political parties – the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party may be keeping their cards close to their chests about who they would put forward during the elections. However, what is no secret is that only moneybags will stand any chance as money is again poised to play a crucial role in the elections.

Every election usually takes a lot of planning and strategizing. Electoral victories usually gulp a lot of money.

The role of money during elections in Nigeria is a largely inimical one given the prevalence of the `highest bidder mentality’ which usually shapes the outcomes of elections during primaries and at the polls proper, such that candidates who cannot come up with huge amounts usually see their aspirations falter.

While many of those who contest and win usually boast deep pockets or access to deep pockets, whether they admit it or not, many of those who contribute money during elections usually do so with an eye on returns – returns on their LQYHVWPHQWV 6HUYLQJ SXEOLF RIÀFHUV have been known to callously dip their hands into public funds to buy SXEOLF RIÀFHV IRU WKHPVHOYHV RU WKHLU stooges.

Now, with 2023 breathing down our necks, many politicians have been heard to say that as a result of their goodwill, supporters have bought forms for them to contest HOHFWLRQV LQWR GLIIHUHQW RIÀFHV DW QR SHUVRQDO FRVW 7KH ÁRXULVK ZLWK which many of them announce this is usually fashioned to kill two ELUGV ZLWK D VROH VWRQH 7KH ÀUVW LV WR show that they are into the contests for a penny and for a pound, and the second is to show that they command popular support.

In spite of the incredible predilection the average Nigerian politician has for hyperbole, some of the stories of support groups buying forms running into millions of naira are credible. In fact, two support groups of a certain politician from Niger State almost came to blows as they squabbled over which of the groups would buy the forms for him.

Politics is well a game of numbers and these support groups may have no qualms about buying the forms which usually run into

millions of naira given that if the one they support wins, they will have returns. Yet, in a country haunted by bad governance, the buyers of these forms must beware the kind of people WKH\ VSRQVRU LQWR SXEOLF RIÀFH The Nigerian experience has been WKDW RQFH D SROLWLFLDQ JHWV LQWR RIÀFH removing him by the exercise of any of the constitutional tools of recall or LPSHDFKPHQW LV H[WUHPHO\ GLIÀFXOW Because of this, no matter how poor his performance may be, he sits tight especially as long as sycophants regale him with tall tales. Those who wish to see his back usually have to wait for the next elections. And even then, he may do everything in his power to FRQWLQXH LQ RIÀFH The power of the electorate usually begins from the levels of consultations and reaches its crescendo at the ballot box. Beyond that, there is little an infant democracy can do once the GLDEROLFDO GHDIQHVV WKDW DIÁLFWV PDQ\ D 1LJHULDQ SXEOLF RIÀFHU VHWV LQ If Nigeria is the way it is today, it is because we have in government

When someone who got into office through election fails in office, two facts immediately become clear. The first is that the person in question failed as a leader, and the second is that those who elected him failed to choose wisely many people who have absolutely no business being there. It is why Nigerians must look carefully, see clearly and painstakingly sift the best from the shoal of piranhas putting out themselves for 2023. It is only the best and the best alone that can do. We cannot afford to get it wrong.

The most important component that goes into the making of great leaders is compassion for those they lead.

Many Nigerian leaders genuinely lack this quality and so when they JHW LQWR RIÀFH WKH\ DUH DEOH WR VKXW out anything else. Being successful in RQHCV ÀHOG GRHV QRW QHFHVVDULO\ PDNH one a great leader. Nigerians must choose carefully. :KHQ VRPHRQH ZKR JRW LQWR RIÀFH WKURXJK HOHFWLRQ IDLOV LQ RIÀFH WZR facts immediately become clear. The ÀUVW LV WKDW WKH SHUVRQ LQ TXHVWLRQ failed as a leader, and the second is that those who elected him failed to choose wisely. keneobiezu@gmail.com

The party is on a suicide mission, contends UCHE OFFIAH The labour of our heroes past Shall never be in vain To build a nation where peace and justice shall rein -Nigerian National Anthem The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was a brain child of G34, formed to wrestle power from Nigeria military after several years of dictatorship. The G34 led by the late former Nigerian vice president, Chief Alex Ekwueme dialogued and settled on a retired military general, and former military Head of state, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as their presidential candidate in the 1999 presidential election under the PDP. A landmark gentleman’s agreement was also reached which includes the breaking of Nigeria into six zones as well as for the presidency of Nigeria to rotate between North and South.

7KH SDUW\ JDYH WKH ÀUVW FKRLFH WR WKH South west in an attempt to empathise with them for the glaring injustice done to Chief M.K.O Abiola, who clearly won 1993 presidential election annulled by the military government.

In line with the gentleman’s agreement, all the presidential candidates of the PDP for the election were from the western zone of the country. Some of them included General Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd) and Chief Olu Falaye. Chief Obasanjo won and after eight years, late President Umaru Yar’Adua took over. Dr. Peter Odili, the former Governor of Rivers state, was almost cruising to victory as the PDP candidate but was prevailed upon to step down for Alhaji Yar’Adua to keep faith with the agreement on zoning.

President Yar’Adua’s tenure was aborted by the cold hands of death and constitutionally, his vice, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was to complete the tenure which ended in the 2011. GEJ contested on his own as a seating president and won. The attempt to contest for the second term

by President Goodluck was vehemently opposed by the Northern elite who advised GEJ to respect the zoning agreement and the disagreement led to the exodus of powerful northern politicians to join then opposition party APC which eventually won 2015 presidential election.

It is noteworthy that the All Progressives Change (APC) also bought into the zoning principle and agreed that after President Buhari the presidency would rotate to the south. The lacuna remains that zoning is not in the constitution, it is just a convention. 2023 presidential election could prove to be a litmus test for the survival of the zoning agreement as Nigeria would witness how the two major parties; PDP and APC would keep faith or otherwise in WKH ]RQLQJ DUUDQJHPHQW 7KHUH LV QR RIÀFLDO pronouncement so far from the two major parties because of divergent opinions from each party on the zoning issue.

However, APC seems to upheld the zoning principle-but PDP’s body language is in the contrary. The searchlight is on Chief Bola Tinubu, the nominal leader of the party; the vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Kayode Fayemi and the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola as well as Chief Ken Nnamani, former Senate President together with the Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu.

For the opposition party PDP, the confusion has reached the peak despite the fact that the chairmanship is effectively occupied by Dr. Iyorchia Ayu. The clamour for the presidential ticket from the North disregards the zoning arrangement while the south insists on

zoning. The Southern Governors had long insisted on zoning come the 2023 presidential election.

The gambling attempt to dump the zoning legacy that PDP bequeathed Nigeria democracy is a suicide mission.

If the North succeeds in this gamble, PDP would live to regret it, whether the party wins the presidency in 2023 or not.

It is an unforgivable offence to destroy a legacy the founding fathers of PDP built ZLWK SHUVRQDO VDFULÀFHV DQG KDUG ODERXU MXVW IRU WKH LQWHUHVW RI D KDQGIXO VHOÀVK individuals with neither the interest of the nation nor the party at heart.

Genuine statesmen and women in Nigeria, especially former heads of state and all those who believe in one Nigeria and fought to keep it united, should speak out against injustice, inequity and unfairness.

Similarly, all those who have enjoyed the dividend of zoning from the Southwest, Northwest and Southsouth should rise up with one voice in support of the zoning principle that gives every zone a sense of belonging.

It is a win-win situation for every zone.

Besides, the Southeast suffered all-round marginalisation for eight solid years for supporting GEJ of South-South in 2015 and also Chief Obasanjo of Southwest when even the Southwest rejected him.

There is a dire need for every zone in the south to reciprocate Southeast for the support given to them in the past.

The potential candidates of PDP from the Southeast include the former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi; former Senate President and former Secretary to Federal Government (SGF) Chief Pius Anyim; Chief MAO Ohuabunwa an accomplished private sector guru; the former President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo with several ministerial positions, among others. For the Southeast, it is the presidency or nothing. In fact, the Southeast elder ’s consultative forum Abuja has threatened any surrogate politician who accepts the position of vice-presidential candidate with stiff sanctions.

Despite the gains of zoning, many politicians of fortune are doing everything to destroy this legacy. PDP cannot afford to destroy the house it built just for personal ambition and sectional interest.

2IÀDK writes from Abuja

4 54

T H I S D AY SUNDAY APRIL 10, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

IPOB ‘SIT AT HOME’: ENDING A DISRUPTIVE PROTEST Governors in the Southeast should be committed and creative in confronting the self-harming protest

T

he Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) phenomenon remains a questionable expression of identity politics in today’s Nigeria. In the process of driving home their grievances, members of IPOB factions have taken actions that amount to challenging the sovereign integrity of the Nigerian federation. Police installations have been bombed.

Security personnel have been killed. The military has been called in to restore law and order in extreme cases.

In the process, provable violations of human and citizen rights have occurred in parts of the Southeast.

One aspect of the IPOB protests that has attracted severe criticism is the illegal imposition of a weekly ‘sit at home’ order throughout the Southeast. During the lockdowns, usually every Monday, businesses, RIÀFHV EDQNV PDUNHWV and other essential services are compelled to remain closed. Urban streets, interstate highways and sometimes schools are usually deserted. On such days, an eerie silence overcomes the zone and creates an atmosphere of an undeclared emergency resembling a state of war. Meanwhile, between enforcement of supposed IPOB wishes and involvement in petty crimes, the dividing line is often thin and frequently breached. For the security agencies, enforcement of citizens’ rights to free movement gets entangled with curbing potentially treasonous escapades.

A more worrisome aspect of the sit-at-home regime has been a colossal decline in business transactions and general shrinkage of economic opportunities. The net loss to the economies of the affected states has been calculated to amount to several billions of Naira. The extensive economic haemorrhage is multiplied by the fact that most citizens in the Southeast operate in the informal sector as traders, shop owners, artisans, craftsmen, industrialists, wholesalers, and retailers of a motley of merchandise.

Shutting down the economic space and closing schools in the entire zone may have been IPOB’s most effective way of popularising its grievances. But people complied on the sit-at- home lockdown days not necessarily in willing obedience to IPOB and its separatist argument but rather because they were mostly afraid for their lives and the safety of their

property from rough enforcers, violent vigilantes, and plain thugs. To compel the citizenry to go about their normal legitimate undertakings, the security forces often come into violent confrontation with these armed miscreants.

The obvious decline of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Southeast because of the unwise weekly lockdowns is a direct challenge to the political control RI WKH ]RQH E\ LWV ÀYH JRYHUQRUV 7KH SRSXODFH ZDV obeying the regime of fear imposed by IPOB and largely ignoring the pitiable elected governors. Such loss of sovereign control was indicative of a larger erosion of political authority and serial failure of the states as agents of law, order, and security. To a large extent, therefore, the IPOB sit-athome’ order has become a matter of national security.

It had started to create a psychology of war and desolate exclusion in the zone to the embarrassment of the federal government.

But the community action required to end the illconceived lockdowns rested with political authorities in the affected states.

It is therefore commendable that the newly elected Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, has initiated positive citizen-based action leading to a symbolic end to the sit-at- home’ regime. He has followed up with enforcement of law and order which OHG ÁHHLQJ FULPLQDOV WR EXUQ WKH KHDGTXDUWHUV RI Aguata local government last week. Admitting that 85 per cent of those arrested as gunmen are from a state in the South-east, while the remaining 15 per cent are from another state in the same zone, Soludo asked, “How do you explain to any sane mind that responsible citizens have elected to pursue a supposed legitimate cause adopting criminal strategies of kidnapping, arson and murder?”

We expect the other governors in the Southeast to be as committed and creative in confronting this menace as Soludo. They need to be stout and proactive in seeing an end to a bizarre militancy that has become a thriving industry for some unscrupulous pe ople within the zone and is harming the same people for whom IPOB FODLPV WR EH ÀJKWLQJ 7KHUH LV DOVR DQ XUJHQW QHHG WR intensify engagements with the federal government and other stakeholders to heal old wounds and right festering wrongs in the Southeast.

The governors need to be stout and proactive in seeing an end to a bizarre militancy that has become a thriving industry for some unscrupulous people T H I S D AY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA 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

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& R E A SO

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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

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LETTERS

MUBARAK BALA: A MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE We the members of Calabar Humanists Association unanimously reject the judgment of the Kano State High Court as it amounts to a miscarriage of justice. We demand that the President of Humanists Association of Nigeria be set free and reunited with his family.

Mr Mubarak Bala has languished under illegal detention for two years despite court orders for his immediate release. During this period, the Islamic community, which apparently controls the government and social structures of WKH 6WDWH KDYH PDGH VLJQLÀFDQW WKUHDW to compel him to admit guilt when it is apparent to all that he is innocent. Mr Bala is a chemical engineer, husband and father, and whose travails began in 2014 when he announced on his Facebook page that he is no longer a Muslim, but an atheist.

He should not have done that?

Apparently, this public declaration

saved him from being tried in a Sharia court. It also saved him from living a life of pretence as every Muslim is expected to observe the compulsory daily ULWXDOV WKDW GHÀQH ,VODP +H ZDV QR ORQJHU REOLJHG WR SUD\ ÀYH WLPHV GDLO\ and to fast during Ramadan.

But the religious community wouldn’t have it. His immediate family were the ÀUVW WR VWULNH +H ZDV DFFXVHG RI EHLQJ insane and forcefully admitted into a mental institution for 18 days. During this period he was given medications to ‘correct’ his alleged mental defects until the atheist community in Nigeria was able to secure his release. From then onwards, he became a marked man. He received death threats regularly from members of his former faith. Before his deconversion, he was a pious Muslim who attended the Saudi funded Islamic Foundation, Aliyu Bin Abi Talib primary school. He was

trained in the Wahhabi Islamic thought, with a jihad ideology and later attended an all-Muslim private science secondary school, Hassan I. Gwarzo, in Kano State, where Islamic (Qur’anic) study is given a very high priority.

Mr Bala was arrested again in April 2020 for making posts on Facebook against Islam. Despite court orders to release him on bail, the police authorities ensured that he was kept behind bars for two years in Kano. On April 5th 2022, against the advice of his lawyers, he pleaded guilty to the charges of making inciting statements on his Facebook page and the judge immediately passed a 24 years sentence.

It is worthy to note that these posts were not taken down by Facebook for breach of community standards or hate speech, nor was the claim proven in court. Mr Bala pleaded guilty because he might have suffered a mental meltdown

and wanted to end the charade by giving in.

As a community for atheists, it is sad to announce that a large number of atheists and humanists living in northern Nigeria RIÀFLDOO\ UHJDUGHG DV UHOLJLRXV PLQRULWLHV constantly face human rights violations.

Despite their using anonymous identities online, we keep seeing fanatics making death threats. It is not enough that the Islamic faith controls, the mainstream media, public life, schools, as well as government, there is a deliberate attempt by the so-called custodians of the faith to control the thought process of ordinary citizens. We have heard reports of how young men have been arrested in Kano for playing “worldly music” and wearing worldly haircuts and clothes.

Leo igwe, nskepticleo@yahoo.com

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

10.4.2022

Oyindamola Egbeyemi An Engineer Turned Educationist Explores Her Episodes of Success Cerebral, focused, and result-oriented, this humble intellectual who sits atop one of the leading educational institutions in Lagos, The Foreshore School, Ikoyi is one-of-a-kind. Oyindamola Egbeyemi, the Executive Director, Operations is a well-grounded school administrator. Schooled at Corona Secondary School, Imperial College, London, the graduate of Chemical Engineering completed it all with the prestigious School of Etiquette in Switzerland and Language School in France. She is passionate about grooming leaders and after a few years in oil and gas and consulting firms, she jettisoned all to find relevance in the classrooms. Funke Olaode writes about this educationist’s quest for excellence.

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 10, 2022

COVER In Self-Evaluation, What is Important to Me is that Whatever I Am Doing, I’m Building People’s Lives

Egbeyemi

H

er petite appearance understates her status as an intellectual. Having left the apex of her corporate career to embrace a new role as a school administrator, Oyindamola Egbeyemi is a shining light as the executive director at The Foreshore School, a crèche, pre-school, nursery and primary school situated in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The elite primary school is a family business but Oyinda as she is fondly called, is an individual who is passionate about doing something with soul, creativity, pouring herself into a task.

“I guess that is also a personality trait based on the way I was brought up. I am a granddaughter of educators, my mum is an educator as well and my dad also. We come from a very humble background.

My parents were both brought up very well by their own parents. So they instill some of those very important foundational values in me and my brothers. I watched my parents build their lives and I also like to build things, I like to earn things, I like to see the result. I don’t feel entitled to things.”

Egbeyemi, is a well-grounded school administrator with education which cuts across Nigeria and Europe. She is passionate about grooming leaders and after a few years in oil and gas, as well as consulting firms, she jettisoned all to find relevance in the classrooms.

“Honestly, retracing my steps back to the classrooms isn’t accidental because I come from a family of educationists.

My mum, Mrs. Bunmi Egbeyemi is an educator. She is the owner and director of The Foreshore School even though it is a family run business. She worked with her own mother for 10 years. Her mother is the late Mrs. Badmus and founder of Mayday School in Isolo which still exists till today. And then my maternal grandfather, Mr. Bayo Badmus retired as permanent secretary for education. After

retiring as PS, he started his own school as well, Mayday College, which is in Iponri, Surulere, Lagos. The school still exists and my grandfather still goes there every day.

And he is still a very sound educator. He is someone I still talk to about the education sector now, even though we spend a lot of time comparing it to what it used to be and giving advice on what it could be.”

Born and raised alongside her younger brothers as the only girl, the 34 year-old oil and gas technocrat turned school administrator child was treated like a princess as a child. At the same time, she was tutored on the building blocks for success by parents who saw her as a role model for her younger ones.

“I enjoyed being my father’s princess and my mum’s best friend; because I am the first born, I have to do many things, I tend to have the first time experience and give first hand feedback. It is also important that I set a good example for my brothers, so from growing up they had me to look up to. Now that I am grown up, I look up to them too because everyone is so different, everyone is unique in their own way, so we all help each other.”

Although Oyinda’s privileged beginning is rooted in her upbringing, her formal education also gave her a good footing to be the best and aim for the best.

Since Imperial College, London has always been a haven for the intellectuals, Oyinda naturally found her place in one of the oldest British institutions and excelled.

Today, she is addressed as an engineer but she didn’t set out to be an engineer.

She had wanted to be a banker and then an architect because she was very good at technical drawing. It was a subject she loved because of her love for precision and creativity. But there was a twist of fatethe only available option was to embrace chemical engineering.

“I chose chemical engineering because back then I had interest in oil and gas in Nigeria. I guess it was lucrative then. And

financially it makes sense as a young lady. My years at Imperial College were, relatively speaking, the toughest four years of my life. You know when you are at the top of your class during A levels, during secondary school, you would feel ‘high’ but Imperial College was my first time experiencing fierce competition and a tough academic environment because everybody there was number one or two in their class. So, it was a little overwhelming at times but making good friends at university helped a lot. Even though sometimes it was like we were competing against each other as well but it really helped us to survive Imperial. Thankfully, all my friends and I did very well, we are all in good careers that we like now. Some are in banking and private equity. Some of them have started their own companies, some are working in consulting, oil and gas. I am quite pleased with the experience of Imperial College, I think it prepared me for what was ahead in life.”

Oyinda excelled in academic pursuit at the foremost institute by graduating with a second class upper division and after working in Chevron, PwC and Accenture, she called it quits to be a school administrator.

“I like to thrive in an environment where there is structure. While working at Chevron during my youth service, I got involved in a community project. I was teaching Chemistry at some of the schools in the locality. Then I had just joined ToastMasters to learn the act of Public Speaking being a shy person.

It was in Chevron that I started seeing that there is value in helping people.

I remembered very distinctively one day, because at that time I was having struggles on where my career was going.

I just told my mother that, `Mummy, I want to help you.’ That was all I said to her; I want to do something where I am helping people. And that helping people has evolved into making an impact. That is what my career objective is, to make an impact. Of course, I love to make money so that I can take care of myself and plan for the future but what is very important to me is that whatever I am doing, I am building people’s lives. So, working in oil and gas, is when I thought to myself, who am I really helping working in oil and gas? So that is where education and social impact came in. I committed myself to helping people by refocusing my career.”

As she forges ahead in her career, she keeps evolving, seeing things in different perspectives which often lead to self-discovery. Working with Accenture taught her to help organisations to be the best while PwC provided an avenue to help the public sector in strategy. When the opportunity came, she joined The Foreshore School, first as a consultant and now a director.

“My parents never pressured me to come here. I came here on my own terms as my own decision. And when I did the strategy revamp, changed the mission, core values and eventually the name of the school that was when I felt, I am making an impact here and I want to stay and see it through. And it still is challenging but the progress is so encouraging. The progress in the establishment itself. I love to see the progress of the children, I love to see alumni excel.”

For her, the Foreshore School is what it is because of the founding visionary, Mrs. Bunmi Egbeyemi.

“My mum was the instigator of everything. And she has a fantastic personality. She is vibrant, she is a very bubbly person. If there is anybody that doesn’t like my mum, it is probably someone who is envious of her because I don’t see any reason why. I know I am being biased towards my mum but she is a sweet person. There is nobody I know who doesn’t like her because she wants to please everybody that is one of her greatest problems. So she is the driving force.

“When you have a good leader, those leadership values transcend even down to the people who are the cleaners. And it is what she brought me up with. We have the same values and I bring something different to the table based on my own experiences as well.

Like you said, my parents have paid a huge sum of money for my education. They need to see the value that I am bringing. Hence, the leadership is my mum and then me, I came in as someone who is a consultant. Then we have a solid team from the head teacher down to classroom teachers. It is a collective effort with the same goals, ‘to see our students excel.’”

Oyinda might have jettisoned the corporate world for a career in the classroom but she is still relevant, using her experience garnered over the years to drive the vision of the school.

“Honestly, it helped tremendously, especially working in consulting firms. Even from my engineering experience. Teamwork was one thing I learnt at Imperial College.

From Chevron I learnt a lot about leadership.

Then at Accenture and PwC, I was exposed to structure, operations and strategy. Those two consulting companies taught me how to set a vision and to put in place the strategy and the resources towards meeting that vision. I think even building a structure around the school, processes, policies those were things that my experience in consulting taught me and standardization as well. I mean things are not perfect yet, we will never even attain perfection but progress is very important.”

Oyinda is passionate about all round selfdevelopment and at The Foreshore School, teacher’s welfare is very paramount. This is what the school does via constant training for teachers particularly on leadership. The school also has extracurricular activities because it is important that every child gets a balanced education; it is not just academics.

“The industry itself is evolving rapidly.

Sometimes we struggle to catch up with our international peers and an important part of our vision is on how our children will be able to stand next to their global peers,” she added.

Oyinda may not go back to engineering very soon but will one day embrace consulting. The dream she said is already in the pipeline. “I started a company with a friend. It is something that started off as a passion because of my experience in Toastmaster, my experience working at the school, seeing people develop and my experience in consulting, seeing the opportunity that there is to help people do better. So I think I will forever be in this industry where I help people.”

Lending her voice on the recently celebrated International Women’s Day with the campaign theme, ‘Break The Bias,” Oyinda believes global awareness should continue. “I have a very controversial point of view on women empowerment. I definitely think that there are gender biases which prevent women from attaining certain positions in society. And I get it, I love the awareness that is going on globally. And that awareness, men are hearing us that is all I can say because I have many good male friends.

These are the kinds of discussions I have with them.

“I personally because of the way the world is, the bias is for men too; so you know that James Brown song: ‘it’s a man’s world.’

That is the way I view the world. Because as men, men are leaders. They are the ones that are the driving pulse for a family unit. And I equate a school, organisation, and society to the family unit. However, there is no family unit that is complete without a woman.

“The love of a woman for anything she does, the love and passion that a woman has for anything she does is unexplainable. You cannot not experience that kind of love from a man. Love from men is more transactional.

But love from women, in spite of any flaw he has, I am here for you, and you are going to do well. And that is why women should get an equal say in every critical decision making process. Be it at school, be it at the government level, be it at the presidency, wherever it is, that balance is important. I see it working at The Foreshore School because we have men on our board and we also have women. Above all, women can change their own narratives by constantly aspire for greatness.”

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GLITZ EVENT

Lady Doja and her children

Sunday Adigun

In Epe, Lady Doja Otedola is Celebrated in Grand Style Vanessa Obioha reports that the recent birthday celebration of the matriarch of the Otedola family, Lady Christine Doja Otedola, in Odoragunshin, Epe, Lagos, which pooled prominent personalities, was a memorable one that spoke volumes of her modesty and philanthropy

P

erhaps it was the exotic cars that passed through the quiet roads or the direction signs that lined up strategic positions from Epe town to the sleeping town of Odoragunshin. The atmosphere that Sunday morning in the Otedola’s homestead was filled

with jubilation.

It was how the villagers stopped, stared in awe and then hurried to join others for the special occasion. Some saw an opportunity to mingle with bigwigs they only read in newspapers or watch on TV. But beyond the frenzied mood was an air of admiration for the woman whom many have abandoned a good night’s sleep and travelled thousands of kilometres to fete with.

In Odoragunshin, Lady Christine Doja Otedola’s name is mentioned in glowing terms.

Not necessarily because she was the former First Lady of Lagos State or the mother of the renowned billionaire and philanthropist Femi Otedola. Lady Doja is known mainly for her Christian values, charity and dedication to her community development. Therefore, as she marked her 90th birthday, both the old and young, Christians and Muslims thronged St Peter’s Catholic Church to celebrate with her.

Highly secured due to the number of dignitaries in attendance, the ambience in the church was frenzied. Traffic management officials paced the streets, directing motorists to the venue as some parts of the main road were blocked. Gaining entry into the new church premises entailed thorough screening. Inside, canopies were erected to accommodate the teeming guests while a gigantic screen was provided for viewing.

Protocol officers were on their feet, ensuring that all went as planned. Each dignitary’s arrival

caused a frenzy. For instance, when the Governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu arrived, both his security personnel and entourage caused a stir.

It became more intense when the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi arrived shortly after.

Both men exchanged pleasantries for a while as a throng of photographers aggressively clicked their cameras to get a better shot of the two.

Under one of the canopies at the back of the church sat Lady Doja. She was wearing a brown dry lace with aso-oke. A beehive of photographers struggled to get a glimpse of her as she was surrounded by reverend sisters and others. At one corner of the courtyard stood the choir who, having rehearsed thoroughly, were waiting for the choirmaster to shout ‘Action’.

Lady Doja’s modest appearance spoke volumes of her simplicity. In fact, she could have easily passed as a guest at the party but the nonagenarian is known for her decorousness.

This much was said by the officiating ministers during the service who spoke loftily of her dedication to the vineyard of God and philanthropy.

Born April 3, 1932, in Ijebu, Ogun State, Lady Doja has lived a life of community and service.

She lost her mother at the age of three and her father did not remarry till she was 10 years. After her mother’s death, she lived with her paternal grandmother who took care of her until she left for boarding school.

She met her husband the late Michael Otedola while teaching at Ijebu Ode Grammar School. They had six children, three sons and three daughters. They are Ayokunle, Femi, Rotimi, Tola, Lola and Olumuyiwa.

Between 1965 and 1982, Lady Doja was the Chief caterer of the University of Lagos. Her efficiency and generosity earned her the moniker Madam Efficiency. Not one who encourages waste, Lady Doja was loved by the students for she

gave the leftover food to those who could not afford the meal ticket.

In 1992 when her late husband Michael was elected as the ninth governor of Lagos, it took her three months to accept his new reality and blessed him. Her reluctance stemmed from her love for a quiet life.

She did not want the hassles that came from occupying such a lofty position.

Nevertheless, she remained supportive such that when her husband was overthrown during the coup that brought in the late military ruler General Sani Abacha, Lady Doja did not throw a tantrum.

As the First Lady of Lagos, Lady Doja’s impact was felt in the state. She explored every part of the state and was involved in development programmes notably Better Life.

However, one of the traits that distinguished Lady Doja is her dedication to the community she lives in. Not a few residents of the Odoragunshin community have benefited from her largesse.

What intrigued most people was her accommodation for all, irrespective of their religious or ethnic backgrounds. Therefore, at the church service, Muslims were among the guests who came to fete with her. Special consideration was also given to them since it was the Ramadan period. She was known for three values: community, Christianity and charity.

Lady Doja made it a tradition to always give a special gift on her birthdays. This year she carried out a grand gesture: building a new church for her community.

A devoted catholic, the matriarch of the Otedola family was known for her prophecies. On one occasion, she recalled

in a documentary reel, she had a vision that she would live up to 90 years. At first, it seemed unreal but given her faith, she vowed to build a new church for the community if the vision came to pass. But Lady Doja did not wait till she clocked 90. By May 29, 2020, she laid the foundation.

Therefore, her birthday celebration doubled as a dedication of the new church.

The procession started from the old church to the new church where the ribbon was cut off and guests entered the new place of worship.

Sitting on a large piece of land, the new church is spacious and decorated to depict the tradition of the Catholic church with murals of the Son of Man and disciples on the walls.

The over two-hour service was filled with praise for Lady Doja. According to the officiating ministers, she has raised her children in the spirit of philanthropy as exemplified in the life of Femi.

She was particularly lauded for building the church as the old one was already decrepit and in need of space.

While most of the dignitaries like the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo attended only the church service, the reception was a gathering of the most important and revered personalities in the country. They included former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Senate President Bukola Saraki and his wife, Toyin; former governor of Anambra State and presidential aspirant Peter Obi; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo; wealthy businessman and philanthropist Aliko Dangote; businessman and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Wale Babalakin; President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina; former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu; CEO of Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu; Founder EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu; among others.

For the reception, the Otedolas threw it all to give a befitting and grand occasion. From the catering to the ushering, no stone was left unturned. Ushers were brought in to perform different tasks. From assigning seats to guests to taking their meal requests and even ensuring that the place was spick-and-span. If one should drop food on the table, an usher was already nearby to dispose of it before one could blink.

The hall was colourfully decorated with balloons and other aesthetic materials to give it a regal look. Assorted food and drinks flowed like an endless river. Indeed, guests had no reason to complain as everything was taken care of.

Hosted by musician Dare Art Alade, Lady Doja was ushered in by her family members and friends. This time, she had changed to a blue lace with a blue and white aso-oke. As she advanced to the stage where her son Rotimi and his Afrinero band were playing, the crowd surged around her. Everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the woman who gave birth to the billionaire businessman.

Interestingly, Femi never left her side. Be it when they were together on stage with his other siblings or when she rose to dance to DJ Cuppy’s songs or King Sunny Ade’s, Femi stood by her like a protector, a guardian angel. No doubt, the love between the two was evidently strong.

When Lady Doja finally settled down, she was dazzled by her grandchildren’s music performances. Taking the stage first was DJ Cuppy, accompanied by a group of dancers.

As she danced and deejayed, the camera often panned to Lady Doja. In one of those moments, she was caught doing a sign of the cross as she shook her head and smiled. Perhaps in admiration for her granddaughter. At one point, she stood up and walked to the stage where she danced to her songs. Taking a cue from her grandmother’s appreciation, Cuppy performed a sampled version of Prince Nico Mbarga’s popular song ‘Sweet Mother’. Of course, her performance could not be complete without hailing her father with her ‘Gelato’ song.

Tolani, another musician from Femi’s loins took the stage next. Although her songs were not as upbeat as Cuppy’s, she still got applause and kiss from her grandmother.

The next time Lady Doja got to her feet was when the family longtime favourite King Sunny Ade mounted the stage with his band. He opened his set with a medley of worship songs which Lady Doja danced gracefully to.

The Otedolas put a dramatic spin on the birthday cake when it descended from the heavens. While many expected the cake to be on a table, the three-layer cake was suspended on the roof of the canopy and slowly descended on the table. The chairman of the occasion, former governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba did the toast and cutting of the cake, while declaring more years added to her life during his speech.

As the sun began to set and guests gradually left the party to return to their respective homes, Odoragunshin was still bubbling. Some of the residents were still trying to find their way to the venue. After all, it was Lady Doja’s party and given her generosity and status, the celebration will not be ending soon.

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GLITZ ENTERTAINMENT

South African Singer Nomfundo Moh Joins Spotify Equal Africa Nomfundo Moh

Sir Ademola Adegoke to Tour US, Canada Highlife and JuJu musician Sir Ademola Adegoke is set to embark on a musical tour of the United States of America and Canada.

The tour is coming after his America 2017/18 America tour. His first international tour ‘Sir Demola Suzi Live in Dubai,’ was in 2015.

Shedding more light on the tour, the trip’s organiser, Samuel Ekundayo, CEO of US-based Sammek Moments Arts and Cultural Entertainment, said the tour will promote Nigerian arts and culture to the world. He also confirmed that six artists have been billed to also perform on the tour including Laolu Gbenjo, Babatunde Balogun (Saxtee Vibes), Boye Best, Amb. Segun Nabi, Demola Suzi and Dele Gold.

Sammek also disclosed that the first leg of the musical tour will see them perform at events and carnivals such as Alujo Nite at Atlanta Event Centre Opera among others The Summer 2022/2023 USA/Canada tour is in partnership with Abedorc Promotions of Chief Vinka Farinde who is based in Canada.

The recording music artist who is also known as Knight of Charles Wesley has five albums to his credit and has performed to the admiration of both the new and the older generation. This has earned him numerous awards both locally and internationally. Some of his albums include ‘Good News’ and ‘All My Praise’.

Blessing Tangban Serves Timeless Melodies in New EP After spinning several heart-stirring melodies in the past few years, Afro-folk chanteuse Blessing Tangban has returned with a timeless EP dubbed, ‘Out Of the Ordinary Feel’. The five-track EP sees the Cross River native row across ancient waters as she serves intriguing Afro-folk melodies bathed in her hometown Ejagham lingo.

Tangban’s foray across the music scene started at the turn of the 2010s, just as the flame of Afro-folk music began to dim in the country. Originally, a music style patterned after music gleaned from folklore/oral tradition, contemporary or progressive Afro-folk, is composed of poetic lyricism (content and style) stewed in core cultural lingo, as well as a fusion of modern and native African melodies. And within ‘Out Of the Ordinary Feel’, Tangban serves a supple dose of this.

Spinning off with the love-themed tracks, ‘Sir’m’ and ‘Fibiyin’, Tangban travels through familiar terrains on this EP, delving into relatable concepts such

Stories by Vanessa Obioha Twenty-one-year-old South African Singer Nomfundo Moh is the latest artist to join Spotify’s Equal Africa programme.

This accolade comes off the back of Nomfundo’s debut Afropop album, Amagama, released in January this year. She joins DBN Gogo as the second South African artist chosen to be part of the platform’s flagship programme that amplifies the voices of talented African women.

“Being part of Spotify’s Equal programme actually shows me that my talent, as a woman, is recognised and that there are people who are willing to help me. People who see my vision and ambition and people who want to put me on greater heights,” said Nomfundo, adding that women should grab opportunities and use their superpowers.

Spotify’s head of music for sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu noted that the music streaming platform is committed to “finding and amplifying the voices of female African creators on the African continent has led us to find exceptional voices like Nomfundo, and the amazing talents before her, such as Ayra Starr, Amaarae and DBN Gogo. It is our hope that other young women creators see this as proof that their talents can and will be recognised and supported.”

Nomfundo’s career journey began when she joined her church choir and subsequently started recording covers of her favourite songs. Her first single, ‘Lilizela’, was released in 2020 and was produced by awardwinning producer Naxion-cross. She draws inspiration from the likes of Ami Faku, Amanda Black and Mthunzi - all gifted artists who have successfully injected their own creative perspectives into African music.

Actress Deborah Oyebolu Rolls out Drum for ‘Ceeci’ Movie Premiere

Oyebolu Adegoke

as unrequited love, and tragic breakups, while also giving it a didactic twist with the pep-heavy records of ‘Blessings’, ‘The Beat’ and ‘Africa’, where she nudges the listener towards self-affirmation, as well as pan-African patriotism.

Tangban, who is most notable for her viral hit with the love maestro Johnny Drille, ‘Grow Up’, soars for her masterful vocal performance on this EP. Tangban, who has just bagged her doctorate in public policy administration, explains the inspiration behind the album. “I feel that we have little to no representation for our people and our culture. So, with my music I’m bringing back the culture,” she said. “With the EP, I am basically trying to share creativity that is out of the ordinary. This is why songs like ‘Sir’m’ and ‘Fibiyin’ were meant to go a certain genre, but I had to put my twist on it. You can’t really explain them.”

The Managing Director of DMO Travels and Media Concept Deborah Oyebolu is stepping up her creativity game with a blockbuster movie that is set to raise the bar of movie production in Nollywood. The multimillion Naira movie, titled ‘Ceeci’ is produced by DMO Media Concept and seeks to raise awareness on the plight of children raised in teacher-parent homes.

The story is based on the real-life story of D Oyebolu, who grew up in a stern but loving company of teacher-parents who didn’t spare the rod and raised a champion.

The film highlights the disadvantages of undue parental pressures and hasty condemnation that often affect the confidence and career path of children not showing early signs of academic brilliance.

With this movie, Oyebolu is making her debut in Nollywood. It stars Adunni Ade, Bukky Ogunnote, and Yemi Solade among others. The film directed by the trio of Sesan Alabi, Bororo, and Bukola Salami is set for theatrical release soon.

Lagos International Jazz Festival is Back in Town After a brief hiatus occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, Inspiro Productions, the organisers of the annual Lagos International Jazz Festival (LIJF) have announced the return of the festival. LIJF was last held live in 2019 and virtually in 2021.

In a statement, LIJF founder and festival director Ayoola Sadare said “We are glad that we can once again resume live performances and the staging of Nigeria’s premier Jazz festival - The Lagos International Jazz Festival amidst all the challenges we faced. Our goal of establishing Lagos, Nigeria as a vibrant global Jazz

tourism destination alongside cities like Cape Town, Montreal, Montreux, New Orleans, London and Tokyo among others in Africa and the world is still on course.”

LIJF is designed to offer visitors and residents in Lagos world-class entertainment, attracting Jazz and contemporary music lovers to the city and by extension Nigeria. The festival has adopted and incorporated both the April Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) and International Jazz Day into its program. International Jazz Day On April 30 is the culmination of Jazz Appreciation Month.

SA based Nigerian International Sam Ayunke Performing At LIJF 2019

SUNDAY APRIL 10, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 10, 2022

HighLife

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

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

The Grace and Charm of Erelu Toyin Saraki

Adeboye

There are people; great and small. Erelu Toyin Saraki, the wife of former Senate President Bukola Saraki, has made a name for herself and is undoubtedly one of the greatest individuals in the country. Despite her high status, she has a lovable personality and so she’s well-liked among the grassroots and topflyers in the country.

The grace and charm of Erelu Saraki are unlike any other. She is a person who has reason on her side and passion in her corner.

As a global health advocate, healthcare philanthropist, and the Founder-President of Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), she has a prestige that’s almost reminiscent of ancient African queens.

There is much to say about the personality of Erelu Bobajiro of the Oniru Kingdom. Her background is spectacular, but that is not all there is to her. The fact that she has become a titled character in a kingdom as top-class

The Gaffe of Adeboye’s Son Posterity has been described as one of the aims of marriage and marital commitment. The idea is that two people come together to birth someone that would continue their legacy. For the family of Daddy GO, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, this responsibility to nurture the next generation seems to have gone a bit awry with their youngest son, Leke Adeboye.

It has been a while since RCCG got cast into a sea of controversy, but Leke’s recent action accomplished exactly this.

According to the last-born son of the great man, every RCCG pastor who went up to the lectern to preach last Sunday (April 3, 2022) after his father did on a national broadcast is a goat.

This is the narrative in context: RCCG has a custom of having Daddy GO (Adeboye) preach the only sermon on the first Sunday of every month because it is a Thanksgiving Service. This sermon is broadcast to every other RCCG parish in the country and outside. After this, the trend is to move on to other things rather than add anything to what Daddy GO has said. And this is what Leke meant: whoever climbed up the altar in any RCCG parish to preach an additional sermon after his father’s sermon is a goat.

Leke’s comment has caused a deluge of dissatisfaction to rise against the Adeboye family, with many people calling out Daddy GO to caution his son and Senior Personal Assistant. Others have begun drawing parallels between Leke and the sons of Prophet Eli in the Bible who refused to follow in the steps of their father but took advantage of his position to cause havoc.

Curiously, neither Daddy GO nor his wife, Madam Foluke, have said a thing about their son’s comment. This has only increased the censure against the church especially since— as others have said—this is not the first time that Leke is inadvertently dragging RCCG in the mud.

as Oniru demonstrates that Erelu Saraki has exceeded her peers in many respects.

Many people know that Erelu Saraki is a notable personality when it comes to philanthropy and the welfare of women and children in Nigeria. As the president and founder of WBFA, her reach is so far out of the country that she is a continental phenomenon.

After all, there are very few people who care about such things as newborn and child health, gender-based discrimination and violence, socio-economic empowerment so as to do something about it.

But Erelu Saraki is much more than that. She is always supportive of her friends, regardless of how busy she is. Her busy schedule has never stopped her from socialising with friends and associates. You can invite her on a Thursday and expect her to be there on a Saturday.

Thus, her grace and charm remain unparalleled among her peers.

Saraki

Tosin Adegbite: Fashion is Her Obsession

Adegbite

World over, fashion has evolved from being an element of clothing and style to something of personality and character. By current standards, we are as much a product of our lifestyle as are our fashion choices. By the same reasoning, the best-dressed individuals among us are those that are most conscious of their distinctiveness and don’t mind letting the world know that they are awesome. The wife of notable businessman Taofik Adegbite, Tosin is one such person.

You can count the number of truly “fashion killers” in Nigeria and come to find that Tosin is at the top of the list. Accompanying her gait is always a powerful colour co-ordination- a true formation that speaks of her careful mix of shades of colour, and other spots-on wardrobe decisions around what shoes to wear and by extension, how best to wear the pride of an accomplished woman without belittling others around her.

To say that Tosin is simply a fashion forward person is to put it lightly. In recent times, the lady has come to be known as one of the cynosures of interest and guidance in the fashion industry. Despite not being a model in the industry, she has managed to upend the standards once adhered to for no reason other than inherited tradition, and now sets fashion trends like the paragon she is.

Tosin’s darling husband, Taofik, is known as one of the biggest Lagos Boys around at this time. As Taofik is a very private man, it is Tosin that demonstrates to all and sundry that the title of Lagos Big Boy is not wasted on her husband. For every jingle of luxurious accessories and rare pieces, Tosin shows the world the stuff she is made of.

If we do not have interests, we wouldn’t be interesting. If Tosin doesn’t have fashion, she wouldn’t be Tosin.

Florence Ajimobi at 63… How She is Running Her Political Structure and Family with Ease A man may be described as a piece of brick, hard and stinky, but no woman has been described as such. Instead, even the harshest poet would claim that a woman is a pearl or piece of a precious stone that is one thing or another. With Florence, the wife of late Oyo Governor, Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi, the label of precious stone or jewel of inestimable price is not superfluous. At 63, she is still a champion of the family, loved and respected by all and sundry.

There is a level of esteem that Chief Florence has come to be associated with. Ever since her husband passed away, the former First Lady of Oyo State has done all her best to hold the Abiola family together. Many times, the fractures over which she stood as manager extended to the political party over which her late husband was a hegemon.

Even so, Chief Florence maintained an immovable heart, untouched by treasures and invulnerable to threats.

A few days ago, the 62nd birthday of Chief Florence rang out with all the pitch

that it could muster. People from all over the country took time out to hail her, telling her to take things easy as she covers for her late husband. Alas, it was clear to them that whereas Chief Florence appreciated their goodwill, it did little good.

Florence has always tried her best to manage the Ajimobi family. However, what makes the eyes of observers bulge out is that she isn’t doing badly as she commands some of the generals of the All Progressives Congress (APC). And these generals do not only listen to her because of the prestige of her late husband but because she is wholly committed to the cause of the people.

Although voices are claiming that Florence is not qualified and someone else is, it is clear that Florence has a good grasp of the APC in Oyo and will be using this grasp as soon as she can. She might have set her eyes on a senatorial position. Thus, her way may not be the easiest to follow, but she is sure that she will live brightly and brilliantly.

Ajimobi

700th Birthd day Gift: Adams Osh hiom mholee Returns His Hat to the Political Ring Things are getting hot again in Edo State. Adams Oshiomhole, the onetime gladiator of the All Progressives Congress (APC), clocked 70 a few days ago. After dancing his heart out with his very fine wife by his side, the man revealed that he has his heart set on returning to the political ring. In short, the coming months are going to be exhilarating for outsiders, while insiders might just tremble once and again at the continued clash between the old and the new.

For many newcomers to political life in Nigeria, figures like Oshiomhole, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and even former

President Olusegun Obasanjo, are the real deal-the real hegemony that determines the dynamics of who rules and reigns in the country. In Edo State, Oshiomhole’s position is unrivaled and unparalleled anywhere else. Or it used to be. Nevertheless, this might change soon enough.

A few weeks ago, the powers that be in the media informed the public that Oshiomhole has started making moves to join his other brothers in the senatorial march.

During a meeting in his hometown, Oshiomhole told his family, friends, and associates that he intends to

represent Edo North District on the Senate floor. Thus, former Edo Governor Oshiomhole would become Senator Oshiomhole, following the tradition of other godfathers like Tinubu.

As Oshiomhole is a master of politics and strategy, his decision undoubtedly came about after much deliberation. However, the fact that he dared to declare his senatorial ambition means that he is certain that he stands a chance at the position. But others might wonder how he expects to win anything with his arch-rival, Governor Godwin Obaseki, still in power.

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HIGHLIFE Signs of the 2023 presidential election are already on the horizon. Coalition groups are rising from corners never before seen to put forward individuals with little or no political bearing. However, there are a few individuals whose potential presidential declaration might tip the scale entirely and change the political landscape. The Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo, is one such person. However, whereas Osinbajo has been mentioned time and again as the best candidate to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari, the man himself is silent. Some say that this is because of his relationship with Bola Tinubu.

It is a fact recognised by all and sundry that VP Osinbajo is a gentleman. He has always maintained the persona of someone with an immense appreciation for the unity and progress of Nigeria. Also, he is an intellectual who has shown repeatedly that he can reason and be reasoned with. Thus, he will make the perfect president. Or so the argument goes.

But what is stopping him from agreeing to the demands of countless people who want him to declare his intention to contest the apex political position?

Vice-President, Osinbajo’s Next Moves … Will He Dare the Godfather, Tinubu, to Contest for President?

According to some of the powers that be, regardless of how Osinbajo feels about being president come 2023, he is not likely to join the race. And that is because his godfather, Tinubu, is also one of the contestants for the presidential chair. Thus, for Osinbajo to participate in the presidential scuffle, he would have to go against -rather than support -Tinubu. Anybody else would have no problem with this - just not Osinbajo.

Thus, the consensus among the informed is that Osinbajo is more likely to throw his weight - and how majestic this weight - behind his godfather, Tinubu, rather than throw his hat into the ring. To do otherwise, which is what many are suggesting, would go against the gentleman persona that Osinbajo is known to have.

Then again, no gentleman ever lasted long in power, so maybe Osinbajo will change his mind? Time will tell.

Love in the Air … Chris and Ijeoma Ubosi Celebrate 25th Wedding Anniversary

Osinbajo

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Obasanjo

Emefiele

Intelligent people are seldom drawn into contests for supremacy. Instead, they run things in the background and rely on pipeline mechanisms to get things done. This is how the wife of the Chairman and CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), does her things. Hajia Munirat Buba Marwa is a woman that stays on her lane, not generating controversies or throwing her weight around to be recognised as the peacock of power that she is.

Few women can boast of having the presence and strength of mind to be who they are irrespective of what their husbands have become. Hajia Munirat is such a person.

Even after her husband’s status skyrocketed and eclipsed that of his peers, the warm lady has remained a private person, content to say hello with a wave from a distance than to have convoy after convoy displaying her peerlessness.

Since Marwa assumed the NDLEA position, Nigerians have grown to admire and respect his family, especially Hajia Munirat

The case with political succession in Nigeria has always been unilateral: one person takes over from another and war emerges between them. Sometimes, as in the case of Anambra State, it is not very clear whether the incumbent governor has schemed against the predecessor. Other times, as in the case of Akwa Ibom, it is very clear.

Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio is a remarkable person. From the year 2000 until now, the Ukana man has always been in a position where he does not need to fear mediocrity or poverty. His political career, especially, has buoyed his aspirations and weight, leading to his becoming one of the most influential political figures in the country. But this might be a thing of the past Akpabio’s successor, Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, is gradually taking over everything that Akpabio is known for in Akwa Ibom. Bit by bit, Akwa Ibom people are starting to see Emmanuel as the Superintendent

More and more Nigerians are being sold the dream of an individual rising from the ashes of the current administration’s disappointment and bringing the nation to a place of wine and honey. The current Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has been drawn into the picture as well. At the time this article was written, Emefiele had been presented to Nigerians as a possible successor to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Despite the facelessness of some of the earliest groups that are behind Emefiele, a lot of people have begun taking the CBN man seriously. One such person is an economist from Harvard, Oliver McPherson-Smith, who is convinced that Emefiele is very likely to emerge as the winner of the much-coveted presidential seat. McPherson-Smith claimed that Emefiele might turn out to be the next Obasanjo in Nigeria.

There is no doubt that Emefiele has the cojones needed to be the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR). However, to say that he

might turn out to be a leader on the same level as Obasanjo is overestimating his abilities. This is the argument of some of Emefiele’s dissidents after McPhersonSmith’s report.

In truth, due to Emefiele nursing his presidential ambition under the auspices of the All Progressives Congress (APC), there are a lot of arguments about whether or not he can win. Moreover, all this time, he has been known as Nigeria’s number one banker, so it will be difficult to switch personas in a way that would benefit him. Then again, maybe this is where the comparison with Obasanjo would flourish.

In any case, Emefiele is being taken seriously by many groups across the country. Although the contest for Buhari’s seat is only at a nursery level at the moment, one must admit that Emefiele has begun pulling the crowds to himself.

And if he wins, then the comparison made between Emefiele and Obasanjo would not have been made in vain.

Munirat Buba Marwa: The Unassuming Woman Who Stays on Her Lane who is always relaxed and at ease with herself and her condition. Any other woman would have become an economic bouncer in Lagos, cunningly (or not so cunningly) requesting that people pay her something to get into the good graces of her husband. But this is not the kind of thing that the unassuming Hajia Munirat would do.

Moreover, Hajia Munirat’s husband is not her only point of contact with power in the country. Very few people would recall that her son is Mohammed Turad, the chap that wedded the daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari, Hannan, in 2020. That makes Hajia Munirat an in-law of the Presidency. Yet, she maintains a humble and private lifestyle.

Many wives of state governors and federal ministers would do well to imitate the way of life of Hajia Munirat. Hers is a life of contentment and enveloping grace.

Wan ning g Power:: How w Sen nato or Go odsw will Akp pabiio iss Grad duallly Losin ng Grrip in Ak kwa Ib bom m

Akpabio

Marwa

of the State, a position that Akpabio occupied in the eyes and minds of the people until only recently.

From recent reports on his doings, Akpabio, who is currently the Minister of Niger Delta, is gradually losing relevance in the state he once managed as its executive governor. Despite his robust political experience, his intermittent feud with Emmanuel has placed him in a bad position where he is gradually losing grip of any significant political influence in Akwa Ibom.

If it was any other person, the growing loss of relevance in his state would not impact him too much. But for Akpabio who is so closely tied to the rise and fall of Akwa Ibom, this loss is like mandated suicide. And that is what Akpabio is reportedly gradually turning into in the minds of some of the people: the Judas that does the bidding of Caiaphas and delivers the kiss of betrayal.

Chris and Ijeoma

John Keats the English poet wrote that ‘a thing of beauty is a joy forever whose loveliness increases without end.’ This is one way to describe the marriage of Chris and Ijeoma Ubosi. Recently, the happy couple celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary to the joy and delight of their family and friends.

For anybody who knows Chris, the Chairman of Megaletrics, owners of Beat FM, Classic FM, and Naija FM, it isn’t news that his marriage is his cornerstone. Being a man of such influence and affluence, Chris has been asked time and again what his secret is. He would humbly reply that it is the grace of God that brought him thus far. And then he would quickly chip in the fact that his wife comes in second place after his maker.

Some couples are like ordinary jigsaws with sharp ends colliding without fail.

The marriage of Chris and Ijeoma is nothing like this: a jigsaw it is, that is true, but they complement each other with their nooks and edges. It is thus no surprise that they are celebrating two decades and a half of marital bliss.

A few years ago when they celebrated their 20th anniversary, Nigerians were already cheering them on.

Unlike the Chris and Ijeoma union, many couples with a similarly high level of influence have long lost the spark in their marriage and are only just getting along for the sake of their children. But for the Ubosis, love is not love if it is not directed at each other. And five years have flown by since then and they are stronger.

As Chris has mentioned, he and Ijeoma are now looking forward to their 50th anniversary. That would be the bomb indeed!

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LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

Sheikh Muhammed Nuru Khalid: What Can We Do? You see why it is good to be checking on your facts before you rush to open your mouth. I thought it was the federal government that suspended or was it sacked? Mbok, it was a committee in his mosque that did him in, making the ‘sacking’ of no national consequence.

That said, me I sha like the man. Not only for what he has said but for his accent. I loved the accent o. The way he spoke was just ‘sweeting’ me and whoever or whatever must have pushed him to suddenly turn an activist after centuries of sitting down there and doing ‘hear no evil, see no evil and speak no evil’ must have been

a strong force.

Immediately he was dethroned, he must have felt that what else can he lose, he just went on more rampage.

“If it is the price, I will pay for speaking the truth, I will speak even if it takes my life,” he said.

Well, I pray nobody comes for his life because what the man has said is the plain truth.

The only difference for me is the accent.

Nobody should try to mute him and I am happy that he has found a new job very quickly so we can continue to hear him speak. My people, me I hate to join the bandwagon, but this thing that is happening in Nigeria today be

like movie. Daily, we hear all sorts of tragedies, no real good news even the announcement of some of our wealthy people on the Forbes list was met with gross apathy. Of what use are we being represented on the Forbes list when we have just been kicked out of the World Cup, gotten a train bombed, thousands being displaced by rampaging bandits and the most fortified state in the country – Kaduna is under siege?

E reach make Sheikh shout o. No be only Sheikh dey shout o, even me here I am shouting. Anybody that tries to suspend me, na Bianca I will send to them. Tiring. Tiring. Nigeria we really hail thee.

ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE: DANCING GRANDPA Nigerians were recently assailed by the vigour and dancing prowess of one of our most popular grandpas, the bald and still very influential former Governor of Edo State, Pa Adams Oshiomhole.

Images of him arriving at the just concluded APC convention where he jumped on the stage like a Davido fan hoping to take a selfie with his hero. As if that was not enough, footage of papa dancing and gyrating at a party with his lovely wife just standing there and saying to the rest of us: you see what I have to contend with daily?

Oshiomhole has always been a G-man.

The man used to run marathons and years of protest, marching down the streets as NLC President has kept him fit and trim. His vigour and energy at 70 remain remarkable. Now whether that translates to thought process is another thing entirely o.

For me when I see all these videos of Oshiomhole jumping and prancing all around the place and I see his beautiful young wife beside him, the only thing that comes to my mind is why is this Baba showing off? All these jumping up and down is to say – guys, I be tiger for the other room o. Kai. Lucky Baba, when we here dey do

fellowship to discuss waning stamina and how to boost energy na him Pa Oshio dey use him stamina yab us. This is why Patience Jonathan shouted the other day – there is God o.

Happy birthday, Sir, you remain my super turbo, champion. God’s blessing sir.

man for Igbobi where he will be doing facial restructuring after the slaps he would have received.

Please, let’s use this incident to look critically at these movements and the danger they constitute not only to the public but to even themselves with a view to making concrete changes aimed at securing lives.

May Allah grant the souls of these ones eternal bliss. Please let’s calm down, mbok.

EX-PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN, LET’S TAKE IT EASY As I was writing this column, the news that former President Goodluck Jonathan’s convoy was involved in an accident leading to the passing of two people hit the airwaves. Sad. But this unfortunate occurrence has once again thrown up the rascality that comes with these convoys. If you are unlucky enough to find yourself near them or around them you will see the rascality involved with these movements.

There is no dignity in these movements.

The screaming sirens, the fast-paced movements, the daredevilry that comes especially with the outriders who have this wicked need to show off on their rickety bikes, and lastly the mad speed with which they run, the rest of us will just stand back and be asking ourselveswhat a heck?

Mbok, whoever has the power to regulate these should step in o. Me I don’t think LASTMA can handle this one o, not even Road Safety can.

Mbok, imagine a hardworking and passionate LASTMA officer trying to stop a convoy from overspeeding or taking one way. Na to go and visit the

Oba Elegushi

Oshiomhole

BISI ALIMI: FUNNY, HAS TO DO WITH IT You see the title of this piece is me trying to be dramatic. You know I am a theatre person and na so we dey do. This person Bisi Alimi on a good day will not catch my attention. I do not reckon with him, engage him or even give a flicker about him.

He has positioned himself as some kind of deviant activist. His right. His positioning has given him some kind of platform that allows him to postulate and say things in his attempt at being taken seriously.

So, he now spews- it is so wrong to give birth in a country like Nigeria. This got me. This went under my skin and this annoyed me. An almost non-person?

Please permit me. I am angry. The fact that we have our challenges as a nation, the fact that we are facing the very worst in all indices does not allow for such assertions, especially from people who on their own accord chose to ‘run away’ and accept less than a first-class citizenry in another clime.

I hate these things. I truly hate these kinds of assertions. People like this

Jonathan

Khalid

fail to understand that it’s the people that make a nation. Good leadership doesn’t drop from the sky and even in that place he is ‘bending down daily’, it is people who are passionate about their system that emerge as true leaders working for the continuous growth and stability of the place.

Here we have all sorts of Pharisees complaining without lifting a finger to sort these things out. The worst kinds of people are those who migrate to go and sponge off a system they didn’t contribute to building, living second rate lives and standing from a pulpit made of semen to cast these kinds of disparaging views about such a great country as this.

Let me state here categorically, that this country remains very great. It will still fulfil its massive obligations to its people whether we like it or not. Some of us will continually remain here and engage the rest of the world with the dignity our glorious heritage affords us.

We will not in servitude spit on our fathers’ faces. We will not call our mothers prostitutes because we have finally gone to be truck pushers and corpse ‘washers’ in supposedly ‘better’ climes. Mr. Alimi go and sit down, you really do not matter to me and millions of Nigerians like me.

Bakare

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LOUD WHISPERS OBA SAHEED ELEGUSHI: AN EXCITING TURN I have heard and seen so much about this very good-looking and amiable royal. I had looked forward to meeting up with him to better understand his outlook and the breath of fresh air that he has breathed into a tired national tradition institution.

The stuffiness that comes with royal stools, the old archaic order of doing things not bearing any cognitive alliance to the dynamism of modern times has always made me just look at the whole thing with a certain level of cynicism.

But Oba Elegushi stands out. My visit to the Olu of Warri was also eyeopening. He has been able to find a sweet workable middle road that has produced a fine blend between the old and modern. That was very intriguing.

For the ‘Gucci’ Oba as I see him being called on social media, he has pushed it a little bit further but with a huge amount of class and elegance. His is not the tacky almost revolting montage we see from another young but quite effusive royal tucked somewhere in the South-west.

For him, there is a deliberateness that comes with his social engagement, maintaining the right respect for the throne and its appurtenances.

So, when the opportunity came for the visit, I grabbed it with all I could.

His palace was expansive and whitecoloured. His private residence where we first met Kabiyesi was simple and quite elegant.

Very good-looking, neat and well kept.

Filled with youth and the energy that comes with it, he takes me on a very deep and incisive discussion on his family history, its traditions and finally business and politics. He wants to be known more for his business acumen with his hands in various sectors of the economy including real estate, among others.

His views on leadership are pointedly left of centre. He wants true leadership to provide for the masses and also wants wealth to be spread much more evenly and that is why succession planning must go along the lines of preagreed structures if it is to provide the much-needed succour for the people.

In the end, I begged to be taken to the throne room. He agreed and carried his horsewhip, exposing a beautiful blackcrested suede half slipper, the type that used to kill me.

As he walked towards the room, I asked him: “Is this where all your power is?” pointing to the horsewhip.

He laughed and said, “No, it’s in my mouth.” We all laughed.

The throne room was elegantly beautiful. Well rugged with a wonderfully appointed visage. We sat for photographs and he smiled at me as I walked away – this is me, this is me.

Yes, that is him, an elegant and spritely curated monarch with a deep affinity to his people and their tradition. I had fun.

FEMI GBAJABIAMILA: A CROSS DRESSING PERSPECTIVE The House of Representatives led by my egbon is about to pass a bill that prescribes six-month imprisonment for crossdressers. They even went ahead to define who or what a crossdresser is and they have said it is anybody who wears anything that is intended for another sex.

Me, I have told the Duchess to go and burn all her trouser pants o. I will not have the power to go and be visiting her at Kirikiri prison o. Me sef that I am wearing leg chain and have just had my first piercing, I have asked my lawyer Ishmael for a legal opinion and that one is asking for fees first before he talks. I just tire.

Dear honourable members, how I decide to

dress or otherwise na my problem o. If I wear a skirt and nothing under so that the breeze will blow my nether regions is my problem o. How that one will stop bandits in Kaduna I fail to see o. You see when people are so colourless and lost in transit, they will be looking for diversionary things like this.

So because only two people – Bobrisky and his brother James Brown and like 15 people in Kano have decided to entertain us with their weird dress sense, a whole House of Representatives with over 40 wise men and women with all that money we are spending to have them run around sex toy shops have decided that this is the only thing of national importance that should catch their attention. It is no wonder that people like Bisi Alimi can be talking anyhow.

As my former Oga Chibundu used to say, “are we for real? Is this House of Reps for real?”

BLAISE CAMPORE: A DESERVING CONCLUSION For some of us who witnessed Thomas Sankara, his death was worse than painful. He was not only very handsome but very charismatic. You should have come to see Jude Idada’s ‘Sankara’ and you will understand

what I am talking about.

His death at the hands of his best friend hit the world with mad anger.

There was wailing and tears from all over. People could not believe what just happened. This person had just killed our standing hope.

Coups have always been the bane of the underdevelopment of Africa.

One errant soldier will just have this messianic tendency and shoot himself to power with no clear plan but to marry many more wives and live drunkenly on state funds.

Military coups have also brought about shining lights like Sankara and one or two in Egypt but they have thrown up mostly vagabonds and pirates with so much power that they do not even know how to handle it. People like Emperor Bokassa, Idi Amin and a slew of them here in Nigeria come as real cases in point.

In Nigeria, we have seen them o.

Plenty o. They will carry big heads, gap teeth, dark glasses and funny accents and be saying – my fellow Nigerians- and then go ahead to unleash on us the worst kind of leadership since Elvis Presley invaded

ABDULRAHMAN ABDULRAZAQ: A CLOSER LOOK You know I am kinda looking forward to meeting and engaging with His Excellency because I have taken a cursory look at his work in Kwara and have remained intrigued at the strategic playout, especially in his engagement with sociodevelopmental initiatives.

It seems that ‘things’ are quietly happening there without real notice.

Let me give some examples – a fiveyear agricultural transformational plan unveiled, initiated the largest subnational social investment programme that is data-driven as attested to by the Bank of Industry and with over 50,000 people within its catchment. His work on primary healthcare, improving the quality of basic education and very critically deepening gender equality and youth empowerment has quietly begun to

take root in the state.

His critics have said he was not commissioning projects, his turnaround times are slow and his ‘reforms’ are not far-reaching enough and this is why I am excited at the prospect of meeting up and taking him up on these and more.

That said, there is something germane about this gentleman and his approach that is engaging and thought-provoking. We are not seeing the loudness that comes with the commissioning of a footpath by some of his colleagues or the sleepy docility of others who despite better revenues really are just glorified paymasters who just wait for monthly ‘FAAC’ to disburse to cronies.

We are still watching; this just might be Nigeria’s best-kept secret in public governance. Let’s keep watching.

the White House.

The prayer is for this judgment conferring a life sentence on Mr. Compare would serve as a deterrent to the rest of the continent. Democracy must always be upheld no matter what. I am tired abeg. My hand is paining me, let me end it here. Let those who have ears listen.

TUNDE BAKARE: AUDACITY OF A LIE You know my own with this Baba is the way he used to pour spit when he is talking. During that COVID-19 period, I used to fear that those seated in front during his sermon without a mask must have an overdose of faith.

The way the spit will just be coming out and those ones will be sitting down there and collecting the thing will just be marvelling.

So, when I read about this his statement, I wasn’t initially bothered about the emptiness of the talk but for the safety of those seated in front and listening to him. Thank God the federal government has finally agreed to stop the ‘scam’ that was all that with COVID by removing all the restrictions, otherwise, I would have advised people that were in that audience to just go and be doing tests or be drinking ginger because Baba can spit. Kai. So, he told us how he sat there and saw Igbo soldiers pour wine over Balewa’s head before they shot him and he could not beg for his life? Instead, he asked Balewa for his last wish and that one now graciously told Baba Bakare that he has cursed the Igbo people and they will never lead this country.

This Baba must really think that we all have fufu in our brains. So, a man facing bullets will be thinking of the Igbo presidency at the time.

Okorocha has kuku answered him, so I will not talk too much because if I talk, he will send for me and I will not want him to pour spit on me. Me I will not sit down there and take it o.

All I will say at this point is what my Mama told me- Ini, she had called me, “you know you have a very creative mind, it is not everything that your mind conjures that you tell people.

Keep them otherwise you would look quite foolish to people.”

Na my Mama talk am o, I am not calling anybody foolish o, na the advice my Mama give me that I am just saying now o. She don die but if anybody needs to confront her, I will gladly give you her number. This na real audacity of a lie.

BABA KEKERE: A SHIFT IN DATES Please don’t vex, let me quickly announce that we have shifted the dates for the command performance of this wonderful play on Alhaji Lateef Jakande from April 24 to May 2, 2022.

The decision was taken by the Lagos State Government through its Special Adviser on Tourism, Culture and Art who also is the Co-Executive Producer, Mr Bonu Solomon.

According to him, the postponement was to ensure an all-inclusive engagement to allow for Muslims who would be in the middle of Ramadan to finish and be part of this epochal event.

So, guys, there you are, as ‘Zebi ‘used to say. Those of you who have been looking for me to knock, you have the opportunity now. Just come to Glover Hall, buy your VIP tickets and stand a chance of knocking me. If you come near me with a regular ticket or complimentary ticket, na me go knock you. I don run.

AbdulRazaq

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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 10, 2022

Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

Real Estate Topshop Adeola EmmanuelKing’s Wisdom

Emmanuelkings

For Aare Adetola Olaonipekun EmmanuelKing, the head honcho of Adron Homes, birthday is more than just hosting a mega soiree, fêting friends and family to an array of sumptuous meals, high-cost drinks; calling praise singers to sing one’s praises and eulogy to the high heavens.

While many had taught that the philanthropist and real estate top player would throw his gates open for a lavish birthday shindig in celebration of his 47th birthday on Saturday, April 2, he opted for a very private celebration devoid of fanfare, where he was joined by his immediate family, few staff members and close friends.

With his experience about life, the birthday for the Otun Akile of Remo land is a moment to reflect on beautiful memories and appreciate the Giver of life for preserving him at a time when many of his peers who could afford all the luxuries of life had been visited by the dreaded grim reaper, taking them on a sojourn of no return.

Thus, giving back to his immediate environment and reaching out to the downtrodden is a proper way to celebrate.

Since he ventured into the real estate business 10 years ago, one thing has stood him out: his ideas and foresight laced with integrity.

With these, the Ogun State-born cosmopolitan debonair has been able to build a formidable real estate empire that has continued to shatter the stereotype and break norms, giving low-income earners a roof over their heads with a seamless and well-structured payment plan.

The graduate of Estate Management and Development from the University of Ibadan has never slowed down in ensuring affordable homes for all and sundry regardless of their class strata.

Those close to him disclosed that one thing the Otun-Onigbagbo of Remo land does not joke with is his company’s constant engagement with their estate hosts across the country through Corporate Social Responsibility CSR. Still basking on the euphoria of his 47th birthday celebration, sources divulged that the Aare Apesinola of Ibadan this week will be reaching out to the needy in all their estate host communities with birthday goodies.

“GMD has arranged and ordered that raw food items, groundnut oil, cows and other edible foodstuffs should be doled out.

He will also hand out cash, scholarships and clothing to children. He loves to celebrate his birthday by making an impact,” a source disclosed.

Of Lady Adedoja’s Superlative Birthday Party How does one begin to write about the 90th birthday party of Lady Adedoja Otedola, the mother of one of the richest men in Africa, Femi Otedola?

Again, how does one describe the birthday party that has in attendance the movers and shakers of Nigeria under one roof?

When the birthday party was announced a few weeks ago, many had anticipated that it would be the talk of the town for a very long time.

The reason is that the Executive Chairman of Geregu Power Plant, Otedola, rarely organises a party; but whenever he does, it is always superlative and never-seen-before.

The fairy-tale soirée, which was held last Sunday, April 3, 2022, in his home town Epe, Lagos State had in attendance dignitaries from all walks of life. The colourful event was another concrete proof that Otedola’s preeminence in the business world is not a fluke, given the array of guests who honoured his invitation.

On that beautiful Sunday morning, the sleepy town of Odoragunshin in Epe Lagos came alive. The environs were serene, with a lot of people around to celebrate with the philanthropist par excellence. The two marquees accommodated over 2,000 guests at the reception venue in Odoragunshin.

It was lavishly decorated by Funke Bucknor’s Sapphire Events, making many of the guests gawk at the splendour.

It was obvious to all that the billionaire businessman has a commanding sense of hospitality, as the gaily dressed guests were treated to continental, Chinese and local delicacies as well as expensive wines, champagnes and cognac, among others.

Lady Adedoja with son, Femi.

Ace Juju singer, King Sunny Ade, who entertained the guests with his mind-blowing performance proved once again that he is not ready for retirement yet. While it lasted, the former First Lady did not disappoint her guests, as she still made some good moves to the beats. So also her son Femi, who did justice to the beats.

Others who also performed included her granddaughter, DJ Cuppy and Rotimi Otedola who performed with his band.

Without exaggerating, it will take a very long time before we can witness anything near this party. It was simply sophisticated and captivating. The birthday party has set another standard that will be used to measure a good social event in the country for a long time to

come.

Some of the high-class personalities who witnessed the event include Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof.Yemi Osinbajo; former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Ex-Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his wife, Toyin; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote; Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Governor of Nigeria’s Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele; Group Chief Executive Oando Plc., Jubril Adewale Tinubu; billionaire businesswoman, Hajia Bola Shagaya; Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun; Ex-Ogun governor, Aremo Segun Osoba and wife, Derin; Ex-governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; former Ogun governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; Bashorun Dele Momodu.

Others are former Lagos deputy governor, Femi Pedro; Chairman, UBA, Mr. Tony Elumelu; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and wife; Oba Saheed Elegushi; Akeem Muri Okunola; Mo Abudu; Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari; Mr. Uwem White; Kemi Adeosun; Tunde Folawiyo; Tayo Amusan; Kunle Afolayan; Mr. Yinka Shonekan; Sam Nwajokwu; Muktar Shehu Shagari; Nkiru Anumudu; former Anambra governor, Mr. Peter Obi; AFDB President, Akinwumi Adesina; Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai; Ex-Delta State governor, James Ibori; Prince Segun Oniru; Prince Terry Waya; Kingsley Moghalu; Timi Alaibe; Kola Abiola; Abike Dabiri Erewa; Kunle Bakare; Seyi Tinubu and Chief Bisi Olatilo, among others.

Beautiful Dream of Prince Adewole Adebayo Prince Adewole Adebayo isn’t your run-off the mill politician. In fact, he is a professional who found himself in politics. You can call him an accidental politician who is tired of the status quo and ready to effect changes.

Adebayo is a direct descendant of Alaafin Onigbogi and Alaafin Sango. He is also a direct descendant of Osemawe Odunola; grandson of Osemawe.

A very successful businessman but amidst the plenty he found himself, the Prince from Owo, Ondo State isn’t happy.

Besides, he believes he has something to contribute to helping Nigeria out of her present predicament.

Neither his name nor his frame suggests affluence and influence. That’s because materialism has never meant anything to him.

In fact, more than half of his firm’s income goes into helping the less privileged pro bono.

For him, creating values is much more important than the urge and craze for wealth.

According to him, “Create the values and you will see how wealth follows you. I have always known to create values. Here I am today”.

But his charity activities aren’t enough, as he has repeatedly said that his support programmes cannot go round the nooks and crannies of the country.

Adebayo

Quintessential Businessman, Sir Kessington Adebutu’s New Feather

Adebutu

Quintessential businessman, Sir Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu’s success story can aptly be described as phenomenal. With many decades in the betting and lotto business, his experience is truly exceptional.

The Ogun State-born billionaire, who started the betting business in the country at the time many were scared of venturing into

it, has wrought so many wonders in the past years. With a clear vision, hard work and unwavering dedication to his business, the chairman of Premier Lotto has beaten all odds to become a big player and a glittering light in Africa’s business climate.

Today, awards and honours are not new to the philanthropist. He has even lost counts, but the honour accorded him penultimate Thursday by The Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, Lagos, is one the billionaire cherishes so much.

The fellowship award was presented to the man otherwise known as ‘Baba Ijebu’ at a colourful special convocation in Lagos witnessed by prominent Nigerians, media personalities and traditional rulers.

The award was bestowed on him by the Chairman, NIJ Governing Council, Chief Olusegun Osoba, supported by his vice, Mr. Ray Ekpu, and Provost of NIJ, Mr. Gbenga

Adefaye, amid a standing ovation.

The Lagos State governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho, noted that the institute had trained and produced many journalists in the country.

On the fellowship award, the governor acknowledged the contributions of Adebutu to the economic growth of Lagos and Nigeria as a whole.

Chief Osoba explained that many prominent Nigerians were nominated for the fellowship award but the honour was narrowed down to Adebutu.

He acknowledged Adebutu’s contributions in the area of executing projects in health and education as well as his philanthropy towards the less privileged and churches.

In his speech, Adefaye described ‘Baba Ijebu’ as a household name in Nigeria,

Ambassador Maureen Tamuno Honours Late Father’s Wish Like the typical Okrika man and African elders, the late Pa Clement Genesis Chepaka populated his household and built a great family.

The ace television producer had an unflinching love for his immediate family, his Okrika culture and the entire people of the kingdom.

As he advanced in age, one of his several heart desires was to be survived by a family who would give him a befitting burial at his home whenever he transited to glory.

Today, his wish is surely coming to pass, as his funeral has been fixed by his family and his daughter, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, Dr. Maureen Tamuno.

The High Commissioner and philanthropist, it was gathered, will spare no expenses to make the

event a memorable one that will be spoken of for a long time to come.

The historic town of Okrika in the Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State is expected to stand still for days while the celebrations last.

Many who know the beautiful woman understand that she does not do anything in half measures. For someone like Ambassador Tamuno who has continually sown good seeds of friendships and is loved for her benevolence and humanity, it is no surprise that friends and fans have started gifting her massive donations towards the burial.

According to a close source, top politicians, celebrities, socialites, diplomats and first-class

Tamuno

kings, amongst others, have already written to confirm their attendance at the funeral coming up soon.

The funeral arrangement will begin with an evening of tributes on Tuesday, April 26 at the Reens Arena in Port Harcourt; the funeral service and interment will take place at Saint Peter Cathedral Okrika, while the reception will be held at Everest Centre also in Okrika.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 24 2012

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

10.4.2022

MR DANFO AND HIS SKETCHY IMPRESSIONS OF LAGOS STREET STORIES With an exhibition nourished by his fixation on his everyday struggles as a Lagosian, the Delta State-born artist Seidougha Linus Eyimiegha – a. k. a. Mr Danfo – celebrates the city’s ordinary people, says Okechukwu Uwaezuoke

T

here is indeed a Lagos dream.

It’s a dream that, like a magnet, never ceases to attract thousands in droves to its termitedense neighbourhoods.

Acting as the pheromone for the majority of these migrants LV DQ XQGHÀQHG TXHVW IRU JUHHQHU SDVWXUHV ZKLFK leads them on and keeps them coming. And ZKHQ HYHQWXDOO\ WKH GHOXVLRQDO EXEEOH EXUVWV they are forced to confront the harsh realities of a hand-to-mouth existence.

Thus, like many before them, Seidougha Linus Eyimiegha’s parents arrived in the mega-city IURP WKHLU 'HOWD 6WDWH KRPHWRZQ IXOO RI ORIW\ GUHDPV ZKLFK KRYHUHG DURXQG OLYLQJ DERYH PDWHULDO FRQFHUQV 6RPHWLPHV WKH\ KDG WR ZHQG WKHLU ZD\ WKURXJK E\ZD\V WKDW LQFOXGHG GDLO\ commutes to earn enough to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads.

'HFDGHV ODWHU (\LPLHJKD ² QRZ D \HDU ROG ² UHÁHFWV RQ WKH FLUFXPVWDQFHV WKDW FRPSHOOHG KLP WR MRLQ WKH UDW UDFH VRRQ DIWHU KH ZDV ROG HQRXJK Hence, recollections of his “previous struggles” RIWHQ ULVH YLYLGO\ EHIRUH KLV PLQG·V H\H ZUDSSHG in a yearning tenderness and a certain sense of GUHDGIXOQHVV ZKHQHYHU KH HQFRXQWHUV VWUHHW KDZNHUV LQ /DJRV WUD΀F :LWK WKH LQFUHDVLQJ number of people migrating to Lagos presently and the need for people to survive in this urban city, there are more people settling for common job titles just like my mum and dad did back in WKH GD\V KH REVHUYHV ,QHYLWDEO\ WKHVH RXWZDUG LPSUHVVLRQV RI KLV QRW VR GLVWDQW SDVW PLQJOH ZLWK KLV SUHVHQW circumstances and leave their traces in his consciousness. These impressions are ultimately condensed on canvas into minimalist forms, ZKLFK WKH DUWLVW EHOLHYHV HPERG\ DQG H[SUHVV WKHLU HVVHQWLDO PHDQLQJV ,V LW DQ\ ZRQGHU WKDW the artist’s inner perception of his environment EHFRPHV WKH FHQWUDO WKHPH DURXQG ZKLFK KLV VROR exhibition, titled Portraits of Public Figures in Lagos, orbits?

6SHDNLQJ RI WKH H[KLELWLRQ ZKLFK RSHQHG on Friday, April 8 at Alliance Française, Mike Adenuga Centre, in Lagos’s upscale leafy neighbourhood, Ikoyi, it is a visual cocktail of abstract depictions of day-to-day struggles for subsistence in the littoral city.

1R GRXEW LW ZDV (\LPLHJKD·V À[DWLRQ RQ WKH SUHGRPLQDQWO\ \HOORZ FRPPHUFLDO PLQL EXVHV ZLWK EODFN VWULSHV WKDW HDUQHG KLP WKH VREULTXHW ´0U 'DQIR µ ,QGHHG WKRVH \HOORZ FKDRV ÀHQGV ZKLFK DV LUULWDQWV EX]] DURXQG WKH FLW\·V WUD΀F choked thoroughfares, have also become synonyPRXV ZLWK LWV VWUHHW VPDUWQHVV DQG VR WR VSHDN impacted his early childhood years’ sensibilities.

As for the conductors of those mini-buses, they ZHUH ² DQG VWLOO DUH ² RGG W\SHV ZKR W\SLFDOO\ cling precariously beside the buses’ slightlyRSHQHG GRRUV DV WKH\ SUDFWLFDOO\ FDWHUZDXO WKHLU destinations. “In those dramatic ages of my life, , ZRXOG KROG DQ\WKLQJ ZLWKLQ DUP V OHQJWK VLQFH I could not hold a real Danfo to demonstrate my FRQGXFWRU UROH µ KH QDUUDWHV ´/LWWOH GLG , NQRZ that 20 years after all those childhood dramas, I ZRXOG VWLOO H[SUHVV WKH LQÁXHQFH RI 'DQIR LQ P\ art practice.”

7KXV WKH DUWLVW DSSURSULDWHV 'DQIR ZKLFK KH UHIHUV WR DV D GRPLQDQW PRWLI LQ P\ WKLQNLQJ DQG

A view of the exhibition hall

FIne-Boy Conductor, acrylic on canvas FUHDWLRQ DV QRW RQO\ D PHDQV RI QDYLJDWLQJ WKH FKDRWLF UDEELW ZDUUHQ RI /DJRV VWUHHWV EXW DOVR as a metaphor and an entry point into Lagos social circles. “Just as Danfo tells current stories through its interior and exterior designs, so too do I re-enact those stories in my paintings, utilising divergent colours, geometric shapes and graphic designs.”

0HDQZKLOH WKURXJK WKH VXEOLPLQDO GHSLFtions of the tumultuous scenes culled from the UHSRVLWRULHV RI KLV H[SHULHQFHV WKH 'HOWD State University, Abraka graduate tells an abridged story of his life. This he expresses as JHRPHWULFDOO\ LQÁXHQFHG SDWWHUQV RQ FDQYDV neither glorifying nor soliciting the pity of KLV YLHZHUV $QG DQ DGMXQFW WR WKHVH VNHWFK\ anecdotes of his personal life is those of the ordinary people he encountered daily in the streets.

Okada Man, acrylic on canvas 7KHVH VWUHHW SHRSOH ZKR LQ WKHLU RZQ ULJKW GHVHUYH WR EH FDOOHG ´SXEOLF ÀJXUHVµ SOD\ XQLTXH UROHV even as the “dregs of society”. In paying tribute to WKHVH UHVLOLHQW RQHV (\PLHJKD VD\V KH GUDZV KLV LQVSLUDWLRQ IURP WKH SUHFHGLQJ HͿRUWV RI WKH 'XWFK *ROGHQ $JH SDLQWHU 5HPEUDQGW +DUPHQV]RRQ van Rijn, the American visual artist George Condo, DQG 1LJHULD·V %RE 1RVD 8ZDJERH ´'LUHFWO\ RU LQGLUHFWO\ WKH FRPPRQ PDQ RU ZRPDQ KDV VRPH VRUW RI FRQQHFWLRQ ZLWK DOO RI XV µ KH DUJXHV ´+HQFH LW LV LPSRUWDQW WR VWXG\ DQG GRFXPHQW WKHLU TXLQWHVsential role in our lives.” %XW WKH WURXEOH ZLWK DEVWUDFWLRQ LV WKDW LW OHDYHV a lot more to conjecture than it expresses in easily discernible forms. Thankfully, the titles of the acrylic paintings are on standby as useful hints to decipher the messages of the paintings. For instance, through WKH WLWOHV WKH YLHZHU HDVLO\ ÀOOV LQ WKH EODQN VSDFHV LQ KLV LPDJLQDWLRQ ZKLOH FRQWHPSODWLQJ WKH VWLFN

PDQOLNH ÀJXUHV LQ -RKQQ\ -XVW &RPH DQG “Okada Man”, mulls over “Fine-boy Conductor” EXW LV EHZLOGHUHG E\ ´'DQIR &KLHI µ 7KLV LQHYLWDEO\ FDOOV LQWR TXHVWLRQ WKH DUWLVW·V untrammelled adherence to aesthetic canons DQG YRFDEXODU\ ZKLFK RIWHQWLPHV FRQÁLFW ZLWK his role as a mediator of higher inspirations.

Not even the sharing of his everyday struggles as a Lagosian exonerates him from directing KLV DXGLHQFH·V JD]H WR KLJKHU JRDOV (YHQ LI KLV portraits of ordinary men are interesting, they still OHDYH WKH YLHZHU ZLWK DQ XQDQVZHUHG TXHVWLRQ :KDW QH[W" ,QGHHG WKH IDFW WKDW WKH DUWLVW KDV VRPHZKDW ULVHQ DERYH WKH FLUFXPVWDQFHV RI KLV early childhood years further imposes a burden RI UHVSRQVLELOLW\ RQ KLP WR LQVSLUH RWKHUV ZKR DUH stuck in those conditions to strive higher.

0HDQZKLOH WKH H[KLELWLRQ ² ZKLFK VHHNV WR UH EUDQG DQG UHGHÀQH WKH FRQFHSWXDO GHVLJQV RQ WKHVH \HOORZ PLQL EXVHV IRU WKH DSSUHFLDWLRQ RI D ZLGHU DXGLHQFH ² UHPDLQV RSHQ XQWLO 6DWXUGD\ 0D\ Quite surprisingly, Eyimiegha is no stranger to the Lagos exhibition circuit, for as recently as November last year, his solo exhibition, Elixir, ZKLFK IHDWXUHG DQ LQVWDOODWLRQ WLWOHG 6DSHOH 6SLULW HOLFLWHG WKH LQWHUHVW RI DÀFLRQDGRV Earlier in September, he participated in the Lagos &RPLF &RQ DQG KLV ZRUNV ZHUH LQFOXGHG LQ DQ international exhibition at the Museo de Ciudad de Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Before that, LQ KH ZDV RQH RI WKH ÀQDOLVWV LQ WKH $UW ; 5HYLHZ 7KDW ZDV WKH VDPH \HDU KH SDUWLFLSDWHG LQ WKH )ORRU 2QH ([KLELWLRQ E\ $UW 7ZHQW\ 2QH /DJRV ZKLFK ZDV KHOG IURP )HEUXDU\ WR 2FWREHU ,Q 2FWREHU KH ZDV DOVR SDUW RI WKH 2IDOD Festival Art Exhibition in Onitsha.

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

66

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 10, 2022

ARTS & REVIEW\\CONTROVERSY

ON SCREENINGS AND SENSIBILITIES Yinka Olatunbosun

C

rown Troupe of Africa set the tone for the day with the protest drama performance titled “Not Nolly’’ directed by 6HJXQ $GHÀOD 7KLV IROORZHG the opening agit-prop play titled “Area” – a performance that chronicles Nigeria’s socio-political challenges and the SDUDGR[ RI 1LJHULD·V RLO DQG QDWXUDO UHVRXUFHV Characterised by Brechtian technique of alienation, the lines were articulated through PRQRORJXHV DQG FKRUXVHG OLQHV Though cheeky, the drama which simultaneously provokes laughter and introspection is a socio-political commentary on poor governance, nepotism, religious bigotry DQG FLWL]HQ·V UROH LQ QDWLRQ EXLOGLQJ 6LJnalling the start of the fourth edition of the monthly series, Unchained Vibes Africa, the performances and discussion sessions were held at its traditional venue, Freedom Park /DJRV 7KH HYHQW IHDWXUHG VWDNHKROGHUV IURP the movie industry who deliberated on the theme, "Not Nolly: Asserting Filmmakers’ $UWLVWLF )UHHGRP µ The panel discussion which was moderated by the seasoned journalist and culture advocate, Jahman Anikulapo featured Taiwo Ajai-Lycett DV WKH NH\QRWH VSHDNHU 2WKHU SDQHOLVWV LQFOXGH 6HJXQ $GHÀOD 5REHUW <RXQJ .ROD $ODSLQL )UDQFLV 2QZRFKLH DQG 9LFWRU 2NKDL 7KH FRQYHUVDWLRQ ZDV UHDFWLRQDU\ (DUOLHU there were reports in the media of public R΀FLDOV EODPLQJ 1ROO\ZRRG IRU HQFRXUDJing money-ritual and kidnapping with their FRQWHQW 'XULQJ D SOHQDU\ VHVVLRQ DW WKH +RXVH RI 5HSUHVHQWDWLYHV LQ -DQXDU\ 1ROO\ZRRG ZDV blamed for creating content that glamourised ULWXDO NLOOLQJV DQG NLGQDSSLQJV 2QH VXFK assertion was also credited to the Minister RI :RUNV DQG +RXVLQJ %DEDWXQGH )DVKROD who spoke at a symposium organised by the 8QLWHG $FWLRQ IRU &KDQJH +H UHSRUWHGO\ claimed that Nollywood, through its movies, is reinforcing the belief that human parts FDQ EH WXUQHG LQWR PRQH\ ,Q WKH VDPH YHLQ WKH 0LQLVWHU RI ,QIRUPDWLRQ DQG &XOWXUH /DL 0RKDPPHG DOVR VDLG WKDW 1ROO\ZRRG ÀOPV PD\ EH LQÁXHQFLQJ \RXQJ SHRSOH LQWR ULWXDOV ,Q KHU NH\QRWH DGGUHVV $MDL /\FHWW ZDGHG LQ on the issue, acknowledging the power of the PHGLD FRQWHQW RQ SRSXODU FXOWXUH +RZHYHU she warned against a knee-jerk response that is devoid of diligent consideration and smirks RI KLJKKDQGHGQHVV ´:H QHHG WR SXW RQ WKH front burner instead Nollywood’s most critical contribution to the Nigerian narrative which ZLOO VHUYH DV DQ HQWLUH FRQYHUVDWLRQ E\ LWVHOI This may well be our call to set up a think WDQN RUJDQLVH DQG ODXQFK RXU RZQ 1HWÁL[ RI LQVSLUDWLRQ DQG PRWLYDWLRQ µ VKH VDLG

A stage play at the event

CONTROVERSY For her, it is rather culture, not politics, WKDW SURPRWHV SURJUHVVLYH VRFLHW\ )RU this reason, she argued that the entertainment industry must rise decisively to the challenge, using its collective strength and ability to communicate intelligence, justice, freedom, love, religious tolerance DPRQJVW RWKHU YLUWXHV ´:KHQ RXU PRWKHUV FDQ VWDQG DQG ÀJKW in public, then we know that we don’t KDYH FODVV 7KH HQWHUWDLQPHQW LQGXVWU\ has already shaped our present and will FRQWLQXH WR GHÀQH RXU IXWXUH :KDW ZH watch or listen to can shape our mindset DQG DͿHFW KRZ ZH SHUFHLYH WKH ZRUOG DQG KRZ ZH UHODWH WR RWKHUV :H PXVW therefore be concerned about the likes RI %LJ %URWKHU 1DLMD $MDL /\FHWW D΀UPHG WKDW WKH FUHDWLYH industry should motivate, mobilise

and inspire the people as the guardian of WKH QDWLRQ·V FXOWXUDO KHULWDJH ´7KH LQGXVWU\ ZLHOGV VXFK D SRZHUIXO LQÁXHQFH RYHU SHRSOH ,W LV WKHUHIRUH ORJLFDO WR H[SHFW WKH industry to own up to its responsibility and LQGHHG GLVSOD\ D KLJKHU DFFRXQWDELOLW\ ,·P QRW DIUDLG WKDW SHRSOH DUH NQRFNLQJ WKH LQGXVWU\ , WKLQN WKH\ DUH WHOOLQJ XV KRZ LPSRUWDQW ZH DUH WR WKH GHYHORSPHQW RI WKLV FRXQWU\ ,W LV only fair that we are culpable in the present GHFD\ RI WKH VRFLHW\ µ VKH DUJXHG 2WKHU SDQHOOLVWV H[SUHVVHG FRQFHUQ WKDW WKH idea of holding Nollywood responsible for the growing rate of ritual killings and other societal menaces, if left unchecked, could suppress FUHDWLYLW\ ,Q KLV LQWHUYHQWLRQ WKH FRQVXPPDWH DFWRU 1RUEHUW <RXQJ FRQGHPQHG WKH KDELW of blaming Nollywood for the prevalence RI FULPH +H EHJDQ ZLWK D UHIHUHQFH WR WKH FODVVLF GHÀQLWLRQ RI WUDJHG\ DQG KRZ WKDW ZDV overturned by the playwright-screenwriter Arthur Miller’s view of tragedy and the FRPPRQ PDQ ´7KH ZRUN WKDW ZH GR LV YHU\

VDFUHG :H WUHDW RXU EXVLQHVV DV D UHOLJLRQ YHU\ FORVH WR RXU KHDUW 'RQ·W MRLQ LVVXHV ZLWK SHRSOH ZKR GRQ·W NQRZ ZKDW WKH\ DUH VD\LQJ ,W ZHDUV \RX RXW :KDW 1ROO\ZRRG KDV GRQH in this country, the government since 1960 KDV QRW EHHQ DEOH WR GR LW :K\ DUH \RX QRZ GUDJJLQJ 1ROO\ZRRG LQWR \RXU IDLOXUH" +RZ did we teach the world how to do rituals?”

6HJXQ $GHÀOD ZKR ZDV ODWHU QDPHG DV WKH Artist of the Month by Unchained Vibes Africa described the whole situation as ‘scapegoatLVP · ´:H PXVW ORRN IRU VRPHERG\ WR EODPH ,W LV WUXH We should be happy that they (the government) DUH ZDNLQJ XS WR UHDOLVH WKH SRZHU RI WKH DUWV ,Q 1LJHULD ZH DUH IRUFHG WR EULQJ RXW ZDWHU from the rocks and then killed for drinking LW :H VKRXOGQ·W EH ERWKHUHG ZH VKRXOGQ·W EH DQJU\ WKDW ZH ZHUH DFFXVHG , GRQ·W HYHQ WKLQN LW LV ZRUWK D VHPLQDU µ KH VDLG The event which was anchored by the actor Sam Uche Anyamele also featured open mic SHUIRUPDQFHV E\ 0X\HQ DQG % 0HUL $ERNL

CITY MAPPING AND STRETCHING THE FRONTIERS OF ART Chikaogwu Kanu

A

NRPRQD 'LUHFWLRQ LV WKH WKHPH RI Tobi Animashaun’s recent debut solo exhibition that held at the Centre for ContemporaryArt (CCA), Lagos, from -XQH WR -XO\ $NRPRQD LV D triptych art project that “merges sound installations, mural and paintings into a sublime presentation”, and “invites the audience to a state of retrospection that exalts the necessity for preservation, the SUHHPLQHQFH RI GLUHFWLRQµ DQG WKH VLJQLÀFDQFH RI identity in the socio-political, cultural, religious, and HFRQRPLF OLYHV RI RXU QDWLRQ ,W ´LQYHVWLJDWHV GLUHFWLRQ GHVWLQDWLRQ DQG SODFH DV D bearer of evidence and the lack of it using the device of VWUHHW QDPHV DV D EDFNGURS DQG D SRLQWHU µ $NRPRQD therefore, explores the underlying import of street names as “symbols and relics of memory” which helps us to understand our history that are laden with “experiences, wars, victories, trade, challenges, VXFFHVVHV DQG IDLOXUHV µ ,Q RWKHU ZRUGV LW XQGHUVFRUHV WKH VLJQLÀFDQFH RI documentation in the development of our nation, and the need to imbibe this culture that is apparently ODFNLQJ 7KH ORJLF RI WKH SURMHFW DQG LWV VW\OH RI GHOLYHU\ DOVR JLYHV RQH D VHQVH RI WKH LQÀQLWH QDWXUH RI DUW 7KH H[KLELWLRQ LV D FRQÀJXUDWLRQ RI D PXUDO PDS

Animashaun

EXHIBITION RI ROG ,NR\L FRPSULVLQJ QRQ H[KDXVWLYH VWUHHW names that have been renamed, sound installation of pedestrians and commuters, and the “portraits, LQWHUODFHG ZLWK >WKH@ UHFKULVWHQHG VWUHHW QDPHV µ 7KH VWUHHW PDS RI ROG ,NR\L FRYHUV KDOI RI WKH HQWLUH JDOOHU\ VSDFH :KLOH WKH PDSSLQJ LV H[HFXWHG GLUHFWO\ on the gallery wall space, the mapping extension RQ WKH ÁRRU LV GRQH RQ D WDUSDXOLQ FRYHUHG ÁRRU

7KH VWUHHW QDPHV LQ VLJQ SRVWV DUH À[HG GLUHFWO\ on the wall, while the pixelated paintings of the personalities the streets are named after such as Adekunle Lawal that hang on the wall, “become FKDUDFWHUV LQ WKH SRUWUDLWXUH µ $FFRUGLQJ WR WKH DUWLVW WKH PDS VLJQLÀHV GLUHFWLRQ GRFXPHQWDWLRQ DQG KLVWRU\ %RWK WKH ROG DQG QHZ VWUHHW QDPHV RI the selected 23 streets “are not just tools for navigaWLRQ EXW DQ DUFKLYH RI QDWLRQDO KLVWRU\ µ WKDW ´NHHS records of experiences and feelings of both old and QHZ UHVLGHQWV RI WKDW DUHD µ 6RXQG DUW LQYHVWLJDWHV “recordings of pedestrians and commuters” as a kind of documentation to illustrate its importance in the journey of life, and the dire consequences of QHJOHFWLQJ WKLV HVVHQWLDO WRRO RI OLIH 7KH SL[HODWHG paintings on the other hand, represent how lost, confused, and retrogressive we are as a nation due WR WKH DSSDUHQW ODFN RI GRFXPHQWDWLRQ FXOWXUH The whole notion of the display indeed gives one a sense of ephemerality – the impermanence nature of things which is central to the message the artist is communicating, and the need to arrest the vital DVSHFWV RI WKLV WUDQVLHQF\ WKURXJK GRFXPHQWDWLRQ , DJUHH FRPSOHWHO\ ZLWK WKLV REMHFWLYH RI WKH H[KLELWLRQ 7KH HSKHPHUDO PRGH RI H[SUHVVLRQ LQÁXHQFHG E\ the postmodern style of installation is accentuated by the fact that the works on display will eventually disappear through the repainting of the wall

that bears the mapping mural, rolling out of the WDUSDXOLQ ÁRRU PDSSLQJ DQG GLVPDQWOLQJ RI WKH VWUHHW QDPHV LQVWDOODWLRQ 7KLV WHPSRUDULQHVV HYRNHV the idea of the true nature of life and society that is in D FRQVWDQW VWDWH RI ÁX[ )RU LQVWDQFH HYHQ WKH VWUHHW mapping – the subject of this exhibition is changing ZKLOH WKH H[KLELWLRQ LV JRLQJ RQ 7KLV XQGHUVFRUHV WKH VLJQLÀFDQFH RI IUHH]LQJ DQG RU SDXVLQJ PHWKRG adopted by this show as a method to capture and appreciate some of the passing beautiful moments RI OLIH DQG VRFLHW\ WKURXJK GRFXPHQWDWLRQ $QG WKLV is the scenario the artist invites us to ponder about in the context of documentation and development in 1LJHULD DQG WKH FRQWLQHQW RI $IULFD DV ZHOO The challenge of documentation in the development of Nigeria can better be appreciated when RQH FRQVLGHUV KRZ ODFN RI DFFXUDWH FHQVXV ÀJXUH LQ Nigeria occasioned by poor documentation culture has continue to plague meaningful development in RXU FRXQWU\ 7KH FRQGXFW RI FHQVXV LQ 1LJHULD KDV often been marred by irregularities and malpractices occasioned by poor culture of documentation and LJQRUDQFH DERXW WKH VLJQLÀFDQFH RI DFFXUDWH FHQVXV ÀJXUHV WR QDWLRQDO GHYHORSPHQW $QG WKLV KDV QR doubt undermined meaningful development of 1LJHULD VLQFH LQGHSHQGHQFH $FFRUGLQJ WR $EUDKDP 2NROR ´&HQVXV WDNLQJ LV D YHU\ VHQVLWLYH LVVXH WKDW KDV UHPDLQHG LQWUDFWDEOH LQ 1LJHULD

67

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 10, 2022

CICERO

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

IN THE ARENA

With Dodgy ‘Open Ticket,’ PDP Games 2023 The opposition Peoples Democratic Party has opened a huge internal trust gap, endangering its comeback bid by ditching its North-South rotation of presidency template ahead of the 2023 election, writes Louis Achi

F

undamentally, political parties are essential institutions of democracy. By competing in elections, parties offer citizens and members opportunities for political participation and a choice in governance. While in opposition they can hold governments accountable.

Parties also have self-fashioned constitutions that guide their trajectories. But when lack of principle and greed take centre stage, these parties tend to be consumed. This scenario clearly seems to be what is generating strong headwinds buffeting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and forcing it into unseemly tailspin.

Ahead of the party’s presidential primary election slated for May 28 2022, the Governor Samuel Ortom-led zoning committee had thrown the ticket open, ditching the presidential zoning model captured by the party’s constitution. Ortom’s later curious attempt at backtracking from his committee’s position only gave the controversial set up an unintended Nollywood dimension.

On April 5, the Governor Ortom-led 37-man committee set up by the party to decide the zoning or otherwise of its presidential ticket reached unanimous decision to throw the ticket open to aspirants from all the zones of the country.

Sources in the zoning committee, who attended the meeting at the Benue State Government Lodge, in Abuja, disclosed that the presidential ticket had been thrown open to all the 13 aspirants that had bought presidential nomination forms.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, after the meeting chairman of the committee chair and Governor of Benue State, Ortom, revealed, “We have just finished our meeting. After we rose from our meeting last week; today we decided that we would meet and by the Grace of God we have unanimously adopted a position that will be sent to the NEC of our party that appointed us.

“The good news for our teaming supporters of the PDP and Nigerians is that we have resolved and every one of us, the 37 members, unanimously adopted the position that we are going to present to NEC.” It could be recalled that stakeholders of the party had taken different positions on zoning, with the National Chairman of the party, Senator

Iyorchia Ayu said had come to stay.

Sources revealed that the Ortom’s committee affirmed that even though zoning is part of the party’s constitution, it decided to throw open the presidential contest due to exigency of time and the fact that they are in the opposition.

“It is too late to stop aspirants from contesting and because our ultimate goal is to win, the majority of us have agreed that the race be thrown open to all. We are going for a zerozoning arrangement,” the source reportedly stated.

It will be recalled that while hosting Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike in Makurdi, Benue State capital, recently, Ortom had proclaimed that “On Southern presidency I stand.”

Sources revealed to THISDAY that former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, Kawo Baraje, and Senator Abdul Ningi had favoured the zoning of the presidential ticket to the North.

The trio were said to have argued that the best decision for the Ortom’s committee was to zone the presidential ticket to the North or alternatively in the interest of fair play and transparency, throw open the ticket to all the 13 aspirants that had purchased the presidential forms.

It was also learnt that they argued that

the PDP ticket since 1999 had been in the Southern part of the country, where former President Olusegun Obasanjo had it for eight years, followed by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, from the North, who died in office about three years into his tenure. Former President Goodluck Jonathan, from the south, held office from May 5, 2010 to May 29, 2015.

However, members of the committee from the South had argued that prior to the 2019 presidential election, the Senator Ike Ekweremadu-led committee had officially announced the zoning of the PDP presidential candidate to the North. They argued that it was on the basis of the zoning arrangement that Atiku, Tambuwal, Saraki and others contested and there was no single Southerner that contested in the Port Harcourt presidential convention.

But a key point conveniently glossed over in the unfolding development is the fact that the PDP’s Constitution specifies zoning of the president as a cardinal point of its being. Several warnings on this count have come from the South, including from Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

A firm advocate of Southern presidency and former Commissioner of Information, Edo State, Prince Kassim Afegbua, cut to the heart of the matter by insisting that throwing the 2023 presidential position open for all PDP members offends the party’s constitu-

tion and the democratic principles of equity and fairness.

According to him, seven powerful members of the PDP who contributed to the ‘death’ of the PDP in 2015 with their departure because of zoning are the ones who have now returned to say that zoning is no longer important.

In his further reaction to the controversial open-ticket scenario, Afegbua said the PDP constitution contains clear provisions for power rotation between regions of the nation to reflect democratic principles of equity, justice, and fairness.

Afegbua’s argument is that following the eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner, with a possible election of another northerner, will offend the spirit of equity and fairness upon which the country’s, as well as the PDP’s, power sharing arrangement is premised.

PDP had claimed that the zoning arrangement would make power to rotate between the North and South every eight years. Proponents of zoning have argued that since Buhari has done eight years in APC, the interest of the North has been taken care of.

Afegbua also argued that those ignoring the constitutional provision to champion the nonzoning of the ticket are not being completely honest, given that as recent as 2019, the party reserved the contest for its ticket to its northern members out of respect for the same zoning arrangement the individuals are claiming to be ignorant of.

He highlighted the 2015 defections of the likes of Atiku Abubakar, Bukola Saraki, and Aminu Tambuwal from the PDP to the APC over dissatisfaction with the purported refusal of former President Goodluck Jonathan to honor the zoning arrangement.

His words: “If the party has now decided that it no longer wants to zone positions, then it should expunge the provision on power rotation from its constitution. This is to prevent legal complications if a dissatisfied member decides to take it to court over its failure to live up to the prescriptions of its own constitution.”

Watched carefully and perhaps derisively by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the emerging consensus is that the PDP might naively self-destruct, handing the next presidency to APC, despite its questionable moral burden.

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

Ekweremadu, the System Won’t Bow to You!

Ekweremadu

At his 57th birthday thanksgiving in May 2019, which also marked his 16th year in the senate, a former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, publicly announced his readiness to leave the senate in 2023, because by then, he would have spent 20 unbroken years in the upper chamber of the legislature.

Of course, he didn’t disclose his next move to the gathering, even though returning to the senate in 2019, was not a walkover either. But as the journey to 2023 inches closer, Ekweremadu, after 20 years in the upper legislative chamber, intends to retire with a governorship bid. He has always had the idea in his head but always failed as well.

Interestingly, Enugu has a peculiar politics as it is with many South-east states, where zoning or rotation for the governorship is taken seriously. Of the three senatorial

districts, Enugu East had produced a governor in the person of Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, from 1999 to 2007.

TheWest took its turn from 2007 to 2015, when Sullivan Chime served, and now, the Northern hemisphere, is in the saddle with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, effectively representing them.

Therefore, if this arrangement, which has never failed or been compromised is taken into account, the governorship automatically goes back to Enugu East next year, when another election is due. But Ekweremadu intends to upset the apple cart by insisting he would be on the ballot, when clearly it is not the turn of the West, where he hails from and would have represented for 20 years in the senate by 2023.

However, with failed attempts, both in 2007 and 2015, Ekweremadu should have known by now that

the system is not only bigger than him, but also effective on the rotation politics, and would not bow to his governorship craving. As an establishment person, who has benefitted immensely for the better part of his adulthood from the system, he should not be found trying to rail against the system that produced him. It’s unfortunate to say the least.

Well, if he still desires to be governor in 2027 after the East must have served one term, and by which time he would be 65 years, all well and good. But his chances are brighter in 2031, when it would be clearly the turn of Enugu West and which time he would be 69. But to think the system would slouch to his poverty of ambition or consider a negotiation, which appears what his move is all about, then, he should wake up from his dream, because has just exposed himself as both greedy and egoistic.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 10, 2022

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BRIEFINGNOTES Oshiomhole Stages Comeback Bid Nearly two years after his controversial exit from office, which threatened his political career, a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, staged a comeback last week to confront his traditional and emerging political foes with a declaration of his intention to contest for Edo North senatorial seat, write Ejiofor Alike and Vanessa Obioha

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he glorious reign of a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. AdamsOshiomhole,endedundera controversial circumstance when President Muhammadu Buhari called for the dissolution of the NationalWorking Committee (NWC) of the ruling party at a controversial virtual National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party held in June 2020.

Though the majority of the NWC members had opposed the NEC meeting, insisting that it was wrongly called by Mr. Victor Giadom, whom they said was not competent to call the meeting, Buharihaddeclaredsupportforthemeeting,saying “the law is on the side of Victor Giadom as Acting National Chairman.”

“The issues currently confronting our party at this time are such that should worry every party member. At the moment, our great party is faced with internal wrangling; there are on-going litigationsamongstsomepartymembersandwecannot clearly ascertain the status of certain National Working Committee (NWC) members,” Buhari had reportedly said, and then proposed the dissolution of the NWC as one of the ways to resolve the party’s crisis.

“The meeting may adopt the developed resolutionascontainedintheagendaandpassresolutions including approving the immediate discontinuation of all pending litigations involving the party and its members; ratifying the primary election conducted in Edo State; dissolving the current National Working Committee, and appointing caretaker/Extra-ordinary Convention Planning committee for the party,” the president had said.

Oshiomhole lost out when the emergency NEC meeting adopted all the recommendations by President Buhari, and appointed the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Buni, as Caretaker National Chairman, while Senator John Akpanudoede was designated Caretaker National Secretary.

ThetravailsoftheformerGovernorofEdoState started when Justice Danlami Senchi, of the High Court of FCTsitting in Abuja, ruled in March 2020 that it was wrong of the APC to have kept him as national chairman after he was suspended by the state chapter of the party. An attempt to get him backintoofficefailedinJune2020aftertheAppeal Court ruled that there was no justifiable basis for an appeal against the court ruling suspending him.

AfterhefelloutwithGovernorGodwinObaseki, theAPCexecutivecommitteeinhiswardinEtsako WestLocalGovernmentAreahadsuspendedhim, whiletheAPCchairmeninthe18LGAsofthestate also passed a vote of no confidence on him.

AsifhissackastheAPCchairmanwasnotenough humiliation, he was also dislodged in Edo State, which he governed from 2008 to 2016, after his candidate, Pastor Osazie Ize-Iyamu of the APC, lost to Obaseki of the PDP, in the September 16, 2020 governorship election in the state. Obaseki had boasted to his supporters in Oredo LGA at the

Oshiomhole closing of his campaigns that having dealt with Oshiomhole at the national level of APC, the next target was to bury him politically.

“This election is a contest with Oshiomhole.

We have dealt with him at the national level, we will bury him politically in this election,” Obaseki was quoted as saying.

Oshiomhole’s party lost the election, forcing him to disappear from the political scene. But after nearly two years in political doldrums and after several months of speculations over his rumoured political ambition, Oshiomhole, last week declared his intention to contest election fortheEdoNorthsenatorialseatattheNational Assembly.

He made the declaration at his 70th birthday

celebration held at his Iyamoh residence in Etsako West LGA, which had several leaders of the APC in attendance.

In a celebratory mood, Oshiomhole told his guests that: “It is true that for quite some time, manyofourpeoplehaveaskedmewhydon’tyou contestfortheSenate.AndIsaidfirstAPChasa crisis; let us fix the crisis; let there be convention because you cannot begin to discuss what kind of baby you are going to have when you are not married.

“We have done what needs to be done and I am inspired by the position of the new leadership for us to do what we need to do to retain power in 2023. I am therefore convinced that this is the time to proceed to the next step of

the conversation which is about who lead the great people of Edo North in the senate by 2023.

“After all consultations, you must be convinced that you can do it and improve on it. These times that people have been asking me, I have also been examiningmyselfbecauseIdonotwanttogotothe senate and sit down, listen to motions and collect salariesattheendofthemonth.Idonotbelievethat I need to go to the senate to take a sabbatical, to take a rest because that is an important institution where men and women are elected by their people to contribute to affairs that affect their people, how funds are allocated and to ensure that the people of Nigeria have value for their resources and money,” he explained.

Giving reasons why he wants to contest for the Senate seat, the former governor said he is vying for Edo North senatorial seat in the 2023 general election to give the people better representation and contribute to Nigeria’s development. Having declared his ambition, Oshiomhole is set to go back to the trenches with his political foes, Obaseki and his PDP. Even the current senator representing the zone, Francis Alimikhena of the APC, whom many analysts had thought was nominated for the seat in trust for Oshiomhole any time he wanted to return to politics after the expiration of his tenure as national chairman, is now set to challenge his supposed principal.

Alimikhena had a few days ago declared for a third term in the Senate. He made this known at the Etsako East LGA’s APC secretariat during an enlarged gathering of APC chieftains, leaders, and ward executives of the party in the council.

He told the party faithful that a very sensitive position in the Senate would be zoned to the South-south, pointing out that Edo North, would only stand the chance of clinching the position if he returned to the Senate.

“I have done it before and I am set to do much more. I am here to seek your support and your votes in the forthcoming APC Primary election.

I was fortunate to be a principal officer in my first tenure in the Senate as Deputy Chief which because I was the only elected APC Senator in the entire South-south zone in the 2015 general election and returning to the Senate now will be in the best interest of all of us in Edo North,” he had added.

No senator from Edo North has ever served a third term, but Alimikhena seemed to be nudged by supporters and chieftains to run for the Senate seat. Apparently referring to Oshiomhole, he had argued that a first-term senator would be denied the top position zoned to the South-south in the next dispensation.

So, apart from contending with his traditional political foes, Obaseki and his PDP, the former Edo State chairman will face a new political enemy within his APC. Is he going to face the same humiliation he faced in the September 19, 2020 governorship election or will he triumph over his enemies? Events of the coming weeks will reveal.

NOTES FOR FILE

FG’s Questionable Social Investment Schemes

Sadiya Farouq

When Nigerians think they have seen it all, one piece of news will make them feel they haven’t seen anything yet.

Thiswasthecaselastweekwhenthefederalgovernment through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development said thatithadspentawhoppingoverN6.2billiontotrainand equip 16,820 Bauchi youths in the art of smartphone repairstoenablethemtobecomefinanciallyself-reliant.

Accordingtotheminister,SadiyaFarouq,whospoke at the flag-off of the N-Skills (Smart Phone Repairs) Programme in Bauchi, the programme is used to pilot the N-Skills programme, which is part of the N-Power non-graduate programme.

Even though the minister did not explain how many

peopleweretrainedoverwhichperiod;howmanymobile phones are in use in Bauchi State; and the amount of revenue telcos derive from Bauchi State, Nigerians are already raising eyebrows.

Fromcalculations,theministryusedaboutN385,000 to train each youth, which to many is outrageous. Each time Nigerians hear billions of naira being spent on Social Investment Programme, they wonder why the country still has very high rate of unemployment and poverty. Instantly, they suspect foul play.

Twoyearsago,eventheFirstLady,Mrs.AishaBuhari, had openly carpeted the programme, describing it as a failure, especially in the Northern part of the country.

The president’s wife, who said she had kept quiet to avoid being accused of raising the alarm, added that

theprogrammewasequallyafailureinherownstateof Adamawa, where she said that only one out of 22 local councils benefitted from the programme, as of then.

Almost simultaneously, after the federal government claimed it had spent N13billion Gombe State, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation and former governor of the state, Danjuma Goje, disclosed:“IamfromGombeState,IrepresentGombe Central. I am yet to see one single boy who came to tell me that he has benefited from your N500 billion. Many other Nigerians are saying the same thing. N500 billion for 36 states is about N13 billion.

If you spend N13 billion in one year in Gombe State, there is no way I would not have known, other people will also know.”

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 10, 2022

CICERO/REPORT

Soyinka, Omisore’s War of Words over Unresolved Ige’s Murder Following the failure of the successive administrations to resolve the over 20-year-old murder of a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Iyiola Omisore, and Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka have commenced a fresh war of words over the embarrassing incident, Ejiofor Alike reports

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obel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, last week reopened the over 20-year-old case of murder of a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige when he faulted the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to elect Senator Iyiola Omisore, as its National Secretary following his alleged role in the circumstances leading to the murder.

Omisore, a principal suspect in the murder, was later discharged and acquitted by the court.

But in a statement titled: “Perhaps closed files should remain just that-closed?”, Soyinka insisted that Omisore was “one of the prime suspects” in the murder of Ige, adding that his election as the National Secretary of the ruling APC has “hamstrung and disrobed of credibility” the investigation into his death.

Soyinka 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 Inspector-General 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 residence located at No 8, Akinlabi Sanda Close, Bodija in Ibadan, Oyo State.

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 removed from office, 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.

Lamenting what he described as an unusual turn of events, Soyinka said the election of Omisore was the national secretary of the APC has foreclosed any hope of investigating those responsible for the gruesome murder.

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.”

“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,” Soyinka explained.

On 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

Soyinka 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,” he added.

But in a swift response, Omisore pointedly challenged Soyinka, telling him to ask his cousin and former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who killed Chief Ige. In a statement by his media office, the new APC scribe rebutted claims against him on the unresolved murder, saying that if a court of competent jurisdiction could vindicate him, it was naive for anyone to still link him to the crime.

Ige was murdered under the administration of Obasanjo in which he served as Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

Shortly before he was murdered, Ige was said to have contemplated resigning to mobilise the South-west against the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2003 general election.

Although Obasanjo had as a fresh candidate won the presidential poll in 1999 without Southwest, it was feared that his losing the same zone as a sitting president in 2003 would have been a greater embarrassment than the previous loss.

Reacting further to Soyinka’s outburst, the former Osun senator argued that as brilliant as Soyinka is, he has no monopoly of wisdom. He recalled that in 2004, Soyinka, who was 70, had accused the Obasanjo’s government of complicity in the death of Ige by referring to his givernment as a “nest of killers.”

He further regretted that Soyinka had once attacked Mr. Gbenga Daniel, a former two-term governor of his native Ogun State.

Omisore maintained that the record shows that he and others were tried for two and a half years for the murder and later discharged and acquitted by the court.

“If the courts of the land have vindicated a man, it’s naive of him, after nearly a decade to link Senator Iyiola Omisore, to further search. Civil and criminal law knowledge should tell prof to ask

Omisore his cousin, Obasanjo for the murderer. The world is aware of the framing of Senator Iyiola Omisore and his travails and trials facing murder charges and his subsequent acquittal and discharge almost a decade ago by a competent Court of the land. So, how come any man can still refer to him as a possible suspect?”

Recalling Soyinka’s adventures in his earlier days, Omisore said: “It is part of history and we are not too young, when we read of him (Prof) too carried a gun into a radio station- a criminal offence against the state, yet we continue to honour him. History has it that the Prof as an undergraduate along with colleagues laid the foundation for today’s cultism in our institutions of higher learning which today has become a cankerworm that is destroying our youths. Yet, we still continue to honour him.

Omisore also recalled that Soyinka headed a failed education policy in Osun State under the administration of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola. “Prof should be careful not to be seen to be trying to defend the interest of his benefactor, who appointed him as Chairman of the failed education summit,” Omisore said.

Omisore added: “The recent volte face of Soyinka on the Bola Ige matter gives one a cause for concern. First, I was not a member of cabinet in Obasanjo’s government and second, a court of competent jurisdiction had set me and others free after a grueling two and half years trial with N2 billion damages awarded still unpaid by the state government.”

Taking exception to Soyinka’s statement, Omisore said “it is an unnecessary propaganda some drowning politicians are trying to spread.”

He also threatened to sue a political group in Osun APC for fabrication and defamation.

Omisore has also instructed his lawyer to write the elder statesman demanding a retraction of the comments.

But responding to the threat of legal action against him by the APC National Secretary, the eminent scholar on Thursday expressed willing-

ness to be involved in legal proceedings to unravel the killers of Ige. The playwright spoke at a media interaction in Lagos titled, “Forget the past, forfeit the future: A nation seceding from humanity.” He said a man decaped a respected minister and threw the cap to thugs, noting that such an action led to other actions.

“That doesn’t mean you were responsible for the person’s death. But certain actions led to other actions,” he clarified.

The essayist however insisted that such a person should be made an envoy if the party desired to give him a post but not make him secretary of a ruling party.

He noted, “We are talking of the party of those in charge of the governance and justice of this country. The leadership of APC and I am not talking of Buhari alone, do you have to unleash scorpions on our memory? It is not Soyinka who provided this. It’s those who were so insensitive, who rubbed that murder in our faces. I will be delighted to go to court so that we can go into details. I ask the APC leadership to have a rethink because the issue will not go away,” Soyinka added A human rights lawyer, Chief Femi Falana (SAN), has also added his voice to the controversy, demanding that the killers of Ige must be found. Falana, who also spoke at the Lagos event noted that Soyinka had reminded Buhari of his pledge to open an enquiry into the country’s spate of political murders.

“If you (Soyinka) are sued, we will represent you free of charge because you are taking on a public issue,” he added.

The exchange of words between the two personalities and their revelations have shown that the last certainly not been heard on the issue.

It is also an opportunity for the federal government to fulfill its promise and reopen investigation into the incident before Nigerians are distracted by fresh legal proceedings that will not unravel the murder.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 10, 2022

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CICERO/INTERVIEW

Okorocha: There was No APC Consensus, but Deference to Buhari In this interview with Emmanuel Addeh, a former governor of Imo State and current senator representing Imo West, Rochas Okorocha, insists that what the All Progressives Congress had during its last national convention was not a consensus arrangement, but that everything was done out of respect for President Muhammadu Buhari. He also maintains that Nigeria needs a president who can run the country creatively like a businessman, summarising the country’s problem in one word: money or put more appropriately, the lack of it. The federal lawmaker suggests that the party should refund monies paid by aggrieved aspirants before the national convention, making the point that Buhari’s major weakness is that he’s too trusting of his aides

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lot of people have declared for the presidency in 2023. What is new that you are bringing to the table?

2023 in Nigeria is a very important date in the history of this nation when we shall decide our future, our fate moving forward. It is very key given the mood of the nation. It will determine whether we move forward or we move backwards and that is why I am personally concerned about the mood of the nation and that’s the reason why I have decided to run for the office of the president.

The mood of the nation suggests that we must change our style, our way of thinking, our way of doing things. We need completely new ideas to run the affairs of this country because it is obvious that what we have been practicing in the past has not helped us as a nation.

So my coming to run for office of the president is about bringing new ideas , new programmes, something quite different from the old practices, realising that we’ve been doing the same thing, the same old way and getting the same old results.

But somebody will say you had a chance of replicating these new ideas in your eight years as Imo governor because depending on who you talk to today, people have mixed opinions as to how well you performed in Imo State.

There are two types of leaders in Nigeria, the newspaper leaders and practical leaders. I happen to fall into the category of those who do the job and talk less and not those who talk more and do less.

And if you’re busy as a governor, you may not even have time to showcase what you have done.

And if you are doing well, the projects may be too numerous for you to start commissioning everyday.

For me as governor of Imo State, I pride myself as having done not just well, but very well.

I had over 2,000 projects in Imo State. I changed the landscape of the state. I introduced free education in Imo State from primary to secondary to university for eight years, where the student population grew in a geometrical progression from 236,000 to close a 1.9 something million.

Security was at its best when I was a governor.

Peace was the order of the day. I introduced community government council that allows for rural participation in governance. Now, I introduced “Youth Must Work” that engaged these youths on daily basis and that’s why it took many youths, not under an official employment, but a temporary kind of employment that engaged them while trying to get them into a permanent job. So everybody was busy.

I saw land as an asset. I made land a valuable asset and that helped the most. When I came to Imo state, a plot of land was N1 million, before I left, a plot of land became N50 to N100 million. I engaged in urban renewal.

I left N48.3 billion in the coffers of Imo State and owed no bank, not a single bank were we owing while I was in office and I challenge all the banks in Nigeria to speak. I didn’t believe in commissioning of projects because when you are moving a president or moving somebody to come, it will cost you N100 million for logistics. Imo State was the least corrupt state according to Transparency International (TI) and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

We had a system that did not follow the bureaucratic bottlenecks of administration, that when you start with a project, you have to wait for 10 months, before actualising the contract process, the design assessment and consultants, etc.

Still on your ambition, we haven’t seen you crisscrossing the length and breadth of this country like one of the frontline aspirants.

The stage we are now is the stage of internal party affairs, talking to delegates, governors and

again to use the same tactics or consensus strategy and you are not the candidate, what happens next?

You know about consensus. Consensus means total agreement. What you saw happen in the last convention is not actually a consensus. It was a display of respect for the person of President Muhammadu Buhari and the love of one’s party because most people left pained and aggrieved.

But you say because of Buhari, I subsume my ambition. And I thought that was out of respect for President Buhari and that’s why I suggest that all the contestants who made huge sacrifices, that party should return their money with some letters of appreciation.

But it is quite a different thing when it comes to the issue of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, because in the case of the consensus in the party, it starts and finishes with a party. But in the case of presidential primaries, it goes beyond the party, it takes the whole nation.

So, talking about myself, for instance, if I’m contacted by anybody first and foremost, contact is not an order, it is persuasive. I need to hear from the party to say, “you know Rochas, you are not sellable in the northern part of this country. They will not vote for you”. “Oh, Rochas you didn’t do well as a governor. So for that reason, step down, because the party wants to win. So you have to really bring the reasons, but if you know that Rochas is sellable, that Nigeria masses love Rochas Okorocha, why would you want to tell your best to step down?

Let me be honest with you, what is between me and victory to Ask Rock is the party ticket.

Okorocha other stakeholders of the party. Until they make you, until you win and carry the flag of the party before you can consult the rest of the world.

The primaries, that’s what is key for now. Our system is quite different and if you notice, I’ve been in this game three times or four times. All these aspirants, in APC are just new in the system and they will have to do what we did many years ago.

I’ve been in this field. So what is important now is talking to the party and I am more concerned about getting a stable party that can have a free and fair primaries. The issue of zoning comes in, the issue of delegates comes in, the political structure itself of the party comes in. So, my consultation is within the party now.

If I get the party structure, then you can now meet our elder statesmen to say look, I’m having my party structure, could you support me for the Nigerian project?

You’ve always had the belief that the APC will crumble if it doesn’t recognise its founding fathers.

Very recently, the president had a meeting with you and a number of APC founders. Are you satisfied with the discussions that took place?

I had my worries ab initio about our party. One, the fact that we seemed to have forgotten how it all started, and we had so many intruders into the party, who are used to the old style PDP politics. So that was my worry.

But the president showed leadership at the very breaking point and if he had not done that within that period, probably we would not have a party today. So thank God he intervened at that point and showed leadership and for the love we all have for the party, those stakeholders, especially some of us founding fathers, were so happy. We just wanted to let it be, no matter the injustice notice, and that’s

what happened.

So APC convention is called “let it just be no matter who is hurt.” So that we can push it behind us and move ahead and with that in mind, I believe that APC is back as a family, but not without some complaints and anger. And I think as time goes by, we will see who is pacified. But for some of us, we have accepted to take all the nonsense and rubbish and insults and anger and chew it and move ahead, knowing that this nation is bigger than any one of us.

Now there’s a new leadership of the party in place. What do you think should be the priority of the new team?

It should be reconciliation, reconciliation and reconciliation. It should come up with a well couched programme for the primaries so that everyone will believe that the intention of the party is to have a free and fair elections. We must be bold enough to call a spade a spade on the issue of zoning so as to not allow people spend energy and at the end you tell them to step down.

I think with this in mind, we’ll be cruising as a party because this is really key. And they should look at all outstanding court cases and court judgments where they must be implemented. And let them obey court judgments and court orders and where matters are still pending, the party can be called in to withdraw it.

This is the way forward and and I think with the person of Abdullahi Adamu, a man who is focused, I believe he will do just that.

During the last convention of the APC, there was virtually no election. If at the end of the day, during the primaries the president decides

You feel once you have the APC ticket, it is done?

Once I have the APC ticket, it’s a done deal in this country unless we are not talking about Nigeria and the people of Nigeria. And so where I’ve always had that entanglement is always the party. Once I cross the party and I have the ticket, the matter is put to rest and the new Nigeria will start.

Do you think APC should also throw open its ticket or should it go to the south?

The APC presidential ticket should go to the south for equity, justice and fairness and to give everyone a sense of belonging. Secondly, even in the south, there’s need for micro-zoning like it was done in the days of Olu Falae and President Olusegun Obasanjo. They should look at South-east and micro-zone it to South-east to complete this long-awaited circle and for justice and peace. The APC should be able to stand firm.

People have said Nigeria has derailed.

That the next administration will have a lot of work to do. What specifically should Nigerians be looking out for in that individual that will redirect this country?

The problem is that we have been pursuing shadows. Nigerians don’t even understand the problem. Let me summarise it for you. The problem is wealth creation and more wealth creation. It’s money, money, money.

It’s not enough and that’s what is giving rise to all these problems. Call it borrowing, lack of engagement of youths, call it kidnapping. Every problem that you have this in this country is money related.

And it is not different from a typical family where there’s no money. You will have quarrels unless where you have an extraordinary husband or father of the house, who has a system of communication to make the children see reasons. My one point agenda is wealth creation for the people.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 10, 2022

GAVEL

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

Senate chambers

Senate Moves to Protect Intellectual Property Udora Orizu writes that members of the Senate, last week reviewed the Copyright Act 2004 to make it an RͿHQFH WR EURDGFDVW DQ\ GLJLWDO RU RQOLQH ZRUN RI D SHUIRUPHU ZLWKRXW ÀUVW REWDLQLQJ KLV RU KHU FRQVHQW

T

he Senate last week reviewed the Copyright Act 2004 to make it an offence to broadcast any digital or online work of a performer without first obtaining their consent.Thereviewwasaimed at strengthening the provision of policy and legal framework for the effective regulation, protection and administration of copyright in line with global best practices.

The primary function of Copyright under the law is to protect from annexation the fruits of a person’s intellectual work. In Nigeria, the law which regulates this protection is the Copyright Act, Cap C28 LFN 2004. The governing body in charge of copyright is the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC). The commission is responsible for all matters affecting copyright in Nigeria as provided for in this Act, monitoring and supervising Nigeria’s position in relation to international convention and advise Government therein, advising and regulating conditions for the conclusion of bilateral and multilateral agreements between Nigeria and any other country, enlightening and informing the public on matters relating to copyright and maintaining an effective data bank on authors and their works.

Under the Act, Section 1 provides that the works that are eligible for copyright protection are literary works, musical works, artistic works, cinematograph works and sound recording.

Section 11 provides that the owner of a copyright has the right to claim authorship of his work,

object and seek relief in connection with any distortion and mutilation or any other modification of his or her work.

However, since the beginning of the 20th century, the world has witnessed astronomical advancement in scientific and technological innovations which has led many thinkers to term this civilisation as ‘the jet age’. While this technological advancement has had its good impact on the world, it has however disrupted traditional modes of protecting intellectual property.

In Nigeria, despite the Copyright Act which protects intellectual property including digital innovations, the country remains one of the largest piracy destination in the world. These technological shortcomings have made it possible for infringers of digital inventions to make use of the technology with impunity, plagiarize and therefore making it impossible for the Copyright Act to live up to its mandate.

National Assembly Reviews Law Members of the Senate, identifying the inadequacies making it impossible for the already existing Act to accord adequate protection of intellectual property, due to digital inventions in the country, amended the law.

With the amendment, the lawmakers, sought to strengthen the provision of policy and legal framework by making

it an offence to broadcast any digital or online work of a performer without first obtaining their consent. The bill, when it is signed into law, would make the broadcasting or duplication of any online audiovisual work without the consent of the performer an infringement. These include audio or visual works by a performer posted on Facebook, Instagram,TikTok,Twitter or any other online platforms.

The proposed legislation, titled, ‘A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Copyright Act CAP LFN 2004 and to Re-enact the Copyright Act 2022,’ was sponsored by Senator Mukhail Abiru.

The passage of the bill followed the consideration of a report by the Joint Committee on Trade and Investment; and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.

Co-Chair of the Joint Committee, Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali (Gombe North), in his presentation, said the bill essentially seeks to strengthen the copyright regime in Nigeria to enhance the competitiveness of its creative industries in a digital and knowledge-based global economy.

According to the lawmaker, the re-enactment of the bill would effectively protect the rights of authors to ensure just rewards and recognition for their intellectual efforts.

He, however, stated that the legislation would alsoprovideappropriatelimitationandexceptions to guarantee access to creative works, encourage cultural interchange and advance public welfare.

He explained that when signed into law by the president, the new law would facilitate Nigeria’s compliance with obligations arising from relevant international copyright treaties and enhance the

capacities of the Nigerian Copyright Commission for effective administration and enforcements of the provisions of the a copyright Act. He noted that the bill seeks to align Nigeria’s copyright law to be in line with relevant international treaties, including the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement onTrade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).

He said: “Piracy of Nigerian creative works has devastated businesses, harmed consumers and acted as disincentive to foreign direct investment in relevant sectors. The proposed legislation makes online/digital reproduction an infringement as well as properly defines copy to accommodate transient or non-permanent copy that are obtainable online.”

He added that the bill also provides for new rights of remuneration for performers in respect of audiovisual works.

According to the draft bill, Clause 65 states that, “in the absence of express agreement to the contrary, a performer’s consent to the broadcasting of his performance shall be deemed to include hisconsenttoanauthorisedrebroadcasting of his performance, the fixation of his performance for broadcasting purposes and the reproduction for broadcasting purposes of such fixation.”

Clause 73 further provides for a fine of not less than N100,000 for an individual or to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year or both for an individual; and a fine of not less than N2 million naira where criminal liability arises in respect of infringement of performer’s rights.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 10, 2022

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with ChidiAmuta e-mail:chidi.amuta@gmail.com

ENGAGEMENTS

Buhari

For Whom Will Buhari Vote?

T

he race for Nigeria’s next president is progressing down to the wire. The two major political parties have held their conventions and chosen their end term executives.

Most of the minor parties are yet to make their presence known let alone felt. Talks and speculations about mergers, fusions and electoral alliances remain just that: speculations.

As matters stand, our largely unadventurous electorate will still look mostly up to the APC and PDP to provide us with President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor. The other parties may have collections of good men and women but have not worked hard enough to deserve credible attention.

Both the APC and PDP have forged ahead, defying their internal dysfunctions to abide

by INEC’s rule books. They are now at that decisive point of bracing the finishing tape to confront the nation with a binary choice.

In a two party dominated democracy, the choice of president comes down to an ‘either or’ choice. Each of the two parties now has to joggle its internal factors to present the electorate with its best contender for the ultimate binary choice.

Since after 1999, our presidential succession has been an affair of the big parties.

The others also show up. 2023 is not likely to be different. Similarly, since the Obasanjo succession, the most significant power bloc in contention for presidential succession has been our all-powerful state governors. The faceoff between President Obasanjo and his Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, was over control of the ambitious governors all scrambling either to support Atiku to oust Obasanjo half term or succeed him at full term.

Under the inevitable political shadow of the conclave of governors, Mr. Obasanjo was compelled to choose the more pliant pair of Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan as

against more belligerent and hawkish combinations that included the imperial minded Peter Odili.

In the run up to the 2023 race, the PDP is using the familiar to do the obvious.

A new oligarchy of governors is staging a decisive stake for the presidential nomination. A slew of moneyed governors seem hell bent on apportioning the jobs of President and Vice President among themselves to the tacit exclusion of long standing party people. Initially, it was Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi and Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto. It now includes Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta who is being touted as potential Vice President to a possible pre-conceived northern Muslim president. The party’s belated thrashing of the zoning formula may likely throw the race ‘open’ to a northern presidential candidate and cost the party most votes in the South-south, South-west and South-east.

The PDP’s lazy strategy and recourse seems to be the familiar north -south balancing dance. It is almost a thoughtless reflex: let’s go in direction opposite to the APC! But in terms of the internal dynamics of the opposition party, it is a race between incumbent governors and old party members. It is either two governors emerge as President and Vice President or an old party man runs with an incumbent governor. The presumption that a demographic dominance of northern voters will produce another northern president to rule immediately after Buhari’s eight years sounds a bit foolish and may be stretching political optimism too far. One of the primary moving factors in the 2023 presidential race seems to be the imperative of a power shift to the south. If the PDP

ignores this, it may be in for a shocker as majority of PDP supporters in the Southsouth, South-east and South-west may prefer to move their votes to the APC which has wisely zoned its 2023 presidential slot to the broad south. An opposition party should present the electorate with an option that runs counter to the proposition of the ruling party. Is the PDP presenting Nigeria with the option of another eight years of northern Muslim hegemony immediately after Buhari?

Worse still, the PDP is taking this gamble at a time when it is neither the incumbent party nor in possession of the resource power to swing a national election.

On the contrary, the incumbent APC has neutralized the stake of the governors as a political bloc. It has zoned the presidency to the broad south. There is no APC governor in the southern zones that has the name recognition or political gravitas to win a national election. There is even none in the horizon. My friend Kayode Fayemi probably recognises his limits, hence he has desisted from sounding serious about a presidential bid. Mr. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State is terminally embattled over his decampment from PDP to APC. Even on a normal day, he does not possess the political weight or intellect to vie for the presidency of anything beyond a town union. Similarly, Mr. Ayade of Cross River State is simply unelectable on account of his own superficiality and total lack of political consequence even in his state.

That leaves the field open to mostly a trio of non-governor APC party men: Bola Tinubu, Rotimi Amaechi and incumbent Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. All three gentlemen as individuals come with considerable weight on their own merit and relative political gravity.

Mr. Bola Tinubu wears the empty and somewhat foolish title of ‘National Leader’ of the APC. Beyond this, he has tremendous

national reach, an outstanding record of performance as governor of Lagos and a natural knack for assembling capable teams.

Tinubu has easily the most robust and long standing political structure of the APC trio.

He deployed that structure and influence to Buhari’s advantage in 2015, leading to a convincing win that could not have happened if Tinubu did not bring the South-west Yoruba votes along.

He is however hampered by numerous debilitating controversies which could become political liabilities. These are issues over his real age, state of health, excessive wealth of unclear origins as well as troubles over his faith which might necessitate his floating a Muslim-Muslim ticket in a nation already weakened by matters of faith. Tinubu is a rich powerful man with equally powerful foes.

More recently, his untidy association with the Lekki Toll Gate palaver and the #EndSARS tragedy would seem to have fatally damaged his image with the youth majority and the general public. How he navigates this complexity to become electable as president is now Tinubu’s political albatross. Yet if the APC were to place a price tag on its presidential ticket in June, I doubt that any of the other aspirants in the party will find the courage to remotely rival Tinubu’s bid.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is helped by his sterling elocution and impeccable academic and professional credentials.

Though a Christian clergy man, he has never worn his cassock to work. Above all, he has an unmistakable modernist inclination, a yearning for enlightened governance and a carriage of decency and detribalisation.

Buhari owes him the political debt of his being a reliable level headed deputy for over seven years. His loyalty and fidelity could perhaps compensate for his slim political sagacity especially in the context of the formation and prevalence of the APC as a party.

Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi comes to table with a trove of positives and assets. His relative youth, a track record of blistering performance both as state governor and as federal minister and a forthright political stance. In addition, he has maintained a close trusty personal relationship with Buhari as a reliable ally. From about 2013, he has remained Buhari’s most dependable political facilitator with tremendous capacities and unfailing efficiency and results. Some members of the elite are a bit uncomfortable with Amaechi’s straight shooting, fearless approach and his brute courage that often grates the nerves of conventional wisdom and offends the niceties of the establishment. But these are precisely the attributes that endear Amaechi to the youth majority who have come to see him as embodying the spirit of their age. But by far his most unexplored political asset is the fact that he straddles the two strategic zones of the South-east and South-south.

Amaechi is a pure Igbo conveniently located in the strategic oil and gas Niger Delta. In the 2023 presidential race, this is an identity that has come to the political centre stage and can hardly be ignored.

In spite of their relative individual strengths, however, no one of the major APC gladiators can go too far without Mr. Buhari’s tacit endorsement and implicit support. The president may now be unpopular. But he retains a cultic followership in most population centers in the north. Up until mid-day on 29th May 2023, he remains an incumbent African president. He doesn’t hand over the levers of power until he does so.

Most importantly, his administration is ending on a most controversial negative note and adverse popularity rating. He is not likely to allow his legacy to be managed by a hostile successor. He is and will remain interested in who succeeds him. Therefore, Buhari is the most consequential single factor in matters of his succession. As a citizen he of course has only one vote. But his political ‘vote’ is multiple. The gravity of his political vote can be a counter weight to the entire popular vote if his party scores an undeniable electoral advantage at the polls.

While Buhari is entitled to a legitimate interest in who succeeds him, he can only exhibit that interest within the bounds of democratic norms and license. Antics like ‘consensus’ candidate will only drive political dissent underground and may subvert the party and unsettle the nation. For once, let this lame duck president ‘play’ politics.

SUNDAY APRIL 10, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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APRIL 10, 2022 • T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

NEWS

FARE THEE WELL MAMA… L-R: Deputy Editor, THISDAY, The Sunday Newspaper, Mr. Festus Akanbi; his wife, Bolaji; Pastor John Eye; and his wife, Abosede, at the funeral service of their mother, Mrs. Abigael Olufunke Alabi, at the Christ Apostolic Church, Aremo Zonal Headquarters, Ibadan...Friday

Mohammed: We Can’t Conduct Full-scale Bombing against Bandits to Avert Collateral Damage Soldiers lack appropriate weapons to defeat terrorists, says Falana James Sowole in Abeokuta Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has revealed that the terrain where bandits operate contributes to making security operations difficult.

But human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), said Nigerian soldiers can defeat bandits and terrorists if adequate weapons are provided for them to engage the anti-state forces.

The minister who said this yesterday during a radio programme on Bond FM, added revealed that the current administration has invested in tackling insecurity, adding that efforts would be more impactful if citizens support government’s efforts.

“We are also pleading with Nigerians to join in this fight because they have a lot of roles to play in tackling this insecurity. This is because these criminals called bandits are living among us; they

interact with the people as well,” he said.

“Who are the ones supplying them with food?

More so, they also have landlords. People should expose these criminals and then, the various efforts of the government will be effectively complemented and we will see the results.

“We have been trying our best in the fight against the bandits by equipping our security apparatus. The government has purchased aircraft so that they can fight alongside the soldiers. We have not rested on our oars.

“The welfare of the police is also given adequate attention and very recently, this administration recruited 25,000 constables and deployed them to their home states. This will go a long way in community policing.

“It will be easier for the newly-recruited constables to work effectively. There are lots of work in progress in the security infrastructure

and personnel.”

The minister also spoke on the suggestion by the Governor of Kaduna State, on the use of mercenaries to fight bandits.

“Governor el-Rufai spoke out of a deep concern about the situation. He might have spoken out because of the circumstances at which the bandits are emboldened to operate,” he added.

“If we employ mercenaries to fight the bandits, we should have it at the back of our minds that they are only mercenaries and not our security personnel who will return to wherever after their task is done.

“The mercenaries cannot be compared with our security forces; the fight against the bandits is a difficult one because of the terrain.

“We cannot just go with full force to bomb them or else the innocents living around them will be killed and we don’t want that to happen.”

Meanwhile, human rights lawyer, Falana at the weekend said Nigerian soldiers can defeat bandits and terrorists if adequate weapons are provided for them to engage the anti-state forces.

He expressed this concern after the burial of Kwara State Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Akinwumi Akinsola, at Ijoko, Ogun State. Akinsola was killed during an attack on a Kaduna-bound train on March 28.

Speaking on the country’s security challenges, Falana asked Nigerians to dismiss the proposal of Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai that foreign mercenaries should be hired to fight insurgents.

“I can say without any fear of contradiction that Nigeria has some of the most patriotic soldiers in the world. All that is missing is appropriate weapons to fight the terrorists who are well-equipped.

“I am speaking from my personal knowledge because I defend top-ranking soldiers - generals who are charged illegally for demanding weapons to fight terrorists.

Troops are prepared to fight, but they are simply saying it is suicidal to face terrorists with inadequate weapons.”

Frankly speaking, according to the senior advocate, Nigerian soldiers are ready to wage counter insurgency operations but they are ill equipped and ill motivated.

He said: “We have one of the best armed forces in the world but the huge fund earmarked for acquiring military hardware was cornered and stolen by some unpatriotic officers.”

He, however, lamented that members of the ruling class “have a penchant for diverting the attention of our people from addressing the problems confronting our country.”

He cited the case of the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi recently

EFCC Kicks against Court Order Permitting Obiano to Travel Abroad Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has kicked against an interim ex parte order by the Awka Division of the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa granting the former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, leave to travel to the United States of America to attend to his medical appointment.

The anti-graft agency argued that it was denied fair hearing.

Obiano is being investigated by the EFCC for alleged corruption and money

laundering during his tenure as Anambra State governor from 2014 to 2022.

He was arrested on March 17, 2022, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos as he attempted to leave the country, hours after handing over to his successor, Prof.

Chukwuma Soludo. He had earlier been watch-listed by the commission.

A statement issued yesterday by the EFCC spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, accused Obiano of attempting to arm-twist the anti-graft commission with the ex parte order, It stated: “Available court documents indicate that

Obiano had on March 11, 2022, ahead of his handover on March 17 filed a motion ex parte dated March 10, 2022, before Justice Nganjiwa praying among others, for an interim injunction stopping the EFCC from arresting or preventing him from travelling out of the country for his medical treatment.

“While the court in one breath ordered the applicant to put the commission on notice on why interim preservatory order should not be granted, it went ahead to make an order that the commission should not obstruct, impede or prevent the applicant from travelling

abroad to keep his medical appointment and adjourned till March 23.

“On March 31, the commission was served an originating motion on notice for the enforcement of the applicant’s fundamental rights. Curiously, the motion was filed on March 11, 2022, the same date as the motion for ex parte order.

“This was followed by another motion on notice on April 4, putting the commission on notice to release Obiano’s passport to enable him to travel abroad for his medicals with hearing fixed for April 6, and instructions that proceedings shall be

conducted virtually via Zoom.’’

Ahead of the hearing, the EFCC said it petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court asking Nganjiwa to recuse himself from the fundamental rights action on the grounds that he is a party in the commission’s appeal at the Supreme Court in the corruption case, H. A. Nganjiwa vs FRN. “But when the case was called, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba held the brief of his brother judge, who is bereaved.

The case was subsequently adjourned, with instruction that counsel will be notified of the adjourned date,’’ the commission explained.

acknowledged that the AbujaKaduna train bomb blast could have been prevented if the security gadgets had been acquired and installed.

He added that it had been revealed that the minister wanted an incompetent company to be awarded a contract of N3.7 billion to secure the train, which according to him, happened seven months ago.

He rhetorically said: “Why did the Minister not recommend another security agency to fix the problem and save precious lives? For goodness sake, why were the Chinese not asked to fix the security gadgets since they constructed the train and the railroad tracks?

“In 2014, the APC leaders asked President Jonathan to resign on account of the increasing wave of insecurity.

Why have the same fellows who have demonstrated worse incompetence not called it quits? Can you imagine that they want terrorists to massacre more passengers?

“Without installing the much needed security gadgets, the Nigerian Railway Corporation has announced that the AbujaKaduna train will resume services in two weeks time. “ Also after Akinsola’s burial, TUC National President, Quadri Olaleye urged members of the union not to be discouraged despite the death of two members —Musa-Lawal Ozigi, TUC secretary-general, and Akinsola — in the Kaduna train attack.

“I call on union members to keep the flag flying and continue the struggle. As a trade union, good governance is our goal; that is why we established a programme to ensure stability in the system,” Olaleye said.

“It was during our national tour that our members were attacked on the Abuja-Kaduna train service. Our comrades lost their lives for a purpose, which is stability and good governance.”

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INTERNATIONAL Sovereignty of Wickedness and Life Imprisonment of Blaise Compaore: The Lessons for Nigerian Leaders

F

orgetfulness and selfishness constitute a major bane in the conduct, management, and development of good human and inter-governmental relations.

Forgetfulness drives selfishness and selfishness also drives forgetfulness. The quest to be selfish naturally arises when one forgets the goodness of the past and this is very common with wicked leaders who do not often remember that there is tomorrow that inevitably will come. A juju music maestro Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, who turned eighty years old last April 4, has said that‘òsìkà gbàgbée òola, ógbàgbé ójó ìkéhìn,’meaning that the‘wicked forgets tomorrow, he forgets the last day.’This is one philosophy that cautions against bad behaviour and unnecessary acts of wickedness and selfishness to the detriment of collective security, development, and survival.

Wickedness and selfishness raise the issue of sovereignty of power and sovereignty of wickedness in political governance. The notion of sovereignty in international law and relations underscores selfindependence or self-autonomy. It implies untouchability in terms of external rapports. For instance, it is because of the consideration that Member States of the international community are sovereign that Article 2 (7) of the United Nations provides for non-intervention in whatever falls under the exclusive jurisdictional competence or domestic affairs of another State. This is to underscore the point that all countries are sovereignly equal and should be so respected.Thus, a leader or president of a State derives limited sovereignty from this and enjoys it on behalf of the people that entrust it in the leader.

Put differently, sovereignty, in whichever way it is defined, always belongtothepeoplewhodelegateittoelectedrepresentatives.However, the elected principal representative, the president or prime minister, often forgets that he holds sovereignty in trust for his people. He acts contrarily to the interest of the people. In fact, internal wranglings are frequent in many governments because of selfish interests. It is the urge of selfishness that quickly prompts people to believe in sorcerers and satanic prophets who tell their clients that they would be Mr. President of their country one day but would not tell them how and when.

When the witches in Shakespearian Macbeth told Macbeth that he would be King of England but not how and when, Macbeth thought that if he was to become the king of England, it could only be by killing his valiant cousin, King Duncan. This story is not different from the relationship between Blaise Compaoré and Thomas Isidore Noël Sankara who were bosom friends and came to power in a 1983 coup d’état to foster the development of their country. But Blaise Compaoré planned a coup and got Thomas Sankara brutally killed in 1987. In 2021, Compaoré was militarily tried and convicted in absentia for the murder of his friend.

Sovereign Wickedness and Conviction Under the umbrella of sovereignty, there is nothing a government cannot do for as long as the interests of other sovereign States are not threatened. It is also based on what is done by a government that defines the extent of public support or public opposition. But more often than not, it is because of inordinate ambitions and selfishness of leaders that always prompt forceful change of government in Africa.

The murder ofThomas Sankara by Blaise Compaoré, as well as his trial in absentia in Burkina Faso is not in any way different.

True enough, Thomas Sankara came to power in 1983 through a coup d’état and he was similarly removed from power through a coup d’état, but a very bloody and wicked one.The wickedness of the coup should be appreciated against the background of Sankara’s patriotism.

He loved his country tenderly. In the period from 1983 to 15 October 1987 when he was brutally murdered, he made strenuous efforts to reduce his country’s dependence on France, the former colonial master.

As reported by the BBC, the court prosecution of Blaise Compaoré revealed that‘Sankara was lured to his death at a meeting of the ruling National Revolutionary Council. He was shot at least seven times according to ballistic experts who testified during the trial.’In fact, he was shot in the chest at very close range more than seven times. He took over power at the age of 33 and killed at the age of 37.

Thomas Sankara showed unprecedented commitment to the education and health sectors before he was killed. He changed the name of his country from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso, which means ‘the land of honest men.’By so doing, he seriously campaigned against corruption and promoted honesty of purpose as a principle of political governance. Being a Marxist revolutionary, he was, by force of necessity, always in defiance of supranational instructions from the West. He

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Compaore fought imperialism in various ramifications.

He put in place a programme of nationalisation, mass social welfare and land redistribution. He was against development aid fromtheBretonWoodsinstitutions.Hisanti-imperialismprompted the French president, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, to threaten in 2017 to declassify information on alleged Killings. Sankara was very critical of France.

Besides, Sankara, who was the youngest president in Africa when he was president of Burkina Faso, not only cut his salary and that of top civil and public servants, but also did away with the use of luxurious cars when he was in power. He promoted Pan-Africanismandphilosophyofself-relianceandself-sufficiency.

He did so well that he was referred to as the ‘Che Guevara of Africa. His defiant anti-imperialist attitude left many questions unanswered: was his brutal murder sponsored by imperialist stakeholders? Was France, to be specific, involved? Why should patriots be sacrificed at the altar of imperialism and coups d’état?

Why should the Côte d’Ivoire refuse to extradite Compaoré when the crimes he committed took place before the acquisition of his Ivoirian nationality? Why should crimes be protected by African leaders who are purportedly seeking to free the African continent from toga of irrationalities and insecurity?

The coup that ousted Sankara took place on 15 October 1987.

As noted earlier, it was very bloody. Blaise Compaoré, either for his inordinate ambition or he was used by external forces, got Sankara removed from power. He succeeded Sankara as Head of State. Probably but apparently for fear of avoiding being given the same bloody treatment in the event he too would be a victim of a possible countercoup, he set up a new presidential guard, comprising 1,300 soldiers.The soldiers were specially trained and well equipped. It was an elite group well indoctrinated to be very

“

There is a disconnect between the situational reality of problems in Nigeria and the attitudinal disposition of the managers of the situational reality. The managers behave as if the situation does not even exist. For instance, Nigeria accounted for 27% of the global cases of malaria in 2021 and 31.9% of malaria in Africa according to the World Health Organisation. Nigeria is a member of the 30 high burden countries which accounted for 86% of new cases of tuberculosis in 2020. Insecurity wise, there is the challenge of many theatres of battles: increasing gunmen attacks even on military institutions, armed banditry, Boko Haram insurgency, kidnapping unlimited, herdsmen and farmers imbroglio, setting houses of opposition elements on fire, and frequent collapse of the national grid. There are also conflicts of interests over whether Local Governments, State legislatures and judiciary should have autonomy. It is corruption by seeking to allow people to simultaneously hold on to political appointments and seek election. The pettiness of the sacking of the Imam of the Apo Legislative Quarters Juma’at Mosque, Sheikh Khalid, for speaking truth to power clearly shows how much dishonesty drives governance. In fact, agitations for separation, politicians’ greater concerns for election to the detriment of national security, and political governance driven by chicanery, toga of irrationalities and shameful open display of dishonesty cannot but be catalytic agents of national disunity and disintegration. Thus, Nigeria must learn lessons from other climes

loyal to President Compaoré.

Without doubt, the goodness in a presidential guard is only helpful if the protégé is doing well in terms of good governance.The president cannot but be well protected in the continuation of promotion of good governance. And if the president is engaged in bad governance, the same presidential guard will only strengthen the president in further engaging in his bad governance. Thus, having a presidential guard is basically meant for the protection of the individual leader. It is therefore not surprising that President Compaoré was not doing well for most of his 27 years in power and was only forced out of power in 2014. He was able to stay for as long in power because of his presidential guard, but which cannot override the decision of the people who were no longer comfortable with the mania of Compaoré’s political governance.

Blaise Compaoré was suspected to have instigated the murder of Sankara and had to be forced out of power in 2014, following masssive public street protests against his government and Compaoré’s iintention to extend his stay in power. He sought refuge in the Côte d’Ivoire where he acquired the Ivoirian citizenship and was enabled d tto escape justice being sought by the Burkinabé.

The choice of refuge in the Côte d’Ivoire is quite understandable.

When President Alassane Ouattara whose origin is partly traceable to W Burkina Faso and which reason largely explains why there was strong B opposition to his presidential candidature in Côte d’Ivoire, President o Compaoré came to Ouattara’s aid. It is therefore normal to reciprocate C a good turn, in addition to the fact that one of Ouattara’s parents was a Burkinabé, an honest man.

What is noteworthy in this case is that refuge in Côte d’Ivoire does not obliterate the anger left behind in Burkina Faso. Thirty-four years n aafter the murder of Sankara, a military prosecution of the murder began. The transitional government that took over power following b tthe ousting of Compaoré renewed the investigation into the murder of SSankara in 2015.This led to the issuance of an international warrant of aarrest by the Burkinabé government in 2016.The Ivoirian government rrefused to extradite Compaoré based on the consideration that he had acquired the nationality of the Côte d’Ivoire. After investigations, h tthe trial began in October 2021 and was concluded in March 2022.

Even though Compaoré argued the case of innocence, the military ttribunal found him guilty of‘attack on state security, concealment of a ccorpse, and complicity in a murder,‘and sentenced him to life imprisonment in absentia. General Gilbert Diendéré, who took active part in m tthe 1987 putsch against Sankara and is serving a 20-year sentence for lleading a coup attempt against the transition government in 2015, was also convicted for the same offence. Mr. Hyacinthe Kafando, who w was suspected to have led the commando that murdered Sankara and who was also the commander of Compaoré’s presidential guard at the time of events, was convicted for murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. In the eyes of the wife of Sankara, Mariam Sankara, the judgment was an expression of ‘justice and truth.’

Admittedly, the verdict can be an expression of truth and justice, but many are the unresolved issues that are not covered in the verdict of justice and truth, and which raise the question of good governance in the whole of Africa. First, why did it take 35 years before the trial could take place? There is no disputing the fact that Compaoré was in power for 27 years before he was similarly removed forcefully. During his tenure, it can be logically posited that it could never be in his interest to seek the trial of Sankara’s murderers. In this regard, it clearly shows that governance is not driven by institutional standards but by strong individuals. Africans do not have strong institutions but strong selfish individuals. It was after the departure of Compaoré that the idea of trial and quest for justice could be considered.

Secondly, how do we explain the commission of crimes in one African country and the protection of the criminals in another African country? Should the sharing of Burkina Faso as heritage, fully for Compaoré and partly for Ouattara be sufficient a reason to condone Compaoré’s crimes in Burkina Faso? Explicated differently, why should Compaoré be given accommodation in Côte d’Ivoire following his sentence of guiltiness? Does Compaoré being an Ivoirian imply his non-extradition to serve his jail term in Burkina Faso?

If we admit that the verdict is justice and truth, what impact is the verdict if Compaoré will not be available to serve any punishment?

Admittedly too, his record has, at least, been tainted and cannot speak well of him in the distant future. In other words, his record for life and for his descendants is that of a brutal criminal.The convicts have fifteen days within which to appeal. But pending the outcome of the appeal, what are the implications for Nigeria?

Lessons for Nigeria There are many lessons to ponder on. First, it is not simply the prayers sought by plaintiffs that judges can limit themselves to in the quest for justice. In the trial of the murder ofThomas Sankara in Burkina Faso, the military prosecutors asked for thirty years imprisonment for Compaoré and Kafando and only twenty years imprisonment for Diendéré. In the wisdom of the court, the convicts merited life imprisonment and that was the judgment given.While Blaise Compaoré argued right from the beginning of the trial that the trial was political and that it was before‘a courtofexception’consideringthattheprocedure‘isworthless,’Sankara’s lawyers and family made it clear that they did not want revenge but justice.They were quite happy with the verdict but only regretted that none of the convicts confessed or repented. Consequently, leaders engaging in acts of brutalisation in political governance may one day suffer the same fate, regardless of preparedness to confess and repent.

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NEWS

News Editor: Gboyega Akinsanmi E-mail: gboyega.akinsanmi@thisdaylive.com,08152359253

Bakare: I’ll Restore Stability to Nigeria If Elected President Goddy Egene Senior Pastor, Citadel Global Community Church (formerly known as Latter Rain Assembly), Pastor Tunde Bakare yesterday promised to restore peace and order to Nigeria if elected president in 2023.

Bakare, who contested the 2011 presidential election as the running mate of President Muhammadu Buhari on the platform of the defunct C, disclosed that he “is the best suitable candidate to address Nigeria’s myriad of problems.”

He made these promises while declaring interest to contest the 2023 presidential election yesterday at the virtual

meeting with a theme: ‘The Portrait of a New Nigeria, organised by PTB4Nigeria in Diaspora Group.

Bakare declared presidential aspiration shortly after the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi made his own declaration at a special thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt.

At the virtual meeting yesterday, Bakare declared to contest the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC), saying he “has been part of the party since its establishment.”

He said that the Pastor Tunde Bakare (PTB) brand “is a rallying point to restore order in the

country, stressing that he has a vision of a new Nigeria and he would be playing a leading role as “we approach the Nigeria of our dreams.”

“As we have been meeting together with friends and our leaders in our nation in the past few years, it is looking much more like we will definitely be in the forefront in the battle for the salvation of our nation in 2023.

“If you are asking me which party, it was my privilege to move a motion for the emergence of APC on February 6, 2013. I have never been in any other party apart from that.

By God’s grace, according to the radical pastor, that will

be the party that I would seek the opportunity to serve and lead my nation.”

Bakare acknowledged that his manifesto “is under going

fine tuning before unveiling to the public,” explaining how to tackle the various challenges the country is facing currently.

“I cannot go into the details

of my manifesto. But by God’s grace, we have produced one.

We are fine tuning it before it will be released to the public,” the radical pastor explained.

FG Slashes import Duty on Car to 20% The federal government yesterday disclosed that it had reduced import duty on cars from 35 percent to 20 percent.

This was disclosed by the spokesman of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Timi Bomodi in a response to an inquiry by TheCable.

Bomodi said: “The new common external tariff (CET) 2022 to 2026 puts the duty for cars at 20 percent. However, we await further directives from the

federal ministry of finance with regards to levies,” he said.

He explained that the CET is the harmonised system for the world customs organisation (WCO) for the processing of imports adopted by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for common duty rates.

“These rates are reviewed every five years. The old ECOWAS CET expired in 2021,” he added.

Bomodi said that the new rate applies to both new and used cars

Don’t Allow People You Chased Out Return to Power, Lawan Tells Kwarans Hammid Shittu in Ilorin The President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, yesterday advised the people of Kwara State not to allow those they chased out of the state government house in 2019 find their way back to power.

The senate president was in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital to inaugurate some of the constituency projects sponsored

by Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe representing Kwara Central.

Lawan made this remark at a town hall meeting organised by Oloriegbe to render his account of stewardship and declare intention to represent the people of Kwara Central in the senate again.

The Senate President told the people of Kwara State in general to continue to keep faith with APC. “I would like to remind you here, those people that you chased out will never get tired of trying to come back. You have only one more of “Otoge” and they will never come back.

“In 2023, just chase them far away from Kwara. They will

never find their way to Kwara.

Don’t take it for granted. They are smart people. You know that.

Chase them far away, if you can, up to the Atlantic Ocean if you chose to chase them to the South.

If you wish, chase them up to the Niger Republic. Chase them far away from here.

“The people of Kwara have got what you deserve from 2019. You have a state Governor that is for you. You have your National Assembly members that are for you. You have your state Assembly members that are for you and council chairmen and councillors.

“Don’t ever take that for granted.

Less than three years, what our state Governor in Kwara has done, what our members of National Assembly, our Distinguished Senators, all the three of them, Oloriegbe from Kwara Central, Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar of Kwara North, Senator Lola Ashiru of Kwara South, have given every time that they need to give for us in the Senate to achieve what we have been able to achieve in the Senate.

Jonathan Visits Injured Police Officer in Hospital A former President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday visited his security Aide, Inspector Gambo Joseph, who was injured in Wednesday’s road crash at the vicinity of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.

Jonathan expressed joy that the injured officer, Joseph, was responding to treatment and recovering fast.

“He also stated that the second officer, Inspector Mi-

chael Ebute, who sustained the injury during the accident was discharged on Friday.

Thank God Gambo is recovering so fast. I am pleased to inform you that the second officer, Michael has been discharged and returned to his family,” he said.

Two police officers were reported dead during the accident, which involved a car conveying them from the airport.

imported into the country.

Asked if the new rate has been implemented, he said: “They are already using the 20 percent duty rate. Finance can still introduce whatever measures in line with the national automotive policy.”

Meanwhile, in a phone conversation with TheCable, Emmanuel Ogu, a member of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) said no circular has been issued regarding the reduction of import duty on cars.

THANK YOU FOR COMING SIR …

L-R: Enugu State Governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; and Ebonyi State Governor, Mr. David Umahi, when the governors saw off the vice president, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu...yesterday.

Peterside: We’ll End Reign of PDP in Rivers by 2023 Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt A former Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside yesterday declared that All Progressives Congress (APC) would end the reign of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State.

Peterside, a leading governorship aspirant for the APC in the state, said the APC “looks unstoppable in its goal of winning

the presidential, governorship and all other elective positions in the state in 2023.”

He made this declaration at a thanksgiving service held at the 40-thousand capacity Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Igwuruta, Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital yesterday.

Peterside said APC in Rivers State was on the right path of recovery and victory “to end what he described as the sad breast-pocket governance style of the PDP in the state.”

He observed that every indicator at an APC victory in 2023 was positive, saying recent success recorded by the party in the state from the Ward to the Local Government and State Congresses, had reinvigorated its membership to a new height in readiness to kick-out the ruling party in the state.

“You all have seen the mammoth crowd here which points to a new height in APC’s renewed movement towards ending the breast-pocket governance Rivers

people found themselves in since 2015. Our people have suffered enough in the hands of Wike and PDP but APC is set to end all of that and reset the state to achieving her full potential.

“That PDP must go in 2023 is our resolve, and working in harmony, we shall achieve that. Today is a statement in the party’s resolve to terminate the directionless regime of Wike and his PDP and in turn entrench good governance and grow our beloved state.”

We’ll Continue to Celebrate Our Business Associates, Says Adenuga The Chairman of telecommunications services provider, Globacom , Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr, has said the company will continue to appreciate its dealers who have worked assiduously to make the network the darling of subscribers across the country.

The business mogul spoke at the weekend during the exquisite dealer appreciation gala dinner in Lagos.

Adenuga, who was represented by the Retail and

Consumer Sales Chief, Mr. Ken Ogujiofor, announced a special incentives package worth over N750m to buoy the company’s distribution channel.

He encouraged its partners to work harder to satisfy the business goals of the mobile network operator.

While expressing appreciation to the dealers for their past collaborations, the chairman disclosed that the event is in continuation of Glo’s tradition

of rewarding and upholding excellence among its treasured partners.

According to him: “We are delighted to note that the reward programme was a huge success, with many of our partners achieving and surpassing the target bands set for the two categories; volume push and activations.”

The dealers were excited at the mouth-watering prizes which came in different categories ranging from cash prizes in

form of credit notes running into millions of naira, to other expensive incentives.

The evening was not just about business as it featured musical entertainment by top musicians and comedians including juju maestro, King Sunny Ade (KSA) and his African beats, the Groove Band and the duo of Godwin Komone aka Gordons and MC Forever who serenaded guests with great music, comedy and wise cracks.

NDLEA Explains Delay in Remitting Salaries of New Operatives Michael Olugbode in Abuja The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday explained the delay in the payment of seven-month salaries of some of its newly employed operatives, citing non-regularisation of their accounting records.

NDLEA, a federal law enforcement agency, said the delay affected only 59 out of 5,000 newly recruited operatives, noting that it was caused by the Integrated Personnel Payroll information System (IPPIS).

NDLEA’s Director, Media & Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi made this clarification yesterday in reaction to reports on the failure of the federal government to pay salaries and allowance of the operatives after their enlistment.

Reports had claimed that some new personnel of the antinarcotics agency had complained about not being paid their salaries and allowances since they joined the agency seven months ago.

In response, however, Babafemi said: “From the circular quoted, it is obvious NDLEA does not pay

staff salaries from its coffers. All federal government employees are paid by the office of the accountant general of the federation IPPIS office.

“Only about 59 out of 5000 newly recruited personnel currently have some issues which border on wrong account numbers, updating their account details with their banks, all of which the agency is helping them to resolve. Anything outside of this is sheer mischief.”

Some new operatives of the federal law enforcement agency

had said they had not been paid their salaries and allowances since they joined the agency seven months ago.

They said after the assurances by the agency that the delayed payment, which was caused by the Integrated Personnel Payroll information System, would be rectified before the end of February, they had yet to get a dime since joining the agency.

One of the officers who pleaded anonymity, said he was tired of the situation.

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NEWSXTRA 2023 Presidency: I’m Not Afraid of Tinubu, Osinbajo Others, Says Kogi Gov Segun James in Lagos, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja Kogi State Governor, Mr. Yahaya Bello, has said that he is not afraid to go into contest with the big names in the party, including the former Governor of Lagos, Senator Bola Tinubu; Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi; former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, among others.

Tinubu was the first to declare his presidential ambition on the platform of APC, followed by the Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr. Davi Umahi, Okorocha, Bello and Amaechi Bello while speaking yesterday at the Second Annual GYB Seminar for Nigeria’s Political and Crime Correspondents in Abuja, noted that he is not afraid of the big names, stressing that to be a champion, one must be ready to defeat a champion.

He stated: “To ask me whether I am scared or not of the big names that are contesting, the answer is capital no! I believe in my capacity.

I respect the founding fathers of this great party, starting from President Muhammadu Buhari, the leader of our party, down to Senator Bola Tinubu, one of the founding fathers of our party, to Ogbonnaya Onu and the rest of them.

“They are founding fathers of our party; they are the foundation-laying fathers and members of this great party. But you can never have a building without a foundation. At the same time, that building will never be completed without building on top of it. The foundation alone is not a complete building. A beautiful building starts from the foundation and the remaining building on top.”

The presidential hopeful noted that his mission was to build on the foundation laid by the founding fathers.

Nasarawa Gov Endorses Magaji to Replace Adamu in Senate Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Sule yesterday said a senatorial aspirant, Mr Labaran Magaji has the qualities to replace the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdulallahi Adamu, in the Senate.

Sule made the remark while hosting the Labaran Magaji Campaign Organisation in the Government House, Lafia, saying with Magaji’s experience and education, there was nothing wrong if he came out to vie for the senate seat.

He said: “I want to sincerely commend you for what you are doing. Without any ambiguity, your level of experience and education have prepared you for positions even higher than this.

“There is nothing wrong with anything for you to come forward and say you want to go for this position,” the governor said.

He particularly commended

Magaji, who is the Matawallen Toto, for making it known that he only chose to throw his hat into the political ring after a vacancy was created following Adamu’s elevation to the Office of the APC National Chairman.

“Everyone knows that Adamu is actually our political father in this state. So, when you mentioned that you have made up your mind not to contest against him, I think that is a very strong political statement.

I commend you. I am sure he will remember that,” he stated.

In his remark, Magaji said he was in the Government House, alongside his campaign team, to declare his intention to contest the next senatorial election in Nasarawa West as well as to seek the blessings of the governor.

He added that he was motivated to join the race because of the vacancy created following Adamu’s emergence as the APC national chairman.

Again, IG Patrols Abuja-Kaduna Expressway The Inspector-General of Police (IG), Usman Alkali Baba, yesterday continued his patrol along the ever-busy AbujaKaduna Expressway to assess the deployment of police personnel and the general security of the road and the entire Kaduna area.

The IG, who graced the wedding ceremony of the daughter of the Governor of Delta State, Mrs. Ewere Daniel Igo, at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, earlier yesterday, immediately proceeded

on patrol of the route and Kaduna area after the event.

The IG also directed the police Airwing to Intensify and sustain the aerial patrol along the road and in Kaduna in general so as to provide air support to the ground troop and stimulate prompt intelligence gathering in the area.

The IG, however, reiterated his commitment to providing adequate security for all and sundry in Nigeria.

Terrorists Invade Plateau Commissioner’s Residence, Abduct Wife, Daughter Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Terrorists in the early hours of yesterday broke into the Gindiri residence of the Plateau State Commissioner of Environment, Mr. Usman Bamaiyi and abducted his wife and daughter.

The commissioner is also one of the aspirants contesting for the Mangu-Bokkos Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

This is coming barely one week after a similar incident occurred in

the same Gindiri community of Mangu Local Government Area of where an elderly woman and her daughter were abducted along with two pastors.

A source in the community, Mr. Sani Musa, said the Gindiri general area is under siege as terrorists have continued to terrorise citizens with no sign of relief in sight.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Gabriel Ubah, who confirmed the abduction, said men of the command are already on the trail of the abductors to ensure safe rescue and release of the victims.

According to him, if they actually cherish what they have started profoundly, they will be looking out for that young man who has the capacity to build on what they have laid and I fit perfectly to that particular choice.

“Also, I know that there are other champions in the race, if you

want to be a champion, get ready to beat a champion and I believe that I will beat other champions to be a champion,” Bello added.

The governor stressed that democracy is a game of numbers, saying he represents the majority as far as politics or democracy is concerned, because he represents

majority of the Nigerian youth and women.

Bello said it was based on this that he was saddled with the responsibility of mobilising over 41 million members into the party.

He revealed that with a minimum of three support groups for his presidential ambition, he had

recorded over 21 million Nigerians with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) who are ready to vote him into the presidency come 2023.

Bello noted: “So, I don’t think he who possesses these credentials will ever be afraid of going into a contest. We are in this game to win; we are in this game to restore

HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD… L-R: Chief Corporate Services Officer, IHS Towers,Mr. Dapo Otunla; Chief Executive, CSR-in-Action, Mrs. Bekeme Masade-Olowola; Director, Sustainability and Corporate Communications, IHS Towers, Cima Sholotan; and MD/CEO, Niger Delta Exploration and Production, (NDEP), Mr. Adegbite Falade, at the recently held third Community and Human Rights (CAHR) Africa Awards where IHS won the Hajiya Gambo Sawaba Community Impact Award in Lagos... recently

Soludo Swears in 20 Commissioners, Charges Them to Hit Ground Running David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Anambra State Governor, Prof.

Chukwuma Soludo, yesterday inaugurated 20 commissioners to aid the performance of his administration.

Soludo, a former Central Bank Governor, swore them in at the executive chambers of the government house, Awka, stating clearly that the appointment of the commissioners “is a call to serve and not one to celebrate.”

He said: “This is a call to work and not a call to celebrate.

When I say congratulations to

you, I also say commiserations.

You have been appointed to serve Anambra, and you must provide service.

“The challenges are enormous. That is why you have also offered to serve. During my campaign, I told everyone that the work put in to get office is just five percent, 95 percent of the work comes after swearing in, and you must bear that in mind.

“I charge you to read the oath of office and oath of allegiance very carefully and follow them. Where people see it as celebration, you see it as work. Your eyes must be on the ball always. Always think of

how your ministry will be, how will Anambra be better. If I were you, I would like to write down how I like to be remembered after serving as commissioner.”

Soludo also apologised ahead of time to the commissioners and other appointees, saying he would be very demanding, and would task them hugely for result.

He also told the commissioners that they were selected fit for their office, and their appointments are away from the normal procedure of sending names to the legislature for screening, after which ministries are apportioned.

“As your chief servant, I have

to tell you that I will be very demanding. I have to apologise ahead of time because I will be very demanding and once we fix a meeting for nine, you must all be seated before nine, and that is the culture we want to maintain.

“The Soludo solution which was our slogan during the campaign is not just a promise, but you must all work to make it a reality, to create and build that livable Anambra State which we promised.

“I’m happy that you went to your screening knowing fully which ministry you are going to head.

Igbos in Northern States Endorse Ngige for 2023 Presidency Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Ndieze Igbo in Diaspora and Igbo Delegate Assembly (IDA) comprising Igbos living in Northern Nigeria have unanimously resolved to support the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige for the 2023 presidential race.

The groups told the labour minister “to stop consultations and join the race for the country’s topmost political office. If Nigerians decide to seek for an Igboman to lead the country, he should be the one.”

The President-General of IDA,

Chief Chi Nwogu, announced the resolution, saying Ngige by his antecedents had proved his mettle in leadership.

In a statement by Ngige Media Office, Nwogu was quoted as saying that Igbos were tired of playing a second fiddle in Nigerian politics and wished to produce the successor to President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said: “We want to produce the President of Nigeria in 2023. We do not want a Vice President. Please Ngige, you have done enough consultations. Don’t consult again. Join the presidential race. We know

your antecedents the periods you served as governor of Anambra State and Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“You have been in the labour room in the past seven years as the Minister of Labour and Employment, attending to all the labour disputes brought to your table. Please, join the presidential race. We will support you. We will follow you to Aso Rock.”

Likewise, the Eze-Ndigbo Bauchi, Igwe Jude Umezika described Ngige as a unifier and bridge-builder who would unify Nigeria and safeguard the lives and property of the Igbos

and other Nigerians wherever they live in the country.

“The roads he built in Anambra 16 years ago are still intact. There is no Igbo man who is his match. He is one of the Igbo leaders that will call us whenever there is a problem in the North. He has the fear of God.” Also speaking, EzeudoofAbuja, Dr Uche Egenti, described Ngige as a bold, courageous and brave man, expressing confidence that if given the opportunity to serve as President, he would replicate his excellent performance in Anambra State in Nigeria.

Catholic Priest Regains Freedom after Payment of N10m Ransom Laleye Dipo in Minna A priest in a Minna Catholic Church, Dr Leo Raphael Ozigi has finally regained his freedom after spending three weeks in the captivity of bandits and terrorists in Niger State.

Ozigi, according to THISDAY checks, was released Friday night.

Multiple sources told THISDAY that the clergyman was released after the payment of N10m by the Catholic church in Minna.

THISDAY learnt that a high-

powered delegation was in Birnin Gwari forest in Kaduna State to pay the ransom to the bandits Friday.

The team, according to the sources, left Minna the Niger State capital at about 11 a.m Friday with the ransom packed in a big envelope which was delivered to the bandits at an appointed spot.

After delivering the envelope containing the ransom, THISDAY checks revealed that the contact person asked the team to go towards Zaria to pick the priest.

It was gathered that Ozigi trekked several kilometres before he could team up with members of the church.

“He is very sick. He could hardly walk when released on Friday,” one of those that went to facilitate the release of the priest confided in THISDAY. Asked about the whereabouts of the clergyman, one of the team members said: “He is somewhere receiving treatment. He has to go for physiotherapy because he couldn’t walk”.

The source confirmed that ransom was paid, though did not disclose how much was paid as ransom.

He said: “Only Baba (Bishop) knows the amount” Efforts to get the Catholic ArchBishop of Minna Diocese Martins Uzougwu was abortive as his cell phone was switched off.

Ozigi was kidnapped by terrorists along the Minna –Sarkinpawa road when he was returning from a church programme about three Sundays ago.

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B AC K PAG E C O N T I N UAT I O N WANT TO BE A BILLIONAIRE? productive advantage does this bestow on us? With 200 million citizens, most of whom are ravaged by poverty and disease, what are really the big benefits of being the most populous? Having a high population with low quality of life — as defined by access to water, sanitation, power, education and healthcare as well as gender equity — is, to my mind, the principal reason we are hemmed in by terrorism, kidnapping, yahoo yahoo scams and money rituals. Instead of producing billionaires, we are rolling out bandits and beggars. So, what’s all the noise about being Africa’s most populous country?

Having the continent’s biggest economy should translate to dominating the African markets with made-in-Nigeria products — if we are strategic in our thinking. Chinese products are not all over the world out of accident or for the fun of it. Human beings sat down and came up with a policy to make the Chinese economy export-led and they implemented the plans with utmost commitment and a sense of patriotism that would overshadow the selfishness and shallowness that are always at work in Nigeria. Government policies in Nigeria are mostly selfishly conceived and not meant to last the distance. Even the well-conceived ones would get frustrated by those who should make them work.

The purpose of this article is quite simple: to discuss how Nigeria can unchain its potential entrepreneurs, multi-millionaires and billionaires.

We need leaders who are able to understand that there is a link between governance and prosperity. They must understand that shared prosperity can become the fodders for the much-needed national peace and progress.

Government, or should I say policy makers,

should stop thinking that poverty eradication or job creation is something to be done by a minister, a commissioner, a special adviser, a director or an agency. Politicians must know that distributing Keke NAPEP and wheelbarrows will not address the fundamental issues of poverty.

It is an obvious fact that most jobs are created not by politicians but by businesses — big, medium and small. Dangote, Adenuga and Rabiu employ tens of thousands. One branch of a bank employs dozens — and there are thousands of branches nationwide. Imagine the millions of jobs in SMEs, which form the engine of the economy. If our politicians and policy makers can overcome their poor concepts of poverty eradication and job creation, they will finally see that their primary role is to make the economic environment fertile and conducive to investment and to unleash the entrepreneurial potential of Nigerians. That is how to create jobs and tackle poverty and disease.

If the poor mindset can be dissolved, the solutions to our problems are in plain sight.

I will list three fundamentals. They are by no means exhaustive. One, let’s become a country where the rule of law means something, where the legal system is not a joke, where there is respect for the sanctity of contracts and where government agencies do not behave like village tyrants and sadists. Any country where the rules mean nothing, where the government can just wake up and do anything it likes, and where individuals can easily procure dubious orders from court will only succeed in stifling entrepreneurship, investment and innovation. I don’t think I need to overemphasise this fact.

Two, countries where entrepreneurship

flourishes and where wealth is created and shared have something in common: policy consistency. Entrepreneurs want to be sure of what they are signing up for. You cannot pump billions into a business only to be told midway that the rules have changed. Many people in government cannot be bothered about the consequences of their actions and pronouncements. It would appear they are more interested in milking businesses, harassing entrepreneurs and investors, and making life hell for them in the name of raising revenue.

It is all a result of selfishness and a poor understanding of the link between policy and prosperity.

A critical, very critical factor in policy consistency is the macro-economic environment — the management of exchange rate, inflation and all. If indeed we are to inspire confidence in the economy, I assume that a government would understand what it takes to stimulate the necessary investments that would unleash growth. Such a government should not need much persuasion on the monetary policy actions that have to be taken. My biggest fear is adopting painful macroeconomic measures on the one hand and negating it with a horrible policy environment and a disregard for the sanctity of contract and the rule of law on the other.

We will just suffer for nothing.

Three, government must continue to invest in productive capacities, particularly public infrastructure. I stumbled on a social media debate the other day over if government should focus on infrastructure or job creation — as if they are mutually exclusive. Building infrastructure is job creation. Thousands are engaged in the construction. However, with good policies and a conducive environment,

government will not be the only one building infrastructure, much less taking loans to do it. Investors would complement government under PPP. But no sane investors will try that in Nigeria — where the next government, or even same government, can dishonour a contract.

Although I started this article by poking fun at my own business ideas and billionaire dreams, the indisputable truth is that Nigerians are exceptionally enterprising in spite of the absence of the necessary ingredients to flourish.

I bear Nigerians witness that they toil through the chaos to create opportunities. In some instances, government is the biggest obstacle to entrepreneurship. You can imagine how far Nigerians can go if the basics are there.

We would be to Africa what China is to the world. Nigerian products and services would be flooding the whole of Africa. You can imagine how many potential multi-millionaires and billionaires have been caged by Nigeria and may never bloom.

Do you want to be a billionaire? Why not?

When I look at the number of billionaire entrepreneurs on the Forbes list, I ask myself: why are some countries more conducive to actualising potential? What do they have that we do not have? Can we learn from them on how to harness human, material and natural resources and banish poverty and insecurity?

As we prepare to elect a new government, these are the questions we should be raising and discussing with passion. But we appear to be more interested in the dramas. A group has bought nomination form for somebody.

Some clowns are begging someone to run, otherwise they will sue him or her to court.

We need to buy some sense.

And Four Other Things…

CADILLAC ARREST Governor Bello Matawalle of poverty-infested Zamfara state has dished out 260 cars to traditional rulers across the state. He gave the Cadillac 2019 model to 17 emirs, 13 senior district heads and 230 district heads “in recognition of the traditional institution as the custodians of religion and culture and vehicle of cohesion and peace”. I don’t know what amuses me more — the senseless use of resources and misplacement of priority at a time of economic crunch or the deadened consciences of the “custodians of religion and culture”. Sadly, the car gift bazaar to traditional rulers is commonplace across Nigeria. It is driving the people crazy. The cup will be full someday. Inevitable.

THIS NIN THING Over 75 million phones were barred from making calls on Wednesday as the government began enforcing its policy of linking the national ID number (NIN) to mobile lines. The measure is for security reasons: to be able to track down criminals. Obviously, criminals are not out of options — what kidnappers normally do is use the phones of their captives to call family members and associates to demand ransom. Terrorists, meanwhile, use satellite phones, according to reports. One thing for sure: this NIN thing will hurt the telecoms sector, which has been the saving grace for the economy in recent years. How can we make getting and integrating NIN more seamless? Critical.

WHY KADUNA? Pastor EA Adeboye, the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), was clearly in pains last week. He spoke extensively on the state of the nation, notably oil theft, debt servicing and the 2023 polls. He hardly talks like that. But he said something that got me worried. “Why always Kaduna?” he asked. That question is loaded — some attribute the terrorist attacks to the fact that Kaduna has a substantial Christian population. In truth, it is not “always” Kaduna.

Predominantly Muslim Niger, Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara states have been under attack as well. This is well reported. But whoever is spinning the religious narrative is not doing badly. Selective.

IN MEMORIAM It was exactly seven years yesterday that my friend, brother and mentor, Oronto Natei Douglas (OND), drew his last breath after a prolonged but brave battle with stomach cancer. Up till the point of death, he was still taking walks around his residential area and using the rest room unaided. Before he answered the final call of his Maker, he was still calling me on the phone to find out how I was doing — knowing full well that in a couple of days he would be gone forever. Memories of my last encounters with him torment me till this day. Oronto lived such a meaningful and impactful life that though he is gone, he will never be forgotten. He was a genuine human being. Fulfilled.

leading parties. Anyone who gets the ticket of either party stands a good chance of becoming the next president. Second, both parties have political heavyweights who cannot be easily bullied and who can force direct or indirect primaries by refusing to withdraw, who can win the contested primaries, or who can significantly hurt the parties’ chances if they move elsewhere or opt to do anti-party.

In the same vein, both APC and PDP have some known and speculated aspirants who can only stand a chance if they are adopted as the consensus candidates. For this group, the move for consensus is the sole electoral strategy. And their hope is that the instruments and goodwill of the state and of the party will be deployed to their advantage. For those in APC, they are banking on how the president had his way in getting the chairmanship of the party and hoping the same deference will be accorded to him in choosing his party’s

flagbearer. Additionally, they think the new party leadership will enforce their wish.

Those who favour consensus in these parties either want a shortcut or do not want to take any chances, knowing how the deep-pockets and political reach of those they are targeting with consensus can change the game. Consensus is thus not a neutral tool in this dispensation: it is a rosy promise to those who stand to gain from it and a viable threat to those who may be edged out with it.

Time will tell whether the president will seek a concession on the flagbearer or will simply ask for a level playing-field for all aspirants. Also, there is a possibility that such a concession may not be readily granted even if the president asks for one. The political class is already looking beyond the present. It is doubtful if the new national executive is strong enough to force its way. There have been references to what happened in 2007. That analysis misses one important point: the prior investment that led to the total control of the leading party before the primaries. I don’t think the time between now and June 4th is enough for a garrisoned politics.

Though slightly in a different space from APC, PDP also hardly has a dominant power centre that can force its will in the 2007 mode.

The reality now is that the control of the two leading parties is highly decentralised. If any of the aspirants forces a contest, those in control of the party structures in the states where the parties are both in power and not in power will have an edge. And this is irrespective of whether the leading parties go for direct or indirect primaries.

There is a possibility that the different controllers of the decentralised power centres in the parties may agree to or be nudged towards, and press their individual structures in support of, either the least disagreeable or the most sellable aspirant. That’s a possibility. But in politics many things are possible, including political lords making cold calculations solely on the basis of allegiance and interests.

WILL THE CONSENSUS OPTION WORK IN THE PRIMARIES? (mainly because the sense of all agreeing to present one candidate is usually contrived or coerced). And please harbour no illusions—all the methods can be gamed.

The three different methods can produce different results. But they can also produce the same outcome, as we have seen in some instances where a party leader would pick an aspirant and get his way through direct or indirect primaries. This happens when the party leadership is in full control of the party structure.

The Electoral Act 2022 has introduced some interesting complications to the use of the consensus option. In Section 84 (9), the Act states that: “A political party that adopts a consensus candidate shall secure the written consent of all cleared aspirants for the position, indicating their voluntary withdrawal from the race and their endorsement of the consensus candidate.” In Section 84 (10), the Act further stipulates that where no such written consent can be obtained, then there should direct or indirect primaries.

This is one of the innovations of the current Electoral Act and what makes the default to the consensus method both an interesting and a complicated proposition. Parties can choose consensus but they must meet stringent conditions: all the cleared aspirants must not only voluntarily withdraw in writing, but they must also endorse the consensus candidate in writing. While it may be difficult to decipher if such letters are written under duress, it is reasonable to expect that some aspirants may not withdraw, with what we saw with the election of party officials during APC’s convention. These aspirants may thus force resort to direct or indirect primaries, which they may win.

One possible option is for the parties that favour consensus not to clear such potentially difficult aspirants. But the Electoral Act has also taken care of that. In Section 84 (3), the Act states that: “Parties cannot impose additional nomination or disqualification criteria except

Adamu as prescribed under section 65, 66, 106, 107, 131, 137, 177 and 187 of the Constitution.”

These sections of the Constitution relate to the age, academic qualification, party membership, sanity, citizenship, bankruptcy, conviction, indictment etc. It is difficult to change the status of any of the aspirants on these parameters within two months. Besides, the Constitution says some of these, like being adjudged a lunatic or of unsound mind or being sentenced or declared bankrupt, will not be the basis for disqualification if the issue is under appeal. It is not impossible that some hardliners will insist on disqualifying unwanted aspirants and dare them to go to court. But doing so will put their party’s ticket in jeopardy.

Based on the provisions and scenarios, it may be easier to enforce the consensus option in the smaller parties than in the two leading parties, especially at the presidential level. For one, the stakes are much higher in the two

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 10, 2022

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SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by: Duro Ikhazuagbe email:Duro.Ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

AJ’s Rematch with Usyk Could be Staged in UK, Says Hearn

Alex Iwobi (centre) received high ratings yesterday as Everton defeated Manchester United 1-0 to boost their survival in the English topflight

PREMIER LEAGUE

Plaudits for Iwobi as Everton Begin Resurgence to Survive Drop Duro Ikhazuagbe

N

igerian international, Alex Iwobi, received plaudits for his excellent display as Everton defeated Manchester United 1-0 to signal their resurgence to remain in the English topflight next

season.

The victory lifted Everton to 28 points from 30 games and still 17th on the log. Burnley who are playing Norwich today can still narrow the gap with Everton back to just one point if they win.

Anthony Gordon’s 27th minute gaol boosted the Toffees’ chances of survival in the top flight.

Iwobi played all 90 minutes of the game with Liverpoolecho.co.ukgiving the Super Eagles’ midfielder a match rating of 8/10. The medium praised his energy and work rate off the ball, as

well as his skill, strength, pace, desire and attacking intent.

“His energy and work-rate off the ball particularly were a shining example that every other Everton player should be following for the rest of the campaign. “This was arguably his best performance since arriving at the club – full of skill, strength, desire, pace and attacking intent,” Liverpoolecho. co.uk wrote of Iwobi’s performance in its Everton players’ratings for the game against Manchester United.

Everton goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford; midfielders, Fabian Delph and Anthony Gordon were the other Everton’s standout performers who also got 8/10 rating each.

Iwobi has featured in 24 games in all competitions for Everton so far this season, scored three goals and recorded two assists.

The Toffees are currently 17th in the Premier League table on 28 points from 30 matches.

Meanwhile, Chelsea put a terrible week behind them to return to winning ways in devastating style with a six-goal demolition of Southampton.

Having been beaten 4-1 at home to Brentford in the Premier League and then suffering a 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid, Chelsea bounced back in a manner that will give Thomas Tuchel encouragement his side can salvage their Champions League tie in Spain next week.

Tuchel said before kick-off that“things are upside down” after two damaging results but his players responded by hitting the woodwork three times and scoring four in an astonishing first half at St Mary’s Stadium.

Mbappe, Neymar Score Hat-tricks as PSG Extends Lead to 15

K

ylian Mbappe and Neymar both scored hat-tricks as Paris Saint-Germain romped to a 6-1 thrashing of struggling Clermont yesterday to move closer to winning Ligue 1.

Mbappe, who has still not decided whether he will stay at PSG beyond this season, scored twice and had three assists in penultimate weekend’s 5-1 rout of Lorient.

He added another assist and won a penalty in this game as he moved to the top of the Ligue 1 goalscoring charts with 20 goals this season.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men are now 15 points clear of second-placed Rennes and appear certain to regain the title with only seven games remaining.

Clermont remain in 17th spot, just one point ahead of Saint-Etienne who occupy the relegation playoff place.

PSG only have Ligue 1 left to play for this season after being knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid, but put in a second straight impressive performance.

They took the lead in the sixth minute as Mbappe

L-R: Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar savouring Paris Saint-Germain’s 6-1 crushing of Clermont Foot to go 15 points clear at the top of French Ligue 1...yesterday

caused havoc in the home defence with a driving run off the left wing.

The ball eventually found its way to Lionel Messi, whose clever pass found Neymar and the Brazilian drilled the ball into the far corner.

The Clermont players were left incensed that PSG had continued to attack despite a defender being down injured.

The champions-elect doubled their advantage inside 20 minutes as Messi collected his 12th league assist of the season.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner volleyed the ball through for Mbappe, who prodded it past onrushing goalkeeper Arthur Desmas.

But Clermont gave themselves hope of an unlikely comeback shortly before halftime as Jodel Dossou bundled in at the back post to finish off a fine team move.

Neymar almost restored PSG’s two-goal lead before the break, but Desmas produced a fine diving save to tip the Brazilian’s shot around the post.

The capital giants dominated possession after the restart but struggled to create many chances, and needed goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to save Jason Berthomier’s shot.

Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has revealed that the United Kingdom is among venues being considered to host the Briton’s rematch against Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk, adding that the fight will take place in June or July.

World heavyweight champion Usyk beat Joshua in front of a sell-out crowd in London in September last year to claim the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow calls a “special military operation”, Usyk returned to his homeland to join a territorial defence battalion, raising doubts about a rematch with Joshua.

However, Usyk said last month that he had begun preparations for the bout, with the Ukrainian’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk telling Sky Sports that Saudi Arabia was a potential venue.

“We’re in final negotiations for a couple of sites for either the end of June or earlyto-mid-July,” Hearn told British media at the weekend. “I reckon within two weeks we’ll have some news in terms of where that’s going to be.

“An option is in the UK. The difference is, we don’t really need negotiations with a venue in the UK, we just book it.”

The winner could be in line for a unification bout with WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury of Britain.

Anthony Joshua’

FRENCH LIGUE 1

Olympic Champions Canada Humble Super Falcons in Friendly Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medalists Canada defeated nine-time African champions Super Falcons 2-0 in the first of two friendlies yesterday in Vancouver.

The Super Falcons, who were without several top stars including Asisat Oshoala of Barcelona Femeni, enjoyed a fine first half before capitulating.

New captain, Onome Ebi, Toni Payne and Rasheedat Ajibade impressed.

However, home team Canada, who are ranked sixth best team in the world, went in front in the 51st minute, before they doubled their lead on 72 minutes.

Both teams will clash again in two days in a second friendly.

The Super Falcons are using their test games to prepare for the WAFCON in Morocco in July.

Sunday April 10, 2022

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

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Price: N400

MISSILE

Falana to FG “In 2014, the APC leaders asked President Jonathan to resign on account of the increasing wave of insecurity. Why have the same fellows who have demonstrated worse incompetence not called it quits? Can you imagine that they want terrorists to massacre more passengers?” – Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), lamenting the worsening state of insecurity in Nigeria.

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

Want to Be a Billionaire?

T

wo things happened on Thursday that forced me to write on this topic. First, I bought a copy of TIME magazine featuring “100 Most Influential Companies”. I will explain why. For 20 years, I have been challenging my wife to come up with an idea that would make us billionaires. I regret to report at this point that she has not delivered. I admit that my own ideas are a bit silly. I once suggested we could invent a face mask fitted with a microphone so people could talk without pulling down the covering. That would also help reduce the spread of COVID. The missus and my daughter laughed so hard that I felt like a comedian. So, buying the magazine was to help me get better billionaire ideas.

Second, later in the day, Forbes released its World’s Billionaires List for 2022. Again, I began to study the list to get inspired. I discovered that the world’s richest people are concentrated in technology, finance and manufacturing. There is also a long list of billionaires in fashion & retail, healthcare, food & beverage, real estate, energy and media & entertainment. The US has always dominated Forbes Top 10. This year, there are nine American entrepreneurs within that bracket. In 2021, there were eight Americans — same as in 2020. How does the US produce the highest number of billionaires?

Why are the Chinese in their hot pursuit? Is

Globacom Chairman , Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr there any idea Nigerians can steal from them?

On the latest Forbes list, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote Group, maintained his

status as Africa’s richest man with an estimated worth of $14 billion in his cement and sugar businesses. Dr Mike Adenuga Jnr recorded a significant rise in his fortune and is now ranked Africa’s second richest man and No. 345 globally. He leapt over Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, chairman of BUA Group, who has dropped to Africa’s No. 3 and No. 350 globally with his cement and sugar wealth. Both Dangote and Rabiu are from Kano, a city historically reputed more for trade than manufacturing.

Dangote and Rabiu actually started out as traders, so you could say they were both cut from the same cloth.

Forbes measured the wealth of Adenuga, chairman of Globacom and Conoil, based on only his telecoms and oil businesses. He is apparently worth far more than the $7.3 billion attributed to him: some of his companies are not publicly quoted and Forbes uses stock market value and exchange rate. Even at that, his wealth has grown from $6.1 billion in 2021 to $7.3 billion in 2022. He was Africa’s No. 3 in 2020, dropped to No. 5 in 2021 and is now No. 2. This is a big leap for a mogul whose business affairs are well talked about but which only a few have insight. Nigerians know him more as the man who revolutionised the telecoms sector by introducing per second billing in 2003.

While the families of Dangote, 65, and Rabiu, 61, were big on trade, Adenuga’s father was a

school teacher. The Kano duo were importing rice and sugar in their teething days while Adenuga, 68, started out by selling lace materials and distributing soft drinks. He drove taxis to fund his studies at the Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Pace University, both in the US, where he earned degrees in business administration. But the millions he made from selling lace and soft drinks definitely paled into insignificance when his company, Consolidated Oil, struck oil in commercial quantity in the shallow waters of Ondo State in 1991. It was a first for a wholly Nigerian company.

However, this article is not about Dangote or Adenuga. I’ve written quite a lot about their stories and adventures in the last 19 years.

Rather, I am interested in how we can write a new story about Nigeria and produce more Adenugas and Dangotes. The US has the world’s largest economy and this has translated into prosperity not just for the entrepreneurs but also for the average American. China, whose incredible blend of communism and capitalism has produced “state capitalism” (an oxymoron, since capitalism is supposed to be “private”), now has more billionaires per one million people compared to the US and the prosperity is well shared across its 1.4 billion citizens.

In Nigeria, we continue to brag about being Africa’s most populous country, but what Continued on page 78

WAZIRIADIO POSTSCRIPT

Will the Consensus Option Work in the Primaries?

A

major spinoff of the conventions that produced the national officials of the two leading political parties in Nigeria is the sudden elevation of the word ‘consensus.’ This word has transformed not only into the most frequently used word in our political lexicon but also into a simultaneous source of hope and anxiety for political aspirants.

In the next two months, as the parties work themselves into a feverish mood to choose their flagbearers for the 2023 general election, the stock of consensus is expected to soar even higher. However, it is doubtful if the leading parties can pull off the consensus option in their presidential primaries as easily as they did in choosing members of their national executive committees. The stakes, and likely costs, are significantly different.

To start with, the use of consensus as a method for selecting party officials or flagbearers is not as new as it now appears.

It has always been an option, pressed into service in different guises and for different purposes. Basically, it is a form of veto by party leaders or elders (or even party owners in some cases).

The dominant forces in the parties could exercise such a veto either because they have earned the goodwill to extract concessions or

because they have the structure that can easily deliver their wish. In most cases, aspirants are simply asked to wait for their turn. Or they are just requested to step down for the anointed person for the sake of equity or peace or a united front or any other convenient justification. In most cases, a real contest is likely to produce the same anointed aspirant, especially when the party leaders have the structure and the zeal to enforce their wish.

But not always.

One famous exception was the 1978 gubernatorial primaries of the United Party of Nigeria (UPN) in old Oyo State. Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the highly respected leader of UPN, wanted his long-term ally, Archdeacon Emmanuel Alayande, to be UPN’s flagbearer in the state. Archdeacon Alayande was one of the early and loyal members of UPN’s predecessor, the Action Group (AG) when it was formed in 1951. But a much younger Chief Bola Ige successfully challenged Awolowo, his party leader, and Alayande, his former school principal, to clinch the ticket all the times the party conducted its primaries in 1978. Ige later went on to win the 1979 governorship election.

Another iteration of consensus politics was on display in the build up to the 1983 general election when Chief Awolowo and party elders decided that all the governors in the five

UPN states should go for a second term.

Some party members felt this was contrary to prior agreements. Those not happy with the decision couldn’t force their ways through the primaries but some of them decamped to the ruling party at the centre, the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).

Among others, Chief S.M. Afolabi and Chief Akin Omoboriowo, who were both deputy governors in old Oyo and Ondo states respectively, left the UPN fold. This made the UPN vulnerable in the two states, losing both states in the general election and retrieving only Ondo State at the tribunal. In a related vein, Awolowo wanted Chief Josiah Olawoyin to return as UPN’s flagbearer in Kwara State in 1983 but his hands were forced as Senator C.O. Adebayo emerged. Adebayo went on to defeat NPN’s Adamu Attah, the incumbent governor who had fallen out with his godfather, Senator Olusola Saraki.

This short historical detour is necessary because the present South West is reputed for a form of consensus politics: the phenomenon known as ‘Baba So Pe’ (‘Baba has said’ or ‘Baba has decreed’). When framed negatively, it is seen as imposition by the father of the party or by the party elders. But it can also be seen positively as a way of going strong into the actual election and limiting costs and rancour.

Preference for consensus is not restricted to the West or South West—it is present in different forms all over the country. Some will even tell you it shows internal cohesion/party discipline and that it aligns more with African tradition because intense internal competition is at odds with the family spirit that a party should have.

Consensus is embraced and reviled in equal measure by our political class depending on who benefits. It is not unusual that some who support it when they benefit may oppose it when they lose out. As the cases mentioned earlier show, consensus doesn’t always work: it can be successfully challenged and, when not properly managed, it can lead to loss at the polls for the party that insists on it.

It is also important to state that though it reduces the number of people choosing the flagbearers of the parties when compared to direct and indirect primary methods, the consensus option is not necessarily less democratic or less legal than the other two methods. The law allows it as a democratic method for choosing candidates. The only thing is that when placed on a spectrum, direct primaries will be the most representative, indirect primaries will be in the middle and consensus will be the least representative Continued on page 78

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